Hi guys, well I sorry for taking so long on writing the chapter. I hope you like it, I struggled a little with this chapter and the last because many of the songs that were performed in the musical have already been done on Glee, so I´m trying to be as original as I can. If you´d like to see something please let me know in your reviews, enjoy :) btw: this chapter is a little bit more descriptive and somehow suggestive...
Chapter 17.- Rock of Ages
Finn was really busy with all the things he had to do, even if the rest of the teachers were helping him he and Artie were the ones who had to choose who was going to be a part of the cast for the musical.
Artie entered Finn´s office. Finn´s expression was serious. He kept on staring at the callbacks list which was empty, and he had in hand the audition sheet.
"Have you made a decision yet?" Artie asked him. Finn left both papers on the table with frustration. Then he stood up.
"No man, I haven´t…It´s just a little difficult this time you know?" He said looking at Artie, who was pursing his lips.
"You know that we have to post the results for tomorrow right?" Artie asked worried.
"Yeah I know man, but… I never thought I couldn´t make up my mind for something like this…" Finn said as he sat down on the couch again.
"Ok, first things first. What roles have you chosen already?" Artie said as he rolled his chair closer to Finn.
"Well, I´ve chosen almost everyone but three: Dennis, Paul and Stacee Jaxx" Artie sighed.
"Well, I guess that that leaves three guys right?" Finn nodded.
"I mean was it like this when you chose Maria for West Side Story?" Artie rolled his chair beside Finn.
"Pretty much…" He said. Both remained silent. "You know, to be honest…" Finn looked at Artie in the eye. I guess he was hoping for bad news "I don´t see Jake or Thomas as Stacee"
Finn sighed. Deep down he knew Artie was right, as much as he wanted to none of those guys was Stacee Jaxx material.
"So what do we do? There´s not enough time for a call back… we need to start now" Finn said. Artie kept quiet.
"Well, Finn as your assistant director I´ve come with a contingency plan" Finn immediately looked at Artie. The guy had this look on his face, the one he always had when an amazing idea had hit him.
Finn decided to gather all the people that auditioned in the auditorium. The guys were very anxious. Especially Jake, he was really hoping that he would get the part. Thomas on the other hand was very confident he would get it. "I KILLED- the thing, I mean I was awesome, and I also have Marley to thank for, she made me look even better" he thought. He just couldn´t help to be so self-centered. He was used to the attention and all he could get with his talent, but still he was a nice guy. Much nicer than his friends at Dalton.
Jake was really nervous. He was talking to Marley about it. They had been working really hard to improve his vocal range, and he would be sort of disappointed if he didn´t get it.
"I really can´t stop thinking about it Marley, I just can´t" He said frustrated. Marley grabbed his face gently.
"Look at me Jake" she said as their eyes met. "You´ve earned this. I mean you´re a super star, you will get it. You just underestimate how good you are. You´re the greatest dancer and you´ve got an AMAZING-VOICE ok!?" Jake could see the truthiness of her eyes and the way she said those words. "And if you don´t get it… well it´s their loss. You would be an INCREDIBLE Stacee" her words penetrated deep on his mind.
"You really think so?" The girl nodded giving him a tender smile that always made him melt.
"Yeah" she came closer to him slowly surrounding his neck with her arms then she whispered "And a really hot one too" then she kissed him. This time it was different, he felt real good, but this time he could not really be sure of what he felt, only that it meant something quite different.
Ever since Christmas Marley had behaved a little different with him. As if she was trying to say something.
After their kiss both went to the auditorium. Everybody was already there, Finn and Artie were on stage waiting for them to sit down.
"Ok guys, as you know today we have the results of our cast" Finn said as everybody held hands to the person next to them. He took out the list were the results were posted. He handed it to Artie.
He began reading the results aloud.
"Drew Boley: Ryder Lynn" Ryder stood up celebrating as he went on stage "Sherrie Christian: Danielle Weismann" she hugged Lisa and Robert and went up with Ryder "Lonny Barnett: Cameron Rossenberg" He shouted in excitement and did just like the others. Ryder was getting nervous. Marley noticed it and held his hand in support "Justice Charlier: Wade "Unique" Adams" Wade hugged Marley and Karen and went on stage "Mayor Mike Whitmore: Patrick Swanson" He went up with the rest of the cast as well "Patricia Whitmore: Karen Monroe" She hugged Thomas and then went up stage too. "Constance Sack: Marley Rose" Marley hugged Jake excitedly and went where the rest was. She was starting to get nervous too.
Artie looked at both guys who were waiting for him or Finn to say anything.
"Guys, I first want to congratulate you for your amazing auditions. You were incredible. However Finn, Ms. Pillsbury, Coach Beiste and I have agreed that both of you are not what we were looking for as Stacee Jaxx" Jake and Thomas tried to act cool, but both were surprised they hadn´t picked them. There was no other guy that auditioned for the role, so they couldn´t help to wonder who they had chosen.
