Disclaimer: As promised! First of my consecutive Double post! Enjoy my lovely readers!
Chapter 16
The Show Must Go On
The New Directions members were excited for today's meeting. Finally, they were going to rehearse for their number at Sectionals. However, Hannah, Alex, Matheus, and Ellis weren't too keen on what might happen this afternoon. Ellis looked around the auditorium, seeing all the other members scattered and seated, except for Lindsay. Mr. Schue was also nowhere to be found.
"Guys, she's not here. My guess is she's planning a big reveal."
"I knew it! Hannah, you should've grabbed your thumb drive!" Matheus stands, making sure if Lindsay was not really there. Hannah sighed. He was right. Now, the video was in her hands. Who knows what she might do with it. She has to tell Tina and Mike what happened. She stands up and starts to go there, but her mouth opens, seeing the stage.
Lindsay was coming from the backstage, setting up a mic stand in the middle.
This was it. She was going to settle matters into her own hands. Damian, how could he? Yes, he came waltzing yesterday with a song dedicated for her, but that didn't matter. This, this video happened first! She had a feeling that him choosing Marissa as a duet partner wasn't just a business decision. And it's true. But, with what she's about to do now…it will expose them for the liars that they really are.
Rachel stood up, frowning. "Lindsay, what are you doing? We are supposed to clear up the stage for our practice!"
She shot a look at Rachel, but didn't speak to her. She faced in front, holding the mic and the mic stand.
"Since Mr. Schue isn't here yet, I would like to give an intermission." She smiled, but Alex, Matheus, Ellis, and Hannah knew that it wasn't a happy kind of smile.
"She's doing it!" Matheus stood up, raising up his arms, not knowing what to do.
"Calm down!" Alex pulls him back in his seat. "Let's act like we don't know anything or else everyone will know that it's our fault!"
"You should sit down too Han." Ellis said, also pulling Hannah to her seat. "This should be pretty interesting…"
Damian frowned. "What's up with her?"
"I don't know," Marissa shrugged, seated beside him. "After going to the library, she didn't return to the cafeteria during lunch."
Cameron smirked. "Maybe she's going to dedicate another song to you." Damian elbowed him, and focused again on the stage. If she does it again, he may have to finally tell her that he likes her, hoping that she feels the same way too.
"I'm going to dedicate this song to Damian…" She turned to him and smiled again.
"I told you!" Cameron said, now elbowing Damian. "She really has a thing for you, I can see it."
Lindsay continued. "…and Marissa." The redhead frowned, looking at Damian. "What is she doing?"
"We'll soon find out." Damian said, relaxing in his seat.
On the stage, Lindsay nods to the band, and they started playing. She grasped the mic stand firmly, and started to sing.
You tell me that she's the girl you just look down on
La La La Bum Bum La La La La
You love me more cuz I'm the one you put your mouth on
La La La Bum Bum La La La La
You don't even look her way
Cuz she's so 'effin yesterday
But you pull up to the party
She in the passenger's seat
I thought that girl was a joke
But she's laughing at me
Marissa frowned, listening to the song. "Wait, does she mean all of the lyrics she's singing?" Hannah and Alex's eyes widened. "Oh she's doing it all right…"
Come to find out,
That I'm the other chick
And you never loved me
She was so over me
Now there's no doubt,
That I'm the other chick
And you never loved me
Cuz I'm just the other chick
Just after singing that last line, a white screen goes down the stage, just beside Lindsay. The school projector turns on, playing the video. Gasps were heard around the room, more audibly Tina, Mike, Rachel, Kurt, and Santana. Majority of the new members were speechless, an expression of shock registering in their faces. Lindsay continued singing, as the video was playing.
So I was just some babe that you eff'd around on
La La La Bum Bum La La La La
I must admit your good
Oh yea, you got the crown on
La La La Bum Bum La La La La
I'm so effing yesterday
Cuz you don't remember my name
I'm so much hotter than her
But I guess you disagree
I thought that girl was a joke
But she's laughing at me
While Lindsay was singing, all of the members were looking around, observing the different reactions.
"How did she get the video?" Rachel exclaimed, turning to Tina and Mike, who just shrugged. She looked at the stage again, looking at the video. She turned to Damian and Marissa, who were just seated and surprised at what they were seeing. None of them were supposed to know about this!
