Sorry for the million-year wait. This chapter is short, but I need your help to complete the story, so read on, then leave your suggestions in the comments!
"Remember when Jesse told Rachel about our strengths and weaknesses?" Mike said. All eyes were on him. I couldn't believe my best friend was speaking up like this. "He said, 'You guys just go wherever your emotions take you[…]You cook up all of this love and hate and drama in your personal lives, and you use it like fuel.' Well, what if we used that? What if it was like a musical?"
"That's a bold idea, Michael, but if the judges are show-choir purists, we might be punished for doing a miniature performance of a musical," Rachel said.
"Rachel's right about the judges," Mr. Shue added. "I love the idea, though. You guys have more heart, more soul, than Vocal Adrenaline. We just need a way to show it.
"I didn't mean a real musical like Phantom of the Opera or something," Mike clarified. He started to pace and finger tut while he talked. I tried to recognize the song in his head from the rhythm of his hands. "Ants" by edIT? I wondered if he even knew he was doing it. Now that I could hear the music in my head, it was head not to join in, with pop-n-lock and isos. "I meant…What if we made a set list that told our story? We could look at all the songs we've done all year and maybe a couple new ones." People don't know it, but Mike's a smart guy. I mean, some people assume he's smart, because he's Asian, but other people assume he's dumb because he's a jock. Which stereotype do you trust, right?
I was glad other people were finally benefiting from Chang's genius, but on the other hand, it was throwing me off. Before, it was like we were in this together: football, dancing, singing, and spending the rest of our time incognito. What's with this sudden need to talk?
"That's actually kind of brilliant," Artie piped up. "We Gleeks were the lower class. Then some jocks joined, falling from grace. We became a united front—underdogs against the rest of the world. Can we overthrow our oppressors? It's good storytelling."
"I don't know what the hell he's talking about, but as long as I get a killer solo it's fine by me," Mercedes exclaimed.
"And we have to use Brittany's awesome contemporary routine," Santana said firmly.
"I still think we should consider sequins and feathers on our costumes," Kurt proclaimed.
"NO!" shouted Puck, Artie, Mike and Finn. We all laughed and Kurt huffed.
"So," Tina asked, "Which songs should we do?"
And then everyone went crazy arguing for the next hour. Mercedes almost slapped Santana, Kurt almost pulled Rachel's hair, and Brittany burst into tears. I've never been so happy to be the guy who no one expects to talk.
When all the yelling, laughing and tears were over, though, we had a plan. Maybe it wouldn't be enough to beat Vocal Adrenaline, but maybe it would. One way or the other, we were going to have the time of our lives, and the audience was, too.
So, what songs tell the story of New Directions? Medleys and mash-ups are encouraged. Remember: at least one song has to be a ballad!