Forgot to mention last chapter, I don't own Glee, Ellie Goudling, or her music. With that out of the way, this two-chapters-one-night thing is my apology for leaving y'all hanging for so long. Short, but a chapter. So, yay! It goes down in this chapter. Also, you guys rock, reviewing so fast. I love all of you! So, read, review, I don't own. So much love-Maya
He took off his sunglasses as the balding Indian man let him into the school. "Hi, it's nice to finally meet you face-to-face," he greeted the principal, accepting the enthusiastic handshake. "Thanks so much for keeping this quiet."
"It's my pleasure," Figgins assured him eagerly as he led the way through the deserted, silent halls to his office. "The children will love the surprise!" As they passed her, Figgins' secretary glanced briefly up with boredom before double-taking with wide, awed eyes. The tall man offered her a smile and hoped she wouldn't faint. That happened sometimes.
"So," Figgins began, offering his guest a seat with a gesture as he settled behind his desk and his secretary stared through the glass walls, "when would you like to give that talk to the children?"
"Well, first," the man said, taking his seat and trying to ignore the eyes on his back, "would it be alright if I spoke to Kurt Hummel, the student I mentioned? This wouldn't be happening if it weren't for him."
"Certainly." Figgins reached for the corded phone on his desk. "I'll have him sent down—"
"Actually," the black-haired man interrupted, as politely as he could, with a faint, mischievous smile, "what class is he in now?"
In the end, Rachel stormed out, Finn staring regretfully after her as Quinn glared warningly at him from the other end of the room. Chuckling, Puck looked to Hummel to share in the fun, only to stop laughing. There was an amused, disbelieving smile on Hummel's face, yes, and he was clearly fighting laughter himself, but his weird-colored eyes were dark and sad, lonely. How did he manage that?
Before Puck could do anything about that look in Hummel's eyes, Schue clapped his hands for (some semblance of) order. "Alright, enough! Kurt, you're up," he said resignedly.
Hummel stiffened, almost imperceptibly and only for a moment, before standing, adjusting his clothes, and descending. When he reached the floor, he simply turned, nodded to the band, and began.
"I was born in a big, grey cloud, screaming out a love song.
"All the broken chords and unnamed cries.
"What a place to come from.
"I wish to remain nameless and live without shame,
"Because what's in a name?
"Oh, I still remain the same."
Tina and Quinn exchanged a glace, then hurried to stand behind Hummel, snapping their fingers and backing him up with harmonies.
"You can call this what you want.
"You can call me anything you want.
"Everybody lets you down in this freefall of a town.
"Born a different soul, rushing out.
"Tell me what you're running from."
Raw emotion, something sad that Puck couldn't quite name, showed on Hummel's face, and unshed tears shone in his eyes. Nevertheless, Puck dragged his eyes from the boy singing to take in the faces around him.
"I know everybody lets you down,
"And I'll do the same.
"But know I'll always be around.
"This can remain the same."
Everyone wore varied expressions of shocked awe, which was understandable. Typically, a Kurt Hummel performance was technically perfect, if a bit cold, his only emoting coming from his enjoyment of the number and the flawless sound of his own voice. Today, the intensity of his emotion shocked everyone, forcing them to feel whatever it was Hummel was feeling.
"Call me when you need me.
"Call me anything you want.
"Darling, believe me,
"It's nothing I haven't done before."
Looking around, Puck saw tears in every girl's face, and he wondered if anyone but Hummel knew what they were for, because he certainly didn't. He resolved to find out.
"Call me when you need me…"
Hummel held the last astronomical note perfectly, Tina, Quinn, and the band quiet around him as his voice echoed in the silent room. Hummel's eyes fell closed and a single tear escaped down his cheek, but he didn't seem to notice. Puck meant to lead up and pull him into a crushing hug—he'd never seen Hummel look more like he needed it—but the haunting beauty of Hummel's song, voice, and emotions had paralyzed him.
After a few more beats of stillness, someone began to clap. All eyes flew to the doorway where a tall man with spiky black hair and darkly-lined neon-blue eyes stood applauding. Gasps (mostly feminine) went up around the room, and Hummel froze completely.
The man grinned. "I thought I recognized that voice. It's even more compelling live."
Hummel blinked at him a few times before whispering, "Oh, my Ra."
The man's grin widened, if a little bashfully, and he strode forward into the room, extending his hand to Hummel. "Hi, I'm Adam Lambert. I came to meet you, Kurt."
Three seconds of silence passed before a thoroughly confused Puck exclaimed, "What the fuck?"
Song used: Remain Nameless by Florence + The Machine. I don't own them or their music. Also, Kurt referenced Oh My Ra by Adam Lambert. I don't own him or his music. Now, SUPER DISCLAIMER: I have no rights to the public figure Adam Lambert nor do I know the actual dude personally; this me expounding upon what I could glean from Google and Youtube. Nobody yell at me for getting him wrong, which I probably will. Believe me, I agonized over this being an actual person and not a fictional character. For days.