Hi everyone! Thanks for all the reviews on the last chapter. Now I finally get to write the behind the scenes version of my favorite season of Glee! There was so much Finchel goodness in Season 3! I miss those days! Hope you enjoy this chapter and review if you want me to keep going!
Chapter 48: The Purple Piano Project
"First day of senior year!" Rachel squeeled as she sat in Finn's bedroom.
Finn gave Rachel a nervous smile. He was hoping today would go well, but he was scared. This was it. This was the last year of the security of living at home and knowing where things were going. The last year of a reliable routine. Next year, he'd be who knows where. Who would he be surrounded by? How far away would he be from his family and friends? What would he be doing?
"Are you okay?" Rachel asked.
"I can't believe this is it," Finn admitted. "It's our last year of high school. I don't know what's next."
"I know," Rachel said. "It's exciting and scary at the same time. I don't know where I'll be next year or even if I'll get in anywhere."
"Of course you'll get in places," Finn said.
"My dads want me to get into the best performing arts school in the country," Rachel said. "I don't think they'll take anything less. And Kurt really wants to go to school together in New York."
"Don't you want to go to New York?" Finn asked.
"Well, I do, but it's so big there," Rachel said. "I just..."
Carole knocked on Finn's door. "Finn, Rachel, you'd better get to school now."
"Okay," Finn said. He took Rachel's hand. "Let's do this."
x
When Finn and Rachel arrived at school, Kurt asked Rachel to go to the choir room with him alone, so Finn went to his locker and heard a familiar voice. "Shalom, blogosphere. Jacob Ben Israel here at McKinley High. Sudden Death big stakes senior year- who will succeed and who will fail?"
Finn rolled his eyes at the sound of Jacob. This was definitely not the first person he wanted to hear from. To Finn's disgust, Jacob came up to him. "Finn Hudson, mediocre quarterback, mediocre Glee Club lead. What do you want to be when you grow up?"
"Me?" Finn asked. "Uh... Yeah, I have plans. Um..." He tried to think of something to say. "I'm really excited about this year." That was sort of true. He was excited for another year in glee and with his sports, and of course with Rachel.
"Okay, cool," Jacob said as he walked away..
"The truth is, I have no idea what I'm doing," Finn thought to himself. "I look around, and everyone knows where they're headed or at least what they want. I'm lost. It's like I can't even remember who I am anymore."
Then Finn felt some cold slushies in his face. "Hey! Taste the rainbow, Glee-yatch!" Rick The Stick shouted.
Finn groaned. Maybe in college he wouldn't be a loser. Then Rachel came up to him. "Only one more year of these."
"I definitely won't miss these things," Finn said as he and Rachel went into a bathroom to clean off.
"Me either," Rachel said. "Jacob was interviewing me and Kurt."
"He interviewed me too," Finn said. "I didn't know what to say."
"There's nothing wrong with not knowing these things," Rachel said. "It's only our first day of senior year. Some people don't even choose a college major until their second year of college."
"Yeah," Finn said.
"Oh, Finn, guess what?" Rachel asked.
"Tell me," Finn said.
"You know how none of us saw or heard from Quinn all summer?" Rachel asked. "Kurt and I ran into Santana and Brittany. They told us that Quinn's dyed her hair pink, started smoking, got a tattoo of Ryan Seacrest and joined the skanks."
"Seriously?" Finn asked. The Skanks were a group of girls in their grade who seemed to be looking to cause trouble. They would constantly try to steal money and belongings from other students and had been caught stealing candy from CVS before.
"It's odd," Rachel said. "Santana and Brittany ran into her last week. She's told them she's quitting glee and not rejoining the cheerios, and apparently she dated a 40-year-old man this summer."
"Isn't dating older people Puck's thing?" Finn asked.
"Apparently not," Rachel said. "I wonder if this has anything to do with your breakup."
"I doubt it," Finn said. This was surprising news though. Why was Quinn acting out like this?
x
A week after school started, the first glee club meeting of the year was held. Since Sam had moved away, Quinn had left and Lauren had also quit after her breakup with Puck, the group now only had ten members. Yet again, the first thing for the new school year had to be attracting new members. When Finn and Rachel arrived, the trophies were laid out on the floor. "Mr. Schue, why are all of our trophies in the middle of the room?" Tina asked.
"I was sure that our Nationals trophy would grow during the summer," Brittany mumbled.
"I want this image burned into your mind," Mr. Schue declared. "This is what the difference between first and 12th place looks like. It's also what it feels like."
"Are you planning on bumming us out all year long?" Puck asked.
