AN: I was waiting for more reviews on the last chapter but since I waited and waited and got no more reviews I decided to post this tonight (well it's almost 3 am). I put the whole Shell situation on hold for this chapter.
Chapter 12: Gold Star
"We will now announce the 3 finalist on this year's National Show Choir Competition."
Rachel squeezed Shelby hand from the seat next to her. Shelby looked at her for a second and the focused back on the woman on the stage.
"Our first finalist is Perfect Harmony from Rosemead High in Los Angeles, California." There was a cheering and a group stood up and walked to the stage. Their coach was wearing a horrible lime green suit that made her look like a realtor.
"Our second finalist is Vocal Adrenaline from Carmel High in Lima, Ohio." They stood up and Shelby stopped when she noticed Rachel stayed on her seat. "What are you doing? Come up."
"But I'm not part of the team."
Shelby walked back and pulled her up. "This week you are. You helped a lot and I want you up there with me."
They got on the stage and Shelby shook the other coach's hand with contempt.
"Our third finalist is Saintly Octave from East Jefferson High in New Orleans, Louisiana."
A bunch of kids stood up and this time Shelby actually smiled when she shook their coach's hand.
"And now, the runner up is" There was a drum roll as the announcer took out the card. "Saintly Octave!" The group next to them exploded in cheers and they were handed their second place trophy. They stepped back so they could announce the winner.
"2010's…" Shelby took Rachel's hand. "…National Champion is…" Rachel felt the whole team pressing together behind them. "…Vocal Adrenaline!"
Shelby jumped up and scooped Rachel in the biggest hug ever. As soon as she let her go she felt Kate grab her shoulders and she bounced up and down screaming at the top of her lungs. Shelby received the huge trophy and handed it back to the kids who lifted it up. She congratulated the other teams with a huge smile on her face.
Rachel walked towards Jesse who was clapping with a sad smile on his face. "Congratulations, you got what you wanted, your four national titles."
"Sometimes getting what you want isn't that good."
Rachel bit her bottom lip. "Listen Jesse, I don't know what's going on but you should be really proud of yourself." She stood on her toes and kissed his cheek.
They went to the hotel to leave the trophy and reconvened at the lobby to decide where they wanted to go and celebrate. That last dinner was paid by the school so they could choose anything they wanted.
"I'll take suggestions and then we'll vote." Shelby took out a notepad and started writing down all the suggestions. They voted and the Burger Joint, Andrea's suggestion, was the one that won.
"Ok, so I'll meet you back here in an hour and then we'll walk to the restaurant."
Rachel was chatting happily with Kate. They went to Kate's room to get some stuff and then went up to Rachel's to get ready. They were finishing up their makeup and giggling happily when Shelby walked up to Rachel's room. She leaned on the door and watched with a smile as the girls puckered their lips to put on lipstick and admired each other's earrings. She loved that Rachel had found someone to hang out with while she was busy with all the competition stuff.
"Girls, we have to go."
Rachel skipped to her suitcase and then to Shelby holding something behind her back. "I got you a little something the other day for winning again."
"But we only found out we won today."
Rachel shrugged and gave her a shy smile. "I knew you were going to win. Open it!"
She handed her a small box with a pink ribbon. Shelby took the box and undid the ribbon carefully. Rachel was staring at her impatiently. She opened the box and took out a silver charm bracelet with a gold star, a silver ace of spades, a pair of comedy and tragedy masks and a small silver piano.
"Do you like it?"
Shelby closed her hand around the bracelet and tried really hard not to cry. "I love it."
Rachel jumped excitedly. "The ace of spades is for when we sang poker face and I think the rest are self explanatory."
Shelby hugged Rachel and put the bracelet on. "It's beautiful Rach, thanks."
They met with the whole team at the lobby and walked to the burger joint since it was only a few blocks away. Shelby had already reserved a large enough table for all of them so they went right in. Rachel went to the bathroom and when she got to the table there was only one sit left next to Andrea. She sat down ready for the hateful glare she was going to receive but Andrea smiled at her. Rachel guessed she was too happy about winning to continue with her stupid grudge.
Everyone placed their order, Rachel cringed when she heard Andrea order her burger raw, and chatted happily amongst themselves, everyone but Jesse. He sat in a corner of the table sulking.
Their orders arrived and the waiter placed Rachel's veggie burger in front of her, which didn't look different from all the other burgers except for the patty. The boy next to him started talking to her about something so she was too distracted to notice when Andrea switched their burgers. Jesse saw it and thought that maybe the waiter had messed up and Andrea was just giving Rachel her actual burger, but then Rachel raised the burger up to her mouth without looking and he saw the patty was blood red. Jesse threw himself across the table and swatted Rachel's burger from her hand just as she was about to take a bite.
