Bandmate ||Ricky Garcia||

《s e v e n t y - t w o》

Audrey's POV

The interview started with Peyton asking the basic questions. Nothing significantly interesting until she asked him the question the got us all huddled here, to begin with. 

''I want to ask you a question that I'm sure the whole world is dying to know. Why did you leave the band? It took the whole world by surprise.'' She asks leaning the microphone closer to his lips. They were sitting on a couch, a normal everyday setting, not a professional location. Almost as if they just wanted to get this interview over with and post it to the world. 

''Yeah, there were so many reasons behind my decision. I appreciate what the band has done for me and the experience I have learned, but it was toxic.''  

Emery pauses the video and stares back at us. His mouth was open in shock. ''How are we toxic? I know I used his underwear once but still.'' He pouts.

''Emery I can bet you a million dollars that Peyton and Jon are gaining up against us,'' Ricky says clenching his fist together. 

''Why would he do that though?'' Asks Liam scratching the back of his head.

''I thought you guys were like brothers...'' Margo says in a low voice. The band looked at her for a few seconds.

''Yeah I thought we were too,'' Ricky whispers. ''Let's keep watching.'' He points at the screen and Emery presses play. 

''Toxic? Can you please elaborate on that please?'' 

''Oh yeah, they didn't respect me. Not as a member, not as a person. I was there for them and they weren't there for me. There were so many times when I would come to them for advice or idea for our next song, but they just never had time for me.'' 

''It's sad and I'm sure the audience might have a hard time believe what you're saying but I have to agree with you,'' At that moment she turned to look at the camera with a sense of hopelessness staining her eyes. ''During my relationship with Ricky I spent a fair amount of time with the band, and I am a witness of the times where they would push you away.'' 

''It's always been like that. I thought that perhaps as the years went by they would start to include me in more, but that didn't happen. I don't like saying these things because I feel like backstabbing my family, but now that I'm saying it out loud, maybe we never were one in the first place.'' 

''One more question before I change the subject because I see that you're getting emotional. Do you regret your decision about leaving the band? You think it'll be harder to start a solo career?'' 

''The only regret I have is staying there for this long. As for my solo career, I don't want to be known as the guy who left FIYM. I want to finally be able to do music my way, not their way.'' 

''I'm sure you will do great and you have the fan's support and my own. Now I wanted to discuss if you have any new music-'' 

''You can turn it off now,'' Ricky says.

''Thank you Margo for letting us know. We'll see you next week to work on song ideas?'' Emery's polite way of telling Margo to leave is clearly understood. She hugs them all before closing the door behind her. 

''We have to address this,'' Liam says standing up from his seat. ''He can't just go spreading lies like that?'' 

''We can't just go out there and say he's wrong,'' Ricky says in a low voice. His eyes are still in the ground.

''Why? Let's just go public and expose his lying ass-''

''Liam if they do, it will look defensive and too abrupt, which will only prove his point even more,'' I tell him and he rolls his eyes with a groan.