Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

August 27, 2029. Lima, Ohio, United States of America.

A new year has started at William McKinley High School, once again under the guidance of Sue Sylvester, Ohio’s winningest cheerleading coach-turned-principal. Over the course of the fifteen years she’s been in charge, test scores have skyrocketed, while body mass indexes have plummeted in equal proportion—and her grip on the student body has only grown more and more iron-clad with time. From implementing strict dietary regimes and humiliating plus-sized students, making them literally writhe around in a pigpen, to even launching attack dogs at particularly disobedient kids, she has continuously proved to be just as feared as she is respected.

But as far as she knows, her crowning achievement has been completely axing the school’s humanities and arts programs, and most importantly, its old Glee Club, New Directions. Its remaining members were forcibly transferred to other schools—even one Kitty Wilde, who would’ve have made a formidable Cheerios captain if it wasn’t for a rather unfortunate predicament—and got its former director, Will Schuester, a job teaching at Carmel High and coaching its own Glee Club, Vocal Adrenaline. By removing all traces of the arts in McKinley, Sue had succeeded in shaping the school and its students into what she deemed fit and necessary for American society.

Just a first glimpse into this new McKinley is enough to foster uneasiness in this year’s freshman class—most notably Izzy, a 15-year-old brunette of petite stature. It is indeed a scary change of pace for her, going from bustling New York and its appreciation of the arts to… that. She knew about the principal’s rulership of the school, but the reality of it is far worse than she could’ve ever predicted. Harrowed by everything she’s witnessed in her first trip down the school’s halls, Izzy silently thanks herself for Principal Sylvester allegedly having Nazi hunters for parents, otherwise she can only imagine how ruthless she would have truly been.

At least the Big Quench machine is still in use.

In an attempt to get her mind off the many cruelties she’s been exposed to within just a few minutes, Izzy pours herself a cup of strawberry slushie, scanning the environment around her: the posters advertising the different clubs and extracurricular activities, the janitor doing his job, small groups of kids hushedly exchanging scalding hot gossip provided by the Muckraker app, and the tanned brunet jock and Asian Cheerio making out against a wall as if the rest of the world has vanished around them. It certainly hasn’t escaped her that the Cheerios uniforms had been revamped in comparison to how they looked in her father’s days: sleeker, glitzier, and slightly more revealing, with cut-outs along the sides, black see-through sleeves, and rhinestone embellishments that sparkle in the building’s fluorescent lights. Better put into perspective, they come as a reflection of how much the school has changed in 16 years. A sign of the times, for better or for worse.

Once the cup is full, Izzy places her lips to its border and silently heads down the hallway, looking around so nobody judges her for indulging in such a sugary treat—

“Oof!”

SLUSH!

Only to bump into another student, causing the slushie to spill all over his face and shirt. “Oh my god, I’m sorry!” says Izzy, immediately thrown into panic mode. “I’m so sorry, I swear I wasn’t looking where I was going! Oh, dear, that looks dreadful… Do you want me to clean that up for you or—”

“No, no, it’s okay!” the boy standing before her cuts in, wiping the liquid off his eyes before he can properly open them. “I’m a legacy, I was already expecting that… I just didn’t think my first slushie facial would be accidental.”

The mention of “legacy” is quick to get Izzy’s attention, as her gaze turns up to get a better look at him. Right away, she gets an odd sense of familiarity from him; although boys with curly ginger hair aren’t all that uncommon, there’s something about his features, his docile gaze most of all, that comes across as if she had met him before—and not just because his hairstyle kind of makes him look like Carrot Top. Slowly, she steps away, giving him enough room to extend his hand at her, a sheepish grin plastered on his face. “I’m Danny! Nice to meet you!”

Izzy shakes his hand with a nonchalant shrug. “Danny…” she murmurs—and then, her eyes widen in realization. “Daniel Finn Schu—”

Danny suddenly gasps and places his hands over her mouth. “Don’t say it!” he warns her hushedly, “Principal Sylvester could show up at any moment. As long as she’s within vicinity, I’m Danny Pillsbury, okay?”

Understanding but a little bit startled, Izzy simply nods. In a matter of minutes, she’s standing outside the boys’ restroom, waiting for Danny to finish changing. Once he re-emerges, his eyes meet hers, and she gives him a playful nudge before they head down to their first class together. “So what brings you to Lima?” he wonders. “I mean, I’m just presuming you’re new here because of that wardrobe… You don’t see people walking around looking like that every day.”

Izzy laughs, flattered by his remark. Decked out in a knitted, brightly-colored sweater, she looks like she walked right out of an edutainment show for preschoolers, a stark contrast from the trendy, minimalist fast fashion fits sported by most of the student body. “Dad wanted us to get in touch with our roots… Well, his roots. Mine are all the way in New York.”

“Figured as much… You know, I still don’t get it, how did you know my name?”

“Believe it or not, your parents and mine go way back, so I’ve certainly heard of you… It’s just that I was expecting you to be attending Carmel. Like, your dad teaches there, right?”

“He did—” Danny smiles sheepishly, “But just for a year. He couldn’t keep the job after Vocal Adrenaline lost to Throat Explosion at Nationals. Let me tell you, those guys are ruthless.”

Izzy stops in her tracks, eyes wide as she processes Danny’s words, while he continues ahead of her, wondering if his response sounded too alien to her.

“...Vocal Adrenaline too?”

Although barely audible, her baffled whisper is still noticed by Danny, who turns to look at her with a raised eyebrow. “Did you say something?”

In response, she just smiles and shrugs it off. “Nothing!”

♪ Ser o parecer quien te imaginas

No me puede hacer la dueña de tu vida

Si no me miras, baby… ♪

The RBD track blaring around the classroom comes to a halt as the Spanish teacher, Elpidio Huerta, pauses it on his streaming app before turning to the freshman class. “Now, clase, let’s turn our attention to that first line,” he instructs, the heavy Puerto Rican accent evident in his voice as he writes down the words on the whiteboard. “‘Ser… o parecer… quien te imaginas’. ‘Ser’, as you must know, is ‘to be’, and ‘parecer’ is ‘to look like’, ‘to resemble’. Another way these verbs could be applied: ‘Ser profesor parece fácil, pero no lo es’. Meaning…”

Amidst the teacher’s explanation, Danny, sitting right beside Izzy, leans in to address her. “Gotta give him credit, he’s way better at this than dad used to be!” he whispers, captivated by the lesson, regardless of how basic it is.

Izzy responds with a shrug. “Of course, he is a native Spanish speaker,” she says matter-of-factly, “It would be shocking if he wasn’t.”

“No, like… How he’s using music to teach,” Danny points out, gesturing to Mr. Huerta’s phone on his desk. “I’m surprised dad didn’t employ this method back in the day, it’s pretty effective. I might have to look up the song later, it sounds great.” He pauses, his face scrunching a little. “Now that I think about it, how is Principal Sylvester even letting him get away with this?”

“He’s not bursting into song in the middle of class, maybe that should be a hint.”

Even so, some students aren’t having as much luck with the lesson, as is the case of the student sitting in front of Izzy, a Middle-Eastern boy with curly hair. He’s carefully eyeing his textbook and scratching his head, seemingly wracking his brain to understand what’s written. With an exasperated groan, he slams one hand against his desk and raises the other. “Señor Huerta!”

Mr. Huerta stops in his tracks and turns his attention to the boy. “Si, señor Mirchandani?”

“Pardon for the interruption, but I don’t like the font used in this textbook,” the boy explains, “The letters are all blurring into each other, I can’t make heads or tails of what’s written. Is it a printing issue or is it just my dyslexia acting up again?”

Off to the side, a skinny, youthful-looking boy with peach-pink hair, dressed as if he had freshly raided Olly Alexander’s closet, rolls his eyes and raises his hand as well. “I don’t know if the textbook is the problem here…” he asks, “How do you say ‘it’s not dyslexia, you’re just a low-life illegal alien who can’t read’ in Spanish?”

The boy chuckles to himself, ignoring the offended look the Middle-Eastern boy gives him in response; thankfully, Mr. Huerta isn’t nearly as ignorant, frowning at him as he folds his arms over his chest. “That’s not a very nice thing to say, señor Ferguson,” he scolds, “In fact, it was completely uncalled for, and it just makes you look like a big pendejo. Here, let me see…”

Mr. Huerta walks over to the Middle Eastern boy’s desk, standing beside him to check his textbook. “It looks fine to me,” he states, “Do you want me to fetch you a copy in a font that’s easier on your eyes after class?”

“I would appreciate that very much, gracias.”

“No pressure.”

Mr. Huerta nods and goes back to the front of the class to continue his lecture, but the exchange renders Izzy too annoyed to keep paying attention. “Man, what is going on with this school?” she murmurs, “You’d think they’d be more conscious of disabled students’ needs by now… Guess that’s just a reflection of the state the country’s in.”

Hearing this, the Middle-Eastern boy turns to her with a soft smile. “Good to know there’s someone else who understands,” he says, extending his hand to her. “I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced yet! I’m Rajesh!”

Izzy’s expression softens as she accepts his handshake offer. “I’m Izzy. And believe me, disability rights matter just to me as they do to you.”

“Are you a sunflower kid too?”

“Actually… Let’s just say it hits very close to home.”

Their conversation is cut short by Mr. Huerta slamming his hand against his desk, sternly staring at another student, an androgynous kid with short wavy hair. “Señore Rosenthal!” Mr. Huerta scolds the student, “What is going on down there that’s so much more important than the lesson?”

The teen, visibly guilty, sinks down into their desk. “Nothing, señor Huerta. Carry on.”

A tilt of Izzy’s head to the side reveals to her a notebook on their classmate’s lap, colorful comic panels drawn onto its pages. This kid is an artist, with no place in this school to share their craft without judgment, left to bottle up their talent and draw under their desk between classes. Just the thought of it is enough to further sink Izzy’s heart.

Lunch break comes before any of the kids know it. As it turns out, Rajesh’s mother is the current lunch lady, but with all due respect to both of them, Izzy isn’t too pleased over the cafeteria exclusively offering protein shakes and flavorless raw kale. Thankfully, Danny is happy to make up for that through his own mom’s cooking, providing Izzy with a classic PB&J.

As they eat, Izzy scans the cafeteria to get a better idea of the student body, paying special attention to the Titans and Cheerios at their own tables, isolated from everyone else—at least until the androgynous kid from their class approaches the Titans and is somehow allowed to sit with them at the insistence of two of them, scooting up next to the brunet jock from earlier. “Good to know there are some people who still care,” Izzy muses to herself, under her breath. “Truly the greatest act of rebellion.”

But then, her relief is swiftly cut short by a squeal of microphone feedback, coming from the center of the cafeteria, where a preppy-looking girl of naturally tanned complexion, shimmering blonde locks and determined gaze adjusts a Madonna-style microphone headset. She briefly turns to glance at the Asian boy standing next to her, and with a nod and thumbs-up from him, speaks up, her voice a wind rose guiding all attention to her.

“Friends, popular kids, outcasts, lend me your ears! I come to bury Sue Sylvester, not to praise her. Are we really gonna keep letting her walk all over us, when the future of the nation lies on our choices, and ours alone?! It is bad enough to have to sit through the decrepit billionaires at Congress trying to brainwash the nation into believing empathy is a sin, but being deprived of the arts further rubs salt in that wound. They are called humanities for a reason!”

Her words strike a chord in Izzy and Danny, even if both are still a little shaken from her sudden interjection.

And then she opens her mouth again—this time, to sing.

♪ Now is the time to seize the day

Stare down the odds and seize the day

Tell those with power safe in their tower

We will not obey ♪

The blonde’s eyes follow her companion as he pushes in a portable piano, her slender fingers soon meeting the ivories in a careful ballet. Izzy watches the whole thing intently, gradually recognizing the song and marveling at the almost operatic quality of the other girl’s voice.

♪ Behold the brave battalion that stands side by side

Too few in number and too proud to hide

Then say to the others who did not follow through

You're still our brothers, and we will fight for you ♪

The blonde smiles at her friend, and he smiles back, stepping closer to her and joining in the song, their voices harmonizing effortlessly and increasing in power.

♪ Now is the time to seize the day

Stare down the odds and seize the day

Once we've begun, if we stand as one

Someday becomes somehow

And a prayer becomes a vow ♪

At the word “vow”, the boy begins to clap and stomp his foot rhythmically, at a faster tempo, almost as if leading an invisible marching band. He gets up on the table, his gaze never leaving that of his lady friend.

[Girl] ♪ Now is the time to seize the day ♪

[Boy] ♪ Now is the time to seize the day ♪

[Girl] ♪ Answer the call and don't delay ♪

[Boy] ♪ Answer the call and don't delay ♪

[Both] ♪ Wrongs will be righted

If we're united

Let us seize the day ♪

Having previously ducked into his seat to avoid being noticed by the singing duo, Danny slowly brings himself back up, looking around to find some of the students actually being drawn to the performance: the androgynous kid is piqued with interest, as is a heavy set girl with colorfully-dyed hair, cheerfully clapping along and earning a few stares from her lacrosse teammates. The popular kids, on the other hand, clearly don’t seem to share their sentiment, with a few Cheerios snidely whispering and giggling to each other, as if mocking the duo behind their backs.

[Girl] ♪ Now let 'em hear it loud and clear ♪

[Boy] ♪ Now let 'em hear it loud and clear ♪

[Girl] ♪ Like it or not we're drawing near ♪

[Boy] ♪ Like it or not we're drawing near ♪

[Both] ♪ Proud and defiant

We'll slay the giant

Judgment day is here ♪

Little by little, the music grows louder. Their singing, more powerful, enough to fill up the entire cafeteria. The androgynous kid taps the Titan they’re sitting next to on the shoulder, encouraging him to take a look, but all he retributes with is a passing glance of confusion. Even Izzy is tapping her fist against her table, tempted to get up and join in as well.

♪ Now is the time to seize the day

They're gonna see there's hell to pay

Nothing can break us

No one can make us quit before we're done

One for all and all for

One for all and all for

One for all and all for—

“THAT’S ENOUGH!”

A megaphone-powered yell abruptly cuts the mood short, the singing and clapping sharply turning to dead silence. A shiver goes down Izzy’s spine as she and the other students turn their attention to the harbinger of the awkward atmosphere left behind: none other than the woman in charge, Principal Sylvester, standing at the cafeteria’s entrance and glaring daggers at the two now-disgruntled kids who dared to speak against her.

“How many times do I have to teach you two this lesson?”

You can’t really blame Yasmin Medeiros for starting an artistic revolution. After all, she has always longed for life underneath the spotlight.

From the night she took the stage as the Flighty Fairy in her elementary school’s production of Tale of the Mighty Knights, she knew she was born for the stage, and dedicated herself to mastering her preferred craft by whichever means possible. Her parents were happy to afford her whatever music, dance and acting lessons she could get, and as a quick learner, she breezed through all of them in almost prodigious fashion. Her roots as a granddaughter of Brazilian immigrants also proved to be handy, helping her unearth a plethora of idols across both hemispheres, from Eva Noblezada to Fabi Bang, and even Rachel Berry, who had long since become a household name by the time her musical dramedy series, Ovation, had finished airing.

But Yasmin’s primary source of inspiration, above all others, was one Alícia Peralta, an Argentinian actress who found fame in a prestigious Brazilian musical theatre company, and had since then been the recipient of multiple Bibi Ferreira Awards. Yasmin always knew she wanted to be just like her, regardless of whether she’d be vying for a Bibi, a Tony or even an Olivier in the future. Even so, as a Latina living in a midwestern U.S. state, she knew her journey to stardom would be far from easy, and taught herself not to be fazed by the bigotry that would inevitably be hurled her way. She knew she had to work extra hard to prove all of the naysayers wrong, especially from middle school onwards, as they had become particularly vocal at that time.

It was during freshman year of high school that Yasmin, and her dreams, found their footing. From the impulse to leap in front of fellow freshman Nico Gottschalk just as he was about to receive a slushie facial from the Cheerios, she found in him a loyal friend, just as passionate about the performing arts as she was. He was the one who pulled her into the world of show choir, giving her far closer contact with it than she had ever dreamed of—for better or worse. It came with some heartache, but the nights they spent at each other’s place, singing show tune karaoke and binge watching Ovation together, more than made up for it.

Following the longest and most excruciating 10 minutes of their lives to date, Yasmin and Nico emerge from the principal’s office, downcast and feeling their ears burn as if they had been pressed against white-hot iron. On the walk of shame to their lockers, during which they can hear a few chuckles from some of the students around them, Nico lets out a frustrated whine. “And we were doing so well too!”

“We gotta keep trying,” Yasmin responds firmly, opening her locker door and taking out her books for her next class of the day, her fingers tightly clenching one of them. “Something’s gotta give. She can’t silence us forever.”

Nico lets out a defeated sigh, leaning against his locker. “Easy for you to say,” he murmurs, “It’s in your nature to not back down. I don’t know if I even have the motivation for that anymore.”

Yasmin’s eyes widen at his words, prompting her to harshly slam her locker door shut. “NICOLAS!” she shouts, startling him considerably. “Are you even listening to yourself right now?! We promised we’d be in this together, and we are not going back on our word.” She steps forward, looking him right in the eye and lowering her voice. “We are bringing the Glee Club back, whether Principal Sylvester likes it or not. We just need to find more people who sympathize with our cause, easy as that. And an adult who’s willing to direct us, of course.”

Nico purses his lip, putting some thought into it. “The only two people who I think could work are Coach Evans and Ms. Stonecrop,” he points out, “I know Coach Evans used to be a Glee kid back in the day, but now he’s entirely dedicated to the football team, so I don’t think he’d be willing to go back to that part of his life. And Ms. Stonecrop… Would she even be available?”

His question gives Yasmin pause as she furrows her brows in realization. “Yeah, there are way too many kids in this school who need counseling,” she answers, “Still, we have to do what we can, and find who we can. There’s gotta be someone here, anyone, who can help get this off the ground.”

With a determined nod, she turns around—

SLUSH!

The sudden splash of a lemon slushie facial, accompanied by the mocking laughter of a few passerby Titans, halts Yasmin in her tracks completely, her eyes squeezed shut to keep the sugar and ice from getting in. Wincing, Nico cautiously approaches her, placing a hand on her shoulder. “...You okay?”

“At least it’s not grape this time. Purple is so not my color.”

Nico is left watching as Yasmin wipes the slushie liquid off her eyes, letting it drip away behind her, and saunters off to the restroom to wash off the rest and change. From the corner of his eye, he can see Izzy and Danny watching them from a close distance, but it doesn’t occur to him to notice, even though it’s clear they have both been paying mind to their struggle.

Izzy finds it hard to concentrate on her homework that night. Even with her best efforts, she can’t get her mind off the musical protest at the cafeteria. Two kids singing their hearts out against an authoritarian, vehemently anti-arts regime… She’s heard it all before—in hindsight, she shouldn’t have been surprised someone would try to stand up sooner than later. Out of instinct, she grabs her phone and opens up FaceTime, contacting a specific number. Thankfully, the new place has good Wi-Fi, so in a matter of seconds she’s broadcast the image of a slightly older teen, with blonde hair in a choppy pixie cut and a dopey, yet welcoming smile Izzy is all too familiar with. “Hey, Izz!” the blonde greets, leaning in closer. “It’s been a while!”

“Hey, Beth,” Izzy answers, getting up to move to her bed. “I hope I’m not bothering you too much. I know you got a lot on your plate this year…”

“Oh, don’t sweat it! It’s still early,” Beth says with a chuckle, “Right now I’m focused on managing auditions for Forte Finish. There haven’t been any significant departures from last year, but we still want to amass enough members to enhance our performances and guarantee a strong showing at Nationals this year. Somebody’s gotta break Throat Explosion’s winning streak sooner or later!”

Izzy leans back, smiling at the segue Beth just provided her with. “Funny you mention it, I noticed some kids at school singing during lunch and trying to bring back Glee Club,” she points out, “I wanna help them, but I don’t know where to start.”

“Wait, Glee Club? At McKinley?” Beth asks, befuddled. “Hasn’t that been defunct for… as long as you’ve been alive?”

“Yeah, that’s part of the problem! It’s been way too long, the current student body might not even remember there used to be a Glee Club!” Izzy ponders, “And the world has changed so much since then, too…”

From her side of the screen, Beth watches Izzy slump onto her pillows with a deep sigh. “The world didn’t just change, Izz,” she clarifies, “It’s going backwards. There’s been a recession going on for years, there are unstable lunatics in power all over the world sending their countries into needless wars… Kids are becoming more and more conservative. Glee Club is needed now, more than ever.”

Izzy takes her time to let Beth’s words sink in, nodding slowly in agreement, but with a hint of hesitance. “But what if Principal Sylvester—”

“Nevermind what she has to say about it. If anyone thinks it’s ‘cringe’ or ‘woke nonsense’ or what have you, pay no mind to them. The students in need are supposed to come first. If you build it, they will come.”

Just then, the conversation is cut short by distant barking, which gets a chuckle out of Beth. “I guess somebody wants to join in!” she remarks, moving her phone down. “Come say hi, Chewbacca!”

The sight of a brown Briard dog on Beth’s side of the conversation makes Izzy back into the pillow, her eyes gleaming with surprise and joy. “Hi, Chewie, baby!” she coos, “Mama’s missing you so much!” She exhales deeply as Beth’s face reappears on the screen. “I wish we could’ve brought him over, it’s a shame this place doesn’t allow pets. At least I can trust you to look after him for me!”

Beth responds with a nod and a thumbs-up. “He seems hungry, I gotta get around to feeding him and then go over the auditions with mom,” she points out, “Break a leg with your Glee Club efforts! Bye!”

“Bye!”

Once the conversation comes to a close, Izzy props herself back up, still sitting, to process the very valid points Beth brought up. Her eyes travel to the guitar next to the bed, which she picks up without hesitation, placing it on her lap. As she strums, gently tugging at the guitar strings, she feels those kids’ anguish and frustration tug at her own heartstrings.

♪ She sees them walking in a straight line

That's not really her style

And they all got the same heartbeat

But hers is falling behind

Nothing in this world could ever bring them down

Yeah, they're invincible

And she's just in the background ♪

Izzy’s gaze travels around her room, from the walls decorated with framed movie posters and Polaroids to the shelves storing a myriad of books and Funko Pops—an orgy of evidence to how privileged she is, to have grown up surrounded by the arts. No matter how silly it is to be so concerned over people she’s never met, she knows everyone has their own story going on. A school like WMHS is undoubtedly full of stories, stories of kids who are stifled by circumstances beyond their control, whether it can be traced to the tyrant running the school or not. This hits far closer to home for her than one would expect.

♪ He sees them talking with a big smile

But they haven't got a clue

Yeah, they're living the good life

Can't see what he is going through

They're driving fast cars

But they don't know where they're going

In the fast lane, living life without knowing ♪

From the corner of her eye, she sees her bedroom door slightly open, just enough for her to make eye contact with her father from the other side. She smiles, silently reminding herself of the very reason for the weight in her heart; it’s not just on behalf of the current student body, but the ones that came before as well. She can’t fathom how much the bullying must’ve increased since the end of New Directions, all the slushie throws, port-a-potty stuffing, all the humiliation… Just because certain students don’t fit the predefined standard.

♪ And they said

I wish that I could be like the cool kids

'Cause all the cool kids, they seem to fit in

I wish that I could be like the cool kids

Like the cool kids

I wish that I could be like the cool kids

'Cause all the cool kids, they seem to get it

I wish that I could be like the cool kids

Like the cool kids ♪

As she finishes her song and settles back into the silence that follows, Izzy mentally comes to an epiphany. She needed to contribute to that cause in any capacity she could, even if that would inevitably end up painting her as a ‘loser’. She and Danny had already exchanged phone numbers, so it was just a matter of learning more about those kids at the cafeteria and reaching out to them to offer them the help they needed. They had the motivation, they just needed a more solid foundation.

It’s shortly after finishing dinner that she brings this up to her father, out of the blue.

“I’d like you to take over Glee Club.”

“You want me to captain the Titanic too?”

“Dad, I’m serious!”

“Izzy… What Glee Club are you even speaking of? McKinley hasn’t had a Glee Club since 2013.”

“There are some kids at the school who want to bring it back, they did a whole song in the cafeteria. It’s totally your choice, but they could use some of your guidance.”

“What guidance could I even provide? I’ve never directed a Glee Club!”

“But you have the experience. You’ve witnessed the highs and lows of show choir before. Just like Mr. Schue did. By the way, I met his son today, and he’s a pretty chill guy!” Izzy pauses, fixing up her glasses. “Sorry, I got off-track here. But you know what I’m talking about!”

“Bee, listen… When I graduated, I knew Glee Club was a chapter of my life I had to close so I could move on to the real world. Do I wish it had been different? Hell yeah. But that’s how it had to be. Even if I had to take over, I don’t think even Mr. Schue could have prepared me for this.”

Izzy breathes heavily, to keep herself calm, before leaning forward. “There’s nothing wrong with coming in unprepared. That’s how we learn,” she states, “Mr. Schue came in unprepared too, and he learned just as much from you guys as you did from him. We are all works-in-progress. Those kids are in the exact same place you were all those years ago. Maybe you couldn’t pursue your dreams like all your Glee friends did, but you could give the kids at McKinley a real chance to live their dreams and make them feel visible.” She shrugs and adds, “Not to mention it does offer decent payment, $89.”

Izzy gets up, approaching her father and giving him an encouraging tap on the shoulder. “Think it over. It could be worth the trouble.”

She heads back to her room, intent on finishing her homework and then preparing for bed to get her mind off the whole issue. Through the following half-hour of studying, she does her best to tuck it away and get some work done, but even as she makes progress, that worry tugs at her from the back of her head, like an itch that needs either a good scratch or a plentiful dab of ointment.

By the time she’s finished, she hears a knock on the door—and with it, comes the verdict from her father.

“Are you sure this is the right spot?”

“Yeah, it’s what I got from her texts.”

The following day, a whole two hours before the first class, Izzy and Danny waste no time finding their way to an abandoned classroom, located in the back of the school building. Once Danny opens the door, they’re immediately met with Yasmin and Nico chatting with each other, seemingly not paying mind to their presence—at least, not until Izzy speaks up. “Excuse me? You’re… Yasmin, right?”

Yasmin’s gaze soon meets Izzy’s, as the blonde scans her up and down. “You two have just arrived and you already know our names?” she wonders, proudly standing up and stepping forward. “It seems our reputation precedes us.”

Izzy looks on, noticing a certain phoniness to Yasmin’s apparent confidence. “Sorry for cutting in, it’s just that…” She pauses to collect her thoughts and her breath. “We heard you guys were trying to rebuild the Glee Club, and we couldn’t help but feel for you, so we thought it only made sense to offer some help.”

Yasmin’s expression softens significantly at this, a glimmer of hope manifesting in her eyes. “You mean it?” Almost immediately, she realizes the first brick has come down from her walls, and clears her throat to regain her composure. “I mean… It’s good to know some students were at least inspired by our protest, even if it was kind of a grassroots, by-the-seat-of-our pants thing.”

Nico hops off his seat and approaches them with a friendly grin. “Oh, never mind the mess!” he states, gesturing around him, to showcase the noticeably decrepit state of the classroom: wallpaper chipping off, some mold growing in the corners, the portable piano and headsets sticking out like a sore thumb behind them. “For now this is still… ‘concepts’ of a choir room, so to speak. If we so much as dream of doing anything to the computer lab, Principal Sylvester will have us publicly executed. And believe me, we’ve already had to endure enough punishment from her.”

“So, what do you two have to offer?” Yasmin asks, furrowing a brow.

Izzy and Danny briefly exchange glances, prompting Danny to speak up. “Well, my dad used to be the director of the former Glee Club, and he still works in community theatre, so I definitely learned a thing or two from him!” he explains, sheepishly shoving his hands in his pockets.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait…” Nico interjects, waving his hands and coming closer to Danny, eyeing him in curiosity. “Your dad is the Will Schuester? The same Will Schuester who coached the New Directions to Nationals victory?!” Met with a confirming nod from Danny, Nico lets a grin of amazement blossom on his face. “No wonder I thought you looked familiar!”

Izzy nods, having previously shared Nico’s sentiment. “We know a thing or two about how the social hierarchy works here,” she says, pulling up a chair and taking her guitar out from the fabric case on her back. “When you think about it, it’s a free trial of adult life. The more you conform to a specific standard, the more privileges you have. And if you’re not a jock or a cheerleader, well, you’re tough outta luck.” She runs her fingers over the guitar strings. “But it shouldn’t be like that, you know?”

[Izzy] ♪ Seems like everybody's got a price

I wonder how they sleep at night

When the sale comes first and the truth comes second

Just stop for a minute and smile

Why is everybody so serious

Always acting so mysterious?

Got shades on your eyes, and your heels so high

That you can't even have a good time ♪

The words of the song resonate with Yasmin, who heads to the back to drag the piano forward, figuring out the melody by ear, which motivates Danny to join in, drumming along on the table.

[Danny] ♪ We need to take it back in time

When music made us all unite

Can we all slow down and enjoy right now?

Guarantee we'll be feeling alright ♪

[Izzy and Yasmin] ♪ Everybody look to their left

Everybody look to their right ♪

[Izzy] ♪ Can you feel that? ♪

[Yasmin] ♪ Yeah! We're paying with love tonight ♪

Over the course of the week, the four use up their lunch break hours on furthering the makeover of their choir room-to-be, fixing the disrepair little by little. The wallpaper is replaced, the grime and mold is scraped and cleaned away, and they have so much fun redecorating and having little jam sessions in between that they often find themselves late to class and having to explain to their teachers why they have paint splatters all over their faces.

[Nico] ♪ And guess what? In thirty seconds, I'm leaving to Mars

Yeah, we leaping across these undefeatable odds

It's like this, man, you can't put a price on a life

We do this for the love, so we fight and sacrifice every night

So we ain't gon' stumble and fall, never

Waiting to see this in the sign of defeat

So we gon' keep everyone moving their feet

So bring back the beat and then everyone sing ♪

[All] ♪ It's not about the money, money, money

We don't need your money, money, money

We just wanna make the world dance

Forget about the price tag

Ain't about the, uh, cha-ching, cha-ching

Ain't about the, yeah, ba-bling, ba-bling

Wanna make the world dance

Forget about the price tag ♪

Although the kids spend those days with a certain dread of being spotted by Principal Sylvester—to the point of Izzy bringing in tupperwares full of raw meat to distract the attack dogs—thankfully their work goes unnoticed, and is finished without a hitch.

By Thursday, before class, Izzy can be found pressing her ear against the locked door of the principal’s office to hear the conversation taking place from the other side. “Let me make one thing very clear, Four Eyes. Ever since I took over as principal, it has been my goal to make sure each and every extracurricular activity is a winner,” Principal Sylvester can be heard saying, in her usual stern tone. “If you or any of your cohorts had returned a decade earlier, I would have unleashed Hell upon you, to the point that my battle with Will Schuester would have looked like two adorable little baby pandas playing wrestling… But it should be clear that after two excruciating Trump presidencies and a pandemic, I have mellowed out considerably, so for now, you get a pass.”

“Did she really just say that?” Izzy whispers in befuddlement. If all of that was her after mellowing out, I’d hate to see what it was like when she took over…

Mild confusion aside, Izzy fixes up her glasses as she turns her attention back to the conversation unfolding in the office. “Should your little Glee Club manage to win Nationals this year, which I hold hope you do from your previous academic and directorial record,” Principal Sylvester continues, “Then I’ll keep them around. Otherwise, I’m gonna have to drop the axe again.”

Breathless with anticipation, Izzy backs away slowly, making sure to keep a low profile and skirt away from the secretary’s line of sight as she heads down the halls, eager to share the big news—

“MOVE, NERD!”

Izzy’s train of thought is suddenly interrupted when she’s violently shoved to the side by her pink-haired classmate, who’s seemingly in a rush of some kind. “Dude, what’s that about?” she asks, visibly disgruntled and somewhat disheveled as she adjusts her glasses.

“Cheerios auditions! That’s what it’s about!” the boy yells, turning to Izzy and stepping forward to look her firmly in the eye. “I have spent the last six months preparing for this moment, and I am NOT going to squander it!” His tone turns hushed and strict. “I cannot stress this enough, no one should have the nerve to stop Kermit Ferguson from becoming the queen of this school. Have I made myself clear?”

He shoves Izzy back before continuing on his way, ignoring the baffled expression on her face. “...You mean the king of this school?”

“I said what I said!”

Okay, he’s one of THOSE types.

Shaking off the sudden tension, Izzy takes her time to fix up her clothes and push back her pigtails before continuing to head down to her locker, where the other aspiring Glee kids await her—and when she shares the news of Principal Sylvester’s greenlight, they’re overcome with enough joy to have a quick celebration right there in the hallway, regardless of whether anyone can see them.

One small step for them, one giant leap for the arts in McKinley.

Four, three, two, uno!

At the gymnasium, it’s Kermit’s turn to try out for the Cheerios, and as Fergalicious blares from his phone, he performs a highly intricate choreography, displaying enough flexibility to make Tate McRae look stiff and lifeless, and striking fear into the hearts of his fellow auditionees in the process. Overseeing him is the coach, the same Kitty Wilde who had been unceremoniously transferred away by Principal Sylvester all those years ago, and who now looks quite similar to how Principal Sylvester did during her prime, just swapping out the choppy cut with a sleek, straight bob. To her sides, an auburn-haired Cheerio and the Asian make-out kid Cheerio from the first day.

♪ T to the A to the S-T-E-Y, girl, you tasty

T to the A to the S-T-E-Y, girl, you tasty

D to the E to the L-I-C-I-O-US

To the D, to the E, to the, to the, to the ♪

Hit it, Fergie!

The song cuts off just as Kermit lands in a split, receiving polite applause from Kitty and her girls in response. “Impressive work!” Kitty commends him, “You’re one of the few people today whose try-out did not want to make me gouge my eyes out with a rusty spoon, so that’s already a point in your favor.”

Cool as a cucumber, Kermit effortlessly gets up from his splits and steps forward with his hands on his hips. “Your praise is like music to my ears, Coach Wilde!” he states, “I wanted to deliver something that would be worthy of the Cheerios’ legendary reputation. You guys are the most awarded high school cheer squad in the country, and nothing would validate me more than being part of such a storied legacy.”

He notices the sound of footsteps echoing in the back, turning around to find the remaining auditionees nervously leaving the gymnasium. “And considering nobody else wants in,” he adds with a smarmy chuckle. “It seems you may not have a choice in the matter anyway.”

“Sending the competition running for their lives,” Kitty points out, writing down in her notebook. “That’s the kind of attitude I like to see from our head Cheerio.”

The auburn-haired Cheerio, hearing this, leans towards her with a confused expression. “I-I’m sorry, Coach Wilde… I’m head Cheerio, remember?”

“Not anymore, Beverly,” Kitty remarks slyly, “I kept a watchful eye on you kids as you weighed yourselves at the start of the week… You were 11 pounds heavier than you were last year. At this rate, it’ll take a village to keep you, and all that whale blubber you’ve been growing over the summer, at the top of the pyramid, so it’s for the best that I take you down a few pegs to make some room for the shiny new toy over here.”

Kermit, visibly flattered, puts a hand to his heart. “Little old me? Head Cheerio already?” he asks, “I wasn’t expecting a speedrun, but I couldn’t be more honored to take up the challenge!”

Beverly, on the other hand, is overcome with outrage, loudly slamming her hands on the table and rising to her feet. “You can’t do this to me!” she protests, “I led the team to Internationals last year! The KATSEYE medley was my idea!”

“We got second at Internationals,” Kitty reminds her, not taking her eyes off her notes. “As much of a crowd-pleaser as Gnarly is, we need to freshen things up if we want to land that championship this year.” She turns to Beverly with a smirk. “Think of the bright side, Bev. Now that you’re lower in the pyramid, you and Candice over here can now have all the adulterous lesbian eye sex you desire.”

Distraught into silence, Beverly sits back down and slumps against her chair, left to watch as Kitty gets up and approaches a giddy Kermit to shake his hand. Noticing how suddenly downcast Beverly has become, Candice shifts to Kitty’s abandoned seat and grabs Beverly’s arm. “Wanna go to the mall later?” Candice suggests, “I just got my allowance for this month! A shopping spree could cheer you up!”

“I don’t know, it could just as much make things worse…”

Motivated to keep the progress going in the choir room, Nico carries an additional spring in his step as he leaves class for lunch break—but then, a strong hand grabs him by the throat and pins him to the wall, and before he knows it, he’s surrounded by a gaggle of chuckling Titans. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t one of those wannabe Glee Club sissies,” says one of the football players, a burly guy with wine-red dyed hair and a septum piercing, his grip tight around Nico’s throat. “I bet you had fun with that little cafeteria show of yours, didn’t you?”

Adrenaline rushes through Nico’s body as he tries to speak up, even with the air blocked from his lungs. “Why would—ack! ...you care?” he asks, amidst gasps and gags.

“We just want to remind you that we are the ones who rule the school here, so don’t you dare acting like you can soft-shoe your way into taking away our budget, pipsqueak!” the jock responds firmly, practically showering Nico’s increasingly purple face with saliva. “Besides, it’s not like we want any business with that gay singing club of yours.”

Choking on his saliva, Nico grabs the jock’s hand and pulls it down to regain his breath. “First of all… Are you really calling the Glee Club gay as if that was a bad thing?” he nervously wonders, “Like, yeah, we’re a happy bunch. It’s not an insult, it’s just a descriptor. It’s as if I came across something I didn’t like and said, ‘Wow, that’s so septum piercing’—”

“Don’t you try to Hilary Duff me, you FREAK!”

Visibly irritated, the jock harshly punches Nico across the face, sending him crashing down onto the floor to the sound of the other jocks’ laughter. Stroking his bruised nose and lips, Nico whines as he looks up towards the mocking football players. “What are you gonna do, battement us into submission?!” taunts another jock, met with laughter from the rest of the group. “Oh, no, it’s the Sugarplum Fairy! Please don’t sprinkle us with your pink glitter of death!”

Amidst the mockery, a darker-skinned football player arrives, completely clueless as to what his teammates have been doing. “Okay, what’s going on?” he asks—and it’s then that he notices the injured Nico on the ground, coming to his aid straight away. Upon closer inspection at Nico’s bruises, the jock glares at his teammate, pushing him away in outrage. “Dude, what’s wrong with you?!”

“Cedric, c’mon, are you really gonna side with that fag?”

“You know what, Terence? I’m sick of you always being so disrespectful,” Cedric retorts, folding his arms. “So what if he’s gay, or in Glee Club? There’s nothing wrong with that. If it bothers you, stay in your lane.”

The bully jock only scoffs at this, turning to the other Titans, who have by now stopped laughing and are now awkwardly keeping to themselves. “Of course you’d say that,” he points out dismissively, “You’re Mr. Perfect, you’ve never colored outside the lines a single day in your life. Of course you’re siding with the losers.”

“Aren’t we all losers at the end of the day?”

For a moment, the bullies are given pause.

“Unless we get into good colleges… Which, let’s be real, is a luxury few can afford,” Cedric continues, “We’re all stuck in a small Midwest town that usually votes red for the foreseeable future. Perhaps even for the rest of our lives. Maybe you should keep that in mind when you inevitably end up flunking out of college and working at Sheets N Things.” He proceeds to help Nico back to his feet, before striking the bully with another, icier glare. “Just you wait until Coach Evans hears of this.”

With this, Cedric holds Nico close as they head down the halls towards the nurse’s office together. “Thank you for that,” Nico addresses him, blocking his nostrils with his hands so the blood doesn’t drip down to his shirt. “If you swung my way, I’d ask you out immediately.”

“No problem. Teammates or not, they’re just jerks at the end of the day,” Cedric answers, keeping his grip on the smaller boy careful. Before long, they get to the nurse’s office—but before he can drop Nico off, Cedric grabs him by the wrist. “About that Glee Club of yours…”

Nico takes a step back, floored but pleasantly surprised by Cedric’s question. “You want in?” he remarks, wrapping his arms around his torso. “Because we still need a director and eight more members to get the ball rolling. Let’s just hope your team doesn’t stop you from trying out! We could use a strong leading man!”

As he watches Nico head into the nurse’s office, Cedric remains by the doorway, putting some thought into both his words and those of his ill-intentioned teammate. It’s true that he worked hard to earn his place in McKinley’s hierarchy, and standing up for students considered lesser—but would that really tarnish his reputation, as his peers claim? Would it really be problematic to mingle with kids who don’t fit the standard of who should be deemed popular?

He might have to sleep on it for a while. It does look tempting, though.

Thanks to the efforts of the four hopeful Glee kids, Friday sees the once-abandoned and decrepit classroom now look just as vibrant and welcoming as the original choir room, packed with shelves, competition trophies earned by multiple generations of WMHS Glee Clubs, and even a baby grand piano. The walls are now adorned with brightly-colored decals, a whiteboard and desk had been placed at the front, and right opposite them, twelve carefully-organized Eames chairs.

There are even a few instruments, and right next to them, the other three are greeting a few unfamiliar young men—slightly older, around mid-college age. Amidst the warm hugs exchanged between them, Danny notices Izzy walking into the room and approaches her. “Izz! Just in time!” he says, gesturing to the three new arrivals. “These are Bart, Tristan, and Clay-Cliff. They’re from Lima U and make up a Journey tribute band called Fernweh. Their lead singer recently got diagnosed with nodes and quit, and they were having a hard time finding a replacement, so they were more than willing to step in as our back-up band!”

The guys wave at Izzy, and she responds with a wordless curtsy, as Yasmin and Nico join them, looking around at the result of their efforts. “This is looking promising already!” Nico exclaims, ecstatically clapping and jumping up and down, before turning to Izzy. “We still don’t have a director, though…”

Izzy doesn’t seem too bothered by this, placing a hand on Nico’s shoulder. “I already got that covered,” she reassures him, “I happen to know a guy, and thankfully I managed to convince him to offer himself up for the job!”

The other three turn to her in shock, with Yasmin particularly baffled. “So you didn’t talk to Principal Sylvester yourself?!” she asks, “Why didn’t you tell us before?!?”

Izzy just purses her lips and turns to the doorway. “Well…”

“Whaddup, dawgs?”

Following Izzy’s gaze, the rest of the group is met with a sight that leaves them speechless. A man in his early 30s, donning business casual attire and glasses, grinning as he calmly approaches them—on a wheelchair. Unassuming to most people, but to three show choir experts, finding out New Directions alumnus Artie Abrams has been brought in as the new club director is enough to throw them for a loop.

Danny, in particular, is having the hardest time wrapping his head around it, his gaze darting back and forth between Izzy and Artie. “I was actually planning to tell you for a while,” Izzy explains to him, “I mean, I certainly wasn’t going to waltz up to you like ‘Hi, I’m Izzy Abrams and my dad used to be part of the Glee Club your dad directed once’, it’s too big of a bombshell to drop right out the gate!”

Stunned speechless, Danny is left to connect the dots in his mind as he watches Izzy happily sit on Artie’s lap and exchange an excited embrace with him. “I… I don’t understand…” Danny murmurs, “I thought you became a big film director… You got a movie accepted into Fort Lauderdale!”

“Yeah, that never happened,” Artie explains, “I had to make that up to spare myself some extra time to look after—” He playfully pokes Izzy on the tip of her nose, getting a giggle out of her. “—this little lady right here.”

Danny takes his time to process the newly-revealed information, reminding himself that he had heard of Artie from his parents’ stories of New Directions, but never got any real word of his whereabouts. Meanwhile, Yasmin and Nico are utterly starstruck, as Yasmin lowers herself to address Artie. “Mr. Abrams… It’s such an honor to meet you!” she exclaims, her voice breathy from the excitement. “I’ve always been so drawn to the show choir world, but never in a million years did I ever imagine I’d be speaking to one of the OG New Directions members, let alone having him as club director!”

Artie shrugs, visibly flattered. “I have known for a while that directing is my calling,” he states, “Never got to direct a Glee Club before, but there’s always a first time for everything! Now, we have some ground rules to lay up in this thang…” He gently taps Izzy’s shoulder so she can get off his lap, and when she does, he rolls forward slightly, watched by the kids. “The times have changed, so y’all need to be on your best behavior. No physical altercations, no sabotaging one another, and if any of y’all are in a relationship, NO CHEATING. I don’t want no infidelity around here, I already had to sit through enough back in my day.”

He quickly notices Yasmin raising her hand, turning towards her. “Is sabotaging other Glee Clubs okay?”

“Only if they cause you significant harm. If they bring out the rock salt slushies, it’s game time.”

Yasmin grins mischievously, thoughts of delicious payback racing through her brain, while Nico comes up behind her and squeezes her shoulders, his mood successfully brought back up by Artie’s guidance. “So we’re off to the races then? Ahh, this feels too good to be true!” he rejoices, “New Directions is back, baby!”

Just then, his joy is cut short by Izzy holding up her hands in front of him while imitating the sound of a car hitting the brakes. “No, it’s not,” she says, slowly pacing around the choir room. “New Directions has been dead and buried for 16 years. That name’s not going to cut it anymore. If we wanna motivate our fellow students, it’s best to leave the past in the past.”

At this, Yasmin glances at Danny, whose cheeks faintly glow red. “In dad’s defense, he did come up with the name after having sex with his ex-wife,” he clarifies, “In this day and age, it would definitely not fly.”

“Actually, you guys are onto something there,” says Nico, “This is our Glee Club, with its own identity, and that identity has to start with a new name. Something that feels worthy of our mission. We’re not just guiding our peers towards a new direction, we’re starting a revolution around here…”

He slams his fist against the desk—

“We’re reigniting the passion for the arts at McKinley High!”

His dramatic proclamation sends the choir room into a pregnant silence. Looks are exchanged, in multiple directions.

And then, all of a sudden, Artie rolls over to the Fernweh boys, whispering something to them, before doing the same to Yasmin. “Now?” she asks, hushedly, being met with a nod from him.

Under the watch of the others, Yasmin takes her seat at the piano, and plays a particular melody. A smooth, intricate intro paves the way for Artie to start singing, his soulful vocals filling the area, a reminder of all the talent that came before them, paving the way for what was still to come.

♪ I don't know why I keep moving my body

I don't know if this is wrong or if it's right

I don't know if there's a beat

Or something's taking over me

And I just know I'll feel so good tonight ♪

For a brief moment, the music stops. Then, with a nod from Artie, Yasmin and the band turn up the tempo, allowing the kids to more effectively get in the mood, swaying along in their spots. Izzy, of course, is the most immersed in the music, pulling Danny along for a spontaneous boogie.

♪ I don't care if this turns into a riot

Let's get reckless, tear this place down to the floor

Turn the music way up loud

Can't nobody stop us now

I just know I feel so good tonight

Oh, if we keep on dancing

Take our rhythm to new heights

Feel the heat of passion, baby

Light up the night ♪

Coming closer to the piano, Artie leans against it, gesturing towards the other kids and encouraging them to gather around. All together, they sing in unison, backing up Artie in his song, all the more motivated to put the Glee Club in motion again.

[Izzy, Danny, Yasmin, Nico] ♪ We could start a fire ♪

[Artie] ♪ Come on, let it burn, baby ♪

[Izzy, Danny, Yasmin, Nico] ♪ We could start a fire ♪

[Artie] ♪ Let the tables turn, baby ♪

[Izzy, Danny, Yasmin, Nico] ♪ We could start a fi-i-i-i-i-i-ire ♪

That night, Izzy and Artie stick around after hours, putting together a few social media accounts for the newly-reborn Glee Club, as well as the audition flyers, on one of the computers at the Becky Jackson Memorial Computer Lab. In fact, they’re so focused on their task that it doesn’t occur to them to notice Cedric, fresh off a round of late-night practicing, stopping the entrance to gaze intently at them, the encounter with Nico suddenly rushing back to his head. With the ultimatum the father-daughter duo, and the rest of the club, have been given, they both know they have to put in as much effort as they can in order to find the success they’re looking for, and to avenge the fallen New Directions.

[Artie] ♪ I just know I feel so good

Don't you know I feel so good

Don't you know, don't you know?

Tonight ♪

Barely half an hour later, Izzy pins the sign-up sheet on the school’s bulletin board, cautiously stepping back to take in the view. She gives her father a hopeful look, and embraces him from behind, smiling softly as she mentally prepares for the new chapter that’s about to start for the both of them.

She’s spent all her life hearing stories of her father’s days in Glee Club, performing onstage, finding his passion, growing as a person—now, it’s her turn to open herself up to joy.

THE SPARKS

Glee Club

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Chapter Text

One might be surprised at the news of Artie Abrams returning to McKinley with a daughter old enough to be a student there, when he was expected to make a name for himself as a film director in New York. In all honesty, even he didn’t see that coming.

Baby Izzy came to him during a moment of struggle. Despite his expectations of a better life in the Big Apple, nothing had been going right for him. Early into his stay, he had been mugged by a homeless man—and yes, he was able to fight back eventually, but in hindsight, that may have been a harbinger of what was to come. Freshly out of a high school relationship, he was blinded by the sudden overabundance of female attention he received at Brooklyn Film Academy, and his recklessness and carelessness came back to bite him in the form of a harrowing chlamydia diagnosis, just as he had started to develop genuine romantic interest in a classmate he had been working with.

That was when everything began to crash and burn. Bags in the Wind, the short film he had worked so hard on and was so proud of, was mercilessly trashed by his teachers, who accused him of copying American Beauty, a movie he had never even seen in full. The ladies he once had successfully wrapped around his finger suddenly wanted no business with him, professional or otherwise, and even Julie, who had promised to wait for his recovery, had been easily swept off her feet by another guy before that time could come. It was as if all of Artie’s progress had dissolved, and he had reverted back to being an unloved Lima Loser.

But then, came a knock on his door—and with it, a portable carrier with a sleeping baby girl inside.

The documents that came with the carrier made no secret of it: that was his daughter, biologically proven. As it turned out, Artie had hastily broken up with his last high school paramour via text, completely unaware that he had gotten her pregnant the month before, and she never found it in her to tell him before he left for New York. The letter packed alongside the DNA tests put it quite succinctly: he had ruined her life, and now she had thrust upon him the responsibility of caring for their child while she built it back from the ground up. Artie didn’t know what to make of it; initially, he wanted to convince himself that it was all a sick joke, a prank to further humiliate him.

But then, the baby’s eyes first met his, and her tiny little hand wrapped around his index finger. Just like that, all that uncertainty and hesitance washed away, cleansed by sudden, all-encompassing warmth.

Love. Like he had never felt before.

♪ Isn't she lovely, life and love are the same

Life is Aisha, the meaning of her name... ♪

For his first weeks of fatherhood, Artie remained tight-lipped about Izzy’s existence. His friends were accomplishing so many incredible things, he didn’t want to take away from that by suddenly revealing he had a child to look after—and after Sam lashed out at him for sleeping around bareback, he didn’t want to take any chances. Though as luck would have it, it was Sam of all people who discovered his secret first, running into him as he was shopping for diapers. To Artie’s relief, Sam was surprisingly receptive, and vowed to help keep his secret under lock and key.

Over the years, Artie’s other friends accomplished big milestones in their post-New Directions lives, from Kurt and Blaine’s marriage and eventual messy divorce, to Rachel’s TV show, seemingly an unexpected side quest, being a smash hit and running for sixth uninterrupted seasons until the seventh had to be delayed and shortened due to the pandemic, to Mercedes becoming a widely respected, Grammy-winning recording artist, going from opening act on The Formation World Tour to main attraction on her own sold-out world tours, the most recent of which was dedicated to the memory of Santana Lopez. Amidst all of this, little by little, they also also came to know of his precious little girl, providing her with a steady circle of loving aunties and uncles; unsurprisingly, Auntie Tina had always been her favorite. Not to mention Izzy also came to develop an almost sisterly friendship with Beth Corcoran, also raised in New York around the same time, and fully engrained in the performing arts—seeing Beth so grown, gradually shaping up into a formidable young woman and a musical theatre powerhouse to rival even her own adoptive older sister, confounds Artie, who still remembers being there when Quinn Fabray was in labor with her.

After dropping out of film school, when Izzy was still a few months old, Artie had to do what he could to support her, relocating from Brooklyn to the Bronx and eventually starting his own freelance videography business. It was worlds away from the kind of directing he set out to do when he moved to New York, but there was something surprisingly fulfilling about capturing people’s dearest memories for them to keep reliving. Birthdays, weddings, baby showers, graduations… Even funerals had a special quality to them; having lost a few friends over the years, Artie can certainly empathize with the mourners.

None of those, however, compare to the countless hours of footage he amassed of his own daughter throughout her life thus far. When you grow up having an aspiring filmmaker for a parent, it is pretty much inevitable that your entire childhood is caught on camera—most of all in the day and age of social media.

Come present day, and in addition to his regular day job, fully settled in Lima in such a short time, Artie is back at his alma mater to offer mentorship to not just his daughter, but a whole new batch of underdogs. To really earn his place in WMHS’ staff, he has taken up a position as teacher for the kids with special needs, including Principal Sylvester’s daughter, junior class president Robin. It’s not too different from when he had to tutor his classmates back in the day, and it makes his new responsibility all the more fulfilling.

Not as fulfilling, though, is when he stops by the bulletin board to check on the sign-up sheet, grumbling to himself as he scans it on his way to the teachers’ lounge. Placing himself at the table, he puts the sheet down and shakes his head in disappointment, rubbing one of his temples. “Now I get how Mr. Schue felt...”

Sitting opposite him are two fellow faculty members, a slightly older man with short, sandy blonde hair, and a younger woman, almost fae-like in appearance, dressed in fluttery bohemian fashion and with little fabric flowers adorning her ample, coily hair. “I beg your pardon… I suppose you’re the Arthur Abrams who was just hired recently,” the woman muses, smiling politely when she gets his attention. “I’m Anabiel Stonecrop, guidance counselor.” She gestures to the man next to her. “This is Casey Rhodes, martial arts instructor.”

“Wait, Rhodes?” Artie wonders, furrowing his brows. “As in…”

Casey nods sheepishly. “Yeah, she’s my mom.”

Artie, wide-eyed, wheels back slightly, completely taken aback by that new information. April Rhodes, now that’s a name he hadn’t heard in years. “I didn’t know she had kids!”

“She gave me and my sister up for adoption,” Casey explains, “No points guessing why.”

Artie taps his chin, recalling the times April stopped by to offer some of her experience to New Directions—and struggling to wrap his head around the idea of such a normal-looking guy having come from that hot mess of a woman, even if she hadn’t exactly been present in his life. “So you’re here because of her?”

“Pretty much,” Casey answers, letting Anabiel pour some tea from her ceramic teapot into his own plastic cup. “I reconnected with her after becoming Pai Zhua master, and she recommended me personally to Principal Sylvester. Let’s just say it pays much better than the Harwood County Zoo.”

“Oh, sure, the payment is worth it, but these kids seem like a handful, way more than they were in my day,” Artie murmurs, nudging the sheet towards his fellow faculty members. “I mean, look at these… Yuri Nator? Tess T. Culls? Gofak Youssef… Ligma Balls?! That meme’s been around for a decade now, don’t these kids know how tired it’s become?!”

With a loud groan, Artie covers his face, overhearing the deep sigh coming from Casey as he glances at Anabiel. “At least there’s still the assembly coming up,” Anabiel reminds Artie, “Depending on what you have prepared, you could very well turn that around and recruit some students who aren’t completely dismissive of Glee Club.”

Artie musters up a faint smile in response. “Keeping everything crossed, sister,” he states, crossing his fingers on both hands. “As long as it doesn’t devolve into a sex riot, I think everything should work out smoothly.”

“A what riot?”

“Long story.”

Shrugging off the brief confusion, Anabiel takes a sip from her tea, while Casey unwraps a ham and cheese sandwich from his bag and Artie turns back to the sheet, unaware of the tall, muscular man who’s just walked in. “Hey, guys! What’s cooking?”

Casey turns to the new arrival with a smile. “Hey, Sam!” he greets, watching Sam pour himself some coffee. “I see your boys are doing pretty well!”

“You bet!” Sam responds cheerfully, “The way training’s been going, that homecoming game is ours to lose. I just wish some of them wouldn’t be so aggressive sometimes. It’s totally cool that they’re so dedicated to the game, but they gotta tone it down a little bit, y’know? Especially Hugo. I remember on the last game of the season, he sent three guys from the opposing team straight to the ER.”

Recognizing the name and the voice, Artie tilts up his face towards the man and carefully wheels towards him, eyes wide with wonder. “...Sam?”

“Oh, hey, Artie,” Sam responds mindlessly, downing all of his coffee in one go—but right after swallowing, he pauses. The plastic cup comes down, and he slowly turns around, equally stunned. “...Artie?!”

Turns out Artie’s brain isn’t playing tricks on him—that is, indeed, his good friend Sam Evans, with the same "trouty mouth" and blonde hair, but noticeably darker roots. “DUDE!” he shouts, high-fiving Artie before they come together in an elated hug. “It’s been way too long! I didn’t even know you came back!”

“Izzy and I just moved here!” Artie states, “I took over the Glee Club because of her!”

“Wait, Glee Club’s back? Was anyone gonna tell me?”

As happy as the reunion may be, it still leaves Anabiel awkwardly shuffling in her seat, essentially left out. “I’m sorry, you guys know each other?”

The two men turn back to Anabiel, as Sam excitedly points at himself and Artie. “We were in New Directions together!”

Anabiel lets out an excited gasp at this. “How lovely! I see the stars have aligned!” she remarks, clasping her hands together, before turning to Artie and adding, “Perhaps we could get some of the football team to join the Sparks too!”

“Not a bad idea on paper!” Artie responds, wheeling back to the table and taking the sign-up sheet. “In practice… We’ll see.”

Artie proceeds to leave the teachers’ lounge, with a giddy Sam following him out into the halls. “Dude, you have no idea of how much you missed out on!” Sam points out, “McKinley’s got a lacrosse team now! And there was a big expansion a couple years ago, they added a new floor with a bunch of new classrooms, and elevators!”

“No way! Took them long enough!”

Anabiel and Casey watch the two men leave their line of sight, taking in the pleasant energy of a reunion between cherished friends. Amidst the chaos that comes with the beginning of a new school year, moments of levity like these are always welcomed. At the same time, though, they can’t help but exchange glances of dread, as they both know sooner or later, Artie will inevitably have to cross paths with the other New Directions alumna who’s also part of the faculty staff these days.

Later that day, students and teachers alike are taking their seats at the gymnasium for the annual fall homecoming assembly. All the students remain within the confines of their own cliques, including a blind girl in round sunglasses and light-colored clothing maneuvering through the crowd, tapping her walking stick as she searches for the seat with the best acoustics, while the Titans and Cheerios predictably get the seats with the best views. There’s still some internal conflict though, as one can tell by Kermit, now proudly rocking his own Cheerios uniform, rudely nudging Beverly. “You’re in my seat, fatty! Move over!” he sneers, shoving her off the seat.

Beverly, who avoids a harsh landing thanks to Candice to the left of that particular seat, strikes him with a glare. “Who told you that was your seat?”

“It’s the seat with the best possible view of the stage,” Kermit confidently responds, making himself comfortable. “And now that I’m captain, I deserve nothing but the best. Alright, coach, you can come in!”

He gestures towards Kitty, who takes the seat to his right, followed by the rest of the Cheerios. Grumbling, Beverly turns to Candice, who pats the empty seat next to her, which Beverly complies with. “Still sour that you’re not top of the pyramid anymore?” Candice wonders, “If it makes you feel better, you don’t seem any heavier.”

Beverly lets out a resigned sigh, slumping back against the bleacher behind her. “I can’t take any chances,” she murmurs, “I worked so hard for that cheer captain spot, yet that twink just waltzes in and snatches it away willy-nilly for contorting himself like a little strawberry pretzel, and now he’s going around acting as if he’s Leo DiCaprio aboard the Titanic.”

“Can you flex for me?”

“What?”

“Flex your arm. I wanna see something.”

Beverly, still bemused, obliges anyway, flexing an arm and allowing Candice to squeeze her bicep. “Yup, as I thought!” Candice cheerfully concludes, “It’s not fat, you just got jacked over the summer! It’s not as bad… I’m sure you’re strong enough to lift me with one hand now!”

This, unfortunately, isn’t enough to console Beverly. “Muscle or not, it’s still weight gain,” she reminds her friend, “And if you want to be top of the pyramid, that’s a major red flag. Sectionals are coming up, we have to be in tip-top shape. Don’t wanna let Principal Sylvester down.”

Speak of the devil, as Principal Sylvester soon takes to the mic, filling the air with screeching feedback. “Silence, silence! Attention, everyone!” she commands, watching as the chatter gradually diminishes around her. “Welcome, once again, to our homecoming pep assembly. First, a few announcements. The sinks of the men’s restroom are currently clogged with hairballs, and we are working on fixing that. To whoever’s responsible for this, I suggest you get a buzz cut, otherwise I’ll shove your sorry face against an industrial cheese grater. We are also working on installing garbage cans around the bleachers and football field and hiring specialized security guards, to prevent disorder and physical aggression between fans during our teams' games.”

Off to the side of the stage is Artie, tapping his fingers against his lap as he awaits his turn to speak. “Now, for those who are living under a rock, or had their brains completely smoothed by Italian brainrot memes and were flat-out not paying attention… Somehow, the Glee Club has returned, like a zombie rising from its grave to feast on the brains of today’s biggest pop artists, all thanks to the efforts of a washed-up Class of 2013 graduate and his Chlamydia baby. Please welcome, Arthur Abrams.”

Principal Sylvester takes a step away from the microphone, and a polite round of applause welcomes Artie as he adjusts the microphone stand to his level. “Thank you! Thank you very much!” Artie speaks up, somewhat flustered. “First of all…” He looks at Principal Sylvester, addressing her directly. “That was one time. And Sam,” He throws Sam a point that Cooper Anderson would’ve been proud of. “I still remember what you said back then! Bold of you to slut-shame me when you dated the entire Unholy Trinity, and then some.”

An amused chorus of ‘ooh’s with a side of applause echoes through the gymnasium, causing a flustered Sam to cover his face with one hand as the football players tap his shoulders with lascivious laughter. “As you guys can see, me and him go way back,” Artie continues, “And you guys know why? ‘Cause the Glee Club brought us together. In my day, Glee Club used to be the safe haven where jocks and losers were allowed to be friends… Where no matter how high or low you were on the food chain, you could still chase your dreams, and express yourself to your heart’s content.”

Although most of the audience is paying close attention to Artie’s speech, the Titans’ quarterback isn’t even listening, far more focused on finding Candice in the crowd and flashing her a wink from afar. “Glee Club was the place where I found my calling, and it could help you find yours, too!” Artie continues, “If you need any further incentive, then strap in, and enjoy the show.”

He bows his head and wheels offstage to where Anabiel is sat, eagerly awaiting the start of the Sparks’ debut performance. Admittedly, he’s a little nervous, as it’s his first time spectating a Glee Club assembly performance, and he knows the song they chose may not be to everybody’s tastes, but hopefully it should get their message across.

The red curtains of the stage flutter open, revealing the four Sparks in simple, matching outfits: all in tawny tops, black leather vests and mesh gloves, with Danny and Nico in black baggy pants and Izzy and Yasmin in black tennis skirts, with shorts underneath for good measure. All four sport headset mics, and Danny, Yasmin and Nico are slouched with their backs to the audience, while Izzy stands in the wings. She glances at Artie, and from afar, he gives her a supportive thumbs-up, beaming.

Reassured, Izzy takes a deep breath and gives the go-ahead to Fernweh backstage. Poised and focused, she walks onstage.

Showtime.

“We come into this world unknown... But know that we are not alone,” Izzy recites, tapping her comrades one by one, making each of them straighten their posture and raise their chins, as Yasmin turns around for her cue. “They try to knock us down, but change is coming, it's our time now.”

[Yasmin] ♪ Hey, this is not a funeral

It's a revolution, after all, your tears have turned to rage

Just wait, everything will be okay

Even when you're feeling like it's going down in flames ♪

The kids sing with determination, working their way through simple, but energetic choreography. Even if they’re still a fledgeling Glee Club, they’re doing what they can to put their best foot forward, and express their intentions in a way that reaches out to the right people. In the audience, Artie and Casey bob their heads along, while Anabiel, sat next to him, is more concerned with the fact that the Cheerios coach had long since left her seat, and is currently talking to Kermit at the entrance of the gymnasium, as he had also gotten up and followed her out of concern.

[Danny] ♪ Oh, people like us we've gotta stick together

Keep your head up, nothing lasts forever ♪

[Nico] ♪ Here's to the damned, to the lost and forgotten

It's hard to get high when you're living on the bottom ♪

[All] ♪ Oh, whoa-oh-oh, whoa-oh

We are all misfits living in a world on fire

Oh, whoa-oh-oh, whoa-oh

Sing it for the people like us, the people like us ♪

[Izzy] ♪ They can't do nothing to you, they can't do nothing to me

This is the life that we choose, this is the life that we bleed ♪

[Yasmin] ♪ So throw your fists in the air, come out, come out if you dare

Tonight we're gonna change forever ♪

Their performance is met with a wide array of reactions from the audience. The remaining Cheerios exchange mocking laughter amidst one another, and most of the Titans are either baffled or derisive, except for Candice’s quarterback boyfriend and Cedric, who are both intrigued. However, there are some kids who are genuinely enraptured by the song. Rajesh can’t take his eyes off Izzy, the girl with multicolored hair is having a little boogie in her seat, and the blind girl has her walking stick on her lap, gently drumming along it.

[All] ♪ Oh, whoa-oh-oh, whoa-oh

We are all misfits living in a world on fire

Oh, whoa-oh-oh, whoa-oh

Sing it for the people like us, the people like us

Oh, whoa-oh-oh, whoa-oh

You've just got to turn it up loud when the flames get higher

Oh, whoa-oh-oh, whoa-oh

Sing it for the people like us, the people like us ♪

With their fists and heads held high, the Sparks finish their song, drenched in sweat and breathing heavily, that being the only sound heard throughout the, once again, silent gymnasium. Artie ducks into his wheelchair, bracing himself for potential backlash; seeing this, Sam springs out of his seat in fervorous applause, prompting everyone to follow suit out of respect.

The kids laugh as they get offstage and walk down the halls, with Nico ecstatically high-fiving Yasmin and Izzy. “That was EPIC!” he exclaims, going for a high-five with Danny—only to be rejected. “Dude, what’s wrong? You didn’t like it?”

“No, of course I did!” Danny replies, “I just… I really need to take a shower right now. And you guys should too! I mean, look at us! We’re glistening!”

“Dude, it’s show choir,” Yasmin remarks, “You gotta put your blood, sweat and tears into it!”

“But mom’s gonna kill me if I come home with sweat stains!”

“It’s just sweat stains, what’s the big deal?”

Izzy chuckles, well aware of what exactly the big deal is. Even if she’s never met Mrs. Schuester, at the very least she’s heard of her from Artie’s recollections, so she knows exactly what to expect from both her and her family—and so far, Danny is certainly living up to the expectations.

Although summer has long since ended, the sun still beats down onto the McKinley Titans as they practice for the much-anticipated homecoming game, beads of sweat raining down against the freshly-trimmed grass as they put their game plan into practice. It goes smoothly, that is until the quarterback gets on Terence’s case for taking the ball from him ahead of time, resulting in Sam having to step in before things get too ugly. Thankfully, they’re able to go through with practice without a hitch, and soon, the boys have hit the showers, allowing the lacrosse girls to take over for their own game the following day.

On the way to his locker following a fittingly refreshing shower, Cedric happens upon the quarterback, isolated from their teammates, visibly vexed as he types up and sends a text message on his phone while drying himself. “Hugo, dude… Are you okay?”

Hugo grunts, glancing at Cedric as he approaches and sits next to him. “It’s my mom,” he states, “Bugging me about my grades, again.”

“She’s still dwelling on that?”

Hugo nods in resented agreement. “I’ve been trying to dedicate myself to improving my prowess on the field to make up for that,” he explains, “But some of the guys really aren’t of much help, y’know? It’s like they’re in it only for the glory… and to get some ass every once in a while.”

Cedric gives him a knowing glance. “Yeah, they can get dates… But you’re one of the few who can actually make them stay,” he remarks with a playful nudge. “You and Candice have lasted way longer than I expected!”

Hugo chuckles coyly in response, averting his gaze. “It’s about walking a mile in her shoes, y’know?” he states, “If you really wanna make a relationship work, you gotta commit to it, allow yourself to be vulnerable. Head and heart in the game… And you’re good at that, too. I could see you landing one for the long haul.”

“I don’t know, I’m not really drawn to any of the Cheerios myself…”

Their conversation is cut short by the sound of Sam blowing into his whistle as he enters the locker room, with Artie following him in, earning hushed snickers from some of the other Titans. “Okay, guys, listen up!” he commands, “You were all there for the assembly, so you probably know where we’re going with this, but just so we’re all on the same page, I’m gonna let Mr. Abrams talk.”

A pat on the back encourages Artie to wheel forward, looking around at the football players. “As I’ve made you guys aware of earlier, we need a few more members in Glee Club,” he explains, “I get that this could be tricky, judging by the vandalism that was done to the sign-up sheet outside, but I oughta remind you boys that some of New Directions’ star performers were also football players. Or do the names Finn Hudson and Noah Puckerman not ring a bell?”

The atmosphere in the locker room suddenly turns bittersweet, as the team turns to the pair of framed jerseys displayed next to the whiteboard, memorials to the two late star players. “Exactly,” Artie adds, “Even though they had their reservations, Finn and Puck turned out to be valuable assets to the Glee Club. And hopefully, at least one of you guys could be too.”

Hugo looks on intently, which does not escape Cedric, while some of the other guys exchange mocking chuckles behind them. “That cripple thinks he can tell us what to do!” says Terence.

Even in hushed tones, the derisive remark is still very much within Artie’s earshot, and he proceeds to give Terence a strict look. “Excuse you, I was part of the team for some time,” he warns, “If I were you, I wouldn’t even consider disrespecting a living battering ram.”

A visibly unsettled Terence takes a step back, murmuring to his peers, as Artie turns his attention back to the team as a whole. “Now, if any of you would like to volunteer, I have placed a new sign-up sheet outside, and will be placing an additional copy right here, to make it more accessible. Thank you for listening.”

As Artie wheels towards Sam and speaks with him away from the team’s earshot, Hugo considers chiming in, but brings his hand down and remains quiet in hesitance. He can’t quite tell exactly what they’re saying, but he knows a thing or two about lip movement, and it stings to see his name still on their lips, even if he doesn’t quite agree with some of his teammates’ standing on the Glee Club matter.

He’s not a bad person, he’s just a little too pressured at the moment.

And through it all, Cedric remains observant.

That night, with the burgeoning Glee Club still on her mind, Principal Sylvester takes to her segment on the local news, which has remained even after the anchors from her day have retired, to vent out her feelings. “You know, we as a country have been bleeding money ever since Trump took office, all because the billionaires running the show have been placing tariffs on every country in the world and throwing tantrums over nobody showing up to their birthday military parades, and unfortunately, there’s not much we can do about it but work with what we’re given,” she states to the camera, “Since the start of the school year, there have been rumblings of a new Glee Club being instituted at McKinley High, and having purged the bubblegum plague of New Directions from the face of the town, it’s no surprise that I have a bone to pick with that.”

At the Abrams household, Izzy and Artie are sitting through the whole segment, staring at the TV in concern. “Why would you want to, say, start a Glee Club with hormonal, unstable human teenagers, prone to spreading germs and teen pregnancies around, when you could just rely on AI to do the job for you?” Principal Sylvester continues, “Just generate a few dozen uncanny valley residents and have them perform artificial covers of whatever sonic slop is unleashed onto the American public’s eardrums by whatever new incomprehensible name is being planted by the industry right now. So what if it’s destroying the environment, or taking away jobs, or even making our kids dumber? It’s the cheaper option, and with how advanced that technology is getting, nobody’s going to notice. At the end of the day, we ought to accept that AI is the future, and if you think you can make a name for yourself with human art, I hate to break it to you, but you can’t have your ‘moonbeam ice cream’ and eat it too.”

With a look of nonchalant confidence, she brings her hand up, in a familiar C shape. “And that’s how Sue C’s it.”

A disgruntled Artie turns the TV off. “Unbelievable,” Artie murmurs, rolling to his work desk. “Even when she’s not an active threat, she’s still trying to sabotage the Glee Club. I was already dreading that the song would come across as too preachy, and all that coming from someone with so much local influence doesn’t help at all.”

Izzy, pursing her lower lip, follows him to the desk, pulling up a chair to sit next to him. “So what if that’s the case?” she inquires, “That certainly didn’t stop Yasmin and Nico from speaking out against her. And I doubt it’ll stop any other kids from taking a chance in the Glee Club. It certainly didn’t stop Uncle Sam, I know this much!”

“That all depends on which Uncle Sam you’re referring to.”

