Rachel's POV:
Shelby didn't work us as hard at rehearsal as she usually did. I think that was in part because this was just a public appearance and not a competition where judges were watching and making note of each and every mistake. I think it also had to do with the fact that she wanted to spend time with me as much as she possibly could.
"Okay, that's a wrap! Everyone front and center so we can go over details." Shelby said as we finished our last run before event day.
"I can't believe we're done." Brody said as he walked up behind me and I shrugged.
"We're done for today, that doesn't mean that we're done, done." I stated and he laughed a little.
"That's true."
"Stop the talking and listen up!" Shelby snapped bringing the attention of the group back to her.
"We need to be at the location of the Mayor's party tomorrow at 1pm sharp. That does not mean that you are just arriving at one, that means that you are set on stage ready to do a full run by one, is that clear?" Shelby asked and we all nodded as we verbally responded.
"Yes Ma'am." The team said and Shelby smirked.
"Good. You also need to grab your outfit for tomorrow night before you leave today. Any outfit left behind will be brought to you tomorrow by me, but believe me you do not want to be the person who has to ask me for their outfit at the event tomorrow." Shelby said.
"I made that mistake once." Brody said and I laughed.
"No way. What did she do?" I asked and he groaned.
"She didn't do anything that day but when we got back she made me regret it dearly. I couldn't feel my legs for the following three days." Brody said and I believed him.
"Well, then I suggest you go and grab your outfit then." I said as the rack of clothes were wheeled out on the stage and flocks of students went about finding their outfit.
"So things seem better with you and Jesse." Brody said as we waited in line to get near the rack of clothes.
"I wouldn't say that things are better but we know where each other stands at the moment and we are able to work together." I said and Brody smirked.
"From the looks of that duet it looks like you two have more than just an understanding." Brody said and I rolled my eyes.
"Believe me, that is just acting." I stated.
"For you it may be, but for him that is not the case." Brody said and I knew he was right. I just kept thinking about everything that Jesse had said at the first rehearsal and sighed.
"Be that as it may, he knows how I feel and he said that he would respect that." I stated, ending all conversation.
When I finally got my outfit for the performance I made my way over to Shelby and waited for the auditorium to clear out before she made her final check to make sure we had everything before we left to go home.
"So you know that tomorrow I will be attending the event as a guest, right?" Shelby asked and I nodded. It wasn't like this was the first time that she was telling me this. In fact she had mentioned this fact so many times I felt like vomiting at the mere repetition of this knowledge.
"Yes, and I know that I will have to get ready between rehearsal and the performance with the rest of the team. We've gone over this quite a few times." I snapped, not really feeling like talking to anyone at the moment.
"Good, but I would appreciate you answering me without so much attitude." Shelby replied and I rolled my eyes.
"It's just annoying that we keep going over the same thing again and again. I know that you are a guest okay? It's not like you have to rub that fact in every few minutes. I think you told the team like ten times today, we get it." I roughly replied, watching as Shelby tightened her grip on the steering wheel.
"I'm sorry but you know that I like to make sure that my instructions are clear so that when and if you break my rules it's not because you didn't understand what I said." Shelby abruptly replied and I knew that it would be best for me to stop while I was ahead with this argument.
"Okay, sorry." I softly spoke, seeming to ease Shelby's death grip ever so slightly.
"Because it's going to be a late night I was thinking that we would just eat whatever left overs we have in the fridge so I don't have to throw out a lot of food. Are you packed for New York?" Shelby asked and I nodded.
"I just have to put my brush and things in my suitcase, but yeah." I said as she nodded.
"Good, then we have one less thing to do. Make sure that you have a bag for clothes you want to change into before our flight because if you don't you will be flying to New York in your costume and as much as I love the costumes for this program they aren't that comfortable." Shelby said and I had to agree with her.
"I will make sure to pack something and take it with me tomorrow." I said and she nodded.
"Bryan is swinging by to grab our suitcases while we are at rehearsal so everything has to be packed or with you before we leave tomorrow." Shelby said and I smiled.
"I can't believe that we are spending Christmas in New York, it's like a dream." I said and she smiled.
"I'm just glad you aren't upset about missing your first Christmas in our new house." She said and I shrugged.
"There is always next year, plus it doesn't matter where we are as long as I am with you." I said causing Shelby to break out into the biggest smile ever.
"Some times you are too much." Shelby said as she pulled into our driveway.
