Hi all. I'm terribly sorry about what I did with the previous version of Spring Awakening: A Glee Fanfiction. I had a lot of stuff going on in real life and I didn't have a lot of time to work on my stories. I'm really hoping that this is a new beginning and that you all don't hate me because I'm such a terrible, terrible person. I'm so lucky to have such great readers and I hope you will still enjoy this new, revised version of Spring Awakening: A Glee Fanfiction. So yeah, same basic storyline but different things happen. I'll be deleting the old version and replacing it with the new chapters as I start uploading them. I'm also working on writing longer chapters, because I realize that my old chapters were very short. Enjoy, and please review! Reviews are love. 3
Rachel blinked blearily, the room coming into view. The insistent blare of her alarm clock flooded her senses. Without giving much thought to the action, she reached and tapped the snooze button on the alarm. She brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face and squinted at the blocky numbers displayed on the screen of the clock. 6:04. She'd slept in. With a groan, she threw the covers off of her body and swung her legs over the side of the bed.
She bypassed her pink bunny slippers and made a barefooted bee-line for the bathroom. Upon habit, she glanced at her reflection in the mirror and regretted it. Perhaps due to the hardships of the previous day, she had spent the night tossing and turning. Clearly, such late-night habits had taken their toll.
Her hair settled in a mass atop her head, the hair that made up her bangs sticking out at odd angles. She made a fleeting grab for the hairbrush that resided on the bathroom counter, before deciding better of it. She crossed the room in two quick strides, turning on the hot water.
While she waited for the water to reach the appropriate temperature, she returned to her room to grab the clothes she had laid out the night before. She was back in the bathroom in a flash, the air already steamy. She undressed and stepped inside the shower.
Her shower was quick, about ten minutes, and she was soon dried off and fully dressed. Not only had the shower done wonders for her hair, it had also woken her into a state of physical and mental alertness. She felt ready for the day ahead.
For this particular day, she had chosen a maroon sweater, embroidered with the outline of an owl. She had on white, knee-high socks and shoes that were a mutual shade of red. Simple, compared to some of her more extravagant wardrobe arrangements.
Instead of her usual lengthy workout on the elliptical, she shortened the session to fifteen minutes and was finished with her vocal exercises by 6:39. As she made her way to the stairs, the tantalizing scent of whole-wheat blueberry pancakes wafted up from the downstairs living quarters. As she descended the staircase, the smell only became more evident.
Rachel rounded the corner into the living room. The television was on, blaring the news. Leroy was seated at the dining room table, his gaze fixed on the TV. A steaming mug of coffee sat untouched in front of him. "'Morning." He grunted.
Hiram, who must have been off today, was bustling around the kitchen. A pitcher of freshly-squeezed orange juice sat on the counter. Hiram lifted two pancakes onto a plate and offered it to her. "Hungry?" He asked in an easy tone.
"You have no idea." Rachel replied hungrily, grabbing a fork and knife from the silverware drawer and taking her place at the table. Her eyes widened hungrily as she stared at her breakfast. She stabbed her fork down into the first pancake, cutting it up into reasonable-sized pieces. She'd never been one for syrup. She dug in. "Anything good in the paper today?" She asked Leroy through a mouthful of blueberry pancakes. It was more of an attempt at small talk than anything. There was never anything good in the paper, in Rachel's opinion.
"Has there ever been?" Leroy retorted jokingly. He reached for his coffee and brought the mug to his lips, savoring the burst of energy that it awarded him. Rachel wrinkled her nose.
Hiram showed up then, placing a glass of orange juice in front of Rachel. "Thanks." She mumbled through a mouthful of pancake.
"Don't talk with your mouth full." Hiram scolded lightly, a gentle smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He sat down next to Leroy, discarding the apron he had been wearing on one of the pegs used to hold articles of clothing.
It didn't take long for Rachel to finish the pancakes. She rinsed her dishes and placed them in the dishwasher, and was just coming out of the kitchen when the doorbell rang. "I got it." Rachel called, as the door was en route of the living room, of which she was headed. She crossed the room to the door and opened it for whatever visitor lay beyond.
Jesse St. James stood before her, a cocky smile gracing his features. He was dressed in his signature black attire; black shirt, black jacket. He leaned against the doorframe, his other hand wedged in his jeans' pocket. "Hello, beautiful." He teased.
"Shut up." Rachel shot back. As she turned her back and moved from the doorway to let him in, she couldn't help a grin.
"Bad morning?" He asked. She couldn't see his face, but she suspected he was grinning. The door shut behind her with a gentle thud. How was it that she could never be grumpy when he was around? She thought bitterly. She was entitled to her grumpiness just as much as the next person.
"You have no idea." Rachel mumbled, running a self-conscious hand through her hair.
"You can tell me all about it on the way to school." Jesse spoke softly, his arrogant demeanor gone for the time being. Rachel turned around to look him in the eyes.
"Jesse, what a pleasure." Hiram stepped into the room, a pleasant smile on his face. "How have you been?"
