The choir room buzzed with its usual energy, everyone chatting as if everything was normal. But for Melanie, it wasn't. Ever since Kurt left, she felt like she was in a bubble, disconnected from it all. He had been her first real friend at McKinley—actually, her first real friend ever. The one who made her feel welcome, convinced her to join Glee Club, which had practically changed her life. It became her safe space, gave her a community. And now, without him there, something felt missing.
"Mr. Schuester!" Rachel called out, raising her hand and standing up excitedly as Mr. Schue entered the room. "I have an announcement. I've selected the perfect moving ballad for Finn and me to sing to launch our performance at Sectionals."
"Okay, two things first." Mr. Schue interrupted, holding up a hand. "First, our competition at Sectionals are your classic stool choirs—great voices, but they don't move. If we're going to beat them, we need to do what they can't... Dance. Which is why I've decided to feature Brittany and Mike Chang's sweet moves in our performance." Melanie clapped softly, offering them a small smile. She was genuinely happy that others were getting their chance to shine.
"Wait, they're going to dance in front of me while I sing my solo?" Rachel asked, brows furrowing.
"You're not getting a solo for this competition, Rachel," Mr. Schue replied, leaving her looking stunned.
"Finally! What song do I get to sing?" Mercedes asked eagerly.
"I was thinking the winners of our duets competition would take the leads," Mr. Schue suggested, gesturing to Sam and Quinn.
"Ken and Barbie? Wait, ar–are you trying to throw this?" Rachel stammered in disbelief. Melanie rolled her eyes at the girl's dramatic reaction.
"You used to be just sort of unlikable, but now I pretty much feel like punching you every time you open your mouth," Quinn snapped, clearly fed up.
Rachel glared forward angrily but stayed silent.
"Okay, listen," Mr. Schue began, trying to regain control. "I've talked the talk about everyone in here feeling special for over a year now. But frankly, I haven't walked the walk. We have a lot of talent here, and I'm going to highlight it."
"Look, I'm all for pumping up the team and making everyone feel special, but that's for practice. You don't take the star quarterback out before the big game," Finn argued.
"Easy for you to say when you're the star quarterback," Tina muttered, glaring at him.
"Who even said you're our star quarterback?" Melanie added, her irritation clear. Santana smirked from next to her.
"This isn't just about me. It's about the team," Finn tried to defend himself.
"No, it's not. It's about your inability to accept that you can't always be number one." Melanie replied, leaning forward.
"Shut up, Melanie," Finn snapped. Things had been tense between them ever since he found out she knew about Karofsky's threat to Kurt and hadn't said anything.
"Don't tell her to shut up," Sam said, giving Finn a hard look.
"You are such a hypocrite," Santana added, rolling her eyes.
"Like you even know what that word means," Rachel shot back.
"It means that your boyfriend is full of crap, hobbit," Santana retorted, her words cutting.
Rachel jumped to her feet angrily. "You know what? Ever since the wedding, you've been up my butt, and I'm sick of it!"
"Come on, Rachel, she's not worth it," Finn tried, attempting to guide her back to her seat.
YOU ARE READING
You Drive Me Crazy || Sam Evans
FanfictionYOU DRIVE ME CRAZY | ❝ Everyone else looks right through me but he looks at me and he sees me. ❞ Melanie Park was the new girl she expected to go through high school unseen in the background. That is until she joins the glee club. where she finds no...