PREVIOUSLY: The New Directions had their first Choir Room meeting, where Michael Baxter suggested that for Sectionals they start with a bang, and that's with a solo. He suggested names, but Rachel asked to go first. She tried to sing but choked. She ran from the room, and Finn went after her. He caught up with her in his room, and soon settled her down.
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And now the continuation:
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CHAPTER 29 - THE BATTLE FOR THE SOLO
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After Rachel, and then Finn, left the choir room, everyone looked worried.
"We all know that Rachel is our best chance of winning the World's," started Sam "What if she isn't ready by then?"
"The World's are just under a year away," replied Michael "Miss Berry, will be ready by then."
"Why are you so confident?" asked Puck "She's lost so much confidence."
"I'm confident because she's Rachel Berry, and I have my best support Councilor working with her. You can't expect instant results. They take time."
"And I'm sure with Finn's help, he will work his magic too," said Mercedes
"They are stronger together, than apart," said Santana "I must admit that. They seemed to have their love back."
Can we move on please," said Tina "It's not all about Rachel Berry, like it was almost at school. It's about the rest of us too."
"Man you're so cold these past few days, Tina," replied Quinn "Rachel's our friend, we all worried about her."
"Really?" exclaimed Tina "Really? Now she's your friend? Where were you when she had her 1st breakdown? That's right, NO WHERE!"
"Where were YOU?" asked Quinn "That's right. Incognito. Don't get up on my back about not being there for Rachel, because none of us were. Me, you and no one else. We are all back together now, so that's more important."
Tina rolled her eyes. "Whatever."
"Don't whatever me," said Quinn standing up and looking across at Tina
"Ladies," shouted Michael "Miss Fabray, Miss Cohen-Chang, that's enough."
Quinn turned around biting her bottom lip. Santana saw that and smiled.
"Sit down the both of you... NOW!"
Quinn sat down, and so did Tina. She had stood up in case she had to defend herself.
"Now I know this isn't just about Rachel Berry," started Michael "And this isn't about what's gone on in the past... It's about the now, the present and the future. You guys are all here for one thing, to win the World's. You must do it together, not apart. But or best chance to win Sectionals is with a Solo first and foremost.
"Rachel Berry is not ready, so one of you must step up to the lime light, and be the bright star. So whoever wants that solo can step up here and perform. One person at a time. So who wants it? And who's ready?"
Brittany put her hand up first.
"Okay Miss Pierce, show us what you go!"
Brittany gave Santana a quick kiss, and got up, and walked to the front. She walked over to the band, and spoke quietly to them. She then walked to the middle of the Choir room. She looked at everyone.
"It's Britney Bitches..."
The music started playing
"Oh, baby, baby
Oh, baby, baby
Oh, baby, baby
How was I supposed to know
That something wasn't right here?
Oh, baby, baby
I shouldn't have let you go
And now you're out of sight, yeah
Show me how you want it to be
Tell me, baby,
'Cause I need to know now, oh, because...
My loneliness is killing me and I
I must confess, I still believe - still believe
When I'm not with you I lose my mind
Give me a sign
Hit me, baby, one more time
Oh, baby, baby
The reason I breathe is you
Boy, you got me blinded
Oh, baby, baby
There's nothing that I wouldn't do
It's not the way I planned it
Show me how you want it to be
Tell me, baby,
'Cause I need to know now, oh, because...
My loneliness is killing me and I
I must confess, I still believe - till believe
When I'm not with you I lose my mind
Give me a sign
Hit me, baby, one more time
Oh, baby, baby
Oh, baby, baby
Ah, yeah, yeah
Oh, baby, baby
How was I supposed to know?
Oh, pretty, baby
I shouldn't have let you go
I must confess
That my loneliness
Is killing me now
Don't you know I still believe
That you will be here
And give me a sign
Hit me, baby, one more time
My loneliness is killing me and I
I must confess, I still believe - still believe
When I'm not with you I lose my mind
Give me a sign
Hit me, baby, one more time
I must confess that my loneliness
Is killing me now
Don't you know I still believe
That you will be here
And give me a sign
Hit me, baby, one more time."
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The song finished, and everyone clapped. Santana just smiled... That song made her horny for Brittany.
"Nailed it," smiled Brittany "That will be hard to follow."
Michael shook his head in disbelief "That was definitely something, Miss Pierce. Who's next?
Brittany went to sit down, and got a high 5 from Santana. As she sat down Santana whispered in her ear.
"That was hot... I can't wait til tonight."
Brittany gave a little giggle.
Blaine stuck up his hand.
"Yes Mr Anderson?" asked Michael
"I'll go next," replied Blaine
"The floor is yours then Mr Anderson."
Blaine looked at Kurt.
"Go for it," smiled Kurt
Blaine walked to the middle of the room, and then he walked over to the piano.
"I'd like to play the piano, as the only instrumental piece in my song," said Blaine looking over at the band "Have a rest guys."
The band members smiled, and just sat back. Blaine sat down at the piano.
He begun playing.
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"Goodbye Norma Jean
Though I never knew you at all
You had the grace to hold yourself
While those around you crawled
They crawled out of the woodwork
And they whispered into your brain
They set you on the treadmill
And they made you change your name."
