After a long awaited promotion at the plant my father worked at, we transferred to Ohio. Lima Ohio to be exact. I started school at McKinley High, where after winning at Nationals, the New Directions are a buzz on the Show Choir social hub. Everyone can't stop talking about them, Well I just had a to get my hands on them. Coming from a school where we were the Southern Region National Champions ourselves, I am a hardened performer. Molded under the direction of one Shelly Parker. My gosh she was a hard sell at first, but after we started winning, we rocked the school. Kids from all the grades wanted to be in Glee Club. They were just coming out of the wood works. Last year alone we went from 12 geeky kids who could sing to 45 powerhouse people that singled out we were good, but together we made a wall of sound. My gosh I miss them, but starting over is never easy. So this is where my new journey begins.

First of all let me introduce myself. My name is Chance Matthews. This is the first day at my new school. Show Choir season as already begun before I left. Boy was Shelly po'd at me. I was the star soloist at my old school. But change is always around the bend. I said goodby to my fellow Powerhouse team members in what can I say was an emotional party. As always I got up did a number, to express my feelings of loss and leaving and there wasn't a dry eye in the classroom. My BFF, Kaylee hugged me tight and told me that if I didn't want to go, I could stay with her. Her parents were cool and they agreed to Kaylee's plan, when I presented it to my parents I got a not so positive reaction. I really didn't want to go, but now here I am. A new school, new teachers and no Powerhouse.

My parents Denise and Curtis Matthews are the best parents in the world. They spoil me with every comfort a boy my age can ask for. Everything from gaming systems, to a cell phone, to a very lofty allowance, a top-of the line computer and all the music I could ask for on unlimited subscription to i-tunes. And now there's talk about a car. So I have a good life. I just wish we stayed in Dallas.

Let me tell you about my parents. First of all, Denise Matthews, my Mom. Back home, in Dallas she was a very good prosecuting attorney. She handled some high profile cases back home. When we moved to Lima, however she was still handling cases from back home, but it got to much, so she finally had to put them off to her former assistant. There was a position that opened up for the Assistant District Attorney for Lima/Westerville and my Mom went for it. She got the position hands down. Now about my Dad. Curtis J. Matthews. He is great. Back home, he was a the assistant plant manager for Teckon Global Systems. There a huge aeronautical design firm. Well, it just so happens that the company wanted to expand to other states and well they picked Ohio, and they picked my Dad and promoted him to manager and relocated him out here to Lima. So we 3 packed our bags and our life up in boxes, and relocated here.

That was 3 weeks prior to today. Back in August, when we found out when we were moving, I did a little of home work and reached out the 3 high schools in the area, Dalton Academy,Carmel High, and McKinley High. All 3 schools have something going for them. Dalton, is a all boys prep-school with a great academic program plus they have the Warblers, the all male vocal Accapella,Glee Club, but they were lacking in sports. Next was Carmel High, another prep-school, but it was co-ed. They have great academics too, but what is great about them, is Vocal Adrenaline, Carmel's musical warriors. They are monsters on the Show Choir Blogs. They offered sports, but not the sport which I was looking for which was Diving. Lastly, was McKinley High. Coming from a public school background, I was used to public schools. McKinley High offered academics yes, but their graduation rate was very low. They offered a great Arts Program, which featured, The New Directions. The New Directions just won Nationals last year. They wiped the floor with the other Show Choirs. McKinley offered the sport I was looking for which was Diving. They were the only school in the district that had a pool. Well, I sent 3 emails and 3 videos of my singing, and well Carmel didn't respond back,but Dalton and McKinley did.

Now the bidding war began. Dalton offered a full ride academic scholarship, because they took a look at my transcript and was astounded, and they also offered a permanent spot in the Warblers, I didn't even have to audition. I was just to show up and I was in. Now something really didn't feel right about that. Because sure, I was the founding member of the Southern Region National Champions 2 years running, but that doesn't mean that I shouldn't have to audition. I might not fit in with the other guys. The vibe may not be there and so forth. But I got the application anyways and well when, we got here, I took the tour of the campus as well as got to see the Warblers perform live. I was impressed, but was torn. Do I need to be at a school, where even with my accomplishments, I was going to be the Dalton Golden Boy? Their ticket to a Nationals win, which according the Deans words, "Will put Dalton on the Prep-School map."

