The Gleeful Return [Q. F.]

- 7 - Practice, Practice, Practice

Recap: The annual mash up competition divided the team into two groups tasked with the challenge to sing a mash up of songs typically sung by the other gender. Juliet see Kurt shoved down and speaks with him about his bullying. Although they haven't interacted much before, Kurt realizes that he has a friend in Juliet. The Wicked cast list was posted, and Mercedes and Santana won the duet competition.

A/N: Omg thanks for being patient with this update. It is a bit on the longer side, but we get to see more conversations between Juliet and other Glee Club members. Enjoy!

"This week is dedicated to Wicked and Wicked only. I know we're getting closer to Sectionals and I don't want this to have our undivided attention, but I do think we should get working. I'd like to premiere Wicked after Sectionals but before winter break. Does that sound doable for everyone?"

A chorus of "yes," "yeah," and "alright" filled the room with additional head nods.

"Great. So, let's go over roles. Rachel, you're going to be Elphaba. Mercedes, you're Glinda. Juliet, you're Nessarose. Fiyero will be Finn. Kurt, you're Dr. Dillamond. Boq will be Sam. Madame Morrible will be Quinn. And Puck, we'd actually like you to be the Wizard. Are we all on the same page?"

We all nodded our heads, but Puck wasn't so sure. "Wait, you want me to do what now? I didn't even audition."

Artie responded before Mr. Schue could. "We felt that you better fit the role than anyone else here. Is that going to be a problem?"

"Uh, no, I guess not."

"Alright, great. Let's get working on some of the big numbers. If you have solos, duets, and group numbers, I'd like for you to work on the solos at home. That way, we can prioritize our time in class while everyone is here. Mercedes, Finn, Juliet, Sam, and Rachel, I'd like you to start on 'Dancing Through Life.' Juliet, Rachel, and Sam, I'd like you to hit 'The Wicked Witch of the East' after a little bit. Quinn and Mercedes, you two can work on 'No One Mourns the Wicked/Thank Goodness.' Kurt, run 'Something Bad' with Rachel, and Puck, you can work on 'A Sentimental Man.' Does that get everyone started for today? Great. Let's get this started!"

Because Elphaba and Glinda are the lead roles, Rachel and Mercedes are in everything. I feel like I'm twiddling my thumbs in comparison to them.

"Bored?" I look up from my notebook when I hear Kurt's voice.

"Yeah, a little. We have nothing compared to Rachel."

"And Mercedes." I nodded along. "At least you have more than one song," Kurt scoffed.

"Your voice is way too good to only be in one number."

He laughed. "Tell me about it."

"Hey," I trailed off. "Can you really hit that high note in 'Defying Gravity?'"

"The F? Hell yeah I can!"

"That's pretty impressive." I watched Kurt's focus wander off. "Kurt?"

"Hm?"

"How's, uh, thing's with Karofsky?"

Kurt shrugged his shoulders. "Same old."

"It's not better?"

"Why would it be?"

I bit my lip and nodded softly. "Not worse?"

He hesitated. "No." I raised my eyebrows a bit. "It's nothing."

I tilted my head and raised my eyebrows again, while speaking ever so carefully. "What is it?" My voice came out softly.

Kurt shook his head. "Not here," he said sternly. I followed him into the empty hallway. "Why do you care?" His voice was softer than mine. "We aren't friends."