When I said I wouldn't return to this universe... I lied! Jet is just way too much fun to write :). That being said, Purple Summer is essential reading for this! I know its long, but I think its cute. In the same way PS destroyed the plot of Spring Awakening, this fic will eventually destroy Rent! So if you haven't seen it, I advise you get the DVD out
I don't own anyone but Jet and her parents!
Massive thanks to Sassy26 for editing this chapter... I'm starting to doubt my writing ability without her holding my hand.
"This place is a pimple on the asshole of the world." Rachel checked the ID on her phone.
"Jet, is that you?" Rachel asked. She heard a heavy sigh.
"Alas, it is." Jet replied.
"Why do you sound like you just found out that Audrey didn't sing in My Fair Lady?" Rachel asked.
"Because my dad got a new job opportunity. Unfortunately, that job opportunity means I have to move to fucking Lima." Jet grizzled.
"Tina and I live in Lima. That has to be a plus." Rachel said.
"I won't lie, it is a small cherry on the top of an enormous shit sundae." Jet replied.
"We're checking out a house as we speak. It's kinda nice, I guess. Big, has this stone garden feature thing in the front yard. There's a hot tub, and my bedroom will be on a different floor to my parents, thank Barbara. There is nothing more traumatic than hearing your parents going at it like mangy cats." Jet summarised. Rachel raised an eyebrow at Jet's description. She looked out the window.
"Ok, go out the front of the house. Look at the house across the road, and one to the right." Rachel said. Rachel quickly pulled her blinds right up. She saw Jet walk out of the house and look around, confused. Rachel waved furiously.
"You, my dear Ilse, are looking at my house." Rachel explained. Jet jumped in excitement.
"No fucking way. No fucking way!" She said. She saw Jet turn tail and run.
"Moooom! Moooom! Daddy! We have to live here!" She heard Jet start to call. Rachel slid on a pair of flip-flops and quickly typed out a text.
"I'll come out into my front yard, k?" By the time that Rachel had closed the front door and walked down the steps of her porch, she felt the wind knocked out of her, and her centre of gravity thrown abruptly off balance.
"Berrycakes! I missed you like a junkie mixes their fix!" Jet cried. Rachel burst out laughing.
"I missed you too baby!" She managed to reply. Jet eventually rolled off Rachel and the pair of them lay on the grass, grinning like idiots. Jet quickly snapped a shot of the two of them.
"Bridget, what on earth are you doing? Get up off these nice people's lawn immediately, and start acting like the lady you are!" Mrs. Andretti hissed.
"Hey mom. You remember Rachel, right?" Jet said, propping herself up on her elbows. It was clear from her tone that Jet's words held a hint of challenge. Rachel sat up.
"It's nice to see you again, Mrs. Andretti." Rachel said politely. Mrs. Andretti looked Rachel up and down.
"You were the one that took her clothes off for that last play, aren't you?" She asked. Rachel nodded. The way Jet's mom said it; anyone would think that Rachel was a stripper in training.
"That would be me. How are you finding Lima so far?" Rachel enquired politely. Mrs. Andretti straightened her salmon coloured skirt and blazer set, which served only to highlight every bulge on the short woman's frame.
"Just fine. Now, what are you doing, lying on the grass here?" Mrs. Andretti asked.
"Oh, Rachel lives here. With her two gay dads." Jet supplied. She adjusted her aviator sunglasses, and pulled her jar of peanut butter out of her bag. She slowly licked a spoonful.
"Aren't you glad daddy just made an offer on that gorgeous home?" Bridget asked. Rachel had to hide her giggle when Mrs. Andretti turned the same colour as her ill fitted suit. Jet stood up abruptly.
"Daddy! You never got to meet Rachel. Rachel, this is my dad, Antonio, Dad, this is Rachel, the cheese to my crackers." Jet said. Rachel smiled. It was obvious that Jet was daddy's little girl, and then some.
"It's very nice to meet you, Mr. Andretti." Rachel said, offering her hand.
"Tony, please. Mr. Andretti makes me sound anally retentive." Tony said.
"I can remember Tony." She said with a grin.
"Jet tells me you're moving here to Lima." Rachel said. Tony nodded.
"I work for OSU. We're moving here because I've been offered tenure and head of Art History." Tony explained.
"Oh, cool. My daddy is head of English Lit at OSU."
"Why are you referring to my daughter as a plane?" Mrs. Andretti interjected. Jet groaned.
"Mother, we have been over this a thousand time. My name is Bridget right? Let's play with the syllables. Brii-Jet. Brii-Jet. See, get rid of the Brii part and you get Jet. You know, sometimes friends give other friends nicknames, but I think you'd have to have…"
"You'll have to come over for dinner once you're settled in your new home." Rachel cut Jet off hastily.
"That sounds fantastic." Tony answered.
"Suggestion?" Jet said, raising her hand slightly.
"Yes, Bridget?" Mrs. Andretti answered impatiently.
"I know the move is fast and we were gonna stay in a motel until all our stuff gets moved down, but I'm going to propose-and you're cool to reject me Berrycakes- that you guys stay in a motel alone and I squat on Rachel's floor until the house is ready. I mean I can make sure that our stuff gets moved in without being destroyed, dad can get to work planning his courses and mom, and you can do the important stuff like finding us a doctor, and a new liquor store, and all those other things you prioritise." Jet proposed. Rachel smiled.
"My dads love taking in strays. It's not a problem from my end." Rachel said.
