Chapter 9
Individualism Assignments
*Yay my second (mostly) everybody POV chapter, if they don't get a POV before rehearsals, they'll get one during rehearsals. Even with the Patriots vs. Texans game on today, I'm determined to get this one done, then I may end up looking up songs for when I get to Sectionals.* This is also (possibly) going to be broke into two parts.
(Abigaile)
"Morning," I hear Nat say cheerfully, as I walk by her locker.
"Good morning Nat," I say with a smile.
"You ready for the assignments, that are due today?" I ask with a cheerful voice.
"Uh uh. How about you?" she asks me, as she shuts her locker, and is already to head for her first class of the say.
"Yeah, I am. It took me a while, but Jake was very helpful, and helped me figure something out," I admit. As soon as I said that, Lisney showed up.
"Abbie Puckerman, what are doing associating with the one legged loser?" she asked coldly.
"Well Lis, she's not a one legged loser, and we have class together. She's actually really nice, once you get to know her, and if, the Cheerio's are all about judging people, then count me out," I tell Lisney, and defending Nat at the same time. I was actually proud, I had done that.
"Fine, I'll just tell Coach, that you quit, and see what happens. She doesn't like people who quit on the team," she tells me coldly.
"So be it," I tell her, as she leaves and heads towards her class.
"Hey thanks. Very rarely has anyone ever done that for me before," Nat tells me.
"I'm a friend, and friends, Cheerio's or not, have each others backs," I tell her, as we head to class.
(Jason)
Ok I admit it, secretly, I liked being there. I wasn't going to admit that though, and an assignment was due today. I haven't got anything. The one song that I used could have been useful, but I wasn't about to use that again. How lame would that be? Then she walked by. The one whose eyes light up with a star on the Christmas tree, when I preformed Social D the other day.
"Violet, right?" I ask double checking, in case she was the wrong girl.
"Yeah, that's right," she tells me, as though, I had disturbed her walkman time. I mean, it's 2012, who even uses those anymore?
"Do you think you could help me out. Assignments are due, and I have nothing," I tell her.
"Well, it should be easy. I mean, if Dinger, could come up with the assignment, while in study hall, and doing gymnast moves, I'm sure you could come up with something," she assures me.
"Dinger?" I ask confused.
"Corey, but I'm the only one who calls him that, it's kind of an inside joke, anyhow the assignment is Individualism," she answers me, as the tardy bell goes off. "It shouldn't be that hard. Everyone had individuality," she tells me before heading off to class, and places her headphones back on.
"Thanks," I whisper to her, and head for class.
(Katie)
Assignments were due today, and I had no clue, as to what I was going to sing, so I figure at lunch time, I would search the library and see what I come up with.
"Hi Katie," I hear someone announce, as I head for the music section.
"Hey Eli," I answer him back.
"Need help with anything?" he asks me, as he sees me scanning the section.
"Well, I think, I could help out with that one," he tells me, as he grabs his guitar, and we search the net, and see what we can find. "How about this one?" he asks me, as he pulls up the tab sheet to it, and prints it off.
"I think, that will be perfect. Do you mind coming to New Directions, and play the song with me? You don't have to stay," I tell him.
"I got something even better, I believe, I can get the band to show up," he tells me, as the class bell rings, and I depart for class.
(Mr. Shue)
As the educational part of the day ended, I headed to the music room. I wasn't a bit surprised when I saw Corey, Violet and Hero were already there. It was in some way, like Rachael and Kurt.
"Hi guys," I greet.
"Hi Mr. Shue," Corey answers ecstatic over something. I wasn't sure, but I wasn't about to ask.
"Violet, I think, I'm going to call you Tron since you only seem to wear anything to do with that movie," I tell her out of respect.
"It's my individuality Mr. Shue, I can't help being an eighties addict, and I actually like that name," she tells me with a smile.
"Great, that'll now go to her head," Corey tells me, as he spikes his hair again.
"Mr. Shue, yesterday, Corey and I, thought of the next assignment," Hero speaks up.
"What's that?" I hear Jake ask, as he walked in.
"Friendship," Hero answers, and waves to Jake.
"I'll take it into consideration," I answer.
"Thanks Mr. Shue," Corey answers.
I watch as the rest of the group walks in. Andy had his soccer uniform on, so I was guessing that he had a game to attend to, so he couldn't stay long. Behind him, the rest of the old group walked in.
"You weren't going to start without us were you Mr. Shue?" asked Santana, in her usual sarcastic tone.
"No, I was actually waiting," I announce. "First to start off, since, I'm assuming, Andy has a game to attend to, he'll go first," I announce.
