"James, do you think it is wise that this tour is starting now that Matthew left the group just months before if even started?" The reporter was a woman looked like she was in her mid thirties. She wore black jeans and a white button up with a red blazer over it. Her glasses rested snuggly on the bridge of her nose as she stared up at the small stage were Southern Thunder sat on small couches. James, the target of her question, was wearing black jeans, a red flannel and his usual leather jacket with matching boots. His hair looked like he had just woken up and the sun glasses inside the building told the reporter that he was very hungover.

James looked over to the reported, tilted his head to the side. He remembered that face. She was one of the few reporters that followed their little band ever since their start when they released their hit single. She was also one of the few that didn't like to focus on the gossip involving the band. "Do I think it's wise?" He had raised the microphone to his lips as his other fingers tapped on his knee. "You know, we had planned on a tour even before the spotlight hit us. Matthew left us just after out single was released, which gave us plenty of time to think it through. Of course, Diamond and Christina were still up to it and they helped me come to the decision that it was still our responsibility to the fans and to those who supported us. Besides, we found Sean just weeks after."

The woman seem satisfied with the answer so she simply nodded and sat back down on her seat. A few more questions erupted from the crowd but a man managed to get hold of the mic. "James, do you feel confident with Sean? It is said that Matthew left the band due to creativity differences and the constant arguments. Seeing as Sean is very close to your style and personality, do you think this new member will be easier to work with or will there be some sort of conflict with both of you trying to fit the same role?"

James chuckled into the mic and shook his head, though he did take his time to think over his answer. "Sean had been working with us for months now and he is now an official member to out band. He helped us record most of our latest album so there is no trouble between the two of us. We do have similar creativity visions so I would like to say that we will be working together without much trouble." He scratched his cheek and glanced over at Sean. "As for the role -- I'm assuming of this 'bad boy' role many fans put me in -- I am not worried. We both are our own separate people with separate interest and ideas."

"Oh please, we all know James will always be the OG bad boy in Southern Thunder." Diamond chipped in with a roll of her eyes, making the crowd of reporters chuckle. "While I brought the band together, James was the one who put an image on us. Sure, like, we all have our different styles," she motioned to the pastel pink dress and studded boots she wore, "but like, he will always be the OG bad boy."

"To be fair, I never really wanted to be that." James cut in with a small laugh.

The same reported cut in before anyone could say anything. "What about you, Sean? What do you have to say about this? Many fans are worried that the band will not be the same with you in it." A few murmurs rose from the crowd as they looked at Sean for an answer.

Next to James, Diamond rolled her eyes again. She didn't understand why these people were so fixated on making gossip and conflict were there was none. Sure, James had the image of a bad boy and dressed as one but that guy was the biggest teddy bear anyone would ever meet. Even if she had said James would always be the original bad boy of the band, she had no problem with Sean. It had been her and Christina that had introduced Sean to James when Matthew left, and these people didn't get that. All they wanted was gossip.

James brought the microphone up to his lips to speak, but Diamond cut right in before he said anything. "It will impact the band yes. That is a given." She brushed her hair back from her shoulder and pushed her sunglasses up the bridge of her nose. "But the first seven shows of our tour have already sold out, and the rest are close to selling out and tomorrow is our first official tour date. Our official merch store crashed several times after the video went viral, which only means people are buying our stuff." She smiled down at the reported as she lowered her sunglasses to look at him in the eyes. "So yes, her video has affected product sales." She winked down at the man before pushing her glasses up again and leaning back on her seat.

The man, not entirely pleased, sat down and took down some notes. He was not happy with how abrasive Diamond was towards the crowd, but then again that was her character. She was known for being blunt and straightforward during interviews or press conferences such as these. Any reporter was not safe around her bluntness and quick answers, which some of them liked because she did not beat around the bush.

"Miss Diamond." A woman stood up this time. She wore a black pencil skirt and a blue blouse. "Are you not worry that Christina's video will bring down Southern Thunder's reputation down. Many fans are concerned that such behavior is not something a younger person should look up to."

"It was her ex," Diamon was quick to respond as she leaned forward to look down at the woman. "He was an asshole who was trying to get attention from Christina because she is now getting famous. That little bitch deserves no sympathy from anyone." She glanced over to Christina to give her a small nod. She was not going to back down and throw her friend under the bus because some sorry ass people felt bad for the guy that had been harassing Christina. "In fact, people should look up to her because she didn't let him get what he wanted. She defended herself from him, and if he ever tries to pull something like that again, he'll be meeting my pretty little--"

"What Diamond is trying to say," James cut right before the band's drummer threatened someone publicly. "we are here for Christina, and we have her back. She defended herself from an individual who had been trying to get in contact with her for a while now, and despite the numerous times we tried to get him to stop he continued. There is so much a person can take." He smiled over at Christina before turning back to look at the woman. "This was not her fault, and I know our fans will understand that and learn that it is not okay to pursue a person who clearly doesn't want anything to do with you. As for the reputation of the band, we just hope that this doesn't happen again."

A man rose from his seat after the woman had taken her seat and looked over at Sean. "Mr. Sean, are you aware that you have big shoes to fill? While we all know that you are fitting quite nicely into the role of lead guitarist and back up vocals, Matthew was an extremely talented man who helped write Southern Thunder's first hit song. Are you worried that you will not be able to meet the standards of the fans or perhaps stay in Matthew's shadow he left behind?"

This was not the way James had expected the interview to go. He had actually expected something a lot worse and fiery. He felt that in any second his fellow bandmates would spring from their seats and start attacking the press as much as they were attacking the band. A quick glance at his watch told him that the whole press conference would be coming to a close very soon, and he was glad. He wasn't so sure that the other three could take any more from the reporters. James didn't blame them, Diamond and Christina were use to it though but Sean was new to all this. His nice motion of those lovely fingers told James so. Oh, how he would have to deal with that later. Lena, their manager, was probably pulling out her hair about now and making phone calls to make sure that there would be minimum damage to their already slightly image. Really, James thought, this whole thing was turning out to be a lot more work than he had expected it. Ever since Matt left there had been more pressure on Diamond, Christina, and him to perform as best as they could. Now with Sean here he had been able to get some rest -- that was until the tour was announced and interviews began. And now there were here.

James raised the microphone to his lips before anyone was able to get another question in. "Look, we are all very grateful for our fans and Lena for giving us a chance and believing in us. It is our first tour and with a new band member added to out ranks but we are performing better than the last time we were life. So, to our fans, we are trying our best for you and we hope that you keep supporting us through all of it." James scratched the side of his head when Diamond cut in with a laugh.

"And we will give you the best concert!" She grinned to the crowd of blinking reporters. "Also, to you snotty journalist don't mess with Christina or you will go through me and I ain't pretty to deal with." She huffed and leaned back on her seat.

Lena had warned them about keeping it professional. She had even given them flashcards of questions that they might get asked by the press but none of them expected it to go south so fast. The questions about Christina had bothered everyone on how the press had jumped to conclusions that it had been her fault and later moved on to create drama between Sean and James. It was amazing how quickly they pulled bullshit out of their asses.