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The way Blaine played the piano it sounded haunting. Which was very magical.
"And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never knowing who to cling to
When the rain set in
And I would liked to have known you
But I was just a kid
Your candle burned out long before
Your legend ever did
Loneliness was tough
The toughest role you ever played
Hollywood created a superstar
And pain was the price you paid
Even when you died
Oh the press still hounded you
All the papers had to say
Was that Marilyn was found in the nude.
And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never knowing who to cling to
When the rain set in
And I would liked to have known you
But I was just a kid
Your candle burned out long before
Your legend ever did."
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Tears started running down Blaine's face, which started Kurt tearing up.
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"Goodbye Norma Jean
Though I never knew you at all
You had the grace to hold yourself
While those around you crawled
Goodbye Norma Jean
From the young man in the twenty second row
Who sees you as something as more than sexual
More than just our Marilyn Monroe
And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never knowing who to cling to
When the rain set in
And I would liked to have known you
But I was just a kid
Your candle burned out long before
Your legend ever did
The candle burned out long before
Your legend ever did."
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Santana, Brittany, Brittany and Mercedes had tears running down their faces. Everyone else tried to hide their feelings. Once the song finished they all started clapping.
"Wow," said Michael walking back to the center of the room "That was... something special... well done Mr Anderson. That was... haunting."
Blaine wiped away the tears as he stood up from the piano "That was a dedication for Kurt, who I missed so very, very much over the past 10 years."
Some of the girls went 'ohhh'
Blaine walked over to Kurt, Kurt got up and they kissed an hugged.
"Next," said Tina impatiently
"What the hell is wrong with you Cohen-Chang?" snapped Puck
"Nothing," replied Tina rolling her eyes
"Don't say that, you've got a huge chip on your shoulder, more so than ever."
"Just leave it alone," replied Tina
"Mr Puckerman, Miss Cohen Chang," started Michael "That's enough. Who's next?"
Santana put up her hand.
"Miss Lopez, take the floor."
Brittany leaned in to Santana "You can do it, Sandbags."
Santana smiled and kissed Brittany. She got up and walked over to the band, and whispered the song that she wanted to sing. She then walked over to the center of the room.
"Where to start? Well I sung this song in our senior year, and I think it's appropriate for tonight."
The song started playing.
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"Even through the darkest phase
Be it thick or thin
Always someone marches brave
Here beneath my skin
Constant craving
Has always been
Maybe a great magnet pulls
All souls towards truth
Or maybe it is life itself
That feeds wisdom
To its youth
Constant craving
Has always been
Craving
Ah ha
Constant craving
Has always been
Has always been
Constant craving
Has always been
Constant craving
Has always been
Craving
Ah ha
Constant craving
Has always been
Has always been
Has always been
Has always been
Has always been
Has always been."
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Everyone clapped. Santana smiled and went back to her seat, and gave Brittany a high five.
"Wow Miss Lopez," started Michael "That was something. Well done."
"Thank you," smiled Santana.
"Who's next?"
Tina put up her hand.
"Miss Cohen-Chang? Do you want to be a part of this solo battle?"
"You should anyone could!" replied Tina
"By all means go for your life."
Tina semi smiled and got up and walked over to the band and whispered to them what the song she wanted to sing. She then walked to the front of them room. Puck watched her closely.
"There's no hidden messages in this song," said Tina out of the blue "But maybe it'll be good for the memory."
Everyone looked confused except for Puck. He knew that was a dig, and a dig at him. Artie looked across at Puck, but then back at Tina, and then Kitty whispered in his ear.
"You okay?"
Artie just nodded.
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The music began playing.
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"Watching you work
your wheels spinning round
i cant say that I'm not inspired by you
but baby it hurts
and your letting me down
i used to be everything this is all is true, but what changed for you
Your kissing my mouth and I'm kissing the wind
cant figure it out, your just trying to give in
don't know where your at
i remember when you used to be my lucky 7
i got lost inside your heaven
but now i cant pretend
coz your kissing my mouth and I'm kissing the wind wind wind
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Puck started seeing flashes and heard himself yelling...
"Leave me alone..."
"I told you to leave me alone."
Puck tried to focus on who he was talking to, but couldn't hear any voice, or see anyone. The flashes stopped.
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And when we find I don't want to let go
but your making the choice for me so easy
can we turn back
no we'll never know
it all sounds like noise to me
listening to your vanity
Your kissing my mouth and I'm kissing the wind
cant figure it out, your just trying to give in
don't know where your at
i remember when you used to be my lucky 7
i got lost inside your heaven
but now i cant pretend
coz your kissing my mouth and I'm kissing the wind wind wind
Well those were the days
Did we let them fade away
Your kissing my mouth
I'm kissing the wind
Your kissing my mouth and I'm kissing the wind
cant figure it out, your just trying to give in
don't know where your at
i remember when you used to be my lucky 7
i got lost inside your heaven
but now i cant pretend
coz your kissing my mouth and I'm kissing the wind wind wind..."
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The song ended, and everyone seemed to clapped, but they were conufsed.
