Glee | LATGHAOT Love & the Gentle Heart | Multiship (1 of 20)
Started my daily ficlets to make the hiatus pass, then decided to keep going with a 2nd cycle and then a 3rd, all through to a 22nd. Now cycle 23!
if you have things you would like to see get written, pleeease drop by the suggestion box. The link is further down!
LOVE & THE GENTLE HEART ARE ONE THING - So last year for Valentine's Day I did a series of 11 stories, individual, but this year I wanted to do something different, so this is going to be a twenty-day/chapter story, leading up to V's Day (and day after), with loads of song, loads of love... whether it works out for them or not. Important part! Now, I'm kind of a multishipper, so I like some conflicting ships at time, but still I wanted to be able to cater to all of them in one way or another, so that's how I got to the unfolding of this story, the big dance. Now whether or not some of these ships are there together, that was left to how things were at the end of episode 10 (except for Finn/Rachel... I couldn't have them apart for this! So... yeah, ignore the break up *cough* ;)). I have not read any spoilers, for plot or songs, and I planned this story some weeks back, before filming news and... people not so considerate of people not wanting to find out stuff (:P)... affected things in any way. Obviously if you count it out, you know this will run past the return dates for Glee, but still it's already planned and won't change because of whatever happens, so... Enjoy! (Wow that went on for a while ;) But I wanted to make sure everything was explained ;)) (Oh! Almost forgot! The title! Kind of grabbed on to it in the middle of my Italian literature class last semester ;))
Chapter 1 of 20 Love & the Gentle Heart
"LOVE & THE GENTLE HEART ARE ONE THING
1. LOVE & THE GENTLE HEART"
Multiship
Emma heard the knocking along her office’s window wall and she knew… She looked up, smiled as Carl came through the door. “Afternoon,” he had that smile of his that made her just… tremble in the same way her heart did.
“Hi,” she sat up.
“You wanted to see me, of course, here I am,” he smirked, coming to sit across from her desk, like a visitor.
“Yes, I did,” she nodded, getting up and moving across to sit with him. “So as you can probably guess, we’ve got the Valentine’s Day dance coming up…”
“Yeah, I saw the posters in the hall…”
“Yeah… They really go all out, it drives Sue crazy…” she shook her head, though there was a tiny smile at the corner of her lips. She coughed. “A-anyway… Usually, I would chaperone, and… they asked me again, this year, but, well…” She hesitated, not wanting to imply or sneak on whatever plans he might have.
“A dance…” he nodded. “That sounds good,” he got back up.
“It does?” she was smiling again as he confirmed this. She grinned. “Great, yes!” she clapped her hands together. “It’s going to be great, really, W… we can dance… have punch… pre-packed, not the communal bowl kind of anything,” she shook her head. She almost said ‘Will.’
“No, right, of course,” Carl agreed, then smiled. “And after the dance, we can have ourselves a late dinner, just us…”
“I’d love that,” she smiled back.
X
“We need to talk colors,” were the first words Finn heard from Rachel as she came to meet him at his locker. He looked around, like somehow he’d find the start of this conversation somewhere on the hall floors… no luck.
“What?” she frowned, then pulled out her phone, showing him pictures of herself in different dresses.
“Which one’s better?” she asked, looking, with him, at the pictures flick by. Finn needed a moment, as he often did when Rachel was this… driven. Then he saw one of the pictures and a noise dislodged from his throat. “Okay, green,” she nodded, putting the phone away. “So, I’ll see about getting you something to match,” she smiled.
“Cool, okay,” he shrugged… “Better off this way,” he spoke, mostly to himself… She’d never had to ask if they’d go… “My mom’s going to be there, chaperone, her and Burt both.”
“Good, good,” she nodded, then remembered, “I need to show you the shoes…”
X
Even after how long he’d been at Dalton Academy by now, Kurt still had this odd feeling like he’d get turned around one day and then never find his way out again… just endless polished halls.
He was startled at the sound of his phone ringing and answered it to find it was Mercedes. “Did you do it yet?” she ‘greeted’ him and he sighed… which she heard. “Do it!” she insisted.
“Fine,” he shook his head, then stopped himself, realizing he was nodding to no one who could see it. “But you have to do your part, too.” There was a pause.
