Enjoy!
Saturday, October 31 2009, 5:52 A.M., Lima Abortion Clinic entrance
I stumbled a little as I reached the automatic doors.
"Woah." Puck said, catching my elbow. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah." I nodded, yawning. "Just a little tired, is all."
He frowned. "You really should be sleeping more. Anything less than eight hours of sleep is bad for the baby."
I raised my right eyebrow a little. "Well, that's not going to matter in a little bit, will it?"
His frown deepened. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
I nodded. "Yes."
We were at the Lima abortion clinic. Why? Because they give out free cookies on Halloween.
That was sarcasm. We're here for an abortion, obviously. I just found out I was pregnant three days ago. Puck and I came to the clinic at the time when we thought that there would be the least amount of people there, very early in the morning on Halloween. I mean, really, who wanted to get an abortion on Halloween? Exactly.
I asked Puck to come with me because I was not a morning person, and I was afraid that if I drove that I might fall asleep at the wheel and crash. I wasn't death that I was afraid of, though.
I was afraid that I'd have to go to the hospital and they'd realize that I'm pregnant.
We walked through the doors and, surprisingly, there were four other couples (one of them looked like they were also teenagers) and five other single girls in the waiting room.
Apparently they had the same idea that we did.
We sat down awkwardly, and I saw the teenage couple's and three of the single girls' eyes look at us accusingly.
Like they had any right at all to critisize.
Hypocrites, I thought. You're all here for the very same reason.
I looked at Puck and could tell that he was thinking the same thing.
They were still staring at us. I bit my lower lip gently, something I always did when I was nervous or uncomfortable. Did they recognize me? I didn't recognize any of them.
I grabbed my cross. Whenever I did I usually felt like God was personally reassuring me.
But not this time.
I looked at the inscription on the back (I had worn my largest cross so that everybody at the clinic would know that I was Christian and not the type to usually get knocked up). It said,
Life is a gift from God. It should be cherished, nourished, and protected.
I groaned inwardly. Why did it have to say that? It makes me feel guilty about getting an abortion. Should I not get one? I had already sinned once, after all. My portrait of Jesus had even been watching us! I don't really need another strike on me.
But I couldn't raise a baby. Should I just give it up for adoption? That seemed like the most logical answer. But could I really walk around school pregnant? Could I really walk down the hallway, and know that they're talking about me, the pregnant slut?
I was stronger than this, though. I could get through a pregnancy and labor. It would be hard, but it would make me stronger. I knew I could do this.
"Puck?" I whispered. He looked at me.
"I don't think I can do this." I said, gesturing to the abortion room (was there a technical name for it?).
He smiled and stood up, holding out his hand for me. I smiled at his corniness but let him help me up.
I could've sworn he squeezed it a little...
Monday, January 3 2028, 5:52 P.M., Beth Fabray- Corcoran's bedroom
"Beth, dinner!" My mom called from downstairs.
I sighed, getting up off of my bed and walking down the stairs. I took my seat at the table as my mom brought out supper. We were having pizza.
"So, how was your first day?" She asked as I took a bite of my slice.
"Oh, it was awesome!" I said, sallowing quickly and dropping my burger down on my plate. "I'm in the AP English Class, of course, and you'll never guess who my teacher is!"
"Who?" She asked, getting up to get some water.
"Rachel Berry! From Broadway!" I gushed. She stumbled a little, but kept walking.
Um, okay? I looked at the floor, but there was nothing she could have tripped on. "Oh, and she said she knows you!" I said, missing a few beats.
She stopped and turned around. "She did?"
"Um, yeah..." I raised my right eyebrow a little at her. "She said you were the coach of Vocal Adrenaline when she was in high school."
"Oh. Um, yes. I was." She said, turning back around and getting her water.
"And she's my homeroom teacher and the Glee Club's (which I'm in) co- director!" I said. She finished pouring her glass and put the water back in the fridge.
"You're in Glee Club? That's great! Who's the other director?"
I thought back to earlier this afternoon:
"...What do you think, Noah?"
Mr. Puckerman was still crying, and he looked even more scared.
"It was lovely, Beth." He whispered.
"Noah Puckerman."
Shelby dropped her glass and it shattered into a million pieces when it hit the floor.
My jaw dropped. "Mom!" I exclaimed, shocked.
