And I'm back. A lot of stuff has happened since I've been gone: school's starting back up next week which means I'll be starting my second semester at community college, fun! I know I've been gone for a long time but I really need to take time away to figure out how to map out this chapter. Yes, this will take place during the start of season three and I will be making a lot of changes. I'd better address those changes now:
Sugar will be joining the New Directions on the first day but will soon leave in a while along with Mercedes, Santana, and Brittany. I'll explain later.
Rory will be introduced. Why not? He is pretty essential to season three but because this storyline is out of whack, I'll figure out something for him to do.
Obviously the only thing that stands in my way between Kurt forgiving Rachel and Blaine is the whole West Side Story thing and since I'm not making Blaine transfer to McKinley (or AM I?), I have to improvise all of it. But it's part of the exercise as writer so I'll have to bear with it and you will too.
Gosh, I can't believe I'm altering everything. Between when Rory comes in, the Trouble Tones being formed and re-arranging pretty much every event while sticking to my conflict between Kurt, Rachel and Blaine...it's exhausting!
Let's see...I think I have everything covered. So let's get started!
Rachel awoke to the sound of her alarm beeping at 6:30 a.m. She rolled out of bed and began to start her morning routine which included a five mile jog, wash face, moisturize, apply make-up, eating a healthy breakfast (today was oatmeal), get dressed, brush teeth, and so on so forth.
Hiram and Leroy came downstairs just as she was packing her backpack.
"Good morning, sunshine!" Hiram greeted.
Leroy walked over and kissed her cheek. "Good morning, honey. Ready for your first day of senior year?"
She smiled. "You bet I am! There's so much I'm waiting to accomplish this year, I can hardly wait!"
Hiram chuckled. "That's great, cupcake. We'll see you later for dinner, okay?"
She nodded. "All right, have a good day at work."
After they left, she heard her phone beeping. She checked it and smiled to see Blaine's name flashing on the screen.
"Hello?"
"Buongiorno, bellissima!"
She giggled. "As charming as that sounds, English, Blaine."
"I said good morning, beautiful. Gracious, you should really learn Italian."
She rolled her eyes. "Maybe later. And good morning to you too, my handsome prince."
"Ready for your first day or senior year?"
"I sure am." She replied. "Are you ready for your first day of junior year?"
"Eh, I guess. It's been the same for two years so nothing will really change except for some new faces and electing another leader for the Warblers. Are you sure you don't want me to be by your side at school?"
She sighed. "Blaine, we already went through this. You have to many memories at Dalton too precious to throw away. And the Warblers need you. Don't give anything up for me."
He sighed. "As you wish. So we'll meet up at Lima Bean after school to tell each other how our day was?"
She smiled. "But of course! I have to get going now. I'll see you later, okay?"
"Too right about that. Have a good day, lovely. Love you!"
"Love you too. Bye-bye!"
When she got to school, she picked up her schedule and locker assignment from Miss Pillsbury and proceeded to her new locker. Once she got there, she opened it and began decorating the inside with pictures, gold star stickers, pink fur, etc.
Finn approached her and knocked on the locker door. "Knock knock, here's to the first day of senior year!"
She smiled. "Hi, Finn! Excited to start?"
He nodded. "Of course I am. What's your schedule like?"
She reached into her backpack and handed him her schedule. He looked at it and frowned. "Ew, you have chemistry first thing in the morning with Mr. Reuben. I'm glad I have English with Ms. Reynolds first period. Are you going to Glee later?"
She looked up nervously. "Is it safe?"
He shrugged. "I did as much damage control as I could over the summer. The boys don't hate you because it's none of their business. Santana, Quinn and Brittany don't hate you. Tina and Mercedes...maybe. But I'm sure you're safe enough to go to Glee."
She shifted uneasily. "What about Kurt? Is he still not going?"
Finn drummed his fingers on the locker door. "That I'm not sure of. He always changed the subject whenever your name popped up. So I'm not sure if he officially quit or not...but don't worry, I'll protect you."