"Actually, I don't, but I'll go first," he announces, as he uses Jake's guitar.
"I'll be singing I Don't Want to Be by Gavin DeGraw," he announces, and starts to play.
I don't need to be anything other
Than a prison guard's son
I don't need to be anything other
Than a specialist's son
I don't have to be anyone other
Than the birth of two souls in one
Part of where I'm going is knowing where I'm coming from
I don't want to be
Anything other than what I've been trying to be lately
All I have to do is think of me and I have a peace of mind
I'm tired of looking 'round rooms
Wondering what I've got to do
Or who I'm supposed to be
(Quinn)
Damn. This kid was good, especially, for being on the soccer team, not that, that means anything. Sam was on the football team, and glee. Anyhow, this kids' vocals could totally take Mr. Shue to winning Sectionals, and Regional's.
(Abigaile)
I admired him more now. I just wish that I could talk to him more. His voice is amazing and he covers Gavin amazing.
I don't want to be
Anything other than what I've been trying to be lately
All I have to do is think of me and I have a peace of mind
I'm tired of looking 'round rooms
Wondering what I've got to do
Or who I'm supposed to be
I don't want to be anything other than me
Can I have everyone's attention please?
If you're not like this and that, you're gonna have to leave
I came from the mountain
The crust of creation
My whole situation made from clay to stone
And now I'm telling everybody
I finished the song with a huge smile, and took my seat again.
"Thank you, Andy," I tell him.
"Can I go next Mr. Shue?" I hear Levy ask.
"Alright, you're up, Jason, you're on deck," I announce. "Whenever you're ready," I add.
She takes a deep breath and then begins.
I've always been the kind of girl
That hid my face
So afraid to tell the world
What I've got to say
But I had this dream
Right inside of me
I'm going to let it show
It's time
To let you know
To let you know
(Mercedes)
I loved it. She started the song slow, which was cool. She had this cover by Demi down. Right then and now, I wish Rachael were here for this.
This is the real, this is me
I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be now
Gonna let the light
Shine on me
Now I found
Who I am
There's no way to hold it in
No more hiding who I want to be
This is me
As she continued the song, I was sure, that she could get the lead for Sectionals. She was brilliant. I sit and watch as one of the other boys blush during her performance.
This is me
You're the missing piece I need
The song inside of me
This is me
You're the voice I hear inside my head
The reason that I'm singing
Now I found who I am
There's no way to hold it in
No more hiding who I want to be
This is me
":We have a third Rachael, and she freakin' rocks!" shouts Puck excitedly.
"Shut up Puck, she's not a third Rach, but yeah, she freakin' rocks," agrees Tina with a smile.
"Awwww Puck, I think little Abbie, has a flirting contest going on," announces Santana, and then giggles.
"What? No," comes Abigaile's innocent voice.
"We have a little Puck, only girlie version," Mercedes joins in.
"Ok, ok settle down, lets get back to rehearsals," I announce with a little giggle. "Jason, you're up, Nat you're on deck, followed by, Corey," I announce, the next three in line.
"Well, I was going to sing this the Asian way, but I assume, only three people would understand, what I was saying, so I decided to sing it, the American way. I'll be singing Bad Boy by Big Bang," he announces, and Mike places the biggest smile on his face.
I was too harsh that night
I didn't know you would really leave
The words, "I'm sorry", is too difficult for us that we take it to the end
Because I'm ill-tempered
We fight over stupid things numerous times a day
You take off crying, I look around and think,
'She'll come back tomorrow. She'll definitely call me first in the morning'
(Mike)
I was more happier than anyone else in the room right now. I didn't care about the fact, that he was know known in my head as a Badass Asian, I totally wanted to get up and dance. I doubted anyone else even knew who this was. That was the epic part. I smile at Tina, and then kiss her.
"You know, you want to dance," she whispers to me. I just smile.
As he finishes the song, I know how much he wanted to sing that, and totally be himself.
I'm the one you love but sorry I'm a bad boy
Yes, just leave me, good bye, you're a good girl
The more time passes, the more you get to know me, only disappointments will remain but
Baby don't leave me, I know you still love me
Why, yes, I'll tell you the truth, I need you
My lay lay lay lay lady
My lay lay lay lay lady
I'm the one you love but sorry I'm a bad boy
Sorry I'm a bad boy, Sorry I'ma bad boy
Yes, just leave me, good bye, you're a good girl
You're a good girl, you're a good girl
"Thanks, that was great," I tell Jason, as he sits back down. "Nat you're up. Corey, on deck, followed by Darren," I add.
