Well, here we are again. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the 3R Club (those who reviewed each of my first three chapters) member by member, so if you're solely interested in the story, skip on down. But these people have been guiding lights of sorts, so they deserve my love. (I do love all of you who have reviewed once or twice-some of those reviews are the most detailed and helpful. I just don't have the room at this header to give my love individually to each of you)
the darkness revealed: You seem to be enjoying the direction of the story (which you were excited about from the start). Thanks for that, and for the constant support
Lulu1701: As I've mentioned, writing Sam as a non-Finn is one of my greatest challenges, and you've been there from the start assuring me that I'm succeeding. Thank you.
BridgesOfSighs: I'm glad to see I have some support in my pro-Sam sentiments (in addition to the praise for the story that you've given). Thanks.
evol love: Again, thanks for the (evol) love. (I couldn't resist) Hope you thought Grilled Cheesus was as awesome as I did. Thank you.
DtecnoKira: Your reviews not only support my story, but also support my first efforts as a writer. For that, thank you.
Sara Ines: I put a good amount of thought into my word choice, so to see that you enjoy my wording in this story is delightful. Thanks and welcome to the 3R Club!
By the way, anyone else notice a Kurt/Sam moment in the next episode promo? 'Cause I certainly did. Let's see if the real Kurt and Sam can be more civil than mine are.
I don't own Glee, and for once, I'm glad. I could never have come up with anything as brilliant as Grilled Cheesus. Oh, and I don't own the song that I'm going to use in this chapter.
Sunday morning, Sam awoke with a start. He had done it. He had found the secret to being in Glee and being popular: no one cared about Glee Club. And since no one cared about Glee Club, he could do absolutely anything within the safety of the choir room without it hurting his reputation. True, being in Glee would be a hard blow to his reputation, and he'd have to be the quarterback to withstand that, but if he did, then he could do whatever he wanted.
He could be friends with the members of the Glee Club. He could be popular. He could apologize to Kurt.
All he had to do was keep quarterback and audition successfully for Glee. Then he would be home free.
However, as he glanced ruefully toward his homework, Sam realized that he would be at a disadvantage in the coming battle for quarterback. Finn was probably out practicing, but because Sam had missed most of Friday's U.S. History lesson, he would have to work extra just to complete the homework. As long as he paid attention, then Sam could get just as much from lecture as anyone else. It was when he missed something and had to turn to the dreaded textbook that Sam felt he was at a disadvantage. And whether or not he had done so on purpose, Finn had ensured that Sam would be spending his weekend with a pencil instead of a pigskin.
At 7pm, Sam finally set down his schoolwork. He decided that it was too late to practice football, and instead flipped absentmindedly through his music collection, looking for a song to audition for the Glee Club with. After spending an hour trying to find the perfect song, he decided to let fate play a hand and chose a song at random using shuffle. Looking down at the track title in front of him, Sam smirked a little. It would never have been his first choice—it was a little too dramatic—but it worked in a strange sort of way. Satisfied with the day's efforts, Sam leaned back and looked up his ceiling, thinking that tomorrow was going to be interesting, to say the least.
Sam woke up early the next day, nervous about the upcoming audition. He took a quick shower and donned his letterman's jacket. Though it wasn't a McKinley jacket, it still commanded respect, and that would be vital to his plan. He needed to keep himself as popular as possible, so that when he walked through the doors of the choir room that afternoon, he would still command a similar degree of respect from his peers.
Apparently, word of Thursday's slushie had traveled even farther over the weekend. When Sam entered the hallways of McKinley High that morning, the other students literally parted for him. They stood up against the lockers on either side of the hall, averting the eye contact he was desperately trying to make with them. And, once again, Sam was disappointed. He never wanted this, especially to the extent that it had spiraled into.
"Sam Evans, can I look at you?" he heard one of the younger Cheerios squeal from one of the walls.
He smiled and looked over to his side, and the cute brunette girl promptly fainted. Sam chuckled—this school was much more dramatic than his last one. It was almost comical how the students overreacted to everything. But it was also frightening. If they acted this way when they liked him, what would happen if he ever fell out of their good graces?
In U.S. History, Finn turned to Sam to speak with him again. Sam sighed—he knew he was committing to another extra hour of homework.
"Hey, Sam," Finn whispered once Mr. Reed had turned to the board, "You're not going to bail on us again, right?"
"No. When are auditions again?"
"3pm in the auditorium".
Sam gulped. "The auditorium? I thought you guys practice in the choir room".
"Yeah, but we do auditions in the auditorium because that's more like the places where we compete. The choir room stuff is usually just for fun or when we feel like we need to express ourselves".
"Okay. Hey, Finn, you're not pissed that I want to keep quarterback, are you?"
Finn looked down at his blank notebook in concentration before finally answering.
