To be honest, this has really just been sitting on my mind forever, and I'm kind of annoyed that it only just clicked that I could put it here...and I'm meant to be smart.
If you guys want this to continue, I may do a Part 2 of the Regionals competition itself, and if y'all would like any other pairings, as usual just let me know. Links are on my page for make-up, hair and dress.
Thank you to all my readers. You reading this means the world.
Rachel's POV
After another grating day among the masses, I was time for Glee, after which I would finally be able to go meet Jesse, who was taking me to dinner tonight to meet his Vocal Adrenaline friends.
Obviously God in all his infinite wisdom decided I needed more of a punishment, so as soon as I walked into the choir room I was faced with the Glee club, minus myself, Santana and Noah, watching Finn trying to consume Quinn's tongue with his lips. I stopped in the doorway, more due to shock than to personal hurt. Despite what half of the Cheerios would have the school believe , I was not a man-stealing tramp, and I was with Jesse, meaning my feelings were kept strictly platonic.
As soon as the rest of the room registered my presence, they all turned towards me, Mike and Tina looking regretfully sad, Artie sitting with Brittany, both looking worried about what my reaction would be, Matt, Mercedes and Kurt, eyes wide and holding their breaths, and the two culprits of indecency, Finn and Quinn, looking at me without one speck of guilt.
I took a deep breath. Calm down star, I inwardly berated myself, you are stronger. "Obviously nothing has changed," I said.
So with a straightening of my spine I went to sit in my usual seat in the middle of the dais, and I couldn't help but let my lip quirk when literally everyone leapt up and stood. Once I had settled myself without saying another word, everyone seemed to calm down and begin to sit down again, and by the way they were very deliberately seating themselves, it seemed everyone was picking sides.
Finn and Quinn sat in the left corner behind me, which was the furthest away from me they could get. Mike and Tina sat down in the same row as me, leaving a chair between us. Artie, Brittany and Kurt sat directly in front of her, Kurt patting her knee lightly. Well, at least she definitely had their support. Matt sat behind Mike, obviously showing those three were indifferent, and Mercedes sat in front of Quinn and Finn. Well that shouldn't be surprising, I thought to myself. Just then Tana and Noah came into the room holding hands, quickly assessed the situation and obvious tension, and sat either side of me, Tana placing a comforting hand on my leg.
Just then Mr. Schue came in, already talking and very obviously animated. "OK guys, Regionals! We have two weeks to prepare our set list. Now, this year, because the Show Choir Governing Board has changed up the rules so that each team performs twice on the first day, and a certain number go onto to perform a third song the next day, I was thinking that we would split our songs so we did a ballad, either a solo or duet and a group number on the first day, and prepare a group number where a couple of people got a few solo lines in case we went through to the third day." he grinned at us, expecting us to be just as excited.
"That is excellent Mr. Schuester," I said, smiling warmly at him, and having him smile in relief at me, "personally, I already have some ideas for myself for the ballad number, and I even think Tana and Noah would be an excellent choice for the third song," I said primly, laying my hands folded in my lap.
"That's great Rachel," he said smiling, "but we all need to vote. Those against Rachel having the solo?"
I quickly but covertly turned my head to the back corner, to see the Quinn, Finn and Mercedes all raise their hands.
Mr. Schue frowned almost imperceptibly but continued. "Those for Rachel singing a solo ballad." Tana, Noah and everyone else raised their hands, so the solo was given to me, though the three did protest, but quickly got shot down by Satan.
"Bitch please," she said angrily, fully turning to face them, "you have as much talent in your whole body as Rachel has in her pinky finger. Do not make go pull out Snix and go all Lima Heights on your assess."
Mr. Schue cleared his throat, while Kurt, Noah, Artie, Brittany and I tried not to giggle at this uncomfortable expression. "Well then it's settled. Rachel, you have the ballad, and so I will leave song choice to you. You will be our first performance, before the group number." I nodded. "Well, the theme for this competition is props, so again, I will leave Rachel's performance to her. I have songs organised for the group number the first day, and a third song if we need it. As we need to be prepared, any two people who would like to pair up for the third number, please come and see me in my office."
When no one protested, Mr. Schue clapped his hands for the infinite time that day, and asked the room at wide if they would like to go over a song, or had anything to present.
"Mr. Schue?" I said, raising my hand a little, "could I propose an assignment that will also allow us to prepare for Nationals while you set out songs?"
He nodded. "I don't see why not. What was your plan Rachel?"
