Los Angeles. Home of the stars.
That was where the New Directions bus was heading now.
Mr. Schue said that he would tell them the setlist once all the seating arrangements were settled, and they were off. 2,243.5 miles to go.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The long bus ride to Los Angeles was dreadful to both the kids and the chaperones—along with Mr. Schue, Emma, Quinn, and Mercedes all took time out of their schedules to help the New Directions—not to mention all the pit stops that needed to be taken. After 3 days on the bus, they had finally made it. And what happened on their way to the hotel was pretty interesting...
Melissa kept texting her sister, Anna, back and forth to keep herself entertained. While waiting for her to respond, she turned on her iPod and put it on shuffle. Kitty was right next to her, and she could hear the song that was playing from her headphones.
Now, this is a story all about how
My life got flipped-turned upside down
And I'd like to take a minute
Just sit right there
I'll tell you how I became the prince of a town called Bel Air
"Hey," Kitty said, tapping on her shoulder. "Can I listen?"
Melissa nodded and handed her an earbud. Soon enough, Kitty started rapping along with the track.
Kitty:
In west Philadelphia born and raised
On the playground was where I spent most of my days
Jake, who was sitting behind the two of them, got up and rapped with Kitty.
Jake and Kitty:
Chillin' out maxin' relaxin' all cool
And all shootin some b-ball outside of the school
Ryder then joined Jake, standing up as well. Kitty stopped to listen to them.
Jake (with Ryder):
When a couple of guys (who were up to no good
Started making trouble in my neighborhood)
Ryder:
I got in one little fight and my mom got scared
She said,
Ryder pointed at Marley, who said the next part.
Marley:
"You're movin' with your auntie and uncle in Bel Air"
Dylan started beatboxing, and Samantha joined the guys in the rap.
Jake, Ryder, and Samantha:
I begged and pleaded with her day after day
But she packed my suitcase and sent me on my way
She gave me a kiss and then she gave me my ticket.
I put my Walkman on and said, "I might as well kick it."
First class, yo this is bad
Drinking orange juice out of a champagne glass.
Is this what the people of Bel-Air living like?
Hmmmmm, this might be alright.
But wait I hear they're prissy, bourgeois, all that
Is this the type of place that they just send this cool cat?
I don't think so
I'll see when I get there
I hope they're prepared for the prince of Bel-Air
The rest of the New Directions, along with Quinn and Mercedes, broke out into an acapella version of the song, making Melissa pause her music and join in. Ryder and Jake let Sam take on a solo rap after hearing how good she is.
Samantha:
Well, the plane landed and when I came out
There was a dude who looked like a cop standing there with my name out
I ain't trying to get arrested yet
I just got here
I sprang with the quickness like lightning, disappeared
Artie joined Sam in the rap, doing some weird coordinated moves or something.
Artie and Samantha:
I whistled for a cab and when it came near
The licence said fresh and it had dice in the mirror
Samantha:
If anything I could say that this cab was rare
Artie:
But I thought, "Nah, forget it'"—
Both:
"Yo, homes to Bel Air!"
Jake and Ryder eventually joined them again, and by then the whole bus was filled with music.
Artie, Samantha, Jake, and Ryder:
I pulled up to the house about 7 or 8
And I yelled to the cabbie 'Yo homes smell ya later'
I looked at my kingdom
I was finally there
To sit on my throne
New Directions:
As the Prince of Bel Air!
Mr. and Mrs. Schue were watching the kids the entire time, and cheered as they sat down and talked the rest of the way.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Alright," Mr. Schue said once everyone was off the bus and fitted in one of the hotel rooms they have. "So, I decided to do guys in one room and girls in another again. Quinn and Mercedes will have their own room, as will I and Emma."
"Great," Melissa said. "Now WHAT'S THE SETLIST?"
"You don't need to shout," Mercedes responded. "Calm down."
"Actually, I was getting to that," Mr. Schue spoke. "There are two days of Nationals this year: the normal competition and the Final 3."
"So, kind of like the X Factor?" Tina asked.
"Sort of. Anyways, I prepared two setlists, in case we get in the Final 3."
