Another chapter. I didn't feel too well - okay, I was just plainly ill - so the ending might not be the best of all. Thank you so much for the reviews Damselindestress98, areuacat, RosePotter123! Great you reviewed, I'm always happy with that!
Also, question: What about a love interest for Marie-Claire? Or shall I keep it friendship with everyone? Also, if you're in for some romance, what about an OC - I already have one in mind, I kind of like this person - or someone from the show, like Hunter? Please help me out. Thank you!

Disclaimer: I do not own Glee, and the quotes above the chapters belong to the show. I do not own the songs. I do own the main character, though.

Song(s) used: 'Summer of '69' - Bryan Adams

Dynamic Duets

"I demand satisfaction in Warbler tradition... Everyone else clear out, I don't want you to see me make a girl cry."

We've got you a surprise. Go to the choir room. – Hunter

The text had been received in a break between the classes. Marie-Claire raised an eyebrow, studying the message, wondering how Hunter Clarington had gotten her number. One of the Warblers had surely given it to him, probably Nick or Jeff, perhaps Meatbox. She licked her lips, thinking about the surprise he – no, they, the Warblers – could give to her. Hunter directed her towards the choir room. She started to smile slightly when the iPhone in the pockets of her jeans buzzed again.

Be there before the losers. You don't want to miss their faces. – Sebastian

His sister shook her head. The two had obviously planned something. She wasn't quite sure what. Of course, she had noticed the ex-captain and current captain of the Warblers had been having meetings, but she hadn't truly thought anything about it. Now, she was mentally slapping herself for not checking up on the guys. Despite the fact she was quite a few years younger than them, she often acted as the caretaker of the Warblers, together with Hunter. Sebastian usually didn't do anything when the guys were causing trouble – she knew he was secretly enjoying the pranks.

It was a wonder she hadn't yet been discovered by anyone. She shook her head, making her way over to the choir room. From the corners of her eye, she could see the Asian assistant of Tina – did that freshman still work for the bitch? – run towards the council of superheroes.

Yes, superheroes.

Apparently, Loser High had even more downfalls than she'd initially thought. The obsession with superheroes was one of the most annoying puberty issues she had even come across. It was utterly irritating when a cape brushed past you and people were acting like they actually were more than just a pathetic teenagers. Sure, she had enjoyed The Avengers too – Natasha Romanoff was just plainly hot – but she didn't immediately have a mental breakdown and her IQ didn't lower to a minus point where she would dress up as a fucking idiot.

Thus, she had avoided the New Directions for a while. This behavior of hers could also find its reason in the fact that Will Shuester had left no one else than Finn 'always seeming to be on drugs' Hudson in charge. She opened the door, walked into the choir room. She had heard running footsteps on the hallway – the bloody 'superheroes' would soon make their entrance. Probably a very dramatic one.

She sat down on a chair in the back of the room, crossed her legs and faced the closet in which the trophies were heard. A grin appeared on her face when she noticed a big empty space. She pressed a hand on her forehead, shook her head softly, silently laughing.

The others went in, looking shocked at the space. "Who leaves a laptop?" Artie asked.

"Someone rich. Someone who wanted to send us a message," Blaine concluded. "I got this."

She felt the urge to hit her forehead again. Did pretending to be a superhero contract your brains? It wouldn't surprise her. Blaine pressed play and the screen showed no one else than Hunter. She sighed, knowing this would be quite a message. Who left that wannabe soldier in charge?

"Your move."

O god, it was even worse than she had initially thought. Without further thinking, she pulled out her phone, ready to send a sarcastic message to the captain of the Warblers. His speech totally fitted the stage of mind the New Directions were in, though – he had made himself the ideal bad guy. She liked that.

Straight one, could you be even more stereotype bad guy? – MC

She just had to laugh – but, the others weren't that happy about her reaction.

"What? You think this is funny?" Tina snapped. "Who were you texting? Sebastian?!"

Marie-Claire whistled. "Wow, paranoid much," she grinned. The New Directioners glared daggers at her – all of them, even Blaine. "Calm down, what's the problem?" She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, being annoyed by the lack of humor from the Glee club members.

"Those Warblers of you, your brother, has … have... They've got our trophy!" Sugar screamed.

Again, she rolled her eyes, meanwhile sighing. "It's nothing serious," she claimed. They all looked at her with dumfounded faces that slowly turned to anger. She groaned, rubbed her temples.

