A/N: Here! Have another chapter.
I neither own Glee, nor Beyoncé's voice & talent although I wish I did. Potential girl crush right there.
Anyways, enjoy and remember to review :)
They had made the decision that Santana would not perform with them. She blamed it on needing the rehearsal time for 'Save Sam' but in reality she could not sing comfortably with them without the plague of guilt hitting her and her bursting into tears. Instead, Rachel and Puck would perform and she would support them as they continued to support her. They spoke to Mr Schuester about it, explaining that Sam was their third member of their group and he would be performing in spirit. He accepted this with no question and so allowed them to continue.
They were last group to perform on the final day of competition. Rachel took Noah's hand and led him to the front of the class. He took a seat with his guitar as Rachel introduced their piece.
"We have chosen Beyoncé's 'If I Were a Boy' and we hope to convey the poignancy of the song whilst also entertaining you."
She smiled warmly at the crowd and took her place beside Noah who began to strum.
[KEY: Both, Rachel, Noah]
If I were a boy even just for a day
I'd roll out of bed in the morning
And throw on what I wanted
And go drink beer with the guys
And chase after girls
I'd kick it with who I wanted
And I'd never get confronted for it
'Cause they stick up for me
If I were a boy
I think I could understand
How it feels to love a girl
I swear I'd be a better man
I'd listen to her
'Cause I know how it hurts
When you lose the one you wanted
'Cause he's taking you for granted
And everything you had got destroyed
If I were a boy
I would turn off my phone
Tell everyone it's broken
So they'd think that I was sleeping alone
I'd put myself first
And make the rules as I go
'Cause I know that she'd be faithful
Waiting for me to come home, to come home
If I were a boy
I think I could understand
How it feels to love a girl
I swear I'd be a better man
I'd listen to her
'Cause I know how it hurts
When you lose the one you wanted (wanted)
'Cause he's taking you for granted (granted)
And everything you had got destroyed
It's a little too late for you to come back
Say it's just a mistake
Think I'd forgive you like that
If you thought I would wait for you
You thought wrong
But you're just a boy
You don't understand
And you don't understand, oh
How it feels to love a girl
Someday you wish you were a better man
You don't listen to her
You don't care how it hurts
Until you lose the one you wanted
'Cause you're taking her for granted
And everything you had got destroyed
But you're just a boy
There was silence for a moment. Then a loud sniff from Santana before she bolted from the room in tears. Rachel swallowed and murmured a 'thank you' noticing the soundless tears drizzling down Quinn's cheeks and Kurt nodding in appreciation.
Tina broke the silence uttering, "That was the most beautiful thing I've ever heard." A round of applause ruptured the quiet as Noah and Rachel took their seats, having their backs patted in gratitude.
Mr Schue came to the front and nodded, smiling, "That really was something you two. Now that all the groups have done their performances, I'm going to take myself off to make the decision. I know it's going to be a tough one."
The group smiled at him patronisingly, humouring him as he attempted to hide the fact that the obvious choice was the song they had just seen. Nevertheless, they waved him away and allowed him to believe they really thought there was competition.
xxx
William Schuester sat in his office in silence. He'd been in the same place for the last twenty minutes. He drummed his hands on the desk in front of him looking at a piece of paper. He had the list of groups sat in front of him but truly it was not necessary. His eyes kept drawing to Rachel and Puck's names and he knew exactly the reason why. Their song had moved him, in a way he could not describe. He was so often wrapped up in his kids' drama but this was something different. There was a beauty when they sang and a tangible energy. He only hoped for their sake they would begin a relationship soon. And what was wrong with Santana? And would Sam be alright?
He rubbed his hands over his eyes wearily, and prayed that he would be okay and this horror would be over. It seemed so silly for him to be sat here judging a trivial competition when one of his own was in a coma in the hospital. But he had to choose a group, at least to keep some sense of normalcy for the kids. And without even glancing at the sheet again, he knew what his choice would be.
He pushed his chair back with a sigh, ready to go and tell them his result. He peeked back once more to scan over the list but the perpetual ringing of Rachel's beautiful voice echoing 'but you're just a boy' would not leave his head. He had made his decision the moment she had sung that final line, this he could not deny. He swung round and got up to leave.
The phone rang.
He paused in the doorway to look back at it and made to pick it up hastily.
"Will Schuester?" He asked, holding the phone between his shoulder and ear to grab a pen. "Hi there," he said, sitting back down in his chair.
xxx
"I think we've got it in the bag," Puck murmured into Rachel's ear. That familiar warm breath tickling her and sending a shiver down her spine only made her feel more exhilarated and desperate to win. But this, she would not reveal.
"You can't say that Noah, we don't know yet." She said, smiling at him.
"Babe," said Puck, throwing an arm round the back of her chair, "Did you hear us?"
"Less of the complacency please, Noah."
"Fine, fine, whatever, but when we win, can I please be 'complacent' then?" He threw her a lazy smile.
"If we win," Rachel began, "You can do whatever you like…"
"Is that an invitation?" He asked in a husky tone, sending Rachel's shivering spine into overdrive. She coughed gruffly and attempted to change the subject quickly.
Fortunately for her, Mr Schue walked into the room at that very moment.
"What took you so long?" snapped Quinn quickly, wringing her hands in her lap.
"It was a tough decision Quinn! There were so many brilliant performances to choose from!" He laughed falsely and clapped his hands together.
The group eyed him dully. He laughed again nervously and said,
"After much consideration and a hard think I have come to my decision, drumroll please Finn!"
Finn duly obliged and shot his eyes to Quinn who was leaning forward in anticipation, apparently convinced that her group had a chance at winning. They weren't kidding anyone really. Finn knew he wasn't great with all feelings and stuff like that, but even he had noticed the looks between Rachel and Puck and how fantastic their song had been because of the connection they had. Sure, he had lost Rachel, who at one point he had thought was the love of his life, and she had been replaced by cold, hard Quinn, but if he had to lose Rachel to anyone, he figured that Puck was a pretty good choice. Even after everything he still did feel tied to Puck in some way; they had been best friends for so many years, after all. Plus, the way Puck looked at Rachel was a look Finn had never seen cross his face before – could it be that the 'Puckasaurus' was finally drawing away from a uninhibited and sex-driven lifestyle and was moving into a relationship with real feelings?
He was brought back to earth with Mr Schue saying,
"The winner is," Mr Schue looked up, eyes bright with joy, "Rachel and Puck!"
It was, of course, the right decision. The whole group congratulated them whole heartedly, even Quinn after a slight push from Finn. Mr Schue handed over the coupons to Breadstix and told Rachel and Puck their time slot for WOHN News 8 before hushing the class as they sang and cheered loudly.
"That's not all." He said, "I have good news for you all."
His face broke into the first genuine grin they'd seen all day.
"Sam's awake."