INTERROGATION
Emma Pillsbury sometimes questioned her decision on becoming a guidance counselor. Because she could never help herself she thought it'd be best to find a career that would be dedicated to helping others. She thought being there to support those entering into adulthood would be an amazing experience; something she'd never grow tired of. However, there were days –like today– that she had no idea how to go about doing her job. Sometimes she was just at a loss for advice and had no clue how to respond to what comes out of the students' mouths. This was why she was always nervous on the day that was scheduled for senior meetings.
"So have you been thinking about what you want to do next year or what school-"
"New York." Kurt interrupted. "Anything in or around New York City. I figure I'll pursue something with my musical talents. Something in fashion would be my second choice with journalism as my third. Preferably for a fashion magazine."
Emma lost her smile and tried to go about this in another way. "Oh my. That's ambitious of you. New York you say?"
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"Yes. Tisch School of the Arts." Rachel told her firmly. "It's one of the schools within NYU, that's New York University in case you haven't heard of it. It offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. I'll major within the Department of Drama, specializing in Music Theatre."
"Oh I-"
"Actually, I'm glad you called me down here because in order to apply to NYU, I need both a recommendation from an academic teacher and a guidance counselor. I think we need to have a discussion on how you plan to go about doing this. It's a very important decision you need to make. Shall you write wonderfully about me as a person with great morals or should you just highlight my talent?"
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"What do you see in your future after you graduate?" Emma asked Blaine over her desk.
"Well Kurt wants us to go to New York. I'm pretty sure Rachel and Finn are coming too."
"And this is what you want to do?"
"Uh…"
.
"I was thinking The Dana School of Music." Mercedes told her easily.
Emma lit up with interest. "I wasn't aware you played an instrument."
"Instrument?"
.
"Me and Lauren are starting a band. It's gonna be killer." Puck proudly told the guidance counselor.
"That sounds…fun. Do you perhaps have a backup plan that's a little more…promising?" Emma hinted.
"Oh. You mean like our documentary."
"Well…no."
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"Well Mike, you seem to have excellent test scores and good marks all around. Have you given any thought as to where you want to attend school next year?"
"Um, I think eventually my parents want me to get into Ohio State's College of Medicine. So Ohio State?"
"And medicine is what you want to pursue?"
"Well that's what my parents have always wanted me to do."
"Yes, but…" Emma trailed off before sighing.
.
"What do you plan on doing after high school?"
"I have no idea." Finn answered honestly. "I thought that's why you called me down here."
.
"OSU at Lima." Quinn informed with surety.
"That seems like an odd choice for someone with your transcript, Quinn."
"Yeah, but everyone here ends up going to OSU at Lima anyways. What's the point of thinking otherwise?"
.
"What do you want to be after high school?"
Brittany smiled. "Professional Motocross racer."
.
"Lauren, any idea on-"
"I have a wrestling scholarship for Oklahoma City University. I'm pretty much solid."
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"Um, I'm not actually sure I could go to college right now." Sam frowned. "I think it'd be better if I put it off for a while and got a job first."
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"Well I'd really like to go to OSU." Tina told the counselor. "I've already visited a few times with my parents, and it seems like a good fit. We've also checked out Youngstown State, but let's face it. I'll most likely go to OSU at Lima until I can transfer out."
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"I'd pretty much like to go anywhere that isn't here." Santana said frostily. "And there's no way in hell I'm going to OSU at Lima. It's McKinley 2.0."
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"As of now, OSU at Lima." Artie shrugged.
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"Probably OSU at Lima." Karofsky answered.
Emma looked back down at his file. "But Dave, you've showed advanced skill in certain subjects. You GPA may not be as high as schools would like, but your ACT scores are a few points over the national average. You elected to take the SATs earlier this year, correct?"
"My dad thought it would be best, but who cares? If I actually go to school, everyone goes to OSU at Lima. It's the only college that isn't a community college around here."
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"As important as relationships are, you need to make your own choice here, Blaine." Emma folded her hands on her desk.
"I'd really like to follow Kurt. I also know I want to do something in music. But I'm just not sure any school in New York will take me."
.
"And you'll definitely need to mention how I've joined almost every club McKinley High has to offer other than the dreaded Nessy Club. NYU appreciates ambition and drive. They don't just take anybody."
Emma continued scribbling down the notes Rachel was making her take.
.
