Love was in the air at McKinley High School. Valentine's Day was fast approaching, and couples were getting quickly hyped up on sugar and romance. Some people were getting more excited than others for this holiday.
Copies of a new McKinley publication called Cupid's Arrow were spreading around the school like wildfire. They featured scandalous rumors of everyone's love life in New Directions. Students were grabbing copies like they were going out of style. Gossip about the glee club was just one more way of putting them in their places.
Natalia grabbed up a copy of the newspaper on her way to glee club. She was about to throw it away until she saw something that almost made her vomit right on the spot.
NATALIA LEE AWAKENS ANTONIO DUVAL'S STRAIGHT SIDE
Watch out Romeo! Your man is on bottom for a different blonde!
Natalia screamed with disgust and violently walked into the choir room. She discovered she hadn't been the only one to buy a copy. She sat down next to Mimi and Kourtney, who were both holding copies.
"Okay, just because I choose not to have a boyfriend doesn't mean I'm banging all the men in this club!" Mimi complained.
"Apparently my child isn't Tate's now. This says it's Dennis's. What the crap, I never talk to Dennis! And he's gay!" Kourtney fumed. Dennis turned around.
"Not gay, one. And two, this is bull crap! Apparently I also ride Shantel while sucking Glen's dick? NO!" he shouted.
"Apparently Lei was caught making out with Natalia's gay boyfriend," Glen stated as calmly as possible.
"What? Apollo doesn't even know Lei! And Apollo isn't gay!" Natalia denied.
"Who is writing this nonsense?" Lei cried.
"I bet it's Stella," Shantel stated. Stella glared at her.
"Nuh-uh! I would never write an article about myself! See this? The one that says 'Romero watches as Bryant and Alcotte have sex'? Yeah, I'd never watch my ex have sex with a red-headed dork," she corrected.
"Shut up, Stella!" Alexandra yelled.
"Apparently you haven't read the one about Roderick and me. That one is just graphic...and not true," Shane pointed out. Alexandra skimmed it and blushed.
"That's just nasty!" she whined.
"Bro, what the hell?" Roderick muttered after reading it. Tate sighed. This definitely was not fun to watch or be a part of.
"This really sucks. We should do something fun to get over it," he noted. Kourtney tilted her head.
"Like what?" she asked.
"We should sing about and with the people we love," Tate suggested. Natalia smiled.
"That actually doesn't sound like a bad idea. The retards writing this rubbish might feel silly after that," she agreed.
"We should get started, then! This will be amazing!" Romeo cheered.
"Tate, how come you suggested what you did to the glee club?" Kourtney asked. Tate sighed.
"Because it's happier...and I want to sing with you," he calmly answered. Kourtney gave him a concerned look.
"Is it because my parents are having you over for dinner on Friday?" Kourtney asked. Tate swallowed.
"I am nervous about that. Your parents think I'm an idiot. I just want to enjoy a duet with you before they force us to break up," Tate admitted. Kourtney smiled.
"Tate, we're both 18. They can't tell me who I'm going to date...or marry...or have a baby with. Besides, they want to talk wedding plans with us. I mean, we do plan on getting married before the baby is born...and that's coming up in June," she explained. Tate shook his head.
"I guess I'm still nervous. I mean, they still plan your OB/GYN appointments for when I'm busy!" he pointed out. Kourtney's eyes widened.
"That reminds me...I have one coming up tomorrow. I planned it without them. Would you like to come? I told them to tell me the gender when you're there," Kourtney offered. Tate's mood brightened up tremendously.
"I would love that, Kourt-Kourt!" he yelled, hugging her.
Antonio sat at his computer chatting over MSN with Romeo. The two were discussing the Cupid's Arrow fiasco.
Antonio_Duval I'm 100% sure this is slander...which is illegal. I may have to take this to court like that parking ticket last month.
Romeo_Jensen How are you going to do that? We don't know who's writing that paper. D:
Antonio_Duval Good point. Uggh. Let's change the subject. What should we do on Valentine's Day?
Romeo_Jensen Oh, no need to ask. I have plans already placed. It's going to be a surprise.
Antonio_Duval Wow! Can't wait! (●^∇^●)
Romeo_Jensen Where do you get emotes like that? XD They're cute!
Antonio_Duval Apparently they're Japanese, mah lurve w
Romeo_Jensen Oh dear XD I love you.
Antonio_Duval Well, duh! :U I mean...I love you too, my fair Romeo! I'm still a bit stressed about the newspaper. I think Imma go take a relaxing bath. BBL
Romeo_Jensen Bye, love!
Antonio_Duval (づ=3=)づ
Antonio stood away from his computer and headed for the bathroom. Not too long after, Tino barged into Antonio's room. The brunette sat down at his computer happily.
"Toni, I'm using your computer for a bit!" Tino shouted, hoping Antonio would hear him. Antonio did, and quickly locked his bathroom door to prevent Tino from coming in and disturbing him. Tino was about to get on Google Chrome when he noticed Antonio's previous chatlog. He squinted.
"Funny...these must be messages to that Romeo guy he's friends with," Tino muttered, examining the messages. He found the various "I love you's" and Valentine's Day plans to be oddly weird for his assumed straight brother to be talking about. Then it hit Tino.
"Toni...is...gay?" he said with a face of disgust. Being the rather strict Jewish family they were, that concept was just taboo. Tino went running out of his room.
"Dad? Mom? Where are you? There's something I should tell you!" he yelled down the hall. A door opened and an older woman with blonde hair and an older man with auburn hair walked out. The man, Isaac Duval, glared at his older son. The woman, Goldie Duval, looked concerned.
"What is it, Tino," Isaac asked.
"Antonio is gay. I was looking on his computer, and he and that Romeo guy aren't just friends. They're in love love!" Tino disclosed in a panic. Isaac looked more furious than before.
"How disgusting. Goldie, did you know before now?" he asked. Goldie bit her lip and lowered her head.
"Um...no..." she lied. Isaac looked toward Antonio's door. He decided to march in and take a look for himself at the computer. He scrolled through the chatlog.
