Dear Kurt,
Whatever you did, thank you so much! Finn won't stop staring at me. It's actually getting to be a little creepy, but I don't mind. What do we do next?
Warm regards,
Rachel
Rachel-
Scratch the song you had planned for glee club this week. I've got a new one for you. I apologize that it isn't Barbara, but it'll have to do. You'll need the help of a certain drummer to perform it.
-Kurt
Rachel took a deep breath and entered the choir room. It was Friday and she was finally ready to sing her song, so long as Finn cooperated.
"Ah, Rachel's here. We can start now, guys!" Mr. Schuester tapped a few keys on the piano to get the glee club's attention. Everyone sat, the murmurs of their conversations slowly dying. Rachel's hand shot into the air, making her striped yellow cardigan slide down her arm.
Will sighed. Why do we always seem to start like this? "Yes, Rachel?"
"I'm ready to perform, Mr. Schuester."
Her peers seemed relieved that she hadn't raised her hand to complain. "Be my guest, Rachel. As soon as you finish, Finn can go. Then we can finally move on to next week's assignment."
"I told you, Mr. Schue. I'm not presenting anything this week." Finn slouched in his chair, giving the director a look of complete indifference.
"Finn, you need to do every assignment. Glee club rules."
Alright, Rachel. Win him over. She stood and approached Finn, kneeling at his side. "Look, I know you hate me right now, but I don't want to see you get in trouble. We can work together on this. You need a song," she said, handing him a thin packet of sheet music, "and I need a drummer."
Rachel extended a hand, which Finn reluctantly took. He really didn't want Mr. Schue to be mad at him. It just sucked that this was his only alternative.
The quarterback sat behind the drums and gave the music a quick glance. It was "Jungle Drum" by Emiliana Torrini, a surprising choice compared to Rachel's usual show tunes. It had a steady, simple beat that Finn quickly picked up while his ex-girlfriend handed each musician their own packet.
Rachel moved to the center of the choir room. Remember what Kurt said, she thought to herself. Just ignore Finn. She looked down at the floor, mentally preparing for the number. The soprano gave the band a cue, and the opening began.
Hey I'm in love
My fingers keep on clicking
To the beating of my heart
Rachel had been moving around the room as she sang, directing her voice to each and every one of the glee members... except Finn. The tall boy felt a pang in his chest, but kept tapping out the beat as Rachel jumped into a chair.
Hey I can't stop my feet
Ebony and Ivory and dancing
In the street
Hey it's cause of you
The world is in a crazy hazy hue
My heart is beating like a jungle drum
Between each phrase, Rachel would beat out a different rhythm on her chest, fluttering her eyelashes. For a moment, Finn thought she may have looked his way, but realized that she was actually winking at the bass player behind him.
Man you got me burnin'
I'm the moment between
The striking and the fire
Hey read my lips
'Cause all they say is
Kiss kiss kiss kiss kiss
The brunette blew a kiss to her audience. Finn wished he could put down the drumsticks and run to catch it.
No it won't ever stop
My hands are in the air
Yes I'm in love
My heart is beating like a jungle drum
She ended her song with a sharp intake of breath, belting the last note an octave higher than in the actual song. She smiled. "Done."
As the bell rang, Rachel attempted to speed out of the classroom as fast as possible, just like Kurt told her to do. Finn was faster though, and her grabbed her arm before she could leave.
"You were really good, Rachel." She grinned, but didn't respond to the compliment. He felt compelled to keep talking, trying to end the awkward silence her smile created. "I thought when you gave me that music that... that the song was for me."
She gave him a look of genuine surprise. "I'm sorry I disappointed you, Finn, but I can take a hint. You don't want me anymore, so I'll stop trying." Rachel shook off his grip and entered the hallway, leaving a confused and hurt Finn in her wake.