Author's Note: I fell in love with Glee the second time I watched it. The first time I barely paid attention...then I went back and rewatched it...and the fall was hard! I couldn't help but begin composing fan fiction ideas. This is my first one written down. It will be, hopefully, a series of related one shots about the members of New Directions. I've already formed my 'ships and they will be included in this. They are not all CC couples (but they could be, right? We have only had one episode, after all). If you enjoy the first two chapters, please review them and encourage me to continue! If you hate them...well, review and explain why. Thanks!
Also - this contains spoilers for future episodes but only slightly.
Stars
The darkening evening perfectly reflected Rachel Berry's darkening mood. Turning from the window, she whirled to face McKinley High's resident Spanish teacher and advisor of the Glee club.
"I don't think it's a good idea at all, Mr. Schuester," she exclaimed, placing her hands firmly on her hips.
Mr. Schuester barely lifted his head to answer her. "Rachel, we need twelve people to compete. Does it really matter that Quinn and her friends joined? Or Puck?"
Amazed that Mr. Schuester didn't see the problem, Rachel sputtered, "Yes! I bet they're planning on sabotaging the club and ruining of all my - uh, I mean our dreams."
This time Mr. Schuester paused in grading his papers, sending the wound up teen a reassuring smile, though Rachel didn't feel her fears evaporating in the least bit. "Don't worry Rachel. I'm sure they have great reasons for wanting to be a part of Glee. And if you're right, then I'm positive that they'll change their minds after a few practices. They'll become part of our family."
Harrumphing at the teacher's sunny disposition, Rachel stormed out into the hallway, determined to find someone who would see it her way. Her footsteps pounded on the linoleum tiling, coming to a halt by the auditorium when she heard voices. Poking her head in, she spied Mercedes and Kurt standing on one side of the stage while Quinn and Puck stood on the other. Artie had wheeled himself into the center of the floor and was strumming his guitar. Curiosity getting the better of her, Rachel flounced in, her hair streaming behind her.
"Hey guys," she said cheerfully, taking the steps to stand on the stage by Mercedes and Kurt. "What's going on?"
Not even glancing at her, Kurt crossed his arms over his chest, glaring at the popular kids. "Oh, nothing. Mercedes and I were just trying to give these two some tips on performing."
"We don't need your tips," sneered Quinn. "We know how to perform. I'm a Cheerio and Puck is on the football team. Since the Glee club has never really performed anything in years, maybe we should be giving you the advice."
In preparation of what was sure to be Mercedes' reaction at such a comment, Rachel grabbed onto one of Mercedes' arms, as if Rachel alone could hold back the force of nature that was Mercedes. As Rachel had internally predicted, Mercedes began to charge but, fortunately, Kurt held her other arm, so, try as she might to move, Mercedes remained in place.
Quinn's high pitched laugh tempted Rachel to release Mercedes but she didn't because the sight of blood made her a bit squeamish.
"Look," said Puck, glaring at the each one in turn (excluding Quinn, of course). "We just came here to practice. Alone. So, if you don't mind…"
Holding her head up high, Rachel started to leave. "Come on guys. We can go practice elsewhere." Kurt and Mercedes followed her, while Artie rolled down the ramp, still grasping his guitar. Coming down the aisle opposite the Gleeks, skipped Quinn's cheerleading friends.
Hating that those people, the ones who had tormented Rachel since grade school, were taking over her domain, she slammed an open palm into the door, causing it to swing and bang against a wall.
"I know how you feel," grumbled Kurt, heaving beside her.
"This isn't right." Mercedes said, in a matter of fact tone.
"Come on guys," interjected Artie. "You just have to be Zen about it."
"Zen?" asked Mercedes skeptically.
"Yeah, Zen. It means cool-"
"I know what it means," she cut him off. "But I don't think there's any way I can be Zen about this."
Shrugging, Artie said, "Well, there's not like we can do anything about it anyway."
