"I've been to Ann Taylor, Loft, Filenes' Basement and like six Forever 21's and I cannot find a dress that fits. I'll be forced to make my own dress for prom." Lauren said as she, Santana, Brittany and Jenn walked in.
"Don't, you'll seem poor." Brittany said as they sat down.
"You're up for queen, you can't make your own dress. Prom is like our Oscars. It's seriously the most important night of our lives." Santana then said.
"What about getting married?" Lauren then asked.
"Oh, you can get married as many times as you want. You only get one shot at your junior prom." Quinn answered before Mercedes walked in, asking what they were talking about.
"Prom dresses." Lauren answered.
"Well, thank God I don't have to worry about that: I'm not going." Mercedes then said.
"Why not?" Kurt asked.
"Cos nobody's asked me." Mercedes then said.
"Yeah. I'm not going here. I'm still trying to get over the asshole that shall not be named." Jenn said, speaking up for the first time. Brittany looked guilty but Jenn noticed and gave her a reassuring look.
"I don't blame you solely Brittany. He shouldn't have made the first move." Jenn said.
"But I was still part of it too. And I asked the question-"
"Which was a rumor being spread and you wanted to clear it up. But he also made the first move and that's what hurts the most. And I don't hold grudges, unless it's against a guy who cheats." Jenn finished Brittany's sentence and Brittany gave a small smile before Mr. Schuester walked in and wrote 'Prom' on the board. He then turned to everyone.
"Alright, guys. Prom." He said before Sam spoke up.
"Please tell me we're not doing songs about prom." He said.
"Nope. We are the prom. Figgins has asked to perform." Mr. Schuester explained before Rachel asked if they could do 'Run, Joey, Run'.
"I'd agree with Rachel if my ears didn't bleed profusely during King Kong's, Mohawk Jew's and Greased Lightning's parts. We're not doing that song." Jack spoke up. Jenn just raised her eyebrows at the boy before Mr. Schuester carried on.
"Now, I know this isn't ideal with Nationals coming up but we really don't have a choice. And we could really use the money." He said before grabbing a chair and sitting on it backwards.
"But I know that prom is a special rite of passage. I'll make sure that all of you guys get a chance to enjoy the dance too. So we're gonna stagger performances so that each and everyone of you has a lot of time to dance with your dates." He then said and Jenn rolled her eyes while Mercedes walked out, Mr. Schuester spotting both actions.
"Are they okay?" he asked.
"They don't have dates for prom." Quinn answered.
"So? I don't have a date. I'm just gonna dance and then all of your dates are gonna ignore you and come dance with me so your dates are really my dates." Brittany said and Jenn smirked at the girl.
"Hey, who knows? I might go and dance with you." The redhead said, making Brittany smile.
"You're gonna play gay?" Puck asked.
"I'm a natural double agent. I play for both teams. I fly the purple flag. I'm bisexual and proud." Jenn replied to which made everyone look to the girl.
"I'm gonna go talk to Mercedes." Kurt then said, beginning to stand up before Rachel beat him to the punch. Everyone just looked before Lauren turned to Jenn.
"So…you been in a relationship with another girl, McGraw?" she asked and Jenn nodded.
"One when I was in Michigan." She replied.
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After glee, Jenn was at her locker when she heard footsteps approach her.
"Stoplight." The perpetrator greeted. Jenn rolled her eyes.
"What do you want, Harmon?" the girl asked before turning to the blonde balladeer.
"Since your not going to prom, I think we should go together and laugh at people falling over. And everyone knows people will considering Mohawk Jew is prime suspect number 1 to spike the punch bowl. And according to your files, you seem to laugh at that kind of thing." Jack said, with a smirk. Jenn looked like ET had just talked to her.
"Okay…thee questions. One: you're asking me to prom? Two: You spread that rumor didn't you? And three: you went through my files?" Jenn asked and Jack just kept his smirk in place.
"Yes to all 3. So are you coming or what?" Jack asked and Jenn mirrored Jack's smirk.
"Alright. I was gonna go with Rachel, Mercedes and Sam but going with you should be more fun. And according to your files, you're picking me at BreadstiX at 7:30." Jenn said before walking away.
