A/N: A new fanfic?! Yay! MarleyMarley here with some exciting news! My operation, if you're wondering why I've been gone for long, is because I have some operations to go through in the past and next couple of months. Anyways, for those who are following my other fanfic, I will be continuing the Nemesis Saga after my last operations on June. It will be a long time before I will post stories to that fanfic, but my brother LeoNyxus, will be handling this side of my account and will be writing Glee: Generations and will be posting every first week of the month.
Me and my brother, would like to thank you guys for all the support. Thank you.
- O - O - O - O - O - O -
Tidying her hair and tying it into a ponytail, Rachel Berry, three times Tony winner looked at herself in the mirror with a smile. Another day, another chance at winning a Tony. She had said on last night's interview with Jimmy Kimmel. She puts her hairbrush down and inched her face closer towards the mirror to examine her fair complexion. Her smile broadened with admiration and finally feeling perfect, she turned from the mirror and walked out of her room.
People looked towards her as she exited her trailer. Many of her fans screamed and waved as she walked towards the set of her new TV Series, The History of Us. Her co-actor, Jamie Holland, had been her guide to acting on the silver screen, sure, it was easy in front of live audiences but when there was a camera pointed at her, she had to learn to act without the actual people watching her. Jamie came in to rescue her from reoccurring her humiliation with the Rachel Berry Show, which she never forgave herself for.
She lightly tapped him on the shoulder from behind and he turned to flash her a smile with his pearly-white teeth, perfectly aligned and gleaming. "There you are" he said.
"Sorry I'm late, what's scene are we going to shoot?" she asked as she sat on her chair beside him.
"When Milly, that's you— He reached over on his other side to get a copy of the script and handed it to her. "And Jack, that's me, meet at the café they had grown up going to after two years"
"The old meeting at the café thing, huh" she said nodded to herself as she read the script.
"What?" he looked at her. "You think its cliché?" he looked at her with a grim expression.
"What? No, Jamie, I don't—
He laughed. "I know, I know. I think it's overused too, it's slowly turning into a romance-genre cliché"
She playfully swatted him with her rolled up script. "Stop that" she giggled with his laughter. "But seriously though" she starts. "I've been through a lot of things in life and I have to say, the whole meeting in a café scene isn't that much romantic"
"How would you know?"
"Trust me, I've been to The Lima Bean far too many times to know about coffee and romance… that or I think Lima Bean's just cursed to doom any couple that enters their establishment"
"You serious about that whole Coffee Shop being haunted? Because maybe we can turn it into a TV series too"
"Nah, I was just messing with you"
They both laughed as the director arrived to run them through the scene and their script. After a few minutes of rehearsals and Rachel's pre-scene warm up, they filmed the whole scene within three takes. By the time they finished, it was still early for lunch. Rachel decided to return to her trailer and watch some rerun of her favorite shows. As she surfed the channels, her eyes moved towards the picture frame hanging on the wall just behind the TV. It was the first photo ever taken by McKinley's Glee Club, she remembered how she always wore a headband and skirt and that photo wasn't an exception. She dropped the remote on the couch, something had propelled her to walk towards the picture. She was Mercedes, Tina, Kurt, Artie and Finn next to her. Their smiles brought something from deep inside her and all she could do was smile and let a single tear fall from her eyes.
She quickly went back to the couch and took out her phone. She quickly texted Kurt to see if he and Blaine were available for the weekend. Sadly, three hours later, her phone buzzed and Kurt had replied that he and Blain were in Madrid for a little vacation. She texted Mercedes too, but she was also busy with her fourth album. Tina wasn't an option as she was in Taiwan for some government-related job, Artie was busy finalizing his third major movie and the rest of the club had drifted from her, Santana and Britanny's last message on her on Facebook was about a year ago, Quinn and Puck were someone travelling around the world. She would message Sam, Mike, Kitty, Roderick, Mason, Maddison and Jane if she had their numbers but she realized that they were also busy with their lives.
What was a super-Broadway-star feeling homesick going to do? She paced around her trailer until she remembered Kurt's reply.
We're at Madrid right now, Rachel, I'm sorry we can't be with you this weekend. Blaine treated me for a little vacation here. Let's Skype tonight, around eight, L.A time?
Rachel had meant to reply but she had forgotten about it after reading all the other replied telling her invitation for a weekend getaway was denied. She never thought that fame and Broadway, the very things she had been dreaming about and had finally achieved would also be the reason that rifts are formed between her and her friends. She flopped down on her couch and let the rerun of Scandal go on as she closed her eyes.
