𝗚𝗟𝗘𝗘 | 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻

𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐎𝐧 𝐓𝐨 𝐒𝐢𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧

CHAPTER VIII : HOLD ON TO SIXTEEN

Quinn and I walked through the halls of McKinley High, chatting when we spotted Rachel at her locker. We exchanged a look, linking arms before we made our way over to her "I thought you weren't allowed here" Quinn said when we reached Rachel's locker "I'm permitted on school grounds as long as I'm getting my work" Rachel said, closing her locker "Oh, I wanted to tell you both that I'm available for vocal coaching if you need any help. We need to bring our 'A' game if we have any chance of beating the Trouble Tones" "Oh, we're not going to have any trouble with them" Quinn said matter-of-factly, confusing both me and Rachel "Not as soon as I have Shelby Corcoran fire" "Why would she be fired?" I asked confusedly, unlinking my arm from Quinn's. Quinn looked around, checking that Ms. C wasn't around "She's sleeping with Puck" Quinn said, lowering her voice so only Rachel and I could hear her. My face contorted with disgust and Rachel's jaw dropped slightly "Look, that's a really, really dangerous rumor to make up, okay? You're gonna ruin her entire reputation" Rachel said worriedly "That's the plan. And it's not a lie. I heard it from Puck" Quinn said defensively "Okay, first of all, Puck is 18, so what he and Shelby are doing, even though it's wrong and disgusting, It's not illegal" I pointed out to Quinn, crossing my arms "Yeah, so all you're doing is you're just, you're getting her fired, which is gonna take away her income to provide food and clothes and put a roof over her child's tiny little blonde head" Rachel added "Sounds like an unfit mother. And I'll be waiting in the wings when they take Beth away from her" Quinn said, her voice void of all emotion "Beth loves her mom. Shelby is her real mom. Look, you've done a lot of really bad things, Quinn, but if you tell people about this Puck-and-Shelby thing, you'll be ruining this little girl's life, and then you'll have really hit rock bottom" Rachel said before walking away from us "Quinn, I'm sorry but Rachel's right. You know you can't do this" I said sighing. I adjusted my bag over my shoulder and smiled softly at her "I have to go and find Tina, I'll see you later. But just really think about this, okay?" I said before also leaving to find Tina.
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Mr. Schue, Finn, and I were in the choir room, looking through songs, trying to decide on a set list but so far we were having no luck "Sectionals is in our auditorium for the first time since 1963" Finn stated pacing around the room "Too much talking, not enough looking for songs for Sectionals. We need to do something upbeat" Mr. Schue said in a sing-song voice "Mr. Schue, maybe we need to concentrate on our performer problem before we set a set list," I said, stretching my back out as I had been hunched over for way too long "Yeah, I mean, at least the Cheerios can dance. We need star power" Finn paused, thinking for a second "We need Sam Evans" "Sam Evans? Whose Sam Evans?" I asked confusedly but both Mr. Schue and Finn ignored me "Sam transferred. His whole family moved. We don't even know where he is" Mr. Schue said, shrugging his shoulders "He's in Kentucky. It's just across the border from Cincinnati. It's about four hours from here. Even homeless people have Facebook" "Again, whose Sam Evans?" "Come with us and you'll see" "Us?" "Oh, I'll probably bring Rachel, she's sitting around all day anyway" "Okay, sure, pick me up tomorrow and we'll go," I said before Finn walked out the door.
