Hey everyone! I hope everyone is enjoying the story so far; I've really enjoyed tackling this arc here, specifically the High School Musical aspect of things. The next couple chapters will be pretty close to how the episodes in season six went, but of course, with my own things sprinkled in here and there. Be on the lookout for the next two chapters being based upon "Jagged Little Tapestry" and "Child Star!"
In this chapter I do switch up some of the lyrics to one of the songs, so it can more fit the storyline of this episode. You'll see when you read it below!
Also, there will be a Christmas themed episode in a few episodes, but that chapter will probably be posted way after the holidays, so I wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Holidays!
Lastly, I wanted to shoutout ElementalDrift and Stinkyfog for the work they've done on the Starring Cory Monteith Wiki! I appreciate all the work you guys have done, and my mission once I finish this fanfiction is to help you guys polish up the wiki for everyone's viewing pleasure, haha.
That's all the comments I have - I hope you guys enjoy this next chapter!
Episode 6x06: The Fall Music-al
Synopsis: The musical is only days away, and that isn't even the tip of the iceberg for Finn (Cory Monteith) and Rachel (Lea Michele); Finn is forced to save Spencer (Marshall Williams) from suspension at the hands of Sue (Jane Lynch), while Rachel tries keeping Kitty (Becca Tobin) in glee club after the musical concludes. Meanwhile, Puck (Mark Salling) shows up to try and help Finchel whip Jake (Jacob Artist) into shape.
Another day, another morning rehearsal. The New Directions had so many bags under their eyes, they looked like they were going on vacation. Regardless, they powered through, with a little help from their new best friend, Lima Bean coffee. Finn burst through the door, with hands full of coffee. "Sorry I'm late," he said with a gasp. "Apparently everyone likes to drink coffee in the morning."
"In other news, the sky is blue," Spencer grumbled.
As Finn placed down the coffees on top of the piano for everyone to grab, a hand shot up. "Uh, where's Jake?" Bree asked with an annoyed tone. "Do you just get preferential treatment if your brother is best friends with the teacher?"
Rachel nervously pushed her hair behind her ear, glancing over at Finn before looking back over to the students. "Um, Jake is just dealing with some family stuff right now."
"Is he okay?" Marley asked, trying to hide the fact that she was concerned about her ex.
The scene cut to a flashback from a day before, with Finn approaching Jake in his study hall. "Hey, you got a second?"
Reluctantly, Jake stood up and exiting the classroom, joining Finn in the empty hallway. "I'm actually glad you came to find me, Finn," he spoke. "I've been meaning to apologize to you. The way I've been acting and the way I blew up on you, it's not cool and so I owe you an apology for that."
Finn nodded. "That's really great to hear, man, but I actually wanted to apologize to you, too. Maybe the way you came at me was wrong, but you made some valid points. You know, I connected with everyone else from your iteration of the glee club but maybe I wasn't as close with you as I thought I was. I've seen the way you've been struggling recently, so I wanted to try and help. Mend fences."
Jake looked at him, slightly confused. "What are you talking about?"
"He's talking about me."
Jake's head whipped around as he saw his brother, Noah Puckerman, standing in the hallway. Puck walked over to the situation and approached the two, with a small smile on his face. "What's up, half-bro with the afro?"
Jake was NOT happy to see him, evident by the punch to Puck's right cheek and stepping over him like Allen Iverson in the NBA Finals as he made his way back into study hall.
Back in the present day, Finn nodded his head as he responded to Marley, "Yeah, I think he'll be fine. I hope." Changing the subject, he snapped his fingers and pointed to Spencer and Kitty. "Guys, this is supposed to be a dress rehearsal. Why aren't you in your clothes?"
"I'm not wearing that crap," Spencer protested. "I'll look like a gay Bruno Mars."
"So for you, it'll just be Bruno Mars, right?" Kitty looked at him with a snarl.
"Okay, enough of that," Rachel interjected in a sing-songy voice. "We've only got a few days to opening night, so we really need you guys to focus."
As the two rolled their eyes and exited the choir room to change, Finn and Rachel exchanged nervous glances. There were five people in that cast who hadn't committed to the New Directions post-musical, and two of them just reluctantly left to go change. One of them just sucker-punched his brother, and the other two were Bree and Alistair. They were under the gun. Without the five of them, they were just barely halfway to a competition team. They desperately needed those guys to join full-time after High School Musical concluded, or else they were up the creek and without a paddle. However, they had learned throughout their time at McKinley that there is a time and a place, and this certainly was not the time.
Just then, Spencer and Kitty walked back into the room with their Bop To The Top clothes on. Unique looked at them and began to snap her fingers. "Kitty, girl, you look spicy."
"Thanks, but please don't eat me," she replied.
"Okay," Finn said, taking a seat with the kids over on the other side of the choir room. "Let's just take it from the top, please."
[Spencer]
Mucho Gusto
[Kitty]
¡Aye que fabulosa!
¡Rrrrr aye aye aye
[Spencer]
Arriba!
[Kitty]
¿Quieres bailar?
[Spencer]
Mirame
[Kitty]
I believe in dreamin', shooting for the stars
[Spencer]
Baby, to be number one you've got to raise the bar
[Kitty]
Kicking and a scratching, grinding out my best
[Spencer]
Anything it takes to climb the ladder of success
[Spencer and Kitty]
Work our tails off everyday
Gotta bump the competition, blow them all away
[Spencer]
Caliente
[Kitty]
Suave
[Spencer and Kitty]
Yeah, we're gonna bop, bop, bop, bop to the top
Slip and slide and ride that rhythm
Jump and hop, hop til we drop
And start again
Zip, zap, zop, pop like a mop
Scoot around the corner
Move it to the groove, till the music stops
Do the bop, bop, bop to the top
Don't ever stop
Bop to the top
Gimme gimme, shimmy shimmy
Shake some booty and turn around
Flash a smile in their direction
[Kitty]
Show some muscle
[Spencer]
Do the hustle
[Spencer and Kitty] (Kitty)
Yeah, we're gonna bop, bop, bop, bop to the top
Wipe away your inhibitions
Stump, stump, stump, do the rump
And strut your stuff
Bop, bop, bop, straight to the top
Going for the glory
We'll keep stepping up and we just won't stop (stop)
Till we reach the top
Bop to the top
The song concluded, with the New Directions, Finn and Rachel all applauding for the two. They both looked very content and happy with their performance, with Spencer in particular beaming with pride. Perhaps he liked performing after all! He mentally considered sticking around after the musical concluded, but as the performance ended he noticed Bobby Surette and Phil Lipoff in the hallway, watching him and laughing at him, causing him to reconsider everything once again.
