This was not how she had expected her week to go.

Monday had certainly caught her unprepared, with Amy turning out to have a clumsy side, Claire considering her to be a friend and her two roommates making ill-informed accusations; not to mention her reconciliation with Jesse.

But the start of Tuesday was something she definitely never saw coming, not to mention anything she had ever even imagined happening.

"Have you had breakfast?"

Rachel placed her pink rolling suitcase against a chair and a smaller bag on the same chair and turned to the doorway, where Shelby stood leaning against the door frame where she had stopped after showing Rachel the guest bedroom. "I had a granola bar."

"Hardly a meal," Shelby noted, refusing to step foot further into the room. She had led Rachel to the room, but she wanted Rachel to navigate the space on her own. She kept a relative distance from the young woman, careful not to crowd her, because Rachel might be the guest in her home, but the truth of the matter was, Shelby was aware this latest chance of getting to know Rachel was on the young woman's terms.

Shelby knew how weird this had to be, for both of them. So she tread lightly. "Do you have enough time to eat something?"

Rachel paused, confused, and gave her a look of scrutiny. "What are you doing?"

"I'm... offering you breakfast?" Shelby drew out uncertainly.

"Yes, why?" Rachel pressed.

Because Shelby didn't know what else she could say to Rachel without prompting a lengthier discussion. To ask why Rachel had suddenly decided to take her up on her offer of a spare bed, considering her decidedly skeptical acceptance when it had been initially given, was to pursue an avenue of discussion not appropriate for early Tuesday morning. Never mind the fact that she had been half-asleep when she'd gotten the call late the previous night when Rachel had asked if she still could, and therefore hadn't been able to ask all the questions that the morning had provided, but now, with Rachel standing in said guest room and hauling a bag that belied the expected duration of her residency, all the questions seemed too intrusive, as if they were rooted to a relationship she and Rachel didn't have. To ask would be expecting too much, but not to ask any question at all would seem insensitive, not to mention imply to the younger girl that Shelby didn't care.

So, breakfast.

It was trivial, but showed, at its core, some measure of concern.

"I'm averse to eggs, so..." Rachel finally said, dismissing the offer of a meal in favor of looking around what would be her temporary living quarters while in rehearsals for Amy (-slash-Claire)'s show. She had gotten the rehearsal schedule the previous night and had seen how late rehearsals were expected to go (for a school-based function). She didn't like the idea of taking the subway late at night, and compounded with the fight (if it was that) with Kurt, she had decided it would be best to find lodging closer to NYADA and stay out of Kurt's way at least until after the preview. Shelby had been her best (only) option.

Shelby, who wondered if the reference to eggs was a jab at her, as an extension of the stunt her Vocal Adrenaline kids had pulled years ago. "I have cereal."

"I try not to consume dairy."

"I have soy."

Pause.

Rachel turned back to her, because she didn't know of a lot of people who chose alternatives to cow's milk. "Why?"

"Honestly, I prefer almond, but all they had last time I went shopping was soy..." Shelby said, in a seemingly random, roundabout way of responding to Rachel's question. "Not to mention the nutritional benefits far outweigh-"

"I'm fine." Rachel interrupted, although she did find it interesting to see Shelby Corcoran actually babble on. It was almost endearing, to see a side of the older woman she doubted anyone really got to witness.

"Let me at least prepare you some toast."

"You really don't have to do that."

"A granola bar is hardly a substantial breakfast." Shelby argued.

"It meets some of the recommended daily nutritional requirements," Rachel argued.

"Some." Shelby reiterated.

They were both aware of how trivial their argument was, how they were using the mundane discussion of granola bars and breakfast as a distraction from having to talk about more important things.

But it was nice to even be in the position to argue about the mundane.

For both of them.

"Toast." Shelby declared decisively. "You can have toast. I'll make you toast. You can have it on your way to school, if you're in a hurry."

"No edges." Rachel informed her as acquiescence.

"No edges. Of course." Shelby agreed, as if she knew that. "Buttered - of course not buttered. You're vegan."

"Actually..."

Shelby lifted an eyebrow.

"How did you know I'm vegan?" Rachel asked curiously.

"You told me that." Shelby reminded. "Something about a pet goat or pig you never got to have when you were younger?"

"You remember that?"

Shelby almost answered with 'I'm not as insensitive as you like to think me to be', or something to that effect, but it wasn't even seven o'clock on a Tuesday morning, and she'd only had one cup of coffee so far, so she didn't. "I guess I did."

Rachel faltered for a moment, realizing that maybe she didn't give Shelby enough credit. Yes, the woman had her faults, and they certainly had a long way to go, but she probably really needed to stop thinking of the older woman as a villain in her life. "It was a goat."

