Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN Glee. Obviously. Mitchell Mason (my OC) is technically mine, but it's not like I have him copyrighted or anything.
Intro; This probably will fail miserably, but we'll see. Trying to inject an original character somewhat seamlessly into the fabric that is Glee. Each chapter will be part of that Episode. Some filler here and there. Nothing big except for filling the gap between Seasons 1 and 2. The overall storyline is going to be relatively the same, but I'm not going to be using exact dialogue or scenes from the show. Meaning some scenes will mirror the scenes from the show, but they won't be exact duplicates.
A Different Point of View
Chapter 1- "Pilot"
They called it William McKinley High School. New student Mitchell Mason hadn't heard much about it, other than some surface details and a few odds and ends. There was actually a bit of controversy, though. Apparently, the Head of the Glee club had supposedly acted inappropriately towards one of the male students. Wasn't anything to find humor in, obviously, but in a twisted little way... It gave Mitchell hope that this new school wouldn't be as bland as his last.
To look at Mitchell was to see nothing really noteworthy. He was pretty average all around. He had brown hair, blue eyes - that his mother literally prayed for - and he was mostly skin and bones, standing at just a tick under six feet. His clothes were as average as his physique. He could be typically seen in baggy wear, somewhat reminiscent of a skater, though he couldn't skateboard to save his life.
And trust this narrator, he had tried.
He walked into William McKinley High School with an open mind and a shy outlook. He had a tendency to be very much whatever the official term was to describe the exact opposite of outgoing. Which meant no real friends, no real dates, no real excitement scheduled for the weekend. He was hoping to try and change that, though. Maybe not all at once, but a little at a time might be... holy... crap... who... is... her? What... she's... name?
From across the hall, there was quite possibly the most angelic, the most beautiful, the single most perfect specimen of the female form to ever have graced the planet Earth with her presence; She was a Cheerleader. Holy freakin' crap, they just walk around in their Cheerleader uniforms?
THIS IS THE MOST AMAZING SCHOOL EVER!
Sadly, all good things must come to an end. Tragically, perhaps, for Mitchell Mason, they have a tendency to stop suddenly with an almost concussive impact...
Mitchell's day came to a screeching halt as he walked right smack into an open locker. He hit the hard floor beneath him, his backpack - while softening the blow - actually making it a bit worse at the same time. Yet, his eyes remained locked on the vision of beauty as she walked down the hall like nothing ever happened. Even as his right eye started to blacken a bit, signifying a shiner.
"Oh my god, I am so sorry!"
Mitchell heard nothing as he rolled onto his stomach, not snapping out of his trance until after the Cheerleader finally turned a corner and was out of sight.
"Are you alright? Oh wow, you may have a concussion. All these years of dodging bullies and now I am one."
"I'm good." Mitchell mumbled, being helped up by the young man who's locker he had walked into, "It's my fault, anyway. I have a tendency to space out."
"You have a black eye, how could you possibly be good?"
"Her." Mitchell spoke, "Her. Who is her?"
"Who is she?" the other boy wondered, "... Is that what you were... oh well, anyways... I'm assuming you just snuck your first peek at Quinn Fabray?"
"Th-The Cheerleader?"
"Yes." the boy sighed, hating to see another one fall under the succubus' spell, "Be warned, though; Her inner beauty does not match her outer."
Mitchell sighed, leaning back against the lockers, head starting to hurt a little, "I have to talk to her."
"Smitten, already? And so they say... Another one bites the dust."
"I'm Mitchell, by the way." Mitchell stuck his hand out, "Mitchell Mason."
This was certainly new to the boy. He wasn't used to having someone new act this pleasant to him. It then dawned on him as if a light bulb flashed over his head, "And you must be a new Student?"
"Yeah." Mitchell was a little confused, but kept his hand out anyway.
"Kurt Hummel." and they shook, "Nice to meet you, sorry about nearly bashing your skull in with my locker. Are you sure you're alright?"
Mitchell shrugged, "It's nothing." though, he was actually feeling a little dizzy, "So, where can I see a guy about a girl?"
"Actually... she's taken." Kurt explained as they started walking, though Mitchell had no idea if he was heading to his home room or not, "Fitting the cliche perfectly; She is in a relationship with the star Quarterback."
