Chapter 22
The next morning Rachel and I found ourselves in choir room practicing our song for the trio competition, Quinn wanted to be here but she had early morning cheerio practices. Last night had gone great, it was easy, relaxed just hanging out with mates. Rachel and were currently going through our song Same Love, trying to work out who would sing which part.
"Hey, can I ask you a question?" Rachel suddenly asked.
"Go right ahead, you never have to ask or be afraid of asking."
"When your sister gets here, whenever that maybe, are you going to tell her about our relationship?"
"If I'm being honest, I don't know. It depends on how she's feeling and what her motives are for coming here."
"Did she know about the stuff with -A?"
"I don't know how much she knew, there was a time when she was suspect but then again everyone was suspect."
"It must've been hard not knowing who you could trust and who you couldn't."
"It certainly wasn't the easest thing."
"Did you ever expect each other as A?"
"When it first started, yes but that soon went away because none of us wanted to harm the other."
"I don't know what I would've done if I was in your guys precision."
"Well, be thankful, you'll never have to know and I don't want you to know what it was like."
"Emily?" Rachel questioned.
"Yes Rachel."
"Can you sing for me?"
"Of course, is there anything you want to hear me sing?"
"Just anything."
"Okay, give me a minute," I say turning to look at my phone hopeful I'd find a song.
"Here we go," I say finding the perfect song. Taking a stool from the side of the room, I place it in the centre and have Rachel sit on the chair in front of me.
Emily: "The full moon is shining like a spotlight, I could just sit and listen to you talking all night. When you whisper, yeah, baby, when you lean in. I get a crazy, crazy good king of feeling," I winked at Rachel making her smile.
Emily: "It's like Amen from the back of the choir, sweet home of freedom underneath the tires. Kicked back sitting by a crackling fire, strumming them guitar string and like an old song on the radio. That you grew up to and everybody knows. Rushing of the water when the river rolls, winding wild and free."
Emily: "Baby, you sound good to me. Baby, you sound so good to me. Mm-m-mm like a melody. Baby, you sound good to me," as the chorus came in I stood up from the stool and began dancing around the room. I was carefree and it felt amazing.
Emily: "Tell me all of your stories and don't you leave nothing out cause baby, I aint in a hurry," when the beat slowed down I sat down next to Rachel and wrapped my arm around her shoulder, we began swaying from side to side.
Emily: "Everything little thing you say, got a real nice ring to it. The way it rolls off your lips and oh, when you give me that kiss," I couldn't help but poke Rachel's nose causing her to laugh.
Emily: "It's like Amen from the back of the choir, sweet home of freedom underneath the tires. Kicked back sitting by a crackling fire, strumming them guitar strings," standing back up, I circled around Rachel before crouching down in front of her.
Emily: "Like an old song on the radio, that you grew up to and everybody knows. Rushing of the water when the river rolls, winding, wild and free."
Emily: "Baby, you sound good to me. Baby, you sound so good to me. Mm-m-mm like a melody. Baby, you sound good to me," pushing back up to stand. I begin dancing again this time with actual rhythm. I take a step to the left, clap and spin back to the right; which I continue doing.
Emily: "Baby, you sound good to me. Baby, you sound so good to me. Mm-m-mm like a melody. Baby, mm-mm," I changed the dance so I stepped to the right, clapped and spun to the left.
Emily: "Like an Amen from the back of the choir, sweet home of freedom underneath the tires. Kicked back sitting by a crackling fire, strumming them guitar strings. Like an old song on the radio, that you grew up to and everybody knows. Rushing of the water when the river rolls, winding wild and free," I offered my hand out to Rachel who smiled but still took it.
Emily: "Baby, you sound good to me. Baby, you sound so good to me. Mm-m-mm like a melody. Baby, you sound good, sound so good," while facing each other. Rachel mirrored my moves we stepped the same way clapping before spinning back to where we were, and then we went in the opposite directions.
Emily: "Baby, you sound good to me, sound so good. Baby, you sound so good to me, sound so good. Mm-m-mm like a melody. Baby, you sound good to me," I belted out the last line while Rachel clapped in the motion of dance. When the music drifted away, Rachel applauded my performance before wrapping her arms around me for a hug.
