Special Education

2.5K 47 2
                                    

"Mr. Schuester, I have an announcement." Rachel said as Mr. Schue walked into the choir room. "I've selected the perfect moving ballad for Finn and I to sing to launch our performance at Sectionals."

"What a surprise." Haley said sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

"Me first." Mr. Schue replied. "Two things. First, our competition at Sectionals are your classic stool choirs. Great voices, but they don't move. Now, if we're gonna beat them, we need to do what they can't. Dance. Which is why I've decided to feature Brittany and Mike Chang's sweet moves in our performance."

At this news, everyone except Rachel cheered with excitement. Haley reached over to give Brittany a hug.

"Wait, they're gonna dance in front of me while I sing my solo?" Asked Rachel. Haley groaned, quietly feeling the urge to punch Rachel if she ever heard her speak again.

"You're not getting a solo for this competition Rachel." Mr. Schue clarified.

"Finally!" Mercedes said. "So what song do I get to sing?"

"I was thinking that the winners of our duets competition would take the leads." Mr. Schue said, as the room erupted in cheers. Haley couldn't help but feel a little envious of the two, however she masked her pain with happiness for her friends.

"Ken and Barbie?!" Rachel explained, pointing towards Quinn and Sam. "Wait a-a- are are you trying to throw this?"

"You know, you used to be just sort of unlikeable, but now, I pretty much feel like punching you every time you open your mouth." Quinn replied. Both Emily and Sam chuckled as Quinn sent them a playful wink.

"Okay, listen, I have talked about everyone in here feeling special for over a year now, but frankly haven't walked the walk." Mr. Schue admitted, as Haley agreed. "I mean, we have got a lot of talent here, and I'm gonna highlight it."

"At least he's acting on it now." Haley whispered to Santana who nodded.

"Do something!" Rachel said to Finn.

"Look, I'm all for...Pumping up the team, making everyone feel special, but that's for practice. You don't take the star quarterback out before the big game." He finished trying to defend himself and Rachel.

"Yeah." Rachel agreed.

"Oh, god, just stop. You're making it worse." Haley said, rolling her eyes.

"Easy to say when you're the star quarterback." Tina added.

"This isn't about me, this is about the team." Finn said, trying to defend himself.

"You are such a hypocrite." Santana added.

"Oh, like you even know what that means." Rachel tried to defend Finn.

"It means that your boyfriend is full of crap, hobbit!" Santana replied.

"You know what? Ever since the wedding you've been up my butt and I am sick of it!" Rachel tried to stand up for herself.

"You kind of deserve it though." Haley muttered.

"C'mon Rachel, she's not worth it." Finn whispered.

"Oh, really? Cause that's not what you thought last year in that motel room. That's right Yentl, your sweetheart? He's been lying to you, cause he and I totally got it on last year." Santana explained.

Everyone had a variety of facial expressions displayed on their face. Haley just wanted to sink into the floor.

"Okay, enough already!" Mr. Schue said sternly. No, more conversations about this, or-or anything! This is our plan for Sectionals, and that is that. Mike, Brittany, c'mon up, let's start choreographing."
----
During the next meeting, Puck was nowhere to be found.

"Where's Puck? I haven't seen him since yesterday and I need him to get me a churro." Santana said.

"My guess is he'd rather quit Glee Club than lose Sectionals and I can't blame him." Mercedes suggested. "Our set's gon' be real light on the Mercedes."
"I'm telling you, if the Warblers win Sectionals, it's only because we gave them Kurt. should not clap." Tina added.

"If we lose, we should throw possums." Brittany said.

Haley groaned as Rachel marched into the choir room with duct tape on her mouth.

"I mean...I kind of dig this new look. It looks like Berry won't annoy us and will be shut up for one class at least." Haley said to the group.

"Rachel, what are you doing?" Mr. Schue asked.

"I'm not doing anything." She said, ripping the tape of her mouth, dramatically. "You've silenced my talents, I'm merely protesting." Everyone was silent. It wasn't long until she retook her tape off to continue.

"My talents are wasted in this club. My star shines too bright and I think you're threatened by it." She finished.