"Crap." Mitchell muttered, saddened by that news. How the hell could a kid like him compete with a Quarterback? The short answer; He couldn't!
"Sup, Dorkenstein?" a deep voice from behind, and a slap across the back of Kurt's head, followed by laughter.
Mitchell turned around to find members of the football team having a laugh at Kurt's expense, "What was that about?"
Kurt sighed, "Typical day in the life of a Glee club member."
"You're in the Glee club?"
Kurt nodded, then noticed the look on Mitchell's face, able to guess the next question, "No, Mr. Ryerson didn't act weird around me. To be honest, I'm not sold that he acted weird around Hank Saunders, either. But, that's just me, I suppose."
Mitchell shook his head a little, wincing.
"Maybe you should see the Nurse?" Kurt offered a little advice, "You seem a little... off."
Mitchell disagreed, "Nope, I'm good. I'm just a little... love-struck." he smirked like an idiot.
"So, what's your home room number? Mine is..." Kurt stopped when he noticed that Mitchell had done the same.
There was a bulletin board with a variety of papers posted on it. One in particular pertained to Cheerleading. It stated that there were a couple spots left on the Cheerios squad if anyone was bold enough to try-out. If anyone dared, they needed to start by seeing the Coach in her office.
Mitchell tapped the paper with his finger and smiled, "Looks like I got a way in."
"Class starts in a minute." Kurt checked his watch, "I mean, literally, one minute."
"No worries."
"I highly recommend not being late to the very first class on your very first day at your new school."
"No worries." Mitchell repeated, "It's all under control. I'm just gonna see about the Cheerleading squad."
Fear filled Kurt for the hell that Mitchell was unknowingly about to embark upon, "Oh no, Mitchell, don't do it. Seriously... this is going to be a huge mistake on your part."
Mitchell just smiled and shrugged, giving a wave as he headed in the opposite direction.
"Mitchell!"
"Shut up, Songbird!" one of the jocks.
Kurt could do nothing else but think of the possible friendship that could have formed between the two. For now, death awaited Mitchell Mason in the form of Sue Sylvester.
:::Sue Sylvester's Office:::
Mitchell realized that the idea of trying out for the Cheerios - haha, what a name - wasn't thought-out. More than likely, there were probably huge holes in his logic. But, at this point, what other choice did he have? He felt that he needed to strike while the iron was hot. And, considering that this Quinn Fabray already had a Quarterback boyfriend, the only possible way that Mitchell could make any bit of progress was by joining the Cheerios.
See, it makes sense, right?
Right?
Of course, Mitchell had never ventured into the land of cheerleading before. The closest he ever came to that was dancing and singing in his bedroom. Alone. No one even in the house. Obviously, that wasn't cheering, but it had to help him at least a little...
Right?
After a deep breath to keep himself composed, Mitchell knocked on the office door and let himself in. Not even thinking...
"Okay, now see, whatever it is that you came here to say... already loses its legs to stand on, because you just made mistake number one. Ironically, also one of the biggest mistakes possible." this blonde lady - presumably the Head Coach of the Cheerios - was sitting at her desk, a guy with curly hair standing to the side, "Now, what do you suppose is the purpose of knocking if you're just going to let yourself in regardless?"
Mitchell was speechless.
Sue sighed, "Eh well, at least it gives me a distraction from this buffoon." she gestured to the man, "So, c'mon, what is it?"
Mitchell swallowed hard, now incredibly terrified, "I-I...umm... uhhh..."
Sue sniffed in the air, "What's that smell? That aroma?" Sue stood up, walking over to Mitchell and sniffing around him, as if this scent was coming from him, "Ah, okay, now I know. That is the stink of a newborn William McKinley High School student. Word to the wise, Stinky, the Lions can smell the Lambs a mile away. And, by the looks of that eye, it looks like one already got to ya."
"Alright, this is ridiculous." the man stepped in between Sue and the new student, "Obviously, you're just irritated with me so you're taking it out on him. Let him talk, Sue."
Sue shrugged, "Fine. Spill it... Lamb."
"Umm... okay... I kinda... I want to try-out for the Cheerios." his voice was very quiet.
