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 until Back To Normal), first published via Wattpad on 16 August 2022. The book, set in 1984 and later 1985 revolves around fictionalised versions of a variety of 80s musicians and pop stars as mentally-challenged, homosexual and chronically ill teenagers. The book also addresses homophobia, mental health, racism and problems present-day teenagers face.
== Synopsis ==
A group of 16 to 18-year-olds deal with not only their mental health issues but also their sexualities being LGBTQ+ in the 80s and other problems teens face along with their psychic alien-related powers. The group is known as the Wild Boys consists of Curt Smith, Roland Orzabal, George Michael, Andrew Ridgeley, Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher, Alan Wilder, Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, Roger Taylor, Andy Tayor, Chris Hamill, Jim Kerr, Paul Young, Bono, Kate Bush, Jon Bongiovi, Bryan Adams, Richard Marx and Maddy Ciccone (as of the Christmas Special). They were soon joined by Marc Almond, Kim Wilde, Tony Hadley, Edge, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr, Steve Askew, Jez Strode, Nick Beggs, Stu Neale, Steve Norman, John Keeble, Martin Kemp. Gary Kemp, Vicki Peterson, Debbi Peterson, Michael Steele, Susanna Hoffs and Nik Kershaw (as of Save The Brother). The series is split into 3 phases, Phase 1 set in 1984, Phase 2 set in 1985 and Phase 3 set in 1986. 
== Characters ==
=== Wild Boys ===
The Wild Boys are an ensemble cast of blue-eyed Halargian-human hybrids who attend Basildon Academy in Basildon, Essex. It is diverse with members coming from different parts of England and other countries including the US, Canada, Scotland and Ireland.
* Curt Smith: a mentally-challenged 17-year-old suffering from ADHD and OCD who is one of the leaders of the Wild Boys. He suffers from pulmonary fibrosis and is partially deaf. He is dating Roland. He is the bassist of his friend group. Along with Roland, he transferred from Bath to Essex. Whenever he overuses his powers, his nose bleeds. He is loosely based on Curt Smith and speaks in a West Country accent.
* Roland Jaime Orzabal de la Quintana (born Raul Jaime Orzabal de la Quintana): a mentally-challenged 17-year-old with depression who is of Spanish-Argentinian descent and is one of the main characters. He is dating Curt. Along with Curt, he transferred from Bath to Essex. He is the guitarist of the Wild Boys. He gets overwhelmed and exhausted whenever he overuses his powers. He is loosely based on Roland Orzabal and had a mix of an Essex accent and a West Country accent.
* George Michael (born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou): George Michael (born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou), also known as Yog is a mentally-challenged 17-year-old of Geek-Cypriot descent with depression. He went through substance abuse prior to the events of Stuck In The Box. Despite being younger than Curt by about a day, he is seen as his older brother. He is dating Andrew. Along with Andrew, he transferred from Bushey to Essex. He is the lead vocalist of the Wild Boys. His nose bleeds whenever he overuses his powers. He is loosely based on George Michael and speaks in a standard British accent.
* Andrew John Ridgeley: a 17-year-old (later 18) of Italian, Egyptian and Scottish descent. He is one of the few characters who isn't mentally challenged. He is dating George. Along with George, he transferred from Bushey to Essex. He is the guitarist of the Wild Boys. He is loosely based on Andrew Ridgeley and speaks in a standard British accent.
*David 'Dave' Gahan (born David Callcott): a mentally-challenged 16-year-old with depression who is of Malaysian descent. He is a recovering drug addict who had also attempted suicide prior to the events of Stuck In The Box. It is later revealed that he lied about his age and that he was 16, turning 17 (as of Phase 2). He is dating Martin. He is the lead vocalist of the Wild Boys. He is loosely based on Dave Gahan and has an Essex accent.
*Martin Lee 'Mart' Gore: a mentally-challenged 17-year-old with depression who is of African-American descent. He is a recovering alcohol addict. He is dating Dave. He is the keyboardist of the Wild Boys. He is loosely based on Martin Gore and has a mix of a London accent and an Essex accent.
