Chapter 18
Sorry for the late update. I just got settled into my new place, and just got internet. I appreciate all of the feedback, and helpful advice of a couple of my readers/submitters. You guys rock! I also went back, and realized I needed more vocals for neglected characters, who need a comeback.
(Jace)
I meet Puck in the auditorium, as he told me to do, after I arrived at school.
"What did you need to see me for?" I ask, though, I was sure I already knew the answer.
"Your vocals. I noticed, they were scratchy last rehearsal," he told me.
"I'm fine," I try.
"No. You need a perfection voice, to win, and trust me, that's hard. Speaking of which, where you yesterday when we had rehearsal for the number?"
"I was at the doctor's," I tell him.
"Got proof of that?" he asks, as though he were a family member. Then I remembered he was, but not mine.
"What does it matter to you?" I ask starting to get pissed off that he wasn't believing me.
"Every bit matters, especially so close to Sectional's. One step off in your dance routine, and you could be screwed. Now your vocals, show me what you've got," he instructs. I have no other choice, but to listen.
I can't get my feet up off the edge
I kind of like the little rush you get
When you're standing close to death
Like when you're driving me crazy
Hold on as we crash into the earth
A bit of pain will help you suffer when you're hurt, for real
'Cause you were driving me crazy
Bite your lips, your words a robbery
Do you grin inside? You're killing me
All along we talked of forever
I kind of think that we won't get better
It's the longest start, but the end's not too far away
Did you know I'm here to stay?
"You sounded better today, than you did yesterday. Nevermind, that doesn't matter at this moment, just tonight, bring that voice, and a solo to rehearsals. Another thing, tonight, word has it, that Katie is holding a Harry Potter party, or some sort. I'm not into that but, I don't know if you are, so I would suggest on going, as well as being at rehearsal tonight," he suggests.
"I'm sure by now, Figgins has his eye on my record, and looking to see me back in his office any time now," I tell him. Then first bell rings in the background. We were all good on headed to class, and then we heard Sue.
"Ying and Yang,. Speaking of which, Yang, why are still here? Didn't you graduate last year?" she asks coldly and sarcastically.
"So good to see you as well Sue," Puck answers back.
"Shouldn't you be in class, Ying?" she asks coldly.
"I was actually on way there," I tell her truthfully.
"Good, now scat, or by lunch time today, you'll be the new bad ass Asian Cheerio. We could definitely use a few more Cheerio's since the third Puckerman left," she threatened me, and finished looking coldly at Puck.
"See you in rehearsals," I told him, as I headed to tech.
(Kris / Violet)
"I have some news, I have to announce," I tell Violet, as we exit class, and head towards her locker, so she could grab her books for her next class.
"What's that?" she asks curiously, as she slides her headphones down around her neck.
"I'm well, how do I say it?"
"Just announce it, already," she pleads, as she opens her locker, and grabs her geometry book, and places it in her messenger back, which has drawings of eighties characters, movie phrases, and band patches.
"I'm moving before Sectional's. I've tried telling my mom no, but she's issuing that I have to go," I reveal to her.
"Are you sure you've tried reasoning with her?" Violet asks as she shut her locker, and then Sam and a few of his friends walked by, and I was hoping that he didn't see me blush.
"I take it, he doesn't know," she mentions.
"He doesn't have a clue," I tell her.
"Well before you move, there are two things on the to-do-list. One, tell Mr. Evans how you feel about him, and two, have a killer solo" she tells me, as she fixes her hair.
"But he has a girlfriend, doesn't he?" I ask her.
"If there is one thing I know about Evans, it's that he's single. Sure, him and Fabray flirt in class, but her heart is totally set on Noah Puckerman. That'll never change. Last year, we all thought that he and his ex were going to stay together forever, but that didn't happen. Anyhow why not give it shot?" she asks me. I was about to answer, when I felt something cold and sticky enter my face.
"Hi Ryder, what did we do to make you pissed this morning?" Violet asks, before I could even register to say something. I admit though, I was shocked when I heard her say Ryder.
"Not a thing, well, except, nope that was last night," he tells us sarcastically, and I was wondering what he was talking about.
"You may hate me, but you could leave Kris out of it," she tells him back.
"Don't worry, you'll get yours later," he informs her.
"Don't you have class, so you can stay on the football team, and be all star quarterback?" I ask, remembering he was just that.
"Yeah, actually, I was headed there, and then I ran into you two. Now I'll continue headed to class," he informs us, and departs.
"I can't effing stand him, and to put the icing on the cake, he's Corey's step-brother," she tells me. "C'mon, I'll get you washed up, and then we can get to class," she adds.
"Wait. He's related to the Lynn's?" I ask registering what she had just said about Ryder.
