Road To Nationals // Hunter Clarington

{Chapter 12} 5 : 09

Rose's POV

"Stumbles. Tina Warrior Princess. Rose." Sue greets us. "Graduation is fast approaching and it is time to award the title of Senior class valedictorian. Now, as you are, respectively, a loner Asian who has trouble making friends, a nasal, Muppety disabled kid in a wheelchair, and the most popular girl in school, it should come as no surprise to you three that you're at the head of your class." Sue reveals. I smile lightly.

"In fact... you're tied for number one." Sue smiles. "Tied?" Tina asks. "How is that even possible?" Artie questions. "Well, you're not exactly tied. You see, Rose is the real valedictorian, but it would probably look like favoritism if I just put her up there. But, you two have identical GPAs, extracurriculars, and all three of you have perfect attendance. One longer than the others." Sue looks at me and I give her a confused look as to why she's doing this. 

"Now, unlike some members of this Glee Club who come and go for months at a time with no explanation, you," Sue points to me. "and you two losers are always in that choir room. Even if, for an entire week, the only thing you have to do is say something inconsequential, like, 'Kitty's right,' or 'Blaine, are you serious?'" Sue looks at each of us.

"Wait, we can't all be valedictorian." Tina states. "Not in my world. And that is why we're going to settle this with a friendly competition." We all glance at each other. "As you know, the valedictorian gives the speech at graduation. At the end of this week, you will all deliver your speeches to a blue ribbon panel of idiots of my choosing. Whoever wins... will be crowned valedictorian. That sound fair?" Sue inquires. "No, actually, it doesn't." Artie answers.

"Life isn't fair, Abrams." Becky calls from her desk. "Good, then it's settled. Oh, and, uh, let this stand as a warning to you two." Sue points at Tina and Artie. "If during the middle of your speeches, you decide to abandon your prepared text in favor of a musical number, because the emotions you're feeling are just so complex they can only be expressed in song, I promise you I will dedicate my life to making sure that every beverage you drink, until the day you die, will have just a... tiny, little bit of my pee in it." I put my head down.

"Who's to say Rose won't do that?" Tina wonders. "Well, I know from past experience, that Rose wouldn't do that. She doesn't put things she really wants on the line." Sue dismisses us as the bell rings.

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"No need to write a speech. I wrote it for you." Tina walks up to Artie and I. She hands us note cards. "In the hallowed halls of McKinley High, one name rises to the top: Tina Cohen-Chang." Artie begins. "There is no other choice for valedictorian. I humbly drop out." I finish. "No me gusta." Artie and I say in unison. We start to turn away, but Tina follows us. 

"Guys, I need valedictorian in order to guarantee my acceptance to Brown. If I don't get in, I'm screwed. Please take the fall for me." Tina pleads. "No. It's not our fault you didn't apply to enough schools." Artie tells her for both of us. "Maybe I was too busy making costumes and building sets and swaying in the background while everybody else was front and center. You always everything you want, and I get nothing." Tina rants.

"Tina I did more with making the costumes and sets than you did." I remind her. "Woman, are you insane? You just won Prom Queen." Artie says. "Which counts against me. And so did Rose." Tina states. "Yeah, but do you see her walking around bragging about it? No." Artie answers for me again. Tina ignores him. "I read online that college admission directors think that High School Prom Queens are self-centered attention whores." Tina remarks.

"Exactly. But, not for you, Rose." Artie reassures me. I smile at him slightly. "Excuse me?" Tina asks. "It's time you heard this. The whole school's been talking about it. Everyone's convinced that sometime between junior and senior year, an alien invaded your body and made you shallow and desperate." Artie continues to wheel away, me beside him. "Says the nerd who's dating a Cheerio!" Tina speaks. "Says the hag who vapo-raped Blaine." Artie mentions.

"That was blown totally out of proportion, and, yeah, I had a little crush on a guy who could never love me, but is that any different than you having a crush on a girl who can't possibly love you?" My jaw drops at Tina's statement. "Kitty does love him." I defend. "Please. She's obviously using him for some kind of sick charity project, and he's using her, too." Tina turns to Artie.

"That's what your speech can be about, how you're making a sad, last-ditch effort to be popular by dating McKinley's biggest bitch." Tina spits out. "Actually, Tina, you're McKinley's biggest bitch. And either Rose and I are going to win this." Artie turns and wheels away. "I don't care what you say, but I'm going to the best I can to win this." I tell her. She rolls her eyes. "Oh, please. You don't need valedictorian. You are already accepted into three colleges and you are probably going to get a record deal under Simon Cowell. What else could you possibly need?" Tina claims. "Whatever, Tina." I roll my eyes and walk away.

I don't know what happened to Tina, but she turned into a real bitch.