EIGHT YEARS LATER

McKinley High School

“We all know that in order to win at sectionals. I need to be singing lead on all of the songs.” Rachel bellowed from the front row of seats.

“Okay, that's it. I'm tired of hearing about you, Rachel.” Santana yelled back as she made her way to Rachel. Santana stood so close to Rachel their noses were almost touching. “If you say one more time that you are better than the rest of us; I'm going to go all Lima Heights on your ass.”

“Ladies!” Mr. Shuester yelled from the front of the room. “Please have a seat. I have already decided who's going to have featured parts on the songs for sectionals.” He guided the bickering girls back to their seats. “Okay, I want to switch things up for sectionals this year. Rachel, you were great last year.” Rachel looked back at Santana with a giant smile on her face. “But I want to give a solo to Kurt.” Kurt looked up at the sound of his name.

“What?”

“This year's judges for sectionals are huge theatre fanatics. I though you being Broadway Alumni it would be our best bet to win.”

“Mr. Shue, that is amazing.” Kurt said with a smile on his face.

“Uh-uh. No way, Mr. Shue. I am not going up there to belt out show tunes.” Mercedes said sitting right next to Kurt.

“I agree.” Puck chimed in.

“Mr. Shuester, if I may.” Rachel started.

“Guys, this isn't your decision. Kurt has the lead. And, yes, we're singing a song from Broadway.” Mr. Shue turned to get the sheet music from the piano and hand it out to everyone. “Kurt, I want to talk to you about your solo, but everyone else take a copy of the sheet music and start practicing. Only six days until sectionals.” Mr. Shue said as the glee club exited the choir room.

Kurt walked up to Mr. Shue after the rest of the club had left. “Thank you for giving me this opportunity, Mr. Shue. I promise I won't let you down.” Kurt said.

“I know. So I want to tell you because you're our lead this time around, but our competition is stiff. One of the other groups has a star like you. Brought up on the stage. You have the most experience.”

“Wow, you've never talked to me like this, Mr. Shue.”

Will looked down at his shoes. “I've never been nervous like this for your guys.” He said moving around the piano. “But I think if we have a Broadway star singing a Broadway song we can get this. Especially with our judges.”

“Who are our judges?”

“Gregory Hamilton. Rita Ortiz. And James Roberts.”

“Roberts? Wow, he used to work for a paper in New York. Tore me to shreds after I debuted.” Kurt said. “So what song am I singing?”

“Well, I have two for you to choose from. ‘Being Alive' or ‘I'm Still Here.'” Mr. Shue handed him sheet music for both songs.

Kurt looked through both numbers and thought carefully. ‘Being Alive' is a classic, but so many people sing it. If anyone knows the judges they are sure to choose this song to perform. But ‘I'm Still Here' could be great. It's the riskier choice considering the level of vocals, but it would almost guarantee the win. “I'm gonna go with ‘I'm Still Here'” He said confidently.

“Let's run it a few times before you head home.” Mr. Shue said motioning for Brad to start playing the music.

Dalton Academy

“Order! Order!” Wes said pounding his gavel. “Now Blaine, what songs do you want to sing.”

Blaine let out a slight chuckle. “Well, I think it should be a group decision.

“We need a song that Blaine sings perfectly.” David said looking around the room.

“Blaine sings most songs better than the original.”

As the Warbler's argued about what song Blaine should sing; Blaine snuck out of the room and sat out in the hallway. He thought back to when he lived in New York. If he still lived there he would probably be rehearsing for another show or just hanging out in Central Park with his friends. God, he missed his Broadway friends.

Jeff came out into the hallway looking for Blaine. “There you are. We've decided on songs. It's time to rehearse.” He said to Blaine, who was still deep in thought. “Blaine!” Jeff yelled.

Blaine came back to reality. “Oh, yeah. Coming.” Blaine got up and went back into the room with his fellow Warblers. “What is the final decision, Wes?” He asked after re-entering.

“We have decided it would be most beneficial if you sang ‘Teenage Dream' by Katy Perry and ‘Hey Soul Sister' by Train.” David stated to Blaine.

For the first time since he joined the Warblers freshman year Blaine felt distant from his friends. He was beginning to miss New York more than ever. The singing group started to rehearse for sectionals as Blaine stood in the doorway watching his friends laugh and attempt to dance to ‘Teenage Dream'. They all looked so happy. Why didn't he feel that happiness? He was the lead of one of the most respected Glee clubs in the state. They were the favorite to win at sectionals and yet; he was getting more and more depressed. He didn't want to perform at sectionals. He only wanted to go home. But he joined in with the group as they rehearsed and didn't let anyone know what was going on in his head.

McKinley High School

Kurt and Mr. Shue stood in the choir room after two hours of rehearsal on his solo. “That sounds amazing Kurt.” Mr. Shue stated.

