AN: Hey~ haha I know these updates are pretty frequent, but please do not get used to it. I have had these written for awhile, but I do not have much more before I have to start writing again. Since I am out of the writing mode it will take a little bit for me to get back into it. As a warning I have tried writing ch. 9 multiple times and do not really like the way it's come out, but I will let you judge when I post it. I would also like to thank the positive feedback I've gotten on this. I am glad you guys are enjoying so far. :)
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing, but the OC Izy
*Monday*
I yawned as I slowly started to wake. I shivered feeling extremely cold and already had a headache starting. 'Shit' I thought to myself knowing I was probably sick. I lazily opened my eyes and checked my phone for the time. When I opened it, it read 5 new messages. I raised my eyebrow in confusion. "Who would..." I opened the texts and started to read.
-Didn't see you today before school are you running late? - Rachel Berry 9:02am
-It's third period and your still not here? Is everything okay? - Rachel Berry 10:25am
-Hello? Are you okay? I am getting worried. Please text back :( - Rachel Berry 11:14am
-I'm sorry. Since your not responding I must have said something to offend you... Is this about what happened at the party? - Rachel Berry 11:55am
-R U Alive? Rachel said your not responding and she hella worried. Are you okay? Btw this is Quinn - Quinn Fabray 1:15pm
I laughed slightly at Rachel's texts then gave a quick response noticing how late it was.
Sorry, I am alive and no I am not angry at you. Just woke up. Have a cold. G2g get ready for work. - Isabella Walker 2:45pm
I sent the text and quickly got dressed in my usual outfit of a pair of long shorts, tank top, arm length fingerless gloves, my jacket and my beanie. After getting dressed I grabbed my phone and slid it in my pocket as I quickly grabbed my board and rolled to work. Luckily I arrived shortly before my shift started.
"Hey Isabella, glad you got here a little early. I need to head out for a bit. Be back before closing." Burt said smiling. "Hey Isabella... You okay? You look a tad pale."
"Nah I'm fine. Thanks for the concern Mr. Hummel." I lied. I did feel sick, but I couldn't afford missing work.
"Alright... Just take it easy okay?" I nodded. He then left and I began work on one of the cars. I tried to ignore my headache as I worked but it didn't help. Not too long after I started working I heard someone walk in.
"Hi, Mr. Hummel isn't here but I can help-" I started to yell from the back.
"ISABELLA WALKER WHY HAVEN'T YOU RESPONDED? You should NOT be working with a cold. In fact working when sick will indeed make someone more sick. Who are you helping doing that? You don't work as well and might make a mistake on fixing a car then that person who will be driving the car might get injured to to a faulty engine part!" Rachel scolded. I took a moment to process all she just said before responding.
"I haven't checked my phone since I left my house cause I was runnin late and I need the money. I can't afford a day off, plus I'm not that sick Rach." I said giving her a half smile. "I appreciate the thought, but I'm fine. Now if you don't mind I have to get back to work." I said returning to work on the car.
"Well as a matter of fact I DO mind. You really should give thought to my previously stated list of reasons why not to work. If you still do not agree with me then I will need a stronger argument then you "need" the money. If your short on money ask your parents for an advancement of allowance. I am sure they would be more then understanding. I also think that they would not want you working under these conditions." I let out a sigh.
"Like he'd care." I mumbled.
"What?"
"Nothing. Rach, I'm sorry, but really I don't have any other option." I said pausing to look at her. "I promise. I'm not lying." I let out a sigh she gave me a concerned look. "Don't worry. I'll be sure to go home and take care of myself after work, but I'll be fine." She paused a moment and thought before responding.
"Okay... But at least come over to my place after work so I can catch you up on the work you missed today." I nodded.
"Sure. I'll see you then Rach."
"Alright, see you." She responded smiling. I smiled as I watched her leave. I couldn't explain it, but it felt nice... knowing someone cared.
*Rachel's POV*
I walked home still concerned over Izy's well being. Having some time before she got off work I decided to make her some soup and an herbal tea to drink when she came over. After I got that done I began practicing my song for tomorrow. During my fourth run through of the song I heard the doorbell ring. I quickly made my way downstairs and opened the door. "Hi Izy come in." I greeted.
"Hey Rach, thanks for getting the work I missed." She said as she entered the living room.
"It was no problem. I do believe in the importance of keeping up on ones school work for it is what leads us to our future. I mean without good grades one can not get into the college of choice and then would be left to turn patties at some greasy fast food restaurant. That or waiting tables at Breadstixs." I gave her an un-amused look as I saw she was looking around and not paying attention. "Izy! I was-"
"I heard Rach." She laughed. "Believe it or not I CAN multitask and yes grades are important if one does not want a dead end job for the rest of their life." She said as she continued to take in the environment. "Your house is really nice." She said after a moment.
"Thanks. My dad's decorated most of it but I did pick out a few things." I said agitated. "We just share a difference in style. At least I had full artistic freedom on my room." Izy rolled her eyes. "What?" I asked sending her a playful glare.
"Well... At least they asked your opinion for some stuff in the living room. It is THEIR house Rach and I can understand if they didn't want golden stars everywhere." She smiled.
"It is a perfectly good theme for a living room!" I rebutted. "How did you know I wanted to decorate the room in stars?" I asked after a moment.
"Hm? Oh... had me go through some of the paperwork we have for the glee club and everywhere your name was signed there was a golden star next to it. That AND the folder you take notes in for Glee has a giant star on it. Hard not to notice."
"Oh..." I said starting to blush.
"It's not a bad thing." She smiled. "I mean I have no room to talk." She said pointing to her beanie and jacket. "I am a star fan as well. Just not golden ones."
"I can see that." I responded. "Oh, I made you an herbal tea and some soup. I'll go get it, you open up the books so we can start on the work you missed. Believe me it might have been just one day, but it's still a large amount of homework." I spoke making my way to the kitchen.
"Rach you didn't have to do that..." Izy responded from the living room.
"I know, but herbal tea makes everything better. You will get better faster!" I said happily as I poured some of the soup into a thermos. I grabbed the tea as well and made my way back into the living room. "Here." I said as I handed her the tea and thermos.
"Thanks..." She said taking the tea then turning her attention back to her book. I filled her in on the assignments for that day and Izy quickly finished the work. "Done." She said with a sigh of relief as she closed her book.
"That was quick." I responded lifting my eyes from the book I was reading for English.
"Yeah, I usually speed through my homework." She smiled. "I like to have time for other things."
"You should really-" I started.
"Yeah yeah I know." Izy responded cutting me off.
"I do detest being interrupted Izy. You have no possible way of knowing what I was going to say."
"Sorry, I know you hate being interrupted but I already knew what you were gonna say. Knowing you... You were about to say : You should really take your time with your work. Working quickly in order to have "free time" can leave room for many mistakes. If you make mistakes your grades will drop and you'll end up a waitress at breadstix..." She turned to look at me. "Was I wrong?"
"Not my exact choice of words, but yes it was going to be a response similar to that." I responded as I got a text. "For future reference you will not ALWAYS be right when guessing what other people will say." I said as I opened the text.
-Finn seemed happy today... So I'm gonna guess you didn't break up with him :/ - Quinn Fabray
I sighed and sent a quick response.
-Sorry! I forgot. :( I was worried about Izy. Must have slipped my mind. Plus he had practice today so I couldn't really talk with him. - Rachel Berry
"Everything okay?" Izy questioned.
"Yes... I just forgot to do something today and it was quite important."
"Really? What?" She asked raising an eyebrow. I bit my lip not wanting to say anything before I broke up with him. "Ah, if it's too personal forget I asked." She said giving an apologetic look.
"No, it's not I just feel that I should give the designated person the news before I tell others." I responded. She nodded. I opened my phone as I received another text.
-EXCUSES! Fine, you "forgot" XP your doing it TOMORROW! - Quinn Fabray.
-Fine, but not till AFTER glee. We're both performing tomorrow and I do not want it to effect either of our performances. :( - Rachel Berry. I quickly responded.
"Hey Rach...?" Izy started.
"Yes?" I asked. She seemed to think a moment before asking her question.
"What happened to you mom? I mean... I know you have two dad's, but... do you know who your birth mother is?" The room fell silent. I looked down as I thought about Shelby. "I'm sorry... That was way too personal-" Izy said apologizing.
"No... It's fine. It's just... complicated." I said curling up. "My mom... is Shelby." I responded still staring at the floor and avoiding eye contact.
"Shelby? But... you two never-" She stopped and was silent for a moment. "What happened?"
