Hey everyone, and welcome to the first official chapter of Season Five, Starring Cory Monteith! I'm super excited for you guys to read what will be the beginning of an amazing story. As stated, seasons 1-4 are canon, as is my previous story Not By A Long Shot. I hope you guys enjoy!
Episode 5x01: Come Together
Synopsis: It's week one of the glee club's two-week Beatles lesson! After Ryder quits at Regionals, Finn attempts to persuade him to return. Kitty and Artie are in a secret relationship, which is threatened to be exposed when Kitty is approached by Bree (Erinn Westbrook). Meanwhile, in New York, Rachel starts a new job with Santana and Kurt at the Spotlight Diner, all while trying to woo the director of the Funny Girl revival.
Absent: Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester
Finn Hudson walked down the halls of William McKinley High School with a fire lit inside him. After taking a leave of absence from coaching the glee club, he finally returned... only to leave again a few days thereafter. While he promised Mr. Schuester and the New Directions that he would be there leading up to Regionals, he had totally forgotten a major aspect of his life.
He was in college.
Midterms were the same week leading up to Regionals, so he couldn't be there. He wasn't there for the club's "unplugged" and Stevie Wonder lessons either – bummer! Regardless, with midterms out of the way, Finn was ready to continue co-coaching the glee club and lead his friends to Nationals, which would be held in Los Angeles this year. Before midterms he was skipping class and going to every party on frat row; after being welcomed back to glee with open arms, Finn really turned his academics around and hoped to carry that momentum with him in the upcoming weeks for glee club.
Being back on good terms with his on and off girlfriend, Rachel Berry, certainly didn't deter his newfound motivation, either.
Finn walked into the choir room with his head held high; he was ready to face adversity.
Will Schuester stepped toward the front of the choir room as he wrote one word on the whiteboard: Beatles. The glee club erupted into cheers, minus a few minor objections.
"I'm not too sure about this." Joe Hart admitted, moving his dreadlocks over his shoulders as he clutched onto the cross around his neck. "The Beatles said they were bigger than Jesus, and nobody is bigger than Jesus."
"First of all," Kitty Wilde said sassily, sitting cross-legged in her chair. "Not everything has to do with your religion. And I'm, like, the biggest holy roller I know. How about the fact that these old farts are older than dirt? Who can relate to the Beatles nowadays?" Kitty pursed her lips and looked around the choir room, daring somebody to defy her. As she traded dirty looks with each member of the glee club, she found herself locking eyes with Artie Abrams, but quickly turned to look to Mr. Schue and Finn at the front of the room.
"Pretty much the entire world..." Blaine Anderson responded matter-of-factly, with a stale face that he shared with his classmates. Finn couldn't help but nod in agreement.
"When George Harrison was a kid, he was made fun of because his dad was a bus driver!" Glee club sweetheart Marley Rose spoke up, leaning up against her boyfriend Jake Puckerman. As she spoke, Jake looked down at her and smiled, nodding in agreement while adding, "John Lennon's dad wasn't even around. He walked out of his life when he was, like, five."
"I don't really know the Beatles?" Wade "Unique" Adams admitted, looking around the room awkwardly. "I'm a little on the black side..."
"Ringo Starr was a sickly little kid, which probably meant he was sitting down a lot..." Artie spoke up in a sad tone, looking down at himself, sitting in a wheelchair. He turned to his best friend Tina Cohen-Chang, who gave him a sympathetic nod.
Finn stood up. "Yeah, and they came together over one mutual love: music." He clapped his hands together and looked at Kitty. "See? Relatable!" She rolled her eyes in disgust.
Mr. Schue put a hand on Finn's shoulder supportively. "Couldn't agree more, Finn. That is why, for the next TWO weeks, your assignment will be: the Beatles."
Again, the choir room erupted into cheers. Even Kitty cracked a soft smile! As they died down, Tina spoke up. "I don't think we've ever spent two weeks on an assignment, Mr. Schue!"
"Well, the Beatles are so epic that we NEED two weeks to justice, Tina." Mr. Schue responded, hopping up and sitting on the piano. "You guys are going need to bring your A+ games this week. Perform your favorite Beatles songs in new, exciting ways! If we can push ourselves to a new level like the Beatles did constantly, we can win back-to-back national championships, and form a New Directions DYNASTY!"
Once again, the choir room roared with excitement. Jake and Marley shared a quick hug, Artie and Tina high fived, Sam Evans did the robot, and Sugar Motta pumped her fist. The future was looking bright for the New Directions... and with that, the bell rang. The group stood up, said their goodbyes, and begin filing out of the choir room to transition to their next class. Finn gave Sam a quick high-five before approaching Mr. Schue over at the piano. "This is going to be our greatest assignment yet."
