Spoilers: Up to "Sexy".
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. I also do not own the song 2012.
A/N: I don't know if anything like this has been done before (without zombies), and if it has, then I apologize. My story will be focused on Rachel's plan - the end of the world thing is merely a catalyst for what will basically be Rachel Berry Unleashed, not the focus of the story. In spite of how depressing the summary probably sounds, I plan to handle this plot with humor and, hopefully, create a rather light-hearted story. Also, the idea behind the plot was inspired by the song 2012 by Evolove. They're a great band; check 'em out on Youtube if you haven't heard any of their stuff. Since this plot is different from anything I've ever done before, I'd love to hear what you guys think. Please read and review! Thanks!
In the year 2012 We're filling the silence and feeding the void Till the year 2012 We're filling the silence and feeding the void I see the writing on the wall We're filling the silence and feeding the void
Every thing you know and love
Will come to an end
Is it fact or is it fiction?
Government and politicians
Are acting quite suspicious
Is there maybe something to this?
Is there something they're concealing?
It's too close for comfort
The world is destroyed
Is there a solution?
Our hands are in the air
It's a countdown to the end
Do we sit and count the hours?
Do we all just live in fear?
If in fact there is no future
Some say the poles are turning
Some say it's Armageddon
Some say a world war's waging, social chaos, mass hysteria
It's too close for comfort
The world is destroyed
Is there a solution?
Our hands are in the air
It's a countdown to the end
2012
Together we fight or united we fall
It's too close for comfort
The world is destroyed
Is there a solution?
Our hands are in the air
It's a countdown to the end
2012
"I can confirm that the reports leaked to the press are true. Three days ago, the Hubble telescope sent back images of an asteroid approaching Earth. It is expected to hit within the next twenty-four hours. We have launched a rescue mission, but the odds of success are extremely low. I ask that all citizens try not to panic. This would be a good day to bond with friends and family, and if there is anything that you wish to do with your remaining time, you should do it now. Thank you and God bless."
Rachel stared at the screen where the President had stood just seconds before and announced the end of the world. She had read several of the rumors, but she had never believed that they might actually be true. Given the silence that had flooded her first period Spanish class, she knew that she wasn't the only one who had been stunned by the news.
When the press had announced the President's address, she, and most others, had expected that he would extinguish the growing public fear by declaring the rumors false. The only reason the teachers had decided to show the broadcast in school was because of the way the apocalyptic news stories had ruined student concentration. The reassurance that they were false was supposed to restore order so that the students could focus on their studies.
Clearly that wasn't going to happen now.
The daytime talk show that had come on after the President's announcement filled the silence of the classroom, but nobody was paying any attention to it. They were all lost in their own despair and panic over the news. Unnerved by the quiet, Rachel stared around the room at her fellow students. A couple of the girls were crying and one boy's jaw was clenched as if he was fighting back tears. Mr. Schuester was sitting at his desk staring down at his clasped hands. Everyone else was staring off into space.
Rachel fought back her own panic. She would not fall apart. She had faced down hostile audiences (including cat-throwing senior citizens), slushies, and daily insults. She would tackle the end of the world with the same grace and serenity with which she had always faced the vast difficulties in her life. She just needed a plan.
Attention focused, Rachel reached under her seat and pulled out her Spanish notebook. Opening it to a blank page, she picked up her favorite gold pen and tried to decide where to start. Putting the pen to the paper, she added a heading.
Rachel Berry's List of Things to Do Before the World Ends
Scowling, she decided that she didn't care for that title. It was entirely too long and unwieldy. Crossing it out, she added a slightly shorter title underneath the words.
My Final Day To Do List
She paused to compare the two and then gave a slight nod before beginning the actual list. It was time to do all of the things that she'd always wanted or been curious about but been too afraid to try. She wasn't about to waste the short time she had left.
1. Cut class without getting caught.
2. Give a solo performance in a public location, just like in a musical.
3. Kiss a girl.
4. Pull a prank on Jacob Ben-Israel.
She hesitated on that one. Rachel wasn't sure if she should follow through on it, especially given the numerous pranks she'd been on the receiving end of, but Jacob Ben-Israel was so creepy. Surely there wasn't any harm in playing a prank on the reason why she couldn't leave her blinds open. Shrugging, she continued with her list.
5. Slushie Karofsky.
6. Confront Santana and Quinn.
7. Confront Finn.
8. Learn how to pole dance.
9. Tell my dads I love them.
10. Visit Shelby one last time.
Rachel stopped there. Ten seemed like a nice, even number. Setting the pen down, she reread her list to ensure that she hadn't forgotten anything. Her eyes caught on number eight. Her desire to learn how to dance like that was a secret that she had never given voice to before. She knew that other people would probably look down on her for it, so she considered crossing it off. However, just because she was a virgin who often preferred wholesome activities didn't mean that she didn't want to feel sexy occasionally. Was it really her fault that nobody else seemed to understand that? Ultimately, she decided to leave it on the list.
There was one other thing that she wanted to do before the world ended. Tapping her chin with the end of her pen, Rachel debated whether or not to add it to the list. Wanting it was one thing, but actually putting it in writing was another. Finally, she decided to just add it. After the pole dancing thing, it wouldn't exactly be a shocking desire.
11. Lose virginity.
Once again, she read what she had written. The final addition made the list feel more complete and definitely more honest. Satisfied, she set the pen back down. A weird feeling ran down her spine, and she looked up. She was shocked to find the rest of the class looking at her. Maybe her writing had been louder than she'd thought; no doubt it had stuck out when she wasn't deep in thought like everyone else. Shaking off the disturbing feeling the extra attention was giving her, Rachel tore the paper out of her notebook, folded it up, and slid it into the shallow pocket of her short yellow skirt.
As first period passed in nearly complete silence, Rachel considered her list. While she was perfectly capable of completing several items on her own, she would require assistance for some of the more nefarious ones.
And she knew just who to ask.
A/N 2: So, the basic setup of this story will be one list item per chapter, not necessarily in order. The chapters will likely be shorter than what they are in my other stories to hold to this format, although the story will fill out beyond just the completion of the list, which is the main focus. The story will also probably be shorter than my others. Finally, I expect that this story will mostly be from Rachel's POV since it is her list, after all, although I may change it up as feels right.