A/N: I'm pretty sure everyone's heard the news by now about Cory Montieth. It's still a bit hard just thinking about it. I've been delaying this chapter for a while now because even though Finn wasn't a main character in my fanfiction, it was still painful just thinking about it (that and my younger brother got hit by a truck a few days ago). Finn/Cory shall and will live forever in the hearts and minds of everyone.
I hope this didn't put anyone in a depressed mood. If anyone needs someone to talk to, my inbox and email are open to all. I don't care who you are, I will respond the minute I finish reading your message/email. My email can be found on my profile.
The chapter has finally arrived! The one you've all been waiting for since Chapter 1... SECTIONALS! (and all of the drama to go along with it, with a part that almost made me cry while writing it). And it's a pretty long chapter, so hopefully it'll satisfy your needs and I'm sorry about the extra fluff in this chapter. You guys know what to do from here. Read, review, enjoy and thanks :D
TRIGGER WARNING! MENTION OF SUICIDE! CONTINUE WITH CAUTION!
J4X3YN
LAST TRIGGER WARNING! MENTION OF SUICIDE! CONTINUE WITH CAUTION!
Chapter 14: Sectionals!
'Well doesn't this suck,' Karina Garcia thought as she walked inside William McKinley yet again. Only this time was different. Not only was she not a part of Vocal Inspirations, she also wasn't a Cheerio anymore. That's what happens when you're bad-mouthing Sylvester, screaming at the top of your lungs that "you have nothing else to do with your life but piss people off".
While listening to P!nk's song, "Stupid Girls" on her I-Pod, Karina found herself singing along to the second verse, which sort of fits her at the moment.
Karina:
Disease's growing, it's epidemic
I'm scared that there ain't a cure
The world believes it and I'm going crazy
I cannot take any more
As she continues, she spots a flock of Cheerios walking down the hallway and almost shoulder bumps one of them.
I'm so glad that I'll never fit in
That will never be me
She then sees Megan, Cat and Brooke talking by the lockers, giving them a wave which they only gave back a look of disappointment.
Outcasts and girls with ambition
That's what I wanna see
Disasters all around
World despaired
Your only concern
Will it fuck up my hair
Not really caring who was looking or staring, she almost skipped down the hallway while singing the chorus as if she was in a music video or something. Anyone walking by could hear the song, or at least the instrumental.
Maybe if I act like that, that guy will call me back
Porno Paparazzi girl, I don't wanna be a stupid girl
Baby if I act like that, flipping my blond hair back
Push up my bra like that, I don't wanna be a stupid girl
Once the chorus was over, Karina gave singing a break as she unlocked her locker to get her things ready for first period.
Afterwards, she began to head down the hallway to get to class. She then stopped as her eyes glanced at Quinn, Santana, and Brittany who were also talking by the lockers. She then started singing the song again.
Baby if I act like that, flipping my blond hair back
Push up my bra like that, stupid girl!
Once she stopped starring at the girls, she continued the chorus as she slowly walked down the hallway only to be accompanied by Andre who began singing along with her.
Karina (Andre):
Maybe if I act like that (maybe if you act like that), that guy will call me back (that guy will call you back)
Porno Paparazzi girl (Porno Paparazzi girl), I don't wanna be a stupid girl
Continuing to sing, she pointed at each individual member of the Unholy Trinity as did Andre. He even bothered to check out Santana's chest for a little bit as Karina sung "push up my bra like that", only to get slapped on the arm by Karina.
Baby if I act like that (maybe if you act like that), flipping my blond hair back (flipping your blond hair back)
Push up my bra like that (push up your bra like that), I don't wanna be a stupid girl
"What are you doing?" Karina asked, after shutting her I-Pod off.
"Cheering you up. You seemed depressed."
"Thanks, I guess."
"I see a certain someone has left the Cheerios."
"Sylvester kicked me off." Karina admitted.
"Sorry." Andre apologized.
"This Puertorriqueña will be fine." Karina reassured. "It was freezing cold in those skirts anyway."
"I wanted to ask you something."
"Okay."
"Did you really do it?"
"Do what?"
"Did you rat Sunshine out to her mother?" he repeated reluctantly, hoping he didn't have to.
"No." Karina replied. "Sylvester did. Yeah I might be a bitch to alot of people but I wouldn't have a reason for doing that to Sunshine. She's the best we...I mean, you guys...ever had."
"How would you know that Coach Sylvester did it?"
"She asked me to at first. She figured that if Sunshine left Glee then the group would fall apart and dissemble."
"Well, it's working." Andre pointed out.
"What?"
"Harmony and Sugar had quit too after arguing over Rory. We don't have enough members to qualify anymore." Andre informed. "If you tell everyone that you didn't tell on Sunshine, they'd be more than happy to take you back!" Andre suggested.
"Are you kidding me? No one's going to believe me. They all hate my guts; it's not like any of them missed me."
"I do." Andre admitted while shrugging his shoulders. "And I'm pretty sure everyone else does too."
"Thanks," Karina thanked with a smile, "but I think it'd be best if you guys went to Sectionals without me. Good luck." she then said as she walked inside the classroom.
After the three girls were done talking about yesterday's unfortunate events, Brooke and Cat make their way to their first period classes while leaving Megan at her locker. While walking through the almost packed hallways, Cat notices Lucas walking past them, probably to meet up with Megan. And she noticed she was right as she turned briefly to see the two chatting.
"Oh wait, I forgot to ask Megan for-" Brooke began as she began to turn around.
"A tampon?" Cat finished as she stepped in Brooke's way so she couldn't see the couple behind her. "I have some in my locker if you need them."
"The music sheets in chorus." Brooke finished as she noticed that Cat was acting a little weird. "She picked mine up on accident yesterday." she explained as she was trying to get past Cat to get to Megan.
"I'll give you mine!" Cat suggested.
"But you're a soprano." the junior reminded. "I need the second soprano part and you need yours."
"I'm pretty sure Megan doesn't have them." Cat said just as Brooke managed to breakthrough, witnessing the two making out.
"She's back together with-" Brooke began to cry out before Cat placed her hand over her mouth like Megan did hers.
"She didn't want any of us to know." Cat explained as she turned Brooke around.
"How long have you known?"
"Since yesterday when I noticed them kissing in the hallway." Cat answered. "You'd think she'd be a bit more careful."
"I'm not even going to bother." Brooke ignored as she continued to make her way to art class, leaving Cat.
"I'm glad you all could make it." Ms. Holliday greeted to now all ten members of Vocal Inspirations after the drama fiasco yesterday.
"I was this close of not coming back." Hank admitted.
"Yeah, we're in the pretty deep trouble." Jackson added.
"We've still got two weeks to change things around." Ms. Holliday encouraged. "Joe and Rory, could you guys talk to Harmony and Sugar tomorrow to see if they'll come back?"
"Sure." Joe agreed to, while Rory responded with a nod of the head.
"In case they say no, Cat and Megan, I want you to ask Reya and Lucas."
"Does it have to be me?" Megan played off well.
"Well you're dating him, right?"
"You told her?" Megan turned Cat, while everyone else was yet again in their awkward silent stage.
"I never liked him." Draiden said to himself, with most silently agreeing with head nods.
"She figured it out on her own; you guys have to find a better kissing spot."
"I-"
"Save it." Brooke cut off.
"Could we please just chillax and leave all of the drama at the door?" Ms. Holliday proposed. "I don't want three other girls making a scene."
"Sorry." they all apologized simultaneously.
"I've also done a bit of thinking yesterday." Ms. Holliday announced. "We need more time to practice."
"No shit, you're just realizing this?" Eli agreed then asked.
"Not what I meant amigo." she began to explain. "Every day after school, you guys come here and practice for an hour at most. I talked to Figgins and he gave us permission to come by Jazzeria during homeroom." she continued, smiles forming on the faces of her students. "I was also thinking maybe we could have some sort of lock-in deal to practice on the weekends, so long as you guys don't bring your drugs, weapons or have sex on the floor. It's a pain having to mop up these floors, you won't believe what was spilled on them."
"I'm down." Andre stated as everyone else agreed with a "yeah" or "yup" or "sure."
"Awesome!" Ms. Holliday celebrated. "Now, about those mash-ups..."
"Harmony!" Joe called out as he ran towards her as they entered English class together.
"Oh, hey Joe." the brunette greeted.
"How are you?"
"I'm okay. How about you?"
"I'm good." Joe answered as the two sat beside each other. "I actually wanted to talk to you."
"Is it what I think it's about?"
"It might be."
"Vocal Inspirations?"
"You guessed it."
"I do miss being with you guys but with all the drama between Sugar, Rory and me, I don't think I'll have the focus needed for Sectionals. And it's not like anyone misses me."
"I miss you." Joe began. "Everybody does."
"Of course they would, they need me to qualify."
"I mean it." Joe reassured. "We all miss you. Especially me."
"Why?"
"You're a friend. You, Cat, Hank, Andre, Eli, Brooke, Megan, Sugar, Rory, Draiden, Jackson, Sunshine and Karina are the only friends I ever had and losing one sucks man. You're helpful, usually nice, and you know alot when it comes to singing and competing against the other show choirs."
"Yeah." Harmony agreed, giggling a little.
"So will you come back?"
"I don't know, maybe."
"Well if you do, we're meeting at Jazzeria's during homeroom for the next couple of days." Joe informed. "I'll pray on it." he added with a smile.
"Alright." she responded, giving him a smile back.
"You sure? No one's forcing you." Megan asked yet again.
"Yeah, I mean I've sung with you guys before. As long as they're cool with it." Lucas reassured as he leaned his left shoulder on a locker near his.
"Uh, yeah, everyone's cool with it." Megan responded even though at least three people came to her mind that probably wouldn't be cool with it, one of the three being Brooke of course. Heck, she wasn't sure if anyone was cool with.
