The chapters after this one are going to be focused on the actual performance as well as what comes afterwards, but I suspect there should be about five more or so to come. This chapter here is just a short one and a little bit of a filler, but I think it demonstrates how Rachel reacted to the whole situation as well as highlighting not only her improvements, but also a different side to the Q/R relationship that's a little less heated. I really wouldn't call it fluff, but I can proudly say that there's no swearing at each other in this one. Its much more slow paced than the previous chapter, eg. its length, but I really hope you enjoy it.
Rachel cracked upon the forest green door that morning to see Quinn laid out on the floor. With her legs stretching out in front of her it was as if she was a lifeless doll, but of course Rachel knew that in that moment each and every one of the blonde's muscles were contracted to get that perfect stretch. As the dewy morning light dappled warmly into the studio Quinn was a vision. The way that the sunlight brushed onto her complexion and highlighted her honey hair, Rachel couldn't help but have the desire to capture this moment forever. But that was the beauty of these kind of moments. If they were photographed, or even written down, it would lose the precious 'once' of it. This moment would only happen once and that's what made it so fragile and perfect – and as soon as Rachel acknowledged that, it was already gone.
"Hey" Quinn acknowledged, straightening up from her forward bend and flexing her ballet shoes. It was as if yesterday had never happened. Rachel realized a lot of things yesterday, some that she knew from the word go just didn't want to admit. But they were her things, and right now the only important issue was getting her parents money back and letting Quinn Fabray do her dance. Rachel came down by her side and tried to do as she did, bending forward until her back wouldn't let her go any lower.
"Sorry I'm late" Rachel managed to push through in her flex. Quinn lent forward again and told her it was fine in a tone that made Rachel think she didn't care or she was nervous. She knew it was the latter, she could feel it was the latter. Quinn always cared; she just had a complicated way of showing it. Rachel sighed as she saw that her trainer lace had come undone, but before she could reach – or attempt to reach – and tie it up, a pair of smooth fingers beat her to it. She looked up from her lashes to see Quinn doing them up for her. Somehow the way she tied them was better, even stronger. And just like that she returned to doing her stretches as if she hadn't just done a kind act for no apparent reason. Rachel wondered if there was ever going to be a day when Quinn wouldn't surprise her. "Are you nervous about tomorrow?" She asked the blonde, continuing a feeble attempt of stretching. She was better, but still not very good. Rachel really was dreading tomorrow.
"A little" Quinn admitted before bringing her legs in and sitting crossed legged. "We're going to have to do it to the music today." She explained without a slight hint of it being optional. Rachel could feel herself grow light headed even whilst sitting down on the floor. As she stood up and brushed herself off she looked down at Rachel in an expression that was as hard to read as a foreign Arabic scroll "you can tell me what's your issue with music or sound in general, or you could not – up to you. Either way, don't mess this up" the blonde finished as she made her way over to that speaker of doom. Rachel felt her entire body clench up as if she was about to get hit by a truck. She waited for the impact, she waited to hear the painful memories come back to her, but she didn't. All she heard was silence.
"Actually no, screw that. Tell me. Is it to do with that song you keep hearing?" Quinn asked, her arms crossing over her tightly toned stomach. Rachel could see a stray blonde hair flicker across her forehead and if the situation had been different, she'd have the temptation to tuck it away. Nonetheless, she had a bigger problem on hand. Telling Quinn.
"Yes and no" Rachel began with no sign of a tremble, something that made her already proud. She tried to read Quinn's expression but she just stared at her as if she was a cat. She had no choice to continue. "I used to sing. Actually, I used to sing very well. I probably still do it's just that I don't. I don't sing. Not anymore. Not after I screwed things up because of that song, which kind of makes me hate any song." She looked down at her perfectly tied trainer as she waited for Quinn to say anything. She would even prefer an insult right about now. Rachel could think of plenty for Quinn to use, it was almost too easy of a task. The poor songbird girlfriend, never to sing again because of a traumatic event. She hated the cliché that she had become, but also felt a little oddly optimistic about the fact she realized that now.
"Get up." Quinn told her with a wave of her hand, but Rachel remained seated in confusion. "Come on, get up. I can't have you freaking out whenever some jazz comes on so this is getting sorted out" the blonde explained and reluctantly Rachel stood up.
"How are you going to fix me?" She asked Quinn a little nervously, but definitely curiously too.
"I'm not going to fix you, are you stupid? You don't need fixing. You just need to be you, and this whole music thing is clearly stopping that" her hazel eyes rolled in rebellion of Rachel's life choices and the brunette concentrated on what Quinn had to offer.
"So what, have you done this before or-"
"Close your eyes." Quinn butted in and without asking why Rachel did as she was told, something that though she usually regretted with Quinn, potentially had a purpose. "Now you're going to sing. Only to yourself, and for no particular reason."
"Quinn I can't!" Rachel protested, her eyes flashing open in panic only to be met with Quinn's sharp gaze that instructed them to immediately close back. Unwillingly her dark lashes fluttered close.
"Sing happy birthday to me."
"But it's not your birthday?"
"It could be my birthday. You don't know that."
"Is it your birthday?"
"No, obviously not. Now sing." Quinn's instructions were clear and obvious; there was no way of getting out of it. She felt her heart began to race and the back of her neck burn up in that familiar rush of panic that had followed seconds before her downfall. Slowly she opened her heart shaped lips to have nothing come out. Silence. Just like that moment on stage. It was worse though, not only did nothing come out but it also felt like nothing was coming in. It was as if she'd forgotten how to breathe. Before Rachel could open her eyes and run as fast as she could out of the practice room the touch of a pair of soft hands steadied her own shaking ones. Her fingers interlocked with Quinn's, gripping onto the only thing that kept her grounded to that spot. Something in their touch told Rachel she could do it. Something in the way they squeezed hers promised it would be okay. Something about Quinn Fabray brought every part of Rachel that she thought she'd lost back. And before she could thank her something else came out – a perfectly pitched and tuned four syllable and two letter word – Happy Birthday. And after them came another two, and another two, and before Rachel could really appreciate it there she was belting the final note that she'd known since she was four years old. As she flickered her eyes open and beamed a smile she watched as Quinn smiled to. It was an almost held back smile though, as if she didn't want to show just how happy she was. The truth, as always, was in her eyes. That's where Quinn kept all her secret's and that's where the 'I'm proud of you' was hidden.
"You're good" Quinn brushed off as she quickly retracted her hands as if she hadn't just given Rachel the confidence to regain her one passion in life back. "Now come over here and give this a listen."
Rachel was amazed by the fact she just needed one push. She needed someone to push her off that cliff just as much as she needed them to hold her hand whilst they did so – Quinn had managed to do both. It was hard at first to listen to the collaboration of songs, but after a while she got used to melodies and greeted them as old friends. There was definitely something comforting about hearing instruments again. The idea of the painful memory still played around in the back of her mind, but whenever it threatened to take centre stage, all it took was one look at Quinn to shove it straight out of Rachel's thoughts. And she was right, it was better to practice this way. The whole day was spent practicing the entire routine from start to finish with no breaks in between. There were plenty of falls and out of step moves, and the 'big move' hadn't exactly been mastered up yet, but it would do. It had to do, to get that five. It seemed like time had a way of moving quicker when Rachel was with Quinn, and soon enough the indigo sky that lurked outside the windows told Rachel that she was probably better off getting a good night sleep and heading home. Taking a sip of the water that Judy had accompanied with some ginger biscuits, Rachel slipped on her coat and turned to Quinn.
"Nine again tomorrow morning?" She asked, the nerves of tomorrow stirring a little, but not enough to conquer the sense of achievement that she felt about today. She'd done it, sure Quinn had done it to, but she'd done it. She'd done it for herself.
"No, we need our rest – practice will just throw us off our game." Quinn went on, taking a sip of her own glass of water and tucking away that frivolous tendril that had captivated Rachel earlier on. "Are your dads still okay with dropping us to the competition?" she asked, and the brunette nodded in confirmation. "Well then I'll get to yours at five. Eat lunch but don't have anything heavy after that. You remember what I told you to wear right?"
"Yes" Rachel answered with a nod, she sure did - it was hard to forget.
"Then good, I'll see you tomorrow and you better be ready. Those are for you by the way" the blonde mentioned as her eyes flickered nonchalantly over to a box in the corner. Quinn went about eating her ginger snaps as Rachel looked nervously from Quinn to the cardboard carrier. Hesitantly she made her way over to it and took it in her hands. Unwrapping the white tissue paper she stared at the present inside. There in her hands were two perfectly patent ballet shoes in the exact right size. Rachel's eyes gleamed from the shoes back at Quinn who looked about as enthralled as if she just got told she had a pop quiz. But Rachel didn't care if Quinn was holding up her strange bluntness, that wouldn't stop her from what she was about to do. Setting down the present she swiftly made her way to the girl before wrapping her arms around her in a tight but brief hug. Letting go she caught sight of those eyes and smiled at them appreciatively.
"Thanks Quinn" Rachel said, receiving a half smile and a shrug in return.
"You should go now."
"I know."
Rachel ran all the way home with her shoes in her hands and a ghost of her smile on her face.