"You stinky lamb." Sue wasn't one to hold back, "You walk in here, un-invited, un-welcomed, with your shabby baggy clothes, those vomit-inducing blue eyes and your obvious lack of cheerleading skills... And you think I'm gonna waste my time... my breath... my dwindling yet extremely significant life-span... on watching you fail miserably for some stupid desire that is probably being spurned on by your out of control teenage hormones?"
"I can dance and sing pretty good." Mitchell blurted in a mumble, surprising himself. He had never admitted that. But, at this point, he was flailing at straws.
That caught the attention of the other man in the office.
"Out!" Sue ordered, turning away in disgust, "The both of you. Honestly, if I am forced to listen to another word, I'm going to have to borrow some rope from P.E. and hang myself from one of the basketball hoops."
The two males exited the office quickly.
So much for his bright idea. Mitchell just tried shaking it off and sighed, holding onto the straps of his backpack.
"Hey..." the man caught up with him a little ways down the hall and around a corner, "This is going to sound dumb, but do you actually like to sing and dance?"
Embarrassed, Mitchell nodded, "But, don't tell anyone. Actually, who am I kidding? That psychopath is bound to blare it over the P.A. system."
"Now hear this... The new Student here with the black eye... loves to dance and sing. I repeat, dance and sing. Do with it what you will. Haha, this will teach you to barge into my office, Stinky."
"Holy crap." Mitchell couldn't believe that actually happened.
"Listen, my name is Will Schuester." he explained, "I'm in charge of the Glee club."
Mitchell suddenly took a weary step back.
"Trust me, my record's clean." Will assured him before continuing, "Anyway, if you want to join a club and you actually like to do those things, the Glee club's doors are always open. We could use a new member."
"Okay, I do like to dance and sing..." he was still somewhat in denial that that fact was out there, "... But, I'm not very good at it."
Will was a touch confused, "You seemed..."
Another humiliating confession, "There's this girl..."
"Ah." it all made sense now, "I see. Well... the offer stands. I don't reject anyone."
With that, Will Schuester walked away.
:::Lunch:::
"Why didn't you warn me?"
"I tried, but you walked away so fast."
After grabbing his tray of food, Mitchell quickly took a seat next to Kurt in the cafeteria. The students were still in the midst of piling in. Most hadn't even begun on their meals yet. Though, there seemed a majority that didn't appear all that enthusiastic to dig in.
"She tore me apart, man." Mitchell explained.
"Hey, Stinky! He's real! Stinky!" random jocks had found a new victim, "STINKY!"
"Lions..." Mitchell mumbled under his breath.
"It should blow over, eventually." Kurt tried his hand at optimism for Mitchell's sake.
Mitchell shook his head, "This never happens."
"What do you mean?"
"The new kid? You know... on TV shows... the new kid in school always ends up saving the day at the end of the episode, not cowering in fear in the lunch room. This totally would sooooo not be happening if I was Zac Efron."
"Zac Efron? Did you just use a Zac Efron reference?" Kurt chuckled, amused.
"What?" Mitchell was somewhat defensive, "So? I didn't say it to sound faggy. Dude, I'm not like that."
"Obviously." Kurt appeared a little hurt, but Mitchell didn't happen to notice as his eyes were darting all around the cafeteria.
A moment or two later, a group of students took their seats at the table. One sat at the edge, due to being in a wheelchair. "So, is anyone as excited as I am?" a bubbly brunette spoke with a smile.
"Who are you?" an Asian girl pointed at Mitchell.
Kurt too the initiative, "Fellow Glee clubbers, meet Mitchell. Mitchell meet... Tina, Rachel, Mercedes and Artie."
"Stinky?" Mercedes asked with an accidental chuckle, "Sorry, no offense."
"I think it's a cute nickname." Rachel commented.
"Could be worse." Artie remarked.
"At least you d-d-don't stutter." Tina added.
Mitchell was ready to respond when his attention was stolen away from the table, held in the warm clutches of the infinitely beautiful, Quinn Fabray.
Everyone watched with cocked eyebrows and confused expressions.
Rachel was first to speak, "Is he... Special?"
"I don't think you're supposed to say that." Mercedes said.
"You just called him Stinky!" Rachel whispered in defense.
