Kurt Hummel let himself into the neat and organized Berry home after hearing a distant "It's open!". He could hear the distinct music and dialogue of 'The Way We Were' even before setting foot in the living room to see Rachel Berry clad in purple sweat pants, pajama shirt, and lazy pony tail. She pulled blankets from the floor and cocooned herself inside them, readjusting her bowl of whole wheat cereal for dramatic effect.
"Oh dear." Was all Kurt could manage.
The girl had texted him clearly in distress, but this was bad.
"I'm a failure in love." Rachel droaned as Kurt took a seat on the arm of the sofa. "Finn and I had an encounter." She kept her eyes glued to the TV gloomily and pouted her lips.
"I see...I'm guessing things didn't go well."
The Jewish girl glanced at Kurt, her voice a flat monotone. "I contemplated jumping off the top of the Gershwin Theater."
"Oh. Well at least you picked an iconic powerhouse of musical theater legend.. too bad we're in Lima." He pouted lightly and shook Rachel's knee. "Hey, I'm trying to cheer you up! Come on! It couldn't have been that bad!"
"You can't cheer me up. I'm suffering from chronic depression and failure to maintain a solid relationship that isn't a Broadway show." Rachel stuffed a spoonful of cereal into her mouth and continued to talk. "He said I have no right to barge in and ask for him back again. He's right. I'm a slave to my past naive decisions. This stuff is so good, I'm debating letting myself go."
Kurt watched the brunette inhale another spoonful and gently pried the bowl out of her hands. "Oh no. No no, I'm already debating whether to keep you in those sweats for the night." He shuddered. "So it's been ten years.. something tells me that you haven't been to far from his mind over the years either."
Rachel eyed him skeptically and glanced back to Barbra. "Well it doesn't matter, he would have to come to me and clearly he didn't want that. Hence why I'm watching The Way We Were. It gives me a bitter sense of pity and nostalgia."
"Rachel. Look, maybe he's in shock. Sometimes you can come on a little...strong. Besides I don't think him and this girl of his are anything serious so you never know what could happen now that he's seen you alive and well!"
"What if I've pushed him to far? Visiting glee club is one thing but then I practically asked if he was available on the market!"
"You always push him too far and he always come back. That's the way it works with you people. Because he loves you."
Rachel seemed to contemplate his words and glanced down, toying with the blanket. "You don't think it's crazy to still be in love, do you? A decade later. I mean do I really have a chance."
Kurt shrugged and scooted over to wrap his arms around his friend. "I think you and Finn will always have a chance. Reminds me of two great lovebirds I know."
"Who?"
"Blaine and myself." The boy smiled, giving the girl a playful nudge. "Wipe that frown off your face..." He started to sing, watching a bright grin appear on the face across from him.
"Kurt, stop it..."
"This isn't a real song, but you should sing-along, Miss Rachel Berryyyyyyy!"
"Okay. I get it! I get it. I feel a little better."
"Good."
Kurt gave the little Berry a squeeze and turned his attention to the movie. "You need to work your game, Rachel Berry. Win the t-Rex back."
Rachel beamed and rested her head on Kurt's chest. "I'm a little rusty. But I'll go back to McKinley tomorrow."
"That's the crazy, determined diva I know."
