05| APRIL RHODES

[ Chapter Five ]

❝April. She said I should put myself out there more.❞

[The Rhodes Not Taken]

>> >> >>

Ever since Rachel had quit the glee club, Quinn had become the lead vocalist alongside Finn. Raven was proud of her friend, but she was also upset that Mr. Schuester hadn't given anyone else a chance. They were all very talented singers and yet he had picked Quinn. Plus Quinn consistently had to run out of class due to her morning sickness, or rather all day sickness.

And today, was not an exception.They had barely gotten into the song when Quinn covered her mouth with her hand and ran out of the classroom, the door clicking behind her.

Raven glared at Finn in an effort to get him to take some responsibility.

"Um. She had a bad breakfast burrito." Finn stammered.

Raven rolled her eyes. Like Quinn would eat a breakfast burrito. Really?

"Can we please talk about the giant elephant in the room?" Kurt asked, his hands on his hips.

Santana smirked, "Your sexuality?"

Kurt sighed, "Rachel. We can't do it without her."

"That's not true. We may have to layer Santana and Mercedes over Quinn's solo but we'll be fine." Mr. Schuester nodded.

"Maybe for the invitationals, but not for sectionals." Artie commented, "And certainly not for regionals."

"The wheelchair kids right. That Rachel chick makes me want to light myself on fire, but she can sing." Puck stepped in.

Raven crossed her arms, "Quinn can do it. She just needs practice."

Half of the glee club rolled their eyes at her. Raven knew that the other kids were right. Rachel was so talented and they really needed her in their group if they wanted to win, but she was gone and they had to make do with the options they had. Plus, Raven knew Quinn would have murdered her, if she hadn't stood up for her best friend.

"Rachel left guys." Mr. Schuester sighed, "She's gone. Now, if we're going to make this thing work, we can't look back. Alright. Take five guys."

Raven ran a hand through her hair as Santana came up to her, "Good job, Raven."

"What are you talking about Santana?" Raven sighed.

"Defending Quinn? We're one step closer to disbanding the glee club." Santana smirked, "So thanks."

As Santana walked away, Raven let out an audible groan. With all this Quinn stress, she had completely forgotten about the deal they had made with Sue Sylvester.

>> >> >>

A couple days later, Mr. Schuester had brought in a 'special guest' to join them in glee club.

"Guys. I'd like to introduce you to someone very special. This is April Rhodes. She's our newest member." Mr. Schuester smiled.

Raven narrowed her eyes and nudged Tina slightly, who was next to her, "Why are we letting in full grown adults now?"

"I-d-d-don't know. Probably has something to do with Quinn's singing." Tina responded, her stutter clearly visible with her first few words.

"So, wait. Old people can join glee club now?" Finn asked, voicing Raven's previous words.

"Old, huh? You guys look like the world's worst Benetton ad." April spoke.

Artie raised his hand, "Mr. Schuester. This seems like a terrible idea."

"April is a great singer. And she never graduated." Mr. Schuester defended her, which was slightly creepy considering he was married.

"We appreciate what you're trying to do, but she's no Rachel." Mercedes spoke.

"Who's Rachel?" April asked.

"Sh-She's kind of our star." Tina smiled.

"You're star, eh?" April asked, her hands clasped in front of her, "Well where is she?"

"She left. To be the lead in Cabaret." Kurt responded.

April laughed and took off her cardigan, "Hey tinkels. Give me 'Maybe this Time' in B flat. And don't let me catch you snoozing."

While April performed, Raven caught herself opening her mouth in surprise. She was good. As April finished, Raven snapped her mouth shut, not wanting to be caught.

"Stick that one in your pipe and smoke it." April grinned.

>> >> >>

April Rhodes was trying to win the glee kids over, by spending time with them separately or in little groups.

"Tell me Raven. Do you feel like you're always stuck in Quinn Fabray's shadow?" April asked, as Raven was sitting in the glee club room.

"What are you talking about?" Raven glared at her as she was trying to work on her homework.

"You look a little miserable, sitting next to her in glee club." April commented.

"Quinn is my best friend, April. I'm not stuck in her anything. She helped me join the cheerios and got me popularity, and to stop being bullied all the time." Raven insisted, though she totally felt a little used sometimes.

April tilted her head to look at the teenager, "But you do feel used, don't you?"

