It was finally graduation day. I sighed as I looked at myself in the mirror. Finn had broken up with me a week ago, and I was a mess. I sighed again when my phone vibrated. It was Kurt.
"Hey Rach, are you excited? We're finally graduating!" Kurt said as soon as I answered.
"I'm just excited to get this over with," I said. I know I was being a bit of a Debbie Downer, but I didn't want to be anywhere near Finn.
"C'mon, Rach, you have to have a better attitude. Trust me, I'll help you avoid Finn," Kurt said as my phone beeped. It was Mr. Schu.
"Thanks Kurt, look I have to go, Mr. Schu is calling me. I'll see you soon," I said as I switched over. "Hello? Mr. Schu?"
"Hey Rachel, you're still coming today, right?" Mr. Schu asked, obviously concerned.
"Of course I am, why would you think otherwise?" I asked, confused.
"Well I heard what happened between you and Finn and I didn't want you to miss out on your graduation because of a boy," he said, relieved. I giggled.
"I'm definitely avoiding Finn, but I would never miss my graduation," I said reassuringly.
"Okay good, I was just making sure I would see you today," he said. "I've got to go get ready, so I'll see you later, Rachel."
"Bye Mr. Schu," I said as I hung up. What did Mr. Schu mean when he said he wanted to see me today? I just shoved that thought to the back of my mind, and instead, went back to focusing on my hair.
"Rachel, honey are you ready to go?" My dad knocked on the door.
"Yeah dad, I'll be down in a second," I said as I took one last look in the mirror. I put on a fake smile as I headed downstairs.
On the drive over to school, I was silent. Luckily, I don't think my dads noticed because they were talking the whole way there.
Kurt was standing in front of the school waiting for me. I was grateful that he was there for me, especially since I knew that he would prefer to be with Blaine.
"Rachel! I love what you did with your hair," Kurt said, hugging me.
"Thanks Kurt," I said. I motioned toward the door. "Should we be in line already?" He shrugged.
"Probably. Let's go," Kurt said, pulling me after him.
Once we were in line, my mind wandered back to what Mr. Schu had said. I mean, yeah I still had a little crush on him, but I still can't believe he had said that to me. But seriously, I knew that Miss Pillsbury has a huge crush on him, wouldn't they be dating?
I was so caught up in my daydream and confusion that I didn't realize that we had started marching in until I felt someone nudge my back. I felt my face turn pink as I hurried to catch up with everyone in front of me.
Then I saw him. Mr. Schu was wearing a suit and tie (as always) but I realized that he was wearing the tie that I had gotten him a long time ago. I had never seen him wear it before. I smiled at that fact.
The graduation ceremony itself was pretty long and boring, but it gave me time to plan out what I was going to say to Mr. Schu.
"Congratulations, Rachel!" I heard the familiar voice behind me. It was Mr. Schu. I had forgotten everything that I was planning to say to him, instead I hugged him.
"Thank you, Mr. Schu. For everything," I said, still hugging him. I was surprised that we were still hugging, but I didn't mind. After a few seconds too long, I finally ended the hug and changed the topic. "You're going out with us to eat, right?" I asked as he nodded.
"Of course! I wouldn't want to miss it," he said with a smile.
We walked over to Kurt and Blaine together.
"Are you ready to go?" Kurt asked us as we nodded. "Okay, I think everyone else has bailed on us though." Mr. Schu looked concerned at that statement.
"Maybe I should just go home," he said as Kurt and I both shook our heads.
"C'mon Mr. Schu, when are we going to see you again?" Kurt said as we started for the door. Mr. Schu smiled.
"You do realize that you are all always welcomed to visit, right? It's not like any of us are dying or anything," Mr. Schu said once we were outside. "Anyways, do you guys have a ride over there?"
"Kurt's driving us," I said, motioning to his car. Mr. Schu nodded.
"So I'll meet you guys at the restaurant?" Mr. Schu asked as we nodded. I followed Kurt and Blaine to the car.
