I don't own glee, only my original characters.
Jazz will endure just as long as people hear it through their feet instead of their brains. – John Philip Sousa.
Glee the next week gave Jazz a head-ache. After talking to her Aunt Kris's doctor last night, she was having trouble not crying. She sat off to the side, staring out the window. Cory warned everyone to leave her alone. Jazz wanted her father to call her back.
"Alright guys, we're doing a new number for sectionals." Mr. Shue said, as the bell rang and he walked in. "I know that pop songs have sort of been our signature pieces, but I did a little research on past winners and it turns out that the judges like songs that are more accessible. Stuff they know. Ah, standard Broadway." Jazz looked down at the music on her lap and a smile spread across her face. She crawled up and sat next to Kurt, who she knew had a passion for this music.
"Defying gravity," He said, looking up at Mr. Shue. He turned towards Jazz and they linked pinkies again with a wink. "I have an iPod shuffle dedicated exclusively to selections from Wicked. This is amazing." Kurt was breathing heavily.
"Think you can handle it Rachel?" Mr. Shue asked. Kurt's face fell.
"It's also my ringtone."
"Why do we have to go all vanilla on this song?" Mercedes asked as Jazz rubbed Kurt's back. "See, what we need is my chocolate thunder."
"Okay, we don't have time to rearrange the song for you Mercedes. Rachel is singing it. Don't worry, we'll find something for you to, dip in chocolate." Everyone laughed, Jazz glared at Mr. Shue. "On to item two, the school won't pay for the special bus we need to take Artie in his wheel chair with us to sectionals."
"W-w-what?" Tina stuttered.
"That's completely unfair." Jazz spoke up, her voice getting high just like Cory's did when they were angry.
"So," Mr. Shue went on. "We're going to have to raise money to pay for it ourselves. See, when I was in glee club and we needed silk cover bins for regionals, we held a bake sale."
"That's a wonderful idea." Jazz said, "I'll set it up, as long as people are willing to help." Everyone was quiet and a few people laughed.
"Wait, you're joking, right?" Santana was the first to speak up. "I mean, having bake sales are kind of Buji."
"So, hip people stopped eating delicious, sugary treats?" Cory scowled.
"It's not that," Brittney started out slowly, "most of us, don't know how to bake. I find recipes confusing."
"My families fully committed to take-out." Rachel chimed in.
"Yeah, Mr. Shue." Finn spoke up. "Kids are busier than when you went here. We've got homework and football and teen pregnancy and lunch."
"Can't Artie's dad just take him?" Mercedes asked.
Jazz gave them all a disbelieving look and looked over at Artie who looked just as confused.
"I can't believe how insensitive you are all being." Mr. Shue chided. Jazz shook her head. "Are you a team?"
"Of course. But Artie understands." Quinn said. "Don't you Artie?"
"O-of course." Artie said, putting his eyes back to the floor. "It's cool, anything that takes away our time from rehearsing doesn't serve the team."
"Wow," Jazz muttered. Appalled at her team-mates.
The bell rang and everyone got up to leave.
"I'm sorry, Artie." Jazz said, walking up to him. "It's not fair. My aunt Kris is in a wheel chair so I can get where you're coming from. They're jerks." He nodded but didn't say anything.
Jazz smiled sadly at him and watched him leave.
"Jazz, can I talk to you for a minute?" Mr. Shue said as she stood up. She nodded and walked over to him. "You seem a little down lately. We miss that smiling girl that's usually around." Jazz smile broke out across her face and Mr. Shue grinned. "There you go. What's up?"
"It's my family, I guess." Jazz said, sitting down on the piano bench. "And let me tell you, I have one messed up family. I don't know if you want to hear it all."
"I can relate." Jazz smiled at him as he took a seat next to her. "Try me."
So Jazz went on to tell him about her Aunt Kris and that her condition was getting worse. How her father wouldn't call her back, and she was wondering if he ever really wanted to see her. How her mother and her always fought and couldn't be in the same room without starting up. Mr. Shue listened intently until she finished with a deep breath.
Jazz went to wipe her face and realized she was crying.
"I can understand how all of that can be hard." Mr. Shue said, putting an arm on her shoulder. "But remember that I'm sure you're family still loves you. And that you have me to talk to whenever. And Cory. Heck, the entire Glee club is your family now."