"This is just terrible!" he yelled. Antonio came out of his bathroom in a new outfit and freshly blow-dried hair. He looked at his father in confusion.
"What's terrible?" Antonio asked.
"Well if it isn't the fag himself," Isaac said, turning around to look at Antonio. Antonio started to go pale.
"Um...what?" Antonio muttered in fear.
"Tino tells me you and Mr. Jensen are in a homosexual relationship. He read your chat and informed your mother and I. I just now read it. I have to say, I'm disgusted," Isaac explained. Antonio started getting a bit more worked up.
"I don't see the big deal!" he yelped, "I mean, Mom doesn't care!". Isaac gave Goldie an angry look.
"You knew?" he asked. She nodded.
"Well...he told me that he was bi-sexual. I don't know if he's gay," Goldie murmured.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"That's Antonio's job..."
"I don't care! This is a red flag! We could have put him in a straight camp before things got too bad!" Isaac angrily yelled. Antonio winced.
"I'm still me! Being gay doesn't make me different! How come my anxiety disorder, which makes me look and act like a freak mind you, is okay, but being in love is unorthodox?" he brought up.
"Loving a boy is unnatural, and I will NOT have it in this house," Isaac sternly said. Antonio became livid.
"Okay, first I learn how to read by reading law books...since before I was two. Then, rather than have a social life, you spend my childhood telling me that if I left the house the government would kidnap me, I would get raped, or aliens would abduct me. After, I spend my entire life suppressing my love and passion for music and performing while I watch Tino start a band just so you could force me to be a lawyer. I compromised my future just for you, Father! It's your fault I have this terrible anxiety. I've been taking medicine for it since I was six! SIX! And after all this, you can't just let me have one thing that makes me happy. Romeo isn't just my boyfriend. He's my best friend. He is the only person that never judges me for anything. He's the only person that I don't have to be the perfect Jewish stereotype around. I can just be me. Can't you just grant me this one luxury?" Antonio ranted.
"Don't you lecture me boy! I did a good job raising you!" Isaac protested.
"You didn't answer my question. Do not distract from the subject, sir," Antonio, calling upon his lawyer instincts, demanded. Isaac gave him a cocky smile.
"Sure. I'll let you have your gay romance. However, I want you to leave this house," he negotiated. Antonio squinted.
"But I'm only 17. That's abandonment," he pointed out.
"I'm a paralegal. You're not a qualified lawyer. Don't correct me," Isaac scolded.
"You can't do this! Mom! Tino! Help!"
"Don't talk to me. I don't want to catch your gay," Tino stated, leaving the room. Goldie gave him a concerned look.
"I'm sorry, honey. There isn't anything I can do...I'm only a doctor. I can't tell your father how to parent," she replied. Antonio sighed.
"Okay. You know what, Father? I'm choosing my freedom over you. I'm sick of trying to please you," Antonio gave in. Isaac smiled.
"You're being smart by giving up while you're ahead. Now you get to keep your car, and you have all night to pack," he permitted, leaving. Antonio looked at Goldie.
"Thanks for nothing, Mom..." he muttered, sitting on his bed. She sat beside him.
"I'll help you pack...and I'll make sure you get your money from your bank account...and I promise you your college fund," she offered, putting an arm around him.
"It's better than nothing..." he murmured.
Amber walked over to Stella while she was at her locker. She tapped on her shoulder excitedly. Stella turned around to see Amber holding something behind her back. Stella smirked.
"What's up, Amber?" she asked. Amber pulled out a box and gave it to Stella. Stella grabbed it and opened it. Inside was a handcrafted mini jukebox. Stella pushed a button on it, which popped out a heart-shaped piece of glazed ceramic ware.
"Read it. I incised a message just for you," Amber requested.
"Okay! 'Dear Stella. I'm glad we've been getting closer to each other. It may be weird, but I feel close to you. Will you grab a bite to eat with me at Breadstix on February 13th. With love, Amber.' Wow...this is cute, Amber," Stella said. Amber nodded.
"I made everything with my bare hands. I wanted it to be special," she replied. Stella closed her eyes and smiled.
"It's better than being alone. I'll come...but why not on Valentine's Day?"
"I want you to plan something for Valentine's Day! See if you can top me," Amber informed mischievously. Stella laughed gently.
"Oh, I think I can top you," she replied. She shut her locker and grabbed Amber by the waist. Amber yelped in surprise.
"Stella?"
"Let's go into the janitor's closet real quick!" Stella said, dragging Amber behind. Amber laughed and decided to follow. Stella snuck the two of them in and locked the door.
"I hope you had no plans for your next class," Stella seductively said. Amber shook her head.
"I've learned to do my work early," she replied. Stella walked closer and wrapped her arms around Amber's waist. Amber threw her arms around Stella's neck.
"That's good," Stella murmured. She and Amber looked each other in the eyes. They moved their lips closer until a gentle kiss started a chain reaction in the closet.
Alexandra was sitting in a chair in the choir room. Shane stood in the doorway.
"You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar when I met you. I picked you out, I shook you up and turned you around! Turned you into someone new. Now five years later on you've got the world at your feet. Success has been so easy for you. But don't forget it's me who put you where you are now, and I can put you back down too," Shane sang. He ran behind Alexandra.
"Don't. Don't you want me? You know I can't believe it when I hear that you won't see me. Don't. Don't you want me? You know I don't believe you when you say that you don't need me. It's much too late to find when you think you've changed your mind. You'd better change it back or we will both be sorry! Don't you want me, baby? Don't you want me? Oh! Don't you want me, baby? Don't you want me? Oh!" he sang. Alexandra stood up and turned around. She pushed him down on a chair.
"I was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar. That much is true. But even then I knew I'd find a much better place either with or without you. The five years we have had have been such good at times. I still love you. But now I think it's time I lived my life on my own. I guess it's just what I must do," Alexandra sang. Shane stood up.
"Don't. Don't you want me? You know I can't believe it when I hear that you won't see me. Don't. Don't you want me? You know I don't believe you when you say that you don't need me," he sang while circling her. He dragged her to the front of the room. "It's much too late find! When you think you've changed your mind! You'd better change it back or we will both be sorry!"
