Author's note: this is my first Glee story, I've been working on it for awhile and finally decided to start posting it on here. The song in this chapter is called Runaway With Me. I've included a link to it at the bottom of the page, it's normally sung by a guy but I love the song and have actually performed it myself so I thought it worked.
Caitlin sat silently in the front seat of her dad's car. She stared up at McKinley High School doubtfully. Her dad though moving back would make things better. So far it hadn't. Caitlin grasped her bag nervously as the car rolled to a stop.
"You ok," her dad asked.
"Fine," Caitlin said tensely before climbing out of the car. Her dad said something else but she didn't hear it.
Caitlin quickly walked toward the building and through the doors. She'd already gotten her schedule and a tour on Friday. Caitlin headed straight to her locker and fumbled with the lock. Pulling it open she quickly stuck the books she didn't need yet in. Caitlin glanced around the crowded hallway self-consciously before shutting her locker.
She sighed as she headed to the counselor's office. They all seemed to think it would be a good idea for her to talk to someone about what had happened. Caitlin knocked on the door and waited for the counselor to look up from her work.
"You must be Caitlin. It's nice to meet you," Ms. Pillsbury said.
Caitlin smiled quickly before sitting down. "You too," she mumbled.
"So Caitlin, how are you doing today," Ms. Pillsbury asked.
"Fine," Caitlin replied.
Ms. Pillsbury blinked several times before studying the file in front of her. "You were involved in a lot of extra curriculars at Carmel," she said.
"Not really, just glee and theatre," Caitlin said evenly.
"I think it would be good for you to participate in them here too," Ms. Pillsbury suggested.
"I don't want to," Caitlin said firmly. She was done with those things, she didn't intend to go back to them.
"I'll make you a deal, if you audition for the glee club and participate then you'll only have to see me once a week," Ms Pillsbury said. "I'll even change your schedule to get you into a drama or chorus class. Your choice."
Caitlin considered her options and sighed. "Fine I'll audition," she said.
"And participate," Ms. Pillsbury reminded her.
"And I'll participate," Caitlin replied. "I'd rather take a 2nd English class though, instead of chorus or drama."
Ms. Pillsbury opened something on her computer and nodded. "There's space in the American Literature class," Ms. Pillsbury said. "That sound good?"
"That's fine," Caitlin said.
"Good you're all set," Ms. Pillsbury replied. She quickly wrote a note and handed it to Caitlin. "That's the room number for the American Literature class and the glee rehearsal room.
"Who do I need to talk to about auditioning," Caitlin asked. She might as well make Pillsbury think she intended to follow through on this deal.
"Mr. Schuester," Ms. Pillsbury said. "They are actually practicing right now, why don't we go see if you can audition?"
"Ok," Caitlin said unsurely.
Ms. Pillsbury stood up and led Caitlin from the room and down several hallways. "Here we are," she announced. She pushed the door open and ushered Caitlin inside.
"Will, this is Caitlin Carver, she just transferred here from Carmel High School," Ms. Pillsbury explained to a tall man with curly hair.
"Were you in vocal adrenaline," a brunette in a very short skirt asked.
Caitlin studied the girl for a moment, typical fine arts diva. "Yeah I was but I quit after… um after our sectionals preview show," Caitlin explained.
"Do you know what they are doing for regionals," a boy in a wheelchair demanded.
"No, I have no idea," Caitlin said quickly.
"Enough," Mr. Schuester said with a laugh. "Obviously if you were in Vocal Adrenaline you can sing, but I still need you to audition."
"Of course," Caitlin said eyeing the other students.
"What part do you sing," Mr. Schuester asked.
"Soprano technically mezzo-soprano," Caitlin explained.
"Good, do you want to audition now or would you rather do it this afternoon," Mr. Schuester asked.
"Now's good," Caitlin said. She set her books down and turned to the pianist. She hadn't sung since the accident. Everyone made their way to the chairs and sat down. Caitlin racked her brain for a song before sighing softly and glancing at the pianist again.
"Do you know 'Runaway with me' by Kerrigan and Lowdermilk," Caitlin asked.
The pianist smiled easily and shuffled through a stack of music on the bench. "This a good key for you," he asked passing her the music.
"Perfect," Caitlin replied before passing it back. She took a deep breath then nodded. The piano chimed out the intro and then Caitlin began to sing.
Let me catch my breath
This is really hard
If I start to look like I'm sweating well
Its cause I am
I'm no good with words
But that's nothing new
Still I've got to try to explain what I'll do with you
With you
Runaway with me
Let me be your ride out of town
Let me be the place that you hide
We can make our lives on the go
Runaway with me
Texas in the summer is cool
We'll be on the road like Jack Kerouac
No looking back
Sam you're ready let's go
Anywhere
Get the car packed and throw me the keys
Runaway with me
Mr. Schuester signaled for her to stop singing. He studied her for a moment before speaking. "That was great Caitlin, you've got the perfect sound for us," Mr. Schuester said. "You're in."
The rest of the group applauded loudly and Caitlin smiled a real smile for the first time in months. "Thanks," she said.
"Looks like Rachel and Quinn have some competition," one of the boys said.
"Competition is the soul of show business," the brunette in the skirt replied.
"I thought it was art," Caitlin said a challenge in her voice.
'Rachel Berry," the brunette replied. "You were very good."
"Thanks," Caitlin said. "The rest of you are?"
The group quickly listed off their names and waved or shook her hand. "You only have two guys," Caitlin asked.
"No the others are at football," Artie explained. "You'll meet them this afternoon."
"Except Puck," Kurt said. "He's suspended through Thursday."
"Which will make learning our new song difficult since he's singing the male lead," Rachel pointed out.
"Finn is going to fill in until Puck gets back," Mr. Schuester explained. "Caitlin I'd like you to sing the female lead."
Caitlin took the sheet music and glanced at the group. "Are you sure? I mean I just joined," Caitlin asked.
"Girl please you got pipes be proud and use them," Mercedes said.
"Seriously just do it," Quinn said impatiently.
"Ok," Caitlin said quickly.
Here's the link to the song that the amazing and adorable Aaron Tveit sings: .com/watch?v=61EL69OZSlY