"Sam?" I say in astonishment.
"Oh, hey Quinn," Sam says, smiling. "Sorry I'm late, Mr. Shuester."
"That's fine, Sam...?"
"Sam Evans, sir," Sam finishes.
Mr. Shue smiles. "Sam Evans. Welcome to McKinley. You can take a seat next to Miss Fabray."
Rachel elbows me in the ribs. I look at her and she waggles her eyebrows. I openly roll my eyes at her, and she giggles. Then Mr. Shue continues, "Alright, welcome to Glee Club tryouts! Each of you will come into the hallway with me individually and sing any song you like for me. I will post a list of the people who make it onto this door tomorrow morning." He smiles at everyone, but we stay silent. "Okay! Well, why don't...you!" he says, pointing to Mercedes. "Come on down!"
I bite my lip as he closes the door behind them. I turn to Rachel. "Rach, I can't do this! I've never sung before," I tell her, repeating what I said this morning.
"Breathe," she says. "It'll be fine. Not everyone has gotten the proper training like I have. I bet no one in here is even that good." Groans of disbelief follow her words and she adds, "No offense."
I try to stay calm as Kurt, Tina, Artie, and finally Rachel goes up. It's just me and Sam left in the room, and we can hear Rachel belting out in the hallway. She's amazing. Sam looks at me, "Wow, she's good."
I nod. "Yep. And I'm gonna be horrible."
"I doubt that,"
Before I can say anything, Rachel walks in, "I'm definitely in," she says confidently. "Do you want me to wait for you?"
I shake my head. "Nah, you go ahead and leave."
"Kay. Text me later!" she calls as she walks out the door.
Mr. Shue comes in and looks at the clock. "Whoa! I didn't think it would take this long. Do you mind going together?"
I look at Sam, who just shrugs. We stand up and go to the middle of the choir room, since it was just us left. Mr. Shuester sits down in front of us. "Try to find a song you both know and make it a duet."
Sam walks over and picks up a guitar. "Do you know 'Lucky' by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat?"
I nod. Sam starts playing the guitar, and then he sings. His voice is perfect. "Do you hear me? I'm talking to you. Across the water, across the deep blue ocean under the open sky. Oh my, baby I'm trying."
Even though I'd never sung before, I just did it. Somehow, it felt natural with Sam by my side. "Boy I hear you, in my dreams. I feel you whisper across the sea. I keep you with me, in my heart. You make it easier when life gets hard."
I didn't sound too bad. And then Sam and I started singing together. Something clicked, the harmont was unmistakable. "Lucky I'm in love with my best friend. Lucky to have been where I have been. Lucky to be coming home again. Ooohoohooohoohooohoooohh."
Mr. Shue started clapping. "Wow guys, that was amazing! I would've thought you had been practicing that!"
Sam smiles at me and I blush. "Okay, well you guys can go," Mr. Shue says. "See you tomorrow!"
Sam and I get our things and then head out of the choir room togther. "You have a really pretty voice," Sam says after a moment.
"Really?" I ask, surprised. He nods. "Thanks. You do too, you must sing a lot."
He just shrugs. "So where are you going?"
I look down at my bag, to where I know the piece of paper is sitting. "I don't know," I sigh.
Sam's eyebrows crinkle in concern. "What's wrong?"
"Santana gave me a paper for the Cheerios Tryouts and wants me to go," I tell him.
"Is that a problem? Do you not want to be a Cheerio?"
"I'm not sure," I admit. "I mean, I guess it's just not really me. I've never been popular or anything, and neither are my friends."
Sam shrugs. "It's your choice. But to let you know, you're super pretty and nice, you don't really need the Cheerios." He seems to think for a moment. "But I guess I don't really have any room to talk, I'm going to football tryouts now."
"Really?" I ask. "That's...cool." If I didn't try out for the Cheerios, I'd be the same loser I am now. And that would be okay, except Sam was going to join the football team. He'd be popular...and never talk to me again.
"You know what?" I say. "I think I am gonna try out for the Cheerios."
He smiles. "Maybe we'll be seeing a lot of each other then, you know, at the games."
"Yeah," I reply.
"Well, I have to go now. See you later!"
"Bye!" I call after him. Then I make my way towards the gym. I push the doors open before I can stop myself. I walk in and see a massive line up to a table where Coach Sylvester sat. I slip down to the locker room and trade my big flowered dress and gray sweater for gym shorts and an oversized T-shirt.
As I'm about to leave, Santana and Brittany appear at the door. "Come on," Santana says. "You're next."
"But, the line-" I start to protest.
"Isn't necessary when you're cool," Brittany says.
I shrug and let them pull me out in front of Sue and all the Cheerios candidates. "Alright, Quinn Fabray," Coach Sylvester says, looking at her clip board. "Show me what you've got."
Now, I'll admit that I'm not all against cheerleading. In fact, I've loved it since I was little. I wanted to try out last year, but when I'd gotten close to teh sign up sheet, Sue had screamed, "Not you, UGLY!" I wonder why she's changed her mind. But since I'd liked cheerleading, I knew what to do.
I do a cheer I'd seen the Cheerios perform many times at the games. Then I do all the jumps -- with a smile, of course. And when I'm done, I just stare at Coach Sylvester, who was looking down and putting her glasses on. "Congrats, Q," I smile at my nickname, "you're my new Head Cheerio."