"Alright, I'll see ya then."
Meanwhile as the couple were still talking with one another, from a distance, Brooke and Cat were idly waiting by watching the two.
"Did Reya say she was coming?" Brooke asked, trying to keep her mind off the fact that her friend was still with Lucas Raynor of all people even though her eyes were still glued to Megan and Lucas. It's like all of the bad memories that Brooke kept in her head flew out of Megan's. And Brooke really didn't understand why.
"Yup!" Cat said, almost jumping up and down in excitement that her girlfriend was joining Vocal Inspirations. "They seem alot happier then before." Cat observed as Megan hugged and kissed Lucas, walking to her fifth period class. "Let's just g-"
"Wait!" Brooke whispered, stopping Cat from leaving as another girl approached Lucas' locker. A girl neither of the two recognized. The two seemed to be arguing, based on their body language and facial expressions.
"They're only arguing, it's not like they're dating." Cat stated.
"Yeah, maybe you're ri-" Brooke began until this was proven false as the two were kissing each other. "Just what I feared." she said, mainly to herself. Brooke had no intention to break the two up, at least not to hurt Megan anyway. She wanted the best for her like any other friend would. If Lucas would have changed for the better, then maybe but that obviously was not the case here.
"Maybe she kissed him?" Cat suggested.
"Well he seemed to enjoy it."
"How are we gonna tell Megan?"
"No clue."
"Three thirty." everyone heard the blond director say to herself as she stared at the clock on the wall. School ended ten minutes ago and the walk from William McKinley to Jazzeria's took minutes, if any if you walked fast enough. "I guess they're not coming."she continued, referring to both Sugar and Harmony. "We are, however, glad to have you guys though." she pointed out to Reya and Lucas.
"Wait!" interrupted not one but two female voices as they entered the dance studio together, standing in front of the twelve students. It was none other than Sugar and Harmony in the flesh.
"Where were you?" Ms. Holliday asked.
"Well, I had to fix my mani-pedi and make-up."
"And I realized that I miss you guys too much." Harmony added.
"Me too." Sugar agreed while nodding her head.
"Sit, sit. We've got much to talk about." Ms. Holliday insisted, shooing the girls to the chairs.
"Glad you're back." Joe whispered to Harmony as she sat down in front of him, who replied with a smile as she turned to see the one on his face.
"After smoking a few blunts and chugging a few vodka bottles," Ms. Holliday opened with a joke, causing her students to laugh, "I think we should stick with what Harmony originally planned for in the beginning of the school year."
"What did I say?"
"You suggested that we have a group number and not one but two solos with different soloists."
"Why?" Jackson asked on behalf of everyone.
"You tell me, you went snooping on the other teams."
"What makes you-" Eli began.
"Well Grace called me, saying that their secretary claimed to have seven familiar looking kids looking for her."
"Could have been anyone."
"A girl in a 50's dress, a short Asian girl in a beret, a quiet blonde guy-"
"Okay, you caught us." Jackson admitted.
"It makes sense though." Hank persuaded. "I mean the Unitards-"
"The Unitards?" Reya asked while laughing.
"What do we have to lose with a name like that?" Lucas also joked, receiving a fist pump from Reya.
"I thought the same thing." Ms. Holliday agreed. "Sorry Hank, continue please."
"They only showcase Mallory most of the time, like it's 'Mallory and The Pips'."
"Jane Addams Academy only showcases the best singers they have as well." Harmony added. "So if we showcase two different soloists and a group number, we'll seem more like an actual choir at a choir competition." she continued to explain.
"Exactly." Ms. Holliday praised as she made her way to the whiteboard. While writing the word "Solos!", she glanced by the doorway to notice yet another familiar face. "I want you guys to split into groups and discuss what solos you may or may not want to use at Sectionals, I've gotta use the lady's room." she lied as she went to go talk to that person.
"Hola chica. It looks like I'll be having another one of my famous talks with yet another students of mine."
"Ay dios mío, por favor, no empieces señorita." the girl begged.
"Chillax, it's all good Sweet Cheeks." she assured. "I know it was wrong for Sunshine to lie but did you tell her mother? Because if you did, then no bueno."
"No, I didn't." Karina answered honestly. "Sylvester told Sunshine's mom that I told her. She wanted me to because she thought that you guys wouldn't survive without her."
"So you were trying to bring the group down?"
"At first."
"Why?"
"Sylvester offered me a co-captain position with Quinn if I was successful."
"And was it worth it?"
"I thought it was." she stated. "It's one thing to be just another Cheerio in the background, it's another thing to be the Cheerio who's always front and center. No one messes with her."
"Who'd mess with you? You're so-"
"Bitchy?" Karina finished.
"I was gonna say sassy but you said it first."
"Right."
"There's nothing wrong with being honest or open about something or someone but you take that to new extremes. Why?"
"Well Ms. H, the way I see it is you're either walking or walked on." Karina began, tears flowing from her face. "And I'm no doormat. At least, that's what my sister told me."
"You have a sister?" Sugar asked, blowing everyone's cover as Ms. Holliday and Karina turn to see everyone lurking by the doorway.
"Yeah." Karina replied. "She was a senior last year. Her name's Manuela but everyone calls her Manny. She was so smart, and pretty and she was nice. Got along with almost everyone, unlike me." she continued, joking lightly at the situation, making the others laugh lightly.
"She was never popular. Guys didn't pay her any attention. She probably only had three or four good friends. A guy had asked her to prom and when they were on their way to the prom, his ex-girlfriend got her little friends to throw eggs at her and they began bullying her since then. Once it got all out of control Manny, sh-sh-she hung herself with Ethernet cords the day before her graduation and...uh...left me a note saying to never let people walk all over you like they did her." Karina managed to say as her face was now glistening from the tears, her throat hurting as she released her cry.
"Come here." Ms. Holliday said before she hugged the Latina. "It's okay."
"Hey, how's it going?" Mr. Schuester greeted as he and Ms. Holliday, who was subbing for yet another teacher, walked inside the school building.
"Bueno. And you?"
"Couldn't be better." he replied with a smile. "How's the set-list coming along?"
"Downright awful." she admitted. "We still haven't came up with a mash-up or any of the other solos."
"If it helps you sleep at night, during our first Sectionals the kids had to come up with a whole new set-list in an hour."
"Why?"
"Sue." Mr. Schue put simply.
"Gotcha."
"It's gotta be the good life." Mr. Schue added, in reference to what he thought he heard playing over the intercom. Instead of "Good Life" by OneRepublic, it was actually 'Brighter Than The Sun' by Colbie Caillat. Figgins always thought playing positive music would give the students a positive reinforcement.
Realizing the similarity between the songs, Ms. Holliday smiled. "It sure does Will."
"By George, I think I've got it!" yelled an excited Ms. Holliday. "And I'm not talking crabs folks." she joked. She always loved to joke in a good mood.
"This should be interesting." Harmony observed as Ms. Holliday took out a bunch of sheet music.
"We only have about eleven days left-"
"Hopeless." Eli cut in.
"But if we rehearse extremely hard, I'm sure we're bound to win this thing! Or not, you know whatever." Ms. Holliday continued, passing out the sheets of music to the fifteen students.
"You accidentally stapled these songs together." Sugar noted.
"And it looks like some scribbled all over some of the stanzas." Karina added.
"I did. I was way too lazy to combine the songs on one so I just stapled the music together. It's the mash-up!"
"Not bad Ms. H." Reya complimented, while Harmony hummed it out loud.
"I've also got solos."
"You picked the soloists?" Cat and Harmony asked simultaneously.
"I'd thought you two would never ask." Ms. Holliday replied. "After realizing all we've been through, these songs really popped in my mind. They really relate to us."
"You found songs about glee clubs?" Draiden asked, getting the whole room to laugh.
"No, these are songs about life. To keep pushing forward. That it always gets better. That's our set-list's theme." Ms. Holliday described. "So without further ado, our soloists are Brooke Delgado and Megan Mitchel."
"What?" Cat asked, surprised as the applause was dying out.
"What!" Harmony repeated.
"What?!" Megan and Brooke questioned at the same time
"Cat and I have been asking for the past month!"
"But Megan and Brooke haven't pressured me into choosing. And they also haven't stormed out of here." the adult tried to explain. "It's not that I don't like your voices it's just that their voices really work for these songs."
"I understand." the freshman reluctantly stated.
"Will you two do it?"
"Sure."
"I guess."
"Yes!" Ms. Holliday silently cheered to herself. "Let's get to work!"
"Sunshine, come here! There's someone here to see you!" she heard her mother demand downstairs. Still sad about about not being in Vocal Inspirations, Sunshine reluctantly marches down the stairs as her mother requested. A smile forms on her face as she sees her cousin, Frida Romero, by the doorway.
"Sunny!"
"Frida!" Sunshine yelled in excitement as she ran down the last couple of steps to hug her. Sunshine's father, Phillip, was Daniela's older brother,who was also Frida's mother. The Corazon's had lived in America but vacationed in the Philippines to visit family like Gia's family. Then Phillip and Gia met at the airport, got to know each other and soon were married with three kids before the house fire.
"I can't believe it's almost December and we have yet to talk about anything. How's William McKinley?" Frida asked as the two sat down on the brown, three seated sofa while their parents were talking in the kitchen. Frida and her parents lived in Akron, Ohio for their whole life.
"It's great! I love it! I made so many friends."
"What about.." Frida began, hinting, leaving Sunshine to blush.
"His name is Hank." Sunshine informed, causing Frida to bounce in one of the seats. "What about you?"
"My guy's name is David. He's in Glee Club."
"So's Hank," Sunshine added, before realizing how much she missed the guys, "and I was too before I had to leave."