Kurt pointed with a finger to Quinn Fabray, walking hand in hand with Finn Hudson a.k.a. the star Quarterback that Kurt had alluded to earlier.
"Oh..." Mercedes, Tina and Artie responded in unison.
Rachel would have to, if not for her own personal trance being inflicted upon her by the crush she had on Finn Hudson.
"Oh my god... it's spreading." Artie spoke as if he were in a Science Fiction film.
"How'd he get that black eye?" Tina wondered.
Kurt slowly raised his hand.
"You attacked Stinky?"
"He was trapped in a Quinn-induced trance and he walked into my open locker."
"Did he go to the Nurse?" Mercedes asked.
Kurt shook his head.
Finally, the hypnosis lost its effect and the two love-sick puppies were transported back to the real world.
"Unbelievable." Mercedes just had to say something, "You're in love with Finn and Stinky's in love with Quinn."
"D-d-devil girl." Tina added quietly.
Mitchell and Rachel looked at each other. An unspoken connection formed in that moment. A mission had been laid in front of them - only for them. It was them, had to be them, the two of them. Yet, they didn't dare act upon it too quickly, prematurely. Besides, it was insanely horrible to even consider. Devious, even.
"Wait a minute..." Mercedes got their attention, "... You like to dance and sing? For real?"
Mitchell's head fell forward, hitting the lunch table hard. Perhaps, too hard. He quickly rose back up, gasping and holding his aching skull, "That was stupid. That was really stupid."
"You don't say?" Tina's addition.
"So..." Rachel pressed the question a bit, "... Do you?"
No point in denying it now, "Yes."
"Really?" Kurt wanted confirmation.
"Yes, really." Mitchell replied, still holding his head, "I already told Mr. Schuester, though, I'm not good at it. Definitely not good enough to join the Glee club."
"No problem." Artie mentioned, "We could use an extra member."
"No problem that I suck?" Mitchell was confused, "Isn't the whole purpose... to not suck?"
"You probably don't suck that much." Rachel said without thinking, cringing when she realized what she said.
"My head hurts." Mitchell was hurting, "Dizzy too."
"Stinky doesn't look good." Mercedes put her head in her hands, "Ahhh... I can't stop saying it!"
Tina and Artie laughed, but Rachel couldn't help in feeling that a future partner in crime was going down way too soon.
"That settles it!" Kurt stood up, casting aside Mitchell's earlier semi homophobic words, "I'm taking you to the Nurse."
"I'm good." Mitchell's eyes weren't even able to focus.
"The hell you are!" Kurt wasn't accepting that phrase again. Mitchell needed to be seen to. No doubt about it.
Fine, whatever. Mitchell gave in. Besides, he was feeling really dizzy. With a little help from Kurt, Mitchell made his way through the cafeteria, ignoring the Stinky chants. However, there was another distraction. It came in the form of Mitchell catching yet another glimpse of Ms. Fabray.
Needless to say, he couldn't look away and ended up walking right smack into a football player.
This particular player was nicknamed... Puck, and his lunch was currently falling from his jacket, and the look on his face told the tale of a young man who didn't easily forgive. With the entire lunch room watching in anticipation, a painful beatdown appeared upon the horizon...
Kurt couldn't move fast enough, and Puck's fist connected perfectly with Mitchell's jaw. But, as it all felt like it were happening in slow-motion, all Mitchell could think and feel as he drifted to the floor and into unconsciousness, was the glaring fact that Quinn Fabray was looking at him during it all.
Probably wondering just why the hell this kid was smiling like a fool as he collapsed to the floor.
"You fool!" Kurt bravely exclaimed after the slow-motion sequence had come to an end, "He probably already has a concussion, and you may have just sent him on vacation to coma-land."
Puck gestured to his ruined jacket.
"Understandable." Kurt bent over to help Mitchell, not surprised that he was the only one helping, "But, surely, not a strong enough reason to knock someone into a coma."
"Says you." Puck replied before walking away, knowing well that Stinky wasn't in a coma.
"Is school over yet?" Mitchell asked as he started coming out of it, being lead away from the cafeteria by Kurt, with the other Glee lubbers deciding to follow.
:::Outside of the Nurse's Office:::
Kurt, Rachel, Mercedes, Tina and Artie were all outside of the Nurse's office, waiting on the word. Was Mitchell actually concussed? On the brink of a trip to coma-land? Would he end up having to be sent home? All these questions.
