"Your assignment this week is to define yourself through a song. It can be anything; I would like it to make us see, a little clearer, who you are." Mr. Shue said. He had come up with the idea earlier when he had watched the hockey team harass Rachel. He hadn't done anything because he heard Coach Sylvester tell them to "scram" only to say something to Rachel that he couldn't hear, but when she ran off in tears, he knew it wasn't good. He smiled slightly when he saw Puck go after her, having only seen Sylvester. From the looks of it, he had heard about the hockey team and had gone after them. He sat sporting a black eye in the front row, next to Rachel, holding her hand in a comforting grip. He wanted the rest of New Directions to see Rachel the way Puck obviously did. He wanted them to start including her in the whole act like a team thing. The girls all stuck up for each other, except Rachel. He had seen them laughing together while Rachel was getting made fun of. He figured that Tina just went with it, he had seen her comforting Rachel whenever the Cheerios and Mercedes we gone. Finn treated Rachel horribly, Artie went with it, Sam seemed to be confused as to how he should react but in the end just ignored her, and Mike was kind of in the same boat as Puck. He stuck up for her, he went after her when she got slushied, he was her friend. Only two members of the club treated her like she was part of the team, and Shuester decided that that need to change.
"Why?" Santana asked, clearly thinking that everyone knew who she was.
"So we can understand each other better. It will bring everyone closer and we'll perform better because of it." Shue responded.
"If this is about the hockey team incident, then I don't think it's really that important. After all, RuPaul should be used to it by now." Quinn said, giving Rachel a smug look.
"I'll be right back, Mr. Shuester." Rachel whispered, fighting the tears that had begun to form and leaving the room. Puck and Mike made a move to go after her but she shot then a look that said she just needed to collect herself. They nodded and sat down.
"That, right there is what I am talking about, Quinn. You guys treat each other like a team, except when it comes to Rachel. There are two members who treat her like she's part of the team. Two out of twelve, guy? That's sad." Shue said, disappointment evident in his voice. He noticed that Puck and Mikes eyes never left the door. He noticed Sam, Tina, and Artie looking guilty. He saw no change in the rest. Hopefully this assignment would cause that change.
"Why do you guys hate her so much?" Sam asked, finally deciding that he would be on Rachel's side. Finally deciding that he joined glee club, so he already not popular, why not make friend with Rachel Berry? He had heard all about the old Puck, but the Puck sitting here was too different from the one he heard about. If she could change him that much, for the good, maybe she would be a good person for him to make friends with.
"What?" Santana snapped, obviously not expecting anyone to ever question why Rachel Berry deserved to be treated like shit.
"Why are you asking?" Quinn asked.
"Because, since I got here, I watched almost the whole school treat her like crap. I didn't do anything about it because I figured it would make me unpopular. But I don't care anymore. She puts up with so much crap from the rest of the school every day, she shouldn't have to go through it here. So, tell me Quinn, what has she ever done to deserve everything you throw at her?" Sam replied, trying to keep his voice even.
"She's a freak, Sam." Quinn said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Why? Because she's determined? Because she dreams big? Because she's going to make it out of this town?" Sam responded. He may not know a lot about Rachel Berry. But what he did know is that she had talent out the ass. She could out sing anyone. She was going to have her name in lights someday. And Noah Puckerman was in love with her. He didn't think any of those were traits of a "freak".
"Look, people like Berry, just need to face the fact that they are never going to climb any higher than they are. She's not going to make it big. Her dreams won't come true. She needs to except that." Mercedes snapped.
"Oh, and you think yours will? Give it a break, 'Chocolate Thunder', the world doesn't want, or need, another Beyonce. The world needs another Barbara Streisand. Another cultural icon that will be completely scandal free. She's Rachel Berry and she's going to be that person." Puck entered the conversation, Mike, who had moved from his spot next to Tina to the spot next to Puck, nodded in agreement.
Before anyone said anything else, Rachel walked back in with her mask back in place. Puck growled softly, he hated that mask. Looking at Mike, he knew his friend felt the same.
