Author's Note!

Hello, you beautiful person! Thanks for staying interested despite my slow updates to even make it to chapter 3! I know I said I would make it more focused, but then I realized all the storylines are pretty interlaced. I couldn't bear to take one part out when it flowed into another so well. Maybe in the next few chapters each will start to center around one character, and the next another. For right now, I'm describing all the storylines in one chapter.

For those of you who haven't checked out my tumblr yet, please do! .com

It has character profiles, including the new character who isn't on the Glee project, but is an OC of mine. I'll try to make her as least cringe-worthy as one can make an OC like her.

Also, I realized a bit too late that I should've added said lovely OC to the end of Chapter 2. So I'm adding it here as a continuation.

Chapter 2 Continuation~

Delilah Lynn Hayes stood outside the music room, watching as each came to the front of the room and sang. Each, besides the three sitting down. Two people who looked like they should be in about middle school, and then one sitting alone. Oh, a boy that she recognized vaguely... was he in her Geometry class? She smiled to herself, and as the song came to a close, the three of them joined them in some kind of celebration. Celebrating that they sang a song? She raised an eyebrow, and turned heel.

And now, Chapter 3!

Larson shook out his hands. "You can do this. It's not a big deal." He said. Orleande and Abby looked at him and then back up to each other.

"Larson," Abby scolded.

"Really," Orleande tagged on. They both pushed him out from around the corner, to where Lulu was sitting on the stairs, alone and with her sandwich and her Hello Kitty lunchbox. He took a deep breath.

"Lulu! Hey!" Larson said as he was walking up the stairs, pretending to just then notice her. She looked up, blinked, and then smiled.

"Hey, Larson," she replied. Abby and Orleande stood there for a minute, before Orleande pulled her back by the arm. "Let's go, let's go, give them their adorable little moment."

"I'm... uh, I'm sorry I didn't find you guys for lunch. I just got lost and..." She really didn't feel like walking around aimlessly trying to find people. Larson took the seat next to her on the stairs, which were hardly ever passed through, especially during lunch period.

"We're usually in the cafeteria, but that can be temporary. I mean, we're not like, rooted to the cafeteria. We can have lunch in the music room; it'd be a lot less..." Larson bit his lip. Lulu looked up at him.

"...Let's just say, a group like us three doesn't really blend in all that well." He said lightly. Just today he had his, Abby, and Orleande's trays smashed right into their faces. The mark from the plate was still a bit visible on the bridge of his nose. Lulu giggled quietly.

"...From Orleande and Abby's performance yesterday, I don't think they want to blend in. They shouldn't. That was awesome." She put away her sandwich and crossed her legs and staring off at nothing. "Blending in is the most mediocre way to be accepted." She said, shaking her head. Larson blinked, obviously not expecting that. "Why would you, when you have that much talent and that much confidence? It's so stupid. I don't get high school." Lulu looked back at Larson, who was still looking at her dumbfounded. She blushed a bit, looking down at her hands, and letting out a small, cutesy laugh. "Sorry, sorry. Didn't mean to go all-"

"You're right, though." Larson said. She looked back up at him. "The three of us had an idea that this would happen. We talked about going separate ways, melding in with maybe a more normal crowd. Then we remembered we're best friends, and stupid high school bullies aren't going to take that away from us." Lulu opened her mouth to say something, only to realize she had nothing to say, so she just smiled warmly. Larson scratched his head.

"But, you know, even though we don't want to mold into other groups, we don't mind someone molding in with us." He paused before continuing. "So, what do you say, music room for lunch with us from now on?" Lulu felt her heart swell. She was being invited into a group of people who were actually interesting. Who knew high school could be exciting?

"Yeah, I'd really... really like that." She smiled at him, not a cutesy 'I'm nervous' smile, but a genuine and warm smile that caused Larson to flush a little. She didn't notice.

