Because this chapter is so huge I've decided to split into three equal parts. Part two should be up by the end of July. Again, thanks for sticking with the story even though I suck at updating. Lol
Disclaimer: Characters from Glee belong to the one and only Ryan Murphy.
Today is the day. I have been awake for the past two and a half hours, waiting for her arrival. I should probably double check to make sure I have everything in my oversized tote bag. Sun screen, check. Two beach towels, check. Book, check, although I highly doubt I'll be needing that. Wallet, check. IPod, check, although I'm pretty sure I won't be needed this also. Shit, my sunglasses aren't in there. I start searching for them desperately when I hear a knock at the door.
"Come in," I yell as I rummage through my drawers. Where could it be?!
"Hey, Rach. You ready to go?" A heavy sigh leaves my lips as I look at her. She looks…beautiful.
"Really," she murmurs looking down at herself. "It's just something-I don't know. We're going to the beach, but I don't plan on swimming or anything so I thought…" Never would I have thought I'd see Quinn Fabray ramble.
I put a hand on her shoulder and tell her, "what you have on definitely is appropriate beach attire. It's just been so long since I've seen you in a dress. You look lovely, Quinn." And she does. Wait. We kind of match. I have on black flip flops to match my black lightweight sweater, and my cute, little distressed shorts, while she sports a lovely black and white patterned dress, with a jean jacket, and black Chuck Taylor's. Weird.
"Thanks," she whispers. After a moment, she clears her throat and asks again if I'm ready.
"Not quite," I say with frustration, "I can't find my sunglasses."
"Rachel," she begins to chuckle. "They're on top of your head," she says as she plucks them from on top of my fucking head. Smooth, Berry. Smooth.
I thank her sheepishly, and tell her I'm ready to go. As we make our way to the charter bus, I can't help but gush about how excited I am to be going to the beach. My last trip had been when I was 18. I went to Cherry Grove with my fathers. We go every year before the new school year starts. We've done this since I was five years old. I love the Grove; the restaurants are exquisite, I can always find something interesting at the flea market, plus it's very popular with the LGBT community which makes it all the better. I'm hoping to take a trip there with my father's once I've completed treatment.
"We should totally go together, Quinn! I'm sure you'll love it; especially the beach itself."
"Sure, Rach," she breathes out. As we approach the front entry way she walks ahead of me to hold open the door. I thank her as I step outside and lead us to the line that's formed alongside the bus. The silence that has fallen between Quinn and I isn't awkward at all, it's comforting in a way; I like that we can just be with each other. However, that silence is interrupted when James cuts in front of me.
He turns to face me, a devilish sort of grin upon his face, "Rachel, dear. Long time no see," looking past me he says, "and hello, Quinn. Doesn't our Rachel, here look just wonderful. Especially in those shorts. She really does have legs that go on for days, doesn't she Quinn?" My face heats up as I peer over my right shoulder and look at Quinn. I can tell she's annoyed, but she also looks flushed. Huh.
"Stop ogling her, Sawyer, and move your ass," she says with a harsh sigh, nostrils flaring. We step forward as the line has since moved, but he continues to talk. Well taunt, Quinn.
"Okay, okay. I'll leave the ogling to you, Quinn." Another step. What does he mean leave the ogling to her?
With his back facing us he says, "well the two of you do look cute, matching colors and everything. So gay. Actually, don't lesbians like matching with each other? You ladies look like you could be a couple. Something that you'd love, wouldn't you Quinn? To be dating someone as lovely as Rachel here," he finishes, smirking back at Quinn. I too look back at her to also see her reaction to this ridiculousness. She's giving James her death glare. Shit. Thankfully, Dr. Davis calls him over. He bids us goodbye, I give him a small wave in return, and I look back to Quinn to find her with her eyes shut tight, breathing deeply through her nose.
"Quinn," I whisper. "Are you okay?"
As she lets out a deep breath, her eyes meet mine and she tells me she's fine. "I just really don't like that guy." I'm about to ask her why James would say those things, what he meant, but we've reached the bus door and I'm interrupted by a nurse asking for my bag so she can check it. Quinn goes around me, and gets on the bus since she isn't carrying a bag with her. Once my items are approved, I too get on the bus and make my way towards Quinn. With Quinn already seated at the window seat near the back, looking out said window, I silently take the seat next to her. I decide now isn't the time to discuss what just happened, but I won't let this slide.
"Good morning, good morning! Is everyone excited as I am for this wonderful trip?" Dr. Davis proceeds to state the guidelines for the trip, and announce those who have been paired with a nurse for supervision. It seems that Addison, Sam, James, Quinn, and I are all doing well in our treatment since none of us got assigned to a nurse. Thank Barbra. Now I get to spend my time with just Quinn. Well, that is if she still wants to. The bus is already on the road and she has yet to look away from the window. I wonder what she's thinking. Does she not want to be here? Is she thinking about James' remarks? I should have said something to him; made him stop or something. I've ruined it, I've ruined-
"I can hear your thoughts, Rachel. And I need them to stop," she says as she turns her body towards me. She lightly touches my wrist, my scar, "I just needed a moment to calm down. I don't want to ruin this day for you by letting my temper get the best of me, Rach. But I'm better now."
Eyes trained on her hand on me I whisper, "I'm sorry about James. I don't understand why he's being so-so mean to you."
"He's not a good guy, Rach. I hope you see that now." She removes her hand and sits back in her seat, eyes pleading me to understand.
