I'm so sorry that this is late, but I've been visiting my little sister, and I was busy playing with her and stuff, so I didn't really have time. Sorry! :)

Okay, so I know this is super abrupt, but this is actually the last chapter (because it's Nationals and it makes sense). I was planning on extending it for a while, but I kind of have a lot going on in my life right now. I am thinking about and beginning to write a sequel of the year after. We'll see.

Also, I'm currently in the process of being transferred to a new town, so that's going to be long, and stressful and dramatic, so God only knows when I can actually get to the computer. Because this is my last chapter, I just want to thank you all so much for being so supportive. As I said before, I've been having a really hard time with life lately and writing this,and hearing all of your kind words has helped. Thank you so much and I love you all!

GleeJunkie007: You're in luck! Ryder returns this chapter! Thank you for all of your support. It means so much to me!


"Are we late?" Brynklie asked urgently.

"No we aren't," Lisa calmly replied, "We'll be right on time."

After getting permission from Owen, Brynklie was on her way to the Glee Club for the first time in over a month.

"Hurry," Brynklie chided, glancing at the clock.

"Calm down. We're here."

Brynklie jumped out of the car almost before it stopped. She waved to Lisa before turning and walking inside. She went into the main office to sign in.

"Look who it is," a familiar voice said behind her. Slowly, Brynklie spun around to see Sue Sylvester, "It's Brynklie Lynn. Where did you run off to? London? New York? France? Or was it to scout out the competition for your Glee Club's Nationals, because let me tell you, if you leave school for over a month straight, including time before that, I'm going to have to suspend you from all extracurricular activities until you catch up on your schoolwork. I'm not sorry."

Brynklie looked up at Sue and smiled sweetly, "Over the past three months, my mom died, my dad abused me and was then put in jail and I was passed from foster house to foster house. I haven't seen any of my friends or remaining family in a month. This is the only thing in my life I have to look forward. If you deprive me of it, I will personally alert the school board of how you are running this place."

Sue blinked, shocked into silence. Still smiling, Brynklie turned away and strode towards the choir room. She peered inside and saw only one person: Finn.

"Hi," she said, coming in the room.

"Oh hey, you came," Finn said happily.

"Yeah, uh, where is everyone?" Brynklie asked, glancing around the empty room.

"This period isn't over yet," he explained, "They should be here in, like, five minutes."

Brynklie nodded. Finn began a long winded explanation of the set list for Nationals as she thought about what awaited her.

"What do I do when Ryder gets here?" Brynklie interrupted.

"What?" Finn asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

"I haven't seen or talked to Ryder since the night we were put in foster care. Now, he's just going to show up like it's a normal day and I'll be here. I'll be honest, it could put him in cardiac arrest."

"Well, I wouldn't go that far, I guess," Finn said, confused, "Why don't you come sit in my office and I'll bring Ryder in here so the, uh, cardiac arrest won't be in front of the entire class."

Brynklie nodded nervously. The bell rang and Finn directed her towards his office, closing the door behind her.

"Hey guys," Finn said as people began to filter in. Ryder was one of the last one's to come in. He and Marley were laughing as they sat down. Finn felt guilty about what he was going to do next, "Can everybody start going over choreography for me? Ryder, could you come here?"

Ryder got up as everyone began pushing the chairs out of the way.

"Okay," Finn began, "I've got someone in here for you, and I need you to remain calm, okay?"

Ryder nodded, raising his eyebrows in confusion. Finn pushed open the door, letting Ryder step inside before he went back to his students.

At first, Ryder didn't see her. She was sitting in a small chair in the back corner, but when he did, he let out an audible gasp.

"Brynklie," he stammered, "You're here."

"No," she replied in a monotone, "You're hallucinating. I'm a figment of your imagination."

But her sarcasm didn't last long. She got up from her seat and gave her brother a hug.

"I missed you so much," she said, succumbing herself to the quiet sobs that followed.

