DISCLAIMED
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Chapter 13
Hayley couldn't remember most of the party. She woke up with her makeup still on, hair a mess and one heel across the room. Deacon had apparently taken her home in an Uber- thankfully, her mom hadn't said anything, but she knew that she knew. Hayley had messaged her brother, but he hadn't responded. Apparently, she'd been a bit silly.
It was a bit of fun, like Diana said. Deacon needed to loosen up.
She'd been called to see the cheer coach before Glee club practice. Arriving, she knocked at the door.
"Come in."
Ms. Chen was one of the math teachers at the school, as well as the cheer coach. Hayley was often distracted in class, so she was glad Ms. Chen didn't have any of her classes. Math was boring anyway, she didn't need it. She had her looks and family money.
"You wanted to see me?"
"Please sit," Ms. Chen invited, "Now, I would like to talk to you about this."
She pushed her computer monitor around so that Hayley could see it. On it was YouTube. Once she pressed play, Hayley could see what the problem was.
It was her from the other night, dancing and moving around as though she was a woman possessed. Clutching several drinks, she danced along to the cheers of her classmates and music from the speakers, downing alcohol by the second. In one shot, you could see Hayley's panties for the briefest second. All in all, it wasn't a good look.
"This isn't a great look, Hayley."
"It's just a party," Hayley shrugged, "The older cheerleaders were there. Adelina, Libby and everyone else, you know they were drinking as well. You can't just punish me, everyone else there was underage. I'm sure you went to parties in high school."
"I cannot prove anyone else was there. Now, parties out of school are for the authorities to clamp down upon. You are a freshman, 14 years old. In this video, you can clearly see that you are a Fairfall Prep student just by your cheerleading uniform. This brings the school into disrepute. It'd be the same for any other student. Had the police raided the party, then we'd let them handle it. Hayley, you are extremely inebriated in this video. I've contacted the account to ask them to close it down, but as they're anonymous, we'll see how it goes. The views are already going up and up by the hour. A lot of people will see this."
Hayley still wasn't bothered.
"I'm sorry, coach, it won't happen again," she decided that an insincere apology was the best way to go.
"You're right, it won't. Hayley, I have no choice but to remove you from the squad."
"WHAT?!" Hayley yelled, jumping up from her seat, letting it fly backwards across the room.
"I cannot have cheerleaders who bring Fairfall Prep and the squad into disrepute," Ms. Chen calmly replied, folding her wrists on the desk, "This video may be taken off YouTube, but it will get round by other means."
"Over one video? Come on."
"I've also checked your grades. They were stable at first, but now they're starting to dip. Teachers are reporting that you're too busy gossiping and chatting to actually get on with work. I've watched you at practice; you don't put the effort in like the other girls do. You're in it to be popular; you have no actual interest in cheerleading. Therefore, I've decided that you need to leave the squad. I'll be replacing you with one of our reserves."
"What about Adelina?" Hayley desperately asked, "She's cheer captain, you need to ask for her input."
"Whatever side Adelina takes wouldn't matter. She leads you as a group, but I run the squad. I want your uniform handed in by the end of tomorrow."
"No, coach, you're being unfair," Hayley pleaded, "You're punishing me for having a good time."
"You clearly haven't listened to a word I said. Now please leave my office. You'll return to hand your uniform and other kit tomorrow."
"Coach..."
"Leave," Ms. Chen still didn't raise her voice.
"You're the worst!" Hayley screamed at the teacher, who didn't even raise her eyebrows. Slamming the door behind her, she stormed down the hall. She bet it was that stupid loser Lizzie Sawyer, revenge for Hayley being such a bitch. It had to be, she was probably behind that anonymous account that had put the video up. Tyler had wanted to be nice by inviting everyone in Glee club to his party, not realising the consequences of it.
Fortunately, she knew where Lizzie was. Flying into the choir room, she went straight over to her fellow freshman.
"It was you, wasn't it?" she pushed a finger in the oblivious Lizzie's chest, "You bitch! You've ruined my life."
"I have no clue what you're talking about."