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Kurt, Blaine, and I all sat in the Lima Bean drinking our coffees as Kurt filled out an application form for employment at the Bean "Rachel and I might as well get used to a life of barista work and summer stock. There's no way we're getting into NYADA now. If we don't win at Sectionals, I pretty much have nothing to live for" "Has anyone ever told you, your dramatic?" I asked absentmindedly. When I noticed the look Kurt was giving me, I realized I had said that out loud "Sorry, did I say that out loud? It was meant to be in my head" I said, smiling awkwardly. Kurt smiled back sarcastically and went back to filling out his form "New Directions is a mess and we're gonna lose, and I can't do a thing about it. Every time I open my mouth, Finn gives me these looks like, 'what does he think he's doing?' I know what I'm doing" Blaine said frustratedly. I took his hand and rubbed the back of it comfortingly "I'm going to Kentucky with him and Rachel tomorrow, do you want me to say something to him?" I asked him, smiling soothingly at him. He shook his head sadly "No, it's okay. Why are you going to Kentuck-" "Hey, guys!" An annoyingly cheerful voice said. I looked up to see Sebastian and I couldn't resist the urge to roll my eyes. Subconsciously my grip on Blaine's hand tightened and now it was his turn to rub my hand comfortingly "It's so crazy. I'm sitting over there checking out this guy and all of a sudden I'm, like,
'Wait a second I know that hair'" He said, sitting down in a seat beside me. His gaze passed directly over me and fixated on Blaine "What's up, buddy? Haven't seen you online" Finally he glanced at me "Hi, Naya, guy I don't know" Kurt extended his hand towards Sebastian and smiled fakely "Kurt Hummel" He introduced as Sebastian shook his hand "We've been really busy with Glee Club," Blaine said, answering Sebastian's previous question. I took a long sip of coffee, praying to whoever was up in the sky to give me strength "Practicing for Sectionals together" I said, pointedly pressing a kiss to Blaine's cheek "Mmm, congrats on the Warbler win at your sectionals. We're up this week" Blaine said, making a face of distress "Yeah. Well, hey, if there's one guy that can whip New Directions into a legitimate threat, it's Blaine Anderson, right?" Sebastian said, reaching over me to pat Blaine's shoulder "Right, I need another coffee" Blaine said, getting up from his seat "I'll come with you" Kurt said, standing up as well. I tried to get them both to stay but they ignored me and left me alone with Sebastian. I took a deep breath and turned to face Sebastian, smiling sarcastically "I don't like you" I said bluntly "Fun. I don't like you either" He said, turning to face me in his chair "I don't like the way you talk to my boyfriend, I don't like your smirky meerkat face, I don't like your obnoxious
CW hair. I'm onto you" "Let's get a few things straight. Blaine's too good for you. New Directions is a joke. And one of us has a hard luck case of the gay face and it ain't me" "That's rude because I'm not gay" I mumbled under my breath "Odds are, by the end of the school year, I'll have Blaine and a Nationals trophy and you'll have a terrible pixie cut and stupid dyed hair that makes you look washed-out and pasty, from the inevitable emo phase all you straight girls go through when you get your hearts broken" "You smell like Craigslist" "What are you guys talking about?" Blaine asked as he and Kurt came and sat back down "Duh, the next time we're all going out drinking, killer!" Sebastian said, as if he hadn't just insulted me like crazy before Blaine and Kurt had come back "Uh-oh" Blaine awkwardly said "Well, I gotta run. But you take care of that Warbler, Naya" He said, winking at me and clicking his tongue before sauntering off "I don't usually wish death on anyone, but you know what? I think that kid may be the exception"
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Finn, Rachel, and I all arrived, the next day, at the place where Sam supposedly worked. But when we entered and saw all the middle-aged women drinking alcohol and the young bartenders, I knew we had walked into something different "Wait. This can't be the right place" Finn said, scanning the area "Sam works in a bar?" I asked confusedly "Well, there just aren't a lot of theatres in Northern Kentucky, so theatre groups just have to perform in whatever space they can find," Rachel said, speaking so quickly I could barely understand her "There's a lot of ladies here-" "Correction, old ladies," I said, cutting off Finn "Guys, it's no secret that dinner theatre appeals to elderly women" Rachel justified weakly "Good afternoon, ladies!" The announcer welcomed over the PA "Are you ready to meet the men of Stallion?" Rachel clapped excitedly as the ladies in the room cheered. I crossed