IT'S HERE! :D
Here's the sequel to 'Who Will I Be?', called 'Shake it Out'! This starts at Season 3, Episode one and I plan on doing the entire season :).
Enjoy!
Zac Efron as Charlie Bolton
The Purple Piano Project
---------------------------------------------------------Chapter One-----------------------------------------------------------
"Elizabeth, get up! It's your first day of senior year, you don't want to be late!"
All I could do was smile as I brushed out my hair. My mother wasn't used to me being up early on the first day of school, heck, I wasn't used to being up early. But, I guess after my amazing summer I was ready to see everyone again. My summer consisted of sleepovers with Kurt, Rachel, and Mercedes-all of us just lounging around and talking about our futures. I told them about my hope for Julliard, I always wanted to go to that school and I needed a kick ass scholarship to get there. Summer wasn't all about the future, it was also about the amazing present, and I celebrated that with Finn.
Whenever I wasn't home researching Julliard or hanging out with Kurt, I was with Finn. We did everything, we went to Six Flags, the park, and even just chilling at each other houses. As for the family, Joe has been busy getting ready for his own college career. He applied to about four schools, he already got three response...all of them yes, expect for one. But, the one he wanted hasn't come in yet, and that was the University of California, and that should be coming in later this week. We haven't talked at all during the summer, my first day of break, him and his buddies hit the road for a three month road trip.
I had to admit it was nice getting that break from him, I needed him out. As for Nick, he and Rachel have been inseparable. Even when Rachel and I had our sleepovers, she would always text Nick or think of ways to sneak away with him. It was nice to see them both finally happy.
I looked in the mirror one last time. I was wearing ripped jeans with a grey short sleeved top. On the sleeve-shoulder part, it was decked out in sliver sparkles. I finished it off with short black heels and a long sliver necklace. My usual short brown hair that was always down was now in a messy but organized bun. Just as I was putting the finishing touches on my lips, someone knocked on my door.
"Lizzie, you ready? We have to go!" Nick's voice came through my door.
I grabbed my bag and was getting ready to open the door when I remembered something. My wrist. I looked down to see the three scars I have created over summer. Okay, so maybe summer was amazing...but not all the time. It seemed like whenever I was alone, all these demons would catch up to me...whether it be Joe or the other bullies. It seemed as if they would sneak into my thoughts late at night, or even early in the morning. Quickly, I grabbed my sliver bangles and placed them on my wrist, sneakily concealing each cut.
"Ready.." I said, a little less cheery. Senior year, here we go.
XXX
"Wow, they really went for the eyes, didn't they?"
I whispered as I cleaned the slushie off of Finn in the girl's bathroom. I sat on his thigh as he sat in a chair, head over the sink, whimpering a bit as I reached his eyes for the cleaning. Right after Jacob interviewed him, the poor guy was slushied right in the face by a couple of football players. It seemed as if Joe's legacy of slushie throwing was going to live on forever. I smiled.
"Annnnnd...you're clean!" I got off his thigh and threw away the paper towel.
Finn got up and examined himself in the mirror. He seemed as good as new, the only left overs of slushie was the stain on his collar...but besides that, nothing. He smiled at me as I walked back over to him. He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer to him.
"What would I do without you?"
I shrugged jokingly, "Drown in slushie residue?"
Finn chuckled, that's when I realized how lucky I was to have him. I'm such a mess, and yet he stuck around. For the record, he hasn't mention Joe since New York. He knew that I didn't want to talk about him, plus, Joe was gone all summer. What was the point? My thoughts became hazy as he leaned down to kiss me. I smiled and moved closer. Our lips barely brushed when we heard the door open, a squeal ringing out in the bathroom.
"WHAT'S A GUY DOING IN HERE?!"
Finn and I quickly separated to see a tiny blonde girl, her blue eyes were wide with fear. It was obvious she was a freshman, she had to be with that short height. Finn just picked up his bag.
"Uh-I'm sorry." He said to the girl then kissed my cheek. "See you in Glee." He smiled at me as I gave him a little wave. He offered another apology to the girl as he quickly exited out of the bathroom.
I couldn't help but laugh at my confused boyfriend. Sometimes, he would forget that he was in the girl's room when I had to clean him up. Since I was here, I decided to put on some lip gloss, I almost forgot about the freshman. Almost. I probably would have if she wasn't so freaking-
"How often do boys come in the girl's room?! Were you two making out?! How often does this happen?! I-..."
Annoying.