"Don't you want me, baby? Don't you want me? Oh! Don't you want me, baby? Don't you want me? Oh! Don't you want me, baby? Don't you want me? Oh! Don't you want me, baby? Don't you want me? Oh!Don't you want me, baby? Don't you want me? Oh! Don't you want me, baby? Don't you want me? Oh!Don't you want me, baby? Don't you want me? Oh! Don't you want me, baby? Don't you want me? Oh!" they sang together. Alexandra stared at him for a bit, then blushed. She sat back down.
"That was random..." she muttered. Shane sat beside her.
"For a quiet girl, you sure have a voice," he complimented. Alexandra smiled slightly.
"Thank you...I must ask, though, why are you here?"
"I wanted to talk," Shane replied.
"About?"
"Well..." Shane started, turning to her, "since I got my emotions back, I've noticed certain things that I never cared about before. For example, only the most oblivious of morons wouldn't be able to tell that you love me."
"You noticed..."
"Yes I did. I'm still struggling to get a hold on my emotions. However, I'd be lying if I didn't say I was developing feelings for you. I mean, you are always around...but not in an irritating Stella way. You're also nice...you always try to comfort me if I'm upset. When I was numb, you still tried your best to get some kind of emotion out of me. It takes a lot of dedication I guess," Shane explained. Alexandra blushed and closed her eyes. She wasn't sure what would happen next.
"What are you getting at?" she stammered. Shane gave a small smile.
"Wanna try this couple thing with me?" he asked. Alexandra opened her eyes in surprise. She stared at him for a minute.
"Of course!" she blurted.
"Cool," he replied. The two stood up and shared a quick hug. They then left the choir room hand in hand.
Antonio approached Will during glee club. He was now homeless, keeping as many of his possessions as he could in his PT Cruiser. There was no way he could keep up with glee club anymore.
"Mr. Schuester? I have an inquiry," Antonio muttered. Will looked at him.
"What is it?" he asked. Antonio sighed.
"I got kicked out of my house. Apparently my father and brother are homophobes and my mother is a coward. I'm quitting glee club," he explained as quietly as possible. Shane walked by right as Antonio said that, and turned around.
"You got kicked out?" he whispered. Antonio nodded.
"You can't just quit New Directions!" Will whispered.
"Antonio, I can help you find a place. You don't need to cut your ties yet. Maybe Tate has an extra spot in our flat," Shane offered. Antonio rolled his eyes.
"Find. I'll stay, but only if I can find a place to live," he said. Shane then led Antonio to a corner. He left for a second and brought Tate over. They explained Antonio's situation to Tate. Tate looked sympathetic.
"I know what it's like to have parents you can't please. Unfortunately, there's too many people at my flat. There's me, Shane, and another boy that plays football with me named Elliott. There's just no room for another person," Tate said as gently as possible. Antonio slumped a bit. Shane looked worried.
"He can share a room with me!"
"There's still not enough room to keep food for another person," Tate brought up.
"I'll give him some of my portion! Please Tate, we need to help him," Shane begged. Tate bit his thumbnail.
"Can't you ask anyone else? If you can't find another person by the end of the week, he can stay with us," Tate negotiated. Shane smiled.
"Sounds good to me. How about you, Antonio?"
"It's better than nothing. Just as long as Natalia and Romeo don't find out about this," Antonio said with a slight smile. And with that, they began asking various glee club members for help.
Natalia and Romeo both looked over at Antonio and Shane as they talked to everyone else.
"What do you think is going on?" Romeo asked.
"I don't know, but I don't like it. Am I the only one that noticed he hasn't talked to us all day?"
"I've noticed that too. We were chatting last night over MSN. We were talking about stuff until he went on a BRB. He never came back, though, and he never says that if he's not coming back. He also went offline without saying a final goodnight to me," Romeo explained.
"Should we investigate?" Natalia asked. Romeo shook his head.
"I don't want to make him hate me..." he muttered. They looked over as Antonio and Lei happily hugged each other. He then sat beside her. Natalia glared and Romeo felt his heart break a little.
"He's friend-cheating on me..." Natalia angrily said.
"Possibly more than friend-cheating," Romeo sadly replied.
"I'm stalking him tonight," Natalia disclosed. Romeo didn't reply. He just sat with his hands digging into his legs and his head down. Natalia looked as Lei and Glen went to the front of the room. It was probably to sing. Natalia couldn't help but feel slightly angry at Lei. Rather than watch, she just left.
"The song we're singing is called 'Oh Darling!'" Glen announced. Lei sat down and crossed her legs as Glen sat on the piano.
"You seem quite nice for a girl with good looks, and I'm the kinda fellow that'll make you feel better when your life gets shook, so give it a chance according to your plans. I bet I'm not number one on your list to kiss, but please understand," Glen sang, sliding off the piano. He put his hands in his pockets, looking at Lei from the side. She stood up.
"You seem quite shy, but you're oh so cute, and I'm the kind of girl that would love to be yours if you asked me to. So just take a chance, try to hold my hand, I swear I'd never let go! Just let me know if you'd be my man," Lei sang. Glen grabbed her hand and turned to look at her.
"I really want to come out and tell you," he sang. The two began skipping around the room.
"Oh darling, I love you so!" Glen sang, letting go of her hand and skipping ahead.
"If you asked me for my heart, there's no way that I'd say no!" Lei sang catching up. He spun around and hugged her.
"Oh darling, just take a chance please!" he sang.
"So we can stay together until hell starts to freeze!" Lei sang. Glen winked at her and ran behind the piano. Lei took her place on the piano.
"You seem quite right for a boy like me!" Glen sang, coming around to face her. She crossed her legs and folded her arms.
"And I wanna know if you'd treat me well! Would you treat me like a queen?" Lei sang. She hopped off the piano into Glens arms.
"Cause I'd like to show you and make you see!" he sang, putting her down. They held hands again.
"That although we're different types, we were meant to be!" they both sang. Glen let go and began walking backwards.