Artie’s words somewhat deflate Izzy’s mood, reminding her of their bittersweet reality. “Pops… Is it weird that I still feel like an outsider here?” she confesses, “I mean, sure, I’ve made some friends, we’re getting the Glee Club off the ground, but… I don’t know, it’s like I’ve been plopped into a much smaller pond than what I’m used to back in New York. I’ve seen how the other students talk about me, I’ve heard their whispers in the halls. I’m afraid I’m coming across as too much.”

Noticing how downcast Izzy is, Artie gestures for her to come closer, allowing her to sit on his lap. “You know, a wise poet once said that if people think you’re too much, they should go find less,” he tells her, “Why are you caring so much about what they have to say, all of a sudden?”

Izzy breathes heavily, mentally wondering to herself how to make her thoughts come across in a way that isn’t completely depreciative. “You were considered a loser back in the day,” she states, “Now I’m afraid I’m being seen as one too.”

"You? A loser?"

♪ No, we're not odd, it's true, no fam'ly could be saner

Except one uncle who... well, maybe let that pass!

In all you say or do, you couldn't make it plainer

You are your mother's daughter, therefore you are class ♪

Izzy lets out a slight huff as she props herself off her father’s lap, leaning against the nearest windowsill and looking out at the brightly-lit streets outside.

[Izzy] ♪ So I should just accept I'm simply not like them ♪

[Artie] ♪ They are the common herd

And you could take my word

You are unique, crème de la crème ♪

Smiling tenderly, Artie addresses Izzy, and the praise, admittedly gets her eyes to meet his, even if just for a brief moment. She can’t help but think it’s a bit much, but he means every word of it, and she’s well aware of this.

♪ No matter what you do, I'm on your side

And if my point of view is somewhat misty-eyed

There's nothing clearer in my life

Than what I wish and feel for you

And that's a lot, no matter what ♪

Enraptured in the song, Izzy lets her gaze drift to one of the framed pictures on the coffee table, approaching it to have a better look. Childhood memories of roaming the streets of Times Square with her father come flooding back; the shared laughter, the loud glow of the colorful advertisements around them, the cold sensation of the ice cream melting over her fingers urging her to finish her cone already.

[Artie] ♪ Now some may say all fathers just exaggerate ♪

[Izzy] ♪ That every daughter's great? ♪

[Artie] ♪ You are! ♪

[Izzy] ♪ And every daughter tends to say her father's tops ♪

[Artie] ♪ She pulls out all the stops

To praise him ♪

[Both] ♪ And quite rightly! ♪

Izzy giggles as she watches Artie turn his chair towards her, wheeling closer and letting her rest her arms on his knees, locking eyes with him. There’s something special about those quiet bonding moments, how he pats her head and runs his fingers through her hair, the occasional poke on the nose that she gives him… It comes as reassurance that whenever they are, it’ll feel like home as long as they have each other.

[Artie] ♪ No matter what the pain, we've come this far

I pray that you remain exactly as you are

This really is a case of father knowing best ♪

[Izzy] ♪ And daughter too! ♪

[Artie] ♪ You're never strange ♪

[Izzy] ♪ Don't ever change ♪

[Both] ♪ You’re all I've got, no matter what ♪

As they finish the song, father and daughter come together in a tender embrace, allowing themselves to come down from that quick moment. Soon, Izzy pulls away, while Artie chuckles to himself, overcome with nostalgia. “Y’know, we should definitely do a Disney week in Glee Club,” he suggests, “We rarely ever touched Disney music back in the day. I’m guessing we just didn’t have the budget for it.”

Izzy laughs, mentally noting that before her gaze drifts to the computer screen behind her father. “I reckon we can think about that after you finish editing that footage,” she states, “Because I’d rather not be responsible for putting a genius filmmaker off-track again.”

“You gon’ finish your homework too?”

“Right on!”

Artie watches as Izzy leaps off his lap and heads back to her bedroom, leaving him to turn his focus back on editing the footage he’s working on. A wedding. The newlyweds on the dance floor, overcome with joy. A little girl, no older than 4—the bride’s daughter from a previous marriage, he recalls—relishing in the moment with her mother and new stepfather. Both families toasting, giving speeches… dancing. A showcase of the impact music, and art as a whole, can have on people. To think that so many people still look down on it, to the point of considering shortcuts like AI, is enough to make his heart sink.

This whole Glee Club thing better work out the right way this time.

Despite Artie’s concerns, he and Izzy come to school the next day to find actual names written on the sign-up sheet, right under the double entendre prank names, and take their time to briefly rejoice before parting ways for their respective classes of the day, keeping auditions in the back of their minds until the time is right. First on the list is, of all people, Rajesh, who’s already in the April Rhodes Civic Pavillion by the time Artie and the Sparks arrive for auditions, and Izzy is quick to recognize him. “Oh, wow, you liked our performance that much?” she wonders, holding back an amused giggle.

Rajesh, who up until that point had been sitting by the wings, quickly gets up and heads for the microphone. “Oh, do forgive me! I just didn’t want to get lost on my way here,” he explains, smiling sheepishly. “I’m just really bad with directions.”

“Nah, man, you’re good,” Artie responds, taking his place at the table in the middle of the auditorium seats, with the four Sparks sitting to his sides. “Just give us your name, pronouns, and your song. You can start singing right away if you feel like you’re ready.”

Rajesh exhales, shaking his limbs loose to soothe his nerves. “I’m Rajesh Mirchandani… But some of you may be familiar with that already,” he introduces himself, briefly glancing at Izzy and Danny as the two take their seats in the audience. “Pronouns he/him, and I’ll be singing Teach Me Tonight by Frank Sinatra.”

♪ Did you say I've got a lot to learn

Well, don't think I'm trying not to learn

Since this is the perfect spot to learn

Teach me tonight

The sky's a blackboard high above you

And if a shooting star goes by

I'll use that star to write "I love you"

A thousand times across the sky

What I need most is post graduate

What I feel is hard to articulate

If you want me to matriculate

You'd better teach me tonight ♪

Artie and the kids are pleasantly surprised by Rajesh’s deep, silky-smooth vocals and clear enunciation, even if his stage presence isn’t exactly something to write home about. Still, it’s good enough to get him accepted into the club, and the equally deep sigh of relief that rises from his throat once he’s told of this comes as if he had been rescued from drowning.

Meanwhile, the girl with multicolored hair happily skips down the halls on her way to the auditorium—but stops as she notices a hand on her face and a familiar tracksuit blocking her view, rolling her eyes in response. “Aren’t you forgetting something, little piggy?” Principal Sylvester asks, gesturing to the scales beside her.

The girl sighs and shakes her head, addressing the principal with a relaxed smile. “Principal Sylvester… Listen, I just got my wardrobe refreshed this week,” she explains, gesturing down to her clothes. “You see this fit? It’s all new. Cost me U$900 overall.” She proceeds to run her hands over the green and blue locks of her hair. “And the dye’s pretty expensive, too. I spent three and a half hours on my hair this morning to make sure all these colors looked right. I can’t ruin all of that rolling around in some mud!”

Principal Sylvester opens her mouth to speak, but the girl is a much quicker thinker—and talker. “On top of that, I have practice for the powderpuff game coming up tomorrow!” she continues, “I have very limited free time, and I’m making good use of it with some important extracurricular activities that I just cannot afford to miss!”

The girl proceeds to give Principal Sylvester a foolproof ‘puppy dog eyes and pout’ combo, standing there for a few seconds—until the principal lets out a resigned sigh. “You may go.”

“Thank you, Prinz! You’re a doll!”

Giggling, the girl continues on her way down the halls, leaving behind the annoyed Principal Sylvester. “How does she keep getting away with it?” she murmurs, disappointed at herself for falling for the same excuses again.

Finally, the girl reaches the auditorium, lighting up the stage with a smile as vibrant as her hair and outfit. “Hi, everyone! I’m Moira Lawson, pronouns she/her, and I wanted to let you know you guys killed it yesterday!” she says, “I’ll be singing All About That Bass by Meghan Trainor… And yes, I know that song aged like a banana, but it was the best one I could think of on such short notice, so please bear with me here, okay?”

She points and clicks her tongue at Nico, who’s onstage with a double bass in hand, given the signal to pluck the song’s opening chords on it.

♪ Yeah, it's pretty clear, I ain't no size two

But I can shake it, shake it, like I'm supposed to do

If you got beauty, beauty, just raise 'em up

'Cause every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top

You know I won't be no stick-figure, silicone Barbie doll

So, if that's what you're into, then go ahead and move along

Because you know I'm all about that bass

'Bout that bass, no treble

I'm all about that bass, 'bout that bass, no treble

I'm all about that bass, 'bout that bass, no treble

I'm all about that bass, 'bout that bass, hey! ♪

In stark contrast to Rajesh and his more subdued audition, Moira has stage presence for days, dancing around the stage and maneuvering the microphone stand like Freddie Mercury—needless to say, she’s a shoo-in for Glee Club. Artie’s approval is enough to send her happily running off the stage and towards the other kids, high-fiving each of them.

Next is the blind girl, who makes sure to fold her walking stick and store it away before taking to the mic. “First of all, Mr. Abe, thank you for punching in the Braille translation in the sign-up form,” she states, gently wrapping her fingers around the silver cross pendant gently resting over her collarbone. “Very well… My name is Genesis Reeve, pronouns she/her. I’ll be singing Where I Belong, by Switchfoot.”

♪ Feeling like a refugee

Like it don't belong to me

The colors flash across the sky

This air feels strange to me

Feeling like a tragedy

I take a deep breath and close my eyes

One last time, one last time

Until I die I'll sing these songs

On the shores of Babylon

Still looking for a home

In a world where I belong

Where the weak are finally strong

Where the righteous right the wrongs

Still looking for a home

In a world where I belong ♪

All eyes are on Genesis as she belts with as much as her lungs can give, the Sparks left speechless by the power and warmth in her voice. Even though she’s so dainty, she’s packing proper gospel singer vocals, as if there’s a tiny Mercedes Jones taking up permanent residence in her vocal chords, waiting for the right time to unleash her talent onto the world.

The music fades out, allowing Genesis to catch her breath, and after a few seconds, Artie and the Sparks all launch into roaring applause—except for Yasmin, who is still stunned speechless. Up until that point, Yasmin had been confident she was the strongest vocalist of the Sparks, but now she had serious competition. “I’ll allow it,” she murmurs, sounding somewhat terrified. “As long as she doesn’t get every solo.”

“I heard that!” Genesis cuts in, still noticeably breathy. “Don’t worry, I have no intention to start any conflict. You’ll be fine.”

“Oh, thank goodness,” says Yasmin with a relieved sigh. “So I’m still the female lead then.”

Izzy and Danny turn to her with looks of befuddlement. “Hold up, when did that become a thing?” asks Danny, furrowing his brow, “I don’t think we ever discussed that.”

“In case you may have forgotten, I was spearheading the movement before you two came along, I have the most performance experience and the strongest vocals out of us four,” Yasmin brags, in a pace rapid enough to potentially land her a spokeswoman role in a future Micro Machines commercial. “And unlike some of us, I wouldn’t get the group accused of nepotism if I were to land the lead vocals in competitions, so it should be pretty clear that I am the most logical choice for female lead overall.”

Her words have Artie rolling his eyes with an amused smile. “Just try not to send anyone to a crackhouse, okay?” he addresses Yasmin, who nods and flips her hair in response.

Rounding out the auditionees is the androgynous kid who was drawing in secret during Spanish class on the first day. “I hope I’m not too late!” they state, “I’m Yael Rosenthal, pronouns they/them.” Their eyes dart back and forth across the Sparks, noticing the looks of realization on their faces. “I’m not much of a performer, but even nowadays there isn’t much space in this school for enby students, so I’ll take what I can get.”

Artie nods in approval, keeping in mind how much the world had changed since his final year as a student in McKinley—as far as he knew, there wasn’t a single nonbinary student back in his day. “Very well, what will you be singing for us?”

“Euphoria by Loreen,” Yael responds, “It won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012, but I don’t think it’s particularly well-known here in the U.S., so I made sure to bring in the sheet music for the band so they know what to play.”

“Enlighten us, then.”

“Fine!”

♪ We are here

We're all alone in our own universe

We are free

Where everything's allowed and love comes first

Forever and ever together

We sail into infinity

We're higher and higher and higher

We're reaching for divinity

Euphoria, forever, 'til the end of time

From now on, only you and I

We're going u-u-u-u-u-u-up

Euphoria, an everlasting piece of art

A beating love within my heart

We're going u-u-u-u-u-u-up ♪

While more on the subdued side, Yael’s audition showcases a surprisingly wide vocal range, which, combined with their musical knowledge, lands them a spot in the club. With all four auditionees displaying an eclectic mix of strengths and song choices, four soon become eight in the choir room, and Artie watches proudly as the kids mingle with one another, laughing and launching into an impromptu song together—almost like the good old days.

Meanwhile, in the halls, Cedric steps out of the boys’ restroom with small cotton balls wedged into his nostrils, ignoring the bemused stares from the other students as he makes the trek to Anabiel’s office. He has to come prepared, for when he steps in, he’s met with a cornucopia of spirituality: vases with flowers and herbs, dreamcatchers, crystals, and the pungent smell of multiple incenses lit at once. “Cedric!” she calls out upon noticing him, making sure to pull up the chair opposite her desk.

Cedric looks around, sheepishly sitting down. “Ms. Stonecrop, no offense, but have you ever tried lighting just… one incense at a time?” he asks, “Just some food for thought!”

“Oh, forgive me, I just want to usher in as much positive energy as possible,” Anabiel explains, sitting opposite him and leaning in with a curious expression. “But do you have anything else to share? Perhaps, how you’re feeling about the homecoming game?”

Cedric shakes his head, slumping against his chair. “No, I’m pretty chill with that,” he explains, “It’s Glee Club that’s bothering me. I can’t get it out of my mind ever since I rescued that kid from being bullied. I don’t hate the idea of trying out, but I’m wary of how everyone else’s gonna react. Especially the other guys… You should’ve seen what they did to that boy, it was pretty nasty.”

“May I pull up your birth chart?”

Cedric’s gaze darts around in befuddlement. “If it helps…”

Anabiel hums to herself as she heads for a file cabinet, going through the first drawer and pulling out a particular file. Just as Emma Pillsbury had her pamphlets, Anabiel has all of the students’ birth charts readily accessible, as her preferred method of providing them guidance. Cedric watches as she lays down his birth chart, carefully analyzing it until something catches her eye. “Aha! Look at this!” she exclaims, “The Sun is transiting your natal 5th house of entertainment, and sextiling your natal Saturn! The time is right for you to relax and have fun, as this’ll help you find your purpose.”

There’s a glimmer of relief in Cedric’s eyes when Anabiel raises her head to face him. “So what you’re saying is…”

“Go for it!” she eagerly exclaims, “Grab that joy you need before it passes you by!”

Cedric grins as he gets back up, shaking Anabiel’s hand as if they just made a business deal. “Thanks, Ms. Stonecrop! You’re a lifesaver!” says the running back, just about to head for the door, only to be interrupted by a sudden whistle from Anabiel, who hands him an opal bracelet, which he takes with a thankful nod. As he leaves the office and puts the bracelet around his wrist, he notices a faint glimmer of sunlight reflecting from the crystals, which he takes as a sign of being on the right track. From the corner of his eye, he sees Terence with some of the other jocks, giving them a bras d’honneur before walking away from them, all the more certain in his choice regardless of whatever backlash he may inevitably face.

♪ Am I wrong

To think out of the box from where I stay?

Am I wrong

For saying that I'll choose another way?

I ain't trying to do what everybody else does

Just 'cause everybody's doing what they all do

If one thing I know, how far would I grow?

I'm walking down this road of mine, this road that I call home ♪

Cedric lets the memory of defending Nico from the other jocks marinate in his mind as he heads for the April Rhodes Civic Pavilion, his footsteps echoing in the deserted auditorium. Although he’s devoted to his team, he’s not guilty over his actions towards Nico. If caring for those in need, and for the arts, makes him wrong… Then he’s perfectly content not being right. If it harms his reputation, then he’ll gladly stand in the line of fire.

♪ So am I wrong

For thinking that we could be something for real?

Now am I wrong

For trying to reach the things that I can't see?

But that's just how I feel

That's just how I fe-e-e-e-eel

That's just how I feel

Trying to reach the things that I can't see ♪

So he croons, not even caring about the lack of a band to back him up—he’s got the music inside him, where it really matters. Time stops around him as he’s completely absorbed in the thoughts he so desperately wishes to let out. It’s just him, in an environment he’s not used to, but also one in which he knows his peers won’t judge him. Somehow, by standing there, away from the expectations and scrutiny of the rest of the student body… He feels truly free.

♪ If you tell me I'm wrong, wrong

I don't wanna be right, right

If you tell me I'm wrong, wrong

I don't wanna be right

So am I wrong

For thinking that we could be something for real?

Now am I wrong

For trying to reach the things that I can't see?

But that's just how I feel

Oh, that's just how I fe-e-e-e-eel

That's just how I feel

Trying to reach the things that I can't see

That's just how I feel… ♪

Cedric closes his eyes, taking a deep breath, as if releasing a colossal weight off his shoulders. He wasn’t expecting to get such a release from that, but the catharsis he gets from it is indescribable, just what he needed after a grueling practice day.

“You got some pipes in you, kid!”

Cedric jumps back as he notices Sam in the audience, clapping at him with a pleased look on his face. “Coach! I-I wasn’t expecting to see you here… I just wanted to let loose, that’s all,” he explains, doing his best to keep his composure. For a few seconds, he pauses, locking eyes with Sam—and then, he breaks the silence. “Do you think you could talk to Mr. Abe to see if he can find a spot for me in the Glee Club?”

Sam chuckles, tapping Cedric’s shoulder in approval. “Of course! I’ve actually been planning to bring that up to the rest of the team after the game,” he states, “Since Artie and I are so close and we haven’t seen each other in years, it’s only fair I get to make a contribution to his new adventure as Glee Club director. I’m sure he’s gonna love you.”

“Thanks, coach. I’m not gonna let you down.”

Sam squeezes Cedric’s shoulder and gives him a reassuring nod, before beginning to walk away. But then, a spark of realization strikes Cedric, and he stops his coach in his tracks. “Oh, one more thing!” he warns, “You might wanna do something about Terence. I saw him beating up one of the Glee kids in the hallway, it was pretty nasty.”

Cedric is met with disappointed tongue clicks from Sam. “Thanks for letting me know,” he responds, “I might have to bench him for the homecoming game. It’s him and Hugo that I've been keeping tabs on, they ought to control themselves. At least Hugo isn’t a complete bigot.”

With that, Sam leaves the auditorium, leaving Cedric to smile and take another look at the stage around him, eager to start performing on it with the rest of the Glee kids.

“So I was rewatching Ovation last night and…”

“No, really! It was right outside the door, with the spine sticking out!”

“All I remember was, like… Pink jelly…”

Whatever scattered conversations the Glee kids are engaging in are swiftly interrupted when Artie rolls into the choir room, grinning. “Good news, y’all!” he proclaims, “I got a text from Coach Evans last night—one of his boys wants in!”

The announcement is met with an array of excited reactions from the kids, most notably Nico and Yael. “Now, usually a potential new member would have to audition in front of the rest of the club,” Artie explains, “But Sam played me a recording of this kid singing, and that was more than enough to let me know he would be an asset. So please make sure to give a sparkling warm welcome to your newest member, Cedric Devine!”

Cedric enters the choir room to a rousing round of ecstatic cheers and applause from the other kids, with Nico in particular jolting out of his seat to hug him. “I knew you wouldn’t pass it up! Come on!”

A beaming Nico guides Cedric to one of the four remaining empty seats, allowing him to get a good look at everyone—with his gaze stopping on Yael. “Oh, hey, Yael,” he greets them, “I didn’t know you were in this.”

Yael quickly looks around before leaving their seat and taking the one next to Cedric, promptly addressing him. “Do you think you could get Hugo to join too?” they suggest, “I’ve been trying to convince him to do it all day, but he doesn’t seem too interested… And I confess having him around would make the experience even better.”

“Yeah, I noticed he’s not as mean-spirited about it as the others,” Cedric recalls, “It could be worth a shot. And even if he says no, I’ll make sure to look after you for him.”

As Cedric taps Yael on the shoulder and is greeted by the other kids, Artie wheels forward, watching and nodding in approval. “So from four members, we’re now up to ni… Eight?” he stops, confused. “Wait a minute—One, two, three, four, five, six… Where’s Moira?”

“She’s preparing for the powderpuff match today!” Danny chimes in, “How about we go there to cheer her on?”

And so they do, as later that day, they gather in the back of the crowd packed on the bleachers to watch the powderpuff lacrosse game, with snacks and foam hands and all the expected paraphernalia. Spirits are high as the match starts with the sharp sound of the referee’s whistle, and the sight of the McKinley girls fighting tooth and nail to score against the visiting team leaves the crowd appropriately exhilarated, backed by the chanting and pompom waving of the Cheerios—just the male ones this time, leaving Beverly to relax on the bleachers as the third wheel to the cuddling Candice and Hugo, while Kermit seizes the opportunity to show off why he was made Cheerios captain from the jump.

It proves to be surprisingly tense for a game that’s meant to be amicable, and for a moment, both teams are neck-and-neck. It’s then that Moira stops to catch her breath, and from the corner of her eye, she notices the euphoric support of the Glee Club, and is given a whole new boost of energy—she raises to her feet, grips her stick, swipes the ball away from one of the opposing players, and zips down the field like a rocket to score the winning points for McKinley.

The crowd rises to their feet with cheers and hollers, and Moira is mobbed by her teammates, all hugging and laughing with one another. Once she’s done celebrating with them, she sees the other Glee kids coming down from the bleachers towards her, and spares some time for them too, letting them pick her up and raise her, her cries of joy echoing to the highest of heavens.

A moment of joy for them… a nightmarish sight for Principal Sylvester.

“They’re making progress… Too much progress, far too quickly than I anticipated.”

Said progress has Principal Sylvester pacing back and forth around her office, unusually exasperated. “I didn’t think Wheels and his ratty little ‘stache would be of any help building up that collection of screeching, flaccid mouth-breathers,” she muses, taking her seat opposite Kitty. “But somehow it’s been drawing in all of the most pathetic kids, like moths to a flame of mediocrity. It’s bizarre.”

“Mediocre recognizes mediocre, easy as that,” Kitty responds, nonchalantly filing her nails. “It’s not like any of those kids have any real promise, so they might as well settle for whatever cheap afterschool special prattle is thrown their way by a misogynistic film bro who I’m sure will happily throw them out to the vultures once he finds a better opportunity to recklessly spread his germs around like week-old candy from a bludgeoned piñata.”

Principal Sylvester then adjusts her glasses and leans in closer. “See, this is where you come in,” she states firmly, “When I was coach, I let the Unholy Trinity join the Glee Club as my spies, to help destroy it from within—”

“Except they were indoctrinated with the earliest form of woke mind virus imaginable. Quinn at least turned out fine, not so much the lezzies.”

Principal Sylvester nods in resigned agreement. “But I trust you not to let your girls make that same mistake,” she continues, “If it hadn’t been for that pregnancy, it wouldn’t even have crossed my mind to expel you back in the day, because I’m smart enough to recognize a star player when I see one. At least you had the common sense of acknowledging the potential you could’ve squandered, and made up for lost time by returning to cheerleading immediately after spewing that crotch dumpling into the world. Ever since I hired you, you have not disappointed me once, and I can easily see you surpassing me one day.” Her tone turns hushed, as she finishes, “Consider this your ultimate trial by fire: don't allow yourself to soften again. Have I made myself clear?”

Kitty smirks, with a subtle nod of her head that gives her blonde bob just a little bit of bounce. “Don’t expect diminishing returns from me, coach,” she murmurs slyly, “I already have a couple names in mind that could work as spies, and you might be surprised to hear Kermit’s not one of them. That boy’s a star in the making, placing him in such a worthless side quest will only harm his track record. The further he stays away from the Island of Misfit Toys, the better.”

She leans forward, clutching Principal Sylvester’s hands in her and locking in her gaze with hers. “Swear it on the name of baby Jesus in his manger… This Kitty’s got her claws out for the long run now.”

Principal Sylvester smirks back in satisfaction. Moments like these come as a reminder of why she gave Kitty a second chance.

“Outstanding.”

Chapter Text

♪ Anything I do, they do too

Be like me, don't wanna be like you

Anything I do, they do too

They do, they do, they do, they do ♪

It’s the eve of the big Homecoming game, and while the football field is taken up by the Titans as they practice, the Cheerios go over their halftime routine in the gymnasium, as the thumping beats of the CliQ song chosen as the soundtrack blare from the speakers. The choreography is just as provocative and risky as you’d expect from the squad, with flips and mid-air spins and writhing galore, and Kermit occasionally mouths the song’s assertive bars as he flashes taunting smirks at a visibly annoyed Beverly, who mouths a line referring to a “Billie Jean liar and a thief” in response. From the bleachers, Kitty, with her megaphone in hand, watches the rehearsal intently.

After a few minutes, the Cheerios hit their end position right on time with the final “they do” sung. “GREAT JOB IN LOOKING MARGINALLY LESS DEPLORABLE THAN YOU DID ON MONDAY!” Kitty yells into her megaphone as the visibly exhausted Cheerios help one another leave their positions. “NOW HIT THE SHOWERS AND TRY TO WATCH WHAT YOU HAVE FOR LUNCH TODAY, NOBODY LIKES GETTING A CHOCOLATE WATERFALL TO THE FACE!”

She then turns to Beverly and Candice, gesturing towards them just as they’re about to follow the others to the locker rooms. “You two. Get over here.”

Beverly and Candice exchange a quick glance before approaching Kitty as she puts her megaphone to the side. “I need you two to take on an important mission for me, by order of Principal Sylvester,” she explains, “I’m sure you know by now about the return of the Glee Club, and I’ve been made aware that its numbers have significantly increased over the week, which isn’t particularly shocking considering how many more minorities have surfaced since New Directions’ funding got cut.”

Beverly puts her hands on her hips and arches one of her brows, slightly intrigued but mostly baffled. “Well, what do we have to do with that?”

“Principal Sylvester commissioned me to send a few Cheerios into the Glee Club as spies for sabotage purposes,” Kitty continues, “And as the two who helped lead us to a Top 2 placement at last year’s Cheerleading World Cup, I thought you were shoo-ins for such a monumental task.”

Candice gasps, grabbing Beverly by the arm and shaking her. “You hear that, Bev? We’re monumental!” she exclaims, clapping her hands ecstatically.

Beverly takes a split-second to recover from that before addressing Kitty again. “Are you sure that’s gonna work?” she wonders, “I mean, Quinn Fabray started out as a spy for Principal Sylvester because she thought Finn Hudson was cheating on her, and then the whole pregnancy thing happened and the plan kind of backfired in her face…”

“That was a New Directions thing,” Kitty clarifies, “A cheerleader got pregnant when it was born, and a cheerleader got pregnant when it was killed. The Sparks are a whole new Glee Club, so you two shouldn’t have to worry about that…” She turns to Candice. “...as long as you don’t get too comfortable with Hugo, of course.”

“Aye aye, ma’am!” Candice cheerfully states, as she and Beverly give their coach a military salute. “So, where do we start?”

“Get your audition ready. Blow their minds.”

Provided with all the reassurance she needs, Kitty walks away, leaving the pair of best friends alone in the empty gymnasium. “Oh, that’s one thing the Cheerios excel at…” says Beverly, smirking at her best friend, with an appropriately alluring song and dance already in mind to put their best foot forward in their new escapade.

[Candice] ♪ I know it's hot, I know we've got

Something that money can't buy

Fighting in fits, biting your lip

Loving 'til late in the night ♪

[Beverly] ♪ Tell me I'm too crazy

You can't tame me, can't tame me

Tell me I have changed

But I'm the same me, old same me ♪

[Both] ♪ Inside…

Hey! ♪

As expected, their song is well-received when they take it to the choir room, as it gets the Sparks all dancing in their seats and having a good time, captivated by their performance. It hasn’t escaped the girls that Cedric is there, as is Hugo’s younger sibling whom Candice knew existed, but had barely acknowledged since the start of the school year. Hugo himself? Nowhere to be found. Good thing, because he would’ve undoubtedly gotten jealous if he had been there to see Candice dancing around Danny and making moves at him during the performance.

[Both] ♪ If you don't like the way I talk

Then why am I on your mind?

If we don't mess whole thing up

Guaranteed, I can blow your mind

Mwah! ♪

[Candice] ♪ Yeah, I'm so bad, best that you've had

I guess you're diggin' the show

Open the door, you want some more?

When you wanna leave, let me know ♪

As the song slows down, Candice steps back so Beverly can be the full center of attention, running her hands over her body and swaying her hips in time with the other Glee kids, her gaze firmly set on an understandably confused Izzy.

[Beverly] ♪ Tell me I'm too crazy

You can't tame me, can't tame me

Tell me I have changed

But I'm the same me, old same me ♪

[Both] ♪ Inside… ♪

Beverly turns to Candice with a knowing glance and a nod, and Candice, standing at the doorway, nods back with a grin. If those kids think they’ve seen everything, they better brace themselves for what the pair has in store. Beverly takes a deep breath before spreading her arms, as Candice runs towards her—

“Hey!”

Just then, Candice grabs Beverly by the shoulders and leaps into the air, spinning while curled up into a ball, before swiftly and effortlessly falling into a superhero landing before the shocked stares of the Sparks.

Just as quickly as she pulled that stunt, she gets back up, dusts herself off, and—“Mwah!”

[Both] ♪ If you don't like the way I talk

Then why am I on your mind?

If we don't mess this whole thing up

Guaranteed, I can blow your mind

Mwah!

And tonight I'm alive, ain't a dollar sign

Guaranteed, I can blow your mind

Mwah! ♪

One final pair of kisses blown to the Sparks finishes the performance, greeted with a round of applause and cheers from the Glee kids, as Artie rolls up to them, smiling in approval. “You can, and you did!” he praises them, “Well done, ladies, welcome to the Glee Club! Feel free to take your seats!”

Beverly and Candice smile at each other and exchange a high five as they sit on two of the remaining vacant chairs, from which only one remains. “Okay, this… is kind of surreal, I’ll say this much,” Artie states, getting a little bit breathy with emotion but managing to keep his composure. “Since we only need one more member to qualify for the competition circuit, I’mma give you guys a, let’s just say, pre-assignment of sorts. Right now, it’s up to you guys to find the missing piece of our little puzzle, the final Spark to light the fire.”

Rajesh, a little hesitant, politely raises his hand. “Is there a specific deadline for this?” he asks, “Or can we take as much time as we wish to?”

“No set deadline, but the sooner, the better,” Artie replies, “Preferably so we can have a full house by the night of the big homecoming game. I already got some big ideas for our Invitational, so I’m counting on you guys to help make them happen!”

He leaves the kids to talk amidst one another, throwing out ideas for who they could possibly bring in as the final member they need. Danny, beside himself with excitement, reveals he joined the swim team and is planning to bring up the subject to his new teammates, while Moira intends on doing the same to the other lacrosse girls. Beverly and Candice keep to themselves throughout the chatter session, quietly scheming to each other plausible ways to sabotage the Glee Club.

Ultimately, though, one name comes up more than the others, and feels like the most logical choice.

“Next, you’re gonna take your eyeliner—this one is from Colourpop—and gently draw along your tear line like this…”

Hugo, fully focused on the make-up tutorial he’s watching on his laptop, nods firmly and repeatedly as he tries to follow the instructions proposed by the lady in the video. With his face already partially caked in make-up, he carefully tries tracing along his tear line with the eyeliner pencil, squinting so he doesn’t poke himself in the eye, but trying not to squint too much so the end result can at least be visible—

“Hugo?!”

Yael’s voice as they knock on the door awakens Hugo’s fight-or-flight instinct. His hand immediately jolts forward to slam the laptop shut, and he leaps out of his chair to grab the wet wipes on his dresser, wiping away the make-up as fast as he can before Yael can come in, the door swinging open just as Hugo is tossing the stained wet wipe in the trash. Needless to say, Yael is noticeably baffled by the sight they had just walked into. “What are you doing?”

“...Watching porn?”

Even with the nerves that Hugo can’t hide, Yael doesn’t think much of it—just typical teenage behavior. “Okay then,” they say matter-of-factly, “Dinner’s ready, you might wanna come down and fuel up before the big game tomorrow.”

Hugo silently obliges, following Yael out of the room and down the stairs to join their parents, Ozias and Marjorie, at the dinner table. Dinner itself is very light—grilled chicken breast with hummus and broccoli on the side—to make sure Hugo doesn’t fall ill on game night. It’s a fairly quiet meal, with just a few glances exchanged throughout.

And then—“Have you decided on any extracurriculars yet?”

A loud groan of exhaustion comes from Hugo when that dreaded subject comes up. “Mom, I told you already, I’m not doing any extracurriculars!” he insists, “I’m going all in on football, and especially now, I’m not looking for anything that could distract me. Not to mention there aren’t any extracurriculars that I can really sink my teeth into, y’know?”

“Not even Glee Club?”

Yael immediately backs into their seat, wondering if bringing that up again was uncalled for, but the look Hugo gives them isn’t one of judgment. “Okay, fine, that one I wouldn’t be completely opposed to,” he admits, “But I’m not sure if I’d like to hear what the other guys would say about that. They already treat those kids like dirt, most of all Terence. If I were to become a Gleek too, the guys would never shut up about it. It’d be like having ‘gay’ tattooed on your forehead.”

Yael shrugs, waving the piece of broccoli stabbed by their fork in small circles. “I don’t think that crossed Cedric and Candice’s minds when they joined.”

“Wait, what?” Hugo puts down his utensils in shock. “When??”

“This week, not too long ago!” Yael responds, “Candice joined today with Beverly, and Cedric did it yesterday. If you were looking for an incentive to let those walls come down and get those pipes working, hopefully this should at least get you to think it over… Although I’d keep an eye on Candice if I were you.”

Hugo grows pensive, looking on as Yael goes back to their meal, remaining silent as to not cause any further awkwardness. Ozias gives Marjorie a concerned glance, before turning to Hugo. “Aren’t you going to finish your dinner too, Hugo?” he asks, nudging Hugo’s plate forward. “I worked really hard on it… At least it’s good to know Yael’s enjoying their serving.”

As unsure as he is right now, Hugo sees his father smiling tenderly at Yael, taking solace in the fact that he’s part of such a tight-knit, loving family. Sure, they’ve been nagging at him a little too much with the whole extracurriculars thing, but he knows they’ve been doing it because they want what’s best for him. So he gladly follows Yael’s example and proceeds to finish his own serving of dinner, keeping the Glee Club offer, and the recent news surrounding his peers now being part of it, on the back of his mind throughout.

Later that night, as he lies in bed, he checks Candice’s Instagram account, keeping in mind Yael’s words about keeping an eye on her. On her Stories, several videos from cheer practice, a beaming selfie with Beverly in what appears to be the Glee Club’s choir room, some videos from a fancy party taking place at her family’s penthouse, to which even some of the Cheerios had been invited… Most recently of all, an old and somewhat blurry selfie with him. An amusement park date they went on during the very summer before that school year. They’re glowing as they embrace in front of the shimmering colorful lights of the Ferris wheel, with a giant pink plush cat squished between them as he goes in for a kiss on her cheek. On the corner of the picture, a caption had been added, in white text with a red background.

Best of luck to my @hugorosenthal on his big game tomorrow!! 💕🏈

#HomecomingGame #フレフレTitans!

Hugo’s gaze softens as he presses his thumb against the phone screen, to keep the Story visible for as long as possible. It brings back the hazy blissful memories of that night. The laughter, the stolen kisses, how he got her that plush from trying his hand at the high-striker, the cotton candy and popcorn that, admittedly and embarrassingly, did a number on his digestive system the following day. His heart is enveloped in warmth knowing she still cherishes the fond memories of that night, even with its eventual downsides, and their relationship as a whole.

So far, nothing too out of the ordinary.

Needless to say, the bombshell that Candice drops upon him at school the next day, hours before said big game, is the last thing he expects to hear from her.

"You're breaking up with me?! WHY?!?"

The incredulous look on Hugo’s face is obscured by the door of Candice’s locker as she touches up her lip gloss on the mirror, paying no mind to his disbelief. "Because we're not socially compatible,” she explains, “High school romances are fun, but they're not built to go the distance, and I can't marry someone who doesn't come from a chaebol."

"A what?"

The locker door comes shut with a slam and a loud clang, allowing Candice to address him directly. "A chaebol. An industrial conglomerate,” she explains, “When you come from a chaebol, marrying outside your social standing isn't an option. Marriage for us is a business partnership, and unless you suddenly become an oil tycoon overnight or something, I'm afraid I don't have any business with you."

She shrugs and turns her back to him, walking away—but a baffled Hugo follows her down the hallway, intent on getting to the bottom of that predicament. "Aren't all marriages technically business partnerships?"

"They used to be, but people like you started bringing love and feelings into it for no real reason."

"Because marriages aren't brand collaborations!” Hugo protests, “You can't marry someone you can't stand!"

"You can if it benefits both of your bank accounts,” Candice retorts with a sassy giggle. “And let's be real, you may be the top dog of the school now, but your fifteen minutes of fame will inevitably run out the moment you get your diploma next year."

Hearing all of that from the same girl who had so cheerfully showed him off on her Instagram Stories the previous night makes Hugo’s stomach churn with outrage. "Is that all you care about?! Fame and money?!?"

"I can't help it if it's all I've ever known! Do you even know who my parents are?!"

"Why would I want to know?!?"

"See? If you actually cared about me, you would want to know!” Candice exclaims, turning to look him dead in the eye. “At the end of the day, you're just some smooth-brained, cheeseburger-chewing American who can't even change a lightbulb without asking ChatGPT how to do it!"

"And you're just some self-absorbed materialistic bimbo who's so unsatisfied spending your own cash that you have to resort to emptying someone else's pockets to get all the expensive stuff you think you need, even though you clearly don't!"

Candice responds with a loud, frustrated huff, sitting down before him and keeping her gaze fixated on his. What follows is a tense silence, underscored solely by Hugo’s heavy breathing, followed suit by the faint scratch of Candice filing her nails. It is then that Hugo realizes that, in the heat of their argument, he had followed her all the way into the choir room, without it even crossing his mind. His gaze shifts up to scan the baffled stares of the other Glee kids around them—even Beverly, who’s usually so close to Candice, looks a bit alarmed.

Off to the side, Artie, with some paperwork on his lap, wheels over to Hugo’s side, one eyebrow raised in awkward curiosity. “So, you gonna sing or...?”

Hugo’s mind is still a mess, freezing him on the spot. He considers excusing himself out without a second thought, for he didn’t even mean to get in there, it just sort of happened. But then he turns back to the row of chairs, finding Yael and Cedric together in the back; Yael is cheerfully waving at him from behind Cedric, who gives him an encouraging thumbs-up. Just like that, a switch is flipped in his head; he can’t bring himself to let either of them down.

“You know what? I think I will.”

He approaches the band and asks them if they know a specific song—and as luck would have it, they do, its melody filling up the choir room as Hugo smirks slyly at his now ex-girlfriend.

♪ I was there to witness Candice's inner business

She wants the boys to notice her rainbows and her ponies

She was educated, but could not count to ten

Now she got lots of different horses

By lots of different men ♪

As he sings, Hugo locks his gaze onto Candice, and she quickly clues in that the whole song is him musically berating her, his retaliation against the scathing words she had mercilessly spat out at him just minutes prior. And to make matters worse, the other kids are actually enjoying it, dancing in their seats and “oh-oh-oh”ing along.

♪ And I say, "Liberate your sons and daughters"

The bush is high, but in the hole, there's water

You can get some when they give it

Nothing sacred, but it's a living

In case there was still any doubt, Hugo slams his foot against the front desk, like a sailor on the watch for dry land, and points straight at Candice, who backs into her seat, horrified. She wants to stand up, to stop him in his tracks and call him out for the gargantuan amount of spite he’s showcasing, but Beverly holds her back so she doesn’t take any chances.

♪ Hey! Ho! Here she goes

Either a little too high or a little too low

Got no self-esteem and vertigo

'Cause she thinks she's made of candy

Hey! Ho! Here she goes

Either a little too loud or a little too close

There's a hurricane in the back of her throat

And she thinks she's made of candy, eh-eh ♪

Hugo grins as he approaches Yael, lifting them off their seat and having a little dance with them in front of the others, with Cedric soon getting off his own seat and joining them. As he reaches the bridge Hugo turns back to Candice, yanking her off her chair and slowly circling her, as if he had been a vulture in another life.

♪ Liberate your sons and daughters

The bush is high, but in the hole, there's water

As you will, she'll be the whole of the law

And if you don't feel good

What are you doing it for?

What are you doing it for?

What are you doing it for? ♪

Each repetition of that verse brings Hugo closer and closer into Candice’s personal space, intimidating her enough to send her backing further and further away until she’s knocked off her feet and bumps into Rajesh’s legs in the process, placing her hand on his knees to prop herself back up.

♪ Hey! Ho! Here she goes

Either a little too high or a little too low

Got no self-esteem and vertigo

'Cause she thinks she's made of candy

Hey! Ho! Here she goes

Either a little too loud or a little too close

There's a hurricane in the back of her throat

And she thinks she's made of candy, eh-ehhhhhh… ♪

The song comes to a close with Hugo leaning against the piano, tilting his head back and laughing breathily as he takes in the cheers and applause from the rest of the Glee Club. Coming down from the catharsis provided by the performance, he turns to Yael and wraps an arm around them, pulling them close for a hug. “And that, my friends,” he concludes, smirking at Candice once again. “...is how you grill a Korean Barbie.”

A few scattered chuckles are heard, much to Candice’s chagrin, as Hugo sees Artie rolling up next to him and gives him a friendly handshake. “Invitational, here we come!” Artie rejoices, and most of the kids cheer in response.

The two Cheerios, nowhere near as euphoric, exchange bemused glances, with Candice specifically wincing in dread. “Are they… onto us?”

Beverly responds with a simple shrug. “They probably do this for everyone, right?”

There’s something special in the fact that it is the quarterback, of all students, who rounds out the Sparks’ first line-up, echoing, in a way, how fellow quarterback Finn Hudson helped the New Directions come into their own when there were still half a dozen of them. Since his untimely passing, his memory had been preserved in a number of ways, including a tree planted by Noah Puckerman, one of his companions in both sport and show choir. Once small and humble, the tree had grown taller and sturdier over the 16 following years, and right now, it provides shade to the new generation of Glee kids, who, with the notable exceptions of Yael and the popular kids, eschew the cafeteria and its overly flavorless and health-conscious for a quick lunch break of their own, fueled by the food they brought from home.

“To Glee Club!”

The kids laugh and cheer as they clink their plastic Big Quench cups, luckily not spilling any of the slushie inside them, before indulging in their shared lunch—and this time, Rajesh’s mother’s culinary skills are truly allowed to shine. “How delectable!” Genesis states, taking another bite out of her dabeli. “Maybe it’s just my tastebuds talking, but it’s as if there’s a party in my mouth!” She turns to address Rajesh, tapping him on the arm. “Your mother deserves all the compliments she can get for this!”

Rajesh, visibly flattered, glances down, before a downcast sigh escapes his lips. “It’s a shame Principal Sylvester is so hung up on her idea of what the students should and shouldn’t do,” he says bittersweetly, “If she was allowed to truly show what she’s capable of, perhaps the student body would respect her just a little more.” He then looks at the others with a sheepish smile. “Like mother, like son, am I right?”

A chorus of amused laughs comes from the other kids; however, Izzy’s tone suddenly turns slightly more serious. “We’ve got to put in all the work we can to make sure the student body respects us,” she instructs her peers, “You’d think having popular kids in the Glee Club could help, but while the football guys have been nothing but nice so far, I don’t think I can say the same about the Cheerios…”

Genesis tilts her head forward in wonder. “How so?”

With a shrug of her shoulders, Izzy takes a ganthiya placed in her lunchbox by Rajesh and takes a bite out of it. “Those girls haven’t exchanged a single friendly word with any of us so far. They’ve been keeping to each other a lot,” she points out amid her chewing, “And it’s not uncommon for Cheerios to suddenly join the Glee Club with ulterior motives. I don’t know who’s the Professor MacKrill behind this, but it sure seems fishy.”

She turns back to the others, who are looking at her as if she had just recited the Bible in Japanese—all except for a noticeably excited Rajesh. “So I’m not the only one who’s seen that movie?”

Izzy takes another bite out of her ganthiya. “My dad went to film school, of course I got exposed to an obscure movie or two growing up.”

“So what are we gonna do?” asks Danny.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Yasmin cuts in, her tone of voice fierce and determined. “We gotta pin those girls to the wall and give them a good old-fashioned intervention!” She raises herself up to get on one knee and pumps her fist up. “TAKE! NO! PRISONERS!”

Her enthusiasm is palpable, but a little too much for the other Glee kids, with Nico and Moira putting in some work to pull her back down. “Girl, chill!” Nico advises her, gently squeezing her shoulders to bring down her adrenaline levels. “That’s only gonna make them all the more hostile towards us, and we can’t have that!”

Once she’s swallowed her treat, Izzy points at him with an affirmative nod. “Right on the money,” she states decisively, “If we want to get down to the bottom of this, we have to be careful. I’ll investigate, while you guys just keep acting like everything’s normal. If we put our suspicions behind us and make them feel truly welcome, they’ll come around sooner or later.”

The others exchange glances of uncertainty, most of all Nico. “How are you so sure?”

“They always come around.”

Riding on her strategy like it’s a mechanical bull, Izzy goes incognito into the gymnasium as the Cheerios prepare to put the final touches on their routine for the homecoming game, her face obscured by under the red and black hood of her sweatshirt and comically large sunglasses. In order not to draw too many suspicions, she stays by the bleachers of the gymnasium, blending in with the corny motivational posters adorning the walls, locking her gaze on Beverly and Candice. Predictably, they’re far more sociable with the rest of the Cheerios rather than the Glee Club, occasionally stopping mid-practice to help one of their peers or have a quick chat. It’s like night and day, definitely suspicious.

Then the pair approaches the coach, a blonde woman in a tracksuit—not Principal Sylvester. Izzy can’t be completely sure, as she knows better than to wear two pairs of glasses at once, but she can tell the current coach is younger and shorter. It’s just the details that are harder to make out, largely in part to Izzy’s myopia. Even so, there’s something oddly familiar about her, enough to stir in Izzy the desire to have a closer look, to be just a little more certain…

“Intruder!”

The sight of Kermit yelling and pointing at her from afar is enough to send alarm bells ringing in her head—Crap!—as she scrambles to muster herself back to her feet and make a run for the exit. In her rush, though, it soon dawns on her that a sizeable amount of Cheerios are now charging at her, making their way up to the bleachers until they gang up on her, pinning her to the floor with their pompoms.

Izzy writhes in the grasp of the Cheerios, fruitlessly attempting to break herself free, before being dropped at the feet of the coach. “You sweet summer child,” the coach can be heard deriding her, “I’m not sure if anybody told you, but if you were trying to spy on us, the least you could have done is blend in more effectively. Did you really think nobody would notice you in such an obvious disguise?”

Izzy turns away, trying to avert her gaze and remain defiant, but the adult woman lowers herself to her level and leans in, her breath unsettlingly warm against her skin. “Tell me, would your mother be proud of you if she knew you were most likely skipping class to snitch on students who are leagues above you in the school’s food chain? Hm? Would she?”

The words brought upon Izzy claw at her heart like a feral tiger, but she refuses to let herself be swayed by dread. “Bold of you to even ask that…”

Even spoken in such a low voice, Izzy’s response can still be heard by the coach, who rolls her eyes in disdain. “Mommy issues. Classic,” she sneers, glancing at the chuckling Kermit next to her. “Do you want me to call you out to Principal Sylvester so you can see it for yourself? Presuming you even go here, of course.” She stifles a condescending chuckle, reaching forward to pull down Izzy’s hood and remove her shades. “I’ve seen enough Bring It On movies to be suspicious of a subpar rival squad spying on us to copy our…”

Unveiled, Izzy comes to face to face with the coach—and suddenly, both are brought pause, stunned at the sight of the other.

Kitty steps back, earning baffled stares from the Cheerios around her as she’s struck with a sense of familiarity. Beverly, connecting the dots amidst it all, takes advantage of the disbelief that has taken over the gymnasium to tap Candice on the shoulder and sneakily make their exit.

Maybe it’s the vulnerable position Kitty had just caught Izzy in, maybe it’s the fact that she hadn’t quite gotten a closer look at the girl’s face up to that point, but it’s right then, right there, that something unravels within her. The walls she had spent so much time rebuilding had, all of a sudden, become unstable again—and in front of her Cheerios, too, which allows her to snap back to reality, reminding herself of the promise she made to Principal Sylvester, the promise not to let herself waver again.

“You may go.”

The Cheerios are dumbfounded, faint “What?”s heard amidst them as Izzy takes the opportunity to get back up, dust herself off, and leave, never taking her eyes off Kitty until she reaches the hallways again. Overcome by realization, she stands there, motionless, with the gaze of a soldier shell-shocked from the horrors of war. Unable to bring herself to take a step forward, she leans against the lockers and slides down to the floor, her surroundings fading into a blur around her, leaving her to cope with the overwhelming weight consuming her heart.

♪ I want a mom that will last forever

I want a mom to make it all better

I want a mom that will last forever

I want a mom who love me whatever, forever ♪

As she lets her feelings pour out, Izzy finds it in her to muster herself back to her feet, and as she heads down the halls on her way back to the choir room, she notices the mothers of the football players, including Marjorie, beaming with pride as they walk past her, presumably in attendance to cheer on their sons during the forthcoming game. It’s true Artie has always been Izzy’s favorite person, but she’d be lying if she said she never felt the absence of a real motherly figure in her life. Somehow, knowing what became of her own mother has only made that feeling stronger, and so much more painful.

♪ And when she says to me that she'll always be there

To watch and protect me, I don't have to be scared

Oh, and when she says ‘I will always love you’,

I won't need to worry, cause I'll know that it's true ♪

She thinks back to how so many of the kids she grew up with, whether as friends or at least classmates, had present, loving mother figures in their lives. How their mothers would come to pick them up from school and take them somewhere nice, like a Broadway show or dinner at a local restaurant. Some of those kids even had two moms—Beth had Shelby, but still kept in touch with her biological mom, whenever the latter found free time in her hectic politics career.

Not enough of them realized how much of a luxury the presence of a mother truly is.

♪ I want a mom when I get lonely, to take the time to play

A mom who can be a friend and find a rainbow when it's gray

I want a mom to read me stories and sing a lullaby

And if I have a bad dream, to hold me when I cry

I want a mom that will last forever

I want a mom to make it all better

I want a mom that will last forever

I want a mom who love me whatever, forever ♪

On his way back from his last class of the day, Artie comes to the empty choir room to find Izzy laid down on two of the chairs, curled up and heartbroken, with her disguise cast aside and scattered on the floor—and just seeing her like that is enough to break his own heart as well. “Izz?” he says, wheeling forward to her. “...Bee?”

“Can we go home?”

The morose tone in her voice further hammers home how serious her predicament is. “Now?” asks Artie, perplexed. “But it’s not even time for the game. Everyone agreed to be there to support Cedric and Hugo. You sure you don’t wanna stick around for that?”

Izzy responds with a bittersweet nod of confirmation—as much as it hurts her to miss out on such an important school event, and on precious time with her fellow Glee Club members, she knows that what she needs the most at that moment is alone time to process her recent discovery, and the emotional impact it did on her, is some alone time to put her mind at ease. Thus, respecting her wishes, Artie takes some time to drive her back home. Thankfully, his phone is fully charged, so as he drives back to McKinley, he makes a mental note to himself to livestream the game when it starts.

Amidst the chilly September air and the chatter in the packed bleachers, the cold glow of LED lights pierces the football field, shining over the Cheerios as they run to and fro, waving their pompoms and hyping up the crowd. As with the powderpuff lacrosse game, the Sparks are gathered at the front of the bleachers, with Artie at the center, phone camera at the ready. Following the mandatory playing of the National Anthem, both teams take to the field, and the game starts in full swing. Fulfilling his promise, Sam has instructed Terence to remain on the bench, but there’s still a sense of dread as the players scramble through the field, with all eyes hovering over Hugo as he hushedly leads the team through their game plan, motivated by the occasional sighting of Yael cheering them on—even as he tears through the opposing players with enough brute strength to leave them badly injured or even unconscious. At least one guy ends up with a broken nose from that.

Despite the Titans’ best efforts, the first half-hour of the game ends with a score of 5-3 for the Westvale Wizards. As the teams head back into their locker rooms to wind down, with the Titans having to rethink their strategy, they briefly pass the Cheerios, and for a moment, the chatter seems to fade around Hugo and Candice, a fog of awkwardness hovering around them as their eyes meet. The break-up is still very much an open wound, on both of them. the Cheerios take to the field for their routine, lined up in an hourglass formation with Kermit at the very center.

Candice is still a little bit shaken by the eye contact with Hugo, but Beverly is there to bring her back to reality, turning her focus back to the routine.

“We got this, Cands.”

In a matter of seconds, the crowd grows silent, leaving a still that lasts for a few seconds, until Alika’s voice blares out of the speakers, the cue for Kermit to launch into the choreography. With each line of the intro, one set of rows joins in, from the closest to the farthest, dancing alongside him as if they shared a single mind; once the intro is done, the rows of four and six all scatter to the edges of the field, leaving Kermit and the rows of two—Avery and Amandine at the front, Beverly and Candice in the back—dancing at the very center.

♪ It's like monkey see, monkey do

I run the beat, run the booth

They watchin' me, they want the juice

Of the grind, I'm living proof

How can you hate on me? I'm sweet as sugar

Real cute and the swag is good, up

Run my ting, run my game, run my lane?

Now you wish you could love, good luck ♪

Despite the tension between Kermit and Beverly, the routine continues on without a hitch, successfully energizing the crowd with an impressive showcase of dance, tricks and stunts; the second verse starts with Kermit gathering up the male Cheerios to launch into a section of cartwheels, followed by a mid-air backflip from which they all land in the splits, getting a massive reaction from the crowd. From the edge of the bleachers, Kitty watches proudly—but from the corner of her eye, she spots the Glee kids.

And alongside them, filming her Cheerios’ performance, him. The pig on wheels himself.

♪ I been killing the scene, living my dream

Eating my greens, getting the green

Ass fat, tell me how you really get in them jeans?

Tings mean looking like it wanna buss at the seams

Ah, shutdown like it isn't a thing

Me and Leekz, we been getting it in

I'm on a diet, but give me a gin

When we go hard, we go in ♪

An instrumental section kicks in as the Cheerios all get in a straight line, one behind the other, with Kermit at the front. “Alright, everyone! Let’s bring some of that spirit to the team to help us win!” he shouts, pumping up the crowd. “You’ve seen my crew do it, now it’s your turn! Let me hear you WHOOOOOOOO!!”

Kermit leads the Cheerios in a wave that is replicated by the audience, before the team marches forward, pompoms in the air, spreading out into circles of five for the final part of the choreography, with a few seconds of dancing and one Cheerio for each circle being lifted and tossed up by the other four. As they’re launched into the air, each of the flying Cheerios strikes a different pose, with Kermit specifically flashing a wink and blowing a kiss to the crowd.

♪ Anything I do, they do too

Be like me, don't wanna be like you

Anything I do, they do too

They do, they do, they do, they do ♪

Going into the outro, the Cheerios gather up to form their big final pyramid, a full-fledged black forest wedding cake of sprightly teens. Nine of them, including Beverly and Candice, stay at the bottom, with seven above them, five above those, and finally, Avery, Amandine and Ariana lifting up Kermit. With the final beat, Kermit lifts up one foot and raises his arms, shaking his pompoms in the air—and the crowd, as they say, goes wild. That includes the Sparks, who excitedly applaud the performance, and Danny, in particular, finds himself loudly clearing his throat after having to describe the whole thing to Genesis.

A reasonable distance away, still in the bleachers, Artie is also applauding, beaming as he gives Beverly and Candice a thumbs-up from afar, at which Candice responds with a cheerful wave of her arms. “You guys got some great moves too!” he shouts, addressing the rest of the Cheerios. “We could really use some of that in the Glee Club!”

“Yeah, you could…”

Artie freezes upon hearing that familiar voice. Cautiously, he turns around, coming face to face with his last high school sweetheart, the one who changed his life forever. Obviously she looks drastically different from how she did when he last saw her, sporting shorter hair and a tracksuit not unlike Principal Sylvester’s—but otherwise, she hadn’t aged a day. “Oh, hi, Artie.”

“Kitty?” Her name slips out of his mouth breathlessly, like the foreboding gust of wind that comes as the harbinger of a powerful storm. “...Wh-where have you been? I thought Sue made all the New Directions... Transfer out of McKinley.”

Kitty shrugs nonchalantly, in a way that almost comes across as smug. “Oh, she did,” she answers, “And you know very well why I ended up finishing my education in New Haven.”

“Then what are you doing here?”

Kitty folds her arms under her bosom, looking away at the football players, back on the field, positioned for the second half-hour of their game. “I figured I needed to make up for what you made me miss out on here at McKinley,” she explains, “And deep down, I knew Sue Syvlester hadn’t completely given up on me. She, at least, can recognize real potential... Unlike Rachel Berry, who never even knew any of our names.”

As far as Artie knows, looking at her at that moment is like exploring Siberia in speedos, the way she’s giving him the cold shoulder. Still, he can’t bring himself to chicken out, not now that somehow their paths crossed again. “Listen, I know I was a jerk to you,” he clarifies, “But it’s been 15 years. I’ve learned my lesson, I’m not the same guy I was when I graduated. Izzy, our Izzy… She means the world to me. Poor girl was so heartbroken today, she completely missed out on the game. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind it if you tried to reconnect with her after all this time and—”

“You really think I'm gonna help you, and your stupid Glee Club, after the way you treated all of us?!” Kitty’s tone turns fierce and incisive. “The way you treated me when you got me pregnant with our daughter and went away to college?!”

Kitty’s hazels meet Artie’s blues and her chest heaves, as she tries to keep herself from completely exploding right then and there. There can’t be anger at that moment, only disdain. “My life fell apart because of you, Arthur. The only reason I left Izzy in your care was so I wouldn’t spiral further. Otherwise I would’ve surely, God forbid, become one of those trailer trash single moms willing to sleep with anyone for an easy buck. And if you think you’re getting a free pass in spite of that, well…”

She leaves Artie to connect the dots on his own, smirking as she watches him furrow his brows in staggered realization. “I’m so glad we had this conversation.”

Kitty’s bob flutters as she turns to walk away, paying no mind to the visibly rattled Artie, still struggling to wrap his head about what had just transpired. The Sparks don’t seem to notice, too focused cheering on Cedric and Hugo—however, Genesis is frozen in shock, having caught the whole conversation from where she’s standing. “Gen?” asks Moira, noticing her friend’s sudden change in mood. “Something wrong?”

Moira’s voice guides Genesis to turn to her, dry-gulping in concern as she does so. “You guys are not gonna believe this…”

Ultimately, with much hard work and a decisive touchdown from Hugo, the Titans are able to turn around the scoreboard and finish the night with a 15-12 lead on the Wizards—but said victory is the last thing Artie can think of on the way home. He arrives to find Izzy curled up on the couch, still noticeably morose but doing much better than he left her, fully immersed in her Animal Crossing island. Finding him from the corner of her eye, she pauses her game and puts her Switch 2 down, noticing how downcast he is.

“It was your mom, wasn’t it?”

No further words need to be spoken. Izzy comes up from the couch and hugs him, knowing they’ll have a lot to talk about that night.

Homecoming weekend comes and goes like a blur. Beverly finds a light at the end of the Cheerios demotion tunnel as Robin proclaims her Homecoming Queen, alongside Hugo as King. Even amidst an uncomfortable dance with her best friend’s resentful ex, set to a slowed-down cover of Outkast’s Hey Ya! that better conveys the song’s lyrical themes, she finds comfort in the fact that the other students still see her as someone to be respected. Kermit may be queen bee now, but she’s still pretty high up there.

♪ If what they say is "Nothing is forever"

Then what makes love the exception? ♪

It’s hard for Beverly not to hear the lyrics without thinking of what Hugo must be going through right now. Behind him, she can see Candice, giggling sheepishly as she’s surrounded by a sizeable number of hopeful suitors. Beverly always knew her best friend had no intention of making things with Hugo truly serious, and only took interest in him because they were both hot and popular. But he seems genuinely disheartened by the whole debacle, and a part of her wonders if his spiteful response may have affected her too.

After the dance, Beverly decides it’s for the best not to stick around. Once all the drooling boys are gone, she approaches Candice and tugs at her dress, getting her attention. “Wanna go to the mall later?” she asks, hushedly. “Who knows, a shopping spree could cheer you up…”

The light quickly returns to Candice’s eyes at the offer, and the two of them leave together, hand in hand, while Hugo sits with Cedric, resignedly shaking his head and looking down at his own lap. “Sucks that it had to go down this way,” Cedric laments, placing his hand on Hugo’s back. “I could tell you wanted to go the distance with her.”

Hugo lets out a deep, mournful sigh, glancing at Cedric. “Did I delude myself too much?”

“Maybe,” Cedric answers through gritted teeth, not wanting to risk coming across as disrespectful. “But it’s not the end of the world, you know? It’s never too early to move on. You’re the quarterback, you got us the winning touchdown... Now that you’re single again, you’re the hottest ticket in the market right now!”

Hugo chuckles, bashfully averting his gaze. “Honestly, I think I’d rather wait it out,” he concludes, “Focus on other things while I put my heart back together. I mean, we just got into Glee Club, we gotta start learning the ropes soon!”

Cedric nods in agreement at that reminder. It’s then, though, that a certain memory comes back to him. “By the way, do you actually use ChatGPT?” he asks, earning a baffled stare from Hugo. “It’s just that Candice brought it up while you two were having that shouting match yesterday and—”

“She saw me in the computer lab, didn’t she?”

Hugo slumps back against his seat with an annoyed groan, holding onto his Homecoming King crown, which is actually rather big for his head, so it doesn’t fall off. “Just so we’re clear, Seed, I was not using ChatGPT, and I refuse to touch that dreaded thing, or anything like it,” he states firmly, “I was just checking my Twitch account, that’s it!”

Cedric is intrigued, and even a little taken aback, by Hugo’s sudden confession. “Huh, I didn’t know you were on Twitch,” he states, shrugging his shoulders. “What’s your username?”

All of a sudden, Hugo hesitates, his hands coming alive with a slight jitter. Deep down, he knows he has a very good reason to not have told Cedric about his Twitch activity until now, even though they have been teammates, and consequently friends, for about a year—and it launches him into full-on nerve-fueled motormouth mode. “...I-I just remembered I was supposed to check on what Yael’s been doing, it’s their first high school dance so they’re probably not used to it and I don’t want them to get into any trouble, if you excuse me…”

Hugo leaps out of his seat and scurries away with his tail between his legs, leaving behind an utterly bewildered Cedric, seeing right through him. The tone of voice and body language do not lie; it’s true Hugo dotes on his little sibling and has been looking after them since the start of the school year, the way he phrased that response came across as a rather flimsy excuse to leave the conversation entirely, rather than being honest and actually answering his question.

Almost as if he’s… hiding something.

As he doesn’t have classes that night, Artie instead schedules an outing with Anabiel and Casey at Lima’s local JKP joint, per Casey’s suggestion—usually he’d go for good old Breadstix, but given JKP is one of the biggest pizzeria chains in the country, and Casey speaks of it with a certain degree of familiarity, surely it must be good enough to try. Bathed in the warm lights of the establishment, they discuss what happened during the week inbetween bites of their respective servings of pizza. “Y’know, in hindsight, I should’ve known this would have come back to bite me sooner or later,” Artie admits, “I was so distracted by the idea of going to my dream college, and having everyone back for graduation, and Holly Holliday… I just didn’t think things through.”

“Honestly, I understand where Kitty’s coming from,” says Casey, stabbing his fork into a piece of his pizza. “Nobody deserves to have a Joe Jonas pulled on them. Baby mama or not, she has all the right in the world to be mad.”

Artie lets out a deep sigh as he rubs his temples. “I was so stupid back then,” he states, his voice dripping with embarrassment and regret. “At least with Tina and Brittany, I could still patch things up with them and stay friends. But with Kitty, I… If I could, I’d go back in time, find teen me, slap him across the face and tell him to grow a pair and take some goddamn responsibility.”

Anabiel nods attentively, swallowing her pizza bite before washing it down with a glass of water. “You don’t have to be mad at your past mistakes,” she reassures Artie, placing a hand on his shoulder to comfort him. “If you look back on that decision so negatively, that means you’ve opened yourself up to learning from that and improving yourself. It happens to all of us, especially when you experience your first Saturn Return.”

Artie is visibly intrigued by Anabiel’s explanation, and even a little bit intimidated. “What’s the deal with you and the planets anyway?”

“It comes with the territory!” Anabiel responds with a grin. “Many are skeptical when it comes to astrology, and most who aren’t tend to boil it down to just the Sun’s placement, but all the celestial bodies in the universe have some impact in our lives. Understanding that impact means understanding yourself, and opening doors you never even knew were waiting for you. Unlocking that magic can be life-changing.”

Artie responds with an understanding smile, thinking back to his experiences with the Glee Club—and how that always had its own form of magic. “It still feels so weird, being the teacher this time around…” he ponders, “I’m not even sure if I’m fully prepared for it. Especially when those kids start experiencing the competition circuit for real.”

Casey nods silently, wiping the tomato sauce off his lips. “That’s why they need you, you’re the man with the plan!” he remarks, giving Artie a friendly tap on the shoulder and getting a flattered chuckle out of him. “Trust me, I felt the same way when I became head sensei at the Pai Zhua Academy. It can be surreal when you’re starting out, but you’ll get used to it before you even know it. Who knows, you could learn from them just as much as they’ll learn from you!”

The more Artie thinks about the advice he got from them, the more it starts to resonate with him. After all, it was Izzy who requested him to take over Glee Club in the first place. She, and the other kids, needed someone with real Glee Club experience to guide them through the trail they wanted to blaze. It was Mr. Schue who gave him the opportunity to find his calling as a director, who’s to say he couldn’t help the new generation find their own callings too?

When he comes to school at the start of the following week, as he rolls into the teacher’s lounge, one particular flyer in the bulletin board catches his eye—a very familiar one, at that.

PRIORITY #1:

Help the Kids

The same flyer Mr. Schue kept in his office all those years ago. Somehow, it had stuck around, even after he left for Carmel, possibly as a note to the teachers that would come after him—including Artie himself. It’s his priority now.

And indeed, the Sparks need all the help they can get. They are mostly acting natural, but Hugo and Candice are sat as far from each other as possible, and everyone else is still processing the bombshell brought upon them by Genesis on the previous Friday night, of Izzy’s mother being, of all people, the fearsome Cheerios coach.

The sound of wheels approaching gets everyone’s attention as Artie wheels in, with Izzy sitting on his lap, holding him close. All eyes are on Izzy as Danny jolts out of his seat to take her hand and guide her back up. “Are you okay, Izz?” he asks, “We really missed you on Friday night.”

Izzy nods with a reassuring smile. “I’ve had all weekend to wrap my head around my discovery,” she states, “And honestly, that’s a fish I’d rather fry another day. After all…” Her smile grows into an excited grin. “We’ve got our first setlist to put together!”

“Yeah, but… Does it have to be now?” asks Cedric, “Because the atmosphere around here is kind of heavy. I wasn’t completely in the loop, but everyone else caught me up to speed and… Let’s just say a lot went down on Friday while my head was in the game.” He glances over at the Cheerio duo, who opt to stay silent for now.

Izzy glances waringly at her peers, but Danny gives her a reassuring tap on the shoulder and steps forward. “Look… We all knew this wasn’t going to be easy,” he affirms, “Principal Sylvester’s had it against the arts program for a long time, and even if she’s aged out of the phase of taking direct action, she’s not letting it come back without a fight. There are going to be storms ahead, but we’re not going to just, well, sit down and let them swallow us.” He glances knowingly at Artie. “We’re still young, we got all the time in the world. If we want to weather the storm, we gotta stick together and remember it’s always darkest before the dawn.”

Danny’s speech proves to be enough to lighten up the mood, even just a little—but he’s far from done getting his point across. Noticing the Fernweh boys tuning their instruments in the back, he steps up towards them with a hushed request, which they gladly retribute. An upbeat tune fills up the choir room, and Artie wheels back to let Danny take center stage.

♪ Another night in any town

You can hear the thunder of their cry

Ahead of their time

They wonder why

In the shadows of a golden age

A generation waits for dawn

Brave, carry on

Bold and the strong

Only the young can say

They're free to fly away

Sharing the same desires

Burning like wildfire ♪

Danny suddenly approaches Izzy and pulls her forward for a friendly dance in the middle of the choir room, which proves to be helpful in lifting her spirits even more. At this point, the other Sparks have fully gotten into the song, clapping and swaying along in their seats. Hugo lets Yael rest their head on his shoulder, while Beverly pulls Candice in for a friendly embrace, also doing her part to cleanse away the negative energy in the choir room.

♪ They are seeing through the promises

And all the lies they dare to tell

Is it heaven or hell?

They know very well ♪

The song continues onstage in the April Rhodes Civic Pavilion, where the kids are all singing in front of a screen, which nobody knows or cares if they could realistically have the budget for, the warm glow of a stunning orange sunset behind them. Right now, they have set their worries to the side, and are fully focused on enjoying the present moment. Watching from the audience, Artie beams with pride, thinking back to the countless times he, himself, had performer like this with New Directions back in the day. No elaborate costumes, no overtly-rehearsed choreography—just a bunch of wide-eyed teens enjoying one another’s company.

Unbeknownst to the group, Kitty and Kermit loom above, also keeping their eyes on them. Kermit is pursing his lips to keep himself from bursting into laughter over how cheesy the whole thing comes across to him, while Kitty, fixated on Izzy, remains stoic, donning the mask of a poker face to conceal her anguish over the joyful experience of belonging that were taken from her far too quickly, far too soon.

♪ Only the young can say

They're free to fly away

Sharing the same desires

Burning like wildfire ♪

Later that day, Artie wheels down the halls, summoning Anabiel from her office to help him put up the poster announcing the Sparks’ Invitational on the bulletin board, where they stand out with their yellow and orange color scheme and the shimmery, glossy finish of the paper. She comes down to hug him afterwards, and as she does so, notices Casey coming over, dripping in sweat as he and Artie go for an euphoric high-five.

♪ Only the young can say

They're free to fly away

Sharing the same desires

Burning like wildfire

Only the young can say

Only the young can say (Young can say)

Only the young can say

Only the young can say (Young can say)

Only the young can say ♪

That night, Izzy, still humming Danny’s song from that afternoon, takes the time to catch up with Beth through another video call, informing her of the Sparks’ progress and upcoming Invitational as she prepares to go to bed in her The Dark Side of the Moon-themed pajamas. “That’s brilliant, Izz! Our Invitational setlist is coming along pretty nicely too!” a visibly thrilled Beth states, “It’s all Pasek and Paul-themed, and we’re trying to focus mainly on big harmonies now that we’re at 30 members. We were going to do The Greatest Show, but mom suggested we do Come Alive instead. She thinks The Greatest Show is kind of overdone... And she may have been onto something because it sounds divine so far, I’ll DEFINITELY have to send you a recording later!”

Izzy smiles, leaning back against the headrest of her bed, and taking a deep breath to get herself in the right mind space. Perhaps it’s best to break the big news to her sooner or later. “Yeah, while we’re on the topic of moms, you might wanna brace yourself, because even I can’t believe I’m gonna say this…”

“Brace myself? For what?”

It takes Beth a split-second to figure out what Izzy means. “Aisha Adelaide Abrams! Don’t tell me you finally…”

Izzy can already tell this is going to be a long night.

Chapter Text

The Glee Club had taken shape, with its own room, director, band, and enough members to qualify for the competition circuit.

Now, the real work is about to begin.

Danny is already beside himself with excitement over the upcoming Invitational, arriving at school with a spring in his step as he heads for his locker, double-checking if he brought everything he needs—hand sanitizer, face masks, wet wipes, clean clothes in case he drops his guard at the wrong time and is jumpscared by another slushie facial—before locking the door and going to check on Izzy. “Hey, Izz, what’s up—Whoa…”

He takes a step back at the sight of Izzy with dark circles under her eyes, taking an extra-thick folder out of her locker. Seeing her struggle a bit with the weight, Danny immediately volunteers to hold it for her. “Girl, what happened?” he wonders in concern, “Don’t tell me you’ve been thinking about the Coach Wilde incident again.”

“No, I’m trying to avoid that for now,” Izzy explains, “I just took some time to pull an all-nighter researching New Directions’ competition setlists for future reference. Believe me, that was far from a cakewalk. Dad had some copies of the programs from back in the day, and those came in handy... but some of them had pretty glaring errors, so to fact-check, I had to use Wayback Machine to access the version of the show choir blogs from a decade ago, since they got shut down a few years ago in favor of r/showchoirusa.”

