Morning arrived quickly, catching everyone off guard as soft rays of sunlight peeked through the curtains. In contrast, Cassie bustled with energy, determined to rouse Santana, Quinn, and Kitty from their slumber. She had set her alarm for 5:30 AM, eager for the trio to join her in practicing their intricate dance routine. Later that day, she would take on the role of choreography , teaching the talented members of Adrenaline their latest dance number, and she wanted her students to be perfectly prepared. Santana shuffled around the room, her feet heavy against the floor, reluctant to rise and face the day that promised another round of school.
Quinn and Kitty were the second to rise as the sun filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow in the room. They quickly pulled on their workout clothes, still feeling the heaviness of sleep in their limbs. Santana joined them, her hair slightly tousled as she shook off the remnants of slumber. Cassie, urged them to gather their school dance bag, her voice cutting through the morning haze.
As the three girls rummaged through their belongings, Kitty, Quinn, and Santana exchanged grumbles about it being so early , their complaints echoing in the stillness of the morning. "It's too early to practice," they whined in unison, flashing each other tired expressions of disbelief.
Cassie glanced at the girls with a teasing smile playing on her lips, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Girls, I get that you're feeling a bit worn out, but it's funny how none of you seemed to have that problem back in your cheerleading days," she remarked, her light-hearted tone slicing through the sleepy atmosphere. The reminder of their once-vibrant energy pulled smiles from their tired faces, breaking the spell of fatigue that had wrapped around them.
Quinn, acknowledging their earlier comments, offered an apologetic smile. "I know, Mama, and I'm sorry if we came off as rude," she said, her voice sincere yet slightly defensive. Meanwhile, Santana rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed.
Cassie, unfazed, continued, "The other girls are waiting for us at school, so let's get moving!" They made their way to her car, an upbeat aura surrounding them as they hopped in. Cassie drove towards Carmel High, her excitement palpable as they neared their destination.
Upon arrival, they hurriedly unloaded their bags, stretching their limbs in unison, shaking off the remnants of lethargy from their drive. Cassie quickly turned on the music, a spirited beat filling the air, setting the stage for a dance routine she was eager to teach. The anticipation hung in the air, infusing them with energy as they prepared to rekindle their passion for dance.
As the clock struck 6:15 an, the final notes of the music faded away, marking the end of the dance team's practice. The girls, breathless and flushed from exertion, dropped their water bottles onto the floor and collapsed onto the grass, their bodies aching from the intensity of the routine. With a tired smile, their coach encouraged them to freshen up with a shower before school at 8 :15 sharp.
After a rough morning, Quinn Santana and Kitty returned home, their bodies weary and minds clouded with fatigue. They eagerly stripped off their clothes and stepped into the refreshing cascade of the shower, the warm water enveloping them like a soothing embrace. Once refreshed, they wrapped themselves in soft, fluffy robes that hugged their skin, providing the ultimate comfort. Exhausted from the day's activities, they climbed onto their beds, the plush blankets inviting them in. Within moments, they succumbed to the weight of their drowsiness, drifting off into a peaceful sleep, nestled among the pillows. Before they have to go to school.
At around 7:15 AM, Cassie was bustling about the house, preparing to take Rachel to school, feeling relieved that her daughter was finally on the mend. Meanwhile, Shelby was busy gathering the other three teenagers, ensuring they were ready for their day as she prepared to drive them to school. The morning was filled with a sense of routine, punctuated by the energy of young minds ready to tackle a day of learning.
At William McKinley High School, Rachel found herself lost in her thoughts as she sat in her fourth-period class. The familiar sounds of chatter and rustling papers around her faded into background noise; her mind was consumed by the upcoming glee club rehearsal. With each tick of the clock, her excitement built until the bell rang, snapping her back to reality.
Heart pounding with anticipation, she dashed through the bustling hallways, weaving past clusters of students until she reached the Classroom. But as she stepped through the doors, her enthusiasm quickly dimmed. A heavy wave of frustration crashed over her as she took her place among her fellow glee club members.
When it came time to decide on songs, Rachel felt hope swell within her, only to be deflated in an instant as Holly announced her choice—a piece that wasn't what Rachel had eagerly wished to perform. Emotions surged inside her, and before she could hold back, a meltdown erupted. Disappointment spilled forth as she expressed her frustrations to the group, a desperate longing in her voice as she fought for the opportunity to showcase her own vocal talents.
