THE NEXT GENERATION OF GLEEKS

Chapter 4

"What the hell, Trey!" Sydney Garcia spat, chasing her boyfriend down the halls to his embarrassment.

"Um…hi, Sydney," Trey nervously looked down at his feet. "What's up?

"What's up?" she hissed venomously, "I'll tell you what's up! You joined GLEE CLUB? GLEE CLUB? Seriously, I really thought you were sane, unlike those other entire jerk's I've dated. I was obviously wrong!"

"What?" Trey gasped, "I like Glee! It's a way of expressing myself and why can't I do that? Yes, I am a jock, but why does that mean I can't be in Glee Club? Who sets the examples in this school, Sydney? No-one should! Why can't we be free to join whatever club we want?"

"Because you don't belong there!" his exasperated girlfriend sighed, grasping onto Trey's hands and looking intently into his eyes.

Shaking his head, jaw clenched, her boyfriend said, "I'm disappointed in you. You don't have the right to control me or anyone else in this school. Think about joining."

And with that, he walked off, leaving Sydney standing alone in the middle of the hallway.

Closing her locker, Bryony turned around to see Trey in a hearted argument with a stunningly pretty girl. She didn't want to eavesdrop, but she couldn't help herself.

"I'm disappointed in you. You don't have the right to control me or anyone else in this school. Think about joining." Trey stalked off, leaving the girl on the verge of tears, trying to contain herself. Clearly concerned, Bryony rushed over and placed a hand on the girl's Cheerio uniform.

"Are you alright?" the ginger girl asked her, gently.

Gazing up to glare at the intruder, Sydney found herself looking into a pair of alarmed yet beautiful azure eyes.

"Obviously not," she snarled, shrugging of the girl's hand. Seeing the girl's hurt expression, she apologized, "Sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you. I'm just having a rough time at the moment."

Giving her a feeble smile, the pale girl said, "I'm Bryony. What about you?"

Raising a perfectly sculptured eyebrow, she smirked and said, "Sydney Garcia. You must be new; everyone at this school knows who I am so that's the only excuse," she grinned. "And I'm fine. Really. Trey's just giving me a lot to think about."

"About what exactly?" Bryony asked, curiously cocking her head.

Breathing in, Sydney replied, "Glee club. He's joined as I'm sure you're aware. I don't know what to do as I don't want to lose him, but joining Glee is just going to ruin our reputations.

"Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing." Bryony declared to the brunette's surprise. "Reputation is overrated. Don't you think that you should do something you enjoy for a bad reputation rather than do something which you hate for a good reputation? Glee club isn't all that bad. I've joined and you can really express yourself. Everyone in that room accepts you for who you are no questions asked. Isn't that what we need in life?"

Sydney started at the red-haired girl in slight admiration and said, "You too have given me a lot to think about. I might see you at Glee, sometime." Sydney gave her a winning smile and sauntered off with a slight spring in her step.

Leaning absentmindedly against the locker, Bryony rubbed her temple, deep in thought about the head cheerleader and what just happened.

"So, do you like anyone?" Vera enquired, shoving Peaches, playfully.

"Maybe…" the smaller girl giggled, her tan skin turning red.

Grabbing her arm. Vera pulled Peaches to the side and asked, "Tell me! Who? Why? Answer me!"

Peaches suddenly took an interest in the floor and shuffled her feet uncomfortably. "Nat Kayes…"

"Sorry what was that?" Vera said, begging that she heard wrong.

"Nat Kayes," Peaches blushed and Vera's jaw clenched.

"Great. That's just great." She spoke coldly and attempted to rush away.

Peaches however, held onto her arm and gazed up at her desperately. "Look, Vera. I know you like him. But you have no idea how long I've had a crush on him. It's a lot to ask, but couldn't you please back up?"

Glaring at Peaches, the Asian snarled, "Sorry Peaches but I want this as much as you do. It's on."

And with that, she ran out of the room, trying to hold in her tears.

"Okay, guys!" Will Shuester spoke excitedly, clapping his hands together.

"As I'm sure aware, sectionals is approaching quickly. To win that we need organisation, originality, talent but most importantly, we need to work TOGETHER."

The class groaned, hoping that Mr Shue wasn't going where they expected.

"Consequently, I think that we need to get to know each other a bit. Therefore, your assignment this week is to work in pairs or any other sized group to see how well you work together."

"I am leaving it up to you who you will work with, so choose wisely and good luck!"