"You left?"
"Mom didn't approve."
"I'm so sorry, I know how much music means to you." Frida comforted, before going in for a hug that lasted about a minute max. "Have they had their Sectionals competition or whatever yet?"
"No. Has Vocal Adrenaline?"
"His was last week, they're going to Regionals!" Frida cheered.
"Congrats." Sunshine said, still saddened by the fact that she couldn't join Hank or her friends on stage. Sunshine really loved music but she also loved the other thirteen members of Vocal Inspirations like they were a second family, even though a few members have had their share of disputes.
"When's yours?" Frida asked, referring to the Sectionals.
"It's on the 4th at a stage theater in Defiance." she recalled correctly
"Why don't we go watch?" Frida suggested.
"Like Mom's gonna let me go." Sunshine shot down immediately.
"She will if she thinks we're studying for the PSAT's with a group of friends."
"She's not gonna believe me."
"But they'll believe me." Frida added with a wink as she got off the sofa and into the kitchen, her cousin right behind her seconds later. "Sunshine and I were wondering if we could go study at Jessica's house for the PSAT's." she asked Gia, Daniela and her father Jose as Sunshine waved at her aunt and uncle.
"Look at our little girl, so studious." Jose praised as he pats Frida on the shoulder.
"Sure, when?" Gia approved, with a smile of praise as well hearing that Sunshine's studying.
"On the 4th." Sunshine replied. "We realized the test is that next week and we wanted to get a head start as soon as possible." she continued to lie.
"What time?" Daniela asked.
"She wants us to be there at eight in the morning." Frida came up with on the fly.
"Transportation?" Daniela continued with questions.
"I can drive Sunshine if you let me borrow the car." Frida suggested, leaving her parents to ponder. This Mexican-Filipina had just received her license last week and has shown to be a responsible driver so far.
"I guess if you're careful." Jose approved.
"Thank you all so much!" Frida thanked before she and Sunshine hugged the three adults then ran back to the living room. "Told ya so."
"Lucky."
The day had finally come. Saturday, December 4th. The day that Vocal Inspirations would compete at their very first Sectionals competition. And no one could be anymore anxious and excited. Butterflies beginning to fill the kids' stomachs, feet tapping away at a rapid pace, throats beginning to knot and they haven't even got on the bus yet.
After a long, hard-working yet fun lock-in practice at Jazzeria's, Ms. Holliday and the Vocal Inspirations head back to William McKinley with their fitted outfits zipped in their black suit bags, courtesy of Al and Sugar Motta, to wait on the bus. During the lock-in, hair and nails had already been done. All of the females' finger and toe nails were coated in white nail polish to match their dresses. Each girl's hair was a different scenario. For the most part, their hair was worn naturally and neat whether it was wavy like Brooke's and Karina's (which was really thick), curly like Harmony's and Megan's or straight like Sugar's and Reya's. Cat, however, decided to tame her wild curls and straighten them.
Meanwhile all the boys had to do was brush and gel their hair and get dressed, which they were going to do once they arrived at Uptown Sound, a local stage theater in Defiance, while the girls tend to their make up.
"Alright guys, I think we've got this in bag!" Ms. Holliday pep talked as she and the fifteen students waited for the bus. It was already 7:52 a.m, and the competing show choirs had to sign in at 9:30 a.m, not to mention the hour drive from Lima to Defiance.
"Yeah!" Harmony agreed, high-fiving her director.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Where's the bus? It's cold!" Karina asked, almost shivering in her fur coat. After all, December did arrive and the temperature was in the low 40's.
"It's not that bad." Rory tried to persuade, only wearing a green, short-sleeve, polo and jeans.
"Says the leprechaun from Dublin." Karina reminded.
"Said the Hispanic from Ecuador." Reya joked, getting laughter in response. Even from Karina, surprisingly.
"I'll let that side. Y soy de Puerto Rico." Karina corrected jokingly in Spanish.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Reya mocked, only to get playfully pushed with only one arm from Karina. The group was then joined by Mr. Schuester as they continued to wait behind the school.
"What are you doing here?" Ms. Holliday asked, all of their attention turned to Mr. Schue.
"Our Sectionals competition is today in Marysville. I didn't tell you?"
"Sure didn't. It would have been nice to know. We could have shared a bus." Ms. Holliday reassured.
"No!" said the fifteen students in unison, seconds later without hesitation, getting Ms. Holliday and Mr. Schue to laugh.
Soon many of the members of New Directions arrived one by one or in pairs like Tina and Mike, Quinn and Sam, Artie and Brittany, etc., with their outfits and dresses covered in plastic bags as well. The yellow buses arrived precisely at 8:13 a.m. Before boarding on the buses, Mr. Schue and Ms. Holliday had wished each other good luck, shook hands then hugged.
Cat took her seat with Reya, second seat in the front as Reya was holding a nervous Cat's hand to comfort her and calm her down. Behind them were Sugar and Rory, much to everyone's surprise. Even though the whole Harmony-Rory-Sugar triangle caused awkward tension between the three, Sugar wasn't sure about the current feelings she had for him.
Southwest from the duo was Harmony, sitting near the window to take her mind off of the nervous butterflies in her stomach. Joe sat behind her by himself, listening to contemporary Christian songs and rock classics on his I-Pod with a banana in case he got hungry.
On Joe's right was the couple Megan and Lucas, who was still an item, much to Brooke's and Cat's dismay. And ever since Brooke realized that Megan received the other solo for Sectionals, she didn't want her focus to be distracted with boy drama. During the past eleven or so days, Lucas seemed to gain approval and trust from most of the members of Vocal Inspirations.
Brooke, accompanied by Jackson, decided to sit behind the two, her eyes starring at Lucas like daggers as he leaned his shoulder on the window and his arm over Megan.
Jackson's funny "brother-in-crime" (a name Andre assigned himself) Andre decided to sit next to the Vocal Inspirations' resident Latina and co-choreographer (along with him and Sugar at times) herself as she was also listening to her favorites on her I-Pod as well, which was on Jackson's left so he could talk to Jackson rather than yell across the bus.
Draiden was about four or five seats behind Andre, catching up on his sleep after the numerous run-throughs of the set-list last night, hogging the seat, causing Hank to sit in the seat on Draiden's right who wished his girlfriend was here with them.
Eli also decided to catch up on his sleep as he sat on the last seat on the left side of Bus 174.
"Before we head off, I have to call ro-" Ms. Holliday began to explain, only to hear the word "stop" yelled by not one but two females. Everyone turned their heads in their direction to notice that it was Sunshine and her cousin Frida boarding the bus.
"You're competing with us!" Sugar automatically assumed.
"You can take my solo if you want it." Megan offered, also assuming that their friend was back.
"I would but I didn't pay the fee-"
"I'll pay for you!" Sugar interrupted.
"And I don't have a dress." Sunshine reminded.
"Rats." let out Harmony, the nervous butterflies filling in her stomach again.
"We were just hoping we could watch!" Sunshine explained.
"Of course. And who's your friend?" Ms. Holliday asked.
"Oh! Everyone this is my cousin Frida, Frida this is everyone." she almost forgot to introduce. The members waved a hello as Sunshine took a seat next to Hank, Frida sitting behind her.
After calling role, the bus had left from the William McKinley parking lot to make its way to Defiance, Ohio.
"Is that Draiden and Eli snoring like that?" Brooke asked, turning her head to check.
"Think again." Jackson said, getting her attention and pointing at Karina and Andre who were knocked out cold as Karina slept on Andre's shoulder.
"Wow." Brooke laughed, taking out her cellphone to take a picture.
"That's wrong." Jackson stated. "If you don't upload it to Facebook first." he continued, laughing alongside the brunette. "You nervous?"
"No, I'm not at all nervous by the fact that I'll be singing a solo in a packed tight auditorium." Brooke replied sarcastically, Jackson nodding his head understandingly.
"It won't be that bad, I mean at least you have us to back you up. Megan has to sing by herself." the blonde guy reminded.
"Tell me about it." Brooke realized, glancing at a part Megan's brown hair.
"If it helps, we're all pretty nervous. Me included." Jackson added.
"Well you sure make it look easy." Brooke replied. Jackson usually keep quiet unless there's something he wants to say. "And what are you nervous about? You're not even good enough to get a solo." Brooke continued to joke, only to get hit lightly by Jackson's backhand.
"You did not just hit me!"
"You're not even good enough to get a solo." Jackson mocked, in his infamous lady voice causing a laughing Brooke to hit him back.
"Looks like someone's getting cozy." Andre said, slowly waking up to a slapping war between Brooke and Jackson.
"Like you're the one to talk?" Brooke said, reminding Andre that Karina was on his shoulder with a point of her index finger.
"What can I say? I'm a Casanova, even in my sleep." Andre bragged, getting fist bumped by Jackson before he got slapped by Brooke again.
"The only way you'd ever get me was if I was asleep chico." Karina stated, rising off of Andre's shoulder, teasing her hair to fix it on the side that she slept on.
"You always kill my game."
"Can't kill what's not there." Karina added, Brooke and Jackson laughing in response with Andre squinting his eyes at Karina.
"Are we almost there?" Harmony asked, her voice echoing throughout the bus.
"We've got about 30 more minutes to go." Ms. Holliday informed, the students groaning and moaning in response.
"The longest thirty minutes of my life." Reya complained, rolling her eyes at the direction of the window on her right as she titled her head in that direction.
"How is everyone?" Ms. Holliday asked, checking up on her students.
"Nervous, excited and somewhat nauseous." Megan started off.
"Be sure to aim that way." Brooke advised, pointing at the window where Lucas was sitting.
"But I'm at the window seat."
"I know."
"Brooke." Jackson advised.
"Sorry." she mumbled reluctantly.
