1: Auditions & Academy rounds.
Rachel tried to regain her breath, she smiled and shuffled over to where the mic was to see what they judges were going to tell her. She stared at Nigel, Mary, and Christina.
"Rachel." Mary began. Rachel smiled at her, when she noticed her tears in her eyes. "Your technique is so beyond and the amount of control you have is amazing, but the emotion you poured in that dance was just so beautiful and I applaud to you." she said while dabbed her eyes with her tissue. "I enjoyed watching you dance, and I can see you go so far in this competition." she finished.
Rachel let out a soft giggle and thanked her. She just stared at her fathers and she sent a little wave at them. Christina started to talk. "Rachel, the moment you began with the inhale, you had me." she began. "Something that small, manage to had the impact, which I believe that's why your dance piece was so powerful, and the emotions you poured into your dance, made everything so beautiful. I agree with Mary, you have so much control and the fact that you held that perfect extension up in pointe, was amazing. I can't wait to see what you can bring to this stage." she finished.
Rachel giggled and thanked her. She turned to Nigel and she shifted a bit. He looked up at her and began. "I got to be honest with you sweetheart." he began to say. "I was a little nervous to see you dance, because you're one of the shortest ballerina I've seen, and for me, sometimes it's a bit difficult. But the moment the music began and you just became this fierce and amazing dancer. The control you have is unbelievable, I'll never ever forget your audition, and I believe you have what it takes to win this whole thing." he told her.
Rachel just let out a small laugh and her eyes watered. Rachel watched, as they all held up a ticket to Vegas. She let out a squeal and cried, she heard the crowd go wild and she ran down to retrieve her ticket. She ran up the judging panel and hugged Christina, then Mary and Nigel who gave her the ticket.
She thanked them again, and ran the aisle as she gave the others high fives as she passed by. She noticed the cameramen waiting there and she just squeals and jumps up and down. The guy in the wheelchair just smiled at her. She hears her dads scream her name and she runs up to the tall, muscular one and jumps on him and he spins her around.
"I'm heading to the academy." Rachel squealed, jumping up and down, crying of happiness, and hugs her other dad. The others smile, her excitement being contagious.
Artie Abrams told them cut and the camera men stopped recording and took a break. Artie wheeled up to her and smiled.
"Hey. I'm Artie, congrats." Artie introduced. Rachel smiled and nodded.
"I'm Rachel Berry. And thank you. I'm sure I'm be seeing more of you soon?" she asked. Artie smiled and her nodded. Rachel beamed and leaned down to give him a small hug and waved goodbye. Artie spent the rest of the day shooting, smiling.
The first time Rachel saw Puck, was when he went up to the stage and danced his solo piece in the academy round. She was memorized at how much control he had, and how amazing of a dancer he is. She saw him sit down next to his other two friends, who she learned were Mike Chang, and Matt Rutherford, who were amazing pop and lock dancers.
Rachel heard her name being called and she gracefully ran up the stage, she felt him staring at her, and she couldn't help but shiver a bit. "And start music." was all she heard Nigel say. Rachel smiled softly and she began he solo.
Puck heard the name Rachel Berry, and he sat up a bit straighter, he's heard of her, from the other dancers in the academy, this other girl named Marley Rose praise about how amazing of a ballerina dancer she is, he also heard for a guy named Jesse St James, that she wasn't that good, in a jealous tone.
He ignored his two friends, and watched as the petite brown hair girl gracefully run up the stairs and to the stage. He heard classical music being played, and he thought, he was going to be bored, but quite honestly, her movements and control she had of her body, was breathtaking.
"Dude, I've never seen, no ballerina, have that much control." Mike whispered out. Matt just nodded and once she finished, everyone stood up and applauded for her. Puck watched her blush and smiled and took her bow and ran off the stage.
He saw her ran past them, and he inhaled vanilla, and berries from her, it was intoxicating. She caught his eye and she nicely smiled at him, and continued over to her seat. He let out a breathe he didn't knew he held and smirked. They all sat there and watched everyone do their solo piece when they all finally got called up at the stage.
"It's the first round guys. And that's hip hop. Nappy Tabs are here, and they are going to show you. Good luck to all of you." Nigel told them and they all left.
