Pairing:Cassandra July/Rachel Berry
Rating:T
Spoiler:Season 4, Episode 2
A/N:The story takes place just after S4E02. I'd like to explore an eventual Julyberry ~~true romance~~
Brochel who?
My apologies for the mistakes, English is not my native language. Also first story evah so I'd like to know what you think. Let's gettin started!

XXX

"For God's sake Kurt, please!"

It was late, she was tired and her back hurt her like hell. But she wasn't ready to give up, her routine has to be perfect for tomorrow's dance class.

"Sorry Rachel, I am really trying there!" his voice was higher- pitched than usual. Frustrated, he let go of her hand.

"One last time I promise I-"

"Rachel… It's almost 2AM, I have to be up at 6 for work" he sighted, heading to the stereo that was playing the same music since the last hour. "I'm sorry I'm really tired…"

She exhaled loudly and shacked her head, realizing she was getting out of line. She turned off the stereo herself and gave Kurt a quick hug. "Excuse me… Miss July just allowed me to have a dance partner and I am so, so late on this routine I- …. I just don't want to disappoint her, its feel like she just warming up to me you know"

Kurt patted her gently. "Rachel, this woman is crazy loca. Don't let her get to you" he stroked her cheek with affection, speaking softly "You'll kill it tomorrow, okay?" She agrees. "Well, now I'm going to bed… I would like to avoid dark rings before 35"

Rachel smiled and lifted herself on her toes, kissing him goodnight.

XXX

Unfortunately for Rachel, Kurt was far away from the truth. Not only she wasn't killing it, but the worst thing that could happened to her just…Happened.

She fell.

She hadn't just stumbled; she fell on her back, in all her glory. Her tango partner just looked at her, incredulous.

Rachel heard her classmate's sneers, unpleasant melody which she was used to. She closed her eyes, trying to calm down and waiting for the sentence.

"Please Schwimmer, tell me you're doing this on purpose"

Rachel cringed at the surname that her teacher doesn't seem tired to use.

"Sorry Miss July I-"

As she was getting herself up, she stopped dead in her tracks.

Cassandra July held out her hand. To her. Rachel 'Schwimmer' Berry. She hesitated a second, like she had to be sure the gesture was really for her, and then, she slipped her hand in hers. It was warm and almost welcoming.

Rachel was surprised, both by Cassandra strength and by the fact that she wasn't letting go of her hand.

Miss July snapped her fingers. "Music"

Gotan Project filled the room and Rachel felt like her legs were close to betray her once again as she understood what was going to happen.

"Miss, I-I don't know if…" her voice died in her throat as Cassandra took a firm hold on her hips. Their bodies were now way too close.

"Shut up and dance"

Rachel practiced this routine dozens and dozens times with Kurt. But it wasn't her uptight friend anymore. It was a professional. A beautiful and talented professional that she was desperately trying to impress –or at least, content- since the first day.

"I gave you a second chance Schwimmer, don't waste it" Cassandra whispered in Rachel's ear, who had wide eyes with apprehension. She thought about their little conversation that happened here, a few days ago. "We are the future and you're just some YouTube joke" Rachel will be lying if she said she didn't enjoyed this moment, hurting her teacher back, after weeks of humiliation. But it didn't last long. Remorse overwhelmed her because she wasn't that kind of person, and she doesn't want to become one of them.
At Rachel surprise, Miss July afforded her a new opportunity despite their argument, and the younger girl wanted to prove she deserved it. Badly.

"I lead" Cassandra stared at her with an atrocious intensity, nodded imperceptibly, and the routine began.

2 steps behind, one forward, she let go of Rachel hand, lazily stroking her forearm as she began turning around her. Rachel felt goose bumps assaulting her skin, but she tried really hard to concentrate. She mimicked her, her own hand on Cassandra's shoulder.

"Look at me Schwimmer, you're not trying to seduce the wall"

Rachel did so, hopping her discomfort wasn't too obvious. Their hands joined again and they lowered simultaneously, one leg stretched apart. Their bodies met again with a strange liveliness, like they were parted for too long.

"The first thing you have to understand, it's all about sex"

Rachel didn't know if she was succeeding at this or not, because when those icy blue eyes fell in hers, she felt like a baby who just learned to walk. She desperately wanted to prove her teacher she can be sexy enough for this damn tango, so she gathered her though and focused on her next move.

Certain that this time she wasn't going to land on the floor, Rachel sprang and hooked her right leg around Cassandra's pelvis, making them turning on themselves. She let her torso fell back slowly, playing with her long brown hair before returning in her previous position. But this time, closer. Their faces were inches apart.

It was at this point that Rachel stop hearing the music. Her heartbeat was harassing her temple and the only things she could focus on was the breathing of her partner, bumping against her cheek, and the smell of her wild blond hair. Something floral, sweet and strong at the same time, Rachel couldn't put her finger on it.

The bell announcing the end of the class and her schoolmate running out of the studio like it was on fire took Rachel out of her daydream. She stood still in the middle of the studio while Cassandra was already far away, taking out of her bag an opaque little bottle. Rachel looked at her, drinking with eyes closed and slightly frowning. She guessed it wasn't sparkling water.

"Not that bad Scwhimmer…" she wiped the corner of her mouth slowly "Even if a baby penguin would have been sexier"

Rachel smiled.

XXX

"Hello?"

"Brody? It's Rachel, am I bothering you?" she stuck her cellphone between her hear and her shoulder, folding her dance clothes.

"Rachel! No, not at all, how are you?" she could hear he was smiling.

"Fine thank you… In fact, I have something to ask you… Again" she took her cellphone back in her hand, waiting for his reaction, suddenly embarrassed to ask him a favor.

A light laugh echoed. "No probs Rachel, it's what friend are made for. How can I help you?"

Relieved, she began to explain "You know that tango routine I told you about? Well I am pretty behind my classmate on this one, Miss July just allowed me a partner this week and… Whatever, I was wondering if maybe… You're available this week end for helping me?"

"Oh Rach, I'd love to but I have a plane to catch in 2 hours… I'm heading to Boston; I've got selected for three representations"

"Oh my God Brody! That's awesome! When did you plan to tell me this?"

"Well, you didn't answer to my last 3 calls so…"

It wasn't reproach that tainted his voice, just deception. Rachel felt her cheeks burning because yes, she kept avoiding him since their last encounter.

"I- huh, I'm just really busy you know… I'm sorry" she laughed nervously and winced because the silence that followed was a little too long.

"I understand, it's nothing really… I have to go now, call me okay?"

"Sure!"

They both knew she wasn't going to.

XXX

Finally outside the school, Rachel was surprised to see the night almost surrounding her already. She freed her hair from her strict bun and inhaled the fresh air with appreciation.

It's when she spotted the incandescence of a cigarette in a corner of the parking. It was Miss July, visibly looking for something in her large leather bag, stuck between her thigh and her car.

If Rachel wasn't going to practice with Brody, she maybe had one last shot before giving up on her plan.

"Miss July?"

She heard her grumble from where she was. "Class is over Schwimmer, and so is my fake interest in you" She finally found her keys and without a look on her student, she got into her Porsche. A red and vintage model.

"Miss I… I was wondering if eventually… You maybe could give me a private lesson tomorrow?" she approached, leaning on her side.

Cassandra shut the door without a single word and Rachel resigned herself when she heard the motor. Turning around, she didn't perceive the light grinding of the window and jumped when Miss July called her out.

"7PM at the studio. $100 the private session"