At this, Mr. Schue slammed the papers on the piano. "Take that off!" He yelled, causing everyone to jump. "I'm tired of this Rachel! You have a terrible attitude, you're a lousy sport, and it is not okay anymore!"

"Well I'm upset."  She argued in return. "I'm furious about this, about a couple things actually!" She finished sending Finn an annoyed look.

"I'm sorry you're disappointed, but you know, you could also make the choice to be happy, that we're a part of a glee club that is bursting at the seams with talent. There's an awful lot of 'me' talk going around. 'What's in it for me?', 'What solo am I gonna sing?' Now, when we go to Sectionals, we're gonna be good sports. We'll cheer on the Hipsters, we'll cheer on Kurt and the Warblers, and if they win we will congratulate them, because that's who we are."

Before he could continue, a traumatized Noah Puckerman entered, a girl following behind him.

"Dude, where have you been?" Artie asked.

"I found him in a porta potty." the girl answered.

"I was tryna find Kurt's replacement for Sectionals. That went very wrong. I was trapped in that porta potty for twenty four hours. Lauren found me and helped me out. So, I asked her if she wanted to join. She said yes after a few conditions which included but were not limited to seven minutes in heaven. I have to say, she kinda rocked my world." Puck finished explaining.

"Okay guys, um, well, looks like we're back in business. Let's all welcome our newest member, Ms. Lauren Zizes!" Mr. Schue announced, trying to break any lingering tension. At this, everyone slowly clapped.

"Puck, nice work. We owe you one." Mr. Schue said, shaking hands with Puck.
----
As the New Directions sat waiting in the green room, both Haley and Sam were attempting to help Quinn calm down.

Haley knelt beside Quinn. "Hey Q, I need you to close your eyes, and take three deep breaths." as Quinn complied, Haley continued to comfort her. "Yes, keep taking deep breaths. You are going to get through this, and you are going to amaze us on stage." She tried to encourage her friend.

"She's right." Sam added, smiling at his girlfriend, which made Haley's heart ache. "I'll be there with you every step of the way/" He added.

"No, I'm freaking out. The last time we performed in front of an audience I went into labor. I think I'm having post-traumatic stress disorder." Quinn suddenly began breathing faster. "I think I might throw up."

Haley quickly grabbed a bag she coincidentally had in her backpack. Quinn thanked her before throwing up.

"I can't do this. I'm sorry to let you both down, but Hay, I'm giving you my solo." Quinn said.

"What? Are you joking?" Haley asked in a panic.

"Yes, I know you will do great, you are the next reasonable option. Sam won't mind singing with you. And you've been there for every rehearsal." Quinn said calmly, trying to encourage the poor girl.

"I second that. She's right. You can do this Hay." Sam encouraged Haley.

"Okay, I'll do it." Haley smiled shyly as she squeezed Quinn's shoulder comfortingly.

"That's my best friend. I genuinely believe in you. You can do this." Quinn smiled weakly.

Unaware that they had missed a fair majority of the fighting, they didn't fail to notice Rachel storming in the room, only to go and yell in Finn's face.

"You told Kurt?!" She yelled.

"I don't remember, maybe?" He stammered, shocked at her outburst.

"And Finn and Santana?" Mercedes added. "No, I think I told him"

"Who told you?" Rachel asked.

"Me." Quinn answered. "I think either Haley or Brittany told me."

"Yeah, it was me." Haley admitted, quietly, trying to lower her anxiety level.

"Everybody knew about this but me?! Rachel asked. She turned to Quinn.

"Pretty much." Tina added.

"And you gave the brat your solo? She isn't even worthy, nor is she talented, in fact she is nothing." Rachel gestured, pointing a finger at Haley.

"Oh you son of a bitchhhhh." Haley said, charging right at Rachel and pushing her to the ground. She raised her hand and slapped her as hard as she could, while yelling profanities in French, so she wouldn't understand. The guys had to go and hold Haley back before she could attack the girl anymore.

"Nobody tells you anything because, A, you're a blabbermouth, and B, we just pretend to like you." Santana said, making some reasonable points.