"You are such a good singer, you can sing anything," Rachel said sounding amazed.
"Thank-you," I say squeezing Rachel tighter.
Rachel asked, "How did you even find a song like that?"
I explained "Aria loves country music, I walked in on her listening to it and I was obsessed with it for like two weeks."
"I can understand the obsession, anyway we better get to class."
"Can I walk you?"
"I was hoping you'd asked."
"Let's go," I say taking the lead out of the classroom.
"Hey, how was practice this morning?" I asked when Quinn walked out onto stage. The three of us had agreed to meet here for lunch, have some private couple time. Since I had a free period before lunch today, it gave me the advantage of being here before the others.
"It was hard and painful, my feet are dying."
"Would you like a foot massage?"
"I can't ask you to do that."
"And you're not, I'm offering."
"Well then if you don't mind." I smiled patting the top of my leg. Quinn sat down, took off her shoes and placed them across my leg. I got straight to work on rubbing Quinn's feet, hoping I was helping and not making them worse.
"Hey, you two," Rachel said as entered through the door.
"Hi," Quinn said while smiling.
"Hello," I said waving.
"Don't stop," Quinn almost shouted.
"Sorry," I said continuing my work.
I asked, "Is everything okay?" Rachel joined us on stage, sitting behind Quinn who was quick to lay back on Rachel. Rachel smiled down at Quinn and began running her fingers through my hair.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Finn just cornered me at my locker," Rachel explained.
Quinn asked, "What did he want?" I smiled at the tone in Quinn's voice, this time I wasn't the jealous one.
Rachel replied with "He was trying to get me back."
"Good luck," I breathed out making Quinn laugh.
"What are we going to do about him? His not going to give up anytime soon and you can't keep getting into fights with him," Rachel said concerned.
Quinn said, "He will eventually move on."
"And I promise not to fight with him, unless he starts it or are hurting you two," I add on trying to relieve Rachel's concern.
Rachel said, "I guess that will have to do."
"Don't let him get to you sweetie," Quinn said raising her hand up to run through Rachel's hair.
Walking into the choir that afternoon, Mr Schue had messaged us all saying we needed to meet in the choir room before we could work with our trios. I had my arm wrapped around Quinn with her head resting upon my shoulder, everyone had managed to beat us here. I smiled when I saw Rachel sitting in front of Quinn and my regular seats, talking with Maya.
"Hey guys," Santana said waving us over. We walked over and began having a conversation easy, all talking and laughing together; just like last night.
A voice then said "Now that's a sound I just love to hear," I looked up to see CeCe standing in the door way.
CeCe asked "Aren't you going to greet your big sister?"
"Oh my god, Charles," I say standing up and sprinting over to her.
"That's more like it," CeCe said being able to catch me when I jumped. CeCe spun me around in a circle, making me laugh and hold on tighter.
When CeCe stopped, I spoke "I can't believe you here, in the flesh, standing in front of me."
"I didn't think I was going to see you again," CeCe replied.
"I'm sorry," I say laying my head on CeCe shoulders.
"Don't be sorry, you have nothing to be sorry for. I am here now and I'm going to make everything better." Standing back on the ground, I looked CeCe up and down, seeing she looked okay physical but mentally that was hard to tell.
I then asked "What's with the red coat?"
"I thought I'd wear it for novity sake," CeCe said and then asked "Does it still freak you out?"
"You know it does, Charles," I say looking down at the ground.
CeCe placed her fingers on the bottom of my chin and said "Don't be like that, I'll get rid of it." I watch as CeCe takes the coat off and throws it into the bin.
CeCe asked "So, have you missed me?"
"You know I have," I say pulling her into another hug.
"Ah, sorry I'm late guys," an out of breath Mr Schue said walking into the room.
Mr Schue then said "Ms DiLaurentis if you want to keep your job, I suggest you don't hug the students, it doesn't send out a good message."
I asked "Job?" While CeCe said "My last name is Fields, not DiLaurentis."
CeCe looked down at me and said "I thought I might as well get a job at your school."
"You're a Fields now?"
"Well I hadn't asked your Dad but seeing it was him who suggest I move here, I figured he wouldn't mind."
Kurt then asked "Mr Schue what's going on?"
