Chapter 28

Home is where the heart is.

Rachel went back to her dorm, but one word kept buzzing into her head: HOME.

Mrs Simmons had told her to go home and everything will be alright. Rachel knew where her home was, but she didn't know if she should go back yet. She had a new life in New York, build with dreams, rehearsals, a perfect play, a lead role and a new found stardom; she was recognized in NYC, others were worshiping her talent and she had never been slushied in NYC. However, she knew that New York never was her home and could never be by itself. At this very moment, Rachel saw clearly: Home was where her Heart was.

She hoped that, someday, the big Apple would give her another chance to shine, but her home was somewhere else, her belonged to someone else.

As much as NYC was seductive with its millions of lights, beautiful people, its fame and Broadway Avenue, the city was fake's wisdom; she couldn't resort to be only a pale copy of herself. However, in Lima Ohio, she was Rachel Berry, not yet the person she wanted to be, but where she could grow, learn and share her life with real people, real friends and real love.

Her decision taken, Rachel slept for hours. When she woke up, she was sad because she hadn't seen Finn through her dreams, but she smiled thinking that, if everything was going according to her plan, she was going to be in his arms, in less than two weeks, for Nationals.

Rachel decided to take advantage of her day off. First, she called her dads to tell them to stop searching for a house buyer and for a new house in NYC. Her dads didn't know what to say when she announced them that she was coming back in Ohio. They asked her, many times, if she was sure about her decision, warning her that her decision could have big repercussions on her live and dreams. At one point, they even asked her to reconsider her decision, but Rachel didn't budge; she told them she would come back home at the end of the semester or before, if she could. They finally agreed with her decision and told her they'd wait for her call if she needed anything. She thanked them for their comprehension and hung up.

Secondly, she called at McKinley High to speak to principal Figgins. She asked him if there was a possibility for her to rejoin McKinley High before the end of the semester.

At first, Mr Figgins told her she could only come back next year. Then, Rachel told him how her re-addition to New Directions could be a winning benefit for Nationals this year, making great publicity for the school. She even added that she had heard there would be a budget increased for the winning school.

Hearing her last words, Principal Figgins told her to stay online for few minute. When he came back on the phone, he told her that her presence in New Directions would be legit at Nationals if transfer's papers were signed and dated before Nationals day and if she did her exams in McKinley High. Rachel thanked her soon-to-be principal and told him that her dads would contact him the same day to legitimate her transfer back to Lima. She told him she needed to stay a week longer. Principal Figgins accepted it and he replied that she would officially be a McKinley High student on May 24th, the day before National. He added that he also needed her file to do it. She asked for their fax number and told him that she would get it this day and had it sent to him. He gave it to her and welcomed her back to McKinley's big family. She thanked him and hung up happily. She hoped the rest of her plan would work out well.

Third, she went to the school director's office. He wasn't there at the moment and his secretary didn't know when he would be back. Determined, Rachel decided to wait. She had been waiting for 2 and a half hour when he finally arrived. He hadn't really seen her, but she apostrophized him, asking if she could see him. The school director reluctantly agreed to see her without enthusiasm. She told him that she was transferring back to her old school in a week and that she needed her file. Before he could reply anything, Rachel continued to speak, telling him she had rights, that the procedure was legal and that her dads wanted her back home.

The director kept starring at her. His face stayed emotionless. He answered her that she could go fairly, but her dads would have to pay a five hundred dollars penalty for break of contract. She answered the director that money wasn't an issue. So, he granted her request to her. The director called her secretary. He ordered her to make copies of Rachel's files and asked her to send it to McKinley High school in Lima Ohio. Rachel rose from her chair and extended her hand to the director who took it slightly and barely shook it.

Next, she went to sit on a bench nearby the director's office. There, she called her dads. She asked them to call Mr. Figgins to confirm her transfer back to McKinley High and she also mentioned the penalty for leaving earlier than expected. She offered them to take it into her trust fund, but they refused; they told her that it would be their welcome home gift. She hung up smiling, but her smile disappear when she thought about her final task and hardest; telling Mrs Simmons that her Maria was going home.

Even if Mrs Simmons had cancelled today's rehearsal the day before, Rachel knew she could find her teacher in the auditorium.

Mrs Simmons was sitting at her desk located at the left side of the stage.

Rachel walked slowly to her and accelerated mid way.

When she heard footsteps, Mrs Simmons lifted her head.

"I told you to get some sleep Ms Berry." said the teacher, bringing her nose back on her papers.

"I thought about what you told me, about home." said Rachel, shakily. "I am going home Mrs Simmons." added Rachel, even more shakily.

"You'll be going home for the summer like everyone else, Ms Berry." said her teacher, concentrated herself on her work and not looking at her student.

"No. I am going home now, I one week actually. I quit the play. That's why I am here!" said Rachel, looking at floor, afraid to lift her eyes.

"You are home Ms Berry, the stage is your home, don't ruined that for some childish illusions." said her teacher, taking her glasses off, starring at Rachel.

