Author's Comments: Look! Another chapter for you guys! And earlier than usual! I got so pumped from finishing the last one, I actually got through this one pretty quickly. This is where we finally get the plotline going where Tina gets the idea to start her own choir. This chapter, I'd say, is still following the Michael (3x11) storyline but with some altered bits. This is where the New Directions finds out about Blaine's choir infidelity. Bad boy, Blaine! No bowtie-shaped cookie for you. Anyway, also present in this chapter is the Jane Addams Academy choir from Hairography (1x11)! Always exciting to see old faces, especially when they're from season one, which is the best season, IMO. Admittedly though, of the three Jane Addams characters we were introduced to (Aphasia, Jayelle, and Shadonda), Jayelle was actually the most neglected one (Aphasia got funny lines while Shadonda sang lead). But Aphasia was too funny of a character to pass up for this story, so unfortunately Jayelle's getting sidelined again. Poor fictional girl. Also just to tell you a head of time, the Jane Addams girls sing a certain Destiny's Child song that I love and you will probably notice that lyrics are not right. That was intentional. It was just so that it could fit better with the girls, kind of like how Glee changes up song lyrics sometimes to fit the storylines.

Featured Pairings: Tike (Tina/Mike), Finchel (Finn/Rachel), Klaine (Kurt/Blaine), Brittana (Brittany/Santana), unrequited!Flamotta (Rory/Sugar), Shanecedes (Shane/Mercedes), flirtatious!Samcedes (Sam/Mercedes)

Warnings: Coarse language, offensive terms


Chapter Three
I'm A Seed Growing Into a Flower, I'm a Storm That's Rising and Getting Stronger with Every Hour
("Camoflauge" by Brandy)


Tina didn't know where she was running to, she just let her feet take her wherever as her eyes welled up with tears. She didn't know how many turns she took, but every hallway seemed to look the same. Eventually, she took another turn and ran straight into someone, knocking herself backwards on her butt. She heard an obnoxious laugh and knew right away who that was.

"What's the matter, Vampira?" taunted Azimio Adams, a largely-built linebacker with a mean-looking face and an even meaner personality. "They run out of True Blood DVDs at the video store?"

Tina was so upset, she couldn't see straight or think of a comeback, not that she ever did make comebacks. Tears were already freely falling down her cheeks as her mascara started to get ruined. Azimio didn't seem fazed by her crying and kept on.

"Aww, what happened? Someone put garlic in the school special?" Azimio sneered, "Go back to your coffin, Count Chinkula."

That was the last straw. She got up from the floor, dusted herself off and then shouted right back at him.

"Really, Azimio? You're honestly going to call me names as unoriginal as that? I'm not even going Goth anymore; that was so last year!" Tina didn't know what happened today to make her have these random outbursts, but damn it, she was not going to stop now. She was in too deep. "You're pathetic! You're not worth my time or my tears because you are just a follower! At least I try to be an individual; all you are is a lapdog! You will never be as popular as Finn or even Karofsky! The puckheads with their stupid mullets will always be cooler than you!"

"Shut up, witch!"

"It's true! Don't you ever get tired of being sidelined? You're a linebacker on the second string football team. Coach Beiste doesn't respect you nor do any of the players. You're just a loser like me! But at least I have something worth fighting for. You'll never know what it's like to be an individual! You're a puppet!"

"I said shut up!" Azimio raised a fist, ready to knock her out but kept it at a small distance from her face. Tina was unfazed, unafraid of being hit. If Kurt can stand up to Dave Karofsky, Tina can certainly stand up to Azimio Adams.

"Do it, I dare you," she challenged, staring the linebacker dead into his eyes. "It'll only prove how right I am. Because you can't handle the cold, ugly truth."

Azimio saw red and rammed his fist full force into the lockers, his knuckles barely ghosting Tina's nose. She was unscathed and Azimio turned and stalked off with a sour look on his face. It would've seemed that this would've been the end of the argument, but Tina felt something bubble inside her that she couldn't help but spit it out.

"Don't you ever get tired of living in Finn and Karofsky's shadow?" she shouted to him, her voice laced with rage. She didn't know why she asked the question or why she phrased it that way, but she didn't really think Azimio would actually answer.

The wide-set linebacker turned his head and muttered so low that Tina could just barely make it out, "All the time."

