| Parenthood | |
|---|---|
| Season 1, Episode 2 | |
| |
| Air date | October 26, 2013 |
| Written by | JamesonOTP |
| Episode Guide | |
| Previous Fame |
Next Secrets |
Parenthood is the second episode of Season 1 of the Glee: The Next Generation spin-off, Glee: The Next Generation presents The NYADA Years. The episode marks the return of Breezy Hollister, who left the series in the Season 2 finale, Gold Forever.
When Breezy mysteriously shows up on Miles's doorstep with a young son, Miles wonders if the baby is really his despite Breezy's protests otherwise. As Miles fights from slipping back into a pattern with Breezy, Breezy becomes close with Lana, who gets a job working with Breezy at the Spotlight Diner, going as far to tell her that Chord is in fact Miles' son. As Miles regrets what happens with Breezy, both before she left and the night before, India comes to him and offers support, causing Miles to have feelings for his ex. A conflicted Miles goes to Jaxon, Lana, and Evan for advice and Lana struggles with whether she should reveal the truth or not. As Honey watches Miles battling his feelings for both India and Breezy, she decides to use her handsome dance instructor to make Miles jealous. Camryn's relationship with Lana comes to Hallie's attention, instantly making her jealous. Meanwhile Evan, Camryn, and Hallie get a turn to show their skills in the Round Room.
Songs[]
- One More Night by Maroon 5. Sung by Miles Larson
- No Love Allowed by Rihanna. Sung by Evan Marx
- Holding Out For A Hero by Bonnie Tyler. Sung by Lana Addison and Breezy Hollister
- With Arms Wide Open by Creed. Sung by Breezy Hollister
- I'm The One by Ke$ha. Sung by Camryn Monahan
- If I Could Be Her by ZZ Ward. Sung by Hallie Grace
- Everybody Talks by Neon Trees. Sung by Miles Larson and India Wilson
- Don't Stand So Close To Me by The Police. Sung by Jesse Nash feat. Honey Berry and Miles Larson
Episode[]
__________________________________________
Miles felt himself stir as the knocking sound got louder and louder. He rose up and looked over at the clock on his bedside table, tilting it back slightly so he could see the time.
1:27 am.
Miles sighed as he threw the covers aside, stood up and put his bare feet on the cold floor, a shiver running up his spine. He stood up and walked out of his bedroom, wearing nothing but a pair of Buzz Lightyear pajama pants.
“Hold your horses!” Miles said, shuffling sleepily to the door. “I’m coming.”
“Who could be knocking on the door at this time of night?” Hallie asked, appearing in the door of the bedroom belonging to her and the twins.
Miles shrugged his shoulders and unlocked the padlock as Hallie pulled her silk robe together and tied it tightly, feeling a bit less exposed. As Miles unlocked the door, he was surprised to see Breezy standing there. She was soaked from head to toe, dripping into the hallway, and carrying a child who appeared to be just short of a year old.
“Miles?” Breezy asked. “Can I come in? I was on my way home from my job at the Spotlight Diner and I broke down right in front of NYADA. The only person who I knew stayed in the dorms was you because Honey had mentioned it the last time we talked. I didn’t know where else to go and I didn’t wanna keep my son out in this weather.”
“Your son?” Hallie and Miles asked in unison.
“It’s a long story,” Breezy said, brushing the boy’s dark blonde bangs out of his eyes. “But his name is Chord. You know, like the musical term.”
“Come in,” Miles said, opening the door wider. “I’ll make you some hot chocolate and we’ll get you dried off and I’m sure Hallie has something you can wear.”
Miles looked at Hallie, sharing a confused glance, as Breezy stepped inside and sat her son down on the sofa.
____________________________________________________________
Glee: The Next Generation presents The NYADA Years
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Hallie walked back into the room, carrying a couple towels, some of her clothes for Breezy, and a pair of Ethan’s old pajamas for Chord. Hallie handed them to Breezy, who smiled.
“Here’s some nice, warm clothes to sleep in,” Hallie said. “And I’ll bring you both something to wear tomorrow in the morning while we get these washed and dried.”
“Thank you guys so much,” Breezy said. “Really, I can’t think you guys enough.”
“Here’s some hot chocolate for you,” Miles said, handing a mug to Breezy. “And here’s some for the little guy, too.”
“Hold up,” Hallie said, snatching the bottle of hot chocolate away from Miles. “You can’t just pour some hot cocoa in a bottle and hand it to a baby. Their mouths are much more sensitive than ours. You have to drop a little bit on your inner wrist and make sure it’s not too hot. Seriously, have you never even babysat before?”
“I’m the youngest child,” Miles said. “I don’t have baby brothers and sisters and Graham hasn’t have any kids yet.”
“I have an electric bottle warmer in my room,” Hallie replied. “I’ll warm up some chocolate milk for him. Do me and favor and pour this in a mug for you to drink.”
Miles nodded as Hallie shoved the bottle into Miles’ hands and went back to her room to fetch the bottle warmer.
“I swear, I have to be freaking Martha Stewart up in here,” Hallie mumbled on her way back to her room.
Breezy stifled a laugh as Hallie passed her. She looked at Miles, who struggled to make conversation considering how the last time her had saw her was as they pretended not to know each other during their performance at Internationals to make their break-up easier. That was, the very break-up that reduced Miles to a crying mess in Jaxon’s arms.
“So, what’s the story with him?” Miles asked, pointing to Chord.
“After I left McKinley, I touched down in Connecticut and began to plan things for over the summer,” Breezy said. “I met a guy named Daniel and we hit it off and had sex one night. The protection failed and I ended up pregnant. But the next morning, Daniel had left and I didn’t know where to find him or even his last name. I blame it on too much tequila at a local bar, which I managed to sweet talk my way into.”
“So Daniel doesn’t know he’s a father?” Miles asked.
“I don’t even think Daniel remembers me or knows I exist,” Breezy said, looking down at the ground.
“Why are you in New York?” Miles asked. “I thought you were attending Yale on early graduation.”
“Yale is an Ivy league school, which means it’s a very pricey school,” Breezy replied. “After I could no longer hide my pregnancy, my parents disowned me. They could afford the fifty-nine thousand a year tuition, but I’m a single mother so I couldn’t. I was forced to drop out. So when India flew me out for Jaxon and James’ wedding, I asked for a one-way ticket so I didn’t have to go back. I’m chasing my dreams in New York City. I found a new apartment, a new job at the Spotlight Diner, and now I’m attending a community college.”
“At least you’re trying,” Miles said.
“And making a good name for us hard working single mothers,” Hallie said as she returned with the bottle warmer and made her way into the kitchen to plug it up. “I’m really glad I kept all these old things from the twins. I don’t need them anymore so I can send them home with you.”
“I couldn’t accept them,” Breezy said.
“Nonsense,” Hallie said. “It’s what friends do. Besides, we really need the room.”
“Well, I guess,” Breezy said. “I don’t want to feel like it’s charity. I am capable of taking care of myself and my son. We just had a blow-out on the way home. It happens to everyone.”
“It’s doing me a favor by giving me much needed space,” Hallie replied. “If anything, it’s you doing charity for me. Now, this bottle will just take a few minutes.”
“So,” Miles said. “You’re going to spend the night and tomorrow, I will have Aldy look at your car and fix it for you.”
“Really, you don’t have to do all this,” Breezy said.
“It’s the least I can do,” Miles replied. “Hallie, you wanna take care of the bottle for Chord since you know what you’re doing?”
Hallie nodded. “Yeah, I’ll take care of him. You go on back to bed, Miles. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Good night,” Miles said as he made his way back to his bedroom.
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Miles tossed and turned, unable to go back to sleep. Something was bothering him, something that he couldn’t quite put his finger on. Miles sat up, the cover falling down as he looked over at the clock again.
3:31 am.
Miles sighed as he shook his head. He ran his hand through his hair and then returned it to his side.
