I don't own Glee or the character, because if I did things would be a little different!
Rachel's shoulders sagged just as bit when she saw the sign being posted in the hallway. Prom was two weeks away and the school was buzzing with rumors of who was running for King and Queen. She hadn't wanted to believe the whispers, but it was hard to ignore now as she stared at the poster hanging on the wall. A large picture of Quinn adorned the sign followed by the words "Quinn and Finn for the Win. Prom 2011 King and Queen".
"Isn't that some shit?" Puck snorted, stopping next to Rachel and staring at Quinn's smiling picture.
"I'm not worried about it Noah. Prom is extremely overrated anyways, compared to many of the social gatherings I will attend once I'm on Broadway." Rachel huffed, turning on her heels and walking towards her locker. Puck hurried to catch up with her.
"You can't be serious, Berry? You're not planning on going to prom?" he asked. She stopped at her locker and turned to face Puck.
"While you all are free to partake in the inappropriate grinding and spiked punch, I will be dining on Chinese take out and watching The Way We Were." Rachel frowned.
"Did anyone ask you to go yet?" Puck asked, waggling his eyebrow. Rachel bowed her head and scuffed her ballet flat on the floor.
"Besides Jacob? No." Rachel whispered. Deep down she had hoped Finn would finally come to his senses and ask her. She had daydreamed about their prom night many times while they were dating. She pictured him placing her corsage on her wrist, while her dad's snapped pictures. She could almost feel him place his hand on the small of her back and walk her towards his mom's car. He would whisk her off to her favorite vegan restaurant for dinner, after which they would slow dance as close as possible for the rest of the evening.
"…don't think he has a date yet. Want me to ask him?" Puck's words interrupted her thoughts.
"I'm sorry Noah, what did you just say? You want to me to go to prom with you?" Rachel asked, eyes widening.
"While I'm flattered you'd want to accompany this fine Jew to prom, I've already asked Lauren." he ran his hand across the side of his head and cocked an eyebrow. " I was talking about Evans. All the shit he's been through with Quinn, I kinda feel sorry for the punk."
"So you want me to be his sympathy date?" Rachel asked, genuine shock plastered all over her face.
"That's not what I meant. Damn Berry, you have a way with twisting words." Puck sighed. "I just thought that since neither of you had a date yet, you know, maybe you could go together." He shrugged and adjusted his backpack on his shoulder. "I'll catch you in Glee." And with that he was gone.
Rachel's gaze followed him down the hall and continued to stare well after Puck had disappeared. She had barely spoken five words to Sam since he had joined Glee and now Puck was suggesting she accompany him to a dance. She certainly didn't want to be anyone's pity date, however the idea of wearing a magnificent dress and having a cute young man on her arm seemed even more appealing. A smile broadened across her face for the first time that day.
Only a handful of her fellow Glee club members were in the choir room when she entered. She spotted Sam sitting next to Mike, both laughing and pointing at a piece of paper in Mike's hand. The seat on the other side of Sam was empty, so Rachel glided over and took a seat. She flipped her hair over her shoulder ceremoniously, hoping Sam would notice her. He continued to chat with Mike, oblivious to any movement she was making. She tapped her foot nervously, clearing her throat lightly.
"Uh, hey Sam." Rachel leaned just slightly in her seat towards Sam. He spun around to face her when he heard his name.
"Oh, hi Rachel." His eyes were trying to read her face. She hardly spoke to him and he wondered why she was making an effort now.
"I, um, was…" Rachel twirled her hair nervously and tried to make eye contact with him. This was a lot harder than she thought. "I was wondering if…." She swallowed hard and realized her lips were terribly dry. "…if you would like to go to prom with me?"
She quickly averted her eyes and waited for the sting of his rejection. I should've known better, Rachel thought. Why would he want to go to prom with me? He's probably laughing on the inside, dying to run and tell his football friends about how Rachel Berry had the nerve to ask him to prom.
"Wow, um sure. That would be great." Sam smiled. Rachel's head snapped up and she met Sam's gaze.
"Really?" Rachel's voice faltered just slightly.
"Yeah, why not?" Sam said. "But wait, that means I've got to wear a suit, right?"
"That's usually they way it works." she giggled.
"I suppose I could manage for one night." he smiled, as Mr. Schue sauntered into the room to begin rehearsals for Regionals.
Please review…they feed my muse and keep me going. Thanks!