Chapter Six

The Newbie

It had been a week since Mr Schuester had announced that Kelly had won the glee club's competition. She still couldn't get into her head that she had won. Her prize was to have the privilege of getting a solo for sectionals. The only problem with that was that Kelly had never gotten a solo before and she was anxious about performing at sectionals. Everyone in the glee club were so welcoming and supportive – even Rachel.
Kelly had quickly become good friends with Quinn. They hung out at the mall sometimes, or had sleep overs every so often. Kelly soon learned that Quinn, two years ago, had gotten pregnant and had a beautiful baby girl, called Beth. Kelly would never have guessed that Quinn was the sort of girl to get herself pregnant. She also learned that Quinn was once captain of the cheerios, before Sue kicked her off.
Kelly and Quinn were eating lunch, at a table located near the back of the cafeteria, when Santana and Brittany came over, wearing their short, exposed cheerio uniforms.
"Well if it isn't the new superstar of the glee club and the cheerio wannabe!"
Quinn had also told Kelly that she was trying to get back on the cheerios, as this was her senior year and she wanted it to be a good one.
"Santana!"
Quinn said enthusiastically. Kelly ignored Santana and pushed her food around. Brittany stood at Santana's side, staring down at Kelly.
"So are you two, besties now?"
"We're friends, Santana, what's your problem?"
Unexpectedly, Brittany asked Kelly a question.
"I heard from an elf once, that pushing your food around upsets Santa. Did you get Christmas presents last year?"
Kelly didn't know what to say. The first thing that confused Kelly was Brittany's random outburst. The second thing that confused Kelly, was why Brittany still believed in Santa? And the last thing that confused Kelly was what was she talking about when she said she had heard from an elf? There were many things that Brittany did or said that confuse Kelly.
She opened her mouth to answer but no sound came. They all paused for a moment and exchanged looks. After a few minutes, Santana and Brittany walked away leaving Kelly and Quinn to finish their lunch.
Soon after, Kelly was making her way to her Maths class when Sue appeared from nowhere. Kelly had started to notice that Sue seemed to turn up when you least expect her to. Kelly continued walking but Sue followed her.
"I saw you talking to one of my co-captains of my cheerios team…"
She gave Sue a quizzical look.
"So?"
"So, what were you talking about?"
Kelly thought for a moment. What did we talk about?
"Elves, Santa and Christmas."
"I'm being serious!"
"So am I!"
Kelly was unsure as to why Sue was asking her these ridiculous questions.
"Wait," Kelly came to a halt. "What did you think we were talking about?"
This made Sue wear a you got me look.
"Well I thought maybe you were talking to sand bags about joining the cheerios."
Kelly couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You want me to join the cheerios!"
"Yes. I asked sand bags and unicorn face to track you down and ask if you wanted to meet me after school to try out for the team."
Quinn had told Kelly that Coach Sylvester never let people on her team unless if she knew they had talent or if they looked like they belonged in the cheerios team. Kelly lacked talent when it came to cheerleading and she definitely wasn't the short skirt type either.
"Why would you ask me to join the cheerios?"
"Honestly, I can imagine you perfect on the top of the pyramid. You're not too tall but you're not short. You're not fat but you're not too skinny. Then there's the smiley grin that could get the judges attention."
Kelly always knew herself to be the exact opposite of everything Sue was saying she was.
Being a cheerio meant you could be one of the top students in the school – in eyes of students. It meant that you could get any seat you wanted in the cafeteria, you'd be looked at as if you were queen. Being a cheerio meant you were royalty.
"I can't do after school today, I have glee club meeting, how about Friday?"
"Woah woah wait what!"
"Did I say something wrong?"
"Everything you just said was wrong! You do not cancel on me, especially not for another session of who can scream the loudest. If I let you on the cheerios, you will have to always put the cheerios before that lame glee club. Do we understand each other?"
Kelly knew exactly what kind of game Sue was playing. She refused to be another piece in her games. Kelly wasn't going to give up the welcoming and kind atmosphere of the glee club to join the cheerios and get yelled at and be in the same room as Coach Sylvester for hours a week. She was not about to let Sue control her.
"No, we don't. If I join the cheerios, glee club comes first –always. Otherwise, I guess you could find yourself another final piece of your perfect pyramid."
Kelly strode off. Just as she was about to turn the corner the Sue cried out.
"Wait!"
She turned around to face her.
"Fine! You got yourself a deal, little miss picky."
Kelly shook her hand and nodded her head in agreement. Just as Kelly walked away, she could hear Sue making snide comments.
"…that is if you even get in!"
She could hear her yelling.
Kelly was happy for the rest of the day because she felt like she was finally climbing the tree of fitting in. Joining the cheerios was definitely going to help her.