Man, I just wish that I could sleep but something is bothering me and I really don’t know what it is, Miles thought.
Miles looked over at his bedside table, looking at each picture that hung above it: himself and Jaxon, himself and Evan, himself with Lana and Adam, his family, himself and Bella, himself and Honey, and finally, himself and Breezy.
Look at us, Miles thought. We’re so happy. Things were so much… simpler back then.
Miles tried to lie down and clear his mind, but it didn’t work. His mind was racing and no matter what he did, he couldn’t stop it. He sat up abruptly and stared straight ahead.
“You and I go hard at each other like we're going to war,” Miles sang as he threw the covers off himself. “You and I go rough; we keep throwing things and slamming the door. You and I get so damn dysfunctional, we stopped keeping score. You and I get sick, yeah, I know that we can't do this no more.”
Miles stood up and walked to the door, making his way into the living room where Breezy was asleep. He watched her as he slowly circled the sofa.
“Yeah, but baby, there you go again, there you go again, making me love you,” Miles sang. “Yeah, I stopped using my head, using my head, let it all go. Got you stuck on my body, on my body, like a tattoo. And now I'm feeling stupid, feeling stupid, crawling back to you. So I cross my heart and I hope to die that I'll only stay with you one more night. And I know I said it a million times, but I'll only stay with you one more night.”
Miles leaned in and pulled the cover up over Breezy’s exposed shoulder and he briefly kissed her forehead as he rose back up.
“Try to tell you no but my body keeps on telling you yes,” Miles sang. “Try to tell you stop, but your lipstick got me so out of breath. I'll be waking up in the morning, probably hating myself. And I'll be waking up, feeling satisfied but guilty as hell. Yeah, but baby, there you go again, there you go again, making me love you. Yeah, I stopped using my head, using my head, let it all go. Got you stuck on my body, on my body, like a tattoo. And now I'm feeling stupid, feeling stupid, crawling back to you.”
Miles walked back toward his room and stopped in the door way, holding onto the door frame as he turned to look at Breezy one last time.
“So I cross my heart and I hope to die, yeah, that I'll only stay with you one more night, oh,” Miles sang. “And I know I said it a million times, yeah, but I'll only stay with you one more night, yeah. Yeah, baby, give me one more night. Yeah, baby, give me one more night, whoa, yeah. Yeah, baby, give me one more night, oh yeah, yeah.”
Miles made his way back to his bed and sat down on the edge, looking at the pictures on his wall.
“Yeah, but baby, there you go again, there you go again making me love you,” Miles sang. “Yeah, I stopped using my head, using my head, let it all go. Got you stuck on my body, on my body like a tattoo, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So I cross my heart and I hope to die, oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh. That I'll only stay with you one more night, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh. And I know I said it a million times, oh, I said it a million times, but I'll only stay with you one more night. Yeah, baby, give me one more night. So I cross my heart and I hope to die, yeah, yeah, that I'll only stay with you one more night, yeah, yeah. And I know I said it a million times, yeah, yeah, but I'll only stay with you one more night yeah, yeah.”
Miles pulled his legs under the cover, putting his pillow over his face in an attempt to block everything out and force himself asleep.
____________________________________________________________
Miles yawned as he sleepily walked toward NYADA’s steps, leaning against the rail to join his friends for a few moments, like every morning, before having to go in and start classes.
“Miles, you look like a zombie from The Walking Dead,” Lana said.
“You look like you didn’t sleep last night,” Jaxon added.
“I didn’t,” Miles replied. “Breezy is in town and she lives here now. Her car broke down not far outside the school and she walked to my dorm, of all places, and I was up all night because I couldn’t get back to sleep.”
“Yeah, and his skills with a kid aren’t that great either,” Hallie added.
“Yours?” Chuck asked, looking at Hallie.
“No, Breezy’s son,” Hallie replied.
“Wait,” Evan said, holding up his hand in a halting motion. “Breezy has a son? As in the same Breezy we both dated?”
“Do you know another?” Miles asked.
“Fair enough,” Evan replied.
“Her son is nine months old,” Miles said. “She and some dude named Daniel had an affair when she moved to Connecticut back in the June after our junior year. I don’t know, I don’t remember some of the details, but I remember all that very clearly.”
“Something isn’t right,” Chuck said.
“Of course,” Lana said. “Of all the people that I suspected would have a kid before she turned eighteen, I have to say that Breezy was near the bottom of my list along with me, Nicole, Ana, and Natasaha.”
“Oh yay, I’m not a slut,” Nicole said.
“Having a kid in your teens doesn’t make you a slut,” Hallie said. “I should know.”
“Not in your case,” Nicole said. “But you know, in some cases.”
“That’s not what I’m saying,” Chuck said, using his fingers to count. “Think about it, guys. June after your junior year would have been fifteen months ago. She would have been pregnant with him for nine months, so that would only make him six months old. Are you sure she said he was nine months old?”
“Positive,” Miles said as Hallie nodded in agreement.
“What are you getting at?” Jaxon asked, looking at Chuck.
“Breezy was pregnant with her son while she was still at McKinley,” Chuck said. “That’s the only possible way.”
“Something tells me I walked into a conversation at a bad time,” Monique said as she joined the others.
“That means one of two things,” Miles said. “Either she cheated on me while we were together or…”
Everyone looked at Miles as Miles trailed off, trying to force himself to say the next part of the sentence he so dreaded saying.
“Or what?” Evan asked, finally breaking the silence.
“…Or Chord is my son,” Miles said, a lump growing in his throat.
“Well, I have to admit, the time period would be correct,” Nicole said. “She would have gotten pregnant while you two were still together.”
“Oh no, not you too,” Miles said. “You’re never wrong.”
“And oops, that my pager app!” Lana exclaimed, faking a look at her phone. “What do you know? That’s Camryn—I got to go like right away.”
Lana took off running toward the school, not even looking back.
“Maybe you should just talk to Breezy about this,” Jaxon said. “You, know before you get all jump to-y with the conclusions.”
“You’ve been watching too much Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” Nicole said to Jaxon. “That totally sounded lifted from Joss Whedon.”
“Hello, I have a potential issue here,” Miles said.
“And you heard what Jaxon said,” Chuck replied. “I have to admit, it’s best to talk to Breezy first. She may just be covering up the fact that she cheated on you. What girl would want to admit that? It doesn’t necessarily mean he’s your son.”
“Says the guy who pointed out the massive logic fail to begin with,” Miles replied, just as the bell rang.
“Saved by the bell,” Jaxon said awkwardly as beside him, Nicole snickered.
____________________________________________________________
Inside the Round Room, Carmen stood at the front, patiently waiting for everyone to take their seats. Camryn looked surprised as Lana rushed to her.
“Oh, baby, I got here as soon as I could,” Lana said loudly, throwing her arms around Camryn. “I got your page and rushed straight here.”
“What are you talking about?” Camryn asked.
“Oh, don’t be modest,” Lana replied, loud enough for everyone to hear before lowering her voice to just above a whisper. “Miles has baby mama drama and I had to get away before it sucked me in.”
“I don’t doubt it,” Camryn said. “I can believe that about him, oddly enough and I’m glad you didn’t get sucked in because then I couldn’t ask you on a date to The Spotlight Diner this afternoon. And, it’s my turn to pay.”
Lana smiled as she took Camryn’s hand and sat down. “Sounds like a date.”
“Welcome to week two of Freshman Round Room solos,” Carmen said. “We heard a lot of great vocalists last week and I am excited to hear from some more of you the next two days. Next up, we have another New Directions alumnus, Evan Marx.”
Evan smiled as he got up from his seat near the front of the room and walked up to take his place in front of the band.
“Hi, everyone,” Evan said. “I’m Evan and I am from Lima, Ohio. I’m bisexual, which is something I’ve struggled with in the past. Some might see it as twice as many opportunities to find love, but I’ve discovered it’s twice as many chances to be hurt and I’ve been hurt a lot in the past.”
