Glee - A New Era Chapter 1: Episode 1: Wallflower's Rising, a glee fanfic

Episode 1: Wallflower's Rising

written by Jacob Ludwig

Announcer: So here's what you missed on GLEE! The New Directions kind of lost their 2013 Nationals Competition and so the Glee Club of the McKinley got disbanded. Boo! After that, everyone came back to celebrate, because of reasons, we don't even know ourself. The newbies - the one with the fat mom, Puck's brother, cross-dressing Mercedes, Kitty and Raydor, Richard, Randy, whatever – got completely ignored, until Sue decided to kick them off McKinley to make sure Glee never ever comes back.

And that's what you missed on GLEE!

Thomas Riverdale High School, office of the Principal

(school bell rings.)

Principal Cassidy: (looks up from her desk, as Marley comes in.) So, Mrs... (looks quickly at her records) Rose was your name, wasn't it? I hope you know, why I let you come into my office. Come on, take a seat. (nips on her cup of coffee.)

Marley: (sits down nervously.) Actually, I am not quite sure. Did I do something wrong?

Principal Cassidy: (waves her hand in a dismissive gesture.) Mrs. Rose, you are about as memorable and special as a wallflower.

Marley: (confused.) Why did I have to come then?

Principal Cassidy: I need to talk to you about the sudden drop of your grades. (hands Marley a sheet of paper.) This is your school report, when your whe- re a sophomore at your old school – the William McKinley High School. Straight A's and B's everywhere. But now... (hands Marley a- nother sheet of paper.) … your grades rapidly fell into an alarming a- rea.

Marley: (sinks a little bit deeper into her chair.) You know, it's... it's really hard to adjust to such a new environment for a new student. I am-

Principal Cassidy: (raises her hand to stop Marley from talking.) Well, Mrs. Rose, I do not want to hear your poor reasons or some stories about your oh-so stressful teenage life. (leans a little bit towards Marley.) I am your principal and I simply neither have time nor the patience for that.

Marley: (looks down.) Got it. So is that all you wanted to tell me?

Principal Cassidy: (leans back into her chair.) Mrs. Rose, I am not heartless. You barely passed last semester and if you go on like this - with that attitude - you probably won't make it to graduation. This has to change and I will show you, how you are going to achieve that. (stands up and walks towards Marley, hands her another sheet of paper, then leans on her desk.)

Marley: (frowns.) What is this?

Principal Cassidy: (self-pleased.) This, Mrs. Rose, is an extract of our school regulations. (points to the bottom left corner of the document.)

Marley: (reads out.) „Any student, who is about to fail a semester because of his or her grades, is allowed to start an extracurricular project, whose success might lead to an improvement of the grade point average of all the participating students." (frowns even more.) Wait, does this mean that -

Principal Cassidy: Exactly, it means that you'll be able to pass this semester by creating a successful project, for which I already got an idea for you. (turns her laptop towards Marley.)

Marley: (dumbfounded.) You want me to start an Algebra-project?

Principal Cassidy: So you can read! Fantastic. This might appear really random to you, but many years ago, the Thomas Riverdale High School was one of the leading schools of Western Ohio in the math are. But then, the so called „creative" age began and students started to spend time on getting drunk, taking drugs, becoming homosexual or whatever is „fetch" (grimaces at the word.) these days, rather than concentrating on the beautiful art of algebra. So, (looks directly at Marley.) I want you to bring this school back to its former glory.

Marley: (skeptical.) I am sorry, but math is not really... my thing, I am afraid.

Principal Cassidy: Come on, you could dress up like Lady Gaga and I still would find a dirty pair of socks more interesting than you. You seem quite adap- table, Mrs. Rose. (rolls eyes.)

Marley: My apologies. (face suddenly lights up.) But see, you probably know that I was a part of a school choir called Glee Club on my own school, who won the National Championship. What if... what if I manage it to win such a competition for this school? Wouldn't that also be awesome? (looks euphorically and hopeful at Cassidy.)

Principal Cassidy: (narrows her eyes and mutters.) Mhm, it's true, your previous „Glee Club" was quite successful and a Nationals trophy could make help this school to its old shine... Perhaps it would even attract new students - Mrs. Rose, your puppy eyes kinda make this decision hard for me, would you please stop? (glares at Marley.) (after a long pause.) You know what? Fine. You can establish a Glee Club at this school.

Marley: (starts up from the chair.) Oh my god, thank you Mrs. Cassidy, you are such a kind-

Principal Cassidy: Wait, I wasn't done yet. (Marley sits down.) You are allowed to establish a Glee Club, but you have to be successful. You get one year. If you make it to the Nationals competition – which I highly doubt – the Glee Club is allowed to stay. If not, you won't get your certificate and you will have to leave this school. (fixates her gaze on Marley.) Do we have a deal?

