As Ben, Autumn, Thaddeus, and I all walked into the school we were on a mission. By now all band kids, marching, jazz, and concert alike, all knew about what had happened yesterday and were out for payback. Which I know is a bit cliche but it doesn't make it any less true. Each group had a part to play to show not only Puck, but the entire school, that one should by no means, mess with a band student. All the bands were going to go on strike against any musical numbers the glee kids might suggest. Or at least in the classroom. In the halls however, the plans aren't as peaceful. We split the school into three areas and based on what you are involved in is where you're positioned. I, for example, am in between the marching band and jazz band. Everyone had a job, the scrawny kids, much like myself, are scattered in places to keep look out. The more athletic or muscular kids, like Tyler and Ben, were spread in groups because no way could the average band kid take on a football player. I mean we're ambitious but not stupid. I just pray that Puck comes this way before the bell rings.

"Guys." Tyler says. "I don't think we're going to catch him this period."

"You're probably right." Ben sighs.

"Well we have Jazz Band so I suggest we head over there before the final bell rings." Sherman suggests.

I nod in agreement. "Let the strike begin." I mutter.

As I walk in I see Mitch talking to Brad, most likely informing him of what has happened. We all figured Brad would probably agree seeing as he is not a big fan of the glee kids but we gave Mitch the job of telling him in case he needed to be persuaded. Which is one of the many things Mitch is good at.

Ben and I look at each other then back at them. We spend about a minute holding our breaths until we see him nod. Almost immediately after Mitch starts walking back I run up to him. "So is that a yes?" I ask excitedly.

"You know it!" He tells me, smiling.

My grin widens. "How are we going to tell the glee kids?" I ask him.

"That's easy." He tells me, "When they cry 'Hit it" we just don't come in."

"Well that's less climactic than I thought it'd be." I answer honestly.

He laughs in amusement. "Sorry to disappoint."

"No no." I smile. "It's perfect."

Ben, who has been silent throughout this entire conversation, rolls his eyes at us. "Yeah yeah. We get it, you're both in love with each other. Now quiet down or get a room. The glee kids are walking in."

I glare at Ben but as much as I hate it, the glaring did not hide my massive blush at all. I look out of the corner of my eye to see Mitch scratching the back of his neck and blushing a bit as well. But before either of us can say anything Mr. GleeButAlsoSpanish teacher guy announces that glee has started. "Bad news guys." Mr. SingingTeacher says, "Puck is in juvie. He ran his mother's vuelo into a convenience store and left with the atm."

"He's so stupid and that's coming from me." Brittany laughs.

"How selfish is he?" Finn asks angrily. "We need his voice for nationals, and his bad boy stage presence!"

"Now, now guys. Let's try to have some sympathy." Mr. SingingSpanishTeacher says.

I look to Ben and whisper. "If Puck isn't here are we still going to go through with the strike?" I ask.

"Of course." He says in a matter-of-fact tone. "I must be avenged."

I rolled my eyes. Yes I agree that we should follow through but must he be so dramatic.

"Now Santana and Mercedes said they were ready to go for the duets?" Mr. Teacher asks. They both nod and head up front to get ready.

I turn to Ben. "Oh no."

"What?" He asks, confused.

"Were going on strike and the first people we aren't playing for are Santana and Mercedes."

"So?" Ben still seems confused.

"They're both hard core divas who really want to go to bread sticks."

Now he goes wide eyed. "Oh snap. Never get in between a diva and her bread sticks."

"Yeah, but I suppose there is no going back." Ben simply nods.

The two glee girls stand up front for a few moments and wait for their intro but an idiot could see that Santana was beginning to get really impatient. "Excuse me?" She snaps. "Are you going to start?"

"Nope." Mitch says, folding his arms.

"What was that? I must not have heard you right." She says. If looks could kill I'd be in pieces.

There's a moment of silence before Tyler finally speaks up. "We're on strike."

"Wait what?" Mr. SweaterVest asks, obviously confused. He quickly turns to Brad.

"Sorry Will." Brad says. "But your students haven't been treating mine right lately. Your kid Puck and his buddies locked Ben in a port-a-potty. He would have been there all night if it hadn't of been for Autumn, Thaddeus, and Ella." Brad explains, gesturing to all of us.