Rachel nodded at Nigel, and she took a deep breathe in, she felt eyes staring at her, and she stretched, and noticed it was the mohawk boy she smiled at, she rolled her eyes, and noticed the other ballet dancer Jesse St. James.
"I hear, you're quite an amazing ballerina." Jesse said as he sat down.
Rachel smiled a bit. "I heard you were great." she told him as she slid down into her middle split.
"Where are you from?" Jesse asked her.
"New York. And you?" Rachel asked back.
"Florida." Jesse replied back.
Before Rachel can say anything the choreographers came out. "Alright let's start the hip hop round!" was yelled.
Rachel struggled a bit on some parts, but not nearly as others did. She knew that in order to be here, you had to be versatile, she had taken other styles of dance classes before, and it also helped that she picked up choreography quicker.
After the Nappy Tabs finished showing the choreography, they all spread out a bit, and went over the dance. She noticed Jesse struggle a bit, after they showed the choreography, and getting advice from them, she walked towards him.
"You're too stiff, loosen up a bit, you'd surprise yourself." Rachel told him. Jesse just stared at her.
They went to join the others, where they were going over the dance, she smiled and grabbed Jesse's hand, he smiled a bit a the girl and joined. Puck was standing behind her, and he checked her out, she wore these very shorts that hugged her all over, and a dance bra shit.
He watched her dance, and honestly he was surprised how well, she got the dance down, Mike slapped him out of trance. Puck just growled at him, and got back into dance. They all finished going over the dance, and they called out in groups to show off their dance.
Puck's group was called which consisted of Rachel, this creepy girl named Suzy, tap dancer Blaine, and this very hot girl, whose name he forgot. They all had to changed into hip hop theme dressing, and made their way to the stage, and left it all on the stage, after they danced they faced the judges.
"If I call the following names, please take a step forward." Nigel said. "Puck, Blaine, and Rachel." he called. Rachel's heart to beat faster, and took a step forward, along Blaine and Puck. "I'm sorry to say, that, those in the back are going home."
Rachel's head snapped up and then to the other three, and she let out a relief cry and hugged the boys, and then hugged the two girls that were leaving. Rachel just looked back and send the judges all air kiss.
"Rachel, you keep this up, and you'll go far in this competition." Nigel complimented. "And you boys, you guys are strong, and great keep up the good work." he told the boys.
Rachel just smiled and made her way out to go rest with the others. For and made small talk with them, she learned that Noah makes a lot of lewd comments, and Blaine is a total sweetheart. She smiled at enjoyed the fact that she was making more friends, finally.
Puck was struggling. It was ballroom round and he was paired up with a female version of himself, and quite honestly he was getting pissed.
"Dude, you got it, move those hips!" Santana yelled at him.
Rachel looked up when they heard a yell, when they were out practicing after they learned Samba choreography by Sasha and Emma. She got paired up with this cute boy named Jake, who she later found out, was Puck's step brother.
"I can't do this, we Puckerman men, can't ballroom." Jake said as he sighed and sat down, to relax a bit.
"You Puckerman men need to stop self doubting yourselves, you got the dance down, all you have to do is prove to them how much you want it. They don't care if you mess up, as long, as you continue, and don't let that affect you." Rachel advised him.
"You make this look easy." Jake muttered, and Rachel laughed.
"Trust me, Samba is hard for me. My dance teacher, she's the one who told me that advice and it stuck with me since then." Rachel told him. "Come on, I believe you can do this Jake, you got this." she told him.
Jake just smiled up at her, and took her hand. They got dressed in ballroom clothing, and practiced some more. Puck noticed his brother, struggle and he noticed Rachel talk to him. He smiled, he's never seen no one talk to him and look like to give him advice.
"Alright, let's go Puckerman." Santana told him, as their name got called. He noticed the other 8 dancers. He saw this big lip boy called Sam paired with Barbie wannabe, Quinn. The St. Jackass with this tall girl who looked like she was going to pass out any moment, and other the last two pairing who he didn't care about.
They all danced, and Puck improved a bit, and then for the finale he had Santana dipped with her leg around his waist. He heard clapping and his friends and brother cheer for him. They all stood in the straight line. Nigel looked up and nodded at the other judges.
