A/N: HEY! Thanks for the reviews and favorites! This is my first story and I nearly screamed when I saw people had actually read it. And in case you haven't guessed, I do not own the Glee Project or anything in relation to Glee (other than my dorky sweatshirt and Warblers t-shirt that is! ).

Take It in Stride: Chapter Two

Lindsay was not having a good day. It seemed everywhere she looked; her so-called boyfriend was hovering around. With him around she couldn't be Lindsay. She had to be the Queen Bitch who bullies freshmen and losers. She had to be the kind of person she resents the most.

She was in P.E. when she heard about the showdown between the new Irish kid and Coach Sylvester. At first she was astounded, and then realization came over her. She met that kid earlier that same day. He ran into her in the hallway. Lindsay's mind took her back to the moment.

*Flashback*

Lindsay was running late as she strode down the hallway to Biology. "Why can't anyone besides me think for themselves?" She thought to herself. "'Lindsay, do we have practice today? Can you help me with my tumbles? When is the next game?' Seriously, the people around here had to learn to… CRASH! Lindsay ran right into some one and immediately heard his rushed apologies. "Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry. Yari?" Her first thought was how beautiful his eyes were in the light. "What? It's fine. What did you call me?" She just spoke the first thoughts in her head. "Oh, uh, yari. Are you alright? I wasn't looking where I was going and…" Lindsay couldn't help thinking how attractive his accent was then saw he was walking with a gleek. "It's fine. Just…" She looked around and locked eyes with Bryce, her boyfriend and her popularity supervisor. She realized what he was trying to tell her and snapped bitchily, "Watch it next time. I don't have time to talk to losers like you." The confusion in his eyes just added to her guilt. She brushed pat him and was joined by Bryce. "Nice going, babe. No one gets away with knocking my girl over." The two walked off to bio, but Lindsay couldn't get the new boy's confused eyes out of her mind.

"So, yeah." Started one of her Cheerio friends, "Coach Sylvester wants us to get the word out the kid is a punk. She's hoping he is pounded by lunch. I hope I'm there to see it!"
"Yeah, cool." Was Lindsay's mumbled response as the gym teacher went over again how to properly hold a tennis racket. Really Lindsay thought it would suck if the football guys beat him up. But, he did defy Coach… unfortunately, that just added to her attraction and infatuation. All Lindsay knew was that she wanted to meet the new guy again.

_Damsay_

"Oi! What was that for?" Damian exclaimed from the ground. Some big guy in a letterman's jacket just tripped him.

"Stay away from Coach Sylvester, punk, unless you like blueberries!" Then the guy threw a slushie into Damian's face. He sat in shock on the floor. Damian had never felt something so cold in his life. The numbness crept along his neck as the chunks of ice slid down his shirt. Cameron reached down and helped Damian to his feet. "Come on Damian, let's go." With that, he pulled the frozen boy from the cafeteria. As they walked out, Damian noticed through the stinging in his eyes the brunette from earlier. She was staring at him and Cameron as they left a look of shock in her eyes. As the two boys exited, they head her yell, "What's your problem, Bryce? What did he do to you?" By the time the boys were out the doors, Bryce still couldn't think of a way to respond. Lindsay had never commented on his slushie habits.

"Come on, babe. He is the guy that was a punk to Coach Sylvester. He needed to learn the way things work here. Besides, it's not like a slushie ever killed anyone." "You know Bryce, I have no idea why I have let you get away with bullying half the kids in the school, but it stops today! Either you clean up, or we're over." With that, Lindsay stalked out of the lunch room.

Meanwhile, Cameron pushed Damian into the nearest bathroom. "Go try to wash your hair in the sink. I'm going to go get my gym clothes." He looked Damian up and down. "They will probably fit." Damian began his futile attempts at washing his hair as Cameron left.

_Damsay_

Once Lindsay stepped out of the lunchroom, she started to run down the halls. Suddenly, a flash of red invaded her vision, and she fell flat on her back.

"Hey! Watch where you're going! Do you have any idea how long that banner took to make?" For a moment Lindsay was baffled. Ever since she became popular, no one had talked to her like that. "Hello? Lindsay? Did you hear me? The banner is for your stupid boyfriend! You're going to help me remake it you know. It took the whole art committee two afternoons to make that." Lindsay then realized who she bumped into.

"Marissa?" The redhead rolled her eyes and said, "Well duh, who did you think I was Ms. Pillsbury? Although it wouldn't surprise me if you didn't recognize me. After you became head Cheerio last year, I don't think we've said one word to each other. So when are you free?"
"Free for what? Catching up? Look, I didn't mean to ignore you, I just got busy."

"I wasn't talking about catching up. You completely ruined the banner for homecoming, and now you are going to help me remake it. So, when are you available?"
"Sorry Marissa. Never. I have Cheerios practice after school every day. I can't help you."
"Well, I guess you'll have to skip practice then. After school today. In the gym. I hope your creative juices are flowing! Bye bye." With that, Marissa left a stunned Lindsay standing in the middle of the hallway.

Well, that is chapter two! Next chapter, Sam and Marissa will meet up for the first time! Dundundun! Hannah will also make her debut. See you later alligators! ~DS22
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