It was surprising for the New Directions to find out that they had lost two more members. Santana and Brittany had joined Miss Corcoran's glee club with Mercedes. Now, the New Directions were down three members and left with only nine people to make up their team. They needed twelve to qualify for Sectionals. Needless to say, tension had been high between the two clubs, so they felt it was strange when they both ended up in the auditorium at the same time.
"What are you doing here?" Rachel asked with her arms crossed as she walked towards the center of the stage with the rest of the New Directions as the Trouble Tone walked in from the opposite entrance.
"Shelby said that she had something to show us." Mercedes told her. "What are you doing here?" she shot back.
"Mr. Shue said the same thing." Finn replied.
"Oh, let me guess," Santana began. "He wants to combine choirs for Sectionals. Well, it's not going to happen. The Trouble Tones are here to stay. So, why don't you shuffle your busted choir off our stage."
"Look, guys, we can compete without being enemies." Finn interjected trying to keep the peace. "Alright, we don't have to get vicious."
"Oh, I think we do, soft serve." Santana shot back. "See the Trouble Tones are three F's, fierce, fem, phenomenal." she said even though phenomenal actually started with a P… "Oh and guys, hurry and go get some moist towels. We have to keep Finn wet before we can roll him back into the sea." FInn looked away and rolled his eyes.
"You know what Santana," Rachel interjected. "Finn is in great shape and your meanness only highlights your own personal insecurities."
"And Rachel, your mustache is thicker than a middle eastern dictators." Santana shot back. Rachel took a deep breath as she tried not to strangle Santana. Just then, they heard the sounds of a guitar and Mr. Shue walked out from backstage on one side and Miss Corcoran came out of the other and began to sing, "You and I" by Lady Gaga and Mr. Shue was singing another song. Their voices meshed perfectly and even though they weren't singing the same song, they complemented each other nicely. When the song came to an end everyone clapped.
"Mr Shue, Shelby, I think we can all admit that, that was weirdly amazing." Rachel said. "But, what exactly was the point?" she asked.
"That sometimes bringing together two conflicting things can create something totally unexpected." Mr Shue replied.
"We're not combining glee clubs, Mr. Shue." Mercedes interjected.
"That's not what I'm talking about." Mr. Shue said interrupting her. "Shelby and I agree that with Sectionals coming up for both of us, it's time we all got serious with some friendly competition."
"Each group is going to put together their own mashup to perform head to head." Shelby told them.
"For the first annual Mckinley High MASH-OFF!" MR Shue and Shelby said in unison. Everyone erupted in excitement as they left the auditorium. Kurt walked over to Blaine and took his hand.
"Hey." He said softly.
"Hey." Blaine replied.
"I feel like we haven't seen each other in ages. How about dinner tonight at Breadstixs?" Kurt asked.
"Sure. That sounds awesome." Blaine said with a smile as he walked out into the parking lot with his boyfriend.
"I'll pick you up at seven." Blaine said as he opened the car door for Kurt and he climbed inside his Navigator.
"Awesome. I'll see you then." Kurt said with a smile and he pressed a quick peck onto Blaine's cheek. Blaine smiled and then walked over to his car and then drove home. When he got home he went into his room immediately and did all of his homework, even though with Mckinley he rarely had any. He didn't want to have to worry about doing it when he got home. When he was finished, Blaine got changed and went downstairs to leave. He saw Charlie dressed in tight black clothing pulling on her shoes.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"To a party." Charlie replied. "Where are you going?" she asked.
"On a date to Breadstix with Kurt." Blaine replied as he grabbed his car keys.
"Lame." Charlie muttered. "You guys are boring."
"Well we all can't go and drink and do drugs like you do every night." Blaine shot back.
"Whatever, it's much more fun." Charlie said as she grabbed her bag and left. Blaine sighed. Every time his foster sister left the house, he feared for the worst. With Charlie anything could happen. Blaine walked out to his car and got into it to drive to Kurt's house. When he pulled up, Kurt was already standing on the porch waiting for him. He smiled and ran over and climbed into Blaine's car.