Marley: (gulps.) Yes, I will do everything possible to win Riverdale a trophy. (determined.)

Principal Cassidy: (smirks.) So be it. And now... would you be so friendly to get your pretty, boring face out of my office? Thank you.

Hallway

Marley: If I have learnt something about growing up, it's that life will go on – no (voice-over.) matter what. (sees Ryder with other guys of the football team standing together and laughing.) Life doesn't give a damn, if you get left behind or if you fall back into old patterns. (looks at Jake, surrounded by some white girls and Kitty, chatting in cheerleader-uniform with other cheerleaders.) Either you go with the flow, or you get left behind. This happened to me, to all of us. After Glee Club ended we felt like the whole past year was meaningless and empty. Then the transfer followed and even though we promised to stay together, we grew apart. As soon as we got here, Kitty went back to being the bitch-in- charge on the Cheerios. Ryder joined the football team, while Jake returned being the womanizer he once was and successfully managed to get into the pants of almost every girl at school. (chuckles with bitterness.) Then there's Unique and me.(Unique stands by her locker and winks towards Marley. Marley replies with a hand-kiss.) Nothing will ever tear us apart. Now it's senior year and I have felt never emptier in my whole life.

(moves towards the auditorium of the school.) But now I can feel that I am slowly starting to hope again. After the talk with Principal Cassidy I was left in disbelief. We could revive everything we once loved so much. Even though they would never admit it, I know that Jake, Kitty and Ryder all miss Glee Club. They miss the singing, the dancing and the atmosphere. Maybe I can make it happen again. (shakes head.) I have to stop using the word 'maybe'. (stops at the stage of the auditorium and faces the empty seats of the audience.) I will make Glee happen again.

Hero by Mariah Carey

Marley:

There's a hero
If you look inside your heart
You don't have to be afraid
Of what you are
There's an answer
If you reach into your soul
And the sorrow that you know
Will melt away

And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you

It's a long road
When you face the world alone
No one reaches out a hand
For you to hold
You can find love
If you search within yourself
And the emptiness you felt
Will disappear

Lord knows
Dreams are hard to follow
But don't let anyone
Tear them away
Hold on
There will be tomorrow
In time
You'll find the way

(closes her eyes and smiles.)

Kitchen of the school cafeteria

Millie: (washes the dishes with Marley helping her.) So the great news are, you get to start a new Glee Club? That's amazing! I am so happy for you, Marley. (smiles lovingly.)

Marley: Thank you, I still can't believe it. (shakes her head.) This past year felt so rushed, it almost feels like yesterday that we've been in that choir room at McKinley.

Millie: (sad.) You really missed Glee, didn't you?

Marley: Of course I did! (sighs.) The singing, the dancing, the people... And now it all could return. It's like a dream.

Millie: You still seem so sad. Have you talked to your friends yet? Have you told Unique already?

Marley: That's the thing! We haven't talked for months, I think I don't really know them anymore. I... I don't know. Maybe I should talk to them all, but I... something's keeping me from doing that.

Millie: (smiles.) Sweetheart, I never saw you happier than when you were with Unique, Kitty, Ryder and even Jake. I miss the old Marley. The Marley that sang the whole day and wrote songs, when she thought nobody was looking. The happy Marley.

Marley: (tears form in her eyes.) You're right, Mom. It's not that I don't want to return to that. It's just... I am afraid that they'll say 'no'. (looks down.)

Millie: Marley, listen. (stops washing the dishes.) They won't say 'no'. They were happy in that Glee Club. You might as well give it a shot. Sure, they'll probably need to think about it first, but like a wise person once said and I know that for certain: Don't let go, give it time. It's gonna be okay. You have more friends than you know.

Marley: (laughs.) Mom, you are so cheesy.

Millie: (raises eyebrows.) Honey, I am not the one who wrote these lyrics.

Marley: Just kidding. Thank you, mom. (hugs Millie.) I am going to talk to Unique first. Maybe together we'll find a way to reunite everyone back together.

Millie: Now that's my girl. (smiles.)

Marley: (sighs.) I am so, so thankful that you managed to get a job at this school, after Principal Sue kicked you out.

Millie: That woman, I swear to god... (chuckles and shakes her head.)

Hallways, Unique's locker

Marley: (sees Unique and comes running towards her.) Unique!

Unique: (startled.) Marley, girl, what the hell? How dare you scaring me like that?

Marley: (out of breath.) There's something... I need to tell you.

Unique: (curious.) Spill the tea, sister.

Auditorium

Unique: (shocked.)Sweet baby Jesus, that bitch told you what?

Marley: (excited.) You've heard right, we can make Glee happening again!

Unique: That's f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s. But like how in the heavens did you manage to convince her to that?

Marley: (pouts and flutters her eyelashes.) You know? The little baby-doll-eyes trick?

Unique: (bursts out laughing.) Oh no, you didn't?

