From Skid Row to Superstardom: An Idol System Novel-Chapter 200: Exoneration (5)

"So Ari, we’re down to our final question. Being not only the valedictorian of your class but also the person with the highest GPA and the highest AP exam scores in the school’s history is an amazing accomplishment. Is there anyone you would like to give a special shout-out to as your high school journey comes to a close? It could be a teacher, an administrator, or even another student who you feel has impacted you positively," Alicia Gray, the president of the school’s journalism club, asked Ari as she interviewed him for the article that would be published.

Conscious of the camera recording her every move and the handsome boy across from her, who looked even more handsome than she remembered, as he was dressed in a white button-up shirt, gray slacks, with his hair pushed to the side, exposing that striking face.

As Ari’s slender hands gripped the silver microphone in front of him, Alicia blushed hard, breaking the journalistic protocol, and avoided the sea green eyes staring intently at her.

"Not really, but shout out to Principal Matador for making an exception for me and working with my schedule. I was fully prepared to drop out, so I’m glad we found a happy medium, and I was able to achieve these things, I suppose. Although I really don’t want to give a speech at graduation, and wish there was a cash prize or something."

"Oh. Uhm, is anyone else? Like a friend, or a teacher? Someone who really helped you out?"

"Hmmm, I guess I can give a shout-out to all the teachers who wrote me a last-minute letter of recommendation. Thanks to them."

"Oh. I see." Although she felt a bit disappointed for some reason, Alicia forced a smile before continuing, "Well, thank you for taking the time to interview with me."

"No, thank you for making time for me at the last minute. I appreciate it. And sorry for probably rejecting you earlier in the year if you asked me to do this, my life was a bit more chaotic than it is right now."

As Ari smiled at her, Alicia’s face turned an even brighter tomato color, and she began fanning herself before squeaking out.

"No problem. Can I please have a photo? I promise not to spread it! And I’ve been voting daily on the show, and I hope my article helps prove your innocence!"

"Really? Thank you for doing that. And sure. A picture is fine."

Ari quickly stood up, making a peace sign and smiling as Alicia snapped several selfies with him.

As she promised to write the best article ever, he thanked her once more before leaving with his backpack.

It was his last appointment of the day, after he had met with his teachers to take makeup tests. Jamie had insisted on picking him up, as Grace had said she had something important to do and had pretended to be sick at home.

While he was walking toward a familiar white truck in the parking lot, a beat-up green van skidded in front of him, and out jumped Analise Crouch, looking crazed with disheveled hair, smudged makeup, and red eyes filled with tears.

"You!"

Stomping angrily toward him, she began slamming her finger against his chest while screaming.

"I can’t believe you would call CPS on me and report those lies when I had to spend my weekend in that filthy jail cell because of your actions!! You bastard! They’re taking the kids! You ruined my life! I hope you’re happy!"

Ari: "...."

Well, yes.

Yes, I am.

Since he couldn’t say that without sounding evil, Ari just stayed silent and tried to walk past her.

"Come back here! Face me! I’m going to get them to lock you up! You’re a horrible person! Horrible!"

As Analise Crouch raged and began chasing him while trying to hit him with her purse, Ari began running around, dodging around her each time she tried to hit him until she finally fell to the ground crying and screaming.

He wasn’t stupid enough to say anything or fight back against a person who was acting crazy.

Especially when they were pregnant and a woman.

And double especially with a cop car just parked off to the side.

Who knew if it was the dirty cops Joe and John trying to catch him doing something that they could arrest him for?

Pretending he didn’t see or hear Analise Crouch crying, Ari simply entered Jamie’s car, locked the door, and put on his seatbelt before sighing in relief.

"What’s her issue?" Jamie asked with a look of concern on his face as he looked through his mirror at Analise Crouch, who was pounding the ground in anger.

"Dunno, drugs? Anyway to your studio? You said your dad is less mad at you, right?"

"Yep! Ever since I came back, he’s been pretty happy, especially whenever I mention you. I think it’s because he’s finally seen your talent and that you’re a good person!"

Isn’t it because he thinks I’m going to be eliminated and he doesn’t like me?

Not wanting to burst Jamie’s bubble, Ari just stayed silent as the other boy started his car and floored it.

As they drove and stalled through traffic, Ari noticed that the same police car that was at his school was following behind them, before eventually turning away when they got to where Jamie’s studio was located.

Memorizing the license plate, he made a note to look into it later.

For now, he would practice making some music while waiting for the production team to contact him.

