THE NEXT GENERATION

Chapter 8

"Hey, Trey!" Chantel squeals, bouncing up to the quarterback.

Trey grins, anxiously and says, "Hi, Chantel. What's up?"

"I was just wondering," she began, "If you wanted to sing a duet with me for Glee Club. I think our voices would mould perfectly. So, what do you say?"

Nodding, Trey says, "Sure! I'll leave it up to you to pick a song-I don't mind what we sing. I'll see you in Glee club?"

"Great!" Chantel clapped her hands together, mentally brainstorming ideas already.

Nat sauntered up to them and said, "Hey Trey. Football practice?"

"Oh yeah!" Trey exclaimed then said, "Later, Chantel. C'mon Nat."

"Why were you talking to Mini-Streisand over there?" Nat asked, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Oh. She wanted to do a duet so I said yes. It would be rude to say no!" Trey answered.

Nat frowned and said, "You know that she only wants to get in your pants, man?"

Trey glanced over at the girl who was scribbling in a notebook.

"I don't know. She seemed genuine and she isn't as bad as Sydney…"

"Are you over her already?" Nat snorted.

"I'm going to be. Sydney seems to be going a bit crazy recently, with all this Jenna stuff…"

"She's still crazy hot though…" Nat pointed out, earning a disapproving glare from his best friend.

"Haven't you got a girlfriend? How did your date go?"

Grinning to himself, Nat replied, "Peaches is awesome. She's so bubbly and adorable! We went to Breadstix and we had an awesome time!"

"Aww, has Nat got a little crush?" Trey teased.

"Have you seen Peaches? Who wouldn't?"

The boys chuckled and headed off to football practice.

Bryony knocked on her aunt's door and entered.

"Hey, sweetie!" Emma smiled and offered her niece a seat. "How's school going?"

"Great! I've made a lot of friends in Glee Club and Mr Shue said that he's going to give me a solo part in Sectionals!"

"Awesome," Emma said. "What's the matter, then?"

Inhaling slowly, Bryony said, "Um…I don't know how to tell you this. I have been keeping this secret. And it's slowly killing me. I am constantly thinking about it and I can't control it any longer. I really want to tell specific people, but I am really unsure on how they will react to the news. What do you think I should do? I figured I could come to you because you're not only my aunt but a guidance counsellor."

"Well, I think you should consider those specific people who you would like to tell. You could tell someone that you really totally rely on. Or you could tell someone who is going through the same situation. Don't forget that there are adults out there who won't judge you for your thoughts and actions. I cannot give much more, considering the small amount of data given, but if people don't accept you, I'm sorry, but they're just not worth your time."

Nodding in agreement, Bryony stood up and said, "Thanks! I really appreciate your advice. I think I know who to tell, now. I'll see you later!"

And with that, she left.

Bryony was walking out of school when she heard someone quietly sobbing. Curious and concerned, she crept underneath the bleachers to see Jenna Wood. Bryony had heard how Sydney outed her and realised how much she wanted to tell Jenna how much she sympathised. Even though Jenna was a bitchy girl with a bad reputation, Bryony had always admired her strength. To see her broken and desperately beautiful on the floor made her heart ache. Wait, beautiful? Bryony shook it off and crouched down next to the girl.

"Hey… What's the matter?"

Jenna wiped her eyes and gazed up to the girl's wide blue eyes lined with insanely long lashes.

"I… I'm pissed off with Sydney Garcia. She got me suspended for god's sake! She told the whole frickin' school that I play for the other team. How did she get off with nothing but a detention! Yeah, I might've broken a few of her nails, but her damage is permanent. And the worst thing is, she knows what she did wrong but doesn't bother to correct her mistakes!"

Bryony didn't really know what to do, so she just pulled the girl into a hug which somehow felt so RIGHT.

"You're not the only one annoyed with Sydney. It was totally selfish to do that to you and as soon as I see her, I'm going to have a word with her…"

Chuckling, Jenna said, "My advice is to not get too physical: look where I ended up. My family wanted me to become a lawyer, you know? I decided that it wasn't my path and started to rebel. I can safely say that everyone hates me and quite frankly I can't blame them."

Shocked, Bryony whispered, "How can you say that? Sure, Sydney might hate you, but c'mon, no-one really likes her either. I know for a fact that Chantel and Skylar really like you and you've got Blair!"

