Next to Me Chapter 14: Defying Gravity, a glee fanfic

"She thinks I don't want her to be happy," Rachel explained to Finn as he drove them to Glee practice one afternoon. They had gotten breakfast, well they were allowed to seeing as how they were both still grounded after their adventure to California, and were now headed to glee to see duets and solos. Rachel hadn't mentioned to her father or mother that she saw them kissing a couple days ago. "And…"

"Well, hold on," Finn said and cut Rachel off. "It sounds like she doesn't think that. What your dad thinks is that you will be unhappy if she is happy hence why she isn't happy in that way."

"It's not that I wouldn't be happy for her if she and my dad were to… it would just be awkward and weird at first. And there is so much history between them I guess." Rachel added as they pulled into the parking lot.

"Rach, I know how you feel and I fought against it for a long time. Now? It's worth seeing her happy. Just… whatever you decide make sure you don't phase out LeRoy."

Rachel nodded and they proceeded into the auditorium. Will was there with some others, but Shelby had not arrived. Once the group was there, they were informed that she was running late due to some unexpected traffic. When she did arrive later on, Rachel immediately noticed she looked unhappy. Usually, Shelby dressed up for every practice. However, today she merely had her hair in a ponytail and wore jeans and a basic color top.

"Okay, that was an awesome duet Artie and Mercedes, but we need to work on some of your combined low notes next meeting…" Will said as Shelby got on stage. They finished up as Shelby sat down on the stool. Will was running the show today. "Okay, Rachel solo time. You have a song in mind?"

Rachel nodded and grabbed the binder Shelby gave her. In the corner of her eye, she noticed Shelby smile a little. Rachel grinned at a song and pulled it out. Finn glanced over and chuckled; he knew how much Rachel loved that artist. Rachel gave the sheet music to the band and then grabbed a stool to sit in front of the microphone, which interested Will.

"So this song just came out, but I feel it is… fitting," Rachel says and the spotlight falls onto her and the stage goes dark. The piano begins and Rachel takes a deep breath,

"Hello, it's me
I was wondering if after all these years you'd like to meet
To go over everything
They say that time's supposed to heal ya
But I ain't done much healing"

"Hello, can you hear me?
I'm in California dreaming about who we used to be
When we were younger and free
I've forgotten how it felt before the world fell at our feet"

"There's such a difference between us
And a million miles"

Kurt, Artie, and Mercedes smiled since they knew the song and Rachel smiled at them. Will, yet again, was surprised. Ever since Shelby came into Rachel's life he has been amazed with Rachel's song selection. Rachel hopped off the stool so she could get into the mood of the chorus. Finn grinned as he watched her get into the song. He and the others began to sway in their seats as Rachel sung.

"Hello from the other side
I must have called a thousand times
To tell you I'm sorry for everything that I've done
But when I call you never seem to be home
Hello from the outside
At least I can say that I've tried
To tell you I'm sorry for breaking your heart
But it don't matter it clearly doesn't tear you apart anymore"

Rachel began to tear up as she sang the chorus and paused after the chorus and let the piano carry the song. She fell to her knees and looked out into the distance,

"Hello, how are you
It's so typical of me to talk about myself I'm sorry
I hope that you're well
Did you ever make it out of that town where nothing ever happened"

"It's no secret that the both of us
Are running out of time"

Shelby watched her daughter in amazement as her voice filled the auditorium. She questioned how Rachel felt it fitting in her life. She was happy with Finn right? Rachel stood up again and began to walk around the stage.

"So hello from the other side
I must have called a thousand times
To tell you I'm sorry for everything that I've done
But when I call you never seem to be home
Hello from the outside
At least I can say that I've tried
To tell you I'm sorry for breaking your heart
But it don't matter it clearly doesn't tear you apart anymore"

And the Rachel looked over at Shelby and that is when Shelby realized the song wasn't intended for Rachel, but for herself.

The lights returned to normal as the music faded out and the whole class cheered. Will was grinning as he walked back on stage.

"Awesome job Rachel!" he said and waited for her to return to her seat before speaking, "Okay, so we need to pick our first group number, female group song, and male song…" Will said as Mercedes began passing out paper. The class groaned when they saw how old the music was. "I know it isn't ideal but these songs…"

"Are old!" Santana said as she flipped to the female song. "We are not singing Cher." The girls nodded in agreement. Will frowned,

"It was only a suggestion…"

"But Mr. Shue we need to update our sound I mean sure the judges are probably your age but we need to…" Rachel began but stopped when Mr. Shue sighed. "Sorry."

"Do you have any suggestions then?"

"What if each group just picks their own song?" Mercedes asks. Will looked at Shelby, who nods in agreement. Will smiles,

"Okay, since this isn't the school year I won't be as strict so long as it is appropriate."

The group got excited and began to split into genders when Artie stopped, "Wait, it says here we need a number with the vocal coaches." He says as he reads the rules.

Shelby walked over to him and read it over, "He is right. It includes a group number as well as a duo."

The room was silent. Shelby had a feeling she knew what they were all thinking and Quinn finally voiced it. "Well we all know the best duo would be Shelby and Rachel."