"I really want to come out and tell you..." he started running to her, "Oh darling, I love you so!"
"If you'd ask me for my heart, there's no way that I'd say no!" Lei sang stepping out of the way and playfully sticking her tongue out. Glen smirked.
"Oh darling, just take a chance please!" Glen sang. Lei shrugged and hugged him.
"So we can stay together till hell starts to freeze!" she sang. Glen pushed her away gently and put his hands in his pockets.
"So I gotta ask you; I can't be afraid," Glen put his hands on his heart, "I gotta take a chance at love, so what do you say? Oh darling, I love you so!"
"If you'd ask me for my heart, there's no way that I'd say no!" Lei sang, sitting on the piano again. Glen hopped up beside her.
"Oh darling, just take a chance please!" he sang, placing his hand beside her. She put her hand over his.
"So we can stay together till hell starts to freeze!" she finished. Everyone started clapping. Romeo looked over to see how impressed Antonio was. He started to feel a little jealous.
"You two worked well with your chemistry!" Antonio complemented. Romeo started to feel more annoyed. He quickly sneaked out of the room. Glen and Lei sat back down with Antonio.
"So am I coming home with you tonight?" Antonio asked. Lei nodded.
"I have Cheerio practice, but after that we can go! I can't wait to introduce you to my mom!" she confirmed. Glen laughed.
"Good luck with that, dude. Her mom hates men. I would know. She's so mean to me," he warned.
"I think she just doesn't like me having a boyfriend," Lei happily corrected.
"Well, I guess I'll find out tonight," Antonio said.
Tate was sitting on a swing above a huge swimming pool in Kourtney's backyard. It was being held up by a few strings and a pole for him to grab. It was an idea her parents got from an episode of the Bachelor Pad. The purpose was a trivia game about Kourtney. If Tate could manage to answer enough questions right before landing in the pool, her parents would approve of the marriage. If not, Tate would be the black sheep of the soon to be family.
Kourtney and her parents sat at a table near the pool. Kourtney had several poster boards that contained the answers to the questions. It was a dose of the Newlywed Game put in. She hoped desperately that Tate wouldn't screw up. Her father held up a bullhorn.
"Tate, I'll be amazed if you can answer these questions. Let's not waste any time with this," he announced, handing the bullhorn to his wife. She cleared her throat.
"First question! When is Kourtney's birthday?" she asked. Tate smiled.
"Easy! September 20!" he yelled. Kourtney held up a board that said "September 20". Her father took the bullhorn.
"Good. Next question. What is Kourtney's middle name?"
"Um...Lula!" Tate answered. Kourtney shuddered, holding up a board saying Lula. Her mother took the horn.
"What is Kourtney's main craving?". Tate had to think for a second. She craved everything it seemed. He sighed.
"Everything?" he guessed. Suddenly a cord was cut. He gasped.
"Wrong. Chocolate covered anything. Now, then, what is her ideal date?" her father asked. Tate smiled.
"Movie, burger, backseat!" he announced. Kourtney shook her head, holding up a different board. It read "a walk in the park." Tate yelped as another cord was cut. He had to keep shifting his weight to keep balance.
"Now, then, idiot. What is her favorite color?" her mother asked.
"Periwinkle! It's periwinkle!" Tate shouted. Kourtney's board said periwinkle. He breathed a sigh of relief.
"Just three more questions. You don't stand a chance, but the rules say we must give it to you. Okay, what is Kourtney afraid of?" her father asked.
"She has claustrophobia, a fear of being rejected, and former body image issues," Tate said. Kourtney's sign just said "yes."
"What is Kourtney's favorite childhood video game character?" her mother asked.
"Pikachu?" Tate guessed. A rope was cut. Kourtney angrily help up the next board.
"You know it's Sonic the Hedgehog, you dope! I only always have you complete everything past Green Hill Zone!" she angrily shouted.
"Sorry! I got nervous!" Tate whined. He was hanging onto the bar for dear life. he had to answer the next question correctly, or else he'd lose the whole thing.
"Final question. What does Kourtney yell whenever she's in a hormonal rampage?" her father asked. Kourtney gave Tate a hopeful look. That one was easy. Tate mulled it over in his head. Finally, he reached an answer.
"I never hear it myself, but her friends always get me to come over when she's upset. So, I have to answer 'I need Tate,'" Tate confidently answered. Kourtney squealed in happiness, holding up her board with Tate's answer. Her parents clapped.
"That was impressive. You pulled through at the right time. Good job, son," Kourtney's father complemented. Tate grinned in happiness. If that wasn't a sign of approval, he didn't know what was.
"Thanks! So, um, how do I get down?" he asked.
"I'll let you down," Kourtney's father replied. He cut the last cord. Tate screamed as he fell face first into the pool. Tate bobbed back up on his back. He just floated there, reflecting on the trivia game. He felt dumb for getting any questions wrong. He knew the answers, but the pressure made him forget a couple.
"You okay, Tate?" Kourtney asked, sitting at the side of the pool. Tate waded over.
"I'm fine. I just got randomly slung into a pool in the middle of February, but I'm fine..." he answered, getting out. Kourtney put a towel around him.
"Let's go get you into something dry," she suggested. Tate smiled.
"Okay," he answered. The two began walking inside.
"Have you given any thought to baby names?" Kourtney asked. Tate remembered their trip to the OB/GYN. The baby had turned out to be a girl. He was glad. He honestly couldn't say he hated the idea of having a daughter.
"I have an idea..." Tate murmured. Kourtney smiled.
"Oh? What is it?"
"I was thinking Kate," he answered. Kourtney growled.
"We're not naming her after you," she denied. Tate shook his head.
"No. I was thinking more like K for Kourtney and ate since it goes with K and rhymes with my name," he explained. Kourtney smiled.
"Now that you said that, I think it's a good name. After all, we are the ones that created her," she reasoned. Tate laughed.
"All because I accidently grabbed the Vaseline rather than the KY jelly. Then you didn't take the morning after pill soon enough," Tate reminisced.
