"A year and a half ago, the New Directions were nothing but a group of seven misfits stumbling their way through a horrific rendition of 'Sit Down, You're Rockin' The Boat'." Kurt said. Jenn raised an eyebrow from behind her McDonalds take out bag.
"Please tell me that song choice was Mr. Schuester's and not yours?" she asked and Kurt nodded, Jenn sighing in relief at the answer as Kurt continued.
"Now here we are, at the top of the show choir heap: Nationals!" Kurt squealed excitedly, which Jenn smiled at. Everyone listed what they wanted to do.
"I wanna break into Madison Square Garden and stand on that stage. That is the dream for me…to sing in there, not to break in although that would be quite cool." Jenn said before Finn interrupted.
"Guys, hold on. I mean, we still have 2 songs to write." He said.
"Okay, Mr. Bossypants." Kurt said and said something else but Jenn wasn't paying attention until he started singing 'New York, New York' by Frank Sinatra. And she started to sing along too. But then Rachel came over with tickets for 'Cats'. Everyone looked at Rachel while Jack just raised his eyebrows in amusement. Then Quinn said that 'Cats' closed about 11 years ago.
"Even I knew that." Mitchell said. Rachel then looked at the tickets.
"He did seem crazy: he charged my credit card by swiping it through his butt crack." Rachel said and Jenn just burst into hysterical laughter.
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"Hey, Finn. Where the hell is Puckerman?" Mr. Schuester asked and Finn looked around the hotel lobby before his eyes fixated on the bar. He saw Puck with Lauren and Jenn.
"I'll have a Manhattan." Puck said. The bartender turned to him.
"Do you even know what's in a Manhattan?" she asked, incredulously.
"Yeah: me for the first time, which is why I want to celebrate with a cocktail." Puck said, Lauren laughing and Jenn fist bumping him before Mr. Schuester told them to go to their room now. Lauren went ahead while Puck and Jenn sauntered at their own pace.
"Man. I don't know what's gotten into him." Puck said. Jenn looked to the taller boy.
"Are you kidding? It's Nationals in New York and he wants us to focus." Jenn said, putting air quotes on the emphasized words: "Nationals", "New York" and "focus". Puck scoffed.
"Please. The only people that'll probably be focused are Mr. Schue, Rachel and Harmon." Puck said.
"I doubt it about Jack; he's probably still fawning over Rachel." Jenn said before stopping dead still and realizing what she just said. Puck looked to the firecracker with wide eyes and a triumphant smile.
"Are you serious? I gotta tell everyone." Puck said, about to walk away before Jenn grabbed his arm tightly.
"Ow, ow, ow. Watch the guns, McGraw!" Puck cried out.
"Oh, trust me. If Jack finds out I told you of all people, your guns won't be the only thing you'll be weeping over." Jenn snarled before going into a tone of almost desperation.
"Puck, you did not see how angry he was when he found out." Jenn said.
"Wow. Anger? He actually has a soul." He said.
"I'm being serious, Puck. If you tell anyone, anything that I just told you then Jack won't be the only person you'll worry about." Jenn said before loosening her grip on the Mohawked boy and walking away. Puck rubbed his arm before following Jenn.
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Mr. Schuester put everyone on lockdown until he got back from the theatre to fill out some paperwork. A few hours in, Brittany and Artie sang a song called 'My Cup' but Jenn wasn't really paying attention because she was whispering something to Rachel, who was alternating between writing a song and answering Jenn. When the song finished, Tina noticed the two girls talking.
"Guys, what are you talking about?" Tina asked. Jenn and Rachel sharply turned to the Asian girl.
"Just song ideas for Nationals." Jenn answered, thinking on her feet. Quinn then suggested actually going out across New York to get some inspiration.
"Quinn's right. We're in the artist capital of the world. Poets, musicians, actors, playwrights. Every dream that ever lived has past through this city and if we want our dreams to come true then we need to be out there with them not stuck in here." Puck said with Jenn nodding in agreement. Finn voiced his disagreement before Lauren spoke up.
