Previously on Glee:
Valentine's Day shot its way through the halls of McKinley, and for some of the Gleeks it was a romantic moment, when Nina ran into a Warbler named Billy Drovster who swept her off of her feet and brought her to his team's Open Mic Night at BreadstiX on her first real date in a long time, which happened to be where Hayden had brought Annie as well in order to perform an original song he'd written for her while calling the sophomore his girlfriend for the first time. Plus Addie Baxter decided to join the team and serenade them with Christina Perri's "A Thousand Years".
For others, however, it was tainted by The Muckraker's infamous Bert and Ernie, acting on Nikki Hardy's orders to use the Gleek's drunken confessions against them. Some of their broadcasts were just embarassing, like the fact that Katie and Dylan were sleeping together (which they embellished by "revealing" he used his dad's credit card to buy a motel room), but others quickly became detrimental. They quickly derailed all chances of an Ashma reconciliation by pushing him to confess that he's lost his V-card while cheating on his girlfriend, which pushed Emma further in her insecurities as she desperately grasps for control in her life. Worst of all, they walked in on a romantic moment between Hayley and Stassi, not only exposing their relationship but simultaneously throwing Hayley out of the closet. Stassi was furious at Nikki and broke off her relationship with the HBIC once and for all, even quitting the Cheerios, but she also broke up with Hayley and The New Directions, though by her conversation with Roxie she seemed to think it was for Hayley's own good rather than something she actually wanted. But will anyone realize that?
A/N: Sorry I'm late! Song featured is Dashboard Confessional "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark".
Crawford Country Day's girls grinned eagerly as they stood in the center of a Dalton Academy assembly room and turned to and fro as the Warblers surrounded them with an Acapella introduction.
Sebastian Smythe stepped onto the raised platform and swayed seductively, hands open to the girls, Oh, whoa, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, whoa
The rest of the group ran up the steps to slide into place surrounding him as he repeated, Oh, whoa, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, whoa.
The tall crooner squatted down toward the girls, singing B-B-B-Be careful making wishes in the dark, dark
Can't be sure when they've hit their mark, he continued as he stood and strolled through his team
And besides in the mean, mean time
I'm just dreaming of tearing you apart
From behind the girls a curly-haired heartthrob appeared, I'm in the de-details with the devil, he sang, grinning at the fawning girls
So now the world can never get me on my level
He steeped in front of a young freshman out of uniform, her nautical swing trousers and striped boatneck blouse setting her apart from the others almost as much as her looks. I just gotta get you off the cage, Billy told her huskily,
I'm a young lover's rage
Gonna need a spark to ignite
Sebastian took the lead, pointing outward before spreading his arms wide as Billy ran up the stage to join him, My songs know what you did in the dark
So light 'em up, up, up the group sang, jumping in sync as they rotated from side to side
Light 'em up, up, up
Light 'em up, up, up
I'm on fire
So light 'em up, up, up
Light 'em up, up, up
Light 'em up, up, up
I'm on fire
Billy and Sebastian sang together with the Warblers' harmonizing Oh, whoa, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, whoa.
In the dark, dark
Oh, whoa, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, whoa.
In the dark, dark
My songs know what you did in the dark, Billy said with a gleam in his eye as he watched the dark brunette crashing their show.
So light 'em up, up, up
Light 'em up, up, up
Light 'em up, up, up
I'm on fire
So light 'em up, up, up
Light 'em up, up, up
Light 'em up, up, up
I'm on fire
Oh, whoa, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, whoa.
In the dark, dark
Oh, whoa, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, whoa.
In the dark, dark
Oh, whoa, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, whoa.
The girls cheered, with the small freshman clapping with an amused smile. The swoon-worthy junior stepped away from his teammates to join her on the floor. "You aren't from our sister school," he observed with a grin.
"No," the fair-skinned girl replied with a chuckle. "I am not your sister."
"Lucky me," Billy told her.
"Genevieve Caffrey," she introduced herself, extending a hand. The leggy brunette leaned over and continued in a whisper, "I heard that Dalton Academy's Warblers were something to see, so I snuck in."
Billy laughed, "I won't tell anyone," he assured her. "So where are you from?"
"Genny!" a voice suddenly called out, and the both schools, along with Billy and Genevieve, snapped toward the door as they watched a tall girl in a cerulean and black carnivale dance costume storm through the doors, her crystal eyes locked coldly on the scene in front of her as she grabbed the smaller girl.
"Whoa, whoa," Billy called out, causing the older girl to pause momentarily. "And you are?"
"Leaving," the pale girl answered, resuming her stride, and tugging at the younger girl as she whispered harshly, "I have told you time and time again, baby sis, that we steer clear of any and all competition unless we are crushing them on stage. We are already running late for rehearsals now, and we can't afford to lose Nationals again this year…"
Billy watched the siblings walk out the door, only pausing to consider them for another moment before the throngs of adoring private school girls stole back his attention.