"There's quite a lot of financial aid out there for families in situations such as yours." Emma assured Sam.
"Oh well that's cool. Then can I have like all of that?"
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"Quinn, you've been on the honor roll all four years here at McKinley. You have a nice GPA."
Quinn rolled her eyes. "Since McKinley was founded, not one class has had every student graduate. Most of the time only about half of the people who actually graduate go on to college. And if they do go to college, no one leaves Lima. It's like Hotel California but real."
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"Kurt, I believe it will do you well to have a couple backup plans. I suggest applying to the schools you're aiming for, but also, you should look into some state schools. Here. Be sure to read through them all." She pushed a few papers across her desk, making sure not to knock something on her desk out of place.
"Miss Pillsbury, I really don't need these." Kurt pushed the paperwork back across her desk.
She just calmly pushed it right back. "No, no, of course not. Still, you should look over them with your parents."
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"Brittany, have you looked over your credit situation recently? It seems you're a few short of where you should be." Emma questioned.
Brittany frowned. "What's a credit? Is that those cards we get with our gross pictures on them every year? Because I'm pretty sure the lunch lady keeps over charging on mine."
"No Brittany, credits are your classes."
"Then why don't they call them credits?"
"Because they're classes."
"I thought you just said they were credits?"
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"I don't tell you what to do, Finn. I just help you. Guide you if you will, into making your own choice."
"Well I know what I want to do, but I don't know if that's the same as what I can do."
"Okay. That's why I'm here. How about we start by going over your file?" Finn nodded, and Emma continued. "Your ACT Composite score was a couple of points below the state average, but you have nice extra-curricular activities and your GPA is, well you're ranked in the top half of you class, and that's good. Have you considered doing some type of charity outside of school? Colleges love that."
"Not really. What about a football scholarship? Mr. Schue mentioned that before."
"Um, well, I think you'll have to talk to Coach Beiste about that. Although, I could maybe help you look into one for something local. I'm not sure if I can make any promises, though."
"So basically what you're saying is that I'm a Lima Loser?"
"Oh, no, no." Emma waved her hands frantically. "You're not a loser, Finn. You just don't have the academics major universities look for. But you can go to a smaller college and get good enough grades there to eventually transfer to a state university if you so choose."
"Isn't there like a glee scholarship?"
"Um, I believe that would depend on which musical outlet you'd want to pursue."
"What do you mean like rock instead of rap?"
"No, I meant more along the lines of whether you wanted to go to school to be a stage performer or for a specific instrument or a classical vocalist and so on."
"Well I can sing and play the drums. Is there a scholarship for that? I know Jesse doesn't let me sing because he's a jerk, but I've gotten a lot better since glee has started, a-and I'd work really hard at it and stuff. I'll do anything really. I'll even do something weird like ballet or whatever. Please, I don't want to stay here."
Emma sighed. "That's not necessarily how scholarships work. Usually academics have to be up to par with the institution. For you we'll have to look for private scholarships if we're to get you one. It's not a definite process. And I'd advise you into looking at schools you have the best chance of getting into right now."
Finn frowned angrily. "Then what about all that stuff? About how we shouldn't stop believing in ourselves. I don't get it. Pretty much every assembly we've had at this school has told us that we all mean something and that we can go on to be successful. Every teacher besides Miss Sylvester has given us those types of lectures. Why does anyone even bother building up our hopes if it's just some big lie?"
"No, of course not. You should always believe in yourself. It's just-"
"Forget it. OSU at Lima, right?"
Emma sat at her desk and sighed again as she watched Finn storm from her office. This was why she hated senior meetings. Every kid either had movie like dreams of leaving Ohio or they were dejected and resigned over the fact that most of them would be attending Ohio State University: Lima Campus. There was never any in between at McKinley.
Glee had become a better experience over the last two weeks. They were now on a routine where they rehearsed the competition numbers three days a week and the other two were left for free days. New Directions could thank Rachel for this turn around. Clearly getting Jesse to sing was the best thing that could've happened. He was still an ass, but at least now he was a happier one. He seemed to value partaking in their free days more than half the club did. Quinn didn't know whether to envy the fact that people like Jesse and Rachel had something in their life they were so passionate about that it affected their emotions or to just practice her skills as a side-eyer. Either way, practices still induced pain, and Jesse still refused to make up assignments, leaving the gleeks to pick the topic of their free days which so far has led only to disarray and arguments. But it was better.