Later that day in the cafeteria, the McKinley student body enjoyed what was everyone's favorite part of the day. Lunch. In the line as everyone was served by Millie Rose, the head lunch lady and Marley's mother, her daughter popped up next in line.
"Big day coming up," Millie said as she placed some mashed potatoes on Marley's plate. "Excited?"
Marley grinned wide as she nodded her head. "You know I've been itching to perform again, Mom. It's such a great feeling that glee club is basically here again!"
"That Finn boy is nice," she replied as she and Marley moved down the assembly line, placing some green beans on her plate next. "He always makes time to chat with me in the teacher's lounge. You're in great hands."
"He's a great teacher and an even better friend," Marley said in agreement. "You know, I wasn't too sure about Rachel's involvement, but I think I've kind of came around on her." Rachel and Marley truly had bonded over the last few weeks, and she had proven to be a great mentor figure. Not nearly as selfish or bratty as Tina had led them to believe. Perhaps this was maturity at its finest.
"The Broadway girl? Oh, she's beautiful. Very sweet, and you can just tell that they love each other. I hope she isn't settling, though. She's a city girl, she shouldn't stay down here longer than she has to."
In the line, Bobby and Phil were behind Marley, and they were growing increasingly impatient. "Hey, Clayface, can you stop talking to your third leg over here and speed up the line?" Phil barked, with a chuckle soon to follow.
Millie's face dropped, as Marley turned to face the two. "Are you guys seriously still acting like this? Wasn't your summer school session enough?"
The two glared at her; after they slushied Unique at prom during Season Five, they were suspended by Figgins so late into the game that they were forced to take summer school just to keep up. As a domino effect, their GPA dropped and thus weren't able to be on the wrestling team anymore. However, after Sue took over and put an emphasis on sports, they found an even better calling. Football.
"Listen, I would hate to knock that tray out of your hands, so watch it," Bobby snickered. "Although, I guess you probably aren't hungry anyway, huh, ED Girl?"
As they laughed, the guy behind them in line stepped up. "Is there a problem?" Ryder swooped in.
In the past, Bobby and Phil had some kind of fear of Ryder. Maybe it was the divide between football and wrestling, but now that they were on the same playing field as he, Spencer and Jake, they had no fear of any kind. "Relax, LEGO Movie," Bobby laughed. "This isn't your fight. I'd hate to bring the BOOM on your dumbass."
Ryder looked at the two of them and just stepped forward. "You wanna try that again?"
Marley stepped between the three of them. "Okay, that's enough... just go back to your respective tables."
Bobby and Phil glared down at Marley, before looking up at Ryder, and walking away, clearly valuing their spots on the football team more than tormenting them some more. As they walked way, she smiled and nodded gently as a way to thank Ryder. Ryder smiled back, before glancing over at Millie and waving kindly. Ryder walked away as Marley rushed back to the buffet line, grabbing her tray.
"Troy and Gabriella, eh?" Millie said teasingly.
Marley shook her head quickly. "Not going to happen," she said, immediately debunking any inclination that she and Ryder would get back together, before walking over to her table and taking a seat.
Meanwhile, in the teacher's lounge, Finn and Rachel were joined for lunch by Puck! The classic boyfriend-girlfriend-boyfriend's best friend combo. They hadn't really spent a ton of time together with just the three of them, considering Puck usually interjected and stole Finn's girlfriends in high school, but as they got older, they realized how much bonding time they missed with just the three of them.
Rachel took a seat with her salad as Finn and Puck feasted on burgers that Puck brought in. She winced as she looked at the bruise on Puck's face. "Jesus, Noah, you should really put some ice on that."
"This is nothing," Puck replied. "Nothing compares to the time that a German Shepherd and I fought like Simba and Mufasa while I was trying to clean a pool."
"Oh yeah," Finn recalled with a chuckle. "Mrs. Lewellen's place over on Sycamore."
"I may have fought a dog that day, but nothing compared to the battle in the bedroom with that fox Mrs. Lewellen later that day."
Rachel smiled, missing seeing the two of them just pal around, even if Puck's last comment was pretty gross. She leaned on Finn's shoulder as they ate. "So, how are things?"
Puck nodded as he finished his bite, first taking a swig of his soda before answering. "Everything's great. I'm really focusing on the screenplay, trying to shop it around to some directors. I think it's got potential."
"Is it still that script with the alien terrorist aquatic pythons?" Finn joked. "That was rough."
"No, it's not. Also, dude, I was still workshopping back then," Puck replied, slightly annoyed. "It was my first ever screenplay! At least Kitty was into it."
"Maybe we shouldn't bring up you and Kitty."
"Alright, fair enough." Puck leaned back in his seat. "Chicks from the past are nothing but crumbs you forgot to wipe your shirt anyway. Including Mrs. Lewellen."
Rachel just blinked, not really knowing how to respond, considering she herself was a chick from his past. "How's Quinn?" She asked, opting to keep the conversation flowing as opposed to diving into whatever he was trying to imply about his exes.
"She's great," he replied with a smile. "One more year of school and I really think she could give this lawyer thing a crack. We've really enjoyed living in New Haven together, and Shelby is finally letting us see Beth! Every Sunday. It interrupts RedZone, sure, but it's nice to have a little family or whatever."