Tyler sat up, looking at intently at Evan, drinking in every word he said. As the music started up, Tyler crossed his arms and leaned back casually.
“Nine-one-one, it's a critical emergency, yeah,” Evan sang. “Better run, run, run. Come and charge him with the one-four-three, yeah, yeah. Told me this world was mine, such a beautiful lie. Now he's done, done, done and his love is no more for me. Hand in the air as he wave me goodbye. He said he care but no tears in his eyes and ask me if I'm alright—boy, is you blind? Like a bullet your love me hit me to the core. I was flying till you knocked me to the floor. And it's so foolish how you keep me wanting more. I'm screaming murderer, how could you murder us? I call it murder, no love allowed. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.”
I really like Evan, Tyler thought. I mean, he’s cute, he’s sexy, he’s a great singer. I could go on and on, but I don’t wanna sound like a sappy lovesick fool. Let’s just say that I could get used to Evan being the idea of my first boyfriend. No—I’m going too fast. Slow down, Tyler. Just listen to his song right now. Don’t even think about that.
“Fe-fo-fum like the sky is falling down on me,” Evan sang. “Numb, numb, numb, he's so cold he doesn't feel a thing. Broken heart was the case. Go on and put him away. He's the only one, one, one I ever let get the best of me. Hand in the air as he wave me goodbye. He said he care but no tears in his eyes and ask me if I'm alright—boy, is you blind? Like a bullet your love me hit me to the core. I was flying till you knocked me to the floor. And it's so foolish how you keep me wanting more. I'm screaming murderer, how could you murder us? I call it murder, no love allowed. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.”
As Evan sang, Tyler felt himself drawn to him. Tyler slowly stood up, fighting the urge to walk up to Evan and take him in his arms, hugging the pain. As Tyler noticed some people were watching him, he sat back down in a hurry.
“Usually I'm the one that they cry for but this man, he's the one that I'd die for,” Evan sang. “Mama said there's no cause for a rebel. Do you hear me now? No love, no love, no love allowed. Like a bullet your love me hit me to the core. I was flying till you knocked me to the floor. And it's so foolish how you keep me wanting more. I'm screaming murderer, how could you murder us? I call it murder, no love allowed. I'm screaming murderer, how could you murder us. I call it murder, no love allowed.”
As the song ended, Tyler was the first one to his feet, applauding loudly for Evan and giving a cat-call. Evan smiled as he looked at all the people standing and applauding for him.
“Evan, that was moving,” Carmen said. “I could feel your pain and longing. I was very impressed.”
____________________________________________________________
Camryn smiled as Lana held the door to the Spotlight Diner open for her. She did a little curtsy and walked inside, Lana following behind her.
“Have a seat, my dear,” Lana said as she pulled Camryn’s chair out for her.
Camryn smiled even bigger. “Lana, you’re killing me with your polite manners.”
“What can I say?” Lana asked. “My daddy raised a gentle-lady.”
“That I can see,” Camryn said, laughing as she took her seat. “How romantic of you.”
Breezy pushed the door to the kitchen open with her back as she walked out, carrying two trays of food. Her hair was falling loose from her up-do, swinging from her face. Breezy sat the trays on the table and passed out the food, stopping as she saw Lana and Camryn.
“Oh shit,” Breezy said to herself as she grabbed the empty trays and headed back toward the kitchen, where she was cut off by Gunther.
“What are you doing?” Gunther asked. “Get back out there and take orders. You know you’re the only waitress on duty since Kelly called in.”
“But Gunther, that is my friend and I—”
“No buts,” Gunther said. “Now go, go go! Take orders! And I want to hear singing!”
Breezy sighed to herself as she half-heartedly blew the lock of hair from her face, grabbed her order pad and pen, and started to Lana’s table.
“Good afternoon and welcome to the Spotlight Diner,” Breezy said as she appeared at Lana and Camryn’s table.
“Well, spank my ass and call me Skippy,” Lana said. “If it isn’t Breezy Hollister—I haven’t seen you since the wedding.”
“What can I get you two today?” Breezy asked, trying to avoid small talk.
“Hey!” An irate customer said, tapping his empty cup on the table. “I need a refill!”
“Just a second!” Breezy snapped, turning to face the customer.
“My steak isn’t well done,” a female customer said. “I asked for well done.”
“I’m not the cook,” Breezy replied. “I just take the orders. You have a problem with the food, take it up with Gunther and the kitchen staff.”
“You’re not going to get many tips like this,” Lana said. “And you with a baby—”
“Yeah, well, that’s none of your business,” Breezy replied. “Just make this easy on me, okay? I have it rough. One of our waitresses quit and another called out, so it’s only me right now.”
“Well, your attitude is only going to make the customers more irate,” Lana said. “That’s only going to complicate things for you.”
“You think you can do better?” Breezy asked, putting her hands on her hips.
“I do,” Lana replied. “Cammie, do you mind?”
“By all means,” Camryn replied. “I can hang around while you help out. You do it all the time at Books ‘N Beans.”
Lana smiled as she got up and walked over to one of the tables. She took the empty glass and thrust it into Breezy’s hand.
“Mountain Dew, table six,” Lana ordered.
Breezy rolled her eyes and started off toward the drink station as Lana walked to another table.
“Is your food underdone?” Lana asked.
“I poked it with my fork and it started pouring blood,” the customer replied.
Lana took the plate, walked it to the service window, and threw it down with a thud.
“Kitchen!” Lana shouted. “You call this well done? It’s gushing blood and still mooing! Put it back on the grill and I don’t wanna see it until the juices run clear, got it?”
“Who is she?” Gunther asked, looking at Lana, then at Breezy.
“Lana Addison,” Breezy said. “The original Femme Fatale.”
“Who else needs something?” Lana asked as hands shot up.
Before Lana could make it to the next table, music began to play. Breezy perked up and then looked at Lana. Lana looked at the jukebox and back at Breezy.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Lana asked.
“We’re singing waitresses,” Breezy replied. “That jukebox—it’s full of thousands of instrumental tracks. When one starts up, it’s show time. Someone has to hit the floor and perform. Guess it’s your chance to shine, Lana.”
“Oh no,” Lana said. “I’m not the one getting paid for doing this. If I hit that floor to sing, you’re doing it with me.”
“Alright,” Breezy said, walking onto the floor, her arms tightly crossed.
“Where have all the good men gone and where are all the gods?” Lana sang as she made her way to the next table. “Where's the street-wise Hercules to fight the rising odds?”
“Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed?” Breezy sang. “Late at night I toss and I turn—”
“—And I dream of what I need,” Lana and Breezy sang as they twirled together. “I need a hero. I'm holding out for a hero till the end of the night. He's gotta be strong, and he's gotta be fast, and he's gotta be fresh from the fight. I need a hero. I'm holding out for a hero till the morning light. He's gotta be sure, and it's gotta be soon, and he's gotta be larger than life.”
“Larger than life, oh,” Lana sang.
“Oh,” Breezy sang.
“Yeah,” Lana sang.
“Oh, oh,” Lana and Breezy sang.
“Somewhere after midnight, in my wildest fantasy,” Breezy sang. “Somewhere just beyond my reach, there's someone reaching back for me.”
“Racing on the thunder and rising with the heat,” Lana sang as she thrust a pile of dishes into Breezy’s arms.
“It's gonna take a superman to sweep me off my feet,” Lana and Breezy sang as Breezy danced over and dumped the dishes into Gunther’s arms.
Gunther looked surprised at what was going on as Lana and Breezy danced together.
“I need a hero,” Lana and Breezy sang. “I'm holding out for a hero till the end of the night. He's gotta be strong, and he's gotta be fast, and he's gotta be fresh from the fight. I need a hero. I'm holding out for a hero till the morning light. He's gotta be sure, and it's gotta be soon, and he's gotta be larger than life. I need a hero. I'm holding out for a hero till the end of the night.”
