I do not own Glee or any of it's characters.
She knew returning wasn't going to be easy. It had been two years; two years away from a school where she had been either ignored or bullied. The teachers had loved her. She was quiet but not too shy to answer questions. She got good grades and never fell behind. What they didn't realize was that homework was her out. When she studied, it required her to block out everything. And blocking out everything was exactly what she needed.
As a dorky, overweight nerd, William McKinley High School was hell. Her two best friends, Kurt and Mercedes, were as different from the norm as she was. But they seemed to know how to deal with it. Andrea didn't. So when her older brother died that winter, she ran. Andrea's parents had been separated since she was little, so she left to live with her mother in California. She would start a new life, with new friends, a new identity, and leave all the pain behind.
She had known all along, but California only confirmed her thoughts. One reason life was so tough at William McKinley High was mostly because she was gay. No one knew at the time. But the lack of inclusion and hiding behind a fake persona gets to you after awhile.
While in California, Andrea grew into her own. No longer afraid of what people though, she dressed for her first day in her American Eagle boy jeans, her favorite pair of chucks, and the button up men's shirt untucked with rolled sleeves. She felt good. She felt comfortable. She knew that would change in the next 30 seconds as she walked down the halls of WMH. But she kept her head high and eyes straight ahead.
Andrea thought that this must be what it's like to enter the twilight zone. Everything seems to freeze. The loud chatter pauses and turns into quiet whispers. At first glance, they didn't recognize her. Most weren't even aware it was a girl walking down the hallway, her buzz cut making her biological identity. But then they did. And it became loud again, but all eyes were on her. She didn't look back. Frankly, she didn't care what they thought of her. They could gawk, they could call her names, but Andrea knew she had dealt with worse demons before. Like the one that just knocked passed her, looking back in shock as 'the new kid' was not new at all.
"You're back," Quinn stated surprisingly.
"I am," Andrea replied as a smile threatened her face.
Quinn had been one of Andrea's demons for two reasons. One, they had been best friends until middle school, when Quinn began cheerleading. And along with the cheerleading came the demand to bully those who were different, even if that person had been your best friend. Two, no matter how much Quinn hurt her, Andrea was just as crazy about her as when they were best friends.
Quinn saw the smile about to form. "Listen. Just because you've been gone for 2 years does not mean things have change. I hope you weren't expecting a happy reunion. You are still…you," she said with a look of distaste, "and I am still me."
"Who's this?" Santana walked up next to Quinn, looking intrigued.
"Nobody of importance," Quinn replied flatly. As they turned to walk away, there was yelling from the crowd. And in the next moment Kurt and Mercedes pushed back the two cheerleaders and attacked Andrea in a huge hug.
After ten minutes of talking, laughing, and just catching up with the 2 best friends who never let Andrea slip away from them, she was almost late for class. They promised to reconvene at lunch time. Andrea's classes blew by quickly. Spanish was going to be simple. She had to take at least one year during high school, but while being in California she became fluent. Simple as the class may be however, it may not be a simple task for Andrea to focus. She was seated at a table with three cheerios. Of course, as luck would have it, Quinn was one. Santana, the Latina Andrea met briefly during her encounter, and Brittany, and blonde girl who didn't seem all that bright, were also seated with them.
"So are you ready for try-outs?" Kurt asked excitedly as he placed is tray next to mine. "Maybe you'll woo Quinn with you stellar voice and fabulous guitar playing."
"Mercedes, did your gaydar just explode as well?"
"You cannot mock me for complementing you, it's just not fair."
Andrea gave a chuckle. "Yes. I am very ready. I can't wait to get back into singing. However, I highly doubt any wooing will take place."
"Don't let this morning discourage you," Mercedes said with concern.
"I'm not. I'm just trying to be realistic."
As she walked into the auditorium, her palms were sweaty. Had she sang these songs a hundred times? Of course. Had she done it in front of a ton of people? Absolutely. But never had she performed in front of such a judgmental crowd. Of course the teacher, Mr. Schuester, was unbiased. She also had her two best friends in the crowd. But then there were the cheerleaders, including Quinn. There were the football players, who just liked to mock people they didn't understand. And there was that Rachel Berry chick who seemed quite eccentric and critical when it came to vocals.
Andrea walked on stage with her guitar and approached the microphone. She swung her guitar around to her back, since she wouldn't be using it for the first song.
"We have 3 auditions today and one spot to fill. First up is Andrea Garcia. Are you-"
Will Schuester was cut off buy an adamant Rachel Berry. "Can you tell us your inspiration and style?"
"Um, well… I guess my musical inspiration came from Janis Joplin… and Kurt Cobain for that matter. I think this audition is to show you my style, I can't really explain it."
"What genre of music is your favorite?" she persisted.
"Definitely classic rock, but I enjoy any form of music."
"Can she proceed, Rachel?" Mr. Schuester asked. He received a nod in response.
Andrea blocked everything. She nodded to the pianist and he began.
"I've heard there was a secret chord, that David played and it pleased the Lord…."
She put all her emotion in to the song. For some reason, the song, even with its vague meaning, hit home with Andrea.
"Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you".
Her intensity was felt by all who watch, whether they would admit it or not. Santana leaned into Quinn. "She's good."
"Shut it, Santana." Santana leaned back, feeling irked by Quinn's comment. She couldn't really place her finger on why.
"And it's not a cry you can hear at night
It's not somebody who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah"
As Andrea wrapped up the song, she felt great about it. She saw the smiles on everyone's faces, minus Quinn and Santana. But she wasn't going to care about their opinion. As her song ended, she felt even greater about the next song she was about to perform. It would give her the chance to show off her true self.
Mr. Schuester was standing up clapping. "That was great Andrea! And you have one more song?"
"Yes. Piece of my Heart, by Janis Joplin."
She didn't wait for the other band members. She swung her guitar around and began the opening guitar solo for the song. She belted her lungs. Looking at Quinn when she sang the lyrics:
"Take another little piece of my heart now baby
Break another little bit of my heart now darlin'"
"She's good, and she's hot," Santana stated to Quinn. Quinn just returned a look of contempt.
The next morning, Kurt and Mercedes were eagerly waiting at her locker. Looks of suppressed excitement showed in their eyes.
"Mr. Shu wants to see you right away!" Mercedes blurted out, unable to hold it in. Andrea grinned ear to ear. She had an idea about what this was about, but she tried to control her hopes. She walked into Mr. Shuester's classroom. He was sitting at his desk grading papers.
"You wanted to see me, sir?"
He looked up and gave Andrea that cheesy smile he had. All he said was, "Welcome to Glee."
This is my first fic. If you enjoy it and want the story to continue, please review and critique. Thanks all.