AN- A reader requested an Artie POV, so here it is! Mercedes was also requested, so she may be next. Enjoy.
I think sometimes, people make life harder than in needs to be.
Tina was shy, so instead of refusing to talk or explaining her problem to a teacher or her friends, she faked a stutter.
When our set list got leaked, there were dozens of songs we had memorized with choreography. Instead, we decided none of them were good enough and did two new songs.
Quinn got pregnant with someone who wasn't her boyfriend, but instead of coming clean, she told Finn some crazy lie about a hot tub. Mercedes told everyone but Finn and Rachel. We all plotted to keep them in the dark, but they found out anyway. Now Finn's mad at Quinn and Puck, and everyone is mad at Rachel.
The thing is, Rachel may be annoying, but she kind of gets it: we would have been better off if everyone had been honest and stopped complicating things. Life is hard enough as it is, especially if you're different from the normal kids. That's why I liked Tina. I thought she knew what it was like to be different in an uncontrollable way. I thought she understood how tough life can be, even when we're not getting in our own ways. It gives you a certain freedom. I can't be like everyone else, so I might as well dress how I want, listen to the music I want, join the clubs I want.
When Tina told me the truth, Dad said, "Haven't you ever heard the term 'crippling shyness?' It's a crude term, but how is extreme shyness less valid as a challenge than a speech impediment?" Because she can hide it, I thought. She can pass for normal. Someday, she might outgrow it entirely, and with every solo she sings, she gets closer to that day. Then, everyone will see Tina—how sweet and smart and beautiful she is. She'll forget what life looks like from down here.
On the other hand, Dad said Rachel's solo at Sectionals gave everyone chills, and our Rolling Stones cover was one of the best numbers he's ever seen us perform. "For most of your songs, you connect with the music and each other, but at sectionals, you connected with the music, each other, and all of us in the audience. We felt like part of the performance—like we were up there, with you, in the spotlight."
Maybe complications can make life better sometimes. Maybe what happens with Tina will be the same way. Maybe.
AN- Thanks for reading. Please leave a comment. They're such great motivation!