Thank you everyone so much for reviewing and adding this to story alerts and favourites. So sorry if this chapter is a little short or rushed but I'm heading away and I won't be able to post again until Saturday or Sunday and I wanted you guys to have something. So, Enjoy! :)

"Okay guys. Careful"Mr. Schue spoke laughter in his voice as he tried to regain some order.

Rachel felt the sea of bodies surrounding her decrease as they all stepped back. She her face was going to break in two with her smile, it felt so big. It was amazing to have the support of the entire glee behind her, even Quinn who she didn't really get along with. She stood up on her toes trying to see over everyone's head. She let out a sad sigh when she couldn't see Ethan.

"Looking for someone?" A familiar voice spoke from behind. She spun around to come face to face with Ethan.

"Hey" She breathed out a smile replacing her frown. She was so grateful he hadn't left even though he was most likely missing school. It helped just having his presence in the room when she was singing. She felt his eyes fixed on her throughout the whole song.

"You thought I left?" He questioned a slightly hurt look crossing his features before he schooled them.

"Well, you have to get back to school right? I mean you're missing classes for me. What if you get an important assignment or look at something important. Or what if you miss Warbler practise and that makes you lose regional's. I couldn't have that on my conscience. Or what if-"

"Rachel. Breathe". She complied taking a deep breath and clearing all dramatic thoughts from her head. She raised her eyes slowly to look up at him and realised he was trying to smother his laughter.

"Go ahead" She muttered folding her arms across her chest. She felt the laughter before she heard it. She felt the hands on her shoulders shake, she heard his soft musical laugh and turned her head to look at him. His green eyes shimmered like an emerald, his soft pink lips curving into a crooked grin making a dimple appear in his left cheek. She had the strangest urge to just reach up and stroke his tanned cheek to see if it was as soft as it looked.

"What's wrong?" He questioned the laugh slowly dying down and the dimple disappearing. Looking back at him she realised she had been foolish to think of him like that. She had just broken up with a boy she claimed to love. She trusted Ethan even though they had just met but her heart was something she didn't plan on just giving away because some boy was cute and kind and considerate and-. She berated herself and realised Ethan had a look of worry across his face as she just stood there staring at him.

"Nothing" Rachel replied showface in place. She liked him and she wanted to be herself but she was scared. She had layers and things she had kept so well hidden for so long and today he proved that he could get through them and that prospect terrified her.

"Don't do that" He whispered in a strained voice, pain and hurt flashing through his eyes.

Rachel was about to question him when someone cleared their throat behind her. She spun around to see the looming figure of Noah. He stood slightly behind arms crossed his eyes looking Ethan up and down. Rachel let out a low groan figuring he was going to go protective big brother mode on Ethan.

"Listen pretty boy, Rachel's like my little sister so if you hurt her you'll have me to deal with. Got it?" Rachel watched in horror as the two boys stood toe to toe, staring each other down.

"Got it" Ethan wore a cool composed mask which, Rachel realised, contrasted greatly with his previous expression.

"Good" Rachel saw Noah give Ethan one last look before he turned on his heel and strode towards Mercedes, Kurt and Blaine. The former two exchanging money.

"He's not much of a talker, is he?" Rachel turned around when she heard Ethan and saw him staring after Noah before he intense gaze turned to her.

"He prefers short and sweet" She spoke flashing him a smirk.

"Yeah, sweet." He drawled sarcastically.

Rachel smiled at him before she remembered what had happened before Noah interrupted. She was about to question him but realised a room with around twelve other people who were known for eavesdropping probably wasn't the place.

"Take a walk with me?" It was like he had read her mind. Another frightening prospect. She looked down and realised he had held his hand out to her. She grabbed it and felt him lace his fingers through hers while he led her outside. They walked in a comfortable silence until they reached the football field.

"My family have a reputation. We were always at gala's and dinner parties, events and political parties. We had to appear to be the perfect family. I had to have good grades and be good at sport. I had to be perfect, I had to pretend. I found a way to do that. I wore a mask, pretended everything was fine even though half the time I was falling to pieces. I just blew one day, rebelled, became too much to handle and I got sent to Dalton. I could drop the mask there. Nobody judged, nobody cared how high I scored in my biology exam or how far I could throw a football and it felt so good."

Rachel listened to Ethan speak, something throbbed in her chest when he spoke pain in his voice and eyes. She felt his hand tighten around hers and all she could do was squeeze back.

"I'm telling you this because you're doing the exact same thing I did. You're hiding behind some mask because you're scared and I know how long it will take for you to drop it completely but please don't do that with me. You can trust me Rachel" He stopped and turned around grabbing both her hands in his while he spoke. He looked her straight in the eye and Rachel felt a shiver pass down her spine at the intensity of his eyes.

"I just…. I'm scared Ethan" She whispered, a lone tear coursing down her cheek.

"I know" he replied wrapping his arms around her, "I know".

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