Graceland (A GLEE Fanfiction)

Musicals (Part 3)

Gabe walked around McKinley after practice, examining the building. On the way, he found the auditorium. He walked in, taking a look around. Not a bad place, he thought. He then heard singing coming from the stage, and he looked over to see Ryder, who he had met at the funeral. The boy was singing Dancing Through Life from WICKED while attempting to do the dance. He laughed at the failed attempt, which caused Ryder to stop singing and look at him.

"Why'd you stop?" Gabe asked, walking closer to the stage.

"Why are you in here?" Ryder hesitantly answered.

"Oh, come on! I know you used to be in glee club. Why are you so shy now?"

Ryder stayed silent as Gabe jumped onto the stage.

"Ryder, right?" Gabe asked. Ryder simply nodded. "Well, from what I just heard, your singing is really good. It's the song choice that wasn't exactly great."

"Why? What's wrong with WICKED?"

"There's nothing wrong with it, it's just that I think I know of a musical that would better fit your voice." He pulled out a music score and gave it to Ryder.

"Next to Normal?" Ryder questioned.

"Trust me, it's perfect."

"For some reason, I'm trusting you."

"You should." Gabe walked over to the band and told them the song. Then he walked back over to Ryder. "I have a feeling that you'll be seeing me more often." He then cued the band. "Hit it!"

Walking circles around the boy, he began to sing. "I am what you want me to be, and I'm you're worst fear. You'll find it in me. Come closer..." He stopped when he noticed Ryder struggling to read the music. "I know you know this song," he said, recalling that his dad called him once saying that Ryder had played I'm Alive one too many times in the household.

Ryder looked hesitant at first, but then he sang. "I am more than memory, I am what might be, I am mystery. You know me."

"So show me," Gabe joined in, thus making the solo a duet.

As the song progressed, he noticed Ryder becoming more and more confident in his voice.

"What the hell are those for?" Ryder asked.

"Dude," Gabe responded, swinging on one of the poles. "Have you even seen Next to Normal?" Ryder was about to answer, but Gabe quickly stated, "Don't answer that." He then got on the other pole and sang.

Soon enough, they were both running around the stage and swinging on the poles while singing the song.

Once they both caught their breath, Ryder yelled, "That was awesome!"

"See?" Gabe responded. "Told you that's a better song."

"It is, but how the hell did they perform this in the musical?"

"Ask Aaron Tveit."

"Who?"

"Never mind." Gabe grabbed his bag and the music score and walked off the stage.

"You know," Ryder pointed out as Gabe was leaving, "you look like someone I should know."

"Trust me," Gabe replied, walking backwards so he could face Ryder. "You'll find out who I am soon enough." He turned so he could walk properly and stepped out of the auditorium.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Alright, who's going first today?" Mr. Schue asked at the next practice. Kitty's hand shot straight up. "Kitty," Mr. Schue called.