Chapter Three

Just as I thought, you're back with your friends. I bet you're excited. There's plenty of people in your life that you like to see, but these guys are special to you. Everyone can see that. Even those guys you worked with before, that boy band, they were special to you, too. Much more than a lot of fans would know. But I know, because I feel that close to you. I understand because I feel we're the same person. The same people. You always put a lot of time and energy and perfection into the people you work with, but, somehow, these guys have always been different. Just like I put a lot of time and energy into my friends and the people around me no matter what.

I admire that, you're not just using them and they're not just using you. You actually care for them.

I guess it's a little hard for me to mention them by name. It's hard to know they're closer to you than I'll ever be. (For now, at least). That's the hardest part for all of us fans. The part that makes us crazy with jealousy. That there's always going to be people who are closer to you than we could ever get to be. We look up to you, to all five of you, so much. You're our role models, and for most of us, we know you have your own life that we don't get to see. And these other people, they get to be a part of that.

So…these friends of yours…The McFly guys. (I guess I have to mention Busted, too, but it's obvious you're closer to McFly). Well, can we even really call them that if they haven't put out any new music in a long while? This McBusted thing that's going on, that you're all talking about, it's going to crash and burn. It's a joke. No one is taking it seriously. Why would a bunch of grown men want to write songs that are, basically, the same thing they've written about since they were seventeen? Boobs, sex, drinking, why not grow up a little? I feel bad for you, to be being associated with it. It's going to bring your name down in the mud. No one will take you or your music seriously after that.

Honestly, I get a bit angry because there's so much more you can do with your music, with your careers. You can keep going higher and higher, touching more people, and these are the guys that you say you want to hang around with?

But, they do say you're like the company you keep; I understand why you stick around them. Because you want to elevate them. You want to bring them up to your level. And, let me say, you've set a high bar for them to reach. It's like you've said in your interviews, you don't take the phrase 'best friend' lightly. None of you do; not even your brothers. Julius has had the same best friends since he was six years old, and he doesn't allow many people into his life at that same capacity.

It's cool, I understand.

You're the same way.

It had to be hard to even bring people into your life when you suffered through so much and had to keep a lot a secret. You don't trust people very well.

I remember in an interview Noah even said, "It's hard to say who is or isn't your friend and who isn't just in it for the parties you can get them into, the events, the things you can buy them. We've got some pretty good mates back home, but even in the industry it's hard to know who likes you for you, and who's just trying to get their name attached to yours."

Do you get it?

Do you get what I'm trying to say?

Let me just put it this way; keep an eye on your so-called 'mates'. One of them is keeping a big secret from you. One that is probably better for you to know sooner rather than later. One who, I know, you greatly care about, but others haven't caught onto yet. The history, you know? But, if you want to sit back and let me say 'I told you so' that's fine. I'll be there for you.

Just like I always am.

Even if you don't know it. You see, we're very much alike. We both have big families. We both have gone through a lot of pain. Not the same sort of pain, mind you. I can't imagine why someone would think it was a good idea to hit you like that. To beat you up, to try and kill you all because they could. But I've been though some pain. Your music helped me through that pain. It gave me a sense of loyalty and knowing I'm not alone.

That's why I'm always going to be there for you. Through all the hard things you had to go through. Your abuse, through you announcing it to the world, through the invasive interviews and speculation afterward. I think the worst part is how much I defend you online and show how you and your brothers aren't as bad as people make you out to be. They can't and wouldn't understand unless they've gone through it themselves. I know what it takes. But people still only see the public persona you have to put out. People only say 'you deserved it' when you detailed some of your abuse. No one deserves something like that.

Especially when you're always so powerless to stop it. That's why I'm going to be there, to help you every step of the way. I will defend you until everyone understands why you don't deserve the hate that follows you. You have so many more fans that are there for you and want nothing but the best for you and we're going to make sure you understand that. So, I'll be there for you.

Always.

And, soon, when we meet, I'll be able to tell you this in person.

I can't wait for that day.

A/N: It took me longer than I expected to get back to writing/updating this. There's more coming up. I hope the wait was worth it. Some chapters of this story, like this one, will be entirely from this POV, while others will have their POV at the end of the chapter (like others). I hope you

Cheers,

-Riles