"Well, I suppose it would keep you out of my hair. You can manage enrolling yourself at school?" Mrs. Andretti asked. Jet nodded.
"Do you object?" Mrs. Andretti asked her husband. He shrugged.
"Oh, let Bella enjoy the last days of her summer vacation." He said.
"Yes! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Jet said. She hugged her dad, before awkwardly patting her mother on the shoulder. She ran to move her car (she'd insisted on driving separately, so that she wasn't forced to hang out with her mom the whole time) over to the Berry's driveway.
Rachel sent her dads text messages explaining what had transpired. Rachel quickly changed the sheets on the bed in the guest room, and helped Jet unpack her belongings (Jet was the proud owner of a car-drobe). Jet came into Rachel's room and flopped into her bed.
"What are our plans?" Jet asked. Rachel looked over at Jet.
"Well, my dads are in Dayton until tomorrow afternoon. My mom is coming over tonight for dinner." Rachel said. Jet nodded.
"You want me to make myself scarce?" Jet asked.
"Because my mom is over? No!" She replied. Jet shrugged.
"Fair enough dude. I'll do my best not to taint the mommy daughter bonding." Jet said.
"Well, Shelby's actually pretty cool, and Beth is just gorgeous." Rachel said.
"Tell me that's not a little creepy. I mean, your boyfriend's kid is your sister now?" Jet inquired. Rachel shrugged.
"Well, I'm not exactly the model of a nuclear family, am I?" Rachel said. She sat down.
"The girl is all Noah, so that can be a bit confronting, I guess. He's been over a few times when Shelby's been here, but he's coping surprisingly well. Shelby's obviously quite understanding of the whole connecting with your kid thing, so she's happy for Noah to be involved with Beth and I think that's enough for him." Rachel said. Jet nodded.
"Man, show choir was never this interesting in Columbus." She commented. Rachel laughed.
"You're joining ours though, right?" She asked. Jet nodded.
"Oh yeah." Jet said. Rachel looked up at the collage of photos on her wall of her Spring Awakening experience.
"Come on." Rachel said. She pulled Jet up and dragged her to the car. They drove a few streets, and Rachel pulled up at a cement rendered two story home. Rachel knocked on a door.
"Hey Mrs. Cohen-Chang! Is Tina in?" Rachel asked.
"She's in her room, listening to music." Mrs. Cohen-Chang answered. Rachel thanked her, grabbed Jet's hand and dragged her up the stairs. They swung Tina's door open without knocking, and pounced on her still form, pulling out her headphones.
"What the hell?" Tina burst out. She sat up abruptly and then shrieked with joy.
"Oh my gosh! What the heck are you doing here Jet?"
"I'm moving to the speck on a map you two call home!" Jet replied excitedly.
"No way! That's too cool!" Tina said.
"I'm staying with Rachel until our move can be finalised." Jet explained.
"She's moving across the road from me." Rachel added.
"This is so great. It's like a Spring family reunion." Tina said. They fell into comfortable silence.
"I miss everyone." Rachel commented.
"Agreed." Tina said.
"I can't believe Jesse and Christian are old enough for college. Makes me wanna check for crow's feet." Jet added in an off-handed tone.
"He's settled in California." Rachel informed them.
"Hasn't kissed one cute boy yet, which I find disappointing, but he's loving the sun and he can't wait for classes to get started." Rachel added.
"You miss him like crazy, right?" Jet asked. Rachel nodded fervently.
"Like you wouldn't believe. I mean; we spent nearly every day together, so to not see him is just bizarre." Rachel said.
"Thank God for Skype?" Tina asked. Rachel nodded.
"Pretty much. And text messaging." She said. Jet started to rifle through Tina's closet.
"You have some really cute stuff in here." Jet commented, pulling out a tutu style skirt and trying it on.
"Thanks Jet. You're welcome to closet invade anytime." Tina replied.
"I'll hold you to that!" Jet said threateningly. Rachel checked her phone.
"Jet, I've got to get back and start cooking." Rachel said.
"Hey, is it cool if I hang out here for a while?" Jet asked Tina.
"Rachel's mom is having dinner at the Berry's," Tina shrugged.
"It's fine by me." she said. Rachel hugged both girls.
"I'll call you when she leaves, and I'll come pick you up." Rachel said to Jet.
"No problems. I can wander home if it's easier. It's Lima! What are the chances of some psycho cult leader stealing me away as their virgin sacrifice?" Jet asked.
"Wait, don't answer that. It's always the small towns that have creepy ass skeletons in their closets. Ok, have fun with your mom!" Jet said, ushering Rachel out the door.
"Cooking is definitely a skill that is nurture, not nature." Shelby said, pushing away her plate, which once held Greek salad and lamb skewers cooked on the barbeque. Rachel smiled and picked the plate up.
"I don't even think that it's nurture. Dad and daddy are both hopeless in the kitchen. Josie taught me how to cook three summers ago." She said as she walked to kitchen to rinse the plates. Shelby followed Rachel and boiled the kettle. She began to prepare formula for a bottle.
"So, how's life post show?" Shelby asked. Rachel paused from wiping the bench.
"It's strange. I have all this extra time on my hands." Rachel said.
"I mean, I'm also back at home and not with Josie and Leon, so that's odd. I've been filling up my time hanging out with Tina, who was also in the show and Noah as well." Rachel said. Shelby nodded and began to shake the sealed bottle.
"But how do you feel?" Shelby asked. Rachel sighed.
