CHAPTER 1

Mr. Schuester was seated in Principal Cooper's office, which had been largely redecorated. Mr. Schuester did not even feel like he was in the friendly environment that Figgins had provided, but more like an interrogation room. Cooper himself was seated behind his desk, with a very concerned look on his face. Also in the room were Brittany's mother, Sue, Emma, and Superintendent Fisk. No one had said a word for a long time, making Mr. Schuester more and more anxious.

"What are we waiting for, Lawrence?" asked Fisk.

"We're waiting for our two primary witnesses."

"And they are?"

"Ms. Brittany Pierce and Ms. Amanda Packard."

No sooner had Cooper said their names than Becky ushered them both into the room.

"Have a seat, ladies", said Cooper, and they did as they were told.

"Ms. Packard, do you have it on good authority that Will here has slept with Brittany?" asked Cooper.

"Yes, I do. She confirmed it."

"To whom did she confirm it?" asked Fisk.

"Ms. Pillsbury", said Amanda, pointing in Emma's direction.

"Amanda, we're not in a courtroom. Quit the theatrics", Sue warned.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Principal Cooper, there must be some mistake. My daughter would never do this", said Brittany's mother.

"Quite the contrary, Brittany has a long track record of sexual activity with a large number of this school's class and staff", said Amanda.

"Ms. Packard, you've said enough", said Fisk.

"Ms. Pillsbury, do you have any other means of confirmation of this event?" asked Cooper.

"Will did admit it to me in a drunken state."

Cooper slouched back in his chair and turned his attention to Mr. Schuester.

"Will, I understand that you are a valued teacher here. You've managed the Glee Club without too many troubles. You've successfully taught History and Spanish. You've proven yourself time after time to be an exemplary individual with strong ties to the community. Your Glee kids love you. But I cannot overlook this travesty. Was your sleeping with Brittany intentional?"

"I don't know. I don't remember anything that happened that night."

"But you two did wake up in the same bed. In a motel room, no less, is that correct?" asked Fisk, and all Mr. Schuester could do was nod. He did not dare try to contest the superintendent.

"Brittany, can you account for anything that happened that night?" asked Sue.

"Mr. Schue and I were discussing what could be done to improve my chances of graduating, including working harder on my schoolwork. Then one thing led to another, and…"

"What do you mean by that? Take us through it step by step", said Cooper.

Brittany looked at Mr. Schuester, who was looking at the ground. She had never been more scared of anything in her entire life, but she did not want Mr. Schuester to get in trouble. In addition, she had no further recollection of that night herself, which didn't help either of them. Quick as a flash, she knew what she needed to do.

"It wasn't Mr. Schue's fault. I slipped a date-rape drug into his water when he wasn't looking. I thought I could blackmail him into changing my grade by pretending to sleep with him. Coach Sylvester taught me how to do it."

"That is an outrageous lie, young lady!" Sue shouted.

"How would Sue have taught you how to do this?" asked Fisk.

"She did it with Principal Figgins to blackmail him into allowing her back to work. He had suspended her for leaking our Sectionals setlist to our opposing schools. But she never told me to actually do it, just to do so when the time called for it. If anyone's truly to blame here, it's me. I'm not proud of it, but I was just willing to do whatever it took to graduate."

Everyone was looking at Brittany in a combination of shock, disbelief, anger, and disgust. Brittany's mother was frozen in place, having a hard time taking in what she had heard. Cooper was sitting back in his chair, twiddling his thumbs in deep thought. He then buried his face in his hands, then lowered them to look at Brittany.

"Because no one can account for anything you've just said, including Will, I am afraid I have no choice in the matter. Will, your position at this school has been compromised, but not terminated, so I am recommending that you stay off campus for a total of two weeks. I will negotiate with the State Board of Education, the Lima Police Department, and the legal departments of Ohio to let them know that you are not at fault here. Brittany, you're suspended for ten days, which is the maximum that I can go to, you are banned from the cheerleading squad, and your position as Senior Class President is hereby revoked", he said.

Mr. Schuester, Ms. Pierce, Sue, and Amanda looked him as if to protest, but he held up his hand to silence them.

"I've made my ruling. Ms. Pierce, I don't know if you're telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, or if you're lying to us to protect Will, but we simply do not have evidence to suggest the latter, nor can we gather it, which is what is keeping him out of trouble for now. Nobody else can account for what happened. As far as I can tell, you made a bad judgment call, and you must reap what you sew. Please be grateful that I did not extend it to expulsion range. Please clean out your locker. Sue, I will talk to you later about Brittany's previous allegation."

Nobody knew what to do or say, but Brittany eventually stood up and walked out, followed by her mother. Fisk and Cooper shared a nod, and Fisk left, as did Sue and Emma. Mr. Schuester stood up, intending to thank Cooper for not firing him, but he could not form words. He then left, followed by Amanda, who stopped him just outside the office.

"Mr. Schuester, I never intended to get Brittany kept away from cheerleading. I only wanted her out of the presidency."

"Amanda, meet us in the choir room later today."

Mr. Schuester then quickly left, leaving Amanda to slump back against the wall. She knew right away what awaited her in the choir room, and that she could not avoid it. Not only had she lost the respect of the others, but she had lost one of her best cheerleaders. She thought about convincing Cooper to reverse his decision, but knew that she would lose anyway. She now knew what it meant to hurt someone. Nothing could be done now.