"No," Mr. Schue continued. "I'm planning on pushing you harder than you've ever been pushed. We made it to Nationals last year. This year, I'm not going to let anything or anyone stop us from winning it all; I let you down last year. I lost focus, let some Broadway pipe dream get in the way."
Rachel knew this had to be a sore subject for Mr. Schue. "And we're really sorry that the guy who replaced you in April Rhodes' musical won the Tony. I mean, I can only imagine your regret."
"Yeah, you know what I regret?" Mercedes asked. "Being the laughingstock of the show choir world."
"And that's saying something," Artie backed her up.
"Mercedes has a point," Kurt added. "Finn and Rachel's 'The Kiss That Missed' already has 20,000 views on YouTube, and the comments section is just full of pithy banter like 'Why is that T Rex eating the Jew?'"
Rachel had to laugh at that. "How many times do we have to apologize?" Finn asked.
Rachel didn't regret it one bit. "Yeah. No more apologies."
"The school hates us even more now," Mike complained.
"Which is why we have to work even harder this year to recruit new members. We're three men down," Mr. Schue said.
The easiest way would be to get new members would be trying to get people who'd been in glee before back. Puck would probably be the best one to go after Lauren, but maybe Rachel could convince Quinn. After all, Rachel did feel kind of guilty. She had been going after Finn when he was with Quinn.
x
A few days later, the glee club had a number planned to recruit new members that they planned to do the next day. As Rachel walked through the courtyard during her lunch hour, she ran into Santana and Brittany. "Hey, have you seen Quinn?" Santana asked.
"Not since she began hanging out with the skanks," Rachel said.
"We just tried talking to her and didn't have any luck," Santana said. "Maybe if more people do, it'll convince her."
"Where is she?" Rachel asked.
"Under the bleachers," Brittany said. "You might have trouble recognizing her."
If Santana and Brittany, Quinn's old best friends, couldn't convince her to come back, Rachel doubted she could. "I'll give it a try."
"Tell us how it goes," Santana said as Rachel went to the bleachers. Although Rachel recognized Quinn, she could see what Brittany meant. The things Rachel had heard were true. Quinn's hair was pink, she was dressed in a goth outfit, and she was smoking. And the girls she was with looked even more intimidating. "Hey, Quinn," Rachel managed to say. She turned to the other girls. "Uh, hello...skanks."
"Your friend stinks of soap, Quinn," one of the girls said.
"We were friends once," Rachel said to Quinn. She thought of the things she'd heard. "Okay, and maybe when you cut off all of your hair last year and thought it would solve all of your problems, I should've spoken up. Maybe when you dropped out of society and started dating that 40 year old skateboarder, I should have said something."
"I'm not coming back to glee club," Quinn snapped.
"We need you, okay?" Rachel said. "Have you seen those purple pianos around school? We're planning this big recruiting and it's a tribute to the Go-Gos. I mean, who doesn't love the Go-Gos?"
"I prefer the Bangles," the black girl said.
"Okay," Rachel said. "We need your tremulous alto and your Belinda Carlisle glamor."
"I'll give you ten bucks if you let me beat her up for you, Quinn," the tallest girl said.
Rachel was really bothered by these girls now. "I'm sorry you're so sad, Quinn, and maybe you're not going to believe me because we were never really close but I'm sad not seeing you in the choir room and we've all been through so much together, we're a family, and this is our year to get it right. We would love to have you back in the Glee club, whenever you're ready, okay?" Then she left, afraid she really would get beaten up. As she left, she saw Santana and Brittany.
"Any luck?" Santana asked.
"Nope," Rachel said.
x
The recruitment number in the cafeteria the next day was a disaster.
The glee club members had been attacked with food, and retreated to the choir room to clean themselves off, feeling completely grossed out. "I thought slushies were bad, but spaghetti sauce in the eye is so much worse," Artie said.
Brittany S. Pierce: I have pepperoni in my bra.
"Mr. Schue, if you are trying to break us down to rebuild us, it's working," Mike said.
"Not one single person was inspired by our hot lunch jam to try out, Mr. Schue," Mercedes said.
"It's true," a voice in the door said. "You guys sucked ass."
Who was this girl? "I'm sorry. And you are?" Rachel asked.
"I'm Sugar Motta," the girl said. "And I have self-diagnosed Asperger's, so I can pretty much say whatever I want. I'm like a diplomat's daughter."
"How can we help you, Sugar?" Mr. Schue asked.