"Rachel, we've been over this repeatedly," Ms. Holiday interjected firmly, her voice steady as she stood at the front of the classroom, arms crossed. "Every student here deserves the opportunity to sing."
"I understand your point, but I simply disagree!" Rachel shot back, her voice rising with panic as her eyes darted towards Ms. Holiday, wide with desperation. "Can't you just make an exception for Finn and me to perform our duet together?"
"Oh my God, Rachel! Not everything revolves around you!" Mercedes exclaimed, her frustration palpable as her brows knitted together in annoyance. Beside her, Kurt nodded in agreement, a look of exasperation etched across his features as he leaned against his desk.
"Everyone in this room has the right to share their voice, just like Ms. Holiday said," he added, trying to tone down the escalating emotions swirling around them.
"Don't snap at her, Mercedes," Finn intervened, his attempt to ease the tension reflected in his earnest expression.
"Back off, Finn," Kurt retorted sharply, arms crossing defiantly over his chest, his emotional walls clearly up as the argument intensified.
"Okay, everyone, enough of this arguing!" Ms. Holiday commanded, her authoritative tone slicing through the chaos. "Rachel, I need you to remember that I'm the teacher here, and my word is final."
"In case you've forgotten, Ms. Holiday, Finn and I are co-captains!" Rachel insisted during yet another tantrum that surfaced whenever she felt sidelined. "Mr. Schuester always lets me sing whatever I want!"
Ms. Holiday stood in the middle of the classroom, her disappointment evident as she addressed the tense atmosphere. "Mr. Schuester isn't here right now, and I don't appreciate your attitude," she said, her tone sharp yet tinged with concern.
Rachel's frustration reached a boiling point. "I don't like your tone, either!" she retorted, her voice rising with indignation. She shot up from her seat, the scraping of her chair against the linoleum floor echoing in the otherwise silent room. Without another word, she stormed out, her footsteps punctuating her anger and leaving a palpable tension behind.
"Excuse me while I talk to Miss Berry," Ms. Holiday called out before hastily exiting the classroom in pursuit of Rachel. She found her just outside, pacing back and forth like a caged animal, her agitation radiating off her in waves.
"I'm not going to tolerate these loud outbursts in Glee Club, Rachel," Ms. Holiday asserted, trying to maintain her authority.
"I wasn't trying to cause a scene! I actually prefer it when Mr. Schuester is here because he always listens to me," Rachel responded, her voice quivering with both passion and hurt.
"I'm not him," Ms. Holiday replied firmly. "As of right now, you're off the team and can't return until I speak with your parents or guardian."
"That isn't fair, Ms. Holiday!" Rachel protested, her eyes narrowing in disbelief.
"I'm sorry you see it that way, Rachel," Ms. Holiday said softly, but with finality, before turning and heading back to Glee Club, leaving Rachel standing in the hallway, her mind swirling with a mix of anger and frustration.
As the school bell rang, signaling the end of the day, Cassie pulled up to the curb in her car to pick up Rachel. Rachel sat in her usual spot, gazing out the window, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts. She was preoccupied with her plans to find a way back into the Glee Club, all while keeping it a secret from Cassie and Shelby. The sun began to dip toward the horizon, casting a warm glow over the car, but Rachel barely noticed as she swirled deeper into her contemplation.
When Cassie parked outside their home, she turned to Rachel with a cheerful smile, telling her to inform the others that she would be back shortly with takeout. Cassie's voice broke through Rachel's daydream, and with a slight nod, Rachel opened the door and stepped out. The familiar scent of the house, mingled with the faint aroma of dinner wafting from the kitchen, greeted them as they walked inside. Rachel found her sisters gathered in the living room and relayed Cassie's message before settling down at the dining table to tackle her homework alongside them.
Once they completed their assignments, they treated themselves to a quick snack. Santana, with a casual wave, excused herself and glided up the stairs toward her room, leaving Rachel alone with her thoughts again.
Rachel hesitated, feeling a heavy weight in her chest as she debated whether to approach Santana about her recent struggles. Finally, mustering the courage she needed, she made her way to Santana's room. Pausing at the open doorway, she could see Santana sitting at her desk, absorbed in her music, the beats vibrating through the air. Rachel knocked gently on the frame and Santana looked up, her expression shifting to one of curiosity as she motioned for Rachel to enter.
