Chapter Two.

The awards really didn’t take that long. A1 performed their first number one single, Take on Me, then an acoustic version of their second number one Same Old Brand New You, before claiming an award for ‘best album’ thanks to “The A-List” their second album. After that, they were allowed to go back to their hotel.

They all loaded into the car, Paul in the back this time with Mark in the front.

“Guys, nothing personal but as soon as I get in there I’m going STRAIGHT to bed, okay?” Paul said. They all nodded in agreement, and when they’d reached the hotel, went immediately to separate rooms. After Paul had gotten changed, and slipped under the covers of his bed, someone knocked on his door.

“Paul? It’s Ben! Can I come in for a sec please?” Ben almost pleaded.

“Yeah” Paul replied, turning the light on his bedside table on. Ben walked in, a bottle of Budweiser in each hand. One was opened.

“What you up to?” Paul asked curiously, noticing the beer.

“I know you’ve been wanting a piss up for ages, and I also know that you really wanna go to sleep, so I thought I’d combine the two tonight! Through drinking, you’ll get SO tired you’re bound to fall asleep so it’s a win win situation!” Ben replied smiling broadly, handing Paul his beer.

“It’s a good plan. But one bottle of Bud ain’t gonna do it, mate!” Paul laughed, taking the bottle off Ben and opening it with the bottle opener in one of his draws.

“I know, which is why Mark and Christian are gonna come in in a sec and help us out! They’ve got like LOADS more, AND God knows how many cans of Stella!” Ben replied.

“Cool!” Paul said, he was a little more awake now and not feeling so upset. When Ben did things like this, it usually meant that he was apologising even more, or he was after something. Paul decided to go with the idea that Ben was still apologising and began drinking his Budweiser. Mark and Christian entered shortly.

“Hey party up in here!” Christian yelled excitedly, he’d obviously started drinking before hand. Paul laughed. Everyone had sat down in his hotel room now, and feeling a little stupid, he got out of bed and joined them. They all had an armchair each and a stack of Stella cans by their side.

After they’d drunk enough to make anybody need the loo about ten times over, the boys engaged in a conversation which didn’t quite turn out as nice as it started.

“I love this group, man! We’ve made it four years and we’re still going! I mean what does that show? That we’re strong enough to carry on, right? Nobody’s got the right to say that we’ll crash and burn now!” Ben commented.

“Yeah, you’re SO right, man! We’re actually pretty good and we’ve got an amazing fan base!” Mark agreed.

“The girls back home seem to love us, some a little TOO much! But hey, it’s all good! How far are we into finishing the album?” Christian asked.

“About a quarter of the way through mate. Shouldn’t be long though, if we buckle down and work hard for the next few months, it should be done by May!” Mark replied.

“What? It’s like September now, which means no breaks or anything if we want it done by May! That sucks!!” Paul said.

“Paul, think about the fans! They’ve been waiting for this album for ages; we don’t want to disappoint them do we! And we don’t exactly need breaks, it’s not like any of us are seeing someone who’s missing us anyway, is it?” Mark replied.

“Yeah I know but...” Paul stopped.

“Never mind” he then said shaking his head.

“Don’t worry about it, mate. Is it your family you’re missing?” Ben asked.

“Yeah...” Paul replied.

“You’ll see them soon enough!” Ben said happily.

“When? Seriously when? They live in Spain! You guys can so EASILY go and see your families ANY time you want! They live right here!” Paul snapped a little.

“Sorry mate...It’s just Tim usually gives us a week off during album time, doesn’t he?” Ben asked, aiming the question at everyone.

“Yeah, but there’s no point. If I go home, I won’t wanna come back” Paul replied.

“Ohh right.” Ben said. There was an awkward silence. No one was sure of what to say next.

“SO how come we have to buckle down and work? Can’t we just take it slow like the other albums?” Paul asked, looking at Mark in particular.

“Well the sooner we finish it, the sooner we can release it and the sooner we’re back in a bigger spotlight again! I mean, we haven’t exactly been around that much have we?” Mark replied.

