Rose's POV
"Okay, guys, it's coming down to the wire. We have a very important decision to make." Mr. Shue walks in the choir room. "Yes, my wig is either gonna be Anna Wintour chic or Pam Grier fabulousness. I'm not ready to make the decision." Unique gasps. "Okay. So, we have two solos at Nationals. And since Blaine was voted the new Rachel, obviously he's got one. So... who is gonna step up and take center stage?" Mr. Shue asks us.
"I-I know it's a lot to ask, Mr. Shue, but I got another letter form Syco about the week of Nationals and Simon Cowell wants to send an agent to check out what I can do. " I wince, feeling rude. "If you want to give it to someone else, I understand." I begin to put my head down but Mr. Shue cuts me off. "No, Rose, it's fine. Anyone else?" Mr. Shue inquires. "I'd like to nominate myself." Tina says. "Shocker." Artie comments. "And you think you're gonna carry us to victory?" Tina smirks. "Actually, Mr. Shue, I'd like to compete with Tina for that second spot. Rose can have it if it's really necessary, though." Artie smiles at me.
"Artie..." I hug him lightly. "Well, I think we should have a sing-off, right here, right now. A little help, guys?" En Vogue's 'My Lovin' rings through the choir room.
[Rose with Tina]
No, you're never gonna get it
(Artie: Ow)
Never, ever gonna get it
(Artie: No, not this time)
No, you're never gonna get it
(Artie: My lovin')
Never, ever gonna get it
[Artie]
I remember how it used to be
You never was this nice
You can't fool me
Now you're talkin' like you made a change
The more you talk
The more things sound the same
[Rose]
What makes you think you can just walk back
Into her life
Without a good fight
Oh
I just sit back and watch you make a fool
Of yourself
Cause you're just wasting your time
Oh
[Rose with Tina]
No, you're never gonna get it
(Artie: Not this time)
Never, ever gonna get it
(Artie: My lovin')
No, you're never gonna get it
(Artie: Had your chance to make a change)
Never, ever gonna get it
No, you're never gonna get it
(Artie: Not this time)
Never, ever gonna get it
(Artie: My lovin')
No, you're never gonna get it
(Artie: Had your chance to make a change)
Never, ever gonna get it
[Tina]
It doesn't matter
What you do or what you say
She don't love you
No way
Maybe next time you'll give your woman a little respect
So you won't be hearing her say
No way
Mr. Shue breaks Tina and Artie apart. I was sitting on the piano for the whole time so far, not dealing with Tina's arrogance. "And now it's time for a breakdown." Mr. Shue motions for the rest of the New Directions to get up.
[New Directions]
Never gonna get it
Never gonna get it
Never gonna get it
Never gonna get it
Never gonna get it
Never gonna get it
Never gonna get it
(Artie: Whoa, whoa, bup, oh)
Never gonna get it
Never gonna get it
Never gonna get it
Never gonna get it
Never gonna get it
Never gonna get it
Never gonna get it
Never get it
Tina pushes Artie backwards until he falls backwards. I rush off of the piano towards him. "Artie, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to." Tina apologizes. "It's fine." He huffs. He rolls away and Kitty glares at Tina. Finally, the bell rings.
||//\\||//\\||//\\||//\\||//\\||//\\||
"Welcome, idiots, to the McKinley High valedictorian speech-off. Your job today is to decide which of these speeches is slightly less awful. That being said, allow me to present absolutely no one's favorite New Direction, Tina Cohen-Chang." Sue announces and Tina steps up to the microphone. "My fellow graduates, I feel like I was a different person when I first arrived at McKinley High School four years ago. I was a goth chick who was so intent in pushing people away that I pretended to have a stutter, which I now understand, wasn't even that convincing. I wasn't even good at stuttering." Tina smiles.
"But then something in my life changed. Someone, actually. In fact... those someones' changed me. And those people's names are Artie Abrams and Rosalyn Knight." I furrow my eyebrows. "Artie and Rose have taught me how to not only be myself, but they're an inspiration to high school students everywhere."
"Sure, I've experience adversity. One Christmas, I was given a pair of mechanical legs that allowed me to walk for an hour before they promptly broke. But I've never been so humbled as I was the moment Tina Cohen-Chang wiped the slushie off of her gown and triumphantly returned to the stage to claim her rightful crown as prom queen. Or when Rose wanted to give up her record deal for someone else to sing because she didn't want anyone to feel left out." I close my eyes at Artie's statement. "That is why I respectfully withdraw myself from consideration and ask that you choose between only Rose and Tina to be named as this year's valedictorian.
"I believe that one of them should be named valedictorian. Is it too far to name Artie Abrams an American Hero, or Rose Knight the most humble person I've ever seen? I think not."
"It's no exaggeration to say that Tina took my broken body in her arms and taught me how to love."
"And as he strains to push his wheelchair up that ramp, the ghost of fallen heroes follow close behind. Rosa Parks, Mahatma Ghandi. Artie Abrams holds high the torch of dignity."
"So please, respected judges, cast your lot for Tina or Rose."
"I beseech you, vote for Artie or Rose."
"Tina Cohen-Chang, teammate, sometime lover, patriot, friend. Thank you."
"Thank you. What a treacly, stomach-turning, waste of everybody's time. I hate you both. Rose? And please, your actual speech. No crap about Asia Cohen-Chang or Wheelchair Abrams." Sue looks at me and I nod.
"Faculty, Staff, Students. It's a pleasure to be here today, in front of you being presented with this honor. I remember being a little kid walking around these halls only four years ago. I was taken under the wing of six of my fellow students, and one amazing teacher. The taught me what it was like to be happy, be proud, be thankful for everything. That Glee Club was probably one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I will never be ashamed about the number of slushies I took to the face for joining it, the amount of jocks and cheerleaders demeaning us, or dealing with the heartbreak that came with it. I will never regret joining the Cheerios. The lifted me up- literally and figuratively- and helped me through some of the rough spots in my life. I will always be able to reminisce of McKinley High with pride and joy. Because I had the best education, the best teachers, the best friends, the best principals. All together we are a family, and no matter what anyone says, we will always be a family. Thank you, my fellow students. Thank you, my teacher's. Thank you, my family. Thank you, Principal Sylvester. Thank you, Principal Figgins. Thank you, Cheerios. Thank you, Coach Washington. Thank you, Glee Club. And thank you, Mr. Shue, for believing me when no one else did. And as I end my time here at McKinley High School, I would like you to all appreciate everything this school has done for you. Because everything matters. Big or small." I finish and take a deep breath.
"The judges will now make their decision."
||//\\||//\\||//\\||//\\||//\\||//\\||
Tina, Artie, and I sit in Sue's office holding hands. "Well, the judges have spoken." Sue tells us. "And?" Tina asks. "Congratulations, Rose. You're class valedictorian and you two are co-salutatorians."Sue announces. "Really?" I ask. She doesn't answer. "Alright, now get the hell out of my office." Sue dismisses us. We walk into the hallway. "I'm sorry, guys." I apologize. "Rose, why are you apologizing? We all got something." Artie laughs. "Tina? You're thoughts?" I question. "Rose, I'm happy for you. Co-salutatorian is good for Brown, too." Tina hugs me, and Artie joins us.
Thank God we're okay again.
YOU ARE READING
Road To Nationals // Hunter Clarington
Fanfiction'Second place goes to...' 'Here we go again.'
