Disclaimer: I do not have any relation to Glee or any of the writers on Fox. Purely fictional.
Adam smiled at the work Lea produced. She was incredible, showing vast amounts of improvement every single time she practiced with him. When applause sounded behind him, he saw Cory standing there, more amazed than ever that she was flawless.
"You're early." He commented as he worked on her track.
"Yeah, I thought you might be free. She sounded really beautiful in that." The giant man commented, still in awe of her.
"We have a man to thank. The poor girl had her heart broken, but I guess it's because of that, she was able to put so much into this track." Adam smiled. Then, his phone started to ring and he excused himself out of the room.
Lea took off her headphones and saw that Cory had appeared in front of her. Her face went pale when Adam beckoned for her to come through. When the older man was standing in the hallway and talking on his cell, she knew she would be alone with Cory in the studio and contemplated hanging around outside. As she let herself in, she regretted her decision immediately and wanted to make a run for it.
"Lea, don't go. It's okay, we can be in the same room together."
"I don't think we can." She started towards the door only to have him stopping her.
"Do you hate me that much?"
The brunette looked into his eyes, hurt that he would say something like that. "Is that what you think?"
"I'm trying not to think. Anymore. Just doing what I have to do. You made a choice and I'm respecting you for that decision."
She took a deep breath and continued softly. "I miss you. So much. And I'm the one who mess this up. And I wish I could go back, but it's too late." When he replied her at the next second, she could feel her pulse race. For it was the first time she had heard him something as crazy as this.
"Lea, I love you. I always will."
Mustering up the courage, she said the four words that she had never said to him before, but knew it was always existent in her heart. "I love you too. But there's nothing much we can do about it though." Ryan made a point to ensure that they didn't have any contact with each other. Even if Lea was ready for this again, they knew it would be close to being impossible.
"It's just nice to know."
Just then, Adam walked in and they separated from each other. The musical producer raised his eyebrows at their close contact but brushed it off.
"Lea, you were fabulous. I think we're about done here. Cory, it's your turn now. Get in there."
"Adam, is it alright if I hang around for a bit?" Lea asked. This was the first time she had seen him in weeks and she wanted to savor every possible moment she could have with him. Even if it meant watching him from a distance.
"As long as Cory doesn't mind."
Cory took the headphones hanging from the stand and stared at the lyrics. He had practiced this song a million times but never could get it right. Somehow, when he was looking through it again, it seemed different to him today. He looked through the glass and gave Adam a thumbs up, hinting that he was ready.
Face to face and heart to heart
We're so close, yet so far apart
I close my eyes, I look away
That's just because, I'm not okay
But I hold on, I stay strong
Wondering if we still belong
Will we ever say the words we're feeling
Reach out underneath and tear down all the walls
Will we ever have our happy ending
Or will we forever, only be pretending
Will we oh oh oh oh, always be pretending
How long do I fantasize
Make believe that it's still alive
Imagine that I am good enough
And we can choose the ones we love
But I hold on, I stay strong
Wondering if we still belong
Will we ever say the words we're feeling
Reach out underneath and tear down all the walls
Will we ever have our happy ending
Or will we forever, only be pretending
Will we oh oh oh oh, always be pretending
Keeping secrets safe
Every move we make
Seems like no one's letting go
And it's such a shame
Cause if you feel the same
How am I suppose to know
Will we ever say the words we're feeling
Reach out underneath and tear down all the walls
Will we ever have our happy ending
Or will we forever, only be pretending
Will we oh oh oh oh, always
Will we oh oh oh oh, always be pretending
Lea bolted out of the room as quickly as she could. She saw him looking at her and it was like he didn't need to refer to the music sheet anymore. Cory was singing his heart out and all she could do was run away.
When Cory took the pair of headphones off, a new wave of determination hit him. He didn't even care that Lea was no longer there. He knew her well enough that she was feeling the exact same thing, but escapism was the only option she had right now. Ryan was right; they weren't ready for the entire world to know. But it didn't mean that he would stop going after his heart.
