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Chapter 16
"Are you ready?"
Jason nodded, taking Nick's arm as they headed up the steps.
The Christmas holidays had been tough on Jason, who had spent nearly two weeks in the hospital. He had two fractured legs, a sprained wrist, a mild concussion and a strained neck, which created one painful cocktail. For the first week, he'd needed assistance in getting out of bed and walking to the toilet. Physiotherapists had been in and out, helping Jason gain strength in his legs and arms. It had been pretty painful for the most part, only soothed by strong pain medication that the doctors provided him with.
Jason was discharged for Christmas Eve/Christmas day, with the proviso that he come straight back the next day. In late December, he could properly go home.
Thus began daily visits by the best therapists in Connecticut, as well as home help. It had been hard to be stuck in bed most days, but he wanted to be better before college started in the fall. He was waiting for his early acceptance to Carnegie Mellon and wanted to play football there too.
Being back at school was a blessed relief, as crazy as it sounded. There were only a few months to go before he graduated, he wanted to make the most of it.
He'd miss sports, but he had glee club.
Nick had been an anchor as usual. Being apart when they went their separate ways to college would be hard, but he would wait for that.
Everyone was waiting for him in the choir room, party poppers and kazoos at the ready. They'd all pitched together for balloons and streamers as well as other decorations. Tyler and Deacon had pitched a 'WELCOME BACK JASON' banner right at the top, facing the chairs. It would take a hell of a cleanup, but it was worth it.
As soon as the brothers entered the room, everyone jumped up and applauded excitedly.
"SURPRISE!"
Jason was so shocked that he very nearly fell over, having to clutch both his brother and his crutch. He burst out laughing as they all rushed over, ready to squeeze him with hugs and claps on the back.
It wasn't as though none of them had seen him, quite the opposite. He had them in small groups nearly every day, with activities ranging from playing cards to helping him with his homework. Every doctor and nurse knew them all by name. His room had been the best decorated with balloons, cards and snacks that took up every spare surface. They all called him the most popular patient at St. Hope's Hospital.
"Wow you guys," he looked around, "This is amazing. Is this all for me?"
"Everyone likes you bro, that's why," Nick threw an arm around his brother, "Come on, we need to sit you down."
They all shuffled to the choir room, Jason getting the front and centre seat that was easiest to get into. With his friends surrounding him, he felt great.
"Well it's a new year everybody," Tess stood at the front, "First let's welcome back the incomparable Jason McCafferey, who has gone from strength to strength since the accident. I cannot imagine it was easy for you and I imagine you'll still be in a lot of pain, but we all really admire how well you've come out of this. Many in your position would be bitter and angry, but you just bit the bullet and moved on. If you need anything, you can ask anyone in this room."
Jason beamed.
"Now, before we-ʺ
In from the right door, Jay Bishop entered, hands in pockets and looking bashful.
"What is he doing here?" Addison asked, the others shooting daggers at him, "He shouldn't step foot in this place."
"Jay is still a member of The Top Notes."
Tess' announcement immediately caused yelling and protests from the group. Everyone from Adrian to Tyler was shouting their anger, either ripping into Jay or being pissed about how the school handled it. Protests about Jason's health were the main cause- everyone was worried that it could have been worse.
"That's bullshit," Tyler stood up, "He really hurt Jason when he was high as a kite on whatever drug. If this wasn't a rich white school, he'd be out on his ass. Do the Bishops really give that much money to Fairfall Prep? Everyone who wants him gone, hands up."
Everyone seated, apart from Jason, raised their hands.
"Hold it," Tess put out her hands, "Yes, what Jay did was bad, but we didn't think that banning him from Glee club was a good idea. We sat down with Jason and his parents, asking him to choose a fair punishment for Jay, as it was his injury. Whilst Jay was still understandably upset, he realised that Jay had an addiction and is genuinely remorseful. So long as there are no longer any problems, Jason is happy for Jay to stay. Yes, Jay is being punished- he won't be attending Prom and he's got a lot of detention, but he's also been pushed to seek help for it. Jason has chosen to be forgiving and all I ask is that you accept that."
"So if an alcoholic or druggie gets in a car and kills someone while high, is that ok?" Tyler asked, to general nodding.
"Guys, guys," Jason stood up, "Yeah, I won't probably ever truly forgive Jay for this, but I think him knowing what he's done is punishment enough. He is seeking help. Besides, knowing he's the school pariah is bad enough. Our Glee club is a team and one less member means less of a chance doing well going forward. Nick, Tyler, Jay and I will be graduating in a few months. I want my last memories of high school to be positive and happy, not full of hate and anger. Like I said, I'll never be friends with Jay again, but I want to be forgiving. If he's seeking help, then this means it won't happen to someone else, which is hugely important. I'd hate for one of you guys to be injured too."
