This summer was going to be amazing. I was going to make sure of it. Mr. Schue chose me as the male representative for this year's summer performing arts camp. Tina was his female representative for the performing arts camp. I would be attending on the grounds of dance, and Tina would be going on the grounds of vocal music.
"Mike, I really think this is an amazing opportunity for you to perfect your artistry," Mr. Schue says. "You too, Ms. Cohen-Chang. You both should consider yourself lucky. It's two weeks of delicious free food!"
I let out a small laugh and hug Mr. Schue and then Tina. The food was the least of my worries. Two weeks of dance. Two weeks that my parents would actually approve of because attending a summer camp will look good on a college application. "Mr. Schue, this really is such an honor. Thank you!"
"Yeah," Tina hums. "Thank you so much!"
"It really was my pleasure," Schue says. "Now, I think I speak for all of us when I say that I've gotta go. I'll see you guys tomorrow." He walks us out of the choir room and then locks the door. We embrace him for one last time and then walk to my car.
I truly do appreciate what Mr. Schue is doing for me. He's giving me a chance to dance, and I love dancing more than anything. It's the one thing that I feel is unique to me. Vocally, I'm okay. I can even give a good, appropriate show choir facial every now and then, but dancing... that's my domain. I'm just so honored that he chose me.
Tina grabs my arm. "Babe, I'm really happy he chose me. Me. Not Rachel, Santana or any of the other girls. He chose me." This comment doesn't surprise me. Tina's always, always, always felt inferior to most of the girls in show choir, except maybe to Sugar Motta. (But, then again, Sugar's kind of in a world of her own.)
"Of course," I say, reassuringly kissing her on the cheek. "You show a lot of promise. Why wouldn't he pick you? Babe, you've got to stop doubting your ability. You're as good as, if not, then better than all of them. Anyways, I'm starving." My stomach, as if on cue, growls. "I'm feeling BreadstiX. What about you?"
"Thanks, babe. You're right, and that's fine with me. Wait, if I remember correctly... I think Rachel and Finn said they were eating there tonight too. Do you mind?" She questions.
I manage to let out a chuckle. Even though I'd rather eat alone with Tina, I don't mind the extra company. "Don't mind at all. Let's go!"
She smiles and then pulls out her phone to text Rachel and tell her that we're going to Breadstix too. She takes the passenger seat and I start the car. She gives me an affectionate kiss on the cheek before we get out of the school parking lot.
The car ride from school to BreadstiX is a good ten minutes. Tina is singing to Adele on the radio. Then she starts ugly belting to "Someone Like You" and I gladly join along. We reach the bridge when we realize that the passenger in the car stopped next to us at the stop light has been observing us. We both laugh when the said passenger joins us in a silent fellowship of ugly belting.
I really like being in Tina's company. Since I can remember, she's been such a good friend. Maybe it's because we're both Asian? No. I mean, yes. Being Asian. That probably holds some influence in our relationship. Of the entire glee club, she's the only one understanding of the stress I feel with my Asian F in AP Chemistry. She's one of the few people that I can relate to, but her parents are far more approving of her involvement in performing arts than mine are of my involvement. Aside from being understanding, she's incredibly kind and loving and just fun to be around. She's the best friend anyone could ask for.
We arrive at BreadstiX not a moment too soon. I notice a familiar BMW parked outside of the restaurant, but dismiss the familiarity. My stomach is eating away at my insides. Rachel and Finn, the soon to be married couple, are already there. They break away from their flirting when they notice us.
"Tina! Mike!" Rachel exclaims as she motions us to the booth adjacent to hers. "Sit here!We've already ordered bread stick starters for the four of us."
We sit next to her and it isn't long before Rachel and Tina begin talking about mundane things. Rachel can talk for hours and hours. I love her, but there really is no limit to her ability to talk and talk. I nod every now and then and smile when I feel like it's appropriate. The conversation is being dominated by Rachel and Tina's discussion of their favorite musical moments. Lay Mis-ur-what? Spring Awakened? The Oprah Phantom? Finn, who I assume is feeling as much awkward as me, isn't saying much so I decide to be quiet and just keep to myself.
I allow myself to think about Finn and Rachel's marriage. Marriage, huh? That sounds frightening. Finn and Rachel are the perfect couple though. I think the fact that they are so flawed makes them perfect. I just think that they're too young for marriage. Marriage is great and if anyone should be getting married, it's those two, but marriage, at such a young age? I see marriage as crippling though.
However, everyone in the glee club keeps saying that they'll attend the Team Asian wedding. Tina and I always walk off feeling awkward but I can tell she's in expectation of a Team Asian wedding somewhere in the near future herself. But that doesn't float well with me. I love Tina and all - I mean, we're in a relationship- but marriage with her? I'm not so sure how I feel about that.
Our waiter comes by and fills our glasses with ice water.
Rachel goes on and on about her audition for a musical program for some university over the summer. She stops talking, however, to fix her dress.
"Hey, Mike. Mr. Schue told us about the performing arts camp! Congratulations!" Finn says. He takes advantage of a moment when Rachel isn't talking, and I'm appreciative for that. Finally, an actual conversation topic.
"Thanks! I'm so excited. I can't wait to show up and meet other dancers. It'll be just dancing twenty four seven... and free food," I say just as our bread stick starters come our way. "Thank goodness, I'm starving." I shove the breadsticks down my throat when Tina starts to scold me.
"Babe, have some manners," she scolds as she pursers her lips in disapproval. The three start to laugh at me as I realize that I've totally spilled large crumbs on my shirt. "Babe, you're always so clumsy. We are very excited though." Before she can complete her thought she's interrupted.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't the married couple, Wu Tang, and Ching Chang," the sarcastic voice says.
