Analyzing Jazz Chapter 1: The Pilot, a glee fanfic

Jazz is rhythm and meaning - Henri Matisse

Jazzebel had been lying awake for three hours in her bed, worrying. Tomorrow she was starting high school at William McKinley in Lima, Ohio, and she was more nervous than she was when she first stared in her first musical, Annie, as Annie. She shut her eyes tighter until her head started to hurt, then opened them again and stared up at the black wall. Then the lights came on and her eyes burned so she shut them quickly again.

"Jazz, time to get up." Jazz heard my older brother say. She muttered and rolled over. "If you're not up after I wake Dakota up, I'm knocking you off your bed." He paused. "Answer me."

"I'll be awake Cory, now go away." She mumbled, moving her head in the direction of his voice, but not opening her eyes. She waited for the doors to shut and then clapped her hands, shutting off the light.

Jazz opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling until, once again, the lights came on and she was forced to shut them again. It wasn't long until she felt nice wet kisses on her face. "Dakota!" Jazz said, sitting up and grabbing the 5 year old boy, giving him kisses back. Cory laughed and took Dakota from her arms and walked out of the room.

"Now, I'm serious. Get ready or we'll all be late." He said, popping his head back in the room. Then he was gone. Jazz sighed and flipped her legs over the edge of her bed. She started getting ready, thinking about the bed she'd just pulled herself off of. The covers were white and were nice thick and cool, just the way she liked them. The bed itself could probably fit ten people in it. Come to think of it, the entire room was completely white and could probably fit 40 people in it. Only half the room had furniture in it, and where the white carpet ended a wooden floor started. The wall furthest away from the carpet was all mirrors with a railing running across it like a dance studio. It was like the room was made just the way she wanted and she had just moved in three days ago.

Jazz and Cory's mom had remarried about 5 years ago to a man named Denis Walter. He wasn't a bad guy, she just didn't like the fact he was trying to replace her father. She did get a wonderful half brother out of him and he wasn't abusive or anything, but she decided a long time ago she wasn't going to give him the time of day. Well, anyway, he owns this company that apparently just became very successful so they just bought a new house. And it's gigantic. Jazz hadn't even seen a third of it yet.

She sighed, her thoughts returning to school. She really didn't want to start a new school since it will just be the same as before. Jazz would keep to herself all day, people would over look her. The only people she ever really talked to were a few friends back at her old school, and her brother.

Her hand ran through her red hair, messing it up. Jazz looked in the mirror and frowned at her bangs, which were sticking straight up. She flipped on the straightner and fixed those, leaving her curly hair were it was.

Then she found a pair of her dark clean skinnies, her defying gravity v-neck, and her moccasins. Jazz looked at herself in my mirror wall. See, she's a dancer/singer/actress, so she loved having her own studio in her room.

"JAZZEBEL WENDY LENTZ, GET DOWN HERE!" Cory yelled up the stairs. Jazz jumped and hurried down the stairs after clapping and shutting off the lights. She almost fell down the last stair but Cory was there to catch her, just like always. "Jazzie, you're always so clumsy." He said, setting her back on her feet. Cory wasn't a red head like Jazz; he had dark brown, almost black hair, that he always wore short and spiked. Their faces looked alike and they both had extremely tan skin.

Jazz glared at him and walked into the kitchen sitting down at the counter. "Do I have to go Cory? Dakota doesn't even want to go." Dakota looked at her with big, sky blue doe eyes. That's the one thing the three of them have in common, the blue eyes from their mother.

Dakota shook his head, "I want to go, I love kindergarten!" He yelled, jumping up. Jazz rolled her eyes and grabbed a pop tart and started nibbling off the crust.

"See, even a five year old isn't afraid. Now let's get going." Cory said, grabbing Jazz's arm and trying to lead her to the door. She threw down the second pop tart with only the crust nibbled off and Dakota started eating the inside of both of them. She was a very picky eater. Then she grabbed my small yellow backpack that she took with her almost everywhere.

"You're used to these people already. One, you're a junior, I'm a sophomore. Two, you've been practicing with the football team for a week now." Jazz frowned.

