For The Longest Time Chapter Seven
The morning dawned on another beautiful day and despite the uruly hour and the blanket of darkness that consumed her bedroom Tina was wide awake. She had so much on her mind. Her life was almost perfect, almost. Despite her recent outburst in glee club she was beginning to feel more confident in her own abilities. Her boyfriend adored her and she was very lucky to have him. Mike was perfect, he understood her and she couldn't imagine experiencing any of this without him. High school life was tough, but Tina Cohen-Chang was tougher.
She had so much homework to catch up on but Mike was so worth the early morning wake ups. Gulping down a cup of coffee she instantly felt the caffeine buzz and put pen to paper. Sometimes she was going so fast that she swore that she saw smoke coming from the pages. Doing this ensured that she not only kept her grades up but meant that she didn't have to sacrifice a single moment of her time with Mike. He was so worth it, love was worth it. At some point in the near future they would be setting off to college to start brand new lives, the mere thought of that hurt because he, Mike had always been there. Swallowing the lump in her throat, those thoughts soon passed. Tina had wrote so much that her fingers were beginning to cramp but she soildered on until the task was complete. A sigh of contentment was released as she tossed her books into her bag and got herself ready for school.
Mike pulled up outside and fired her a text to let her know that he was waiting.
"Morning beautiful, your chariot awaits xx"
"Be right there xx" she responded before bounding out of the house like she meant business. Her boots felt heavy as she clunked down the few steps from the porch and ran quickly towards Mike's car. Caffiene was coursing through her veins and she felt like she was ready to take on the world.
Kissing Mike sweetly she gave his hand a squeeze and grew quiet as her boyfriend started the car and drove the familiar route to the school parking lot.
Despite her happiness, her heart was heavy as she thought about glee club. She loved being in that room, and she loved having something to say or rather sing about but sometimes it was just exhausting to be part of the Rachel Berry show. Rachel seemed to get everything that she wanted and at times it seemed so unfair. She knew that she needed to apologize but she wasn't sorry for the way that she felt, not one little bit. Tina was the kind of girl who wore her heart on her sleeve and if she was unhappy then everyone knew about it. Although she had even surprised herself this time.
"Just say you're sorry and that'll fix everything" Mike said softly, as if he had just read his girlfriends mind.
Offering a smile and lulling her head against Mike's shoulder, Tina closed her eyes for just a moment and let his words sink in. It was her way of shutting out the world after all. "I really hope that you're right Mike".
"I'm rarely wrong..." Mike teased and planted a soft kiss to his girlfriends lips.
"It's just that i want my chance to shine and i'm exhausted being in her shadow all the time" Tina admitted with a sigh big enough to raise her shoulders.
Mike nodded his understanding and then took his girlfriends hand and gave her the reasurrance that she needed to enter the room. Her body felt unbelievably hot and for a second she thought she might actually pass out. Oxygen was scarce and her fight or flight response was heightened. Then she took in the people around her before finally her eyes arrived at Rachel Berrys. There she was, the girl who got everything. Tina was just about to open her mouth to speak when Rachel stopped her in her tracks uttering words that she never expected to hear.
"I think Tina should take the next solo. Between my dads and Finn i'm exhausted and could really do with some rest" Rachel said with her hands clasped behind her back.
Tina mouthed a brief "Thank you" before mustering up the courage to lay even more of herself bare. She really wished that she had more time to perfect her routine before doing this but all performers faced impromtu perfomances from time to time and Mike was constantly telling her just how taletned she was and that she could do anything that she set her mind to. And after all he was rarely wrong. Smiling to herself at the thought of words shared earlier. The walked to the front and prepared herself. It was now or never...after all.
She had always loved the musical Miss Saigon and this was the perfect opportunity to express that. Sure it wasn't a popular song choice but to her it was perfect, as not only could she showcase her voice but also the emotion a song could possess. And so for the next four minutes this moment was all hers and she was going to make the most of it.
Tina sang her heart out and lost herself in the song, her voice never falters despite the emotion in the song. I'd give my life for you was almost haunting and the moment she opened her mouth Goose bumps swept over her entire body. It made her shiver from the inside out. She had never seen the New Directions so quiet before and she had to admit that it was a little unnerving. For the briefest moment she felt like this was just a dream then Mr Schuesters voice brought her back to earth with a crash, bang, wallop.
Rachels mouth hung open so wide that Tina swore that it had dislocated. She was also pale from her face to the seem of her pop socks. Gosh she hoped that she was breathing.
She was just about to take her seat but wanted a few more seconds to savor this moment. It sure was beautiful.
"How about that? Our very own Tina Cohen-Chang with such a beautiful singing voice" He looked at her like he was so proud and then guided her to her seat with his arm. Tina felt vindicated, every thing that she was feeling was truthful and now she felt that more than ever.
"I knew you could do it..." Mike whispered as he nuzzled into her neck and drew her in for a hug so tight she could hardly breathe. "And i'm proud of you".
In all honesty Tina Cohen-Chang felt proud of herself to. Not only did she stand up to Mr Schuester and Rachel Berry but she showed them that she should not be discounted. She was very much a member of the New Directions and she could hold her own under pressure. There was something quite poetic and beautiful about that. Never again would she sway in the background and be a weeping willow because Tina Cohen-Chang had arrived and she was about to get a hell of a lot louder.