CHAPTER 3
The production for the play was not going well. There were delays in costume design and set construction due to budget restrictions, and Will was finding it hard to recruit cast members for extras and background dancers. The school's Jazz Band was out-of-state for a benefit concert for the next week, and almost no one was fully familiar with the script. Artie had become more of a perfectionist than he already was, stating that since it was his last year, his last play needed to be spotless, as he intended to leave on the highest note possible.
Nobody in the main cast was getting along either. Since Amanda had forced Emily to give up her part, she had become obsessed with being the shining star next to Alexander. Nobody was comfortable with participating with Wade, who was more upset about not being given a lead role. Because of this, he made it a point to complain about his restricted script and the uncomfortable atmosphere with Brittany and Alexander at almost every opportunity he got. Alexander and Emily had not been on speaking terms since their argument, and Gina and Dina barely showed up for rehearsals. Xavier was disdainful of sharing romantic scenes with Amanda, and everyone was becoming impatient with Tina's constant need to rest.
As Will oversaw the construction of the chandelier, he kept an eye on Artie, who was making all sorts of ardent demands on things that he clearly knew nothing about. Will understood that Artie's passion came from his stress, and ever since the production of West Side Story, the situation had worsened. Artie was beginning to put all sorts of pressure on the cast and production team, even going so far as to shout at them through a megaphone.
"Let's go, guys! If this isn't done by the time we need to start preparing for Nationals, then it'll never get done! And I can't have that! Let's make this work, or quit while we're ahead!"
"We'd work a lot better if we didn't have so much pressure mounted on us!" Blaine shouted back.
"Pressure? You don't know pressure! I'm directing this play! Therefore, I'm responsible for all of you! Now, let's go, let's go, let's go! Our time is running out here!"
"Says who? Some of us didn't bother taking the Mayan apocalypse seriously, so this isn't the last thing we'll ever do!" Abigail shouted.
"Who cares about a stupid prediction? This is the here and now! So, come on, let's kick this thing into high gear! Vámonos!"
INTERLUDE
"One, two, three, four", Alexander counted, as Rory tapped a cymbal accordingly, and Xavier and Joe began shredding on their guitars using a variety of melodies. The boys had been working on original music for the upcoming assembly, and had supplied Ray with a Braille-embroidered system so that he could experiment with various sounds, loops, and programs. Rory, having become extremely efficient on the drums, was determined to make his work shine before he left for good. They had all worked on lyrics for their songs, trying to make it sound good enough.
"All right, guys, we've gotten through the first chorus. Let's work on stuff for our verses", said Joe.
"So, remind me, what's this song supposed be about?" asked Rory.
"It's about getting tired of hiding who or what you are, liking hiding behind a mask", said Joe.
"Oh, so it's not about finding a relation to God?"
"Not necessarily. If He created us all in His own image, then we shouldn't have to hide it. Even then, anyone who is not of a religious faith can find some kind of relief from it."
"Are we still helping that Scott guy with his problem?" asked Ray.
"Yes, but I will be leading the charge", said Alexander.
"Are we sure we can handle four things at once? We have an assembly and the play to prepare for, as well as Mr. Schue's wedding and Nationals", said Xavier.
"You're not in the Glee Club, dude. So you don't have to worry about Nationals", said Joe.
"Let's stay focused, guys. We need to prepare one original song for the assembly to make sure the band's name is known and that we are to be taken seriously", said Alexander, grabbing his bass guitar.
"Oh, come on, we're not even there yet. We haven't even come up with a name for this song, let alone any lyrics", said Ray.
"On the contrary", said Joe, showing them a small stack of papers.
"Those are all lyrics?" asked Rory nervously.
"Oh, look at that. It's front to back as well", said Xavier.
"We can work on it together", said Joe.
"Indeed we shall. For now, though, Ray, let's work on the loops and programming. Rory, keep on the drumming, following the sheet music. We've gotten through verse guitar work, so I'll work on bass to accommodate", said Alexander, and the five got to work. At the same time, Alexander saw another sinister-looking image of himself in the mirror, but ignored it.
