| Places, Everyone! | |
| Season Two, Episode One | |
 | |
| First Aired | March 16, 2016 |
| Writer(s) | Lily |
| Episode Guide | |
| previous "The Tide Turning Endlessly" |
next "Cher-ing is Caring" |
Plot[]
It's the first day of their sophomore year and everything has changed for the Note-Worthy. After having spent the entire summer with his grandmother, Kyle comes back a different person. Joe, also having been away most of the summer, comes home to find his ex-boyfriend, Zach, long over him, which causes him to make a bold move. Sydney finally returns from rehab, where she's made an old/new unexpected friend. Meanwhile, Angelika had a summer-job as a beach lifeguard, which has left her pretty popular after a now-infamous incident.
A Plot: Sydney's time in and return from rehab, along with having made a new friend.
B Plot: Joe's struggle with coming home to a different dynamic.
C Plot: Recruiting for new glee club members.
Cast[]
Main Cast[]
- Michael Willet as Joe Sweeting
- Bailee Madison as Lily Sweeting
- Peyton List as Sydney Walsh
- Nick Robinson as Kyle Ogilvie
- Logan Lerman as Nathan Anderson
- Maia Mitchell as Maya Dumas
- Trevor Jackson as Matt Dales
- Claudia Lee as Angelika Kuzz
- Shawn Mendes as Zachary Foxx
- Victoria Justice as Alison Spears
- Danai Gurira as Karen Clarke
Recurring Cast[]
- Ana Mulvoy Ten as Becca Marshall
- Saoirse Ronan as Cass Winters
- Brianna Hildebrand as Jackie St. Clare
- Soma Bhatia as Perry Dahir
- Breezy Eslin as Alyssa Fowble
- Sean Teale as Alex Rodriguez
- Jake Austin as Andrés Herrera
Guest Cast[]
- Alyssa Shafer as Young Lily Bruno
Special Guest Stars[]
- Jessica Lange as Pearl Van De Bos
- Famke Janssen as Jessica Sweeting
- Eion Bailey as Thomas Sweeting
- Heather Graham as Serena Walsh
Episode[]
Previously on the Fugly Hoes: Reboot...
The Note-Worthy lost Regionals and everyone was bummed about that. But only for a second. Because all the personal drama was much more important: Zach cheated on Joe with Nate, which caused Joe to break up with Zach. Full of regret, Zach has been trying to make ammends ever since - unfruitful. Alison convinced Nate to fake a relationship with her in order to make him more popular and help her run for Sophomore Prom Queen. But Nate and Zach also sort of have the hots for each other. Very polygamous. Nate has also been trying to become a better person, which, surprisingly, worked and stuck for more than a week. Meanwhile, Lily found out that Kyle's parents are the parents who gave her up for adoption, making her Kyle's biological sister. She chose to not embrace the Ogilvie inside her, though. Instead, she became a Sweeting - Joe's mum adopted her. Which makes her Joe's adoptive sister. The three of them are also living together at the Sweeting residency, but Kyle spent the entire summer with his grandmother while Joe spent most of the summer with his long-forgotten father. Meanwhile meanwhile, Sydney had developed an eating disorder after her short-time non-boyfriend Andrés made her believe she was a fatty. Things had to get worse before they could become better, though, so she spiraled all the way down to the hospital and spent the entire summer in a rehab facility in Boca. Meanwhile meanwhile meanwhile, Matt and Maya have been in a solid relationship for a good half a year now. Will they ever get intimate? Oh, and Angelika had a short-time romance with the king of soul, Rufus. But no one noticed or continued to write it, so I'm guessing that's over. There's also Becca, the ex-sidekick of queen Alison, Jackie, an out-and-proud woodchuck lesbian, Perry, a walking hijab, Cass, the wise girl with cancer and Kyler, a southern hickey who used to shag up Kyle. They have yet to gain some relevancy. And that's what you missed on the Fugly Hoes: Reboot!
What Happened In Summer[]
"This is really hard," Sydney said, shily. The group counselor looked at her sympathetically. "I know, dear. We all know. We've all been there. But this is a fundamental step in getting better. You don't need to rush it, but you will eventually have to take it," she explained calmly. Sydney nodded.
"You know, oma, this place is awesome," Kyle said, lying on his towel on the beach of Bora-Bora, next to his grandmother. Pearl turned towars him, a smile on her face. "I was hoping you would think so, my dearest. I was aiming for a place where you could let go of all your recent troubles," she told her grandson. Kyle nodded. "I already feel so much better. I think I really need this, you know. Some time away. Sort myself out," he explained. "Then let us try and achieve just that," Pearl smiled, toasting Kyle with their vigin Bloody Marys.
"So..." the man sitting opposite Joe suddenly said. Joe looked up, at his father, Simon, and raised his eyebrows expectantly. "Tell me about yourself," Simon urged, awkwardly. Joe let out an exasparated sigh. "I don't know what you want me to say," he said, bluntly. Simon sighed, too. "Anything, really. Anything will do, son," he said. Joe's eyes locked firmly on his. "Don't call me son. I'm not your son. You may be my father, but I'm not your son," Joe told him, in a somewhat empathetic voice. Simon sighed again and leaned back on the couch in his apartment.
"Hi, my name is Sydney," she told the group. "Hello Sydney," everyone chanted. If it weren't such a tragic circumstance, it would be fucking hilarious, Sydney thought. "I'm 15 years old. I'm from Ocala, Florida. I'm a sophomore in high school. I'm actually part of the glee club, there. I know it sounds lame, but it's really cool," she explained, a smile on her face. "And?" the group counselor asked her. Sydney's smile vanished immediately. She ducked her head.
"So you're gonna be a lifeguard?" Maya asked Angelika, while they were hiking throug a heated forest. "Yup," Angelika said. "I just need some distraction," she explained. Maya gave her an accusatory look. "Not from you, silly. Don't get me wrong, hiking a couple miles with you every day has been awesome and fun. And we can keep doing that when I don't work or visit Sydney. But I just wanna make some money this summer," Angelika announced. Maya nodded. "I get that. I would, too. But my Lola insists on paying for absolutely everything I could ever want. I'm this close to asking her for a car," Maya said, laughing. Angelika also laughed. "How is she, by the way? Sydney, I mean," Maya asked. Angelika turned more serious then. "She's doing better. We don't really talk about the reason she's actually there. I'm more of a distraction, I guess. But that's okay. She just needs support from her friends, so I'mma be whatever she needs me to be for the time being," she explained. Maya nodded, empathetically.
"I'm doing fine, don't worry," Joe said, into his phone. Lily was on the other end of the conversation, her phone in hand while she was painting a wall. "You don't sound too fine," she told her brother. "You don't have to cover anything up for me, you know. I'm your person. Just tell me what's going on," she urged him. Joe sighed. He got up, closed the door of the room he got in his father's apartment in rainy Chicago, and sat back down on the bed. "Nothing's really going on. And I guess that's what bothers me. I've been here for a week now, and all we do is just.. co-exist," he sighed, again. "I never wanted a father. Nor did I ever actually need one. If my mother weren't forcing me, I'd never be here. But I am and.. and I guess, I was just hoping he'd make the best of it," he explained. Lily nodded, understanding the problem. She was a bit out of breath from all the painting.
"So you're disappointed he's not making more of an effort to get to know you even though you don't really want him to get to know you?" she asked. Joe hummed in agreement. "I know, it's stupid," he started to reason, but Lily interrupted him. "It's not. It's understandable. Plus, it's totally something you'd do," she giggled, panting for breath. Joe frowned. "What the heck are you doing, though? You're breathing down the line like a rhino in heat," he said. Lily's eyes bulged out. "Uhm, just, you know, working out," she played it off. Joe frowned even more. "Stop working out or you'll be a stick when I get back in 3 weeks. I mean it!" he said. Lily giggled. "Don't worry, your mum's making sure I gain more weight than I could ever lose. I feel like she's trying to make up for you and Kyle being gone and just makes me eat your plates, too," she snorted. "Please," Joe smiled. "You love it."
Lily took a deep, calming breath. "I really do," she explained, emotionally. "Ugh, I know it's only been a week, but I miss you so much," she whispered. Joe smiled sadly. "Me too, Lily."
"Just let me out already, okay?" Sydney screamed at the nurse in her room. "I don't even need to fucking be here! This is all bullshit, I don't need help anymore!" she yelled. The nurse gave her a no-nonsense bitch-glare. "Girl, you ain't touch your food almost none at all," the sassy black nurse said. "Eat a damn cracker, then we'll see," she told Sydney, walking out of the room. Sydney looked after her bewildered. Then she grabbed the small flat-screen TV and threw it across the room. "AAAAGGGHHH!" she screamed. When she looked at the door again, Lily was standing there, her hand held towards the door in order to knock. She looked shocked at Sydney's behaviour. Sydney ran her hand through her hair and started crying, sinking down onto the floor. Lily walked into the room, closed and locked the door behind her, put her stuff on Sydney's bed and sat down next to the crying girl. Slowly, she sneaked her hand into Sydney's free one, lacing their fingers together.