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"Getting a look past him is like getting a thumbs up from Joan and Melissa Rivers. It just might goose our pre prom buzz factor." Tina said before Lauren walked in, wearing a yellow, ruffled dress.
"I look like a lemon meringue pie." Lauren said.
"I think you look delicious." Brittany then said.
"Who said something about lemon meringue pie?" the voice of Jenn McGraw asked from behind the shade.
"It's what I look like in my dress." Lauren then called back.
"Oooh, sounds appetizing." Jenn then replied in a teasing voice before laughter arose from the shop.
"That's what I said." Brittany then said before Kurt looked to Lauren.
"Don't despair. Nobody bigger than a size 2 looks good in a prom dress, I mean they're practically designed to make us look awkward." Kurt said before scanning the dress.
"I think the color is wrong…let's go navy: it's chic and slimming!" Kurt then exclaimed.
"Duly noted." Lauren said with a smile on her face and Tina, Brittany agreed with the boy before Kurt turned back to the screen.
"Next." He said and both Jenn and Santana lightly ran from behind each side of the screen to both reveal their dresses. They were both red but Jenn's was more vibrant and shorter as it came to just above her knee while Santana's was almost floor length.
"A devil and a firecracker in red dresses. They're both perfect and they're totally appropriate for your personalities. I have no criticisms. Go with God, Satan – Santana and you too Jennifer." Kurt said and the girls smiled before Kurt stood up.
"Now if you ladies excuse me, I have to pull options for my own prom outfit." Kurt then said.
"Wait, so you're going? Stag? That's just tragic. That's almost worse than Jenn going to the prom with Jack Off." Santana said and Jenn narrowed her eyes but smirked to the Latina.
"Yes, I'm going. And not alone: with Blaine." Kurt countered before everyone smiled, Tina squealing and they congratulated him before Santana pulled Kurt to one side. The rest talked animatedly while Brittany looked to Jenn.
"Okay, now I really wanna dance with you at prom now I've seen you in that dress." Brittany said and Jenn smiled.
"You can. Jack said he wouldn't mind dancing with me under bright lighting in case he gets blinded by my hair and considering he snuck into the gym earlier today and saw the bright lights, he picked one place where we could dance and that was in the back corner by the stage." Jenn said and Brittany smiled.
"Cool. You look like an awesome dancer too. Usually people who wear red are good dancer. I mean I wore red when I was on the Cheerios before I quit." Brittany said and Jenn smiled.
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Brittany, Kurt, Mercedes, Tina and Jenn were in Home Economics where Brittany was confused about how to crack an egg when Artie wheeled in. The dancer had told Jenn about what happened between her and Artie and although Jenn thought the blonde girl was dim, she knew she wasn't stupid and she took an instant disliking to Artie after he called her that. Artie then said that he was a jerk to Brittany and that he wanted to make it up to her with a song so she would think about going to prom with him.
"A prom proposal!" Jenn heard Kurt excitedly whisper from behind her before Artie started singing 'Isn't She Lovely' by Stevie Wonder. Jenn looked to Brittany, who didn't look interested before she stood up to wash her hands when Puck, Sam, Mike and Finn entered playing two guitars, the kitchen drums-a-la-'Stomp' and a cheese grater respectively.
When it had finished, Artie looked to Brittany.
"So?" he asked.
"Artie that was lovely. But I'm not gonna go to prom with you. You called me stupid and I really didn't like that so…I'm sorry but I'm gonna go to prom by myself and really work on me and dance with other people's dates. Especially Jack's cos she's hot." Brittany said and Jenn couldn't help but let out a laugh. Artie nodded before he said he understood and he hoped she knew how sorry he was before leaving. Jenn heard Puck ask Artie about spiking the punch bowl and her eyebrows raised.
'Is Harmon a mutant? How did he know Puck was actually planning to spike the punch bowl?' she thought.
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"Mercedes, can I just say you look fierce in your dress?" Rachel asked.
"Totally, Mercedes. You both look smoking." Jesse added on as Mercedes sat down before Jenn arrived.