"I am so proud of the work I did in that show. I really am. But I miss the cast like crazy and the fact that Jesse is how many states away makes my heart ache. The week after getting home was so surreal. I could eat dairy and I didn't have to worry about a scary director eating me for running late to a rehearsal." Rachel said.
"I know all of those feelings so well." Shelby sympathised. Rachel raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"Oh, I was quite the amateur musical theatre goddess." Shelby explained. She walked out of the living room and picked Beth up out of her baby carrier. She soothed the baby for a moment and then began to feed her. Rachel sat down near Shelby's feet.
"Do you miss it?" Rachel asked. Shelby pondered Rachel's words.
"I haven't done a real show in years. I'm happy to be behind the scenes." Shelby paused.
"But the rush? The feeling you get when the audience screams when you hit that sweet note at the height of the song? The feeling you get when you walk offstage after you completely kill a show? Yeah, I miss that. I miss that like crazy." Shelby said.
"How do you cope? I mean; I'm practically Tinkerbell; without applause, I'm nothing." Rachel moped. Shelby reached out and touched Rachel's cheek, in that natural, maternal way she just had.
"You are gonna make it, and you'll cause a sensation like nobody else before you. You've got the goods, and the guts to back it up with hard work. That much, I'm sure of, so don't worry about needing applause to survive, because one day soon people will pay you to hear it eight times a week." Shelby added. Rachel smiled at her with wet eyes.
"Really?" She asked. Shelby nodded.
"Of course! I wouldn't say it if I didn't believe it." She said. Rachel grinned and stretched out on the floor. Shelby put the empty bottle down on the floor and put a cloth over her shoulder to burp Beth.
"One of the girls in the show is moving across the street from me." Rachel said conversationally.
"Oh yeah?" Shelby asked.
"Yeah. She's staying here for now because she and her mom just antagonise each other like you would not believe, but I'm excited. I might start the school year with people who actually like me." Rachel said.
"What do you mean, actually like you?" Shelby asked. Rachel looked up at her.
"I'm surprised Jesse didn't mention it to you. I'm not very well liked at school. Most of the Glee club resents my talent and don't understand my drive; the rest of the school just thinks I'm a freak. I've spent most of my high school career washing slushie out of my hair." Rachel explained calmly. Shelby nearly dropped Beth in shock
"Excuse me?" She asked. Rachel ran a hand through her hair.
"Why have your dads done nothing about this?" Shelby demanded.
"Because they don't know." Rachel said simply.
"I have two gay dads. I'm determined to get my name up in lights. I'm enough of an oddity as it is at school, I don't need to disturb the pecking order more by complaining about a few idiots with more money for slushies than sense." Rachel said.
"So you've just been letting them trample you?" Shelby asked.
"I'm being resilient. If I can't cope with the icy cold humiliation of a slushie in my face, how will I cope with a casting agent telling me to get a nose job and to do dirty, under the table things with him to get a part?" Rachel countered. Shelby gave her a look.
"It'll be something to laugh about on Oprah one day." Rachel added.
"Baby, really, there's being resilient and there's letting people take advantage of you." Shelby said.
"Noah used to slushie me." Rachel blurted out.
"He used to slushie me a lot. But then, after he joined glee, he was slushied himself because he dated me for a few days." Rachel explained.
"They're idiots. They don't know what they're doing. They're going to stay here, enjoying obscurity, and I'll leave them all for dead. I don't have the power to do anything about it now, come on, have you met our principal? He thought Tina was a vampire, for goodness sake!" Rachel added. Shelby drew a deep breath.
"And Schuester hasn't done a thing about it?" She asked.
"Not really. He's all about team unity, but I don't know how far that extends to me." Rachel said. Shelby shook her head. She exhaled a calming breath.
"You obviously seem to have developed coping mechanisms to deal with this." Shelby started.
"All I will say is this. It is not a crime to stand up for yourself. And as for those Glee kids? They all came to see your show, didn't they?"
"I know for a fact that Kurt and Mercedes only came because Tina was in the show." Rachel said.
"And didn't you go out afterwards with some of the other people?" Shelby asked. Rachel nodded.
"Were they awful then?" Shelby enquired. Rachel shook her head.
"That's got to say something then! Besides, they might have finally worked out that there's a reason you are the way you are. Yes, you might be a little bit of a control freak, with more ambition than most people in this town can imagine, but look at what you can do!" Shelby marvelled. Rachel frowned.
"I think that doing the show helped explain you a little better. All that drive and focus is what had people leaving the theatre in tears. If they can't see that, then they're idiots." Shelby said. Rachel smiled.
"I can work with that." She said. Shelby returned her daughter's determined smile.
"I'm really glad. And so we're clear, no daughter of mine is a freak." Shelby said firmly. Rachel sat up on the couch and looked at a peaceful Beth resting in Shelby's arms.
"We are an incredibly good looking bunch, aren't we?" Rachel declared. Beth let out a gurgle in response.
Transferring all of Jet's academic records and such over to McKinley was surprisingly painless.
"We'll see you girls on Monday." The receptionist said cheerfully.
"Nobody should be that happy to have a bunch of acne ridden, hormone stuffed teenagers return to school." Jet breathed as they walked out the door. Rachel giggled.
"She could be a closet kink case. Torturing herself and others could give her a kick." Rachel suggested. Jet stopped abruptly.
"Thank you, Berrycakes, for a mental image that will never again leave my head." Jet shuddered. Rachel wrinkled her nose.
