A/N: I haven't written fanfiction in years. This is my first go, and I am currently beta-less. Please enjoy.
The bright lights glared into her eyes, making her near blind to her surroundings. But the audience could see. And they saw, and heard, something spectacular. Something worthwhile.
"I do believe I have been changed for the better. Because I knew you, I have been changed for good."
Rachel did more than just believe in the words. She experienced them. She felt them for the people she surrounded herself with. Or at least the people she used to surround herself with. Everyone had moved on. They went their separate ways after graduation.
Rachel, never one noted for her award winning personality, was left to herself. She ended up incredibly lonely. Loneliness hurts the worst of people and it hurts the best of people. Rachel was one who fell under the latter category. But her abrasive, confident personality didn't win people over. So she led a lonely life post-McKinley.
When the final notes hit the crowd, and the last light clicked off, she retreated backstage. Retreated to the countless flowers of admirers. Faceless names all gave wishes of good health and prosperity. But something of this large arrangement stood out. A single yellow rose. Most of what she received was large and spectacular. But this rose told another story. One of simplicity and friendship. The card, addressed to a lone Berry read:
"You will always be my sweet Caroline."
It went unsigned, and left Rachel to wonder if that high school sweetheart had showed up on closing night, of all nights. A few tears slid down her cheeks. Not just for her final night of this Broadway show, but for a long lost love of her youth. One that happened nearly fifteen years ago. One that lent so much to the words she sang on stage just moments ago.
It was he that had done the most to change her life, most certainly for the better. But her teenage ignorant bliss led her down a different path. One of heartbreak with another. Another who left her for a shiny new bauble whenever he had the chance, and then came crawling back whenever things didn't work out. It was ten years ago that she finally drew the line and called things quits.
Hope dawned upon Rachel at this possibility of a second chance. The flower and card fell from her hands and landed on the floor as she rushed out of the dressing room, through the halls and other complications of the theatre and glanced around frantically for the man she missed so dearly.
Across the empty hall stood a young man, sans his teenage mohawk, holding a black guitar. His hands glided across the stings, as they did so many years ago, and he began to play a familiar melody.
"Sweet Caroline, good times never seemed so good"
A small smile graced Rachel's face and she looked into his eyes. She saw what she had missed and longed for in them. Love, adoration, and companionship. She rushed towards him and embraced him in a tight hug. As his hands stroked her smooth, long hair. From that moment they spoke no words. Neither wanting to break the current serenity of each other's company. It was something that had been non-existent for years. As soon as words entered, so did complications. This moment, this one moment, was perfect. It would remain so in their memories. Something they could hold on to. The rest of the world could wait until tomorrow.