"So, what do you got first?" asked Marissa; she had elongated the "o" in so. They were walking back down the main hallway (as referenced on the map that the receptionist was kind enough to give them).
"Looks like Spanish 101. Dear Lord. I'm gonna butcher the language." She sighed dramatically before switching schedules with Marissa; she had Spanish later in the day but she was a T.A.
"But you're half Mexican Kristina. Didn't your Dad's family teach you anything?" asked Marissa as she scanned Kristina's schedule. They would have lunch together.
"A little but I can't actually speak it without sounding white." she cast a sideways glance at Marissa. Marissa just rolled her eyes before handing over Kristina's schedule. They stopped at the end of the hall and stared each other straight in the eye. Marissa grinned.
"Break a leg?" she asked before extending her arms out in a hug.
"Break a leg." Nodded Kristina as she flew into Marissa's open arms. It was a moment before they broke apart.
"I'll see you at lunch Sis." Marissa patted Kristina's head playfully before jogging down the hall to the right and disappearing around the corner, map clutched in hand.
"See ya." Kristina sighed again before taking a deep breath. She stared at the door near the end of the hall with a look of determination. She made her way over, seeming to lose confidence with each step. When she stood in front of the door she was terrified. She checked the time on her phone. She had a little more than 5 minutes before first period ended. She could do this. She really could but could she handle doing this all day? She huffed and gritted her teeth, steeling her nerves. She knocked on the door before opening it and stepping in, her eyes focused straight ahead.
"Hello! You must be our new student! It's great to meet you or as we like to say in class, ¡Mucho gusto!" Kristina glanced sideways at the man who spoke. She assumed it was the teacher as he was standing in front of the class. He was a few inches taller than her with honey brown hair and striking hazel eyes. Kristina's throat constricted. He was handsome, very handsome. He wore faded dark wash jeans with a brown belt, his white pin-striped long sleeve shirt tucked in and his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. A scarlet and baby blue striped tie hung around his neck. He leaned back against the desk, his hands placed on the desk at his sides before crossing his arms across his chest. He stares at her a moment with one eyebrow arched in question. Kristina finally made eye contact with him and giggled nervously before shifting her gaze to the floor. Her face and ears were red when she finally said something.
"H-hi. I'm Kristina I-Infante. I just transferred in from C-California." She wrung her hands nervously, wanting more than anything to just leave. The teacher smiled as he clapped his hands together.
"Well, again, welcome to my class. My name is Mr. Schuester." He grinned at her, clearly under the impression that she was nervous about being at a new school, not that her Spanish teacher was incredibly handsome. Kristina muttered a thank you before the bell rang signaling the end of class. Kristina took that as her cue and bolted out the door and down the hall scanning every face for her best friend, her sister, Marissa. She spotted her dear friend exiting the girl's bathroom.
"Marissa!" she nearly shouted before grabbing Marissa by the arm and dragging her back into the restroom. Kristina quickly checked the stalls for any occupants before turning to face Marissa. Marissa looked thoroughly confused after seeing her friend's disheveled appearance. Kristina's hair was askew; her make-up smudged in places, and her breathing was a tad hysteric. Marissa placed her hands and Kristina's shoulders.
"Kristina! Calm down! Breathe. Slowly. Deep, slow breaths." Instructed Marissa; she breathed with Kristina. After a few moments of slow, deep breathing, Kristina was able to relax her shoulders and breathe normally. She sighed, placing her hands over her friends.
"Thanks. I needed that." Marissa removed her hands before starting her questions.
"What in the hell happened?" she asked, concern making her voice crack. Kristina was definitely her little sister even if DNA and blood weren't shared. If anyone hurt her, there would be hell to pay. Kristina heaved another sigh before replying.
"I got super nervous! And then that Spanish teacher was so HOTT. I just lost it." Kristina walked over to the entrance of the bathroom and leaned against the door. She proceeded to stare at the ceiling when Marissa started to talk.
"Sweetheart, I know it's hard being in a new place but you need to calm down and breathe. You only have to do the awkward intro today. Today only and then you can sit quietly in your assigned desk and never have to talk to anyone you don't want to." Reasoned Marissa as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror lost in thought.
"I know but, it's just so nerve-racking. It's worse than performing on stage!" Kristina faced her back towards Marissa before she stared to gently bang her head on the door. The bell had rung for class so no one was around to hear their conversation. They didn't have to be concerned with the time as they were new students. New students get lost on their way to class all the time. They sat together on the floor of the bathroom for a few more minutes before deciding that they were again ready to tackle the day. Or at least make it to lunch. They shared another hug before heading in the direction of their respective classes.