“There’s a show choir subreddit?”

“Multiple. There’s a subreddit for everything these days,” remarks Izzy, “Hopefully all the information I’ve collected should be enough to give us an idea of what to do, and what to avoid, if we want to secure success in the competition circuit. With all due respect to Finn Hudson, Boston and U2 are definitely out of the question, I know this much. If we do go up against Throat Explosion again, we can’t take any chances.”

Danny, noticeably impressed, lets out a chuckle. “You really are all in on this, aren’t you?”

As the two reach the doorway to the choir room, Izzy turns around to look into Danny’s eyes. “We have to,” she reminds him, “This is a do-or-die situation here. Either we win Nationals, or Glee Club is extinguished again… possibly forever. And as legacies, we have to keep the club alive at all costs.”

It’s then that Izzy notices music, already coming from inside the choir room. She and Danny enter to find the rest of the Sparks, singing in unison and practicing a simple dance routine with plenty of side-shuffling and ‘passing the biscuit’ arm raising. Singing loudest of all, Yasmin is front and center in the rotation, looking like the cat who got the cream, and then some biscuits to go along with that cream for good measure.

♪ One smile and suddenly nobody else will do

You know you'll never be lonely with you know who

One moment in her presence, and you can forget the rest

For the girl is second best to none, son... ♪

Baffled, Izzy walks up to Fernweh and does a slicing gesture over her throat to get them to cut it out. They oblige, and song and dance are grinded to a halt, much to Yasmin’s annoyance. “HEY!” she cries out, stomping her foot and marching towards Izzy. “What’s the big idea?!”

“Pardon me if I’m being inconvenient, but why are you guys doing that song?” Izzy questions, glaring at Yasmin. “It was your idea, wasn’t it?”

"Excuse me, that's a classic!" Yasmin retorts, "If we want to get our foot in the door, we have to slam that door wide open with the hardest kick we can, and what better way to do that with such an iconic musical theatre song?"

Izzy, already familiar with the song, rolls her eyes at Yasmin’s argument. “You know you can do that without making the whole setlist about yourself, right?”

Yasmin is clearly offended by this, eyes wide as she clutches her collar defensively, before glaring right back at Izzy. “May I remind you of who got this train chugging to begin with?” she asserts, getting all up in Izzy’s personal space.

“Your train wouldn’t even have left the station if Danny and I hadn’t taken the initiative to help you!”

Unnerved by the sudden tension in the room, Danny quickly steps in between the two to try and put a stop to the argument. “Girls, girls, that’s enough!” he protests, pushing them apart and turning back and forth between them. “You heard what Mr. Abe said, no drama. Homecoming Friday was bad enough already. Let’s try to be civil.”

Izzy seizes the opportunity to take a deep breath, in order to keep her cool. “I swear I’m trying to be civil, but she’s not making it any easier for me,” she tells Danny, before turning back to Yasmin and taking her hands in her own, pulling her close. “Yasmin, Glee Club is a team effort. You have the chops to be lead vocalist, we all know that, but a real captain lets everyone have their turn at the limelight. We don’t want anyone here to be another Tina Cohen-Chang, or worse, another Matt Rutherford.”

“Who’s Matt Rutherford?” Yael chimes in.

“Exactly.”

Danny puts his hands in his pockets, stepping away from the two girls and approaching Fernweh. “I don’t know about you, Izz,” he remarks, “But I think there’s a better way to prove that point than just fighting over it...”

The moment Izzy sees him turn to the band, she knows exactly what he has in mind, smiling as the boys begin to play a jaunty, old-school tune. She gives Yasmin a knowing glance and guides her to the seat next to Nico’s, before approaching Danny to help him perform his proposed song to the rest of the club, dancing around and interacting with him throughout.

[Izzy] ♪ One can have a dream, baby ♪

[Danny] ♪ Two can make a dream so real ♪

[Izzy] ♪ One can talk about being in love ♪

[Danny] ♪ Two can see how it really feels ♪

[Izzy] ♪ One can wish upon a star ♪

[Danny] ♪ Two can make a wish come true, yeah ♪

[Izzy] ♪ One can stand alone in the dark ♪

[Danny] ♪ Two can make a light shine through ♪

[Both] ♪ It takes two, baby

It takes two, baby

To make a dream come true

It just takes two ♪

It doesn’t take long for the other Sparks to get into the upbeat mood of the song, dancing and clapping along, with Candice in particular bobbing her shoulders and giggling as she keeps glancing at Beverly. Even Yasmin see where they’re coming from, even if it’s clear by her body language that she still has some reservations about it.

[Danny] ♪ One can have a broken heart, living in misery ♪

[Izzy] ♪ Two can really ease the pain, like a perfect remedy ♪

[Izzy] ♪ One can be alone in a bar, like an island, he's all alone ♪

[Danny] ♪ Two can make just any place seems just like bein' at home ♪

[Both] ♪ It takes two, baby

It takes two, baby

Me and you, it just takes two

t takes two, baby

It takes two, baby

To make a dream come true

It just takes two ♪

As the pair vocalizes and repeats the chorus one final time to round out the song, Artie wheels in, pleasantly surprised to see club activities already in full swing. Once the song comes to a close, he joins the others in a satisfied round of applause. “And ♪ this is how you du-et! ♪” he praises them, to the tune of a certain hit song by Montell Jordan. “Well done, kids! Way to set an example!”

Izzy approaches her father for a quick hug before she and Danny take their seats. “I’m so glad to see you guys in such high spirits after what happened at homecoming weekend. That’s the kind of energy we need moving forward!” he states, rolling towards the whiteboard and adjusting it to his eye level. “Now, we still don’t have a defined Invitational setlist yet, but that song may have given me some inspiration...”

With the blue pen, he writes the word ‘DUETS’ on the whiteboard, earning the curiosity of the Sparks. “We used to hold a few Duets competitions back in the day, and I think one of these might help us get a better idea of what to perform, as well as get those competitive juices of yours flowin’. The winning duet will be part of our Invitational setlist, so y’all better bring your A-game!”

The kids are decidedly intrigued, as indicated by the array of hushed laughs and ‘ooh’s that comes from them. “Can I sing with Hugo?” Yael suggests, raising their hand.

“Not quite… Fetch me my wheel!”

Izzy gets up with a grin and heads to the side of the room, pushing in a large, multicolored roulette, filled in with the kids’ names—all except for one. “Welcome to Wheel of Musical Fortune!” he continues, earning a delightedly surprised round of applause from the kids. “Thank you. Thank you. Half of you spin, and whoever's name you land on is your duet partner. Don't try to tamper with the result, and no takebacks allowed. Care to demonstrate, Bee?”

Izzy nods, spinning the wheel and watching, with everyone else, as it gradually slows down, until it lands on… “Rajesh!”

“YES!”

Everyone is caught off-guard by the sudden ecstatic yell that comes from Rajesh, who proceeds to awkwardly back into his chair, his cheeks glowing pink. As Izzy removes his name from the wheel, a visibly annoyed Yasmin raises her hand and jolts to her feet, volunteering to be next. She takes a quick breath, crosses her fingers, and spins the wheel, watching intently as it lands on—“Cedric!”

Cedric appears unnerved by this, getting a nudge from Hugo. “Break a leg, buddy!” whispers the quarterback.

Nico is next, shaking Yasmin’s hand before having his turn. “Moira! Let’s go!” he rejoices, stepping towards her to give her a fist-bump from her seat.

Now with only five names remaining, Candice rushes out of her seat to have her turn, pumping her fists in anticipation. “Beverly, Beverly, Beverly… Danny?!”

Danny can’t help but feel kind of bad for Candice, as he watches her go back to her seat with a disappointed pout, like a spoiled little girl who got a Malibu Barbie for her birthday rather than the Sugarplum Princess Barbie she wanted. “If it makes you feel better, you’ll have other opportunities to sing with her later,” Danny points out, in an attempt to comfort her that is ultimately ignored.

Out of pity for Candice, Beverly goes next, contemplating the three names remaining. “Whoever I get, we’ll practice at my place,” she says before having her turn, piqued at the name she lands on. “Yael… That was close.”

“Which narrows down Hugo and Genesis as our final duet pairing!” Artie concludes, “Can’t wait to see what you kiddos come up with! Let’s get it!”

The kids cheer in approval, already chattering with one another about what to expect from their respective home lives, and discussing song ideas in anticipation for their first proper assignment. Thanks to the randomized pairings, they would all get the chance to know each other better, in addition to engaging in a little friendly competition along the way… Well, more friendly for some than other.

Once all the first classes of the day are out of the way, Candice, back in her usual chipper mood, skips down the halls to meet up with Danny, who has his back turned to her as he switches out his notebooks in preparation for the next class. “Hey, Danny!” she cheerfully greets him, causing him to jump back with a yelp, startled by her presence. “I can’t wait to start working on our duet! I already have so many ideas!”

Recovering from the brief jumpscare, Danny is puzzled by her words. “Wow… You were so disappointed to not be singing with Beverly back then, you got over that pretty quickly!”

“Yeah, I was bummed at first… I’m not used to doing things here without Bev, her and I are basically joined at the hip,” Candice admits, “But I put some thought into it and realized it wasn’t so bad to be paired up with a Glee Club expert!” She steps forward, eyeing him curiously. “I mean, obviously you’re a great singer and duet partner, I’m sure you’ve been taught well!”

Danny feels his blood rush to his cheeks, flattered but also a little bit unnerved. “...Thanks, I guess?” he murmurs, clutching his notebook and heading to his next class, with Candice following suit. “I’m not gonna lie, I’m not sure as to whether this duet is even gonna work, because our music tastes are so different, but I think we should be able to reach a happy medium once we get there.”

“We should practice at my place, for sure!”

“Of course you’re saying that, you’re loaded,” Danny points out, “Problem is, going to someone else’s place is always kind of difficult for me, especially after the pandemic. You never know where the other person has been. I don’t wanna get infected or come down with anything serious. And not just for myself, I don’t wanna risk giving my mom a heart attack!”

Candice smirks, leaning in towards him. “A mama’s boy, huh?” she concludes with a playful nudge, “Don’t worry, I’ve got plenty of staff! I’ll just tell them to keep everything extra clean and tidy, just for you!”

“You would... really do that?”

Candice nods ecstatically; her hands briefly move up with the intention of taking Danny’s, but now that she’s aware of Danny’s reservations when it comes to hygiene, she holds herself back and instead opts to cross her fingers, grinning sheepishly. “Why, thanks!” Danny responds, a glimmer of excitement forming in his eyes as he gives Candice a tap on the back. “I didn’t think you’d be so... collaborative!”

Candice responds with a matter-of-fact shrug. “Izzy made it clear, Glee Club is a team sport!” she reminds him, “And if there’s something I’m experienced in, it’s team sports!”

Her promise leaves Danny in the best kind of disbelief, his gaze drifting downwards to process it. “No one’s ever done that for me before…” he murmurs to himself, before turning back to Candice and patting her shoulder. “Thanks! You know, after everything Hugo said about you, I wasn’t expecting you to go the extra length like that. I’ll let my parents know when I get back home! ‘Kay, bye!”

Candice is left to watch as he continues down the hall to this next class, waiting until he’s fully out of sight to run the opposite direction until she finds Beverly at her locker. “Guess what, Bev?” she states giddily, rubbing her hands together. “I got Pillsbury Dough Boy exactly where we want him! Just think of all the skeletons in the closet we could uncover from this… Coach Wilde is gonna be so proud of us!”

“See? Just like I told you, it’s the universe giving us a nudge!” responds Beverly, “We’re gonna have their sorry hides at the palm of our hands before they even know it.”

Beverly grabs her textbooks and closes her locker door, but as she turns back to Candice, she notices a sudden change in her friend’s expression, her smile fading into a look of distress, alarming Beverly. “Even so…”

“Cands?”

“I’m gonna miss you!”

Beverly is caught off-guard by Candice thrusting herself at her for a hug, but goes along with it, patting her back as she retributes the hug. “There, there, it’s okay,” she comforts her, slowly pulling away to look at her. “I’m not joining a convent, I’m just performing a duet with somebody else. It’s not the end of the world…” She gazes into her best friend’s eyes, softly squeezing her shoulder to drive her point home. “At least save those tears for when I graduate, okay?”

“Talk about a sight for sore eyes! Hey, lesbos!”

Beverly’s eyes practically do a 180° when Terence passes by, completely shattering the mood with his unprompted wolfwhistles and catcalling. “Put a sock in it, jackass!” she yells, launching her leg towards him for a kick so intense, it throws him off his balance completely and sends him plummeting to the floor—next thing, he knows, the duo is already gone from his sight, leaving him behind to grumble and groan over how hard he’s just been rocked, still unaware that maybe, just maybe, he could be the problem here.

That night, after school, some of the Glee kids bring their respective duet partners into their homes to start working on their performances for the week. It takes some time for Hugo’s parents to understand that Yael is staying over at Beverly’s for the night, but they’re quite receptive towards Genesis, going out of their way to make her feel at home and help Hugo guide her to his bedroom. From there, she patiently sits on his bed, waiting for him to find a song that could work for both of them through a quick look-up on his phone. “Have you ever asked your parents to get you a new mattress?”

Hugo stops and turns to her with a raised eyebrow. “Sorry?”

“The springs on your mattress seem a little bit rusty,” Genesis informs him, pressing herself up against the bed a few times. “This brand of mattress is usually very soft, but this one is clearly worn from years of use, with accumulated moisture. I imagine it must be hard for you to sleep on this, most of all considering that your next door neighbors appear to have a young child who is, right now, throwing a tantrum over not getting a Stanley water bottle for their birthday.”

Hugo steps back, stunned, in particular at that last part—he had actually babysat the neighbors’ son a few times in the past. “...How are you able to tell all of that?”

Genesis just smiles and shrugs in response. “Let’s just say that when you’re born deprived of one of your senses, your brain rewires itself to give the other four a bit of a boost,” she explains, “It’s not just a superhero thing.”

Hugo takes a split-second to process the newfound information, before shaking it off and sitting next to his duet partner. “Anyway, I think I found a good song for our duet,” he tells her, “Bring Me to Life by Evanescence. You kind of look like Amy Lee anyway, and I’ve never tried rapping before but I think I can hold my own on Paul McCoy’s parts… You know that song, right?” He receives a nod from her in response. “Perfect! Got the instrumental here, let’s try it out!”

He presses play on his phone, allowing the soft piano intro of the song to kick in. Under his breath, he counts the beats in each bar, raising his voice just a little bit on the bar preceding the first verse. “...One, two, three, go!”

♪ How can you see into my eyes

Like open doors?

Leading you down into my core

Where I've become so numb… ♪

At that moment, Genesis’ voice is all that Hugo can focus on. He’s left breathless, a helpless sailor lured to the depths by the call of the siren sitting right next to him—except even she isn’t so sure of the song she’s singing right now. “Hugo… Hugo, stop!”

Hugo is brought back to reality by the snaps of her fingers, immediately pressing pause on the song. “I’m sorry, I’m afraid the internet has pretty much tainted that one for me,” Genesis admits with a sheepish smile. “Even I can’t take myself seriously singing it. All I can think of is bad Harry Potter fanfiction from the 2000s.”

“So that one’s a no-go then,” Hugo concludes, closing the song. “Shame, it sounded beautiful in your voice… In fact, I think you could sing the phonebook and it would sound good.”

Genesis giggles coyly, blushing a bit at Hugo’s compliment. “It’s to be expected when you grow up singing in your church’s choir,” she explains, “I noticed Yasmin was a little bit intimidated when she first heard me sing, but I would never try to steal her thunder. We’re not even the same kind of good, she’s more of a showtune singer anyway.”

Hugo can’t take his eyes off her, charmed by her attitude towards her own musical prowess, and her whole demeanor. After a whole year dating someone as forward and glamorous as Candice, spending time with such a composed and humble girl is definitely a change of pace. Breathing softly, he takes Genesis’ chin in his fingers and carefully turns her face to him, gazing into her eyes—even if he knows she can’t quite gaze back. “I guess that gives me all the more reason to pick the right song,” he murmurs, “If anyone deserves that Invitational solo, it’s you.”

The tenderness in Hugo’s voice provides Genesis with some comfort, a gentle smile blossoming in her face, along with the reassurance that, just maybe, their match-up might work out well after all.

Over at the Abrams household, Izzy is tuning her guitar as Rajesh sits next to her, going through a few music sheets—only for a notification of a new text message on Rajesh’s phone to cut in, making him drop what he’s doing to have a look at it. “It’s mom,” he informs Izzy, typing up his response. “She’s been worried sick about me since I left… I really should’ve gotten this out of the way earlier.”

Izzy smiles fondly as she watches Rajesh send his text back, putting his phone down once he’s sure it’s been sent. “Is she always like this, or is it just because she knows you’re spending time with a girl?” she wonders, with a hint of playfulness.

“She’s always like this!” Rajesh replies, “Ever since I can remember, it’s been just me and her. I’ve been told about my dad, but I never got around to meeting him… He ran off to Vegas before I was born.”

Izzy backs away, visibly perplexed. “Vegas??” she murmurs in disbelief, “Dang, suddenly I get why mom shipped me off to New York. Men will do anything to avoid looking after a child.”

Rajesh sighs deeply, clutching his phone against his lap. “You’re so lucky you have your father in your life,” he tells Izzy bittersweetly, “I could not be more thankful for my mom, and how much she’s bent over backwards to make sure I’m safe and have a good life, but she’s always so overworked, and it takes such a toll on her sometimes… It makes me wonder how different things might have been if dad had stuck around.”

Izzy sighs softly, setting aside her guitar as the memory of her encounter with Kitty comes flooding back. “If I’m any indication, it could always be worse,” she remarks, trying to keep herself from getting too emotionally shaken by the recollection. In her bout of contemplation, an idea suddenly dawns in her mind. “Hey, have you tried expressing that in song form? It might help clear that weight!”

Rajesh is intrigued, but somewhat hesitant. “You think so?”

“There’s only one way to find out...”

“Call it love and devotion! Call it a mom's adoration, foundation, a special bond of creation, ha!”

The Glee Club meeting of the following day sees Rajesh at the forefront, reciting the intro monologue to his and Izzy’s chosen duet song, under the watch of the other kids and Artie, all fascinated and excited—except for Beverly, who rolls her eyes as the guest string section brought in by Danny kicks in. “Brilliant, just what we needed,” she mumbles sarcastically, keeping her voice low. “If I wanted to hear a girl whining about her mommy issues, I’d stand in front of a mirror.”

[Izzy] ♪ She found her love, way too early

He left her there, with more than tears and hurt to carry

They said "Too young, what are you thinking?"

They told her "Choose", she chose to use her heart and keep him ♪

[Rajesh] ♪ Single mom, how you doin' out there?

Facing the hard life without no fear

Just so you know that you really care, 'cause ♪

[Both] ♪ Any obstacle come, you're well prepared ♪

[Rajesh] ♪ And no, mama, you never shed tears

'Cause you have to shed things year after year

And you give the youth love beyond compare

You find his school fee and the bus fare ♪

The song slows down, and Izzy turns to Rajesh and steps closer to him, caressing his face with the back of her hand, a gesture met with a chorus of amused ‘ooh’s from the other kids. Rajesh’s breath hitches, his eyes locking with Izzy’s as his cheeks darken, his heartbeat quickening at a pace that would make even Sonic the Hedgehog throw in the towel and cry in fetal position on the sidewalk.

[Izzy] ♪ Now she got a six-year-old

Trying to keep him warm

Trying to keep out the cold

When he looks in her eyes

He don't know he is safe when she says ♪

For a split-second, Izzy’s expression turns worried, and she glances over to her father, who is thankfully unbothered by her sudden hands-on approach. As the tempo slowly picks back up, she takes Rajesh’s hands and spins him into her, holding him close with his back facing his chest, so the two can sway together in the spot, a big dumb grin forming in his face as he lets Izzy rock him from side to side, before they pull apart for some improvised side-stepping and clapping, encouraging the others to sing and clap along.

[Izzy] ♪ She tells him, "Oh, love

No one's ever gonna hurt you, love

I'm gonna give you all of my love

Nobody matters like you" ♪

[Rajesh] ♪ Stay up there, stay up there ♪

[Izzy] ♪ She tells him, "Your life

Ain't gonna be nothing like my life

You're gonna grow and have a good life

I'm gonna do what I've got to do", yeah ♪

[Izzy] ♪ So, rockabye baby, rockabye, I'm gonna rock you

Rockabye baby, don't you cry, somebody's got you

Rockabye baby, rockabye, I'm gonna rock you

Rockabye baby, don't you cry, rockabye ♪

[Rajesh] ♪ Rockabye, don't bother cry

Lift up your head, lift it up to the sky, yo

Rockabye, don't bother cry

Angels surround you, just dry your eye ♪

As the string section rounds out the song, Izzy spins Rajesh under her arm again, pulling him close and dipping him, grinning as they’re met with applause and cheers from their fellow Sparks once the song has come to a close. “Excellent as always, Bee!” Artie praises, rolling over to the duo with a proud smile. “And I gotta say, Raj, you were no slouch there either! Your flow’s still a little bit clunky, but I’mma give ya the benefit of the doubt since it’s probably your first time rapping. Errybody’s gotta start somewhere!”

A pat on the arm from Artie sends a sheepish, flattered giggle out of Rajesh, as most of the others cheer him on. Izzy, however, turns her focus to Yael, who hasn’t taken their eyes off their sketchbook once since the meeting started. "You weren't paying attention to the song at all," Izzy points out, approaching them and lowering herself to their eye level. "What are you even drawing there?"

"Nothing, just your boobs."

From the corner of their eye, Yael can make out the confused stare Izzy gives them in response. "I'm trying to get your measurements for the costumes!"

As Izzy, still feeling a little awkward, returns to her seat, all eyes are on Artie as he rolls to the center of the choir room, looking around and scanning everyone. “Y’know, I couldn’t help but notice how much drip Moira and Nico are packing today,” he points out, watching as the duo, decked out in colorful urban-inspired attire, does a confident handshake. “Y’all ready to show off what you got prepared?”

No more has to be said, as the duo gets up and takes center stage once Artie is off to the side, with Moira carrying a large ‘90s-style boombox over her shoulder. “Let this go as a lesson to some of you guys,” Nico starts, briefly giving Candice a knowing look—it goes unnoticed at first, but a few snaps of his fingers get her to pay attention. “I am in no way used with singing other than Yasmin. However, the more time I spent with Moira working on our duet, the more I came to realize that we actually make a pretty good match…”

The previous night, the two had met up in Nico’s room to practice their duet, with Moira rapping over Nico’s beatboxing, before the two exchange a high-five. As Nico adjusted his silk bonnet, Moira scooted forward, leaning in with a look of curiosity. "So, um... How did you find out you were gay?"

“Are you sure you wanna know?” asked Nico, somewhat nervously, but met with an affirming nod from Moira. “Who Framed Roger Rabbit. I was 12, I had no interest in girls, and my friends were all nagging at me to watch that movie because they said it would 'change my life'. It did, but probably not in the way they expected. Jessica Rabbit did nothing for me, in fact I always thought she looked kind of creepy. Shirtless Bob Hoskins, on the other hand...”

Moira was speechless at first, taking a hot second to process that information.

And then, she clasped her hands ecstatically. "Ohh, so you're into bears!"

Nico was dumbfounded upon hearing this, turning to look Moira in the eye. "Huh, you're the first person I ever told this to that didn't judge me in the spot."

Moira smirked, gesturing towards herself. "Honey, do I look like I would judge you?"

“...after spending a whole night practicing a duet and getting to know each other better,” Moira continues, “We have decided on a song that should be enough of a crowd-pleaser to land us those Invitationals solos, one that shows off our strengths, and, let’s just say, how much we rubbed off on each other!” She turns to Nico. “Shall I do the honors?”

Nico nods affirmingly, allowing Moira to set the boombox down on Artie’s desk and press play, pumping up their peers with a bouncy, syncopated New Jack Swing beat.

[Moira] ♪ Drop top Porsche, Rollie on my wrist

Diamonds up and down my chain, ha ha!

Look at me, straight stuntin', can't tell me nothin'

Bossed up and I changed the game, you see me?

It's my Lima boogie, got all them girls shook

My big fat bass got all them boys hooked

Went from dollar bills, now we poppin' rubber bands

Nico, sang to me while I do my money dance like ♪

[Nico] ♪ Ooh, don't we look good together?

There's a reason why they watch all night long ♪

[Moira] ♪ All night long, whoo ♪

[Nico] ♪ Yeah, I know we'll turn heads forever

So tonight, I'm gonna show you off

The kids and Artie watch as Nico and Moira indulge in playful interactions throughout the song, clearly at ease in each other’s company. The performance goes down a storm in the choir room, to the point of getting Artie to do his trademark praise hand, and even Yael is smiling and bobbing their head along as they draw. However, the show of friendliness between the pair is enough to get Yasmin to clutch her stomach, feeling it churn like the broken soft-serve machine at your average U.S. McDonalds joint.

[Nico] ♪ When I walk in with you ♪

[Moira] ♪ When I walk in with you ♪

[Nico] ♪ I watch the whole room change ♪

[Moira] ♪ I watch the whole room change ♪

[Nico] ♪ Baby, that's what you do ♪

[Moira] ♪ Baby, that's what you do ♪

[Nico] ♪ No, my baby don't play

Blame it on my confidence or blame it on your measurements

Shut it all down on sight, that's right

We out here drippin' in finesse, it don't make no sense

Out here drippin' in finesse, you know it, you know

We out here drippin' in finesse, it don't make no sense

Out here drippin' in finesse, you know it, you know it ♪

With a smirk, Nico approaches Genesis and Hugo, who are sitting side by side in the front row, and shoves them together in time with the song, to the point that Hugo nearly collapses onto Genesis’ lap. Flustered and heated by the sudden move, Hugo scrambles to sit back up, adjusting his letterman jacket and covering his face so the others don’t see the blood rushing to his cheeks—it does, however, take Candice out of the fun mood brought upon by the song.

[Nico] ♪ Fellas, grab your ladies if your lady fine

Tell her she the one, she the one for life

Ladies, grab your fellas and let's do this right

If you're on one like me and mine ♪

[Moira with Nico] ♪ Yeah, we got it goin' on, got it goin' on

Don't it feel so good to be us? Ayy

Yeah, we got it goin' on, got it goin' on

You know it, you know it (Ooh!)

Yeah, we got it goin' on, got it goin' on (Girl, we got it!)

Don't it feel so good to be us? Ayy! (Baby!)

Yeah, we got it goin' on, got it goin' on (Whoo!)

You know it, you know it ♪

The song concludes with Nico crossing his arms and Moira slinging an arm over his shoulder, both beaming as they’re met with rousing applause from the other Sparks. “Hell yeah! Can’t go wrong with some Bruno!” praises Artie, wheeling forward and high-fiving the duo. “All this hip-hop and rappin’, and it ain’t even a theme week! Are you kids tryin’ to get in my good graces or what?”

The kids laugh, dismissing his claims, as the bell rings, bringing the meeting to its end for the day. Amidst the kids scattering on their way to their respective classes, Yasmin approaches Nico, grabbing him by his arm to pull him back to her. “That song you did just now…” she says in concern, looking around to make sure nobody else is hearing her. “Don’t get me wrong, it was a great song, but you and Moira, the way you were performing that… I don’t know, I’m scared that she might steal you away from me.”

Nico furrows his brows, baffled by her words. “What are you talking about?” he asks, incredulously “Moira’s not gonna steal anything, people are allowed to have more than one best friend. You’ll be fine!”

“Yeah, but seeing you so happy with someone else, after all this time… All we went through to get this thing going—”

Nico takes a deep breath, placing Yasmin’s hands in his and locking his gaze with hers. “Yasmin… I love you, I really do,” he reminds her, “But as much as I hate to admit it, Izzy made a great point back then. You act like the world revolves around you, like everyone’s supposed to lay roses at your feet as you walk by, when that’s not the case at all. I’m my own person, with my own life. You’re important to me, but so’s the rest of the Glee Club. You should probably keep that in mind… If you don’t want everybody to desert you.”

He lowers his gaze as he walks away to change back into his regular clothes, leaving Yasmin standing alone in the choir room, weighted down by the ball and chain of guilt, like a prisoner on death row.

That night, as promised, Danny comes to Candice’s penthouse to work on their duet. While he had expected the place to look fancy, given her upbringing, the reality of it far surpasses whatever he had in mind, as he’s immediately greeted by a massive painted portrait, almost as big as his entire body, of Candice with her parents, Helio and Paloma. As he steps deeper into the apartment, he’s left in awe of the sleek architecture, massive wall-to-wall windows, and artificial fireplace playing on loop on a screen off to the side—all spotless, as he comes to find out when he runs a gloved finger over one of the pillars.

“Right on time!”

Candice’s voice guides Danny to where she is, and he steps back in shock, eyes wide and face flushed when he sees her in a teeny tiny, white and red babydoll, its cleavage a little too deep for comfort. “Come on in, pretty boy, we got some ‘ets to do!” she says, turning around and giving him a wink as she guides him to her bedroom.

Within the pink, plushie-adorned confines of Candice’s bedroom, Danny puts his guitar down next to the bed and pulls a folder of music sheets out of his backpack, going through them while Candice peeks over his shoulder. “I think that Alex Warren and ROSÉ duet from a couple years ago could work for us,” Danny suggests, flipping through the pages of the folder. “It should be somewhere in the O section…”

Candice eagerly watches the flipping of the pages, music notes flying across her face as she squeezes Danny’s shoulders. “You must be pretty close to Mr. Schue to have all of these at handy,” she whispers, burying her face in his hair. “You did say he told you plenty of stories about New Directions… A little birdie told me he had an affair with a student, is that true?”

“Not really, no,” Danny answers matter-of-factly, “There were two separate instances of students crushing on him, but he never really reciprocated and...”

His train of thought is slowly derailed by the sound of Candice humming as she moves her face down to his neck. “You smell so good…”

Danny is noticeably unnerved by her sudden physical intimacy, blushing as she wraps her arms around him. “U-Um… Aren’t we supposed to focusing on the song?” he stammers, fruitlessly trying to pull away. “You’re… getting a little off-track here—Whoa!”

In his attempts to break free, Danny ends up falling sideways onto the bed, with Candice still holding onto him, causing the folder to slip off his lap and crash onto the floor. Amidst the chaos, he tries to get back up, only to be held back by her body against his, her babydoll’s hem sliding up—holy word, did she forget to put underwear on??

“Stop! Stop!” he protests, pushing her away from him. “What the hell are you doing?? Are you just using the duet as an excuse to sleep with me and get over Hugo?!”

Candice, frustrated, tosses her hair back so it doesn’t get in the way. “Of course not!” she retorts, “Hugo is yesterday’s news. If you ask me, I think I’m ready to move on…”

“Well, whatever you think you’re ready for, I’m not,” insists Danny, shoving Candice away and hopping off the bed to collect his things. “And if you’re gonna keep this up, I might as well not even bother!” Stuffing the folder back into his backpack, he slings it over his back, grabs his guitar case and storms off. “Tomorrow I’m telling Mr. Abe that I’m withdrawing from the assignment. I don’t even need that solo anyway!”

The ensuing slam of the door in Candice’s face leaves no room for her to explain herself, Danny’s footsteps barely audible in the distance, while a single music sheet lies neglected on the floor, drawing her gaze to it. Overcome with regret, she gets off the bed and picks it up, overcome with regret—and not just because her sabotage strategy had completely backfired.

“Where is it, where is it… Aha! There we go!”

At Yasmin’s place, she pulls out a music sheet from her own collection, placing it before her on her keyboard as Cedric sits next to her. “I have been itching to do a song from Ovation for a while now, and I think this one could work quite nicely for us!” she states, “It’s called Runaway Rocket, and in-universe, it’s the point in the Chicken Run musical in which Ginger convinces Rocky to teach the chickens to fly and—”

“Excuse me, I mean this in the most respectful way possible,” Cedric cuts through her infodump. “I’m not really sure if showtunes are necessarily my thing? Like, have you ever thought that it may not come as naturally to others as it does to you?”

His words suddenly bring Yasmin back to Nico’s advice from earlier, forming that pit of guilt in her stomach all over again. This time, though, she does her best to maintain her composure. “You see, when it comes to choosing a song for yourself, you have to go with the one that suits you best,” she explains, “When you spend your entire life in someone else’s shadow, you find yourself fighting to stand out no matter what.”

Her eyes travel to a framed picture on one of the shelves, and Cedric’s come along for the ride, both of them gazing at the captured memory of Yasmin as a child, embraced by a slightly older girl, with caramel brown hair and the same smile. Somehow, no further words need to be spoken for Cedric to understand. His hand wraps around hers, gently, getting her attention. “Forget about the shadow,” he murmurs tenderly, “You’re already a supernova.”

Yasmin is breathless, brought pause by Cedric’s words. Nobody’s ever said anything like that to her before, not even her parents. Only Nico had ever come close, but not to that extent. “Y-You haven’t even met her…”

“I don’t have to.”

Yasmin struggles with a proper answer, overcome with a rush of emotions she had only experienced once before—still, she clears her throat, in an attempt to prevent all of that from distracting her. “Very well…” she states, going back to their previous topic. “Since you don’t do showtunes, is there a specific genre that you’re more comfortable with?”

Cedric shrugs, leaning back and propping himself up on his elbows. “Some kind of ballad would be nice,” he suggests, “I’m usually an RnB guy, but any kind of ballad works.”

With a nod, Yasmin gets up and goes back to rummaging through her music sheet collection—and right away, one in particular catches her eye. A song that is typically guitar-led, but had been thankfully transcribed to piano by someone online whose name she’s not bothered to remember at the moment. She jolts back to the keyboard, placing the new song over her initial suggestion, and gently begins to play, drawing Cedric’s eye to her.

♪ A dangerous plan, just this time

A stranger's hand clutched in mine

I'll take this chance, so call me blind

I've been waiting all my life... ♪

The world seems to stop around them when she sings, and with each word she utters, they find more and more certainty in the song… and in the way they look at each other.

“It’s perfect.”

By Thursday, all but one pairing had performed their duets, and as the kids await Artie and his verdict, Candice she occasionally glances at Danny while he flat-out refuses to acknowledge her, sticking to his conversation with Izzy. On the other hand, Yasmin and Nico were able to work things out, sitting together as usual, though it doesn’t escape Nico that Yasmin has been looking at Cedric differently; longer, more often, with a softness in her face. Before he can dwell on that, though, all eyes turn to Artie as he enters the choir room. “Alright, y’all, I got the big news you were waiting for!”

Beverly rolls her eyes, leaning back against the wall far enough to make her chair pop. “You don’t have to say it, Mr. Abe,” she guesses in mild annoyance. “We all know you’re giving it to your daughter.”

“Actually, it ain’t that simple,” Artie affirms, wheeling forward and eyeing Beverly firmly, before turning his attention back to all the kids. “I went through all of my recordings of your duets and conducted several polls on all of the Sparks’ social media accounts, and after much deliberation, I can reveal that the winning pair is…”

The kids look on intently, most of them with bated breath and eyes wide enough to potentially plunge into Artie’s core and shake the answer out of his soul. Yasmin and Nico hold each other, bracing themselves like Dorothy in the face of the incoming tornado. Yael clutches at Hugo’s jacket, which he promptly removes halfway to pull it over them. Genesis’ grip on her walking stick stiffens, almost as if she’s trying to break it in half. Candice, noticeably downcast, leans into Beverly, well aware that it’s not gonna be her, given the circumstances.

“Cedric and Yasmin.”

The resulting euphoric shout from Yasmin shakes the room and has Rajesh clutching his heart, as she jumps off her chair and runs over to Cedric for a hug. “But for the sake of a fair shake, the second and third highest-ranking pairs will also be prominently featured,” Artie adds, “So congrats to Nico & Moira and Hugo & Genesis, you all get solos in the big group number!”

Everyone applauds as Moira gets up to give Nico a satisfied handshake, while Hugo turns to place his hand on Genesis’ lap, her own hand coming forward to wrap around his. “Now, that’s four out of five solos spoken for,” Artie adds, rolling towards Danny. “I know you’re still upset over what happened between you and Candice, so I was wondering if you’d like to have the remaining solo. I know you said you didn’t need it, but… Consider it a token of my kindness.”

“Eh, I don’t mind it,” Danny replies nonchalantly, “Anything that helps me get my mind off that.”

Now that the main issue of the week has been resolved, Izzy jumps off her seat, loudly clasping her hands. “Well, what are waiting for?” she urges everyone, yanking Nico up. “Let’s get off our butts and put in those rehearsal hours! C’mon!”

And for the rest of that week, whatever hours they have in Glee Club are spent working on the forthcoming performances: figuring out who gets what part of the group number, regularly updating the social media accounts, fitting the costumes Yael designed, and of course, practicing, practicing, practicing. Through it all, Izzy keeps an eye out to make sure everything is flowing smoothly, even as she’s swaying from the back—after all, this is their time to put their best foot forward.

Finally, Saturday arrives, bringing along a crowded house for the Sparks’ debut Invitational performance. Protected by the glass doors of her office, Principal Sylvester grimaces, keeping an arm around Robin as she watches more and more guests pouring in, including some of the Glee kids’ families. “Look at this,” Principal Sylvester murmurs in disgust, “All of those poor innocent people coming in just to watch a gaggle of mango-sucking stray dogs caterwaul their way through mediocre pop music.”

As much as she’s used to her mother’s sharp, acid comments, Robin still can’t help but look at her in disapproval. “I don’t see what the big deal is,” she remarks.

“Of course you don’t, dear. You were much too young to witness it,” answers Principal Sylvester, pressing a kiss to Robin’s forehead before heading back to her desk. “I’ve spent 15 years trying to scrub that circus from the school grounds, only to sit and watch as those disease-infested dancing monkeys come back in full swing... It’s much too shameful, I don’t hate myself enough to get out there.”

Robin’s gaze remains on the influx of guests coming in for the show, keeping in mind how much this means to them. Just because her status as the principal’s daughter gives her the privilege of avoiding ableist bullying, doesn’t mean she shouldn’t lend a hand to the kids who aren’t so lucky. “Can I do it for you?” she offers, “Just this once?”

Principal Sylvester lets out a sarcastic chuckle at this. “You really think I’m gonna let you within distance of those mouthbreathers?” she questions, putting on her reading glasses and going through her paperwork for the week. “It would be one thing for me to publicly embarrass myself by associating with them, but having you do it would not only be a mistake for me as principal, but as your mother as well. I would never forgive myself if you somehow became one of them.”

Robin sighs deeply, her gaze contemplative as it drifts down to her feet. “Can I go to the computer lab then?” she ponders, “There’s still some scheduling I have to do for next week’s student council meetings.”

“As long as you don’t take too long there, I can let it slide.”

So focused on her paperwork, Principal Sylvester fails to pay attention to Robin leaving her office and going down the halls—and completely passing by the computer lab.

Over in the choir room, all twelve kids are dressed to the nines for their forthcoming performance. The guys, as well as the more masculine-presenting Yael, are in shimmering cream dress shirts and yellow neckties over glittery gold waistcoasts, as well as yellow dress pants and shoes. The girls are in cream-colored swing dresses adorned with golden sparkles decals, mesh overskirts, and yellow sashes around their waists, topping the look with strappy golden dancer heels. The guys all have their hair pushed back with gel, while Yael and the girls wear theirs wavy and partially done up, held together by glittery gold sparkle hair clips.

Most surprisingly, Moira has put aside the colorful dye in favor of sporting her natural sandy blonde hair for the night. "These are so cute!” she gushes, twirling around in front of the mirror, as Yael approaches. “Although, don't you think the sparkles are a bit on the nose?"

"We're a débutant Glee Club,” Yael clarifies, placing a hand upon Moira’s shoulder. “We need to show what we're here for… and that includes the costuming."

“On the nose or not, these are EVERYTHING,” says Yasmin, looking closely at the glittery details in the skirt. “They have Rachel Berry written all over them and I’m absolutely here for it!”

In another corner of the room, as Danny is warming up his voice, Candice comes up to him, with her head hung low and hands behind her back—and just the sight of her is enough to completely drop what he’s doing, looking at her in suspicion. “Hey, um… I’m sorry for Tuesday night,” Candice murmurs, “I really didn’t think my actions through… Pun not intended, but I guess I came on too strong.” She smiles sheepishly, but it doesn’t do much to sway Danny. “By the way, you dropped this!”

She brings forth the music sheet he had left behind, neatly folded up into a square, causing Danny to step back in shock. “Hey, thanks!” he responds, taking the sheet and unfolding it. “I knew there was one missing! Didn’t think you’d go through the trouble of giving it back!”

Candice musters up a soft, bittersweet smile, relieved that she could do something to get his mood to turn around, but still not feeling fully alleviated of her guilt. “...Can we at least be friends? I don’t like being all awkward with you,” she suggests, raising both of her hands with her fingers tightly crossed. “I promise I’m not gonna try to cross your boundaries again!”

Danny smiles, folding up the sheet again and stuffing it in his back pocket. “Friends… I like the sound of that.”

At the April Rhodes Civic Pavilion, as Artie parks his wheelchair next to the seats of his fellow faculty members, a round of polite applause welcomes Robin onstage, as she innocently waves to the audience. “Hello, ladies and gentlemen! I’m Robin Sylvester, and I’m stepping in for my mother tonight, as she’s not feeling well,” she announces, “It is my great pleasure to introduce you to the newest incarnation of the William McKinley High School Glee Club, just reinstated after 15 years of inactivity. So without further ado, please welcome… the McKinley Sparks!”

Robin quickly bows to the audience and leaves the stage as another round of applause washes over the auditorium. A whole sanctuary’s worth of butterflies consumes Artie, but thankfully Anabiel is there to take his hand and comfort him. Outside the entrance, as the kids await their turn, Izzy adjusts a clip-on microphone to her guitar, then proceeds to do the same with Danny’s, while the others engage in whatever last-minute preparation is necessary.

Amidst all of this, Cedric and Yasmin have taken their places, awaiting their cue. Yasmin, overcome by jitters, braces her stomach, unable to bear the thought of something going wrong in her debut as a show choir singer—but as she turns to lock eyes with Cedric, he gives her an encouraging smile.

“Let’s do this, supernova.”

Properly reassured, she retributes his smile, before turning forward, with a deep, cleansing breath. The auditorium darkens, the chatter of the audience fades to silence, and Izzy and Danny begin to play, giving Cedric and Yasmin their cue to enter through the back, a spotlight shining on each of them. Just like that, Yasmin has stepped out of the shadows, paying no mind to them, just as Cedric told her to; all she can focus on is the song… and him.

[Yasmin] ♪ A dangerous plan, just this time

A stranger's hand clutched in mine

I'll take this chance, so call me blind

I've been waiting all my life ♪

[Cedric] ♪ Hold me close through the night

Don't let me go, we'll be alright

Touch my soul and hold it tight

I've been waiting all my life ♪

[Yasmin] ♪ Please don't scar this young heart ♪

[Cedric] ♪ Just take my hand ♪

The two take slow steps towards the stage, their gazes inevitably drifting to each other. Yasmin has sung duets before, but this one feels different. Even though this is Cedric’s first time singing in front of a crowd—or at least, in front of people other than the rest of the Glee Club—there’s something about his presence, the way he sings his lines, the way he effortlessly harmonizes with her, that makes every concern on the back of her mind fade away.

She’s never felt so warm before. Not even with her first boyfriend.

[Both] ♪ 'Cause I was made for loving you

Even though we may be hopeless hearts just passing through

Every bone screaming I don't know what we should do

All I know is, darling, I was made for loving you ♪

As Cedric and Yasmin reach the bridge and the stage, they run to each other, clasping hands as they gaze fixatedly into each other’s eyes. Before them, the audience launches into roaring applause as the other Sparks enter, providing backing vocals, ushered by Izzy and Danny on their guitars. Passing by the row Artie is parked in, Izzy beams to his phone camera, earning a proud thumbs-up from him. Danny, on the other hand, is noticeably antsy as he spots his mother and grandfather in the audience.

[Both] ♪ Please don't go, I've been waiting so long ♪

[Yasmin] ♪ Oh, you don't even know me at all

But I was made for loving you ♪

[Both] ♪ I was made for loving you

Even though we may be hopeless hearts just passing through

Every bone screaming I don't know what we should do

All I know is, darling, I was made for loving you ♪

The song concludes with Yasmin and Cedric stepping closer to each other, fingers overlapping as they press their foreheads against each other, no sound but that of their breaths remaining—that is, until another round of applause and cheers erupts from the audience, further reassuring them of their success that night.

The two of them proceed to take their places in the starting line-up for the group number, as Izzy and Danny put their guitars down, giving the go-ahead to Fernweh in the wings. Within seconds, it is Tristan’s guitar that takes over, kickstarting the song in full swing. As the drums kick in, Nico and Moira take center stage while the rest of the group parts like the Red Sea, launching into some side-stepping and snapping in time with the song.

[Nico] ♪ You got me wide open, wide open, now I'm yours

You found me heartbroken, heartbroken on the floor ♪

[Moira] ♪ Became my salvation, salvation through the war, yeah

You got me wide open, wide open, now I'm sure ♪

The chorus choreography is still relatively simple, with everyone remaining in one spot to prevent Genesis from accidentally tripping someone up, but in comparison to their previous “debut” performance, features more flourishes, which comes as natural progression considering they now have two Cheerios on board. With everyone onstage together, naturally a myriad of meaningful gazes are exchanged, from Izzy and Rajesh to Hugo and Genesis, especially Danny and Candice as he steps forward with Hugo for his solo.

[All] ♪ In a world like this where some back down

I-I know we're gonna make it

In a time like this where love comes 'round

I-I know we gotta take it

In a world like this where people fall apart

In a time like this when nothing comes from the heart

In a world like this ♪

[Hugo] ♪ I've got you ♪

[Danny] ♪ And now I'm free falling, free falling in your eyes

You've got me still calling, still calling, no surprise ♪

[Hugo] ♪ I never knew I could love 'til the end of time, yeah

And now I'm free falling, free falling by your side

Yeah… ♪

[Danny and Hugo harmonizing] In a world like this… ♪

Suddenly, Fernweh stops playing for an a cappella section, as the group, vocalizing, steps back into the dark. Front and center for her solo, Genesis sparkles, the single spotlight that shines down upon her reflecting on the lens of her sunglasses as well as the glittery decals of her dress—even Hugo can’t help but sneak a look.

[Genesis] ♪ You got me wide open, wide open, yeah

And now I'm free falling, free falling… ♪

throughout her section, the band slowly picks back up, building up the song little by little, until—

[Nico] ♪ Hey-yeah-yeah! ♪

[Genesis] ♪ Yeah-yeah!

In a world like, in a world like

'Cause I got you

In a world like this! ♪

Right on cue with the final chorus, golden glitter begins to rain down from the ceiling, while the audience claps and pumps their fists along, thoroughly captivated by the performance. From the back of the auditorium, even Robin finds herself enjoying the song, smiling and bobbing her head along—that is, until she realizes what she’s doing and hurries out, with no desire to get on her mother’s bad side.

[All with Genesis vocalizing] ♪ In a world like this where some back down

I-I know we're gonna make it (we're gonna make it)

In a time like this where love comes 'round

I-I know we gotta take it (in a world like this!)

In a world like this where people fall apart (they fall apart)

In a time like this when nothing comes from the heart

In a world like this ♪

[Hugo] ♪ I've got you ♪

The Sparks come together in one big group pose, arms spread open and breath heavy as they take in the roaring applause and cheers from the crowd. From her spot, Izzy can make out her father, as well as Mrs. Schuester, ecstatically beaming as they applaud with everyone else—if Artie could join in on the standing ovation that follows suit, he would’ve done so without a shadow of a doubt. There was no more question or doubt about it; the Invitational had been a resounding success.

Next stop: Sectionals.

Chapter Text

The start of a new month always comes with a new shipment of produce for the health-conscious meals at McKinley’s cafeteria.

This year, with the new president finally lifting all the tariffs that had been placed onto foreign products by you-know-who, Principal Sylvester allowed herself to get a little bold and commission imported ingredients for the mandated protein shakes—specifically, from Scotland. With an hour to go before classes start for the day, Rajesh has stepped in to volunteer in helping his mother stock the new imports. “Careful with those crates, Raj!” his mother Diyara instructs him, “Remember we cannot use an ingredient if there’s visible damage!”

“Roger that, mammī!” answers Rajesh, with a two-finger salute.

As he goes through the crates, he spots a particularly tall one, almost as tall as him. Of course, that proves to be enough to get his eyebrow raised, as he wonders just what did Principal Sylvester order that could have need such a large crate. Whatever it is, he’s most likely going to need help carrying it, as he suspects his skinny frame may not be enough to handle all of that on its own. Just to be safe, he tries it anyway—

And all of a sudden, it moves on his own. A slight shake.

Rajesh freezes, staggered at the sudden noise that comes from inside the crate. Cautiously, he steps forward and places his hand on the wooden surface, trying to sense any movement that may surface from the other side. A dry-gulp, knock on wood—

“Unh!!”

“AAAAAAAHHH!!”

Rajesh’s terrified cry immediately awakens Diyara’s motherly instinct as she rushes in, holding him close so he doesn’t fall back. “Oh, dear, what happened?” she asks in concern, fixing his hair and holding onto his arms as he turns to face her. “Here, it’s okay, you can tell me everything.”

Trembling in her arms, the boy is too stunned to speak, stammering like the skipping audio on a CD that’s been played one too many times. “T-T-T-T-There’s something… alive in there!” he shouts, on the verge of tears, pointing at the crate. “It moved, and it made a weird noise, a-and I don’t know what it could be and—Ohh!”

Rajesh wraps his arms around Diyara, digging his nails into her back, before she pulls him away to look him in the eye. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, I have no idea of what you’re talking about,” she tells him, caressing his face. “You must be seeing things because of the cold weather, do you want me to make you some hot chocolate?” He nods, and she presses a gentle kiss to his forehead. “I’ll get to work on it while you focus on unpacking the other crates, okay?”

Unfortunately, such a task is much easier said than done.

A few minutes and a fresh mug of hot chocolate later, the other Sparks freshmen have been brought in to help Rajesh investigate—and by then, the crate is already open and empty, further solidifying his claims and alarming his peers, as Yael dives into the crate to have a better look. “Whatever was in there didn’t come on an empty stomach, that’s for sure,” they point out, gathering up a few crumbs from the bottom of the crate. “So much for the mushrooms, I guess!”

Yael blows the crumbs in Danny’s direction, watching them get swatted away, before bringing out their phone and plunging it into the crate. “Say, Raj, what did that noise sound like?” Izzy questions, “Just for reference!”

Rajesh is hesitant, shuddering just from the recollection, but gives it a go either way. “It was some kind of high-pitched grunt, an ‘unh!’…” he explains, grabbing onto Izzy’s arm. “Like some kind of deranged, face-eating seal!”

“A face-eating seal... from Scotland?” Danny, befuddled, chimes in, wrapping an arm around Rajesh. “Geez, Raj, chill out! I mean, props for the creativity, that could be a great B-movie premise. But I’m afraid the stress may be already getting to you... We haven’t even started rehearsing for Sectionals yet, and you’re already hallucinating?”

Amidst the conversation, Yael gasps, nearly dropping their phone as they pull away from the crate slowly. “Actually, I think he’s got a point,” they murmur, gesturing for the others to come closer. “Look!”

The four gather at the opening of the crate, following the trajectory of Yael’s phone flashlight as it shines over a few peculiar findings: amidst the vegetable crumbs, there are a few marks upon the wood that appear to be claw marks, and even a few dark red stains, almost like… blood. Not fresh blood, of course, but blood nonetheless. It doesn’t help matters that they also find an abandoned stem of broccoli in a corner, its head sporting an ombre from the usual green to the same, ominous dark red.

The sight of it all further increases the pit of dread in Rajesh’s stomach, so much that it could practically swallow him whole. “...Should I take responsibility if that thing ends up eating Principal Sylvester’s face?” he asks, his grip on the crate turning unsteady.

Danny stiffens his lower lip as he puts some thought into it. “Honestly? It would be far from the weirdest thing that’s happened around here.”

The word of the week at Glee Club is ‘MASH-UP’.

Compared to the previous assignment, this one receives a more mixed reception from the kids. Izzy and Danny are ecstatic, most of the others are intrigued, and then there’s the likes of Beverly and Hugo who roll their eyes so hard they can practically gaze into their own brains. “I presume most of you must know what a mash-up is by now,” Artie states, “But just so we’re all in the clear, a mash-up is when you take two different things and put them together to create a brand new experience, a feast of the senses. What are the strangest, but most effective combinations you can think of?”

Nico’s hand jolts up almost instantly. “Oreos and peanut butter!”

“Sneakers and tulle skirts,” Yael chimes in.

“That time Kelis and Bill Murray were an item!” Moira adds.

Artie claps and points at them. “Damn straight! That’s the energy I wanna see you kids bring this week!” he exclaims, “Now, back in the day, Mr. Schue would have these mash-offs between boys and girls, but obviously that’s not gonna be possible now…” He gives Yael a knowing glance. “So instead, we’ll have our legacies square off and pick out their teams like one would do in gym class. That way, everyone gets a little bit of extra guidance. If you will...”

Izzy and Danny smile at each other before he takes her by the hand and they get up, stepping forward as Artie wheels off to the side. After a couple seconds of whispering between each other, they do a quick round of rock-paper-scissors that results in Danny’s paper beating Izzy’s rock to first dibs. “Alright! So, my first pick is…” Danny takes a good look at everyone, and after a split-second, makes his decision. “Let’s go with Beverly! Us redheads gotta stick together!”

Beverly nonchalantly leaves her seat and takes her place next to him. “Really, Danny? You’re not being strategic enough,” Izzy remarks, “If you wanna do well, you gotta go with a vocal powerhouse first. Yasmin, I don’t wanna argue with you anymore, so consider this my olive branch towards you!”

One by one, each of the remaining Sparks is recruited for each of the two teams. Danny picks Candice, not just to help further mend the bridges between them but also because he knows it wouldn’t be fair to split her up from Beverly again. Izzy, in turn, picks Hugo, fully aware of the awkwardness that could come from the exes being in the same team. Keeping in mind Izzy’s words, Danny picks Genesis for his team, while Izzy goes for Yael, so they can be together with their brother. Realizing the sudden gender imbalance in his team, Danny picks Nico, while Izzy retaliates by choosing Moira. Finally, at Nico’s request, Danny picks Cedric, while Rajesh, still quiet and anxious from the events of that morning, rounds out Izzy’s team.

With the teams defined, Artie rolls over to the whiteboard and writes down a few reminders. “This time I’m being a little more lenient on you kids, since we still got time,” he informs them, “Y’all are due to perform next week! Winning team gets to pick out our setlist for Sectionals, so y’all better put in the work to earn it!”

“You hear that, guys?” Beverly asks her team, “We have one chance of preventing Yasmin from hogging another setlist spot!”

Visibly offended, Yasmin steps away from the group and approaches Beverly, looking straight at her. “Oh, suddenly it’s a problem that I get to sing in a setlist?” she confronts her, “You wish you had as much performance experience as I do!”

Beverly chuckles, shaking her head with a smug smile. “Just so you know, blondie, you’re talking to a two-time Miss Tiara Toddler champion and former Cheerios captain!” she brags, going breast-to-breast with Yasmin and glaring daggers at her. “You can call me a lot of things, but jealous of you sure ain’t one of them!”

“I didn’t know it was a good thing to be washed out now!”

“Washed out?! WASHED OUT?!?”

Before the situation gets any uglier, Danny and Izzy yank the two girls back into their respective teams. “Enough, you two! Remember, no physical altercations!” Izzy points out, “This is a friendly competition, so try not to cross the line between competitive and hostile, okay?” She grabs Yasmin by the shoulders to pull her away, with Danny doing the same to Beverly. “The last thing we need right now is for this to turn into a Marvel movie.”

The other kids exchange awkward glances, forced to watch as Beverly and Yasmin allow themselves to calm down, but remain glaring fiercely at each other, the tension between them alive and kicking. Bearing witness to this, Artie silently thanks himself that the two girls ended up on separate teams; who knows what kind of hell could’ve been unleashed upon the choir room if they had to work together...

The next day, following an extensive hour of practice for their next game, the Titans eagerly hit the showers, rinsing away the sweat and grass stains. Hugo, of course, had it the roughest, so naturally he’s putting in the most effort in freshening himself—which costs him precious time, as he’s still in his stall by the time his teammates, including Cedric, have dried and redressed themselves. “Dude, hurry up!” Cedric calls out, standing by the doorway while the other football players get their move on.

“Gimme a few minutes!” Hugo is heard shouting, just barely muffled by the running water. “I’ll text you when I’m done! Just go!”

Cedric is tempted to stay, but he knows he can’t afford to miss his next class, taking no chances and bolting out of the room. If anything, he has no reason to keep pestering Hugo like that, considering they’re not even in the same class. Besides, Hugo has missed classes before and gotten away with it; he’ll be fine, at least so Cedric presumes.

Within minutes, Hugo finally leaves his stall, with his towel tightly clutched around his waist and his muscles glistening in the fluorescent white lights as he heads for his locker. Once the locker door is open, he shakes the residual water off his hair and lets the towel drop. As he looks down at himself, fully exposed, he lets out a groan of frustration. “Mental note to bring the intimate wash next time…” he mumbles under his breath.

But just as he’s about to reach for his clothes, a faint click is heard, stopping him in his tracks. He looks around, even at himself; after all, joints can click at anytime. After a few seconds with no indication of anything out of the ordinary, he shrugs it off and goes back to getting dressed. As he’s about to put on his letterman jacket—and then, another click. Definitely not a joint click, he knows this much.

“Hello?”

Silence. Only the reverberation of his voice around the locker room remains.

Hugo’s gaze darts around, as he finds himself utterly stumped, over whether there’s someone else actually there or he’s just hearing things. Jacket back on, he proceeds to pace around the locker room, peeking between each locker for any sign of another person, so he can be sure he’s not going crazy. Still, no hide nor hair of anyone else. Somehow, he feels as if this isn’t enough, tempted to stick around and leave no stone unturned—but the ringing of the bell brings him back to reality, launching him like a speeding bullet out of the locker room.

Whatever’s going on in there, it can’t be more important than his grades.

Math, geography, social studies… Hugo does his best to pay more attention to each of his classes throughout the day. Sure, he’s never gonna reach Beverly levels of top of the class, but he’s giving it his best go—even with the strange happening in the locker room still tugging at his mind, in a way not too dissimilar to how, when he and Yael were still kids, Yael would tug at his pants leg to show him a drawing they had just made. He knows, for sure, that he has to tell Anabiel about it, lest it takes his focus away from school and Glee Club completely.

Soon, lunch break arrives, and he meets up with Cedric as the two head to the courtyard together, catching up about recent events. “So you think Noah Puckerman could be haunting you?” Cedric asks in disbelief, “Why would he even do that?”

“You know how I got carried away and sent those guys from the rival team to the ER at the homecoming game?” Hugo reminds him, “Puckerman’s been to juvie once! I’m pretty sure he’s sending signs from the afterlife telling me to watch my back so I don’t end up like him!” He shudders a little. “Halloween is approaching too, so it wouldn’t be out of the question for the school to be...”

His train of thought slowly derails as he catches sight of a few students staring and even laughing at him. “Before you ask anything,” Cedric suggests warily, “You should really check the Muckraker.”

Bemused, Hugo reaches for his phone, opening the app—and his eyes widen in shock at the headline that comes up, right above what’s clearly a low-res photograph of him, butt naked, in the locker room, hours earlier.

SAY CHEESE: Titans Quarterback Slacking with Personal Hygiene

Could this be the REAL reason Candice called it quits?!

Hugo’s blood boils, his suspicions of being spied on confirmed in a way far worse than he could have ever imagined. “What the HELL?!?” he roars, waving his phone around and getting the attention of all the students passing by around him. “What kind of sick joke is this?? Who’s responsible for this?! SHOW YOURSELF!” He loudly stomps his foot, scaring away a few of the students. “RIGHT NOW!”

“Och, I see my grand entrance has been well-received!”

Cedric and Hugo both turn around to find a diminute girl, with ginger hair in braids and dressed like a schoolgirl in white and blue tartan, beaming as she approaches them. “I’m afraid we haven’t been properly acquainted yet!” she states, pinching the sides of her skirt and doing a curtsy. “Bonnie O’Clyde! Freshman transfer student and newest recruit of the Muckraker, at your service! I reckon you lads must be wondering why I talk so pretty... That’s because I’m Scottish, and everybody else isn’t!”

The boys watch as Bonnie daintily rests her chin on her hands and bats her lashes at them, which doesn’t do much to sway Hugo’s frustration. “Oh, right, Raj was going on about finding a living creature in the crates that arrived from Scotland yesterday…” Cedric recalls, “We should probably let him know it’s not as dangerous as the face-eating seal he thought it would be!”

“Not as dangerous?!” Hugo inquires, “She violated my privacy! That’s arguably ten times worse!”

“Keep the heid! I was looking for a quality story to make a striking first impression!” says Bonnie, unfazed by Hugo’s complaints. “It’s always the big sensationalist stories that get the most lugs pinned back! And what better subject than the popular quarterback who just went through a high-profile break-up?”

Cedric places his hands on the still fuming Hugo’s shoulder, as to keep him from further lashing out at the new arrival. “But why did you show up in a crate?” he wonders, “Couldn’t your parents afford a flight here?”

Bonnie’s smile slowly fades, her head hung low as she answers with a bittersweet nod. “I got a free scholarship from Principal Sylvester and was supposed to flit over the summer, but my family’s flight to America was cancelled and it was much too close to the start of the school year to book another one,” she explains, “I got too impatient and snuck aboard a cargo ship to save them the pennies they could’ve used up for that.”

“And you think that’s gonna make us feel any sympathy for you?!”

Hugo’s words, combined with the fiery glare that he’s giving her, appear to intimidate Bonnie, as she steps back, waving her hands at the boys. “Dinnae shoot the messenger!” she warns them, moreso Hugo. “Go talk to the head editor if you’d like to mon then! I’m just doing my bizzo. Haste ye well!”

Bonnie giggles and skips away, with her own phone in hand, paying no mind to Hugo’s annoyance. Thinking it over, even Cedric can agree that was not the best first impression from such an odd individual. “She’s probably not even Scottish!” Hugo rants, grumbling as the two pick back up on their way to the courtyard. “I’m willing to bet she’s from, like, Auckland or something...”

It soon turns out the whole debacle has left Hugo too stressed to eat, and Artie, catching wind of the whole story, knows he has to come to the boys’ aid, parking his chair next to their table as he listens to their venting. “You see how it is, Mr. Abe?” Cedric states, “Being popular can really suck sometimes. You have all these expectations placed upon you, all the pressure to get into a good school and be an example, all these eyes waiting for you to mess up…”

“One wrong move and your schlong is all people can talk about,” Hugo cuts in.

Artie pushes his chair forward, just a little bit, and places his hands clasped on the table. “First of all, press ain’t people so jot that down,” he tells them, “Most importantly, what do you do when you mess up? You hold your head high and prove everybody wrong. Put yourself out there and impress them enough that the embarrassment they made you go through will be nothing but a distant memory.”

He smirks, handing the boys each a pair of sunglasses, and putting on a similar pair himself. “Take that funk you’re in… and mash it up with your pop.”

The boys exchange a glance, taking in Artie’s words, before smiling and putting on the sunglasses—and all of a sudden, they feel like they’re cool again. They clap along with Artie, as he sings rhythmic ‘doh’s and Hugo climbs up on the table, arms high in the air, getting the attention of everyone in the courtyard, most of all as he hollers and pumps his fist up.

[Hugo] ♪ Sick and tired of hearin'

All these people talk about

"What's the deal with this pop life,

And when is it gonna fade out?" ♪

[Cedric] ♪ The thing you got to realize

What we're doin' is not a trend

We got the gift of melody

Gotta kiss myself, I'm so pretty ♪

[Hugo with Cedric and Artie] ♪ I'm too hot (Hot damn!)

Call the police and the fireman

I'm too hot (Hot damn!)

Make a dragon wanna retire, man ♪

[Cedric with Hugo and Artie] ♪ I'm too hot (Hot damn!)

Say my name, you know who I am

I'm too hot (Hot damn!)

And my band 'bout that money, come on now ♪

Artie leads the way as the two boys strut down the hallways, interacting with passerby students, and doing the occasional boy band spin, and as they approach the chorus, the Cheerios girls, including Beverly and Candice, emerge to provide back-up for them, writhing and grinding around the boys and helping them put on a show for everyone to see, including Bonnie and the rest of the Muckraker staff.

[All] ♪ It doesn't matter ♪

[Artie] ♪ 'Bout the car I drive

Or the ice around my neck ♪

[All] ♪ All that matters ♪

[Artie] ♪ Is that you recognize

'Cause uptown funk gon' give it to you

'Cause uptown funk gon' give it to you

'Cause uptown funk gon' give it to you

Saturday night and we in the spot

Don't believe me, just watch, come on! ♪

[All] ♪ Do you ever wonder why this music gets you high?

It takes you on a ride ♪

[Artie with Cedric and Hugo] ♪ Don't believe me, just watch ♪

[All with Cedric on ad-lib] ♪ This must be (Ooh!) ♪

[Artie] Don't believe me, just watch

Don't believe me, just watch

Don't believe me, just watch

Hey, hey, hey, ohh! ♪

In their crusade of untouchable braggadocio, Cedric and Hugo reach the bleachers, panting and resting on the banners as Artie, now wearing his own letterman jacket, catches up. "Man, I'm tired of singin'," murmurs Hugo, wiping some sweat off his brow and crouching down to Artie’s level.

Artie responds by calmly waving a hand in front of Hugo, signaling for him to not get too worried about that. "Lemme tell y'all a lil' something..."

[Artie with Cedric and Hugo] ♪ C’mon, dance, jump on it

If you sexy, then flaunt it (Dirty pop)

If you freaky, then own it

(Do you ever wonder, wonder, wonder, won—)

Don't brag about it, come show me, come on

Dance, jump on it

If you sexy, then flaunt it

Well, it's Saturday night and we in the spot

Don't believe me, just watch, come on! ♪

The whole spectacle reaches fever pitch at the football field itself, with Cedric and Hugo front and center, dancing to assert their dominance backed by the Cheerios and even the marching band. Hugo in particular, smirks when Candice gets all up on him, a glimmer of hope for a reconciliation still alive in his heart. It’s big, it’s loud, it’s flashy, and somehow, it allows for two different sentiments to converge smoothly.

[All with Artie on ad-libs] ♪ Do you ever wonder why (Do you ever wonder)

This music gets you high? (Say whaaat?)

It takes you on a ride

Feel it when your body starts to rock (body starts to rock)

Baby, you can't stop (Say whaaat?)

And the music's all you got ♪

[All with Cedric on ad-libs] ♪ This must be (Oh, oh, oh) ♪

[All with Artie on ad-libs] ♪ Uptown funk you up (Whoo, c'mon!)

Uptown funk you up (Say whaaat?)

Uptown funk you up (Hey)

Uptown funk you up (Come on!)

Uptown funk you up (Aah-ahh!)

Uptown funk you up (Say whaaat?) ♪

[Cedric and Hugo] ♪ And the music's all you got (Baby, c'mon) ♪

[All] ♪ (This must be) Pop!

(P-p-p-p-p-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-p-p-p)

Aaaaaaah… Ow! ♪

And pop goes the bubble of Hugo’s imagination, as it turns out he, Cedric and Artie never left the courtyard to begin with, the other two staring at him as if he had just started speaking in tongues. Once it dawns on him that his boastful trek through the school had been nothing more than a daydream, he leans forward, grabbing Artie by the hands. “Mr. Abe! I just came up with the BEST mash-up idea!” he exclaims eagerly, “I don’t wanna jinx it, but I think it could be a winner!”

Artie shrugs, backing away from the table. “You might wanna ask the rest of your team about that,” he replies matter-of-factly, wheeling away and leaving the two jocks to their own advances.

Later that week, Danny’s mash-off team, which he had lovingly dubbed “Team Ginger”, has gathered at Cedric’s place to brainstorm their mash-up—and of course, Danny had to bring his music sheet folder. “We got plenty of options to choose from, right here,” he says, flipping through the pages. “Old and new songs alike, so certain people don’t accuse me of having the music taste of someone’s grandparent.”

Somehow, everyone in that room knows who Danny’s referring to when he says that. “Okay, so… I think we should go for a legendary artist, to really increase our chances of winning,” Nico suggests, “Maybe some Mariah could do the trick? Could be a good way to showcase Gen’s vocals!”

Genesis can’t help but blush a little at Nico’s words. “Good shout there!” answers Danny, “What I have in mind is that maybe Cedric and I could take the lead, but I think we could find a way to weasel in Gen somewhere. In that case, one of the songs should be one performed by a female artist, with big belty vocals… Let me see if I can find it somewhere...”

As Danny skims through his sheets, a preteen girl with hair in protective braids barges in, immediately catching Cedric’s eye. “Can you guys pipe down?” she asks, visibly annoyed. “I’m trying to play Dress to Impress here!”

“Leslie!” Cedric leaps off the bed and approaches her, lowering himself to her eye level. “Do you mind? We’re… kind of trying to brainstorm here.”

Leslie scrunches up her face, folding her arms. “Why would that be so important?”

“It’s an assignment for Glee Club!”

Leslie takes a split-second to process this—and then, smiles incredulously, doing her best not to laugh. “I didn’t even know McKinley had one,” she remarks, “That explains why you started singing in the shower all of a sudden!” She watches with a smarmy grin as hushed giggles erupt behind Cedric, prompting him to turn around and shush them. “By the way, you might wanna check on that other cheerleader friend of yours. She’s been on the toilet for a while now. Might wanna do something about that constipation.”

As Leslie walks off, a puzzled Cedric furrows his brows, before turning back to the others, noticing the sudden concern in their faces. He promptly dashes to the bathroom, the sound of coughing becomes all the more evident as he approaches the doorway—and indeed, he just so happens upon Beverly hunched over the toilet, loudly hacking and coughing as far as her lungs can muster.

“BEVERLY!”

Cedric rushes over to her, yanking her away from the bowl and taking a look inside to make sure she didn’t actually puke in there. “Why did you do that?!” she yells, visibly short of breath. “Can’t you see I’m trying to get rid of the excess calories here?!?”

“...Calories?”

Once she’s fully regained her breath, Beverly pushes her hair out of the way. “I’m trying to climb back to the top of the pyramid... by any means possible,” she clarifies somberly, “Kermit’s not gonna get away with his thievery. If losing weight’s what it takes for me to reclaim the position I worked so hard for, so be it.”

Cedric looks on, horrified, as Beverly rests her arms on the toilet bowl, contemplating the water inside. “You… don’t have to do that, you know?”

Beverly’s head moves up, his words striking a chord in her. She turns to him, and he smiles, pulling her closer. “You’re already in great shape,” he comforts her, one hand gently caressing her back. “Puking away all the nutrients you put in your body is only going to harm you in the long run. Take it from me, I used to have all sorts of hang-ups with my body back in middle school. I was severely underweight, I would pass out all the time… But just before senior year, I managed to turn it around and land the football team.”

“So there’s nothing wrong with me?”

Cedric shakes his head, driving home his point. “I honestly don’t get why Principal Sylvester is so up in arms about how much the students weight. Healthy looks different for everyone,” he reassures her, “Candice told me you did some weightlifting over the summer, and let me just say, it looks good on you! We could totally go for a workout sesh together sometime!”

Safe to say, he proves to be successful in lifting Beverly’s spirits, judging by the flattered chuckle that comes from her. Gazing softly at her, he takes by the hand and they leave the bathroom together, to carry on preparations for the Team Ginger mash-up—and as it turns out, that little heart-to-heart between them may have provided them, and their teammates with some much-needed inspiration...

Tuesday comes in like a lion, as Team Ginger are now fully prepared to perform their assignment. Under the watch of Artie and the other team, the six take their place at the center of the choir room, in pastel pink tops and dark blue jean bottoms, all diversely tailored to their personal styles. At Cedric’s request, Beverly had been given the opening lines, and as she sings, the two of them exchange a glance, with Cedric giving her an encouraging thumbs-up.

[Beverly] ♪ Standing in a crowded room, and I can't see your face

Put your arms around me, tell me everything's okay ♪

[Danny] ♪ This life don't last forever, so tell me what we're waitin' for?

We're better off bein' together than being miserable alone ♪

[Cedric] ♪ 'Cause I've been there before and you've been there before

But together, we can be alright

'Cause when it gets dark and when it gets cold

We hold each other 'til we see the sunlight ♪

Upon reaching the chorus, the boys step forward, reaching their hands out to their peers, with Nico and especially Cedric fully focused on Yasmin. Halfway through, they turn their backs to them so the girls can take over, placing their hands on the guys’ shoulders—Genesis with Cedric, Candice with Nico, and Beverly with Danny—as they all do some side-shuffling.