"You guys will be fine, trust me. Afterwards, we'll go out and eat some burritos or something. Sounds good?" she offered, this time receiving "yeahs", and "yes's" in response from the seventeen students "Sunshine are you and Hank-"
"No!" she quickly assured. "He fell asleep against the window about ten minutes ago, I'm playing Angry Birds." she continued, since the back of the bus was so quiet.
"Just making sure." Ms. Holliday replied.
Thirty minutes later, Vocal Inspirations and company arrived at the parking lot of Uptown Sound. And boy was it packed with vehicles in almost every parking space. Luckily, there was a reserved area for the buses. On Vocal Inspirations' bus' right was another, slightly different shade of yellow, school bus that was probably for the Unitards since the other white bus was an Allen County Prison bus.
"Alright guys, it's four minutes after nine, we're right on time." Ms. Holliday announced as the students made their way off the bus with their belongings. "Sunshine and Frida, since you two rode the bus with us, you two will get free admission." she also informed which the girls were happy about, high-fiving each other.
"Draiden, get up!" Cat yelled, until she was startled by a surprised Draiden who barely had any idea where he was.
"We won?"
"No, we haven't competed." she replied, dragging him out of the bus by yanking his hand out of the door.
Uptown Sound was a bit small on the outside, with what assumed to be a marble, two-story building, but the inside was very nice. White walls perfectly clean, red carpet on the walkway, music playing over the speakers, food and drinks being served at the counters and tons of people jammed inside, not mention the four female police officers who were probably watching the girls from Jane Addams Academy.
"I'll go sign you guys in, wait right here." Ms. Holliday instructed as she left them near the doorway.
"Come on guys, you can do this!" Sunshine tried to encourage, still noticing the nervous expression on her friends' faces.
"I hope so." Harmony added, after inhaling and exhaling calmly a few times to herself. "I should have brought my green tea, it does wonders vocally."
"Well green tea's not gonna win you this competition." said a familiar, female voice by the name of Mallory Smith, approaching the group at the worst time.
"Quoted by the famous Elton John himself, 'the bitch is back'." Cat replied, directing it at Mallory.
"You're telling me." Sugar muttered.
"Oh yeah? Well neither will your bitchy attitude." Karina shot back, high-fiving Cat after her slam.
"Nice comeback. Who'd you get it from? Your Mexican drug-lord?" Mallory shot back, getting Karina fired up and making Andre and Jackson hold her back to the best of their ability before she ever got a chance to claw the girl's eyes out.
"¡Puta! Soy de Puerto Rico! Más te vale que ellos no me dejaron ir!" Karina said while gritting her teeth and attempting to break free from Andre's and Jackson's arms to wipe the smile off of Mallory's face.
"Congrats Lucas, you're no longer number one on my hate list." Brooke added, turning to Lucas.
"What do you want anyway?" Hank asked, being infuriated that she was even in his presence.
"To wish you guys good luck, of course. I mean luck's the only thing you can rely on now."
"Well you're highly mistaken because these guys will blow you and the rest of the Unitards out of the water so fast, you won't even know what hit you." Sunshine defended.
"Easy for you to say. You're not the one going on stage without their best singer. All you're here for is mutual support." Mallory spat back snarkingly. "See ya guys out there." she finished off before walking away, killing whatever confidence they had ruthlessly.
"You guys will be fine. Garrett and Gustavo told me all about your performances." Frida tried to encourage, as the others stood their in utter silence.
"She sorta has a point. We're nothing without her." Lucas said, gesturing his hand to Sunshine.
"That's not true." Sunshine answered, as the song changed over the speakers. A very familiar song that was recognizable to at least seven of the students in their group, causing Sunshine to smile.
The vocals weren't very loud, so Sunshine was able to sing over the music at an attempt to loosen up her friends.
Sunshine:
Every week's the same
Stuck in school's so lame
Unable to resist, Harmony backed her best friend up (with a high harmony, ironically) as a contagious smile lit up on her face.
Sunshine with Harmony:
My parents say that I'm lazy
Getting up at 8 AM's crazy
Tired of being told what to do
So unfair
So uncool
Cat, remembering her first day in the auditorium, smiles then sings along with the two girls as they hit the pre-chorus, singing the harmony along with Harmony as the others are watching the three.
Sunshine, Harmony and Cat:
The day's too long
And I'm holding on
Wanting Sugar to join, Cat continues to repeatedly poke her in the arm, finally getting her to join somewhat reluctantly but with a smile.
Sunshine, Harmony, Cat and Sugar:
'Til I hear the bell ring
'Cause that's time when we're gonna
The four girls then pointed to the other three members who were also the first seven members of Vocal Inspirations, Draiden, Megan and Hank, to sing the echo, which they succumbed to after looking into their eager eyes. In the moment, Sunshine began to dance with Hank, as did Harmony, Cat and Sugar with Draiden and Megan, as Frida, the rest of Vocal Inspirations (taking a few steps back), and everyone else inside including Ms. Holliday watched as if they were the weirdest things someone has ever seen.
Megan, Draiden and Hank:
Time when we're gonna
Sunshine, Harmony, Sugar, Draiden, Hank, Cat and Megan:
Breakout
Let the party start
We're gonna stay out
Gonna break some hearts
We're gonna dance till the dance floor falls apart
Uh oh, all over again.
We're gonna wake up everyone we know
We're gonna have some fun, gonna lose control
Feels so good, to let go-oh-oh
(Oh-oh-oh)
The seven kids then dragged the rest of their friends alongside them, hoping they'd sing along to open them up. After forcefully getting them to dance by the tight hold on their ankles and the somewhat violent hip bumps, the other nine each shared a line or two like how the original seven did at the first meeting, even Lucas who couldn't help but smile. Everyone had dropped their outfit bags onto the floor softly, without even realizing it.
Karina and Brooke:
Hangin' out is something we like to do
Andre, Jackson and Eli:
My friends and the mess we get into
Joe and Rory:
These are the lessons that we choose
Reya and Lucas:
Not a book full of things we'll never use
Frida, beginning to smile as she was watching how much fun her cousin and her friends were having, was then dragged into the mess as Sunshine came to pull her in the middle, getting her to sing and dance with the others which they didn't mind. They even sang the words "we're" and "we" instead of "I'm" and "I" like last time. Seems as if Sunshine's impromptu performance was working.
Vocal Inspirations with Sunshine and Frida:
The day's too long
And we're holding on
Till we hear the bell ring
Vocal Inspirations' Guys:
'Cause that's time when we're gonna
Vocal Inspirations' Girls with Sunshine and Frida:
Time when we're gonna
Vocal Inspirations with Sunshine and Frida:
Breakout
Let the party start
We're gonna stay out
Gonna break some hearts
We're gonna dance till the dance floor falls apart
Uh oh, all over again.
We're gonna wake up everyone we know
We're gonna have some fun, gonna lose control
Sunshine:
Feels so good, to let go-oh-oh
Vocal Inspirations with Frida:
Oh-oh-oh
Seeing that Sunshine doesn't really get a chance to sing as much anymore, everyone simultaneously allowed Sunshine to sing the last solo line, everyone else singing the echo. Everyone ended up hugging each other as the music over the speakers continued, even Harmony and Rory and Brooke and Lucas much to their own surprise, not even realizing that everyone was cheering and applauding as the guys were warming and opening them up.
"Don't you guys see?" Sunshine began to ask, panting a little after jumping and singing with an adrenaline rush. "Three months ago, you guys could barely sing in front of the kids in the courtyard. Who would have thought the seven of us could have put on RENT? Or our Invitationals? And now you're about to kick ass on that stage in a hour or so." she continued, getting the sixteen of her friends to laugh at the fact that Sunshine of all people had cussed.
"When'd you start giving pep talks?" Hank asked, wrapping his arm around Sunshine's waist from behind.
"Whenever I stopped doubting myself, like you guys were earlier." Sunshine explained, receiving a kiss on the cheek from Hank. "So maybe I was the best singer you guys ever had."
"Diva." Harmony sang-song, getting the others to laugh.
"I may not be on stage with you guys physically, but my heart will." Sunshine finished. receiving applause from her friends and unknowingly to them, Ms. Holliday and Grace Hitchens.
"I couldn't have said it better myself. Thanks Sunshine." Ms. Holliday praised, patting her shoulder.
"You guys are talented, I'll give you that. But my girls won't be defeated so easily." Ms. Hitchens complimented and warned.
"We'll see about that, sista." Ms. Holliday spat back as Ms. Hitchens attended to her girls. "So, we're all checked in and you're performing last, right after the Unitards." she announced, which most of the guys didn't like.
"Last? Great." Eli complained.
"It's not so bad. We'll be the ones that the judges remember the most." Harmony explained.
"I hope so kid." Ms. Holliday sighed.
"Cat, sit still. Mascara doesn't look good when I'm about to poke your eye out because a certain chica can't sit still." Karina complained as she was helping the freshman with her mascara in their assigned dressing room, one of the hardest parts about makeup.
"Sorry." Cat apologized, for what was probably the seventh time. She already had on the smoky gray eye-shadow and the peach pink lipstick.
The other girls already had on the mascara, eye-shadow and lipstick as well as a pretty and cute white strappy dress with black button detail on the straps and a black belt detail on the waist, black mid-calf leggings and white strap dress shoes with heels that were comfortable enough to wear.
The guys matched in a white button up, long sleeve shirt with the two buttons undone, black slacks with a black belt and black dress shoes.
"Wow, you guys are smoking." Ms. Holliday complimented humorously.
"Oh, we know." Sugar agreed, teasing her hair a bit in one of the mirrors that she shared with Reya.
"Where's Megan?" the director then asked after counting after her students twice in her head.
"I don't know, she said she went to the bathroom." Lucas informed.
