ChapterTwelve-The Replacement (Part1)  

October 3rd, 2006

 It's the next day, and what's left of UTurn are now looking for a new third male singer. The previous night, they did get to wrap up recording the two songs, but without a third guy. When they finished, they cleaned out Ethan's bedroom. They contacted his parents, and told them everything he did. They came to the UTurn house, and picked up his stuff.

 The members met in the Beacon Hill High library for an emergency meeting. The only ones not there were Andrew (he told everyone that he's now attending the Boston Creative Arts School) and Riley. Alyson is in charge of the meeting.

 "Okay, we need a third guy. It's not UTurn without a third guy. If we're the new, American S Club 8-"

 Amanda, feeling impatient, said, "We get it! We need a third guy! How about we stop talking, and start searching."

 Bailey said, "Andrew and Riley are already doing that."

 "How?"

 Alyson explained, "Andrew has a choir class, so he'll ask the guys there. And Riley will be meeting with the male performing arts majors at both Harvard and Boston College."

 Amanda asked, "So, we just sit around and do nothing?"

 Justin said, "None of the guys here would want be in this band. Let alone hang around Andrew, who's suing half of the blokes here."

 Just then, they heard a guy's voice, saying, "I'd like to join."

 They faced the guy, who was Trevor. He was dressed in emo clothes. By now, he's been gradually becoming friends with the UTurn members. As for his emancipation, it was completed, but Andrew's parents allowed him to stay with them.

 Alyson said, "Well, you'd have to audition."

 Amanda added, "Plus, we do pop-dance songs, not emo songs."

 Justin said, "But the songs we just recorded are pop-rock songs for our second album."

 Trevor said, "Just let me audition. I don't care if UTurn does metal rap. I just want to sing."

 Alyson then wrote on a piece of paper in her notebook. Then she tore it up, and gave it to Trevor. She told him, "We're having the auditions at the Q Division recording studios. Our manager, Maurice Starr, will be there with the contract for the new guy to sign. Auditions are at 4pm. Be there on time or earlier."

 Trevor smiled.

 It's now evening. UTurn were at the Q Division recording studios. Their manager was there, too. During the day, there were rumors swirling around UTurn all over MySpace. The fans that were students at Beacon Hill High, Boston Creative Arts School, Harvard, and Boston College were wondering why UTurn needed a new male member. The rumors were 'UTurn becoming a 9-piece: 4 guys/5 girls'; 'One of the 3 UTurn boys are being replaced'; and 'One of the UTurn girls are being replaced with a guy'. 

 Of course, the band didn't announce Ethan's departure. Their PR team paid the Boston media to keep quiet about Ethan. They even had to cover up Andrew's lawsuit against his former high school! It was because UTurn needed to keep a squeaky-clean image for Radio Disney. 

 When the auditions started, there were about 30 guys. Their ages were 16-22. Most of them were students at the BCAS (Boston Creative Arts School), but there were some guys from the two colleges. Trevor is the only BHHS student auditioning to join UTurn. 

 It was difficult for UTurn to narrow down the male singers, but they were able to. Soon, there were 5 guys, including Trevor. Then the members asked them why they wanted to join UTurn. Four of the guys wanted fame. Now it was Trevor's turn to speak.

 Alyson asked, "So Trevor, why do you want to join UTurn?"

 This was Trevor's response: "My reason is personal. Yeah, being famous would be great, but for me, it's deeper than that. I want something different in my life. I'm tired of living as this orphaned emo whose aunts and uncles don't want me cuz my parents weren't married when I was born. My parents truly loved me, and I miss them since they got killed in a car accident. They always believed in me. You guys have saved me, and accepted me. Andrew, I have to thank you and your parents for helping me out. You guys are my new friends. Being a part of your band would change my life for the better."

 The UTurn members were moved by Trevor's open confession. Justin said, "Erm, we'll be back with our decision."

 The UTurn members went into another room. They debated over the five guys. Andrew said, "Trevor needs to join."

 Alyson said, "I agree. He's a great singer, and he really poured out his heart."

 Bailey said, "The other guys are good, but they seem shallow. Plus, they wanna get into our pants."

 Justin chimed in, "It's not just you girls. Some of those blokes were eyeing me and Andrew."

 Alyson said, "I think we can all agree that Trevor is the best option. He really wants to do something different, which is why we all wanted to do UTurn in the first place."

 Everyone agreed, but Amanda knew her reason for joining the band was to humiliate Alyson, and get back with Andrew. Nonetheless, she acted like her reason for joining was to do something different.

 Then the members went back into the lobby. They held the contract, and gave it to Alyson. She approached Trevor with a grin. She said to him happily, "As the girl who formed UTurn, I have the privilege to give this contract to Q Division Records, Hollywood Records, and Universal Music to the new member. Trevor Dixon, welcome to UTurn! You are our replacement for Ethan!"

 Trevor grinned, and hugged Alyson. He thanked the UTurn members, and signed onto the contract. Then the manager, Maurice Starr, told this to Trevor, "Trevor, starting tomorrow you'll be replacing Ethan's vocals on the finished UTurn songs. And next week, you'll be attending the Boston Creative Arts School with Andrew."

 Andrew and Trevor high-5'ed each other. Then the new UTurn posed for a picture to post on their MySpace page. They announced that Ethan was replaced by Trevor due to 'artistic differences'.

 An hour later, the seven, original UTurn members returned to their house. Trevor went to Andrew's house to pack up what little belongings he had.

 As Andrew was heading to his room, Amanda approached him, saying, "Hey, thanks for saving me. I don't deserve it from you."

 Andrew said, "I care about you, so don't think that you don't deserve my help. Okay?"

 "I just feel horrible for the way I treated you when we were together."

 "It'll be fine."

 "I heard you and Alyson broke up."

 Andrew suspiciously looked at her, and asked, "How did you know about?"

 Amanda then said seductively, "How I knew is not important. What's important is that I want you back in my life. I'll be a better girlfriend to you than I used to be."

 "What? No! Amanda, I may care about you, but I don't love you. It's Alyson that I love."

 Then Amanda became irritated as she said, "Then why did you break up with her if you still love her?"

 "I need to figure myself out. I haven't felt lost since..." 

 "Since the entire school found out you're training to become a Broadway star?"

 Andrew just looked at her, but Amanda scoffed, "To this day, I still don't know who you are. I may not have known you as long as Alyson, but I know you're fake."

 Andrew asked out of irritation, "And how am I fake?"

 "Because you lived a f*cking double-life, and for that, you don't know your own self! You've pretended all your life in school, but you're supposedly 'real' in your dance classes. Well, guess what? Pre-school ended years ago! It's time for you to man up, and be the guy you were meant to be."

 "And who am I, supposedly?"

 "Why don't you answer that yourself?"

 Then Amanda walked away, leaving Andrew alone and confused.