𝗚𝗟𝗘𝗘 | 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻

𝐘𝐞𝐬/𝐍𝐨

CHAPTER X : YES/NO

All of the Glee girls and Kurt were out in the courtyard, walking to a table with our lunch trays in hand. Sitting down at the table, I popped a french fry in my mouth as Tina asked a question we'd all been dying to hear the answer to "Mercedes, what's the deal with you and Sam?" Tina said, sitting down beside me. I swallowed the fry and nodded my head "Yeah, you've been stealing glances in the choir room, and Sam won't tell me anything" I said, pouting slightly "And, you still haven't told us what happened over summer vacation" Tina added teasing. Mercedes sat on the table and we all crowded around her excitedly "Okay, okay, okay, okay. It's true. Sam and I spent a lot of time together at the lake. And. we had a fling" All the girls gasped adoringly and nudged each other as Mercedes went into more detail.
Summer Nights — Grease (Sung By Sam, Mercedes & The New Directions)
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At Glee Club, Mr. Schue came running in frantically, startling pretty much everybody "Finn, give me a drumroll!" He shouted, dashing over to the whiteboard and writing something down as Finn hit the drums repeatedly. Everyone tried to sound out what he was writing "M-M-A...Marry me!" Everyone exclaimed finally able to read the whole thing "Yes, I am proposing to Ms. Pillsbury!" Mr. Schue announced happily. Everyone burst out into applause and cheers, extremely excited about the news "This is the kind of news that you share with your family, and you guys are my family" "Mr. Schue, we're so happy for you" Finn cheerfully congratulated "We totally don't think you'll screw it up this time" Quinn commented backhandedly. Mr. Schue laughed good-naturedly and brushed past
Quinn's comment "Here's the thing: it's got be perfect. I'm sitting down with Emma's parents to ask for permission, and then this proposal needs to knock her well-washed socks off. And that's where you guys come in. So the assignment for the week is to come up with a proposal number. And you know Ms. Pillsbury—it's got to be perfect" Mr. Schue explained excitedly "Well, you can count on us, Mr. Schue!"
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"Wait—wait," I said in between laughs "You—you joined the synchronized swimming team?" "Yes," Sam said defensively as we sat down in class "Why?" I asked, trying to hold in my laughs "Why not?" He retorted "Because, you're already in Glee Club and now synchronized swimming, do you have a death wish?" I said, opening my book and writing the date "Sexy? Oh!" I said, dragging out the 'oh' "What?" "You're doing this for Mercedes" Sam looked at me, shocked "Don't give me that look, everyone can tell you are in love with her. You look at her the same way I look at Blaine" "Okay, so what if I did it for Mercedes? It's not a bad thing" "I never said it was. It's a stupid thing, but not a bad thing" "Stupid? How is it stupid?" "Well, I'm assuming you've already been slushied, considering the top of your shirt is stained red" He lifted the top of his shirt so he could see it and sighed "Damn it, I like this shirt" He muttered, "Sam, if Mercedes really likes you, then she will like you for you, you know?" "I'm confused" "What I'm trying to say is that you shouldn't start doing things you don't enjoy or things that will change who you are just to get a girl to like you. As much as I love Blaine, if he asked me to—I don't know—cut my hair, I would never do it" "So what your saying is, I should quit the team" "No, not if you genuinely like it, but if you're only doing it for Mercedes then yes quit the team" I said as the teacher came in and started the lesson
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The Glee girls and I all ushered Mr.
Schue into his office excitedly, trying to plan what song we were going to sing.
He sat down and we all crowded around his desk, Rachel with a clipboard in her hands ready to take down notes "For us to help you propose to Ms. Pillsbury, we're going to need some salient information first" Tina said, crossing her arms "Okay. Come on, ladies. It's not like this is the first time I've ever proposed" Mr. Schue said, holding his hands up in defense "Oh, yeah? How did that marriage work out for you? I mean what was your big move then? A Jumbotron that said 'Hey, Terri, I Want To Make a Fake Baby With You?'" Santana said, shutting Mr. Schue up "Let's start from the beginning with you and Ms. P. What'd you think the first time you met her?" Mr. Schue sighed, his shoulders slouching as he reminisced "I'll never forget how I felt the first time I saw her" Mr. Schue, said smiling softly "I think we've got this one covered" Rachel said. Later in the day, we all—Mercedes, Rachel, Santana, Tina, and I—were on the stage, performing our song of choice for Mr. Schue. We all sat on a stool, in fancy black dresses with individual spotlights shining on us.