"No," he said slowly, "It's what I would want, too. It's what I do want. And you're not pissed that I'm going to show Coach Beiste that I'm better?"
"You mean try to show her that you're better?"
"No". Finn grinned.
Sam raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, I'm cool with it. But try to remember that I'm still new here. You still get a certain level of popularity just because you used to be the quarterback. I'm starting off at a much more critical level. I need to establish my place here, which is why I'll fight for quarterback tooth and nail, especially now that I'm auditioning for Glee".
Sam left U.S. History assured that the first big game of the season on Friday would be a quarterback showdown of sorts. But first, he had to concentrate on getting into Glee club. At 3, he entered the school's auditorium through the stage door. The stage was bare except for a small band, a lonely microphone center stage, and a slightly grumpy looking pianist. Through the glare of the stage lights, he could tell that the Glee Club was already assembled in the audience, waiting for him. He could also see that most of the guys were smiling—they already knew what he was capable of. All he could hear was the sound of his footsteps as he approached the microphone, until the voice of the Spanish teacher pierced the silence.
"You're Sam, right?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," Sam replied, squinting as the lights illuminated his face.
"You don't need to be so nervous. From what Finn tells us, you're quite the singer. So, do you have anything prepared as an audition for us? Or do you want us to give you some time to think of something to sing?"
Sam smiled and pulled some sheet music from his backpack, handing it to the musicians assembled on the stage.
"I've got something," Sam said, "It's not exactly what I usually listen to, but I wasn't sure if you do more popular music or like musical stuff in here. And since the boys heard me do something recent, I thought I'd do something a little more dramatic for my formal audition".
"Great!" Mr. Schuester called out, "Whenever you're ready"
Sam slowly approached the microphone and nodded to the musicians. As the opening strains of the song reached the audience, Sam heard a squeal. The entire Glee Club turned to Kurt, who quickly frowned, obviously peeved at his involuntary outburst. Sam took a breath, looked out over the audience and began to sing.
I have often dreamed
Of a far-off place
Where a great warm welcome
Will be waiting for me
It was amazing, actually. Sam found himself not noticing if he was sounding good or terrible. All he wanted to do was vent—to express those longings that he just couldn't talk about with the football team.
Where the crowds will cheer
When they see my face
And a voice keeps saying
This is where I'm meant to be
Sam was excited about the football game on Friday. He had heard that last year's football team was awful, and if he could win a game, then he'd earn the adulation of the entire town. And that was all he wanted. Just to be accepted-not the fear that he now created in the hallways.
I will find my way
I can go the distance
I'll be there someday
If I can be strong
I know ev'ry mile
Will be worth my while
I would go most anywhere
to feel like I belong
Sam looked down at Kurt, trying desperately to express that he hadn't actually wanted to slushie him. He was just trying to fit in. Kurt fidgeted in his seat a little, and then pointedly made an effort to look away from the golden-haired singer. Sam frowned a little, but summoned as much emotion as he could for the last chorus.
I am on my way
I can go the distance
I don't care how far
Somehow I'll be strong
I know ev'ry mile
Will be worth my while
I would go most anywhere
to find where I belong
The music died down and for a second, all Sam could hear was his own heavy breathing. Then, after what seemed like an eternity, the Glee Club members all stood up, applauding.
"Wow, Sam" Mr. Schuester said, "I think I speak on behalf of everyone when I say, welcome!"
Sam grinned. Disney may not have been his favorite kind of music, but boy did he feel good. He felt lighter, like singing actually took some of his concerns off of his shoulders. Not only that, but he could see the row of smiles from the Glee students. The girl with the unfortunate sweater who got slushied the other day looked back and forth from him and to Finn, almost as if she were comparing them. The boys from the "Billionaire" interview were patting him on the back, congratulating him. Kurt, however, just gave Sam a glare and a quick half-smile that clearly said, "Nice voice, asshole". But even that was not enough to put a damper on Sam's day. He was in the club, and inevitable dip in popularity aside, he was glad to finally meet some people who could turn out to be real friends.
For the moment, Sam chose to be blissfully oblivious to his troubles. He was oblivious to the fact that Kurt still harbored some resentment to him. He was oblivious to the fact that Finn shot him a worried look when he saw his girlfriend sizing him up. And he was oblivious to the fact that at that moment in the auditorium's balcony, Karofsky was looking down at him, frowning.
Okay, formally now. I don't own Hercules, Disney, or the song "Go The Distance"
For those of you waiting for some more interactions between Sam and Kurt, then have no fear! After all, they are finally in Glee together, just like they will be canon-wise by next week! Hooray!
Speaking of canon, I know my timing of events is a little strange. But if I don't change anything, then this'll just be Glee: The Deleted Scenes. Which has its place, but isn't what I'm trying to accomplish.
Anyway, remember that you too can be a member of the 3R club by sending me a review!