And then there was McKinley. McKinley offered the other thing that I was looking for in school, Arts. Art programs are great in school, they improve math scores and teach togetherness and fair play. Which is needed when you want to win Nationals and McKinley had it. The New Directions, McKinley's newest and greatest accomplishment. Those 12 young musical warriors, were the underdogs last year. But something has to be said, about being a underdog. When you rise to the top, the feeling you get is better then any drug out there. I should know. It wasn't to long ago, where Powerhouse, was the lowest on the high school club food chain but when we started winning, we rose faster then a phoenix out of the ashes. The response that I got from Will Schuester, the New Directions director, was simple and to the point. Here is what it said:

Mr. Matthews,

Thank you for your interest in transferring here to McKinley High School. I have gone over your transcripts and I have to say that you are quite the young man. I can't look away from the video that you have sent me. Your a well-rounded vocalist and your old team, Powerhouse has lost its star player. But I boast. We do offer other activities besides Show Choir, I see that you have expressed interest in Diving. Since we are the only school in the district with a pool, we do have a Dive Team. We here at McKinley cannot offer much,because we are a public school, in the ways of endorsements or scholarships, but we can offer you a home.

In closing, I know that you have probably reached out to Dalton and Carmel. All 3 of us are diversified with different programs that can enrich as well as develop a young mind. I hope that this finds you well and that you make the best choice in school that will enrich as well as challenge you.

Sincerely,

William Schuester

Well, after that response, I couldn't help, but to say yes. So today is registration day.

"Chance time to get up. We have to get you registered for school.", my mom called from downstairs.

"OK mom.", I lied.

I didn't want to get out of bed. After getting up an looking outside my window at the new school I was going to be attending, I smiled put on my favorite Powerhouse hoodie and got dressed and padded downstairs to breakfast.

"Mom do you think I can register myself? I mean I am 17 years old, we live right across the street from the school, I think I can manage it on my own.", I said.

"Sure hunny." she said and she kissed my on the forehead and I left the house and after crossing the street I was there with registration paperwork in hand and a song in my heart.

According the paperwork I needed to meet Ms. Pilsbury, the guidance counselor, to get registered. So I walked up the door and walked inside. I was in shock. As no sooner as the door opened and I stepped through everyone in the hallway turned and looked at me. Here I thought I made a fashion mistake or something, was my fly open? Nope. My bright blue eyes and blond hair were in check, my outfit, even my Powerhouse hoodie was presentable, then what was it, why was everyone looking at me.

"OK OK, I get it I'm the new kid, you can all go back to BAU. Oh, for the jocks within the sound of my voice, yes BAU stands for Business As Usual. And don't you think about slushy me, because where I am from I did the slushies." I yelled out.

"Now can anyone tell me where I can find Ms. Pilbury's office?", I asked.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned around. "You must be Chance.", the new face said.

"Yep, and you must be Mr Schuester." I replied. I shook Mr Schuesters hand.

"I have to say the email that you sent me was very impressive and the video was breathtaking." he said.

"Thank you very much. Well, I did my homework. When I found out where I was moving to I had reach out." I replied. No sooner as I said that a young man walked up and extended his hand.

"Hi I'm Blaine Anderson." he said.

OMG he was breathtaking. The hair, the eyes, he was the total package.

"Hi Blaine, I'm Chance Matthews.", I replied.

"Now Chance we have all the time in the world for introductions later, we need to get you registered and get your new schedule before anything else. So right this way." Mr. Schue said.

So walking down the new hallway was surreal. After meeting Ms. Pilsbury and getting my schedule, was assigned a new student coordinator, which just so happened to be Blaine. He took a look at my schedule and said, "We are in all the same classes. So it looks like that we are going to be good friends." he said with that angelic smile on his face, but in my mind I was already planning our wedding. LOL. Yes, if you couldn't guess by now I'm gay.

Classes went off without a hitch and at lest the teachers were nice. I just couldn't wait till 3:30. That's when I audition for the New Directions. As time ticked on, I can't help thinking, I hope Blaine doesn't have a boyfriend, and if he does, I will just play it cool and stay in the friend zone and see what happens. Now, I am not the type to be vain, but at my old school, the jocks, wanted to be me and all the gay guys wanted to be with me. I stand 6'1, and weigh in at 185 lbs. I have blue eyes, the color of window cleaner, blond hair, the color of gold, and not to brag, I do have a little muscle on me, from years of martial arts training. But that's me.

Now back to my first day.

After lunch was history and after history was dance, which leads me to swimming. I must remember to try out for the swim team, I have a awesome back stroke. As the bell rings for the ending of my last class, I walked with Blaine back to Choir room. I took a look at the current members of the Glee Club.

Finn Hudson, and Noah Puckerman football jocks, Rachel Berry, your typical DIVA, Quinn Frabray, Britney S. Pierce, Santana Lopez, the Cheerios, Artie, I don't know his last name, but he's in film club and in a wheel chair, Sugar, the rich kid, Blaine, the heartthrob, Mike and Tina Chang, the smart kids, and Mercedes Jones, the wonder woman of the blowing, that's belting out ballads, for those who don't know Show Choir speak and then there was Kurt Hummel. At first glance there was nothing to look at, but no sooner as Blaine and I walked in Kurt jumped up and flew into Blaine's arms. Well looks like I got my answer to my question. I took a seat in the back row, which was my favorite spot in the Choir room.

