A/N: Wow everybody, thanks so much for all the reviews and favorites! I got to wake up to 5 new reviews, 5 alerts and 2 favorites.
Since you guys are so awesome, whenever I get a new review, I go and make the last chapter a little bit better. I have to say, it's coming along fantastically.
And this chapter will be a little experiment. This will be the first chapter I write when it's not some ungodly single-digit time a.m.
Disclaimer: Me no own Glee. Me Clydae, he Ryan Murphy.
Chapter 4 : Lean on Me
Tina continued to drift through the halls of McKinley, her mind elsewhere. Anything to keep her from thinking about the reality that she had just crashed into. And now that she had told Kurt and Mercedes her secret (not to mention going a few days without stuttering), she couldn't go back to hiding behind her hair, clothes, and stutter. She was just another normal girl, and she had never felt so alone.
After school, Tina vaguely remembering that she had to meet Mike on the second floor to go over their ballad assignment, Tina made her way up the stairs. That ballad assignment. Sing everything you feel. Tina scowled to herself, she was positive Mike wouldn't want to know everything that she was feeling. And it was a little awkward; it wasn't like they were friends or anything. Sure he was nice and friendly, but they just didn't know each other very well. He was probably feeling the same way. Maybe there was a good way out of this assignment.
Finding the empty room that Mike had found to practice, Tina turned on the lights and sat patiently. She didn't have to wait long, Mike came in a few minutes later, looking as awkward as she did.
"Hey" he greeted casually. "Not really sure what to do for this…" he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, obviously feeling uncomfortable with the situation.
She sighed, "I know. Plus, we've all been so busy with Finn and Quinn's baby drama… wait, that's it!" She jumped off of her chair, reaching for her phone. Mike looked more than confused. Before he could ask, she answered his question, "Instead of doing these awkward ballad pairs, let's get everybody to sing one to Finn and Quinn! It'll make them feel better and I might just be saving Mercedes' life."
Mike laughed at this. It was true, Puck might just kill the boisterous girl after all. "Sounds like a good idea to me. Want me to tell Brittany and Santana?"
Tina nodded as she dialed Mercedes' number.
Directly below them in the music room, Mercedes heard her phone ring, and was a bit surprised to see Tina calling.
"Hey Tina, what's up?"
'Mercedes, I have a great idea for this stupid ballad project'
"Oh yeah? Where are you?"
'On the second floor with Mike. He's telling Brittany and Santana now.'
"Oh you're right above me!"
'Uh… yeah, but just listen. Instead of doing these stupid ballads with each other, we should all sing for Quinn and Finn! How about… Lean on Me? Your voice would be perfect for it. Better not have Rachel solo on this one'
Just then Puck walked in, glaring daggers at Mercedes. He mumbled something about having to practice the ballad, and she waved him off, "I'm talking to my girl Tina"
She turned back to the phone, "That's a great idea! I'll get everyone else in on it."
Tina closed her phone, turning back to Mike with a smile. "Is everybody in?"
He nodded, "Yup I even sent a text to Matt in case he gets better by tomorrow."
As Tina was walking home, she felt her phone buzz. When she found it in her bag, the screen brightly informed her that she had a new text from Mercedes.
I know im good but I think u know whose voice would be even better ;)
Tina's heart sank into her stomach. Of course she knew. Mercedes' voice was big and bold, but it was Artie's soulful voice that would be perfect for a song like Lean on Me. She sighed, slid up the screen to access her phone's little keyboard, texting back quickly
Can u ask him?
It was only a couple of minutes before she got an affirmative response from Mercedes, and Tina continued on her way home.
The next day, they all agreed to rehearse Lean on Me after school before presenting it to Quinn and Finn the day after. Tina waited in the music room anxiously, unsure if this was going to work. Luckily she had gotten Mr. Shue in on the plan, so it couldn't exactly fail. It would just suck if Puck sat out or something. It would only work with everybody. Finally people came shuffling in. Mike, with Brittany at his side came in, gave Tina a smile and an approving nod.
"I'm impressed we actually got everyone together. Great idea, Tina."
"Yeah, it's like… we can all sing to them!" Brittany added.
Tina smiled at the blonde cheerio. But soon Santana arrived with Mr. Shue on her heels, then Mercedes and Kurt, Rachel, then Artie. Everyone waited a few minutes, wondering if the angsty football player would show. Finally, Puck trudged through the door, giving a weird look to Mercedes, who seemed to look proud of him. Something weird must have gone down in the music room that day…
"Well let's get this thing over with" Puck broke off Tina's thoughts with his very irritated voice.
But then Mr. Shue took over. The rehearsal went very well. And Tina had to admit, Artie's voice was better for the part. Who was she kidding, it was beyond perfect. She would never admit it while Rachel was alive somewhere in the world for fear of being disemboweled, but Tina preferred Artie's voice over Finn's. It just had more emotion in it. Finn's was very pure, but it just didn't carry the same weight as Artie's. As he sang with Mercedes, Tina couldn't help but swoon a little. Don't be such an idiot schoolgirl, Tina. It's over. He's not yours anymore she mentally kicked herself. But still…
The rehearsal ended after a couple run-throughs, everyone confident that tomorrow was going to perfectly. Everyone filed out of the music room just as they had entered, but Tina lingered a little. She didn't really know why, maybe it was out of habit. She was used to waiting for Artie, who usually left last. As per usual, she was left alone with Artie for a moment after Rachel had finally gone. Tina looked at Artie, who was just finishing gathering up his things. She took a breath, daring herself to speak.
"Hey Artie… you did a really good job with the song today…" She managed to say with more difficulty than was necessary.
Artie hadn't really noticed he was alone with Tina until she spoke to him. He quickly looked up and around, his eyes finally landing on her. He half-smiled, accepting the small compliment. Though he was looking forward to Quinn Fabray singing to him, when he heard about Tina's idea, it was too good to pass up. However, his smiled faded quickly. He took a good look at Tina for the first time in a while, and noticed how different she looked. Well, she still looked the same, but her face was different. She looked really tired, her eyes dull with lack of sleep. It was like she was empty.
"Thanks Tina… you okay?" He asked out of genuine interest. Yes, he was determined to pretend nothing had ever happened with them. To him, they were just acquaintances. Or friends by association. Something like that.
She looked at him as if she was a deer in headlights, obviously not expecting him to ask her any questions. He felt a little bad at that moment, she was obviously in pain just from being this close to him. She mumbled that she was fine and managed to make a break for the door. He sighed as she turned the corner and was out of sight.
Their hard work paid off. When they performed the song for Quinn and Finn, they looked so touched. Quinn was on the verge of tears until they pulled her up to dance with them. It really was a good moment for the Glee club. Awkward moment between Kurt and Finn aside. After lots of laughing and hugs, everyone slowly filed out as usual. And as per usual, Artie took a little longer getting his things together. He secretly loved that Tina waited for him to get his things together. When everyone else had gone, Artie decided to congratulate Tina
"This was such a great idea…"
He lifted his head, and found that the room was empty. She was gone. He finished his statement to the empty room,
"…Tee…"
Using the nickname he had called her back when they were best friends, he realized in that moment that he missed her.