A/N: Alrighty, so here is the long-awaited chapter ten. I know how much this once a week updating thing is killing you guys, and now that I have somewhat settled in to this new apartment, I hope to start making updates twice a week. Don't hold me to that just yet, though.
All of the places in this chapter are real. I have never been to Panama City Beach, but my friend/beta has and he has been a great help when it comes to the area. This chapter goes out to Mr. Cruce for being the biggest fan around. It's been nice getting to know you, man.
So, without further ado, I present you with chapter ten of A Very Glee Spring Break.
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing. I do not own Glee, or Kurtofsky would be cannon and Kassie would be an actual character.
Someone had decided to be cruel and turn on the lights. Cracking open an eye, Thad blinked rapidly, registering that the light belonged to the bright ass sun shining in through the window of a room he didn't recognize as his own. Groaning as he closed his eyes to try and bury back under the covers, he felt something warm and solid behind him. Eyes shooting open, he bit back a scream, the light making his head ache even more. In front of him was a head of dark hair and memories from the night before came flooding back.
"Shit!"
The Warbler sat up, not caring that he was waking the two girls he had apparently spent the night with. Thad was nearly at the door when he heard a groan and muttered 'Fuck!' causing him to stop and turn around.
Santana and Brittany were both awake, Brittany looking no worse for the wear. Santana on the other hand had a look on her face that terrified Thad to death. She seemed angry, confused and was now glaring at him.
"You miserable little…" The Latina had moved, about to come after him, when Brittany caught her wrist.
"You wanted it too, San. What we did was everyone's fault. And really, you just watched and helped me. Don't remember?"
So it hadn't been Santana he had been with. Well, not really. The darker girl seemed to relax a bit, causing Thad to let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding.
"I remember now, Britt." The Latina turned to him and Thad could feel himself visibly paling.
"You. Will. Never. Say. A. Word. Got it? Cause if you tell anyone what happened last night, I will go all Lima Heights Adjacent on yo' scrawny white ass. Deal?"
Nodding, Thad grabbed his pants from the floor, not bothering to find his shirt before exiting the room. He would have Nick or Jeff get it for him later.
Movie night had been a success. After the tragedy that had been Xanadu, Rory came home just as a very tipsy Lauren was putting in Jailhouse Rock. Everyone had shared laughs as the Irish boy acted out the entire movie for them, knocking back three beers in the process.
During RENT, there was no stopping anyone from singing along. Kassie had gotten up and tried to dance to 'Light My Candle,' but had tripped over the coffee table, and everyone had to cover their ears when Scott tried to sing along to 'Today 4 U.' How Blaine had managed to find a guy that could not sing had seemed hilarious to the glee clubbers. Trent and Kassie had led 'Another Day' while Artie, Lauren and Blaine sang with them, and everyone sang/screamed along with 'La Vie Boheme."
Lauren had pulled her best friend up to sing 'Take Me or Leave Me,' their drunken states making them believe for just a moment that they were actually breaking up. The night had truly been amazing as Blaine, Trent and Kassie all agreed, with none regretting staying home.
The trio reminisced about the night before as they made breakfast, working comfortably around each other in the kitchen as they prepared a meal for twenty-seven.
"So, who else is going to join us for breakfast," Trent questioned his girlfriend, wondering why they were cooking for two extra people.
Flipping the pancakes she had on her griddle, the plus size girl turned and pecked her boyfriend on the cheek. "Because, Trenty-boo, I had Blaine invite Scott back over and Rory is bringing Pauley over to join us all for breakfast. I have plans for today and thought that maybe they would like to be involved in them."
"Thanks again for last night, guys. Scott said he had fun and I know I did, too. It's been a long time since I have just hung out like that."
"You're our friend, Blaine. And Scott is pretty cool. He can't carry a tune in a bucket, but he's alright."
Rolling her eyes at the boys, Kassie set back to work on making enough pancakes to feed an army. "Oh, will one of you text Kurt and remind him to have everyone over here by ten? Then you guys can go wake-up everyone here as well."
Exchanging a knowing look, the boys grinned as they left the room, saluting the drill sergeant as they left. "Yes, Ma'am," they joked as they left.