Finn and Rachel exchanged glances. "So that's where you've been this whole time? You left Lima to be closer to Quinn and so you could see Beth more." Finn asked.
"Long distance sucks, you guys know that," Puck replied, putting it simply. "Plus with me being closer to New York now, it gives me a real chance to make something happen with the script."
"So what exactly happened with you and Jake?" Rachel inquired.
Puck sighed and shook his head. "Nothing really. I mean, I told him I was moving and he was pissed about it. We got into a fight, haven't talked since. Well, except yesterday when he punched me."
"I think he sort of feels abandoned," Finn said, echoing his previous conversations with him and just off observation. "You were sort of his only family, you know?"
"Well, what the hell am I supposed to do, never leave Lima because my half-brother said so?"
Finn shook his head. "No, dude, that's not what I meant. I'm just trying to help you understand his perspective... all he had was you, and he had the glee club. He lost them both, and his mom lost her job. They've been struggling for a while, so he just feels abandoned. However, I don't think he understands your perspective either. You didn't want to hurt him, obviously, but you've got a career to chase. He should be happy for you, you know?"
Rachel heard those comments and kept them in the back of her mind for later down the line. Puck nodded, listening to Finn's words. "I mean, it's the career, it's Quinn, it's Beth. The move made sense," he replied.
"Exactly," Finn said comfortingly. "You guys are both so hard-headed, you didn't think about the other person. I think this is a pretty easy fix."
Puck nodded again. "I miss my little brother. I'm not leaving Lima until this is figured out."
Back in the cafeteria, you could see a clear divide in the cliques around the school. The glee kids mostly sat together (Marley, Unique, Ryder, Jane, Roderick and Alistair) while the popular kids (Bobby and Phil, Kitty and Bree, Mason and Madison, Spencer, and the other Cheerios/football guys) sat elsewhere. Jake was nowhere to be found.
At the glee table, Marley noticed the divide. "Why aren't Mason and Madison sitting with us?"
"I think they intended to, but they felt the pressure of the cliques," Roderick said, glancing over towards the popular table.
"That's very disappointing to see," Jane vocalized, her eyes drifting towards Mason.
Marley cleared her throat. "So guys, with the musical in a few days there's an elephant in the room that needs to be addressed; the glee club. There are some people who haven't formally joined the New Directions, and they aren't at this table."
"Well, I'll stick around," Alistair said. "It'll be fun!"
"That's great, but we need the others to join up too," Ryder grumbled.
On the other side of the cafeteria, the populars were ironically talking about the same thing. "So you losers aren't going to stay in the glee club after this musical, are you?" Bobby asked.
Mason and Madison, in unison, spoke. "We are."
"So now we know who to put on top of the slushie list," Phill joked, making them look nervous. They looked over to Kitty, Bree and Spencer, who hadn't said anything. "What about you guys? Spencer, you gonna return home to your flock of queers?"
Spencer stood up, ready to fight. "How about I give you another reason for summer school?" He growled.
Kitty reached up and grabbed Spencer's shoulder, dragging him back down to his seat. "We're still considering," she said, answering for the rest of them. "You'll have to be fine with whatever we decide."
{As the popular kids and the glee club mull their thoughts regarding the New Directions and the musical at large, certain cast members of the musical begin to speak up amongst the crowd to vocalize their desire to stick around and perform. The overall McKinley student body tries shutting it down.}
[Mason]
You can bet there's nothing but net
When I am in a zone and on a roll
But I've got a confession, my own secret obsession
And it's making me lose control
[New Directions]
Everybody gather 'round
[Mason]
I'm already a male cheerleader! I have nothing to lose
I love to perform, and I really think I could learn a thing or two from Rachel Berry
[New Directions]
Not another sound
[Mason]
I just hope Finn lets us do Heathers next year...
[New Directions]
No, no, no, no...
No, no, no
Stick to the stuff you know
If you want to be cool, follow one simple rule
Don't mess with the flow, no no
Stick to the status quo
[Madison]
Look at me and what do you see
Intelligence beyond compare
But inside I am stirring, something strange is occurring
It's a secret I need to share
[New Directions]
Open up, dig way down deep
[Madison]
What's the difference between this and cheerleading?
I'm on my brother's side. I can't wait for our first glee club meeting post-musical
[New Directions]
Not another peep
[Bree]
I hope this isn't a Life With Derek situation with you two...
[New Directions]
No, no, no, no...
No, no, no
Stick to the stuff you know
It is better by far to keep things as they are
Don't mess with the flow, no no
Stick to the status quo
[Alistair]
Listen well, I'm ready to tell
About a need that I cannot deny
Dude, there's no explanation for this awesome sensation
But I'm ready to let it fly
[New Directions]
Speak your mind and you'll be heard
[Alistair]
Who cares what anyone else thinks but yourself?
Forget Sue Sylvester, forget the Cheerios, and forget the football team
If you want to be in glee club, then join up!
[New Directions]
Not another word
[Alistair]
Didn't they win a National title?
[Roderick]
Yeah, a few years ago. Out of sight, out of mind
[New Directions]
No, no, no, no...
No, no, no
Stick to the stuff you know
If you want to be cool, follow one simple rule
Don't mess with the flow, no no
Stick to the status quo
Oh, no, no, no
Stick to the stuff you know
It is better by far to keep things as they are
Don't mess with the flow, no no
Stick to the status quo
[Kitty]
This is not what I want
This is not what I planned
And I just gotta say
I do not understand
Something is really
[Spencer]
Something's not right
[Kitty]
...really wrong
[Kitty and Spencer]
And we gotta get things
Back where they belong
We can do it
[Alistair]
Gotta play
[New Directions]
Stick with what you know
[Kitty and Spencer]
We can do it
[Madison]
Hip hop hooray
[New Directions]
She has got to go
[Kitty and Spencer]
We can do it
[Mason]
Crême brûlée?
[New Directions]
Keep your voice down low
Not another peep
No, not another word
No, not another sound
No
[Kitty]
Everybody quiet!