And as for public opinion about him in the pop star academy communities.

It was currently in the gutter with people trying to dig into his past, verify the words from his interview with the reporter, what Analise Crouch had said, and other things.

While he was quite thankful to those who were doing their best to defend him or at least stay neutral, reading the vitriol written by others, Ari thought the same thing he always did when reading online comments.

People clearly had a lot of free time and were pretty bold online.

Because he could guarantee that the things they said from behind their keyboard would never be said to his face, and if someone said those things to them, they would probably cry.

And since he wasn’t one to take people whom he didn’t know seriously, whenever he had time, he would screenshot the post, save it in a folder, and block the people spewing hate toward him or any other contestant.

*************

And in a room decorated with famous entertainers and reporters, a 16-year-old aspiring entertainment journalist and PR firm owner was prepared for war, wearing a rabbit onesie with a sweatband pushing her hair back.

Grace had her desktop computer open to word documents with several drafts including the one sent by the head of the journalism club at Ari’s school, her tablet was opened to major communities to read what people were saying, her laptop had the email template that was going to be sent out, while her phone was currently holding a space on Twitter for those who were part of the Ari’s Angels community, a community where she was the main moderator and founder.

The post that currently has the most likes was a petition by fans to remove Ari from the Pop Star Academy program for bringing a negative spotlight to the show.

They claimed he tainted the brand by being arrested (False, at most, he was detained by the police and given a free ride to school), was a terrible and violent student (False, as evidenced by his high academic standing and no criminal record in school or outside of it), was a bad son (False; copies of his complaints about his foster mother had been made and ignored since it wasn’t urgent), etc.

For the past several days, Grace had spent her free time aggregating the hateful comments and using her resources to craft the rebuttals and prepare bribes for the army she was about to unleash.

Now that all the pieces were gathered, it was time to fight back.

"Is everyone ready? Here is the first bit:" Grace asked as she sent the finalized draft over to the community moderators to be read over one last time.

- good.

- looks great.

- got it.

"Then let’s begin. Those on Twitter begin to post with these hashtags, article links, and tag these accounts. Those on Reddit are preparing to comment on the post that one of our mods is creating now and share across all platforms. Those on the email team, please remember your appointed time and schedule the drafted email to be sent to the production team emails that I previously shared. Tomorrow, the article will be published on the LA County Public School website, and we’ll continue our push to raise awareness to let the production team know that Ari is innocent of all accusations and should not be punished or kicked off the show. In fact, he’s a great influence, having high academic achievements while being talented in other things."

- Yes!

- Understood!

- And the reward? Not that I’m doing this for a reward.

"Hehe. Don’t worry. As promised, the goods will be delivered. Once you have sent me proof of your actions, as well as proof of voting for Ari, each person will receive a never-before-seen, high-resolution custom photo of Ari at his previous performance. Additionally, I happened to catch him hanging out with other contestants and asked if I could take their photos, which they allowed me to do. Armie Nation, rise up. The bromance between the black cat and golden dog is stronger than ever, and it seems other friendships have formed as well. The people who can hold strong until the production team gives us a favorable response will get those candid photos, and I can assure you they’re worth it."

- understood

- Aye aye, captain

- Say less!

- Please share where you spotted them!

- WHAT NEW SHIPS????????????? TELL ME!

Seeing that people were suitably motivated, Grace ended the space, cracked her fingers, and began sending out emails to local journalists, the Pop Star Academy Production Team, and even to the personal emails of the PDs that she had finally found after days of searching.

It contained Ari’s story that she had been told, official records she had received from him, and anything she thought would help.

As long as his story could get out, she knew people would be sympathetic, and maybe, just maybe, he could continue on the show.

*******

And a couple of days later, when PD Emily Raleigh took the aggregated stat sheets of the viewership, comments, new signups, etc., summarized emails defending Ari that had been sent by fans, clarification of the rules by the legal team, clipped news reports, and other pieces of evidence that showed Analise Crouch acting crazy online to the board of directors meeting to decide Ari’s fate on the show.

It went as she expected, with about half the people who supported Wilfred Forbes, the director who was to be in charge of the team that would be formed once Pop Star Academy was over in wanting to eliminate Ariel.

The other half was open to listening to PD Emily’s thoughts on keeping the contestant and browsing through the data she presented curiously.

Their main concern was damage to the show’s image, but also the conundrum of Ariel’s situation, bringing a lot of new, different eyes to the show, but also the fact that those eyes might leave if the person who had brought them was no longer there.