"No! They're right. Can't you hear the city calling you?" she asked before Quinn said they didn't need to write songs for Nationals because New York was going to write the songs for them and soon enough they were running around the city, singing a mash up of 'I Love New York' and 'New York, New York'.
Well, except for Jack who was singing 'Why Should I Worry?' by Billy Joel. And when he finished hanging from a lamp post Gene Kelly style, he watched as the residents passed by apart from one applauding. The miva turned to see an amused looking Dylan Armstrong stood beside the lamp post.
"Are you done?" he asked. Jack got down and straightened out his blue tie underneath his sweater.
"Well at least you finished your song right at the spot where we were supposed to meet." Dylan then said before Jack sighed and looked to the blonde boy.
"What you got this time, Armstrong?" Jack asked.
"Oh my god, you actually remembered my name. I should've brought my video camera." Dylan said, smirking.
"I think you've spent too much time in that club. This is serious." Jack said and Dylan sighed.
"Alright, alright." He said before they sat down on a nearby bench.
"Do they suspect anything?" Dylan asked.
"Not a thing. I told you I'm that good." Jack said.
"Who gave you the information to keep?" Dylan countered.
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Dylan got his phone out, secretly writing a text.
'Brand new
Broadway
Boyband'
He then sent it and saw the recipient reach into his pocket. Jack looked at the text before turning his head to Dylan and nodded, Jack giving a small nod back.
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"Who got his skeleton key out to sneak into Douchebag's office?" Jack countered.
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Hearing the lock click, Jack gave a triumphant smirk before removing his key and putting it back in his pocket.
"We're in." he said before they opened the door, Jack lowering his HarmCo goggles.
"Damn it! No motion detecting lasers! And there's me thinking this would be a fun challenge." Jack said before raising them back up, resting them on his balaclava-clad head.
"He's the coach of Vocal Adrenaline. Not the head of the CIA!" Dylan whispered back before they began to search his office. Jack pulled a bunch of rubber gloves out of his pocket and tossed them to Dylan who caught them before looking to Jack.
"What the hell?" he asked.
"Do you want your fingerprints to be indentified and be caught? And before you answer, just take precaution." Jack said and Dylan rolled his eyes before putting them on and continuing the search.
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"Who came up with the idea in the first place?" Dylan then asked.
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"So, I'm going to be the Sue Sylvester whose plans actually work. I'm going to find a weakness in Vocal Adrenaline that doesn't involve funk. And also text you with what they're doing at Regionals. Now, Goolsby puts chips in everyone's cell phones that are on Vocal Adrenaline. But I'm going to use a decoy which is my uncle's old iPhone. And I'm going to use my phone to text you details whenever I can and we'll try other things before Nationals." Dylan said, explaining his plan to Jack who was actually listening intently. Then he smiled.
"Nice work, Happy Feet. I think you've spent way too much time around me." Jack said and Dylan raised his eyebrows before continuing.
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"Touché. But what you got?" he asked.
"Since they stole one of my original songs that I was actually going to give to you to use, I'm giving you one of their songs. Well, music. You're going to have to write the lyrics but I know you can do that." Dylan said, handing Jack a wad of paper.
"Damn right, I can." Jack said.
"I'll text you any last minute things if there are any and just in case there isn't," Dylan said before raising a hand.
"Good luck, Jack." He said and Jack looked to it before slowly taking Dylan's hand and shaking it.
"You too, Happy Feet. You too." Jack said and Dylan smiled before standing up and walking away. He felt his smart trouser pocket for his cell phone.
"Hey, where the hell is my cell phone?" he asked himself.
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Jenn entered the girl's hotel room to see all of them, bar Rachel, in the middle of a pillow fight. Jenn took this as an opportunity and crept over to Rachel, whispering something in her ear and Rachel nodded before whispering a reply.