Mr Schue replied with "Ms Fields, is our new choir assistant."
I asked CeCe "Do you even know anything about choirs?"
"Yeah you sing in a group," CeCe said making me laugh.
"Such an idiot," I say shaking my head.
Mr Schue yelled "Emily, that is no way to treat a member of the staff."
Santana then asked "Surely he is not that dumb?"
"Santana!" Mr Schue yelled glaring back at Santana, who had been having a whispered conversation with Brittany.
Mr Schue asked, "Ms Fields, what would you like the students to call you?"
"CeCe will be fine," she said winking at me.
"Emily can you please take a seat?" Mr Schue requested politely.
"But," I say looking up at CeCe.
CeCe said "No buts, we will get to hang out after school. I want to go to breadsticks, you've been raving about it, I need to see it for myself."
"This sucks," I say crossing my arms.
"Em, no pouting," CeCe said laughing.
I replied with "I hate you Charles."
CeCe said "Aww Mum would be so proud finally acting like a normal teenagers and not a fifty year old, wise person."
While CeCe saw the joke in my words Mr Schue didn't, he said "Emily, I won't warn you again. Start treating the staff with respect, she had requested to be called CeCe. Not Charles, clearly she is a female and you calling her Charles is offensive." I had never snapped my head so fast before in my life, I couldn't believe the words that just fell from Mr Schue's mouth.
When I stepped towards him ready to punch his daylights out, CeCe stepped in saying "Em, it's not worth it."
"But he insulted you, it's not right!" I yell glaring at Mr Schue.
"Em, look at me, not him," CeCe requested placing her fingertips on my chin. When I looked at CeCe, she was calm and relaxed; which helped me relax a little.
CeCe spoke "I'm okay, it's okay."
"Charles," I say feeling tears prick at my eyes.
"I know Em, I know," CeCe leant down to pick me up bridal style. She carried me over to my sit next to Quinn, she sat down with me in her lap. It was an odd sight for the others in the room, still having no idea what was going on.
CeCe whispered "You must be Quinn."
"Hi," Quinn said a little confused.
"Emily's told me all about you and sent me a photo, she wasn't lying when she said you were beautiful."
"She said that to you?" Quinn asked.
"Yep," CeCe said making Quinn smile.
"Love you," Quinn whispered kissing the top of my forehead.
Mr Schue asked, "Do you two know each other?" I couldn't help but laugh when everyone turned to look at him, trying to work out if he was serious.
Mercedes explained "Emily's last name is Fields and CeCe's last name is Fields, hmm…" I smiled at Mercedes phrasing, it was clever.
"You two are relate," Mr Schue said cluing himself in.
Santana spoke "Around of applause for the genius," everyone then clapped.
CeCe said "Emily is my baby sister, we haven't seen each other in a while."
Blaine asked "Why does Emily call you Charles?"
"I'm MTF and we don't want to forget that side of me."
"Gotcha," Kurt and Blaine said while the others looked confused.
Mr Schue said "Anyway to the lesson, I was appalled by the way we ended yesterday in a fight. Emily, you attacked Finn for no reason, that is not what a team player does." I stood up so fast from CeCe, I almost fell over. I couldn't believe Mr Schue was blaming the fight on me, Finn had pressed me up against the wall. Even with full strengthen I don't think I could push Finn up against the wall, unless he was already standing in front of one.
"Em calm down," CeCe said pulling me back down onto her lap.
Mr Schue continued with "The level of hostility in this room isn't acceptable and if we don't get rid of it, we can kiss our hopes of going to Nationals goodbye. I found this song that I want Finn and Emily to sing together right now, get all the feuding out and once the song is over, I don't want to hear of it again." I saw Rachel and Quinn look at my concerned but I was willing to do this, if it meant glee club could be fun again and we go on to win Nationals.
Mr Schue said, "This song is a mash-up of two iconic boy bands in the 90s, NSYNC's Bye, Bye, Bye and The Backstreet Boys I Want It That Way," everyone cheered at the mention of the two boy bands in the one sentence.
"Finn, which group do you want?" Mr Schue asked looking at Finn.