"I missed you too," Ryder replied, hiding his own tears. He released her, his mind still whirring, "Wait, why are you here?"

"My social worker thought that this would be good for me."

"So are you back in school now or something?"

"No," Brynklie replied, her shoulders slumping, "Only Glee Club."

"Oh well. At least you're here."

"Yeah, speaking of that, we should probably go out."

They went into the choir room and immediately everybody noticed her arrival.

"Hey, it's Brynklie," Bree said, almost excitedly. Instantly, Harlow and Mackenzie tore over and hugged her.

"Yes," Finn said, clapping his hands together, "We can finally run the whole set list all the way through now that she can do her solo."

"I actually had another idea," Brynklie said.


"Okay," Finn said. They were in LA for Nationals and they were about to perform, "After the Warblers go on, you guys are next. Just so you guys remember, the order is the girls number, the group, the boys number and Elastic Heart, okay?"

Everybody nodded. The lights flashed, signaling that they had to get ready to go on. They did a quick show circle and the girls took their places onstage.

Harlow:

I stay up too late

Got nothing in my brain

That's what people say

That's what people say

Unique:

I go on too many dates

But I can't make them stay

At least that's what people say

That's what people say

Bree and Kitty:

But I keep cruising

Can't stop, won't stop moving

It's like I got this music

In my mind, saying it's gonna be alright

All:

Cause the players gonna play, play, play

And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate

Baby I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake

Shake it off

Heartbreakers gonna break, break, break

And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake

Baby I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake

Shake it off, Shake it off

Brynklie:

I never miss a beat

I'm lighting up my feet

And that's what they don't see

That's what they don't see

Mackenzie:

I'm dancing on my own

I make the moves as I go

And that's what they don't know

That's what they don't know

Macy and Marley:

But I keep cruising

Can't stop, won't stop grooving

It's like I got this music

In my mind, saying it's gonna be alright

All:

Cause the players gonna play, play, play

And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate

Baby I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake

Shake it off

Heartbreakers gonna break, break, break

And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake

Baby I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake

Shake it off, Shake it off

Mackenzie:

Hey, hey, hey

Just think while you been getting down and out about the liars

And the dirty dirty cheats of the world

You could have been getting down to this sick beat

Harlow:

My ex man brought his new girlfriend

She's like oh my god

But I'm just gonna shake

And to the fella over there with the hella good hair

Won't you come on over baby we could shake, shake

All:

Cause the players gonna play, play, play

And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate

Baby I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake

Shake it off. Shake it off

Heartbreakers gonna break, break, break

And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake

Baby I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake

Shake it off, Shake it off

Shake it off

Shake it off

Shake it off

Shake it off

As the song ended, the four boys came on stage as the next song started.

Mackenzie:

Do you want to build a snowman

Come on lets go and play

Brynklie:

I never see you anymore

Come out the door

It's like you've gone away

Marley:

We used to be best buddies

But now we're not

I wish you would tell me why

Harlow:

Do you want to build a snowman

It doesn't have to be a snowman

Okay, bye

Carson:

Do you want to build a snowman

Or ride our bikes around the hall

Macy:

I think some company is overdue

I started talking to the pictures on the wall

Jake and Charlie:

It gets a little lonely

Jake:

All these empty rooms

Charlie:

These empty rooms

Unique:

Just watching the hours tick by

Kitty:

Do you want to be a snowman

Ryder:

Do you want to be a snowman

Bree:

It doesn't have to be a snowman

Charlie:

Don't have to be a snowman

Kitty:

Okay

Bye

All:

Elsa please I know you're in there

(Ryder: I know you're in there)

All:

People are asking where you've been

They say have courage and I'm trying to

(Ryder: Trying to)

I'm out here for you

(Ryder: Out here for you)

Just let me in

(Ryder: Just let me in)

We only have each other

(Ryder: We only have each other)

It's just you and me

What are we gonna do

Marley:

Do you wanna build a snowman

Charlie:

Do you wanna build a snowman

Brynklie:

It doesn't have to be a snowman

Okay

Bye

The girls went offstage as the music for the third song began.

