If This Is A Dream (Then I'm Happy You're Having It With Me)
Chapter Three | Rachel the Sagittarius
Frost covered the windows but the early morning sun poured through, warming the lump on the queen size bed. Rachel shifted and scowled at the disturbance of the bright rays interrupting her Saturday morning, simply because it was the only day of the week she allowed herself to sleep in. She swore she closed the curtains the night before after she showered. Upon remember the night before, Rachel sat up quickly, nearly giving herself a head rush and pushed herself over the edge of the bed to grab that damn journal from underneath it. Something else caught her eye though.
The white carpet that graced her bedroom was no longer there; instead it was replaced by shiny hardwood flooring. "What?!" She shrieked and got out of bed, her eyes scanning her room. Even though her posters were the same and her laptop was sitting on her desk like usual; all the furniture was different and her walls were no long a creamy colour but a bright sunshine yellow.
"Rachel? Darling?" Hiram knocked on her bedroom door and she swung it open to find his face a little scruffy and his glasses upon his almost baldhead. "Are you okay? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Confusion spread across her face and she didn't understand what the hell was going on. "Where are we?"
"Excuse me?" Hiram laughed a little and gave her a questioning glance. "Honey, did you eat those spicy Doritos before bed again?"
"What? No! Daddy, I… where are we?" She ran to her bedroom window and noticed it was facing a side street, one that wasn't there the night before. Snow covered the ground but not as much as it was.
"We're at home. Did you hit your head?" He asked, no longer teasing her but genuinely confused.
"No, I didn't." She threw back defensively and ran a hand through her messy hair. "Where is my journal?" Huffing, Rachel threw back her blankets, tossed her pillows aside and looked under her bed again but no book was found. "Have you seen it?"
Hiram cast a worried glance at his daughter but shook his head. "I don't come in here Rachel, you know that. I haven't seen it since I gave it to you last month."
Rachel's face scrunched up in confusion and she shook her head. "No, you gave it to me last week for my birthday when you came home from flying your route." She watched has her daddy's face dropped and she frowned. "What? What's wrong?"
"Rachel," he sighed heavily and placed his hands on her shoulders, "I haven't flown a plane for about a month now. I quit the moment we moved here to Lima."
"That's impossible!" Rachel's mind was racing at the possibility of her blacking out for a month. "I've got to be dreaming. Maybe I'm in a coma?"
Hiram stepped back. "Why would you be in a coma?"
"The kids at school, they probably drugged me or something." Rachel huffed and threw herself dramatically on her bed.
"Okay, I'm going to get your father because you're freaking me out a little." Hiram walked backwards to the door and called his husband.
"You rang?" The taller man wrapped his arm around Hiram's waist and kissed his temple. "Rachel, why aren't you ready for school yet? The bus comes in 20 minutes. You don't want to be late on your first day in a new high school."
"Yeah see, this is why I called you. Rachel's acting weird." The shorter guy whispered.
"It's Satur- what? First day of what now?" She stopped flailing around before she felt light headed. It was all too much and she couldn't process what was going on.
"Rach," Leroy sighed and went to his daughter's side, pulling her small body into a hug, "I know you're worried about your first day but I checked this school out for you and you're going to love it. They have a glee club! Isn't that what you wanted?"
For a brief moment, Rachel's mind paused at something her dad had said. Something that was coming together slowly in her mind and then it hit her like a ton of bricks. "When did we move here?"
"Nearly a month ago but you couldn't start school because of the winter break that just ended. You wanted to have a fresh start in the new semester." Hiram could tell that his daughter was grasping at some familiarity and it relieved him a little bit.
"So, we're in Lima, Ohio, you no longer work as a pilot," she pointed to her shorter father before biting her lip when he nodded, "and school's back for the second semester and there's a glee club?" She could feel that journal jump out in her mind at the things she had written down. "Begin your story here and watch it unfold before your eyes. Catch your dreams and you'll discover your 'Once Upon A Time'." She whispered to herself when the script flashed before her eyes.
"What?" Leroy looked at his daughter with a sort of amusement.
"Um, nothing!" Rachel laughed a little and ran a hand through her hair. "I'm going to grab a quick shower."
Leroy and Hiram exchanged glances but nodded their heads. "Hurry."
It didn't take long for Rachel to get herself cleaned up and dressed. Her hair was dry and she was able to grab an apple on her way out the door, just in time for the bus as it pulled up in front of her place. She'd never had to catch the bus before so it was a little exciting when the kids greeted her with warm smiles. She slid into an empty seat beside a tall guy wearing a red and white letterman jacket.
"Hi." His soft voice made her feel at ease and she grinned at him. "I'm Finn."
"Rachel." She shook his offered hand and couldn't wipe the smile off her face.
"You're new here?" He asked without missing a beat, his brown eyes scanning over her face.
"Yeah, um, I'm originally from Minnesota." The brunette tucked hair behind her ears, trying to hide just how happy she was that someone was talking to her, being nice and wearing a jock jacket.