“Right, I know,” she answered, and they said their goodbyes, hanging up. He took a breath… It wasn’t completely unreasonable for him to consider asking Blaine what he wanted to ask… the two of them, they were growing closer… But an invitation to a Valentine’s Day dance did carry some underlining meaning, and he didn’t want to make a move he’d end up regretting.
He was sitting in the common room, trying to come up with some way of bringing this up, showing that he was open to more, while not sounding too forward… It wasn’t even ‘one step forward, three steps back,’ it was ‘one step forward, one step back’… No forward motion, no backward motion… Just standing there, no idea…
“You look like you just went through one of Mr. Yates’ pop quizzes…” he heard Blaine’s voice and snapped out of that thought, looking at him.
“What? No, that’s not i… What about his pop quizzes?” he asked. Blaine gave him a look.
“What’s going on?” he redirected, so Kurt forged ahead.
“So Mercedes called, and she wants me to come to the dance next week, at McKinley…”
“Next week? You mean…” Blaine nodded along.
“That’s the one,” Kurt confirmed, pausing to find the next words. “I do kind of want to go; we always had our fun, but… With this year, with everything that… happened…” he nodded along.
“Why don’t I go with you?” Blaine suggested, with an understanding smile. Kurt looked at him. “Really, I insist. That’s if you don’t mind having me there…”
“Wouldn’t mind it at all…” Kurt shook his head, trying not to smile too hard.
X
Artie wasn’t exactly in the capacity to ‘pace’, but if he was, then that was what he’d be doing at the moment. Instead he just sat there very quiet and still, hands in his lap, as he thought about… things. It wasn’t like his relationship with Brittany wasn’t already substantial enough, but he… he’d never gotten to go to a dance, a school dance, with a girl before… let alone one who he was dating. So no matter what, he wanted to ask her…
He sat there, practically willing himself to ask his girlfriend out to the dance. He still had all the nerves going mad inside him. He waited until he could get her alone, which was when she split off from the pack, including Santana and Quinn, as they all left the gym. She spotted him and she smiled, waving at him… he waved back. She jogged over to him, leaning in to kiss him. “Hi,” she smiled on.
“Hi,” he replied. “I wanted to ask you something,” he started, and she knelt down to be at his eye level.
“Ask,” she nodded. He grinned… Why was he so worried?
“Maybe I… I’m hoping it’s just a formality…”
“A what?” Brittany asked, but he left it hanging.
“So I just wanted to ask if… if you’ll go to the dance with me,” he finally explained, and she smiled widely, nodding energetically.
“Sure!” she answered. “When is it?”
“Valentine’s Day,” he told her as she got up and they started down the hall.
“Okay,” she nodded, then… “When?”
X
It was just about lunch time, and Tina had gone to her locker to drop off her books. The moment she closed the door again, a pair of hands came over her eyes. She jumped, but then realized who it was and gave a laugh. “Hey, Mike…” He let go and moved to face her, back to the lockers near hers.
“Hello,” he nodded. “I was wondering…” he started.
“Yeah?” she asked him, slightly curious.
“You wouldn’t happen to have a date to the dance, would you?” he pondered innocently. She beamed.
“Well no one’s asked me yet,” she played along.
“They haven’t?” he raised an eyebrow. “What about your boyfriend?”
“Hasn’t asked,” she shook her head, chuckling on the inside.
“The idiot…” Mike shook his head.
“He’s okay,” Tina shrugged, and that made him laugh. “So you’re asking?”
“I’m asking,” he nodded, and she leaned in to kiss him. “Is that a yes?” he asked, and she smacked him on the arm. “Alright, I get the message!” he ‘gave in.’
X
In the cafeteria, Quinn was quietly eating her lunch, reviewing for a test she had right after, when she felt the strong impression that she was being watched. She turned her eyes to the side, where Sam sat with her, and saw he was indeed watching, head rested in the palm of his hand, elbow on the table.
“What are you up to?” she asked, wondering what he was staring at; her hand reached to her face on reflex, to check if there was anything there. “Something on your mind?”
“Something, and someone.” He smiled, so… she put fork and notes down and turned to look at him properly, humoring him.
“What’s the something?” she asked.
“The dance, on Valentine’s Day,” he revealed. She couldn’t stop herself smiling even if she wanted to in that moment.
“And, uh, who’s the someone?” she carried on.
“You,” he smiled back.
“I see,” she nodded, ‘deducting,’ “So the dance, and me… Is this like Jeopardy, like ‘what is ‘an invitation’?’”
“Jackpot,” he confirmed.