It was like she snapped out of a trance. "Well, this is just a big mess."
I wasn't sure if she was talking about the water or the reason she dropped it.
"Um, go finish your veggie burger in your room, Rach. I'll clean this up." She said distractedly.
I frowned. She never let me eat dinner in my room. And we were eating pizza, not veggie burgers. And why did she call me Rach?
"Okay, mom." I said quietly, picking up my plate and leaving the kitchen. Shelby stood frozen in place, hand still open in mid- air as if she were holding an invisible glass. I frowned as I left.
I didn't even get to tell her about Cheerios tryouts.
Wednesday, January 5 2028, 10:03 P.M., William Mckinley High Choir Room
I walked in and found a seat next to Barbie.
"Hey, Beth!" She said, waving her hand right in my face.
"Um, hi, Barbie." I said, gently pushing her hand away.
"Ooh! You made it!" She said, gesturing to my Cheerios uniform. Ms. Lopez had- somewhat begrudgingly- granted me a spot on the Cheerios after my follow- up tryout yesterday.
My bones still ached.
"Yeah." I said, grinning. "So what's up?"
"When's your birthday?" She asked, ignoring my question completely.
"Um, June 3, 2010. What's yours?" I asked her slowly.
"December 21, 2011. I'm a junior." She explained.
"Wait, then how are you in my English class?"
"I'm really good at English. Or, well, I used to be. Before it became difficult." She said, frowning.
I felt bad for her. "Well, I could help you after school tomorrow."
"Sweet, okay! Guess what!" She asked excitedly.
"What?" I asked.
"My mom was a teen mom." She said, not seeming the least bit sad.
I frowned. "Aw, I'm sorry." I said, not really sure what to say.
"Why? If she wasn't a teen mom, then I wouldn't be me." She said, smiling.
I smiled back. Barbie seemed really nice. Plus, she was happy all the time, and not in the annoying way that Rachel is.
"And, my birthday's lucky. December 21 is the day of the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year."
I was surprised that she knew that. "Um, yeah, that's great."
"Okay, Glee clubbers! Let's begin!" Rachel speed- walked into the classroom.
Wednesday, January 5 2028, 10:08 P.M., William Mckinley High Choir Room
"I've recently gotten the rules for Regionals, and we have to have a duet, one you guys can all sing together, and then one of our choice. That being said, I believe that Lane would be the best choice for the male part in the duet. Lane, please come up here and sit in this chair." Rachel said, getting right down to business. Lane sat down in a chair at the front of the room, facing the Glee Club.
"Hey, that's not fair! You're picking favorites again!" Puck said, scowling at her.
"What are you talking about?" Rachel said, looking innocent. Puck saw right through her.
"You're picking Lane- again- to be on lead vocals because he's in your homeroom, AP English class, and because he has two gay dads. If you knew what was best for this club, which you should, I mean, you are a co- director and all, then you would pick Vinny! He's clearly the best!" Puck said.
All the Glee clubbers- excluding Beth and including Lane- rolled their eyes. They had heard this fight before.
"Vinny is weak when it comes to high notes! I am offended that you would think that I would play favorites! Just because we both happen to have homosexual fathers does not mean that I favor him over anyone else in this club!"
"Well, alright then." Puck said, crossing his arms. "I believe you." He said, much to Rachel's shock. Puck was as stubborn as she was. He never gave up that quickly.
"Well, thank you, Noah." Rachel said, still in shock. Was it really that easy?
"That being said," Puck mocked Rachel. She glared at him. "I pick... Beth." He said, smirking.
Of course it wasn't.
Beth got up and sat down in the chair next to Lane.
"Okay, now you're the one who's picking favorites. Lynn clearly has the best voice when it comes to females." Rachel said, angry.
How can I be his favorite? Beth thought. I've only sang one song to him.
"Oh, so you admit you were playing favorites?" Puck asked. Rachel's jaw dropped, and the Glee kids looked at each other excitedly. This was getting good. "And it doesn't matter, because, for some odd reason, their voices sound eerily similar, don't you think?" Puck said, tell- tale smirk back. It made Beth think of the picture she saw of him on the first day of school, back when he was on the football team.
Rachel had to agree.
"So, what song should they sing?" Rachel asked, a mischevous look in her eye. "I was thinking -and I know that this song isn't traditionally a duet, but we could tweak it a little- 'I Wanna Sex You Up'."
