It's been a long time! I know, I haven't updated It's a Carousel since ever, but I will update it soon :) This was supposed to be a one-shot, but decided to break it up a bit. Hope you like it! Review, but don't diss!
Disclaimer: I own nothing, except my words and love for Sam Evans.
Everyone has to grow up eventually. Everyone has to learn to become independent, able to be self-sustaining.
Rachel Berry is very good at being alone. In fact, she's practically been alone all her 17 years of life, and she predicts there will still be many years to come.
She always considered herself to be mature and ready for anything. She constantly tries her best and aims higher than high. As much as everyone hates to admit it, she is right. She believed that once anyone heard her voice they wouldn't be able to deny her talent.
Until that day at the Ohio "mixer", it had never dawned on her that she needed more proof, something other than her voice. For example, a very long resume filled with experience like Harmony's.
The realization had hit her like a grape slushie in the face. Slushies had been thrown at her all throughout her high school years and she had grown accustomed to the horrible feeling, but this metaphorical slushie was different. It was stronger, colder, and stickier. No matter how much she washed her hair and wiped her face, she could still feel traces of that not-so-sweet beverage. How was she supposed to get into Julliard without any experience, the job or volunteer kind?
From that moment at the mixer on, Rachel swore to spend her senior year volunteering and working, doing anything that is possible to add to her resume.
One of the places she volunteers at is Homelessville, her favourite volunteering opportunity of all time. It reminds her of a certain someone that had moved away at the end the last school year. Every time she helps, she gets that feeling, the one she had fist witnessed at Sam Evans' motel room of a house. She and Finn visited Sam to inspire him and return his guitar that he had sold in order to make some extra money, but never occurred to her that Sam would inspire her instead. Rachel had felt something magnificent, like she had a purpose. She would never forget Sam's face when she handed that guitar back to him. She would never forget Sam. Period.
He'd moved away, his dad found a job and he was suddenly gone. He moved on, just like everyone else at McKinley high school. Except Rachel, who thought about him from time to time. Sam left his footprint on Rachel Berry. She'd wonder what he's like now, if he still puts lemon juice on his hair, had grown out of that sci-fi phase, if his family was doing better financially…
Most of all, she'd wonder if he ever thought about her.
Her week had been a stressful one. Between vocal lessons, school work, and going up against her "best friend" Kurt, and she uses the term "best friend" very loosely, because it had never been a stable friendship with him. Yes, they share the same dreams and interests, but instead of bringing them together, it was their downfall. It was always a competition with them, and they tried to make it friendly, but to no avail. When it came down to it, neither of them was there for each other. Anyway, between all these activities and more, she was losing it. Luckily, Sunday arrived and Rachel was more than happy to return to her volunteering job at Homelessville.
She entered the kitchen and took in the heartwarming atmosphere that reminded her of hope, union. Hunger, and, well, Sam Evans.
But something was amiss. What could it be? She asked herself. One look at her supervisor and her assumption was confirmed.
"Rachel…", the tall, blond woman said while slowly shaking her head. Rachel always laughed to herself at the fact that her supervisor's voice was sweet and calm, but Moga was as built as a pro wrestler. She fought back the urge to smile despite the tension.
"I've got some news"
Oh no. Maybe the homeless don't like the substitute meat and poultry she introduced last week.
"You're being transferred"
"Transferred? To where?"
Transferred, not fired, she reminded herself.
"Across town. I'm sorry, but this location is in high demand, while the other one across town needs more help and experienced people. I think you'd be a great asset to them and have chosen you to be transferred. I know it won't be a huge problem since you're the only one out of the volunteers with her own car and doesn't still take the bus"
Rachel relaxed completely. That wasn't bad news at all. Yes, a bit more of a hassle to get there, but manageable.
"Sure, no problem. When do I start?"
"Thanks so much. Here's the address. Drop by there same time next week"
Rachel took the slip of paper from Moga's meaty hands and went on with her duties. She made sure to be extra friendly to everyone, it was her last day after all, and she had to make it worthwhile. Next week she was starting somewhere new.