Together the girls stood in front of the doors to the cafeteria. Were they nervous? No. Were they terrified? Maybe. Nauseous? Hell yes.
"Okay. So we're just gonna walk in, grab our lunches and eat outside. Get in, get out. Got that?" asked Marissa; she was already sweating out of nervousness. Kristina only nodded her head, too afraid to say anything lest it come out a squeak. Her facial expression was akin to a deer caught in the headlights. They stared at each other for a brief second before pushing open the doors together and walking in. They stood there for a moment to soak in the sight before them. The loud obnoxious voices, the stench of mystery meat and dirty, sweaty, hormonal teenagers and the ever preset sound of pain as the kids at the bottom of the food chain are bullied.
"Worse than Indio. WAY. WORSE." Marissa shook her head side-to-side. She wrapped her arm around Kristina's and guided her to the lunch line.
"Is that a purple….piano?" asked Kristina pointing to the left corner of the cafeteria.
"That's really funny Kristina. But could you move it? I don't wanna be in here." Said Marissa as she put a chocolate pudding cup on both of their trays.
"Marissa! I'm serious! Check it out!" said Kristina; She noticed that there was a drum set and guitars connected amps.
"Is there some kind of entertainment planned?" questioned Kristina who did not notice that the line had kept moving and Marissa was almost at the end with their lunch.
"Kristina! Get yo butt over here!"Shouted Marissa; she had reached the end and had paid for both their meals. Kristina stopped her observations long enough to go get her food before they heard an inaudible shout.
"Did you hear something? It sounded like someone shouted your name Marissa." said Kristina moving her head every which way to look for the source.
"No way. Who would be looking for me here? I don't know anybody." Said Marissa before she felt a tug on her sleeve. She looked to her lower left side and there sat Artie in his wheelchair.
"Artie!" gasped Marissa; she nearly dropped her tray all over Kristina's back.
"Great to see you too." Artie smirked; he was more prepared this time around. He was brimming with confidence.
"Wow! I didn't think I would see you so s-soon!" her voice cracked and stuttered. She was beyond excited to see him.
"Marissa? Is that the guy?" questioned Kristina as she momentarily placed her tray on a near-by lunch table. She had bent at the waist to observe Artie who seemed a bit uncomfortable at her sudden proximity. Kristina suddenly shot up and nodded enthusiastically in Marissa's direction.
"I approve!" she giggled before moving towards an empty lunch table off to the right. Marissa had begun to follow her, shaking her head the whole way.
"Please don't let me ruin your conversation." She smirked and waggled her eyebrows suggestively. Marissa's face flushed with embarrassment. Could she be any more freakin obvious! She would pay. Oh yes. She would pay dearly. Marissa shielded her face for a moment before composing herself. When she unshielded her face, she was smiling like nothing was wrong in the world. She shot Kristina a glare before turning her attention back on Artie.
"Would you like to eat lunch with my friend Kristina and me? I mentioned her before." She gestured toward her friend who had already sat down and started to eat her sandwich.
"I really wish I could but I've got to go be my bad self." He smiled crookedly and Marissa felt her heart flutter.
"Oh. Well. It was great to see you." She smiled as she waved goodbye and sat down with Kristina who was giving her a knowing look.
"Oh you've got it bad. You SO like him. You were trying to flirt and failed miserably." Kristina started to laugh at the look on Marissa's face.
"Shall we revisit the Sam Evans incident?" Marissa asked innocently. Kristina sobered up quickly while Marissa smirked.
"I didn't think so." She took a big bite of her apple. Their conversation was about to continue when music started to play. Both girls turned their attention to the instruments in the corner.
"So there really was a purple piano. Hmph. Go figure." Marissa shrugged as the music continued. Kristina just rolled her eyes before focusing on the music. It sounded like You Can't Stop the Beat by the Go-Go's. Marissa and Kristina grinned. This was one of their favorite songs! It was a minute before a voice accompanied the music. It was loud and clear, clearly someone knew how to sing. As the chorus came around the single voice was joined by a few more creating a friendly harmony. They really must have worked together for a while for it to seem so seamless. A few students were dancing around on the lunch tables and others were circling around them, dancing to the beat. Kristina noticed that no one was really participating except the students singing. She gasped.
"Marissa! Isn't that Artie!" She pointed at the familiar boy wheeling around and singing. Marissa squinted in the direction that Kristina pointed in.
"It is!" she almost screamed.