"Yeah, sorry about that. It was one of those things that sounded better in my head. On the upside, we get to go buy new school supplies!" Rachel said. Jet waved her hands around.
"Don't you judge me because I like buying new stationery. Between that and redecorating my locker, it's the best part of going back to school." Rachel said. Jet nodded.
"On that, we agree." She said. Rachel drove to the local stationery supply place. She and Jet spent the next hour picking out books, pencil cases and folders.
"I don't know why anyone would ever toss one of these in someone's face. They're ridiculously tasty." Jet said through a mouthful of slushie.
"I don't know what you're talking about. You're drinking cherry flavour. It tastes like cough syrup." Rachel said, sipping elegantly at her grape flavoured drink.
"Here's the deal. You need to get used to a new pecking order. Glee at McKinley? We're nothing. We're like, even less cool than the chess club kids." Rachel said. Jet frowned.
"How is that even possible?" She asked incredulously. Rachel shrugged.
"I don't know. That's just the way it is. Gleek is an insult, and be prepared for the jocks and cheerleaders to push you around like you're dirt." Rachel said. Jet stretched back on her seat.
"Thanks for letting me know." She said, stretching back in her seat. If that movie Australia had taught her one thing other than she wanted to lick Hugh Jackman's abs, it was just because things are, doesn't mean they should be. McKinley High was about to get rocked by Hurricane Bridget.
It was the first day back at school. Jet had barely said a word all morning and sat mutely huddled over her diet coke. Rachel ushered her to the car, put the top down and flicked through her playlists until she came across one that she knew Jet would appreciate. Across the Universe began to play gently out of Rachel's speakers. Jet smiled.
Rachel made a quick stop to pick up Tina. By then, Jet was behaving a lot more favourably and had even begun to form coherent sentences.
When they were a few streets away from the school, Rachel leaned over and adjusted the volume of the stereo. Wide grins spread across the faces of Jet and Tina.
"Girls! Pick up your cues!" Rachel teased. By the time they were pulling up to school, they were singing along with the music boisterously.
Yeah, you're fucked all right; and all for spite
You can kiss your sorry ass goodbye
Totally fucked; will they mess you up?
Well you know they're gonna try
Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
Blah blah blah blah blah
Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
Blah blah blah blah blah
Rachel pulled into a parking spot, and joined the girls in the dance moves.
Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
Blah blah blah blah blah
Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
Blah blah blah blah blah
Totally fucked!
Rachel reluctantly turned the ignition off.
"Guess it's time to face the fact that we're juniors." Rachel sighed.
"Time to shake things up." Jet said with a grin. She got out of the car, adjusted her denim playsuit and the braided ribbon that was sitting across her forehead, hippie style, and threw on her aviators. She pulled her peanut butter out of her oversized calico bag, and took a spoonful. Rachel linked arms with Tina, and then Jet. They walked in the front doors of the school.
"Welcome to William McKinley High School." Tina said. Jet nodded and looked around. Really, it was like every other school in the Midwest.
"So, I'ma thinking that we need to get class schedules, lockers, and then get me signed up for glee?" Jet said. Rachel shrugged. She felt someone pinch her hip. She turned around and grinned.
"Hey gorgeous." Puck greeted her. Rachel smiled up at him.
"Hey yourself." She said. She let him kiss her good morning.
"Morning T. And a very special good morning to you, Jet." Puck added with a friendly wink. Jet smiled.
"Now that's what I like to hear." She said.
"Rach told me you're transferred here." Puck commented.
"My dad got a better job here in Lima, so apparently we all have to suffer for it." Jet explained.
"Lima isn't THAT bad." Tina said. Jet raised an eyebrow at her.
"Tell me, how is it not that bad?" Jet demanded.
"You could live in one of those communities where you end up the seventeenth wife of some cruddy old man." Tina suggested.
"Or an Amish community." Rachel added.
"Or in Alaska." Tina supplied. Jet raised her hands in defeat.
"Ok, ok, comparably, Lima isn't that bad!" Jet said. Tina's face cracked into a wide grin as Artie wheeled up.
"Good morning." He said chirpily.
"Hi, I'm Jet." Jet said, sticking her hand out. Artie smiled and took it.
"Hey, I'm Artie. You sang with Tina in Spring Awakening, right?" He said.
"I did indeed. Hopefully I'll be singing with a few more of you. I'm hoping to join your Glee club." Jet said.
"Cool. Fresh blood can't hurt." He said. He waved goodbye and wheeled off to his homeroom with Puck.
"So, when exactly will you two stop staring at each other all wide and dopey eyed, and become a sushi train?" Jet asked. Rachel burst into giggles.
"Ok, first of all, I'm Korean, and second of all, I'm old fashioned. Is it so much for me to want him to ask me out?" Tina asked.
"That's a fair argument." Rachel said.
"Berrycakes, not helping!" Jet said. Rachel shrugged.
"If she wants chivalry, she's entitled to it. Even Noah asked me out." Rachel pointed out.
"Hey Rachel!" Someone called out. Rachel turned around to see Brittany waving. Rachel grinned and waved back.
"Have you grown out of argyle and knee socks?" Santana asked. Rachel was now better versed in Santana-speak and took the teasing in her stride.
"Apparently." Rachel replied.
"Don't take this the wrong way, but Jet, I'm sure you didn't go to school here last year." Quinn said. Jet sipped her diet coke.