over, standing in between her and Finn, and linked my arm through hers "Then please welcome to the stage—Cobra!" A man walked onto the stage dressed in a fireman's outfit and it dawned on me, I knew exactly where we were "I didn't know Backdraft was a musical" Finn said innocently "Someone gets the door, cause here comes Mr. Package" Another man o walked on stage in a postman's outfit and Rachel's arm tightened around mine, signifying she had realized what was going on "Oh, God, no" Rachel and I muttered simultaneously "And ladies, let's give a warm welcome to White Chocolate!" Another person walked on stage, significantly younger looking than the others, in denim overalls, a builders vest, and a builder hat "Is that Sam?" I asked as the younger boy through his vest into the crowd "Yep" Finn said, stunned as the three men pulled off their trousers and overalls. Mine and Rachel's jaws dropped and Finn's hand flew up covering our innocent eyes "That's not an image I can ever get out of my mind" Finn said as Rachel pushed Finn's hands away from our faces "Give me a dollar" She said, sticking her hand out towards Finn "What?" "Just give me a dollar," She said firmly. Finn handed her a dollar and she unlinked her arm from mine. For a second I thought she was going to do whatever she was going to do without me but that hope died when she grabbed my hand, interlocking our fingers, and pulled me along behind her. We stopped in front of the stage, Rachel handing the dollar to Sam whilst she looked down at the floor. I smiled up at him politely and I saw the way his smile disappeared when he recognized Rachel "Rach-Rachel" He said in realization and walked off the stage, telling us to meet him backstage. We went back to Finn, giving Sam a second to get dressed before going to meet him backstage. Finn quickly stopped off and got him some food, walking back into the dressing rooms backstage as Sam started to explain "I tried getting a real job. DQ was great and I got two free Blizzards a day, but it paid just over minimum wage. Thanks" He said, accepting the plate of food from Finn "You know how much I made this afternoon? 60 bucks. 61 in 15 minutes" "That's a lot" I said, my eyes widening. Sam looked me over and furrowed his eyebrows "Who are you?" He asked confusedly "Oh! Right, sorry. I'm Naya Vasquez" I said, extending my hand out to him. He shook it and smiled politely at me "Nice to meet you Naya, I'm Sam. Anyways, am I ashamed I work here? Yeah, I'm ashamed. my dad got a job working construction to pay the rent, but when my brother needs a new pair of shoes or the TV busts, these abs pay for it" "Your parents don't know you work here?" Finn asked, surprised "No, they just think that DQ pays really well. I'm good at this" Sam said, smiling shyly "You're good at it because you have that, boy-next-door innocence that makes you approachable, okay?" "Yeah, I know I've only just met you, but it seems like your good at it for all the reasons that you shouldn't be doing it" I added, crossing my arms "Come back to McKinley, Sam. We need you for Sectionals. Tell me you don't want it. Dude, you're young, you got so much potential. Working here, is lowkey, throwing your life away" "Okay, I want it...but my dad will never let me" Sam said sadly "Don't know till you ask" Finn said, shrugging his shoulders. Sam nodded his head and got up, leading us to his home "Here we go" He said, unlocking the gate in front of his house. We followed him in, closing the gate behind us. We walked into the house and all sat around their dinner table, Sam's parents standing menacingly in front of us. I exchanged a look with Finn, who seemed to be totally freaked out, sitting in front of Mr. and Mrs. Evans "Dad, mom, what I'm trying to say is I want to go back to Ohio with them. They need me to compete as Sectionals this weekend" Sam said, staring down at his hands "And he could stay at one of our houses, so it wouldn't be like he was homeless. Not that there isn't a quiet dignity in that or anything" Rachel said, digging herself deeper into a hole as she spoke "You think you three could go in the other room, make yourselves busy, please?" Mr. Evans asked, we all nodded our heads silently and got up out of our seats, going into the next room "Do you think they'll let him come?" I asked as Rachel leaned her head on my shoulder. Finn shrugged his shoulders "We just have to home" I sighed and nodded my head, waiting anxiously. When Sam came bounding into the room, a smile plastered on his face, I knew his parents had allowed him to come. Rachel and Finn realized too and pulled him into a hug. I watched them silently, my smile glued onto my face. Sam looked up from the hug and over to me, gesturing his head—indicating he wanted me to join the hug. I shook my head, wanting to let them have their moment but he insisted, so I joined to hug.