"Puck, Quinn, Santana, Sam, and Jesse." Nigel called out. "Congrats, you're going through the next round." he told them. Puck smirked and quickly hugged the others. He went to sit, and waited for his brother and friends to go up next.
Puck watched Mike and this other asian girl named Tina dance, and were the only two out of the ten to continue. Matt went up and his partner was very bad, she was out quickly. He along with a guy name Wes, Marley and Sunshine made it through.
Puck sat a bit straighter when he saw his brother walk out, with the brunette beauty, along with others walk out. "And cue music." was all he heard from Nigel.
Puck knew the instant they both danced, he was going to pass, seriously, he's never seen his brother dance that good that wasn't their style, and that ending with her dipped, and one leg bent and one leg up, was freaking good.
"Rachel, Jake, Marisol." Nigel called out, Puck zoned out the other dancers name, all he wanted to know if his brother was going to pass. "You're going to the next round" Puck was the first one out his seat and yelled out.
Rachel jumped on Jake, and wrapped her legs around him and he carried her, hugging her tight as well. He spun her around on stage and they celebrated a bit, they both made their way down, to go sit with the others. Puck jumped up to hug his brother.
"You did great man." Puck said. Jake just laughed and pushed him away.
"Rachel just gives out amazing advice." Jake told him. Puck just stared at the girl in front of his who had the ballroom practice skirt. She blushed and waved at the boys. Jake allowed her to sit between him and Mike and they all talked.
They continued to watch the other dancers make it through and get cut, after the final dancers were told who stayed and who goes home, Nigel stood up, and turned to all the dancers.
"You guys all did great, tomorrow, is contemporary and jazz rounds, and those two are the hardest rounds. Get some rest and good luck to you all." Nigel said. Everyone stood up to grab their things to leave.
"I thought those two style were easy." Mike commented
Rachel just snorted. "Oh they are, it's the choreographers who make you work harder." she told them.
"How do you know?" Puck asked.
Rachel smiled at them all. "I've seen the show quite a while, and I learned that the choreographers are tough, but they are amazing. For contemporary, the choreographer is Travis Wall, I know that for sure. And Jazz I think it's Sonya Tayeh." she told them.
They all made it to the place they were all staying and walked in. Rachel smiled at them all and excused herself and left to her room. Puck just turned to his brother.
"She's cute." Puck told them. Jake turned to him and smiled.
"Yeah she is." Jake said. He noticed his brother's smirk. "She's not those types of girls, Puck. And I think you shouldn't bother her, she hasn't said much, but I believe she's gone through worst." he told him.
"I ain't going to do shit man." Puck mumbled out. Jake just snorted and walked into their room, to take a much needed shower.
Puck just went to go lay on his bed, and just thought of his brother told him.
The next day, Rachel and her best friend and roommate Tina, made their way out, and bumped into Matt, Mike, Jake and Puck.
"Morning." Rachel beamed at them. Tina just laughed at the boys reaction.
"How in the hell are you so chipper?" Puck grunted out, as they walked in the kitchen, she served them all coffee, and made her infamous vegan pancakes.
"I'm used to waking up early." was all Rachel said.
Mike smiled at Tina, and she blushed. "Rach, are you making your famous vegan pancakes?" she asked. Rachel smiled and nodded.
"Whoa, wait. Vegan?" Matt asked.
"They taste amazing." Rachel told them, as she added the strawberries on one batter, and blueberries on other. "Would you please try them, before you think they taste nasty?" she pleaded them. She looked up at them and gave them her puppy face.
The boys all smiled at her. "Fine." Mike replied.
Rachel let out a small cheer and started to pour the pancake batter in the pan. Tina just shook her head at her best friend.
"So where are you guys from?" Mike asked to make small talk, as he stood up to help Tina set the table.
"New York." Tina replied.
"We went to the same high school, and dance company." Rachel added, as she smiled at Tina. Tina smiled back.
"Hey, Rach." Tina called out softly, as she noticed her phone vibrating. "It's your dads." she told them.
Rachel's head snapped up and tensed up. Puck noticed, he frowned as she washed her hands and took her phone from Tina's hand.
"Hi daddy." Rachel said softly as she made her way out into a quiet, private place.