"Absolutely."
"Yeah! I was thinking the guys could tackle Don't Let Me Down as a group number?" Finn proposed excitedly.
"Sounds like a great idea, Finn! Love your enthusiasm."
"Yeah, I think Ryder should take the lead on this one. His voice will fit it perfectly."
Mr. Schue's smile faded as he remembered Finn wasn't there for the last few class periods leading up to Regionals. He put his stack of papers down and took a deep breath, hopping off the piano. "Well, uh..."
"What?" Finn gave him a confused look. "Do you think Jake should take the lead instead?"
Mr. Schue walked Finn over to his office and sat down at his desk. Folding one leg over the other, he leaned back in his chair and asked, "Did Kurt not tell you what went down before Regionals?" When Finn shook his head, Mr. Schue continued, "Well, here's the thing. There were some... issues between Ryder and Unique."
"But I was here when they solved their feud. Remember, they did that awesome mashup?" Finn was nothing short of confused, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.
"They did, but there was more to it. Unique made a fake account with a fake picture on social media to talk to and flirt with Ryder, because she had a crush on him, but was too embarrassed to talk to him as herself. Unique catfished Ryder."
Finn blinked, processing what had happened. "Wait, Unique was Katy?" He knew Ryder was talking to somebody on the internet because he had mentioned it once or twice at rehearsal.
Mr. Schue nodded. "Ryder realized something was up when 'Katy' refused to meet in person. Marley tried to take the fall but Unique confessed, and Ryder quit the glee club. He felt betrayed and felt he couldn't trust any of us."
Finn frowned, knowing the feeling all too well; his sophomore year of high school, his best friend Noah Puckerman got his girlfriend Quinn Fabray pregnant, and the two of them lied to Finn about it. When Finn found out, he realized the entire glee club knew, and he too quit the team. He eventually returned to the club, but that didn't matter: Finn understood what Ryder was going through. "Well, we need him back!"
Mr. Schue sighed and nodded. "I agree, but we've tried. Marley, Jake, Sam all tried convincing him, I had Miss Pillsberry call him up to the guidance office to discuss the catfishing... I even tried myself, but he is adamant that he won't return."
As a former member of the New Directions, Finn knew the team needed twelve members to compete at Nationals, and they currently had ten. Ryder had proven talent and chemistry with the team; he needed to come back if they wanted to stand a chance in Los Angeles.
"Give me these two weeks and Ryder will be back."
Mr. Schue looked at Finn, surprised. While he always saw Finn as a leader, this past school year had been tough for him; he received a semi-honorable discharge after leaving the army, he broke up with Rachel, and the two of them had a feud of their own after Finn kissed his fiancée Emma Pillsberry (long story). Mr. Schue hadn't seen this much confidence in Finn in months, and he was glad to see his old student back. "A-are you sure?"
"Two weeks. Ryder will be back, performing Beatles songs with us, before you know it. I promise." Finn stood up and left immediately. He was on a mission, and time was ticking.
Barbra.
That was Rachel's middle name, and the woman she had modeled her entire life after. She first watched Funny Girl at the age of five, and ever since then she had dedicated her life to becoming the next Barba Streisand. There she stood, in a theatre, on Broadway, auditioning for the role of Fanny Brice. Although she was nervous, she used it to her advantage, and thought back to that five-year-old girl, watching her parent's VHS tape of Funny Girl. Rachel Berry was so close to achieving her life goal, she could taste it.
"Thank you, Rachel, that was lovely."
And suddenly, she felt that taste swept away, like dust into a trash can. She was in the middle of a chemistry test with actor Paolo San Pablo, when Funny Girl director Rupert Campion dismissed her. Confused, Rachel looked to Paolo, and then back to Rupert. "That's it?"
Rupert stood from his chair and gave her a half smile and a wave. "All we needed to see." He confirmed briskly as he began to gather his belongings.
Rachel was crushed. There were two other girls competing against her for this role, and she needed to bring her A game. She had vowed to become the heir to Barbra's Broadway throne at a young age, yes, but she had been studying Funny Girl extensively in the past weeks. She had every Fanny mannerism down, from the voice to the quirky facial expressions, and of course, the music. But was it enough? She wanted to argue with Rupert, she wanted to plead her case, she wanted to put her foot down and demand for the role.
High school Rachel would've. However, this time, she didn't. "T-thank you."
Another quick smile from Rupert, followed by a "We'll call you."