"Then, who are we going to play?" Thomas asked trying to sound calmed.
"Jake you´re Dennis Dupree and Thomas: you´re Paul Gill" Both tried to hide their disappointment.
"Then who´s Stacee?" Jake asked. And from behind came a voice.
"Me, Dude" They turned around and saw this familiar guy with dreadlocks and a nose ring.
"Joe?!" Unique asked impressed. The old members of the glee club went to greet him. Jake couldn´t help to feel disappointed. He had worked real hard to get that part. Jake left the auditorium quietly without anyone noticing, so did Thomas. He walked slowly around the halls thinking about what had just happened. Ryder was happy he had landed the role he wanted, he hoped that Kitty had gotten Sherrie so he could spend more time with her, but still he felt happy enough.
Thomas: I don't know where I'm going
But, I sure know where I've been
He kept on watching a picture of the warblers and somehow regretted coming to McKinley.
Jake was seeing a picture of Stacee Jaxx, then he throwed it to the trash can.
Jake: Hanging on the promises
In songs of yesterday
Ryder was looking at Kitty from across the hall
Ryder: An' I've made up my mind,
I ain't wasting no more time
Joe was at the piano practicing his songs with Brad ( the piano guy)
Joe: But, here I go again
Here I go again
Danielle was re-reading the texts where Patrick was telling her about Sebastian
Danielle: Tho' I keep searching for an answer,
I never seem to find what I'm looking for
Unique wanted to get right his big role , this time nothing would stop her from reaching stardom
Unique: Oh Lord, I pray
You give me strength to carry on,
Karen wanted to console Thomas, she was the only one that knew how important this role was to him, but he was acting repelling towards her
Karen: 'Cos I know what it means
To walk along the lonely street of dreams
ALL: An' here I go again on my own
Goin' down the only road I've ever known,
Like a hobo* I was born to walk alone
At rehearsas Patrcik kept on looking at Danielle. He didn´t know why he had lied to her about Sebastian in the first place
Patrick: An' I've made up my mind I ain't wasting no more time
Ryder was rehearsing his parts on the play with Danielle, but he kept on looking at Kitty, feeling that she should be Sherrie instead of Danielle
Ryder: I'm just another heart in need of rescue,
Waiting on love's sweet charity
Jake was staring at his outfit, not liking the way he looked on his costume. Marley came towards him to hold his hand.
Jake: An' I'm gonna hold on
For the rest of my days,
Thomas looked at how Joe was doing some great stuff as Stacey and he couldn´t help´but to picture himself on it´s place
Thomas: Cos I know what it means
To walk along the lonely street of dreams
ALL: An' here I go again on my own
Goin' down the only road I've ever known,
Like a hobo* I was born to walk alone
Marley looked at Jake, he didn´t know how great he was for Marley, she was deeply in love with him. She couldn´t help but to think that it was time for her to lose her virginity with him. He was THE ONE.
Marley: An' I've made up my mind
I ain't wasting no more time
Marley: But, here I go again,
Unique: Here I go again,
both: Here I go again,
Unique: Here I go...
They were now on stage doing some last days rehearsals, now all the cast was on their costume and singing along to the song
ALL: An' here I go again on my own
Goin' down the only road I've ever known,
Like a hobo* I was born to walk alone
An' I've made up my mind
I ain't wasting no more time...
ALL: But, here I go again,
Jake: Here I go again,
Ryder: Here I go again,
Thomas: Here I go,
all: Here I go again...
Kitty was watching Ryder do his lines with Danielle. She didn´t know why, but she felt very jealous.
"They look like they really get along well. Wait a minute! Why is she looking at him that way?! I mean it just looks very real to me…. Nah, biker girl is nuts about Patty-cakes. Or at least I think so" She looked at them and find them kissing. The kiss lasted a little longer than usual. Kitty felt awful, like someone had kicked her on the stomach after she had fell from the top of the cheerio pyramid.
She left the auditorium before anyone noticed she was crying.
Cryin' on the cornerwaitin' in the rain
I swear I'll never ever wait gave me your word but words for you are lies.
Darlin' in my wildest dreams I never thought I'd go
But it's time to let you know -I'm gonna harden my heart I'm gonna swallow my tears
I'm gonna turn and leave you here
She still loked at Ryder talk to other girls and they were all flirting with him
.All of my life I've been waitin' in the rain
I've been waitin' for a feelin' that never ever came
It feels so close but always disappears
She sat down on the floor about to cry and Unique came closer to her to console her
Unique: .Darlin' in your wildest dreams you never had a clue But it's time you got the news –
Both: I'm gonna harden my heart (harden your heart) I'm gonna swallow my tears (swallow your tears girl)
I´m gonna turn and leave you here
Kitty began crying, and Unique just hugged her
"Everything is going to be ok" that´s all she kept on saying to her
It was about time to come on stage again. Ryder was doing a fantastic performance. He was actually the perfect Drew. Jake, on the otherside, was doing his job bitterly. He enjoyed his songs though, at least he liked his character. Thomas was an stupendous Paul Gill, Cameron had been an excellent Lonny and Marley was just the perfect Constance Sack.
