A/N: Wow, you guys would not believe my schedule this past month. So much for posting weekly huh? lol My school load is rediculous, on top of soccer and everything else I was doing, so needless to say...I haven't had anytime to write anything more for any of my fics. But I still have chapters left to post, so here I am with some free time, giving you guys a much needed post. I don't know how happy you'll be after this post, but it's still a chapter nontheless, lol. Thanks for all the reviews and keep them coming! This is my last week of soccer, so since I'll have more time to work on homework hopefully I'll have more time to write, lol. Remember to review!
Chapter Thirty-Two
Sitting in the back of the long black stretch limo, Tommy and Rachel had no clue of their destination. Each of the dates so far had been a surprise, and this one would follow suit. The only difference with this date was that Tommy and Rachel actually got along well. He didn't want to actually date her, but as a friend she was cool to hang around with. Rachel had a much larger sense of maturity than most girls, Sadie included. Tommy realized that if she didn't win, she wouldn't have a crazy fit over it because she had already fulfilled her dream of meeting and dating a Boyz Attacker. Which is good for when I want to pick Jude, although something seems off; I know Jude's hiding something from me, I just wish she would trust me enough to tell me…Spacing off, Rachel had to clap her hands in front of Tommy's face to get his attention. When he finally came around, Rachel just sat there with an amused smile across her face.
"So…who's the lucky girl?" she asked brightly. Tommy looked at her trying to look confused.
"What do you mean?"
"I recognize that look, trust me. So, who's the lucky girl? Could it be our very own Jude Harrison?"
Tommy looked at her with a feigned sense of shock, but also admired her at the same time.
"How did you know?" Rachel smiled and rolled her eyes.
"Please, it would take a complete idiot to not realize that there's something going on between you two," she explained, "Plus, I heard about the little water bucket incident this afternoon." Tommy smiled remembering the song he sang to Jude.
"Okay, you got me there…" but that was all Tommy could get out before the limo stopped and the driver opened the door for them. As they stepped out, cameras surrounded them once again. Rachel gave Tommy a knowing look as he reached for her hand, starting their filmed date.
Looking around them Tommy noticed that they weren't at some fancy restaurant or beautiful park like the other dates. Instead, they were standing in front a music studio. G-major to be exact. Tommy couldn't hide his surprise and Rachel couldn't hide her excitement.
"Ready to go in?" she asked anxiously. Tommy stared at her curiously.
"You're into recording music?" he asked clearly surprised.
"Of course! I either wanted to go into music, or to college and get a degree in teaching. I only chose teaching because it was more stable of a job than being a musician," she explained. Tommy looked at her dumbfounded. "Come on, let's go inside before everyone starts to stare at us out here," she said leading Tommy into the studio.
Tommy thought he got excited when it came to music, but that didn't even compare to Rachel. He practically had to run to keep up with her as they walked through the entrance. Once inside, they were led to a private studio where a table was set up inside for two people.
Looking around the room Rachel had to suppress a gasp. It was dimly lit with candles, with rose petals scattered across the floor. Walking over to the table they saw that dinner had been set for both of them. Pulling out the chair for her, Rachel sat down still not believing the sight laid out before her.
Everything about the date seemed so surreal to her. The studio, the setting…Tommy. She knew he was in love with Jude. The look in his eye whenever someone mentioned her name. If only he loved me the way he loves Jude…she thought, knowing it was only wishful thinking. Shaking off that thought, she looked around the room again. I should just be grateful that I'm here right now…Turning her attention back to Tommy she smiled brightly at him.
"They really outdid themselves this time," he stated, referring to the room.
"Yeah I was just thinking the same thing. I never expected anything like this. It's…perfect," she replied. Tommy nodded his head in agreement. Looking over to all of the instruments placed in the room, he turned back to Rachel.
"Would you like to play something for me?" he asked a smile spreading across his face. Rachel stared into his eyes knowing she couldn't say no, but also very nervous.
"Um…I could, but I'm warning you. I haven't played anything in a long time," she spoke rising from her spot on the table.
Walking over to the soundboard she ran through all of the songs in her head trying to find one that she remembered well enough to play. Finally, one came to her. However she needed some assistance.
"I'll show you the song, but we have to record it first."
Tommy raised his eyebrows. "You have to get the full effect of all the instruments playing together, and I can't play drums and guitar at once," she explained with a small laugh. Tommy got up from his seat, walking over to her.
"Tell me what you need," he replied. He understood well what Rachel was talking about. For some songs it wasn't enough to hear vocals, you had to hear the combination of the beats playing with the melody, the harmony of the guitar in tune with what you were singing.