Raven sighed and gave in, "Fine. Yes. Quinn's got the top grades, the popularity. She's head cheerleader and she has a boyfriend. I can't even hope to compare to her."

"Well, all you gotta do is steal the attention away from her. Stop dressing like you're thirty years old and start showing off that attitude." April grinned, "Oh and a little liquid courage won't hurt."

Despite herself, Raven smiled.

>> >> >>

Quinn was not pleased when Raven appeared the next day at her locker wearing a cropped sweater and high waisted skirt, showing off her stomach, waist and legs. Raven was carrying her backpack on one shoulder, and had her hair put up into a high ponytail. There was no cheerio practice today so she couldn't be forced to wear her uniform but Quinn was wearing it. Like always.

"What are you wearing?" Quinn crossed her arms over her chest.

"Just thought I'd switch it up a bit. It's nothing, really." Raven sighed, leaning her head against the lockers.

"Damn Sanders. Looking good." Puck along with a couple other football guys yelled out to her.

Raven smiled but stuck up her middle finger.

The guys all laughed at Puck, "Rejected!"

"That's the kind of attention you'll get from dressing like that, Raven." Quinn scoffed, "And no, I'm not trying to be like those dumb law enforcement guys who ask what a girl was wearing when she was sexually abused or assaulted. I'm just looking out for my best friend. I know you're fragile, and you'll get hurt."

"I'm not fragile, Quinn." Raven scoffed back, "Why do all of you see me that way? Sure, I'm not head Cheerio, and I may like both boys and girls. But I can be a badass. And I think it's time you figured that one out."

Raven turned on her heel and marched down the hallway, leaving Quinn to stare at her retreating back.

>> >> >>

Raven marched into glee club, the following day, sporting shorts over fishnet tights and another crop top. Several of the other members were leaning against the piano and talking in hushed tones. Puck was sitting on a chair, and Santana and Brittany were braiding each other's hair.

"What's going on?" Raven asked.

All the other glee clubbers looked up. Puck wolf whistled and Mercedes grinned.

"Damn, girl. You look hot." Mercedes grinned and pulled her over to the piano, "Who gave you the idea to try a new look?"

"April. She said I should put myself out there more." Raven blushed.

"Well, you totally are." Mercedes grinned.

"So, what's with all the whispering?" Raven asked, setting her bag down on the floor.

"It's Quinn." Tina responded.

Raven rolled her eyes, "I really don't want to talk about her right now."

"Did something happen?" Santana smirked.

Raven glared at Santana, "Nothing for you to concern yourself with Santana. Now, back to Quinn."

"Maybe Quinn is lactose intolerant." Kurt suggested.

"That doesn't explain all the crying." Artie says confused.

"And I know for a fact that she isn't." Raven sighed. She wanted to tell them what was actually going on but that meant betraying Quinn and she wasn't going to do that, no matter how she felt about Quinn at the current moment.

"Maybe she just doesn't like the group." Tina offered.

"Are you all that stupid?" Puck asked, "Seriously? I bet you thought Bert and Ernie were just roommates." Puck sets down his guitar and makes direct eye contact with Raven before getting up, "Maybe, Quinn's got one in the oven."

"Uh. Who's the baby's daddy?" Mercedes asked, shocked.

"Who do you think?" Puck scoffs, "Finn."

Their eyes all widen and Raven coughs, trying not to be suspicious but not really succeeding. The door then opens and in comes Rachel.

"Yes, you've heard right. I'm returning to glee club. In lieu of flowers, please send all donations to a socially conscious charity of your choice." Rachel beams and Puck just turns around and leaves the classroom.

The other's gather around the piano and begin to whisper.

"This is a hot damn mess." Mercedes speaks.

"Uh. I'm sorry. I thought I'd be welcomed back with a tad more enthusiasm." Rachel scoffs.

"Sorry, Glee club has just been rocked by its first scandal." Kurt looks way too happy about this.

"Quinn's knocked up." Mercedes sighs.

Kurt moves over to Rachel, "And the baby daddy. Finn."

>> >> >>

Invitationals came and the glee club, minus Rachel who had quit again, were gathered around the piano doing their vocal exercises. Quinn, had also finally decided to show up as she had been missing a lot of glee rehearsals.