"Great, Mr. Berry. I'm just here to take Rachel to school today." He replied good-naturedly, an easy smile spreading across his face. "If it's okay with you." He added.
"Fine by me." Hiram said. "Just as long as Rachel makes it to school."
"Of course." Jesse nodded. His tone made it hard to not believe him. Not that there was any reason not to.
Rachel cleared her throat then, acknowledging her presence none too subtly. Both Jesse and Hiram blinked, turning their gaze to the huffy brunette. "If we don't leave soon, we'll be late." She reminded Jesse.
Jesse noted the underlying message in her words. Her eyes spoke what her mouth did not. She needed someone to talk to, away from the prying nature of her dads. She loved them dearly, but some things were better left unsaid between her and them. "I almost lost track of time." He breathed out, turning back to Hiram. "I guess we'll be going now."
"Ah, alright. Drive safely." He said. He crossed the room, pecking Rachel on the cheek in a loving fatherly fashion. "Have a good day at school, honey." He smiled brightly down at her and she did her best to return it.
"I will, Daddy." She nodded. Jesse joined her at her side now. "I will." She murmured, nearly inaudible. There was nothing upbeat about how she said it.
"Nice seeing you, Jesse." Hiram nodded towards the younger boy.
"Nice seeing you, too, Mr. Berry." Jesse flashed an award-winning smile before herding Rachel out the door and outside. He closed the door behind himself, leading Rachel by the hand to his Range Rover. He opened the passenger side door for her, helping her up into the vehicle. He shut the door and it was only a moment before he had taken his place in the driver's seat.
Jesse St. James was, in simpler terms, Rachel's best friend. He'd been there through nearly everything. They'd met at a Vocal Adrenaline invitational, during the Meet & Greet that had been set up after the show. They'd immediately hit it off, despite dark looks from a few New Directions members as she started up a strong conversation with the admittedly charming lead male. They'd kept a close relationship even after Rachel had departed from Akron with her fellow Glee clubbers. Jesse was #3 on speed dial, surpassed only by Leroy and Hiram's cell phone numbers. He was the go-to person for problems at school, whether it regard boy troubles, harassment, or simply for leadership tips when it came to the New Directions. Of course, the relationship wasn't one-sided. Jesse often called up Rachel with his problems, when they happened to pop up. Their friendship was easy. They were so alike, it was almost scary. No one quite understood Rachel like Jesse did. Not even her dads knew some of the information that she shared with Jesse. Which Rachel was once again grateful for at the moment. She needed someone to listen to her troubles, as selfish as it might sound. Jesse had always been there for her before, and she didn't suspect that that would change now.
Jesse reached across the small space that separated them, squeezing Rachel's hand reassuringly. "Tell me everything." He said simply. No other words were needed.
Rachel had, once again, been assaulted by her fellow Glee Club members with accusations of sharing information with the 'enemy'. In other words, Jesse. The demeaning insults and threats had reduced her to tears and she had spent the remaining time rehearsal time bawling her eyes out in the girl's bathroom. Even Finn had been included in the riot, which was what hurt more than anything that Quinn or Santana or anybody else could have said. Just thinking about it made tears start to sting the corners of her eyes, threatening to spill out. Why is that no matter what I do, Finn will never take a second glance at me and realize that our 'friendship' can be something more? Rachel thought bitterly. So much for friendship. I'd do anything for him, and all that he cares about is getting Quinn back, even after she lied to him about the baby. Rachel trailed off, blinking hard to clear the tears from her eyes. It wasn't fair. None of it was. Rachel getting bullied every day… The Glee Club not appreciating her dedication to New Directions… Finn…
"Rachel? You can talk to me. Whatever it is, I'm here for you." Jesse broke through her internal lament. She realized that she hadn't spoken at all.
So she told him. She told him about the Glee Club and about Finn. She poured all of her feelings out and when she was finished, she realized that she had, indeed, been crying. She turned her gaze towards Jesse, studying his face and judging his reaction. His features were scrunched up in frustration. It was a minute before he spoke.
"You're telling me that, after all you've done, the Glee Club still doesn't trust you?" His voice was tight. "Even though you've dedicated nearly your entire life to helping them make it to Nationals, they still question you? And, worse, accuse you of sharing information with the opposing team?" His tone had risen, and fury threatened to spill over. It scared Rachel, though she didn't know why. The anger wasn't directed to her. He was on her side. That silent realization made her feel better. She hardly noticed how much time had passed until Jesse pulled into the McKinley parking lot. "Why do you even bother?" Jesse asked abruptly, his stormy blue-gray eyes intense as they bore into her deep brown ones. "They don't appreciate you, Rachel. They don't deserve you. Come join Vocal Adrenaline. Your talents will be commended, and you'll be amongst equals. Or as close to equal as anyone can get to you."