When Shuester released them, Rachel was the first one out of the room. The rest of the club walked out to see Karofsky knock her into the lockers and proceed to join Azimio in pelting her with eggs and sacks manwich. The club looked on, shocked to see her just taking it, while Puck, Mike, and Sam pushed past them.
"I thought I said that you were done making her life Hell!" Puck screamed, slamming Karofsky into the lockers on the other side of the hall. Mike did the same with Azimio, making it obvious how often the two went through this routine. Sam, wanting to do something, went over to Rachel, who was obviously waiting to let her tears out when she was with the only two people she knew wouldn't make fun of her for showing weakness. Sam wanted to become one of those people.
"Here," he said, handing her a towel he had pulled from his bag. She gave him a questioning look and it hurt that she had grown suspicious of someone trying to help her. He smiled at her and she hesitantly took the towel and began to wipe the meat and eggs off of her face.
"I'm taking you to my house," Puck said gently, obviously done with the hockey player.
"Yeah. We'll get Debbie to help clean you up, I'll make your favorite dinner, and we'll skip school tomorrow." Mike said coming over to them. Sam watched as Puck and Mike walked on either side of Rachel, their arms thrown around her in a friendly manner.
"You coming, Big Lips?" Puck called over his shoulder. Sam smiled and ran to catch up to them.
"Why do you take their shit, Berry?" Santana asked, sounding almost concerned.
"Isn't that what people like me should do, Santana? I mean, that's what you said." Rachel replied, not stopping.
Santana stood gapping as Rachel continued walking.
"Man Hands—" Quinn started.
"What you have to say Q, save it. Now it's the best time." Puck interrupted.
The night was spent making Rachel feel better and trying to convince her to skip school the next day. The failed at their attempts to get her to skip, but she did help them pick out their songs for the assignment. Well, she helped Mike and Sam. Puck had a song picked out already and he wasn't going to tell her what it was.
"Ok, let's hear from Mercedes first," Mr. Shuester said as Glee started.
"Alright. I chose to do 'I Am' by Hillary Duff." Mercedes said, standing in the front of the class room.
I'm an angel, I'm a devil I am special I'm someone filled with self-belief I am special I'm a million contradictions I am special I am special
I am sometimes in between
I'm as bad it can get
And good as it can be
Sometimes I'm a million colors
Sometimes I'm black and white
I am all extremes
Try figure me out you never can
There's so many things I am
I am beautiful
I am wonderful
And powerful
Unstoppable
Sometimes I'm miserable
Sometimes I'm pitiful
But that's so typical of all the things I am
And haunted by self-doubt
I've got all the answers
I've got nothing figured out
I like to be by myself
I hate to be alone
I'm up and I am down
But that's part of the thrill
Part of the plan
Part of all of the things I am
I am beautiful
I am wonderful
And powerful
Unstoppable
Sometimes I'm miserable
Sometimes I'm pitiful
But that's so typical of all the things I am
Sometimes I make no sense
Sometimes I'm perfect
Sometimes I'm a mess
Sometimes I'm not sure who I am
I am beautiful
I am wonderful
And powerful
Unstoppable
Sometimes I'm miserable
Sometimes I'm pitiful
But that's so typical of all the things I am
I am beautiful
I am wonderful
And powerful
Unstoppable
Sometimes I'm miserable
Sometimes I'm pitiful
But that's so typical of all the things I am
Of all the things I am
Sometimes I'm miserable
Sometimes I'm pitiful
But that's so typical of all the things I am
Of all the things I am
"Good Job Mercedes. How about Kurt next."
"I chose to do the song 'Reflection' from Mulan. I feel that I relate to this song very well." Kurt introduced.
Look at me
You may think you see
Who I really am
But you'll never know me
Every day, is as if I play apart
Now I see
If I wear a mask
I can fool the world
But I can not fool
My heart
Who is that girl I see
Staring straight back at me?
When will my reflection show
Who I am inside?
I am now
In a world where I have to
Hide my heart
And what I believe in
But somehow
I will show the world
What's inside my heart
And be loved for who I am
Who is that girl I see
Staring straight back at me?
Why is my reflection
Someone I don't know?
Must I pretend that i'm
Someone else for all time?
When will my reflection show
Who I am inside?