They just sat there for almost half an hour before Sydney spoke up. "Sorry about that," she said, her voice hoarse from crying and drying up. "I was just really frustrated," she explained. Lily nodded and squeezed her hand. "It's alright, don't apologize. I may not be able to understand what you're going through, but I definitely get being fucking fed up with everything," she told her. Sydney chuckled. "Did you just swear?" she asked. Lily chuckled, too. "I guess I did. That's your guys' influence, though," she reasoned, a smile on her face. "Have the others been to visit you? Especially today? Happy Birthday, by the way," Lily said, hugging the other girl. Sydney nodded. "Thanks, Lily. Means a lot to me, that you thought of me," she said. "And yes, the others have all been here, even Alison and Nate. Even though they came in together, holding hands. Which was weird. But whatever," she waved it off.
"So, how are you doing?" Lily asked, then. Sydney sighed. "I have no fucking clue. One day I think I'm getting better and then the next day is just a nightmare," she explained. Lily nodded. "Have you been eating?" Sydney snapped her head towards Lily. Then she scoffed. "How direct of you. Ang always just talks about everything and anything to distract me from just that," she said, quietly. Lily smiled, sadly. "Well, I'm not Ang. And maybe you don't need someone to treat you with kid gloves," she reasoned. Sydney nodded. "Have I been eating? Yes. Consistently? No... I stopped making myself throw it back up. But there's really not much to throw up in the first place, so..."
Lily nodded again. "Do they have a game plan for you?" Sydney frowned. "Doubt it. They just send food in four times a day and make me go to group therapy. But neither of it helps, I guess. Sitting in front of ten strange people and talking about my deepest secrets and worst problems.. definitely not an appealing idea in my book," she joked. Lily giggled. "I can imagine. Well, then, I will do this with you," she announced. She stood up, dragged Sydney up with her and set them both down on the bed. "Let's talk this out. I'm not ten strangers, I'm your friend, Lily. Well.. sort-of friend, I guess," she frowned. Sydney smiled at her. "You're my friend, Lily," she expained, before actually talking about her disorder for the first time since it had begun.
Angelika was sat on her lifeguard chair, talking on the phone. "Well, you know, Rufus, this is getting ridiculous. First you wanna take it so slow, a snail could pass us by, then you're complaining about not seeing me often enough. Make up your mind already. And call me if you've done that, and only then, are we clear?" she yelled into her phone before hanging up. "For god's sake..." she sighed to herself. Suddenly she heard someone screaming for help. She looked out over the water and saw a young guy thrashing around. "Oh, shit.." she said. Immediately, she jumped up from her seat and ran towards the water, diving in when it was deep enough and swimming towards the teenaged boy. She put a lifebelt around him and dragged him towards the shore. When they were finally on dry land again, she looked up to see a shitload of people standing around them, some of them with their phones out, snapping pics and taking videos. "Oh, shit.." she said to herself, again.
On the patio of a beach hut, Kyle was kickboxing a punching bag. When he had landed a couple really good kicks, he let up and went to take a big gulp of water. "Nice bodywork," a guy standing nearby told him. He had a crooked smile and flirty eyes. Kyle blushed slightly, but smiled back. "Thanks. Been practicing for almost three weeks now. I recently got sober and this is seriously the best way to keep me on track," he told the mysterious guy. "I'm Samuel," he told Kyle. "And you are..?" he asked. Kyle held his gaze for a couple seconds. "Mike. My name's Mike," he said. "D'you wanna hang out a bit?" Samuel asked him, whinking. Kyle scanned the nearby beach crowd for his grandmother. She was nowhere to be found. "Sure, why not?" he answered, strutting past Samuel off the patio and onto the beach. Samuel caught up with him, and whispered in his ear. "When we're done, you're not gonna be able to walk like that, anymore." Kyle smiled smugly. "I hope so," he said.
Lily and Jessica stood in front of the airport, waiting for Joe to arrive. Lily shifted nervously from foot to foot. Jessica finally put a hand on her shoulder. "Sweetie, relax. He's gonna love it," she said soothingly. Lily looked up at her. "Are you sure? I really hope he's not mad that we moved to another house while he was away.." she said, brows furrowed. "We moved into a house down the street. The one he always said he wanted to live in. I don't think he's gonna be very sad about it. And you decorated his room beautifully," Jessica reassured the young girl. Lily smiled in response.
"Lily! Mum!" they heard Joe yell. When they looked towards the airport entrance, they saw Joe running towards them. Lily surged forward and the two embraced in a tight hug. "I missed you so much," Joe whispered in her ear. "I missed you too," Lily whispered back.
"Hi, I'm Sydney", she said. "Hello, Sydney," everyone chanted in response. At this point, Sydney could only shake her head and smile. "I'm 16 years old, I'm from Ocala, Florida, where I'm a sophomore in high school. And..," Sydney said, as she looked around the room. She swallowed hard once. Everyone looked at her expectantly. Suddenly, she got up and ran out of the room.
"Anyway, how did it go with your dad?" Lily asked Joe once he had settled into his room in their new house. Joe sighed. "Not much better than before. We got along fine, honestly, but it's still just been some sort of co-existence. We don't have anything in common. But at least I know who he is now, and he knows who I am. So I'm guessing that's a start," he explained while unpacking his clothes. "Oh, by the way, we're heading over to Ang's house for your welcome-back party. So wear something fancy, alright?" Lily informed her brother. Joe scoffed but smiled. "Please, as if I knew any other way to dress."
"So, what, you're famous now?" Zach asked Angelika while preparing the salad for dinner. Ang nodded. "Well, not famous-famous. Internet-famous, I guess?" she tried to explain. Maya, who was currently setting the table, giggled. "I still can't believe that video of you saving the guy went viral in less than 20 hours." Ang nodded again. "Me neither. But I'm thinking it's mostly because I'm wearing a very short, red bikini. Either way, some people on the street even recognize me now. It's strange," she finished quietly. Just then, the doorbell rang. "That's probably Joe and Lily. I'm gonna go get the door," Maya announced.
"Here," Lily said as she handed Sydney an apple slice. "One for you, one for me, as usual," she said. Sydney smiled at her and bit off her apple slice. "So, are you finally finished setting up Kyle's room?" Sydney asked her. Lily nodded. "Yup. Joe told me to decorate it, since I did such an outstanding job with his room. But I honestly didn't know what to do with it. Don't get me wrong, I love Kyle but I have no idea how he would want his room. The one at the mansion didn't really have anything but a bed and a dresser. So we just went with classic shades of grey and blue," she explained. "I hope he likes it. I hope he even still wants to live with us," she whispered. Sydney grabbed her hand and squeezed it. "I'm sure he will want to. He loves you guys," she reassured her. "Besides, you have over a week left to turn it into sheer perfection, since he's staying for another week," she said. She then held her hand out for another slice of apple, much to Lily's delight. "Someone's hungry today," she said, jokingly. Sydney smiled. "I've grown used to it again, I think. Eating properly, that is. I've gained like 10 pounds and I honestly feel better than ever," she said. Then she locked eyes with Lily. "Thank you so much for being there for me," she told her. Lily smiled back warmly. "Of course. That's what friends are for," she sing-songed.
Matt and Maya lay next to each other on Matt's bed, with only the duvet covering their otherwise naked bodies. "Well.. that was.. great," Maya said with fake enthusiasm. "Oh, yeah," Matt sighed. "Totally rocked.. rocked my body," he finished, lamely. "Ugh, thanks, I- I'm just that good, I guess," Maya said, with the same fake enthusiasm as before. "We should totally do that again," she suggested with a sarcastic undertone. "Gotta go now, tho, Lola is waiting up for me. See ya," she said, putting her bra on backwards and rushing out of the door. "See ya.." Matt whispered into his empty room. Then he flopped back down against the pillows. "What the hell was that?" he asked himself. Outside his house, dressed all wrong, Maya walked down the street to her car. "What the hell was that?" she asked herself, as well.
Seconds after midnight, Joe lay on his bed, wide awake. He sighed, for the umpteenth time. Suddenly, the door opened and Lily peeked into the room. "You okay, honey?" she asked him. Joe looked at her. "How did you know I was awake?" he asked her. "I know what day it is and I could practically hear you thinking through the wall," she said. Joe smiled. "How do you know me so well?" he asked again. Lily shrugged and lay down next to him, cuddling under the blanket. "Just text him already. It's not as weird as you think it is," she told him. Joe scoffed. "Yeah right. 'Dear ex-boyfriend who cheated on me, I wish you a happy birthday at 2 minutes after midnight,'" Joe mimicked mockingly. "But you obviously want to. And it doesn't make you clingy, and it doesn't mean you're not already over him. It just means you still care, and that's a good thing," Lily told him, grabbing his phone and thrusting it into his hands. "So just do it," she demanded.
Joe sighed, unlocked his phone and went to his text messages. He tapped Zach's history and hovered over the keyboard. "How would I even write this?" he wondered aloud. Lily put her head on her hand and turned towards him. "Hey Zach. I know it's unexpected but I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday. I hope you have a great day. See you at school, Joe.," she dictated for him. Joe typed exactly that into his phone and hit sent before he could think twice about it. He then turned his head towards his sister's. "Thanks for knowing me so well," he told her and kissed her forehead. Lily smiled and rested back against the pillows, instantly falling asleep. Joe put his phone on his bedside table and, feeling at peace now, fell asleep, too.
