Chapter 20- Theatrically:
Mr Schue and Tina sit across from Figgins in his office, and Figgins looks kinda mad, "Am I in trouble?" Tina asks nervously.
"Come on." Mr Schue says, "You've got more self-esteem than that. I think this might have something to do with you perfect attendance last semester." Mr Schue gently bumps Tina's shoulder.
"No. Miss Cohen-Chang is in trouble." Figgins says, and Tina's smile disappears, "It has come to my attention that the look you sport is what is known as goth. American teens are coming down with a serious case of Twilight fever, transformed from normal children into vampires obsessed with the occult. And only yesterday, this dark spectre reared its head at McKinley High."
"I don't mean to state the obvious." Mr Schue says, "But you do know that vampires aren't real, right? They don't exist."
"William, denial will not make this problem got away!" Figgins says.
"My parents won't even let me watch Twilight." Tina says, "My mom says she thinks Kristen Stewart seems like a bitch."
"This is a serious problem!" Figgins says loudly, "Miss Cohen-Chang, you've got to find yourself another style of dress!"
"Hold on a second." Mr Schue says, "Tina is shy, and one way she's found to express herself is through her clothes. High school is an incredibly important time when kids get to explore who they are. When I was in high school, I had a whole year where I dressed exactly like Kurt Cobain. I mean, come on, there has to be someone who you used to dress like."
"Yes." Figgins says, "For several years in my early 20s, I dressed up as Elvis. But he was a Christian, Will! And he did not possess the ability to transform into a bat!"
"I think he thinks vampires are real." Tina whispers to Mr Schue.
"I think your right." Mr Schue whispers back.
"Studies have shown that a strict dress code fosters a safe and stable learning environment with fewer instances of gang violence and vampirism. So, if I see you dressed in lacy demon clothes again, Tina Cohen-Chang, you will be suspended!" Mr Schue gets up and storms out of the office, Tina following.
Tina changes into a PE hoodie and joggers, before heading to glee club, "It's so weird." Artie says looking at Tina.
"This so isn't you." Finn says.
"I feel like an Asian Branch Davidian." Tina says.
"Tina, are there any new looks you can try?" Mr Schue asks.
"Biker chick?" Blaine asks, Tina shakes her head.
"Cowgirl?" Finn asks.
"Hood rat." Mercedes suggests.
"Computer programmer." Quinn says, Tina puts a thumbs down.
"Cross-country skier." Santana says with a shrug.
"Catholic schoolgirl." Puck says with a smirk.
"Look, I appreciate it, guys, but it just isn't me." Tina says, "I know who I am, and I'm not allowed to show it. It's like communism."
"Guys, we have a serious problem." Rachel says storming into the choir room, "You know how I've been doing some deep background on vocal adrenaline?"
"It's that against the rules?" Artie asks.
"No, not at all." Rachel says, "Or probably. Whatever! Anyway, what I figured out, I rooted through the dumpsters behind Carmel auditorium, and I found 18 empty boxes of Christmas lights."
"Oh, no." Tina says with a look of dread on her face.
"Which led me to Joelle Fabrics." Rachel says quickly, "I asked them about red Chantilly lace. They were sold out."
"Oh, sweet Jesus." Mercedes says with the same look of dread as Tina.
"Oh, my." Kurt says eyes wide.
"Wait." Mr Schue says, "What?"
"They're doing Gaga." Kurt says.
"That's it." Mercedes says, "It's over."
"Exactly." Rachel says.
"We should have guessed it." Kurt says, "They're going for full-out theatricality. They know it's the easiest way to beat us. Damn them."
"What's up with this Gaga dude?" Puck asks, "He just, like, dresses weird, right? Like Bowie?"
Rachel scoffs, "Lady Gaga is a woman." Kurt blurts out, "She's only the biggest pop act to come along in decades. She's boundary-pushing, the most theatrical performer of our generation. And she changes her look faster than Blaine changes sexual partners."
"That's true." Blaine says with a smirk.
"It makes sense that vocal adrenaline would pay homage." Artie says, "It's a brilliant move. She's a perfect fit for them."
