Something - Quinn Fabray

Chapter 76

"Okay, cut!" Artie called out, wheeling up the ramp onto the stage. "Mercedes, Ryan, can you come over here?" He looked at his two stars sternly. "This isn't working."

Ryan flushed slightly, shifting a little. He and Mercedes were rehearsing the Tonight scene, and while he did have the entire thing memorized, the song was bringing up certain... memories... from the other day with Quinn. It was distracting to say the least. He did think it wasn't all his fault though, because he was trying. Mercedes just wouldn't work with him.

"Artie, we've been doing this for almost two hours now," Mercedes huffed. "And there hasn't been any improvement. So how about we just take a break, come back fresh tomorrow, hmm?"

"But we still need to work on this scene," Ryan argued. It was still early, they could still do more. The show was next week, and they needed to get this down.

"If you want my best, I need my beauty sleep," Mercedes shot back. Ryan held back the rather uncharitable comment that it would take a lot more than sleep to cure her attitude.

"You know what, that might be best," Ryan conceded, scowling. Maybe some time to regroup was in order. And maybe to go find Quinn and a closet...

Artie shook his head. "Your chemistry is off. Actually, it's practically nonexistent. Do you have a problem with each other?"

Ryan held back a scoff, folding his arms. "Oh, I'm not the one with the problem."

"Wanna say that again?" Mercedes challenged. "Look Artie, let's just call it off for now, okay?"

Artie sighed. "Fine. We'll just do one of the other scenes. But I really need you to work it out, okay? Because right now, Tina and Blaine are doing a far better job than the two of you, and quite frankly, it might be a better decision to just stick with them." He wheeled himself back towards the director's table.

"I'm leaving," Mercedes said, striding off the stage. Ryan stood there for a moment before following her out of the auditorium.

"Mercedes, wait."

"What?" Mercedes snapped out. "Ryan, I'm tired, and I just want to go home."

"We need to talk," he said, planting himself in front of her. "We need to work something out, otherwise Artie's going to fire us. I would like to have at least one school production credit to my name by the time I graduate."

"Well, I want my time in the spotlight too," Mercedes answered, frowning. "But we need a break."

"You know, that's your problem," Ryan complained. "Every time things aren't going your way, you just give up. We need to rehearse, Mercedes, it's the only way we're going to get any better. Sometimes you need to push yourself to get results."

"Oh, don't you put this on me," Mercedes said aggressively. "It takes two people to make the scene work, and obviously you're not cutting it."

"I'm not cutting it?" Ryan asked in disbelief. "I'm trying my best here! And sure, maybe there isn't any kind of spark between us" - and thank God for that - "but the least you could do is try to meet me halfway. Maria is supposed to be absolutely in love with Tony. You look at me like you can't wait to go home and watch TV!"

"Maybe it's 'cause I can't stand your voice anymore!"

Ryan clenched his fists, taking a moment before letting out a deep breath. He needed to calm down. "Okay, I asked Kurt this last week, and I'll ask you now. What exactly is your problem with me?" he gritted out. Mercedes scowled, but didn't say anything. "I understand that Kurt is your friend, but I don't understand why you're mad at me. And you know what? I don't think I particularly care. All of you seem to dislike me simply for being myself. But I can't and won't change myself just so I can ingratiate myself into your good graces. Now, Artie says we need to get it together, or we're out." He stared Mercedes straight in the eye. "So it's your choice. You don't have to like me, but you do need to work with me. I thought you wanted this chance to be in the spotlight." He raised his hands. "It's up to you."