There's a heart that must
Be free to fly
That burns with a need
To know the reason why
Why must we all conceal
What we think
How we feel
Must there be a secret me
I'm forced to hide?
I won't pretend that i'm
Someone else
For all time
When will my reflections show
Who I am inside?
When will my reflections show
Who I am inside?
"Very good, Kurt. Santana, you're next."
"So, my song is 'Beautiful' by Christina" Santana said with a smug look.
Every day is so wonderful I am beautiful no matter what they say To all your friends you're delirious 'Cause you are beautiful no matter what they say No matter what we do (And everywhere we go) 'Cause we are beautiful no matter what they say Don't you bring me down today
And suddenly it's hard to breathe
Now and then I get insecure
From all the pain, feel so ashamed
Words can't bring me down
I am beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring me down, oh no
So don't you bring me down today
So consumed in all your doom
Tryin' hard to fill the emptiness, the piece is gone
Left the puzzle undone, ain't that the way it is?
Words can't bring you down, oh no
You are beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring you down, oh no
So don't you bring me down today
No matter what we do
(No matter what we say)
No matter what we say
(We're the song that's outta tune)
(Full of beautiful mistakes)
And everywhere we go
(The sun will always shine)
The sun will always, always shine!
(But tomorrow we might awake on the other side)
Yes, words won't bring us down, oh no
We are beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring us down, oh no
So don't you bring me down today
Don't you bring me down today
"Sam, you're next."
"So, I had a lot of help picking out this song, but in the end, I think it's a really good fit."
I have often dreamed I'll be there someday Down an unknown road And I won't look back But to look beyond the glory is the hardest part Like a shooting star I will search the world
Of a far off place
Where a hero's welcome
Would be waiting for me
Where the crowds will cheer
When they see my face
And a voice keeps saying
This is where I'm meant to be
I can go the distance
I will find my way
If I can be strong
I know ev'ry mile
Will be worth my while
When I go the distance
I'll be right where I belong
To embrace my fate
Though the road may wander
It will lead me to you
And a thousand years
Would be worth the wait
It may take a lifetime
But somehow I'll see it through
I can go the distance
And I'll stay on track
No I won't accept defeat
It's an uphill slope
But I won't lose hope
Till I go the distance
And my journey is complete
For a hero's strength is measured by his heart
I can go the distance
I will search the world
I will face its harms
I don't care how far
I can go the distance
Till find my hero's welcome
Waiting in your arms...
I will face its harms
Till find my hero's welcome
Waiting in your arms...
"That was very well done, Sam. Brittany, it's your turn."
"Alright. So I picked 'I Am Me' by Ashlee Simpson."
What's she got that I don't have Put this under your skin Does the weight of consequence Put this under her skin Why would I, Why would I change
Does she fill those spaces that I left you
When you wake up everynight
Does the scent of regret ever haunt you
I am me and I won't change for anyone
Me and I won't change for anyone
For anyone like you
Drag you down until it pulls you under
Does she lend an eager hand to save you
From the future of being with her
Are you with her?
I am me and I won't change for anyone
Me and I won't change for anyone
For anyone like you
Why would I change
Put this under your skin
"Very good. Artie, you're up"
"Okay. I chose to do 'I Don't Care' by Fall Out Boy."
Say my name and his in the same breath Brace myself and let go I don't care what you think Said I don't care what you think Oh take a chance I'm the oracle in my chest I don't care what you think Said I don't care what you think Said-a, I don't care just a-what you think I don't care what you think I don't care what you think
I dare you to say they taste the same
Let the leaves fall off in the summer
And let December glow in flames
Start it over again in Mexico
These friends, they don't love you
They just love the hotel suites now
As long as it's about me
The best of us can find happiness in misery
As long as it's about me
The best of us can find happiness in misery
Let your body get a tolerance
I'm not a chance, but a heat wave in your pants
Pull a breath like another cigarette
Palms up, I'm trading 'em (trading 'em)
Let the guitar scream like a fascist
Sweat it out, shut your mouth
Free love on the streets
But in the alley I ain't that cheap, now
As long as it's about me
The best of us can find happiness in misery
As long as it's about me
The best of us can find happiness in misery
As long as it's about me
You said I don't care just what you think
As long as it's about me
Said-a I don't care (I don't care)
Said I don't care (I don't care)
Said I don't care,
I don't care
I don't care (I don't care)
I said-a
I don't care
I don't care
As long as it's about me
The best of us can find happiness in misery
As long as it's about me
The best of us can find happiness in misery
"Okay, Tina, you're up."
