I have to say, I was pretty surprised at the response to this story! It made me grin from ear to ear though so thank you so much. This chapter is more of the characters getting a feel for one another, it's setting up for the next couple of chapters. I hope everyone enjoys!


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They spent the rest of that night talking about songs to sing, looking up competitions in the near by areas they'd be able to join and just having fun. They were all really excited about the idea of forming their own group.

Chasing Dreams was truly a dream of all of their's in one way or another. For Rachel, she'd get to sing and dance to her hearts content in front of audiences of all sizes, Santana would be able to sing and dance without having to fight for leads that Schue would never give her, or having to worry about her rep at school, it was a very good way to get Puck out of Lima for good if things went right, Mike, Matt and Britney all got to choreograph all of the numbers they did and for once their singing voices were appreciated as well. For all of them, this was a dream come true and it hadn't even truly began yet.

They ate take out as they brainstormed but eventually Matt noticed that it was late and they were still the only ones there."Rach? Where's your parents?" He asked, causing the rest, besides Noah, to notice the time and the emptiness of the house.

Rachel looked up and then back down at her plate before answering, "They are on vacation"

"Oh that's cool, where too?" San asked.

"Australia"

"Wow! Sounds like a blast! When do they come home?" Mike asked.

"Um..not until December" And then their was silence. Everyone was staring at her in shock.

"You're parents are gone for the next three months?" Matt asked, as if he didn't believe it.

Rachel nodded then said, "You know we could do our own rendition of 'Don't Stop Believin' With Noah and Santana singing their parts and me and either Mike or Matt singing the rest. I bet that would be a crowd pleaser."

Realizing her reluctance to talk about her parents extended absence Santana just replied, "Yeah that would be good, though eventually maybe we should try and write our own songs. Make the group completely ours, ya know?"

They all agreed with that, "Good idea but let's at least get a tentative set list of songs that aren't ours to start with" Noah said, smiling a genuine smile at all of them. This day couldn't have gone better in his eyes.

Rachel spoke his words out loud, in part at least, "I can't believe how this day turned out. I never expected any of it but I'm honestly happier now with what's going on with us then with the whole last year and a half of glee."

Everyone nodded but then Mike looked at his watch, "It's late, we should probably head home"

Matt nodded, but stopped, "Are you going to be alright on your own?"He asked Rachel, frowning. Still not liking the thought of her in this big house alone for three months.

Rachel smiled at him, "I'm fine, Matt besides I'm hardly ever alone."

She glanced at Noah, causing everyone to raise their smirked, "I was wondering why you had a key to B's house"

"This is where you've been disappearing to so often?" Mike asked, shaking his head, "Never mind, should have known"

Noah smirked at that, "It's not like it was a secret. You've all seen me and Berry hanging around each other."

"Yeah, but I thought you all were just friends," Matt answered for them.

Rachel started laughing, which made everyone but Brit, who had been asleep for a while, look at her.

"What's so funny?" San asked even as Noah cracked a smile as well.

"You guys" Laughter… "think that Noah and I."… More laughter "are dating?" she finally managed to get out.

"He has a key to your house, B seems a pretty fair assumption."

Noah rolled his eyes at that because he had a key to Santana's, Chang's and Rutherford's too. Hell he had a key to Hudson's old house too before he moved into Hummel's. Didn't mean he was dating any of them but he let Berry field this one.

"I assure you, Noah and I are just friends. Best friends but nothing more than that. We understand each other that's all and he comes and stays here when my dads' are gone so I'm not alone. He has his own room, really he's had his own room since we were little but he's started using it more these past couple years. He's like a brother more than anything"

Noah made a face at that, "Don't go that far, Berry."

Santana laughed a little, "You remember you guys did date before, right?"

Rachel glared at the laughing teens before saying, "You are all aware of what I meant. In any case, Noah and I are not dating and have not been for a very long time. Much to his mom's displeasure"

Puck shuttered at that, "I'm pretty sure the only reason I'm allowed to stay here as often as I do is because she's hoping we will 'see the light' and get married already, or just give her Jewish grandbabies I'm not sure she'll care about the married part."

Matt and Mike started laughing but seeing Rachel's serious face stopped, "He's not kidding. I've seen wedding books she's tried to hide, it's scary"

Santana patted the girls shoulder, then looked down at Britney, still fast asleep and sighed, bending down to wake her, Rachel stopped her.

"You guys can stay here, if you want. There's plenty of room"

Santana took another look at the sleeping girl before nodding, "You don't mind?"

Rachel shook her head, giving her a smile, Santana looked at Puck who shrugged, "Berry's house, her rules" Was all he said.

Santana nodded and got her cell out, calling her parents and then Britney's to tell them they were sleeping at a she was on the phone, Rachel looked at Matt and Mike, "You two can stay as well, if you want. It's up to you."