"Yep. And I went to the doctor with a yeast infection from the Vaseline, and I left knowing I was pregnant. It's hard to believe that was four months ago. I kept thinking there might have been a mistake, but now I have a bump to prove it," Kourtney continued.
"Hopefully we can get married soon. I don't want you to get upset for not finding a concealing dress."
"I don't want that either. I want a good wedding photo. Then again, I don't want a huge reception or ceremony. Maybe just something peaceful and casual with our friends?"
"I like the sound of that. We can have a reception after Kate is born. I'd wait for the wedding until then, but...she'll already be judged for being conceived out of wedlock while her parents were still in high school. Imagine how worse it would be if she was born out of wedlock," Tate explained.
"I'd hate that. Let's go over the marriage in more detail inside," Kourtney prompted.
"Okay," Tate agreed.
The next day of school brought more drama. A whole new printing of Cupid's Arrow had been spread around the school. However, this one had one that the other issue didn't: Picture evidence. Romeo was sure to grab a copy to see if he or Antonio were mentioned again. Unfortunately, everyone in the club was mentioned at least once.
He ran to the choir room to see who else was mad. Sure enough, everyone had a copy, and everyone was downright pissed. He sat down beside Natalia and decided to read it.
"Look at this! There's a picture of Antonio and Lei going into what appears to be her house!" Romeo pointed out in disbelief. Natalia glared at it.
"'Duval Wants More! Apparently blondes are out of style because this man wants some Asian tonight.' And the picture doesn't make it better!" she complained.
"Somehow they know that Alexandra and I are in a relationship...but it only just happened yesterday," Shane muttered.
"Lookie here, Stella! It says that you and Amber both had some important business in the janitor's closet!" Shantel pointed out.
"It's Photoshop, I tell you! Photoshop!" Amber protested. Antonio came into the room and sat by Lei, who was reading the section about them in disbelief. Romeo couldn't help but glare at them.
"Lei's stealing my boyfriend. He must have lied when he said he was gay, because right now he sure as hell is bi-sexual," Romeo muttered. Natalia growled.
"He's supposed to be my friend. I'm the one he trained to get free sodas out of! Then again...he just has to ask her for one, and she gives it to him," Natalia said with a sigh.
"Well, I know what song I'm singing," Romeo sadly said.
"You're not going to single him out are you? I don't see that working very well," Natalia advised. Romeo shook his head.
"I'm just going to hint at my current woe," he corrected. Will walked into the room. He looked around at the chaos in his classroom. He rolled his eyes.
"Guys, those newspapers just produce trash. This happened a few years ago with the Muckraker. It's just meant to scandalize everyone to break the glee club up," he explained.
"But some of this stuff is true," Alexandra muttered, referring to her and Shane.
"And most of it is false. We shouldn't be focusing on this. We have regionals to prepare for. It's also almost Valentine's Day. Maybe we should be a bit more positive like Glen and Lei were yesterday?" Will suggested. Everyone settled down. He did have a point.
"Can I have the floor, then?" Shantel asked. Will smiled.
"It's yours!" he replied, sitting down. Shantel took a deep breath and walked to the front of the room.
"With all these rumors flying around, I figured it's time for me to be honest. As everyone knows, Natalia is in a relationship with Apollo Kontos from Dalton Academy. That being said, it's not taboo to love someone from a rival school or club. I need to come clean. I have a boyfriend from Vocal Adrenaline. He's the star actually. His name is Aiden Vargas," Shantel announced.
"Is he a spy?" Stella asked.
"No. Show choir rarely comes up. He doesn't care about winning. He just cares about me. In fact..." Shantel trailed off. Suddenly Aiden walked in through the door. He smiled and stood next to Shantel.
"I tricked St. James into letting me come. I feel like Shanty gets a little left out because I don't go here. I'm going to sing a duet with her today," he explained. Natalia glared.
"I wish Apollo would do that for me..." she muttered.
"That's great of you to come here today! What are you singing?" Will asked.
"'Leather and Lace' by Stevie Nicks and Don Henley," Shantel answered. The music started. Aiden hid behind the piano while Shantel stood in front of it. She rested her hands against her legs.
"Is love so fragile, and the heart so hollow? Shatter with words impossible to follow. You're saying I'm fragile. I try not to be! I search only for something I can't see," Shantel sung. She ran to the back of the room and sat on a window sill.
"I have my own life, and I am stronger than you know! But I carry this feeling when you walked into my house that you won't be walking out the door. Still I carry this feeling when you walked into my house that you won't be walking out the door!" she sang. She walked back to the front and hopped on the piano, sitting.
"Lovers forever! Face to face. My city or mountains! Stay with me stay. I need you to love me. I need you today! Give to me your leather. Take from me my lace !" she sang. Aiden popped out from behind the piano. He walked over and stood in front of her.
"You in the moonlight with your sleepy eyes! Could you ever love a man like me?" he sang, turning toward her.
"And you were right! When I walked into your house, I knew I'd never want to leave," he continued. He turned back around, stepping to the side.
"Sometimes I'm a strong man. Sometimes cold and scared! And sometimes I cry," he sang. He leaned against the piano and looked back at Shantel.
"But that time I saw you, I knew with you to light my nights! Somehow I'd get by. First time I saw you, I knew with you to light my nights that somehow I'd get by," he sang. He lifted Shantel, twirled and put her down.
"Lovers forever! Face to face. My city or mountains! Stay with me stay. I need you to love me. I need you today! Give to me your leather," they sang together.
"Take from me my lace!" Shantel added. They started ballroom dancing.
"Lovers forever! Face to face. My city or mountains! Stay with me stay," they sang together. Shantel pulled away.
"I need you to love me. I need you today!" she sang. Aiden twirled her back in.
"Give to me your leather," they sang.
"Take from me my lace! Take from me my lace! Take from me my lace!" Shantel finished. She and Aiden hugged as everyone applauded. Aiden looked at the clock.
"I should get back to Carmel. See you later, Shanty!" he announced, kissing her on the cheek before leaving. Shantel sat down happily.