"I chose to do 'Emotional' by Diana Degarmo."
Sometimes I get emotional Don't give up now running away Sometimes I feel like crying You say I'm just impossible Sometimes I feel like crying Don't give up That's when I need you That's just the way I am
Sometimes I do some stupid things
Sometimes I say what I should just keep inside
Sometimes I'm sad about everything
Sometimes I'm mad and break some things
Sorry times 10 but you just got in the way
I won't hurt you sometimes I'm just a pain
And that's the way it is
That's just the way I am
Laying down and dying
That's when I need you
Laughing's always easy, but sometimes I'm just scared you'll leave me
That's when I feel emotional
Totally unpredictable
I'm just a girl get use to it
No big deal
You can't change me why would you try?
I'm no angel but I can make you smile
And that's the way it is
That's just the way I am
Laying down and dying
That's when I need you
Laughing's always easy but, sometimes I'm just scared you'll leave me
That's when I feel emotional
I won't hurt you
Oh, sometimes I'm just a pain
And that's the way it is
That's just the way I am
Laughing's always easy but, sometimes I'm just scared you'll leave me
That's when I feel oh yeah
That's when I need you
Sometimes I get emotional
Sometimes I feel like crying
Laying down and dying
That's when I need you
Laughing's always easy but sometimes I'm just scared you'll leave me
That's when I feel emotional
"That was beautiful, Tina. Finn, it's your turn."
"Alright. I chose to do 'The Middle' by Jimmy Eat World."
Hey, don't write yourself off yet It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle of the ride. Hey, you know they're all the same. It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle of the ride. Hey, don't write yourself off yet. It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle of the ride.
It's only in your head you feel left out or looked down on.
Just try your best, try everything you can.
And don't you worry what they tell themselves when you're away.
Everything (everything) will be just fine, everything (everything) will be alright (alright).
You know you're doing better on your own, so don't buy in.
Live right now.
Yeah, just be yourself.
It doesn't matter if it's good enough for someone else.
Everything (everything) will be just fine, everything (everything) will be alright (alright).
It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle of the ride.
Everything (everything) will be just fine, everything (everything) will be alright (alright).
It's only in your head you feel left out or looked down on.
Just do your best, do everything you can.
And don't you worry what the bitter hearts are gonna say.
Everything (everything) will be just fine, everything (everything) will be alright (alright).
It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle of the ride.
Everything (everything) will be just fine, everything (everything) will be alright (alright).
"Thank you, well done. Quinn?"
"I chose to do 'Unwritten'."
I am unwritten I'm just beginning Staring at the blank page before you Reaching for something in the distance No one else can feel it for you Drench yourself in words unspoken Oh, oh I break tradition We've been conditioned Staring at the blank page before you Reaching for something in the distance No one else can feel it for you Drench yourself in words unspoken No one else can feel it for you Drench yourself in words unspoken Staring at the blank page before you Reaching for something in the distance No one else can feel it for you Drench yourself in words unspoken No one else can feel it for you Drench yourself in words unspoken The rest is still unwritten
Can't read my mind
I'm undefined
The pen's in my hand
Ending unplanned
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
Sometimes my tries
Are outside the lines
To not make mistakes
But I can't live that way, no
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Live your life with arms wide open
To the years where your book begins
Feel the rain on your skin
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Live your life with arms wide open
To the years where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Live your life with arms wide open
To the years where your book begins
Feel the rain on your skin
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Live your life with arms wide open
To the years where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten
"Thank you Quinn. Mike, it's your turn."
"Alright. I picked, well Rachel picked, N*Sync's 'Believe In Yourself. And I would like to dedicate this to Rachel because you are one of my best friends and you're losing your confidence."