Today happened to be a rehearsal day. The last one before Sectionals to be exact. Because they were more than prepared, Jesse decided to earn some extra points and give them the day off. They didn't even need to stay if they didn't want to, however, they did. Instead everyone opened up in what seemed to be the conversation topic of the day and that was Miss Pillsbury's senior meetings. Santana and Artie tried to get Brittany to help them figure out what credits she was short of. Sam and Mercedes discussed whatever their plans were as did Tina and Mike. Puck, Lauren, Finn, and Karofsky chose to ignore this and instead talked about that night's football match. It was the penultimate one of the season considering there was no way they were making the playoffs this year.
Jesse sat down next to Quinn who was also ignoring all of this in her own manner: reading. In the row right ahead of them Rachel, Kurt, and Blaine discussed their plans with enthusiasm, and because Quinn was being so dull, he jumped into their conversation. They filled him in on all the little details of the morning meetings, and Jesse added to the conversation by talking about how he always hated the guidance counselors at his school. It always felt so odd to have people try and guide him when he was obviously going to surpass them in life. He then made the mistake of trying to include Quinn. All he earned for this effort was an insult and a change in the subject as she asked him about the Sectionals' judges. Honestly, she should learn how to try harder. It was clear she could care less about the judges.
Jesse was onto Quinn. Since forming their friendship, they've broached an array of subjects with or without Quinn's consent. However, the one they've never talked about because she won't budge on it was life after high school. And now it seems she won't be able to avoid it anymore which in turn means Jesse will be able to grill her on it in his own special way. He was going to hassle her about it the first chance he got. Like perhaps on the bus to Sectionals. Because, yes, they were taking a bus. McKinley was so unlike Carmel some days he just felt like donating his instructor's paycheck to it. He can't even remember the last time he was on a school bus. It had to be elementary school, and the only thing he really remembered was that he hated it.
Unfortunately for Jesse and his glee club, school buses hadn't changed all that much over the last decade or so. The one they boarded the next day was uncomfortable and smelled like a gym locker room. Rachel watched as the bus's ramp lifted Artie inside, and several of her teammates boarded it. She picked up the rear along with Finn as they walked through the parking lot.
"Finn, it's crucial that we talk about this." Rachel continued on with their morning conversation. They had been talking about it ever since he picked her up. Honestly, he was starting to regret making the offer yesterday. "Winter break is coming up in a couple of weeks, and we'll need to know what we're going to do."
"Then why can't we worry about it then?" He retorted.
"Because we should know by the time we begin filling out applications on where we want to apply to. It only makes sense."
"Yes, but since we're not doing it today, I don't understand why we can't just wait to talk about it."
"Because it's fun imaging what next year will be like finally away from McKinley."
"Not for everyone." They stopped walking once they got to the bus. "Look, I know you're really excited about leaving next year and that's great, but it's not perfect like that for everybody else."
"Finn, did you find out bad news in your meeting yesterday? Because if so we can come up with some sort of extra credit plan or a-"
"The meeting was fine, okay? Just look, uh- Can we please not talk about this right now? Today is Sectionals. Let's just focus on that." He concluded, giving her no room for rebuttal as he walked onto the bus.
Rachel and Finn were the last ones to enter after Jesse and Quinn, and apparently they weren't the only ones having a morning disagreement. Quinn and Jesse were feuding over something all while blocking the aisle. Finn took the only seat they weren't blocking, directly behind the driver. He pulled out whatever portable game console it was he owned which generally meant he wanted to be left alone in his own little Finn-world. When Quinn and Jesse finally stopped arguing about whatever it was (and really, it could've been anything) Jesse seemed pleased and sat in the first row seat across from Finn. Quinn huffed before sitting in the seat behind him which left Rachel with four options. Across from Quinn sat Brittany and Santana huddled together, listening to music. Behind them, Tina and Mike sat with each other while Artie occupied his special wheelchair zone next to them. Behind Artie were Blaine and Kurt. Across from the boyfriends were Sam and Mercedes. Puck and Lauren resided behind them while Karofsky sat alone, across from the couple. Rachel went with what she felt was the safest choice at the moment and walked all the way back to the bus to sit next to Dave. Besides, at least this way she'd be able to talk to Kurt.