"Yes you do. I was videoed at the party having fun and it was put on YouTube. Now Ms. Chen has seen it and I am no longer a cheerleader. That's right; she kicked me off the squad. Because of your stupidity, I am no longer a cheerleader. You're just jealous of me because I'm prettier and rich, while you're just a loser scholarship student. Delete the video."
"It wasn't me, I swear," Lizzie shook her head; "I didn't even see you most of the night."
"Liar!" Hayley screamed.
"Woah woah, calm down," Deacon went between them, "Slow down. Hayley, there were loads of people at the party, filming. It could have been anyone. I barely saw Lizzie for most of the night, I'm positive she'd never do this. Please apologise to her."
"I'm not apologising to that bitch. You're acting so innocent, yet you got me kicked off of the cheerleading squad."
"You got kicked off of the cheerleading squad for your own stupidity," Deacon told her, "Actions have consequences. Getting drunk at fourteen, whilst in your cheer uniform, is really not a good idea. You've been acting bratty and selfish for too long, and this is your karma. You've been horrible to Lizzie since you arrived here. Maybe not being top freshman dog will teach you a lesson or two."
Hayley turned around, fire in her eyes.
"Actions do have consequences. Daddy knows all about that."
"What do you mean?"
"Mom and dad aren't divorcing because they're grown apart or whatever. They're divorcing because dad was having sex with some hussy from the office."
The entire group held their breaths.
"You're lying," Deacon quietly accused.
"I'm not. I heard mom on the phone to auntie, telling her about it. I kept it from you because I know how much you worship daddy. Well, now you know the truth. It's nice to grow up, isn't it?"
Deacon froze. His dad had cheated on his mom with some random girl from his office? No, that wasn't possible, his dad was the best. He'd never do that to them.
"But...But..." he stuttered.
"Think about why they didn't bother with reconciliation," Hayley told him coldly, "Because mom doesn't want to be with a man who cheats on her. Deal with it."
"You didn't tell me."
"It's because you're still immature, clinging on to hopes of daddy and mommy being the perfect family. You act like you're better than me; treat me like a child because I have my own friends and popularity. Now, thanks to Loser Lizzie, I am no longer on the squad. Now you get to see what life is like when things don't go your way."
The spite in her voice was palpable. Hayley wasn't being the good little sister anymore. She was too angry to think or care about how she was acting.
Deacon was still silent.
"Anyway, you're about to have one less member of the Top Notes, because I quit."
"Lizzie, Sectionals are in four days-ʺ Tess pleaded.
"I don't care about your stupid musical experiment Miss. S," Hayley snapped, "I only joined to keep Deacon off my back. I'm not about to join a bunch of losers in singing. Goodbye."
Turning on her heel, she stormed out.
A few moments passed before Tess went over to Deacon, "Would you like to take a few minutes? Maybe Tyler or Jason could sit with you outside for a little while. It's a lot to take in. You can jump back in any time you want."
"It's fine," Deacon shrugged Tess' hand off his shoulder, "I'm out too. Good look at Sectionals. I'll be in the audience."
With that, he also stormed out.
Tess turned back to the Glee club, all of whom were internally panicking. They'd lost two of their members days before the big competition. This messed everything up, from routines to singing. She'd have to change everything around, give new solos and change around the choreography. Deacon had several solos, whilst Hayley was more prominent in the choreography.
Crap. Two students who were going through hell, with others at a handicap for the competition.
"Should one of us go after him?" Tyler kindly asked.
"I think it's best that we leave it for now, but it's nice of you to offer," Tess put a fake smile on, "Looks like we need to continue practicing for Friday."
"We're screwed though," a cynical Robin sat back, arms folded, "Two of our members have gone."
"Well, we're just going to have to work through it," Tess clapped her hands together, "Right, we're going to divide up Deacon's solos to other guys, we'll work through that. Choreography, we'll keep tight, but obviously change partners. Robin, you can dance with Libby. Everyone please get up so that we can work things out. Let's work out choreography for 'Go Your Own Way,' that's the most complicated. Melrose, up front, you can lead this one."
The history teacher mingled between them, desperately attempting to work to fill the holes that the Dawsons had left.