Alison and Nate were sat at a front table at Celerystixx, holding hands over the table. "This is nice," Alison said in a voice thick with fake sweetness. "Totally," Nathan said blandly. Alison pulled her hand away and scoffed. "Why are you being like this? Have you noticed that you've actually been able to wear your tubes in public and NOT get looked at like a freak?" she asked him in a harsh tone. Nathan looked at her, guiltily. "I guess that's true. Sorry. It's just weird, being with you like this when I'm not feeling it at all," he tried to explain in a quiet voice. Alison looked away, trying to hide the sting that confession still caused. "I know. But it's for your own good. And mine. Plus, this way you can continue screwing that side-dick of yours without anyone raising any questions because, let's be honest, who would ever think you'd cheat on ME?" she reasoned. Nathan went beet red. "We're not screwing. We're testing the waters... seeing what we could be," he said. Alison just nodded along. "Sure, sure," she said. "Now, what do you wanna eat?" she asked, actually giving him a genuine smile.
"Hello, my name is Sydney," she repeated for what felt like the five-hundreth time. "Hello, Sydney," everyone else chanted, as usual. At this point it wasn't even funny anymore. "I'm 16 years old, from Ocala, Florida, I'm a sophomore in highschool and-" she stopped. Swallowed. "And-" stopped again. "JUST SAY IT ALREADY!" an annoying ginger yelled at her. Sydney was shocked at the cruelty. "I can't," she whispered.
Ang, Maya and Zach were walking down the street together, heading towards Joe and Lily's house. "So, why is she not released today?" Zach asked Ang. Ang grunted. "Her doctor doesn't think she's fit yet for living outside of the clinic, yet. Which is stupid. She's been there for two months now," she complained. "That's such a fucking long time," Maya commented. Zach hit her with his elbow and gave her a menacing look. "Sorry," Maya said, then. Ang sighed. "It's okay. It's just a couple more days, but I was really looking forward to finally seeing her outside the clinic again and hanging out with her," she explained. "I just miss her a lot," she finished. Maya linked their arms together. "I know, I get it. I miss Kyle, too," she told her, laying her head on Ang's shoulder as they walked. "Ya, me too," Zach confessed. The two girls looked at him. "Huh, you're missing Kyle?" Zach shook his head. "No, I miss Joe.." he said quietly. Ang and Maya gave him a sad smile.
The three of them arrived at their destination, where almost everyone else was already stood in front of the house. Joe and Lily were standing with Becca and Cass, while Nate stood next to Alison and Matt. "About time you showed up, he should be here any minute," Becca told them. "Sorry, my mom didn't wanna lend me the car," Zach said, shily. When his eyes met Joe's, the two of them smiled each other and Zach's heart skipped a beat. "And why are we not picking him up from the airport, again?" Cass asked the group. "Pearl wanted one last ride in her cartown with him," Lily answered. Alison looked at her, eyebrows raised. "Pearl?" she asked. Lily rolled her eyes. "She forbid me to call her Mrs. Van De Bos and I sure as hell am not calling her grandmom, so," Lily explained. Alison just nodded acceptingly.
They all stood waiting for another 30 minutes. Joe crossed his arms. "Where is he? His plane landed an hour ago, he should be here by now," he said. Just then, Maya's phone buzzed. She pulled it out. "It's a text from Kyle," she announced. "Missed my plane. Gonna stay for another week or so," she read aloud for the others. Everyone looked at each other sort of worried and confused. "Well, that sucks..." Alison said quietly. Zach looked back towards Joe.
Zach:
Tried to keep you close to me
But life got in between
Tried to square not being in there
But think that I should've been
Hold back the river, let me look in your eyes
Hold back the river, so I
Can stop for a minute and see where you hide
Hold back the river, hold back
Maya:
Once upon a different life
We rode our bikes into the sky
But now we're caught against the tide
Those distant days all flashing by
Angelika with Maya and Zach:
Hold back the river, let me look in your eyes
Hold back the river, so I
Can stop for a minute and be by your side
Hold back the river, hold back
Angelika, Maya and Zach:
Hold back the river, let me look in your eyes
Hold back the river, so I
Can stop for a minute and see where you hide
Hold back the river, hold back
Oh, oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh, woah-oh-woah-oh
Zach:
Lonely water, lonely water
Won't you let us wander
Let us hold each other
Maya:
Lonely water, lonely water
Won't you let us wander
Maya with Angelika:
Let us hold each other
Angelika, Maya and Zach:
Hold back the river, let me look in your eyes
Hold back the river, so I
Can stop for a minute and be by your side
Hold back the river, hold back
Maya and Zach (with Angelika):
(Hold back) the river, let me look in your eyes
Hold back (the river, so I)
Can stop for a minute and be by your side (Stop and be by your side)
(Hold back the river, hold)
Zach:
Lonely water, lonely water
Won't you let us wander
Let us hold each other
Angelika, Maya and Zach:
Lonely water, lonely water
Won't you let us wander
Maya:
Let us hold each other
"Hello, everyone. My name is Sydney. I'm 16 years old, I'm from Ocala, Florida, I'm a sophomore in highschool and I'm here because I have an eating disorder," Sydney said in one go. "Had an eating disorder," she correcter herself, smiling proudly. Everyone clapped and applauded her. Her group counselor studied her for a short while. "What's brought this change in you on?" she asked her. Sydney smiled, and shrugged. "Two days ago my entire group of friends video-called me out of the blue. And they all told me that they missed me. And I think, I guess that kind of support is just what helped me realize that I'm not in this alone. That I'm stronger than my weakness. And suddenly it felt easy to own up to that weakness," Sydney explained.
Kyle sat next to his grandma on their porch swing on the balcony of their hotel, overlooking the beach and the ocean. After several deep breaths, Kyle turned towards his grandma. "I think I'm ready to go home now," he confessed. Pearl turned towards him, eyebrows raised. "How come?" she asked. Kyle shrugged. "I felt like I just needed to be away long enough for all of my emotions to sort themselves out. And today's the first day where it feels like they finally have," Kyle explained. Pearl simply nodded and smiled. Kyle put his head on her shoulder, then.
There was a knock on the door of her private room. "Come in," Sydney called, even though she wondered who that could be, this late at night. The door opened and her mother, Serena Walsh, peeked inside. "Mom!" Sydney yelled, rushing towards her and hugging her. "Mom, what are you doing here?" she asked. Her mom simply smiled and handed her a piece of paper. "Discharge confirmation.. I'm getting discharged? I can finally go home?" she asked her mom in excitement. Serena nodded, teary-eyed. "Yes, honey, you can finally come home," she confirmed, planting a firm kiss on her daughter's head.
The New School Year[]
Mrs. Clarke stood in the front of the room, next to the grand piano, looking through her files and notes, when the first bell rang. The first ones to walk into the room were Matt and Maya, holding hands, awkwardly squeezing themselves through the door together. They sat down on the far right sight of the back row, hands firmly clutched together, but not really acknowledging each other's presence otherwise.
Alison and Nathan walked in next, also holding hands - which struck Mrs. Clarke as strange. Alison was obviously leading the way, though, with Nathan only following after her. Alison sat down next to Matt and Nathan sat down next to her. Alison and Matt immediately began talking.
Suddenly, there was a lot of noise coming from the hallway. Angelika and Zach walked into the room, laughing loudly about something. Right behind them were Lily and Sydney, with Sydney also laughing, and it became clear why. "Stop laughing, guys!" Lily exclaimed. "It's not funny! I had a black eye for almost an entire week, it really hurt!" she whined. The others just kept laughing. Angelika sat down in front of Maya, and Sydney sat down next to her. Alison also started laughing. "Are you still complaining about that cork that popped into your eye at Sydney's welcome-back party?" Lily sat down in front of her, next to Sydney, and Zach sat down next to her. "Yes because, like I said, it really hurt," she explained. "Y'all should be thankful I was brave enough to open that bottle of virgin bubbly for us," she smiled, proud of herself. Alison just laughed some more, as did Zach. Lily slapped him across the arm playfully.
Nobody else seemed to notice, but Mrs. Clarke was surprised at Lily not sitting front and center, and not having left a seat next to her for Joe.
Becca and Jackie walked in next, talking quietly about something, with Cass and Perry following right behind. When they noticed that the front row was still empty despite Lily being there, they halted. Slightly irritated, the four of them sat down in the front row, with Jackie in the center chair, Cass to her right and Becca and Perry to her left. Becca and Jackie kept talking hush-hush style. Alison side-eyed them heavily, trying to eavesdrop.
The last to walk into the room were Joe and Kyle, who were talking about something, smiling. Kyle only hesitated a second at the seating order before sitting down next to Nathan in the back row. Joe, on the other hand, stood in front of the room and locked eyes with Lily, hurt at the scene before him. Then he looked towards her left, where an empty chair was next to Zach. He immediately sat down next to Cass in the front row.
