It's solo time!
Remember:
Sam's Solo: "More Than Words" by Extreme
Rachel's Solo: "This I Swear" by Nick Lachey.
Sam cleared his throat. "All right, I'm ready."
Santana rolled her eyes. "Hurry up already before I hit puberty again!"
Brittany stared at her confused. "You can hit puberty more than once?"
She shook her head. "No, it was just an expression. No worries, Britt."
"Are you dedicating this song to anyone, Sam?" Mr. Schuester asked.
He shrugged. "Maybe." And with that, he began strumming again.
Saying I love you
Is not the words I want to hear from you
It's not that I want you
Not to say, but if you only knew
How easy it would be to show me how you feel
More than words is all you have to do to make it real
Then you wouldn't have to say that you love me
Causes I'd already know
Mercedes who was sitting next to Rachel nudged her. "He's been practicing this song all night. He's really got it nailed for you, girl!"
However, Rachel wasn't paying attention. She was busy allowing herself to be swept away by Sam's soothing voice.
What would you do if my heart was torn in two More than words
More than words to show you feel
That your love for me is real
What would you say if I took those words away
Then you couldn't make things new
Just by saying I love you
As the song came to an end, the girls swooned.
Mr. Schuester clapped. "That was great, Sam! I liked your artist choice, Extreme is one of my favorite bands."
Sam smiled and nodded. "Thanks, I like them too. My Dad took me to one of their concerts when I was ten. I've always like their music ever since."
Mr. Schuester nodded and looked to Rachel. "You're up, Rachel."
Rachel walked over to Brad and handed him some sheet music. "Brad and I have been working on this for a while. And I'd also like to dedicate this song to all you lovers out there."
You're there by my side
In every way
I know that you would not forsake me
I give you my life
Would not think twice
Your love is all I need believe me
I may not say it quite as much as I should
When I say I love you darling that means for good
So open up your heart and let me in
As she sang the song, she pictured all the happy memories she had with Sam. Honestly, she never could describe the feeling she had with him. With him she felt warm, protected, ambitious, joy...so many things that were missing when she dated Finn and Jesse.
And I will love you 'til forever
Until death do us part we'll be together
So take my hand and hold on tight
And we'll get there
This I swear
She looked over at Brad who gave her an encouraging smile.
Puck leaned over and whispered to Sam. "Man, your girlfriend's got it in for you."
Sam rolled his eyes. "She's not my girlfriend, Puck."
Puck chuckled. "Fine, ex girlfriend who will become your actual girlfriend again."
So whenever you get weary
Just reach out for me
I'll never let you down my love
And I will love you 'til forever
Until death do us part we'll be together
So take my hand and hold on tight
And we'll get there
Ohh we'll get there
This I swear
Everyone clapped politely. The girls whooped and the cheered.
"Wow, Rachel!" Mr. Schuester exclaimed. "I never pinned you to sing a Nick Lachey song! I'm quite impressed."
She smiled and curtsied. When she looked over at Sam, she was startled to see tears in his eyes as he clapped and cheered along with everyone else.
After Glee, she followed Brad to the auditorium for her piano lesson accompanied by Mr. Schuester himself.
"Great job today, Rachel. Both with your group number and solo."
She grinned. "Thank you, Mr. Schuester. I put a lot of hard work and effort into both of those."
He nodded and leaned against the piano. "So were those sings directed toward...Sam?"
She shrugged. "Maybe..."
He chuckled and poked her shoulder. "Come on Rach, you can tell me! I'm your friend just as much as I'm your teacher." When he noticed her blushing, he kept poking her shoulder acting like the annoying friend. Probably how Kurt would act. "Were they? Were they?"
She pushed his finger away, her face feeling flushed. "All right, you caught me. Yes, they were for Sam."
He smiled. "I knew it. So I assume you thought about the advice I gave you?"
She nodded. "Yes I did; I love him, no questions asked. And when he reveals himself to be my secret admirer after he performs my last singing-gram tomorrow, I'm going to tell him."
Mr. Schuester leaned his chin in his hand. "How do you know it's him?"
She shrugged. "I just know."
Brad cleared his throat. "Okay you two, break it up so we can start the lesson."
"What song are you teaching me today, Brad?" She asked.
He pulled out some sheet music out of his pile and handed it to Mr. Schuester. "First I thought we'd start with a warm up duet since Mr. Schuester is here."
Mr. Schuester looked at the sheet music and stuck his tongue out at Brad. "Ha ha, very funny Brad."