"Hold on a second." Mr Schue says, "We might be able to kill two birds with one stone here. We can help Tina find a new look and find a competitive number for regionals." Tina smiles, "This week, your assignment… Gaga." Some of the new directions quickly start gossiping, while others, namely, Puck and Finn, roll their eyes and look pissed.
X-X-X-X-X
Carole blind folds Finn, and slowly helps him down the steps of Kurt and Burt's basement, "Is there a car down here for me?" Finn asks.
"Honey, we're indoors." Carole says.
"Oh."
"Okay." Carole says taking the blind fold off, "Open your eyes!" Finn opens his eyes to see an excited Burt and Kurt.
"Sparking cider?" Kurt asks holding up a glass. Carole runs over excitedly.
"Welcome home?" Finn reads off the sign behind Burt and Kurt, "But who went somewhere?"
"Burt asked us to move in with them." Carole says hugging Burt's side.
"And this is how you're telling me?" Finn asks sounding and looking pissed off.
"The party is my idea." Kurt says, "if you're gonna say something, say it loud, right?"
"Yeah, it's gonna take a bit of getting used to, but trust me, you're gonna love it, okay?" Burt says, "Now you don't have to drag your tail over here every time you want to watch something on the old 55-incher. We got a lot for food, some ethnic food. It's some ethnicity that's not ours."
"Tuna crudites." Kurt says as Burt hands Finn some food.
"Finn, this house is ten times bigger than ours." Carole says, "It has two bathrooms."
"Two and half." Burt says proudly, Carole gasps.
"I don't want an extra bathroom, or a tuna crude." Finn says, "I want my house back."
"I think I know what this resistance is about." Kurt says, "Our room. And I couldn't agree more. The palate in here is totally unflattering to your skin tone. Not everyone can pull off Dior Gray. We need to redecorate."
"Wait, we're sharing a room?" Finn asks, "I'm not cool with that!"
"It's weird, okay." Carole says, "But can't be much of a surprise. And, in time, you're gonna be as happy as I am."
"Yeah, look, I'll knock out a wall upstairs, I'll put an addiction on, okay? But until then, maybe this will grease the wheels a bit huh?" Burt reaches into his wallet and pulls out $300, "Look, $300. Have at it. You redecorate this place."
"Don't worry, roomie." Kurt says, "Mr Ikea catalogue and I will have this all figured out. I am going to put together a palate that expresses who you are and who I want you to be. Who you want to be."
"Hey, what's night's game night?" Burt asks, "You play sorry?"
"You know, sorry." Carole says in a sing song voice.
"I will beat you." Burt says with a laugh, as Finn looks at the group in horror.
X-X-X-X-X
"And claw, claw, uh, clap, clap." Shelby yells commands to vocal adrenaline as Mercedes, Rachel and Quinn sneak into the auditorium.
"You think they can see us?" Mercedes asks as she take seat.
"If they catch us, are we gonna have to go to jail?" Quinn whisper as she sits next to Mercedes.
"Stealing their ideas is not a crime." Rachel says sitting next to Quinn. The three sit and watch for a while, "They look amazing."
"Clap, clap. Uh, okay, okay, okay, just… enough." Shelby says stopping the practice, "You guys aren't getting it. You're letting the costumes do all the work. Theatrically isn't about crazy outfits. It's not enough to douse yourselves with gasoline. You have to light yourselves on fire to make it work."
"God, she's good." Rachel mutters from the audience.
"But being theatrical doesn't mean you have to be a nuclear explosion." Shelby says, "It can be like, like a quiet storm. You just have to radiate emotion, express what's deep inside you. That's what theatricality is truly about." The kids don't look convinced, "Do I have to demonstrate? Funny girl, E flat."
"Exactly what I would done… Barbra." Rachel says, "I could do it in my sleep."
The vocal adrenaline kids have walked off stage, leaving Shelby on stage by herself. The pianist starts playing.
"Funny. Did you hear that? Funny…"
During the song Rachel stands up, "Where are you going?" Mercedes hisses.
"Get back here." Quinn whispers as Rachel walks down towards the front. Rachel stands next to vocal adrenaline watching in awe, the vocal adrenaline eye her, looking very confused.
"Miss Corcoran?" Rachel asks once the song is over, Shelby looks over at her, "I'm Rachel Berry. I'm your daughter."