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I walked in—practically bouncing with excitement—with Mr. Schue. We carried a bunch of red party cups and a bottle of sparkling cider "Hey, great news, everybody" Mr. Schue said as we placed everything down onto the piano "Sectionals is going to be a challenge, but we have a-" "Mr. Schue, we all appreciate your endless supply of affirmations, but all the sparkling cider in the world can't deny the fact that the Titanic has hit the iceberg and now we're on a sinking ship" Kurt said pessimistically "Not if I can help it" Sam said, strolling in with a big smile on his face. Everyone jumped up excitedly, cheering, as they went over to hug Sam "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Finn, Rachel, and Naya" "I sort of lost my way, but...true friends help you find your way back" Everyone was quiet, smiling at Sam in adoration "Let's hear it for Sam Evans!" Finn said, popping the cork off the cider bottle "All right enough of the sentimental stuff" Sam said cheerfully, putting a guitar strap around his neck and preparing to play it "It's time y'all get a little country back in this joint" Everyone cheered again as Finn poured everyone a cup of sparkling cider. He handed two to me and I crossed the group to stand beside Blaine, handing him a cup "So that's why you went to Kentucky yesterday" He said, pressing a kiss to my cheek when accepting the cup from my hand. I nodded my head as Sam began to play.
Red Solo Cup — Toby Keith (Sung By Sam & The New Directions)
When the song finished, Santana walked in and everyone prepared themselves for the worst "I just heard the news that Trouty Mouth is back in town. I've been keeping a notebook, just in case this day ever came. Welcome back, Lisa Rinna. I've missed you so much since your family packed their bags, loaded them in your mouth, and skipped town. I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to enjoy a crisp pickle, but couldn't find anyone to suck the lid off the jar. I assume you've been working as a haby-polisher, where young mothers place their infants' heads in your mouth to get back that newborn shine, So glad you're back. I haven't seen a smile that big since a Claymation Abominable Snowman got his teeth pulled by that little gay elf dentist. Love, Santana" She said, smiling sweetly whilst reading from her notebook "I missed you too, Santana," Sam said good-naturedly, brushing past all the insults and hugging her.
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The day of Sectionals had arrived and everyone was in high spirits. I, however, was not my parents had messaged me earlier in the day and said they had to stay in Chicago for another week, meaning they couldn't make it tonight. I suppose I still had Moriah and her family coming but still, it broke my heart. My parents hadn't properly been in my life since I was five, they never were there to celebrate my accomplishments, helped me with my singing, or see me in a school play. Moriah had acted more like a mother to me than my real one ever did. I sat in a chair, separated from the group as they all crowded around the piano and did vocal warm-ups. I just sat, reading over my parents' message, again and again trying not to cry "Naya, are you okay?" Someone said, sitting down beside me "No thank you I'm good" I said absentmindedly, not listening to what they had asked "Naya?" "I've already done my warm-ups" "Naya!" The person said loudly, snatching my phone out of my hand. I looked up at the person and saw Sam "Oh, hi, Sam. Did you say something?" I asked, pocketing my phone when he handed it back "I asked if you were okay" He said, leaning back in his seat "Of course I am, why wouldn't I be?" "Well, you've been staring at your phone for an hour and I can see the tears in your eyes" I sniffed quickly and wiped my eyes, making sure no mascara got on my suit jacket "It's just...it's nothing I'm just being stupid," I said "I'm fine, really" "I'm sure it's not stupid, and you're obviously not fine" "I am! Okay? I am fine! It's none of your business!" I shouted