"I'm going to be singing, What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger) by Kelly Clarkson," she tells us, and she begins to sing with confidence.
You know the bed feels warmer
Sleeping here alone
You know I dream in colour
And do the things I want
You think you got the best of me
Think you've had the last laugh
Bet you think that everything good is gone
Think you left me broken down
Think that I'd come running back
Baby you don't know me, cause you're dead wrong
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone
(Artie)
Wow that song brought back memories. She sang this song brilliantly, and she was amazing. I admit, not as good as Mercedes when she did her solo on this, but she was still good. Regional's would be ours again. Without a doubt.
"Corey, you're up. Darren, you're on deck, followed by Kris," I add.
(Corey)
I do as I had rehearsed in front of Hero, and Violet, the other day. I really liked showing off what I could do, as a former gymnast. They seemed impressed, but then again, I had done this the night, in which, we had met them as well. When I was done, they gave their applause, and I went back to my seat.
Then Daz is up. He looks at Hero, and smiles. He likes her, I know that much. I watch as she smiles back. Those two seriously, need to ask each other out already. Seriously.
"I'll be singing 21 Guns, by Green Day," he announces.
Do you know what's worth fighting for?
When it's not worth dying for?
Does it take your breath away
And you feel yourself suffocating?
Does the pain weigh out the pride?
And you look for a place to hide?
Did someone break your heart inside?
You're in ruins
One, 21 guns
Lay down your arms, give up the fight
One, 21 guns
Throw up your arms into the sky, you and I
(Violet)
Jesus, if I weren't a lesbian, I would totally ask him out. He's that good. He's the Justin Timberlake, on this mp3 player, that I don't have, but still, you get the point. I know one thing, Hero, needs to step up, and ask already. If those two did a duet, they would see the chemistry that they have.
Did you try to live on your own
When you burned down the house and home?
Did you stand too close to the fire
Like a liar looking for forgiveness from a stone?
When it's time to live and let die
And you can't get another try
Something inside this heart has died
You're in ruins
One, 21 guns
Lay down your arms, give up the fight
One, 21 guns
Throw up your arms into the sky
I watch he walks by and makes quick eye contact with Hero, and goes back to his seat. I would have to do something about that.
"Kris, you're up. Brant, you're on deck, followed by Hero," I announce. I watch as Kris seems nervous, about something, and then Tina comes up, and helps out.
"I'll be singing I Was Here by Beyonce," she tells us.
I wanna leave my footprints on the sands of time
Know there was something that, and something that I left behind
When I leave this world, I'll leave no regrets
Leave something to remember, so they won't forget
I was here...
I lived, I loved
I was here...
I did, I've done,
everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here...
(Jake)
She was brave enough to sing this song, and even though Tina stood by her, she proved that she didn't need help. She was just nervous, as we all were. Even, I, even though, I was only Mr. Shue's assistant. She was great at this, and was brilliant at covering Beyonce. I knew though, that she wouldn't be fronting, but this was helping. I smile.
(Brant)
I should have been paying attention, in stead of thinking about Ben. I mean, yeah, in the past, I was seeing Damon, my sisters' bisexual boyfriend, and occasionally, we would still sneak behind her back, and hookup. Maybe, it would be different with Ben. After rehearsals tonight, I was totally down for calling him. Maybe even sing him a song. That would be nice. Finally after I have it all planned, I pay my attention back to Kris.
I just want them to know
That I gave my all, did my best
Brought someone to happiness
Left this world a little better just because...
I was here...
I was here...
I lived, I loved
I was here...
I did, I've done,
everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here...
"Brant, you're up. Followed by Hero, Tron, and Katie," he announces. "If you don't want to go today, you can have the option to, sing at the next assignment," I add seeing that our time was almost up. I watch as Brant, walks up, and looks ready.
"I'll be singing Girl Like Me by Skye Sweetnam," he tells us.
I can't ever shut my mouth
That's just how it is
What I think it just falls out
And I can't help it
I might leave a mess around
You know thats what it is
And there's been times I let you down, yeah
But your all I got and your all I want and you know Im not gonna fake it
Hey, suck it up, this is me
No I just can't pretend, who I am, anyway
Baby what you get is what you see
And this is what you get with a girl like me
(Mercedes)
I wondered if he knew Unique. He was also like this. A cross dresser, who was looking for answers, but also wanted to be accepted. I was also getting a gay vibe. Kurt would totally be down for helping this kid out. Especially after seeing the WMHST hoodie, in which he was wearing.
