ChapterEleven-Stage Fright  

February 10th, 2005

 It's now February of 2005, and it's time for the live semi-finals on the new regional hit TV competition, New England's Teen Superstar.  UTurn, Pretty4Uz, and the 6 soloists from Beacon Hill High have left their school to live in a hotel and have rehearsals. Alyson and Bailey, along with Libby, Stacie, Melissa, and Kat, have left their cheerleading squad as soon as the holiday break started.

 It's a few hours before the live show. UTurn was practicing their song, (You Drive Me) Crazy by Britney Spears. They each had a part, and Andrew choreographed a dance routine for it.

 During the tech rehearsals, Andrew was noticeably nervous. Alyson asked, "Andrew, are you okay?"

 Andrew replied nervously, "N-Not really. I-I'm not used t-to perform on live TV before."

 Bailey said, "We're gonna do fine, Andrew. You're an experienced performer."

 Justin then whispered into Andrew's ear, "Don't screw things up, Hawthorne."

 That made Andrew more scared than nervous.

 It was now show time. After 6 performances, UTurn was up. When they started dancing, Andrew just froze while staring into the camera. Alyson, Justin, and Bailey just kept singing and dancing. The audience was concerned with this performance. Andrew barely let his voice out. Then the 'performance' was over. The judges praised Alyson, Justin, and Bailey, scolded Andrew, and expressed concern for UTurn because they were great during the auditions and callbacks.

 After the host announced the phone and text numbers to vote, UTurn was offstage immediately. Andrew was completely devastated.

 Andrew exclaimed, "I'm really sorry! I am!"

 Justin said furiously, "Shut the f*ck up, Hawthorne! You costs us everything for your f*cking stupidity! You supposed to be this big-shot Broadway star or something, but you just aren't!"

 Andrew yelled, "I'm not used to being on live TV!"

 "Same thing! And don't say you're scared of those people at school! You're nothing but a fraud!"

 Andrew had nothing to say, and stormed off.

 The show was over an hour and a half later. Justin and Bailey went with the other contestants to a restaurant, but Alyson decided to return to the hotel with Andrew. They didn't talk on the way over there. Once they arrived, they entered their room, and Andrew started crying. Alyson was stunned to see Andrew like this.

 Andrew cried, "Aly, I'm so sorry for messing up. I really was scared, and now it's all over."

 Alyson had nothing to say, so she just gave him a hug. Then she thought, This is not the Andrew I thought I knew. I've never seen him like this.

 It's now the next night, and it's results night. UTurn did perform with the contestants in a group number. Andrew gain a little confidence. 

 Soon, the Bottom 6 were revealed: Alana Geralds, Edward Efron, Matthew Tompkins, The Administrators, Lizzie Santiago...and UTurn. They all sang for the judges, who were given 3 'saves' to save a contestant who had the lowest votes. Alana and Edward had the lowest votes, and they weren't saved. 

 Then one of the judges, Anna, spoke to UTurn, to Andrew: "Andrew, I'm familiar with your work as one of the top teen performing artists of Boston. I know you're used to just performing on stage with no TV cameras. But it's time to move from being just on stage alone to being on TV. You and UTurn is too good to be eliminated. But if it happens again next week, we won't save you."

 Andrew nodded his head in agreement.

 Soon after the show ended, Andrew was relived but scared. He got Alyson alone to talk to her.

 Andrew said quickly and nervously, "Ohmygod! Ohmygod! Ialmostcausedyoualltoloose! Ibetternotscrewup! I be-be-be."

 At that moment, Andrew couldn't get words out. All he could get out was sounds. Alyson noticed this.

 Alyson asked worryingly, "Andrew, calm down! Are you okay?"

 Andrew shock his head, and took out his cell phone. He texted Alyson.

 AH: I forgot to mention that I still have that speech disability. It kicks in when I'm overanxious.

 Alyson was shocked to read that. She asked, "But you'll talk again, right?"

 Andrew texted her.

 AH: when I relax. Right now, I'm freaking out.

 Alyson then kissed Andrew's lips hard, then she pulled away.

 Alyson said calmly, "I love you, Andrew."

 Andrew was shocked. He never thought he hear those words from Alyson. Hell, none of his girlfriends told him they loved him. With that, he decided to try to speak.

 He stuttered, "Y-y-yo-u d-d-do?"

 "Don't speak. I really do love you."

 Andrew then kissed Alyson back.