Marley: (laughs and lets her head fall against Unique's shoulder.) Just kidding, she told me that an extracurricular project would help me to compen- sate my bad grades.

Unique: Well, lucky us, then.

Marley: Yes, but you know, (sits up again.) she first wanted me to start an algebra-project to help the school coming back to its former glory or some stuff like that. (frowns.)

Unique: Say what? Who the hell would like to do a project like that? She must've been thinking you're masochistic or don't have any respect towards yourself left.

Marley: I know, right? But like... (sighs.) …it's so weird. A whole year – literally nothing happens. And then – from one day to the next – everything will change. (frowns.)

Unique: But this time it's a change for the good. Finally we are allowed to do the one thing we love the most again and we ain't gonna lose Nationals this year, now that's for damn sure. (stands up.) Marley, this is going to be fantabulously amazing. You and I will slay this thing and we'll get Kitty, Jake and Ryder back on board! Y'know why I know this for sure?

Marley: You tell me.

Unique: Because we are Beyoncé and Mariah. Those filthy peasants will bow down to us! (snaps).

Marley: (smiles.) You definitely have to go into politics after college. (expres- sion saddens suddenly.) But how do we get the others to join us again? And we don't have a place yet. Nothing will be better than the old choir room.

Unique: We'll probably have to talk to them. I'll take Kitty and Ryder and you will talk to Jake, maybe. That boy may be total nutz, but he is a really good dancer and will probably only listen to you, girl.

Marley: What? But... (sighs.) Fine. I'll talk to him. (determined.) Unique, we will do this!

Unique: Of course we do. And we'll find a solution for that room problem. I mean, there's nothing to be said against Glee in the auditorium, right? (winks.) We will do this, Marley.

Marley: (smiles.) Pinky swear?

Unique: (snickers.) Pinky swear.

Football Field, practice of the Cheerios

Coach Hurley: 5, 6, 7, 8! Everybody on position! Ready? Then let's do this, ladies! (Cheerios start the pyramid position with Kitty on the top to the rhythm of playing music.)

Kitty: I am finally on the top again. I actually thought a new beginning would (voice-over.) be hard, but it seems like I was proven wrong. The cheerleading team of this amateur school welcomed me with open arms. Like what the hell? In comparison with Coach Sue this practice is easier than counting the Oscars of Leonardo Di Caprio. I joined the Cheerios and one week later I got promoted to co-captain. Another week later and I became the only captain of the Cheerios. And another week later I'd been the most popular girl at this miserable school. See? I don't need that stupid Glee Club to be happy and successful. Back then, I thought that with opening myself, people would accept me and care for me. But I was stupid and naive. Life simply doesn't work that way. If there's one thing I learned, it's that people only care for themselves. I am way better off without that Glee Club.

Since U Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson

Kitty [with a happy and easy expression]:

Here's the thing we started out friends
It was cool but it was all pretend
Yeah yeah
Since U Been Gone

You dedicated you took the time
Wasn't long till I called you mine
Yeah Yeah
Since U Been Gone

And all you'd ever hear me say
Is how I pictured me with you
That's all you'd ever hear me say

Kitty with the Cheerios:
But since you been gone
I can breathe for the first time
I'm so moving on
Yeah, yeah
Thanks to you
Now I get
What I want
Since U Been Gone

Kitty with Cheryl:
How can I put it? You put me on
I even fell for that stupid love song
Yeah, yeah
Since U Been Gone

Kitty (with Cheryl):
How come I'd never (hear you say)
I just wanna be with you
I guess you never (felt that way)

(Kitty) with Cheryl and the Cheerios:
But since you been gone
I can breathe for the first time
I'm so moving on
Yeah, yeah
Thanks to you
Now I get, (I get) what I want
Since U Been Gone

(Kitty) with Cheryl and the Cheerios [Kitty looking really angry and hurt]:
You had your chance you blew it
Out of sight, out of mind
(Shut your mouth I just can't take it)
Again and again and again and again

(Kitty) with Cheryl and the Cheerios:
Since you been gone (Since you been gone)
I can breathe for the first time
I'm so moving on
Yeah, yeah (Oh)
Thanks to you (thanks to you)
Now I get, (I get what I want)
I can breathe for the first time
I'm so moving on
Yeah, yeah
Thanks to you (thanks to you)
Now I get (I get)
You should know (you should know)
That I get, (I get) what I want

Kitty [looks sad suddenly]:
Since U Been Gone
Since U Been Gone
Since U Been Gone

Coach Hurley: Kitty!

Kitty: (startled.) W-what?

Cheryl: We always have to wait for her. (annoyed.)

Coach Hurley: Kitty, what the hell? Would you please stop daydreaming and come back to practice?

Cheryl: I told you, she is always distracted!

