DISCLAIMER: Don't own Glee.
Its summer and she decides to do good.
Ever since Prom, Rachel's become closer to Sam; Maybe it's the guilt, but they've become good friends. They always buy slushie and take the bus on the way home.
And now that there's no school, it's hot and she's got nothing to do, she finds herself standing at the front of their motel room.
Sam opens her door, surprised but happy to see her. He pulls her into a hug. She immediately explains (in Rachel Berry Style of course) that she wanted to be Stevie and Stacy's official babysitter for the summer.
He frowns. "Don't you have anything better to do? I appreciate this, Rach, really, but it's not actually a vacation blast to take care of two kids." He looks slightly ashamed.
She hates seeing this expression. "Sam," She holds his hands. "I know what you're thinking and how many times do I have to tell you that this is not a charity case? I may not have a lot of friends, but I definitely know how to treat one."
"That's not what I-"
"Yes, I know that, too." She cuts him off and smiles teasingly. "What's the matter, Evans? Getting tired of me already?"
He grinned. "Never." He slung his arm around her and gave her a (tight) one-sided hug.
She smiled, secretly relieved that he let this one slide. She knows how Sam can be when it comes to his family problem. Every time she sees his reaction whenever it's being discussed, her stomach drops in pain. It's not fair for anyone as young as he is to handle this kind of situation so abruptly.
"Thank you." He whispers in her hair, as she hugs his side in response.
She comes over the motel at 9AM everyday (since Sam has to work), and takes care of Stevie and Stacy. Sam goes home by 4:30, they hang out for a little while, and he buys her yogurt while he's walking her back home.
"Is this in replacement for our slushie?" Rachel had asked one walk.
Sam had shrugged. "I figured slushees remind us of school."
She had nodded and looked at her Green Tea-flavoured yogurt. "Nice choice."
Stacy and Stevie, she observed, were smart kids. They know their situation, and they know how to take care of themselves and of each other. Stevie knows how to fry an egg, and Stacy can clean the dishes.
Mr and Mrs. Evans couldn't thank her enough on what she's doing for them. Apparently, Sam told them about it, and Mrs. Evans had called Rachel to thank her (in which Rachel embarrassedly, but gratefully told her that it was no problem.) She hasn't seen them both yet, until she fell asleep on Sam's shoulder while watching Star Wars: The Empire Strike Back, and remained at their place until 7:30 in the evening. She woke up at the subtle movements he was making, and she heard him talk quietly to someone. When she opened her eyes, she saw a blonde woman, and a brunette man smiling in front of her and she knew it was them. After inwardly cursing Sam for not waking her up, she stood and introduced herself to them. She was expecting to leave after that, but Sam's parents were determined on letting her stay for dinner as a thank you. She tried to politely decline, but it was no use. Sam told her he already informed her dads, and proceeded to push her on the table. She began to grow fond of them, and was a little envious of their closeness since both her dads, as sweet as they can be, were always away on business trips.
"You're lucky. You know that, right?" She told him one afternoon while he was walking her home.
He scoffed on his (Blueberry flavoured) yogurt. "I'm sorry, but I can't see it."
"Well then look at it now." She said, taking a bite. "You have two bright siblings, and you're parents are always there for you, no matter how bad things get."
They walked silently. "You have a point."
Sam wondered briefly why Rachel would just randomly say that, but he didn't think about it too much. On one Saturday morning, he knew why.
He doesn't work on weekends so Rachel doesn't come over to babysit. His parents are also there, resting from their five-day job hunt.
He's kind of accustomed of her presence everyday and it's not the same without her. Normally, he doesn't bother her much on weekends, giving her space. But he saw Barbra Streisand while channel surfing and he knew he just had to text her.
Hey Rach! How's ur morning? :)
Almost ten minutes went by and still no text from her. He checked the time- 10:43AM. She's awake, he's certain. The girl does not wake up after eight, no matter how important sleep is. After a minute or so, his phone vibrated and he immediately pressed it.