"Rachel?" A voice from outside made her raise her head and open her eyes. She walked towards the door before remembering the TV was still open and the picture frame was still in her hands. She quickly threw the photo on the couch and opened the door. Jamie was waiting in front of her trailer's steps. He had paper bags on both hand and gave each a little shake. "Care for some Taco for lunch?" he said with his signature smile.
"Yeah, sure. Hope you got some hot sauce"
"I brought some, don't worry" he said climbing aboard her trailer. He spots the TV playing Scandal and he looked at her as she walked to the little kitchen area of her trailer. "Scandal?"
"I wasn't watching, you actually knocked just as I was going to switch the channel" she said taking out some glass cups from the cupboards. He walked towards the TV to turn it off when he saw the picture frame on the couch. He reached for it just as Rachel turned to place the glasses. "What's this?"
"Oh, uh, that…" Rachel tried to busy herself with the preparations on their lunch but seeing as there wasn't anything to prepare except for glasses she breathed in a deep sigh. "Its an old photo when I was still in high school"
"My god" Jamie started. "Is this the Rachel Berry of New Directions?"
"When it was still starting out, yes, that's me" she sat on her side of the table. "Now, are you going to eat or not?"
"This must be Kurt" he said pointing at the flamboyantly dressed young man. "And this must be Mercedes, and—
"Jamie, I'm starting without you"
Jamie threw the photo on the couch. "Okay, okay" he said. He sat down and gave a quick glance towards the couch. "But we're still not done talking about that photo"
"What's there to talk about?"
"Everything" Jamie said after taking bite out of his taco. "You're Rachel Berry, came from a small beginning and ended up at the top of Broadway and now, here, with me"
Rachel laughed. "Well, I can honestly tell you that being in the New Directions gave me the best and worst memories that I have"
"Best? Like what?"
"Meeting Finn" she quickly answered. "Meeting everyone, for that matter. I won Prom Queen Title, we won Nationals on my last year at McKinley, got to NYADA because of the win. The list goes on, Jamie and I don't think we have time for me to tell you everything about it"
"I don't think winning Nationals got you to NYADA, though. I think you got in because Tibideaux saw the talent in you"
"Well, I guess I owe it to her for giving me this future" she took a big bite before taking a swig of water from her glass.
"That's because I'm right when I say she saw the talent in you, Rachel" Jamie finishes his taco and turns his head towards the couch and photo.
"Thank you for the taco's, Jamie" Rachel finished hers and took the paper plates and threw them in the trash before putting the glasses on the sink.
"What if we go to Ohio for the weekend?"
"Just the weekend? I don't think my schedule would fit in with us traveling back to Lima and then back to L.A in two days"
"The show's going for a five month hiatus on filming while the director fixes some things with the producers, it starts in two months, just after we finish the first season"
"But, I still have a lot of things to—
"Rachel, just see this as an opportunity to go back to your roots, to see how everyone you left there are doing" Jamie flashed her a smile before heading out.
Rachel sat herself on the couch. She turned her head towards the dressing table next to the TV and saw herself in the mirror. She pulled her hair tie and let her hair flow behind her. She was going back to Lima.
- 2 Months Later -
Will Schuester had a problem. Aside from his impending retirement from teaching at McKinley and travelling to London for a new opportunity for the Arts, he was losing his kids. The recent graduating batch of 2025 left the New Directions with only three members. He looked at the blank piece of paper he held in his hands. He tightened his lips into a line, and his fists on the paper. It was time for auditions. He rushed back to the faculty lounge and printed out flyers.
Pinning down the last of the flyers on the front board, Will turned to walk to his class when Rachel appeared around the corner. "Rachel?" the beautiful brunette turned and her face glowed with a smile. She came running towards him and they embraced in a tight hug.
"Mr. Shu—I mean, Will, it's good to see you again, how's Emma and Daniel?"
"They're fine, Emma's at Daniel's school right now, something about a big musical number and he's going to be the lead"
"Oh my god, that's amazing!"
Jamie soon appeared from the corner where Rachel did earlier. Will looked up and saw him walking towards them. "Oh my god, is that Jamie Holland?"
"Nice to meet you Mr. Schuester, Rachel's told me amazing and abundant stories about you. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're her dad"
They chuckled as they shook hands.
"Nice to finally meet the man who's made Rachel's dream come true"
"Nah" said Will. "I was merely there to tell her and all the others to never stop trying. Um, Rachel, Jamie, what are you guys doing here in Lima? Also, just call me Will"
"We're here to relax, we're on a vacation" answered Jamie.
"Wait… are you two?"
"Oh no, Will. We're not dating or anything" Rachel quickly cut in before Jamie could answer him again. "We're just good friends"
"Uh, yeah" added Jamie who seemed to have lost all vigor. "What are you up to later tonight, Will?"