"That was something Miss Cohen-Chang," said Michael "Very good singing though."
"Thanks," said Tina semi smiling.
Tina went back to her chair.
"Who's next?
Kurt put up his hand.
"Mr Hummel," said Michael smiling "The floor is all yours."
Kurt stood up, and got a hug from Blaine.
"You can do this."
Kurt smiled at Blaine, and walked over to where the band was, and told them the song. He then walked to the center of the room.
He took a deep breath and looked at everyone.
"I haven't sung for ten years. I'm not sure how my vocal range is after all this time, so please excuse me if it doesn't sound good."
"You'll be fine, Kurt," smiled Blaine "I believe in you."
"Same," said Mercedes
Kurt smiled and took another deep breath.
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"We had the starry eyes, and everything aligned
Where did the butterflies go, go, go
We were the racing hearts, couldn't be torn apart
When did we turn into stone?
Oh, oh."
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Kurt started off slowly, and his voice was a bit weak.
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"We fall so fast, but we crash so slow
Oh, oh
But if we keep holding on
I know we'll get back to the surface
Cause it's worth it
If we keep holding on
I know that nobody's perfect
But we'll work it out."
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Kurt singing started to improve. He was getting more and more confident.
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"We were just ankle deep, water started to creep
There was no keeping it out, out, out
We were riding the waves, surviving all the breaks
We didn't think we could drown, drown, drown
And we tried to get it back but we're sinking down, down, down
But if we keep holding on
I know we'll get back to the surface
Cause it's worth it
If we keep holding on
I know that nobody's perfect
But we'll work it out
I don't know how long I can hold my breath for you
But I'm not letting go yet
Cause I'm not ready
No, I'm not ready to give up on us
We fall so fast but we crash so slow
Oh, oh."
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Kurt was back to his best singing now. He was hitting the right notes.
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"Oh
But if we keep holding on
I know we'll get back to the surface
Cause it's worth it
If we keep holding on
I know that nobody's perfect
But we'll work it out
Hold on, hold on
It's worth it
I know that nobody's perfect
But we'll work it out."
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The song ended.
Everyone clapped as he finished the song.
"Well done Mr Hummel," smiled Michael "Great try."
"It wasn't my best," said Kurt semi smiling "But just to know I can sing again gives me much needed confidence."
"That's good to know. Welcome back though."
Kurt nodded and walked back to his seat.
"You'll smash it next time," said Blaine giving Kurt a hug
"I know I will."
"Who's next?" asked Michael
Mercedes put up her hand.
"Miss Jones, The floor is yours."
Mercedes stood up, and walked over to the band, and told them the song that she was going to sing. she then walked to the middle of the room, and took a couple of deep breathes.
Suddenly she felt like the walls were starting to close in on her, and then she started panicking.
"Miss Jones, are you all right?" asked Michael
"No," said Mercedes "I... I can't do this."
Suddenly Sam sprung up from his seat, and quickly was in front of Mercedes, and he gently grabbed her.
"Cedes," started Sam "Look at me, focus on me... can you do that?"
Everyone looked at one another, this was the first time since they arrived, that Sam and Mercedes were actually communicating to one another, and interacting.
"Cedes do you hear me?"
Mercedes nodded.
"Just look at me, you're okay. Just breathe."
Mercedes nodded again.
"Count to 10."
"1... 2... 3... 4... 5... 6... 7... 8... 9... 10."
"Do you feel better now, Cedes?"
Mercedes looked at Sam "Very much."
"You can do this! I believe in you."
"But I haven't sung in 10 years, like Rachel."
"Rachel's different, she had that breakdown, you had time out. You can do this. Do you hear me Cedes?"
Mercedes nodded "I CAN do this."
"I will stand behind you, just know that I am here for you."
"Okay."
Sam smiled at Mercedes. She smiled back. Sam walked behind her, and placed his hand on her back, so she could feel his support.
Mercedes took another deep breath, and pulled herself together. She looked over at the band and nodded.
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The band began playing.
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"From this moment life has begun
From this moment you are the one
Right beside you is where I belong
From this moment on."
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Mercedes hit the right note from the start of the song, and Sam smiled.
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"From this moment I have been blessed
I live only for your happiness
And for your love I'd give my last breath
From this moment on
I give my hand to you with all my heart
Can't wait to live my life with you, can't wait to start
You and I will never be apart
My dreams came true because of you
From this moment as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing I wouldn't give
From this moment on
You're the reason I believe in love
And you're the answer to my prayers from up above
All we need is just the two of us
My dreams came true because of you
FROM THIS... MOMENT..."
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Mercedes smashed the highness of the note, and everyone clapped.
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"As long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing I wouldn't give
From this moment
I will love you as long as I live
From this moment on..."
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The song finish, tears were flowing down Mercedes face. And then everyone stood up and gave her a standing ovation. She turned around to Sam and gave him one of the biggest hugs he had received in years.
"I think we found our soloist," said Michael "The only standing ovation tonight."
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NOTE: I do not own the copyrights or the music lyrics to: Hit Me Baby One More Time, Candle In the Wind, Constant Craving, Kissing the Wind, It's Worth It, and From This Moment On.