"Excuse me? Are you two suddenly having a secret affair…wait, don't answer that if it's true." Santana said, shuddering at the mental image.
"Fine, then I will answer you. We're talking about song ideas for Nationals." Jenn said and they all shrugged before continuing the pillow fight, which Jenn decided to join in with. She gave then turned to Brittany and nodded. The girl winked back before ducking a hit from Quinn.
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"I-I don't understand. Who told you guys?" Mr. Schuester asked.
"Goolsby." Tina, Jenn and Mitchell answered. The director looked quite annoyed at this revelation and there was quite a long silence before Mike asked if Mr. Schuester was okay. He just replied "I'm not going" before saying he was staying with them.
"I had my moment on that stage and it was glorious…but you and I have some unfinished business to take care of." He said and everyone smiled before he told everyone to get out their notebooks and that it was time to get to work.
"Come on. This is Nationals, people!" he said before Puck stood up and hugged Mr. Schuester, soon enough everyone joined in until Jack remained, sitting on his armchair.
"Jack…you gonna join in?" the teacher asked and everyone looked to the ego who just smiled.
"Why not?" he said before joining in the group hug. Everyone then sat down before Mr. Schuester raised an idea.
"I said last week that we were doing a solo and I had an idea on my way up here just before. We need a secret weapon, someone that absolutely no one expects, including Vocal Adrenaline and the other show choirs, someone that will shock the audience and the judges." Mr. Schuester said and everyone nodded before the teacher took a deep breath and spoke again.
"And that's why I think Jenn should have it." Mr. Schuester said and for the first time in her life, Jennifer Rose McGraw was stunned.
"W-w-what? Are you serious, Mr. Schuester?" she asked. The leader smiled.
"I sure am." He said.
"But I think if somebody else has it, we have a better chance. I'm not experience." She reasoned but Mr. Schuester turned to the others.
"All those in favor of Jenn having the solo." Mr. Schuester said and everyone raised their hand, including Jack. Jenn's mouth dropped.
"There you have it. Now come on guys, let's get to writing." Mr. Schuester said and everyone applauded, saying their congratulations to Jenn before they started.
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"But, honestly guys? I think we've got a really good at winning this thing." Mr. Schuester said, laughing before everyone applauded. They then watched as Mr. Schuester's face changed to pride and they turned to see Dylan Armstrong walking through the theatre. The club subconsciously smiled as the tall boy walked through, dressed in a light blue shirt with black suspenders and black trousers. Dylan locked eyes with the group and smiled before quickening his pace and walking over.
"Hey, guys. I got ahead so I could see you before the competition." He said, smiling. Everyone said their greetings before Mercedes spoke up.
"I see they haven't turned you into a soulless automaton: you're smiling." She said and everyone laughed.
"They can't change me." Dylan said, his smile widening.
"Oh, come here." He then said, motioning at them to come forward and they all did, hugging him and wishing him good luck which Dylan returned. Once broken, he looked back and saw some of Vocal Adrenaline walk into the building.
"I have to go. Good luck again, guys. Oh and Rachel, Britt and Jenn: thanks for the birthday presents." He said before running off. The 3 mentioned girls just smiled while the rest looked stunned that the boy's birthday had passed. But that was soon forgotten when Mr. Schuester spoke up again.
"Alright, everyone put your hands in the middle." He said, doing what he said and everyone followed.
"1! 2! 3!" he said before everyone raised their hands and chanted: "NEW DIRECTIONS!"
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After the 'Singaz With Attitude' performed their last song of their seat: Usher's 'Yeah!', Vocal Adrenaline was announced and Sunshine performed 'As Long As You're There', Dylan's original song, where Dylan danced in the background before going offstage for the girls of the choir to perform 'Honey, Honey' from Mamma Mia. After that, they switched places with the boys who sang Blue's 'I Can' and Goolsby had to give Dylan Lee Ryan's vocals which were the highest and the most difficult technical wise. He gave all that he had to hit the high notes but it worked and when the curtain was fully lowered, he picked up Alex Hawthorne, fellow vocalist and spun him around.
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The New Directions started off with Rachel and Finn's duet of 'Pretending', ending with a very long make out session. But soon enough, applause was started which Dylan joined in before he heard the guitar line of the music he stole from Vocal Adrenaline.
"Let's see what Jack did with this." He mumbled to himself and soon enough, he was on his feet jumping along and applauding. And then everyone parted onto both wings, save for one redhead girl. Dylan's eyes widened and his mouth stretched upwards.
"No way." He whispered before a piano line started and Jenn began to sing softly.
There's a song that's inside of my soul
It's the one that I've tried to write over and over again
I'm awake in the infinite cold
But you sing to me over and over and over again
So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands
And pray to be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope
Jenn slowly started to walk forwards, singing with a bit more power now she felt more at ease.
Sing to me the song of the stars
Of Your galaxy dancing and laughing
And laughing again
When it feels like my dreams are so far
Sing to me of the plans that you have for me over again
So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope
She then took a deep breath and gave the song all she had, hitting the high notes as well as she could.
I give you my destiny
I'm giving you all of me
I want your symphony
Singing in all that I am
At the top of my lungs I'm giving it back
So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope
She did some vocal improvisation before the final piano chord was played and everyone was on their feet, she let out a shaky breath of relief, grinning wildly at the applause and she took a bow before hearing one person yell over the standing ovation.
"That's my girlfriend! That's my girlfriend!" and she let out a giggle before walking offstage.
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Everyone in New Directions was walking up to the board that read the top 10 show choirs going through to showcase. They walked past a flurry of celebrating light blue creatures but they noticed on Dylan Armstrong in the midst of it, hugging a shorter Chinese-American guy before aiding in the lifting of Sunshine.
Soon enough, they got there.
"Oh, I'm too nervous to look." Rachel said before Mr. Schuester said he'll go. Everyone looked petrified and hopeful at the same time.
"What did we place?" Finn asked. They just looked on and waited for an answer, which didn't come before Mr. Schuester spoke up again.
"Well, Mr. Schue? Say it. What did we rank?" he asked. There was another pause before he spoke up.
"We didn't."
There was a stunned silence.
"I'm so sorry, guys. We aren't in the top 10." He then said.
Again there was silence before a 5'11", blue shirt wearing rabbit impersonator bounced over.
"Hey, guys. Can't wait for the showdown at showcase tomorrow." Dylan said excitedly before noticing everyone looking shocked, upset or furious.
"What?" he asked before cutting through the crowd and reading the plaque. He then turned pale, his fists clenching and shaking wildly as if he was once again part of the group.
"No." he whispered. Jenn stepped forward and placed a hand over her boyfriend's tightened fist.
"Hey, it's okay." She whispered before Dylan shook her hand away.
"It's not. You guys deserved to be in the top 10. You were better than half of these teams. This is bullshit." Dylan snarled.
"Dylan-" Mr. Schuester warned his language but the blonde continued.
"No, Mr. Schuester! I'm sorry but it's bullshit! The judges are on crack! What the hell is going on?" he yelled before turning to the plaque and was about to smash it with his now white knuckled fist but was beat to the punch by one Jack Harmon. Dylan took deep, uneven breaths before Quinn and Kurt joined Jenn at his side.
"Guys, I think it's best if we support Dylan tomorrow." Mr. Schuester said.
"Are you crazy? There is no way we are supporting Vocal Adrenaline of all people." Santana said.
"We're not supporting Vocal Adrenaline, Santana, we're just supporting Dylan. There's a difference." Brittany spoke up, sounding quite angry and Santana backed off at this. She knew not to mess around with an angry Brittany S. Pierce.
"Yeah, Brittany's right. It isn't fair that we support Dylan after what he's been through with us." Finn then spoke up again.
