Disclaimer: Don't own Glee.

Chapter 5: So It Seems I'm Someone I've Never Met

The moment Rachel entered the steps of McKinley High, her eyes were set to find one Sam Evans. She couldn't take her mind off the dream. It felt so real, so vivid that she was sure those were memories. But she knew she couldn't find what she was looking for by asking abruptly. She needed a plan and now, she has one.

She headed straight to her locker, eyes nonchalantly roaming around. She felt a little ridiculous. She knew she could talk to him even at the end of the day, it won't really matter. But at the back of her head, she just wanted to see him. She sighed, getting confused every time she tried to acknowledge her feelings for him. She didn't know what to think of them, let alone do. How can you have feelings for someone you couldn't remember to have met before?

On the corner of her eye, she saw a tall figure leaning on one of the lockers and she felt a familiar tug on her stomach. She turned to look and saw him looking directly at her, as if he'd been looking at her all along. He smiled crookedly and after a few seconds of distraction, she smiled back and headed on his direction. She noticed as she got nearer that his smile widened a bit and his eyes never left her.

"Sam," she greeted.

"Rachel," he said back. "How's your head this time?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. You tell me."

"Why would you let me be the judge?" he asked.

She just smiled at him. "I'm not sure, but I'm getting a good feeling that you're the right call." She saw his smile slightly faded and he looked like he was absorbing what she said but she didn't give him any chance to respond. "I need to ask you a favour."

"Sure, anything." He said immediately. "What is it?"

"Can you help me practice my singing?" she asked slowly. "I haven't sung in a while and I'm a little shy asking the others. You're actually one of the people here that I felt comfortable with so-"

"You don't need to say anything else." He said, interrupting her speech while grinning. "I'm yours."

She knew he was talking about the practice but she couldn't stop the warmth in her cheeks. "Really?" she sighed in relief. "Oh thank you. You don't know how much this means."

He chuckled. "When and where?"

"I was thinking after school, maybe we could practice in the auditorium?"

So it's settled. After agreeing, Sam walked Rachel to her class (he insisted) before saying goodbye to go to his own. As Rachel sat down on her seat, her mind drifted straight away to Sam Evans. It was the first time she ever allowed herself to completely ignore her studies, or so she remembered. She wasn't quite sure yet what to make of her dream. She was so convinced it happened before because it surely felt different. Bittersweet, like a distant memory. Plus, everything suddenly whirled around ever since she saw him walked into the room for the first time. She couldn't ignore the drastic change of her feelings since then. It was like she was living in an emotionless state of mind and the Sam Evans brought all of it back to her. She wasn't truly just making some excuse to get closer to him by asking him to help her in singing; she truly wanted to sing again.

But all of these emotions are making her a little dizzy. She couldn't deny the fact that her heart leaped when she saw him this morning, let alone the smile on her face. Why is it that she felt home whenever she sees him? That she felt closer to happiness than what she remembered to have felt for the past few months?

Sam closed his eyes the moment he sat on the chair. He knew the moment Rachel came to talk to him, he wouldn't be able to concentrate all day. So he chose to sit at the leftmost chair on the back of the room. His mind told him to focus, to be guarded and get suspicious as to why she suddenly wanted to seek out to him. But his heart... oh his heart. It got him a lot of trouble by following that troublesome thing. But heart means Rachel. And damn it if he wouldn't do anything for her. Admitting he was whipped years ago was a relieving act. He missed her so bad, that actually talking to her in that manner, broke his heart and mend it at the same time. He knew there was a big chance Rachel might never get back her memories, and that's all he can get from her. But at least she was there and alive.

After school was over, Rachel headed directly to the auditorium as soon as possible. She was nervous; more nervous than she ever felt. This is ridiculous, she told herself. He's just a boy that you've dreamed about, and... Well... remembered about that you couldn't quite place... Just stay focus! She closed her eyes and breathed as she opened the doors.

To her surprise, Sam was already there. He was walking back and forth at the stage with his hands on his pockets. He looked as nervous as she.

He turned around and met her eyes. For a moment, there was silence. There was no voice coming from her mouth and she knew she was staring but she couldn't help herself.

"Rachel," It was Sam who spoke first.

She cleared her throat. "Hey," she said more quietly than she expected and cleared her throat again. "Have you been waiting long?"

"No, I just arrived." In truth, he skipped his last period and paced at the stage the whole time. But he wouldn't tell her that.

She nodded and walked at the stage. He met her halfway.

"How was your day?" Sam asked.

"Mediocre. Boring." They both chuckled. "You?"

"Same." Sam sat down at the edge of the stage and Rachel did the same. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure." She said. "What is it?"

He bit his lip and looked at her. "I was told that you were a great singer. The best in Glee club, even." He noticed her blush a little and looked down. "Why don't you sing anymore?"

"Who told you that?" She quietly asked.

"Artie Abrams. I was seated next to him on third period so I asked. So what happened?"