He squeezed her shoulder, handed her a tissue and dismissed her.
As she left she turned around and said, "You should give Kurt a chance. I bet he'll nail it."
In the hallway she ran into someone and realized it was Puck.
"Hey," His eyes swam with concern. "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing," Jazz said, smiling sadly and turning around. "Nothing at all."
"I have something I'd like to say!" Kurt raised his voice as soon as the bell rang. He stood up. "I want to audition for the Wicked solo." Jazz screamed 'Ow-ow.'
"Kurt, there's a high f in it." Mr. Shue pointed out.
"It's well with-in my range."
"Well, I think Rachel's going to be fine for the female lead, but I'm happy to have you try out something else Kurt and we'll make sure it's got a killer high note." Jazz rolled her eyes. "Anyway, I wanted to say something to you guys. I was a little disappointed how you were all so willing to take the bus together to sectionals and make Artie drive by himself with his dad. We're a team, guys. We're in this glee club together."
"Artie doesn't care, his dad drives him everywhere." Mercedes told him. Jazz clenched her jaw and patted Artie's shoulder.
"I do care," Artie finally spoke up. "It kind of hurt my feelings."
"We didn't think you would take it personally." Rachel pointed out.
"Well, you're irritating most of the time." Artie started. Jazz turned her face away to make sure no one saw her laughing. "But… don't take that personally."
"I don't know if you guys really understand how much harder Artie has to work just to keep up."
"Preach." Jazz smiled and gave Artie a high-five.
"We're riding to sectionals, together. Or we're not going at all. And to pay for the bus, we're having a bake sale." Everyone started talking at once, Jazz grinned as Tina and Artie grabbed hands. "The local nursing home was having a tag sale and my AV club friends here decided to help out." A bunch of nerds walked in rolling eleven wheel chairs. "For the next week, each of you is going to spend three hours a day in a wheel chair. Oh, and we're doing a wheel chair number." Jazz, Cory, and Artie started clapping, smiling at the looks on other people's faces.
Jazz was getting used to the wheel chair, having always stolen her aunts as a kid, and wasn't struggling at all. She was currently helping Quinn bake the brownies.
"Have you two thought of any names?" Jazz asked, measuring the flour into the bowl.
"Finn came up with one," Quinn said slowly. "Drizzle."
Jazz paused what she was doing. "Drizzle? Seriously. That boy needs brain help."
"Tell me about it." Quinn said, "I wish there was one boy out there that wasn't a moron, besides you're brother." Jazz turned her head away so that she wouldn't see her grin. "What about you and Puck, you've seemed a lot closer now that you and Oliver broke up."
"We're just friends, I think." Jazz told her, laughing. She went to grab the sugar. "Darn, I left something in my locker, be right back." She slipped off her apron and out of the classroom.
When she returned, she saw something puzzling. Puck was trying to hand Quinn money. Jazz raised an eyebrow, and darted to the side as Puck stormed towards the door. Jazz ran into Cory right then and told him to go keep Quinn entertained. She ran after Puck.
"Hey, fuzz head." She yelled, causing him to stop walking. "What was that about back there?"
He turned around to face her. He looked mad. "What was what?"
"I saw you trying to give Quinn money." Jazz asked, shaking her head at him. "What for?
"I don't think it's any of your business." Puck said, trying to turn around.
"Oh yes it is." She grabbed his arm and turned him back around. "Finn's a really good friend of mine and there shouldn't be anything behind his back."
"Oh, I get it." Puck said, throwing his head back. "Someone has a thing for Finn."
"Watch it, Puckerman." She said, poking his chest. "I don't have a thing for anyone."
"Then what happened in the bathroom last week?" He asked, bearing down on her.
She sized him up and spat, "especially you." Jazz glared at him one more time before turning around and yelling back. "And if I find you did anything behind Finn's back, I'll never speak to you again."
As she walked back to the home EC room, Jazz heard shouts and laughter coming from in there. When she looked through the door way, she saw Cory and Quinn covered in the ingredients, very close. Someone pushed by her.
"What the hell?" Finn asked, walking in on them. Jazz followed slowly.
"We're baking," Quinn tried, feebly. Jazz snorted.
"I can see that." Finn answered.
"I'm going to go change." Cory said. Jazz slapped his arm on the way out.