Once everyone was situated, the driver pulled away from McKinley, and they headed out for the forty minute drive. Rachel sat awkwardly with her seat mate before putting on a grin to break the ice. "So David, are you nervous. It would be understandable if you were. This is your first stage performance in front of an audience, and even I still get nervous before going on, and I have extensive talents. Not to worry, though. Jesse has us more than prepared, and besides, you don't even have to do anything other than background choreography. Although, it'd be best if you hit all of your steps because it might be noticeable if we finally get a set of judges that understands stage performance."
"Rach, I think you're freakin' him out." Puck nudged her across the aisle.
Rachel looked back and forth between Puck and Dave. Dave did seem a little paler since she sat down.
"I was just trying to calm any nerves he may have." She explained.
"Dude, relax." Puck talked to him over Rachel's head. "Sectionals are easy. The judges don't know jack, and it'll be fine if you screw up. Everyone's probably gonna screw up anyway considering Jesse's totally nuts."
"Noah, don't say such negative things." Rachel warned him. He shrugged before going back to Lauren. "Don't listen to him. We'll be great." Rachel smiled back up at Dave. "Now excuse me." She moved to sit on the edge of her seat and leaned forward to talk to Kurt. "Have you spoken to Finn since yesterday?" She asked quietly.
Kurt frowned at the added voice and faced away from Blaine to talk to the girl invading his space. "What?"
"Finn seems disillusioned about our senior meetings with Miss Pillsbury, and he isn't talking to me about it so I thought that maybe he had gone to you."
"No. Sorry. I could try talking to him if you want." Kurt offered.
"No, it's fine." She sighed. "I'll deal with it after Sectionals."
"Okay, then let's talk about us." He perked up. "New York City. You, me, Blaine, and Finn if he ever decides to pull his head out of his behind. Living arrangements. Go."
"Um, I imagined I'd be rooming at NYU."
Blaine leaned forward toward the seat in front of him to talk over Kurt. "College room and board is pretty expensive."
"Yes, so we were thinking we should do what Blaine's cousins did." Kurt went on. "Tell her, Blaine."
"Right, so they all pooled their money and resources together and rented rooms in an off campus house where students live when they can't fully afford dorms. Usually like one guy or a family rents out a house, turning it into a boarding house. It's usually cheaper so maybe we could look for one of those."
"But I want the full college experience." Rachel pouted. "And besides, we'll be in New York. Nothing is going to be inexpensive anyway."
"Fine. It was just an idea." Kurt clicked his tongue.
"Oh. I didn't mean you two shouldn't still consider it."
"We'll look into it some more tomorrow."
"Okay." She paused before moving on to the gossip section. This is what being friends with Kurt for an extensive period of time does to a person. "So what are Mercedes and Sam planning on doing?"
"Well I think-"
"We're two feet away." Mercedes interrupted, not glancing over. "We can hear you."
"I didn't want to disturb you and Sam." Rachel told her. "So what are you doing?"
"A.) it's none of your business, and B.) it's none of your business."
"We haven't decided yet." Sam explained further.
"I see." Rachel smiled politely before turning back around and sharing a look with Kurt. Someone was cranky. "What do you think Quinn's going to do?"
Kurt frowned. "Considering I never talk to her, I have no idea. Try asking Jesse. Let's play the guessing game with Brittany and Santana instead. Now, if Brittany actually passes all of her-"
"I wonder if she's changed her mind at all since last year."
"Uh…I don't think Brittany knew the state of her academic life until yesterday."
"No, not Brittany." She waved off. "Quinn."
"Oh who cares, Quinn's fine. Let's get back to interesting people. Now as I-"
"Quinn's interesting."
He sighed at once again being cut off. "No, Quinn's very boring. Somehow her scandalous teen pregnancy wasn't even fun to chat about. Especially after everyone knew about it."
"Quinn is not boring."
"Rachel, you're looking at this through your friendship goggles of delusion."
"No I'm not. You just happen to be wrong. Personally, I was only curious if she hopefully changed her mind. I believe she mentioned something last year about being a real estate agent and-"
"I'm sorry, Quinn wants to be a real estate agent, and you don't think she's boring?"
"…it could be a fun job."
"Oh God." He chuckled.
"Do not laugh at me, Kurt Hummel. Quinn may not be happy all the time, and she may tend to practice the art of indifference-"
"Do you even hear yourself right now?"