"I don't know." She shrugged. "I just... wasn't really into it the way I was before."

"So you don't want to sing anymore?"

Her head shot up. "No, I do." She said immediately. "It's just that, I felt distracted, or uninspired, o-or," She sighed. "I honestly have no straight answer for that. It feels like I've been living in a cloudy sky. Everything feels confusing. "

"Hey," Sam said as he dared to touch her arm for comfort. "Skies are good. The best even."

Rachel looked straight at him as she remembered her dream. Her heart was thumping, and she feels warm all over. "Why would you think that?" She asked softly, never leaving her eyes off him.

Sam looked back at her as he chuckled, that same chuckle like there was an inside joke. "Because it's where the sun and the stars meet." He looked rather fondly at her. "The best of both worlds."

She felt her breath quicken and there was this insatiable desire to kiss him then and there. Like this was all she ever needed and everything will be fine.

"You don't know how much that means to me."

"What does?" he asked.

"What you just said." She smiled at him, making him remember what they used to have. "I think that just made my day."

"It did?"

"Yeah," She confirmed. "Whoever said that was a very wise man. He definitely knew what he was talking about."

He chuckled and shook his head.

Feeling a little bit more determined and confident, she decided it was her turn to ask some questions.

"Why did you move here?" She asked.

He suddenly looked up at her. "What do you mean?"

"In the middle of the year, I mean. It just sounded abrupt."

"Oh," He started, thinking of an excuse. "Football scholarship. At first, my parents didn't want me leaving. But due to my insistence, they finally agreed."

"So, you're not here with them?"

He shook his head. "I'm staying with my uncle."

"Oh." Rachel said. "It must be hard then, not seeing your family every day. You must feel lonely."

Sam chuckled while looking at his hands. "I've never been happier in the past five months." He whispered quietly.

Even though it was utterly silent, Rachel still heard what he said. She wanted to ask him desperately, getting a good feeling it might be the answer to her questions but she skipped ahead. Acting like she hadn't heard what he said, she continued to snoop.

"So, haven't you got yourself a girl there?" she asked abruptly. She knew it was too late to take it back, so she decided to make it more casual. "Or a boy?"

He laughed. And again, it was so contagious that she couldn't help to join in.

"I'm definitely not gay."

Rachel laughed again. Sam chuckled and smiled at her. "I had one back at home before, but it was very complicated."

"How so?" she asked curiously, her heart plummeting a little at the thought.

He just looked at her. "She moved away first."

She couldn't stop staring back at him, like there was something he was trying to tell her but not too directly. Or maybe she was just imagining it but she really couldn't break off the stare.

"Doesn't she love you anymore?"

Sam shook his head, eyes remaining focused at her. "It wasn't like that. She just needed to move away."

She blinked softly. "You still love her then?"

"With all my heart." He said quietly.

She's not imagining it now. He was staring directly at her, swallowing every now and then. His eyes were dazed and so focused at the same time.

"I believe you." She said quietly, and she was surprised as the words came out of her mouth. But she didn't take it back. "And she would have felt the same way if she saw you right now. If she remembered you."

At first, he looked as if he were absorbing what she said, and liked it. But the daze came off and he looked at her, finally realizing what she said.

"Rachel? Wh-"

"She's so lucky to have a guy like you." She smiled and stood up. "I think I'm gonna sing now."

Sam slowly stood up, not trusting his voice at the moment. Does she know it's her? Why does it feel like she knew exactly what he was talking about? He cursed himself for letting his feelings get the best of him, in front of Rachel.

As Rachel turned her back to arrange the CD player, she couldn't stop a tear from falling down her cheeks. All these emotions were too overwhelming. She wanted nothing but to throw herself at him and smell the familiar scent she remembered in her dream, the one she was sure he smelled now.

"So, what are you gonna sing?" He finally asked.

"Oh, um," she subtly wiped her cheek and fumbled through her bag and let out a CD. "I'm just gonna play an instrumental and sing with it." She pressed play.

There were the instruments playing, and Sam knew he heard this song somewhere.

She turned to face him. There were nights when the wind was so cold, like my body froze in bed if I just listened to it right outside the window.

Sam's eyes widened at the song she was singing. As he looked at her, he tried to look for any sign that she was intending the song for him, but all he could think was how he missed hearing her sing. It was still as magnificent as ever, like she never stopped.

There were days when the sun was so cruel. That all the tears turned to dust and I just knew my eyes were drying up forever.

She closed her eyes. Because not every part was true, but she couldn't find a song that would tell him how she really didn't mean to forget. That she wanted to remember. That she was asking him to help her remember.

I finished crying in the instant that you left. And I can't remember where or when or how. She looked at him as she sang the second line. He looked as if here were seeing a ghost for the second time. And I banished every memory you and I had ever made.

She couldn't really help it. Her eyes were tearing up. But when you touch me like this, and you hold me like that, I just have to admit that it's all coming back to me.