Poor, poor helpless Finn.
It was Glee club again and everyone was in their wheel chairs. Jazz was talking to Cory in hushed tones about what had happened.
"I've decided that Kurt and Rachel are going to have to audition for the Defying Gravity solo." Mr. Shue told them, ending Cory and Jazz's conversation. "Now, in the spirit of full access, each of you is going to get a vote. Whatever singer has the most votes gets the part." Jazz winked at Kurt.
"This isn't going to be about talent, Mr. Shuester. It's going to be a popularity contest." Rachel complained.
"Stop right there," Kurt demanded. "Mr. Shue, if I may." Mr. Shue nodded and Kurt wheeled awkwardly forward. "We all know I'm more popular than Rachel. And I dress better than her. But I want you all to promise me that you're going to vote for whoever sings the song better. Raise you're right hand." The club did as they were told. "You're right hand Brittney."
Santana had to show her which one it is.
"Repeat after me. I promise to vote for whoever sings the song better."
Everyone repeated.
Kurt rolled towards Rachel with a nice smile on his face. Then he went serious and said, "It's on."
Jazz snorted again.
It was Quinn, Finn, Puck, and Santana's turn to man the glee club bake sale. Jazz rolled up to them, grinning. Her father had called her back last night and Jazz had told him Artie's predicament. Since he had grown up with Aunt Kris, he knew exactly what she meant. That morning, he'd wired over 500 bucks and asked her to get him a cupcake. She didn't see exactly how he was going to get the cupcake but accepted it anyways.
Jazz waved to Becky, a sweet down syndrome girl, and continued on to the table where only Puck and Santana sat, Brittney standing over them.
"How much have you made today?" Jazz asked, pulling out the envelope.
"One dollar, from Becky." Santana said, frowning.
"My father would like a one cupcake." Jazz said, handing over the pack of money. Puck pulled it out and counted it.
"This is 500 dollars." He sputtered. Santana ripped him from his hands.
"He makes a lot of money," She told him beaming. "Well, I have to go. It takes forever to get to Foods from here."
"Flames!" Puck called out. "I'm glad he called." Jazz nodded her head, smiling. There was a wheeling sound behind her and Puck pulled up next to her. "I was thinking…" He started. Jazz listened carefully, rolling her wheels along. "That we go out and do something, I get to know you more."
Jazz smiled but stayed silent and left him behind in the hallway, watching her go.
As Jazz made her way to gym class, she noticed Finn and Puck bumping eachother with their wheelchairs down the hall. For a second it looked like it would stop, but then Puck jumped on Finn and they began to roll around on the floor, fighting.
She jumped out of her chair and ran down the hallway, and was on them the same time the Mr. Shue was. Jazz grabbed whoever she could out of the mix, which happened to be Finn, and tug with all her might to get him away from Puck. Mr. Shue lifted them both to their feet.
"He started it." Puck said, childishly, pushing Finn in between Jazz's small body that was holding the tall boy back.
"I don't care." Mr. Shue snapped. "Now, you guys are best friends. What the hell is going on?" Jazz waited expectantly for an answer.
"I'm just really stressed about the bake sale," Puck quickly said. Jazz could tell by his voice he was lying. He avoided her gaze. "I really like Artie, okay?" Puck gave Jazz, who was holding on to Finn, one last look before he stormed off. Jazz rolled her eyes and called after him.
"Puck, stop!" Jazz said, nearly screamed.
"What?" He snapped back, from the other end of the hallway.
"What's the matter with you?" Jazz asked, her guys widening. "Really?"
"It's nothing," Puck said, running a hand over his Mohawk. Jazz gave him a skeptical look. "Really."
"You can tell me," Jazz said softly, trying to coax it out of him.
"Why don't you go run back to Finn?" Puck said, standing up straight. Jazz gave him a sorry look.
"If you want to get to know a person, you have to let them get to know you. So, about going out…" Jazz started turning away. "How about, we don't? Alright?"
He was going to call out but she was around the corner before he had the chance.
"Kurt!" Jazz called out, hurrying towards him down the hallway. He stopped and turned towards her, a frown across his face.
"Jazz," He said slowly as she caught up with him.
"What's the matter, sunshine?" She asked, linking arms with him.