"She came looking for me wanting to have a part in her daughter's life and I wanted to know my mother... But when the chance finally came for her to be a mom she backed out because it was too "difficult". Then she adopted Quinn's baby to replace me and moved. Now she's back..." I explained trying to keep calm, but I felt tears stinging in my eyes. There was a few minutes of silence then I felt a pair of arms wrap around me.
"I'm sorry..." Izy spoke wrapping her arms around me tighter. I let a few tears fall not being able to hold them back anymore. Izy silently held me and rubbed small circles on my back as I cried.
"I'm sorry... I shouldn't be putting all this on you. You barely know me and here I am crying on you and-" I said as I started to get up before she stopped me.
"It's okay Rach... I understand... I lost my mom when I was little. She died in a car accident. I know it's not exactly the same, but..." She said wiping a few of my tears away. "I know what its like to not have a mother."
"I... didn't know..."
"It's okay... Its just... it didn't sound like you were finished. You said she's back... but it seems like there's more. Does this have anything to do with why you were so upset that one day you ran into me?" I nodded slowly. She shook her head. "Don't worry, your upset. You can tell me another day if you feel up to it." She smiled.
"Thanks Izy... It really means a lot." I said returning the smile. She shrugged.
"It's no problem. Anytime you need me I'm here for you... That is... Unless I'm asleep." She laughed. "But I'll try and keep my phone's volume up." I laughed.
"What's all this laughter for?" Leroy said as he came in the door.
"Couldn't be our Rachel is having a party while we're at work." Hiram said jokingly.
"Dad, Daddy, your home early." I smiled. "I thought you two were taking on extra shifts."
"We got tonight off." Leroy responded. "Who's your friend."
"Ah, forgive my bad manor Izy. These are my two dad's. Dad, Daddy, this is my friend Isabella." I said.
"Pleasure to meet you Isabella." Hiram said extending his hand.
"Likewise Mr. and... Mr. Berry." Izy spoke awkwardly shaking their hands. "I should... really be going. Don't want to infringe on your family time." She said grabbing her back pack.
"Non-sense. Any friend of Rachel's is welcome here. Why don't you stay for dinner?" Leroy asked.
"I couldn't-" She began.
"Of course you can. Dinner will be ready in an hour." Hiram interrupted as he walked into the kitchen. I couldn't help, but laugh to myself.
"We'll be in my room if you need us." I said grabbing Izy's arm and leading her upstairs.
"Let me guess. Your room is the one with the giant star that say's Rachel?" Izy asked sarcastically. I rolled my eyes as we entered my room.
"Make yourself comfortable." I smiled. I noticed how she looked nervous and uncomfortable. I tilted my head to the side wondering what was wrong. "You okay Izy?"
"Yeah... I'm just... not exactly comfortable around parents." She responded. I tried not to laugh noticing how serious she was.
"Why not?" I asked. She let out a sigh.
"Well for starters I'm not exactly the person parents are happy to see their child hanging out with. I often get the side glance then one parent will whisper to the other one something about how I am most likely a negative influence on their child in some way."
"Why would anyone think your a negative influence. You've been nothing but kind to everyone in the glee club. You haven't done anything to suggest otherwise." She smiled and shook her head.
"That's cause you try and get to know someone... Most people would take one glance at me and see trouble."
"But your not. And my parents raised me not to judge people on their looks so they see people the same way I do."
"I see. How do you know I'm not trouble?" She asked smirking.
"Hmm. Hard to explain..." I said as I thought how to explain it. "When I look in your eyes I see someone kind and caring..." She raised an eyebrow.
"And?..."
"I see someone who carries a lot of hurt... someone who's hiding something." She smiled sadly and looked down.
"I saw the same thing when I looked at you." She responded. I gave her a worried look, but decided not to ask any more questions on the subject since she didn't seem she would answer. There was a silence.
"So..." I started. "What music are you into?" She smiled.
"That was a random question."
"Well excuse me for trying to break the awkward silence and make an attempt to get to know you better." I huffed. She leaned back and thought on the question.
"Well... A little of everything I guess. Mostly Rock, Alternative, Pop, Video Game Soundtracks, some Musical Soundtracks... Very little Rap... I hate Country... and... K-pop." She listed. I gave her a confused look.
"... Video Game soundtracks?"
"What? The instrumental music put into a video game is just as good as a classic symphony." She responded.
"Okay." I laughed. "And K-pop?"
"Korean Pop music. I am fluent in Korean and love Korean Pop. An old friend introduced it to me."
"I see." I said nodding. "Musicals... You ever seen Wicked?" I asked excitedly.