Taking a seat on the edge of the bed, Rachel played nervously with her fingers, gathering her thoughts. Santana, noticing her hesitation, turned down the volume of her music and leaned in, clearly interested.
"What's up?" she asked with a tone of encouragement.
Rachel swallowed hard, the words feeling heavy on her tongue. "I wanted to talk to you about something," she began, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Sure, I'm all ears," Santana replied, leaning back slightly, giving Rachel the space to share her burden.
Taking a deep breath, Rachel finally confessed, "Ms. Holiday kicked me off the team because I had one of my meltdowns after she wouldn't let me sing." Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, the weight of her emotions spilling out as she opened up to Santana about her painful experience.
"Wow, Rachel! Ms. Holiday is truly the kindest teacher we've had at that school. She always takes the time to listen to everyone, and she makes us actually want to learn," Santana exclaimed with a bright smile.
Rachel sighed, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "I know. I was so upset that I couldn't control my emotions. Before I realized it, I had stormed out of the room in a fit of anger. Then Ms. Holiday followed me outside and told me I wouldn't be allowed back until she spoke with our parents or guardians."
Santana looked concerned. "When you tell them what happened, they're going to be really angry. They're probably going to ground you for a couple of weeks. You need to remember to let other people have their turn to sing," she cautioned, her expression serious.
Rachel nodded, a thoughtful look crossing her face. "I'll try. I really don't want them to be mad at me. I need a little time to think things over before I tell them about being kicked out," she replied, her voice tinged with anxiety.
"You'd better come clean before Ms. Holiday or someone else does," Santana warned, her brow furrowing in concern.
"Thanks for the advice. I really appreciate this chat, Santana," Rachel said with a grateful smile.
"Anytime, Rachel," Santana replied, returning the smile before Rachel turned and left her room, her mind buzzing with thoughts.
As the clock struck 6:30 PM, Shelby and Cassie finally arrived, each laden with fragrant Chinese takeout that filled the air with an irresistible medley of savory aromas. The moment they stepped through the door, a wave of excitement surged through the room. The four teenagers, who had been waiting eagerly, sprang into action, rushing to assist them with the heavy bags brimming with delectable dishes.
Shelby and Cassie, their faces lighting up with smiles, hurriedly made their way to the kitchen, where they began to unpack. Water splashed energetically as they scrubbed their hands, washing away the remnants of the day and the anticipation of the feast to come. Meanwhile, Quinn took charge of the dining room table, her nimble fingers expertly arranging plates with care, ensuring each was perfectly positioned.
Kitty, embodying cheerful determination, dove into the task of gathering utensils. She clinked shiny spoons and forks together, their metallic gleam catching the warm glow of the overhead lights, and then joined her friends—each of them buzzing with eager anticipation for the delicious meal that awaited them.
Once everyone settled into their seats, the delicious chaos of the meal began. Platters of shrimp and beef fried rice, lo mein, sweet and sour chicken, and kung pao chicken made their rounds, each more tempting than the last. Egg rolls, crispy and golden, were passed about with little shouts of delight. After everyone had a generous helping piled on their plates, Shelby and Cassie broke the brief silence, asking how school had been. The response was a chorus of cheerful affirmations; "Good!" echoed around the table, infused with the warmth of good food and even better company.
After finishing their dinner, they quickly took care of their chores, a routine they'd grown accustomed to. Once their tasks were done, they settled into the cozy living room where they often spent their evenings together, picking up a well-loved book or setting up a checkers board on the table. The laughter and playful banter filled the air as they played until the gentle reminder of bedtime nudged them to start getting ready for bed.
Santana, sensing the need to share a secret with their parents, discreetly gestured to Rachel, urging her to join in on the revelation. However, Rachel shook her head vigorously, a clear signal of her reluctance. As the last two to ascend the staircase, Santana paused at her bedroom door, feeling the day's exhaustion wash over her. She prepared for bed, eager to snuggle under her soft covers. Not long after, Cassie and Shelby popped in to wish her goodnight, their cheerful voices a comforting end to the day's adventures.
Happy New Year everyone!