I couldn't blame her, it was her first day of high school. I remember on my first day I wasn't even able to talk to some of the teachers...everyone was so intimidating. But, I had my brothers back then to help the load, but the way this girl just went on and on...it was obvious she was nervous. I turned away from the mirror.
"Okay, you need to relax and take a breather." I said to th freshman.
The freshman stopped yapping and looked at me. She actually seemed relived to stop talking, I smiled reassuringly.
"Alright, now tell me what your name is." I said, directing her on how to have a proper conversation.
She nodded, "I'm Tiara. Tiara Goldman."
Could someone really be named after a crown? I shook my head, trying not to judge. I was in Glee, I knew how to not judge someone. I smiled.
"Nice to meet you Tiara. I'm Elizabeth Jonas, but call me Lizzie."
Her eyes widened. "Wait, Elizabeth Jonas as in the lead singer of New Directions?!"
"Well, um, there is no lead singer of the glee club but I was the lead at Nationals-"OH MY GOD. I absolutely LOVED that song you sang at Nationals!"
I couldn't help but blush. I never had a 'fan' before. Well besides my parents but, let's face it, they don't count. I smiled.
"Aw, thank you! I actually wrote it-"Of course you did! It was FLAWLESS!" She interrupted. "Wait, that guy in here was Finn Hudson, wasn't it?! You two are so cute together!"
I guess I looked a bit taken back since she ended her sentence with, "I'm being creepy, aren't I? I'm sorry, it's just...I'm really nervous and-." "Aw, don't be sorry. I get it." I shrugged, smiling. "Are you interested in show choir?"
She nodded, "Oh, yes! I was in chorus at my middle school, I just love to sing!"
Did I just score a new member for the New Directions? Plus, she was a freshman so Mr. Schue could have her for four more years. Bingo.
"You should come by the choir room when it's time to audition!"
She looked surprised. "R-really?"
"Yeah! We're always looking for new members, and with your experience I'm sure you'll get in!" The warning bell cut into our conversation and I began to collect my belongings. "I'll let you know the details when we set up the date."
Tiara looked grateful, "Oh my god, thank you!" Her eyes went to the books in my arms. "So, uh, I'll see you around?"
"Of course! Have a great first day." I smiled, leaving the bathroom.
I slung my backpack on my back as I walked the hall. I never had an admirer before...I could be role model for this girl! Show her the ropes of McKinley High, I smiled all the way to Spanish.
XXX
"There she is!" Rachel squealed.
I smiled as I ran into the choir room, getting into a hug with Rachel. It was hilarious how long we embraced, as if we didn't spend almost every summer night seeing each other. She was always at my house either for Nick or to hang out with me.
"What? I don't get a hug?"
I stepped away from Rachel to see Kurt wearing a mock hurt expression. "Pssh, of course you do!"
All I could do was laugh as Kurt scooped me up in his arms. No matter how close Rachel and I get, Kurt will always be my best friend. He just gets me like no one else. Heck, before he came out of the closet, everyone used to joke that we should date. But, I always knew he was gay, and he knew that I knew...that's why I was the first one he actually said the words "I'm gay" to.
"Is Nick here?" Rachel asked as Kurt kept an arm around me.
I shook my head. "He needs to audition like everyone else before he can come back in." I smiled.
Nick has been rehearsing his song 'A Little Bit Longer' for his audition the entire summer. I actually helped him finish the song, it was really touching. It actually touched me with my..'issues'. I played with my bracelets as my cuts entered my thoughts. Kurt and Rachel started to talk about NYADA as we took our seats. A big smile crossed my face as Finn entered the room. He bent down to kiss me.
"Hey babe, how's the first day back so far?" Finn asked, sitting next to me.
I smiled, "Pretty good...haven't got slushied yet! And, I met a fan."
He raised an eyebrow and before he could respond, Mr. Schue came in. Behind him, an AV geek rolled in a...purple piano...? He then began to explain that since Quinn and Lauren bailed, we were short two members which meant that we had to do anything and everything to recruit new members.
After all the action of the first day, I completely forgot that Quinn joined 'The Skanks', the rebel group of McKinley. It felt odd without Quinn in the room...I actually miss her.
"But that still doesn't explain the pianos.." Mercedes noted as more rolled in. Mr. Schue smiled.
"Now THAT'S the best part. My AV buds and I are going to randomly place these pianos around the school. Every time you see one, wherever you are, you must break out into a song."
Everyone groaned in response. It's as if Mr. Schue wanted us to get beat up. He silenced the protests.