Mrs. Clarke, who had watched the entire spectacle, cleared her throat. "Welcome back to the choir room, guys and gals. How was your summer vacation? Did any of you do anything exciting?" she asked the group. "Well," Alison said. "Formerly Rich, Still Very White Gay Musical Theater Prince spent six weeks on the island of Bora-Bora, continuing his everlasting, very irregular quest to achieve sobriety. The Queen Of Estland saved a guy from drowning in knee-deep water and thus became a flaming instant YouTube-sensation, which keeps on earning her phone numbers and winks from absolutely everyone and everything. The Girl Formerly Known As Lily, Now Called Joe#2 and her new mother monster have moved an entire house two streets down by themselves to surprise her two gay but coincidentally non-incestual brothers with new, flamboyant furniture. My blonde, former side-kick, Marijuana Barbie and the woodchuck lezzie seemed to have gotten surgery to get attached by the hip. Josephine, the Ice Queen decided it was a good idea to spend several weeks in Chicago - and I'm not referring to the musical, I literally mean the rain-drenched, piss-poor excuse of a city - to spend some bonding time with the guy whose sperm she digivolved from. Smartypants Casserole down there had her final CAT scan, which revealed that she is no longer cancer-ridden and can thus be touched without fear of contamination again. Our tablespoon-sized portion of spicy curry in a very thick and warm blanket has spent the entire summer on her mothership, the MS Holy Fucking Cow. From the looks of it, Baby Birch has finally dropped the pretentious act of a guy who's interested in cars, sports and a nice body and let himself just go, go, go all the way down to the free clinic to get himself a shot to cure his very, very interesting STD. Nathan here and I have spent the entire summer madly in love. And Sydney 'Cider-loving' Walsh-" Alison tried to finish her rant, but Sydney cut her off. "I spent 62 days in rehab. Kicking back from my eating disorder," Sydney said, no longer ashamed of it.
Mrs. Clarke just stared at them all with wide eyes. "That was a lot of information for 60 seconds. Euhm.. Matt, Maya, what have you been up to?" she asked them. The two of them went beet-red. "What? Us?" "Nothing, really, just hanging" "Like, going to the beach, getting ice cream" "Hands totally over the border, if you know what I mean" "Got a sunburn that one day, had my Lola rub lotion on it" "Been trying this new game for my Xbox, yeah" the two lamely talked over each other. Everyone just stared at them.
Mrs. Clarke was even more irritated than before. "Okay.. uhm.. okay, well.. uhm, I- I, uhm," she stammered. "I have a list of things we- we need to talk about for the new school year. First of all, we're all still interested in competing, right?" she asked the group. Everyone nodded instantly. "Great. I've already got some info on our competition at Sectionals and we should easily out-do both of the other teams. Ok, next thing up: recruiting new members," she said. Everyone groaned and moaned. "I know, guys, I know. You're a family. You all have each other's dynamic down to the bone. But, we're currently at 14 members, which is enough, but it's always better to have more, and new, voices and in case on of you gets killed or quits or goes on strike again, we won't have to do any last-minute recruitment," Mrs. Clarke finished.
Zach turned around towards Alison. "Yeah, only because you couldn't convince your brother-from-another-mother to stay around," he said. Alison kicked at his chair with her Louboutins. "Shut it, fatty," she spat.
"So," Mrs. Clarke cut in, "the theme for this week is recruiting new members. You can pick any number you want, there's no guidelines, but you have to perform for a crowd in order to attract new members. Are we clear?" she asked. Everyone nodded, begrudgingly so. "Alright. No let's do some vocal warm-ups and see who's not been doing their homework over the summer," she announced. They started doing vocal exercises and some small choreographed routines from last year in order to get back in shape. Throughout the entire lesson, Joe was very distant and cold, even though Lily, Kyle and the others tried to include him and talk to him. It got even worse once he noticed that Nathan and Zach were always next to each other, talking and dancing with each other.
Once the final bell rang, Mrs. Clarke dismissed them for the day and everyone started gathering their stuff and going home. Sydney and Lily were the only ones left, aside from Joe. "Okay, I'll meet you outside, yeah?" Lily asked Sydney, who nodded in agreement and smiled before turning around and running after Angelika and Zach. Lily turned towards Joe, who just stood at the side of the room, a full water bottle in his hands, looking at the room with a blank stare. "I'm gonna head over to Syd's for dinner and homework, but I'll meet you at home, okay?" Lily asked him. Joe turned his head in her direction but kept his eyes focused on somewhere in the room. Lily took a step towards him. "Joe, talk to me, please?" she tried. But Joe looked away again. "Joe-" "Just, don't, okay?" he snapped at her. Lily nodded sadly and left the room, leaving Joe standing there, alone.
Joe:
As the smile fell from your face
I fell with it, our faces blue
There's a heart stain on the carpet
I left it, I left it with you
Yeah, the truth is that I'm sorry
Though I told you not to worry
I'm just some dumb kid
Trying to kid myself
That I got my shit together
So go get running, won't you hurry?
While it's light out, while it's early
Before I start to miss any part of this
And change my mind whenever
Joe with the Note-Worthy:
I say I wanna settle down
Build your hopes up like a tower
I'm giving you the run around
I'm just a lost boy
Not ready to be found
Not ready to be found
Joe:
I'm just a lost boy
Not ready to be found
I don't care much for locks on the window
To keep me at bay
I'll leave you one last kiss on your pillow
Fore I fly away
Yeah, we knew from the beginning
That this wasn't never-ending
Shouldn't stay too long
Cause we're both too young
To give into forever
Joe with the Note-Worthy (Joe):
I say I wanna settle down
Build your hopes up like a tower
I'm giving you the run around
I'm just a lost boy
Not ready to be found (Ooh, I'm just)
Not ready to be found (Hey, he-ey)
I'm just a lost boy
So what are you waiting for?
Cause someone could love you more
I'm just a lost boy, lost boy
So what are you waiting for?
Cause someone could love you more
I'm just a lost boy, lost boy
Joe with the Note-Worthy Boys:
So what are you waiting for?
Cause someone could love you more
I'm just a lost boy, lost boy
So what are you waiting for?
Cause someone could love you more
I'm just a lost boy, lost boy
Joe with the Note-Worthy (Joe):
I say I wanna settle down
Build your hopes up like a tower
I'm giving you the run around
I'm just a lost boy
Not ready to be found (I'm just)
Not ready to be found (Oh-ooh-ooh)
I'm just a lost boy
Joe:
Not ready to be found
Lily and Sydney, along with Angelika, Becca, Cass, Maya and Alison - who had invited herself upon hearing the girls were spending an evening together - were all lounging around Syd's bedroom. "So, what's gotten a twist into Joe's panties today?" Alison asked, looking at Lily. "I don't know," Lily answered. "He wouldn't talk to me after rehearsal. Maybe he's just having an off day," she reasoned. She knew there was something going on, and she was pretty sure she knew what it was, but the others didn't need to know that. "Well, let's hope he's in a better mood tomorrow," Angelika piped in. Maya nodded. "Yeah, I don't want the first week back to be full of drama already." Alison cocked her head at that. "Speaking of drama, what's gotten into you and your chocolate candy today, what with the sitcom-esque stammering and layered talking?" she asked her. Maya blushed, but just ducked her head and shook it. "Nothing," she said, lamely. "Oh, please," Cass teased her. "The awkward tension was palpable from miles away."
"It's nothing, really. And it's private, so let's just drop it, okay?" she snapped. Everyone raised their eyebrows. "Alright, change of topic, then," Alison suggested before looking towards Becca. "Yo, Trippin' Brownie, what's going on with you and Plaid-Shirt?" Alison asked her. Becca scoffed but smiled. "I don't know, we've been hanging out a lot over the summer. We have a lot in common. She told me about her brother and how she finally had the courage to call the police on him. I told her about how my dad also had an addiction problem and the trouble it caused my family. We bonded. That's all there is," Becca explained. "And then they lived happily every after," Lily said, giggling. Becca blushed. "Oh my god, that's not what it is!" she defended herself. "Oh, please. I used to sing that song, remember?" Lily said. Becca nodded. "Sorry, must be weird for you to talk about her." Lily shook her head. "Nah, it's cool. We were barely anything and I'm long over it," she waved it off.
"Oooh," Cass said. "Is there someone new in your life?" she asked. "Other than your incestuous romance with Joe," Alison threw in. Lily gave her some resting bitch face. "What? You gotta admit, it's true. If he wasn't gay, and flamingly so, everyone would totally assume you're the new power couple," Alison explained. Lily smiled. "I know it seems weird to everyone else. But.. I've never had someone I've been this close to before. And I don't mean physically, even though that's probably also true," she wondered to herself, making everyone frown. "I mean, emotionally. I've never had a solid family. Never had a best friend. Now I have both in one person... I'm just cherishing it," Lily explained. The girls all nodded and smiled at that. "You know, the weird thing is, I'm not even judging you," Alison said. "I wonder what's been wrong with me lately. I'm starting to be more friendly, I'm starting to sympathize with you guys.. I should go see a doctor," she said, an actual worried look on her face. The other girls just laughed and shook their heads.
"Syd, you've been awfully quiet," Ang noticed. Syd looked up at that, shaking her head to re-focus. "Sorry, I've just been thinking about what number to do for this week's theme," she explained. "You're still thinking about glee club?" Becca wondered. "Yeah. I wanna do something fierce. I finally feel like I'm in control of my body again," Sydney explained. "And I wanna show that. I wanna do a pussy-poppin, pop'n'lockin, sickening girls number. Who's in?" she asked the girls. Everyone started to agree enthusiastically with the idea.
Once the girls settled on a song to perform and practiced it a couple times, they went downstairs to grab something to drink. "I should get going, actually," Lily said, though. "I promised Joe I'd meet him at home and I don't wanna let him down," she explained. Alison looked at her, a tad disgusted. "If it weren't so adorable, it'd be really gross what you're doing," she said. Lily rolled her eyes at her. The girls all agreed that they should call it a night and left.
