Season 3, Episode 8: Hold on to Sixteen

Ownership of Glee: FOX, Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, Brad Falchuk

= = =

Mr. Shue is having us looking for songs to perform for Sectionals. I have an idea to run by our teacher, but I don't think he'd agree to it.

"We need to do something upbeat." Mr. Shue says.

"Mr. Shue, maybe we need to concentrate on our performer problem before we set a set list. I mean, at least the Cheerios can dance. We need star power." Finn says.

"We need Sam Evans." I say.

"Sam transferred. His whole family moved. We don't even know where he is." Charlie says.

"He's in Kentucky. It's just across the border from Cincinnati. It's about a four hour drive from here." Finn states.

"Even homeless people have Facebook." Artie says.

"Rachel and I might as well get used to a life of barista work and summer stock. There's no way we're getting into NYADA now." Finn comments.

"If we don't win at Sectionals, I pretty much have nothing to live for." Kurt says. I glare at him. "Except for you and my family." He corrects himself.

"New Directions is a mess, and we're gonna lose, Kurt, and I can't do a thing about it." Blaine says sadly.

"Cheer up Blaine. I know you'll think of something." I tell him.

The bell rings and everyone leaves. I walk up to Mr. Shue. "Hey Mr. Shue, I wanted to run an idea for Sectionals by you if that's okay?" I ask.

He nods. "Tell me your idea." Mr. Shue says.

"I got two words for you: Michael Jackson."

= = =

Charlie P.O.V.

"Hi, Charlie." Comes the voice of my oh so lovely cousin Sebastian. The same one that's crushing on Blaine.

"We've been really busy with Glee Club. Practicing for Sectionals... together." Sebastian says.

"Mmm, congrats on the Warbler win at your sectionals. We're up this week." I tell him.

"Yeah. Well, hey, if there's one guy that can whip New Directions into a legitimate threat, it's Blaine Anderson, right?" Kurt says.

"Right." I tell Kurt.

"I need another coffee." Blaine says. Kurt gets up and gets in line with him, leaving me and Violet alone with Sebastian.

"I don't like you." Violet says.

"Fun." Sebastian says. "I don't like you either."

"I don't like the way you talk to my boyfriend, I don't like your smirky little meerkat face, I don't like your obnoxious CW hair. I'm onto you." I tell my cousin.

"Let's get a few things straight. Blaine's too good for you." Sebastian tells me and then looks to Violet. "Kurt could do better than you." He says. I don't miss the way Violet looks hurt.

Is Sebastian crushing on our boyfriends?

"New Directions is a joke. And one of us has a hard luck case of the gay-face, and it ain't me or Violet. Odds are by the end of the school year, I'll have Blaine or Kurt and a nationals trophy, and you'll have khakis and a Lima Bean apron and that gay face. And Violet will probably have a straight Warbler or someone that's enough for her low standards." Sebastian continues.

"You smell like Craig's List." Violet hisses.

"What are you guys talking about?" Blaine asks as he and Kurt come back from the line.

"Duh, the next time we're all going out drinking, killer!" Sebastian says.

"Uh-oh. Well, I gotta run. But you take care of that Warbler, Charlie. Later, Violet." Sebastian waves as he leaves the Lima Bean.

"Charlie... you're related to such a dick." Violet says.

"Yeah I know. But he's family, so I can't do much about it."

= = =

Violet P.O.V.

I came back from the bathroom to see a familiar face among the New Directions.

"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Finn and Rachel. I sort of lost my way, but... true friends help you find your way back." Sam Evans says.

"Let's hear it for Sam Evans!" Mr. Shue says.

Everyone cheers.

I walk up to him. "You just can't get enough of us, can you Sammy?" I ask.

He turns and smiles at me. "Violet." Sam says and hugs me. I hug back.

"Next time you go MIA and become a stripper at a Kentucky bar, I'll kill you myself. You understand Samuel Jessica Evans?" I growl in his ear.

"Yes ma'am." He whispers, obviously terrified.

"Good." I say and we let go of the hug.

Sam smiles. "All right, enough of the sentimental stuff. It's time y'all get a little country back in this joint! Oh!" Sam says.

Everyone exclaims.

"Cheers! Two, one, two, three." Sam says. He begins playing Toby Keith's "Red Solo Cup."