*Andrew John 'Fletch' Fletcher: a mentally-challenged 17-year-old with depression. He had a mental breakdown while Martin and Dave were doing drugs. He is dating Alan who eventually joined the group. He is the keyboardist of the Wild Boys. He is loosely based on Andy Fletcher and though being born in the East Midlands, he speaks in an Essex accent.
*Alan Charles Wilder: is a 17-year-old student. He is dating Fletch. He is the keyboardist of the Wild Boys. He is loosely based on Alan Wilder and speaks in a standard British accent.
*Simon John Charles Le Bon: a mentally-challenged 17-year-old (later 18) of possible French ancestry with depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. He is a recovering sex addict, due to him questioning his sexuality. He is dating Nick after realising he's gay, Nick also joined the Wild Boys. He transferred from Birmingham to Essex. He is the lead vocalist of the Wild Boys. He is the oldest out of the Wild Boys. He is loosely based on Simon Le Bon and speaks in a London accent with a slight Brummie accent. He suffers from haemophilia and his blood cannot clot because of it.
*Nicholas James 'Nicky' Bates: a 16-year-old former member of the bullies and is now a member of the Wild Boys. He is dating Simon and he also joined the Wild Boys. He transferred from Birmingham to Essex. He is the keyboardist of the Wild Boys. When he overused his powers, he developed Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome due to paroxysmal tachycardia and had to be on oxygen due to him lacking oxygen, later due to his severely chronic asthma. He is loosely based on Nick Rhodes and speaks in a Brummie accent.
*Nigel John Taylor (born Elijah Yohanan Taylor): a 17-year-old new member of the Wild Boys and is of Jewish, Sicilian and Greek descent. He is currently dating Jim. He transferred from Birmingham to Essex. He was also mentally-challenged like many of the members of the Wild Boys, suffering from OCD and depression. He went through alcohol and substance abuse but had remained sober though he relapsed and attempted suicide. He suffers from asthma and heart defects and is suffering from pulmonary fibrosis after attempting suicide. He is the bassist of the Wild Boys. He is loosely based on John Taylor with some influences from Sting and speaks in a Brummie accent. He also suffers from asthma and heart defects.
*Roger Andrew Hernandez Taylor (born Rodrigo Andreas Hernandez Taylor): a 17-year-old new member of the Wild Boys and is of Mexican descent. He is bisexual and dating Chris. He transferred from Birmingham to Essex. He also became the Wild Boys' official drummer after having Phil do the drums and eventually Chris doing so. He suffers from a mitochondrial disorder which resulted in him with another power, being on oxygen due to blood clots and being temporarily paralysed. He is loosely based on Roger Taylor with some influences from Johnny Depp and Phil Collins and speaks in a Brummie accent.
*Andrew Arthur 'Andy' Taylor: a 16-year-old (later 17) new member of the Wild Boys. He is bisexual and dating Martin and platonically dating Richard. He transferred from Newcastle and then Birmingham to Essex. He suffers from gastroparesis after being on sedatives while having stomach flu. While supposedly dead from AIDS, it turns out he was in a coma and Dr Richards faked his death. He is loosely based on Andy Taylor and speaks in a Geordie accent mixed with a slight Brummie accent.
*Christopher 'Chris' Hamill: a 17-year-old (later 18) who was formerly part of the bullies. After realising that he's gay and sympathised with the Wild Boys, he broke off his friendship with the bullies and joined the main characters. He is now a newly added member. He speaks in a Northern British accent and is loosely based on Limahl.
*James 'Jim' Kerr: a 17-year-old who joined the Wild Boys and is of Scots-Irish descent. He is bisexual and dating John. He is loosely based on Jim Kerr and speaks in a Glaswegian accent.
*Paul Antony Young: an 18-year-old (later 19) of who became a newly-added member of the Wild Boys. He is bisexual and dating Marc. He is loosely based on Paul Young. He adopted Richard being of legal age. Unlike his teammates who were born with alien DNA, he intentionally injected it and gained powers.