"Sadly yes," she tells me, as she instructs me to duck my head under the water. "Those two can't even stand each other, but that's a long story, and something neither one of them want the entire school to acknowledge," she tells me, as she scrubs the stickiness out of my hair.
"I know how that feels. I just found out, I'm related to a staff member here," I tell her. "She's one of the math teachers," I add as she finishes getting the slushy out of my hair.
"Oh that's awesome. I bet your great at math," she tells me, as she pushes the button to the hand dryer to dry my hair, and I can instantly feel the heat.
"Sort of, it's not my best subject," I admit.
"I could help you with it, if you want," she offers, as she grabs a t-shirt from her bag, in which stated Just gag me with a spoon. I wasn't sure as to what the reference was supposed to be, but I didn't mind. It was clean, and dry.
"But I'm moving next week," I tell her.
"I can still help," she offers again.
"Thanks," I tell her giving her a hug.
As we head to class, we see the sign on the auditorium that reminds us to vote today, and had the schedule times to vote. It was big deal to Mel, and I knew at lunch time, I was going to place a check mark beside her name.
"You voting today?" I ask.
"Well for glee club yes, for school president, I don't know," she tells me, as we walk by.
"You should, especially since Mel is running," I tell her. "For glee club, I don't even know who I'm voting for," I tell her with a smile.
"Well you have four hours to think about that," she tells me, as we enter the classroom, making it just before the bell rings. I already had in mind, as to who I was going to vote for.
(Natalie / Corey / Levy)
We stood ready for convincing students to vote for Mel. She was going to be doing the speeches, of course, and we were in charge oh her posters, stickers, and the rest of the campaigning merchandise, that she had gone for.
"Hey guys," I heard Levy greet, as she approached.
"Hi Levy," Corey answers her back with a smile. He was so sweet.
"You voting for Mel?" I ask, because for some reason, it was the only thing I could think of.
"Yeah, I am. Anyhow, don't forget, that we are voting today in glee," she reminds us with a smile.
"Do you know who you're voting for?" I ask before Corey could ask her anything else.
"I'm voting for Daz, I know that," she announces proudly.
"Are we even supposed to be exposing who we're voting for?" Corey asks sarcastically.
"I don't know. I don't see anything wrong with it," I tell him.
Then I hear him beginning to sing, which, I had assumed meant he didn't want to discuss the subject. It sounded so familiar, but I couldn't place where I had heard it before. I wasn't about to tell him that though, because he sounded so good.
I don't know where I'm goin'
But I sure know where I've been
Hanging on the promises in songs of yesterday
An' I've made up my mind, I ain't wasting no more time
Here I go again, here I go again
Tho' I keep searching for an answer
I never seem to find what I'm looking for
Oh Lord, I pray you give me strength to carry on
'Cause I know what it means to walk along the lonely street of dreams
Here I go again on my own
Goin' down the only road I've ever known
Like a drifter I was born to walk alone
An' I've made up my mind, I ain't wasting no more time
Just another heart in need of rescue
Waiting on love's sweet charity
An' I'm gonna hold on for the rest of my days
'Cause I know what it means to walk along the lonely street of dreams
And here I go again on my own
Goin' down the only road I've ever known
Like a drifter I was born to walk alone
An' I've made up my mind, I ain't wasting no more time
But here I go again, here I go again,
Here I go again, here I go
"You really think you're the next Justin Beiber, don't cha?" Kitty Wilde asks sarcastically as she walks around to the auditorium, wearing her Cheerio's uniform.
"Oh hello Peg Leg and the Lima Loser that I don't know," she greeted insultingly.
"Well to answer your question, no, I can at least sing. Not saying that Beiber can't, and two, apologize to these two," he tells her.
"Why should I?" she asks sarcastically and cold.
"Because, lets see, your dating my step brother who could care less about me, but that's aside the point, and two, we don't bow down to insults, or Sue Sylvester's minions," he tells her. I wondered who his step brother was. I wasn't going to ask though, just in case that was a sore subject.
"I knew my ears were ringing for a reason. Shouldn't you three rug rats, be in class? Well that is unless, William, has decided he wants his no good choir students skipping class, and failing so they are illegible to be in it anymore," Sue announces and smiles at Kitty, as though she were student of the day.
"But Ms. Sylvester," I tried in protest.
"No buts, or I'll tell Figgins that I assigned myself three new Cheerio's for detention, now scram," she warns us. The three of us listen, or at least Levy does.
"Do you think she's the reason Abbie left the team?" Levy asks, as we get closer to the Science wing.
"Maybe," Corey spoke up.
"I know Lizney came in one day, they got into an argument , and she told Lizney that she chose us over them," I confessed remembering it well.
"To stand up to Liz like that is something," Levy announces, as she swings her bag off, and heads inside her class.