"And tomorrow, a soloist is chosen from each group. If I'm chosen, I'm not representing Vocal Adrenaline. I'm representing you guys because you should be choosing your soloist by now for showcase. This is not right, I am telling you now. It isn't but I'm gonna do this for you guys." Dylan said and everyone nodded, the guys through their bubbling anger at not being placed and the girls through their tears.
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Everyone was sat in the theatre, watching the top 10 clubs chosen soloists perform. Dina Francis from Soundsplosion had just performed 'This Is My Life' by Shirley Bassey.
"Damn. She was good." Artie said.
"What? Are you kidding? She was pitchy in all but one place, the bit where the song finished and everyone applauded." Jack countered.
"Jack's right. She wasn't that good." Rachel said before Tina looked to the program.
"Vocal Adrenaline are next." She said.
"Who do you think the soloist is going to be?" Mike then asked.
"Sunshine." Everyone but Rachel and Jack answered.
"I don't think so. They wouldn't risk their chances with the same soloist they had." Rachel then said.
"Guys, shh." Mr. Schuester said just as the MC spoke up.
"And now, from Akron, Ohio: Vocal Adrenaline!" the tannoy announced and everyone quietened down while they waited for the curtain to raise, the routine maneuver to reveal the soloist and it raised seconds later, revealing a tall male figure with short blonde hair and blue eyes. Everyone in New Directions collectively gasped as Dylan looked around the audience.
This was it. This was his moment to shine in New York of all places. And he was going to make himself proud. He wasn't doing this for Vocal Adrenaline. No way. He was doing this for himself and for New Directions. He listened as the opening guitar line of his chosen song started. It wasn't easy convincing Goolsby and the club that he should perform it.
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"No. He should do 'New Divide'."
"No. 'The Way You Look Tonight'."
"Guys-"
"But what about something in his wheelhouse?"
"Guys! I'm doing 'Time For Miracles'. I don't care if it's too difficult or too screamy; it's something where I can show off my range and power. I'm doing it and that's final." Dylan said before turning away to get ready.
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But when Goolsby eventually found him, he agreed to it and there he was onstage. He really didn't care if he got stick from Jack about murdering a good song, he was going to do it whether he liked it or not and he was going to make the New Directions, his parents and everyone else proud.
On his cue, he began to sing.
It's late at night and I can't sleep
Missing you just runs too deep
Oh I can't breathe thinking of your smile
Every kiss I can't forget
This aching heart ain't broken yet
Oh God I wish I could make you see
Cause I know this flame isn't dying
So nothing can stop me from trying
Baby you know that
Maybe it's time for miracles
Cause I ain't giving up on love
You know that
Maybe it's time for miracles
Cause I ain't giving up on love
No I ain't giving up on us
I just want to be with you
Cuz living is so hard to do
When all I know is trapped inside your eyes
The future I cannot forget
This aching heart ain't broken yet
Oh God I wish I could make you see
Cuz I know this flame isn't dying
So nothing can stop me from trying
Baby you know that
Maybe it's time for miracles
Cuz I ain't giving up on love
You know that
Maybe it's time for miracles
Cause I ain't giving up on love
No I ain't giving up on us
Dylan stepped forward, readying himself for the big notes. He wouldn't be able to get notes like this usually but with him being fueled on by his determination to do this and anger at the New Directions for not getting through to the finals was igniting his flame and he belted them out with all he had.
Baby can you feel it coming
You know I can hear it, hear it in your soul
Baby when you feel me feeling you
You know it's time...
Baby you know that
Maybe it's time for miracles
Cuz I ain't giving up on love
You know that
Maybe it's time for miracles
Cuz I ain't giving up on love
You know that
Maybe it's time for miracles
Cuz I ain't, I ain't giving up on love
No I ain't giving up on us
I ain't giving up, no
Oh I ain't giving up on us
Belting out the song with all that he had left, he heard the audience roar with delight as the last note prolonged. As it faded, the sound of applause replaced it and Dylan smiled, bowing. He then looked to New Directions who were rapturously cheering for their former teammate. Dylan smiled at them before heading offstage.