Matt looked at Mike who shrugged, "Up to you man, I'm staying at your house tonight anyway remember."

Matt nodded, "Sure why not,"

He then called his parents quickly as well. After that, Santana woke Britney up and Rachel showed everyone where spare rooms were and the closest bathrooms and what not. Yawning, she turned to them and said "Well, I'm heading to bed, if you need anything don't hesitate to come ask" She then pointed out both her and Noah's rooms, then hugged Noah and Britney goodnight, waving at everyone else before heading into her room. Once inside she quickly changed into her pajamas and as she was about to fall on her bed, she heard a knock on the door. She opened it to reveal Santana and Britney.

Britney said, "Hey B, do you have any clothes we can sleep in?"

Santana added, "We don't really want to sleep in our cheerios uniforms."

Rachel nodded, "Of course, I'm sorry I forgot you all didn't have clothes here." She walked over to her dresser and pulled out a couple pairs of shorts and tank tops and handed them to the girls, "There those should fit you guys alright"

Santana and Britney both thanked Rachel then Santana said, "Go on back to bed Brit, I want to talk to Rachel for a minute."Britney nodded, hugging them both and saying goodnight before going across the hall to her room.

Rachel looked over at Santana, who was standing there looking at her feet. "Something wrong, Santana?" She asked finally, realizing the girl wasn't going to say anything.

She finally looked up at her, and stared at her, "I know we've been pretty cool these past few months and everything but I just wanted to actually come and say I'm sorry for my part in all of the bullying that went down during glee club."

Rachel smiled at her, "Santana I forgave you a long time ago, don't worry about it"

Santana shook her head, "But why? I don't understand how you can go off on everyone today like you did but still stand here and hang out with me and hell with Puck. The other three never really did anything to you but at one point, Puck and I were your biggest tormenters. How can you just forgive us? How can you be best friends with Puck. How can you smile and laugh with me and offer me a place to stay? How can you trust us?"

Rachel could tell that the girl was confused more than upset so she smiled again, trying to be reassuring, "Because you are both trying to change. You both made mistakes, apologized and are trying to move on. How could I not forgive you?"

Santana looked at her, as if she still didn't understand, "You're too nice, you do know that right?"

Rachel laughed aloud, "I've been told that a few times but believe me Santana, that is changing. I'm through being everyone's verbal punching bag. Everything before today has been wiped clean for me but after today, forgiveness will be a harder thing to come by with me"

Santana nodded slowly, "So because nothing happened between us today, you're okay with me and everyone in this house but if say tomorrow I slushied you, then what?"

Rachel raised an eyebrow "Are you planning to slushy me tomorrow?"

Santana shook her head, "Hypothetical, B"

"Then I would suggest you not come to my house again or I would not be held responsible for my or Noah's actions." She shrugged, "but since that isn't happening lets not talk about it."

Santana nodded, not sure what to make of this new side of Rachel, she kind of liked it but kind of missed the old too nice Rachel too.

As if she could read her mind Rachel added, "Don't worry, Lopez. I'm not going hard like you, I'm still me just a me that's willing to stand up for myself"

Santana smiled at her then, and it was a genuine smile, "Good, the world isn't ready for two of me"

Rachel grinned at her, "No, it definitely isn't. Now, I don't know about you but I'm exhausted so is there anything else you need?"

"No, guess not. See you in the morning B. Good night"

"Night San" Rachel said as she watched her walk out of the room.

This time she actually fell onto the bed before there was a knock on the door only it was the door between her and Noah's room, not the one that Santana had just left."What, Noah?" She called.

He walked in then, jumping up on her bed beside her. "What'd Lopez want?"

Rachel rolled her eyes, even as she rolled over to curl up beside him, letting him put his arms around her as she put her head on his chest. "Eavesdrop much?"

He chuckled, squeezing her a little, "If I was truly eavesdropping I wouldn't have to ask what she wanted"

Rachel smiled at that but just said, "She wanted to apologize for last year."

Noah nodded, "Figured that was it, she's been feeling bad about it for a while but was to stubborn to just come talk to you about it."

"Hmm.. Who does that sound like, I wonder" Rachel teased, before yawning again.

"Want me to sleep in my room or in here?" He asked, noticing she was half asleep on his chest already.

"Here" she mumbled sleepily. Half the time he stayed, they slept like this because they would stay up to late talking or watching movies, so it wasn't unusual but Puck was surprised that she was comfortable with it with everyone else here, all of whom thought him staying in the house meant they were dating. He shrugged, moved a little to get comfortable, pulled her a little closer and closed his eyes himself. It had been a long day, and tomorrow would only be longer.


