"OK guys," David said, as everyone was struggling with the choreography. There was more to the two-step than it seemed. Ned was relieved that he wasn't the only one having trouble; everyone was pretty rusty. And the harmonies were almost impossible. Wes hadn't been lying, the number really was ambitious. It was like nothing they'd ever done before: 'Electric Feel' by MGMT. It had such potential, and they all knew how they wanted it to sound, but it was hard. Jeff was taking the lead for now until they figured out who could handle it, but it was a bit much for him. He was one of the only Warblers who actually preferred being in the background. It was much easier. He could goof off and get away with it, whereas this way, people actually noticed when he didn't pay attention. And he rarely paid attention.

Trent slapped Ned on the back, asking how he was finding Warbler life. He smiled, nodded, and muttered something about it being fun but scary. Trent and a couple of the others were encouraging, but Ned just glanced nervously at David, who was sitting with his head in his hands, massaging his temples and getting more and more frustrated. It wasn't something he'd normally do, but Ned decided to try and help while everyone else talked and laughed. He thanked Trent for being so thoughtful and walked over to David.

"For what it's worth, I think we're doing pretty well." David looked up at him, surprised that this was the same shaky little bird who'd auditioned on Friday. "I mean, considering we've only just started, and it's a hard number, and it can't help having newbies dragging you down – well, newbie."

"Woah, Ned, of course you're not dragging us- wait. What do you mean, newbie? Singular? Where's Smythe?" Ned liked that he got 'Ned' but with Sebastian it seemed to be strictly last name only. "Wes?" Wes looked up from his notebook where he'd been furiously making notes on how to make the performance run more smoothly.

"Hmm?"

"Don't you think we're missing something?"

"Apart from a soloist who gives a... Hoot?" Always responsible.

"Come on, Jeff's only temporary for this one. No, what I meant was, someone hasn't shown up." Wes' face fell. He didn't need to look to know who it was. He was regretting his decision already.

"I'm regretting this decision already. It's almost 4. What's he playing at?"

"I have no idea. But anyway, about the solo... How about the other new kid?" It was only at this point that he realised he'd completely blanked Ned after his attempt to comfort him. "Ned? Sorry about that. Listen-"

"David, are you sure? It's his first day-"

"Just for now. He can't be worse than him." David nodded towards Jeff, who was encouraging Nick and Thad to punch in the arm repeatedly and looking pleased with himself because it hadn't fallen off yet. God only knew why. Wes tilted his head looking at him. David had a point. Wes sighed.

"OK. Just don't pressure him. Only if he feels ready." Ned bit his lip. He could see where this was going. But surely not, not this soon. No way.

"Listen, Ned, I was wondering," Yes way, "if you'd mind taking the lead for this song. I noticed you knew the words already. In a lot of ways it's easier than learning the other parts." Ned said nothing, continuing to chew on his lip. "I mean, we'd just give it a try for today. If it doesn't work out, someone else can do it." David noticed Ned's lack of reaction. "Ned? OK, Ned, if you don't want to, I guess Nick could-"

"No. I mean, yes. I'd like to try it."

"Really? I mean, great, but you don't have to." Yeah, Ned. Really? What are you doing, idiot?A solo? God... Ned silenced the voice in his head. He took a deep breath.

"Yeah. You know, just a trial run for now. Can't hurt, right?" He was actually pulling off the nonchalance thing. He surprised himself. Actually, the surprised face might have been a bit revealing, but who cared? He was going to do it. Just go for it. If he didn't pass out or puke or punch someone while trying to get the moves right.

Five minutes later, and it was going well. Which meant it was a shambles, of course, but he hadn't done anything wrong, and that was a success as far as he was concerned. They started running it from the top, with him even daring to improvise with his own steps while the others stayed in attempted unison behind him. He felt like Freddie Mercury or Blaine Anderson or someone. It was unbelievable, until something stopped him moving. He tried to keep singing, but he'd only got as far as 'she's got the current in her hand to shock you like you won't believe' when he couldn't concentrate any more. The others turned to see what he was staring at, and spotted Sebastian leaning against the door frame, arms folded. The number came to a halt. Nobody turned up this late to a rehearsal, especially not a brand new Warbler. He didn't even look sorry.

"This guy? You're giving him a solo already?" No way. They weren't having that. Wes stepped forward so that he was standing just in front of the Warblers. Just in front of Ned. Jeff managed to suppress a snort of laughter at him playing mother hen. He had good intentions, even if he looked like a douchebag.