Feeling rejected, Rachel walked off the stage and down the corner to her dressing room. As she walked, she pulled out her phone and hovered over Finn's contact. The two of them had been in touch again since her ex, Brody Weston, was out of the picture, and talked almost every day. With a bite of her lip, she sent him a text.
Got a minute?
She put her phone down, and as she began to fix her hair, she heard the seasoned Broadway actor and producer discussing... her?
"Well, Paolo, you're a Tony winner. What do you think?"
"She's charming, certainly looks right the part. I just fear that she's too young, you know? Too green?"
Rachel's heart sunk, as whatever they said after that, she tuned them out. She was open to constructive criticism, but with official rehearsals beginning soon, and only two other girls in the running, she knew one thing: she was running out of time. She snapped back to reality as she felt her phone buzz, with a response from Finn that read:
Call later? Dealing with some important glee stuff.
She sighed, putting her coat on and her phone in her pocket as she left. Finn had his own life back in Lima, which Rachel understood and respected, but she longed for things to return to the way they were. Her and Finn being together, all her friends in the same place, the comfortability of living at home with her dads... as she roamed the streets of New York, Rachel found herself missing something she thought she'd never miss; high school.
{Song begins as Rachel walks down the streets of New York}
Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away
Now it looks as though they're here to stay
Oh, I believe in yesterday
{Rachel stops in front of the hotel the New Directions stayed at for Nationals in the season two finale, and stares longingly}
Suddenly, I'm not half the girl I used to be
There's a shadow hanging over me
Oh, yesterday came so suddenly
{Rachel looks down the street to see Sardi's}
Why he had to go I don't know he wouldn't say
I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday
{Scene cuts to Rachel in Central Park}
Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play
Now I need a place to hide away
Oh, I believe in yesterday
{Scene cuts to Rachel walking out of an elevator, down the hallway to the front door of her apartment}
Why he had to go I don't know he wouldn't say
{She stares at the doorknob and hesitates before entering}
I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday
{Rachel sits at the edge of her bed, staring at a photo of her, Finn, Kurt, Puck, Quinn, Mercedes, Santana and Mike in their cap and gowns}
Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play
Now I need a place to hide away
Oh, I believe in yesterday
Rachel flopped onto her bed, letting out a scream of frustration. There had to be something she could do to salvage her chances of getting Fanny, but for once in her life, she had no ideas. Nothing. Her head was empty... until, suddenly, a red uniform smacked her in the face.
"Put this on, Toucan Sam." Santana Lopez, Rachel's high school rival turned somewhat friend and roommate, demanded as she stood in her doorway. She wore the same uniform she threw at Rachel's head. "And stop screaming. You know we live in a bad area! People might think you're being murdered, or raped, or both."
Rachel sat up and examined the uniform awkwardly. "What is this?"
"My job is hiring, and you're hired! You're welcome. Now come on, we're late for work!" Santana snapped her fingers, ushering herself and Rachel out the door of their Bushwick apartment, slamming it behind them.
After glee rehearsal, Artie wheeled his way down the halls, looking back and forth as if he was searching for something important. As he turned the corner, he once again locked eyes with Kitty, who was down at the other end of the hall. He could feel the butterflies fluttering around in his stomach as he nervously waved to her across the way. She rolled her eyes and laughed gently as she entered an empty classroom. After making sure nobody noticed, Artie raced down the hall and made a quick turn into the classroom, shutting the door behind him. Inside, Kitty sat at one of the desks, alone, waiting for him.
{Artie wheels next to Kitty and takes her hands}
[Artie]
Here I stand head in hand
Turn my face to the wall
If she's gone, I can't go on
Feelin' two-foot small
[Kitty]
Everywhere people stare
Each and every day
I can see them laugh at me
And I hear them say
{Artie pulls Kitty onto his lap as the two begin laughing}
[Artie and Kitty]
Hey, you've got to hide your love away
Hey, you've got to hide your love away
[Kitty]
How can I even try
I can never win
Hearing them, seeing them
In the state I'm in
{Kitty kisses Artie's cheek as he wheels them around the room}
[Artie]
How could she say to me
Love will find a way
[Artie and Kitty]
Gather round, all you clowns
Let me hear you say
Hey, you've got to hide your love away
{Kitty gets up out of Artie's lap to sit in the chair next to him again}
[Artie and Kitty]
Hey, you've got to hide your love away
Hey, you've got to hide your love away
Hey, you've got to hide your love away
As they finished singing, Artie and Kitty couldn't help but laugh with each other as they shared a sweet kiss. As they pulled away, Artie circled his thumb around Kitty's and asked, "How many times have I thanked you for telling everyone, including my mom, I got into film school?"
