Authors Note: Thanks so much for the review and the alerts! I promise I would have a new chapter up soon, and that actually happened. But, like I said, the chapters are short. Obviously much shorter than I normally write, but hopefully there will be a new one up by the weekend. Please review and let me know what you think. Things are getting a little bit more dramatic! Oh, and I DO NOT read spoilers, but I do know that Glee is doing a Super Bowl episode and a Valentine's Day episode, so my invasions of what might happen in those will be in this story.
Disclaimer: Ryan Murphy you should really put Glee up to be publicly traded. It would be better for you and your fans in the long run.
It was the last week of January and rehearsal for the Super Bowl assignment in Glee was going well. Puck insisted that he reenacted when Michael Jackson wouldn't take off his sunglasses. The rest of Club wanted to reenact The Who's CSI music medley. Overall the combination lead to a very fun project for the club and Mr. Schue even felt that one of the songs could be used for Regionals. Finishing up one of the numbers, Finn caught Rachel when she ovrespun one of the dance moves. It was the first time he had held her in weeks and Rachel was overjoyed, but Finn was more so awkward and distant. He was just making sure she didn't fall off the stage and Rachel hated the fact that she understood that.
In the gymnasium, the student body of William McKinley High School gathered for the winter Pep Rally. It was the first time the Football Team was doing well and Principal Figgins wanted the students to show their support. And to hopefully get their parents to write big, fat checks towards the school in regards to the football team. School sports equals fundraising, damn it! Finn and the rest of the football team in their varsity jackets sat on the bleachers looking over at Mr. Figgins to begin the proceedings.
"Quiet down, Students. Quiet down," Mr. Figgins repeated to the nearly silent group of somber teens. "Students welcome to the Winter Pep Assembly. The Glee Club was originally supposed to perform, but after the sexually-charged riot of teenagers running thought the parking lot that occurred at the Fall assembly; the Christians for Youth Behavior Improvement petition the parents of 50 students stating that that suggestive dance moves are not acceptable for a viewing audience without a Parental Advisory projected on a screen. And since the only screen large enough to project such a warning to you as students belongs to the Cheerios and Coach Sylvester refuses to share any of their equipment with any other members of the McKinley Community, the Glee Club will not be shocking once again with a suggestive surprise this time." The student body gathered in the gym groans in unison to which Sue scorers and the 12 members of New Directions. "Also, there have been reports that the monkey flu that inhabited several members of the William McKinley Community this fall is back on campus. So, please students, wash your hands vigorously and often. Anyway, here is Coach Beiste to discuss the Football team's rise to success."
Shannon Beiste takes the microphone from Coach and starts to talk about how proud she is of the team and thanks the school for supporting them, but Finn isn't paying attention. He's just starring at Rachel.
Rachel is wearing a Cheerios uniform; sitting next to Santana, Brittany, and Quinn. It seems incorrect. Wrong. Like Rachel was the card that you would guess didn't belong. I really hated that she's sitting there. With them. Dressed like that. But, I can't say anything about it. I'm her boyfriend anymore and I don't get a say in what she does. Nor do I have a right to express my opinion. But I do have intuition. (Yeah, I think intuition is the word.) And it's a gift that has often helped me more than logic or studying ever did, and I know that something about this situation is wrong and it's going to end badly. And not just badly for Rachel or me, but for the whole Club, and this feeling inside is terrifying the crap out of me. Especially since Rachel has no reason to believe me anymore.
"And finally, your starting quarterback, Finn Hudson!" Snapped out of his daze, Finn looks over at the rest of the teams standing and clapping at him. He slowly rises and waves at humbly after Coach Beiste's introduction. "Ladies and Gentlemen the McKinley High Conference Finalist Football Team!" Shannon finishes and the adolescents stand and cheer as the football team awkwardly waves in thanks.
Mr. Figgins gets back on the mic. "Settle down, Children. Settle down," he requests once again in a monotone voice. "And now, a special performance by the 7-Time National Campion William McKinley Cheerios!"
Finn glared as the Cheerios, including Rachel Berry, performed their comprehensive routine. Rachel did a few perfect tumbling passes and even Finn was impressed. He remembered one time Rachel telling him that she took gymnastics as a kid, but he didn't realize that she was so good at it.
The Football Game was exciting. I had been a good girlfriend while Finn and I had been dating and often went to his games. It was the least I could do since he went to every community theater play I wanted to see this summer. And he even did so with his perfect smile on his face. Now standing on the sidelines was a whole new experience though. Every time I heard their helmets clashing together I couldn't help but think they were getting hurt. But then I was explained that it was just part of the game.
In the middle of the third quarter Finn took a hit that plowed him into the ground. Rachel heart stopped as the he lied there. All she could think of was Sean and what had happened to him. After a few minutes he rose and slowly walked to over to the benches. He was fine; it was just a hard hit. Either way, the athletic trainers and The Beiste felt that he should sit out for the rest of the quarter. Which meant Sam should go in and he hasn't played consistently since the first month of school. So after the two interception passes, everyone was ill-at-ease. And even though Finn was able to go back in for the fourth, it didn't matter. The damage was done. And McKinley was out of the playoffs.
