"What if they don't like me?" she asked, "How could they? I don't want to…."
"Hannah, sweetie," said her mother from the front seat of the car, "you're a great girl. Why wouldn't they like you?"
"But I don't want to…"
"Hannah, you haven't had an episode in years."
"Alright guys," said Mr Schuester, a bright, cheerful smile on his face, "we've got a new member of New Directions joining us this week."
Hannah knew that was her cue to enter the room and taking a deep breath, she managed to muster just enough courage to wander in, coming to stand beside the Glee club teacher. "this is Hannah," at that, the others clapped a little. Looking around, she could see small smiles on the faces of the other students and warmth in their eyes, which made her relax, ever so slightly. Still smiling, Mr Schue patted Hannah's back lightly, "you can go take a seat if you like now."
"Thanks," Hannah said, keeping her head down as she shuffled quickly toward the empty seat off to the side of the front row of chairs.
"So, the assignment was breaking free. Has anyone got something for us?"
Before she knew what she was doing, Hannah slowly raised her hand.
"Hannah," said Mr Schue, surprised, "you don't have to go if you don't want to. It's only your first week."
"It's ok, please forgive me if it doesn't fit in, but I think I've got something."
"Alright, whenever you're ready," he said kindly, gesturing to the middle of the room.
Hannah gulped as she got up and made her way to the front of the room. 'What have I got myself into?' she wondered 'what have I done?' But there was no backing out now. So, taking yet another steadying breath, she opened her mouth.
As far as you know, you will make the distance
Even if everything is falling down
But don't lose that vision
And don't lose your courage
Until you are standing right here with me
Hannah sang the first verse slowly. Her voice was shaky and she didn't feel like she could breathe, but she pushed on. She would not be weak. No one here could think she was weak. No one could see her as weak. She could not be weak.
I want you, to stand up and fight every moment with me
For the truth, it's your love
Your destiny that I see
In my shoes, so tell me, when do you wanna be free?
Only you can tell me
It seemed, the more she sang, the more confident she became. But her legs were wobbling and her voice shaking slightly. She closed her eyes and took a breath before she started again, opening them to see the others silent in front of her, though some were leaning forward, like the big dark skinned girl in the back. They were interested.
And high on emotion has been a killer for days
It's wearing you out until you slowly fade
Where is that needle, or that damaging blade
It's cutting you up until it empties your gauge
She couldn't stop now, she had to keep going. Right till the end. Then she could get away if she really needed to.
I want you to stand up and fight every moment with me
For the truth it's your love
Your destiny that I see
In my shoes, so tell me, when do you wanna be free?
Only you can tell me
Hold on, hold that tight
Colour on or colour blind
Talking how sweet the ride
Dumb is gone into your life
I, I want you to stand up and fight every moment with me
For the truth, it's your love
Your destiny that I see
In my shoes, so tell me, when do you wanna be free?
Only you can tell me
When do you wanna be
I, I want you tell me
For the truth, it's your love
Your destiny that I see
In my shoes, so tell me, when do you wanna be free?
When do you wanna be free?
When do you wanna be free?
When do you wanna be free?
When do you wanna be free?
"Tha…" Mr Schue started to say, but that was all Hannah heard for she'd bolted the second she'd taken a breath.
The song used in this chapter is owned by Pete Murray