Kitty let out an uncharacteristic giggle, followed by an uncharacteristic blush. "Like, a thousand."
"Even though I didn't want you to?" Artie persisted.
Kitty rolled her eyes and pushed him playfully. "If you're insinuating that you want to tell everyone about us, you know my thoughts. I would prefer to wait until Coach Roz has officially given me the spot of head Cheerio."
Artie frowned; he was dating one of the hottest, most popular girls in school, but nobody knew but him. He hadn't even told his mom! Artie not telling his mom something? Shocking, but he digressed. "I thought you basically WERE head Cheerio?"
Kitty let out a huff. "I was, until that bitch Bree, AKA the bane of my existence, stepped out of the shadows. Her Bambi looking ass showed up out of nowhere and started cheering harder than Gabrielle Union in Bring It On. Between that and Coach Sue being suspended, my chances of getting named head Cheerio are plummeting."
"At least you probably have better odds than that girl with the neckbrace."
Kitty snorted. "Jordan? She wouldn't know pep if it knocked her upside the head."
As a joke started to form in Artie's head, he began to laugh to himself. "Or, in this case, her neck."
"Arthur!" Kitty laughed surprisingly loud, hitting him on the arm. "Not cool."
As their collective laughter died down, Artie took her hands again and looked her in the eyes. "Okay, so once you've secured head cheerio, we can tell everybody about us. Right?" Before Kitty could answer, the bell rang once again for class. She looked up as it sounded, leaned over to peck Artie on the lips, and skipped out of the classroom.
"Talk later!"
Artie sighed. He and Kitty had gotten close during Stevie Wonder week, but things became official after Regionals. Well, as "official" as you can be when in a secret relationship. That aspect of their lives really hurt Artie's feelings, as he wanted to be able to show Kitty off, as well as be shown off himself, but as of now there was nothing he could do. He wheeled himself out of the classroom shortly after Kitty herself left, turning left as she turned right. The couple had gone their separate ways, their secret still intact. Nobody knew but the two of them.
Well, the two of them and Jacob Ben Israel, who not only witnessed them entering and exiting the classroom but filmed it as well.
Ryder Lynn walked out onto the football field for practice, focused. After quitting glee roughly a week or so ago, he devoted his entire time to the sport, becoming the best player he could be. Although, he'd be lying if he said he enjoyed football more than glee. He just felt uncomfortable in the choir room after everything that happened between him and Unique. It had nothing to do with Unique's gender and how she identified – Ryder didn't understand, but he educated himself, admitted he was wrong, and the two became friends. It had everything to do with the whole "Katie" situation, and the lying. If he couldn't trust Unique then, why would he be able to trust her now? Or anyone in the choir room, for that matter? His supposed best friends, Jake and Marley, did nothing to stop her. When Finn recruited him, for the first time in his life, Ryder felt a sense of family and belonging. But in the moment when he discovered the truth about "Katie," and every moment after, he felt alone.
"Hey!"
Speak of the devil. As Ryder sat on the bleachers, he turned around and heard Finn's voice. Ryder gave his mentor a wave and laughed. "Hey, man. How'd midterms go?"
Finn marched out onto the football field that he once ruled over and took a seat next to Ryder. "Oh, I aced them. With Puck on my ass, I had to." As the laughter subsided, Finn put a hand on Ryder's shoulder and got serious. "Sucked to hear you left the glee club."
Ryder's smile instantly faded as he scooted away from Finn slightly. "I couldn't go back after what happened. Can't trust them. Any of them. I can't even trust Marley or Jake, let alone Unique. I feel so betrayed, a-and stupid, and..."
"I know how you feel, Ryder."
"HOW!" Ryder exploded, standing up and over Finn. "HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY KNOW HOW I FEEL?" His fist was balled up, anger flowing through his body. How could Finn come in, know nothing about the situation, and try to sympathize with me? Ryder thought to himself. This is a joke.
Finn stood up. He locked eyes with Ryder, somehow managing to keep his cool. "First of all, I need you to take a step back and relax." After Ryder reluctantly let the stress leave his body and backed away, Finn continued. "There was a time where I was in the exact position you were in. Well, not exact, but I was lied to, and my emotions were played with in that choir room."
Ryder looked at Finn, confused. "I don't get it. You were 'Mr. Big Shot' in high school. Star quarterback, captain of the glee club. I mean, didn't you date Quinn Fabray at one point?"