“Yeah, that’s not how the game works…” she shook her head, still smiling. “But I’m still saying yes.” He sat back up, pleased, and she returned to her studying and her lunch, her smile stuck on her face.
X
Santana was just leaving the cafeteria. Everyone was talking about their plans for the dance, and she could not, would not stay… it wasn’t like she could have what she wanted, so what was the point to it? That was when Puck fell in step with her. “What do you want?” she frowned.
“You coming to the dance with me?” he asked casually. She rolled her eyes.
“Wow, that was pathetic…” she was still frowning.
“Why not? You don’t have a date, do you? Not that this would be a date…”
“Keep talking, I’m sure that hole you’re digging can get a lot deeper… I might bury you in it.” He stopped her, and she obliged him in listening.
“I want to be there, and I’m not in the mood for any of these other girls’ crap, and you… You’re kind of a safer choice with that. I’m sure it’s the same for you, I can tell,” he nodded to her face, and she tried to change it immediately, which of course betrayed her. “Come on… I won’t even try anything… Unless you want to?”
“Get over yourself,” she chuckled. But he was kind of right… too right… as usual. “Fine. Just remember what this is… and what it isn’t,” she told him before walking off. He let her go, satisfied.
X
Mercedes knew she’d see Anthony Rashad in her next class, and her stomach had started to twist in anticipation. She hadn’t wanted to follow Kurt’s suggestions about him at first, out of… frustration, and a million other things, but after that had gone away a bit, she’d started turning around. They would talk, sometimes… more and more, but she still got so nervous at the thought of him. And now she had this damned deal she’d made with Kurt. If he was going to invite Blaine, then she had to be bold and try to snatch up Anthony as her date… Easier said than done.
When she came in the class and he saw her, he threw her… one of those smiles… way to make her even more nervous about this. She came to take her seat, which was right in front of him, one row up. “Mercedes Jones,” he greeted her. She paused, amused by the bit of formal tone in his voice.
“Hi,” she still managed.
“I wanted to ask you something…”
“Okay?” she nodded. “Did you forget your homework again?” He picked up a sheet in front of himself and showed it to her… No, he had his homework. “Right, well what is it?”
“I was wondering if you already had a date to the dance next week.” She froze, completely still while on the inside her heart was doing all the hopping. “Because if you don’t…”
“I don’t…” she cut in, and she tried not to smile too early… this could still be a misunderstanding.
“Then I’d like to be the one to take you,” he nodded. Okay, now she could smile.
“That’d be great, actually,” she told him, at awe that her throat could manage words still. He smiled back, just as the teacher came in and they both sat to attention… she didn’t hear a word all through that period; her mind was elsewhere, tripping out.
X
Glee Club was live with loud conversations as everyone talked about their plans for the dance, when Will came in. “Alright, guys, settle down, I’ve got something to tell you, hey!” he whistled, and the noise slowly died out. “Thank you. So, as I’m sure you all know, the dance is next week. And due to budget cuts, Principal Figgins was unable to hire… entertainment.”
“I can tell where this is going…”Santana smirked.
“We’re the entertainment?” Rachel filled in.
“In a sense, yes. I had the idea and Figgins consented. We are going to be performing, but we will also be attending. So this is how it’s going to work. People, either students, faculties, or your designated chaperones,” he gave a bow of the head to indicate he was one of those, “will be buying songs, sponsoring them, in a way, all the proceeds going to pay our way to Regionals.” They cheered at this. “The principal has insisted that he approve all the songs, after the Toxic incident, but he’s promised to be reasonable.”
“Yeah, right,” Tina chuckled.
“The point is… As the evening goes along, those songs which have been asked for will be performed; we’ll assign them as it goes, solos, duets, or more, we’ll see what happens. But while you’re not on stage, you’ll all still be able to enjoy the dance,” he nodded, and this seemed to please them all.
X
When he got home that day, Will was still thinking about the dance. Just a few months back he would have thought maybe he’d be there with Emma that year. And just a few more months before that, he thought he’d get Terri to come in with him to look over things… But he was alone now. He knew there was no shame in going on his own, but he really didn’t want that. He knew he could probably find a date at school, a good number of the female faculty was single and willing, but… he would rather go alone than to have a date that didn’t mean anything.