"Sorry, I'm late. My mom kept me taking pictures. She wanted Jack to come but I said it would be best not to in case he mistakes her for Susan Sarandon." Jenn said and Rachel, Sam and Mercedes laughed. Jesse smiled at this mysterious girl.
"I don't believe I've been introduced to such an amazingly dressed young woman. I'm Jesse St James." The dark haired boy said, extending a hand. Jenn looked to it before looking to Rachel.
"The guy who cracked an egg on your head?" she deadpanned and Rachel sighed.
"He's apologized and I've forgiven him. Plus, he's here to help the New Directions." Rachel said and Jenn just shrugged before shaking his hand.
"Jennifer McGraw." She replied before slipping her hand away.
"Oh, wow. Your hand is slippery. You been preparing for Round 2? Are yolks not going to shower her right now?" Jenn asked, still on her guard.
"I thought you didn't hold grudges?" Mercedes asked.
"Well when there's a sub category of assault in there, I tend to be on my guard." Jenn replied. Rachel let out a little sigh.
"Jenn-" Rachel started but Jesse raised a hand.
"It's okay, Rachel. She has a right to be skeptical. She's never seen but only heard." Jesse said before his date sighed and the boy turned to Jenn.
"Careful. Smart girl." He said and Jenn just sighed before Sam decided to break the silence by asking about his bolo tie.
"Saw Springsteen on the cover of Tunnel Of Love album, wearing it." Sam then said.
"Dude, that was like 20 years ago." Jenn and Jesse said before they looked to each other.
"Springsteen fan? Wow." Jesse said and Jenn just looked to the boy who then apologized about what he had heard had happened to Sam's family.
"Um, I hope its okay, I sort of filled Jesse in on what was going on." Rachel then said.
"Of course it's okay. Sam has nothing to be ashamed of. I know how tough it is out there." Jesse replied before saying he couldn't get a job at being a singing waiter at Johnny Rockets.
"You applied for that job too?" Jenn asked and Jesse laughed, nodding before turning back to the others.
"But I've got an idea. They say that the best time to start any business is during a recession. I don't know why or even what a recession is but it's my understanding that we're in one." He said.
"He's so smart. I can't believe he flunked out of college." Rachel said.
"You flunked out of college? Shock horror." Jenn then said sarcastically but Jesse just ignored her.
"So I was thinking. What are the two things that I'm great at? Show choir and destroying the competition. So what if I opened up a dance studio where I could act as a consultant for show choirs looking to get that extra edge?" Jesse asked.
"Do you think there are enough show choirs to keep you in business?" Mercedes asked.
"Of course there aren't!" Jenn said.
"Of course there are! That's a brilliant idea, you could be the…the Show Choir whisperer." Rachel said before the couple broke into giggles.
"I'm sure we could get Mr. Schue to hire him in a second and that's how we can beat Vocal Adrenaline!" the diva then said before Finn and Quinn appeared.
"Guys, you look amazing! And don't forget to vote Hudson-Fabray tonight." Quinn said smiling. Jenn just raised an eyebrow before Finn turned to Jesse.
"Hey, Jesse. What'd you order? Scrambled eggs? I know you usually like them served on people's heads." The quarterback said and Jenn smirked at this.
"Quinn, you look stunning. The ghost of Grace Kelly. Let me know if you get tired of your boyfriend stomping on your pretty little feet all night. I'll be more than happy to cut in." Jesse countered and Jenn couldn't help but smirk at this.
"Okay, hush you guys. You're totally ruining the vibe. Quinn, you look hot. Finn, you look handsome. Love you guys but get lost. We'll see you there." Mercedes said to the power couple, who left.
"Alright. This is gonna be off the hook." Mercedes then said to the other 4.
"Who's ready for some prom?" Sam asked, banging his fists on the table.
"I'm ready for prom." Rachel said.
"I was born ready." Jenn said before they clinked their glasses.
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While Puck, Sam and Artie were singing 'Friday', Jack decided to stay away from this dancing to this song because he "refuses to even move anything in his body, except vomit going upwards, when it comes to Rebecca Black" so Jenn was dancing with Brittany. Well, she danced with Jenn before deciding to dance with Mike. And then Tina literally threw him off of her so now she was back to dancing with Jenn. When they finished, Brittany and Jenn were laughing as they yelled "Best prom ever!" over the applause.