In her car, Lily's phone suddenly started to ring. She looked down, immediately recognizing the number. She sighed and picked up. "Sorry I couldn't make it tonight," Lily said. The person on the other end answered. "You promised you would come over, babe," a male voice said. "Ya, I know I promised, but I told you that friends will always come first. And don't call me that, that's totally inappropriate," Lily answered. "Oh please. You know you want it," the male voice answered. "Actually, I don't. I've been thinking this is a bad idea and I promised myself it would only be a summer thing, so I think this is it," Lily said. "Okay, no, please don't do this," the guy answered, genuinely worried. "Just think about it, okay? Let me take you out on a real date, why won't you just let me?" he asked. "Because," Lily answered, sternly. "Then we'd be seen together in public and I don't want that." The guy sighed. "But why?" Lily scoffed. "Because my friends would think I'm batshit crazy and a backstabbing bitch if they found out I've been messing around with our club's number one nemesis. So, we're over. Goodbye, Alex," Lily said finally, hanging up the phone. She huffed a breath and started the car.
At home, Lily went into her room to change into more comfy clothing, and then went into Joe's room. He was already asleep, his biology textbook lying on his chest and his reading glasses still on his nose. Smiling, she went over to his bed, took the book and put it on the nightstand before gently pulling off his glasses and placing them on top of the textbook. She grabbed the blanket and covered both of them with it before turning off the night light and cuddling closer to Joe, who sighed contently.
The girls were all standing on the stone steps, dressed in overalls, tight black shirts and work boots. When the music started playing from the massive boom box, they started snapping their fingers to the beat before launching into very sickening choreography and sexy moves.
Alison:
I ain't worried 'bout nothin', I ain't wearin' na nada
I'm sittin' pretty, impatient, but I know you gotta
Put in them hours, I'mma make it harder
I'm sending pic after picture, I'mma get you fired
Cass:
I know you're always on that night shift
But I can't stand these nights alone
And I don't need no explanation
Cause baby, you're the boss at home
Lily with the Note-Worthy Girls:
You don't gotta go to work, work, work, work, work, work, work
But you gotta put in work, work, work, work, work, work, work
You don't gotta go to work, work, work, work, work, work, work
Let my body do the work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work
We can work from home, oh-oh, oh-oh
We can work from home, oh-oh, oh-oh
Sydney:
Let's put it into motion, I'mma give you a promotion
I'll make it feel like a vacay, turn the bed into an ocean
We don't need nobody, I just need your body
Nothin' but sheets in between us, ain't no getting off early
Angelika:
I know you're always on that night shift
But I can't stand these nights alone
And I don't need no explanation
Cause baby, (with Maya: you're the boss at home)
Maya:
Whaddup
Lily with the Note-Worthy Girls:
You don't gotta go to work, work, work, work, work, work, work
But you gotta put in work, work, work, work, work, work, work
You don't gotta go to work, work, work, work, work, work, work
Let my body do the work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work
We can work from home, oh-oh, oh-oh
We can work from home, oh-oh, oh-oh
Becca (with Sydney):
Oooh-yeah
Girl, go to work for me
Can you make it clap, no hands for me?
Take it to the ground, pick it up for me
Look back at it (all on for me)
(Put in work like my timesheet)
She ride it like a '63
I'mma buy her no Celine
Let her ride in a (foreign with me)
Oh, (she the bae, I'm her boo)
And she (down to break the rules)
(Ride or die, she gon' go)
I won't judge, (she finesse)
I pipe up, (she take that)
(Putting overtime on your body)
Lily (and Maya) with the Note-Worthy Girls:
(You don't gotta go to work), work, work, work, work, work, work (Maya: No-ooh)
But you gotta put in work, work, work, work, work, work, work (Maya: Oooooh, oh, yeah)
You don't gotta go to work, work, work, work, work, work, work
Let my body do the work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work (Maya: Do the work, do the work, yeah, yeah)
Lily and Maya with the Note-Worthy Girls:
We can work from home, oh-oh, oh-oh
We can work from home, oh-oh, oh-oh
Maya:
Yeah, we can work from home, oh-oh, o-o-o-ooh
Yeah, we can work from home, oh-oh, oh-oh
Yeah
After the performance, the entire courtyard started clapping, much to the surprise of the glee club. They all stood there with confused looks and frowns on their faces until the crowd started chanting "Angelika! Angelika!" over and over again. "Now it makes sense," Alison said. Angelika was similing widely, waving her fans goobye as they all walked off the stone steps and back into the building. Alex was waiting for them at the entrance and the entire group gave him a wide berth, expecting something horrible to happen. When Lily noticed him, she looked shocked and tried to pass by him like the rest of the group, but Alex grabbed her hand and stepped closer to her. "Lily, wait-" "WHAT?" Lily yelled at him, shaking his hand off. "Get off of me, idiot," she told him. Alison, Joe, Kyle, Matt, Sydney and Zach came rushing back to her side. Alison spit at the floor next to his feet. "Stay away from her," she told him before they all walked off. Alex was left looking after Lily.
When they were back in the choir room, Alison immediately confronted Lily. "What did that poisonous slug want from you? Are you okay?" she asked. Lily shook her head. "No idea what's his problem. But I'm okay. Thanks for helping me, guys," she told them, smiling. Alison raised an eyebrow. "Well, we're a family. We're the only ones who get to pester you," she said. The bell rang to announce lunch break. Everyone left the room, except for Joe. "Lily, wait," he called out. Lily stopped and turned around, looking at Joe. "I'm sorry about yeesterday," he confessed. "I shouldn't have been such a cold bitch to you." Lily shook her head. "No, you don't need to apologize. I'm the one who should. I should've saved the seat next to mine for you to sit. I would've reacted the same way, had it been the other way around. I'm sorry," she said. Joe smiled and looked at the floor. "How do you know me so well?" he asked, once again.
Lily shrugged and linked her arm with his, steering him out of the choir room. "Well, we're a lot alike. I can empathize with a lot of your troubles and so I know what bugs you most of the time. It's what makes me so special," she said, giggling. "Yeah, it does," Joe answered genuinely. "Also, did you sleep in my bed last night? Cause I'm pretty sure I felt someone sleeping next to me but when I woke up, it was just me," he asked. Lily nodded, bashfully so. "Yeah, I wanted to comfort you. But I didn't know whether you'd still be mad at me so I left before you woke up." Joe laughed. "Like a dirty affair," he said. Lily frowned. "That makes it sound gross. I actually like sleeping in a bed with you," she reasoned. Joe nodded. "Me too, but to others, that also sounds gross, so-" he began. "We can't tell anyone," Lily finished. Joe nodded. "We really can't."
In the cafeteria, most of the group were already sat down at their usual table in the corner. Angelika had to sign some autographs, which made Kyle and Maya just stare at her in disbelief. Alison and Matt were still standing in line for their food. "So," Alison started. "Wanna tell me what's up with your and your lil caramel love muffin?" she asked. Matt chuckled. "Not really," he answered. Alison cocked her head. "Are you gonna tell me anyway?" Matt's smile vanished into seriousness. "Yeah, see, a couple weeks ago, we were at my place, making out on my bed and, we had talked about it before, so we just wanted to take things a little further this time," he confessed in a quiet voice. Alison was on the edge of her seat. "So clothes were removed and things got erect and before we knew it we were doing it," he said. "But not really... doing it? It didn't feel like the actual deal. I mean, there was penetration but whatever we did felt like the disabled kid brother of sex. It felt all wrong and.. I don't think we were doing it right so it wasn't any good," he finished.
Alison gave him her no-nonsense look. "That's the big deal? Your first time wasn't as magical as you imagined it to be?" she asked him disbelieving. Matt shrugged. "I don't wanna count this as my first time, it was horrible. How was yours?" he asked her. Alison blushed. "Uhm, well, it was- it was good, I- I guess, not ho-horrible," she stammered. Now it was Matt's turn to stare at her disbelieving. "You haven't had sex yet, have you?" he asked her in a sly, hushed voice. Alison slapped him across the arm, hard. "SHUT UP! That's none of your business!" she yelled in a whisper. Matt was in awe at the fact. "I can't believe this. I honestly thought you had your first time around age 10," he said. Alison raised her eyebrows to the ceiling. "FUCK YOU!" she yelled at him, throwing a handful of baked beans in his face and strutting away and out of the cafeteria. Matt looked after he. He had only meant it as a joke but it really seemed to have rubbed Alison the wrong way. "Oh-oh," Matt whispered as he knibbled on a baked bean.
Zach was rolling off Nathan, back onto his bed. Both were sweaty, breathing heavily and naked, with only a thin blanket covering them from the hips down. "That was good," Nathan said. Zach chuckled. "That was fucking awesome," he corrected. Nathan chuckled, too, and nodded. "Yeah. Thank god your parents are gone a lot these days." "Hell yes," Zach agreed. "What's up with that, tho?" Nathan asked him. Zach brushed it off. "No idea. And I don't care," he said as he got up and put his tighty whities back on. "You have to go now, I'm meeting up with Ang in half an hour to go shopping," Zach declared bluntly. Nathan frowned, but didn't say anything. He got up and got dressed. When they were walking downstairs, Nathan turned his head towards him. "So, I'll text you, okay?" he asked. "Okay, but let's wait a bit. I'm honestly spent, we've been going at it like bunnies the past couple weeks, I could use a little break," Zach told him. Nathan frowned. "Uhm, well, we could also just spend some quality time? We don't always have to have sex," he said. Now Zach frowned. "I thought that's what we were doing this for?" he asked the other guy. Nathan raised his eyebrows. "Well, not me. I thought we were actually going somewhere?" Zach looked down at the floor. "Listen, it's not that I don't like you. It's just-" he tried to explain but Nathan cut him off. "Joe. It's Joe, isn't it?" Zach nodded. "I hurt him bad and us breaking up hurt me bad. I don't know if I'm ready for a relationship again just yet," he confessed. Nathan nodded. "Well. Isn't that just splendid? Gotta go now. See ya, then, fuckbuddy," he said, sarcastically sweet, walking out the door and slamming it shut behind him. Zach was a bit taken aback at how bad Nathan took the news. He shrugged it off and went upstairs again to take a shower.