"You're not going insane. I transferred over on Friday." She explained. Quinn nodded.
"Cool." She said. The bell rang. Jet rifled through the multitude of paperwork she was given upon enrolment.
"Apparently I'm in room 128 for homeroom. Where the fuck is that?" She asked.
"You're with me. Don't worry, Bee, I'll get her to class safe." Santana said. Rachel nodded, and headed off to her own class.
"Well, at least in this strange and unfamiliar place I can be comforted in the knowledge that the cafeteria food here is just as crappy as the stuff I used to eat." Jet commented; admiring the texture of what the cafeteria lady promised was spaghetti.
"My nonna would die if she saw me eating this." Jet said.
"I told you that you'd want the salad daddy left for you in the refrigerator." Rachel said.
"Gee, you don't have a problem with I told you so at all, do you?" Jet asked. Rachel shrugged. Jet pulled out her peanut butter and attacked it with gusto. Puck sat down with Rachel, closely followed by Finn, Matt and Mike. A few minutes later, Santana and Brittany joined them. Quinn came soon after, flanked by Kurt and Mercedes. Bringing up the rear were Tina and Artie.
Jet spied the way that Kurt and Mercedes were whispering frantically and throwing dirty looks towards her and Rachel.
"At least they're upfront about it." She muttered to Rachel.
"Just ignore them. I do." Rachel replied. Rachel checked her phone.
"Oh my gosh! Did you know that Christian transferred to UCLA?" Rachel asked.
"What?" Jet responded.
"Yeah. I just got a text from Jesse. He was worried about his new roommate, and today after he came back from the gym, he found Christian in his room, unpacking his stuff." Rachel explained.
"Wow, that's actually really cool. Means that Dad didn't end up with some creepy homophobe as a roomie." Tina commented. Rachel nodded. Jet quickly snagged a mouthful of Rachel's salad.
"My mom would die if she knew I had a meal of peanut butter and diet coke." Jet defended herself.
"And when exactly did you start caring what your mother thinks?" Rachel asked. Jet's answer was interrupted by the sound of two jock douches starting to wrestle on one of the cafeteria table.
"Jet, that is your formal welcome to McKinley high." Quinn offered magnanimously.
"So, exactly why are we letting her audition? We're fine as we are." Mercedes complained. Kurt nodded furiously with her.
"You guys know the drill. I've never once said no to anybody wanting to audition for the club, and I for one would be more comfortable if we had more than the minimum number of members in the club. Jet is fantastic, and I think she'll be a strong addition to the group." Mr. Schue placated Mercedes and Kurt.
"Because Rachel's friends joining Glee hasn't lead to disaster in the past." Kurt bitched. He let out a cough that was instantly recognisable as Jesse St James.
"That isn't fair Kurt. Rachel didn't know that Jesse had auditioned, and as New Directions faculty director, I get the final say on who makes the cut." Mr. Schue said firmly.
"There's also the small matter of me having more versatility in my big toe than you have in your whole body." Jet added.
"Wanna say that again?" Mercedes started. Jet adjusted one of her many bangles and bracelets calmly.
"I've seen the recordings of all your performances. You've got an impressive screech Mercedes, but I'm afraid that's all you've got." Jet stated.
"And you can do better?" Kurt asked. Jet shrugged.
"Of course I can. I wouldn't mouth off if I couldn't back it up, would I?" Jet said easily.
"Ok, guys, smack talk aside, Jet, why don't you show us something." Mr. Schue suggested. Jet smiled charmingly.
"Anything in particular you'd like to see?" She asked.
"Just give us whatever you're comfortable with." Mr Schue said. Jet nodded. She leaned over to the band.
"My fellow glee clubbers, today, I'd like to pay my respects to a fellow redhead." Jet said by way of introduction.
What a shame we all became such fragile, broken things.
A memory remains just a tiny spark.
I give it all my oxygen,
to let the flames begin.
to let the flames begin.
Oh, glory.
Oh, glory.
Jet couldn't help it. She let her inner guidette out and began to fist pump along with the drums
This is how we'll dance when,
When they try to take us down.
This is what we'll be.
Oh, glory.
Somewhere weakness is our strength,
And I'll die searching for it.
I can't let myself regret such selfishness.
My pain and all the trouble caused,
No matter how long
I believe that there's hope
Buried beneath it all and
Hiding beneath it all, and
Growing beneath it all, and...
This is how we'll dance when,
When they try to take us down
This is how we'll sing it.
This is how we'll stand when
When they burn our houses down.
This is what will be.
Oh, glory.
Reaching as I sink down into light.
Reaching as I sink down into light.
This is how we'll dance when,
When they try to take us down
This is how we'll sing it.
This is how we'll stand when,
When they burn our houses down.
This is what we'll be.
Oh, glory.
Jet shot Mercedes and Kurt a triumphant look.
"Would you like to hear anything else?" She asked innocently. She gave Rachel a high five as she sat down.
"Ok, here we go guys. This year I want to mix it up a bit, and get some different people singing together." Mr. Schue started. Rachel could feel a glare on her back.
"Ok, I don't know why you two are staring at me. I just finished a run in an ensemble musical." Rachel bit out.
"That you just happened to play the lead in." Kurt said with a hint of sarcasm.
"Because that was in my control. I walked into the audition room with an AK-47 and threatened to blow the head off the director if he didn't cast me as Wendla. I just had a minor brain aneurysm and forgot about that." Rachel snapped. She looked over at Mr. Schue.
