Chapter 4

Regionals

Finally! It's regionals day. I'm kinda little bit nervous actually since I will have my dance lead with Mike. I'm afraid that I'm gonna ruin this and we will lose and it wont be cool.

"Dad, come on." I cross my hands on my chest as my dad is busy with his stuff in his office.

"Which one is better? This blue one or black one?" Dad asks me while showing his tie.

"Dad, whatever you think is good." I roll my eyes.

"Okay the brown one." Dad simply said and take another tie from his drawer.

"Come on, the bus already waiting. We are not going to perform if you're still here." I roll my eyes.

"Okay okay. I'm done. Let's go." Dad says to me and put his hand around my shoulder as we walk out from his office.

"Dad, if we lose, dont yell at me okay?" I turn my face at him.

"We will win this thing. Trust me. You will be great." Dad smiles at me.

I just let out a sigh and half-smiled at him as we walk out from the school building then turn our way to the school bus to our regionals place.

"Dont worry too much. We are gonna make it." Dad smiles at me and kisses my head.

We both walk enter the bus. I'm just sitting down in the middle row and sit down. I hold my pouch and turn my face to the street. I already dressed up for regionals and I'm bit nervous.

"You alright?" Mike asks me and sit down next to me.

"I think I'm gonna die." I shake my head.

"You did great. We can do this together, just tell me when you cant handle that. I will cover you up." Mike says to me.

"You dont need to but thanks. I just dont wanna make my dad dissapointed." I half-smiled at him.

"You will be great. Trust me." Mike smiles at me.

I just smile back at him then turn my face around. Suddenly a hand touch my hand. I turn my face and Mike just turn his face away but he holds my hand.

I dont know. This is really makes my heart beat so fast. I cant deny that I really like him. But I dont feel he feel the same way like what I feel because this is so strange.

I turn my face as the bus is finally stops. The others start look around. I stand up from my seat so does Mike who stand up from his seat and still holding my hand.

He then walk lead me to out from the bus and still holding my hand. Damn! My heart really beats so fast and I can feel like something inside me is really different ugh God.

We then enter the auditorium as the show just begin. We then walk to our empty seat and Mike and I just sit down next to each other and he smiles at me. This is really drive me crazy.

Dad is sitting down on the corner and I can realize that sometimes he looked at us. I just pretend that I dont see him or something meanwhile Mike is still holding my hand and I cant pull his hand away because I dont want to I guess.

"And now, our judges for the 2011 Midwest Regional Show Choir Competition. Local broadcasting legend and man about town Rod Remington! Recent Tea Party candidate and home-schooler Tammy Jean Albertson! And former exotic dancer and current Carmelite nun, author of the upcoming Lima Press memoir Habit to Habit, Sister Mary Constance! And now, from Westvale High School, let’s have a warm welcome for Aural Intensity!"

The curtain lifts up and Aural Intensity are wearing red dress code and singing Jesus Is My Friend by Sonseed. I know they were trying to impress the judges but this is kinda of garbage.

They ended up their song with standing ovation from the others. I raise my eyebrows and look around as Coach Sue are standing proudly because of their performance.

"And now, from Westerville, Ohio, the Dalton Academy Warblers!"

The curtain lifts up and The Warblers are singing on the stage. I can see Kurt and Blaine are having their duet. They're singing Candles by Hey Monday and they are really good.

I turn my face and suddenly Mike and I look at each other. I smile at him and he just smile back at me then we turn our face to the front again. I have tell my dad about what just happened between us.

The Warblers ended up their first song with full of standing O from all of us and all the audience here. Second song is they start singing Raise Your Glass by P!nk and their performance really flawless.

I can see that everyone are dancing and enjoying their performance since they also sing the top billboard song. This is really cool.

The Warblers ended up their performance and hugging each other on the stage. We then stand up from our seat and walk to the backstage because after this is our performance.

I just hold my hand to hide my nerve. I always did this everytime I wanna cry or everytime I get nerve. And only my parents who know this attitude.

"Stop it. You're gonna be amazing." Dad takes my hand and holds my hand.

"What if I suddenly fainted on the stage?" I raise my eyebrows at him.

"Honey, you will do great. Trust me." Dad smiles at me. "You know I'm kinda do a favor. I called your mom and told her to come."

"You talked to mom? I mean, I cant even remember when the last time you talked to her." I chuckle.

"I though that maybe she want to see you perform on a stage even though this is not your first time but this is not too late." Dad shrug and smiles at me.

"And now, from William McKinley High in Lima, Ohio, the New Directions!"

I'm still standing next to dad in the backstage and hold his hand. I turn my face little bit to the audience seat and there is one empty seat left.