"Oh. Well welcome to Lima!" He laughed and rested his arm on the seat behind her head. "I've travelled a lot but I've never been to Minnesota. Is it exciting there?"
Rachel laughed and rolled her eyes. "No, not in the slightest. You're not missing much, trust me."
Finn just shrugged and gave her a crooked grin. The bus had stopped and picked up a few more kids along the way. He seemed to know them because he waved and they took the seat in front of them. "Guys," he gave the two guys a high five, "this is Rachel. She's the new girl."
The one guy sporting a mohawk gave her a lavishing grin and looked her up and down. "Puck, nice to meet you."
Rachel blushed under his intense gaze and nodded her head in acknowledgement.
"And I'm Mike," the Asian boy shook her hand. "What brings you to Lima, Ohio?"
Rachel paused briefly before sitting straighter, her head held high. "My dads decided it was time for a change." The real test of these new friendly people would be how they reacted to her having two dads and no mom.
"Cool." Mike nodded and smiled. "Not sure why'd they change it to Ohio but either way, we got your back if anyone decides to mess with ya." He winked and nudged Puck.
"Two dads?" Puck raised an eyebrow before letting out a chuckle. "It'd be cooler if you had two moms. I'd totally try and squeeze into that marriage."
"Puck, seriously?" Finn smacked him upside the head. "What he means is, it's cool that you have two dads. We have this friend in school, he's as gay as a rainbow and he's pretty awesome."
"Oh." Rachel squeaked and licked her lips. Her thoughts drifted back to the day before. The day in her reality where other students were calling her names, stealing her winter coat, threatening to beat her up if she didn't do their homework. It was just the night before she had threw a fit in front of her fathers because she was at her breaking point with high school and they didn't seem to understand how much she went through every day. And there she was, at that moment, sitting with three guys that were wearing letterman jackets and were already acting like her own personal bodyguards. She had to figure out exactly what was going on because if she was dreaming, she sure as hell never wanted to wake up.
Stepping off the bus, Rachel found herself standing in front of a large school entrance. Bus after bus dropped off students while others parked in the student parking lot. She wasn't sure where to go or what to do so when she found her arm looped with Mike's and pulled forward, she felt better.
"I'll show you where the office is so you can pick up your schedule. It's not that hard to find your way around in this school so you should be able to find your classes okay but if you need help, we're here." He winked at her and she smiled in appreciation.
"I wouldn't mind following you around all day." Puck whistled, checking out her legs and his eyes stopped at where the hem of the skirt rested.
"I really don't like being looked at like I'm a piece of meat, Puck." Rachel shifted uncomfortably under his dark hazel gaze.
"Okay but when you want to get down and dirty sometime, let me know." Puck blew her a kiss and took off down the opposite side of the hall.
"Is he always like that?" Rachel asked Mike and Finn.
"Yup." They both answered and laughed.
"Well we have to go check in with Coach Beiste before homeroom starts, are you going to be okay?" Finn asked, shifting his backpack over his shoulder.
"Thanks, I'll be fine." The short brunette waved at them as they ran down the hall before she turned into the office area.
Word got around McKinley High that Rachel Berry was the new girl. She had the attention of everyone and it was hard to focus in class when she could hear whispers all around her. She had made a couple of new friends in her first class of the day, Tina and Mercedes. They passed her notes inquiring what it was like to live somewhere other than Ohio. Her answer was the same as it was when she replied to Finn's similar question: they weren't missing much.
Finding her locker had been a bit of a challenge because the secretary in the office was dyslexic and wrote down the number 568 instead of 685. It felt good that it was the only thing that messed up her day so far because she hated tardiness. A part of her was waiting for the other shoe to drop because high school could not be that easy, especially being the new kid on her first day.
Of course, the moment she felt something cold and sticky hit her face, she instantly hated herself for cursing it all in one fleeting thought. She gasped as the purple syrupy liquid dripped down her chin and onto her clean white sweater. She heard someone laughing and for a second she recognized the awful sound. Wiping her fingers over her eyes, they hardened when she noticed a familiar face pointing at her. "Karofsky." She seethed and watched as a moment of confusion washed over his face.
Before the bulky guy could question her on how she knew his name, Rachel saw a flash of tanned skin, red and white clothes buzz past her. Dave was up against the locker, his jersey bunched up at his neck by a smaller Latina girl.
"Please tell me you didn't just throw a slushie at the new girl." The girl shoved him harder into the lockers when he made the mistake of letting a smile slip. "I swear to whatever God you pray to, I'll kick your ass so hard next time I even see a slushie in your hand. Got me?"
"Ease up Lopez," Dave coughed a little when she relaxed her grip. "It's pretty much tradition, isn't it?"
"I don't fucking care what it is, you don't ever go near her. Got me?"
Dave made eye contact with Rachel as he sneered a little before nodding his head.