Thank God, because if it had been a pig she probably would cry at the sight of any kind of pork product. Her dads may have made some questionable parenting decisions in the recent past, but at least they hadn't let her adopt any farm animals that usually ended up on the dinner table.

Shelby decided she needed that second cup of coffee. "Juice? Coffee? Soy milk?"

"Juice is fine, thank you. Apple, if you have it."

"I'll get started on that toast." Shelby announced, leaving the room to do just that while inwardly berating herself. Toast. Stupid.

Apple. Stupid. Rachel grimaced at the utter idiocy of the lapsed conversation, because surely she and Shelby could carry smarter conversations than that.

Well, she had a whole week or so to learn if that was true.

Rachel glanced around the room, at its minimalist decor and airy colors. There was a built-in closet, a bookshelf, a desk and a single bedside table. The bed itself was the same size in her apartment, and she wondered idly who Shelby had in mind when she had decorated the room. Rachel sat down on the bed to read through her messages, and sent off two messages, one to Jesse and another to Claire.

Moving in with Shelby, albeit temporarily, seemed like something she would need to tell her dads on Skype, so they could all see each others' expressions, instead of through a text message or a phone call.

Her phone beeped almost simultaneously with two incoming messages.

The one from Jesse read, Good morning to you, too. Do you need help moving?

And the one from Claire answered her inquiry on what time would be best to show for their seven-thirty morning rehearsal with, On time.

One more message to Jesse, and Rachel organized her bag for the day. Rachel's school day was going to be mostly lectures, and since her first class would be at eight, she didn't expect to be dancing for rehearsals that morning. She did, however, intend to get some practice time with Claire before evening rehearsals, so she would still need her leotards and tights...

Shelby was standing by the toaster, a pile of toast already waiting on a plate at the table, when Rachel emerged into the common living area.

"That's..." Rachel had to smile, "a lot of toast."

Shelby smiled self-deprecatingly. "I got carried away."

Rachel placed her bag on the floor beside a chair and sat down. "I really appreciate this, Shelby."

"It's just toast," Shelby shrugged just as the toaster popped out the latest two pieces.

"Not the toast."

Shelby paused at that sentiment, and turned to smile at her. "I offered for a reason, Rachel. Although I have to admit, given your reaction last Saturday, that I didn't expect you to take me up on it so soon."

Rachel smiled weakly. "I can imagine."

"But I'm sure it'll be nice to have you, even if it is a temporary arrangement."

Rachel glanced up at her, unsure if she had detected that wistful tone correctly. Was Shelby implying she wanted Rachel to stay more permanently?

Shelby shook her head, as if shaking off that momentary lapse into sentimentality. Honestly, she was just grateful Beth wasn't awake to witness this stilted conversation, because this was awkward, and a babbling toddler would probably have sent Rachel out the door the minute she'd emerged from the guest bedroom. "Is there anything I should know about you staying here?"

Rachel gave her a questioning look.

"Do you sleepwalk, sing in your sleep, do you like having midnight snacks..."

Rachel gazed at the older woman in wonder, thinking if those examples were off the top of Shelby's head for a reason, or if those were the most random ideas she had.

"I have a very elaborate evening ritual," Rachel finally admitted.

Shelby nodded. "Okay. I usually bathe Beth in the master's bath, so I guess the common bath's all yours."

Rachel couldn't help but think that having a bathroom all to herself would be a welcome relief after weeks and months of sharing one with Kurt and Santana, since all three of them had elaborate hair and facial rituals to complete.

"And I tend to sleep and wake early." Rachel informed her.

"I sleep late, but Beth sleeps at eight, at the latest." Shelby returned.

Rachel nodded. "Well, my rehearsals will probably run later than that, I'll try to be quiet when I get back."

"Oh." Shelby's expression fell at that pronouncement. "So you won't be home for dinner?"

"I guess not." Rachel admitted. She attempted to make amends. "I'm not sure if I can, but I could try to get out of rehearsals early, if-"

"No. God, no." Shelby quickly cut her off. "You said last night that tonight will be your first round of rehearsals with faculty around, you really shouldn't skip that or try to get out early. That's... no."

Rachel could only nod, unsurprised that Shelby Corcoran would understand the importance of a first impression, particularly from a figure of authority. Then again, this was probably something that came from her years of experience as the award-winning director of the country's best high school show choir. "I'm not sure what time rehearsals will end..."

"I can have a key made for you, but for now I guess I'll just have to stay up to let you in." Shelby said, reminding Rachel that the security in Shelby's building included an electronic lock and a limited-access elevator.

