Recap:

All of a sudden the bell rings. But in all actuality it not really that sudden because this stuff is scheduled people. Needless to say though, I thank the bell gods for saving the day once again. Without having to deal with any of the awkward cheering I quickly hand Autumn back her guitar. Rushing out of the room and to class, Flash style. Not even bothering to ask how I did to anyone. I just decide to pretend as if none of this happened… EVER.

It's been a week since the whole show down with Santana and the duets and I've been avoiding any and all conversation relating my singing performance. I honestly just don't even want to know. Luckily for me with the Glee Club deciding to do the 'Rocky Horror Show', it wasn't too difficult to keep conversation off of me. But really, what are they thinking?

Ben however, is ecstatic. Because he is super pumped about this musical, Autumn, Thaddeus and I were all roped into being involved in pit orchestra. I could be home watching Netflix right now but nooooo, now I have to spend that precious time in rehearsal learning music. FML.

"Ella!" Ben says, grabbing my attention. We were currently at our lockers grabbing our things for our next class.

"Yes Ben?" I ask, still facing my locker.

"Is that Finn walking down the hall in his underwear?" Ben asks me, completely dumbfounded.

I whip my head towards Ben to see what in the world he is talking about. When, all of a sudden, Mitch comes up and covers my eyes. "Um… You don't want to see this Ella."Mitch tells me awkwardly.

Normally I'd be hella curious as to what it is I 'don't want to see' but with Mitch standing so close to me, well, it's hard to focus on much else, my blush growing redder by the second.

"I don't understand why you're covering her eyes Mitch." Tyler's voice says, popping up at my right. "She'll probably end up seeing worse on the internet. At least this way she's in a safe environment."

"What are you, my mother Tyler?" I laugh.

"Nope, I'm your daddy." He replies.

Even with a hand covering my face, my cringe was visible. Probably the most visible thing to ever be visible. "Ew. Nope. Stop right there. That's just- Wow. Nope." Tyler burst out laughing at my disgusted face.

Much to my disappointment, Mitch removes his hand from my face. "Coast is clear." He tells me, still standing rather close.

"Oh um… Thanks."

"Yeah… By the way, Ella. You did a really good job singing the other day. I was really surprised."

My face is becoming even more red. Dear God help me. "Oh thanks. That means a lot." I smile.

"No problem." He smiles back before walking off. That was an abrupt end to a conversation…

Once Mitch is out of earshot Tyler turns to me. "My name is Ella, and I'm in love."

"Oh shut up!" And with that nothing else eventful really happens. Well, that is if we're not counting the drama between the guidance counselor, her boyfriend, and Mr. LoverBoy. As well as the musical being canceled. All that Netflix time! Waisted!

"Welcome back Puck!" Mr. Rooster greets cheerily. Instantly my gaze turns to my other band members. Our plan to get back at Puck kind of failed, seeing as he wasn't even there. By the look on everyone's faces I don't think we're going to try anything elaborate again.

We all sort of nonchalantly huddle together. "I suggest we just look for an apology." Katherine says. We all nod in agreement.

"For Ben's honor." Tyler says dramatically.

Ben begins to fake tears. "Thanks man."

"No problem homie." Dorks. And with that we all go back to standing where we were previously.

"Puck, I hope your time in juvie has taught you a lesson or two about right and wrong." Mr. YarnHead says.

"Are you kidding me? I ruled that place. All I did was crack skulls and lift weights all day."

"Classy." I rolled my eyes.

"Just like yo mom." Tyler chirped.

"What'd you say bout my mama?" Ben chimed in.

"...she a classy lady." Tyler turned to Ben, smirking.

"Bro." Ben says, fake teary eyed.

"What are you two?" I asked them incredulously.

"And now, drumroll Finn because I have in my hand our competition for sectionals next month." Finn drum rolled with Thaddeus standing behind him, questioning his life. "First, the a cappella choir from the all-boys private school in Westerville, the Dalton Academy Warblers."

"Hot." Ben commented.

"And the other team to beat, the Hipsters a first-year club from the Warren Township continuing education program. Now, they are a glee club composed entirely of elderly people getting their high school G.E.D.'s."

"Give one of those old ladies a good-luck pat on the rear, it'll shatter her pelvis." Why is Puck like this?

"Since it seemed to get you guys jazzed about sectionals last year I want to make this week our second-annual boys versus girls tournament. So split up into two groups and figure out what song you're gonna sing. You'll perform it next friday." So we're just ignoring what Puck said. … Alright.

