A/N: Hello again, my lovely readers. Hope you're still sticking with this, because I know I am. I have fallen in love with your characters, and have planned out up to the 20th chapter of this story, so I'm in it for the long haul. Okay, so duets. Every character will perform a duet, whether in this chapter or the next. Thanks for reading and reviewing, and I'll see you all next week!
Enjoy :)
"Hey," Greg greeted, sliding into a seat across from Sunny and setting his books down on the table. "So what's up?" he asked.
Sunny glanced up from her textbook. "I'm studying," she answered simply, as if there was nothing else she would ever be doing in the library.
"Oh," Greg nodded, inwardly cursing himself for asking such a stupid question. "Well, can I sit here too?" he wondered.
Sunny eyed him. "I suppose so," she responded after a moment.
Greg nodded again, flipping open his binder. He picked up a pen, quickly scribbling a few things down on his page. They sat in silence for several minutes before Greg finally cracked. "When do you want to practice for our duet?" he asked.
"Greg..." Sunny began, sighing.
"How about tonight, after school?"
Sunny bit her lip. "I've got to study."
"Okay," Greg interrupted quickly. "Tomorrow then, we can meet here," he suggested, gathering his things before Sunny could protest. "You're the best Sunny. I gotta go to practice, see you tomorrow!" With that, he rushed out of the library.
Sunny watched him go, mouth opening to speak. She closed her lips, blushing slightly. The best.
"Hey, hey, Anya," Speedy called, easily catching up to the girl as she moved through the halls, books clutched to her chest. "You were supposed to text me about meeting up to practice for Glee," he informed, frowning slightly.
"Oh, sorry," Anya stuttered, looking genuinely sheepish. She pulled her earphones out of her ears in order to speak to the boy. "I must have forgotten."
Speedy shrugged. "That's cool," he assured, slowing down slightly in order to match Anya's pace. "We can talk now. Where are you headed?" he wondered.
"Room 202," she responded quickly.
"Cool, let's go then," Speedy said, leading them forwards.
"Wait," called Anya, falling behind a bit. She tilted her head to one side. "This way," she instructed, moving to the left.
"But the stairs are this way," Speedy argued, pausing in the middle of the hall and motioning to the right.
Anya looking nervous, blushing as people complained around them, bumping shoulders with the pair. She quickly grabbed Speedy by the arm, pulling him to the side. "I do not take the stairs," she said simply, offering no further explanation as she led Speedy towards the elevators.
For once, Speedy was silent, following the other girl. He watched as she pulled a key out from the chain around her neck, sticking it in the hole and turning it to the side. The elevator doors slide open with a ding. Anya moved inside, and Speedy followed.
"So..." Speedy began, rocking back and forth on his heels. "Why do you ha-"
"You said you wanted to talk about practising for Glee?" Anya interrupted, tone slightly deflective but eyes wide and innocent.
Speedy paid no attention, easily changing subjects. "Yeah," he said. "So, do you want to stay after school today or something and try to figure out our duet?"
Anya nodded. "Sure," she replied in her soft, accented voice. "That sounds good."
Speedy nodded. "Cool," he said as the elevator slide to a stop, giving off a loud ding as the doors opened. "So we can meet in the choir room?" he wondered.
"Yes, sure," Anya agreed quickly. "I will see you there. Goodbye," she murmured, exiting the elevator and taking off down the hall quicker than Speedy had ever seen her move.
Shay frowned as she entered the office, eyes narrowing. "What's she doing here?" she questioned, motioning to Jordan, who was already seated in front of Ms. Rodger's desk.
"Shay!" Ms. Rodgers greeted brightly, ignoring the girl's previous comment. "Please, sit," she said, pointing to the empty chair next to Jordan.
Shay eyed the teacher suspiciously, slowly moving to sit down. She slid into the chair, dropping her bag down beside her. "What's this about?" she questioned.
Ms. Rodger's folded her hands atop her desk. "Well, as you two know, you were paired up for duets," she began. "I was initially glad about this, for you are the two who have participated the least in Glee, and I thought this might help."
Shay rolled her eyes. "Yeah, whatever."
Once again, Ms. Rodgers ignored her. "But it seems that you two haven't done anything yet to prepare for your performance."