Kassie just shook her head; her friends were going to be the death of her.
Twenty-seven teenagers sat around the large living room of the yellow beach house, balancing plates on laps, knees and any other available surfaces. Conversation flowed easily after introductions were made all around for Scott and Pauley. The pair had been received quickly and with no questions from anyone, including Sebastian who stood in one corner away from the rest of the group, silent for once.
Laughter rang out from one side of the room where it seemed that David had just told a story that had those around him in stitches. Looking around, Kassie noticed that Finn and Rachel were sitting on opposite sides of the room, but for the first time since they broke up the other day they were exchanging odd looks. Quinn was sitting on Nick's lap, Jeff's head resting on her shoulder, and Blaine, Kurt, Scott and Dave were deep in discussion with Thad and Sugar.
From her place in the doorway, the girl smiled to herself before clearing her throat.
"Okay guys, I'm sure you want to know why I have all of you here and why I invited Scott and Pauley."
She watched as everyone nodded and nearly laughed when she caught sight of Puck nearly choking on his pancake. The only person who didn't seem to care what was going on was Sebastian, who she noticed wasn't quite all there for some reason.
"I have set up a scavenger hunt for today."
"We didn't plan that, Kassie," Kurt frowned, his head shaking.
"I know we didn't. This was something I came up with on my own. I was going to see what you thought about it and have you help plan it, but I didn't want you to miss out on the fun. So I did it myself."
He didn't look happy, but Kassie knew Kurt would be grateful by the end of the day. If she hadn't come up with the idea herself, she would love to be part of this. "This is our third day here and we haven't really gotten to see much other than the beach or a club. Doing this scavenger hunt is a perfect way for us to get to see all of the sights here."
"Hold up," Pauley interrupted, "I'm a PCB native. It wouldn't be very fair for the other teams because mine would have an advantage."
"That's why I was hoping to ask you and Scott, since this is his second time here, if you could help, but not give the exact locations of some of these places and things."
The non-glee members nodded their assent and the plus size girl continued on. "Before I split you into your teams here's the rules: you all have cell phones, so make sure you have them handy. In order to check something off of your list, it has to be either photographed or recorded and every member of the team must be in the shot or recording. You are not allowed to use Google, MapQuest, or any other online help to find these places, nor can Pauley or Scott's teams ask them where the things are at. You're going to have to rely on the locals or other tourists to help you find your goals.
"The first team back here with all destinations correct and properly documented wins. If the first team back doesn't have each place recorded, it goes to the next team that does. Any questions?"
Heads shook, and everyone watched as Sebastian left the living room, disappearing down the hallway. Mercedes raised her hand before she spoke. "Before we go do this thing, I just wanted to let you all know that Sam and I found a flyer at the club last night. They are having a karaoke contest at the Pooldeck tomorrow afternoon. I was thinking that some of us could enter. First place gets five hundred dollars."
Kassie watched as the room erupted into chatter, the girls forming together immediately, chattering away. She could tell that the wheels in her friends' heads were turning already, but they had a deadline for today's activities.
"Hey guys?" Nothing. "Guys!" Still nothing.
A shrill whistle rang out from next to her, and she found Lauren standing next to her. Giving her best friend a grateful smile, she turned back to the large group. "You will have plenty of time this evening to come up with show stopping numbers, guys. This scavenger hunt does have a deadline and has to be done today. There's going to be five teams altogether, and since I guess Sebastian won't be joining us, each team will have five people. I'll tag along with one for a while before coming back here to wait everyone's return.
"Team one will be Rachel, Sugar, Wes, David and Finn. Team two has Tina, Mike, Blaine, Scott and Thad. Team three is Quinn, Nick, Jeff, Artie and Trent. Team four is Kurt, Dave, Rory, Pauley and Puck while team five consists of Brittany, Santana, Mercedes, Lauren and Sam."
She watched as everyone gathered in their groups, noticing that Finn and Rachel were standing next to each other, the tension between them thick. Puck and Lauren were teasing each other, their friendly competition about to begin. Splitting the two of them was more for the sake of everyone else; she knew what kind of damage those two could cause if competing on the same team. Going around the room, Kassie gave each group a piece of paper with their clues and a small amount of money.
