6x12 2009
A.N. Well, the end is near. This chapter is going to be short and isn't going to cover the whole 2009 episode. It's just going to add on. Since Puck and Quinn were already together in this fic and there was no Babygate, that is really the only thing that changes everything. So this chapter is Noelle and Josh's memories of how the Glee Club got started.
August 2009
William McKinley High School
My name is Noelle Carole Hudson. I remember when I ended up in this wheelchair. I was twelve, and Finn was thirteen. Finn went on to the Eighth grade, and I was forced to repeat my seventh grade year since I had fallen so far behind. Finn went to High School without me in what should have been my freshman year. I was too smart for the classes I was taking, but my teachers and the principal decided that I shouldn't be left out of the loop. They were afraid that if I just moved on to the Eighth Grade, I wouldn't be on par with the rest of the kids. So I was held back. At the end of my eighth grade year, the superintendent decided that I should be a sophomore when I took a placement test to see where I stood education-wise. Mom was thrilled that Finn and I were in the same grade again. But there was a slight problem. When Finn graduated Eighth Grade, we had to move out of the apartment. There just wasn't enough room for us in it anymore. So instead of going to the high school just on the outskirts of town close to the apartments, we had to go to McKinley because of where the house is. Finn and I didn't know anyone, because obviously, all of our friends were at the other high school. Puck and Quinn were the only ones who knew me, because they were always over after football games. They promised Finn and I and we all agreed at the start of Sophomore year, that we should try to avoid letting the bullies know who I was. Puck was worried that Finn might get crap for having a disabled sister, but the three of them agreed to watch my back if they could.
So when I rolled into McKinley that day, I was terrified.
"Excuse me?" said Noelle as she rolled into Figgins' office. "I was told to meet Principal Figgins and get my schedule?"
The secretary nodded and pointed to the door.
"Thank you," said Noelle. She rolled up to the door and entered.
"Ah, you must be Noelle Hudson," said Figgins. "Welcome to McKinley, you have quite the popular brother. I do not have much time, as I have to chastise the lunch ladies for selling our baked goods on the weekends at the Farmer's Market."
"Can we not mention that Finn's my brother?" Noelle asked. "If people here knew who I really was, I would be thrown into a spotlight I don't want or worse, Finn would get ridiculed for having a disabled sister."
"Of course Miss Hudson, my apologies," said Principal Figgins. He handed her a piece of paper and a sticky note. "I've assigned you a bottom locker so you have easy accessibility to your belongings. Have a good day and welcome to McKinley."
"Thank you," said Noelle. Figgins led Noelle out of his office and Noelle rolled out of the main office and back into the hallway. She rolled towards her assigned locker and started to open it. As she opened the locker, she noticed a boy also in a wheelchair roll up next to her.
"Hi, I'm Artie," he said, sticking out his hand.
"Hi," said Noelle. "Noelle."
"You're new around here, aren't you," Artie stated.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, I am," said Noelle.
"Well, I just wanted to welcome you to McKinley, and let you know, if you ever need anything or need help with something to just ask me," said Artie. "Us wheelchair people need to stick together. The jocks around here will get you if you're not careful."
"Great," muttered Noelle.
"What's your first class? I'll escort you there," said Artie.
"I have Biology," said Noelle.
"Me too, great, we can go together!" said Artie.
"So, what's your story?" asked Noelle as the two rolled towards the Biology lab.
"Oh, my mom and I were in a car accident," Artie replied. "Mom walked away unscathed but I was paralyzed."
"Wow, I'm sorry, that sucks," said Noelle.
"How about you?" asked Artie.
"Er, long story," said Noelle.
"It's okay, I understand," said Artie, waving his hand at her. Just then, before the two could react, two football players (and two of Finn and Puck's teammates Noelle noticed) threw ice cold red slushies in their faces. Noelle gasped in horror.
"Welcome to McKinley, Cripple!" said the one.
"Have fun with your new girlfriend, Wheelchair Boy!" the other said to Artie. The two laughed as Noelle looked over at Artie in disbelief.
"Told you," said Artie. "I'll go tell the teacher we need to clean up." As Artie rolled into the Biology room, Noelle pulled her still dry phone out of her bag and texted Finn.
Just got slushied by two of your teammates, and I don't have extra clothes on me. If I call Mom, it will ruin our little secret. Can you meet me somewhere discreetly and let me borrow your spares from your gym locker?
She waited a moment and heard the ding signaling a reply.
Sure, meet me in the auditorium. ~F
Why does he have to put an F? I know it's him...Noelle thought as she rolled towards the auditorium. She sat backstage and noticed a pretty brunette and a blondish brown-haired boy standing by the stage with what looked like one of the teachers.
"Hey, Noe, psst!" said a voice. "Over here!"