Oh come, come, come on now
Don't bite it you know how
I get when you're like this
Let's make it right
Tick, tock, time is precious
You're never something to treat this
Come on we can do this
Right here tonight
If anybody was going to convince Kurt to come back to town, it would be him. Not that I could convince him to come back from New York.
(Corey)
I watch, as Hero steps up to sing. I guessed that she would the lead vocalist at Sectionals.
"I'll be singing the Catalyst by Linkin Park," she announces.
I knew she could cover a Chester Bennington, since she covered Our Lady Peace so well.
God bless us everyone
We're a broken people living under loaded gun
And it can't be out fought, it can't be outdone
It can't outmatched, it can't be outrun, no
God bless us everyone
We're a broken people living under loaded gun
And it can't be out fought, it can't be outdone
It can't outmatched, it can't be outrun, no
And when I close my eyes tonight
To symphonies of blinding light
God bless everyone
We're a broken people living under loaded gun
With her singing. I look over at Violet, and know that she's thinking the same thing.
And when I close my eyes tonight
To symphonies of blinding light
God save us everyone
When we burn inside the fires of a thousand suns, oh
Like memories in cold decay
Transmissions echoing away
Far from the world of you and I
Where oceans bleed into the sky
(Puck)
I watch as she goes all Juliet Simms from the Voice. Who could forget the kick performance, of Roxanne? She was brilliant. Of course, my sister still had my support, when she would perform.
Lift me up, let me go
(God bless us everyone)
(We're a broken people living under loaded gun)
Lift me up, let me go
(And it can't be out fought, it can't be outdone)
(It can't outmatched, it can't be outrun, no)
She finishes and sits down beside Corey, and high fives him, and they continue to do whatever it is that that they were doing beforehand.
"Tron, you're, the last song of the day, and then we'll pick up where we left off," I announce, seeing that it was almost five, and Joe had to rehearsals, and Artie would go with him. They had three weeks left until opening night.
"I'll be singing Express Yourself by Madonna," she announces.
I watch as the group is reminded of so many memories of our first year together. Quinn smiles, and covers her hands over her mouth with excitement.
"Eighties girl, you might not be so bad," Santana remarks.
Don't go for second best baby
Put your love to the test you know, you know you've got to
Make him express how he feels and maybe
Then you'll know your love is real
You don't need diamond rings or eighteen karat gold
Fancy cars that go very fast you know they never last no, no
What you need is a big strong hand to
Life you to your higher ground
Make you feel like a queen on a throne
Make him love you till you can't come down
You'll never come down
(Jason)
She was very helpful, I know she didn't hear me say thank you this morning, and she was singing Madonna. Then again, what did I expect from an eighties girl? She kicked ass. Maybe, I would attempt to ask her out, though, I doubted she would be my type.
Express yourself
You've got to make him
Express himself
Hey, hey, hey, hey
So if you want it right now, make him show you how
Express what he's got, oh baby ready or not
And when you're gone he might regret it
Think about the love he once had
Try to carry on, but he just won't get it
He'll be back on his knees to express himself
You've got to make him express himself, hey hey
"Thank you," she takes her beanie off, and bows.
"Wasn't that song covered by Lady Gaga?" asks Brittany.
"No, though it was, accused of being ripped off by it." Quinn answered.
"We'll be back tomorrow, to see the rest perform," Joe announces, before everyone left.
(Violet)
"I'll be with you in a bit," I tell Corey. "I'm going to talk to British Justin Timberlake, over there," I add, as he grabs his bag, and leaves with Hero.
"Alright, actually, I'll text you later," I tell him with a smile.
"You did great Daz," I tell him, when we are the only two left in the room.
"Oh thanks," he tells me with a smile.
"No problem. I also noticed, you like Hero," I tell him, now revealing what I was getting.
"Wait…what?"
"It's not rocket science. You two were eyeing each other like a kid in the candy store, just have the guts to ask her out. She works in the library at lunch time, every Tuesday. She likes Our Lady Peace, and a few other bands, in which, for some reasons, teenagers these days haven't heard of. could tell you a lot more, but I'll leave that to you," I tell him.
"But she likes Corey," he tries to defend himself.
"You're slow aren't you? If she was into Corey that way, why would she be eyeing you?" I ask, letting him know the truth. "Don't worry, she won't know about this conversation, because when I leave this room, it never happened, and it's up to you," I tell him with a smile.
"Blackmail?" he asks confused.
"What on earth is blackmail about?" I ask, before he could answer me.
"I'll see you tomorrow," I add with a smile, and leave.