"Sugar, Draiden, could you two go look for her?"
"Sure."
"Yeah." the two agreed, walking out of the almost cramped dressing room.
"You check the bathrooms and I'll check everywhere else." Draiden suggested, Sugar complying with a head nod before running to the first female bathroom she could find. Before Draiden could even turn around to notice, he accidentally bumped into a very familiar competitor.
"Whoa, my bad." he apologized before realizing it was Jeremiah, dressed in a pink buttoned up shirt, black slacks and flats with an undone multi-color neck tie that hung on his neck.
"You're okay." Jeremiah assured. "No tie for the Vocal Inspirations?" he asked in a tone that suggested that he was talking to a baby, slightly pulling on the right collar of Draiden's shirt.
"At least I know how to tie one." he replied, wrapping Jeremiah's tie around his index and middle finger.
"I know how to tie it." Jeremiah tried to convince, pushing the boy's hands away.
"Prove it." Draiden bet, gesturing his hand to Jeremiah's neck. After squinting his eyes at Draiden for too long, he broke out in laughter and gave up.
"This tie is difficult, I do know how to tie a tie." Jeremiah argued.
"Uh-huh." Draiden replied sarcastically as he was beginning to tie it for his competition. "It's a shame though, the only reason you bought this tie was to lose to us."
"Funny, you guys actually think you stand a chance."
"Well I think we do." Draiden stated as he finished the final tie tightly, almost choking Jeremiah in the process (intentional of course).
"At least you'll look nice when you receive your second place trophy." Jeremiah complimented and somewhat dissed all at the same time, lightly though.
"I don't know if I want to thank you or tell you off." Draiden replied, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Maybe you can decide whenever we're going out for coffee?" Jeremiah cleverly offered.
"I don't think so." Draiden denied with a chuckle.
"Why not? I mean I've seen Andre and Cat tease you about me all the time. Am I not good enough for you?" he asked, almost offended.
"How do I know you're not trying to distract me from my focus?"
"Good point." Jeremiah agreed, taking a few steps back.
"Hey." Draiden called out, grabbing his wrists and stopping him. "If Vocal Inspirations win, we'll go get coffee."
"And if we win?" he asked, a smile forming on his face.
"Then we might get coffee." Draiden answered. "Deal?" he continued, offering a hand shake.
"Deal." Jeremiah agreed, shaking his hand.
"Draiden, let's go!" Megan yelled as she and Sugar were waiting by the dressing room door.
"See ya."
"See ya." Jeremiah said before running off to find the rest of his team members.
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the 2010 Northwestern Sectional Show Choir Championship!" the announcer began over the speakers, five minutes after the competing show choirs had gotten ready, getting the audience to roar in excitement.
"Today, three exceptional show choirs will perform and compete for the first place Sectionals trophy. The winning show choir, or choirs in case of a tie, will move onto the Regional Championship, a step closer to the National Championship. Each show choir will have a total of six minutes to prove to the judges they have what it takes to win. Every minute past the six minute maximum will be a half a point deduction. The theme for this year's Northwestern Sectionals Championship is Mash-Ups. Each show choir must perform at least one song that consists of two or more songs to qualify." he continued to explain excitingly, pausing for a few seconds afterwards.
"Four very familiar judges shall judge this year's contenders." he introduced. "He's the manager of the hit TV news station WOHN-TV, Tim Stanwick!" he yelled, cuing the slight elderly man with gray hair, glasses and blue eyes to stand and wave as the crowd applauded.
"She's the hard-working, Deputy Zoning Commissioner of the state of Ohio, give it up for Melva Texon White!" the voice in the auditorium continued before one of the African-American women rose with thumbs up, waves and smiles as the audience cheered again.
"The fifth runner-up in the Miss Ohio beauty pageant in 2006, Candace Dystra!" again he introduced, the crowd applauding as the blonde waved, with a few of the guys whistling, one yelling "oh baby!".
"Ow." Andre muttered due to Karina kicking him in the shin.
"And last but not certainly least, a bronze medalist winner for Individualized Synchronized Swimming right here from Ohio, give a hardy hand clap to Roz Washington!" he finished, describing the last African-American woman as she rose, snapping like a diva before waving and fixing her honey blonde hair.
"Individualized Synchronized Swimming?" Frida asked Sunshine, who only responded with a shoulder shrug.
"Finally folks, the moment we've been waiting for. From the Jane Addams Academy located in little Lima, Ohio, boys and girls, the Dangerous Angelz!" he introduced, holding out each syllable in the name before the black curtains opened to reveal the twenty two girls dressed in a black, short, sassy and sequined dress with black ballet flats and their hair pulled back into curly ponytails as the audience cheered on for the first group.
Each one of the girls were standing in a different pose just before the music started then afterwards struck different dramatic yet somewhat sexy poses to the beat of the song before anyone had begun singing.
Most of the girls began singing along as Aphasia took the lead, walking around each one of the girls.
Dangerous Angelz (Aphasia):
I bust the windows out your car (Left the city, my momma she said don't come back home)
And no it didn't mend my broken heart (These kids round' killin each other, they lost they minds, they gone)
I'll probably always have these ugly scars (They quittin' school, making babies and can barely read)
But right now I don't care about that part (Some gone off to their fall, lord have mercy on them)
I bust the windows out your car (One, two, three, four, your cousins is round' here sellin' dope)
After I saw you laying next to her (While they're daddies, your uncle is walking round' strung out)
I didn't wanna but I took my turn (Babies with babies, and their tears keep burning)
I'm glad I did it cause you had to learn (While their dreams go down the drain now)
Though Shadonda's lungs were showcased more often, Aphasia's raspy and somewhat dark mezzo-soprano better fit the parts for "Sincerely Jane". The girls had then came together in the center stage to dance a few tango and contemporary dance moves and even a flex here and there. The songs didn't have the same meaning, per say, but the beat and instrumentals did flow nicely.
Shadonda (with Dangerous Angelz harmonizing):
I must admit it helped a little bit
To think of how you'd feel when you saw it
I didn't know that I had that much strength
But I'm glad you'll see what happens when
You see you can't just play with people's feelings (Aphasia: I thought every living thing had love but uhh)
Tell them you love them and don't mean it (Aphasia: Are we really living or just walking dead now?)
You'll probably say that it was juvenile
But I think that I deserve to smile (Aphasia: Dreaming of a hope riding the wings of angels)
Aphasia with Dangerous Angelz:
The way we live
The way we die
What a tragedy, I'm so terrified
Day dreamers please wake up, we can't sleep no more
Shadonda:
I bust the windows out your car
It was short, but hell the girls had killed it. The judges seemed impressed, and the competition scared, obviously underestimating the rebellious and delinquent girls. They've obviously improved alot from last year, and they didn't have to steal a set-list to do it this time.
"What I tell ya?" Ms. Holliday said to her students as everyone gave a standing ovation.
"Oh boy." Harmony managed to let out nervously as everyone sat back down, the girls standing in eleven columns, or two rows of eleven for their last song that was a bit more of their style.
The girl began chanting as Aphasia, Jayelle and Shadonda had walked closer to the front of the stage as their names and nicknames were called out, like their infamous number "Bootylicious".
Dangerous Angelz:
What's up Faye?.. with my girl, Jay... Shadonda C. and Dangerous.
Angelz, Angelz, Come on
Uh uh uh
Shadonda with Dangerous Angelz:
Question
Shadonda stood the closest to the front of the stage as the others danced behind the big, light skinned girl, who was really wowing the audience as they clapped to the beat and cheering a little a bit.
Shadonda:
Tell me what you think about me
I buy my own diamonds and I buy my own rings
Only ring your cell-y when I'm feelin lonely
When it's all over please get up and leave
Shadonda with Dangerous Angelz:
Question: How'd you like this knowledge that I brought
Shadonda:
Braggin' on that cash that he gave you is to front
If you're gonna brag make sure it's your money you flaunt
Depend on no one else to give you what you want
She returned to the others as the chorus arrived while Aphasia and Jayelle led the girls vocally, getting the audience loud and booming with excitement. Jayelle had a soft, soulful and angelic voice that could also belt if it wanted to.
Aphasia:
The shoes on my feet
Dangerous Angelz:
I've bought it
Aphasia:
The clothes I'm wearing
Dangerous Angelz:
I've bought it
Aphasia:
The rock I'm rockin'
Dangerous Angelz:
I've got it
'Cause I depend on me
Jayelle:
If I wanted the watch you're wearin'
Dangerous Angelz:
I'll buy it
Jayelle:
The house I live in
Dangerous Angelz:
I've bought it
Jayelle:
The car I'm driving
Dangerous Angelz:
I've bought it
I depend on me
Aphasia:
I depend on me
To think the audience couldn't get any louder, they did once the impressive belts were pulled off as a proud Grace Hitchens watched from backstage with a smile. And the choreography mainly consisted of hip-hop and pop moves that weren't so promiscuous but had a few of the guys whistling anyway. The judges couldn't help but clap along, especially Roz as she got up to clap with most of the people in the auditorium.
"Well they were obviously holding back." Eli stated to anyone who wanted to listen, referring to their previous number and the time they performed "Lose My Breath".
"No kidding. And their dresses are so cute!" Sugar added.
Dangerous Angelz (with Aphasia):
(Shadonda: Hey) All the women who are independent
Throw your hands up at me (Shadonda: Oh)
All the honeys who makin' money
(Throw your hands up at me) (Aphasia: Baby!)
(Aphasia: Hey) All the mommas who profit dollas
(Throw your hands up at me)
All the ladies who truly feel me
(with Shadonda: Throw your hands up at me)
Vocals were on point, dancing was on point (good thing they were flats and they could work it in a dress), so far this was anyone's game. No one didn't mind the little change in lyrics which was a bit cocky but funny and it worked, almost over pronouncing the z in "Angelz".