"Just when I thought things were going to go smoothly…" Santana remarked, folding her arms. Damn Tina and Mike for taking the stupid video in the first place. They were even probably talking about something irrelevant. But then again, the hug…it was open to interpretation, not unless these two reveal what they were talking about.
Emily, who was beside the redhead, slightly shoved her friend. "Hey, when was this?" However, she didn't budge. Cameron, on the other hand, was also focused on the video. Damian and Marissa? Well, yeah, he chose her as a duet partner before…but them having alone time together? And someone happened to be secretly videotaping them. What does this mean? He looked to his right, and both of them seemed shocked too.
Bryce, who was seated up front, turned behind and looked at the two. He had an idea on what they could've been talking about. If they're forced to tell what really happened, Marissa's secret will be out. I can't have that.
Come to find out,
That I'm the other chick
And you never loved me
She was so over me
Now there's no doubt,
That I'm the other chick
And you never loved me
Cuz I'm just the other chick
Then came the climax of the video. All of those who had seen the video for the first time leaned backward. Marissa hugs Damian, and they could tell that the auditorium was silent, except for Lindsay's singing, which was now turning into an angry anthem.
Cameron let out an anxious gulp. T-The two of them? Is this why Marissa only wanted to be just friends? He shook his head. She told him that she liked him. Those words, they were genuine…he knew it. Marissa was not the type of girl who can do that, especially to a friend. And Damian is the type of guy who would comfort his friends whatever it took. This is all just a misunderstanding…
I had the keys to your car
She had the key to your heart
Such a mistake on your part
Good love can't lie
Cuz I'll be fine
Oh Yeah by the way
I faked it everytime
Come to find out,
That I'm the other chick
And you never loved me
She was so over me
Now there's no doubt,
That I'm the other chick
And you never loved me
Cuz I'm just the other chick
Lindsay takes a deep breath after singing that last line. Simultaneously, the video turns off. Now, the auditorium was legitimately silent. "I had help from my former theater club members. Cool, isn't it?"
She was facing at Damian and Marissa, both looking down. She assumed the both of them did not want to comment on the video. The blue-eyed brunette smirked. "So, after all this, you're both not going to even talk or admit anything?"
"You don't know what you're talking about Lindsay!" Rachel stood up, folding her arms.
"And you do? Oh yeah…you've seen the video too. All of you old members didn't seem to look surprised." She faced Rachel. "And you thought you could keep this a secret. Wait, I bet they admitted it to you guys already."
Rachel opened her mouth, but couldn't find the words to combat her. Finn stood up, breathing deeply. "Come on Lindsay! You couldn't assume anything through that. I know you must be angry because it looked like they were together, but—"
"Which is why we need confirmation. What were they talking about?" She again faced the two, who were still keeping it silent. "Still no answer? I take it that everything is true then."
Marissa stands up and looks at Lindsay. Damian holds her wrist. "No, Marissa…you can't…"
"If it'll make Lindsay feel better, then I have to." She started walking down the aisle, but Bryce immediately stands up and blocks her way. "I won't let you do it."
"Okay, what is Bryce doing?" Quinn looked at him, confused. Is he in on this too? The others seemed to have thought the same.
"No Bryce, please move…they're going to know sooner or later…I guess today's the day."
Bryce shakes her shoulders. "No! No one needs to know about it. Heck, you're not even experiencing it anymore!"
"They...they have to know—"
Just at that moment, Mr. Schue enters, all of them turning towards him, and someone was walking behind him. "Sorry I was late guys! I just wanted to welcome a new member of the club!" He stepped aside, revealing McKynleigh, who was all smiles.
"Miki!" Emily exclaimed, standing up. She goes to her and gives her a hug. Mr. Schue goes to his table and sat. "She's officially transferred and will be starting tomorrow. But, she insisted that she join us for practice today."
Only a few of them clapped, but the others immediately joined in to relieve the tension. They knew that if Mr. Schue finds out about this, he's going to be furious than ever before. And, if they continue talking about this even if Mr. Schue is not around, they might hear or say things they will regret in the future.
Lindsay, who was still at the stage, was frowning. Damian and Marissa didn't even confess to anything, and looking at Bryce, he seemed to have known what was up between them. Ugh whatever. Marissa wasn't my friend to begin with. And Damian…he's nothing to me now. They can live together for all I care.