"Why?"
"We were wondering if you, Emma and Daniel cane join us for dinner at the new restaurant where Breadstix was before, what's it called again?" Rachel tapped her temple trying to remember the place's name.
"Della Croix" Will replied. "And we'd be honored to be your guests"
"Okay then. We'll pick you guys up at around seven?" Jamie looked at his watch to confirm the time.
Just as the two were heading out, Rachel notices the paper on the announcement board. It had 'GLEE' and 'AUDITION' on it. She stopped midway and returned to the take a closer inspection. Will was still standing where he was, he too was looking at the piece of paper he had printed earlier.
"You're holding auditions, huh, can we come and watch?" Rachel looked up to her former teacher and coach.
"Yeah, sure. You two are always welcome"
"Oh, thank you, Mr. Shu—Will"
With one last handshake from Jamie and a tight hug from Rachel, Will Schuester waved goodbye to them and walked back to his class. On his way back to Music 101, he had a thought, or rather envisioned vividly a memory. It was their first Nationals win, he could see how happy everyone was, Rachel was on the verge of cry from happiness, Tina was already crying, Artie was spinning his wheelchair around and around, fist bumping the air. Everyone's smiles and faces brought back a rush of joy into him.
He walked in on his class with a smile.
- A few hours later -
Emma held Daniel by his hand. The last time Rachel had seen him, he was still a baby in Will's arms. Will led his mother and son towards her and Jamie's table. Della Croix was much more fancier than Breadstix, candlelit atmosphere, bouquets of flowers on every table, live orchestral band playing classical symphonies. Rachel looked around, she wore a red fitting dress, she had thought back at the hotel if she had overdressed, but looking at all the customers in the restaurant, she was glad she went with the dress instead of the blazer and skirt.
"Good to see you again, Emma" Rachel stood up from her set and hugged her former school psychiatrist. "How's it been?"
"It's been fine, Rachel" she replied with a smile. "And this must be Mr. Holland" she said looking at the stylish young man beside Rachel who wore grey suit and pants matched with a red tie.
"Just call me Jamie, Mrs. Schuester" he said standing up and shaking her hand.
"Please, just Emma will do"
"Okay, then, please, Emma, Will, and…" Jamie looked down at the little boy holding Emma by hand.
"I'm Daniel"
"Well, hello there, Daniel" Jamie smiled at the young boy and it was returned greatly by the boy. "You guys must be hungry, come on and sit. Let's order"
As the night grew darker and longer, Rachel learns a few things about the state of the Glee Club and the entire school for that matter. New Directions had won two Nationals straight in a row, and about Sue's retirement from coaching Vocal Adrenaline and teaching entirely which had given Will and his kids a breather as she constantly breathed down their necks. She also learned about their move to London next year.
"So, what about the club and your job here?"
"As it pains me to say, I have to leave them all behind. Me, Emma and Daniel will be moving to London for my new job, it has high salary, it has a good working environment and with the money I'll earn, I can give Daniel a good private education"
"Who'll be replacing you?" asked Jamie.
"That, I don't know yet"
Rachel sat quiet for a moment as the two men kicked off their conversation about Hollywood, movies, actors and the worst scenes ever played in any movie. Meanwhile, Emma had noticed Rachel's demeanor changing. She gave her former student a nod and a smile before looking towards the restroom.
"Dear, would you mind if Rachel and I go and use the restroom?"
"Oh yes, I actually want to powder up" added Rachel.
"No, go ahead. We'll be waiting here"
The two ladies walked quickly to the restroom located just near the kitchen doors. Upon entering the restroom, Rachel quickly went to the mirror and opened her purse and fished out her powder kit. Emma stood close looking at her face.
"Rachel" she starts. "I don't think Will wants to go to London at all"
"What? Why not?" she looked at her. "If you guys go to London, you'll have a better future than what Lima can offer right now"
"It's not that. It's his job, it might be concerned about making music but I don't think his passion really lies there, it's here, with the Glee club and I believe he's just going there for us"
"And he should" Rachel clamps close her kit and hands it over to Emma who declines. "You and Daniel are his passion now, Em, and he's doing this for you guys and maybe its whats best for the Glee club too"
"That they get another coach?"
"No, it's that, I think it's better if they have a new fresh pace"
There was a moment of silence between the two of them. Rachel returned her powder kit in her purse. "All I'm saying is, Em, Will's doing this because he loves you guys and what do you know, maybe going to London would set off a new adventure for you guys there"
- Meanwhile -
"So, what's the deal with you and Rachel?" asked Will as Daniel's plate of ice cream dessert arrived. He knew his son was going to be busy with the ice cream that he wouldn't disturb their conversation and went ahead and asked the question.
