Everyone goes through different social, intellectual and physical stages throughout their lives. One of the most angst filled stages is the adolescence/ young adult stage in which life will never go 'your way'. Some push on and make something of themselves in the future in order to look back and say "Haha, I'm rich and live and fulfilling life. What happened to you?" to those who wronged them during that time. Others succumb to society's expectations of what is expected and the dreams they may have had are crushed by the sad truth of their reality. Unfortunately for the majority of the students at William McKinley High School, they fit into the latter.

However there is a group whose dreams go further than the pages of their diaries or blogs; McKinley's glee club, New Directions.

September 13, 2010

The first bell of the day had rung urging lingering students to their homerooms and as the halls cleared the PA system came on.

"Attention, attention please. Mr. Schuester please come to the Principal Figgin's office immediately. Thank you"

Will Schuester's homeroom was barely filing in when he'd heard the announcement and as the second bell rang he stood from behind his desk and walked to the front of the classroom, waiting for the last of the stragglers to run in. He cleared his throat and reached behind him for the sign in sheet. " Guys please get in your seats and sign this sheet, I'll be back in a little bit. Oh, and be honest. Don't fill your friend's name in thinking I won't notice, thanks." Giving them a smile he walked out to the office, unsure as to why he had been called down. As far as he knew there hadn't been any problems with the club's funding lately and Sue wasn't giving him more trouble than usual... He shrugged to himself as he let his mind wander over the possible reasons for his summon.

As he reached Figgins' office he noticed someone else in there, in fact two someones, sitting across from Figgins. One was constantly nodded his head as the other, a girl, sat up straight in her chair presumably listening as Figgins seemed to by gushing about something or other. A new student maybe? But what on earth would get Figgins so excited about that?

Will knocked on the door as he popped his head in. "Hi, principal Figgins, you called?"

Figgins looked up with a rather large smile on his face. "Ah, Mr. Schuester! Please come in!" he said as he motioned Will to sit on the couch to the left of him before turning his attention back to the father and daughter in front of him. "I would like to introduce you to Mr. Schuester. He is our Spanish teacher and glee mentor!" He turned to Will, "Mr. Schuester, this is Mr. Harvey and his daughter, Sofia Harvey. She has just registered and will be starting school today, isn't that great! So, she will be joining your homeroom and, as her father has been telling me, glee club!"

Will raised his eyebrows in surprise at Figgins' introduction. He turned and introduced himself to Mr. Harvey and Sofia. Were it not for their eyes no one would guess that they were in fact related. Unlike her father's pale skin, Sofia had what seemed like a naturally tan pigmentation. Her hair was a dark brown that reached just past her shoulders and she seemed a bit short for a girl of her age. Mr. Harvey, however, carried himself at what seemed a 6 ft posture and had dirty blond hair. It seemed Sofia had taken after her mother.

Normally a teacher wouldn't be called to escort a new student to their homeroom, it was more like the student tried to beat the late bell as they went from room to room until finally they came across the one they were assigned to. There was definitely another reason for Figgins' enthusiasm over this student. Will changed his expression to one of encouragement and joy at the mention of glee club however. The new year had just started and they could always use another voice, being that the voice was good of course. He cleared his throat, "Well, that's great! Welcome to McKinley and I look forward to your glee club audition!" out came the pearly whites as he gave his friendliest smile. "If you have any trouble getting used to it here feel free to come to me at any time, my door is always open."

Sofia smiled as she nodded in acquiescence but said nothing. Her father, however, was not shy about voicing his opinion. "We moved here from Philadelphia, back home she was quite the star with her high school drama club but I was transferred here for work so we had to move, she's currently protesting what she calls "the biggest injustice we've ever done her, ever". Don't worry though, she'll sing for glee."

"Oh," Will said, his brow creasing with concern, "Well she shouldn't feel forced to join glee. You know, we're a family and as such we encourage each other to express ourselves the best way we know how, through song. I don't think she should be forced to audition if she doesn't want to."

Sofia promptly took a leather bound notebook out of her book bag along with a pen and wrote. When she finished she looked at Will and held up the open page to face him. "I want to sing. I just refuse to speak or let our any kind of sound in front of my parents. This protest is solely for them, it is null once I am in school."

"Oh, well I'm glad to have you audition." Will said with a smile. The bell rang once more signaling the end of homeroom. He could only imagine what his students had done to the classroom, if they had even stayed while he'd been away.

"Oh my!" Figgins exclaimed as he and the rest stood. "It seems time has flown by! Mr. Schuester, could you please show Sofia to her first class? I believe it is Spanish with you."

"Sure- " But he was cut off as Figgins turned to address Sofia's father.

"Mr. Harvey, it was a pleasure to meet you, I appreciate your donation toward our arts programs, I know out students will certainly appreciate it!"

"Bingo", thought Will as the reason for Figgins' special treatment of Sofia was revealed, money.

"Of course Principal Figgins. I want to make sure my daughter goes to a school where she'll have a great chance at excelling at what she loves. Though I did consider sending her to Mt. Carmel, I hear their glee club is one of the best in the country. It was her that insisted on your school, I'm only trying to see the improvement we discussed through."

"Improvements?" Will asked, curious as to what he was talking about exactly.

"Yes, new instruments, better funding for the program which includes transportation to and from any outside events, costumes, you name it! As I was discussing with Principal Figgins earlier, I want to put you in charge of the distribution of my money. After all, you are the one who knows what areas would benefit most from it."

Will's eyes widened, who was this man? It didn't even matter, glee had a sponsor and with the money that would come in directly to the club they wouldn't have to deal with Figgins' cuts for a while! "Oh my god, thank you so much! I- wow! I don't even know what to say!"

"Don't thank me, thank my daughter she's the one who did all the research and picked you." Mr. Harvey looked at his watch and cringed. "Well, I am now officially late for work, Principal Figgins it was a pleasure to meet you." He said as he shook Figgins' hand then turned to Will. "Mr. Schuester, put that money to good use. Pleasure to meet you I'm sure we'll be seeing each other soon enough."

"You too sir." Will said as he shook the man's hand, that friendly smile sneaking its way back onto his face. He turned to Figgins, wide eyed and smiling at one of the most unexpected yes very much invited changes he'd ever been a part of as Mr. Harvey turned to say a few last words to his daughter then left.

He looked to Sofia and smiled, "Well, let's get to class, the rest of the students should be heading in now."

Sofia returned the smile with one of her own and nodded, turning to Principal Figgins', "It was a pleasure to meet you sir, have a nice day." and walked out the door followed by Will.

"That must be one of the most polite teens I've ever met in my life..." Will thought as he left Figgins' office behind her.