"Should I try for this solo?" He asked seriously.
"Why not?" She looked at his face. "You'll rock it."
"My dad's been getting pranks calls about me, and I really think it's setting him off." Kurt looked to her for advice. "More of it will happen if I get this solo."
"Well, Kurt. I guess, just do what you're heart tells you. It's just like being gay, isn't it?" Jazz said, leaning her head on his shoulder. "You just know."
"You're right," Kurt said, his smile blooming on his face. "Let's get to class; I heard the teacher is wearing plaid."
Everyone was there early on Thursday for the Diva off. Jazz, Tina, and Mercedes were gathered around Kurt, getting him pumped.
"Welcome," Mr. Shue said as everyone went to their seats. "To the Glee clubs first official Diva-off." Everyone clapped. "Let's get this party started." Rachel went up first.
Rachel sang hers on point, just like always. Nothing new there.
Kurt went up, and sounded amazing through the song. As he got closer to the part he'd need to sing on point to get this solo, his eyes started to mist over. His voice broke on the high F. Jazz smiled sadly at him as people clapped around her.
Everyone crowded around Kurt to tell him good job, while Rachel stood there beaming, by herself.
"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" She whispered as people left him alone. He nodded and tried to smile for her. "You're a great son."
Jazz left the room as the bell rang and ran to the pre-cal room to drop off a paper she needed to turn in. On her way back, she saw Quinn and Puck talking. She paused behind the corner.
"You stole from the cupcake fund?" Quinn accused. Jazz's heart dropped.
"No I didn't." His voice changing the way it did when he lied the other day. "Fine, I did. I made all those cupcakes, and I'm sure Jazz's dad wouldn't mind helping out a friend. I'm all about being a team player but…" Jazz covered her face and ran off down the hallway and out of the school.
Jazz leaned against Puck's truck, fuming. He walked out and spotted him standing on the passenger's sided.
"Why weren't you in glee after school?" He asked cautiously.
"Too… distracted." She said. He opened the door behind her and threw his back pack in. "Did you try stealing the money from Artie's fund?" Jazz asked outright. Puck froze, and turned his attention towards his feet. "If you need money help or anything like that, yeah, my dad wouldn't mind helping out a friend. But stealing the money he gave to help out a friend in a wheel-chair. That's just low, Puckerman. Why'd you do it anyways?" Puck merely shrugged, and she tried to push past him but he held his ground.
"Alright!" He yelled, holding her in one place and holding his other hand up. "Quinn and Finn are having money troubles and I wanted to help out my best friend. Finn wouldn't take the money, so I kept trying to give money to Quinn. But she didn't take it and I gave it all back, I swear."
Jazz grinded her teeth and looked him straight in the eyes. "And I know you put drugs in those brownies you were selling! Even after I told you how I feel about them! You are the most rude, obnoxious, horrible boy I have ever met and I can't believe I almost k…"
Puck pressed his calloused, worn lips to Jazz's small soft ones and began to kiss her, slipping his hands around her slim waist. Jazz put her hands behind his head, running her fingers along the Mohawk. He put his hands on her thighs and lifted them onto his waist. He stepped up on the ledge of his car and let the two fall back into the open passengers seat, Puck on top. As they kissed, Puck closed the door with his foot.
As they were getting into it, Jazz's phone rang. She fished it out of her pocket and told Puck to hold on. He sat up, straddling her waist and started kissing her neck.
"Hello." Jazz said into the phone, trying to get her breathing back to normal.
"Hello, Jazzebel. It Dr. Georff." He was Aunt Kris's doctor. "I'd like to inform you that she has woken up. You can come anytime to see her."
"T-thank you," She hung up, smiling unbelievable. Jazz looked up and saw a shirtless Puck smirking down at her.
"Where were we," he leaned down and started trying to kiss her again, and although Jazz was rather turned on by him, she realized what she was doing.
"Oh my gosh," She said, pushing Puck away with enough force to make him fall off onto the truck floor. "What am I doing? What are we..? Okay, I've gotta go." Jazz hopped out of the car and hurried away.
"Are you serious!" Puck yelled at the retreating red-head's back. He picked up a cup from the floor and threw it after her.
Jazz and Cory weren't there for the dress rehearsal for Proud Mary. They were on their way to their old town, to visit there recently awaken Aunt.