"Shut up, you'll be fine." Cory turned back to Dakota, "Denis will be home soon to drive you to school. Have fun!" Then he shut the door and shoved her in the passenger's seat.

Jazz was quiet the entire ride over and Cory had to pull her out of the seat once they arrived. "BUT I DON'T WANT TO!" She started yelling, not caring what people thought.

"Don't be such a baby!" Cory yelled, finally yanking her out of the car. He put his arm around Jazz and walked beside her. A couple of boys standing around a dumpster stopped him.

"Cory, ready for your first day at this hell hole?" One of them asked.

"Not even a bit," Cory laughed and winked at Jazz who glared at him, "I was beginning to get use to having no school."

Jazz looked at each of the boys, in the middle of the huddle there was one that stood out. He was wearing Armani for one thing and had his nose stuck up in the air and a frightened look on his face.

The tan, cute one with a ridiculous Mohawk got really close to her, taking her hand. "And who is this, C?" He tried to kiss her hand but Jazz pulled it away and gave him a sarcastic smile. Cory pushed him out of the way.

"Back off man, this is my little sister, Jazzebel." Cory's voice had picked up; Jazz knew he was getting defensive.

She glared at him again, "It's Jazz."

"These are…" Cory started naming people off but she barely listened, Mohawk was making faces at her like he was a wild animal. Jazz scrunched up her nose. "This is Finn." He pointed to a cute boy standing off to the side, looking ashamed, like he didn't want to be there but he offered a warm smile. "And that badass is Puck." Puck winked and raised an eyebrow.

"Up for some fun?" Puck asked, stepping closer.

"I mean it Puck, I know your reputation. You stay away from her." Cory warned, poking him in the chest. "And that's…" He continued, pointing to the Armani boy in the middle. Jazz could tell Cory didn't know his name but the boy mouthed his name to her, so she knew he wanted out of there.

"That's Kurt. Now I recognize you!" Jazz said, faking that they were old friends. Puck looked at me suspiciously.

Then he turned to Cory, "Want to have some fun man?" He said, indicating to Kurt. Cory shook his head.

"I need to take Jazz in, she's nervous and all. Talk to you guys later." Cory told them, starting to lead Jazz away but she turned back around and grabbed the Kurt guys arm.

"Come on Kurt, you can hang out with your guy friends later. I need help being shown around anyway." She smiled evilly at Puck and he just stared at her as she quickly walked away, dragging Kurt and Cory along with me.

Cory rolled his eyes after staring at Jazz for a while. "Here's your schedule, have a good day." He said, hugging her once they were inside the door and heading in the other direction. Jazz turned towards Kurt just in time to be suffocated by a gigantic hug.

"OH MY GOD, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!" A very girly, high voice hit her. "You are the most wonderful person in the world." Jazz blushed and held him out.

"No problem, at all." Jazz said, smiling. "But now you really do have to show me around today and actually talk to me." She tried making a deal with him.

"Oh, no problem at all. This will be fun!" He said, taking her elbow and her schedule to show her to my locker. "Jazzebel, right? Such an adorable name!" Jazz knew right then they were going to be good friends. He started studying her schedule. "It looks like we have Spanish, Pre-Cal, and Lunch together!"

Jazz smiled as he stopped in front of her locker and handed her schedule back so she could get the combination to open her locker. Kurt continued to talk to her. All of the sudden a cold wind blew past Jazz and next thing she knew Kurt had stopped talking and was covered in Grape Slush. Jazz stood there, with her mouth opened wide. "Oh my gosh, Kurt. Let me help you clean it up."

He grimaced and started to turn away. "This happens all the time, don't worry about it. See you in Spanish." He muttered, walking into the boy's bathroom. Jazz turned on her heel to confront his attacker, ready to punch when before her stood none other than Puck himself. He stood in front of her and put a hand on each side of her head on the locker.

"Look who we have here." He said, looking Jazz up and down. She tried getting past him and out into the crowd but he stayed in the way. She brought her knee up but he blocked that and looked at me, an evil smile on his face. "I see someone's feisty, huh? Flames." Jazz rolled my eyes.