Puck and Jake stared at her for a bit, and then back at Tina. "Dads?" Jake asked. Tina turned to them and smiled.
"Yeah, Rachel has two dads. They're cool and all, but sometimes they can be a bit too much." Tina told them. She continued to flip the pancakes and Rachel walked back in, Tina noticed her crestfallen look and frowned. "You okay, Rach?" she asked.
Rachel smiled up at her and nodded. "Yeah. You know how my dad gets. Daddy just wanted to make sure, I don't hurt myself." she told her.
"Why would you hurt yourself?" Jake asked her.
Rachel giggled. "You never truly danced ballet, till you bleed from your feet." she quoted. The boys stared at her in horror and Rachel bursted out laughing. Soon some of the other dancers joined them in the kitchen, some ate pancakes Rachel made, others ate something else.
"These are good Rachel, thanks for breakfast." Mike commented, Rachel just beamed at him.
Once everyone finished they all left to grab their stuff and make their way into the theater they were currently at. Nigel stepped out and warned them to warm up and find some time, to work on a small dance piece, in case they need to dance for their life.
Rachel and Tina both, found a small corner and started to stretch and work on their dances. Rachel slipped on her ballet pointe shoes, and she stood up and warmed up her toes, as she took small steps. Puck wasn't far from the girls, and he just watched Rachel dance, as he scrolled through his phone for a song.
"You chose your song yet?" Jake asked Puck. He shook his head and Jake showed him a song, and after that they both got to work.
"Alright dancers, it's time." a tall cameraman called out. He looked around the room and smiled when he spotted a blonde girl he thought was beautiful. Rachel and Tina grabbed their stuff, and they set their things in the same row where the guys were at.
"Nervous?" Puck asked his friends.
"A bit, I did start off with ballet." Mike responded. Rachel turned to him and smiled.
"Don't worry. What most choreographers and the judges want to see is, that we don't give up when we mess up, if you do improvise, but you do have to learn the dance. Show them that you want this so bad. That you want to be in the Top 20 so bad." Rachel advised.
Tina just smiled and pulled her up the stage. The boys just stared at her while Jake smiled. "She's amazing." was all he said.
They all walked up the stage and stood close to the girls. "Alright dancers, we are starting off with the jazz round. And I present you the amazing Sonya Tayeh! Good luck everyone." Nigel commented.
Jake and Rachel shared a knowing look and they looked back at Sonya.
"Alright, let's get started." Sonya said. They started off with the jazz and by the time they finished, Rachel was drenched in her sweat. Sonya allowed them to take a small break and drink water, and she walked around. She told Puck to point his toes, and she noticed Rachel. "I'm impressed by you honey, you keep up the great work." she told Rachel.
Rachel beamed and nodded. "Thank you. Before you go, can I just tell you, that I love your art you do on stage. Your choreography is beautiful, and you're one of my favorites." Rachel told her. Sonya smiled a the girl and hugged her. Rachel turned to Tina and they shared a big smile and worked on the choreography.
Once Sonya left them, they all shuffled to the open room to practice. Rachel help lead a small group, while she noticed Jesse do the same. And two other girls that claimed it was their style of dance. Rachel danced with them once, and then turned to help out the others. Most didn't need much help just to get the movements in perfect timing, she did have to help Matt, and Puck more than Jake and Mike.
"This sucks, I suck." Puck grunted. Rachel rolled her eyes.
"You just need to believe in yourself and say you got this. That's what I told you brother yesterday. If you sucked, why are you even this far?" Rachel asked him. Puck just stood there, and then nodded at her. "I don't need a nod Puck. I want you to say, you got this, you want this, you're here to prove to everyone that you deserve it." she snapped at him.
Puck just glared at her a bit. "I want this." he said.
"What was that?" Rachel taunted.
"I want this." Puck snapped back. "I want this, and I'm gonna do this." he said, and he went back to dancing. Rachel just smiled, while the others looked at her shocked.
"I want her as my life coach." Matt whispered to the boys, while Tina chuckled. They all nodded. Artie was a bit far way from there, smiling as he got that on camera. He waited till everyone was done dancing when he rolled up to them.
"Hey Rachel." Artie greeted. Rachel turned around and smiled.
