Page 59 of The Lodge

And what does that say about the fact that he let me in?

I whip the door open, find him in those thick charcoal sweatpants and the same light-green V-neck from last night, slightly rumpled.

He smiles, and it’s devastatingly beautiful.

And that’s when I realize: once you start falling, it’s nearly impossible to stop—you pick up speed, and you might flail a little to course-correct, but at the end of the day you find yourself in over your head.

“Hi,” I say, a blush creeping into my cheeks despite myself. Despiteeverything. “Come on in.”

True North: Where Are They Now?

By Rylee Jay // Senior Editor,Moondazzle.com

In light ofrecent newsabout Sebastian Green’s upcoming tell-all memoirThe Grass Is Always Greener, it’s only fitting that this week’s edition of “Where Are They Now?” shines the spotlight on True North.

It’s been eight years, give or take, since the band officially broke up. Some of the guys have continued to embrace the spotlight, some have pivoted in entirely new directions, and one is famously unaccounted for. Let’s dig in!

Sebastian Green

Arguably the biggest star produced by True North’s heyday, Sebastian Green has had staying power like no other. From boy band member to solo artist to an ill-advised stint as reality television star, Sebastian has kept himself firmly in the public eye—and in the hearts of his fans. Ifsocial mediaand book presales are any indication, Sebastian Green remains one of the most beloved pop stars of our generation.

Charly Johannsen

Like Sebastian Green, Charly Johannsen also explored a career as a solo artist, pivoting flawlessly from pop to folk in one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the year. His album,Songbird,snagged three Grammy Awards (reviving old rumors that Jason Saenz-Barlowe—former manager of True North, with whom Johannsen parted ways immediately after the band’s dissolution—was partly responsible for the band’s infamous Grammy snub during their breakout year). Having apparently achieved all he’d set out to do, Johannsen stepped back at the height of his solo career and now owns a quaint violin shop in his hometown in coastal Oregon. Fans continue to clamor for a follow-up album, though Johannsenhas expressedthat he’s more than happy to have moved on from his life in the spotlight.

Ayo Okeke

Perhaps the most underrated star from the True North galaxy—no doubt thanks to his quiet, kind demeanor that allowed him to blend in while others in the group made concerted efforts to stand out—Ayo Okeke went on to cofound the beloved a cappella group Spidercrown, singing bass and giving the occasional (absolutely stellar) beatbox performance. When he’s not touring with the group, Okeke can be found leading workshops for vocal groups at various universities in Texas, Kansas, and California.

River Wu

While most of the band (excluding the unaccounted-for Jett Beckett) went on to pursue music in the next iterations of their careers, River Wu stepped back from the pop star life entirely as soon as True North broke up. Having family ties to the luxury travel industry,Wu now leads a comparatively quiet life consulting for various resort properties around the world. Still, he’s become somewhat of a legend among True Northerners—he had a significant surge in social media popularity over the last year after fans invaded one of his travel industry conferences, and has reluctantly embraced his status as an influencer.

Jett Beckett

Much to the dismay of all who loved—and loved to hate—Jett Beckett, his disappearance remains one of pop culture’s biggest mysteries. Even the most casual observer has seen the theories, the rumors, and the primetime coverage that aired in the years that followed. Devoted fans and casual observers alike are split: some fear the worst, while others believe his disappearance was a voluntary (though brutal) step back from stardom. Whatever the case, his talent—and his talent for stirring up drama—has been sorely missed.

18

As soon as Tyler opens his own front door, I’m hit with the strong and delightful smell of breakfast heaven: waffles and powdered sugar and fresh coffee, citrus and bacon and butter.

“You didn’t say you were hiding the resort’s entire cooking staff in here, Tyler!”

I peer around the corner into his kitchen; not a soul in sight. It also looks cleaner than it would if I had attempted to make such a breakfast feast on my own—no spills or splatters, just a single dirty mixing bowl, a pile of orange carcasses on a cutting board beside an old-fashioned juicer, and a Belgian waffle maker out on the counter.

“I assume there’s some actual food in here somewhere?” I say, and he laughs.

“Thought we’d eat somewhere with a slightly better view than my kitchen island this time.” He grins, eyes sparkling.

Notably, they’re back to brown this morning.

I follow him through the living room, which I’m reminded isjust a flipped layout of mine. My place feels breezy and bright, but his—with its charcoal grays and Edison bulbs and potted plants—feels cozy in a different way. I keep my eye out for any signs that I am in the home of a long-lost world-famous pop star, but the personal touches are few and far between.

Therearea few, though: a pair of well-loved fleece-lined leather slippers at the foot of his couch. A small hourglass on his mantel that’s the exact shade his irises would be without the contacts. A bookshelf stuffed full with worn paperbacks he’s probably read over and over. A large goldfish bowl housing a bright orange fish that can only be Pete.

And in the corner, a Taylor guitar.

That one is a bit of a surprise. None of the guys played instruments while they were in the band—they were known for their vocals, their harmonies, their synchronized choreography.

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