"Umm I'm sorry but we won't be able to play and back you guys up next Friday." Katherine interjected.

"Yeah! You tell 'em Katherine!" Tyler cheered.

"Guys… I'm not being sassy, we genuinely won't be able to play."

"That's right," Brad confirmed, "you guys have your band competition then."

"What?!" Thaddeus squeaked.

"Since when?" Arnold was practically panicking.

"Since always." Brad snapped. Yikes.

"But you haven't even given us the music yet." Mitch sighed.

"Well someone's been keeping you guys occupied." Brad said, giving the glee club a side glare. So much salt in one man.

"Well… do you have any of the music now?" I asked.

"Why yes, Miss Smith, I do."

"Miss Smith? yiiiiiiiiike." Ben whispered in my ear.

As Brad passes out the sheet music to the other band members, I look at it's title. It's conveniently called Apologetic Rain. How convenient to the story line! "Wait!" I call out. "This reminds me! Puck!" I say, turning to point to him.

"...What?..." He asks looking genuinely confused. I mean I would too, to be honest.

"I demand that you apologize to Ben for locking him in a port-a-potty."

"Oh Jesus Ella maybe say it louder so the whole school can hear you!" Ben cries out, covering his face with his hand. "But for real man, that was a dick move." He says, looking at Puck then turning back to me. "Honestly, what are you? My mom?"

I look up at him sheepishly. "Sorry, Ben."

"Why in the great name of Jewish God would I apologize?"

"You Locked Me In A Port-A-Potty!" Ben cries. "Who freaking does that!? You know how disgusting those things are!?"

"That was kind of the point, Bif." Puck replies.

"BEN! My name is BEN! Who in this entire school is named Bif?!"

"Ben," I say, grabbing his attention, "you need to calm down man."

Ben takes a deep breath and begins to mutter, "Flip a brick, flip a brick, flip a brick, flipabriiiiiiick."

"As if I'd apologize to some band geek." Puck said.

Ok, now I'm heated. "I don't know if you've noticed," I begin, walking up to Puck, "but 'band geeks' are still higher up on the food chain, that is high school, than a glee kid with a dumb hair cut."

A chorus of 'oooohs' could be heard throughout the room. "Damn Barbie." Santana muttered from across the room.

"Ok Ella, now it's your turn to calm down." Tyler said, pulling me away from Puck. "This is a peaceful confrontation but still a confrontation and Mitch can only take so much."

The entire room turns towards Mitch who was having a cringe attack by the wall. "I hate stuff like this happens on TV I always skip it but this is real life and there's only so much I can do. … I'm gonna wait in the hall." I couldn't help but feel slightly bad but when I looked over to Mitch's main group of friends; Arnold, Katherine, and Tyler, it looked like they all thought it hilarious.

"Look man," Tyler continues, "we're not the type of people to take something like this sitting down. All we're asking for is an apology."

"First off, my hair is not stupid-" Puck began.

"Yeah it is." I couldn't help myself.

"Excuse me, but the ladies love the 'hawk."

"No, I can say, as a lady, they do not love 'the 'hawk.'' It makes you look like a really tall fourth grader. No one wants to make out with a fourth grader."

He glares at me. "You know, you're not really convincing me on this whole 'apology' thing."

I let out a huff of anger just as the bell rings. As everyone exits Ben walks up to me. "I wanna slushie him Ben. I want to slushie him good."

"I know Ella. I know." He says, patting my shoulder as we make our way to our next class.

As Ben and I walk through the halls a couple of classes later we hear a loud bang. As we whip our heads towards the noise we see Kurt on the ground by his locker. Glaring at what's-his-dumb-face. "Kurt! Are you ok? That sounded like it hurt." Ben asked. Concern written all over his face. But Kurt just nodded and walked away. "That's been happening a lot

lately." Ben mumbles.

"It has?" I'm surprised.

"Yeah," he nods, "normally he just shrugs it off but I feel like it's been getting to him a lot more lately."

I shake my head. "What a jerk. Kurts like, one of the nicest people I know. And he's in glee!"

"I know right?" Ben agrees. "I hope it all just blows over soon."

"Me too."

A week later and the jazz band is all on a bus, making our way over to our first competition of the season. I sat next to Ben while Mitch sat in front of us, chatting with Katherine, Arnold, and Tyler. All I did was stare at the back of his head while Ben, Thaddeus, and Autumn were talking. Or at least that's what I thought until Ben waved his hand in front of my face, causing me to look over at them. Turns out that they must of stopped talking awhile ago and instead decided to stare at me in judgment. "Leave me alone! This is bullying!"

