Disclaimer: I do not profit in any way writing this story. Fox owns the characters and concept of Glee, I just play around.
Note: This story picks up about a week after the Glee kids win Sectionals, return with the trophy, and Ms. Pillsbury and Mr. Schuester finally share that magical kiss. I'm not a huge fan of songfics so random lyrics won't be interspersed throughout the story. However, you might catch some of the members humming a tune or two. Enjoy.
Rachel Berry could barely hold in her excitement as Will Schuester shared the news with McKinley High's glee club. Her Mary Jane clad foot was tapping wildly against the back of Puck's chair and he had to turn around and glare to calm her down. After winning sectionals, the group had gained respect and attention not only within the school community but also from everyone in Lima. With Sue out of the picture for the time being, the school board had completely re-budgeted so the Cheerios and glee club would receive the same amount of funding. They had even found some sponsors and landed a few public gigs.
Will had received a letter a couple days later informing them that New Directions had been invited to participate in a special performing arts workshop in New York City the following month. Three high schools from each state were invited to bring their most talented group of students for three days and engage in healthy competition with one another while also taking workshop classes. A member of the board had been visiting the area and had seen their sectional performance. Upon returning to New York, he petitioned for New Directions to join Vocal Adrenaline and On Pointe (an all-girls dance team from Cincinnati) as the three groups from Ohio.
"I don't want you guys to be intimidated by this. The best high school performers in the country will be there--not just other glee clubs. The workshop classes range from ballet to instrumental improvisation to opera so you'll have a chance to see some really cool stuff," he explained, a wide smile plastered on his face. The curly haired tenor couldn't be happier for his ragtag team and only wished that they could show a little more enthusiasm about the idea.
"How long is the drive? New York City isn't exactly next door," Tina asked, cocking an eyebrow quizzically to Mercedes.
"All I know is that there are going to be 50 little white girls running around belting show tunes and that just ain't my style," she replied haughtily, shooting her choir director a look.
"Are all these buildings going to be handicap accessible? I mean, in such a big city it will probably be a huge hassle," Artie chimed in wearily.
Rachel looked around shocked, her mouth dropping open slightly before she rose from her seat and jumped to their mentor's side. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Not only did they have a chance to go to New York City but this was an excellent opportunity for them to showcase their talents and get their foot in the door professionally.
"I don't understand your complaints. Our triumph at sectionals has more than proved our talent. New York City is the place to be when it comes to performing arts and I'm sure there will be tons of scouts at this workshop looking for fresh talent," Rachel stated bluntly, shooting a look at Finn, knowing his dream of going to college for music was still present in the back of his mind. He gave her a small nod and warm smile which made her stomach jump and cheeks blush.
"Yea guys, show a little more enthusiasm! Figgins even budgeted for us to all go see a Broadway show," Will tried again, raising his eyebrows slightly at Rachel as she spoke. After all this time, her boldness never ceased to amaze him. She'd interrupt the President of the United States if she had the opportunity.
"Great, a bunch of dudes running around in tights singing falsetto," Puck muttered under his breath.
"Noah, a male soprano is nothing to joke about," Kurt stated loudly before fixing a stray strand of hair.
"Alright, alright, guys," Will started in a frustrated voice. He thought they would at least be a little happier about this trip. "Everyone's been exempt from class that Thursday and Friday so we can get there in time for everything. We'll leave early Thursday morning and drive the whole day to get there in time for the opening dinner. The hotel, breakfast and lunch are provided by for us and everything else is going to be covered by the school. All you have to worry about is a $25 registration fee and whatever spending money you guys might want to bring. Rachel, can you hand out the itinerary and permission slips since you're already up?"
"Of course, Mr. Schuester," Rachel answered brightly, taking the two stacks of paper off the piano and passing them out to her peers.
The bell rang loudly as the group shuffled around, shoving papers in their bags and began discussing the trip with one another. The prospect of missing two days of school seemed very tempting to the group, even if the Cheerios were wary about missing practice. Running his hand back across his mohawk, he approached Will with a sincere look on his face.
"Look, going to see the musical isn't optional Puck. We're going to do everything on this trip as a group. Hopefully some unity will emerge from this experience," Will started before Puck had a chance to open his mouth.
"No, Mr. Schu, that's not it. I was just wondering if there will be any room in the schedule on the Saturday for free time. I know my mother is going to want to know if I can attend service at a synagogue…" he trailed off, voice hushed, almost embarrassed.
Slightly taken aback, Will finished binder clipping the extra sheets of paper and raised his eyes to meet the not-joking face of his normally defiant student, "Of course, Noah. We have the whole afternoon to ourselves to do some sight-seeing so you are more than welcome to attend religious services if you wish."
Puck smiled lightly and hoisted his backpack higher on his shoulder, "Cool, she'll be glad to hear that. I'm glad we're taking this trip, Mr. Schu. I've never been out of the state before."
Clapping him lightly on the shoulder, Will smiled back and before he could speak, was cut off by the second bell ringing. "Well I have a first period Spanish, so I better get going. I'll see you at rehearsal tomorrow afternoon. We have to prepare three pieces that display our talent the best, which means we have a lot of work to do!" he finished, shutting off the lights to the music room, leaving Puck in only the early morning light.
Rachel, returning for her pencil, paused outside the open door, hearing the hushed voices of Puck and Mr. Schuester. Smiling warmly, she touched the gold star around her neck hearing Puck's request and sincere statements. He seemed different after his friendship with Finn suddenly cracked and Quinn rejected him completely. As soon as football season ended, she only seemed to see him alone in the halls, at glee rehearsal and on Saturdays at synagogue with his mother. The football boys all joined Finn's side and none of the Cheerios would speak to him as soon as Quinn's situation leaked to the entire student body. None of them wanted to end up the next Quinn Fabray. Oh you know, the pregnant girl who got kicked off the squad, is living in a motel, working at Sheets N' Things after school and worst of all, performing with the glee club.
Rachel wanted so badly to see Noah as a good person and that he had changed for the better. She wanted to think that glee had changed him from the pool cleaning womanizer into the boy that she had seen sitting next to his mother for years at services or tossing a football in the parking lot. However, she couldn't get the final statement of their break-up conversation out of her head.
"We were never friends to begin with."
However, in light of recent events, he seemed to be getting over his stud faze and actually seemed to care about glee. Rachel saw him practicing guitar more and more with Artie and even lending a hand when Finn wasn't up to singing the male lead in certain songs they tried out.
"Watch it, Berry," came Puck's rough voice as he pushed past her to get out of the choir room. Eyes filled with confusion, Rachel picked her pencil off the floor and dusted it off on her pleated skirt. Maybe he hadn't changed at all. Perhaps Puck was the same jerk he portrayed himself to be.