"Do you have a crush on Mr. Schu?" Kurt asked once we were on the road. I could feel my cheeks turn pink.
"Well," I said with a pause. "I don't really know. I guess I do."
"Well maybe you should try to make a move tonight," Blaine said. "It seems like he might like you too."
"Why do you think that?" I asked curiously. Blaine shrugged.
"Well if you're in a room, Mr. Schu is always near you. Or he's always looking at you. And he talks to you differently," he said as we pulled into the parking lot.
"Well I hope you're right," I muttered as we walked into the restaurant.
After we ate and talked for a while, Kurt and Blaine decided to leave. Mr. Schu offered to drive me home, so I stayed.
Mr. Schu ordered two wines as soon as they left. Once the waiter brought them to us, he slid one across the table to me.
"I know you've been under a lot of stress lately and trust me, this will help," he said casually. I gladly drank the wine.
After we talked and drank for a while, Mr. Schu put his hand on top of mine. I didn't move, instead I smiled.
"Rachel, this might sound crazy, and you might avoid me for the rest of your life, but I really like you," Mr. Schu said once the clock hit midnight. I didn't say anything for a minute, but I let what he said sink in.
"I've always had a crush on you," I said simply. I was pretty sure my words were a little slurred since this was pretty much the first time I had ever had alcohol, but I didn't care. Instead, I stood up with a smile and pulled Mr. Schu after me.
"Rachel! What are you doing?" he asked as we walked outside. I pulled him around to the back of the restaurant and looked around to make sure that nobody was around. Then, I kissed him.
"Mr. Schu, let's go back to your house," I tried to say between kisses. It didn't work though, because he just laughed.
"What did you just say?" He asked softly. I repeated myself and he nodded, taking my hand and walking towards his car. "Also, Rachel, call me Will." I smiled as I nodded.
He drove quickly back to his house, and as soon as we were inside, we were making out again. Will picked me up and carried me to the bedroom.
When I woke up, my head was pounding. It took me a minute to remember where I was.
"Good morning, Rachel," Will mumbled sleepily. I smiled, glad to know that last night actually happened, and it wasn't just me dreaming.
"Good morning, Will," I said as I sat up. He copied me.
"Do you want some breakfast? I can make pancakes," he said as I nodded. He laughed. "Well you have to help me make them."
We made pancakes, and once we sat down to eat them, I sighed.
"What's wrong?" he asked, concerned.
"Well I just have a few... Questions," I said slowly.
"Then go ahead," he said, leaning forward in his chair.
"Do you really like me?" I asked. I hadn't planned on actually asking that question, but I guess my lips have a mind of their own today. He smiled.
"Of course I do, Rach. I mean, that's why I haven't dated anybody since Terri left me. I know that sounds crazy, but I could never get myself to ask anyone out," he said as I smiled.
"You do realize I'm going to New York in a week, right? What's going to happen to us then?" I asked as he took my hand.
"I'll come visit? I don't know yet, Rach, but I want to make this work," he said as I nodded in agreement.
"Okay, well I just wanted to check a couple of things before we continued this," I said as he nodded in agreement.
"And you have every right to do so," He said as he stood up. He picked up our plates and took them back to the kitchen. He motioned toward the couch, and I followed. "I do have one request though, can we not tell anybody about us? At least for now?" He asked as I nodded.
"Of course! I wasn't exactly planning on telling anybody anyways," I said as he smiled.
After we sat and talked on the couch for a while, my phone rang.
"Aw shit," I muttered as I answered it. "Hi daddy," I said sweetly.
"Rachel? Where the hell are you?" Daddy asked very loudly.
"I told you that Kurt and I were going to have a move night and that I probably wasn't going to come home," I said, as Will sighed of relief.
"Oh, I must have forgotten about that. Well, I just wanted to make sure that you were okay honey," he said. "When are you going to be home?"
