-Chaoter 42-Regionals part 1-

-Rachel pov-

It is finally competition day. This is our next step toward nationals. This is our next step toward winning it all. I can feel it all coming together finally.

I mean it feels better now that I have my full song done. It's better than the other one I tried.

-flashback-Rachel singing-

You've got just one egg

You're not going to make an omelette

Flying just one way

You're not going to make a jet set

Sister, brother, wherefore art thou?

No need for bunk beds in my bedroom now

Oh, damn you, dads

Why did you settle for only me?

I'm an only child

More than enough for them, but not enough for me

Only child, only child, only child

The only Berry on my family tree

"I do not believe I should be feeling this attacked but I do" I look at my dad who seems more there than my daddy beside him "Uhh Quinn?"

"Nope I am not getting into this one" Quinn turns into a bat and starts flying away 'I am going to enjoy some upside down time'

"Santana?" My other mate turns and runs away "What is the point of mates again?"

"Sweetheart we did not just settle for you" Daddy sighs before going on "We wanted another child but things happened"

"I happened" Jamie sits up some from her spot "Some of my emails threatened to find any willing participant for them to have another child and..well I could have been arrested for what I sent"

"Remind me to go through my emails" Mom sighs and looks at me "Rachel this has to be personal if you truly want the spot"

"Give me the spot I have it" They look skeptical and I give the best determined face I can "I promise I am up to it"

"Alright" Mom gives her nod of acceptance "I will give it to you"

-Present day-

The warblers have come out and the music knocks me out of my thoughts. I talked with Kurt earlier and got him excited again. We are back to 100% friends again..or so I believe.

He looks at me as it begins and I give a thumbs up.

(Lyrics from genius)

[KURT]

The power lines went out

And I am all alone

But I don't really care, at all

Not answering my phone

[BLAINE]

All the games you played

The promises you made

Couldn't finish what you started

Only darkness still remains

[BLAINE & KURT]

Lost sight

Couldn't see

When it was you and me

Blow the candles out

Looks like a solo tonight

I'm beginning to see the light

Blow the candles out

Looks like a solo tonight

But I think I'll be alright

[KURT (with BLAINE)]

Been (Black and blue before)

There's no need to explain

I am not the jaded kind

Playback's such a waste

[KURT with BLAINE]

You're invisible

Invisible to me

My wish is coming true

Erase the memory of your face

[BLAINE & KURT]

Lost sight

Couldn't see

When it was you and me

Blow the candles out

Looks like a solo tonight

I'm beginning to see the light

Blow the candles out

Looks like a solo tonight

But I think I'll be alright

[KURT with BLAINE]

One day

You will wake up

With nothing but "Your sorry's"

[BLAINE]

And someday

You will get back

[BLAINE with KURT]

Everything you gave me

[BLAINE & KURT]

Blow the candles out

Looks like a solo tonight

I'm beginning to see the light

[KURT (BLAINE)]

Blow the candles out (The candles out)

Looks like a solo (Solo tonight) tonight

[BLAINE & KURT]

But I think I'll be alright

Everyone applauds and I stand up as I cheer. They sound so amazing together! I can not wait to sing with my girls like that! The music changes and now Blaine is up by himself.

(Lyrics from genius)

[BLAINE (with THE WARBLERS)]

Right right, turn off the lights

We gonna lose our minds tonight

(What's the dealio?)

I love when it's all too much

5 AM turn the radio up

(Where's the rock and roll?)

Party crasher, panty snatcha'

Call me up if you are gangsta'

Don't be fancy

Just get dancy

Why so serious?

[BLAINE with THE WARBLERS]

So raise your glass if you are wrong

In all the right ways

All my underdogs, we will never be, never be

Anything but loud

And nitty gritty dirty little freaks

Won't you come on, and come on, and

Raise your glass!

Just come on and come and

Raise your glass!

[BLAINE (with THE WARBLERS)]

Slam slam oh hot damn

What part of party don't you understand?

(Wish you'd just freak out)

Can't stop coming in hot

I should be locked up right on the spot

(It's so on right now)

Party crasher, panty snatcha'

Call me up if you a gangsta'

Don't be fancy

Just get dancy

Why so serious?

[BLAINE with THE WARBLERS]

So raise your glass if you are wrong

In all the right ways

All my underdogs, we will never be, never be

Anything but loud

And nitty gritty dirty little freaks

Won't you come on, and come on, and

Raise your glass!

Just come on and come and

Raise your glass!

Just come on and come on and

Raise your glass!

Just come on and come and

Raise your glass!

[BLAINE]

My glass is empty...

That sucks!

So if you're too school for cool

And you're treated like a fool

[THE WARBLERS]

(Like a fool)

[BLAINE]

You could choose to let it go

[THE WARBLERS]

(Let it go)

[BLAINE]

We can always, we can always

Party on our own...

[BLAINE with THE WARBLERS, (BLAINE)]

So raise your

So raise your glass (glass) if you are wrong

In all the right ways

All my underdogs, we will never be, never be

Anything but loud

And nitty gritty dirty little freaks

(So raise your) So raise your glass if you are wrong

In all the right ways

All my underdogs, (oh we we) we will never be never be!