Noelle turned around and saw Puck standing by the door.
"Finn asked me to bring you these," said Puck. He held out a pair of black shorts and a red t-shirt.
"Thank you Puck, you're a lifesaver," said Noelle, patting him on the arm.
"Do you want me to send Quinn to the Girl's Room to help you?" asked Puck.
"No thanks, I think I'll be okay," said Noelle. "Who are those kids over there with that teacher?"
"Oh," whispered Puck, "that's Mr. Schue, the Spanish teacher. Rumor has it he's taking over the Glee Club. And that's Rachel Berry and Kurt Hummel. Rachel and I go to the same temple with Artie Abrams, that other kid I heard got slushied with you. And Kurt, he's new around here too, I think. I can tell he's in the closet, if you know what I mean."
"He certainly dresses it," said Noelle, peering around the corner.
"Puck, shouldn't you be in class?" came a voice. The two turned around to see Mr. Schuester standing there.
"Yeah, I was just bringing Noelle here some clean clothes," said Puck. "She got slushied and didn't have any extra clothes so I lent her mine."
"Thanks again Puck, and I'll have them washed for you and bring them back to you tomorrow," said Noelle as Puck nodded and left.
"You must be Noelle Hudson, I heard about you," said Mr. Schue. Noelle's eyes widened in horror.
"How?" asked Noelle.
"I overheard the superintendent talking to Figgins," said Mr. Schue. "I saw I also have you and your brother for Spanish last period."
"Don't tell anyone who I am please, Finn and I have different lives, we wouldn't mix together," said Noelle as she wheeled away. "See you later."
A few days later, Noelle was rolling down the hallway when she heard music come from the auditorium. She wheeled closer to the stage door of the auditorium and poked her head in. She was astonished at what she saw. Her big brother was on the stage with Artie, Rachel, Kurt, Tina, and Mercedes and they were singing Journey. Puck and Quinn were watching from the back of the auditorium and Mr. Schuester was watching from the middle of the room. Noelle glanced up and saw Santana and Brittney in the rafters with Coach Sylvester, glaring looks on their faces.
Finn:
Just a small town girl
Livin' in a lonely world
She took the midnight train goin' anywhere
Rachel:
Just a city boy
Born and raised in south Detroit
He took the midnight train goin' anywhere
Finn:
A singer in a smoky room
Rachel:
A smell of wine and cheap perfume
Finn and Rachel:
For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on and on and on
Strangers waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching in the night
Streetlights people
Living just to find emotion
Hiding somewhere in the night
Rachel:
Working hard to get my fill
Everybody wants a thrill
Finn and Rachel:
Payin' anything to roll the dice just one more time
Rachel:
Some will win
Finn and Rachel:
Some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
Oh, the movie never ends
It goes on and on and on and on
Strangers waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching in the night
Streetlight people
Living just to find emotion
Hiding somewhere in the night
Finn and Rachel with New Directions:
Don't stop believin'
(Finn and Rachel: Hold on to that feelin')
Streetlight people
Don't stop believin'
(Finn and Rachel: Hold on to that feelin')
Streetlight people
Don't stop!
As they ended, Noelle wheeled away and headed for the front door of the school. It was then she heard more singing. This time, a male voice coming from an empty classroom. Noelle could pick the song out as a Beatles song. She poked her head in the classroom and saw her biology partner singing as he cleaned the classroom as part of his detention. Josh had gotten detention for standing up to the football players who had slushied Noelle and Artie the other day.
Josh: I wanna be your lover baby
I wanna be your man
I wanna be your lover baby
I wanna be your man
Love you like no other baby
Like no other can
Love you like no other baby
Like no other can
I wanna be your man, I wanna be your man
I wanna be your man, I wanna be your man
Tell me that you love me baby
Let me understand
Tell me that you love me baby
I wanna be your man
I wanna be your lover baby
I wanna be your man
I wanna be your lover baby
I wanna be your man
I wanna be your man, I wanna be your man
I wanna be your man, I wanna be your man
I wanna be your lover baby
I wanna be your man
I wanna be your lover baby
I wanna be your man
Love you like no other baby
Like no other can
Love you like no other baby
Like no other can
I wanna be your man, I wanna be your man
I wanna be your man, I wanna be your man
I wanna be your man, I wanna be your man
As he ended the song, Noelle clapped and Josh became startled as he turned around and saw Noelle there.
"That was great," said Noelle.
"Fuck, you scared me!" said Josh breathlessly.
"Sorry, I heard you singing and had to come investigate," said Noelle. "Thanks again for standing up for me yesterday," said Noelle. "Sorry you're stuck cleaning and those dumb jocks got away with it."
"Hey now, wait a sec, I'm a dumb jock, remember?" Josh teased.