"Um, I'll be back later daddy," I said simply.
"Okay, well we still haven't given you your graduation present," he said.
"Well you can give it to me when I get home, okay? I've got to go daddy, Kurt's putting in another movie," I said.
"Okay, I'll see you later sweetie," he said as he hung up.
"Did you really think I was going to tell my dad that I didn't come home last night because I was too busy having sex with my choir director?" I asked Will as he smiled guiltily.
"I was a little worried, will Kurt cover for you?" he asked as I nodded.
"Kurt and I made a deal. Whenever something like that happens, we just say that we were with each other, since both of our parents know that nothing will happen between us," I said as he smiled.
"So, what are we going to do today?" he asked. I shrugged.
"Just remember, whatever we do we probably want to go to a different town so we don't have people seeing us," I said as he nodded.
"Then that's what we'll do! We can even make it an overnight trip, if you want," Will said as I nodded.
"I'll go home and grab a few things and tell my dads that I'm going with Quinn to Cincinnati to shop for stuff for New York," I said.
"That's sounds like a great plan," he said.
"Then let's get moving," I said, standing up. "You do realize you have to take me home, right?" Will stood up as I laughed.
"I realize that now," he said as he picked up his keys. I followed him to the door.
"Wait, Will!" I said, stopping him before he opened the door. He turned around. I leaned up and kissed him.
"What was that for?" he asked with a smirk.
"Well I figured since I probably shouldn't kiss you outside of my house," I said simply as he nodded.
Luckily my house wasn't that far away.
"Look, why don't I drive to your house so my dads aren't suspicious, especially since I always meet Quinn at her house," I said as he nodded. "I'll be there in about an hour, okay?"
"Okay, I'll see you then," Will said with a smile. I gave him one last smile before walking into my house.
"Hey honey, did you have fun with Kurt?" Daddy asked as soon as I walked in. I nodded.
"Rachel?" Dad walked into the room, holding what I presume to be my graduation present.
"Hi dad," I said as he smiled.
"Here's your graduation present. Sorry it's nothing too fancy, but I figured since you're going to New York that you're going to need it," he said as I opened the box. There was a pile of cash sitting neatly in the middle of the box.
"It's 5,000 dollars," Daddy said. I smiled.
"Thank you guys so much for this," I said as I stood up. I needed to get ready to go.
"You can even use some of it when you go shopping with Quinn," Daddy said.
"Speaking of Quinn, I need to get ready to go," I said, using that to excuse myself from the conversation.
I hurried upstairs and took a shower. I got dressed, did my makeup, and attempted to do something to my hair. I grabbed one of my tote bags that had stuff in it for New York. Fortunately, it already had a couple of outfits in it. I threw in my makeup bag and I put some of the 5,000 dollars into a hidden pocket in my bag, just incase. I then grabbed my phone and my purse, said goodbye to my dads and left.
When I pulled up to Will's house, he had the garage open. He was obviously trying to make room for something. I got out of my car.
"What are you doing?" I asked as I stepped into the garage. I guess he hadn't heard me approach, because he jumped.
"Making room for your car," he said. "I think it'll fit now, you wanna try?" I nodded, anxious to just get going.
Luckily, my car fit on the first try. I grabbed my bag and my purse out of my car and Will put them into the car for me. Once we were all packed, we were off.
"I still need to give you you're graduation present," Will said once we were on the road.
"What is it?" I asked excitedly. Will smiled as he reached into his bag and handed me an envelope. I opened it excitedly. There were two sheets of paper. Then I realized what they were. Will had gotten tickets to see Wicked in Cincinnati. I squealed once I realized what it was.
"I thought that you might have wanted to see Wicked," Will said with a smile.
"Thank you soooo much, Will, you're literally the greatest," I said, still smiling.
We talked for a while about anything and everything. When were a half an hour away, I yawned.
"Maybe you should take a nap," Will said. "If I remember correctly, you didn't get much sleep last night." I smiled.