This would take a while.

"Well, Anderson knows," she shrugged. All of them looked at the former Warbler, who immediately started to defend himself. "No, not in that way, dumbasses," she sighed irritated while frowning. "He was a Warbler once – and once a Warbler, always a Warbler. The dorms pull this kind of things all the time. Stealing thinks… It's just a mere prank. Don't go all paranoid because of this. Believe me, if the Warblers do this on you, they are comfortable with you guys and probably see some kind of friendship." Those adorable fuck-ups. "Or…"

Everyone snorted, they looked at her. "Or what?"

"Or they want your attention," she revealed, smirking at Blaine, who looked her right in the eye.

"So has spoken our Warbler communication expert," Jesus boy – Joe, he was called – said.

She glared at him and he immediately shut up, making a cross with his fingers – he always had the tendency to do that whenever she was around. The other Glee club members weren't satisfied with her explanation. They actually stormed out of the room, leaving her alone.

MC – For once, I'll say it. Love you guys.

Trent – We already knew that.

Nick – Touché.

Jeff – Love u 2

Hunter – Will Blaine come?

Meatbox – were awesome

Sebastian – Have you made a pic of their moron faces?

MC – Their faces are like morons the whole time.

Jeff – guys be nice

Nick – Smythes, shut up, no joking about morons. I have this niece.

Hunter – Duval, don't start the usual 'it's offensive I know a moron'-story.

MC – For once I agree with Mr Evil, I'll just go on the Internet for such stories.

Thad – You guys should be in class.

David – I'm watching you Jeff Sterling!

Jeff – thats creepy

Nick – He really is, I just looked

Thad – David, you're supposed to be helping me.

David – Nope, you have a higher reputation.

Thad – Does that mean I have to do everything alone?

David – Yes.

Thad – No.

MC – Fuck off bitches, I'm leaving.

Thad – Sure.

David – Go to class everyone.

Thad – Thanks Dave.

David – You're welcome.

She had hoped the fight would last a little longer. Apparently not, though. Finn Hudson had jumped between them, followed by two of the so called superheroes. She seriously despised them – now sitting in the choir room, wondering why she even was there, between a dressed up Blaine and a dressed up Wheels, she rolled her eyes and sighed.

There was actually nothing she disliked more that Glee club at the moment. The on-going fights between everyone, the very stupid leadership of Finn Hudson who couldn't even look out of his eyes as if he was more than a junkie, the hateful glances of everyone towards her because of her brother and the Warblers…

"We need twelve members to compete," Hudson argued with Tina.

"We have got twelve members! She has no reason to be here!" The Asian responded.

"I agree. Only the presence of that fuck-up bitch in this room shows your incapability of a leader," Marie-Claire backed the other Glee club member up. Instead of receiving surprised reactions, though, they looked at her with anger.

"Did I ask for your opinion?" Tina snapped.

She rolled her eyes and made a decision. "You know what? You do need her."

Blaine immediately got the point. "Claire…"

She shut him with one look. "Since I'm out of this Loser club, you're a member short. Guys, welcome the bitch of the bitches here at Moron High to your fucking excuse for a show choir." She smirked, raising, then walked away. She wasn't even surprised no one tried to stop her. So much for teamwork and friendship.

She heard the conversations behind her continuing. It didn't come as much of a surprise when Hudson came up with the most disastrous idea ever and the Glee club disapproved. Blaine walking out of the room surprised her a bit more, but she smirked.

MC – The Hobbit is on its way.

Hunter – Who?

Sebastian – Blaine Anderson.

Hunter – Ah, the target.

Trent – Hobbit, MC, seriously? You can't call him a Hobbit, he's amazing!

She rolled her eyes.

MC – Fanboy.

MC – Oh, by the way, I'm out of Glee club.

Trent – What?! Why?!

MC – They pissed me off.

Hunter – About time you left.

Sebastian – I'll get you.

Hunter – No, you're needed for the plan.

Nick – Jeff and I will get you.

Nick – Oh, his phone is taken by a teacher, by the way.

Sebastian – And the pope is catholic.

She laughed, glad that she wouldn't miss the show. If Niff would get her, she would be in time for the performance the Warblers had planned for Blaine. The fanboys.

"I thought you were captain of the Warblers," Blaine said confused.