Everyone freezes in shock. Quinn and Mercedes scurry out the front door, and vocal adrenaline slowly head to their changing room, as Rachel and Shelby stand and look at each other. Eventually Shelby walks off the stage and sits in the audience, Rachel awkwardly sits in the audience two rows down, "Did you ever regret it?" Rachel asks.
"Yes." Shelby says, "Then no. Then so much."
"W-when did you realize it was the right time for me to find you?" Rachel asks.
"I saw you perform at sectionals." Shelby lies, "You were extraordinary. You were me."
"Was it hard for you to not become a star?" Rachel asks, "To not have your dreams come true?"
"It felt like a broken promise." Shelby says, "Like the Fisher King's wound, never heels."
"Wow." Rachel says, "Genetics really are amazing. You see the world with the same fierce theatricality as I do. Even the way we're sitting right now is so dramatic, and yet we feel so comfortable with it."
"I've missed so much." Shelby says, "How do you feel?"
"Thirsty." Rachel says. Rachel looks up at Shelby who looks very confused, "When I was little and I used to get sad, my dads would bring me a glass of water. It got so I couldn't tell if I was sad or just thirsty."
Shelby sighs, "I shouldn't have done this." She stands up, "This was supposed to feel good. W-we were supposed to have some kind of slow-motion run into each other's arms. This is all wrong."
"Maybe we can just go to dinner or something just to get over the initial shock." Rachel says.
"I'm so sorry, Rachel." Shelby says, "Uh… I-I'll call you." Shelby leaves the auditorium.
X-X-X-X-X
Finn approaches Mr Schue's office and knocks on the door, "Oh, hey Finn, come on in." Mr Schue says looking up at Finn, "I'm learning all this amazing stuff about Lady Gaga. She's got this thing called the 'Haus of Gaga', which is like, this collective of artist and designers who collaborate on, on her styles and her music. I think it's an exciting model for what we could be doing in glee club."
"Yeah, that's kind of what I wanted to talk to you about." Finn says, "I don't want to do Lady Gaga. And I suspect that, with the exception of Kurt, that none of the other guys are gonna want to do it either. I just feel like we're always doing whatever the girls want us to do."
"Yeah." Mr Schue says, "Yeah, you're right. Maybe I haven't been listening to you guys hard enough. So, let's find a solution."
"Well, I, uh, I actually already have one." Finn says.
"Huh?" Mr Schue says, "What?"
"You'll have to watch and see." Finn says before leaving Mr Schue's office with a smirk.
X-X-X-X-X
"You're wrong." Puck says to Quinn, "It's a really good name. It's a rock star name."
"You want to name our daughter Jack Daniels?" Quinn asks, "She's a girl!"
"Okay, fine, whatever Jackie Daniels." Puck says.
"The name is not the point." Quinn says, "I told you this. I'm giving up the baby, so I don't have to do this with you. This is good for you. Now you can go off and be a rock star yourself." She walks off.
"I love wearing champagne bubbles!" Tina says excitedly to Santana, "I get to express a whole different side of myself!" Tina and Santana are walking down in the hall in Gaga outfits. Tina in a white bubble outfit and Santana in a black lace cat suit, "Because even though I'm painfully shy and obsessed with death, I'm a really effervescent person."
May and her cheerio's walk down the hall and shove them into a locker, "Excuse me!" Santana calls after her, "Were you dropped on your heads?!"
"What was that?" May asks.
"I think you heard me." Santana says, "Just saying, pick on me, that's fine, but don't throw around Tina."
"Do you think I care?" May asks, "We're not gaga for Gaga. You dress all freaky, and then you rub it in everybody's faces. I don't want to look at it all day! It's weird and it hurts my eyes."
"It's called being theatrical." Tina says, "W-we're showing off who were are. It's the same thing you do when you go to school with your cheerios uniforms on. You're expressing yourself, and we have every right to do the same."
"Yeah." Santana says.
"Well, you know what?" May says, "The next time you want to express yourself and look like a circus freak, don't be shocked when you get a slushie facial." May walks off her goons follow.
"Thanks, Tina." Santana says and the pair walk into the choir room.