“Up where the mountains meet the heavens above,” Lana sang as she strutted across the diner, her eyes locked on Breezy. “Up where the lightning splits the sea, I would swear that there's someone somewhere watching me.”
“Through the wind and the chill and the rain and the storm and the flood,” Breezy sang as she and Lana met, circling each other, their eyes locked. “I can feel his approach like the fire in my blood.”
“Like a fire in my blood, like a fire in my blood, like a fire a blood, like a fire in my blood!” The patrons sang.
“I need a hero,” Breezy and Lana sang. “I'm holding out for a hero till the end of the night. He's gotta be strong, and he's gotta be fast, and he's gotta be fresh from the fight. I need a hero. I'm holding out for a hero till the morning light. He's gotta be sure, and it's gotta be soon, and he's gotta be larger than life. I need a hero. I'm holding out for a hero till the end of the night. He's gotta be strong, and he's gotta be fast, and he's gotta be fresh from the fight. I need a hero.”
As the patrons erupted into the loudest cheers that Gunther had ever heard, he rushed behind the counter, grabbed a uniform, and ran over to Lana. He threw the uniform in her arms with a huge, slightly creepy smile.
“You’re hired!” Gunther said.
“But I didn’t apply—” Lana started, but Gunther cut her off.
“Please, we need you,” Gunther said. “You heard them—they loved it! I have never heard them cheer like that before.”
“I don’t know,” Lana said, looking back at Camryn.
Camryn nodded at Lana. “Take the job, Lana! You were amazing!”
“Wait a second,” Gunther said, looking Lana over really closely. “You’re not Jewish or black are you?”
Lana looked down at her arms, shaking her head. “Um, no…”
Gunther smiled. “Okay, then you’re hired!”
“That’s kind of racist,” Lana said below her breath.
Breezy elbowed Lana in the side and as Lana looked over at her, she shushed Lana.
____________________________________________________________
Lana stood behind the counter of the dark, empty, and closed Spotlight Diner, wearing her new uniform as she picked up another salt shaker and wiped it off with a wet sanitizing towel.
“Sorry about before,” Breezy said. “I’ve been so uptight with everything that’s been going on, especially since last night.”
“When are you going to tell him?” Lana asked.
“Tell who what?” Breezy asked, picking up and wiping off a pepper shaker.
“I know that Miles is Chord’s father,” Lana said.
“How do you know?” Breezy asked, her words a bit quick, revealing the Lana was in fact right.
“Because you flubbed some details when you were talking to Miles,” Lana replied. “While he isn’t astute enough to catch on, Chuck and Nicole are. How could Chord be nine months old if you got pregnant in July after you left Lima? He’d be six months old, tops.”
Breezy hung her head. “I had my math wrong, silly me.”
“Don’t you think Miles needs to know?” Lana asked. “Deserves to know?”
“Look, Lana, you don’t understand,” Breezy said. “Miles isn’t the type to be a father. He plays girls, he breaks hearts, he can’t commit, and he won’t settle down. That’s why I took early graduation instead of staying. I was two months pregnant and I needed an excuse to end it and leave state before I started showing.”
“Don’t you think you should have talked to him about it?” Lana asked.
“Miles was all about his reputation and all I would do is ruin it,” Breezy said. “Stupid me—I thought a condom would work, but it broke and I got pregnant. Miles would have hated me and he would have denied it. Besides, you saw the broken home he came from—he wouldn’t have known how to be a father! My son deserved better than that.”
“Newsflash, Breezy: all of us come from broken homes in some way, in case you haven’t noticed,” Lana replied. “He could have learned. Do you…do you think that Hallie instantly knew how to be a mother? No, it came from mistakes and learning experiences.”
Breezy turned away from Lana, tears streaming down her face. She thought back, remembering the moment when she first learned she was pregnant.
“Alison!” Breezy shouted as she stood outside the bathroom door. “Allison!”
Breezy’s older sister, Alison, rushed into Breezy’s bedroom and took a deep breath.
“Is it ready?” Alison asked.
Breezy nodded. “Alison, no matter what, you have to promise not to tell Mom and Dad.”
“I promise, baby sis,” Alison said, rushing over and hugging Breezy. “Now, don’t you think you’ve put the results off long enough?”
Breezy nodded as she slowly grabbed the doorknob and turned it. She opened the bathroom door and walked inside. As she approached the sink, she looked down at the pregnancy test, the box torn to shreds beside it. Breezy’s heart sank.
“What is it?” Alison asked as she stood in the doorway.
“I’m pregnant,” Breezy choked out, tears streaming down her face. “I’m sixteen and I’m pregnant.”
Breezy collapsed into a heap on the carpeted bathroom floor as Alison ran over and wrapped her arms around Breezy, pulling her closer as she rocked her. The scene changed to later that day as Breezy stood in front of the mirror, her shirt pulled up to expose her stomach, which showed no obvious change.
“Well I just heard the news today,” Breezy sang. “It seems my life is going to change. I close my eyes, begin to pray. Then tears of joy stream down my face. With arms wide open, under the sunlight. Welcome to this place. I'll show you everything with arms wide open, with arms wide open.”
Alison stood in the doorway of Breezy’s bedroom, her arms crossed as she watched her sister sing to her unborn child, unnoticed.
“Well I don't know if I'm ready to be the woman I have to be,” Breezy sang as she rubbed her stomach. “I'll take a breath. I'll take him by my side. We stand in awe, we've created life. With arms wide open, under the sunlight. Welcome to this place. I'll show you everything with arms wide open. Now everything has changed. I'll show you love, I'll show you everything with arms wide open, with arms wide open. I'll show you everything, oh yeah, with arms wide open, wide open.”
Breezy sat down on her bed, pulling her shirt down, but still rubbing her lower stomach.
“If I had just one wish, only one demand,” Breezy sang. “I hope he's not like me, I hope he understands that he can take this life and hold it by the hand and he can greet the world with arms wide open. With arms wide open, under the sunlight. Welcome to this place. I'll show you everything with arms wide open. Now everything has changed. I'll show you love, I'll show you everything with arms wide open, with arms wide open. I'll show you everything, oh yeah, with arms wide open, wide open.”
The scene faded again to Breezy standing in the doorway of the choir room, watching as Miles packed away some sheet music.''
“I’m so happy that Jaxon got the solo for Internationals,” Breezy said.
“Jaxon will lead us to victory,” Miles said. “But I still feel sorry for Kevin and Evan. They worked so hard, too.”
“I came here to talk to you while I could find you alone,” Breezy said.
Miles raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What about?”
Breezy walked slowly over to where Miles stood, fiddling with the hem of her blouse uncomfortably.
“Um, I had an opportunity to get into Yale a year early if I earned all my credits for graduation,” Breezy said. “So I took it. It’s full scholarship, so even though my parents could afford tuition, they don’t have to pay my way through college. I get to be fully independent.”
“What are you saying?” Miles asked.
“That I used all my electives classes the past three years to earn my credits,” Breezy replied. “So, I’ll be graduating tonight and I’ll be headed to Yale when summer break is over.”
“So when were you going to tell me?” Miles asked, his nostrils beginning to flare. “Huh? Did you even plan to tell me that we had just this summer together before you went off somewhere hundreds of miles away?”
Miles flung the sheet music booklet across the room. It hit the wall with a thud and split in two. Breezy stood there, looking at it shocked, her hand covering her mouth.
“Answer me!” Miles yelled.
“You’re scaring me!” Breezy said.
Miles sunk down into the nearest chair he could find. He shielded his eyes as Breezy stood over him.
“We can…we can make this work,” Miles said.