And then he was gone, leaving the neglected Asian girl behind with her mouth slightly open at his honesty. She almost felt sorry for him in a way; because she knew what it was like to be him. However, she quickly pushed that thought from her mind and rejected the idea that she and Azimio could ever have anything in common.

"Tina!"

Tina turned to see Mike run up to her. He must not have seen or heard her stand-off with Karofsky because he did not look concerned at all. Instead he looked angry and disappointed, and Tina knew that he was going to give her an earful about her outburst in glee club.

"Tina how could you say those things to Rachel and Mr. Schue?"

"I'm tired Mike."

"Well, go to bed earlier then!"

"No, Mike. I'm tired of Rachel and her need to have everything she asks for, I'm tired of Blaine and his annoying bowties and his constant singing, I'm tired of Mr. Schue and his stupid vests and biased opinions, I'm tired of it all, Mike! I'm tired of being sick and tired."

"Tina! Where is this coming from? It's like I don't even know you anymore!" Mike stared her down with a fierce gaze, like he couldn't believe she would act like this.

"What do you mean where is this coming from?" Tina yelled to her boyfriend. "Mike, it's always been here. I don't want to be sidelined in favor of Blaine hogging the spotlight!"

"So this is about Blaine? Why do you hate him so much?"

"I don't hate Blaine, Mike. I hate that he is getting everything that we have worked so hard to get. Santana and Mercedes left the glee club to form the Troubletones because they were tired of singing back-up to Rachel and Blaine. And I'm sick of it too."

"Tina, you've got to stop this tirade about Blaine and Rachel!" the dancer argued, talking to her as if she was a spoiled child. "You will get your shot next year."

"I don't want to get my shot next year! I want it now! It's not fair that Blaine got to lead the Warblers last year and then come here and sing out in front like he's been here forever." Tina was shouting so much, she thought she'd lose her voice, which would only add to the list of things that would piss her off at this moment. "Who does he think he is coming here and taking what everyone else in glee club had worked so hard for? He hasn't put in as many hours as me or Artie or Santana or even you!"

"I'm not singing in the front and you don't see me complaining."

"Because you don't care about it as much as I do. You care about dancing, I care about singing."

"You're being unreasonable! I'm really disappointed in you." Before Tina could retort, Mike stalked off angrily back to the choir room, leaving the girl to her thoughts.

glee

The next day was extremely uncomfortable for everyone. Glee rehearsal was after school as usual, but no one would say anything because of Tina's outburst. Instead, Mr. Schue would just get straight to the choreography for the New Directions number, in which he chose to do Bad. During the number, Tina and Mike did not look each other in the eye or talk to each other. Instead, they took their place in the group number as Rachel and Finn went into the chorus for the Michael Jackson hit. It was literally, the most awkward glee rehearsal since everyone found out the father of Quinn's baby was Puck, and not Finn.

When rehearsal was over, everyone left the choir room in silence.

It wasn't until the morning after, that Tina was at her locker putting things away in her bag when she was approached by Blaine Anderson. He stood there, with his satchel over his chest which was covered by a really ugly-looking cardigan. Tina never understood why a guy as handsome as Blaine could dress so geeky. He looked like a sad combination between Pee-Wee Herman and Steve Urkel. And don't get her started on his hair. It looked like it was made of plastic with all that gel he covered it with.

"Blaine," Tina said curtly. Blaine clearly picked it up when he frowned and suddenly shuffled his loafers nervously.

"Uh, hi, Tina," he managed out. He clutched onto his satchel with both his hands as he continued, "How, um, how are you?"

"Fine," she replied shortly. "Something you need?"

"Look, I'm really sorry about all this," he said sincerely. "I really didn't mean to come in and cause all these problems for you guys. I just—I only joined so I could be with Kurt and now I ruined everything."

Tina inwardly rolled her eyes, but sighed to herself. She knew perfectly well that Blaine never did anything wrong, so it was really unfair to him for her to be such a bitch to him. She shook her head and sighed again. "It's okay. I know you didn't mean any harm. You didn't ruin anything."

Blaine smiled widely at hearing Tina forgive him before saying goodbye and taking off to find Kurt so they could walk to glee together. Tina closed her locker and took her leave down the hallway towards glee club, not bothering to find Mike.