"Hi, Artie. Right?" Rachel asked. Artie smiled and nodded. She beamed and hugged him. "How's the camera life?" she teased.
Artie chuckled. "It's great." he replied. Before Rachel can respond, he got called. "Duty calls, see you all out there." he said as he waved.
They got called in groups again and this time Rachel was separated from everyone. She was one of the dancers in the first group. She noticed the other dancers were nervous, but once the music began to focused on herself only.
Puck sat back with the others and they watched her kill the dance piece. She danced with the other dancers he never learned their names.
Rachel tried to regain her breathe, and watched the judges, smiling at her, and clapping. Rachel smiled widely.
"Rachel please step forward." Nigel ordered. Rachel stepped forward, and her heart began to race, when she was the only one called up. "The rest in the back, this is the end for you. Thank you so much for being here." he said. Rachel just let out a breath of relief, and tears sprung to her eyes.
Rachel just made a heart shape with her hand to Nigel and he send one back, and Rachel ran off the stage. She hugged her friends there and sat down next to Tina.
"Girl, I thought I was going to loose you." Tina whispered. Rachel nodded back, and sat there, supporting her friends who some made it and others left.
Puck stood up to go up to dance on stage and he gave Rachel a hug, for making it through. Rachel sat back and relaxed. The music played and Rachel noticed Puck struggling a bit, and he even messed up a few steps, but his face held determination and he added a few moves himself to make up for it. Rachel looked over to the judges and she couldn't tell what was going on their mind.
Puck and the group of dancers there, finished and stood up in line. Rachel grabbed Tina's hand, and held it.
"Puck, please step forward." Nigel called out. Rachel held onto Jake's hand as well, to hear what was going to happen. "The thing I loved the most about you, is that even though this routine wasn't the best you've done, you held this look of determination, you included your own moves when you seemed you forgot the original moves. Never give that up. You're passing through." he told him.
Puck just let out a breathe of relief and bowed to them and he hugged the others as they knew they got voted off. Puck ran over to them and Rachel jumped out her seat to give him a hug. Puck lifted her up and thanked her.
They sat back down and watched as Tina and Jake dance the other group both passing with some familiar faces. They watched as Mike and Matt went up and dance, they watched Matt get called to dance for his life. Rachel heart sunk a bit, and when she had him sit next to him, all she did was encourage him, to bring the house down when he dances for his life.
They all sat there, tensed a bit, waiting for everyone to to dance. Rachel walked out with Matt and talked to him.
"Matt, you got this, remember my words, make them regret to even doubt you. Destroy out there when you dance okay." Rachel encouraged. Matt smiled and nodded. "We believe in you." she told him as she made her way back in the auditorium.
Matt stayed outside a bit and took a deep breathe in, Matt was called in, and he made his way inside. The moment, Matt began to dance, Rachel knew he was going to pass, Matt left everything out on the stage, by the end of it everyone was standing on their feet, cheering loudly.
"I think everyone here knows you're going to the next round." Nigel said. Mary just yelled out so loud. Rachel just laughed and Matt just bowed to them and rushed off and attacked Rachel into a hug and spun her around.
After a much needed lunch break, all the dancers made their way for the last round with a choreographer, and tomorrow would be group routine which was gonna get harder and then they will be told who would make it to top 20.
Rachel was walking back to her seat, talking on the phone with her dad, when she bumped into a girly guy.
"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry." Rachel said.
The boy just gasped and laughed a bit. "It's alright dear." the boy said.
Rachel just hung up on her fathers and smiled brightly at the boy. "Hi, I'm Rachel Berry." Rachel introduced.
The diva boy laughed and hugged her. "Honey, I know who you are, your dance pieces are just danced, so beautifully." he told her. Rachel just blushed. "I'm Kurt Hummel, head of the costume designers." Kurt introduced.
Rachel beamed. "Is it fun? Do you get to doll up famous people?" she asked excitedly. Kurt laughed at her, and nodded, she squealed. Before she can say anything, she got called in for the next round. "I got to go, but I'd love to talk to you some more." she told him as she rushed off.
Rachel ran in and took her shoes off, and rushed up the stage with Tina, Puck was standing besides her talking about the contemporary round and she close by them.