[Team Ginger Boys] ♪ So if you just hold my hand

Baby, I promise that I'll do all I can

Things will go better if you just hold my hand

Nothing can come between us if you just

Hold, hold my ♪

[Genesis] ♪ 'Cause I don't wanna walk alone

[Team Ginger Girls] ♪ I'm ready for this, there's no denying

I'm ready for this, you stop me falling

I'm ready for this, I need you all in

I'm ready for this, so darling, hold my hand ♪

The song slows down when the bridge kicks in, leaving Genesis and Cedric isolated in the center of the choir room while the other four croon in the back around them. It’s during this part that Yael, from the corner of their eye, notices that Hugo had been watching Genesis throughout the whole song, smiling slyly as a mild suspicion begins to form in their head, albeit one that they ought to take with a grain of salt for now, especially as they watch Cedric sweep Genesis off her feet while the others step forward, clapping and side-shuffling along.

[Genesis] ♪ Don't wanna know

That feeling when I'm all alone

So please don't make me wait, 'cause I don't wanna break

No, I don't wanna fall

When you're next to me ♪

[Cedric] ♪ I can tell that you're tired of being lonely

Take my hand, don't let go, baby, hold me

Come to me and let me be your one and only

'Cause I can make it alright 'til the morning

I can tell that you're tired of being lonely

Take my hand, don't let go, baby, hold me

Come to me and let me be your one and only ♪

[Genesis] ♪ Darling, hold my hand ♪

Cedric does exactly that, spinning Genesis under his arms before wrapping his arms around her, while everyone else joins in, arms raised as they clap their hands and encourage the others to do the same. The whole performance has helped create a feel-good atmosphere in the choir room, with Artie looking on in approval as he films the whole thing on his phone—he’s definitely going to need the footage for later in the week.

[Team Ginger Boys] ♪ Hold my hand

Baby, I promise that I'll do all I can

Things will go better if you just hold my hand

Nothing can come between us if you just

Hold, hold my, hold my ♪

[Genesis] ♪ 'Cause I don't wanna walk alone ♪

[Team Ginger Girls] ♪ I'm ready for this, there's no denying

I'm ready for this, you stop me falling

I'm ready for this, I need you all in

I'm ready for this, so darling, won't you hold my hand? ♪

[Cedric] ♪ Hold my hand ♪

With Genesis firmly back on the ground, the six line up and hold hands as they finish their song, taking their bow towards their applauding cohorts. “Way to go, kids!” Artie praises them, wheeling forward to high-five each of them. “That’s how you do a mash-up! If I didn’t know any better, I wouldn’t have suspected it was a mash-up at all!”

Beverly chuckles, glancing at the other six kids sat before them. “Try beating that, Team Specs!” she taunts, sticking out her tongue and pulling at her eyelid mischievously.

“I wouldn’t get so cocky if I were you!” answers Hugo, sticking out his tongue right back before whispering something to Yasmin. As the two of them snicker with each other, the remaining four members of Team Specs exchange worried glances, wondering to one another how they’re going to best Team Ginger while still keeping the peace—after all, if they win, they know for a fact that Beverly will be the first to cry nepotism.

To avoid said cries, Team Specs takes their brainstorming to Rajesh’s house, where Izzy has set up her own portable whiteboard, etched with scattered mash-up concepts in blue ink. “Okay, if we want to beat Team Ginger, we gotta come up with something big,” Izzy says firmly to her teammates, placing the whiteboard marker behind her ear. “Since they went the whole Kumbayah ‘hold my hand’ route, which is kind of surprising considering they have the two Cheerios on their side, I say we go for something a little bit edgier, more assertive, to really make an impression… Any ideas?”

Hugo’s hand comes up before she’s even finished speaking. “I still think my Bruno and *NSYNC concept has potential!”

“It would if they hadn’t called dibs on Michael,” Izzy remarks, “We can’t pick anything that sounds too similar to what they did, y’know? No R&B, so it doesn’t look like we’re sucking up to what dad likes…”

Rajesh briefly glances at the others in concern, before raising his hand. “Aren’t you overthinking this a little bit?” he wonders, earning quizzical looks from the others, including Izzy. “Like, who cares if we do R&B? I know the Cheerios can be competitive, if not downright... cutthroat,” He winces a little, before continuing, “But as long as we can make the songs work together, we should be fine, right?”

Yael places a hand on Rajesh’s shoulder, turning his attention to them. “It’s not just the songs, Raj,” they remind her, “It’s staging, costumes, choreography. Everything has to be cohesive. We’re giving Mr. Abe a glimpse of what we can provide for Sectionals. It’s go big or go home time.”

“See? Yael gets it!” Izzy responds, “The problem is how we’re supposed to go big…”

“Bestie, big ain’t a problem here! All of us together got personality for days, and of course, we got Yasmin’s pipes to back us up!” Moira boasts, playfully nudging Yasmin. “We may not have the budget to pull off something big, but we should be able to make up for it on charm alone.”

As Izzy processes Moira’s words, her expression changes, as if she has just sown a seed in her head. “Charm... Charm—Hold up!”

She turns around sharply, her hand flying to the whiteboard’s eraser as all of her annotations are completely cleared, leaving behind its standard blank canvas. Amidst the sudden burst of inspiration, her glasses sag a little, so naturally she pushes the bridge up to fully focus. The others watch, perplexed, as she writes down, in vibrant blue ink, ‘MAGIC’, turning back towards them with an ear-to-ear grin, practically jittering in her shoes. “I think we may have our golden ticket!”

The pitch definitely has promise, judging by the fascinated glances and whispers the other five kids exchange, as Izzy plops herself down next to them and they huddle together to share ideas. “Maybe we could dress up like students at a magic school?” Yael chimes in, pulling out their sketchbook. “Not like Harry Potter, obviously, what I have in mind is more along the lines of The Owl House.”

“Isn’t that the guy who sings about fireflies?” asks Rajesh, peeking over Hugo’s shoulder.

“No, Raj,” says Yasmin with absolute certainty, “That’s Ivo Mozart.”

They watch intently as Yael sketches out their first idea for the costumes, drawing a capelet and tunic over a blank human outline. “So what do you have in mind?” Hugo asks Izzy, briefly glancing at her before going back to their sibling’s work. “Should we take a risk and go for an Eminem and Dua combo?”

Izzy just gives him an eager grin. “Actually, what I have in mind is a little bit more… Straightforward.”

Thursday’s Glee Club meeting begins with Artie rolling into a half-full choir room, as Danny and the rest of Team Ginger is scattered around, wondering to one another where the other Sparks could be. “Mr. Abe!” Nico calls out, running over to Artie and looking down at him in concern. “Do you know where Izzy and her team are? So far, no hair nor hide of them… I’m starting to get worried that something might’ve happened.”

Artie waves a hand in front of Nico to calm him down. “Easy, kiddo,” he states, “Give ‘em the time they need. She did tell me they had a surprise planned for today.”

From the back, Candice stifles a giggle. "Bless their hearts, they must be so proud of whatever stunt they're pulling," she states, with a hint of condescending pity. "I mean, we absolutely nailed our mash-up! How deluded do they have to be to think they're topping that?"

Just then, the entire choir room goes dark, catching everyone off-guard. Candice squeals, holding onto Beverly for dear life, while Nico crouches down, bracing himself. Genesis, used to the dark, doesn't notice it until she hears the whispers and yelps coming from everyone else. "Guys, please don't panic!" urges Danny, "Whatever this is about, we have to stay calm!"

When the lights spring back to life, Izzy has suddenly manifested amidst the empty chairs, grinning mischievously at the Cheerio duo, which gets another frightened squeal out of Candice. She laughs in amusement and joins the rest of her team as they run in, all six kids dressed in similar capelets and tunics made from sparkly indigo fabric, with black slacks underneath and topped with Madonna-style headset mics. "What kind of sick prank is this?!" shouts Beverly, still noticeably rattled.

"This ain't no prank, babes! We were just testing out a spell here!" answers Yasmin with a cheeky wink, as Hugo heads over to the Fernweh boys with the needed instructions. Right away, an upbeat mixture of hip-hop and rock takes over the choir room, with Team Specs launching into simple, but energetic choreography as Team Ginger, by now fully recovered from the blackout scare, gathers to take their seats before them.

[Yasmin] ♪ I got the magic in me

Every time I touch that track, it turns into gold ♪

[Yasmin and Yael] ♪ Everybody knows

I've got the magic in me ♪

[Yael] ♪ When I hit the floor, the girls come snappin' at me

Now everybody wants a blast of ♪

[Rajesh] ♪ Every little thing she does is magic

Everything she does just turns me on

Even though my life before was tragic

Now I know my love for her goes on ♪

[Izzy] ♪ I got the magic in me ♪

Despite the occasional competitiveness and animosity throughout the last two weeks, the members of Team Ginger slowly find themselves getting into the song, dancing in their seats and bobbing their shoulders along; the one obvious exception is Beverly, who shakes her head and occasionally whispers dismissively to Candice. On the other side of the spectrum, Genesis can’t shake away the feeling that both Hugo and Moira seem to be addressing her.

[Hugo] ♪ Though I've tried before to tell her

Of the feelings I have for her in my heart ♪

[Moira] ♪ I'll need a volunteer, how 'bout you, with the eyes?

Come on down to the front and stand right here and don't be shy ♪

[Hugo] ♪ Every time that I come near her

I just lose my nerve, as I've done from the start ♪

[Moira] ♪ Even David Blaine had to go and take some classes and

I see Mindfreak like "What's up, sis, what's happenin'?" ♪

[Rajesh] ♪ I resolved to call her up a thousand times a day

And ask her if she'll marry me in some old-fashioned way

But my silent fears have gripped me long before I reach the phone

Long before my tongue has tripped me ♪

[Rajesh and Hugo harmonizing] ♪ Must I always be alone? ♪

As the group reaches the final chorus, Izzy and Yael reach into their back pockets to throw gold and silver glitter at their audience; Nico and Candice clap in delight, but Danny does his best to keep his distance so the glitter doesn’t take an eternity to scrub off. The group is clearly having a blast performing the mash-up, as Hugo wraps an arm around his sibling while Moira bounces off the walls and Izzy and Yasmin do a little shimmy together.

[All with Yasmin on ad-libs] ♪ I got the magic in me (I got the magic, baby)

Every time I touch that track, it turns into gold (Yes, it turns to gold)

Everybody knows I've got the magic in me (I got the magic, baby)

When I hit the floor, the girls come snappin' at me (They be snappin', baby)

Now everybody wants a blast of ♪

[All with Hugo on ad-libs] ♪ Magic, magic, magic (Every little thing she does)

Magic, magic, magic (Every little thing she does)

Magic, magic, magic (Every little thing she does)

A-oooooooh, I got the magic in me ♪

The six finish their performance with a group pose: Hugo dips Izzy, Yael is hoisted up on Moira’s shoulders, and Rajesh pulls a flower out from under his capelet, handing it to a blushing Genesis—and the round of applause from most of their peers is inevitable. “Well! I don’t know if Cedar Point’s looking for a new live show for kids, but you guys seem to be up to the challenge!” teases Beverly, clapping sarcastically.

“Beverly, have you ever tried not being mean to your fellow Glee Club members for, like, two seconds?” asks Danny, visibly bothered. “It’s good for your health, you know.”

Paying no mind to what Beverly has to say, Artie rolls over to Team Specs to congratulate them, hugging Izzy and giving the other an assortment of handshakes and high-fives. “You guys really outdid yourselves! And I see Moira’s really taken to rapping…” he remarks, getting a flustered chuckle out of her. “Alright, now that both teams have performed their mash-ups, I’ll evaluate both of them with my esteemed panel of judges, and our social media followers, to crown our winners!”

As Artie rolls out of the choir room, he leaves Team Specs to congratulate one another on a job well-done—although Rajesh looks kind of baffled. “We had judges?”

Indeed, while the kids were busy planning their mash-ups, Artie had requested Anabiel, Casey and Sam to help him come to an unbiased verdict. The four of them gather in Artie’s office, as he shows them the recordings of both performances that he took on his phone. “I’mma be honest, I don’t know where to take this,” Artie confesses, “I mean, Izzy’s team had the better presentation, but I don’t want any of the other kids to just think I’m handing them the win because of her. And of course, Danny’s team did Michael…”

“His was actually my favorite of the two,” says Anabiel, raising her hand. “The more emotionally-driven approach really helped showcase their chemistry, and I quite like how they were dressed in matching outfits that still reflected their personalities.”

Sam raises an eyebrow. “You think so?” he wonders, “Because for me it just kind of went… in one ear, out the other. Izzy’s team had more going on, like, it was way more memorable...” He gets up from his seat, watched by his peers as he gestures wildly. “It’s called show choir for a reason, it needs the element of performance! Like, BAM! WHAM! Thank you, ma’am!”

His exaggerated emphasis on his point startles his fellow faculty members, most of all Casey—and it doesn’t help that all eyes turn to him next, awaiting his verdict. “First of all, let me make it abundantly clear that I have zero experience with performing arts,” he affirms sheepishly, “I got a few dance lessons for Pai Zhua training purposes, and I did get to see my mom’s show on Broadway once, but other than that… Zilch.”

“That’s exactly why we need your opinion,” Artie responds, “The outsider’s perspective is just as important. It’s basically a reflection of the people who come to see the competitions without previous knowledge.”

Anabiel gives Casey an encouraging arm squeeze, easing him in to not feel so pressured to make his decision. Whether Artie has to take the result to the online polls or not, Casey’s verdict could be just as crucial in shaping the outcome of the Sparks in their first official competition—and even without experience or direct involvement in the Glee Club’s activities, he knows those kids matter just as much to Artie as his own apprentices matter to him. In that still moment, he takes a deep breath, taking advantage of that still moment to let his opinion take shape.

“If you guys really wanna know...”

The following day, the Sparks watch with bated breath as Artie, at the center of the choir room, prepares to announce the results of the mash-off. “Let me tell you, kids, this was far from easy,” he points out, “I kept track of the polls all night, and the results were flip-flopping nonstop. It was like last year’s election all over again. But I gots the results of the mash-off right here, and I know they ain’t gonna please everyone, so please take them lightly. Without further ado, the winning team is...”

With a gesture of Artie’s hand, Clay-Cliff provides them with a drumroll, intensifying the suspense. By now, the kids are no longer split into teams, but rather, bunched up together as an unit: Beverly and Candice brace each other, as do Yasmin and Nico, and Genesis’ hand slithers towards Hugo’s. For a split second, the air in the room gets so intense you could cut through it with a knife and serve it alongside freshly-sliced bologna and a side of grapes on a charcuterie board.

“...Team Specs!”

In come the rousing cheers from the kids who were part of that team, even if Izzy is a little bit wary of this result, glancing at an already displeased Beverly, throwing her head back in frustration, all while Yasmin and Nico practically leap off their seats. “Dang, y’all are acting like you won Sectionals already!” Artie remarks in amusement, “Easy there, we still gots two months until that, so let’s take our time with that setlist, okay?”

Just in time, the bell rings, drawing the meeting to a close. Amidst everyone leaving the choir room, Cedric finds Yasmin, sitting next to her as she sorts out her bookbag. “Hey, um… Congrats on the win,” he praises her, “You did really well with your mash-up. Don’t tell Beverly, but I actually thought you deserved it way more than us.”

Yasmin stops abruptly, turning to him with furrowed brows. “What’s with you and Beverly these days?” she inquires, “I noticed that look you gave her when your team performed. Have you two been mashing up other things or…”

“No, we’re just friends,” says Cedric, laughing coyly. “At least, I think we’re friends. Why are you asking that?”

Yasmin tenses, her blood flow visibly accelerating. Since their duet, she had been thinking of him differently, and she’s well aware that he spent more time looking at her than he did at Beverly… Except she doesn’t want to come across as desperate, and she’s been burnt before—if she dares cross that bridge again, it’ll be too soon. “N-Nothing in particular. Now, if you excuse me...”

Averting her gaze, she straps on her bookbag and heads out of the choir room—but just before she leaves, Cedric leaps back to his feet to run after her, grabbing her by the hand and stopping her in her tracks. His thick fingers gently wrapping around hers send a jolt of adrenaline coursing through her body, leaving her no choice but to lock her eyes with his again. “I’m sorry if this is kind of sudden, but…” he murmurs, his cheeks growing just as rosy as hers right now. “Would you… like to go to Rinky Dinks this Sunday? Just the two of us. I just… really like spending time with you, y’know?”

Yasmin stands there, wind knocked out of her. Cedric is a jock, far less of a social pariah than her; he could have any girl he would want, and yet, here he is, asking her out. She’s not sure if she can believe a guy like him could be interested in her, let alone whether he could stick the landing. But his tender gaze and tone indicate he truly means what he says—and she can’t see him having enough acting experience to fake it. Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to give it a go.

“...I don’t see why not.”

“Perfect! I-I’ll see you then!”

Yasmin nods softly, letting her fingers slip out of Cedric’s grasp and leaving him to step forward and watch her leave. He sighs deeply, a dopey grin adorning his face as he leans against the doorway, reeling from his sudden, impulsive action. While he had taken her hand before, this time, it’s as if something had shifted between them. The touch of her skin, perfectly moisturized and coated in that flowery-gourmandy smell he’s become so used to by now, still lingers on his hand, and his mind wanders for a good few seconds, before he comes back down from his daze, clutching the strap of his backpack and walking off in the opposite direction—only to bump into someone. “Oh! Sorry, I hope I’m not in the way!”

“Nae bother, big yin!”

Cedric freezes instantly, horrified at the realization of just who he happened to bump into.

“Oh, dear God, no.”

Before Cedric can even take action to stop Bonnie, the story of his intimate moment with Yasmin has already landed the Muckraker's front page and spread throughout the school like mono, to the point that even the Cheerios are gossiping about it during practice. “Who does that butter blonde think she is?!” grumbles Beverly, sitting by the bleachers with Candice as they look over at Lyn, Tana and Meghan gathered around Avery and her phone, giggling and chatting to one another about the news. “And after he said all those nice things to me, too…”

Candice tilts her head forward, intrigued. “So you… like him now?”

“What? No!” Beverly hastily responds, shuffling in her seat. “I just… appreciate him more for helping me feel better about myself, and avoid spiraling into a potentially serious health condition.”

Candice smirks, stroking her chin with her index finger. “Y’know, the school could use a new power couple,” she points out, “And snagging Cedric from Yasmin before she can pin him could be a good way of throwing the Glee Club into disarray! You don't even need to have feelings in the equation, just draw him in enough to make him comfortable. Then you can reap the benefits, and stir enough drama to start a full-fledged smear campaign!”

A fleeting glance from Beverly slowly evolves into an impressed smile. "You're becoming quite the strategist, aren't you?"

Candice grins proudly, sashaying her shoulders. "Let’s just say I learned it from the best!" she boasts, as the two girls are consumed by a fit of mischievous giggles.

“Alright, ladies, listen up!”

Kitty’s call gets the two girls to raise from their seats and join their teammates before her and Kermit. “Earlier this week Kermit and I were discussing our setlist for Sectionals, and after much deliberation, we agreed to have it themed around the era of McBling,” Kitty states, placing a hand on Kermit’s shoulder as he grins proudly. “Since the country is already receding anyway, we might as well take advantage of that and throw it back to a time in which it was perfectly acceptable to starve yourself to death and for an entire group to revolve around one member.”

Beverly’s face muscles strain as she tries her hardest to mask her irritation. Not that she doesn’t like Kitty, of course, but following her botched attempt at starting an eating disorder, such comments, combined with her continuing to treat Kermit as if he’s the most specialest boy in the face of the planet, is enough to get her blood simmering—not quite boiling, but definitely ardent. “Now, first in our setlist, you girls will be performing a Pussycat Dolls routine, so I want you all to be at your fiercest,” Kitty instructs, “Don’t be afraid to steal your competition’s thunder, as Nicole Scherzinger herself would do. After all...” She smirks, squeezing Kermit’s shoulder. “It’s not stealing if it’s rightfully yours.”

Okay, at this point she’s just doing it on purpose.

As the Cheerio girls go into their stretching exercises, preparing to go over the routine itself, Beverly puts some thought into Kitty’s words. Ever since she had first set foot into McKinley, she had worked tooth and nail to reach the top of the social hierarchy: getting the best grades, being on good terms with all faculty members, joining the most respected extracurriculars. It’s what’s expected of her, and she had always been determined to fulfill it, at whatever cost. She had to put in blood, sweat and tears to land that head Cheerio position… which makes the experience of witnessing Kermit have it handed to him on a silver platter, and consequently being babied by Kitty, all the more excruciating for her.

No matter what Kitty says about Beverly putting on weight, she had rightfully earned her way to the top, and she can always take it back when the time is right. She still has the moves, the grades, and the time—and now, she has the perfect strategy to get back on Kitty’s good graces, no weight loss necessary.

♪ I know you like me (I know you like me)

I know you do (I know you do)

That's why whenever I come around, she's all over you

And I know you want it (I know you want it)

It's easy to see (It's easy to see)

And in the back of your mind

I know you should be all with me

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me?

Don't cha? Don't cha? Alright, sing!

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was raw like me?

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was fun like me?

Don't cha? (Ah-ah-ah!)

Don't cha? ♪

Beverly keeps her plans in mind as she and Candice do their make-up in the ladies’ room together, while in the back, Amandine hands a spare tampon to Avery over the open space in her bathroom stall. Once they’re all done with their business, they head into the halls of McKinley, an unshakeably confident smile on Beverly’s face as she passes by Yasmin; their eyes meet in a duel of fierce glares, before Nico yanks Yasmin by the hand and runs off with her.

♪ Fight the feeling (Invite the feeling)

Leave it alone (Leave it alone)

'Cause if it ain't love, it just ain't enough

To leave a happy home, Uh-huh-huh

Let's keep it friendly (Let's keep it friendly)

You have to play fair (You have to play fair)

See, I don't care, but I know

She ain't gon' wanna share ♪

As the Cheerios hang out in the courtyard, Beverly keeps an eye over the fence, to the field, where the football team is training with Sam. The gears turn in her head as she watches Cedric stop to catch his breath, wiping the glistening sweat off his brow. She isn’t drawn to him like that, she can definitely see why the average student would: while he’s often overshadowed by Hugo, he’s no slouch when it comes to being an eligible bachelor. In fact, considering he’s far less hostile and more approachable than Hugo, it comes as a shock to her that he hasn’t been in a high-profile relationship yet.

♪ I know I'm on your mind

I know we'd have a good time

I'm your friend, I'm fun and I'm fine

I ain't lyin', look at me, you ain't blind ♪

On her way down the halls, Beverly thinks back to the choreography she and the Cheerios had just rehearsed: slick, dynamic, and of course, fierce. Kitty and the male Cheerios watch from the bleachers, with Kitty smiling in approval while some of the boys are practically eating at the girls with their eyes, something they’ve grown quite accustomed to. Of course, Kermit is one of the notable exceptions, pointing and snickering at Beverly with some of his remaining peers; this time, however, she’s too locked in to care.

♪ Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me? (Oh!)

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me? (Like me!)

Don't cha? Don't cha, baby?

Don't cha? Alright, sing!

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was raw like me? (Raw!)

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was fun like me? (Big fun!)

Don't cha? (Ah-ah-ah!)

Don't cha? ♪

Finally, in her trek, she reaches Cedric and Hugo, who are chatting with some of their fellow football players. Locking her gaze on the confused Cedric, she smirks and gives him a flirty wink, leaving him with the sight of the auburn blur of her hair being tossed as she turns back and continues straight ahead. Hugo, visibly impressed, gives Cedric a friendly tap on the arm. “Way to go, dude!” he praises, with the other guys hollering and shouting in agreement. “All these girls flocking to your yard, you’re on a roll!”

Cedric smiles coyly at first—but it fades fairly quickly, as something important dawns on him. “Bonnie did this, didn’t she?” he recalls to Hugo, “When she ran that story on you… You kind of lost some credibility points after that.”

Truth be told, there’s no relation between the two events, but none of them are aware of this, so it’s a plausible enough theory to get Hugo to feel awkward about that previous interaction. Since they’re so close, he knows Cedric isn’t trying to steal his thunder or anything, but the timing comes across as, at the very least, a little odd. Definitely something worth asking Anabiel about whenever either of them has the chance.

What doesn’t occur them to notice, though, is how Beverly casually reaches the Muckraker office, strutting in with the slam of the door behind her and propping herself up on Bonnie’s desk. “Hey, Pippi Longtartan!”

“Hmm?”

“Pardon for the interruption, but…” Beverly says with a sly smile, fully prepared to stir the pot. “How do you like the idea of running an exclusive tell-all interview with the former head Cheerio?”

Chapter Text

“ATTENTION, EVERYONE! THIS IS THE ONLY WARNING YOU’RE GETTING TODAY, SO TAKE YOUR EYES OFF YOUR TIKTOKS FOR A SECOND!”

It might be easy to forget that Robin is Principal Sylvester’s daughter, given she only speaks when it’s absolutely necessary, but seeing her bark into her own megaphone while handing out flyers to the other kids in the hallway helps make the family resemblance all the more evident. “DON’T FORGET THE HALLOWEEN DANCE IS NEXT WEEK, SO BE PREPARED!” she shouts, “DATES AREN’T REQUIRED, BUT COSTUMES ARE MANDATORY, SO BRING YOUR A-GAME IF YOU WANT TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE ONLY TIME OF YEAR IN WHICH CANDY IS ALLOWED IN THE SCHOOL GROUNDS!”

Robin’s reminders can be heard all the way from the pool, where the Guppies have just finished training. Danny’s curls have long fallen out of shape as she steps out of the pool, shaking away the excess water before he and his fellow swimmers praise one another on their progress, exchanging affirmative words and back taps galore. “I’ll see you guys on Wednesday!” he says, waving to the others as he takes his leave—only to bump, back-first, into someone, immediately turning around to see who it is. “Kermit? What are you doing here?”

Kermit scoffs, glancing back at the small group of Cheerios gathered behind him. “What do you think, Cheeto Head?” he sneers, “We read Beverly’s interview, we’re not stupid. And let me just say, the information she disclosed was…” He smirks, stepping forward. “...quite intriguing, to say the least.”

Danny’s gaze darts around as he steps back, visibly intimidated but doing his best to remain friendly. “You think so?” he asks, smiling sheepishly. “I mean, she did use some pretty scathing words, but last I checked, she was clearly enjoying herself in Glee Club and—”

“Is it true that you’re as much of a neat freak as she claimed you to be?”

Danny stops, genuinely surprised by Kermit’s question. “Oh, that’s what you wanted to know?” “Well, m—cahem!—Aunt Emma has been always highly cautious when it comes to germs, and she learned to control it, but then COVID happened and made her extra-paranoid so I just picked up her behavior and—”

SLUSH!

Danny is harshly cut off by a slushie facial from Kermit, followed by a chorus of mocking laughter from him and the other Cheerio as they all dump their own cups of cherry slushie over him, getting red sugary gunk all over his face and hair. “Have fun with your Herbal Essences, it’s all the action you’re gonna get!” taunts Kermit, howling with laughter as he and his cohorts turn their backs to the humiliated Danny and leave the pool area.

As the Cheerios leave, they pass by Candice, who has just now caught up, looking on in concern at the state Danny had been left in before rushing to his side. “Are you okay?” she asks, taking off her jacket and wrapping it around him. “I’m so sorry I didn’t make it earlier… I take it that was your first time?”

Danny wipes away the slushie from one eye with his thumb, giving her up a flustered smile as he opens the clean eye to look at her. “On purpose, yes.”

Candice nods, letting a little bit of air out of her nostrils. “Can’t imagine what that would be like,” she murmurs softly. For a second, her eyes meet his, and this alarms her enough to send her gaze darting down, her lips tightly pursed in thought. “Would you... like me to help you clean that up for you?”

Danny is taken aback by how unusually timid she sounds making such a request, as if she, too, hasn’t forgotten about what happened between them all those weeks ago. If it wasn’t for the red liquid over his face, the faint blush in his cheeks would be more apparent. “As long as you promise me to put on a swimsuit for that,” he states with a shrug, “I’ll allow it.”

Following a quick break for Candice to change into a spare Guppy swimsuit, she and Danny are cooped up inside one of the locker room’s shower stalls, their bodies pressed against each other as Candice turns on the water over them, using the products he brought from home to scrub the slushie residue off his hair—and as her fingers rub against his scalp, he can’t help but come undone in a fit of laughter. “Sorry, I’m just…” he blurts out, admittedly a little embarrassed. “This is why I usually wash my hair alone, y’know?”

Candice places her hands on Danny’s shoulders, gently massaging them to calm him down, before going back to his scalp, this time a little slower and with more caution. “Now hold still, you know sugar is hard to get out of your hair,” she murmurs, scraping her shampoo-rinsed digits down to help untangle his hair. “Let me just—Oof!”

She nearly slips, but Danny’s helpful embrace prevents a rocky landing, getting a sly chuckle out of her. “My, I didn’t think you had that in you…”

“Just watch where you’re going with these hands!”

By now, they’re so caught in the moment that it doesn’t even occur to them to notice that they’re making enough noise to give away their presence to Hugo, whose head is tilted back just as he’s passing by the lockers. The little noises coming from the stall, from the laughter and strained grunts to the occasional yelps from Candice and even a slurred hum of bliss from Danny… With no clue of what led to this, and the fog from the hot shower clouding his vision, Hugo’s mind goes exactly where the mind of any other boy his age would go—and he doesn’t like it one bit.

"Tomato sauce on toast? Really?"

Following the first three hours of class, Danny, now bone-dry and with all the slushie properly rinsed out of his hair, is engaging in a locker-side conversation with Rajesh, which they’re both so enraptured in that they remain blissfully unaware even as Hugo stomps down the hallways towards them. "Yeah, it tastes just like JKP’s pizzas!" Rajesh reccomends with eager smile, "Just be careful with the capsaicin intake. Last time I tried it, I had the worst case of heartburn, and..."

Rajesh’s train of thought is soon interrupted by Hugo looming over him with a stern expression. “Raj, do you mind?” he asks, looking Danny dead in the eye. “I need to have a talk with Danny real quick. Mano a mano.”

Visibly intimidated, Rajesh steps away, smiling awkwardly at Danny before going down the halls. “Uhm… I’ll see you in class!”

Danny can only nod and wave as he watches Rajesh leave, before he turns his attention to the quarterback looming over him. “So, what’s the deal?” asks Danny, doing his best to maintain his composure, as the hot air from Hugo’s flaring nostrils send goosebumps down his face. “Do you want me to... help you with your homework or—”

“Don’t try to play chicken with me,” Hugo interrupts firmly, getting all up in Danny’s personal space. “I know about you and Candice. I caught the two of you getting all ‘handsy’ with each other in the shower.”

Hugo’s claim leaves Danny utterly puzzled, as the younger boy takes a step back. “...I’m sorry, I think there’s a misunderstanding,” he explains, “She was just helping me wash slushie residue off my hair, no more than that. I’m still waiting for the right time to, well, go the extra mile. I don’t wanna do it with just anyone…” His gaze briefly drifts downward, before going back to Hugo. “...Let alone a cheerleader fresh off a break-up.”

However, contrary to what Danny had been dreading, Hugo is not. at all. mad at him, listening closely and nodding in comprehension. “See, that’s where I was trying to get at,” he remarks, “I was trying to warn you not to get involved with her for your own good. She broke up with me because I wasn’t rich enough to marry her if we were to stay together after high school. Something about her coming from a ‘che-ball’ or whatever the term was that she used.”

“So she’s already rich… But she wants to marry into even more money?”

Hugo rolls his eyes with a frustrated sigh. “She likened it to a business partnership. That’s all the proof you need that real feelings aren’t a priority for her,” he states, wrapping an arm over Danny’s shoulders as the two walk down the halls together. “Let’s be real, rich people are never satisfied. It’s a tale as old as time.”

As Hugo speaks, a mid-tempo bassline rings in both boys’ ears, unheard to any other students around them. Their steps become more rhythmic, in time with the percussion, and on their way, they pass by the marching band’s saxophone player, a lanky kid who joins in quite smoothly, with the moody main melody. Hugo gives the band kid a cheeky finger-gun and wink combo before effortlessly slipping away from Danny, spinning into the song.

♪ So many have paid to see what you think you're getting for free

The woman is wild, a she-cat tamed by the purr of a Jaguar

Money's the matter

If you're in it for love, you ain't gonna get too far ♪

Speak of the devil, as Candice walks past the two, innocently waving at Danny. Just as he’s about to wave back, he’s violently yanked away from Hugo, fully on guard and keeping a tight grip on his shoulders. The quarterback then shoots a brief glare at Candice, paying no mind to her genuine confusion at his sudden maneuver.

♪ Oh-oh, here she comes

Watch out, boy, she'll chew you up

Oh-oh, here she comes, she's a man-eater ♪

Out on the field, later that day, as the Cheerios and Titans practice simultaneously, each team off to their own side, Hugo watches Candice, mid-stretch, get hit on by Terence, smiling as she gets up to properly face him—before sending him to the ground with a low kick. Hugo stiffens his lips at this, holding back a laugh; even if Terence is his teammate, he still has it coming for him whenever he pulls stunts like that. At this point, the Titans could really use a new tight-end.

♪ I wouldn't if I were you, I know what she can do

She's deadly, man, and she could really rip your world apart

Mind over matter

Ooh, the beauty is there, but a beast is in the heart ♪

McKinley is bathed in red light as the saxophone player seizes the opportunity for a solo, while Danny and Hugo dance around the halls, reduced to silhouettes with fog pooling around their feet while the shadows of the Cheerios loom over them, almost as if they’re treading through the belly of the beast itself. Danny’s breath is caught in his throat, clinging to Hugo for comfort and relying on his experience in such uncharted territory.

♪ Oh-oh, here she comes, here she comes

Watch out, boy, she'll chew you up

Oh-oh, here she comes, she's a man-eater

Oh-oh, here she comes, she's a man-eater

Ooh, she'll chew you up

Oh-oh, here she comes

Watch out, boy, watch out, boy ♪

As the two step out of the red zone and back into reality, Hugo gives Danny a pat on the shoulder, before walking off to his next class. Lost in thought over his exchange with the older boy, Danny is startled by the sudden notification sound from his phone—Candice, just asking him how his hair’s been doing after their little bout in the shower, and most importantly, if everything’s okay… In all due honesty, even he can’t say for sure.

Later that week, the Glee kids are all gathered in the choir room as Artie stacks up multiple copies of an original screenplay upon his desk. “A’ight, listen up!” he states, “Robin approached me at the top of the week asking about the possibility of a Sparks performance for entertainment. The idea sounded enticing, but the filmmaker in me came up with a more interesting idea…” He places the stacks on his lap and rolls towards the kids, handing each of them a copy of his screenplay. “Over the weekend, we will be working on a special music video, just for the season, that will be shown during the dance. As we’re working with a classic murder mystery storyline, instead of traditional characters, you will be portaying archetypes deliberately tailored after your own individual personalities.”

Everyone seems to be happy with the roles they’ve been assigned, but predictably, Beverly is the one glaring exception. “I’m sorry, ‘embittered former celebrity and most likely suspect’?” she asks, baffled as she looks around at the others. “I-Is this a joke?”

At this point, everyone has grown accustomed to this kind of response from Beverly, including Izzy, who subtly rolls her eyes. “Well, you’ve been going on nonstop about Kermit taking your spot ever since the school year started,” she points out matter-of-factly, “And you’re the perennial Debbie Downer of this Glee Club. Whenever you open your mouth, you never provide any constructive comments, you’re always complaining.”

“That doesn’t mean I have to be the bad guy!”

“Being the most likely suspect doesn’t automatically make you the bad guy,” Cedric chimes in, sounding somewhat disappointed. “But after you told all those fake stories about us being together and called it a tell-all, we’re not entirely sure if you can still be trusted.”

Candice wraps her arms around her stomach, providing comfort to the pit of dread forming inside it, but Beverly gives her a reassuring tap on the shoulder, a wordless reminder that she has everything under control, even as her gaze remains fixated on Cedric. “I’m just saying, it would hurt your reputation less than dating Cringe of the Spider-Woman over here.”

The ensuing side-eye from Beverly has Yasmin jolting to her feet, with a scoff. “Com licença?” she retorts, “I don’t know whether to be offended over you calling me ‘cringe’, or flattered over being likened to J-Lo.”

“You think that’s a good thing?” Beverly asks condescendingly, raising her arm to trail her index finger down her jaw. “J-Lo’s got her head so far up her intestines that half the industry refused to work with her in that trainwreck of a movie she did when she was with Ben Affleck. And you’re just as much of an entitled diva as her!”

Yasmin can already feel her blood simmering in her veins, but before it can reach boiling point, Artie intervenes, rolling up towards her with his hands up. “Knock it off, you two. Yasmin, sit yo’ ass down,” he instructs, and Yasmin, with an annoyed huff, does so without much question. “Didn’t y’all just literally go over this a few weeks ago? Infighting won’t solve anything. So what if Yasmin’s a diva? That doesn’t have to be a bad thing. If you really wanna settle this, I suggest you do it the Glee way… with a good old-fashioned diva-off.”

“A what?”

Beverly’s confusion gives Yasmin an opening to flaunt her show choir knowledge. “We sing the same song, and the rest of us vote on who did better,” she explains, with a shrug that comes across as almost smarmy due to how proud she is. “Simple as that!”

Almost unnerved by how smug Yasmin looks, Beverly turns her gaze to Candice, who squeezes her hand with a gaze of encouragement, one that proves to be enough to flips a switch in her. “Very well,” Beverly concludes, turning back to Yasmin. “May the strongest vocalist win.”

“Oh, I’m planning to, alright...”

Yasmin cozies herself up in her seat, but as her gaze turns to Nico’s next to her, the absolute certainty in her face is gradually rattled, by the recollection of the warning he had given her during the week of the duets competition. Even a little over a month later, it still rang in her head—and just when she thought she could finally forget about it, Beverly’s J-Lo comparison brought it back in full force, like a ghoul following her every move, waiting for the right opportunity to yank her into an unmarked grave.

Once all the classes for the day are out of the way, the sophomores and juniors of Glee Club go on with their day as usual, while the freshmen arrange to come with Artie to help him scout the perfect location for the music video. Half an hour of traveling later, they happen upon an abandoned mansion, with architecture that distinctly pins it back to the Victorian Era. All the kids feel shivers at the sight of the run-down construction, with Rajesh holding onto Izzy for comfort. “Well, it’s not like we have a choice,” she remarks, gesturing towards the others. “C’mon!”

Izzy follows her father out of the car, with Danny and Rajesh not too far behind. However, Yael takes their time to rummage through their backpack—and within a few seconds, they’ve suddenly grown tense. “Guys!” they call out, getting the others to stop in their tracks and turn around. “Hal… My Green Lantern keychain! I can’t find it!”

Danny, unnerved, folds his arms over his chest. “Why are you so stressed over that?” he asks, “It’s not the end of the world, you know.”

“For you it might not be,” Yael grumbles, zipping their backpack closed and squirming into their seat. “But I’m not going in there without my security keychain!”

The rest of the group all exchange concerned glances, and as the only responsible adult in the vicinity, Artie gives Izzy with a knowing look; upon receiving a nod from her, he wheels forward, turning to the boys. “Danny, Raj, you go in there together. Take all the pictures you can and send them to me later,” he instructs them, “Izzy and I will look after Yael in the meantime.” The boys nod, keeping close distance to each other as they enter the mansion, leaving Artie and Izzy to head up the ramp back into the car and approach Yael, with Izzy pulling them close.

Within the next few minutes, the three have set up a makeshift campfire near the entrance of the mansion, giving Yael more room to open up. “This might sound a little cliché, but... I’ve always had this irrational nyctophobia,” they clarify, “When Hugo and I were kids, there was a power outage at our house one night, and just as I was about to fall asleep, I heard…”

A deep, mournful sigh, tinged with certain hesitance, comes up from their chest.

“Gunshots. One of our neighbors at the time had been mugged and shot to death.”

Yael’s voice grows heavy with dread, as Izzy and Artie look on in horror, Izzy tapping her collarbone so she doesn’t choke on the s’more she’s eating. “Since then, I’ve never been able to stomach full darkness,” Yael continues, “It’s unpredictable, and cold… And it could be closer than you think. I got Hal for my first birthday since that incident, and carrying him around in my back pocket makes me feel a little more safe.”

Artie and Izzy’s hearts sink upon hearing that, so much so that Izzy swallows her s’more with no desire to have another one. However, the moment she sees Artie pull out his guitar, giving her an idea. “Would you like to sing about that?”

Yael furrows their brows, puzzled. “Is this really the right time?”

“You don’t have to be happy to sing,” Izzy answers, placing a hand on Yael’s forearm. “Sometimes it can serve as catharsis. Perhaps getting some of that weight off your chest could help you feel… Y’know… A little bit lighter.”

Izzy’s quip gets a chuckle out of Yael, who glances at her, and then at Artie and the little encouraging gesture he gives them. There’s no sound around them but the crackling of the campfire, the nearby patches of dead grass rustling in the cold October wind, and the occasional, distant caw of a common raven—so when Yael opens their mouth to sing, the words that they share take precedence above all else, even with the hesitance still lingering in their voice.

♪ I had a way then, losing it all on my own

I had a heart then, but the queen has been overthrown

And I'm not sleeping now, the dark is too hard to beat

And I'm not keeping now, the strength I need to push me ♪

Having figured out the tune, Artie joins in on his guitar, further perking up Yael’s mood. As they continue to sing, they give Izzy a soft smile, retributed with a grin of relief as she puts together another s’more. Somehow, in such an eerie and foreboding area, the three of them have allowed a warm, cozy atmosphere to blossom through the cracks, allowing Yael’s childhood trauma to take a backseat for the time being.

♪ Noises I play within my head

Touch my own skin and hope that I'm still breathin'

And I think back to when my brother and I found embrace

In an unlocked place, the only time I feel safe ♪

As Yael’s singing grows stronger and less hesitant, and their nerves are sufficiently soothed in doing so, Danny and Rajesh finally leave the mansion, unscathed, save for a spider web clinging to Danny’s shoulder. The two of them are pleasantly surprised with the sight they’ve come across, to the point that Rajesh gets into the song enough to smile and clap along, a far cry from his dread minutes before.

♪ You show the lights that stop me, turn to stone

You shine it when I'm alone

And so I tell myself that I'll be strong

And dreaming when they're gone

'Cause they're calling, calling, calling me home

Calling, calling, calling home

You show the lights that stop me turn to stone

You shine it when I'm alone ♪

Everyone watches as Yael vocalizes softly over the guitar, bringing the song to a close. They give themself a few seconds to come down, their eyes softly fluttering open and finally noticing the boys’ presence—at which they stiffen their lip when their gaze finds Danny. “You might wanna do something about that spider web, bud.”

One glance at his shoulder, and Danny lets out a sudden shriek that causes everyone to jump back, watching as he desperately swats the web off his jacket, breathing heavily once he’s sure it’s been taken care of. Rajesh, still visibly alarmed, takes out his phone and hands it to Artie. “I got as many photos as I could,” he says with a soft, slightly yellow smile. “Some of them came out a bit blurry, but hopefully that should be all you need.”

Artie nods and clicks his tongue as he has a look at the photos, satisfied with what he’s seeing. “A’ight, let’s get going!” he concludes, clapping his hands. “Pick me back up, Bee!”

Izzy jumps back to her feet and wraps her arms under Artie’s to lift him up and bring him back to his chair, but Rajesh isn’t so pleased by that. “Do we really have to leave now?” he asks, audibly disappointed. “That campfire looks so nice, can’t we stay a little longer singing songs around it?”

Placing Artie back on his chair, Izzy responds with a shrug. “Maybe we should wait to do that somewhere that isn’t potentially haunted.”

As she watches her father roll off, with Danny wrapping his arms around Yael as they follow suit. Left to face each other in the glow of the campfire, Izzy locks eyes with Rajesh as she takes a nearby water canteen, preparing to put out the fire—and then, she smiles. “We can have s’mores on the way back if you want to.”

Leave it to that to keep the warmth alive in Rajesh’s eyes, even after the campfire is put out.

The next day sees the Sparks gather in the April Rhodes Civic Pavillion for the promised diva-off, most of them sat in the audience, with Artie, Anabiel and Sam front and center. The one glaring absence is Yael, who’s off in the computer room doing research for costume designs. Yasmin and Beverly are on the wings, warming up like they’re going into a boxing match, complete with Nico and Candice, respectively, to provide them with words of encouragement; Candice is even massaging Beverly’s shoulders.

Fully prepared for the incoming bloodbath, Artie taps Sam on the shoulder, and with a blow of Sam’s whistle, the two girls are summoned from the wings, coming together at center stage. “A’ight, ladies, here's the deal,” Artie informs them, “In order to even out the playing field, I spoke to my cohorts and decided to give you two a showtune from a musical about cheerleaders. Thanks, Nabs!”

He smiles at Anabiel, and receives a flattered giggle from her in return. “No matter what happens here, just know both of you are incredibly talented,” she reassures the girls, “A loss is but a stumble in your respective journeys to greatness, so don’t let it get to you.”

Yasmin’s throat grows dry, a pit forming in her stomach as if she’s teetering on a tightrope. Of course, she’s determined to do well, for the sake of her own pride. But now she knows what manner of underhanded tactics Beverly is willing to pull—and the warnings of potential abandonment continue to ring like there’s a little Quasimodo in her head. Her gaze darts towards Nico in the wings, then back to Beverly, who steps forward, immersing herself in the song to get in the right head space.

[Beverly] ♪ You don't know who you are until you hate yourself

Until you've crashed and burned and lost your fight ♪

[Both] ♪ And everybody says they know better, better

They beg and cry and swear that you're better

Than you, than you ♪

The harmonies with Beverly are the shot in the arm that Yasmin needs to break free from the shackles of her own anxieties, as she harshly shoves Beverly to the side and steps forward, fists tightly clenched and the ardor of a thousand suns in her eyes.

[Yasmin] ♪ I've climbed a million mountains

But I can't reach the top

I swear to God that any moment I can stop

So it's just a single vice to help me stay awake

I don't know how much more I can take ♪

Grumbling under her breath, Beverly props herself back up and locks her gaze with Yasmin, allowing the world around them to blur into nothing. That moment of direct confrontation unexpectedly ends up shedding a layer of vulnerability they had both been putting up—gazing into Beverly’s eyes, Yasmin finds herself nagged by the odd impression that the words of the song are hitting a little too close to home for her.

[Both] ♪ Before the breakdown, before I lose my mind forever

I can't cry forever, I won't cry ♪

[Beverly] ♪ It's just a single vice to get me through the day

I swear to God that I could throw it all away so ♪

[Both] ♪ I'll pour the bottle out and be myself again ♪

[Yasmin] ♪ That hopeless loser girl that no one understands ♪

[Both] ♪ No one understands, no one under—No one understands ♪

The other Sparks are unable to drive their eyes away from the increasingly tense duet, overcome with anticipation and a sliver of fear. Cedric, aware of what he caused, keeps to himself, but his nerves are soothed by a comforting tap on the back from Moira; Izzy, on the other hand, is indulging in her microwave popcorn, flicking one bite after the other into her mouth, each chew clouded with bated breath.

[Both] ♪ Before the breakdown, before I spiral slowly screaming

Wake me up, I'm dreaming, get me through the night

Before the breakdown, if you keep running, you'll escape it

One day you might make it far away from home

And every broken bone and scar

Won't define just who you are

Someday you'll grow up just like you should

Before the breakdown— ♪

A pitchy note, a hiccup, and suddenly, everybody has their eyes out on stalks, alarmed at Yasmin’s sudden flub. Even Beverly is caught off-guard, taking a step back in shock. Yasmin is clearly stuck with a tinge of guilt, but keeps her head held high, backing away into the darkness to let Beverly have the final line.

[Beverly] ♪ Before the breakdown breaks you for good ♪

Beverly stands there, a shiver coursing through her body as she tries to make sense of what just happened, even as the ever so sweet sound of roaring applause from most of her peers—Cedric a notable exception, perplexed as he murmurs something to Hugo—and from the teachers washes over her, bringing her some much-needed comfort. Her mind blanks, disconnected from her surroundings, as if she had shifted to another reality mid-song. Her gaze hovers to Yasmin, who shrugs and smiles, visibly heavy-hearted but with an unusual, even if broken, degree of acceptance.

“Congratulations.”

Yasmin’s mumble, paired with a tap on Beverly’s shoulder, opens the door for her to walk off-stage, solemnly passing by Nico and ushering him along with her. “I’m sorry, what just happened there?” he asks, concerned and puzzled. “Are you okay? Do you need anything?”

Yasmin simply nods, her chest heaving within the embrace Nico provides her. “She can have it,” she murmurs, smiling softly at him.“I already had my victory anyway.”

Nico stares at her eyes as wide as the sea of disbelief he’s been plunged into, over such an uncharacteristic action from her. He sneaks a glance back at the stage, noticing that Candice has run in to leap at Beverly with an euphoric hug; amidst their chatter, he can make out a ‘still got it’ from Candice’s lips. So focused on the scene unfolding before them, Nico is drawn back to Yasmin as she nestles herself closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder, earning a gentle smile of approval from him.

It may have been hard, but for once, she allowed someone else to be the center of the universe.

Over the remainder of the week, the Sparks find themselves with a lot more on their plate than usual: school work, Sectionals rehearsals, extracurriculars, and now, development on the music video as well. As costume designer, Yael in particular can barely get a shut eye—but thankfully, by the night of the Halloween dance, everything had already been spoken for, including their and Hugo’s matching costumes that had just come in the mail. Standing in front of the full-length mirror in their parents’ room, Yael puts the finishing touches on their costume, pinning their hair back with binder clips and fixing up the hood of their sleeveless parka.

A knock-knock-knock on the door announces Hugo’s impending arrival, prompting a smile from Yael at the sight of their brother in his pinstripe waistcoat and black Trilby hat, the latter of which is marked with the word ‘Windscale’ in fancy, all-caps white serif font. “Oh, wow, looking sharp!” they remark with an amused chuckle.

Hugo turns away, visibly flattered as he straightens his tie. “Are you sure people will know these are meant to be costumes?” he inquires, “Last I checked, no one else in Lima knows who these characters are... For all they know, I’ll have just gotten back from grandma’s funeral or something.”

“You don’t usually dress like that around school, so that’s already a start!”

Hugo chuckles under his breath. “Gotta say, I may be a little more apt for the part than I thought…” He reaches for the pocket of his waistcoat, pulling out a small Funko Pop Green Lantern keychain—the exact same one Yael thought they had lost. “Can you believe mom didn’t ground me for messing up the laundry?”

A gasp emerges from Yael’s throat as they take the keychain, clutching it against their chest in relief. “I’m sorry I didn’t help you with that earlier,” Hugo confesses, I didn’t even know you lost him until Izzy told me and…”

“No, it’s okay!” Yael cuts in, smiling fondly at him. “We did get a nice jam session out of it, so I guess everything worked out anyway…”

Hugo follows Yael to their room, and as he watches them hook up the keychain to their pencil case, he lets their words ring in his mind. Their account of relying on music to be safe in the face of their biggest fear, the knowledge that they get to be in high school together and be part of this new experience with him, finding a whole new support system to fall back on even when he’s not around… To think he didn’t even want to join the Glee Club at first—when now just the thought of the impact they’ve been making on both of them is making him choke up a little.

“That’s not very hardboiled of your part, isn’t it?”

Yael’s teasing brings him back to reality as he clears his throat in an attempt to regain his composure. Now that they’re saying it, that may have been a little too in-character. “Right, right, let’s get going,” he murmurs sheepishly, “Can’t keep mom and dad waiting!”

As per the occasion, McKinley had been decked out with all sorts of Halloween décor, with paper bats suspended from the ceiling, fake pumpkins bunched up near the lockers, and dark red paint smeared over the windows to look like blood. One might be inclined to wonder about the posters of Principal Sylvester yelling ‘YOU ARE NOTHING’ into a megaphone, but these were always there to begin with.

Hugo and Yael arrive at the choir room to find everyone helping one another put all the finishing touches in their respective costumes, immediately greeted with a hug from Moira in her black-and-white striped Barbie swimsuit, complete with curly blonde ponytailed wig. Izzy looks quite striking as a genderswapped James T. Kirk, while Nico is having a little too much fun in his Marshall Lee costume, walking around pretending to bite his peers with obviously fake fangs—but it’s Genesis, in her store-bought Neo-Queen Serenity dress and matching bedazzled walking stick, who catches Hugo’s eye first and foremost, knocking the wind out of him.

“Gen?”

His breathless call directs Genesis to him, a smile blossoming in her face as she lifts up the hem of her dress to approach him. “Hey… I take it you like the costume,” she says coyly, “My parents aren’t too fond of Halloween, so as far as they know, this is just a Dior replica. I suppose yours looks great too!”

As the kids walk out in droves, Hugo keeps his gaze on Genesis, a barely-audible, dreamy sigh escaping his lips, silently wishing she knew just how beautiful she truly looked. The distraction she provides him with lasts a hot second before he’s able to shake off his daze and follow the others to the gymnasium, where Danny, in full Jonathan from Hotel Transylvania characterization, is onstage performing with Fernweh, getting everybody dancing with an upbeat ‘80s cover of his own.

♪ I'm all dressed up with nowhere to go

Walkin' with a dead man over my shoulder

♪ I'm all dressed up with nowhere to go

Walkin' with a dead man over my shoulder ♪

While most of the Sparks make it into the party without a hitch, including Beverly, who’s decked out as Britney Spears in her Lucky music video fit. Candice, on the other hand, isn’t as lucky, stopped by Robin at the entrance, which causes Beverly to go back to the queue in her behalf. “Robin, can you please let her in?” she demands,“You know damn well I am not going in there without her.”

Robin firmly shakes her head in denial. “Not until she puts on her costume!”

“This is my costume!” Candice insists, gesturing to her simple blouse and slacks in shades of grey, as well as the fake collapsing groceries and torn plastic bag, all suspended in mid-air by a series of wires coming from under her sleeve. “I’m supposed to be one of those infomercial actors who can’t do anything right! Now let me in or that’ll be a LAWSUIT!”

The loud stomp of Candice’s foot makes everyone around her jump back, including Beverly and Robin, the latter of which has no choice but to let her in. “Wow, I’m fluent in Sylvester already!” quips Candice, doing a little fist-bump with Beverly, before the two join the rest of the Glee Club out on the dance floor, dancing and clapping along to Danny’s performance.

♪ Waitin' for an invitation to arrive

Goin' to a party where no one's still alive

I was struck by lightning, walkin' down the street

I was hit by somethin' last night in my sleep

It's a dead man's party, who could ask for more?

Everybody's comin', leave your body at the door

Leave your body and soul at the door ♪

It’s Rajesh’s first high school dance, so naturally he’s a little bit overwhelmed by the loud music and crammed crowd of students in the gym, keeping to himself in his Mumble from Happy Feet costume, but thankfully he’s got his fellow freshmen to back him up, as well as some of the older kids, mainly Nico, Moira and Genesis. Meanwhile, Cedric, decked out in a dollar store costume of Cyborg from Teen Titans, can’t take his eyes off Yasmin in her replica of Glinda’s Ozdust Ballroom dress from the Wicked movie, even keeping in mind how morose she is—perhaps fetching her some punch might be enough to cheer her up.

♪ I got my best suit and my tie

Shiny silver dollar on either eye

I hear the chauffeur comin' to my door

Says there's room for maybe just one more

Don't run away, it's only me

Don't be afraid of what you can't see

It's only me ♪

The teachers are in their own little corner of the gym, as Anabiel and Sam chat, her in a traditional Samhain costume and him as Nicholas Galitzine’s take on He-Man—only for their conversation to be cut short as Artie wheels towards them, their eyes widening in bewilderment as they find out who he chose to dress up as. “Hel-lo, I’m the Nostalgia Critic, I remember it, so you don’t have to!”

Sam, completely clueless, glances over at Anabiel, who musters out a nervous chuckle. “Good thing, because I certainly didn’t want to remember that.”

“Hey, cut me some slack, I think it came out pretty dope!” Artie responds, fixing up his black cap, as well as the bald cap underneath, which Sam is thankfully able to recognize from New Directions’ brief tenure as the Secret Society of Superheroes.

He’s not the only one to join the chat, as Casey runs in, seemingly out of breath, in a surprisingly high-quality Red Power Ranger costume—shockingly not from the Mighty Morphin’ team, but rather, one with a more feline appearance, judging by the helmet he’s carrying under his arm. "Sick costume, bro!” praises Sam, giving Casey a tap on the shoulder, enough to turn his cheeks almost as red as his spandex. “Where'd you get it?"

Casey freezes, his gaze darting around the gym as he’s reduced to a stammering, blushing mess. "I thrifted it? …Walmart?” he ponders, mentally urging himself to come up with a plausible answer. “…I thrifted it from Walmart!"

He stands there, glancing at his peers, silently hoping they don’t see through him—thankfully, it doesn’t occur to them to do so. "Dang, how the mighty have fallen," Artie remarks, rolling off to turn his attention back to his student’s performance.

♪ I was struck by lightning, walkin' down the street

I was hit by somethin' last night in my sleep

It's a dead man's party, who could ask for more?

Everybody's comin', leave your body and soul at the door ♪

Danny’s performance comes to a close to roaring applause from kids and adults alike, a faint blush adorning his cheeks as he hops off the stage and is praised by the rest of the Glee kids, especially the other freshmen. Amidst the cheers, Cedric comes in, with a solo cup of punch on each hand, looking around at everyone in concern. “Hey, um... Does anyone know where Yasmin went?”

His question is all it takes to shift the mood among the kids, who exchange distraught glances. “Astronomy room,” Nico chimes in, “She wanted some time for herself.”

Cedric doesn’t need to hear any further, nearly spilling the punch as he hands Nico the cups and bolts off without looking back, startling everyone in the process. When he gets to the astronomy classroom, he finds Yasmin sitting on one of the desks, somberly eating from the treat bag she had gotten at the dance. While she usually doesn’t indulge in ultraprocessed sweets, the sweetness of the Hershey’s chocolate is enough to provide her some comfort, as she gazes at the mural showing the life cycle of a star.

It’s not long until she’s brought down to Earth by the echo of Cedric’s footsteps as he cautiously walks in. “Cedric?” she asks, “What are you been doing here?”

“You’ve been unusually quiet since the diva-off,” he points out, sitting next to her. “I know you messed up that note, but you don’t have to keep kicking yourself about that.”

Yasmin sighs, turning away from him and clutching her bag against her body, further sinking Cedric’s heart. “It’s me, isn’t it?” he ponders, getting her attention in the process. “This whole thing between you and Beverly only started because of me. I just wanted to help her with her body image issues, I never thought it would discombobulate so much and—”

“It’s not you.”

Yasmin’s murmur completely derails Cedric’s train of thought, and he’s left to watch as she shuffles in her seat, coming closer to him. “I threw it on purpose. I thought it would be better to get off my high horse for myself than to let her knock me down,” she clarifies, a heavy sigh surfacing from her lips. “You said I was a supernova, but… I don’t wanna turn into a black hole. I don’t want people to keep their distance out of fear that I could swallow them. And Beverly… She had been suffering enough. I gave her too much hell for that.”

The remorse in Yasmin’s voice strikes a chord in Cedric, and his hand instinctively reach to take hers, their fingers tangling up in each other. “You know that... doesn’t mean you have to dull your sparkle, right?” he reminds her, gazing into her eyes—no, into the deepest reaches of her soul. “When I saw you up there, on that stage, I knew that’s what you were born to do. You don’t have to be afraid of taking up space, just be careful not to do it in excess.”

Yasmin is left breathless, overwhelmed by Cedric’s words, and the tenderness in his voice, as if a cozy, handmade blanket had been wrapped around her. The familiar warmth she had experienced when they were practicing their duet returns with a vengeance, and she knows now that it’s far from a coincidence. Her cheeks darken, and her gaze drifts down to his lips, as she senses her own grow drier, and more sensible.

“I’m sorry, let me just…”

Cedric watches as she reaches inside her bag, pulling out a Twizzlers package and opening it. “Can I… try something with you?”

Her fingers cautiously dance along the tips of the Twizzlers peeking out from inside the package, and Cedric nods, knowing exactly where she’s trying to get to. Yasmin smiles, her first genuine smile in a while, and pulls out one Twizzler, holding one end between her teeth and tilting her neck up so Cedric can take the other end. Little by little, each bite they take brings their faces closer, and when the tips of their noses touch, Yasmin takes a second to make sure she’s ready—before the two come together in a sweet kiss. Cedric hums into Yasmin’s lips, leaning back and resting on his elbows as he loses himself in the taste of strawberry licorice still lingering in her mouth, while she slings one arm over his shoulder, clawing at his back, and places her other hand on his spandex-clad chest.

Even with the adrenaline rush that’s taken over them, they’re at least conscious enough to not let the kiss escalate further, pulling away to catch their breath, before they come undone in a fit of giggles. “You’ve been practicing, haven’t you?” Yasmin teases him, “I’ve kissed the back of my hand while acting out a scene enough times to tell when someone’s been practicing.”

“You didn’t have to do that, but I’m glad you did.”

“I know… That’s what makes me so nice.”

Cedric shakes his head slightly as he grips Yasmin’s hand and the two get off the desk, heading back to the Halloween party together, which does not escape Beverly as she takes a sip of her punch. She knows that two people holding hands doesn’t necessarily mean they’re together like that, but it definitely seems to hammer home a recurring theme for her school year. Even in the rare occasions she gets a moment of glory, it is still someone else who ends up coming out on top, regardless of whether it’s on Cheerios or Glee Club.

The party is already one hour in when Artie takes the stage for the long-awaited premiere of the Sparks' music video, greeted with applause from all in attendance. “Thank you, thank you… Wasn’t expecting to get such a warm reception,” he speaks up, somewhat flustered. “First of all, I’d like to dedicate this production to my old comrades from the A/V Club, wherever they may be. They ain’t dead, of course, but the club itself was one of the first to get the chop when the arts program was cut, and hopefully, the Glee Club’s efforts will be enough to have it reinstated one day.”

Izzy smiles softly at that last part, exchanging a fond glance with Danny as he helps her set up the projector. "Now, you kids might be aware that I was film school-bound when I graduated," Artie continues, "Obviously that didn't work out, but I never fully let go of that passion. And with the spooky season approaching, I felt like dipping my toes into that pool again, by tackling a subject you kids may be all too familiar with, especially keeping in mind the state of the country these last few years... Anxiety.”

His tone becomes more firm and determined, earning intrigued looks from everyone in the gym, including even Robin, who leans against the doorway, suddenly contemplative.“When you're constantly living under the watch of an authoritarian regime, it's easy to get stressed and fear the worst possible outcome,” Artie adds, “But instead of letting it consume you, make something out of it. Create. Educate. Help your community. Spread love and joy and hope. That’s how you fight back against authoritarianism. Otherwise… Well, don’t be surprised if this turns out to be the only time this film is screened. Thank you."

Another round of polite applause follows, with Artie nodding before he rolls down the ramp on the side of the stage, taking his place next to the Glee kids with bated breath as the video file loads. Noticing this, Izzy holds back a laugh. “Getting cold wheels all of a sudden?”

“It’s been so long since the last time I directed a film,” Artie reminds her, bracing his stomach in worry. “What if they think it’s… kind of crap?”

Izzy responds with a light head shake and a tap on her father’s back. “Relax, we’re not in Cannes,” she reassures him, “This is just a fun little thing for the night. Even if the students don’t enjoy it, it’s not gonna be the end of the world.” She shoves her hands in the pockets of her jeans and gives him a playful look. “If anything, I would bet my bottom dollar that none of the pretentious film bros at BFA would even dream of making something like this!”

Artie chuckles, thinking back to how he almost became one such film bro, and thanking himself that he didn’t go down that path. Whatever worries still linger in his mind soon vanish with the sound of cheers from the student body as the credits roll, before the projection cuts to...

The rumble of thunder and the distant howl of a wolf set the scene of a dark, stormy night, as the subsequent strike of lightning flashes behind an ornate Victorian manor—the classic set-up for your average scary story.

Inside, the glamorous ‘Socialite’ played by Candice, alongside her eleven most esteemed guests, have finished a grand feast, wiping away the remnants of vanilla ice cream from their lips with the napkins at their collars. "I must say, darling, tonight's feast has been positively splendid so far!" ‘Scholar’ Danny speaks up, met with murmurs and nods of agreement from the others. "However, I'm afraid I am still yet to learn how to savor my ice cream without making a mess of myself. Care to inform me of which way is the bathroom?"

“Fourth door on the hallway leading to the West Wing!”

“Thank you! I shall return post haste.”

With a curtsy, Danny walks off, leaving the others to their own advances. The scene fades to show the clock over Candice’s head turning to half an hour later, as everyone is scattered around the living room, some separated into small groups while others pass the time on their own… but without a trace of Danny to be found. ‘Silver Screen Starlet’ Beverly, feeling her throat grow dry, heads to the kitchen for a glass of sparkling water—

But then, in a matter of minutes, the quiet atmosphere is cut short by a blood-curdling shriek.

Everyone races to the kitchen to come to Beverly’s aid, finding her sat on the floor, breathing heavily and on the verge of tears. Inside the fridge, what appears to be Danny’s severed head—actually a eerily realistic replica commissioned by Artie to a specialized sculptor—displaying tousled hair and a terrified expression, apparent even through empty eye sockets. Lit by the cold glow of the fridge, inches away from Beverly’s feet, is a message written in still fresh blood, in all caps but dotted with perfect replicas of Danny’s eyeballs...

I’M ALWAYS WATCHING

A series of rapid-fire cuts synchronized with the music that starts from this, showing different details of the location all pristine and untouched, confirms that this isn’t the work of an intruder: the murderer had already been inside the house to begin with.

[All] ♪ Who's watching?

Tell me, who's watching?

Who's watching me? ♪

The eleven youths sit around the table again, eyeing one another with suspicion, as Candice keeps the still-traumatized Beverly close, caressing her shoulders as she lets her sob into the valley of her neck. ‘Researcher’ Rajesh whispers something to ‘Librarian’ Izzy, who nods, knocking on the table to get everyone’s attention. She gets up, coming closer to Beverly, and pulls out a notepad, encouraging her to vent out her feelings. Spoken words fail her—so naturally, with some encouragement from Candice, she bursts into song instead.

[Beverly] ♪ Anxiety, keep on trying me

I feel it quietly, tryin’ to silence me, yeah

My anxiety, can't shake it off of me

Somebody's watchin' me, it’s my anxiety, yeah ♪

Beverly growls and vocalizes in the background as the others split up down the different hallways of the mansion, which take on a surreal atmosphere. Tilting floors, walls seemingly closing in on them, candles blowing out by themselves, the eyes of the people on the paintings come alive to scan their every move—and as the rotten cherry on top, Danny’s voice echoing down the halls, as if haunting them following his gruesome demise.

[Danny] ♪ I always feel like somebody's watchin' me ♪

[Hugo] ♪ And I have no privacy, oh-oh-oh ♪

[Danny] ♪ I always feel like somebody's watchin' me ♪

[Nico] ♪ Tell me, is it just a dream? ♪

The Rosenthal siblings, with Yael as the ‘Renaissance Child’ and Hugo as the ‘Olympian Ace’, maintain close contact, while ‘Poet’ Nico finds comfort in the arms of ‘Flapper Girl’ Moira. Meanwhile, ‘Sister’ Genesis puts on her bravest face, clutching her rosary in one hand and listening intently as ‘Diplomat’ Cedric locks one of the doors. With a nod, she finds another door with her cane—one that’s more old-fashioned than her usual walking stick—plucking off one of the pins holding her hair back under her habit to lock it.

[Cedric] ♪ When I come home at night

I bolt the door real tight

People call me on the phone, I'm trying to avoid

But can the people on TV see me or am I just paranoid? ♪

Genesis is so focused on her task that she pays no mind to Cedric’s sudden moment of distraction—an opening for the mysterious killer to pull him into the darkness, his scream sending her into a panicked Hail Mary prayer under her breath.

Back at the dining room ‘Soprano’ Yasmin is slowly pacing back and forth, gazing suspiciously at Izzy, Candice and the trembling Beverly, all bunched up together at the edge of the table. “I don’t know about you lot,” she states, “But if you ask me, I’d say the little anxious wreck over there is not anxious at all, but rather, just faking it to hide the fact that she is the culprit!”

Beverly jolts to her feet, glaring daggers at Yasmin. “Why would I be faking it?!”

“You’re an actress, isn’t that what you’re good at?”

“I’ll have you know that the last thing I would do in such a troubling predicament is act untruthful!” Beverly protests, grunting as she places one hand on the table while the other clutches her heart, as if it’s on the verge of skipping a beat—in the worst possible way. “It's like… I get this tightness in my chest… Like an elephant is standing on me,” she murmurs, earning concerned stares from the others as she struggles to power through the discomfort. “And I just let it take over...”

[Beverly] ♪ Anxiety, keeps on tryin' me

Anxiety, keeps on tryin' me, yeahhhhh... ♪

Beverly’s belting, as well as the chanting of the other Sparks girls, underscores the climax of the short, which sees most of the house guests taken out in a number of grisly ways: from Genesis falling backwards through a flight of stairs onto the blade of a sword wielded by a set of medieval armor, to Rajesh being waterboarded in the bathtub and Moira being strangled with a coat hanger by the mysterious shadowy murderer, it’s an impressive showcase of both quality acting from the kids, as well as stunning practical effects.

[Danny] ♪ I always feel like somebody's watchin' me ♪

[Hugo] ♪ And I have no privacy, oh-oh-oh ♪

[Danny] ♪ I always feel like somebody's watchin' me ♪

[Nico] ♪ Tell me, is it just a dream? ♪

[Danny with Izzy] ♪ I always feel like somebody's watchin' me (Hee-hee-hee) ♪

[Hugo with Danny] ♪ And I have no privacy (Oh-oh-oh-oh)

[Danny] ♪ I always feel like somebody's watchin' me ♪

[Nico with Izzy] ♪ Who's playing tricks on me? (Who's watching?) ♪

As Candice launches herself at Yasmin in rage, the two of them are sent into a catfight intense enough to knock over one of the candles still lit, the computer-generated flame trailing over to Yasmin’s dress, causing her to shriek in horror and fan herself in a futile attempt to put out the flames. In her desperation, Yasmin runs around the dining hall, allowing the flames to catch anything they can lick. While Cedric arrives in time to put out the fire, the entire mansion has caught on fire by then, prompting him to leave as fast as he can, along with Nico, Izzy, Yasmin and Beverly—Candice, however, stays behind, tearfully urging Beverly to go without her.

[Sparks Girls with Izzy on adlibs] ♪ Can't shake it off of me, shake, shake it off of me

(Who's watching me?)

It's my anxiety, gotta keep it off of me

(Who's watching me?)

Can't shake it off of me, shake, shake it off of me

(Who's watching me?)

It's my anxiety, gotta shake it off of me ♪

As the song comes to a close, the five survivors look back somberly as the mansion, or at least a photorealistic computer-generated rendition of it, succumbs to the fire, taking its owner and the remaining guests along with it. They take their time to come together in mourning for their comrades, and walk off with heavy hearts, unsure of what the future holds.

But suddenly, Beverly stops.

Slowly, she turns back to the camera, revealing a wicked grin and cat-like golden eyes, while an ominous laugh echoes into the end credits.

Like a song from a fictional band forbidden from being touched by any Glee Club, November has come, and Artie heads into his first classes of the first Monday of the month still on a high from the warm reception the Sparks’ Halloween music video got, a healthy and much-needed reminder that his skills in film never really vanished, but were just tucked away, waiting for the right opportunity to resurface. As he rolls into the choir room, though, he spots the twelve Glee kids bunched together around Izzy, watching a video on her phone. “Three men, three women, and one nonbinary individual died in I’m Always Watching, a pretty even gender divide all things considered,” the voice of James A. Janisse can be heard summarizing.

The mention of the music video, coming from such a prominent internet personality, puzzles Artie, who rolls forward with his brows furrowed. “Kids, I hate to be the party pooper here, but what’s going on?”

He’s abruptly shushed with a wave of Moira’s arm, backing away in alarm. “It’s Golden Chainsaw time!” she whispers.

“I’ll give the Golden Chainsaw for coolest kill to the Scholar,” James continues in voice-over, as the video shows the footage of Danny’s kill scene. “It’s both the death that kicks the whole plot into motion and the TITLE CARRRRRD, and it’s quite the gut-punch of a death, too. The eyeballs dotting the ‘i’s are absolute genius!”