"So it was really that bad?" Kyle asked Maya. They were both lying across the couch, each doing their own homework. Maya nodded and hummed. "And the weird thing is, is that I didn't even have high expectations to begin with. I was pretty sure it wouldn't be amazing. Not because of Matt, but because from what I've heard, your first time is rarely amazing," she explained. "But it was even worse. And I'm not sure whether it's because it was the first time or if it's because Matt and I.. just don't have any physical chemistry?" she wondered. Kyle immediately shook his head. "I really don't think so. Maybe it just wasn't the right time. Maybe you were both way too nervous or maybe you both tried to hard? But I definitely think it has nothing to do with your chemistry. You two are great together," Kyle said. Maya blushed and smiled. "Thank you, Will. It's so great that you're back here with me, where you can solve all my problems for me and listen to my whining and hug me whenever I want," Maya confessed. Kyle gave her a smile in return. "You're very welcome, Grace," he said. "And likewise. Don't get me wrong, Bora-Bora's been great. Perfect white beaches, perfect, turquoise water, some really hot guys and some really nice sex.. but my heart was never really there. It was here, with you guys," he admitted. Maya chuckled. "How very poetic of you."
Angelika and Zach were strolling along the shopping lane, arms linked and some shopping bags in hand, when suddenly a guy approached them and stood right in front of Angelika. "Oh my god, you're the girl from that YouTube video! The one that looks like it's right out of Baywatch" he said excitedly. Ang blushed and nodded. "Indeed, that's me," she said. "Can I get an autograph?" the random guy asked her. Ang looked very surprised at that. "Oh, uhm- sure, sure, yeah," she answered, then. The guy pulled a pen and a piece of paper from his pockets and had Ang sign her name, insisting on a heart-dotted 'i'. When she was done, the guy looked at her, now somewhat shily. "Can I maybe also get your number?" he asked her in a timid voice. Zach raised his eyebrows at that. So did Ang. "Uhm.. I'm not sure, I-" she stammered, then looked at Zach. Zach gave her wide eyes and nodded his head towards the stranger in a "go for it" way. Ang looked back towards the guy. "Sure, why not?" she said then, writing down her number on the piece of paper before handing it back. "I'm Carl, by the way," the guy said, offering his hand. Ang smiled and shook his head. When he was gona and out of earshot, the two of them started walking again. "Damn, he cute," Zach said in a sly voice. Ang laughed out loud at that and pushed him away jokingly.
Sydney sat at the dinner table, alone. Her mum was still at work. She had a plate of food in front of her. Some coleslaw salad, a grilled chicken breast and some baked potatoes with sour cream dip. It looked and smelled delicious. Sydney studied it for a couple more minutes. "Sydney, we've been practicing this. You can do it. You don't need someone else to also take a bite," she told herself. Then she picked up the fork, speared a baked potatoe and ate it. "One for you," she counted. It felt like a struggle but, eventually, most of the food was gone and Sydney felt full and satisfied with how she'd done. She smiled at her reflection in the dining room window.
Joe and Lily walked into the room together, smiled at the people already there, and sat down at the center of the middle row. Lily looked at Maya, who was sitting right next to her. "What are you doing?" she asked her, curious. Maya looked up at her. "Oh, I'm trying to write an essay," she answered. Lily nodded. "What's it about?" she asked then. Maya frowned. "NO CLUE!" she exclaimed. Lily raised her eyebrows and turned back towards Joe.
Matt walked in and immediately approached Alison, who was sat on the far left side of the front row. Before he could speak, though, she held her hand up in front of his face without looking at him. "Still not talking to you," she said. Matt hung his head and walked over to where Maya already sat. "Hey, babe," he said, gave her a kiss and sat down next to her. "Hey, babe," Maya echoed, smiling timidly at him.
Mrs. Clarke was the last to enter. "Sorry for being late, guys. I just picked up the audition sign-up sheet from the bulletin board. Not one single person signed up. Which is unfortunate. But, on the bright side, no one put an obviously fake name on it either, like they did last year," she said, shrugging it off.
Ang chuckled. "Yeah, oh my god, remember 'Happy Poolaalaa'?" Everyone laughed. "Yeah, or 'Gauri', like, even without a last name. She must've been iconic," Joe added, laughing. "No way those names were real," Nathan added.
"Anyway," Mrs. Clarke picked back up. "I want us to try and recruit at least one member this week. Anyone got any ideas on how to?" she asked the group. Joe and Lily raised their hands in unison. "Mrs. Clarke, if we may?" Joe asked. Mrs. Clarke nodded and the two walked to the front of the room. "We're planning on taking Nationals this year, right?" Joe asked the group. When everyone nodded, Lily continued. "Right, so we should represent that. Because just being in this club is amazing for us but maybe others need more incentive to take the leap and join. Like the club being a National-worthy contender. So," she explained, grabbing her backpack and opening it. "Joe and I spent all night designing these custom made tee's for us to wear for the anthem we're about to perform for the student body," she told them, handing out black t-shirt's with the words "Nationals is happening!" on them. Most of the kids nodded approvingly. Alison scowled at the shirt. "Is that a polyester blend?" she asked in disgust. "Just put the damn thing on, it can't harm your dragon skin," Becca scoffed at her. Alison rolled her eyes but, along with everyone else, put the shirt on. "Yes, and Joe and I have the perfect song prepared to go along with that theme," Lily said. Ang frowned at them. "How is it that you two always 'have a song prepared'?" she air-quoted. Joe and Lily looked at each other. "No idea but you should get used to that," Lily shrugged it off.
"Alright, let's head out into the hallway and see where we go from there," Joe announced as he pressed play on his iPod, that was secretly linked to the entire school's intercom. The kids all started dancing out of the room and along the hallway.
Lily giggles.
Joe:
1, 2, 3, 4
Joe and Lily with the Note-Worthy (Lily with the Note-Worthy):
Oh, woah-oh-oh-oh
Woah-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Oh, woah-oh-oh-oh
Woah-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
(Oh)
Joe (with Lily):
Play the lotto, you might win it
It's like 25 to life, so you bust out of prison
(Something's in the air, something's in the air)
Lily (with Joe):
It's like that feeling when you're just about to kill it
Take your last shot, you know you're gonna hit it
(Something's in the air, something's in the air)
Joe:
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh
The group bust into the library, dancing on the tables and through the shelves.
Something big, I feel it happening
Out of my control
Pushing, pulling, and it's grabbing me
Feel it in my bones like
Joe and Lily with the Note-Worthy:
Oh, woah-oh-oh-oh
Woah-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Oh, woah-oh-oh-oh
(Lily: Something big, I feel it happening)
Oh, woah-oh-oh-oh
Woah-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Oh, woah-oh-oh-oh
(Joe: Something big)
The group had continued their quest through the school into the cafeteria now.
Lily (with Joe):
It's like that feeling when you're 'bout to win the medal
And you worked so hard that you knew you wouldn't settle
(Hands are in the air, hands are in the air)
Joe (with Lily):
When they hear you when you thought they wouldn't listen
It's like an anthem that the whole world's singing
(Hands are in the air, hands are in the air)
Lily:
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh
Joe and Lily:
Something big, I feel it happening
Out of my control
Pushing, pulling, and it's grabbing me
Feel it in my bones like
Joe and Lily with the Note-Worthy:
Oh, woah-oh-oh-oh
Woah-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Oh, woah-oh-oh-oh
(Lily: Something big, I feel it happening)
Oh, woah-oh-oh-oh
Woah-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Oh, woah-oh-oh-oh
Joe:
Something big
The group ended up outside, in the couryard, again.
Lily:
Whoa, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Yeah, yeah-ah
Joe:
If we stomp our feet the ground will shake
If we clap our hands the walls will break
Yell so loud, won't forget our names
Cause something big is happening
Joe with Lily:
Take this spark and start a fire
Raise this up, we're feeling high
They can't tell us anything
Cause something big is happening (Lily: Yeah-e-yeah)
Joe:
Something big, I feel it happening
Lily:
Out of my control
Joe:
Pushing
Lily:
Pulling
Joe and Lily:
And it's grabbing me
Feel it in my bones like
Joe and Lily with the Note-Worthy:
Oh, woah-oh-oh-oh
Woah-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Oh, woah-oh-oh-oh
(Lily: Something big is happening, woah)
Oh, woah-oh-oh-oh
Woah-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Oh, woah-oh-oh-oh
(Joe: Something big, I feel it happening)
Joe and Lily:
Oh
Like last time, the entire crowd started cheering, but it was mostly for Angelika, as she started signing autographs and taking pictures with her fans. The rest of the group just stood idly by, already annoyed with the turn of events. When she was finished, Ang led the others back inside the building. She had a handful of pieces of paper in her hand. "What's that?" Nathan asked her. Ang smiled. "Some phone numbers I scored," she said. Zach frowned at that. "Okay, one was fine, but this seems a bit slutty," he said. Ang stopped dead and turned towards him. "Are you calling me a hoe?" she asked him, angrily. Zach immediately shook his head no. "Good," Ang said, the smile back on her face. She turned around and continued walking down the hallway. The rest of the group just stood there. "Well, the fame certainly got to her..." Nathan said.