"Cool, cool! Oh, we still need to find Gerard, and work on our song. For Glee. Our glee club song," He stammered out. Lulu bit her lip and nodded slowly.

"Right... right, we have to sing in front of everyone who was insanely talented. Awesome," Lulu chuckled nervously while packing up her things. The bell was going to ring any minute.

"You wouldn't have joined if you didn't think you were insanely talented, too, though, right?" Larson suggested. She flung her backpack over her shoulder and just stared at him. He grinned at her. "I can't wait to hear it myself. Let's talk more about it in Glee club, yeah? I have to run, my class is on the other side of campus and... I can't exactly walk very fast." He chuckled. She continued to look at him and nodded. He suddenly wondered if he said something wrong. He stood up, waving awkwardly while walking up the stairs. She stood up as well.

"Thank you Larson." She called out. He turned around, and that same warm smile flickered back onto her face. He smiled back and nodded before heading towards his class. Lulu clutched her backpack strap, feeling ridiculously warm and giddy that she had managed to make friends with people that didn't suck.

-x-

"Jaryn? Jaryn!" Charlie said waving her hand in front of his face. "Are you listening to me?" Jaryn stirred, and looked at her. The trio was seated in the back of the history classroom, and there was a discussion going about, leaving the three to talk freely.

"Oh, yeah, uh, I agree with you." He replied, sitting up a bit.

"See? Even Jaryn thinks she's at least bi." She retorted to Collin, who put his hands up.

"At least bi means that both of us have a chance. Chill," he said. "Besides, Jaryn's not a fair vote right now. He's off in la-la land." Collin twirled his pencil through his fingers. Charlie tilted her head, and Collin leaned forward causing Charlie to lean in as well. After a pause for added affect, he finally said "A girl." Both Charlie and Jaryn's eyes widened, Jaryn's face going a little red. "Damnit, Coll-" he muttered, before Charlie's head turned so quickly that if she didn't have whiplash from head banging so much she had it now.

"Who? Oh god, is it our gi-"

"No, it's no one." Jaryn interrupted, turning away from them.

"The little one." Collin chimed in happily.

"Damnit, Collin!"

"The one with the little poof skirt?" Charlie's eyes were as wide as her grin. Jaryn didn't say anything. "Oh my god! No wonder you wanted to join Glee club! That's adorable! Jarbear!" She punched his arm before wrapping hers around him. He groaned and glared at Collin, who had a grin reminiscent of a fox's.

"It doesn't matter. I can't go for her anymore anyways." He said looking away. Charlie looked up at him.

"Why not? You won't look too much like a creeper. I mean, she looks like she's 5, but..." She let go of him finally.

"No, it's not that... that... really short boy is obviously into her." He said quietly. Charlie shrugged.

"So?"

"So, it'd be wrong. You don't just... do that to people like him." He ran a hand through his hair. Collin put down his pencil and turned to look at him.

"Dude, he's just another guy. I'm sure he doesn't want you to treat him like he's dying or something. She's not taken, and it looks to me like you saw her first. All's fair," he said. Jaryn looked up at him and didn't respond but didn't argue either. He looked down at the ends of his dreadlocks again.

"Why her, though? No offense, she's adorable, but she doesn't exactly seem like your type. Your usual type, that is." Charlie asked. Collin perked his ears up as well.

"...She has a voice like I've never heard, and she just has this way about her... I can't put my finger on it." He said quietly, a hint of a smile on his lips. Charlie rolled her eyes but smiled at him.

"You're such a romantic, falling for a girl for her voice. Is she better than me? Wait, no, don't answer that. We'll find out today when she sings with... oh." she said. The bell rang, and Jaryn stood up without another word. Collin shot her a look, to which she just mouthed "What?" Collin stood up, following after Jaryn, and Charlie followed after.

"I don't get boys." She muttered.

-x-

As the bell rang, Delilah sat up in her seat behind Gerard. She tapped him on the shoulder because he was pretty into his music and didn't even hear the bell ring. Or he was asleep.

