Dylan was walking past the choir room when he heard the unmistakable light voice of Quinn Fabray fill his ears.
"I didn't kiss Finn, Sam. I saved his life." She said before she explained this completely nonsense story about choking on a gumball and her giving him CPR. She isn't even properly qualified to give CPR! Dylan should know, he has the health and safety certificate and is currently talking Quinn into getting one incase something happens in Cheerios. But apparently Sam believed it when he said: "I totally almost choked on a gumball once". Dylan could only sigh at the blonde's stupidity. For both Quinn and Sam. He then walked away.
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"You're just going to say 'I'm just copying-'…" Rachel said before Brittany finished the sentence.
"I'm just copying Rachel Berry." She replied and the diva smiled.
"Fantastic." She happily said before Dylan walked up to the girls.
"Hey, Rachel." He said before turning to Brittany.
"Remember. We're practicing for the competition in the auditorium tomorrow after school." He said to Brittany who nodded. Dylan smiled before looking to Brittany's arms.
"Why do you have legwarmers on your arms?" he asked.
"I'm just copying Rachel Berry." The dancer just replied and Dylan turned to Rachel, an eyebrow quirked. Rachel just groaned and walked away before the two blondes walked to glee club.
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"This cannot be happening." Tina said.
"This seems like a terrible idea." Artie added on before Mr. Schuester interjected: "Guys, it's not up for discussion okay?"
But it clearly was. When Dylan walked in with Brittany, they saw Coach Sylvester sat on the end of the middle row. They just looked to each other, confused before Mr. Schuester told them to take a seat and just announced it there and then.
"Now, it's no secret that Coach Sylvester has taken her licks-" Mr. Schuester said before Santana cut him off.
"I mean, just wanky." She said before Mr. Schuester carried on.
"And I believe she could use a little sympathy from us." He finished before Mercedes, Quinn and Santana hit back and then Coach Sylvester unleashed a verbal lashing at Santana.
"Guys…Coach Sylvester has had her recent setbacks but she is a proven champion. Now we could do worse than to have that kind of a winning record in our midst." Mr. Schuester then said.
"Well, we could do better. I mean, we could have one that continuously wins and does it without degrading people." Mitchell said
"And also trying to destroy the glee club." Dylan added on, everyone agreeing.
"Let me break it down for you: I am no longer a threat to you, alright? I'm just hoping that your singing and dancing around will pull me out of my doldrums and give me a reason to live. Is that too much to ask?" she asked.
"Yes!" Mitchell replied but Mr. Schuester interrupted again.
"Guys, it's settled. Sue's going to be with us for the week." He said before turning to the piano.
"Now, I received an envelope in the mail today." He then said to slight cheers from the club, causing him to laugh a little before announcing the Regionals competition.
"We know that we're facing Kurt and the Warblers at Regionals. And it looks like this year, we face Aural Intensity again." Will said and Dylan heard sighing around him. He wasn't complaining. He watched the videos from Regionals last year and he thought it should've been a close call between Vocal Adrenaline and New Directions if Aural Intensity played fair.
"They cleaned our clock last year." Mercedes said.
"And it seems like the governing board has issued a theme to this years Regionals and part of our score will be based on how well we interpret it. This years theme: anthem. Mow who can tell us what an anthem is?" Mr. Schuester asked.
"The bottom of an ant's pants." Brittany replied and Dylan smiled, placing a gentle hand on the girl's shoulder.
"So close. So close. No, an anthem is an epic song filled with a groundswell of emotion that somehow seems bigger than itself. Even bigger than the person performing it." He said before Sam raised his hand.
"Mr Schue?" he asked and Will turned to the blonde boy.
"Oh, hey Sam. I didn't even notice your new haircut." He said and Sam smiled, standing up and going next to the director.
"Yeah, I've been working on a new image to go with my new one man band: the Justin Bieber Experience." he replied to wide eyed reactions from everyone.
"You've got to be kidding me." Quinn said, almost horrified.
"Dude that haircut makes your mouth look even bigger." Puck said in a trance like voice.
"Yeah, I'd be fine with the Justin Timberlake Experience but that is just weird." Dylan added on.
"Let her speak." And there is Sue Sylvester delivering the home run before Sam spoke again.
"Laugh all you want but that kid's an epic talent and there's a number I've been working on I want to show off." He said.
"I wouldn't be surprised if it was a little black dress with a plunging neckline. It would match Bieber's gender." Jack said with everyone laughing, except Sam who just ignored him.
"And I think it qualifies as an anthem because it's just hugely emotional and sums up our generation." He finished.