They all fell silent.
"Shall I sit down?" Jay asked awkwardly.
"Go ahead," Tess nodded, "Now that is over, we can begin a new year. I hope you all enjoyed your holidays, but it's back to work so we're ready for Regionals when it comes. This week we'll be going back to basics with our vocals and choreography. I'm also giving free time for anyone to sing anything they like."
"May I start the week?" Jason asked.
"Of course, you have the floor."
He stood up, turning to the group, still hobbling on his crutch.
"Well you all know me; I'm a massive metal head, so I had to pick something to thrash to. When I thought of songs about hope and overcoming the odds, this was the first and only song that came to mind."
In this struggle
Are we dead or alive?
Freedom is not existence
It's why we survive, shake our grief, hold on to belief
It can't enslave us forever
There is relief
No change will be permanent
Our strength enduring
Bright incandescent
Take a chance before we fall
Backs against the wall
Everyone jammed their heads along as Jason song, his voice still clear and strong as it always was. Jay sat in the corner, slumped in his seat and looking guilty. He didn't feel right singing along with the others.
And the sun will rise
Dawn will break through the blackest night
Distant in its glow
This shall pass be still and know
Once he was done, everyone stood up and applauded him heartily.
"Thanks guys," he took a bow, "I'm really glad to be back. I wish The Top Notes had been here since I started at Fairfall, only having one school year in it feels unfair. Having you all at the hospital really cheered me up; I was definitely the most popular guy in there. So yeah, hope you enjoyed it."
He sat back down, his brother immediately standing up.
"May I?" Nick asked.
"Go ahead," Tess smiled.
"Well this one is for my bro. He's got all my support. This is a song I wouldn't usually listen to or sing, but it's all for him."
Hey brother! There's an endless road to rediscover
Hey sister! Know the water's sweet but blood is thicker
Oh, if the sky comes falling down, for you
There's nothing in this world I wouldn't do
Hey brother! Do you still believe in one another?
Hey sister! Do you still believe in love? I wonder
Oh, if the sky comes falling down, for you
There's nothing in this world I wouldn't do
Jason went up to hug Nick as soon as it was over, nearly tearing up in his shoulder.
"I love you man."
"Love you too bro."
With no one else ready to sing, Tess called everyone up to practice vocals. One they were done, everyone cleared out in their respective groups.
"Hey Oliver, wait up!" Adelina jogged over to catch up with him, "Hey, when's your competition match this week?"
Oliver paused.
He'd seen her last week with Tyler in the local Starbucks. He didn't know whether it was a date or not, but they seemed quite chummy. Just seeing them broke his heart.
Oliver didn't know why he thought he had a chance with Adelina. She would never look at someone liked him, a loner who smoked and had new friends. Everytime he looked at her, with her angelic features and soft demeanour, he felt a wave of feeling wash over him- a feeling that he did not recognise. Getting her to his boxing matches had been a challenge.
Tyler was more her speed- a good boy who went to church and was always the perfect student. Hell, he was even better looking. The tall, Adonis like figure next to the pretty girl who looked like a porcelain doll.
Allowing himself to get too attached to the idea of being close to her had been a bad idea.
"Don't worry about it Parker." He couldn't bear to use anything but her first name.
"No, I want to go. Cultural enrichment, remember?" she attempted a joke.
"Like I said, don't worry about it. I'm sure you'd be bored anyway."
"I like going."
"For God's sake Parker, don't you have a finishing school lecture to go to or something?!"
He immediately regretted it when the words came out of his mouth, but he couldn't go back. There was nothing he could do except detach himself before he got hurt.
He regretted it even more when he saw the look of pure hurt on Adelina's face. She looked even more delicate when she was upset, her mouth going into a thin line and her eyes sinking downwards. As much as he loved to wind her up, it was always gentle teasing as opposed to casual cruelty.
Not looking back at her sad figure, Oliver walked away.
I can't stop the way I feel
Things you do don't seem real
Tell me what you've got in mind
'Cause we're running out of time
Won't you ever set me free?
This waiting 'round's killing me
Her sad face flashed in her mind.
She drives me crazy, like no one else
She drive me crazy, and I can't help myself
That guilt was eating him alive, but he knew that he had to do what was necessary.
WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE-
It had been a lonely Christmas for Jay.