INTERLUDE
As Blaine headed down the school halls the next morning, he was pulled aside by Matt.
"Hey, what's going on?"
"I got some bad news, man. Mr. Schue and Ms. Pillsbury are almost on the road to destroying their relationship", said Matt, as quietly as possible.
"Hey, they're just getting married. It's not that big of a deal."
"It's not that. Look, if I tell you something, can you promise not to repeat it to anyone?"
"Oh, no, I never keep secrets from anyone. So don't drag me into this thing you've got going on."
"Come on, I need to get it out of my system. They have both sworn me to secrecy, and…"
"Then stick to it. Don't make the situation worse. Now if you'll excuse me", said Blaine, hurrying off to class.
INTERLUDE
Alexander entered a vacant classroom, having called Gina and Dina to meet him there. He found them staring into their hands behind desks, not bothering to look up when he came in.
"Hello", said Alexander, as casually as he could. They only gave him sounds that said that they were aware of his presence, "I hope you know why I asked you to come and meet with me?"
"You don't need to help us. We're fine", said Dina.
"You don't look fine."
"We are. Can we go now?" said Gina.
"If you are fine, then look me in the eye and say so."
"What, turn around?" asked Dina.
"Yes, I want to know if you're telling the truth", said Alexander patiently, and they slowly turned around to face him, making sure to keep their profiles in shadows.
"We're fine", said Gina, but as if controlled by a puppeteer, the twins were being pulled by some invisible force toward Alexander, whose hand had flown up in a millisecond. While they fought to stay in the dark, Alexander pulled them to get a better look.
"Don't…", Dina whimpered, fighting to cover her face.
"What happened?" said Alexander, examining the horrid sight.
"It's from cheerleading practice, okay?" Gina cried, but this made Alexander doubt them even more.
"Cheerleading practice left you with burn marks, lashes, and patches where hair should be?" he grunted, deep concern clear and present in his voice.
"Yes, exactly. Now, we need to get to class. If you'll excuse us", said Gina, trying to pull away, but Alexander held them in place.
"One thing you two and the others should have figured out by now is that no matter what, I can see right through you. I can see your fears, your passions, your happiness, and above all, your honesty. And right now, I not only see and hear, but also feel your fears like they were my own. Tell me, do you really think even a teenager will not recognize signs of abuse?" Alexander snarled, approaching them like a predator ready to strike.
"What we think is that this is none of your business", Dina half-snapped, half-cried.
"Oh, then I suppose the next time I see either of you, you'll be wearing different-colored eye-patches?"
"Please, just let us go. Really, we're fine", said Gina, and they wrenched themselves free from his power and hurried out, putting on their masks from before. Alexander wrapped his cloak around himself and disappeared from the room, reappearing next to Joe at his locker.
"Dude!" Joe shouted, jumping back in shock.
"You know that song you wrote? Right now, I think it will serve a new purpose."
"Yeah, and what's that?" Joe asked, breathing deeply.
"Just follow the plan for the assembly. The stakes are new, and higher."
INTERLUDE
Matt sat at his parents' table, absentmindedly poking at his food. His knowledge of Will and Emma's dilemma was weighing down on his ethics, and he was not sure about becoming involved in their personal business. Although Amanda had stated otherwise, Matt was conflicted about such a delicate issue.
"Matt, stop playing with your food. Honestly, you're too old to even be told that", said his mother, Linda. Matt often found it hard to lie to her, as she was often making sure that his studying skills were on point but not putting too much pressure on him. Though slightly overweight, Matt couldn't help but still see her as a beautiful and loving mother.
"Yeah, sorry, I've… just got a lot on my mind right now."
"What's going on, son? Is Glee Club finally becoming too much for you?" said his father, Patrick, who was very different from Linda in terms of personality. Patrick was far more overbearing and unsupportive of Matt's interests in the arts, and had not been pleased upon hearing that Matt had applied to colleges with reputable arts programs. Patrick was also obese, but took every opportunity to remind Matt of his high school and college football days.
