For those of you reading New Semester, I'm sorry this isn't a new chapter for that but this was knocking around in my head and so I had to write it out instead. Hopefully after this, I'll be able to work on the next chapter! For everyone else, enjoy. :D
Disclaimer: I don't own Glee, no matter how much I wish I did.
There is suppose to be certain criteria that a girl has to have to be head cheerleader. You know, popular best friends, dating the quarterback, or, well, at least a main football player, and of course popularity itself, so what am I doing in Coach Sylvester's office giving her my size for my captain cheerleading uniform? Me, Rachel Berry, not only a cheerleader but captain of the Cheerios? Here's what happened.
I was at my locker, putting all my books away, pretending to listen to Kurt and Mercedes go on about the latest gossip. I closed my locker just in time to hear "BERRY" hollered down the hall. Kurt and Mercedes shut up and looked up at the same time I did, and we all saw Sylvester pushing her way towards us. Shoving more than one student into the lockers if they got in her way.
She stopped right in front of me, looking down "Berry, my office during lunch. Don't be late" with that she marched away.
Kurt raised an eyebrow at me, "What was that about?" He asked curiously.
I shrugged, "I don't know. Guess I'll find out at lunch"
I went through the next couple of periods, pushing away thoughts of what Sylvester could possibly want from me, and just focusing on my school work and coming up with new song ideas for glee.
The lunch bell rang and I started walking towards Sylvester's office, curious. I knocked on her door and let myself in and was surprised to see Santana and Britney in there as well.
"You wanted to see me?" I asked, thinking maybe she had forgotten.
"Berry, just the girl we've been waiting for. What size uniform do you wear?" Sylvester asked. I know I looked really confused then, as I looked from her, to Santana who was smirking at me, to Brit who looked as confused as I did.
"Pardon me?" I asked, when I realized no one was going to clue me in on what was going on.
"I'm sorry do you not speak English? French more your speed? If I knew that I'd have brought Beyonce in here too. What size are you? I can't have my captain of the cheerios not in uniform."
My mouth dropped, and I wasn't the only one, Santana's did too.
"Captain? You told me I was Captain and that Berry'd be taking my place" Santana exclaimed, angered.
"I changed my mind" Sylvester shrugged, not even looking up from her notebook, "Berry?"
"I cannot possibly be captain of the Cheerios, Coach Sylvester. I've never even been a cheerleader. I don't know any of your cheers and I'm very busy with glee club and dance and vocal lessons and school. I simply do not have the time."
"I didn't hear half of what you just said, Berry. You are going to be a Cheerio because out of this whole school, you're the only one I found that was halfway decent enough to be, who wasn't already on the team and you are going to be the captain because I said you were so deal with it. What size are you? Don't make me have to come find out."
"Six" I mumbled at her before turning pleading eyes at Santana who looked away, angry.
"I will have you know, Ms. Sylvester, right away that Cheerio's will be my last priority. Glee comes first, and if any events conflict I will be going to the glee events and I'm only taking this position because it will look good on my college applications, not because you bullied me into it" I informed her, with a glare fixed on the coach.
"Whatever you say, Berry. Come by after school and pick up your uniform. I expect all of my cheerios to wear them to school everyday."
I rolled my eyes but nodded and turned to leave.
"Berry" Sylvester called.
I stopped but didn't look back at her.
"Welcome to the Cheerios."
I walked out the door then, marching away. I had no idea what I was going to do about this. Me, as a cheerleader just seemed ridiculous. I wasn't lying when I said it would look good on applications however, and it might help me with the slushies and everything else that comes my way throughout the school day so that was good.
I was worried about Santana though. She had every right to be angry. She had earned the spot as Captain, just as surely as I earned my leading spot in glee.
I grabbed my lunch quickly, still thinking about what had happened. I quickly began to eat, not having much time left before my next period. I felt someone sit down beside me and looked up. It was Kurt.
"What'd Sylvester want?" He asked.
"Hmm? Oh that, nothing of importance" I shrugged at him, lying through my teeth but I didn't want him to know. Everyone would know tomorrow, I wanted one day of normalcy left before then.
Kurt didn't believe me but realized he wasn't going to get anything out of me when the bell rung and I still hadn't cracked. I hurried away from him to my locker and there was Santana and Britney, waiting.
"Santana, I'm sorry about…" I started
She stopped me, holding her hand up, "Don't worry about it B. Sylvester's a bitch, I knew that going in"
Britney grinned at me, "You're a cheerio now, Rachel! Aren't you excited?"
I smiled back at her, because it's impossible not too but I shook my head, "Not really. It all seems a little ridiculous, if you ask me"
Santana nodded her head with me but was smiling, not smirking, but smiling when she did it, "Yeah, and Q is going to totally flip when she finds out you're replacing her."
Quinn! I hadn't even thought about her. I let my head fall back to hit the lockers. This just wasn't my day!
Britney patted my shoulder, still smiling. Santana was grinning full out now but she put a hand on my shoulder too, "Don't worry Berry, Brit and I have your back. We'll protect you from the crazy pregnant chick"
I chuckled a little at Santana's colorful description of Quinn but raised my eyebrow at her, "Why?"
Santana looked confused, "Why what?" She asked
"Why would you have my back? You hate me"
Santana's smile was back in place, "Nah, I don't hate you, never did really, you were just an easy target but now you're captain of the Cheerios and we Cheerios have each others backs. Right Brit?"
Britney nodded, smiling, then suddenly looking serious, added "But I have to warn you, if you tell me a secret, I'm pretty sure my cat will find out because I think he reads my diary when I'm gone"
I fought control of the laughter trying to come out and to keep a serious face as I nodded, "That's alright, Brit. I'm sure your cat is trustworthy."
