I am so sorry that, again, there has been such a big wait between chapters. Yes, I'll admit, it is difficult for me to get motivated to write this story. However, it is now getting exciting (for me at least, because I know what's going to happen) and I've just done my Theatre Studies exam. My Lit coursework is in at the end of next week, so hopefully after that I can go back to uploading more regularly. Thank you for sticking by me :)
Previously...
Finn and I had reached the doors to the library before I realised: he wanted me there so I wouldn't be near Karofsky. Finn had remembered, and he cared. And whilst I could have felt babied... I didn't. I felt protected. But most lunchtimes he had football, and couldn't keep an eye on me. I smiled. Yes, I was glad I'd signed up for Glee Club. If nothing else, it could stop Finn from worrying.
I was nervous, approaching the room. Yesterday, I had stood by the door and looked in, longingly. Today, I'd be stepping inside. As soon as I did, I knew the teasing would increase, and likely I'd get some from people inside the room, too. I know the sign-up sheet had said 'Everyone welcome', but maybe a deaf person joining a singing club was taking that one step too far.
Finn was back at football today. I was beginning to wish that maybe I'd chosen to sign up for that, instead. You didn't need to hear to play football. My feet lead me to the door that I'd met the day before. I didn't need to be able to hear to step inside the room.
I pushed the door open. I felt every pair of eyes in the room turn my way. The man who'd been standing at the front of the room waving the sign-up sheet from yesterday turned around, his face confused, but then it lightened. He spoke quickly, excited, coming towards me. I couldn't understand a word of it.
"I'm here for an audition?" I was unsure of what to say, how to act, where to look. I was treading water, kicking the sea back under my feet to simply stay afloat.
I didn't dare look up to see how Kurt was reacting. Instead, I focused on the man's lips, reading them quickly.
"You are B Anderson, right?"
I nodded, not trusting my voice to carry well a second time.
"Do you have anything pr-...?"
I frowned. "Pardon? Could you repeat that?"
"Do you have anything prepared? Do you want to audition now?"
I hesitated for only a second. I had spent all night trying to think of the right song, and there was only one that I could remember well enough. "I've got something."
"Okay, well if you give the song to Brad, our piano man-"
I cut him off. "Actually, I'd rather sing without any accompaniment. If that's okay?"
He looked baffled, but waved me on all the same. He took a seat with all the students, and suddenly I was alone in the middle of the room, with all eyes on me, expecting me to sing. Clearly, the teacher hadn't known I was deaf. But I was sure the rest did. I swallowed, and closed my eyes, and then began to sing.
"T'ain't no big thing
To wait for the bell to ring
T'ain't no big thing
The toll of the bell
Aggravated - spare for days
I troll downtown the red light place"
I forced my eyes to open, to see what everyone thought. As before, all eyes looked at me. But they didn't look horrified, as I had feared they might. The teacher looked mildly impressed. I glanced at Mercedes Jones and saw that her eyes was wide and her mouth gaping open very slightly. To her left, a blond with big lips had raised his eyebrow. Even Rachel Berry from music was looking impressed, but I saw her quickly quench that expression in turn for a scowl of contempt. I winced, my voice missing a note, I could tell. I didn't know what I'd done wrong. And I didn't want to see Kurt. I closed my eyes again.
"Oh oh catch that buzz
Love is the drug I'm thinking of
Oh oh can't you see
Love is the drug for me"
Suddenly, a hand came down on my shoulder.