“No, we can’t, Miles,” Breezy said “It would be selfish and unfair. We’re gonna be separated by over five hundred miles. We’ll barely see each other and what kind of romance is that for us? I was always afraid of being hurt because of my parents. Seeing them go through a divorce, it was hard on me. But in the end, I realize that it was what was right. Neither of them were happy and the last thing I would do is try to keep together a relationship that leaves us both unhappy. We could never be happy like that, Miles.”
Miles buried his face in his hands as he began to cry. Breezy wiped a tear from her cheek.
“I’m sorry, Miles. It has to be this way,” Breezy said as she turned around and walked out the choir room door.
As Breezy stepped into the hallway, she looked down at her belly and rubbed it comfortingly.
“I’m sorry, baby,” she said. “One day, you’ll understand.”
The flashback ended and Breezy was back in the diner with Lana. Lana looked at Breezy with a sympathetic look.
“I’m not saying I agree with your choice,” Lana said. “But I understand.”
“So, you see why I can’t tell Miles,” Breezy said.
“He already knows,” Lana said. “Well, that or he thinks you cheated. I say, you don’t have much time until he realizes that Chord is not the product of infidelity.”
There was a knock at the door and Lana jumped as she looked up to see Camryn pounding on the door, mouthing “let me in.” Lana smiled as she walked around the counter.
“Is she your girlfriend?” Breezy asked.
“She is,” Lana said. “She’s amazing.”
“Wow,” Breezy replied. “I’m really out of the loop. I always thought you and Hallie would last forever.”
“So did I,” Lana said. “But, sometimes we’re wrong. I’m just glad I met someone like Cammie. She makes me better in every way humanly possible. It’s like she everything that I have been missing all along.”
Breezy smiled. “That sounds amazing. I feel the same way, actually, but about my son.”
Lana smiled at Camryn as she unlocked the door and let her in. Camryn wrapped her arms tightly around Lana and hugged her close.
“I thought I would surprise you and walk you home,” Camryn said. “Since you always come spend my break with me, it’s the least I can do. And wow! The uniform looks cute. Red is your color, my dear.”
Lana blushed. “Oh, stop it. It’s nothing special.”
“No, you are,” Camryn said, leaning in to Lana and kissing her on the cheek after a fleeting Eskimo kiss.
“You guys head on home,” Breezy said. “I’ll lock up.”
“So,” Camryn said as she laced her arm through Lana’s and walked out the door. “I saw you two dancing. Is she someone I should be worried about?”
“No, no, no!” Lana quickly said. “We went to school together.”
“I was kidding,” Camryn said, chuckling. “I don’t worry about you, Lana. I trust you.”
“You remember me saying that Miles had baby mama drama?” Lana asked.
“Yes, I recall,” Camryn said, dodging a tree as they walked together, their hands intertwined.
“That’s the baby mama,” Lana said.
“Oh,” Camryn said. “That’s awkward.”
____________________________________________________________
The next morning, Camryn and Lana walked hand-in-hand to the Round Room, where Carmen was waiting to commence the fourth round of Round Room solos.
“You two are awfully touchy-feely,” India said as she watched Lana and Camryn take their seats.
“Why?” Lana asked. “Just because we’re holding hands? It feels great to be able to walk down the hall, holding my girlfriend’s hand and not be worried about being slushied by a bunch of homophobic Neanderthal jocks.”
“Um…what’s does being slushied mean?” Camryn asked.
“You don’t wanna know,” India said. “I have the honor of being slushied by the entire Glee Club. Hashtag, accomplished.”
“Alright, please settle down,” Carmen said. “Our next performer comes to us from an all-girls show choir in San Franciso, Aca-Hell-A on Heels. Please put your hands together for Camryn Monahan.”
Camryn felt her heart skip a beat as she realized that she would have to perform in front of everyone. She looked at Lana for support. Lana squeezed her hand tightly.
“You can do it,” Lana said. “And if you get nervous, just look at me and focus on me.”
Camryn nodded as she took a deep breath. “Okay. I can do this. I got this, I got it.”
Lana nodded silently as Camryn stood up and walked to the front of the Round Room. She looked around the room, feeling a lump grow in her throat until she looked at Lana. As she and Lana locked eyes, all the fear went away.
“This is for you,” Camryn said.
Lana smiled warmly as Camryn took her place behind the microphone stand.
“You're the one with eyes like windows,” Camryn sang. “Nothing you can hide that I don't know. I can't see why you're keeping it a secret, but what you feel so deep, just let it show. It only takes a second to begin and all I wanna do is let you in, oh. One touch can set it all in motion, one word in the perfect moment, one chance to take when it come, one life is all that we're given, one love can make it worth living. Take a look back before you run—I'm the one.”
Hallie watched Camryn singing, crossing her arms and legs casually. As Camryn sang, she looked at Lana, focusing solely on her.
“I don't know what you've been through, but someone somewhere left a mark on you,” Camryn sang as she casually looked at Hallie. “Well, I'm not them and they're not me. I don't believe in hurt you can't undo. Use the complications you can't face, but a single kiss can take them all away, oh. One touch can set it all in motion, one word in the perfect moment, one chance to take when it comes, one life is all that we're given, one love can make it worth living. Take a look back before you run—I'm the one.”
Lana smiled warmly at Camryn, who returned the smile. Hallie had found herself looking at Lana to gauge her reaction. Seeing Lana smile at Camryn like that broke her heart.
“It only takes a second to begin and all I wanna do is let you in, oh,” Camryn sang. “One touch can set it all in motion, one word in the perfect moment, one chance to take when it comes, one life is all that we're given, one love can make it worth living. Take a look back before you run—I'm the one, I'm the one.”
Hallie stood up, keeping her head down as she rushed toward the exits, but was abruptly stopped.
“Miss Grace, where are you going?” Carmen asked. “You’re up next.”
“I can’t,” Hallie replied.
“Oh, you can,” Carmen said. “No one has ever turned down a chance to perform in the Round Room. Just imagine how out of place you will feel here after you ran out on your chance to shine in the Round Room. Now, are you gonna channel whatever pain and anger you seem to be feeling into something creative and take that stage and prove all those people wrong, or are you gonna run out into the hall and feel sorry for yourself at a very lonesome pity party?”
“That’s kind of mean,” Hallie said.
“No, it’s constructive,” Carmen said. “It’s blunt, but it’s exactly what you need to hear. It’s called tough love and it’s exactly what you will get from me while you’re here.”
Hallie nodded as she made her way to the stage. She slowly climbed the stairs and turned to face her peers.
“I’m Hallie Grace and I am from New Directions,” Hallie said. “I’m in pain, I’m angry—it hurts, it really hurts. I’m never going to be her no matter what I do. I will always come up short when it comes to Camryn. She’s everything I’m not.”
“There sure is a lot of drama at McKinley,” Madison said to Krystal, who snickered.
“She's got Chanel up on her lips,” Hallie sang, slowly looking up from the floor. “A four inch skirt down on her hips and all I got is just a couple pair of jeans. She's so hot, and she's the only thing you see. If I had her heels on, I would never do you wrong. She treats you like a patient with the lies she's got you on. Turn the lights off ‘cause I'm all yours. Cover you in my curves, I'd give you what you deserve.”
Camryn shifted in her seat, knowing exactly who Hallie was singing to. She looked at Lana, who looked sorry.
“I apologize for this—for her,” Lana said. “Our relationship was pretty deep and complex and I guess it’s hard for her to escape from.”
“I understand,” Camryn replied. “It’s hard for her to get past because unlike you, she doesn’t have anyone to help her get over your relationship. I guess I have to be able to handle all the hurt, anger, and resentment she throws my way. After all, I stole you away—”
“You didn’t steal me away,” Lana interjected. “I willingly let you have me.”
“She doesn’t see it that way,” Camryn said, looking back at Hallie.
