Chapter thirty five
"Originals."
Sitting in the choir room, Mr Schuester had walked in "guys, I have some bad news. You know how we decided on sing by my chemical romance for regionals? Well, I hold in my hand a cease and desist letter from the band. We can't do it." he shared as Puck scoffed "it was the perfect anthem." he told them "how much do you wanna bet that Coach Sylvester had something to do with this?" Mercedes asked "one step ahead of you." Mr Shcuester told her "so, what are we gonna do now?" Mercedes asked "I think we should write original songs for regionals." Rachel shared.
"All those in favor of voting Rachel down a second time?" Santana asked as everyone raised their hands except for Caroline and Quinn "no, I think Rachel's right. This team works best when we push ourselves and do something a little different." Quinn shared "that's true, but if all the other team are doing amazing songs, we're not gonna be so good." Mercedes shared "you're right. We're not gonna be as good. We're gonna be better. We won't be using other peoples words or music. It'll be our own heart, soul, not just our voices. We have two really talented song writers in our midst. Rachel, I was thinking maybe you and I could write a song together." Quinn. shared.
"I'm not totally against the idea either, word on the street is the judges are looking for something new and different. And doing original songs would be the best way to do that." Caroline shared "I'm with Quinn, Rachel and Caroline. I mean, if these three could agree on something, it's probably an idea worth considering." Finn shared "wait, wait. So suddenly you three are writing the music for regionals? No way. Everyone should get a chance to write a song." Santana shared "Santana's right. We can do this." Sam told them, although when he did he turned and looked at Caroline "what do you think, Mr Schue?" Mercedes asked "I think were doing original songs for regionals." Mr Schuester told them, as everyone got excited over the idea.
Although that idea quickly went down hill cause as Caroline was sitting in the auditorium the next day, she was coming up empty minded as she huffed and slammed her head down on the piano, banging her hands against the keys, cause for some reason none of the past songs in her book she thought were good enough for regionals and the one's that were just ideas with titles and certain weirds were written yet none of them were giving her motivation to make her right another song, sitting her head up, she put her hands to the keys and started to play the keys to a song that she knew, as she sang.
"Mmm. ooh
I've always been the kind of girl that hid my face
So afraid to tell the world what I've got to say
But I have this dream, bright inside of me
I'm gonna let it show, it's time to let you know
To let you know
This is real, this is me
I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be now
Gonna let the light shine on me
Now I've found who I am
There's no way to hold it in
No more hiding who I wanna be
This is me
Find out, where I'm supposed to be
Find out, who I am
Find out, where I'm supposed to be."
And what she didn't notice was that Mr Schuester was coming to find her to check on how it was going, as he found her there singing just like he had the first day he met her as he stopped, watching her.
"Do you know what it's like to feel so in the dark?
To dream about a life where you're the shining star?
Even though it seems like it's too far away
I have to believe in myself, it's the only way
This is real, this is me
I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be now
Gonna let the light shine on me
Now I've found who I am
There's no way to hold it in
No more hiding who I wanna be
This is me
Find out, where I'm supposed to be
Find out, who I am
Find out, where I'm supposed to be
This is me (Find out, where I'm supposed to be), Oh
(Find out, who I am)
(Find out, where I'm supposed to be)
This is me
Oh, oh
Yeah
This is me, yeah
Yeah
Mmm
This is me."
She then finished the song and when she did, she heard clapping as she looked up and saw Mr Schuester standing there "I know, it's not an original song but I just..I got caught in a slump. And it's the first song that came to my head." she told him "it's a process, I mean we had some really interesting one's in the choir room. You should've heard them, Santana's was called trouty mouth and Pucks was called big ass heart." Mr Schuester told her, making Caroline chuckle "god, Sam must've hated it." she told him "he did." Mr Schuester told her, laughing as he then noticed Caroline's songbook on the piano "may I?" he asked her as Caroline nodded "yeah." she told him, as Mr Schuester took it and began flipping through it, looking at all the finished the songs, he soon stopped on a page, as he raised his brows "this one." he told her.
Keeping the page open as he slid the book over to her, Caroline looked at it and chuckled "but Mr Schue that one's not even finished yet, it's barely even a song it's only a title." she told him "exactly. That's the point, the greatest songs are about hurt and the other one's in there might be sad and slow but I feel like that one you could make into a song that everyone could relate to especially with a title like jealousy. Everyone get's jealous and with everything you've been through these past years in this school alone, I'm sure you have enough to make it a good one." Mr Schuester told her, stepping back and turning around, walking out, leaving here there, and as he did, Caroline smiled "jealousy, jealousy." she told herself, grabbing her pen and writing jealousy again for the title, naming it, jealousy, jealousy.
