Road To Nationals // Hunter Clarington

{Chapter 3} 5 : 02

Rose's POV

"Come one, guys, we're back with the Beatles! We're leaving the mop-tops behind and moving into their 'experimental years'." Mr. Shue makes quotation marks with his fingers. Now, the Rubber Soul album marked a turning point for the group, where they literally and figuratively let their hair down. Now, the Beatles where the biggest musical act in the world. They could have remained in their comfort zones, but instead, they risked everything to explore new musical worlds. They had something important to say, and they weren't going to let something as silly as the fear of failure get in their way." Mr. Shue is interrupted.

"Good afternoon, McKinley High. This year, all the proms are being fused into one giant Brundleprom." Sue states over the P.A. "What's a Brundleprom?" Marley asks me. "I don't get that reference." Jake whispers. "That's from The Fly." Ryder points out. "It's where all proms are bundled together, hence the name Brundleprom." I tell her and she nods still somewhat confused. "And now for the moment that will crush 99% of your misguided views about your own popularity. Here are your nominees for Prom King and Queen." Sue slows down as if she's picking up a card or something. I raise my eyebrows.

"First, here are your nominees for Prom King: Blaine Anderson," Cheering. "Mohamed Omar, Artie Abrams," Cheering. " 'Stoner' Brett Bukowski, and Hunter Clarington." Sue finishes and I look over at Hunter and proceed to kiss his cheek as everyone cheers. "Wait, I-I really didn't get nominated for king?" Sam questions. "And now onto the Queen." Sue butts in. "Kitty Wilde," "But I'm a sophomore." Kitty says. "Aimee Ryan, Jordan Stern. Inexplicably, Tina Cohen-Chang." I turn to Tina and hug her happily before she runs down to the piano and jumps around yelling 'yes.' "And no surprise here, Rose Knight." I furrow my eyebrows as Sue finishes.

"Really? How?" I inquire. "Eight of you will be disappointed." Sue turns off the loudspeaker. "Tina. Wow. Even though I'm not nominated, it's such an honor to be going to prom with a potential queen." Sam smiles walking up to her. "Oh, sorry, Sam. It was so nice of you to offer to go with me, but I'm going to have I'm going to have to decline your invitation." Tina states.

"But you already accepted." Sam says confused. "Yeah, Tina, this is very uncool." Artie comments. "Losing is uncool. I need to maximize my odds of taking the crown, to I think I'm going to go with a group of single gals to corner the dejected wallflower vote. And I am going for it. This is my chance to be bigger than Jesus. So can I count on all your votes?" Tina asks. "You've got mine. Besides, I've got more shots at Prom Queen. It's Tina's time." Kitty smiles. "Oh, thanks." I mention sarcastically. "I agree. Hit it!" Tina begins to sing 'Revolution' by the Beatles before the bell rings. The music stops and we all get up. "Later." Josh waves. "What? Seriously?" Tina questions. "Congratulations, Tina." Ryder walks off. "Seriously?" Tina repeats.

She is now in the choir room by herself. Jake, Marley, Unique, Josh, Hunter and I walk to our next class. "No offense to Tina or anything, but, Rose, you definitely have my vote. You too, Hunter." Unique insists. "Me, too." Marley seconds. "Me three." Jake adds. "Me four." Josh finishes. "Thanks, guys." I smile. Sorry, Tina. I have a shot, too. I'm not going to waste it.

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"I said no caffeine until prom. I can't afford to look tired like some sad, anemic dishrag." I hear Tina yell and throw her coffee on some Cheerio. "What is with these numbers?" Tina wonders. "There's been a spike in Rose's popularity. She's been in first place since the polls were uploaded." A girls tells Tina. I didn't hear her calling my name and stomping over to me. I had zoned out upon seeing posters of me all of the walls. "This is unbelievable!" Tina yells in my face. "Tina, I didn't put these up." I tells her honestly. 

"Oh, please. I should've known that when you weirdly didn't say anything about supporting me, it was just some silent, classic backstabby, gaslighty Rose mind game." Tina remarks. "Hey, uh, what's with these posters? I thought you were supporting Tina." Blaine speaks. "Don't worry, Tina." Blaine comforts her. I open my mouth. "Are you kidding me? You guys can't see that I had nothing to do with the making of these. And besides, Tina, you're acting like the only one that has one chance left. And not to be a bitch, but I'm going to at least try and have a chance at being something at this school." I rant and walk away. 

Upon turning the corner I see Hunter. He looks at me and holds up a poster with me on it. "I didn't have anything to do with it. Please believe me. No one else does." I plead and put my head in his chest, wrapping my arms around his torso. "Of course I believe you, babe. But if you didn't do this, who did?" He asks. "I have some idea. Come with me." I pull him behind me as I walk to the next hall.

I love the girl, but Unique has something coming for her now.