When he entered the room, she moved next to Sebastian, watching her friend disappearing into the room. She raised an eyebrow. "Ouch," she remarked, referring to Blaines comment. Sebastian was indeed not anymore the captain, but he didn't like that. "What has he planned? A duet?" she wanted to know.

Sebastian walked towards the door, gestured her to come. "Listen." He opened the door slightly, allowing them to see the two and follow their conversation.

"Allow me to answer the obvious questions. I'm Hunter Clarington, I'm the new captain of the Warblers and I'm not even remotely bi-curious."

She snorted, causing Sebastian to put a hand on our mouth while she chuckled quietly. It was such a Hunter thing to state his sexuality – completely straight, if she had to believe him. He was pretty persistent. "I give you a month," she whispered in Sebastians ear. He smirked. Only when Hunter threw his cat on the floor, she noticed the animal. "Damn, he has a cat? Look, it's walking towards us!" she whispered excitingly.

She wisely ignored Sebastians snort.

"Come kitty, what's your name, sweetheart?" She petted the animal, who purred while stroking her legs. Marie-Claire picked the cat up and was completely taken by him. Her brother watched her amused, but she didn't notice him, only giving attention to the creature, petting him lovingly and giving him soft kisses on his head. She listened to the conversation with one ear, not really comprehending what the two were talking about.

"My turn," Sebastian said.

"You actually studied your lines?" she asked disbelievingly.

"Something like that," Nick nodded. Jeff and Meatbox appeared, too. She smirked, moving aside with the cat in her hands.

"Well, break a leg," she said, deeply amused.

Leaning against the door with the white cat in her arms, she watched Blaine trying to keep himself up against the other Warblers. It didn't work, clearly. When the obviously excited boys – they suddenly turned years younger upon seeing Blaine – offered him a song, he tried to object. He couldn't. The first tunes could be heard and he immediately was lost in the world of singing Dalton guys.

She moved over to Hunter, who was still sitting in the chair, watching Blaine perform with the others. They both had never seen Blaine singing with the Warblers. She knew Clarington had the same feelings as her – awe, joy. It was amazing how the guys synchronized. Blaine instinctively knew what to do, how to play the boys. They moved as one, listening to a single gesture of the ex-Warbler.

"Impressive," Hunter whispered to her.

She understood him – they both just wanted to voice what they saw. "Yeah," she agreed.

"He's amazing…" Hunter shook his head.

She petted the cat in arms. "Not even remotely bi-curious my ass," she told him.

He just chuckled.

Well, that was not 'just'. She had never seen him laugh. Curious, she studied his face, but he immediately raised and moved between the Warblers. Just as Blaine, he called the Warblers to him with a small gesture. But instead of Blaine, this was rehearsed. She frowned, watching her dark haired friend dancing between his former club members. The song was closing in on the ending and she felt a pang in her heart, because she saw from the expression on Blaines face that he wouldn't just stay. There was more needed. Even though she would never understand his feelings for McKinley High, he was attached to the place, in a way.

For her, it was expected when he gave back the blazer. Hunters reaction to refuse it and say it was his, she had also foreseen. There was a sad look in her usually cold eyes when she saw Blaine walking out of the room, the Warblers watching him go with defeat in their faces. She knew that Blaine had seen her, but he had chosen to ignore her. Was it a sign that he was angry with her? She didn't know. Suddenly it became clear to her that she didn't know the short gay as good as she had thought. And all the guys at Dalton – her friends – could be strangers for her too.

She sighed.

Sebastian stared after Blaine, not moving.

Hunter walked towards the trophy, sunken in thoughts.

Jeff and Nick sat silently on the couch.

Trent walked out of the room.

Thad and David shared a conversation through looks.

Meatbox stroked his own blazer softly.

Luke sat down with John and Harry.

The cat in her arms purred, enjoying the pets she gave him. She sat down, buried her face in the soft white fur. No one noticed her – they knew she was there, but all were lost in their own thoughts. There was something about Blaine that made the Warblers different. The former soloist was more than just a legend. He was a friend who betrayed Dalton and even refused a second chance.

But perhaps he would come back.

Hunter moved towards her. He was so close she felt his breath on her cheek. The captain of the Warblers petted the cat in her hands and looked Marie-Claire in the eye. She stared back now. The former military schoolboy still didn't understand how she couldn't be impressed by him. Or at least scared, as many others were.

He didn't know she had seen, felt, much worse.