She grinned. "Thank you, Finn. That means a lot."
He patted her shoulder. "Okay, well I'm going to go pick up my textbooks. I'll see you later."
He walked away and she continued to decorate her locker.
Suddenly, Artie rolled up to her smiling. "Good morning, Rachel."
She bent down and kissed his cheek (kissing cheeks were her new way of greeting. So classy!) "Hi, Artie. How was your summer?"
"It was swell." He replied. "I've officially decided that I want to go to film school for college so I'm planning on using this year to do projects for my resume. I have some good news that I think you will like."
She raised her eyebrow. "Oh? And what news?"
Artie smiled and folded his hands together. "Mr. Schuester has asked me to direct the fall musical this semester. As my first application project, I've chosen the classic musical West Side Story and I specifically remember that it's one of your favorites."
Her face lit up and she gave him the brightest smile she's ever given anyone. "Are you serious? It's always been my DREAM to play Maria in a production of West Side Story! Well...next to playing Fanny Bryce in Funny Girl, but this is definitely on my bucket list."
He chuckled. "Well you might be able to cross that off your list...after you get past auditions in a few weeks. But bear in mind, you might just have some competition."
She threw her head back and laughed. "Competition at this school? I don't think so."
He wagged his finger. "You never know. Now shall we head off to chemistry together?"
"How did you know I have chemistry first period?" She asked shocked.
"I worked in the front office over the summer." He replied. "So I helped organize schedules, orientation, textbooks, etc."
She closed her locker and began walking while he rolled alongside her. "Why are you taking standard chemistry? I assumed you'd be taking AP or honors."
He sighed. "I may be smart, Rachel, but science was never my best subject. Sure, I passed Biology last year with an A, but I struggled so I'm taking it slow this year. Hopefully I'll get smarter and take an AP science class next year when I'm a senior."
She patted his head. "Artie, you are the smartest guy I know. I'm sure you'll pick up fast. But if you ever need help, ask me. I'll be happy to help you."
The rest of the day seemed to drag on in an exciting way up until lunch time. Usually she would sit with Kurt, Mercedes and Tina but today she chose to avoid them. She already knew what would happen if she saw them: they'd shoot her death glares so powerful, she'd be dead on the spot. Instead, she chose to sit with Finn, Mike, Puck, Brittany, Santana and Quinn.
Brittany came with a boy with mousy brown hair and the prettiest blue eyes. "Everyone, this is Rory Flanagan. He's a foreign exchange student from Ireland and he's staying at my house for the year."
She leaned in closer to them and whispered. "He's secretly a leprechaun. But don't tell him I told you that or the Leprechaun Union will come and take his rainbow away."
Finn stared at her incredulously. " Um...ok then. Hi, Rory, I'm Finn. Take a seat."
Rory smiled and sat down. "Nice to meet all of you. Besides Brittany, her family and the principal, you guys are the friendliest people I've met so far at this school."
Rachel smiled sweetly and stuck out her hand. "Hi, Rory, I'm Rachel."
Rory took her hand and kissed it as she giggled. "Well look at you, lass! You're even prettier that the field of flowers I could see from my window back in Ireland."
She blushed bright red. "How sweet of you, Rory."
During lunch, all of them chatted casually as they got to know Rory. They learned that he's never tried peanut butter, likes the band U2, thinks that girls smell better than ham and dig accents, can juggle, and is a virgin.
What really interested everyone was when he revealed that he can sing.
Finn perked up. "Do you think you'd be interested in joining glee Club?"
Rory looked bewildered. "Glee Club? Is that a club where we are all excessively happy?"
Finn chuckled and shook his head. "No, it's show choir. We sing songs and take part in big competitions and win trophies and such. It would really be cool if you joined since we're short one member."
"Who's missing?" Rachel asked.
"Sam." Santana replied. "Trouty Mouth moved to Kentucky with his family over the summer."
Finn sighed and took a bite of his sandwich. "Which is why we need one more member? Are you up for it, Rory?"
