Chapter 3

The Unexpected Trial

It was a new day, and for the New Directions, it was the day for auditions. Tina, Mike, Sam, and Mercedes were looking at the list. Still, only one name was written there.

"Wow, that sucks," Mercedes said. "I think no one cared that we reached Nationals."

Sam looked at her. "Remember, when we did a performance outside the cafeteria? I think we should repeat that."

Tina nods. "We can't do an impromptu performance!"

"And what song are we going to sing?" asked Mike.

"Okay, let's call an emergency meeting. Now!" Mercedes said as the four of them went in the choir room. At the end of the hallway, Hannah and Matheus approached the list and wrote their names.

"This year, the Glee Club is going to be great!" exclaimed Hannah.

"Yeah! With us as additions, they're sure to reach the Nationals again!" Matheus was grinning.

The two of them left as Lindsay went next. Whoa, a lot more people are joining in. Did Damian persuade them too? She took her pen and wrote her name neatly. She takes a deep breath. She hopes she's making the right decision.

Marissa drove her vehicle to the parking lot. Emily was seated beside her, assessing the make-up she had put on this morning. She closed her compact mirror.

"Marissa, there was a spot over there."

She did not listen. She drove forward until she saw her target. The free space next to the dumpster. When the car was properly parked, Emily smiled and pinched her friend's arm.

"Ow, what was that for?" she said, removing the keys from the ignition.

"Hoping to see dumpster dude, are you?"

Marissa grabs her bag in the backseat of the car. "What makes you think that?" She steps out of the car and Emily follows suit.

"Doesn't parking here make it obvious?" She walked beside her friend. "It's okay; I think it's cute that you're crushing on this guy you've never met."

"Again, what makes you think that I am crushing on him?"

Emily placed her index finger on a cheek. "So, you just randomly wanted to play that Coldplay song while driving to school?"

Her friend stops walking. "That doesn't count as crushing. I think the song was appropriate for the trip."

"Marissa, it's perfectly fine," she goes in front of her. "I've never seen you do anything like this, so I'm really entertained. It's like seeing a whole new side of you."

Her best friend sighed. "Don't exaggerate. It's not like we're destined to be each other. I'm just curious to see who he was."

Emily smirked and shook her head. Marissa was not one to open up herself to anyone. She was reserved and no one could ever figure out how she really feels about something or what she's thinking about. Yet, Emily admired her as a friend since Marissa never judged her for anything she does.

They continued walking and entered the school. Both of them commanded the hallway, and almost everyone was looking at them. They passed by the bulletin board, but Emily stops to look at the New Directions list.

"Hey, new people were added!"

Marissa frowned and looked as well. "It kinda makes you wonder if Damian persuaded them too."

Emily brings out a pen and writes her name. She then hands the pen to her best friend, who was only looking at the pen.

"I still don't know if I'm joining."

"What? But I thought we're going to support each other?"

"I'm still…thinking."

Emily sighed. "Well think fast!" She hands the pen. "I'm going to the restroom, wait for me here."

Cameron arrived at school, relieved that he didn't see any jocks along the way. He was walking at the hallway, towards the bulletin board. As he was nearing it, he saw a slim redhead waiting. Wow, she's beautiful. She could be a model.

He now approached the Glee Club list and wrote his name. He glanced at the redhead, who was also holding a pen. He faced her.

"So, are you joining the Glee Clu—"

He did not see it coming. Purple ice and liquid was in his hair and in his shoulders. Behind him was a jock, laughing as he walked through the hallway. He looked to his right. The redhead was looking at him, though he can't figure out what her expression was. It was a combination of shock and sympathy.

"Are you all right?" She immediately approached him, as some drops of ice land on her forearm.

"Um, I'm dripping," he said. He was feeling guilty that she was helping him.

"It's okay, I'm all right. You on the other hand, are not."

Marissa pitied the guy. He just wrote his name on the list, yet he got automatically slushied. His attire did not help him at all. Again, second thoughts about her joining the club surfaced. If she joined, she could be like this guy. She could get slushied everyday. But, what if she showed them that she isn't bothered by the slushies? What if she showed them that whatever they will say or do to her, she won't care? And maybe they won't judge her anymore.