Kitty: Of course, if you tell ignorant roll-face here to shut the hell up. (returns back to practice, glares at Cheryl, who is still talking to Coach Hurley.)

Kitty: Well, maybe not the most popular girl to all people.

(voice-over.)

Coach Hurley: (scratches his chin.) Well then, ladies. Back to work! From the begin- ning and 5, 6, 7, 8!

Bleachers of the Football Field, practice of the Cheerios is over

Unique: (sees Kitty sitting alone on a bench, staring at the empty field) Hey, Kitty girl, I knew I'd find you here. (sits down next to her.)

Kitty: (advances a little away from Unique to form some kind of distance between them.) Well, if that isn't Cee Lo Green in drag. What do you want? (doesn't take her eyes of the field.)

Unique: (rolls eyes.) No need to be rude. I came here to talk to you.

Kitty: (doesn't say anything, just raises her eyebrow.)

Unique: Glorious news, Marley finally got the chance to start a new Glee Club again. (happy.)

Kitty: (not impressed.) So?

Unique: So... (moves a bit closer.) ...we made it our mission to get y'all back to Glee Club. Y'know? To get that good, old vibe of singing and belonging back. It is going to be great, it's going to be fabulous! (claps excitedly.)

Kitty: (flinches.) So now you are talking to me again? The day Glee ended we all stopped interacting with each other. This whole past year all of you completely ignored me and no one even bothered to ask 'Hey, Kitty, what's up?' or 'How are you?' (hurt and angry.) And now that you need me, you come back and talk to me again. You don't even want me. I am actually surprised you remember my name.

Unique: (shocked.) Honey no, no, no! Kitty-cat, we love you and want you back. Listen, I am so, so sorry that we stopped talking, but-

Kitty: (shouts.) Stop it! (calmer.) You listen. It was a mistake opening up to all of you. All people want to do is hurting you. That's what I've learned.

Unique: (doesn't know what to say.) I am sorry.

Kitty: No, no, you know, what? (shakes her head.) I am sorry. I should have never shown you that other side of me. (stands up.) Thanks that you want me to join your stupid little Glee Club, but no thanks. (leaves furiously.)

Unique: Kitty, don't! (yells after her.) Tomorrow, 3 p.m. in the auditorium, just in case you change your mind!

Senior Geometry Class

Unique: Kitty has always been the best of us at burning others. I got totally (voice-over.) roasted out there. The worst thing though, is that I didn't say to her what I wanted to say. We didn't stop talking to her, because we didn't like her. We just lost all our hopes and dreams, thanks to that bitch Sue Syvlester or whatever, so we already thought, Kitty would go back being the high-bitch on the Cheerios and start completely ignoring us again. But we didn't have even the slightest clue that she would've liked stayin' friends with us. I ain't sayin' Marley and me did the right thing. Because we didn't. But can't she see that with the reincarnation of the Glee Club, we all would be stars? Smh. There's no giving up now. Marley and I are going to fight for this Glee Club, because we all would be happier with it! (looks up to the teacher.) What the hell that irrelevant bitch even talking about? Sorry huntie, but the queens's got things to do. (raises her hand.)

Mrs. Sheppard: Yes, Wa-Unique? (some students laugh.)

Unique: (ignores those filthy peasants.) Can I go to the bathroom, please?

Some student: (in the background.) Which bathroom? (more laughter.)

Mrs. Sheppard: Yes, of course. (continues with class.)

Unique: (gets up and leaves the classroom with a smile.) Oh y'all got a big (voice-over.) storm coming.

Church

Happy by Leona Lewis

Unique with the Church Choir harmonizing:

Someone once told me that you have to choose
What you win or lose
You can't have everything
Don't you take chances
You might feel the pain
Don't you love in vain
'Cause love won't set you free

I can't stand by the side
And watch this life pass me by
So unhappy
But safe as could be

(Unique) with Kayla with the Church Choir harmonizing:
So what if it hurts me?
So what if I break down?
So what if this world just throws me off the edge
My feet run out of ground
I gotta find my place
I wanna hear my sound
Don't care about all the pain in front of me
Cause I'm just trying to be (happy, yeah)

Unique:
Just wanna be happy, yeah

Unique (with Kayla) with the Church Choir harmonizing:
Holding on tightly
Just can't let it go
Just trying to play my role
(Slowly disappear, oh)
But all these days, they feel like they're the same
Just different faces, different names
(Get me out of here)

I can't stand by your side, oh no
And watch this life pass me by, pass me by

Unique [the Church Choir clapping in the background.]:
So any turns that I can't see,
like I'm a stranger on this road
But don't say victim
Don't say anything

Unique and Kayla with the Church Choir (Kayla):
So what if it hurts me? (Oh)
So what if I break down?
So what if this world just throws me off the edge
My feet run out of ground
I gotta find my place
I wanna hear my sound
Don't care about all the pain in front of me
I just wanna be

Kayla with the Church Choir (Unique):

Happy (Oh yeah)

Happy (Oh)

Happy (I just wanna be)

Unique (Kayla):

Oh, I just wanna be

Happy (Ah...)