"And here we are," Liam announced to Hayley as he dragged her into the Music Room. The team watched them with indifference, as the scene had become somewhat commonplace in the last two weeks.
Hayley huffed and jerked her arm back from the lanky boy, storming irritably over to her seat. Truthfully, she supposed she was kind of glad they'd made such an effort to keep her in the club, for as miserable as being here made her, it was nothing compared to the gut-wrenching heartache of being alone or, worse, surrounded by the assholes now staring and whispering about her wherever she went.
"Great, everyone's here," Will greeted as he walked into the room. "I know there have been a lot of changes happening, and I know that we're all under a lot of stress, but we need to pull together guys! Regionals is right around the corner, and if we don't pull together, then we're going to get ripped apart."
"Well no offense, Mr. Schue," Michelle told him irritably. "But it's been a rough couple of weeks." Recently, her fear of bees had been leaked to the likes of Jennifer Johnson, who now took it upon herself to ensure that she and her band of idiot jokes buzzed every time they were within twenty feet of the tiny girl.
The persistently optimistic teacher shook his head. "But that's exactly why we need to renew the bonds between us. To strengthen ourselves as a group and overcome our status as underdogs. This year's theme is "We Are", guys, and that is exactly what I want us to reveal this week," the notorious sounds of a whiteboard pen being uncapped and messy scrawling caused half of the team to groan. "This week's assignment is Secrets. I want us all to step forward and expose something about ourselves, to free the chains of fear and insecurity that are holding us down."
"Yeah, because that doesn't sound like something that would blow up in everyone's face," Hayley muttered tetchily.
"Come on, I'll go first," their teacher offered, rubbing his hands together and stepping forward in front of the piano. "Um, when I was in high school, I was considered, well, a bit of a push-over—"
"Just in high school?" Walt remarked under his breath, causing the group to snicker.
The curly-haired adult looked like he was going to continue, but Coby loudly pushed back his chair as he stood, raising a hand to stop the man from speaking. "It's okay, Mr. Schue," the husky teen assured him. "How about I give it a go?"
Coby walked to the front of the class and took a breath. "As many of you know," he began, "while I've never been ashamed of my weakness for someone with a Y chromosome here at school, around my house I've been steadily dating the lovely Ms. Nina for over two years now." The junior gestured to the Cheerio who rolled her eyes affectionately at her friend. "And, well, I'd like to announce that I've recently broken up with her and had an honest conversation about my parents about who I really am."
"Wow, that's great Coby!" Will congratulated the boy with a clap on his shoulder while many of the others cheered their friend. "Good for you!"
"Yeah, coming out to your parents after being out and accepted to the entire student body for over three years must have been hell," Hayley remarked scornfully. "I suddenly feel that the hardships you've encountered over the years has put my current position into perspective, and I can move on, completely at ease with my new position in the school."
"Hayley!" Addie cried out in admonishment, and Coby narrowed his eyes at the sophomore. "You know, Nimbus," he told her sternly. "You're not the only gay kid out there, and certainly not the only one going through a tough spot. Maybe my story won't help you, but I'm sure there are others who maybe needed a hope-spot to give them courage to tell the people that matter to them about who they are. Maybe that was for them."
Hayley scoffed openly, but Coby's glance shifted toward Everett as the burly boy gave a small smile to his friend. His curly-haired teammate returned it just before ducking his head down as he began to blush.
"That's right," their teacher affirmed as Coby returned to his seat. "We're all going through something Hayley; and the sooner we realize we're stronger facing it together, the sooner we'll be a force to be reckoned with."
"Hey, Rhi!" a peppy though hesitant voice greeted the blonde as she packed up her things after rehearsal and the junior lifted her gaze to meet the playful baby blues of Addie.
The photographer flashed her newest teammate a quirky grin, standing as she stepped down from the risers. "Hey," she replied easily.
"So I'm really glad you're coming to the PFLAG meeting this week," the curvy girl told her, matching the other girl's steps as they made their way into the hall. "I think if we could get more numbers, we'd really be able to start reaching out. Like with Hayley for example; she's just so lost right now and she needs us, but she doesn't know where to start."
"Or maybe she wants to sort through it on her own," Rhi suggested with a shrug, but Addie shook her head fiercely, causing a blur of blue and blonde.
"Nobody wants to go through being pushed out of the closet alone; she just doesn't know how to ask for help," the journalist insisted. "What we need to do is make her realize that there are a lot of people that want to help, that we can be her support system." The young girl bit her lip nervously. "Maybe if you wanted, we could go to the Lima Bean or something and talk about ideas on how to get through to her?"
Rhi smirked in amusement. "Are you asking me out?" she posed.