"Ok, guys, I'd actually start with Matt and Santana on leads for this number." He said, handing out sheet music to America from West Side Story. Santana and Matt walked up to the piano and began to learn the solos.
"Ooh, West Side Story, I can't believe how somebody isn't crying over how the lead belongs to her." Kurt whispered under his breath.
"I'm sorry, have you seen West Side Story? Maria isn't even in this scene." Tina finally hissed. Rehearsal continued as a whispered exchange of snarky comments.
"Ok, that's it for today." Mr. Schue called out. He stopped Rachel as she was heading out the door.
"Can I talk to you for a second?" He asked her. Rachel nodded.
"I'll wait for you outside, babe." Puck said to her with a wink. Rachel smiled.
"Is there a problem, Mr. Schue?" Rachel asked. She took a seat on one of the stools.
"Rehearsal today. That wasn't like you at all." Mr. Schue said.
"It isn't a crime to stand up for yourself. You seem to be more than happy to watch them trample me, and I've had enough of it. They can't treat me like that anymore. Mr. Schue, I know I can be abrasive and a little bit obnoxious, but I've also proven that there's a reason for it. You saw me in Spring Awakening. I'm good. I'm really good at what I do. I don't understand why I have to pretend that I can't do something just so they can feel good about themselves. There's room for all of us in this show choir, and I will not allow them to treat me like a dog any longer." Rachel said. She stood up and headed towards the door.
"What caused the change in attitude?" Mr Schue asked. Rachel turned around.
"I have friends who love me and a mom who doesn't think I'm a freak." She said simply. She headed out the door. She stopped and turned around again.
"You always talk about how Glee club is an opportunity for everyone to shine. I agree. We can all be stars, but I'm not going to act like I'm not destined for greatness because somebody else wants the spotlight. You're going to have to find a way to reconcile that into your teaching moments." Rachel told him, before walking out the door with a flourish.
"What was that about?" Puck asked her, slipping his arm around her shoulders.
"Mr. Schue wanted to know why I stopped ignoring Kurt and Mercedes." Rachel explained.
"Because you finally realised they're douches?" He asked. Rachel giggled.
"Something like that. I mean, I realise I'm a lot to be jealous of, but still, there's no need to get petty." Rachel said. She broke into a wide grin when Puck moved them into an alcove between lockers and started to kiss her.
"You're sexy when you know you're hot shit." Puck said between kisses.
"So I should stand up for myself more often?" Rachel asked. Puck bit at her lower lip gently.
"Absolutely." He said.
"I will if I'm going to get rewarded like this." Rachel said breathily. Puck pulled her in for another searing kiss.
"I can do that." He said. Rachel pulled away from him and smiled.
"We should go." She said. She stepped out of the alcove, adjusted her dress and started walking to her car with him.
"What did Mr. Schue want?" Tina asked. Rachel shrugged.
"Just wanted to ask me about the show, really." Rachel said breezily. She sat down in the driver's seat. As she drove off, Jet wound the window down
"Nice lip gloss Puckerman!" She called out the window.
Rachel surveyed Jet's newly decorated room.
"Mom's going to hate it!" Jet said gleefully. Rachel rolled her eyes.
"Why do you like antagonising her so much?" She asked. Jet shrugged.
"She doesn't get me. It doesn't matter what I do, it's never good enough. It's like, why try, when she's going to hate it anyway? Now I just do what I like, and if it just so happens that it annoys the crap out of her, then woohoo." Jet explained. Rachel nodded.
"Makes sense." Rachel said.
"Lima isn't anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be." Jet commented.
"Ha! I knew it!" Rachel said.
"Yeah, yeah, don't get too excited." Jet said. The girls both jumped when Jet's laptop began to make obnoxious ringing noises.
"Whose Skype-ing me?" Jet wondered. She made a few clicks and grinned broadly.
"Hey strangers!" Jet said. The smiling faces of Jesse and Christian reflected on the screen.
"We finally got you!" Christian said.
"How are you guys?" Rachel asked.
"Can't complain. Classes are good…" Christian began
"Momma! I kissed the cutest boy known to mankind. Blue eyes, curly blonde hair, and build like Adonis! Are you proud?" Jesse interjected. Rachel squealed.
"I'm very proud. Good work bubby." Rachel said.
"We need photos." Jet added.
"Sorry, Christian, you were saying?" Rachel said.
"Oh, nothing much. Classes are good, weather is awesome." He said.
"I have to attest to that. Girls, hurry up and graduate." Jesse added.
"Oh yeah, how's Lima?" Christian laughed.
"Actually, Jet was just saying that it wasn't as bad as she thought it was going to be." Rachel shot out.
"I have to agree. It's not as awful as I initially anticipated." Jet admitted.
"Having fun with Nude Erections?" Jesse enquired innocently.
"Mostly. I still haven't worked how I can cover Kurt and Mercedes in honey and feed them to fire ants and make it look like an accident." Jet mused.
"Are they still being jerks?" Jesse asked. Rachel nodded.
"Of course they are. I've stopped letting them walk all over me though." Rachel said.
"Good on you babe!" Jesse said. Soon after that, their connection cut out, and try as she might, Jet couldn't get it back.
"I think that be my cue to leave." Rachel said. Jet walked her to the front door and hugged her.
"See you tomorrow. Thanks for helping with my room." Jet said. Rachel gave a dramatic parting wave and jogged home.
Rachel and Jet were walking down the hall when they caught a look at the familiar sight of Azimio and Karovsky harassing Kurt.