Sebastian Smythe. Of course, that's who owned the familiar BMW. The lead singer for the Dalton Academy Warblers. His voice is amazing but he's kind of a douche. I have nothing personal against him. Except for the fact that he almost blinded Blaine. I am, however, in admiration of his charity work for David Karofsky ever since he almost decided to take his own life. He's such a finicky character. One day he's calling me "Ching Chang" or "Wu Tang" or whatever, and the next day he's helping out with suicide prevention organizations. I don't know how I feel about him yet.
"I heard that you two were chosen for the performing arts camp," he said, referencing to Tina and myself. "I guess I'll be seeing you there. It should be fun since this is my second year going. But why not Ms. Berry-Hudson, or Blaine? I'm kind of surprised that your director chose the less talented of the glee club." I know that I should be insulted, but I'm not focused on his insult. He holds my gaze for a long time. I'm sure the other table members haven't noticed because his presence isn't exactly welcomed so they openly avoid eye contact with him. But I don't. I can't break eye contact. "Anyways, have a nice meal, Directioners." He smiles, then winks at me and walks off. All of a sudden, my stomach feels strange. I try and dismiss the notion by looking down.
"That guy just rubs me the wrong way," Tina begins. "Why can't he just lighten up a little? I mean, he doesn't have to be such a prude all of the time."
"Let's forget about him," I say, clearing my throat. I'm still thinking about him and his intense eyes. "I'm feeling some Alfredo chicken pasta."
The rest of the dinner is decent. Rachel and Finn - well, mostly Rachel - go on and on about how perfect the wedding will be. The lights. The caterers. The good. The music. The dress. Tina's eyes are gleaming with excitement, but I couldn't be any more uninterested. So I politely smile and nod. I've broken down Rachel's conversational habits into a science. Every time she smiles and stops talking, I nod because she's waiting for someone to agree with her. And a smile is appropriate at any part in the conversation, except when she begins to use her hands as a means to add emphasis to her words.
The conversation has reached an all time high with Rachel and Tina's discussion on Mr. Schue's outfit of the day. I'm going to fall asleep if I stick around for any longer, so I tell Tina that I need some air. She doesn't notice the boredom clawing away at my eyes and just kisses me goodbye. I step outside to breathe.
I can't seem to shake off Sebastian's glare. So strong, yet soft. His green eyes are so alluring. He smiled at me. What does this mean? Have I amused him? Why do I even care? I shouldn't. It was meaningless.
Just as I begin to shake my encounter with Sebastian out of my head, Sebastian walks out with some of his fellow Warblers and notices me. Crap. Perfect timing. I was just thinking about him and now he's here. I try and act normal but freeze up. I hope that he just leaves with his friends, but he asks them for a minute and they leave for the parking lot. He's approaching me and I'm still frozen.
"Hey, Ching Chang," Sebastian says as he slowly walks towards me. "I'm tempted to ask why you're out here, but I'm sure I know the reason. I wouldn't want to be around your dull friends either."
I slowly come back to my senses when I realize that he didn't hear any single one of my thoughts. He'll never know that I think his eyes are alluring, I think to myself. "My name is Mike Chang," I snap. "Not Ching Chang." Sebastian's eyes widen with amusement. He probably finds entertainment in the moment when he knows he has irritated his victims. "And they aren't dull. I just needed some fresh air. Please just get away from me."
Sebastian chuckles for a bit and then he continues. "Hey, calm down. I was kidding. You New Directions kids have got to live up to your name. It's the twenty-first century already. It was a joke." This comment is almost calming. He's managed to insult and comfort me at the same time. "Anyways, I've seen you at Regionals. You are a crazy good dancer, Mike." The sound of his voice saying my name gives me chills. He places such an emphasis on my real name that I almost wish he called me something racist. He smiles at me again and at this time, we're only a couple of feet away from one another. We make eye contact for a second but I immediately look away.
"Thanks," I barely manage to say. Why am I so awkward right now? Maybe because this guy is an enemy to my glee club and association with him is very bad. Yeah, I'll go with that.
"Listen," he says. "Since we're going to be spending some time together this summer, I figured you should have my number just in case you need help with camp." He moves much closer, grabs my arm and pulls out a pen. My eyes widen in confusion. What is he doing? He can't just do that. He can't just grab my hand and start writing his number there. Of course, I'm not putting up much of a fight and I'm wondering why I can't fight back. He's almost done anyway and I can't help but notice how soft his hands are.
Oh, crap. Alluring eyes. Soft hands! What am I thinking?
When he's done he puts his pen in his pocket and looks up. I look up and regret doing so. We're making eye contact again and his soft hand is still holding my hand. This time I'm not backing down from the eye contact. I'm trapped in his gaze again. His eyes are ten times more alluring in this restaurant lighting. He's smiling and I can't help but smile back.
No, no, no. I break eye contact, remove my hand from his and look down. "Thanks," I quietly whisper. "I'll be sure to take advantage of that offer." I clear my throat and try to walk past him. "I've got to get back to Tina though."
"Okay. But before you go, please remember," he replies as he grabs my hand. He's grabbing my hand again and this time he's pulling it towards his face. I'm paralyzed again and am doing nothing to stop him. "I've always thought you were really cute. It's a shame that you're with Tina." He kisses my hand. I jerk it from his grasp and run passed him and back inside BreadstiX.
What is going on? I really just let that happen. I don't even swing that way. Why did I let him do that? I don't know what to make of any of this and now I really need some air, but I'm back sitting next to Tina, Rachel and Finn. They've moved on to talking about the Grammy's. I don't think I've been gone for more than ten minutes, but that exchange with Sebastian felt like forever.
Two weeks with him? This summer might not be everything I'm hoping for.
So, even if you aren't interested in the Sebastian x Mike aspect of the story, I hope you still find time to review the story. Please and thank you!