"Tina, we're going to meet Travis Wall." Rachel gushed quietly to Tina. Tina nodded and held her hand.
"Alright dancers, this is the last round with choreography before, we separate you all in groups and then the big reveal." Nigel told them. "And here to choreograph this round, give it up to the best story telling choreographer, Travis Wall"
Everyone clapped as they all saw Travis Wall run on stage to join them. "Thank you." he told Nigel. Travis turned to everyone and smiled. "Alright, let me just begin with this isn't going to be easy. I want you all to push yourselves in this dance, get into you deep emotions, show me that you want this so bad you guys." he told them all. Puck just turned to Mike, Matt and Jake and gave them look.
Travis began the choreography, and Puck along with Jake and Matt struggled to keep up but they managed. Rachel, Tina, and Mike picked up the choreography, Travis walked around yelling and telling people what they're doing wrong.
"C'mon guys, I want you guys to make everyone cry, this routine doesn't have to be perfect, but I want you guys to pour all the emotions out there, because that's what I'm looking for!" Travis yelled. Rachel closed her eyes for a bit, and focused on the many years of pain she's gone through and poured it into the routine, Travis was walking by when he saw her.
Travis watched everyone but then he saw her, he noticed that when she close her eyes, and opened the once more, it was like a tsunami of emotions just hit and she poured them all out. He watched it for a bit and his breath was taken away.
After the time was up, the dancers made their way off when Travis stopped Rachel. "You there with the black and neon green shorts." he called out. Rachel just looked up and walked up to Travis. "Can you come here hon, I'd like to know your name."
"I'm Rachel Berry." Rachel introduced. Travis Wall smiled at her.
"I just wanted to tell you, that out of all the dancers that danced this piece, you were the one that just took my breath away, thank you for following my advice and I wish you the best of luck, and hopefully I'd get to work on a piece with you." Travis told Rachel. She just stood there, stunned and she smiled widely and thanked him, she waved goodbye to him and ran off the stage to go practice with the others.
Puck noticed her bubbly, excited expression, and he smiled. "Where were you?" he asked her.
Rachel just let out a small squeal. "Travis Wall liked the way I danced." she told them. Tina just hugged her hard, and the boys joined soon. Artie noticed, and he recorded it. He's always recorded the best parts of them all and his favorites were these guys the chemistry they all had is amazing. He couldn't wait till the show airs, for America to fall in love with them.
Puck was currently sitting in the chairs, with the rest of his group, while they waited for Rachel to be in the third performance group to get on. Rachel walked up and he noticed Jesse, and Santana up there with this blonde who seemed to be glaring at Rachel.
"And cue music." Nigel called.
Puck watched them all began to perform the dance number, but his eyes couldn't leave Rachel. He watched her dance, with everything she's got and the amount of emotion she was putting in this dance, was making him tear up. He heard Tina sniffle and he looked around and he noticed most in tears, with their eyes gazing upon Rachel.
They finished dancing and everyone stood to their feet, yelling out Rachel's name. Rachel just looked up and wiped her tears away. Everyone sat back down and waited for Nigel to talk.
"Jesse, Santana, and Quinn you guys are going to the next round." Nigel commented out. Rachel's heart was stammering when she didn't heard her name, until Nigel spoke up again. "Rachel please step forward. The rest of you, I'm sorry to say this will be the end." he called out. Rachel did was she was told. She waved goodbye to the others and turned back to Nigel.
"Do you remember what I first told you, when we first met?" he asked her. Rachel nodded. "What did I tell you."
"You told me, that'd you would never ever forget my audition and that I have what it takes to win this whole competition." Rachel stammered out nervously.
Nigel smiled and nodded. "Honey, you're the most amazing dancer, I've ever met, and that dance right there that you just danced, was amazing, and I'm sorry to scare you but I had to had you on that stage alone, because you sweetheart, you're simply amazing, and I will fight everyone for you to deserve a spot on the top 20." he told her. Rachel just smiled widely, and send him air kisses, she walked off the stage and Nigel made his way over to the side, and Rachel met up with him to give him a hug. "I can't wait to see how far you will go." he told her her.
Puck stood up since he was next with the boys and Tina, they all hugged Rachel and walked up the stage, for their turn to dance. They all danced their best, and when they all heard their names being called out, they all cheered, and rushed down to hug Rachel.