Addie exhaled in a fluster. "No!" she refuted, scoffing unconvincingly. "I mean, this is about Hayley and ideas of how to help her transition right now; I just figured you and I, being some of the most open students about our sexuality, could get together and brainstorm ways to pass along our wisdom—"
"By going on a date," the dirty blonde finished, laughing as the outspoken girl stumbled over her words as she blushed awkwardly. Rhi slid a hand onto the other girl's forearm. "I'd love to," she answered with a warm smile.
Addie looked up in surprise. "Really?" she questioned.
"Why not? I haven't gone on a real date for a while; it sounds nice." The relaxed girl hitched her bag further up onto her shoulder and shrugged, while Addie perked up considerably at her assent.
"Well, great," she enthused. "I can borrow my parents car and pick you up at seven at your place—"
"Actually, can we meet there?" Rhi interjected, glancing at the sophomore. "I'm not sure how I would explain going out at seven on a weeknight to my parents."
Addie smiled knowingly. "They don't let you date on school nights?" she guessed.
"Um, more like they don't know I'm…open with my dating options," Rhi explained, causing the outspoken girl's eyes to wide. "Don't," she cut her off preemptively. "Look, my parents aren't ready for—" she gestured to herself "—all of this yet. Especially in a place like Lima. So I just figure I'll make it easier for them by waiting a little while."
"You shouldn't have to wait," Addie argued unhappily. What was wrong with everyone? "They're your parents and they should love you regardless. You should be proud of who you are Rhi—sexy and talented and the full package. I'm sure your parents would see that as easily as the rest of us do."
"Yeah, well, I think I'll wait until I graduate to find out," the blasé blonde replied, and renewed her playful grin as she extended an elbow toward the sophomore. "Shall we?"
Addie smiled and linked her arm with the junior's, but her mind was whirring top speed as she began making her plans.
Nina leaned up against her locker, the light playing on her dancing brown eyes as she checked Billy's text again. The last message he'd sent her had revealed that they were performing that afternoon for their sister school Crawford Country Day, though he confessed there were never any interesting girls to perform for and he wished she could be there. The junior smiled to herself as she reflected on the intriguing Warbler that she'd somehow managed to attach herself to. Now that Coby was no longer in need of her as a beard, maybe she could find someone to actually date her because they were interested…
"Grannis." Nina looked up as her name barked across the halls to where Nikki approached. "Just the Commie I was looking for."
The brunette shook her head and moved to turn away, but the Asian girl quickly caught her arm and whirled her back to face her.
"What do you want Nikki?" the usually-gentle girl asked snippily.
"I need your help," was the reply, which caused Nina's retort to stick in her throat for surprise. "I need to talk to A, and she's managed to avoid me by steering clear of every place I could corner her. I know you can make a rendezvous happen, and as your captain, I'm demanding that you arrange it."
"She quit Cheerios because of what you pulled," the Bulgarian girl shot back incredulously. "She quit Glee and cut off ties with just about everyone—all because of you. Even if I could convince her to talk to you, what in the world makes you think I would?"
"Because you're a sweet little babushka, and I'm still your captain." The Gleek looked skeptical, and the HBIC's eyes narrowed into slits. "Of course, if you're still experiencing uncertainties, there's always this."
The Head Cheerio reached into her backpack and pulled out a paper bag, handing it to the other girl. Nina took it and curiously peaked inside.
"What is it?" she asked in puzzlement as she glanced up from the bag of fractured porcelain to the girl in front of her.
"A twelve-hundred dollar china serving dish," Nikki answered, causing the other girl's eyebrows to shoot upwards in surprise. "You see, last weekend my parents hosted a beautiful dinner party, complete with hiring several local catering companies to support our wavering economy. One of them in particular I'm sure you've heard of—Simply Delect-Edibles?" The brunette's face froze in shock at the mention of Veronica's employer. "This dish? Smashed to the floor when a guest collided with an employee. A simple mistake, one would think." The girl's eyes gleamed maliciously. "But when I tell them that I witnessed the employee—some white trash frump name Veronica Masters—with tremors earlier that night, or that I smelled alcohol on her breath during the event—well, I don't think such a small company would survive the tarnishing their reputation acquires when clientele like the Hardy family complain."
The blood sunk from Nina's face, leaving it just shy of ash in its pallor.
"Wait a sec," Nikki continued in mock contemplation. "Isn't Veronica Masters listed as your emergency contact?" Her grin widened. "How you've managed to hide that you're a foster kid when no one in your family shares a surname is pretty damn impressive, I'll give you that. But don't think for a second I can't get that white trash you call Mom fired, or bring the entirety of CPS down on your pathetic existence if I wanted. So I'd think very carefully before I refused me."
The Asian girl cast her one last menacing glare before whirling away and striding down the corridor, leaving Nina torn and worried.