New Directions Invitationals!

[rachel berry]

Invitationals!
Welcome! If you are a member of New Directions or just along to watch, please post in this thread for the event. All ND members must attend, it is compulsory! But aside from that, have fun!

[rachel berry]

I was so pumped. Seriously. All the crap I'd gotten from guys aside, I was so happy. Tonight was the night of the New Directions Fall Invitationals, our first big performance of the year. It was the start of great things to come. We were going to take Sectionals, and without the leaked set list it should be a breeze. Then we'd take Regionals because, well, because we were better this year. We really would be, I knew we would. We had connected and we shared the same goal from now on. I had memorised all the lyrics and choreography, even to Let it Be, and I wasn't even doing anything but standing in the back for that! I had a duet with Quinn instead of Finn, which was a relief, and what was even better was that the song we were doing was For Good from Wicked. I loved Wicked, and the song, and I knew we were going to raise the roof. Once we'd finished with Like a Prayer, any Vocal Adrenaline spies that had come to watch would be quivering in their boots. I grabbed my bag, which had everything I could need in there - my cell phone, my purse, three bottles of water, an apple and a granola bar; and I headed down the stairs into the kitchen where my dads were waiting. They were giving me a lift down and then they intended to get front row seats. The video camera and folded up tripod lay on the dining table, ready to be used. "You're not wearing your costume?" Leroy asked, raising an eyebrow. I looked down at what I was wearing, a sweater and a skirt, with knee high socks and ballet pumps, and smiled slightly. I was dressed as if I was going to school for a normal day. "It's at school, dad. Everyone's outfit is." I told him, pouring myself some coffee and taking a sip. It was only lukewarm but I was thirsty and I was keeping my water for the performance.

I finished my mug quickly and turned to my dads, hands on my hips and chin in the air. They looked up at me and smiled. "Have you got everything?" Hiram asked me and I rolled my eyes. Who did he think I was, Finn? I didn't just forget things. "Phone, check. Purse, check. Refreshments, check. Rachel Berry, check. Come on, let's go." I said with a playful smile and let myself out the door, prancing down the drive to the car that was parked there and got in the back seat, shutting the door behind me and waited for my dads to get in. I thought I'd probably be the first there, but that was okay. I needed plenty of time to warm my voice up and get ready. I valued preparation much higher than the rest of the team did, it seemed, but that was because I was a Broadway star in the making. They were just doing this for fun, but I knew if Idina Menzel stepped onto the stage without previously waking up her vocal cords, she wouldn't have kept the role of Elphaba for very long. She'd probably sound more like Doctor Dillamond. And I didn't want to embarrass myself by stepping out in front of a crowd and singing poorly (not that I could sing badly, it would just be... average).

I watched the houses and fields go past, itching with impatience. I wanted to get on the stage and sing my heart out, and I couldn't do that from the back seat of my fathers' car. I took my phone out and sent a mass text to the members of New Directions, which read. "Are you all ready? We're going to rock, but I guess you all know that. I'm on my way to WMHS right now! Love you guys xo, Rach" I smiled at what I'd written and then pressed send, shutting my cell and dropping it back in my bag. Obviously everyone would be rushing to get ready, so they might not have time to reply, but it had given me something to do on what seemed like the longest car ride in the world. I grinned when I saw the school in the distance, although it was already dark out. The lights were on for people coming to watch us perform and the mere sight of it reminded me of the glistening lights of Broadway. I could hardly contain my excitement as my dads pulled into a parking spot near the main entrance, and as soon as the car had stopped I was out of the back seat and into the fresh early-evening air. "I'll see you when I'm on the stage. I love you two!" I called through the open window, blowing them a kiss and then running towards the steps, bouncing up them like an antelope. I walked through the empty corridors of the school, confidence radiating from me like heat from a fire. I stopped when I got to the choir room, walking inside and frowning when I saw I was the first here. Never mind. I put my bag down next to the piano and stood in front of it, beginning at the lower keys and practising a few scales. I hoped somebody would show up soon, and I was also praying that Mr Schue wouldn't turn up ridiculously late like he had done at the auditions.

