Author's Comments: Sorry for the long wait but college is a priority, guys. I want to try and update as much as I can, but I am pretty swamped, so chapters are not going to come out as regularly as you're probably used to. Sorry guys. This chapter is kind of filler, but it delves into the lives of the "other characters". This fic is about showing love to the neglected characters, right? So I figured, why not give them few a little moments, too? Might even give you some insights on their personalities, who they're crushing on, and what makes them tick.
Featured Pairings: unrequited!Tiff (Tina/Jeff), implied!Pendletank (Pendleton/Hank), ended!St. Giselle (Jesse/Giselle), Artasia (Artie/Aphasia)
Warnings: Coarse language, suggestive content
Chapter Ten
You've Got The Music In You, Don't Give Up, This World Is Gonna Pull Through
("You Get What You Give" by New Radicals)
Jeff Sterling was aimlessly strumming the keys on the grand piano that stood in the commons where Warbler practice was normally held. He was alone and instinctively playing the notes for David Archuleta's Crush, a song that could definitely speak to him in so many ways and yet, it was almost pathetic to even think so. Damn, did he have it bad for one Tina Cohen-Chang. It was like that love at first sight bullshit you hear about in movies and fairytales. He doesn't even know why. He's so confused. The girl was recruiting for his glee club and he had remembered seeing her before in the background when they were going against New Directions last year for Sectionals and Regionals. But when he saw her up close, got to hear her voice... It was almost... magical. Man, Sebastian would give him all kinds of hell if he ever found out about his crush on Tina; let alone what he'd do if he ever found out about his mutiny to the Warblers.
Jeff was still playing the piano skillfully, singing along to the beat.
Jeff
Why do I keep running from the truth?
All I ever think about is you
You got me hypnotized, so mesmerized
And I just got to know
Do you ever think when you're all alone
All that we can be, where this thing can go?
Am I crazy or falling in love?
Is it really just another crush?
The blonde Warbler kept up the beat, still singing, unaware of the figure walking in right behind him.
Jeff
Why do I keep running from the truth?
All I ever think about is you—
Jeff jumped when he heard someone sniggering behind him and he turned to see his best friend, Nick Duval with an amused look on his face. Shooting him a glare, Jeff turned his back, red in the face from both anger and embarrassment, and continued with his song. Still with a big smile on his face, Nick sat down next to his friend and ceased Jeff's playing by grabbing his wrist.
"Jeffy's in love," he teased.
"Shut up!"
"So your girlfriend shot you down?"
"SHUT UP!"
"She did!" Nick laughed in his face, "Bro, you'll never get laid."
With a sour look on his face, Jeff sighed as he tore his hand away from him and started playing a few notes from Moonlight Sonata. Nick, being the pest that he was, kept messing him up by childishly pressing the wrong keys on purpose to screw up the music. Jeff grunted frustratingly and proceeded to smack his friend hard on the shoulder.
"I wouldn't expect you to sing something as lame as that song dude," Nick started, unfazed by the bruising on his shoulder. "I pegged you for an angsty, indie rock kind of dude."
"I wouldn't know, I never get to sing," Jeff mumbled as he continued playing, ignoring Nick sliding his fingers across the keyboard.
Frowning, Nick replied, "You gotta let that go man. You can't argue with Sebastian without being on the receiving end of his evilness. Some things are just better off that way."
Jeff didn't answer his friend. He sighed as he kept thinking about what he was going to do in the coming days. It was a week from Sectionals, at least for Tina's glee club, and they had yet to decide on a set list. A part of him wanted to quit, and almost considered doing so because it was hard being in the same room as Tina and not break down. But looking at her sweet face and how excited she was to do this, he didn't have the heart. That was his problem, he didn't even know Tina that long and only saw her on timed intervals, but he could already tell that he was in love with her. Though, he'd never say that out loud.
Love? Love? How could be in love after knowing her for so little time? Screw Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal again!
But it doesn't matter how or why, all Jeff knew was that he loved her. Loves her. The way she smiles, her teeth so perfectly white, her hair so silky smooth, and beautiful brown eyes. And she had a pretty nice shape on her too. He wondered how a guy like this Mike Chang (Jeff totally found it weird and creepy that Tina's ex-boyfriend shared the same last name as her) could screw things up so badly with her. But then again, given how beautiful Tina was and how amazingly hot (or as Tina describes) this Sam Evans was, Jeff sort of understood where Mike was coming from. If he had Tina, he'd fight any aesthetically-pleasing guy out there who came within ten feet of her. She is totally worth fighting for. Oh, how gorgeous you are, Tina Cohen-Chang!
"Dude! You got a boner!" Nick laughed, pointing at the bulge in Jeff's pants.