When she got there, Mercedes and Santana were in a fuss about something. Tina was surprised to find that Kurt was already there when Blaine was off looking for him. The porcelain-skinned fashionista was currently typing on his iPhone furiously with a very livid look on his face. Artie was looking depressed and Puck looked like he was ready to kill somebody. Raising an eyebrow, she walked over to her spot, no one had noticed her. Big shock.

"I can't believe it! This is such bullshit," Santana spat out.

"I know! That meerkat-faced rat!" Kurt sneered, hitting the send button on his phone.

"What's going on?" Tina finally managed to ask.

Santana turned towards the former Goth and said, "That chlamydia poster child from the Warblers stole Michael from us!"

Tina realized that Santana must have been talking about Sebastian Smythe from the Dalton Academy. But what was she going on about him stealing Michael from them?

"Blaine told Sebastian that we were doing Michael Jackson for Regionals, so Sebastian came to us at the Lima Bean and told us that they were going to do Michael as well." Kurt added in, his face so flushed with rage his pale skin was a deep pink.

"And since those obviously closeted Backstreet Boys drew first pick for Regionals, we're going to look like we copied off them!" Santana finished, her eyes red with anger, so scary that no one would want to screw with the feisty Latina.

Blaine walked into the choir room with a look of concern, his Blackberry in hand. "Kurt, what's going on?" he asked innocently, "I just got your text to meet you here immediately. Is everything okay?"

"No, Blaine, everything is not okay," Kurt said nastily, making the bowtie loving teen cower under his murderous gaze. Tina almost felt sorry for the former prep school kid. Kurt's bitchy glares come about as close to killing a person as any stare could. No one wants to be on the receiving end of that.

"What do you mean?"

"Sebastian stole Michael from us!" Santana answered, though she was madder at that sneaky twink than at Blaine.

"What?!"

"You heard her right, Blaine! Sebastian told us that you told him over the phone that we were doing Michael!" Kurt crossed his arms and tapped his foot expectantly.

Blaine was at a loss for words, too frightened by everybody's anger at him to speak. When he finally mustered up the courage, it came out in a slight stutter. "B-but how? W-why would he do that?"

"So it's true?" Rachel shrieked.

"How could you do that, dude?" Finn asked, sounding disappointed.

"He's a modern day Eggs Benedict, that's why," Puck accused stupidly, "Once a Warbler, always a Warbler."

"I wanted so badly to do Michael again..." Artie said sadly.

"How long have you two been talking to each other?" Kurt asked Blaine accusingly.

"W-what?"

"I thought I told you not to talk to him, Blaine! He's trying to come between us!"

"Wanky," Santana inappropriately muttered to Mercedes, who rolled her eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Kurt!"

"I don't want to talk to you right now. You completely screwed us over." Kurt pushed passed Blaine and left the choir room with Blaine in tow, who looked like he was ready to burst into tears.

Mr. Schue had just walked in when this took place and saw the two gay kids run straight passed him. He turned to the glee kids with a confused look, seeing the anger and upset looks on their faces.

"What's wrong with Kurt and Blaine?"

"Gelmet Head told that Sebastian guy from the Warblers about our plan to do Michael Jackson for Regionals, and now they're doing Michael." Puck informed the curly-headed Spanish teacher.

Schuester's eyes widened at the news. "Are you serious?"

"What are we going to do?" Mercedes worriedly asked.

"It's alright guys, we'll just have to come up with a different set list," Mr. Schue said, calming the group down a bit. "Regionals are in February, so we have two whole months to think up a set list and routine." The choir room was silent, unsure and without confidence. "Come on guys, let's get to work. Start brainstorming."

glee

Tensions were at an all-time high in glee club the next day. Mike sat at the opposite end from Tina's spot by Sam and Mercedes. Kurt walked into glee today, a sad look on his face and his eyes red that Tina knew was from crying. She and Mercedes were talking during lunch about how Kurt and Blaine were fighting so much over Blaine's relationship with Sebastian and things ended ugly. Blaine didn't show up to glee, citing a sick day. With all of these issues suddenly happening, Tina started to soften up a bit. All these emotions she was feeling were not worth it right now, she decided. She placed a sympathetic hand to Kurt's shoulder which he took warmly, smiling a sad smile to her.

"Are you guys okay?" she asked the gay diva.

Kurt took a while to respond, but he nodded slowly. "I think we'll get over it and then go back to watching a Project Runway marathon or something."

Tina grinned happily at him as Mr. Schuester walked in.

"Okay guys, we're gonna have rehearsal in the auditorium this time. We have some special guests today."

