Okay guys, so I debated long and hard about whether I would include the contents from 4.18 Shoot Star. For those of you that don't remember that episode, it's the one where Becky brings the gun to school. I wasn't sure if I would include it but I finally decided to do it. It's not about politics or anything like that but even at my school we've had lock downs and alerts to stay away from the area because of a potential threat. Most turned out to be false but there were a couple instances where there was a real issue. No guns thankfully but there have been knives. It's nerve wracking, especially when you're in class and you get the alert. Lecture stops and you're all on your phones trying to find out what happened. I'll never forget texting my family and telling them that we were on a lock down because someone was believed to be carrying a knife around campus. It's horrible because you can't get to them and they can't get to you.

I thought those feelings were important to the direction I wanted things to go in. So this is the trigger warning right now for the chapter. Nothing too graphic but still. Let me know what you guys think, please review. Next chapter we're going to regionals!


Marley POV

Mr. Schue was holding another booty camp to help a week before regionals. They had pretty much got their setlist down, they just needed a bit of refining. Though not everyone needed to, they all showed up to work together, making sure they were in sync.

Marley had gotten the chance to talk with Jake after she spoke with Santana, and surprisingly he had taken it really well. He had started dating Bree, which made Marley cringe at first, but they were now on speaking terms so that was a surprise. Ryder, however, was getting worse, even with Jake trying to talk him out of his attitude. They had discovered recently that someone was catfishing Ryder, and he was starting to lash out at everyone.

Mr. Schue gave them a break, so he could go check on a travel detail for regionals, so while he was gone, everyone split off around the stage either practicing their dancing or working on harmonies.

Sebastian was teaching Marley a tango dance when Ryder purposely bumped into Sebastian, knocking Marley as well. Sebastian turned around, ready to knock him to the ground but Marley stepped forward first, shoving Ryder.

"Enough!" She said loudly, drawing everyone's attention. "What is your freaking problem?"

"He's my problem!" Ryder said. "He's the one that's been catfishing me!"

"What?" Marley demanded.

Sebastian laughed. "Yeah, what? If I'm the catfish, it's the first I've heard of it." He said.

"Do you have proof Ryder?" Blaine asked.

"Who else could it be?" Ryder said. "He shows up, the catfish starts. It's too much of a coincidence."

Sebastian rolled his eyes. "While normally I don't believe in a coincidence, I'm gonna tell you this is one." He said. "Not only do I not have the time to be a catfish, I can tell you honestly, I just don't care enough to mess with anyone that much. And besides, I've been on my best behavior, no bullying, blackmail, or assault so far this year."

"Ryder there is no way he's the catfish." Marley said. "I'm with him most of the time, and both of us are rarely on our phones."

"Also, just throwing this out there," Sebastian said. "I don't have your number."

Ryder seemed to be losing steam, but he was obviously freaked out and angry about the catfishing thing. However, he seemed more inclined to fight everyone than reason it out.

"Ryder, I'm sorry that someone has been doing this to you." Marley said gently. "But you can't take it out on everyone else, especially without proof."

Ryder looked at her, expression torn, but finally he stepped back. "Just forget it." He said turning to walk away.

Marley frowned but just leaned back against Sebastian's chest as he wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her shoulder.

Sebastian POV

Later that day, Sebastian was gathering up a few things for the day, ready to head home when Ryder approached him. Sebastian kept a calm face, but physically braced incase Ryder decided he wanted to fight.

"Hey man," Ryder said, eyes shifting slightly. "I'm really sorry about how I've been acting. It wasn't right to blame you. Jake confirmed that during one of the conversations that I had with 'Katie' he saw you and Marley at the Lima Bean and neither of you were on your phones."

"It's all good." Sebastian said. "Look, Ryder, I won't claim to know what that is like, but you have friend here that have your back. Don't make a mistake like I've done and push those friends away."

Ryder nodded and held out his hand. "Cool?"

"Yeah." Sebastian shook his hand.

The next day, when Marley came in to the choir room to see Sebastian and Ryder discussing the upcoming McKinley football game. Sebastian smiled at her as she came over to sit next to him and struck up a conversation with Kitty and Unique.

"Alright guys," Mr. Schue said walking in with Coach Beiste. "Let's get started!"

As he clapped his hands together, a loud bang echoed through the halls. Everyone jumped and looked up startled, and then there was another bang. Kitty let out a startled shriek.

Everyone jumped up into action. They turned out the lights, closed the doors, pushed desks against and cabinets against the doors and everyone got down.

Sebastian pulled Marley close against his side, her thoughts just racing, worried about her mom. "Shh." He whispered quietly. "It's gonna be okay."

"My mom is in the kitchen, there's no backway out of there." She whispered back in panic.

Kitty was sitting next to Jake on her other side. "No one is gonna hurt your mom," she said softly. "She's so nice, everyone loves her."

Marley just leaned into Sebastian, crying softly.

"Guys," Mr. Schue said quietly. "Start texting, start tweeting, let people know what's going on but don't tell them that we're in here."

Sebastian pulled his phone out and began texting while keeping Marley under one arm. She was curled against him texting as well, her phone pulled close to minimize the glow of the screen. Sebastian texted his dad first, telling him what was happening.

Dad, a gun went off in school. I'm in the choir room with most of the club. We're fine.

He watched the text bubble for a minute before he got his response.

Stay there out of sight, I'm contacting the police to see what's being done, I'll be there soon. I love you son.

Sebastian sniffed slightly and replied. I love you dad. Tell mom I love her too.

Marley POV

Marley kept texting her mom but couldn't get a response. She was trying not to panic, but it was getting harder and harder.

Sam carefully crawled across the floor, moving closer to the door. "Mr. Schue, I have to go out there. Brittany went to the bathroom, she's still out there." He said.

"Sam sit down," Coach Beiste and Mr. Schue said pushing him down behind the piano.

Marley reached out to hold onto Sam's hand for a minute; Kitty began crying so Marley turned to her, getting out from Sebastian's arms so she could pull Kitty into a hug. Sebastian moved to help Artie sit closer to the wall in a more comfortable position.

Kitty moved across the floor to hug Unique and Marley moved back into Sebastian's arms. Everything was so quiet, it was the worst feeling in the world.

Blaine was able to figure out that Tina was outside, safe, and Mr. Schue went to the nearest girl's bathroom to see if he could find Brittany while Coach Beiste stayed with the rest of them. When he finally made it back, Brittany, Bree, another Cheerio that Marley didn't know, and a freshman were with him.

It seemed like ages, but finally they got the all clear from the police and were allowed to leave. There was a moment of peace over the group and they all hugged each other, relieved.

"I have to find my mom." Marley told Sebastian as they separated.

Just as she said that, her phone buzzed. She looked down and almost passed out with relief. Her mom was fine, the police escorted her outside.

Parents were waiting outside and as groups were taken out by police, kids were able to run to their parents and friends waiting for them outside.

Marley walked out, still holding on to Sebastian but also holding Blaine's hand as they walked. They all squinted as they came out into the bright sunshine, but when they were able to see again, Marley saw her mom standing, looking anxiously for her. Marley let go of Blaine and Sebastian and ran forward to her mom.

Sebastian came up to his dad and mom who were both waiting nearby and was immediately enveloped by them as well. They stood together for a long time, but Sebastian's dad had to go over to talk with the police chief and they had to address the press, so Sebastian and his mom came to stand with Marley and her mom.

Ms. Rose pulled Sebastian into a tight hug while Mrs. Smythe did the same with Marley. When they let the kids go, Sebastian pulled Marley close, just holding her tightly and she wrapped her arms around him just as tightly.