The next week the school PA system had been flooded with Madonna's music blasting through the halls. I had come to find out that Coach Sylvester had made it mandatory that Madonna's music fill the school since the Cheerios were working on a routine to Madonna's music.
Early that morning I headed for the choir room with the other girls of the New Directions. Before school sometimes we would hang out and talk to each other. I began doodling a photo of Rachel that said 'Loser' above it. I had been so sick of dealing with Berry as of lately. Especially since last time we rehearsed on Friday. I was very irritable this morning and Rachel was the target of my aggression as I continued to doodle in my notebook.
Rachel the got up to ask us a question. "Can I ask you guys something private?" Rachel asked us as I looked up. "Yes, you should move to Israel," Santana snarled as I couldn't help but laugh. "It's about dating," Rachel began before stopping herself "Not that I'm dating anyone. We all know that Finn and I are no longer an item, and for the sake of the team, I broke up with Jesse. But let's just say I was dating someone. Let's just say, hypothetically, we went to a Wiggles concert last Friday night, and then because my dads weren't home, we went up to my room and started making out. It was erotic and romantic. And then he said... 'We should do it.' "It"? I asked. 'Totally,' he said 'Haven't you done it before?' 'No.' I said 'Have you?' 'What do you think?' he asked 'It's no big deal.' he shrugged. 'For a girl, it is.' I said. What if then he got really crabby and left, and didn't even take home the Care Bear I won him playing Skee Ball?" Rachel frowned.
"Would you please stop talking? You're grossing out my baby," I snapped not wanting to hear anymore of what Rachel was doing or who Rachel was doing. "I just want to be ready; I know I'm getting older, and these things are going to happen someday, but how do I stop a guy from getting mad at me for saying "no"?" Rachel asked. "Just do what I do. Never say "no."," Santana said. "Oh, totally. I mean, what's the worst that can happen?" Brittany agreed as I gave her a look "Sorry, Quinn."
"Look, girl, don't ask me. The last guy I liked was the mayor of gaytown. And I can't wait to get a guy mad at me for saying "no."," Mercedes said. "We just have to accept that guys don't care about our feelings. Like, the other day, I was walking with Artie when he said 'I've thought a lot about it, and I forgive you for lying about your stutter. However, if you're planning on getting all up on this, I'm going to need you to make some changes. The goth thing was two years ago, so maybe lose the vampire makeup and consider some tighter-fitting clothing. You've got the pow, and I believe you should work it more if we're going to be an item.'," Tina said. "That's got to sting," Rachel frowned as Mr. Schue interrupted our conversation. "Hey, guys. I'm sorry to interrupt your little sorority, but I couldn't help but overhearing. Are you really having that much boy trouble?" he asked. "You wouldn't understand, Mr. Schue," I said "You're a guy."
"Well, then maybe you should talk to someone else about it. Like Ms. Pillsbury," Mr. Schue suggested. Rachel proceeded to tell us that she tried but Miss Pillsbury wasn't much of a help. The bell rang as I stopped before saying "The fact is is that women still earn 70 cents to every dollar that a man does for doing the same job. That attitude starts in high school," I said as I left the choir room. Mr. Schue seemed upset that we were going through that and seemed to want to help us girls out. I didn't know how he could.
Unlike the other girls things between Puck and I had settled down since last week. Of course with my mood swings sometimes things between us weren't as great as they could be but I think both of us were trying hard to make things work. Although, it would be nice if he could be a little bit more understanding sometimes.
The New Directions were all seated when Mr. Schue began to write 'Madonna' on the board. "What comes to mind when you see that name?" Mr. Schue asked us. "Genius," Rachel exclaimed. "Icon," Kurt grinned. "Hall of Fame MILF," Puck smirked as I looked disapprovingly at him. Of course that would be what he would use to describe Madonna. It was times like these that I wondered why I was still with him.
"So, we're all aware of Madonna's musical and cultural significance, which is why this week, your assignment is to come up with a Madonna number," Mr. Schue said as us girls all looked thrilled. I had performed 'Papa Don't Preach' a few weeks ago. Madonna's songs definitely had an impact on all of us. I was really looking forward to performing another one of her songs with the group. "Uh, Mr. Shue? As a dude, Madonna makes me kind of uncomfortable," Puck objected as Mr. Schue looked confused. "Yeah, she's smokin' and everything, but can't some of us do something else? Like the guy version of Madonna? Like, you know, Pantera?" Finn said as the other guys murmured in agreement.