Dangerous Angelz:
Girl I didn't know you could get down like that
They ask Ms. Hitchens, how her Angelz get down like that
Girl I didn't know you could get down like that
Say Ms. Hitchens, how your Angelz get down like that
Jayelle:
Ayo Girls?
Shadonda and Aphasia:
Wassup?
Jayelle:
You in the house?
Dangerous Angelz:
Sure 'nuff
Shadonda, Aphasia and Jayelle with Dangerous Angelz:
We'll break these people off Angel style
The a capella bridge was sang so beautiful and it really won the crowd over, especially judge Roz Washington as Aphasia and Shadonda continued to belt their lungs out, their hands in a prayer position while a few of the girls on the sides had snapped as the girls came together in the middle like a choir.
Dangerous Angelz:
Child of Destiny (Aphasia: Oh)
Independent beauty (Shadonda: Ooh, oh, oh)
No one else takes care of me (Shadonda: Oooh, oh)
We're the Angels (Aphasia: Ooh, oh, oh, whoa)
Dangerous Angelz:
(with Shadonda: All the women who are independent)
Throw your hands up at me
(with Aphasia: All the honeys who makin' money)
Throw your hands up at me
(with Jayelle: All the mommas who profit dollas)
Throw your hands up at me
(with Shadonda: All the ladies who truly feel me)
Throw your hands up at me
Shadonda with Dangerous Angelz:
Girl I didn't know you could get down like that
They ask Ms. Hitchens, how her Angelz get down like that
Girl I didn't know you could get down like that
Say Ms. Hitchens, how your Angelz get down like that
Finishing off strong, the Dangerous Angelz really brought their stuff to the table. It was going to be really, really hard to convince the judges as to who's getting that first place trophy.
"Ladies and gentleman, the Dangerous Angelz!" the announcer screamed over the loud, standing ovation for the girls. "The Unitards are up next. You will have thirty five minutes to prepare."
"I've gotta go to the bathroom, I'll be right back." Lucas announced as he rose out of his seat, after kissing Megan on the cheek then leaving the auditorium, with Brooke watching his phone in his right hand carefully.
"And where are you going?" Jackson asked as Brooke got up as well.
"My throat's dry, I need water." Brooke lied in a pretty convincing matter.
"Remember, gargle then spit so the water doesn't sit on your stomach!" Harmony yelled out, getting weird glances from everyone.
"I just met you." Sunshine stated, patting her friend's bare shoulder as Brooke left as well.
So Brooke wouldn't feel like a liar, she went to the closest water fountain by the bathrooms to drink a tiny sip of water and to also see if she could hear what Lucas was saying. She knew that it was his voice talking but the mumbling didn't help much.
"Soko ni uwa!" cried Lucas in Japanese after being startled by Brooke.
"Do you always cuss in Japanese, or only around me?"
"I didn't cuss, you just scared the living shit out of me." Lucas replied truthfully. "What do you want?"
"To talk."
"About?"
"What do you think?" Brooke asked, shooting him an arched eyebrow like he was stupid or something.
"You choose now to discuss my relationship with Megan? Great timing by the way." Lucas sarcastically stated, lowering his voice.
"You think I'm stupid and that you're so clever, don't you?" Brooke implied, slightly changing the subject though Lucas did have a point. Brooke's timing was a bit unfortunate but she had no other way to confront one of the two alone without the other getting suspicious. And now that Lucas has somehow squeezed his way into the Vocal Inspirations circle of friendship, most of the members were starting to give him the benefit of the doubt while the others decided to hold their tongue. They did need all the help they could find.
"I don't think I'm that clever, but you're acting kinda stupid." Lucas answered with a shrug of his shoulders.
"Me and Cat saw you kissing that girl in the hallway a few weeks ago." Brooke confessed, getting right to the point. watching Lucas' face go from neutral to slightly worried. "Comments? Questions? Concerns?" Brooke wittingly asked as if she was a teacher.
"It's not what you think." Lucas commented on, though it was somewhat scripted.
"Said every guy who's ever cheated." Brooke spat back. "What kind of boyfriend are you?"
"Sure, Lucas the criminal gets judged for kissing one girl at a party and again in the hall but when Irish cheats, everyone turns a blind eye." Lucas analyzed, referring to Rory, which Brooke did realize he had a point.
"Rory didn't know any better, he was thought that it was okay to do that in America. You, on the other hand, knew it was wrong from the start. You're both stupid." Brooke defended.
"So am I," interrupted another voice that scared both Brooke and Lucas, "for thinking you changed."
"Megan, it's not like that. If you'd just let me ex-" Lucas began to defend as he approached her.
"Leave me alone." Megan interrupted again, backing from Lucas. "Well, I guess here's where you say 'I told you so', huh?" she said, turning to Brooke as she began tearing up, running to the bathroom.
"Right here from Defiance High School in Defiance, Ohio, give it up for the Unitards!" the announcer informed proudly, cuing for the applause as the black curtains opened again.
On stage were twenty eight teenagers with their heads faced down like their Invitationals before the music started. The girls were dressed in a pretty, multi-colored dress that matched the boys' ties. Added on to the dress were black straps, lining and detail of silk near the bust and waist, and a gray poofy petticoat that made the dress even more beautiful.
A somewhat bright yet sad piano to a very familiar song started to play at the introduction. Afterwards, the Unitards began, surprisingly with Carter Wilson as the lead this time with his rock-esque baritenor.
(The Unitards) Carter:
(I'm at a payphone) Hello, hello, baby, you called?
(Trying to call home) I can't hear a thing
(All of my change I spent on you) I have got no service in the club, you say? Say?
(Where have the times gone?) Wha-wha-what did you say, huh?
(Baby, it's all wrong) You're breakin' up on me
(Where are the plans we made for two?) Sorry I cannot hear you, I'm kinda busy
Changing parts for the melody of "Payphone" by Maroon 5 really made the songs fit pretty well and it was very unique as to how it was done. These songs together really made sense. Recognizing "Telephone" by Lady Gaga, Sunshine and Harmony's attention went straight to the Unitards with smiles and head nods.
Megan, coming back from the bathroom also realized her audition song as she walked to get to her seat. She smiled faintly, catching a bit of eye-contact with Carter as he led the first verse. Their heads were up and each one of the twenty eight members of the Unitards had danced with their assigned partners, Carter's of course being Mallory of all people. The song was nowhere near over and the audience already began clapping to the beat and cheering.
Carter:
Yeah, I, I know it's hard to remember
The people we used to be...
It's even harder to picture,
That you're not here next to me.
You say it's too late to make it,
But is it too late to try?
And in our time that you wasted
Carter with The Unitards:
All of our bridges burned down
"Can we please talk?"
"There's nothing to discuss Lucas. We're done." Megan whispered back to her now ex-boyfriend again. Cat, overhearing, turned and snapped to Brooke who was a little further down the row, mouthed "what happened?" getting a "I'll tell you later" mouthed back in return from Brooke.
Carter with The Unitards (The Unitards):
I've wasted my nights,
You turned out the lights (Stop telephonin' me)
Now I'm paralyzed.
Still stuck in that time
When we called it love
But even the sun sets in paradise (Stop telephonin' me)
Carter with the Unitards' Guys (The Unitards' Girls):
I'm at a payphone (Stop callin', stop callin')
Trying to call home (I don't wanna think anymore)
All of my change I spent on you (I left my head and my heart on the dancefloor)
Where have the times gone (Stop callin', stop callin')
Baby, it's all wrong (I don't wanna talk anymore)
Where are the plans we made for two? (I left my head and my heart on the dancefloor)
If "Happy Ever After" did exist (Can call all you want but there's no one home and you're not gonna reach my telephone)
I would still be holding you like this (Out in the club and I'm sipping that bubb and you're not gonna reach my telephone)
All those fairy tales are full of it (Call all you want, but there's no one home and you're not gonna reach my telephone)
One more stupid love song, I'll be sick (Out in the club and I'm sipping that bubb and you're not gonna reach my telephone)
The Unitards then regrouped center stage, their hands crossed as they all sung in harmony the bridge to their mash-up with the piano accompaniment, the crowd still cheering to their content.
"Man, they're gonna be hard to beat." Hank stated nervously to Sunshine, who was smiling due to the fact that she was enjoying while Megan, who still had her faint smile, shed a tear as she remembered how she felt when she first sang this song.
The Unitards:
Not that I don't like you
I'm just at a party
And I am sick and tired of my phone r-ringing
Sometimes I feel like I live in grand central station
Tonight I'm not takin' no calls
'Cause I'll be dancin'
Carter:
Dancin'
With a raspy belt and a dance break, the Unitards surprised the crowd with a third song that also very well fit the theme to their mash-up, introducing Jeremiah and his solo as he ad-libbed a bit, Draiden's smile forming on his face as he enjoyed the boy's baritone voice. The lyrics were also very ironic.
"Screwed. Big time." Eli muttered to Ms. Holliday who agreed with a nervous head nod, watching their pretty impressive choreography.
Jeremiah (The Unitards):
Hey, I just met you (with Carter: Heeey)
And this is crazy (Tonight I'm not takin' no calls)
But here's my number ('Cause I'll be dancin')
So call me, maybe!
It's hard to look right (Stop telephonin' me)
At you baby (Stop telephonin' me)
But here's my number,
And I'm at a payphone!
Directing the point of his index finger at Draiden and making a phone with his right, all of the girls teasingly turned to him, shooting him a sneaky smile while Andre, on Draiden's left, kept lifting his eyebrows while the crowd was going crazy over the note that Jeremiah had held impressively. Looks like Mallory wasn't the only talented one in the Unitards.
With Jeremiah's and Carter's voice leading the last chorus, the crowd couldn't do much but go crazy as they managed to combine all three songs at the end.
