CHAPTER 7

Later in the day, everyone was surprised to see Amanda walk through the choir room doors. She looked around uneasily at them, knowing that they were judging her without even needing to talk.

"Amanda, welcome back. We've missed you in here."

"I appreciate that, Mr. Schuester. Coach Sylvester gave me some things to think over. I'm going to stick with it a while longer, see what happens."

Mr. Schuester nodded and gestured for her to take a seat.

"All right, we have enough members to compete, but please note that we'll need a lot more than just strength in numbers to win. You guys need the passion, the drive that keeps you moving, that kind of feeling you get that makes you itch to win."

"So you want us to get bitten by mosquitos?" asked Brittany.

Mr. Schuester gave her a confused look before continuing.

"What I'm saying is that while you do have the talent, you also need to be the talent. Show them what you're made of."

"Not to be rude, but is there a point to this pep talk?" asked Blaine.

"My point is that the assignment for the week is to find a song that drives you, makes you passionate about what you want to accomplish. Sectionals is in two weeks, so we need to be as ready as possible. Just to give you an example, I'm going to start us off with one of my personal favorites."

He then picked up a guitar and began playing the intro music to Kiss's "Rock And Roll All Night", with the help of the jazz band. Mr. Schuester concluded the song with a single strum on his guitar, and the New Directions applauded heavily, having never seen Mr. Schuester with so much energy.

"Okay, that's pretty much how it goes. That's your assignment for the week, so show us some good stuff."

INTERLUDE

Matt headed to his locker, wondering about the week's assignment. He didn't know of any songs that inspired him, mostly because he just loved to dance. Just as he rounded a corner, Scott Cooper and his teammates tossed Slushees in his face. He stood where he was, colored purple, orange, and red, and freezing cold. In pure anger, he rushed to them, wiping the drink out of his eyes as he went, and grabbed Scott from behind. Not entirely aware of his actions, Matt was pummeling Scott, who was trying in vain to defend himself. Matt then came back to his senses when he felt Mr. Schuester pull him off.

"Matt, what are you doing? Do you want to be suspended too?"

"No, I'm just looking for a little payback."

"Beating someone up isn't going to help matters. Now, I highly recommend that you turn around and walk away. This guy's father is the new principal here. I don't want him to have a reason to get you kicked out."

Matt sighed sharply and continued to wipe off Slushee chunks. He turned back to Scott, who was getting up with difficulty. Matt had never beaten up somebody before, so he was genuinely surprised by how much damage he had dealt.

"You be careful, Cooper. Next time, you'll be getting the Slushee facial", Matt growled, and he walked away, surrounded by shocked students.

INTERLUDE

Down another hallway, Emily was trying to put together words to say to Alexander. She had not spoken to him since she asked him out, which didn't make her feel confident. She looked around the corner leading to his locker, where he was pulling stuff out and putting other stuff back in. She watched in concern when Brittany approached him.

"So, magic man, I'm running for Senior Class President again, and I'd like you to cast your vote for me."

"Who are you running against?"

"Oh, just a couple of people, who aren't in the Glee Club, by the way, because if they were, that would be so awkward."

"I must apologize, Ms. Pierce, but I'm a politically neutral person. I do wish you the best of luck in all your endeavors."

"Wait, okay, listen, I need to be able to maintain my status as the Senior Class President. It's the only way that I'll be able to get out of this school alive."

"That and your grades need to improve?"

"Yeah, exactly, so will you help me, please?"

"I will convince people to vote for you, and I will tutor you for free, but I will not personally vote for you. I have other agendas, so again, I wish you luck."

"Wait, what other agendas do you have in mind?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Well, as the future Senior Class President, I have an obligation to know and understand those I will end up serving."

Alexander frowned deeply.

"I am planning to get Xavier back into the Glee Club."

"That's great! How are you going to do it?"

"You're really starting to sound like that Jacob kid who follows people around. Anyway, getting him back is a gamble, so I'll just throw the dice and see what happens."

"Xavier works at a casino?"

Alexander frowned again and left Brittany by herself.

"What floor am I on, anyway?" she asked herself, and Emily couldn't help but giggle, seeing the floor number on a sign right behind Brittany.