*Peter Mark Sinclair 'Marc' Almond: an 18-year-old of who became a newly-added member of the Wild Boys. He is gay and dating Paul. He is loosely based on Marc Almond and speaks in a Leeds accent. He also adopted Richard being of legal age.
*Paul David 'Bono' Hewson: a 17-year-old of who became a newly-added member of the Wild Boys. He is gay and is dating Larry. He is loosely based on Bono and speaks in an Irish accent. Unlike his teammates who were born with alien DNA, he was injected by it as a baby due to the gene mutation he was born with. He also had an open heart surgery after an aortic aneurysm and is suffering from POTS needing to be on oxygen whenever he sleeps.
*David Howell 'Edge' Evans: a British-born Irish 17-year-old who is of Welsh descent. Although hesitant to learn that he is gay due to his Protestant faith, he then grew to accept it and date Adam upon learning that the majority of the Wild Boys were Catholic while Curt was Protestant and Andy and Bryan were Anglican. He is also the first Wild Boy to be of Welsh descent. He is loosely based on The Edge and speaks in a Welsh accent with a slight Irish accent.
*Adam Charles Clayton: a British-born Irish 17-year-old (later 18). He is childhood friends with Edge along with Bono and Larry prior to the four of them moving to Essex. Being mentally-challenged, he also battled addiction and coincidentally was in the same therapy group as the Wild Boys. He is dating Edge. He is loosely based on Adam Clayton and speaks in a standard British accent with a slight Irish accent.
*Laurence Joseph 'Larry' Mullen Jr: is an Irish 17-year-old. He previously had surgery on his back and his knee. He also suffers from cystic fibrosis and needed oxygen 24/7. He is gay and dating Bono. He is loosely based on Larry Mullen Jr and speaks in a thick Irish accent and can speak Irish Gaelic.
*Nicholas 'Nick' Beggs: a British 17-year-old student. He was previously a bully and had tensions with Chris but made up. He is gay and dating Stu. He is loosely based on Nick Beggs and speaks in a standard British accent.
*Stuart Croxford 'Stu' Neale: a British 17-year-old student of Jewish descent. He was previously a bully and had tensions with Chris but made up. He is gay and dating Nick. He is loosely based on Stuart Neale and speaks in a standard British accent.
*Jeremy 'Jez' Strode: a British 19-year-old student. He was previously a bully and had tensions with Chris but made up. He is gay and dating Steve (Askew). He shares the same birthday as Paul. He is loosely based on Jez Strode and speaks in a standard British accent.
*Steven 'Steve' Askew: a British 19-year-old student. He was previously a bully and had tensions with Chris but made up. He is gay and dating Jez. He is loosely based on Steve Askew and speaks in a standard British accent.
*Antony Patrick 'Tony' Hadley: a 17-year-old of who became a newly-added member of the Wild Boys. He was formerly a bully but changed after waking up from a coma and suffering from pulmonary fibrosis. He is gay and is dating Steve. He is loosely based on Tony Hadley and speaks in a standard British accent.
*Steven Antony Norman: a British 17-year-old who was formerly a bully and joined the Wild Boys. He later began dating Tony and is gay. He is loosely based on Steve Norman and speaks in a standard British accent.
*Martin John Kemp: a British 17-year-old who was formerly a bully and joined the Wild Boys. He is the only Year 11 student to join the Wild Boys. He is bisexual and is dating Andy upon fixing up their misunderstandings and platonically dating Richard. He is loosely based on Martin Kemp and speaks in a standard British accent.
*John Leslie 'Keebs' Keeble: a British 17-year-old who was formerly a bully and joined the Wild Boys. Although he is short, he is also an upper sixth form student. He is single and his sexuality is unknown. He is loosely based on John Keeble and speaks in a standard British accent.
*Gary James Kemp: a British teenager who was formerly a bully and joined the Wild Boys. After waking up from a coma due to a traumatic brain injury, he became deaf and needed hearing aids. He is single and his sexuality is unknown. He is loosely based on Gary Kemp and speaks in a standard British accent.
