Finding a way.
Chapter one
There was a change in the air at McKinley high school and the school could feel it. There seemed to have been a shift in the gravity of how things flowed. The schools only openly gay student, Kurt Hummel had transferred to the Dalton Academy, Dave Karofsky had been suspended for bullying Kurt, the Cheerios who were tipped to win there sixth national championship not only lost the championship, but they also lost three of their main cheerleaders and the football team had finally broken their drought and won their championship game as well as enlisted a boy in a wheel chair to play for them. It wasn't these things that really shook up the social bindings we have at McKinley, it was the fact that so many of the popular kids were choosing to be apart or the New Directions, McKinley's Glee club.
Joining the likes of Glee club had been social suicide since I had been at this school, but now that they had won two sectional competitions in a row and the addition of some popular new members, their reputation was on the rise. Don't get me wrong, you still got slushied for being in Glee, but it wasn't social suicide anymore.
In the last year and a half we had seen the change clearly. The football team's quarter back Finn Hudson had broken up with his head cheerleader girlfriend for the Gleek Rachel Berry. The Quinn Fabray, the head cheerleader gets pregnant and dumped from the squad. It was kind of like a trip in to the twilight zone.
So I'm Amy by the way. I'm what you would call a silent achiever at McKinley. I've made it a habit to stay away from confrontation and in return people usually don't even know I'm there and that has stopped me from getting slushied and thrown in a dumpster.
I'm not a nerd if that's what you're thinking. I have dark brown hair that sits just below my shoulders, which is a contrast to my light green eyes. I would not say I was a tall person since I'm only 5'2 and believe it or not in my spare time I like to lock myself in my room and sing my heart out.
It is that exact reason why when I heard that the New Directions were short a member, I signed my name up for the auditions.
I guess there were other reasons too, like the fact that quite a few of the football team sang in Glee and I was sick of sitting back in the shadows.
I didn't expect to be giving a staring roll or anything, but I didn't mind the idea of singing with a group of people having fun.
So here I was sitting in the back of the choir room waiting for the Glee club to enter so I could try out.
One by one the Glee kids made there way into the Choir room and not one of them had even noticed me sitting there. I watched as Quinn came in with her new Football playing boyfriend Sam. Artie wheeled himself into the room with his girlfriend Brittany on his lap. The Asians Mike and Tina spun there way to their seats. Puck also known as Noah Puckerman and Santana had stopped making out long enough so they could walk into the room without hitting anything, but the moment they sat they started up again. I was surprised when Rachel and Finn walked in separately. Rachel sat on one side of the room with Mercedes, while Finn sat next to me. I didn't expect him to say anything to me; I figured he probably wouldn't even notice me sitting there. So it surprised me a lot when as soon as he sat down he looked directly at me.
"Hey are you here for the auditions?" he asked.
"Yeah I am" I replied.
He smiled down at me. It was the first time that I actually realized how tall Finn really was. Even as we were sitting he still towered over me.
"That's cool, I'm Finn by the way" he held out his hand for me to shake.
"I'm Amy" I said shaking his hand.
"So are you like new here?" Finn asked.
I had been waiting for that question to come along. I mean why wouldn't he think I was a new kid, Miss Sylvester asks me the same thing every time she walks past me in the hall ways.
"Actually no I'm not" I told him, "we've actually been in the same Spanish class for the last two years".
Finn looked a little confused and then a little shocked. He kept on rubbing the back of his neck as he tried to think of something to say.
"Geez my bad" he said finally.
Well things got a little awkward after that. I was happy when Mr. Shuester walked into the room and called everyone to attention.
"Ok guys, so this week's lesson is going to be about us. I want all of you to pick a song that best describes our glee club and what we have been through".
Mr. Shue started writing something's up on the board as the class began to chatter amongst themselves. I raised my hand hoping to get Mr. Shuester attention, but he kept on writing on the board. I put my hand back down and figured he would eventfully see me there, at least I hoped he would.
