2004. Alyson Bauer, the Queen of Mean, from one of Boston's prestigious private high schools, Beacon Hill Secondary School, forms a pop group. She adds her bestie Bailey, her boyfriend Justin, and her frenemy crush, Andrew. They're ready to compete in a regional TV singing competition, but they get surrounded by scandals and drama from their families and peers. It doesn't help when a judge on the show tries to control the band.

Will the pop act rise above their hardships? Will Alyson and Andrew become an item? Will the band win the competition? This is the first book of The One Series.