She grinned at me, nodding before giving me a quick hug and skipping down the hall to talk to Mike.
"She's easy to please" I thought out loud.
Santana laughed, reminding me she was there and said "That's an understatement. See you in Chem" she gave me a wave and walked down the hall.
I grabbed my books out of my locker and headed to class. Unfortunately, this class was with Kurt who had seen the two cheerios at my locker. He pestered me all through class, getting us both reprimanded twice for talking.
As we were walking out, he huffed, "I don't understand why you won't just tell me what the big secret is. I'm going to find out anyway, eventually. I always do."
I rolled my eyes and said "I'm sure you will, Kurt but not from me. I'll see you in glee" and walked away as fast as I could.
Apparently someone out there hated me today however because as soon as I turned the corner to go to my next class, I ran into someone, who quickly grabbed my waist to steady me, pulling me against them.
"I knew you wanted me, Rachel. I'm glad you finally decided to admit it to yourself" Jacob leered at me, holding me closer.
"Eww, get off Jacob!" I exclaimed. Pushing to get him off me but he wouldn't let go, just turned to push me against the locker, still holding on to me waist.
"Now, now don't be embarrassed. It's only natural, your attraction to me. It was meant to be."
He leaned in trying to kiss me and it was all I could do to keep those lips from touching me. I squeezed my eyes shut, almost resigned to what was going to happen when suddenly he was gone and I was free.
I opened my eyes to see Jacob slammed against the opposite wall and to my surprise, Matt was holding him there, with his arm against Jacob's throat and he looked angry. He glared at him, while Jacob stammered "I..I..I wasn't.. um.. I mean.. I was just.."
"You were just apologizing to Rachel and leaving her the fuck alone for good? Good, get to it" Matt growled.
Upon closer inspection of the hallway, Mike and Noah were standing close by, both with their arms crossed over their chests, glaring at Jacob, as he fought to not shame himself in public.
Matt lowered his arm slowly, still glaring at him and motioned for him to get on with it.
"Sorry" Jacob squeaked to me as he took off in a dead run down the hallway. Leaving Mike and Noah falling over in laughter.
Matt walked over to me, "Are you alright, Rachel?"
I nodded, "Thank you, Mathew. That was very chivalrous of you." I grinned at him as I said it and I swear he blushed a little but I turned to Noah and Mike. "Thank you to you two, as well. I'm not sure if all three of you were needed but it definitely seemed to make an impression on Jacob."
Mike grinned and Noah smirked at me, saying "No problem Berry. I'll toss him in the dumpster for you later." He winked at me and turned and headed down the hall towards the nurse's office, which means he must have math this period. I rolled my eyes at that thought and turned my attention back to the two boys still there.
"Thank you both again. I need to be getting to class and you two better be going as well."
Matt replied, "We're in the same class, Rach. Walk with us."
Oh yeah, how could I forget that. We were all in the same chem class. Us, Santana and Brit and, sadly, Jacob. I smiled and nodded and we all three started down the hall towards class, Mike literally bouncing beside me, causing me to grin.
"Why so hyper, Michael?" I asked, curious.
"No reason. Just a good day" He said
While Matt answered "He ate a whole thing of sour patch kids and drank two mountain dews at lunch so he's on a bit of a sugar high."
Mike tried to pout but ended up grinning as he said "I am not on a sugar high. That stuff doesn't effect me anymore."
Matt rolled his eyes and muttered something that sounded like "coulda fooled me"
And then we were at class and I moved to the back table where I usually sat and was surprised to see they followed me.
Santana and Britney were already sitting at the table next to mine and Matt and Mike sat at my table so there was no room for Jacob to try and sit by me, not that he seemed to even think about it. When he came in he made sure not to even look towards me, which made me grin. When I saw Matt and Mike high five, I just grinned harder.
Santana and Brit had both smiled at me when I came in, well Santana actually was smirking but at least it wasn't her normal cutting remark or glare.
Brit was telling me a story about rainbows, sparkles and ducks or something, I honestly was having trouble following her logic, when I heard Mike say to Matt
"Did you hear that Sylvester picked a new cheerio?"
"No, who?"
"I dunno. Brit told me in the hall that she picked a new captain but it was a surprise"
"So a new captain, not a whole new cheerio? So what?"
"No, dude, she said the new cheerio was the captain"
"Hmm.. wonder who."
Mike shrugged, "Guess we'll find out tomorrow"
I groaned at that conversation. I was glad Brit didn't tell them it was me but at the same time, hearing them talk about it made me remember that this was the last day for me to be just Rachel Berry, the girl that flew under the radar. Tomorrow I'll be head cheerio and everyone would be talking about me and would be noticing me. I really hoped that Santana meant it when she said the cheerios would have my back because there was going to be some serious resistance to me suddenly being thrust into such a popular position. I was beginning to believe this was Sylvester's new plot to destroy glee; get their lead, me, killed by the riot thrusting me into captain will cause.
I dropped my head to my desk, effectively cutting off Britney and making Matt and Mike notice me again.
"You okay Rach?" Mike asked, touching my arm.
I nodded, not lifting my head and swore I heard Santana bite back a chuckle which only made me want to hit my head to the desk again.
The class finally ended and I shot out of there before the boys could ask any questions or Santana could make any comments.
I ran to my locker grabbed the books for last period and ran to class, glad I didn't share it with anyone.
My phone buzzed in my pocket and since class hadn't started yet and the teacher wasn't even there, I took it out.
Kurt: WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME!
I groaned, when I read that, thinking Kurt had figured it out and I was never going to hear the end of it.
Me: Tell you what?