"What self respecting person who likes musical theater hasn't?" She laughed. "Yes I have, its actually one of the few musicals I've actually seen and it's by far my favorite. That and RENT"
"It's one of my favorites as well!" I exclaimed. "But of course when it comes to musicals I am partial to Funny Girl starring none other then the amazing Barbra Streisand." Izy nodded slowly. "Don't tell me... You've never seen Funny Girl?"
"I've never seen a movie with Barbra Streisand." She shrugged.
"WHAT? That's simply impossible! She is an icon, how can you have never seen one of her movies?... you have listened to her music at least right?"
"... No-"
"WHAT?" I yelled. Izy laughed.
"I'm sorry Rach I just haven't. If it makes you feel any better we can schedule a day and you can force me to watch all the Barbra Streisand movies you own."
"Really?" I asked smiling. She nodded. "You won't regret it! She is by far one of the greatest singers of all time." She let out a sigh.
"Well... It's too late for that." She said smirking.
"What?" I asked confused.
"I already regret it." She said trying not to laugh.
"IZY!" I yelled as I playfully threw a pillow at her.
"Girl's dinners ready." Leroy yelled from downstairs.
"Come on." I said leading the way downstairs. Izy and I helped set the table and then we all sat down to eat. Daddy had fixed some pasta.
"How do you like it Isabella?" Hiram asked.
"It's delicious." She responded smiling.
"Thanks. Although at times it is hard finding more and more dinner ideas that don't include meat." Hiram responded. I rolled my eyes.
"You won't get any sympathy from her for that daddy. She is also a vegetarian and thinks that eating anything with a face is both sick and wrong." I responded.
"Your vegetarian too Isabella?" Leroy asked.
"Yeah, but you should be happy Rach. At least your dads care and make dinners that support your vegetarianism."
"Your siding with them?" I asked shocked. She laughed.
"I'm not taking sides I'm just saying that you should be happy they support you."
"What about your family Isabella? They don't support your choice to be vegetarian?" Leroy asked. Izy paused for a second and looked down at her food. I felt a pang of guilt as I just learned about her mother, but was slightly confused at her apprehension to answer.
"Not exactly... But it's okay. I don't expect people to change their habits for me." She answered giving a fake smile. Leroy took notice of it too, but decided not to question further.
"Well, it takes a lot of dedication to stick with something when those around you aren't there to support you. You should be proud in yourself that you still keep it up." Leroy responded giving her a smile.
"Thanks... I never would have looked at it that way." She responded. The rest of dinner went by quickly as we topic jumped to various different things. After dinner Izy helped daddy clean up the dinner.
"Ah... it's late. I really need to get going." Izy said grabbing her bag and skate board.
"It's dark out, would you like a lift?" Hiram asked.
"Thank you, but really it's no problem." She responded.
"You sure? It's no trouble for us?" Leroy asked concerned.
"No, but thank you for the offer and for dinner."
"Your welcome. Remember, any friend of Rachel's is welcome here anytime. Feel free to come over again." HIram responded. She nodded. I walked Izy to the front door.
"Thanks for today Izy... It meant a lot... to have someone to talk to." I said.
"I should be thanking you. Herbal Tea, soup and dinner... it's more then I expected for a first date." She joked. I smiled sadly. ' I wish she'd open up more... I feel like she doesn't trust me. Every time I try and get her to open up she shuts down... I guess it will take some time.'
"Take it easy Iz. I don't want you making your cold worse." I said giving her a concerned look. She nodded.
"I'll try." She said giving me a sad smile. "You too. Try and keep thinking of the positives... I know it doesn't make up for not having a mother, but... You have two amazing dad's and they really care for you. I really envy you." I nodded. "See you tomorrow Rach... Good luck on the glee assignment."
"Thanks Izy, see you tomorrow." I said as I waved her goodbye.
"She seems nice." Hiram said as I entered the living room. I nodded.
"She okay Rachel?" Leroy asked.
"I'm... not sure." I responded honestly. He nodded.
"I'm sure she'll open up. Just give it time hun." He responded giving me a hug. I nodded. The rest of the night I spent practicing my song for my Glee assignment even though I didn't need the practice, but when I laid down and tried to sleep a question hit my mind. ' She said... I really envy you... what does she mean by that? ' I pondered the question but the answer alluded me. There were too many possibilities to just guess at what it may mean. I decided I would think more on it tomorrow and let myself drift asleep.