"-but she can be quite the engaging conversationalist when she's willing to talk and-and she has better fashion sense than you do." She glared with a confident nod, and Kurt watched with a bemused frown as she stormed away to the front of the bus.
"Hi." Rachel greeted, plopping down next to Quinn. She received a soft "hey" in return before Quinn went back to gazing out of her window. Rachel chewed on her lip before continuing on with her curiosity. "Not to pry but Kurt and I were just wondering, arguing really, about what it was you were planning on doing with yourself after graduation. Kurt was very, um, interested."
She slowly looked away from the window and back over to Rachel. "Why does everyone keep asking these questions?" Quinn spoke very quietly, praying Rachel would follow her example and do the same. She could practically envision Jesse's hears perking up in front of them.
Rachel thankfully followed suit. "Because it's a big deal, Quinn. We now live in a world where a high school diploma by itself is considerably useless."
"No, I mean the answer should be obvious." She corrected. "Face it, aside from yourself, everyone else in school is either going to OSU at Lima or nowhere."
"Quinn, that's not true."
"Really? So you plan on staying here with Finn and the rest of us?" She asked scathingly.
"That's not what I meant. No one has to stay in Lima if they don't want to. There's plenty of opportunity to leave. You have options. I fully believe in everyone in glee, and I think that every single one of us can and will go on to be successful."
Quinn smiled sadly for a moment. "You know sometimes I really envy your ability at living in a fantasy world."
"It's not a fantasy."
"Yes it is. Do you really think that everyone on this bus is going somewhere? Honestly, Rachel? Do you think Puck or Lauren is going to change the world? Or do, God, do you think Finn will be able to follow you where you plan on going? Where is it you plan on going anyway?"
"NYU hopefully."
"Yeah, because when I hear esteemed, private college in one of the greatest cities in the world my mind automatically goes to Finn Hudson."
"Hypothetically, if Finn was to come with me, there's no reason he couldn't attend a different school that'd be easier for him to get into. As for Lauren or Noah, no I don't necessarily believe that either of them will go on to win Nobel Prizes, but that doesn't mean I think they'll amount to nothing. You, on the other hand, can do anything of your choosing."
Quinn dropped her head to the back of the seat and looked at the back of Jesse's seat. "It's funny, but it seems like no matter where anybody's from they always want to leave and move somewhere else. It's always dreams filled with greener pastures, greater horizons. But the reality is very few ever do. That's why terrible towns and cities like Lima or anywhere in Ohio for that matter have actual populations."
"That's a narrow outlook."
Quinn turned her head to the left again. "How is it an outlook? Outlooks are opinions. This is something that's been proven time and time again."
"It is an outlook. You know why? Because I don't think you actually believe this."
"Really?"
"Yes. You're clearly upset by the prospect of staying here."
"Well who wouldn't be?" Quinn replied harshly.
Rachel sighed as it was obvious she had put Quinn on edge. "I'll never understand what you're afraid of, Quinn."
"And I don't understand why you're still bothering me."
"I'm bothering you because I'm your friend. I'm sure it's the same reason why you're constantly harassed by Jesse. You make it extremely hard for people who care about you."
Rachel bit her tongue as she recognized the borderline mini-breakdown look on Quinn's face. She had seen it too many times and now she had caused it by touching on an insecurity. Great. And this was their first Sectionals without added drama too.
"Well no one asked you to, did they?"
"Quinn-"
"Can you just go?" She snapped, leaving Rachel to swallow down her words.
"Fine."
Quinn took a deep, calming breath as Rachel got up and walked back to where she came from. And now she felt guilty. Why was it that she was the one who had to feel guilty? It was Rachel who kept pushing.
"Way harsh, Q." Brittany told her helpfully.
Quinn just rolled her eyes before standing up. Their bus driver seemed to be tiring of all this movement, but she still walked all the way to the back of the bus anyway.
Rachel looked up expressionless as Quinn gripped the top of Kurt's seat to keep from swaying. "Was there something you needed, Quinn?"
Quinn looked past her over at Karofsky. "So, um, we're switching seats."
He frowned along with Rachel. "Huh?" He asked.
"Yeah, don't worry it will be fun. You'll have a front row showing to Brittany and Santana perving on each other."
"Um, but…" He trailed off, not budging.