"Hey, wakey wakey," she said, going over to the side of his desk. She blew in his ear, and he jumped, almost falling out of his chair. He looked around, confused, before looking back at her. His face turned a bit red. She was absolutely gorgeous with a cute heart shaped face and perfectly sculpted auburn curls. Her light brown eyes seemed to twinkle on their own.

"I thought you were the teacher for a second...Not that you look like her, I mean, I was in trouble." He breathed. He realized everyone was already gone. "...Did I-"

"Sleep through the bell? Yes," she giggled and held out her hand. "You're a transfer student too, right? My name's Delilah. Delilah Lynn Hayes." Gerard blinked and shook her hand.

"Pleasure..." he replied, shaking her hand for probably too long. She smiled shyly, and he pulled his hand away, laughing nervously. He packed up his things, and she stood there waiting for him. They walked out of the classroom together.

"I like your accent." She said, smiling still. Gerard blushed, and on the inside, praising his home country. "Irish?" She asked. He nodded.

"Up north, in Belfast. Uh, what about you? You said you transferred, right?"

"Oh, yes. From the very exciting Wyoming," She answered. "Didn't mean to one up you or anything." Gerard laughed.

"Just because you don't have an accent doesn't make it any less interesting. I mean, Wyoming, is like..."

"It's a square. That's about all it has going for it."

They laughed. It was only then that he remembered that the day was over.

"I have to go. I have club." He'd met up with Lulu and Larson earlier and decided that they were going to go over their song for Glee club before it started.

Delilah tilted her head cutely, her curls falling over her shoulder. "You're in a club? Which club?" Gerard shifted a little.

"Um, glee club," he said quietly, wondering if it made him look like a loser or not. She beamed.

"Really? This school has a glee club? That's awesome! Can I join you...?" Gerard opened his mouth to say something. This girl seemed... if he guessed right... into him. Not to mention she was completely gorgeous. "Thank you, Ireland!" He thought and then smiled shyly at her.

"Of course," he replied. She smiled brightly again. "Actually... I'm kind of third wheeling with Lulu and Larson. Would you maybe like to, um, sing with me?" Gerard asked, scratching his head. She looked a little uncertain. "I mean, if you don't want to, it's totally cool. I mean, I'm only doing it today because I was too scared to sing yesterday so now I have to sing today, and the two people I'm singing with are tiny and adorable an-" Gerard rambled on. Delilah put a hand on his arm and smiled, effectively shutting him up.

"I'd love to," she said simply. "If it's a song I know, of course."

"Even I know it, so I'd hope so." Gerard replied. Delilah laughed lightly and walked with him towards the room. Everything was a lot easier than she had anticipated.

-x-

"Just go for it, man." Charlie said, pushing Collin forward. Jaryn wasn't with them right now. He stumbled a bit and adjusted his hair as he walked towards Leila and Reina, who both turned towards him.

"Hi," he breathed. Leila half smiled back.

"Hey... you're from glee club." She said. He nodded.

"Ohh, the guy that sang first! You're pretty good." Reina chimed in. "Oh, I need to go talk to my teacher. I'll see you both in club!" She said, smiling at Leila. Leila gave her the look of fear, and Reina just pranced off happily. She turned back to Collin, who was now leaning against the lockers.

"So, listen, um... I was wondering if maybe you wanted to go out sometime. There's a cool movie theater near my place all done up to look like a Broadway stage." He said, smiling. "What do you say?" Leila had a feeling this was coming, and she looked down at her hands, before looking back up at him.

"I...I'm sorry, that sounds really, really cool, but uh... you're not... reaally my type." She answered, smiling a bit sadly at him. He did seem nice, and he was cute. It was such a shame that he's a boy. "I'm sorry." She repeated before walking past him and moving quickly to catch up with Reina to complain for leaving her alone with him. She made eye contact with Charlie, who was pretending to put things in her locker, and Charlie smiled flirtatiously back, causing Leila to forget where she was going and almost walk into another freshman. She heard Charlie giggle behind her and put her head down, walking faster.