"Ha-ha, hair joke. Never heard that before." Jazz replied sarcastically, trying once again to walk by him. He held his ground. "You know what, that bad boy thing may work on other girls, but I think it's disgusting and I'm surprised you ever got a girl." She finished by glaring at him.

He just continued to smile and said, "Oh, really now, Flames. Are red heads really fire-crotches? Why don't I find out?" Her eyes widened and before she knew it she had punched him with all her force in his face and walked away. It took her awhile but she found the Spanish class and was greeted by a cute, young teacher.

"I'm Mr. Shuster, your Spanish teacher. Go ahead and find a seat." Jazz looked into the room and didn't see anyone she knew, except for the Finn kid, but he was sitting with a nasty looking blond so she just waved and he smiled back. Jazz felt bad when the girl started yelling at him but someone grabbed her elbow before she could say sorry.

"You're sitting with me." Kurt said, dragging Jazz to the seat in front of Finn. Puck walked in the room and he completely ignored her, a nasty looking red mark on his cheek. Kurt noticed though so Jazz spilled everything that happened and he apologized countless times for leaving her.

After Spanish she had American History with the juniors since she was ahead in her other school. Puck and Finn were both in that class with her but so was Cory. She avoided Puck, sitting between Cory and Finn. Then she had Pre-Cal with Kurt and two new girls, Mercedes, A powerful black girl that knew what she a doing, and Tina, a pretty Asian with a stutter. After Pre-Cal, as they headed to lunch, Jazz met Artie, a cool boy that was confined to a wheel-chair.

But as soon as she walked into lunch, she ran into Finn and Puck who were walking out. She slipped and two pairs of hands reached out to catch her. "Oh my gosh, that's the second time today."

Finn smiled as they set her back up, "Oh, don't worry about it. See you later." He shrugged and walked out, she avoided looking at Puck. She looked around and couldn't find out where her companions went so she walked out of the lunch room and decided to explore.

Before long she had found the choir room. An old grand piano sat in the middle. She needed let loose, and the only way to do that was to sing or dance so she sat down at the piano after picking up the electric guitar and started playing When You're Gone by Avril Lavigne. Before long, she was singing along, putting all the emotions she was feeling today, into it.

I always needed time on my own
I never thought I'd need you there when I cry
And the days feel like years when I'm alone
And the bed where you lie is made up on your side

When you walk away I count the steps that you take
Do you see how much I need you right now

When you're gone
The pieces of my heart are missing you
When you're gone
The face I came to know is missing too
When you're gone
The words I need to hear to always get me through the day and make it ok
I miss you

I've never felt this way before
Everything that I do reminds me of you
And the clothes you left, they lie on the floor
And they smell just like you, I love the things that you do

When you walk away I count the steps that you take
Do you see how much I need you right now

We were made for each other
Out here forever
I know we were, yeah
All I ever wanted was for you to know
Everything I'd do, I'd give my heart and soul
I can hardly breathe I need to feel you here with me, yeah

Jazz finished and took a deep breath, wiping a tear from her eye. Then she heard the clapping, she whipped around and there stood Finn and Puck, both smiling. "Okay, go ahead and make fun." She said, averting my eyes and making sure the tears were gone.

Finn continued to clap, "That was amazing. Acafella's wasn't even that good."

Her eyes widened and she laughed, turning around. "That was you two? I saw that. I was at the meeting because I was transferring. Pretty cool."

Puck continued to smirk, "You sing like an Angel, Flames." Jazz glared at him but he just smiled back.

"Will you meet me here at 3:30?" Finn asked her. She shrugged.

"Sure, my brother's staying late for football practice anyways." She answered, standing up from the piano and throwing her bag over her shoulder again.

The first bell rang so she continued to Foods, which she had with Finn, English 11 with all the juniors she had met today, and then physical education with Puck, Mercedes, Tina, and my brother. That class, they just talked about the new unit in football that we were going to be starting. They threw a few balls, Puck was partnered with Jazz. She caught everything he threw, while he had butterfingers.

The final bell rang and She made her way back to the music room, where Finn was there waiting for her.

"Will you…" He paused, probably thinking about how to word whatever he was asking. She froze; praying to the lord he isn't asking her out. "Try out for glee?" He said this slowly, like it was damnation.