Rachel looked at the ground. She would love nothing more than to do that, but she already had a solo and she knew Mr. Schue would never agree to both.

"But Artie and Mr. Schue sounded great on the bus ride home." Kurt argued.

"I hear a song battle!" Puck yelled and raised two fists in the air.

"I…" Shelby began, but it was too late. The kids were already getting excited while the four of them, Shelby and Rachel, and Artie and Mr. Schue just looked at each other.

"Ladies first…" Mr. Schue said, but Rachel picked up a level of uncertainty in his voice. So Rachel turned to her mom.

"So… what do we sing?"

Shelby bites her lip and then goes over to the piano man and whispers something. He smiles and immediately pulls out a sheet of music. Rachel stepped to the side as her mother took center stage.

"Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game"

Rachel grinned and immediately jumped in where her mother left off.
"Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts, close my eyes and leap!"

Shelby:

"It's time to try
Defying gravity
I think I'll try
Defying gravity"

Rachel:

"Kiss me goodbye
I'm defying gravity
And you won't bring me down"

They made a small circle and then met back at the center of it with big grins. Down below, some were smiling and some were sitting with their arms crossed, believing it should be Artie and Mr. Schue.

Rachel:

"I'm through accepting limits 'cause someone says they're so
Some things I cannot change but 'til I try, I'll never know!"

Shelby:

"Too long I've been afraid of losing love I guess I've lost
Well, if that's love, it comes at much too high a cost!"

Rachel:

"I'd sooner buy
Defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye
I'm defying gravity
I think I'll try
Defying gravity
And you won't bring me down"

The music began to slow down and Rachel took a step back so her mother could take on the next part of the song. She knew this part was made for her mother.

Shelby:

"Unlimited…
My future is unlimited
And I've just had a vision
Almost like a prophecy
I know it sounds truly crazy
And true, the vision's hazy
But I swear, someday I'll be...
Flying so high!
Kiss me goodbye!"

The entire glee group's jaws dropped when Shelby sang the "flying so high" note. They knew she had a voice, but she had never sung like that in front of them. Even Rachel was amazed, but she had to recover quickly to continue the song.

Rachel:

"So if you care to find me
Look to the western sky!
As someone told me lately,
Everyone deserves the chance to fly!"

The music dropped again until it was almost quiet.

Shelby:

"And nobody in all of Oz, no wizard that there is or was… is ever gunna bring me… down!"

As Shelby carried the final high note Rachel came in with backup just as high (maybe a bit higher) and they finished the song. Everybody stood up and clapped for them, whether or not they agreed Rachel and Shelby should have the part. Rachel went over to Shelby,

"I didn't know you could hit it that high! That was incredible!"

Shelby smiled, but it faded. She turned to Artie and Mr. Schue. "As much as I would love to sing with my daughter, the role should be yours."

Artie shrugged, "How can we beat that?"

Shelby walked down the stage, "It isn't about beating it or trying to hit as high as a note. It is about expression and losing yourself within the song. It's about taking your strengths and letting it show. I am good at high notes, but that does not mean it is what will win."

Artie gave a small smile, "Well I do have a song in mind…"

And so he and Mr. Schue proceeded to the stage. Rachel looked at her mom and found herself angry at Shelby for saying that before asking Rachel. But she put it aside and sat down to watch Artie and Mr. Schue. Mr. Schue grabbed his guitar and began to play a familiar tune. Rachel didn't know until Artie sang,

Artie:

"She's a good girl, loves her mama
Loves Jesus and America, too
She's a good girl, crazy 'bout Elvis
Loves horses and her boyfriend, too"

The group smiled and began to sway to the music. They'd never heard this side of Artie.

Artie:

"It's a long day living in reseda
There's a freeway runnin' through the yard
I'm a bad boy 'cause I don't even miss her
I'm a bad boy for breaking her heart"

Artie and Mr. Schue:

"And I'm free, free fallin', fallin'
And I'm free, free fallin', fallin'"

Mr. Schue:

"All the vampires walkin' through the valley
They move west down Ventura boulevard
And all the bad boys are standing in the shadows
And the good girls are home with broken hearts"

Artie and Mr. Schue:

"And I'm free, free fallin', fallin'
And I'm free, free fallin', fallin'"

Artie:

"I wanna glide down over Mulholland
I wanna write her name in the sky
I wanna free fall out into nothin'"

Mr. Schue:
I'm gonna leave this world for a while!

Artie and Mr. Schue:

"Now I'm free, free fallin', fallin'
Now I'm free, free fallin', fallin'

Now I'm free, free fallin', fallin'
Now I'm free, free fallin', fallin'"

Everybody stood up and cheered as they finished the song and the music faded. Rachel clapped, but she was still somewhat irritated at her mother. As much as she loved her solo she and her mom could easily wipe out the competition for duets while Mercedes or Kurt takes on a solo. Shelby walked over to Artie with a smile,

"See it is all about expression!" she said. Artie gave her a high five. "I think you both should do the duet."

Everybody (but Rachel) nodded in agreement. Shelby noticed her daughter seemed unhappy, but would deal with that later.