Holly… He sat up. He hadn’t tried to think of anyone, she just came to his mind all of a sudden, and he just… he smiled. He did miss her, since she’d been with them. Thinking about it, they did sort of have something going, back then, at least the start of something… He could just let it fade away, or… Or he could take a chance, and see if something could happen. Crazier things had happened…
He still had her number, ‘just in case,’ she’d told him. He dialed it up, waited… He heard music before he heard her voice… Wherever she was, it was loud. “Hello?”
“H-Holly? Hey, it’s Will! Will Schuester, from McKinley High?” he tried to speak loud enough to hear.
“Will, hi! Hold on!” she spoke just as loud, then talking to someone else who was probably nearby. “I’m still going next, okay?” After that, the noise started to diminish, until he heard a door open and shut, and then it was completely gone. “Hi!” she spoke again, still a little loud and out of breath. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Well, I… I was hoping… wondering… There’s a dance. Next week, at school, for Valentine’s Day. Anyway, I’m chaperoning and I was curious if you’d want to tag along.”
“What, as a date?” she asked, and he almost gulped.
“Uh, yeah, if… if you want, I mean…”
“Sure! Can you come pick me up though, my car’s in the shop? Listen, I have to go, but I’ll see you then!” And she was gone. He just sat there, with his phone in hand… Maybe Saint Valentine would smile on him…
TO BE CONTINUED (TOMORROW)
* IN CONSTRUCTION! *
PREVIOUS DAYS
[Cycle 01] [Cycle 02] [Cycle 03] [Cycle 04] [Cycle 05]
[Cycle 06] [Cycle 07] [Cycle 08] [Cycle 09] [Cycle 10]
[Cycle 11] [Cycle 12] [Cycle 13] [Cycle 14] [Cycle 15]
[Cycle 16] [Cycle 17] [Cycle 18] [Cycle 19] [Cycle 20]
[Cycle 21] [Cycle 22]
[Cycle 23]
(none yet)
Suggestion Drop Off
Title: "Love & the Gentle Heart Are One Thing: 1. Love & the Gentle Heart"
Pairing: Carl/Emma, Finn/Rachel, Kurt/Blaine, Artie/Brittany, Mike/Tina, Sam/Quinn, Puck/Santana, Anthony/Mercedes, Will/Holly, and more to come!
Rating: G
Summary: Valentine's Day is coming, and it's shaping up to be a very Glee kind of dance...
Spoilers: Through 210 A Very Glee Christmas
if you have things you would like to see get written, pleeease drop by the suggestion box. The link is further down!
LOVE & THE GENTLE HEART ARE ONE THING - So last year for Valentine's Day I did a series of 11 stories, individual, but this year I wanted to do something different, so this is going to be a twenty-day/chapter story, leading up to V's Day (and day after), with loads of song, loads of love... whether it works out for them or not. Important part! Now, I'm kind of a multishipper, so I like some conflicting ships at time, but still I wanted to be able to cater to all of them in one way or another, so that's how I got to the unfolding of this story, the big dance. Now whether or not some of these ships are there together, that was left to how things were at the end of episode 10 (except for Finn/Rachel... I couldn't have them apart for this! So... yeah, ignore the break up *cough* ;)). I have not read any spoilers, for plot or songs, and I planned this story some weeks back, before filming news and... people not so considerate of people not wanting to find out stuff (:P)... affected things in any way. Obviously if you count it out, you know this will run past the return dates for Glee, but still it's already planned and won't change because of whatever happens, so... Enjoy! (Wow that went on for a while ;) But I wanted to make sure everything was explained ;)) (Oh! Almost forgot! The title! Kind of grabbed on to it in the middle of my Italian literature class last semester ;))
Chapter 1 of 20 Love & the Gentle Heart
"LOVE & THE GENTLE HEART ARE ONE THING
1. LOVE & THE GENTLE HEART"
Multiship
Emma heard the knocking along her office’s window wall and she knew… She looked up, smiled as Carl came through the door. “Afternoon,” he had that smile of his that made her just… tremble in the same way her heart did.
“Hi,” she sat up.
“You wanted to see me, of course, here I am,” he smirked, coming to sit across from her desk, like a visitor.
“Yes, I did,” she nodded, getting up and moving across to sit with him. “So as you can probably guess, we’ve got the Valentine’s Day dance coming up…”
“Yeah, I saw the posters in the hall…”
“Yeah… They really go all out, it drives Sue crazy…” she shook her head, though there was a tiny smile at the corner of her lips. She coughed. “A-anyway… Usually, I would chaperone, and… they asked me again, this year, but, well…” She hesitated, not wanting to imply or sneak on whatever plans he might have.
