**DISCLAIMER: I do not own Glee or anything related to it Wish I did. There'd be a lot more Jesse St. James and Kurt. I also don't own "Yesterday" by the Beatles. Wonderful song but it isn't mine!
Enjoy this chapter please and REVIEW! I love reviews and constructive criticism is the best.
By the way, I started things off on a bit of a sadder/darker note but it's not all going to be like that, promise! Secondly, I forgot to mention I'll use italics when a character is singing but you'll probably be able to tell the difference between when someone is singing and when someone is thinking. One last thing – I just watched the episode of Dream On and (I wasn't planning on doing this) I've decided to incorporate those major plot points.
-SpringSinger
"Rachel?"
As the familiar voice called out, Rachel's head snapped up. She had been sitting forlornly in a locked stall with her back against the wall and knees securely locked to her chest. Her stomach was still continuing to churn uncontrollably and her cheeks were still flushed with embarrassment. The tranquil atmosphere of the McKinley High School bathroom had been soothing and as long as she ignored the distasteful scent, Rachel had been content to stay there until she found the audacity to go back to Glee.
"Rachel?" The voice called out once more.
As she replied faintly, Rachel held her head to prevent the light-headed feeling, "Y-yes?"
There was a slight pause before the voiced individual spoke again, "It's me, Quinn."
Blinking, Rachel reluctantly struggled to her feet and unlocked the door to face the pregnant ex-Cheerio. A signature pouting face regularly donned by Rachel Berry in moments of concern and anxiety appeared as she met the sympathetic eyes Quinn Fabray.
"Why are you here?" Rachel blurted out the first thought that came to mind.
Quinn looked away and then back at Rachel before hesitantly replying, "Well, we all just kind of assumed you were throwing up and everyone just thought since I had the most experience with that sort of thing…"
"I wasn't throwing up."
Quinn blinked and bit her lip, "Rachel, I know what vomit smells like."
Rachel glanced away for an instant and when she met Quinn's eyes again, she was pokerfaced, "I didn't want you to assume I was bulimic or something. I-I think I just honestly ate something bad." Rachel faked a quick smile, "Thanks for checking in though."
Quinn turned to leave then paused, looking back. For a split second, she looked like she was going to say something else but instead left without another word.
Slowly, Rachel let out a sigh of relief.
Rachel Berry was in denial.
Yes, somewhere in the back of her mind, Rachel knew she was pregnant. She was fully aware that the first test had indicated her as pregnant … as well as the second, but after extensive online research, Rachel discovered that, on occasion, pregnancy tests could be inaccurate. So she had decided that a trip down to a relatively remote Wal-Mart to get another test was a good idea. It didn't matter that she was experiencing the precise symptoms of female one to two months pregnant, Rachel was adamant that she was not pregnant.
So maybe I'm throwing up a lot and maybe I missed my period but that doesn't mean for sure that I'm pregnant…right?
As Rachel self-consciously browsed the wall of pregnancy tests, she tried to remember exactly which brand she had used. Slowly, she scanned the shelves.
Clearblue
e.p.t.
First Response
Rachel was regretting that she hadn't looked into which brand was most accurate. Miserably, she ran a hand through her hair and grabbed the closest box.
Fuck it. They all do the same thing.
In her rush to escape, the box dropped to the ground. Frustrated, she leaned down to reach for the test. All Rachel wanted to do was get OUT of there and this temporary ungainliness wasn't helping.
"I told you, I'm not coming back." Rachel heard an all too familiar voice hiss angrily into the receiver.
Her head snapped up
Jesse St. James. Father of my child.
Rachel sat up uneasily and in that moment, she knew it. She knew that she was pregnant and she knew that all the tests in the world wouldn't make her baby disappear. Tears began to well up and Rachel started to blink angrily in an attempt to make them stop. Weakness.
What are you doing, Rachel? Damn it! STOP CRYING. Get a hold of yourself. None of this should effect you!
"Why?" Jesse's voice ached, "I just can't. I – I'm sorry."
At the sound of his footsteps nearing, Rachel panicked and whipped around to face a shelf of children's toys.