“Thanks. I'll rehearse more when I get home.” Kurt said picking up his stuff. “Goodnight, Mr. Shue.”

“Goodnight, Kurt.” He responded as Kurt walked out of the room.

As soon as Kurt got out of the choir room he saw Rachel standing at his locker. “Dear lord.” He said walking to his locker. “Can I help you Rachel?”

“Tell Mr. Shue that you don't want that solo. We all know we will only win if I sing a solo.” Rachel said moving to the side so Kurt could get into the locker.

“Rachel, those judges are mean. I know them. I was reviewed by them when I was six. One said I had no business on Broadway when I was six and by the time I was eight he completely changed his mind saying my leaving could close the show.” Kurt said grabbing his book from his locker and putting them into his satchel.

“All the more reason for me to perform.” She said as he closed his locker.

Kurt started walking away. “Goodnight Rachel!” He hollered.

“Kurt!” She yelled back. But he didn't pay attention and just left the school without saying another word to Rachel. Rachel scoffed and followed out the door to her car.

Westerville, Ohio

Blaine sat in the Warbler's rehearsal space alone going over the music for sectionals. He slowly played the piano as he sang each note making sure it was in tune. He slammed the piano cover down in frustration and depression. He grabbed all of his sheet music and headed home.

Blaine's home was a large two story mansion located just outside of Westerville, Ohio. The large double doors were almost twice the height of Blaine. The gardener was grooming the bushes just outside the front door next to the small walkway leading to the doors. Blaine walked up the three steps to the door and slowly opening it trying not to disturb his father, working in his office, and his mother, currently cooking dinner.

Vivian was a short woman, just shorter than Blaine, with dark wavy hair that flowed just past her shoulders. She had it pulled back into a low pony-tail. She wore a light pink blouse and a pair of black dress slacks covered by a floral apron as she put the pasta into the boiling water. Blaine quietly walked into the room to grab a quick glass of water. “Where have you been?” Vivian asked without turning around to look at him.

“Um, Warbler practice. Preparing for sectionals.” Blaine answered filling his glass through the refrigerator door.

“Do you have a solo again?” She asked not sounding very interested.

“Yeah both numbers. Like always.” Blaine said just before he let out an exasperated sigh.

“I'm very proud of you.” She stated in a monotone voice.

“Thanks.” Blaine could tell his mother wasn't the least bit interested in what he had to say. He decided it was best to just let her cook and head up to his room. He was finally home after a long week boarded in school. ‘Maybe I should just start staying at the school on weekends. It's not like anyone here will miss me. At least at Dalton there will be someone to talk to.' He thought to himself as he stared up at his ceiling. He took out his school books and set them on his desk. He wasn't in the mood to figure out the solution any of the math problems or write a short story. He then looked at his sheet music for sectionals. For the first time in almost 16 years he didn't feel like singing or playing the piano; he couldn't even look to his guitar. He was drained. He needed a change, but what? There wasn't anything he could do. He couldn't just head off to Broadway again. Or go running to New York. He was stuck in Westerville, Ohio, for another two years.

“Blaine! Dinner is ready!” He heard his mother yell from the bottom of the stares. He headed down to the heavenly scent, the only good part about coming home on weekends.

“This smells marvelous my dear.” George said to his wife giving her a peck on the cheek.

“Thank you for dinner, mother.” Blaine said dryly.

They all gathered around the table to eat their meal. “Blaine, how was school this week?” He father asked.

“Fine. The Warblers are rehearsing for sectionals. I have the lead again.”

“Well, of course. You are from Broadway.” He father said almost proudly.

Something was off. George never inquired to Blaine's school on the weekends. He never cared about the Warblers or that he had the lead. He rarely had even seen him on Broadway; he even missed Blaine's debut. What was going on? Blaine couldn't figure out why his mother was being so distant towards both of them and his father was all of a sudden chatty. Blaine wasn't entirely sure he wanted the answer. “We're singing two songs.”

“Which ones?” He father asked.

“Um, ‘Teenage Dream' by Katy Perry and ‘Hey Soul Sister' by Train.” Blaine stated almost as a question not knowing where his father's mood was coming from.

“I have never heard those songs. But be a teenager thing.” He said with a slight chuckle. Chuckle? No, he never chuckled. “When are sectionals so we can be sure to sit in the audience while you win?”

“What?” Blaine blurted out before he could think.

“When are sectionals? We would like to be there.”

“You've never come to watch the Warblers; anywhere.” Blaine said.

“Well, we are trying to be better parents. So sectionals?”

“Um, next Saturday. Somewhere in north of here. Lima or something.” Blaine said picking at his food. “At the high school there.” George and Vivian looked at each other in horror. “What?” Blaine asked.

“Nothing. We cannot wait.” George stated enthusiastically.