This years regionals the girls were wearing light blue dresses with black leggings while the guys were wearing all black, Mr Schuester opened the door to the auditorium as they all began to walk in to find their spots "and now from west vale high school aural intensity." the announcer said as they walked down the walkway, the audience cheered as the aural intensity began singing.
"Jesus is a friend of mine
Jesus is my friend
Jesus Is a friend of mine
I'm a friend of Jesus
Jesus is a friend of mine
Jesus is my friend
Jesus is a friend of mine
ooh, ooh
he taught me how to live
my life as it should be
he taught me how to turn my cheek
when people laugh at me
I've had friends before
and I can tell you that
he's one who will never leave you flat
hallelujah."
They sang and as Caroline looked to her right she saw moving his head to the song "are you seriously enjoying this song?" she asked him as Sam looked to her "have you been watching me the whole time?" he asked her "no. But Sue having made them sing this song, I'm now kind of creeped out." Caroline shared "yeah, it is unsettling." Sam told her as the crowd cheered very loud, Caroline and the others clapped their hands.
"And now from Westerville, Ohio, the Dalton Academy warblers." the announcer shared as everyone clapped again, the curtain came up revealing them all as they began to vocalize, Kurt then stepped forward and started singing.
"The power lines went out
And I am all alone
But I don't really care, at all
Not answering my phone
Blaine then stepped forward as he started singing, as he walked over to Kurt.
"All the games you played
The promises you made
Couldn't finish what you started
Only darkness still remains."
Then two started singing together, as Caroline smiled, glad Kurt finally got his duet and solo all in one.
"Lost sight
Couldn't see
When it was you and me
Blow the candles out
Looks like a solo tonight
I'm beginning to see the light
Blow the candles out
Looks like a solo tonight
But I think I'll be alright
One day
You will wake up
With nothing but, Your sorry's"
Then Blaine sang
"and someday
you will get back."
The two then sang.
"everything you gave me
Blow the candles out
Looks like a solo tonight
I'm beginning to see the light
Blow the candles out (The candles out)
Looks like a solo (Solo tonight) tonight
But I think I'll be alright."
Then the song was over as the crowd started cheering, Caroline and Rachel along with the other new directions stood up calling as Blaine made sure Kurt got the fame as well, then the song got more up beat as Blaine started singing with the warblers as backup vocals.
"Right right, turn off the lights
We gonna lose our minds tonight
(What's the dealio?)
I love when it's all too much
5 AM turn the radio up
(Where's the rock and roll?)
Party crasher, panty snatcha'
Call me up if you are gangsta'
Don't be fancy
Just get dancy
Why so serious?"
Then Caroline stood up throwing her fist in the air as Rachel stood up as well, jumping up and down.
"So raise your glass if you are wrong
In all the right ways
All my underdogs, we will never be, never be
Anything but loud
And nitty gritty dirty little freaks
Won't you come on, and come on, and
Raise your glass!
Just come on and come and
Raise your glass!
So if you're too school for cool
And you're treated like a fool."
The warblers then sang.
"Like a fool."
Blaine then sang.
"You could choose to let it go."
The warblers then sang.
"Let it go."
Blaine then sang.
"We can always, we can always
Party on our own..."
Then him and the warblers began singing as everyone in the audience along with all of the new directions were standing up, cheering and dancing along.
"So raise your
So raise your glass (glass) if you are wrong
In all the right ways
All my underdogs, we will never be, never be
Anything but loud
And nitty gritty dirty little freaks
(So raise your) So raise your glass if you are wrong
In all the right ways
All my underdogs, (oh we we) we will never be never be!
Anything but loud
And nitty gritty dirty little freaks
(Won't you come on! and come on! and)
Raise your glass!
(Just come on and come on and)
Raise your glass!
(Won't you come on! and come on! and)
Raise your glass!
(For me)
Just come on and come on and
Raise your glass!
For me."
Then they finished as everyone began clapping and cheering.
The new directions then had headed backstage to get ready for their performance as Caroline was pacing, Finn came up behind her and huffed "what are you doing? You're gonna be amazing out there." he told her, putting his hands on her shoulders and stopping her from pacing "you don't even know what the song sounds like." Caroline told him "I don't. But I know you. And Mr Schuester wouldn't be sending you out there if he didn't think you could do it. And you can, we all believe in you." Finn told her, as Caroline looked behind him, seeing Quinn "and now, from William McKinley high in Lima, Ohio, the New Directions." the announcer said, as Caroline turned around and walked out onto the stage.