"I think we should start with the vocals, then record the drums and guitar after."
"Okay. Go inside the recording booth and I'll get everything set up."
After Tommy was done hooking up the mikes and headphones, he walked out of the booth and sat down behind the soundboard. Adjusting a few levels he gave the thumbs up to Rachel and pressed record.
Rachel started singing a song she had written well over a year ago. It was the last song she had written before giving up on her dream of being a musician. It was also probably one of the only songs she had never gotten to actually put together. That was her favorite part of making a song, adding everything together. It was like a puzzle she never got to complete. She had all of the separate parts planned out, but apart they meant nothing. They needed to be together, because only together is when it becomes a story.
Tommy watched her with a sudden sense of curiosity. Her face seemed so peaceful and happy behind the microphone, like she was at home. Rachel locked gazes with him from behind the glass and Tommy saw something that he had never saw before. He was starting to see the real Rachel, the Rachel before she came onto the bachelor. The Rachel before she gave up her music. But what surprised him most, was how much the real Rachel started to intrigue him.
Finishing the vocals Rachel moved to the drums. Going through the same process as the vocals, Tommy pressed record while Rachel played the next part of the puzzle. After a few takes, she decided that it was perfect and moved to the guitar. Tommy marveled at the fact that she knew so many instruments. He just watched as she moved from one to the other, playing each one just as good as the next.
After a few long strenuous hours of recording and mixing, the song was finished. Tommy held out the CD to her, containing her completed work of art. Rachel grabbed the CD excitedly, staring into his eyes. For a second she thought she saw him look at her with a new sense of interest, but she brushed it off.
Running around to the laptop on a side table, Rachel pushed in the CD. Taking a deep breath she pressed the playback button hearing her unfinished song, now finished, filling the room.
Sometimes life seems too quiet
Into paralyzing silence
Like the moonless dark
Meant to make me strong
Familiar breath of my old lies
Changed the color in my eyes
Soon he will perforate the fabric of the peaceful by and by
Sorrow lasts through this night
I'll take this piece of you
And hold for all eternity
For just one second I felt whole
As you flew right through me
Left alone with only reflections of the memory
To face the ugly girl
That's smothering me
Sitting closer than my pain
He knew each tear before it came
Soon he will perforate the fabric of the peaceful by and by
Sorrow lasts through this night
I'll take this piece of you
And hold for all eternity
For just one second I felt whole
As you flew right through me
And we kiss each other one more time
And sing this lie that's halfway mine
The sword is slicing through the question
So I won't be fooled by his angel light
Sorrow lasts through this night
I'll take this piece of you
And hold for all eternity
For just one second I felt whole
As you flew right through me
And up into the stars
Joy will come
As the song ended, Rachel felt a huge smile spread across her face. Turning to Tommy, she saw he held one similar to hers.
"You're a natural! Why didn't you choose music as a career again?" he asked as she pulled the CD out of the computer, putting it into a case. She brushed off his question with a simple shrug.
"You have no idea what this means to me. I've wanted to record this song for forever," she spoke jumping up, enveloping him in a tight hug. Tommy was surprised by the gesture but nevertheless hugged her back with equal force. Pulling back Rachel stared straight into his eyes trying to make him notice her. Tommy couldn't help but smile back at her. He felt as if for the first time he had actually gotten to understand someone better through the show. They had almost forgotten that the cameras were in the room, still filming.
Suddenly Tommy became aware of how close Rachel was to him. Then he became aware of the cameras that had zoomed in all of a sudden. Feeling a little uncomfortable Tommy eased out of her embrace nonchalantly.
"So, you ready to get back to the mansion?" he breathed out.
"Sure, I think I've had enough fun for one night," she replied smiling.
Taking her hand, Tommy led Rachel back to the limo where they found their way back to the mansion once again. Getting out of the limo Tommy turned to face Rachel once again.
"I really had a great time tonight," he stated leaning in closer to whisper in her ear, "and I'm not just saying that because the cameras are a foot away from us right now." Rachel laughed, lighting up her hazel eyes once again.
"I had a great time too. We should hang out again sometime."
"I'll hold you to that," he spoke entering the front door of the mansion. Giving Rachel a peck on the cheek he watched her walk up the stairs back to her room, unaware that Jude was in the living room watching him.
Jude watched the look on Tommy's face with great curiosity. What happened on that date? He's never smiled like that before after going out with one of the girls…she thought trying not to get worked up over something that could mean absolutely nothing at all.