Always and Forever - Book 4

Shooting Star

The Glee Club was reunited in the auditorium, a palpable buzz of excitement and anticipation filling the air as Mr. Schue held up an envelope. They cheered, their energy a mix of hope and competitive spirit, all too aware of the contents inside. Hunter sat among them, feeling a disconnect from the enthusiasm. He wouldn't be part of Regionals this year; he was leaving at the end of the week. Why was he even here?

"I hold in my hand, ladies and gentlemen, our competition for Regionals," Mr. Schue said, pulling open the envelope and reading from the paper. "Drumroll, please. From... North Central High School in Indianapolis, the Hoosierdaddies."

"That's very clever," Tina commented, glancing at the others as Hunter frowned.

"And from Our Lady of Perpetual Loneliness in Battle Creek, Michigan, the Nun-Touchables."

"Wait, is that a convent?" Blaine asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"Guys, I like our chances against both these squads, but we still got a lot of work to do," Mr. Schue continued, his intent to motivate the group clear. But before he could say more, Brittany walked on stage, interrupting him with an air of seriousness.

"Mr. Shue, please stop talking. I have an announcement," she said, drawing everyone's attention. "I regret to inform you a deadly asteroid is headed our way."

"Wait, didn't we just go through this at Christmas?" Blaine frowned, confusion etched on his face.

"Yeah, and is it true Hunter and Sam got married?" Tina interjected, looking between the two boys, who were surprisingly seated next to each other this time. "Did that happen?"

"Does that mean you're divorced now?" Ryder chimed in, his expression a mix of curiosity and bewilderment.

"Shut up, guys," Hunter mumbled, a mix of embarrassment and annoyance rushing over him as he stood up, moving to the other side of the stage. He could feel Sam's slight frown directed at him, but he ignored it.

"I'm naming this comet Tubbington-Bopp, and it is headed straight for Lima," Brittany continued, unfazed by the chaos around her.

"Wait, so is it an asteroid or a comet?" Artie questioned, tilting his head in confusion.

"It's both," Brittany replied confidently, as if it were the most logical statement in the world.

"Wouldn't NASA know something about this?" Marley asked, raising an eyebrow.

"We can't trust NASA," Brittany shook her head emphatically. "I mean, last month a meteor exactly like Tubbington-Bopp hit Russia with no warning at all."

"Oh, so now it's a meteor," Artie pointed out sarcastically, unable to resist.

"That's right, Artie, and when this meteorite hits, I will not be spending my time in this room preparing for Regionals," Brittany declared. "I will be spending my last hours making amends with somebody who I need to get right with. Someone who I love very much. Lord Tubbington. So go back to your homes and hide your wife, hide your kids and hide your wife. McKinley High, I salute you."

With a dramatic salute, Brittany spun on her heels and left the stage, her declaration hanging in the air like a bizarre fog. Mr. Schue sighed deeply, turning to Hunter, who groaned and buried his face in his hands. Once again, it was up to Hunter Blake to go after Brittany and try to solve the problem, a responsibility that felt overwhelming given his own emotional turmoil.

"Okay, Hunter," Mr. Schue said, his voice filled with an expectation Hunter wasn't ready to face. "You know Brittany well. You have to talk to her."

Hunter looked up, frustration mingling with a sense of duty. He could feel the eyes of the club on him, a mixture of hope and apprehension. "I can't keep doing this," he muttered, feeling the weight of the situation on his shoulders.