The One: Dangerous Lust (The One Series-Book8) (ORIGINAL DRAFT)

Chapter14: Reinforcing Schemes

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."