"But I don't want to waste the limited amount of time we have together," I said softly.
"Well I don't want you falling asleep in the middle of Wicked," Will said with a smile. I sighed because we both knew that his statement had won.
"Fine," I said as I closed my eyes. I was asleep within seconds.
"Rach, we're here," Will said, waking me up.
"Did we miss it?" I asked, concerned.
"Miss what?" He asked, confused.
"Wicked," I mumbled. He laughed.
"Rach, honey, the show doesn't start for a couple more hours," he said. I sighed.
"Thank goodness. Does that mean I have time to change into something more classy for the theatre?" I asked as Will nodded.
"You've got plenty of time, since this is our hotel," He said as he pulled into a parking lot.
We checked into the hotel and I changed into the dress I brought, since I didn't want to be underdressed for the theatre.
"Are you ready to go now?" Will asked, adjusting the tie he had just put on. I nodded.
We ended up at a little cafe next to the theatre. We had purchased sandwiches, but I was too excited to eat.
"C'mon Rach, you have to eat," Will said, pushing the sandwich toward me. "The faster you eat, the sooner we can go to the theatre."
"Fine," I said, picking up the sandwich. I stood up as soon as I finished eating. "Let's go!"
"Rachel, wait up!" Will said. I sighed as I turned around. He was still throwing his trash away. He finally walked over to me. I took his hand and pulled him out the door.
We walked into the theatre hand in hand. As soon as I saw the Emerald City map, I gasped.
"This is perfect," I said as Will and I settled down in our seats. He smiled.
"Well I try," he said with a smirk.
The play started, and I'm pretty sure I sat on the edge of my seat until intermission.
"So what do you think, Rach?" Will asked as I squealed.
"This is so perfect! I would do anything to be Elphaba one day," I said. Will smiled as he pulled me close.
"You'll be Elphaba one day," he said simply. I smiled.
"You really think so?" I asked as he nodded.
The lights dimmed as I slid back down in my seat. Will put his arm around me as the music started.
"That was flawless," I said, standing up and clapping. The play was over, and I couldn't believe what I had witnessed. Wicked was definitely something I wanted to be a part of one day.
"Are you ready to go?" Will asked once most of the audience had left. I nodded and led the way out to the foyer.
"Wait," I said, pulling him to the box office. "Hi, um is there any possible way I can use the stage for like, five minutes?" I asked the guy behind the glass sweetly. I slid a couple of twenties across to him. He nodded.
"Yeah, just don't touch anything," he said, leading us to the stage. I motioned for Will to sit down and the box office guy left.
"What are you doing, Rach?" Will asked as I smiled.
"I want you to hear my audition song," I said with a shrug. "Plus I wanted to sing on this stage." He smiled.
"Well what are you waiting for?" he asked as I smiled. I sang The Wizard and I for two reasons: one, it was an important song in the play since it was Elphaba's first song, and two, it covered a pretty decent range.
"Wow," Will said, clapping. I smiled, feeling the accomplishment I always felt after singing. He walked up onto the stage and gave me a hug. "Now if you aren't Elphaba after singing that, they are just a bunch of brainless jerks. I smiled as I leaned up and kissed him.
"That was unbelievable," I jumped at a voice from the back of the auditorium. "Hi, I'm Steve, and I'm actually the producer of this production, and I would love to have you audition," he said as he joined Will and I on the stage. "Is there any way you could be in New York next week?" I nodded.
"Yes, of course," I said, amazed at what I had just been told. "I'm actually going to New York next week to go to NYADA." Steve smiled.
"Well here's my card, give me a call once you're settled in," He said. I nodded.
"Will do," I said as Will squeezed my hand. "Thank you," I added quickly. Steve smiled as he walked offstage. I squealed.
"Well I think they found their next Elphaba," Will said as I smiled. I yawned, and Will took that as a signal that it was time to leave. I sighed as I took one last look at the stage before walking out.