She went down the stage, going back to a seat, where she sulked in her own thoughts, alone. As the others greeted McKynleigh, who was slowly going down the aisle, Mr. Schue now formally starts the meeting.
"Okay before we have Damian and Marissa's duet, I would like to tell you our competition for Sectionals. We have the Dalton Academy Warblers…" Blaine sighed, hearing the name of his former school. "…and making a return are the Jane Addams Academy girls."
"What? After stealing our setlist, they still have the nerve to perform?" Mercedes exclaimed.
"Well, Mercedes, that is the show choir show business. But! With our new additions, we're sure for a lockdown at Sectionals!" He faces Damian and Marissa. "All right, your duet's up first! Let's see if your practice paid off!"
Damian stands and goes near Marissa and Bryce. "Lindsay will come around. We just have to give her time."
"But, with what happened, she might never talk to you again…"
Damian gave her a reassuring smile. "Like I said, time will tell, Marissa. But then again, we can't blame her. If I saw the video, I would've been pretty mad too. Cameron seems to take it pretty calmly."
She looked at Cameron who was just seated there, as if thinking about something. Bryce pushes them to go on the stage, and decides to sit beside the tall guy.
"So…" The guy with the bonnet sighed. "What's your view in all of this?"
"Not much really…" He smiled. "I don't have to ask them. I trust them enough to know that nothing's going on between them."
Bryce turned to him frowning. "Okay, why are you so chill about this? If I knew better, you would've gone ballistic like Lindsay!"
"That 'make-out session' we had yesterday here sealed the deal." He focused on the stage as Damian and Marissa started to sing. "That's all I'm going to say." He kept smiling, remembering what Marissa told him.
"I like you too."
Cameron was sure. They both liked each other and are willing to wait at the right time. If anything, he should even thank Damian for being a friend to her when she needed him. Now…Lindsay, on the other hand…she was the one who needed a friend right now.
"I think I'm going to talk to someone…"
He stands up, but is prevented by Emily and Samuel. "We're doing damage control," said the one with dreads. "You don't want to go there."
"She needs a friend right now, so that's what I'm going to be."
Emily rolled her eyes and sighed. "If you get hurt, it's not our fault."
"Thanks." He walked on and approached Lindsay, sitting beside her. She was just looking at the stage. With the lighting, Cameron could see that she had shed some tears. He decides not to talk, seeing that if he does, she's just going to lash out at her.
Lindsay looked to her right, seeing Cameron beside her. Why wasn't he so worked up on this? But then again, he was the guy who was head over heels for Marissa even if he didn't meet her yet. Whatever she will say, he will surely believe it, even if it isn't true. Still, knowing that he was beside her, it made her feel a little relaxed. She really needed someone right now, and to know that someone was sitting beside her was reassuring.
Mr. Schue was watching the two perform. It feels off, like there was no connection between them. Yet, the first time these two performed, there was a spark. Where did that all go?
"All right could you two stop for a second?" Damian and Marissa looked at him. "I think we need a little more emotion from you two. Like your first duet." He looked at Rachel, as if signaling her to give a few pointers. She nodded and went to the stage, calling the two closer to her.
"Obviously, the two of you are still absorbing what has happened a while ago, but I need the two of you to forget about all of that." She looked at the two of them, who slowly nodded. "I know that this is high school and we all have our love woes, but we have to focus on the real prize: Sectionals. When this is over, you'll have all the time in the world to figure out all your feelings and emotions." She gave them a sort of uplifting smile, as she left the stage.
"Thanks Rachel." She turned around and the two looked at her and smiled. She nodded and proceeded to go down the stage.
"What did you tell them?" Finn asked, putting an arm around her as she seated. "The same thing you told me." He smiled at her. The two started over, this time taking Rachel and Mr. Schue's notes. He was now smiling. "That's better guys! Much better!"
After a few hours, the members were beat and tired. They had just finished practicing choreography made by Mike for their group number. It was fairly easy, since they had to incorporate a lot more members, but still, formation changes were their biggest enemy.
"I guess that's all for today guys! I'll see you again tomorrow! Rest up!" Mr. Schue grabs his things and starts to leave the auditorium, while the group decides to stay for a while, sitting at the floor of the stage. Lindsay immediately stands up and starts to go down the stadium.