Sectionals were going to be tough without them, but Tess knew that she had to make the best of it. If she freaked, the kids would freak. If she kept a steady demeanour, then they might just have a chance of making a respectable showing. Second would be good- the rest of the year could just be for fun.
WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE-
Tyler and Jason sat in the locker room, waiting for Deacon to finish lacrosse practice. They'd taken it upon themselves to ask Deacon to come back, being his two closest friends in the Glee club.
Deacon looked exhausted when he came from practice, but looked even more so when he saw the boys.
"What do you want?" he asked, tiredly opening his locker to change.
"We want you to come back to Glee club man," Jason started.
"No."
"Why?" Tyler challenged.
"I have far too much going on. I can't be focusing on all this shit, lacrosse and soccer take priority. It's not like we're guaranteed to win anyway."
"You joined because it's fun, we all did," Tyler protested, "We do the rest of the stuff because it looks good for college and to please our parents. Glee club's a release, a laugh. Miss. Sanderson is chill and it doesn't feel like a chore. Look man, I'm sorry about your parents, but we all go through crap in life. Quitting doesn't help. Melrose is in foster care, yet she doesn't complain. I'm not saying your pain is lesser, but leaving your support network right now is quite frankly stupid."
Deacon rolled his eyes.
"Frankly, Ty, I don't care."
"You should," Jason snapped, "We've all worked out butts off to win Sectionals, yet you've gone and let us all down by jumping ship. Miss. Sanderson was going spare trying to change everything around now you and Hayley are gone."
"Tell her I'm sorry."
"Do it yourself, you coward!"
"Jason, that's enough," Tyler mediated, "Look Deacon, can you at least come back for the competition? You don't have to stay, but don't let us down at Sectionals. It's unfair that you did that, even with what's going on."
Deacon sighed.
"Not in the mood."
"At least think about it," Tyler recognised that Deacon wouldn't budge right now, "Come on Jason, let's get a smoothie."
Deacon ignored the other boys as they left.
Was leaving them out to dry the best idea?
WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE-
Hayley wasn't in the best mood. She had been put in detention for mouthing off at a teacher, still angry about being kicked off of the cheer squad. On top of that, her 'friends' had fled on masse after her cool credentials had dropped. That video had been removed from YouTube, but was still circulating around the school. She was the loser she'd never wanted to be.
As soon as she walked out, she saw Lizzie sat outside.
"Hayley."
"Go away freak," Hayley snapped, speed walking away.
"Wait; hold up, can we talk?" Lizzie begged, running after her.
"What do you want?" Hayley snapped, turning to face her.
"I think you should rejoin Glee club. The competition is TOMORROW, you and Deacon leaving has seriously messed us up. Look, I promise you, it was not me who recorded or circulated that video. I get that you're hurting after you got kicked off of cheer, that must suck, but it's not fair that you've left us in the lurch. Don't you think you can depend on Glee club now?"
"I'll get back in Ms. Chen's good books, work my way back up for sophomore year. I don't need show choir freaks as friends."
"Those girls weren't your friends; they left you as soon as you became unpopular."
"Better them than the likes of you."
"So you rag on your brother for being rightly upset about your parents, yet you throw a tantrum and leave Glee club because you didn't get your way? You're the immature one, not Deacon. Someone grown up would stick to their commitments and obligations."
Hayley looked extremely angry.
"I don't know who you think you are to speak to me like that. You're a scholarship kid with no friends."
Lizzie decided that she wasn't taking shit from Hayley today. She'd be too passive otherwise, but she wasn't about to let Hayley ruin Glee club. It was the one thing keeping her from transferring to Fairfall High. She loved singing and dancing with everyone.
"Well here's a truth bomb Hayley," Lizzie bluntly told her, "No one wanted to come talk to you. Tyler immediately offered to get Deacon back, and nearly everyone wanted to get him back. Thing was, no one wanted to come speak to you because no one likes you enough. None of the guys volunteered at all. Ms. Sanderson tried to get Adelina first, she said no. Libby and Addison said no. Diana and Maddie wouldn't. Melrose and Amber protested. Thing is, you need friends really. They, however, are more willing to take you back than those other girls. It says a lot when the girl that you bully is willing to seek you out. It's not because I like you, it's because I love Glee club."