Carter with the Unitards' Guys (The Unitards' Girls):
(Stop callin', stop callin')
Trying to call home (I don't wanna think anymore)
All of my change I spent on you (with Jeremiah: I left my head and my heart on the dancefloor)
Where have the times gone (Stop callin', stop callin')
Baby, it's all wrong (I don't wanna talk anymore) (Jeremiah: At you baby)
Where are the plans we made for two? (I left my head and my heart on the dancefloor) (Jeremiah: But here's my number)
The Unitards' Guys (The Unitards' Girls):
If "Happy Ever After" did exist (Before you came into my life I missed you so bad)
I would still be holding you like this (Before you came into my life I missed you so bad)
The Unitards:
All those fairy tales are full of it (Jeremiah: But you're not gonna reach my telephone)
One more stupid love song, I'll be sick (Carter: Stop telephonin' me)
Finishing up, by singing it somewhat darker and sadder than the original, everyone yet again regrouped in the middle with their hands crossed except for Carter who was still looking into the audience until he slowly tilted his head down while singing his solo.
I'm at a payphone trying to call home
All of my change I spent on you
Where have the times gone, baby, it's all wrong
Where are the plans we made for two?
Carter:
I left my head and my heart on the dancefloor
Standing ovation worthy, what else did they expect? Reluctantly, Vocal Inspirations and friends had also given the guys what they rightfully deserved, some more reluctant than others.
"The Unitards, ladies and gentleman." the announcer again announced, which was starting to annoy a few. "Vocal Inspirations, you are the last to perform. You will have thirty five minutes to perform." he cued, as the group in white got up quick and headed backstage.
"Some friend you were. You didn't even tell me!" Megan whispered to Brooke as the group were stretching and performing a few vocal warm-ups, coached by Harmony of all people.
"I didn't know how to tell you or confront him. And I didn't want to distract from your solo." Brooke reminded in a whisper.
"But don't you think I have the right to know?" Megan pointed out, which Brooke could see that she was right.
"I'm sorry." she apologized. "I was just looking out for you."
"I know." Megan assured with a couple of head nods.
"One minute." reminded the stage manager.
"Nervous?"
"Are you kidding me?" Brooke sarcastically asked. The two hugged as Megan began to tear again. "It'll be okay."
"I hope so." Megan muttered.
"From William McKinley High School, located in little Lima, Ohio as well, looks like Lima isn't as small as we thought. Everyone, please put your hands together for the newcomers, the Vocal Inspirations!" the announcer yelled excitingly, getting the audience to cheer and Sunshine and Frida to yell louder as Megan walked to the front of the stage where the black microphone was located as the curtains opened, the white and bright spotlight hitting her at every angle. Looking into the audience, she smiled faintly where she saw Sunshine give a thumbs up alongside her cousin.
The sophomore had then closed her eyes as their pianist, Nick, began, grasping both hands on the microphone. Tearing a bit on stage as she couldn't get the thought of Lucas out of her head, she used that emotion to sing her solo. Luckily, her throat didn't have a knot or frog in it as if she was crying all day.
Megan:
Close enough to start a war
All that I have is on the floor
God only knows what we're fighting for
All that I say, you always say more
I can't keep up with your turning tables
Under your thumb I can't breathe
Opening up her eyes, she placed her right hand on the microphone stand as she took the black microphone and held it with her left while singing her heart out for the chorus, shaking her head in denial. Her mezzo-soprano wasn't as dark as Adele's or even raspy, but the song did fit her vocal styling. The audience was quiet with amazement, some with jealously like Mallory or a few of the girls from Dangerous Angelz.
So, I won't let you close enough to hurt me
No, I won't rescue you to just desert me
I can't give you what you think you gave me
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables
To turning tables
The audience couldn't help but to applaud shortly during the short, orchestra instrumental, giving Megan's voice a rest. Looks like it wasn't as hard as she imagined, at least the performing part anyway. Many of the Vocal Inspirations were watching with wide smiles, unlike Lucas who began to mourn over the breakup silently.
Beginning the bridge, she began to smile to the audience as the song continued. During the second part, she glanced at Lucas' facial expression, her smile turning into a faint one.
Next time I'll be braver
I'll be my own savior
When the thunder calls for me
Next time I'll be braver
I'll be my own savior
Standing on my own two feet
And as the chorus picked up again, the audience cheered wildly for the brunette who continued with a lot more confidence than before. Her belting not only surprised Vocal Inspirations, but Sunshine and Frida as their eyes widen, the song coming to a finish.
I won't let you close enough to hurt me,
No, I won't rescue you to just desert me
I can't give you what you think you gave me
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables
To turning tables
Turning tables, yeah
Turning, oh
Everyone was a sucker for soft, sad ballads, shown by the amount of applause and ovations as Megan politely curtsied, handing over the microphone and stand to the stage manager until the time called for it. The rest of the members arrived on stage, girls in front, boys in back as they stood further back on the stage, the crowd roaring wild for them as well, including Ms. Holliday, Sunshine and Frida.
A few seconds later, after Megan proudly joins her friends, they turn their backs to the audience as the music starts, audience still cheering the fifteen students on.
Megan then turns her around as she starts, walking past her friends and joining Harmony to most right while everyone began patting their leg until they turned to their side and switching places with the opposite gender. Everyone else was harmonizing the parts to "Good Life" by OneRepublic while Megan took lead shortly on "Brighter Than The Sun" by Colbie Caillat.
Megan with Vocal Inspirations harmonizing:
Stop me in the corner
Swear you hit me like a vision
I, I, I wasn't expecting
But who am I to tell fate where it's suppose to go with it?
Harmony then sang a bit before adding her high harmony to Megan's melody, their arms on each other before joining the rest of the group.
Harmony with Vocal Inspirations harmonizing:
Don't you blink, you might miss it
Harmony and Megan with Vocal Inspirations harmonizing:
See we got a right to just love or leave it
You find it and keep it
Harmony and Megan:
'Cause it ain't everyday we get the chance to say
Rory led the group through the chorus as they were performing at their very first competition, which the audience certainly didn't mind as they clapped along. And thanks to a few choreographed steps from Karina, Andre and hell even Sugar, these guys were great up there.
Rory with Vocal Inspirations:
Oh, this has gotta be the good life
This is gotta be the good life
This could really be the good life, good life
Say 'Oh', got this feeling that you can't fight
Like the city is on fire tonight
This could really be the good life, a good, good life
Going right into the second verse, Karina made her way to the front while her friends danced behind her.
Karina with Vocal Inspirations harmonizing:
To my friends in New York, I say hello
My friends in L.A., they don't know
Where I've been for the past few years or so
Joining the crowd again, she high-fived most including Lucas as they shared a small part together. It was still a shock that Lucas could even sing. Though he wasn't happy about the break-up, he forced a smile throughout the performance.
Karina with Lucas and Vocal Inspirations harmonizing:
Paris, to China, to Colorado
Cat with Vocal Inspirations harmonizing:
Sometimes there's airplanes I can't jump out
Lucas with Vocal Inspirations harmonizing:
Sometimes there's somethings that don't work out
Cat and Lucas with Vocal Inspirations harmonizing:
We all got our stories, but please tell me
What's there to complain about?
Then came Draiden's solo as he stepped out of line to do his own thing and when the time called for it, he pointed back at Jeremiah which Sunshine, Ms. H, and Frida noticed obviously while the Unitards gave him the same teasing faces like Vocal Inspirations did earlier.
Draiden with Vocal Inspirations harmonizing:
Everything is like a white out
'Cause we shika-shika shine down
Even when the, when the light's out
Draiden and Harmony with Vocal Inspirations:
But I can see you glow
Harmony and Joe with linking arms had marched proudly to the front stage as everyone else stood on the sides as if it were a wedding.
Harmony and Joe with Vocal Inspirations harmonizing:
Got my head up in the rafters
Got me happy ever after
Never felt this way before
Ain't felt this this way before
Then during the dance break, everyone free-styling, the crowd and most of the girls from Dangerous Angelz cheering on Andre as he break-danced through the instrumental.
The guys regrouped at the front of the stage, doing a few of the same moves as earlier as Joe lead a different chorus this time with Harmony's and Cat's belts.
Joe with Vocal Inspirations:
Oh, this is how it starts (Cat: This is how it starts)
Lightning strikes the heart (Harmony: Lighting strikes the heart)
It goes off like a gun
Karina and Joe with Vocal Inspirations:
Brighter than the sun
Rory led the boys a final time as the girls sung in unison, with Karina having one short little belt toward the end. Man, it was as if these kids were natural. Winners or not, they enjoyed themselves out there, even Lucas who happened to get his mind off of Megan temporarily.
Rory with Vocal Inspirations's Guy (Vocal Inspirations' Girls):
Say 'Oh', (Joe: Say 'Oh') got this feeling that you can't fight (Oh, we could be the stars)
Like the city is on fire tonight (Falling from the sky)
This could really be the good life (Shining how we want) (Karina: Good life!)
Vocal Inspirations's Guys (Vocal Inspirations' Girls):
A good, good, life (Brighter than the sun)
Looks like Eli's somewhat pessimistic views had changed after that performance. The judges were going to have their work cut for them. Each show choir so far had really proved that they had what it takes to make it to Regionals. But who would progress forward?
Vocal Inspirations weren't done just yet. With two and a half minutes to spare, Brooke took the portable microphone from the stage manager to finish their last number and solo, something the crowd enjoyed as they cheered when Brooke got ready at the front of the stage while the guys went backstage briefly and the girls sat on the stair platform, three on each side.
With a huge confidence boost from their last number, Brooke began her solo with a wide smile as the audience wouldn't shut up.
