The Runaway

Chapter Twelve

Actions are worth more than words. At least that's what I learned.

I returned home and checked my profile page on Facebook. Then I checked some of the Dalton boys' accounts. Pictures of me running out of the school appeared and pictures of me walking in too.

Looks like Queen Bitch has learned - Source

Smokin' girl came into school today - Source

This girl thinks she can beat up on Seb, runs out of the building wiping her eyes - Source.

The whole time that I saw this, I knew I wanted to comment on one. So I did.

Oh, very funny. I gave 'Seb' an ass whoopin'. Boy didn't stand a chance, but just wait, he'll get what he deserves.

I clicked send and it popped up as a comment. Now that, that was said and done, I decided to go to the studio to get my mind off things...

-NEXT DAY-

Everyone was in a bitter and sad mood since David Karofsky tried to commit suicide. We all gathered into the auditorium and sat down. Mr. Shue decided to bring a jar of peanut butter.

"Mr. Shue, why do you have a jar of peanut butter with one spoon?" Mercede's asked.

"Yeah there are 16 of us here, and I'm only comfortable with sharing a sppon with about half of you," Sugar said.

"Well, it's come to my attention that our good friend Rory Flanagan had never tasted peanut butter," Mr. Shue answered.

"What?"

"Are you serious?"

"No way, it's impossible."

"Now, I'm hungry." Everyone giggled at my joke. It wasn't really a joke though. I was really hungry.

"Rory, if you don't mind," Mr. Shue got up and handed a tiny spoonful to Rory, which he gladly took.

"Oh, god..." he took the spoonful and we all stared at him expectantly, "Oh, my god... That's the best thing I've ever had."

"Preach, brother Irish! The sister Tighe commands thy to love thou peanut of the butter," I exclaimed, raising a finger in the air.

"Mr. Shuester, wow, that's incredibly moving, um, it's kinda been an emotional week for some of us," Kurt said. Tell me about it. Everyone started to get into the topic of asking until out came the answer.

"The point is, Rory just had a brand new experience, something as simple as peanut butter. You guys are young. I want you to promise me that no matter how depressed you get, no matter how hopeless or alone you feel, you'll try your best to imagine all of the amazing experiences you have ahead of you," Mr. S finished. He's talking about Karofsky's attempt to suicide. I remember when that was me. When I was getting the talk. When I was told by Jace to back off the ledge. When I had been shamed, scorned, and hated. When people didn't like me and my father beat me.

"Mr. Shue, look, I know we're a little dramatic sometimes, but I don't think anyone will ever consider taking their own life," Mercedes said. I did.

"I did," Mr Shue said. I snapped my head over to him and frowned. Mr. Shue? He tried to commit?

"Junior year. That was a tough year. I, uh, I cheated on my math midterm. Peeked at the answered off the guys next to me and... the teacher saw me do it," Puck was going to say something, but I glared at him, immediately stopping him in his tracks. "They called my dad at his office, and he was coming to pick me up. How was I supposed to look him in the eye? I just kept... picturing my dad so disappointed in me. So... I walked up to the roof I went right to the edge. One step and all the pain and humiliation would be over," Mr. S finished. I was holding onto the edges of my sweater tightly.

"Is that true?" Kurt asked.

"That day, I promise you, it felt like it was the end of the world. But you know what? It wasn't. You know, for some of you, getting caught cheating isn't a big deal. But there's something... everyone has something that might take them up to that edge. And look at how many things I would've missed out on. I would've never met you guys or Emma. I would've missed out on everything. So right now, I want you all to think of something that you're looking forward to. Big things," he finished, looking around to all of us. We all went around the room, mine was going to NYAGD and becoming top of my class. We finished it off with Rory who said winning at Regionals.

-REGIONALS-

"Rachel, calm down. I can do this, just calm down," I reassured her.

"You need to practice for your song! You're going to be singing alone, with a little help of background, but you get what I mean. You need to practice, Joey!" she exclaimed. I rolled my eyes.

"I know this song backwards, forwards, and every which way. I'll never forget it. Not once," I replied.

"What's so special about that song?" Rachel asked. I rubbed the back of my neck.

"I-I, uh, it just means a lot to me, okay?" I murmured.

"O-Okay. Sooo, who's the song for?" she winked.

"N-No one! Gosh, Rachel, it's nothing," I blushed.

"Whatever, anyways, I learned that Sebastian has a heart. He's dedicating their preformance to David Karofsky. And, he deleted all the photos," she said. He acutally listened. He listened to what I said... A small smile made its way to my face. Rachel grabbed my hand and pulled me out to the seating area. Just as I sat down, they started to introduce everyone.

"And now, lets meet our judges for the 2012 midwest Regionals! Deputy Zoning Commissioner Melba Jackson-Wright! President of the Ohio Plumber Union 109, Mr. Harl Beindorf! And Central Ohio's number one late-night horror movie host..."

"No..." Finn and I said at the same time.

"Svengoobles!" the announcer said. "And now, from Westerville, Ohio, the Dalton Academy Warblers!"

I looked up and saw the curtains open, revealing a dweeb that I knew so well. You go, dweeb.