Quickly clamping his hands over himself, he gave one good punch to Nick's shoulder as the shaggy-haired teen kept chortling like an idiot, before Jeff hung his head down in embarrassment, face flushed with shame.
"You got it bad for that girl, dude!"
Jeff sighed, defeated. "I hate you."
glee
Pendleton Bailey sat up straight from her spot in History class. Today's ensemble included adorable kittens on her cardigan with little purple and blue hearts adorning her dress. She also had sparkles on her stockings to add more emphasis; it was her best outfit yet. So sad. As her glee captain and head soloist, Harmony, was currently thinking to herself about a possible set list that could highlight her amazing talent for next year, Pendleton busied herself with what kind of costumes she could make for Tina's glee club while subsequently coming up with a name for the club.
In last week's assignment, Coach Washington had the group think of a bunch of names for the club and Pendleton's head was swimming with ideas. At first, she wanted The Pink Kittens, but she decided not to go with that one because it was too plain in her mind, and had nothing at all to do with that Giselle girl threatening to shoot her if the club ever referred to themselves as The Pink Kittens. So she went through other ideas: The Amazing Elephants, The Polka Dots, The Purple Polar Bears, or maybe even The Fluffy Bumblebees.
She was so excited about her amazing name ideas. Giselle will love these. And Hank too. Oh, Hank! Pendleton blushed when she thought of him. He was quite possibly the cutest boy she had ever laid eyes on. And so sweet, too! He was extremely nice to her, and always asked her about her day every time they had a secret glee club meeting. And those arms! He could bench press Pendleton a hundred times and she would love every minute of it. The bell rang and she packed up her things and skipped merrily to her next class.
"Pen," came the demanding voice of one Harmony Mae Carrington. "We need to talk about glee rehearsal the other day."
Shifting nervously, Pendleton allowed herself to be pulled into the school auditorium by a very pushy Harmony.
"You see, Pen," the head Unitard-in-Charge started, "Even though we lost at Sectionals to that second-rate glee club, the No Directions, that doesn't mean we can just slack off now that it's over for us for this year. We're sophomores! We have two more years to get it right. Now I have sportsmanship, I accepted that 3rd Place Trophy like any good sport, I've been working everyone hardcore in glee rehearsal so that ugly little trophy can be chiseled with a 1st instead of 3rd, okay? And your steps in Gimme Gimme from the amazing Thoroughly Modern Millie musical were wretched."
"I know! I'm so sorry, Harmony, I couldn't keep up with the choreography. I mean, Gimme Gimme was a much slower song than your rendition and I just think that—"
"Pardon me?" Harmony gasped, looking absolutely scandalized, "Excusez-moi? Penny, let me ask you something." She inched closer to the small girl with a glaring look on her face and despite being only a few inches taller to Pendleton's 5'2", Harmony managed to look gigantic compared to her. "Who is the leader of the Unitards?"
"Uh, you?"
"And who makes the set list?"
"Uhm, uhm, you?"
"That's right. And what is your position in the Unitards?"
"Costume design..."
"And what does that tell us?"
"That... I... need to get to work on the fabric for next year?"
"No, it means you do not give any type of suggestion, criticism or direction, because you are not qualified or talented enough for that role. And be thankful that I'm such a nice person that I don't kick your sorry, incompetent patooty to the curve," the pale girl barked, "Are we at an understanding?"
"YES, MA'AM!" shrieked poor Pendleton as she jumped at these words. "Thank you."
Without saying another word, Harmony gracefully walked out of the auditorium, leaving a scared Pendleton in her wake. She felt like she was about to cry. Truthfully, she was happy that she was a part of the Fluffy Bumblebees (she decided she'll go with that one), because they were ten times more nice than Harmony will ever be. And besides, this new glee club is like a second chance for her. The Unitards totally failed at Sectionals because of the Michael Jackson songs Tina's old glee club did and that awesome mash-up of Gloria Gaynor's iconic I Will Survive and the Destiny's Child classic Survivor.
She couldn't wait to be a part of something like that. Those guys seemed like real loving people. She smiled warmly to herself, suddenly feeling a lot better.
Pendleton
A simple choice, nothing more
This or that, either or
Marry well, social whirl, business man, clever girl
Or pin my future on the boy I love
What kind of life am I dreaming of?
Her voice carried off throughout the auditorium. She knew no one could touch her while she was safe here where she belonged. The stage was hers and hers alone. The music picked up and she started the chorus that she had practiced in her room all those years since she was 8. The band played on as she started her little Broadway dance to go with the music.
