Author's Note:
I don't want to confuse anyone so I'm going to make this clear. Each character, that I have created, may not necessarily be a representation of their parents. I am trying to make them their own individuals. The only similarity they will have to their parent is the songs they cover. There may be change ups to some songs but it will fit the story. Thanks guys and enjoy this new chapter!
Chapter 4: You Can't Always Get What You Want
Tate threw his football jacket into his locker and slammed it shut, arriving at school early to avoid his parents persistent questioning about his strange behaviour. He just didn't have the energy to talk to anyone anymore. He didn't even know how to bring up the conversation with them about the loneliness he had been feeling. Leaning against his locker, he sighed. Steph would know what to do about this, he thought to himself; but even he couldn't talk to her. Every since the summer ended, she had been so consumed with the school newspaper and her leading role as editor. It was almost as if she had forgotten about him. She was the one person who, he wished, wouldn't have forgotten about him. Most of the time, he couldn't understand why people wanted popularity in high school. He had been Tyler's right-hand man since he joined the football team in junior high and it has been exhausting. Faking smiles, walking with your head held high, pretending you had the upper hand had become a tiring facade and every time he had to pretend, he could feel his stomach twisting into knots.
"Hey," someone whispers besides him, pulling him away from his deep thoughts. He turned his head to see Stephanie looking at the floor and biting her bottom lip. He always thought it was cute when she did that because she was nervous. He really liked Stephanie but he couldn't be in a relationship right now. They were both simply too busy: her with her school schedule and him with his personal problems.
"Well look what the alarm clock rang in. How is life Miss. Editor?" he asked, draping his arm over her shoulder. She gave him a small smile as he pulled her closer to him. He really missed her, but he would never admit that. He never wanted to add more stress to her or to himself. He needed to fix himself first before he could attempt a relationship with anyone else.
"It's been kind of empty without my best friend. I'm so sorry we haven't hung out lately, Tate. I feel horrible," she explained. His eyes locked with hers and he saw the pain that lied within them. Yes, he had been upset that they hadn't been hanging out as often as he would have liked, but he couldn't place all the blame on her. He just wasn't ready to tell her about his feelings or the self infliction he had been keeping to himself.
"Steph, it's my fault too. Football, school and glee club have been keeping me really busy lately. But how about we go out after football practice and your meeting for the newspaper. There's a mocha frappe that's calling our names at the Lima Bean," he suggested.
"Sounds perfect. I'll be done around three-thirty, promise."
"Three-thirty it is. Should I walk you to class?" he asked as the bell rang for the start of the day.
"Yes you may," she responded with a smile. Maybe today would be a good day, he thought to himself.
~gLee~
" Not that I mind the get-out-of-math-free card but remind me again why we're doing this and not Sam?" Chelsea asked as she pulled out her chair and notepad before sitting down. Her and Susan would be auditioning new, potential, cheerleaders for the Cheerios.
"Sam's has prep for the SAT's this morning. She is trying to get into a college for next year, yeah know," Susan explained, pulling a pen from her backpack. Susan really didn't mind scouting for new talent. She felt like she had been appointed an important title. Beside her and Chelsea were the second in command if Sam couldn't fulfill her duties as Captain.
"Well I think this is garbage. I'm all for helping my girl get into college, but if I have to be forced to listen or watch another rendition of 'hey Mickey, you're so fine' I will gouge my eyes out with your pen," Chelsea responded while sending a grave look at her sister. Susan chuckled at the look, knowing it far to well. It was something she had picked up from their mother, Santana, when they knew they were in trouble.
"It's going to be fine. Only ten girls signed up, we'll be out of here in no time," Susan chimed.
"Ten girls too many if you ask me. We already have a solid team, there's no reason to add anyone else. I probably won't like them anyways," Chelsea stated, folding her arms gently over her chest. Susan always knew her sister to be like this when she was forced into a situation beyond her control.
"Well if you keep complaining this will take longer than you want it too," Susan replied, watching the hopefuls pile into the gymnasium and seating themselves on the bleachers. She heard her sister remark with a sarcastic 'whatever'.
"Alright whose up first. Come on people we don't have all day, you know," Chelsea yelled. Susan could only chuckle at her sister before calling upon the first girl to audition.
After countless of auditions and countless renditions of former cheerleading routines, Susan and Chelsea began to pack up their belongings. Just as they were about to leave the gymnasium, a young, blonde girl came running through the doors.
"You're late, tryouts are over. Better luck next year," Chelsea said, slinging her backpack over her shoulder. She watched the blonde girl scoff. Chelsea had been in the room with this girl for only a minute and she could tell this girl was going to be a pain in her ass.
"Technically I'm only forty seconds late. I think you can spare a few minutes of your time before next period," the blonde girl remarked sarcastically. Susan raised an eyebrow. This new girl is crazy if she thinks Chelsea won't retaliate.
"Listen here Miss. Peroxide Blonde in need of a major attitude adjustment. Tryouts have been going on for an hour and regardless of how many "seconds" you've been late, you're still late so go shake your pom-poms somewhere else. Now if I were you I'd leave from the exact same door you entered and make sure it hits you in the ass on the way out," Chelsea smirked, waving her hand in a sarcastic goodbye. With one swift movement, the blonde girl was out the door.