Rachel's alarm went of at 6, as normal. She disentangled herself from Noah, without waking him and quickly started her morning routine. After finishing her exercise and taking a shower, she headed downstairs to cook breakfast. Normally she'd do this for her and Noah, so adding four more didn't seem like to much of a hassle. She quickly whipped up some French toast, eggs and bacon. Plenty of bacon because Noah was obsessed with the stuff and she wanted everyone else to be able to have some as well. She had already started the coffee so when everything was almost finished she went up to start waking her house guests.

"Noah" she called into her room.

"Mmph" She heard in reply.

"Noah, breakfasts ready, I'm going to wake everyone else up so get up now or you don't get any bacon"

That got him, he jumped out of bed, glaring at her, "That's cold Berry" He accused. She just smiled sweetly at him, waving him into his room before turning to go into Santana's room. She woke her up and let her wake Britney up as she went to Matt's room. She wasn't sure if she should just walk in or if she should maybe let Noah do it or vetoed having Noah do it, knowing he would be mean in whatever method he chose to use, finally she decided just to knock and go in.

She knocked and got no answer so she pushed the door open and saw Matt sprawled out on the bed, shirtless in just his boxers. Blanket kicked off the bed and a small smile on his face even in his sleep. He looked adorable. Rachel reached for her phone and snapped a picture, knowing that was rude but she couldn't help it, it was to cute a scene not to document. Once she saved the picture she called, "Matt?"

He didn't even move so she walked to the bed and touched his arm, "Matt? Wake up" Still nothing. She pushed on his arm a little more and said, "Mathew Rutherford, get up or I'm giving your breakfast to Noah"That got a reaction, but not the one she expected. The arm she had been pushing on, reached up and grabbed the offended hand and pulled, effectively pulling her on top of him and making her squeak.

Pushing to get off him, he chose then to open his eyes, "Rach? What are you doing?" He asked, confused. Then looked down and saw where he was and what state of undress he was in and immediately reached for the blanket.

"Um..I was trying to wake you for breakfast and…." She stammered out, as she got up, now free of his arm.

"And? Do you wake us all up by climbing on top of us?" He asked, smirking now that he wasn't quite as embarrassed.

She shook her head furiously, "You pulled me and I fell and then you woke up."

"Oh. Sorry about that" He said, looking embarrassed again.

"Don't worry about it, just get dressed and come down for breakfast" Rachel said, brushing it off, even if she was still red but when she got to the door she turned around, "Oh and can you wake Michael up for me, please?"

Matt grinned at her, "Oh I don't know, he might enjoy being woken up by you more"

She shot him a glare saying, "Wake him up please" and with that, she was gone.

The other three were already sitting around her table, digging into breakfast."What took you so long?" Santana asked.

"All three boys seem to have the same inability to wake up" She replied, shooting Noah a glare before grabbing a plate of her raised his hands up in surrender, "Hey I'm up aren't I?"

"Because I threatened to give your bacon away" She shot back, noticing that half the bacon she had made was on his plate.

Britney was the only one of them besides Rachel that looked awake, probably because she fell asleep hours before any of them. She grinned at Rachel, "This is really good, B. We usually just have doughnuts or something but this is so much better!"

Santana nodded, "Yeah it is. Thanks and the coffee was a God send."Rachel smiled at them both, "You're welcome"

Then both boys came stumbling in, one look at Matt had Rachel turning red again. She slept in bed with shirtless Noah all of the time but falling on top of a shirtless Matt has turned her into a blushing schoolgirl, it's ridiculous.

Matt noticed the blush and couldn't help the smirk that came to his face at the effect the incident had had on her. It'd be a lie to say he wasn't happy to find her on top of him when he woke up. It'd also be a lie if he said he wasn't disappointed finding out she was there because of him sleep grabbing her and not because she wanted to.

Matt and Mike fixed there plates and poured themselves some coffee. They all watched as Mike poured a ton of sugar into his, Matt shaking his head and saying, "Dude, you only get one cup"
Mike legit pouted at him, "Why? What if I'm still tired after one and need another?"

Matt shook his head, "I ain't dealing with another sugar high from you like yesterday, one cup that's it."
Mike turned to Rachel, pouting, "See how mean he is to me? You'll let me have at least two cups, right Rach?"
Rachel looked between the two boys, both acting so different then they did at school and laughed. That made Mike look hopeful but she shook her head, "Sorry Mike, but I'm going to trust Matt on this one," And as he continued to pout she added, "Besides we don't have much time so you're going to have down that cup as it is"

Mike sat down then, beside the already seated Matt, sulking for all of five seconds before turning back into his bubbly, energetic self.

