Disclaimer: I, unfortunately, do not use any characters or song used in this story.
A/N:: All right! To make sure every thing makes sense to me, and to you guys: At the time of the show, everyone is a Jr (if not, then they were for my story's purposes.). This takes place in the beginning of senior year and everyone is starting to look forward to college and the future. Quinn decided to keep her daughter and pretty much has a restraining order (well, it's not official) on Noah. Title chapters will have a name if there is a song in it (parts or full), other wise it'll just be a number, and I have a lot planned for New Directions. XD It's rated T for now, it may go up in later chapters. Please tell me what you think!
~Destiny
Rachel Berry stood on the stage in the empty auditorium. It was an hour after New Directions rehearsal ended, but the doors had been unlocked like she knew they would. Her watery eyes closed as she mused over the last hour's events.
Rachel got the mail out of the mail box before going into the deserted house. She placed the stack of envelopes and magazines on the table when she saw the letter from Julliard.
Carefully, she picked up the envelope and stared at her name. Her mind screamed to open it, but she knew her dads would kill her if they weren't there to read the verdict with her. She sighed, willing time to move faster as she waited.
Finally, they arrived home thirty minutes later. Rachel was bouncing In excitement, ":Dad, Daddy. It's here!" She showed them the letter.
The two men cheered and quickly say down at the table with her, "Open it, Cheri!"
Smiling, she eagerly complied and, for once, tore open the envelope. Rachel looked at her grinning fathers while taking a deep breath. She pulled out the letter, unfolded it, and read, "Dear Miss Berry, we have seen your talent and have been very impressed. However, we do not have room for you at this time." Her smile fell, "Please accept out humble apologies ad we hope to hear from you again soon."
The room was silent. Rachel felt constricted and it was becoming hard to breathe as she tried to hold back tears. Every thing she had worked for the past few months had failed. Every thing relied on Julliard. She had slacked off in Glee Club, produced hundreds of YouTube videos, and ruined most of her friendships. Now, it was all crushing her, "Excuse me." Rachel stood and bolted away from her fathers and out the door.
Rachel jumped into her car and sped off, going towards the only place she felt was a safe haven. It would be empty, but not locked because the janitors would not have cleaned it yet. She pulled into the school lot and parked her violet convertible Mini Cooper before running into the theatre.
Rachel sighed, still refusing to cry. She was lost and alone. Her whole future was Julliard and now she had no where to go. Closing her eyes, her mind raced through possible solutions for the mess she was in. Her voice of reason that said at least you're not raising a baby like Quinn. Calm down! was trampled over and silenced by the other thoughts in her head.
One thought process really stood out. I'm through before I even started. Might as well give up and stay a Lima loser. I lost every thing. Finn is always going to be with Quinn and her daughter, Missy, especially since she won't let Noah anywhere near her. What a cheerleader name… Probably from watching Bring It On one to many times… Mr. Schue hasn't given me a solo at all. My career is over.
Rachel sighed and opened her eyes to find herself in a pale blue gown standing in front of a full house. Everyone seemed to be waiting for her, so she opened her mouth and started to sing, "Rushing and racing and running in circles
Moving so fast I'm forgetting my purpose
Blur of the traffic is sending me spinning
I'm getting nowhere
My head and my heart are colliding - chaotic
Pace of the world
I just wish I could stop it
Try to appear like I've got it together
I'm falling apart
Save me
Somebody take my hand
And lead me
Slow me down
Don't let love pass me by
Just show me how
Cause I'm ready to fall
Slow me down
Don't let me live a lie
Before my life flies by
I need you to slow me down."
Noah Puckerman walked into the theatre to pick up his forgotten letterman jacket and book bag. When he saw Rachel on stage, he smirked. She never leaves, does she? I wonder what she's singing this time. He made his way down to the second row and sat down.
Her eyes followed him as she sang. How dare someone enter in the middle of a performance! That is so rude! Shaking her head, she continued, "Sometimes I fear that I might disappear
In the blur of fast-forward I falter again
Forgetting to breathe, I need to sleep
I'm getting nowhere
All that I've missed I see in the reflection
Passed me while I wasn't paying attention
Tired of rushing, racing and running
I'm falling apart
Tell me
Oh won't you take my hand
And lead me
Slow me down
Don't let love pass me by
Just show me how
Cause I'm ready to fall Slow me down"
As much as he hated to admit it, Noah was captivated. He could tell that she really meant every word that was coming out of her mouth. Berry looks beautiful up there… I wonder what happened. She sounds really messed up even through that voice. He fought off the urge to join her onstage, knowing full well that she'd probably slap him.
"Don't let me live a lie
Before my life flies by
I need you to slow me down
Just show me
I need you to slow me down
The noise of the world is getting me caught up
Chasing the clock and I wish I could stop it
Just need to breathe, somebody please
Slow me down," Rachel finally allowed tears to escape silently as she looked at the full theatre.
Noah smiled as he realized she was caught in a fantasy. She really is something. God, I wish I was able to tell her what I really wanted to say back when we were dating. He stood and started to clap slowly.
That sound brought her back to reality. Her eyes snapped to meet his, "What are you doing here?"
"Free country, Berry. Besides, I had to get my crap." He held up his jacket in defense," What were you singing just now? It sounded something like Mr. Schue would give us."
She glared at him mistrusting, "Emmy Rossum's "Slow Me Down." It's one of my favorites when I need a breather."
Noah studied her carefully, "Are you crying?"
"No!" She quickly turned her back to him.
Shit. Something really bad happened. He climbed up on stage and wrapped his arms around her in a hug, "Cherie, what's wrong?"
This feels right. Oh, how I've missed- No! He's a man whore who loves Quinn. He told me that when I broke up with him! Rachel wrenched herself out of his embrace, "It's pronounced Cherie, not Sherri, and only my dads call me that. Besides, you shouldn't be bothering yourself with my problems seeing as they are none of your business."
Noah sighed, "Rachel, I'm worried about you."
She laughed at him, "I doubt it. Since when do you care about anything other than football, cougars, sex, and-and Quinn?" Her voice cracked and she cursed herself, "Even while we were dating last year, you were not honestly keeping me in mind. You just wanted to have sex."
Her accusation hurt him badly. He growled, "Fine. Don't accept my offer to be there when you're down. I've got to go anyway." He turned, jumped off the stage, grabbed his things, and marched out the door. Yet, he knew that he would wait in his truck until she came out of the theatre to make sure she would get home safely. For, though he hated it, some time in the past year he had fallen in love with Rachel Berry.
Rachel waited until the door closed before sinking to the ground. She let herself cry as her thoughts wandered. There went the last possible chance at saving any friendships. Why am I pushing everyone away? It's like I'm preparing everyone for my death. She looked around her and grinned, her mind already planning. Prepared for my death, indeed.