Happy, oh...

Unique: (moves towards Kayla.) Damn girl, you got them vocals! (impressed.) Kayla was your name, wasn't it?

Kayla: (packs her stuff, doesn't look up.) Thanks. You weren't bad either.

Unique: (laughs.) Tell 'em, girl! (frowns.) Wait, don't you go to my school?

Kayla: (emotionless.) I don't know, do I? Isn't every school the same bland place of sadness? Sorry, I have to go now. (leaves.)

Unique: (puzzled.) What the hell?

Boys Locker Rooms

Unique: (stands in the door, watches Ryder lifting weights by himself in the Locker Rooms.) Knock-knock.

Ryder: 55, 56,... (looks up.) Oh, hey Unique. (puts the weights back and sits up.) What are you doing here? It's late.

Unique: (gulps nervously and comes in.) Same applies to you. What are you doing here alone at 7 p.m.?

Ryder: (laughs cautiously.) You know, it's always difficult for me to focus, when other people are here.

Unique: (raises an eyebrow, but doesn't say anything.)

Ryder: You didn't quite answer my question.

Unique: Oh, right, it's... Listen, I need to tell you something and you have to promise me, you're not going to freak out.

Ryder: (shocked.) Oh my god, you're pregnant!

Unique: (excited.) Yes. Wait, Ryder, what the hell? (puzzled.) I am trans. Do you have any idea of the human anatomy?

Ryder: (uncomfortable.) Well...

Unique: Anyway, so here's the thing. Marley and I want to start a new Glee Club again, so we thought, we might as well ask you guys, if you want to join us again, because you know? Our sophomore year was kinda the best year of our lives and it would certainly be fun and fab, if we all could be friends again. (a little helpless, because Ryder didn't say anything.) So... what do you say?

Ryder: (shorttaken.) I... I don't know, it's... You know, this is awesome. I would love to join you guys. Have you talked to Jake already?

Unique: (grimaces.) Marley wanted to do that tomorrow. A few hours ago I talked to Kitty and she said, she will... consider it.

Ryder: (chuckles bitterly.) She told you to piss off, didn't she?

Unique: (chuckles.) Kind of. (sits down next to him.) Ryder listen, it would mean so much to us, if you would join Glee again. (adds hesitantly.) It would mean so much to me.

Ryder: (expression hardens.) Unique, don't.

Unique: (looks away hurt.) Will you at least consider it?

Ryder: (looks at her.) Yes, I will. Like I said, I'd love to join, really. But I need to talk to Jake first.

Unique: Excuse me? You act like he's your husband. You don't need to ask him for permission to follow your dreams. (laughs.)

Ryder: (laughs.) You know it's not like that...

Hallway, Jake's locker

(school bell rings.)

Marley: (takes a deep breath, then approaches Jake, who's sorting books into his locker.) Hey...

Jake: I will not join your Glee Club, if that's what you wanted to ask. (doesn't look up from his locker.)

Marley: (surprised.) Wait, how did you know?

Jake: Ryder told me. He also told me that you didn't find a place for practice yet. How the hell do you want to rehearse, if there is no room?

Marley: That's not entirely. We do have the auditorium.

Jake: (snorts and is about to turn away.)

Marley: (grabs his arm.) Jake, please, come on. Why not Our time in the New Directions was the best time of our life. Don't you want that anymore? (sad.)

Jake: (lets his arm rest on the wall and closes his eyes for a moment.) I loved Glee, that's correct. (then turns towards Marley.) But not as much as I loved you. (Pain in his eyes.) As much as I still love you.

Marley: (searches for the right words.) I... I know. But maybe we should try a new beginning. Like... going back to the start to when it all began.

Jake: (turns away.) Marley... this isn't going to work that easy. We can't just be friends again.

Marley: (leans against the lockers, sighs.) Will you at least consider it? (plea- ding.)

Jake: Marley, you don't have the slightest idea, do you? Being in that choir room with you again every day and knowing there's no possibility of us getting back together, would kill me inside.

Marley: (doesn't know what to say.) Jake, I-

Jake: (brushes her off.) Let's just leave it like this. (walks away.)

(school bell rings.)

Auditorium

Jake: (stands alone in front of the stage. Music starts playing.)

Whataya Want From Me by Adam Lambert

Jake:

Hey, slow it down
What do you want from me?
What do you want from me?
Yeah, I'm afraid
What do you want from me?
What do you want from me?

There might have been a time
When I would give myself away
Oh, once upon a time
I didn't give a damn
But now here we are
So what do you want from me?
What do you want from me?