"Smythe, you're late." Sebastian laughed and looked Ned up and down.

"Yeah, I'm late, but at least I'm good." Ned blinked. Don't cry. Don't cry. No, that's not a lump in your throat; maybe you just didn't swallow something properly earlier. OK, you haven't eaten all day, but whatever. It's fine. Just don't look at him. I said don't. Look at the floor. Look at Wes. Anything. But it was no good. He was stuck, staring, his eyes stinging.

"We all had serious doubts about you, Mr Smythe." Jeff had to clap his hand over his mouth to stop himself laughing. Wes went on: "You can sing; I'll give you that. But you know what? It's not enough. If you come strolling in here half an hour late, like you don't even care, and think you're going to get anywhere as a Warbler, you can think again." Everyone was silent now, except Jeff, who was biting on his knuckles and making weird squeaking noises. Sometimes stuff just gets funnier when you know you're not supposed to be laughing. "Maybe you think opportunities are just going to appear for you. Maybe up until now that's how it's worked. Well not any more." Wes took another step forward, so that he was about half a metre away from Sebastian. Jeff was turning red, just as Ned had gone so pale he was almost translucent. "At Dalton, you make your own opportunities. Ned was working hard, so we gave him a shot, and he's doing well. He might even get to do the number for Sectionals." A couple of the boys started whispering 'For Sectionals?' excitedly. Nobody this new had been given a solo, except Blaine. "You have absolutely no right to pass any judgement on decisions we make, especially since you didn't even- dammit Jeff, what is so funny?"

"Its- it's just- where did you even go, dude? You board. You had nowhere to go other than here." Everyone, including Ned, looked at Jeff, then turned to stare at Sebastian again. "You thought you'd try and keep up the badass thing, so you were – you were late on purpose-" And with that, Jeff was doubled over, gasping for air. Some of the others were sniggering. Ned had to bite his lip. Only Wes kept his composure.

"Interesting." Sebastian looked to the side, blushing a little. "So I take it you sloped off to your room for a while just so that you could look like you didn't care. Well, we like it when people care. People like Ned. So if you want to look cool, I suggest you leave. Come back on Wednesday, and if you put in the effort, you can stay. Right now, I think we've done too much without you for you to catch up. Maybe if you ask Ned nicely, and apologise for being so rude to him (Ned stared at his shoes, his cheeks burning), he'll catch you up. As you're both new, it might be a good idea to stick together. Hopefully his attitude will be contagious. But for now, I don't want to see you in here. Goodbye, Mr Smythe." Sebastian opened his mouth to argue, but Wes had already turned around and got back to work. He glanced at Ned, who was still shaking, and walked out. Before he knew what he was doing, Ned ran after him.

"Sebastian! Stop!" He grabbed the boy's shoulder, turning him around.

"What? Come to rub it in? God, why are you all so uptight?" His cheeks were still red, but so were Ned's.

"No, I just – I was wondering if you wanted to meet up? Like Wes said? I don't mind helping you-"

"Why do you think I need your help?" Ned looked up at him with those big, innocent eyes. He looked kind of hurt, and even Sebastian couldn't help feeling guilty. "Sorry. That... That'd be cool. Maybe tomorrow night?" Ned grinned.

"No problem! I board too, so I could come to your room or something. I've got homework to do first, so around 7?" Sebastian felt disarmed by how eager he was. It was almost cute. He wasn't his type, but there was something about him. He was just... Nice. Sebastian didn't think anyone was actually nice any more. He nodded.

"7 sounds good. I'm in room 30. The East wing. I'll... I'll see you tomorrow."

"Cool! Well, I better get back. We can't both get in trouble!" He was gone in a flash. Sebastian stood still for a minute, wondering what had just happened. Eventually, he shook it off and went back to his room.

After rehearsal, Ned was mobbed by Warblers. They slapped him on the back, Trent tickled him, Jeff attacked him from behind with a hug, and even Wes, despite how pissed off he was with Sebastian, gave him a smile and a pat on the shoulder. They'd all forgotten about the arguing from before as soon as Ned started singing again. After he'd spoken to Sebastian, he came back with a huge grin on his face, bursting with energy and confidence. Not to mention his cheeks were bright pink. They'd all seen this before, that kind of smile, less than a year ago. They managed to pretend they hadn't noticed, but they were all thinking the same thing: Sebastian? Really?