[New Directions]
No! No, no, no
Stick to the stuff you know
If you want to be cool, follow one simple rule
Don't mess with the flow, no no
Stick to the status quo
Oh, no, no, no
Stick to the stuff you know
It is better by far to keep things as they are
Don't mess with the flow, no no
Don't you stick to the status. No!
Stick to the status. No!
Stick to the status quo
Similar to how the song ended in the real High School Musical, someone was hit by an item of food. Only in this version, it wasn't an accident, as Bobby and Phil decided to smack a tray off the table and onto Spencer's letterman jacket. Also unlike the movie, where Gabriella profusely apologizes to Sharpay, Bobby and Phil simply laughed.
Spencer decided to get up and push Bobby down, causing a chaotic battle between the three football players in the middle of the cafeteria. Finn, Rachel and Puck had just entered the cafeteria, actually searching around for Jake, before realizing what was going on. Finn quickly ran in to break up the fight, pulling Spencer off of the two before a whistle was blown, causing the entire room to shift their stares across the cafeteria to see Sue Sylvester.
"The show's over, fatties," Sue said calmly. "Everyone get to class. Except you, third Sprouse brother." She pointed to Spencer. "My office. Now."
"SUSPENDED?"
Inside Sue's office, Spencer and Finn were flabbergasted. "You can't suspend me!" Spencer protested.
"Perks of the job, kiddo," Sue dismissed his arguing. "I can do whatever I want. Consider this karma for not agreeing to sabotage the glee club."
"You tried to get him to sabotage the glee club?" Finn asked with anger.
"Oh, for God's sake, can you stop making everything about the glee club?"
"You brought it up!"
"Spencer, you're suspended for the rest of the week," Sue ignored Finn. "Inciting violence. You'll be reinstated Monday."
"This is ridiculous," Spencer looked to Finn. "She's just doing this so I can't perform in the musical."
"That's absolutely correct," Finn said in agreement. "He didn't even start the fight!"
"You have no proof of that," Sue said bluntly.
"There were witnesses, and we have it all on the school cameras!" Finn continued to argue.
"But other than that... you have no proof." Sue smirked. "Have fun trying to find an athletic homosexual to fill the role of Ryan in your little play... and have fun trying to reinstate the glee club in time for Sectionals."
"What are you talking about?" Finn asked. "Sectionals isn't for another two weeks. We have plenty of time for that."
"Not after Spencer is made an example out of. The student body of McKinley will see that this is what happens when you don't stick to the status quo," Sue replied. "You'll get mashed potatoes all in your gullet, and then kicked out of school as a result." She leaned over to behind her desk and grabbed a wooden baseball bat. "Now get the hell out of my office before I bash some home runs into your skulls."
Reluctantly, Spencer and Finn exited the office with anger. "This is such bullcrap," Spencer complained. "How can she get away with this?"
"Don't worry about it," Finn insisted. "I'm going to fight this."
"There's not enough time. Opening night is Friday, and it's Wednesday."
"Trust me," Finn put a hand on Spencer's shoulder. "I've got a plan. Go home, rehearse your lines and memorize the lyrics. You will be performing on Friday."
Spencer looked at him and paused. "Are you doing this just so I join the glee club after the musical is over?"
Finn shook his head. "No. I'm doing this because I saw how happy you were in rehearsals, no matter how much you don't want to admit it. I was in your shoes once, fighting between two worlds. I don't want you, or anyone else, to have to choose between what they want and what the world wants for them." He paused, taking a deep breath. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't want you joining when this is all said and done, but it's bigger than just glee club, okay? I'm doing this because I believe in you. Now, go home before she releases the hounds on you."
Spencer smiled, impressed with Finn and his commitment to the arts and to these kids, glee being irrelevant to the equation. He just wanted what was best for them, and that was admirable. He followed Finn's orders, this time with no argument, and headed home.
Rachel rushed out of the choir room and over to Finn. "What happened? Where is he going?"
"Sue suspended him."
Rachel gasped. "That is so not fair!"
"I know," Finn replied. "Listen, I have a plan. I need you to take the wheel with rehearsals and stuff. I gotta go."
"Where are you going?" Rachel asked.
With no reply, Finn rushed out of the hallway and out of the school. She watched him go, not having a clue as to what he was up to or how he was going to solve this problem, but she had faith in him. In the meantime, she needed to get the rest of the glee club prepped and ready to go for Friday.
The next morning, Sue had an impromptu meeting with her boss, Superintendent Bob Harris, over at the Lima Public Schools office building downtown. She entered his office with a gentle knock on the door. "You wanted to see me?"
"Yes, Sue, take a seat," the superintendent replied from his desk, getting up to greet her as she walked in.
Sue shook his hand in the doorway, and as they walked inside she noticed Finn was already there, sitting across from the desk. He turned around and smiled. "Hey, Sue!"
"What is he doing here?"
"Uh, he came to inform me of a little misunderstanding that it sounds like you guys are having," Harris replied. "Something about a suspension?"
"Spencer Porter got into a fight during lunch yesterday and was suspended as a result," Sue said quickly, almost as if she had rehearsed that in the mirror all night.
"Yes, and while I admire your quick decision making, it looks like there may have been an overlooking of some other facts," Harris said, taking a seat at his desk. "Finn here says that Spencer was acting in self-defense against two other students, those who have suspensions and a history of trouble on their records. Bobby Surette and Phil Lipoff?"
Sue blinked. "Well, Superintendent, I was not in the cafeteria when this all happened. In fact, neither was Finn Hudson. However, facts are facts, and Spencer engaged in violent acts on school property and thus I had no choice in taking disciplinary action."
Harris just chuckled. "Sue, what about the other two students? I mean, Spencer Porter seems to be a star athlete and a decent student. Finn was telling me that he was going to be in their production of High School Musical this weekend!"
"He's playing the third male lead," Finn interjected.
"Please shut up," Sue muttered to Finn through gritted teeth.
"The point is, Sue, I didn't see or hear anything about what actions you were taking towards the other two students, who have had a history of bad behavior," Harris concluded. "I took it upon myself to do some digging and it looks like Spencer indeed did not start the fight! It was Bobby and Phil."
"Is that so?" Sue blinked again, clenching her fists by her side.
The superintendent nodded again, turning the television on and showing McKinley's security footage from that afternoon. "Were they singing before this?" He wondered aloud. "Anyways, you can clearly see that Spencer was attacked, maliciously and unprovoked. The two boys were pulled apart by Finn, and then you called Spencer into your office for his reprimanding. This is unfair to that student... so, I am going to overturn his suspension and instead, suspend the other two boys."
"I beg your pardon?" Sue growled. "This is an usurping of my power!"
"Sue, don't take things personal here. It was an honest mistake that was overlooked! No harm, no foul. Spencer will return to school tomorrow morning and the other two boys will be sent home immediately. The good news is that Spencer will be back in time for the musical." He looked at Finn. "Has he been practicing at home?"
"I sure hope so," Finn replied innocently, standing up. "Well, thanks for your help here, Superintendent Harris. I need to head back to McKinley so I can be there in time for our last rehearsal." He shook the superintendent's hand before turning around and smirking deviously at Sue. "See you back at the lab, Principal Sylvester!" He patted her arm. "Thanks for helping us clear things up."
Sue shot daggers at Finn as he exited the superintendent's office, another plan thwarted. He was a far different opponent than William Schuester, that was for sure. He was much more cutthroat, ruthless. He was giving Sue Sylvester a run for her money... but she always, always had a few tricks up her sleeve.
Meanwhile, over at McKinley, Rachel and the glee club were in the midst of their final morning rehearsal. As they wrapped things up and began to head out, Rachel quickly tried summoning their attention to the front of the class. "Okay, guys, I just wanted to talk about something really quick. Obviously, the musical is tomorrow and all of our efforts have been focused onto that, but I do need to look ahead to what comes of this group beyond the musical, and of course, Sectionals. Okay? Sectionals is only a few weeks away and we're five members away from a competition team. Luckily, we have twelve core cast members in this musical, with five of you not currently enlisted as members of the New Directions... so I wanted to take this time to address those five, and see if they'd be willing to join up after the musical is over."
Kitty raised her hand. "Two of those five aren't even in the room; one is AWOL and the other is suspended."
"Finn is currently trying to fix Spencer's suspension, and Jake will be back before we know it," Rachel answered. "In the meantime. Kitty, Bree, Alistair. Are you guys willing to stick around and become New Directioners?"
"Is that what we called ourselves?" Unique wondered aloud.
Alistair nodded. "I'm in."
Rachel squealed happily and clapped. "Okay, what about you two ladies?"
Bree sighed and nodded. "Screw it. I know it might be bad for my rep, but I guess I owe it to Finn for everything he's done for me. I'm in."
"Awesome!" Rachel smiled happily, glancing over to Kitty, hoping to go three-for-three here.
Kitty scoffed, standing up and slinging her backpack over her shoulder. "You don't know anything about me and now you're begging for my help like we're friends?" She walked out of the choir room, with everyone in awe, before Rachel nervously ran after her.
"Hey!" She called back, anxious to prove her wrong. "Your name is Kitty Wilde. You were named after a Bruce Springsteen song. You don't trust newspapers because you think that they lied about Watergate. You once beat up a mascot at a little league softball game for trying to start the wave with everyone. You say that your favorite color is Jesus. You prefer Triscuits over Wheat Thins, and sometimes you don't wear underwear."
Kitty stopped in the hall and faced Rachel. "You got all of that from Marley, didn't you?"
"Well, the last part was from Artie," she said sheepishly, confirming Kitty's suspicions but also knowing that he was a risky subject to bring up. "I just want you to know that I've taken the time to get to know you, and that who you are is important to me."
"So I don't feel like I'm being used when you ask me to join the glee club?"
"Pretty much."
"Look, Rachel," Kitty sighed. "You have a reputation for being an inherently selfish person. You rarely ask what people think, and when you do, it's in the context of 'What do you think about me?' I took a chance and joined Mr. Schuester's glee club because I knew that even though it was gonna hurt my rep, that it was being led by a kind man committed to teaching, and that there were a bunch of kids in there that would have my back when things get hairy."
Rachel nodded. "Yes! I understand... all of those kids are in there again, except for Jake, which we're working on. But also, you and I both know that Finn exemplifies the same qualities that Mr. Schue had when you joined up. Okay? This is a great opportunity to recreate the original magic that your glee club and mine had."
"Fair point... but what about you?" Kitty asked. "What about when you jump ship as soon as the real world invites you back to the stage? How does that impact Finn, and how will that in turn impact the glee club?" Rachel didn't say anything. "You're looking into the future, well, so am I," she continued. "So my answer is no. No, thank you."
"Kitty, we need you," Rachel pleaded. "Your energy and your enthusiasm... I may not know you very well, but I know that you love performing."
Kitty sighed and stared at her feet. "I do love it," she agreed.
"You can sing and dance," Rachel continued. "And yes, Santana's cruelty definitely scarred me for the rest of my life, but I know that the glee club needs a top bitch to keep everyone in line."
Kitty nodded. "There's just one thing that's stopping me. I invested everything into the glee club before, and what did it get me?" She glanced down the hall at the lockers; specifically, Artie's old locker. Rachel sighed, knowing where this was going as Kitty turned back with faint tears in her eyes. "A broken heart. He deserted me. Every time I'm in that choir room, I'm reminded of him and how he treated me. I've missed singing and dancing, and the feeling of being in the choir room... but I can't. It's too painful. I don't want to jump back in and have my heart broken all over again."
Rachel sighed and pursed her lips. "I understand more than anybody the feeling of being alone in that choir room, okay? But the power of performance, the singing and dancing, the friendships, it all got me through it. I promise it can do the same for you."
