High School Reunion
Rachel thumbed through her glove compartment trying to find some tissue to blow her nose. It had been a long time since she had experienced an Ohio winter, five long ones to be exact. She still wasn't sure what was motivating her to come to Lima after all this time. IT was probably another case of water under the bridge she told herself repeatedly as her hands gripped the steering wheel with a deathly trip of nerves. "I probably should just turn around," she whispered to herself.
Her dads had sent her the high school reunion invite that was mailed to their house. Not that anybody could have found her any way. Being a national TV star made it imperative that Rachel's address not be a household name. Rachel Berry had gotten almost everything she had asked for and learned in the process that not having privacy was a given, except her home address of course.
It only took one year after high school for Rachel to make her dreams come true. She was now a big household name playing in a family drama television show. The best part-her character was a drama queen/singer and had a steady paycheck and work schedule. Life was good for Rachel Berry.
There are many reasons that people consider going to high school reunions like keeping in touch, rubbing it in some noses how successful you are, and maybe, seeing a lost flame. For Rachel, she could relate to all three especially in regard to the latter. There was still one flaming question that she wanted answered. Would seeing Finn Hudson help her fill that empty void that had been lingering on and off the last five years? As much as she had denied it, he was the last thought before bed and the first word uttered out of her mouth before waking to tangled bed sheets and dark eye circles. He was and had always been a complete invasion of her life. Would seeing Finn end her torment?
She glanced in the mirror assessing herself. Not much had changed with Rachel Berry. Her hair was still long, dark. and luxurious but with a small layering of bangs and layers that framed her face. Avoiding the sun had left her with a perfect complexion and no lines but with age came the casual switch from pinks to more natural tones in makeup choices.
Due to the heavy amount of makeup worn during filming, Rachel enjoyed the feel of almost bare skin and with her natural looks really didn't need any accessorizing. Classy and sophisticated and exceptionally pretty was Rachel Berry. The best improvement being her clothing and this was constantly proved by her red carpet picks being favorably commented by most critics. Rachel Berry would be on the most improved list for sure.
She wasn't really going into it with the idea that she had to prove herself to anyone. Not that she wouldn't mind, seeing some of those guys that had slushied her do a triple take with their expanding bellies and receding hair lines. Rachel Berry had survived the old tale of a high school misfit. No one had ever been able to stop her from dreaming, believing, and achieving the impossible. That is except Finn who had not believed that she could do that and him in the same process. His last words had been "I don't want to keep you from your dreams Rachel". His lack of faith in their relationship had been astounding. They hadn't spoken since.
The sign three more miles to Lima framed her mind. In three minutes she would be pulling into the familiar driveway where it had all began and ended. Lima Ohio and Finn Hudson.