"I guess she wouldnt come because she doesnt wanna meet you." I said to dad.

"You still have me. We will spend summer together alright?" Dad smiles at me.

"You're the best, dad." I smile back at him.

Rachel is standing in the middle of the stage in front of a standing microphone as she's ready to sing her solo.

Rachel (with Brittany and Tina):What have I done?I wish I could runAway from this ship going under

Just trying to helpHurt everyone elseNow I feel the weight of the worldIs on my shoulders

What can you do when your good isn't good enough,And all that you touch, tumbles down?'Cause my best intentions keep making a mess of thingsI just wanna fix it somehow

But how many times will it takeOh, how many times will it take for meTo get it rightTo get it right

Can I start againWith my faith shaken('Cause I can't go back and undo this)

I just have to stayAnd face my mistakes(But if I get stronger and wiser)

Rachel with Brittany and Tina:I'll get through this

What can you do when your good isn't good enough,And all that you touch, tumbles down?'Cause my best intentions keep making a mess of thingsI just wanna fix it somehow

But how many times will it take?Oh, how many times will it take for me?

Rachel:To get it rightSo I throw up my fistThrow a punch in the airAnd accept the truthThat sometimes life isn't fair

Rachel with Brittany and Tina:Yeah, I'll send out a wishYeah, I'll send up a prayer

Rachel:And finally someone will seeHow much I care

I left dad's hand and take my head microphone and walk to the stage with the other girls and singing the backup song.

New Directions Girls:What can you do when your good isn't good enough

Rachel with New Directions Girls:All that you touch, tumbles downOh, my best intentionsKeep making a mess of thingsI just wanna fix it somehowBut how many times will it take?Oh, how many times will it take?

Rachel:To get it rightTo get it right

First performance ended up really well. Full off standing ovation from all the audience here. I'm ready for the second song. I'm ready for my dance break with Mike. I can do this.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we're the New Directions!" Rachel says to the audience.

The second song music start begin and we start doing our choreography to the beginning of the song.

I turn my face and I see someone is walking to the auditorium and that's my mom, Terri. Even though sometimes I hate her attitude but I know she loves me. I built a smile on my face and she waves at me and smiles at me.

Rachel:Yeah, you may think that I'm a zero (Santana: Huh)

Rachel with New Directions (Rachel):(But) hey, everyone you wanna beProbably started off like me

Rachel:You may say that I'm a freak show (Santana: I don't care)

Rachel with New Directions (Rachel):(But) hey, give it just a little timeI bet you're gonna change your mind

Rachel:All of the dirt you've been throwing my wayIt ain't so hard to take (Finn and Rachel: That's right)

Rachel (with New Directions):Cause (I know one day you'll be screaming my name)

Rachel:And I'll just look away (Finn and Rachel: That's right)

Rachel with New Directions (Finn and Rachel):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 beA loser like meA loser like me

Finn:Push me up against the locker

Finn with New Directions (Finn):(And) hey, all I do is shake it offI'll get you back when I'm your boss

Finn:I'm not thinking 'bout you haters

Finn with New Directions (Finn):(Cause) hey, I could be a superstarI'll see you when you wash my car

Rachel with New Directions:All of the dirt you've been throwing my way

Rachel:It ain't so hard to take (Finn and Rachel: That's right)

Rachel with New Directions (Rachel):(Cause) I know one day you'll be screaming my name

Rachel:And I'll just look away (Finn and Rachel: That's right)

Rachel with New Directions (Finn and Rachel):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 beA loser like meA loser like me

Rachel:A loser like me

Brittany and Santana with New Directions (New Directions):Hey, you, (oh) over there (oh)Keep the "L" (oh) up-up in the air (oh)Hey, you, (oh) over there (oh)Keep the "L" up, (oh) cause I don't care (oh) You can throw your sticks (oh) And you can throw your stones (oh) Like a rocket, (oh) just watch me go (oh) Yeah, (oh) l-o-s-e-r (oh) I can only be who I are

Rachel:Yeah!

New Directions:Just go ahead and hate on me And run your mouth

Finn and Rachel:So everyone can hear

Rachel with New Directions (Finn and Rachel):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 beA loser like me

Mercedes:Yeah!

Rachel with New Directions:Go ahead, and hate on me and run your mouth(Finn and Mercedes with New Directions: So everyone can hear)Hit me with the worst you've got and knock me down(Finn and Rachel with New Directions:Baby, I don't care)Keep it up, and, soon enough, you'll figure out (Mercedes: Oh)

You wanna (and Mercedes: be), you wanna be

New Directions:A loser like me (Rachel: A loser like me)A loser like me (Rachel: A loser like me)A loser like me

We ended up our song with full of standing ovation from all the audience here. I finally can do that dance break in front of the others for the competition when I used to dance in my room alone without nobody knows.