She walked over to him. It was like he was seeing her in another level. His jaw was clenched, and his fists were closed. She opened one of them and he didn't refuse. When I touch you like this, and you hold me like that, it's so hard to believe but it's all coming back to me.

It's all coming back; it's all coming back to me now. She took his other fist, opened it and pulled both for him to follow her as she moved backwards. She was slightly smiling as she sang, and Sam controlled his urge to hold her waist and kiss her senseless. He felt, for the first time, that all of this may be confusing and dangerous, but everything will be fine.

There were moments of gold and there were flashes of light. There were things I'd never do again but then they'd always seemed right. They both smiled at this, referring to her singing.

She removed her hands from his and started to walk towards the edge of the stage, leaving him staring after her. There were nights of endless pleasure, it was more than any laws allow. She couldn't look him in the eyes are she sang this, remembering her dream. Knowing full well that she deserved to know the truth in whatever he was not telling her.

Baby, baby, baby if I kiss you like this, and if you whisper like that, it was lost long ago but it's all coming back to me. She closed her eyes and the moments of her dream flashed back at her. It was so real, so sensational. She knows it happened now. She was sure of it, and it was too good not to be true. If it isn't, then she'll find a way for it to be real. She's Rachel berry is she not? She gets what she wants. If you want me like this, and if you need me like that, it was dead long ago but it's all coming back to me. It's so hard to resist and it's all coming back to me.

Then she looked at him. He looked at her as if he never let his eyes wander away from her, as if he knew exactly what she was talking about but was too afraid to say anything. I can barely recall but it's all coming back to me now.

She looked again on the empty seats. But we were history with the slamming of the door. And I made myself so strong again somehow. And I banished every memory you and I have ever made.

When she looked back at him, he was suddenly in front of her. His eyes were searching, and she knew she was giving a look full of meaning. If I touch you like this, She touched his fingers and he immediately held her. If I kiss you like that, it was so long ago but it's all coming back to me. If you touch me like this, and if I kiss you like that, it was gone with the wind but it's all coming back to me.

She smiled at him before closing her eyes. She can feel his hand hold more strongly at her. It's all coming back it's all coming back to me now. There were moments of gold and there were flashes of light. There were things I'd never do again but then they'd always seem right. There were nights of endless pleasure, it was more than any laws allow.

She backed away from him a little as she opened her wet eyes. Baby baby baby, when you touch me like this, and when you hold me like that, it was gone with the wind but it's all coming back to me.

When you see me like this, He smiled fondly at her. And when I see you like that, She smiled back. Then we see what we want to see all coming back to me, the flesh and the fantasies all coming back to me, I can barely recall but it's all coming back to me now.

But if you forgive me all this, and I forgive you all that, we forgive and forget and it's all coming back to me now.

And if we... Her voice faded out and she could now hear Sam's breaths and her own, mixing in together in the dim light and the silence of the auditorium.

They just stood there with his hand holding her own. She breathed him in, and she was right. He smelled that familiar scent like in her dream. She was facing downwards, with her eyes closed.

"So, how was I?" She asked quietly.

"As unbelievable as ever."

She smiled, and she just realized that she just laid her emotions on the line, without any logical explanation that she can willingly give. She felt her wards go up again, and it hurt to move away from Sam, but she had to. If she really wanted to find out what's happening.

"I'm sorry I was caught up in the song, Sam." She backed away from him and hurried to her things. "I guess I felt nervous."

Sam stood there, arms dangling on the sides like a limp. "Rachel?"

"I just—I need to go."

Just as she was about to walk out, he stood in front of her and held her arm to stop her. "Just tell me one thing."

She was silent.

"Does this feel real to you?"

She looked at him, and all she ever saw were eyes full of emotion. She didn't know what exactly was going on in his mind, but she was sure the question meant more to him than she realized. She gave in to the urge and held his neck and kissed his cheek. She heard him sigh.

"Yes." She whispered in his ear and walked out.

After a few moments, Sam Evans still stood at the auditorium. He looked up and closed his eyes, letting a tear fall down. He smiled fondly, replaying the kiss over and over again. He was the first to enter the auditorium, and the last one there. But somehow, he can see more clearly now. It's like he was seeing Ohio for the first time, with his Rachel in it.

AN:

Here we go! I deeply apologize for taking a long time to finish this chapter. I hope those who've read this story before will still read the new chapter. I'll try my best to finish the story. I hope you like this chapter!

The song Rachel sang is It's All Coming Back To Me Now by Celine Dion. I know Rachel sang it at Nationals on Glee Season 3, and I was seriously amazed at how well she sang it, goose bumps! The girl is waaaay talented. Plus, it's very fitting for the story line so I figured I'd put it here, also for you guys to find it easy how she can get emotional when she sings it. I hope I did justice.

I'm sorry for the grammatical errors and misspelled words. The title was from Panic! At The Disco's That Green Gentlemen. Thank you for the favourites and story alerts, even though I haven't updated in a long time! Please continue to review! Thank you