Blackmailed Into The Band

Times Change

" How did we do this so easily before?" I asked Josh as we walked around, holding hands and taking pictures with the group that showed up.

" Back then it was real," He said as I tried not to feel guilty about anything. " I hate my life," He added, making us smile awkwardly.

To get every last bit of respect that our band deserved, Joel had special instructions for everyone, mostly Josh and I. We had to couple up again because that's what people wanted, even though I'd announced our breakup on the radio interview.

This'll be your comeback as a couple. Say you missed each so much that you couldn't stand being apart, he said.

Despite our protests, he had made the final decision and told us that we needed to do it or the signing would be cancelled.

If Josh and I had to hold hands for an hour to please a crowd of 200 people, we were fine with it. Everyone who showed up was nice and some were a little scared to talk to us. I even received two bracelets from a younger girl.

As I let go of Josh and went to grab a water bottle, I overheard Phillip talking to Joel. Phillip looked devastated and Joel looked angry.

Josh followed me. " Look," I said, nodding towards them as he followed my gaze.

" Should we go?" He asked.

I nodded and left him behind as I ran to Phillip. " What happened?" I asked, glaring at Joel who left with a smug smile on his face.

" He's bringing Christina," Phillip said. His voice cracked a little as he spoke of his girlfriend.

" Joel's ruining our lives and Gavin has no control over this," Josh sighed.

Our signing was over a few minutes later and we walked inside the studio. Carter and I had brought our own instruments, just because Gavin thought we'd be more comfortable.

We started recording our next cover, Diary of Jane by Breaking Benjamin. I liked the song but it wasn't my favorite and the guys agreed with me. The only reason we were excited was because this would be our first studio cover and all of us forgot about Joel as our escape lightened the mood.

I couldn't quite hit the deeper scream in the song. We had to do so many takes because my voice just wasn't deep enough.

Gavin found it really amusing and then Aidan finally dropped his mic and attempted to help me. Everyone else took a break as Aidan and I stayed in the recording room. At one point, Gavin came back with his wife, Eva, and they started talking about something in hushed tones.

Meanwhile my voice was starting to give out as Aidan laughed at me.

" Fuck you," I screamed in the lowest tone I could.

" You still suck. Don't do the deep scream, you can't hit the note," He laughed.

" I will hit it with a little bit of practice," I retorted.

" You're holding us back, you demented-"

" Aidan!" Gavin warned as Eva covered her mouth.

" She's my girlfriend," Aidan said defensively.

" Asshole," I yelled.

" Get out of my recording studio," Aidan said, pushing me out.

" No! I'm not done! Gavin!" I screamed, as the rest of the band looked somewhat amused and perplexed.

" 'Lexia just give up on that scream," Josh said.

" Fuck you too," I said as he rolled his eyes and went back to his phone.

Aidan did the unthinkable. He picked me up as I screamed and handed me to Carter, who held me in place while Aidan went back to recording the song without me.

" I hate you all so much," I sighed and gave up.

--

Upon leaving the studio, a few people had gathered to take a picture with Aidan. Josh and I were forced to hold hands again and I couldn't stop feeling guilty about it.

Our breakup was his fault.

" Stop walking so fast," He said, smiling and acting like he'd said something cute.

" Shut up and walk faster," I said.

Beside me, a few girls looked at us with a knowing expression. Relationship trouble.

I kept walking. There was no relationship and there could never again be one between Josh and I.

As we got in the van, I plugged my headphones in and scooted over for Phillip to sit beside me.

" 'Lexia?" He said gently.

I looked at him.

" Are you mad about the song?"

" No," I said, realizing that someone else had asked him to talk to me.

I turned and glanced at Aidan and Carter, who were pretending to be on their phones.

" What are you upset about?" He asked.

" Our amazing appearances manager."

" Listen, I know it's tough but you have to make little sacrifices for the band. We've all done it before and you can do it again."

I nodded.

" Hey, look at this," Carter said, handing me his phone.

I glanced at the link on Twitter.

Drea's Last Words: On the Verge of Breaking Up? followed by a picture of Josh and I.

I screamed internally and opened the link.

Drea's Last Words stars Alexia Morgan and Josh Cartel were seen arguing outside the studio today while making their way to their van. The two had an air of tension around them followed by Alexia telling her on-off boyfriend to shut up. Maybe some relationships are best left alone after the first breakup! What do you guys think?

I handed Carter his phone before the guys left me alone and remained silent the rest of the way home.