I cleared my throat and stood up. "I propose that we all meet over the weekend in two teams, and then on Monday present two different group numbers, which gives you a chance to really listen to each of our voices in a group setting, and help you decide vocal arrangements."
Mr. Schue nodded. "OK, that's actually a really good idea," he said, sending me a smile, "how about you, Santana, Puck, Artie, Brittany and Kurt against Quinn, Finn, Mercedes, Matt, Mike and Tina?" he asked us all. We all nodded, happy with those arrangements. At least Mr. Schue wasn't totally daft as to put me with Finn and Quinn.
"I have to go guys," I said as we were all chatting in our little group afterwards, "I have somewhere important to be tonight."
"Oh God, I forgot!" Kurt said, eyes wide and sounding startled, "Brittany, Satan, come, we have work to do!" and he dragged me out of the door, Santana and Brittany following behind us.
"I'll just drive with Artie then Berry!" Noah hollered after us.
"Sorry!" I called back apologetically.
"If you ever call me Satan again Hummel," Tana grumbled to him as she claimed shotgun in his car, "I will take away your authentic couture, you hear?"
Kurt just rolled his eyes at the empty threat, sharing a grin with Tana.
~RBJSJ~
"There, you are now finished," Kurt declared with one more flick of the mascara wand as he, Tana and Britt took a step back from my vanity.
"I was finished an hour and a half ago," I grumbled, but I did have to admit they had done a good job. My hair was curled and placed in a loose, messy bun, with several strands framing my face. My make up was fairly light, thank heavens, with a slightly shiny brown eyeshadow and a black coloured mascara complementing the natural coloured gloss. And as much as I had tried to point out this was merely a dinner in a slightly more fancy than normal restaurant, Kurt insisted I make an impression on Jesse's Vocal Adrenaline friends that I would be meeting for the first time that night.
"If they don't like you, he automatically thinks twice, because his friends are important to him," Kurt surmised.
Which is why I was sitting here in a short purple cocktail dress that my fathers and I had bought on one of our trips to New York. The girls and Kurt had practically died when I showed them my rather large walk in closet.
"Rach, why don't you wear this to school?" Britt asked, confused.
"My Gucci blouse got ruined the very first day, and so I never wear any of this stuff anymore," I explained, "besides, I have come to realise the sweaters and skirts are more comfortable, and wash easier. Yes, you can borrow that," I said to Kurt as he came over, gently holding one of my cashmere scarves in his hands.
"Well, from now on we're going out more often," Tana exclaimed, "'cause Berry, I'm imagining you in these clothes and it'd be hot!"
I had just blushed a deep red and ushered them out into my room, their eyes still weird and shocked.
I was snapped out of my reverie by the knocking at the door. "I'll get it!" all three of my friends exclaimed as they ran to the door, me following along at a more leisurely place. When I finally got there it seemed like 'Snix' was giving Jesse the third degree.
"Here's the deal, Schuester wannabe," she said menacingly, poking his chest, "since the assess-that-be aren't here, I'm responsible for Berry. If you harm one head on her head I'm going to get my 6 ft boyfriend and we're going to come kick your arse from here to Timbuktu. If she is even one iota upset, you will suffer immeasurable pain. Kapeesh?" she demanded.
Before Jesse had a chance to talk and run away, I interjected. "Satan, this isn't our first date, and if you keep doing that to him I'm not going to have many more, so lay off. Besides, I've known you long enough to be able to handle myself, don't you think?" I asked as I gave the three a kiss on the cheek and hug a goodbye, before walking to the door, Jesse and freedom from my best friends.
"Be home by 11!" I heard Kurt call before I closed the door and turned to face Jesse, who was smirking and trying not to laugh.
"Santana just keeps getting funnier," he chuckled, "and you keep getting more beautiful every single time I see you."
I blushed for the second time that day. "You think?" I asked shyly, "not to fancy?"
"Definitely not," he promised, taking my hand and guiding me to his Range Rover, "now we have to get going, because I timed this so we would be the last to-"
"Jesse St. James get in the car!" I cried impatiently, "I will not be late! Do you know what kind of impression that gives?" I demanded.
He just rolled his eyes at me and started the car, pulling out of my driveway and heading towards the restaurant in Akron where I would meet a portion of Vocal Adrenaline, better known as 'Jesse's friends'. Breathe, just breathe I kept chanting to myself.
