Stuck In The Box (book series)

Stuck In The Box is a young adult, historical, sci-fi, thriller and mystery written by teenage author Zoe Tria (under her pen-name, Zoeinnit), first published via Wattpad on 16 August 2022. The book, set in 1984 (confirmed in Ordinary World) revolves around fictionalised versions of Curt Smith, Roland Orzabal (of Tears For Fears), George Michael, Andrew Ridgeley (of Wham!), Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher, Alan Wilder (of Depeche Mode), Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, Roger Taylor, Andy Tayor (of Duran Duran), Limahl (of Kajagoogoo), Jim Kerr (of Simple Minds), Paul Young, Kate Bush, Jon Bon Jovi (of Bon Jovi), Bryan Adams, Richard Marx and Madonna as mentally-challenged, homosexual and chronically ill teenagers. The book also addresses homophobia, mental health, racism and problems present-day teenagers face.

Plot
Curt Smith is a 17-year-old boy with OCD and ADHD who gained the power of telekinesis after another OCD nightmare. Alongside his friends 17-year-olds, Roland Orzabal (who later became his boyfriend), George Michael, Andrew Ridgeley, Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, Andy 'Fletch' Fletcher, Simon Le Bon (who later turned 18), Kate Bush, Jon Bongiovi, Bryan Adams (who later turned 18) and Maddy Ciccone, they deal with meteorological anomalies and the homophobia from bullies before the fall dance. Just before the fall dance, the group found their partners and fellow 17-year-olds, Alan Wilder, Nick Rhodes and Chris Hamill (who later turned 18) joined in. During the fall dance, Curt's OCD nightmares came to life as he tried to use his powers but overused them, passed out and ended up with pneumonia. Later, his other friends also ended up with powers, Roland with telepathy, George and Andrew with time rewind, Dave and Martin with telekinesis, Fletch and Alan with clairvoyance, Simon with astral projection, Nick with bilocation, Chris with healing, Kate with levitation, Jon with psychometry, Bryan with ergokinesis and Maddy with pyrokinesis. After the battle, Curt was rushed to the hospital.

Spending a month in the hospital, Curt's condition gradually got worse because Dr Richard gave him immunosuppressants. He was very sick, his fever was very high, he was weak and his lungs weren't functioning right. Roland suspected something was wrong so he and his friends came to the hospital to learn that immunosuppressants were injected into Curt's IV. Curt was later given the right medicine after some teammates snuck in and changed his IV. Dr Richard was later fired and Dr Hayley has since been the paediatrician for Curt and eventually, his friends. Curt was then diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and needed a PICC line, 24/7 oxygen and nebulisers since then.

Curt was then released from the hospital but then lose some of his hair because of the steroids so Roland had to cut off his rat tails. Curt now has a messy haircut. While dealing with post-hospital syndrome, he suspected that there were other students who ended up with powers.