“We could get lost, get the lines crossed,” Hallie sang. “Run you like a fever, whoa, if I could be her. Whoa, whoa oh, I'd keep you forever. She's got the perfect little car; I drive a Chevy with the paint peeling off. She's got her daddy's credit card; I play for dollars down on Diamond Boulevard. If I had her heels on, I would never do you wrong. She treats you like a patient with the lies she's got you on. Turn the lights off ‘cause I'm all yours. Cover you in my curves, I'd give ya what you deserve. We could get lost, get the lines crossed. Run ya like a fever, whoa, if I could be her. Woah, woah, oh, I'd keep you forever.”
“Why is it she’s the one hanging on when she hurt me so bad?” Lana asked. “She brought us back to this place where I didn’t us to be and then refused to talk to me afterward. I spent a whole week in silence and she never once called during the summer. I don’t know what I did to deserve that, but can’t she just let me go?”
“She can’t let you go because she has no one else to hold on to,” Camryn said.
“If I was her, I'd be your silver lining after the storm, ’cause I can't stand seeing you crying no more,” Hallie sang. “Turn the lights off ‘cause I'm all yours. Cover you in my curves, I'd give ya what you deserve. We could get lost, get the lines crossed. Run ya like a fever, whoa, turn the lights off ‘cause I'm all yours. Cover you in my curves, I'd give ya what you deserve. We could get lost, get the lines crossed. Run ya like a fever, whoa, if I could be her.”
“How can you be okay with this?” Lana asked, looking at Camryn as everyone around them stood up and applauded.
“I’m not okay with it,” Camryn said. “I just know that it’s not gonna solve anything to get pissed about it. I understand where she’s coming from. Some people just can’t let go of love until someone else loves them. And as much as it pisses me off, I guess I have to understand that. All that matters in the end is that I’m the one who has you. You’re all mine.”
“Camryn, I’m speechless,” Lana said.
“Although, I do believe that I couldn’t be friends with Hallie, at least, not yet,” Camryn said. “All I have done is comfort you, supported you, and loved you in a time when you needed it and she makes me feel like a bad person for that.”
“And that, Miss Grace, was what I was talking about,” Carmen said.
____________________________________________________________
Miles stood outside the door of Breezy’s modest little apartment. He sighed, taking one last moment to screw up the courage to knock. No sooner than he knocked, the door opened, stopped by the chain lock, as Breezy looked out the tiny space at him.
“Hi,” Breezy said.
“Hey,” Miles said. “Can I come in?”
“Yeah, sure, just uh, let me get this lock undone,” Breezy replied.
The door shut as Breezy fiddled with the lock, unfastening it. She opened the door again, motioning Miles inside.
“What brings you here?” Breezy asked as Miles walked inside.
“I came to talk about what happened between us during Internationals,” Miles said as he strolled through the living room, looking at the pictures of Breezy and Chord.
“What’s there to talk about?” Breezy asked.
“You know,” Miles said, taking a picture of Chord from the top of the entertainment center and showing it to Breezy.
“So, did you cheat or is he mine?” Miles asked.
“This isn’t the time or place,” Breezy hastily said. “Chord is down for his nap—”
“Tell me!” Miles demanded. “Tell me now.”
“I already told you,” Breezy said. “I got pregnant with him in July of last year. I had already left McKinley—and you—behind.”
“You’re lying,” Miles said. “That would only make Chord six or seven months and you’ve already said he was nine months old.”
“I’m sorry, I messed up,” Breezy said. “How could I forget Chord was only six months old?”
“Enough!” Miles said. “I am done with your lies! No mother on Earth worth her weight in salt could or would forget her child’s age. Can’t you see that I know you’re trying to cover up the lies you’ve been caught in? I know, Breezy. I know.”
“Know what?” Breezy asked, her hands on her hips.
“He’s my son,” Miles said. “He has my eyes and my mouth. My same face shape. And I was blonde as a baby, too. He has your nose and cheekbones, though. I can look at him now that I know and see it as plain as day—he’s my son, Breezy.”
“I don’t know how this happened, Miles,” Breezy said, sinking onto the sofa and putting her face into her hands.
“I was Prom night, wasn’t it?” Miles asked. “We were a bit tipsy and we were so in love and I remember we were excited about going to Nationals in a couple of weeks, so we rented that motel room—”
“When you put it like that, it sounds so romantic,” Breezy joked.
“—And then we had sex,” Miles said. “And I remember that the condom had broken and I started to freak out, but you told me you were on the pill.”
“I didn’t wanna scare you and push you away,” Breezy said. “I wasn’t on the pill, but I knew if I told you and you had to come clean about what happened, your stepfather would have beat you. He might have even killed you.”
“That was the night,” Miles said. “It was exactly two and a half months before you left.”
Breezy nodded, crying. Miles shook his head as he looked from her to all the pictures of Chord.
“But you know, that doesn’t really piss me off,” Miles said. “I mean, it really hurt how you left me and all, but that it isn’t the thing that really pisses me off. What pisses me off is that after all this time, you couldn’t even tell me the truth now. Not only have I missed out on nine months of my son’s life, but after all I did for you the other night, you didn’t even think you owed it to me to be honest. Chord was right in front of me and under the same roof as me and you let me be that close to him and not know!”
“Miles, I was scared,” Breezy said, tears rolling down her cheek.
“How could you even dare to parade him around in front of me and not have the decency to let me know he is my son?” Miles asked. “And you just lied about it? Did you not think I would find out? Do you think I’m fucking stupid?”
“Miles, could you please watch your language?” Breezy asked.
Miles shook his head as he looked at Breezy. “I owe nothing to you. You’re just a heartless bitch!”
Miles turned around and charged out the door, slamming it shut behind him. The vibration knocked a couple of pictures on top of the entertainment center over, one of the falling to the floor and sending shattered glass all over the floor. As Breezy walked over to assess the damage, she heard Chord crying, waken by all the commotion.
____________________________________________________________
Miles charged into his apartment as Hallie watched, wondering what had happened. Miles yanked his keys off the key rack and started back toward the door.
“What happened?” Hallie asked. “What’s going on?”
“Breezy and I had a fight,” Miles said. “Chord is mine and she tried to give me some BS reason why she didn’t tell me and I wasn’t having it. I walked over there to give me time to think about how to approach it, but on the walk back, I wanted to kick every tree I passed. Now my toe hurts, so I’m going for a drive to clear my head.”
“Miles, you’re too angry to drive,” Hallie said, standing up and walking over to Miles. “Why don’t you take a cab and enjoy a nice ride instead?”
“I need to drive to clear my head,” Miles said.
“You’re too upset,” Hallie replied. “Your nostrils are flaring, Miles. Please, hand me the keys and just call a cab.”
Miles shook his head and started toward the door. Hallie reached out and grabbed Miles’ arm, making one last attempt to stop him. Miles whipped around and yanked Hallie’s hand off his arm and shoved her back so hard that she fell to the floor.
“Don’t touch me!” Miles yelled as he ripped the door open.
“Miles!” Hallie shouted.
Miles stopped, looking down at Hallie. Slowly, he covered his mouth in shock.
“Oh my gosh,” Miles said. “I’m my father. Hallie I’m sorry.”
Miles started to help Hallie, but Hallie shook her head.
“Get out!” Hallie shouted.
Miles nodded as he silently left the apartment. As Hallie sat on the ground, in shock, there was a knock on the door.
“Come in,” Hallie said.
“I heard what happened,” Madison said, opening the door. “Paper thin walls and all.”
Madison looked down at Hallie on the floor, the red handprint shaped mark on her wrist from where Miles had grabbed her.
“Are you okay?” Madison added.
____________________________________________________________
Johanna rushed to the door as someone continuously beat on it. She opened the door and looked surprised to see a distraught Miles there.
“Chuck was right,” Miles said. “Chord is my son.”
“Um, hi,” Johanna managed. “This isn’t the least bit awkward.”
“Is Jaxon or Lana home?” Miles asked.
“No and no,” Johanna said. “Jaxon went to Books N’ Beans to pick up a book and Lana is at work. Tyler is here to hang out and you’re welcome to hang out with us and talk.”