Not even Diana, Hayley felt saddened. She thought Adelina would at least be nice enough, but even she hadn't made any commiserations about Hayley being kicked off of the cheer squad.
"I'm not going to suddenly be nice to you," Hayley snapped, "I don't need stupid Glee club. I can join any other club. I'm hot for a freshman and I'm a Dawson. I'm automatically popular. I don't need to cling on to a show choir to make my high school experience better. The fact you do says a lot about you. Go back to your condemned housing, loser."
Flipping Lizzie off, Hayley walked away.
Sighing, Lizzie went off in the other direction. She wasn't too surprised that it hadn't worked; Hayley was a bitch after all. She wouldn't listen to any of them.
All she could do was hope that it would all go well tomorrow.
WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE-
The Connecticut Arts Center, Friday
Tess paced in one of the backroom behind the auditorium. If The Top Notes lost, they wouldn't be competing until next year. Four of the group would have graduated by then. She really hoped that they would at least make it to regionals.
She looked around to see the Glee club dotted around the room, talking in small groups. One thing concerned her- Amber looked white as a sheet.
"Amber?" she approached her, "Are you ok?"
"Yeah, fine," the blonde lied, "Fine, ready for it. My grandma has come, so that's cool."
"You look pale."
"It's the makeup," Amber gave her a fake smile.
"Ok, if you're sure," Tess walked over to check on Robin and Melrose.
Amber just needed to get through this; she'd get the answer soon. She'd been stressing about it for so long, she just needed to be sure.
Adelina was sat outside, alone. Hugging her legs, she knew that she was the only one with families that weren't coming. She'd hinted towards it, but her parents just wished her luck, oblivious to the fact that she'd love them to be in the audience for once. They probably weren't even aware that she was in a Glee club. Even Amber and Diana had family in the audience. She wished that she had loving parents like the Daniels twins and Lizzie did.
She was probably born just for show.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
Adelina placed a hand to her heart, having been scared by Oliver's presence.
"Just sitting here."
Without asking, Oliver parked himself down next to her.
"Who you got in the audience?" he asked, "My folks and a couple of other relatives."
"No one, as usual," Adelina tried not to sound too disappointed, "I don't think my parents even know I'm in a show choir."
"Did you not ask them?"
"I hinted. If I ever straight up ask, they will just tell me that they're busy. It's not even a lie."
"You can borrow a family member from me if you like."
"Thanks," Adelina gave him a small smile, "I'll just stick with being disappointed."
Oliver felt sad for her. She always looked and acted sad, a quiet Victorian maiden wrapped in melancholy. He had his differences with his father, but Mr. Grant always made an effort with his son, even when he was being a piece of shit and getting in trouble at school.
"You deserve better."
Adelina looked up, "I do?"
"Yeah, you do. You've supported me at boxing- and you don't even like me very much."
"You're not so bad."
"Oh really, you like me now Parker?" Oliver teased.
"Now you'll never be off my back," Adelina complained jokingly. It was the first time he'd seen her laugh properly.
"You won't ever be able to get rid of me, Parker. My next boxing match is coming up soon, if you want to take up my offer."
"I'll come."
"Wow, I really have a hold on you."
"Don't push it; I'm still in two minds about you."
"You love me really, Parker."
"Whatever you say," Adelina lightly shrugged, a grin on her face. Though Oliver could be an idiot, he was the only person who ever made her laugh and smile like this. He had something about him that made her heart flutter a bit.
"I know your parents aren't coming, but I'll be cheering you on louder than anyone else."
"That means a lot," Adelina was genuinely touched. She wasn't used to people caring about her this much. Sure, she had Addison and other friends, but there was never this level of devotion.
"Like I said, you deserve better," Oliver told her, "I think Miss. Sanderson is going to call us in now."
They both got up, Oliver putting a hand on the small of Adelina's back to get her inside. He felt his heart jolt at the touch.
He was right, Miss. Sanderson was gathering everyone up to give a speech.