Mr. 50ShadesOfVests looks taken aback. "That's not the only thing either, we're tired of being expected to know what song you all want to sing at the snap of a finger. It's ridiculous." Katherine says.

"And simply telling us what song you're going to sing isn't enough either. We don't know how to play every song you tell us. You have to give us the sheet music because we're not paying for it ourselves." Thaddeus sasses. I don't think I've ever seen him this confident talking to other people, I wonder if that's Autumn's doing.

"Oh it's not like you're that talented of a band anyways." Santana says.

"Excuse me?" I ask, folding my arms.

"Oh you heard me barbie." She snaps back.

I raise an eyebrow. "I'd like to see you try and play an instrument as well as us."

"Come on guys all musicians are created equal!" Autumn exclaims desperately, obviously trying to break us up.

"You're right Autumn. So don't you think they should realize just how equal we really are? We aren't just backup, half the time music makes the song. Especially when the singers can't sing a note." I say.

"Oh no you didn't!" Santana snaps.

The bell rings. "Enough!" Mr. NowAngryTeacher says. Santana and…"

"Ella." I tell him.

"You two stay after class, we're going to settle this."

I sigh. Please no detention please no detention. I look over to my friends. Ben, Thaddeus and Autumn are all snickering at me. I roll my eyes, of course they're laughing at my misery. Then I see Mitch, he gives me a grimace and walks off to his next class. My cheeks go red. Did I really just loose my cool in front of him? Ugh fml. My eyes wander and I see Tyler grinning at me, giving me two big thumbs up. I roll my eyes and laugh.

"What has gotten into you Ella?" Brad asks. I look down awkwardly.

"And Santana." Mr. UpsetTeacher says, "You may not realize it now but we owe quite a lot to the jazz band. I believe an apology is in order."

Santana rolls her eyes, keeping her arms crossed. "It's not like playing an instrument is that difficult."

"I'd hate to break it to you but playing an instrument takes years of dedication." I inform. "Singing is basically talking but with a tune."

"Oh be my guest. I bet you're tone deaf." She sneers.

"How about this? I give you a week to learn how to play an instrument and you give me a week to learn to sing. Then we'll see which is harder."

"A week!?" She asks.

"If it isn't so hard then I'm sure you'll have no problem." I say.

"Then it's settled." Mr. NowNotSoAngry says. "We'll settle this next week and then we'll go on with the duets."

Santana and I both nod in agreement. "See you in a week." She tells me before walking off.

As I leave the choir room I run into Kurt and Ben. "We heard everything!" Ben exclaims. "I can't wait to teach you to sing!"

"Ben, I don't think you're really qualified for that." I tell him.

"I could teach you." Kurt says.

"Really?" I ask. Not quite believing him.

"Yeah. I wouldn't mind seeing Santana's face when you come out singing like an angel." Kurt tells me.

"I don't know if I'd go that far. For all I know I really could be tone deaf."

"You mean you've never sang before?" Kurt asks in disbelief.

"That's what I said." Ben laughs

"Umm yeah." I say, a bit embarrassed. I didn't think it was that big a deal.

"Oh I hope this is like one of those cliche movies where the girl turns out to be an amazing singer." Ben gushes.

"Knowing my life Ben, it probably will."

"You want to meet up at around four after school today?" Kurt asks.

"Yeah," I nod "I'll give you my address and we can meet up at my place."

"Oh! Can I come too? I want to see this!" Ben begs.

I laugh. "Sure thing Ben." I then sigh. "Well I've got to get to class so I'll see you guys tonight." I say then wave them goodbye.

Once I'm out of science I head over to my locker to get ready for English. "Hey." I hear a voice behind me say.

I turn around and look up to see Mitch. "Hey." I say back.

"So back in the choir room…" He trails off.

I rub the back of my neck awkwardly. "Yeah, sorry about that. I guess I was just still really upset about the whole port-a-potty thing."

"Yeah I could tell." He says. "I know Ben is kind of like a brother to you but you really shouldn't let your anger get to you like that. You could end up in serious trouble."