A loud groan of collective disappointment filled the stadium as the Lima community saw the defeat rapidly occur. When the last play was finished the supporters of the other team stampeded the field and the people in the McKinley stands gathered their belongings to get out of the parking lot as quickly as possible. Noah Puckerman literally ran into the boy's locker room. Most assumed that he needed to pee. In actuality he thought that if he ran off the field fast enough people would forget he was on them team. Unfortunate for him, he still owned a letterman jacket.
Rachel and the other Cheerios did some cool down stretches as the crowd started to clear out and the football team headed to the lockers. The weight of the loss slowing them down. Rachel finished up her stretches and zips up her duffel with her items from the game. Putting on her Cheerio's jacket, Finn walked up to her and took a seat beside her on the bench. Perspiring and defeated; his helmet hanging in his fingers.
"Hey," he started. He came here to say what he needed to, but the words wouldn't come out yet.
"Hey," Rachel repeated.
"Why are you doing this?" Finn asked solemnly; wanting to get the blunt question out there.
"Doing what?" she questioned back.
"This." He replies, gesturing to up and down her body. "It's not you," he finishes.
"Excuse me," she says annoyed.
"Look," Finn cuts her off. "I know I don't have any right to comment on your life choices anymore, but I think this is a bad idea." Rachel looks up at Finn with doe eyes, encouraging him to continue. "I know you pretty well and this isn't you. And I just… I just hope you're not doing this because of me, because I really wouldn't want that. You are an amazing person Rachel. And you're not one of these girls. You're so much better than them. You're confidant and beautiful and wonderful. You know that right? You are so, so much better than them."
Finn's voice is low and clear as he makes his feelings know about Rachel's new extracurricular activity. She digests his words and conjures up a response. "Finn, I understand and appreciate your concern, but, I'm okay. I'll be honest, you were one of the reasons why I decided to do this, but I'm actually really enjoying being a Cheerio." Rachel replies cheerfully. "Surprisingly, it's something I'm good at," she eyebrows, "and I really like the whole concept of being part of a team. But in a different way than being in Glee Club. I think I finally understand why you like being on the football team so much. The adrenaline rush of being an athlete is quite addicting," she explains matter-of-factly.
Finn smiles; glad that the Cheerios have not taken away the Rachel-goodness inside. "Well, I'm glad you like it. And I'm glad that you are still you and not morphing into one of those Sue Sylvester robots. Trust me. Those girls can be scary."
Rachel smiles. "Thanks, Finn," she moves in for a hug – a friendly hug – and he accepts. Even though he's sweaty and gross, he still smells like Finn, and she stills smells like Rachel, and they both breathe in the familiar scents.
Then as they pull apart, they realize – they both realize – that they had a conversation. A real conversation without the animosity and heartache of recent. That they were both moving on. It was refreshing for both of them. "Goodnight, Rachel," Finn remarks with his dimpled half-grin as he rises from his seat.
"Goodnight, Finn," she repeats and Finn walks off to the lockers by himself.
Rachel watches as Finn leaves and she knows that she misses him. She misses him a lot. Too much, really. But the fact that they're speaking – the fact that they're slowly getting back to the friendship that was once there – means the world to her.
Throwing her cheer duffel over her shoulder and getting up to leave, Rachel sees Puck approaching her; freshly laundered. He was one of the first to the locker room, looking deeply depressed because of the loss, and therefore one of the first out. She has no idea why he's coming her way, but she assumes that it has something to do with Judaism. "Hey, Rach," Puck starts with that voice, the perfect blend of Charmer and Pervert, that for some reason is like a high-polarity magnet to most women.
"Hell, Noah," Rachel responds, with her head held high and her back straight; trying to stand as tall as possible. Strong. Like a good Cheerio should be.
"You know he still cares about you," he smirks.
"I would like to hope so," she responds with a sigh.
"And you definitely got his attention with this new you. As well as the attention of several other men on this campus," Puck explains. "Not as much as the time you dressed like Britney Spears… but close."
Rachel couldn't help it, Puck was being charismatic, and she was blushing thusly. "Well, I'll take that as a complement," she flirts.
"Well, how about you join me at Breadstix tonight. It's not like you have a boyfriend to worry about. And I'll call up and put our names on the list now, so that when we get there we don't have to wait awkwardly for one of those light-up vibrating disks to announce our table."
Rachel's smile grew wider at Puck's invitation. And he was right; she didn't have a boyfriend anymore. If she wanted to go out, there really was nothing stopping her. "C'mon. I promise we'll be going out just as friends," Puck cooed, moving a few steps closer. His face mere inches away from hers.
Rachel nodded, "Fine. I'll go."
"Excellent," he said, holding out his shoulder for Rachel to grab on. Rachel happily obliged as he lead them off the field and towards the parking lot. "Hey Rachel, I do have one question though. Do you like wine coolers?"
"I don't know. I've never tried."
"Well, we'll be sure to try tonight!"
A/N: Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it. And even if you didn't, please review and let me know your feelings towards it so far. It's a great motivator. Also, I usually don't put lyrics of the song I have the Glee Club singing because I know I scroll over lyrics when I'm reading the Glee fics. Anyway, there will be a few pivotal songs coming up, so PLEASE ANSWER: would you rather have lyrics or have me just tell you the song and you can look it up online? Please let me know because I need to know by the next chapter. Thanks again!