PLEASE READ!
Alright, I just wanna say something. When deciding where to move Rachel, I just googled a place in Indiana that was close enough to Lima for them to face in Regionals. I didn't actually know that much about it. But today as I was re-watching Journey I heard Sue say that Aural Intensity was from Ft. Wayne, and I literally went, "Holy sh*t! I just put Rachel in Aural Intensity!" So yeah, that wasn't intentional. But I guess it's okay, because I was having trouble coming up with another name anyway. But apparently their school is Westvale High, not Lincoln. Details, details. I like the later.
Also, I am EXTREMLEY sorry it took so long to update, but there was this freak storm which caused my power to go out for several days, but I posted this as soon as it came back on.
Chapter Nine: Déjà Vu
Everything was different. Instead of McKinley's simple tiling and dull color choices for lockers and walls, everything was intense, almost forceful. The halls looked as if someone had poured paint inside a balloon, and then let it pop. There was splatter paint effect everywhere, in a multi-color explosion. The students however, were exactly the opposite. They were all dressed in different clothes, but they might as well have been wearing the same thing. Rachel could spy at least seven different shades of grey, brown, and tan all down the hall. Maybe it was just her, but she had expected people at a performing arts school to be a little bit more singular, not so lackluster, and analogous. She suddenly felt very out of place in her bright pink sweater and dark purple pleated skirt.
She walked past with ease. Almost everyone parted as she came through, knowing she must be new. She stop in surprise as she saw her name written on a locker door, which she assumed was hers. She examined the locker next to hers a bit more closely, noting a small signature at the bottom. Paige Kent. She looked back at her locker, peeling off the sticker that had her name on it before pulling out a sharpie, and writing Rachel Berry in large loopy letters. Then she drew out her gold star from her backpack. It was big and sparkly, like the kind you would she on a dressing room door. She stuck it on the outside, securing it proudly, before stepping back to admire it.
A girl with long, jet black hair watched her curiously. Her shockingly blue eyes blinking with astonishment. After recovering, she strut to the locker beside Rachel, who was putting name to face. This girl was Paige Kent. She wore a short dress, with blue and white plaid design; the same one Rachel had worn to Regionals. Thankful for an ice-breaker, Rachel made a comment on it.
"Oh, cool. I have the same dress." The girl squared her shoulders, and didn't look at Rachel as she responded.
"Well don't wear it here then. Wouldn't want to wear it on the same day now would we? The people here are similar enough already." Rachel wasn't sure what to say. She had barely spoken at all, and it already looked like someone hated her. She just couldn't catch a break. Paige tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear, before turning to Rachel, scrutinizing her. Rachel gave an involuntary shiver as her cold blue eyes traveled her, the reminded Rachel of ice. Paige bit her well moisturized lip, looking as if she was going to say something to her. But instead she slammed her locker shut and walked away without a word.
Rachel let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. A blonde girl across the hall seemed to take pity on her, and strode her way. Rachel gripped the edge of her books nervously as the girl laughed, looping her arm through Rachel's. "I'm Amanda." Rachel just nodded her head. "That was Paige Kent. You're new right?" She took Rachel's silence as a conformation. "Well, I guess it's just bad luck you got stuck next to her."
"So you know her?" Rachel asked tentatively, struggling to keep pace with Amanda, who had surprisingly long legs. Amanda smiled widely.
"Yeah, she's of my best friends." Rachel's eyes widened in confusion. "She's kind of a bitch though," Amanda added, not noticing Rachel. "But she's nicer once you get to know her, deep down she's really a softie. So what's your name?" Rachel wasn't sure if she should run away, or keep walking. This girl seemed a little insane.
"I'm Ra-" She was cut off as Amanda jerked her around the corner speedily, catching Rachel off guard and nearly dislocating her shoulder. Rachel barely had time to register they were in a classroom before Amanda started up again.
"Ray? Your name's Ray?" Amanda asked delightedly. This girl was acting more like Brittany each coming second. Rachel shook her head to correct her. "No, my name's" Amanda cut her off again. "Too bad, I'm calling you Ray." Rachel tried not to groan. She hated that nickname. It reminded her of Rachel Ray, and although Rachel could cook, she never in a million years wanted to own a cooking show.
"Umm..?" There was loud booming laugh that followed this as a boy got out of his seat, looking Rachel up and down. She was suddenly very self-conscious as she struggled to smooth out her skirt. They boy had untidy dirty blonde hair, with very muscular arms. He laughed again at her obvious discomfort.