“It’s okay,” Miles replied. “I guess I should be going.”
“Miles?” Jaxon asked as he stood behind Miles, clutching his Books N’ Beans bag. “What’s going on? You know, I got a phone call from Hallie on the way back here . What the hell is wrong with you? Putting your hands on her and pushing her like that?”
“He did what?” Johanna asked, looking from Jaxon to Miles “I should kick your punk ass myself! A man doesn’t put his hands on a lady, jerk-wad!”
“I didn’t mean to,” Miles said. “I flipped out and for a second, I was my stepfather.”
“Let me tell you a story,” Johanna said. “My father was a veteran of the Gulf War and after he got shot in the leg, he never was the same. He was discharged and he soon suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He woke us up in the middle of the night screaming and when he was awake, he was in constant pain in his leg due to the damage done by being shot. He was on about four or five medications and soon, he started mixing those with alcohol. It wasn’t long until I didn’t know who my father was anymore because he was it as if my father died and he became a shell for this monster. A monster, which during the day, threw things at me and my mother, yelled at us and berated us, and struck us anyplace his drunken hands could reach. A monster, which during the night, would sneak into my room and molest me, making me feel dirty and ashamed. So, yeah, I really want to kick your ass for what you’ve done. The monster who bore you doesn’t make you a monster. You have to be strong enough to rise above the influence.”
“You should go, Miles,” Jaxon said as Tyler stepped into the living room.
“I’ll see you around,” Miles said as he walked past Jaxon, who looked at Johanna.
“What’s going on?” Tyler asked, both Jaxon and Johanna turning to face him. "What did I miss?"
____________________________________________________________
Miles reached up and knocked for a third time on India’s penthouse door.
“Hold your horses,” India said from behind the door.
Finally, India opened the door and looked down at Miles, shocked.
“Miles, what’s going on?” India asked.
“I need someone to talk to,” Miles said. “Is Evan here?”
“No, he’s grocery shopping,” India replied. “You know, since I refuse to do something so mundane and civilian. But you can talk to me.”
“I don’t know,” Miles said. “It might be a bit awkward due to our complicated history.”
“That’s why I’m a good person to talk to,” India replied. “I know you so much better than others. Come in, Miles.”
Miles rubbed the back of his neck as he reluctantly walked into the huge, luxurious penthouse. He looked around at the lavish interior, his mouth agape in awe.
“It’s only about a couple million in décor,” India said, flicking her wrist as if it wasn’t a big deal. “So, what’s going on?”
“Breezy’s son is our son,” Miles said as he and India took a seat on a soft, expensive floor rug. “I mean, I’m the father and it’s just hard to swallow after all the lies and the fact that she kept it from me. I’m not sure I’m ready to be a father, but I think she should have told me so that I could have had time to prepare for it. I know a lot of people will be talking behind my back.”
“That’s how it is,” India said. “Most of the time, it’s out of jealousy. They find the easiest way to hurt you and run with it. Like how you and all the other guys said you slept with me when you didn’t.”
“I had a reputation to protect,” Miles said.
“So you helped ruin mine?” India asked. “Yeah, that sounds fair. Do you know how hard that was for me to escape from? I got a reputation as a slut during my time at McKinley, Miles. I only slept with a few guys—I was just doing what everyone else was doing. Evan, Chuck, and Claude…they were the only ones. The other ninety percent were lies. But once you lied about it and everyone else started coming forward saying they slept with me as well, then the whole school believed it. And it was easy because I wasn’t there to defend myself. And it didn’t just stay at McKinley, either. Someone it followed me back to England. Internationals, I guess. I mean, the rumors started when I was still at McKinley and that was why I was such a bitch that year. But once I left, the rumors escalated out of control. It hurts, Miles. I may seem like a tough, cold, heartless bitch but I put up a good front. I hide all my pain and sadness behind a mask. My mask is cracked, Miles. It’s not gonna hold up forever. You’d be surprised at how fragile I actually am.”
“I was the one person who could see that,” Miles said. “That was what I was drawn to when I started seeing you behind Bella’s back. It was like she could never understand where I was coming from, but you did. We were a lot alike, you know. You’re not the only one wearing a mask. Tonight, mine shattered into a million pieces.”
“You better put another one on,” India said. “It’s only going to get worse from here on out. Once it gets around NYADA and to Krystal and her little minions, you’re never going to hear the end of it. Face it, Miles: everybody talks.”
“Ah,” Miles sang as he stood up and took India’s hand, pulling her off the floor.
“Ah,” India sang as she stood up, smiling.
“Hey baby, won't you look my way?” Miles sang. “I could be your new addiction.”
“Hey baby, what you gotta say?” India sang. “All you're giving me is fiction.”
“I'm a sorry sucker and this happens all the time,” Miles sang.
“I found out that everybody talks, everybody talks, everybody talks,” Miles and India sang as Miles once again took India’s hand and they began to talk to dance together.
“It started with a whisper and that was when I kissed her and then she made my lips hurt,” Miles sang.
“I can hear the chit-chat,” Miles and India sang. “Take me to your love shack. Mama's always got a back track when everybody talks back.”
“Hey honey, you could be my drug,” Miles sang. “You could be my new prescription.”
“Too much could be an overdose,” India sang. “All this trash talk make me itching.”
“Oh my-my, dear,” Miles and India sang. “Everybody talks, everybody talks, everybody talks—”
“Too much,” Miles sang. “It started with a whisper and that was when I kissed her and then she made my lips hurt.”
“I can hear the chit-chat,” Miles and India sang. “Take me to your love shack. Mama's always got a back track when everybody talks back. Never thought I'd live to see the day when everybody's words got in the way, oh.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Miles sang.
“Oh, whoa,” India sang.
“Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh,” Miles and India sang.
“Hey sugar, show me all your love,” Miles sang. “All you're giving me is friction.”
“Hey sugar, what you gotta say?” India sang.
“It started with a whisper and that was when I kissed her and then she made my lips hurt,” Miles sang.
“I can hear the chit-chat,” Miles and India sang. “Take me to your love shack. Mama's always got a back track when everybody talks back. Everybody talks, everybody talks, everybody talks, everybody talks, everybody talks, everybody talks back.”
“It started with a whisper,” Miles sang.
“Everybody talks, everybody talks,” India sang.
“And that was when I kissed her,” Miles sang.
“Everybody talks, everybody talks,” India sang.
“Everybody talks, everybody talks back,” Miles and India sang.
“Uh!” Miles sang.
As the song ended, Miles dipped India, who looked into Miles’ eyes for a moment. She felt herself pulling toward Miles, trying to place her lips to his. Miles pulled away, stopping the kiss. As he fought the feelings that came flooding back, he helped India back onto her feet and sat her down.
“I can’t,” Miles said.
As India watched Miles turn around and walked out, she felt her mouth hanging open, shocked by what she had just done.
____________________________________________________________
Johanna sighed as she took a seat next to Jaxon and Tyler on the sofa. Johanna reached over and put her hand on Jaxon’s knee.
“I’m just so angry,” Jaxon said.
“As much as I hate having to justify Miles’ actions after what he did,” Johanna said. “I do understand where Miles is coming from. It’s tough having a child, but to have one thrown at you under a pile of lies and having to dig through all that to get to the truth, it can make you snap.”
“And he did come from an abusive home,” Jaxon added.
“That isn’t an excuse,” Johanna replied. “So did I but I didn’t let it influence me. Miles’ past as a bully added to his situation at home—it’s a perfect storm.”
Jaxon sighed. “Do you think he’s going to be okay?”
Johanna shook her head. “I don’t know.”
____________________________________________________________
Miles gently shut the door behind him as he looked at Hallie and the twins sitting on the sofa, watching a movie.
“Hi,” Miles said, fiddling nervously with the zipper of his Adidas jacket.