And as she did, the curtain had gone up as the spotlight shined down on her, she could hear the audience applauding as she made it up to the mic stand and put her hands on it and as the clapping died down, the guitar player came in playing the beginning to Caroline's song as she began singing, the rest of the band then came in.
"I kinda wanna throw my phone across the room
'Cause all I see are girls too good to be true
With paper-white teeth and perfect bodies
Wish I didn't careI know their beauty's not my lack
But it feels like that weight is on my back
And I can't let it goCo-comparison is killing me slowly
I think, I think too much
'Bout kids who don't know me
I'm so sick of myself
I'd rather be, rather be
Anyone, anyone else
My jealousy, jealousy
Started following me (he-he-he, he-he)
Started following me (he-he-he, he-he)"
Then she smirked, looking out into the audience as Kurt turned to Blaine "oh my god. They're doing original songs." he told him, as Caroline then began to sing the next verse.
"And I see everyone getting all the things I want
And I'm happy for them, but then again, I'm not
Just cool vintage clothes and vacation photos
I can't stand it, oh, God, I sound crazy
Their win is not my loss
I know it's true
But I can't help getting caught up in it allCo-co-comparison is killing me slowly
I think, I think too much
'Bout kids who don't know me
I'm so sick of myself
I'd rather be, rather be
Anyone, anyone else
My jealousy, jealousy (yeah)"
She then kicked the mic stand out and then kicked it back toward's her as she caught it and began singing again and when she did, the audience was cheering and standing up now, and when they did Mr Schuester cheered "yes!" he voiced as Finn smiled, Sam was standing behind watching her on stage as well "that's my little sister, whoo!" Kurt screamed from the audience, pointing at her.
"All your friends are so cool, you go out every night
In your daddy's nice car, yeah, you're living the life
Got a pretty face, a pretty boyfriend too
I wanna be you so bad, and I don't even know you
All I see is what I should be
Happier, prettier, jealousy, jealousy
All I see is what I should be
I'm losing it, all I get's, jealousy, jealousy."
Then she flipped her hair as she then brought the microphone back to her.
"Co-comparison is killing me slowly
I think, I think too much
'Bout kids who don't know me
And I'm so sick of myself
I'd rather be, rather be (oh, oh)
Anyone, anyone else (anybody else)
Jealousy, jealousyOh, I'm so sick of myself
I'd rather be, rather be (oh-oh)
Anyone, anyone else
Jealousy, jealousy
Started following me."
Then the crowd started cheering even louder at the end of it, as Caroline smiled, she grabbed the mic stand and turned handing it to the audio guy who came on stage, he took it and walked off as Caroline turned around and went to find her place with all the girls as the guys came out as well, where the band began playing the song that the new directions came up with, as their backs were all faced to the audience, Caroline turned around first and started singing.
"Yeah, you may think that I'm a zero (Huh)
(But) Hey, everyone you wanna be
Probably started off like me."
Then she headed down the steps between Mike and Sam as she sang.
"you may say that I'm a freak show."
As Santana then sang.
"I don't care."
Caroline then sang with the new directions as back up vocals.
"(But) Hey, give it just a little time
I bet you're gonna change your mind."
She then stood in between Santana and Britney as the three of them began going backwards as she sang.
"All of the dirt you've been throwing my way
It ain't so hard to take (That's right)."
Then all the girls came down to stand with them as the guys all group together on the left.
"'Cause (I know one day you'll be screaming my name)
And I'll just look away (That's right)"
Then they all began singing, as Kurt had thrown foam fingers out to all the warblers as he stood up holding one "whoo!" he screamed, cheering them on, they all then grouped together and started dancing.
"Just go ahead and hate on me and run your mouth
(So everyone can hear)
Hit me with the worst you've got and knock me down
(Baby, I don't care)
Keep it up and soon enough you'll figure out
You wanna be, you wanna be
A loser like me
A loser like me."
Then they all began heading up the steps and as Caroline passed Finn, he began singing.
"You push me up against the locker
and hey, all I do is shake it off
I'll get you back when I'm your boss
I'm not thinking about you haters
Because, hey, I can be a superstar
I'll see you when you wash my car."