They were giggling with each other before Figgins made his way to the stage.
"Attention, students. We have a special guest here today performing. From Ohio's National Championship winning show choir: 'Vocal Adrenaline', it is Mr Dylan Armstrong." Figgins announced into the microphone and everyone, bar New Directions who were both shocked and angry that he showed his face here again, were applauding the former McKinley student as he made his way to the stage. He was dressed in a grey tuxedo, with a red rose on the left side of his jacket collar, and black smart shoes. He went up to the microphone and waved.
"Hey, everyone. Umm…I asked Principal Figgins if I could perform here tonight and I'm really glad he said yes because I wanted to sing a song to a special someone." He said before scanning the crowd and spotting the red siren that was Jenn McGraw and he looked right into her brown eyes.
"Jenn…I'm so sorry about what happened. I made a mistake and I could promise it won't happen again but you probably won't believe it. But I want to sing a song to you in hope that you will forgive me and dance with me tonight." Dylan said before making his way over to the piano. Jenn couldn't help but think back to Home Economics where Artie sang to Brittany.
Dylan sat by the piano and took a deep breath before playing the introduction.
Ohhh...
Yeah...
Hold my hand...
We miss you...
This life don't last forever (hold my hand)
So tell me what we're waiting for (hold my hand)
We're better off being together (hold my hand)
Than being miserable alone (hold my hand)
Cause I've been there before
And you've been there before
But together we can be alright.
Cause when it gets dark and when it gets cold
We hold each other till we see the sunlight
(So if you just)
Hold my hand
Baby I promise that I'll do
All I can
Things will get better if you just hold my hand,
Nothing can come between us if you just hold,
Hold my, hold my, hold my hand.
(Hold my hand)
The nights are getting darker (hold my hand)
And there's no peace inside (hold my hand)
So why make our lives harder (hold my hand)
By fighting love, tonight. (sooooo)
I've been there before
And you've been there before
But together we can be alright
When it gets dark and when it gets cold
We hold each other till we see the sunlight
If you just hold my hand
Baby I promise that I'll do
All I can
Things will get better if you just hold my hand (yeahh)
Nothing can come between us if you just hold,
Hold my, hold my, hold my hand.
I can tell you're tired of being lonely
Take my hand don't let go baby hold me
Come to me and let me be your one and only
So I can make it alright til' the morning
I can tell you're tired of being lonely
Take my hand don't let go baby hold me
Come to me and let me be your one and only
So I can make it alright til' the morning
Hold my hand
Baby I promise that I'll do
All I can
Things will get better if you just hold my hand
Nothing can come between us if you just hold,
Hold my, hold my, hold my hand.
Hold my hand (hold my hand)
All I can (hold my hand)
Things will get better
Hold my hand
Ohhh...
Hold my, hold my, hold my hand
This life don't last forever
So tell me what we're waiting for
Dylan stopped before taking the microphone from the piano with his left hand and reaching for a box in his tuxedo with his right. He then walked off the stage and into the crowd, who parted like the Red Sea until he reached Jenn, who was stood there.
"I'm sorry. Do you forgive me?" He whispered, all choked up before Jenn smiles and nods, wiping her own tears away. She then feels herself being yanked away and she is now faced by Rachel and Mercedes.
"What are you doing? We can't trust him! He's the enemy! He will use you to squeeze information out of you lime a lemon!" Rachel said.
"Oh yeah, like Jesse was when you dated him. And I know Dylan. I knew him way before this whole show choir thing happened and I know that he won't sink so low to get information from his friends, let alone his girlfriend." Jenn said and Rachel and Mercedes looked to each other before sighing.
"Now if you'll excuse me." Jenn said before turning on her red heels and walking back to Dylan, who waited with baited breath. Jenn just smiled before pulling Dylan into an embrace, which the blonde boy returned. Dylan broke it and smiled before holding the box out to Jenn, who took it.
"So…will you be my date to the prom too?" Dylan asked and Jenn opened the box to see a corsage with a red rose on top of a red gemstone bracelet. Jenn smiled at it before looking into Dylan's blue eyes and nodding.