"Here's your clues. Most of the places you will be going to know you're coming and have been paid in advance…"
"Exactly how long have you had this planned, Kass?"
"I came up with the idea a week or so ago. Once I found the places, I called in advance and took care of everything."
"Damn…"
"Anyway," she continued, "remember the rules. You must have proof for each task and every one must be present in said proof. First team to have all tasks finished wins. Meet back here when you're done. You leave in two minutes, so take that time to strategize."
It was a feeling he hadn't been able to shake since he left the bathroom stall at the club the night before, leaving the ginger still kneeling on the dirty floor, face as red as his hair. The feeling that someone was watching him, like really watching him and his every move. It was flattering at the club, but it was the next morning and the feeling hadn't vanished. Now it was just downright uncomfortable and creepy.
Trying the shake the feeling of being followed, Sebastian shrugged his shoulders and continued down the main street, his hips swaying slightly as he walked. He wore the jacket from the night before over a dark pair of jeans and converse as he wondered the streets of Panama City. The freaks he came on this shitty excuse of a vacation with were still at the house, planning some lame scavenger hunt.
Spotting a mall a few blocks ahead, he began to head in that direction. From the corner of his eye he thought he could see someone just behind him, but when he turned there was no one there.
What the fuck?
Once again trying to shake off that feeling of being watched, Sebastian took a deep breath as he entered the mall, immediately straightening his posture and walking through the doors like he owned the unfamiliar place. Weird vibes or not, he was Sebastian Smythe damn it and everyone should know he had arrived.
Task One: Make your way through a coconut creek maze. Take a picture in blue, green, red and yellow.
Brittany loved coconuts. Everyone else wanted to start somewhere else on the list because as Lauren figured, the other teams would start off with the first task, so they should pick another and go back. But no… Brittany wanted to see a maze made out of coconuts, so that's how team five found themselves wondering the main strip of Panama City Beach, trying to figure out where they would find a coconut maze.
Being the only man on the team, Sam decided to take it upon himself to get directions for the places on the list. Hand linked with his girlfriends, he stopped a passing beach cop.
"Excuse me, sir. My friends and I are on a scavenger hunt of sorts. Would you happen to know where we could find a coconut maze?"
"A coconut maze? The only maze I can think of is the one in Coconut Creek. It is a couple miles down the beach. Just head down Beach Front Road and you'll find it. Good luck getting through there, though."
Smiling up at the officer, Mercedes offered her hand, shaking hand with the man. "Thank you so much for your help. You wouldn't happen to know where we could find a boars head, would you? It's on our list as well."
"That one I can't help you with. I don't know anything about a boars head. Sorry."
The couple thanked the man for his time and turned back to their friends. "Let's get to walking. It shouldn't take too long to get down the beach front."
Fifteen minutes later all five teens were standing outside of Coconut Creek Family Fun Park getting bands put around their wrists so they could make their way through the maze. From the entrance to the park they could see the blue, green, red and yellow guard shacks they had to make their way to.
"Wait," Santana put out an arm before they entered the maze. "What if there is four different ways to get to those things? A different part of the maze for each one?"
"You're right. Think we should split up?"
"No. We all have to be in the picture and we have to get one in each shack. Let's stick together. We should go in the order she listed the colors, just to be safe."
"So we try and get to the blue one first?"
"Yeah."
In agreement, the five teens began to make their way through the maze, trying to get to the blue guard shack. Ten minutes and two wrong turns later, they climbed the steps for the first of the four covered shacks. Mercedes set up her phone on a ledge and turned the timer on before getting in the shot just as the camera went off. They jumped from the shack and retraced their steps in hopes of finding a way into the green guard station.
Nearly an hour later the five teens ran out of the family park, four group pictures added to the memory of Mercedes' phone and several laughs added to a bank of memories.
Task Two: Take a walk along the shell boardwalk.
