A/N: So, I may not split this story in half after all. I plan to try to finish the next part as much as possible next month. But the wait will take roughly a month or so. Please be patient with me as I try to get this work finished.

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ChapterThirty:Escape Plan

Friday, June 30, 2006

Alex sat in the boardroom, ready to pull the hoodie over his head. It was morning, so the weather was a bit cool. He was tired from a music video shoot with his bandmates. It took all day into the evening to get it done. Connect8's team wanted it done so they can start their final round of gigs. Say It! was going to have to one more single.

Seth walked into the boardroom. Alex looked up, not bothering to sit up in his chair. He was more than done working with the band's manager. He wasn't sure why Connect8 were working a lot more than usual. He hoped Seth will say something about this, but he doubted.

Seth said, "So I called you all to this meeting to give you some announcements."

Alex stared at him, waiting to hear what the supposed announcements were. Seth continued, "Starting next month, you'll begin working on your fourth album. I want to get it out sometime between the fourth quarter and first quarter. You'll be going to France, New York, Sweden, you name it. You'll get work with some of the producers that UTurn worked with and will soon for their second album."

Alex felt impressed when he heard this. He knew Connect8 had worked with a few Swedish producers and songwriters for their Nightfall album; but those producers came to England. Now they'll actually get to travel, although he remembered Lauren had senior year from her school back in America. She was the last member in the band who still had schooling to do.

He wasn't sure how this will get done, but if UTurn can juggle their upcoming exams and band stuff, Lauren can too.

                                                                               >>>>>>>>>

"I have my SATs I have to do soon," Lauren told Jerrod, Diana, Sarah, and Alex.

Alex listened to his bandmates in the living area of their home. He was invited by the older members to go out clubbing, but he turned them down. He wanted to be with his friends.

Lauren faced him and asked, "How did you do it?"

"Do what?" he asked.

"Doing exams and band stuff at the same time?"

"I was filming Dare2Dream in France at the time. I had to travel back and forth. Sure, I passed my exams, but it reduced my screen-time. My character didn't have much development compared to the others."

Sarah added, "Lauren might have to do the same."

Alex said, "If we're only promoting in England this time next year, then we should be fine."

Diana asked, "Alex, what if Amanda asks you out to prom?"

Alex was surprised by the question. Would UTurn even have time for prom? For all he knew, they could also have a busy schedule. Maybe their management will allow them to have one night of normalcy. Then again, Amanda didn't seem to be the type to attend prom.

He said, "Amanda is not the prom type."

Diana looked up and said, "But Alyson is. She'll drag her bandmates to prom. She'll even drag you cause you're dating Amanda."

Jerrod said, "Diana, we're not there yet. We'll see when we get there."

Diana said, "But you know how Alyson is. We've only been with them for a short time, and I got a good idea what each person is like. Alyson is that girl who would dress like she's Paris Hilton, link arms with Andrew, and burst into the school's gym like she owns the place because she's Queen Bee. I'm sure she'll even become Prom Queen."

Jerrod asked as he raised an eyebrow, "And you wouldn't?"

She rolled her eyes and said, "Of course I would, but I don't like Alyson."

Alex got up from the floor, not wanting to hear his two friends argue over being queen of a school. He looked at Lauren and Sarah, who were watching it all unfold. Alex walked to up to his room.

He eyed his laptop. He remembered the texts of advice Andrew had sent him. He did his best to hide what he was doing. Looking at photos of ripped naked men and watching gay guy porn helped with his arousal; enough to make him masturbate. He wanted more. He wanted to kiss more guys, maybe even go as far as having sex with one.

An idea popped into his head. Connect8 would be outside of England for recording sessions and such. His band was slowly gaining traction, but not enough to have the paparazzi from their respective countries to stalk them. To the people walking in the streets, he was another stranger.

It was a chance to be invisible while still being a public figure in Britain. He could finally explore his sexuality. Figure out what he liked in men. Sure, he could try another woman, but he couldn't bring himself feel anything for them. Guys, on the other hand, were what his mind, body, and hearted wanted.

He knew this was beyond anything Andrew would ever advise, but the guy that he secretly dated wasn't going to be with him. No Andrew, not even Amanda.

Alex was going to sneak away from his band to do his exploration. He was going to finally feel like he wasn't in a box.

He was going to be himself, even if for only a few hours.