"Let me clean you up in the girls' room."

Cameron shook his head. "The girls' restroom? No I—I don't think I want to."

Marissa took his hand and pulled him. "Come on! No one will see!" And once again, my mind cannot help being so righteous.

They were walking across the hallway as the students looked at them. Cameron, on the other hand, looked at their hands, linked together. Her hands are warm, and soft. He then looked at Marissa. Why would she want to help him?

They arrived at the girls' restroom. Emily walks out and looks up to see Marissa, and this tall, awkward guy. "And who might you be?"

"Just a random guy who got slushied."

She looked at Marissa and gave her a 'what's going on' look. She signaled her to move as they entered. She gave back Emily's pen. "Write my name on the list, okay?"

Emily hesitates, but nodded nonetheless. She left as both of them entered the restroom.

Marissa closed the lid of one of the bowls and put Cameron there. She placed her bag on the sink and took a bunch of paper towel sheets, some of which she dampened with water.

"Turn around," she said as Cameron obeyed. She was wiping his shoulders.

"I think it would be better if you wet your hair directly on the sink."

Cameron nodded. "Why are you helping me?"

"I'm sure you would've done the same thing if you saw me get slushied."

He smirked. "You? Get slushied? Impossible."

"It isn't impossible. I just signed up for Glee Club. I'm preparing for the worst." She wiped his neck.

"How could you be slushied? You're stunning, and guys would be stupid to even throw you one."

She smiled. "Thank you for the compliment, but I've seen them throw it to almost anyone."

"And you're okay with that?"

She sighed. "I wasn't at first. But, just a while ago, I realized that it doesn't matter anymore. There, all done." She threw the sheets at the garbage bin. She went to the sink to wash her forearms, which were sticky now because of the dripping slushie remains.

Cameron went out of the cubicle and went to the other sink. "Thank you. By the way, I didn't catch your name."

She looked at him, still washing her hands. "Marissa."

"I'm Cameron." He looked at her, and they both smiled. They continued to clean themselves up. Marissa finished first, wiping her hands dry.

"So, how does it feel like to be slushied?"

"Horrible. This actually isn't my first time," he said, vigorously rinsing his hair. "Yesterday, I got hit by five cherry slushies, coming from all directions."

"What? That's awful."

"Mm-hmm. But, that's not all. Yesterday morning before school started, they threw me in the dumpster before I could even step inside the school building."

Marissa's eyes widened. "Dumpster?"

"Yeah!" he said, even excited. "You probably think I couldn't have gotten out by myself. But, someone actually helped me. She troubled herself to even carry the stepladder and even asked the help of the Spanish teacher."

Marissa stood still, surprised by the things she was hearing. Oh god, why is my heart pounding so fast?

"Although, I didn't know who she was. I wasn't even able to see her. Stupid school bell…"

He closed the faucet, and rubbed his hair dry. He straightened up and looked at Marissa. "Unfortunate, right?

"No, no, um, not at all." She bit her lip and looked down.

"What? What do you mean?"

She took her bag and faced him. "Well, actually, you kind of…I mean…um, how do I put this?"

"Marissa, what are you talking about?"

She turned around, facing at the door. "That girl, I think you…already met her."

Cameron frowned, still looking at Marissa. He then slowly realized what she's trying to say.

"I-I'm going to be late for class. I'm leaving now." She opened the door and rushed outside.

"Hey wait! Marissa!" Cameron was still looking at the door.

It was Marissa, the girl who helped him. The girl he had been looking for. Now that he thinks about it, it fits. And today again, she helped him when he was slushied. Why? Why would a girl so attractive help him, a guy who looks like a total nerd? He then became conscious that he was in the girls' restroom. He went out immediately and rushed to his first class. But still, he was thinking about what happened. About her.

Samuel was looking around the hallway. He was holding a sheet of paper which contained his class schedule. Everyone he passed by looked at him, but assumes that they were either in awe or disgusted by his dreadlocks. It's been a long time since he has attended school. He and his friends were all homeschooled the past 5 years. It was only recently that they decided to attend school to at least experience a normal life.