"I'll call, when I'm on my way back."

"That'll be great."

There was a lull in conversation while Rachel quietly chewed on a piece of toast, the two of them gazing anywhere else but at each other, grasping for the next conversation topic safe to handle.

"I'm not vegan anymore." Rachel said suddenly.

Shelby turned to gaze at her inquiringly.

"I like cheese." Rachel confessed.

"Okay," Shelby slowly acknowledged.

"So I'm sure whatever you like to cook is fine."

Shelby cringed, because she didn't really cook, per se, but she was capable enough around the kitchen to not set things on fire. "Well, I'm a lapsed Jew, so you probably won't have to worry too much."

"You're Jewish?" Rachel asked, surprised.

"You got that nose honestly, you know."

Rachel smiled, and ducked her head in acknowledgment.

"I'll set something aside, in case you're hungry when you get home."

Rachel checked the clock in the room, and gasped. "I should get going!"

Shelby nodded, understanding why Rachel had to head to school so early. "Morning rehearsals, of course."

Rachel paused to look at her, before she recalled Jesse once telling her the members of Vocal Adrenaline preferred morning rehearsals because at least the morning bell had to ring eventually, whereas evening rehearsals meant nothing short of daylight could end rehearsals. She slung the strap of her bag over her shoulder as she asked, "Is there anything I should know, with me staying here?"

Shelby provided her with a weak smile. "I've never lived with a teenager before."

And Rachel had never lived with a mother before, so they were on pretty even ground on that one.

Shelby cleared her throat, grabbed her cup, and stood up as she smiled at Rachel. "Do you have money for lunch?"

Rachel stopped, startled at the question and was momentarily confused, before she realized exactly what Shelby was asking and was unable to control her bout of giggles. "Yes, I have lunch money."

Shelby rolled her eyes at Rachel's obvious amusement and smiled as well, opening the door for her. "Get going."

"I'll try to bring home gold stars from my teacher," Rachel laughed, stepping out of the room. "And tell you everything I learned in school today!"

"You're going to be late."

That, at least, prompted Rachel to really get going, especially since she had no idea how long it would take her to walk to NYADA from Shelby's apartment. A part of her wondered why Shelby had gotten an apartment within (considerable) walking distance to NYADA, but then again, NYADA was within the limits of what constituted Broadway, so she probably shouldn't be so surprised.

What really did surprise her, however, was how relatively easy - or easier - it had been to sit and have a meal with Shelby, without the mediation of Quinn, or the distraction of Beth. Beth, who apparently slept late.

Although, it wasn't really late, since she'd left the loft at the crack of dawn, allowing herself time to bring her things to Shelby's and get to school for rehearsals without breaking land speed records.

She had only told Shelby about needing a place to stay because of the earliness and lateness of rehearsals, and the safety of commuting all the way to the Bronx involved, but deep down she knew it had been a convenient excuse. Because after last night, and given how both Kurt and Santana had reacted to the Amy/Claire/Janet situation, Rachel had felt uncomfortable with the idea of having to face them regularly, especially for the duration of said rehearsals.

What they had said last night hurt, even if none of it had come particularly as a surprise. She had always known there was some semblance of resentment, no matter how faint or residual, but she had hoped, apparently in a futile attempt, that her actions had changed, if at least softened, those opinions of her. Except for being accused of being eager to usurp a role, and the accusation having come from Kurt: that had blindsided her.

And at least if she were staying with Shelby, she could go out with Jesse at will without having to explain anything to either of her roommates.

Although Shelby would probably have an opinion.

Rachel wondered what Shelby would have to say about her and Jesse dating again, since they've never really talked about it. Rachel had figured, and had been confirmed by Jesse, that Shelby had sent Jesse to infiltrate New Directions for her, but neither of them were sure as to the context of said espionage. And she'd never felt comfortable enough with Shelby to ask the older woman about it. She knew that Shelby had seen Jesse as a protégé, and that Jesse had looked to his show choir director as a mentor, almost as a parental figure. But Jesse had admitted, after he'd returned to Ohio after leaving UCLA, that he had stopped being in communication with Shelby Corcoran; Rachel had figured that it had been a simple matter of graduation and moving to different states, but considering they were both currently in New York and neither seemed to be in touch with the other, Rachel suspected there might be something else going on.

The ring of her cellphone interrupted her reverie, and she pulled out her phone to answer it, without checking the Caller ID. "Rachel Berry's phone."

"You moved out?" Was Quinn's incredulous greeting.

"Temporarily." Rachel replied calmly, for some reason not even surprised that Quinn already knew. "Who told you?"