Rachel wouldn't deny it; she had considered it more than she would care to admit. The only things that had kept her from doing so were Finn and New Directions. Finn wasn't tugging at the back of her mind as much as he used to. New Directions was another story. Even though she had been judged, ridiculed, and put down more times than she could count, she felt a strong dedication to the group. It was the sad truth that she had come to realize only that night. No matter how much they tried to get her to quit or scolded her or yelled bitter insults at her, she would never leave them. They'd worked too hard – she'd worked too hard to get the club where it was today, and she would always view that as one of her greatest accomplishments. At first, it had just been about being part of something. She had desperately yearned for the feeling that she belonged to something, if not someone. It had changed, though. Now, she felt a burning passion to push the team to their limits and make it to Nationals and hopefully win a National title. She couldn't abandon the team now, as much as the idea of joining Vocal Adrenaline appealed to her. She didn't know if she'd ever have the strength to do it. "I can't." Rachel squeaked softly. "I can't abandon my team. I'm not a quitter, Jesse. You know that. I won't quit on New Directions, no matter how much they might want me to." She said it with more assurance than she felt. Her eyes were pleading as they looked at him, praying that he wouldn't bring the subject up again. She wasn't sure she could deny the offer twice. At least, not in the same day.
Jesse nodded, resigned. They sat in silence for a few seconds before Jesse turned the key in the ignition and the car's vibrations and gentle humming stopped. He pocketed his keys and got out of the car. He crossed the distance to the passenger's side door and held it open, helping Rachel down with his free hand. She gripped her shoulder bag tightly against her hip, knowing what awaited her once she stepped through the double doors and into the high school. Slushies. She willed herself to think optimistically. Maybe it would be a grape slushie today. Grape was her favorite slushie flavor. Something abruptly dawned on Rachel, and quirked an eyebrow suspiciously as she glanced at Jesse. "Don't you have school today?"
He chuckled under his breath, his blue-grey eyes dark and humorous as they met Rachel's gaze. "According to my doctor's note, I'm at home sick with the flu."
"You're not sick." Rachel accused, though it blatantly obvious to the both of them.
"You'd be surprised what a few Benjamins can get you." He smirked.
"Benja—" Rachel began, her eyes widening. Jesse cut her off.
"Let's continue this conversation later, shall we?" He asked good-naturedly, with a teasing undertone. As much as Rachel tried to be furious with him for lying about being sick, she couldn't. She supposed it was one of his agonizing charms. She was coming to get sick of it.
Jesse draped his arm over her shoulder. She snuggled into his embrace, as they'd often done. She was so lucky to have such an awesome best friend, she thought to herself. He led her towards the school, her stomach tightening. Once she was on her own, it would be open season as she was bombarded with slushies. Jesse led her towards the double doors, holding a door open for her. She smiled softly, trying to hide the turmoil that she was feeling inside. As the door clanked shut behind them, Jesse's arm returned to its lazed position around her shoulders. "So, this is McKinley." He smiled. "It's… quaint. In a good way." He added quickly, flashing a smile Rachel's way.
"Thanks." Rachel said dryly. "Except that I don't think that you're allowed on school grounds."
"I got a visitor's pass. Your lack of faith in my genius is nearly offensive, Rach."
"Your genius?" She questioned, cocking a brow. "You mean your unbearable arrogance?"
"Watch it." He shot back. Though his voice was hard, his eyes were playful. Rachel had been leading him by the hand down the halls of WMHS. Now, they had arrived at her locker.
From the outside, it looked like any ordinary locker. From the inside, it was clear that only Rachel Berry could have such a locker. The inside was lined with gold stars. The door of the locker held a magnetic mirror and pictures of her closest people; a picture of her and Jesse at the Meet & Greet, pictures of her and her dads from a photo booth. Even a picture Finn had given her of himself. Memoirs from her vast amount of clubs she was active in and awards she had earned from her many talents took up the rest of the space, aside from her school supplies. She heard Jesse give an uncharacteristic snort from behind her. "What?" She asked defensively.
"This is exactly how I pictured your locker would look like." He grinned. She stayed silent, grabbing the books needed for her first class of the day. As she closed her locker door gently, she turned back to Jesse.
"So, you're just going to wander the halls aimlessly while I'm in my classes?" She smirked. She had no idea why anyone would willingly spend an entire day at WMHS. It was beyond her.
"I'm actually here due to a number of things. I have a few things to talk about with some of the teachers. You going to this school was more of a bonus." He flashed her another blinding smile, one that he used to win over people. She had a strong suspicion that there was more to it than just that, and she hated the idea of him not telling her something. She turned and was met by a faceful of cold, corn syrup-y-ness. It drenched her face, some of it falling down her shirt and staining her clothes. The slushie dripped down her face, masking her tears of which were caused by a mix of humiliation and the corn syrup stinging her eyes. Through her squinted eyes, she caught a glimpse of Karofsky grinning down at her darkly.
Did you like it? Chapter 2 coming soon. Please leave a review, it motivates me and, chances are, I'll be out with a new Chapter faster. Feel free to give constructive criticism or things you'd like to see later on in the story.
-Groffchele