When she got home, she dropped everything she had on the floor and fell on the bed. Her album had been a sensation; giving the best kick-start she could ever ask for in her music career. But as fulfilling as it sounds, she knew that something was missing. Who was she kidding? She knew what it was. Or to be more specific, she knew who it was. She fumbled for her phone in her pocket and fingered the wallpaper she never had the courage to delete. And as though the telepathic forces of the earth knew what she was thinking, his image popped up.
"Cory?"
He smiled at the sound of her voice. He didn't know what to say, didn't know why did he make the call. All he knew was that he wanted to hear her.
"Hey Lee. Are you busy?"
"Not really. I just got home."
"Oh cool. So it's okay if we talk for a bit? I know Ryan said we couldn't have anything going on. But it doesn't mean that we can't talk to each other."
"You mean friends? Platonic?"
Cory smiled as he thought to himself. Uh huh, we'll be friends alright. "Totally."
She knew the teasing tone in his voice if she heard it, but it was a fact that there was nothing else they could do. "Okay, so what's up Cor?"
"Nothing. Hey, I never got to congratulate you on your debut album. You sound amazing, as always."
She blushed at his compliment. "Thanks Cory." She replied softly.
"I'm serious. When I heard you sing in the studio a few weeks back, I knew that you were going to be a hit."
"Well, yeah. I guess. I have you to thank for. Without you, it wouldn't have been possible."
"That's because you were good enough." Then he continued gently, "I miss you babe."
She exhaled slowly before speaking up. "Cory, please. Don't make it any more difficult than it already is."
"Is it? Because the last time I checked, you missed me too. And I'm pretty damn sure that you were clear of your feelings for me."
"Yeah well, that was something that we shouldn't have done. But it happened. And now we can't do anything about this but move on."
"Lee, you still love me don't you?"
Her landline started to ring and she knew she had to go. But before she hung up, she asked slowly but surely.
"Have I ever stopped?"
When she clicked off, his mom's words circled in his head.
"If you two were meant for each other, it would happen even though you don't necessarily see any hope for it now."
He let out a small smile. Time would tell.
"Why now?"
"I miss you, and it's been a while. I thought it would be good to you know, catch up."
"You left me, remember?" Then, Lea hung up, stunned and unsure. So what's next? Her heart grew with uncertainties as she thought about the call she just received.
He's back.
Chapter 29! And chapter 30 would be uploaded probably an hour later, so stay tune for more! Just when I thought I was nearly done with the story, an idea popped into my head! So I hope you're not bored of it yet, because I'm pumped up to write at least 3 more chapters than expected! :') Reference to a little heart-breaking scene from the Raven film, "Revenge of the Bridesmaids"! I hope you'll love it! And of course Pretending, the obvious Monchele theme song! :') Have an awesome time!
Finchel21, PaochiCute and tazziemae, awwww! You sweet sweet things! I didn't have any soup, but had some gruel! (Basically rice that has been boiled over an hour or two. Being Asian and all, it's not as bad as it sounds!) Was definitely thinking of the three of you while I was eating though! Thanks for the love, I feel myself getting better already!
Gleepotter, omgosh, your energy is just hitting the roof now isn't it? I hope you had an awesome Halloween, spooking people and all! The next chapter would probably make you happier than this one had, but still hoping you'll have fun and enjoy!
Honoursarah, noro and finchel-frankenberry-gleek, HAI HAI HAI! Loving that you guys want me to continue! And to finchel-frankenberry-gleek, you aren't the first person to request for a sequel! I haven't really thought of any continuation, but I guess now that you've asked, I might consider that idea! Focusing on Stay beautiful, then maybe its time for a new story :D
And of course, A BIG WARM WELCOME to SparkleInTheSun! I love your username by the way! Thank you for your compliment, really. To have someone as awesome as you commenting with such words, it is just amazing. Stick around, and I'll try to live up to at least half of your expectations! :')