Hi Sam, it was okay.
He frowned at this. Rachel Berry texts are shiny, bright and happy. If you could put a star symbol on the texts, Rachel would probably own it. He begins to worry. This isn't about Finn Hudson, is it? She'd told him they remained non-exclusive and casual because she needs time to think.
What's the matter?
He decides to go straight to the point. A minute later, he receives a reply.
Nothing, I'm okay :) How are you guys there?
He knows that's bullshit. He ignores her question.
Ur at home, right?
Of course, where else would I be? :) Why?
After he read her reply, he sprung out of the bed and asked her mom for the car keys. He tells her he will be back later.
She's not telling the truth, even faking a good mood and he's kind of pissed because she had to fake for him, hurt because they were close enough to tell personal things to each other, and worried because he hates seeing her sad.
He pulls up on her driveway and knocks on the door. Rachel opens a second later, wearing a tank top, pyjamas and holding a cell phone. Her eyes aren't puffy and bloodshot, but it looks kind of teary. She couldn't hide her surprise when she saw him.
"Sam! What are you doing here?"
He studied her for a moment. She's looking at anywhere but him.
"You've been crying."
"No, I'm not." She was talking to his shoulder.
He softly wiped an excess side tear on her left eye for proof. She looked down and sighed, then let him in. They sat on the couch.
"Is this about Finn?" He asked first.
She looked taken aback, and then shook her head. Sam felt slightly relieved at that. He took her hand, and saw her bit her lip, as if concentrating on what to tell him. Or if to tell him at all. Then she handed him her lighted phone. He read the text.
Hello honey! I know uve been lookng 4ward 2day, and we miss u so much 2! But we got caught up in another trip. Ths is 4 the good of our business, and were doing this 4 u 2, darling! Ur dad and I r both sorry 4 not being there w/ u. Dnt worry, we'll c each other soon! We left u money & we can still Skype! List down all the things u want & we'll make sure 2 look 4 it! I prmise! C u in September! We love u & take care, Rachel Bear!
Sam began to feel sad for the petite girl. He gave her back the phone at looked at her. She was looking down at her lap, lips thin. He squeezed her hand.
"It's been four months."
He dropped his mouth slightly. Four months? That means she's been all by herself since February.
"Rachel..."
She smiled slightly at him. "I'm sorry you've been bothered by this, Sam. I feel stupid that I'm whining out for this silly thing, on you of all people."
"Everything you just said is wrong." He said voice hard. "I'm the one who came here unannounced because it bothers me not knowing. You are not stupid, Rachel. This is not silly, far from it. And I want you to know that I want to be the one who you tell all these things, okay? You're one of the closest people in my life, and I don't want to see you sad. Not if I can help it."
She nodded, not saying anything. Then a tear fell down from her cheeks, and Sam's resolve crumbled. He wrapped his arms around her. She was sniffing and continuously trying to wipe her free-flowing tears.
His heart ached for her. He knows she doesn't want anyone to see her in her moment of weakness, but he wants her to understand that she can show it to him. He held both of her hands to stop her from wiping, and placed them on his jeans to wipe it clean.
It wasn't long before she composed herself and freshened up. He knew she still had to keep strong for herself; A practice she does everyday ever since people started to bully her. They watched Funny Girl afterwards. Sam told himself that he was doing this for Rachel, but he began to focus on the movie. After that, they watched Sound of Music.
Rachel couldn't believe he just witnessed her on her weak moment. Even though he insisted otherwise, she still felt silly and stupid. Well, how could she not be? Here with her is a boy that practically lost almost all his properties, and she was complaining about not being with her parents.
She also couldn't believe he was here, comforting her. If she was honest with herself, she didn't think she'd be accompanied by anyone right now. As far as she can remember, almost everyone dislikes her. Yes, she and Sam grew closer, but that still doesn't mean he'd be going to her house to cheer her up, especially since it's his day off.
So she decides to let him enjoy, too. She asks him to teach her a little Na'vi and the look on his face is definitely worth it.