The kids all followed the Spanish teacher to the auditorium with curious looks on their faces. Along the way, Mike walked up to Tina as she wheeled Artie down the hall and whispered to her. "I'm sorry." he said quietly.

"You've been saying that a lot lately," Tina muttered back.

"I know, I just got so worked up."

"But why though? Shouldn't I be the one mad?" Tina didn't look his way and instead tried her best to wheel Artie in peace.

"I'm sorry, Tina. I really didn't mean it." The break dancer looked at his girlfriend with puppy dog eyes. Luckily for him, he caught Tina in a better mood and she agreed that they can start acting like a proper couple again. When the entire group entered the auditorium, they saw that there many young girls, all mean-looking with too much make-up and hairspray in their heads, on stage getting ready to perform. It suddenly dawned on Tina that these were the Jane Addams Academy girls from two years ago. Suffice it to say, they look like they have not changed at all.

"Mr. Schue!" Rachel hissed to the Spanish teacher, "These are the people who stole our set list from Sectionals two years ago."

"I know Rachel, and Ms. Hitchens had apologized for that, so as good sports I agreed to let them practice in our auditorium." Schuester proceeded to go up to the stage to talk to Ms. Grace Hitchens, the beautiful and sassy choir director of Jane Addams Academy, ignoring Rachel's huffs as she took a seat next to Finn.

Eventually, all of the New Directions members were sitting in various spots scattered across the auditorium seats. Brittany and Santana took a spot in the back of the first section where they could have some privacy to sneak in a few kisses and "love touches". Kurt sat by himself with his phone out, texting whom Tina guessed to be Blaine. Sam sat by Tina and Mike, who wasn't pleased to see the blonde next to his girlfriend. Mercedes sat with Kurt to keep him company, and receiving cute text messages from Sam. Finn, Rachel, Quinn, and Puck all sat in the same row with the latter two sitting at the edge while Finchel sat in the middle. Sugar sat in the back row next to Artie as Rory took a seat next to her, hoping to stay as close to her as possible.

"They're criminals!" Rachel hissed to her boyfriend, "Haven't we had enough with thieves for one day?"

"Shut up, Jewberry." Santana muttered before slipping her tongue back into Brittany's eager mouth.

"It's the truth!"

"Alright guys," Mr. Schue called out from the auditorium, "You remember the Jane Addams Academy All-Girls Choir—" The Spanish teacher stopped for a second when a girl with penciled-in eyebrows and a big afro, whose shirt read "Cree", came up to him and whispered into his ear. Schuester furrowed his eyebrows before turning awkwardly back to the New Directions. "Um, correction... The Jane Addams Academy's... Bootylicious Angels." The last part he barely let out.

The New Directions tried their hardest not to laugh, but Brittany and Santana were giggling unashamedly.

"Please give them you're attention and respect," Schuester said sternly, clearing talking to Brittana.

"Hit it, ladies." Hitchens snapped her fingers and the music started playing.

Jayelle
Lucy Liu, with my girl Drew
Cameron D. and destiny
Bootylicious Angels, come on

The last time the girls were here, they performed a rather showy version Booytlicious by Destiny's Child, incorporating what Rachel and Brittany referred to as 'hairography', and to be perfectly frank, the girls of Jane Addams have not changed their style at all. The song they chose was another Destiny's Child song, Independent Women, from the Charlie's Angels soundtrack. Despite their amateur work, Tina did enjoy the performance they gave. Though, she could tell that in some places, the girl were attempting to rewrite the original lyrics with their own in order to fit in with their performance, which was rather silly but it still worked just fine and Tina still found it amusing. She was definitely into the musical number, and before she knew it a heavy-set girl (whom Tina couldn't tell if she were black or Hispanic or both) was already singing the chorus with the Bootylicious Angels singing back-up.

Shadonda with Bootylicious Angels
All the women who are independent
Throw your hands up at me
All the honeys making money
Throw your hands up at me
All the mommas who profit dollars
Throw your hands up at me
All the ladies who truly feel me
Throw your hands up at me

And damn it if Tina couldn't resist moving with the Jane Addams girls and throwing her hands up in the air. Mike tried his best to settle her down, clearly embarrassed by her sudden dancing. Sam, however, just laughed at his friend's sudden need to dance along with Jane Addams girls as they twisted their hair around like they were having a seizure.