"Lindsay." Rachel stands, looking at her protégé. "Don't you want to finish the—ahem—discussion you started earlier?"
She looked at Rachel, then at Damian and Marissa, the former looking down while the latter looking at her, her eyes sincere and apologetic. She shook her head and continued up to the exit. "I have nothing to say to them anymore. I'm done listening to what they have to say as well."
She left, slamming the door, the other members flinching when it forcefully closed. Rachel turned to the two, who now looked at her. "So, Marissa, I believe you wanted to tell something earlier? Bryce here wanted to stop you—"
Bryce started to stand, but the senior put her hand out, telling him to not move a muscle. "And now no one will. Would you still like to tell us?"
"Can I say something Berry?" Santana stands up, as the other sat down, nodding and giving her the floor.
"The video shouldn't have been taken in the first place, and even if it was taken, it shouldn't have gone out like this." She looked at Tina and Mike, who slowly nodded in agreement. "Therefore, we have no right to ask whatever it is they talked about, because it was a private matter."
She looked at Damian and Marissa, who looked at her intently. Quinn suddenly speaks up, also looking at the two. "You guys have no obligation to explain yourselves to us. However we have an obligation to you two." She looked up at Santana, both sharing the same sentiment. Now, Finn felt the need to talk as well.
"Guys, we all just have to forget that the video was taken." He now turns to the two Asians. "But we shouldn't blame Tina and Mike. Any of us would've taken that video, it just happened that they were the ones who saw it."
Continuing the speeches, now Blaine stands up, smiling at all of them. "Damian and Marissa, I think we owe you guys an apology. Yes, the damage was done, but I think I can speak for all of the members, even Lindsay, that we're sorry, and we'll truly not speak about the incident ever again."
Damian looked at everyone, smiling. "Thanks, all of you. It really means a lot to the both of us." He turned to Marissa, who was looking at the door. All she could think about was Lindsay. Blaine's right, the damage was done. If only there was some way she could convince her that Damian had his eyes for only her.
"Marissa." She turned to see who called her. It was Kurt. "She will come around. She can't stay mad at the both of you forever. She'll just need time."
She nodded and looked at all of them. "Everyone…thank you." She smiled. But deep inside, she knows she has to fix this. Yes, they should focus on Sectionals, but that's not the most important thing for her at the moment.
The next day, the New Directions did what they promised they would do: forget about the video. Tina and Hannah deleted their copies, and Hannah had apologized for copying it. Her and Mike forgave her immediately, and they went on with their daily lives. However, there was one person who didn't want to forget about the video. Lindsay, who seemed like she only cut off her ties with Damian and Marissa, now seemed like she didn't want to talk to anyone in the club. That was proven during lunchtime, when all the members but Lindsay were at the cafeteria.
"For a Glee Club, you guys have a lot of issues. A tabloid wouldn't be enough for you." Mckynleigh was amused. Her first day with the club turned out to be a scandalous one, and she was fortunate that she didn't see the video. So, she relied on the storytelling prowess of Hannah and Alex.
"I for one I'm glad that we all chose to forget about it." Alex nodded, drinking some coffee. "I just want to focus on Sectionals and getting my belting straight."
"I know right!" Hannah was eating an apple. "I want all the drama to be gone. I thought Glee club was supposed to be fun!"
McKynleigh nudged the ginger. "It is fun! We just have to dwell on the fun stuff, and not bring out the drama."
Meanwhile, Matheus and Ellis were observing Emily and Samuel. They were both confused, as after they told Emily about Nancy, the two became more 'lovey-dovey' than ever.
"You think Nancy was nothing?" Ellis leaned to him. "Maybe we overanalyzed things…"
Matheus sighed. "I think, like the video, we should forget about this too. We already told Emily, so let's let her handle that. I can't survive the drama anymore…"
"Hmm." She said, taking a sip of water. "You're right Matt. Phrase of the week?"
"Focus on Sectionals!" The two of them exclaimed, smiling at each other.
Meanwhile, the other table, including Bryce, Cameron, Damian, Marissa, Emily, and Samuel, tried to be as optimistic and excited as possible for Sectionals. But one of them was ruining the party.