"No you're not," said Noelle, shaking her head. "You're human, those idiots have suffered multiple concussions."
"Don't tell anyone I can sing, I don't think they would let me live it down," said Josh.
"Did you hear that Mr. Schue started a Glee Club?" asked Noelle. "I'm thinking about joining. Maybe you should too."
"No, I can't do that," said Josh, shaking his head. "It's social suicide."
"Did I mention that Finn is the new male lead?" Noelle replied.
"Finn? As in our quarterback Finn?" asked Josh. Noelle nodded.
"Take a few days to think about it," said Noelle as Josh finished his cleaning.
"Well, I'm all done, how about if I take you home?" asked Josh.
"Actually, I have a ride, but maybe some other time?" Noelle asked.
"Okay, see you Monday then?" asked Josh.
"Yeah, see you then," said Noelle. Josh smiled and leaned over and kissed Noelle on the cheek, something he had done the last few days. Noelle didn't want to admit it, but she was slowly falling in love with her knight in shining armor, even if she wasn't sure about it.
Josh watched as Noelle rolled out to the parking lot and saw her greet Finn. He frowned, but then his eyes widened in realization when he saw that Finn's van had a wheelchair lift in it.
"So Finn's your brother, eh Noelle?" asked Josh to himself. "Don't worry, I won't tell a soul. I wouldn't do that to you."
"Come on Noelle, you sing don't you? We could use you in Glee Club!" said Rachel to Noelle one afternoon.
"I don't sing in public, Rachel," said Noelle. "There's a reason for that. You wouldn't understand."
"Come on Rach, leave her alone," said Kurt. "You just can't force someone to join Glee Club!"
"White boy's right," said Mercedes. "Let her be."
Noelle saw Finn walking towards the group. He had just started dating Rachel a week ago. As Rachel blew him a kiss, the four gasped as they felt a cold slush hit them.
"My weave!" cried Mercedes.
"My brand new Marc Jacobs shirt is ruined!" cried Kurt.
Noelle was horrified when Finn grabbed Rick the Stick and the other hockey player and shoved them up against the locker.
"What the hell Dude!" cried Finn. "Stay away from my girlfriend and my baby sister!"
Noelle closed her eyes in horror as everyone gasped and stared at them. Noelle glared at Finn.
"Sure Finn, NOW you stand up to your baby sister!" Noelle wheeled away and towards the girl's locker room to clean up.
She hit a button on her phone, leaving it on the bench and as the music played she started singing as she showered in the handicapped stall. Little did she know that Mercedes and Rachel had followed her in there and were watching her as she belted out a tune.
Noelle: I know there's pain
Why do lock yourself up in these chains?
No one can change your life except for you
Don't ever let anyone step all over you
Just open your heart and your mind
Is it really fair to feel this way inside?
Ohhhh
Some day somebody's gonna make you want to
Turn around and say goodbye
Until then baby are you going to let them
Hold you down and make you cry
Don't you know?
Don't you know things can change
Things'll go your way
If you hold on for one more day
Can you hold on for one more day
Things'll go your way
Hold on for one more day
Noelle had changed and got out of the shower and Rachel and Mercedes scurried back to the choir room. Noelle wheeled down the hallway as she continued to sing.
You could sustain
Or are you comfortable with the pain?
You've got no one to blame for your unhappiness
No Baby
You got yourself into your own mess
Lettin' your worries pass you by
Don't you think it's worth your time
To change your mind?
Nooo nooo
Some day somebody's gonna make you want to
Turn around and say goodbye
Until then baby are you going to let them
Hold you down and make you cry
Don't you know?
Don't you know things can change
Things'll go your way
If you hold on for one more day
Can you hold on for one more day
Things'll go your way
Hold on for one more day
Noelle came to a stop in front of the choir room and watched the glee club members help Rachel, Kurt and Mercedes clean up. She watched as Rachel confronted Finn about Noelle being his sister and how she should join Glee Club too. Noelle knew she was in it for the long haul, now that their secret was out.
I know that there is pain
But you hold on for one more day and
Break free the chains
Yeah I know that there is pain
But you hold on for one more day and you
Break free, break from the chains
Some day somebody's gonna make you want to
Turn around and say goodbye
Until then baby are you going to let them
Hold you down and make you cry
Don't you know?
Don't you know things can change
Things'll go your way
If you hold on for one more day yeah
If you hold on
"What the hell, why not? What do I have to lose?" muttered Noelle. "I owe it to Finn."
And with that, Noelle rolled in just as Finn said, "My baby sister won't sing in public. She would rather..."
"Rather what, Finn Christopher Hudson?" Noelle asked. "Alright, you got me everyone. I'm joining Glee Club. Where do we start?"