~RBJSJ~
Bricco was one of upper-society's focal points her in Akron, the where-to-be for any high status people. Jesse gave his last name to the maitre-d who then led us to a table that contained four other people and two spare seats.
"Rachel," Jesse said as he seated me at one end of the table before taking his place at my right (introductions are made counterclockwise from Jesse's right), "these are my friends from Vocal Adrenaline; Andrea and her boyfriend Chris and Shoshandra and her girlfriend Giselle"
I smiled warmly and they returned it eagerly. "So this is the miracle hobbit that stole our Jesse's heart?" the girl called Andrea asked.
I grinned, liking that she automatically had a teasing manner about her, even though we had just met. "Well, I prefer midget, but the sentiment is the same." This caused the table to chuckle, and just like that it was as if I had been apart of the group for years.
The dinner quickly sped by. Soon it was time for dessert, where I had chosen a vegan orange tarte with mango sorbet, when the conversation turned to Regionals.
"So I don't mean to brag-" Giselle began.
"Yes you do," Jesse sniped.
"Let her speak," I admonished, hitting him playfully.
The others laughed. "So much for being a lead," Chris said sarcastically, grinning so Jesse knew he was joking.
"As I was saying," Giselle started again, "before wonder boy interrupted me, I get this year's Regionals solo." No one seemed upset at this news, which was highly irregular for myself, seeing as whenever anyone got a solo, everybody else erupted into protests.
"How do you all split up solos?" I wondered curiously.
"Well, Jesse's our main lead," Shoshandra explained, "and for each competition, if a female lead is needed, we have to audition for the spot. I did our invitational, and Andrea got Nationals last year."
"And does this ever cause discontent amongst the group as a whole?" I queried.
They all shrugged. "When you first come into the group, it probably is a shock, and I'm sure some of the Freshman would rather it another way, but we're very focused, and every member gives 110%. The leads are deserved, and we're very team focused."
"Some other teams think we're too pushy," Andrea said with a roll of her eyes, "and we probably are, for their standards, but we aren't the team we are for nothing."
"I have a question though," Chris said, talking directly to me, "are you getting a solo at Regionals? Specifically a ballad?" At seeing my hesitation to answer, he quickly amended hsi question. "I don't want to step on toes, or even know which song, I was just curious, promise.'
At that I nodded. "I'm getting a solo, but I haven't yet chosen whether I want to do a more theatrical ballad, or put my own spin on a Top 40 Hit."
"So we've got no chance then," Shoshandra said, leaning back.
"Why do you say that?" I asked, honestly bewildered, "your team basically set the expected standard for all National Show Choir competitors for the last five or six years."
They all grinned. "I knew that saying would catch," Jesse laughed, causing me to glare at him a little.
"We say it because Jesse here told us the first year you started high school that you were the only one that could possibly beat him, and after seeing you at Sectionals, I know that we'd have little to no chance of beating you guys if it was down to leads. No offence, Jess, but I kinda like Rach here better," Giselle grinned.
"You can sure kill a ballad," Andrea agreed.
"But I'm sure you guys will give me a run for my money," I smiled, accepting the compliment without fanfare.
"Oh, you bet ya, little lady," Chris said, "if you're anything like Jesse, then you'll be as competitive as he is, so this will make for one interesting competition. We're just saying you're the voice to watch."
"Speaking of voices," I said, remembering my previous plan, "Jesse and I were going to get together at my house with a couple of my friends, for a singing sleepover get-together. Would you four like to come?" I asked, smiling at them all.
The specific partnerslooked at each other, and in the end everyone nodded."We'd love to," GIsellesaid.
"Won't Daddies Berry mind?" Andrea asked.
I shrugged."My Dads aren't really around a whole lot," I explained, "so I only really have my Mom, who doesn't live with me because of her job."
They looked interested. "Who's your Mom?" Shoshandra wanted to know.
I shared a secret smile with Jesse, who winked back at me. I wasn't planning on telling anyone other than my group, but if I was with Jesse, I was with his friends, so they may as well know. "I have a feeling you may know her...Shelby Corcoran?" I said, grinning deviously.
"I knew you looked familiar!" Andrea exclaimed, "and Shelby's got a killer voice, so it explains where you got it from."
All I could do is laugh as I was easily included in the banter that the group the end of the night when Jesse was dropping me home, I realised that I wasn't a freak, or a loser, or any other of those foul things I was labelled as...I just hadn't found the right friends.
I believe the last line is an important message. Everyone is special, and when you're put-down, that person, or group of people, aren't worthy of your pain and suffering.