Momentarily, the man of the hour emerged from the office holding a fresh ice pack on his forehead, "No concussion."
"Thank goodness." Kurt spoke.
"So, you're good to go?" Rachel asked.
"She said I might have a minor contusion..." Mitchell explained, "... I'm not sure what the difference between that and a concussion is. But, I'm optimistic."
"There you guys are. I thought we were meeting after... oh man, what happened?" Mr. Schuester had approached.
"I banged my head on a table and then got punched by a football player." Mitchell spoke somewhat proudly, figuring if he didn't laugh, he'd probably be crying.
"Are you alright?"
"Contusion. No concussion."
"Oh, well, that's good." Mr. Schuester wasn't quite clear on the difference, either. He then felt a bit of a sense of pride for his students, "And, you all helped him out?"
"He d-d-d-doesn't know anyone e-else." Tina stutter-spoke on behalf of the group.
"I confronted a football player." Kurt stated proudly, "Boldly, I may add."
"We also think that he should join our club." Rachel took the chance to speak. She was hopeful of another member, for they certainly needed more.
"Well, that's up to him." Will answered.
"Are Cheerleaders into Glee club dudes?"
"No!" Artie mentioned in a bit of a jaded tone, everyone glancing at him, "Oh... I meant... who knows?"
"That settles that." Mitchell started walking away from the group.
"Are you serious!" Kurt was in shock, "After all this, you're still going to lust after her?"
Lust was kind of a strong word, but whatever works. "The heart feels what it feels, right?" Mitchell's simple response before returning on his way to whatever class was next on the list.
"Stinky's got issues." Mercedes commented, "Stinky's got some serious issues."
"He's crushing hard." Rachel suggested, "The hardest I've seen since sixth grade."
"Huh?"
"Oh. Sixth grade. A boy named Timmy dug up his mother's flower bed for a girl named Cassie. Everyday, he would give her another flower until she agreed to go out with him. Timmy ended up with a broken heart and Cassie ended up with over four dozen flowers."
:::Different Day:::
:::Guidance Counselor's Office:::
It felt like he had visited more offices than classrooms during his first week of school. Nonetheless, a couple days passed by, and one of the teachers suggested to Mitchell that he pay a visit to the Guidance Counselor's office. Her name was Emma Pillsbury, and she seemed a peculiar lady. Though, obviously, Mitchell was in no condition to judge. Maybe quirky was a better description than peculiar. Actually... yeah... it was.
"So..." Ms. Pillsbury started, playing with a couple items on her desk, making sure they were in their right spots, "... It seems that you had quite the eventful first day of school."
Mitchell nodded. There was no disagreeing with that statement.
"I'm just curious... just wondering... How have you adjusted since?"
Mitchell thought about it for a minute before answering her question; Things had been relatively quiet since his first day at William McKinley. Granted, the nickname had stuck. Which sucked. He wasn't in love with being referred to as Stinky by what felt like the entirety of the Student Body. Speaking of which, he hadn't done good in the friend department. That wasn't a huge surprise, but still...
"No need to analyze things silently, Mitchell." she said, "Feel free to think aloud."
"I-I just... I didn't realize until now..." he started, realization settling in, "... They were the only ones that stuck by me and I pretty much hung them out to dry."
"Who?"
"Glee Club." he pointed to his black eye, which had really set in, "Picked me up twice..." referring to Kurt, "... Made sure I was okay..." referring to everyone waiting in the hall, "... Tried to stand up for me..." referring to Mr. Schuester in the Cheerios' Head Coach's office, "... And I just... totally blew them off because..."
His mind drifted the now infamous Quinn Fabray. His crush. It was still with him. Thinking of her, seeing her, it just felt so alive. Surely, he had his share of crushes in his life up until this point. Granted, though, they mostly consisted of famous celebrities. They didn't feel like this. He knew it was stupid, but it almost felt like... or maybe it really was... Love at first sight.
"Are the rumors true?" Ms. Pillsbury was curious, "You enjoy singing?"
"I'm not any good."
"That doesn't answer my question..."
Mitchell sighed, "Yes. But, I mean... in my room... when no one is around."