"What performance?" Shay questioned spitefully. "Me and the hobbit won't be performing."
Jordan nodded, speaking for the first time, wringing her hands in her lap. "I happen to agree with Shay," she said, giving to girl a slightly disgusted glance. "I'd rather not spend any more time with her."
"Well, you don't have a choice," Ms. Rodgers declared. "Prepare a duet, or don't come back to Glee Club."
"Pardon me?" Jordan questioned sharply, her hands stilling in her lap.
"What?" questioned Shay sharply before she remembered that she wasn't really supposed to care about a stupid club for nerds.
Ms. Rodgers riffled through the drawers of her desk, pulling out two stacks of paper and passing one to each girl. "I picked out a song that I thought would go well with both of your voices," she explained.
Shay took the page, nose wrinkling. "Seriously?"
Ms. Rodgers turned to her. "Yes, seriously," she replied. "Now off you go. I expect you to perform that on Friday."
Shay glanced back down at the page, and then turned to look at Jordan, who had a furrowed brow frown as well. "Oh hell," she murmured. This was going to suck.
Where do you go with your broken heart in tow?
What do you do with the left over you?
And how do you know, when to let go?
Where does the good go, where does the good go?
Liz looked more than comfortable on stage next to Perry as she began their song, and she felt it too. The words flowed out of her easily, and she glanced at Perry as it was her turn to sing.
Look me in the eye and tell me you don't find me attractive
Look me in the heart and tell me you won't go
Look me in the eye and promise no love's like our love
Look me in the heart and unbreak broken, it won't happen
Perry looked cool and confident, moving her hips to the music as she sang into the chorus.
It's love that leaves and breaks the seal
of always thinking you would be real
happy and healthy, strong and calm.
where does the good go?
Where does the good go?
Liz grinned as she began her next part.
Where do you go when you're in love and the world knows?
How do you live so happily while I am sad and broken down?
What do you say it's up for grabs now that you're on your way down?
Where does the good go, where does the good go?
Look me in the eye and tell me you don't find me attractive
Look me in the heart and tell me you won't go
Look me in the eye and promise no love's like our love
Look me in the heart and unbreak broken, it won't happen
Together they took the next chorus, and the one after that, now moving around each other on stage.
It's love that leaves and breaks the seal
of always thinking you would be real
happy and healthy, strong and calm.
where does the good go?
Where does the good go?
Perry stepped forwards as the music built, singing over Liz as she echoed behind her.
Look me in the eye and tell me you don't find me attractive (where does the good go?)
Look me in the heart and tell me you won't go (where does the good go?)
Look me in the eye and promise no love's like our love (where does the good go?)
Look me in the heart and unbreak broken, it won't happen (where does the good go?)
The music slowed to a finish and Liz looked over at Perry with a bright smile.
Where does the good go?
Anya watched as Speedy bounced on his feet as he stood, wondering how he could be so calm. With her biting a hole in her lip, she figured that they looked like polar opposites at the moment. She wondered if Ms. Rodgers had paired them together on purpose.
Speedy glanced at her as the music began. "Ready?" he questioned quietly, eyes sparkling with excitement.
Anya nodded, though she wasn't sure how convincing she looked. Speedy seemed to accept it either way, refocusing as his part began.
Everyone's around, no words are coming now.
And I can't find my breath, can we just say the rest with no sound.
And I know this isn't enough, I still don't measure up.
And I'm not prepared, sorry is never there when you need it.
And now I do want you to know I hold you up above everyone.
And now I do want you to know I think you'd be good to me
And I'd be so good to you.
Anya became more and more nervous as her part approached, frightened that she really was going to have to do this with no sound. This was her first time performing in front of the whole club. Her heart beat hard in her chest, and she silently willed for it to calm. Now was not a good time for a panic attack.
I thought I saw a sign somewhere between the lines.
Maybe it's me, maybe I only see what I want.
And I still have your letter just got caught between
Someone I just invented, who I really am and who I've become.
And now I do want you to know I hold you up above everyone.
And now I do want you to know I think you'd be good to me
And I'd be so good to you.
Anya could feel herself shaking as she listened to Speedy sing the bridge. She clenched her hands into fists as they sung the final chorus together.