"Alright, let's hear it buddy." Mr. Schuester said before Sam retrieved his guitar and started up 'Baby'. Dylan did seriously did like that song but at least when Sam was singing it and not a 12 year old girl on helium, it was almost tolerable and the girls seem to enjoy it too. And when he finished, there was applause from most members of the club with Mr. Schue calling him 'the Biebster' before Sue Sylvester had the last laugh.
"I've gotta get that girl on my Cheerios." She said and cue the hysterical laughter from Jack.
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Artie, Puck and Mike decided to join The Justin Bieber Experience and after they performed 'Somebody To Love', Brittany ran over to Artie who smiled and kissed her.
"So, are we ready for BreadstiX tonight?" he asked, flipping his 'restyled Bieber hair' back. Brittany's face fell.
"Tonight?…I can't see-" Brittany started before Dylan went onstage and clapped his hands.
"Alright, people. Move out! Miss Pierce and I have to practice. Competition is on Saturday and we have to be…." He called out before starting to sing 'Perfect For You' from Next To Normal and people started dispersing save Santana, Sam, Quinn who were talking at the other side of the stage and Puck and Lauren who were talking by the front row of seats. After 30 second conversations, they left. Artie just looked to Brittany.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked.
"I did. I told you last night but you said you were too busy 'changing my weave to get my girl forever'." Brittany replied and Artie sighed.
"I'm sorry." He said and Brittany didn't reply. She just watched as he waited for a reply before sighing and wheeling away.
Dylan walked up behind Brittany and put an arm on her shoulder.
"Come on. It'll take your mind off of things." He gently said and they began to practice their routines.
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2 and a half hours later, Figgins had came in telling them to stop and go home. They both nodded and Figgins left.
"Alright. It looks like we're sorted. You remember the costumes right?" Dylan asked.
"Very pale blue dress and pink nightie." Brittany replied and Dylan nodded before they pulled each other into an embrace.
"We're gonna ace this." Dylan said and he felt Brittany nod into his chest. They then broke it before Brittany picked up her duffel bag and smiled to Dylan, who smiled back before watching Brittany walk away. When she was out of eyesight, Dylan picked up his water bottle and took a swig.
When he took a deep breath in to get his energy back, he heard slow clapping behind him. Dylan sighed before turning around to see Jack Harmon in the wings.
"How long have you been spying?" Dylan asked.
"What my daily schedule tells me: ever since you started rehearsing the first routine." Jack replied with his lopsided smirk. The smaller boy then stepped forward and began circling Dylan.
"So…how would you describe your relationship with The Theorist?" he asked and Dylan quirked an eyebrow.
"You sound like a news reporter." He said.
"Wait a few years; you'll see me on the other end of the camera. Anyway, you haven't answered my question." Jack retorted and Dylan sighed.
"We're just friends. She's with Artie anyway." The dancing blonde said.
"But you want to be more?" the balladeer blonde hit back.
"No." Dylan replied.
"Don't lie." Jack said as he continued circling Dylan like the vulture that he is.
"Okay, fine! Yes! I'm in love with Brittany! Satisfied?" the boxer asked before putting his head in his hands. Jack just smiled and shook his head.
"No." he said, watching as Dylan's head whipped up. Jack could see the anger rising in the boy's eyes so he raised his hands up.
"I don't mean to offend…10% of the time." He said and Dylan sighed.
"I might as well ask how you and Felicia are doing. I mean god knows how she keeps up with you." Dylan said and Jack just looked down saying nothing, causing Dylan to step forward.
"You're having problems aren't you?' he asked.
"I didn't say that." Jack replied immediately.
"But you didn't say you weren't." Dylan fought back and Jack again said nothing.
"I wonder why? I mean you are kind of an ass. You do insult people a lot, if that's on your 'daily schedule' or not."
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"Does Tupac have a magic ability to make black people dance like ABBA does to white people?" Jack asked Mercedes.
"Listen, Shore Leave. Can you shut your mouth since your legs can't seem to do so?" he asked Santana.
"And my personal favourite." Dylan said.
"Can somebody return the Queer-tron 5000 to wherever they got it from? It seems to be malfunctioning." He said, referring to Kurt's Mellencamp look.
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"How did you find out about that last one?" Jack asked.
"Mercedes told me." Dylan simply replied.
"It's not that. It's my friendship with Rachel." Jack said.
"You forgot to add 'with benefits'. At least that's what I heard anyway." Dylan said as Jack got out his phone and put it to his ear.
"Pressed Lemon? It's Harmon. I need you to find out who spread the rumor about me and Rachel." Jack said on the phone, probably to Ethan Pressman. After a few seconds he put the phone down and turned back to Dylan.
"Zip it, Happy Feet. That's not true." He replied with a little bit of anger in his tone.
"Look. I know that you're probably the last person to go to me for advice-" Dylan started.