WORDS 910 without code
TAGGED everyone
NOTES she's going crazy with excitement
OUTFIT described above
LYRICS teenage dreams, katy perry!
CREDIT KENNATRONIC @ caution 2.0

[noah puckerman]

I was going to be late and I'd known from the moment I'd started getting ready that I would be. Eva had been more of a nuisance now than ever before. Not only had she locked me out of my bedroom, but she'd now got my stereo blasting louder than ever. I'd been banging at the door for over an hour now, trying to get over the volume of the music which was now playing. It was no good, though. I knew that Eva could probably heart me and was just being a stupid little child. "Eva, you open this door right now!" I gave the door one last bash before walking down the stairs and into the living room where my mother was. She wasn't awake, though. I rolled my eyes at her, walking out of the room and looking down at what I was wearing. Jeans and socks. I grumbled to myself as I made some toast. I threw the bread into the toaster and then leaned back against the counter, waiting for the toaster to finish. Why couldn't things have gone bad another day and not today. Why was it now that my mother was passed out on the sofa? Why did Eva have to be such a little cow today? I shook my head, the reasons for it rushing out of my mind. They wouldn't be doing it just because I had Invitationals, would they? They knew how much I'd been looking forward to it. Mainly because of the solo I had along with Finn and Artie. I'd been practicing as much as possible and I'd finally got the right notes for Let it Be. I'd never really listened to The Beatles but I had to admit, that song was alright to sing. I wouldn't mind doing that.

The toast popped up and I instantly grabbed it from the toaster, dropping it onto the counter and then getting some butter. I spread it onto the toast and then walked upstairs, biting into the slice as I reached my bedroom again. I kicked the door, rolling my eyes at the fact the music hadn't been turned down yet. I swallowed the toast which was in my mouth and then groaned. "Eva, you little bitch, get out." I took another bite of my toast, stepping back from the door and waiting for it to open. I didn't know why I hadn't thought of it before. She'd run out and tell mom because I'd called her a bitch. I smiled when I heard the music stop and then the lock click. Eva shuffled out, staring at me and then shaking her her. "I'm telling mommy!" she screamed at me, running down the stairs. I shrugged and then walked into my bedroom, locking the door behind me. I frowned at the mess Eva had made and then shrugged, picking up the shirt that was on my bed and pulling it on. I sprayed myself, picked up my wallet, car keys and phone, and then walked out of my bedroom again. I rushed down the stairs, blinking when I saw my mother stood in the kitchen with her eyes closed. I smiled slightly, finished the rest of my toast and then opening the front door. "Back soon. Bye." I said. She just grunted at me. I stepped out of the door, closing it behind me and then walking towards my car as quickly as I could. I unlocked it and then got in, just as I heard my mother should my name as loud as she could. I smirked to myself, starting the car and driving towards the school.

It wasn't long before my phone began to buzz. I sighed, stopping at the traffic lights as it turned red. I quickly read the text, smiling slightly. I checked the lights again before texting her back. 'On my way there now, Berry, see you soon! Noah. xxx' I dropped my phone back onto the passengers seat, looking back at the lights which were still red. I frowned, waiting and then smiling when it changed. I drove off again, pulling into the school car park and then parking my car. I picked up my phone and wallet, got out of the car and then locked it. I'd get some drinks from inside. They'd still let you buy them, right? I shrugged to myself, putting my phone, wallet and keys into my pockets. I saw Rachel's fathers as I walked towards the school, smiling at them slightly and then walking inside. I made my way to the auditorium, knowing that Rachel would be the only one here as I hadn't seen anyone else yet. I smiled when I saw her, walking towards the piano. I leaned against it, tilting my head at her. "Excited, Rach?" I asked her quietly. "'Cause I sure am." I grinned lightly at her.

