Chapter 14

Rachel never thought that she would be thankful for the day that school started. Even though she always enjoyed school, and that showed in her academic records, the end of summer was a horrible time for any teenager. Gone were the days where they could lay around all day in the summer sun and pass the time doing nothing but spending time with their friends and loved ones. Her summer had been a little bit different that most of her classmates, with going to New York for a month and having what could be described as sort of school during her time off; Rachel had spent a few weeks either side of her stay in the big apple spending time with her friends.

A few days before, she had said goodbye to her boyfriend at the airport. An emotional heart-breaking goodbye that had been completely different to how she had started that Sunday.

As an alarm went off, she had found herself cuddling with James in the guest bedroom in her house. Smiling, she reached across and turned the alarm on his phone off, a warmness running through her body as she saw his screensaver was a picture of the two of them from their time in New York, she turned and watching him sleeping next to her. His chest moved slowly as his eyes remained closed, and she couldn't help but think how handsome he was, even more so while he was resting like that if it was possible for him to be. Rachel had led there for a few minutes just watching and listening to him sleep, before she decided to wake him. Licking her lips, she moved forward and pressed a tender kiss against his lips. After a few seconds she felt him smile against hers as he kissed her back, short gentle kisses as his eyes slowly opened and she pulled back to look at him. She felt a smile cross her face instinctively as he stared at her with a look of such warmness as she watched him realize what was going on.

"Hey" He said as he stretched in bed.

"Morning handsome" She replied, and snuggled closer to him, resting the side of her head against his chest as she stared up at him.

"I think last night is the best I've ever slept in my life" He remarked gently, leaning down to kiss her.

"Thank you for letting me stay in here" She replied, smiling at him; pressing a kiss to his tshirt clad chest. "I couldn't bear to be apart from you when you're leaving today"

"I know" He responded as he moved a hand to cup her cheek, his thumb rubbing circles on her skin. "It's going to be so hard to say goodbye to you"

Rachel nodded against him as she felt her eyes well with tears. Instead of speaking, she tilted her head to meet his lips and she was thankful that he didn't want to speak about it either. He pulled her closer, and ran his tongue over her bottom lip to which she was more than willing to open her mouth and accept him. As his hand moved from her cheek, slowly making its way to her waist she wove her things into his hair and held him close. The two of them stayed in his bed for a good half an hour, saying a goodbye to one another in private as they were both eager to ensure the other would remember the feel of their lips on the others and each other's hands as they roamed over their bodies.

After they had separated, she had sneaked back across the house and into her own room as she had a shower and prepared herself for the day ahead. A little while later, she had walked downstairs running fingers through her hair to see James sat eating some cereal as her Dads were sat drinking coffee. Walking over, she had kissed him on the forehead before preparing herself; settling down as she enjoyed the last time she would see him in her house for a while.

James had wanted to say goodbye to her friends; but in particular Kurt before he left, and they arranged to meet him, Blaine and Mercedes at the Lima Bean for a couple of hours. After exchanging phone numbers with Blaine and Mercedes, they made their way back to her house where her Dads had made them a lunch. She and James had gone up to his room to finish packing his bags before they took him to the airport. The car ride was a quiet affair, neither of her Dads wanting to interrupt their silence as she sat in the back clasping James hand tightly as he gazed out the window. Neither her or James seemed to want to say anything about their impending separation and that continued as they walked him to the airport. Leroy had helped him to check in for his flight, and as he returned after his bag had been taken; He hugged both her Dads before turning to face her. She felt his hand on her chin as he gently forced her to look at him.

"Goodbye Rachel" He said, his voice was weak and sounded like it was going to break at any moment. "I'm going to miss you so much"

Instead of replying, she had simply jumped into his arms and wrapped hers tightly around his body as he held her close. Tears spilled from her eyes as she pressed her face into his shoulder and kissed his neck, not wanting to let go or accept that he was leaving. She couldn't see the tears in his eyes, nor the frown on his face as he tried to keep himself composed as he looked at her dads with sadness. All she knew was his arms were around her clinging on to her just as tightly as she was holding him. After ten minutes, she felt him release her and pull him off her; his hands holding her cheeks forcing her to look at him. He pressed a kiss to her lips, full of want and needing as he forced his tongue into her mouth as she drew him closer into their embrace. A few minutes more and she pulled back to rest her forehead against his, whispering softly. "Goodbye baby"

They stood like that for several more minutes, before he pulled away from her and slung his carry on bag over his shoulder and headed towards the doorway that would take him deeper into the airport and away from her. She stood there, and felt her Dads take one of her hands each, smiling thankfully even though she didn't move her gaze from James retreating form. Just as he was about he to head through the door he turned around and waved, causing her heart to break as she saw the tears in his eyes. Waving one last time, she watched him disappear around a corner and that's when she felt her Dads pull her into a hug. The way home had been the same as the journey to the airport, except for the occasional sound of Rachel sniffing as her tears eventually stopped flowing. When they had gotten home, her Dads had sat with her on the couch and watched her favourite films.