Finn gave a soft chuckle. "I did date Quinn, yes. I broke up with her when I found out Puck got her pregnant while we were together." Ryder's stomach dropped, realizing how harsh he was on Finn as the story continued. "She told me my sperm travelled through the hot tub and impregnated her. In hindsight, I know that's a terrible lie, but I was naïve, and I believed it. The entire glee club knew... Puck told Mercedes before he even told me. I only found out because Rachel wanted me to know. I couldn't stand to be in the same room as them, so I quit glee club."
"Finn, I am so sorry." Ryder apologized, sincerely and honestly. "Why did you join back?"
Finn sat back down on the bleachers, motioning for Ryder to do the same, and he did. "Because the team needed me, and as a leader, I realized I had a responsibility to my teammates. So, I put my personal issues with them aside, swallowed my pride, and we won our first Sectionals that night."
"You forgave Quinn and Puck that easily?"
Finn shook his head, and immediately replied, "No." Ryder looked shocked, which Finn noticed. "I didn't forgive them for a while. I didn't talk to either of them that much for the rest of the school year. It took some time, but surprisingly, we were able to work things out. Puck and I are roommates now, and I still talk to Quinn relatively often." He looked over at Ryder and gave him a quick pat on the back. "Sounds familiar to a certain extent, right?"
"What, so you're saying I should put my feelings aside for the greater good of the team?" Ryder objected in a frustrated tone. "That's crap, man, and you know it! How is that any fair?"
Ryder had a point; and Finn agreed. "You're right, it's not fair. Let me tell you the same thing Mr. Schue told me in this situation; being special sucks, and sometimes you have to be the bigger man." He looked around as he continued, "it might seem like the world is ending, but I was in your shoes, Ryder, and I'm still here."
Ryder was suddenly very interested in his football cleats, because he stared at them for a very long time. He understood Finn's logic; he was always raised not to turn his back on a team, and by quitting the glee club he was doing so. However, he felt his feelings were valid. He was led on, lied to, and emotionally manipulated; what else was he supposed to do? And now, after talking to Finn, the situation was even MORE prevalent in his mind than it already was.
Finn knew he planted the seed of thought in Ryder's mind. As far as he was concerned, for the time being, his job was done. A whistle blew as Finn finished his speech, so he stood up and asked Ryder to think about it before walking off. As Finn walked away, Ryder watched, before ultimately getting up and joining the football huddle.
He did not focus on a single play in practice that day.
As Rachel worked her first shift at the Spotlight Diner, all she could think about was her chemistry test with Paolo. They were a match made in heaven! How could Rupert not see that? She was so focused on Funny Girl; it dominated her brain, 24/7, 365.
"I ordered a hamburger, not a grilled cheese! And I specifically said, 'no pickles!'" An agitated customer scolded Rachel, handing their plate back angrily. Even at work, Funny Girl was at the forefront of Rachel's brain. She took the plate and apologized, rushing back to the counter and putting the grilled cheese down. Santana happened to be behind the counter as Rachel returned, and when she did, Santana took the grilled cheese and took a bite.
"Hey! That was for a customer!" Rachel cried.
"I'm the one who ordered it." Santana responded, crossing her legs as she sat on the counter.
"You can't do that!"
"Sure, I can. Gunther can just take the money out of my paycheck." Santana shrugged, taking another bite. As she ate her sandwich, she noticed two men walk into the restaurant. She immediately realized they were Rupert and Paolo; based on Rachel's description, as she had talked about them and her chemistry test nonstop all day, it was 100% them. She nudged Rachel to get her attention and motioned to the two, who had just sat down. "You are not gonna believe who's sitting in your section."
Rachel looked over and her heart sank for a moment, but in a split second, an idea sparked in her head. "I've got this. Follow my lead." Santana rolled her eyes and followed Rachel as she headed straight to their table.
Paolo and Rupert were engaged in conversation as Rachel approached, pretending not to recognize them at first. "Hi, and welcome to the Spotlight Diner! Can I get you guys started with something to drink?" She asked, as if reading a script, before pretending to realize it was them. "Oh, hello."
Paolo gave a soft smile and waved. "Hello, Rachel." Rupert greeted her hesitantly.
This was Rachel's last chance to stand out against her competition for Fanny. "Yes, it's me, and yes, this is awkward. But I don't care, because I am a professional, even when people are calling me 'too young' or 'too green,' which, for your information, I am not!" Even Rachel knew she was going a bit too far with her rant; she could practically see Santana gagging. Nevertheless, she continued. "I am- "
"A star?" Rupert interrupted, with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
"Yes!" Rachel responded bluntly, reminding herself of... well, herself, from sophomore year. "I am a star."