*Niholas David 'Nik' Kershaw: a British 17-year-old (later 18) student. Along with Larry, he is the shortest male Wild Boy and due to his small height, he is often picked on by the Wild Boys. However, they grew to accept him as well. He is loosely based on Nik Kershaw and speaks in a standard British accent with a slight West Country accent.
*Morten Harket: a Norwegian 18-year-old student. He is the first Wild Boy to be from continental Europe. He is loosely based on Morten Harket.
*Michael Kelland John Hutchence: an Australian 18-year-old student. He suffers from depression after a head injury and was also on drugs. He then attempted suicide which left him disabled, suffering from FND and needing leg braces and a cane. Despite this, his telekinetic strength gave him the ability to walk. He is loosely based on Michael Hutchence and speaks in an Australian accent.
*Catherine 'Kate' Bush: a 17-year-old of Irish descent. She is one of the few members of the friend group who isn't mentally challenged. She is dating Maddy. She transferred from Kent to Essex. She is the lead vocalist of the Wild Boys. She is loosely based on Kate Bush.
*Kimberly 'Kim' Wilde (born Kimberly Smith): an 18-year-old of who became a newly-added member of the Wild Boys. She is Simon's childhood friend and is bisexual dating Siobhan. She is loosely based on Kim Wilde and speaks in a standard British accent.
*Sarah Elizabeth Dallin: a British 17-year-old student. She is of English, French and Irish descent. She is a lesbian and dating her childhood friend, Keren. She is loosely based on Sara Dallin and speaks in a West Country accent.
*Keren Jane Woodward: a British 17-year-old student. Bono initially asked her out, however, she is a lesbian and is dating her childhood friend, Sara. She is loosely based on Keren Woodward and speaks in a West Country accent.
*Siobhan Maire Fahey: an Irish 18-year-old student. Bono also asked her out but she is bisexual. She is eventually dating Kim. She is loosely based on Siobhan Fahey and speaks in an Irish accent.
*Jonathan Francis 'Jon' Bongiovi: a 17-year-old (later 18) of Italian, Slovakian, German and Russian descent. He is one of the few members of the friend group who isn't mentally challenged and is Catholic. He is dating Bryan. He transferred from New Jersey to Essex. He is the lead vocalist of the Wild Boys. He is loosely based on Jon Bon Jovi and speaks in Northern American dialect.
*Bryan Guy Adams: a 17-year-old (later 18) of English descent. He went through depression due to moving around a lot and has coeliac disease and type 1 diabetes. He is dating Jon. He transferred from many different places such as Ontario, Canada, Portugal, Austria, Israel and British Columbia, Canada before moving to Plymouth to stay with relatives and studied in Essex. He is the guitarist of the Wild Boys. He is loosely based on Bryan Adams with some influences from Michael J Fox and speaks in a Canadian accent later with a slight British accent.
*Richard Noel Marx-Almond-Young: a 17-year-old of German-Jewish descent who became a newly-added member of the Wild Boys. He is aro-ace and is platonically dating Andy and Martin. He suffers from Lupus and interstitial lung disease. He is loosely based on Richard Marx and speaks in a Midwestern American accent. He is adopted by Paul and later Marc.
*Madonna Louise Ciccone: a 17-year-old of Italian and French-Canadian descent. She is one of the few members of the Wild Boys who isn't mentally challenged and is Catholic. She is dating Kate. She transferred from Michigan to Essex. She is the lead vocalist of the Wild Boys. She is loosely based on Madonna with some influences from Cyndi Lauper and speaks in Northern American dialect with a slight Italian-American accent.
*Susanna Lee Hoffs: an American 18-year-old student of Jewish descent. She is lesbian and dating Debbi. She is loosely based on Susanna Hoffs and speaks in an American accent. She is the fourth known Wild Boy to be Jewish after John, Richard and Stu.
*Deborah Mary 'Debbi' Peterson: an American 17-year-old student. She is lesbian and dating Susanna. She is loosely based on Debbi Peterson and speaks in an American accent. Debbi and Vicki are the second pair of Wild Boys who are siblings after Gary and Martin.
