Chapter 29
National's
After his week of suspension, Finn was more than glad to come back to Glee. He even went back to football practice, under Puck's surveillance.
During his first glee club rehearsal, Finn found out that Mr. Shuster had changed the set list during his absence; first, he would do a mix up with Mercedes. He loved the songs their teacher had chosen. He couldn't stop thinking how those songs would have been perfect for Rachel and him.
During the next weeks, he rehearsed with Mercedes who wasn't putting much effort in it to. They practiced the choreography for the second song and his drum part on the last one. He concentrated on the task ahead and the time past quickly and, soon, they were moments away from National's.
One day after her conversation with Mr. Shuster, Rachel received the tape from New Direction's rehearsal and some details from Kurt. Her ex-teacher sent her the lyrics and melody of the mix up; Rachel was pretty happy about it, the songs were perfect for them; telling exactly what she wanted to tell Finn. She had a little choreography to learn for the second song, but nothing too difficult and, for the last number, she was going to play percussion, tambourine, with Finn. Finn... She couldn't wait to see him...
On May 25th, Rachel woke up smiling; she couldn't stop, seeing her old\new life rising before her through the window.
First, she took a shower and prepared herself for the beautiful day ahead of her; she hoped that Finn would love the surprise and that his offer of comforting her was still on.
Then, a little bit more sadly, she finished packing her stuff. Once her suitcases ready, she said goodbye to her tiny room, but the feeling disappeared quickly as she imagined her home and heart waiting for her, reachable.
She left her dorm and went to school; she entered it for the last time. There, she went to the auditorium to say goodbye to the stage. She went on stage slowly. Once on it, she closed her eyes. Breathing the room's air, she remembered the good times she has spent on this stage, her success, her less great moments; she would take it all with her home, in her heart and mind. Opening her eyes back, she couldn't help but smile thinking that she would soon be home...
Then, she went out the room, almost jumping, and got out of NYC Art, Scene Academy for the last time. Outside, she waited for Kurt.
Few streets away, twelfth students and a teacher arrived at the Schubert theatre all dressed in green, white and black.
Once they were all in the theatre, Kurt excused himself and left his teacher and teammates in the green room. The boy went out of the theatre and hailed a taxi. He asked the driver to drive him to NYC Scene Art Academy.
The cab stopped in front of a big building. Kurt told the driver to wait for him and got out of the cab. The boy took a look at the school, impressed its size, style and beauty of the place and surroundings. He really thought it was paradise.
"How could she want to live this place, it's so?" said Kurt a little bit too loud, not knowing that Rachel was steps away from him.
"Magnificent, big, artful, everything I had ever wanted! Yes, it is, but, this magnificent place isn't for me, not yet at least." said Rachel, walking closer to Kurt and hugged him closely.
They stepped back few seconds later, both smiling.
Seeing her suitcases, Kurt helped Rachel putting them into the cab and they got in. Next, Kurt told the driver to go back to the Schubert theatre.
During their way back to the theatre, Kurt told her that he had helped Mr Shuster with the costume duty. Proud of himself, he also told her that he had succeeded in keeping his tong to Finn about her and that he couldn't wait to see his brother's face when he was going to see her, but Rachel was a little bit less enthusiastic. After the silence treatment she had put Finn through, she hopped he would welcomed her opened arm.
When the cab stopped, Rachel and Kurt got off it and went to get Rachel's suitcases. She paid the driver and watched the cab going away. Then, she turned herself to face the theatre. She stayed still for few seconds before the entrance. Then, Kurt took her hand and dragged her into the building.
Once inside, Kurt told her to wait for him and left her in the middle of the room. Rachel stood motionless and saw a lot of people she didn't know, restless people running in every corner of room.
Then, Kurt came back and dragged her into the green room, tugging on the suitcases, but Rachel put the breaks.
"Don't worry! There is nobody there! They are all in the auditorium, preparing themselves; we perform first." said Kurt, stepping into New Directions green room.
Kurt put the suitcases in one corner of a room and gave Rachel her dress.
"And I am bringing Finn here in 10 minutes, so be ready." Kurt added before leaving the room running.
Rachel shivered thinking that she would see him soon. She put on her dress and brushed her hair looking in the mirror of the green room. She brushed her hair again and again, waiting for the boy she loved to put a stop to her frantic beating heart.
