Many thanks for all of the reviews, even the less than stellar ones. I have to give a few shout outs though…The Wonderful Mistique, thank you for being such a faithful reviewer & sharing your ideas and cerberus angel, I can't thank you enough for not only understanding exactly what I'm trying to do with this story, but writing a perfect review that said it all! Nothing has changed since the last chapter; I still only own the idea.
"I forgot something in my locker." Sam said to Rachel, as they walked to his car. "I'll be right back" He tossed her the car keys and ran back towards the school.
Sam raced down the hallway towards the gym. He knew Finn usually worked out after school. He shoved his way past several people as he made his way to the weight room. He scanned the crowd and found Finn doing arm presses. Sam sat down on the weight bench next to him, dropping his backpack on the floor.
"So, you and Rachel are singing a duet together?" He plastered a fake smile on his face and waited for a response. Finn huffed as he did a final arm press.
"Yeah." Finn leaned his forehead on the sleeve of his shirt and wiped the sweat. Sam's knee bounced nervously as he tried to think of what to say next.
"I hope you're ready to sing some show tunes." Sam choked out a laugh. Finn shifted his head and gave him a puzzled look.
"What do you mean?" Finn asked.
"Well you know how much Rachel loves Broadway." Sam raised an eyebrow. "And we were just talking about duet selections earlier. She rambled off a couple of songs I'm sure are from some of her favorite shows."
Finn's face froze and he eyed Sam. Guilt was slowing creepy in. Sam shifted uncomfortably on the bench, averting his eyes. He felt terrible for doing this, but yet he couldn't bring himself to come clean.
"Really?" Finn looked worried. "She knows how I feel about my voice range in most Broadway songs."
"Yeah, I kind of figured you would want to rock out a little more, maybe play a song you can drum to." Sam suggested. He looked up quickly to see a small glint in Finn's eyes.
"That would be awesome, but I doubt Rachel will go for that." Finn's face fell as he spoke the words.
"Probably not." Sam agreed. He stood up and nodded his head towards Finn. He slung his backpack over his right shoulder. "Well, I gotta go. Puck and I need to practice our southern rock song."
Sam practically ran from the weight room. He collapsed against the wall outside, breathing heavily. He had no idea this would be so physically and mentally exhausting. So many thoughts were racing through his mind; thoughts he never considered before. What if Rachel does pick a song that Finn likes? or worse, What if Finn tells Rachel what I said?
He spotted Rachel sitting in his car, flipping through her agenda. She glanced up and smiled at Sam as he walked across the parking lot. Sam's heart sank as he thought about what he had just done. He opened the car door gently and slid carefully behind the wheel. Rachel shut her agenda and turned her attention to Sam.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" She asked. Sam hung his head low, unable to look her in the eye.
"Uh yeah, I did." Sam started the car and put it in drive. The drive to Rachel's house was silent for the most part. Sam felt like he didn't know what to say to her. Lovely skirt you're wearing, Do you have a lot of homework tonight? or wait, how about I really want to sing a duet with you, so guess what I just told Finn? He flinched at that last thought.
"Is everything ok?" Rachel finally asked. "You've been awfully quiet."
"Sorry, just lost in thought"
"You want to talk about it?" She watched him drive, his gaze never leaving the road. He shook his head, terrified to open his mouth. He pulled into her driveway and put the car into park. Rachel gathered her backpack and the agenda that had been lying in her lap. She glanced over at Sam who was staring blankly out the front window.
"You wanna come in for a little bit? My dad's aren't home yet, but I'm sure it would be ok as long as we stay in the kitchen." She grinned.
"Sure." Sam unbuckled his seat belt and got of the car. He walked around and opened the passenger door before Rachel could even get out. She smiled as he reached for her backpack. He followed behind, carrying her backpack, as she led the way through the front door of her house. Rachel went straight for the kitchen, placing her things on the counter.
"Would you like something to drink?" She asked, opening the refrigerator.
"Water would be great." Sam said. He sat her backpack on the floor next to the kitchen table and walked over to the counter. He climbed on a bar stool, as Rachel placed a glass of water in front of him. She stood next to him and carefully sipped her own water. He watched her run her finger around the rim of the glass a few times.
"So, what song are you thinking of singing for your duet?" Sam finally asked.
"Sam Evans, are you asking me because you have no idea what you and Noah are going to sing?" Rachel laughed.
"I'll have you know Puck and I are going to sing Swamp Music by Lynyrd Skynyrd." Sam beamed.
"Really? I'm pretty sure I overheard Lauren and Artie talking about performing that song." Rachel replied, a small giggle escaping from her throat. Sam's smile disappeared. That was the only song he could think of that had the word 'music' in it. "And I thought you weren't going to tell me what you two were singing?"
"Well, I figured the competition was harmless. I guess I'll have to come up with a new idea then." Sam smiled, reaching over for her hand. Rachel stopped giggling and lowered her eyes; her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. When she looked back up, Sam was staring at her.
"I was just kidding about that part, you know." A smile crept across Rachel's mouth. "Well, not about having to come up with another idea."
Rachel glanced at the clock on the wall. "I guess I better get started on my homework before-." Sam squeezed her hand before she could finish.
"before Finn comes over….right." He opened his hand and let hers slip out of his. He was pretty sure the disappointment was written all over his face. He pushed the empty glass away and quickly stood up.
"Have fun." It was all he could muster as he made his way to the front door. Before he could reach for the door knob, he felt her hand on his arm.
"Sam, wait." She said breathlessly. He turned and looked into her deep brown eyes. Her eyes searched his face, though she wasn't sure exactly what she was looking for. She stretched up on her tiptoes and leaned into his lips. They were cool to the touch. He tilted his body down towards hers, wrapping his arms around her and placing his hands on her back. She grabbed onto his arms as she kissed him back just a little harder until she finally ran out of air. Biting her lip just slightly, she placed her feet back firmly on the floor. Sam flashed her a huge grin before disappearing out the front door. Rachel gingerly touched her lips as she closed the front door, her heart fluttering.
I apologize for such a delayed update. My muse is being lazy & will not cooperate. However, please don't let that deter you from reading & enjoying.