Although, it was not known, he was the lead singer of a one-hit wonder band "Hidden Identity." They released a single called "Rain and Fire," which actually caught the attention of critics. What even helped was that they were wearing masks; therefore their private lives weren't being delved upon. However, before their album was released, the record company was sold to a bigger record company, and didn't want to keep the band. All traces of the band and single were removed, and they were not known again.

He and his bandmates wanted to continue pursuing music, but they decided that they would finish high school first, before making a new band. However, it seems difficult for him during his first day since he couldn't even find his first class.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the hallway, Finn Hudson was walking towards his classroom. So far, his life was going great. During the summer, he and Rachel rekindled their relationship and they both learned to love the other all over again. However, he was afraid. They are already seniors and they might part ways since Rachel is now set on going to New York. While for him, he doesn't have his plans figured out yet.

Also, as a member of New Directions, he wanted to win more than ever this year. He was disappointed by the news of his clubmates that only one signed up for auditions, even if they reached Nationals.

He walked through the hallway and saw Samuel, frowning while looking at each of the doors.

"Um, do you need any help?"

Samuel looked at Finn, who was inches taller than him. "Um, yeah. I was wondering if you knew where Chemistry first period is? I'm a sophomore, actually."

"Oh, it's over there, just before the choir room."

Samuel smiled. "Oh great! Thanks!"

"Anytime," said Finn. He liked helping people, and he really prides himself in that.

As Samuel leaves, he sings a tune very unfamiliar to Finn. Finn suddenly relapses to the time when he heard Sam sing. He felt the same way now as he did before.

"Wow, he can sing." He continues looking at him, and somehow, a big idea is brewing inside his mind.

First period has started and Lindsay kept her seat far away from Damian as possible. She knew that he already knows that she signed up for the club, and she didn't want him to kind of rub it on her face that he was right. The English teacher was speaking in front, and Lindsay wanted to focus. She was one of the honor rolls for freshman last year, and being the competitive person she is, she wanted to maintain that status.

Damian, on the other hand, was wondering why Lindsay was seated so far from him. He put his chair closer, but Lindsay did not even look at him. Still, he wanted to say something.

"Lindsay, I'm sorry if I forced you to join the club."

She couldn't believe it. He was now saying sorry? Now that she already put her name in the list? This guy is unbelievable. She decided to join the club. It was just him who gave her the little kick she needed. So, should she thank him?

"You didn't force me, Damian. You just gave me the nudge to actually join," she said. She didn't want to look at him, keeping herself busy in writing.

"Really?" He said. Lindsay could tell he was smiling. "Thanks for considering what I said then! Honestly, I think that it's great that we're both joining."

Lindsay stops writing. She could feel her cheeks increasing with warmth. She wanted to look at him but she was too afraid that he would see her blushing. It's the first time that a guy would want to spend time with her. And it was none other than this Irish boy. She couldn't help it, but maybe she is starting to like this guy.

As first period was going on, Principal Figgins was planning for budget cuts for the school year. He went through the list and saw two of the names that startled him. The Cheerios and the Glee Club. While it's true that the Cheerios have won championships, they failed last year. And the New Directions reached Nationals last year. He took a pen, and started to draw a line across 'The Cheerios'

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

Figgins looked up and saw the most unexpected visitor.

"Did you miss me? Hmm, I bet you did."

Sue Sylvester was inside his office, wearing her trademark red tracksuit. Sue never thought she would return to the school. But, the way she left…without style. She cannot accept that she was going to be leaving a loser. She has returned, and has a plan all figured out. She handed Mr. Figgins a check.

"What? F-five million dollars? How did you get this?"

"Well, that's very simple." She sat on one of the couches. "I won the lottery."

Principal Figgins was still staring at the check. "And what are you planning to do with this?"

"If you insist on knowing, I plan to re-establish the Cheerios as a winning machine."

"And you want this check to be the budget for the Cheerios?

Sue laughs and shook her head. "I will be deciding that by the end of the week."

She then stood up. "But if you want this to go in the right hands, I need a few favors."

Figgins looked up at her, and he couldn't really refuse.

It was lunchtime. Brittany and Santana were looking at the New Directions list. They were soon approached by Rachel and Kurt.

"This is so mean." Brittany said.

