IMPORTANT NOTE: This fanfic was written a few years ago, and I have changed my writing style a lot since then. I cringe a bit when I look back at this, but I still take pride in it being the first fanfic I ever finished. Maybe I will get around to re-writing it, but until then, I keep this up to remind myself how far I've come. I am not writing anymore Glee fanfics at the moment, but if you guys want to keep up with me, you can find me on my new account: Theatricals.

Pity and Promise

Rated: T (for language)

Pairing(s): Faberrittana, Finchel (implied)

Disclaimer: I do not own Glee or any of the songs used in this story.

Summary: The gang notices Rachel's change, but they might not find it to be as negative as they first thought. Only over time will they realize this is more than an act. She refuses to let them help. Now Quinn, Santana, and Brittany start taking matters into their own hands.

A/N: This is an idea I wanted to play around with. I like jumping between stories and trying different ideas. Please review. c:


For once, all eyes were on the man in the front of the room as he wrote quickly on the whiteboard. Most of the students looked bored and tired, though they still managed to pay attention.

When the teacher had finished, he spun around to face them. "Heart." He said, pointing to the bolded letters he had written. Most of them stared blankly back and even then it wasn't a surprise to Will.

"Now, I am sure most of you understand that heart and passion plays a big part in each song. If there's no emotion, there's no performance."

The glee kids still hadn't said a word, so he continued. "So for this week's assignment, you have to find a song that not only shows heart, but brings out your emotions too."

The first person to speak up was Santana. "Mr. Schue, we know you're just trying to help us perform better, but the fact is that this is super cheesy and predictable."

"I agree." Mercedes said, with Kurt giving a nod and a half-smile next to her. Puck and Quinn looked like they agreed as well. The rest of the glee club was either still distracted or silently nodding.

"Why do you say that?" Will asked. He tried to make his voice even, because with every assignment he gave there were disagreements and, sometimes, trips to Mr. Figgins' office.

Santana spoke again. "Besides everyone in here being completely boring and predictable, it's annoying to hear the same thing over and over. Especially if Berry is given the chance to be more annoying than she already is." Finn sent her a glare though Rachel barely responded.

"That may be, Santana, but songs relating to the assignment will also prepare us for Nationals."

"Still, Mr. Schue, you pretty much know what everyones' going to sing." Quinn agreed.

"I'd bet you twenty that Berry is going to pick some crappy love song to sing to Finn." Santana loudly whispered to Britanny, who giggled a little.

"Then try something different." Will became impatient. "To mix things up, maybe we can try artists we haven't done, or go with songs that wouldn't be expected."

"Whatever." Santana rolled her eyes, only to pick up her bag after the bell rang.

The glee kids started to leave, with Rachel telling Finn that she'd be out after she got her things together. With a quick kiss on her cheek, Finn left Rachel alone to organize her things with Will getting the sheet music together.

Even though they had been alone before, Will felt uneasy with the unusual silence that remained. He was used to Rachel constantly talking, and although she didn't look ill, something seemed... off.

"Rachel, are you okay?" His voice was quiet, but he was able to get her attention away from sorting her papers.

"I'm fine, Mr. Schue." He was surprised that her voice cracked.

"What's wrong with your voice?" Was his response. It sounded that maybe she strained it, which wasn't uncommon-he remembered her losing her voice last year and it didn't last long. But that along with how things seemed off was not enough to comfort him.

"I lost it during the weekend. It just started to come back so I've avoided using it." Even if the excuse seemed logical, he couldn't help but stare at the dark look in her eyes or the blank expression she wore.

He wanted to ask her more, but he wasn't going to push unless something bad was brought to his attention. Of course Rachel might seem depressed at the loss of her voice. She was a mess last time, complaining and yelling about how her voice was everything. Most of the glee club disliked her attitude just for that reason, and it got to Will sometimes, but her silence made him worry. For now, maybe it would be good not to jump to conclusions.

"Oh, okay. Well you better rest up then. We need to start rehearsing and I want you up and singing in the next few days." His smile was genuine and hid his concerns, and he was glad that she gave him a small smile before she left the room.

Something was definately off, he realized. He replayed the last minute once more. One thing anyone could notice is that she wasn't wearing her normal attire, she was simply wearing black skinny jeans, a white blouse and a black cover up jacket. Formal wear, something that he was not used to seeing.

He got up from his chair and poked his head out the door. Finn was waiting by some lockers for Rachel, and all he did was watch the teen walk over to her boyfriend. She said a few words to Finn, gave him a quick kiss, and then walked to her class alone. Finn seemed as numb as Will, because he watch his girlfriend walk down the hall with an utterly confused look on his face.

Will caught Finn's eye, and they both looked at each other without anything being said. They both knew something. Maybe nothing was wrong, but it was clear something was different. A few days might give them a clue to what was going on with Rachel Berry.