Kurt, Dave, Rory, Pauley and Puck easily agreed to start with the second task since everyone else was likely to start with the first. Since Pauley couldn't divulge the location of the walkway she had crossed many times herself, the girl with the heavy sunglasses offered her help when it came to speaking to the locals. Most locals, she explained, were hesitant to help those who are obvious tourists; it was a form of entertainment to watch the outsiders wonder around and get lost.
Many of the local store owners knew her by name so she led her new friends down the beach and into a comic book store.
"Yo! What's up, Buggy?"
Making her way to the counter, Pauley smiled at the owner of the comic shop. He had given her the nickname most of the locals used for her a couple years back when she first started going around with a camera around her neck. Everyone seemed to love calling her 'Shutterbug' or 'Bug' for short.
"Hey, Fredwad. These are friends of mine; Kurt, Dave, Puck and Rory. They're touries and we've been sent on a scavenger hunt. Since I'm a local I can't help, but you can."
"And what would I do that for, Bug?"
"Because you adore me. Not to mention, I'm the only girl that comes into this place, so if you want to keep me around, you're gonna help them."
The store owner scoffed but turned his attention to the group behind the girl. "What can I help you boys with, then? If Bug is calling in a favor, it best be good."
With the list in hand, Kurt stepped to the counter, Dave right behind him. "We need to figure out where some of these things are. Right now we need to figure out where there is a shell boardwalk."
"Shell boardwalk? Gay boy, that's easy. It's the boardwalk out on Shell Island. Bug here goes out there all the time.
"Now number seven is easy, too. There is a ride on Shipwreck Island called 'The Pirate's Plunge.' Whoever came up with this list really likes you guys, because everything on here is awesome. Except number six… I don't know what that one is. You guys will figure out the others easily enough."
Taking the list back, Kurt smiled politely as he stepped back next to his boyfriend and finding his hand immediately. "Thank you for your help."
Stepping forward and grasping the store owners hand with his own, Puck shook the stranger's hand. "Yeah, thanks man. We really appreciate it."
"Woah," Dave joked as the five teens left the comic book store and headed toward the ferry to take them out to Shell Island, "that was a big word for you there, Puckerman."
"Can it, Karofsky. Dating my boy or not, I'll still kick your ass."
"You will do no such thing, Noah."
Pauley only sighed, nudging Rory as they boarded the ferry. "Are they always like this?"
The Irish boy only sighed. "Sadly, yes they are."
"I like your friends. They're pretty cool."
"Awww," Puck grinned, slapping the girl on the back. "We like you too, Bugsy."
She only rolled her eyes as Dave got a passer-by to take a photo of them on the boardwalk. One down, six more to go.
He was in Hollister when he felt it again- that feeling of being watched. The store was nearly vacant at this time of the weekday. Looking around him, Sebastian noticed that there was only one other customer in the store; a man just a bit older looking than himself who stood by the jeans, blatantly staring in his direction.
Looking at the stranger's seemingly black eyes, the other man shot him a nasty grin- a grin that made even his blood run cold. He needed to get out of there and fast.
Sebastian was almost to the door and to freedom when a hand wrapped around his wrist and pulled him to a stop. Turning slowly, the Warbler faced his stalker.
"Well, well. If it isn't Sebastian the Warbler. It's so nice to finally speak to you after your little show last night."
How in the hell did this guy know his name? "Who are you? What the fuck do you want?"
Sebastian tried to not back down, to stand his ground, but as the man stepped closer, all the teen wanted to do was run.
"What I 'want' is to use you for my entertainment. Your Lambert impersonation was sexy as hell, but now you're going to be mine."
He could feel his knees begin to shake, his nerves gone. The loud, don't-give-a-fuck Sebastian had vanished, leaving a terrified version of himself in its wake. Somehow he managed to twist his arm out of the man's grasp and took off running; out of the store and out of the mall, only looking back once he was out in the parking lot.
Seeing no one behind him, Sebastian dialed the only person he knew he could possibly trust as he walked as fast as he could back to the houses.
"Hello?"
"Kassie?"
"Finn? Can we talk?" Taking a seat next to the tall boy, Rachel wrung her hands together before wiping them on her dress. They were on the ferry back from Shell Island, and contrary to popular belief, there was one thing that scared the short girl: deep water.