Collin turned around slowly, dreading seeing Charlie's expression. As he expected, a huge, smug grin was plastered on her face.

"So, what'd she say?" She asked coyly as she closed her locker. Collin sighed.

"Fine, whatever, go have your way with her." He said, falling in step next to her as they walked towards the music room. Charlie looked scandalized.

"You make me seem so barbaric. I will be a gentlewoman and woo the lady." She said, adjusting her posture. There was a pause. "...and then I'll have my way with her." She added. Collin rolled his eyes.

"Well, at least you know she has to be gay if she didn't go for this. Do you see me? I'm adorable. She has to be a lesbian."

"Keeeep tellin' yourself that, bud." She said, patting the discouraged Collin on the shoulder.

-x-

"Alright, guys, settle down." Shelby said, stepping up to them. "Today, we'll have the ones who didn't sing yesterday do their own performance with the song of their choosing. Also," She gestured toward Delilah. "We have, hopefully, a new member who will be performing with them, so, without further ado, Lulu, Larson, Gerard, and Delilah!" She said, throwing her arms open and then stepping back as the rest of them clapped. By now, they had the full band in the background, and the music started playing the well recognized intro. The four stood in a line, and Larson was the first to step up.

All the, small things
True care, truth brings
I'll take, one lift
Your ride, best trip

He paced the front of the room, and threw in some cool dance moves before taking Lulu's hand and pulling her forward. He gave her an encouraging nod and grinned. She smiled a bit back before looking back at the audience.

Always, I know
You'll be at my show
Watching, waiting, commiserating

She sang in a pitch a bit too high for her voice to sound normal and was doing some exaggerated steps. She made her eyes big and batted her eyelashes as she sang and did a little twirl. Jaryn watched, confused, and Collin and Charlie were desperately trying not to laugh.

Say it ain't so
I will not go
Turn the lights off
Carry me home

The four of them sang together, and then at "carry me home" Lulu and Delilah proceeded to leap into Larson and Gerard's arms, and then they spun them around. They all had bright smiles and were singing animatedly. They began to clap their hands over their heads and jump as they sang the "Nanananananana" part. Everyone else in the room began clapping along. All except for Jaryn, who was still majorly confused. Why was she singing like this?

Late night, come home
Work sucks, I know
She left me roses by the stairs
Surprises let me know she cares

Gerard sang next, his accent still heavy as ever in the song. Nicola laughed as Gerard walked over to Delilah, and she pretended to give him a flower. He put on a surprised face and looked flattered, taking the invisible flower. Delilah giggled, and stepped forward to sing the chorus.

Say it ain't so
I will not go
Turn the lights off
Carry me home

She was obviously well trained. Her voice was near pure and clean, hitting notes with precision that only years of instruction could help deliver. She danced fluidly; with a few flirty kinds of moves that made Gerard almost forget to join in for the last chorus.

Keep your head still
I'll be your thrill
The night will go on

The night will go on
My little windmill

As the song ended, there were grins on every face as they smiled and bowed. Their audience clapped enthusiastically. Shelby looked to Delilah.

"Well, Delilah, we're happy to have you if you'll have us." She said stepping forward. Delilah looked at Gerard and smiled a bit shyly.

"This was really fun... so, I think yes."

"Well then! Welcome to the New Directions, Delilah!"

Everyone clapped and introduced themselves to her, asking things about her before returning to casual chatter before the bell rang. Nicola sat, however, with her arms crossed, and Anthony felt obliged to sit with her.

"I don't like her." She said simply. Anthony raised an eyebrow.

"Why not? She's good." He replied, looking back at his girlfriend. She was still looking stern.