Oh you can be what you wanna be Some folks try to tell you there are you get to scare you'll fall You can be what you wanna be Folks may say you're different
See what you wanna see
Believe in yourself, just believe in yourself
You can go where you wanna go
Do what you wanna do
Believe in yourself, just believe in yourself
things you shouldn't do
But you're not strong enough, or smart enough at all
But what seems right to them ,quite
often might be wrong for you
So be sure you try to climb before
Learn what you wanna learn
Believe in yourself, just believe in yourself
You can try what you need to try
No one should question why
Believe in yourself, just believe in yourself
That you've gone and lost your senses
But the world is your to walk
Go ahead and leave the fences
And you'll see( and you'll see)
Believe in yourself
And the world belongs to you
You and me
And the world belongs to you and me
"Thank you, Michael." Rachel whispered hugging him tightly.
"Yes, Mike. That was excellent. Rachel, you're next."
"Okay. I chose to sing Idina Menzel's 'I Stand'."
When you ask me, who I am: 'Cause I stand for the power to change, And I don't know 'Cause I stand for the power to change, With the slightest of breezes 'Cause I stand for the power to change,
What is my vision? And do I have a plan?
Where is my strength? Have I nothing to say?
I hear the words in my head, but I push them away.
I live for the perfect day.
I love till it hurts like crazy,
I hope for a hero to save me.
I stand for the strange and lonely,
I believe there's a better place.
I don't know if the sky is heaven,
But I pray anyway.
What tomorrow brings
The road less traveled
Will it set us free?
Cause we are taking it slow,
These tiny legacies.
I don't try and change the world;
But what will you make of me?
I live for the perfect day.
I love till it hurts like crazy,
I hope for a hero to save me.
I stand for the strange and lonely,
I believe there's a better place.
I don't know if the sky is heaven,
But I pray anyway.
We fall just like leaves
As the rain washes us from the ground
We forget who we are
We can't see in the dark
And we quickly get lost in the crowd
I live for the perfect day.
I love till it hurts like crazy,
I hope for a hero to save me.
'Cause I stand for the power to change,
I live for the perfect day.
I love till it hurts like crazy,
I hope for a hero to save me.
I stand for the strange and lonely,
I believe there's a better place.
I don't know if the sky is heaven,
But I pray anyway.
"Also, I would like to announce that, since no one at this school really likes me, I have decided to except Shelby's offer to move to New York with her. I'll be leaving tomorrow morning." Rachel said, taking her seat again.
Before Shuester could respond Puck was out of his chair.
"Before you make your final decision, you need to hear my song. I chose to do 'I Wanna Be Your Man' by Chris Young."
God I'm down here on my knees I've spent my whole life gettin' it all wrong If there's any way for her and me to make another start That I wanna be a stay man Well I know this late at night that talk is cheap I wanna be a givin' man
Cause it's the last place left to fall
Beggin' for another chance
If there's any chance at all
That you might still be listenin'
Lovin' and forgivin' guys like me
And I sure could use your help just from now on
I wanna be a good man
A do like I should man
I wanna be the kind of man the mirror likes to see
I wanna be a strong man
And admit that I was wrong man
God I'm askin' you to come change me
Into the man I wanna be
Could you see what you could do
To put some love back in her heart
Cause it gonna to take a miracle
After all I've done to really make her see
I wanna be a brave man
I wanna be the kind of man she sees in her dreams
God I wanna be your man
And I wanna be her man
God I only hope she still believes
In the man I wanna be
But Lord don't give up on me yeah
I wanna really start livin' man
God I'm askin' you to come change me
Into the man I wanna be
"Rach, I love you. And you do have people here who care about you. You have Mike, Sam, Matt, even if he's at another school. You have my family, the Rabbi's family. You've got me more than anything. I can't let you go to New York, Rach, not now. You can go when we graduate and are both accepted to a school in New York. But not before. I couldn't stand you being that far away from me." Puck said, his eyes never leaving Rachel. She bit her bottom lip and stood up and walked toward him.
"Noah, I need a reason to stay."
"Let me be your reason, Rach. I wanna be your man. Let me, please? I love you, Rachel Barbara Berry."
"I love you, too, Noah."
She pressed a kiss to his lips.
"So, will you stay?"
"Yes."
"Good."