Author's notes: Right guys, I know this chapter might not be that exciting as it's just a sort of a helpful bridge between two events but next chapter is the actual competition and I have a few ideas in my head about what's gonna go down. I might even dedicate a few chapters to it if things get exciting! Please enjoy this rather short chapter for now, and if you have any ideas or suggestions please feel free to tell me in a review! :)

Friday morning brought with it many emotions. The members of both New Directions and the Dalton Academy Warblers were feeling very different at 7am, the morning before the supposedly 'friendly' competition. Sam was to be seen bending over the sink in the motel room's dingy bathroom, trying to quietly manage his hair in the sink but failing miserably as lemon juice dribbled all over the collar of his white shirt. He'd tried his best to look nice but things just weren't going his way anymore. Rachel Berry, already dressed, was sat in the living room of her house, practicing by doing several vocal runs. Finn, who had barely given the competition a second thought was passed out on his messy bed, still clothed from the night before, his PlayStation 3 controller lolling in his hand.

Jeff was hyperactive, busily trying to brush his teeth and look at his sheet music at the same time without allowing stray drops of water to ruin the paper. Nick walked into the bathroom they shared sleepily and turned the shower on.

"Will you be long Jeff? I need a shower." he asked, ruffling his hands through his hair sleepily.

"Nah. Two seconds." muttered the blonde teen through a mouth of froth. "Here, hold these."

Jeff stuffed the sheet music into Nick's hands before spitting the froth into the sink and rinsing his mouth with water.

"Thanks.' he said, taking back the paper and drying his mouth with a clean towel at the same time. "So Nicky, you ready for the big competition?"

"Yeah, sure. We know New Directions' style by now, they'll be blown away by our custom set-list." said the shorter brunette boy confidently, pushing Jeff out of the door before closing it. "Now get out…shower time."

Jeff grinned playfully to himself as he walked over to his dresser. He pulled out a crisp white shirt, of which he had many, and his usual black trousers. He changed quickly before going in search of his Dalton blazer, muttering the words of his solo to himself as he gave himself a once-over in the mirror.

By nine, the Warblers were all stood on the curb outside the school by the parking lot, looking smart and composed and chatting merrily whilst patiently waiting for a mini-bus to come and pick them up and dutifully take them to the theatre.

By nine, eleven of the New Directions had turned up for school and were impatiently sat in the choir room. Mr Schu was stood by the piano, checking his watch every few seconds.

Lauren Zizes and Puck were sat together in the corner, Puck making her chuckle by whispering crude things into her ear.

Mike Chang and Tina were kissing and sniggering in another corner, oblivious to the rest of the students.

Artie sat in his wheelchair, chatting to members of the band serenely.

Quinn looked stonily ahead of her whilst Britanny and Santana giggled together about Rachel's current choice of outfit, whilst the girl in question paced the floor in front of them angrily.

Sam sat on a chair at the front, going through his bag, checking each piece of sheet music carefully. He couldn't believe it, but Mr Schu had given him all the responsibility for this get-together with the Warblers. The sheet music, recruiting the band, choosing the music itself, choosing soloists had all been left down to Sam. The only things Mr Schu had allowed himself to do was alert Principal Figgins, arrange a bus and overview the practices and choreography which Sam had left Mike and Britanny in charge of. Sam was grateful in a way as with his whole life tumbling around him this had given him something to concentrate on and had proven to him that he could do whatever he wanted to.

"Right guys. Have any of you tried calling the others?" Mr Schu asked, looking up at his Glee Club, well most of it. "We're due to leave any minute."

"Sorry I'm late Mr Schu…" uttered Finn, galloping in with a sheepish look on his face. "Slept through my alarm."

Mr Schu shook it off with a, "Don't worry Finn, you're here now…take a seat." whilst Rachel wasn't as kind. She stormed up to him.

"Finn! Where were you?" she spat loudly, before lowering her voice. "Noah was even here before you. We need to provide an united front for the rest of the Glee Club to carry us through this competition."

Rachel grinned playfully at her.

"No sweat Rachel. We took the Warblers at Sectionals, easy. And we'll do it again. C'mon…" he put his arm around her and steered her to a seat beside Sam.

"Who's left Mr Schu?" asked Quinn who looked peeved.

"Just Kurt…" Mr Schu said making his way to the door so as to glance out into the corridor for any sound of the boy.

"Kurt? But I thought he left the house before me…he never misses the bus." said Finn, looking confused.

As the Glee club director approached the door however Kurt danced through the door way in a hurry.

"Sorry I'm late Mr Schu. I couldn't in the life of me decide what to wear!" he said, flushing.

The boy had obviously gone to much trouble in the image department. He was wearing tight black jeans, a black and white striped tee cut perfectly for him and a black jacket. His hair was gelled up into an extravagantly perfect style and his feet were clad in boots.

"You look great Kurt." said Mr Schu with a sincere smile. "C'mon then guys! The competition awaits.."

"Let's kick some Warbler butt!" agreed Finn, first out the door, hand in hand with Rachel.

Kurt huffed after him with an enthusiastic Mercedes in tow and the rest of them filed out in groups, leaving Sam hurriedly stuffing things into his bag.

"Man. We better win after all this handwork." he muttered, rushing after his classmates.

"Right, Warblers," began Wes, getting up from his seat next to his best friend and fellow council member David, and standing up at the front of the bus. "We're nearly there. Please try and compose yourself from all of the excitement. We need to show New Directions that we are completely capable of beating them…and calmly and collected at that."

"Sit down Wes…you're killing the buzz!" shouted Trent jokily as the only Asian member of the choir sat down huffily to stifled laughs from the other boys.

David ignored him and turned around in his seat to talk to Jeff who was currently in a heated discussion with Nick about the best Star Wars movie.

"It is so completely 'Phatom Menace'!" stated Jeff, making a dramatic hand gesture.

"No way would any loyal Star Wars fan say that!" Nick argued. "None of the prequels are nearly as good as 'Revenge of the Jedi'"

Jeff snorted but before they could continue bickering David cut in.

"Shut up for a moment guys. Jeff, is your solo ready? We haven't heard it since Wednesday. Everything OK?"

Jeff gulped before answering. "Yeah David. Everything's fine. I can't wait!"

The Council had decided that Jeff, being the one who had arranged the competition, should be granted a solo which he enthusiastically accepted. By now though he was nervous as this was only his second solo. He felt like he was carrying the weight of the whole competition on his shoulders. He wondered if Blaine ever felt like this. Nick punched him on the arm playfully as David turned back to Wes with a grin.

"You'll be great Jeff, don't worry. New Directions will be blown away!" he comforted him, smiling.

"Yeah…thanks."

Jeff turned to the window and grimaced slightly as he saw the theatre building loom into view.

Thanks for reading! Would love some reviews :) x