I couldn't help but look incredulously at them. Madonna's music appealed to everyone. I didn't get why they were chickening out of this assignment. "Guys! You know, it's come to my attention that many of you haven't been treating the young ladies of our group very nicely lately. You're disrespectful, bullying, sexist, and I hate to say it, misogynistic," Mr. Schue scolded the boys. He was so right. The guys had been that way to most of the girls in the group. "I have no idea what that means," Finn said awkwardly. "When I pulled my hamstring, I went to a misogynist," Brittany explained. I couldn't help but chuckle. Brittany always had a way of coming up with a new definition for an existing word.
"What it means is, put yourself in their shoes for a change," Mr. Schue explained to the guys as I nodded "Culturally, Madonna's legacy transcends her music, because by and large, the subtext of her songs are about being strong, independent and-and confident, no matter what your sex. But more than anything, Madonna's musical message is about equality. And that is something I ink you guys need to work on."
Kurt's hand shot up as I looked back at him. "Mr. Schue, I don't think we can have an honest conversation about Ms. Ciccone without acknowledging that her images are as indelible as her songs. I would like to honor her contributions by tackling a multi-media project. With Mercedes." Mercedes smiled back at Kurt looking forward to it. "Great. Go for it, Kurt," Mr. Schue grinned. "I'm still not down. And no chick intimidates Puckzilla," Puck said as he looked at me. I couldn't help but roll my eyes, here he went again making me regret being with him. "I just don't think her music translates to show choir," Puck explained. "Really?" Rachel shot back "Well I, for one, couldn't disagree more."
I couldn't help but admire Berry in that moment. She got up and whispered to the band, probably to play a Madonna song. They seemed to nod, understanding exactly what song she wanted to do. "Come on girls, do you believe in love?" Rachel called as we all grinned at her as she got Tina and Mercedes out of their seats. I jumped down ready to perform with the girls. "'Cause I got something to say about it. And it goes something like this," Rachel said as us girls joined her in singing the classic Madonna hit 'Express Yourself'.
"Don't go for second best baby, put your love to the test. You know, you know, you've got to make him express how he feels and maybe then you'll know your love is real," us girls sang as Rachel then took the lead. "Fancy cars that go very fast you know they never last, no, no," I sang with the girls backing me up. Mercedes then took the lead as we harmonized with her and showed off some choreography posing with our muscles flexed. "Lift you to your higher ground," we sang backing her up. Mercedes took the lead once again as we were paired up. I was paired with Santana who went to the floor as I put my foot on top of her "Love you till you can't come down," we backed up Mercedes as we then sang the chorus again.
"And when you're gone, he might regret it," we sang as we turned out in sync one at a time starting with Tina and ending with me. "Think about the love he once had try to carry on but he just won't get it. He'll be back on his knees so please," we sang as Rachel sang over us as we went back to the chorus. "Express yourself. You've got to make him express himself. Hey, hey, hey, hey. So if you want it right now make him show you how. Express what he's got oh baby ready or not. Express yourself," I sang with the other girls as we ended the song as we posed. Mr. Schue and Kurt were the only two people to stand up and applaud us after the performance. "That's what I'm talking about! Alright," Mr. Schue grinned. The other guys looked less than thrilled with our performance.
The bell rang as the day ended for us in Glee Club. I left with Puck. "You didn't seem into the performance," I frowned a bit. "Can you blame me?" he asked incredulously as I folded my arms, annoyed. "Look, I like you baby, you know that," he said. "Do I?" I asked upset as I turned away. "I'm into you but Mr. Schue is wrong about us guys," Puck objected. "Seems to me like he's exactly right," I said as I glared into his eyes. "Great looks like Loopy Quinn is making a comeback," Puck muttered. "Loopy Quinn?" I snapped hearing him say that. "I didn't mean it like that..." he began. "Then how did you mean it?" I snarled "As far as I'm concerned I'm done with you." Puck frowned "Babe...." I stormed out of the car and slammed the door behind me as I headed into the Puckerman household wishing I was anywhere but there.
Taking a hint from the lessons of Madonna week I decided to sing a song that I felt would suit exactly how I felt."You only see what your eyes want to see. How can life be what you want it to be? You're frozen when your heart's not open. You're so consumed with how much you get. You waste your time with hate and regret. You're broken when your heart's not open. Mmmmmm, if I could melt your heart. Mmmmmm, we'd never be apart. Mmmmmm, give yourself to me. Mmmmmm, you hold the key. Now there's no point in placing the blame and you should know I suffer the same. If I lose you my heart will be broken. Love is a bird, she needs to fly. Let all the hurt inside of you die. You're frozen when your heart's not open. Mmmmmm, if I could melt your heart. Mmmmmm, we'd never be apart. Mmmmmm, give yourself to me. Mmmmmm, you hold the key. You only see what your eyes want to see. How can life be what you want it to be? You're frozen when your heart's not open. Mmmmmm, if I could melt your heart. Mmmmmm, we'd never be apart. Mmmmmm, give yourself to me. Mmmmmm, you hold the key. If I could melt your heart. Mmmmmm, we'd never be apart. Mmmmmm, give yourself to me. Mmmmmm, you hold the key. If I could melt your heart," I sang feeling every word I was singing of the song 'Frozen' by Madonna. Sure, singing about it made me feel slightly better but it still didn't solve my problems with Puck. I just sat in my room conflicted, wondering what I should do in general.