"I do." Why can't I stop whispering? I clear my throat, decide to change the subject, and slide off my flip flops.
"How much longer do you have until you've completed your treatment," I ask as I cross my left leg over the other. I poke her calf with my toe.
"Thirteen more weeks and I am out of here," she says with a breathy chuckle.
My foot absentmindedly caresses her calf, "and what are you planning to do after all of this?"
She plans to leave Lima; Russell and Judy are triggers for her so she can't stay with them which is completely understandable after all they've put her through. And she hates Lima, there's nothing there for her anymore. She's not sure what she wants to do career wise though. Maybe go to college, probably not Yale, but somewhere. She's not jazzed about any particular major or career, hence the hesitation to even look at colleges. However, she's still young, she has plenty of time to explore her options. Plus, it helps that she gets her trust fund once her treatment is complete. She has time to settle down, and figure what her next move will be.
I have fourteen more weeks left at Holton Rehabilitation. I plan to go back to New York to finish up some loose ends. My publicist, Joan Leeman, and manager, Karen Jacoby, have been trying to convince me to stay in the city but I can't handle it. I love Broadway, and New York will always be my dream. Maybe I can go back one day… but right now it's too overwhelming; I can tell it'll destabilize me. I'd love to start over though. I was thinking about California. I'm loving the weather here, and there's definitely a different vibe here. I don't know for certain what I would do here though. Teach? Maybe start an album? I've been writing poems since I began my stay here; I think some of them could turn into songs.
"We'll see what happens though. I'm trying not to be so controlling; sometimes you have to let go and see what life takes you," I finish as I towards her.
"You're right, about seeing where life takes you and all… I have complete confidence in you, Rachel Berry, that you'll still have that bright and amazing future." She looking at me funny; I've seen this look before. A couple of times actually. When I told her 'this is our year to get it right,' when she gave me those metro north passes, when I told her I was going to marry Finn, and when she gave that speech about how 'you can't change your past, but you can let go and start your future.' It's that same look…
The bus slows to a stop, people start moving around and I realize that we've arrived at our destination: Balboa fun zone, Newport Beach. Quinn gestures for me to move and I do. I slip my shoes back on, gather my stuff, and make my way off the bus. Everyone is lined up against the bus again as we're informed of today's schedule.
"Listen up everybody. Patients and staff are required to meet up at Ruby's diner at 12:30pm for lunch. Dinner will also be at Ruby's diner but it is optional. We will be heading back to Holton Rehab at closing which is 9:00pm. If you were assigned a nurse, stay with him or her or there will be consequences such as heading back to the facility early. Okay then, you'll all be given your wristband for the day. This wristband gives you unlimited access to all attractions and activities, and a discount on all food stores. Have a splendid day you guys," Dr. Davis then proceeds to see everyone off with a high five or a pat on the back. What an interesting woman, she is.
"What do you think she takes to always be so chipper," Quinn asks lowly. I bite my bottom lip to keep from laughing because it's my turn to give Anya a high five while Quinn breezes past. I can't help but snort. The look on Anya's face is priceless. I see that Quinn has met up with Sam. Gosh those two look too alike. Maybe they're long lost twins. As I approach the two blondes, well one and half blondes, I also see Addison and James making their way seemingly towards us. I reach Quinn and Sam first, and instinctively loop my left arm with her right. I can feel her tense up so I start to remove myself from her, but she stops me. I barely hear her whisper for me to please stay. I give her arm a little squeeze and stay where I am.
"Looks like we've all been deemed sane enough to be left to our own devices," Addison chalks up.
"I'm a little surprised that they didn't assign you at least two nurses, Addison." Who knew Sam could be so cheeky.
"Who needs nurses when I've got you four who are as equally ill equipped as those bozos?"
Bozos? "I resent that statement, Addison," I, Rachel Berry, am not a bozo. Before anyone chimes in on the lovely conversation, Sam suggests that we get going if we want to make the most of our day. We make our way down Washington Street towards the beach and surprisingly enough, Addison and I discuss Broadway productions, show tunes, films, and such. I had an inkling that she enjoyed musical theater but I didn't know she was as obsessed as me! James chimes in and asks, "have you ever slept with the director, Berry? Word on the street says that you have."
Shocked at such an atrocious rumor and being asked if such rumor is true, I tell James, "of course not! I can't believe people still feel the need to make up such gossip." The nerve of this man.
"This is obviously a lie, but I'll let it pass this time, Rachel. Tell me about some old flames or crushes from high school?" Furrowing my brows, I ask what he's trying to get at.
"I simply want to know if you like sausage or tacos more," he questions me with an evil smirk. What the hell?
"You're disgusting, James. Back off, Barbra here." Even though Addison attempts to end whatever this is, James continues on with his crude questions.
"You're right, Addison. My apologies, Princess Prude, let me ask the Queen Bitch some questions." Oh no.
"Quinn, darling, I'll ask you the same question. Sausage or tacos? My guess is tacos." I take a glance at Quinn, and she is clearly not amused by this whole thing.
"Okay, here's a better question," oh no. "Who would you rather fuck, Addison or Rachel? I mean, c'mon redheads are rare, and it would be nice to know if the curtains match the drapes. But also, it's Rachel Berry. I'm sure you've thought about giving that bitch the rough, hard fuck she deserves." The next thing I hear is someone say holy shit, and a thud. Oh no.