Road To Nationals // Hunter Clarington

{Chapter 11} 5 : 07

Rose's POV

"Hey, um, guys. Guys... New Directions! New Directions! Guys! Hey!" Blaine tries to get our attention. "I just ran into Mr. Shue, and he's gonna be stuck in his classroom for the rest of the afternoon because of some school board inspection thing, but he still wanted us to meet so we can start working on ideas for Nationals." Blaine tells us. "Beyonce!" Unique yells. After that everyone starts talking over each other. "Wait... wait! This is anarchy, we can't... we can't all just shout at the same time." We all quiet down.

"That's better. I have some ideas already. I'm thinking that the music needs to be really simple, so we can really highlight our voices. No guitars, or nothing electronic. We go with a simple piano arrangement. Which I could play." I roll my eyes at Blaine's statement. "I'm assuming you're singing lead?" Kitty guesses. "Well, I am a senior, and this is my last go at it. We need to win this." Blaine announces. "Well, feels like North Korea up in here." Tina comments.

"Okay, forget the piano. Forget all the music. We can just do, um, a cappella, that always works." Blaine suggests. "We're not being Warblers again, Blaine." Hunter rolls his eyes. He wraps his arms around my waist, and pull me into his chest, then pressing his lips to my cheek. "Yeah, Hunter's right. Deja Warblers. Should we wear matching blazers, too?" Unique remarks. "Let's take it back- what was wrong with the guitars?" Sam wonders.

"Nothing. Why can't you guys just stop resisting me for a second, and just go with me?" Blaine points at himself. "Okay, Blaine Jong-il." Tina spits. "Yes! Blaine Jong-il." Sam agrees. "I am not trying to be bossy. I am trying to give the benefit of my experience. I have won more show choir competitions than anyone in this room." Blaine points out. 

My jaw drops. "You suck." Ryder coughs. "A capella is worth a shot. Let's do it." Jake stands up. "Thank you." Blaine raises his hand. "Then you two can have fun in your little barbershop couplet while the rest of us discuss something good." Unique motions to all of us but Jake and Blaine. "Fine. You don't want my help... then I am not gonna give it." Blaine mentions and sits down on the couch in Mr. Shue's office.

"Looks like somebody's man-struating." Kitty jokes. "I heard that." Blaine responds. "You were supposed to." I tell him. Turning to Kitty, I laugh. "Over the years, I've decided to call it 'Blaine-menses'." She laughs. Now to straighten out Blaine.

||//\\||//\\||//\\||//\\||//\\||//\\||

"Dance has never been our strong suit, but I think with Jake and Rose's help, we can really kick it up a notch. Jake, Rose?" Mr. Shue turns to me. "What's the point?" Jake questions. "I'm sorry?" Mr. Shue turns to Jake now. "Seriously, what is the point? Rose and I could choreograph a sick dance, none of you could keep up. I mean half of you can't even do it and won't even try. Why? Because you're not dancers. So let's not waste my time. Let's just do another cut-and-paste dance routine that even Tina can pick up." Jake sits down in the back corner.

"You are such a conceited jerk." Marley laughs. "I'm not conceited, I'm bored." Jake replies. "Please, we've seen your dance moves. They're fine, not epic. If you want to talk about epic, watch Rose." Marley glares at him. My face blushes pink and I drop it to face the floor. "Oh, you want to see epic? Give me a beat!" Jake begins to doze off. He's such an asshole. "Well, I for one, will do whatever I can to help, Mr. Shue." I say sincerely. "Thank you, Rose." Mr. Shue smiles and the bell rings.

||//\\||//\\||//\\||//\\||//\\||//\\||

"Guys, I just wanted to apologize to all of you. I've been doing a little bit of controlling lately, and it's not cool. I've made some changes though, and I've learned that sometimes you just need to let go. Cut the strings, so to speak." Blaine apologizes. "I bet you'll still be bossy as hell." Kitty comments. "Actually, I hope to be more of a leader, as opposed to being just bossy, Kitty. So to celebrate this new laissez-faire Blaine, I've made some felt peace offerings. Voila!" Blaine opens a box. And it's full of puppets. "What the hell?" I inquire. "Whoa!" Sam yells. "It has glasses!" Artie exclaims. 

[Blaine]

Dog goes woof
Cat goes meow
Bird goes tweet

And mouse goes squeak

Cow goes moo
Frog goes croak
And the elephant goes toot

(With Tina:
Ducks say quack
And fish go blub
And the seal goes ow, ow, ow
But there's one sound

That no one knows

[New Directions]

What does the fox say
What the fox say
What the fox say
What the fox say
What does the fox say

[Rose and Hunter]

The secret of the fox
Ancient mystery
Somewhere deep in the woods

I know you're hiding
What is your sound

Will we ever know
Will always be a mystery

[New Directions]

(Rose: What do you say)
You're my guardian angel
Hiding in the woods
(Rose: What is your sound)
Will we ever know
I want to know

I want to know

I want to know