Paolo cleared his throat before finally speaking his mind to her face. "Rachel, look. It's not personal."
Rupert nodded in agreement. "Everyone thinks they're a star, even when they're not." He motioned to the entirety of the diner they were in. "Look around; they all want to be on Broadway. Look, I'm not saying you're not a star, Rachel... I'm saying we're not sure just yet."
Rachel folded her arms, seemingly admitting defeat, nodding along as Rupert and Paolo spoke. "I understand." However, she did not roll over and die that easy. "I guess I'll just have to prove it to you, then." Her gaze travelled across the diner to the jukebox, where Santana stood patiently. She flashed a quick smile and put a coin in the machine.
{Rachel walks slowly to the center of the Spotlight Diner}
[Rachel]
It's been a hard day's night
And I've been working like a dog
It's been a hard day's night
I should be sleeping like a log
{Santana rushes up to Rachel and the two side hug}
[Rachel and Santana]
So why on Earth should I moan
'Cause when I get you alone
You know I feel okay
{Rachel rushes to Paolo and Rupert's table}
[Rachel]
When I'm home
Everything seems to be right
{Rachel climbs on top of table and spins around on her back}
[Rachel]
When I'm home
Feeling you holding me tight
Tight, yeah
{Santana slides across the front counter}
[Santana]
It's been a hard day's night
And I've been working like a dog
It's been a hard day's night
I should be sleeping like a log
{Rachel jumps off the table and is pulled onto the front counter by Santana}
[Rachel and Santana]
But when I get home to you
I find the things that you do
Will make me feel all right
Ow!
{Santana and Rachel dance together and with other Spotlight Diner workers}
[Rachel and Santana]
So why on Earth should I moan
'Cause when I get you alone
You know I feel okay
When I'm home
Everything seems to be right
When I'm home
Feeling you holding me tight
{Rachel and Santana sit at Paolo and Rupert's table}
[Rachel]
It's been a hard day's night
And I've been working like a dog
{Rachel winks at Paolo}
[Santana]
It's been a hard day's night
I should be sleeping like a log
{Santana gets up and ruffles Rupert's hair}
[Rachel and Santana]
But when I get home to you
I find the things that you do
Will make me feel alright
{Rachel and Santana dance in the center of the restaurant}
[Rachel and Santana]
You know I feel alright
You know I feel alright!
The Spotlight Diner erupted into cheers. Rachel and Santana bowed, laughing together, and accepting compliments from the various patrons. As the hype died down, the two roommates approached the table of the Funny Girl actor and director, expecting some kind of praise, or even a response. Instead, all they got was Paolo asking, "Can I get a water with lemon?"
Kitty entered the McKinley gymnasium, ready for cheer practice. She was in good spirits, coming off a quick makeout session with Artie under the bleachers, and meeting with the rest of the glee club to discuss a group number to perform for Mr. Schue and Finn. Life was good, but little did she know, it was about to come crashing down.
"Hey, Cat!"
This voice did nothing but irritate Kitty; hearing her speak was like nails on a chalkboard, and don't even get her started on people calling her 'Cat.' However, she put on the fakest smile possible, and turned around. "Hi Bree! It's Kitty, by the way."
"Oh! I'm so sorry. Those two names are so easy to confuse!" Bree responded to Kitty's energy with an equally fake giggle, approaching her quickly. "You ready for practice today?"
Kitty nodded, but Bree continued before she could respond. "Yeah, me too. I'm just really excited for Coach Roz to name me head Cheerio." Kitty's fake smiled turned into a very real glare, which Bree noticed as she finished speaking. "It's well deserved, in my opinion."
"Why would she name you head Cheerio?" Kitty asked in an agitated tone.
"Well, for starters, I don't have one foot in Cheerios and the other in 'geek' club." Bree snarled, folding her arms sassily. "Oh, I'm sorry, GLEE club."
Kitty rolled her eyes. "So many Cheerios have done both clubs. Quinn, Santana, Brittany, Blaine, Tina..."
Bree stepped closer to Kitty, inches away from her face. "I do not give a flying FART who did what. That's your problem, Kit-Kat, and it's the same problem all your loser friends in glee club, your pathetic coaches, and Sue 'I'm a raging closeted lesbian' Sylvester have; you all love to live in the past. The Cheerios, from now on, need sworn loyalty, and if you give any other club attention... then I'm sorry, but you're just not fit to be our captain."
If that didn't set Kitty off, things were about to get much worse.