They all then moved back down to the front forming a line as Caroline sang, standing in the front as she began backing up, the other new directions turned and began going back up the stairs.
"All of the dirt you've been throwing my way
It ain't so hard to take (That's right)
('Cause) I know one day you'll be screaming my name
And I'll just look away (That's right)"
She then was standing next to Artie, as they all began dancing around as they sang, the entire audience was standing up.
"Hit me with the worst you've got and knock me down
(Baby, I don't care)
Keep it up, and, soon enough, you'll figure out
You wanna be, you wanna be
A loser like me
Mercedes then sang.
"Yeah!"
They all continued singing as they headed down from the stairs to the front all standing together now.
"Go ahead, and hate on me and run your mouth
(So everyone can hear)
Hit me with the worst you've got and knock me down
{Baby, I don't care}
Keep it up, and, soon enough, you'll figure out (Oh)
You wanna (Be), you wanna be."
Mike then came back on with a slushee machine that had cups on it as they all grabbed one as it passed by.
"A loser like me (A loser like me)
A loser like me (A loser like me)
A loser like me."
And when the song was over, they all stepped forward and threw the confetti into the audience which was red like the slushees they would get thrown in their faces as the crowd cheered and clapped for them, they all had their arms around each other and smiles on their faces.
They all were then standing on the stage for the results as the warblers were all the way on the left while the new directions in the middle with Aural Intensity all the way on the right "and now to announce our winner Lieutenant Governor Stevens wife Carla Turlington Stevens." the announcer shared, as they clapped, the women walked out "my husband is verbally abusive and I have been drinking since noon." Mrs Stevens shared, and that's all she said for a good minute as Caroline felt herself stop breathing which Sam caught onto as he reached his hand out and grabbed her's, squeezing it "Im bored. Let's just see who won, huh?" Mrs Stevens asked as she opened the envelope "the new directions! And a member of the club, Caroline Hudson will also be getting an award for best original song! Congratulations, you're going to nationals!" Mrs Stevens shared.
As Caroline brought her hands to her mouth "what?" she asked as all of them screamed, the championship award along with one that was half that size was brought over where as Mr Schuester grabbed the winning trophy, Caroline grabbed her's and as she did, she was crying happy tears as Finn pulled her towards him, the two held the trophies in the air as everyone else cheered, although it all stopped as Sue walked up to Mrs Stevens and punched her in the face, knocking her out, as all they're faces turned to shock.
Sitting in the choir room, Mr Schuester walked in on the phone "I'll show you the video when you get him. Have fun at the sweat lodge. Namaste to you too. Okay, bye." he said as he hung up and turned to them all "Ms Holiday sends her best and can't wait to congratulate you all in person when she get's back from her meditation retreat. Now, we all know that winning regionals was a team effort and nationals isn't going to be any different. But..like in sports, every winning team has a player that rises above to help carry their teammates to victory the MVP." he told them, picking up a tiny trophy "and I would like to start a tradition of honoring that player after every one of our competitions. So, per a unanimous vote by all of you..our regionals MVP is..Ms Caroline Hudson." he told them.
As everyone clapped, Caroline's eyes went wide "come on up." Mr Schuester told her, as Caroline stood up and walked down "we know it's not as big as your other trophy but.." Mr Schuester told her as Caroline laughed "I love it just as much. Thank you." she told him as he hugged her, Caroline took it as he stepped back "wow. Am I like supposed to say a speech or something?" sh eased "speech!" Artie voiced "speech!" the others then yelled as Caroline nodded as Mr Schuester walked off and sat down, Caroline then took a deep breath "first of all, I may have been given the trophy for best original song but in my mind it's for all of us. Because the song you guys wrote was really good. I mean I wish someone had a camera to show us Sue's face during it." she told them all, making them laugh.
"And this trophy, no matter how tiny it is. Means the most to me because we've all been through a lot together, the good and the bad times where everyone in this room has either fought, cried or laughed together more times than any of us could count. And you guys believing in me, means a whole lot to me! More than you realize! Because sometimes I feel like I'm letting you guys down, yet you guys allowed me to go on that stage and sing. And all I ever wanted was for everyone else to tell me how special I am because the last person who said it really broke me cause he made me feel chosen and then didn't mean it. So all of this means a lot." she told them as tears fell down her face, she chuckled.
"I'm now crying, so I'm gonna stop talking and go sit down now." she told them, pointing to her seat but as she walked forward, all of them began making their way over to her and circled around her, bringing her into a group hug.