Over the weekend Quinn began to work on her homecoming court posters for her and Finn. More than anything Quinn knew she needed to win homecoming queen. She wanted to secure her place as the most popular girl at McKinley High School, she knew winning homecoming queen two years in a row would solidify that, even more than being cheer captain two years in a row did. She knew Finn being the quarterback would also help her secure more votes, after all, they were the 'it' couple of the school. As she picked up her posters that Monday morning, she couldn't help but smile at them, knowing it would make all the difference in how her sophomore year would go.
Grace came downstairs, ready for her first day of Glee Club practice. She was dressed in her usual clothing, a J. Crew Sweater with a pair of yoga pants, since she knew she was going to be doing quite a bit of dancing, a pink beanie that matched her jacket that she would wear over her clothes and some black ballet flats. The only addition were the white gloves, Mr. Schue had asked them to wear from the costume department, something to make them look more uniform together.
"Gracie," Quinn smiled, approaching her sister "I know you have practice this morning for Glee Club but could you help me put up some posters after you're done…please?"
Grace nodded smiling at her sister "Of course I will. I know how much winning two years in a row means to you."
"Thank you Gracie," Quinn said, hugging her sister.
"You're welcome Quinnie. You know I have your back, always," Grace said seriously as those words stuck with Quinn who felt like maybe she could tell Grace the truth about the father of her child after all.
"I do…listen…can we talk after school? There's something I need to tell you," Quinn said nervously as Grace nodded, squeezing her sister's hand.
"Whatever it is, I'm here for you okay. You don't need to be afraid," Grace told her seriously which seemed to take away some tension Quinn was feeling about the whole situation.
"Great," Quinn smiled weakly as the two had some breakfast, one their mother had prepared for them.
As always Quinn didn't eat much. She knew she had to keep her figure up for cheerios practice. She only picked on some of the fruit salad her mom had prepared. Grace, however, ate the plate their mother had made for them, a pancake, some eggs and toast with a side of fruit and some bacon which used to be Quinn's favorite. Grace worried about her sister's eating habits, even more so now that she might be pregnant. If Quinn was pregnant, Grace knew she would have to eat a lot more to give her baby the nutrition it needed, but she wasn't going to bring that up to her, not yet since Quinn wanted to pretend it wasn't happening until after homecoming.
The twins headed to Quinn's car after they were done eating and drove to pick up Finn, then head to school for their usual routine. Quinn and Finn headed off to the football field while Grace headed into the school, putting up some of Quinn's homecoming posters along the way as she headed to the choir room for the New Directions' first practice.
"Welcome everyone," Mr. Schue smiled once all 6 members had arrived in the choir room with Grace arriving last.
"Today let's start working on the choreography first, then we'll try to put it together with the song. I'm sure you all have been working hard on your parts of 'Sit Down You're Rocking the Boat' over the weekend," Will said.
"Of course we have, any true professional would!" Rachel said seriously as Mercedes rolled her eyes at Rachel.
"Excellent, now let me show you what I want to do. Does anyone have any dance training?" Mr. Schue asked as Rachel's hand quickly shot up, Kurt did a wavering movement with his hand to say only a little bit, but Grace also raised her hand.
"Wonderful, Grace, Rachel let me have you two demonstrate some of the movements," Mr. Schue called them up as Rachel walked up confidently and Grace followed her, a little bit more hesitant to be up front, especially with Rachel.
Mr. Schue demonstrated some of the movements which were a large improvement from any of the choreography Mr. Ryerson had ever given them. He also was counting in time to the music and even helped them learn by telling them what word he wanted them to do certain movements on. He then asked Grace and Rachel to demonstrate the lift, a movement that required two of them.
"Okay now who's more comfortable with lifting?" Mr. Schue asked.
"I'm much more comfortable being lifted, I do it all the time in my dance classes," Rachel said seriously.
"Okay…so Grace you're okay with lifting her?" Mr. Schue asked.
"Yes sir, I mean I used to be a base when I did cheerleading," Grace said nodding.
"Great, let's see it then," Mr. Schue said as Grace effortlessly lifted Rachel and spun her around like she was instructed to do. "Excellent!" Mr. Schue exclaimed as the other New Directions cheered for them. Rachel quickly bowed, thinking all of the applause was for her as Grace just smiled softly.
"Alright, why don't you two run through the dance together and then we can incorporate the whole group," Mr. Schue said as Rachel and Grace nodded as Brad played the music as the two did the routine perfectly, hitting every movement right on.
Mr. Schue and the other members of the club applauded them once again. "Alright guys, that's exactly what I'm looking for, let's take it from the top and get everyone involved," Mr. Schue said as the New Directions began to dance to the routine together, most of them clearly were not doing as well as Grace and Rachel did.
"Alright it's a good start…why don't we put it all together," Mr. Schue said seriously as the New Directions began to perform 'Sit Down You're Rocking the Boat' all together for the first time.
New Directions:
Ooh, ahh
Ooh, ahh
Artie with New Directions harmonizing:
And as I laughed at those passengers to heaven
A great big wave came and washed me over board!
And as I sank and I hollered "Someone save me!"
That's the moment I woke up
Thank the lord (New Directions: Thank the Lord, thank the lord)
Artie (New Directions):
And I said to myself, "Sit down" (Said to myself "Sit down")
Sit down, you're rockin' the boat (Sit down)
"Bigger hands," Mr. Schue tried to direct them during the number.
Artie (New Directions):
And I said to myself, "Sit down" (Said to myself "Sit down")
Sit down, you're rockin' the boat
And the devil will drag you under (Ohhhh)
By the sharp lapel of your checkered coat
Sit down
Artie with New Directions:
Sit down, sit down, sit down
Sit down you're rockin' the boat
Kurt with New Directions:
Sit down, you're rockin', sit down, sit down
Sit down, you're rockin' the boat
Kurt and Tina:
Sit down, you're rockin', sit down, sit down
Sit down, you're rockin' the boat
Artie and Tina with New Directions:
Sit down
Tina with New Directions:
You're rockin' the boat
As the New Directions danced around to the song, Grace did the routine effortlessly, being one the only trained dancers definitely helped her during the performance. Rachel, however good she was, seemed to be trying a little too hard making her performance look more cheesy in comparison. Tina, Artie, and Mercedes seemed to be incredibly shaky on the choreography, Kurt was slightly better with his movements but was unable to do the lift with Tina properly. Tina ended up pushing Artie into a wall at the end of the song which Mr. Schue cringed as Artie tried to readjust himself back to the group.
"We suck!" Rachel exclaimed, breaking her ending pose upset.
"It'll get there," Mr. Schue said trying to be encouraging but didn't sound confident, something that made Grace bite her lip "We just need to keep rehearsing."
"Mr. Schuester, do you have any idea how ridiculous it is to give the lead solo in "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat" to a boy in a wheelchair?" Rachel demanded, annoyed.
"I think Mr. Schue is using irony to enhance the performance," Artie suggested, as Mr. Schue nodded in agreement as Rachel huffed.
"There is nothing ironic about show choir!" Rachel exclaimed as she stormed out of the choir room.
"Rachel… Rachel!" Mr. Schue called after her but it was too late, she was already gone.
The rest of the group didn't seem much happier than Rachel about this.
"Well umm guys, we'll get back to rehearsing tomorrow. I promise it'll be great," Mr. Schue tried to assure the group. Grace gave him a weak smile, knowing what he was trying to do while the other members just seemed to be glaring at him before grabbing their things to get ready for class.
"Well that was a trainwreck," Mercedes groaned.
"Tell me about it," Kurt said, shaking his head.
"Well it was only our first rehearsal," Grace said softly walking with them, trying to remain optimistic.
"Please. If that wannabe diva continues to demand everything it's going to stifle the group's talents," Mercedes said, annoyed.
"Rachel can definitely be a bit much," Grace agreed.
"A bit? Grace, I'm a bit much, she's going for the Oscar for being the most dramatic person in the school," Kurt said seriously as Mercedes nodded.
"Mhmm, Kurt gets it," Mercedes said.
"Okay she's extremely dramatic and she definitely needs to be more of a team player, especially in a group setting," Grace said.
"Thank you, that's what I'm saying," Mercedes said.
"But we do need her. I mean the group needs at least 12 members to compete and as insufferable as she can be, she has talent," Grace said seriously.
"I hate to admit it but Grace is right…we only have half the members we need and if we lose 1 we'd be that much further away from actually having a successful club," Kurt said.
"Fine," Mercedes huffed "I just can't stand her always trying to take everything from everyone. We're just as good as she is."
"You're right. Maybe Mr. Schue can work with her. I mean he's actually a really great director," Grace said seriously.
"I agree. I mean anyone would be a huge step up from Mr. Ryerson but Mr. Schue really is putting in the effort to make the club great," Kurt said.
"Well I hope he continues to give everyone a chance to shine because I know I can bring the house down when he gives me the chance," Mercedes smiled.
"Oh we know," Grace smiled as did Kurt as the three of them headed off to class, seeming a lot more hopeful about the New Directions than ever before.