"Anyone else?" Will asked. Romeo shakily stood up. Antonio looked over to him. He got a bad feeling.
"I have a song to sing..." Romeo muttered, going to the front.
"I assume it's a love song," Will guessed. Romeo smiled awkwardly.
"Something like that," he replied. The music started. "There was a time some time ago when every sunrise meant a sunny day, oh a sunny day. But now when the morning light shines in, it only disturbs the dreamland where I lay, oh where I lay. I used to thank the lord when I'd wake for life and love and the golden sky above me! But now I pray the stars will go on shinin'! You see in my dreams you love me," Romeo sang. Antonio sunk in his chair a bit. He knew the song was about him.
"Daybreak is a joyful time! Just listen to the songbird harmonies, oh the harmonies! But I wish the dawn would never come. I wish there was silence in the trees, oh the trees. If only I could stay asleep, at least I could pretend you're thinkin' of me...'cause nighttime is the one time I am happy, you see in my dreams..." Romeo sang. He quickly started going to the back of the room.
"We climb and climb and at the top we fly!" Romeo passionately sung. He jumped off a chair. "Let the world go on below us, we are lost in time! And I don't know really what it means! All I know is that you love me, in my dreams." Antonio started to feel a bit sick from the performance.
"I keep hopin' one day I'll awaken, and somehow he'll be lying by my side! And as I wonder if the dawn is really breakin', he touches me and suddenly I'm alive!" Romeo sang and stood on the piano.
"And we climb and climb! And at the top we fly!" he sang, jumping off the piano and walking closer to the audience. "Let the world go on below us! We are lost in time! And I don't know really what it means. All I know is that you love me in my dreams! We climb!" he sang. He jumped onto a chair adjacent to Antonio.
"And at the top we fly!" he sat a chair away from Antonio. "Let the world go on below us! We are lost in time! And I don't know really what it means! All I know is that you love me in my dreams! Ohohoho, in...in my dreams..." Romeo finished. He got up and went back to his seat next to Natalia. She congratulated him. Will stood up.
"That was intense..." he noted, "anyway does anyone else have a song? No? Okay, then. Chat amongst yourselves while I organize some music for us." Antonio started to feel just terrible. He wanted to tell Romeo AND Natalia what was happening. However, he didn't want to seem weird or weak. He quickly got up and ran out of the choir room.
"I need to get to Lei's house early," he said between breaths. He ran into the parking lot. He looked around and ran to his PT Cruiser. He quickly jumped in and left.
Shortly after his leave, Romeo and Natalia went to the parking lot. They went to his motorcycle. Romeo tossed a helmet to Natalia, and put his own on. They hopped on and followed in pursuit of Antonio.
"He can't be far!" Romeo yelled. He didn't care that he was speeding. He wanted to know what was going on. It wasn't long before he spotted Antonio's car. Romeo then realized he was going to Lei's house.
"Take a back route!" Natalia suggested. Romeo turned into an alley.
"Way ahead of you!" he yelled back. He turned a few more times, trying to let Antonio get ahead. He stopped once he reached a block from Antonio. He squinted and saw Antonio letting himself into Lei's house. Once the door was shut, he went to the front of the house and parked. He and Natalia got off. They left their helmets on the motorcycle and knocked on the door.
Antonio jumped at the sound. Although he'd been overcoming his paranoia, he only figured that someone coming to the door as soon as he got home meant he had been followed. He hid behind the couch and tried not to make any noise.
"We know you're in there!" Natalia yelled. Antonio whined quietly. The last two people he wanted to see. He figured that they'd eventually go away if he ignored them. Romeo pounded on the door more. Natalia rolled her eyes.
"I'm picking the lock," she announced, taking a few hair pins out of her pocket.
"That's sleazy," Romeo commented. She started fooling with the lock.
"Oh, can it," Natalia retorted. She undid the lock and opened the door. The two walked in quietly. Then, Natalia tackled Antonio behind the couch.
"Get off!" Antonio frantically screamed, pushing her away. Natalia and Romeo both blocked him into the couch.
"Tell us what's going on! Why do you keep ignoring us?" Natalia angrily asked.
"And why are you and Lei so close all of a sudden?" Romeo added. Antonio groaned.
"I can't tell you! You'll think less of me!" he protested. Natalia glared more than before.
"Just tell us! We won't leave until you do!" she demanded. Antonio sighed.
"It's really embarrassing!" he yelled.
"Lei's your new BFF isn't she?" Natalia questioned.
"No! She ju-I mean I!"
"Out with it, Duval!" Natalia screamed. Antonio looked genuinely scared. Romeo shook his head at Natalia.
"Calm down," he advised, then turned to Antonio. His face softened. "What's up?" Antonio took a few deep breaths. He was truly defeated. He closed his eyes and hugged his legs.
"Fine...I'll tell you. The other day when I went to take a bath, Tino came into my room to use my computer. He saw my rather tame conversation with Romeo and told my father. There was a huge scene and argument between us, and I was given two options. If I wanted to stay, I'd have to break up with Romeo. If I wanted to stay with Romeo, I'd have to leave. I chose Romeo over them, but then I just felt too ashamed to talk to you guys...Shane helped me get hooked up here with Lei, so this is where I live now. I didn't want you guys to find out. I thought you two might think that I'm a failure...just like my father does..." Antonio explained. Natalia stared for a few seconds, processing. Then, she randomly hugged him. Antonio was surprised. Romeo came in on the other side and joined in on the hug.
"You poor thing," Natalia murmured, "You should have told us sooner. We could have helped."
"There's no helping me, apparently," Antonio shakily said, trying not to cry. He hadn't shed a single tear throughout this entire experience.
"It's okay to cry, you know," Natalia pointed out. She and Romeo pulled away.
"Why? I got what was coming to me," Antonio replied. His eyes started to water. A couple tears escaped. "Damn..." he muttered. Romeo wiped the tears away with his finger.
"You can cry on my shoulder. I'm here for you, love," Romeo gently said. Antonio breathed in a few shaky breaths. Finally, he just rested his face against Romeo's shoulder and started sobbing.
