I'll be there Chapter 21: Who?, a glee fanfic

Glee is not mine, unfortunately.

Chapter 21

RPOV

The next morning I strode into William McKinley High School with purpose. I ditched Quinn by the car (politely, of course) and hurried into the school, looking for another blonde by the jock block lockers.

"Hello there Sam!" I greeted with a chipper attitude. He turned with a confused look and a bruised cheekbone. A gasp escaped my lips and I involuntarily reached out to touch the black mark. He flinched away and looked even more confused.

"I'm sorry! How presumptuous of me! Here, I brought you some lip-balm. I know people make fun of your lips, but I think they're cute, and worth weatherproofing." The blonde boy's eyes narrowed at me.

"You aren't going to ask me out or something, are you?"

"What? Uh- no. I just wanted to say thank you."

"For what?"

"For Tuesday. You didn't have to punch Finn. I'm grateful that you did though, even though you got suspended; which I am sorry for." He shrugged and turned back to put the lip-balm in his locker.

"Whatever. He was being an ass and deserved it."

"Still, it didn't have to be you that hit him. Puck was going to, and that would have been an irreparable mistake."

"I know that. That's why I stopped him from going at the douchebag." He turned back towards me and we stood awkwardly for a moment.

"Was that all you were going to say?"

"Yeah… So I guess I'll see you in Glee?"

"I guess. Erm, bye?"

"Yeah… bye." I turned and walked back towards the main hall, where Quinn was standing near my locker, watching people.

"How did it go?" She asked when she spotted me.

"Very awkwardly." I grumbled. The ex-Cheerio looked at something over my shoulder and waved a little. I turned in time to see Sam give a small wave back as he walked to homeroom. Jealousy started to shroud my mind, but I pushed it away. I have no right to be jealous. It's not like I have some sort of claim laid on Quinn. I sighed. Definitely no claim laid there…

Our day continued in the comfortable routine we had followed so far this week. First period with Noah, second period with Finn ignoring me, practice in the auditorium during lunch, and finally English with Quinn. Before I knew it, the time for Glee had arrived. I was just excited for our performance, but as I turned to Quinn, her pale face registered.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah." She replied in a weak voice. "Just a little bit nervous." I scrunched my nose in confusion.

"Why?"

"This is the first song I'm singing with you and Puck together. Also, I'm not you Rachel. I'm not used to be in the spotlight when singing. It's just a bit nerve-wracking. Especially because you two are really good, and I'm… not." I frowned and beckoned Noah over from across the room. He came and sat on the other side of Quinn, also noting her pale face and panicked expression.

"What's up Jewbabe 'n Baby Mama?"

"Quinn's nervous."

"So you're nervous now, but not when 'trust me' was a supposed form of birth-control?" The girl in question glared at the mohawked-boy. If looks could kill. I chuckled and turned, swinging my legs over Quinn's lap so that my feet rested on Noah's left leg.

"And what makes you think that we are footrests, Miss Berry?" The blonde asked me with a smile.

"Because you don't mind."

"And you know this because…?" Noah questioned. I smirked and attempted my best impression of being smug.

"Because you two would do anything for me." The boy scoffed and turned to Quinn.

"I think she's got us figured out, Baby Mama."

"Darn adorable little strawberry." She said as she shook her head. Noah raised an eyebrow at the strawberry part of that sentence, but shrugged it off.

"So, now that we have that settled; Quinn, you are singing." I said in a matter-of-fact tone of voice.

"And I wasn't before?"

"You were. But you aren't as nervous anymore." I leaned further into her side, ignoring the confused looks being thrown at us by the other members of Glee, who were entering the choir room now.

Small conversations continued until Mr. Schue burst into the room in an attempted theatrical entrance. Emphasis on the word attempted. He clapped his hands together and spun around, looking at the entire room.

"Okay! Who has their number ready?" I immediately raised my hand, and Noah did the same after looking at my eager demeanor. Grabbing Quinn's right hand with my left, I raised it as well. A few gaping mouths were directed at the three of us, but several knowing looks were also directed our way. And then there was Finn, who was sitting as far as possible from me, and glaring daggers at Quinn and Noah.

"You three… are working together?" Our wise teacher asked in astonishment.

"It would appear that way, yes Mr. Schuester." I deadpanned.

"B-but you- " He was cut off by Kurt's high, somewhat bored voice.

"Just give it up Mr. Schue. They're doing a number together, accept it. And close your mouth. You're catching flies." The curly-haired man's jaw snapped shut, and he stepped to the side, motioning for us to take the stage.