“A dance…” he nodded. “That sounds good,” he got back up.
“It does?” she was smiling again as he confirmed this. She grinned. “Great, yes!” she clapped her hands together. “It’s going to be great, really, W… we can dance… have punch… pre-packed, not the communal bowl kind of anything,” she shook her head. She almost said ‘Will.’
“No, right, of course,” Carl agreed, then smiled. “And after the dance, we can have ourselves a late dinner, just us…”
“I’d love that,” she smiled back.
X
“We need to talk colors,” were the first words Finn heard from Rachel as she came to meet him at his locker. He looked around, like somehow he’d find the start of this conversation somewhere on the hall floors… no luck.
“What?” she frowned, then pulled out her phone, showing him pictures of herself in different dresses.
“Which one’s better?” she asked, looking, with him, at the pictures flick by. Finn needed a moment, as he often did when Rachel was this… driven. Then he saw one of the pictures and a noise dislodged from his throat. “Okay, green,” she nodded, putting the phone away. “So, I’ll see about getting you something to match,” she smiled.
“Cool, okay,” he shrugged… “Better off this way,” he spoke, mostly to himself… She’d never had to ask if they’d go… “My mom’s going to be there, chaperone, her and Burt both.”
“Good, good,” she nodded, then remembered, “I need to show you the shoes…”
X
Even after how long he’d been at Dalton Academy by now, Kurt still had this odd feeling like he’d get turned around one day and then never find his way out again… just endless polished halls.
He was startled at the sound of his phone ringing and answered it to find it was Mercedes. “Did you do it yet?” she ‘greeted’ him and he sighed… which she heard. “Do it!” she insisted.
“Fine,” he shook his head, then stopped himself, realizing he was nodding to no one who could see it. “But you have to do your part, too.” There was a pause.
“Right, I know,” she answered, and they said their goodbyes, hanging up. He took a breath… It wasn’t completely unreasonable for him to consider asking Blaine what he wanted to ask… the two of them, they were growing closer… But an invitation to a Valentine’s Day dance did carry some underlining meaning, and he didn’t want to make a move he’d end up regretting.
He was sitting in the common room, trying to come up with some way of bringing this up, showing that he was open to more, while not sounding too forward… It wasn’t even ‘one step forward, three steps back,’ it was ‘one step forward, one step back’… No forward motion, no backward motion… Just standing there, no idea…
“You look like you just went through one of Mr. Yates’ pop quizzes…” he heard Blaine’s voice and snapped out of that thought, looking at him.
“What? No, that’s not i… What about his pop quizzes?” he asked. Blaine gave him a look.
“What’s going on?” he redirected, so Kurt forged ahead.
“So Mercedes called, and she wants me to come to the dance next week, at McKinley…”
“Next week? You mean…” Blaine nodded along.
“That’s the one,” Kurt confirmed, pausing to find the next words. “I do kind of want to go; we always had our fun, but… With this year, with everything that… happened…” he nodded along.
“Why don’t I go with you?” Blaine suggested, with an understanding smile. Kurt looked at him. “Really, I insist. That’s if you don’t mind having me there…”
“Wouldn’t mind it at all…” Kurt shook his head, trying not to smile too hard.
X
Artie wasn’t exactly in the capacity to ‘pace’, but if he was, then that was what he’d be doing at the moment. Instead he just sat there very quiet and still, hands in his lap, as he thought about… things. It wasn’t like his relationship with Brittany wasn’t already substantial enough, but he… he’d never gotten to go to a dance, a school dance, with a girl before… let alone one who he was dating. So no matter what, he wanted to ask her…
He sat there, practically willing himself to ask his girlfriend out to the dance. He still had all the nerves going mad inside him. He waited until he could get her alone, which was when she split off from the pack, including Santana and Quinn, as they all left the gym. She spotted him and she smiled, waving at him… he waved back. She jogged over to him, leaning in to kiss him. “Hi,” she smiled on.
“Hi,” he replied. “I wanted to ask you something,” he started, and she knelt down to be at his eye level.
“Ask,” she nodded. He grinned… Why was he so worried?
“Maybe I… I’m hoping it’s just a formality…”
“A what?” Brittany asked, but he left it hanging.