"You know what? Let's sing with them before they finish!" Kristina suggested trying to contain her excitement but failing miserably. Marissa's face split into a grin. She held out her hand and Kristina grabbed it. Thy hopped off their seat and headed for the group. They opened their mouths and melted into the song as if they were always there. The number ended swiftly. Kristina and Marissa had big smiles on their faces. They were elated. It was a few moments of silence before Marissa spotted a small girl in a cheerleading outfit toss what appeared to be a green slushie all over the girl who had started the number. An all-out war of food ensued.
"My hair!"Cried out Kristina as she bolted for the door to avoid any further disasters. Marissa grabbed their things and ran after her friend. Together they made it down the hall, safely away from the onslaught of food.
"Ewwww!" Kristina shrieked; she was getting Spaghetti out of her extensions.
"Ugh. I knew there was a reason I hated tuna. And I'll never be able to eat Jell-O again." groaned Marissa; She was swiping chunks of tuna and gobs of Jell-O off her favorite shirt. They both made disgruntled noises and if you listened closely, you could hear Marissa mumbling in Spanish.
"A bunch of cultureless morons." Spat Marissa as she tossed a bit of Tuna at a passer-by. Said individual scurried off. They were broken from their thoughts when they heard the most horrible sound they've ever heard.
"Is that someone….singing?" asked Kristina; she grabbed a hold of Marissa's elbow and dragged her toward the noise. They made it to the middle of the hallway before discovering it was, in fact, someone singing.
"I wonder if she knows she stinks?" asked Marissa; they were hiding near the open door.
"Hey look! There's Artie! And….our Spanish teacher." whispered Kristina; she could see this was not going to be an easy day.
"I think this might be choir or something." Whispered Marissa; she saw many different types of people in the room. Looked like a mixer gone wrong. She focused on Artie and released a soft, drawn out sigh.
"Calm down Marissa. It's like you're in heat." Kristina smirked. She received a tiny slap on the arm in response. Kristina snorted; this may not be an easy day but it was damn sure going to be an interesting year. The singing finally stopped and both girls listened in.
"Holy shhhhhhhiiiiiii-Sugar!" tried Mr. Schuester
"Text me with our rehearsal schedge." Said the girl; she had a kind of nasally voice that just gratted on your nerves. She was collecting her belongings when Mr. Shuester tried again.
"Of course. Uh-" Mr. Shuester was cut off by a kick to the back of his chair.
"Mr. Shue, stop speaking." Said a slim girl sitting behind him. It was the same girl that started singing in the cafeteria.
"Okay, S-Sugar, we'll be in touch. Thank you."
"Bye." "Sugar" left bumping into Kristina and Marissa on her way out. Kristina fell on her butt with an "Omph!" Everyone in the room focused on her. Marissa took a protective stance in front of her.
"Um…hi? What is this place?" asked Marissa directing the question to Artie. He smiled.
"This is Glee Club!" he wheeled over to her and offered her a hug. A faint blush dusted her cheeks as she accepted the hug. They released each other quickly. Artie turned to face the group.
"Guys, this is Marissa. She's a transfer from California. And that's….um…."he gestured to Marissa and then to Kristina but couldn't remember her name.
"Kristina. My names Kristina." She had gotten off the floor and dusted off her pants. She waved in greeting.
"Right. You're in my Spanish 101 class." Said Mr. Shuester eyeing Kristina for a moment. She was the one who couldn't look him in the eye.
"So, are you here to audition for Glee?" asked the flamboyant boy in the second row of chairs. Marissa looked at Artie questioningly.
"We need members for nationals." he shrugged his shoulders.
"Give me just one sec."Marissa turned around to face Kristina. They started talking in hushed whispers.
"I say we do it." Said Marissa, casting sideway glances at Artie.
"We were going to join theater anyways and it's not like we can't sing." She added.
"I guess it's cool with me." Said Kristina; she was focusing on the dark-haired boy sitting next to the flamboyant one. Marissa turned around and told Artie that they would love to. There was some cheers and clapping to their response. Artie explained that they should do a song that shows the group who they were as people. Or where they're in their lives. Kristina, having already decided on her song the moment Artie had mentioned auditioning. She stood in front of the room and belted out Skyscraper by Demi Lavato. She finished to a rousing applause and a couple of sour looks. Marissa was next but she took a couple more minutes to decide what she wanted to sing. She walked over to the piano and started playing Listen to Your Heart by Roxette. When she was finished there was a moment of slence before the applause met her ears.
"Welcome to Glee Club girls." said Mr. Shuester . Marissa and Kristina looked at each other and grinned. This year was going to be eventful.
A/N: Hi again! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please review! You're free to ask questions. I will answer the best I can as long as the questions have nothing to do with the plot. Thanks for reading!