"Listen...for a lot of you, this is your last year here. Your last year of singing and dancing with your friends....with more members, we have a better shot at winning Nationals."
We all nodded, he did have a point. Without 12 members or more, we wouldn't be able to compete in any competitions this year. This assignment was going to be the death of us.
XXX
"Soccer? Really?"
I gave Nick a look as we walked out to the field after school. Even though Nick has a blast in glee club, he did miss his sports. He hated football, so he decided to give soccer a try..and today was tryouts. But...soccer? That was even lower than the Hockey team, and that's saying alot. But, I shrugged it off, whatever made Nick happy was fine with me.
"I played soccer before, plus, they only meet on Mondays and Wednesdays. It won't ruin my Glee schedule."
"...You are still auditioning for glee, right?" I asked.
He nodded, "Of course! When are auditions, anyway?"
I put my bag down on the bleachers, "Thursday afternoon, don't worry. You're going to kill it." I smiled as I took a seat.
Nick just smiled then jogged out to the field, leaving his own bag with me. I decided to take out my English book to get some homwork done when my phone began to vibrate in my pocket. Sighing, I took it out but then smiled when I saw it was Blaine-Kurt's boyfriend and a close friend.
"Hey, Blainners! What's up?"
I smiled as he groaned, "If 'Blainners' becomes a thing, I will shoot myself." He chuckled a bit.
"Alright, back to Blaine then. What's up?"
"Well...I'm going to be transferring to McKinley tomorrow!" Blaine yelled into the phone.
I squealed, "That's awesome! Does Kurt know?"
"Well, that's the thing. I want to suprise him tomorrow with a musical number and I was wondering if you could get the Cheerios to help out."
I smiled. "Sure! I'll text Santana now. Aw, Blaine...Kurt's going to be so hap-OW!"
Before I could react, a soccer ball hit me right in the head, making me fall to the ground. I put my hand to my head as I moaned in pain. I heard cleats make their way over to me.
"Oh God, are you okay?! Here, let me help!"
I looked up to see Charlie Bolten, the King of Soccer at McKinley. Every girl in school has/had a crush on him, heck, even I did before I met Finn. It was obvious why. Charlie sclupted the perfect boy for any high school girl-brown hair, blue eyed, muscular, athletic...I shook my head to get him out of my head as I reached for his hand. He pulled me up.
"I'm fine, I'm fine." I smiled, reassuring the worried boy.
He put his hands out, "You sure? Not to brag, but I have a pretty tough kick..." He smiled a bit cockily.
"Annnnd, that was bragging." I giggled, then picked up my phone to say a quick goodbye to Blaine. My attention went back to Troy. "I'm Lizzie Jonas, by the way."
"Finn's girl?"
Finn's girl? I've never been called Finn's girl before. That seemed so...ownage. Like Finn owned me. I just nodded.
"By girlfriend, then yes."
He scoffed, "Pillsbury Doughboy scored you?!"
Even though I was hurt by his comment towards Finn-why did everyone call him that? He was in shape!- I couldn't help but blush at the 'he scored you?!' part. Did someone really think I could do better than Finn Hudson?
"Um, excuse me? Finn is in great shape and I'm so lucky to be dating him." I crossed my arms over my chest. "Who are you dating, juice-head?"
He looked at his arms, obviously getting my joke about steroids. Huh, maybe I'll just refer to him as Juice-Head from now on.
"First off, I don't do sterioids." He put a finger up. "And second, Charlie Bolton doesn't date."
I made a mock-sad face. "Aw, can't get a girl?"
Troy scoffed, "Please. I get hookups, not dates."
"Oh, your mother must be so proud." I rolled my eyes, pulling my iPod from my pocket as I sat down on the bleacher.
Before he could respond, Coach Beiste called for all the players to come to the center of the field. A small twinkle caught in Troy's eyes, a smil spread across his face that was a bit unsettling to me. He leaned down so he was face to face with me.
"I like you, Lizzie Jonas."
I put my finger to his forehead to push him back, "The feeling isn't mutual, buddy."
Charlie just scoffed as he ran over to the coach and his teammates. I felt the color finally go back to my cheeks as I let out the breathe that I didn't relize I was holding.
XXX
"I can't beleive you kept Blaine a secret from me!" Kurt mocked whined as the three of us walked down the hall.
I couldn't help but smile as I watched Blaine and Kurt schmooze over each other. Kurt had his arm around Blaine's shoulder as Blaine put his arm around Kurt's waist. The amazing part? No one in the hall seemed to care! It looked like McKinley was finally turning a new leaf. Plus, the two were just such a cute couple...how could anyone want to spit in their face? I shrugged.