Jake:

This hit

That ice cold

Michelle Pfeiffer

That white gold

Ryder:

This one, for them hood girls

Them good girls

Straight masterpieces

Carson

Stylin', while in

Livin' it up in the city

Got Chucks on with Saint Laurent

Gotta kiss myself I'm so pretty

Jake:

I'm too hot (Charlie: hot damn)

Called a police and a fireman

Ryder:

I'm too hot (Charlie: hot damn)

Make a dragon wanna retire man

Carson:

I'm too hot (Charlie: hot damn)

Say my name you know who I am

Jake:

I'm too hot (Charlie: hot damn)

Am I bad 'bout that money

Break it down

Carson:

Girls hit your hallelujah (whoo)

Girls hit your hallelujah (whoo)

Girls hit your hallelujah (whoo)

'Cause Uptown Funk gon' give it to you

All:

'Cause Uptown Funk gon' give it to you

Carson:

'Cause Uptown Funk gon' give it to you

All:

Saturday night and we in the spot

Don't believe me just watch (come on)

Don't believe me just watch

Don't believe me just watch

Don't believe me just watch

Don't believe me just watch

Don't believe me just watch

Hey, hey, hey, oh!

Ryder:

Stop

Wait a minute

Fill my cup put some liquor in it

Charlie, Carson and Jake:

Take a sip, sign a check

Carson:

Julio! Get the stretch!

Charlie, Jake and Ryder:

Ride to Harlem, Hollywood, Jackson, Mississippi

If we show up, we gon' show out

Smoother than a fresh jar of skippy

Carson:

I'm too hot (Charlie: hot damn)

Called a police and a fireman

Jake:

I'm too hot (Charlie: hot damn)

Make a dragon wanna retire man

Ryder:

I'm too hot (Charlie: hot damn) (Jake: hot damn)

Bitch, say my name you know who I am

Carson:

I'm too hot (Charlie: hot damn)

Am I bad 'bout that money

Break it down

Jake:

Girls hit your hallelujah (whoo)

Girls hit your hallelujah (whoo)

Girls hit your hallelujah (whoo)

'Cause Uptown Funk gon' give it to you

All:

'Cause Uptown Funk gon' give it to you

Jake:

'Cause Uptown Funk gon' give it to you

All:

Saturday night and we in the spot

Jake:

Don't believe me just watch (come on)

Don't believe me just watch

Don't believe me just watch

Don't believe me just watch

Don't believe me just watch

Don't believe me just watch

Hey, hey, hey, oh!

Ryder:

Before we leave

Imma tell y'all a lil' something

Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up

Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up

I said Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up

Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up

Charlie:

Come on, dance

Jump on it

If you sexy than flaunt it

If you freaky than own it

Don't brag about it, come show me

Come on, dance

Jump on it

If you sexy than flaunt it

All:

Well it's Saturday night and we in the spot

Don't believe me just watch

Don't believe me just watch

Don't believe me just watch

Don't believe me just watch

Don't believe me just watch

Don't believe me just watch

Hey, hey, hey, oh!

All:

Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up (Ryder: say whaa?!)

Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up

Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up (Charlie: say whaa?!)

Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up

Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up (Jake: say whaa?!)

Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up

Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up (Carson: say whaa?!)

Uptown Funk you up

The boys left and the lights dimmed. Three people came onstage, two stood on the two ends of the stage, right by the edge. The third sat in the middle. The lights came back on, revealing Kitty and Marley standing and Brynklie sitting in the middle. As the song started, Brynklie began to dance.

Kitty:

And another one bites the dust

Oh why can I not conquer love?