Kitty shook her head. "I'm sorry, Rachel. I can't. I hate to do this to my friends, and to Finn, but I can't. I told myself after this musical that I had to walk away... I need to look out for myself here."
{Kitty begins to walk away as Rachel watches her, Kitty beginning to sing to herself as she cleans out her locker of all the old glee club and Artie memories}
I guess I should have known better
To believe that my luck had changed
I let my heart and forever
Finally learn each other's names
I tell myself this time it's different
No goodbyes 'cause I can't bear to say it
I'll never survive the one that's coming
If I stay, oh no
Just walk away, and don't look back
'Cause if my heart breaks, it's going to hurt so bad
You know I'm strong, but I can't take that
Before it's too late, oh, just walk away
Walk, walk, walk away
Ooh, just walk away
Walk, walk, walk away
I really wish I could blame you
But I know that it's no one's fault (no one's fault)
A Cinderella with no shoe
And a prince that doesn't know he's lost
This emptiness feels so familiar
Each goodbye, just the same old song
But this time I will not surrender
'Cause I'm gone
Oh, yeah
Just walk away, and don't look back
'Cause if my heart breaks, it's going to hurt so bad
You know I'm strong, but I can't take that
Before it's too late, oh, just walk away
Walk, walk, walk away
Ooh, just walk away
Walk, walk, walk away
Ooh, just walk away
I've got to let it go
Start protecting my heart and soul
'Cause I don't think I'll survive
A goodbye again
Not again
Just walk away, oh, and don't look back
'Cause if my heart breaks, it's going to hurt so bad
You know I'm strong, but I can't take that
Before it's too late, just walk away
(Walk, walk, walk away)
Walk away, walk away, yeah
(Walk, walk, walk away)
Walk away, walk away, oh
(Walk, walk, walk away)
Walk away, walk away
(Walk, walk, walk away)
Walk away, walk away, oh no
Friday night. Opening night. This was the biggest moment of the year for the glee club up until this point, and they had to knock it out of the park. They had no choice. Rachel and the kids all stood in the choir room, in costume, when Finn and Spencer suddenly walked inside. Everyone was ecstatic to see Spencer, happy that he would be joining in for their performance.
Rachel looked at Finn, beaming with pride. "How did you-"
"I just worked some magic," Finn grinned.
Everyone hugged and high-fived Spencer. As the hype died down, Spencer spoke up. "I'm happy to be back... and happy to see those two jerks suspended in my place," he joked, causing laughs. "I owe this to Finn for making it happen and proving my innocence... so thanks, man. I'm excited to continue this little run through Sectionals, Regionals and Nationals."
Finn and Rachel's faces went blank. "Wait, you're joining the glee club permanently?" Finn asked.
"If you'll have me..."
"Dude, yes!" Finn cheered, reaching over and high-fiving him himself. "Welcome aboard!"
Everyone was smiling, except for Kitty, who sat in her chair and exchanged looks with Rachel, obviously thinking of their previous interaction. Marley looked around the room and again noticed her ex-boyfriend's absence and decided to ask again. "Where's Jake?"
Outside in the courtyard, Jake sat and threw a tennis ball back and forth against the brick wall. He could hear the excitement growing inside, not even from the choir room but from the lobby outside the auditorium, anticipation growing for the performance, but he decided to go AWOL after Puck showed up. He was tired of everything that came out of that glee club, and maybe mentally had decided he was done with it.
Almost like the devil was reading his mind, he heard a door open and close and then felt a presence standing behind him. "You're gonna miss your performance," Puck spoke, hands in his pockets.
"Like I'm itching to perform I Don't Dance with Spencer," Jake replied, not even turning around as he continued throwing the tennis ball back and forth to himself.
Puck walked up next to him, just staring at the brick wall, the two brothers not even looking at each other. "Beth is getting so big," he said, hands still in pockets. "She's in the smashing cake phase. It's nice that Shelby's finally letting Quinn see her, too. They love playing dress-up."
"Why are you telling me all of this?" Jake asked.
"Because you're my brother, and you're missing out on what's going on with your family. Your niece, your sister in-law, your brother..."
"Wait." Jake paused, catching the tennis ball and not throwing it again, holding onto it as he looked over to his brother. "Sister in-law? You and Quinn are married?"
"Not yet," Puck replied. "But we might as well be, you know?"
Jake threw the tennis ball as hard as he could at Puck's arm. "OW!" The older brother yelled. "What was that for?"
"Another Noah Puckerman lie, that's all."
Puck sighed, picking up the tennis ball and tossing it away from the two of them. "What do you mean, another lie?"
"You told me you'd be there for me, no matter what," Jake yelled back. "Instead you left me, like everyone else did! Just like Da-"
Puck balled up his fist and punched Jake, right on the left side of his jaw, as Jake stumbled back. "Don't compare me to Dad," Puck growled. "I'm nothing like him. Also, you had that coming."
Jake held his cheek in pain as he shot daggers at his brother. "If the shoe fits..."
"Dude, I told you when I was moving that you were welcome anytime and that I'd be back all the time to see my mom. And you!" Puck shouted, throwing his hands up in the air in frustration. "You have got to stop feeling sorry for yourself."
"My life was fine before I joined this stupid ass glee club," Jake grumbled, sitting down on the ground and slouching against the brick wall of the school. "I never should have joined."
Puck rolled his eyes. "That's a whole load of BS, and you know it. Your life changed for the better when you joined glee club. Your grades improved, you met Marley and started treating chicks better, you finally found your brother..." He motioned up and down at himself. "Your life only spiraled when glee disbanded because you let it, bro. You pushed Marley away and broke up with her. You let yourself hate me just because I didn't live around the corner anymore. This was all in your head, and for what? So people would feel sorry for you?"
Jake didn't say anything.
"You're a great singer and dancer, and just as much as the glee club needs you right now, you probably need them more," Puck continued, sitting down next to him. "And the truth is that I need my brother. We're all we got, Jake. I don't want to spend my entire life estranged from another male Puckerman relative. You know when the last time I saw Dad was? He showed up my senior year begging for money. You think I want my relationship with my brother to be like that, with that deadbeat?"