"Hey, you look nice." Blaine said.
"Thanks, you do too." Kurt said with a smile. Blaine drove to Breadstix and they got a nice booth in the back when the waitress seated them. They told her what they wanted to eat and drink and she was gone.
"This is so nice." Kurt said. "We never get to do this anymore."
"Yeah, I like just going out to eat with you." Blaine replied as he reached out and grabbed onto Kurt's hand. About twenty minutes later, the waitress brought out their food and they ate happily. Then, they ordered a cheesecake to share for dessert, which came out almost instantly. They started it eat it and then Blaine got a phone call.
"Sorry." he muttered as he looked down. "It's Charlie. I should take this." Kurt nodded. "What is it Charlie?" he asked.
"Blaine…" She whimpered.
"Charlie, what's wrong?" he asked immediately hearing how upset she sounded.
"Can you just...just come get me please." She said. "I'm sorry I'm ruining your date." Blaine realized that she must really be in trouble. She never called anyone for help and all the time he had lived with her, he had never heard he apologize for anything.
"Do you promise me you're not drunk or high?" he asked.
"I promise. Blaine, please just come and get me." Charlie cried.
"Okay, calm down. I'll be right there." He said. "Tell me the address."
"4859 Graveyard Street, in West Lima." She replied. West Lima was always a pretty sketchy place.
"Okay, I'll be right there. Stay put okay." Blaine said.
"Thank you, and Blaine, please hurry." She said before hanging up.
"What's wrong?" Kurt asked.
"That was Charlie. She needs me to come and pick her up. She was crying and sounded really upset. I wouldn't normally do this, but Kurt she sounded so scared." Blaine said.
"It's fine. Let's go and get her." Kurt said. They left money on the table and quickly left to go and get Charlie. It was already dark and driving through West Lima was scary. It was not a nice place to be. Blaine looked at all the addresses until he came upon a dingy little house filled with a ton of people. There were people partying on the lawn and even on the roof.
"Why don't you stay in the car?" Blaine suggested to Kurt.
"No way!" Kurt exclaimed. "Do you really think I'd let you go in there alone?" Kurt replied. Blaine nodded and they got out of the car. Blaine made sure to lock his car. They walked into the party. There was booze and drugs everywhere. Blaine stopped another girl who had multiple piercings in her nose and ears.
"I'm looking for a girl named Charlie. Have you seen her?" he asked.
"Try back there." The girl replied as she pointed to a dark hallway with a door at the end of it.
"Thank you." Blaine replied as he grabbed Kurt's hand and they walked down the hallway. The door led to a backyard and outside sitting on the steps was Charlie. She got startled when the door opened and turned around and was relieved to see Blaine.
"Blaine!" She cried as she ran into his arms and started crying.
"Shh, shh, you're okay. I'm here." He soothed as he rubbed her back. Charlie pulled back from the hug and Blaine got a clear view of her face. Her right eye was covered with a nasty bruise.
"What happened?" He asked. "Someone hit you?"
"No...no it's was an accident." She stammered. "They didn't mean to. Please, Blaine I just want to go home."
"Okay, let's go home." Blaine said as he took her hand and they walked around the house to Blaine's car. Blaine helped her into the back seat and then went around and got into the drivers side. He drove Kurt home first.
"I'll text you later." Blaine said to him. "I'm sorry again." he apologized.
"It's okay." Kurt replied with a smile before turning away and walking into his house. Blaine sighed and began to drive home.
"Blaine…" Charlie said quietly.
"Yeah?" he asked.
"I really am sorry that I ruined your date." She said.
"It's alright. I'll make it up to him. Don't worry about it." Blaine told her as he pulled into the driveway. "Let's just get you to bed." he said. He helped her out of the back seat and noticed that she was limping slightly and looked like she was having trouble walking. He helped her upstairs and into some pajamas. Then Blaine helped her into bed.
