Chapter 3

Hi, there. I'm back with a new chapter. I'm really happy at the response I got at the last chapter. I hope you like this one just as much.

mistressamy:I know that Rachel not liking Broadway is a little extreme but hey, this is fanfiction. Anything can happen.

Moony2002: I'm really glad that you liked the 2nd chapter. I'm glad that you enjoy Rachel's new attitude. I know that what happened is sad but there will be some surprises later in the story.

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PuckleberryShipper326: I'm really glad that you like this story. I'm also a big fan of your stories. Here is the second chapter.

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Disclaimer: I do not own Glee. If I did then there would be major changes and Finn wouldn't be on the show.

Mike was watching as Rachel sobbed into one of his best friends shirts. He wished he could've been the one comforting Rachel but now was not the time to be jealous. He had a crush on Rachel for as long as he could remember and was insanely jealous of Sam in middle school but it wasn't middle school now. He saw Matt saying something to Rachel then Rachel nodding in response. He looked over and saw Sam, Santana, Puck, and Brittany looking concerned. Then he noticed that Brittany looked sad. "Britt, do you know what's going on?" She nodded. "Can you tell us?" She shook her head no. Everyone sighed. They all knew that Brittany was super-stubborn and wouldn't say anything.

"It's not my story to tell," Brittany said. Then she looked over and saw that Matt and Rachel walking back towards them. She smiled sadly. She remembered how much alike that Matt and Rachel were. They were like twins. Their parents were best friends and grew up together.

"Hey, guys," Matt started, "Let's go to Breadstix." Everyone's unasked question was answered by the look in his eyes. They were going to know what happened to make Rachel so upset.

"So, who will go with who?" Santana asked.

"How about Mike, Matt, Rachel and Brittany with Santana, Puck and me," Sam answered.

"I guess," Santana said hesitantly. She really wanted to go with Brittany but by the look in everyone's eyes she could tell that Rachel needed Brittany more.

"Ready to go, Rach?" Mike asked softly.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure," Rachel responded while wiping her eyes.

"Well, let's then," Matt started. " Breadstix won't wait for us forever!"

Rachel giggled, "Matty, I know for a fact that Breadstix is open 24/7."

Matt smiled. He was glad he could make Rachel smile when she was obviously so upset. "Well, you were always smarter than me so I guess that does make sense."

"Okay, as much as I missed your guys playful banter, I'm starving so let's go eat!" Puck yelled. With that everyone walked out to their designated cars. In Sam's car it was filled with silence, each wondering what was wrong with their midget ninja...the nickname that the four boys gave Rachel when she beat them when they were playing Cops and Robbers at age eight.

"Hey, guys," Santana started, "Do you think that Rachel and Mike have feeling for each other?"

"I'd say, yes," Sam answered. "Plus, Mike subtlety asked me if it would be okay if he could go out with one of ex-girlfriends."

"Plus, Mike already confessed his true love for Rachel at my house a few weeks ago," Puck added.

"Well, how about we get Matt and Brittany on board and see what they think," Santana said after thing for a bit.

"I like that idea," Puck stated."

"I agree," Sam said.

"Operation Cherry is a go," Santana said. The boys looked at her with confused faces. "Berry plus Chang equals Cherry."

"Oh, I get it now!" They said.

"And you guys wonder why you aren't in any AP classes," Santana joked.

"Yeah," they agreed, "Hey!" Santana started cracking up in her seat.

"You are sooo dead when we get there," Puck said threateningly.

"Ohhh, I'm soooo scared!" Santana laughed.

"You should be," Sam said.

Meanwhile:

"So, Rach," Mike started, "Now that we're friends can we go back to calling you by some certain nicknames?"

"It depends which ones you are talking about Mike," Rachel said. "I like Midget Ninja but any of the others, I don't really want to be called."

"What do you mean, Rachie?" Mike smirked.

"I don't want to be called that, Mike!" Rachel whined.

"What about Rachie-Poo?" Matt asked.

"Oh god, especially not that!" Rachel yelled.

"Rachel, am I still allowed to call you Lovebug?" Brittany asked.

Rachel gulped and Matt looked back at her, wearing a worried expression. "Um, actually, Britt, can you not call me that for a while?" Brittany looked like crying. "No, Britt, don't be upset! Once I tell you what's happening you'll understand, okay?"

Brittany nodded. "Well, it looks like you'll be telling us soon, Rach, because we're here'" Mike said.

"Great," Rachel said with a sarcastic tone.

"Aww, Rach, you don't have to feel that excited," Matt said.

"Well, the others won't be as I excited after I tell them what's going on," Rachel whispered in his ear.

"I know, don't worry though. We'll all be here for you. Even Santana," Matt whispered.

"I know but my daddy is one of their favorite people. It also doesn't help-" She cut off.

"What were you going to say, Rach?"

"Uh, never mind. It's not that important,"

"Rach..."Matt said.

"Um, Dad left us a few months ago. After daddy was diagnosed."

"Why didn't you tell us sooner?" Matt asked.

"I don't know,"Rachel started. "I was afraid, I guess."

"Well, now you just have to tell five other people," Matt joked

"Yay! I'm just jumping for joy."

"That's the spirit," Matt yelled. "Let's go I bet they're waiting for us."

"I call sitting by Mike!" Rachel yelled while sprinting.

"Fine!" Matt responded while running after her.

When they got there they saw Mike, Brittany, Sam, Santana, and Puck sitting in the booth closest to the window. "Hey, guys, nice of you to finally join us," Santana said.

"Glad to make it," Rachel responded as she sat down next to Mike.

"So, Rach, what's the news?" Puck asked.

"Oh, right,:" Rachel started. "Well, you see, my daddy, h-he's in the hospital."

"What?" The five people that didn't know gasped. They loved her daddy, except Santana, who didn't really know him.

"There's more too," Rachel said as she looked down.

"What is it, Rachel?" Mike asked gently.

"My d-dad l-left us two weeks after the diagnosis. I'm running out of money to pay for the bills," By now Rachel was almost in hysterics. "I-I've t-tried to g-get a job b-but no o-one is h-hiring a-and I just can't d-do it alone!"

Mike was hugging her to his chest as she sobbed into his shirt. "Shhhh, Rach, it'll be okay. We're all here for you."

"I'm scared, Mikey. I don't know what'll happen a-and m-my daddy isn't supposed to make it."

"What does he have?" Mike asked concernedly.

"He has leukemia. He's had it for three months and it's gonna kill him!"

"You mean you've known this for three months and you didn't tell us?" Mike wondered. Rachel nodded. "Hey, look at me," Rachel looked up at him. "We're here now,okay?" Rachel nodded. "I think that after this we should go home and have a movie marathon. Okay?" Rachel nodded again.

"I know that this was all depressing and stuff but, let's eat!" Santana yelled. Everyone, even Rachel, smiled. Santana looked at Rachel and nodded. Rachel knew that all the year's of their rivalry were over...and tomorrow they would have a lot of explaining to do.