accidentally. Sam put his hands up in surrender "Sorry, I didn't mean to pry. But if you need to talk about anything, you can come to me. I mean, I wouldn't be here without you" I smiled softly and nodded my head as The Trouble Tones walked into the room. Sam and I rejoined the group and I went straight to Blaine's side wrapping my arms around his waist and resting my head on his shoulder "Everything okay?" He asked quietly, I didn't answer out loud, just nodded my head and nestled into his shoulder as he put his arm around me "Looking good, ladies!" Mr. Schue said as the Trouble Tones filed into the room "We just came to say, may the best Glee Club win" Ms. C said, smiling warmly "Yes, and just in case that Glee Club is us, I have convinced Miss Corcoran to consider a contingency plan" Santana said vaguely "Yes, in the event of a New Directions loss, Trouble Tones has voted to allow any of you to join us at Regionals" Ms. C said as if it was the kindest thing anyone had ever done. I lifted my head off Blaine's shoulder, my frown prominent on my face "You're welcome" Sugar said sassily "Excuse me?" Mr. Schue asked in shock "That's incredibly rude, Santana" Finn said angrily "We're being nice. It would be rude if I followed you around and every time you took a step, I played a note on a tuba" Santana said matter-of-factly "Thank you for the offer, Miss Corcoran, but right now, we're gonna concentrate on winning this thing" Mr. Schue said, crossing his arms "And we will be winning, Shelby" Quinn said, stepping forward and I panicked. I pulled away from Blaine, reaching out to grab Quinn's arm but she shook me off "We've got it in the bag. Puck here is going to come through for us. He's such a shining star, in every conceivable way. Don't you think?" I winced, looking around the room at the confused faces "Quinn" I hissed "Knock it off" I whispered, successfully grabbing her arm and pulling her back "Good luck, everybody" Ms. C said innocently, tearing her eyes off of Quinn "See you on the ice"
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We all filed into our seats, waiting for the competition to begin. I fidgeted in my seat, balling the fabric off my sleeves into my fists. Blaine reached out to me, taking my hand and gently easing my grip on my sleeves "Nervous?" He asked, interlocking our fingers. I nodded, bouncing my leg "Very, this is my first competition" I said, glancing around the auditorium, and scanning for Moriah. When I didn't see her, I started to panic but then I felt a tap on the shoulder. I turned around to see her in the row behind us. My eyes widened and I jumped out of my seat, pulling her into my arms "Hi!" She said happily "I'm so excited to see you perform "I'm so excited for you to see me perform!" I said with the same amount of happiness. I waved individually at Jordan and all four kids, who were sitting still and quiet in their seats. Esme hopped out of her seat and pulled me down "I picked a flower for you Auntie Naya, mommy said it's called Morning Glory and that it attracts good luck" She said tucking the flower behind my ear. I smiled warmly at the small girl and kissed her on the cheek "I love it, Es, thank you" I said, pinching her cheeks lovingly. I felt a tug on my suit jacket and turned to see Blaine "It's starting, Naya" He said, pulling me back into my seat "Hi, Moriah" He said greeting my sister, she greeted him back as the announcer started to talk "And now, the judges for this years show choir Sectional here at McKinley High. Department of Motor Vehicles Employee of the Month, Brandy Englebert" The announcer said over the PA, an older looking woman stood up and waved politely as people applauded her "From the 11th District Court of Appeals, the Honourable Judge Dorothy Saunders!" Another old lady stood up, looking very bored as she waved to the crowd "And Western Ohio's Birthday Clown of the Year three years running—Tickles!" A man in a suit with a fake red nose stood up and waved good-naturedly at the crowd "And now, let's welcome our first performers. From Defiance, Ohio, the Unitards!"