Brooke:
When I hit rock bottom,
And then keep going down,
And I'm talking to the mirror,
With no one else around
When impossible to maybe,
Is as far as I can see,
I keep hanging in,
Till the world believe's in me
Skipping the pre-chorus as planned, she walked back to her female friends to dance and sing with them, stirring up even more applause if it was even possible.
Brooke with Vocal Inspirations' Girls:
Life is a show,
Skydiving and about to let go
Walking the wire with nothing below,
Don't you know, don't you know?
Cause life is a show
The boys, four from each side, then ran onto the stage to provide the back-up as the girls continued to sing and dancing along with wide smiles and a lot of hope, pumping their first in the air as they all yelled "Let's go!"
If Megan could sing by herself then Brooke could lead the group with a solo.
Brooke with Vocal Inspirations' Girls (Vocal Inspirations' Guys harmonizing):
In every shade of the rainbow
Brooke:
We're jumping through fire
Vocal Inspirations:
Let's go!
Brooke:
Life is a show
This time, it was the girls' turn to run backstage while Brooke and the guys danced away happily. Brooke and the boys then executed a trust fall, caught by Eli and Jackson before the two lifted her as she crowd-surfed the rest of the guys before landing on her two feet and giving Andre a slap-tastic high-five
Brooke with Vocal Inspirations' Guys harmonizing:
Once you step in the light there's no turning back
Once your living the life what more can you ask.
Keeping this feeling is all that you want
Singing you heart out and giving it all that you got
The boys ran further back on the stage, standing idly as Brooke slowly paced the stage while Karina and Harmony were contributing with a ballet dance break, Brooke's strong mezzo-soprano softening and getting lighter with only a bright piano melody playing.
Brooke:
Life is a show,
Skydiving and about to let go.
Walking the wire with nothing below,
Don't you know, don't you know.
Yeah, life is a show
Sugar, Megan, Reya, and Cat joined their friends on stage as everyone snapped and walked slowly to the front during the soft instrumental chorus, still getting the cheers from the audience. Someone could have possibly lost their voice in the process of cheering and yelling so often.
Brooke with Vocal Inspirations' Girls (Vocal Inspirations' Guys harmonizing):
In every shade of the rainbow
We're jumping through fire,
Let's go, life is a show
And the music pumped back up, as the guys were close to finishing the song with a minute and a half left.
Skydiving and about to let go
Brooke with Vocal Inspirations' Girls:
Walking the wire with nothing below,
Don't you know, don't you know?
Brooke:
That life is a show!
With Brooke's belts and a bit of a growl, the judges couldn't possibly love these guys anymore. Or the audience as they even sang along.
Brooke with Vocal Inspirations' Girls (Vocal Inspirations' Guys harmonizing):
In every shade of this rainbow
We're jumping through fire,
Audience with Vocal Inspirations:
Let's go!
Brooke:
Life is a show
Finishing with no deductions what so ever, the Vocal Inspirations began hugging each other and screaming and jumping with excitement as they bowed and curtsied politely as they received their third standing ovation, especially Megan and Brooke who couldn't let go of each other.
"One more time for Vocal Inspirations' first Sectional performance!" the announcer yelled.
"First place baby!" yelled Eli backstage.
"Said the guy who's been doubting us since day one." Draiden yelled back.
"Not anymore." Eli replied, still talking very loudly.
"How about those show choirs?" Tim asked as he, Candace, Roz and Melva all walked into the green room to decide on the winners.
"Phenomenal Tim, absolutely fantastic!" Candace stated, the others agreeing with a head nod.
"Those Dangerous Angelz killed it out there today, I think they should be the ones popping and locking it at Regionals this year. Ain't that right sista?" Roz added, turning to Melva.
"They killed someone?" Candace asked, her eyes widening of fear.
"Let me explain in a language you'll understand, Elle Woods." Roz began, before clearing her throat. "Like, OMJ, I totally think those bad girls should win it this year! Hoorah!" she continued, impersonating a white, privileged cheerleader from the sounds of it.
"Oh. I gotcha home girls!" Candace tried but failed miserably.
"Never again Jessica Simpson."
"I do agree with Roz Washington but I also really liked the Leotards." Melva added.
"The Unitards, honey, don't get it twisted! And what kinda name is that anyway?"
"I agree, the Unitards had mashed three songs in one and were absolutely mind blowing. Case closed."
"Case still open." Candace said, trying to impersonate a typical black woman yet again, slamming her fist down on the table. "I think the Vocal Inspirations should win. Their energy was amazing, the crowd really liked them and they performed the most songs." she continued in her regular voice.
"They were okay. They're second place worthy." Tim stated somewhat coldly as Melva agreed silently with a head nod while Candace shook her head no.
"Oh hell to the nah! My girls aren't not gonna be in third place. Those boring ass white kids dressed in those pink, ugly outfits should be in third place. Ya ain't got no taste!" the bronze medalist immediately disagreed.
This could be a long Saturday...
"Hey Harmony, you were great out there!" Rory complimented as the two were on their way back to the auditorium from the restrooms.
"Thanks, you were great too! My singing tips really did help us out there." Harmony complimented back. The two haven't been alone together since Harmony walked out on Vocal Inspirations, which made this slightly awkward.
"Wait!" Rory said, stopping the girl as he pulled her to the side. "I think you deserve to know that me and Sugar will be some sort of official thing." he explained, though he didn't quite get the terminology.
"Oh." Harmony managed to say, a bit saddened by the news somehow but did her best to hide it from him. "Congrats!"
"Thanks. Hopefully, we'll be friends? Or is that not allowed in America?"
"Even if it wasn't, I'd still be friends with you anyway." Harmony assured with a smile before the two hugged each other. "See ya out there!" Harmony saluted, walking to the auditorium on her own as tears began to fall from her eyes and thoughts of regrets beginning to form in Rory's head as he idly watched his "friend" leave.
Twenty minutes later and the four judges along with the three show choirs, their corresponding judges and three trophies were all on stage with the photographers, Frida and Sunshine watching from backstage.
"Let us again clap our hands for these guys today. Great job!" Candace instructed as she lead another hardy hand clap from the audience.
"Damn, can we get this over with? I gots to get home." Roz Washington yelled over the applause, silencing everyone.
"Anyway," said a now nervous Candace as Roz was getting angry, clearing her throat as the opened the envelope, "the third place trophy goes to the Dangerous Angelz from Jane Addams Academy." she announced as most people cheered, though everyone could hear Roz booing.
"Mamma mia." Karina whispered to Sugar in an Italian accent as they smiled and took a picture. Before leaving the stage, Ms. H gave the other Ms. H a bear hug.
"And now, for the first place trophy. Again, let us congratulate our top two show choirs!" Candace instructed yet again as the two moved closer together once the middle space was open.
"The winning team that will be moving on to Regionals is-" Tim began as he approached the microphone before opening the envelope. Everyone began holding hands, especially Lucas with a reluctant Megan and Harmony and Joe who smiled and kept eye contact as they waited anxiously, something that didn't miss Rory's eyes while his hand were accompanied by Sugar's.
"Who's both?" Candace read out accidentally, causing the audience to cheer and everyone on stage to cheer even more. Sunshine ran out to the stage to hug Hank first then everyone else as did Frida.
Shaking hands, Draiden and Jeremiah slowly got closer and then everyone's attention were on the kissing couple behind them as the photographers began taking a few pictures with everyone being oblivious.
Teasing the two with his eyebrows, Andre then got back-kicked in the shin by Draiden as he finally released.
"Congratulations, you are both going to Regionals!" Melva officially announced happily on the microphone.
"I'm looking for an I-Phone. It's black with a pink case and-" Megan began to describe to the front counter, after everyone had changed back into their regular attire.
"Is this it?" asked Carter, revealing the same exact phone. "I saw it on the floor backstage."
"Thanks." Megan thanked as she approached him, holding her hand out.
"Wait, a sec." Carter instructed before turning to take a "selfie" with Megan as he laid his arm over her shoulder and poked his tongue out of his mouth.
"What are doing?" Megan asked as Carter was still messing on her phone.
"Adding my number so you can call me." he replied with a cocky smirk. What's with these guys from Defiance anyway?
"Right after we both tied for Regionals?" Megan asked, thinking something was up.
"Trust me, I've would have done this if we both lost or if the Unitards won. You're pretty and I want to get to know you." Carter explained, handing over the girl's phone.
"But you don't have mine?" Megan reminded.
"I will if you call me." Carter finally said with a wink as he left the building with his eyes still on Megan before turning around.
"Looks like I'm not the only one dating the enemy." Draiden teased as he and Megan walked outside, linking arms.
"You're dating Jeremiah?"
"Not yet but he's a pretty good kisser." Draiden confessed, causing the two to laugh. "I don't think Lucas will approve though."
"Lucas and I are over." Megan admitted as they made their way to the bus.
"What happened?" Draiden asked as Megan waved goodbye to Carter before they both stepped on their corresponding buses.
"I'll explain later." Megan replied as she accompanied Draiden to the ride back home.
"You guys kicked ass!" Ms. Holliday yelled, getting everyone on the bus psyched and pumped. "I just got a text from Mr. Schue, he and the New Directions wish you all good luck at Regionals. The New Directions are also going to Regionals with the Warblers."
"Darn it." Harmony muttered as Ms. Holliday counted the passengers on the bus.
"Well, we're all here. Let's eat!" Ms. Holliday screeched again as the Vocal Inspirations and friends cheered loudly while the bus left the Uptown Sound parking lot.
Regionals, here they come...
A/N: This was the funnest, funniest, longest, saddest, and most infuriating chapter I've yet to write in my life. I can't wait to see how you guys like it (or not, hopefully that's not the case). I can't believe it's almost a year. Man this is taking too long, and I apologize for that.
Until next time :D