"That could not be more true." Jack cut in.
"But you just need to tell Felicia the truth about you and Rachel. She'll probably understand. But if she doesn't then you're probably going to have to pull the song card." Dylan said and Jack rolled his eyes as Dylan picked up his duffel.
"Look. I have to go or Figgins will lock me inside the school and I don't want that. But just think about it." Dylan said before leaving, knowing he wouldn't get an answer straight away.
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The next day, the diva-off between Mercedes and Rachel took place and Mr. Schuester had just announced it. Both girls had told Dylan about the 'insults' towards each other and immediately, Dylan smelled a rat. He knew that neither of the girls would say that about each other. Rachel was probably more likely to say it but Dylan knew she wouldn't as the Broadway div said she considered Mercedes as a friend.
Mercedes was stood by the piano as Rachel began talking.
"Uh, after much argument, I finally convinced Mercedes that in order to do a proper diva-off, it has to come from the Broadway catalogue. Which I think is safe to say that that gives me a home field advantage." She said.
"Oh, well you're about to get beat on your own turf." Mercedes hit back before Rachel cued the band.
Dylan didn't know who to root for: he liked both girls. Mercedes was great but Rachel had been so nice to him ever since he started. Come to think of it, he had talked to Rachel more than Mercedes and he considered Mercedes more of a friend than Rachel. But it looked like it didn't matter because at the end of the number, they were hugging and laughing. And then Sue asked about where the hate was.
"Not the point of glee club, Sue." Mr. Schuester replied and Dylan just smiled at the two girls, who smiled back.
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A couple of weeks back, Mr. Schuester announced that there was a volunteer monthly spot to go to the pediatric ward at the Lima Hospital and sing a few songs to the children there. Dylan decided to volunteer and he found out that Mr. Schuester knew about this because he did the same spot too.
He was currently in the ward with his ukulele waiting for Mr. Schuester who told him he was bringing Coach Sylvester. He was tuning it when he saw the door open and Mr. Schuester walk in, greeting Hailey who was the carer for the kids.
"Hi, guys!" he said to the kids, who replied with a lot of "Hey, Will" and "Hi, Will". Hailey then recognized Sue Sylvester and announced to the kids that she was interviewed by Katie Couric.
"Holy sweet baby Jesus." Sue said before Hailey turned to the kids again.
"What do you say guys? You ready to make some music?" she asked and they all applauded and said "Yeah!" before they sat in the circle and Dylan and Will discussed what songs they were going to do. They started with 'Stand By Me' before getting the kids to learn parts for 'This Little Light Of Mine'.
"Alright and that's all there is to it." Will said before Dylan turned to the kids.
"So, does everyone know their parts?" he asked and they all agreed.
"My kids are gonna mop the floor with your kids." Sue said and Dylan smiled.
"Not a chance Sylvester." He said and Mr. Schuester laughed.
"Alright. Me and Dylan are going to sing the first two and then you guys come in and join me just like we practiced. Alright?" Will asked and the kids nodded before Mr. Schuester nodded to Dylan.
"1, 2, 3, 4." He counted and Dylan and Will started strumming their ukuleles with harmonious chords. They then smiled before starting to sing, Will with the melody and Dylan with an improvised higher harmony.
This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
The kids then joined in with the rest of the verse before they all sang the second verse and then the men stepped back and let the kids sing the last verse. When the song finished, Dylan had a little tear running down before he wiped it away and smiled.
"Give yourselves a hand!" he said and everyone applauded.
"Alright. Good job." Will added on.
"I'll never forgive you for this." Sue said and Will just smiled and said: "Deal".
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It seems that Sue had a change of heart. She even suggested a song to sing and it just happened to be Dylan's favourite My Chemical Romance song: 'SING' and when it came to perform it, Dylan practically demanded for a solo which he actually got. And he sang it with everything he had.
Sing it out
Boy they're gonna sell what tomorrow means
Sing it out
Girl before they kill what tomorrow brings
You've got to
Make a choice if the music drowns you out
Raise your voice every single time they try and shut your mouth
And the number went so well, that he actually applauded Sue Sylvester for choosing that song. And when everyone was sat on the edge of the stage, he was sat between Santana and Rachel and his arms slung around both of their shoulders but they didn't seem to mind.
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In glee the next morning, Sam and Santana somehow ended up together and before Dylan could question Quinn what was going on, Mr. Schuester came in.
"I hate to say it but I think we all owe Sue a big thank you. She may hate us but she did give us a kick-butt song for Regionals." Will said and everyone applauded.
"Yeah, she did!" Dylan proclaimed.
"That's right." Will agreed before Rachel stood up.