"Here's the deal. I'm awesome, and I want to be a big, big star. And when I saw you guys singing and dancing in the cafeteria, I thought, 'I am so much better than you,'" Sugar said. "Sorry. Asperger's."
Rachel disliked her already. Mr. Schue didn't look impressed either, but he turned to the group. "Well, great. You see, guys? You have inspired an audition. Good job. Sugar, why don't you show us what you can do? You know, take your time. Whenever you're ready."
"Get ready to taste some sweet ear candy," Sugar said. Then she began to sing. Or rather, to make noises. Rachel knew this girl couldn't be in glee club. She couldn't carry a tune.
Mr. Schue stopped her after a few lines. "Holy sh... Sugar."
"Text me re: our rehearsal skedge," Sugar said.
Mr. Schue looked conflicted. "Of course."
Rachel decided to take over. "Mr. Shue, stop speaking. Okay. Uh, Sugar... we'll be in touch. Thank you. Bye." When Sugar was gone, Rachel looked around the room. "Okay, I think I speak for everyone when I say never gonna happen."
The other members of the glee club looked like they agreed with Rachel, but Mr. Schue didn't look so sure. "Guys, I know she was a little rough, but we have always had the policy that anyone who tries out gets in."
Rachel knew they couldn't win Nationals with someone so talentless in the fold. "You're not doing her any good sheltering Sugar from the truth, okay? High school is where you learn survival of the fittest. She's going to drag the New Directions! down, and that's not fair for those of us who don't want to spend our lives rotting in this insignificant town. You said the other day that you would do anything to get us to Nationals. Okay, and she is going to keep us from winning that elusive crown. If anything, she's going to kill all of our chances."
x
A week later, Rachel and Kurt went to the Dayton Doubletree for a mixer for New York Academy of Dramatic Arts, the performing arts school Miss Pillsbury had told them about. They'd prepared a number to perform for the other students who attended. "Our somewhat-talented but sadly delusional competition will just rip up their applications in fits of jealous rage," Rachel said, trying to build up her confidence as she and Kurt walked in.
"And then they'll all just melt away like the Wicked Witch of the West herself!" Kurt said.
"You know what? I kinda feel sorry for them," Rachel said.
As Rachel and Kurt went into the room, another girl came running up to them. "Hi, I'm Harmony," the girl said. "What's your name, where are you from, and what are your credits?"
Rachel tried to speak as other members of the group came over. "I'm Gavroche, named after ze feisty French street urchin from Les Mis!" a boy said.
"I know you totally recognize me," Harmony said. "It's 'cause I'm the Gerber baby. I've been acting since I was a fetus... literally. An ultrasound of me was featured on Murder She Wrote."
Gavroche took Kurt and Rachel's hands and led them to some chairs. "I'm starring as Rizzo in an all-male production of Grease. Welcome, welcome, welcome! As my future husband Robert Pattinson always says, 'It's refreshing to get new blood.'"
"We've been meeting here each month since we were freshmen, literally," Harmony said.
Rachel was already feeling intimidated. "Well, actually Kurt and I just found out about this. But speaking of refreshing, we've put together a number that we think you guys..."
"Places!" Harmony said to her friends, interupting Rachel. "You're just in time to see a little number we've been futzing around with. Thank God there was a bar mitzvah here on Saturday. And I convinced them not to strike the stage. So sit back, relax, and most importantly, enjoy."
Rachel had a feeling this was going to be good. Harmony was like an incarnation of Rachel. "Just, just breathe and smile, okay?" Rachel whispered to Kurt. "Just 'cause they look like us and act like us doesn't mean they're better than us."
The group began performing, and Rachel realized that her suspicions were right. They were better.
Harmony: Times have changed,
And we've often rewound the clock,
Since the Puritans got a shock,
When they landed on Plymouth Rock.
If today, any shock they should try to stem,
'Stead of landing on Plymouth Rock,
Plymouth Rock would land on them.
Harmony with her friends: In olden days a glimpse of stocking
Was looked on as something shocking,
But now God knows, Anything Goes.
Good authors too who once knew better words,
Now only use four letter words
Writing prose, Anything Goes.
Harmony (her friends):
Anything you can be, I can be greater
Sooner or later, I'm greater than you (No, you're not)
Yes, I am (No, you're not)
Yes, I am (No, you're Not!)
Yes, I am (No, you're not)
Yes, I am! (No, you're not!)
Harmony's friends (Harmony): The world has gone mad today
And good's bad today,
And black's white today,
And day's night today,
When most guys today
That women prize today
Are just silly gigolos
Any note you can hold
I can hold longer.