"You do realize Sam's going to kill us," Susan chimed as she watched the girl leave the gymnasium.
"What are you talking about? That girl was a bitch," Chelsea responded, pointing at the girl as she walked out the door.
"Yes, but we didn't pick anyone from the tryouts like Sam told us too."
"Dammit!" Chelsea yelled. How the hell were they going to explain that one?
~gLee~
Kevin had been sitting in the library reading the latest Shakespeare play that he had been able to borrow from the library. Romeo and Juliet had always been so identifiable to himself, especially because of his feelings for Charlotte. Two star-crossed lovers seemed like a very romantic notion to him, alas Charlotte wouldn't give him the time of day unless she absolutely needed too. Flipping the page, he heard snickering coming from behind him.
"Well, well if it isn't little Nerd Boy. Come here to read your girlie book," a hockey player snickered from behind him, stealing away his play in the process. Kevin had been used to this. The constant teasing and mockery.
"I'm surprised you know the library exists," he replied, mustering up as much courage as he could. These hockey players were twice his size and would beat him to a pulp. Not like he wasn't used to it. Everyday it was the same routine: get up, come to school, get tossed in a dumpster, go to class, get slammed into a locker and aside from the days he had glee club practice, he'd make his way home. Sometimes high school really did suck.
"What did you just say to me?" the hockey player asked, slamming him into the row of books. Kevin winced in pain. He thought he'd be used to this feeling of pain by now. For now, all he could do was stay silent.
"Hey Marks, why not try picking on someone you're own size for a change," a male voice said, causing the hockey players to turn around and loosen their grip on Kevin. Peaking over his shoulder, Kevin saw who had been standing there. What the hell is Tyler Puckerman doing in a library?
"Well looks like Prince Charming of McKinley High came to save his damsel in distress," the hockey player mocked. Kevin watched as Tyler chuckled in response.
"Wasn't the hockey team like 0-12 last year? And the only damsel in distress I see here is you, considering you're scoring record and how you prance on the ice. Here's a tip for you about hockey, you want to shoot the puck in the opposing net and not your own," Tyler criticized. With one swift movement, Kevin could feel his butt hit the floor as the hockey player had turned to walk away. There really was no escape to that insult.
"Watch it Puckerman. By the way, Nerd McGee, I'm not finished with you yet," the hockey player yelled, pointing at Kevin and slamming into Tyler's shoulder on his way out of the library.
"You okay dude?" Tyler asked, extending his hand for Kevin to grab. Sighing in defeat, Kevin grabbed his hand and lifted himself off the floor.
"I appreciate what you did but you didn't have to do that. I'm used to this by now," Kevin replied.
"You shouldn't have to be used to this," Tyler reprimanded. Kevin shook his head.
"You wouldn't understand. Try spending one day in my shoes and you might get what I go through," Kevin stated. With one swift movement, he hoisted his bag over his shoulders and heading towards the door, leaving Tyler more confused then ever.
~gLee~
"Please, please, please, please, please."
"Max, for the fifth time, in the past five minutes, I said no. Geez, I'm only a freshman. Is a makeover really necessary?" Claire asked while placing her books in her locker. Max had been going on about this makeover for a good ten minutes. Growing up, Max, Sam and Tyler had always protected her. For the first time, she wanted to be her own person.
"Claire, you're a beautiful girl; however ripped jeans are so last season. This is high school and since I've survived almost four years here, I think I know this place a little better than you do," Max replied. Claire could only smile. Sometimes begin the baby really did have privileges and she knew her "cousins" would gladly do anything for her.
"If I say yes, will it shut you up?" she joked looking over at Max. Squealing in delight, Max wrapped his arms around her in a giant bear hug. Max was an unusually big kid with a heart of gold and often, a lot of people had mistaken him for being the stereotypical gay male; but Max teetered the balance between stereotype and exceeding labels.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you," he responded enthusiastically. Claire laughed at his enthusiasm and as she closed her locker, she linked arms with him as they walked down the hall. So far, McKinley had been nothing like she had expected. She expected something scary and larger than her expectations. As she surveyed the hallway, she began to feel a sense of belonging. This would be her home away from home for the next four years and for some of her "cousins" (a term she used loosely as they all weren't actually related) this would be their final year.
"Hey Max, are you scared to leave high school?" she asked unexpectedly. She watched as Max pondered her question.
"I don't normally like to think about it. I still have nine months but yeah, I'm scared. I know this place like the back of hand. Next year, I'm a small fish in a big pond. I do, however, have one piece of advice for you: enjoy every minute of this place. Four years goes by way too fast," he replied. She pondered on his advice, knowing that she would definitely start enjoying this place.
~gLee~
Here's the new chapter guys! Thanks for reading. Stay tuned cause we've got some choir room stuff, the first song selection, and whose going to be McKinley's newest IT couples? Believe me, I don't think you'll ever expect it! :)
Now may you pretty, pretty please hit the review button! I'd love to know what you guys think! :)