chapter1: automatic shipping

july 9, 2009

 It’s July, and up-and-coming YouTube and soon-to-be Disney Channel sensation 8STARz are on a high. Their debut single, Explode, peaked at 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was a strong debut, compared to 7STARz’ debut. The 8 are still the most talked about pop act on social media. Their music video gained a bunch of hits on YouTube. As for any new bad behavior, they haven’t pulled any antics. It was enough to get the American public talking about them for their clothes, their choreography, and their new hit.

 Now the 8 had just wrapped up filming their second music video for their second single, RockStar. The single was already released on iTunes and the radio. So far, it’s charting well. But in the meantime, they’re taking some time off.

 Today also happened to be Ryan’s birthday. He was now 17. He was at his family’s mansion in his hometown of Malibu. He was the youngest in his family, and had three older siblings. There was a party, with only his closest friends from high school, and his relatives. He had a brother and two sisters.

 As the party was beginning to wind down, Ryan saw a brand new, black car drive up onto the circled driveway. He’s oldest sibling, Leann, got out of the car, along with her husband. Ryan walked up to them, and she told her baby brother, “Ryan, this is your birthday present.”

 Ryan stared at her with surprise as she handed him the keys. He asked, “You’re saying this car…is mine?”

 “Yup! It’s a 2010 Mercedes, and it’s the company car. But me and Jonathan already have three cars, so we decided to give you this very expensive car.”

 With that, Ryan gave his newly famous huge, toothy grin. Then she asked him seriously, “Do you have your license?”

 “Yeah, of course!”

 Once again, she beamed, and said, “Happy birthday, Ryan! Don’t ram over any paparazzi!”

 He laughed as he got in his new car, “I won’t!”

 Before he drove off, he took in the interior of the car. He had been wanting a new car ever since he was 15. He was trying to save up some money from his dance and modeling career. Now he was given a free car on his birthday! And off he went to 8STARz’ house.

 Soon he arrived at Beverly Hills, and drove up the band’s house. He honked the horn to get them to come out. When they did, they saw Ryan leaning against his new car. Rylie came running to him, and asked, “Is this your new car?”

 Ryan smirked as he replied, “Yup! One of my sisters gave me this car as a present.”

 The members were impressed…except for Maddie. She stood there, looking annoyed. Ryan noticed, so he asked smugly, “What’s wrong, Madison? Jealous I got a brand new car for my birthday, you’re stuck with a crappy used car?”

 Maddie twisted her lips, and walked up to him. She told him, “My car is a hybrid, and it’s not a crappy car. And as for your car…it’s a piece of shit. It’s obviously very expensive, something the one percent would flaunt.”

 Ryan stared at her, and then asked the members, “Who wants to ride in my car?”

 Rylie squealed, “Me!”

 Ryan laughed, and hugged her. He kissed her lips lightly. Then Sarah said, “I so want to be in that car! Greg, you’re coming with me.”

 Greg groaned as he asked, “Do I have to?”

 “Yes! You’re my boyfriend, and I want you in the car with me!”

 Greg groaned as Sarah dragged him to car. Then Ryan said, “We have to film another music video tomorrow at Pasadena. Why don’t we do some shopping? We all meet at the coffee-shop?”

 The 8 agreed to this. So Emily, Alec, and Hayley got into Maddie’s car. Then they started driving to Hollywood. While Maddie was driving, she started complaining, “Who does Ryan Anderson think he is? Flaunting his car like he’s a millionaire? Well, guess what? He’s not a fucking millionaire!”

 Alec said nervously, “Well, he is kind of rich. I mean, have you seen his house? It’s huge!”

 Maddie rolled her eyes, and said, “Please, Ryan is such a fake. He thinks he’s the shit. Well, he’s not! He’s a complete…phony and a fucking prick!”

 With that, Hayley, Emily, and Alec exchanged weirded out looks. Then a light bulb went off. So Emily said, “Maddie, you sure seem to hate Ryan, like, a lot.”

 Maddie said, “Of course I do! He always gets under my skin!”

 “But he doesn’t do anything to you. You’re always the one trying to pick fights with him. You always insult him.”

 Hayley added, “You wanna know what I think? Maddie…is in love with Ryan Anderson!”

 Suddenly, Maddie slammed on the brakes. She couldn’t believe what she heard! Hipster Maddie in love with the arrogant, vain Ryan? That was so unheard of!

 The two girls and Alec were in shock by her reaction. Then Alec said nervously, “Um, I’m going into Ryan’s car.”

 With that, Alec got out of the car. Then Maddie started driving again, and soon parked her car at a parking lot. Hayley asked, “OMFG, are you gonna go ask Ryan out on a date?”

 Emily asked, “Are you going to make out him”

 “Are you going to rub your hands all over his sexy body?”

 “Oh! Are you two gonna do the nasty?”

 With that, Maddie said angrily, “Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!”

 Emily said, “OMFG, you DO like Ryan!”

 Hayley said, “I got a ship name for them: Ma-Ryan!”

 Maddie said hastily, “No! I don’t like Ryan! In fact, I hate him! Yeah!”

 Emily said, “Come on! It’s so obvious you love him! Besides, you’re confusing hate with looove!”

 “No! I have a really hot boyfriend back in New York! He’s an activist! Ryan is so not hot, and all he cares about is his hair!”

 Hayley sighed, and said, “Maddie, what’s so wrong for having a crush on Ryan? He’s not really a bad guy. Sure, he’s arrogant and very vain, but he’s sweet to Rylie. He can be nice. Just come out and admit you like Ryan.”

 Maddie scrunched her nose, and said, “You make me sound like a closeted gay guy.”

 Emily said, ‘Well, that’s how you’re acting.”

 Maddie sighed in frustration, and said, “Look, I’m in love with my boyfriend Josh. He’s been patient with me living in LA, and doing the band thing. Besides, I don’t love Ryan. He has a girlfriend, and I have a boyfriend. End of story. Oh, and don’t tell Rylie any of this.”

 Hayley said, “We won’t. But you got to stop living in denial, and admit you have feelings for Ryan. Who cares if he’s not your ideal man? Are you afraid the hipsters will disown you if like the dancing Hollister boy?”

 Maddie, once again, sighed. Then she drove out of the parking lot. She wasn’t sure what she was feeling concerning Ryan. But whatever it was, she did her best to push it out of her mind.