"Good, now get out of my sight." She shoved him away and yelled at the rest of the students to disappear before they got their asses kicked as well. Rachel never saw so many people scurry out of the halls in a hurry before. "You okay?" The girl who rescued her asked her in a bored tone, looking down at her nails.
"I..." Rachel shook her head but refused to cry. She had no other clothes to change into and she didn't feel like being humiliated with slushie drippings all over her clothes.
"Look, he won't bother you again, okay? I heard from Puck that you were the new girl and promised to keep you out of trouble. Dave doesn't listen well and he'll get what's coming to him so don't sweat it. I'm Santana by the way." The girl picked off a few ice chunks from the white sweater and then snapped her fingers before crossing her arms over her chest.
Rachel watched as two blondes saddled up beside her, wearing identical cheerleading uniforms, and she couldn't help but feel insecure at the way they were drinking her in. The one blonde was taller than both girls but held a friendly smile and gave her a gentle wave. The shorter blonde tilted her head to the side before squaring her jaw and turning to look at Santana.
"Did Karofsky do this?" She hissed before her hazel eyes caught Rachel's.
"Yup and I'm making sure his teammates hear about it as well." Santana shrugged and patted both girls on the back. "Brittany, Quinn, can you please take..."
Rachel stared at them before realizing they were waiting for a name. "Oh, I'm Rachel."
Quinn smiled a little and stepped forward, grabbing the brunette's hand while Brittany took her other hand. "We'll get her cleaned up. Which class do you have?"
"Spanish." Rachel sighed and licked her lips, the grape flavour sweet on her tongue.
"Eh, Shuester's easy. We have him too." Santana waved them off before making her way down the hall. "I'll cover for you just make it quick."
Brittany saluted obediently and giggled when Quinn tugged her hand down. "Come on, let's get Rachel clean."
"I'm Brittany!" The tall blonde hugged Rachel's arm affectionately. "I'm a Virgo and I love long walks on the beach even though I've never been to one."
Rachel couldn't help but laugh a little and nodded. "I'm Rachel, I'm a Sagittarius and I love music and singing."
Quinn chuckled beside them and then noticed eyes were on her. "Britt, you already know who and what I am."
"But Rachel the Sagittarius doesn't." Brittany pouted.
"Oh for crying out loud, don't pout. Santana hates it when I make you sad." Quinn huffed and opened the locker room door for them to step into. "I'm Quinn, I'm a Gemini and I like girls. Happy?"
Rachel's eyes widened at the forwardness of that information Quinn had shared. She opened her mouth to say something then closed it quickly again. Unfortunately it caused Quinn to scowl at her and cross her arms over her chest, raising a perfect eyebrow. "I'm sorry Rachel, does that bother you?"
"What? No!" Rachel rushed and shook her head before laughing. "I'm just... I guess I'm not used to people being so open about it."
"Open about what?" Brittany asked, confused.
"Their sexuality?" The brunette whispered, afraid that she had pissed off the two cheerleaders.
"Well I don't broadcast it to just anyone but since we own your ass now that Santana saved it, I know you won't say anything." Quinn replied causally and chewed on her bottom lip before laughing at the aghast expression crossing the brunette's features. "I'm kidding Rachel." She chuckled and opened up her gym locker, digging out her duffle bag. "We don't own your ass but I still felt like I could tell you. Besides, I don't hide who I am… it's just no one's really asked me who I was."
"Oh." Rachel breathed a sigh of relief before she felt Brittany nudge her.
Brittany managed to whisper a 'you're a Gemini, remember?' into Quinn's ear, making the other blonde smile fondly at her aloof best friend.
"Santana and I have sex all the time." Brittany nodded with a dreamy look on her face. "She says it's not considered dating though. I don't get what she means by that because she gets really mad when I'm asked out by someone else."
"Because she likes you?" Quinn shook her head. "You know Santana, she's very... hard on the outside."
"But she's really warm and soft on the inside!" Brittany stated proudly and stopped short when she realized what she just said. "Pretend you never heard that part."
"Forgotten." Rachel muttered, trying to wrap her mind around everything. She cast the shorter blonde a bewildered look.
Quinn just shrugged and handed Rachel some spare clothes. "These are my cheerleading track pants, t-shirt and hoodie. I'm sorry I have nothing else for you."
"Quinn," Rachel breathed, "thank you."
A small blush appeared on the blonde's cheek but she waved the girl off. "Did you want us to wait?"
"No, you guys shouldn't have to miss class because of me. I won't be long anyway." Rachel smiled gratefully and was careful not to have the fresh clothes in her hands touch her, probably stained, shirt.
"Well here's a towel." Brittany threw it over the shower stall and smiled at the brunette. "You're cute, I like you!" She giggled before following Quinn out of the locker room.
Rachel felt the need to write the day of events down in a notebook when she got home. It couldn't be real what she was living because her, of all people, would not be saved by a few cheerleaders and befriend a few football players. It just didn't happen in Rachel Berry's world – only in this one, it did.