Pendleton
Gimme, gimme that thing called love
I crave it
Gimme, gimme that thing called love
I'll brave it
Thick and thin, rich or poor time
Gimme years and I'll want more time
Gimme, gimme that thing called love
She finished the song with the longest note she'd ever sung, feeling good about herself when she hit it. In her mind, "love" was the stage.
glee
Unique with Vocal Adrenaline
Starships were meant to fly
Hands up and touch the sky
Can't stop 'cause we're so high
Let's do this one more time
Before they could finish the chorus to Nicki Minaj's Starships, Jesse St. James viciously pressed the button on the stereo system harder than necessary as he stared at the incompetent group with malice.
"AGAIN!" he snarled, "YOU ALL KEEP MESSING UP ON THE DAMN CHOREOGRAPHY! I WANT TO SEE THAT HUMAN CENTIPEDE DONE RIGHT! IS THAT TOO MUCH TO EXPECT OF YOU FAT LOSERS?!"
The Vocal Adrenaline members were all covered in sweat and hanging in their heads in shame as Jesse continued to hurl more verbal abuse at them. Wade/Unique looked like he/she was ready to collapse from heart failure as two girls were already being wheeled away on a stretcher towards the nurse's office. Giselle Booker was in the background with the rest of the girls, rolling her eyes every so often at her coach's constant bitching. She was so over this. Admittedly, she couldn't wait to get to Ching-Chang's glee club where they're given a chance to actually add input into the choreography. It was almost like they were a family. A family of very stupid people. But whatever, at least it was better than dealing with this bullshit.
"Alright take five!" Jesse declared after he was done chewing out one member after they accidently dropped a girl on her head, effectively having her pulled away on another stretcher, "And no binge eating! I'm talking to you, Lady Bunny!" Jesse pointed to Unique as the rest of the members walked out off the stage. Most of the dancers were bruised and sore and drenched with perspiration. They also smelled like a gym sock and jockstrap mating ball.
"Giselle, I need to talk to you, baby." Jesse whispered into her ear as Giselle had busied herself with taking off her stiletto heels.
Smirking to herself, she quickly got up and wrapped her arms around her forbidden lover. "I'm glad you mentioned that, because I was just thinking the same thing. Wanna make-out in your private office?"
An amused smirk played on his lips as he took her by the wrists and effectively shoved her away. Confused, Giselle put her hands on her hips and shot him the scariest of glares that she had ever conjured up. "What's this about, St. James? I'm opening the doors to my undergoods and you're just gonna shove me away like I'm some ho working the streets?"
"It's about us, babe," he started, ignoring her rant, "We're over."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
"No, no. This isn't over, Jesse—"
"Actually, I think it's best from now on if you referred to me as Coach St. James."
"What?!" Giselle shrieked. "We have been down with each other since you and I were in East Lima middle school. Don't you dare act like were just business partners."
"No, I'm not going to act like we're business partners," Jesse said, confident and composed, "Business partners are equal. I am above you. And not in the good way. Well, actually, for me this is the good way." Giselle gasped at these words, not believing that he would say these things after everything they had been through together. "We're over, Giselle. And I think it's best if we don't speak to each other anymore." With that, he walked away from her.
Stomping her foot and scrunching her face in anger, she spat out, "YOUR HAIR IS STUPID!"
Damn him. Damn Jesse St. James! He was the best she'd ever have and he was going places. Well, she thought he was when they had first got together. Since he dropped out of college for being to stupid to actually attend his classes, he ended up back in Lima to coach Vocal Adrenaline. But for a time, she didn't even care as long as he could toss a solo or two her way. He had promised he would during one of their late night meetings, but he's never been able to keep that promise. Instead, he opted for to let Victor/Victoria sing all the songs and belt out high notes like that fat black girl from Loser Directions.
And a part of her almost thought she loved him. That's right. Giselle Booker had a soft spot for the talented, curly-headed tyrant with his tight jeans that hugged his cute, bubble butt. His sweater vests that made him look like Loser Directions coach, Shooter or something like that. He was quite the hottie, and he was good to her back when they started dating. And then that Rachel girl came into the picture. And Giselle believed that Jesse had almost loved Frodo Streisand over her. But then he returned after the VA members egged her big time, and they were a happy couple again until he graduated.
She gave him everything she could. All those times she'd comfort him when he got depressed over failing to get accepted into NYADA; when he dropped out of school and had to sleep on Giselle's coach for a few days; when she got the other members to convince the principal to give Jesse a job at the school as the new choir director. She gave him everything! And what did he give her? Betrayal. When was it her turn to get that damn thank you? All she wanted was a time to shine in the spotlight. That was little to ask for compared to what she's done for him!
When she thinks about it...
Giselle
I've given all I can give
But you, you have betrayed my love
You said never lie, you said never cheat
You promised to be the perfect man for me
But then you changed, wasn't the same
You became a stranger in our home
They were like a failed married couple in one of those Tyler Perry flicks. She cared for him and gave all that she could and still he did not appreciate her. If only life were like Tyler Perry films; a fairytale ending for her would be nice. She can finally show everyone the kind of pipes they're missing out on. Especially Jesse.