"We're not- I'm not- … It's just … Why are you like this?" Thaddeus asks with a sigh.

I make a noise that's probably a mixture of shock and hurt. "What's that supposed to mean?!"

"He means," Ben begins, "why do you do these things that you do?"

I look up to the ceiling dramatically. "What have I ever done to deserve this?"

"Deserve what?" Mitch asks, turning around in his seat.

"N-nothing. Ha! Lol." I can hear Tyler burst out laughing from his seat ahead of Mitch. "Shut up Tyler!"

"Not a chance!"

"I'm so confused." Mitch says. "Is something going on between you two?"

"NO!" I all but scream. But Tyler just begins to laugh harder. I'm gonna punch him one of these days. And in return all Mitch does is look back and forth between the two of us. I slump down in my seat. "I hate my life." I grumble.

Jump to a couple hours later and I was still sulking with a mad blush on my face. However, we arrived and I was glad to get off that bus and away from Tyler. It seemed like whenever he was around I just made more and more of a fool of myself in front of Mitch. It's as if he were indirectly trying to ruin my chances with his friend. Ugh.

As Ben, Thaddeus, Autumn and I were making our way into the building Katherine pulls me over, grabbing me by the arm. Before I know it I'm with her, surrounded by our fellow band mates, Claire, Natalie, and Ashlynn. "I'd pull Autumn and Meredith over too but they're both dating someone already." Katherine says.

"Wait. … What's going on?" I'm so confused.

"We're going boy scoping!" Claire cheers.

"Boy scoping?"

"It's this thing we do at every competition." Natalie explains.

"We walk around in a group and stare at boys with nice faces." Ashlynn states.

"It's actually a lot of fun." Katherine assures me. I look over at Mitch who's ahead of us now as the rest of our group finds a place to put their stuff. Oh what the hell. A little staring never hurt anyone.

"Oh what the heck, count me in." They all smiled widely at me.

Our Jazz band didn't perform for the judges until a little later in the day. That meant that the five of us had a bit of time to walk around and as we grew hungry we made our way over to the concessions area. As we went through the line my eyes immediately made their way to the area where they were selling doughnuts. Sure, there were definitely some healthier choices but these weren't just any doughnuts, these were cake doughnuts. And the pink one with sprinkles was calling my name. As I reached for it I bumped hands with someone else going for the same one. "Oh I'm sorry-" I looked up and immediately cut off as I made eye contact with probably the hottest guy I've actually ever seen. The moment my green eyes connected with his dark brown ones I was at a loss for words.

"Sorry," He said, his voice deep. It was calming but I could definitely hear a hint of mischief behind it "were you going for that one?"

I clear my throat. "Yeah but I can always pick a different one, no big deal."

"No," he said, "go ahead. Now that I'm closer I think I'm digging this chocolate one instead."

"You sure?" I ask, looking up at him. He was a good head taller than me.

"Absolutely." Our hands were still somewhat brushing but once he picked up the other doughnut his hand left, leaving my hand a lot colder than it normally would be.

After I got done paying for my food, I waited patiently aways away for the rest of my friends to pay. Suddenly the same guy from earlier came up to me. This time, giving me a better chance to look at him. He was wearing black skinny jeans, a black bomber jacket, with an MCR band t-shirt underneath. His hair was also black, it was messy but if it was intentional or not, well, I had no clue. As for the rest of him, his skin was tan and he had probably the strongest jawline I've ever actually seen in person. Damn. He had a cocky smirk on his face as he said. "I'm Julian, incase you were wondering."

Something in the back of my mind told me that that smirk was nothing but trouble but am I going to listen? Probably not. "I'm Ella." He stretches out his hand for me to shake. Our handshake only lasted a bit longer than any other one but that didn't stop the light blush from hitting my cheeks. There he was. Dressed in black, looking all edgy and wow. I look down at what I'm wearing. A large pastel pink sweater, with faded blue skinny jeans, and white converse. Not to mention my pale skin and blonde hair. We're so opposite that if I were anyone else, I'd be wondering why in the world two people so different would be talking.

"I like it, it suits you. Your name, that is."

"Likewise."

"So tell me Ella. What school are you from?"

"I'm from Mckinley High."

"Oooooh. I don't know if we should even be talking." He jokes.

I tilt my head to the side. "Why's that?"