I jumped up out of my seat a little when Finn called out to Mr. Shue.
"Hey Mr. Shue, Amy is here to try out for glee" he yelled over the top of everyone.
I looked up at him confused, but he just smiled down at me. The entire room went silent and every head turned to look at me. I had never had so many eyes on me at the same time, it was a little unnerving.
"That's great", Mr. Shue smiled, "do you have a song picked out for us?"
I nodded and made my way to the front of the room. I could feel everyone watch me the entire way. When I got to the front I turned and face everyone.
"Hi I'm Amy Johnson and I'm going to sing 'happiness' by Alexis Jordan".
I looked over at Mr. Shue and when he nodded I began to sing.
"Mmm mmm mmm mmm
Mmm mmm mmm mmm
Mmm mmm mmm mmm
Mmm mmm mmm mmm
I gotta turn this car around
I never should have left you there
Boy this traffic is making me sick
Boy I can't wait to have you near
I gotta hurry hurry hurry
Now quick quick quick
Just step on the gas cause I don't wanna miss this
This opportunity will only come once in my life, my life
I gotta hurry hurry hurry
Now quick quick quick
Just step on the gas cause I don't wanna miss this
See what your bringing me boy is priceless
I gotta be out of my mind not to try this
Through strength I found love
In time I found myself in happiness with you
Through strength I found love
In time I found myself in happiness with you
Mmm mmm mmm mmm
Mmm mmm mmm mmm
Mmm mmm mmm mmm
Mmm mmm mmm mmm
Boy I need to say what's in my heart
I was scared but I'll do my part
I came back to tell you face to face
So what we have won't go to waste
I gotta hurry hurry hurry
Now quick quick quick
Just step on the gas cause I don't wanna miss this
This opportunity will only come once in my life, my life Yeah
Sorry sorry sorry I'm coming down to fix this
You should know how I feel I know I got you twisted
See what your bringing me boy is priceless
I gotta be out of my mind not to try this
Through strength I found love
In time I found myself in happiness with you
Through strength I found love
In time I found myself in happiness with you
The things that you can give to me
I can feel it when your holding me close
You're like your one of the world wonders
I know I'm going under
Come see that I'm ready for this
And you're so good for me
You're my true joy
You make me wanna say
Mmm mmm mmm mmm
Mmm mmm mmm mmm
Mmm mmm mmm mmm
Mmm mmm mmm mmm
Through strength I found love
In time I found myself in happiness with you
Through strength I found love
In time I found myself in happiness with you"
The room began to clap as I finished. I was so nervous that they wouldn't like me and I didn't wanna make a fool out of myself. I looked over at Mr. Shue and waited for him to say something.
"So let me be the first to welcome you to the New Directions" he said as he patted me on the back.
I sighed in relief and returned to my seat next to Finn.
"Congrats, that was great" he smiled.
"It was ok I guess" I blushed.
I had never had anyone compliment my singing before, but then again I had never sung in front of anyone before either.
"You need to give yourself more credit" he laughed.
"So do you have any ideas for the assignment? I asked him.
I had no idea since I really didn't know what the glee club had been through. I had only been watching from the outside.
"There are so many things I could sing about, I guess I just gotta pick one" he replied.
Finn got up and walked over to Artie while Mr. Shue came over and sat down next to me.
"So I just thought id let you know that you don't have to stick to this weeks task, but I would like you to give another performance some time this week" he explained.
"That's cool Mr. Shue, I'm sure I can come up with something"
He nodded and walked over to Rachel who had been bouncing up and down waiting for him. She was kind of annoying. I sat back and pulled my iPod out of my bag. I started flicking through my music trying to find something that I could sing about. I had a few songs in mind.
When the bell rang, I put my iPod away and walked toward the door.
"Hey Amy" I heard Finn call.
I turned around and waited for him to walk over.
"Mind if I walk with you to Spanish, since now I know we have the same class" he chuckled.