Mr. Schuester came in and clapped his hands, "The house is packed. You guys are going to kick butt tonight. Your first performance in front of a real audience. I can't wait. You guys are going to love it."

Everyone grinned at each other. Raven even shot Quinn a small smile and Quinn smiled back.

"Where's April?" Mr. Schuester asked.

"Yee-haw!" April came in, in her pink costume. Raven frowned at the sight of her but didn't say anything.

"Right on que as usual." April grinned and began to flirt with basically every guy in the glee club. She even went as far as kissing Puck on the mouth and Puck did not look pleased. Raven glared at April, a tiny flare of anger and jealousy appeared in her stomach as she saw her kiss Puck. She dismissed it as just disgust.

"Are you drunk?" Mr. Schuester glared at April, "You promised me you'd sober up for this."

"When? Last night?" April laughed, "Well, I was drunk. You can't hold me to that."

"Is she serious?" Raven whispered to Mercedes.

"Totally." Mercedes whispered back.

April grinned as Emma came to the door and Mr. Schuester left.

>> >> >>

As Principal Figgins introduced them, the glee club hurried into their positions onstage. Raven was placed right next to Puck and she whispered softly to him, "Are you serious?"

"What are you talking about?" Puck whispered back.

"April?" Raven scoffed.

"Jealous?" Puck smirked at the small girl.

"Not a chance. It's just disgusting." Raven glared as the curtain went up and her hand moved to her hat to tip it down over her face like she had been instructed. Her other hand was placed on Puck's shoulder, "Don't screw up."

"Wouldn't dream of it, shortcake." Puck winked.

The lights came on and the beginning of Last Name by Carrie Underwood began playing. Raven smiled in spite of herself as she began to do the routine and sing along. At the end of the song, Puck lifted her onto his shoulders even though he was supposed to lift Santana. Santana glared at Raven and Raven grinned out into the audience. Mr. Schuester was right, she did love it.

>> >> >>

Act 2 was going to start any minute, and the glee club had just changed costumes because they weren't doing another country song. Mr Schuester walked in but wasn't accompanied by April like they had originally thought he would.

"They loved us! We're a hit!" Artie smiled.

"Wh-Where's April?" Tina asked.

"You were right, Mr. Schue. She'd massacre Mariah in a diva off." Kurt spoke.

"April is amazing. But she's not in the glee club anymore." Mr. Schuester said, a little sadly, "I uh. I screwed up bringing her here. It was about me and glee club is supposed to be about you guys. You don't need her to be great."

"But we need her for the second act." Mercedes butted in.

"I'll just have to go out there and tell them we had to cut the show short. Hey, guys. You were great." Mr. Schuester tried to console them, "Don't worry. There will be other performances."

"Excuse me?" Rachel came in, "I think I might have a solution. In show business, when a star can't perform, her understudy steps in. I'd be happy to go in for April, if you'd let me."

"Since when are you willing to be an understudy?" Mercedes glared at her.

"Since I quit the play." Rachel answered.

"Really? Why?" Kurt asked.

"I realized being a star didn't make me feel as special as being your friend. If I'd let you down when you needed me the most, I'd never forgive myself. I know all the words to the song." Rachel offered.

"Well. You don't know the choreography." Quinn snapped, clearly jealous.

Rachel nodded. Santana and Quinn smirked at her, thinking they'd won.

"Then we're going to have to give her a lot of help out there." Finn responded, giving Rachel a smile.

"Go get in your costume." Mr. Schuester smiled.

"Come on. I'll help you." Raven stepped forward and linked her arm in Rachel's before whispering, "Don't listen to Quinn or Santana. We need you. And they know that."

"Thanks Raven." Rachel smiled and Raven smiled back.

The glee club performed Somebody to Love which was actually one of Raven's favorite songs. She used to play it on repeat in her room. Raven grinned and took her place beside Mercedes. The glee club was fun, and she decided that she'd do everything possible to save it. No matter what Sue Sylvester said.

>> >> >>

Word Count: 2344

Hey guys! I'm trying to update every week but we'll see if that happens. College is hard. 

What did you guys think? What about Raven and Puck? Also, Raven and Rachel being friends? Quinn and Raven will resolve their conflicts. Don't worry. 

I love you all and will see you soon with chapter 6!

POSTED ON:

9. 12. 18