His parents had hit the roof. The normally calm Matthew had yelled at Jay, whilst Maria started screaming in her native Spanish. What hurt Jay the most was Matthew telling him that he was disappointed in him- he was told he'd shamed the good Bishop name.
After their sulk, they enrolled him with the best addiction specialist money could buy. Dr. Larson really got into the core of it and said they were making progress. He'd also gone to the doctor to get help as he went cold turkey. Getting out of it wasn't as bad as he feared, but he still woke up sweating and feeling a little out of it.
None of his friends had returned his texts or calls. He wasn't invited to Tyler's New Years' Eve Party. Everytime he invited people round to study or go out for coffee, they just ignored him. Some didn't even open up their phone to see what he'd said- those messages went unseen by them.
Jay knew it was his own fault, but he still wished he had some friends. Even the kindest among them, like Maddie, ignored him completely. He remembered her face on the day of the accident, the hatred in her eyes.
Walking into glee club, he saw everyone look at him with ice in their eyes. He was hated, he knew it. The seat furthest from everyone else was the only place for him.
"Ok everyone," Tess walked in, "Before we start choreography, does anyone have any performances they'd like to offer up?"
Jay was about to raise his hand, but was beaten to it.
"Lizzie and I have been working on something," Adrian put a hand up.
"Excellent," Tess clapped, "Come on up."
The freshmen walked up to the front.
"This is a song about friendship and kindness," Adrian started, "We wanted something upbeat and happy that everyone can sing along to."
"We may not be good friends with Jason and he'll be graduating soon, but he's a cool guy and we want to give him our respect," Lizzie continued with a smile.
Whenever I call you friend
I begin to think I understand
Anything we are
You and I have always been ever and ever
I see myself within your eyes
And that's all I need to show me why
Everything I do, always takes me home to you
Ever and ever
Everyone moved around the room in a dance, Deacon and Nick helping Jason moved around the room. They danced around in a circle, their hands on the person in front of them in a row. Lizzie and Adrian sang in the middle, arm in arm happily.
Whenever I call you friend
I believe I've come to understand
Everywhere we are you and I were meant to be
Forever and ever
I think about the times to come
Knowin' I will be the lucky one
Ever our love will last
I always want to call you friend
Jay stood at the side with Tess, unable and unwilling to join them.
Once they were done, everyone applauded.
"Guys, thank you," Jason smiled at them both, "The Top Notes are lucky to have you for the next three years. Bring it in."
The three hugged before returning to their seats.
"Would anybody else like to sing?" Tess asked.
Impatient and wanting to clear his conscience, Jay stood up.
"I'd like to address the glee club."
Tess nodded solemnly.
"Fingers crossed the addict's leaving," Diana stage whispered to Libby, everyone hearing.
"I know that everybody in this room hates me, and I don't blame them," Jay looked across them all, "I can't pretend it's easy to now my friends wanting nothing to do with me. All I can do is acknowledge what I have done. I am an addict, one who is addicted to prescription meds. With the help of others, I am now seeing a therapist as well as a doctor. It's going to be a long road, but I hope to be better. I know that Jason will have a longer road ahead of me and I for one am so sorry he can't be playing sports this year. Whilst I won't be there for it, I really hope he gets Prom King. I don't expect you to ever forget what I did, so I hope this song will be the start of my redemption and earning your trust."
Silence greeted him as the music started.
For every time you had to go asleep alone.
For every time I tried to rush you off the phone.
For every time I said something to make you cry.
Now that all is said and done, I can't deny.
I'm so sorry for anything I might have done.
And I'm sorry; I never meant to hurt the only one,
And I'm sorry; the best laid plans sometimes fall through,
For anything that I might've done, I apologize to you.
For anything that I might've done, I apologize to you.
Jason started a polite clap when it was finished, everyone else following along- though clearly none of them would have started it themselves.
"Well, that was wonderful," Tess smiled at the senior, "I too hope that it can change things in this Glee club. If nobody else has anything to sing, I want you all up here to practice some basic choreography."
Everybody went up to the front, lining up.
Jay looked around the room, Jason being the only one who would meet his eye. Taking a deep breath, he decided to just get on with the choreography. One cleared cough later and he was doing taps on his feet.
WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE-
The boxing match came and went. Despite her words, Oliver was desperately hoping that Adelina would have come to see it. Right until the moment the fight started, he looked around the ring to see if she was there. It would be easy to spot Adelina, who'd be dressed like she was going to high tea with the Queen of England amongst those in jeans and t-shirts.
Of course she wasn't there, not after he'd been a total ass to her. He'd lost the match, probably because he was too devoted to thinking about her. Oliver left that evening, embarrassed and ashamed that he'd thrown a match over a girl.