Danny is met with a chorus of praises and cheers from the other kids, blushing and backing into his chair. “I’ve never won anything before, so I’ll take what I can get!” he says with a sheepish, but accepting shrug, before squirming and wincing a little. “Even if it’s for something that made my mom burst into tears because she thought I had died for real…”

Candice, on the other hand, is disappointed as she continues to listen to James’ verdict. “Why do I get Dull Machete?!” she chimes in, “I sacrificed myself to save Bev! Surely that should’ve been higher in the rankings, right?”

Seeing the kids so enraptured and ecstatic over the reception their work is receiving—one of the biggest reasons as to why the Glee Club was even brought back in the first place—Artie allows himself to put the ‘how’ of the whole predicament to the side and muster up a little smile, seeing now that their efforts are starting to bear fruit, even weeks before their first official competition. Mind you, the closest thing he got to do when he was in their place was a mattress commercial, with far more limited resources, all to afford a spot in the Thunderclap.

“Enjoying the humiliation ritual, Arthur?”

Speaking of thunderclaps, all eyes turn to find Kitty leaning against the doorway, with a smug, almost malicious grin. Izzy, frozen in her seat with dread, glances towards Danny, who protectively wraps his arms around her. “So… I take it this is the new choir room,” Kitty remarks, looking around at the room, and stifling a mocking chuckle at its décor. “Whichever run-down daycare did you rob to put all of this together, I’m sure they must be very disappointed.”

Yasmin, Nico and Danny all look particularly offended, thinking back to all the hard work they put into that choir room, and Artie can sense how livid they are. “I suspect the bar must be on the floor for you,” he responds sternly, “Because we’ve been working hard to get this club up and running, and all that work is starting to pay off.”

“And you’re not gonna thank me for it?”

Kitty tilts her head, smirking as she lets her words, dripping with sarcasm, sink in with Artie and the kids alike. “Robin gave me access to the music video,” she explains,“And it was such a… laughable cavalcade of clichés that I knew I had to share it with the rest of the world. Just so everyone knows how much of a hack you really are.”

Artie glances back at the kids, most of all at how frightened Izzy is as she recoils into Danny’s arms, giving him all the more motivation to fight back. “Bold of you to say that, given you were the one who got me into film school in the first place!”

“Why, yes, I did,” Kitty responds with a nonchalant shrug. “Because I was still young and naïve. Looking back, I should’ve known it from the moment you cast me as the cheerleader who was constantly laughed at in Grease, while pathetic little Marley Rose got to be Sandy.”

Artie backs away, eyes wide in shock. Although he hasn’t spoken to Marley in years, hearing Kitty call her ‘pathetic’, even though they still managed to put the eating disorder behind them and become friends, tears at his heart on her behalf.“I knew you were bitter about Glee Club, but I didn’t think you’d regress so much.”

Kitty gives him an incredulous look, her voice practically breaking on the verge of another laugh. “You think I regressed? When I have six National and two International championship titles?”

She launches into a full-fledged belly laugh, rendering the Sparks shrunken in shame, including even Beverly and Candice. “All I’m saying is... If you love those kids so much, you might want to sleep with one eye open from now on, and with extra-strength eye drops, just to be safe,” Kitty continues, leaning towards Artie and flicking his glasses up with her index finger, much to his annoyance. “Because Principal Sylvester is counting on me to bring an end to the national nightmare you’re unleashing upon the student body, once and for all, and I will do it with gusto.”

As Artie fixes up his glasses, Kitty walks off—but just before she can go through the doorway, she turns around, firmly glaring at the two Cheerios. “And you two better show up for practice today!”

Her departure leaves an awkward and downcast atmosphere in a room which, mere minutes ago, had been filled with laughter and cheers. Artie takes a deep breath, mentally reminding himself of the gravity of the situation. “Alright, no more distractions!” he urges the kids, rolling forward with determination in his eyes.“For the rest of the month, it’s Sectionals on the brain! Practice, practice, practice! Let’s go!”

And go, they do, for the real national nightmare is what could happen if they fail.

Chapter Text

Ever since Throat Explosion first reared their heads into the competition circuit, the show choir community has known no peace.

When they took the National Championship in 2013, consequently getting runner-ups New Directions cut from its school's extracurricular program, nobody batted an eye, and those who did shrugged it off as beginner's luck. But then, in 2014, a year from Will Schuester taking over show choir giants Vocal Adrenaline, that choir was also unceremoniously axed after placing second to Throat Explosion at Nationals. The bizarre coincidence led many to theorize that Schuester may have been the problem, with rumors of favoritism and questionable behind-the-scenes behavior swirling around him—that is, until 2015 saw Throat Explosion go three for three against a choir from California, which consequently met the exact same bitter end as the previous two runner-ups, despite having no connection to the now-retired Schuester.

It wasn't a coincidence, but the start of an alarming trend that continued for a little over a decade, intensified by the rise of a president whose administrations had next to no regard for the arts. Each time a new choir lost their increasingly-diminishing budget to Throat Explosion at Nationals, a sense of dread gradually increased within the larger community; something had to be done before the situation became too dire.

In mid-2020, a new, stricter model was implemented for the competition circuit, focused on regional divisions per the official U.S. census. Each region of a given state would choose a representative choir to compete in their local Sectionals, now restricted within state boundaries, and the one that came on top would represent the state as a whole at Regionals; those, in turn, would narrow down the playing field to nine representative choirs facing off at Nationals. Sure, such a measure wouldn’t completely stop Throat Explosion’s so-called “murder spree”, but it helped keep it under control: if a choir from a specific region fell to Throat Explosion, a new one, from a different school, would take its place the following year.

One might call the fact that the Dalton Academy Warblers somehow managed to avoid being “Throat Exploded” pure dumb luck, but those versed in the depths of show choir lore know the truth. Gone were the days of the born showman lead singers like Blaine Anderson and Sebastian Smythe, who had audiences and judging panels alike wrapped around their fingers; over the years, they came to be compared to a different kind of rockstars, those whose momentum faded a long time ago, and are now washed-up old men complaining about society being “too woke” and landing guest judging spots on Dancing with the Stars just to gawk at pretty women in skimpy clothing. The once-respected and adored Warblers had been reduced to nothing more than a joke, haunted by past controversies and preconceived notions, and eclipsed by sister school Crawford Country Day’s own emerging Glee Club, the Songbirds, founded in 2014 by a student’s desire to become the first female Warbler.

But then, in 2028, came a light at the end of the tunnel: Gleb Fyodorovich Lebedev.

Descended from Russian immigrants, Gleb provided the new generation of Warblers with the star power that they had desperately been in need of, amidst a shifting show choir landscape with a growing prejudice over a cappella-based choirs. Charm for days, piercing blue eyes, a killer smile, a jawline as sharp as a Ginzu knife, and of course, vocals smooth as sweet vermouth, with a range that could rival those of both Mariah and Ariana combined. A finely-sculpted heartthrob, who didn’t take long to be spoken for romantically. By bringing him in, the Warblers had suddenly earned themselves a rhinestone-embellished ticket to potentially rebuilding their prestigious reputation and preventing Throat Explosion from claiming another victim.

The 2029 East North Central Regionals came surrounded by high expectations. As the Crooked Creek Songscrapers performed their setlist onstage at Benjamin Harrison High School’s auditorium, Gleb was in one of the dressing rooms, putting the finishing touches on his make-up and neatly-curled platinum blonde hair, when he heard a knock upon the door. “Who is it?”

“Who do you think it is?”

Gleb smiled, putting down the concealer and heading for the door, opening it to find the person who had claimed his heart. His very own teenage dream… Yasmin Medeiros.

Dressed in an off-the-shoulder dress of white and navy blue stripes, topped with a red belt to solidify Dalton Academy’s spirit colors, Yasmin beamed as she lept into Gleb’s arms, spinning with him on the spot before they came together in a tender kiss. "You seem pretty excited about tonight, sólnyshka."

"Why wouldn't I be?" Yasmin asked, pulling away to take his hands in hers and gazing into his eyes. "The Warblers made it to Regionals for the first time in years, all because of you!"

Gleb responded with a low, confident chuckle. “It really couldn’t have gone any other way,” he remarked, caressing Yasmin’s cheek with the back of his hand, before turning his attention back to the mirror to fix his hair, tousled by her hands during their kiss. “Just you watch. The moment we perform our setlist, we’ll have those Hoosier Losers quaking in their boots.”

Yasmin, doing her best to contain her excitement, sat down next to the miniature fridge in the dressing room. “I can’t wait to see the looks on their faces when you beat them,” she stated, taking out her phone to film him while he preened himself. “You could be making history tonight! It might just be the incentive I need to finally convince my parents to transfer me to Crawford…”

Gleb stopped in his tracks, turning to her with a perplexed expression. “What?”

“I’m gonna be honest with you, McKinley sucks,” Yasmin confessed, “They don’t even have an arts program, let alone a Glee Club, and Nico’s the only person there who doesn’t treat me like dirt. If I transfer this year, I’ll have all the more time to spend with you... and I could even join the Songbirds and enter competitions, so we can keep sharing our passion for show choir together!”

“You know that if you join the Songbirds, we’re going to be rivals, right?”

Yasmin shrugged, pressing stop on the phone camera. “I don’t see what’s the issue!” she answered, putting her phone aside and getting up to sling her arms over his shoulders. “Is there anything more enticing than rivals who make out in the downlow?”

While usually not one to pass up the opportunity for some canoodling, Gleb looked noticeably discomforted at her suggestion, mustering up an apologetic smile as he placed Yasmin’s arms down. “My dear, that is simply preposterous,” he points out, “The Warblers have just started picking up steam again… Having you in the Songbirds, going head to head with us, would be far too much troublesome for our track record going forward.”

“And now, representing Ohio, give it up for the Dalton Academy Warblers!”

Gleb was sent off to join his fellow Warblers with a kiss on the cheek and a wish of merde from Yasmin, shaking out his limbs before he and the boys took their places for the opening performance of their setlist. The Harrison High auditorium, as you would expect, was packed: rival choirs, the judges, a few Warbler and Throat Explosion groupies, all of the kids’ families—a vast sea of ears which immediately perked when the Warblers began to vocalize and beatbox, preparing the territory for Gleb to take the lead.

[Gleb] ♪ It's late in the evenin', glass on the side

I've been sat with you for most of the night

Ignorin' everybody here, we wish they would disappear

So maybe we could get down now

I don't wanna know if you're gettin' ahead of the program

I want you to be mine, lady

To hold your body close, take another step into the no-man's land

And for the longest time, lady ♪

Watching from the wings, Yasmin couldn’t help but blush and giggle whenever Gleb gave her a glance at some of the more flirty lines. She beamed with pride as she clung to the curtains, watching Gleb lead the Warblers in a series of slick, classy dance moves, all while giving seductive glances that sent their groupies into orgasmic frenzies. This triggers annoyance of the Throat Explosion groupies, one of which who throws a water bottle at the Warbler groupies, launching into a full-fledged catfight at the back of the auditorium.

[Gleb] ♪ I need you, darling, come on, set the tone

If you feel you're fallin', won't you let me know?

Oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-ohh

If you love me, come on, get involved

Feel it rushin' through you from your head to toe

Oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-ohh ♪

As the Warblers went into the bridge, Gleb stepped aside to bring Yasmin onstage, draping his arms around her from behind before pulling her into a spontaneous, intimate dance. The audience was caught off-guard by this, as the judges came up from their seats in awe, while murmurs of befuddlement could be faintly heard from the audience.

[Gleb with Warblers] ♪ (Can you feel it?) All the guys in here don't even wanna dance

(Can you feel it?) All that I can hear is music from the back

(Can you feel it?) I found you hidin' here, so won't you take my hand, darlin'

Before the beat kicks in again?

Can you feel it? ♪

Bearing a grin that would get the Cheshire Cat admitted into a retirement home, Yasmin allowed herself to relish in the attention she’s getting from both Gleb and the audience, and melt into his voice, as he hit those high notes that he usually only saved for when the two of them were behind closed doors.

[Gleb] ♪ I need you, darling, come on, set the tone

If you feel you're fallin', won't you let me know?

Oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-ohh

If you love me, come on, get involved

Feel it rushin' through you from your head to toe

Oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-ohh ♪

And then, it happened.

Caught in the heat of the moment, and the warm embrace of Gleb’s arms, Yasmin gave into her instincts and planted a big, passionate kiss upon her boyfriend’s lips, releasing horrified gasps and looks from audience members and Warblers alike. Gleb swiftly pulled back, gasping for air and staring at Yasmin in disbelief, her grin slowly breaking as it dawned upon her that her move may not have had the reaction she expected.

♪ He may be good, he may be out of sight

But he can't be here so come around tonight... ♪

An hour or so from the Warblers finishing their setlist, they were gathered in front of the nearest monitor they could find, nervously watching as Throat Explosion performed an elaborate, showstopping rendition of a Robbie Williams hit. However, the wall of sound ended up falling on deaf ears for the Warblers, as all they could focus on was the heated argument overheard from inside Gleb’s dressing room. “WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!”

Yasmin, shrunken in her seat, watched in guilt as Gleb paced back and forth in a fit of nerves, doing what he could to not break something. “I was just trying to contribute!” she tried to justify.

“Well, your little ‘contribution’ could have risked us the title!” Gleb scolded, slamming his fist over the vanity table and briefly sending all his make-up supplies jumping. “It’s Show Choir 101, you DON’T KISS during a competition setlist! Everyone knows that’s unprofessional behavior! Nationals 2011, does that not ring a BELL to you?!?”

Guilt turned to frustration as Yasmin jolted to her feet and stepped forward. “Then why was I even part of that in the first place?!” she questioned him, “Weren’t we supposed to be the focus of the performance?!”

“I was the focus!” Gleb declares through gritted teeth. “You were nothing more than a prop, a little thing to enhance the number!”

Just like that, Yasmin’s world grinded to a halt.

Her eyes darkened, and something inside her shattered, with no one but her to clean up the shards. Her boyfriend, one of the few people her age who truly understood her and shared in her interests, the same boy who had given her the first taste of romance, the boy who mere minutes ago made her feel the happiest she’s ever been… was now saying such belittling words without a single semblance of hesitation.

“A... prop? Is that all I am to you?”

Yasmin collected her things, no longer able to remain in that room with him. “You know what?” she states decisively, “It's me or them, Gleb. Take your pick.”

The silence that followed was deafening. For a moment, a part of Yasmin, even if small, believed that there could still be a chance for Gleb to take her side, to prove that he meant every sweet nothing he had said to her throughout the year. But then, he lowered his head and straightened his blazer, washing away any hope for such an outcome.

“Once a Warbler, always a Warbler.”

Yasmin didn’t need to hear anymore from him. Holding her head high, she walked out of the dressing room, slamming the door behind her and heading out of the venue entirely. As she reached the school building’s entrance, her footsteps faltered, and she sat down on the stairs, allowing herself to catch her breath—and then, she succumbed to her own heartbreak, hugging her legs and sobbing into her shoulders. Caught in a rare moment of vulnerability, she was brought back to reality by her phone ringing. “Hey! Sorry I didn’t call you sooner, I was helping out mom at the shop,” Nico could be heard from the other side of the line. “How did it go?”

Yasmin wipes her tears with her free hand, inhaling and pursing her lips to in an attempt to disguise her sobs—which doesn’t exactly fly under Nico’s radar. “Wait, are you crying?” he asks, “Is something wrong?”

“Can we go to JKP after this?”

For a short moment, Nico is silent, most likely having noticed how broken she sounds. “...Sure! Whatever makes you feel better!”

The Warblers took third place that night. And for Yasmin and Gleb, it was the beginning of an unexpectedly grisly end.

Come November, and Yasmin is all smiles and unshakeable confidence, paying close attention as Izzy writes ‘AMERICANA’ on the whiteboard. “So, now that we know the theme for Sectionals, we should probably have a better idea of what our setlist should look like,” Izzy explains, “I know only the team who won the mash-off is supposed to be in charge, but I’m not too comfortable with leaving people out, so feel free to give any ideas you might have.”

Nico is the first to add his two cents, raising his hand with an ecstatic grin. “Can we do something from Hamilton?” he suggests, “I mean, it’s literally American history portrayed through a modern lens, and to this day it still resonates with many people. It’s the perfect source of inspiration, there’s so much we could do with it!”

Danny isn’t quite as onboard with that idea, covering his face with his hands in in discomfort. “Don’t remind me,” he whines, “Dad was obsessed with Hamilton when I was little, he would sing along to it all the time. If I ever hear Guns and Ships again, it’ll be too soon.”

His recollection inspires Moira to raise her hand as well. “I think Kids in America is a no-brainer!” she affirms, “Sectionals is on my birthday this year, and singing one of my mom’s favorite songs would make it extra special. Whenever my folks and I went on a road trip, we’d put it on and sing along in the car. I’m pretty sure the Digimon movie soundtrack was my first exposure to a no-skips album!”

A chorus of approving ‘ooh’s comes from the other kids, including Izzy, who turns to take note of the suggestions on the whiteboard. “Digimon?” asks Danny, mildly confused. “I know that one from Jimmy Neutron.”

“Some songs can appear in multiple movies,” Cedric reminds him, “Just ask Steve Harwell’s estate.”

Suddenly, Candice gets up, beaming as she raises her hand. “Ooh! I just thought of a great song we could do!” she exclaims, skipping to the center of the classroom and nudging Izzy to the side as she does so. Everyone watches in anticipation—and even a little bit of dread, in Hugo’s case—as she clears her throat, warms up her voice, and opens her mouth to sing...

♪ Bye, bye, Miss American Pie

It’s this old movie 'bout a desperate guy

Who's trying to get laid and has sex with... ♪

"Those are not the words..."

Candice’s voice trails off into silence as she stares at Yael with a fixed, surface-level smile, one that thinly masks her confusion. "That song's about the plane crash that killed three of the biggest music stars of the 1950s, including Buddy Holly,” Yael explains, glancing at the facepalming Hugo beside them. “It literally goes ‘The Day Music Died’... Not the most patriotic sentiment, if you ask me."

When even Beverly is waving her hand in a disapproving gesture, that’s when Candice knows she had a bad idea. "Well, Madonna should've conveyed that better!"

As Candice goes back to her seat with a pout, Izzy follows suit, noticing her father rolling into the room with a sheet of paper in his hands. “I come with news, y’all!” Artie announces, to the collective excitement of the Sparks.“I noticed you guys have been hard at work brainstorming the setlist, and if y’all needed any further incentive to step your game up, we finally know who we’ll be up against for Sectionals! Can I get a drumroll, boys?”

The Fernweh boys are happy to oblige, playing a drumroll and suspense sting combo to build up the anticipation within the kids. “We have, representing the Southeast, the Rockaweenies—” Artie is cut off by scattered, playful snickers from Hugo and Cedric. “...from William Rayley High. Then there’s the Echo Chanteurs from Noble Lutheran Academy from the Southwest, Revel Yell from the quaker institution Marlboro Friends’ School from the Northeast…”

Beverly, holding back a laugh, leans towards Danny. “Are all show choir names this stupid?” she ponders hushedly.

“Say what you will,” Danny replies matter-of-factly, “At least they’re creative!”

Their brief conversation goes unnoticed by those around them, and they soon turn their focus back to Artie and the list. “And representing Central Ohio,” Artie finishes, letting out a sigh of resignation as his gaze scans the name of the final competing choir. “I guess we should’ve seen this one coming… The Dalton Academy Warblers.”

Surprisingly for him, most of the kids take this well, exchanging cheers, laughters, and even some high-fives. “Yeah, I think we got this in the bag!” Izzy remarks, “The Warblers are way past their prime, their shtick has run thin a long time ago. I’m actually surprised they’re still competing after the whole steroid debacle of 2012.”

Artie smiles and nods, pumping his fist over his daughter’s confidence—but then, he notices the one Spark who isn’t nearly as optimistic. “Yasmin, are you okay?”

Yasmin nods affirmingly, clutching her churning stomach in dread. “I’m sorry, Mr. Abe, but I don’t think I can handle the idea of competing against the Warblers,” she murmurs, letting Nico wrap an arm around her in support. “I… totally forgot we’d have to deal with them.”

“Let me guess,” Moira teases, “You’re afraid Nico could fall hopelessly in love with the first Warbler he exchanges a word with?”

Suspicious whispers fill the choir room, and some of the kids even throw the word ‘Klaine’ around, but it’s almost unintelligible to Yasmin as her heart sinks all over again. Really, this has nothing to do with Nico, and he doesn’t deserve to be brought into this. If there’s anything troubling her, it’s for the best that she gets it out of the way, as early as possible.

“...Actually, that was me.”

Yasmin earns puzzled, if not outright shocked, looks from everyone around her, standing up and stepping forward to clear things up. “Their lead singer, Gleb Lebedev… Him and I used to be a thing around this time last year,” she reveals, her tone unusually low and broken, as her gaze comes down to her feet.“He was my first… everything. I thought I could trust him to always be there for me, but after I kissed him at Regionals, we hit a wall, and eventually… he dumped me over the summer.”

“Because he was gay?”

Predictably, Beverly’s quip has Yasmin rolling her eyes in annoyance. “No, we were just too ambitious for each other,” she adds, “I wanted to sing onstage too, but he thought I would end up stealing his thunder. At the end of the day, he just saw me as… a prop.”

The rest of the group is, understandably, heavy-hearted on her behalf; for Cedric in particular, this puts a lot about her behavior towards him into perspective, especially after their kiss. Artie, resonating with her account, wheels forward to take her hand. “The Warblers are deceptive. Trust me, I know how dastardly they can be,” he advises her, “If you’re scared of having to face your ex again, just know we’ll be at the ready to rally up for you.”

Yasmin exhales in relief, mustering up a soft smile over Artie’s words. “Thanks, but… This is a bandage I need to rip off on my own terms,” she concludes, turning to the other kids with a determined look. “If I really have no choice, then I’d rather not run the risk of anything happening to you guys. What happens between me and Gleb, stays between me and Gleb.”

Yasmin’s recollection of her experience with the Warblers remains in the back of the Sparks’ minds throughout the day, even as they go from class to class. Genesis doesn’t let it show, but she can still hear Yasmin’s words echo in her mind as her fingers dance over the braille engraved on the covers of her notebooks, finding the right one and closing the locker door before heading to her next class—at least, that’s her intention, before she feels her walking stick abruptly snatched out of her hand. “What the—Hey!”

“Well, what do we have here?”

Terence. Of course. “Give that back!” Genesis urges, jumping up and down in an ultimately fruitless attempt to reach for the stick.

Her frustration over Terence’s act of disrespect gets a good laugh from him, as he holds the stick over his head. “Say, what do you need such a long stick for?” he asks, messing around with the stick’s folding function. “If you need something to shove your coochie up so badly, I could offer a nice replacement…”

“That’s a mobility aid, you sick freak!” Genesis protests, uncharacteristically furious. “Now give it back or—”

Before she can finish, she yelps as Terence shoves her down to the ground, essentially leaving her defenseless. “You really think I’m gonna listen to what some whiny cripple has to say?!” he shouts, “Ooh, look at me, I need to wave a stick around to walk, like I’m in Hogwarts or something! Just get up and walk, dammit!”

Amidst his relentless mockery, Terence is too busy laughing to notice Hugo and Moira coming down the hallway, horrified and fuming as they rush to gang up on him. With no time to react, Terence is tackled down by Hugo, left at the receiving end of a barrage of intense punches from Moira. “Go mess with someone your own size, CREEP!!” yells Moira, nudging the walking stick Hugo’s way. “Hugo, get her away! I’ll take it from here!”

Hugo nods, grabbing the walking stick and approaching Genesis to help her back up. “C’mon, let’s move!” he urges, running off with her as fast as their feet can take them. In the middle of such a heated moment, it’s almost as if time slows down around them—and being so close to Hugo’s chest, Genesis gets a chill from his silver Star of David necklace, almost indenting itself against her skin.

Once they feel like they’re distant enough, the two of them stop to catch their breath, at which Hugo finally addresses her properly. “…Are you okay?”

“I… I think I am…” Genesis heaves, “I just wish I could’ve found a better way to fight back. I’m afraid I…” She musters up a small smile.“May not have as much expertise in that area as you do.”

Hugo chuckles, flattered by her comment. “Hey, I heard you calling him out for it! That’s pretty ballsy if you ask me,” he points out, earning a bigger smile from her in the process. “Every time I think that guy can’t go any lower, somehow he finds a shovel.”

As he watches her fix herself, he can’t help but be mesmerized by how the strands of her raven hair fall over her face, framing her milky eyes as she briefly removes her sunglasses to put them back on the right way… Wait, am I blushing? He ponders, pressing his hand to his face. Crap, I am blushing! What is she doing to me?! “Oh, um… Can I give you your stick back?”

Genesis hesitates at first, sporting a faint blush of her own, but she obliges with a nod. He reaches for her, and her hand carefully wraps around his, their fingers intertwining oh-so-slightly in a brief moment that seems to last forever, before she’s able to take her walking stick back.

In the silence, broken only by their heavy breathing, Genesis only has one more thing to say. “Thank you.”

“No problem,” Hugo replies softly, with a gentle tap on her shoulder. “See you later!”

As she overhears Hugo’s footsteps grow more and more distant, Genesis clutches her walking stick, processing the stolen moment they had just shared. She had never felt so warm or safe around anyone outside her own parents, and being part of Glee Club with him allowed her to see him for the noble, kind-hearted young man he really is, rather than the aggressive macho quarterback the rest of the student body knows him to be. She always knew that someday, she’d meet the boy who’d steal away her heart and pull her into her first high school romance…

But why did he have to be Jewish?

♪ Before you knew it, he was dropping passes

Skipping practice just to spend more time with... her ♪

An hour and a half away from McKinley, at the ever-pristine Dalton Academy, the Warblers are practicing their setlist for Sectionals. As synchronized as ever, they go over their usual harmonies and side-step choreography, led by a youthful, somewhat androgynous teen, singing lead on a Carrie Underwood hit, all under the watchful eye of Gleb, who strokes his chin as he silently and minuciously picks apart each and every aspect of the performance in his mind.

♪ The coach said, "Hey, son, what's your problem?

Tell me, have you lost your mind?"

And daddy said— ♪

“Stop, stop!”

The Warblers’ voices fizzle out, as a clearly displeased Gleb steps up, approaching his peers. "First of all, you guys sound great, but some of you still need some work," he tells them, before turning to the youthful Warbler. “And Sydney, you already have so much lead Warbler potential. You know I need someone reliable to pass the torch to once that time comes, even if that won't be for a long time. But I’m afraid I’m not completely sold on the song choice just yet…”

Sydney shuffles back, briefly looking back at the other Warblers before addressing Gleb. “Well, since we’ve been trying to shatter the stigmas surrounding the Warblers, what better way to do it than to pay homage to all the beautiful all-American girls out there?”

“I see the vision, alright,” Gleb replies, placing his hands on Sydney’s shoulders. “But I’m afraid the song choice is kind of… Twee, you know? A little too cutesy, a little too 'golly gee'.” He turns towards the group as a whole, beginning to pace back and forth. “You have to remember we’re not just goody two-shoes private school pretty boys… We are the heartthrobs of Ohio’s show choir scene. We need that extra edge if we want to get those hearts throbbing.” He claps his hands hard, which gets the other boys to scatter around the hall. “Let’s get to work! Andre, your vibrato’s a little pitchy! Irving, that snare needs to be more pronounced! Yasmin… Yasmin?”

Indeed, he had been so caught up in his ‘heartthrob’ speech that it didn’t even occur to him to notice that Yasmin had entered the domains of Dalton Academy and was standing at the doorway, arms folded as she fiercely glares at him. "What, were you expecting Blaine Anderson or something?"

Gleb, stunned and almost breathless, steps forward with a sly smile. “Why, sólnyshka…” he says, bringing his hand up to caress her cheek. “I didn’t think I’d get to see you again so soon—”

He’s cut off by Yasmin harshly swatting his hand away, her nostrils practically flaring with anger. “Don’t you sólnyshka me, I know what the jig is with you,” she sneers, “Let me make one thing clear… I am not your little cheerleader anymore. I’m my own person now, I know my self-worth, and guess what?” She gives him a smarmy grin. “I have my own Glee Club now, no transfer necessary. And we are totally going to beat you at Sectionals.”

Gleb lets out a husky, incredulous chuckle, as the other Warblers step forward behind him. “Your naïveté is... almost charming in how laughable it is.”

At his command, the Warblers start to build up an ominous tune behind him, but Yasmin refuses to falter. Their harmonies grow, literally singing circles around the pair, and it does get her quaking in her slippers a little, but she’s determined to remain defiant, fiercely scowling at Gleb and doing what she can to maintain her composure before the boy who did her wrong all those months ago, all while he calmly and confidently dances along to his peers’ vocals.

[Gleb] ♪ Here I am, not sure you should take a chance

I like playin' dumb, lettin' you figure me out ♪

[Yasmin] ♪ But I was faded, in my own defense

Just another day spent hopin' we don't fall apart

So, drop a bomb on all the things we dreamed about ♪

Gleb steps back, leading the Warblers in some elaborate choreography, with highly precise sync. What Yasmin once found impressive now only comes across as intimidating, if not downright horrifying: all those boys dancing the same, dressed the same, moving as if they all shared one mind… No free will, no individuality, nothing more than submissive little puppets obeying the will of their all-powerful leader.

[Gleb] ♪ Smash all the guitars 'til we see all the stars, oh ♪

[Both] ♪ Got to throw this year away

We got to throw this year away like a bad luck charm ♪

[Gleb] ♪ Smash all the guitars 'til we see all the stars, oh ♪

[Both] ♪ Got to throw this year away

We got to throw this year away like a bad luck charm ♪

Half of the Warblers scatter around the hall, leaving others to keep backing up Gleb as he circles Yasmin, eyeing her closely like a starving albino vulture anticipating its next meal. The Warblers swarm up on Yasmin, but she’s able to fight back, swatting them away with her arms and sending them crashing down. Despite this, the boys still don’t miss a beat in their song, and Gleb keeps smiling as he raises his hands, feigning shock.

[Gleb] ♪ So let's twist the knife again, twist the knife again

Like we did last summer

Let's twist the knife again, twist the knife again ♪

[Yasmin] ♪ I'm just tryin' to keep it together

But it gets a little harder when it never gets better

I'm tryin' to keep it together

To keep it together, keep it together, no-ohh... ♪

[Gleb] ♪ Smash all the guitars 'til we see all the stars, oh ♪

[Both] ♪ Got to throw this year away

We got to throw this year away like a bad luck charm ♪

Everything comes to a head as the Warblers surround Yasmin, overwhelming her even further to the point that they can grab her by the arms and tug her from side to side like a rag doll. Overcome with fear, she can no longer find the strength to break herself free, and even her voice gives up, leaving her powerless and at the mercy of an avalanche of slushies from the Warblers, culminating in a lemon slushie from Gleb all over her hair, before they toss her out of the school’s front door, laughing at her expense.

Through burning eyes drenched in sugar and ice, Yasmin can make out Gleb’s condescending grin as he glances towards his fellow Warblers, before approaching her and tilting her head up with his finger. “Hopefully this should remind you to stay in your place,” he sneers, sliding a finger down Yasmin’s face and sticking it in his mouth to taste the accumulated slushie. “Very well, boys! Back to work!”

The Warblers continue laughing as they go back in, slamming the doors on Yasmin’s face and leaving her to freeze drenched in slushie reside—but judging how much she can feel her blood boil from this, it may not last very long.

That night, at the Reeve household, Genesis has locked herself inside her bedroom, focusing herself on her studies and ignoring the knocks from the other side of the door. "Genny, dear, aren’t you gonna come down?" her mother, Drusilla, asks in concern, "I made your favorites, grilled fish with grape mousse for dessert!"

“I’m not hungry!” Genesis calls out.

Drusilla sighs, leaning closer to the door. “Genny, you’ve been acting weird all day. What’s gotten into you?”

The jingling of keys can be heard, setting up Drusilla to come face to face with her daughter as she opens the door. “I’m fasting, mom,” Genesis clarifies, “Today at school, this guy from the football team, the one with the mohawk… He stole my walking stick and made horrible inappropriate comments towards me. I feel dirty just thinking about it.”

Drusilla gasps, pulling Genesis into her arms. “Oh, honey… I have no doubt that the Lord shall deliver His righteous punishment upon that hooligan, and he shall never to bother you again,” she reassures her, “Just try not to fast for too long, okay? The last time you did this, you nearly passed out from malnutrition. You don’t wanna risk giving your father another heart attack, do you?”

Genesis shakes her head, smiling as she receives a kiss on the forehead from her mother. “I’ll let you know when I’m feeling fully cleansed,” she states, “For now, I can make do with just water and the strength of God.”

“That’s my girl!”

Drusilla beams as she runs off to the lower floor of the house, leaving Genesis to think about the excuse she just gave her. Sure, what Terence did was unacceptable… but Hugo is the main reason for her fasting. Growing weak in the knees over a Jewish boy, nevermind how handsome he must be and how compassionate he has been to her, is nonetheless an unforgivable heresy; as far as she knows, she could be a hop and a skip away from having her mind clouded by impure thoughts, which she knows for a fact could be a thousand times worse.

Unbeknownst to her, Hugo is struggling just as much as her, in a different way. As he tosses and turns in bed, later that same night, his mind still dwells on the moment he shared with her: helping save her from Terence’s bullying, running down the halls with her, the soft touch of her hand over his. He ponders if a glass of water could help get his mind off that, and heads to the kitchen, only to find Yael way ahead of him, illuminated by the inside of the fridge as they hydrate themself.

In no position to bother his little sibling, Hugo quietly heads for the bathroom instead, washing his face in the sink, and contemplating his feelings for Genesis with his own reflection. He never thought he’d feel this warmth over anyone else after Candice called it quits with him, let alone just two months later, but time has a funny way of playing with your expectations sometimes. Perhaps the time is right for him to move on; he’s learned his lessons, and now, he’s ready for someone to love him regardless of status.

He just has something to clear up with Candice first.

The next day, at the gymnasium, Cheerio rehearsals are in full swing, and following half an hour of intense practice, the team has taken a break to recharge, stretch, and just catch up on gossip with the teammates they’re closest to. Candice is on the mat, in a straddle split position, as Beverly sits next to her, wiping the sweat off her brow. “Thank goodness we’re getting our Sectionals out of the way this week,” Beverly points out, “No surprise that a Pussycat Dolls routine would be a chore to master.”

“You’re doing great, though!” says Candice, “I wouldn’t be surprised if Coach Wilde gave you the head Cheerio spot back, you’re seriously giving Kermit a run for his money!”

Beverly blushes, sipping from her Stanley cup. “Right now I just want to focus on our sabotage plans,” she explains, “The tell-all and diva-off were fun, but we have to figure out more ways to get under those kids’ skin… Got any ideas?”

Candice nods eagerly, springs back up from her straddle split without breaking a sweat. “I’m thinking of giving Plan Pillsbury another go!” she reveals, “Last time didn’t go over so well because I got a little too close and made him uncomfortable, so perhaps a more dialogue-based approach could be more effective!”

As the girls talk, Hugo casually walks in, making his way past the stretching cheerleaders. Kermit, spotting him from the corner of his eye, steps forward to talk. “Hey, hot stuff,” Kermit purrs, tracing his bottom lip with the tip of his finger. “I’m sorry about you and Candice, but you know, these things happen. It’s never too late to start exploring other—”

Hugo doesn’t even bother to let him finish, harshly shoving him aside to go talk to Candice. “Oh, hey, Huggle-Bear!” she greets him cheerfully, “Got something on your mind?”

Hugo isn’t so fazed by her innocent look, folding his arms over his chest. “You know you can stop calling me Huggle-Bear, right?” he reminds her, “In fact, considering the way you broke up with me, and what you said back then, I’m starting to wonder if you actually loved me in the first place.”

Candice is disappointed that such a possibility would cross his mind, her smile fading before he’s even finished talking. “Why, of course I did!” she insists, setting his arms down and taking his hands. “And not just because you’re the quarterback. I do cherish what we had, I just never had any intention to continue it after high school.”

“So all this time, you were just dating me for fun?”

Candice’s gaze drifts back, as she notices some of her fellow Cheerios gather around them to watch the argument unfold—and their support encourages her to take on a more serious stance. “I don’t think you noticed, but your claims that I’m a ‘maneater’ of some sort are wildly exaggerated,” she explains, “I haven’t dated anyone since I broke up with you, because I set the bar too high. There are no men in America for me! I'm trying to do the best I can, but I can't find something to satisfy me!”

Hugo lets out a low chuckle, watching as Candice turns away to go back to her stretching with the other girls. Soon, they become lost in their own little world, the stretching gradually transforming into choreography to the tune of a slick groove accompanied by belching synths, and Candice’s gaze locks with Hugo’s as he walks towards her, with a slight sway and a look that’s... almost seductive.

[Hugo] ♪ I'm just a bachelor, I'm looking for a partner ♪

[Candice] ♪ I ain't got nothin' to say ♪

[Hugo] ♪ Someone who knows how to ride

Without even falling off ♪

[Candice] ♪ Yeah, that ship sailed away ♪

With a better grasp of Hugo’s intentions just from his body language, Candice smirks as she leads the Cheerios in yet another sexually-charged dance routine, just to tease him. She can definitely tell Hugo’s trying to grill her in order to get under her skin, and she’s savvy enough, in both interpersonal relationships and intimate matters, that the best way to go about such an approach is by pushing his buttons right back.

[Candice] ♪ Love me, love me, baby

Are you down? Can you let me know?

Love me, thank you, leave me

Put it down, then it's time to go ♪

[Hugo] ♪ Get it like you love me

But you don't, girl, it's just for show ♪

[Candice] ♪ Take it or leave it, you gotta take it or leave it like ♪

As she sings, Candice swiftly yanks off Hugo’s letterman jacket from behind him, putting his rippling muscles in full display through his white tank top, and allowing him to pull her close so he can grind against her. Although they’re stringing each other along, it still comes as a perhaps-too-tangible way of reliving what they once had—granted, it wasn’t all sexual, but if there’s one thing Candice knows more than anyone else about Hugo, it’s that he knows his way around pleasing a woman.

[Candice] ♪ Don't want you in my bloodline, yeah

Just wanna have a good time, yeah ♪

[Hugo] ♪ My saddle's waitin', come and jump on it ♪

[Candice] ♪ Don't want you in my bloodline, yeah (Don't want you in my)

Not tryna make you all mine, yeah (Not tryna make you) ♪

[Hugo] ♪ My saddle's waitin' ♪

[Candice] ♪ But you gon' have to let this all go, yeah ♪

The atmosphere in the gymnasium grows dense with the overflow of pheromones from both teens, with Hugo pinning Candice against the wall and getting all up in her personal space, their breaths hot and heavy as they blend into each other. At the same time, the Cheerios continue their dance routine, performed directly to Hugo as he sits opposite them in a folding chair, specifically watching Candice with his jacket on; the whole thing is like a scene out of a music video, right down to the dry ice pooling at their feet.

[Hugo] ♪ I know what you want, what you want from me

I know what you think, what you think you see ♪

[Candice] ♪ I know what you looking for, but I'm complete

I know what you need, but it won't be me ♪

[Candice] ♪ Don't want you in my bloodline (Don't want you in my bloodline)

Not tryna make you all mine, yeah ♪

[Hugo] ♪ My saddle's waitin' ♪

[Candice] ♪ But you gon' have to let this all go, yeah ♪

The song comes to a close with a disheveled Candice stepping up towards Hugo and handing him his jacket back, before giving him a knowing smile and walking away, luring him out of that saucy fantasy and back into the real world, the one in which he’s still standing like an idiot in front of the Cheerios as they stretch. Candice is more annoyed than teasing when their eyes meet, and he awkwardly clears his throat, backing away. “I’m sorry… Are you sure you meant everything you said?”

“Absolutely, now leave,” Candice urges him, “Or else I’ll ask Coach Wilde to drag you out herself.”

Hugo, in a sudden cold sweat, does as he’s told without a single second of hesitation, sighing in relief once he’s fully out of the gym. Although he let his mind wander for longer than he expected, but he came there looking for at least some semblance of closure, and as far as that’s concerned, he’ll gladly take what he can get—and he can finally have a good night’s sleep, taking comfort in the fact that, no matter who Candice ends up with, he’ll most likely be the best she’s ever had...

"Hugo!"

His train of thought is abruptly cut short by Cedric approaching him, seemingly in a hurry. "There you are!" the running back exclaims, catching his breath. "We need you in the locker room ASAP. Coach Evans has issued an emergency meeting... It’s about Terence."

Hugo furrows his brows, confused. Cedric is hesitant to speak, but his expression of genuine shock, tinged with perhaps a slightest brushstroke of worry, seems to indicate a truly troubling outcome for the team, one that neither of them could have predicted could have predicted—and something within Hugo tells him that perhaps Terence’s bullying of Genesis may have had a significant part in it.

“BREAKING NEWS, GLEB LEBEDEV IS STILL A JERK, MORE AT 11!”

Yasmin has all the other Sparks startled when she storms into the April Rhodes Civic Pavillion, fuming enough to power a steam train as she joins the rest of the group onstage. Izzy glances over at Rajesh, who’s clinging to his arm while trying to recover from the jumpscare, and gives him a comforting tap on the shoulder. “Sorry if this comes across as the understatement of the century, but...” she says to Yasmin, “I take it your visit to Dalton didn’t go over so well?”

Trying to collect her thoughts, Yasmin clenches her fists and takes a deep breath. “It was practically Slushiepalooza in there,” she vents out, “They are relentless. We have to beat those pompous pretty boy douchebags at Sectionals, come hell or high water, otherwise, I might just waltz into the nearest river and BECOME A TROUT!”

“Okay, chill!” Artie cuts in, squeezing Yasmin’s wrist in an attempt to calm her down. “I appreciate the enthusiasm, but try not going that far. Try doing a few breathing exercises, and let us know when you’re feeling better. We need you to continue the rehearsals.” He rolls forward, glancing at the kids as they warm up—but then, something dawns on him. “Hey, where’s Genesis? I could’ve sworn she was here a minute ago.”

Indeed, she had showed up on time for rehearsals, but just the sight of Hugo had her fleeing backstage, her feet carrying her just as quickly as the beat of her heart. In a secluded corner, she reaches into her backpack, pulling out a bag of kennel corn and tearing it open, so the corn can spill before her. Weighted down by her own conflicted feelings, Genesis kneels on the spilled corn, withstanding the pain as she places down a wood carving of Jesus before her. "Dear God, I know I live in a world that is sinful and that, by nature, we are sinful beings. I pray that You will be with me as I work on rooting out the sin in my life. I know I’m not a perfect being and may stumble, but I know You are an Almighty Father who has defeated sin. Please help me focus on Your goodness and Your Word, so I don’t even allow sinful thoughts or actions to enter my life..."

♪ I’ve tried to win this war, I confess

My hands are weary, I need Your rest

Mighty Warrior, King of the fight

No matter what I face, You’re by my side ♪

The song comes to Genesis naturally, as if it’s part of the prayer, and she allows herself to be whisked away by it, cleansed as if she’s standing under a holy waterfall. Nonetheless, her heart continues to ache, not just from her feelings for Hugo, but also knowing he’s up on stage with the others, likely to walk in on her and get the wrong idea. She doesn’t hate him, she has no real reason to—but she knows for a fact that she wouldn’t be doing this if the love she felt for him was just that of a friend.

When You don’t move the mountains

I’m needing You to move

When You don’t part the waters

I wish I could walk through

When You don’t give the answers

As I cry out to you

I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in you ♪

Thankfully for her, it’s not Hugo who walks in on her prayer, but Rajesh, wrecked with distress over her absence. Immediately clueing in on what’s going on, he silently softens his gaze and watches in sympathy, enraptured by her song. He can hear the anguish in her voice, how it occasionally breaks on certain words. He can tell how important this is to her, and he can’t find it in his heart to interrupt her.

♪ Your ways are always higher,

Your plans are always good

There’s not a place where I’ll go

You’ve not already stood

When You don’t move the mountains

I’m needing You to move

When You don’t part the waters

I wish I could walk through

When You don’t give the answers

As I cry out to you

I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in you ♪

Cleared of all her stress, Genesis lets out a deep sigh, finishing her prayer and collecting her things. “You can speak now, Raj,” she says, taking her walking stick and turning towards him. “I know you’re there. I can hear you breathing.”

Rajesh lets out a sheepish chuckle, stepping forward. “Oh, wow, they weren’t wrong about your hearing,” he remarks, clearing his throat and thinking of what to say so he doesn’t come across as invasive. “Um… Is there something troubling you? You’ve been acting odd all week.”

Genesis’ breath hitches, as her fingers tighten around her walking stick in hesitation. “Can you keep a secret?” The affirming nod she gets from Rajesh, right off the bat, is enough to soothe her nerves. “I… I think I’m in love with Hugo. As in, love-love. And to be quite honest… I’ve never been more scared in my whole life.”

Her confession puzzles Rajesh, who takes a step back to process it. “Well, he’s strong enough to break you in half like a twig, but I’m sure he would never—”

“No, it’s not that!” Genesis cuts in, “The problem is… He’s Jewish. My religion has always been such a big part of my life, ever since I can remember. My parents are, like, ten times more devoted to Christianity than I am, like, full-on cult mentality. If they find out I’m into a guy who follows a different religion, they’ll never forgive me! I don’t want to betray my faith like that!”

Her breathing becomes more laboured, tugging at Rajesh’s heart, as he takes her by the hands and pulls her close. “There, there, it’s okay...” he reassures her, pulling her into a hug. “There’s nothing wrong with liking someone from a different faith. As long as there’s real understanding, love can never be a sin.” He pulls away, keeping her hands in his and lightly squeezing them. “If your parents don’t understand that, they can get the Padak treatment for not following their own book. Just know that there are people who care for you, and who will be there for you, even if the people who gave you life aren’t.”

Genesis smiles, successfully tranquilized by Rajesh’s kind words. “Thanks,” she whispers, reaching one hand to clutch her rosary. “I’m just… a bit overwhelmed. I know having crushes is part of the high school experience, but I’ve never experienced this before.”

Rajesh responds with a gentle nod, caressing her cheek with the back of his hand. “These things take time, so try not to get too worked up over it,” he advises, “Focus on other things instead. Don’t forget Mr. Abe is counting on the Sparks to do well.”

“And we will!”

The two of them giggle, exchanging a friendly hand-shake. “By the way,” Genesis wonders, “What’s the Padak treatment?”

“All I have to say is there’s a reason I’ve sworn off sushi.”

Genesis nods, just as Yasmin walks in, visibly disgruntled. “Alright, how long are you guys gonna take—Ahh!”

Thanks to the corn left spilled on the floor, Yasmin ends up crashing to the floor, at which Genesis and Rajesh can’t help but wince, before running to help her back up to the tune of her strained grunts. “At least you didn’t fall and break your talent!” quips Genesis, “Can’t have that before Sectionals!”

“Oh, ha ha, very funny, now can someone clean that up?!”

That’s on the cards, of course, but all that matters right now, at least to Rajesh, is that Genesis is feeling good enough to join the rest of the group for rehearsals—with or without taking her growing crush on Hugo into account. All it took was a little bit of trust.

“I… I don’t know what to do… I got kicked out, Colin doesn’t care... It’s not like I have a choice…”

Elsewhere, Anabiel is dealing with a different kind of struggle relating to teenage relationships, taking a tissue box and handing it to the utterly inconsolable, nine-months-pregnant 16-year-old sitting opposite her. “I'm not letting you drop out, Juliet,” she consoles her, “Sure, you made a mistake in blindly trusting your boyfriend, but it doesn't mean you have to throw your life away like that.” Her gaze turns to the printed birth chart placed before her on the desk. “You have your Moon in Capricorn in the 7th house, so it makes sense that you feel worthless just because you can’t rely on your usual support system. But I have good news! Right now, Uranus is transiting your 11th house of communities, and will remain there for a while considering it’s retrograde—”

“RETROGRADE?!”

Anabiel inwardly panics when Juliet starts bawling in horror, but does her best to keep her composure. “No, no, listen!” she adds, “Right now, Uranus is at 17º Gemini. That’s a fame degree, the phoenix rising from the ashes. Uranus is the planet of rebellion and sudden changes. And you just so happen to have a pretty solid Gemini stellium... Your grades and SAT scores are certainly good enough for community college.”

Juliet nods, sobbing too hard to respond with words. “Just as you birth a new life, you get to be born again yourself,” Anabiel reassures her, taking her hands in hers. “The universe is giving you a chance to start from scratch, so make the most of it, okay?”

She places a lepidolite bracelet around the teen mom’s wrist, before sending her off with a gentle tap on her shoulder. Still wiping her tears with the tissues, Juliet leaves just as Kitty walks in, briefly side-eyeing her before taking a seat. “Now there’s someone who should’ve known better,” Kitty remarks dryly, “No surprise considering the lack of proper sex-ed in this country.”

Anabiel nods in pity, sitting down at her desk. “That’s what happens when you blindly trust someone who doesn’t care for you,” she muses, “One minute, you’re easily swayed by striking good looks and flowery promises of unconditional love… And the next, that same guy’s suddenly leaving you to rot just because he found something ‘bigger and better’. Sadly, it happens to the best of us, and all we can do is learn from it.”

Kitty is intrigued by Anabiel’s tone, leaning forward in curiosity. “Is it just me, or are you talking from experience?”

Anabiel gives her a bittersweet smile. “It’s not just you,” she murmurs, “Marvin Crozier. I met him in college… Finance major. Top of his class, charismatic, smooth like butter… No surprise he had me wrapped around his little finger from the start. I remember doing our synastry chart the moment I found out his birth time, seeing all sorts of favorable aspects and deluding myself into believing we were meant to be.”

Kitty watches attentively, as Anabiel’s expression turns somber, if not downright resentful. “Then senior year happened, and all of a sudden, he started acting distant,” she continues, “It turned out he was seeing some rich bottle blonde who had connections in higher places. He broke things off with me the moment I found out, because—get this—he needed a relationship based on something ‘more tangible than a couple rocks floating in the sky’. Needless to say, he was dead to me the moment he said that.”

In a rare moment of sympathy for her, Kitty smiles, reaching to wrap her hand around Anabiel’s. “At least you didn’t get ostracized for getting pregnant from a man who left you to spread STDs in film school,” Kitty laments, “That was literally Hell on Earth for me. Thank the Lord and Jesus for Quinn Fabray, otherwise I don’t know where I’d be now.”

“Yeah, I heard about the whole STD thing,” says Anabiel, a small smile forming on her lips. “At least we know Arthur’s a changed man. He seems to be a good teacher, the Glee kids love him… And of course, he’s got a great relationship with Izzy, that girl’s got nothing but praise for him. Maybe I’m being too optimistic here, but after all these years, I think there’s a chance for you two to reconcile.”

Kitty shakes her head with a husky chuckle of disbelief. “Let me share a little nugget of wisdom I learned from a wise wordsmith when I was in middle school,” she states nonchalantly, “Trust is like a mirror. You can fix it when it’s broken, but you can still see the cracks in the reflection. Arthur may have changed his ways, but the day I let him wheel back into my heart is the day camels grow mermaid tails and perform a synchronized swim routine.”

She shrugs and gets up, leaving Anabiel pensive as she leans back against her chair. Although there was so much certainty in what Kitty had to say, Anabiel is still skeptical on whether she truly believes her own words. Kitty claims to have moved on, but her cruel treatment of those around her, most of all the father of her child, seems to suggest otherwise: rigid, yet unstable walls, built from a stubborn attachment to dirty laundry, despite the existence of a readily-available washing machine.

Her gaze hovers towards her cabinet of birth charts, contemplating a deeper dive into the issues clawing at her brain. Should I…?

Ultimately, her intrusive thoughts win. There’s a synastry chart waiting to be put together.

Friday comes to put an end to a surprisingly eventful week, with dizzying highs and staggering lows, and to put everything in perspective going into the weekend, the Sparks gather in the April Rhodes Civic Pavillion after class for a barnstormer group number, heralded by a striking guitar riff from Tristan in the back. The kids all look a mess in the best possible way, dressed in tattered, sullied private school uniforms that come as a far cry from the picture-perfect appearance of the Warblers, as if to actively mock them, and they allow themselves to go wild onstage, thrashing about, as Yasmin vocalizes the burning rage that Gleb has planted into her core.

[Yasmin] ♪ Sometimes I feel I've got to

Run away, I've got to

Get away from the pain

You drive into the heart of me

The love we share seems to go nowhere

And I've lost my light

For I toss and turn, I can't sleep at night ♪

Genesis, sensing Hugo approaching her, nudges him back with her walking stick and takes Rajesh’s hand so he can help her up onto a platform. Hugo, in turn, nearly bumps onto Candice, who sneers and pays him no mind, instead accepting a piggyback ride offer from Beverly and headbanging to her heart’s content. Over in the audience, Artie watches as Yasmin, Genesis and Candice lead the group into the chorus, harmonizing while the others vocalize in the back, in the truest Glee Club fashion imaginable.

[Genesis with Sparks] ♪ Once I ran to you (I ran)

Now I run from you (Now I run)

This tainted love you've given

I gave you all a girl can give you ♪

[Yasmin] ♪ Take my tears and that's not nearly all ♪

[Yasmin, Genesis and Candice with Sparks] ♪ Tainted love (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)

Tainted love (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)

Oh! Tainted love (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)

Tainted love (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh) ♪

Candice goes into the bridge with a mischievous grin, approaching Hugo and clinging to him as if he’s a human stripper pole, before shoving him to the ground, at which Yael immediately rushes to help him back up. It’s then that Anabiel walks by, catching the performance from the corner of her eye and stopping to watch, her conversation with Kitty still fresh on her mind. While the kind of music the kids are performing isn’t usually one to her tastes, the subject matter hits a little too close to comfort for her.

[Candice] ♪ Don't touch me, please

I cannot stand the way you tease

I love you, but you hurt me so

Now I'm gonna pack my things and go ♪

[Yasmin, Genesis and Candice with Sparks] ♪ Tainted love, oh, tainted love

Tainted love, oh, tainted love

Tainted love, oh, tainted love

Tainted love, oh, tainted love ♪

That night, after school, Yasmin reaches inside her closet and digs out a specific article of clothing: the same dress she wore for that infamous Regionals performance. It’s a little bit faded and yellow, the leather on the belt is starting to chip, and it probably doesn’t fit her anymore. She could easily give it away, to a relative, or one of the other Sparks girls, or even a local thrift shop—but unfortunately for such a pretty dress, it’s far too tainted with heartbreaking memories to be reutilized.

So she shoves it in the trash can outside, strikes a match, and lets it go up in flames, just like the love she and Gleb once had.

Chapter Text

A new week starts, bringing along McKinley’s first COVID vaccination drive since the Biden adminstration.

For such a momentous occasion, the student body has turned up in droves, to the relief of Danny, who came up with the idea and helped Robin put it together—and of course, he brought along his mother, managing the multiple queues of high schoolers and occasionally assisting the doctors in delivering the shots. “Thank you so much for agreeing to do this, mom!” praises Danny, keeping his voice hushed in case Principal Sylvester stops by. “I didn’t think this would go over so well, but boy, am I glad it did!”

Emma smiles warmly, giving Danny a kiss on the forehead and running her fingers through his curls. “You know I would do anything for you, sweetheart,” she tells him, “And I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to have a look at how McKinley’s been doing now. The new Glee kids are nothing short of delightful!”

Speaking of them, the Sparks are currently split within the different queues, with Nico, Moira, Yael and Genesis together at the very front of their queue, anticipating their respective turns. “This is so cool!” Moira gushes, “I know Danny can get kind of finnicky with his whole germaphobia, but he really hit the nail on the head with this one. He’ll make a fab class president in the future, I’m sure.”

“Great idea, for sure,” Genesis responds, “But I’m not gonna lie, I’m a little nervous. My arm always hurts after a vaccine, it’s the worst. I’m afraid it could end up affecting our rehearsals.”

Nico gives her a supportive pat on the back. “Everything’s gonna be fine,” he reassures her, “You know your body better than anyone else. If it hurts too much, take the time you need.”

He turns his attention to the kids in the different queues around them, and from the corner of his eyes, he spots the Titans all in the same queue—including a boy he doesn’t recall having seen around the school grounds before. Built like Jason Momoa, but with just a little bit of extra chub. Golden bronze complexion; long wavy hair, tied back in a low ponytail, with a few dark wisps falling over his eyes. A serious and reserved demeanor, standing silently in the queue and nodding along to whatever Cedric and Hugo are saying to him.

“Who’s that?”

Moira tilts her neck to the side a little bit, looking over at the unfamiliar boy. “That’s Xander Arsenault, a fellow junior!” she explains, “Transferred at the top of the school year, but just now joined the football team. Since Terence’s expulsion, they needed—”

“Wait, Terence got expelled??”

Yael seems baffled that somehow Nico hadn’t already caught wind of that. “Apparently him being ableist was the straw that broke Principal Sylvester’s back.”

Moira nods in confirmation, ruffling Yael's hair a bit. "As I was saying, they needed a new tight-end, and Xander turned out to be the best candidate for the job," she continues, suddenly taking on a slight grimace. "I heard he’s a little rough around the edges, though. Something about him running away because his dad didn’t accept him for who he was. I’d watch my back if I were you.”

“Okay, next we have… Gottschalk, Nicolas!”

Nico gasps at Emma shouting his name, immediately stepping forward and taking his seat for the shot as the girls and Yael cheer him on. “Just so you know, this might sting a little,” Emma tells him, watching him nod and roll up his sleeve so she can rinse his arm. “Try looking away if it’s too uncomfortable, okay?”

Nico nods again, tightly gripping Danny’s hand and turning away from the syringe piercing into his muscle—straight into the eyes of Xander, who grunts and grits his teeth he gets his own shot. Nico is mesmerized, blushing faintly as he senses himself pulled into those green eyes, like Red Riding Hood wandering into the woods. His face drifts downward, in an attempt to disguise his fluster, before Emma’s voice brings him back to the present moment. “Oh, wow, you didn’t even flinch!”

All Nico can respond with is an awkward laugh, getting up and walking away so the others can have their turns, but nonetheless never taking his eyes off Xander. The moment their eyes met, it was as if the world had frozen in place, with that boy as his only source of warmth. Actually, warmth may have been underselling it; feeling as if his cheeks are on fire, Nico heads for the nearest water fountain and lowers his face as much as possible, so no one can see how flushed he is.

He’s had this fair share of crushes before, all of which went unreciprocated, but this… This is far more than a simple crush. It’s a full-fledged avalanche, and he’s caught up in it without protective gear.

Nico’s head is still in the clouds even leading up to the Glee Club meeting later that day, and it takes Artie wheeling in, clapping to get everyone’s attention, to bring Nico back to the present moment. “So! As y’all know, we’re up against the Warblers for Sectionals,” Artie explains, “And if we want to beat them, we gotta best them at their own game. So while we can’t switch to being a full-on a ccappella-based group, what we can do is work on our dancing.”

Moira, puzzled, raises her hand. “I don’t see what’s the problem with our dancing,” she points out, “We did pretty well at the Invitational!”

“Yes, but ‘pretty well’ doesn’t quite measure up to what the Warblers do,” Danny answers, with a hint of dread in his voice. “Their performances are choreographed down to the smallest detail. Not a pinky finger out of place. It’s actually kind of unsettling.”

Artie gives Danny a point and nod of approval. “See, you did your homework!” he praises, rolling over to the whiteboard and grabbing the marker to write something down on it. “And that is precisely why this week, I’m bringing back another tradition carried over from the New Directions, that I’m sure will do wonders for some of y’all…”

The kids lean forward, watching as the words ‘BOOTY CAMP’ take shape on the whiteboard. “It’s this old thing that Mr. Schue put in place,” Artie explains, “Every day, after practice, we gather up in the auditorium to go over the choreography, and in some cases, improve on the skills of those who are, let’s just say, directionally-challenged. Before you ask, Rajesh, yes, it’s mandatory. Everyone has to be there.”

Rajesh squirms into his seat, already embarrassed for what’s to come. “Now, as someone who decidedly has no working booty to speak of, I’ve decided to leave choreography directing duties to someone who’s got a little more experience in that area,” Artie continues, rolling towards Beverly. “And I was wondering if our former head Cheerio would take on that responsibility.”

Beverly backs into her chair, eyes wide with shock. “Me?” she questions, “I’m sorry, Mr. Abe… As far as that’s concerned, I don’t give orders, I only follow them.”

Artie shrugs, coming closer to her. “Doesn’t negate the fact that you’re the oldest of all the kids and have nearly three years of Cheerio experience under your belt,” he reminds her,“Not to mention all those pageants you said you did as a child.”

Candice, beside herself with excitement, squeezes Beverly’s hands, looking into her eyes. “Bev, you’re a fantastic dancer! And a natural leader to boot!” she encourages her, “If anyone can do this, it’s you!”

Beverly’s eyes meet hers, before she looks around to find everyone else looking at her in anticipation. Somehow, the very club she had sworn to implode, and which weeks ago was suspicious of her true motives for joining, is now counting on her to help their team bring their A-game. She’s no longer just another group member, but a potential asset to victory, actually valued and respected, something even Kitty had stopped doing months ago when Kermit sauntered into the scene...

“Five, six—Five, six, seven, eight!”

A sharp blow of Beverly into the whistle carried around her neck cuts through the atmosphere of the April Rhodes Civic Pavillion, as she leads her fellow Sparks, all decked out in workout gear, in their first ever Booty Camp session. “Alright, if we want to beat those Warblers, we’ve got to be as synchronized as possible!” she exclaims, “It’s early days, so we’re going to start with something basic, just a few arm movements we can all memorize, but that doesn’t mean you’re allowed to slack!”

♪ I could be the one or your new addiction

It's all in my head, but I want non-fiction

I don't want the world, but I'll take this city

Who can blame a girl? Call me hot, not pretty

Baby, do you like this beat?

I made it so you'd dance with me

It's like a hundred ninety-nine degrees

When you're doin' it with me, doin' it with me ♪

Beverly’s arms move at breakneck speed as she launches into the song’s iconic choreography, which, for the most part, proves to be relatively easy to grasp—even Rajesh is having a little bit of fun with it. However, no one’s enjoying it more than Candice, who runs to join Beverly at the front of the group and dances along with her, the two of them exchanging a high-five as they go into the chorus.

♪ H-O-T T-O G-O, snap and clap and touch your toes

Raise your hands, now body roll

Dance it out, you're hot to go

H-O-T T-O G-O, snap and clap and touch your toes

Raise your hands, now body roll

H-O-T T-O G-O

H-O-T T-O G-O, you can take me hot to go

H-O-T T-O G-O, you can take me hot to go ♪

It’s all fun and games until Beverly runs towards Cedric, dancing around him and getting all up in his personal space. Of course, this doesn’t sit well with Yasmin one bit, as she steps between them to pry them apart, and Beverly, in turn, sticks out her tongue with a cheeky wink, as if to make the whole thing come across as just her being playful. This does not escape Artie, who’s frustrated but not surprised that this whole scuffle over a guy is still going on between them.

♪ What's it take to get your number?

What's it take to bring you home?

Hurry up, it's time for supper

Order up, I'm hot to go

What's it take to get your number?

Hurry up, it's gettin' cold

Hurry up, it's time for supper

Order up, I'm hot to go ♪

As to not drag the mood down too much, Beverly blows her whistle again and gestures for the other girls to come closer to her. "Okay, ladies! Let's huddle up,” she commands, pulling Yasmin forward by the arm so they can do the routine together. “In five, six—five, six, seven, eight! H-O-T-T-O-G-O, and whoo! We're hot to go! Whoo! We're hot to go! H-O-T-T-O-G-O, and whoo! We're hot to go! Whoo! We're hot to..."

♪ H-O-T T-O G-O, you can take me hot to go (Oh, yeah)

H-O-T T-O G-O, you can take me hot to go (Hot to go)

H-O-T T-O G-O, you can take me hot to go (Oh, yeah)

H-O-T T-O G-O, you can take me hot to go ♪

The atmosphere in the auditorium turns all the more joyous as the kids sing and dance together, but it proves to be a little too chaotic for Rajesh, who crashes into Cedric and falls to the floor, at which Cedric quickly helps him up. “See? It’s not so bad!” says Cedric, wrapping an arm around the younger boy. “You handled yourself pretty well there!”

Rajesh chuckles in response, visibly flattered. “That I can actually handle!” he points out, “Not so much when we start moving around…”

Just the thought of having to handle footwork has him grimacing. For all he knows, he could be going into Sectionals with a broken nose or something—and for the sake of the club, he’d much rather not risk that.

The next day, a different whistle is blown, this time by Sam as he oversees the Titans’ first practice session with the new guy. Xander proves to be a force to be reckoned with, impressively agile for his size, to the point that even the other guys are in awe. All eyes are on him afterwards, with the rest of the team running up to congratulate him on his strong showing, before they all head back in to hit the showers.

At the locker room, as Cedric and Hugo are finishing getting redressed, Xander approaches them, still towel-twirl drying his hair. “Hey, um… Thanks for helping me ease into the team,” he tells them,“I’m not exactly used to being one of the popular kids, so this is all a bit new for me. I didn’t know football was so stressful.”

Cedric taps him on the shoulder with a welcoming smile. “Don’t mention it! You’re doing great so far!” He praises, “I mean, it really says something that Coach Evans was so willing to give you Terence’s jersey. He really does believe in you.”

Xander whips his hair back, grabbing a towel to further dry it. “I’m not sure if the rest of the school will,” he muses, a hint of insecurity in his voice.

Cedric’s heart sinks, and he turns to Hugo, who’s reaching for his letterman jacket to put it on. “There’s nothing wrong with being gay and in the football team,” he reminds Xander, “You know Spencer Porter, from the Bengals? He used to be a student here at McKinley, and a Titans quarterback. Now he’s scoring Super Bowl-winning touchdowns! And nobody cares that he’s gay!”

“Of course nobody cares, he’s the kind of picture-perfect white hunk that American Eagle would hire for a jeans campaign,” Xander points out. “It’s not the same for someone like me...”

Unbeknownst to him, their conversation is being overheard by Nico, who’s pressing a red solo cup against the door, puzzled and heartbroken by Xander’s words. He’s got more issues than I thought, ponders the younger boy, Does he not realize how beautiful he is?

In his shock, Nico’s fingers clench around the solo cup, harder and harder, until—CRACK!

The sound of breaking plastic startles Nico so hard, he ends up thrusting the doors open and stumbling into the locker room, and consequently, into the line of sight of the three jocks. “Nico!” calls out Hugo, as he and Cedric run up to help him up, under the watch of the baffled Xander. “What are you doing here?!”

“I… I-I just wanted to check on you guys, that’s all!” Nico stammers, smiling nervously as he dusts himself off—until his gaze finds Xander, who steals away at his breath all over again. “Um… I’m Nico!” He holds out his hand towards the older boy. “I’ve heard a lot about you already!”

Xander, puzzled, shakes Nico’s hand, while turning his gaze to Cedric and Hugo. “He’s in the Glee Club with us,” Cedric explains, “It’s a long story.”

Even after Xander lets go, Nico keeps his hand suspended for a few seconds, processing the close contact, until he’s finally able to ground himself again. “Okay, I’m sorry for interrupting, I know that may not have been the best first impression,” he rambles, beginning to back out of the locker room. “I’ll see myself out!”

As he hurries out of the locker room, shaking off the embarrassment and avoiding the other football players and faculty staff around him, he takes his time to process the new intel he has just discovered, a brilliant glimmer of hope surfacing in his eyes. His suspicion had been confirmed: Xander is gay, and not the bitchy kind like Kermit, but an actually approachable kind of gay. He could have a real chance with him!

♪ Need a boy who can cuddle with me all night

Keep me warm, love me long, be my sunlight

Tell me lies, we can argue, we can fight

Yeah, we did it before, but we'll do it tonight

Like, tell me "That's life" when I'm stressin' at night

Be like, "You'll be okay" and, "Everything is alright," uh

Let me in that thing, 'cause I'm not wanting anything

But your loving, your body, and a little bit of your brain ♪

Consumed by joy, Nico continues dancing and bouncing about as he makes it to the hallways, not even bothering to notice if the students around him are giving him weird looks—of course, they’re not, because Nico is essentially lost in his own little world, looking forward to whenever he has the opportunity to see Xander again, and to get to know him better. All the anguish he’s had to withstand over the years, from pining over the boys around him only to watch them enter heteronormative relationships, could finally be about to pay off.

♪ These days, I'm way too lonely

I'm missing out, I know

These days, I'm way too alone

And I'm known for givin' love away, but

I want someone to love me

I need someone who needs me

'Cause it don't feel right when it's late at night

And it's just me and my dreams

So I want someone to love

That's what I really want— ♪

“Oof!”

Nico stops in his tracks, having just bumped into Kermit, while the latter was trading make-up tips with Avery and Ariana. “Ugh, watch where you’re going!” whines Kermit, stopping to fix up his hair, before he and the other two Cheerios shove Nico to the side and walk away. "What do you want anyway?"

Nico is left disheartened with that reminder of his harsh reality. Truth be told, being a gay kid in Ohio sucks; he’s far from the first or last teen, let alone McKinley student, to figure that out. It’s gotten particularly bad nowadays, with rampant toxic masculinity, other out gay kids developing a Regina George complex, and even the Warblers turning out to be notorious bullies. It’s like the world is against him, when all he’s looking for is an oasis in the desert.

♪ I want someone to love me

I need someone who needs me... ♪

Allowing himself to be refueled by the hope brought upon him by Xander, Nico runs to slide down the hall, throwing himself into the sunlight to give his musical monologue a much-deserved big finish. As a theatre kid and Glee Club member, most of all on the verge of potentially finding real happiness in his love life, how could he not?

♪ 'Cause it don't feel right when it's late at night

And it's just me and my dreams

So I want someone to love

That's what I really want ♪

He falls to his knees, throwing his fist up in the middle of the empty hallway, just as the bell rings for the next class. Brought out of his daze, Nico musters himself back to his feet and scurries to his next class of the day, almost slipping as he does so. Maybe it’s for the best, he does need an opportunity to get his mind off Xander for a while… That boy could very well turn out to be his undoing.

Even with his struggles in Booty Camp rehearsals, somehow Rajesh can actually say he’s found his footing in McKinley… in a way. Over the weeks, the teachers, now fully aware of his dyslexia, have accommodated their classes accordingly, especially in light of Terence’s expulsion and the lesson it taught the school as a whole. This, of course, has proven to be a godsend for Rajesh, especially when it comes to biology class. Even after Ms. Spijker and the rest of the freshman class have left, he remains in the empty classroom, immersed in his annotations on the mating rituals of sea creatures, until a glimpse at the clock pulls him back to the surface with a sharp intake of air. Collecting his things, Rajesh whizzes out of the classroom, down the stairs and the halls, leapfrogging over the janitor's bucket of water on the way—Only to come slamming face-first against the locked doors of the gymnasium, muffling the pathetic whimpers that come afterwards.

Booty Camp is already long underway when Rajesh finally makes it to the auditorium, short of breath and bleeding from his nose as he approaches the other kids. “Sorry I’m late…” he pants, stumbling down to all fours. “My head is spinning…”

The other freshmen are quick to come to his aid, helping him back to his feet, while the others watch in sympathy—except, of course, for Beverly, who storms towards him and slaps him hard across the face, leaving behind a dark spot on his cheek. “What the hell is this?!” she shouts, grabbing him by the collar. “Do you seriously not have the stamina to handle getting to the auditorium in time?!”

Rajesh trembles in his shoes, clutching his churning stomach. “I-I-I can’t help it!” he stammers, “I’ve always struggled with directions, it’s way too hard for me to navigate all these halls!”

“Oh, you think that’s hard?!” Beverly barks at him, in true Principal Sylvester fashion, practically unleashing a downpour of saliva onto Rajesh’s face. “TRY LEARNING TO RIDE AN UNICYCLE AND BAKE A RELIGIEUSE AT THE SAME TIME, THAT’S HARD!”

Izzy’s blood simmers as she steps between them, nudging Rajesh back to confront Beverly head-on. “Alright, that’s enough!” she shouts, “Just because dad put you in charge of Booty Camp doesn’t give you any right to act like a drill sergeant about it! Cut him some slack, his brain isn’t wired the same way ours are, why can’t you just understand that?!”

Beverly steps forward with an icy glare. “We’re running out of time here,” she says firmly, “Sectionals is in two weeks, we can’t go around treating people with kid gloves. How are we going to beat the Warblers when one of us can’t even find his way to the venue without losing his breath?!”

The stressful atmosphere does nothing to help Rajesh’s situation, and ultimately, his nerves get the best of him, racing to the metal trashcan in the wings to puke his guts out. The Sparks are horrified, as Danny and Yael come to his assistance, while Izzy looks over at Beverly. “See? He can’t do it,” Beverly concludes matter-of-factly, before turning to the rest of the group with aggressive clapping. “Now let’s keep on moving like Five, c’mon!”