When we got into the house we went about finishing up the last of the household chores that we had left to do. I had to finish cleaning my room and bathroom while Shelby worked on cleaning the downstairs. Luckily we hadn't used the basement recently so Shelby thought that we could get away with not cleaning that part of the house. I just found it weird that Shelby wanted to go about deep cleaning our house right before we went away for vacation. I mean who were we cleaning for? I tried to reason with Shelby but that was a bad idea and I figured that if cleaning made her happy then we would just do it.
Cleaning my room was the most mundane task in the world. We just had a long rehearsal where my mind melted in my skull and now I was being forced to go through the mind numbing task of picking up everything that I had tossed on my floor in the past two weeks. I knew that it was exactly two weeks as well because that was the last time that Shelby lost her mind and wanted the entire house clean to her expectations, which were stupid high.
"Do you have any last minute laundry?" Shelby asked as she walked into my room with her laundry basket.
"All that." I said pointing to the pile of clothes by the door.
"Rachel you cannot just clean your room by putting all your clothes in the wash. I need you to hang up the clothes that are clean and then only give me what is dirty." Shelby barked and I sighed.
"At this point they have been all sitting in a pile together for at least a day, that makes them all dirty by association doesn't it?" I asked and Shelby gave me a small glare as she picked up all my clothes piling them into the basket.
"This does not happen next time, is that clear?" Shelby asked and I nodded.
"Got it."
"Oh-" Shelby said with a smile before she left. "Because you seem to like hanging your clothes up, you get to fold and hang this entire load when it's done." Shelby said as she exited the room and I groaned as I fell back onto my bed.
With the pile of clothes out of the way, cleaning the rest of the room was rather easy. I finished cleaning my bathroom and then I collected all the hangers I could find and a book before I made my way down to the laundry room so I could wait. Normally I would have waited in the living room but I knew that Shelby was cleaning in there at the moment and I had learned the hard way not to get in the way when she was cleaning.
I sat on top of the washer as I waited. When the washer stopped, I moved the clothes to the dryer and took my place back on top of the appliance, just waiting so I could finish my torture.
I was able to get a few chapter of reading done before the dryer stopped and I hopped off and went about folding and hanging up all the laundry that was in the dryer. It would have just been easier to have folded and put them away the first time rather than have twice as much to do at one time.
"All done?" Shelby asked as she walked into the laundry room with her empty laundry basket.
"Yeah, I just finished. Is there anything else to do?" I asked silently praying that there wasn't.
"Have you packed? And by that I mean like absolutely everything? After tomorrow morning there is no changing anything that you packed." Shelby said and I nodded.
"I finished when I was done cleaning my room and I am sure about everything that I packed." I stated and Shelby sighed.
"Then I guess there is nothing left. Let's go eat and then I think we can call it a night." Shelby said and I smiled as I followed her into the kitchen where she went about pulling out the three containers of leftovers that we had stashed in the fridge.
I went for the Chinese while Shelby went for the left overs of the food that she had cooked a few days ago.
"So you and Jesse are performing really well together, what's changed?" Shelby asked and I paused for a moment.
"We're talking which I actually missed. I think that if Jesse and I didn't jump right into a relationship the last time things never would have ended so badly and I wouldn't be so confused right now. It's nice to be able to talk to him again, he really does understand me, but I've made it clear that we are just friends." I said and Shelby nodded.
"That's good and I am glad to hear all of that. You and Jesse really are very similar and I agree with you that if you didn't rush into things with Jesse your relationship would have been a lot different." Shelby said as she took her food and walked into the living room.
"Wait, are we eating in there?" I asked, knowing that after all the cleaning she had just done, we should be eating at the table, not on the couch.
"Yeah, unless you would prefer to sit at the table." Shelby said and I shrugged as I took my food and followed her into the other room.
After dinner I did the dishes and then Shelby and I both went about getting ready for bed. Normally it would have been hard for me to sleep with how excited I was about going to New York the following day but I knew better. I knew that in order to get through tomorrow's performance and on the plane to New York, I needed to be well rested. However no matter what I tried I could not find rest. All I could do was toss and turn, there was no comfortable position in my bed.
"Can't sleep?" I heard Shelby ask and I sat up and looked at her.
"No. I'm trying to sleep but I just can't." I whined and Shelby smiled.
"Come on." She said as she left, heading towards her room and within seconds I was right behind her jumping into her bed.
