Why? Why did I have to go to this school? Why did my mom have to get this job? Why did I have to move from Cincinnati to middle of nowhere Ohio? I knew the reason. It was because having my mom's company in Cincy meant more taxes than setting it in the small town of Lima. Well small town wasn't the best term. It did have forty thousand people in it. Still there was no way that anyone would be able to find it on a map. The only reason I could think of for why my mom chose the city was because she didn't want to leave Ohio.
Of course, I did have some things to be thankful for. My mom's company was worth a lot of money. We were getting a big house. It wasn't bad for someone who was abandoned by the father of her child. She even was going to send me to private school. Of course, I declined as soon as I found out that they had a no hair dye policy. No one was going to touch my pink hair. As a result, I would be going to William McKinley High. As far as I knew, he had never even been to Lima.
So, I walked into the school. Luckily, it was the first day of the new year, so my newness wouldn't be a huge deal. I wore a blue plaid dress with a leather jacket and black floral tights with black velvet boots. They helped mitigate my lack of height.
The only thing that I knew about my dad was his name and only has last name. It wasn't even that uncommon of a name. I supposed my dad could have been actor Oliver Hudson, but I doubted my mom would keep that a secret. I headed to my locker.
"You're in my way." A blonde cheerleader declared. She was the same height as me with her hair in a ponytail. It was a bold move to wear her cheerleading uniform on the first day. I then looked around the hall and saw several girls in cheerleader outfits. What the hell? "Are you deaf, Pinky?"
"How would asking that question help if I was deaf?" I replied. "Now I'm going to stay here until I'm done."
At that point, she looked like she wanted to hit me. I wasn't even sure if it would hurt. Instead, she just scowled and walked away.
Before I went to class, I decided to check out to see if the school had any accomplishments. Surprisingly, they did. Two years ago, they had won a National Cheerleading Championship. One year ago, they won a state football championship and just this past year, they won…a glee club championship. Okay, that wasn't as cool as the others.
My first period class was History with Mr. Schuester. He seemed different than most teachers. He probably used too much hair gel and he seemed like he was trying to connect with us. There was also the fact that he had a random announcement he gave at the end of class.
"Alright, everyone, I will be holding Glee club auditions this afternoon. Anyone who attends and is selected will get extra credit." He declared.
I liked to sing, but I didn't know if show choir was really my thing. I wanted to be in an actual band, like a rock band. I had a band in Cincy, but had to quit due to my mom leaving. It was true that we probably weren't going anywhere, but that wasn't the point. Still extra credit was extra credit.
At least, I couldn't help but notice that the Glee club kids were sitting with the jocks and cheerleaders for some reason. Did winning a national championship actually make them popular? That seemed unlikely. This school seemed like it was weird. Maybe I would like it, but I knew I would never eat lunch with the jocks and cheerleaders.
After school, I stood behind the stage as I listened to countless bad singer after bad singer. I was surprised by the turn out. Did that many people want extra credit or did they genuinely think that they could sing.
"So, what's your name?" A tall brunette wearing a hat asked me. She seemed like she was the first person to talk to me all day.
"Taylor." I answered. "What's yours?"
"Marley." She replied. "Do you know what song you were going to sing?"
"Yes." I replied. I wasn't just going to choose as soon as I got on stage. I even had my sheet music printed. There didn't seem to be a guitar that I could play. I would have to work with what I had. There was just a piano. "I don't know if I'll actually join the club if I get picked."
"Why not?" She replied. Well for starters, he only said that I had to make the club, not participate in it.
"I'm more interested in being in a rock band." I explained. It was then that I noticed some not terrible singing coming from the stage. The guy appeared to be mixed race and he was actually kind of good. What wasn't good was the temper tantrum that he threw when he was cut off. It was like he didn't know that you couldn't sing the whole song for auditions or something.
"Well I guess I'm up." Marley declared. Somehow, I was the last audition. Maybe I shouldn't have wasted so much time printing sheet music.
Marley was really good. I wasn't expecting her to be so good. I wondered if she was too good. The only downside was that singing didn't have a lot of personality to it.
"Taylor Hudson." Mr. Schuester called. It seemed like it was finally my turn. I really wished that I had a guitar to play. I decided to go with the song that didn't need guitar. It sounded kind of weird on the piano.
I never thought I'd feel this guilty and I'm broken down inside
Living with myself nothing but lies
I always thought I'd make it but never knew I'd let it get so bad
Living with myself is all I have
I feel numb I can't come to life
I feel like I'm frozen in time
Living in a world so cold, wasting away
Living in a shell with no soul since you've gone away
Living in a world so cold counting the days
Since you've gone away you've gone away
I'm too young to lose my soul
I'm too young to feel this old
So long I'm left behind
I feel like I'm losing my mind
Do you ever feel me
Do you ever look down inside
Staring at your life paralyzed
Living in a world so cold, wasting away
Living in a shell with no soul since you've gone away
Living in a world so cold counting the days
Since you've gone away you've gone away
I had to admit that being on stage was kind of fun. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I still didn't think that I was interested in actually joining but it was at least interesting.
I wanted to go home. The downside about the school was that there didn't seem to be any people that I could be in a rock band with. I would have preferred to be in a band with girls because I liked girls and not just in a friendly way. I was into girls. I had never really had a girlfriend but I knew that females were all that I was attracted to. I wanted to be with a girl.