The club all burst out laughing, and Lane and Beth looked down at their feet, blushing profusely.
"That song is way too innapropriate!" Puck said. No guy was going to sing that song to his daughter.
"Really? Because, I'm pretty sure that you sang that song while you were in high school, at a PTA meeting, no less!" Rachel exclaimed.
"Dude, awesome!" Nick exclaimed.
"How did you know about that?" Puck asked Rachel, ignoring Nick.
"My fathers are very involved in my education!" Rachel said, hands on hips. A few kids snickered. It was really funny to see Rachel angry.
"Well, I was thinking they could sing 'Don't Go Breakin My Heart'." Puck said, raising an eyebrow.
"Aww!" Barbie squealed. Everyone looked at her.
"What? That's adorable!" She said, clapping her hands. Lane and Beth blushed again.
Rachel's rolled her eyes and looked at Puck. "How did you-?"
"Finn told me." Puck said, leaning against a piano.
"Wait. My dad?" Lynn asked. She was ignored.
"Hmm, now that I think about it, you know what would be a really great song? 'Beth', by KISS. It's just too perfect!" Rachel said, smirking.
"Okay, foul!" Puck said, moving his arms in the same gesture that umpires do when a player is safe.
All the kids looked at each other, confused.
"Rachel, can I talk to you out in the hallway for a second?" Puck asked through clenched teeth.
Before Rachel could answer, Puck grabbed her arm and dragged her out into the hall.
"Does this happen alot?" Beth asked.
"Yeah," Lane said.
"It's not too bad, though. They just have to make out and then they're over it." Vanessa said, filing her nails.
Beth's eyebrows went up in surprise.
Wednesday, January 5 2028, 10:20 P.M., William Mckinley High Choir Room
"Okay, now that we've gotten song selection out of the way, we have alot to cover." Rachel said as her and Puck walked into the room. Sure enough, their hair and clothes were ruffled.
Ew.
"Ooh! Ooh! Rachel!" Barbie said, raising her hand.
"Yes, Barbie?" Rachel said, sounding bored.
"Can we show Beth Invitationals and Sectionals?" Brittany asked excitedly.
"Uh, I don't know... Guys, do you want to watch Invitationals and Sectionals?" Rachel asked. Everyone nodded excitedly.
"Psst! Beth! We did awesome at Sectionals!" Barbie whispered to me.
"Why are you whispering?" I whispered back.
"Because the movie's about to start!" She said, jumping up and down in her seat.
The tape started out with a theater, curtains covered the stage, and there were people sitting in the chairs, chatting. The lights dimmed, and everyone stopped talking. Music started. Lane opened a curtain near the back of the theater, and a spotlight shined on him. He walked slowly down the aisle (A.N. If the lyrics are italisized, that means that it's just Lane singing. If they're underlined, it's everyone else singing).
"She's a good girl,
Loves her mama.
Loves Jesus,
And America, too."
I smiled. I love this song.
"She's a good girl,
Crazy 'bout Elvis.
Loves horses,
And her boyfriend, too."
He started walking faster.
"And it's a long day,
Livin' in Reseda.
There's a freeway,
Runnin' through the yard."
He started walking even faster.
"And I'm a bad boy,
'Cause I don't even miss her.
I'm a bad boy,
For breakin' her heart."
He jumped onto the stage.
"And I'm free!
Free fallin',
Fallin'."
He raised his arms.
"And I'm free!
Free fallin',
Fallin'.
The curtains started opening slowly behind him.
"All the vampires,
Walkin' through the valley.
They move west down,
Ventura Boulevard."
The curtains were almost all the way opened, and the lights on stage turned on. All of the guys stood to one side in a group, pretending to shove each other. They were wearing dress pants and leather jackets. They had their hands in their pockets and some of them were standing in the shadows. They were completely still, as if frozen mid- shove.
"And all the bad boys,
Are standing in the shadows."
All of the girls were on the other side, sitting. They had on almost knee- length short- sleeve white dresses with big black polka dots. Barbie was sitting in the middle, with her legs tucked under her. She had her hand the girl to the left of her's shoulder, and she had her other hand on the girl to the right of her's back, who had her arm around her shoulder. The girl to the left of Barbie had another girl's head in her lap, and she was stroking her hair. A girl sat in front of all of them (probably Lynn, judging by her hair) with her head in her hands, as if she was crying. They all had their heads down, blank expressions on their faces. They were, too, completely frozen.