"Well I'll see you later," Corey announces, as he decides to head for class. "If Mel asks where I am, tell her that I decided to get to class," he adds, as he walks into Chemistry.
"Ok, and don't forget, Katie's party is tonight," I tell him with a smile.
"Crap that's right, I bet Levy doesn't remember," he adds before disappearing. Then I head back to the outside of the auditorium, where I would be teaming up with Mel, in hopes of making her the new class President.
(Abbie)
As it came closer to the end of the day, I was still wondering as to who, I was going to vote for. Along with my solo I wanted to do in rehearsals today.
"Hi Abbie," I heard Katie announce.
"Hey Katie," I answer back, as I shut my locker. Then I noticed Puck and Jace walk by talking about something for tonight.
"So you in for tonight?" she asks me, as I notice her Slytherin t-shirt.
"Yeah, I totally am," I tell her, trying to avoid the conversation from going any further. Then I noticed she carried a copy of Prisoner of Azkaben in her arms.
"Have you asked Andy, yet?" she asks with a curious smile on her face, as we walk towards class.
"What makes you think I was planning on asking Andy?" I ask a little more sarcastically then I had intended.
"Because, you're the Hermione to him being Ron, all that's missing is Harry," she tells me.
"That's so not true, besides, I doubt he even likes me. Well in that way anyways," I protest.
"Are you blind Puckerman? He's always hanging around you, and he even did a duet with you. He checks you out, and he even asked you about your homework. It all adds up, if you ask me," she tells me.
"No I not blind, and I don't ask you," I protested in defense, as I registered my solo for rehearsals in my head. "Now I need to get to class," I add, walking away. Forty five minutes, and I would be voting for captains, and finding out what the next assignment was. I wasn't sure if I was even ready to find out any of it. Sure, I had a crush on Andy, but it's not like, I was going to announce that, as I headed for the classroom.
After forty five minutes of learning Spanish, I quickly headed to the music room, so I could avoid anything Katie had to say. I liked her, but when she wanted to know something about me and Andy, then I wanted to avoid it. Today, I wouldn't sit beside, or anywhere around him. I would sit in the first row with the Tron Trio if I had to.
I walk in, and the first thing I saw was 1950's written in bold letters on the whiteboard. Great. I knew nothing about that era, well unless, you wanted to count Elvis. I guess that was something.
"Hey Abigale, you're here early," I hear Mercedes greet, as she spotted me.
"Hi Mercedes, yeah, I wanted to avoid drama," I tell her rolling my eyes.
"I know how you feel about that. Trust me," she tells me, as she sits down beside me.
"I'm ready to do my solo today," I tell her not wanting to announce my troubles to her. The group would figure it out shortly. Maybe, and a top that, I still had to get my dress for Sectional's.
"We have a couple of solo's today, and then we have Katie's Harry Potter night," she tells me, and smiles.
"You going?" I ask curious.
"Of course. I'm not all that big on Harry Potter, but it sounds like fun, and besides, I know that Jakers is going," she answers.
Then Andy walked in with Jace, and Mel. I was about to ask how she did on elections, but didn't know if they would have results yet or not.
"Hi Mel. How did elections go?" I ask curious.
"I'm sure yet, but I'm willing to bet, I have it. At the beginning of it, I made a phrase What would Rachael Berry Do? and stuck with it," she tells me.
"Better not let the Latina Diva hear you say that," Mercedes tells her. "It wouldn't go over so well," she adds, before Santana walked in.
"Anyhow results to be known shortly," Mel announces proudly.
"I hope you got it," I tell her.
"Thank you," she answers as she takes her seat. I look over and see Andy chatting away with Darrell. I turn back to the whiteboard, and go back to thinking about the assignment, when the rest of the choir walks in, and Mr. Shue in toe.
"Alright, so we have a couple of solo's to get to today," Mr. Shue announces, as he walks in and stands by the whiteboard, and Jake sits beside him. "Jason, you're up first, since Puck has told me, you sounded scratchy yesterday," he tells the group. The tattooed Asian, stands up, and walks to the empty spot, though he didn't seem to happy about it.
"I'll be singing After Midnight by Blink-182," he tells us. I knew I was next, before he introduced us to the new assignment.
I can't get my feet up off the edge
I kind of like the little rush you get
When you're standing close to death
Like when you're driving me crazy
Hold on as we crash into the earth
A bit of pain will help you suffer when you're hurt, for real
'Cause you were driving me crazy
Bite your lips, your words a robbery
Do you grin inside? You're killing me
All along we talked of forever
I kind of think that we won't get better
It's the longest start, but the end's not too far away
Did you know I'm here to stay?