[Red Solo Cup by Sam]

The performance is over just as Santana walks in.

"I just heard the news that Trouty Mouth is back in town. I've been keeping a notebook, just in case this day ever came. 'Welcome back, Lisa Rinna. I've missed you so much since your family packed their bags, loaded them in your mouth, and skipped town. I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to enjoy a crisp pickle, but couldn't find anyone to suck the lid off the jar. I assume you've been working as a baby-polisher, where young mothers place their infants' heads in your mouth to get back that newborn shine. So glad you're back. I haven't seen a smile that big since a Claymation Abominable Snowman got his teeth pulled by that little gay elf dentist. Love, Santana.'" Santana reads from her notebook.

Sam smiles. "I missed you, too, Santana." He says and hugs his ex-girlfriend.

Once she leaves, Mr. Shue turns to all of us. "Okay guys, I know we've been on the hunt for songs to sing at Sectionals, but Violet's given me an idea that I think will take us to first place." He says.

"What's the idea, Violet?" Finn asks. I have ten faces looking at me. I smile as I give them an answer.

"I think we should do Michael Jackson for Sectionals."

= = =

It's the night of Sectionals. I walk into the choir room to see the Trouble Tones are decked out for Sectionals.

"You girls look great." I say and hug my friends.

Santana smiles. "Thank you. You look great too. But just so you know, I fully believe the Trouble Tones are going to beat you guys."

I giggle gently. "I wish you girls good luck out there." I tell them.

Mercedes smiles. "We don't need luck. We're going to win."

= = =

The announcer starts talking into the microphone when we take our seats. "Ladies and gentlemen, from McKinley High, competing for the first time ever, the Trouble Tones!"

I cheer and from my seat, I watch them perform a mash-up of 'Survivor/I Will Survive.'

[Survivor/I Will Survive by Trouble Tones]

Sam and I are up and out of our seats, dancing and clapping to the beat.

"Violet, sit down." Finn says.

"C'mon Finny. I'm supporting my girls. You should too. They're our friends." I tell him.

When they finish, Sam and I clap the loudest for them.

= = =

I look at Kurt as we get ready backstage. "Your last Sectionals. How does it feel?" I ask.

"Still nerve wracking as always." He says.

"Well don't be nervous. Everyone's going to do amazing." I tell him and give him a good luck kiss. He kisses back before we have to go and take our places.

"Also from McKinley High, let's give it up for the New Directions!" The announcer says.

There's cheering and applause.

We start off with Jackson 5's 'ABC' with notable solos from Tina, Mike, and Kurt.

[ABC by New Directions]

We transition into Michael Jackson's 'Control,' with solos by Artie, Blaine and Quinn.

[Control by New Directions]

We then transition into our last Michael Jackson song of the night, 'Man in the Mirror,' with solos by Finn, Puck, Artie, Sam, and Blaine.

[Man in the Mirror by New Directions]

As we end, we have the loudest applause we've ever gotten in the last 3 years.

I have a good feeling about who will win Sectionals.

= = =

Kurt P.O.V.

I walk toward Shelby's classroom and knock on the open door. She looks at me with surprise written on her face.

"Kurt, I thought you'd be in the choir room with everyone else before the results come in." She says.

"I would be, but I need to ask you something. Something important." I tell her.

Shelby nods and I sit across from her at a table. I sigh. "Shelby... I know you're not in Violet's life like you thought you would be, but you're the closest thing she has to a real mother. That's why I wanted to come to you." I tell her.

"I don't know where this is going but okay." Shelby follows along.

I sigh. "I know it's customary to ask the father, but seeing as that's not possible, I felt like I should come to you. In the last two and a half years you've been getting to know Violet, you've seen how much I love her. And I was hoping you would give me your blessing... so that I could ask her to marry me," I reveal.

Shelby looks a little shocked. "Um... Kurt, you two are a little young to be getting married." She says.

"I know. But I've thought about this since I was 10. I love Violet with all my heart, and I want to continue to make her happy. I plan on proposing next year, because I agree that we're too young to get married right now. But since you're not going to be here next year, I thought I'd get approval from you tonight." I tell her.

Shelby thinks, and I'm panicking on the inside. She looks to me with a smile on her face.