"Alright everybody. I know we lost Deacon and Hayley, but I really think we've got this down. As we're third, we'll be freshest in the judges' minds. Just remember the new choreography and placing, and we're golden. If you get lost, just look to someone who looks like they know what they're doing. When that's done-ʺ
They were interrupted by Deacon standing at the door, dressed in his costume.
"Is it too late?" he asked, "I can just stand and sway if it messes up the moves."
Before anyone could say anything, another figure appeared.
"I think I might be able to help," Hayley arrived, "Look, I can't promise I'll stay, but I know I'd have been pissed if a cheerleader had dropped out days before the big competition. I made a promise, I can at least keep that."
They both looked nervously at Tess, who slowly nodded.
"Come on in."
Tyler, Jason and several of the others went to greet Deacon, giving him a hug. Hayley ignored the others, only receiving a slight nod from Lizzie.
"Ok, we're back to original choreography and singing. We're really awesome and I know it. Whatever happens, I'll be proud of each and every one of you. We still want to win, of course, we all want to be in a competitive club. Now, let's do a show circle. You put your hands in and after 3, we yell 'amazing.' Let's go."
They all did, Tess counting them in.
"AMAZING!"
"Ok, I'm going to take a seat. You all head backstage."
Tess went to take her seat. Will and Jenny had joined her to be supportive. She had to admit, she was a little intimidated. The Dancing Divas had a LOT of energy and bounce, whilst The Sensations were vocally very talented. She just hoped that it would all work out.
"Now, let's give a warm welcome to The Top Notes, from Fairfall Preparatory School in Fairfall, Connecticut."
Ima make it hot like fire
Ima make it hot like fire
You're hotter than summer day in California
Ya got me melting like a sundae
And I want ya
I know you've been waiting
You've been waiting a long time for me
But if you wait a little while longer this is how it'll be
It was a smooth R&B ballad, everyone grooving along to Melrose's silky voice. As she finished the last verse, the boys entered the stage on the right, with the girls entering on the left. Receiving rapptous applause and standing ovation from the audience, Melrose smiled and went into the girls' crowd.
Tyler went forward to start the next song.
Loving you
Isn't the right thing to do
How can I ever change things
That I feel
Libby went next.
If I could
Maybe I'd give you my world
How can I
When you won't take it from me
It was a great kind of boys v girls song, the two groups acting like they hated each other. The routine made everyone laugh, which was kind of the goal.
Oliver stepped up for the final song. He, Jason and Nick would be the leads, as they had the gravelly rock voices for it.
Slip inside the eye of your mind
Don't you know you might find
A better place to play
You said that you'd never been
But all the things that you've seen
Will slowly fade away
The Top Notes received the largest applause, everyone jumping up in a standing ovation. Tess was the biggest part of it, before she slipped away to join them backstage.
"That was wonderful everyone!" she applauded excitedly, "I am so happy with you all."
They waited backstage for a while, waiting to be called up by the judges. When they were, they were sandwiched inbetween the two other groups.
Melrose smirked when one of the Sensations gave her a flirt smile and wave. Tyler found himself to be beyond jealous.
"Thank you all for coming. In third place...The Sensations from Adam Clayton Powell High."
They clapped politely, but were obviously disappointed.
"Now in first, the group going to Regionals is...THE TOP NOTES FROM FAIRFALL PREP!"
Tess let out a cathartic scream as the group jumped around, hugging each other wildly. Pushed forward by a couple of the students, Tess took the trophy and lifted it over them, everyone clamouring to touch the mystical item.
Once that was over, everyone spilled backstage to celebrate further. Family members came from the audience to congratulate them, everyone clearly in a happy mood. Even Hayley was beginning to realise that being in Glee club might be the best idea.
All except for one person.
Amber left her grandmother with Tess, rushing off to the toilet when no one else was there. Her bag in front of her, she slipped out the one thing she'd been desperate to hide.
Pregnancy test in front of her, she took a deep breath.
She had to do this now.
Hi all, hope you enjoyed it!
Next Time: As the Glee club celebrates winning, Tess' boyfriend comes to them for help with something very special. Amber finds out if she's pregnant, whilst Maddie is the victim of bullying once again.
Thanks again, don't forget to review and I'll see you next time xxx