"I'll take Backstreet Boys," Finn said. Mr Schue nodded ushering us over to him, he handed Finn one music sheet and me the other; it just highlighted where we'd sing. I stood one side of the room and Finn stood the other as we faced everyone, I saw Rachel and Quinn mouth 'good luck to me' which made me smile.
Emily: "Hey, hey. Bye, bye, bye. Bye, bye. Bye, bye," I sang my opening line which got a few screams boosting my confidence to another level.
Emily: "Oh, oh, I'm doing this tonight. You're probably gonna start a fight, I know this can't be right. Hey baby come on, I loved you endlessly, when you weren't there for me. So now it's time to leave and make it alone," I did my best attempt of the dance, I only seen the video once and was going off that memory.
Emily: "I know that I can't take no more, it aint no lie. I wanna see you out that door, baby, bye, bye, bye," seeing the girls smile during my solo helped.
Finn: "You are my fire, the one desire. Believe when I say, I want it that way," Finn stepped up into the spotlight. Holding up one finger when he sung one desire.
Emily: "Bye, bye. Don't wanna be a fool for you, just another player in your game for two. You may hate me but it aint no lie, Baby, bye, bye, bye," I walked over to Finn during this part stating this was his game and that I knew he hated me but I didn't care.
Emily: "Bye, bye. Don't really wanna make tough, I just wanna tell you that I had enough. It might sound crazy but it aint no lie. Baby, bye, bye, bye, tell me why," I walked backwards away from Finn on higher ground.
Finn: "Aint nothing but a heartache," Finn came back with.
Emily: "Tell me why."
Finn: "Aint nothing but a mistake."
Emily and Finn: "Tell me why," we came face to face as we sung together.
Finn: "I never wanna hear you say."
Emily and Finn: "I want it that way."
Finn: "You are my fire, the one desire. You are, you are, you are, you are," Finn look back to the crowd as he sung looking like he was backing out of the fight.
Emily: "Don't wanna hear you say," I stepped around Finn to walk across the other side of the room.
Finn: "Aint nothing but a heartache."
Emily: "Bye, bye, bye," I turn around to face Finn and did the hand gesture I knew that NSYNC did in the video.
Finn: "Aint nothing."
Emily: "Make it tough."
Finn: "But it aint no lie."
Emily: "Bye, bye. Bye, bye, Baby. Don't wanna be a fool for you," I point at Finn as I began shuffling from side to side.
Finn: "You are my fire," I watched as Finn copied my movements.
Emily: "Just another player in your game for two."
Finn: "Tell me why."
Emily: "You may hate me but it aint no lie.
Finn: "I want it that way," when I saw Finn nod his head at Rachel with his stupid smile, I want to hurt him.
Emily: "Baby, bye, bye, bye. Bye, bye," I moved to stand in front of Rachel and sung, saying to him Rachel would never be his again.
Emily: "Don't really wanna make it tough," I shrugged at Finn as I stood centre stage or floor.
Finn: "My one desire," he sung but not as strong as before.
Emily: "I just wanna tell you that I had enough."
Finn: "Tell me why?" Finn pushed my shoulder to have me turn and look at him.
Emily: "It might sound crazy but it aint no lie." I sung right at Finn, angry.
Finn: "I want it that way."
Emily: "Baby bye, bye, bye."
Finn: "Bye, bye," Finn sung the last line of the song. When the music faded everyone in the room clapped, they didn't stand but looked to be waiting on bait breathe.
Mr Schue stood up saying "Great job, you two. Now I think this feud is officially over," he placed a hand on both of our shoulders smiling.
Pushing Mr Schue hand off, I say "I'll sing with him but don't expect me to get along with him."
Finn yelled "What is your problem?"
"What is my problem? Hmm…how about you!" I shout back. When Finn and I went to charge at each other, we had people pulling us back. Finn was being pulled back by Puck and CeCe was pulling me back. CeCe was struggling to hold me back, I wanted to hit Finn so badly but when I heard a voice say my name; I turned to look at Rachel.
Rachel then said, "You promised."
"Right sorry," I say calming down much to CeCe relief.
CeCe then asked, "When did you get so strong?"
I didn't get to answer because Mr Schue yelled "Emily, what is the matter with you? Finn was happy to move pass this for the sake of the team, but clearly you can't," I rolled my eyes at Mr Schue speech always ready to protect Finn.
