The Gleeful Return [Q. F.]

- 16 - Regionals

Recap: Juliet reveals that she tore her ACL and is out of Glee Club competitions for the rest of the season. On crutches, Juliet needs help carrying her things around school, and Quinn is assigned to the job. Santana confides in Quinn about her feelings for Brittany and confusion about her sexuality. The team works on some original songs and their setlist for Regionals. Juliet comes up with the name "Loser Like Me."

"Since it's her song, we'll have Rachel solo 'Get It Right.' I would like Santana, Mercedes, Finn, and Artie to sing 'Loser Like Me.' Finally, we'll have everyone sing a part in 'Don't Stop Believin'' because this is our song. I have not finalized the order quite yet, but let's run through the choreography and get that set."

"You know, it sucks that you came up with the name for 'Loser Like Me' but you don't get to sing," Brittany said to me.

Knowing there was nothing I could do about the situation, I shrugged. "I'm trying not to think about it too much. Besides, it's for all of us, not just me."

"I'll miss you out there."

"Yeah, me too."

"You're going to help with the choreography though, right?"

"Of course." And that's just what we did. Brittany and Mike worked with Mr. Schue to come up with the dance moves and I watched the rest of the team carry them out and pointed out notes when needed.

"How does this sound for order? We'll start with 'Loser Like Me,' then Rachel will sing 'Get It Right,' and we'll finish with 'Don't Stop Believin'.'"

"I think we all knew what the order was going to be, Mr. Schue. That was kind of the only acceptable order," I joked.

He laughed. "Well, I'm glad we're all on the same page." He paused as he shuffled his hands around. "How are we feeling about the choreo?"

"Good," Finn said.

"I have to agree with Finn," Rachel added with a frown.

I watched as Quinn rolled her eyes. "We should get back to practicing."

---

Just like every other competition, we huddled in front of the bus so Mr. Schue could take attendance.

"Rachel?"

"Here!"

"Finn?"

"Here."

"Mercedes?"

"Here."

"Santana?"

"Yep."

"Quinn?"

"Here."

"Brittany?"

"Yes?"

"Puck?"

"Yo yo yo!"

"Artie?"

"Here."

"Tina?"

"Here!"

"Mike?"

"Here."

"Juliet?"

"Here!"

"Sam?"

"Here."

"Evan?"

"Here."

"Sugar?'

"Sugar Motta in the house! Let's party!"

Mr. Schue coughed and stifled a laugh. "Alright, good. Girls, do you have your dresses?" Nods. "Guys, do you have your suits?" Nods. "Change of clothes? Hair and makeup products?" Nods. "Juliet, you have our forms?"

I was sort of an honorary coach. "Yep!"

"Great, then let's get this show on the road!"

Regionals was again held at Buckeye Civic Auditorium in Marion. The drive was really nothing special. After all, Ohio is just a big corn field with a "Hell is real" billboard and Grandpa's Cheesebarn. My knee started to hurt after a while, but I shoved my earbuds in and tried to forget about it.

Once we arrived in Marion, we filed into the rows of sets. Aural Intensity would perform first, followed by the Warblers. We were set to compete last. Although they should have been our enemy, I was excited to see Kurt and Blaine sing.

"Good afternoon and welcome to the 2011 Midwest Show Choir Regional Competition at the Buckeye Civic Auditorium in Marion, Ohio. Our judges for today's competition are Rod Remington, Tammy Jean Albertson, and Sister Mary Constance. The first competitor of the day is Aural Intensity from Westvale High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana." There was buzz around the school about Sue Sylvester being Aural Intensity's head coach. I knew she would play dirty, but I didn't know what she would do until Aural Intensity actually started singing. Clearly trying to appeal to Sister Mary Constance, they sang three religious songs. After they finished, the audience gave out a few scattered slow claps.

There was much more anticipation for the Warblers. The audience gave a much more robust applause when they walked on stage. I immediately looked for Kurt in the sea of blue and red blazers, only to find that he would be singing "Candles" with Blaine. Their other two songs were "Misery" and "Raise Your Glass." As expected, they were much better than Aural Intensity.

Finally, it was our turn. We made our way to the warm up room for some last minute adjustments and the ceremonial pep talk. Gathering into our show circle, Mr. Schue kicked off the speeches. "I am so proud of the work you all have put in this year, especially with the original songs. You know that I don't care about the results; I only care about the work that you put in and the progress that we make. However, I would love for us to be Nationals bound after today!"

Mr. Schue gave me a look. I inhaled a big breath before speaking so I wouldn't cry. "I so wish that I could be out there on stage with you guys today, but I don't think anyone would want to see me hobble around." I chuckled. "I'll be watching from the wing."

"Put it here."

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaa-mazing!"

---

"Our final competitor of the day is the New Directions from William McKinley High School in Lima, Ohio!" Presumptuous applause filled the room.

The curtains opened to reveal the blue and black outfits. Mercedes held the microphone and began to sing. Finn took over, and soon enough Santana and Artie were singing. Their voices blended with the background vocals, and sounded great in the auditorium. Once they finished, everyone except Rachel walked off stage. She sang the first verse and chorus alone and acapella on stage. The rest of the girls came on stage behind her to sing backup for the rest of the song. Finn started off "Don't Stop Believin,'" and it was passed around from person to person much like we had a year and a half ago. It seemed fitting that everyone got a part in our final song. Of course, I wished I could have sang too, but there wasn't time to dwell on that. Claps and shouts bounced off the walls when we finished. We made our way back to the warm up room and then on stage for awards.

"Please welcome Tammy Jean Albertson to announce the winner of this year's Regional competition."

"Thank you Mr. Announcer Man." She pulled the results card into view. "In third place, we have Aural Intensity." She cleared her throat as the audience applauded. "And in first place to advance to the 2011 National Competition in New York is... the New Directions from Lima, Ohio!"

Confetti rained from the ceiling as Mr. Schue accepted our first place trophy from Tammy Jean Albertson. When she was walking back, Sue punched her in the face! The audience gasped in shock. Blaine even jumped back when she fell down. Everyone else was surprised, but I wasn't. I mean, have you seen her storm out of Principal Figgins's office in a fit and throw everything on the floor? It seemed only fitting that Sue Sylvester would lose after trying to play to the judge's personal lives.

I glanced over to Blaine and Kurt. In the midst of our cheering, I looked at them with a sad smile. I didn't know Blaine that well, but I knew Kurt. I knew he was disappointed. As I looked at him, he mouthed, "congrats." I gave him another sad smile and mouthed, "thank you." There was nothing else that needed to be said.