Jamie, caught off by Will, chokes on the piece of lava cake he had just swallowed. He washed down the hot chocolate with some water and coughed. "Excuse me?"
"I saw your reaction earlier when she said you were just friends. I've dealt a lot of these things in my years of teaching kids, so you can't really hide it from me"
"There's nothing between us, Will. I'm just a friend and co-actor of Rachel, nothing less, nothing more"
"Because she doesn't want it to be more than what it already is?"
"I don't know really. I mean, I—
Before he could finish his answer the two had returned. Will and Jamie met gazes and continued finishing their dessert. It was about ten when they parted ways, but before they did, Will had told Rachel about the date of the auditions. It was two days from when he had posted the flyers. It would be exactly on the same date that Rachel had auditioned for Glee club.
On their way back to their car. Jamie turned and asked Rachel,
"So, how's your first day here in Lima?"
"It feels… like I'm going to throw up" she said. They laughed and Jamie took out something from his pockets. "What's that?"
"Oh, this? It's my inhaler"
"You have asthma?"
"Yeah, only a few people know about this" Jamie notices Rachel's sudden lack of vigor and joy. "Is there something wrong?"
"What, oh no, no, nothing's wrong" Rachel was deep in thought about what had Emma said earlier and it had made her think too much about things and memories kept resurfacing about Finn, it was natural for Jamie's question to catch her off guard. "Everything's fine"
Jamie looked at her for a moment before shrugging. "Okay, so mind if I take a couple of huffs?" he shook the inhale in the air. "I really need it"
"Go ahead"
Rachel walked to the car and sat in the front passenger seat. She took a deep breath watching Jamie turn and use his inhaler. There were a million things going on inside her mind, mostly were memories but the talk she had with Emma, was it really her? Or did she just said those words to comfort Emma? She wasn't so sure herself, she was happy for them to move to London, but on the other hand, something tore up inside her every time she replayed Will's announcement. She shook her head just as Jamie entered the car. "You sure you're okay?" he asked seeing her almost teary-eyed.
"No… No, I'm not" she said letting tears fall. Jamie moved closer and took her into his arms. Rachel accepted him and gripped the fabric of his suit, the grey color turned black from her tears. "I thought, maybe—maybe if I go back here, everything's just as when I left it, but then when we first arrived and the very—very moment I stepped—out of the plane, I—I knew everything was different"
"Do you want to go back to L.A? I mean, I can probably book a flight tomorrow morning if you want" he offered patting her on the back. He could feel her shaking her head against his chest.
"No, I want to at least see the club" she pulled free from his arms and wiped her eyes. "I'm sorry for the outburst, Jamie"
"It's okay. People need to have an outlet for these kinds of things" There was a moment when their eyes met. Looking at her, he saw her eyeliner was slowly running down her cheeks. He took his handkerchief and wiped the ink away. "Let's get back to the hotel"
"Actually, I want to go somewhere first. If it's okay with you?"
"Yeah, sure. Where are we going?"
"The cemetery. I just want to see him for a couple of minutes"
"Cemetery, okay. Got it, but I suggest to wait that for tomorrow, I mean, don't get me wrong, but have you not watched any horror movie involving the undead and cemeteries? Zombie come out at night"
Rachel looked at him with a little confused face. He shook his head and smiled. "You know, Rachel Berry, sometimes, you just don't get the joke" he says as he reversed out of their spot and drove past Della Croix's front doors.
The cemetery was quiet, Jamie felt cold air snap at his face as he followed Rachel into a large field full of headstones. There were crosses, large decorated ones and even an angel statue at the far end of the field near the forest where the cemetery ended. Rachel walked past a few forgotten tombstones and stopped just in front of a small, granite headstone.
"Hi, Finn" she said as she flopped towards the ground. She took out a small lighter and lit the candles she had brought with her. "I miss you"
Jamie looked out towards the end of the field. He could see another couple on a headstone, the woman was crying hard as the man took her into his arms. Aside from the four of them, there weren't anyone else, just them and trees that had spurted just near the middle of the open space. The wind howled again and it got colder by the moment but Rachel didn't seem fazed by the cold or even spooked by the atmosphere.
"I'm going to be here in Lima for a few months, I can visit you from time to time, okay? I even brought a good friend along. Finn, this is Jamie Holland, he's my co-actor for my new TV show"
Rachel looked up to him and Jamie did an small wave of his hands. "Hi, Finn. I know I didn't get to meet you in person, but Rachel's told me a lot of stories about you, and all I got to say is, you're one awesome dude"
Rachel chuckled. "Yeah, he was. We have to go now, Finn. It's getting too late. I'll come by from time to time, okay?"