Quinn challenged him with a raised eyebrow. Karofsky looked between the two before sneering. He was comfortable. He liked the back seats. He always picked them during road games. Yet he still stood with Rachel in order to move up to where Quinn had previously sat. How the hell three ex-cheerios became his own personal kryptonite was anyone's guess.
Rachel moved into the window side and sat down followed by Quinn. They sat in an admittedly tongue-tied silence for about a full minute, both waiting for Quinn to say something. She was stuck between feeling like she should apologize and not actually seeing what she had to apologize for.
"I just…I don't want to talk." Quinn said gently instead.
"Okay." Rachel understood, nodding.
"Okay."
They spent the rest of the bus ride in a comfortable silence, listening to the rest of their teammates.
Sectionals, as promised by the Gods, were a joke. Team Random, aka the Musical Keys, performed first. The school they came from had a total of four show choirs, one for each grade level, and this one happened to be the freshman one. None of the boys had hit puberty yet, and the whole thing was all-around terrible. After an intermission, the Warblers followed and did their never changing routine. The highlight of their night actually seemed to be reuniting with Blaine and Kurt backstage. They also caught up with New Directions as well. Jesse seriously needed to teach his team that they do not associate with other show choirs unless it was to get inside their head and throw off their performance. You can't be friends with your rivals. And everyone was considered a rival.
Jesse stood and looked over New Directions as they waited around in the green room. "Okay. Well I always feel these sorts of things should have a show circle, so let's go." The majority of the team begrudgingly joined him and an excited Rachel and Brittany in the so-called show circle. "So Sectionals. They're basically meaningless so try not to, I don't know, lose. I imagine that would be rather embarrassing. Even for you. I don't believe in luck, but this would be the part where I'd wish you all luck if I did. Okay." Jesse dropped his hands, putting an end to the show circle.
Santana scoffed. "Are you kidding me?"
"I'm sorry?"
"That's you big show choir instructor speech to get us pumped up?"
"Yes. As per usual, I don't see what the problem is."
"Dude, you suck at giving pep talks." Puck agreed before looking over the rest of the club. "I say we go out there and kick some dancing, show choir ass!"
"Well that wasn't much better." Kurt declared, humoring some while offending others.
As the group began to bicker like nursing home residents over motivational techniques, Jesse decided that this was a prime opportunity to talk to (pester) Quinn. Rachel had her own fun on the bus and now it was his turn. He grabbed her by the arm to pull her across the room for privacy. "If I've estimated this correctly, we seem to have a spare five minutes until you go on." He smirked. "You know, I wouldn't actually care, but by now I know your tells. What happened in the notorious counselor session?"
"I already told you. Nothing. It was a pointless meeting."
"Not true because when something's pointless in your life you give off no reaction. This you're avoiding which is a reaction; no matter how counterproductive."
"Okay, this whole thing where you claim to know everything about me is getting a little creepy."
"So we're just not going to talk about it then?"
"There's nothing to talk about."
Jesse gritted his teeth before responding. "You are such a circle."
Quinn blinked, having no comeback. She had never been called a shape before. "I'm-I'm a circle?"
"Yes. Endless. You just keep going around and around and around. With every bit of progress that is made, you just run right back around to the starting point erasing all of it." He inhaled sharply. "Be a line."
"Um, that makes no sense. Lines are also endless."
"No, lines can bend and form one of those corner angles with the little square in it."
"You mean a right angle?"
"No, a right angle is that check mark with the line on top."
"No, that's a square root sign."
"Oh yeah, that's what it was called. The little box in the corner is a square root angle."
"No, Jesse…just no." Quinn shook her head. How Rachel thought he was smart is just…Oh, God. The girl probably thinks Finn is some sort of a genius.
"Whatever. I will get you to talk as I always do. Really, Quinn, for being so stubborn, you give in quite easily."
Quinn gave a patented glare, and not soon after, New Directions was being announced. The club headed to the stage, and Jesse returned to his prime seat in the audience. He made sure that the seating arrangements had New Directions sitting closest to the judges so he could monitor them throughout the other clubs' performances. As of now, it was safe to place a bet on New Directions taking first place. The judges didn't seem all that impressed with the other two clubs, and really, Jesse would just quit if they tied again this year.