There was still something a bit unsettling about the Glee club. I kind of felt like I would be in the shadow in there for some reason. I didn't know why because it wasn't like I knew anyone in the Glee club and I wouldn't stick around if I didn't get a chance to stand out.
That night I went home to watch my favorite channel: The CW. I loved The Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl and 90210. Of course, I was a little bummed about the cancellation of The Secret Circle, but I could get over it. I was really excited for 90210. My favorite character besides Annie was probably Kaylee, who had been around since Season 3 but was only now becoming a regular cast member. The actress had the same last name as me, which I also thought was cool. It was also weird because I never really like Kate Hudson movies.
In the morning, I walked into the school liked usual. I wondered if putting up a flier saying that I was looking for band members would work. I ran into Marley at school. I didn't even know what to say to her.
"Did you see the sheet?" She asked.
"What sheet?" I replied. Was there a sheet I was supposed to see?
"The sheet for Glee club. It's on Mr. Schuester's door." She explained.
"Why would I look at that?" I questioned.
"Because you made the Glee club and so did I." She exclaimed. "Why don't you seem happy?"
"Because I only auditioned for extra credit. I don't even know if I want to be in it." I explained. "I'm still more interested in starting a band. They didn't even have a guitar I could play yesterday. What good is this going to be for me?"
"Well it seems like a good place to make friends." She replied. I wasn't at school to make friends. Besides, once people found out that my mom was rich, they would show their true colors. That was what happened at my last school.
"I'm not looking to make friends." I declared before I walked off.
After first period, Mr. Schuester stopped me again.
"So, congratulations. I guess I'll be seeing you after school." He declared.
"I'm not so sure about that." I responded. "You promised extra credit if I made the Glee club. You didn't say anything actually being in it. I haven't decided whether or not it's for me yet. It might hold me back."
I decided to sit at a table by myself at lunch again. It was close to the Glee club table, but still far enough away. They tried to get me to sit with them, but I refused. It wasn't long before the jocks and cheerleaders arrived.
I expected the popular kids to make fun of the obese lunch lady because that was what the popular kids did. However, my opinion soured on the Glee club when they joined in. I didn't care if it was peer pressure. It was still a terrible thing to do. Not helping the matter was the revelation that the lunch lady was Marley's mom. That was when I decided that I wanted no part of their Glee club shenanigans.
I walked out of the lunchroom and down the hall by myself.
And now the end is near and so I face the final curtain
My friend I'll say it clear, I'll state my face case of which I'm certain
I've lived a life that's full, I've traveled each and every high way
And more, much more than this I did it my way
Regrets I've had a few but then again too few to mention
I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this I did it my way
For what is a girl, what has she got
If not herself then she has naught
To say the things she truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows
And I did it my way
As I prepared to walk home from school, I was stopped by Marley in the parking lot to my surprise.
"Where are you going?" She asked me.
"Home. Why aren't you?" I replied in confusion.
"Because I'm going to Glee club." She answered.
"How can you want to be anywhere near them after what they said about your mom?" I challenged.
"They apologized to me. They let the popularity go to their heads. I know that they're not bad people." She explained. "I want you to come with me and give them a chance."
"Why do you care?" I retorted.
"Because whether or not you want friends, I think you need them." She explained. "Just come for one day and if you don't like it, I'll never talk to you again."
I knew that I was under no obligation to do what she said.
"Plus, I'll give you a ride home." She added.
That would be easier than walking. I decided to just do it.
Apparently, the rest of the people wanted me for some reason, so they decided to give me a solo. I was surprised by the song that they chose. This song sampled an old blues song.
I know you've been hurt by someone else
I can tell by the way you carry yourself
If you let me here's what I'll do
I'll take care of you
I've loved and I've lost
Then this guy in a wheelchair started rapping. It was kind of weird.
I've asked about you and they told me things
But my mind didn't change, I still feel the same
What's a life with no fun now please don't be ashamed
I've had mine you've had yours we both know, we know
They don't get you like I will, my only wish is I die real
Cause that truth hurts and those lies heal
And you can't sleep thinking he lies still
So you cry still tears all in a pillowcase, big girls all get a little taste
Pushing me away so I give her space dealing with a heart that I didn't break
I'll be there for you, I will care for you I keep thinking just don't know
Try to run from that, saying you're done with that but on your face girl it just don't show
When you're ready just say you're ready, when all the baggage just aint as heavy
And the party's over just don't forget me we'll change the pace and we'll just go slow
You won't ever have to worry
You won't ever have to hide
You've seen all of my mistakes
So look me in my eyes
It's my birthday and I'll will cry if I want to
Can't deny that I want you but I'll lie if I have to
Cause you don't say you love me to your friends when they ask you
Even though we both know that you do, you do
I know you've been hurt by someone else
I can tell by the way you carry yourself
If you let me here's what I'll do
I'll take care of you
I understood why they chose that song. It was about trying to convince me to join. I supposed I could give it a shot.
I bet no one was expecting a continuation of The Directionverse. Well here it is. Taylor is played by Rena Lovelis. When will she and Faith find out about each other? The songs are "World So Cold" by Three Days Grace, "My Way" by Frank Sinatra, and "Take Care" by Drake featuring Rihanna. Please don't forget to review.