"Mercedes, Kurt told me you wanted to rehearse on more time before the..." Finn said as he entered into the room, but he didn't finish his sentence.
His mouth dropped open when he saw the girl who was looking at herself in the mirror in the right corner of the room.
"Hi Finn." said Rachel shyly when she saw him entering the room.
She turned herself to face him. Seeing that he remained silence, she walked toward him, but Finn remained emotionless. She went closer to him and put her arms around him, but he took a step back.
"I am so sorry Finn, sorry about not writing back, about leaving you so soon after our night together, I never should have ran like I did, but I was so scare to miss out on my dream, that I actually did." Rachel said, tears falling from her eyes. "Now I know Finn, you are my life and I love you, you are my heart and soul, I'll never leave you again, ever..." said Rachel, putting her arms around her once more.
"Am I dreaming; I must be dreaming, right, because only in a dream, you would say something like that, only in a dream you would..." Finn said, holding onto her tightly, but was interrupted by Rachel's fierce kiss.
They kissed for few seconds and parted for air.
"Your dress? Does it mean you are singing with us? How is it possible?" asked Finn, getting back to reality, taking few steps back.
"Since yesterday, I am back being a student of McKinley High and back into glee club if you guys want me!" said Rachel, smiling at Finn.
In only response, Finn took her back into his arms and held her tightly.
"I am going back home with you guys tomorrow and I'll be taking my exams at McKinley High. Everything is settled with principal Figgins." said Rachel joyfully. "I hope you can forgive me for not telling you. I wanted to keep it a surprise." She added, looking at Finn with a pity face.
"Everybody knew about this?" said Finn, looking at her, question marks in his eyes.
"I first asked Mr. Shuster if I could come back to glee and Kurt knew, but I am sure that few people learned it!" said Rachel patting his back. "I hope you like the surprise!" said Rachel hugging him tightly.
"Best surprise ever!" Finn said, leaning to kiss her.
They were interrupted by Mr Shuster getting into the room.
"Sorry to interrupt your reunion guys, but the show starts with you guys. You are awaited on stage in five minutes. I am going in the audience, break a leg you two." said Mr. Shuster getting out of the room.
Finn looked at Rachel.
"I hope you are not too disappointed to sing the mix up with me instead of Mercedes." said Rachel looking at Finn.
"Are you kidding me? I wouldn't want to sing those songs with anyone, but you; glee is not the same without you, I am not the same without you, Rach." Finn said, leaning back to kiss her.
They were still holding each other when the lights flashed.
They started to run to get on stage. Seeing Finn and Rachel running in their direction, the other glee club members stopped talking and welcomed them with enthusiasm. They all smiled seeing the two love birds holding hands and smiling. They wished them luck then left the stage, leaving Rachel and Finn on stage, curtain still down.
Finn placed himself on the right side of the stage and Rachel on the left one.
The darkness remained for few seconds and a light appeared onto Finn who started to sing acapella
Finn:
You should've been gone
Knowing how I made you feel
And I should've been gone
After all your words of steel
Then, music started.
Oh I must've been a dreamer
And I must've been someone else
And we should've been overBerry, our love
Holds on, holds on
Oh Berry, our love
Holds on, holds on
Oh
Then, the spot closed on Finn and opened on Rachel, sitting on the floor.
Rachel:
Lying beside you here in the dark
Feeling your heart beat with mine
Softly you whisper, you're so sincere
How could our love be so blind?
Rachel stood up and looked in Finn's direction.
We sailed on together
We drifted apart
And here you are by my side
So now I come to you with open arms
Nothing to hide, believe what I say
So here I am with open arms
Hoping you'll see what your love means to me, open arms
The light stayed on Rachel put opened on Finn.