Other Warblers did. Not all of them. Trent, Thad, Nick and Jeff, David probably too. Those had the faith of Sebastian and with him, also from her. Meatbox was a good candidate, but he liked to talk too much, didn't understand the meaning of secret. Though it wasn't much of a secret now eight people knew about it. Nine – Blaine knew too, apart from the Warblers, her father, brother and herself.

"His name is Mr. Puss," Hunter informed her.

"Very original," she responded, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You're plan didn't work."

"It will. He can come back," Hunter tried to convince her.

"You'll need help for that." She raised an eyebrow.

"I don't need your help."

Claire snorted. "I can at least help you with the script, Mr Evil. Everything coming out of your donkey mouth was either pure crap, incredibly cheesy or nerve-wracking cliché."

Hunter looked at her with an unimpressed expression, but his eyes told her she had made a goal. "Well, how will you convince him?" he asked.

She smirked. "Okay, blazer was a great idea, singing with the Warblers too. All he needs is a little push." Sebastian closed in on them, as well as Nick and Jeff – having put their arms around each other – and Meatbox. Trent stayed away, Thad and David were talking to the other Warblers. "I'll speak to him," she ensured, glancing at her brother, who grinned. "Duval, Sterling – just don't." The two boys had been whispering in each others ears. "I'm not going to dress up as a boy to attend Dalton and the sexual frustration between you two is so bad that even Trent has stopped hitting on you, Nicholas."

"What… How…"

"Huh?"

Nick coughed. "How did you know…"

"… what I was saying?"

"You'll never know," she responded smugly.

'I'll go speak to Blaine' wasn't intended to end up in 'I'll drag an unconscious boy around'.

It did, though.

Okay, perhaps he wasn't fully unconscious, but he coming very close to it. His body was pressed against hers, his breath moved his brown hair. She could practically feel his heartbeat – which was luckily normal. The boy was leaning heavily on her, his arm hanging uselessly around her neck. She had an arm around his waist and had put her other hand around his wrist, effectively supporting him.

It had all started with her speaking to Blaine, just as she had told the Warblers. He had intentionally not been glad with her support towards the Warblers, but when she explained that the guys truly wanted him back and she thought it was the best for him, he had started to listen. Marie-Claire had mentioned Kurt, had spoke about the tradition of calling him Blaine 'Warbler', had asked if he had felt like a true team ever since joining the New Directions.

Even him being a leader didn't make him feel as a part of the team. She wasn't sure if it all was because of the fact he was broken up about Kurt – who resembled the world for Blaine – or the Warblers had influenced her, but she truly thought Dalton was the best choice for her gel haired friend. He had left after their conversation, telling her he needed time. Later, she had seen him move after Hudson in the choir room.

That was the moment she had seen Ryder Lynn stumbling through the hallway, trying to keep himself on his feet by pressing a hand against the lockers. He had his free hand on his head and had looked incredibly pale.

She wasn't the nicest person in the school, but she had a heart.

So when his legs gave out under him and he speeded toward the ground, she sprinted forwards and managed to keep him up, putting his arm around her neck. The worrisome thing had been that he didn't even acknowledge her. Instead of giving her a glare or at least saying something, he had stared at the ground with dazed eyes.

Marie-Claire had cursed a lot. She always cursed and especially when someone was hanging limb in her arms she tended to think of every curse there was. And she tended to think out loud.

Now she was dragging Ryder towards the nurse office, she especially liked the word 'fuck'.

"Fuck," when she almost let him fall.

"Fuck," when his lips brushed past her neck.

"Fuck," when she kicked a door open – which was more painful than movies wanted to say.

"Fuck," when the nurse office turned out to be empty.

She ungallantly dropped Ryder on a bed. He now seemed a bit more conscious of his surroundings, but she still didn't trust. Spotting fridge, she walked towards it and got a icepack. She wrapped it up in towels and pressed it on Ryders head.

How the huge bump had escaped everyone, she didn't want to know. At least Hudson should have noticed it. Or Marley, since she liked the boy so much. But apparently not, and now Marie-Claire Smythe was left to deal with someone she didn't care about. At all.

"Keep it there," she instructed Ryder, putting his hand on the icepack, then walking away to get another towel. With that, she cleaned the cut on his head. There had poured quite an amount of blood out of the wound, but it had stopped bleeding now and she was quite sure it didn't need stitches. Having covered the wound, she looked at the result, nodding. "Got in a fight?" she then wanted to know, offering him water.