…..

Over the next few days she had been upset, and Kurt had dragged her out of the house to spend time with him, Blaine, Mercedes and Tina. She was thankful to them for keeping her distracted, and she was also thankful for the school year starting because it would provide her with enough of a d istraction to take away the pit of emptiness she felt in her heart.

Hopeful that throwing herself into school and into the New Directions this year would take away that feeling, Rachel was excited by the fact that school had started again as she parked her car into the senior lot at McKinley high. Turning off the engine, she smiled as she saw Noah stood with Kurt and Mercedes leaning against his truck. Hopping out of her car, she grabbed her bag, swinging it onto her shoulder, making her way over to them and pulled them each individually into a warm embrace.

"Sup, princess" Noah had said as he offered her his arm as they headed into the school.

"I'm good thank you" She said smiling. Honestly she was, now that it had been more than a couple of days without him around; she had started to feel a lot better about the fact he had left. Hearing his name didn't bring her to tears, and when she had spoken to him on the phone the night before he had sounded excited to be back at school as well.

They made their way to pick up their new school schedules, and she was happy to see that she would be in essentially all of the same classes with Kurt that year bar one or two. The four of them separated, her and Kurt heading to their history class as Noah made a comment about passing on the maths class he hadn't attended in three years. Her first morning back at McKinley went by event free, with no harassment by any of the jocks or cheerleaders looking to put her in her place. It seemed that what Lauren had said about her and Noah's badass reputation steering any would be bullies from messing with the glee club for fear of retribution from the school's scariest, if not most powerful couple.

As the bell rang for lunch, Rachel made her way into the canteen after retrieving her lunchbox from her locker. Her Dads had invited a friend of theirs from work over the previous night and had made their special vegetable stir fry that she had the leftovers of for her lunch. Settling down onto the "Glee Club" table as it had become during their junior year, she knew really no-one else wanted to sit there after a group of losers such as themselves had started to sit there. Rachel smiled happily at being surrounded by her group of friends. She talked with Mercedes and Kurt about the plans they were making for a movie marathon that Friday night. It had been a couple of weeks since their previous once and they all agreed it would be a good opportunity to settle down to relax and unload after their first week back at McKinley.

Her first class of the afternoon saw her separated from Kurt for the first time, and she was glad to see when Mike sat down next to her. Since he had started dating Tina, she had gotten to know him better than she had done their sophomore year and the two got on well with one another. Knowing that he was also in the top 10% of the schools most academically successful students, she was glad to have someone with her who could keep up with her in the science class and provide a helpful partner when she needed it.

A few hours later and the final bell rang for the end of the day. Her classes had been enjoyable, and the fact she would be sharing every one of them with one of her friends from glee club was an added bonus. Laughing she made her way out of fifth period English lit class with Kurt, the two of them talking about their new teacher who was a fresh out of college, very attractive young man who all the girls in their class had been attempting to flirt with. Normally they would have had glee club practise in the choir room, but considering it was their first day back at school; Mr Schue had insisted that they only meet up the start of the second week, giving them all time to get accustomed to their new schedules.

"What are you planning on doing tonight?" Kurt asked her as they stopped off at her locker so she could put her books away.

"My Dads are working late, so I'm not really sure; I'll probably end up cooking something for myself for dinner" She replied, smiling at the picture of her and James she had hung in her locker that morning. "I've got my nightly phonecall with James, but apart from that I'll probably settle down to watch a film or something on TV"

"Did he go back to school today as well?" Kurt asked, as she slammed her locker shut, linking his arm with hers again.

"Yeah he does" Rachel smiled, thinking of her conversation with him last night. "He sounded so excited to go back; because of his senior year but I think mainly because he's a national champion, and his school is throwing a huge assembly at the end of the week for them where the Scale Blazers are going to perform their routine"

"Wow, that sounds incredible" Kurt asked, and Rachel brushed her bangs out of her eyes. They continued walking for a few more minutes as the conversation turned to their own glee club and what they would have to do to recruit more members as the two of them headed towards their cars.