"It wasn't easy, but...no way."
The three of us stopped to see a purple piano right in the center of the hall. The students maneuvered around it, giving the brightly colored piano a curious look as they walked by. Kurt groaned as I walked closer to it.
"Do we have to? Here?! Didn't Mr. Schue hear about the food fight?" The boy sighed as Blaine tried to comfort him
I turned back towards him, "It is a grade." I played a couple of notes on the piano. "Blaine, you know how to play the piano right?"
Blaine nodded as he walked over to me. I whispered the song that I wanted him to play and he smiled, knowing Kurt would love it. Blaine stood in front of the keys and began to play Lady Gaga's 'Edge of Glory'. Kurt laughed as I began the song.
There ain't a reason you and me should be alone
Tonight, yeah baby
Tonight, yeah baby
But I got a reason that you're who should take me home tonight
Kurt smiled as I grabbed his hands and made him dance with me. Some students walked on as others lingered, wondering where this impontu Gaga performance would go. I skipped back over to the piano and put my head on the top.
I need a man that thinks it right when it's so wrong,
Tonight yeah baby
Tonight yeah baby
Right on the limit's where we know we both belong tonight
Blaine smiled up at me as he continued to bang on the keys, the sweet melody filling the air. I smiled as more students gathered around to watch. Why not give them the show they came to see? I hopped on top of the piano and layed across it.
It's hard to feel the rush,
To brush the dangerous
I'm gonna run back to, to the edge with you
Where we can both fall far in love.
I pointed to Kurt who happily took the chorus, as he ran over to me.
I'm on the edge of glory,
And I'm hanging on a moment of truth,
I'm on the edge of glory
And I'm hanging on a moment with you...
He continued to sing as he picked me up from the piano and twirled me to the ground. We both contunued to sing and dance for our growing audience, some even began to sing along! As the song wrapped up, Kurt and I ended up sitting on top of the piano again. The students all clapped and hollered for us.
"Well, that went better than expected." I smiled as I hopped down after Kurt.
He smiled, "Thanks, Lizzie. For making me do that...who knew we would all come out clean!"
I giggled as the two boys and I went our seperate ways. As I turned the corner, I was stopped by Charlie...oh, joy. He put one hand on the wall, blocking my way of getting around him.
"What do you want, Charlie? I have to get to math."
"I heard you and Gay 1-"Kurt." I corrected him. He continued. "Right. You and...Kurt perform over there."
I put my hands on my hips. "And..?"
"I liked it. For someone so annoying, you have a pretty nice voice, Jonas."
"I'm just going to take that as a compilement, because I really don't feel like arguing with you right now-"Lizzie!"
Charlie and I both turned to see Finn waving and smiling at me. His smiled faded as he got closer and recognized Charlie. I pecked Finn on the lips to ease the tension.
"Hey, babe!" I smiled, holding his hand.
He nodded, "Hey...hi, Charlie."
"'Sup doughboy." Finn gave a confused look as I rolled my eyes. "I'll see you two around."
"No you won't!" I called after him.
I turned back towards Finn who had a bit of an unease look on his face. I touched his cheek.
"Just ignore him, he's an ass."
Finn ran his hand through his hair. "Since when are you and Charlie so...buddy-buddy?"
I laughed sarcastically at him. "Oh no. Charlie and I are far from friends. He just kept on bugging me at Nick's soccer tryout."
He eased up a bit. "Oh...okay. Ready for math?" He smiled bigger this time.
"I'm not as excited as you but.." I kissed his cheek. "Yes!"
We intwined our fingers as we made the trek down the hall. Even though Finn said he was fine..it was still easy to tell that Charlie left him confused and a bit ticked. He was still the same when we entered Glee later that afternoon. I'll blame Charlie for Finn's little outburst in Glee too...
It all started when Mr. Schue walked out of his office with Blaine and Nick. The two were just accepted into Glee and Finn was trying to make a point to Blaine.
"I just want him to know that we aren't wearing blazers here. We're not your backup singers." He said in a harsh tone.
"I never said you guys were I-"Okay! I think it's time we stop this unnecessary arguement to talk about the school musical." Rachel interrupted.
I pulled Finn back down to his seat and gave him a stern look. He ignored my gaze and pretended to listen to Rachel's idea to have West Side Story be the musical the club puts on for the fall.
Usually, the first week of senior year holds promise for something different. For something less troubling and just easy going. All this week taught me was that I should be prepared for a year of drama...again.