Giselle
Why did I get married to you, why?
All those times I wasted out my life
Through the storms I stood right by your side
But you did not return the love, oh why
Did I get married to you?
"Asshole," she muttered bitterly as she walked back to the dressing rooms, her feet bare and sore from practice.
glee
Artie Abrams was currently wheeling himself through the mall with Jeff and Tina as they searched for the nearest fabric store to start the costumes for their club. Despite not having a name yet, they at least agreed on a set list. Tina had come up with a real solid selection of songs to do and choreography had even already started with The Mack and Jeff taking over for the job. Although at several points during rehearsal, The Mack and Aphasia got into it over comments made by Giselle about The Mack not wanting to go with Aphasia's idea to sell more "booty," but Artie just suspected that Giselle wanted to cause trouble for the laughs.
Currently they were looking for fabric for Pendleton to make the costumes with. They all had agreed to keep away from anything purple, polka dotted, or had rhinestones on it because Pendleton would go absolutely insane with those kinds of patterns. The guys all agreed that there was no way they were going out there and sing in anything that sparkled, and Giselle even warned Tina that if she ever wore something as gaudy as what Pendleton normally wears, she will kill somebody.
While on the way, Jeff and Tina decided to get themselves a hot pretzel as Artie chilled by the water fountain. He was glad that the two were finally talking to each other. Jeff had gone on and on about how great Tina was, and it was starting to annoy the paraplegic to no end that the blonde would not stop talking about his ex. It was clear that Jeff was in love with Tina hardcore, and the Warbler would not come down from that anytime soon. He smirked as watched Jeff offer to pay for Tina's pretzel. Such a sap.
Truth be told, after being broken-hearted by two girls, he decided to take a breather on love for now and focus on his goals. Right now, his new glee club was his main focus, and no girl was going to distract him.
"BACK UP GIRL! CAN'T YOU SEE I'M WALKIN' HERE?" came a loud, obnoxious voice that sounded suspiciously like...
"Aphasia?" Artie asked as he wheeled over to the female criminal as she chewed out some poor vender who was moving some boxes and almost ran her trolley over Aphasia's foot. "What are you doing here?"
"I was gettin' my 'stensions re-did," the girl said proudly as she played with her synthetic hair. "Whatchu doin' here, Snowman?"
Artie raised his eyebrow at the nickname, and guessed that it probably had something to do with his skin color. "I'm here with Tina and Jeff getting fabric for Pendleton to make our costumes."
"You ain't gettin' nothin' sparkly, right? 'Cause dat Holly Hobbie wannabe be wantin' to turn us all into da sunshine crew."
"Sunshine crew," Artie repeated thoughtfully. Could that be a good team name?
No way.
"Ante-way, I'm 'bout to go steal myself summtin' good from da food court," she claimed, as she continued to play with her hair. "Come with me, I don't like being alone."
"B-b-but I'm with friends..." Artie mumbled, seemingly terrified of the girl in front of him.
"I didn't say dis was up for discussion," Aphasia all but yelled, "I'm askin' you on a date and you betta be thankful I let you admire all dis." She motioned to her lithe body that Artie had to admit he glanced at once or twice during rehearsal.
"E-excuse me?"
"Don't act like I didn't catch you starin' at my good stuff, Snowman," the Jane Addams girl accused, "I knows when a man wants me and I can tells you wants me."
"I-I-I..."
"Don't talk. I like you betta when you shuttin' up," she said simply as she climbed on top of his lap, "Now roll me to da food court. My feet hurt and I want some damn Chicken Nuggets."
Feeling like he had no choice, Artie wheeled Aphasia and himself toward the food court area, leaving behind Tina and Jeff who were busying themselves with a conversation about something that Artie didn't have time to pay attention to. Along the way, Aphasia kept playing with his hair and unbuttoning the top buttons of his dress shirt. At one point, she even took away his glasses to try them on, which made him almost completely blind until she gave them back to him after he had almost T-boned a baby stroller.
"You know, Snowman," Aphasia started, "You kinda cute when you don't dress like a grandpa."
"Uh, th-thanks."
"Whatchu look like nekkid?"
"WHAT?!"
Author's Comments: OMG. This was not my best. I apologize. I promise the next chapter will be tons better. Anyway, leave a review and tell me what you'd like to see happen next.
Featured Songs:
"Crush" by David Archuleta. Sung by Jeff.
"Gimme Gimme" from Thoroughly Modern Millie. Sung by Pendleton.
"Starships" by Nicki Minaj. Sung by Wade/Unique with Vocal Adrenaline.
"Why Did I Get Married" by Tamika Scott. Sung by Giselle.