"Duh!" she said and they both laughed before embracing again.
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After the mass slow dance to Rachel's beautiful rendition of 'Jar Of Hearts', it was Dylan's turn again and he headed back onstage to applause. This time with his Rainsong guitar in hand.
"Alright. So this is my second and last song of the night and I'm gonna need some help." Dylan said and the crowd murmured in anticipation.
"I need 2 helpers. Are there any takers?" Dylan asked and there was a silence and he was about to speak into the microphone when he heard a voice.
"I'll help." It said and Dylan smiled at the recognizable smooth voice of Blaine Anderson.
"Alright. One more?" Dylan then asked as the Dalton boy made his way onstage. He waited about 5 seconds before he saw a hand raise.
"Great." Dylan said before tuning his guitar and when he had finished, he saw Blaine Anderson on one side of him and Jesse St James on the other. Dylan smiled to the 2 boys before turning to them.
"Do you guys know Howie Day's 'Collide'?" he asked and they both nodded.
"Alright. Blaine, you first and then you Jesse and I'll take the alternative before we do the last chorus." Dylan then said and they nodded before Dylan started strumming the opening chords before Blaine began to sing, sharing longing glances with Kurt.
The dawn is breaking
A light shining through
You're barely waking
And I'm tangled up in you
Yeah
I'm open, you're closed
Where I follow, you'll go
I worry I won't see your face
Light up again
Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the wrong words seem to rhyme
Out of the doubt that fills my mind
I somehow find
You and I collide
Blaine stopped singing and Dylan smiled to Kurt's boyfriend before Jesse took over, smiling to Rachel as he sang.
I'm quiet you know
You make a first impression
I've found I'm scared to know I'm always on your mind
Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the stars refuse to shine
Out of the back you fall in time
I somehow find
You and I collide
Jesse then ceased singing as Dylan now began to pluck the strings as he sang with all of his heart as he looked at Jenn, right in the eyes.
Well, don't stop here
And I lost my place
I'm close behind
I'm close behind
As Dylan strummed the guitar part, he looked up and a tall, blonde girl in a lime green dress caught his eye. She looked completely mesmerized as she watched the guitarist sing and Dylan couldn't help but notice his heartbeat increase tenfold as he sang the chorus with Jesse adding a lower harmony and Blaine adding a higher harmony.
Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the wrong words seem to rhyme
Out of the doubt that fills your mind, yeah
You finally find
You and I collide
You finally find that
You and I collide
You finally find
You and I
You and I
Well I,
Well I found
The two musical special guests then let Dylan sing the last word as he strummed the last chord to wild applause.
You
The applause continued as the 3 boys bowed and Jesse and Dylan left the stage before Jenn, Tina and Brittany joined Blaine for 'I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You'. Dylan smiled at his girlfriend sing and the girl smiled back but he always find his eyes try to linger to Jenn's left to catch Brittany's. He really needed a distraction, which then came in the form of helping Jack and Sue break up Jesse's and Finn's fight. Mitchell came to the rescue and danced with Quinn the entire night while Rachel danced with Dylan and Jenn.
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Karofsky was named Prom King, which made Dylan and Jenn immediately think that Santana was Prom Queen as Figgins announced the winner.
"By an overwhelming number of write-in votes is…" he said before his face turned to stone as he said the name: "Kurt Hummel". Both Jenn's and Dylan's mouths dropped. They couldn't believe the student body could be that horrible and mean. Dylan watched as Kurt ran out before he followed him, Blain hot on his heels. Jenn then watched before seeing Quinn run out, Rachel close behind and Jenn ran off after them.
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"Kurt! Stop!" Blaine called out as he and Dylan continued to run through the hallways.
"Please just stop, Kurt!" he said before he began to slow down.
"Come on." Blaine then said, more softly.
"Don't you get how stupid we were? We thought that because no one was teasing us or beating us up that no one cared. Like…like some kind of progress had been made. But it's still the same" Kurt said, in hysterical tears.
"It's just a stupid joke." Blaine said, before Dylan raised his hand.
"No, it's not." he said before turning to Blaine.
