CHAPTER 3
In the auditorium, Emily was looking out at the seats, feeling very insecure about performing at Regionals. For her, performing at Sectionals wasn't a big deal because the stakes were not as high, but having been put one step closer to a National win was putting too much pressure on her. She thought about Tina and how she had allowed Emily to take her place. Emily knew that this was supposed to be Tina's big year, and didn't want to take it away from her any more than she already had. With that in mind, Emily steadied her nerves by performing Kelly Clarkson's "Catch My Breath", imagining the rest of the Glee club and the Regionals audience cheering Tina on.
"You sound like you're ready", said Tina, who had entered the auditorium midway through the performance.
"I'm not that ready. I sang that in your honor."
"Emily, I'm fine. What I did, horrible and despicable as it was, really opened my eyes. It gave me a whole new perspective on what I thought my life was. You don't need to worry about me."
"I know that you're supposed to be on bed rest, but I feel much better knowing that you had your shot at being the female lead from Regionals to Nationals. You've wanted it since you started."
"That's true, but it's something I'd rather not fight over."
"Which is why I'm stepping down from the position. I want you to take the lead and get us to Nationals before you graduate. You deserve it."
"You really mean that?"
"You're my friend. Of course I mean it", said Emily, and Tina smiled and pulled her into an embrace.
"Next year is your year", said Tina, and Emily hugged her back.
INTERLUDE
In the weight room, Joe approached Sam, who was lifting heavy dumbbells next to a mirror.
"Hey, Sam, can I talk to you?"
"Sure, dude, what's up?"
"Well, you remember how I was kind of into Quinn, even though it kind of conflicted with my faith?"
"Yeah, why?"
"I'm kind of in the same situation with Hannah right now. We're talking about intimacy, but I don't want to think that God will smite me if I go through with it."
"Plenty of boys and girls do it when they're young. They just don't know any better."
"Yeah, but what should I do about it?"
"I suggest that you talk to a pastor about it."
"He would most likely advise against it."
"Well, if you're looking for my opinion alone, then I say just do it. You guys have been together for a while now, and this is the point in the relationship where some sexual activity should occur. If not, you're going to go crazy just thinking about it."
"But what if it's not in God's favor?"
"I think the more important question is if it's in your favor, or even in hers. When I had sex with Tina, it didn't really mean anything because we weren't in love, but it still counted, and nothing bad came out of it except for Tina's spiraling depression and an attempted abortion."
"So you're saying that even if I am punished for it, that I should just roll with the punches?"
"I'm saying that it's your choice, not God's. Besides, you've taken a very informative sex education class", said Sam, and Joe thought back to when he had failed miserably at constructing a model of the female reproductive system and wrecked several anatomy charts.
"Okay, I think after Regionals would be the most appropriate time", said Joe, and Sam tossed him a box of condoms.
"Just in case", said Sam, and Joe backed out of the room, giving Sam a questioning look.
INTERLUDE
Brittany managed to catch up with Alexander on his way to class, though she could see that he was walking unevenly and seemed to be talking to himself.
"Hey, Alex, can I talk to you for a second?"
"Do I know you?" asked Alexander, taking Brittany by surprise.
"Alex, it's me, Brittany."
"Why do you keep calling me Alex?"
"Oh, I'm sorry: Alexander", Brittany groaned, placing sarcastic emphasis on his name, "I need you to help me with something."
"You must have me mistaken for someone else. My name is Alan, I just transferred here, and I'm having trouble finding me first period class."
"What are you talking about? You've been here for two years, you're a member of the Glee club, and you're name's not Alan."
"Right, yes, my name is Alexander. Whatever you say. Can you tell me where Calculus is?"
"The math classes are on the third floor", said Brittany, and she watched confused as he headed for the stairs. The whole ordeal had been witnessed by Cooper, who shook his head and left.
INTERLUDE
Later in the Glee Club, Brittany entered to see everyone welcoming Tina back, and was surprised to see Alexander in the room.
"Hey, what happened to you today? You were acting really weird."
"How do you mean?"
"You were calling yourself Alan, and you were insisting that you just transferred here…"
"Is it possible that you were talking to an exchange student named Alan?"
"No, I was talking to you. Anyway, now that you've got your head screwed on straight again, I need to ask you a favor."
"Okay, I am getting really tired of you people asking me for favors all the time. Try to solve your own problems for once, will you?"
"I was hoping you could help me figure out a good college that I can go to. My grades are going up, and I'm being noticed by some interesting colleges."
"Why do you need my help? Why not get help from any of the others?"
"I don't know. You were the nearest person and I thought I'd ask you first."
"You claim to have seen me in a different mindset, and you trust my judgment?"
"You helped me twice this year. I don't see why a third time could hurt."
