You Drive Me Crazy || Sam Evans

70. Diva

"Diva," Ms. Pillsbury announced, as the group—mostly the girls—clapped excitedly.

"So, now that we're back in the game, we've got to come strong. Diva Week is all about finding your inner powerhouse. Miss Pillsbury?" Finn prompted, turning to her.

"That's right," Ms. Pillsbury nodded. "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.'" She read off a card, the phrase sounding awkward in her sweet voice. Artie snapped his fingers, nodding in agreement.

"Great, so I guess the guys are screwed this week," Jake sighed.

Blaine cleared his throat and leaned forward. "Um, guys can be divas,"

"That's right, we all have inner divas. I myself have been considered quite a diva at many a local restaurant because I know what I want and I will send a dish back," Ms. Pillsbury added, pointing her finger in emphasis.

"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," Unique said sassily. "M'kay? Shanté, I stay, and it will be brought, dished out, served, and mopped up by the time you even pick out a wig. Looking at you, clocking that sadness," she added, making a mock frown at Tina, who let out a quiet scoff.

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

"Tina, you've kind of been talking some ridiculous trash for months, unchallenged, and that stops now," Marley said, arms crossed, standing her ground.

"Use that finger, use that snap," Ms. Pillsbury encouraged, though no one was listening to her.

"Listen, guys can be divas," Blaine repeated, leaning down again.

"Y'all, there's no need to argue. We all already know who the new diva in the choir room is," Melanie said with a shrug and a smirk, clearly talking about herself.

Unique rolled her eyes, holding up a hand to dismiss Melanie's comment.

"You guys, I'm going to win Diva Week," Brittany stated confidently.

"And that is how I made the manager cry at the Cheesecake Factory by being a diva," Ms. Pillsbury finished, as everyone in the choir room exchanged competitive looks.

"Yay, divas," she clapped softly.

˗ˏˋ ꒰ ♡ ꒱ ˎˊ˗

Melanie lay nestled against Sam, her head tucked beneath his chin as The Amazing Spider-Man played softly in the background. The room was dim, lit only by the soft glow of the TV. Sam's arm draped over her waist, his hand warm against her side, tracing lazy circles that sent a pleasant hum through her body.

"You know," Sam murmured, his voice teasing as he shifted slightly, the movement pressing them closer together. "When you said you wanted to watch Spider-Man, I assumed you meant the good Spider-Man."

Melanie's head snapped up, her chocolate-brown eyes narrowing as she let out a playful scoff.

"This is the good Spider-Man," she replied, her lips curving into a defiant smile. "In fact, it's the Amazing Spider-Man." Her emphasis on the word 'amazing' was punctuated with a raised brow, daring him to disagree.

Sam chuckled, as he gave her side a gentle squeeze. "Okay, okay," he relented, though his expression remained skeptical. "If you say so."

She settled back against him, her cheek pressing into the familiar warmth of his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing.