sdmwd1115 - Quinn and Jesse's conversation will be revealed in this chapter, as well as who Quinn will be staying with! Thank you so much for reviewing!
Jamison08 - Thanks for reading my story up until this point and reviewing!
Guest - Thank you so much for all your kind words. You're right, Judy will not be happy, but she brought this on herself. Thanks again for reviewing and reading!
Guest - Thank you so much!
notnow - Thank you so much! I am glad you are getting that Shelby is a compassionate and thoughtful person, that is my goal! She may be a tough coach, but she has a heart. Thank you so much for the encouraging words. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Guest - Thank you!
Anon - A lot more will be revealed in this chapter! I hope it answers some of your questions. Thank you so much for reviewing and reading!
banjojd - I think you, along with many others, will like where Quinn will be placed! Thank you so much for reviewing!
Dorothy - Your instincts are on the right track! I am so happy you are enjoying this story! It means so much! Thank you for continuing to read and review!
I'm so sorry for the delay! I had a lot of scenes planned for this chapter and I kept on rewriting all of them. Thank you for all the kind words and reviews. It really means a lot. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. All of you predicted where Quinn will be placed. Also, a whole lot more will be revealed in this chapter. Thanks again and enjoy!
"You... you think that this is really going to work out?" Jesse asked. The boy was surprised to hear this coming out of Quinn's mouth. He didn't know the girl even had it in her. "I mean... this is going to take time... a lot of time... time I don't think I have."
Quinn nodded. "I believe... I know that this will work." A beat. "Just think about it, Jesse. You would be able to perform again and teach and, at the same time, you would be able to get back at Shelby. It's a win-win-win situation." The girl nervously shifted in her spot. She needed to get home soon. Her mother would be walking through the door at any moment. "Listen, Jesse. I know you, believe it or not. You are not going to just throw all your talent away and I am willing to bet you are still pretty fucking pissed. News gets around. You have just enough experience to pull this off. Just... don't even think twice about this. Just do it, okay? I can help you... when I'm not doing chores or attending stupid crash courses or picking up other people's shit along the highway, or whatever. I'll recruit people for you!" The girl hoped that Jesse was catching everything she was saying because she was talking fast. "Jesse, I- I have to go now, but... just... we can figure something out."
"Why do you want to help me?" Jesse asked. "Why? We should be enemies."
"Well," Quinn began, "I need the money and I know... well, you have money and... I'm.. I would feel embarrassed to ask someone else and... it's not like I have time now to get a job... or whatever."
"You have yourself a deal," Jesse said finally as he reached out to shake the girl's hand. "I can't get you the money right now, but... tomorrow, maybe? After school?"
"Okay, but it has to be fast," Quinn said as she stood up and wiped her hands on her pants. Before the blonde walked away, she turned around. "Thank you, Jesse. Please... don't mention this to anyone else."
The boy nodded and watched as Quinn started picking up the pace back to her house. "Brilliant," Jesse said under his breath. He hoped this girl knew what she was talking about and that she was going to stay true to her word. It wasn't a significant amount of money he would be losing, in his eyes, but if this didn't work out, he would make sure she paid back every cent.
As Quinn jogged home she started having second thoughts. Was this going to work? Or was Jesse just going to be a total jackass as usual? She didn't know, but this was the first plan that popped into her mind and she had to take action.
The girl reached her house and sighed with relief, her mother wasn't home yet. Quinn slipped inside her house and got ready for bed, already planning how she was going to get Rachel to join Jesse's Glee Club.
Everyone held their breath. Who was going to be their new coach? Was it going to be a man or a woman? How old? How young? Did this person like working with kids? Was this person ever on Broadway? Did this person have a good taste in music? Did anyone on the team know this new coach? Had they ever competed against this person?
"Well?" Nicole called out, clearly annoyed. She did not appreciate the woman's pause for dramatic effect. She wanted to know whether or not it was worth staying on the team. Yes, she was dramatic herself, but she dedicated her entire life to this team. One horrible coach, and there would go her chance of making it to her dream college - NYU.
"You're new coach," Shelby said as she scanned everyone in front of her, "is named April Rhodes."
"What kind of name is that?" one student called out. Who names their child after a month?
The woman held her hand up and squeezed her eyes shut. No, she thought to herself, don't do this to me now, not now. "Don't give me that crap," Shelby spat. "April Rhodes is extremely talented and has taken more risks than any of you might take in your life. If you don't believe me, YouTube, Twitter... whatever, just... give her a chance.. for me... and for yourselves. I would love to stand in front of all of you and praise the woman, but you just need to see her in person for yourself.. and hear her sing." A beat. "Speaking of which, rehearsals start up again tomorrow after school."
Shelby wasn't getting a positive or a negative response. Everyone kind of just... stood there.
"April Rhodes... she is probably the smallest woman you will ever meet, but... she has the biggest heart and she gives 110%. I... I've worked with her multiple times. She definitely gives me a run for my own money. And," Shelby said as she walked through the group, eyeing them, "I want... I expect you to give this woman respect and treat her kindly. I will be checking in and if I hear that you tried to glue her ass to a chair or put laxatives in her drinks, you all know what will happen."
"We're going to miss you," Lexi said, stepping forward, trying to break the tension. She didn't know what would happen, but then again, she was new. Surprise, surprise.
"I am going to miss each and every one of you," Shelby said with a warm smile. "But, like I said before, I will be back and I will be cheering all of you on at every competition and I will try to set up some gigs for you here and there."
The woman was truly going to miss coaching, but it was time for a change. Time to breathe new air and time to reconnect with her daughter.
"Oh," Shelby began, "and if you just can't get enough of me, I will be holding private vocal lessons at my house. The same standards apply. Come unprepared and I will ask you to leave," the woman tried to offer everyone an encouraging smile as she hugged everyone.
"Now, before you all go home and devour endless amounts of dairy now that competition season is over, I want you all to think about something for me. I don't want to sound all cliche and all, but I want to share a quote with all of you... a quote that helped me become... well, who I am today. Bernadette Peters once said, "You've gotta be original, because if you're someone else, what do they need you for?" Now, that quote... it speaks to me and it should speak to all of you. I get it, high school is tough. You've got college, friends, horrible teachers, and well... just trying to find yourselves. But, please, please be yourself and don't allow someone to change you. I'll be honest, most pportunities will not get handed to you, you've got to take risks, push boundaries, and make a name for yourself. Go exploring. You'll be rejected and you will find yourself being pushed to a breaking point, but, I promise that it will all be worth it and that you can achieve your wildest dreams."
...
Kurt groaned as he looked at the time. How much longer? He felt like he had been stuck in this room for hours on end. He smelled absolutely disgusting and he was not rocking this... whatever he was wearing. It was very unflattering and totally clashed with his skin tone.
"Kurt!" Burt called out from under a car as he stuck his hand out, signaling for a tool. "Any day now."
"Right!" Kurt said as he handed his dad a wrench. "Sorry."
Kurt's mind was racing from earlier that day. It was a blur... just a blur of big words and a woman dressed in a black rope and emotionless looks. The boy sighed as he hoisted himself up on a table, his legs swinging. He suddenly could not wait to go back to school tomorrow. He generally hated that place with a burning passion. The boy was counting down the days until summer and then high school. Just under a month.
"Kurt!" Burt snapped again. "Come on, man. I really could use a hand here."
"Which one?" Kurt joked flatley.
"Kurt, please," Burt said from under the car, "I really need to finish up this job before we close for the day."
"Sorry," Kurt mumbled as he reached for a rag and handed it to his father. He was trying to pay attention and actually seem interested in cars, but it wasn't working. It was like his brain had a mind of its own. The boy wanted to make his father happy, but cars, well, that wasn't his calling. What Kurt wanted to do was perform. He wanted to tell stories. He wanted to be himself and not someone else.
"Well," Burt said as he got to his feet, "let's call it for a day, shall we?"
The boy nodded and darted for the door. He needed to shower and get this crap off of him. He was certain he would have to take at least three showers before the smell of gasoline went away.
"Not so fast," Burt called out as he caught up to his son. "I just want to remind you that your community service starts tomorrow." Kurt groaned. "Hey now, don't give me that attitude. Tomorrow is just a day for all you... bad asses to get to know each other," his father held up a rockstar sign with his hand.
"Ugh! DAD!" Kurt whined as he watched a few workers who were just leaving pass them, "don't ever say that! And don't do that ever again! You're so embarrassing!"
"That's my job! Burt said with a chucked. "Now, get washed up, you smell."
...
"Quinn?" Shelby asked as she reached out for the girl's hand. "Quinn? Sweetheart?"
"Yeah?" Quinn said barely over a whisper.
The blonde couldn't believe it. She was at Shelby's. She was going to be staying at Shelby's. Of all the people, she was placed with this woman. The girl didn't even know if this woman was qualified to do this, let alone, had time for this. Quinn barely knew the woman, just that Rachel look up to her. The girl couldn't even remember what the judge had told her... just that this was temporary and that she would be able to go back home soon. Quinn was embarrassed. She could take care of herself. She didn't need.. this.
"Quinn," Shelby said. "I know that... well, this must be so difficult for you, but, I am here to help you, in whatever way I can." A beat. "This doesn't mean we have to be friends right now, or ever, but for the time being, you are stuck with me."
The girl really didn't know what to say. She felt uncomfortable and well, awkward. She didn't know if she had a bedtime or if Shelby was going to add on to her groundings or if Shelby had spoken to her mother. Or Russell?
Quinn sighed as she glanced at the clock above the stove. It was almost 10. She had school tomorrow. Did she have to walk there? Or would the woman give her a ride. The girl hated this. She didn't know what was going on. She didn't know what was expected of her.
"Well," Shelby said as she got up from her seat and walked to the sink, "I guess I should tell you how this is going to work."
"Okay," the girl said wearily.
"For starters, you will have a curfew of 9:00, sharp. Just because you are living under my roof now, doesn't mean you are free of your groundlings your mother gave you, those are still free game; however, adjustments can be made. I will give you rides to school in the morning, but you will have to wake up earlier than usual seeing that I will need to drop you off at the middle school and then drive to Carmel in time for me to teach class."
The girl wondered if she should be taking notes. She was too drained and she was sure she wouldn't be able to remember half of what the woman was telling her.
"Also," Shelby continued, "you will be expected to help around the house, but nothing more than helping clear the dinner table and such." A beat. "I understand that your mother said no cell phone for a month, but personally, I think that is a bit excessive." The woman looked at the girl carefully, "If you got into any trouble, it would be hard to get ahold of me, wouldn't it?" The blonde nodded. "So, here is my compromise. I will let you have your cell phone, but come 9, I will take it. Understand?"
"Yes, ma'am," Quinn said.
"Please, you can call me Shelby."
The woman sensed that the Quinn was uneasy. Shelby dried her hands with a towel and walked back to the girl.
"Quinn, I can understand if this is confusing for you right now and... and a bit uncomfortable. The reason why..." the woman took a deep breath, "the reason why you are here... with me and not say... Rachel or Kurt or even a home is because this... this was your father's request."
"What?" Quinn yelped as she jumped to her feet. "My father? Russell Fabray? You're kidding right?" The woman shook her head. "We must be talking about a different Russell Fabray. I mean, come on, there are definitely more than one Russell Fabrays." The blonde began pacing. "My dad... my father... he left us... he left my mother... for god knows what!" Quinn threw her hands up in the air. "No. NO! This is all wrong. Did you talk to him? Did he... is he here?"
"Quinn, Quinn!" Shelby tried. "Your father... he did... yes, well he... he requested that you be placed under my care by chance that your mother would be unable to care for you because-"
"Because he knew this would happen and that's why he left." With that Quinn stormed off to her room.
When Shelby heard the guest bedroom door slam she took a long shaky breath. Things could only go up from here, right?
...
"Daddy?" Rachel called out to her father as he peeked her head into her father's bedroom. "Daddy?"
"Yeah, Rach?" Hiram replied. Rachel was standing in the doorway with her hands behind her back. "What's behind your back?" Hiram asked as he sat up. She didn't look guilty, so he didn't think she had been hiding something from him and now wanted to fess up.
"Oh," Rachel said as she revealed a photo album. "I just thought that... well, I... I just thought that maybe I could help you out and all... you know, help you remember." A beat. "I thought that I could show you some pictures of friends and family and stuff."
Hiram was smiling ear to ear. "I would love that, sweetie."
"Great!" Rachel said as she sat next to Hiram. "Let's start at the very beginning... it's a very good place to start."
Rachel was true to her word. She indeed started at the very beginning. She showed Hiram pictures from ultrasounds and candid pictures of Shelby singing to her stomach and pictures of Shelby showing off the baby bump. She showed him pictures from the baby shower. Rachel showed pictures from the day she was born. Hiram chuckled when he saw these blackmail pictures of Shelby covered in sweat and swearing at the camera. At one point, there was a blank spot.
"Where did that picture go?" Hiram asked, pointing to the empty spot on the page.
"Oh... I don't know," Rachel said with a shrug. "Must have slipped out somewhere." What she really wanted to say that was that she had taken that picture out to give to Shelby.
Rachel continued, showing the man of pictures of Rachel's first sink bath, Rachel's first bite, Rachel's first toy, Rachel's first steps, her first birthday, and so on. The girl also showed the father pictures of Rachel asleep and pictures of her on the first day of preschool and her first day of dance.
One third of the way through the album, Rachel closed the book. "I think... that's enough for the day, don't you think?"
"I agree," Hiram said as he stretched out on the bed. "Thank you, Rachel, really, you don't know how much this means to me. I really believe that it helped jog some memories."
"You're welcome, daddy," Rachel said as she snuggled up closer to her father." A beat. "Daddy?"
"Yes, Rach?" there was something about her voice that seemed off.
"Daddy... can I..."
"No, Rachel, you cannot go out. Nice try."
The little girl pouted her bottom lip out. "But, daddy-"
"No Rach, I'm sorry. Get ready for bed, okay? Your community starts tomorrow."
"Fine," Rachel said as she slipped off the bed.
"I love you."
"I love you, daddy."
The girl sighed as she slipped into bed. It was worth a try. What the girl was really focused on at the moment was her community service. What if she got killed? What if she got hurt? Would her friends be with her? She shook her head as she closed her eyes and tried to fall asleep.
Hiram rolled to his side and felt the empty spot where Leroy slept. He never felt so alone and disconnected. He did, though, appreciate everything people were doing for him to help him jog his memory. As hard as he tried, the last memory he had was with Shelby, the night she left after Rachel was born.
...
Leroy sighed as he looked up at the ceiling. There was nothing on TV. Absolutely nothing. He was so close to just ripping the IV out of his hand and making a beeline for the door. No one had come in to check on him and he liked it that way. Just then the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Leroy? Is that you?"
"Judy?"
A beat. "How are you?"
"Good. And you?"
"Good."
Another beat. "Judy... why... why are you doing this?"
"Doing what, Leroy? Calling you? Is it a crime to want to check in?"
"No."
"We/?"
"I'm fine... thank you for asking. I just... I'm looking forward to coming home."
"I should go, Leroy. Feel better."
"Thank you."
"Good bye, Leroy."
...
"Quinn?" Judge Cardwell pushed. "Do you have any questions?"
"No," Quinn whispered. She didn't. Judge Cardwell just informed her that she would be staying at Shelby Corcoran's for a bit. How and why? The girl still didn't understand. She didn't know what to say or if she was expected to say anything.
"Well," the woman said gently, "Shelby should be here very soon."
"Okay," Quinn said softly as she fiddled with the hem on her dress.
It only was a few minutes after when there was a light knock on the door. Before that, Quinn and Judge Cardwell had been sitting in complete silence.
"Ah," the woman said getting up, "that must be her." The judge got up from her spot to open the door. The blonde straighten her back when she saw Shelby Corcoran enter the room.
"Hello, Quinn," Shelby said gently.
"Hello, Miss. Corcoran," Quinn said nervously.
"Well, if any of you have questions, please, do not hesitate to ask," Judge Cardwell said. "My office is always open."
"Thank you," Shelby said as she shook the woman's hand. "Are you ready to go, Quinn?"
The blonde nodded. She got up and turned the thank Judge Cardwell.
"We'll be in touch," Shelby said over her shoulder as the two left.
...
Shelby Corcoran played a few keys on the piano while she waited for her first student, Jesse St. James. The woman was wracking her brain for some way to reach out to Quinn and make her feel welcome. She did not expect the girl to blow up at the mention of her father. The woman thought that the girl would be happy. Shelby made a mental note to try to talk to the girl about it and see why she reacted the way she did.
The sound of the doorbell ringing pulled the woman from her thoughts.
"Jesse," Shelby said as she opened the door, "it's nice to see you. Please, come in."
"Thank you, Shelby, Jesse said as he gave the woman a hug.
"You can just head right up the steps to the second floor," Shelby said as she pointed to the stairs.
"Wow," the boy said with awe, "this is even better than I remembered."
The woman only chuckled. "Well, I suppose I've made a few adjustments, but not much has changed since you've last been here."
"Shelby," Jesse said as he turned the face the woman, "thank you... for doing this... for... for being willing to coach me and help out and stuff. It- it means a whole lot."
"It's my pleasure," Shelby said with a smile. "Now, shall we get started? Did you do your homework?"
"Yes, ma'am!" Jesse said as he straightened his back. "I've picked out a ballad and an up-tempo, that show off my show face," Jesse said as she flashed a 100-watt smile. "And I did my research on the songs."
"Great!" Shelby said as she clapped her hands together. "Let's get started! You know the drill"
Jesse cleared his throat and stood near the piano. "Today, I will be singing the song 'All That's Known,' from the rock musical, Spring Awakening, which won eight Tonys in 2007." Shelby nodded her head as Jesse sat at the piano bench.
The woman was impressed with Jesse's first selection. Shelby didn't even know that Jesse could speak another language, let alone, english, but she applauded his risk and the fact that he was still coming to her for lessons.
"Litora, multum ille et terris iactatus et alto
Vi superum, saevae memorem lunonis ob iram
Multa quoque et bello passus, dum conderet urbem
Arma virumque cano, Troiae qui primus ab oris
Italiam fato profugus Laviniaque venit
All that's know
In history, in science
Overthrown
At school, at home, by blind men..."
...
"Hello Vocal Adrenaline! How are we doing today?" a powerful voice called from the back of the auditorium. No one moved. What the hell was that? Or who was that? Was this just some sick joke?
"What the fuck was that" Nicole whispered to someone next to her.
"Don't be shy! Everyone, please, please, step forward! Let me see all your sparkling faces!" the voice called out again. Where was that voice coming from? Who was that?
One by one, a few people stepped into the spotlight, anxious to see who this ball of energy was.
"Now that's more like it!" the voice called out again. "My name is April Rhodes and I will be your new coach," the voice continued. As the woman continued speaking the group could see a small petite woman walking down the aisle. At first, she was hard to see because she was in the back, but as she came into the light, everyone's mouths dropped open. This woman was their new coach?
"Now, I know what all your little thespians are thinking, how can this woman," April pointed to herself, "coach all of you giants?" A beat. "Right? Am I right? I know I'm right. Well, have you ever heard the saying, don't judge a book by its cover? Don't answer that, that was rhetorical" A few people nodded. "Well, that's what I am asking you all to do. Just because I am smaller than all of you, doesn't mean I have the power to whip all of your asses because I can and I will. Now, Shelby is a tough coach, but I bring tough to a whole new level."
The entire room was silent. No one knew what to do or if they should move. Could this woman really whip their asses?
"Now that our introduction is over, all of you sit your little patooties in those lovely seats over there and I am going to sing you a song. Go, go on now. We don't have all day. Chop chop!" Once everyone was seating, April Rhodes took center stage. "I am going to put all of you to shame," April said with a smirk. She was only joking, really, but judging by their looks, they weren't getting the joke. A beat. "Okay, seriously people, I am only joking! Geez, can't ya'll get a joke?" Nothing. "Tough crowd."
April pursed her lips and then snapped her fingers together and 'Adelaide's Lament' started.
...
"Well, are you ready?" Kurt said to Quinn and Rachel as they stood in front of a huge cement. building.
"Let's just get this over with," Quinn said as she took a step forward. She wasn't afraid. This large building didn't scare her.
"Rach?" Kurt asked the small brunette who had a deer in the headlights look.
"I'm fine. Let's... let's just stick together."
Once the three were seated, they didn't look at anyone else around them. They were in what looked like a cell block. Hell. They weren't going to make it out alive. This was how it all was going to end. There wasn't a single window. There was no light.
The room was about halfway full. There was a woman with multi-colored hair who was picking at her nails. A man who kept spitting in a can and a man who had tattoos littering his arms. There was a young woman with her hands in her lap, her eyes trained to the ground. And there was another woman who was looking around the room like a lost puppy dog. There was another man, more like a young teenager who looked familiar, but none of the kids could put a name to his face.
Did this boy go to their school? Where had they seen him?
"Well," Rachel whispered, "this can't be too bad. I mean, these people seem... nice."
Before Quinn was able to give the girl a lecture about the dangers of trusting everyone too quickly, their teacher walked in. Their teacher was a middle aged woman who looked as though she could be a wrestler.
"Hello, my name is Dot Jones," the voice boomed.
Someone scoffed. "What kind of name is that?" It was the boy that the three thought they had seen somewhere.
"Excuse me, young man, and who might you be?"
"Puck," the boy said as he nodded his head and put his feet on the table.
"Well, Puck," Dot said. "What kind of name is that?" A beat. "Now," the woman said as as she stood in front of the class and crossed her arms, "I don't want to be here and I am willing to bet, neither do all of you. You follow the rules and don't murder each other and this can be the best few months of your lives, or the worst." Dot reached behind her and handed a pile of paper to the person in front of her. "Here is a list of rules that, if any of you fail to follow, will result in you adding more hours to your community service." For a woman, she had a lot of power. "Now, I don't care why you are here or how crappy your lives are. You are here because you broke the rules and you did something idiotic. I'm not here to be your friend, but be my guest and become friends with each other. Have little pow-wows after this." Dot began to walk up and down the aisles with her hands behind her back. "I expect all of you to arrive on time, you must wear your uniforms and then return them when you complete all your hours. Fail to do so and a bill will be sent home."
Dot walked back to her desk and started handing out faded blue vests to each person and continued talking...
"Puck... that name sounds so familiar," Rachel said to Kurt and Quinn. "Where have I seen that kid...?"
"That idiot goes to our school," Quinn said through her teeth as she glared at the boy.
"Excuse me?" one woman said as she raised her hand nervously. It was the woman who had, had her eyes trained to the ground.
"Yes, oh frighten one?" Dot addressed.
"Oh- I... what... what if we have to go to... to the bathroom? Are we allowed to go or do we need to ask for permission." Everyone groaned, this girl was going to be that person.
"Then just pull down your pants and let it rip," Dot said and continued talking.
...
Once April Rhodes hit the last note, it was dead silent. You could hear a pin drop. No one breathed.
"Now, come on, I wasn't that bad! Applaud!" April said with the smile as the lights came up.
Instantly, everyone began clapping and cheering and jumped to their feet. This woman was, indeed, like Shelby said, amazing. She was perfect. Where did out that power come from? She had Broadway splattered all over her.
"Holy shit, she is fucking amazing," Nicole said to the person next to her. "Just... fucking awesome!"
"Thank you, thank you," April said as she took a bow. The woman waited for the applause to settle down before she started speaking again. "Now, please, settle down. I look forward to getting to work with all of you, you look like a good bunch. Because I don't know all of you that well, I would like us to have a... let's say... a sing off! I would like to hear each of you sing by yourselves just so I get see what I am working with. I would like all of you to have a song prepared by tomorrow. Also, I'm not sure if Shelby told you guys this, but three day from now we will be going to the middle school to put on a little performance. With the seniors leaving, we will need more people on the team, I would love to spark the interests of the little fetuses to come and audition. Sound good?"
"Who will have a solo?" Nicole called out. She was hoping it would be her. The girl had not had a solo in such a long time. Lexi had the spotlight and now it was her turn.
"That will be determined after I hear all of you sing. I might hear something different that Shelby didn't hear." A beat. "Also, Shelby will join me when auditions start, she knows what she is doing and I don't want to let her down. Besides, she is intimidating and I like to smell fear. Now, all of you go home and wow me tomorrow and please, try to bring something new and refreshing to the table. You are all dismissed."
With that, everyone began to file out, whispering to each about the new coach. No one really knew what to think of her, but then again, it was only the first day.
"Miss. Rhodes?" Lexi said as she stood behind April.
"You must be... Lexi," April said with a smile and shook the girl's hand. "I saw your last performance, you were great. Shelby told me to look out for you."
"Oh, she did?" Lexi said with a smile. Shelby talked about her? "Well, I just wanted to introduce myself and say that I am excited to have you as our coach."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," April said as she gathered her things together. "I look forward to hearing you sing tomorrow. Take care,"
...
Shelby took a deep breath as she sat down. Her vocal lesson with Jesse had gone extremely well. He was prepared as usual and always surprised her. These lessons took a lot out of the woman, but she loved every minute of it and it paid the rent. Shelby glanced at the time, her next student would be here at any moment, Lexi.
There was a light knock on the door. Right on time, Shelby said to herself with a smile.
"Lexi, hello," the woman said as she stepped to the side so the girl could come in. "How are you?"
"I'm good, thank you. And you?"
"Wonderful, thank you for asking." A beat. "Shall we get started?" the woman asked as the two climbed the stairs.
The girl nodded. She was nervous, she hoped she was prepared enough. She did a ton of research on each of her songs. She just hoped that she picked the right songs.
"So," Shelby said as she sat down next to the piano, "what do you think of April Rhodes?"
"Oh, she is fantastic!" Lexi gushed. "Her voice is just... amazing! You were right! She has a lot of energy, but I think... well, I don't know. I'm- I'm interested in seeing what she brings."
Shelby smiled to herself. She was always right. April was going to be the perfect fit.
"What song will you be singing first today?"
"Ingrid Michaelson's cover of 'Can't Help Falling in Love,'" the girl said with confidence.
...
"Shelby!" Hiram called out. Where was that woman? She had been hiding in her room all day. "Shelby?" Hiram called out for a second time.
"Up here!" Shelby responded. As Hiram went in the direction of where the voice came from, he could hear the piano playing. It was a familiar tune. As he got closer, he recognized the song from Les Miserables, a stunning musical that the woman had forced the two men to see.
"What are you doing?" Hiram asked gently as he sat down next to the woman.
"I'm singing to Rachel," Shelby said quietly.
"Rachel?"
"If she was mine... if it was my decision," Shelby said as she put her hand on her stomach, "I would name her Rachel."
"Rachel... I like that," Hiram said with a smile.
The man noticed a tape recorder on top of the piano and lifted it up, giving the woman a questioning look.
"I'm... it's... it's for Rachel. You know, so... she... so she won't," Shelby could feel tears welling up. "I'm sorry- I'm not... I'm not getting cold feet, I swear... I promise. I'm just-"
"I know," Hiram said lightly into the woman's ear as he wrapped his arms around the woman. "I know. I'll give this to Rachel when she is old enough. You will always have her, Shelby. Always."
Shelby pulled herself away from Hiram and began singing and playing the piano:
I dreamed a dream in days gone by
When hope was high and life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving
Then I was young and unafraid
And dreams were made and used and wasted
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung, no wine untasted...
...
Lexi pulled into a parking spot at the Lima Bean. About half an hour before she had gotten a text message from Jesse, asking her to meet him at the Lima Bean. The girl assumed to was something Vocal Adrenaline related or maybe school, so the girl told him she could be there in ten.
"Lexi! Over here!" the girl heard Jesse call out.
The girl quickly walked to where the boy was sitting and sat down.
"Hey, Jesse," Lexi said. "What's up?"
"Lexi," Jesse said seriously, "I'm going to tell you something... propose something and I don't want you to say anything. Nothing. Not a word until I finish because I know you will have questions and.. doubts, but just hear me out and please, give me a chance to say when I need say."
"Okay..." Lexi said. She had a feeling Jesse was not going to talk about Vocal Adrenaline.
"Ever since Shelby kicked me off the team, I just... all I wanted to do was get back on that stage... and well, back at her," the girl nodded. She understood that. "So, I... I just had this brilliant idea, but it can't happen... it won't happen unless I get support, a lot of support. I picked you, Lexi, to help me because you have talent and I know that you would be great for the team."
"Team?"
"I've decided to start my own Glee Club."
"Jesse, I can't I-"
"I know, you have Vocal Adrenaline, but wouldn't it be so much cooler to start fresh... to be apart of a new team with new talent?"
"I don't know, Jesse-"
"Just listen," Jesse said. He needed to find a way to convince this girl to join his team. "I know that you just joined Vocal Adrenaline, but I saw the way those horrible people treated you-"
"They weren't that bad... I mean-"
"Lexi, you are the sweetest person. You wouldn't hurt a fly. I know that you probably felt ostracized and still do, but that's what will be great about joining my team. Everyone will be on the same page." A beat. "We'll get better gigs and get to sing better songs. Shelby doesn't even coach Vocal Adrenaline anymore. Now that she is gone, that team's reputation will go down the drain."
"April seems-"
"But that's not the point. Everyone knows that Shelby isn't coaching, that means they are going to step up their game to take you guys down and try to be the new best choir out there. If people find out that we are collaborating, we will have hundreds of people wanting to join our team." A beat. "We could be... essentially, famous, the new and improved Vocal Adrenaline. Just think about it, okay, Lexi? Think of this as a new opportunity. Think of it as a chance to really show the world what you can do... what we can do."
...
"Rachel? Is that you?" Hiram called out as he heard the door open and close. He checked the time. Rachel must be finished. That was quick, he thought to himself.
"Daddy! Where's my bedazzler?" Rachel called out as she scrambled up the steps.
"Excuse me?" Hiram called out.
"I need my bedazzler," Rachel said again as she began rummaging through her things, tossing unwanted items over her back.
"Woah, slow down, sweetie," Hiram said as he placed a hand on the girl's back.
"No, daddy, I need to find it! I need to find it because that stupid uniform... vest, whatever... they gave us smells and it looks ugly. I need to make it pretty because I'll feel ugly wearing that,"
"Hey now," Hiram said as he eyed the vest that was thrown on the girl's bed. "It doesn't look that bad." No response. "So I'm guessing the first day didn't go well?"
Rachel found what she was looking for and turned to face her father. "It was fine. It was whatever. I just want to get this over with. I just- I can't believe that this is happening. This is happening to me and Kurt... and Quinn. This was all a mistake."
"Rach-"
"No, daddy, I let you down and dad and now... now I'll have a record and when people... if they see me on the highway cleaning or whatever, they will judge me and-"
"Stop that right now, Rachel," Hiram said firmly. "I love you, you know I do. I will alway love you and no one is going to judge you. In fact, years from now, you might even get a kick out of this. Think of what an awesome story this will be."
The girl shrugged. She didn't think it was that funny.
"Why don't we bedazzle this up and you can tell me all about it," Hiram said with a smile. He knew the girl needed cheering up.
...
"Shelby?" Quinn called out as she walked inside.
"Yes, okay, no- I have to go," Shelby said into the receiver. "No, I really- I have to go. I'll call you later, okay? Yeah... okay, bye"
"Who was that?" Quinn asked when saw the woman hang up the phone.
"Wrong number," Shelby said with a shrug. A beat. "How did it go?"
"I don't know. Weird, I guess. Our teacher is freaky and so are all the people. Plus, it smells. I'm going to need a whole new wardrobe after this."
"Well, it'll be over before you know it," the woman said as she ushered Quinn into the kitchen.
"I hope so,"
"So, for dinner, I was thinking... breakfast for dinner. How does that sound?"
"That sounds great," Quinn said. "Do... do you need any help?"
On the way home, Quinn made up her mind to give the woman a second chance. The more she thought about it, the more she was glad it was Shelby. The woman was truly trying and if she could tell her more about Russell, well, that might answer some of the questions the girl had.
"Sure!" Shelby said brightly. "Why don't you start cracking some eggs into the pan."
...
"She's beautiful," Leroy said.
"I know," Judy said with a smile. "She's growing up so fast. You know, she is going to be a cheerleader when she gets older."
"Really?"
The woman nodded. "She was tumbling before she was walking and talking."
"Like mother, like daughter," Leroy said with a smile as she planted a light kiss on the woman's temple.
Judy was so proud of her daughter. She had high expectations for the girl, but she never doubted Quinn. She was a good girl and always listened.
"You know, Judy... I never really got the chance to thank you-"
"Don't, Leroy, you really don't have to thank me. If the roles were switched, you would have done the same for me."
"Well, I owe you one. If you need anything... hold this against me."
"Alright," Judy said as she slipped the picture of Quinn back into her wallet. "I will."
Again, so sorry this is out late. I wanted to get this out earlier, but I took a day trip to NYC with my mom to see Once the Musical, which was fantastic! Again, thank you for all the support and I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Sorry for any typos.