"It's going to be hard too, Mr Schue will probably have some ideas but we should try and think of our own" Rachel noted as they stood in the senior parking lot.

"We can discuss it on Friday night when you and Mercedes come over for our movie night" Kurt replied, and Rachel nodded smiling widely.

"I can't wait"

The two of said their goodbyes and departed in their respective cars.

…..

The rest of her first week back at McKinley flew by, and before she knew it Friday had arrived. Rachel had been a little surprised at the slow paced nature of her senior classes, and as she had raised it with Kurt and Mercedes; the three of them had come to the agreement that it was simply their teachers letting them settle back in before they hit the heavy stuff.

Her first week back had been enjoyable, and she had enjoyed sitting with Kurt in essentially all of her classes; as well as with Mercedes who joined them for at least one class per day. The three of them were in seperable at school, spending as much time as possible together, it was funny in a way due to how competitive the three had been in their sophomore and junior year for solo's in Glee club, but after this summer Rachel had realised that she could be friendly with her fellow choir members instead of seeing them as enemies to be conquered.

That Friday night, Rachel found herself sitting on Kurt's fur quilt covered bed with him and Mercedes as Burlesque sounded from his TV on the unit across the room. Mercedes was singing along to one of the songs as Rachel sat in front of Kurt's as he wove his fingers through her hair as he plaited it.

He came to a stop when his phone went off, and both her and Mercedes shared smiles as they watched his face light up as he replied to the text. Rachel giggled, before she spoke up.

"How's Blaine?" She asked, and Kurt looked up smiling at them.

"He's fine, in fact he was just asking if I wanted to meet up tomorrow for a little shopping trip" Kurt replied, sighing happily as he placed his phone down.

"How has his first week at Dalton been?" Rachel said, settling back against his headrest and reaching for the bowl of popcorn. She knew that Kurt had been missing Blaine like crazy since he'd been back at McKinley and wished that they could be together again.

"He's glad to be back, many of his friends have been gone on trips with their parents this summer and he hasn't got to see most of them" Kurt replied, settling in between her and Mercedes.

"and you were in New York with Rachel" Mercedes said sympathetically, laying her head on his shoulder. "Do you wish you were still at Dalton with him?"

"A little bit…I don't miss the school but it was nice to get to see him everyday" Kurt replied, smiling sadly, and Rachel squeezed his hand knowing exactly what that was like. She was missing James horribly, and the three days he had spent in Lima with her had only intensified that.

"It's a shame you can't see each other….I know what that's like" Rachel said wishfully, and the three of them sighed.

"I actually asked him if he could transfer to McKinley at all" Kurt said softly a few minutes later, causing Rachel to smile widely and look at him.

"What? When did this happen?" Mercedes exclaimed excitedly.

"Last weekend…he said he'd have to talk about it with his parents, and they seem fine with it" Kurt replied, "He says he would miss his friends too much, and it wouldn't feel right to ditch the Warblers"

"That's why Sam didn't want to leave to go home to Tennessee." Mercedes added sadly, and the other two shared her sad expression. "Did you think of asking your boy James if he would transfer?"

Rachel looked at her surprised for a minute, it honestly had never occurred to her to even contemplate asking him. She knew that James was popular at his school, and many of the friends he had gone to elementary school where there with him, but would he transfer to be closer to her?

"I hadn't even thought of it…" Rachel said biting her lip. After a few seconds she added; "I don't think he would though…his friends are really important to him and his mom owns a restaurant so it would be hard to just uplift and move"

"His Dad as well" Kurt added, nudging her shoulder as well

"What about his Dad?" Mercedes asked. Rachel bit her lip; James relationship was strained with his father, but she knew that he expected his son to keep a high level of academic success in exchange for his supporting of James plans to go to Julliard next year. It wasn't exactly a cheap institution to study at, and he would need all the support from his wealthy father that he could get.

"His Dad is….strict to say the least" Rachel replied, smiling slightly. "He's not exactly a fan of James being a performer…but supports it because he's his son. James school' is one with a high academic success rate and he expects James to live up; so that he goes to a prestigious college…even if it is to sing and dance. I don't he would be on board with his son moving to Ohio for his girlfriend"

"I suppose not" Mercedes said amusement in her voice. "Rachel Berry the distracting girlfriend?"

"Apparently so" Rachel replied giggling. "One good side about Blaine transferring to McKinley would be he could join New Directions…we really need the male voices right now. Sam was one of the strongest and he's left"

"Yeah…we're just down to Artie, Finn and Puck…no offense Kurt" Mercedes said, smirking at Kurt.