After drinking a glass full, sitting down for a while and having his head taken care of, Ryder seemed conscious enough to tell her all about Marley, Jake and some 'Dynamic Duets'. She wondered if Hudson really was as stupid as his face had told her. He should have known letting to sophomores have a duet would end up in fighting. When they liked the same girl – fuck, what was wrong with the leader of the New Directions?

She was able to beat the crap out of him.

"Thanks," Ryder muttered.

She just shrugged.

"You said you were a bitch."

Ignore. Ignore.

"You aren't."

Surprisingly.

"I think you're just –"

"Don't go Freud on me, or any other psychological thing," she interrupted him. He just looked plainly confused, but she didn't care. "Look, I helped you, you owe me and be sure that I will once tell you to do something for me. But don't make this any bigger than it is." What was it with her and helping people? There had been Marley, Blaine, Puck, now Ryder. She was becoming a softy. "Try to get along with Puckerman junior," she advised.

"Why?"

"Because you two are alike. Seriously, if you went to Dalton, Nick and Jeff would get you together, Trent would find a shipping name or something, Sebastian would make some sex related comments and Hunter would keep you away from each other." She got a confused glance. "That's says a lot," she indicated. "Also, you don't want to get his brother angry."

The drama at McKinley High would never stop.

You would think after getting beaten up by your dad, realizing your brother could get two persons in a hospital and going to one of the worse places you had ever seen in your life, was all quite a reason to suspect things couldn't get worse.

Well, they could.

Somehow becoming a pussy and getting friends, who have all kinds of problems which leads them to collapse in hallways or break down in classrooms, was quite a problem. Running away from home, getting ill and being picked up from school by your older brother meant trouble, too. Quitting Glee club and getting one of your only friends angry with you because you want for him was just crap.

But, of course, she was the kind of person not to stop at those things. She was also the kind of person to keep her promises. Though she considered herself a bitch – or at least not a very nice person – she kept her word.

Today, she really hated that.

Marie-Claire knew there were many looks pointed towards her. They burned in her back. It wasn't hard to understand they were surprised. Most people watching were either the New Directions or the popular guys and Cheerios, who all knew how uncaring she was. They also all knew about the fights between Ryder and Jake.

What they didn't know, was the progress all three had made.

Very surprisingly – not –, Jake had almost been assaulted by some jocks who wanted revenge on him. Marie-Claire had at her turn got a true surprise, when Ryder was the first one stepping forward, backing up Jake. Puckerman Junior had looked at him with a dumfounded expression on his face, but the Smythe had just smiled. She knew the two would get along, eventually.

Though the jocks were taken back, she saw it coming that one of them would throw a punch anyway. They weren't that afraid of only a slightly weird football player and his half black half white friend. Marie-Claire now sighed, pushed her way through a fight-expecting crowd and stood next to Ryder. She wouldn't have done it any other time, but since she had seen him almost collapsing in the hallway, she was looking out for him.

A bit.

A quick glance at the wound on his head – which he had covered up successfully, since she was hardly able to spot it – learned her that it had become better, though it wasn't yet fully healed. His face was a bit whiter than normal, but that seemed all. He just couldn't afford to get into a fight.

Since when had she become so caring?

"You might want to reconsider beating the crap out of him," she advised the jocks coolly.

Oh dear god. Everyone looked at her as if she was insane. Perhaps she was. "An' why would we wanna do tha', huh?" one of the dudes asked. She didn't even bother to know his name, which said a lot. Too bad he didn't know that.

"Please, learn to talk properly," she said, rolling her eyes. "Want to prove your 'black pride' or something? Seriously, don't, your skin says enough." She wasn't a racist – hell, she was friends with David, you didn't get them much blacker – but she knew exactly what would get the person she was insulting angry. A skin-related comment hit the goal. "To answer your question – well, I would understand if you didn't want to end up being kicked off school with some serious injuries."

The jocks snorted.

"No kidding. Jake here was probably more friends than you will ever have in your life. Those guys surrounding you? Lets see, there's about ten of them? Well, probably one will be gay, and since you are the stereotype bully, you're going to hate on him. Also, those two scrawny kids at the right? They will run away before the first punch. At least three of them will step aside once they see it's serious, and that leaves the rest to point at you as the predator," she analyzed. "Also, I don't think you will be too happy about what I can say about your parents. Your dad is the most interesting subject, your mother has some nice issues too."