Additionally, there was negligence on the production team’s part because even though their rules stated that those underage must come with a guardian, their wording was vague enough to allow Ari’s use of a priest instead of his state-appointed guardian when filling out his documents, causing a big argument among the directors as to what they should do about the situation.

Finally, they turned to face Bing Yongsun, who had the highest authority as the representative of the company that was investing the most into the program, who had just silently listened to the discourse the whole time.

With his usual composure, Bing Yongsun slowly tapped his fingers on the table before speaking in his measured way.

"People in and outside of the entertainment industry often believe that looks and skills are the reasons people make it. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: visuals are very important, and skills can be taught as long as the person is willing. But the most important trait is the ability to attract people, that intangible star-like quality that makes you pay attention to a person, to want to know them, to love them, to want to be like them, and put them on a pedestal and defend them or push against them, is something that cannot be taught. It’s something that people who are destined to be stars intrinsically have, and it’s clearly something that Ariel Matisse possesses and has shown from the moment he had his face covered with strange makeup to the moment when he revealed his actual appearance. For a single 17-year-old to have not only the board but the public opinion split like this, with both sides feeling strong enough to defame or support him in such a strategic manner, is something no one could have imagined. It’s quite interesting to see in real life, and if I had a choice, I would absolutely put him in the debut group, just for the attention he brings alone. After all, can you imagine our debut member giving a speech because he’s at the top of his class? It’s the dream of Asian parents everywhere. So, I agree with PD Emily. We’ll keep him on the show and have him suspended until he turns 18."

"But-"

As Wilford Forbes protested, Bing Yongsun continued, "However, our goodwill can only go so far. Contestant Ariel may have brought more eyes, but who’s to say that all those eyes support him? His stay is contingent on the number of votes he has, just like everybody else. If he doesn’t have enough votes from the public to keep himself in, then he’ll be eliminated, and that would be that. But if he survives and continues to rise the way that he’s been doing, well, that would be quite interesting to see, and I would have to take back my job offer."

"And how is that fair to the poor contestants who have to be his teammates? They will have to do the extra work for a free-loading person while he relaxes at home and enjoys himself? This is preferential treatment, and that’s completely unacceptable." Wilfred Forbes protested, not wanting to keep a person his nephew disliked around.

Especially someone who had such a radicalized atmosphere around him.

Seeing that there was a path to getting her way, PD Emily quickly interjected.

"If you’re concerned about fairness, then we’ll fully exclude him from any benefits he might gain if his team comes at the top for the next challenge, and if his team loses, naturally, we’ll apply all the penalties to him. As for preferential treatment, apart from this issue, this contestant has never received such treatment from the production team, whereas several other contestants have. Should we dig into it and expose each one, or is this compromise enough for you? After all, it’s not like you have a personal grudge against a contestant who’s good for business, right?"

As PD, Emily’s gaze met Wilfred Forbes’, her tone insinuating which contestant she would expose first.

Sparks seemed to fly between the two until Bing Yongsun broke it.

"Then let’s go with that. Keep him on the show as long as his votes are enough. Time is money, so let’s move on to the next topic."

"...Fine. I’d like to go next." Wilfred Forbes glared maliciously at PD Emily before continuing, "It seems that several of the scheduled goals for the contestants have been switched around or canceled entirely for new ones at the discretion of the PD. The show was fully planned out from the beginning, so I’m wondering where all these new changes are coming from."

"Both PD Ji-ho and I were hired because of our skills and expertise, so having changes in the program is completely normal, and as you can see, our changes have yielded even better results than expected. Additionally, we have reason to suspect that some contestants are getting advanced information, causing us to switch things up in the name of fairness." PD Emily replied in a pointed, harsh manner.

"I hope you’re not implying that such a leak is happening from me because my nephew is on your show, when it’s you that clearly can’t manage your own staff."

"I would never imply such a thing. It’s just a statement of the things that I’ve noticed. After all, we record these contestants for close to 24 hours. It’s not hard to catch certain meetings between people who should not be meeting."

As the two began their verbal spar, the board of directors settled in for a long discussion.

At the end of it, neither side was fully happy about what they gained and lost, but that was the nature of business.

Compromise was everything.

And once PD Emily got back to her office, she had her assistant send out the pre-drafted email to Ari while she began reworking the future plans of the show to take advantage of his future reappearance.

"Sorry, Ari, you may have to suffer a bit, but hey, at least you’re gaining quite a few fans, ey? Your rank is looking pretty good, you know? And maybe we can attend your high school graduation. It would look great on film."