Once again, Jake was silent.
"Whatever this emo, loner, feeling-sorry-for-yourself act is, you need to drop it," Puck finished. "Everyone is trying to help you, even when you treat them like the gum under your shoe. Finn, Marley, me. We all care about you, dude. You just need to start caring about them, and about yourself. You're better than this, Jake."
Jake sighed, looking over at his brother. "Look, I'm sorry, Puck. I guess I got so used to how good everything was, that when glee disbanded I assumed it would all be taken away from me. That's just how life is; it's cruel and it's unfair. I expedited the process and I realize now that maybe I made the wrong decisions."
"Life is also what you make of it," Puck replied. "You give life rotten eggs and that's what you're getting in return."
Jake glanced into the school, noticing the glee club making their way to the auditorium in their costumes. "You're right. Glee is the best thing that's ever happened to me, and I can't let that slip away... not again." He looked back at his brother, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I miss you too. Life isn't as fun without my brother by my side."
[Puck]
Take it back to the place where you know it all began
[Jake]
We could be anything we wanna be
[Puck]
You can tell by the noise that the boys are back again
[Jake]
Together making history
[Puck and Jake] (Puck) {Jake}
It's time to show how (to be a superhero)
Just like a showdown, {Will Smith and Bobby De Niro}
We're the best, no doubt, (doing it like we used to do)
This is our time and I'm telling you all
The boys are back, the boys are back
The boys are back, gonna do it again
Gonna wake up the neighborhood
The boys are back, the boys are back
Climbing up the walls anytime we want
The word is out, the boys are back
The boys are back, back to save the day
The boys are back, oh yeah
[Puck]
Keep coming with the right, win the fight every single time
[Jake]
Undefeated here in our house, yeah
[Puck]
We can rock, we can shock, anytime we like
[Jake]
And tonight we're going all out
[Puck and Jake] (Jake) {Puck}
It's time to show how (to be a superhero)
Just like a showdown, {keep the pedal to the metal}
We're the best, no doubt, (doing it like we used to do)
This is our time and {I'm telling you all}
(Lookout)
The boys are back, the boys are back
The boys are back, gonna do it again
Gonna wake up the neighborhood
The boys are back, the boys are back
Climbing up the walls anytime we want
The word is out, the boys are back
{Here to change the world}
To solve the mystery, fight the battle, save the girl
No one can stop us now
We're the ones that make the rules, oh
The boys are back
Oh yeah
The boys are back, the boys are back
The boys are back, gonna do it again
Gonna wake up the neighborhood
The boys are back, the boys are back
Climbing up the walls anytime we want
{No need to worry}
'Cause the boys are back, the boys are back
The boys are back, gonna do it again
(And we make it look good)
The boys are back, the boys are back
Tearing down the walls, anytime we want
I'm sure that you know by now
The boys are back
As their song concluded, Puck and Jake embraced in a big bearhug. Reunited once again! They pulled apart from each other, as Puck put his hand on his brother's shoulder. "I'm not letting my family burn in a house fire like Dad did, okay? We need to be better than he was... your niece deserves to know her uncle."
Jake nodded. "I'm done with the moping around... I need to turn things around. It's my senior year, gotta make the most of it."
"Well, you can start by getting your happy ass inside and joining all of your friends for the musical," he pointed inside to the school. "Make me proud, bro."
Jake and Puck hugged once again as Jake sprinted inside, Puck watching proudly as he looked around, admiring the school that turned him into the man he was today. That same school was continuing to mold Jake into who he was now, and it was great to see. He sighed and made his way inside.
Just as the curtains were about to open, Jake skidded inside and almost knocked over Finn and Rachel like bowling pins. "Am I too late?" Jake asked, panting.
Finn and Rachel turned around to look at him, and then each other, before smiling. "Get out there, dude," Finn said, patting Jake's back. Jake turned to Rachel, who offered him a supportive smile, before he sprinted over to join his friends, who welcomed him back with open arms as the curtains rose.
[New Directions]
Sixteen, sixteen
Sixteen minutes left, better get it done
Sixteen, sixteen
Sixteen more minutes, get ready, game on!
Sixteen, sixteen
Sixteen minutes left, runnin' outta time
Sixteen, sixteen
Sixteen more minutes, it's on the line
Sixteen, sixteen
Sixteen minutes left, gotta get it done
Sixteen, sixteen
Sixteen more minutes till we're number one
[New Directions Girls]
W-I-L-D, Wildcats
You know you're on
W-I-L-D, Wildcats
Come on, come on
West High Knights, yeah
Yeah we're doing it right
Oh yeah
W-I-L-D (Yeah), Wildcats
Now's the time!
[Ryder with New Directions Boys]
Gotta get it inside, down low
In the paint now, shoot, score!
[New Directions Girls]
Defense!
[Ryder]
We gotta work it together
[New Directions Boys]
Gimme the ball, gimme the ball, gimme the ball
[Ryder]
Fast break
Keep the ball in control
Let it fly from downtown
[New Directions Boys]
Three more
[Jake]
Show 'em we can do it better
[New Directions Girls]
No way!
[New Directions Boys]
Go, go
[Finn]
Come on, boys!
[New Directions Girls]
Wildcats!
[Ryder with Jake]
The way we play tonight
Is what we leave behind
It all comes down to right now
It's up to us
So what are we gonna be?
[New Directions Boys]
T-E-A-M, team!
[Ryder]
Gotta work it out, turn it on
[New Directions]
Come on!
[Ryder]
This is the last time to get it right
This is the last chance to make it our night
We got to show what we're all about
Work together
This is the last chance to make our mark
History will know who we are
This is the last game so make it count
It's now or never
[Finn]
Come on, Troy
[Marley]
Troy!
