Corresponding episode: N/A
xoxoxo
Dave was quiet today. Kurt was used to it by now. Sometimes David was happy and outgoing; sometimes he was withdrawn and sullen. What he was happy, they bantered playfully back and forth, talking about their days, their weeks, their friends (mostly Kurt's friends), and their classes. When David was depressed, Kurt acted as his default therapist. It wasn't one-sided, however. When Kurt was having issues with bullies, or simply dealing with ignorant jerks, Dave gave him invaluable advice on how to handle them. It helped that Dave was intimately familiar with most of the people who harassed Kurt on a regular basis: Azimio, Strando, Omar, Cooper, Donovan: jocks each and every one of them.
Even though David was quiet, he wasn't still by any stretch of the imagination. Kurt watched as Dave stood on the arms of his chair and walked around the auditorium like that: from the arms of one chair to the arms of the next. He had amazing balance and grace for such a large, lumbering boy. His balance was all that saved him from falling on his ass when he and Kurt heard one of the doors open. Dave stumbled for a moment before freezing like a deer in the headlights. Kurt's eyes went wide as he spotted Mr. Schuester heading down the stairs, head bent down as he looked over some paperwork. David jumped down from the arms of the chair, landing with a "thud" between two rows of chairs.
Mr. Schu looked up and eyed first David, then Kurt. "Uh, hey guys. What are you two up to?"
Kurt and David looked at each other for a minute before looking back at Mr. Schuester. "I…we, uh…"
"I'm counseling David in regards to his homophobia and bullying." Dave shot Kurt a nasty look before returning his gaze to Mr. Schuester. Mr. Schuester didn't look fully convinced. "Umm…David genuinely wants to be a good person, but, you know…old habits die hard. And it doesn't help that his only friends are all bullies and the glee club refuses to accept him as one of us." Kurt found the longer he talked, the more natural the lie felt. "I'm helping him by giving him coping techniques when it comes to adversity and standing up to his friends."
Mr. Schuester nodded thoughtfully, obviously pleased with Kurt's answer. "I'm glad you're trying to make amends David. And Kurt, it's good of you to put aside your past with David and work towards a better future…But don't either of you have class?" Both Kurt and David shook their heads in the negative. "Ok, then. I just wanted to set up the stage for today's assignment…" Mr. Schu paused in his descent of the stairs and looked off into nothingness.
A moment later, when Mr. Schu seemed to return to his senses, he continued, "On second thought, I think I'm going to change this week's assignment. I'll see you guys later."
With that, Mr. Schuester turned around and jogged back up the stairs and out the door he entered through, waving at them as he left. "Seriously?" Kurt turned to face David. "Did you have to tell him that?"
Kurt shrugged. "I couldn't think of anything else."
"Um…how about we're working on glee stuff?"
Kurt held up his fist, his index finger raised, "One, it's Monday; we don't have an assignment yet, so that wouldn't make sense." Kurt put up his middle finger along with the index finger to signify his second point, "Two, now we have a blank check to be in here whenever, because my story isn't something that'll just take one period. Three," Kurt raised his ring finger, "Mr. Schuester now has greater respect for the both of us."
Dave shook his head. "I dunno; I don't like this. It makes me feel vulnerable…insecure, like there's something wrong with me."
Kurt sucked his bottom lip in. "Well…there kind of is."
Dave let out a snort. "So you admit that being g- ...being like, you know…you, is a bad thing?"
Kurt crossed his arms over his chest indignantly. "That is not what I was referring to. I was referring to your self-loathing and your need to take out your own 'insecurities' on other people." In response to that, David plopped down into the nearest chair and put his feet up, reclining so that he was staring at the ceiling. "So…on a lighter note, how are you feeling about glee?"
Dave shrugged. "Glee's pretty okay. The people in glee? That's another matter."
Kurt nodded. "Give them time. You'll be part of the family soon enough."
"Yippee"
Kurt smiled at Dave's mock enthusiasm. "Besides…I think Mr. Schuester might have had a brain-storm."