After school, Kelly dragged herself to the choir room. She was feeling rather tired today and just wanted to go home and work on the song was going to be given for sectionals. Today is the day; she was finally going to be told what song she'll be singing for sectionals.
Mr Schuester started off with an introduction about how they should think about writing original songs. Kelly had written a few original songs however, she definitely wasn't going to share them with everyone, they were personal. They spent the entire meeting brainstorming ideas. They had the entire performance planned out, the only thing they were missing were the songs and the choreography.
They were going to start the performance off with Kelly's solo, and then she will introduce the New Directions, after they are going to perform a group number with Rachel and Finn as the leads and Kelly singing here and there, then the big finish with Mercedes' incredible voice belting out the last part.
Rachel suggested we do something with not too many high notes because she didn't want to risk Kelly cracking on the high notes, which Kelly found very insulting.
For about ten minutes Rachel and Mercedes started arguing about what song Kelly should do as a solo. The thing that annoyed Kelly was she knew what song would like to do but no-one was asking her.
"Mercedes, you clearly don't know what Kelly's voice is capable of. That song is not a song for Kelly. I would know, she is just not broadway material!"
"Rachel Berry, you saying I don't know how to match songs to peoples voices are you actually suggesting that!"
"I just don't think you understand how to match Kelly's voice to a certain genre, that's all!"
Then Kurt cut in.
"Ladies, I just know that Kelly would be amazing at a Vanessa Carlton, I mean she has already showed she can take that on!"
"No, Kurt, I think Kelly should have something more broadway, I mean the broadway numbers have proven to be the judges' favourite kind of songs."
"I think Kurt might be right!"
The argument then became a group discussion.
"Maybe we should try out a few different genres of songs."
Mr Schuester suggested.
Kelly sat silently in the corner. She wanted to jump in and say something but there were no opportunities. She understood that winning sectionals was very important to the glee club members, especially the seniors but this was getting outrageous. The amount of shouting going on about what Kelly should sing made her feel like a prop, like she was used when she was needed. She couldn't take it anymore. Please… just… stop!
"Guys that's enough!"
Kelly cried out. Everyone fell silent and turned to face her.
"I'm glad you guys are all excited for sectionals and that planning all this Is very important… but haven't you guys thought maybe you should ask me? I have a few good ideas."
Mr Schuester went a bit red. He knew she was right.
"She's right guys. We're a group –a family, and we make decisions together."
"Yeah yeah we get it!" Santana said, fed up. "We all understand how we have to love one another and blah blah blah, but picking songs for sectionals, regionals and nationals isn't about family. This is war!"
"That's where you're wrong, Santana. Right now, this is where we need to be united as a family. We're all on the same team; we're going to sectionals together. We're going to win- together. So why are you guys arguing. We should be listening to one another's ideas and we should all contribute. This year's sectionals is yet another very special one, because this year, Kelly is leading us."
"I want to sing Fire-bomb by Rihanna."
Kelly blurted out finally. She had been waiting to say for the past half an hour of arguing but never got the chance until now.
"I've sung it loads of times, just not in front of anyone. I have this vision that I could emerge from behind the audience and make my way to the stage and then by the time I get to the stage I could start singing the chorus and I want you guys to join in."
Rachel sat on the piano with her mouth gaping.
"Why didn't I think of that!"
Mr Schuester chuckled.
"Guys, we just found our opening number! Unless if anyone here disagrees."
Then came the voice of Sugar Motta.
"I don't think that song is for you. It definitely goes better with my voice."
Santana was not the person to mess with when she's fresh from a fight.
"If you don't put your million dollar butt back on that chair I will go all Lima Heights on you. I am warning you!"
She sat down instantly.
Kelly felt really good after they had got past the first task. Now for the second.