"Do you think you would enjoy being part of the Glee Club?"
He didn't know the answer to that.
"Mitchell, your teachers are under the impression that you're very withdrawn. It's only been a few days since you arrived, but there is some worry that you're too inside yourself... for lack of a better term."
"Worry?"
"Yes." she repeated, "Worry. Considering how rough your first day was..."
He knew where she was going with this. And, yeah, it had only been a few days, but despite how rough his first day was, he remembered that one of the bright spots was hanging out with the Glee club that little bit. And, what was the point of worrying about how humiliating it was to be part of that, when the entire school was already well aware of him liking to sing and dance. Not to mention referring to him as Stinky.
They helped him out. He wanted to return the favor. Yeah, the more he thought about it... the more right it seemed.
"I'm gonna join the Glee Club." he said abruptly, somewhat just blurting it out.
"Oh, yay." Ms. Pillsbury said comically, smiling. Surprising how easy that was.
:::Glee Club:::
"You're kidding me!"
While Kurt, Rachel, Artie, Mercedes and Tina were all happy to hear that Mitchell decided to join, they were without a leader. Mr. Schuester had decided to quit his position as Director of the Glee club. However, that wasn't about to stop them. As the saying goes... The show must go on.
"It'll just be the seven of us, but I'm sure we'll do fine." Rachel stated to the group.
Wait, seven? Mitchell only counted six which included himself. Where did Rachel get...
"Hey, guys, sorry I'm late." Finn entered, looking over his shoulder suspiciously as he entered the room, shutting the door behind him.
Finn? Finn Hudson was now part of Glee club? When did that happen? Quinn's star Quarterback boyfriend was now a member? Football players joined Glee club? Since when? Fantastic, as if Mitchell's chances hadn't been crushed enough. Now they were absiolutely obliterated.
"We have a new member." Rachel introduced the two of them to each other, "Mitchell Mason meet Finn Hudson."
"Hey, the new guy, right?" Finn extended a hand.
Mitchell accepted the shake, "The Cheerleader's boyfriend. Err... I mean... Quarterback who has a Cheerleader for a girlfriend... Or something like that."
Finn chuckled, "I get that a lot, actually."
"So..." Mitchell didn't know how this all went.
"Tell you what..." Rachel stepped up, "... There's something we've been working on. So, just watch what we do and you can get a feel for what to expect."
"Cool." Mitchell shrugged taking a seat, as the Glee Kids took their spots.
Kurt inhaled a deep breath, "Our first audience for the revamp. Is it wrong that I'm nervous?"
"Just let it go, man. I'm one of you."
"In that case..."
The crew blasted through an amazing rendition of "Don't Stop Believin'". Unbeknownst to them, Mr. Schuester had saw most of it. Once they were finished, he entered the room, applauding as he did so...
"You keep performing like that and the Nationals are gonna be all yours." he said with a smile.
"I decided to join, Mr. Schuester." Mitchell piped up.
Will kept on smiling, "Good to hear."
"Speaking of Nationals, we have a better chance if you're with us." Mercedes stepped forward, hopeful that Mr. Schuester may have reconsidered.
"You can't get me to join and then just up and quit." Finn's turn.
"You know, there was a little bird in my ear this morning." Mr. Schuester explained, "She sang me a song and made me realize something..."
"... I'd never be able to live with myself if I wasn't there by your sides when you win Nationals!"
"When we win Nationals, you mean." Rachel corrected as they all cheered.
"First things first, though." Will took a step back and pointed at Mitchell then to the head of the room, "We gotta see whatcha got!"
"Oh god, I change my mind." Mitchell laughed nervously before taking a seat on a stool and grabbing a guitar.
After a couple sighs and a few deep breaths, Mitchell knocked a version of "Fallin' For You" right out of the park. It was something from the heart, as it was currently how he felt about a certain someone.
Everyone applauded, even Finn. Obviously, he wasn't wise to the crush.
"I don't know, Mr. Mason..." Mr. Schuester laughed, "... I liked it, but I'm gonna need a show of hands. All in favor of Mitchell Mason's performance qualifying him for a position in the Glee club?"
Everyone raised their hands.
"Welcome to the show." Will patted Mitchell on the back.
"Nationals, here we come."