"I just don't like her. I get a bad feeling from her." She scowled. Anthony rolled his eyes.

-x-

After glee club had finished, Jaryn stayed a bit behind so that he could stop and finally talk to Lulu. Everyone had already gone, and he walked down the steps to her spot in the front.

"Hey," he said, looking a bit nervous. Lulu looked ten times more so. She looked up at him, her backpack halfway over her back. Jaryn shuffled, not sure how to go about this.

"Um... we haven't really spoken yet, but I'm Jaryn." He introduced himself, holding out his hand. Lulu smiled a bit and shook his hand. It was ridiculous how tiny her hand was in Jaryn's.

"Lulu," she replied and eyed him carefully. She was not used to guys this pretty even looking at her, let alone stopping her after club just to introduce themselves and...whoa, she needed to calm down. Jaryn leaned against one of the seats, and chuckled to himself.

"I... um, don't be completely creeped out, but that wasn't the first time I'd heard you sing... Lulu." He said and looked up at her. Lulu looked a bit confused. Did they go to grade school together or something? Had he heard her at a talent show?

"...Oh," she replied simply, flushing a bit. She couldn't think of anything else to say? Nothing?

"The first day of school... in the auditorium? I..." He was blushing. It was faint, but he was actually blushing. Lulu went wide eyed from embarrassment from herself and also seeing a guy as hot as this blushing. Wait. What?

"Whoa. Wait, that was you?" She asked, remembering seeing someone walk into the auditorium when she was singing... oh god. "You heard me sing Big Spender." She looked mortified. Jaryn nodded.

"Yeah... you sounded really, really good. I mean, I didn't even know the song, and still, I just kinda... walked in. I'm sorry I eavesdropped." Would it be eavesdropping? He smiled slightly. "...but you were in an auditorium." He added with one eyebrow raised. Lulu bit her lip and chuckled awkwardly.

"Yeeaah... I'm sorry you had to hear that. It just seemed like it'd be fun." She said, fiddling with her skirt to avoid looking into his eyes.

"Don't apologize." His tone was serious, and it caused Lulu to look up from her skirt. His eyes were intense, and her heart leapt. He softened his expression when he realized he might've sounded a bit too stern. "I mean... I liked how you sounded. You sounded like you were singing for yourself, you know?" He explained. "But for today... you seemed like you were trying to sing for... I don't know, your appearance or something." Lulu looked at him oddly, but really what he was saying was hitting a little too close to home for her to react honestly. She inched her backpack over her shoulder.

"I'm sorry you didn't like the song." She said, her defenses up. Jaryn cursed himself, realizing he probably went too far and now she probably thought he was some weirdo psychologist guy studying her.

"Just... I think what Ms. Corcoran is really trying to emphasize in this club is... self expression. I'd like to see Big Spender Lulu again."

At this point, Lulu felt like she could cry because what he was saying was so sweet and deep, and she was way too unfamiliar with this kind of attention. She looked at her phone, pretending to see a text from her mom.

"...I gotta go. It was nice meeting you, Jaryn." She said, before quickly pulling the other strap of her backpack on and making towards the door.

"Wait," he stood up. She stopped but didn't turn around. God damnit. This was all so dramatic. "Your full name isn't really Lulu, right?"

Lulu turned around and shook her head.

"Lucille," she replied. Jaryn nodded to himself, seeming to consider it.

"Lucille..." he said. "May I call you that instead?" He asked. Lulu's heart did that weird clenched feeling, and she knew her face was flushed.

"...Sure, I mean, it's your life, man." She babbled, before turning around and leaving the room, her mind racing. She put her hand over her mouth, not used to any of this. Attention from boys, let alone someone she barely knew having an actual meaningful conversation with her. What was wrong with high school? She walked faster.

Jaryn stood, looking at the door still. "...Smooth one. She hates you now." He thought and kicked a chair. He closed his eyes. "...and now you knicked your fancy shoes."