Not even a minute after I sent that text he sent back,
Kurt: That Jacob tried to molest you in the halls and you had not 1 but 3 of our own lovely jocks come to your aid.
I let out a breath I wasn't aware I was holding before replying
Me: I haven't seen you since. It just happened before last period.
Doesn't he have class I thought, as my phone buzzed just as the teacher came in. I opened it under my desk reading
Kurt: And it was really Matt, not Puck, that shoved him into the locker?
I smiled, remembering that. I was shocked too. That was more of a Noah or even Finn move. The last guy I'd expect to shove someone into a locker for me, would be Matt. Not because he wasn't a nice guy or anything just, he was so quiet and we never really talk, at all or even do anything together at all, really. Even in Glee so it was sweet of him to come to my defense. I was grinning before I realized it, he had acted like a good friend. Mike and Noah were right there backing him up, which meant they were acting like friends too. I didn't know how it was I didn't realize that suddenly I had friends, not just people that tolerated me because I sang well, but people who actually enjoyed being with me. It made me feel really good inside.
I typed back.
Me: Yes, I'll tell you about it later. Class now
And then put my phone away. Kurt had become a good friend over the past couple weeks too. We had realized that though we would never agree on a lot of things, we were both still a lot alike in personalities and he put it best when he said 'We divas need to stick together' so we had been. I even let him drag me to the mall a couple of times and we had fun, shock of all shockers.
Then there was Tina and Artie, they had always been nice to me but lately we've been talking more and more before and after glee and on more than one occasion we went out to eat together after glee practice or during the weekends.
Noah and I had started hanging out some since sectionals. He'd come over to my house or I'd go help him baby sit Danni, his little sister. He was the one I went to when I found out about my mom and I was the one he talked to about Baby Beth and how he wished he could keep her. We got each other in ways no one else could and it was nice.
Mercedes and I didn't get along to well but we left each other alone for Kurt's sake and for our sake he didn't try to make us hang out together to often so it worked.
Finn and I…well there was no Finn and I. We avoided each other like the plague for the most part, or at least I avoided him and he hung around Quinn, who despite being pregnant with Noah's baby, was clinging to Finn and he was letting her. It was quite ludicrous really, how he could forgive her so easily but still wouldn't talk to his best friend since grade school.
Quinn didn't talk to me and I returned the favor. It worked for us but I had a feeling it wouldn't for much longer when she found out I was replacing her.
Then there was Jesse. He and I were good together for a while but since I found out who my mother was he's been pulling away from me and I'm not sure what was going on there but hopefully he'll be around during glee and we can talk about it.
All my relationships with almost everyone inside of Glee had improved considerably since sectionals. I had finally made real, good friends and we were well on our way to winning regional's, everything was great, which is why I should have expected something to happen to ruin it, I just didn't expect it to be me being a Cheerio.
"Who knows it may not be that bad" I said out loud as I got up with the rest of the class, when the bell rang, smiling as I walked out.
My phone rang and I saw it was Jesse, smiling I answered, "Hey you, where've you been?"
I frowned as he replied, "Grab the other glee kids and meet me in the auditorium, now" and hung up.
He had sounded strange but I shrugged and walked down the hall telling every glee kid I saw to head to the auditorium, following after I had told everyone.
When I got in there I couldn't believe what I was seeing, Vocal Adrenaline was standing on our stage, Jesse right there in the middle of them.
"Jesse? What are you doing up there with them?" I asked, confused
"I transferred back to Carmel High, Rachel. I'm sorry that it's come to this but you guys were awful to me. You never accepted me. You never listened to my clearly superior ideas" Jesse replied.
I was in shock, my boyfriend, or is that ex boyfriend now, just left and was now here with his rival glee club in my auditorium, for what, "Then why are you here?" I asked, softly trying hard not to cry. I felt Santana and Tina step up beside me, glaring at Jesse while I fought with my emotions.
Puck stepped up too, glaring menacingly at Jesse, not that he appeared to notice, "You might want to get the fuck out now" Puck growled.
"Not before we show you the number we put together for you" Jesse replied, with a smirk as he signaled for the music to start. The performed 'Another one bites the dust' and I took that as our break up song and fought once again to keep the emotions I was feeling down. Tina put an arm around my shoulder, squeezing slightly as I realized Finn was right all along when he told me Jesse would betray us. The number was flawless, not that I'd expect less.
At the end their lead girl, Raina, I think her name was, said "Thanks for the use of your auditorium guys, it was quant" and then they were gone and I was in shock.
"This is not my day," I mumbled and Santana looked over at me, frowning a little and if I didn't know any better, I'd say she looked a little worried.
Britney came over and took me away from Tina, "Rachel?" She asked
"Huh?" I replied, looking up at her, trying to snap out of the dark mood I was plunging into."What was Jesse doing up there? Isn't he with us now?"
Santana lead Brit away from me, explaining what had happened to the ditzy blond so I wouldn't have too. Matt and Mike both stepped up on either side of me to take their places.
The both offered me their arms, trying to grin at me but it wasn't working. I took their arms, mainly so I'd have something to hold on too but I couldn't find a smile to give them.
"Come on Rach, we don't need him" Mike started
"Yeah, we have the best singer right here with us, they don't stand a chance" Matt added, though he didn't sound very sure of the last part.
"Thanks guys, I'll be fine" I replied, pulling on those acting skills of mine to bring a smile to my face. I know they both saw through it but the smiled back at me and we pretended together as we headed towards the choir room.
Kurt was ahead of us saying, "Come on guys, it'll take more than that to put us into a funk…." He trailed off as he walked into the choir room and when we got to the door we saw why. Our Choir room was covered in toilet paper. They had tp'd our choir room. I couldn't believe it. I let got of the boys arm and started cleaning up.