[Ryder]
Right now, I can hardly breathe
[Marley]
Oh, you can do it, just know that I believe
[Ryder]
And that's all I really need
[Marley]
Then come on
[Ryder] (Ryder with New Directions)
Make me strong
It's time to (turn it up, game on)
[New Directions Girls]
Wildcats, gonna tear it up
Go Wildcats, yeah, we're number one
Hey Wildcats, we're the champions
Go, go, go, team go
West High Knights, hey
Yeah, we're putting up a fight
Wildcats
We never quit it (What?)
Gonna win it (What?)
Let me hear you say
Hey (Hey), hey (Hey), hey (Hey)
[Ryder with New Directions]
This is the last time to get it right
This is the last chance to make it our night
We gotta show what we're all about
Work together
This is the last chance to make our mark
History will know who we are
This is the last game so make it count
It's now or never
This is the last time to get it right
This is the last chance to make it our night
We got to show what we're all about
Work together
This is the last chance to make our mark
History will know who we are
This is the last game so make it count
It's now or never, yeah
The crowd erupted into applause, standing on their feet as they cheered and clapped loudly for the kids. Jake, on stage, looked out into the stage and saw Puck, who gave him a thumbs up. Jake gave one back, before taking a bow, as the stage reset for the next number.
The next day, the entire cast met in the choir room (minus Kitty) with Finn and Rachel, as they gave themselves a round of applause. "Okay, okay, you guys!" Rachel squealed. "That was incredible! Finn and I are so very proud of all of you. We really shook McKinley to its core with that performance."
"Yeah, totally," Finn agreed. "You guys were awesome. Great job, all of you." Applause filtered through the choir room once again, as Finn cleared his throat. "Okay, well, with that being said, it looks like we're on the right path for Sectionals in three weeks. I assume you're all on board? New Directions?"
One-by-one, they all stood up. Marley, Ryder, Unique, Jane, Mason, Madison, Roderick, Alistair, Spencer, Bree, Jake. "Show circle?" Marley asked with a grin.
Finn and Rachel smiled as they motioned everyone in, putting their hands together and then shouting. "A-MAZING!"
{The scene cuts to the New Directions performing one last High School Musical number in the auditorium, celebrating their success before moving onto Sectionals prep. Kitty is shown in the doorway, watching the performance. This is a similar shot to Puck in the Season One episode "Pilot," as well as Jake in the Season Four episode "The New Rachel."}
[New Directions]
Alright, alright, here we go
Together, together, together everyone
Together, together, come on, let's have some fun
Together, we're there for each other every time
Together, together, come on, let's do this right
[Ryder] (Marley)
Here and now, it's time for celebration
I finally figured out, yeah, yeah
That all our dreams (uh) have no limitations
That's what it's all about (come on now)
[Marley] (Mason and Madison)
Everyone is special in their own way
We make each other strong (we make each other strong)
We're not the same
We're different in a good way
Together's where we belong
[New Directions]
We're all in this together
Once we know
That we are
We're all stars
And we see that
We're all in this together
And it shows
When we stand
Hand in hand
Make our dreams come true
Together, together, together everyone
Together, together, come on, let's have some fun
Together, we're there for each other every time
Together, together come on, let's do this right
[Spencer]
We're all here
And speaking out with one voice
We're going to rock the house, yeah, yeah
The party's on, now everybody make some noise
Come on, scream and shout
[Marley]
We've arrived
Because we stuck together
Champions one and all
[New Directions]
We're all in this together
Once we know
That we are
We're all stars
And we see that
We're all in this together
And it shows
When we stand
Hand in hand
Make our dreams come
We're all in this together
When we reach
We can fly
Know inside
We can make it
We're all in this together
Once we see
There's a chance
That we have
And we take it
Wildcats sing along
Yeah, you really got it going on
Wildcats in the house
Everybody say it now
Wildcats everywhere
Wave your hands up in the air
That's the way we do it
Let's get to it
Time to show the world
Hey, oh, hey, oh alright here we go
We're all in this together
Once we know
That we are
We're all stars
And we see that
We're all in this together
And it shows
When we stand
Hand in hand
Make our dreams come true
We're all in this together
When we reach
We can fly
Know inside
We can make it
We're all in this together
Once we see
There's a chance
That we have
And we take it
Wildcats everywhere
Wave your hands up in the air
That's the way we do it
Let's get to it
Come on everyone
glee
Season Six, Starring Cory Monteith
STARRING
Cory Monteith as Finn Hudson
Marshall Williams as Spencer Porter
Erinn Westbrook as Bree
Lea Michele as Rachel Berry
Melissa Benoist as Marley Rose
Jacob Artist as Jake Puckerman
Mark Salling as Noah Puckerman
Becca Tobin as Kitty Wilde
Alex Newell as Wade "Unique" Adams
Jesse Luken as Bobby Surette
Daniel Lee Curtis as Phil Lipoff
Trisha Rae Stahl as Millie Rose
Blake Jenner as Ryder Lynn
Samantha Marie Ware as Jane Hayward
Noah Guthrie as Roderick Meeks
Finneas O'Connell as Alistair
Billy Lewis Jr. as Mason McCarthy
Laura Dreyfuss as Madison McCarthy
Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester
Christopher Cousins as Superintendent Bob Harris
SONG(S) PERFORMED:
High School Musical Cast - Bop To The Top: Performed by Spencer Porter and Kitty Wilde
High School Musical Cast - Stick To The Status Quo: Performed by Mason McCarthy, Madison McCarthy, Bree, Alistair, Roderick Meeks, Kitty Wilde and Spencer Porter with New Directions
High School Musical Cast - Walk Away: Performed by Kitty Wilde
High School Musical Cast - The Boys Are Back: Performed by Noah Puckerman and Jake Puckerman
High School Musical Cast - Now Or Never: Performed by Ryder Lynn, Jake Puckerman and Marley Rose with Finn Hudson and New Directions
High School Musical Cast - We're All In This Together: Performed by Ryder Lynn, Marley Rose, Mason McCarthy, Madison McCarthy and Spencer Porter with New Directions