Here it is, chapter 3!
This is going to help set the "problem" for Sam. Rachel's problem will be shown in the next chapter.
Thank you for all the reviews and story alerts/favourites :) I'm glad you like the story so far!
Also, I'd like to say: Happy New Year! It's new year's eve for me right now, but might as well say it now, right? :)
I hope you all have a great year, make it yours!
Disclaimer: Don't own Glee.
Rachel would be lying if she said she hadn't thought about Sam every day for the whole week. She'd also be lying if she said she isn't looking forward to seeing Sam Evans again.
She steps out of the car, almost falling on her butt, but luckily a certain rocker blond comes up behind her to catch her in the last second. She utters a thank you, feeling as grateful as she is embarrassed. He gives her his signature smile, filled with schoolboy innocence and charm, and they walk into the building together, Rachel's arm nearly tucked under his.
They both feel strange, awkward butterflies in their stomachs, but their lips curl upwards involuntarily.
Patty greets them with her broad smile, showing her perfect white teeth, and eyes their interlocked arms. She winks at them and gives them an organized schedule of the tasks they'll be doing.
"You've given me hope, Rachel Berry", Patty remarks.
First up: chopping vegetables. Sam fetches the cutting boards while Rachel washes the carrots and potatoes.
They work in comfortable silence for 10 minutes until the question that's been haunting Rachel slips out. She's never been known to keep things to herself anyways.
"Sam, why didn't you want to come back to McKinley?"
The question sets something off inside Sam. His facial features contort, and he pauses what he's doing.
"I told you, I wanted some change"
"I see"
"Ok, what's that supposed to mean?"
"Well, with the new bad-boy rocker look and added attitude, it's clear you've made quite a change"
Rachel holds her head high, trying to maintain ground. Why is he so sensitive about this subject?
Sam relaxes, takes in a breath, and apologizes.
"I'm sorry, Rach. I just, I don't want to talk about McKinley or my new look. People change. Please understand"
Rachel nods lightly, and they both carry on chopping. In an effort to alleviate tension, Sam playfully throws a carrot square by Rachel's feet, to which she gasps, picks it up, and throws it back.
They laugh, truly laugh for the first time ever. For the first time in a while for both of them.
Small talk, a few chuckles, and some heart palpitations later, the awkwardness is completely gone.
That's when Rachel decides to take another chance.
"Sam, if I may ask-"
"Rach..."
"No, it's not about... That. I'm just wondering, why are you here?"
"To help", he offers back with an obvious smile.
"But, why?"
"Well, after being practically homeless and knowing what it's like to truly starve and work immensely hard just for a mediocre meal, I promised myself I'd help people like me, those in need, if I ever could. No one should feel like I did,"
Rachel's heart skips a beat at the sparkle that forms in his eyes as he speaks. Honest and comforting.
"Then my dad got his old job back, and suddenly we're better than ok. I didn't waste a second to sign up here and help out. I keep my promises, you know"
"I know, I remember."
She offers him a smile, remembering the time he kept his word to Kurt, promising to sing a duet with him, even though Finn told him not to. They didn't end up singing together, but at least Sam had the good intention.
"Anyways, what about you?"
"My intentions were selfish at first, to use this in my resume, to help out when applying to top collages, but there's something about this place that I fell in love with."
Sam gives her an understanding nod. He knows. He feels it too.
They finish up and move on to their next task, setting the tables, which they share with everyone else.
The place is full of positive ambience. Rachel notices that a few more people have joined volunteering since last week. She gives them a heartwarming welcome along with Sam, and opens the door to the line of hungry people. As they start to pile in, Patty nudges Rachel and raises her chin in Sam's direction with a smirk. Rachel looks his way as well, noticing that he'd been staring at her almost admiringly. A flushed Rachel brushes Patty off, shaking her head, with her best attempt at seeming oblivious.
After an hour or so, the place is cleaned and closed. Everyone says their goodbyes and see yous, but Sam offers to take Rachel for an ice cream around the corner, not ready to say goodbye to her quite yet, to which she gladly agrees.
They talk and giggle about their Avatar and Broadway obsessions until their cones are finished, and they head out. Sam is walking Rachel to her car but as they round the corner a group of teenage boys dressed like Sam Evans wave at them. Rachel notices that they're Sam's friends from Riverdale, so she waves back, though she can't help but notice they're checking her out. She also notices that Sam has takes a step away from her and seems nervous. They group of boys approach them, all smiles.
"Evans, you didn't tell us you had a girlfriend! Meagan's going to murder someone when she hears about this!" The boy looks Rachel up and down, winks, and play-punches Sam on the shoulder.
"Dude, lay off. She's just some chick I was friends with at my old school"
Wait, chick? Rachel is now sure that something's wrong with Sam. She looks at him in disbelief and Sam just shrugs his shoulders.
"My name is Rachel Berry. It's nice to meet some of Sam's friends", she greets. The boys look at one another and chuckle. A tall blonde approaches her and says, "So if you're not Sam's girl, can I get in there?"
"Wh-what?" She can't believe them, what kind of friends are these?
Once again, she looks at Sam, who's still not bothered by their behaviour. Rachel stares at him until he briefly meets her gaze, and finally speaks up.
"So I'll see you around, Rachel"
That is not what she had in mind, but Sam remains adamant. She also sees a bit of desperation in his eyes. She doesn't know what's going on so she decides to play along now and ask about it later.
"Sure Sam. See you later"
She walks back to her car by herself, and Sam joins the group of boys high-fiving him. She spends the drive home wondering why Sam would ever hang out with those guys. It's not like him, he's always been friendly towards everyone, and those immature boys were so rude! She decides that when she sees him next week, he better have an explanation. Where was Sam Evans? What is happening to him?