"All that hate…they were just afraid to say it out loud. So they did it by secret ballot. They're treating him as one big, anonymous, practical joke." Dylan said, anger bubbling.
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Jenn hadn't caught up with Rachel when they had ran after Quinn into the girls bathroom and Jenn had ran as fast as she can and she opened the door.
"That's not true!" she said and Jenn opened the door just as the blonde girl had slapped the diva. Jenn just stood there in shock before stepping forward and putting her hand around Rachel's shoulder before glaring at the former Cheerio.
"I'm so sorry." She whispered.
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Kurt had been pacing for about 5 minutes and Blaine was sat down whilst Dylan was rested against the lockers.
"Would you at least sit down? Dylan, how can you stand up for so long?" Blaine asked.
"I've lasted 12 round boxing matches. You need endurance for that." Dylan replied.
"Do you want to go?" Blaine asked.
"Yeah, you don't have to go back in there." Dylan added on. Kurt turned to them.
"Wasn't this prom supposed to be about redemption? About taking away that lump you had in your throat for running away?" Kurt asked both the boys looked away.
"If we leave, all it's going to do is give me a lump too." Kurt then said.
"So what do you want to do?" Blaine then asked and Kurt looked to the doors.
"I'm going to go back in there and get coronated." Kurt said and Dylan smiled, gently patting Kurt on the shoulder.
"I'm gonna go find, Jenn. She's probably still in there…good luck." He said to a smiling Kurt before heading back inside.
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Rachel was looking in the mirror, saying that most girls wouldn't like being slapped in the face but she appreciates the drama of it.
"Why does that not surprise me?" Jenn asked and the 3 girls smiled before Quinn's face fell and she rested on the sink bench.
"I know you think it's hard to be you, Rachel but at least you don't have to be terrified all the time." Quinn said as both girls looked to the ex-HBIC.
"What are you so scared of?" Rachel asked as Jenn handed her a wet paper towel.
"The future. When all this is gone." Quinn said, wiping her eyes.
"Look, you have nothing to be scared of." Rachel then said before Jenn carried on.
"You're a very pretty girl, Quinn. You're one of the prettiest girl's I've ever met but…" Jenn said before Rachel finished.
"You're a lot more than that." She said before reaching for a packet of tissues.
"Here." She said before asking if she could help. Quinn gave a small nod and Rachel proceeded to wipe the blonde's tears while Jenn watched, a small smile painted across her face.
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Dylan was stood near the front of the gym when he felt a hand connect with his. He looked to see Jenn smiling at him. He smiled back.
"Is Quinn okay? Sam told me what happened." He asked and Jenn nodded.
"Is Kurt okay?" Jenn then asked and Dylan nodded. The door then opened and Kurt slowly made his way onstage and he was then coronated before he faced the crowd.
"Eat your heart out Kate Middleton." He eventually said and Dylan shook his head, smiling before applauding the boy, Jenn following shortly afterwards. And as Karofsky and Kurt made their way to the center of the floor, Mercedes and Santana started up 'Dancing Queen' and while Karofsky ran off, Blaine took his place and the two R&B stars started singing.
Friday night and the lights are low
Dylan stepped into the ring, spinning Jenn around and they danced with the other glee members who joined in. Jenn and Dylan posed for their own prom picture and they looked into each other's eyes as the flash went off.
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Songs used are 'Hold My Hand' by Michael Jackson feat. Akon (the J Rice version) and 'Collide (Acoustic)' by Howie Day
Dylan's Prom Outfit: polyvore .com/cgi/set?id=31144930
Jenn's Prom Outfit: polyvore .com/cgi/set?id=31145526
Okay, this was a lot longer than expected but it gives you more to read!
I was going to have Dylan sing to Jenn early on in the chapter but I wanted to develop Jenn's character a little. I hope I actually did that XD
Next is 'Funeral' which is quite a serious episode for Dylan and then 'New York'! Will Dylan be with New Directions or Vocal Adrenaline by that chapter? Watch this space!
Oh, and a message to Soulless Warlock and Gone Rampant. Keep off the '4th July Safety Tips' RvB PSA! It's mine I tell you! MINE!