Jamie helped her stand up and they walked back towards the car. He sees her looking back from time to time, the candle's flame blew out before they could even leave the area.
- 2 days later -
"Kurt, I know I promised to visit Lima with you but you were the one who flew off into Spain… yes, I know, I promised… but Jamie paid for it and I couldn't refused… yeah, I—Okay.. Okay, okay, I said okay already… No, I'm not leaving until you guys get here, we'll be here for two months… yep, that's how long our director gave us as a vacation… of course, okay, say hi to Blaine for me. Bye"
Rachel placed her phone down after Kurt's call ended. She was still sitting in her car in McKinley's parking lot when it buzzed again. It was Will texting her where she was and that the audition was about to begin. She replied with a quick 'On my way' message before leaving her car, double checking if it was locked and running off towards the auditorium. Jamie would've come if he hadn't drank too much last night at the local bar. He was still passed out when Rachel left the hotel. It took three minutes of constant knocking for her to wake him up and then he'd passed out again just as she explained where she was going. She was sure he didn't get any of the things she said to him.
The last period for the morning was over and it was a few minutes to lunchtime. Will had decided to hold two separate auditions times for the day, thirty minutes before lunch and a full two hour audition time later afternoon. Rachel had just opened the door when the first kid of many hopeful kids stepped down from the stage. It was evident in her face that she was disappointed that she couldn't see the kid perform. Will turned his head when he noticed a lot of the kids were looking past him and towards the back of the auditorium.
"Rachel, glad you could make it, where's Jamie?"
"Asleep in his hotel room" she said walking down one of the aisle towards the center half of seats. "He had too much last night"
"Well, it's a shame he's not here because I have a good feeling there's going to be some talent in this bunch"
"You got me on the very first audition" she agreed.
"You bet you I did"
They both laughed as Will showed her to a seat next to his. On the table in front of them were two sheets of paper filled with names. One had been crossed out already. Jimmy Stock. He was the first one to audition. Will reached over and read the names on the list.
"Mr. Jackson Dakota, you're up" Will announced in the microphone in front of him.
There was a scuffling of feet and murmurs of excuse me's and sorry's. A tall dark skinned young man approached the stage stairs in a hurry. Rachel noted he wore a gray hoodie opened in the middle to reveal a Black Sabbath tee-shirt and paired with dark blue pants. The young man, Jackon, took center stage and grabbed the microphone on the stand.
"Uh… um, I'm Jackson Dakota and I'll be auditioning with… uh… um… Without Those Songs by The Script"
The lights behind the curtains above him dimmed and only a single spot of beam illuminated the stage. It focused on him as the instrumental for the song began. The entire auditorium simmered to a faint few voices whispering in the dimness of the room. Rachel could see Will's face turned full on concentrated into listening at the notes, at every beat of the song, at every Oh's and Ah's of any person who auditioned for the club. In that moment, in that very second, she saw what Emma talked about, Will wasn't ready to give up the club. It was evident that he still holds the club as a priority, because it is his dream to see kids reach their dreams and maybe, Rachel realized, that dream never changed.
Would Dylan be just a poet?
Would Bono ever know it without those songs?
Hm
Would Marley be just a stoner?
Johnny Cash just be a loner without those songs?
Hm
Would Buddy Holly have disappeared?
Or would Lennon still be here without those songs?
Yeah yeah
What happened in their lives?
What happened in their hearts?
To make them want to write the words
Gonna tear this world apart
The beauty of their lives
Is when they're dead and gone
The world still sings along
When anything went right
When anything went wrong
They put it in a songOoh
Ooh
When anything went right
When anything went wrong
They put it in a song
Oh who would make us sing
And where would we all be without those songs
Without those songs
The auditorium remained silent for a moment. Jackson had hit the right notes for both highs and lows. His voice was strong and full, vibrant but not too overpowering, it had carried a mellowness that Rachel couldn't explain. It was somehow relaxing to listen to his voice as he sang.
The lights turned on once again and there was a wave of applause from all the watchers and other auditioning students. Jackson looked at the clapping faces in front of him, sweat had built up on his face while he saw, scared of messing it up but when he didn't he smiled. Rachel saw that glimmer in the young man's eyes. She knew Will had seen it too. And she definitely knew that Jackson was going to be a part of the club.
"He's incredible, Will" said Rachel as he looked up at the paper again.
"He certainly is" he agreed, putting a small check beside Jackson's name. "Care to announce the next name?" he looked at her and gave the piece of paper.
