A/N: Another short one! Tbh I didn't really want to write a competition chapter but it seemed important. Sue me.

As usual, I don't own Glee or the characters cause I'm not RIB or FOX. I also don't own any song titles or lyrics. So yeah. No copyright is intended. Hope my story is better than the original Glee.

Chapter 10: Super-Sectionals

Santana strutted into Glee, her jacket finally fitting her reasonably well, Brittany on her arm. Rachel was torturing Jesse with reasons for her to be a featured soloist at sectionals. Santana saw her point: Rachel was talented, but she knew that the solo had to be earned. Whining wasn't the way to do that. Jesse silenced Rachel, promising he'd listen to as many auditions as she wanted. He approached Santana and sat on her unoccupied side. On her other side, Brittany was in an active conversation with Mike and Jake about some choreography she'd dreamt up.

"You're looking well, Lopez. You cleared for Glee?" Jesse asked. Because Glee could involve intense dancing, Santana had been benched during her recovery to prevent her from pushing too far.

"Completely. I'm going to fight Berry for that solo." Santana smirked.

"Good. I talked to and we agreed we'd spotlight a freshman for that solo. Jones wants it too." Jesse looked to Mercedes, and Santana had to admit, she'd rather lose to her than Rachel.

"What about Hummel?" Santana glanced at Kurt who sat surprisingly quietly.

"Somethings up with him. I know you were benched and maybe you saw? And Karofsky seems on edge too." Jesse eyed the footballer.

"Azimio is being awful to him. Slurs and stuff. He's throwing it Kurt's way mostly but Dave got real protective." Santana explained.

"Well, looks like it's time for one of Schue's lessons about self-acceptance. You up for that Lopez?"

"Bring on the cheese " Santana laughed as the curly-haired boy strutted forward to write Schue's lesson for him.

"I was thinking it was about time !" The teacher high fived the student who Brittany fully believed was his son. "Alright. This week is about accepting our insecurities. Whatever your biggest insecurity is, we want to celebrate it. Your assignment this week is simple. At the end of the week, you will all wear a shirt displaying your biggest insecurity."

"What if someone isn't comfortable sharing their biggest insecurity?" Ryder asked.

"Well, if it's something you're really not comfortable sharing, maybe your second biggest. But this is about bonding, and this is a safe space. We will wear these shirts while performing Lady Gaga's Born This Way." Mr. Schue said.

"So what are we doing in the meantime?" Tina asked.

"Great question. Freshman, who would like to audition for the solo at sectionals?" he asked. Rachel's hand shot up followed by Santana and Mercedes. "Great. Each of you will perform a solo this week. Showcase your vocals. Rachel, I know you have something prepared so you'll go tomorrow. Mercedes, since Santana has just recovered I'd like you to go Wednesday and her to go Thursday. Is that alright?"

"Absolutely. San is a great competition and I want a fair fight." Mercedes smiled at the Latina.

"Thanks Cedes." Santana smiled.

The club concluded for the day and Santana headed home with Brittany.

"So, what are you going to do for your solo San?" Brittany asked.

"I was thinking of taking a page from Berry's book and doing a song from a musical." she mused.

"Really?" Brittany bounced in her seat excitedly.

"Yeah, 'There Are Worse Things I Could Do' from Grease. What do you think?" Santana asked.

"I think it's perfect and fits the lesson. You know you can show weakness in front of me right?" the blonde softly asked.

"I know Britt. It's just new to me. I'm trying to figure out how to convey that on my shirt. Speaking of, what are you doing on your shirt?" Santana asked.

"Dyslexic. But in lowercase with a b instead of d." the girl saddened slightly.

"Puck is gonna feel awful. Perfect." Santana grinned.

"Yeah, I just wish it didn't bother me so much still." she flopped back on her bed.

"It's okay. I think I'll just put emotion on my shirt. Schue never said we couldn't explain." Santana shrugged.

"I can't wait to see everyone's shirts." Brittany smiled. Santana nodded and they fell into the conversation trying to figure it out.

The next day, Rachel killed "Defying Gravity" from Wicked. However, Jesse criticized how she hadn't branched out to something she was less familiar with, solidifying Santana's choice. On Wednesday, Mercedes chose Respect by Aretha Franklin. It was someone safe, but they commended her for not choosing a ballad. When Santana's turn came around, she shook off the nerves and locked eyes with Brittany as the song began.