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face — Roberta Flack (Sung By Rachel, Naya, Mercedes, Tina & Santana)
During the song, all I could think about was Blaine. The first time I met him in the Lima Bean, the first time we sing together, our photo shoot by the lake, our first time together, singing with him on stage as Tony and Maria when he said I love you, Christmas—all of our amazing times together and I was overwhelmed by my love for him. As the song finished, I quickly wiped away my tears as Mercedes got up and walked out. I exchanged looks with the other three girls and we followed her out of the auditorium and into the bathroom "Hey, what's wrong?" Gina asked concernedly as we entered the bathroom "That song was so...it was so beautiful and moving. The first person I thought of wasn't Shane. It was Sam. I don't know I...I thought it was in the past" Mercedes said sorrowfully, slowly turning around to face us "I think you just need to take it slow, okay?" Rachel said, smiling softly at Mercedes "Yeah, and listen to your heart. Maybe the spark with Sam is still there" I said, reaching out to stroke Mercedes' arm. The bell rang and the other three girls left, just as I was about to follow them, Mercedes grabbed my arm "Naya, how did you know you were in love with Blaine?" She asked. I smiled slightly, gently pulling my arm away from Mercedes "I don't know, I just did. Whenever his hand would brush against mine, or he would pull my chair closer to him so he could put his arm around me, I just felt a warm feeling encase my heart, or I would feel butterflies fluttering around in my stomach. And then he kissed me, and everything just felt...right. He felt right" I said, smiling warmly at the thought of Blaine "But, I feel both of those things with Sam and Shane," She said despairingly "Yeah, but who are they stronger for?" I rhetorically asked before walking out of the bathroom.
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The next day in Glee club, everyone sat Artie down for a talk. I'm not entirely sure why I was there, especially since I didn't agree with why this was happening but Blaine had talked me into staying "Hey, Artie, we wanted to talk to you about something" Finn started worriedly "We think you need a Becky-vention" Tina said gently "You were spotted having dinner with her at Breadstix" Quinn pointed out as if it was a bad thing "So?" "So, it's a little weird," Santana said bluntly "Seriously, dude, what's your angle?" Puck said, shoving his hands in his pockets "I don't have an angle. She asked if I wanted to go to Breadstix and I said, yes" Artie said innocently "Look, we think it's great that you're being so, so nice to Becky. But we just-" Rachel said but Santana interrupted "I don't. I know that girl. That girl's a sly, conniving bitch" Santana said rudely "We just...we think you should be careful" Mercedes said subtly "Yeah, you don't want to lead her on. I mean, she's gonna think that you want-" "What is she going to think—that she's fun to be around, that I had a good time hanging out with her? You guys talk a good game about how it's okay to be different, how it's what's on the inside that counts, but I think you're just as narrow-minded as the rest of this school. I liked spending time with Becky. She knows what it's like to be trapped by a disability. She doesn't care what people think about her. She's really optimistic about life, which is really amazing considering what life has handed to her" Artie wheeled out disappointedly and I got up, walking to the front of the group "Hi, so in case you guys didn't understand what Artie said. You're being ableist" I said with a sarcastic smile "Ableist?" Sam asked confidently "Yeah, a person who discriminates against disabled or handicapped people" I explained "We were not discriminating-" "Yes you were, you may not have said the r-slur or anything like that but these little microaggressions are what make things like ableism, sexism, homophobia, racism even worse. Personally, I think you were being extremely ableist and obviously so does Artie, so maybe next time before speaking—think about the repercussions of your words and who they could offend and/or discriminate against" I said, before walking out after Artie. I spotted him down the end of the corridor and called his name loudly, he stopped waiting for me to make my way over to him "Artie" I said, slightly out of breath as I ran over to him "I'm so sorry about them. I talked to them after you left and explained that they were being ableist, understand I can't speak for you but I just felt like they needed to know that they were being discriminatory, is that okay?" "Of course, thank you, Naya. I appreciate it, truly" He said, smiling softly. The bell rang and I adjusted my bag over my shoulder "I should get to class" I said and Artie nodded his head. Just before I left I leaned down to him "For the record, I think you and Becky would make a cute couple" I said before straightening up and skipping off to my class.
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In the auditorium, Blaine and I were preparing to sing the song we had been practicing for this week's assignment.