Rachel looked down at the piece and moved closer to the microphone protruding from the table. "Ms. July Dawson, you're up"
There was another set of hurrying footprints and Rachel saw a girl run past her side of the seats. The girl was holding the hands of another young man. Rachel tilted her head, they looked much like each other. The duo reached the top of the stage and she lightly tapped the microphone.
"I'm July Dawson" the girl introduced. She was beautiful, she reminded Rachel of one Quinn Fabray. Golden curls hugging her heart-shaped face, thin lips and strong eyebrows. "I'm here to audition with my twin brother, if that's okay with you Mr. Schuester"
"I'm okay with that. Can I know your name?" he spoke over the microphone.
"I'm Chad Dawson" the young man spoke. He had golden-brown hair, Rachel noted his complexion to be slightly darker than his sister's fair white. He had a straighter nose, the same strong eyebrows and thin lips. He had a dimple when he smiled on his left cheek.
"Well, July and Chad, what will you be auditioning with?" asked Rachel.
"We're going to be singing Love Me Like That by Michelle Branch"
"Featuring Sheryl Crow" whispered Rachel to Will, who nodded.
July
Well you stole my heart
And I'll get it back
But look me in the eye babe
Tell me why ya gonna love me like that
Why ya gonna love me like that
July (Chad)
Well I've walked this world (walked this world)
Five times or more
And after all this walking babe (walking babe)
You still got me crawlin on the floor
(crawlin on the floor)
And I know this world keeps on turning
Keeps me yearning (keeps me yearning)
Chad
How can you turn and walk away
Pretending everythings okay?
How can you turn your back?
Tell me why ya gonna love me like that
Why ya gonna love me like that?
July and Chad
I might not believe me baby
Don't lead me on
With loving like yours
Believe me I'm better off,
I'm better off alone
Chad
Well I was your gypsy
Throwing diamonds at your feet
Drifted around you like a satellite
I gave you everything you need
Everything you need
July
I know this world keeps on turning
Chad
Keeps me yearning and yearning
July (Chad)
How can you turn and walk away (walk away)
Pretending everything's okay (okay)
How can you turn your back (turn your back… ohh!)
Tell me why you love me like that
Why you (Why you)
How can you just break away (away… yeah)
Why can't you find the words to say
Love is something you can't forget
Tell me why you love me like that
Why you love me like that (love me like that)
Chad (July)
How can you throw us away (throw us away)
Look at what you lost today (lost… oh)
Now everything's a shade of gray (shades of gray)
Now you're pushing me away
Say all the things you need to say
Thought we were going all the way (all the way)
Play all the games you want to play
Sooner we'll stay away (sooner)
The performance was quite stunning. Chad in his loose fitted tee-shirt with a guitar and July in her 'innocent' jacket and skirt playing the piano. Their rendition of the song with jus the two instruments fitted their voice perfectly. July carried a sweet, honey voice that flowed soothely alongside his brother's husky, country-deep voice. They complimented each other's voices and actions.
Rachel looked down at the paper. Will had checked three names so far.
The lunch bell rang, signaling the end of the first part of the auditions. There were a lot of aww's in the crowd as it dispersed back into the school's halls. Rachel and Will waited until every student had left. They soon left, heading for the faculty where Rachel was introduced by Will to the new faculty. The dozen new faces she had to remember were overwhelming, they were all nice and grateful that she visited. She couldn't help but blush from all the compliments she received from both the older and younger faculty members.
"What do you want?" one of the younger staff asked her as he peered into the fridge. "We got some casserole from Mrs. Priya and some Italian pasta that I forgot to pronounce from Mr. Mizuki"
"I'm fine, thank you. I'm actually just waiting for a friend"
Jamie had just woken up from his drunken stupor and read Rachel's note she left on his dresser. He was still unsure how she got in into his room. Quickly taking a shower and getting dressed, Jamie made his way down the lobby of the hotel. There he was greeted a nice day by the bellboys and the receptionist at the counter. He quickly hopped into a cab, shortly forgetting that they used Rachel's rental car to go to Della Croix a few nights ago. He made a mental note of renting one as well since they would be staying longer than a week in Ohio.
Just as the cab stopped front of McKinley, Jamie noticed a few football team members kicking a curled up kid just near the parking lot. "Hey!" he shouted as he ran off towards them. Majority of the team left running while at least three stayed to face him.
"That's physical abuse, I can have you in jail for doing that!" he shouted.
"Yeah? So what, my dad's a lawyer, he can get me out of that dump before I can stay a night in there. Besides, dude, this little shit—
Before the bold haired kid could finish his sentence, he was knocked down from behind by the kid they were hurting earlier. The other two were taken a back from the speed of the events. They were frozen for a moment not knowing what to do. Jamie shook his head as he tried to pry off the two kids from hurting each other.