Finn:
But I want to let go
You'll go on hurtin' me
You'd be better off alone
If I'm not who you thought I'd beOh Berry, our love
Holds on, holds on
Oh Berry, our love
Holds on, holds on
But you know that there's a fever
Oh that you'll never find nowhere else
Can't you feel it burnin' on and on
Rachel:
Living without you, living alone
This empty house seems so cold
Wanting to hold you, wanting you near
How much I wanted to be home
Finn:
But now that you've come back
Turned night into day
I need you to stay
Rachel:
But I should've been gone
Long ago, far away
And you should've been gone
Now I know just why you stayFinn:
Oh Berry, our love
Holds on, holds on
Oh Berry, our love
Holds on, holds on
Both:
So now I come to you with open arms
Nothing to hide, believe what I say
So here I am with open arms
Hoping you'll see what your love means to me, open arms
Then, Rachel met Finn in the middle of the room. They kissed briefly and parted under applauses.
Then, the curtain rose on the rest of New Directions.
Kurt:
Like a warrior that fights
And wins the battle
I know the taste of victory
Though I went through some nights
Consumed by the shadows
I was crippled emotionally
Blaine:
Somehow I made it through the heartache
Yes I did, I escaped
I found my way out of the darkness,
Kept my faith (I know you did - Kurt)
Kept my faith
Both:
When the river was deep I didn't falter
When the mountain was high I still believed
When the valley was low it didn't stop me, no no
I knew you were waiting
I knew you were waiting for meKurt:
With and endless desire I kept on searching
Sure in time our eyes would meet
Like the bridge is on fire
The hurt is over, one touch and you set me free
Blaine:
No, I don't regret a single moment
No I don't looking back
When I think of all those disappointments
I just laugh (I know you do), I just laugh
Both:
When the river was deep I didn't falter
When the mountain was high I still believed
When the valley was low iIt didn't stop me, no no
I knew you were waiting
I knew you were waiting for me
So we were drawn together through destiny
I know this love we share was meant to be
I knew you were waiting, knew you were waiting
I knew you were waiting, knew you were waiting for me
Then, everybody stopped dancing and instruments were brought on stage. Finn took place behind the drum and Rachel stood next him a tambourine in hand.
Puck came on stage with his guitar and started playing. Then, Brittany and Santana took place in the middle of the stage and started to sing.
Santana:
Right, right turn off the lights
We gonna lose our minds tonight
What's the dealio?
I love it when it's all too much
5am turn the radio up
Where's the rock and roll?
Party crasher
Panty snatcher
Call me up if you a gangsta
Don't be fancy
Just get dancey
Why so serious?
New Directions:
So raise your glass
If you are wrong in all the right ways
All my underdogs
We will never be, never be
Anything but loud
And nitty gritty dirty little freaks
Won't you come on and come on
And raise your glass
Just come on and come on
And raise your glass
Brittany:
Slam, slam oh hot damn
What part of party don't you understand?
Wish you just freak out
(Freak out already)Santana and Brittany:
Can't stop comin' in hot
I should be locked up right on the spot
It's so on right now
(It's so freaking' on right now)
Party crasher
Panty snatcher
Call me up if you a gangsta
Don't be fancy
Just get dancey
Why so serious?
So if you're too school for cool
(I mean) And you're treated like a fool
(Treated like a fool)
You could choose to let it go
We can always, we can always
Party on our ownNew Directions:
So raise your glass
If you are wrong in all the right ways
All my underdogs
We will never be, never be
Anything but loud
And nitty gritty dirty little freaks
(So raise your)
So raise your glass
If you are wrong in all the right ways
All my underdogs
We will never be, never be
Anything but loud
And nitty gritty dirty little freaks
Won't you come on and come on
And raise your glass
Just come on and come on
And raise your glass
Won't you come on and come on
And raise your glass
(For me)
Just come on and come on
And raise your glass
Then, the curtain fell on New Directions bowing before a loud clapping audience.
Then, the students ran into the green room. They all congratulated one another. They all went to the audience to listen to their competition; million of voices and unicmelody.
During the performances, Finn and Rachel couldn't stop starring at each other, hands in hands. Rachel listened to the performance head pressed on Finn's shoulder. He kissed her head every five minutes and squeezed her hand every two minutes to be sure he wasn't dreaming.
Once the performances were over, all the groups were asked to go on stage for the results. Then, the head judge came on stage and congratulated all the teams for the effort, but that, unfortunately, only one team could win. Then, he named the group who finished third: unicmelody. The teacher and the students claimed there prince a bit disappointed. Then, he announced the first price and the winning team: Millions of voices.