"Before we start, I would like to say a few words." I started off my short speech, but was cut off much like Mr. Schue; this time by Santana.

"Just sing the freaking song, Berry." A gentle hand tugged at my arm for me to join Quinn and Noah in a line. He grabbed his acoustic guitar, slung the strap over his head, and started plucking the first chords of the song. Quinn started singing, and she and Noah traded lines for the first verse.

I took a walk around the world to ease my troubled mind

I left my body lying somewhere in the sands of time

I watched the world flow to the dark side of the moon

I feel there's nothing I can do…

Because of my dream, I was not used to not having the solo in any song that I was a part of performing. However, I looked at the two teens beside me and I knew that they needed this. I started harmonizing in the background as the music picked up, and started the choreography that we would all end up using during the chorus.

I watched the world flow to the dark side of the moon

After all I knew it had to be something to do with you

I really don't mind

What happens now and then

As long you'll be my friend at the end

Noah sang the first few words of each line, and Quinn and I joined in for the last few, enhancing the impact.

If I go crazy then will you still call me Superman

If I'm alive and well will you be there a-holding my hand

I keep you by my side with my superhuman

Kryptonite

Noah and Quinn backed off, and I let my voice fill the room. It was a strange feeling for me to be singing short, choppy lines, rather than the long and melodious ones of show tunes. In the last moment, I locked gaze with Quinn, and found myself singing them to her.

You call me strong,

You call me weak,

But still your secrets I will keep

You took for granted all the times I never let you down

You stumbled in and bumped your head

If not for me then you'd be dead

I picked you up and put you

Back on solid ground

The other two singers joined in for the chorus, and we all sang the lines together.

If I go crazy then will you still call me Superman

If I'm alive and well will you be there a-holding my hand

I keep you by my side with my superhuman

Kryptonite

Noah took off his acoustic instrument and set it to the side, and one of the members of the band played a solo on his electric guitar. Quinn caught my eyes like before as she prepared to softly sing the next words once the music died down.

If I go crazy then will you still call me Superman

If I'm alive and well will you be there holding my hand

I keep you by my side with my superhuman

Kryptonite

Yeah!

All three of us did a very rockstar-style jump towards our audience, and practically screamed the chorus again.

If I go crazy then will you still call me Superman

If I'm alive and well will you be there a-holding my hand

I keep you by my side with my superhuman

Kryptonite

We ended with huge grins on our faces, as we took in the mixed reaction from the other members of Glee club. Kurt, Santana, Brittany, and Sam were all looking at us with broad smiles and were applauding enthusiastically. Mike, Tina, Artie, and Mercedes were all staring slack-jawed as we clasped hands and bowed, but did not seem to be acting particularly negative. I then turned to Finn, whose eyes had now flamed in anger, and whose limbs were shaking from contained rage. After a few seconds, though, his jaw hardened and he seemed to tamp down the fire developing behind his eyes to a minimum. A voice from my right distracted me from my ex-boyfriend.

"Alright guys, that was great, but I don't really think you captured the essence of the-"

"Fuck you, Schue; that was amazing! Great job Q, Berry, Puckerman." Santana seemed to be getting in the habit of cutting people off today. And every other day.

"Why thank you Santana." I replied, heading back to my seat with Quinn and Noah in tow. Mr. Schue sighed and addressed the group again.

"Does anyone else have something?" Sam timidly raised his hand and glanced around nervously.

"Sam! Great! Come on up." The blonde boy walked to the front and picked up the guitar that Noah had set aside.

"I guess this song kind of just describes how the world is to me right now." He started playing a lively tune, and started singing after a few bars. I smiled at his choice. This used to be my favorite song…

Well you done done me and you bet I felt it

I tried to beat you

But you so hot that I melted

I fell right through the cracks

Now I'm trying to get back

Several of the other Glee club members in the back of the room harmonized in the background.

Before the cool done run out

I'll be giving it my bestest

Nothing's gonna stop me but divine intervention

I reckon it's again my turn

To win some or learn some

But I won't hesitate

No more

It cannot wait

I'm yours

Mmhmm

Well open up your mind and see like me

Open up your plans and damn you're free

I look into your heart and you'll find love, love, love, love

Listen to the music of the moment people

Dance and sing!

We're just one big family

And it's our god-forsaken right to be loved

Loved, loved, loved, loved

So I won't hesitate

No more

It cannot wait

I'm sure

There's no need to

Complicate

Our time is short,

This is our fate

I'm yours

Sam started scatting, and we all laughed a little. I gripped Quinn's hand, and as she intertwined our fingers I missed the two eyes boring holes in the back of my head with their gaze from across the room.