[quinnfabray]

Sleeping was getting easier. Granted, I wasn’t getting my full eight hours or anything, and I still didn’t sleep through the night, but I was actually getting rest. I went to bed around midnight the night before Invitationals, which was early for me, and only woke up five or six times. All in all I had been getting more sleep than I had all summer and it was paying off. The bags under my eyes were becoming less noticeable and puffy, I was in better moods, and my daily routine was becoming a lot easier to deal with due to the increase in energy I now had. I owed it all to Puck, and I knew it. After reuniting with him and talking our problems out, voicing our fears and telling our miseries and just getting all those pent up feelings and thoughts out in the open it was like a breath of fresh air. I still thought about Beth every moment of the day, but the pain in my heart was slowly beginning to lessen. It would never go away completely, of course, but it was now at least bearable. I didn’t feel like my world was ending anymore. Puck helped me see the truth that giving Beth up was best for everyone, and while I would always miss her this was the best thing we could do. We were moving forward now, and instead of seeing it as days I had to suffer though, I was looking at the future as fresh opportunities. Starting with Invitationals.

The day of the program I hung out in my room and did homework with Mercedes mostly. Watched some re-runs of Gilmore Girls and texted on my phone, the usual boredom that comes with a typical day of waiting. Eventually I showered and threw on a pair of skinny jeans, a pink camisole, and white flats. I decided to keep it simple since all of our costumes were at school, and we were doing our make-up and hair backstage as well. Kurt had already proclaimed himself in charge of supervising, and Tina and Mercedes would be his assistants as usual. So yeah, my outfit was basic. I left my hair down and straight and a coat of mascara and lip gloss on my face. I grabbed three different bottles of juice, a box of granola bars, my iPod, cell phone, and extra make-up to put in my tote bag before bidding goodbye to Mercedes and her family-(Mercedes was arriving later with Kurt after they went over supplies that needed to be brought along; I was bored and figured I might as well head over in the hopes of finding anything somewhat entertaining.

My drive to the school was quick and I parked off to the side to allow the parents and family members of the audience the prime parking spots. I’d be here with the rest of the club past show time anyway. Grabbing my bag I made my way through the school to the choir room. Shocker, Rachel was already here. That didn’t surprise me. I was actually really excited for our duet though. We’d become great friends over the last while and not to sound like bragging, but we sounded pretty damn good together.

“Hey girlie girl. You ready to rock this song?” I said as I dropped my bag on a chair.

The second person I saw was Puck. My Puck, in all his glory. Not that I’d ever let him hear things like that, because his ego was big enough as it was, but still. I would be lying if I said my heart didn’t flutter like a damn butterfly at the sight of him. I didn’t hesitate as I walked straight up to him, placed my hands on his cheeks and kissed him straight on the lips. It was short, because I didn’t feel like listening to Rachel complain about PDA and how unprofessional it would be, but I refused to greet my boyfriend any other way. “You get a special Hi.” I told him with a smile once I’d pulled back.

WORDS! 685
TAGGED! errrbuddy
OUTFIT! Quinnifer
LYRICS! i should tell you, rent obc
NOTES! viva, la vie.
CREDIT! KENNATRONIC @ caution 2.0

[rachel berry]

Noah was the first to arrive surprisingly. I was just getting to the high end of a scale when he walked through the door and I finished it off with a neat, perfect 'lar' and turned to face him. He didn't look as if he was anticipating this as much as I was but I doubted any of the members of the glee club were. They didn't know how big this was going to be, not just tonight but this year. We were going to go from a tiny, under-funded club to a massive team, we were going to be at Nationals this year, I knew it. And after we had been at Regionals, I was pretty sure that a few talent scouts would turn up tonight. Maybe I'd get spotted and offered a record contract for when I leave school. Or maybe a Broadway director would see me and write a role with me in mind. I was getting overly-excited just considering the prospect. Fame was everything in this world and one day Rachel Berry would be a household name, I knew it. All the bullies that pushed me into lockers and threw slushies at me would want my autograph. The members of Vocal Adrenaline who had egged me and toilet papered out choir room would be purchasing tickets to my concert or play the moment they came on sale.

And all of the guys that had messed me around, Finn and Jesse included, would regret being such disrespectful, hurtful dicks.