Everyone in the table had gone quiet. Rachel sat there with her mouth still open. She didn't understand what just happened. Everyone was looking at Jesse but nothing was making a sound. Shelby finally stood up and walked to their side of the table.
"Jesse, what the hell is wrong with you?"
Jesse couldn't think of anything to explain himself so he just pointed to the burger now lying on the ground, the raw meat plastered on the floor disgustingly. Rachel jumped from her chair. "Is that beef?"
Shelby crouched down and squinted at the bloody piece of meat. After a short inspection she nodded.
Rachel turned away and put her head between her hands. "I think I'm going to be sick."
Shelby returned and rubbed Rachel's back. "I'm going to talk to the waiter about this. He should be more careful."
Jesse had gotten off the table on the other side and gave Andrea a deadly glare. "It wasn't the waiter. Andrea switched your burgers while you weren't looking."
Everyone turned to look at Andrea who was giving them her best innocent look. "Why would I do that?"
Kate stood up and walked to where Jesse was. "Because you have a stupid crush on Jesse and he still likes Rachel, so you hate her."
Shelby turned to Andrea who started to look scared and desperate. "Is that true?"
"Ms. Corcoran I…" She looked up at Shelby and saw her eyes pierce through her. She knew lying would be useless. "I'm really sorry, it was just a prank. It's not like she was going to die or anything."
"I'm a vegan! I can't eat meat!" Rachel walked out. Shelby motioned Kate and Jesse to follow her and they both nodded and walked away.
"Andrea, you're off the team and I'm sending you back to Lima first thing tomorrow morning. I'll call your parents when we get back to the hotel. Go pack your bags." She turned and pointed at a random boy. "Walk her back to the hotel and then come back. Make sure she goes into her room."
Andrea just sat there looking at her with her lower lip trembling slightly. "But Ms. Corcoran, I still have one year left in Carmel. You can't just kick me off the team!"
"Watch me." She turned around and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Someone get her out of my sight please, now!"
A couple of boys stood and escorted Andrea out who followed them with a defeated look. She passed Jesse and Kate who were trying to comfort Rachel and they gave her an icy glare.
She stopped in front of Rachel, tears in her eyes. "I'm really sorry. I didn't think it would be such a big deal."
Jesse moved between her and Rachel. "Go away Andrea." He gave her a look that could have rivaled with one of Shelby's.
She sobbed as she turned away and walked back to the hotel.
Jesse crouched down to where Rachel was squatting on the grown. She was pale and looked as if she was going to throw up. Kate was rubbing her back soothingly.
"Hey Rach, she's gone. Everything's ok now."
She was shaking. "I almost ate meat. I've never eaten meat." She looked at Jesse. "Thank you."
Jesse smiled at her. "You're welcome." He stroked her hair and Rachel started to regain her color.
"Is she ok?"
Jesse immediately jumped at the sound of Shelby's voice. Kate looked at Rachel, then up at Shelby and shrugged.
Shelby crouched and Kate stood up to give them some space.
"Hey baby, are you better now?"
Rachel nodded focusing on the pavement in front of her. Shelby ran a hand through Rachel's hair and cupped her cheek.
"Do you want something?"
Rachel shook her head. "Can I just go back to the room?"
Shelby nodded. "Sure baby. I have to stay with the kids but Kate and Jesse can walk you back." She looked at them and they both nodded. "I'll try to hurry up, ok?"
Rachel nodded and stood up. Kate took her hand and they started to slowly walk down the street. Shelby turned to Jesse. "I'll get your burgers to go and I'll take them back for you."
Jesse nodded and saw Shelby hesitate a bit. Finally, Shelby took a step towards him and hugged him. "Thank you."
Jesse hugged her back and almost cried. "Anyone would have done it."
Shelby let him go and shook her head. "You're a great kid Jesse. I'm really proud of you."
Jesse hugged her again and Shelby chuckled. "Go, you're supposed to take care of Kate and Rachel. They're already on the corner."
Jesse pulled away and gave her one last smile before he ran to catch up with Rachel and Kate.
Everyone stopped talking the moment Shelby walked back in. They were all worried she might take her anger out on them now that Andrea was gone. She looked at them and took her seat. "This is supposed to be a celebration people, not a funeral."
AN: I know the prank might seem kind of lame but if you're a vegetarian, or vegan, it really is a big deal to eat meat without knowing. I hoped you liked it and please review :)