Blaine looked at his parents not completely understanding what had just happened. Why did they want to attend sectionals and cheer on the Warblers? Why do they think the Warblers are going to win? They have never seen them perform.

McKinley High School Auditorium

“Our opening number will be Kurt with ‘I'm Still Here'. Followed by ‘Valerie' featuring Santana and Mike and Brittany with a dance break. And ending with ‘Dogs Days Are Over' with Finn and Rachel on lead.” Mr. Shue told his class.

“Mr. Shuester, if I may.” Rachel said standing from her chair.

“No you may not.” He interrupted. “I know what usually the judges want to see a ballad sung by a male and a female.” Rachel looked dreamily over to Finn. “But I'm trying to change things up a bit and give more opportunities to the other members of this club.” He said looking straight at Rachel. “Let's start rehearsing. Kurt, I was thinking to make a little show out of your song. Really play off your Broadway experience. Let me show you what I have in mind.” Mr. Shue said ushering Kurt to stage left grabbing a wooden chair was he went. The rest of the club went off stage to watch Kurt rehearse his big number.

As Kurt stood center stage looking out at all of his peers. He belted out the Sondheim song.

Ive gotten through, "Hey, lady, arent you whoozis?
Wow, what a looker you were"
Or better yet, "Sorry, I thought you were whoozis
Whatever happened to her?"

The entire glee club erupted in applauses as Kurt sang. Rachel sat in her seat upset it wasn't her on the stage singing. But no matter how much she hated not singing lead she had to admit that Kurt did have more experience on the stage and that was really good. He was amazing actually and really deserved this solo. But she still wanted it for herself.

For two hours the New Directions rehearsed their set over and over dancing and singing as they always did until they were about to collapse on the ground. “Okay, I don't want anyone hurt so go home get some rest.” Mr. Shue cried out.

“Kurt! Kurt!” Tina and Mercedes said in unison. Kurt turned around to look at his friends. “We found this old picture of you.” They said showing him Mercedes' phone. “What is this?”

Kurt let out a small laugh. “That was the singing group “Broadway Kids'. It was a group of kids that had been on Broadway. He toured singing Broadway classics when we weren't in shows. It was fun. A great way to meet people.”

“Who was your best friend?” Tina asked looking down at the photo on the iPhone.

“The one I've got my arm around. That's Blaine. He was really good, I mean really good. I never actually got to see him in show though. We were always performing at the same time.” Kurt stared at the picture as tears came to his eyes. I miss this so much. He thought to himself. “I haven't heard of Blaine on the stage anymore. I guess he quit or something. After I moved out here I lost touch with all my Broadway friends.” He said sadly.

Mercedes took her phone noticing Kurt's facial expression change.

Dalton Academy

Blaine sat in the common area going through old photos that he had saved from his childhood. He kept staring at one with a large group kids. They were smiling and giving each other bunny ears. Their arms were wrapped around each other; like family. He gently glided his thumb over a younger version of himself and a dear friend with his arm draped over his shoulder. In the photo Blaine was looking at this kid with so much affection and he didn't understand why. This kid had made a severe impact on Blaine's life. They did pretty much everything together. Blaine almost lived at his house for years because he didn't want to go home. They were homeschooled together and auditioned for Broadway Kids together. Wherever Blaine went Kurt was always right next to him.

But after Kurt announced he was moving to Ohio, Blaine wasn't able to talk to him anymore. His parents kept him from the phone and didn't allow him to try and call Kurt. And now Blaine was in Ohio too and he didn't even know if Kurt was still there and if he was he didn't know where to look. He could feel the tears forming in his eyes. He quickly blinked them away and put his photos back in the envelope and walked to Warbler practice.

“Finally Blaine!” Wes yelled as Blaine walked into the room.

“Sorry. I was studying. Lost track of time.”

“So, this weekend we are traveling to Lima to compete at sectionals and we are going to win. Our other competition is a group of elderly people getting their GEDs and the New Directions.” David stated to the room.

“Don't the New Directions have some sort of hidden talent or something?” Jeff asked from the group of boys sitting on the couches.

“They do have a very experienced performer I've heard, but so do we.” Everyone looked to Blaine, who was completely lost in thought and not paying any attention.

“Blaine!” Wes pounded his gavel. “Pay attention. What is wrong with you?”

Blaine was startled at the loud noise coming from the front of the room. “Oh…uh…nothing. I'm just not myself. Been really homesick lately.”

“But you go home every weekend.” Jeff interjected.

“No, I mean…never mind. Who is this performer?” Blaine asked David.

“I don't know his name. Apparently he was on Broadway and traveled with the Broadway—“

“Blaine probably knows him.” Wes interrupted.

“Maybe. I didn't travel a lot with the group. I was always in a show.” He told the room. “Can we not talk about Broadway, please?”

“Let's practice Warblers.” Wes said standing from the table and setting his gavel down.