Both Patrick and Jake and were worried about the Stacee Jaxx hot scenes with Marley and Danielle (even if they had been censored), Jake felt relieved Joe Heart had gotten the role somehow. He knew he could trust the guy and that nothing wrong could happen to Marley (besides being seen by the entire school in her underwear).
Kitty was a little bit concerned about Ryder and Danielle, it looked very real how they acted like they were inlove. What she didn´t know is that Ryder, in order to get the love scenes right, he was thinking about her. He just kept wondering why she kept on avoiding him and why was she behaving that way.
Danielle just thought of how brokenhearted she was feelking about Patrick playing with her, but still she kept on being his friend.
Each of them was on their marked part of the stage singing the song that ironically went well with how they were feeling.
Danielle: we both lie silently still in the dead of nightal though we both lie close together we feel miles apart inside
Ryder: was it something i said or something i did? did my words not come out right? though i tried not to hurt you, though i tried but i guess thats why they say
Both: every rose has its thorn
Danielle: just like every night has its dawn just like every cowboy sing his sad, sad song
Danielle and Ryder: every rose has its thorn(yeah it does)
Joe: though its been a while now i can still feel so much pain
Unique: like a knife thats cuts youthe wound heals but the scar
that scar will remain
Ryder: i know i could saved a love that night if i'd known what to say instead of makin' lovewe both made our separate ways
Unique and Danielle: and now i hear you found somebody new and that i never meant that much to you
Ryder: to hear that tears me up inside and to see you cuts me like a knife i guess
ALL: every rose has its thorn just like every night has its dawn just like cowboy sings his sad, sad song every rose its thorn
Joe´s scene was comming up. He looked totally awesome in his costume. The part suited him well. Thomas somehow regretted he wasn´t Stacee, but he told himself he didn´t rock the hippie stoner look just to feel better with himself. Joe went out on stage again and the famous introduction of the song began. Joe looked amazing in his cowboy leather pants, boots, the glasses, the tats. He was Stacee.
Jake and Thomas could still picture themselves in his place as he sang,
Joe: It's all the same, only the names will change
Everyday it seems we're wasting away
Another place where the faces are so cold
I'd drive all night just to get back home
As he walked across the crowd Jake was him
I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride
I'm wanted dead or alive
Wanted dead or alive
Jake: Sometimes I sleep, sometimes it's not for days
And the people I meet always go their separate ways
Sometimes you tell the day
By the bottle that you drink
And times when you're alone all you do is think
I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride
I'm wanted dead or alive
Wanted (wanted) dead or alive
He was on stage again looking at the astounded crowd. Thomas was picturing himself as Stacee singing that song in concert
Thomas: Oh! And I ride!
I walk these streets, a loaded six string on my back
I play for keeps, 'cause I'm not coming back
I been everywhere, still standing tall
I've seen a million faces an I'm rockin' on
Joe Jake and Thomas: I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride
I'm wanted (wanted) dead or alive
I'm a cowboy, I got the night on my side
I'm wanted (wanted) dead or alive
And I ride, dead or alive
I still drive (I still drive) dead or alive
The auditorium cheered for more. Their catarsis was over and each of the boys was backstage while Joe was the one enjoying the people´s screams.
Marley was absolutely happy, today would be the day where she finally would do it with Jake. She wasn´t the only one who imagined her co-star to be the person she wanted so she could do it much better. She had finally felt comfortable enough to do it with the guy she was in love with. Ryder listened to that song and the lyrics reminded him of Kitty, and the other way around. As Joe and Marley performed she imagined Jake was Stacee, and Kitty and Ryder pictured themselves as Drew and Sherrie singing that same song.