"Brittany. She heard it from Santana. When was this? What happened? Why did you move out?"

"This morning. It just did. And, long story."

"Well, tell me."

"Officially, I'll be in rehearsals until late at night and I chose to stay somewhere closer to school."

"And unofficially?"

"I don't want to have to live with Kurt and Santana just now."

A pause, then Quinn's voice was steely as she asked the next question. "What did they do?"

"It's fine, Quinn."

"Rachel, I know we wouldn't even be friends if you weren't such a forgiving person, but let me be incensed for you. What did they do?"

Rachel sighed. "It's a long story, but the short of it is that Claire is taking over as lead dancer for one performance of the show we were preparing for instead of another girl, who is in show choir with Kurt."

Quinn sighed, as well. Rachel had told her about the show she and Claire had been joining rehearsals for, so she knew about some of the dynamics at play, which was the only reason why she knew better than to just take the story at face value. "Tale as old as time."

"True as it can be," Rachel agreed.

There was a brief pause, interrupted by a small beep on Rachel's phone that told her she had received a new message, which she momentarily ignored. She waited instead for Quinn's line of inquiry regarding the whole matter, since, as she already knew, it didn't sound good for Claire when put on simplest terms.

"So you've made up with Claire?" Quinn asked instead.

"What? Oh! Oh, yes." Rachel couldn't help but grin. "It was all very farcical in its misunderstanding, Jane Austen would be proud."

"That's great. I know you didn't want to have to give her up as a friend."

"Oh, and we actually are friends! Isn't that great?" Rachel enthused.

"Is that where you're staying?" Quinn asked. "Brittany didn't say."

"I'm staying with Shelby."

"That should be fun."

"She asked me if I had lunch money, so at the very least I know I'll be financially secure and well-fed."

Quinn laughed. "There you go."

Rachel slowed once she entered the NYADA campus. "Wait, why were you talking to Brittany?"

"She called Santana because Santana was her ride to school for years, and forgot that's not the case anymore; they got to talking about college, with Santana telling her she should move to New York after graduation, but Britt isn't sure she wants to do that but doesn't know how to say that to Santana. Britt called me to ask me what her options could be, and I said you used to say dance studios would love to have someone like her, and she said something about you having hooked up with a guy named Ship."

"What?"

"You jumped ship." Quinn translated Brittany-speak.

Rachel paused, and started to giggle uncontrollably. "Oh my God."

"Yeah, it took me a second, too." Quinn admitted. "Your Twitter feed didn't say anything, though, and Facebook was quiet, so I figured you were fine, but, you know, I was worried."

"Well, I'm fine." Rachel assured her, touched by Quinn's concern. "Kurt and Santana didn't say much of anything I haven't already heard."

"In that case I'm sorry you ever had to hear that much in the first place."

"We're fine, Quinn," Rachel reassured her. "We're not in high school anymore and Kurt and Santana's attacks probably would still be coming even if you never made me a target."

"I can take Santana." Quinn declared suddenly. "And I'm sure Kurt's easy to take down."

Rachel laughed. "I don't condone violence, Quinn."

"But it would be so gratifying." Quinn objected.

Rachel laughed some more. "I appreciate the thought, but I'll be fine. I have to get to rehearsals, though, so I'll talk to you later?"

"Okay." Quinn agreed. "Then you can tell me the long version of the story of why you moved out and I can tell you about how annoying lacrosse players are."

"Prepare your stories," Rachel finally reached the dance studio and was relieved to see Amy and Claire inside doing stretches, with the former on the floor and the latter on the barre. She had been worried that her ignored text was from either of them, telling her rehearsals had been moved or something similar, and would definitely have made her late. This morning was just supposed to be the four of them with Marco again, just to touch base before they joined the rest of the group that evening, so Rachel didn't feel as threatened by the prospect of facing Ms. July. "Tell me about your day, and I'll tell you all about how I made up with Jesse."

"Wait, what?"

"Later, Quinn!"

"Rachel!"

"I have to go."

"I bet you do." Quinn grumbled. "Call me later."

"'Bye, Quinn." Rachel said happily, because she happily acknowledged that she, Rachel Berry, was telling her close friend Quinn Fabray that she had made up with her boyfriend, Jesse St. James.

Not such a loser, after all.

Rachel entered the studio, and greeted the two dancers, who greeted her back. She placed her bag near Claire and Amy's, and glanced at her phone.

It was from Shelby. Have a good day at school.

It was ridiculous. It was almost absurd that this was their relationship, but it did wonders for her resolve to give Shelby an honest chance this time around, since her mother was clearly trying.

Tuesday, despite her unexpected relocation, was turning out to be a pleasant surprise.