"I feel like such a failure!" Antonio cried. Romeo stroked his back gently.
"You're not a failure. I'm honored you chose me. It was really brave of you. If anything, I'm the failure. I thought you stopped loving me," Romeo said, laughing awkwardly. Antonio lifted his head and looked into Romeo's eyes.
"But you're my Romeo! I don't think my love for you could ever stop!" Antonio denied. Natalia scooted away.
"I'll just give you two some room," she stated.
Amber woke up in an empty hotel room. She looked around in a confused, tired daze. She couldn't quite remember what happened. She looked at the clock next to her, which displayed the time and date.
"February 13...6 am...oh my God..." Amber muttered. She remembered how the previous night went. She and Stella decided to spend a night at the motel for talking and other things. Amber punched the wall next to her, realizing Stella had left after intercourse again.
"She does this a lot!" Amber whined. She looked over and saw a note on the bedside table.
"'Dear Amber...things are getting a bit too serious. I don't think we should talk for a few days. Sincerely, Stella.' You've got to be kidding me!" Amber yelled. She threw her clothes on.
First, I chase after Roderick. I worked hard to get him to trust me. Then I got into this situation with Stella. Now Roderick seems interested in me FINALLY but I blew it for Stella...who this relationship clearly means nothing to. What should I do?
Amber left the motel room. She turned the keys into the lobby and checked out. She began driving home. She turned her radio to a classic rock station and started singing to the song playing, "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around."
"Baby you'll come knocking on my front door. Same old line you used to use before. I said ya...well...What am I supposed to do? I didn't know what I was getting into!" Amber sang. She parked her car and leaned against it. Stella was sitting on a nearby park bench.
"So you've had a little trouble in town! Now you're keeping some demon down! Stop draggin' my...Stop draggin' my...Stop draggin' my heart around!" they both sang. Amber pulled out a picture of the both of them.
"It's hard to think about what you've wanted. It's hard to think about what you've lost. This doesn't have to be the big get even. This doesn't have to be anything at all!" Amber sang. Stella pulled out a copy of the same picture, her eyes watering.
"I know you really want to tell me good-bye! I know you really want to be your own girl," Stella sang. She stood up from the bench. Amber slumped down back against her car.
"Baby you could never look me in the eye! Yeah you buckle with the weight of the words! Stop draggin' my...Stop draggin' my...Stop draggin' my heart around!" they sang. Amber hugged her legs, resisting the urge to cry.
"There's people running 'round loose in the world. Ain't got nothing better to do than make a meal of some bright eyed kid. You need someone looking after you!" Amber sang. Stella leaned against a tree and folded her arms.
"I know you really want to tell me good-bye! I know you really want to be your own girl," Stella sang.
"Baby you could never look me in the eye! Yeah you buckle with the weight of the words! Stop draggin' my...Stop draggin' my...Stop draggin' my heart around!" they finished. Stella started walking home. Amber just sat against her car in a depressed mood.
Roderick drove by Amber on his motorcycle. Once he realized who he passed, he quickly made a dangerous u-turn. He then parked beside her car and hopped off the bike. He walked over to her, kneeling down.
"What's up, Amber? Why are you just sitting here?" he asked, sitting down. Amber shrugged.
"Because I want to," she lied. Roderick snickered.
"Bro, you don't have to lie," he said. Amber rolled her eyes.
"Why do you even care about a 'slut' like me?" she angrily asked.
"I misjudged you on that, bro. Now what's up?"
"I'll tell you if you'll go away," Amber offered.
"Sure thing!" Roderick accepted. Amber sighed.
"My date for Valentine's Day left me a note to bail on our date...right after a night of emotional, meaningful stuff," she muttered.
"Sounds tough. For what it's worth, bro, I don't have a date for V-day either."
"I'm as undatable as Roderick Jones...the school's number one dick...hooray..."Amber muttered. Roderick laughed.
"Call the feds. Anyway, how about we go out?" Roderick offered. Amber gave him a bizarre look.
"Why would you want to do that?"
"You're single. I'm single. Thus we can mingle," he explained. Amber huffed.
"Fine. I guess it's better than nothing," she accepted. Roderick stood up.
"Cool! Meet you at my house tomorrow, bro!" he yelled behind him, driving off. Amber rolled her eyes. She didn't really know what she got herself into. Things would probably end badly, especially with Roderick involved. She felt like she was cheating on Stella, but Stella was the one that called off the plans. Amber stood up and got into her car. Without a second thought, she started driving back to her house to figure out what she would wear for this "date."
"I have to admit that this was a pretty good idea," Dennis said. James laughed. The two of them had decided to spend what they dubbed Valentine's Eve, the night before Valentine's Day, in a hotel room.
"I admit it's a bit cliche, but most teens our age go to motels, and it's usually for a night of Marco Polo under the sheets," James pointed out. Dennis snickered.
"Indeed. However, I will never understand how you can afford this."
"Are you kidding? I have money piling up in my bank account. My parents always add to it thinking I'll spend it on 'masculine' things. They forgot they pawned me off at a boarding school. I don't get to spend money. However, the time has come, darling," James explained, handing Dennis a glass of sparkling cider.
"I see. Well, it came in handy. Anyway, what do you want to do next?" Dennis asked, taking a sip. James put a finger to his chin in thought.
"We could always play one of those karaoke games we got," he suggested.
"I guess we had to get to them sometime..."
"What? You don't like them?"
"I don't hate them...their musical selections just suck. It's all embarrassing tweeny-bop," Dennis muttered. James turned the game on and handed Dennis one of the microphones, taking the other for himself.
"And that is why we got more than one. I'm sure we'll find something to sing," James insisted. Dennis sighed as James took the controller and looked through the selection. Most of it really was tweeny-bop, but as James dug further, he was starting to find some diamonds in the rough. He then stopped on one of the songs.
"How about 'Dirty Little Secret?' I think this song is oddly suiting of us," James suggested. Dennis got off the chair he'd been sitting on.
"I accept," he replied. James selected it.
"Let me know that I've done wrong when I've known this all along. I go around a time or two just to waste my time with you!" Dennis sang.