Anything but loud

And nitty gritty dirty little freaks

(Won't you come on! and come on! and)

Raise your glass!

(Just come on and come on and)

Raise your glass!

(Won't you come on! and come on! and)

Raise your glass!

(For me)

Just come on and come on and

Raise your glass!

(For me)

Everyone is standing as they applaud now. The warblers are definitely going to be tricky to beat. I am always up for a challenge though. It makes winning so much more better to do!

We make our way from our seats to the backstage area. We hug the warblers as they pass by. I turn toward the stage and take a deep breath. This is my moment to shine here.

"Rach" I turn and see Quinn standing behind me "You got this ok? You are the star"

"She's right" Mercedes gives a genuine smile "You are the star out there..tonight at least! We will have our Oscar battle while you fight Kurt for the Tony later"

"I can not wait for that moment" I give Mercedes a big hug "I am glad we have come so far"

"I am too" We pull apart and she points to the stage "Now go!"

I nod and rush out to my spot. All of my emotion has to go into this now. Nothing can hold me back. I have to get this right.

I guess that makes sense for the song huh?

(Lyrics from genius)

[RACHEL]

What have I done? I wish I could run

Away from this ship goin' under

Just tryin' to help, hurt everyone else

Now I feel the weight of the world is on my shoulders

What can you do when your good isn't good enough

And all that you touch tumbles down?

Cause my best intentions keep makin' a mess of things

I just wanna fix it somehow

But how many times will it take?

Oh, how many times will it take for me to get it right?

To get it right

Can I start again with my faith shaken?

'Cause I can't go back and undo this

I just have to stay and face my mistakes

But if I get stronger and wiser, I'll get through this

What can you do when your good isn't good enough

And all that you touch tumbles down?

Cause my best intentions keep makin' a mess of things

I just wanna fix it somehow

But how many times will it take?

Oh, how many times will it take for me to get it right?

So I throw up my fist, throw a punch in the air

And accept the truth that sometimes life isn't fair

Yeah, I'll send out a wish, yeah, I'll send up a prayer

And finally someone will see how much I care

What can you do when your good isn't good enough

And all that you touch tumbles down?

Oh, my best intentions keep makin' a mess of things

I just wanna fix it somehow

But how many times will it take?

Oh, how many times will it take to get it right?

To get it right

Everyone applauds and I let out a smile. They really enjoyed my song! I finally did it right! I am on my way to stardom starting now!

I am soon joined by the club as our group song begins to play.

(Lyrics from genius)

[RACHEL & SANTANA]

Yeah, you may think that I'm a zero (Huh)

But hey, everyone you wanna be

Probably started off like me

You may say that I'm a freak show (I don't care)

But hey, give it just a little time

I bet you're gonna change your mind

[RACHEL & FINN]

All of the dirt you've been throwin' my way

It ain't so hard to take, that's right

Cause I know one day you'll be screaming my name

And I'll just look away, that's right

[NEW DIRECTIONS]

Just go ahead and hate on me and run your mouth

So everyone can hear

Hit me with the worst you've got and knock me down

Baby, I don't care

Keep it up and soon enough you'll figure out

You wanna be, you wanna be a loser like me

A loser like me

[FINN & BRITTANY]

Push me up against the locker

And hey, all I do is shake it off

I'll get you back when I'm your boss

I'm not thinkin' 'bout you haters

Cause, hey, I could be a superstar

I'll see you when you wash my car

[RACHEL & FINN]

All of the dirt you've been throwin' my way

It ain't so hard to take, that's right

Cause I know one day you'll be screaming my name

And I'll just look away, that's right

[NEW DIRECTIONS]

Just go ahead and hate on me and run your mouth

So everyone can hear

Hit me with the worst you've got and knock me down

Baby, I don't care

Keep it up and soon enough you'll figure out

You wanna be, you wanna be a loser like me

A loser like me

A loser like me

[BRITTANY & NEW DIRECTIONS]

Hey you over there

Keep the L up, up in the air

Hey you over there

Keep the L up, cause I don't care

You can throw your sticks

And you can throw your stones

Like a rocket, just watch me go

Yeah L-O-S-E-R, I can only be who I are

[NEW DIRECTIONS]

Just go ahead and hate on me and run your mouth (Yeah)

So everyone can hear

Hit me with the worst you've got and knock me down

Baby, I don't care

Keep it up and soon enough you'll figure out

You wanna be, you wanna be a loser like me

Just go ahead and hate on me and run your mouth (Yeah)

So everyone can hear

Hit me with the worst you've got and knock me down

Baby, I don't care

Keep it up and soon enough you'll figure out

You wanna be, you wanna be a loser like me

(A loser like me)

A loser like me

(A loser like me)

A loser like me

Everyone is giving us a standing ovation and I can not fight the huge smile. We take our bows and head to the green room. Now we have to wait for the judges to talk. It will be close between us and the warblers.

But I am proud that we all left it out there. No matter what I am proud of what we did today.