"None taken" Kurt smiled at her, and Rachel giggled softly.

"Where do you think we're going to find the new members? We had to bribe Lauren to stay with the glee club….and after nationals we're not exactly the most popular…well we've never been popular at all" Mercedes said thoughtfully.

"There must be some people at McKinley with a performing itch that would love to join us" Rachel said, chewing her bottom lip softly. "I promise not to send any of them to a crack house this year…"

"You're going to surrender some of the spotlight?" Kurt asked, feigning mock surprise.

"Funny" Rachel said smiling "We were one of the smaller groups as it was….and we need more members if we're going to compete with Vocal Adrenaline…and even the Scale Blazers"

The three of them continued talking about the issue for a little while longer, before they were interrupted by a knock on the Kurt's bedroom door. After he shouted for whoever it was to come in, Rachel gulped nervously as she saw Finn stood in the doorway with an embarrassed smile on his face. His eyes gazed over her, and she smile back at him; feeling a little exposed by her shorts and tank top pyjamas.

"What is it Finn?" Kurt asked politely.

"Umm…Puck cancelled on our Call of Duty night…I was wondering if you wanted to come and watch a film with me" He said, his eyes moving away from her to meet his stepbrothers. "I forgot you had asked these two over….sorry"

"Its okay, you can watch it in her with us" Rachel said softly, and turned her head to look at Kurt and Mercedes who were both a little surprised. "Our film is nearly done anyway…."

"Ummm, are you sure?" Finn asked, scratching the back of his.

"If Rachel says its okay, then its fine by me" Mercedes added and Kurt shrugged. "Come on and get comfy"

Finn looked back at her, and Rachel smiled nodding at him; causing him to smile and head into the room, careful to sit in the armchair not too far away from the bed but far enough away so it wouldn't be awkward for him to be near her. Rachel was a little surprised at her own offer, but it made sense as she thought about it; she had told him that she wanted to be friends again and he had been respectful enough of her wishes and not bothered her during the week, in fact they had barely shared anything but hellos in the corridor. It'd be nice to spend some time with him again.

After watching the rest of Burlesque with them, he asked if they wanted to watch Hangover with him. The three of them agreed, Rachel actually enjoying watching that film from this summer in New York when she had gone over to James' dads apartment with Kurt and his friends from Oregon. Kurt stood and told them he was going to refill his popcorn bowl downstairs and Mercedes joined him, leaving her alone with Finn.

Smiling, she looked over at him and he seemed to be sitting uncomfortably.

"Are you okay over there?" Rachel asked softly, and he jerked his head to look at her. His famous lopsided grin present on his face.

"Kurt's chairs are a little on the small side" He supplied, and she giggled lightly.

"Come and sit on the bed…its big enough for the four of us" Rachel replied and shifted over to leave him enough room. He stood and sat down hesistantly, leaving a bit of room between them. There was an awkward few moments of silence before he spoke again.

"Have you seen this before?" He asked, smiling at her.

"Yeah, I watched it this summer with Ja- with my Dads" She said, quickly fixing the name she had been planning on saying. Forcing a smile, she looked at him and knew that he had figured out who she was going to say. Rachel knew that he was still tender over the fact she had moved on, but they were friends again right? Friends told each other these things.

"How is he?" Finn asked, smiling at her.

"Who?" Rachel asked, still feeling uncomfortable talking on the matter. Finn gave her a you know who I mean glance and she felt her cheeks redden. "James is good…"

"You missing him?" Finn asked and she couldn't help but nod. "It'll get easier…"

"I hope so" Rachel replied, and Finn held her hand softly.

"I'm here for you…as a friend if you want to talk at anytime" Finn said and she heard the gentleness in his voice, knowing he was being truthful; he really didn't want to be her friend

"Thank you" Rachel said smiling, and he nodded at her two as they separated their hands.

The rest of the night passed by with the four of them laughing at the film and talking with one another. After a while Finn retreated to his room, and Rachel felt glad that she had spent some time with him in a casual environment around others; confident that the two of them could be friends again despite the awkwardness of the previous couple of weeks when they had been around each other.

…

A/N :

Not much James/Rachel interaction this chapter, and the wont be much for a couple more; not until she visits him in Oregon around Chapter 18 or so, simply just phone calls or texts.

This chapter was just to get the school year started and to get Finn and Rachel to a position where they are friendly again so that I can get on with the schoolyear. Next chapter will be set second week of school and the events of Purple Piano Project episode along with the AU changes I'm going to make.