Always and Forever - Book 4

Diva

"Diva," Ms. Pillsbury announced as Finn he wrote the word on the board.

Finn then turned back to the kids with a serious expression. "So, now that we're back in the game, we've got to come strong. Diva Week is all about finding your inner powerhouse."

Hunter was miles away, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts about how to break the news to Sam about the tour with Mercedes. The promise he made to Sam—to always be there for him, to never leave—felt like an anchor weighing him down. How could he reconcile that with the opportunity in front of him? He barely noticed when Sam, sensing his distraction, placed a comforting hand on his knee.

"Miss Pillsbury," Finn said, handing off the floor to the school counselor, who smiled brightly.

"That's right," she replied, pulling out a piece of paper she had prepared. "The Online Urban Dictionary defines a diva as a fierce, often temperamental singer who comes correct. She is not a trick-ass ho and she does not sweat da haterz."

"Great, so I guess the guys are screwed this week," Jake remarked, only for Blaine to quickly chime in.

"Um... guys can be divas," Blaine said, defending their gender with a determined nod. Miss Pillsbury agreed, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

"That's right! We all have inner divas," she said, almost cheerfully. "I myself have been considered quite a diva at many local restaurants because I know what I want and I will send a dish back."

"You all might as well just quit while you're ahead because there are only two ways to spell Unique, and one of them is D-I-V-A... Diva. M'kay? Shanté, I stay, and it will be brought, dished out, and served, and mopped up by the time you even pick out a wig," Unique interjected, pointing at Tina, causing her to scoff while Sam chuckled. "Looking at you, clocking that sadness."

 "I have more diva in my little finger than you have in your whole angry inch, Wade-Unique," Tina shot back, her confidence unwavering.

"Tina, you've kind of been talking some ridiculous trash for months, unchallenged, and that stops now," Marley challenged, her tone equally fierce.

As the banter escalated around him, Sam felt a heaviness in the air. He decided to let the drama unfold without adding to it, opting instead to sit beside Hunter, holding his boyfriend's hand in a comforting silence. Finn, however, observed Hunter closely, sensing the familiar sadness in his eyes that he had seen last year—a sadness that had cost them dearly when Hunter left for the Troubletones.

Finn wasn't about to let that happen again. He needed to think of a way to reach out to Hunter before it was too late.

"And that..." Miss Pillsbury concluded her story, earning back the attention of the room after the students had tuned out for most of her speech. "Is how I made the manager cry at the Cheesecake Factory... By being a diva."

The applause erupted, but Finn's gaze remained fixed on Hunter, whose mind seemed to be elsewhere. He could see the storm brewing behind the boy's eyes, and Finn knew they needed to address it head-on.

"Hey, Hunter," Finn called out, drawing everyone's attention, including Sam's. "You're really good at expressing yourself through music. Why don't you take the lead for Diva Week? Show us what a true diva looks like."

Hunter blinked, momentarily taken aback. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, use your talent to showcase what it means to be a diva. You're one of the strongest singers here. You can inspire everyone, including Sam," Finn encouraged, gesturing toward Sam, who looked a bit surprised but hopeful.

The room buzzed with murmurs, and Hunter's expression shifted from uncertainty to contemplation. It was a challenge, yes, but maybe it was just the push he needed.