"Great, just great" Finn muttered walking in, "You just couldn't leave him alone, could ya Rachel" He complained.
Everyone who had started cleaning up, stopped and stared at him as if he had grew another head.
"You can not be blaming this on Rachel" Tina started
"Yeah, Finn, it's not the diva's fault that her ex boyfriend's a class A jerk" Kurt added
"We all told her he was playing her in the beginning. If she would have listened, this wouldn't have happened" Finn argued, still glaring at me.
I met his gaze and said softly, "Yes, Finn, you did tell me that Jesse was just using me. If I remember correctly you told me that at the time you were trying to get me to dump him to date you again so forgive me for believing your motives were less than pure at the time"
"Doesn't matter what my damn motifs or whatever were. I told you and you didn't listen and now we're screwed. You realize he knows our set list for regional's? We're going to have to start from scratch"
Everyone was quiet for a moment as that sunk in. He was right and this was my fault. Not the choir room or the performance in the auditorium but him knowing our set list, that was on me. I started tearing up a little now. I had managed to hold back during everything else but knowing that I had hurt our chances so badly, I couldn't deal with that.
"Shut up, Hudson. It's not Berry's fault what St Douchebag did and we've had our set list stolen before we did alright. Quit your whining and start cleaning" Santana snapped
Kurt had walked up to me and put his arm around me, seeing I was fighting not to cry.
Artie spoke up, "The tping and the performance definitely weren't Rachel's fault. That's part of Vocal Adrenaline's strategy to freak out the competition. They do it every year before Regional's. They call it funkification, they perform flawlessly and the rival team spirals into a deep funk."
I sniffed, but sent him a small smile from my place under Kurt's protective arm.
Finn rolled his eyes, "Whatever, we're out of here" He walked over to Quinn and held his hand out to her. She looked around the room, as if thinking she should stay but changed her mind and took his hand. They walked out of the choir room without a second glance.
I sniffed again and Matt handed me some tissue from his growing bundle. I smiled at him, saying a quiet thank you as I used it to wipe my face and blow my nose.
He smiled back, "Don't listen to him, Rach. No one else blames you."
Mike nodded his agreement as he tossed his bundle of toilet paper in the trash, "Yeah, everyone knows not to listen to Finn"
Noah had been uncharacteristically quiet since he had told Jesse to leave, spoke up, "Berry, Hudson was right that we warned you about him," My face fell as Noah agreed with Finn, and I noticed quite a few glares sent his way before he hurried to continue, "but we shouldn't have been surprised that you didn't listen. You always see the best in people, all of us included. If you didn't you would never be friends with most of New Directions, seeing how we all treated you in the past so why should St Douche be any different? I don't blame you, it would be hypocritical to do so when you were only doing what I like best about you."
I couldn't help it then, I started crying full out but this time it was because I never expected a speech like that from Noah, especially in front of everyone. It sounded so odd coming from him, with no profanities.
Kurt tightened his hold on me as I was crying a lot harder now and Noah looked alarmed, as he looked around the room, "Did I say something wrong?"
The group, I think, were still in shock from the speech but most shook their head no or shrugged. Kurt shoved me at an unsuspecting Matt, who quickly dropped the tissue he was holding to put his arms around me. I guess he gave Kurt a look because I heard Kurt say "I can't have her crying on this shirt, it's a Marc Jacob's original."
I giggled a little at that, even through my tears, and that calmed me down a little. Enough to pull away from Matt and look at Noah, "You didn't say anything wrong. In fact you said everything right. I'm sorry I'm a little over emotional at the moment but thank you, what you said made me feel better." I then said to everyone else, "Thank you all of you, I'm sorry for all the dramatics but sometimes it's hard to hold in and today has definitely been.. Well a day from hell to put it bluntly"
I heard a couple chuckles, most likely because of my use of the word hell, and everyone went back to cleaning up the choir room. We had it done in record time and Mr. Schue said there was no reason to have glee since two members were gone and we were all so out of it so we left.
As I walked out, I remembered I needed to go to Sylvester's office to pick up my uniform. In all this madness I had actually forgotten. I started towards her office when my phone rang. I frowned at it because the caller id said it was Jesse but I answered, "Hello?" I said uncertainly.
"Meet me in the parking lot" He said, hanging up. I couldn't help the smile that climbed my face then. I knew he wouldn't leave it that way. He was going to apologize and we'd work everything out and things would go back to good.
I ran out the doors to the parking lot and I saw him standing there, a huge grin on his face, waving at me. I ran to him, grinning myself, when I got close to him, I failed to realize the people coming up behind me until I felt something splatter on the back of my head. Suddenly, I was being pelted by eggs and heard a girl voice taunting "Heard you were a vegan Berry. How's it feel having all these baby chick's souls on your conscious"
I flinched at those words and slowly the eggs quit coming then I heard "Do it Jesse. Are you with us or not?"
I looked up at him then and saw some emotion flicker through his eyes. It looked like shame or guilt but I didn't care, I saw the egg in his hand, lifted my head up, staring straight into his eyes and said "Do it. Break it like you broke my heart"
He walked slowly up to me, never breaking my gaze, saying only "I loved you" before he broke the egg on my forehead and left with the rest of his team.
I just stood there, I don't know for how long, covered in egg, imagining all the poor baby chicks that wouldn't be born. I heard someone walking close and I heard a gasp before, "Rachel?" and then there were hands on me as I recognized Mike and Matt standing there looking concerned.
"What happened?" Mike asked
As Matt asked "Who did this?"
