chapter3: looks are everything
november 21, 2008

 It’s been about two weeks since 9STARz were formed. As soon as they met, they hit the recording studios to start working on their debut album. They were slated to start filming season 4 of popSTARz in January, and before that, they have dance rehearsals. Luckily, the songs were already written and produced, so 9STARz were ready to go.

 At the same time, they’re getting ready for their debut with 7STARz for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. They sing together on the chorus of 7STARz’ latest single, It’s A Movie.

 But in the meantime, the 9 were living in a hotel suite in Beverly Hills. This was due to the members’ hometowns being scattered across the US. So it was better if everyone lived together. This was just temporary, though. They’re scheduled to move into a house in a few months. The only member that lived in California was Ryan, but he chose to live with his bandmates.

 If that wasn’t crazy enough, they got cameras following them. They’re filming a docu-reality series, exclusively for their newly official MySpace page, follow the juniorSTARz. So far, there’s no video up.

 After a morning filled with recording sessions, the 9 were given the afternoon off. They went to a mall to do shopping…well, mainly the girls doing shopping. The guys stayed at the food court.

 The girls were at a Forever 21, checking out some clothes. Sarah and Maddie were picking out clothes, while Rylie was taking in the store. As for Emily and Hayley, they stood there, pouting.

 Maddie noticed, so she asked in a snarky tone, “What’s wrong? Are these clothes not your style?”

 Emily replied, “It’s not that. This stuff is too cheap.”

 “What do you mean ‘cheap’?”

 “I mean, it’s not designer clothes. C’mon, a $30 dress? I own a Chanel dress, and so does Hays.”

 With that, both Sarah and Maddie stared at Emily and Hayley. Sarah asked, “Aren’t you from Baltimore, or something?”

 Hayley replied, “Yeah. So?”

 “It’s not like you live in the Upper East Side, or Manhattan. Besides, I love Forever 21. This is where I buy my red carpet dresses.”

 With that, both Hayley and Emily gasped in shock. Maddie smirked as she said, “I live in New York too, and I don’t go buying clothes that cost more than my family’s loft.”

 Hayley said in a snobby tone, “Well, why would you when you obviously shop at a sex store?”

 Maddie said flatly, “I’m wearing a t-shirt and skinny jeans. How is that from a sex store?”

 “You’re showing off your boobs.”

 “Just be glad I’m wearing a bra.”

 Sarah said hastily, “Okay, let’s not get crazy here. Look, can we just relax, and have fun shopping?”

 Emily said, “With you, sex hipster, and that airhead? Like, no!”

 With that, both Sarah and Maddie faced Rylie. She was looking the ceiling. Then she saw the girls staring at her, so she skipped to them, and asked, “What’s going on?”

 Emily said rudely, “This is what we mean! Sarah, you were my favorite, but now you’re a loser for hanging out with the airhead and the slut.”

 Rylie said sadly, “But we’re the STARz. We must get along and become friends.”

 Hayley asked, “Who said we should be friends with you three bitches?”

 With that, Emily and Hayley swung their designer purses, and walked out of the store with an air snobby-ness. As soon as those two girls walked away, Rylie started crying. Sarah and Maddie hugged her, as she was upset.

 Maddie told her, “Don’t let those fake-ass bitches get to you. You got Sarah and me as your friends.”

 Sarah added, “Maddie’s right. Rylie, those girls are just mean. They’ll get over their snotty attitude. They have to anyway since they’re in a band with us. You know what? I got an idea that will make things right.”

 “What is it? Rylie asked.

 “A makeover. Show those mean girls that we’re better than them.”

 Maddie was surprised when she heard that, so she asked, “A makeover? All of us?”

 Sarah replied happily, “Yeah, why not? I got credit cards, and we were given credit cards by Seth. So let’s get a makeover!”

 With that, Sarah dragged both Maddie and Rylie. Rylie was excited and hyper, but Maddie was dragging her feet.

 At the same time, the 9STARz guys were at an entertainment store. They were checking out the CDs, but Ryan was busy fixing his hair. He was looking at himself on the reflection of the CD-burning booth.

 By now, the guys were annoyed with Ryan’s vainness. He was so self-absorbed, not caring about other people. All he cared about were his looks, designer clothes, and his money. He was actually very wealthy. His home in Malibu was a mansion!

 But for one member, Vaughn liked a challenge. Numerous times he would try to pick a fight with Ryan. Yet, Ryan would brush him off. He was actually annoyed with Vaughn, and so were Greg and Alec. If anyone was more arrogant than Ryan, it was Vaughn.

 Seeing how Greg and Ryan don’t exactly get along, Vaughn decided to start another fight. He approached Greg, who was looking at indie CD. He asked, “So, you like indie music?”

 Greg shrugged his shoulders, and said, “It’s something different. Everyone is into hip-hop and rap music. I would much rather listen to High School Musical than hear another T-Pain so-called ‘song.’”

 Vaughn smirked, and asked, “What do you think that himbo listens to?”

 “Who cares? Besides, he probably has an empty head.”

 “He is a dumbass, isn’t he?”

 Greg just shrugged, and walked over to the DVDs. Vaughn then walked over to Ryan, who was still checking out his messy, blonde hair. When he saw Vaughn in the reflection, he turned to face him.

 Ryan smirked as he asked, “What do you want now, Robb?”

 He said, “You might want to wipe that smirk off your face. Greg told me that you’re empty-headed, and you’re a dumbass.”

 Ryan, once again, smirked. He asked in a snarky tone, “You’re sure it wasn’t you who said all that shit?”

 “What makes you think I would say that?”

 “Because you do.”

 With that, Vaughn called Greg over to him and Ryan. He asked Vaughn, “What is it?”

 He said, “Tell Ryan what you told me?”

 “About what?”

 “Your opinions on Ryan?”

 Greg stammered. He knew Vaughn was trying to start a fight between him and Ryan. As for Ryan, he just smirked. He said smugly, “I guess it’s just you, Robb. Chavez doesn’t have much of a backbone.”
 That made Greg annoyed. He asked, “What makes you say that?”

 Ryan scoffed, “C’mon. You’re supposed to be from a family that’s involved in the entertainment industry. Your dad is a talent agent; your mom works as a costume designer for Spanish soap operas. Yet, you act like so humble.”

 “Well, just because my parents do those things doesn’t give me the right to act like an arrogant dumbass.”

 Ryan was taken back by that comment. Alec, overhearing what was going on, approached the guys. He told them, “Look, let’s not get into a fight. Do you want to get kicked out of the store?”

 Ryan ignored Alec, and said angrily to Greg, “So, that’s what you think of me? An arrogant dumbass?”

 Alec said nervously, “Greg, Ryan is not an arrogant dumbass. He’s, um…”

 Greg shot at him, saying, “Ryan is an arrogant dumbass! You’ve seen how he acts! All he cares about are his hair, his money, and his clothes! Granted, he’s not as bad as Vaughn, but still.”

 With that, Ryan got into Greg’s face. He looked like he was ready to fight Greg. Alec got really nervous, while Vaughn was as smug as ever.

 Greg told him sternly, “Get out of my face.”

 Ryan replied, also sternly, “Make me.”

 As the two guys were about to beat each other up, Alec, and several store employees, broke them up. They were taken out of the store. Alec glared at Vaughn, who looked very pleased with himself.
 
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IN THE PIC IS THE BOOK JACKET FOR THIS BOOK, AND IN THE VID IS 7STARz' CURRENT SINGLE, "IT'S A MOVIE" (LEADS: LUKE AND MOLLY)>>>