"And all the good girls,
Are home with broken hearts."
"And I'm free! (Free fallin', now I'm free fallin')."
At first I actually didn't think that it was the rest of the Glee club singing. No parts of them moved except for their mouths to sing.
"And I'm free! (Free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm).
I wanna glide down,
Over Mulholland.
I wanna write her,
Her name in the sky."
Lynn and a boy with brown hair slowly (very slowly) got up and started walking towards the front where Lane was standing.
"I wanna free fall,
out into nothin'.
Oh,
I'm gonna leave this,
This world for a while."
Lynn and the brunette reached the front, standing right behind Lane.
"Now I'm free. (Free fallin, now I'm, free fallin').
Free fallin' (Fallin').
Now I'm free. (Free fallin' now I'm, free fallin).
Free fallin' (Fallin')."
He fell back, and Lynn and the brunette caught him in a trust fall. The brunette dragged him back under his arms, and Lynn went up to the microphone on the stand.
"Free fallin' (Fallin')."
Lane and everyone else finished, and they put their heads down, Lynn right in front of the microphone (A.N. Same thing, italisized means Lynn singing, and underlined means everyone else singing).
And then everything happened at once.
The lights turned on, flashing, and everyone started swing dancing. The girls did all of these flips and rolls, showing their mid- thigh long leggings. Lynn raised her head, and I couldn't tell before (because the lights were so dim throughout Lane's performance and she had her hands covering her face), but her lips were dark red and glossy.
"You remind me of a man!
What man?
Oh, the man with the power!
What power?"
Lynn urged the audience to clap to the beat, and they did.
"Say, the power of voodoo!
Who do?
Yeah you do, you do!
Do what?"
Lynn started dancing in place.
"Oh, remind me of a ma-AN!
What man?
Say, the man with the power!
What power?"
I couldn't believe that they could dance so well. This song was alot different from the previous one!
"Ooh, the power of voodoo!
Who do?
Yeah you do, you do!
Do what?"
The swing part really kicked in then, and Lynn danced with the brunette boy (I really should learn his name, shouldn't I?) until the spoken part came back on, but she didn't really dance as quick as the others.
"Uh, we could take 'em out of this rex,
Save us from the man with the hex!
Save us from his evil curse,
It's gonna get bad, yeah,
It's gonna get worse."
Lynn swinged again at the instrumental part.
"We could take 'em out of this rex,
Save us from the man with the hex!
With hairy legs and heavy feet,
He cracks up, baby, as he creaks."
The audience started cheering and waving around these glow-stick thingies, really getting into it.
"We could take 'em out of this rex,
Save us from the man with the hex! (Oh, you remind me of a man!)
With sweaty palms and hidden eyes, (What man?)
He can't see through to his disguise! (Oh, the man with the power!)"
The boys and girls started singing in the background, the girls singing the questions (like, what power?) and the boys singing the answers (like, oh, the power of voodoo!).
"What power?
Oh, the power of voodoo!
Who do?
Yeah you do, you do!"
Lynn joined in with the girls.
"Do what?
Remind me of a man!
What man?
Oh, the man with the power!"
There are seriously no words to describe their dancing. It was some of the best dancing I've ever seen. They never missed a beat, and it looked like they weren't even breaking a sweat.
"What power?
Say, the power of voodoo!
Who do?
Yeah you do, you do!
Do what?"
They all clumped together in a big group.
"Save us, save us!
Save us, save us!
Save us, save us!
Save us from the man with the hex!"
They put their heads down, finished, and the audience went wild.
"Wow." I said as Noah took out that tape and put in the Invitationals one. "Did you guys win?"
"Well, duh." Lynn said, flipping back her ponytail. "You should have seen one of the other groups. They thought they could pull off Gaga!
I laughed as the tape started.
Ta- da! Songs used in the chappie:
Free Fallin' by John Mayer
The Man With the Hex by The Atomic Fireballs
P.S. Go to youtube and listen to The Man With the Hex, and imagine Quinn singing the parts in the beginning that just the one man sings (but obviously not as deep and throaty), because trust me, you can TOTALLY picture her singing it!
Just thought I'd mention that ^ ^
-CC