Birthdays had always been a pretty big deal in the Berry household. Hiram and Leroy would always insist on getting up earlier so they had plenty of time to cook Rachel a special birthday breakfast. It was the one day of the year that they didn't mind being late to work. Rachel would wake with a smile on her face as she knew her birthday traditions awaited for her, breakfast on the table followed by one present, the rest she would have when she returned home from school . Last year for her sixteenth, her father's had gotten her a joint birthday & Christmas present to go spend a week in New York, her visit of course was filled with seeing as many Broadway shows as possible.
This year, Rachel hadn't awoke to her normal birthday tradition. Instead she found herself sitting on the cold kitchen floor, her back pressed firmly against one of the cupboards as her legs were sprawled messily out in front of her. Her eyes were wide and sore from tiredness and a blank, emotionless expression was painted on her face. The young brunette sat silently on the floor, her eyes fixated on the card that was clutched in her hands. She lightly traced over the hand writing that marked the front of the envelope. The sound of her cell going off caused Rachel to jump slightly, turning her head slowly she stretched her arm out to grab her phone. Pulling it closer to her face she saw it was a message from Mercedes reminding her that there was an extra glee club rehearsal today, the group were beginning to panic over the next competition that was coming up. They were good but the needed to be better. Rachel sighed as she re-read the message, Mercedes like many of her other so called friends had forgotten her birthday. Not that she particularly cared right now.
An hour later, Rachel stood up from her kitchen floor. She slowly headed to the front door, picking up her jacket and bag she headed outside. Rachel squeezed her eyes shut as the sunlight hit at her eyes. Turning around to lock the door, Rachel began the thirty minute walk to Mckinley high. As the brunette arrived at the school she couldn't help but suddenly feel nauseous. Her strides became smaller as she made her way to the auditorium. Pausing outside the door, Rachel could hear voices already in the room. Glancing down at her watch she realised she was late. Holding her hand out to the handle, Rachel began to feel herself choke up, she couldn't face them, she didn't want to have to tell them the truth. Turning on her heels, Rachel ran down the hallway.
"Has anyone heard from Rachel?" Mr Schu asked as he handed out sheets to the rest of the new directions club. He frowned as all the got were shrugs and head shakes from the majority of them.
"I did text her about today" Mercedes finally offered up and then glanced at the clock. "Maybe she's just not coming" She added on which caused a smirk from Santana.
"Oh please, since when would little Miss diva miss out on the opportunity to jump on us for singing the wrong note?" she replied as she placed a hand on her hip impatiently.
"Can we just start already? I mean it is technically the holidays" Puck asked annoyed and was pleased to see that the group all agree.
"Alright guys, I get your point and I do want to thank you all for giving up your holiday time. Makes me see just how dedicated you all are" Mr Schu spoke with a genuine smile on his face.
The group soon got into the swing of rehearsals and hadn't seemed to notice the fact that Rachel never showed for the rehearsal. Almost an hour later, Mr Schu stood up and applauded the group on the stage.
"That was amazing guys! Seriously, we're going to be so ready for the next competition" He beamed as she began to tidy up his notes placing them in his bag. He paused as he looked up to see the 11 faces staring back at him, letting out a laugh, Will indicated to the exit. "Yes that does mean you are free to go enjoy your Christmas break. I'll see you all later" He told them, the group had all planned to go round to his house that evening as a little celebration for the club doing so well at sectionals.
Santana and Brittany linked their arms together as they headed out of the auditorium. Just as they reached the exit, Santana cursed out loud which caused Brittany to turn and look at the Latina confused.
"I left my gym bag in the choir room" She muttered in annoyance as she unlinked her arm from the blonde's. "You go on ahead, I'll see you later at Mr Schu's" she said with a smile as she turned and headed towards the choir room.
Santana walked up the choir room as she was texting on her phone, not completely paying attention she walked into the room without glancing up. Heading over to the chairs where she had placed her bag, she picked it up and turned back to head to the door. Santana suddenly let out a small yelp as a hand flung to her chest. She stared at what had caused her to jump, her eyes narrowed in annoyance as her heart continued to beat a little faster than she had liked.
"Jesus Christ, what the hell are you doing hiding out like that" she cursed out as she took a few steps closer to the middle of the room. Getting no response, Santana walked up the figure that was huddled in the corner. "Man hands, i'm talking to you" she said, getting annoyed at the diva for not responding. Santana rolled her eyes as she turned to leave. "Whatever Berry, practice is over, go home" she told the girl as she began to head to the door.
"I don't want to go home"
Santana paused in her track as she heard the little diva speak up. It wasn't the fact that Rachel had spoke that caused her to stop, it was how Rachel sounded, weak..scared. Turning around, Santana headed back over to Rachel and hovered over her. She studied her for a few minutes, her appearance was a lot worse than usual, Santana noted how tired the brunette looked and she couldn't help but feel concerned. Yes she didn't particularly like the girl, she was annoying, self-centered and over critical but she was still a team mate. Santana let out a breath as she shifted on her feet. "Why? You have some kind of fight with your dads? I mean seriously, we all fight with our parents, even those of us that think we have the perfect relationship with them" She retorted, not being able to help throwing in a small dig at Rachel who always constantly gushed about the perfect relationship she had with her dad's. Santana had always been jealous of that, she loved her parents but they never seemed close, not like Rachel and her dad's.
Rachel who had avoided all eye contact just lightly shook her head. She couldn't believe that Santana of all people was stood talking to her and she mentally cursed at herself for not running out of the school altogether.
"They're not there. They're not anywhere" She mumbled out.
"Whose not where?" Santana asked, confused at the diva's ramblings. As the girl went silent on her, Santana let her gym bag slip over her shoulder and fall to the floor, she watched as Rachel's whole body shook at the sudden noise.
"Berry, what the hell is going on?" she spat out as she placed both hands on her hips, she couldn't be doing with this right now. Santana watched as Rachel eventually moved her head, their eyes making contact for the first time since Santana had entered the room. Santana was taken back by what she saw, the once brown eyes that had always looked full of life and hopes and dreams were dull, lifeless and hardened.
"They're dead" she told the Latina, her voice was barely above a whisper but it was strangely calm.