"Wow!" Mr Schue says, when he walks into the choir room, "Little monster, take a bow." All the new directions girls and Kurt are dressed in different Lady Gaga outfits, "All right! Ladies, Kurt, I am really, really impressed. Sientete. You know, what the best part is? Each one of those costumes shows off a different aspect of your personalities."
"Wait." Puck says, "Where's Rachel? I mean, I only noticed because, like, five minutes have gone by without her saying something totally obnoxious."
"Rachel kind of got some intense news yesterday." Mercedes says.
"We were spying on vocal adrenaline, and-"
"You guys, that's not fair!" Mr Schue says interrupting Quinn, "You gotta stop doing that. But, uh, you know, what, what'd you find out?"
"Okay, y'all ready?" Mercedes asks, "Miss Corcoran, their coach? She's Rachel's mom."
"Are you serious?" Mr Schue asks.
"Way to bury the lead, Mercedes." Artie says.
"We're screwed." Puck says, "Rachel's gonna jump ship to vocal adrenaline." Santana looks at Blaine.
"Was that it?" Santana whispers to Blaine, he nods, "How'd you-"
"Never." Rachel says from the doorway, "I really don' want to talk about it, though. I'm still processing the news. And my dads are moving my therapist to our spare room later this afternoon. All I know is that I'm not going anywhere, and I've chosen a Lady Gaga look that expresses the longing for a childhood I was deprived of."
"I think it's the Kermit the frog look." Mercedes says titling her head.
A frog falls off, "And we have a jumper." Kurt says and the other stifle their laughter.
"Well, my dads can't sew, so these are just stapled on." Rachel says.
"Guys, why don't we worry about this later." Mr Schue says, "And maybe try to focus on the song?"
"Couldn't agree more." Rachel says, "Hit it!"
"Rah-rah, ah-ah-ah! Roma-roma-ma-ah! Gaga, ooh-la-la! Want your bad romance…"
The girls and Kurt finish and Mr Schue, Artie, Mike and Blaine all clap, and eventually Matt, Puck and Finn join in looking comfortable.
X-X-X-X-X
Finn is in the boy's bathroom applying makeup for the boy's routine, "What's up, Finn?" Karofsky says as him and Azimio enter the bathroom.
"What's that on your face?" Azimio asks, "You got a bad pimple or something?"
"A Finn-ple?" Karofsky asks, they both laugh, Finn falsely smiles, "Dude, are you wearing makeup?" Karofsky reaches for Finn's face to get a better look, but Finn pushes him away.
"I knew it was contagious." Azimio says, "You moved in with that little Kurt kid, and now you got a bad case of the gay."
"It's just something for glee club, all right?" Finn says going to leave, but Karofsky pushes him back into the room.
"Oh, well, then it's definitely not gay, huh?" Karofsky says.
"Get out of my way!" Finn yells still trying out the bathroom.
"Man, how many times do we got go through this?!" Azimio asks loudly, "You being a jock and being in this glee club does not make you versatile. It makes you bisexual."
"And if we have to kick your ass to make you understand that, then our schedules are wide open." Karofsky says.
"Get out of my bathroom." Azimio says walking towards the door, "You girls, y'all belong across the hallway." The pair leave, "Glee boy!"
Finn looks in the mirror and sighs.
X-X-X-X-X
Rachel nervous enters the vocal adrenaline auditorium, a long jacket covering her Gaga outfit, "Yeah, that's better, guys." Shelby says when the routine vocal adrenaline are working on finishes, "Take five. And ladies, I don't want to hear about chafing just because you're being forced to wear metal underwear. Not my problem."
Rachel slowly walks up to wear Shelby is sitting, "Mom?" Shelby looks up from her desk.
"Hon, you gotta stop sneaking into these rehearsals." Shelby says.
"It's kind of important." Rachel says, Rachel unbuttons her jacket to reveal her dress.
"Oh, dear god." Shelby says leaning back in her chair.
"My dads can't sew." Rachel says, "I really need a mom right now. Do you think you can help?"
Shelby nods.
X-X-X-X-X
"Sorry I'm late." Rachel says looking into the auditorium with a MUCH better Gaga outfit.