I run from the stage to the backstage and hug my dad really tight. He hugged me back and kisses my head. Finally I can do that.

~~~~

Mike's POV

"So, things are work out right?" Tina asks me.

"I dont think she feel the same way." I shake my head.

"What do you mean, Mike? I though you both are really close right now." Tina frowns at me.

"She is really innocent, Tina. And that's actually that makes her looks so cute and happy." I said to Tina.

"You need to take things slow. You like her so bad, dont you? Dont ever give up." Tina smiles at me and walk away.

I let out a sigh and turn my face at Paris who talking with Mr. Schue and Rachel in the backstage. She is really amazing. I mean, she was nervous but she can dance better than me when she never even enter dance school.

I really like her. I know this is stupid. But I like her since we both drunk and kissed in Rachel's drunk party. And I cant deny that kissed tasted amazing and irreplaceable like my first kiss.

I keep looking at her until she suddenly turn her face at me. She smiles at me and waves at me. I just smile back at her and wave back at her.

I dont know how to ask her out. Maybe I need to take things slow. Yeah. We'll always be a dance partner by the way. I know that.

Paris's POV

I turn my face and I catch Mike's eyes are starring at me. I smile at him and wave at him. He smiles back at me and waves back at me. Because of him I can do the dance number pretty well.

"Come on, time for the winner announcement." Dad says to us.

Rachel just nodded and walk away. "Another scared moment in my life." I said to dad.

Dad just chuckles then holds my hand. "We can have dinner in IHOP if we win." Dad grins at me.

"Only both of us?" I raise my eyebrows.

"Yes. Or buy frozen yogurt. Or order Japanese food for dinner. Your choice." Dad nodded as we both walk back to the stage.

"I want dinner in Breadstix." I grin at dad.

"Sure." Dad nodded.

"With extra chicken." I giggle.

"You're not coach Beiste, sweet pea." Dad chuckles.

I chuckle and standing on the stage next to dad and Artie and holds their hand. "And now, to announce our winner, Lieutenant Governor Stevens’ wife, Carla Turlington-Stevens!"

"My husband is verbally abusive, and I have been drinking since noon." That woman says to all of us. I raise my eyebrows and then turn my face at dad as he just shakes his head. "I’m bored. Let’s just see who won, huh? The New Directions! You’re going to Nationals in New York!"

We are cheering and yelling happily. The judges give us the biggest trophy and we hold it. I turn my body and my dad and hug him. Things are right. We made it. We win this thing and we are gonna face nationals in New York! I cant wait for that.

~~~~

I walk out from the girls toilet and wear my cardigan. We are going back to Lima and celebrate this winning.

"Paris?"

I turn my face and I see my mom is standing and smiling at me. "I though you wouldnt come." I smile at her.

"I cant help it. I miss you. You were so great,  honey. I'm so proud of you." Mom smiles at me and hug me.

"Thank you for coming and saw my performance." I giggle.

"You were really great, sweety. Alright. I have to go. I dont wanna meet your dad or talk to him anymore. I'll call you okay." Mom says to me and walks away.

I let out a sigh and turn my way. It's been a year since my parents divorced and I lived with my dad since he got the full custody of me then I cant meet my mom like every day.

I know this is sucks. But sometimes mom can be dangerous when her anxiety comes. So for my safety, dad took the full custody of me and I lived with him in our apartment.

"You alright?" Mike suddenly walks next to me.

"Yeah. Just, you know being sad because of my parents are divorced." I half-smiled at him.

"You know that sometimes when we are adult, things arent always like what we expect." Mike half-smiled back at me.

"How could you know that?" I chuckle.

"I learnt from sociology class." Mike chuckles.

"I dont know. You and my dad always have something good to say." I smile at him.

"That's men's gift." Mike says proudly.

I chuckle and shake my head. "And thank you because of you, we can win this thing and we will go to New York."

"That was team work. And also you. I cant deny that you were better than me on that stage. I mean, you were pretty amazing." Mike says to me.

I stop my way and turn my face at him. "Really?" I raise my eyebrows.

"You are really amazing." Mike smiles at me.

I smile back at him then he cups my cheek and pushes his face closer to me and suddenly kisses me. I'm shocked but then I kiss him back. It's taste the same. Like te first time he kissed me when we were drunk. No differences. Just amazing.

We pull our lips away and looking at each other and smiling at each other. We then turn our way and go back to walk to our bus and back to Lima to celebrated our winning. And the winning of my heart. I really like him.

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