Jazz smiled, "Yeah, of course I will. I love to sing, if you couldn't tell."

"Yes, we need another amazing singer and more members." He picked her up and spun her around. There were two coughs and he set Jazz back down, staring at the blond chick from before and a brunette that badly needed a nose job.

"Who are you?" They asked in unison. She grimaced and looked to Finn.

"This is Jazzebel, she's new here. She's in our Spanish Quinn." The blond continued to glare as Finn went and put his arm around her. Jazz stood there awkwardly as two more "Cheerio's" came in and joined Quinn. But then Kurt, Mercedes, Tina, and Artie all piled in and she was greeted by them warmly.

"I didn't know you could sing, or else I would have made you audition," Kurt exclaimed as Mr. Shuester walked in. He spotted her and smiled.

"New applicant?" He asked, and everyone nodded. "Okay, you can audition." Jazz handed him her IPOD and he put it on a dock.

"This is, Taylor Swift's, Love Story." Jazz said, looking around at each of them.

We were both young when I first saw you
I closed my eyes
And the flashback starts
I'm standing there
On the balcony in summer air

See the lights
See the party, the ball gowns
I see you make your way through the crowd And say hello, little did I know

That you were Romeo, you were throwing
pebbles
And my daddy said to stay away from Juliet
And I was crying on the staircase
Begging you please don't go, and I said

Romeo take me somewhere where we can be alone
I'll be waiting all there's left to do is run
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess
It's a love story baby just say yes

Romeo save me there trying to tell me how to feel
This love is difficult, but it's real
Don't be afraid, we'll make it out of this mess
It's a love story baby just say yes
Oh Oh

I got tired of waiting
Wondering if you were ever coming around
My faith in you was fading
When I met you on the outskirts of town, and I said

Romeo save me I've been feeling so alone
I keep waiting for you but you never come
Is this in my head? I don't know what to think
He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring

And said, marry me Juliet
You'll never have to be alone
I love you and that's all I really know
I talked to your dad, go pick out a white dress
It's a love story baby just say yes

Oh Oh, Oh Oh
'Cause we were both young when I first saw you...

Until the music ended she hadn't realized her eyes were lightly shut. She squeezed them tighter then opened her eyes quickly. Everyone was staring at her with wide non-blinking eyes. Jazz grabbed the end of her shirt and moved uncomfortably under their gazes. Then she heard the clapping.

Jazz flipped around, slightly losing her balance, and came face to face with a clapping, smiling, Mr. Shue. Then she heard the clapping behind her and dropped her shirt as Mr. Shue took her hand and gave her a warm smile.

"Welcome to glee club." He said, dropping her hand and leading her back to my chair. Everyone was on Jazz at once, saying Good Job and giving her hugs. She tore my gaze away from the piano as Kurt kissed both her cheeks and Mr. Shue told everyone to settle down. A hand lightly hit her head and she turned towards Finn and was warmed by his smile.

"Okay, Invitational's are in about two week and we need a song. This will be the fun partner song. Any ideas?" He asked, looking at each of them in turn. She shifted in my seat and noticed they're was three guys and seven girls.

"Mr. Shue. No disrespect, but there's only three guys and seven girls. How's it supposed to be a partner song?" She questioned as the rest looked at the director with inquiring eyes.

"We'll get more guys to join, we just need some time." He pointed out. "But until then, let's just practice whatever song we are going to do. Some will just have to practice with thin air."

Rachel immediately raised her hand in the air. "My heart will go on would be an excellent choice. With me and Finn at lead vocals of course." Quinn glared at her. Mr. Shue looked thoughtful then shook his head; Rachel put her hand down dejected.

Mercedes suggestion was next. "Why not a Beyonce song?" Mr. Shue put that one down too.

"Things can only get better?" Jazz put out. "It would fit because things are great for us now, and they can only get better from here." Mr. Shue smiled brightly.

"That's perfect Jazz!" He exclaimed, ideas already forming in his mind. "You can take lead vocals for the girl." Rachel looked livid. "And the lead guy will be..." Mr. Shue could make up his mind. "I guess Finn for right now." Quinn's turn to look at me with dark eyes. "Unless a better guy comes along. That means Jazz and Finn, you're pair. Artie and Tina, Kurt and Santana. Britney, Quinn, Rachel, and Mercedes. Will get you partners but we'll have to get more members first." He released them early so he could go get the music for the song.