Tina was rather impressed. She hadn't got so into a song in a long time. This really lifted her spirits in the late, and the lyrics were definitely something she could relate too. Sometimes it was hard watching from the sidelines, seeing everyone else getting their moments in the spotlight over and over again. She wanted to have that so badly. If only there was some way that could happen...

Shadonda with Bootylicious Angels
Girl I didn't know you could get down like that
Tell me how you Angels get down like that
Girl I didn't know you could get down like that
Show me how you Angels get down like that

After the song ended, New Directions applauded politely, though none were as genuine as Tina was with their applause, except maybe Sam. Tina smiled as the girls all walked off the stage one by one. Their song really did make her feel better, and she was hoping to get through the week with a more positive attitude. Maybe she and Mike can work things out again and try to go back to the way they were. She was the last one to leave the auditorium as Mike offered to wheel Artie for her. When she finally got out, she heard a commotion going on down the hall. Curious, she left the group and turned the corner to see a few of the Jane Addams girls having an argument. Being the gossip monger that she was, she loved some good drama so she hid behind the lockers to listen in.

"You were 'sposed to gimme dat solo, Shadonda," came a loud voice. "We had a deal!" Tina looked to see that it was a very skinny, dark-skinned girl with hair that almost looked like a weave.

"Shut up, Aphasia," the girl called Shadonda retorted. "You been ridin' us all week for a damn solo. You know I'm da lead singer! You just a back-up dancer."

"I'll show you back-up dancer, Precious Jones!" Aphasia lunged at Shadonda with the intent knock her out, but both girls were held back by their teammates.

Tina giggled. This is getting good! As it turns out, she wasn't the only one dealing with sidelining problems. It looks like every show choir has drama. Even if they were criminals.

"Girls! Girls! Girls!" Ms. Hitchens shouted, breaking up the fight. "Aphasia, you need to go cool off in the auditorium! Shadonda, Jayelle, go take the girls back to the bus. Now, before you set me off!"

Without hesitation, the two head singers led the choir of thugs down the hall where Tina was at. She cowered in fear when they went straight passed her, hoping they wouldn't say anything to her.

"Whatchu lookin' at, Maggie Q?" Shadonda snarled intimidatingly, which made Tina whimper. That girl was scary.

Eventually, the girls were down the hall and Tina was free to walk again without the risk of getting cut. She decided to take the long route and walked by the auditorium where she heard music playing. Curiosity, once again getting the best of her, she poked her head through the door to the backstage to hear that someone was harmonizing to a piano and violin playing.

Aphasia
I don't need no one to put me down
I'm on the ground
Can't get no lower
And I don't need no one to hang around
And make me frown
It just makes me look older

Tina was shocked to hear the former convict singing so beautifully. That Aphasia girl was right, they're missing out on a beautiful voice.

Aphasia
I don't need no one to black my eye
And tell me lies
Don't wanna cry over nobody else
No, no, no, no
I can do bad all by myself

Tina wanted to hear the rest, but she got a text from Mike asking where she was, and so she bolted for the choir room. Tina noted what an interesting week it's been. She suddenly realized that she wasn't the only Tina Cohen-Chang being sidelined by a Rachel Berry. It turns out there were others who would like to get out of other people's shadows. It wasn't just her. She could definitely sympathize with them. First Azimio, now that Aphasia girl. Who was next?

And then it dawned on the Asian beauty. Herself? Azimio? Aphasia? There had to be more people in their situation. More glee club singers who were being pushed to the side and neglected and not be given a damn about. There had to be people who were constantly underappreciated, who wanted that moment in the spotlight. Tina was sure that there could be a way for those people to have that moment out in front. An idea popped into head, and she smirked to herself. She went back to the choir room without saying a word to anyone, the huge smile still on her face.


Author's Comments: Yay! Tina finally got that little idea planted into her head. I haven't written the next chapter yet, but I'm not sure if should go straight into Tina gathering members or if I should drag it out a little longer. I am leaning towards continuing the Sam/Tina friendship storyline and finishing the New Directions/Warblers rivalry storyline and then going forward with the main plot into the next chapter or just cram it into one big chapter. We'll see. Anyway, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the story so far.

Featured Songs:
"Independent Women" by Destiny's Child. Sung by Shadonda and Jayelle with Bootylicious Angels.
"I Can Do Bad" by Mary J. Blige. Sung by Aphasia.