Hey everyone! I know this isn't my best chapter, but I really wanted an excuse to use "Pretending," since I already wrote about Nationals already and they used different songs. I hope you enjoy this chapter - the next one will be rather emotional, and then Regionals. Don't forget to read and review!
Chapter 14: Romantic Duets
The romantic duet assignment had come at just about the worst possible time.
So many relationships were in turmoil. Sam broke up with Quinn because he was fed up with the whole Puck situation. Puck continued to pursue Quinn, however, and Lauren was still mad at him, telling him he was never over Quinn. After Sam broke up with Quinn, Puck and Quinn began tentatively dating again, though it was clear Puck was more into it than Quinn was. Mike and Tina had also broken up. No one really knew why, but they were still glaring at each other. Brittany was still mad at Santana and there was even underclass relationship drama. Carly and Alex had broken up.
Finn and Rachel were sitting in Rachel's room, trying to pick a duet for the romantic duets assignment. They both wanted one that would express their love for each other, but at the same time would give hope to their friends with flailing relationships. So far they hadn't found anything.
"Want to write an original song?" Rachel asked.
"I actually had one I wrote last year during our hard times," Finn said.
"Really?" Rachel asked. "Maybe that would work."
Finn showed Rachel the song. "Why didn't you sing it to me during our problems?" Rachel asked.
"I just - I was afraid to," Finn said.
"It's perfect," Rachel said. "We should definitely do it."
The next day in glee club, Finn and Rachel told Mr. Schue they had their song prepared. The music began and they sang the original song.
Finn: Face to face, and heart to heart
We're so close, yet so far apart.
Rachel: I close my eyes, I look away
That's just because I'm not okay.
Both: But I hold on, I stay strong
Wondering if we still belong.
Finn: Will we ever say the words we're feeling,
Reach out underneath and tear down all the walls?
Rachel: Will we ever have a happy ending
Or will we forever only be pretending?
Both: Will we a-ah, a-ah-lways, a-ah, a-ah-lways,
a-ah, a-ah-lways be pretending?
Finn: How long do I fantasize?
Make believe that it's still alive?
Rachel: Imagine that I am good enough
And we can choose the ones we love?
Both: But I hold on, I stay strong
Wondering if we still belong.
Will we ever say the words we're feeling,
Reach out underneath and tear down all the walls?
Will we ever have a happy ending
Or will we forever only be pretending?
Will we a-ah, a-ah-lways, a-ah, a-ah-lways,
a-ah, a-ah-lways be...
Finn: Keeping secrets safe
Rachel: Every move we make;
Finn: Seems like no one's left to know
Rachel: And it's such a shame
Finn: 'Cause if you feel the same
Rachel: How am I supposed to know?
Both: Will we ever say the words we're feeling,
Reach out underneath and tear down all the walls?
Will we ever have a happy ending
Or will we forever only be pretending?
Will we a-ah, a-ah-lways, a-ah, a-ah-lways,
a-ah, a-ah-lways be...
Will we a-ah, a-ah-lways, a-ah, a-ah-lways,
a-ah, a-ah-lways be...
Will we a-ah, a-ah-lways, a-ah, a-ah-lways,
a-ah, a-ah-lways be pretending?
At the end of the song, the couples swooned, while the many singles looked depressed. "Very nice, you two," Mr. Schue said.
"Thanks," Rachel said. "We wrote it ourselves."
"No wonder I hadn't heard that before," Mr. Schue said. "Well, Finn and Rachel have set the bar high. The rest of you better get started."
"Aren't you forgetting that the majority of us aren't even in relationships?" Mercedes snapped. "Other than Klaine, Finchel and the freshmen?"
"Fine," Mr. Schue said. "Finn and Rachel went together. Kurt and Blaine, Jake and Kylie, Johnny and Hannah and Will and Natalie, you'll all be together. The rest of you - your partner for the assignment will be chosen by fate. I'm putting all the girls' names in this bucket. Boys, one by one, come up and choose a name."
There was yet more protest. "But Mr. Schue, seven girls, five guys?" Mike whined.
"Two girls will have to be partners," Mr. Schue said. "Okay, who's first?"
Sam went up and pulled Carly's name. Then Alex pulled Lauren's. Puck pulled Quinn's and showed his excitement. Artie pulled Tina's. Mike pulled Brittany's. Santana and Mercedes would be working together.
"Are you serious?" Santana shouted.
"Shut up, you lesbian," Mercedes said. An outcry began. Finn and Rachel left the room.
x
Will: Make of our hands, one hand,
Make of our hearts, one heart.
Make of our vows, one last vow;
Only death will part us now.
Natalie: Make of our lives, one life.
Day after day, one life.
Both: Now it begins, Now we start;
One Hand, One Heart.
Even death won't part us now.
It was the next day and the duets were underway. The non couples were struggling with the assignment. Natalie and Will had just performed "One Hand, One Heart" from West Side Story. Hannah and Johnny were up next.
Hannah: Dancin' in the dark
Middle of the night
Takin' your heart
And holdin' it tight
Johnny: Emotional touch
Touchin' my skin
And askin' you to do
What you've been doin' all over again
Both: Oh, it's a beautiful thing
Don't think I can keep it all in
I just gotta let you know
What it is that won't let me go
Hannah: It's your love
It just does somethin' to me
Johnny: It sends a shock right through me
I can't get enough
Both: And if you wonder
About the spell I'm under
It's your love
Johnny: Better than I was
More than I am
And all of this happened
By takin' your hand
Hannah: And who I am now
Is who I wanted to be
And now that we're together
I'm stronger than ever
I'm happy and free
Johnny: Oh baby
Hannah: It's your love
Both: It's your love
"Our freshmen are getting better and better," Mr. Schue said. "I hope everyone's working hard."
"How are we supposed to sing a duet with someone we're not in love with?" Mike shouted.
"Enough!" Mr. Schue shouted. "You guys are not the subjects of a soap opera."
x
The last two couples and one non-couple were performing the next day. Jake and Kylie were performing the same duet Rachel sang with Mr. Schuester.
Jake: My love
There's only you in my life
The only thing that's right
Kylie: My first love
You're every breath that I take
You're every step I make
Jake: And I, I want to share
All my love with you
No one else will do
Kylie: And your eyes
They tell me how much you care
Oh, yes you will always be
My endless love
Both: Two hearts, two hearts that beat as one
Our lives had just begun
And yes, you'll be the only one
'Cause no one can't deny
This love I have inside
And I'll give it all to you
My love
My endless love
"Good job," Mr. Schue said. "I'd like a non-couple to go."
"Quinn and I will," Puck said, dragging Quinn to the front of the room. "And let me announce that Quick has returned!"
"Okay, let's hear it," Mr. Schue said. Then Ms. Pillsbury ran in.
"Can I see Hannah?" she asked. "Her boyfriend should come, too."
Mr. Schue gave the students a look. "Finn, Rachel, you're in charge for a few minutes." He stepped out with them and the room went silent. This couldn't be good.
A few minutes later, Mr. Schue came back in.
"Okay, everyone, as many of you know, Hannah's sister has cancer. She is not doing well right now. Hannah will need all the support from us she can get," Mr. Schue said.
"But what about our duet?" Puck asked.
Mr. Schue gave Puck a look. "We're going to put the romantic duets on hold. We're going to devote next week to finding songs to support Hannah and her family."
Chapter 15 preview:
VERY emotional scenes
We meet Hannah's family
The club goes to support Hannah and her family
Finchel, Quick and Jaylie moments