Just don't give up
I'm workin' it out
Please don't give in
I won't let you down

[Ryder comes in, joining the song.]

Jake with Ryder:
It messed me up, need a second to breathe
Just keep coming around

Jake:
Hey, what do you want from me?

Ryder:
What do you want from me?

Jake:

What do you want from me?

Ryder (Jake):
Yeah, it's plain to see (Plain to see)
That baby you're beautiful
And there's nothing wrong with you (Nothing wrong with you)

Ryder (with Jake):
It's me, (I'm a freak) (Jake: Yeah)
But thanks for lovin' me
Cause you're doing it perfectly, oh perfectly

Jake (with Ryder):
There might have been a time
(When I would let you slip away)

Ryder (with Jake):

I wouldn't even try but I (think)
(You could save my life)

Just don't give up

Jake:
I'm workin' it out

Ryder:
Please don't give in

Jake:
I won't let you down

Jake and Ryder:
It messed me up, need a second to breathe
Just keep coming around

Ryder (Jake):
Hey, what do you want from me? (What do you want from me?)
What do you want from me?
What do you want from me? (What do you want from me?)

Oh... (Yeah)

Jake:
Just don't give up on me

Oh...

Ryder:
I won't let you down

Jake:
No, I won't let you down

Ryder (with Jake):
Just (don't give up)
I'm workin' it out
Please (don't give in)
I won't let you (down)
(It messed me up), need a second to breathe
Just keep coming around

Jake:
Hey, what do you want from me

Jake and Ryder:
Just don't give up
I'm workin' it out
Please don't give in
I won't let you down
It messed me up, need a second to breathe
Just keep coming around

Ryder (Jake):
(Hey), what do you want from me? (What do you want from me?)
What do you want from me? (What do you want from me?)
What do you want from me?

Jake and Ryder:

What do you want from me?

[They share a hug.]

Ryder: Dude, are you alright? You seemed quite emotional there. (still breathes heavily.)

Jake: I... I don't know. I think, right now everything's just too much for me to handle. (pants.)

Ryder: I assume she talked to you?

Jake: (frowns.) Wait, you knew? Did she talk to you first?

Ryder: No, she didn't. Unique told me, she'd come to ask you, if you want to join Glee again. What did you say?

Jake: (sighs and sits down at the edge of the stage.) I told her, I can't. Not with her always being around, smiling and... just being her.

Ryder: (sighs and sits down next to him.) I know. It's hard. (gaze is fixed on an invisible spot at the wall.)

Jake: Knowing now you had to endure that for almost an entire year... I am so sorry, man. (looks at Ryder.)

Ryder: (chuckles.) It's fine now. I am over her. (hesitantly.) Maybe... you should try to get over her, too.

Jake: (buries his head in his hands.) What do you think I was trying to achieve this entire school year?

Ryder: You know, maybe that... just wasn't the right thing for you. Sorry to break it to you, but sex isn't always the solution for everything.

Jake: (looks up grumpily.) What if... What if I don't want to get over her? I don't want to give up on Marley.

Ryder: (hesitates for a second.) You could maybe accept her offer. You and I could both join their Glee Club.

Jake: (aghast.) How the hell is that supposed to help me getting over her?

Ryder: I am sure, Kitty, Marley, Unique, you and me won't be the only ones joining the Club. Maybe meeting these new people could help distrac- ting you a little. (hopeful.)

Jake: Maybe you're right. (sighs.) You really want to join them again, don't you? (looks at him.)

Ryder: Yes, I do. I miss everything. You know, it's senior year and I am nothing more than another football player. Being in Glee Club kinda made me feel, you know, special. Somehow.

Jake: I know. I felt like this, too. But what if everything's going to get taken away again? What if we lose Sectionals or Regionals and Glee's going to end again? (desperate.)

Ryder: (grins.) Then, at least we had a lot of fun, while it lasted. Come on, it's at least worth a try.

Jake: (chuckles.) That's true. (hesitates.) Okay, fine. You got me. Count me in.

Ryder: (grins.) I knew, you'd say that. (They bro-fist.)

Courtyard

Marley: (Marley and Unique sit on the stairs at the courtyard of the school.) It's futile. We're never going to bring the group back together. (despon- dent.)

Unique: Oh sister, you better not saying that! Ryder said, he'd consider it. (shrugs.)

Marley: 'Consider' only means that he's to nice to say 'no'.

Unique: I think, he actually meant it. He also said he'll talk to Jake. You never know. They might change their minds. Y'know? The Jyder-feels are strong.

Marley: (bursts out laughing.) That may be right. If someone is able to convince Jake, it's Ryder.

Unique: And I'm gonna chat with Kitty again today. Maybe she cooled down a little bit.

Marley: I hope so. (sighs.)

Unique: (sees some members of the school band passing by.) And by the way... (stands up, the band magically starts playing.) ...we haven't duetted for a while!