Rory grinned and shrugged. "I guess I could. Brittany's mum kept telling me that I'll make new friends if I join some clubs so it'll be fun."
Brittany smiled. "Yay! You get to meet everyone else, but don't grant their wishes. Only grant them for me."
Later During Glee
Finn, Rory, and Rachel walked into the choir room, surprised that they were the first ones there.
Rory looked around. "Are you sure this is a real club?"
Rachel giggled. "Of course it is, Rory. We're just early, let's take our seats before Mr. Schuester arrives."
"You'll like Mr. Schue." Finn said.
Rory looked confused. "Shoe? Schuester? Funny last name for a teacher."
"But he's really nice." Rachel replied.
Soon, everyone started coming in. Santana and Brittany took their usual seats in the corner and began cuddling again. Puck came in and high-fived Finn. Quinn came in and gave them a friendly wave. Mike came in holding hands with Tina, so Rachel averted her eyes until their took their seats.
Rory noticed and looked down at her. "Everything okay, Rachel?"
She looked up and gave him a small smile. "Yes, I'm fine, Rory. Thank you for asking."
Artie wheeled in with a glamorous looking, hawk-nosed girl. "Hey everyone, this is Sugar. She's interested in joining."
Sugar flashed them her whitest teeth and sat next to Artie.
Finn nudged Rachel and muttered "Kurt alert."
She looked up but when she saw Kurt and Mercedes casually walking in. The minute she locked eyes with Kurt, she could still see the hurt in his eyes. She quickly turned away and faced Rory.
"So how was your first day today, Rory?"
He shrugged. "Eh, it was fine. Some kids laughed at me in my classes because they couldn't understand my accent but I gave then witty comebacks and they shut up."
She nodded. "That's good. You shouldn't let them bother you. Mr. Schuester should be here soon."
As if on cue, Mr. Schuester walked into the room and closed the door. "Hi, everyone, and welcome to another new year. I see we have some brand new faces, care to introduce yourselves?"
Sugar stood up and flounced to the front of the room. "Hi, I'm Sugar Motta. My Daddy is like super rich and can buy anything you want. And I love getting what I want."
Rory stood up and shuffled to the front of the room next to her. "Hello, me name's Rory Flanagan. I'm a foreign exchange student from Ireland and currently residing at Brittany Pierce's house."
Brittany stood up and shouted. "He's my personal leprechaun! So no one better make any wishes on him!"
Rory chuckled. "I love everything about America especially NASCAR, your half-black president, and Victoria Secret catalogs."
Puck smirked. "I like the boy already."
Mr. Schuester smiled and nodded. "Welcome to the New Directions. And as a tradition, we like to initiate our new members by asking them to perform heir very first solo for us. Who wants to go first?"
Sugar squealed and pushed Rory out of the way. She looked over at Brad. "Big Spender from Sweet Charity, please. Hit it, baby!"
The minute you walked in the joint So let me get to the point.
I could see you were a man of distinction.
A real big spender,
Good lookin', so refined.
Say, wouldn't you like to know
What's goin on in my mind?
I don't pop my cork for every guy I see.
Hey big spender,
Spend a little time with me.
Her choreography was sultry and provocative which got some of the boys interested. Tina scrunched her face and elbowed Mike to make sure Sugar didn't have too much of his attention.
So let me get to the point.
I don't pop my cork for every guy I see.
Hey big spender,
Hey big spender,
Hey big spender,
Spend a little time with me.
Everyone clapped and cheered while she flourished extravagantly.
Mr. Schuester nodded. "Very good performance, Sugar! Rory, you're next."
Rory stood in the middle of the room once again. "I'll be singing Take Care of Yourself by the British singer Teddy Thompson."
It's time for us to part The nights are all alone (Instrumental Break) And no more tears to cry It's time for us to part
Yeah, it's best for us to part
Oh, but I love you
Ooh, I love you
Take care of yourself
I'll miss you
I sit alone and moan
Oh, cause I love you
Ooh, I love you
Take care of yourself
I'll miss you
I'm out of goodbyes
Although it breaks my heart
Oh, cause I love you
Ooh, I love you
Take care of yourself
Take care of yourself
Take care of yourself
I love you
Everyone clapped and cheered as he blushed bright red.