"Kurt... from what I've seen in Violet, you've helped shape her. I've seen her do incredible and amazing things. You're her person, her soulmate. If this is really what you want, I will give you my blessing." She says.

I smile brightly and give her a gentle hug. "Thank you so much." I tell her.

"You're welcome. Now you better go back to the New Directions. I think Violet will start looking for you in a minute or two." Shelby says.

I nod and walk back to the choir room. Getting Shelby's blessing was the easy part.

The hard part is telling Dad and actually proposing.

I don't even care about Sectionals right now; I'm just happy I have approval to propose to Violet.

= = =

Violet P.O.V.

All three glee clubs are onstage for the results.

"As an award-winning clown, I'd like to say that it's nice, for once, to be working with kids that are just sick with talent. Third place – The Unitards!" Tickles announces.

I clap for their efforts.

"In second place... we have the Trouble Tones! In first place is New Directions!" Tickles says.

We all cheer and hug each other. I pull Kurt in for a celebratory kiss. He looks shocked but kisses back.

I'm so proud of us. We're going to Regionals!

= = =

Quinn and I walk to the girl's bathroom, hoping to get the girls to come back.

"All right, ladies, girl talk." Quinn says.

"No. Uh-uh. Don't you dare try and give us a pep talk." Santana says.

"Or ask us to come back to New
Directions – not interested." Mercedes adds.

"Wait, is it even possible? Do you think they would really take us back?" Brittany asks.

"Of course they would take us back." Santana claims.

"But I'm telling you, I'm not going." Mercedes says.

"Do you know what growing up is about? Losing things. In six months, we'll all be gone, scattered. We'll keep in touch, but it won't be the same. When we see each other, it'll be a special occasion. It'll be different. I don't want to grow up yet. I'm not ready to lose you girls." Quinn says.

"What are we supposed to do? Come back to Glee Club and sing background for Blaine and Berry until we graduate? I'm not doing that again. We know what it feels like to be out front now." Mercedes counters.

"What if Mr. Shue agreed to let the Trouble Tones sing at least one number per competition?" I ask.

"Well, even if Mr. Shue did agree to that, Rachel never would." Mercedes argues.

"What if I told you that they both already did?" Quinn shoots back.

"I'm listening." Mercedes tells us.

"Look, I know I went a little crazy. But I'm here now. I'm 17 – I have the rest of my life in front of me. I love Glee Club. I love you girls. And when we're 27, or 87, I want us to be able to look back on these next couple months and talk about how it was the best times of our lives. Can't do that if we're not all together." Quinn explains.

"We're doing a big number in the auditorium to celebrate our victory and to prepare for Regionals. We could use a couple more girl voices. Let me know if you hear about anybody who might want to join." I tell them.

We exit the bathroom and walk to the auditorium together.

"You know... you could give Mr. Shue a run for his money with pep talks." I tell Quinn.

Quinn laughs as we link arms. "Don't be ridiculous. He's the king of pep talks."

= = =

Rachel's suspension has officially ended, and to help us celebrate our victory, she's starting us off with f.u.n.'s 'We Are Young.'

[We Are Young by New Directions]

We're all singing together when we hear four distinct voices towards the door to the auditorium. I see Sugar, Mercedes, Santana and Brittany there with smiles on their faces.

Quinn brings Mercedes over, Brittany jumps into Rory's arms, and Sugar sits in Artie's lap.

Rachel and I smile as we walk to Santana, grabbing both of her hands. We walk her over to Finn, who gives her a big hug.

I stand next to Kurt, holding his hand as we all sing.

When we finish, Mr. Shue has joined us on the risers. We all cheer and have a big group hug.

The New Directions are complete once again.

And we're all going to Regionals together.

= = =

2400 words

Songs Mentioned/Performed
1. Red Solo Cup - Sam
2. Survivor/I Will Survive - Trouble Tones
3. ABC/Control/Man in the Mirror - New Directions
4. We Are Young - New Directions

I hope you guys liked the Kurt part I added in. Leaves a lot of room for speculation and surprises.

Also, the Finntana hug makes me cry so much. God, I miss Cory and Naya.

Next update: Extraordinary Merry Christmas

2 episodes to Yes/No
3 episodes to Michael