Marley: (giggles.) Oh no...

Shake It Off by Taylor Swift

Unique:

I stay out too late

Got nothing in my brain

That's what people say, mh-mh

I go on to many dates

But I can't make 'em stay

At least that's what people say, mh-mh

That's what people say, mh-mh

Marley:

But I keep cruising
Can't stop, won't stop moving
It's like I got this music
In my mind
Saying, "It's gonna be alright!"

Unique (with Marley):
'Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play
(And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate)
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake

Marley:
I shake it off, I shake it off

[some students join in]

Marley and Unique with some Riverdale students:
Heartbreakers gonna break, break, break, break, break
And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, fake, fake
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off

Marley [eyes meet with a red-haired girl with big nerd-glasses, who's seemingly enjoying the song, Marley smiles at her]:
I never miss a beat
I'm landing on my feet
And that's what they don't see, mh-mh
That's what they don't see, mh-mh

Unique (Marley with Riverdale students):
I'm dancing on my own (dancing on my own)
I make the moves up as I go (moves up as I go)
And that's what they don't know, mh-mh

Unique and Marley:
That's what they don't know, mh-mh

Marley and (Unique):
But I keep cruising
Can't stop, won't stop grooving
It's like I got this music
In my mind
(Saying, "It's gonna be alright.")

Marley with Riverdale students:
'Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate

Unique with Riverdale students [Unique dances with a tall, pretty looking guy, who sings with her]:
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off
Heart-breakers gonna break, break, break, break, break

Marley with Riverdale students:
And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, fake, fake

Marley and Unique with Riverdale students:
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off

Marley with Riverdale students:
Shake it off, I shake it off,
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off,
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off,
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off

Unique:
Hey, hey, hey
Just think while you've been getting down and out about the liars and the dirty, dirty cheats of the world,
You could've been getting down to this sick beat.

Marley:
My ex-man brought his new girlfriend
She's like "Oh, my god!" but I'm just gonna shake.

Unique:
And to the fella over there with the hella good hair
Won't you come on over, baby? We can shake, shake, shake

Marley:
Yeah oh!

[Kitty and the Cheerios watch, Cheerios look deprecating, while Kitty looks rather sad.]

Unique with Riverdale students (Marley):
'Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate (Haters gonna hate)
I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
(with Marley: I shake it off, I shake it off)

Marley with Riverdale students (Unique:)
Heart-breakers gonna break, break, break, break, break (Mhm)
And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, fake, fake (And fake, and fake, and fake)
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake (Yeah)

Unique:

I shake it off, I shake it off

Riverdale students (Marley) [Marley and Unique dance happily through the dancing crowd]:
Shake it off, I shake it off (Oh)
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off (Ah-ah-ah)
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off (Unique: Yeah)
(with Unique: I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off)

Riverdale students (Unique):
Shake it off, I shake it off (Marley: Whoo!)
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off (Ah-ah-ah)
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off (Yeah!)

Riverdale students (Marley):
Shake it off, I shake it off (Unique: Shake it!)
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off (You've got to)
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off

Marley and Unique with Riverdale students:
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off!

[the students laugh and cheer.]

Marley: (laughs and breathes heavily.) Oh my god, this was amazing! Thank you all!

Unique: McKinley who? These definitely got the better vibe. (Marley and Unique share a hug.)

Marley: I missed this.

Unique: And the others missed this, too. I'll talk to Kitty again. I saw her somewhere in the crowd. (smiles.)

Girls Locker Rooms

Unique: (comes in.) Kitty? (doesn't receive an answer.) Kitty, I know, you're here. The practice just ended. You better come soon, 'cause it ain't smelling like butterflies in here.

Cheryl: (appears with other cheerleaders behind Unique in the door frame with their hands behind their backs.) She's not here, nerd.

Unique: (irritated.) Where is she, then?

Lindsay: We don't know, why would we care?

Cheryl: Look... (moves closer towards Unique.) ...the Cheerios don't like it, if people like you draw all the attention on themselves. (emphasizes the word 'people' with a disgusted look on her face.)

Kiara: Oh no, we don't.

Unique: Let me go.

Unique: (in panic.) I really ain't liking where this is going.

(voice-over.)

Cheryl: (smirks.) So we looked up, what the people at your old school did to keep you losers in line. (Cheerios reveal what they had behind their backs the whole time.) How would you say it? You're about to get slushied.

Unique: (already got her eyes closed.) Please don't ruin the make-up, I looked (voice-over.) so cute today...

Kitty: Enough! (cleaves through the Cheerios to the front.) What the hell do you guys think you're doing?

Lindsay: This loser is about to get what he, she, it deserves. (giggles.)

Kitty: (angry.) You better not touch her with those filthy second-class- slushies, or I'll rip out your cheap, stinky extensions one by one.