I nod, kind of confused. I was expecting him to says something about how cool it was that I stood up for my friends. Maybe I'm just a bit too conceded. "Um yeah, I'll keep that in mind." He nods before walking away.

"Don't listen to him." Tyler says, walking up to me. "I think what you did was cool."

"Really?" I ask, a tad surprised.

"What kind of person would you be if you didn't stick up for your friends?" Tyler questions.

"I guess. He is right though, I could have gotten into some big trouble if the glee instructor hadn't stepped in."

"You've got to take risks every now and then Ella. Mitch is nice but he's too much of a goody goody to realize that following the rules isn't how to have fun."

"But not following them can get you arrested Tyler, or worse, suspended." I say, shivering.

"Getting arrested isn't that bad." He rolls his eyes.

"Umm."

"My point is that yeah, you have to follow the rules but you shouldn't follow blindly. You should feel free to push and question your boundaries a bit. Otherwise you're just a sad little turtle being pushed around by the boss man." He tells me.

"Wow Tyler." I say. "That was deep… or of."

"Well what can I say? I'm gifted when it comes to going deep into stuff." He says and then begins to chuckle as if he's made a bad joke.

"What's so funny?" I ask.

"Nothing." He laughs. I give him a confused look but decide not to go into it. "Hey, don't I have English with you?" He asks, turning his attention back to me.

I pause for a moment. "Yeah, I think you do."

"Well, shall we?" He asks, gesturing to where he believes the classroom is.

"Yes," I tell him "but the class is that way." I point in the opposite direction.

"Oh yeah." He laughs. And then we were off to class.

After school I meet up with Ben in the parking lot. "Hey!" I greet as I walk over to him.

"Hey!" He chimes back. "I can't get over the shade you threw in band today. It was flying all over the place."

"Don't you think you're exaggerating a bit Ben?" I ask in an attempt of reason.

"No way homie! Shit was real!" He exclaims.

"Yeah, … sure."

"Anyways we best get our homework done so we have time to practice with Kurt." I could tell he was ecstatic about hanging around Kurt and also that I'd be learning to sing.

"Ready to spend an evening with your hero?" I ask sarcastically.

He nods as we both hop into his car. "And maybe if you're lucky he'll sing." I say, continuing to tease.

"One can dream Ella. One can dream." He replies, and without further ado we're off.

Fast forward to four in the evening and Ben and I are waiting in my kitchen for Kurt to arrive. Correction, Ben is waiting in the kitchen by the door for Kurt to arrive. I on the other hand am practicing my violin in the living room. Five minutes into my practice Ben and I hear a knock at the door. I look over to Ben to see him count to five on his fingers. Trying to make it look like he wasn't waiting by the door for the past ten minutes. I internally chuckle and look back down to my music. I was hoping to figure out this key signature before Kurt got here but I suppose it would have to wait.

Ben opens the door for Kurt and quickly invites him in. "You can hang your coat over there." Ben says, gesturing to a coat hanger placed off to the side.

"Thanks for coming Kurt." I say as I get up to greet him.

"No problem, sorry I was a bit late."

I wave my hand in dismissal. "Barely. So how should we start?" I ask, getting right to business. I really hope this doesn't get awkward.

"Do you have a piano? We can work on matching pitch and seeing how far your rang goes."

"Sure I do." I reply as I lead them to a small room I use to practice when my mom is home.

I could tell Kurt was eager to get started because once he was at that piano it was all business. Now I will admit that I am not a natural. In fact, it has taken me about fifteen minutes to even make a noise that sounds like singing. Although, once I got there I began to get the hang of it. As the practice went on Kurt explained to me that I was a soprano which meant that my range was higher. Though when it hit four thirty he had to leave to leave, apparently he was making dinner for himself and his dad.

"Ella," Kurt said, grabbing my attention "as a bit of homework I'd practice putting a bit more air behind your voice. It might just help you sound a little less breathy."

I nod, taking his suggestion to heart. "I will. Thank you so much Kurt."

"My pleasure. Same time tomorrow?" He asks.

"Definitely!" Ben answers.

"Cool." Kurt waves then leaves.