Everyone had started filing into their seats and I was handing over the sheet music to the band. I took the guitars that were propped up in the corner, slinging one of the straps around my neck as Blaine set up two microphones. I handed him the second guitar and he slung it over his neck as well "Hello!" I said cheerfully into the microphone. I heard a chorus of hi's back from my friends and smile happily "We're gonna sing a song. I hope you like it!" "You're really cute," Blaine said without thinking and everyone heard it loudly through the microphone. Sounds of adoration echoed throughout the auditorium (with the exception of Santana who said 'ew') and Blaine went red like a tomato. I chuckled softly and nodded to the band. I strummed the first few notes on the guitar.
True Companion — Marc Cohn (Sung By Blaine & Naya)
[Naya]
Baby, I've been searching like everybody else
Can't say nothing different about myself
Sometimes I'm an angel and sometimes
I'm cruel
But when it comes to love I'm just another fool
Yes I'll climb a mountain
I'm gonna swim the sea
There ain't no act of God, girl
Could keep you safe from me
My arms are reaching out
Out across this canyon
I'm asking you to be my true companion
True companion
True companion
[Blaine]
So don't you dare and try to walk away
I've got my heart set on our wedding day
I've got this vision of a girl in white
Made my decision that it's you alright
When I take your hand
I'll watch my heart set sail
I'll take my trembling fingers
And I'll lift up your veil
Then I'll take you home
And with wild abandon
Make love to you just like a true companion
You are my true companion
I got a true companion
Whoa, a true companion
[Blaine & Naya]
When the years have done irreparable harm
I can see us walking slowly arm in arm
Just like that couple on the corner do
'Cause girl I will always be in love with you
When I look in your eyes
I'll still see that spark
Until the shadows fall
Until the room grows dark
Then when I leave this Earth
I'II be with the angels standin'
I'II be out there waiting for my true companion
Just for my true companion
True companion
True companion.
The song ended with a round of applause and a 'maybe' from Mr. Schue, but that was fine I'm was just glad we got to sing.
My phone buzzed in my jean pocket and I pulled it out, seeing my mother was called "Who is it?" Blaine asked as we walked off the stage "My mom, I should take it" I answered the phone as everyone left the auditorium "Mom?" "Natalia! Hi, honey" "What do you need? I'm at school in the middle of a rehearsal" "Sweetheart, I'm just calling to tell you that your father and I are going away for business again" "When do you leave?" "If you need anything, you can always call me or your father, and Moriah is just around the corner" "When do you leave?" "Before you're home from school today" "When will you be home?" "Two months" "So, you're not going to come and see me at Regionals?" "No. I'm sorry sweetie but Moriah will be-" "Moriah's not my mom! I want you there. But you won't be, you never have been. You haven't really been my mom since I was five. You haven't come to one school play, one fundraiser, one PTA meeting, one competition-" "Don't speak to me that way, young lady. I am your mother" "No your not. Mothers care more about their children than their jobs. Where were you when I got a black eye and needed help covering it? Where were you when I was freaking out thinking my boyfriend was going to leave me? Where were you when I was extremely nervous before my first-ever competition? Where were you this Christmas? You weren't there! But Moriah has been. So maybe, yeah, it is a better thing that Moriah's coming and you're not. Because it's obvious she cares more about me than you do. She has practically raised me since she was fifteen, she's still raising me now even when she has four kids of her own!" "Naya, I'm sorry" "You're not though. If you were sorry, you'd spend some more time with me, or at least try and come to Regionals. But you won't therefore you are not sorry. Now, I have to go. My friends are waiting for me" "Natalia-" "Goodbye, mother" I hung up my phone and slipped it into the pocket of my hoodie. I took a deep breath and buried my face in my hands, letting my tears flow freely. I heard a couple of people come into the room and sit down beside me, one of them pulled me into their arms and I sobbed into their shirt, whilst the other crouched down in front of me, placing their hands on my knees "Naya, it's okay, shh, it's alright" The person said comfortingly, I looked up and saw Blaine and Sam. I sniffled quietly and wiped my eyes "I'm sorry" I whispered, my voice hoarse "What for?" Sam asked soothingly "I don't know," I said, shrugging my shoulders "Naya, why are you crying?" Blaine asked, pulling away from me so I could sit up straight "My—my parents, they're. they're not coming to Regionals, they're away for another business trip for two months. They're leaving before I get home today, so I don't even get to say goodbye. And I'm just—I'm sick of it" I said, growing more and more frustrated "I thought they had just gotten back, after being away for Christmas" Blaine asked confusedly "They're never back home for more than two weeks" "Is that why you were upset at Sectionals? They had told you, that they couldn't make it?" I nodded my head silently and wiped away another stray tear "It's stupid" I said, shaking my head "They're right, I mean I have Moriah" "Moriah?" Sam quietly asked Blaine "Her sister" He whispered back before turning to me "Moriah's not your mom. They're putting too much pressure on her and they're neglecting you. You're still a minor, you shouldn't be spending this time on your own. It's not stupid" "I know Moriah's not my mother, but she has certainly been more of a mother figure in my life than my actual mom has," I said, leaning my head on Blaine's shoulder "I know how you feel," Sam said, gently stroking my knee comfortingly "What do you mean?" "I mean, I know our situations are different, but I'm away from my family too. I know how it feels to be alone. So if you're ever feeling lonely, you can come to me" Sam said, smiling warmly up at me "You can come to me too, love" Blaine said, pressing a kiss to my temple. I smiled softly at the two boys and nodded my head "Thank you, guys" "Anytime" They both said simultaneously.