The audience quieted down and got set as the stage's curtain opened to reveal the New Directions. Jesse designed a very simple arrangement for the a cappella duet. The set up was safe and boring, allowing everything to be placed on the vocals. The duet was all about the choir part of show choir while Artie's number was all about the show. On the top riser stood from left to right: Mercedes, Karofsky, Brittany, Finn, Lauren, Puck, and Santana. The second riser was Sam, Quinn, Rachel, and Mike. The bottom row was Kurt, Tina, and Blaine while Artie's chair was on the stage floor positioned right in front of Tina. So far so good. The amount of space between everyone was equal. No one seemed to be glaring at each other. Nothing was awkward. Quite the feat in itself thus far.
"Strumming my pain with his fingers." Mercedes's voice echoed through the theater as she descended down the steps.
Santana followed her actions and joined in singing with Mercedes. "Singing my life with his words. Killing me softly with his song." The two walked forward together until they were a good set of feet in front of the rest of New Directions. "Killing me softly, with his song, telling my whole life, with his words, killing me softly, with his song."
"I heard he sang a good song." Santana began the first verse as New Directions softly layered vocals over from the background. "I heard he had a style. And so I came to see him and," Mercedes joined in, "listen for a while."
"And there he was this young boy, a stranger to my eyes." Santana led them back into the chorus.
The chorus toed the line between being both soothing and eerie. Santana and Mercedes still joined together to sing through the lines only now they had the girls behind them echoing the words while the boys added in their stream of deeper vocals. Easily the most boring performance of the night, but it was beautiful which could not be said about anything else the judges had seen. Subjectively speaking, Jesse thinks the other two schools just should have stayed home.
Once the song finished, New Directions was given a nice hand before they got settled for their next number. Everyone partnered up save for Artie and spread out amongst the stage. Artie remained completely still from where he was during the last number. On his left Rachel and Blaine paired up along with Puck and Mercedes, Karofsky and Lauren, and Finn and Brittany. On his rights was Santana and Sam, Quinn and Kurt, and Mike and Tina. The long drumroll began the song, and they were off.
"Stand!" Everyone sang together, and Artie rolled to the front of the stage.
"In the end you'll still be you." Artie sang to the audience as he rolled across the front edge of the stage. The rest of the club tried to show off Jesse's upbeat choreography behind him.
Sam and Santana danced forward to sing with Artie. "One that's done all the things you set out to do."
"Stand!"
"There's a cross for you to bear." Artie continued to roll in front of the dancing team behind him.
Rachel and Blaine hit their marks as they sang with Artie on the opposite side of the stage. "Things to go through if you're going anywhere."
"Stand!"
Artie hummed and went into his line. "For the things you know are right."
"It's the truth that the truth makes them so uptight." The Sam and Santana partnership jumped in again.
"Stand!"
"All the things you want are real."
"You have you to complete and there is no deal." Rachel and Blaine helped Artie to continue the pattern.
"Stand! Stand! Stand!" Mercedes thundered out her part.
"Everybody, yeah." Artie sang out with her.
"Stand! Stand! Stand!"
The rest of the verses continued on in a very similar manner, and the crowd began to get into it and dance themselves. This was only further proof that Sectionals was something to laugh at. The crowd was obviously filled with parents and morons and those that fell into both categories. This type of behavior would never take place at Nationals. Nationals had screaming, applauding fans, but it was prestigious. They would never have people get up and dance or hold homemade props. Thankfully, Jesse only shook his head at the lot of them and was able to hold in his laughter until the end of the song which ended up garnering a standing ovation. When the song changed tones and the freestyle section given to Mike and Brittany came in, they ended it all with a giant "Stand!" while Puck and Sam lifted Artie from his chair, allowing him to stand. It was then the crowd jumped to their feet, and Jesse laughed all the way to the bank. People were just too predictable.
New Directions bounced off the stage to a clapping crowd, and the third and final intermission started as the judges headed into their own room to vote. Jesse headed back to the green room to greet his team of soon-to-be winners. They were all hyper and happy, still running on their adrenaline high. Jerks. He briefly wondered if it would be considered against the rules if say he were to perform with them at some point. Really, it wasn't fair. Finally, when the judges finished their jobs (It honestly shouldn't have taken as long as it did considering it should be a relatively easy choice.), New Directions retook the stage with the Warblers and the Musical Keys. In the surprise that surprised nobody, New Directions was awarded first place. Jesse tried really hard no to gloat and put on his best sympathy face for the losers. Honest, he did. Whatever, that was their problem, because for him and his show choir, Regionals were next.