"Just hide it away, faggot. I don't want to know about your freaky ass raping." Karofsky said as he walked away. Jet saw red. She threw her bag at Rachel, and charged down Karofsky. She grabbed him by the shirt and threw him against a row of lockers.
"You want to say that again?" She asked. When Karofsky didn't answer, she slammed him against the lockers.
"Listen here, Neanderthal. I hear the word faggot escape your lips again, you will be begging for death before I'm finished with you. I'm from Sicily bitch, like the fucking Mafia, and my uncles have taught me things that would make your hair curl." She growled. The sound of her knee connecting with his groin echoed around the unusually silent corridor.
"Let me make myself clear. I hear the word faggot from you and your cronies again; I go for the cigar cutters. Got it?" Jet said in a deathly whisper. Karofsky nodded. She looked over at Azimio.
"Did you get the message, or do I need to deliver it personal?" She asked him. He nodded shakily. Jet shook her hair out and headed back to where Rachel, Kurt and Mercedes were standing in shock.
"You ok?" She asked. Kurt nodded.
"I'm fine." He said shakily. Jet nodded linked arms with Rachel, and started to walk down the hallway.
"Why did you do that?" Mercedes called out. Jet turned around.
"You don't even like us." Kurt added. Jet shrugged.
"You're right. I hate both of your sorry asses. Kurt, I think you're the biggest cliché of a gay guy I've ever met and Mercedes, you cover your insecurities by trying to be head bitch." Jet said. Mercedes started to speak.
"Uh-uh, wasn't finished. You're right, I can't stand either of you, because frankly, you're pricks, but apparently you're pricks whom I happen to be on the same team as. That's enough. You stand up for your teammates. That's just how it goes." Jet said. She grabbed Rachel and walked down the hallway with her.
"Loca, did you just nut Karofsky?" Santana asked. Jet nodded.
"I don't get you guys. What is the worst he can possibly do?" Jet said.
"He's kind of psychic. He does stuff like throw bricks through people's living rooms windows for fun." Brittany supplied. Puck came running up, tailed by the other jocks, and grabbed Rachel.
"You ok?" He asked.
"I'm fine. Jet was the one to put the fear of God in Karofsky. About damn time too." Rachel said.
"I'm fine too, Puck. Thanks for your concern." Jet drawled sarcastically.
"I figured you could take care of yourself." Puck replied, his arm slipping around Rachel protectively. She rose onto her toes (unconsciously in fifth position) and pecked his lips reassuringly.
"Mercedes just told me what happened. Are you really in the Mafia?" Quinn asked, her green eyes wide.
"No, of course not." Jet laughed.
"My family is from the same area in Italy as the mafia. Naturally, I have family that knew major Mafiosi, and they've told me a story or two. They've never put a horse head in anybody's bed, or sent somebody to the fishies. But Karofsky doesn't need to know that, does he?" Jet explained.
"You're sneaky" Quinn accused, her lips twisting into a wry smile.
"I like it." Quinn decided. Jet returned Quinn's devious grin.
"Now we just make it seem like Santana's tight with the LA bloods, and let something slip about Chang's Bruce Lee martial arts skills, and we should be good." Jet said.
"Oh my god! I'm not Mexican! My parents are from Santiago de Compostela!" Santana groaned.
"And I'm not Tony Soprano's daughter. We work on rumours and infamy. Is Mike actually a ninja? I don't think so." Jet replied.
"Actually, I'm about to go for my brown belt in tae kwon doe." Mike supplied.
"Excellent. We have juice to back up what we're saying then." Jet nodded, impressed that her Sicilian temper was actually going to pay off. She paused thoughtfully.
"Can you teach me that wax on, wax off thing?" She asked Mike.
"That's karate." He answered, shaking his head.
"Well, whatever. I wanna learn how to unleash a whole bunch of whoopass." Jet said.
Jet's plan actually worked. There hadn't been a slushie in weeks, and there had been fewer dirty looks. The whispering, however, had increased dramatically.
"God, Sue would love you. You've created an environment of terror and silence." Quinn commented to Jet one day.
"Yeah, except I'd rather cut off my feet than be a cheerleader. They don't point their toes, and there is no room for real creativity." Jet said. Quinn admired a gaggle of red and white go past.
"But you miss it, right?" She asked perceptively. Quinn nodded.
"I miss being a legend. I miss people parting like the Red Sea when the head cheerleader walked down the hall." Quinn confided.
"I miss that sure, but is that really important? I don't have to look at food as the enemy anymore, and I belong to a team that's based on friendship, not terrorising other people."
"Besides, I don't think I could ever go back. I've grown too much in the past year. Carrying a baby to term gives you perspective, and makes you less susceptible to worrying about things like some other squad stealing your signature cheer." Quinn added.
"Well, I can't relate to all of that, but I get the sentiment." Jet replied.
"I'm really glad you came here." Quinn said.
"Rachel's suffered a lot, these past few years. A lot of it has been because of me. But she's mellowed out a lot. I can't tell if it's just you that's done that, or if Puck's been a good influence as well." Quinn said.
"I can't compare. But in all the time I've known Rachel, I've never seen this ego maniac freak that people seem determined to make her out as. True, she has a scary obsession with being on time, but as far as I can see; she's only ever wanted people to accept her. I think you have, which is really great. You're pretty cool Quinn, I'm glad I didn't have to kick your ass." Jet said.