"What do you take me for, Aladdin's genie?"
"That's sort of how she and I met", said Rory, but a look from Brittany shut him up.
"I can tell that you have good taste. All I'm asking for is for you to help me find a good college", said Brittany, and Alexander sighed heavily and gave a consenting, yet irritated nod. At that moment, Zane entered the room, grinning widely and writing Regionals on the whiteboard.
"Honestly, only Mr. Schue can pull that off", said Sugar.
"Don't worry, I'm not trying to take his spot. What I am going to do is get you guys pumped. Regionals is today, so I just want to make sure that we're good and ready to go. By the way, Brittany, I need to see you after rehearsals, okay?"
"Why?" asked Brittany, fear very evident in her voice.
"I just want to talk to you", said Zane, and everyone was surprised to see two policemen being led by two German Shepherds entering the room. The dogs were sniffing around furiously, dragging the policemen all over the place.
"Can I help you, officers?" asked Zane, but the dogs began scratching at the floor, behind the instruments and jazz band and underneath the stools.
"We got a tip from a source who shall remain nameless about the possibility of your club possessing performance-enhancing drugs as well as illegally grown marijuana", said one of the officers.
"Geez, if Puck were here, he'd be having a field day", Artie whispered to Joe.
"Uh, well, gentlemen, I can assure you that we have no drugs of any sort here", said Zane.
"Care to recant?" asked the other officer, as the dogs scratched out multiple bags of plants and pills. The Glee club was shocked at this discovery, as was Zane.
"Officers, I honestly don't know what to say", said Zane.
"I do", said Blaine, hurrying into the room.
"Who are you?" asked Zane.
"I'm Blaine Anderson, member of the rival Glee club, the Music Masters. We snuck in last night because our captain wanted to supposedly get some intel on these guys, but instead they planted all of this in order to get them eliminated as competition."
"Did you help them spread these items?" asked the first officer.
"No, they did it without my knowledge. But I forced the truth out of one of my colleagues in exchange for a kiss from her."
"But, you're gay", said Rory.
"Just for today, I wasn't. I'm here because you're my friends, and it was against my better judgment to not tell you guys."
"What else did your friends do?" asked Zane.
"I don't know yet. But I'll find out."
"Well, that settles it. The Music Masters have to be disqualified and imprisoned for their actions", said Hannah.
"No, not yet. All we have is this young man's word. We need actual evidence that they did these things or more", said the first officer.
"I think that will be answered tonight at Regionals", said Alexander.
"Come to the competition tonight, gentlemen, and we'll see if they're to blame", said Zane, and the officers gathered the marijuana and drugs and left. Blaine started to leave, but Tina stopped him.
"Thank you, Blaine. It's good to see you again", she said, and she hugged him tightly, followed by the others.
INTERLUDE
After rehearsals ended, Brittany entered Zane's office, where he was focused on paperwork.
"Ah, Brittany, please come in", said Zane, and she sat down across from him.
"What did you want to talk to me about?"
"I wanted to praise you for being so strong in these difficult times. I know that things have become hard for you since your tryst with Will."
"Honestly, it only became harder for me after what you did to me."
"Oh, come on, you have to admit that you enjoyed it. It's every girl's fantasy to eventually do some role-playing."
"Except that I didn't have a script, and not every girl has that fantasy", Brittany said, glaring into his eyes.
"Believe what you want, Brittany. That night was well worth it. I helped you pass your test", said Zane, and he got up and went over to her side of the desk. He took a look outside, making sure that no one was in the halls or the choir room, and he locked the door to the office. Brittany was watching carefully, determined to not keep her eyes off of him.
"Do you really think I have what it takes to help the Glee club win Nationals and get into the college of my choice?"
"After what happened between us, I don't think there is anything that you can't do", said Zane, and he moved closer to her.
"So what happens now?"
"Well, you've got a Biology test coming up, and I think I can help you pass it."
"How?" asked Brittany, and she fought to keep from shuddering as he bent forward just enough to sniff her hair.
"Well, if it really matters to you that much to graduate, I know a trick or two that can… get the job done right", said Zane, placing his hands on her shoulders and massaging them lightly.
"And what tricks might those be?"
"Just some things I know we have time for tonight", said Zane, and, without warning, he wrapped one arm under her chin so that he could grab her ponytail, yanking it back, and began fumbling clumsily with her belt buckle with the other hand. Brittany cried out in fear and pain and grabbed a steel paperweight on the desk.
Quick as a flash, Brittany elbowed him in the gut with her free arm, causing him to double back in pain, and she smashed the paperweight into his face, sending him tumbling backwards into the glass window. She watched as he crashed through the glass and lay motionless on the ground, and realized that she had killed him.