Buenos Aires — Evita (Sung By The Unitards)
'They looked amazing in their red dresses with bedazzled collars and their shirts with jeweled undone bow ties. I watched as Quinn stood up and I went to follow her but I noticed Rachel did and left to handle her. Instead, I stayed in my seat watching the rest of their performance. They finished their performance to a large round of applause and next it was the Trouble Tones' turn "Ladies and Gentleman, from McKinley High, competing for the first time ever, the Trouble Tones!" The announcer declared, evoking a round of applause from the audience—the loudest claps and cheers coming from us.
I Will Survive / Survivor — Gloria Gaynor / Destiny's Child (Sung By The Trouble Tones)
After their song, we moved backstage, watching the rest of their performance from the wings. I wrung my hands nervously, bouncing up and down on my heels. I felt strong hands place themselves on my shoulders and force me into staying still "You're going to do amazingly. I know it" Blaine said, leaning forward from behind me and pressing a kiss to my temple. I took a deep breath and gripped my sleeves tightly s the announcer spoke again "Also from McKinley High, let's give it up for the New Directions!" The announcer said loudly, we all quickly made our way onto the stage, getting into our positions as the music started.
ABC — The Jackson Five (Sung By The New Directions)
Control — Janet Jackson (Sung By The New Directions)
Man In The Mirror — Michael Jackson (Sung By The New Directions)
During the first song, I spotted Sebastian in the audience and my smile faded slightly but then Blaine spun me and my smile returned almost as quickly as it had faded. We got a standing ovation and I pulled Blaine into the biggest hug. We were all in amazing moods as we left the stage and went running to the choir room.
Pulling Tina and Quinn into a big hug, I forgot all about my parents not being there and just felt happy. I was pulled away from them, being spun around multiple times before stumbling into someone's arms. I looked up into Blaine's smiling face and hugged him tightly "You were so amazing!" He exclaimed and I smiled happily "You were amazing too!" I exclaimed just as excitedly as he did, he blushed a deep red and smiled back at me. Spotting his blush, I smiled even wider and pulled him in for a kiss. Pulling back from the kiss, I wrapped my arms around his neck. He wrapped his arms around my waist, lifting me up and off the floor, spinning me around. He put me down, just as everyone was called back onto the stage. We all stood facing the crowd, anxiously awaiting the results. Tickles the Clown walked onto the stage honking his horn as he approached the microphone with an envelope in his hand. I reached out, linking my fingers through both Tina's and Quinn's and gripping their hands tightly "As an award-winning clown, I'd like to say that it's nice, for once, to be working with kids that are just sick with talent" Tickles joked, but no-one laughed, everyone remained silent. He opened the envelope and my grip on Tina and Quinn's hands tightened "Third place—The Unitards!" Tickles announced. The Unitards cheered loudly and went up to collect their trophy whilst we clapped politely for them. The butterflies in my stomach fluttered quicker, this was it—we had either won or lost. Tickles lifted the envelope slowly, dragging out the announcement of second place and raising the tension to a breaking point "In second place...we have the Trouble Tones!" Tickles declared and I felt a wave of relief wash over me "In first place is New Directions!" All of a sudden everyone started jumping around excitedly and cheering loudly. I pulled Quinn and Tina into a tight hug, swaying them from side to side as we laughed excitedly. I hugged every single person after that, holding Blaine for the longest. We were handed our trophy and lifted it high above our heads, clapping happily for ourselves.
I looked over at the Trouble Tones and saw how sad they were, my smile fading.
I wanted to go over to them, give them all hugs, and congratulate them but Sam pulled me away, bringing me back to the celebrations.
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All the New Directions were sat on the stage in the auditorium. We were spread gut, preparing to sing a song. Blaine was stretched out across the stage and I sat in between his legs, his arms wrapped tightly around my waist. We watched. smiling happily, as Rachel got up and started the performance.
We Are Young — Fun Ft. Janelle Monae (Sung By The New Directions, Santana, Mercedes, Brittany & Sugar)
Whilst singing we had all gotten up to dance, and the Trouble Tones had come and joined us. I pulled Santana into a massive hug, holding her tight and swaying her slightly. Everything was going to be okay.