"Plus, I know you and the half-man from Two and a Half-Men are an item. Say hi to your next empty classroom for me."
Bree gave a cold-hearted, bitchy smirk before turning to walk away, but didn't get far before Kitty grabbed her wrist as tight as she could, forcing Bree to turn around. "How do you know about Artie and I?" Kitty whispered through gritted teeth.
Bree snorted. "Please, you can practically smell it on you. Plus, JBI told me he had some dirt on you. All it costed me was a quick handy and I got it out of him. Only took me a few seconds." She winked. Kitty's face was Cheerio red as Bree pulled out of her grip. "Look, you have until the assembly next week to decide if you're committing to us or them. It's a simple choice, really; you can protect your rep and stay at the top of the food chain, or you can become a lowlife Lima loser. Your choice!"
Kitty stared at Bree in awe as she skipped away to join the other Cheerios at the other side of the gym. What was Bree up to? Was she blackmailing her? Was she going to expose her and Artie's relationship? So many thoughts circulated through Kitty's head. She had a pretty big decision to make.
School had dismissed for the day, and Finn was in he and Mr. Schue's office, which connected to the choir room. He was putting everything back on his desk when he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He took it out and a smile formed on his face; he had received a text from Rachel.
Still at school, Mr. Hudson?
Finn chuckled to himself. He was really happy he and Rachel were on good terms again and was hopeful they could pick up where they left off, but they were both at big moments in their life right now. Finn had finally started up school and was picking up steam as the co-director of the glee club, and Rachel was occupied with Funny Girl, which Finn assumed she was a lock for. No time for a relationship, especially long distance, so for now they remained friends.
Finishing up for the day now. How did rehearsal go?
Rachel responded quickly. Eh. I'll call before we both have to go to work in the morning to give you an update.
Sounds good.
Finn put his phone down to finish up organizing his side of the office when he heard a knock on his doorframe. He turned around, and to his surprise, Ryder stood in the doorway. Finn waved him inside, and as Ryder entered, he shut the door behind him.
"Ryder, hey!"
Ryder nodded and took a deep breath. "Look, I don't know if I can move past this whole Unique/Katy thing. I might be done for good."
Finn was disappointed, but he wasn't giving up just yet. "Look, I 100% understand what you're going through. These feelings of frustration, and hopelessness, I know it all too well." He pointed into the choir room, "I've experienced it in there more times than I could count, but that room has also been a shining light in my darkest hours, too."
"Yeah, but my 'darkest hour' was caused because of that choir room, Finn!" Ryder exclaimed in a frustrated tone.
"Ryder, I know how much you enjoy this club. Don't go, okay? Please? The team, we need you. Marley, Jake, Unique, me... it may not seem like it, but we don't stand a chance at Nationals without you. We all need to put our feelings aside and come together as one."
{Finn stands up from his desk, walking into the choir room and motioning for Ryder to follow}
[Finn]
Here come old flat top
He come groovin' up slowly
He got ju-ju eyeball
He one holy roller
He got hair down to his knee
Got to be a joker, he just do what he please
{Finn sits at the drums and plays as the song continues. Ryder, reluctantly, joins in}
[Ryder]
He say, "I know you, you know me"
One thing I can tell you is you got to be free
[Finn and Ryder]
Come together
Right now
Over me
{Ryder walks over to the doorway to leave, but turns around and stays}
[Ryder]
He got bag production
He got walrus gumboot
He got Ono sideboard
He one spinal cracker
{Ryder dances slowly around the drums as Finn plays them}
[Finn and Ryder]
He got feet down below his knee
Hold you in his armchair, you can feel his disease
Come together
Right now
Over me
{Finn gets up and writes "Come Together" on the whiteboard}
[Finn]
He roller-coaster
He got early warnin'
He got muddy water
He one mojo filter
He say
[Ryder]
One and one and one is three
[Finn and Ryder]
Got to be good looking 'cause he's so hard to see
Come together
Right now
Over me
Come together, yeah
Come together, yeah
Come together
As Finn and Ryder finish their duet, the two stared at each other briefly. Finn broke the silence. "So, what do you say?"
Ryder hesitated for a moment, wanting to commit to returning, but the memory of Unique revealing herself just kept playing in his head. "Not until she apologizes."
"Ryder, I know Unique was wrong, and she feels really guilty, but have you considered her feelings?"
Ryder snapped. "Not until she apologizes! And admits to her mistakes!"
"Ryder. Have you considered why Unique-"
Finn began to try and reason with Ryder but was interrupted when he stormed out of the choir room, leaving Finn there alone.