"So, who's on what setlist?" Ryder then asked.
"Well, before I say anything, I want to thank everyone who auditioned for a solo. Now for the setlist." Mr. Schue pulled out a paper. "For the first night, Tina will be singing Think of Me from Phantom, then Blaine will sing I Believe in You from How To Succeed, and Ryder will sing One Song Glory from RENT."
"Three solos, Mr. Schue?" Quinn asked.
"Yes."
She was about to question it, but then thought, never mind.
"And for the final night..." He grabbed a second piece of paper. "Melissa will sing The Wizard and I from Wicked, then Marley and Ryder will sing Hey #3 from Next to Normal."
"What about the group numbers?" Artie asked.
"That I need your help with. I have three choices in mind."
"And they are?" Samantha asked.
"Seasons of Love from RENT, Light from Next to Normal, and You Can't Stop the Beat from Hairspray."
"You Can't Stop the Beat, Mr. Schue?" she then questioned. "Really?"
"It's a good choice," he argued.
"And it's sort of an obvious choice." Samantha then got up. "I actually have a song in mind for our group number. It's also from Hairspray, but it mostly features the guys."
"Let's hear it," Mercedes said.
She smiled and started singing.
Samantha:
I'm tired of coverin' up all my pride
I've got a new way of movin'
And I got my own voice
The people 'round here
Can barely pay their rent
They're "try'n to make dollar
Out 'a fifteen cent
Mercedes instantly joined the sophomore, making the New Directions excited.
Samantha and Mercedes:
But we got a spirit
Money just cant buy
It's deep as a river
It soars to the sky!!
They cheered as Mr. Schue nodded and said, "Looks like we found our first group number."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ryder was the first of the guys to wake up the next morning. When he was ready, he decided to explore the city of Los Angeles for a bit. Obviously, he couldn't exactly do it alone, so he asked Quinn to join him, since she was the only other one up at the time.
As the two explored, Ryder noticed someone playing on the streets.
Ryan:
First time I saw you
I was kinda taken by surprise
You were, sun kissed, so full of bliss
You really had me mesmerized
And now it's something about the way
You do where you knock me off my feet
I'm lost inside of you
And I don't think I can leave
A crowd was starting to form around the guy, so he and Quinn decided to check it out.
You already had me at "hello"
I said 'Hey L.A.'
It's really really nice to meet ya,
If it's okay I think I'll stay
Cause I just want to have some fun
Top down just chilling on the west side
Hands up get ready for a good time
'Hey L.A.'
It's really really nice to meet ya
Quinn, knowing the song well enough, harmonized with him.
Ryan (with Quinn):
Will somebody pinch me now
Cause it kinda feels like a dream
I got (shades on my head, my feet in the sand
Ain't worried 'bout a thing)
The guy noticed, looking at Quinn and smiling.
When the sun goes down
And the lights come on
You (got me feeling just like a star)
And no matter where I go
(You'll always have my heart)
You already had me at "hello"...
Everyone, minus Ryder, eventually sang along.
All:
I said "Hey L.A."
It's really really nice to meet ya,
If it's okay I think I'll stay
Cause I just want to have some fun
"Who is this?" he asked Quinn.
"Ryan Beatty," she replied.
Top down just chilling on the west side
Hands up get ready for a good time
'Hey L.A.'
It's really really nice to meet ya
"He's on YouTube."
Now if you can make it here
You can make it anywhere
And it's not always easy
But there's no place that I'd rather be
All (minus Ryan):
I said "Hey L.A."
It's really really nice to meet ya,
(If it's okay I think I'll stay
Cause I just want to have some fun)
Top down just chilling on the west side
Hands up get ready for a good time
'Hey L.A.'
It's really really nice to meet ya
Ryan (Crowd):
L.A.
It's really really nice to meet ya
(Na na na na na)
Cause I just wanna have some fun, yeah
All:
Top down just chilling on the west side
Hands up get ready for a good time
'Hey L.A.'
It's really really nice to meet ya
"Thank you!" he said as the crowd cheered.
"Wow, he's good," Ryder said to Quinn. She nodded in agreement as they walked away from the crowd. "Does he have any CDs or anything?"