Hallie didn’t say anything as she continued to watch the movie. Miles stepped forward slowly, looking at Hallie.
“First Lana gets the silent treatment and now me, huh?” Miles asked. “At least, I deserve it.”
“Don’t even bring her into this,” Hallie said. “What happened earlier today was between us. You upset the twins, you know. And to be honest, I am extremely pi—mad at you.”
“I know,” Miles said. “I deserve that, but I’m going through—”
“You’re not a kid anymore, Miles,” Hallie said. “Can’t you be mature and admit you did wrong without trying to justify it? Be a man and admit you screwed up. Accept responsibility. That’s your problem, Miles. You never grew up. You’re still the insecure little boy you were that first year of Glee Club. Nothing has changed accept who you’re dating and the fact you got your scar fixed. That doesn’t change anything. You’re not in high school anymore. You can’t go around being a bully here. It’s time to be an adult.”
“I am,” Miles protested.
“You have never grown up,” Hallie said. “There is more to being an adult than turning eighteen, living on your own, attending college, and being a parent. You’re not trying to be mature, responsible, or finding a way other than anger and violence to address your problems. It’s time you drop the damn Peter Pan complex and just grow the hell up!”
“I’m trying,” Miles said, looking down at the floor.
“Well, you have to do better than try, Miles,” Hallie replied. “You have a child now and you have to be an adult for his sake because once you have a child, your foolishness and headstrong attitude isn’t just going to keep ruining your life like it has in the past; it’s gonna ruin his, too. You have to think about him from now on, not yourself.”
Miles nodded, unable to think of anything to say as Hallie turned her attention back to the TV, kissing Ethan and Eva both lightly on the head as she did so.
____________________________________________________________
The next day at NYADA, Miles kept his head down as he hurriedly made his way to the Dance 101 classroom, hoping no one had heard about Chord just yet. As he opened the door and stepped inside, Jesse looked up at Miles, a stern look on his face.
“Miles, the bell rang two minutes ago,” Jesse said. “You’re late. Take your place; I’m docking your participation score today.”
“Yes, sir,” Miles said, pushing his way through to stand by Honey.
“Don’t stand beside me,” Honey said. “Not today, not after what happened.”
“You’re mad at me because of Chord?” Miles asked, shocked.
“No, I’m mad because out of all the people you went to talk to in your time of need, you never once came to me,” Honey replied. “I am your girlfriend, Miles. If you can’t talk to me, who can you talk to?”
“You don’t understand,” Miles said. “I didn’t wanna burden you with this.”
“You went to India,” Honey said. “Your ex-girlfriend, of all people. You didn’t mind burdening her with it. And not to mention, you didn’t even bother to tell me that you let your ex, Breezy, spend the night with you before you knew Chord was your son!”
“It’s not like that!” Miles protested.
“Larson!” Jesse exclaimed, smacking his cane on his desk with a loud thwack. “You’ve just been docked another five points. Be quiet or you’re gonna go for ten!”
“That’s not fair—” Miles began, but he was abruptly cut off.
“Enough,” Jesse said, cutting off Miles. “Now, you’re going to be paired off randomly for your next assignment. As there’s an uneven number of students, Honey, you will be paired with me.”
Miles rolled his eyes and Honey smiled at Jesse. Honey looked at Miles, her look reading “I hope this makes you jealous,” which she was sure it would.
“Madison, you’re paired with Stevie,” Jesse said. “Lana, you’re paired with Greg. Jaxon, you’re paired with Camryn. Miles, you’re paired with Krystal. Chuck, you’re paired with Rose. Monique, you’re paired with McKenzie. Evan, you’re paired with India. Tyler, you’re paired with Natasha. Aldy, you’re paired with Hallie. Nicole, you’re paired with Christian and Johanna, you’re paired with Mike.”
As everyone slowly shuffled to meet up with their partners, Jesse shot Miles an intense look, trying to intimidate him. Miles gave him back the same look as Jesse began to circle around them.
“Your assignment is to choreograph a routine to the following song,” Jesse said. “I want to see passion, I want you to tell me a story, and I want you to make it as impeccably flawless as possible. Remember your rhythm, count your steps in your head, and remember to stay in-synch with your partner and their movements.”
“Piece of cake,” Miles said.
Jesse shot Miles a glare. “We shall see, Larson. Honey, are you ready.”
“Yes, Mr. Nash,” Honey said, looking at Miles.
“Young teacher, the subject of schoolgirl fantasy,” Jesse sang as the music began, taking Honeys hand and pulling into him to dance. “She wants him so badly. Knows what she wants to be. Inside her there's longing. This girl's an open page. Book marking, she's so close now. This girl is half his age.”
“Don't stand, don't stand so—don't stand so close to me,” Jesse and Honey sang. “Don’t stand, don’t stand so—don’t stand so close to me.”
“Her friends are so jealous,” Honey sang as Jesse looked at her, smiling. “You know how bad girls get. Sometimes it's not so easy to be the teacher's pet.”
“Temptation, frustration, so bad it makes him cry,” Miles sang, watching Jesse and Honey dancing. “Wet bus stop, she's waiting. His car is warm and dry.”
“Hey!” Krystal exclaimed. “Watch the toes!”
“Don't stand, don't stand so—don't stand so close to me,” Jesse and Honey sang. “Don’t stand, don’t stand so—don’t stand so close to me.”
“Loose talk in the classroom, to hurt they try and try,” Jesse sang. “Strong words in the staffroom—”
“The accusations fly,” Miles sang.
“It's no use, he sees her,” Jesse sang. “He starts to shake and cough just like the old man in that book by Nabakov.”
“Don't stand, don't stand so—don't stand so close to me,” Jesse, Honey, and Miles sang. “Don’t stand, don’t stand so—don’t stand so close to me. Don't stand, don't stand so—don't stand so close to me. Don’t stand, don’t stand so—don’t stand so close to me.”
“You know something?” Jesse asked as he got close to Miles and spoke at a volume only Miles could hear. “Honey is a beautiful, delicate flower. You can’t just come stomping around and expect not to bruise her. She bruises, she will eventually wither away.”
“Butt out,” Miles said.
“Funny, you need someone to talk to, you go to your exes, the other guys you hurt on your journey here,” Jesse said. “But Honey needed to talk and she came to a teacher. She came to me.”
“You’re out of line,” Miles said.
“I’m out of line?” Jesse asked. “You’re out of line. If I wanted to I could have you expelled right now. You pushed a female student in a NYADA dorm room, which is NYADA property and on school grounds. NYADA has a strong policy against violence, especially when it’s a male student against a female student. So, watch your step, Miles, because if you so much as try to challenge me, I will not hesitate to turn you into Carmen and you can kiss your dreams goodbye.”
“You’re going to say that to me in front of everyone?” Miles asked. “You just threatened me in front of a room full of witnesses.”
“They didn’t hear what I said,” Jesse said. “And do you think they will believe you? You carried quite the reputation with you from McKinley. You think I don’t know—that they don’t know? We all know, Miles. It’s gotten around the school, just like what you did yesterday to Hallie. Be careful who you trust and who is around when you do it. NYADA’s dorm rooms walls are pretty thin. Your secrets get out.”
“How dare you?” Miles asked, his nostrils flaring.
“A pretty, well-rounded, talented girl like Honey has a lot of admirers,” Jesse said. “If you don’t treat her right, someone who will treat her right will come along and snatch her away from you.”
Miles shook his head and turned around, starting toward the door before he turned around and faced Jesse again.
“And go ahead and give me a zero for participation,” Miles said. “I’m out of here for the day.”
As Miles spoke, the bell rang signaling that it was time for the class to end. Jesse looked at the clock, then back at Miles.
“You got lucky, Miles,” Jesse said. “Class dismissed.”
Miles turned back around and stormed out of the classroom, everyone looking stunned as they looked at one another. After a few moments, they all finally made themselves head out the door and into the hallway.
THE END
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