"Whoa, looking good, Rachel!" Mercedes says.
"Thanks." Rachel says smiling brightly, "My mom made it" She says giving a twirl.
"Well, we're all here, so without further ado, I'd like to introduce the boys!" Mr Schue says"
"Lima Ohio! Get ready to rock!" Artie yells, the sound filling the auditorium. The girls cheer as the curtains open revealing the boys dressed as the band Kiss.
"Well, the night is young, and you want some fun, do you think you're gonna find it..."
When the performance ends the girls and Mr Schue cheer and clap in audience, "All right, guys. Very impressive! Very, very… loud." Mr Schue says, "But what does that performance express? And what do those costumes illustrate?"
"We did our research, Mr Schue." Mike says.
"Yeah." Puck says, "Finn's demon look is because Gene Simmons liked comic books as a kid, and they called Paul Stanley the star child because he was a romantic or something. But that doesn't really explain my whore lips." He pouts his lips.
"And my Ace Frehley is supposed to be a spaceman from another planet." Artie says, "Mike's iconic catman is because Peter Criss claimed to have nine lives."
"Yeah, and I'm dressed as the guy who replaced Artie when he quit." Matt says.
"Wait." Mr Schue says, "Where's Blaine?"
The boys shrug, "He never showed to practice, so we assumed he wasn't doing it." Puck says.
The girls and Mr Schue share concerned looks, "Well… congratulations guys. Job well done." Mr Schue says, "Let's give it up for the boys!" everyone cheers, and Finn bangs the gong behind him.
X-X-X-X-X
"I thought the boys' glee Kiss song was good." Santana says, "But the performance was weird."
"Yeah." Tina says, "And Finn kept sticking his tongue out and I couldn't stop picturing him licking stuff. It was disturbing." Both girl's cringe.
They turn the corner to see May and her goons, "I warned you." She says, "Gaga's got to go. You're bringing down the cheerios rep. I'm surprised Sue hasn't kicked you off yet."
"You l-look ridiculous." A blonde cheerio says.
"Shut up, Ava." May hisses. She crosses her arms and sighs, "Look, I'm feeling nice. You've got one more day to get rid of the outfit, or… well, you don't want to know." She turns smacking Santana with her ponytail.
"Things aren't getting better?" Tina asks.
"No." Santana says, "But I'm fine, I'm not letting her ruin my life."
Tina nods, "If you need any help though, we're all here for you."
"Thanks." Santana says smiles, she enters her English class, "Bye."
"Bye." Tina says walking off to her next class. Santana takes her seat between Quinn and Blaine.
"Hey." Quinn says in her Gaga outfit.
"Hey." Santana says taking her seat, "Is he okay?" she mouths subtilty motioning to Blaine.
"He hasn't said anything." Quinn mouths back.
"Okay, class." Mr Robertson says entering the class, "Turn to page 21, and start reading."
Mr Schue walks down the hall to Mr Robertson's English class, he knocks on the door, "Yes, Mr Schuester?" Mr Robertson asks in his monotone voice.
"Can I quickly speak to Blaine, please?" Mr Schue asks.
"Yeah." Mr Robertson says, then looks to Blaine, "Blaine."
Blaine rolls his eyes standing up and heading towards Mr Schue. Santana and Quinn share a look. Mr Schue looks down the hall to his office, Blaine following. Mr Schue sits at his desk, motioning for to sit, he does.
"Is this going to take long?" Blaine asks, already looking bored.
"Why weren't you at glee club yesterday?" Mr Schue asks.
Blaine laughs, "Quinn misses five meeting, and no one bats an eye, but I miss one and a song and dance is made about it."
"Puck said, you didn't even show you to practices."
"I didn't know it was a requirement." Blaine says, "I thought we got to perform when we want to."
"You know that's not true." Mr Schue says, "You performed in the mashups, and you had fun."
Blaine goes silent for a few seconds, "Why do you even care?" Blaine asks, "I'm not Rachel. I'm not Finn. I'm not important."
"You are."
Blaine laughs, "Because Berry doesn't have enough background singers."
"Look, I was just wondering why you weren't at rehearsal." Mr Schue says.
"Couldn't you have asked this during glee?"