"I think he has an EP out already," she replied.
"Really? Wow."
"But enough about him," Quinn interrupted. "How are you and Marley?"
"How do you know about us?"
"Let's just say, when you're single and bored in Yale, you tend to check Facebook a lot. And Instagram." She chuckled. "So, how are you guys?"
"Fine," he said slowly.
"Are you planning something for while you guys are here?"
"I don't know. I might take her to dinner."
"Well," Quinn spoke, "I made reservations at this really great restaurant down the street from the hotel, but I could give them to you."
"Really?" Ryder asked. She nodded. "When are they?"
"Thirty minutes after the first Nationals night. Luckily we're pretty close to the theater that it's being held."
"Sweet."
The two then kept talking and went on the Walk of Fame, taking pictures of random stars.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, Melissa, having disappeared from the hotel moments after everyone else got up, walked to where Nationals was going to be held: the Pantages Theater. She tried just walking in, but none of the choirs were allowed in the building for two more days. So, she found a way to sneak in.
Next thing you know, she's walking backstage, where all of the choirs were going to stay if they were about to come up on stage. The rooms were pretty basic: painted white, with mirrors surrounded by lights, a whole makeup kit, and free food.
She then walked to the side of the stage and watched everyone set up for Friday. Suddenly, she was starstruck by all the stars she saw: Samantha Barks, Sutton Foster, Megan Hilty...This is theatre heaven, she thought. The only thing that's missing is Aaron Tveit and Norbert Leo Butz.
She then watched as Megan went up to the mic.
Megan:
When you are born with sex appeal
In a forest called Hollywood
You'll find more wolves at your back door
Than that Little Red Riding Hood
Now she and her little old grandma
Could have learned from the men I've dated
That a wolf can be quite a devotee
Megan and Sutton:
Once he's domesticated!
She found herself grinning like an idiot as she watched the big performance.
Megan:
Here's a lesson they should teach in school
When a girl gets curvy, and the boys all drool
If math and science just ain't your style
Just give that teacher a wink and a smile
For a passing grade, you won't have to wait
And you can thank him later when you graduate
Megan (Company):
'Cause I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl
(Howwwl!)
No, I never met a man who wasn't on the prowl
(Shimmy, shimmy, oh, gimme, gimme!)
If a nice diploma you wanna get
Well, then, make that teacher the student's pet
Yeah, I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
You never know where a wolf might crouch
But his natural habitat's the casting couch
So take lots of pictures of the wildlife
To tell the wolf you could share with his wife
The hunter gets captured by the game
Then Leo The Lion will be roaring your name
Yeah, I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
(Howwwl!)
No, I never met a man who wasn't on the prowl
(Shimmy, shimmy, oh, gimme, gimme!)
If your face and figure are whistle bait
Honey, you'll have the keys to the studio gate
Yeah, I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
(The three little piggies sure had it wrong
When the wolf came-a-knockin' in that old song)
If he's huffin' and puffin' sayin' "Marilyn, I gotcha!"
I say "Come on in" and I put on Sinatra!
All:
Oh, Frankie!
"She truly is amazing."
Melissa jumped as she turned to look behind, nearly screaming.
"Who the hell are you?" she asked.
Megan:
A wealthy wolf likes to buy his toys
But he really is just one of the boys
"Aaron," he replied. "Aaron Elder."
"Okay...what are you doing here, 'Aaron Elder'?"
If you've got something for which he's cravin'
It sure is good that he's been savin'
"Same reason you are: to watch a couple of amazingly talented people do their thing." He turned her back around so that she was watching the performance. "You're not from here, are you?"
Be a fan, give his cheek a peck
But get his autograph on a cashier's check
All (Company):
Yeah, I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
(Howwwl!)
"I used to live in London until about two years ago."
"Really?"
No, I never met a man who wasn't on the prowl
(Shimmy, shimmy, oh, gimme, gimme!)
"My parents realized that I was learning nothing over there, so they moved me to Lima."
Megan:
Even if that wolf's just a grey old goat
He still will make a nice fur coat
"Unfortunately, it's resulted in me having no friends at all."