Not even bothering to look over at his ex-girlfriend, Finn shook his head. "There's nothing to talk about, Rachel. Now go away."
"No, Finn. There is plenty to discuss. Besides, I want to thank you for last night. I know I blacked out and I don't remember getting back to my room, but Mercedes told me what you did for me. That guy could have hurt me Finn, and you saved me. Thank you. For being there when you didn't have to be."
Tears building up in his eyes, Finn turned to the girl he loved and felt his heart breaking all over again, if that were possible. "You're welcome, I guess. But I'm not taking you back, Rachel. I mean it. You made me your second choice when I deserve to be someone's first."
Rachel nodded before she stood. "I understand. I love you, Finn. I always have and part of me always will…"
"But you love Broadway and being a star more. It's okay. I get it. I just… You could have said no, instead of doing this."
"There are a lot of things I could have done, but I didn't. I was selfish, but when have I ever not been?"
With a shrug, Finn shook his head. "There have been a few times when you haven't done things for your own gain. You can be a good person sometimes, Rachel, and that's why I loved you. Everyone knows you are meant for bigger things, so I can't be too mad at you. Just… no songs, don't try to get me back. I can't let you hurt me like this again, so we are over for good. Okay?"
Her shoulders slumped, but Rachel nodded. "Alright. I understand. And if means anything, I really am sorry."
"I know you are," Finn replied, breaking eye contact. "You should go now, though. We'll be back on the beach soon and you should ask Wes and David where we are headed next."
Finn watched as Rachel walked away, fighting back tears as he watched the girl he loved walk away. She had hurt him for the last time. It was time to let her go and move on.
Task Three: Enter the wonderwork and lay on a bed of nails.
Task Four: Just like in "Big," play on a giant piano. Twinkle like a little star and sing along.
Half an hour later, Sugar, Wes, David, Finn and Rachel stood outside the strangest building any of them had ever seen. It was a house built completely upside-down; the point of the roof held the entrance into what was called WonderWorks. All five teens craned their necks, taking in the picture before them.
"How does this even stay up?"
"Is that grass up there?"
"If it looks like this on the outside, I can only imagine what is inside."
"Then let's go in!"
Sugar led the charge as they all but ran into the building. It was crowded, but they couldn't see any of their friends, so Wes and David led the way through the main floor looking for some sign of the bed of nails or the giant keyboard the ferryman had told them was there. Finn found the bed of nails first, freezing in his tracks when he saw the contraption.
"There is no way I am laying on that thing!" The tall teen took a step back, trying to put as much distance between himself and the bed before him.
David only shrugged before handing Wes the camera. "Here, I'll go first. I'm sure it doesn't really hurt." He stepped forward and the man standing by the attraction told him the safest way to sit on the bed then slowly lay down. Following the advice, David slowly lowered himself down onto the bed of nails and frowned. The nails were so close together it only felt like a bunch of small prickles; no real pain at all. Laying down, he smiled at Wes as his best friend took his picture.
"That wasn't that bad," he pointed out, taking his camera back from Wes.
The other four had their pictures taken on the bed, Finn whining the loudest, complaining the entire time that one particular nail had to be longer than the rest because he could feel it poking into his back. They wondered around the rest of the bottom floor hoping to find the giant keyboard referenced in the other clue, but unsuccessful, they went up to the second floor. Rachel went running, immediately spotting the keyboard that was nearly identical to the one in the Tom Hanks movie.
It took ten minutes for the five musical teens to figure out how they would manage playing 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' on the keyboard, and another five for them to find someone willing to record them. Once the stranger nodded that they were rolling, the five teens began to hop around on the toy and sing.
"Twinkle twinkle little star,
How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle twinkle little star,
How I wonder what you are."
As they ended, a round of applause broke out among the crowd that had gathered to watch a bunch of teenagers perform the children's song. They all bowed and Wes had to grab Rachel who was about to try a solo performance and drag her away so they could move on to their next task. This was a race after all, and he was determined to win.
A/N: If you would like a look at how this story has come together and see spoilers for upcoming chapters, follow me on Tumblr. The link is in my profile.
Happy reading my lovelies!
-ktattoo