The rest of the week was a blur to me. I avoided sitting with Puck for the most part. It wasn't until that following Monday that I was approached by Kurt. "Hey, would you mind if I asked you a question?" he asked me as we entered the choir room. "Go for it," I said as we sat down together. "Coach Sylvester asked Mercedes and I to join the cheerios," Kurt said as I looked shocked. I definitely didn't see that coming at all. "We told her we'll think about it but I wanted to ask you about it," Kurt said sheepishly. I smiled "Being a cheerio was probably one of the best parts of my high school career. It made me feel like I belonged somewhere. If you're asking my opinion, I'd say go for it," I said as Kurt looked relieved. I then added "Just be careful about trusting Coach Sylvester...I mean Cheerios itself is great but Coach Sylvester won't have your best interests at heart," I told him. Kurt seemed to acknowledge that I was right. "Thanks for the advice, Quinn," Kurt smiled. "Of course," I smiled as Kurt went over to Mercedes, probably to tell her that they should go for it.
I smiled at them. Since being in Glee Club it had truly helped me expand my horizons on who I talked to. At the beginning of the year I never would've pictured Kurt or Artie being two of the nicest people to me but they were. I was beginning to form bonds in the Glee Club, genuine bonds that I was proud of. For once I wasn't worried about my image or what people thought of me. I could just be myself with the New Directions and that to me was worth a lot.
Puck walked over next to me. "Look I know you're still mad at me," he sighed. "Mad isn't the word I would use," I corrected. "Fine, you're pissed at me. I get it. I haven't exactly been the greatest to you this week. I want you to know that I'm really sorry. You were right. You deserve to be treated better than the way I've been acting lately," Puck sighed as I looked at him with a smile. "I accept your apology. Thank you," I smiled as I hugged him. He grinned back at me "So we're okay?" "Yeah...we're okay," I smiled a bit as whispers went around us.
"What happened?" I asked. "You didn't hear?" Puck asked. "Hear what?" I said confused as Puck then pulled me aside. "Finn and Santana did it last Friday," Puck said as my eyes grew wide. Finn and Santana? Since when did this happen? It just didn't seem like Finn. "Are you sure," I said in almost a whisper. "Positive. Santana confirmed it to me," Puck said as I looked dazed. "You okay?" Puck asked me looking concerned. "I guess I just never expected Finn's first time to be with Santana," I sighed. "I'm kinda shocked myself, you know since you and him broke up I didn't think he'd do it anytime soon. Rachel was such a prude when I was with her so I knew he wasn't going to get some with her," Puck said as I couldn't help but scoff. The thought of Finn or Puck wanting to sleep with Rachel grossed me out. "Look babe you know I'm a sex shark I can't just do nothing," he shrugged as I rolled my eyes again. "Okay that came out wrong too. I'm trying, okay? I'm trying to make this work. I'm just not used to being in a relationship. Cut me some slack," Puck said. "Fine," I muttered, not thrilled at all. The bell rang as I left the room still frustrated with Puck. Just when I thought things were getting better between us, they weren't.
Rehearsal that afternoon got interesting. I didn't know exactly where to sit. I couldn't look at Finn after hearing what I had just heard happened between him and Santana. Puck and I still weren't on good terms and I wanted to sit as far away from him as I could. The first seat I found was next to Berry. Before this I probably wouldn't have been caught dead sitting with Berry but Rachel was probably the only person who didn't disappoint me with her actions, sure she had a fling with that guy from Vocal Adrenaline but he was using her, it wasn't like she had seeked him out. Rachel seemed surprised when I sat by her. "I can move," she offered. "No...it's fine," I told her as she seemed surprised. "I can't believe you're actually being nice to me," Rachel said shaking her head. "Don't get used to it," I joked as Rachel looked at me. "I'm kidding," I smiled. "Oh," Rachel smiled a bit as Mr. Schue entered the choir room with a guest none of us, not even Rachel were expecting.