"Mr. Schuester, our admiration for Coach Sylvester may be a little premature. While I love My Chemical Romance and I think we all kicked butt at that number, as our team leader and arbiter of all that is good, I have to say that I don't think that that song is good enough for Regionals." Rachel said before saying that the Warblers have Kurt and Blaine and they got beat by Aural Intensity last year and that they couldn't do any song to beat them.
"You mean a number where you don't get to sing the entire song." Mercedes said.
"You guys, this isn't about me." Rachel replied before Mr. Schuester asked what Rachel meant.
"We need to be bold and epic. We need to write our own original music for Regionals. We need an indisputable advantage." Rachel said. Dylan's hands just gently snaked into his jeans pocket as the conversation carried on.
"Check out dwarf Diane Warren." Santana put in.
"Look, we can't lose Regionals again this year, you guys. Okay? You have to trust me. I feel really, really strongly about this." Rachel finished before Mr. Schue said they should put it to a vote.
"All those in favor of doing an original song?" Will asked and Jack and Rachel raised their hands.
"Chemical Romance?" Will then asked and everyone else apart from Rachel, Jack and Dylan put their hands up. Which Will noticed.
"Dylan. Why didn't you raise your hand?" he asked.
"Because although I do love that MCR song, I do think that writing original music is a good idea. I don't know, I just can't decide. But my vote wouldn't swing the winner so…" Dylan said and Mr. Schuester before gesturing apologetically to Rachel.
"And guys, remember to be at the Renaissance Theatre on Saturday. It's Dylan and Brittany's big competition." He said and Dylan and Brittany smiled to each other.
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"Please give it up for Francesca Rodriguez and Lewis Donaldson. Currently in first place with 109 out of 120." The announcer of the 2011 Ohio Contemporary Dance Competition. Dylan and Brittany were backstage. They had performed their first routine to 'Fix You' by Coldplay and had received 54 out of 60. They needed 54 to go into first and there were still two couples after them, one being the hot favorites to win.
Brittany was visibly nervous as Francesca and Lewis took their bows. The routine they were about to do was definitely more daring and more complicate than their 'Fix You' routine. Dylan noticed this and just asked one question.
"Do you trust me?" he asked and Brittany just looked to his eyes and all of her fear had disintegrated. She nodded and smiled, Dylan smiling before he gently took her hand.
"And now, performing to Celine Dion's 'I Surrender' from Lima, Ohio: Brittany Pierce and Dylan Armstrong." The tannoy broadcasted and the two blondes made their way out to applause, the most audible definitely from the glee club. The got into position and as the music started, their bodies moved in sync with each other and as the drums entered, the routine became more intense and there was this one moment where Brittany did the splits in mid air and Dylan had to catch her. And when it came up, they both just went for it and it didn't end up like last weeks rehearsal in front of the studio classmates where everyone thought Brittany had dislocated her shoulder. It went perfectly and when the final drum beat filled the theatre, the audience were stunned silent until a tidal wave of applause hit them and they smiled and bowed before waving to the glee club who were standing for the two. Even Jack, which Dylan smiled at.
"The judges scores: 10, 9, 10, 10, 10 and 10. 59 out 60." The tannoy said and the dancers hugged. They were in first with 115 out of 120 and now all they had to do was wait.
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Hannah and Dean Emerson ended up with a total of 111 out of 150 and the last couple to dance stepped out onto the stage. Imogene Edmondson and Jonathan Black were champions for 4 years running and were currently on 57 out of 60 for their first routine. Their second routine was a piece to Leona Lewis' 'Bleeding Love' and watching it from the wings, Dylan and Brittany were already feeling the pressure. But halfway through, Jonathan slipped over his own foot and fell to his front. And it looked obvious that that wasn't part of the routine.
At the end, they bowed and acted like it didn't happen but wit their score being 49, their total score was 106 out of 120 and the McKinley students embraced tightly backstage.
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"And your first place winners from Lima, Ohio: Dylan Armstrong and Brittany Pierce!" the MC said into a microphone and Brittany and Dylan walked onstage, waving to the applauding crowd and they accepted their medals and held the trophy above their heads before hugging the glee club and their families as they made their way onstage.
Dylan smiled as he realised he was on a winning streak with Sectionals, the soccer championship and now this? Next stop: Regionals.
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Dance routines videos (remove the spaces)
Fix You: youtube .com/watch?v=dOOClFzBnkQ&feature=related
I Surrender: youtube .com/watch?v=8Nijg8u_9BI&feature=related
Alright! So there's 'Comeback'. I'd like to thank Soulless Warlock for giving me the idea for the Harmstrong scene and Jack's insults.
So now, if you could go to 'Blame It On The Alcohol' where everything shall change for Dylan…