Ignoring him, I turn towards the group and asked, "Do you want to go to breadsticks?"
"I'm in," Maya said more than happy to go.
"We'll come," Mercedes said pointing at herself and Kurt. Sam, Tina, Mike, Puck, Artie and Blaine all agreed, along with Santana, Brittany, Quinn and Rachel.
"Awesome, meet there in ten minutes."
"Sounds good," Sam spoke leaving with Puck and Artie. As everyone left Mr Schue looked to say something but shook his head and left, Finn followed behind him.
Quinn asked walking over "Do you two need a lift?"
"Yes please," CeCe answered.
"See you there," Santana said leading Brittany and Maya out of the room.
I asked, "Ready to go?" CeCe nods her head. I take Quinn's hand and the four of us beginning walking out of the school.
Quinn and I walked into breadsticks holding hands, we had Rachel and CeCe walking behind us. I could see everyone was already here and had gotten tables pushed together, so we could all sit with each other. At the table, I had Quinn sitting on my left and then CeCe on my right; Rachel said on Quinn's left side.
"Oh hey Maya," CeCe said noticing Maya.
"Hey CeCe," Maya said hugging CeCe back.
CeCe spoke "I didn't realise you were living in Ohio as well," I saw Maya whisper something into CeCe ears, which made CeCe nod and look at me.
Tina asked "So you two are sister?"
I replied with "Technically we are half-sister but we are sisters."
"How come you've never mentioned her before?" Kurt asked.
"No one asked, you assumed I was an only child and I didn't correct it, plus Charles is very hard to explain," I say.
"Thanks Sis," CeCe said making everyone laugh.
CeCe then said "Other than that Finn guy, Quinn and Emily, I don't know anyone's names."
Puck spoke first "My real name is Noah but everyone calls me Puck."
"I'm Sam and this is my girlfriend Mercedes," I smiled when Sam wrapped his arm proudly around Mercedes.
"This is my boyfriend Kurt and I'm Blaine, I've only just joined the new directions," Blaine introduced himself.
Tina said "Hi, I'm Tina and this is my boyfriend Mike."
"I'm Santana and this is my girlfriend Brittany." Santana said and I was quite proud of her.
When Santana saw how I was looking at her, she said "Shut it you."
"I said nothing," I put my hands up in defence.
"I'm Rachel," Rachel introduced herself.
"And I'm Artie."
CeCe said "It's nice to meet you all."
"Hi," Brittany said waving and then asked, "Are you a dolphin or a unicorn?" Everyone laughed when CeCe looked confused.
I explained "She is asking if your gay or bi?"
"Oh, well then I'm neither."
Kurt asked, "But your MTF right?"
CeCe replied with "Yes I am."
"So your straight then?" Blaine asked carefully.
"I just don't like labels. As a female, I have date both guys and women, it's easier if I don't label myself."
Sam asked, "I must ask but what is MTF?"
I explained "It means male-to-female."
"Which means I was born a boy but I never felt like a boy, I saw myself as a girl," CeCe explained.
Puck said "Right, so at one stage you had a penis." We all smiled at Puck's ability to ask a hard question, seem so easy.
"Yes Puck, I did have that organ but I've since had surgery to change that," CeCe said trying to be classy.
I asked, "Did you see Alison before leaving?"
CeCe replied with "Yeah, I was able to sneak myself in to see her, late last night. She's very pale and small. I thought all her issues were dealt with."
"It's complicated Charles, you know that."
"I do, I just figured with Spencer she'd be okay."
"She will be Charles. It's just going to take time."
"I just care for her."
"Charles I know you do. I do too. We will get her through it."
A waitress then walked over and asked, "Are you ready to order?" We all nodded our head and each place our own order in.
After the waitress left, CeCe asked "So Maya, you are seeing anyone?"
"I'm surprised that one hasn't told you," Maya spoke gesturing to me.
CeCe said "Well come on who is it? Boy or girl."
"Girl, you remember Paige?"
"Hard to forget, she did try to drown my sister," CeCe said a little angry and alerting the table.
I explained "She was dealing with a lot back then, it's all good now though. We are friends."
Mercedes asked, "How do you become friends with someone who tries to drown you?"