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The Portland Scale Blazers and Twelve Steps' chosen soloists performed before the judges went off to deliberate.
Dylan had just been congratulated by Sunshine when Alex Hawthorne, his Vocal Adrenaline teammate and good friend came up to him.
"Congrats, Blondie. Never knew you had it in you." He said. Dylan smirked.
"Yeah, you did." The blonde replied and Alex smiled.
"Okay, I did. And you were amazing." The Vocal Adrenaline male lead said and Dylan smiled before hugging him. Once they broke the hug, Dylan looked and saw the New Directions talking from afar. Alex looked in their direction and saw it too but his eyes were focused on one person. Dylan looked to Alex and noticed his trance like state and looked back before his mouth dropped.
"Hang on, you're staring at…wait, you're-" Dylan started before Alex broke his trance and put his hand over Dylan's mouth.
"Don't say it!" Alex snarled. Dylan mumbled before Alex removed his hand.
"Why didn't you tell me?" the former McKinley student asked.
"You told me all of these awful stories about what happened with the gay kids at your school. Can you imagine what would happen if anyone at Carmel found out? And god knows how homophobic Vocal Adrenaline is, let alone their coach who has a dartboard with Neil Patrick Harris' face on in his office." Alex said and Dylan's eyes widened before they quickly narrowed.
"Douche." He snarled before realizing something.
"But wait. You've always wanted to be out of Vocal Adrenaline. If you tell Goolsby, wouldn't he kick you out?" Dylan then asked.
"Probably not. I'm one of his best performers. But if he did, he would tell Vocal Adrenaline, who would tell other kids and eventually, people would play another round of 'pin the ballet tutu on the gay kid'." Alex replied. Dylan sighed.
"Look. That guy you were staring at, goes to McKinley. And he's the only openly gay kid at that school. He gets teased about it everyday. He gets slushies thrown at him. He was awarded Prom Queen as a practical joke. He got pushed into lockers. But he doesn't care anymore. Because of 2 things: one, he has a boyfriend who cares about him. And two: he has friends and an environment what keeps him safe, the glee club. At Carmel, no one is safe. But at McKinley, everyone in glee club has got your back whether they like you or not." Dylan said and Alex sighed.
"Look, I'm going to make you an offer here. You don't have to take it but if you want to be in a safer pace, then listen to me." Dylan said and Alex nodded, letting out a little sniffle.
"I've got a plan to get kicked out of Vocal Adrenaline and go back to McKinley. And I want you to join me." Dylan said and Alex's face shot up, eyes wide.
"What?" he asked.
"I believe that if you enroll in McKinley and join New Directions, and you should because your voice is killer, you wouldn't be a hedgehog hibernating in the most peaceful forest in the world, but you will be a hell of a lot more safe than at Carmel." Dylan said and Alex sighed.
"I don't know." He mumbled. Dylan nodded in understanding, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Just think about it. Okay?" he asked and Alex nodded just as the New Directions made their way over.
"DYLAN!" Jenn yelled and Dylan smiled at his girlfriend before hugging her.
"You were incredible." She said and Dylan smiled.
"Of course I was. Were you expecting any less?" Dylan said and Quinn smirked, playfully slapping the boy on the arm and everyone else congratulated him before Santana noticed the unfamiliar boy stood beside Dylan.
"Hey, Surfer Boy. Who's the shorty?" the Latina asked. Dylan looked to Alex and smiled.
"This is Alexander Patrick Hawthorne, also known as Alex and the male lead of Vocal Adrenaline." Dylan said and everyone was suddenly on their guard before Dylan raised a dismissive hand.
"Guys, relax. He's cool. He's probably the nicest guy in Vocal Adrenaline." Dylan said.
"How?" Rachel asked.
"He let me sleep at his house." Dylan answered and everyone's hackles slackened.