"I think you're scaring her, Man." Amanda frowned at the unaffectionate nickname.
"Please, so far I'm the only one that's been nice to her. And I told you not to call me Man. It's degrading."
"Why? That's your name. Amanda." He said, grinning wickedly. Only the way he said her name, it sounded more like 'A man, duh'. Wow, this place was harsh. Amanda opened her mouth to retort, when Rachel stopped her.
"Well what's your name?" Rachel asked boldly, hoping to defend her new friend. The boy raised his eyebrows in suspicion before answering.
"Christian." Rachel smiled wickedly.
"Christie, then. Not much better." Amanda giggled as Christian stared at her in astonishment. Rachel shook her pony-tail behind her head in triumph.
"I'm Rachel." She said, sticking her hand out for him to shake. He accepted the offer, his face breaking into a grin.
"Rabies, nice." Amanda rolled her eyes at his poor attempt at a nickname.
"He's Paige's brother." Rachel contemplated what she had just said.
"What?" She asked in disbelief. "You two look nothing alike!" He shrugged.
"Half-brother. Mom slept around a lot." Rachel tried not to look too surprised at his blunt confession, but she could see Amanda shift uncomfortably out of the corner of her eye. Rachel tried to subtly change the subject.
"So, are you in the Glee club?" He smirked.
"Nice." Rachel blushed, she had been called out. "And yeah, I'm the male lead." Rachel nodded her head understandingly.
"Cool. I'm the female lead." Christian and Amanda looked confused.
"They gave you that position already?" Amanda questioned. Rachel shook her head quite seriously.
"No, but I suspect they will soon." Amanda laughed in amazement while Christian just looked amused.
He looked at Amanda. "Is she for real?"
Amanda didn't answer him as she continued to laugh, doubled over. "I think I'm gonna like you." She said, into between breathes, slowly dragging Rachel toward the back of the room. "Come on."
Rachel sat at the back of the room, swished in between Christian and Amanda. So far, they were the only two friends she had made. Paige was sitting beside Amanda, and they were chatting quietly together, though Paige still refused to even look in Rachel's direction.
Rachel searched the room silently. All the faces seemed vaguely familiar, like she had seen them somewhere before. She leaned over to Christian, who was texting on his phone. "Christy?" His face twisted in annoyance but he turned up anyway. "What's your Glee club's name?" He pressed his lips together, as if trying not to smile.
(A/N: Now would be a good time to read the first A/N if you are one of those people who still refuse to read even when I put a polite 'please read', but now I'm forcing you, so go read it!) "Aural Intensity." Rachel's jaw dropped. Christian just chuckled. "I know, stupid name right."
Rachel resisted the urge to laugh. "No, it's not that. It's just, we faced you at Regionals. I used to be in New Directions." She explained as Christian slowly started to get it.
"Seriously? I don't remember you." She scoffed in mock offense.
"When you hear me sing, you will." As soon as the words left her mouth a tall, foreign looking man walked into the room, accompanied by a tall red haired woman, who looked sufficiently bored out of her mind.
"Shut up, listen up." He said simply, his voice showing a hint of an accent. All conversations came to a cease, and all heads turned toward him, despite the rather rude demand. The female simply took a seat, and began reading the lasted edition of jazz hands. Rachel's eyebrows raised in scandal. Surely this couldn't be how practice went every day. The man spoke again. "We have a new student, as I'm sure you've noticed. Her name is Rachael Barry." He announced, gesturing her to come to the front of the room. She stood up immediately.
She walked up next to him and he put an arm around her shoulder. "This is Rachael Barry, everyone."
"Rachel Berry," She corrected him under her breath.
"That's what I said." He replied indifferently. "I'd like to introduce you to Madame Muller," He gestured to the red haired woman, who simply nodded on return. "And I am Mr. Horner." He flashed her a blinding smile. "Would you care to sing a song for us Rachael?" She winced at the slight mispronunciation of her name, but nodded anyway. Mr. Horner took a seat next to Madame Muller, leaving Rachel alone on the floor. She glanced at the empty piano bench. Was she expected to play herself? Mr. Horner answered the question for her. "Oh, sorry. Tony!" He called out in the open, and a small, African American man came rushing into the room. "He's always just around." He explained to Rachel, who smiled in remembrance.
"Maybe This Time, B flat." The room murmured once at her song choice, before quieting to hear her sing. Everyone's attention was on her, even Paige's. Rachel licked her lips nervously as the opening chords started playing. She had nothing to worry about.