Quinn answered "It's a simple answer, it's Emily. She'll befriend anyone," I smiled over at Quinn before pecking the top of her head.
I replied with "In a town like Rosewood, it's just easier being friend with everyone then have enemies; don't want to give the neighbours more to talk about."
Quinn asked, "So your job as assistant, what does that mean?"
"I don't really know, it was just the only job on offer that would allow me to see Emily full-time," CeCe said.
"Are you going to stay with us?" I asked.
CeCe replied with "No, I've gotten my own apartment. I still need my space Em but your welcome at the apartment anytime," CeCe then hand over a spare key.
"Thanks," I say already thinking it was a good hang out for Quinn, Rachel and I. Feeling my phone ringing in my pocket, I pull it out to see Alison face upon the screen.
"Ali," I say answering the phone while walking away from the table.
"Em, hey," Alison said sounding relieved to hear my voice and the feeling was mutual.
Aria voice then came across the phone "We have something to tell you."
"Good or bad?" I asked.
Spencer replied with "We're not sure."
Hanna then said "CeCe's out of Radley."
"Yeah, I know."
Alison asked, "How do you know?"
I replied with "Because I was just sitting at a table with her."
"What she's there?" Aria asked sounding surprised.
"Yeah, she's moved to Ohio and is the glee club's new assistant; whatever that means."
Spencer spoke "Well you could've told us."
"Sorry, everything's been hectic here."
Hanna asked, "It's not -A is it?"
"I can handle that bitch, I've just got some personal things going on."
"Like what?" Alison asked.
I replied with "Now's not the time to discuss it. But just so you know, I knew of CeCe's release last night."
"How?" Spencer asked.
I answered with "Shana rang to tell me."
"How did she know?" Hanna asked.
"I don't know, I didn't ask. I was just happy my sister was being released."
"But she killed someone," Aria said.
I replied with "And so did I, does that mean I should be locked up too."
Alison said, "That's not what she was meaning Em."
"I know, sorry Aria. I'm just stressed."
"Yeah, you sound it," Spencer said.
Hanna asked, "Why did Shana ring to tell you that CeCe was getting out?"
"She's trying to get me to trust her, she thought telling me that would be a good start."
"Why does she want you to trust her?" Spencer asked.
I replied with "Because she wants to date Jenna, without the fear of me hurting her if she screws up or hurts Jenna."
Alison asked, "Have you been getting anymore -A messages?"
I replied with "Yeah, I keep getting black hoodies. -A even gave me an extra one for Quinn, I burnt them. So, I'm just waiting for the shoe to drop on that decision."
"Why does -A keep giving you hoodies?" Spencer asked.
"I think it's supposed to be rubbing it in or something like that."
"I don't understand," Aria said confused.
I whispered "Back when I was kidnapped by -A, I mean Mona. She offered me to join her, all I had to do was wear a black hoodie."
"Why didn't you tell us?" they all screamed at me.
"Because, I had turned it down and I didn't want to upset you guys. Are you guys getting any messages?"
Hanna replied with "No, other than Aria getting hit by the car, nothing has been out of the usual."
I say, "Great, it's pick on Emily time."
Spencer said "I would suggested you need to have a massage to relax but I know you won't go back."
"You've got that right, maybe I can ask Quinn," I say thinking.
"Too much information Em," Alison said getting us to laugh.
I replied with "It wouldn't be like that, we haven't even gone there."
"But you've been together for months," Hanna said.
"She's not ready and neither am I, we are both happy with how things are going."
Spencer states "She's rambling."
"She is too, which is a clear sign she's lying," Aria added.
I replied with "We are not going there. Quinn and I have talked about this, she's not ready and I'm not going to push her. I'm not a jerk or an idiot for that matter."
"No you're not, you're a sweet heart," Alison said.
"Hey Emily," I heard a voice say behind me and when I turned around I was hit square in the face. As soon as the fisted hits, I fall to the ground and I don't remember anything other than darkness.
A/N: Hey sorry for being a day late in posting. I completely forgot to post before going to work. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Song Reference List:
You Sound Good To Me by Lucy Hale
Bye, Bye, Bye by NSYNC
I Want It That Way by The Backstreet Boys
I'll see you all Saturday next week! ~KJ99