Chapter 24
Regionals
Few days after she posted her video to Finn, she received a letter from him.
Rach,
I want to thank you for your video, it really was great to see you performed in you new school, but I knew you would do good in NYC, it's only natural, you were made for the stage, no possible doubt about it now.
Here, we are fine, almost fine. I am having some minor problems at school, but nothing deathly, physically talking, but I am feeling better now, thanks to you.
I keep my mind busy with Regional's coming. I take my captain duty very seriously, not that I have something more important to do since I have no girlfriend, football is a nightmare; there is nothing but glee to me now...
I am glad to say that we found our twelfth member and, guess what, Kurt's back and he brought us back a very big peace offering; Blaine. We are all very happy about this, seems like we only got to worry about Vocal adrenaline. Things look brightly for us, but we all miss you, I miss you...
Keep in touch.
Love Finn
Reading his letter, few tears fell on the white paper. No, her feelings for Finn would never cease. His humble words had succeeded to turn her upside down and put another scratch on her heart. Although, she knew she would never totally get passed Finn, but she had to try to convince herself otherwise or she would run into his arms by the minute.
For the past two months, she had been concentring her mind on exercises, books and rehearsals, a lot of rehearsals.
Rachel had lots of acquaintances, but only one person she could call a friend; Anna, her assistant, who had help her with her video for Finn. She had proved herself to be really kind and funny, but she was also really curious, always questioning her and wanting to know more about the mysterious boy who she had sung her song too.
However, Rachel didn't like talking about Finn. Not because she was forgetting him or something close to it, but thinking of Finn meant, seeing his eyes, his face, longing for his arms to hold her, what she had been craving for since the moment she had left him.
Few guys have asked her out, but she had turned them down. Her co-star, Matt Daily, Tony's portrayer, had been more than consistent, harassing her for more than play's affection. He told her, many times, that they should get together for quality rehearsals, that practice would make everything perfect, and he wanted their love and kisses scenes to be perfect. Matt was good looking, in the Jessie St-James kind of way, but she knew that she was only the flavour of the semester; that, and the fact that he could never come close to Finn in any way, shape or form.
Things got a bit more complicated when she received another letter from the Hummel's household. She recognized Kurt's handwriting looking carefully at the envelope.
She opened the envelope and took the letter eagerly. A ticket fell from the letter on the floor next to Rachel. She unfolded the letter and read it.
Hi Ms Berry,
Have you been kidnapped by aliens? It's been a long time since we haven't heard from you. Aren't you ashamed of yourself or is your star is shinning too brightly that you have already forgotten you loser friends from Lima?
Anyway, there is the dirt on McKinley High, because, yes I am back on track and I brought my sweetheart with me. I can't say it isn't rough sometimes, but, in the end, it is worth it, I never felt happy anywhere but here.
Since my last letter, Finn's situation has evolved, thank to you, we have recovered our captain, full skill. He really gives it all for Regional's what brings me to my next subject.
As you have noticed, I joined a ticket for the Regional's in the envelope. I don't know if you will be able to make it or if you even want to, but we would be more than happy to see you. Mr Shuster knows about this, but not the others, let's say it is a surprise for Finn if you come or he won't be hurt if you can't.
For my part, I really hope to see you, Ms Berry so I can introduced you to Blaine. I know you will like him since I am overly in love with him!
Hope to see you sooner than later.
Love, Kurt.
She folded back the letter and put it back into the envelope. Then, she reached for the ticket. She looked at the date. It was in two weeks on Saturday; she had extra rehearsals on Saturdays, so she didn't know if she could make it and she didn't know if it was a good thing for her to go.
She decided to sleep on the idea to take an enlighten decision. Little did she know that the night would only draw her closer to Finn.
That night, she dreamed about Finn. They were walking together in the New York's streets hands in hands, smiling. Then, he dropped her to school then disappeared the minute there hands parted from one another. Then, she wake up, sweating.
Rachel could still feel Finn's hand on hers. Her dream had been so vivid. She wanted his touch, she needed it and she knew where she could hold his hand for real; Regional's where she would go, she had too.
The next day she went to her academic class and she had lunch with Anna and her other "friends". She excused herself to them and went to see Mrs Simmons. She asked her permission to go home for a day two weeks from now.
At first, the teacher wasn't happy about it. They had a lot of things to do and the premiere for the play was due in two months. She said that they needed every minute to be perfectly prepared.
Rachel was about to leave, sadly, when the teacher called her back to tell her that she could go, but she had to come back the next day for an extra rehearsals on Sunday and special dinner with wealthy school's contributors who wanted to meet the play's star. Happily, she told her teacher that she will be there or she could recast her role.
After her class, she came back to her dorm and wrote back to Kurt to tell him that she would be there and she was impatient to see Finn, to see them...
On Regional's day, she took the train for Lima early in the morning to be there at 1 o'clock PM to be sure not to miss the multiple performances. She took her ticket back for tomorrow morning at 5 o'clock AM. She was so eager to see everyone performing and she was a bit sad to see it from the audience this time, but she was anxious to see Finn.
She arrived at the Lima train station at noon. Mr Shuster was already there to pick her up.
He welcomed her and he drove to Carmel High where the competition was held.
During the ride to Carmel High, she talked quickly and a lot about everything and Mr Shuster listened at her laughing.
When he stopped the car in the parking lot, he got off it, but she stayed in. Mr Shuster had to go to her side of the car and opened it for her. Then, she unfastened her seatbelt and she went out of the car.
She walked with Mr Shuster toward the door where Kurt was waiting for them.
When he saw her, Kurt run to her, took her into his arms and held her tight. He told her how happy he was to see her and he dragged her toward the green room.