But I refused to let myself fret over those of the male gender, or even those of the female gender who had treated me poorly, because tonight was the start of my long road to fame. I was sure of it. I could feel it in the back of my mind. It made me absent mindedly grip the piano as I stood there and began to reply to Noah. "I'm more excited than you, I'm sure. I feel like I took some of those crazy-ass tablets that Ex-Mrs Schue gave us that time. Do you remember that? There's a natural equivalent, it seems. Called Rachel Berry. Oh my gosh Noah, we're going to rock this place!" I grinned, hoping I hadn't scared him. I got pretty intimidating when I was excited, because I got so over-the-top and before I knew it I was bouncing from the walls like a toddler on caffeine. To try and calm myself down I looked back at the piano keys, beginning a new, higher scale. After finishing that I felt a little more controlled so I moved so I was sitting on top of the piano, legs swinging freely, watching the door and waiting for someone else to come. I hoped Lorelai would arrive soon, and that her nerves didn't get the better of her. But the person I was waiting for the most was Finn. Just to see if he would turn up, unlike the auditions. I wanted to be proven wrong in my assumption that football had taken over glee since we had lost at Regionals.

However the next person to walk through the door was not Finn or Lorelai, it was in fact Quinn. I beamed when I saw her, because tonight she was the Glinda to my Elphaba, literally, in our duet. I waved slightly and then nodded confidently when she asked if I was prepared. "I was born ready, Glinda Fabray." I smirked, pulling a face of mock disgust when they kissed and then giggling lightly. I was happy I was in such a good mood, because a few weeks ago I probably would have entered a downward spiral when I saw a couple being so happy. My line of eyesight returned to the door, waiting once again, but when after a few minutes no one else arrived, I hopped off the piano and walked over to the costume cupboard. It was only small, and at the moment it just stored the thirteen outfits for tonight. I flicked through the dresses and shirts/ties, smiling when I found the one labelled with my name and taking it off the rail, holding it against my body for a few moments and then looking across at Quinn and Noah. "I'm going to get changed." I told them, but I doubted they'd respond. They'd probably be glad to see the back of me so they could commence on a pre-show make out session. I pranced along the empty corridors, trying the girls bathroom and frowning when it was locked. I walked to the boys and decided to try that door instead, rolling my eyes when that was barricaded shut too. I headed back down the hallways to the choir room, entering silently and putting the dress on the piano. "The toilets are locked. Where are we going to get changed? And anyway, what sort of ridiculous janitor closes the bathrooms on the night of the most important event of the school calendar?" I asked Noah and Quinn. I knew that the principal didn't see it as an important event, because he seemed so set against the arts, but in my eyes it was. Because tonight was going to etch the name Rachel Berry into the memories of some very influential people. I just knew it.

WORDS 879 without code
TAGGED everyone
NOTES ew! yucky horrible awful post of mine
OUTFIT described above
LYRICS teenage dreams, katy perry!
CREDIT KENNATRONIC @ caution 2.0

[william schuester]

HIGHWAY RUN INTO THE MIDNIGHT SUN
WHEELS GO ROUND AND ROUND
YOU'RE ON MY MIND

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normal | thought | "speech" | "quote"

It was finally October, and in a few weeks, I'd be turning thirty-two, on the twenty ninth precisely. It was both exciting and nauseating. I mean, I'd been married for a while, and I was going head first into having a family, and boom! I watched it collapse before my eyes in a few short minutes. What I needed was some therapy, or a distraction, and Glee was just what I needed. I was completely fervent and enthusiastic about attending and directing the Invitationals; the kids and I had worked so hard on the songs (Let It Be, For Good, and Like a Prayer), but I felt bad of the fact that not everyone was getting a solo. It was impossible for one performance, but during the year, I'd like to have each of the kids sing their own solo for the Club. I was getting sidetracked, but that wasn't a surprise. The adrenaline was taking over.

