𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐟𝐥𝐲 | q. fabray

All or Nothing

"Alright, guys," Mr. Schue began his long speech. "It's finally here. Regionals. I just found out that because of safety concerns related to late-season tornadoes, Indianapolis has declined to host the competition. So, as defending champions, we're having regionals here, in our auditorium."

"Home court advantage, yo!" Artie cheered.

"Now, because of a sexting scandal at Our Lady of Perpetual Loneliness, their glee club, the Nun Touchables, has been excommunicated by the new pope," Mr. Schue continued as Adalynn put a hand over her mouth to hide her amused smile. "They've been replaced by the world-famous boys of Ziegler Prep, the Waffletoots."

"That is the dumbest glee club name I've ever heard," Adalynn mumbled.

"Like cake farts?" Bailey asked, scrunching her nose in disgust. "Gross. Thanks a lot for ruining waffles for me."

"The Hoosierdaddies are still the odds-on favorite," said Mr. Schue. "Their lead vocalist, Frida Romero, is a tiny juggernaut of talent. We are in for the fight of our lives. So, let's get real," he said as he sat down on a chair in front of his students. "There comes a moment in every performer's life that defines him or her, sometimes for the rest of their career. This is our moment. We've struggled, we've endured, and now we must triumph. And speaking of that, I want us all to just take a moment to send some positive energy to one of our very own. She has her final callback for Funny Girl today. So, let's all give a big round of applause to Rachel, wherever she is."

As everyone clapped for Rachel, Adalynn smiled softly to herself. Even though the two had had their ups and downs over the years, she couldn't be more proud of Rachel. She was living proof that it was possible to make your dreams come true as long as you believed in yourself.

Maybe there was a chance her dreams could come true too.

****

"Guys, I have finalized our set-list," Mr. Schue said the next day as everyone gathered together for their after school meeting. "We are going with I Love It by Icona Pop, Hall of Fame by The Script and will.i.am, And Marley's original song, All or Nothing."

"Yeah, Marley!" Bailey cheered as she clapped for the younger songwriter.

"Mr. Schue, what about my original song?" Brittany asked as she walked into the choir room. "Do you remember?"

"My cup, my cup," Artie sang along with her. "Saying what's up to my cup, my cup."

"That song is so iconic," Adalynn chuckled.

"My Cup is one of a kind, but we're going with Marley's song," said Mr. Schue.

"Oh, come on," Brittany scoffed. "Boo. Two thumbs down. The only way to polish that turd of a song is with my angelic alto voice. So, I demand to sing it as a solo. And, I demand to sing all the good songs as solos. Everyone can snap their fingers and march around behind me. Tina, please make an exact replica of Jennifer Lawence's Oscar dress."

"Um, no?" Tina frowned.

"Um, yes," said Brittany. "Let me break it down. No one in this musty choir room compares to my megawatt star power, not even Adalynn over there, who thinks she's better than everyone just because she's been the lead in three school musicals."

"I don't think I'm better than everyone," Adalynn scoffed, furrowing her brows. "When did I ever say I was better than anyone?"

"Blaine, you're shorter than your average lawn gnome. Joe, you look like a Yucatán spider monkey. Tina is... you know, she's Tina."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Tina asked, frowning.

"Britt, I love you, but you're really out of line here," Bailey spoke up as Brittany rolled her eyes and pulled her phone out.