HIRAETH | mike chang

2 | showmance

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STELLA MURRAY sat at the kitchen table spooning golden nuggets into her mouth. Sat opposite her was her brother Theo who was scribbling his homework answers in his familiar spider writing. "Stells, how come you never have homework to do in the morning before school? Is it a high school thing?" He puzzled. "Prehaps your sister does her homework when it's set Theodore." Their Grandmother teased, buttering some toast for Theo.

Soon Stella was walking the along the hallway practicing runs with Mercedes, Artie and Tina, Stella set about harmonising with the group. "You go girl!" Mercedes said linking arms with Stella who was really pleased with her previous harmonies. Artie tapped on the girl's arm trying to gain her attention "You wanna go to the library at lunch? I need to return some books from last week." Stella nodded "Of course, as long as you share those cookies your Mom makes because they really are beautiful!" Artie chuckled as Stella walked behind to push him to their next class.

"Energy, guys! It's disco. Good with the hands. John Travolta hands. All right. We're freaking out. Let's go. And up and out and down. Good. Good. Good. Good, guys." Mr Schue shouted directions out to the group as they prepared their number for the pep assembly. Stella found herself channeling some of her Nanna's kitchen dancing as she tried to dance through the number. After Mercedes and Rachel started arguing for what felt like the millionth time that rehearsal, Stella sat cross legged on the chair with Artie and Tina joining her as they watched the arguing unfold. All of the group agreed that the music really did not suit them and longed for something modern to present to the school to spare even a small amount of humiliation. Stella looked absolutely terrified at the prospect of embarrassment on a public stage, but even she was not as petrified as Finn Hudson.

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"HEY STELLA, WAIT UP" the familiar voice of Finn Hudson called from behind her. Stella stopped completely in her tracks and turned to face Finn Hudson who was speed walking to meet her. "Stella I just wanted to say-" he said between attempts to catch his breath. Stella gave him a puzzled look "Take your time Finn I'm listening." He smiled at the girls genuineness "You're really talented, I don't know why you have such a lack of that own confidence thing but you are amazing. You could teach some the Cheerios a thing or two." Taken aback by Finn's kind words, Stella found herself smiling up at Finn Hudson, something she would never have dreamed of a week prior "Thank you so much Finn, you'll make a great leader someday." The quarterback had taken a liking to the girl and admired her kindness and really wanted to help her with her confidence. Before leaving for the locker rooms, Finn high-fived Stella which she accepted gleefully.

The choir room was filled with Kurt and Mercedes' argument over her outfit, while Stella chatted away to Tina about her go to eyeliner of choice. "T-t-the one I u-use is in a p-p-pink bottle" she said quietly as Stella admired Tina's makeup. After Artie, Tina was her other closest friend. Both girls lacked confidence socially but Stella was so in awe of Tina's alternative style that really made her stand out from the crowd. Mr Schuester announced that the group would be rehearsing Kanye for their regionals set, which Stella playfully rolled her eyes at, while she would've loved to have sung any song from Taylor Swift's Fearless album, Kanye was a safe option.

While the group performed Stella found herself dancing away happily with Finn, spinning around laughing away with the star quarterback of all people. Stella was beginning to find her feet in glee club, yet she couldn't help but feel anxious about their upcoming performance in the pep assembly. It would be the first time since her Dad's passing that she went on stage in front of a crowd, but somewhere in the back of Stella's mind there was a drive to do it, to do it for her Dad.

Stella walked alongside to Artie to the gymnasium, chatting away about Rachel's recent session in the Celibacy club. "I still cannot believe she went!" Artie laughed. "I mean I'd do anything for love but would I go to celibacy club?" Stella turned to the boy next to her giggling quietly. "Definitely not, public humiliation with Quinn Fabray doesn't sound like my idea of fun." Artie shook his head as the pair reached the gym. The members of glee club sat in the stands with Rachel tapping her gavel to gain the attention of her fellow members, "I officially call this meeting of Glee Club in session.". Stella sat almost in awe, as much as she found Rachel insufferable, she wanted the Glee club to do well. So, when Rachel suggested sex, in this circumstance Stella found herself engaging with the idea.

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PRINCIPAL FIGGINS SHAKILY ADDRESSED THE GYMNASIUM filled with hormonal teenagers. "Silence, children. Silence. First, an announcement. The toilets are broken again. We are fixing the problem. But let me warn you. There will be zero tolerance for anyone soiling school grounds. We're not going to have a repeat of the last time. We have a treat for you guys today. Mr. Schuester." Filled with energy, Mr Schue stood at the microphone to introduce the glee club. The group of teenagers stood in the wings and amongst them was a nervous wreck that was Stella Murray.  Shooting glances to the group around her, Artie Abrams took Stella's freezing cold hand in his giving a reassuring squeeze before entering the stage.

During the performance Stella felt as if she never took a breath, overcome with nerves that felt as if they were eating her alive. Her gaze never left the crowd, being drawn back to one guy in particular. Sat with a letterman jacket hanging loosely over his torso and a kind smile spread on his lips, Stella almost felt something that could easily have been mistaken for a surge of confidence running through her veins. As the Glee club concluded their performance, they were met with silence, then an eruption of applause and some dissatisfied looking teachers. Yet,  for the first time in a long time, Stella felt proud of herself. 

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word count : 1076

authors note : thank you so much for the love on the first chapter of hiraeth,  i'm going to skip the acafellas episode as i know that i would struggle to write it. thank you so much for reading! lots of love <3