Chapter14-Reinforcing Schemes

July 21st, 2011

 It's now July, and 7th Anthem are busy. Their British leg of their sold-out tour is coming to a close. They're also promoting three single simultaneously: Pay For It for Britain and Europe; Control for Asia, Australia, and Latin America; and Burning Up for You for North America. There are also music videos.

 In Pay For It, 7A dresses as their teenage UTurn selves, and pokes fun at how they were portrayed in the media then and now. Even the 7A logo was temporarily changed to the UTurn logo. In Control, the two former couples, Andyson and Bailstin, fought each other, Mr.-and-Mrs.-Smith style. In Burning Up for You, 7A are out clubbing.

 At the same, 7A's rival, The OutLaws, are busy promoting their new single from their up-coming second album. Since their debut a year ago, the band became a successful pop act in Britain. They even made some headway in Europe. Despite their rising success, they were overshadowed by 7A. Even The Extras are surpassing them! Having Ethan in the group didn't help things either. He was only in UTurn for one year, but he didn't make much of an impact to hurt their popularity, and he wasn't as popular as Andrew and Justin were.  

 The OutLaws were at a meeting with their publicist, Melissa. She told them, "You know how your rival, 7th Anthem, has scandals surrounding. It's nothing new. 'Controversy' is their nickname. They had two images in 2007. There were reports of Andrew being a grade school bully during the UTurn years. Now he's bisexual, and reportedly in a love triangle between Alyson and Brandon. Bailey went from the good girl next door to a party-going slut. Libby has recently retired from partying."

 Alice asked, "So, what's that got to do with us?"

 Melissa replied, "My point is that you should not turn out like 7th Anthem. They're notorious, scandalous, and controversial. They're a bad example on how a pop band should behave."

 Marissa said, "So why are they more popular than ever?"

 Kendall chimed in, "Yeah, look at them. They finally broke through America for the first time ever. Their new albums are platinum worldwide. 7th Anthem is huge now."

 Ethan said bitterly, "You heard what my girlfriend said. They're not a good influence for us. Besides, we should have our own identity. We being criticized that we ripped them off or something. They're the ones ripping off that band with 8 people."

 Marissa asked, "You mean S Club 8?"

 Ethan nodded his head.

 Alice said, "They're not ripping them off. The influence is still there, but not as much as before."

 Melissa said with irritation in voice, "The OutLaws are not going to become the new 7th Anthem. Understand?"

 The members agreed, and soon they left the boardroom. Ethan stayed behind to stay with Melissa. She said to him worryingly, "Kendall's right. 7th Anthem has turned into a global phenomenon. They're as big as The Black Eyed Peas. Their scandals are not affecting them negatively."

 Ethan asked, "So what should we do? Andrew and Alyson are still leading their band, and they're stable."

 "I could pull in numerous gigs for your band, but I can't guarantee that will make The OutLaws bigger than 7th Anthem."

 "You can take us to America. I kind of miss Boston."

 "I do too, but you'll be lucky if you break through. You only stayed in 7th Anthem for one year. You're barely known in America."

 "Well, we have to destroy 7th Anthem somehow."

 Ethan thought for a moment, and soon gave Melissa a sly grin.

 It's morning in Boston, USA. At the Hawthorne Law Firm in downtown, there was a young man arriving at his office. The man was Jeremy Hawthorne. He was 24, and like his younger brother Andrew, he had black hair, blue eyes, and fair complexion.

 Jeremy's office held a frame that contained his bachelor's degree from Harvard Law. He's currently getting his master's, but he is working as a lawyer, heir to the firm. There were a few family photos, and some pictures of him with his fiancée Heather Garrison. He only has one photo of his brother Andrew, but it was from the pre-UTurn years.

 Jeremy wasn't crazy about his little brother pursuing the performing arts and the entertainment industry. Because of this, the two have a strained relationship. Then again, Andrew has been estranged from his family. The only ones who still contact him are his parents (they're the band's international lawyers), and his little sister Hannah.

 When Andrew came out as bisexual, Hannah and their parents approved of his orientation. Jeremy was okay with it, but as usual, he wasn't jumping up-and-down. As for the rest of the family, despite being a family of liberals and democrats, they weren't too crazy about the news. At the same time, they weren't surprised. They figured he would go bi, or gay, due to his involvement with the arts.

 As Jeremy sat down at his desk, he played some messages on the answering machine. Then he heard a certain message: "Jeremy, this is Melissa Bauer. I'm Alyson Bauer's older sister. I'm calling to see if you'd be interested in bringing down your little brother's band, 7th Anthem. I know you don't approve of his career choice. I bet you're a powerful lawyer. Hell, I remember when you always won those debate club events. You're as persuasive as Andrew. So, use your natural bullying to destroy Andrew and his band. Call me back. Here's my number..."

 Jeremy was stunned by what he heard. He couldn't believe that Alyson's sister was bent destroying 7th Anthem. He may not fully support Andrew, but that last thing he would want to do is destroy his career. He still cares about him.

 So Jeremy went the main office, where his parents worked at. He approached them nervously. They saw him. The father asked, "What is it, son?"

 Jeremy gave a big gulp, and asked, "Can I have Andrew's cell phone number?"

 It's after ten at Manchester, England. 7A just wrapped up their concert. As the members were changing out of their costumes, Andrew's iPhone played I Feel Like Dancin' by All Time Low.

 He answered, and was surprised to hear a certain voice. It was Jeremy! Andrew asked, "Why are you calling me?"

 Jeremy explained, "I got message from this Melissa Bauer, Alyson's sister. She asked me to destroy you, Alyson, and your band."

 Andrew scoffed, "I bet you're gonna join her and her f*cked up boyfriend. You don't even support me.

 "Actually, I'm not going to join her. I'm on your side."

 He was stunned by what he heard. For the first time in years, Jeremy was on Andrew's side. He was silent for a few seconds. Jeremy asked if he was still there.

 He replied, "Yeah, I'm here. Um, so what are you going to do?"

 "I'm a lawyer now. I'll do everything I can to protect you and your band."

 With that, Andrew hung up. He needed to let the phone call sink in. The two guys, Justin and Trevor, saw him in shock. Justin sat next to him, and rubbed his back affectionately as he asked, "Is everything alright?"

 Andrew replied, "It's my brother, Jeremy. He called to tell me that Melissa asked him to join her in destroying 7th Anthem. He refused to go along with it. He's on my side. He hasn't supportive of me since I was 5. He always questioned my choices in life and careers. Now he has a change of heart."

 Andrew sat on his chair for a minute, and then he abruptly got up. He quickly changed into his regular clothes, and left the guys' dressing room. He went to the girls' room, and asked for Alyson.

 When she walked out of her room, she asked, "What is it?"

 Andrew replied, "My brother called me..."

 "He did?" Alyson asked with surprise in her voice.

 "Yeah, I know. Anyway, he told me that Melissa called him to join her in destroying 7th Anthem."

 Alyson thought for a moment, and soon said, "We need to confront her."

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IN THE VIDEO IS 7TH ANTHEM'S EUROPEAN SINGLE, "PAY FOR IT", AND IN THE PIC IS 7A'S LOGO FOR THE SINGLE>>>