The Glee Club
"What the hell man!" exclaimed Brian, staring at Christofer's arm. The Brat Pack gathered around Christofer, gazing wide-eyed at the clusters of tattoos covering his entire arms.
Christofer smirked. "Pretty cool, huh?"
"Dude I can hardly see your skin anymore," said Jordan, trailing his finger down the length of Chris's other arm.
Christofer shrugged. "It's better than nothing. Plain skin is no fun to look at. Besides, each tattoo means something to me."
"You didn't get these all at once did you?" asked Alex.
Christofer laughed. "Hell no. I'm not that intense. My arms are a work of art. Of course I took time with it."
"Well at least your dad didn't murder you for this," said Cassadee, tracing the circles on his arm.
"He almost did," said Christofer "But I explained what each one meant and he let it go. He became cool about it, so yeah."
"I wonder why you haven't gotten detention for this," said Sierra "It's too hard to miss."
Christofer looked confused. "They give detention for this?" Sierra shrugged. "Well, see, that's why I wear long sleeved shirts."
"Aw man," said Cassadee wistfully "I want a tattoo now."
"Same," agreed Alex "Except…not that intense." He slapped Christofer's arm away. Christofer flinched and rubbed his sore arm, pouting at Alex.
"Hey Sierra!" a voice suddenly called behind them. The Brat Pack turned and everyone eyes except Sierra's widened until they nearly fell out of their sockets.
Before them stood a guy who looked like he'd been cut out of a Vogue magazine. He looked like an Abercrombie and Fitch model, only his face looked godlier. He looked like a fairytale prince come to life. Cassadee felt faint. The other guys couldn't believe this guy could even exist.
"Oh hey William!" greeted Sierra with a smile "Ready to go?"
The guy beamed. It was all Cassadee could do not to flop against the locker doors. "Sure."
"Oh by the way," said Sierra. She gestured to her friends "These are my friends. Alex, Brian, Cassadee, Christofer and Jordan. Guys, this is William Beckett. I'm taking him to the glee club."
Alex frowned. "Isn't the glee club for gay people?"
Sierra glowered at him. Then, he and the rest of the Brat Pack realized that William was too pretty to even be considered masculine. Besides, he kind of had that aura around him.
"Right…um…sorry," muttered Alex.
"It's okay," said William shrugged "I've accepted it." He turned to Sierra. "Shall we?"
Sierra linked arms with him. "We shall. See you guys later." She waved back at them one last time before leaving.
"Wow," breathed Cassadee, putting a hand over her poor heart "I almost died there. That guy was gorgeous."
"Yeah well, either way you can't have him," said Brian "He's gay."
"Still," said Christofer, pulling on his sweater "I'm not gay, but that definitely was the prettiest man I've ever seen."
~~/~~
Sierra and William stood in front of the doorway to the choir room. William's hand squeezed Sierra's tightly. She could feel it shaking.
"Relax," she said soothingly 'You'll be fine."
"But…but what if they don't—" began William.
"Shh," said Sierra "They will. Don't worry. Now come." She pulled him into the room. A sudden burst of noise filled their ears.
Sierra knew the school to be diverse, but she couldn't really see any evidences. The glee club, however, contained more diversity than the entire school combined. Students all shapes, sizes, colors, races, orientations, etc. were crammed into this small room. But they didn't look uncomfortable at all. In fact, they looked more than happy to be here.
"I thought the glee club was for gay people only," asked William.
"Maybe, it's cause the gay people constitute most of the population of the club," replied Sierra, gesturing to a large group of loud gay people gathered at the center of the room.
Sierra then tugged at William's arm and led him all the way to the benches, where a guy, as tall and as lanky as him, was sitting quietly, reading a book. His curly brown hair draped over his relaxed but focused face. His clothes clearly said that he was one of those indie-hipster types.
"Hey Ryan," greeted Sierra. Ryan looked up and smiled.
"Hey Sierra. Good to see you." He noticed William. 'And this is?"
Sierra placed both arms on William's shoulders. "This is William. He'll be auditioning for the glee club. Where's Brendon?"
Ryan rolled his eyes at the mention of his best friend. "No idea. Late again as usual."