"Guys, this is Jesse St. James. He has come to me about wanting to join our Glee Club," Mr. Schue said as most of us looked at each other confused. "What the hell?! It seems like now everybody's doing things just to hurt my feelings," Finn whined. "I thought you all would take this news a little better. I'm a star. You can learn from me," Jesse said. Hearing this guy talk I could see why he was into Rachel, they seemed like a match made in heaven. "We were already fighting for second leads. And now that you've shown up, I've lost all hope at ever getting a solo," Kurt complained. "Yeah, that's right. And y'all just trot me out at the end of every number so I can wail on the last note. How is that okay?" Mercedes complained. "He's a spy, Mr. Schue. I would know," Santana shot. Part of me had to agree with Santana it did seem fishy that he would just transfer here from Vocal Adrenaline.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, guys. I saw all the paperwork, I spoke with his parents..." Mr. Schue told us. "They winter in Bali. It's a very expensive phone call," Jesse said in a bragging tone. "Jesse just moved in with his uncle, which is in our school district. It's all above board, guys. He goes to this school now," Mr. Schue told us. "But this isn't fair," Artie frowned. "Guys! Everyone who's ever auditioned for this group has gotten in. That's how we do things here. Okay, to suddenly change the rules now, that would be unfair," Mr. Schue snapped at us. I scratched my head wondering what in the world possessed Jesse to transfer here if not to spy. Just then Brittany raised her hand. "Brittany," Mr. Schue called on her. "Mr. Schue, is he your son?" Brittany asked as I couldn't help but stifle a giggle, only Brittany would think that was the connection.
"I don't understand why you're doing this," Rachel said seeming just as confused as we were. "Because when you love something, you got to go for it. You would never be with me completely if I were on the opposing team. And I care about you more than winning another national title. So I left Vocal Adrenaline. For you," Jesse said as Rachel seemed shocked as was I. I was glad for Rachel in a way, she deserved happiness with someone who cared about her. Jesse seemed just as ambitious as Rachel. I personally thought it was kind of sweet that he transferred here for her. "Alright, guys, we have got a lot of work to do. Jesse, great to have you here. Welcome aboard," Mr. Schue said shaking Jesse's hand. "Okay! from the top," Mr. Schue said as he clapped his hands as we got ready to work on the numbers we had been preparing all week long.
The next day was a Pep Assembly where Coach Sylvester was supposed to debut her newest cheer routine featuring the songs of Madonna. Much to my surprise as well as everyone else's, Kurt and Mercedes were the ones performing the Madonna songs. I couldn't help but smile and clap watching them perform '4 Minutes' with the Cheerios. I was glad for Kurt and Mercedes, they could finally shine on the Cheerios and would help the team win Nationals, not that Coach Sylvester needed the National Championship but it would be nice to see Kurt and Mercedes get a little appreciation. I supported them thoroughly for joining the Cheerios. Mr. Schue however did not seemed thrilled that they had joined the Cheerios.
Earlier that day Mr. Schue called the New Direction guys for a meeting to sing the Madonna song 'What It Feels Like For a Girl' almost for it to be an apology for how they treat us girls. I could hear them singing since I had to ride with Puck to and from school. Puck of course didn't want to sing it but Finn told him that they had to make it right with the girls. I couldn't help but smile hearing Finn say this. Finn was right, most of the guys really did need to apologize for the way they treated us.
"Hey..." Puck said as he sat with me. "Hi," I said before adding "I heard you guys in there...you sounded great." "I guess," Puck shrugged. I shook my head going back to working on my homework, they really hadn't gotten through to Puck had they? "Quinn," he sighed as I looked up again. "I know this week hasn't been easy for you. I guess I should've been there for you. I'm sorry," Puck said. "It's okay," I smiled before adding "I guess part of me still hurts hearing about Finn, you know?" Puck nodded. "I get it...I mean I'm kind of the reason he dumped you," Puck sighed. "It wasn't just you," I told him seriously "Me cheating on him played a huge role in it. I should've known better." "Yeah I mean Finn's my boy I guess I shouldn't have tried to take his girl...I've just always wanted to be with you and the fact that you reciprocate my feelings that night...I guess I took advantage of that," Puck sighed as I smiled a bit "You've always wanted to be with me?" I asked surprised. "The minute I saw you at Brittany's party I kind of fell for you," Puck admitted. I couldn't help but feel touched. He loved me, he really loved me. I kissed him to thank him for always wanting to be with me. Things were going to get better between us, I was sure of it.
That afternoon we all headed to the auditorium to perform Madonna's hit 'Like a Prayer'. I enjoyed myself as I sang background on the song. I stood on the end smiling and dancing along. It was a great way to end Madonna week, Finn had picked an amazing song and I couldn't have felt more proud of the group, especially since we gained an extra member in Jesse. I could only hope that this was the start of things really turning around for us.