"There are worse things I could do

Then go with a girl or two

Even though the neighborhood

Thinks I'm trashy and no good

I suppose it could be true

But there are worse things I could do

I could flirt with all the gals

Smile at them and bat my eyes

Press against them when we dance

Make them think they stand a chance

Then refuse to see it through

That's a thing I'd never do

I could stay home every night

Wait around for

Take cold showers every day

And throw my life away

On a dream that won't come true

I could hurt someone like me

Out of spite or jealousy

I don't steal and I don't lie

But I can feel and I can cry

A fact I'll bet you never knew

But to cry in front of you

That's the worst thing I could do"

When she finished, she had a few stray tears falling from her eyes and Brittany was out of her seat in a flash, jumping into her arms.

"Britt, I'm okay," Santana said, setting Brittany back on her feet.

"I have to say, I'm impressed. That was spectacular Santana. We have a hard choice to make. So, let's put it to a vote. Santana, Mercedes, Rachel, you won't vote to see as you'd only vote for yourselves. That being said, I need you all to vote for who sang best, not your best friend" looked at Kurt "Your girlfriend" Mr. Schue looked at Brittany "or for any reason other than talent." the club nodded in understanding, all casting a vote.

"Alright, while I count these, I'd like you all to work on your shirts." went to his office.

"Alright, you hear him! We've got stencils, spray paint, fabric markers, whatever you want!" Jesse got everyone up and to work. A few minutes later called Jesse away. He told everyone to keep working before stepping into the teacher's office.

"Okay, it was really close. But Santana did win. Are you sure she will be able to handle the solo?" the teacher asked.

"I have faith in Santana. But I want to sprightly the others. I want them, along with Jake and Ryder, to take on the group number." Jesse requested.

"Fine, but it's your homework to find a song to fit that group and match them up." stood up "Let's go make the announcement."

"Everyone, listen up. Our soloist will be- drumroll- Santana!" Jesse congratulated the Latina who had been tackled in a hug by Brittany.

"Rachel, Mercedes, you'll be teamed up with Ryder and Jake to take on the group number vocally." Jesse appeased.

"Alright, you all can work on your shirts a little longer. If you need, take supplies home. I expect you all to be open tomorrow." Mr. Schue instructed.

The next day, the shirts were as follows:

Jesse: Future

Marley: Songwriter

Jake: Mixed Race

Ryder: Failure

Kitty: Bitch

Matt: Social Status

Mercedes: No weave

Kurt: Likes boys

Rachel: Nose

Dave: Closeted

Puck: Bully

Santana: Emotions

Brittany: byslexic

Artie: Four Eyes

Quinn: Lucy Caboosey

Finn: Can't Dance

Mike: Can't sing

Tina: Brown Eyes

Most of the shirts were obvious, Santana and Brittany knew about Quinn's past in elementary school when her parents forced her to go to Christain school for a few years. Dave's was the biggest surprise and Jesse's was the least revealing.

"Seriously Jesse, your future is your biggest insecurity?" Mr. Schue asked.

"Yeah Schue, I'm comfortable with my sexuality, and I'm pretty awesome but my future is uncertain. I'm insecure about uncertainty and the future encompasses that." Jesse rolls his eyes.

"Well, I have to say I'm impressed! I hope this has brought you all closer together. Next week we will spend the entire time preparing for sectionals. That said, all of you who were chosen to be featured at sectionals, please hang back. That includes Mike, Brittany, and Kitty. You'll be featured dancers." said before they performed. At the end of the performance, the sectionals hung back.

"Alright. We have chosen songs for sectionals for you. Santana, you'll be doing Valerie by Amy Winehouse. Mike and Brittany, I expect a spectacular dance to this. Our group number is Viva La Vida by Coldplay. Kitty, take lead on the choreography for that, please. Marley, as you know, you and I are performing Rolling in The Deep by Adele. This will have very little movement from anyone other than us." Jesse explained.

"We're telling you now because we'd like you to study the songs and even start practicing this weekend." Mr. Schue adds.

The performers get together, discussing times to meet up. Mike and Brittany invite Santana to their dance studio while the others choose houses to meet at.

By the time the next Friday rolled around, they were more than ready to get on the bus.

Their win was undeniable. Santana blew the audience away, the duet was gorgeous and Viva La Vida was a perfect finale.