"finn please don't make me come in." i begged as he dragged me into his house.

"it'll be okay, come on." he reassured me.

we walked into the dining room together, to see carole setting the table. when she looked up, she broke out in a smile.

"hey, glad you came!" she beamed.

"do you need any help?" i asked apprehensively, pulling on my jesse bracelet.

"no, that's okay. just have a seat."

i sat down next to finn, bouncing my leg up and down. i mean, i was nervous. what burt said, though i acted more angry than anything else, really hurt my feelings.

i don't wanna evaluate the way i act with my best friend, but he made it seem like i have to. i don't know, it just seems like if finn and i aren't together everyone will he upset.

finn must have noticed my nervous mannerism, because he pressed his hand on my knee to stop me.

i smiled apologetically and looked down at my lap.

"it's gonna be fine." he leaned over and whispered in my ear.

i took a deep breath and sighed,"i know. i just..."

"i know. but it's gonna be okay."

•

after we had managed to eat a little, a very awkwardly silent feast, burt cleared his throat. assuming he was gonna say something, i shook my hands out under the table, feeling nervous.

"so um...stevie. the reason we asked you here is because...i wanted to apologize-"

"oh it's...fine." i shrugged it off simply, but he once again started speaking.

"no, no it's not. i shouldn't have said those things about you and finn. while i do stand by my rule that you guys shouldn't spend the night together, it was unnecessary to comment on your behavior like that."

although his apology didn't really make me feel like he was sorry, it mostly sounded like carole wrote it down for him, i decided to just let it go.

"thank you."

•

"original songs? who do you think i am, berry?" i spat and turned in her direction.

she was going on again about how we should do original songs for regionals.

"all those in favor of voting rachel down again?" santana asked as we raised our hands.

"no, i think rachel's right. this team works best when we push ourselves and do something a little different." quinn said.

"well, that's true but if all the other teams are doing amazing songs. we're not gonna be so good." mercedes pointed out.

"you're right, we're not gonna be as good. we're gonna be better. we won't be using other peoples' words or music. it'll be our own. our own heart, soul, not just our voices. we have a really talented songwriter in our midst. rachel? i was thinking maybe you and i could write a song together."

"i'm with quinn and rachel-"

"when are you not?" i quipped causing a laugh from santana. the only one who seemed to think i was funny.

"shut up, mrs. st. kindergarten boyfriend. i mean, if these two can agree on something it's probably an idea worth considering."

"w-wait, wait. so, suddenly you two are writing the music for regionals? no way. i think that everyone should get a chance to write a song."

"santana's right, we can do this."

"what do you think mr. schue?

"i think we're doing original song for regionals. also, as promised i will feature stevie and her merry band. so, you guys write a song to showcase all of you." mr. schue nodded.

"wait, what? mr. schue that's ridiculous. this is regionals and you're just giving up what would inevitably be my spot in a number?" rachel stood up.

"oh, shut up, rachel!" mike spoke out for what could be the first time ever.

i raised my eyebrows and looked over at him. i was proud.

"mike, you're a dancer! why do you need a singing spot at regionals?" rachel crossed her arms over her chest.

"rachel, it's none of your business what happens with our group. mr. schue made up his mind." mike shot back.

i was beaming.

"this isn't fair! why are we putting the second string on the frontlines?!" she yelled.

she was completely outraged.

"don't you think this is a little dramatic over one number in one comp?" sam asked her.

"rachel, my mind is made up. and if you keep this up you'll be lucky to even be at regionals. may i remind you, there are thirteen members in here. and i'll be more than happy to make it twelve if you continue with the selfish behavior." mr. schue told her off.

i undeniably grinned as she took her seat in silence.

•

"that was fucking awesome." sam laughed as our group sat in my living room.

"alright, now for songs. artie and tina declined the offer to be in this group. artie, doesn't like the attention or something and tina says she would choke..." i trailed off.

"right. so that's just leaves, me, finn, puck, you, and mike." sam pointed out.

"nice observation." i nodded.

"so, who's writing the song?" puck asked.

"i'm glad you asked. i wrote one yesterday." i smiled and handed them the lyrics.

•

we sat in mr. schue's song writing seminar watching santana sing probably, what i would call, the best song of my life.

"okay, can we stop with all the mouth jokes?" sam stood up, simply infuriated.

"sit down! i'm not finished." santana demanded.

i raised my eyebrows and pursed my lips together. talk about awkward.

"yes you are. mr. schue, we're not doing a song at regionals called trouty mouth."

"uh y-you know what i have to agree with sam on this one. but, such a good first effort. i just don't think it's got the epic feel we need for regionals." mr. schue tried to save sam from the embarrassment.

puck then got up to sing an, admittedly nice (at least for him), song for lauren.

•

"quinn was asking me about prom today." finn sat with jesse and i at my house.

"prom is miles away." i pointed out.

"but that does prompt the question, which prom are we going to?" jesse turned to me.

i looked up at the ceiling to think a minute.

"mine of course." i answered.

jesse smiled and rolled his eyes.

"anyways, she was talking about being on top and stuff, and you know i hate when she talks about vein stuff like that." finn frowned.

"i know, finn. but you know quinn is like that. as much as she doesn't wanna admit it, she's obsessed with being the most beloved. she really really cares about crowns and popularity and things."

he sighed,"i know. i just wish she were more like-" he stopped himself.

i knew what he was gonna say. he was gonna say he wishes she were more like me. i rolled my eyes and shook it off.

"she's not. just deal, if you really like her."

•

"trouty mouth." i vocalized, same as santana's song, as i saw sam walking towards me.

he rolled his eyes and smiled,"do you have to do that? also the vocals were beautiful."

i smiled at the recognition,"i love it. sitting with santana on the bus?"

"actually, i was coming over to ask if i could sit with you."

"yeah of course." i nodded, happy with the opportunity to hang with my favorite resident guppy face.

"great." he said, turning around with me as we made our way to the bus.

"i normally sit with finn, but i'm sure he'll wanna sit with quinn." i said absentmindedly.

"wait, are him and quinn a thing?" he asked.

i looked up at the ceiling and rolled my eyes. i had just snitched.

"fuck, i'm sorry. it's kinda a secret right now."

"oh," he frowned,"it's fine."

"oh." i nodded slowly, not sure what he meant.

"but, uh, how do you feel about it?" he looked at me.

"me?" i furrowed my eyebrows.

"you two have a big fat past, right?"

"i'm with jess. that's that." i sighed.

though...i'm not sure that was true. i know i said he should move on and i wanted it and blah blah blah. but now that he's with someone else...i don't know.

•

finn picked me up and spun me around, as it had just been announced we won.

i glanced over to see quinn staring daggers. i tapped on finn's shoulders for him to let me go.

"oh, right." he nodded grimly.

i nodded and walked away to hug blaine and kurt.

"congrats." blaine wrapped his arms around me.

"i'm sorry. you're always welcome to join mckinley." i winked.

he laughed and shook his head,"i think i'll have to pass."