"We're against them again," i say, sitting in the green room, holding on to Jesse's hand so hard that he winces. They were good, not as great as my team, of course, but they were good, super talented. We had won against them last year, my junior year, but this was all of our last year, our last chance. Though we both had a lot of newcomers and trained hard, we were ready.
"You're going to be great," he says into my hair, pressing a kiss against my temple. This time I'll be alone on stage after our group number, singing out my heart. The scouts will be in the crowd watching, especially those from NYADA, though I had already past the college application with flying colors.
There was nothing to worry about, competition wise. Jesse and I had chosen the groups and Vocal Adrenaline had all of the moves down. Not one of the group members fought our choices, but who would fight us? They knew that we knew best and were sad that they would be losing us both after this year, but we knew they would carry on Vocal Adrenaline's crown.
We watch on the monitor as Quinn steps out, singing the ballad solo for New Directions. I smile as Quinn singing out the first line, stepping away from the curtains.
They successfully finished their numbers without pause. They were good, but they weren't winning material, sadly. The songs were perfect but they lacked the natural feelings needed. It seemed more like a final goodbye for the seniors, like a showcase, more than a competition piece.
"Rach?" Jesse calls me quietly and I turn to him, "Don't be nervous," he said seriously, "these are our friends on a daily basis, yes, but today they are not. These are the people you're gonna be competing against." He grabs my hand from my lap, turning to face me, "They are competition, someone who could take your last award before college," He advises and I know he's imparting wisdom but I can't help but be proud of them, no matter what. I grab his hand back and give him a winning smile and he laughs, leaning over to place a kiss on my lap as every crows around us.
"Where's Shelby?" Jesse asks, leaning into me again.
"She's running late. Beth wouldn't take a nap." I say back and his hand squeezes mine. I was sad that I never actually got to perform with Jesse on an actual stage before graduation, but at least he would be watching us from the crowd.
"So Rach," Alex starts coming behind us, leaning on my shoulders, "have you and Jesse done the deed? Because it seems like you have but then it doesn't." She asks and I smirk at her as Jesse glares, preferring to keep our romantic life private.
"Maybe we have and maybe we haven't." I reply coyly, and it gets a laugh from everyone, "You've met my mom, Alex. She'd kill me if I did that and with preparations for college, Jesse enrolling at NYADA with me, where's the time?" It was customary for these topics to pop up between Alex and I. She was a year younger than me and she was my closest friend among Vocal Adrenaline.
"Hey Rachel!" Emily, a freshman, calls from the other side of the room, and I looked over at her as Alex slips her shoes on, our conversation interrupted. "Why did you move out of your dads place?" She asks, cocking her head to the side.
"They were always gone," I shrug, "When it wasn't business trips, it cruises, when it wasn't cruises, it was another honeymoon. I was tired of being alone, even when Jesse practically moved into my room for two months," I think back on those moments, the despair at coming home and finding it empty and then that Jesse staying with me, it all changed the day he came back. "I couldn't really tell anyone about it- they didn't care but Jesse suggested that I should talk to Shelby about it. He was worried that it was making me depressed," I take a breath, remembering the night they got home from the cruise.
Shelby stood in the living room and she and Leroy had fought, raising their voices while Hiram sat on the couch, holding my hand in his. "My Fathers didn't realize what their constant departures were doing and they offered to fix it by staying home more often but Shelby wouldn't hear it," I laugh at the memory of Shelby telling them that the damage was done, how could they up and leave like that, leaving a 16-year-old to fend for herself.
"After that, Daddy had to leave for a business trip to Italy and Dad had to be in Salt Lake, and when Mom found out that they left within two weeks of being hime, she decide to sue for custody and won. They came home from their business trips to counter-sue, but it was to late." I remember that day, she brought over papers, suing them for custody, over neglect or something, I even had to testify, give statements and answer questions. "Soon after, Mom won the custody and I moved. We all still talk to each other and my Dads get to travel freely." It was a long three months, that battle, and now it seems like so long ago.
"Hey, it works out," Alex says, touching my shoulder, "You hated being an only child and now you have Beth."
"The only problem. . . " I trail off and Alex gets what I'm saying.
"Beth is your best friend's baby." She states and they all nod their heads. There's a knock on our door and Goldsby yells for us to finish it up. I fix Jesse's tie and smile up at him, his eyes full of confidence and love. I lean up, capturing his lips for a sweet kiss. We were the only couple on the team but everyone like to poke fun at us for it too.
"Alright Adrenalights! Go take your spots. Remember, try not to cut Rachel off!" Goldsby yells for our pep talk and then were out, with Goldsby and Jesse watching us leave.
We move through the first two numbers without a hitch and then it's me in the center of the stage, It's All Coming Back to Me starts and the melody swims around me. The the lyrics flow from my mouth, taking over the crowd, it's completely silent- I'm a siren and they're the men. The notes hit home and Jesse fills my mind. The love I have for him, my heart jumps and soars and then it's over as fast as it began and the place erupts with standing ovations and applause like thunder. We were flawless.
.
The last group went on at 7 pm. We were all tired and happy when the judges came up to announce the winner. "Thank you all so much for coming out! It was amazing to see each of these talented groups perform, but only three will place. Well, here we go," The announcer says, looking to both sides before taking the envelopes.
Jesse stands behind me, his arms locked front of him, waiting with baited breath. The announcer has trouble getting the envelope open, resulting in a paper cut. I sigh internally and fix my eyes to the crowd. Another Vocal Adrenaline rule was when the announcing times came, you do not look at the other groups until you placed or you might start thinking why they deserve it more than you.
"Okay!" The announcer starts, finally, "Third place: The Starship Singers from New York, New York!" Everyone claps, some whistling and hollering. I smile nicely and hope the announcer would just get to 1st place. "2nd Place: Congratulations. . . New Directions from Lima, Ohio!" Then the announcer gave another speech about how everyone should be proud even if they didn't place or if they didn't get first.
"Okay, now 1st place." She says as she goes to open the last envelope. "So exciting and suspenseful." She flipped it open and read out the winners. "Amazing! For their 6th year in a row! Vocal Adrenaline from Akron, Ohio wins!" Everything around me goes chaotic.
I turn at the speed of light, my arms locking around Jesse as he spins me around. I hear Alex cheering, confetti rains down from above and Goldsby is kissing the trophy. Jesse puts me down and then other arms descend- even New Direction comes over to congratulate us. Quinn hugs me tight, passing me to Kurt and Mercedes. Even Jesse hugs a few of them, sharing a bro-hug with Puck and even shaking hands with Finn. Progress.
.
"Mom!" I yell out as we make our way out of the auditorium and she looks up, her face shining with pride and I run to hug her. I might be 18, but I felt like I was five and just won my first dance contest.
"I'm so proud of you, baby. You were flawless!" She says, rubbing my back. I pull away and I see tears in her eyes. We had been together only a short while but had bonded so quickly when given the chance.
"Mom," My smile doesn't fade, but I feel tears prick at the corners. She laughs wiping her eyes and pulling me back in.
