“OH MY GOD! Are you sure? Wait… You talked to his parents! Why, nevermind. Thanks mom. I’ll see you then! Okay. Bye.” I hang up tossing my phone on my bed and let out a soft shriek and jump a little. Blaine walked out of the bathroom, “What’s going on Leigha?” I smile and plop on our couch, “Mom wants you to come home for Thanksgiving with me this week. Anndd… She talked to Joey’s parents and he’s coming too.” I smile at him, “Oh, and Kurt’s invited too.” I say laying my head back. Blaine smiles at me, “I’ll ask him!” Blaine grabs his phone and walks out into the hall while I grab my phone and text Joey.
A- Hey babe, Call me when you get out of class.
I walk out waving at Blaine as I head to our car. Joey calls me as I’m walking down the stairs, “Hey my love.” I answer. “Hello babe, what can I do for you?” “Willing to go to the Lima Bean to meet with Rory with me? I want yall to be friends.” I walk into the sun and walk to my car where I see Joey, “I’d love to.” He says pulling me into a soft kiss. We get in the car and pull out. Joey takes my hand and I look at him and take a deep breath, “We need to talk.” Joey’s face went whiter than it already was and he bit his lip, “About?”
“My mother somehow got in touch with yours and… well, if you’re willing you are flying to Ada with me for Thanksgiving tomorrow after classes.” I smile and feel him looking at me. “I’d love to meet your family!” he squeezed my hand as I exhaled realizing I was holding my breath. “Oh my god yay! I didn’t think you’d want to go… Blaine and maybe Kurt will be there too, along with my 7 cousins. But we’ll have fun.” I smile as we pull into the parking lot.
I see Rory in the shop and walk in Joey in tow. “Hey Rory!” I say pulling him into a tight hug. “You remember Joey?” Rory smiles and shakes Joey’s hand, “Hi Joey, good to see you again.” He said genuinely. “You too Rory.” Joey said nodding then walks to get us all coffees. I sit across from Rory and smile at him, “How have you been? When is your sectionals?” “I’ve been good, school has been stressful but it’s okay. Sectionals are actually tomorrow during school since break is this next week.” I smile at him, “Why wasn’t I told earlier? I’ll be there!” He smiled and nodded as Joey sits down with three coffees, “You didn’t have to get me one, but thank you Joey.” Rory said taking a sip.
“So how’s rehearsals going for sectionals going?” Joey asks Rory taking my hand under the table. “Really well, the set list is almost perfect, also they’re letting me sing lead on one.” His face shines with happiness as he adds the last part and I grab his hand, “That’s awesome! I can’t wait to hear it!” I took a sip of my coffee as Joey and Rory started talking football. I sat back and smiled seeing them get along. Rory looks at his watch, “I’ve got practice! I’ll see you tomorrow A?” I nod and get up giving him a hug. Joey and Rory have a quick bro hug and Rory leaves while Joey and I sit back down, “Thank you for getting along.” I say.
He looks at me, “well, we’ve been talking actually. We decided over the phone after our sectionals that we both love you and want you to be happy so that means we had to get along.” I smile at him and lean over and kiss him. “Thank you so much. I love you!” HE smiled at me and took a drink of his coffee leaning back in his chair. “So we have an hour to practice, what do you want to do?” “Food?” I ask hopefully, “Food!” he replies sounding like the T-Birds from Grease 2, my favorite movie. We stand up and throw away our cups. Joey helps me put my jacket on and we head to my car. Joey takes my keys from my hand and sits in the driver seat.
He takes me to Pizza Hut and then we head back to Dalton. We spend our normal practice time talking about holiday plans when Blaine says that he and Kurt were joining us for Thanksgiving. I smiled knowing that this next week was gonna be perfect!
I wake up the next morning early and quickly get dressed in my short brown dress and pull my hair into a bun. I grab my phone and the keys and leave Blaine a note saying that I’d be gone all day and not to worry. I sneak out at nine and find a handsome Joey and a beautiful Jaime next to my car. I smile and we pile into my car, “To sectionals!” Jaime hollers from the middle of the backseat. We laugh and I pull out as Joey turns on the music.
45 minutes later we pull into Summerland Academy where the southern sectionals are being held. We park and rush into the auditorium, pay, and take a seat. I excuse myself and walk into the lobby to find the New Directions. “Aleigha?” I turn to see Tina, Rory, Artie, and Ryder. I run up and pull Rory into a hug and say hello to rest of the group. “Why are you here?” Ryder asks me with a smile, “Don’t you have class?” “Well,” I say with a smile, “Joey, Jaime, and I skipped to come support you all. You supported us and we want to thank you all.” “Jaime?” Ryder asks. I nod and he smiles even larger. They all smile and hug me. “Break a leg guys, I’ll see you after.” I wave goodbye and head back to my seat.
I sit between Jaime and Joey as they introduce the Summerland club who sing a Broadway number followed by a rap song, which the guy messes up on. After they finish the New Directions come on stage and they jump into an old rock song which Jake and Ryder take lead on. When they finish that up Rory starts Bring Him Home from Les Mis and I watch him. Goosebumps rise on my arms as he sings with the group backing him up. I stand as he finishes and cheer loudly as the group go into Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off. I stay standing and cheer them on along with the crowd. As the final group finishes up I take Joey’s hand and smile at him, “Thank for coming.” He nods as all the groups come out. “And the winners of the Southern Ohio Sectionals are the…The New Directions!!” I jump up yelling for them as Artie took the trophy.
“Congrats!” I yelled as I ran up behind Rory and Sam wrapping my arms around Rory’s neck. “Thanks” Sam replied and pulled me off Rory into a hug of his own. I smiled and laughed. I looked over to see Ryder talking to Jaime and Joey in deep conversation with Jake and Marley. I smile and look at the whole group, people who I can call my friends. Mr. Shue takes the glee club out for ice cream and even us Warblers were invited.