"No, Dad. It's something… kind of discreet."
"Oh, don't tell me that the arts have turned you gay", Patrick snorted, earning him a look from Linda.
"It's not something I can talk about."
"Why not?" asked Linda.
"It's something going on with my Glee teacher and his fiancée. I know something about both of them that may ruin their chances of getting married."
"Like what? They've had affairs with students or something?" said Patrick, taking a large bite out of his steak.
"No! Look, it's just personal for them, and they've trusted me with the information. I just don't know what I'm going to do about it. I'm going to finish my dinner in my room", Matt groaned in irritation, snatching up his plate and leaving. Linda and Patrick looked at each other in bemusement.
"Would it kill you to be a little supportive of your son?" Linda sighed.
"I'd be more supportive if he wasn't so involved in the arts", said Patrick, returning to his steak dinner.
INTERLUDE
As Artie headed into the school the next day, Sam crashed into him while sprinting away.
"Hey, Sam, what's going on?"
"I've got to get out of here. I'm in trouble, and I need to leave. Tell Tina I'm sorry, and good luck at Nationals."
"Yo, hold up! Tell me what's going on", said Artie, grunting slightly as he pulled Sam back from running.
"It's like fight club right now, dude. I can't talk about it. I've got to go, now."
"So, paternity has finally got you scared, huh?" said Tina, who had just walked onto the scene.
"Have you been drinking again?" said Sam, recoiling in slight disgust.
"It's apple cider, now get a grip."
"Oh, I need to get a grip? Why don't you quit lecturing me about not progressing with my life and actually do something to really help your baby and graduate with dignity?"
"Excuse me? I have been doing stuff!"
"Yeah? What stuff?"
"Okay, this just became awkward. I'm just going to… yeah…", said Artie, moving away as carefully as possible.
"Don't bother, Artie. We're done here. Tell Mr. Schue to find someone else to fill my place. I'm out of here", said Sam, running down the hall and out of sight.
"Will you grow up already, Sam?!" Tina shouted after him, and she turned to see Artie looking at her in confusion.
"Don't you think you're being a little hard on him? At least he's trying."
"Oh, big of you! Take his side! You know, ever since we dated, you have never been there for me! Not for the duets competition, not for standing up to Rachel every time she got a solo, not for at least discussing the reason you joined the football team in the first place, and certainly not for helping me figure things out when I found out that I was pregnant! And now, you're pressuring me for the play! So congratulations, Artie Abrams! Both of us can go our separate ways on a high note!"
"But…" Artie started, but Tina turned on her heel and hurried away.
INTERLUDE
Matt found Brittany in the library, which he considered odd, as she was almost never seen near books. But at that time, her nose was buried in an Economics book.
"Hi, Matt."
"Hi… how did you know it was me?"
"I have a sixth sense. What's going on?"
"I was going to ask you the same thing. Since when are you interested in economics?"
"I was Senior Class President, which means that I could be President someday if the arts don't work out. With that in mind, I plan to improve the economy, and to do that, I actually need to pass Government/Economics class and graduate."
"I've never seen you this committed to your education."
"I'm going to do big things for the future. For that to happen, I can't repeat my Senior year again. It doesn't look good for anyone."
"Well, then, I'm going to help you. I've gotten letters from two colleges inviting me to continue playing football and participating in the arts, and I'm cordially inviting you to tag along."
"What, so you're going to tie me up with cords if I don't accept your offer?"
"It… no, I'm just saying that you have as good a chance if not better of getting into the college of your dreams and pursuing a bright future. And I think that you'll be a great addition to either of the schools that I'm going to. Think about it, and get back to me", said Matt, giving her a pat on the shoulder and leaving. Brittany smiled, reassured by his support, and then dialed Alexander on her phone.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Alex, it's Brittany. I need your help."
"How did you get my number? I never gave it to you."
"I have my ways. Can we meet? I want to discuss something with you."