"Thank you again." Charlie told him.
"Your welcome." Blaine replied. "Good night." he said as he turned out her light and walked into his own room and went to sleep. This was definitely not how his plan for tonight was supposed to go.
The next day in glee club rehearsal the New Directions were trying to decide what to do for there mash-up because they had one the coin toss between the two teams and had elected to go first.
"Okay guys," Mr Shue said as he walked in the room. "We have our work cut out for us this week with the mash-up. Now, the Trouble Tones have a lot of powerful voices so song selection is key here. Any suggestions?" he asked. Immediately people started yelling out random song names.
"No, no we can't use any of those bands. The only thing that they all have in common is that they all broke up." Finn said. "And right now, the New Directions need to feel united."
"I like what you're saying Finn. It's not just about the music, but where it comes from." Mr Shue said.
"Who do you think we should do?" Tina asked Finn. Finn stood up from his seat and walked towards the center of the floor.
"Well, how about this?" he said. "People say Hall and Oats are famous for their cool puffy hair… and that dudes banging stache." Finn added pointing towards Mr Shue.
"Awesome…" Mr Shue muttered.
"But also, their famous for staying together in the long hall." Finn added.
"Just like us, despite all their differences." Rachel said with a smile.
"I think that we should give the solo to the new guy. Get him prepared for what's in store for when the stakes get high. " Finn said looking directly at Blaine. Blaine was amazed. Could Finn actually be starting to like him? "Rory, I think you'll do a good job." Finn said to the new foreign exchange student who sat behind him. Blaine was more than disappointed, but he wanted to be a team player so he didn't say anything.
"Thanks FInn," Rory replied. "But I don't think I'm ready for that honor just yet."he said. Blaine took a deep breath and turned around to face Rory.
"Come on, you're totally ready Rory. You'll kill it." he said with a fake smile. "We'll all help you." he added before turning back towards Finn and saying, "It's a great idea Finn."
"Thanks." Finn replied with a smug smile across his face. After that they began rehearsing the new mash-up until glee was over. Then Blaine drove home just in time to have dinner with his family.
"Oh Blaine! Good, you're home." Kim exclaimed. "Can you go and get everyone for dinner?" she asked.
"Sure." He said putting down his backpack. He found Annie, Lucas and Sami in their room and helped them all downstairs. Then he went back up and knocked on Charlie's door before entering. She was sitting at her desk putting make-up over her eye.
"How's it feeling?" Blaine asked.
"It hurts, but it's fine." She replied. "I've had worse."
"Well, dinner is ready so come down whenever you're finished." he told her.
"Okay, thanks." She replied. Blaine left and then went downstairs. He helped Kim put all the food on the table and then put Sami in her seat and put a bib on her. Charlie walked down and then sat down as they all helped themselves to the pasta that Kim had prepared.
"Oh Charlie, I meant to mention. Your social worker called earlier and she mentioned that there was a family that wanted to talk to you and possibly adopt you." Kim said with a smile. Blaine was astonished. Any kid in the foster systme over the age of sixteen knew that it was slim to find a family at that age. No one wanted a crazy hormonal teenager as a kid. Blaine couldn't help but feel a little bit jealous of Charlie.
"Really?" Charlie asked.
"Yup, your meeting is tomorrow." Kim replied.
"Cool." Charlie said as she tried to her hide her excitement. She knew that it was a long shot, but couldn't help but hope for the best.
Then next day, the New DIrections performed their mash-up and it went great. The number turned out really fun and the costumes were awesome. After their performance in the morning, they all changed and went to class. The Trouble Tones would perform their mash-up after school. Blaine wasn't really worried about that though. He was more worried for Kurt. Today was the Presidential debate between him, Rachel, Brittany and that hockey player kid. He knew that Kurt was nervous, but he was hiding it well.