"What is going on here?!" another voice echoed from behind them.
All five of them turned towards the voice. A gorgeous woman with a sleek slender build walked towards them, her brunette bobcat hair swayed as she moved, her red lush lips glisten with gloss.
"Seriously, you guys can't stop fighting. Can you?"
"Mrs. Ro—
"Shut up, Craig" she snapped before the blonde kid could protest. "I want all four of you back into my office and I want to hear this story straight, not like the last one where you tried to pin your pathetic loss at the game to poor Ares who still hasn't return to school"
The three jocks looked at each other but didn't move. The curled up kid earlier stood behind Jamie. From what he saw, the kid was larger than the three, he was packing muscle under his Hockey jersey and was quiet tall for a teenager. Jamie was a little baffled why he didn't fought back.
"And you" said the woman walking towards Jamie. "What were you thinking just jumping into a fight with kids, you'll be the one in the receiving end for that 'Physical Abuse' threat you pulled out earlier if you laid even a single—
"I wasn't trying to jump in on the fight, I was trying to break it"
"Jump in, break it, it's all the same with this bunch of idiots" she sighed and looked around, one of the dumpsters were tipped over, garbage littered the ground everywhere. "Kids these days either don't know the value of good morale or just chooses to ignore it"
"Look, I can see you're a faculty here, do you mind if—
"You help me get this big lump of metal upright again?" she interfered and started hauling the dumpster by its edge. She looked up at him. "What? Don't just stand there, get your ass on the other side and help me"
Her voice didn't show it but she commanded Jaime. It was this feature that she suddenly got stuck inside Jaime's head and forced him to help her. Besides, what kind of man let women lift heavy stuff alone? Not a gentleman, Jaime thought.
"Jaime?" Another voice ringed out and they both turned. Rachel was walking towards them. "Mrs. Roland, what are you doing here?"
"Just putting things back in order" she said dusting her hands together. "A bunch of unruly kids tipped this dumpster here, while they were creating chaos… also your buddy here seems to like joining in on the party"
Rachel looked at Jaime who shook his head. "No, I was just trying to stop them"
"Now, if you excuse me, I have some jerk-weeds to talk to" Mrs. Roland stormed off into the school's rear entrance. There was a faint dramatic, thunderous background music being heard from the halls as she walked in.
"Poor kid" started Jaime. "He was just fighting back"
"What do you mean?" asked Rachel as she dusted off his shirt.
"When I arrived here, there was these kids from the football team ganging up on a member of the Hockey team"
"Football and Hockey" she started. "In McKinley, those two sports always fight"
"Group versus group that much I understand, but kicking the shit out of one person as a whole team, I don't think that's fair at all"
"Let's just get—
"You said Sue Sylvester stopped the bullying in McKinley, then why am I clearly seeing signs of it?"
"There young man, you are correct"
Rachel and Jaime both turned around and saw an older Sue Sylvester who was still sporting a tracksuit of blue, red and white. "Sue?"
"Nice to see you again Jewish snap trap, I wanted to go to your Tony award ceremony to boo and hiss at you, but these fragile bones have made me more weaker than Superman being fed with green glowing rocks"
"I don't see you using any cane or support" replied Rachel. "And what are you doing here, weren't you banned from McKinley ten years ago?"
She nodded to her words. "I was, but after a few harassing calls to the superintendent and state officials on the school district's boards, I was able to get that ban off of me and passed down to poor Mrs. Johnsons, may her soul rest in peace"
"I'm still alive you monster!" shouted a voice from just a few yards away.
The three looked towards that direction to see Mrs. Johnson in her wheelchair being wheeled by police officers.
"And you keep trying to get in, Ha!"
"What are you up to now Sue?"
"Nothing" she nonchalantly shrugs and points behind Rachel. "But, you're friend over there might"
Rachel turned, a little confused, and saw Jaime heading towards the entrance of McKinley. "Jaime, stop. What are you doing?!" she ran off shouting for him to stop.
Principal Vivian Roland was just about to smack her palm on her desk to quiet the noise the football team in her office when Jaime stormed in. The entire room died to a silence, the two grownups met gazes and exclaimed "you again" at the same time.
"Well excuse you for barging in" she stands up and looks behind him and the group. Rachel runs in after him and grabs hold of his arm.
"I'm sorry for letting him barge in"
"Rachel, it's you, what a surprise" she said in a mocking, sarcastic joke.
"Hey! Don't disrespect her like that!" Jaime shouted. "And I'm not here to cause any trouble, I just want to hear about the verdict for these jerks" he said looking around at the smug faces of the football team.
"They're free to go" said Roland as she paced around behind her table, looking at old pictures frames on top of the filing cabinets and cabinet.