(I can hold any note)
(Longer than you.)
No, you can't (Yes, I can)
No, you can't (Yes, I can)
No, you can't (Yes, I can)
Harmony: Yes, I...
Harmony (Harmony's friends): Yes! (No!)
I (You!)
Can!... (Can't)
Harmony had the best voice Rachel had ever heard. There was no way Rachel could follow that.
"Now, what did you two have prepared?" Harmony asked.
Rachel didn't want to perform after that. Their number would look like it was from an elementary school concert. "Actually, we want to spend more time perfecting it," Kurt said.
"Well, show it to us when it's ready," Harmony said.
Kurt took Rachel's hand and led her out of the hotel and to his car. "I've never been so humiliated in my life," Rachel confessed when they got to the car.
"Me, either. And that's a really high bar," Kurt said.
"I mean, they were so..." Rachel began.
"Fabulous," Kurt finished. "Rachel, we might be hot stuff at McKinley, but outside those walls, we aren't even stuff. I mean, we've been deluded and arrogant. What if we're not good enough to make it?"
Rachel knew maybe they couldn't. "No. There's only one thing to do. We just have to move to another town and just erase our identities and just resign to a sad life of community theater. Nun-Sense, Love Letters, The Vagina Monologues. Face it, I mean, this is our future. Not everyone's dreams come true."
"You know what? I'm ending this pity party right now." Kurt handed Rachel a mirror. "Okay. Take a look at yourself. What do you see? Come on."
"Sad, puffy, red eyes filled with dashed hopes and dreams," Rachel admitted.
"Rachel Berry. One of a kind. There's no one like you," Kurt said.
"Well, that's actually kind of funny, because it seems like there is," Rachel sighed.
"Okay, fine, so you've never been in a high school production," Kurt admitted. "Or any production, because, you know, Cabaret was canceled and so was Rocky Horror."
"They had credits, Kurt. In utero credits," Rachel reminded Kurt.
"Okay, so they have more experience. They have more talent. But you are fierce, Rachel. Your ambition does push-ups while you sleep. Nobody wants it more than you. Nobody. And you're not giving up on this. 'Cause I'm not gonna let you. You are getting into that school," Kurt declared.
Rachel was so lucky to have such a good friend. "You make me want to be your boyfriend. You're getting in, too. I know it."
Kurt looked discouraged. "I doubt it. I'm woefully thin on extracurriculars."
Rachel knew he could change that. "It's not too late. I mean, you could, you know, still sign up for some clubs. There's the student council. I'm not the only fierce one. Swear it. We're gonna do this."
x
When Rachel and Kurt got back from the mixer, Rachel went to Kurt's house so she could spend some time with Finn. "How did it go?" Finn asked.
"The other people there were really good," Rachel said.
"I'm sure you can still get in," Finn said.
"Well, I'm going to try my best," Rachel said. "So, how was your evening?"
"Good," Finn said. "I was looking over our new number for glee club. I'm glad we get to sing together."
"Don't we always?" Rachel asked.
Finn looked down. "Blaine's a better singer than I am. Now that he's in New Directions, what if Mr. Schue gives all the male leads to him?"
"Finn, you and I have proven amazing musical chemistry," Rachel said. "You and me singing together is our best shot at competition victories."
"I guess," Finn said.
"You don't have to guess," Rachel said. "You know. Hey, I was thinking maybe McKinley should do a musical this year. And you and I could be the male and female lead."
"I like that idea," Finn said. "How about the musical version of Romeo and Juliet!"
"Great idea!" Rachel said as she hugged Finn.
x
The next day in Glee club, Mr. Schue arrived with Blaine. "Ladies and Gentleman, let's hear it for Glee Club's newest member, Blaine Anderson."
"Thanks so much, everyone," Blaine said. "I'm so thrilled to be here. It's gonna be a great year, I can feel it. We're all gonna go to nationals!"
Mr. Schue looked at Finn. "Is there a problem, guys?"
Finn had tried to cover up his worries about Blaine taking the male solos. "I just want Blaine to know that we're not the Warblers. You know, we're not into the bells and whistles or the ball-hogging."
Blaine sat down and turned to Finn. "I'm sorry, did I do something wrong?"
"Well yeah, you set a bonfire in our courtyard," Finn said, remembering when the fire started when Blaine sang in the courtyard.
"Actually, doorknob, that was an act of political protest," Santana said.
"Which leads me to the next order of business," Mr. Schue continued. "Santana, you need to leave. It was you and the Cheerios who set fire to our piano. How could you do that?"
"Sue made me," Santana said.