Mr Schue sighs, "I didn't want- just tell me." Mr Schue says, "Please."
"I had a family issue to deal with, okay?" Blaine says fidgeting, "Not everyone is 100% dedicated to glee. I needed to deal with this."
"This everything okay?"
"My gran was sick." Blaine lies, "But she's fine now."
"Will you be at glee tomorrow night?" Mr Schue asks.
"Yeah." Blaine says, "God, you're persistent."
"I just care." Mr Schue says, examining Blaine with his eyes, Blaine cringes.
"Can I go now?" Blaine asks, "English is important."
"Yeah." Mr Schue says, and Blaine stands up, "See you tomorrow."
"Yeah." Blaine says, before quickly walking off.
X-X-X-X-X
"Could you have a work with Azimio and Karofsky about harassing me without damaging my and others Gaga outfits?" Kurt asks Finn sitting adding gems to his Gaga heels.
"Are you serious?" Finn asks, using a cotton pad to remove his makeup off, "Do you know how difficult it is with those guys? They already think we're boyfriends."
Kurt smiles a little, "Let them think what they want. They're Neanderthals. In three years, they'll be cleaning my septic tank."
"Don't you get it?" Finn asks, "It's not just them. We live in Ohio, not New York or San Francisco or some other city where people eat vegetables that aren't fried." He turns to face Kurt, "I don't understand why you always need to make such a big spectacle of yourself. Why can't you just work harder at blending in?"
"I'm sure that'd be easier for you." Kurt says.
"You know, it would." Finn says turning back around and continuing wipe at his face, dragging his face whilst doing so.
"You are such a boy." Kurt says standing up and walking over to Finn, "You're going to have to use a moist towelette if you want to get that makeup off." Kurt grabs a wipe and starts wiping Finn's face. Finn slaps his hand away.
"Don't touch me!" Finn says angrily, standing up and walking away from Kurt.
"What is your problem, Finn?" Kurt asks, "It's just a moist towelette!"
The room falls silent, before Finn speaks up, "I'm gonna finish in the laundry room." He walks up the stairs of the basement.
"Grow up, Finn!" Kurt yells after him, before kicking over a chair.
X-X-X-X-X
"You look like you should be in orbit." Kurt says to Tina as they sit in the choir room.
"My balls keep falling off." Tina says.
"Been there." Kurt says.
"All right, let's get things started." Mr Schue says.
"Mr Schue." Puck says walking into the choir room, "There's something I want to say to Quinn. And I want everybody to hear it."
"All right." Mr Schue says looking a little confused, "You have the floor."
"At first I didn't really get this theatrical assignment, being larger than life and putting it all out there." Puck says, "Cause I'm kind of like that all the time. That's how my dad was, too. He was too busy being all crazy and rock and roll to be there for his kid. And you know what? I didn't care that my dad was a badass. I just wanted him to be there. And he never was. And then I learned all this Kiss stuff and while Jackie Daniels is a great name for like a powerboat or something, it's not right for a baby girl. So, I asked Matt and Mike to help me out, and I got a better idea." Matt, Mike and Puck all grab a stool and sit at the front.
"Beth, I hear you calling, but I can't come home right now…"
When the song ends Puck walks up to Quinn, "I know you're giving her up, but before you do, I think you should name her Beth." Quinn smiles, "If you'll let me, I'd really like to be there when she's born. I'd really like to meet her." Quinn nods, wiping the tears off her face.
X-X-X-X-X
Shelby walks into the wings looking at Rachel, she sighs and walks towards her daughter, "So, how'd your dads come up with the name Rachel?"
"They were, um, big Friends fans." Rachel says, her and Shelby look at each other for a few seconds, "I know why you're here… to say goodbye."
"I really wanted this to work." Shelby says, she leans on the piano, "Do you know what really turned me? That story that you told me about your dads, and how they'd bring you water when you were sad. We're never gonna have anything like that. It's too late for us. I just think that anything we share right now is gonna be confusing for you."
"I just don't understand." Rachel says, "You're my mom. I feel awful right now, and I should want to just fall into your arms and let you rock me and tell me everything is gonna be fine, but… I just don't feel it."
"It's because I'm your mother, but I'm not your mom." Shelby says.