Both of the Vocal Adrenaline boys then talked to New Directions for about 20 minutes before going to the mini bar to get drinks to calm their nerves. After 10 more minutes, they were called back in. Dylan and Alex received good lucks from New Directions as they walked past ad soon enough, they were onstage with Vocal Adrenaline and the other 9 show choirs, waiting anxiously for the result. Pretty soon, Patti LuPone herself came onstage to announce the winner. He announced that Singaz With Attitude were in third place.
"In second place…Vocal…Extreme!" she announced and Dylan nearly had a heart attack with him saying Vocal and the 'E' of Extreme because the blood was roaring so hard in Dylan's ears that he thought it was them. But after Alex's grip on his hand tightened, he knew they still had a chance.
"And…the winner…of the National Show Choir Championship…will be announced after the break." She said. Dylan almost dropped to his knees. He was on the edge of breaking down. The anticipation was really getting to him.
"Okay, okay. I'm sorry. The winner is…" she then said before opening the envelope and smiling, raises the microphone to her lips. Dylan's eyes scrunched shut as
"VOCAL ADRENALINE!"
The dropping to his knees happened. It had happened. He had won the National Championship. And he was the one to bring it home. He could barely hear the congratulations over the noise of the crowd and he just received hugs from Alex, Sunshine and the others before lifting the trophy above his head the second it was handed to him. He then handed it to Dustin before locking eyes with New Directions, who were all smiles for Dylan. Dylan smiled and pointed to them, mouthing 'thank you' before turning to celebrate.
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"You guys wanna see what 12th place looks like?" Mr. Schuester asked before holding up a mini trophy and everyone applauded, laughing.
"I've never won taken 12th place for anything in my life." Jack said with everyone laughing before they heard a knock at the door. They looked to see a familiar figure, dressed in a pale blue polo shirt, dark blue loose jeans and black slip on Vans. He was carrying a big trophy in his right hand.
"Is there room for one more singer?" he asked.
"Why are you here?" Sam asked.
"I quit Vocal Adrenaline after they found out something particularly shocking."
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Goolsby was headed into the Vocal Adrenaline boys' locker room when he saw something that utterly horrified him and that was something that was truly difficult to do. His eyes widened like saucers as he witnessed the scene in front of him.
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"Please don't ask where we got the steroids from but it worked and he kicked us off. So we transferred here." Dylan said. New Directions looked shocked before Kurt noticed something.
"Wait. We as in…?" Kurt asked before another boy walked in. He was wearing a tight black t-shirt, navy blue jeans and black, ankle length lace up Converse. Everyone showed a small smile before he spoke up.
"Hey. I'm Alex Hawthorne and, for now, I'd like to be the keyboard player when we come back to school before I think about properly auditioning for the club." He said and Mr. Schuester laughed before standing up.
"Welcome to the glee club." He said and Alex let out a laugh before Puck spoke up.
"Why did you bring the trophy?" he asked.
"As a motivation tool for Sectionals, Regionals and Nationals this year. Well, until you win the trophies and then you won't have to use mine anymore." Dylan answered, gaining laughs from the club.
"We have a late birthday present for you." Mercedes said before being a handed a CD from Kurt and walking towards Dylan.
"It took all day but we recorded some of your favourite songs and put them on a CD. Everyone recorded something." Mercedes said and Dylan smiled, wiping unshed tears away.
"Thank you." He said and everyone smiled.
"Oh, bunch up." Jenn said before hugging him and soon everyone joined in. And right then Dylan knew that this was the place he wanted to be. Home.
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Songs used are 'Only Hope' by Mandy Moore and 'Time For Miracles' by Adam Lambert.
And Alex Hawthorne is played by the one and only Sam Tsui. He shall be in Season 3, but not as much as Dylan and Jenn.
*epic fanfare*
That's it! That's the end of the episode, but don't draw the curtain just yet. You may notice another chapter. Read it: it's a little secret performance everyone put together for the readers, reviewers and everyone who has cooperated in the story.
Enjoy it! :)