“So I just wanted to ask if… if you’ll go to the dance with me,” he finally explained, and she smiled widely, nodding energetically.
“Sure!” she answered. “When is it?”
“Valentine’s Day,” he told her as she got up and they started down the hall.
“Okay,” she nodded, then… “When?”
X
It was just about lunch time, and Tina had gone to her locker to drop off her books. The moment she closed the door again, a pair of hands came over her eyes. She jumped, but then realized who it was and gave a laugh. “Hey, Mike…” He let go and moved to face her, back to the lockers near hers.
“Hello,” he nodded. “I was wondering…” he started.
“Yeah?” she asked him, slightly curious.
“You wouldn’t happen to have a date to the dance, would you?” he pondered innocently. She beamed.
“Well no one’s asked me yet,” she played along.
“They haven’t?” he raised an eyebrow. “What about your boyfriend?”
“Hasn’t asked,” she shook her head, chuckling on the inside.
“The idiot…” Mike shook his head.
“He’s okay,” Tina shrugged, and that made him laugh. “So you’re asking?”
“I’m asking,” he nodded, and she leaned in to kiss him. “Is that a yes?” he asked, and she smacked him on the arm. “Alright, I get the message!” he ‘gave in.’
X
In the cafeteria, Quinn was quietly eating her lunch, reviewing for a test she had right after, when she felt the strong impression that she was being watched. She turned her eyes to the side, where Sam sat with her, and saw he was indeed watching, head rested in the palm of his hand, elbow on the table.
“What are you up to?” she asked, wondering what he was staring at; her hand reached to her face on reflex, to check if there was anything there. “Something on your mind?”
“Something, and someone.” He smiled, so… she put fork and notes down and turned to look at him properly, humoring him.
“What’s the something?” she asked.
“The dance, on Valentine’s Day,” he revealed. She couldn’t stop herself smiling even if she wanted to in that moment.
“And, uh, who’s the someone?” she carried on.
“You,” he smiled back.
“I see,” she nodded, ‘deducting,’ “So the dance, and me… Is this like Jeopardy, like ‘what is ‘an invitation’?’”
“Jackpot,” he confirmed.
“Yeah, that’s not how the game works…” she shook her head, still smiling. “But I’m still saying yes.” He sat back up, pleased, and she returned to her studying and her lunch, her smile stuck on her face.
X
Santana was just leaving the cafeteria. Everyone was talking about their plans for the dance, and she could not, would not stay… it wasn’t like she could have what she wanted, so what was the point to it? That was when Puck fell in step with her. “What do you want?” she frowned.
“You coming to the dance with me?” he asked casually. She rolled her eyes.
“Wow, that was pathetic…” she was still frowning.
“Why not? You don’t have a date, do you? Not that this would be a date…”
“Keep talking, I’m sure that hole you’re digging can get a lot deeper… I might bury you in it.” He stopped her, and she obliged him in listening.
“I want to be there, and I’m not in the mood for any of these other girls’ crap, and you… You’re kind of a safer choice with that. I’m sure it’s the same for you, I can tell,” he nodded to her face, and she tried to change it immediately, which of course betrayed her. “Come on… I won’t even try anything… Unless you want to?”
“Get over yourself,” she chuckled. But he was kind of right… too right… as usual. “Fine. Just remember what this is… and what it isn’t,” she told him before walking off. He let her go, satisfied.
X
Mercedes knew she’d see Anthony Rashad in her next class, and her stomach had started to twist in anticipation. She hadn’t wanted to follow Kurt’s suggestions about him at first, out of… frustration, and a million other things, but after that had gone away a bit, she’d started turning around. They would talk, sometimes… more and more, but she still got so nervous at the thought of him. And now she had this damned deal she’d made with Kurt. If he was going to invite Blaine, then she had to be bold and try to snatch up Anthony as her date… Easier said than done.
When she came in the class and he saw her, he threw her… one of those smiles… way to make her even more nervous about this. She came to take her seat, which was right in front of him, one row up. “Mercedes Jones,” he greeted her. She paused, amused by the bit of formal tone in his voice.
“Hi,” she still managed.
“I wanted to ask you something…”
“Okay?” she nodded. “Did you forget your homework again?” He picked up a sheet in front of himself and showed it to her… No, he had his homework. “Right, well what is it?”
“I was wondering if you already had a date to the dance next week.” She froze, completely still while on the inside her heart was doing all the hopping. “Because if you don’t…”
“I don’t…” she cut in, and she tried not to smile too early… this could still be a misunderstanding.