His eyes widened while his so called friends looked at him.

"Furthermore – well, I don't think I need to say anything. You can just look at those pathetic wannabe superheroes here. They can do one thing, and that's working together to kick your sorry ass," she smirked, crossing her arms. The dressed up students surrounding her indeed looked quite threatening, if you didn't count Becky in. But everyone knew if you got to Becky, you got to Coach Sylvester, and no one wanted to make her an enemy.

The jocks dripped off.

Slowly, the tense superheroes surrounding her and the two boys spread out too, leaving the Smythe with the two rivals – who were turning into friends. She smiled knowingly, then turned towards Ryder. "You're okay?" As usual, she sounded uncaring, even though she was asking him if he was alright. Smythe genes. The football player nodded, while Jake raised an eyebrow, not understanding the situation. "Okay, Puckerman Junior, give him a ride home. You owe him," she instructed the guy.

"I don't need a ride," Ryder tried to refuse.

She smirked. "What? I got you home yesterday, remember?"

Jake was now plainly confused. "You're a freshman. You can't drive."

"Calling a cab is the same as giving someone a ride," she shrugged. "Look baby face, you're good at fighting, obviously, since you managed to get this rough tough guy here in the nurse office, brought there by a freshmen girl. But now he had your back and you should at least try to repay your depth."

"And why would you help me?" Jake now asked. "You even more of an uncaring snob than Kitty."

She shook her head. "She wouldn't like those words coming out of your mouth, baby face. Lets just say I had a nice talk with your brother once. Now, bring him home." Marie-Claire turned around, walking towards the exit of the cafeteria. When looking over her shoulder, she saw that Jake had approached Ryder and was talking to him. After a few minutes, the boys walked out of the room together. She smiled, pulling out her phone.

Your brother will be fine. – MC

I dont now what those warblers said to Blaine or what u said, but its bullshit – Sam

Great. What was it with people getting her phone number and sending her poorly written texts? At the beginning of the school year, there only were Warblers in her contact list, but now Blaine and Puck were in it, and Santana – who probably added her number after calling Sebastian that time Claire was sick – and Hunter - he was a Warbler, but new this year – and now even Sam was in the list.

She sighed, wanting to text back, but running footsteps on the hallway caught her attention. Usually, she wasn't surprised by this, since the Warblers always ran around. This time, though, she was Hunter and Sebastian passing by the room she was in. Without thinking about teachers – hell, this was Dalton, there were hardly any teachers around – she raced after the two boys.

"Fuck!" she heard Hunters frustrated scream coming out of the choir room.

Sebastian didn't respond, but she heard them walking on further. Without any hesitation, she walked into the room, that revealed the two Warblers staring at a partly empty closet. Behind the glass didn't stand the trophy anymore, but instead laid a blazer with a note. Hunter and Sebastian didn't even need to look at each other, just acted in unison. They ran outside, on the balcony. She followed them quickly.

The two weren't surprised when she appeared next to them, looking at the superheroes running away. A huge grin suddenly showed on her face, she felt an unexpected joy and she shouted out. "Wooo! Go killer! Go stripper!"

Yes. She could have thought of a better call.

The looks of Hunter and Sebastian were worth it though. They turned their pissed glances now towards her and she immediately knew it was time to run. Even though the two Warbler soloists considered themselves the most mature of the Warblers, they had been affected by the bunch children. And now was one of the times this showed.

She sprinted away, the two boys on her heels.

"Nick, Jeff!" she called out. "Help!" The two boys turned around, looking with shocked faces at her and her followers. Then, they ran as well. "Oh, yeah, great friends you are!" Trent appeared on the doorway, giggling like a girl at the sight of the teenagers. Thad bravely threw himself in front of Marie-Claire – as the handsome hero that he always tried to be – but ended up laying on the ground. Meatbox and Flint actually did more – they managed to give Nick and Jeff a cover, so the boys could collect some nerve guns.

Never underestimate Warblers.

Within a few minutes, the pissed off mood in the dorms had changed in a fully heated battle between – well, everybody and nobody. Marie-Claire was being attacked by Hunter and Sebastian mostly, but somehow Trent and David had chosen her as a victim as well. Luckily, Meatbox and Flint were the heroes of everyone, shooting randomly at people while dragging them out of danger. Thad kept laying on the ground, softly praying until Nick and Jeff both dived on him.