"Looked more like a brain fart to me."
xoxoxo
Forgiveness
Kurt looked at the word on the white board. Did Mr. Schuester really think this was going to help at all? David, having already 'guessed' the assignment was flicking through his IPhone trying to find a suitable song.
"Okay guys. As you may have figured out, this week's theme is Forgiveness. You can look at this from two different perspectives; asking for forgiveness, or granting it."
Artie raised his hand, "Yo. Mr. Schuester, I got this." Mr. Schuester sat down in one of the empty chairs and ushered Artie forward to the "stage."
Have you ever been hated or discriminated against?
I have; I've been protested and demonstrated against
Picket signs for my wicked rhymes, look at the times
Sick as the mind of the motherfuckin kid that's behind
All this commotion emotions run deep as ocean's explodin
Tempers flarin from parents just blow 'em off and keep goin
Not takin nothin from no one give 'em hell long as I'm breathin
Keep kickin ass in the mornin and takin names in the evenin
Leave 'em with a taste as sour as vinegar in they mouth
See they can trigger me, but they'll never figure me out
Look at me now; I bet ya probably sick of me now ain't you momma?
I'm a make you look so ridiculous now
I'm sorry momma!
I never meant to hurt you!
I never meant to make you cry; but tonight
I'm cleanin out my closet (one more time)
I said I'm sorry momma!
I never meant to hurt you!
I never meant to make you cry; but tonight
I'm cleanin out my closet
Artie continued with his rendition of Eminem's "Cleaning Out My Closet" to the plaudits of his club-mates. David, far from being a fan of rap, clapped enthusiastically, faking an interest in Artie's song selection while forcing down an unexpected nausea.
xoxoxo
The week continued in much the same fashion with the gleeks sharing their song selections interspersed with little speeches by Mr. Schuester on redemption, acceptance, forgiveness, and camaraderie. On Tuesday, Rachel sang Taylor Swift's "Back to December" while Finn sang The Rolling Stones' "Prodigal Son." Wednesday, Brittany regaled them with her version of Lily Allen's "Go Back to the Start" followed by Bob Dylan's "Angelina" as sung by Puck. Thursday, Dave was still trying to stave off his nausea. He had no fever, no cough, no vertigo, his teeth didn't feel loose, his scalp didn't feel tight, so he attributed the horrible feeling to food poisoning instead of illness and opted to skip glee to lie down in the nurse's office. Friday he returned to glee club (not feeling any better, but hardly feeling worse), in order to share his song selection.
Just one more chance
To prove it's you alone I care for
Each night I say a little prayer for
Just one more chance
Just one more night
To taste the kisses that enchant me
I'd want no others, if you'd grant me
Just one more chance
It was one of David's favorite songs and he thought of his feelings for Kurt every time he heard it. He hoped Kurt realized he was singing it to him, without being too stalker-creepy obvious.
I've learned the meaning of repentance
Now you're the jury at my trial
I know that I should serve my sentence
Still I'm hoping all the while
You'll give me, just one more word
I said that I was glad to start out
But now I'm back to cry my heart out
For just one more chance
I've learned the meaning of repentance…
David felt his stomach lurch. His head felt light, his chest felt taught. Dropping the microphone David ran from the choir room and had barely made it to the hall before emptying the few contents of his stomach onto the floor. All week, eating had been a near painful ordeal; so many smells made the nausea worse and the foods that he could choke down weighed heavily in his stomach, threatening to reappear at any time. David was so busy dry heaving that even his subconscious didn't remember to flinch when he felt a hand come down softly on his shoulder. He could faintly hear Mr. S's voice over his own retching. "Why don't you head down to the nurse, David? I'll call a janitor to take care of this." David nodded weakly before straightening at the waist and leaving his embarrassment behind in the choir room.
xoxoxo
Cleaning Out My Closet by Eminem
Just One More Chance by Dean Martin (or Bing Crosby, I couldn't figure out who sang it first, I'll assume Bing Crosby, but I like the Dean Martin version better)