Don't you want to come on

Scooch on over closer dear

And I will nibble your ear

I blew gently in Quinn's ear, causing her to giggle and the people around us to raise eyebrows and smirk. Sam smiled a bit and continued on with the bridge.

I've been spending way too long

Checking my tongue in the mirror

And bending over backwards just to try to see it clearer

But my breath fogged up the glass

And so I drew in a face and I laughed

I guess what I be sayin' is there ain't no better reason

To rid yourself of vanities and just go with the seasons it's

What we aim to do

Our name is our virtue

But I won't hesitate

No more

It cannot wait

I'm yours

Well open up your mind and see like me

Open up your plans and damn you're free

I look into your heart and you'll find the sky is yours!

So please don't

Please don't

There's no need to complicate

'Cause our time is short

This oh, this oh this is our fate

I'm yours

Sam finished with one final strum of the guitar and, understandably, a grin almost identical to the ones Noah, Quinn, and I had worn earlier. There is a certain thrill to performing; one that I crave constantly, and it is enhanced when you perform something meaningful with or for meaningful people.

"That was great Sam!" Schue exclaimed, clapping with the rest of us. Smiling on his way back to his seat in the back risers, the blonde football player received pats on the back, high fives, and verbal congratulations.

"So we have time for one more song today. Everyone else, you'll perform tomorrow. Who would like to go now?"

Finn stood up and strode to the center of the room, not waiting for anyone else to raise their hand. He turned to me and spoke bluntly.

"Rachel, this song says everything I would say to you." Quinn and Noah tensed, and I sensed the same with some of the others behind us. The quarterback picked up the acoustic guitar (seriously, what is with guys and that guitar today?) that was lain to the side. He played a few notes, stringing together a gentle melody.

When I look into your eyes

It's like watching the night sky

Or a beautiful sunrise

There's so they hold

And just like them old stars

I see that you've come so far

To be right where you are

How old is your soul

Well I won't give up

Even if the skies

Get

Rough

I'm giving you all my love

I'm still looking up

And when you're needing your space

To do some navigating

I'll be here patiently waiting

To see what you find

Cause even the stars

They

Burn

Some even fall

The earth

We got a lot

Learn

God knows we're worth it

No I won't give up

I don't want to be someone who walks away so easily

I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make

Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use the tools and gifts we got

We got a lot at stake
And in the end you're still my friend

At least we did intent for us to work

We didn't break we didn't burn

We had to learn

How to bend

Without the world

Caving in

I had to learn

What I've got

And what I'm not

And who I am

I won't give up

Even if the skies

Get

Rough

I'm giving you all my love

I'm still looking up

Still looking up

I won't give up

God knows I'm tough

Enough

We got a lot

Learn

God knows we're worth it

I won't give up

Even if the skies

Get

Rough

I'm giving you all my love

I'm still looking up

Finn looked at me with a hopeful expression, but I just shot up and stormed out the door. I was halfway down the hall in my fast-walk before a shout behind me stopped me.

"Rachel!" I spun around and marched right up to the football player, slapping him across his left cheek.

"No means NO, Finn! What part of that do you not understand?"

"Y-you're breaking up with me?" He asked, confused. I let out a growl of frustration.

"Okay, Finn, listen to me. If it was not perfectly clear before; YOU AND I ARE BREAKING UP!" I ended the sentence screaming in his face. "As in, not together! Not an item! Not boyfriend and girlfriend! Not going out! Not dating! We are OVER. Goodbye."

"But why?" I shook my head and turned to walk back toward the choir room.

"Because you have to ask that." I started walking, but Finn's voice struck me like a bolt of lightning. His voice was soft, but the words seemed to reverberate around my head and through the halls of the nearly-empty school.

"Who will love you now?"

A/N: How ya like that? Don't worry; I won't leave you guys with a sorta-cliffhanger for a whole week. I'm not that cruel. I'm probably going to write another chapter tonight or tomorrow morning. Oh, and I know, sorry to those who don't like songs, but come on, this is Glee. If there weren't at least 10 songs per week in their life I would be concerned. :D Also, I happen to be obsessed with music. I use music to express myself, and this comes through in my writing. Also, even the random songs in this story will have meaning. I don't just throw in random songs. Usually. BTW does anyone else hate Finn with a fiery, burning passion at the moment? Read and Review please. Peace out. :)

PS: The songs were Kryptonite by 3 Doors Down, I'm Yours by Jason Mraz, and I Won't Give Up also by Jason Mraz. And I picked I Won't Give Up before I remembered it was on Glee.