"THE FUN HAS ARRIIIIIVEEDDDDD!" sang a loud voice. Everyone turned around to see someone sliding in through the doorway Broadway style. He had raven black hair and pale skin. Oversized glasses were perched on his sharp nose. A goofy smile was plastered on his face. If there was a spokesperson for theatricality, that would be him.
"Speak of the devil," muttered Ryan, going back to his book.
"Bren!" cried Sierra, running towards him with outstretched arms. Brendon saw her and his eyes became the size of the moon.
"Oh my god!" he cried, catching her in his arms and squeezing her tight "I haven't seen you in so long! How've you been?"
"I'm good," said Sierra. She saw William hanging in the back ground and pulled him closer. "This is William. He'll be auditioning for the glee club. William, this is Brendon Urie, head of the glee club."
"Ah," said Brendon smiling pleasantly at him 'And I suppose Sierra's told you all about us then?"
William shrugged. "I just know its for gay people…"
Brendon frowned and smacked Sierra's arm. "Why are you stereotyping us?"
"Ow!" cried Sierra, rubbing her arm "Well you did start it as a club for gay people."
"William," said Brendon "The glee club isn't just for gays. Its for kids like us who feel misunderstood and neglected. Ignored and bullied for being what they are. I mean, sure majority of the people here are gay, but there are other people here too, like handicapped people, people with mental disorders and disabilities, etc. I gathered them all here because we are sharing one passion: Singing. This is a place where you can be whoever you want to be without anyone judging you for it."
Suddenly, William felt a lot better. Finally, a place where he belonged, where he was welcomed, where no one can hit him and call him names. He'd never felt so at home in his entire life than he did here.
But there was still one more thing…"You're not gay, are you?"
Sierra snorted with laughter, earning another smack on the arm. "No," said Brendon "I just formed this club because I've had enough seeing people being bullied for being themselves. Don't be deceived. I may look it, but I'm not. It's called being metrosexual."
He suddenly clapped his hands together. "Hey, do you want to see a demo of what we do before you audition? So you have a feel of what goes on here?"
William nodded. "Sure. Why not?" He and Sierra took their seats as Brendon called the glee club to assemble.
Once everyone was in place, Brendon turned dramatically to them. Sierra laughed. He was such a performer.
"Lady and gentleman," he announced grandly "This is I Write Sins Not Tragedies."
The altos and sopranos started a simple but haunting melody. Their voices filled up the entire room. William and Sierra felt as if they were inside a concert hall or something.
"Oh, well imagine," sang Brendon with emotion
"As I'm pacing the pews in a church corridor
And I can't help but to hear
No I can't help but hear an exchanging of words
'What a beautiful wedding!'
What a beautiful wedding, says a
Bridesmaid to a waiter
And yes but what a shame,
What a shame
The poor groom's bride is a -" Everyone placed a finger to their lips and shushed.
"I'd chime in," sang Brendon grandly along with the rest of the glee club
"With a haven't you people ever heard of
Closing the goddamned door?
No, it's much better to face these kinds of things
With a sense of poise and rationality
I'd chime in
Haven't you people ever heard of
Closing the goddamned door?
No, it's much better to face these kinds of things
With a sense of…"
"Oh, well in fact," Brendon sang by himself again.
We'll all look at it this way
I mean technically our marriage is saved
Well, this calls for a toast
So pour the champagne, pour the champagne
Oh! Well in fact
We'll all look at it this way
I mean technically our marriage is saved
Well this calls for a toast
So pour the champagne, pour the champagne!"
The melody intensified. William and Sierra felt drawn in by the sound. Brendon began to fling his arms around like a mad conductor.
"I'd chime in," he sang
"Haven't you people ever heard of
Closing the goddamn door
No, it's much better to face these kinds of things
With a sense of poise and rationality
I'd chime in
Haven't you people ever heard of
Closing the goddamn door
No, it's much better to face these kinds of things
With a sense of poise and rationality
Again!"
The song ended with a grand finish. Brendon and the glee club bowed deeply. William and Sierra stood up and gave them a standing ovation.
"That was AMAZING!" said Sierra, with a big smile on her face.