"That's not true, I kinda like her." Puck said.

"Look, Rachel, when this all happened, you were dating another guy. So you don't really have a right to be pissed at me about it okay? And fine, I shouldn't have lied about it but, to be honest that isn't what you care about. You care about the Santana of it all." Finn explained. At Finn's explanation, Santana nodded in agreement, giving a clear,  I told you so look.

"Oh, who are you right now?" Rachel spat at Finn.

"Best green room ever." Lauren explained, quietly enjoying the drama arising.

"You know what?" Rachel said, as the group ignored her. "You guys are gonna have to find someone else to mindlessly harmonize in the background because I'm not going on stage with him!" she pointed at Finn.

"You are a lousy sport, a horrible brat, that's what you are. However, I'll deal with your bullshit attack later." Haley spat at Rachel.

"Make that two subs." Artie added. "I'm not going out there with Brittany."

"Me either!" Tina glared at Mike.

Just as they were continuing arguing, Mr. Schue walked in the room. "Enough! Listen to yourselves! I am ashamed of you." He said, sternness laced in his voice. "Think back to where you were this time last year. In this room, no set list, no choreography, no chance in Hell of winning. But you did win, because you did it together. Look, I don't care if you guys hate each other, all I want is for you guys to go out there, and sing together. Get up there, and sing for six minutes. Remind yourselves that you're not alone." He finished his rant.

"Good luck, break a leg." Quinn squeezed Haley's shoulder. Haley smiled in acknowledgment before she ran out of the room, to get ready to go.

As her and Sam waited by the entrances, he could see her pulling at her fingers, and trying to calm herself down.

He walked over to her and stopped her from playing with her fingers. "Hey, stop that, you are going to be fine." He said, as he pulled her into a hug.

"Thanks, just don't want to mess this up. I already feel like nothing so..." She replied, stopping herself from rambling.

"No you aren't nothing, you are worthy, don't listen to Rachel. We are going to go out there and you are going to do amazing." He assured, as he pulled away.

As they pulled away, she became lost in his eyes. He kept looking at her, and ignored the weird feelings in his stomach.

"What?" she asked, when she still caught him staring.

"You look beautiful." he whispered as she shook her head to disagree, before looking back up at him.

"Thank you." She smiled at him, before going to stand at her entrance. "Break a leg." she said.

"Yeah, let's do this." He said smiling back at her, as the music began to play, and he walked into the audience.

{(I'VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE-SUNG BY SAM EVANS AND HALEY ALDRIN}
As they finished, Haley sent him a smile, before getting into their places for Valerie.

{VALERIE-SUNG BY SANTANA LOPEZ}

After they were done performing, the group cheered as they walked offstage.

Haley ran to catch up with Quinn, Santana and Brittany. "Great job girls! I think we have a fair shot at winning!" She cheered hugging the other three girls. They nodded in agreement.

"Definitely, I think that magic comb really helped." Brittany commented, causing the other three to frown.
----
Congratulations guys!" Mr. Schue said with a smile, as he walked into the choir room with their trophy the next day. "It wasn't pretty but we're moving on. And I for one, am gonna be happy to have Regionals and Nationals to focus on."

"Mr. Schue, we heard the news about Ms. Pillsbury marrying the finest dentist alive." Santana interjected.

"It's alright, we don't need to talk about it." He shrugged. "Now, I know we've had our um, our dramas this week, but our family is back ini a happy place, and I think we should celebrate, the best way we know how. Rachel, so how would you like to solo?"

"Thanks but um, I don't really feel like a solo right now." She admitted. It was weird for the group to not see her face light up and to also see her take control. "I'd like to defer it to this week's two unsung heroes, Mercedes and Tina."

At her answer, everyone turned to them next. "Well, you don't have to ask me twice." Mercedes smiled, shrugging her shoulders.
•••
I hope you enjoy this one!


A Very Glee Christmas, The Sue Sylvester Shuffle, Silly Love Songs (and possibly Comeback) are coming later:)

Falling (A Sam Evans Fan Fiction)Where stories live. Discover now