The One

Strained Ties

Chapter1-UTurn Takeover

February 1, 2010

 It's February, and 7th Anthem's year is just starting. Their debut 7A album (their third overall for the band), ReInvention, is a huge hit across the UK and all of Europe. They're now releasing their third single, Camera Time. On top of that, they're in pre-production for their next album. It's slated to release in 2011.

 As for their hit TV series, The Delinquents, they're beginning to start filming season 2. Luckily, they were able to squeeze in time for the filming due to heavy promotions, extended tours, and plans to return to the US.

 7A were on the set of their TV series, The Delinquents, to start filming the first episode of season 2. They were dressed in their Harold Tisdale Upper School uniforms, waiting in one of the trailers.

 As they going over their lines in their Northern English accent, Riley and Stacie entered the dressing room. They were also in their HTUS uniforms.

 They saw the two girls. Andrew asked, "What is it?"

 Stacie spoke up, "You guys need to do something about Ethan?"

 "Why?"

 Riley replied, "He's forming a band to rival 7th Anthem."

 Alyson asked, "How do you know about this?"

 Stacie answered, "Ethan tried to get Riley and I to join, but we refused. We're not about to compete with a band we used to be in."

 At that moment, it was time to film.

 It's been a couple of hours, and now it's break time. The 7A members took advantage of this time by confronting Ethan. He was talking with some of the actors.

 Andrew said to Ethan sternly, "What the f*ck are you planning now?"

 Ethan turned to face the infuriated 7A members. He asked them in a bored voice, "What did I supposedly do this time?"

 Andrew demanded, "Is it true that you're forming a band to rival us?"

 Ethan gave a sly smile as he replied, "Actually yes, it's true."

 Alyson asked, "Okay, why are you doing this?"

 Ethan replied, "UTurn has been around far too long. It's time to bring you down. So I decided to form a band. What better way to destroy a band than by creating a rival band?"

 Andrew asked, "What's the name of your supposed 'band'?"

 Ethan gave a smug smile as he replied, "UTurn."

 "You can't be serious," he scoffed.

 "Yeah, I am. My band will be marketed as the real UTurn. The other members were just defectors."

 Alyson said sternly, "You can't do that. 7th Anthem is the real UTurn. And besides, there's proof out there. CDs, performances, you name it."

 Ethan said, "And what are you going to do about it? You don't have the rights to the UTurn brand, except for the songs which your people bought."

 Andrew said sternly, "We'll get the rights. That stuff is rightfully ours, and we'll make sure you don't get your hands on it."

 With that, 7A walked away. Andrew got on his iPhone. Alyson asked, "Are you calling to book a flight to Boston?"

 Andrew replied, "That's exactly what I'm doing. Aly, call our bankers. Justin and Bailey, call our lawyers. We formed this band, and we're buying back our material."

 It's a few days later. 7A had to put their filming on hold so they can go to Boston. They set up a meeting with their former Maurice. They haven't faced their former manager since 2008, when they were being dropped.

 When they saw him, their expressions were cold. As for Maurice, he said, "Long time no see."

 Alyson said sharply, "Cut the crap, Maurice. We're here to buy the rights to our UTurn brand. We were the ones who created this band, so we should own whatever we made, including the name."

 Maurice gave a short laugh, "Alyson Sarah Bauer, you sure have grown up. You even got a slight British accent."

 "Don't avoid the situation!" Andrew said firmly. "We're here with our bankers and our lawyers, including my parents. Now, either gave us the price for UTurn, or we'll sue."

 Maurice glared at Andrew, and then spoke up, "Andrew John Hawthorne, how could I forget that you're a very demanding person? What I don't remember is you having a few piercings, tattoos on your arms, and a British accent."

 Seeing how the 7A members weren't leaving, Maurice said, "Fine. The price is 550,000 dollars. You weren't that big to begin with."

 So 7A opened a briefcase, and gave the money to Maurice. They signed papers to confirm the transaction and the transfer. When everything was complete, 7A became the owners of the UTurn franchise, including the name.

 As soon as Maurice was alone, he made a phone call. His face grew a smile.

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7TH ANTHEM'S NEW SINGLE, "CAMERA TIME," IS IN THE EXTERNAL LINK>>>