"Wow, thanks." Quinn giggled, linking arms with Jet as they began to walk to Glee. They quietly took their seats.
"Ok, today I've got a new number for our very own version of Charlie's Angels. Jet, Quinn, Rachel; I want you to give this a try for the Spectacular, Spectacular night we've got coming up." Mr. Schue said, handing them all sheet music.
"Mr. Schue, I'm seeing costumes now." Jet said. They came up to the piano and began learning their parts for Candyman.
"I'd sound so much better on this. I've already proven that I can out Christina anyone." Mercedes stage whispered loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Oh relax Aretha. You're already singing lead vocals on like, five songs." Santana bit out.
"Be fair, Cedes. They do have the whole Andrews Sisters pin up girl look going on." Kurt placated her.
"They wouldn't be able to handle my chocolate thunder anyway." Mercedes determined, crossing her arms and attempting to look fierce.
"Ok, I think we're shaping up well at this stage. I've got a few more numbers that I'd like to play with, but I definitely think that the tribute night is going to be spectacular." Mr. Schue said. Jet grabbed Rachel and Quinn before they walked out the door.
"I say we rehearse this weekend." Jet said firmly.
"Wow, now I see why you two are friends." Quinn teased.
"Well, I can't on Sunday. I'm going to hang out with Shelby." Rachel said. Quinn checked her phone.
"I'm good for all weekend." Quinn confirmed.
"Excellent. Well, I say we don't rehearse at mine, because my mom is kind of a massive bitch, but Rachel has a studio in her basement." Jet suggested.
"One pm?" Rachel asked.
"Sounds good to me. Rachel, could you give me your address?" Quinn asked. Rachel nodded, and pulled out a piece of paper from her star patterned notebook and wrote it down. She handed it to Quinn with a smile.
"Can you make sure I'm awake for one pm?" Jet asked sheepishly. Rachel nodded.
"Leave the French windows open?" She asked. Jet sighed.
"If I must." Jet said painfully.
"I'm missing something here." Quinn said.
"Jet is really difficult to wake up. I've been known to jump on her to get her out of bed." Rachel explained.
"Being dogpiled awake by Rachel, Jesse, Christian and Tina is certainly an experience that you can't live without." Jet added.
"Sounds painful." Quinn said sympathetically.
"Don't listen to her. She deserved it. She fell asleep in the middle of an all day rehearsal." Rachel said. Quinn checked her watch.
"Well, I'm sorry to break up the reminiscing, but I actually have to go." Quinn said.
"Ok, well, we'll see you tomorrow." Rachel said. Quinn nodded and waved.
"Now that she's not a Cheerio, or flooded with pregnancy hormones, she's actually kind of nice." Rachel commented.
"Go with it. Don't question it." Jet said.
"Now let's go Google pin up girls. We're going to look hot, so help me!" She added.
Quinn looked at the research that Jet and Rachel had done.
"I like it. I really like it." Quinn said.
"I do have some suggestions though." At their motion, Quinn continued.
"I watched the video clip a few times last night. It would be really cool if we could incorporate some of the swing dancing into the number, that way it's more of a group thing." Quinn said. She giggled at Jet and Rachel's reactions.
"Hey, I'm in a number with the Broadway twins, of course I came prepared." She said.
"I admire your commitment." Rachel said.
"And by working in swing dancing we can put a cork in Mercedes the one trick pony. Devious. I like it." Jet said. Quinn sighed.
"I don't know what is up with her. We used to get along so well. We knew what it was to walk in the others shoes. It's like I got to stop being pregnant and she decided I stopped getting her. I understand what it is to look in the mirror and not like what you see, and just because I've started shedding all my baby padding doesn't mean I stopped understanding how she feels." Quinn said.
"Misery loves company." Rachel said. Quinn raised an eyebrow.
"You were miserable. You had good reason to be miserable, and she latched onto that. Now that you've dared to become happy, and you have an identity that isn't defined by feeling terrible all the time, you've become a stranger to her." Rachel said.
"How did you get so good at reading people?" Quinn asked.
"It's not like I had friends last year. Spoken word accounts for only ten percent of how we converse with people. The other ninety percent is made up mostly of body language. You can learn plenty about people just by watching them converse." Rachel explained. Quinn nodded, intrigued. Jet sat down at the piano and hit Middle C.
"Ok girls, enough talk; let's get warm so we can rock this bitch." She ordered.
The girls took a break to drink iced green tea.
"I love that we get to do this number. Quinn, the whole forties sass thing suits you so well." Rachel said. Quinn smiled.
"Thank you." She said. Rachel turned to Jet.
"Last year, we were doing an assignment on funk songs, and Quinn, who was ridiculously pregnant at the time…"
"I was seven and a half months pregnant." Quinn interjected.
"She was mildly pregnant then." Rachel conceded.
"Anyway, after some comments from nameless people, Quinn came to class and sang Its A Man's World and absolutely knocked it out of the park." Rachel said.
"Was it that good?" Quinn asked. Rachel nodded furiously.
"Oh yeah. This jazzy kind of music just suits your voice to a tee, and the tone and the type of flirty this song needs is just right up your alley." Rachel said. Quinn was actually blushing.
"Rachel, I think that's the first compliment you've ever given me." Quinn said.
"Well, don't get to used to it." Rachel teased.
"Ok, I hate to cut the loving short, but I think we need to head back on down to the basement and tighten up our timing a little" Jet said.
Feedback is like crack to me