"Free to go?! What kind of a principal are you?!"
"The one who listens to both sides of the story, it would appear that Mr. Ackerman was the first to swing a fist at the team"
"That kid?" Jaime looked behind him and saw the kid sitting on the far end of the couch. "He was on the ground when I got there, don't tell me you believe these… these pricks?!"
"I do" Roland slammed the book in her hands on the desk. "And don't use vulgar words like that in my office, Mr. Holland"
"I can't believe these kind of jerks get away with the shit—
"Mr. Holland!"
"Dude, Shit's about—
"Mr. Decker!" cut Roland who gave a menacing look at the darkly skinned student.
"Mr. Holland, with due respect…" Ackerman started. Jaime and Rachel both turned and saw him stand up. He was taller than the rest of them. Rachel saw a little bit of Finn inside of him, but the way he carried himself, full of pride and a carefree attitude was so different from Finn. "You're not supposed to be butting in on our personal issues"
"Excuse me?" Jaime sounded, and looked, surprised. "Man, I'm trying my best to defend you here, cut me some slack"
"How can you defend someone you don't even know?" asked the blond, ringleader of the group. Jaime met eyes with him. Jaime instantly hated the kid's guts, with the smug smirk and vanity he carried in his posture, it made him sick.
"Can all of you get out? NOW!" ordered Roland and the student quietly piled out. "You too, Mr. Holland"
"This isn't over, Roland. I want—
"You can't do anything, that smug little 'prick' you just went eye-to-eye with is the son of the head chairman for the school district council"
"So? He still—
"Who funds the school's extracurricular activities and some academics as well"
"Wait, what?" it was Rachel's turn to sound surprised. "I thought McKinley had a solid fund from all of its social interactive activities"
"I did, until Jake Weber, former student here, filed a law suit about some crazy notion of one of the coaches here harassing him in the park. He said something about her wearing a tracksuit"
"Sue" Rachel breathed under her breath.
"In any case, may you two also get out? I'm starting to get a headache from just looking at you"
Rachel turned but Jaime stayed.
"Get out or I will haul your ass out of this office and I promise you, I came from Texas and it won't be a pretty sight for a celebrity like you being kicked in ass by some Ohio school principal"
"Maybe you can't do anything about it, but maybe I can"
"Good luck to you, then bub" she sat back down and busied herself with her other work on her laptop.
Jaime sat on the last line on the bleachers, Rachel sat beside him as they watched the football team practice, his eyes kept following the blonde haired kid, the quarterback. Jaime made no sound and focused solely on that one person. Rachel looked around and saw the Ackerman kid sitting just a few rows in front of them. She followed his line of sight and found the cheerleading team on the track practicing their routine.
"That wasn't very like you" she started. When he didn't answer back she gave him a slight shake by the shoulder.
"Uh… um, what?" was his response.
"I said, you were acting a little bit too forceful earlier"
"Oh yeah, I'm sorry about that"
Rachel looked back towards the field. She saw Ackerman stand up and walk down towards the cheerleaders and at the same time, the football team's quarterback diverged from the team meeting and was walking towards Ackerman's path. "This can't be good" she said. She nudged Jaime,
"I know" he said. "I'll just watch for now"
"What happened?"
"What do you mean?" he asked. Their eyes didn't leave the incoming scene.
"You snapped in there, I want to know why"
He didn't answer.
The quarterback player stopped Ackerman from walking. Rachel couldn't hear it but she was sure he was saying nasty things by the way he moved his arms, she was reading his words through his actions. "Seriously, what is this guy's problem?"
"That's the thing, he doesn't. Judging by what that useless principal said earlier, he's rich, good looking and the star player, a snotty kid like that doesn't have problems but instead causes some for others… I don't hear what they're talking about"
"Wait… why are you standing up? I thought you said you were just going to watch"
"I just can't sit here and do nothing, I can't let anyone go through what he went through"
"Wait, who?"
Jaime didn't answer but instead walked off towards the two. Other students have already started to gather a few yards from them, no teachers were present. Rachel bit her lower lip, she followed close behind Jaime. "This is a bad idea, Jamie" He didn't reply.
A redheaded cheerleader walked just between the two and faced the quarterback. She started saying some things Rachel wasn't still able to hear as they were still a few yards away but the shouting that ensued was something very audible. Jaime started for a run and Rachel, with her four inch heels had to walk faster to catch up but was ultimately left in behind as Jaime stopped just a few feet from the football player.
Just before she could shout something, Ackerman grabs Jaime by the shoulder just as the quarterback shot off a punch, his fist hits the other kid by the shoulder and chaos ensued as Jaime was thrown to the grown.