Izzy, distraught by Beverly’s behavior, approaches an equally displeased Artie on the other side of the stage, whispering to him and glancing at Rajesh from afar. The poor kid clearly looks a mess, hacking furiously into the trash can, as Danny puts a hand on his back for support. “I’m so sorry you had to hear that,” Danny laments, “I guess we should’ve seen it coming, given who she’s influenced by and—”

“No, she’s right,” Rajesh mumbles, his breath hitching as he finds himself on the verge of tears. “I’m the weak link. I can’t handle it.”

Yael jolts forward, pulling him back up and staring into his eyes. “Don’t you dare tell yourself that ever again!” they protest, cupping Rajesh’s face in their hands. “Everyone has their part to play in Glee Club, even you. There’s still time for you to work on your dancing, we just need to accommodate everything to your needs.”

Following her quick talk with Artie, Izzy approaches her fellow freshmen, beaming in excitement. “Good news!” she informs them, “Dad said Raj and I could stay a little longer to log in some extra practice hours. He thinks a more ‘up close and personal’ approach could do him some good.”

Rajesh’s head never turned so fast in his whole life, staring at Izzy in wonder. “For real?”

“I took three years’ worth of ballet classes back in New York, I think I can pull it off!” says Izzy with a shrug. “We know your mom works here, so as long as she’s okay with it, there’s no issue, right?”

A wave of relief washes over Rajesh, his fingers softening around the trash can, while Danny and Yael smile encouragingly. After such a tense moment, the thought of spending time alone with Izzy, while working on a part of himself he had always struggled with, brings him a comforting amount of levity, just what he needed to feel more secure about how he’ll perform come Sectionals night.

With that measure put in place, Artie takes his time to bring Diyara into the auditorium, indulging in some coffee from the faculty lounge as they sit together in the audience seats. “Thank you so much, Mr. Abrams,” she commends him, “I’m so glad Rajesh’s first year of high school is going well. I’ve known for a while how much of a hellscape this place has become, and I was afraid of how much he’d suffer because of his disability… I don’t think I’d be working there if it wasn’t for him.”

“How so?”

Diyara’s expression turns somber. “I had no one to rely on when I got pregnant with him. My family’s back in New Jersey, and Sartaj…” She pauses to let out a regretful sigh.“It’s best not to talk about him. So I had to take the first job opportunity that came up. I do feel for the former lunch lady, I’m sure she was lovely.”

Artie nods solemnly, thinking back to Marley and her mother—and what happened to them under Principal Sylvester. “Really goes to show how much Glee Club matters. When it goes away, it’s not just the kids who are affected, but the adults in their lives. Enrolling Izzy here and moving away with her was already stressful enough, I can’t imagine what it would be like if we had to relocate again.”

Diyara turns to him with a tender look. “You raised your daughter well,” she tells him, “Rajesh adores her. He always speaks of her so fondly.”

“Yeah, I can tell!” Artie responds, brought back to his own freshman year, and his innocent crush on Tina, the first girl to see him, to believe in his potential, the first to recognize him as a person beyond the wheelchair. It’s almost like he’s watching history repeat itself, in a way. “It’s all part of the high school experience...”

The two of them turn to the stage, where Izzy is instructing Rajesh on the choreography, his eyes never leaving her. “And left, right, stomp-stomp-stomp, ‘whoa!’, and—” They try a spin, but it only makes him lose his balance, prompting her to help him up before he can fall over. “Oh, sorry! Seems we’re gonna have to work on that a bit more… But you’re doing great!”

Rajesh responds with a bittersweet nod, awkwardly stepping back. “You’re doing great,” he corrects her, “I look like an inflatable man on a Ritalin high.”

Izzy giggles softly, with a shake of her head. “Can I show you what I know?” she suggests, “Maybe some basics? That could help!”

Rajesh nods, taking his place beside her as she puts her heels together, pointing her toes outward to the sides. “This should be easy, it’s as basic as basics can get,” Izzy tells him, giving him time to replicate her. “This is first position…” She moves her hips and legs apart, Rajesh following suit. “And this is second position. Got it?” The two go back and forth between the two positions, and Rajesh’s gaze drifts down to his heels, clicking repeatedly, almost like Dorothy Gale returning home to her safest shelter in sepia-toned Kansas…

Suddenly, he finds himself in a similarly monochrome microcosmos, entirely in black and white. His curls are gelled back, and his gallant black tux and coattails make him stand out before the pristine white circular ballroom, awaiting at the bottom of the sprawling staircase he’s on. A little overwhelmed, he carefully heads down the stairs, looking around at the unfamiliar enviroinment in awe.

And then, he sees her.

Izzy, looking every inch the Old Hollywood leading lady. Hair done in neat victory rolls, bold lipstick, and a sparkling floor-length gown, adorned with pearl jewelry and satin opera gloves. The sight of her, so divine, has him breathlessly picking up his pace, finding her at the bottom of the stairs and planting a kiss upon the back of her hand, at which she giggles and swoons, watching as he, somehow, effortlessly soft-shoes around her.

♪ I won't dance, don't ask me

I won't dance, don't ask me

I won't dance, madame, with you

My heart won't let my feet do things that they should do ♪

Grinning, Rajesh pulls Izzy into a ballroom hold, and together, they glide around the floor in a graceful Foxtrot. Through it all, Rajesh miraculously doesn’t miss a beat: his footwork is light and perfectly guided, he shows no signs of motion sickness, and with his back perfectly arched, his heart has never been closer to that of the girl who so effortlessly stole it.

♪ You know what, you're lovely

You know what, you're so lovely

And you know what you do to me

I'm like an ocean wave that's bumped on the shore

I feel so absolutely stumped on the floor ♪

Enraptured in the close contact with Izzy, Rajesh allows himself a break from singing, pulling away from her so he can launch into a cheeky little tap section, earning a giggle of approval from her. He gets down on one knee and reaches out to her, letting her take his hand as she spins around him, culminating with a twirl back into his arms as he dips her slowly over his bent knee. She comes back up to give him a playful tap on the nose, before guiding him back up by the chin so they can get in hold again.

♪ When you dance, you're charming and you're gentle

‘Specially when you do the Continental

And this feeling isn't purely mental

For Heaven rest us, I'm not asbestos ♪

Linking arms, the two launch into a perfectly synchronized side-by-side sequence, with impeccably precise footwork and energy. Rajesh is bursting at the seams with joy, no longer feeling like a ‘weak link’, but like a real leading man, a steady support for Izzy as they get back in hold and pivot together at the center of the ballroom. Surely Beverly would be kicking herself if she were there to see this.

♪ And that's why I won't dance, why should I?

I won't dance, how could I?

I won't dance, merci beaucoup

I know that music leads the way to romance

So if I hold you in my arms… ♪

“Raj… Raj… RAJ!”

Rajesh is brought crashing back to reality, gasping as he notices his hands creeping dangerously low on Izzy’s hips.“I-I wasn't touching it, I swear!”

His sudden yelp, as he steps back and raises his hands in shock and embarrassment, startles Artie and Diyara, cutting their conversation short and turning to find him flustered on stage. “Raj, what happened?” Izzy asks in bewilderment, “You were all dazed and floaty all of a sudden, are you okay?”

“I’m sorry, I got a little lost in thought there…” Rajesh laments, his face burning red from the awkwardness of the moment. His gaze drifts to the concerned looks of the adults, and then back to Izzy—at which he’s able to summon some strength to pull her closer to the wings and clear the air between them, on his own terms. “Just so you know, I really like spending time with you! You’re... a great teacher.”

Izzy lets out a faint, breathy giggle from his praise. “I learned it from the best,” she murmurs, “And yeah, it’s nice being alone together like this. We should do it more often… Preferably, not with our parents watching.”

Rajesh is enticed by her proposition, stepping forward to look into her eyes. “You mean like a date?” he ponders, “Fantastic! Would you like to go to the arcade with me tomorrow?”

Izzy responds with an incredulous look. “Arcade? Who goes to the arcade in 2029?” she stifles a giggle, but it soon peeters out when she notices his hopeful smile fading. “Um… I was actually thinking, the new Legend of Zelda movie comes out on Thursday, so maybe we could go for that? I’ve never been to the movies without my dad, and it kind of sucks, because he’s always pointing out every little continuity error and every filming technique used—I just want to see the movie!”

“...You know what, that works for me!”

Izzy’s gaze softens in relief. “Thanks. You’re the sweetest.”

She places one hand upon his shoulder and leans in for a quick, gentle kiss on his cheek, before running offstage, leaving him in a speechless daze, his hand creeping over to process the lingering sensation of her lips on his face. His gaze hovers to the audience, where Izzy has approached Artie and Diyara, bringing up the little movie ‘date’ arrangement with them, much to Diyara’s delight.

Maybe Izzy does love him back after all. Or maybe he’s just getting his hopes up much too soon.

The next day, Danny is alone in the choir room, just before classes can start, going over the music sheets for the Sectionals setlist with Fernweh. Listening on as they go over Kids in America, he purses his lip and waves his hand for them to stop before the breakdown. “Sounds pretty good so far,” he notes, glancing at the newest addition to the band. “You… Rhiannon, isn’t it?”

The keyboardist, a black girl with long, bright pink locs, gives him an affirming nod. “Like the Fleetwood Mac song.”

“Yeah, you’re doing great! Just lower the volume a little bit, okay?” Danny suggests, “I can hardly hear Bart here, and considering it’s the bassline that carries the track, that’s kind of a problem.”

Rhiannon gives him a thumbs-up, doing as she’s told, and Danny steps back to collect his thoughts. In his contemplation, his gaze lands on a familiar picture, hung not too far off from Artie’s desk: the memorial plaque of Finn Hudson. He releases a heavy sigh, thinking about the stories his father told him of the late quarterback, of how he spent his entire life, up to the bitter end, trying to find himself. As a football player, a Glee Club member, a leader… A person. “I know we can pull this off, Mr. Hudson,” Danny murmurs, directly to the picture above the plaque. “Even if things are stressful, we’ll find a way somehow.”

“Talking to yourself, DanDan?”

Danny steps back, caught by surprise from Candice’s arrival. “Oh, hey! I was just going over things with the band,” he explains, “They just got a new member, so I’m trying to see how she could add to our sound. It’s always nice bringing some new faces in!”

Candice politely waves at Rhiannon, who gives her a two-finger salute in return. “At least she looks fun,” Candice points out, “My parents sat me down last night… They said they’re in talks with the CEO of a car manufacturer, to arrange me with his son. There’s nothing inherently wrong with him, I’m sure he’s chill, but I went through his Insta and he’s kind of…” Her face contorts into a discomforted grimace. “Boring, y’know?”

Danny steps closer to her, one eyebrow raised in intrigue. “I mean, the cars look nice, but I’m not the biggest car person, so it doesn’t make that much of a difference,” Candice continues,“I didn’t think I’d have to worry about my marriage prospects until college, but actually putting it into perspective, chaebol marriages actually kind of suck. My thing with Hugo was always going to be temporary, but at least he has something going on for him. He’s the quarterback, he’s got attitude, he gives great cuddles, and he has those delicious abs that you could wash your laundry on… I don’t get any of that from the guy my parents are setting me up with. Heck, even you seem more interesting!”

Danny gets a bit flushed from this. “Me?” he wonders, with an incredulous chuckle. “I’m the most basic vanilla white guy you can think of, there’s not much about me that’s ‘interesting’.”

“Vanilla isn’t boring!” Candice protests, slapping him on the arm and gesturing wildly. “It’s an endangered species pollinated by hand, extremely rare and valuable! You’ve probably never even tasted it. The artificial vanilla flavoring they have in the supermarket isn’t even real vanilla, I’ve read somewhere that it’s literally balls!”

She folds her arms and lets out a loud huff, looking away as she comes down from her empassioned rant. Danny, on the other hand, is piqued by her choice of words, leaning forward with a playful smile. “So you think I’m valuable?”

Candice briefly side-eyes him before turning away, mildly blushing. “You got those New Directions stories, that’s already a point in your favor.”

“And if I asked you out to Breadstix, what then?”

His proposition has Candice slightly less flustered. “Would you do that?”

Danny gestures over to the band, prompting them to play a jaunty little tune. “What can I say? I’ve been taught to be a gentleman,” he states, stepping forward and taking Candice’s hand to place a kiss upon the back. “Especially when it comes to a lady looking for a rebound who can keep her warm at night.”

[Danny] ♪ When you were lonely, you needed a man

Someone to lean on, well, I understand ♪

[Danny and Candice] ♪ It's only natural

But why did it have to be me? ♪

[Danny] ♪ Nights can be empty and nights can be cold

So you were looking for someone to hold ♪

[Danny and Candice] ♪ That's only natural

But why did it have to be me? ♪

Candice is successfully swayed by Danny’s charming performance, the two of them sitting in the nearest chair and engaging in playful interactions, as Candice lays down on Danny’s lap and poking at him, before getting back up with a cheeky sway of her hips. She even takes some time to interact with Rhiannon, in an attempt to better ease her into the new enviroinment of the choir room.

[Candice] ♪ I was so lonesome, I was blue

I couldn't help it, it had to be you and I

Always thought you knew the reason why

I only wanted a little love affair

Now I can see you are beginning to care

But baby, believe me, it's better to forget me ♪

On his way to class, Hugo walks by the choir room, stopping in his tracks when he notices Danny and Candice together, dancing, laughing and having fun. If it had been just a couple weeks earlier, he would’ve definitely tried to remind Danny of his warnings from Halloween, but now that he knows Candice isn’t the serial dater he thought she’d turn out to be, it’s best for him to just swallow it and move on, even if it comes as one last pinch of salt in that wound before it’s fully closed.

[Hugo] ♪ Men are the toys in the game that you play

When you get tired, you throw 'em away

That's only natural, but why did it have to be me? ♪

Blissfully unaware of Hugo’s brief peek into their little moment, Danny and Candice take some time to dance together in a casual hold of sorts, with Candice losing herself in a fit of giggles as Danny spins her under his arm, giving her a turn to spin him too. Holding her from behind, they do a little bit of Volta dancing, as if they’re at a Renaissance fair, before he dips her, at which she does a high kick and steps away, leaving him to look around while she roams behind him.

[Danny] ♪ Falling in love with a woman like you

Happens so quickly, there's nothing to do ♪

[Danny and Candice] ♪ It's only natural

But why did it have to be me? ♪

[Candice] ♪ I only wanted a little love affair

Now I can see you are beginning to care

But baby, believe me, it's better to forget me ♪

“Gotcha!”

The song comes to a close, just as Candice comes up behind Danny with a tickle attack, rendering him vulnerable enough to fall to his knees laughing raucously. He’s still a little bit flushed when he’s able to look her in the eye again, while she looms over him, grinning mischievously. “So... Breadstix tonight, after Booty Camp?”

“As long as the bill is on you, I’ll consider it.”

“Could we split?”

Candice extends her hand to him, helping him back up. “Deal!” she concludes, shaking his hand before walking off with a wave goodbye. “See you soon!”

Danny smiles in satisfaction, watching her leave, and already anticipating their date. Behind him, he turns to find the members of Fernweh giggling teasingly, at which he swats his arm at them so they can knock it off. Come to think of it, it’s actually kind of surreal; just last month he was being told she had no interest in romance and was far too out of his league, and now she seems genuinely invested in him. He doesn’t know when the switch flipped, but he could definitely get used to this.

Later that day, at the library, Rajesh has gathered a pile of dyslexia-friendly books in his arms, which by now has already reached his chin and comes across as a little too heavy for him to handle on his own. Nico, off to the side with his nose stuck in a book about relationships, sees this from afar and immediately steps up to help him, taking some of the books to lighten Rajesh’s load—and marveling at some of the titles. “Charles Walters? Tap Dance, Race, and Invisibility?” he reads, chuckling in amusement. “You really are going all in on this, aren’t you?”

“After everything Beverly said yesterday, I can’t take any chances,” Rajesh states, heading to the nearest table with Nico following suit. “I need to make a strong showing at Sectionals, I don’t wanna disappoint anyone.”

The thought of Beverly’s cruelty to Rajesh, unsurprisingly, is still fresh, and very much weighing, in Nico’s mind. “Yeah, she didn’t have to be so harsh with you,” he admits, “But she doesn’t hate you. I don’t think she’s the big bully that everyone makes her out to be. Sure, she’s always complaining, but at the end of the day, she sucks it up and plays along.”

Rajesh isn’t so fazed, opening his book and immersing himself in it. “Because she’s a team player, that’s what she’s supposed to do.”

“True, but I think it goes beyond that,” Nico continues, “Remember the diva-off? How Yasmin flubbed that note? It wasn’t an accident, she did it on purpose. To let Beverly have a moment of glory. Beverly may look cool and collected, but deep down, she’s crumbling, and Yasmin could recognize that.” He pulls out his phone, tapping on the Youtube app a few times. “Here, let me show you something…”

Rajesh leans in, focusing on the screen as a video of an old local dance show from the early 2010s resurfaces. “Welcome back to Let’s Dance Ohio!” proclaims the host, a blonde lady with a blatantly phony British accent in an attempt to make herself resemble Cat Deeley. “Before the break, we got to meet our brand new addition to the cast, and now, here she is. Give it up for Gwen McMahon!”

Applause erupts as the set grows dark, all attention turning to the tiny young woman, imponently standing center stage. The tune of an old Gaga hit cues up for her to strike a series of poses, launching into a slick, sexy, and downright intimidating Pop-Jazz solo. Her flexibility and agility are off the charts as she creates beautiful shapes with her limbs and tosses her auburn hair around, and her confidence is unshakeable, wrapping the entire audience around her finger like a priceless diamond ring.

♪ Promise I'll be kind

But I won't stop until that boy is mine (Yeah-ha)

Baby, you'll be famous, chase you down until you love me

Papa-paparazzi ♪

Rajesh is awestruck, keeping his eyes on the dance and doing his best not to blink. “She’s stunning!”

“That’s Beverly’s mom,” Nico explains, “She joined the show in 2010 and left a year later, precisely nine months to Beverly’s birthday. From what I read, it seems one of the producers may have had something to do with it. He went to prison in 2015 after multiple accusations of sexual misconduct… which were kickstarted by Gwen.”

He leaves the dots for Rajesh to connect, and upon doing so, the younger boy’s eyes widen in shock. “OH MY GOD!”

His sudden, scandalized shout gets the attention of everyone in the library, the resulting glares from the other students sending him squirming into his seat, his gaze turning to the shushing librarian, a heavy-set man in glasses. “Sorry, Mr. Meeks!” Rajesh hushedly apologizes with a polite bow of his head, before turning back to Nico, horrified over the revelation. “Poor them, though. No wonder Beverly’s like that.”

Nico nods solemnly, turning off his phone and putting it back. “So she’s not evil, not by a long shot,” he concludes, “She just… has a lot going on in her home life. And… the same thing’s going on with Xander, the new guy from the football team. He doesn’t quite fit in the mold he’s supposed to, and he doesn’t really have anyone to turn to...”

Rajesh glances at Nico in wonder, noticing the subtle change in Nico’s tone becomes during that last part, the genuine sympathy and affection that tint it. “Is that why you’ve been acting odd all week?” he recalls, “Staring off into space, blushing randomly, missing your cues in Booty Camp… You’re down bad, aren’t you?”

“Uh... Maybe?” Nico answers sheepishly, with the same cadence as a Hollywood actor being asked if he’ll ever wear wigs.

Rajesh sneaks a glance at the book Nico had left behind, giving him all he needs to know about the predicament at hand—and leaving no room for Nico to excuse himself out of it. He’s reduced to a coy fit of giggles, echoed by Rajesh as he wraps an arm around him, choosing sympathy over scrutiny and making him feel better about his fellow Glee Club member’s obvious crush. At the end of the day, teenage crushes are all the same, no matter who they’re targeted at… so long as they don’t get out of hand.

As someone used to cold, sterile luxury enviroinments, Candice is given an unexpected sense of relief by the cozy, old-fashioned atmosphere of Breadstix, between the twinkling fairy lights and the stereotypical tarantella stylings of the stock music faintly playing through the restaurant’s speakers as she and Danny eat their pasta. It’s a little too ‘theme park Italian experience’, especially with the plastic grape bunches in the décor, but the hokiness of it all actually makes it somewhat more endearing, helping her understand why that joint is still so popular after all these years.

Turns out she may have gotten a little too much into it, as Danny can tell, watching her scarf down her chicken pesto spaghetti noodles. “Sorry, I…” she excuses herself, chewing and swallowing before wiping off the pesto residue with a paper napkin. “I hardly ever get to have carbs, so this is nice!”

“Thank goodness,” says Danny with a sigh of relief, taking one of the reheated, mass-produced breadsticks on the side and snapping it in half. “I didn’t want things to get too awkward. Believe me, there’s already been more than enough awkwardness here.”

As Danny dips one half of the breadstick in tomato sauce and chows down on it, Candice turns pensive. “I’m afraid I’ve never been given this chance before,” she muses, “To just… eat what I want, the way I want, without being judged. I know it’s common knowledge, but you don’t get that very often when you’re born into the 1%. It’s all red carpets and press conferences… and so-called breast cancer awareness galas in which nary an attendee wears pink. Like, what’s wrong with pink? It’s the best color ever!”

Danny’s gaze softens, taking his time to process her confession while swallowing his food. “You can wear as much pink as you like,” he tells her, “You don’t have to apologize for being yourself. I believe anyone can be happier as long as they stay true to themselves. Come Hell or high water, nothing can stop you.”

Candice smiles softly, reaching for her glass of iced tea, when Danny suddenly leans forward, taking her face in his hand. “Oh, um, you still have… Some pesto…”

His sudden, but careful move has Candice’s gaze fully locked into his, two sets of brown eyes meeting, leaving her mesmerized even after he pulls away, tucking a ginger curl behind his ear. “You have… really pretty eyes,” she points out,“Has anyone ever told you that?”

“You think so?” asks Danny, letting out a flattered laugh. “Everyone tells me I have my mom’s eyes, but I’m not sure if I completely buy it. Mind you, yours aren't so bad either!” He grabs a napkin to wipe his own mouth as well. “You want dessert? Hugo told me you like berries, so perhaps the New York-style cheesecake could be up your alley?”

“Oh, sure!”

Danny nods, calling up the nearest waitress and placing his order, while Candice sits there, taking in the present moment, and wrapping her mind around the subtle, but noticeable rattling in her heart. How she had initially latched on to Danny due to his ties to the New Directions, only to find herself genuinely drawn to him, on his own. Even after she invaded his personal space, he could still forgive her, and find a space in his heart for her, enough to show her so much kindness at a time like this.

Booty Camp rehearsal sessions continue in full swing, as little by little, the kids begin to grasp their choreography more and more. Predictably, having suggested the song, Moira had been given the lead on Kids in America, and of course Yasmin had a highly-demanding musical theatre ballad all to herself, which she had been putting extra hours on, inbetween classes and Glee Club meetings. Alone in the April Rhodes Civic Pavillion, she sits at the piano, letting her fingers pace across the ivories, all alone.

♪ I saved every letter you wrote me

From the moment I read them, I knew you were mine

You said you were mine, I thought you were mine... ♪

Except she may not be as alone as she thought, suddenly overhearing faint, unintelligible murmurs from the wings. It is backstage where she finds Genesis, once again praying to her Jesus wood carving, though this time with no spilled corn to be found. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything important!”

Thankfully, her intervention doesn’t bother Genesis much, as she turns to her and gets up, putting away the wood carving and picking up her walking stick. “Don’t worry, I just finished!” she states, “I was praying for the Glee Club. I asked the Lord to shine a guiding light down our path and protect us from ill will as we go into Sectionals. Thought we could use some good tides… especially you.”

Yasmin is astonished, coyly smiling as she steps closer to Genesis. “I’ve never had anyone pray for me before… Thanks.”

“You deserve it,” Genesis reminds her, “We know how much you’ve wanted this.”

Yasmin sighs deeply, reaching for Genesis' wrist as her gaze turns downward. “I still can’t believe this is actually happening,” she says, anxiously bracing her stomach with her free arm. “It’s, like… Breathing down my neck. This whole thing, getting to be part of the competition circuit, singing in front of a packed audience, all with a purpose bigger than myself… I don't think I know what I'm gonna do if we fail.”

Genesis, in contrast, remains calm, holding Yasmin's hand and taking in the smooth texture and flowery smell of the still-fresh layer of moisturizer over it. "That's a good thing," she reassures her, "If you can't think of a Plan B, that just means everything will work out."

There's a still moment between the two, perpetuated by Yasmin's longing gaze at Genesis' hand over hers. "You're so positive about this," Yasmin ponders, with a small smile. "It's kind of admirable."

"Having something to believe in definitely helps," says Genesis, letting go of Yasmin's hand to clutch her rosary.

Somehow, Genesis' advice has given Yasmin an unexpected, even if minor, boost of determination, her brows furrowing and her hands headed straight for her hips. "Well, I believe in me," she concludes, "This is not the time to let myself down."

Genesis beams, doing a little excited jump and tapping Yasmin on the arm. "See? You're starting to get your groove back!" she praises, "Don't think too much about it. Just relax, get up there, and be the dazzling Yasmin we all know and love. Everything will be okay."

Smiling tenderly, Yasmin goes in for a hug, sinking her face into the back of Genesis' neck and losing herself in the soft fabric of her clothes. Once they pull away, Genesis pats her on the back, collects her things, and walks off, while Yasmin stays behind, the conversation between them still lingering in her mind. Perhaps Genesis was onto something, because that moment, even if brief, made her feel like herself again.

Even if the Warblers try to start something again, she knows for a fact that nothing they can do will be enough to disturb her groove.

By Friday, Yasmin is illuminated by the colorful lights bouncing off a glittering mirrorball, in a slinky, shimmery golden halter-neck jumpsuit, and with her hair done like Farrah Fawcett. Her hand pointed to the sky helps start the conclusive group performance for the week, with everyone dressed in '70s disco fashion—and this time, even Artie gets to join in the fun, commanding the action in a little DJ booth, with Fernweh and a guest violinist not too far off.

[Yasmin] ♪ You know this boogie is for real

Oh-oh, yeah ♪

Yasmin beams, stretching out her arms so Cedric and Hugo can lift her up, guiding to where the other girls are so they can all mingle and dance together. She takes Genesis’ hand and gives it a slight shake, and upon reaching the Cheerio duo, it seems as if her feud with Beverly has been temporarily set to the side, as to not ruin the energy on the auditorium’s stage. Off to the other side, Cedric and Hugo slide over to the rest of the group, with Cedric joining Nico and Rajesh while Hugo lifts Yael and effortlessly flips them over his shoulder.

[Yasmin] ♪ I've had a little bit too much, much (Oh, oh, oh-oh)

All of the people start to rush (Start to rush by) ♪

[Beverly] ♪ A dizzy twister dance, can't find my drink or man

Where are my keys? I lost my phone, phone (Oh, oh, oh-oh) ♪

[Cedric] ♪ I had no reason to be carefree, no, no, no

Until I took a trip to the other side of town ♪

[Sparks] ♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

[Hugo] ♪ You know I heard that boogie rhythm, hey!

I had no choice but to get down, down, down ♪

The two groups come together in a dance tunnel, like a culturally-diverse take on Soul Train, with Nico and Moira at the forefront and everyone improvising a little dance move of their own. Unsurprisingly, Candice delivers one of the more impressive ones, twirling and landing in a split, while Rajesh remains mostly static but is still able to throw some decent shapes, which get Izzy clapping in approval.

[Sparks] ♪ Just dance, gonna be okay ♪

[Nico] ♪ Nothing left for me to do but dance ♪

[Moira] ♪ Spin that record, babe ♪

[Nico] ♪ Off these bad times I'm going through ♪

[Sparks] ♪ Just dance, gonna be okay ♪

[Nico] ♪ Got canned heat in my heels, tonight, baby

You know I got canned heat in my heels ♪

[Artie] ♪ You know this boogie is for real ♪

The group then scatters throughout the stage, pairing up and doing some Disco moves in hold, with the physically stronger partners occasionally lifting the daintier ones. Unsurprisingly, Yasmin pairs up with Cedric, laughing as she lets him lift her into a bridal carry, while Danny goes for Candice; on the other hand, Genesis, still conflicted over Hugo, keeps her distance from him, leaving him to pair up with Beverly while she opts for Nico instead.

[Rajesh] ♪ Shorty, I can see that you got so much energy

The way you twirlin' up them hips 'round and 'round ♪

[Danny] ♪ And there is no reason at all why you can't leave here with me

In the meantime, stay, let me watch you break it down and ♪

[Sparks] ♪ Dance, gonna be okay ♪

[Rajesh] ♪ Off the nasty things that people say, dance ♪

[Genesis] ♪ Spin that record, babe ♪

[Rajesh] ♪ But I'm gonna make it anyway ♪

[Sparks] ♪ Just dance, gonna be okay ♪

[Rajesh] ♪ Got canned heat in my heels, tonight, baby ♪

[Sparks Girls] ♪ Just, j-j-just dance ♪

Caught up in the moment, Izzy glances over at Artie, gesturing for him to come over and join them. He’s in disbelief at first, but Izzy doesn’t hesitate in coming over to his booth and roll him into the group, who welcomes him in with raucous applause and cheers. “Whoo! Let's go!” Artie shouts, confidently leading the masculine and feminine-presenting halves of the Sparks in the ensuing breakdown.

[Sparks Boys and Yael] ♪ Hey, DJ, let the music play

I'm gonna live this party life ♪

[Artie] ♪ I wanna live this party life ♪

[Sparks Girls] ♪ Half psychotic, sick, hypnotic

Got my blueprint, it's symphonic

Half psychotic, sick, hypnotic

Got my blueprint, electronic ♪

With a decisive point, Izzy marches towards her father, and the rest of the group forms a dance circle around them. Grinning playfully, she struts her stuff around him and the two engages in some cheeky back-and-forth interactions, while he pops a series of enthusiastic wheelies, beaming with pride.

[Izzy] ♪ Go, use your muscle, carve it out, work it, hustle ♪

[Artie] ♪ I got it, just stay close enough to get it on ♪

[Izzy] ♪ Don't slow, drive it, clean it, Lysol, bleed it

Spend the last dough ♪

[Artie] ♪ I got it ♪
[Izzy] ♪ In your pock-o ♪

[Artie] ♪ I got it ♪

Izzy launches into a long note as she throws herself onto Artie’s lap, the two of them spinning at the center of the stage while the other Sparks lose themselves in dance, freestyling for the song’s outro. It’s precisely then that, of all people, Xander enters the auditorium from one of the lateral entrances, immediately noticing his teammates in their unfamiliar glitzy apparel, as well as Nico, who happily joins them, tossing his head about.

[Sparks with Izzy] ♪ Just dance, gonna be okay (Babyyyyy!) ♪

[Artie] ♪ You know that this boogie is for real ♪

[Izzy] ♪ Gonna be okay, gonna dance

Gonna dance my blues away tonight

Just, j-j-just dance ♪

A roaring round of applause and cheers greets the end of the song, with Cedric, Hugo and Moira all hoisting Artie in the air as he laughs in delight. Coming down from the high of the performance, Nico finds Xander smiling supportively at him, before walking away, a fleeting moment that leaves the younger boy frozen in place.

All Nico knows at that moment is longing. Unadultered longing.

Chapter Text

Music is everywhere, whether you like it or not.

The song of a cicada in the distance underscores another quiet night in the suburbs of Lima, as César Medeiros sits down to watch another daily news report on WOHN-TV, with his wife Deborah not too far off, sipping from her chamomile tea. “Authorities have confirmed that Hendrickson will be put on trial next week, while the two other suspects will be properly identified and arrested in due time,” says anchor Gary Garcia, “Up next, a man from New Athens has been fined due to calling 911 over a French fry shortage at Wendy’s...”

“Ta-daaaaa!”

César backs into his chair, disgruntled over having his view of the screen blocked by his daughter Yasmin, who twirls about in her newly-acquired Sectionals dress. “Do you mind?” he complains, “I’m trying to watch the news here.”

“You look great, Minnie,” Deborah chimes in, “Now can you please get out of the way?”

Yasmin grumbles as she walks off to the kitchen to grab a glass of water. “I was expecting a little more fanfare,” she murmurs, “Yael worked really hard on this.”

It’s then that the family overhears the front door being unlocked, and familiar stiletto heels clicking down onto the wooden floor. César and Deborah immediately jolt out of their seats and head to the entrance, putting the news report to the side to greet their eldest daughter, the ever-poised Angelica. “Oh, Angie!” greets Deborah, pressing a kiss against the young woman’s cheek. “You look so tired, would you like some tea? How was work?”

Angelica lets out a sigh, reaching down to remove her heels. “Stressful as always,” she recounts, giving her mother a smile of satisfaction. “But today I managed to win five court cases including a custody dispute, so it all paid off.”

“That’s our girl!” praises César with a laugh, pulling her into a tight hug. “Truly the apple of our eyes! We should take it to Breadstix to celebrate!”

The excited family chatter by the front door inevitably lures in Yasmin, who’s decidedly not surprised, but nonetheless frustrated, by the sudden change in her parents’ mood, spoiling Angelica rotten while treating her like chopped liver leftovers. “Hello?” she cuts in, waving her arms at them. “I’m about to have my big competition debut, where’s that energy for me?”

All other eyes in the house turn to her, and while Angelica is struck with heartbreak, César and Deborah exchange a bittersweet glance, before Deborah pats Angelica’s shoulder and speaks up. “Well… I’m sure your little singing competition will go over well too, right?”

A loud groan of outrage comes from Yasmin as she storms down the hallway and up the stairs to slam her bedroom door, ignoring her parents’ pleas and curling herself up in bed, under the watch of her numerous framed photographs and musical theatre posters: Wicked, Hamilton, Fame, Ópera do Malandro, Anastasia, Death Becomes Her, Funny Girl with Rachel Berry, the Brazilian staging of Crazy for You starring Cláudia Raia… All shows she holds near and dear, and all reminders of what she’s been working towards.

From the corner of her eye, Yasmin is drawn to the printed picture of Alícia Peralta’s first Bibi Ferreira win, stuck to her vanity mirror with a gold star sticker. Slowly, she gets up, staring fixedly at the luminous smile in Alícia’s face, grateful tear trails glimmering over her cheeks. “That’s gonna be me one day,” she whispers, firm and unshakeable in her determination.

Catching her reflection in the mirror, she shakes her head a little, fixing up her messy hair.“Maybe then they’ll give a damn.”

The next day, the Sparks are all gathered in their seats as Artie confidently wheels around the choir room, preparing to finish another Glee Club meeting. “Okay, let’s break this down,” he announces, approaching the kids. “We got our setlist, our soloists, our choreography, our costumes… Seems everything's in the clear, so all we need is a few small finishing touches before we're off to the races!"

He's met with a round of ecstatic cheers and applause from the kids—all except for a noticeably puzzled Izzy. “Wait, what about the bus?” she asks, “Sectionals is tomorrow and we haven’t done anything to raise funds for it. No bake sale, no car wash, no questionable calendars with half-naked minors…”

"There's still time!" Hugo chimes in, leaning against his chair with a flirtatious smirk. "I got some old nudes I could reuse! It would sell like hotcakes!"

He suddenly cries out in pain as Yael tries to knock some sense into him through an elbow to the gut. “Oh, you thought that hurt?” they inquire, “Wait until I tell mom you’re willing to prostitute yourself!”

The brief sibling tiff gets a good amount of chuckles from the other kids, but Artie remains serious. "We are not doing a calendar, Hugo," he says sternly, much to the quarterback’s disappointment. “Turns out we don’t have to resort to money-grubbing tactics when we have chaebol funds at our disposal. I rung up Mr. and Mrs. Noe, and thankfully, they were generous enough to provide us with the money we need for our bus to Sectionals.”

Artie glances at Candice, who's astonished by these news—though not for the reason one would expect. “You… actually pronounced chaebol correctly,” she marvels, “This never happens to me!”

“You know I had to make a good impression with yo’ folks!” Artie responds with a finger heart. “So, now that everything’s underway, I suggest you kids take your time to relax and gather up all the positive energy you can. Gather up your matches, because nobody can stop the Sparks from setting that stage on fire!”

The bell rings, allowing the kids to head out to their respective classes of the day with all the more motivation—but Candice is pulled back by Danny. “Hey, um… Thanks to your parents for giving us that boost,” he says, “I wasn’t expecting them to come in clutch like that.”

Candice laughs sheepishly, shuffling in her spot. “To be honest, I don’t think I was expecting it either!” she remarks bashfully, “But I guess I should’ve seen it coming, they’ve spoiled me ever since I was a baby… Above anything else, it’s what I’m most grateful for.”

Danny nods, pursing his lips as he steps forward. “I confess I was a little bit scared of you at first, because of the whole Cheerio thing,” he tells her, giving her a gentle squeeze on the wrist. “But now that we know each other so well, I think you’re pretty cool...”

Candice glances down, watching his hand slide down to intertwine his fingers with hers, before she looks back up at his face, lingering a little bit too long at his lips. A still, breathless moment follows, as Danny pulls his hand away, awkwardly fidgeting for a few seconds before giving her a small smile and collecting his things. “See you later!”

He heads out of the choir room, leaving Candice alone with the band—and with her own confused thoughts. Of all the things she had been expecting going into the school year, going weak in the knees over a scrawny, hypochrondriac middle-class freshman dork with hair like a mop dipped in hot dog water wasn’t even in the equation. And yet, somehow, the more time they spend together, the more drawn to him she is…

♪ I was fine 'fore I met you, I was broken but fine

I was lost and uncertain, but my heart was still mine

I was free 'fore I met you, I was broken but free

All alone in the clear view, but now you are all I see ♪

As Candice leaves the choir room and walks down the halls, fruitlessly trying to shake away the butterflies, she walks between Avery and Ariana, and the two of them, intrigued, are pulled into her musical monologue, backing her up in a little spontaneous dance that goes completely unnoticed by the other students passing by, one that makes it look like they’re about to say a little prayer for Danny.

♪ Hey, wait a minute! No, you can't do this to me

Wait a minute, no, that's not fair

Hey, wait a minute! You're on me like jewelry

I really like you, but I'm so scared ♪

Candice tries to go through the rest of the day, but the turmoil follows her in and out of her classes, leading her to draw little hearts all over her notebook—much like she did when she had first taken interest in Hugo—as well as skipping rhythmically towards her locker after class, practically wanting to shove her face inside it out of embarrassment. The rush of emotions she’s experiencing is so overwhelming that she clutches her heart, as if she’s experiencing palpitations.

♪ Why'd you have to go and make me like you?

Yeah, this is a feeling I'm not used to

Why'd you have to go and make me like you?

I'm so mad at you 'cause now you got me missing you ♪

She twirls away from her locker, stumbling over her own feet—not exactly Cheerio behavior—and falling backwards, but before she can hit the ground, she falls into a pair of arms, looking up to find Danny staring down at her in concern. She softens in his grasp, letting him bring her back up, before waving at her and taking his leave again.

All she can respond with is a dreamy, almost slurred mumble. “Thank God...”

♪ Thank God that I found you, oh...

Now you got me missing you

Now you got me missing you ♪

By Cheerio practice, Candice and her teammates, with the notable exceptions of Beverly and Kermit, are engaging in full-on seated choreography on the bleachers. While Kitty isn’t there to see it, and would’ve experienced war flashbacks just from hearing about it, the group is still perfectly synchronized just as she would’ve wanted them to be—except when the other Cheerios use their pompoms to fan Candice, in an attempt to cool her down amidst the heat of her flushed face.

♪ Why'd you have to go and make me like you?

Yeah, this is a feeling I'm not used to

Why'd you have to go and make me like you?

I'm so mad at you 'cause now you got me missing you

Oh, God! Thank God that I found you

I'm so mad at you 'cause now you got me missing you ♪

With the end of the song, Candice lays down onto the bleachers, coming down from what she could only describe as a lovesickness-induced hallucination. She can no longer deny it: she has hopelessly fallen in love with the last person she ever thought she’d develop feelings for, and just the prospect alone is downright terrifying.

Elsewhere, at Dalton Academy, the Warblers are going over their final rehearsal, and have just taken a break, scattering around the hall to chat, hydrate themselves, warm up their voices, or just catch their breath and relax. “Excellent work, boys! Velikolepnyy!” Gleb commends them with a slow clap. “That Sectionals title is ours to lose! You certainly outdid yourselves this time… Although, let’s be real, none of you could plausibly outdo the doer here.”

In his gloating, he finds Sydney sitting alone, downtrodden. “Something troubling you?”

Sydney sighs deeply, not even bothering to look Gleb in the face even as he comes over. “I’m just a little disappointed my solo got scrapped,” the younger Warbler laments, “It’s my first competition, and I don’t even get a showcase...”

Gleb smirks, bringing Sydney’s face forward to look directly at him. “Don’t kick yourself over that. You’re still a freshman. You’ll get plenty of showcase opportunities in the future...” He leans in closer, whispering in the underclassman’s ear. “My baton’s already polished and ready for when the time is right.”

As Gleb pulls away, Sydney grimaces in visible disgust. “You know… That’s not really the right way to treat a—”

“As lead Warbler, I can treat my choir however I like,” Gleb affirms, scowling at Sydney. “If that doesn’t sit right with you, you might as well leave…” He pauses, a malicious grin creeping onto his face. “The question is, how is your dear brother going to react when he wakes up and finds out you quit because of some... petty little thing? Hm?”

That mention alone leaves Sydney’s throat dry with worry. “Sigmund… No, I-I can’t do him like that. I would never forgive myself for it.”

Gleb steps forward, clutching Sydney by the tie with a stern look. “Then do exactly as I say, and keep that pretty little mouth shut. Do you understand?”

Utterly powerless, Sydney nods weakly, clearing Gleb to let go and focus on the other Warblers. Although Gleb plans to pick the rehearsal back up as soon as possible, it’s safe to say that’ll have to wait, as Sydney quietly sneaks out of the hall, breath hitched and eyes misty. The freshman is soon met with the iconic sprawling staircase of black marble, the one where Kurt Hummel found his first love… whereas Sydney had only found pain.

The tears come like a dam has just been broken.

Back in Lima, dawn cracks like a fresh egg onto a sizzling frying pan, as the Sparks find themselves waking up earlier than usual on the chilly morning of Moira’s 18th birthday to board the bus to Sectionals. Most of the kids are gathered at the bus windows to watch, or listen in on, Artie and his chair being carefully lifted into the ride, which, for a group of kids who grew up on the breakneck pace of TikTok, seems to take forever. The only exception is Candice, who’s curled up in her seat, weighted down by melancholy—that is, until Beverly notices this and joins her in the seat without a second thought. "Can I get something off my chest, real quick?” Candice murmurs, “I’m scared as hell and I have to vent about it.”

“Wait… Are you pregnant?”

Candice immediately rules it out with a shake of her head. “Shark Week came and went on schedule,” she answers, “It’s about Danny. Ever since we went on that Breadstix date, I’ve been thinking of him… differently. Like, a good kind of different. It’s been a while since I felt this way over anyone…”

Beverly is noticeably puzzled, furrowing her brows. “Really? I know there aren’t a lot of options, but him?”

“I can’t help it! He’s such a sweet guy, he doesn’t judge me when I eat like a pig, and he’s actually kind of charming, too…” Candice rambles, her voice breaking more and more with each word that comes from her lips. “What are my parents going to think of this?!”

Beverly instantly goes in for a hug, soothing her friend with gentle pats to the back. “There, there, it’s okay,” she reassures her, pulling away to look into her eyes. “He’s kind of a dweeb, but if you’re into that, I’m not gonna judge you. And if your parents change their tune on you about it... Well, it’s their loss. What matters the most here is your happiness. And nobody has the right to mess that up.”

Candice sighs softly, holding Beverly’s hands. “Leave it to you to ride into the sunset for me.”

Once Artie has fully boarded the bus, the doors shut, and the group rides off to the Buckeye Civic Auditorium, a venue already familiar to Artie, as it had been the same one to house the New Directions’ own Sectionals debut—and as they come to find out upon arrival, it’s just as packed as it was back then, if not even more so, with two extra choirs competing. The enviroinment is already chaotic enough, and the fact that so many of those kids had to go without breakfast doesn’t help much.

Thankfully, Izzy perks up at the sight of a waffle booth nearby, provided by the competition’s sponsor. “Ooh, I think I could go for some waffles right now,” she muses, turning to the others. “You guys up for it?”

Her proposal is met with unanimous agreement, but as they head to the booth to fuel up, they are soon approached by a beaming woman in her 30s, whose pale skin brings out her striking raven hair and blue eyes, as well as the form-fitting scarlet dress and matching lipstick she sports for the occasion. “Hi! I take it you’re the newbies!” she greets them, “Harmony Duke, director for the Echo Chanteurs. You totally recognize me, don't you?”

Indeed, her face does ring a specific bell in Artie’s mind, but Harmony interjects before he can have a chance to speak. “It’s ‘cause I’m the Gerber baby!”

Her forwardness comes as quite alarming to the kids, and even a little bit unsettling. “Your kids seem like a… very eclectic bunch, if I do say so myself,” Harmony remarks, in thinly-veiled disdain. “Since mine are going first, hopefully you’ll get an idea of the bar you’ll have to each in order to make a lasting impression. I would say break a leg, but I can tell that wouldn’t be the most respectful move, so… Do your best and have fun!”

She leaves as quickly as she came, leaving behind an awkward atmosphere amidst the kids—most of all Rajesh, who leans in towards Izzy. “I thought the Gerber Baby was Ann Turner Cook...”

“Welcome, one and all, to the 2029 Ohio State Show Choir Sectionals! Brought to you by our sponsor: Wayne's Waffle House is where to spend your Sundays!”

The announcer’s voice brings a round of applause from the packed audience of the Buckeye Civic Auditorium, as four of the five competing choirs take their seats. For their official competition debut, the Sparks girls live up to the group’s name in sequined off-the-shoulder champagne dresses with black ribbons tied around the waist, accessorizing with chokers, tights, and T-strap pumps, all in black. The guys and Yael all match in metallic champagne shirts, alongside black bowties, suspenders, dress pants and shoes.

"Now, please give a warm welcome to our distinguished judges! Blue Lick Cemetery's top embalmer, Jerald Brown!" A tall, lanky man stands up, solemnly bowing to the crowd. "96.3 The Platypus FM host and DJ, Laree Pineda!" A slightly pudgy woman beams as she stands up next, waving with both hands. "And CEO of Motta's Pianos and Other Assorted Musical Instruments, Sugar Motta!"

Artie’s eyes are out in stalks at the sight of one of his former high school paramours, a slender, aquiline brunette, blowing kisses to the crowd with one hand while the other arm carries a tiny pink purse with a papillon dog inside. “Whoa… You weren’t kidding, Mr. Abe, she is hot!” says Moira.

"And now, let's welcome our first performers—all the way from Noble Lutheran Academy, in Lawrenceville, it's the Echo Chanteurs!"

Another wave of applause washes over the auditorium as the lights go dark, setting the scene for the 20-something Echo Chanteurs to take their places onstage. Soon, the lights shine down on them, revealing those kids all dolled up like they’re ready for a hoedown: cowboy hats, fancy boots, bolo ties, the whole enchilada. The girls are in robin-egg blue swing dresses with white fringe accents, while the guys are in black button-ups with matching blue decals, paired with stretchy blue pants and belts with buckles one can see from the nosebleeds.

[Male Lead] ♪ If it hadn't been for Cotton-Eyed Joe

I'd been married a long time ago

Where did you come from? Where did you go?

Where did you come from, Cotton-Eyed Joe? ♪

The Echo Chanteurs spread out onto the stage, clapping along to the song’s percussion to hype up the crowd, before pairing up and launching into some high-energy choreography, a fusion of Swing and Two-Step. They dance frantically and repeat the chorus without missing a beat, practically zipping around as if they had just gone to town on Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. Their female lead in particular—Lyra Mills, according to the programme—is a sight to behold, a petite yet muscular girl with a megawatt smile and long auburn hair in twin braids.

[Lyra] ♪ He came to town like a mid-winter storm

He rode through the fields, so handsome and strong

His eyes was his tools and his smile was his gun

But all he had come for was havin' some fun ♪

[Male Lead] ♪ If it hadn't been for Cotton-Eyed Joe

I'd been married a long time ago

Where did you come from? Where did you go?

Where did you come from, Cotton-Eyed Joe? ♪

The Sparks are visibly disconcerted, especially when one of the male Echo Chanteurs starts doing elaborate lasso tricks that make the crowd go wild. Despite moving at lightning’s pace, somehow those kids still hadn’t lost their breath… Matter of fact, they sound a little too polished. Meanwhile, the Warblers smile, bob their heads along and do a little dance in their seats, all clearly too busy enjoying the performance to notice Sydney quietly sneaking away from them.

[All] ♪ Swing your partner 'round and 'round

End of the night, it's goin' down (Oh-oh-oh)

One more shot, another round

End of the night, it's goin' down ♪

[Lyra] ♪ It's goin' down (It's goin' down), I'm yellin' timber

You better move, you better dance (You better dance)

Let's make a night (Let's make a night) you won't remember

I'll be the one (And I'm the one) you won't forget (You won't forget) ♪

All the Echo Chanteurs line up and link arms, launching into a rapid-fire Two-Step sequence, their feet practically blurring together from the intensive footwork, like the legs of a speeding roadrunner in an old cartoon. They gather into a circle, with the two leads running to each other so the female can leap into the male’s arms, wrapping her legs around his neck and letting him swing her around while she’s in a backbend, as if neither had any regard for her safety.

[All] ♪ Whoa-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh (It's goin' down!)

Whoa-oh-oh-oh (Timber!), oh-oh-oh-oh (You won't forget!)

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

Timber! ♪

The performance ends with nary a hiccup, as the female lead climbs onto the male’s shoulder’s for the final pose, greeted with roaring applause from the crowd—and looks of horror from the Sparks, now well aware of the standard they’re supposed to be living up to.

Next are the Rockaweenies performing an, admittedly, rather lukewarm Beach Boys medley, giving Yasmin an opening for a much-needed bathroom break. Once she's emptied her bladder to the dulcet tones of some boy from Rayley High caterwauling his way through Surfin’ USA, she steps out of the stall and fixes her hair up in the mirror, only to spot something quite odd behind her.

A flash of navy and red, in another stall. A Warbler blazer, for sure, but what's it doing here?

Cautiously, Yasmin approaches the stall, trying to get a peek at whoever's inside. There's only one pair of feet in there, so unless that Warbler is carrying someone in his arms, it can't be a spontaneous make-out sesh. She certainly doesn't hear any salacious noises.

"Who's there?"

The voice that comes from the stall is definitely feminine, which is relieving but all the more puzzling. "It's okay, I don't mean any harm!" Yasmin calls out. "I just wanna know what's going on and—"

She's cut short by the stall door suddenly unlocking and swinging open, revealing Sydney in an unusual state. Blazer off, tie undone, shirt open… and underneath, a white lacy bra, visibly filled out—and not in a "teenage boy shoving socks down his sister's bra" way. "Oh, my gosh… I… I don't understand," Yasmin stammers in shock, struggling to wrap her head around the sudden discovery. "Shouldn't you be at Crawford?"

Sydney nods somberly, tugging her shirt in order to preserve some modesty. "It was supposed to be me at Crawford, and my brother at Dalton,” she confesses, “He always wanted to be a Warbler, he was so excited… And then…” She chokes, too hesitant to put her heartbreak into words. "This… horrible car crash happened. Thankfully nobody died, but he went into a coma. Since he couldn't enroll in Dalton, I did it for him instead… and… Gleb ruined everything..."

Speak of the devil, as the two hear aggressive knocking coming from outside, along with Gleb’s voice. "Sydney! Open up!"

Sydney cowers into the stall, but is tranquilized by Yasmin placing an arm in front of her. "Finish getting dressed, I'll take it from here," she reassures her, cracking her knuckles in preparation for a sucker punch to Gleb's face.

She marches to the restroom's entrance, immediately getting up in Gleb's business, causing him to almost jump back. “Alright, I’ve had it up to here with your crap!” she barks at him, unleashing all the unbridled anger she’s accumulated. “Do you even realize how miserable poor Sydney is right now, because of YOU?! Has it not clocked to you that just because you have so much power, doesn’t mean you have any right to chew people up and spit them out?!”

All is still following Yasmin’s rant, and slowly, she comes down, tucking some of her hair behind her ear. “I knew you were an asshole,” she concludes, “But I didn't realize you were that kind of asshole.”

Breathing deeply, Yasmin prepares to leave—but then, Gleb yanks her back, and the next thing she knows, his lips are firmly planted over hers.

She tries to shake herself free in desperation, but his grip is much too firm, reducing her to writhing in his hands like a moribund roach, before he pulls away, chuckling at her shell-shocked look. “I guess you were right,” he inquires, “There is nothing more enticing than rivals who make out in the downlow.”

He harshly shoves her away before going into the restroom, pulling Sydney out by the arm and dragging her down the hall for the Warblers’ warm-ups. Yasmin is frozen in shock and horror, and her mind going numb over the still-lingering taste of Gleb in her mouth, a persistant reminder of what they once had. Something which was once so delectable… now leaves her to recoil in disgust.

The worst part? This would probably have never happened if she had stuck with her group.

“And now, for our third performance of the programme, all the way from Dalton Academy in Westerville, the Warblers!”

The curtains come up on the Warblers, who bask in the applause, their backs turned to the audience as they all pull out pairs of sunglasses from their pockets and put them on. Soon, the auditorium is hit with heavy beatboxing and bass vocalizations, and not even a full minute into the song, a seductive grunt from Gleb is enough to have the Warbler groupies going wild in the back of the audience, squealing and staining their underwear at the sight of the boys turning around and strutting to the front of the stage.

♪ American woman, stay away from me

American woman, mama, let me be

Don't come hanging around my door

I don't want to see your face no more

I got more important things to do

Than spend my time growing old with you ♪

The shades make it harder to tell, especially in the further rows of the audience seats, but Gleb is clearly addressing his lines towards Yasmin, who’s too downtrodden and traumatized to make eye contact with him, leaning into Nico’s arms for support. Instead, her gaze remains firmly on Sydney, who puts on a brave face while going through the motions of the choreography, one which is surprisingly sexually-charged for the Warblers’ standard.

♪ Now, woman, stay away

American woman, listen what I say

Don't come knocking around my door

I don't wanna see your shadow no more

Colored lights can hypnotize

Sparkle someone else's eyes

Now woman, get away

American woman, listen what I say ♪

Smirking, Gleb steps aside so the other Warblers can have their time to shine in the ‘instrumental’ break, leaping around the stage and opening their blazers to body roll for the crowd. Of course, the groupies are living for this moment, with one of them tearing her bra off from under her shirt and launching it straight into Gleb’s hands, at which he takes a quick sniff at it and lowers his shades to wink at her, which has her fainting into the arms of her fellow groupies.

♪ American woman, stay away from me

American woman, mama, let me be

I gotta go, I gotta get away

Baby, I gotta go, I wanna fly away

I'm going to leave you, woman, you know I got to go

I'm going to leave you woman, I got to go

I gotta go, American woman, yeah ♪

Finally, the Warblers remove their shades and toss them into the crowd, the stage growing dark right on cue with the end of the song, to rapturous applause. Even so, all the Sparks can focus on is the shame and guilt on Yasmin’s face, as if she could crawl into a hole and die from inhaling dirt and cigarette butts. It goes without saying that this is the last thing they want to happen right now.

Good thing the Sparks are last in the running order, giving them time to emotionally recoup in their waiting room while Revel Yell performs their setlist. Before them, Artie rolls back and forth, breathing heavily. “Damn… Where do I even begin?” he ponders, turning to address the kids, most of all the crestfallen Yasmin. “So, we’re up against some incredible choirs, almost scarily so. But that should be no reason to demotivate you! In fact, we’re way better off than the New Directions were when they were in your shoes.”

Izzy and Danny both nod with determination, but the other Sparks aren’t so inclined to agree, most of all the morose Yasmin. “At least back then, Rachel Berry wasn’t being publicly humiliated by a toxic ex…”

Not having any of that negativity, Izzy approaches Yasmin, grabs her by the shoulders, and slaps her hard across the face. “PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER!” she urges, “So what if Gleb shamed you in front of everyone, when you clearly didn’t do anything wrong?! Weren’t you spearheading this whole movement?! Wasn’t this what you wanted in the first place?!? This is your chance to show that you can come back stronger! You earned this, so get out there and tell him off right back, just the way he deserves it!”

Her words, boiling with righteous fury, reignite the drive in the Sparks’ hearts, all of them exchanging hopeful smiles. “Couldn’t have said it better myself…” says Artie, “Show circle, everyone! Huddle up!”

At his claps, the kids all gather up in a circle, turning their attention to their fearless leaders. “Now, remember. If the other choirs are bringing their A-game, then we have to do the same,” Artie encourages, “We’ve spent too much time rehearsing for this to give up now. Remember what’s at stake here, and come out all guns blazing. As one Marshall Mathers once said, you only got one shot, do not miss your chance to blow! Now let’s bring it in!”

Artie, Izzy and Danny immediately bring their dominant hands forward, with everyone else following suit, setting up the iconic ritual brought over from the New Directions. “Three, two, one…”

“AAAAAA-MAZING!!”

In the final lull between setlists, Artie rolls to take his place in the audience, with his phone camera at the ready. He sneaks a quick glance at Sugar, tempted to reach out to her, to catch up with her after all this time… Maybe even rekindle their past romance; after all, he doesn’t see any rings on her finger. Ultimately, though, he silently opts against it. This moment isn’t for him, but for the kids. He can’t afford to be swayed by any distractions.

"And now, closing out our programme, the newcomer show choir from William McKinley High School in Lima! Give it up for the Sparks!"

When the curtains open on the Sparks, Yasmin is met with the packed crowd, with one face in particular catching her eye: of all people, Angelica had shown up to watch her perform. Yasmin’s mind is brought back to their strained bond, to how her sister had warned her multiple times about Gleb, only to fall into deaf ears, purely due to Yasmin’s resentment and jealousy. Now, she can make it up to her—and as the Sparks ease her in with soft vocalizing in the darkness behind her, she does exactly that, focusing in on her dear sister under a single spotlight.

♪ I saved every letter you wrote me

From the moment I read them, I knew you were mine

You said you were mine, I thought you were mine

Do you know what Angelica said

When she read what you'd done?

She said, "You have married an Icarus

He has flown too close to the sun" ♪

Yasmin’s voice grows stronger, all of her deep-seated rage pouring out like a tidal wave as she zeroes in on Gleb, whose usually cool façade slowly begins to shatter. In both of their minds, the words he had uttered to her back in Regionals come back to haunt him with a bloodthirsty vengeance. As the song builds, the other Sparks bring out flashlights with orange packaging plastic on top, lighting them up to create the illusion of candlelight dancing around her.

♪ Don't take another step in my direction

I can't be trusted around you

Don't think you can talk your way

Into my arms, into my arms

I'm burning the letters you wrote me

You can stand over there if you want

I don't know who you are

I have so much to learn

I'm re-reading your letters

And watching them burn ♪

Her voice breaks with the overflow of emotion, and the music grinds to a halt, but Yasmin keeps her head held high, softly singing over a solitary piano. By now, the audience has completely fallen silent, and even the Warblers are noticeably intimidated, Gleb in particular feeling cornered as Yasmin looks him dead in the eye, without flinching or missing a beat. Sydney, on the other hand, is more awestruck than scared, looking at Yasmin as if she had found a light at the end of the tunnel.

♪ I'm erasing myself from the narrative

Let future historians wonder

How Yasmin reacted when you broke her heart

You have torn it all apart, I'm watching it

Burn, watching it burn ♪

And so, bathed in the orange-tinted glow coming from the Sparks’ flashlights, Yasmin goes for those big money notes, showing everyone in attendance exactly what Gleb had been so desperate to silence. Each line comes as a burst of flames, each more powerful and scalding than the last, cleansing her soul and roasting him to the very core, while the Sparks dance and run around faster and faster, the beams of the flashlights gradually blurring into each other.

♪ I'm burning the memories

Burning the letters that might have redeemed you

You forfeit all rights to my heart

You forfeit the place in our bed

You sleep in your office instead

With only the memories of when you were mine— ♪

The flashlights turn off, and Yasmin tosses her head back with a sharp gasp, audible from the very back of the auditorium. For a second, the judges notice her blissful smile and whisper to one another if this teenage girl has just experienced an orgasm onstage, but it’s really just catharsis from the weight of past heartbreak finally being lifted off her shoulders.

♪ I hope that you... burn... ♪

Tranquility sets in. The stage lights up around Yasmin, and she gets the loudest, most euphoric round of applause of the night so far, proudly and gladly taking it in. Even Gleb is compelled to applaud her, unable to mask his frustration.

Beaming, Yasmin runs up to join the rest of the Sparks, who have since put the flashlights down and taken their positions for their second song of the night, ushered in by Bart’s bassline. The butterflies kick in right away for Yael as they start the song, taking Hugo's hand for support; together, the siblings step forward, and Hugo already gets the crowd going by pulling Yael up to have them sit upon his shoulders.

[Yael] ♪ Lookin' out a dirty old window

Down below, the cars in the city go rushin' by

I sit here alone, and I wonder why ♪

Once Yael is back on the floor, the others join in, with birthday girl Moira and the two Cheerios front and center, while everyone else spreads around clapping and dancing to hype up the crowd, the sequins in the girls' dresses sparkling in the lights of the auditorium. It’s a noticeable shift in tone from Yasmin’s solo, but one that comes across as uplifting rather than jarring, with most of the audience, including even the Warblers, getting into the joyous atmosphere.

[Moira] ♪ Friday night, and everyone's movin'

I can feel the heat, but it's soothing, heading down

I search for the beat in this dirty town ♪

[Beverly and Candice] ♪ Downtown, the young ones are going

Downtown, the young ones are growing ♪

Fueled by a new boost of motivation, the Sparks march forward as one, singing with their voices at their fullest and their eyes on the prize. Going into the chorus, they launch into the simple, but intensive choreography they had been working so hard on at Booty Camp, with even Rajesh offering a strong showing, proving how much his extra rehearsal hours with Izzy had paid off—which she’s visibly proud and grateful for, more for him than for herself.

[All] ♪ We're the kids in America, whoa!

We're the kids in America, whoa!

Everybody live for the music-go-round ♪

They vocalize their way through the instrumental break, with the boys yelling at the top of their lungs to hype up the crowd—“LET’S GO!!”—while the girls strut around them, all paired up for the instrumental break. Although Candice has been paired with Rajesh, she appears to sing her lines directly at Danny, who’s too locked in partnering Izzy to notice; similarly, amidst partnering Moira, Hugo can’t help but longingly stare at Genesis as she partners Nico.

[Candice] ♪ Come closer, honey, that's better

Got to get a brand new experience, feelin' right

Oh, don't try to stop, baby, hold me tight ♪

[Cedric] ♪ Outside a new day is dawnin'

Outside suburbia's sprawlin' everywhere

I don't want to go, baby ♪

[Izzy and Yasmin] ♪ New York to East California

There's a new wave coming, I warn ya ♪

The physically-stronger Sparks take their partners’ hands and spin them in mid-air from one side to another, and Izzy pumps her fist in the air, signaling for the group to break out of their pairings and scatter around the stage, jumping and dancing around euphorically for the final part of the choreography, the synchronized claps of the audience members now almost as loud as the song itself.

[All] ♪ We're the kids in America, whoa!

We're the kids in America, whoa!

Everybody live for the music-go-round ♪

As the boys and Yael rally up the crowd, the girls briefly head towards the curtain backdrop, vanishing from general view—and when they come back, they’re all carrying a lit sparkler in each hand, giving the ones in their non-dominant hands to the other half of the group. A risky move, for sure, striking concern in the judges over a potential fire hazard; even Artie, who went through that part of the choreography more than once, has a little bit of dread forming in his stomach.

[Sparks Boys] ♪ We're the kids, we're the kids

We're the kids in America

We're the kids, we're the kids

We're the kids in America ♪

They run around in a circle, bringing their sparklers together into a sizeable ball of sparking light, before breaking the circle for the final group pose—and of course, the crowd goes wild. Angelica is on her feet with pride, while Artie is too busy filming to applaud, but still beams in approval, seeing the satisfaction in the kids’ faces as they blow out the sparklers and come together to congratulate one another, jumping up and down, exchanging hugs, laughing to their heart’s content.

All in all, a fittingly dazzling debut.

“TURN IT UUUUUP!!”

A guttural holler from Hugo as he gives Yael a piggyback ride into the Sparks’ waiting room ushers the rest of the group in, all still on a high from their successful performance. Hugs and high-fives are exchanged, with Izzy in particular jumping onto her proud dad’s lap and wrapping her arms around him to let him douse her face in kisses. Danny even goes in to hug Candice while she’s busy chatting with Moira and Beverly, catching her off-guard at first but soon being retributed.

Not too far off, Yasmin leaps into Cedric’s arms, letting him spin her around as they laugh in delight. “You crushed it! Just like we knew you would!” Cedric gushes, “It’s like I’ve been saying, you were made to be up there! And that whole group song was just so… It was everything!”

“Did you see that my sister was there?” Yasmin rambles, “And she applauded me?! I still can’t believe it!”

She goes in for another hug, burying her face in Cedric’s neck and taking in his cologne. Slowly, she allows herself to come down from her high, her gaze drifting behind him and towards the doorway—like clockwork, she finds Angelica standing there with a tranquil smile. In disbelief, Yasmin pulls away, walking towards her sister. “You were incredible,” Angelica praises her, taking her hands in his. “I’ve never seen you so in the zone before.”

Yasmin’s gaze softens, suddenly turning bittersweet. “I do wish mom and dad could’ve seen it,” she laments, “I put all of myself into that solo, and yet they didn’t even bother showing up…”

Angelica reaches forward to caress Yasmin’s face. “Well, I got a phone recording that’ll definitely make them pay attention,” she points out, comforting Yasmin in doing so, before she turns her attention to Cedric. “And I suppose you’re the boy who sang with her during that Invitational… You two seem pretty close.”

Cedric responds with a grin full of warmth and affection. “Yasmin’s wonderful. She deserves the world.”

Already emotional enough as is, Yasmin practically melts upon hearing that. Right now, she’s silently thanking her lucky stars for bringing him into her life, to offer her such steady support while she does what she loves… But in the back of her mind, the memory of Gleb’s forceful kiss still aches, killing her from inside with a thousand cuts. Would Cedric forgive her if she told him about it? Would he even bother listening to the whole story?

Sure, she knows he’s a good listener, but it doesn’t stop the doubts from eating her up inside.

Following a rather lengthy intermission, the five choirs take the stage once again, for the announcement of the final placements. Unsurprisingly, it seems neither the Rockaweenies nor Revel Yell struck a notable chord with the judges, finishing fifth and fourth respectively. "And now, a round of applause for this year's Top 3 Sectionals finalists!" proclaims the announcer, met with polite applause from the crowd. “Congratulations to all three teams standing with us onstage! They have done what they could, but only one can be the winner. Doing the honors of announcing said winner is head judge Sugar Motta!”

Handing her purse over to Laree, Sugar enters stage left, waving to the applauding audience. “Thank you, you’re all such cupcakes!” she exclaims upon reaching the microphone. “I could not be more honored to be given this responsibility. As a former member of the Nationals-winning New Directions, and the one talented person in that sea of astoundingly blasé mediocrity, it’s clear that I am, by far, the most qualified to be head judge, and the groups that performed tonight could learn a thing or two from me.” The auditorium grows quiet, Sugar’s gaze darting around as she’s met with looks of befuddlement. “Sorry, it’s the ‘tism! Let’s get on with it!”

Artie can’t help but shake his head and chuckle in amusement; even though Sugar has gotten with the times, she otherwise hasn’t changed one bit. All eyes are on her as she tears open the envelope with the results, giggling eagerly as she does so. “Okay! In third place, we have…” She bites her lip, purposefully drawing out the reveal. “...Those absolute hotties, the Dalton Academy Warblers!!”

“WHAT?!?”

Gleb proceeds to loudly clear his throat, having nearly fried his throat from that shriek of outrage. The other Warblers are noticeably more receptive to their placement, but none quite as much as Sydney, who flashes Gleb a grin of schadenfreude. “I told you we should’ve done Carrie,” she taunts him, getting harshly slapped on the arm in response—just seeing that is enough to have Yasmin’s heart sinking for her, all over again.

Once the Warblers have exited the stage amidst the applause, the other two judges take the winner and second place trophies, placing them right next to Sugar, who’s still reading the contents of the envelope. “Here we go!” Sugar announces, “After much deliberation, I can now reveal your Sectionals winners are…”

The suspense is gutwrenching in how long it lasts. Yasmin’s grip on Nico and Cedric’s hands is tight enough to drain all their knuckles of their color. Rajesh is a hair’s breadth away from bursting into tears. Yael ducks into Hugo’s arms, squinting their eyes in preparation. Beverly and Candice keep close distance, exchanging uncertain glances. Most of all, Artie, who’s been through this before, embraces Izzy on his lap, caressing her back and letting her nestle her head on the back of his neck.

And finally, Sugar announces the verdict. “IT’S THE ECHO CHANTEURS!!”

The auditorium erupts in applause along with Harmony and her kids, Lyra practically taking off like a rocket in sheer joy. The world slows down around the Sparks, and they can only look on, utterly numb, as their competitors claim the trophy they had worked so hard to claim. Artie is shattered, for both himself and his kids, already hearing Izzy sob into his neck—and the smug look Harmony gives him as she helps her kids hoist up the trophy only makes it even worse.

There’s no more left, but broken dreams and confetti on the floor.

The grief is so immense, it lingers on even after they return to Lima.

Artie tries getting his mind off that, by resuming work on another commission, but such an effort is futile; the second place trophy is unmissable on the dinner table, and he can still hear Izzy sobbing into her pillow, curled up and inconsolable. She doesn’t even think she can go to sleep that night, not without puking or dehydrating herself from all the tears.

When her phone buzzes with a FaceTime request from Beth, Izzy hesitates, dreading her reaction if she sees her like this. Still, she’s able to swallow her pride and power through, accepting Beth’s request and being met with a glowing smile from her. “Hey, Izz! Tonight’s been a whirlwind, but we made it to Regionals and…” Her train of thought derails completely at the sight of Izzy’s tear-stricken eyes and reddened, runny nose. “Oh, my god... Whatever happened, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay, I’m happy for you,” Izzy answers brokenly, sniffling as she wipes away the tears. “Hopefully you guys can carry the torch for us.”

She sighs deeply, propping herself down on her elbows and nestling herself in her pillows. “It still sucks, though,” she laments, “We had so much more to give, so many more songs to sing… But in the end, all we could amount to was a bunch of Lima Losers. We should’ve known it from the start! Now we’re left to spend the rest of our lives watching our classmates suffer under Principal Sylvester with no reprieve, all because of some STUPID COWPOKE SHOW CHOIR led by that STUPID GERBER BABY!”

Izzy bangs her fist against the mattress, grinding her teeth to keep herself from bursting into tears again—but her words suddenly strike a chord in Beth. “Hold up…” she cuts in, tapping her chin. “I’ve heard some talk about a girl who got blacklisted from NYADA because she lied about her CV just to bolster her reputation. If memory serves me correctly, there was definitely something about the Gerber Baby in there…”

Hearing that makes something click in Izzy’s head. Her mind presses the rewind button, certain events coming back to her like flashes. Rajesh’s whisper about Ann Turner Cook, the unnatural polish of the Echo Chanteurs’ vocals even after performing an extrenuous dance routine, and now this. It can’t be just a coincidence.

Puzzled, Izzy rockets out of bed, phone still in hand, and runs up to Artie’s desk. “Dad! Do you have any footage of the Echo Chanteurs’ set?” she asks, “I wanna see something, it’s urgent!”

“I’m afraid I wasn’t filming then,” Artie points out, “But I think they might have something uploaded to social media. Lemme check…”

One quick internet search later, father and daughter find themselves in the Echo Chanteurs’ Facebook page, which just so happens to have close-up footage of their Sectionals set, with all the pristine quality of a Kpop fancam. Without the nerves of the competition to cloud their vision, Artie and Izzy start seeing cracks in the concrete: the Echo Chanteurs are visibly heaving the longer the performance goes, and their lip movements miss the lyrics more often than not. In fact, at some points, their lips aren’t even moving, but their voices can still be heard—that is, if those even are those kids’ voices to begin with.

Artie’s eyes widen in shock; in four years of New Directions, he’s never seen anything like this. “Oh, what the hell…”

Come Monday, and a mournful atmosphere fills the choir room, with most of the Sparks solemnly gathered in their seats, contemplating the fall of their Glee Club. “You know, as much as I hate to admit it,” murmurs Beverly, looking around at the choir room while embracing Candice. “I actually think I’m gonna miss this place. At least here I could have a break from Kermit being a spotlight-hogging bitch all day.”

“At least I can take some solace in the fact that we managed to best the Warblers,” Nico recalls, tapping Yasmin on the back. “You guys should’ve seen Gleb’s face when Yasmin was singing that solo to him. I’m sure he’s now just as traumatized by Hamilton as Danny is!”