Alison and Nathan sat at their usual table, in the very front, and ate their dinner. "You know," Alison said. "Aside from being in a fake relationship for the sake of freedom, peace and popularity, hanging out with you like this is actually quite nice," she confessed. Nathan scoffed playfully at that. "As if you'd honestly be enjoying this," he said. Alison threw a piece of tomato at him. "I am! And stop pretending as if you didn't, either," she told him. "Okay, first of all, what is it with you and throwing food around?" he asked her. Alison just shrugged. "And secondly, the only reason I'm enjoying this is the free food I get, since you're always paying," he said through a smile. "Well, technically, my dad is paying," she said. Nathan chuckled at that. "Tell him I only put out at 100$ or higher," he said jokingly. Alison laughed. "Oh, please. You put out for Zach all the time," she scoffed. Nathan's smile turned into a frown then. "Too much, apparently," he said quietly. Alison frowned, too, then. "Why is that?" she asked him.
Nathan looked up at her. "Are we actually having a serious conversation?" he wondered. Alison shrugged, again. "We could be," she offered. Nathan took a deep breath. "Yesterday he invited me over to his house. We had sex. And then he kicked me out," he confessed. Alison winced. "Ouch. That's gross," she said. "Well, not before telling me that fucking everyday has him all worn out so I shouldn't text him for a couple days, til he gets his energy back," Nathan added in an obviously fake sweet voice. Alison frowned. "What a dick move," she said. Nathan hummed in agreement. "Why are you having sex with him anyway?" she asked him. "Well, I thought having sex wasn't gonna be the only thing we'd do together. I thought this was going somewhere," Nathan pointed out with a 'duh' expression. "Also, sex is nice," he added. Alison simply raised her eyebrows at her food at that and cleared her throat. Nathan narrowed his eyes at her.
"You haven't had sex yet, have you?" he asked her. Alison looked up at him, an exasperated look on her face. "Why does everyone just assume that?" she growled. Nathan tried to suppress a laugh. "Well you're making it very obvious by blushing, looking away pointedly and clearing your throat," he explained to her. "Wait, is that why you're mad at Matt?" he asked. Alison nodded. "He called me a filthy whore," she said. "I'm sure he didn't," Nathan replied drily. Alison rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Okay, no, he didn't, but he told me he thought I had my first time when I was 10!" she exclaimed. "So?" Nathan asked, unimpressed. "I'm pretty sure everyone's thought that," he told her. Alison looked even more outraged at that. "Why does everyone think I'm such a dirty slutbag?" she asked. Nathan smiled. "Well, no offense, but have you met you?" Alison scoffed. "I know how I come off. I know I could have any guy I want. But I also know that guys know that. Which makes them think I'm hella easy," she explained. "And there's just no way I'm losing my virginity to some random dick who just wants a good fuck out of me."
Nathan nodded. "I get that. And you shouldn't. You should wait. Screw what other people think, honestly. You're awesome and pretty and probably very flexible. Any guy would be lucky to have you. Just wait for the right one," he told her. He didn't notice Alison staring at him with a blush on her face.
Matt and Maya were lying on his bed, making out. When it got more heated, Matt stopped. "Wait, wait a second," he said, out of breath. "Are you sure you wanna do this again?" he asked. "We both know last time wasn't that ride at Disneyworld we both made it out to be." Maya giggled. "I know. But I'm confident that that's not how it's meant to be with us, alright?" she asked. Matt smiled at her and nodded before kissing her again.
---
Matt and Maya were the last to walk into the room. When Maya sat down next to Kyle, she leaned towards him. "We did it again and it was AWESOME!" she excitedly whispered into his ear. Kyle chuckled. "Nice," he said, before lifting his hand for a high-five with Matt, who quickly complied, smiling.
Mrs. Clarke walked into the room, audition sign-up sheet in hand again, and sighed. "No one signed up?" Becca asked. Mrs. Clarke nodded. Sydney frowned. "We're going at this all wrong," she said. Everyone looked at her. "We're singing about all the wrong things. We don't need to show them that we're fierce and phenomenal. And we don't need to tell them that we'll make it big-time this year," she explained.
"No idea what you're getting at," Nathan wondered. Sydney stood up and walked to the front. "Think about it. What's the best part of being in this club for everyone?" she asked them. Everyone pondered that for a second when Maya spoke up. "That we're a family. That we can rely on each other. That we can be who we are in here without being ashamed of it," she said. Sydney nodded. "Exactly. That's the message we wanna send the people. That this club isn't just about singing and performing and slaying. It's about being part of something important. Something special," she explained, with a smile on her face. "Now, mix that with a fagulous bop from my all-time favorite decade and you've got yourself the perfect recruitment number. Follow my lead!" Sydney announced. The music started playing and, once again, the club danced out into the hallway to perform.
Sydney (with Angelika):
Ooh, ooh-ooh
Woah, ooh
Ooh, yeah
You have so many relationships in this life
Only one or two will last
You go through all the pain and strife
Then you turn your back and they're gone so fast
(Oh, yeah)
And they're gone (so fast), yeah, yeah
Alison (with Nathan):
Ooh
So hold on the ones who really care
(In the end they'll be the only ones there)
When you get old and start losing your hair
Cass and Perry:
Can you tell me who will still ca-are?
Can you tell me who will still care?
Alison (with Nathan):
Ooh, oh (care)
To everyone's surprise, the people who watched them perform in the hallways actually started following the group around during their performance.
Lily and Zach with the Note-Worthy (Lily and Zach):
Mmmbop, ba dooba dop
Ba doo bop, dooba dop
Ba doo bop, dooba dop
Ba doo
(Yeah-e-yeah)
Mmmbop, ba dooba dop
Ba doo bop, dooba dop
Ba doo bop, dooba dop
Ba doo
(Yeah-e-yeah)
Lily:
Said, ooh, yeah
In an mmmbop they're gone
Yeah-eah, yeah-e-yeah
Maya (with Kyle):
Plant a seed, plant a flower, plant a rose
(You can plant any one of those)
(Keep planting to find out which one grows)
It's a secret no one (knows)
It's a secret no one knows
Oh, oh, (no one knows)
Angelika and Zach with the Note-Worthy (Angelika and Zach):
Mmmbop, ba dooba dop
Ba doo bop, dooba dop
Ba doo bop, dooba dop
Ba doo
(Yeah-e-yeah)
Mmmbop, ba dooba dop
Ba doo bop, dooba dop
Ba doo bop, dooba dop
Ba doo
(Yeah-e-yeah)
The group was now performing in the cafeteria, with the entire student body enjoying the sickening performance.
Joe (with Lily):
(In an mmmbop they're gone)
In an mmmbop they're not there
(In an mmmbop they're gone)
In an mmmbop they're (not there, eah)
Until you lose your hair
Ooh, ooh, but you don't care
Ooh, yeah
Alison and Matt with the Note-Worthy (Alison and Matt):
Mmmbop, ba dooba dop
Ba doo bop, dooba dop
Ba doo bop, dooba dop
Ba doo
(Yeah-e-yeah)
Maya and Kyle with the Note-Worthy (Maya and Kyle):
Mmmbop, ba dooba dop
Ba doo bop, dooba dop
Ba doo bop, dooba dop
Ba doo
(Eeh-yeah-eh)
The group was now moving outside, into the courtyard, as usual.
Nathan (with Alison and the Note-Worthy):
(Can you tell me?)
Oh, no, you can't cause you don't know
(Can you tell me?)
Oh, yeah, you say you can but you don't know
(Can you tell me?) (Kyle: Which flower's going to grow?)
Oh, no you can't cause you don't know
(Can you tell me?) (Kyle: If it's going to be a daisy or a rose?)
You say you can but you don't know
(Alison with the Note-Worthy: Can you) (tell me) (Kyle: Which flower's going to grow?)
Oh, no you can't cause you don't know
(Can you tell me?) (Kyle: If it's going to be a daisy or a rose?)
Oh, you say you can but you don't know, oh-oh
Jackie (with Becca):
You say you can but you don't know
(You don't know, oh)
(Don't know, ooh, ooh, ooh)
The Note-Worthy (Sydney):
Mmmbop, doo bop
Doo bop, doo (Yeah-e-yeah)
Mmmbop, doo bop (Woaah, yeah-e-yeah)
Doo bop, doo (Ooh, noo!)
Mmmbop, ba dooba dop
Ba doo bop, dooba dop
Ba doo bop, dooba dop
Ba doo
(Yeah-e-yeah)
Mmmbop, ba dooba dop
Ba doo bop, dooba dop (Oooh, ooh)
Ba doo bop, dooba dop
Ba doo
(Ooh-ooh, woah)
Mmmbop, ba dooba dop
Ba doo bop, dooba dop
Ba doo bop, dooba dop
Ba doo
(Ooh, woah)
Mmmbop, ba dooba dop
Ba doo bop, dooba dop (Ooah, oah, oah)
Ba doo bop, dooba dop
Ba doo
(Woah, yeah-e-yeah)
Sydney (with Lily and the Note-Wothy):
(Can you tell me?)
Oh, no, you can't cause you don't know
(Can you tell me?)