"Quiet please children." Principal Figgins said into the microphone."Welcome to Mckinley High's Senior Class Presidential Debate. Such a magnificent turnout reflects this school's passion for democracy and also a reminder it is against school policy to pass gas into jars and to be sold in the cafeteria. Now, out first candidate, Rick the Stick Neelson." The hockey player kids got up from his seat and walked over to the microphone.
"So, I was talking to my dad who says since he pays taxes and stuff, like for teachers, which pretty much means that we're your boss. So, I think it's time that the teachers started doing what we say. Like how about you stop talking in class, Mrs. Janeset. All that you have to say is boring. Vote Rick the Stick." He proclaimed with his arms held high in the air. Blaine rolled his eyes. If a moron like that won, they were all screwed. Kurt was so clearly the best choice, but these things rarely chose the best candidate. It was more a popularity contest. Brittany was up next.
"Tornadoes are nature's most destructive force. These violent storms have ravaged America, crippling communities all across our land. Isn't it time we take a stand. If you honor me of being your next class president, I will make tornadoes illegal at Mckinley, keeping you and your families at our school safe from their murderous rampages." Everyone looked at her blankly. Brittany was really a nice girl, but she was not bright. "Also, On Tuesdays...I pledge to go topless." She added before the auditorium erupted in cheers. Once again Blaine rolled his eyes. Finally it was Kurt's turn. He walked up to the microphone and took a deep breath.
"Hello, I'm Kurt Hummel." He began. "The past few weeks I've tried to address the real problem of obesity at this school, but my opponents chose empty promises and smear tactics. Although she knows it to be true, my opponent, Brittany, stated that my face was used as a template for Hasbro's successful line of "My Little Ponies". Well, I refuse to be bullied. In fact, I refuse to let anyone be bullied. Today, I want to take it one step further.I would like to hereby pledge to ban dodgeball at Mckinley High. Since it's invention in 1831 by Cyrus W. Mangold, dodgeball has been used as a schoolyard instrument of suppression. It's violent. It's painful and it's humiliating and I believe that it's an equivalent to modern day stoning. Let's end dodgeball at Mckinley High and send a message that violence isn't okay." Kurt said. Everyone clapped. If people couldn't see that Kurt was obviously the best candidate, then they were just stupid in Blaine's eyes. Finally it was Rachel, the last candidate's, turn.
She went up to the microphone and told everyone about her initiative for school book covers, which she felt would save the school a lot of money. Then, she surprised everyone by dropping out of the race and then urging everyone to vote for Kurt. Blaine knew that things between Rachel and Kurt hadn't been very friendly so he was glad to see Rachel was trying to repair their friendship. After the debate was over, the New Directions filtered into the auditorium and waited for the Trouble Tones to come on to do there number.
Finally the Trouble Tones came out and started their mash-up of "Rumor Has It" and "Someone like you." Santana kept glancing over to Finn and Rachel in the audience and was very distracted as a whole. When they song ended she came running off the stage towards Finn and Rachel.
"What did you just say to her?" She demanded.
"I said I thought you were great." Finn said innocently.
"No, you're lying." Santana yelled.
"No, he literally just that." Rachel interjected.
"What? You tell her too?" She asked with tears in her eyes.
"Santana…" Mr. Shue said hesitantly.
"Everyone's going to know now because of you." She yelled pointing her finger at Finn.
"That whole school already knows and they don't care." Finn told her. He did have a point. Anyone with eyes could see Santana's true identity that was hopelessly in love with Brittany. The whole glee club knew and they didn't care.
"Now just the school you idiot! Everyone!" She yelled.
"What are you talking about?" Finn said before getting slapped really hard in the face by Santana. Everyone was speechless as Santana breathed really heavily as she glared at Finn and Finn held a hand to his stinging cheek which was already turning red. Blaine had thought that maybe, this week was getting better after the election, but boy was he was wrong. It was getting worse and Santana's slap was only the beginning of it all.