"OK before we begin this weeks lesson, we have a new student Chance Matthews, he comes all the from Dallas, Texas where he was the founding member of Powerhouse. Now lets make him feel welcome." Mr. Shue said.

All the current members just turned around and smiled and said welcome.

"Mr Shue, I know that you just don't let anyone into the New Directions, so I am ready for my audition." I said.

"Well OK lets see what you got." He replied.

I got up and walked over the Brad, the piano-man and I handed him my sheet music and thanked him for accompanying me. We treat out piano-man were nicely where I come from. The jazz band was there as well and handed them their music as well.

"OK, you don't know me from Adam, and I feel like the red-headed stepchild that is about to break-up a happy family, but I don't wanna be that so this is for you." I said

Intro in to Angels by Robbie Williams begins to play and I sing my heart out. After the song was over and I opened my eyes, I got the reaction I was looking for. A Standing O. Even Kurt was on his feet clapping. Rachel comes running up to me and hugs me.

"OK, after that I am going to get some water, just talk amongst yourselves and I will be back in a jiffy." I said and I exited the room. After the water, I went back inside the room and the response was overwhelming YES! I was in the New Directions.

Everyone, even Kurt was hugging me.

"Thanks all of you for the warm an endearing welcome.", I said.

"Well, after that performance, we couldn't say no." Mr Schue said.

"Oh gosh, It was nothing.", I replied.

"OK, now that his audition is over, we can get back to the lesson. This weeks lesson is on Remember. So go home and pick out a song that shows the emotion of Remember." Mr. Schue said.

"Mr. Schue, I have a question." I said.

"Yes, Chance?", he asked

"Well Mr. Schue, if I can be so bold if to ask , in what tone do you want the song to be about?" I asked.

"That is a good question Chance, since your new here I will let you pick out the tone. Oh by the way, Welcome to the New Directions. Glee Club dismissed." He said "Oh and Chance if you need any help with your song choice there is a nice music store called Between the Sheets around the corner." He said.

"Thanks Mr Shue, I have already found it. Where do you think I got "Angels" from." I said and I turned around and left the room.

Outside school, everyone was gone and I was alone, since my parents were at work and I didn't want to go home to an empty house, I decided to check out the rest of the school. As I was walking around, my phone in my pocket starting buzzing, the number on the id was from Kaylee, my BFF.

"Kaylee you sweet thing you." I answered the phone.

"Chance hey babe!" , she replied. "So tell me everything. Are the kids treating you nice? Did you get into the New Directions?" she asked.

"Wow, I almost forgot speed talking is your superpower.", I said. "But to answer your questions with Yes and YES!." I exclaimed. "You should of seen my audition. I pulled off Robbie Williams. I mean I put everything on the line, all my cards were on the table and they ate it up. I am going to rule. But I miss you guys. Actually, I need your help, how fast do you think you can get the C Sharps together and make a trip up here?

You see the C Sharps are the group within Powerhouse. The C Sharps members are Kaylee, Susan, Travis, myself, and Bobby. We started out as just a vocal cover band and well it led into something more. At all the concerts and performances, we led the show. Before I left, we did a cover of Africa, by Toto that was to die for.

"OK give me 5 minuets and I will call you back." she said.

"OK please I need your help I have a performance that could use the C Sharps touch." I said.

"OK Babe let me work my magic, bye hun." with that she hung up the phone.

True to her word she called back.

" OK babe were are in what do you want to do?" She asked?

"Well we have an assignment in Glee Club. It's Remember. So I was thinking that we could do our spin on Think of Me from Phantom." I said.

"OK well that's a tough one, but I think we can pull it off, but one problem since you moved Shelly has got us working overtime for our Sectionals. So we cant make the trip, but we can do a virtual performance." she said.

"Dash it all, I really need you here, but a virtual performance will help." I said. OK so record your videos and I will edit them when I get home. Oh BTW, I need them by Friday." I said.

"You got it. I miss my BFF." she said.

"I miss you too baby talk to you later." I said.

"See you on the flip side." we both said and hung up.

After that I didn't feel so alone. With the C Sharps help, I am sure that the performance will go great.

Man do they work fast, because as soon as I got home, the videos were already in my in box and I started editing them. After doing my home work, and eating dinner. I got bashed with all the questions from my parents. How my day went? Did I make any new friends? How my audition went? Things like that. Well I answered them all and told them that I have a project that I am working on for Glee Club and excused myself. I really didn't want to watch the news with my dad. He understood, so I went upstairs to my room to finish the editing. As soon as I finished it was 3am in the morning and I am only going to get 4 hours of sleep before school starts tomorrow.

End of Chapter 1.