Cheryl: (purses her lips scornfully.) So... Is this freak your friend or some crap like that? (raises an eyebrow.)

Kitty: (shares a look with Unique, who looks scared and helpless.) Yes. Yes, she is. And y'all wannabe-mean-girls better back the hell off.

Cheryl: Tragic. Just when I started to like you... Well, never mind. I never liked you, Kitty. (throws Kitty her slushy in the face, the other Cheerios join in, some scream the word 'losers'.)

Auditorium

Marley: (rushes through the aisles to get to the stage, out of breath.) Unique, I came as fast as I could. What on earth- (sees Kitty and Unique standing on the stage together.)

Kitty: (jumps down the stage.) Surprise!

Marley: Oh my god, Kitty! (gives her a long and warm hug.)

Kitty: (laughs.) Hey, you're stifling me!

Marley: (lets go of her.) I am so, so sorry about everything that happened. (sees Kitty's and Unique's drenched clothes.) Wait, what happened to you guys?

Kitty: These basic bitches called Chip, Chap and the ugly one gave us the good, old slushie-treatment. (sniffs at the memory.)

Unique: But we quickly cleaned ourselves up and ordered you here. Kitty-cat here needs to tell you something.

Kitty: (inhales deeply.) I'm in.

Marley: (surprised.) Really? I mean, oh my god! Kitty, that's amazing! (hugs her again.)

Ryder: (comes in with Jake.) And guess, who is also in on it?

Jake: These hot guys here. (grins.)

Unique: I knew, you two would come! (gives them both a hug.)

(Everyone is excited and joyful, everyone's talking at once and hugs, even Marley and Jake share a friendly, but still a bit awkward hug.)

Marley: (suppresses a tear.) You guys don't know, how happy this makes me. This is all I've ever wanted and you should know that-

Kitty: (interrupts.) Sh-sh, you're ruining the mood here with your depressing, emotional babble.

Jake: (laughs.)

Ryder: Now come on, let's hug!

(group hug.)

Auditorium

Friends Will Be Friends byQueen

Ryder:

Another red letter day
So the pound has dropped and the children are creating,
The other half ran away
Taking all the cash and leaving you with the lumber

Ryder with Kitty:
Got a pain in the chest
Doctors on strike what you need is a rest

Unique:
It's not easy love, but you've got friends you can trust

Jake (with Marley) and the Newbies:
(Friends will be friends)
When you're in need of love they give you care and attention
(Friends will be friends)
When you're through with life and all hope is lost
Hold out your hand 'cause friends will be friends right till the end
Oh

Kitty:
Now it's a beautiful day
The postman delivered a letter from your lover

(Kitty) and Marley:
Only a phone call away
You tried to track him down but somebody stole his number, (oh yeah)

Marley:
As a matter of fact,
You're getting used to life without him in your way.

Unique:
It's so easy now, 'cause you got friends you can trust

Unique with the Newbies:
Friends will be friends
When you're in need of love they give you care and attention
Friends will be friends
When you're through with life and all hope is lost
Hold out your hand 'cause friends will be friends right till the end

Ryder and Unique:
It's so easy now, 'cause you got friends you can trust

Jake and Kitty with the Newbies (Marley):
Friends will be friends (Oh)
When you're in need of love they give you care and attention (Care and attention)
Friends will be friends (Oh)
When you're through with life and all hope is lost (Now)
Hold out your hand cos friends will be friends right till the end (Right till the end)

Marley and Ryder with the Newbies (Unique):
Friends will be friends (Hey)
When you're in need of love they give you care and (with Unique: attention)
Friends will be friends (Oh)
When you're through with life and all hope is lost

Jake with the Newbies:
Hold out your hand 'cause right till the end

Marley with the Newbies (Unique):
Friends will be friends (Yeah)

Friends will be friends (Oh)

Marley:

Friends will be friends.

Songs

Hero by Mariah Carey sung by Marley Rose

Since U Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson sung by Kitty Wilde

Happy by Leona Lewis sung by Unique Adams

Whataya Want From Me by Adam Lambert sung by Jake Puckerman and Ryder Lynn

Shake It Off by Taylor Swift sung by Marley Rose and Unique Adams

Friends Will Be Friends by Queen sung by Jake Puckerman, Kitty Wilde, Marley Rose, Ryder Lynn and Unique Adams

Guest Cast

Special Guest Star:

Julianne Moore as Amanda Bette Cassidy

Guest Stars:

Billie Lourd as Lindsay Buckingham

Andrew Rannells as Francis Hurley

Trisha Rae Stahl as Millie Rose

Amandla Stenberg as Kiara Williams

Bella Thorne as Cheryl Parker

Absent Cast Members:

Alfred Enoch as Cameron Ashworth

IU as Jennifer Howan

Carter Jenkins as Zach Lewis

Gui Fedrizzi as Ramon Alvaréz