"Girl, you need to stop moping around! She'll do what she wants with her life." Emily looked at Marissa, who was lying down on the table, her right arm extended, her head resting on it. "It's not your responsibility to fix whatever needs fixing!"
Samuel poked her extended arm, cold and lifeless. "She's right. It's Lindsay's fault for choosing to believe what she wants to believe." Bryce, on the other hand, looked at Damian, who was in the same table but separated himself. He was busy scribbling down something on a piece of paper. "What are you writing?" He tried to take a peek, but he withdrew immediately.
"This is not for you to read." Damian looked at the piece of paper. He frowned at his unreadable writing. He kept it, and brought out another clean one from his binder. He started writing again. Cameron leaned towards Marissa and whispered in her ear. "Looks like Damian's writing an explanatory letter to Lindsay."
She raised her head a little, taking a look at Damian. He opened his binder, and seemed to peek at something. He then continued writing, busily as ever. She sighed and rested her head again. "Could you please tell him then that that's not going to work?"
Cameron smirked. "I actually disagree. A love letter, in its simplicity and personal touch, is the best way to bring a girl back to your heart. Especially one like Lindsay." She looked at Cameron, not bothering to change her position. "And how do you know that she's going to appreciate his gesture?"
"Because she'll see that it's not fake. It's his handwriting, and the erasures will show that he wants to make it as perfect as possible for her."
She finally sits up, facing him, suddenly interested. "So you really think it'll work?" He smiled.
"Now, what made you change your mind?"
"I have an idea." She grabs his left arm, and pulls him out of his seat. They hurriedly go out of the cafeteria, not saying a word to the others. Bryce grinned. "Another one of their make-out sessions?"
"Seriously…they're having more alone time than us." Emily stated, looking at Samuel. "Want to hideaway and make out?"
He giggled. "Anything for you babe." He started to stand, but the Latina pulled him back to his seat. "On second thought, I think we'll just stay here." Samuel frowned, reluctantly sitting down. He looked at Bryce, who just shrugged. Damian, on the other hand, could care less about them. He needed to write everything down. He's just hoping that she would read it.
"The Astronomy classroom?" Cameron stared at the diagram of the solar system in the ceiling. Marissa closes the door and goes to him, leaning at the table. "People usually make out here."
"What?" He immediately turned to her, his eyes widening. She just smiled. "Relax, I'm not here to throw a kiss at you." She goes beside him. "I want to get Damian and Lindsay back together."
"But they weren't toget—"
"Sshh! Theoretically they weren't, but I'm hoping that if this plan goes well, they will be."
He looked at her, who was playing around with her hair, going on the opposite side of the table, facing him. "And what is your plan exactly?"
She pulled his shirt toward her. "I want you to steal that binder containing all those sheets of paper." She raised an eyebrow and gave him a sly grin. "We will bind all those sheets together as a book."
He snapped his fingers. "We could title it The Contents of the Heart of a Man named Damian McGinty!"
"Um…" She frowned at him. "It really doesn't need a title…but we could work that out…" She gave him a reassuring smile. "So I was thinking, if the both of us are practicing the duet, you and Bryce could steal it from his locker."
"Wait…Bryce is in this too?"
She nodded. "I still haven't told him, but he'll be cool with it. I believe he knows Damian's locker combination…"
Cameron looked at her. "You've really thought about this huh?"
"And there's another piece to the plan, but that can wait." She smiled, as if knowing that this was really going to work.
"When are you planning to reveal this 'book'?" He goes beside her.
"Sectionals." She says straightforwardly, making him frown.
"Whoa...two weeks from now?" She nodded. "It's the perfect time, I'm sure. I've been thinking about this since the whole morning."
Cameron was amazed. She really wanted to help the two of them. She didn't care how, or what methods she was going to use. She was determined to fix this.
He fiddled with his fingers. "You still think it's your fault?"
She sighed. "Yeah, in a way…I'm not doing this because I want to be friends with Lindsay again. Damian likes her, and she likes him. She's just conflicted at the moment. I just want to straighten things up between them."
He looked down on the surface of the table, realizing something. Suddenly, he laughed.
"What's funny?" She faced him, not really sure if she said a joke or something.
"You're using all your efforts to fix your friends' relationship, one that doesn't actually exist yet." He takes a deep breath. "But you're doing nothing for one that might actually exist."
