Disclaimer: I don't own Glee.
I'm backkkkkk. Sorry about the long wait- my life is crazy (as is a lot of people's right now). But, I am still continuing this story. And due to your feedback, I will write into season 2. So, that should be fun. Anyway- we're getting closer to 'Hell-o' so it's about to get interesting. I hope you enjoy this chapter! Don't forget to review!
"Alright guys, I think we've got a new contender for Sectionals." Mr. Schuester said, passing out sheet music. "Pop songs have always been good but I've done a little research. Seems that the judges like songs they already know like Broadway musicals and such."
Kurt gasped at the title. "Defying Gravity? I love Wicked! I've got a whole playlist favorably for this musical on my ipod."
"Good because Rachel," he glanced at the brunette. "I want you to take the solo."
Rachel smiled and nodded. Defying Gravity was well within her range. This would be a piece of cake. She turned to Kurt and noticed he ways a bit upset at the fact that she would take the solo.
"Why do we have to go all vanilla on this song?" Mercedes asked with a sassy tone. "What we need is my chocolate thunder."
The club laughed and Schuester smiled. "Don't worry Mercedes, we'll find something for you to dip in chocolate." He cleared his throat. "On another note, the school refused to provide the special bus we need for Artie on the way to Sectionals."
"What?" Tina said. "That's completely unfair!" Rachel nodded.
"So," he continued. "We're going to have to raise money to pay for it ourselves." he clapped his hands, waking a few of the former jocks in the back row. "We're going to host a bake sale."
Quinn rolled her eyes and Santana snickered. "A bake sale? You're kidding, right? They're so.. Old school."
"So hip people stopped eating delicious desserts?"
Brittany cut in. "It's not that... It's just that most of us don't know how to bake... And I find recipes confusing..." she admitted, gazing off into the distance.
"Yeah Mr. Schue, kids are busier than when you went here. We've got homework...Football, teen pregnancy... Lunch." Finn added, shrugging.
"I cannot believe you guys are willing to make Artie ride alone with his dad." Mr. Schuester said shocked. "When I was in school the best part was always the ride there."
"I'm sure Artie doesn't mind, right?" Quinn asked, turning to Artie who hadn't really said much throughout the entire discussion.
The boy looked down. "I don't mind. Besides, anything that takes away time from rehearing doesn't serve the team."
Rachel frowned, guilt flooding through her. Suddenly she felt like a really crappy friend.
"Artie..." Schuester tried.
The teen just shrugged. "I'm used to it."
Jesse kept staring at the girl pacing rapidly in front of him. He was currently sitting on the couch in Rachel's home, as if nothing were different.
"I can't believe this is happening! I mean, who does that? What guy tries to take away my solo?" she retorted, rubbing her temples.
"Maybe you should calm down Rachel. No guy can sing Defying Gravity better than you. Besides, isn't there like a high F or something?"
she nodded. "Exactly! And that's what makes me so mad. Kurt has a higher range than all the others... What if he can sing it? He'll gain the solo I rightfully deserve."
He grabbed the hem of her shirt, halting her movements. "Can you stop pacing so fast? It's starting to make me nauseous."
Rachel sighed, plopping down next to him on the couch. He drew her in close enough that they were almost cuddling. Her eyes closed quickly and she tried to calm down, thinking about the previous morning's events.
"I have something I want to say," Kurt said, raising his hand. "I'd like to audition for the Wicked solo."
"Kurt there's a high F in it." Mr. Schue stated.
"That's well within my range." he defended, hands on his hips.
The male teacher sighed. "I think Rachel's fine with the solo. But I'll find you something later has a killer high note in it. Alright?"
Kurt sat down, a disappointed look clear on his face. Rachel shook her head.
"And of course Mr. Schuester has to make my day worse by ordering us to be in a wheelchair for threee hours every single day." she huffed.
"What for?"
Rachel's head leaned against his shoulder. "So we would kind of know what it feels like for Artie. So far it's absolutely horrible. I hate that ghastly contraption!" she wailed, flailing her arm weakly at the wheelchair sitting in the corner.
"I think I have to agree with your director on that note," Jesse said. Her weight shifted away from him. He looked at her perplexed look and rolled his eyes. "I mean that maybe you guys will learn something from all this. I couldn't even imagine what it must be like to not be able to walk. In fact, I think I'd feel so contained I would go insane." he shrugged. "I'm kind of surprised he hasn't after the crap he must get."
"He said he didn't mind riding with his dad to Sectionals," Rachel stated. Her eyes looked a bit drained when she thought about Jesse's words and couldn't help but wonder if that's how Artie felt: contained.
He chuckled humorlessly. "Rachel, have you ever thought that maybe he was lying? He probably didn't want to cause any trouble."
Her petite body fell back into Jesse for support. Rachel's face hid in the crook of his neck. "Does that make me a bad person?"
"No, just ignorant I think."