It'll have to do.
Looking back, Rachel might say now that toys for children ages 2-4 had never been so utterly fascinating in her entire life.
"The Ocean Wonders Musical Fishbowl," the voice whispered, "hmm. Interesting selection."
Humiliated, Rachel slowly turned around to find herself painfully close to Jesse St. James. Hazed, it took her a moment to shake off the wonder of, once again, being so close to him, "It's… it's for a new-born cousin. I just figured I'd help him to experience the wonders of song and musical composition at an early age."
Jesse smiled wistfully, "Good idea."
Taking in a sharp breath before turning away, Rachel asked, "Why are you here?"
"I ran out of Slippery Elms and, as you know, a singer can never be too careful. A voice is an instrument," Jesse tapped his larynx and smiled briefly. "Why are you here?"
Rachel's eyes snapped back up, "I – I already told you."
Jesse shrugged and walked over to the opposite side of Rachel, "I know. I just thought that if you were traveling this far from home it must be some sort of an… excursion for something more important than a simple toy."
"Well," Rachel began, fumbling, "they only have the Ocean Wonders Musical Fishbowl in this Wal-Mart."
Amused, Jesse raised an eyebrow, "Oh really?"
"Yes," Rachel replied curtly turning away to continue "pretend-browsing" the shelves.
As silence settled between the two, an awkward tension arose.
"So," Jesse came up behind her quietly, "I guess I'll see you at school."
Without turning, Rachel responded, "I guess so."
Rachel waited for a moment until she was sure Jesse had walked away. As she turned to watch him check-out his purchase, she unconsciously lifted a hand placed it on her stomach. After breaking her heart and impregnating her, why, oh why was she still on edge with him? Crossly, Rachel tore her hand off of her stomach and shoved the stupid musical fish bowl back on the shelf. What was wrong with her? Why did she still care about him? Why?
Damn you, Jesse St. James.
"So," Quinn Fabray began uncertainly, shifting feet, as she faced the entire Glee club, "for this week's assignment I chose 'Yesterday' by the Beatles."
The whole Glee club murmured their approval.
Signaling the band with a glance, Quinn then continued to put a hand on her swelling stomach and began to sing. She was uncertain and Rachel Berry observed her pityingly. Quinn didn't know how true and beautiful of a voice she really had. Rachel could see all the things that made her uncertain of herself in Quinn. It was like looking at a reflection in the mirror.
Yesterday,
All my troubles seemed so far away,
Now it looks as though they're here to stay,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Smiling quietly, Quinn stared back at the audience.
Suddenly,
I'm not half the girl I used to be,
There's a shadow hanging over me,
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.
Besides the music and Quinn's haunting vocals, the whole room was utterly silent. Everyone's attention was focused on the "baby mama."
Why he
Had to go I don't know, he wouldn't say.
I said,
Something wrong, now I long for yesterday.
As Quinn continued to sing, the others began to join along. Although just barely whispering the lyrics, they created a mesmerizing atmosphere. Quinn felt tears in her eyes. She felt like she belonged. The support Glee was showing was overpowering and it really showed her that somebody actually cared. As she continued to sing, she left the tears pour freely down her cheeks. Why hide them?
Yesterday,
Love was such an easy game to play,
Now I need a place to hide away,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
As Rachel and Quinn's gaze met, tears filled her eyes as she contemplated the meaning of the song to both her and Quinn. But she wasn't as strong as Quinn. She couldn't let the world know her feelings. It was like an old habit. Blinking them away and scolding herself inwardly, Rachel looked away.
Why he
Had to go I don't know, he wouldn't say.
I said,
Something wrong, now I long for yesterday.
Yesterday,
Love was such an easy game to play,
Now I need a place to hide away,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm.
"I believe," Rachel whispered, her hands tucked tightly beneath herself, "in yesterday."
Thanks so much for reading this chapter. Honestly, this was a bore to write and I bet it wasn't all that interesting but next chapter is going to be pretty intense SPOILER: Finchel!
That's all you get! So keep reading/reviewing, it makes me so happy!
-SpringSinger