Maybe this time, I'll be lucky
Maybe this time, he'll stay
Everyone in the room was in trance. Rachel had to stop herself from grinning too wide, afraid it would affect her singing. She always loved it when someone watched her sing for the first time. She loved the completely blown away look in their eyes. It gave her the confidence to keep going.
Maybe this time
For the first time
Love won't hurry away
She snuck a peek at the directors. Mr. Horner looked as if he had found a diamond while digging in the sand. Even Madame Muller looked somewhat stunned, her book sitting in her lap, rapt attention on Rachel.
He will hold me fast
I'll be home at last
Not a loser anymore
Like the last time
And the time before
Rachel watched smugly, Amanda's eyes were wide as saucers, while Paige looked impressed. Whereas Christian appeared to be having some sort of epiphany.
Everybody loves a winner
So nobody loved me;
'Lady Peaceful,' 'Lady Happy,'
That's what I long to be
All the odds are in my favor
Something's bound to begin
Rachel took a moment to consider her choice of song, because it was none to less true. Maybe she had judged Lincoln a little too harshly. Maybe things would be better here. Who knows, this really could be her second chance.
It's got to happen, happen sometime
Maybe this time I'll win
The room sat in a shocked silence as she finished her song. Even Tony the piano player was staring. She shrugged her shoulders, trying not to seem egotistical, and failing miserably. Mr. Horner scratched his chin before rising.
"Well." He stated simply. "I think it's safe to say Miss Barry has blown us all away." He scratched his chin again as the crowd breezed back to life, some clapping. Mr. Horner looked Rachel right in the eye. "I'd like to offer you the position of female lead. Ours just so happens to be…" he trailed off for a moment. "…away." Rachel was doubtful. She was 'away'. What does that even mean?
"I'd love to be your female lead." She shot Christian a pointed look, who was shaking his head in disbelief. Rachel took her seat, and Madame Muller turned back to her book, looking slightly happier than before. Christian gawked at her openly as Mr. Horner began his musical lecture. He mimicked her earlier movement, leaning in toward her ever so slightly.
"You sang Faithfully with the tall, dopey looking guy." Rachel bit her lip. It seemed every guy she talked to described Finn with those words. Tall and dopey. She just nodded in response, barely moving her head. Christian faced the front of the room again, and Rachel had just recognized their conversation as over when he said, "I don't know how we lost to you."
"Hey Christy!" Rachel shouted after Christian when Glee practice was over. He turned in response. Rachel jogged to catch up to him. "Do you have a car by any chance? I would ask Amanda, but she was with Paige, oh, wait, you probably ride home Paige, don't you?" She nearly slapped her hand over her mouth when she realized she was rambling.
But Christian was smiling like it was the most adorable thing in the world. "Are you kidding? Paige has her own car, do you need a ride?" Rachel nodded, afraid to open her mouth. They walked in a comfortable silence to the parking lot, where Christian led her up to a black Chevy camaro.
"Umm, wow?" Rachel said in surprise as she fingered the smooth black interior. "Did you pay for this yourself?" He shook his head.
"No, my dad got it for me." She smiled as he opened the door for her in a gentlemanly manner. She thanked he quietly before sliding in, pulling out her phone to check for messages, she forgot to tell her dads she was staying late. Christian started up the car as the phone chimed on, showing no missed calls. She decided to send them a text, just telling her father back in Lima how her dad went, and she was scrolling down her list of contacts when she saw something that made her blood go cold.
Noah.
She had completely forgotten about him. Her fingers glided over the keypad, itching to press dial. She felt this sudden urgent need to call him. Almost as if he had read her mind, her phone lit up with a text from him.
How was ur 1rst day skool?
She just stared at the screen. It wasn't long before Christian noticed the quiet and glanced over in her direction. Her eyes were glued to the screen, her mouth set into a tight frown.
"Are you okay?" He took advantage of the red light to see what see was looking at. "Who's Noah? Your boyfriend?" He said the last word with just the slightest hint of malice.
His words woke her up from her trance, and she shook her head before turning her phone off and putting it away. "No, just someone from my old school. No one important." Christian seemed to lighten up at this, and he cheerfully asked for her address before he dropped her off, giving her a one armed hug goodbye.
When she was up in her room, she pulled out her phone just in time to get another text from Noah. She dropped it like it had burned her. That night she left it on the floor.
She didn't even read the text.
A/N: Is it awful that I laugh when I read the 'What? NO!" reviews? Yeah, I think it is. My apologies for being evil.
-xoxo SIL xoxo