"So what?" Rachel asks, "Do we just pretend we don't know each other now?"
"That seems silly." Shelby says, "Let just be grateful for one another… from afar. For a while. Don't think for a second I'm gonna go soft on you during regionals."
Rachel laughs, "Bring it."
"Can I have a hug goodbye?" Shelby asks.
Rachel nods, "Sure." They walk around the piano and hug.
"Can you go me one more favour?" Shelby asks, Rachel nods, "Sometime when you're thirsty…" she reaches into her bag and pulls out a box, pulling out a glass with a large golden star on it, "Can you get yourself some water from this cup? Gold stars are kinda my thing."
Rachel smiles, taking the glass, "Of course." Shelby starts packing up her bag, "Shelby? Before you go, will… will you sing with me? Just one time. It's sort of a fantasy of mine, and it would really mean a lot to me."
"I would be honoured." Shelby says, they smile to each other.
"Brad!" Rachel calls out, "He's always just around." Rachel hands Brad and Shelby the sheet music and she nods for Brad to start.
"I want to hold 'em like they do in Texas, please…"
Rachel starts the song and Shelby joins in. And it sounds amazing, "You really, really good." Shelby says cupping Rachel's face, before grabbing her bag and leaving. She walks down the hall and sees Blaine at his locker, she approaches him, "Hey."
"Hey." Blaine says smiling, "Why are you here?"
"Saying goodbye to Rachel." Blaine frowns, "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For helping me find her." Shelby says, "We may not be talking all the time, but it feels good to know who she is." She hugs Blaine.
"No problem."
Shelby pulls back and cups Blaine's face, "You look just like your mother." Blaine smiles, "Promise me we'll keep in touch?"
Blaine nods, "Of course." Shelby kisses his forehead, before walking out of McKinley.
X-X-X-X-X
"Whoa!" Mr Schue says excitedly when he enters the room to see everyone in costume, even Blaine, "Guys, why are you all in your theatricality costumes?"
"It's the end of the week." Artie says, "We were kinda hoping to learn what the lesson of the assignment was."
"Well, um… you guys have had some great numbers this week, but I'm not totally sure that I know either." Mr Schue admits, the kids laugh.
"I do." Tina says entering the choir room dressed in her usual gothic style, "I refuse to dress like somebody I'm not to be somebody I'm not. And I learned it's good to be a little theatrical."
Everyone claps and Tina takes a bow, "Wait." Artie says, "Where's Santana?"
"Like I said you have one day. And here you are, the next day, in your stupid costume." May says as her goons pin Santana to the wall.
"What are you gonna do hit me?" Santana asks.
"Maybe?" May says, "Maybe not. You'll just have to wait and see-"
Someone coughs behind the group. May's goons' eyes go wide, and they let go of Santana and run off, "You're gonna go what?" Blaine asks, as May slowly turns around looking terrified, she quickly tries to play it cool.
"Oh, so you're all freaks." May says.
"Freaks?" Blaine asks, before laughing, "Freaks stuff their bras with tissue, May." May folds her arms over her chest.
"You don't know that."
"Oh, please, it obvious." Blaine says with a laugh, "Ones smaller than the other."
"Blaine." Mr Schue warns from behind the group.
"If you mess with one of us, you mess with all of us." Puck says standing next to Blaine looking threatening.
"And you don't want to do that." Blaine says.
"You'll pay." May says, "I'll tell Sue."
"Ooh, I'm so scared." Blaine mocks as May runs off.
"I'm tired of everyone calling us freaks." Rachel says.
"Well, look at us." Mercedes says through laughter, "We are freaks."
The kids laugh, "But we're all freaks together." Blaine says hugging Santana.
"Thank you." She mouths to Blaine.
Mr Schue claps from behind the group and the kids' part to let him through, "Nice job, Blaine. I think you just figured out what the lesson was. Kinda makes me wish I had planned it." The kids laugh again, "But Mercedes is right. You do all look incredibly insane."
"Thank you." Mercedes says.
"You're so welcome." Mr Schue says, "Anyways, let's get back to work before you're all forced to join the circus. Next up, regionals!" the kids cheer and head back to the choir room.