"I'm from Carmel High School." My eyes widened. Every high school football team has that one school they just can't stand. The one where the rivalry is so intense and no one even knows why but it's there and it's deep. Well, the Carmel High School Jazz Band, also home to Vocal Adrenaline, was just that to the Mckinley Jazz Band.

However, the look in his eyes tells me that he doesn't actually care and I decide right then and there that I don't really care either. I mean a girl doesn't see a face like that everyday. Not that I'm the superficial or anything but oh my I'm getting off track. "Oh my, maybe I should leave before war breaks out." I smile.

He steps a bit closer. "I'd hate for you to leave so soon." He stares into my eyes and I feel as if he's seeing everything. I've never met someone so intense in my life. Yeah there are people like Mitch who are cute and sweet and they've caught my eye and I thought those feelings were strong. But now, I'm not so sure anymore. This boy, Julian, has me paralyzed with one look. I'm not sure if I should swoon or run away.

"Ella?" I turn my head to see Katherine and the others, now painfully aware of how close Julian and I are standing to one another. I clear my throat and take a step back.

"Oh um, hey guys." I say, giving them a meek wave.

"Who's your friend?" Ashlynn asked with a sly smile.

"Oh. Um. This is Julian. Julian, these are my friends Claire, Ashlynn, Katherine, and Natalie."

He gives them a polite smile, but that doesn't make it any less dazzling. Their eyes widen. "It's nice to meet you all."

"Yeah." Natalie sighs.

Julian then turns back to me. "My band performs at three. You should come by and watch."

"I'd love to. If you have time, you should come see us at four."

He lifts up my hand and gently kisses it. "Wouldn't miss it for the world." And with that he takes his leave.

"WE LEAVE YOU FOR FIVE MINUTES AND YOU MEET MR. MEGAFOXYASOMEHOTMANOFMYDREAMS?!" Natalie squeals.

"I mean, it just happened." My face probably the reddest it's ever been in my entire life, and I've had some pretty nasty sunburns in my time.

"Oh my God! I just- WOW." Katherine says, struggling to find words.

"What's 'Oh my God! I just-WOW'?" Tyler asks, popping up behind us along with Ben and Mitch.

"This super-mega-awesome-foxy-hot guy that was totally hitting on Ella." Ashlynn exclaims.

"OH MY GOD is this true Ella!?" Ben asks, a smile plastered on his face.

My mouth begins to open and close like a fish. My mind has gone blank and I don't even know where to begin.

"OMG Ella it's 2:50!" Natalie all but yelled, looking at her phone.

"What's at 2:50?" Tyler asked.

"Nothing, but at three Mr. Manofmydreams' school is performing." Katherine explained.

The four girls either grab my hand or shove my back in the direction of the performance center. Mitch, Ben, and Tyler all following behind us.

As we made our way to our seats in the gym, now auditorium, I see Julian and the rest of his band setting up. Once he notices us, he smirks and nods his head in acknowledgment. I, being the awkward person I am, give a small, shy wave. Another blush beginning to form on my cheeks. With this small interaction Ben, Mitch, and Tyler now all know who exactly Mr. MANOFKATHERINE'sDREAM is. Ben looks impressed, Mitch looks a tad bit concerned but overall alright with the situation, and Tyler looks… well, I don't know.

"Damn, Ella. That guy looks hella cool." Ben says.

"His outfit looks straight out of hot topic." Mitch smiles.

I laugh at both of them and then turn to Tyler, wondering what he was thinking, not that it really made all that big of a difference. "He doesn't look trustworthy." Tyler grumbled.

"What do you mean?" I asked, genuinely confused.

"I just mean he doesn't look like someone you should be hanging out with."

"What does that even mean Tyler? I mean yeah he looks like he's a bit on the edgier side but he looks like a slightly more amped up you." Mitch reasons.

"You can't judge a book by it's cover." Ben chimes.

Tyler sighs. "Just watch your step Ella."

I give him a reassuring smile. "I always do."

To be continued…..

A/N: I'M SORRY! I'VE BEEN GONE FOR LIKE TEN MILLION YEARS AND THAT'S BEEN YIKE. I started working this summer then got the lead in the musical this year, which, funnily enough, was CInderella. Making me Ella. I guess you could call me Michaella. Ha….. ha…..haha. I apologize. But here I am, back and ready for this story to go places. You have no idea. Again I'm sorry for the long wait. Trust me when I say my friends are just as upset with me as you. SOOOOO Imma try and figure out a schedule for me to write, we'll see how that goes. Thank you so much to everyone who's sticky with this and I'll try to get good. Thanks so much. Feel free to like and comment and I'll see you next time.