His quip musters weak laughs from the others, including Genesis, who has her walking stick on her lap, tracing down it with her fingers. “You know what?” she concludes, “It doesn’t matter that we can’t have the Glee Club anymore. We’ll still have the friendships and memories we made here. And unless Principal Sylvester’s planning on having another mass exodus anytime soon, we can always gather up and keep making music outside of school. It’s all part of God’s plan.”

While Genesis can’t quite see it for herself, the others all smile and nod in agreement, finding some solace in her words. Moira, specifically, was already dangerously close to tears, and this proves to be what tips her over the edge. “I LOVE YOU GU-HU-HU-HUYS...”

A chorus of ‘aww’s come from the others as she leans into Cedric’s shoulder, letting him pull her close for a comforting embrace, with everyone else following suit and gathering around her. With all the love being spread, they don’t even notice that Artie, Izzy and Danny have just entered the choir room, exchanging knowing glances before Izzy hops off her father’s lap. “Um... Guys?”

Izzy’s interruption has everyone staring at the legacy trio in confusion. “Hey, don’t sweat it,” says Cedric. “You showed up just in time for the group hug!”

“It’s not that,” Danny replies, pulling his phone out of his pocket. “You guys might wanna check out r/showchoirusa right now…”

Artie wheels back, calmly smiling and watching the kids gather around Danny as he opens up his Reddit app and goes to the subreddit in question, which currently has a fairly recent, and even more peculiar, post pinned, its title written in big, bold, capital letters, with news that have all of their jaws agape: “🚨 ECHO CHANTEURS DISQUALIFIED 🚨”. Underneath, a screenshot taken from a post on the official Instagram account of the U.S. National Show Choir Committee, which Izzy reads out loud...

It has come to light that the Echo Chanteurs of Noble Lutheran Academy, winners of the 2029 Ohio State Show Choir Sectionals, have been relying heavily on pre-recorded tracks for their competition setlists. This is a major violation of the show choir rulebook, as all competing choirs are required to feature live music, singing and dancing in their performances.

Therefore, the Echo Chanteurs have been disqualified, and will no longer be competing for the remainder of the season. Replacing them as the Ohio representatives in in the upcoming 2030 East North Central Regionals will be previously-announced runner-ups, the Sparks, from William McKinley High School in Lima. We wish them nothing but the best moving forward—

“WE’RE GOING TO REGIONALS!!”

The previously-morose Sparks burst into cheers and hollers of joy, celebrating the sudden shift in tides. Genesis clasps her hands in faithful gratitude, Cedric and Hugo exchange high-fives, Moira practically squeezes both Yael and Rajesh in a hug. “I KNEW there was something afoot with those Echo guys!” Nico exclaims, “That Harmony lady’s a notorious pathological liar, she’s not to be trusted! ‘Oh, I was the Gerber Baby, my ultrasound was in Murder, She Wrote, blah blah blah’, ALL LIES! She’s a fraud, of course her students are frauds too!”

Yasmin ecstatically leaps to her feet, directly addressing her peers. “I got some great ideas for our Regionals setlist already!” she declares, “Let’s be real, there’s a 99% chance we’ll be facing off against Throat Explosion, so this is a chance to go full Broadway showstopper, the main course to Sectionals’ appetizer! I was thinking maybe we could do Rainbow High from Evita, because it’s such an iconic musical and Madonna is a legend, and honestly, I never got why Brazilians hate Argentina so much—”

“Yasmin...” Artie interrupts her motor-mouthed rambling. “I appreciate the enthusiasm, but once again, sit yo’ ass down.”

Too grateful for the second chance to say anything in response, Yasmin shrugs and takes her seat next to Nico. “Regionals ain’t until March, so we still got plenty of time,” he advises the kids, “Enjoy the winter break, enjoy your holidays… I know Hanukkah’s almost over for some of you,” He glances at Yael and Hugo, cuddled up in the back row. “And most importantly, be grateful. We lucked out in getting this second chance, so when the time comes, we gotta make the most of it.”

Fully immersed in their positive mood, the kids take proceedings to the April Rhodes Civic Pavillion, where the band launches into an upbeat, guitar-led tune, backed by rhythmic claps from the kids, from which Danny and Rajesh step forward to lead the song, all in front of a projection of flowing, crystalline blue-green water, symbolizing the cleanse they all needed following the events that transpired during Sectionals.

[Danny] ♪ Can you feel it? Now it's comin' back

We can steal it if we bridge this gap

I can see ya through the curtains of the waterfall

Well, we rushed it, movin' way too fast

That we crushed it, but it's in the past

We can make this leap

Through the curtains of the waterfall ♪

Bursting into the chorus with full force, the kids allow themselves to run, jump and dance around, without a care in the world. In the audience seats, Artie is surprised by the arrival of Anabiel and Casey, with the latter carrying a large pizza box from JKP, opening it to reveal a chocolate pizza with ‘CONGRATS’ written with M&Ms upon it, like a scene from an old 2000s romcom, but under much happier circumstances.

[Sparks] ♪ So, say Geronimo, say Geronimo

Say Geronimo, say Geronimo

Say Geronimo, say Geronimo

Say Geronimo ♪

[Danny and Rajesh] ♪ Can you feel my love? ♪

[Yasmin] ♪ Bombs away, bombs away, bombs away ♪

Amidst the celebration, Danny spots Candice, bittersweetly distanced from the rest of the group, and his gaze softens, approaching her and offering his hand. Candice is hesitant at first, but soon complies, letting his fingers wrap around her hand as he pulls her in for a little dance. Beverly, dancing it out with her fellow juniors, gives this display a little smile of approval; as much as she doesn’t want to admit it, she’s starting to come around to Glee Club.

[Rajesh] ♪ Well, I'm just a boy with a broken toy

All lost and coy at the curtains of the waterfall

So it's here I stand as a broken man

But I've found my friend at the curtains of the waterfall

[Yasmin] Now I'm falling down through the crashing sound

And you've come around at the curtains of the waterfall

And you rush to me and it sets us free

So I fall to my knees ♪

[All Three] ♪ At the curtains of the waterfall ♪

Reaching the final chorus, Yasmin belts to her heart’s content, while Cedric comes up behind her, pulling her into an embrace. She’s startled at first, suddenly remembering her deep-seated turmoil with Gleb—especially now that she’s aware of what he’s been doing to Sydney—but eventually caves in and happily nestles her face in his shoulders, putting her trauma to the side for the time being and allowing herself to live in the now.

[Sparks] ♪ So, say Geronimo, say Geronimo

Say Geronimo, say Geronimo

Say Geronimo, say Geronimo

Say Geronimo ♪

Even later that week, the joy continues on, as Danny runs down the empty halls, hand in hand with Candice, as he escorts her to the gymnasium for Cheerios practice. He nearly slips, but her grip on him is enough to keep both of them steady, laughing heartily throughout the whole path. Once they get there, they take some time to keep their hands together and gaze into each other’s eyes, before she can send him off.

[Sparks] ♪ Make this leap, ooh

Make this leap, ooh ♪

[Danny] ♪ Can you feel my love? ♪

Candice can definitely feel the love, smiling coyly as she waves goodbye to Danny. In fact, she’s so distracted she doesn’t even bother to notice Kitty peeking out from the entrance, stunned and mortified to see one of her girls so smitten over a Glee kid. She’s been down that treacherous path before, and knows how much misery came from it—and now, she’s watching it unfold all over again, through one of her own girls.

“Oh, sweet Jesus...”

Chapter Text

"Attention, students! This year, a new policy has been put into practice!"

The year-end holiday season in full swing, but while the student body is looking for some much-needed downtime, this may be hard to achieve considering they still have to withstand Principal Sylvester barking into their ears. "Those who complete a certain number of hours of community service will get extra credit on a final exam of their choice, so try being of some use to society instead of carelessly shopping for questionable flash-in-the-pan trinkets that’ll inevitably end up in landfills by next year!"

For most of the Sparks, the stress of Sectionals is now a distant memory—but for Yasmin, it’s still all too fresh, in the worst ways. Even two weeks later, she still feels as if she had been violated, the taste of Gleb’s unprompted kiss lingering in her mouth like the all-incompassing stench of rotten produce at the Mexia Supermarket. Lost in thought, she digs through her locker, a bedazzled treasure trove of musical theatre, Brazilian culture memorabilia, and glittery gold sparkle stickers, in search of her notebooks for her next class, doing whatever she can to get her mind off the harrowing events of that night.

In fact, she doesn’t even bother looking at Cedric when he approaches her with a shy, but welcoming wave of his hand. “Hey, um… You’ve been keeping to yourself a lot since Sectionals,” he points out, doing his best to not come across as nosy. “I take it that must’ve done a number on you, between the results and... Gleb...”

Yasmin sighs deeply, lowering her head. “You have no idea. I’m just glad we got rid of him while we could.”

Out of sympathy, Cedric places a hand on her shoulder, gently squeezing it. “Y’know, I’ve been thinking,” he muses, “My family goes all in on the holidays. Leslie’s been bugging me nonstop about what I’m gonna get her for Christmas, and of course we got Kwanzaa coming up too… Nonstop celebration until January. I don’t think they know about you yet, so perhaps this could be a good opportunity to bring you into the fold.”

Yasmin turns to him in wonder. “You… want me to meet your family?”

Cedric nods with a shrug. “It’s fine if you don’t want to, I don’t want to rush things...”

“No, I would love to!” Yasmin interjects, suddenly excited. “I mean, I’ve never celebrated Kwanzaa before, but I wouldn’t mind learning a thing or two about it!”

A heavy sigh of relief comes from Cedric at this. “Perfect!” he says, “I was planning on asking the guys on the team too, just to be safe, but Hugo told me he’s already penciled in going to Hunan Gardens with his folks on Christmas Day, and I’m still not completely familiar with how things are over at Xander’s place, so it’s not like I have much of a choice anyway.”

Yasmin shakes her head slightly, turning back to her locker. “At this point, I’ll take whatever I can get to scrub away the memory of that albino asshat,” she remarks, pulling out her notebook for the next class and closing the locker door. “I’m gonna check my calendar to figure out when I’m free, okay? Thanks!”

She caresses Cedric’s cheek before walking off, his gaze lingering on her a little bit longer than it should. Admittedly, he’s a bit nervous that she said yes, especially considering how nosy Leslie can be, but at least he’s glad he can do his part in getting Yasmin out of her funk.

Over at the faculty lounge, Artie is fetching himself some sugar-free hot chocolate, when he spots Anabiel coming in with a pretty heavy cardboard box, which she places on the table before sitting down and wiping away some beads of sweat. “Oh, hey, Arthur!” she greets him, “I heard the kids are putting up their first Glee Club Christmas tree, so I wanted to be of some help…”

She gently pushes the box forward so Artie can have a closer look, finding an intriguing assemblage of Yule-themed ornaments, including a wreath with a pentacle in the center, some scented pinecones, and even a little Yule goat wrapped in red ribbon, as well as raw gemstone crystals with strings attached. “That’s… definitely unusual!” he remarks, “No offense, of course. I’m sure they won’t mind it.”

Anabiel lets her gaze soften, placing one hand over his on the table. “By the way, I got Sam for Secret Santa this year,” she informs him, “Since you two know each other so well, you could give me an idea of what he likes. I found a few DVD sets for True Jackson, VP while thrifting, but I’m afraid he might already have those...”

“Sam’s a simple guy. As long as you don’t make fun of his lips, he’ll be happy with anything.”

Anabiel nods, taking all the notes she needs in her head. “At least it’s not Ursula this time,” she recalls, “Last year I got her a plush axolotl from ShopZoo and she threw a strop because she wanted a real one to dissect in class. I mean, I get being disappointed, but that’s a bit much. Lima isn’t even close to the sea, how was I supposed to find a living axolotl in such short notice?”

Artie sighs deeply, drinking from some of his hot chocolate. “Y’know, after everything that went down at Sectionals, I’m not looking for any drama right now,” he explains, “With all them rival Glee Clubs breathing down their necks like Sue’s wild dogs, the kids got put through the wringer. They deserve to have some down time before the winter break.”

Like much of the school, Anabiel had heard of went down with the Echo Chanteurs, and it didn’t fuss her much since she always knew things would work out for the Sparks. “Funny, isn’t it?” she points out, “You came in with one daughter and now you basically adopted a whole gaggle of kids. You’re like a souped-up Ms. Clavel!”

“Damn straight!” says Artie with a confident grin. “And you best believe them kids are about to have the best holiday season of their lives...”

Following the last classes of the day, Anabiel gladly follows Artie into the choir room to find it fully decorated for the season, with a 6ft10 tree, artificial but highly-convincing to the naked eye, as the main center piece. The kids who do celebrate Christmas brought some of their own, previously-used ornaments from home, to add a personal touch to the décor. As the two teachers enter, met with cheers from the kids, Anabiel hangs her wreath upon the doorway, while Artie wordlessly commands Fernweh to play a seasonal standard.

[Artie] ♪ It's the most wonderful time of the year

With the kids jingle belling

And everyone telling you "Be of good cheer" ♪

[All] ♪ It's the most wonderful time of the year ♪

Around the choir room, the kids are having fun with their own ornaments, as well as the prop present boxes so generously brought to them by Candice’s family. Nico and Moira approach Izzy and Danny to lend them a hand, removing the tinsel garlands over their shoulders and placing them around the tree, while Rajesh guides Genesis with her own cardinal and dove figurine ornaments, holding her hands from the back and showing her where to place them.

[Izzy] ♪ It's the hap-happiest season of all

With those holiday greetings

And gay happy meetings when friends come to call ♪

[All] ♪ It's the hap-happiest season of all ♪

Some of the kids rush to Anabiel to pick out ornaments from her box—mostly gemstone crystals on strings, which intimidate Rajesh a little bit with all of their irregular edges, but also including some Yule-themed ones—to place on the tree. With their own holiday out of the way for the year, Yael and Hugo lead the small group in working their way around the ornaments, with Hugo in particular grazing his fingers around the crystals to make sure they’re not too pointy for Yael to handle; not that Yael sees any need for it, but they do appreciate it nonetheless.

[Moira] ♪ There'll be parties for hosting ♪

Marshmallows for toasting ♪

[Yasmin] ♪ And caroling out in the snow ♪

[Yael] ♪ There'll be scary ghost stories ♪

[Danny] ♪ And tales of the glories

Of Christmases long, long ago ♪

[All] ♪ It's the most wonderful time of the year ♪

As Genesis takes a quick break from doing her part, Candice taps her from behind, offering her a forkful of the freshly-baked strawberry sponge cake her personal chef made for the occasion, which Genesis happily accepts, unaware of Beverly standing right next to them, looking guilty as she wipes away some white frosting off her lips with her thumb. Over in the back, Yasmin is hard at work polishing the rhinestone-embellished golden star tree topper, but it doesn’t prevent her from cuddling up with Cedric when he sits next to her.

[Moira] ♪ There'll be parties for hosting ♪

[Rajesh] ♪ Marshmallows for toasting ♪

[All] ♪ And carolling out in the snow ♪

[Artie] ♪ There'll be scary ghost stories ♪

[Artie and Danny harmonizing] ♪ And tales of the glories

Of Christmases long, long ago ♪

[All] ♪ It's the most wonderful time of the year ♪

[Cedric] ♪ There'll be much mistletoeing

And hearts will be glowing when loved ones are near ♪

Everyone gathers around the tree, and Yasmin, finally done with her task, gets up and runs to Hugo, climbing upon his back to carefully place the tree topper, the finishing touch on their seasonal symbol of togetherness. It proves to be a bit trickier than expected, as the golden spiral underneath the star is slightly wider than the tip of the treetop, but she’s able to work around it, clapping as Hugo places her back down to marvel at the finished result with the others.

[Artie] ♪ It's the most wonderful time of the year ♪

[All] ♪ It's the most wonderful time

Oh, the most wonderful time...

Of the year! ♪

The lighting of the tree brings an end to the song, as everyone beams just as brightly at the fully decorated tree. However, Izzy’s grin doesn’t last for too long, as she lets out a melancholic sigh. “Don’t get me wrong, I love you guys,” Izzy admits, looking up at the star tree topper. “But I kinda wish Beth were here to see this. We’d always spend Christmas together back in New York. I’m not sure if it’s going to be the same without her.”

Artie rolls up to her, gently squeezing her hand. “Don’t sweat it, Bee,” he comforts her, “You’ve got yourself a whole new group of friends now. If anything, I’m sure it’s gonna be even better. Who knows, you might even find some time to FaceTime her.”

Izzy smiles tenderly, turning to Danny, who wraps an arm around her in support—the others, though, are more confused than anything, exchanging puzzled looks, before Rajesh steps forward, genuinely curious. “Pardon for the intrusion, but... who’s this Beth you speak of?”

Danny turns to Izzy, who turns to Artie, who gives the other kids a shrug. “How much time y’all got?”

The next day, in the computer lab, Yael is hard at work in the research for a school paper, when Moira shows up with a spring in her step, grinning ecstatically and carrying a large bag without so much as breaking a sweat. “There you are!” she exclaims, “Hope I’m not being too inconvenient, because I need your help, pronto!”

Yael takes it in calmly, without taking their eyes off the computer screen. “Fire away.”

Moira nods, putting the bag to the side. “So, I'm doing this thing at the Lima Hospital,” she explains, “It turns out the actor they usually hire as their Santa is down with measles.”

“Wait, measles coming back wasn't a joke?”

Moira rolls her eyes in frustration. “It's to be expected when a sizeable portion of people are brainwashed into thinking vaccines cause autism,” she continues, “So! With Principal Sylvester’s new policy, I volunteered to step in as 'Santa's daughter', and I even managed to bring Beverly and Candice along as my elves, under the promise that they'd get to wear cool costumes. And that's where you come in!”

She holds up the bag near Yael’s face, allowing them to pause their game and take a peek at the plastic packaging inside. “I got these Link costumes from the new Zelda movie that were on the clearance rack from Halloween, and I need you to touch them up to look less Hyrule and more Yule.”

Yael takes the bag without a second thought. “I'll see what I can do,” they respond, “I've been a bit busy doing commissions on Fiverr to raise enough money to get Hugo a nice present. He's been through so much with the break-up, he deserves a treat.” Their tone suddenly turns bittersweet. “Of course, that means I'll have to give up the cash I have saved for my dream Rapunzel doll purchase, but it's a sacrifice worth making.”

Moira is simultaneously intrigued and befuddled; after all, Rapunzel dolls are a dime, a dozen. “So is it like a Disney Store Collector's Edition—”

“No, not Disney Rapunzel, I'm talking Barbie Rapunzel. This one…”

Yael proceeds to type up a storm on DuckDuckGo and showing Moira one of the images that comes up: the cover image for an old diorama storybook, featuring the doll in question, all of her FantasY2K glory, standing in a field of flowers, with a tower in the background. “There aren't a lot of Hanukkah movies that aren't low-budget slop, so Barbie as Rapunzel is a bit of a personal holiday tradition back home, and I've been aching to get my hands on that doll for years,” they further clarify, “Problem is, it’s from before my time, so you can only get it on eBay, and I'd have to sell a kidney on the black market to afford it!”

Unbeknownst to either of them, Candice walks by the computer lab, stopping in her tracks as she overhears that last part. Little by little, she’s been allowing herself to let go of Hugo, and thanks to Glee Club, she now has a better understanding of Yael as a person in their right… so seeing them so distraught gives her heartstrings quite an unexpected tug.

The strength of Yael and Hugo’s bond is further showcased at the Glee Club meeting of the day, as they come to school in matching grey hoodies, drawing attention from everyone. Once everyone has taken their seats, Hugo and Yael step forward in the center of the choir room. “So, we know you guys are excited for Christmas, and you have all the right to be,” Yael explains, giving their peers a thumbs-up. “But even though Hanukkah has already come and gone, Hugo and I spoke last night and we decided to give it a little moment in the sun, since it’s such a big part of our cultural identity.”

“Now that you said it, I don’t think New Directions ever did Hanukkah music,” Danny ponders, “At least, not that I know of. It was always Christmas, Christmas, Christmas. Even Rachel Berry never sang about Hanukkah, and she’s probably one of the loudest and proudest Jews you’ll ever meet… for better or for worse.”

Most of the kids chortle at Danny’s quip, and even Artie, all too aware of how much of a handful Rachel could be back in the day, stifles a giggle. Predictably, Yasmin is the only one not to join in, but she does muster up an amused smile. “So, we know December is a time for miracles, but they don’t have to be just Christmas miracles,” Hugo explains, “Hanukkah was born from the resilience and dedication of the Jewish people to preserving their faith, and fighting against the oppression of the Syrian Empire. And of course…”

He smirks at Yael, who nods, before the two of them unzip their hoodies. “It doesn’t hurt to give that message a more modern twist. Let’s get it!”

The reveal of the blue and white tops with cartoon dreidels printed on them underneath the hoodies has the other kids all hollering and cheering, mainly in anticipation of their duet—although the tight fit of Hugo’s top, highlighting his pecs, does get a cheeky wolf-whistle out of Nico. A groovy, glitzy tune fills the room, and with everyone clapping and dancing along in their seats, the siblings give each other a little fist-bump.

[Hugo] ♪ Just livin’ in the miracle, candles are my vehicle

Eight nights, gonna shine invincible

No longer be divisible, born through the struggle

Keep on moving through all this hustle

Bound to stumble and fall

But my strength comes not from man at all ♪

As Yael takes over for the hook, Hugo runs up to exchange high-fives and fist-bumps with everyone, most of all Izzy and Artie, themselves proud of their own partially-Jewish heritage. Genesis keeps her distance, a little intimidated about how forward he and Yael are being about their faith at the moment, but knows better than to interrupt, instead politely bobbing her head as she listens along with the rest.

[Yael] ♪ Do you believe in miracles

Am I hearing you? Am I seeing you?

Eight nights, eight lights

And these rites keep me right

Bless me to the highest heights with your miracle ♪

Yael’s flow proves to be surprisingly competent as they take on their own rap verse, with the other kids, especially the other freshman, noticeably impressed, while Hugo steps back and watches in approval. As he joins back in, he drapes an arm around Yael’s shoulders and flexes his free bicep, which, perhaps not too shockingly, gets giddy reactions out of both Nico and Candice, who up to this point had been jamming along together with Beverly.

[Yael] ♪ Against all odds, drive on ‘til tomorrow

Wipe away your tears and your sorrow

Leave your problems behind

You will shine like a fire in the sky

What's the reason we’re alive

The reason we’re alive ♪

[Hugo] ♪ Bound to stumble and fall

But my strength comes not from man at all ♪

Standing side by side, the two try to form an 8 with their arms for the bridge, without much success, but still having fun with it, giggling the whole time and spreading the laughter to the others as well. For the final part of the song, Hugo ushers Cedric up to join them, while Yael does the same for Izzy and Danny, the five of them having a little boogie at the center of the choir room while the rest clap and sway along, and Artie, in his corner as club director, does his characteristic praise hand move.

[Both] ♪ Eight is the number of infinity

One more than what you know how to be

And this is the light of festivity

When your broken heart yearns to be free ♪

[Yael] ♪ Do you believe in miracles

Am I hearing you? Am I seeing you?

Eight nights, eight lights

And these rites keep me right

Bless me to the highest heights with your miracle ♪

The song comes to a close to a round of euphoric applause and cheers from the kids, while Hugo drapes his arm around Yael and gives them a little brotherly noogie. While the vast majority of the Glee Club has enjoyed the performance, Genesis can’t help but have some reservations, smiling and clapping politely but realizing just what—or rather, who—she’s gotten herself roped into.

“I’m so in trouble…”

While hushed, her voice is still clear enough for the others to turn back towards her in confusion. “I-I forgot I haven’t set up my Christmas decorations yet! My parents are usually pretty passionate about Christmas, but this year we got so carried away with Sectionals that I forgot to set up the nativity scene in our front yard and…” Her words trail off, as it soon dawns on her how flimsy her excuse is. “...I gotta go.”

She jolts off her chair and out of the choir room, an awkward atmosphere remaining in the choir room in her wake. Hugo, particularly puzzled, follows her down the halls. “Gen, what’s gotten into you?” he inquires, “You’re usually so nice and tolerant to everyone, but the moment I sing a song about Hanukkah, you start acting all weird. What’s up with that?”

“Look, I don’t have anything against you, or your faith,” Genesis explains, firmly holding her walking stick. “In fact, I find it extremely respectable that you’re so upfront about what you practice—”

The strong, but careful, grip of Hugo’s hand on her shoulder stops her in her tracks. “Just be honest with me. I promise I won’t judge you.”

Genesis is breathless, chills coursing through her bloodstream at the corner she’s just run into. A million questions run through her head. Is this really the right time? I’m not sure if I can break it to him yet, it’s much too risky… But if I don’t, he’s probably going to think I’m just as much of a nutjob as my parents and hate me for the rest of his life, maybe even quit Glee Club... What would the others think?

Finally, she makes a decision, breathing deeply and turning around, for even if she can’t look him in the eye, she still knows the truth is best conveyed face to face.

“I like you. And not just in the way of enjoying your company when we’re in the choir room, or onstage… It’s got a little more bells and whistles to it.” Her voice starts to break slightly as she steps forward. “And I do admire how brave and open you are when you speak of your faith, but I know there are people around me who are far less accepting and, dare I say, blinder to that than me. There’s nothing wrong with you… I just don’t wanna let anyone down.”

Her outpouring of feelings stuns Hugo out of any potential spoken answer, and with her head hung low, she turns around and walks off, to have some space for herself. Her words are left to reverberate in his mind, and he can’t tell what’s rattled him the most: her reciprocation, or the heartbreaking reason for why she hadn’t quite broken it to him before.

That night, as promised, Yasmin heads with Cedric back to his place after school hours, consumed with anticipation the whole path. Standing at the doorway as Cedric opens the door, she takes some time to fix herself, before being greeted by the smörgåsbord of Christmas and Kwanzaa decoration adorning the entrance and living room—including an old-fashioned fireplace that immediately catches her eye. "Warmth! Finally!" she exclaims, tearing off her gloves and letting her hands carefully hover over the fire, cleansing herself of the bone-chilling cold. "Sweet bliss…"

Cedric, meanwhile, is being greeted by his parents, Randolph and Verna, both of who sneak a glance at Yasmin. “Mom, dad, this is Yasmin, one of my friends from Glee Club!” Cedric acquaintances them, “As you can see, she doesn’t like the cold very much.”

Once Yasmin feels herself warmed up enough, she steps away from the fireplace, allowing Verna to come forward with a polite smile. “Nice to meet you, dear!” says Verna, shaking Yasmin’s hand.“You have a beautiful name.”

Yasmin laughs in response, blushing slightly. “I got it from dad’s first celebrity crush,” she reveals, “This one model, Yasmin Brunet. I’m not sure if you’ve heard of her.”

Soon before long, Leslie, in true nosy younger sibling fashion, weasels herself into the conversation, taking her eyes off her phone to give the pair a sly grin. "Oh, hey, took you long enough to bring a girl back home!" she teases, getting up to nudge Cedric. "Do I need to get the mistletoe?"

Cedric is reduced to a blushing mess over the exaggerated kissy noises that come from his sister. "Leslie, she's just a friend, knock it off already."

"Keep telling yourself that, Romeo!"

Leslie sticks her tongue out to taunt Cedric, and he sticks his tongue out right back, which gets an amused chuckle out of Yasmin. “I know where she’s coming from,” she discloses, somewhat sheepishly. “I would tease Angie every time she brought a girl home too.”

The two chuckle to each other, as Yasmin takes a better look at the living room décor. The Christmas decorations are surprisingly high-quality, with plenty of red and gold to go around, which helps bring out the intricately-decorated dinner table, covered in a woven mat and decorated with fruits, vegetables, corn, a wooden goblet, and at the center of it all, a candle holder sporting seven candles: three green, one black, and three red. “So, what’s the deal with Kwanzaa, anyway?” she wonders.

“It’s derived from old harvest celebrations from African countries!” Cedric explains, sitting down with Yasmin on the couch. “Each day, from the 26th to the 31st, is dedicated to celebrating one of the seven principles, with each being represented by a symbol and a candle on the kinara. On the final day, we have a big feast called the karamu, and we always have the best time! Habari gani!”

“Habari gani!" Randolph responds, coming over and yanking him off the couch for a hug. "Kwanzaa!”

Perhaps it's the influence of Glee Club still lingering in the air, or just the generally positive mood brought upon by the holiday season, but the whole family is compelled to start clapping and side-stepping, a groovy tune coming in between them, while Yasmin watches, cooped up on the couch—and when Randolph opens his mouth to sing, filling the living room with his soulful tones, all are compelled to stop and listen.

[Randolph] ♪ Remembering the times of old

Traditions in the food that fills our soul ♪

[Verna] ♪ So the children are the future

Of all our hopes and dreams ♪

[Both] ♪ Let's teach them well, let's teach them well ♪

[Cedric] ♪ Everybody! ♪

Cedric gestures for Yasmin to join, catching her off-guard but ultimately encouraging her to cave in, dancing along and interacting with the family members, fully immersed in the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the household—as if softening the pressure of the weight she's been carrying since Sectionals, and gently placing it in the backseat of her mind. At this time of year, she can definitely use something like this.

[All] ♪ Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Kwanzaa!

Together there is much we can do

Together there is so much we can do

Happy Kwanzaa!

Happy, Happy, Happy, Happy Kwanzaa ♪

In the cheerful mood, Yasmin is suddenly lured to the kitchen by the smell of Verna’s cooking, tempted to take a peek, but Cedric stops her, causing her to step back. Not that she isn’t justified, as Leslie tries to get a peek from behind Yasmin’s shoulder, the two teens laughing before Cedric pulls his sister aside to have a little dance with Yasmin, nothing too elaborate but still enough to sweep her off her feet.

[Cedric] ♪ Hey, before we eat, that's when we give praise

To the Man upstairs for another blessed day

I give hugs to my mom, my dad, and my sis ♪

[Leslie] ♪ You see, after that, I want to see what mom's cooked! ♪

[Cedric] ♪ While we drink from the cup of togetherness

It's that part of the year that you don't wanna miss

I give a gift from the heart, so you know it's true

So you recite a principle, and tell me what it means to you ♪

Verna suddenly butts in with a thick photo album in her arms, glancing at Yasmin in curiosity. “Wanna see Cedric’s baby pictures?”

Cedric’s face darkens with embarrassment. “Mom, that’s not a principle!”

“Of course it is! Umoja!”

[All] ♪ Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Kwanzaa!

There is much we can do

Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Kwanzaa

Together there is much we can do

Together, together

Together there is much we can do ♪

Even as the music ends, the family continues a ccappella for a few more bars, clapping as they repeat the chorus once more, until they finally come down in cheers and applause. Seeing the family so consumed with joy and cheer and togetherness, Yasmin senses a strange tug of anguish in her chest, making a stealth exit from the living room and going down the halls until she can find the nearest bathroom.

Confronted with her reflection in the mirror over the sink, she sees the same pair of lips, still coated in orange creamsicle lip balm, that kissed those of the gentle, warm, compassionate young man welcoming her into his family’s festivities—but also, those of the slimy Warbler who made her question her own ability to trust. Yasmin is well aware of how impulsive boys her age are, how quickly they’re made to believe that they’re entitled to the higher moral ground when they’re done wrong.

She’s never seen Cedric truly angry, and the thought of what could become of him should she break his heart leaves her falling apart at the seams. Let alone now that he’s showing her so much kindness.

“I…” she murmurs, trying—and failing—to hold back the tears. “I don’t deserve this...”

Come Thursday night, Moira’s stunt at the Lima Hospital has her also facing her reflection in a bathroom mirror, merely to put her final touches in her ‘Santa’s daughter’ look, with white and red swirly streaks like a candy cane dyed into her hair, and glittery red and gold make-up. She’s certainly dressed to the part, in a burgundy velvet swing dress with white fur trim, worn over a white petticoat, a pair of red tights, and black boots, the last of which match the belt and choker. Truth be told, the dress alone had cost her twice her usual allowance money, but the finished look, topped with a tiny Santa hat on a barely-visible black headband, proves the investment paid off.

From over her shoulder, she sees Beverly and Candice emerge from one of the restroom’s stalls, Candice beaming as she twirls in her custom elf costume. Just as they had been told, Yael had modified the Link costumes to give them a more seasonal touch, modifying them into proper Christmas elf costumes: circular bells at the tip of the hats, white Peter Pan collars adorned with red ribbons with another bell in the center, shorter and puffier sleeves, and pleated skirts with red tutus underneath, worn over striped red and green tights and little brown pointed shoes.

They hadn’t put their make-up yet, but you wouldn’t be able to tell from how red Beverly is from shame. "Seriously, Moira, this is ridiculous!" she complains, fidgeting with one of her braids. "I look like what would happen if Peter Pan and Pippi Longstocking had a drunken Vegas fling!” She glances over at Candice, furrowing her brows. “And what’s with the wig and contacts anyway?! Are you suddenly ashamed of being Asian?”

Candice pouts, fidgeting with the golden blonde braids of her obviously-fake Dutch girl wig. “Well, considering how famous my folks are, it’s kind of a no-brainer that people are going to recognize me if I don’t try to cover it up somehow, right?” she states, shrugging with a nonchalant smile. “You should try it too, better safe than sorry!”

Moira sighs and shakes her head, taking a step forward towards Beverly. “Bev, c’mon, it’s not gonna kill you,” she says, placing a hand on Beverly’s shoulder. “The way you’re behaving isn’t so elven as much as it is, dare I say... Grinchy.”

Beverly huffs loudly, heading for the nearest sink to rinse her face in cold water, to help cool down the blood making her cheeks simmer. “It’s not like you can blame him,” she points out, “The only reason why he hated Christmas in the first place was because of how much noise the Whos were making.”

“Don’t you want that extra credit?”

Beverly exhales, seeing no choice but to comply, keeping her face still so Moira can apply her make-up. “You gotta learn to swallow your pride and think of the children first,” Moira continues, picking up her compact and brush to gently apply some glittery blush upon Beverly’s face. “Can’t have your Roast Beast and eat it too, even the Grinch came to terms with that eventually. Now, hold still...”

Within a matter of minutes, and a few coughs from Beverly thanks to the powdery consistence of the blush, the three girls are fully characterized and headed straight to the pediatric cancer ward. The moment Moira walks through the door, doing Santa’s characteristic laugh, she’s greeted by cheers from the little patients, who immediately flock to her and to the hefty gift sack she’s carrying. “Whoa, easy! One at a time, one at a time!” she exclaims, flustered and overwhelmed by the attention. “I just got here, and I’m still a bit jetlagged!”

Moira gives time for the kids to calm down before, and in doing so, spots an 8-year-old girl clearly far along in her chemotherapy process, judging by the colorful bandanna around her head. “Why, hello there!” she greets, crouching to be at eye level with her. “What’s your name?”

“Ivy...”

“A Swiftie baby, I’m guessing,” Moira responds, taking little Ivy in her arms and met with a confirming nod from her. “I’m sure you can’t wait to see your mama again. My mom was my biggest cheerleader going into this. Of course, I had some pretty big boots to fill, but thankfully I’m a girl’s girl, so I got on pretty nicely with the reindeer!”

A chorus of curious ‘ooh’s comes from the kids, with Ivy’s eyes widening in wonder. “What, you didn’t know?” informs Moira, sitting Ivy up in her lap.. “Male reindeer shed their antlers in the winter, while the ladies get to keep theirs! Just something you should keep in mind going forward.”

Ivy is delighted, ecstatically clapping her hands—but another kid is compelled to speak up, shyly raising his hand from the back of the ward. “What about Rudolph?”

Moira grimaces slightly, only now realizing the corner she has just driven herself into. “Well, you see...”

“RUDOLPH NEVER EXISTED!”

A sudden shout from Beverly gets the attention of everyone, most of all the kids. “He’s nothing but a sexist, ableist lie made up by a department store to sell hokey Christmas cards,” she complains, not even paying mind to how controversial she sounds. “We all know capitalists can’t stand seeing women have even the slightest shred of recognition, so they made up a male reindeer from whole cloth to get all the glory. Y’know, as they do.”

Moira is caught off-guard by Beverly’s intervention, but allows herself to go with it. “So, as much as I would love to take some of you lovely tots flying in my sleigh, I unfortunately know that won’t be possible,” she states, bringing her sack forward. “So instead, I’ve decided to pull an Oprah… Come and get your sleighs, y’all!”

Rapturous cheers fill the ward as the kids run towards Moira’s sack, practically throwing themselves at the little wooden sleighs inside, all coming with bonus reindeer plushies for good measure. In the chaos of all the children fighting over the sleighs, Beverly finds herself having to pry them apart, while Candice sets up her phone to play the instrumental of an upbeat seasonal standard, preparing the girls for the highlight of their contribution—they just couldn’t go without giving the kids a jaunty little musical performance.

[Beverly] ♪ Just hear those sleigh bells jinglin',

Ring-ting-a-tingling too ♪

[Candice] ♪ Come on, it's lovely weather

For a sleigh ride together with you ♪

[Moira] ♪ Outside the snow is falling

And friends are calling "Yoo-hoo!" ♪

[All] ♪ Come on, it's lovely weather

For a sleigh ride together with you ♪

[Beverly and Candice] ♪ Ring-a-ling-a-ling, a-ding-dong-ding ♪

Amidst their ‘60s-girl-group-style choreography, the three of them clap to the kids, encouraging them to join in and sing along, which they do without hesitation. Moira leads the performance with pep and confidence, and even Beverly finds herself getting in the gist of things, a rare genuine smile forming on her face throughout the song, a far cry from how embarrassed she was minutes earlier.

[Moira] ♪ Our cheeks are nice and rosy

And comfy and cozy are we ♪

[Candice] ♪ We're snuggled up together

Like two birds of a feather would be ♪

[Beverly] ♪ Let's take the road before us

And sing a chorus or two ♪

[All] ♪ Come on, it's lovely weather

For a sleigh ride together with you ♪

[Beverly and Candice] ♪ Ring-a-ling-a-ling, a-ding-dong-ding ♪

With Moira at the forefront of the number, it’s natural all of the kids are drawn to her, but even Beverly is struggling to take her eyes off her, mesmerized by her bubbly, contagious energy. Of course, since joining Glee Club, she’s always been aware of this, but actually getting to spend quality time with her, seeing her outside the context of school… There’s something oddly enlightening about that. Perhaps, in more than one way. But maybe, she figures, it’s best to get her mind off that before it eats away at her focus completely.

[Moira] ♪ Our cheeks are nice and rosy

And comfy and cozy are we ♪

[Candice] ♪ We're snuggled up together

Like two birds of a feather would be ♪

[Beverly] ♪ Let's take the road before us

And sing a chorus or two ♪

[All] ♪ Come on, it's lovely weather

For a sleigh ride together with you

Ring-a-ling-a-ling, a-ding-dong-ding

Ring-a-ling-a-ling, a-ding-dong-ding ♪

The three spread out their arms as they finish their song, met with another wave of excited cheering from the kids, as well as polite applause from the delighted nurses, which has Moira coyly curtsying to everyone in the ward. From there, the girls spend the rest of the hour playing, singing, and telling stories to the kids, and every now and then, from wherever she is at the given moment, Beverly can’t help but sneak a few glances at Moira, who never wavers in lighting up the room with her smile.

Once their timeslot is up, they lounge together in the back of Moira’s father’s van, exhausted but happy to have done their part. “I knew that would be fun, but I didn’t think it’d be such a blast!” says Moira, “I might wanna keep doing it from now on!”

“And that $150 paycheck ain’t too shabby either!” Candice points out, delightedly shimmying her shoulders. “I already know exactly what I’ll be splurging that baby on!”

Beverly lets out a light chuckle. “Dubai’s gonna hate to see you coming,” she quips, before turning to Moira, her expression visibly softening as she does so. “Hey, um… Thanks for having us be a part of this. This isn’t usually how I’d spend my holiday season, and those kids were kind of a handful, but seeing how happy we made them… actually made it kind of worth the trouble.”

Moira grins, glad to have brought out a more light-hearted side to the usually moody Beverly. “And thank you," She gives Beverly a playful tap on the arm. "For being the sassiest elves that Santa’s daughter could ever ask for!”

The three girls share a good laugh, continuing to chat until the van stops at Candice's place, leaving Moira and Beverly to their own advances. “By the way, um…” Beverly suggests, scooting closer to Moira. “I could use some company in weightlifting this winter, so perhaps...”

"Why, of course!" Moira doesn't even let her finish. "I could definitely use some more gym buddies!"

Beverly would’ve been happy to leave it at that, so she’s thrown for a loop, yelping like a cat being thrown in cold water, when Moira pulls her into a hug, burying her face into the back of Beverly’s neck. Beverly is too stunned to say anything against it, and before she knows it, she’s allowed herself to melt into the plentiful warmth of Moira’s arms around her, the kind she’s more used to giving than receiving, if at all. It’s actually kind of… relaxing, even.

Or maybe it’s just the Christmas spirit, she can’t say it for sure.

While the van drives off to Beverly's place, it unknowingly passes a different car, headed to the local cemetery. Inside it are none other than Principal Sylvester—or, in this case, Sue—and Robin.

Tugging her scarf towards her face to better bundle herself up in the cold air, Robin lets her gaze scan the gravestones around them, some engraved with all too familiar names that were unfortunately taken much too soon. The gravestone assigned to Santana Lopez is still a particularly bad gut punch: the last time they spoke, Santana had been euphorically gushing about preparations for her wedding to Brittany S. Pierce in Los Angeles. Sue had planned to gift them a month-long, all-expenses-paid trip to the Bahamas after the ceremony… Alas, that trip had to be given to the Cheerios following a Nationals win instead.

But no gravestone marking hit her quite as hard as that of the grave she and Robin are headed to. Even after 18 long years, Sue had never been able to fill the void left behind by Jean’s untimely passing. She still looked after her sister, demanding constant maintenance and daily clean-ups to her final resting place, which the cemetery staff always fulfilled dilligently.

Sue watches solemnly as Robin places a fresh bouquet upon the grave, as well as a Stanley cup and a tupperware of chocolate chip cookies. “Here you go, Auntie Jean,” she says tenderly, “Your yearly milk and cookies. There are even some extra ones for the angels who have been looking after you... Merry Christmas.”

Sue is able to muster up a bittersweet smile, glancing at Robin from her spot. “I don’t know about the angels,” she quips, “But the maggots are definitely gonna have a field day with those.”

Robin giggles, getting up and coming closer to her, the two of them keeping their watch upon Jean’s grave. “Say, Robin… Do you ever think about what kind of legacy you’re gonna leave behind?” Sue ponders, “I’m almost 70, practically at death’s door. Jean will forever be remembered as the sweetest soul to ever grace this wretched Earth, just as she deserves to be. And let’s be real, I could never measure up to that.”

“Don’t you dare say that ever again!” Robin protests, squeezing her mother’s hand. “There’s never going to be another Sue Sylvester. You’re one of the most accomplished people in Lima… and the best mom I could ever ask for.”

Sue can hear Robin’s voice slightly breaking at that last part; she doesn’t let it show, but the fear of one losing the other much too soon is clearly mutual. Breathing deeply, she pulls Robin in for a hug, caressing her and letting her bury her head in the back of her neck. “My little miracle...” she whispers, “Jean would have loved you, I’m sure. You deserve so much better than this miserable hell-hole of a town...”

Overcome with emotion, she presses a kiss to Robin’s head. “And I will make sure you get it.”

It’s the morning of December 21st, the last day before the long-awaited winter break, and with the neighbors already blasting that tired Mariah Carey song for the entire block to hear, naturally Hugo doesn’t wake up in the best mood. If it had been at least the George Michael one, he would’ve been more understanding because the guy did die on Christmas Day so it’s always a sweet way to honor him, but it would certainly go a long way to have at least one year without having to hear Mariah talk about togetherness being the most important part of Christmas in that overtly-congratulatory and artificial way.

Grumbling under his breath, he drags himself out of bed and heads to the window, risking potential frostbite as he sticks his head out. “OI, LADY!” he shouts at the top of his lungs, as if Mariah herself would ever hear him from whichever lavish mansion she’s spending the holiday season in this year. “YOU DIDN’T INVENT THE WHEEL! GIVE IT A REST ALREADY!”

Having just gotten that off his chest, he shuts the window with a loud slam, powerful enough to shake away the remnants of snow accumulated around it, and returns to the comfort of his bed. In fact, he would have gladly stayed there a little longer if it wasn’t for Yael running in and shaking him awake, in a way they hadn’t done since the two of them were kids. “Hugo, wake up!” they urge him, getting his attention thanks to a noticeably startled expression. “You’re never gonna believe what I just found...”

They head down to the living room together, making as little noise as possible in order not to awaken their parents too soon, finding a box covered in blue and white wrapping paper, around 32 inches tall, imponent upon their dinner table. Beside it, a little folded note, with a faint pink tint. “What do you think it might be?” asks Yael, keeping their distance.

Hugo places an arm in front of them, stepping forward to take the gift box in his hands. “There’s only one way to find out…”

The two of them sit on the floor together, and Yael watches with bated breath as Hugo tears into the wrapping paper, allowing hints of cardstock with faded greenery illustrations to peek from underneath—and within seconds, Yael is left breathless and misty-eyed at the sight of a package they had previously only fantasized about seeing up close. Taking the box from Hugo’s hands, they turn it around, face-to-face with the serene smile sculpted onto the iconic Generation Girl mold of the doll in the box.

“Ra… Rapunzel…”

Yael breaks down in happy tears, hugging the box as if to never let go. Himself a little emotional over his sibling’s unbridled happiness, Hugo spots, from the corner of his eye, a note left behind on the dinner table, getting up to have a better look at it—even if the distinct, familiar scent of Moschino’s Toy 2 Bubble Gum already gives him an idea of what to expect.

Hi!

I got some extra bucks from singing at the hospital this week, so for once I wanted to be nice and do some gift-giving of my own! (* ^ ω ^)

Consider this my olive branch… Or should it be rampion branch? Do rampions even have branches?

Whatever, HAPPY HOLIDAYS! o(≧▽≦)o

xoxo Candy ♡

P.S. NO, I DID NOT BREAK INTO YOUR HOUSE, I had it SHIPPED (￢3￢)

A low, amused chuckle escapes from Hugo’s lips at the contents of the note. As far as olive branches go, that one is certainly unexpected, but nonetheless just as sweet as the lingering perfume. “Typical Candice…”

Over at the Abrams household, Izzy has just finished getting ready for school, braiding her hair in front of her bedroom mirror while FaceTiming Beth, who appears to be in the backseat of a car. “Is it weird that I’m a little nervous?” asks Izzy, taking an elastic band between her teeth. “I mean, there was that one time in which Principal Sylvester snuck into the choir room and pulled a Grinch on the New Directions… And that was before she was even principal.”

“She wasn’t a mother back then either,” Beth reminds her, “Who knows, she might wanna prioritize that. I heard from my bio-mom that Principal Sylvester took, like, bull steroids or something when she was pregnant. No matter what you think of her, she seems to be a great mom.”

Izzy nods bittersweetly, struck with the faintest tinge of jealousy—with all due respect to Robin, of course. “I guess it won’t do me any favors to keep stressing out over what could or couldn’t happen,” she concludes, bringing the elastic band between two fingers to wrap it around the complete braid. “The year’s almost over, we still got a good while until Regionals… We have to stay positive.”

Beth nods, giving her a wink and a thumbs-up. “I’m gonna have to end the call now, my Uber just arrived. Talk to you soon! Bye!”

As soon as Beth’s end of the call turns off, Izzy bundles up and grabs her backpack, heading to the kitchen to grab herself a slice of what Rajesh had lovingly dubbed ‘pizza toast’. She tightly grips the slice between her teeth, sparing some time to take a bite out of it as she heads to the living room—but then, she stops, eyes wide in shock at who she finds there, surrounded by luggage. “See, I told you I’d talk to you soon.”

“...Beth?”

Beaming in pleasant disbelief, Izzy starts to run towards her, but steps back, raising a hand to give her time to finish her toast, during which Artie rolls in. “Well, look who hailed her ass in!” he quips, receiving a hug from the chuckling Beth. “I thought you were gonna stay in New York, what happened?”

Beth shrugs in response, glancing at Izzy, who’s about to finish chewing her toast. “I knew I had to stop by to make Izzy’s first Lima Christmas extra special,” she points out, spreading her arms so she and Izzy can finally exchange a hug of their own. “And you know what they say, it’s not Christmas without Chewbacca…”

The sound of distant barking has everyone turning to the entrance hallway, down which the Abrams family’s beloved pet dog comes running in, straight to Izzy. “Chewie! C’mere, baby!” Izzy exclaims, taking Chewbacca in her arms and laughing when he throws himself licking at her.

The reunion earns fond stares from both Beth and Artie, as Beth gently caresses Artie’s shoulder. “How’s your mom been doing?” asks Artie, “Was she okay with letting you do this?”

“Oh, absolutely!” Beth replies, “I haven’t been seeing anyone since Stu and I broke up, so she’s been way more lax on letting me go out on my own. Now, are you guys running late or is there still room at the table for me? Because boy howdy, I haven’t eaten anything since the flight. You know what they say about airline food...”

Thankfully, with Izzy being an early riser, the three of them have plenty of time to talk before school, sitting down at the dinner table to talk while Chewbacca nestles himself on Izzy’s lap. Truth be told, Beth didn’t actually have to come over, but if that makes Izzy, and her holiday season, all the merrier, then she’s glad to go the extra mile like that. And a little more acquaintance with her birth parents’ hometown doesn’t exactly hurt, either.

Later that day, Candice has just left her final class of the day, bidding goodbye to her fellow sophomore Cheerios for the year, when she finds Hugo on a hurry towards her. “Oh! I take it you’ve seen the present,” she addresses him right off the bat, as the two set out on their way to the choir room. “It’s the least I could do. That song you did about Hanukkah was super fun, I don’t know what made Genesis so uncomfortable.”

Hugo sighs bittersweetly, with a light shake of his head. “I suppose I came on too strong,” he speculates, “I didn’t mean to scare her off like that. After what she told… Maybe it’s for the best that I handle her feelings with care going forward.”

“What did she tell you?”

Hugo’s face heats up all over again, awkwardly averting his gaze from her and stumbling over his words. “Y-You know what, let’s keep her out of this, okay?!” he states, averting his gaze and clearing his throat to get back on track. “What matters is… I didn’t think you’d come through like that. Not gonna beat around the bush here, maybe I was a little bit deluded in thinking we could still be a power couple, but maybe we can still be friends.”

Standing by the doorway just about to enter the choir room, Candice looks up at Hugo, seeing him extend his hand towards her—which she shakes with a relieved smile. “Yeah… I think we can both agree things between us have been awkward for too long now.”

Now with the air properly cleared, the two of them enter the choir room and gather up with the rest of the group, shortly before Artie wheels in. “Well… Here it is. Our final Glee Club meeting of 2029,” he reflects, hands firmly on his lap. “Gotta say, I’m genuinely relieved that no one tried anything to sabotage our holidays. Maybe Principal Sylvester was onto something when she said age was getting to her… or maybe it’s just proof that the world may be just a little bit kinder to us from here on out.”

Most of the kids smile in approval, but Rajesh, with certain hesitance, raises his hand. “Is it, really?” he ponders, “When we get back from winter break, we’ll still be bullied to kingdom come. That’s just the way of the world. Maybe if we all looked like models and teen drama actors and Disney Channel popstars, the other students would treat us differently, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.”

“You say that as if it were a bad thing,” Nico interjects, “Glee Club has something that the other clubs in this school couldn’t even dream of having, and that’s acceptance. It doesn’t matter what you look like, or what you believe in or celebrate, there’s room for everyone here. This was once New Directions’ torch to bear, and now it’s ours. We have to take good care of it so we don’t end up like they did.”

Artie nods, pointing at Nico in approval. “Couldn’t have said it better myself,” he says, “And lemme just share right now how grateful I am for you guys. Moving back to Lima was a major gamble, and I’m glad it paid off the way it did… Most of all for Izzy’s sake. I didn’t want her to be alone going into this, and we really lucked out making all of this happen.”

The mention of Izzy has Danny suddenly looking around, already with a gut feeling that someone had been missing. “Yeah, now that you said it, where’s Izzy?”

“Wait for it...”

Artie glances over at Izzy ecstatically running in, clapping like she’s about to take an A off her name. “Everyone!” she announces, “I never thought I’d be saying this, let alone now, but I have the utmost honor of introducing to you guys… The original Glee baby!”

The other Sparks are left to gasp in awe at the sight of Beth walking in and giving them a friendly wave; following the extensive history lesson surrounding the hectic events that led to her birth during the 2010 Regionals, it’s obviously quite surreal to actually see her in the flesh. “First of all, I gotta say, you guys did a great job with this place!” she points out, marveling at the appearance of the choir room. “It's so nice to finally meet you. Izzy's always so excited when she talks about Glee Club. If anything, yours seems a lot healthier than the one I was born into!”

Danny, Yasmin, and Nico exchange amused laughter with one another at this, before turning back to Beth. “Now, even though it’s possible we could end up facing each other at Nationals, I want this to be a moment for advice rather than animosity,” Beth states, “Since I made it to the Nationals Top 12 two years running with my Glee Club, Forte Finish…”

“Wanky.”

Beth chortles a little, glancing at Artie’s little nod to Santana Lopez, before turning back to the kids. “So, the biggest piece of advice I have for you guys is to not rush your craft,” she continues, “Live in the moment. Let inspiration come when you least expect it. And when the time comes for Regionals, open up your minds. You’ll be up against a bunch of other kids who are as hungry for that title as you are, so try to be mindful and graceful to your competitors, regardless of the outcome… Unless Throat Explosion wins again.”

The atmosphere grows quiet, slightly tense, at the reminder of such a foreboding prospect; Izzy breathes heavily, fidgeting in her spot. “Well… We can cross that bridge when we get there,” she concludes, hugging Beth. “For now, let’s just… enjoy the season!”

Rousing cheers of approval follow suit, with most of the Sparks getting up and following Izzy, Beth, and Artie as they head to the auditorium. Amidst the chaos, Hugo stops in his tracks, looking back at Genesis, who’s unfolding her walking stick. “I know you can get around on your own, but…” he offers, coyly grazing his hand over hers. “Can I... hold your hand?”

Genesis tilts her head in the direction of his voice, hearing an uncharacteristic tinge of shyness over each word; he doesn’t have to be so apologetic, but she’s relieved to know he’s at least showing her some respect. Smiling softly, she takes his hand, letting him pull her off her seat and out of the choir room, and the two of them soon reaching their comrades, and Beth onstage at the April Rhodes Civic Pavillion, where fake snow gently rains down upon their heads.

[Genesis] ♪ We've been waiting all year for this night

And the snow is glistening on the trees outside ♪

[Beverly] ♪ And all the stockings are hung by the fireside

Waiting for Santa to arrive ♪

[Danny] ♪ And all the love will show

'Cause everybody knows it's Christmas time and ♪

[Hugo] ♪ All the kids will see the gifts under the tree

It's the best time of year for the family ♪

Now with a much-needed reprieve from the pressures of competition and school, the kids allow themselves to just let loose and have fun onstage, dancing and throwing fake snow at each other. Perhaps due to his sheer brute strength, Hugo manages to form snowballs out of the fake snow, playfully pelting them around at some of the others, all of whom are able to duck without much effort. He goes a little wild with it, though, to the point that it takes Yael having to nearly yank his jacket off for him to stop.

[Cedric] ♪ It's a wonderful feeling

Feel the love in the room from the floor to the ceiling ♪

[All] ♪ It's that time of year, Christmas time is here ♪

[Genesis] ♪ And with the blessings from above

God sends you His love, and everything's okay ♪

[All] ♪ Merry Christmas, happy holidays ♪

“Thanks for waiting!”

Everyone cheers as Moira, who up until this point had been absent, emerges from the wings, dressed in her Santa’s daughter costume from Thursday all over again, gift sack and all. She gladly lets Rajesh play with her dress as she gives a little twirl—thank goodness for those tights!—and goes around distributing prop presents to all of them, which they happily toss and throw around, albeit with certain care as to not harm anyone.

[Moira] ♪ The bells are ringing, it's time to scream and shout

And everybody's playing 'cause school's out ♪

[Cedric] ♪ Celebrating the special times we share

Happiness 'cause love is in the air ♪

The positive energy carries on throughout the winter break, as the kids turn their attention to precious quality time with their families for the time being. At the Lima Airport, Beverly bids Candice her goodbyes before the Noe family sets out for their glitzy Dubai holiday, while at the Abrams household, Rajesh and Diyara come over to help Izzy, Artie and Beth with their dinner, during which poor Rajesh keeps trying to get Izzy to kiss him under the mistletoe, only to go unnoticed for most of the night; he’s not to be blamed that he enjoyed it the first time.

[Izzy] ♪ No matter what your holiday

It's a time to celebrate

Now, put your worries aside

And open up your mind ♪

[Beth] ♪ See the world right by your side

It's Christmas time… ♪

Over at the Rosenthals’ place, the family gathers around the TV to watch Barbie as Rapunzel with Yael, now joined by the accompanying doll, and when night falls, they all head out on their scheduled Chinese food outing, from which Hugo ends up enjoying his Chicken Lo-Mein a little more than expected. Cedric, meanwhile, has a cavalcade of distant relatives coming in for Kwanzaa, and among them, Yasmin manages to sneak in, with a little present of her own for him: a golden star chain, barely noticeable if not for its glimmer. When he ecstatically brings her forth to introduce her to his family, they are nothing short of welcoming, and Yasmin can’t help but bask in the attention.

[Cedric] ♪ It's a wonderful feeling

Feel the love in the room from the floor to the ceiling ♪

[All] ♪ It's that time of year, Christmas time is here ♪

[Genesis] ♪ And with the blessings from above

God sends you His love, and everything's okay ♪

[All] ♪ Merry Christmas, happy holidays ♪

Flashing back to the auditorium, the Sparks and Beth are all smiles as they finish their song, cheering and hugging one another, while Artie applauds in the audience, eagerly anticipating the music and good times that the New Year will surely bring. They’re so enraptured in the holiday season mood that not a soul notices the presence of Principal Sylvester, peeking in from the side and noticing the warm hug being shared by Izzy and Beth, which immediately calls to her mind herself and Jean when they were still young and innocent.

No matter how much she hates the Glee Club, it’s best to let them cherish these moments. Who knows how long they’re going to last...

Chapter Text

Going into its 76th year, McKinley High has never been so diverse.

While most high schools in the U.S. tend to hold their multicultural events towards the end of the school year, Superintendent Harris has pushed Principal Sylvester into holding a Culture Week at McKinley as early as the third week post-winter break, which she found no choice but to begrudgingly go along with, lest she face the wrath of many a disappointed parent.

Thus, Monday sees the students greeted to the halls decorated with country flags on strings, and given permission to attend classes in traditional wear if desired. One of the students to seize such an opportunity is Rajesh, who admittedly feels a little bit overdressed in his jodhpuri suit jacket, with its print resembling the feathers of a peacock. He does, however, coyly bask in the positive attention he gets from it, especially when Cedric, Hugo and Yael approach him, all visibly impressed. “Yo, dude, call that a Clean Up on Aisle 8!” praises Hugo, giving him a casual handshake. “Even got some bling going on, too…”

Rajesh blushes a bit, bringing his hand up so the others can have a better look at the chunky sapphire ring on his left ring finger. “Thanks! I found it in mammī’s drawers while looking for what to wear this week,” he explains, “She told me it was her old promise ring from when she and dad still dated.”

The boys exchange perplexed glances, with Cedric stepping forward to address him. “I... thought you didn’t like talking about your dad?”

“Usually, I don’t,” Rajesh responds softly, “But with Culture Week festivities this week, I thought it would be nice to give some new meaning to what little he left behind.”

He allows himself to have a still, reflective moment, grazing the gemstone on his ring with a look of bittersweetness, with the other three looking on in sympathy. “I take it you must have something special planned for Glee Club too!” Yael remark, getting a little more playful and nudging Rajesh.

This proves to be enough to get Rajesh’s smile to widen, even if just a tad. “You guys have no idea! I found this incredible song that just so happens to feature a…”

Unfortunately, his excitement is suddenly drowned out by the sound of a loud, off-key tune played on the bagpipes, equal to the dulcet tones of a starving stray cat being run over by a monster truck, coming from behind the group, causing everyone to cover their ears in discomfort. “WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THAT?!?” cries out Rajesh, “SOMEBODY MAKE IT STOP BEFORE MY EARDRUMS GO NUMB!”

They turn around to find Bonnie behind them, coming up from her bagpipes with an innocent grin. “How dae ya lot like me rendition of Sunshine on Leith?” she chipperly addresses them, ignoring their annoyance. “That’s only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to sharing the culture from me ol’ Scotland! I cannae wait to share everything with everyone!”

Just the sight of her has Hugo’s head already pounding in annoyance. “Don’t you have a Braveheart watch party or something to be at?!”

Bonnie purses her lips, looking around the hall. “Naw, that’s not until after class, ah’m feart,” she muses, pausing for a split-second—and then, she gives him a lascivious smirk. “By the way, chief, did ye ken a wee over 6000 people in Scotland are registered Jews? Mibbe we could find a way to make those numbers grow… I reckon ye must still be lookin’ for a new hole, so I assure you ah’m quality Shiksa material!”

“Say anything like that again, and I’m gonna make you choke on those pipes.”

Clearly Hugo didn’t think his threat through, as it only makes Bonnie all the giddier. “Ooh! Do as ye like, ye stallion!”

Cedric, Yael and Rajesh jolt forward to drag Hugo away before he can completely lash out at Bonnie. “That’s enough!” Cedric exclaims, walking off with the rest of the group and leaning in closer to Hugo. “Listen, if you keep giving attention to that little pest, it’s only gonna make things worse, so leave it at that, okay?”

Hugo finds himself forced to comply, bottling up his anger as the four leave Bonnie’s line of sight, paying no mind to her giggles as she zeroes in on how snugly his jeans fit over his ass. Considering she’s already seen so much of him on her first day, far more than he would have been comfortable showing to a complete stranger, it’s no surprise she’s become so drawn to him—almost to the point of overstepping even more boundaries.

When Bonnie is approached by the Cheerios with a private conversation request from Kitty, she’s understandably stunned, and a little overwhelmed as she walks into the coach’s office, looking around at the display of competition trophies from over the years, glistening in the sunlight peeking through the window. Also glistening is Kitty, just about to finish her exercise routine, staring coldly at her. “Are you just going to stand there all day like a deer about to drown in diabetes?” Kitty inquires, “I have an interview with American Cheerleader penciled in, so do me a Speedy Gonzalez and make it quick.”

Bonnie nods, watching as Kitty gets off the elliptical machine and heads for her desk, and eagerly taking her seat opposite her. “I’m just curious as to why ye summoned me to yer office,” she ponders, “Does it have anything to do with the upcoming Regionals? Because fluff pieces aren’t exactly me expertise, ah’m way more insidious than that…”

“Oh, I’m aware,” Kitty cuts in, “And that’s exactly why I brought you here in the first place. See, I’ve noticed that Beverly and Candice haven’t been as reliable as they used to be since the Glee Club won Sectionals. It seems they’ve been swayed by promises of companionship as shallow as a puddle that only comes up to an ant's knees… But I’ve heard you’ve been of great use to them in the past.”

Bonnie is visibly flattered, fidgeting with her braids.“I didnae think I’d be such an asset to the Cheerios, most of all when naebidy else respects me here!” she admits, “But if ye’re trying to put me in the team, ah’m feart I must decline. Ah’m no Kermit, I have no rhythm whatsoever. Just the thought of doing all of those tricks ye lot do has me guts churnin’!”

Kitty chuckles in amusement, intertwining her fingers and resting her chin upon them. “Already figured as much,” she says slyly, “We’re not looking for new members right now, but I’ll need you for some dirty work. I couldn’t help but notice your… fixation on Hugo Rosenthal. The way you were speaking to him in the halls earlier today. I don’t blame you, I have way more experience sleeping with Jewish boys than I’d like to admit.”

“So do ye have any advice for me in that front or—”

“Don’t be ridiculous, you have no chance with him,” Kitty is quick to give her a reality check. “He clearly would rather be at a Holocaust site than anywhere in your vicinity, and even if that wasn’t the case, you’re far too out of his league to score any significant points. I mean, have you even looked at yourself in the mirror? You looked like you stepped out of a poorly-drawn Comiket porn comic drawn by an overweight chud who still lives with his mother.”

Bonnie’s grin of hope slowly morphs into a shameful grimace, her gaze drooping down amidst Kitty’s derisive chuckles. “But I’ll say this much… There is something I can help you with,” the coach adds, allowing herself to come back down. “Do you happen to have Sora 2, by any chance?”

This immediately perks Bonnie back up, as she reaches into her pocket to pull out her phone. “It’s one of me #1 tools!” she points out, “If I can’t get footage of what I’m writing about, I can just make it from whole cloth!”

“Perfect,” Kitty answers with a smirk. “The Glee Club’s been doing a little too well these days, so I’m gonna need you to put those prompt engineer skills of yours in good use to get the pot stirring again. You already did a number on Hugo when you arrived, so perhaps this time you could turn your focus to that... shemale brother-sister of theirs.”

Bonnie is perplexed, and a little unnerved over Kitty’s choice of words. “Ye… want me to target Yael?” she inquires, “That’s a wee bit risky, int it? Ye mess with them, and Hugo goes bloody mental on ye arse.”

Kitty nods matter-of-factly, reaching into her own pockets and placing a $100 bill on her desk. “Let’s call this a test, shall we?” she offers, sliding the bill towards Bonnie, which is enough to hook her in. “Put the kid in a corner for something they didn’t do, even with the video evidence claiming otherwise, and see how far Hugo can go for their sake. If he’s truly loyal to them… He could make your wildest dreams come true.”

Bonnie trembles in her Mary Janes, keeping herself from salivating at the images conjured up in her head, most far too risqué for anyone else her age to even be considering, unless they have unrestricted internet access. Drenched in sweat, her hands send the dollar bill flying off the desk and straight into her pockets, without even a second to reconsider. “I winnae let ye down, ma’am!” she exclaims, bowing her head to Kitty before leaping off the seat and running out of the office, a white and blue blur drawing all eyes outside the door to her.

From the window, Kitty can see Kermit giving Bonnie the stank eye as he walks past her, entering the office next. “I’m not even gonna bother asking what you were even talking about with that dweeb,” he sneers, going in to sit before Kitty—only to back away in disgust at the sight of the glistening fluid left behind on the stool. “Eww! What the hell is that?!?”

“What, you’ve never seen teenage hormones overflow before?”

A groan of discomfort erupts from Kermit’s throat as he reaches for the towel over his shoulders to try and cover up the mess Bonnie left behind. “Hormones are one thing, but leaving your coochie juice behind is a whole new level of nasty!” he complains, sitting on the stool and facing Kitty, while taking his time to recover from the jumpscare and make sure he’s not coming in contact with Bonnie’s residual fluids. “Anyway… I was talking to the rest of the team about potential Regionals song choices, and Avery came to me with the idea of doing a Shakira medley.”

Kitty leans in, one eyebrow tilted in curiosity, listening closely. “Shakira, you say?”

“Maybe it’s the whole atmosphere of Culture Week, but it seems to be the next logical step after the McBling setlist, right?” Kermit continues, “I mean, who doesn’t love Shakira? She belly dances, she speaks seven languages, she does charity work, that one song she recorded dissing her ex went triple-platinum even with that tongue-twister title nobody can fully memorize, and everyone says her World Cup anthem is the best they’ve ever had even though it’s nothing but a load of preachy Kumbayah mumbo-jumbo.”

His tone turns sly, if not outright malicious. “And I’ll do you one more,” he finishes, “She’s untarnished. New Directions has never laid a greasy, pathetic fingerprint upon her music, so as far as we know, it’s up for grabs!”

Kitty had already been sold on Kermit’s pitch, but the final point fully clinches it for her, making her reach for his hand over her desk and squeeze it.. Of course New Directions never did Shakira, Mr. Schue could have never been that cultured.

“And they still wonder why I made you head Cheerio in the first place… You know exactly what the people want.”

Later that day, the Sparks gather up in the choir room to continue Culture Week celebrations their own way, as written in by Artie in the whiteboard. “I never thought I was gon’ say this, but major props to Principal Sylvester this week,” he states, wheeling closer and focusing on the kids of color. “With all the diversity going ‘round, y’all have just been given a golden opportunity to pay homage to your cultures…” He glances to Candice. “Especially you, Cands, I know you’ve been itching to do some Kpop in Glee Club. It’s about damn time we got around to it.”

Candice giggles and blushes, leaning back against her chair, before Artie turns to Rajesh. “But first let’s give our boy Raj his moment in the sun with all that drip he’s got goin’ on, shall we?”

Rajesh coyly gets up to encouraging cheers from the other kids, taking his place at the center of the choir room. “Oh, dear, thank you!” he says, averting his face until his fluster can subside. “So when I heard of McKinley doing Culture Week, I knew I had to go all in, and make something meaningful out of it…”

He brings his hand forward, showing off the ring. “You see this? It’s one of the few things mammī kept from my father before he abandoned us,” he explains, “He gave it to her when they were still dating. Some believe it to be a metaphor for the beauty of the god Krishna, so I reckon that’s what he was going for.” His tone softens as he brings the ring over his heart, clutching it tightly. “I don’t know much about my father, but mammī says he was of Punjabi descent. And hopefully, by doing this song, I should be able to reconnect with him, and better understand why mammī fell for him in the first place...”

Rajesh allows himself a moment of contemplation, closing his eyes to fully immerse himself in his intentions. When he opens his eyes again, he finds Izzy right away, and her look of interest only further fuels the passion into the lyrics he sings.

♪ You're glowing, you colour and fracture the light

You can't help but shine

And I know that you carry the world on your back

But look at you tonight

The lights, your face, your eyes

Exploding like fireworks in the sky...

SAPPHIRE! ♪

It soon becomes clear that Booty Camp may have been of more use to Rajesh than expected, as he goes into the chorus bursting into some simple Bhangra dance moves, delighting everyone. He doesn’t do much moving around the room, and is a little bit flustered to be singing such openly salacious lyrics, but nonetheless displays tremendous energy, as if the upbeat mood of the song is allowing him to temporarily shed his inhibitions and put himself out in the open in a much more vibrant way.

♪ Touching on your body while you're pushing on me

Don't you end the party, I could do this all week

We'll be dancing till the morning, go to bed, we won't sleep

Cham-cham chamke sitare wargi—SAPPHIRE! ♪

Everyone cheers as Rajesh effortlessly segues into a section entirely in Punjabi, causing some of the kids to whip out their preferred translation apps to fully understand what he’s singing. Moira and Nico are intrigued to find the words being sung are a declaration of love, of surrendering to someone who ‘awakens the blessings of the divine’. The two whisper among each other, initially speculating over Rajesh’s recent proximity with Genesis, only for Yael to nudge them in the direction of the transfixed Izzy instead.

♪ Nazraana tera hona, tera hoke, mainu khona

Kinara tu, main safina, tenu paake hi paar lage

Meher koi jage, je dhaani chunar mein tu saje...

SAPPHIRE!

Mehrooni do nain lubhaaye

Chaandni cham-cham chamkaaye

Noor da mainu ghoont pilaaye

Jindadi ban jaaye (SAPPHIRE!) ♪

Heading to the other side of the bridge and into the final chorus, Rajesh, noticing the slight buzz going on within the rest of the group, spontaneously pulls Nico and Candice to join him in the song, while everyone else claps and sways along in their seats. The two easily get into the spirit and grasp the choreography rather quickly, finding themselves doing their best not to burst into delighted laugher for Rajesh’s sake—proof that the Asian community of Lima is still as tight as it was when Sunshine Corazón was sent to a crackhouse all those years ago.

♪ Palkan uthaave te hanere ghatde

Unglaan'ch paake tu dhanak phirdi

Kivein Rabb ne do naina ute neelam jade?

Cham-cham chamke sitaare wargi—SAPPHIRE!

Touching on your body while you're pushing on me

Don't you end the party, I could do this all week

We'll be dancing till the morning, go to bed, we won't sleep

Cham-cham chamke sitare wargi—SAPPHIRE! ♪

Rajesh ends the song sprinkling the remaining Sparks with synthetic blue rose petals, blushing as he’s met with the expected applause and cheers from the group, as well as Cedric getting up and tapping him on the back in support. Rajesh’s gaze briefly drifts over to the applauding Izzy, well aware that she may not have understood the message he was trying to convey… which may be for the best, considering the absolute mess he would be reduced to if he ever tried to admit it in spoken word.

The next day, as she arrives to Cheerios practice after her first round of classes, Beverly finds Candice entrenched in a conversation with a small collective of other girls from the team. Upon noticing Beverly’s presence, Candice raises a hand, as to tell the others to wait for her, before running up to her best friend. “What were you even talking about with them?” asks Beverly, furrowing her brows.