"Thank you sweetie," said Brendon. He turned to William. "Interested now?"
William nodded with vigor. "Yeah."
Brendon swept his arm around. "Then let us hear you."
Suddenly, the nerves hit him hard again. His knees began to shake and his hands began to tremble. He looked at Sierra and she gave him a reassuring smile. That was all he needed to lessen the nerves.
He stepped to the center and looked at the rest of the club. Thankfully, they didn't look intimidating at all. In fact, they were the most welcoming faces he'd ever seen in a long time.
"So, William," said Brendon taking a seat 'What will you be singing today?"
William closed his eyes and tried to think of a song at the top of his head. He suddenly remembered A Walk to Remember, his favorite movie of all time. And he absolutely loved the theme song.
"Um…I'd like to sing Someday We'll Know by Mandy Moore," said William. Brendon smiled and motioned for him to start.
William took a deep breath and sang.
"90 miles outside Chicago
Can't stop driving, I don't know why
So many questions, I need an answer
Two years or later, you're still on my mind
Whatever happened to Amelia Earheart?
Who holds the stars up in the sky?
Is true love just once in a lifetime?
Did the captain of the titanic cry?
Someday we'll know
If love can move a mountain
Someday we'll know
Why the sky is blue
Someday we'll know
Why I wasn't meant for you
Does anybody know the way to Atlantis?
Or what the wind says when she cries?
I'm speeding by the place that I met you
For 97th time
Tonight
Someday we'll know
If love can move a mountain
Someday we'll know
Why the sky is blue
Someday we'll know
Why I wasn't meant for you
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Someday we'll know
Why Samson loved Delilah
One day I'll go
Dancing on the moon
Someday you'll know
That I was meant for you."
Everyone was up on their feet, clapping and singing along. Finally, William wasn't alone. Finally there were people who were just like him, who liked the same things he did and weren't ashamed to admit it. It was the best feeling in the entire world.
"I bought a ticket to the end of the rainbow," sang William
Watched the stars crash in the sea
If I could ask God just one question
Why aren't you here with me
Tonight?
Someday we'll know
If love can move a mountain
Someday we'll know
Why the sky is blue
Someday we'll know
Why I wasn't meant for you
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Someday we'll know
Why Samson loved Delilah
One day I'll go
Dancing on the moon
Someday you'll know
That I was meant for you."
Everyone clapped and cheered for him. William saw Sierra wiping her eyes and clapping like a proud mother. Brendon and Ryan remained in their seats, but their faces were happy, surprised even.
Once everyone took their seats, Brendon took off his glasses. "Well, William. I believe we've reached a conclusion."
William bit his lip, anxiously waiting for the verdict. Sierra crossed her fingers behind her back tightly.
Brendon smiled. "Congrats. You're in."
~~/~~
Gabe leaned against the doorframe of the glee club room. He meant to wait for Travis, but he ended up watching that boy sing to the rest of the glee club. Right now, his sister was running towards him and flinging her arms around him. From what he was seeing, it looked like he just got in. Well he deserved it. His voice was really good.
Gabe knew who he was. He was in his history class. Two rows down, second to the left. William something. He never noticed him before. He didn't even know he existed.
So why is he standing here, staring at him? After all, he just bumped into him once. It shouldn't mean anything. But…he looked different….seemed different… He watched as William smiled at Sierra. That surprisingly dazzling smile made his heart beat just a tad faster than normal.
The hell are you doing? snapped his common sense. You're not gay! You're supposed to despise gay people. Do not be a hypocrite.
With much effort, he pulled his gaze away from the door, only to gaze into the frowning face of Travis.
"Oh there you are," said Gabe casually.
"Why are you looking at the faggot club?" asked Travis, nodding towards the doorframe.
"I-I wasn't," said Gabe, but his stutter gave him away. Travis cocked a brow.
"Really now?"
"Yeah dude. You took really long, so I spaced out here and I happened to be facing the door. I swear. Now are you coming with me or what?"
Gabe walked ahead, eager to be away from Travis's questioning stare. He tried to block all the stupid thoughts from his head, but a tiny part of him regretted seeing William for just a moment.