Finn came up and hugged Jazz. "Congratulations! Making glee and the lead, all in one day."

She hit his arm and laughed. "You got lead too!" Jazz exclaimed as she gathered up my stuff and he stood over her.

A giant grin came over his face and he shook his head. "My voice isn't going to go with this, I know it. He's gonna want a bass." He took her hand a faked a horror-stricken look. "We won't be partners forever!"

An uncharacteristic giggle came from her and pulled her hand back. "Stop being so dramatic."

"Finn!" They heard Quinn snap and he looked scared.

"I'll be there in a second." He said back, giving Jazz an apologetic look before he started to walk towards the door.

"Wait there Finn, Jazzebel." Mr. Shue called, stopping Finn in his tracks. "As you can see, we need guys in here. Jazz, your brothers in football and your in it Finn, could you talk to the guys? I tried to before but I don't think I got through to them, at all."

Finn looked more scared then when Quinn yelled for him. "Mr. Shue, you now I'd love to, but I've lost all credit with these guys already. I can't ask them to join." Mr. Shue looked upset but nodded in agreement.

"I'll do it." She told him. "As long as you let me in the locker room, so I can get at them altogether." She checked my watch. "They should be getting out now." Finn nodded and ran off; probably to tell Quinn he couldn't go home with her. Jazz said goodbye to Mr. Shue and walked out the door, meeting up with Finn outside of the locker room.

He put in the password and she pushed the door open and walked in. Jazz found her way to the middle of the locker room, avoiding boy's eyes, and the wolf whistles. Finn kept a steady hand on her back until, since she had her eyes on the floor, she ran into a wall.

I looked up and the wall turned out to be Puck's chest. He gave a half smile and raised one of his eyebrows. He was only in a towel and she stared at his chest, probably longer then necessary. Finn put a little more pressure on her back and Jazz pushed past him, and hopped on the bench in the middle of the room.

"Hey, Jockstraps!" She yelled, looking around the room. The boys all looked up, wide eyed, except Puck, he was smirking, and Finn was standing awkwardly under her.

"Oh, damn. A chick. She must be desperate huh?" Someone yelled. Jazz's face burned.

"She doesn't need to be desperate; I'd give it to her anyway." Another yelled.

"Are you really a fire crotch?" "Show us!" "Take it off." Were among what was being yelled now. Finn looked up at her sadly and she started to step down, then she heard that comforting voice.

"Hey small cocks, that's my sister." Cory yelled out, coming to stand next to Jazz, putting an arm around her. "Besides, she could do better than any of you." They had all shut up.

She grinned at Cory and looked back at the boys. "As I was saying, I need help from four big strong men." She batted my eyelashes sweetly. "You see, I'm new and I just joined glee. It's just," She paused and wrung my hands, which pushed up her chest slightly. "I don't have a guy to be my partner. You know, all that touching, and grasping." Jazz smiled sweetly as she looked around at the affect. She could hear Cory and Finn's silent laughter but no one else was laughing. "See Mr. Shue if you'd like to audition." She hopped down and Cory and Finn walked out with her. Cory and Jazz said goodbye to Finn and made their way out to the car.

The next morning Jazz was finishing up a few Spanish verbs when Cory came down the stairs. He was humming some little jingle to himself and Jazz was hit with an idea.

"Cory, will you try out of glee club?" Jazz asked, staring at him with big eyes.

He stopped humming immediately, his face turning red. He was racking his mind for an excuse when he saw the look on her face. His defenses fell and he let out a loud sigh.

"Alright, but you're singing my audition with me." Cory said, as Jazz jumped up and hugged him tightly. "But you have to try out for a receiver on the football team."

Jazz dropped her arms. "What?"

"Our team sucks." Cory said, holding her at arms length. "And you practice with me all the time. You're good."

"But I'm a girl." Jazz said, shaking her head.

"But the boys don't have to know that until you prove yourself."

"Please, don't make me."

"That's the only way."