Jake: I gotta take a little time
A little time to think things over
Jake was walking away from Marley, but she followed him and faced him face to face as she touched his chest slowly and softly
Marley: I better read between the lines
In case I need it when I'm older
Kitty was now on stage dressing like Sherrie and looking at Ryder, who followed her to the pool table
Kitty: In my life there's been heartache and pain
I don't know if I can face it again
Ryder held her hands as he looked at her in the eyes and carressed her face
Ryder: Can't stop now, I've traveled so far
To change this lonely life
Jake grabbed Marley around his arms tightly as he held her hips
Jake and Marley: I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
Ryder carried Kitty and sat her onn the pool table
Ryder and Kitty: I wanna feel what love is
I know you can show me
Suddenly he went away from her a little insecure
Ryder: I'm gonna take a little time
A little time to look around me
Kitty stopped him
Kitty: I've got nowhere left to hide
It looks like love has finally found me
Marley was now with her shirt open and Jacket had taken of his jacket leaving his upper body shirtless
Marley: In my life there's been heartache and pain
I don't know if I can face it again
Jake: I can't stop now, I've traveled so far
BOTH: To change this lonely life
Marley jumped for Jake to catch her. Both stared at each other with eyes full of desire; smiling at each other. He spinned her aroudn taking her to a soda
Jake: Let's talk about love
Ryder was holding Kitty in his arms, both were laying down in the pool table keeping a kissing distance
ALL: I wanna know what love is
Kitty: The love that you feel inside
Marley and Jake were at the couch foreplaying with each other. Ryder got down of the table as he looked up to Kitty helping her get down as well
Jake Marley and Ryder: I want you to show me
Kitty: And I'm feeling so much love
Jake Marley and Ryder: I wanna feel what love is
Kitty: No, you just cannot hide
Jake Marley and Ryder: I know you can show me
Ryder, Kitty Jake and Marley were holding hands, carressing each other
Ryder: Yeah
Kitty Marley and Jake: I wanna know what love is
Ryder: Let's talk about love
Kitty Marley and Jake: I want you to show me
They all just couldn´t wait to be intimate with each other, the anticipation was killing them
Marley: I wanna feel it too
Jake Ryder and Kitty: I wanna feel what love is
Marley: I want to feel it too
Marley and Kitty: And I know, and I know, and I know, and I know, and I know
Both couples kissed as they layed down proceeding to what was next. Both girls awoke from their fantasies, Marley realized the auditorium was cheering loudly, she had done well. Jake looked at her from backstage smiling. His girlfriend had done such a good job.
The play was going out so well, now it was Artie´s and Finn´s second favorite number. Emma, Will and Shannon were very proud of Finn, he was the best director the Glee Cub had ever had (after Mr. Schue of course)
"Hey" Kitty said as Ryder passed by. He stopped and greeted her with a smile.
"Hi" He answered. Kitty remained silent for a couple seconds Ryder was about to leave thinking that she had nothing else to say
"You´ve done great" she said rushing. Ryder smiled "Thanks" he said giving her a big grin.
"Artie reserved a table at Breadstixx tonight after the show... Wanna come?" She asked him. Ryder looked shyly at her feeling happy inside because of Kitty´s proposition
"Sure" he said as he nodded, the girl smiled and he went quickly back on stage.
Marley left a note and a key on Jake´s dresser. When he saw it he felt weird. Jake grabbed the little note and read it "Room 1764, 8:00 o´clock. Love you, Marley" He smiled excitedly. He knew what this meant, somehow he felt very nervous but at the same time he felt this was going to be the best night of his life.
Now the stage was divided between church ladies with members of the high society and the rockers who were leaded by Karen and Patrick, leaded on one side by Cameron and Jake
They were making a riot between the two groups, shouting out both their interests.
Cameron: We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
ROCKERS: Built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Someone's always playing corporation games
Who cares they're always changing corporation names
We just want to dance here, someone stole the stage
They call us irresponsible, write us off the page
Karen and Patrick: But we're not gonna take it
No, we ain't gonna take it
We're not gonna take it anymore
Jake and the rockers: Who counts the money, underneath the bar
Who rides the wrecking ball in two rock guitars
Don't tell us you need us, 'cause we're the ship of fools
Looking for America coming through your schools
High societyWe're not gonna take it
rockers: (We built this city)
High society: No, we ain't gonna take it
Rockers: (We built this city)
High societyWe're not gonna take it anymore
Rockers: (We built this city on rock and roll)
[x2]
rockers: (We built this city on rock and roll) [x2]
The entire crowd stood up to the sound of their voices in unison. Finn hugged Artie, once again they did it. Carole went to see the show, she had loved it, evrey single song. It was as she had relived her teenage years again.
Everything had turned out to be splendid. The cast that went to Breadstixx had had an excellent time. Ryder and Kitty just kept on looking at each other and they didn´t stop holding hands the entire dinner.
Jake and Marley didn´t go with the New Directions; they spent the most magical night together...
The next morning (as Finn expected) Fletcher Mantini, the school´s critique, had posted his review on the schools blog. Finn read it aloud infront of his students: "Again the New Directions surprised me with the most amazing music of all time. Perfect cast filled with new amazing talents, great characterization and interpretation from the leading roles. It was clear that rock and roll was still alive after all this time and Mr. Hudson and The New Directions have resurrected it. Mckinley was rebuilt in Rock and Roll "