Sylvester chose then to come out and saw us standing there "Berry, You're late…." She trailed off when she saw me.
"Rutherford, Chang, What happened to Berry?"
Mike shrugged while Matt said, "I think Vocal Adrenaline egged her"
"Is that right, Berry?" She asked, standing in front of me now. I nodded, reaching up to wipe some of the egg out of my eyes.
Sue got her phone out and I heard her say, "Lopez, come out to the parking lot, bring a towel and Berry's uniform"
She hung up and motioned for us to follow her. Matt put his arm around me, leading me after her with Mike on my other side holding my hand but I didn't really notice any of them until I heard Mike say, "Wait, what did she mean 'Berry's uniform'?"
"Berry didn't tell you? She's my new head cheerio" Sylvester called back as we got to the doors and waited.
Matt and Mike's jaws dropped.
I shrugged away from them as Santana came out, not wanting to answer their questions right then and they seemed to realize that.
Santana looked at me and her jaw dropped for a second before fire lit in her eyes, "Where is he? I need to make sure he never ever has the chance to reproduce."
Matt muttered something about "get in line" which made Santana look over at him. I noticed her looking him up and down which made me look over at him. Since he had had his arm around me half of his shirt had egg on it too.
"Matt you shouldn't have touched me, now your shirt's ruined too" I chastised, lightly.
Matt shrugged and unbuttoned the shirt shrugging it off and stood in his white t shirt that was underneath. "See, all better"
I smiled at him and then took the towel Santana offered and wiped off my face and hands.
"Come on, B lets head to the locker room and get you cleaned up" Santana said gently, taking my hand, waving at the boys and then pulling me in.
"Remember Berry, you better be wearing that tomorrow too. I'll have your extras by then" I nodded, waving over my shoulder as I was drug to the locker room.
I cleaned up and put on the uniform, looking in the mirror afterwards. I could hardly believe it was me. The skirt wasn't much different than the skirts I usually wore but the top definitely was. My hair was up in a tight pony tail just like the cheerios wore them and I could honestly say, I looked the part but I refused to act the part.
I turned to look at Santana who was smirking in what seemed to be approval, "Looking good, B"
I smiled a little shyly, "Thank you."
She grabbed my hand, "Come on, everyone's waiting for us in the choir room."She didn't give me a chance to argue, just dragged me down the hall to the room. Inside, everyone was already sitting there.
Kurt looked up at me first and his jaw dropped, "You're the new cheerio captain?"
That got everyone's attention. I saw Noah looking me up and down with a smirk of approval, "Looking good, Berry."I rolled my eyes at how alike he and Santana were but I smiled at him before sitting down.
"How could you not tell me? We're, like, best friends now. How could you keep this from me?" Kurt demanded.
"Dude, there is kind of more pressing matters right now" Mike said, saving me from having to answer. I flashed him a small smile of gratitude.
"Right, what happened, Rachel?" Artie asked.
I told them the story and saw the boys get more and more angry as I went on, even Matt and Mike and they had been there.
As I finished, there was a moment of silence before Noah erupted, "This is Bull! Matt, Mike come with me" They jumped up, as did Kurt, to my surprise, he was my friend but he didn't risk his clothes. Artie rolled after them as well, and I noticed how Noah left Finn out of his order to follow him, even though the boy was back in the choir room.
They were almost out of the choir room when Mr. Schue came in, "Where are you guys going? Violence is not the answer"
"It is when the question is how to mess up that Jesse kid's face" Puck insisted angrily
"Sit down!" Schue insisted, sending Kurt scurrying back to his seat but the rest wouldn't go.
"NOW" Schue yelled, causing the rest of them back, muttering the whole way.
Matt was the one who said, "We can't just let them get away with making Rachel a human omelet"
"We won't. Rachel, Call Jesse on your cell" I did it without question, handing him my phone.
"St james? Will Schuester. Be in our auditorium, Friday after school. Bring your team" He hung up and handed me my phone back, causing me to frown at him, confused.
"We're going to perform the one thing that Vocal Adrenaline cannot pull off. We're going to do a Funk number. We'll show them a true version of funkifacation."
"Mr. Schue?" I questioned.
"Hmm?" He asked
"That's a good idea but I think I speak for us all when I say you should never, ever say funkifacation ever again." I replied, and everyone nodded with me causing him to frown.
The meeting was called to an end soon after that and we all left the choir room more or less together. Tina came up to me then, "Rach I feel awful doing this after the day you've had but do you think you can find a ride home, today? Artie and I made plans and I completely forgot that you needed a ride. I'm so sorry!" She gushed on and on.
I sighed but smiled at her, "It's fine Tina, don't worry about it"
"Are you sure?" She asked, frowning a little.
I nodded, "Go on, call me later"
She grinned then, agreeing to call me and then running after Artie.
When she was out of sight I let my smile fall. I really didn't feel like walking home today but I wasn't comfortable asking any of the others for a ride. Well I'd ask Kurt but he was hanging out with Mercedes today so that was out.
"We'll give you a ride home, Rach" Matt said from behind me, causing me to jump a little.
I had forgotten they were behind me still.I turned towards Matt and Mike, giving them a staged smile, "Oh I wouldn't want to impose. It's alright, I can just walk."
They both rolled their eyes at me, "Like we're going to let you walk home, especially after all that's happened to you today" Mike said.
"Yeah what kind of guys do you think we are?" Matt asked holding his arm out to me. I smiled at them again, a real one this time, taking his arm.
"Ok, thank you" I said then after a few seconds, "I seem to be saying that a lot to you both today. What's up with that?"
We kept walking as they shared a look, "We decided it was about time you saw how cool we are" Mike said with a grin.