Candice sighs deeply, clasping her hands in front of her chest. “I think I’ve finally sorted out how I’m gonna break it to Danny that I’m into him,” she states, “While flying back from Dubai, I decided to rewatch both of the Kpop Demon Hunters movies back-to-back... In my defense, the flight lasted the whole day, I needed to entertain myself somehow. And I couldn’t get my mind off the fact that the groups that were shown in those movies were always groups of three, because apparently that’s how harmonies work in that universe. Like this…”

She forms a triangle shape with her thumbs and index fingers, earning a comprehensive nod from Beverly. “The only problem is that we don’t really have that third piece to complete the harmony. We’re not quite an Unholy Trinity, y’know?” Candice continues, “So I was asking some of the other girls whether they’d be up to be our third! Kelley was my first pick because she’s also Asian, but then Ariel and Tana overheard us and—”

“Cands… Cands, listen,” Beverly cuts in, placing a hand on Candice’s shoulder. “You don’t need to go through all that effort to get his attention. You already stop traffic on your own. And you know Danny enjoys your company, you two have gotten pretty chummy.”

Candice appreciates the praise, but is far less swayed by it than she’d like to be. “That’s the thing,” she clarifies, “I’m scared he may only think of me as a friend.”

Beverly raises an eyebrow in befuddlement. “You think a bottom-feeder like him wouldn’t be up for dating a Cheerio?”

“This is different!” Candice insists, bracing her stomach in worry. “He looked past the image the school has of me, and saw me for the real me… for Myeong-Sook, not Candice. He’s so pure, a real gentleman. I don’t wanna let him down.”

Beverly nods, taking Candice’s wrists and gently squeezing them. “Look, you got plenty of time to come up with something, I’m not gonna rush you there,” she tells her, sitting down and placing her Stanley cup and towel within arm’s length, before going into a split-stretch. “Just don’t get too caught up in it once Coach Wilde is here, okay? We should be starting practice in a couple minutes.”

As much as Candice would love to focus on warming up as well, the conversation keeps ringing a bell in her head, as if she had just been shown the way out of a dark tunnel. At that moment, it’s not enough to just ‘come up with something’… She’s a Cheerio spy. She’s got to strategize.

Following Cheerio practice, she’s headed for the restroom, taking her time to send Danny a flirty text in the meantime, with the lyrics to her chosen song for the week. In front of the bathroom mirror, she washes off her make-up in favor of a slightly flashier look, with glittery eyeshadow and plumping lip gloss, and a pink heart drawn under her eye, Draculaura-style. If she wants to win him over, she’s got to look her best.

♪ Step one, do my highlight

Make me shine so bright in the moonlight

Step two, silhouette tight

Baby, even my shadow looks good, right?

Step three, when I arrive

Make you look my way with your heart eyes

Step four, got you on the floor

Make you say, "More, more, more" ♪

She reemerges from the restroom having temporarily shedded the Cheerios look, looking every inch the McBling baddie in her fluffy pink bolero, tank top, and bedazzled low-rise jeans, all worn with her raven locks loose and free. She sets foot in the cafeteria, and every head turns with eyes that dream of being the one, but the only pair of eyes on her mind are Danny’s as she walks past the freshmen’s table, getting all up on it to effortlessly pull off the official choreography when the song reaches its chorus.

♪ I ain't gonna bite, comе on over

I know you wanna move a little closer

I got a plan to get you with me

Got you on my radar, soon you're gonna be with me

My strategy, strategy will get ya, get ya, baby

Winning is my trademark, soon you'll never wanna leave

My strategy, strategy will get ya, that's real hot girl shh ♪

Danny is visibly intrigued, and a little intimidated, while the others look more annoyed than anything, all putting their plates away to keep her from stepping on their food. Frankly, Candice couldn’t give less of a hoot, fully focused on wooing Danny, and grinning when he tilts his head to the side to get a better look at her. Coming down on one knee to be at eye level with him, she takes his chin between her fingers and gently pulls him closer, giving him no way to escape—not that he seems to have any desire to, of course.

♪ Left, right, left, right, do it to the beat

Talk with my body, that's my strategy

Other girls try but I'm really hard to beat

He'll be mine off my strategy

You'll be down on your knees

Calling me up, begging me, don't leave

My strategy, strategy

Will get ya, get ya, get ya, boy ♪

She flashes him a wink before shoving him back onto his seat and hopping off the table, nonchalantly strutting away to continue her choreography in a part of the cafeteria where everyone can see her. Her fellow Cheerios are speechless, not at her dance moves—which, truth be told, aren’t that different from the choreography style they’re used to—but at the ballsy decision to put her uniform to the side and perform as herself.

♪ Hey, boy, I'ma get ya,

I'ma get you real good and I bet ya

Hey, boy, once I get ya

You'll be, oh, so glad that I met ya

Hey, boy, I'ma get ya,

I'ma get you real good and I bet ya

Hey, boy, once I get ya

You'll be, oh, so glad that I met ya ♪

Candice brings the song to a close blowing a kiss to Danny before leaving the cafeteria, with some of the more enthralled Cheerios getting up to follow her out. Reeling off the surprise performance, and wasting no time clueing in on Candice’s intentions, Danny shyly shrinks into his seat, his face burning red from one of the most intense and overwhelming rushes of blood he’s ever experienced. He knew the Cheerios had a tendency to get up in people’s business, but she had put on that whole stunt… for him?

Thankfully for Danny, some of the other Sparks had other plans for lunch that day, sparing him from any potential teasing he might’ve received.

Following a cryptic, but nonetheless sweet, text sent by Cedric during class, she heads to the Finn Hudson tree, under which the quaint little picnic Cedric has set up for the two of them knocks the wind out of her. He’s got quite the assembly going on there, with a tupperware full of fruit, some of which has been diced into cubes, as well as a platter of cheese and crackers paired with surprisingly fancy-looking chocolates, and a plate full of whipped cream dip. “Oh, wow!” she murmurs, mustering up a flustered smile. “You... really went all out there, didn’t you?”

“What, you don’t like it?”

Yasmin’s blonde waves gently bounce as she shakes her head in denial. “Of course I do!” she clarifies, stepping forward and sitting beside him. “It’s just that… nobody’s ever done this sort of thing for me before.”

Cedric smiles and shrugs at her, picking up a fresh strawberry from the tupperware of fruit. “I just thought you deserved something special,” he tells her, dipping the strawberry in the whipped cream and placing it in her waiting, open mouth. “Y’know, to celebrate beating Gleb at Sectionals. I don’t think you’ve been properly rewarded for that yet. You brought the house down with that solo.”

Yasmin’s heart sinks as she gazes at the rather elaborate display put together by Cedric upon the towel. There’s even a little vase of preserved flowers lovingly placed in the middle of the arrangement… He’s going out of his way to give her princess treatment, when most boys can’t bring themselves to do the bare minimum. “You’ve done so much for me… I don’t think I deserve you.”

Now more than ever, Cedric can tell there’s something wrong, watching as she brings her knees up and wraps her arms around them, nestling her face between them. “Yasmin, be honest,” he wonders, “What’s going on?”

His hand meets her, and from this, her eyes meet his. She hesitates, almost choking from the guilt and shame she had been bottling up—but it has to come out at some point, or else it’ll eat her up from the inside until there’s nothing left. It’s risky, but it’s best to get it out of the way now, before it’s too late. “Gleb kissed me… During Sectionals, when I went for that bathroom break. He found me and pulled me in, and I couldn’t do anything to stop it. That’s why I was so emotional during my solo, there was so much frustration that I had to let it out. A-And I could’ve avoided it if I had just stayed with you guys and—”

“Why didn’t you just tell me?”

There’s no anger or resentment in his voice when he asks her that, just concern—and it helps bring Yasmin a little more comfort and security in pouring out her feelings. “Because...” she continues, her grip tightening slightly around Cedric’s hand, not out of force, but out of fear. “I like you. I really do. And I know that what we have is…” She musters up a coy smile, letting her cheeks faintly tint red. “A little more embellished than a regular friendship. But as silly as this may sound, I feel as if what Gleb did genuinely soiled me, and I don’t want you to taste him if you ever kiss me again.”

Her gaze turns downward, somewhat embarrassed but nonetheless relieved to have finally gotten that out of her chest. Cedric is perplexed at first, but slowly, his gaze softens into one of sympathy. He can understand where she’s coming from: so many girls her age have been raised on romance novels where the first love interest always wins, no matter how abusive or disrespectful he may be, even after something better comes along. And the less said about society’s treatment of women who move on too quickly from their previous paramours, or who so much as dream of having more than one option, the better.

“C’mere…”

Yasmin scoots up closer to him, softening into Cedric’s hands as they wrap around her body, encapsulating her in warmth. He leans in, gently caressing her face and nuzzling the tip of his nose against hers, and when his lips meet hers, any worries that still remained within her melt away. Her legs straddle his lap, and her arms instinctively come up to drape over his shoulders, coming down to his back. The way he handles her, so firm yet so careful, almost makes her go stupid in his arms, leaving her hazy once they pull back, met with a cheeky smile from him. “Don’t know about you, but all this little lad can taste is berries and cream.”

Yasmin can’t help but burst into laughter at Cedric’s quip, letting him pull her close, with her head rested upon his shoulder. “Don’t put yourself down over that,” he reassures her, pressing a kiss against her forehead. “If anyone’s to blame here, it’s him and him only.”

Fully surrendered to Cedric’s embrace, Yasmin lets out a light, breathy giggle. She lets her eyes flutter closed, giving herself some much-needed time to let his advice sink in, herself sinking into the warmth of his arms—and then, one of her eyes pops open. “Say, what’s it with us and food kisses anyway? First the Twizzlers, now this...”

“Well, mom always says love is food for the soul, right?”

No further words are needed, as Yasmin nestles herself in Cedric’s chest, relieved that all this time, she had been stressed over nothing. If Verna’s advice holds any water, then Yasmin can certainly say she’s been well-fed.

“Thank you for the three months! Thank you, sweetie, I appreciate it! Can we get an amen in the chat?”

Between the holidays and the new Culture Week, Yael finds themself wrapped in a newfound sense of security over expressing their faith in an increasingly discomforting enviroinment for Jewish people. In fact, they’re comfortable enough to just sit down in the courtyard and catch up on the most recent livestream from one of their personal role models, teenage drag queen Mazelle Tov. Watching her crack jokes and dance around her makeshift set, her blue wig and dress almost blending in with the chroma key behind her, never fails to lighten Yael’s spirits, and make them a little prouder of who they are.

Although, it would be easier to concentrate on the stream if it weren’t for the small collective of students coming up to them, blocking the sunlight as they gather around them. Puzzled, Yael pauses the stream and turns their attention to the group, which they soon recognize as members of McKinley’s Islamic Student Union, their expressions ranging from disappointment to rage. “Um, do you mind?” Yael inquires, “I’m… kind of trying to watch my stream here, and I’m afraid I haven’t spoken to you enough to—”

“So the lives of innocent people mean nothing to you?” The boy at the forefront of the group, club president Dirgham, cuts in.

“I… fail to see the connection.”

Dirgham rolls his eyes and grabs Yael by the collar. “Don’t play dumb, we all know you’re a raging Zionist!” he shouts, looking them dead in the eye. “We’ve all seen the footage. We thought you Glee kids knew better than that, you’re always preaching about acceptance and tolerance… You’re nothing but a bunch of dirty hypocrites!”

Yael’s initial confusion gradually morphs into an all-incompassing sense of dread, their knees buckling like bamboo sticks. “I-I’m sorry, I don’t get it, where in the world did you even get that from?!” they protest, shaking themself loose from Dirgham’s grasp. “Just because I’m a Jew doesn’t mean I think like that!”

Unfazed, Dirgham goes through his back pocket and pulls out his phone, showing Yael a video saved in his gallery. The footage is slightly fuzzy, but seems to depict Yael in front of a chainlink fence, turning on a lighter and using it to set fire to a Palestinian flag, laughing like a child on Christmas day as they drop the flag and watch the fire grow. Yael furrows their brows in horror and confusion, turning back and forth between the students and the footage. “Really?! You’re gullible enough to fall for that?!?” they question, “That’s obviously AI, it’s got the artifact and everything! I would never do that!”

“Sure, that’s what they all say!” retorts the girl next to Dirgham with a scoff. “Deny it all you want, but Allah will have His eyes on you on Judgement Day, and He will show you no mercy!”

“Just listen to me—”

“GENOCIDAL SCUM!”

Yael’s words fall on deaf ears as the students gang up on them, launching them headfirst into a world of hurt. For a moment that feels like it lasts longer than it should, the world around Yael blurs—the only thing they know is the barrage of reprimanding yells, fists and stomps that harshly shower down upon them. Yael’s never been much of a fighter to begin with, so in the heat of the moment, they don’t know how to counter, and are left to writhe on the ground, defeated and close to tears over something they never actually did.

♪ Trouble! Oh, trouble, set me free

I have seen your face

And it’s too much, too much for me

Trouble! Oh, trouble, can’t you see

You’re eating my heart away

And there’s nothing much left of me ♪

The pain is enough to make the world slow down and blur around them, as they stumble to the nurse’s office to get their bruises treated. Even as they take their time to let the physical pain subside, they’re still confounded and horrified by the misunderstanding, and what they had to go through because of it. They let themselves zone out, too numb inside to even so much as flinch at the medications being applied.

♪ I’ve drunk your wine,

You have made your world mine

So won’t you be fair, so won’t you be fair?

I don’t want no more of you

So won’t you be kind to me

Just let me go where, I’ll have to go there ♪

Far too emotionally distressed to show their face in public, Yael misses the rest of their classes for the day, striking worry in the hearts of their fellow freshmen; under her seat, Izzy types up some quick texts to Hugo, which send alarm bells ringing in his head like the Bells of Notre Dame. Excusing himself and racing down the halls, Hugo catches wind of their sibling’s voice reverberating from the April Rhodes Civic Pavillion, where they’re sat center stage, visibly broken but allowing themselves to be carried away by their song, a defense mechanism as to keep them from unraveling completely.

♪ Trouble! Oh, trouble, move away

I have seen your face

And it’s too much for me today

Trouble! Oh, trouble, please be kind

I don’t want no fight

And I haven’t got a lot of time ♪

As Yael brings their knees up to wrap their arms around them, they suddenly hear faint footsteps coming from the side of the stage—Hugo, making a beeline for them to pull them into an embrace and let them quietly sob into his shoulders, providing them with that long overdue release. “Who did this to you??” he questions them, clutching their shoulders and staring into their eyes. “Gimme a name so I know who to punch!”

“N-No, you don’t have to,” mumbles Yael, mid-sob, placing his hands down and faintly squeezing them. “It wasn’t their fault. They had good intentions, they just... didn’t want to listen…” They come down in Hugo’s arms again, crying into the fabric of his letterman jacket as he gently pats their back.

Soon, they’ve made it to the choir room together, still holding each other close as the rest of the Glee Club discusses the unfortunate incident. “Well… Quite the complex situation we’ve got here,” Artie remarks, wheeling back and forth under the kids’ watch. “AI’s gotten so advanced these days, it’s highkey terrifying. I can see why those kids would fall for it so easily. But the real culprit is whoever generated that video.”

From his seat, Nico extends a hand to wrap around Yael’s, mustering up a small, thankful smile in response. Moira, on the other hand, is more perplexed than anything. “But who could it even be?” she wonders, “Yael’s so quiet and reserved, I don’t see why anyone would have that much of a grudge against them.”

Izzy is quick to offer her two cents. “Could be a broader attack against Glee Club,” she points out, “Principal Sylvester did go on record saying she supported AI, I don’t think it’s far from the realm of possibility for her to do it. Heck, if it were up to her, the Glee Club itself would be entirely AI, and I would much rather refrain from even considering a world where that’s a possibility.”

Danny turns to her with furrowed brows, his curls bouncing slightly as he looks around, scanning his peers’ expressions. “I don’t know, Principal Sylvester usually goes for more hands-on approaches. Y’know, punching people in the face, sending them tumbling down the stairs, throwing stuff at them. It wouldn’t be like her to just type up a prompt and call it a day…

“Maybe it’s Coach Wilde?” Moira chimes in, “She did post our music video online to sabotage us.”

Beverly shakes her head in denial. “Can’t be her either. She’s too busy working on our Shakira medley for Regionals.”

“Wait, Shakira?” Yasmin chimes in, leaning back against her seat in frustration. “Why do they get to call dibs on Shakira?! Great, now I’ve got FOMO!”

Amidst the amused reactions to Yasmin’s complaint, Hugo takes a moment to check his phone again, intently scanning the Muckraker article that made the video blow up in the first place. Unsurprisingly, there’s no source credited, but he already has a lingering feeling, sinking like a coin tossed into a fountain, as to who could’ve come up with that—and once he lays his eyes upon the name credited for the story, he has all the confirmation he needs to be consumed by a tidal wave of righteous brotherly fury.

“BONNIE!!”

Hugo’s roar fills the Muckraker office as he barges in, stomping past the empty desks and editors on his way to Bonnie, met with her widened baby blues as she recovers from the shock of him walking in while she’s packing her things to leave. “Why, Hugo, fancy seeing you here…” she chuckles coyly, taking a step back and giving him a flirty look. “If I knew you were coming, I’d have put on my nicest knickers...”

“Nobody wants to see your knickers, you TABLOID JUNKRAT!”

Hugo sends Bonnie jumping back when his hands meet her desk with a loud thud. “I always knew you were a little creep, but what you did to Yael is a whole other circle of Hell in itself. You should see the state they’re in right now. Is a moral compass some kind of foreign concept in Scotland?!? Because at this point, IT WOULDN’T SURPRISE ME!”

Bonnie shrugs, turning her attention back to her backpack. “I don’t see what the problem is,” she says nonchalantly. “Fox News does it all the time and nobody bats an eye.”

Already infuriated as is, Hugo senses his blood begin to boil, leaning forward to grab Bonnie by the collar and pull her close. “Listen here, because I don’t have the time or patience to repeat it,” he demands through gritted teeth, “I’m not one to beat up women, but if you don’t delete that computer-generated abomination desecrating my sibling’s name right now, I’m gonna PUNT YOU all the way to Saskatchewan, do you understand?!”

Even witnessing him at his most feral, Bonnie isn’t bothered in the slightest. On the contrary, she’s got him right where she wants him. “Fine. Ah’ll do it… As long as ye agree to beast me.”

“What?”

“Have sex with me. Simple as that!”

Hugo is baffled enough that his grip on Bonnie loosens enough for her to shake herself free, allowing her to turn back to her packing. “...Is this a joke?” he questions, low and hushed at first, but little by little intensifying, the blood in his veins beginning to reach boiling point all over again. “Are you trying to MESS WITH ME?! What makes you think I would EVER want to sleep with you?? After EVERYTHING you’ve done?!?”

Bonnie remains completely indifferent, not even bothering to look him in the eye. “It’s either that or both of ye risk going the wae of Terence. Yer choice!”

A shiver strikes down Hugo’s spine, reverberating through his entire being, stealing away at his breath. This wouldn’t impact just himself, but Yael and the Glee Club as well; the Sparks couldn’t possibly afford to go into Regionals short of two members. And then there’s Genesis, and her own burgeoning feelings that he knows now have been eating at her, just as much as it’s been for him. Would she still love him if he went along with Bonnie’s conditions, or would the knowledge of it only sully him in her mind?

There are far too many loose ends there that he can’t afford to leave untied.

“Can’t do the sex part, but I’ll let you put your hands on me, just this once. Deal?”

Bonnie pauses, her hands looming still over her open backpack, and her gaze jolts upwards. Her lips purse, before their edges curl into a Cheshire grin, as she moves to the front of her desk, sitting on it with her legs crossed. “Bring it over, love!”

Hugo’s lungs weigh in his chest, and he’s left with no choice but to oblige. He quickly shrugs off his letterman jacket and peels off his shirt, still fuming, albeit to a much decreased level, as he displays his bare torso to the already ecstatic Bonnie. “Remember, anything below the belt is off-limits.”

Bonnie nods like a bobblehead figurine, clapping her hands as she hops off the desk and gets to work on stroking Hugo’s chest and abs, eating him up with her eyes and hands, her fingertips dancing through each of the sharp valleys between finely-chiseled muscle. In her bout of precocious lust, she remains blissfully unaware of how hard Hugo is rolling his eyes, counting down the seconds until she’s had enough. He already knows he’s about to experience the true meaning of ‘walk of shame’, and he doesn’t like it one bit.

“This is humiliating...”

The video is swiftly deleted the following day. Most of the student body moves on as if nothing had happened, thanks to their goldfish attention spans.

Hugo only tells a few trusted people of what he did. Of course, Yael is the first to know, and Cedric and Xander follow suit. To everyone else, it’s a secret safeguarded in his chest, kept under lock and key, for it could potentially unleash just as much hell as Pandora’s Box if it were out in the open. He remains quiet, guarded, laser-focused on class and football practice to keep his mind off his hapless surrender from the previous night. It may not have been anything too serious, but he still feels like he let himself down by giving in to Bonnie’s demands—no matter how small, it was a sacrifice he had to make to preserve Yael’s honor.

Still, he allows himself to perk up, just a little bit, when it’s time for Cedric and Yasmin to perform the duet they have planned for Glee Club that week. Hugo always knew there had been something different between the two ever since they performed together at Invitationals; he had never seen Cedric look at a girl his age with such warmth before.

[Cedric] ♪ It's undeniable, that we should be together

It's unbelievable, how I used to say that I’d fall never

The basis you need to know

If you don't know just how I feel

Then let me show you now that I'm for real

If all the things in time, time will reveal, yeah-ah… ♪

In a rare gesture for her, Yasmin lets herself soften before the others, as Cedric’s velvety voice hits her ears with such meaningful declarations. Somehow, when words like these come from him, they mean so much more than when she’d hear them from Gleb; it’s as if Cedric had been waiting for his person for ages, and he’s not going to let his first real chance at love pass him by. Most curiously to her, though, is the lack of reaction from Beverly, the same Beverly who had desperately tried to steal him away from her weeks prior.

[Cedric] ♪ One, you're like a dream come true

Two, just wanna be with you

Three, girl it's plain to see that you're the only one for me

And four, repeat steps one through three

Five, make you fall in love with me

If ever I believe my work is done, then I'll start back at one ♪

With an encouraging nod from Cedric, Yasmin opens her mouth to sing—in Portuguese, for the first time in Glee Club. Nico smiles in approval, himself softening a little with thoughts of Xander wandering through his mind, while everyone else looks on in amazement, some of the kids even pulling out their preferred translation apps to figure out what she’s saying. It comes as reassurance to her, proof that when she sings out her truth, everyone is willing to listen, even if it’s in a language the people around her aren’t as likely to understand.

[Yasmin] ♪ É impossível fingir que posso controlar

O que estou sentindo, é muito forte pra negar

Pra quê resistir, se eu sei que você também quer?

Sabe que eu não vou seguir sozinha

Você tem as chaves do meu coração ♪

And it's not just Nico being illuminated from the love radiating from that duet. Rajesh is tempted to lean into Izzy's shoulder, but shyly backs away the moment her gaze finds him. Danny glances towards Candice, his mind brought back to her bold advance towards him earlier that week, and his own feelings over her. And Hugo… Although he’s got one arm wrapped around Yael, keeping them close, his eyes never leave Genesis as she sways in her seat, that gentle smile on her face only increasing the weight upon his heart.

[Cedric] ♪ You came and brought the life

Into this lonely heart of mine ♪

[Yasmin] ♪ Eu vou seguir feliz ♪

[Cedric] ♪ Just in the nick of time ♪

[Yasmin] ♪ One, meu sonho bom ♪

[Cedric] ♪ Two, just wanna be with you ♪

[Yasmin] ♪ Three, por muito tempo esperei

Preciso ouvir você dizer sim ♪

[Cedric] ♪ And four, repeat steps one through three

Five, make you fall in love with me

If ever I believe my work is done, then I'll start back at one ♪

Eased towards the end of the song by the guest string section, Cedric pulls Yasmin into an embrace, letting her sling her arms over his shoulders, their foreheads tenderly nuzzling and their eyes connected—even as the other kids applaud and cheer for them. When they finally allow themselves to come down, they find Artie wheeling towards them, smiling in approval. “Guess you two won’t have to worry about your grades in chemistry for now!”

He gives Yasmin a playful nudge on the rib, at which she laughs, nestling her head on Cedric’s shoulder. “I do wish I still had time to do something more upbeat from Ivete,” Yasmin admits, grinning at Cedric. “But as far as a hard launch goes, I couldn’t have picked a better song.”

Another round of celebratory hollers follows as Cedric plants a kiss upon Yasmin’s cheek, while Artie places his hands upon his lap, nodding tenderly. “It’s so refreshing to see you kids be so open about your love, no matter what your social standing has to say about it,” he tells them, his tone turning slightly bittersweet. “Trust me, not everyone can be that lucky. As much as we wish it wasn’t the case, the world is still very much divided by intolerance and ignorance. Common understanding isn’t as easy in practice as it is on paper…”

He pauses, looking at Yael. “But sometimes, if you just sit down and listen, you can always build a bridge.”

Both turn to the doorway to find someone walking into the choir room: Dirgham, with his head hung low in apparent shame and guilt. Everyone watches with bated breath as he approaches Yael, eyeing them up and down before taking a deep breath. “I’d like to apologize… on behalf of the Islamic Student Union,” he murmurs, “We know the truth now, and we feel horrible for what we did to you. It seems we were too blinded by the need to preserve our own culture... and heritage... to truly look into what was real or not.”

Yael’s chest heaves, their mind fuzzy with conflicted feelings, but a soft squeeze of Hugo’s hand around theirs helps ground them. “I’m gonna take a while to recover from what you did,” they conclude, their gaze tentatively drifting up to meet Dirgham’s. “But I’ve always known it came from a righteous place. I can accept the apology for now, but you’ve got to work for it too, okay?”

Dirgham nods, raising his hand with his pinky extended, awaiting to link with Yael’s. When it does, the tension dissipates, little by little, clearing like dust being blown off a childhood memento. Smiling warmly, Dirgham turns to the doorway and gestures for the rest of his club to come in, encouraging them to mingle with the Glee kids. All of a sudden, the choir room fills with excited chatter, a carefree bonding exercise between two groups of kids that had up to this point hardly acknowledged each other.

Amidst this, Yael remains quiet, pensive, but nonetheless relieved. as far as Hugo knows, no matter how ashamed he may be of his moment of weakness, just the sight of his sibling’s spirits finally being lifted makes it all worth it.

The Genesis issue, though… He’ll have to deal with that later.

By the end of the day, nearly everyone has left, with only Danny remaining in the choir room. As he packs his things to leave, he picks up his phone to send Emma a text message, letting her know he’ll be on his way home. As he’s about to do so, though, he notices the notification bubble next to his Messages app, already puzzling enough as is—and the reveal that it comes from Candice intrigues him even further. It lures him down the halls, his footsteps reverberating in the empty school grounds all the way to the pool, where he finds her sitting by the poolside, her socks and shoes placed aside and her bare feet playfully kicking at the water.

“What doth thou summon me for, your Highness?”

Danny’s cheeky remark, coupled with the little bow he gives Candice, gets her attention right out of the gate. “Finally! I thought for a second that you’d chicken out.”

She pats the empty space to her right, where Danny sits on without a second thought, crossing his legs so his shoes don’t touch the water. “I’m gonna go out on a limb and guess this has something to do with that little stunt you did earlier this week. Correct?” he asks, promptly met with a nod from her. “Not complaining, by the way, you did great. Mr. Abe wasn’t wrong when he said we ought to start doing some Kpop in Glee Club sooner or later. All New Directions got to do back in the day was…” His face contorts into a grimace of embarrassment. “Gangnam Style. And we all know how that ended.”

Candice doesn’t know enough about the story to disagree, but his words still make her heart sink, her legs raising out of the pool’s surface so she can wrap her arms around them, resting her face in her knees. “It’s a wonder you manage to stay afloat in here,” she murmurs, “Given how dense you are.”

Danny’s gaze jolts towards her, having heard her even though he wasn’t meant to. “Dense?”

His hand hovers up to intertwine fingers with her, one gently wrapping after another. “Candice... I knew exactly what you were trying to convey. And how strongly you feel about it… enough to put the real you in display in front of everyone. Yes, it’s not all that different from Cheerio you, but ditching the uniform, in itself, was pretty freaking gutsy.”

“Yeah, I had to get gutsy,” Candice responds, her voice soft and unusually low. “So I don’t show how scared I am of letting you into my world. I…” She stammers slightly, before pausing to release the weight in her lungs through a heavy sigh. “Don’t wanna risk getting too close.”

She looks away, in an attempt to guard herself, dreading that he may not understand where she’s coming from... But he does. They’ve been through this before. He’s seen how off she’s been acting, ever since their Breadstix date when he let her open up so much to him, and he knows enough to connect the dots from there. “Well, isn’t that what Culture Week’s all about? Expanding worldviews, uniting people no matter their background…”

He leans in, stroking Candice’s face with the back of his hand, her gaze soon finding the tender look in his eyes. “If you ask me,” he concludes, scooting himself closer. “I think that’s a risk worth taking.”

The warmth and compassion in his voice radiate over Candice, like a warm blanket melting away all of her worries, casting them aside and washing them away in the water of the pool. She lets her body loosen, her legs coming down to lay in front of her by the poolside, and her gaze locks with his, allowing her to immerse herself in that honey brown hearth. Instinctively, she brings herself towards him, her eyes fluttering shut to focus on the feeling of Danny’s lips upon hers. The kiss they share is nowhere as heated as the make-outs she used to engage in with Hugo, but it’s exactly what they needed at the moment, and even with her eyes closed, she can tell Danny himself has been waiting for this just as much as she has.

They pull apart slowly, gently, giving each other time to come down, and when Danny opens his eyes again, he’s met with a playful smile from Candice. “You’re lucky I like me some risky business.”

No more second intentions. Just love.

Friday arrives without much chaos, and once all classes of the day have been done and dusted, the entire student body gathers to pack the gymnasium for the official closing of Culture Week festivities. “Fellow students, I could not be prouder to declare that this year’s Culture Week has been a resounding success,” declares Robin, onstage at the podium, with the rest of the student council not far behind. “It’s been an honor learning so much about so many different cultures, and watching it bring all of us together... Even if there has been some turmoil along the way.”

Gathered at the front row, the Cheerios are more drawn to the hushed chatter going on between Kitty and Kermit, as they plan out the Shakira medley for Regionals. “So, about your hula hoop solo to Hips Don’t Lie, I know you’ve been looking forward to that one,” she says, going over her Notes app. “Should that be the intro or the finale?”

“Finale,” Kermit replies, with a confident flip of his peach-pink bangs. “Save the best for last, you know?”

Kitty nods and clicks her tongue, typing down accordingly. “Of course,” she states, “I just wanted to be sure so I could structure the rest of the medley accordingly. If we play our cards right, we may very well not just have that Regionals title in the bag, but also be in for a viral moment that’ll make Molly Long curl up and cry in her bedroom.”

It’s then that, from the corner of her eye, she spots Artie rolling into the gym. “And speaking of curling up and crying,” she adds, turning to address him directly. “Hey, Lukewarm Wheels. Heard your kids will be performing. What kind of hastily cobbled-together trainwreck are we in for?”

“Now, now, Kitty, you know how I feel about spoilers,” Artie tells her with a sly smirk. “You’re gonna have to wait and see.”

He shrugs and rolls off to his assigned seating area, leaving Kitty to roll her eyes and turn back to Kermit and the rest of the Cheerios. “Must be pretty cringe for him to be so secretive about it,” Kermit remarks, exchanging mocking snickers with the Cheerios seated next to him.

Kitty smiles proudly at them, before turning her attention back to Robin’s speech. “Now, to wrap up Culture Week with a bang, we’ve got a special performance by our very own Glee Club, with a song by an artist who couldn’t be a more perfect embodiment of the values displayed throughout the week,” Robin announces, increasingly excited. “Performing the smash hit Whenever, Wherever, by Shakira, give it up for the Sparks!”

A round of applause follows as Robin leaves the stage and the curtains open, revealing the Sparks in silhouette, stacked together in a group pose. The Cheerios exchange looks of confusion and horror, while Kitty’s smile gradually droops, her eyes wide with shock. “Say what now?”

As the music starts, spotlights shine down on the Sparks, revealing that they’re dressed in outfits featuring the colors of different country flags, including Yasmin, Nico, Candice, and Rajesh all representing their respective cultural roots. Most notably, Yael sports the colors of the Palestinian flag, earning approving smiles from the Islamic Student Union. With a soft vocalization from Genesis, they start waving their arms and bodies, slowly and sinuously, before the beat kicks in, allowing them to spread out around the stage, clapping in time and hyping up the crowd.

[Candice] ♪ Lucky you were born that far away so

We could both make fun of distance ♪

[Danny] ♪ Lucky that I love a foreign land for

The lucky fact of your existence ♪

[Cedric] ♪ Baby, I would climb the Andes solely

To count the freckles on your body ♪

[Yasmin] ♪ Never could imagine there were only

Ten million ways to love somebody ♪

As the kids dance around and mingle with one another onstage, their welcoming energy begins to seep through to a sizeable portion of the student body, as well as the faculty staff, all beaming and clapping along. For the chorus, the two newly-formed couples pair up, and Candice can hardly contain her laughter as she dances with Danny. From the side, Beverly can’t help but bask in her best friend’s joy, gladly keeping to herself—that is, until Moira spots her and pulls her in to dance with her, startling her at first but gradually allowing her the time she needs to settle in.

[All] ♪ Le-do-lo-le-lo-le, le-do-lo-le-lo-le ♪

[Rajesh] ♪ Can't you see?

I'm at your feet ♪

[All] ♪ Whenever, wherever, we're meant to be together ♪

[Yael] ♪ I'll be there, and you'll be near, and that's the deal, my dear ♪

[All] ♪ Thereover, hereunder, you'll never have to wonder ♪

[Yael] ♪ We can always play by ear, but that's the deal, my dear ♪

By now, the Cheerios have become utterly dumbfounded, chatting and speculating amongst each other, while Kitty is livid, turning to glare daggers at Artie; he, in turn, smirks as he fixes up his glasses. Meanwhile, the football players snicker derisively among one another, but Xander, in stark contrast, is able to find some joy too, bobbing his head along and watching Cedric and Hugo… Although he can’t help but sneak a few quick glances at Nico. There’s definitely something curious about him, and it makes Xander oh-so slightly tempted to let him in.

[All] ♪ Le-do-lo-le-lo-le, le-do-lo-le-lo-le ♪

[Genesis] ♪ Think out loud, say it again ♪

[All] ♪ Le-do-lo-le-lo-le-lo-le ♪

[Danny] ♪ Tell me one more time

That you'll live lost in my eyes ♪

A big money note from Genesis helps usher the final chorus in, sending the student body swaying along in their seats. Noticing the glances Xander’s been giving him, Nico gets a little more comfortable and decides to play along, singing his solo directly to him, which takes Xander aback a little bit. Caught up in the performance, Dirgham gets up and heads for the stage, approaching Yael specifically and giving them permission to pull him up and join the group, which does not go unnoticed by Bonnie.

[All] ♪ Whenever, wherever, we're meant to be together ♪

[Yael] ♪ I'll be there, and you'll be near, and that's the deal, my dear ♪

[All] ♪ Thereover, hereunder ♪

[Yasmin and Genesis harmonizing] ♪ You've got me head over heels ♪

[Yasmin] ♪ There's nothing left to fear

If you really feel the way I feel ♪

[Nico] ♪ Contigo, mi vida, quiero vivir la vida

Y lo que me queda de vida quiero vivir contigo

Ya sabes, mi vida ♪

[Yasmin and Genesis harmonizing] ♪ You've got me head over heels ♪

[Yasmin] ♪ There's nothing left to fear

If you really feel the way I feel ♪

“Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!”

Chanting and clapping in unison, the Sparks gather at the edge of the stage, moving through the final stretch of the song with the crowd, and once it comes to a close, they gladly take in a roaring round of applause and cheers, celebrating, hugging and laughing amidst one another. Clapping politely in thinly-veiled rage, Kitty glances towards Artie, who rolls closer to her with a nonchalant smile. “Two can play that game, Kitty Cat,” he reminds her, doing a Hail Mary gesture. “Word to yo’ Father. Peace!”

Silently, Kitty watches Artie wheel away to talk to his kids, and once his back is turned, her gaze locks in on that of the equally frustrated Kermit, teeth gritted and knuckles turning white as her fists clench against the fabric of her tracksuit. “Got a Plan B?”

“As long as I can get the hula hoop out...”

Chapter Text

“This year, the best Valentine you can get… is a little bit of self-love.”

The latest Yeast-I-Stat ad, displaying its current spokeswoman in a montage of joyous activities set to the pulsing beats of Hailee Steinfeld’s hit single Love Myself, airs on TV as Warren and Joyce Lawson sit at their breakfast table, waiting for their daughter to join them—and it’s a matter of seconds until Moira enters the kitchen, fully dolled up and with her bags packed for the school day ahead. “Hey, mom, real quick,” she asks, sitting at the table and pouring herself some orange juice. “Can we stop at Bath & Body Works after school today?”

Joyce tilts her head to the side, raising an eyebrow. “Does it have anything to do with that Safiya lady?”

The question has Moira stopping in her tracks just as she’s about to bring her glass of orange juice into her mouth, sheepishly putting it down. “Well, since she announced her pregnancy, I got a little carried away revisiting her videos this weekend… God, I forgot how much I love Bath & Body Works.”

Joyce glances over at Warren, who shrugs from behind his phone, and then turns back to Moira, nudging a plate of scrambled eggs towards her, with a slight shake of her head. “Alright, but try not to splurge too much,” she reminds her daughter, “Don’t forget what happened the last time you tried to replicate one of those experiments of hers. The whole house smelled of blueberry pancake for a week.”

Moira nods, getting to work on vigorously scarfing down the scrambled eggs and finishing up her juice, much to Warren’s amusement. “Ah, I see someone woke up starved!”

“Just trying to pack on the nutrients here!” Moira explains, wiping the food residue from her lips. “The team’s holding try-outs this week. Since Fern transferred over the winter, there are still a few open spots we have to fill before competition season, and I want to give the hopefuls the best first impression possible. And for that, I need loads of protein!”

Joyce smiles warmly, watching Moira get up and strap her backpack on. “Fingers crossed whoever makes it in can keep up with you,” she says, leaning in and grabbing Moira’s face to press multiple kisses to her face, showering her in the love she needs to power her through another week of school.

The start of the week brings a fresher atmosphere to McKinley, partially brought upon by the change in seasons, the harsh cold of winter subsiding to make way for the pleasant weather of springtime. Not so pleasant, though, is the look of exhaustion on Artie’s face as he wheels into the faculty lounge, with Casey immediately noticing the faint dark circles under his eyes. “You okay, dude? Having trouble getting a shut-eye in?”

Artie briefly removes his glasses to scratch his eye, putting them back on as Casey approaches him. “Try planning a Regionals setlist and a Sweet 16 party all by yourself at the same time,” he mumbles, fetching himself a cup of coffee.

“You know you could’ve just asked us for help, right?”

Artie shakes his head in denial, taking his time to drink his coffee—and grimacing a little over the stale taste.“Sam’s busy with the football team, and I haven’t heard back from Anabiel yet,” he replies, rolling to place his chair at the table while Casey follows him. “Look, you can’t blame me for taking this so personally. Being a single parent is never easy, especially for someone like me... And this might sound a little silly, but having Izzy in my life made me revisit everything I thought I knew about the world.”

Casey gives him a soft smile, reaching to place his hand over Artie’s. “It’s not silly at all,” he reassures him, “Parenthood changes you. And a girl’s sixteenth birthday is a special occasion, isn’t it? You’re not at fault for wanting to give her the best you can. That doesn’t mean you have to keep shouldering it all on your own.”

Artie breathes deeply, giving Casey a soft smile. “At least… I’m glad I kept in touch with some folks from New Directions,” he recalls, with a wistful sigh. “They couldn’t always be there, but when they were, they made things so much easier. Especially Tina. I know she’s been doing well, and she deserves every part of it, but I can’t help but wish she could be here to see how much Izzy has grown…”

“Ask and you shall receive.”

If he could, Artie would’ve jumped back at the familiar voice reaching his ears. Indeed, his mind isn’t playing tricks on him, as he turns around to be met with none other than Tina Cohen-Chang in the flesh. Whereas most people tend to age in 16 years, she had clearly swapped Glee Club for formaldehyde since graduating from McKinley, with the only real evidence of the passage of time being her shorter, lighter brown hair—a far cry from the blue streaks she sported in her goth phase. “Surprise!”

“SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!!”

Artie rolls towards her, the two of them shortening their distance in a hug drenched with euphoric laughter. “I can’t believe you’re here!” he tells her, still noticeably breathy as he comes down from the adrenaline rush brought upon by their reunion.“I thought you were too booked and busy to even consider coming back!”

“Well, usually I am,” Tina points out, a hint of gratitude in her voice. “But this year, Yeast-I-Stat decided to hold some promotional events around the country for the Valentines campaign, and they were gracious enough to have Lima as one of the locations! And I didn’t even have to request it...”

The atmosphere between them suddenly turns heavy, not with tension, but with remembrance. Tina had majored in journalism, and didn’t have any plans to go back into acting, but with Santana’s untimely death, Yeast-I-Stat had been left without a spokeswoman—that is, until Brittany personally requested them to bring in Tina as a replacement, providing her with the big break she had been longing for ever since high school. Even so, it brings comfort to both of them that the brand hasn’t forgotten about Santana, still honoring her even in the smallest of ways.

Casey, unaware of the story, finds it hard to draw his eyes away from Tina. The golden sheen of her hair, the harmony of her facial features, the shape of her lips as her smile turns bittersweet… There’s some kind of force pulling him towards her, and it doesn’t go unnoticed by Artie. “By the way, um… That’s Casey,” he says to Tina, “Martial arts instructor, and April Rhodes’ kid. My next class should be starting soon, so you definitely got time to get acquainted with each other!”

Tina immediately perks up at the mention of April, and as Artie leaves, she approaches Casey to shake his hand. “Your mom’s so cool!” she gushes, “She once taught me to shoplift meat in my vagina!”

Casey smiles sheepishly, his gaze drifting away and his cheeks tinting a faint pink, from both the mention of his mother and the butterflies he’s getting from being around Tina. “Yeah, I heard of that,” he answers, gritting his teeth. “She also publicly mourned Charlie Kirk on social media a couple years ago...”

“What?”

“Nothing!” Way to go, Casey, you just met her and you nearly blew it.

When the bell rings to bring an end to the final class of the day, the Sparks waste no time in heading to the choir room, and Izzy ends up running a little late, all thanks to a Reddit notification that has her rushing to catch up with the rest of the club as fast as her feet can take her. “Guys! You’re never gonna believe this!”

“We know. We heard the news,” says Yasmin, sounding unusually mournful. “Truly a sad day for the entire musical theatre community.”

She turns to Nico, who sits between Rajesh and Yael, looking utterly devastated as he sobs into several bunched-up paper handkerchiefs. “I can’t believe Wicked’s closing!” he laments, leaning into Rajesh’s shoulder. “I thought it would last forever!”

Yael shakes their head in pity, patting Nico’s shoulder. “Look at the bright side,” they say, “At least now there won’t be such a monopoly on the Gershwin.”

Izzy, on the other hand, is more baffled than anything. “No, it’s not about that. Here…”

She takes her seat, and everyone else gathers around her, all eyes glued to the screen as it displays a video posted to r/showchoirusa, displaying harrowing footage of the Dalton Academy building going down in flames. “Dalton’s Insta account confirmed this is real,” she explains, “Thankfully there were no casualties, but nobody knows what caused it, and the authorities are still investigating.”

You could hear a pin drop in the choir room, as the bombshell reduces the kids to stunned silence—most of all Yasmin, who’s hit with a chill down her spine, dreading that she may have manifested it all those weeks ago at Sectionals. Also visibly discomforted is Danny, who can’t help but cringe a little, addressing the rest of the group. "I guess the Warblers would rather risk going to Hell than returning to the AIA."

Yael tilts their head forward and raises an eyebrow. "The what?"

"The Aural Intensity Asylum,” Danny clarifies, “It's like the Khia Asylum, but for show choir."

"Dang, they got Khia Asylums for everything these days..."

The asylums will have to wait, though, as the sight of Artie rolling in has the kids scrambling back to their seats. “Alright! Y’all better pay attention, because this is gonna be a big week!” he announces, clearing his throat and wheeling forward. “As you all know, this Saturday will see the most incredible little girl reach an important milestone in her life…” His voice breaks a little as he glances at the smiling Izzy. “And to help celebrate that, we have a special guest to help with this week’s assignment,” he continues, “You know her, you love her, and I could not be more honored to have her on board for this, because it’s not every day that we get a big guest like this. I present to you, my dearest friend, the legendary Ms. Tina Cohen-Chang!”

Tina’s entrance is met with euphoric applause from most of the kids, mainly the four founding members of the Sparks, but also, most notably, Rajesh and the visibly starstruck Moira—of course, Izzy is happiest of all, practically leaping off her seat and running straight into Tina’s arms. “Oh my gosh, where did the time go?!” Tina gushes, practically squeezing Izzy's jaw between her hands and getting flustered laughter from her. “You’re so much taller than me now! Stop growing!"

Amidst the joyful reunion, Hugo can’t help but stifle a skeptical chuckle. "Really, Mr. Abe?” he asks, “With all that fanfare, I was expecting Taylor or Sabrina, not the... yeast lady."

“Excuse you, she’s one of the OG New Directions!” Yasmin protests, nudging Hugo on the rib. “Put some respect on her name!”

Tina grins warmly, pleased to see the new Glee kids hold her in far higher regard than how she used to be treated back in the day. “Not just mine, really,” she explains, “All the women in your lives deserves respect. Not a lot of people realize this, but the world is inherently matriarcal. Women can be providers just as much as they can be creators; heck, the term ‘Mother Nature’ exists for a reason! And anyone who’s too ignorant and brainwashed by patriarchy to realize that still has a lot of learning to do...”

She gives Artie a knowing glance, prompting a nervous chuckle from him. “Don’t worry, bestie, those days are far behind me,” he reassures her, rolling towards the whiteboard and drawing a big Venus symbol on it. “And to prove that… I’m making this week’s assignment all about honoring the badass women around us! Ladies, it’s your time to shine, and dudes, you better live up to them!”

A round of applause follows, with the girls in particular cheering and celebrating. Between this and the upcoming lacrosse try-outs, Moira vibrates in her seat, already looking forward to whatever the week had in store.

“Wait, so try-outs aren’t happening anymore?”

Moira, in her lacrosse uniform, stands before her disheartened teammates in the locker room, arms folded over her bosom as the bombshell sinks in within her. “Principal Sylvester says she doesn’t have the funds to keep the team around for much longer,” laments team captain Allison, who steps forward, taking Moira’s hands in hers. “If we don’t win the next championship, we’ll probably end up on the chopping block.”

Little by little, Moira’s disbelief over the news begins to pave way for simmering outrage. “But... We’ve won every single championship since the team was formed!” she protests, “If anything, we should be up there with the Titans and Cheerios in the food chain! Heck, by all accounts, we’re essentially girl jocks, right?”

“That’s certainly not how Principal Sylvester sees it,” says Allison with a subtle grimace. “The Amazons don’t have the same name recognition or longevity as the Titans, or the Cheerios, or even the hockey team. And lacrosse isn’t a widely-known sport, so it doesn’t make that much bank for the school anyway. As far as she’s concerned, we’re nothing more than a spare part in the athletic program, the easiest team to be discarded.”

Discarded.

Just the thought of Principal Sylvester using such terms to refer to them, as if they’re used toilet paper, further twists the knife lodged in Moira’s heart by the news, infuriating her enough to send her marching to the principal’s office in righteous rage, swinging the door wide open to find Principal Sylvester mid-workout. “This is garbage! How do you expect us to compete without a full team?!” Moira shouts, slamming her fists against the desk. “I always knew about you sabotaging the Glee Club, but I didn’t think you, of all people, would stoop as low as to doing it to a sports team!”

Principal Sylvester, already annoyed at the interruption, dabs off her sweat with a towel while looking Moira dead in the eye the whole time. "Let me ask you something, Moby Chick, does your team bring anything new to the table that other sports teams in this school don't?" she inquires, heading for her desk. "There just isn’t an audience for lacrosse in the U.S. like there is for football and cheerleading. Do you think the families who go out to see our games and sporting events are proud to watch a bunch of girls run around smacking a ball with a stick? Of course not, especially considering one of them is a walking tub of Fudge Rounds."

Moira slumps back against her seat with a loud, breathy groan, rubbing her temples in frustration. I should’ve known this was coming... “Don’t change the subject, my weight isn’t the problem here! The football players can put on all the fat they want and everybody’s cool with it!"

“Because they’re football players, they need the extra body mass. That, and nobody cares if men get fat,” says Principal Sylvester matter-of-factly. “There’s a reason why there are so many movies where Kevin James is married to supermodels. Nobody likes fat women these days, it’s Ozempic or bust. Have you ever seen a female lacrosse player who looks like you?”

Moira swallows hard, intimidated but nonetheless unyielding. “Well, no... But you see, that plays a part in why I do it!” she states, her fingers curling tightly around the edge of the desk. “I’m trying to be the change I want to see in the world! I want little girls like me to see me thriving and know they can do anything they set themselves out to do!”

She gives it a good go, but unfortunately, her words do nothing to sway Principal Sylvester, whose gaze cuts through her like a laser beam through glass. “I hate to break it to you, but as a wise Jeff Goldblum once said, just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should… And as principal, what I say is final, and I say all you should do is shut that bottomless calorie vaccuum of yours and accept that there’s nowhere for your little lacrosse team to go but down the drain.”

This time, Moira has no witty comeback, nowhere to turn to. Her lips purse, holding back words that could get her kicked out, and instead just gives her a low, solemn nod, turning her back to leave...but before she does so, Principal Sylvester has one more thing to say.

“Oh, and put in some actual effort in subtracting a dress size or two.”

Moira can only respond with an annoyed grunt, turning her chin up and storming out of the office—

SLUSH!

As soon as she sets foot in the hallway, she’s greeted by a slushie facial to the tune of chauvinistic laughter from the hockey players. This only makes the alarm sirens in her head, ringing ever since Principal Sylvester went out of the way to put her down, only grow louder and stronger, pulsing throughout her body like a clap of thunder and providing a second wind to her resolve. The misogynous motives behind the lacrosse team potentially being cut are already infuriating enough as is, but the knowledge that it’s coming from a fellow woman, who should be supporting the young girls of the school but is instead hurling such demeaning comments at her…

Moira thinks back to the old Looney Tunes cartoons she’d watch on TV as a kid, the classics. She grew up watching Bugs Bunny, ever so level-headed, easily and effortlessly talking himself out of danger—but everyone has a boiling point, even him. And as Bugs himself would say in such a predicament... This is war.

♪ Sisters, we are everywhere! Warriors, your country needs you!

If you're ready, ladies, better keep steady, ready, aim, shoot

Don't need ammunition, on a mission and we'll hit you with the truth

Representing all the women, salute, salute ♪

Lacrosse stick in hand, war paint over her face, and with her hair shaken loose, Moira storms the library, summoning all her fellow female students, including some of the Sparks girls. She knows it’s wrong to make so much noise in an enviroinment where one is expected to stay silent, and she’ll probably have to apologize to Mr. Meeks at the end of the day, but right now, that is the least of her concerns. She’s got an army to gather, so she’s damn well going to make sure her message reaches everyone who can hear it, loud and clear and unrestricted.

♪ It's who we are, we don't need no camouflage

It's a female federal and we're taking off

If you're with me, women, lemme hear you say

Ladies all across the world, listen up, we're looking for recruits

If you're with me, lemme see your hands, stand up and salute

Get your killer heels, sneakers, pumps, or lace up your boots

Representing all the women, salute, salute ♪

Unsurprisingly, it’s not long until the female Cheerios have joined in, with Beverly and Candice directly backing Moira in some intensive choreography down the halls. Cast off to the side, the male Cheerios look on in support—all except for, predictably, Kermit, who’s rolling his eyes and scoffing at the movement sprawling throughout the school, not because of the commotion it’s causing, but because it doesn’t revolve around him. Even an attempt to weasel himself in, as a gay man, only gets him pushed back onto the locker doors.

♪ If you think we're just pretty things

You couldn't be more wrong

We standing strong, we carry on (knock us again)

Knock us, but we keep moving up (we're moving up, yeah)

Can't stop a hurricane, ladies, it's time to awake (yeah) ♪

In a matter of minutes, the female student body is all decked out in sports uniforms, football armor, and war paint, dancing in unison all throughout the gymnasium. Going unnoticed as she enters, Kitty is puzzled by all the racket, but at the same time, too intrigued to do anything to put a stop to it, and from afar, she notices Tina at the bleachers, arms folded over her bosom with an approving smile. Perhaps Kitty should’ve seen this coming, given Artie’s presence in the faculty, but seeing Tina’s face again is nonetheless pretty surreal.

♪ At-TEN-tion! (Listen up, ladies, ladies)

At-TEN-tion! Individuals, originals, listen up

Huh! Lemme hear you say—

Ladies all across the world, listen up, we're looking for recruits

If you're with me, lemme see your hands, stand up and salute

Get your killer heels, sneakers, pumps, or lace up your boots

Representing all the women, salute, salute ♪

Moira’s fist in the air brings both the song to a close and the gymnasium down in a wave of euphoric cheers and applause from the girls around her, with Izzy and Beverly running up to her to give her a big hug, praising her for her attitude. The whole sequence of events, paired with Tina’s presence, strikes a nerve in Kitty, the noise of the crowd blurring away around her as she contemplates her own feelings on Principal Sylvester’s policies… and her own relationships with the women in her life.

With the Glee Club assignment at hand, the Sparks Boys and Yael have been given the opportunity to step out of their comfort zones and, in a way, flex their creative muscles a little bit. This includes Cedric, who sits on his bed, brainstorming and taking notes. He’s got a pretty long list of potential song choices already, but nothing that fully strikes that chord in him, and with his phone charging on the bedside table, looking up new ideas to add to the list only becomes trickier.

So off he goes to the computer room, already hearing Leslie’s laughter loud and clear as he comes to the doorway, finding her typing up a storm in her Discord DMs. “Leslie, do you mind?” he asks, approaching her and tilting his head right beside hers.“I need to look up songs that I could do in Glee Club this week.”

Leslie’s eyes remain glued to the computer screen, but that doesn’t mean she didn’t listen. “Can’t you just do that on your phone?”

“My phone’s charging,” Cedric replies, bluntly, with a hint of firmness. “And your history homework isn’t going to do itself, so you might want to get it out of the way while you still can, okay?”

Leslie complies with a shrug, typing up one more message to the person she’s talking to before stepping away from the computer and letting Cedric take the wheel while she heads for the door—but as his eyes briefly scan the messages being exchanged on the DMs, exchanged between Leslie and an user called ‘Kari’, he grows puzzled at the, to say the least, unusual topics being brought up. “Um… I don’t wanna be inconvenient, but who are you talking to there?”

His question has Leslie stopping in her tracks and turning back to him, before joining him in front of the computer. “Just a friend from Roblox, nothing much.”

Cedric briefly glances at her, before turning back to her DMs, scrolling up to the earlier messages to have a better understanding of the conversation. “Don’t you find it a little bit odd that this friend of yours is asking for pictures of your feet?”

Leslie shakes her head, leaning down to rest her chin on Cedric’s shoulder. “I don’t see what’s the problem!” she states, “I’ve been thinking of asking mom for a mani-pedi when my birthday rolls around! Since she goes out for one every week, I’d love to see what it’s like, and of course, I need some inspiration for that.”

“But… Why would you be sending foot pictures?”

Now that Cedric says it, Leslie does find it a bit odd, but doesn’t make much of it. “Well, actually, I haven’t sent anything in yet, but as soon as I find the time, I’ll—”

“Leslie, I’m being serious here,” warns Cedric, “You could easily be talking to a grown man on the other side of the country, looking to trick little girls on the internet into giving him easy wank material. Do you even know if that account is trustworthy?”

A pit of dread forms in Leslie’s stomach. She’s heard stories like those, but she’s only had internet access for a few years now, so the true likelihood of it happening to her never really crossed her mind, especially now that she’s been so caught up in staying in touch to her new friend. “I know she likes everything I like, she’s sent me pictures of her...”

Cedric turns his attention back to the DMs, and the user apparently known as Kari. The profile picture is that of a blonde preteen, which would theoretically match the name. But a right-click of the mouse and a reverse image search reveal that the picture belongs to a person with an entirely different name, not a celebrity but clearly active on Instagram, considering her account is the first one that comes up. “Leslie, that’s a catfish. Block them. right now.”

Leslie steps back, her eyes wide with disbelief. “N-No, I can’t, I told her BRB, I can’t leave her hanging like that—”

“Have you forgotten we’re not supposed to be talking to strangers on the internet willy-nilly like that?!”

Cedric’s raised tone is met with Leslie stomping her foot and answering him in the same manner. The evidence is there, but she doesn’t want to believe it. “Oh, so all of a sudden I can’t talk to any of my online friends anymore?!”

“This is different!” shouts an increasingly frustrated Cedric, getting up and stepping forward, looking Leslie dead in the eye. “Whoever this person is, they clearly have second intentions going on!”

“You’ve never even exchanged a word with her!”

“Because I don’t need to! Do you know how much of a creep they have to be to pretend to be someone they’re not just to talk children into fulfilling their sick fetishes?!”

“I’m not a child anymore, I just got my period! I’m old enough to not let you boss me around!”

Cedric dry-gulps, doing his best not to lose his temper in front of her. He knows this is gonna hurt her, but there isn’t much he can do. “I’m not bossing you around, I’m just trying to protect you!” he reassures her, placing his hands on her shoulders. “And in times like these… It’s best to nip it in the bud before it goes too far.”

He turns his attention to the computer, sitting back down in front of it and clicking on the username, leaving Leslie with bated breath as she watches the cursor hover over the block button. “No, no, no, Cedric, NO—!!”

He doesn’t even bother listening. In a matter of seconds, ‘Kari’ has been blocked, and their conversations with Leslie, scrubbed from the latter’s account. A slight tremble begins to manifest through her body, her eyes growing misty, as Cedric turns to her with a deep breath, pointing an accusatory finger at her. “And don’t you even think about unblocking them. It’s for your own good.”

Leslie’s breathing grows hitched, her gaze trailing downwards in shock. “I… I…” she murmurs, bracing her churning stomach—and then, she gives him a fiery glare, hot enough to burn a man to a crisp if it could, overflowing with tears of rage.

“I DIDN'T THINK YOU COULD BE SUCH A JERK!!”

She jolts out of the room, her footsteps and sobs growing more and more distant as Cedric puts everything into perspective. It’s never his intention to be cruel, not in the slightest. He’s just trying to be a good big brother and keep Leslie safe from danger. But the knowledge that, in doing so, he just made her cry, during a Glee Club week where women are supposed to be celebrated rather than shamed, aches at his heart like a thousand blades, as if he’s done something far more heinous. He can’t afford to upchuck his dinner, but it doesn’t stop him from practically tasting the bile rising in his throat from how disgusted he is at himself.

Elsewhere, at the Medeiros household, Yasmin remains blissfully unaware of her boyfriend’s anguish, calmly humming to herself as she goes through her extensive nighttime skincare process. Everything is exactly where it should be: her bed is made, the room smells faintly of Cayenne cherry, and cicadas notwithstanding, her surroundings are otherwise completely quiet—that is, until Deborah opens the door to address her. “Minnie, dear… Sorry for interrupting, but there’s someone who wants to see you.”

Yasmin turns to her, intrigued, watching as Deborah pushes the door a little more open to let in the visitor in question. It’s none other than Sydney, looking strikingly different from how Yasmin had seen her at Sectionals, the stiff Warblers blazer and gelled-back hair swapped out for more flattering clothing and a wavier ‘do. “Sydney? What are you doing here?” asks Yasmin, stepping forward and taking her hands. “You look… surprisingly happy for someone whose school just burnt down.”

“So you’ve heard of the fire?”

Yasmin shrugs, realizing Sydney doesn’t seem to be paying mind to the fact that she’s got a facemask and hair curlers on. “What, you were expecting me not to?” she remarks, before gently squeezing Sydney’s hands. “Seriously, though, if you need anywhere else to turn to, we could very well arrange for you to transfer to McKinley. There’s always room in the Sparks for some reinforcements going into Regionals!”

Sydney nods, pulling back slightly. “Thank you, but I spoke to my parents and they’re sending me to Carmel,” she reveals, “I need a break from the whole show choir thing, it’s too much drama for my plate.”

Yasmin is, admittedly, a little disappointed, but the look in her eyes is one of comprehension—which quickly morphs into worry. “What about Gleb?” she asks, “What if he goes after you?”

“Not a chance. His folks sent him to a boarding school in Russia. He won’t be bothering anyone here in Lima for a long time.”

The newfound relief over these news has Yasmin’s lungs lightening through a deep sigh of gratitude, her hands jolting up to rest at her heart. Smiling warmly, Sydney steps forward, gazing into Yasmin’s eyes. “By the way… I came here to thank you. Seeing you clap back against Gleb the way you did at Sectionals gave me the courage I needed to purge myself of what was only weighing me down.”

Yasmin is noticeably flattered, but moreso stunned than anything. “You… really appreciated that?” she muses, her mind flashing back to the events of that night. “Thing is, he still forced me into a kiss. If you ask me, I should’ve fought back harder.”

“Any act of defiance can make a difference, no matter how small,” Sydney reassures her, the corners of her lips curling slyly. “In fact, you may have inspired me more than you realize…”

Yasmin doesn’t think much of it at first—but then, Sydney gives her a wink. It’s then that her words well and truly sink in, causing Yasmin’s eyes to practically bulge out of their sockets. An outlandish image forms in her head: a secluded corner at Dalton, a lit match, a mischievous laugh, and then, the whole place going down in flames, just as she had seen in the video shown by Izzy earlier that week. Whether that’s anything close to what actually happened, she can’t quite say for sure, but the apparent shrift is enough to catch her off-guard.

“Wait, did you—”

Sydney cuts her off with a sharp shush, placing a hand over her lips to keep the silence between them for as long as possible. “That’s between us, okay?”

Once the smoke left behind by the bombshell dropped upon her lap has cleared, Yasmin nods, spreading her arms open for Sydney to pull her in for a hug. Of course, she’s still happy that Sydney gets to have her freedom, but knowing how she got it in the first place leaves her genuinely unnerved; it never crossed her mind that Sydney was capable of something like that. But she’s well aware that desperate times require desperate measures, so she can’t really bring herself to fault her.

The brief reunion with Sydney is still on Yasmin’s mind the next day, tugging at her mind even as she goes on with her classes. For all she knows, that might’ve been the last time she’ll ever see her, and all that’s left for Yasmin to do is gently bite at the bottom end of her pencil, wondering where Sydney will be headed and what will become of her from here on out. It’s an itch she has to scratch, and with so many uncertainties and what-ifs in the air, the only way she can truly scratch it is taking it to the April Rhodes Civic Pavillion for her Glee Club assignment after class, standing alone, center stage, under the watch of her fellow Sparks.

♪ It starts as nothing, just a thought or a dream

Then one day, you're in the driver seat

The key is in the ignition

And no one gave you permission

It's only you in the car

And only you know how uncertain you are

How your heart is racing

Still, you reach for the moment

You'll finally say…

I'm the girl who drove away ♪

The song is more about Sydney than it is about Yasmin, and while neither the other kids nor Artie and Tina realize this, they still find themselves touched by the emotion in her voice, and how personal the lyrics sound coming from her. Nico smiles in support, leaning against Genesis’ shoulder and letting her wrap an arm around him, while Candice’s hand trails over her lap to wrap around Beverly’s, the two friends exchanging a lasting glance before turning their attention back to Yasmin. Tina, meanwhile, can’t help but get a little bit nostalgic, thinking back to what she managed to make for herself after graduating high school.

♪ Leave the fear and doubt behind

Choose the road less traveled

Not the memories too real

Not the guilt that left you paralyzed

Close your eyes, and everything's clearer

Your life's in the rearview mirror

If no one knows who you were

The line between the dream and you starts to blur

Standing at the crossroad

There's the girl who was written in your DNA

Or the girl who drove away ♪

Her gaze, contemplative and wistful, lingers onto the horizon, a little longer than it should, as the song ends, before she lets it drift down, taking in the applause from the rest of the Glee Club. Once she allows herself to come down from the emotion, Yasmin leaves the stage and takes her seat with the rest of the group, receiving a supportive wrist squeeze from Nico. “Great job, Yasmin,” Tina commends her, “Leave it to you to convey all that emotion so beautifully. Artie certainly wasn’t wrong when he said you were a powerhouse.”

Yasmin nods in gratitude, nestling herself into her seat—but she had been so focused on her song choice that it had taken her this long to notice something that should’ve been crucial. “Say, where’s Cedric? He’s been going around all day thinking about the heifer’s death or something, is he okay?”

“He had to be dismissed early,” Artie explains, “Family emergency… Something to do with his sister.”

Cue a frenzy of concerned buzz amidst the kids, all over again, this time strewn in speculation over what could’ve happened to Leslie to make Cedric leave so soon, without even attending the Glee Club meeting. Beverly, ever the cynic, already imagines this could be an excuse for him to get away with not coming up with a song choice, but her sentiment isn’t shared by the others, most of all Hugo, Yael, and Yasmin, who ponder among one another over whether something truly dreadful could be taking place…

Indeed, the Devine household is quiet, cast in an atmosphere of dread, as Randolph paces back and forth in the middle of the living room, while Verna holds Cedric close, soothing the guilt proliferating within him. He really didn’t want to have to miss Glee Club, but the sudden phone call informing him of Leslie’s disappearance left him far too on edge to give him a choice. Too distressed to even say a word, he thinks back to his actions the previous night, and how he brought this upon himself by being so hard on her.

Just then, the ring of the doorbell comes calling.

Randolph heads for the door, being met with one of the local police officers—and right beside her, Leslie, in a grey hoodie and her backpack slung over her back. “Leslie!” cries out Randolph, jolting down to pull her into a hug, breathing heavily as she buries her face into his shoulder.

Leslie nods into the fabric of Randolph’s shirt, watching as Verna and Cedric come up from behind him, Cedric staying behind hesitantly while Verna visibly relieved, turns to the police officer. “Where did you find her?”

“Headed for the airport,” the officer explains, “We had to talk her out of recklessly trying to book a flight across the country with no money.”

Slowly, Leslie allows herself to pull away from Randolph’s hug, and her gaze immediately finds that of Cedric. Cautiously, he steps forward, gently placing his hands upon Leslie’s shoulders and pulling her close for a hug of his own. “I’m sorry... I shouldn’t have raised my voice at you like that,” he murmurs, the guilt and shame weighing him down all over again. “You probably wouldn’t have run away if I hadn’t been so harsh.”

Leslie’s eyes grow misty as she clings to him for dear life, taking in the embrace for a few seconds before pulling away. “No, you were right,” she tells him, choking back a sob. “I didn’t listen to you, and I nearly threw my life away because of it. I… I’m so stupid...”

“Don’t you dare say anything like that, okay?” Cedric reminds her, “You’re not stupid. You are a light upon this world, you just have to be careful as to not let anyone snuff it out, especially not creepy strangers on the internet. You have so much growing to do... And I want to be there for you every step of the way.”

A smile of gratitude blossoms upon Leslie’s face, her eyes still sparkling with fresh tears, and she leans in to rest her face upon Cedric’s chest. Letting her eyes flutter close, she takes in the warmth of his strong arms enveloping her, Randolph and Verna’s following suit under the watch of the police officer on her way out. Shared by the entire family, an all-incompassing sense of relief over her safety, for only God knows what might’ve happened if Leslie hadn’t been so lucky as to avoid walking right into a catfish’s trap.

Friday comes without much hassle—at least, for anyone who’s not Artie Abrams or any of his close acquaintances—and as Beverly packs up her locker for the day, her ears catch the sound of footsteps coming from the ecstatic Moira running her way, with her notebooks in hand for the first batch of classes for the day. “Guess what??” she announces, “My mom called up the moms of the other lacrosse girls, and they all teamed up to convince Principal Sylvester to keep the team around permanently! Try-outs will be next Monday!”

Beverly is a little startled, but nonetheless happy for her, her shoulders softening as she comes down from Moira’s sudden arrival. “Oh, wow… That was easier than I expected,” she remarks, turning her attention back to her locker. “But I can see why. You kickstarted a whole new wave of the feminist movement around here. I know leadership when I see it, and you’ve got a knack for that.”

“Aw, thanks!” says Moira with a giggle, playfully tapping Beverly on the shoulder. “Didn’t think I’d hear that coming from you, actually. You know, given how you’re always so sullen and snarky…”

Beverly shrugs, taking out the notebooks she needs before closing her locker door. “I just like to see things for what they are,” she tells Moira, “I’m not really one to sugarcoat things like you do. Mind you, in theory, someone like you should piss me off, like Zara Larsson did when she went full Lisa Frank beach bimbo. But I actually admire you... You’re always unapologetically yourself, and you never let anyone change or get in the way of that. I could only dream of being in that same level of self-confidence.”

Moira’s expression turns slightly puzzled, her head tilting to the side at Beverly’s words. “You don’t like Midnight Sun?”

Beverly freezes, flushing slightly out of worry she may have struck a nerve. “I mean, it’s not a bad concept, but it’s not the Zara I grew up listening to, y’know?” she justifies, “I loved her because she was cool and edgy and nonchalant, like the kind of girl who’d cut you if you got too daring with her but could still peel back the layers if she could trust you. I wanted to be just like her when I grew up… and she threw it all away because of a silly TikTok trend. So I decided that if Zara could no longer be the tough city girl I looked up to, then I’d just have to be her myself.”

She steps back, averting her gaze so her honesty doesn’t come across the wrong way—thankfully for her, Moira doesn’t think much of it. “Well, people change all the time. You can’t really hold it against her if she found the style that worked for her.”

“I guarantee you that style does not work for her,” Beverly answers hushedly, her gaze slowly turning back to Moira. “She carries herself with too much poise for that. All those bright colors and beachy motifs would work much better on... someone like you. You’re all cheerful and bubbly and open to anyone, always dressed in bright colors, and…”

Looking Moira in the eye, though, is easier said than done. Beverly can’t quite explain it, but when their eyes meet, she somehow finds herself dazed, at a loss for breath. Her foot slides back, almost as if it’s about to come off the floor, and the previously steady pace of her heart begins to increase.

“And you’ve got a smile that could light up all of Ohio...”

There’s an unusual shift in the atmosphere between them. The tangled Rat King of thoughts in Beverly’s head creates legs, speeding up past the noise of the students around them—and Moira can definitely tell there’s something odd about her.“You okay?”

“Yeah, I mean… Uh… I-I gotta go!”

And go, she does, running as fast as her legs can take her, until Moira is out of sight and out of mind for the time being. Once she’s able to catch her breath, she’s confounded by the sudden, overwhelming rush of feelings that had just taken over her. Of course, girls like her are expected to experience that towards boys, but not once did any boy in her life make her go weak like that. Not even the football players, whom so many of the girls in the student body swoon over. What’s so different about Moira that makes her give so much pause?

Perhaps…

No, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to hold a conversation with Candice either. It can’t be that, right? Right?

At least she’s got the rest of the day to shake that thought off her mind.

When Glee Club meeting comes around, Artie, Tina, and the Sparks are in for quite the surprise, as Cedric has already made it to the choir room before them—and sitting right next to him is none other than Leslie, in a much better mood compared to earlier that week. “Well, look who we have here!” Artie greets, rolling closer to Leslie and caressing her cheek. “Hope you didn’t give Cedric too much trouble last night, little lady!”

Leslie giggles, taking in the gesture from Artie while leaning into Cedric’s embrace. “She was missing for a while, but thankfully nothing serious happened to her,” Cedric explains, patting her head and standing up so the others can take their seats. “I figured since we’re honoring the women in our lives, it’s only fair that I get to dedicate my assignment to her.”

He makes his way to the side of the choir room and grabs a bar stool, placing it at the center of the room and sitting on it with a deep, contemplative breath. “We have both learned valuable lessons this week, and we’ve done a fair amount of growing from them,” he states, the warmth emanating from his voice like that of a fireplace at Christmas, as his gaze turns directly to Leslie’s. “This should come as a reminder to never forget the people who truly care for you, even in times of friction. This song’s for you, Leslie.”

He turns to the band, signaling for them to start playing an acoustic rendition of his chosen tune, one which both Moira and Beverly are quick to recognize, most of all Beverly, who can’t help but smile softly.

♪ Now, I don't need the time to make up my mind

That's on my love, that's on my love, yeah

Hear my pain, can you hear my prayer?

Take my breath, can you take me there?