"Alright guys, tomorrow is the test if you guys can survive, I want you all guys to get into groups, I want their to be five, and for the remaining time, I want you guys to work on a dance piece, and tomorrow you'll show to us. When you all hear your name get called out get into your groups and start working." Nigel told them all. Rachel just looked over at her friends.
She noticed that Nigel was mixing it up. She heard her name being called and she walked over to two people she didn't know but recognized three of the dancers, which were Blaine, Sugar and Wes.
"Okay so how do you want to start this off?" The random girl asked them all. Rachel just sat there thinking of ideas.
"Well we should have a dance that showcases everyone's style." Rachel imputed. The two random dancers glared at her.
"Why don't we just do a simple ballroom dance and add in contemporary." the girl snarled at Rachel.
Rachel shook her head. "That's only showcasing both of your styles, if you want this piece to amazing, you have to showcase everyone's style. It could be a simple lyrical piece, shifting place, so each can get a small solo."
"Shut it prima ballerina." the other girl snarled, at Rachel.
Rachel turned to glare at her. "No. This is all about you, we're not gong to be props swaying in the background just so you two can shine, in this group, everyone will get their chance to shine, obviously you two don't, so let me ask these other three, what do you prefer?" she asked Blaine, Sugar, and Wes.
"Well I like you're idea, uhm. Rachel?" Blaine asked. Rachel smiled and nodded. "I'm all up fro your idea." Sugar and Wes nodded, and Rachel turned to the girls.
"Alright it's decided let's get started, I have this perfect song, and I wanna run it through you all, to see if you guys like it, the quicker we find a song, the better we can perfect our dance piece." Rachel told them all excitedly. Blaine, Wes, and Sugar smiled at her, while the other glared.
They all sat down and listened to the song, Rachel had chosen and everyone just smiled at one another, and stood up to think of steps to put on the dance, they spent the rest of their time, arguing about the steps but they still made it through and made a strong dance piece.
Rachel and her group stood on stage, breathing hard, they had just performed their group dance and they were all standing there waiting for the dance critique.
Nigel looked up after silently talking to Mary and the guest judge Christina.
"Monique, please step forward." Nigel called out. The girl that was giving Rachel a hard time on the choreography last night stepped forward. "We talked this through carefully. We heard that you weren't cooperating well with your group. I'm sorry to say but this is the end of journey here." he told her. Monique just took a sharp intake of breathe and nodded. "Please don't give up, you're an extraordinary dancer. The rest of you are safe." he said.
Rachel smiled and turned to Blaine, and hugged him hard, and then pulled the others into a group hugged and then hugged Monique hard, before they all walked off the stage. Rachel and the rest went to sit down, to watch the others.
She watched as Puck's group went up and she frowned when the dance wasn't well enough, she watched as Puck held a determined face and continued, he was the only one there, and she also noticed, this cute guy in dreadlocks, named Joe, also follow Puck's lead.
She held her breath as most of his group got called up. "Those who took a step forward. I'm sorry to say that this is the end for you." Nigel told them. Rachel let out a breathe of relief when Puck and Joe gave a man hug and said goodbyes to his group.
That's how it continued on, the numbers went down, and by the time the whole routine were done, Nigel called up the final 40 dancers up on stage. "I want everyone here to dance one last solo, to show us that you really want it. You have two hours and then we'll be calling you in to say if you're our top 20 or you're not." Nigel explained. Everyone nodded.
"Alright, you can go and work on your last solo piece." Nigel told them. Rachel hugged Blaine and left to where her stuff was and grabbed her pointe shoes, phone, and earphones. Puck wanted to talk to her, but he needed to concentrate.
Rachel smiled at her friends, as they all walked out to room, and spread out in the lobby, Rachel sat down, and quickly rubbed her feet and grabbed her shoes and bent them and quickly put them on. Puck was momentarily distracted on how Rachel put her shoes on, when Jake snapped him out of it.
They all got to work and most of them struggled what to add, and what more they can put in to impress the judges. Rachel was in the zone and dancing gracefully to her music. Those who took a break watched Rachel in awe, they saw her close her eyes and dance wonderfully. Jesse wanted to hate how amazing she danced but he had to admit she was an amazing ballerina. If he made it through, he prayed he at least get her as a partner.