"Are you sure about this?" I asked as I crawled up to the pillow next to her.
"Rachel, when are you going to realize that I don't do anything I don't want to do. I want you here, now lay down." Shelby said as she pulled my arms out from under me and I fell into her.
"Mean." I whispered as I cuddled into her chest.
"Yeah, yeah, now go to sleep." Shelby said before she planted a kiss on my head and then started to stroke my hair.
I could feel myself melt under her touch. I had craved this sort of attention from someone for so long and I was just thrilled that it was my mother giving it to me. It only took a matter of minutes for me to fall asleep this time, only to be rudely woken up by my mother's alarm clock.
"Turn it off." I mumbled only to feel Shelby laugh beneath me.
"I would, but you are sort of on top of me." Shelby said and I sighed as I opened my eyes and reached for the alarm clock, only to come up a few inches short.
"Can't reach, too short." I stated before I felt myself being dumped off my mother onto the bed as the annoying beeping sound stopped.
"Don't worry about it, I got it." Shelby said and I sent her a small glare.
"I noticed." I said with a slight whine.
"What's wrong?" She asked as she stroked some hair out of my face.
"Nothing, I just don't see why we have to be up so early when we don't have to be at the event until like noon." I said and Shelby just placed a kiss on the top of my head.
"Because we have a lot to do before we have to be there, that's why." Shelby said before she got off the bed and made her way to the bedroom door.
"But mom!" I whined and Shelby walked over to the bed, knelt down, and kissed my forehead.
"I really don't get tired of hearing you say that." She said with a smile before she stood up. "I'm heading downstairs for coffee, and you need to get up." Shelby said before she turned and left.
I contemplated getting up, I really did. The bed however was very comfortable and my spot, well Shelby's spot, was still warm. I really didn't even know that I had fallen back asleep until I felt the bed dip and I felt Shelby's hand stroking my hair.
"This was not what I had in mind when I told you to get up." She said softly and I sighed nuzzling into her hand.
"I'm up." I mumbled.
"Rachel, I really do need you to get up. Come on." Shelby said as she slowly lifted me out of the bed and into a standing position next to the bed.
"It's so early." I complained.
"It's nine thirty, it was early about an hour and a half ago when I got up, now you're just being lazy. Go shower and get ready, I'll have pancakes ready for you when you're done." Shelby said with a light swat to my butt as she sent me off towards the bathroom.
I really hated to get up, however the warm shower was a nice welcome back to the land of the living. I took my time with the shower and by the time I was out and dressed, I could smell the warm pancakes that were waiting for me downstairs.
"It's about time that you came down." Shelby said as she placed a plate of pancakes in front of me.
"Sorry, the shower just felt so good it was hard to leave." I said as I dug into the small pile in front of me.
"Yeah. So your hair needs to be done, make up probably should be done before rehearsal-"
"Can we not talk about things concerning VA right now? I know that this is important to you and I promise I will get everything done that needs to be done, but at this current moment I just want to have breakfast with my mom, not my vocal coach."
"Good because your vocal coach doesn't really want to have breakfast with you either." Shelby joked.
Shelby and I talked through breakfast, and after the dishes were finished, Shelby and I headed up to her bathroom so she could do my hair for tonight.
"Don't pull so hard." I complained as Shelby yanked my hair with her brush for what seemed like the thousandth time.
"Well if you brushed your hair after you got out of the shower we wouldn't have this problem now would we?" Shelby asked, finally dislodging her brush from my hair.
"If you didn't choose such a complicated hairstyle, we wouldn't be having this problem." I remarked.
"Just stop talking and let me finish." Shelby said and I sighed as I shut my mouth and let her do her work.
As much as her pulling my hair hurt, I did like the fact that someone was doing my hair. Even when my dads were alive I was always the one who had to do my own hair and it was nice to finally have someone there to do it for me.
"There, all finished." Shelby said and I had to admit that it did look good, and it was going to look even better when I was in costume.
"Thanks." I said as I got up and glanced at the clock in her room which Shelby noticed.
"We have to leave in half an hour. Go get some clothes for the flight, grab your costume and your makeup and head downstairs." Shelby said, finally switching back into coach mode.
I did as she asked and sooner than I would have liked, we were in the car and on the way to the dress rehearsal. Now I was just stuck counting down the time until I was on a plane on the way to New York.