"Brittany didn't do it," Mr. Schue said. "You're banned from Glee. Don't come back unless you can be as loyal to this club as the rest of the people in this room." He pointed at the door.
Santana got up to leave. "You know what? I could use a break."
"You know, good for you, Mr. Schue," Mercedes said. "It's about time we got some allegiance up in here."
"I said it before and I will say it again: we want to win Nationals this year, we need to be united," Mr. Schue said. "Rachel, you had an announcement?"
Rachel stood up. "Yeah. Um, after pushing the envelope last year, I strongly believe that we should secure the rights to a, shall we say, less controversial show for our school musical. Wait for it: West Side Story. And it just so happens to have a lead role that showcases my talent and essence perfectly: Maria."
Finn knew that would be perfect for Rachel. And he hoped that he could be Tony. Well... what if Blaine got it?
"For which there will be open auditions, right?" Mercedes asked. "Because Mercedes is feeling extremely pretty this year."
"Kurt, you had something, too, right?" Mr. Schue asked.
Kurt stood up. "Kurt Hummel is wading into McKinley High's shark- infested political waters and ruing for senior class president. All right, I thank you in advance for your votes."
Finn knew Kurt would be a great class president. "Okay. So much excitement. Now let's rehearse," Mr. Schue said.
"Look at what they did to us, Mr. Schue," Tina said. "Just like these purple pianos, they ripped out our guts, threw crap all over us and burned us up."
Mr. Schue pressed the keys on the piano. "Yeah. We got hit pretty hard, but these pianos are still making music. And so are we."
"Mr. Schue, as always, you and I are on the exact same page," Rachel said. She got up and began their number.
Rachel: You can't stop an avalanche,
As it races down the hill,
You can try to stop the seasons
But you know you never will
And you can try to stop my dancin' feet
But I just cannot stand still
'Cause the world keeps spinnin'
Round and round
And my heart's keeping time
To the speed of sound
I was lost 'til I heard the drums
And I found my way
'Cause you can't stop the beat
Five, six, seven, eight!
Finn and Rachel: Ever since this old world began
A woman found out if she shook it
She could shake up a man
And so I'm gonna shake and shimmy it
The best that I can today
'Cause you can't stop
The motion of the ocean
Or the sun in the sky
You can wonder if you wanna
But I never ask why
If you try to hold me down
I'm gonna spit in your eye and say
That you can't stop the beat!
Kurt: You can't stop a river
As it rushes to the sea
Artie: You can try to stop the hands of time
But ya' know it just can't be
Kurt: And if they try to stop us, Artie
Artie and Kurt: I'll call the N-double-A-C-P
Kurt: 'Cause the world keeps spinning
'Round and 'round (Artie: 'Round and 'round)
And my heart's keeping time
To the speed of sound (Artie: Speed of sound)
I was lost 'til I heard the drums
Artie and Kurt: Then I found my way!
Kurt: 'Cause you can't stop the beat
Artie and Kurt: Ever since we first saw the light
A man and woman liked to shake it
On a Saturday night
So I'm gonna shake and shimmy it
With all of my might today
Kurt: 'Cause you can't stop
Artie and Kurt: The motion of the ocean
Or the rain from above
You can try to stop the paradise
We're dreamin' of
But you cannot stop the rhythm
Of two hearts in love to stay
'Cause you can't stop the beat!
New Directions: Badababa ba ba...
Mercedes (New Directions):
You can't stop today (No!)
As it comes speeding down the track (Ooo ooo ooo)
(Child ya'!) Child, yesterday is hist'ry (He's gone!)
And it's never coming back (Don't look back!)
Cause tomorrow (tomorrow) is a brand new day (Brand new day)
And it don't know white from black (Yeah!)
'Cause the world (keeps spinning' round and 'round)
And my heart's (keeping time to the speed of sound)
I was lost ('til I heard the drums, then I found my way)
'Cause you can't stop the beat!
New Directions: Ever since we first saw the sun
A man and woman liked to shake it
When the day is done
So I'm gonna shake and shimmy it
And have some fun today
'Cause you can't stop
The motion of the ocean
Or the rain from above
You can try to stop the paradise
We're dreaming of
But you cannot stop the rhythm
Of two hearts in love to stay
You can't stop the beat! You can't stop the beat
You can't stop the beat! You can't stop the beat
You can't stop the beat!
Finn had to admit - even if there was competition for the male lead vocals now, it felt really good to be performing with the glee club again. And he had a feeling that this year, they really would do it.
10 reviews unlock Chapter 49!