"Sure, why not"
We walked to the lockers and then continued on to our Spanish class. I took my usual seat next to Brittany. She wasn't the brightest cookie in the jar that was for sure. Finn sat up the back with Puck, I could see them whispering about something, but I really didn't want to know what.
"You sing really good" Brittany said looking at me for the first time and not copying my answers.
"Thanks "I smiled.
"So are you and Finn dating?" she asked playing with her hair.
"Ummm definitely not" I laughed.
"Oh ok cos Rachel was telling Mercedes that you weren't any competition anyway"
"Ok then, well good for Rachel" I muttered.
I wasn't annoyed at the fact that she thought Finn and I were dating, I was annoyed at Rachel. She was making assumptions and she didn't even know me.
It wasn't as if I liked Finn in the way. He was sweet and all but he just wasn't the kind of guy I usually liked. Brittany didn't talk much after that, unless it was something she needed help with and that was quite a lot.
Mr. Shue was a pretty good Spanish teacher, but I think he would have made a better music teacher.
After class Finn walked me to my locker again, but we didn't have the same classes this time. He walked off with Puck to English and I walked over to Math's.
When lunch came around I sat in my usual spot on the floor in front of my locker and ate. I was reading the book we were given in History when I felt someone sit down beside me.
"You can come and sit with us if you like"
I looked over to see Quinn sitting next to me, watching me read.
"Umm sure sounds good" I said as I stood up.
"Its Amy right?" she asked as we walked to the cafeteria.
"Yup and your Quinn" I smiled.
She nodded and smiled back. She led me over to a table in the back of the cafeteria where all of the Glee club was sitting, minus Rachel. I assumed she was off rehearsing somewhere. Quinn sat down next to Sam and I sat on the other side of Quinn.
"Hey new girl" Santana smirked.
"I'm not new though" I told her.
"Well I haven't seen you before, so your new girl" she said as a matter of fact before starting up a conversation with the others.
I sat and listened to them talking about the gossip going around school. Turned out I had missed out on a lot. Like Finn sleeping with Santana and Rachel cheating on him with Puck to get him back, so they broke up. I mean I knew Santana got around, but I didn't know with Finn.
They also had a lot of complaining to vent about Rachel. I guess I wasn't the only one who was annoyed by her. I actually had some fun at lunch listening to them.
I found my day going faster because I actually had people to talk to. I found at least one or more of the glee clubbers were in my classes. I was actually sad when the final bell rang.
As I walked home I flicked through the songs I had chosen as possible songs to sing for the task. By the time I had made it to my house, my mind was made up. Mum's car wasn't out the front so I knew she was going to be working late. I went inside and plugged my iPod into the stereo and started practicing.
The next morning I was the first one in the choir room again. I was hoping to be able to sing my song first, that's how excited I was. Slowly the other glee kids started arriving too.
"Morning Amy" Finn greeted me as he took his seat.
"Morning Finn" I smiled.
"Someone is happy this morning" Quinn smiled as she sat on my other side.
"Just excited to be able to sing again" I confessed.
"Maybe you should have joined Glee ages ago" she laughed.
When everyone was seated and Mr. Shue had arrived Finn stood up and made an announcement.
"So Valentines Day is coming up and this year I'm going to run a kissing booth to raise money for us, the glee club" he said.
There was a mixed reaction from the class, some were for the idea and others were strongly against it. I didn't see what the big deal was about, after all the money would be going to getting the glee club to regionals.
"I dunno, I've kissed Finn and I gotta say it is not worth a buck" Santana boasted.
"There is no need to be such a buzz kill" I shot at her.
"I'm sorry no one spoke to you new girl" she snarled.
"Santana lay off" Quinn snapped.
"GUYS!" Mr. Shue yelled, "Knock it off"
Finn sat back down and we went on with the class. Mr. Shue shook his head at us; I could see things getting a little frustrating for him.
"Ok so do I have any volunteers to go first for this week's task?"