Jazz bit her lip. "Fine. But not 'til next week and you have to sing at lunch today."

"Deal." And they shook hands.

After Pre-Cal, Jazz through her stuff in her locker, grabbed her music, and ran to the choir room. Cory was already there facing away from people filing in, staring at his own music.

Everyone was complaining about the emergency meeting, but Jazz ignored them and handed the music to the band.

"Ready?" She asked Cory.

"As I'll ever be." He took a deep breath. Jazz signaled to the band.

"They say we're young, and we don't know." Jazz began singing, both her and Cory facing away from their classmates in the seats, leaning over the piano. "We won't find out until we grow."

"Well I don't know if all that's true." Cory sang, staring at the lyrics sheet. "Cause you got me, and baby I got you."

Jazz grabbed the lyrics and threw them behind the two of them. "Babe." They looked at eachother, then away again every time they sang together. "I got you babe. I got you babe."

"They say our love won't pay the rent." Jazz took Cory's hand trying to get him to turn around. "Before it's earned, our money's all been spent."

"I guess that's so, we don't have a lot." Cory turned to face the small audience they had, while spinning her around in the process. "But at least I'm sure, of all the things we got."

"Babe. I got you babe. I got you babe."

"I got flowers in the spring." Cory looked at each girl in turn, and Jazz knew their hearts were fluttering. "I got you, to wear my ring." He pointed to Quinn, who blushed and looked away.

"And when I'm sad, you're a clown." Jazz walked up to Cory, smiled up at him, and he rested his elbow on her shoulder, leaning on her. "And if I get scared, you're always around. Don't let them say your hairs to long." She ran a hand through his hair. "Cause I don't care, with you I can't go wrong."

"Then put your little hand in mine." Cory offered his hand, which Jazz took. "There ain't no hill or mountain we can't climb."

"Babe. I got you babe. I got you babe."

"I got you to hold my hand." Cory swung their hands back and forth, smiling.

"I got you to understand."

"I got you to walk with me."

"I got you to talk with me." As Jazz sang this part, she slowly walked away, their hands drifting apart. "I got you kiss goodnight. I got you to hold me tight. I got you, I won't let go. I got you love me so."

"I got you babe. I got you babe. I got you babe. I got you babe. I got you babe." They finished the song, dropping out nicely.

Everyone began clapping immediately. Mr. Shue came up, slapping Cory on the shoulder.

"We've found another male."

"That's debatable." Jazz said, winking. Cory shoved her, but laughed.

People dispersed to lunch, laughing and talking about what just took place. Cory and Finn walked out talking about football. Kurt motioned for Jazz to join him for lunch but she shook her head.

She waited until everyone was gone and walked down the hallway the opposite direction. Outside she found a nice stair way to sit and pulled out an apple from her bag. Jazz began to chew on it, letting out a big sigh.

Since her father had left to travel the world seven years ago, she'd only talked to him twice in the last 4 months. And so now she just needed times where she could be alone and breathe. A lot of things were flying around in her head today. Glee, the football team, her mom and Denis, and everything in her life.

"What are you doing out her all by your lonesome?" A deep voice sounded behind her. Jazz jumped slightly, dropping her apple, and groaning. She turned around to yell at whoever it was but stopped when she saw Puck leaning against the pillar at the top of the stairs.

"I thought I gave you the message," Jazz said, picking up her apple and standing up. "I don't enjoy you're company."

"It's not like I followed you out here." Puck said, holding his hands up in defense. "You're not the only one who needs a time out sometimes."

Jazz rolled her eyes and threw the apple at the trashcan, sinking it. Puck smirked. "What could mister popular football player need to think about?" She asked, turning around the face him. She gasped; he was standing right over her.

Something flickered across his face. "What girl to do next." He answered, getting back into his bad boy demeanor. Jazz didn't take her eyes off of his face. He backed up. "I'll leave you to it." From over his shoulder flew an apple and Jazz caught it perfectly. "Nice hands, flames."

"Hey, Noah." The boy cringed but turned his head back to face her. "I really don't think you're as bad boy as you make people think." He gave her a blank look. "Thanks for the apple." She sat down, chewing on the new apple, staring away from him. He looked at her for a second longer then stalked away.