"This is sad to watch."
The next morning, Santana and Kurt Hummel sat in their kitchen, eating breakfast together, as Rachel lay in the living room alone, staring at her phone. She refused to eat; not until she got a final decision from Rupert.
Kurt smacked Santana's hand innocently. "Will you stop?"
Santana shrugged. "I mean, it's like she's waiting on her pregnancy test results or something!"
"She actually did that at one point." Kurt responded, defensively of his close friend. "Weren't you the one who took her to the clinic in the first place?"
Santana shushed him, continuing to watch Rachel wait longingly for a call, although she was clearly impatient. "Come on, Berry, we're gonna be late for work!"
Kurt stood up and walked to the sink, taking the dirty dishes with him, cleaning as he waited for Rachel. He made light conversation with Santana as he cleaned. "You know, I don't know why you even bother eating breakfast here. You end up eating at Spotlight anyway. You're gonna end up getting us all fired by doing that."
"If I pay for it, does it really matt-"
Santana and Kurt's bickering were silenced by a phone buzzing. Kurt dove for his to check if it was him; it was not. Santana quickly reached for hers to do the same, but hers was dead. Both of their heads simultaneously whipped around to the living room, where Rachel watched her phone buzz. She was receiving a call from Rupert.
"Answer it!" Kurt shrieked, rushing into the living room with Santana close behind. They sat on either side of Rachel, itching to know the results of her audition.
Rachel was incredibly nervous, which was uncommon for her, as she was always so confident in everything she did. But this, this was a culmination of her entire life's work. Everything she had done had led up to this moment, this phone call right here, and she was more nervous than she had ever been in her life. Regardless, she reached for the phone, and hit the green answer button. Time had ran out; it was time for Rachel Berry to face the music.
"Hello?"
{The scene cuts to the glee club in the McKinley auditorium, as Blaine steps into the spotlight}
[Blaine]
What would you think if I sang out of tune
Would you stand up and walk out on me
{Sam walks out and puts an arm around Blaine}
[Sam and Blaine]
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song
And I'll try not to sing out of key
{The rest of the glee club enters the stage, putting their arms around each other}
[New Directions]
Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
I get high with a little help from my friends
Gonna try with a little help from my friends
{Jake does a spin as the spotlight centers on him}
[Jake]
What do I do when my love is away
[Jake and Marley]
Does it worry you to be alone
{Jake and Marley kiss each other quickly}
[Marley]
How do I feel by the end of the day
[Jake and Marley]
Are you sad because you're on your own
[New Directions]
No, I get by with a little help from my friends
I get high with a little help from my friends
Gonna try with a little help from my friends
{Unique walks to the edge of the stage}
[Unique]
Do you need anybody
I need somebody to love
Could it anybody
[New Directions]
I want somebody to love
Oh!
I get by with a little help from my friends
I get high with a little help from my friends
{Ryder is shown standing in the doorway of the auditorium, watching the glee club perform, before walking away sadly}
[New Directions]
I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends
Yes, I get by with a little help from my friends
With a little help from my friends
glee
Season Five, Starring Cory Monteith
STARRING
Cory Monteith as Finn Hudson
Lea Michele as Rachel Berry
Matthew Morrison as William Schuester
Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester
Chris Colfer as Kurt Hummel
Naya Rivera as Santana Lopez
Kevin McHale as Artie Abrams
Jenna Ushkowitz as Tina Cohen-Chang
Darren Criss as Blaine Anderson
Chord Overstreet as Sam Evans
Melissa Benoist as Marley Rose
Jacob Artist as Jake Puckerman
Becca Tobin as Kitty Wilde
Alex Newell as Wade "Unique" Adams
Blake Jenner as Ryder Lynn
GUEST STARRING
Ioan Gruffudd as Paolo San Paolo
Peter Facinelli as Rupert Campion
Samuel Larsen as Joe Hart
Vanessa Lengies as Sugar Motta
Josh Sussman as Jacob Ben Israel
Erinn Westbrook as Bree
SONG(S) PERFORMED:
The Beatles – Yesterday: Performed by Rachel Berry
The Beatles – You've Got to Hide Your Love Away: Performed by Artie Abrams and Kitty Wilde
The Beatles – A Hard Day's Night: Performed by Rachel Berry and Santana Lopez
The Beatles – Come Together: Performed by Finn Hudson and Ryder Lynn
The Beatles – With A Little Help from My Friends: Performed by Blaine Anderson, Sam Evans, Jake Puckerman, Marley Rose, and Wade "Unique" Adams with New Directions