Matt elbowed him before saying, "More like we decided it was time we became friends with the coolest chick around, or so Puck keeps telling us."
I raised an eyebrow at that, "Noah said I'm the coolest chick around?"
"Practically everyday since sectionals," Mike moaned, rolling his eyes as Matt and I chuckled. We got in to the car and I gave Matt directions to my house.
"Actually, we were wondering if you wanted to go to a movie or something tonight" Matt asked.
"We?" I asked, feeling my phone vibrate and reaching down to get it out of my bag.
"Us, San, Brit, and Puck" Mike answered as I opened my phone.
"Um, sure, sounds fun but I need to go home first. I'm not going in this cheerio uniform and I need to tell my dads." I agreed, seeing a text from Noah.
Noah: Looking hot in that uniform, Berry. Why didn't you tell me u wanted to be a Cheerio before? I coulda like pulled some strings or something
I rolled my eyes and didn't reply, I'd see him tonight anyway.
Matt agreed to take me home, saying that the movie started at 7 so he'd pick me up in about an hour. I nodded saying that was plenty of time.
I got out, thanked them both again and walked inside, smiling, despite the days events, because I couldn't help but feel the good out weighed the bad.
I ran upstairs, after I realized my dads were gone, again. They were never really home anymore. I changed out of my cheerio uniform and sent a text to both of my dads that I was going to a movie with friends and would be home later. They both answered telling me to have fun and that they would be out late. I rolled my eyes, wondering if they would even bother to come home tonight or if they would have even noticed I was gone without my telling them.
Of course I didn't say any of this to them. I was Rachel Berry, perfect daughter. The one who could be trusted to do what was right and who never needed to inconvenience her parents by asking them to spend time with her.
I sighed again, sitting on the couch, waiting for Matt to come back and I guess it really had been a long day because I fell asleep.
I was startled awake by a knock on the door. "Rachel?" Matt called.
I jumped up, fixing my clothes quickly before running to the door. Matt stood on the other side, grinning at me.
"Ready to go?" He asked. I nodded, taking his offered arm as he lead me to his car. I hopped into the front seat and looked around.
"Where's Mike?" I asked, realizing I've never really seen Matt without his Asian shadow.
"He does have his own car, despite popular belief, we just see no point in driving two cars to school. He decided he'd pick up Brit and San since they were on his way."
I nodded, "So everyone knows I'm coming right? I mean I don't want to impose on some friend bonding ritual or something…"
"Chill Rach," Matt chuckled, "Everyone wanted you to come. Santana like ordered us to drag you if you tried to back out"
"Really?" I asked, shocked and a little confused.
"Yep, apparently she's decided you two are going to be friends, so you're pretty much stuck with her"
I laughed at that, "Well having friends is always nice"
He nodded and we drove the rest of the way in silence.
When we got to the movie theater, I saw the other four were all already there and already had their tickets. Brit ran to hug me, "We're watching Toy Story! Can you believe it? I'm so excited" She babbled on about how she thought Toy Story was based on a real story and that she was sure the toys in her old play room came to life too.
Matt chuckled at her as he headed back towards us, I hadn't even noticed he left until he was coming back. Santana was standing by Brit and I and Mike and Noah were talking about some new game that was coming held out a piece of paper to me, I looked at it and realized it was a movie ticket, "Oh Matt, you don't need to buy my ticket, I'm perfectly able to pay for my own" I said, reaching in my purse to get some money out.
"Don't worry about it Rach, it's no big deal" Matt shrugged it off, holding it out again.
I took it, frowning a little still but realized this may look ungrateful so I gave him a shy smile and said, "Thank you"
He grinned at me, "No problem Rach"
Santana grinned at me then, "Let's go" She ordered, causing me to roll my eyes but I followed her anyway everyone else following as well.
Inside I found myself sitting between Noah and Matt with Santana on the other side of Noah and Brit in between Matt and Mike.
I leaned over to Noah before the previews started and said, "I'm the coolest chick around, huh?" With a smirk.
He and I had been hanging out some since sectionals and actually had been becoming friends so I was a little more relaxed with him then everyone else and the smirk, yeah he totally taught me that which made him proud sometimes, or so he would say. Actually he would say, 'I'll turn you into a bad ass yet, Berry'
He turned to me, saw the smirk and rolled his eyes, "Chang and Rutherford have big mouths even for the girls they are"
My smirk turned into a grin, "I didn't hear a denial in that statement, causing me to believe that they were, in fact telling the truth."
Another eye roll, as he replied "You talk to much and I'm seriously reconsidering at the moment" the small smile that played on his face afterwards though let me know he was just kidding so I stuck my tongue out at him and turned towards the previews.
The movie was cute and when we left I thanked Matt again for the ticket and he smiled at me.
"No problem, Rachel, really, I wanted too."
I opened my mouth, to say what? I wasn't sure but was interrupted by Noah yelling "BERRY" at me by his car.
"I'll be right back," I told Matt before jogging over to Noah's truck. "Yes, Noah? You bellowed?"
He smirked at me, before reaching over for a hug, which I gave then pulled back to raise an eyebrow at him. "Did you seriously yell at me to come over here just to give you a hug?"
"I'm hurt, Berry. Is a hug from me not worth the small trip?"
I rolled my eyes at him, "Is a hug from me not worth coming and getting it yourself?" I shot back which caused him to grin.
"Why do that? This way I didn't have to move."
"Lazy jerk" I muttered causing him to laugh out loud.
"Want to know the real reason I called you over?" He stage whispered.
"I'm all ears" I replied dryly
"Turn and look at Rutherford but don't make it obvious" He said with a smirk, his arm still around my shoulders as I turned.
