Andy takes a moment to focus on his breathing, seeking tranquility within himself. Steven wraps him in a warm embrace, offering solace. Tyson affectionately nudges his hand, and together, they step out of the tent.
The adults stroll into the room, their laughter from the backyard still echoing in the air.
"Mom, Dad! Andy is a huge liar!" Alana exclaims.
"Am not!" Andy retorts, his voice rising.
"Yeah, you are!" Aiden chimes in, adding fuel to the fire.
"Am not! I have no reason to lie for attention or approval! I don't need to impress any of you!" Andy protests passionately.
"What's going on here?" Mr. Richard inquires, sensing the tension.
"Andy claims he and Steven know the famous boy band Big Time Rush and that they visited them at the Palm Woods, which is supposedly just a few miles from here! It's clearly a fabrication!" Aiden declares.
"That seems a bit harsh to dismiss him outright," Mrs. Martha counters.
"Aiden and I definitely don't buy it, Mom!" Alana insists.
Andy's eyes glisten with unshed tears, and Hannah, who had just come downstairs after writing her apology letter, overhears the commotion.
"He's telling the truth. He and Steven really do know BTR, and this neighborhood is quite close to the Palm Woods," she asserts. "Andy is genuinely honest and wouldn't lie about something like this. You all need to stop being so cruel to him."
Both Andy and Steven are taken aback by her fierce defense.
"Seriously?" Aiden asks, astonished.
"Absolutely," Hannah replies firmly.
"Hannah, why are you standing up for me?" Andy questions, wary of her motives. "Oh, I see. You're just trying to win Dad over so he'll change his mind about taking your bedroom door off. Too late, he's already got his tools ready."
"I'm not being nice to sway him about that. I'm defending you because I truly believe you're an honest kid, and BTR cares about you and Steven," Hannah clarifies.
"Prove it! Show me that you truly understand BTR!" Aiden demands.
"I owe you no proof!" Andy retorts. "I've been honest from the start! Even Hannah, with whom I have my differences, has supported me! Isn't that sufficient?!"
"Absolutely not!" Alana interjects.
Angel hisses in response.
"Foolish feline!" Aiden delivers a harsh kick, sending her tumbling to the ground.
Andy lunges at him. "You're a guest here, yet you dare to harm my cat?! What happened to your supposed love for animals?! Anyone who inflicts pain on an innocent creature is untrustworthy! I will never consider you a friend, nor will Steven!"
"Get off me!" Aiden protests, struggling to break free.
"Apologize for kicking Angel! Right now!" Andy insists.
The four adults intervene, separating the boys.
"Aiden, I am utterly appalled. Truly appalled by your conduct!" Mrs. Martha expresses her disappointment. "Russell and Samantha, I feel both embarrassed and ashamed of his actions."
"We did not raise him to behave this way or to harm animals," Mr. Richard adds.
"Please, make him apologize," Andy pleads, cradling Angel protectively. "My poor kitty is in distress."
"Aiden, you need to apologize. Alana, you too," Mr. Richard insisted, his tone firm. Alana frowned, crossing her arms defensively. "Why should I? I didn't even kick the cat," she protested.
Mr. Richard's gaze sharpened. "You may not have, but you didn't stand up for Andy when he told you he and Steven know Big Time Rush. Instead, you joined Aiden in the teasing. So, apologize now!"
With a reluctant sigh, Alana relented, "Ugh! Fine! I'm sorry, Andy."
Aiden chimed in, "I'm sorry too. Is Angel okay?" Andy's expression softened slightly. "She'll be fine once the source of her stress leaves this house. And that means you, Aiden. Your parents seem lovely; why aren't you and Alana more like them?"
Aiden's shoulders slumped. "We are good kids, really. We just made a mistake by being mean to you and Steven."
"Your actions towards me and Steven were deliberate, not a mistake. Accidentally stepping on someone's foot in a dark theater happens, but what you did was intentional! You kicked my cat Aiden! That wasn't an accident; it caused her real stress and harm because of your aggression!" Andy exclaims. "You and Alana accused me of lying when I mentioned that Steven and I know Big Time Rush, and that really hurt!"
"I already said I'm sorry for that," Aiden replies.
"Only after your dad made you! If he hadn't stepped in, you wouldn't have taken responsibility! Don't you feel embarrassed that he had to remind you like a child to say sorry for your actions?"
"Yes, I feel very ashamed," Aiden admits.
"Good, you should feel that way," Andy responds, keeping Angel safely away from him.