The group cheered and came to get their giant trophy; leaving McKinley High glee club a bit pissed and disappointed, everyone except two over smiling love birds, holding each other by the waist. For them, it was the brightest day; they had won more than a simple competition, they had won each others back, their missing puzzle piece…
The audience was getting out the room, the glee clubs were parting when Rachel saw two faced she recognized easily. Not letting go off Finn's hands, she almost ran to a blonde haired girl and a white haired woman. Letting of Finn's hand, she jumped into Anna's arms. Her friend held her close for few seconds. Then, she turned herself to face Mrs Simmons who took her into her arms. The older woman patted her ex student back.
"I am very proud of you Ms Berry; your best performance yet." said Mrs Simmons, stepping back. "The purest, I should say." her ex teacher added, looking slightly at the tall boy next to Rachel.
"Thank you, Mrs Simmons." she replied to her ex teacher. "I didn't know you would come." said Rachel, smiling at them.
"I wouldn't have missed it for the world and I wanted to see what you were leaving us for. I wanted to assure myself the he was worth it." said Anna, glancing at Finn.
Hearing the other girl's comment, Finn's face turned red.
"And, after seeing the two of you performed together, I know you are leaving us for a better world." Anna said, extending her hand to Finn. The tall boy shook it.
They talked a little. Rachel introduced them to Finn. The two New Yorkers told the couple how they had loved their group performance, but were surprised about their unconventional song choices and use of the pairings.
"That's part why I go home. Here, everybody is trying to fit into a mold. I love my individuality and my friend's individuality too. Kurt and Blaine are happily gay, signing on stage for the world to know. Santana is a bitch, an evil one, but she is fully assuming it; everybody in glee club is assuming themselves and that is why they are so special to me!" said Rachel smiling widely to the two New Yorkers, squeezing Finn's hand.
"Either way, we are going to miss you!" said Anna, taking Rachel back into her arms.
Anna took a few steps back. Then, Mrs Simmons walked closer to Rachel and held her. She took a step back few seconds later.
"You are going?" said Rachel, feeling tears coming to her eyes.
"We have to. Our star ditched us for love and friendship, not that I blame her, but we have to work." said Anna, laughing a little. "But, before you go, here's to you two." added Anna, giving two tickets to Rachel. "We'll be honoured to see you two at the premiere." said Anna smiling to Rachel.
Rachel took the tickets from Anna's hand and jumped into her arms. When she stepped back, tears were falling down her face. She walked to her ex teacher and took her into her arms.
"Thank you for the great opportunity Mrs. Simmons. It was a pleasure to meet and to work with you." said Rachel stepping back, still crying.
"We'll see each other again, Ms Berry." Her teacher replied, walking away from the young couple. "I am never wrong, young lady." said screaming as she walked to the door.
Then, she faced Finn. He took her into his arms and caressed her back.
"Are you sure about coming back to Lima?" asked Finn, still holding Rachel.
"I am going to miss few things from here and I could stay here Finn, but only if you stayed with me, only this way, I could feel home." said Rachel hugging Finn tightly.
Then, they looked at each other and Finn leaned to kiss Rachel.
"I love you Rachel Berry." said Finn, as their lips parted.
"I surely hope so." said Rachel smiling."Because I love you to M. Finn Hudson." added Rachel, laughing.
In only response, Finn leaned back and kissed her, lifting her from the ground.
They stopped kissing when they noticed the other glee club members were surrounding them. Hearing them whispering, they stepped back from each other.
"Guys, I suggest we go back to the motel and enjoy your one night in New York, but, remember, we're all meeting at 10 am tomorrow, our train is leaving for Lima at noon." said Mr. Shuster, inviting them to follow him out of the room.
Then, Mr. Shuster left the room and his students followed him. Finn and Rachel closed the walk, still holding hands.
Rachel went back to the green room to get her suitcases helped by Finn. Holding it, they got into the bus and were driven to the motel.
In the bus, sitting next to one another, Finn and Rachel couldn't stop smiling thinking about the day they just had, not knowing that things would get even better and warmer on their night in New York...
Songs:
Oh Sherry and Open amrs by Journey
I knew you were waiting for me by George Michael and Aretha Franklin
Raise your glass by Pink
Only one chapter left guys... I'll have it posted by Saturday night or Sunday Morning...