A girl that he'd been awful to.
Just as he wondered what to do, he saw her curled up on the green reading. It was then he decided that it was probably best he apologise, even if he had to keep her at arm's length until graduation. Regardless of his own feelings, it was wrong to hurt hers.
Oliver approached, Adelina engrossed in what looked to be some thick Victorian novel- Miss Marjoribanks, whatever the hell that was. If she heard him, she didn't react.
"I thought you might have come to the match."
"Unfortunately, I was practicing my needlework with Miss. Terence that day," Adelina coldly replied, not looking up.
"Look, I'm sorry about what I said, that was out of line."
"It was. Thank you, you may leave now."
"Please, seriously, I feel awful about it. It wasn't cool and I really didn't mean to say something like that. I am sorry, really sorry."
She gave him a cursory glance before continue reading.
"Can you just say something please?"
"Ok, I will," Adelina snapped her book shut, standing up, "I am not your project. I will not change because I think it will make me friendlier to you or anyone else. I would not expect you to stop smoking and getting detention, therefore I will never try. You may think I'm this sad shell because I don't swear, drink to excess or smoke, but I'm not. I am happy reading, doing ballet and playing piano. I joined cheerleading because I genuinely enjoy it, not to look good on my college application. Being good is not some sort of sin you know. Attending your boxing matches was not me trying to 'loosen up' as you call it; I did it because I thought it might be interesting. You won't get me to get wasted at one of Tyler's parties or try a cigarette by the dumpsters; I don't need to impress you Oliver. I don't need to make myself different for you or anybody else. I'm happy being me, that is all. So when you make your barbs or your snippy remarks, know that I do not care for it."
Her voice wasn't raised at all, maintaining her usual soft tone. It was her eyes that gave her away, an expression of soft anger. Even in anger, Adelina Parker was always proper.
"I'm not trying to change you."
"Well it doesn't seem that way," Adelina snorted.
"Lina, I'm not-"
"So it's Lina now? Not Parker, Lina? I wasn't aware that I was your friend."
"It's not that-ʺ
"Well then, I'd like you to explain it to me."
"FOR GOD'S SAKE LINA, I'M NOT TRYING TO CHANGE YOU, I'VE BEEN IN LOVE WITH YOU SINCE FRESHMAN YEAR!"
There was a stunned silence.
"Pardon?" Adelina asked her mouth agape.
"I've been in love with you since freshman year, ever since you politely asked me to move my lunch tray. I'd never try to change you, ever. I wouldn't want to do that to anyone, especially not you. Maybe love is the wrong word, perhaps it's too strong, but I like you. All that teasing, I just wanted to see if you were interested at all. I never thought I'd be able to compete with anyone. The idea of you liking me seemed nil. When I saw you with Tyler the other day at Starbucks, that's what got me angry. I felt I had to push you away for my own sanity."
He went forward, not knowing what he was going to do. To his surprise, Adelina went in the middle and to his delight, they kissed.
Once they were done, it was Oliver's turn to be speechless.
"I wasn't expecting that."
"Neither was I. Look, it wasn't a date between me and Tyler."
"Even if it was, I shouldn't have acted that way."
"You know me, I am emotionally constipated and I have no idea how to get close to people. The 'l' word is not something I have ever said, not even to my parents. Growing up with them made that impossible, believe me. It's not something I know how to reciprocate to you. Thing is, I do like you, I like you a lot. You annoy the hell out of me, but I can't count the number of times I've hated myself for being attracted to you."
"Then let me take you out in a way you deserve, Lina Parker," he cupped her cheek, "I can wait as long as you need. I mean, I'm not exactly the model of emotion either."
"You were kind to me when nobody came to sectionals for me and you asked me to go boxing. You took an interest in me and now I know that I did have a chance too."
"I never thought you'd like me in a million years."
"It took me that long to stop denying it, Grant."
"Oh, we back on surname terms now Parker?" Oliver teased, "How about we get out of here? We have a dinner to plan Friday night."
"Oh do we?"
"We do," Oliver confirmed, "Can I kiss you again?"
"Go ahead."
With their lips locked together again, Oliver finally felt forgiven.
Hi all, I hope you enjoyed it all!
Next Time: The cheerleaders bond. Maddie finds herself in the middle of a love triangle. The Dawsons find themselves choosing sides in the divorce.
Questions:
Are you an Oliver/Adelina shipper?
How will everyone react when they find out?
Who is Maddie in the love triangle with?
How will the divorce proceedings go?
Which characters would you like to see more of?
Thanks again, don't forget to review and I'll see you next time xxx