Mr Shuster entered first and gave his glee club an encouraging speech. He also told them he had a surprise for them, a special guest for the occasion.
Then, Kurt entered the green room.
"For only one night in Lima Ohio, from the big apple, Ms Rachel Berry." said Kurt loudly, smiling at everyone.
Rachel finally entered the room.
When she set the foot in the room, everybody looked at her. They all smiled, obviously happy to see her. Puck was the first to go to her. He took her into his arms, lifted her off the ground and twirled her.
"Took a few pounds Ms Berry!" said Puck, putting her back on the ground.
Then, Mercedes came to see her, Tina, Artie, everybody. Kurt introduced her to Blaine; she loved instantly.
Then, she saw the person she really wanted to see. He had stayed in the corner of the room as if he had seen a ghost. He was looking at her, a dumb impression plastered on his face.
Then the light flashed.
"Let's go guys!" said Mr Shuster, guiding his group to the auditorium.
Everybody followed Mr Shuster, except Finn and Rachel who remained for few more seconds in the green room.
Finn walked toward Rachel silently. Rachel didn't want to say a word either; afraid to say something that would ruin a magic moment.
They just starred at each other, stars shinning in their eyes. Then, Rachel took his hand and dragged him to the auditorium where the other members of glee club were already settled for the first performance that would be the Warblers who had been chosen to perform first, then Vocal Andrenaline and New Directions.
They took place in the two remaining seats, one next to the other, Mr Shuster had taken Finn's place with the other students to let the Finn and Rachel spend as much time together as the could.
They sat next to each other and reminding silent, holding each other hands. They looked at each other often during the performance of the other two teams.
After Vocal Adrenaline performance, New Directions left Rachel to prepare themselves for their performance. Finn went to Mr Shuster and they talked for few minutes. Then, the teacher came back and sat next to Rachel, a smile plastered on his face.
Then, every light closed itself, and a tall silhouette came to sit on the edge of the scene.
The music started. A spot opened, showing Finn seating on the edge of the seat. He was looking her, straight into her heart.
Finn:
Look into my eyes - you will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart - search your soul
And when you find me there you'll search no more
Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for
You know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you
Finn jumped off the stage and walked to Rachel, looking at her tenderly.
Look into your heart - you will find (Putting his hand over his heart)
There's nothin' there to hide
Take me as I am - take my life
I would give it all - I would sacrifice
Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for
I can't help it - there's nothin' I want more
Ya know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you
Finn kneeled down before Rachel.
There's no love - like your love
And no other - could give more love
There's nowhere - unless you're there
All the time - all the way
Oh - you can't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
I can't help it - there's nothin' I want more
I would fight for you - I'd lie for you
Walk the wire for you - ya I'd die for you
Finn took Rachel hand.
Ya know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you
Finn kissed Rachel's hand.
At the end of the song, Finn left a crying Rachel and went back on stage under the stares of hundreds of people who were starring at them, applauding Finn's true emotions he had lived during the song.
Then, the curtain rose on Puck with his guitar and the rest of New Directions assembled in couple and they danced a choreographed tango.
PUCK:
To really love a woman
To understand her
You gotta know her deep inside
Hear every thought
See every dream
And give her wings when she wants to fly
And when you find yourself
Lying helpless in her arms
You know you really love a woman
When you love a woman
You tell her that shes really wanted
When you love a woman
You tell her that she the one
She needs somebody
To tell her that its gonna last forever
So tell me have you ever really
Really really ever loved a woman
To really love a woman
Let her hold you
Do you know how she needs to be touched ?
You gotta breath her
Really taste her
To you can feel her in your blood
Then when you can see your unborn children in her eyes
You know you really love a woman
When you love a woman
You tell her that shes really wanted
When you love a woman
You tell her that shes the one
She needs somebody
To tell her that youll always be together
So tell me have you ever really
Really really ever loved a woman
When you love a woman
You tell her that shes really wanted
When you love a woman
You tell her that shes the one
She needs somebody
To tell her that its gonna last forever
So tell me have you ever really
Really really ever loved a woman
Just tell me have you ever really
Really really ever loved a woman
Just tell me have you ever really
Really really ever loved a woman.
Then, Puck posed his guitar on the side of the stage and brought his electric guitar to Artie. They all got together around Mercedes and Sam. Artie took place in the left of the stage and Finn brought his drum set. Then, another song started.
Sam:
When the feelin' is ended
There ain't no use pretendin'
Don't ya worry - It's only love
When your world has been shattered
Ain't nothin' else matters
It ain't over - It's only love
And that's all - yeah
Mercedes
When your heart has been broken
Hard words have been spoken
It ain't easy - but it's only love
And your life ain't worth livin'
And you're ready to give in
Just remember - that it's only love
Both:
You can live without the aggravation
Ya gotta wanna win - ya gotta wanna win
You keep lookin' back in desperation
Over and over and over again
When your world has been shattered
Ain't nothin' else matters
It ain't over - It's only love
And if your life ain't worth livin'
And you're ready to give in
Just remember - that it's only love
Ya - that's all
Ya it ain't easy baby
But it's only love - and that's all
Then, the song ended and the curtain fell. Rachel accompanied the rest of the room as they all lift off their seats to applause.
New Directions stayed on stage and was rejoined minutes after by The Warblers and Vocal Adrenaline.
They were all aligned on the stage when the head judge, Rod Remington, came on stage.
"And the winner is?" said Rod Remington, opening the envelope...
Songs: Everything I do, I do it for you by Bryan Adams
Have you ever really loved a woman by Bryan Adams
It's only love by Bryan Adams and Tina Turner