"Nobody at that school is going to buy anything from us, so fund raising is hopeless for his cause.." Jesse shook his head.
"Don't think like that."
She snorted. "Well then if you think you're so wise, then please, give me some advice here."
"How about you right the wrong? Do something to help your fellow team mate."
"Like what?"
He shrugged indifferently. "Make him feel like he's a part of the group. Aren't you the one always complaining about how you don't belong? Imagine being in his place, Rachel."
Dammit, why does he have to be so mature? Rachel thought, sighing heavily. But he has a point...
...But if only he could see into the future. Rachel spat, clutching onto the wheels of her chair as Mr. Schuester tried to let her down easily.
"I know this'll be hard on you Rachel but I can't, in good conscience, preach about the importance of Artie's needs and reject Kurt's request."
Her teeth grinded. "So you're giving him my part."
"No. However he can audition for it."
"That's completely unfair! You gave me the part and filled me up with false hope just so you could rip this opportunity away from me?"
"Rachel, don't be like that. You and Kurt will both audition and whomever is better will sing it as a solo."
"It's unfair because you'll pick him so he'll stop complaining!" she screeched.
The adult sighed with frustration. "I won't judge this," he said before moving away and projecting. "Now, you guys are going to vote. Whichever singer gets the most votes from the club wins."
Of course. she thought solemnly. And like always, popularity triumphs. Kurt will win the solo because he's more likeable than me.
"This isn't going to be about talent Mr Schuester it'll be a popularity contest-"
"Stop right there." Kurt interjected, moving his wheelchair swiftly to the front of the room. He merrily crossed his legs. "Now we all know I'm way more popular than Rachel."
The diva scowled.
"And I dress better than her." he added. "But I want you guys to be honest with your votes. So let's promise to vote for whoever is better. Raise your right hands." he looked at Brittany. "Your other right, Brittany."
The blonde smiled and moved her other hand up in the air. "Sorry."
"Now repeat after me: I promise to vote for whoever sings the song better."
There was an unequal repetition from the group. Kurt seemed satisfied and looked at Rachel with a death glare. "It's on."
The bell rang and Mr. Schuester nodded, processing what had just happened. "Alright guys. Have a good day."
Rachel purposely stopped him in his tracks. "Maybe next time you'll find a way to creat teaching moments without ruining my life." she hastily wheeled away in what she wanted to be a dramatic exit but instead hit the doorway. Her eyes searched for any witnesses.
Thank goodness no one saw that. Rachel spotted a sad looking Artie closing his locker. Wheeling to him, she cleared her throat.
"How's your day so far?" she asked awkwardly.
The nerd looked perplexed. "Why are you talking to me?" he looked over both of his shoulders.
Rachel smiled softly. "Because we're friends."
"We are? I thought you always kind of hated everyone in the club because you're always yelling at us."
"I don't hate anyone."
He looked unconvinced. "Oh. I think I should head to class now before we both end up with a slushy facial."
She nodded. "I'm sorry."
Artie scrunched his eyebrows. "For what?"
"For what I said about you at the beginning of the year... About you not being male lead material."
He shrugged. "You were right. I'm no Finn- I'm not a 'hot male lead'."
Rachel flushed as he quoted something she'd said to Finn long ago. "How'd you...?"
"I have my ways. But aside from that obvious fact I'm still a better dancer than Finn. And I can't move my legs." he joked.
Rachel smiled. "You're not as bad as I thought you'd be."
He rearranged his glasses. "Same here. And Rachel?"
"Yes?"
"I forgive you."
"Well, what about that red-headed sophomore, Alyssa?" Jesse opted, rubbing his temples lightly. At the moment, he was sitting in the auditorium with Ms. Corcoran and Andrea since she was the female lead. Shelby had been wanting to try something from Wicked but all of their current soprano's didn't meet any of the standards.
"Alyssa?" Shelby asked, tapping her pen. "She's a fantastic soprano but she doesn't have the 'it' factor when it comes to classic Broadway music."
"She's right, that girl's good for pop songs." Andrea mumbled, closing her eyes. She couldn't do the song since she was only mezzo-soprano and couldn't reach the highest notes. It was a shame considering how amazingly talented she was.
Ms. Corcoran nodded. "What about Hannah?"
"She's okay I guess if you want mediocre performances." Jesse stated, exhaling loudly. "Why do we have to do this song? Can't we just choose something else?"
"We need more money to pay for the Regionals costumes. And in order to get that money we have to completely blow away the judges at Sectionals."
"Well at this pace I highly doubt we'll find a perfect singer for this song and finish the choreography in time for Sectionals. Which may I remind you, is in three weeks for us." Jesse said.
"Then who else can you think of?"
Inside his mind, he could think of one more person who could possibly be what they were looking for. But it was impossible- Rachel was on the opposing team and was way too committed to that club.
Now would be the perfect time to offer Rachel a chance to transfer here.