"Santana, come here" I called but looked at Matt who was staring at the two of us and he didn't look to happy.
"Hold on" She called back and I turned back to Noah after nodding, shrugging his arm off my shoulder.
"What'd you do to him?" I asked, confused.
"Me?" He asked with an innocent voice that meant he was totally up to something.
"NOAH ELI PUCKERMAN" I warned
"I didn't do anything but give my best friend a hug. If Rutherford chooses to get jealous that's his business." Noah replied, still grinning.
"Why would Matt be jealous?" I asked
Noah rolled his eyes at me but ignored my question and instead said, "Why'd you call Santana over?"
I turned and saw she was heading over here, which brought a little smirk of my own to my face.
"Well Brit was good enough to inform me that you bought Ms. Lopez's ticket for her and I felt it was only right that you take her home as well, to finish the date"
"Date is it?" Noah asked with a smirk that I knew meant something was about to backfire for me.
"Yeah why?" I asked suspiciously.
"My buying Santana's ticket, sitting by her and taking her home makes it a date?" He asked as if double checking something.
I frowned, having a feeling I knew where this was going but nodded anyway, smirk gone.
"So by that logic Britney and Mike were on a date too right?" Noah asked, clearly enjoying this.
"Duh, they are dating, Puckerman get with it" Santana answered for me with a smirk as she joined us.
"Rachel?" He asked
I glared at him but nodded again.
"Which leaves you and Matt. Hmm…. He bought her ticket, didn't he San?"
Santana now figuring out what was going on, grinned and answered, "He sure did Puck, sat by her too."
I turned my glare to her now but Noah just said, "And now he's taking you home guess that means you were on a date yourself, Berry. My little Rachel's finally growing up"
I hit his shoulder, "Shut up, it isn't like that. Matt doesn't like me like that. We're just friends."
Noah and San both raised their eyebrows, Santana muttering something about blind while Noah said "Whatever you say, Berry. I'm going to get my date home, have fun." He hugged me again and so did Santana even as I glared at them both.
"See you tomorrow" Santana sung out with a grin, reminding me once again that tomorrow was the end of just being fly under the radar Rachel Berry, causing me to glare all the harder at her but I waved and turned back to the other three.
I walked over to Matt who was standing with Brit and Mike, "Santana has a ride home" I said to Mike, with a small smile.
"I see that" Mike said with a smirk, "Which means I get Brit all to myself"
That caused Britney to giggle and give Mike a kiss, Making Matt groan a little, "Get a room"
The broke apart, grinning but didn't say anything.
"So what did Puck want?" Mike asked.
"Just saying bye" I answered, not about to rehash the conversation we had.
"That was a long goodbye from a guy who was taking another girl home" Matt pointed out, sounding a little sulky.
Brit grinned at me, "You and Puck are cute but I think you and Matt are cuter"
This caused both Matt and I to turn red but I only responded with a quick "Thanks" then Mike thought it'd be a good idea to say good bye.
Gotta love him sometimes for being so smart. I gave Britney and Mike both a hug, telling them I had a nice time and I'd see them tomorrow.
Matt and I walked to his car and he opened the door for me, making me smile shyly at him, still blushing from everyone's comments but Matt didn't like me as more than a friend did he? Everyone else seems to think so but maybe they just wanted us all to be paired off or something. I mean Noah and Santana are always on and off again but usually more on lately and Mike and Britney have been one of the cutest couples for the past year and a half so maybe they were just trying to get Matt paired off too.
Deciding that must be it, I felt a little calmer but strangely I found myself wishing I hadn't convinced myself otherwise. I didn't like Matt did I? I mean I couldn't right? I just broke up with my boyfriend, today. I mean yeah, we had been mostly broken up for the past week or so but still, with everything that happened today, I was just emotional that was all. Better to never make decisions while having such an emotional break down like today. All these thoughts were going through my head and I didn't notice that we were already at my house until I felt the car stop and heard Matt's door open.
I unbuckled my seatbelt as Matt opened my door.
He walked me up to my door and I smiled at him as I got my keys out. My dads weren't home, of course. I noticed he hadn't said anything, he was just shuffling, "Do you want to come inside?" I asked then mentally slapped myself, what was I doing?
Matt flashed me a grin and answered, "Sure"
We walked in and I turned the lights on so we could see as we both kicked our shoes off by the door.
"Are you hungry or thirsty?" I asked as I headed to the kitchen. He followed, looking around as he did.
"Um, a soda would be good. Where's your dads'?"
I opened the fridge and pointed to let him know he could get what he wanted, as I grabbed a water. "They're at work or something, I don't know. They said they'd both be late tonight. They probably won't even come home" I answered, not even realizing how bitter I probably sounded.
"Oh. I'm sorry" He said, looking at me with a little frown, "Do they stay out a lot?"
"Yeah, at least three nights a week. Sometimes I don't see them for weeks at a time" I answered leading us back to the living room.
Deciding I didn't want to sound like a whiny brat anymore I asked before he had a chance to answer my last comment "Do you want to watch a movie or something?"
He seemed to realize I didn't want to talk about it so he just nodded, with a smile and I lead him upstairs. "All my movies are in my room so we can just watch up there"
He nodded again, this time I knew he was blushing and that made me giggle a little. Noah never batted an eye about coming up to my room. More often than not he'd make some comment about making out or something as soon as we got in there. Normally I'd ignore him and pick out a movie, I'd be lying though if I didn't admit to wanting to sometimes. He's an awesome kisser, much better than Finn but I didn't think that would be good for our budding friendship so I always turned him down.
When we got in I showed Matt my movie collection, which contrary to popular belief was quite huge and had a lot more than just musicals in it, and told him to pick one.