"Tell me all that you've thrown away!" James sang.
"Find out games you don't wanna play!" Dennis sang.
"You are the only one that needs to know! I'll keep you my dirty little secret! Dirty little secret! Don't tell anyone or you'll be just another regret! Just another regret, hope that you can keep it! My dirty little secret! Who has to know?" they both sang.
"When we live such fragile lives," James sang.
"It's the best way we survive!" Dennis joined, walking past James.
"I go around a time or two," James sang, circling Dennis.
"Just to waste my time with you!" he joined, walking past James. James grabbed his hand, looking away.
"Tell me all that you've thrown away! Find out games you don't wanna play!" Dennis sang, holding James's other hand.
"You are the only one that needs to know! I'll keep you my dirty little secret! Dirty little secret! Don't tell anyone or you'll be just another regret! Just another regret, hope that you can keep it! My dirty little secret! Who has to know?" they sang, intertwining their fingers before breaking apart.
"The way he feels inside!" James sang, walking one way.
"Those thoughts I can't deny!" Dennis sang, walking the other way.
"These sleeping thoughts won't lie," James sang, turning around.
"And all I've tried to hide," Dennis sang as he turned around, "It's eating me apart! Trace this life out!"
"I'll keep you my dirty little secret," James sang, walking closer.
"Don't tell anyone or you'll be just another regret," Dennis sang, meeting James.
"I'll keep you my dirty little secret!" James sang, running his finger up Dennis's chin.
"Don't tell anyone or you'll be just another regret!" Dennis sang, putting his arms around James's neck.
"My dirty little secret. Dirty little secret. Dirty little secret!" they both sang as Dennis lied down on the bed behind them.
"Who has to know? Who has to know?" they finished, James leaning over on top of him. They both stared each other in the eyes. Without a second thought, James's lips met with Dennis's. They pulled away for a moment.
"Should we..." James muttered.
"Should we what?" Dennis shakily asked.
"You know...do what stereotypical teens do?" James asked. Dennis blushed.
"Um...well..." he nodded. James smiled. They started kissing again, but this time more passionately.
Antonio and Romeo met at Lei's house on Valentine's Day. Lei was out with Glen, so Antonio had the place to himself. Antonio had Romeo sit down as he stood near a stereo.
"What's this about?" Romeo asked, gesturing toward the stereo.
"I'm going to sing a song to you. It's to make up for my behavior this week, and it's also just a reminder for any future event that may come up," Antonio explained with a smile.
Elsewhere, Amber was waiting outside of Roderick's house. She wasn't totally thrilled, but it was better than nothing. She got her composure together and knocked on his doorbell. Before too long, Roderick walked out in a nice outfit. He smiled at Amber.
"Ready to go?" he asked.
"Yep," Amber replied as cheerfully as possible. The two started walking down the street.
Antonio started the music on the stereo. "When it all goes crazy, and the thrill is gone, the days get rainy and the nights get long! When you get that feeling you were born to lose, starin' at your ceiling, thinking of your blues," he sang.
Amber and Roderick kept walking in silence to the nearest park. Amber was definitely not having a good time.
"When there's so much trouble that you wanna cry, the world has crumbled and you don't know why! When you're hopes are fading, and they can't be found, dreams have left you waiting, friends have let you down!" Antonio sang.
They were approaching the park. Amber's heart started racing when she saw Stella sitting depressingly on a bench there.
"Just remember I love you, and it'll be alright!" Antonio sang.
Amber ditched Roderick and walked over to Stella.
"Just remember I love you more than I can say! Maybe then you're blues will fade away," Antonio sang.
Amber stood in front of her. Stella looked up. Her eyes widened slightly.
"When you need a lover, and you're down so low, you start to wonder but you never know! When it feels like sorrow is your only friend, knowing that tomorrow you'll feel this way again," Antonio sang.
"Amber?" Stella muttered. Amber smiled.
"Hey, there," she greeted.
"What are you doing here?" Stella asked.
"I felt like taking a walk. What are you doing here?"
"I was actually about to text you about the other day..."
"I was curious about that. Why did you bail? I want to hear it from you," Amber demanded.
"When the blues come callin' at the break of dawn, the rain keeps fallin', but the rainbow's gone! When you feel like crying, but the tears won't come, when you're dreams are dyin', when you're on the run," Antonio sang.
"I didn't want to get hurt," Stella said.
"What do you mean?"
"Just remember I love you, and it'll be alright!" Antonio sang.
"Every relationship I get into leaves me hurt in the end," Stella explained.
"Just remember I love you more than I can say," Antonio sang.
"That's because other people are jerks. I actually love you!" Amber insisted. Stella looked at her, surprised.
"Just remember I love you, and it'll be alright!" Antonio sang.
"You haven't actually said that yet..." Stella said.
"It'll be alright!" Antonio sang.
"Well now I am! I love you, Stella! And I won't give up on you no matter what!" Amber yelled. At this point, Roderick just left the scene.
"It'll be alright!" Antonio sang.
"Amber...I don't know what to say..." Stella replied.
"It'll be alright!" Antonio finished.
"You don't need to say a word," Amber disclosed. She then leaned in and kissed Stella. Stella kissed back. Amber sat on the bench beside Stella where the two both continued to kiss.
WOW this chapter was long. Some heavy stuff has been happening since Damn Yankees. The next chapter will be a bit more about fun. It's an all out Battle of the Sexes. Thanks for reading this chapter! I love love love feedback, so don't be shy!
Songs:
"Don't You Want Me" by The Human League - Shane Alcotte and Alexandra Bryant
"Oh Darling" by Plug-In Stereo - Glen Olson and Lei Chen
"Leather and Lace" by Stevie Nicks and Don Henley - Shantel Olson and Aiden Vargas
"In My Dreams" by REO Speedwagon - Romeo Jensen
"Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" by Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty - Amber Rose and Stella Romero
"Dirty Little Secret" by All American Rejects - Dennis Cooper and James Clarke
"Just Remember I Love You" by Firefall - Antonio Duval