He shook his head. It's too soon considering my current relationship with her.
Relationship? You're just friends.
But there's something more than that... Not including the fact that we kissed. Something keeps me coming right back to her.
"No, I can't think of anybody else," Jesse answered, sitting back into his chair.
Shelby sighed heavily. "I just wish there was one person who could take on this solo." she shook her head. "Fine. We'll choose another song. Andrea, do you have any suggestions?"
The lead smiled. "A ton..."
Jesse tuned her out, lost in his own thoughts. How the hell was he going to make this work? Rachel wouldn't break away from McKinley. Not while they needed her and most definately not while she cared so much about them. He needed to stray her away from them... Somehow.
"I really appreciate the trouble you guys went through with raising all this money." Artie said, looking at the handful of cash. "But I think I'm going to use this money for wheelchair ramps here at the school."
Everyone in the club frowned.
"I'm not the only wheel-chaired kid here and I'm sure there'll be plenty of more when I graduate. So I'm using this to buy ramps."
Mr. Schuester nodded. "I agree with you a hundred percent."
Tina shook her head. "D-Does this mean you're still riding w-with your d-dad?"
Artie nodded. "I'm sorry about all the trouble." Finn put a hand on his shoulder.
"Nah man. We follow you completely. Besides, if they get ramps all up in here it'll beat having to carry you in every single day."
Puck and the rest of the guys laughed. Rachel couldn't help but smile at how supportive they all were with Artie. And to think that before Glee they completely ignored them.
And in honor of Artie's decision, they decided to dedicate a whole number to him. And get this: it was performed completely in the wheelchairs. And as they sung their hearts out, Rachel couldn't help but smile happily. For the first time in a long time she felt like she belonged.
"So he still gets the ramps and the bus ride?" Jesse questioned over the phone all the while attempting to finish his homework. Yeah it was weird but hey- this was VA homework. The kind where you have to storyboard your choreography.
"Yeah, Mr. Schue wouldn't tell us how but apparently somebody donated the money."
He smiled. "So I guess everything's working out alright?"
"Better." Rachel said, looking at her ceiling. "I'm sorry I didn't get to see you today."
His stomach fluttered lightly. "No, it's fine. There's always tomorrow."
"Yeah..." she sighed lightly. "Jesse? Have you ever cared about someone so much you were willing to do anything for them, including lying?"
He thought about it for a moment, contemplating whether or not he should be honest or just lie and say 'no'. Licking his lips, he spoke. "Actually... If you had asked me a few weeks ago I would've totally said yes. However," he emphasized. "If I truly cared about that person, I wouldn't lie."
Rachel nodded. "So lying to a restaurant manager to get a job and help said loved one pay bills is wrong?"
His eyes widened. "Wait, are we on the same page here?"
She laughed into the phone. "I'm sorry. I should've elaborated more. That was totally my fault." she bit her lip to stop from laughing too loudly. "I helped Finn get a job at a local restaurant so he could help Quinn with ultrasound bills."
Jesse let out a long breath. For a second he'd been afraid she would go running back into Hudson's arms. "Oh, thanks for letting me not know beforehand." he said sarcastically.
"I already apologized St. James." she teased. Rachel's laughter died down and she spoke softly in utter seriousness. "I can't imagine what it must be like.. For Quinn. Never would I have thought that cheerleader Quinn Fabray, president of the celibacy club, would be pregnant. It must be horrible to have everything you've ever stood for taken away because of one night. One mistake."
Jesse swallowed hard. She has no idea what she's even talking about. he thought, referring back to that one fateful night after rehearsal. Now that he pondered more on it, he had to agree with what Andrea had told him... About being a changed man. Hell, he was starting to think and act differently... And it was all because of this one little firecracker named Rachel Berry.
"Jesse? Did you fall asleep on me?" Rachel asked over the speaker.
Do it. Ask her already and be a man.
"Do you want to go to dinner somewhere tomorrow night?" his eyes widened a bit. "As friends. I figured after all this drama that's been going on that you deserved some peace."
Her heart skipped a beat and she couldn't stop from smiling like a maniac. "Yeah... I think that'd be great. How about Breadstix? Then we could catch a late movie afterward."
The teen boy smiled a bit, basking in the fact that he'd practically asked her out. "That's perfect. I'll pick you up at 8 o'clock."
Does he have any idea what he does to me?
"I'll be waiting."
Sorry the chapter is a bit on the short side, there wasn't much material that I could work with in this episode (Wheels). BUT, alas here it was. And please, feel free to correct me on any and all mistakes found within the chapters. Trust me, the longer the chapter the harder it is to find these bad puppies. Sometimes I feel like my grammar is horrible and I blame it on the (alcohol). Hahaha! ... Sorry, that was my idea of a joke.
DON'T forget to review because if you do, you don't get a virtual hug from me! Lol :P
-Fanatic4Fiction