And I might have thought that we were one

Wanted to fight this war without weapons

Marley:

And I wanted, and I wanted it bad

But there were so many red flags

Now another one bites the dust

Yeah, let's be clear, I'll trust no one

Kitty:

You did not break me

I'm still fighting for peace

Brynklie danced with a vigor that nobody had seen before. Her faces and sharp movements displayed the anger and resentment she felt, but what was most important was what she had wearing: a simple white dance bra top and white shorts. They did nothing to hide her abuse wounds. The bruises on her stomach and back were big and purple, but smaller yellow ones dotted her arms and legs.

Kitty and Marley:

Well, I've got thick skin and an elastic heart,

But your blade it might be too sharp

I'm like a rubber band until you pull too hard,

I may snap and I move fast

But you won't see me fall apart

'Cause I've got an elastic heart

Marley:

I've got an elastic heart

Kitty and Marley:

Yeah, I've got an elastic heart

And I will stay up through the night

Let's be clear, won't close my eyes

And I know that I can survive

I'll walk through fire to save my life

Kitty:

And I want it, I want my life so bad

I'm doing everything I can

Then another one bites the dust

It's hard to lose a chosen one

Marley:

You did not break me

I'm still fighting for peace

Kitty and Marley:

Well, I've got thick skin and an elastic heart,

But your blade it might be too sharp

I'm like a rubber band until you pull too hard,

Brynklie pulled herself into a reverse lunge.

I may snap and I move fast

She released, running in a large circle.

But you won't see me fall apart

Reaching the center of the stage, she crumpled before standing to face the audience.

'Cause I've got an elastic heart

Oh, oh oh oh oh oh oh oh, oh

oh oh oh oh

Oh, oh oh oh oh oh oh oh, oh

Oh, oh oh oh

The audience was completely mesmerized by her. As Kitty and Marley sung the bridge, she began to turn, going faster and faster until finally she leaped out of them, landing on the floor.

Well, I've got thick skin and an elastic heart,

But your blade it might be too sharp

I'm like a rubber band until you pull too hard,

I may snap and I move fast

But you won't see me fall apart

'Cause I've got an elastic heart

Well, I've got thick skin and an elastic heart,

But your blade it might be too sharp

I'm like a rubber band until you pull too hard,

I may snap and I move fast

But you won't see me fall apart

'Cause I've got an elastic heart

She stood up to face the audience. Slowly, she walked towards the audience, her palms facing outward. She stopped when she reached a third microphone between Kitty and Marley.

Brynklie:

I've got an elastic heart

The audience exploded into applause as she finished. Before long, everybody was on there feet. The three girls walked offstage, but before she had left, Brynklie looked out into the audience and almost instantly saw Lisa, who waved and cheered her on. Brynklie smiled before she disappeared behind the curtain. Ryder was waiting for her in the wings. She ran to him and leapt into his arms. He spun her around.

"You did so good," Ryder said, putting her down.

"Great job guys," Finn praised, pulling them into a group hug, "We have five minutes before the award, so go get some water and cool off."


Five minutes later, the four nationally ranked show choir groups stood in groups behind the trophies. That year's eccentric announcer rattled off the fourth and third place winners and the New Directions had yet to get an award. As he readied himself for opening the fancy envelope, everybody grabbed each other's hands, preparing themselves for the worst.

"There was a tenth of a point separating first and second," he said dramatically, "Can I have a drumroll please? Here we go. By one tenth of a point, the first place winner for this years Show Choir National Competition will be…The New Directions!" Instantly, everybody relaxed. They had won, but it only lasted a second, because Harlow, Mackenzie and Brynklie started to scream out of excitement. This queued the other's reactions. The girls were jumping up and down and the boys were giving each other one armed hugs, slapping each other on the back as they did so. They walked forward to receive their trophy. Finn joined them onstage. He was a little bit stunned; he had lead his own Glee Club to a National victory. That was more than he could ever have asked for.


Thanks for being here with me through all of this. I'll be back to this soon, so keep checking for updates! I love you guys so much.

Songs:

Shake It Off: Taylor Swift

Do You Want to Build a Snowman: Disney's Circle of Stars

Uptown Funk: Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars

Elastic Heart: Sia