Chapter 2
Will was giving directions to the New Directions when he heard applause. He looked toward the door to see a familiar head of blonde hair and green eyes.
"Mike? What are you doing here?" Will asked, shocked and pleased to see his brother.
"I was getting kinda bored at the apartment and decided to come visit the school. Don't worry. I stopped by the office and signed in." Mike replied.
"Umm…Mr. Schue? Who is this?" Rachel asked.
"Guys, this is my brother, Michael James Schuester. He's a voice actor in Dallas and Los Angeles."
"Oh, Will, you know I'm still trying to break into the industry! I mostly do the Soldier A characters." Mike replied, embarrassed.
"He also has an amazing singing voice and writes music. Hey, Mike, would you sing for us?"
"Really? I won't be intruding?"
"Of course, not! Go for it."
Mike turned to Brad and the rest of the band and told them what song he was going to sing. Then he turned and took "center stage".
"Sometimes, I'm asked to write music for the soundtrack of a series. This is one that I wrote for that very reason."
The music began and Mike seemed to have a hurt in his eyes that hadn't been there a second ago. Two measures of introduction later, he began to sing.
Haunted by the past
A nightmare that seemed so unreal
I wish that I could turn back time
And spare the pain that we both feel
And now we've changed
Things will never be the same
(Things will never be the same)
We were foolish then
But our trials served to make us strong
The burdens are not yours alone
We've sought the answers for so long
But they're not free
They cost you more than they cost me
(My brother…)
I promise you, there is nothing I won't give
To see this through
Return the soul to where it lives
I promise you, I'd go everywhere I've been
To find a way to make atonement for my sin and see
See your smiling face again.
When we've paid the price at last
And we are whole once more
Life will be the way it was
The way it was before the day
She slipped away
Together we'll redeem that day.
And I promise you, there is nothing I won't give
To see this through
Return the soul to where it lives
I promise you,
I'd go everywhere I've been
To find a way to make atonement for my sin and see
See your smiling face…
(I promise…)[3 x]
I promise you, there is nothing I won't give
To see this through
Return the soul to where it lives
I promise you, I'd go everywhere I've been
To find a way to make atonement for my sin and see
See your smiling face again.
After the last chord was played, everyone began applauding. Mike almost seemed surprised, as if this were his first public performance. Will seemed to beam with pride. His brother seemed so happy, as if there was nothing more he'd rather do…except maybe act. Walking up to Mike, he couldn't keep the smile off his face.
"Great job, Mike! That was amazing!"
"Hey, Will?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
About an hour later, the brothers returned home. They were laughing over an event that went on during one of Mike's recording sessions. A little boy had been brought in and when he went to leave on a break, the audio engineer forgot to turn off the microphone, so when the boy tripped over a cord, the mic picked up him falling. The boy was so embarrassed. Emma heard them laughing and they told her the story. After having dinner, they went out to watch a movie. They had trouble deciding what they wanted to see, but ended up deciding on watching The Lucky One starring Zac Efron. Sure it was a chick flick, but they all enjoyed it. After the movie, they went out for ice cream at Baskin Robbins-one of the few in Lima, Ohio. When they returned to the apartment, they sat down and relaxed for a few minutes before Mike spoke up.
"Hey, Will? The company I'm working for is having auditions for a new series soon and I was wondering. Would you like to come out to LA and audition?"
"You…you really think I have a chance?"
"Yeah. I saw you act on stage in college, Will. You have natural talent."
"If you really think so…"
"I do. I think it's something you'd really enjoy."
"I think it's a good idea, Will." Emma chimed in. "Opportunities like this don't come along very often. Like Michael said, you might enjoy it, honey. You never know until you try."
"You guys are right. I'll give it a shot. When's the audition?"
The song used in this chapter, for those unfamiliar with it, is "Nothing I Won't Give" by Vic Mignogna. If you haven't heard it yet, check it out! It's an amazing song.