*Michael Steele: an American 17-year-old student. She is lesbian and dating Vicki. She is loosely based on Michael Steele and speaks in an American accent.
*Victoria Anne Theresa 'Vicki' Peterson: an American 18student. She is lesbian and dating Michael. She is loosely based on Vicki Peterson and speaks in an American accent. Debbi and Vicki are the second pair of Wild Boys who are siblings after Gary and Martin.
=== Halargian Protection Group ===
The Halargian Protection Group are the advisors of the Wild Boys who also supported them throughout their journey as alien-hybrids. They are currently based in Ireland.
* Dr Anne Hayley: a paediatric physician originally from Scotland but was born and raised in Essex. Her father was Scottish doctor and scientist, Dr Arthur Hayley, who famously experimented on teenagers with mitochondrial disorder by injected alien DNA from an alien who crash landed on Earth. Dr Hayley is the leader of her diagnostic team in the hospital in Essex. She is dating Alex.
* Alex: a pediatric nurse who is dating Dr Hayley. She is often seen helping Dr Hayley look after the Wild Boys.
* Dr Aiden O'Connor: a paediatrician from Boston, Massechusetts who is of Irish descent. He originally worked at the accident and emergency ward before working with Dr Hayley. He is dating Dr Mills.
* Dr Adrien Mills: a pediatric neurologist who is dating Dr O'Connor.
* Dr Molly Chen: a pediatric pulmonologist and cardiologist originally from British Hong Kong. She is Cantonese. She was originally part of the Illuminati but left and joined the HPG upon learning how manipulative the group was.
* Dr Sinéad Lynch: a pediatric neurologist from Ireland who is Dr O'Connor's cousin. 
* Mr Neil Francis Tennant: The Wild Boys' engineering teacher from Northeast England. He is also gay. He is loosely based on Neil Tennant.
* Robert Federick Zenon 'Bob' Geldof: an Irish member of the HPG who currently lives in its headquarters in County Meath. He served as a guide for the Wild Boys who were going to save Gary from the IRA. He is loosely based on Bob Geldof.
* Lord Henry Mountcharles: the owner of Slane Castle who is the leader of the HPG where the headquarters is located. 
=== Illuminati ===
They are the antagonists of the book series
* Steven Patrick Morrissey: an upper sixth student who is a bully towards the Wild Boys. He is racist and ableist and neither of the Wild Boys knew why because he came from an immigrant family from Ireland. He is loosely based on Morrissey.
* Dr Edmund Richards: Curt's former doctor who was killed off in Nightmare of Living.
* Dr Tyrone Richards: Dr Edmund Richards' father who was the leader of the Illuminati before his death in A Mystery Unveiled.
* Dr Rachel Edwards: The second leader of the Illuminati who took in the position after Dr Tyrone Richards' death. Her fate is currently unknown.
=== Other Characters ===
There are a variety of characters that appeared throughout the series including:
* Mr Paul McCartney: The Wild Boys' homeroom teacher who teaches English, he is loosely based on Paul McCartney from the Beatles and is from Liverpool.
* Ms Deborah Ann 'Debbie' Harry: The Wild Boys' Science teacher who mostly specialises in Chemistry. She is American and loosely based on Debbie Harry.
* Ms Bonnie Tyler: The Wild Boys' Social Studies teacher from Wales. She is loosely based on Bonnie Tyler.
* Johnny Marr: One of the students in the Wild Boys' class who is also a bully. He is loosely based on Johnny Marr.
* Katrina Leskanich: One of the female students in the Wild Boys' class. She is loosely based on Katrina Leskanich.
* Philip David Charles 'Phil' Collins: One of the male students in the Wild Boys' class. He is loosely based on Phil Collins.
* Evelyn 'Evie' McGowan: One of the female students in the Wild Boys' class who has autism. She is loosely based on Zoe Tria's friend who asked her if she could be in the book series. She has so far appeared in Phase 1.