And now I do want you to know I hold you up above everyone.
And now I do want you to know I think you'd be good to me
And I'd be so good to you.
Speedy grinned as he sang: I'd be good to you
Anya found herself smiling slightly as she echoed: I'd be good to you
Together they finished the song.
I'd be so good to you.
"Are you nervous?"
"No," EJ responded quickly, biting his lip. "Why, do I look nervous?" he wondered after a moment.
Evan chuckled. "A little bit," he admitted. "But that's cool."
EJ nodded, glad that his back was turned to the rest of the glee club for the moment. He glanced over his shoulder at his peers and then back to Evan. "Yeah, I don't really do duets that often."
Evan patted Emilio on the back. "Neither do I, but I think we're pretty prepared," he reasoned, vivid green eyes kind as he looked at the other boy.
EJ nodded once more, suddenly feeling calm as he looked at Evan. "Okay," he said with a sharp nod. "Let's do this."
Evan grinned, turning to sit down on one of the two stools that had been set up in the centre of the room. EJ followed him, sitting on his right.
Evan nodded at Ms. Rodgers."Okay, we're ready," he said, pulling his mic close to him as the music began.
You say love is what you put into it
You say that I'm losing my will
Don't you know that you're all that I think about?
You make up a half of the whole
You say that it's hard to commit to it
You say that it's hard standing still
Don't you know that I spend all my nights
Counting backwards the days 'til I'm home?
Evan smiled, getting into the song. EJ tapped his foot to the beat, watching the other boy as he continued to sing softly.
If only New York wasn't so far away
I promise the city won't get in our way
When you're scared and alone,
Just know that I'm already home
EJ swallowed as Evan sat back, finishing his first part. Emilio cleared his throat as the music led into his part.
I say that we're right in the heart of it
A love only we understand
I will bend every light in this city
And make sure they're shining on you
If only New York wasn't so far away
I promise the city won't get in our way
When you're scared and alone,
Just know that I'm already home
The music slowed as EJ leaned back to take a breath, scanning the peacefully smiling crowd. Evan gripped the microphone again.
When life takes its own course
Sometimes we just don't get to choose
EJ joined in as the music picked up once more.
I'd rather be there next to you
Promise you'll wait for me, wait for me
Wait 'til I'm home
All I have is this feeling inside of me
The only thing I've ever known
EJ gripped his microphone close to him, slowing down his last solo.
If only New York wasn't so far away
I promise the city won't get in our way
When you're scared and alone,
Just know that I'm already home
Together, they finished the song.
If only New York wasn't so far away
I will be there every step of the way
When you're scared and alone,
Just know that I'm already home
Just know that I'm already home
The group applauded loudly as the song ended, but Evan and EJ were so busy beaming at each other that they hardly noticed the sound.
"Where are you going?"
"Out," Shay responded simply, not bothering to look away from the mirror as she fixed her eyeliner. "Don't wait up."
Mary furrowed her brows, flicking a piece of auburn hair from her face. "But, Shay, it's almost midnight."
Shay scoffed, rolling her eyes. "I know what time it is," she assured. "Doesn't really make a difference though."
"Don't you have school in the morning?' Mary wondered.
"Well, yeah," Shay replied, patience wearing thin. "There normally is on Fridays."
Mary sighed. "There's no need to be harsh, Shay," the waitress informed, crossing her arms in front of her chest and leaning against the bathroom door.
Shay frowned. "I'm sorry," she said after a moment. She was always nicer to Mary than she was to anyone else. Mary had given her a place to stay when there was no where else she could go, and she appreciated that. Without Mary she would be in an orphanage right now, or a not-so-nice foster home.
"It's fine," Mary assured. "Just be careful, alright?"
"You aren't my mother, Mary."
"I know," Mary replied simply.
Shay sighed, rubbing her temples. Now she really needed to get drunk. "I'll be careful," she promised, a blatant lie, but Mary didn't have to know that. Maybe she already did. She grabbed her purse, moving past Mary. "Don't wait up," she called over her shoulder, out of the house before Mary could even reply.
Songs:
Where Does the Good Go by Tegan and Sara
Good to You by Marianas Trench
Already Home by A Great Big World