"What? What are you talking about?"
"We both like each other. We've established that, right?" She was still looking at him. "To tell you the truth, I tried to kiss you after our duet. And right now, I'm really trying my best to control myself." He sighed, now looking away from her.
"Cam…I—"
"I know you want to be friends. And I respect your decision." He gave her a polite smile. "I can be your friend for as long as you like. I can actually be your friend forever, if that's what you want."
Her chest suddenly tightened. There was no way he could've said it more bluntly than he already did. She looked at his eyes, which no longer hid behind glasses. All she could see was the eyes of someone who was let down and hurt. Was he really hurt? Did being friends really seem like a bad idea to him?
"Just let me know when that changes, okay?" He lets go of her and goes to the door. "I'll tell Bryce about the plan. I'll make sure we won't disappoint." He leaves the classroom, closing the door gently.
Marissa stayed in the astronomy classroom, speechless. She just lost Lindsay, and she is not about to lose Cameron. She wouldn't forgive herself if she let that happen. She'd seen relationships come and go, especially in the Glee Club last year. She didn't want to take the risk of going in a relationship, and possibly breaking up and not being friends after that. She'd lost too many friends before, and she didn't want to witness it again. You're just too important, Cameron…
Cameron was walking towards the cafeteria. Did he do the right thing back there? Of course he did! He just said what he felt, there's nothing wrong with that. It might've hurt her, but sometimes the truth hurts. However, he couldn't forget the expression she had on her face. Her eyebrows were furrowed up, and he could've sworn that she would cry any minute. Oh man, you've just hurt her Cam! How could you? He wanted to tell how he felt, but he really didn't want to hurt her. Right now, he just feels stupid for blurting out things without even thinking. Will she even want to be friends after this?
Damian was holding a sheet of paper folded into three halves. This was it. He was going to give that letter to Lindsay, hoping that she would forgive him. If only she wasn't so stubborn. She chose to believe that he and Marissa were secretly together, and it caused a great deal of drama in the club. But, he will fix everything. He stopped walking. There she was, her blue eyes focused on organizing the things in her locker. He takes a deep breath and walks toward her. He stops, being a foot away from her. He knew that she knew he was there.
"Lindsay, I—"
She slammed her locker as hard as she could, causing a deafening sound, which made Damian tilt his head, pained by the noise. He straightened himself and looked at her, now walking towards the auditorium for practice.
"Lindsay please!"
Still, she didn't look back. He sighed and looked at the sheet of paper. The finished product of about 50 rewrites, and she didn't even read it. He goes to a garbage bin, about to throw the paper.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
He turned to his right to see Artie, going towards him. "You can't let your feelings go down the drain." He smiled. "Keep it. One day she'll be able to read that."
Damian looked at him and sighed. He placed it inside his binder. "I'll just go place this in my locker then…"
Artie nodded. "Cheer up Damian. Love will come…it's just waiting for the right time." The Irishman smiled at him, as they headed to his locker, and then to the auditorium, where they were getting ready for Sectionals.
Author's Note:
Okay! First of the Double Post is finally done! Whew! A lot of emotions in this one, but I hope I delivered them quite well. The only song here is The Other Chick by JoJo. I honestly love her songs during her debut era, and I love this one too. It's kind of sad that she isn't really in the spotlight as she used to be, but I hope she'll be back, bigger than ever.
So, not so smooth-sailing for our two main couples here. Cameron was pretty intense here I should say. Well, his impulsivity is his strength and his weakness, at least in the way I wrote him. But still, with this little argument, could they still make the plan work? Don't fret, because all of your questions will be answered in just a click away.
PS. I noticed I did not comment on the Glee Project Finale! Personally, I'm torn. I feel like it was a cop-out and it was really a happy finale. Plus, watching the Raise your Glass video fuels my desire to see Marissa on my TV screen. She just pops out, so I hope she'll have some work in the future. Still, I'm happy that we get to see the Final Four on Glee. But, still, crossing my fingers that Lindsay gets more than 2 episodes. I think that they'll never fit her talent in just two episodes, but we'll see.
Don't forget! Reviews and suggestions are also a click away! Now what are you waiting for? Sectionals is up next, and it's going to be one hell of a chapter!