When I arrived in the school, I was surprised to see Quinn and Puck in the choir room together, and I noticed Rachel's bag lying lazily against one of the propped chairs. She was probably going to get her costume on. "Hey Quinn, Puck," I said, nodding to each of them in turn. Odd how I had picked up Noah's pet name. Having no time to have fixed up my outfit at home properly myself, I set down my bag, took some face wash and a comb, and headed off to the bathrooms. "The toilets are locked. Where are we going to get changed? And anyway, what sort of ridiculous janitor closes the bathrooms on the night of the most important event of the school calendar?" I heard. Was Rachel talking to herself, or had Quinn and Noah beaten me to the restrooms? Shuffling through my pockets, rather compellingly, I searched for the ring of teacher keys, and found them with ease. I leaned over the handle to the girls' bathroom, first accidentally attempting to use my car keys in the keyhole. "Whoops," I muttered incoherently, switching to the correct key, and the handle unlocked with a snap. "There you go guys; I'll have to talk to Figgins about this in the future," I said, then moving to unlock the boys' bathroom, going in myself to fix myself up.

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WORDS: 352 WITH: RACHEL, NOAH, && QUINN. NOTES: HAI GUYS LOL; THIS POST IS REALLY LAME AND SHORT SORRY SONG: FAITHFULLY;; JOURNEY

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RESTLESS HEARTS SLEEP ALONE TONIGHT
SENDING ALL MY LOVE ALONG THE WIRE
THEY SAY THAT THE ROAD
AIN'T NO PLACE TO START A FAMILY

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[lorelai anchors]

--------------------- lay me down,

We’d practiced hard, and I was no exception; the hours of singing and dancing I’d done over the past month or so far surpassed what I’d done before in my entire life. It was really stressful. I mean, I did it, of course, and I never complained. How could I? I loved doing it. It was fun, it was artistic. I loved spending time with new friends like Rachel, Quinn, Puck, Brittany and Mike. Even if I didn’t talk much, everyone was extraordinarily friendly and that was an amazing thing to be part of. Jesse was right. I needed the family-esque environment that I was provided with at practice. I didn’t just go through the motions of my day anymore; I had things I looked forward to, like when I saw Rachel before second period every day or when I got to walk with Mike to math class because his next class was right next door. It was nice. Then, of course, I made a new friend outside of Glee Club; Elliot. I had never seen him before, until we met in those HIV meetings. I was concerned, at first, knowing that someone else I didn’t know too well knew my secret and had the ability to tell the entire school. But I soon began to realize how silly that was. This was the guy who I’d been admiring in the meetings. Not in a creepy way, but… I loved his optimism. It was really sweet, and definitely something I wished I could do. I mean, I had just accepted that I was going to die an early death. He’d taken his very similar experience and gave it a positive spin. He was the one comforting everyone, the happy one in the group. We’d started talking, and we became friends. I loved our friendship. We understood what the other was going through.

I’d never really crushed on a boy before. I know, being a senior and never having a boyfriend is sort of a depressing fact, but it’s true. I guess, when you spend so much time getting high in a basement, you only have time to make out with guys more trashed than you are. Unfortunately, that was how I spent my time, being uncomfortable by their hand traveling up my thigh. The closest I’d gotten to sex was the countless amount of times when people began screwing on the couch behind where all of us sat. So, I wasn’t really sure if I’d developed a ‘crush’ on Elliot or not, but I figured it didn’t matter. There was no way he’d feel the same back. I just hoped it was sort of a passing thing, but… I sort of felt real, now. Like I could officially connect with the human population. I knew what it was like to get butterflies during a hug, to day dream about something other than making it to forty, to think about how amazing it would be to cuddle with someone. It was nice. Either way, he was a great friend, but the prospect of him showing up tonight made me rather nervous. I definitely couldn’t mess up, now.

I got to the school and followed Rachel’s voice to the choir room. I stopped in the doorway and gave an uneasy smile. I bit my lip and grabbed my costume from the rack, slinging it over my arm before frowning and making my way over to Rachel. “So, I have my first boy problem,”

[/b] I mumbled, “And I can’t use my usual excuse to ignore it because he… Has the same… Issue as I do.”[/b] I frowned. “And I think he’s coming tonight.”[/b] Well, who better to ask advice from than Rachel? “And he’s really cute.”[/b] I looked down, awkwardly, then glanced back up at everyone else. “Oh, and… Hi, guys.” [/b]
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