"Why?" Aaron asked.
"I'll tell you later," Melissa replied. "Now shush."
All:
Yeah, I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
Megan:
Go, baby, go!
Aaron Tveit then came out, playing the electric guitar. Megan noticed that there were people on the side, watching, but she let them watch and kept practicing.
Melissa and the other Aaron, on the other hand, started singing along from the back.
All (Company):
Yeah, I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
(Howwwl!)
No, I never met a man who wasn't on the prowl
(Shimmy, shimmy, oh, gimme, gimme!)
Melissa:
This wolf looks like he's ready to dine!
Aaron:
Tell me, where can I sign on the dotted line?
All:
Yeah, I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
Megan:
Oh, yeah!
"Great rehearsal," Tveit spoke.
"I think we're ready for Friday," Megan added.
"But we're still practicing," Sutton Foster asked, "right?"
"Of course, Sutton." She then yelled to the dancers, "That's a wrap!"
"Should we..." Melissa asked as everyone was cleaning up.
Aaron simply gestured to the exit. "After you, Brit."
"Brit?" she asked as they walked out.
"Well, I never got your name."
"You'll find out soon enough," Melissa teased, "but I like the nickname."
Once the two were outside, they ended up walking back to the hotel.
"So," Melissa asked, "where do you go to school?"
"Bishop Amat," Aaron replied.
"Where is that?"
"West Covina. And you?"
"McKinley High."
"Oh," he noted. "You guys are the group with the infamous kiss."
"What kiss?" she asked, confused.
"They didn't tell you?" She shook her head. "Never mind then."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once they got to the hotel, Melissa saw Ryder and Quinn on the couches, talking. She didn't want to risk getting caught talking to the enemy (even though she did enjoy talking to Aaron), so she quickly walked to the elevator.
Aaron, confused, caught up to her and asked, "What's the rush, Brit?"
"I can't be seen talking to you," she replied.
"Why not?"
"They may have not told me about the kiss, but they told me about the time when Rachel Berry decided to "sleep" with the enemy." She put up quotes around "sleep" because she knows that Rachel never really slept with Jesse.
"What about the two gay guys?" he asked.
"Kurt was at Dalton when he and Blaine started dating, and Blaine transferred to Lima so they could be together. They don't count." Melissa was looking back and forth from Aaron to Ryder and Quinn, who were still lost in their own conversation. She was so focused on not getting caught, she didn't realize that Aaron put something in her pocket and opened the elevator doors.
"Call me," he whispered in her ear before stepping in.
"We'll see," she replied.
Once he was out of the picture, she felt something in her pocket. She took it out and unfolded a paper, which had his number. She quickly put it back in her pocket and walked up to the two, sitting on the couch.
"Hey guys," she spoke.
"Oh, hey Melissa," Ryder replied. "How was your day?"
"Alright."
"Did you do anything interesting?" Quinn then asked.
Well, I snuck in to Pantages, watched Megan Hilty do her thing, and talked with this sorta cute guy from one of the other competing groups. He may or may not have given me his number. "No, not really."
~~***~~
Song(s) Used:
Fresh Prince of Bel Air Theme Song (Long Version) - Will Smith
Run and Tell That - from Hairspray (Partial)
Hey LA - Ryan Beatty
~Photo of Ryan/video for an acoustic version of "Hey LA" on the side :) I FREAKING LOVE THIS DUDE. HE IS SO TALENTED.
I Never Met A Wolf Who Didn't Love to Howl (from SMASH) - Megan Hilty
The bus part was my favorite thing to write. I had pictured it in my head already, so I HAD to write it in. Plus, Will Smith is freaking AWESOME.
And yes, that WAS Ryan Beatty making a cameo. Hehe :)
So...this chapter is sorta random. It's basically some of the guys' experiences in LA. (BTW: the guy Melissa meets is a real person. Aaron's actually a sophomore who goes to my school...XP Now I REALLY hope no one from my school finds this) Sorry if it's rushed :/
Next chapter is the actual competition, and there are HOSTS this year. :D
~Rosie :)
~~***~~