"What?" Rachel said leaning over to look at the sheets. "Oh Brad, Endless Love! Remember that, Mr. Schuester?"
He ran his hand through his hair and laughed. "Who could forget?"
She grabbed his hand. "Sing it with me again just this once? For old time's sake...please?"
He smiled. "Promise not to have another crush on me?"
She raised her right hand. "I'm devoted to Sam now. I solemnly swear."
He nodded to Brad. "All right then. Fire away, Brad."
Meanwhile in the Hallway
Sam casually strolled through the hallway, his hair still wet from showering after football practice. He knew that Rachel had her piano lesson today so he headed to the auditorium to see how it was going.
As he got nearer, he could definitely hear her singing, but he also heard a strong male's voice accompanying her.
And your eyes
Your eyes, your eyes
They tell me how much you care
Ooh yes, you will always be
My endless love
That's weird, he thought as he pressed his ear to the door that led to the stage wings. Brad had never sung before...but something about that voice sounded familiar.
Very quietly, he pushed open the door and slipped into the wings. He peeked through the curtains on stage and saw Rachel singing with Mr. Schuester. He felt a little jealous...but why should he? Mr. Schuester's a trustworthy person, he would never fall for a student.
Oooh, and love
Oh, love
I'll be that fool
For you,
I'm sure
You know I don't mind
Oh you know
I don't mind
What really made him jealous was how both their voices seemed to blend together nicely. Then again, Rachel's voice blended perfectly with practically anyone's but he still had to keep mentally telling himself that she and Mr. Schuester would never be a couple.
For a split second, Mr. Schuester caught his eye and looked slightly shocked. Sam's jaw dropped but it was too late to make a run for it without disrupting the song. He decided to wait it out instead.
And, yes
You'll be the only one
'cause no one can deny
This love I have inside
And I'll give it all to you
My love
My love, my love
My endless love
Mr. Schuester smiled and called out into the wings. "Sam, you can come out now."
Sheepishly, he shuffled onto the stage, his face as red as a tomato.
Rachel gasped. "Sam! Were you listening the whole time?"
Sam rubbed his neck nervously. "Not really. I came by to see how the lesson was going but I didn't want to disrupt your song."
She smiled. "It's all right. How did it sound?"
He cleared his throat uncomfortably. "It sounded pretty great."
Mr. Schuester chuckled. "It sounded pretty great being the second time we've sung it."
It got quiet for a few seconds. Rachel hopped on top of the piano and started swinging her legs.
Mr. Schuester took this as a cue to let them talk for a few minutes. "Uh Brad, can you come with me to the choir room? I want to discuss some music for Regionals."
Brad nodded. "Sure, Will."
After they left, Sam scooted a little closer to Rachel. "You did great on both your group number and solo."
She nodded and started twirling her hair. "You too with yours. I really liked the song you sang for your solo."
"You like Nick Lachey?" He asked.
She shrugged. "A few of his songs. This one just really...spoke to me."
As he stood next to her, he noticed that their hands were dangerously close. So close, that one swift move, he could easily put his hand on top of it and feel that warm, fuzzy spark they used to have.
He looked away but looked back a their hands when he felt some warm pressure on top of his. Rachel had placed her hand on top of his and was stroking it gently like she was petting a cat.
She looked down at their hands and smiled. "So I have one more tomorrow?"
He nodded. "Oh you bet you do. It's gonna be a big one."
"Can I have a hint on what song?" She asked.
He shook his head. "Nope. No hint. I like surprising you."
She playfully pushed his shoulder. "Sam Evans, you are mean."
He tapped her nose. "Admit it, you love it."
They shared a laugh and scooted closer until they bumped shoulders. They looked up at each other and stared into their eyes, so lost in the moment. Their heart aches to touch each other more than just placing their hands joined.
She could see the sadness and longing in his eyes...like a child that needed someone to hold on to. It made her want to make everything okay right there and now.
But no...tomorrow she would. Tomorrow's Valentine's Day and that's the perfect time to make amends. She stood up and pulled her hand away. "I'd better go find Mr. Schuester. It's getting late."
He felt an aching sensation from loss of contact. He cleared his throat. "All right, I'll walk you to the choir room then."
When they got to the door, he patted her shoulder. "Have a good night, Rachel. See you tomorrow."
As she watched him walk away, she smiled knowing that she made the right choice dating him the first time.
All right, there we go. Next chapter is Valentine's Day, the last song for Rachel's singing-grams and...a chapter ending I'm proud of. But it WON'T end there. No, my story is gonna kick ASS! Have a good night! Love, Gabby.