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After Rachel's performance of 'Without you' by David Guetta and Usher, everyone was applauding. You could tell that it just captured how much she loved Finn. So, when the song was over and Finn stood up, going over to kiss Rachel, I snuck my camera out of my bag, zoomed in, and snapped a picture. The photo seized the love they held for each other and held it captive in that photo "You know, I just wanted to say that I thought that you blew that song out of the water and nailed the assignment" Santana said surprisingly. At first, I genuinely thought she was being sincere, but then I caught the hint of sarcasm in her voice and knew she was going to make a mean remark "Oh, no, wait, wait a second. Was—the assignment wasn't 'make everything about Rachel Berry and force everyone to watch' was it?" "Easy, Santana. It's fine. That was beautiful, Rachel" Mr. Schue reassured, going up to the front of the class as Finn and Rachel sat down in their seats "So, Mr. Schue, what do you think? We've given you a whole bevy of songs to choose from, from upbeat and awesome to a little overwrought for my taste and then to just pure lovey-dovishness" Artie said, gesturing to Rachel and Finn then me and Blaine "They've all been incredible, you guys. I think I just need a little more time to consider my choices"
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For some reason, Mr. Schue had decided That the best way to propose to Ms. P, was through synchronized swimming I couldn't tell you why, I mean sure it was a cute idea but when pools, like, not very clean. And she could get wet, something about that makes me think Ms. P wouldn't like it. But, hey, Mr. Schue knows her best. As we waited for Mr. Schue to enter with Ms. P, we were waiting, lined up around the pool. Us girls were in swimming costumes—with a sort of sailor theme to them and little skirts whilst the boys were in black swimming shorts and red tank tops. Mr. Schue came in and suddenly everyone was in action, dancing around the pool.
We Found Love — Rihanna (Sung By The New Directions)
At the end of the song, Mr. Schue walked across a plastic diving board sort of thing which made it seem like he was walking on water. He then jumped in the water, swimming over to Ms. P as the rest of us waded through the water, coming up to the edge of the pool and leaning our arms on the side. Adjusting the white flower in my hair, I watched in awe as Mr. Schue pulled himself out of the water and in front of Ms. P. Blaine pulled me into his arms and we watched together "Emma?" "Hmm?" "You are the one. You always have been. The truth is, I feel like I've had to stop myself from doing this from the second I first saw you. The first time I held his hand, it felt like I'd held it a million times before. Like somehow, it's always been here. Life is messy. It just is. And I—I know that's hard for you, but that's why you have me—to balance things out. But you have to realize you do that for me, too. Every day. Loving you and being loved by you makes everything better. I love you with everything I am and everything I ever hope to be. So..." Mr. Schue stopped, digging in his suit jacket and pulling out a small box "Emma Pillsbury" He got down on one knee and opened the box "Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" "I love you so much," Ms. P said vaguely "Is that a yes?" "Yes, yes" Cheers erupted throughout the pool as Mr. Schue put the ring on Ms. P's finger and kissed her. Everyone celebrated for a while and after Mr. Schue and Ms. P left, we stayed in the pool a little bit longer, before eventually getting out when our fingers started to prune.