Two hands shot up straight away. One was mine and the other one was Rachel's, which surprised no one.
"Ok Amy the floor is all yours" he smiled at my enthusiasm.
"Wait Mr. Shue that's not fair, my hand was clearly raised first" Rachel protested.
"I think it's very fair" Mercedes disagreed.
"Yeah it's her first week of glee and you always go first" Quinn added.
I was a little surprised that Quinn was standing up for me so much. When she was a cheerio, she had actually pushed me to the ground one day and didn't even realize. I was seeing a different side of her than what I had expected.
"That's only because my talent out shines the rest of this room" she argued, "and that is hardly my fault".
"Fine goes first Rachel" I didn't want to be the cause of an argument in my first week.
"No Amy, you will go first and Rachel will wait" Mr. Shue said angrily.
Rachel sat back down and huffed loudly enough for us all to hear. If you asked me she was turning out to be a real brat. I tried ignoring her muttered insults and got my stuff ready.
"Ok so as you know this task is about you guys and in only two days I have seen how awesome some of you guys can be, so I dedicate this to you"
I giggled a little as Brittany awed at me. I looked over at the band and nodded.
"Right, right, turn off the lights
we're gonna lose our minds tonight
what's the dealio?
I love when it's all too much
5 a.m. turn the radio up
where's the rock 'n roll?
Party crasher, penny snatcher
Call me up if you're a gangster
don't be fancy, just get dancy
why so serious?
So raise your glass if you are wrong
In all the right ways, all my underdogs
We will never be, never be anything but loud
And nitty gritty, dirty little freaks
Won't you come on and come on and
Raise your glass!
Just come on and come on and
Raise your glass!
Slam, slam, oh hot damn
what part of a party don't you understand?
Wish you'd just freak out
(Freak out already)
Can't stop, coming in hot
I should be locked up right on the spot
It's so on right now
Party crasher, penny snatcher
Call me up if you're a gangster
Don't be fancy, just get dancy
Why so serious?
So raise your glass if you are wrong
In all the right ways, all my underdogs
We will never be, never be anything but loud
And nitty gritty, dirty little freaks
Won't you come on and come on and
Raise your glass!
Just come on and come on and
Raise your glass!
Won't you come on and come on and
Raise your glass!
Just come on and come on and
Raise your glass!
So if you're too school for cool
And you're treated like a fool
(You're treated like a fool)
You can choose to let it go
We can always, we can always party on our own
So raise your
So raise your glass if you are wrong
In all the right ways, all my underdogs
We will never be, never be anything but loud
And nitty gritty, dirty little freaks
So raise your glass if you are wrong
In all the right ways, all my underdogs
We will never be, never be anything but loud
And nitty gritty, dirty little freaks
Won't you come on and come on and
Raise your glass!
Just come on and come on and
Raise your glass!
Won't you come on and come on and
Raise your glass for me!
Just come on and come on and
Raise your glass for me!"
By the end of the song I had most of the room up and dancing with me and I had to admit it was a lot of fun. I high fived Finn and sat back down.
"Thanks for that" Mr. Shue smiled.
We didn't have time in the end for Rachel's performance and she wasn't very amused. I walked with Quinn to our next class. I was really starting to like Quinn and I think the feeling was mutual.
"Hey thanks for sticking up for me earlier" I thanked her.
"Its ok, Man hands needs to be put back into place once in a while", she smiled.
I wasn't sure what was with the whole 'man hands' comment, but I was more than sure it was about Rachel. I could understand Quinn's hostility towards Rachel, after all Rachel was the one that told Finn that the baby was really Puck's.
"Anyway pass me your phone" Quinn held out her hand.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and handed it to her. She typed something in and handed it back to me.
"There that's my number if you ever wanna talk" she smiled.
"Cool, thanks heaps"
I typed a message and sent it to Quinn's phone. She pulled her phone out of her bag and saved my number too. The strange thing was, this probably never would have happened if she was still a Cheerio.
