Tina pulled out some books that she needed for her next couple of classes, then gazed longingly at the picture that was attached to her locker door – a picture of her and the original New Directions taken after they had won their first sectionals. She was now entering the final stretch of her high school career so that picture meant a great deal to her, in the four years that the glee club had been in existence she and Artie were the only ones who didn't quit, wasn't kicked out or jumped ship to another choir, which showed her loyalty and dedication to the team after all this time.
And she and Artie were all that remained of not only the first twelve, but of the original six. Both would be graduating at the end of the year along with Sam and Blaine so she really wanted to end her time at McKinley with a bang – by helping the group win a second national championship. So she hoped that the Eurovision duet assignment Mr. Schue had set them would help.
"Hey girl," said a familiar voice as Tina closed her locker, it belonged to Unique. "I wanted to talk to you about the glee club assignment, did you get a chance to listen to all the songs on your CD yet?" Tina nodded, she listened to the whole thing after coming home from glee practice and she enjoyed most of the songs. The Asian girl had really come to like Unique, she was funny and had a killer voice, so she was glad that the transgender student had found a place within New Directions, unlike what she had heard about life at Carmel. At McKinley, Unique Adams felt at home, in a place where she truly belonged and could be herself.
"I thought… maybe we could pair up and do something together," Tina suggested.
"Honey, Unique would be honored," Unique replied with a smile. "And I think I have the perfect song from that CD for us to do. Meet me back in the hallway before lunch, okay?" The warning bell rang to signal that the next period was about to begin, and the two went off in opposite directions towards their classes.
It was a good thing that Tina and Unique had the same lunch period. They had met in the hallway by Tina's locker as planned, and Unique hurried her into the girls' bathroom to get ready for their duet while listening to the song they were going to do on Unique's iPhone. Who knew that thirty-nine different countries across Europe could bring together such a diverse range of music like this? And if Mr. Schue thought that it could possibly help bring the team together before nationals, then Tina was all for it – discovering new music over the last four years had been quite interesting.
"Do you think we can pull this off?" Tina asked as she changed in one of the bathroom stalls.
"Unique knows so," Unique replied as she applied some lipstick while looking at herself in the mirror after adjusting the short dark wig on her head. "Remember the diva assignment a couple of months ago? You rocked that Madonna song and won the whole week – you are a diva, girl! On top of that, you're about to take the next step in your life. Feel confident about yourself, think about how far you've come. But most importantly, be glorious like the song we're doing!" At that moment, Tina came out of the stall wearing a black jacket over a gold sequined tank top and a black skirt, with black combat boots on her feet.
"How do I look?" Tina asked.
"Like a diva," Unique replied. "Come on girl, let's show everyone how confident you can be!" The two stepped out of the girls' room and started down the hallway towards the outdoor courtyard as music began to play, not noticing the students passing by them.
(Tina) Do you know it's time to let yourself go?
Why don't we just let it show?
Tell me what you're waiting for
(Unique) 'Cause I, I wanna live before I die
Crash and burn and lose my mind
We can set the world on fire
They stood at the top of the courtyard steps as they went into the chorus, heads turning towards them from the tables below.
(Both) Tonight we can be glorious
We are young at heart and we're free
The world is ours, I can feel the music in me
Glorious, found a love that eyes cannot see
Delirious, hoo whoa... whoa...
(Unique) I believe the little child inside of me
Can rebuild my destiny
And one day I'll be breaking free
(Tina) Now's the time, we're running at the speed of light
I'll meet you on the other side
Every time I close my eyes
From below, their friends in the glee club cheered them on, seeing some other students and a few Cheerios join them on the steps in an energetic dance. Even Will and Emma took notice while sitting at a table nearby, looking clearly impressed.
(Both) Tonight we can be glorious
We are young at heart and we're free
The world is ours, I can feel the music in me
Glorious, found a love that eyes cannot see
Delirious, (Unique) I can feel the music in me
"That can't be the same Tina I've had in New Directions ever since she was a freshman," Will said in awe. When she started in glee club, she had been rather shy. And now four years later, he had seen her evolve and blossom into a confident performer
"You should have seen her during the diva assignment I gave the kids while you were gone," Emma replied, "she nailed it." Getting up from their table, they joined the other kids.
(Glorious) (Tina) Found a love that eyes cannot see
(Glorious)
(Both) (We are glo... oh oh... oh oh oh...)
(We are glo... oh oh... oh oh oh...)
(We are glo... oh oh... oh oh oh...)
(We are glo... oh oh... oh oh oh...)
"Go Tina!" Jake called out.
"Rock it, Unique!" Artie shouted. The dancing around Tina and Unique intensified as they went into the final chorus.
Tonight we can be glorious
We are young at heart and we're free
The world is ours, I can feel the music in me
Glorious, found a love that eyes cannot see
Delirious, hoo whoa... whoa...
The entire courtyard cheered wildly when the song ended, the rest of the glee club mobbing both of them. No matter what Tina decided to do after graduation, she was now going to do it with more confidence than ever.
Notes: Song is "Glorious" by Cascada (Germany)