He sounded great, I was hoping that he would be the male vocal at Sectional's. He had a hidden talent, that he hid from the class.
I can't find the best in all of this
But I'm always looking out for you
'Cause you're the one I miss
And it's driving me crazy
"Did you clone Mike?" Brittany asked.
"No. I sing in the shower now and then, but according to facts, a lot of people do," he answers back.
"You sounded better than this morning," Puck answers with support. "Maybe Sue scared you straight," he adds.
"Nah. I don't scare that easy," he answers my older brother before sitting back down.
"Abbie, you're up," Mr. Shue announces as Jace sits back down. I walk over to Eli, and give him my music sheet.
I could go back to every laugh,
But I don't wanna' go there anymore,
And I know all the steps up to your door,
But I don't wanna' go there anymore.
Talk to the wind, talk to the sky,
Talk to the man with the reasons why,
And let me know what you find.
I'll leave my window open,
'Cause I'm too tired at night to call your name.
Just know I'm right here hopin',
That you'll come in with the rain.
I could stand up and sing you a song,
But I don't wanna' have to go that far.
And I, I've got you down,
I know you by heart,
And you don't even know where I start.
"Oh I forgot to mention that was Taylor Swift, Come in From the Rain," I added when I was done.
"You were great. I would have warmed up today though," Jake tells me.
"You do realize something like that will cost us Sectionals?" asks Quinn. "What have your brother been teaching you?" she asks.
"Quinn, lay off her, she won't master it in one day. Besides, we have nine days until Sectionals, and she'll be amazing by then," I hear Puck speak up for me, as I head back to my seat.
"That leaves our last solo for the day, Kris," he mentions. "I know that we all need to have solo's, and we will get them, but we still need to vote for captains," he reminds us, as Kris walks up, and gives Eli her music sheet.
"I'll be singing Miss Independent by Kelly Clarkson, but before we get started, I have something to announce," she tells us.
"Well spill the beans," Santana announces in her usual bitchy voice.
"What beans?" asks Brittany.
"I'll be moving soon. To New York, and I don't think, I'll make it to Sectional's, but I'm going to enjoy these last few rehearsals I have with you," she tells us, and nods to Eli, before anyone can say anything about it further.
Miss independent
Miss self-sufficient
Miss keep your distance
Miss unafraid
Miss out of my way
Miss don't let a man interfere, no
Miss on her own
Miss almost grown
Miss never let a man help her off her throne
So, by keeping her heart protected
She'd never ever feel rejected
Little miss apprehensive
Said ooh, she fell in love
What is the feelin' takin' over?
Thinkin' no one could open my door (open my door)
Surprise...It's time (yeah)
To feel what's real
What happened to Miss Independent?
No more the need to be defensive
Goodbye (goodbye), old you (oh you)
When love, when love is true
When Miss Independence walked away
No time for love that came her way
She looked in the mirror and thought today
What happened to miss no longer afraid?
It took some time for her to see
How beautiful love could truly be
No more talk of why can't that be me
I'm so glad I finally feel...
"We'll miss you, because, that was the best solo we've heard from you so far," Artie told her.
"That rocked, I think Ms. Clarkson would be jealous of it," Mercedes said, and smiled.
"Guys, I still have a week left, and I'll be doing another solo before then," she tells us.
"I think Rachael would have been jealous," Santana announced proudly.
"Ok. Ok. Now that we have that settled down, we'll be voting for Captains," Mr. Shue announces breaking our tension.
(Brent)
We all waited for the results, as to who was soon to named Captains. I knew I wasn't in the running, but I was still waiting.
"For Captain, we have, Corey," Mr. Shue announces, seeming shocked.
No way. Corey was Captain, how did that happen? I was certain it would be Darrell. I didn't see that one coming.
"For Co-Captain, we have, Abbie," he announced proudly. "Congrats to you two," he adds. Then he announces the next theme.
"Who can tell me a few things about the 1950's?" he asks like he was a history teacher instead of a director and Spanish teacher. Violet raised her hand.
"Elvis was a teenage dream, and woman wore dresses"
"Very good. Anything else?" he asks looking for answers.
"Discrimination was big. Men were drafted. Rosa Parks made history," Mel answered.
"Thank you Mel," he answered and smiled.
"Those are a few things to keep in mind, during this assignment. If you have to, you can watch Back to the Future to brush up, because, I want you to be creative on this one. We're back in time when the Twilight Zone was on TV or the radio. The Beatles wouldn't show up until the early stages of the sixties, we're going back to the 1950's," he tells us.
That was different. I knew very little about the fifties, and I wasn't about to admit that. Luckily technology became a huge thing, and I would have to Google. That was the best thing about this assignment.
Coming up next...
Harry Potter Night!
More solo's
one of your themes
Another possible relationship