You say you can but you don't know
Say you can but you don't know
Don't know
This time, the cheers of the entire student body weren't just for Ang, they were for the whole group. The Note-Worthy all smiled among themselves, confident that the audition sign-up sheet will be filled by tomorrow. They all went back into the choir room to get their stuff before they all left for lunch break. In the cafeteria, Alison approached Matt, who was currently standing at a vending machine. "Look, I'm sorry for snapping at you yesterday," Alison rushed out. "I didn't mean to be rude.. well, I did, cause I was pissed. But I know you didn't mean it the way I heard it. So, in the spirit of 'mmmbop', I hereby officially apologize," she finished lamely. Matt smiled. "Thanks, Ali. Means a lot to me. And I'm sorry, too, for joking about a sensitive topic," he replied. Alison smiled, too, now. "Why, thank you."
Joe walked up to the door, hesitant to knock. He had brought a box of things Zach left at his place when they were still together. Finally, after taking a deep breath, he rang the doorbell. Only seconds later, the door flew open and Nathan stood in front of him. "Oh, thank god," he whispered. Joe zeroed in on his neck. "Is that a hickey?" he screeched. Nathan blushed a deep crimson. Suddenly, Zach stood behind him in the doorway. "Joe, what are you doing here?" he asked him. Joe looked from the obvious hickey on Nathan's neck to Zach and just gaped. His hair was ruffled, his clothes messy. Joe's bottom lip was starting to tremble. He shoved the box of things into Zach's hands. "This is your stuff, I thought you might want it back," he rushed out and turned around to walk back to the car before any emotions could get out. He drove back home and parked the car in the driveway. He took a deep breath and then slammed his fist down on the horn a couple times. When he was finished he fixed his hair and clothes. "That oughta do it," he told himself.
Alex and Lily were in the middle of a steamy make-out session on his bed. "How the fuck did you get me to do this again?" Lily asked in between kisses. Alex smiled into the next kiss. "You just wanted it too much to walk away, babe," he said. At the pet name, Lily pulled away and frowned at him. "Sorry, no feelings, I know," Alex said, disappointed. Just when Lily was about to dive back in, her phone rang. Without hesitation she grabbed for it and accepted the call. "Hello?" she asked. "Hey, Lily, d'you have a minute?" Sydney asked on the other side. Lily pushed away from Alex and sat down at the end of the bed. "Of course, sweetie, what's up?" she asked her friend. Sydney sighed. "Nothing, really. I just ate and, I don't know, I was feeling a weak moment sneaking up on me so I just called you, I hope that's okay," she confessed. "Of course it's okay! Anytime you need, you hear me? I'm there for you," Lily told her as she got dressed properly and put on her shoes. She left Alex' room and the house without even saying goodbye. "I can be there in five minutes?" Lily offered.
Sydney smiled. "Thanks, that's very sweet but you don't have to come over. Just talking to you for a while is fine, it helps a lot," she explained. Lily got into her car and nodded. "Alright, as you wish. What did you have for dinner?" she asked. "Uhm, pasta with tomatoes, basil and grilled chicken slices. It was delicious, but it felt so heavy in my stomach all of a sudden," Syd explained. Lily hummed. "I guess that's normal when you're recovering from something like that," she told her. They talked for another couple minutes before Sydney hung up to go to bed. Lily drove home then. She immediately went to Joe's room. "You still awake?" she asked while walking into the room. Joe was sat on his recliner, a textbook on his lap he wasn't even close to reading. "You okay?" Lily asked him, sitting down on the coffee table next to the chair. Joe nodded. "Yeah, no, I'm fine. I went over to Zach's earlier to drop off his stuff and Nathan greeted me at the door with a hickey the size of Texas on his neck," he explained. Lily gasped. "Whaaaat?" she asked. "You've gotta be kidding me." Joe shook his head. "I wish I was. I should've expected this, honestly, but seeing it just.. hurt. I didn't think he'd be over me this soon," he told her. Lily nodded. "Me neither, but, well, it's been almost three months," she offered. Joe rolled his eyes playfully. "I know! But you know how amazing I am," he joked. Lily smiled genuinely. "Yeah, that I know," she said, giving him a kiss on the cheek, before grabbing his hand and pulling him up and with her. "Come on, we're gonna watch an episode of The Walking Dead and eat a pint of Ben&Jerry's," she announced.
Mrs. Clarke walked into the room, holding the sign-up sheet up. "We have one audition on Monday," she said in a very chipper tone. Everyone else frowned. "ONE?" Sydney screeched. Mrs. Clarke laughed. "Well, that was the goal," she said. She stood herself next to the grand piano and looked around the room. Everyone looked at her expectantly in quiet. Finally, she spoke up. "So, the first week of your sophomore year has come and gone. It's really nice to see you all back in the choir room," she confessed. Everyone smiled among themselves and nodded. "I don't really have any closing words this week, so do any of you wanna say something? How was the week for you?" she asked them.
Lily immediately raised her hand. Some of the others groaned at that. "I know what you're all thinking. 'Of course she has something to say'," she mimicked. "But I just wanted to say that, even though most of us sort of went their own way during the summer, I feel like the dynamic in here hasn't changed at all. We're still a family. It feels like that right now more so than ever. And I just really enjoy being back in here with everyone," Lily finished. Everyonen 'aww'd and nodded along.
Joe then raised his hand. "This week has been a bit difficult, if I'm going to be honest. Coming back and just, I don't know, accepting.. and getting used to everything that's happened," he said, his eyes meeting Zach's. "But I feel like now I can honestly say.. or well, think. That for the first time, everyone's truly okay with everyone. And everyone's accepted how things are in here," he explained. The kids all looked at each other and smiled. Everyone nodded, except for Nathan, who looked uncomfortable at the last statement. But no one noticed. Sydney took Lily's hand and spoke up.
"These past couple months have been really hard on me, as you can probably imagine. It felt like hell at some points. But this week has been... well, something. I feel like I wanna use a mix of what Lily and Joe each said. It feels different now because some things have changed, but at the same time it's the same feeling of... being a family. Being friends," she said, looking at Angelika. "Being there for each other no matter how far away you are," Joe said, looking at Lily. "Being able to come back at any moment," Kyle said. Everyone laughed. "Being accepted in spite of your flaws," Alison said, to everyone's surprise. Matt put his hand on her knee and squeezed it, affectionately.
Mrs. Clarke stood in awe at the group's development. "Y'all have really come a long way, after all the turmoil last year," she said, chuckling. "Exactly," Sydney piped in, standing up and tugging Lily along with her. "We've had it rough and we've come out stronger. And this girl and I," she said pointing between herself and Lily. "Have been practicing just the song for that."
Lily:
I was born in a thunderstorm
I grew up overnight
We see a young Lily standing alone in the middle of a crowded playground, clutching her teddy bear for dear life, tear-eyed.
I played alone, I'm playing on my own
I survived
Hey
Sydney:
I wanted everything I never had
Like the love that comes with light
I wore envy and I hated that
But I survived
Sydney with Lily:
I had a one-way ticket to a place where all the demons go
Where the wind don't change and nothing in the ground can ever grow
No hope, just lies and you're taught to cry into your pillow
But I survived
We see Sydney in rehab, struggling with the food in front of her, starting to tear up.
Sydney:
I'm still breathing
I'm still breathing
I'm still breathing
I'm still breathing
Lily and Sydney:
I'm alive
I'm alive
I'm alive
I'm alive
Lily:
I found solace in the strangest place
Way in the back of my mind
I saw my life in a stranger's face
And it was mine
Sydney with Lily:
I had a one-way ticket to a place where all the demons go
Where the wind don't change and nothing in the ground can ever grow
No hope, just lies and you're taught to cry into your pillow
But I survived
Sydney:
I'm still breathing
I'm still breathing
I'm still breathing
I'm still breathing
Lily and Sydney:
I'm alive
I'm alive
I'm alive
I'm alive
Sydney with Lily:
You took it all, but I'm still breathing
You took it all, but I'm still breathing
You took it all, but I'm still breathing
You took it all, but I'm still breathing
You took it all, but I'm still breathing
You took it all, but I'm still breathing
You took it all, but I'm still breathing
You took it all, but I'm still breathing
Sydney:
I have made every single mistake
That you could ever possibly make
I took and I took and I took what you gave
But you never noticed that I was in pain
Lily:
I knew what I wanted; I went out and got it
Did all the things that you said that I wouldn't
I told you that I would never be forgotten
And all in spite of you
Sydney:
And I'm still breathing
I'm still breathing
I'm still breathing
I'm still breathing
Lily (Sydney):
I'm alive (You took it all, but I'm still breathing, you took it all, but I'm still breathing)
I'm alive (You took it all, but I'm still breathing, you took it all, but I'm still breathing)
I'm alive (You took it all, but I'm still breathing, you took it all, but I'm still breathing)
I'm alive
Lily and Sydney:
I'm alive
I'm alive
I'm alive
I'm alive
Songs[]
| Song Title | Original Artist | Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Hold Back The River | James Bay | Angelika, Maya, and Zach |
| Lost Boy | Troye Sivan | Joe with the Note-Worthy |
| Work From Home | Fifth Harmony feat. Ty $ | The Note-Worthy Girls |
| Something Big | Shawn Mendes | Joe and Lily with the Note-Worthy |
| MMMBop | Hanson | The Note-Worthy |
| Alive | Sia | Lily and Sydney with the Note-Worthy |