"Is the new Alice in Wonderland any good?" He asked pulling it out.
"I liked it" I answered which I guess was good enough for him because he handed it to me.
I put it in and turned to sit on my bed, then fought down another giggle as I saw him standing there looking unsure.
"Matt, you can sit down. The bed is big enough for the both of us."
That seemed to make him blush more but he came and sat beside me, both of us reclining on my millions of pillows. Just as the movie started, my phone went off.
I opened it and rolled my eyes when I saw it was from Kurt.
Kurt: Where are you? I tried calling you
Me: I went to the movies. What's up?
Kurt: Movies? With who?
I rolled my eyes at that, always the gossip queen. Matt looked over, "Who is it?"
"Kurt" I answered, rolling my eyes again.
He nodded and looked back up at the screen, seeming to relax a little.
Me: Santana, Britney, Mike, Noah and Matt. What did you want Kurt?
Kurt: Just wanted to know why my best friend kept her becoming a cheerio from me. Also I wanted to make sure you were alright after Jesse but from the sound of your triple date, you're doing more than fine, hmm?
I huffed at another person calling it a date but shook my head when Matt looked at me questions clear in his eyes.
Me: It wasn't a date but yes I'm fine. It hurt but I'll be alright. I didn't tell anyone I was a cheerio because I figured everyone would see tomorrow. I just wanted it to be a surprise
I lied to him because it was the fastest way to get him off the subject.
Kurt: This not date was with Matt right? And alright, I forgive you for wanting to surprise me, just don't keep something that big from me again.
I rolled my eyes at that but answered quickly.
Me: I won't now I've got to go, I'll see you tomorrow
And shut my phone off, ignoring the first part of his text and whatever texts would come after. I put my phone down and signed, leaning a little more back into the pillows and turning my eyes to the TV.
"Everything alright with Hummel?" Matt asked.
"Yeah, he was just being a gossip queen, as usual" I replied, rolling my eyes.
Matt laughed, "Well there is plenty of gossip today, I guess. It's been pretty eventful and a lot of it involved you."
I rolled my eyes again, this time at him, only saying "Don't remind me, I'm just glad it's over"
He laughed again, this time he threw an arm around my shoulder, as he replied "The night's not over yet"
I glared at him but moved a little into his side, sitting how I usually sat with Noah when watched movies. His arm around my shoulder, me cuddled into his side with my arm around his stomach and head on his chest.
Matt stiffened for a second, when I had moved, so I started to get up, thinking I had made him uncomfortable, but he tightened his hold on me, saying "No, don't get up" I glanced at him, looking at his face to make sure he was alright but he was already watching Alice again so I turned back to the TV as well.
We stayed like that the rest of the movie, his hand sometimes running up and down my arm but besides that we didn't move and it was really nice to finally have a bit of drama free time today.
After it ended, I sat up, a little reluctantly. "Do you want to watch another movie?" I asked, even though I knew it was close to 11:30 and I needed to be going to bed.
Matt realized this too and shook his head, "I have to be home by midnight, curfew."
I nodded, "Alright, I'll walk you out then"
He smiled at me and got up, following me down.
"You'll be alright by yourself, won't you?" He asked as we got to the door. I opened it, stepping out before turning around, nodding at him.
"Thank you for the concern, but I'm quite used to being home alone."
We walked in silence to his car before I heard him say quietly, "Goodnight, Rach"
I stepped forward and hugged him, feeling his arms wrap around me, made me smile into his chest. This felt nice. I stepped a little back, looking up at him, "Good night Matt, thank you for tonight. I needed it and it was a lot of fun" I reached up and kissed his cheek.
He was still looking at me when I pulled back and I couldn't decipher the look in his eyes but I also couldn't look away.
I saw something struggle behind those eyes quickly before suddenly his lips were on mine. I was surprised for a second, trying to remember all of my arguments on why this shouldn't happen from earlier tonight but right then with his lips on mine I couldn't remember a single one, so I wrapped my arms around his neck and started kissing him back. I felt his shoulders relax when he felt me kiss back and his arms wrapped tighter around my waist, pulling me closer.
He pulled back, leaning his forehead against mine, smiling softly. "wow"
I nodded my agreement, even as I giggled.
"Um do you want to go to dinner tomorrow? Just us?"
"Why Mr. Rutherford, are you asking me on a date?" I teased softly.
"Why, yes, Ms. Berry, I believe I am" He teased back, "Is that a yes?"
I nodded, causing him to grin and bend down and kiss me again. When we broke apart this time, I pulled the rest of the way out of his arms. "You better get home, I would hate for you to miss your curfew and not be able to go out tomorrow."
He smiled at that, bent and kissed me, quickly again. "See you tomorrow, Rach."
"Good night, Matt" I replied, smiling as I watched him back out of the driveway and head towards his house.
Once he was out of sight, I went back in, locked the door and went to my room. I turned on my phone, as I dropped onto my bed, and saw a couple texts. One from Kurt and one from Matt. I ignored Kurt's but opened Matt's
Matt: Hey, do you want me to pick you up for school tomorrow?
I grinned at that.
Me: Yeah, that would be great.
Matt: Ok, what time?
Me: 7:15?
Matt: See you then. Good Night, Sweet Dreams
Me: Good Night
I put the phone down and looked around my room. I saw the cheerleading uniform and actually smiled.
I, Rachel Berry, was Head Cheerleader, I had friends, both popular and not so popular and I was now dating a football player. I guess everything seemed to be falling into place for me. Even with the bad that had happened today, life was still amazing and I couldn't wait to see what happened next.
There will probably be a sequel to this later on. I hope that you all enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it!