Kurt peered at the list. "Oh my…"

"Not only did they put fake names…those names actually sound real," Brittany rested her head over Santana's and started to sob.

Rachel was also looking at the list. It was amazing that the list went from 1 to 7. Seven auditionees! That was a lot. She read through the names and recognized one.

"Wait, I know this one. Lindsay Pearce? She was in theater last year. However, they weren't really performing so they weren't that known."

"So are you saying that these are real people?" asked Santana, who was still comforting Brittany.

Kurt takes the list. "I'm going to check this with Donna. If these names are real, then your plan succeeded, Rachel! We finally have new talent!"

Hannah and Matheus were seated in their usual table, waiting for Cameron. They started eating without him.

"So, what are you going to sing for auditions?" asked Hannah, who was eating a hamburger.

"I really don't know yet. I was thinking something that they wouldn't expect me sing, say…Baby One More Time?"

Hannah laughs. "Wow, you're right! I think I'm going for an Adele song. I just love that girl."

Cameron came storming from the cafeteria door, carrying his lunch. He sat in between the two, and he dug right into his peanut butter and jelly sandwich. After 3 bites, he just stared at the blank space of their table.

"Hey dude? Are you all right?" Matheus looked at him. He seemed really spaced out.

"I met her."

Hannah frowned. "Who are you talking about?"

"The girl! The girl who saved me in the dumpster."

His friends stopped eating. Both of them looked at each other.

"That is so cool!"

'Well, who is she? Tell us!"

He took a bite from his sandwich. "Marissa. Marissa von Bleicken."

Hannah's eyes widened. Matheus beamed and patted Cameron on the back. "Nice name, dude! I bet she's pretty too!"

"I have two subjects with her! Cameron, that was really her?"

Cameron looked at her. "Yeah, she admitted it while she was helping me remove the remains of my slushie attack this morning."

"You got attacked again?"

"And she helped you again?"

Hannah leaned on her seat. "I didn't know she was like that. She's very quiet and reserved. But when you talk to her, she's nice and sweet, according to others."

Matheus nudged Cameron. "So, can we expect something to develop?"

"No," he said. "That girl is out of my league. If she weren't all that kind, she wouldn't probably even helped me."

"But she did!" Hannah said. "I think I'm going to go make friends with her!"

"I don't think she even wants to see me. After telling me that she was that girl, she ran and left immediately."

Matheus took his last bite. "Maybe she just panicked. Didn't know how to react."

"Whatever," Cameron said. "I just know that I owe her a lot, and now, I don't know how to approach her."

A sound of a bell rang all over the school. The students looked up at the speakers.

"How are you enjoying your lunch students?"

Chatter ignited at the cafeteria immediately.

"Sue Sylvester is back?"

"Since when?"

"What is she up to now?"

And mostly, these questions arose from the New Directions, who were eating at one table.

"Principal Figgins has given me the opportunity to celebrate the arts. And by celebrating the arts, I am asking all students to be at the gym at 4 o'clock this afternoon. Additionally, to those who will be auditioning for the 'New Directions', your auditions will be moved from the auditorium to the school gym as well."

Mr. Schuester, who was in the faculty lounge, looked up at the speaker. He did not like the sound of this.

"Your auditions will also be held at 4 PM. You guys can do the math, right? Well, go on and finish your lunch then. This afternoon is going to be lots of fun!"

Suddenly, all members of the New Directions and all the auditionees, were silent.

Author's Note: Okay, I'm going to make this quick, since I have to attend some sort of first aid training. So you may think that this is a little rushed. Sue isn't running for Congress (it's pretty difficult to write about that, honestly) and I want her to stay in school, tormenting once again the Glee Club. So, next chapter promises to be exciting, all the new auditionees performing in front of the school body, as their audition.

Anyway, reviews and feedback are greatly appreciated. For those who did review, you're now getting one of Quinn and Puck's cupcakes infused with pot. Yes that's right! It's time to get high! Haha, just kidding.

PS. I'm so excited for the next episode! Although I already know who is getting cut, what I'm excited for is the explanation or justification (or rather the editing) for cutting the person. That seems to be the big topic around the net concerning The Glee Project.

Once again thanks for reading! I hope you all stay tuned!