"Rory, that was absolutely magical!" Rachel declared.
Kurt scoffed. "His falsetto was clearly a bit off-pitch."
Rory rolled his eyes and sat back down.
Rachel patted his hand. "Don't listen to him, he's just jealous."
The rest of the lesson seemed to drag on and on, she couldn't wait to get out of there.
Finally when they were dismissed, she jumped up with her backpack and rushed out of there, not bothering to noticed that she bumped into Kurt who stared after her hurt. When she got to the Lima Bean, she was a little disappointed to not find Blaine waiting there already. Suddenly, her phone beeped in her pocket.
Hey sweetie, I'm running a little late. I'll be there soon. Love you!
She smiled and looked over at the piano, not surprised to see it unoccupied. She sat down and began to play a whimsical version of Heart and Soul.
Heart and soul
I fell in love with you heart and soul
Because you held me tight
And stole a kiss in the night
She felt a body join her on the piano bench and played as he sang along with her. She smiled, already knowing who it was without looking.
Heart and soul Now I see what one embrace can do
I begged to be adored
I lost control and tumbled overboard gladly
That magic night we kissed
There in the moon mist
Oh but your lips were thrilling, much to thrilling
Never before were mine so faintly willing
But now I see what one embrace can do
That little kiss you stole
Held all my heart and stole
Look at me it's got me loving you madly
That little kiss you stole
Held all my heart and soul
She whipped her head to the side and leaned in to give Blaine a quick kiss. When she pulled back, she smiled. "I just stole my kiss."
He grinned. "I see you did. And right before I was able to give you my gift."
Her eyes widened. "Ooh, what did you get me?"
He reached under the bench and pulled out a small bouquet of roses. "Picked this up at the florist shop, that's why I'm late. For you, my love."
She took the roses and pressed them to her nose inhaling deeply. Suddenly, she was hit with a flashback of the day they got back from Nationals and Blaine greeted Kurt with a bouquet of carnations. She pulled back the roses.
He stared at her concerned. "You don't like them?"
She shook her head quickly. "No, I love them! It's just that...you giving me these flowers reminded me of that day you gave the carnations to Kurt. I saw him at Glee today."
He sighed. "Did he say anything to you?"
"No." She replied. "But when we looked at each other, I could still see the hurt in his eyes. I could still feel the guilt creeping back to me."
He took her hand. "We'll get through this, I promise. But besides that, how was your first day?"
She shrugged. "It was fine. I made a new friend today...he's a foreign exchange student from Ireland who's staying with Brittany's family. Finn and I convinced him to join Glee Club."
He smiled. "That's great! It's always great when show choirs gain new members. I can't wait to meet him at Sectionals."
She leaned her head on his shoulder. "How was your day?"
"Oh! I have something to show you." He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He pulled up a video of all the Warblers on the screen.
"Hey, Rachel! We miss you! Have a great first day of Senior year, you deserve it!"
She giggled. "That's sweet of them."
"My day was pretty cool. We got some brand new computers, state of the art in my technology class. During our first Warblers rehearsal, we also gained new members and had an apple cider toast." He said fiddling with the ends of her hair.
She sat up. "Ooh, I love apple cider!"
He eyed the roses. "Do you love the roses too?"
She nodded. "I do. I was just...having a moment there but it's from you to me and I appreciate it dearly. I love you." She gave him a quick peck on the lips.
He grinned and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Great, I'm glad. Now let's not think about our stressful day. It's just you and me now."
"You and me against the world." She said snuggling up to him.
And CUT!
PHEW, this chapter took me FOREVER to come up with. Now for the next chapters to come, I THINK I know what I'm doing. And since school is starting again, it should give me an energy boost to get back writing. Ciao, peeps!