Thankfully there was no late comers to rehearsal and we were able to run everything a few times to Shelby's standards before she dismissed us to go finish getting ready. We had to be in places and ready to go at five meaning that we had just shy of two hours to eat, do make up, and get dressed before it was show time.
"So, you ready for tonight?" Brody asked and I shrugged.
"Is anybody ever ready for a performance?" I replied and he smiled.
"No, especially not one where your mother is an invited guest and she will kill anyone who messes up." Brody said and I nodded.
"I agree, though she has been in a rather good mood lately. I think it's just because she doesn't have to deal with stupid kids all day before going to rehearsal."
"Oh, so you moved out?" Brody joked and I rolled my eyes.
"Whatever, I'm going to grab something to eat, you want something?" I asked as I got up to walk over to where there was food prepared for the team.
"Nah, I ate a big lunch so I'm good for now." Brody said and I nodded as I left to grab food.
"Hey Rach." Jesse said as he saw me in the food line and I smiled.
"Hey." I said, not really sure what to do now.
"So, do you have plans for Christmas tomorrow?" Jesse asked and I nodded.
"Shelby and I are flying out to New York tonight. Tomorrow I wake up in the city for Christmas." I said with a smile.
"That sounds perfect for you two. I hope you guys have fun." Jesse said.
"I'm sure we will. I don't know what exactly Shelby has planned but it should be pretty fantastic. She doesn't do anything small."
"That's true. So tonight should be fun." Jesse said and I shook my head.
"Yeah, that's what I call this. I don't know I just don't think that this is the most fun thing in the world."
"Well, the good news is that all of this is almost over." Jesse said as he grabbed a sandwich.
"Yeah, we only have to get through the singing part now." I joked earning a small chuckle from Jesse.
"I promise I will try my best to make that part as painless as possible for you."
"You better. I already went through enough pain with this damn hairstyle." I said.
"Well you look beautiful so all that pain you went through was worth it." Jesse stated and I couldn't help but blush.
"Thanks. Brody's waiting for me, so I gotta-"
"I'll see you in a little bit." Jesse said and I nodded as I walked off back to where Brody was waiting.
Brody and I hung out for a while until I had to go do my makeup and change so that I was ready for the performance.
Once everything was taken care of it was time for us to take our places and soon enough Jesse and I were singing in front of a crowd of people. It was strange but the night actually didn't seem to last that long. The mayor gave us many compliments through out the night and Shelby was even recognized for an award. Although as soon as we were dismissed from the stage I was so excited to change and head to the airport.
Shelby met me backstage and then we both ran out to where Brian was waiting in his car in order to rush us to the airport. Jennifer went ahead and drove our car back to their house as Shelby and I crammed into Brian's truck. Shelby was rambling on and on about the flight and the trip and all I kept thinking was that this was actually happening.
It was like I was in a trance as I walked through the airport. I knew what I was doing but at the same time I couldn't believe that this was happening. It all seemed like it was happening so fast, not that I was unhappy about that. I just think that this was the first time in forever that someone was taking me somewhere because that was what I wanted.
"Are you excited?" Shelby asked as we waited at the gate for our flight.
"Of course I'm excited. I've only been talking about this since like forever." I said and Shelby nodded.
"You have. I just can't wait to get there." Shelby said and I nodded in agreement.
I was so tired by the time we boarded the plane. The lateness of the day was really starting to hit me and Shelby could tell.
"Rach, why don't you take a nap while we are in the air and I will wake you up before we land. It's been a long day and you are going to need your rest if you want to do all the things I have planned for us the next couple days." Shelby said, trying to reason with me.
"But I'm not that tired." I said right before a yawn gave me away.
"I promise you that I will wake you up before we land." Shelby said and I sighed knowing that I was going to have to give in to her, if not she was going to trick me into falling asleep anyway.
"Okay." I relented as I rested my head on her shoulder.
It felt like I had just fallen asleep when I felt a light shove and a light pressure on the side of my head.
"Rachel baby, we're here." I heard Shelby whisper as she pressed another kiss to the side of my head.
"Already?" I mumbled and she let out a small laugh.
"Yes, already." Shelby said and I sat up a little bit to see the New York skyline come into view as we prepared to land.
"I'm just so excited." I said turning back to Shelby.
"Merry Christmas baby girl." Shelby said and I couldn't hide my smile.
"Merry Christmas momma."