Matt and Mike hurried through their breakfast because everyone had to be at school early for one reason or another, Santana and Britney had Cheerios practice, the boys had a football meeting and Rachel, well Rachel always arrived early, normally to practice for Glee but today she figured she'd do some research on local competitions in the area and songs they could sing to showcase all of their talents.

Once breakfast was done and they had gotten the dishes in the dishwasher, they all headed outside. Since it was Friday and they were all coming back to Rachel's after school they took two cars. Matt, Mike, and Noah took Matt's car since they were all going to have football practice after school and could ride back together. Santana, Britney and Rachel rode in Santana's car with Rachel deciding to do more research after school while waiting for Cheerios or football practice to be over, whichever ended first.

They pulled in side by side and got out, all walking in together. They definitely were getting more than a few stares walking in. Santana and Britney both had arms linked with Rachel while the boys were walking a little behind them, talking about songs for Chasing Dreams.

When they got close to the gym, Santana and Britney ran off to Cheerios practice, yelling a quick, "see ya in class" as they ran off.

Noah came up to Rachel giving her a quick side hug, "I'll see you in first period"

"You're actually coming?" Rachel asked, in mock shock.

"Just for you, Doll" He replied, winking at her before running off with Mike towards the football field.

Rachel walked a few more steps before she realized Matt was still walking with her. "Don't you have practice too?" She asked.

"Yeah, but there's a little time left, I figured I'd walk you to your locker, first." He replied, looking straight ahead.

Rachel smiled at that, but didn't say anything. The silence kept, the rest of the way to her lockers, though it wasn't uncomfortable there just wasn't anything that needed to be said.

When they got there and she started opening her locker, Matt spoke up, "Your idea for singing Don't stop Believin' is good. If you want, Mike, Brit and I can start choreographing it later tonight."

Rachel nodded at him, before frowning, "You can't do that until we know who's singing lead. If Noah's singing with Santana then you and Mike need to figure out who's singing with me."

Matt shrugged, "I'll do it, if you want and if it doesn't work out, Mike and I'll switch"

Rachel thought about that for a minute then smiled her 100 watt smile at him, "Sounds perfect, now get to practice before you get in trouble" She mock ordered.

"Yes, ma'am" He joked back, giving her a mock salute before turning and running down the hall.

As soon as she shut her locker and started towards the library, she felt someone fall into step with her. Glancing over, she saw Kurt walking with her, not saying anything just walking.

"Good morning" She said, wanting to get whatever this was over with.

"Morning. How are you?" Kurt asked, smiling at her.

Rolling her eyes, her only reply was, "No, I'm not coming back to glee"

Kurt's smile faltered before snapping back in place, "Can't I just inquire about your well being, as a friend?"

Rachel actually snorted before answering, "Kurt, we were never friends, you have made that abundantly clear this past year and a half so don't start pretending to be now."

He actually looked flustered, and though he kept opening his mouth nothing came out.

She actually smiled at him, "Let me make this easy on you, even if I wanted to, which I don't, I couldn't come back to glee. I have other obligations now that take my time and leave no room for any other extracurricular activities. Besides, glee would be a conflict of interest."

"What could you possibly have started doing in the past twelve hours that would take up all of your time?" Kurt asked, finally dropping the nice act.

"You'll find out soon enough, but as for now, I have work to do so give my regards to everyone as you tell them you failed. See you later" And with one more smile at the completely flabbergasted boy, she flounced off the rest of the way to the library to work on a tentative set list to work on and look up competitions, feeling better than ever for how the past two days had went.


Basically I cut this chapter off because if I would have kept going, a)It's already after 5 am and I need sleep and b) it would be to long for what I'm doing with this story, plus with the response, I'm sure some of you are waiting on this chapter. Sorry there wasn't much performance this chapter but next chapter they will find their first competition, plus the rest of the school day will be happening and other characters will be coming in. For the record, for anyone who hasn't read my other stories, I really do love Kurt, sadly my love for Kurt isn't enough to write him in a good light, at least not now maybe later on. Soon there will be Cherryford scenes and Matchel scenes as well as some Pezberry funness and Rachel going off on some gleeks not to mention her new leading man stepping up :D so fun times ahead. Thank you for reading! All who are reading New semester, Chapter 10 is started, I'm hoping tomorrow or Thursday I can finish it and get it up, sorry for the delay! Chapter 3 of this will be started either after 10 is finished or just when it pops in my head which ever comes first. I have a tentative plan for the first half of this story, whereas New semester flew off track and is going in a different direction then I originally planned, though that is half the fun of writing so i'm not complaining. Anyway, now that i've talked for years on this A.N. I will let you get back to your lives, and hopefully talk to you all soon. If you want, I have a twitter account Gleek06216 and sometimes will ask questions about stories and what not if i get stuck so your welcome to follow. Have a great day and rest of the week! Bye!