"What about you?" Jenna mumbled. "Do you like me?"

"Maybe more than I should, considering my dad would have a fit if he knew that I was sitting under the bleachers with a girl who dyes her hair tomato red, likes rap music and smokes!" Bryony friendly punched the girl. "But yes, I do like you. You're beautiful and I am desperately lucky if a little odd to have you as a friend. And I'm totally behind you. You're so strong so even if you don't feel so strong, keep holding on because I guarantee people will be here behind you to catch you if you fall. Ok?"

Jenna smiled and embraced the ginger girl. She was happy.

"Okay guys!" Will said. "I hear that Chantel and Trey are going to do a duet, so off you go!"

Chantel grabbed the boy's hand causing a few people to snicker behind their hands.

"This is from one of my favourite musicals, HAIRSPRAY!"

"Oh god," muttered Vera.

TREY: Once I was a selfish fool

Who never understood

Never looked inside myself

Though on the outside, i looked good!

Then we met and you made me

The man i am today

Tracy, i'm in love with you

No matter what you weigh

'Cause...

TREY AND CHANTEL

Without love

Life is like the seasons with no summer

Without love

Life is rock 'n' roll without a drummer

Tracy, i'll be yours forever

'Cause I never wanna be

Without love

Tracy, never set me free

No, I ain't lyin'

Never set me free, Tracy,

No, no, no!

LINK

Living in the ghetto

Black is everywhere you go

Who'd 've thought I'd love a girl

With skin as white as winter's snow

CHANTEL

In my ivory tower

Life was just a hostess snack

But now I've tasted chocolate

And I'm never going back

TREY AND CHANTEL

'Cause without love

Life is like a beat that you can't follow

Without love

Life is Doris Day at the Apollo

Darling, I'll be yours forever

'Cause I never wanna be

Without love

So darlin' never set me free

Oh, I'm yours forever

Never set me free

No, no, no!

TREY

If I'm left without my baby doll

I don't know what I'll do

CHANTEL

Link, I've got to break out

So that I can get my hands on you

BOTH

Like a week that's only Mondays

Only ice cream, never sundaes

Like a circle with no center

Like a door marked "do not enter!"

Darlin I'll be yours forever

'Cause I never wanna be

Without love

Yes, now you've captured me

Without love

I surrender happily

Without love

Seaweed never set me free

No no no

I ain't lying

Never set me free

No no no

Pretty Penny little

No I don't wanna live

Without love

Darlin' you have best believed me,

Never, ever leave me

Without love

Everyone clapped politely. Trey seemed cautious and uncomfortable throughout the performance whereas Chantel couldn't have looked happier.

"I just had to point out that I didn't pick that song…" Trey looked nervously down at his hands.

"Yes…" Will started. "I think that that performance was… wonderful, I don't think that is the sort of material that we will use for sectionals. We get to perform four songs at sectionals this year, so I was thinking of a group number with everyone, a group of 4, a solo and duet."

"Well, obviously, I should have the solo, the duet, AND have solo's in the groups." Chantel began.

However, Vera yelled, "Oh HELL no! I am NOT going to be pushed aside like that! I want to be in the spotlight as well, Mr Shue! Do something!"

Nodding, the teacher agreed, "Yes! I feel that yes, Chantel you have an amazing voice so you should have the solo. You can choose one from your wide knowledge of Broadway classics, I presume? However, for the duet, I am thinking of Blair and Daniel to do a romantic song?"

"What!" Blair screamed. "I can't perform in front of strangers! I have no practice, I…"

Blair was instantly soothed by Daniel who said, "It's okay, Mr Shue. We'll practice!"

"Great! I'm thinking for the group of 4, we should use Bryony, Peaches, Vera and Jenna?"

Peaches looked in daggers at Vera but smiled excitedly at Bryony who raised her hand in concern.

"Um… Mr Shue, Jenna's been suspended. She'll be back in a week, but I though I should just let you know. Also, what song are we going to do?"

"Thanks for the info, Bryony!" Will smiled genuinely at the clever girl and then said. "I'll leave that to you 4 to figure out. And for the group number, I have the perfect, up-tempo song to use. Class dismissed!"