"There has to be something!" Rachel cried, not willing to admit to defeat. "I've already talked to Mr. Schuester and he won't listen to reason at all!" As one, the teens started to move down the hallway and Rachel kept talking, though her friends drowned her out, as they were all lost in their own thoughts. "…so maybe we can talk to him," Rachel finished as they strolled out into the almost-night air.
"Why don't you take care of that?" Mercedes suggested.
Filled with unbridled happiness at the suggestion, Rachel merely nodded. A blush started at her cheeks and spread, though the others, already dispersing, didn't notice. As soon as they were out of hearing range, she let out a shrill squeal then ran away from the school, planning everything she would say as she made her case…
- - - - - -
As usual, being so close to him caused a failing of words in her. "Uh, so, Finn, I'm sure you get what I'm saying…"
Leaning against his doorframe, in a casual pose, he regarded her in confusion. "Actually…I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Oh." Embarrassed, she shifted on her feet. "Well, I'm speaking of, um, the newest members of New Directions. You know…"
"Quinn and Puck?"
"Precisely."
Taking a moment to scratch his head, Finn glanced over his shoulder. "You, uh, want to come in?"
Filled with awe, she echoed his question. "Come in?"
"Sure."
Trembling lips uplifted in a smile. "I will." And ten steps later, she was standing in the middle of Finn Hudson's living room, head turning from left to right, as her heart almost exploded in joy. She would have a lot to write in her diary that night. Surveying the room, she chronicled every little detail in her mind, so that she might accurately describe it within the pages of her dearest friend. So absorbed was she in the perusal of the room that she didn't hear Finn asking her a question.
"Rachel?" Snapping out of her daze, she turned adoring eyes to him. "Do you want something to drink?"
"Something…to drink?" Tucking a hair behind her ear, she gave him a demure yes, telling him that anything would be fine.
He disappeared into the kitchen for a moment then reemerged not long after, a bottle of root beer in each hand. Though Rachel didn't normally drink soda (as a performer, she had to be careful about what substances she allowed to enter her body), she gratefully accepted the bottle he offered her, then settled on the couch cushion he patted in invitation. Taking a swig of the soda, she swiveled her body, not taking her eyes off his profile. Though she had known Finn for a long time, she had not noticed, prior to his first performance with New Directions, how very attractive he was.
Swallowing, he glanced at her, the light in her eyes making him slightly uncomfortable. "Listen, Rachel, I know how you feel."
"You…you do?" she squeaked, wondering if he would reciprocate her feelings of undying love for him.
"About Puck and Quinn," he went on, without missing a beat. "I was surprised when they showed up to try out for New Directions."
A slightly deflated "oh" exited Rachel's lips but Finn barely noticed.
"But maybe they decided to give it a try because I joined. I'd like to think that at least."
Discouraged that he wasn't examining the situation as much as she had, she leaned back against the couch. "I don't know Finn. I think they might have something…nefarious planned."
Raising his eyebrows, Finn didn't even need to ask the question that sprung to his mind.
"I don't know what but I just don't think they can be trusted!" Standing, Rachel faced the boy she had an almost obsessive crush on. "I can't believe you, you and Mr. Schuester, are so blind!" Feeling almost at tears, because even Finn wouldn't listen to her, she charged at his front door. But his warm hand, encircling her upper arm, stopped her in mid step.
"Hey, you might be right Rachel. But we can't really do anything but keep an eye on them, right? And we need them to compete. If they leave, we're down to eight members of the club."
It was almost exactly what Mr. Schuester had said, but, coming from Finn, it made more sense. "But we'll keep an eye on them, right?"
"Of course."
Slightly reassured, and disappointed, since he removed his hand from her arm, she smiled at him, and was rewarded with a smile in return. "Well, I should go. Good night Finn."
"Good night Rachel."
After the door shut behind her, Rachel stood, shivering, not because it was cold, but because of what had just passed between her and Finn.
Though he couldn't truly see her yet, she was sure one day he would. They were two stars in the night and, eventually, they couldn't do anything but collide.