“Then I’d like to be the one to take you,” he nodded. Okay, now she could smile.
“That’d be great, actually,” she told him, at awe that her throat could manage words still. He smiled back, just as the teacher came in and they both sat to attention… she didn’t hear a word all through that period; her mind was elsewhere, tripping out.
X
Glee Club was live with loud conversations as everyone talked about their plans for the dance, when Will came in. “Alright, guys, settle down, I’ve got something to tell you, hey!” he whistled, and the noise slowly died out. “Thank you. So, as I’m sure you all know, the dance is next week. And due to budget cuts, Principal Figgins was unable to hire… entertainment.”
“I can tell where this is going…”Santana smirked.
“We’re the entertainment?” Rachel filled in.
“In a sense, yes. I had the idea and Figgins consented. We are going to be performing, but we will also be attending. So this is how it’s going to work. People, either students, faculties, or your designated chaperones,” he gave a bow of the head to indicate he was one of those, “will be buying songs, sponsoring them, in a way, all the proceeds going to pay our way to Regionals.” They cheered at this. “The principal has insisted that he approve all the songs, after the Toxic incident, but he’s promised to be reasonable.”
“Yeah, right,” Tina chuckled.
“The point is… As the evening goes along, those songs which have been asked for will be performed; we’ll assign them as it goes, solos, duets, or more, we’ll see what happens. But while you’re not on stage, you’ll all still be able to enjoy the dance,” he nodded, and this seemed to please them all.
X
When he got home that day, Will was still thinking about the dance. Just a few months back he would have thought maybe he’d be there with Emma that year. And just a few more months before that, he thought he’d get Terri to come in with him to look over things… But he was alone now. He knew there was no shame in going on his own, but he really didn’t want that. He knew he could probably find a date at school, a good number of the female faculty was single and willing, but… he would rather go alone than to have a date that didn’t mean anything.
Holly… He sat up. He hadn’t tried to think of anyone, she just came to his mind all of a sudden, and he just… he smiled. He did miss her, since she’d been with them. Thinking about it, they did sort of have something going, back then, at least the start of something… He could just let it fade away, or… Or he could take a chance, and see if something could happen. Crazier things had happened…
He still had her number, ‘just in case,’ she’d told him. He dialed it up, waited… He heard music before he heard her voice… Wherever she was, it was loud. “Hello?”
“H-Holly? Hey, it’s Will! Will Schuester, from McKinley High?” he tried to speak loud enough to hear.
“Will, hi! Hold on!” she spoke just as loud, then talking to someone else who was probably nearby. “I’m still going next, okay?” After that, the noise started to diminish, until he heard a door open and shut, and then it was completely gone. “Hi!” she spoke again, still a little loud and out of breath. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Well, I… I was hoping… wondering… There’s a dance. Next week, at school, for Valentine’s Day. Anyway, I’m chaperoning and I was curious if you’d want to tag along.”
“What, as a date?” she asked, and he almost gulped.
“Uh, yeah, if… if you want, I mean…”
“Sure! Can you come pick me up though, my car’s in the shop? Listen, I have to go, but I’ll see you then!” And she was gone. He just sat there, with his phone in hand… Maybe Saint Valentine would smile on him…
TO BE CONTINUED (TOMORROW)
* IN CONSTRUCTION! *
PREVIOUS DAYS
[Cycle 01] [Cycle 02] [Cycle 03] [Cycle 04] [Cycle 05]
[Cycle 06] [Cycle 07] [Cycle 08] [Cycle 09] [Cycle 10]
[Cycle 11] [Cycle 12] [Cycle 13] [Cycle 14] [Cycle 15]
[Cycle 16] [Cycle 17] [Cycle 18] [Cycle 19] [Cycle 20]
[Cycle 21] [Cycle 22]
[Cycle 23]
(none yet)
Suggestion Drop Off
Title: "Love & the Gentle Heart Are One Thing: 1. Love & the Gentle Heart"
Pairing: Carl/Emma, Finn/Rachel, Kurt/Blaine, Artie/Brittany, Mike/Tina, Sam/Quinn, Puck/Santana, Anthony/Mercedes, Will/Holly, and more to come!
Rating: G
Summary: Valentine's Day is coming, and it's shaping up to be a very Glee kind of dance...
Spoilers: Through 210 A Very Glee Christmas