“I kinda like it like this. Not so much promotion, moving around...” Paul admitted.

“But don’t you just love the thrill of performing?” Ben asked.

“Of course I do, just not as much I guess” Paul replied.

“What? That’s a sudden change in heart...” Mark said, a little surprised.

“It’s not a change. I’ve been thinking that for ages. I just never said anything” Paul corrected.

“So, you’re not happy?” Christian asked.

“I’m happy. Just not AS happy. Listen can we forget about me for now? I’m drunk, I’m probably just being stupid” Paul replied.

“Yeah. You probably are!” Ben laughed.

“How would you know?” Paul asked.

“Well, I’m your best mate! You would’ve told me if there was anything wrong, right?” Ben replied.

“Not necessarily” Paul said, looking away.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ben asked.

“It means I don’t tell you EVERYTHING that goes on in my life, and I don’t tell you EVERY time I’m upset, or whatever! I like to keep things to myself alright?” Paul snapped in reply.

“Okay...So does that mean you’re actually unhappy in the band then?” Ben asked.

“I just fucking said! I’m happy, just not AS happy, how many times do I have to tell you before it gets through your THICK skull and into your pathetic excuse for a brain!!” Paul yelled.

“We’d better go...” Christian whispered to Mark.

“Right behind you!” Mark replied. The two boys snuck out of the room as Ben and Paul continued to argue.

“Well the way you were talking about it just now was like you’re not happy at all!” Ben snapped back.

“The WAY I say things, and what I actually mean can sometimes be completely different, okay?” Paul shouted.

“Well tell us that next time then!” Ben barked.

“Why should I? I shouldn’t have to explain myself to you...” Paul bitterly replied quietly, giving him an evil look.

“How can you say that? We’ve been mates for ages!” Ben asked, a little hurt, also toning down his voice.

“Mates?...” Paul asked. Christian and Mark were on the other side of the door listening in.

“Shit! His voice’s gone too quiet! I can’t hear any more!” Mark whispered.

“We’d better move incase one of them comes out then!” Christian replied. They moved out of the way, and sure enough a couple of minutes later, Paul stormed out of the room, suitcase in his hand.

“Paul, where are you going?” Mark called after him.

“I’m going home” Paul yelled back as he continued walking fast.

“Wait! Why?” Mark asked, catching up with him and grabbing his arm.

“Because that fucking pretty boy is doing my nut in! I’m not staying here if he’s gonna be like that! He can’t take that I’m not as happy as I used to be and I won’t let it rest! So I’m off!” Paul replied looking Mark angrily in the eye.

“Paul think about this! Leaving the group because of a little fight after too much drink?” Mark asked.

“I’m not leaving the group yet, I’m just going for a while, I need to think okay? I’ll ring you in the morning when I’m not so pissed and can actually think!” Paul explained, trying to walk off again, Mark loosened his grip.

“But you’ll be in Spain! How you gonna get there AND back in the space of a day if you change your mind?” He called to him.

“No I won’t” is all Paul replied before disappearing into the car park.

*

Remembering that it was almost morning and he had no car to drive, Paul took out his mobile and called a taxi. Within ten minutes it had reached where Paul was stood and he was sat in the back.

“Bit late to be out aren’t you?” the driver asked, for the sake of conversation.

“Stress” Paul replied.

“Know what you mean!” The driver laughed. Paul forced a laugh and remained silent for the rest of the journey. The driver stopped outside the house Paul had asked to be dropped off at. He got out of the taxi, paid the man and let him drive off.

Nervously he walked up the steps of the front porch which lead to the front door. He looked at the door for a second, and then knocked as loudly as he could. Realising it was now 3am, he was sure she’d be pissed off, but he needed to see her. He had to.

Finally the door opened and a sleepy woman appeared in front of his eyes.

‘Even half a sleep she looks amazing!’ Paul thought to himself as he smiled nervously at her.

“Paul?” She asked.