"I am tired to play. Don't you see that acting, faking, is exhausting me?" said Rachel, looking at her teacher. "If I was where I belong, this very instant, it wouldn't cost me so much to stand here." added Rachel, speaking frankly.

"You are not who I thought you were Ms Berry, you are not strong enough." said her teacher looking at her angrily.

"You don't know me Mrs Simmons, so how could you say who I am and what I am not." said Rachel almost shouting. "I am strong enough. I've been strong enough to fight for my dreams, to fight my emotions, to come here to face preppy New Yorkers and their factice faces, to try my best and, now, I am strong enough to go back where I belonged." Rachel said shouting.

Mrs Simmons looked at her speechless.

"This is the real me and I am going to my real life." said Rachel, calmer.

Mrs Simmons walked to her. For a minute, Rachel prepared herself for a slap, but she got a hug instead.

"We are going to miss you Rachel Berry." her teacher said, holding her close.

"Since I am leaving, I have a gift for you." said Rachel stepping back.

"A gift for me." asked her teacher surprised.

"Not directly, but it's a gift for the play." said Rachel smiling. "You need a new Maria and since I'll be long gone by the time of the premiere. I found my replacement; Anna." said Rachel, smiling to her teacher.

"Anna?" said her teacher stunned.

"Yes. She is been great and she has helped me a lot during my late night rehearsals, she knows the play as well as I do!" said Rachel, enthusiastically. "Put a brown wig on her blond hair and nobody will notice it isn't me!" said Rachel, putting her hand on her waist. "I am still here for a week; I will work day and night if it is necessary, practicing, taking care of the posters. I won't let the play down; I won't let you down." added Rachel, beginning to cry.

"This is no goodbye Ms Berry; our paths will meet again; I am never wrong." said Mrs Simmons taking her back into her arms. They part after few seconds.

Mrs Simmons told Rachel to get some rest, but to come back in shape the very next day because they were going to work really hard during the next week. Rachel promised her teacher to be best little soldier ever and left the auditorium.

Once in her dorm, she put on her pyjama and jumped into bed. She fell asleep smiling; she was going home.

The day after, Mrs Simmons told the troop there was a major change concerning Maria's part. The teacher told them that Rachel was leaving in a week, abandoning her role. Then, everybody stared at Rachel as if she was an alien lost in space. Then, Mrs Simmons announced her decision to take Anna as Rachel's successor. The blonde haired girl couldn't believe her ears. She looked at Rachel who was looking at her, smiling, tears in her eyes. Anna walked to Mrs Simmons and told her that she was going to make her proud. Next, she jumped into Rachel's arms.

Rachel helped them as much as she could to get ready for the premiere. She knew they would make it.

The day after, she called at McKinley High to speak to Mr. Shuster. He was surprised to hear her voice. A bit worried, he asked her if everything as alright. Then, Rachel broke the new and asked him if she could perform with them at Nationals. Mr. Shuster reminded silent. Rachel even thought he had hung up. He came back to his senses nearly a minute after, asking her if she was kidding. She answered that she would never joke about show choir. Mr. Shuster laughed at her last comment, recognizing the good old Rachel Berry.

Mr. Shuster welcomed her back greatly and told her that he would be more than thrilled to welcome her back in New Directions.

Rachel told him that they could meet on their arrival day in NYC and they could have a special rehearsal before the competition.

Mrs Shuster told her that they will arrive in New York on competition day, but he offered her something else. He offered her to send her the set list and rehearsal's video. That way, she would be able to practice by herself. Septic, she asked Mr. Shuster if he was sure about it because she didn't want to be the cause of them losing due to lack of unity. He reassured her not to worry about it, because, to him, the signing part was the most important. He even told her that he was going to change the set list. Now, the first number would be a mix up, sang by her and Finn. The songs would be perfect for them; he even told her that if they'd sing it as emotionally as he knew they could, they could easily steal the show. Chills were dancing on his arms as he spoke and imagined their heartfelt performance.

They finally agreed to meet at the Schubert Theatre where the competition was held about an hour before the show and hung up.

After hanging up with Mr. Shuster, she called Kurt to tell him about the new. She asked him to keep her return a secret. She also asked him if he could meet her in her school to help her with her suitcases. First, he told her that he didn't know if he could keep a secret as big as this one, but he would try and, secondly, that he would be there to pick her up the day of National's.

Furthermore, she asked him about the set list that Mr. Shuster had chosen. He told her about the songs; they were three good songs, one slow, the ballad, and two upbeat tempo song. Rachel told Kurt that Mr. Shuster was going to change the first song. Kurt wanted to know more about it so Rachel told him about the mix up idea, but informed him that she didn't know what song she would sing with Finn yet. Kurt was really enthusiast about Rachel's change of heart and her coming back home, but he knew that one person would be more thrilled than he was and he couldn't wait to see Finn's mouth dropped and heart melted when he was going to see her; sparks will fly on may 25th and the couldn't wait to witness the fireworks…