Sorry this is such a short chapter, but I wanted to switch back to Will's POV pretty quickly, and I like the idea of alternating POV between Will and Rachel in every chapter. FYI - I'm pretty sure this story is going to end up having 7 chapters in total, unless I decide to go in a different direction later. Please review!
Chapter 4 – Rachel POV
I wasn't sure how long how I had been standing outside Mr. Schue's office in shock. No. No, no, no! That did not just happen; this is all a dream, right? Crap... I'm pretty sure that actually happened. This is not okay! I stormed out of the school furiously.
I spent that night in my bed tossing and turning, trying to figure out what was going on and what my next move should be. Well, okay, obviously Mr. Schue is just feeling like he can't admit his feelings about me because I'm his student and he's not divorced yet and whatever, but I know this could work. I just need to make him see it too...but how? Seduce him in his office? Nah, too forward. Leave little messages on his desk? Too creepy... hmm... what to do... Ah ha! I got it!
I woke up the next morning an hour early and immediately checked myself in the mirror. I had huge bags under my eyes from lack of sleep and my skin looked slightly blotchy. Perfect! I'll just bring some makeup to school and do it right before my first class.
I arrived at the school at exactly 7:30am, my face still the mess it had looked like when I first woke up. A couple teachers had started to arrive, but the light was still off in Mr. Schue's office. I tried the door – locked. Crap... I think I'm too early. I could have had another few minutes of beauty sleep! I sighed. Whatever, I'm sure he'll be here soon. I had just opened my locker when I heard Mr. Schue's voice coming from the end of the hallway. Shit, I can't let him see me yet! Without thinking, I jumped into my full-length locker and closed the door. I waited for a few seconds to make sure he had passed my locker and gone into his office before stepping out. Ew! Note to self, never hide in your locker again unless you want to look like the Crypt Keeper afterwards! I brushed the imaginary dust off my mini skirt before grabbing my eye drops and putting a few into each eye. I smiled to myself as they dripped down my face. After shutting my locker, I confidently strode over to Mr. Schue's office. I closed my eyes for a few second to 'get into character', and as a result, I felt my eyes well up with tears. I knocked timidly on the door.
"Come in!" I heard him call from inside.
I stepped in, making sure the expression on my face made it look like I had just been crying.
He was standing beside his desk organizing some papers, but he looked up sharply as soon as he heard my footsteps. "Rachel? What's wro-"
I cut him off by starting to suddenly fake sob. He immediately pulled me close to him into a hug, rubbing circles on my back and muttering, "It's okay," into my ear. I relaxed into his chest and just savoured the moment; I could have sworn he was smelling my hair. After a few moments, he pulled away and looked straight into my eyes, "Do you need to talk?"
I nodded and sat down in the chair facing his desk as he sat in his. He looked at me, waiting for me to speak, but I just looked at him for a couple seconds, taking it all in. His eyes were focused on mine, his face the very picture of concern, and I was pretty sure I could see fear behind it. "I... m-my... dad's in the hospital, we d-don't think he's going to make it..." I stuttered softly.