"Wes! Wes! Where are you when I need you?" the tortured dark haired Warbler cried out, while David shouted something back like 'Harvard, bastard!'. Nick and Jeff proceeded to tickle Thad until Trent and James got pity and pulled them off the senior. Meatbox and Flint were now targeting Hunter, grabbing the chance to get revenge for his comments on their dancing. Sebastian was nowhere to be seen.

That wasn't a good sign.

She looked around, but before she could move, she felt her brothers arms around her, lifting her into the air and dragging her to the choir room. His whispered insults in her ear were familiar. She grinned while struggling to get free. Of course, that was quite hard. He put her on the couch. The Warblers sneaked in, laughing at her.

"This is mean," she decided, before wanting to hit herself for saying 'mean'. 'Fucked up' was a word she'd rather used. Then again, she didn't want to damage the innocent schoolboys even more. She grinned while the others kept laughing. "Okay, that's enough. It's unfair, you've got gender advantage."

"What?!" Trent cried out. Everyone looked at him. He blushed. "Ehm, you're not feministic?"

She raised an eyebrow. "No?"

"My whole life has been a lie!" the sassy Warbler shouted dramatically.

Sebastian, Hunter and she rolled their eyes, while Niff approached Trent, putting their arms around him. It was cozy in the choir room. The Warblers were talking, Meatbox and David jumped on the couch beside her, Trent hummed a song. Some guys were laughing in the background, Sebastian and Hunter were discussing something. It was warm in the room and the space was filled with the sound of talks, laughter and music.

Of course, any other person would have sat back enjoying the joyful peace.

Well, she was a honorary Warbler. She wasn't about to sit back. On the contrary – she jumped up, making all the guys looking at her. A devilish grin appeared on her face – one Sebastian knew. But before he could say anything, she started.

I got my first real six-string
Bought it at the five-and-dime
Played it till my fingers bled
Was the summer of '69

Me and some guys from school
Had a band and we tried real hard
Jimmy quit, Jody got married
Shoulda known, we'd never get far

Sebastian shrugged, then came forward, put an arm around her and joined her.

Oh when I look back now
That summer seemed to last forever
And if I had the choice
Yeah, I'd always want to be there

It was a true Warbler tradition. Singing a song together, harmonizing perfectly. The guys slowly started to dance on the music, eventually loosening up. Then, all their voices joined.

Those were the best days of my life

Ain't no use in complainin'
When you got a job to do
Spent my evenings down at the drive-in
And that's when I met you

Nick and Jeff grinned at each other, sang the next part.

Standin' on your mama's porch
You told me that you'd wait forever
Oh and when you held my hand
I knew that it was now or never

And all together, as if they had studied it.

Those were the best days of my life

Oh yeah
Back in the summer of '69
Ohhh

Hunter now took his place as captain and soloist. Marie-Claire eyed him expectantly, about to her him sing for the first time. She wasn't disappointed.

Man we were killin' time
We were young and restless
We needed to unwind
I guess nothin' can last forever, forever, no

Sebastian took over, confidently while the boys around him danced wildly. His sister was being thrown around by Meatbox, Trent and Thad had their private dance in the back, David ran through the room. Hunter, Flint and another couple of Warblers made some somersaults in the air, Nick and Jeff swirled around each other.

And now the times are changin'
Look at everything that's come and gone
Sometimes when I play that old six-string
Think about you wonder what went wrong

All together, once again, looking at each other, their faces glowing.

Standin' on your mama's porch
You told me it would last forever
Oh and when you held my hand
I knew that it was now or never
Those were the best days of my life

Oh yeah
Back in the summer of '69
Un-huh
It was the summer of '69, oh yeah
Me and my baby in '69, oh

She ended the song perfectly. Though she wasn't the strongest singer and her voice wasn't exactly suited for a cover of Brian Adams, she had succeeded in what she had wanted to do. The boys around her were slightly out of breath, but they all shared the same expression.

Hunter and she crossed looks. They understood each other in an instant. "Guys." They all looked at her. "I like the somersaults, you're going to keep those. Pull a bit more on the blazers, the audience loves that. Hunter – okay, we still have to turn you gay, but you can have a solo."

They all smiled, looking at her silently. She looked at Sebastian. He grinned, she grinned back, then shouted both their thoughts out loud.

"We are going to rock at Sectionals!"