Puck and Jake took a break, and they watched Rachel dance, smiling. They all got back to work and their time was up and they got called up. Tina smiled and went to get Rachel.
"Rach, it's time." Tina told her softly. Rachel opened her eyes and smiled at her. "I love watching you dance like that. It gives you this calm vibe and that reassure me that I don't have to be nervous as much." she told her.
Rachel smiled even wider. "We're one step away Tina, we got this." she promised her. Tina smiled and they walked in the auditorium. Rachel just sat there and watched as everyone went up and danced, she smiled and cheered when Blaine, Mike, Matt, Tina, Jake, Marley, who she met through Jake for being in his group, and Puck.
Finally Rachel was called up, she was the last dancer, she gave the music, and got in place. "And cue music." Nigel said.
Rachel closed her eyes and smiled as she began to dance, she wanted to dance they way she did when she practiced. Halfway through the dance she opened her eyes and smiled widely as she continued to dance in pointe. She finished on the floor staring up in the ceiling, smiling.
Everyone stood up for and cheered her on. Rachel bowed and rushed off the stage and they all walked back out where their stuff was and were told that they had to leave their stuff there and to follow the worker into the room where all the chairs were at.
Puck and Rachel sat next to each other, and made small talk and waited for what the judges were going to decided, after about an hour, Cat made her way out to them.
"So the judges have made their decision, the first to go in is, Mike Chang." Cat called. Mike stood up and hugged the girls and fist pumped the guys and left. Rachel sat back and took a deep breathe in, and that's how it was spend through the rest of the day.
She watched as one by one left the room and into the stage to hear their fate. She watched as Tina go before her, they hugged for a min and let go, after her, she waited and saw that everyone else left. She hugged her friends as they left, and soon it was just her and this very amazing ballroom dancer named Grant sitting there.
Cat made her way into the room and Rachel took a deep breath in. "Grant." Cat called. Rachel smiled widely at him. Grant winked at her and left. Cat went to sit besides her and talked to her for an interview. Rachel smiled and waved at Artie, who was with the tall boy, named Finn.
Rachel answered all Cat's small interview questions and then it soon her turn. Rachel hugged Cat, and made her way out onto the stage. She smiled up all the judges and stood there.
"Rachel." Mary called out. "This was the tough one because there's only one final spot, and it was between you and Grant." she began. Rachel heart began to pound, she started to think she didn't get in. "And we told you that we were going to fight hard to keep you, and in our gut we knew we have to have you in this competition. Rachel Berry, you're our final top 20." Mary told her.
Rachel froze. "Wait." she began.
Nigel smiled widely up at her. "You're going to the live shows!" Mary yelled out. Rachel just broke down crying and jumped up and down.
"Oh my goodness, thank you so much." Rachel yelled. She rushed down and hugged the judges and ran out the auditorium, she looked around and saw Tina there waiting for her.
"Tina!" Rachel squealed. Tina looked up and smiled, she ran up and tackled Rachel down into a hug. "I made it!" she screamed.
"We made it Rach!" Tina yelled back. Rachel just hugged her hard and kissed her all her face. Tina laughed and did the same thing.
They stood up and grabbed their things and laughed when they saw the camera men staring at them amused. The girls waved goodbye to them and left to find the boys. They arrived and rushed to find them, before they could go into the elevator, the boys walked out, with a huge face and Rachel jumped on the first guy to catch her, which was Matt.
"We made it, did you guys?" Rachel asked excitedly. The boys laughed.
"We did as well, Rach." Mike told them. Rachel let out a squeal and hugged Matt even tighter, Tina hugged Mike and soon they were in the group, "Let's go out and celebrate, cause soon there's no break." Rachel told them. They all agreed and left to shower change.
While Tina showered, Rachel called her dad. "Daddy? Can you out me in speaker phone." she said. She heard the phone go on speaker and heard her dad say hi. "I made it daddies. I'm in the top 20!" she squealed out. She heard her dads go crazy and yell. after a bit of talking, she hung up and smiled.
She laid back for a bit and smiled and rolled over to get ready.
Two part one shot, of SYTYCD meets Glee ;)