Here's the performance chapter. I've had to rewrite it a couple of times because of computer fails but I think this one might be better than the original drafts. I hope you like it.
I own nothing.
Rachel stood backstage nervously playing with the hem of her plaid vest. She looked at herself in the stage mirror and admired the costume she had put together. She was wearing a sleeveless red plaid button-up over a tight black tank top. She had decided on tiny jean shorts instead of jeans as she figured that dancing would be easier. She wore a pair of scuffed up cowboy boots from her summer vacation to Texas two years previous. A cowboy hat covering her messy 'just rolled out of bed' curls rounded out the outfit. Even Kurt would be unable to find fault in her sexy cowgirl style.
"Mike's almost ready and the band has the music." Sam said appearing in the mirror behind her.
"What if they don't like it?" She mumbled in concern.
"They'll love it Rachel." Sam replied with a smile.
"We've been over this Berry. If they don't like this or you then they're not worth your time and they can fuck themselves." Noah said appearing from the changing area.
"Noah! Language." Was her only reply as she fixed his collar. He shot her a quick grin before dropping a kiss to her temple and disappearing to where he would enter stage right. Mike ran out of the change area and hooked his thumbs into his belt loops as he danced over to his place at stage left, eliciting a laugh from both Sam and Rachel. Rachel thought they all looked very handsome in their matching plaid shirts, jeans, cowboy boots and hats.
Finn slipped into a seat at the back of the auditorium silently fuming at Rachel for humiliating him in Glee. Mr. Schue had kept him back and said he was disappointed in him for cheating on Rachel and then belittling her in front of her peers (whatever that means). Mr. Schue always takes his side and he's so upset that he defended Rachel. He doesn't understand why she thinks that this is only his fault. If she had just been willing to stay in Lima with him he never would have cheated. He's never understood her unwavering faith that she'd make in on Broadway. Yeah she's got a good voice but she's not half as pretty as Quinn. She had better not embarrass him further by trying to make him jealous by singing with Puck again. He still owed Puck an ass-kicking for interfering in the hall that morning.
Mercedes was giving Kurt and Blaine the silent treatment a few rows ahead of Finn. She couldn't believe it when they attacked her for being 'rude' to that annoying little gremlin. She had just laughed and ignored what they were saying. She didn't understand why people suddenly liked Rachel. She's still the irritating, selfish, solo-hogging brat she was when glee started two years ago. She was furious when Puck and Santana defended her. She wasn't surprised that Puck had jumped to her defence. He'd been Berry's little bitch since they dated in sophomore year. Santana had hated Rachel more than anyone since grade school though. Maybe she thought she was hot or something, stupid whore. Mercedes was also really sick of Sam following Rachel around like a lost puppy. He hadn't looked at her in days, only looking disappointed when she made fun of Rachel earlier. He was supposed to be trying to get her back. If Diva thought she could have Sam as well as Puck and Finn she'd get a very rude awakening in the form of a beatdown. She huffed angrily and tried to make herself more comfortable. She didn't feel like watching a Rachel-centric performance with Sam panting after her on stage.
Santana glanced up at the clearly angry Mercedes and an irritated Finn, grinning smugly. She couldn't stand either one of them. Mercedes was all attitude and there wasn't enough talent to back up her bitching. Finn was a freaking joke. Even before he shoved her out of the closet she hadn't liked him. He was arrogant and a total hypocrite. She would never understand why girls as strong as Berry and Q let him jerk them around. Looked like bitches had figured some shit out and were done with Beluga boy though. God she hoped the Finchel/Fuinn saga was finished.
She glanced at the stage and wondered what song they would sing. She had meant what she said to Berry about relapsing into her Finn mania. She was actually kind of awesome when he wasn't around. Singing 'I kissed a girl' in front of the whole school? Bitch was fearless. And stupidly loyal considering all Santana had put her through since grade school. It didn't take a genius to see that something was going on with Puck and Rachel, although she doubted that they saw it. Rachel was still feeling her way around in the new Finchel free zone and just seemed stoked to have friends for the first time. Santana shifted in her seat guiltily knowing that Rachel struggled so much socially partly because of the things Santana had done and said.
Puck was her boy but wasn't the sharpest when it came to his feelings. Boy probably still didn't know that he started the slushy tradition because he saw how many boys were lining up to date Berry. She had been standing beside him when Azimio said he'd like to get under one of those skirts. Less than 60 seconds later Berry was covered in Puck's grape slushy and everyone was laughing. The only person more surprised than Berry was Puck himself. He looked at her in horror before quickly fixing his features into a smirk. He singlehandedly guaranteed that a daily slushy would damage her reputation enough to make her totally un-datable. He just didn't realise he did it to keep her available for himself. Santana's train of thought was interrupted when Brittany asked her why Lord Tubbington wasn't allowed to come to classes. She listened as Brit insisted that he was smarter than everyone else so he deserved equal opportunity. Santana suggested she use her position as Class President to do something about it.
Mr. Schuester settled into his seat next to Miss. Pillsbury and leaned forward. He was curious to see what they would sing. Despite their differences over the years, he found himself strangely proud of Rachel for trying to bring the group together instead of letting the drama pull them apart again. He shushed the kids as the lights dimmed.
As the music began Puck and Mike sidestepped onto the stage meeting in the middle before starting a four walled line dance. They went through the motions once before sidestepping back to their original sides as Sam and Rachel appeared. Sam began singing as he and Rachel moved in unison to the center of the stage.
I Been working so hard
Sam and Rachel joined Puck and Mike in the four walled line dance they were doing in their respective corners.
I'm punching my card
Sam kicked his foot out to the left alongside Rachel.
Eight hours for what
Slapping the inside and then outside of their boots.
Oh, tell me what I got
They all slapped the inside of their boots again before pivoting to face the next wall. Rachel joined in singing for background vocals.
I get this feeling
They dragged their feet to the left and clapped.
Times just holding me down
They dragged their feet to the right and clapped.
I'll hit the ceiling
Sam and Rachel tilted backwards and then forwards. Puck and Mike jumped and did splits in the air.
Or else I'll tear up this town
Rachel and Sam spun out of formation to face the front. Puck and Mike continuing their walls as Puck joined Sam for the chorus.
Tonight I gotta cut loose, footloose
Sam reached for Rachel's hand and spun her once.
Kick off your Sunday shoes
They kicked their legs out in sync to the left then right. Rachel dropped his hand with a smirk.
Please, Louise, pull me off of my knees
Sam drops to his knees and pretends to beg.
Jack, get back, come on before we crack
Rachel dances over smiling wickedly at his outreached hand before putting her boot on his chest and kicking him onto his back as he frowns.
Lose your blues, everybody cut footloose
She moves away and Sam hops up and dusts himself off before hooking his thumbs in his jeans and continuing to dance with a smile on.
You're playing so cool
Sam directs his attention to Rachel who's dancing up against Puck as he nervously tugs at his collar.
Obeying every rule
She dances over to the center where Sam grabs her hand and spins her over to Mike.
Deep way down in your heart
Mike catches her and tries to pull her close before she shakes her head and pushes him away with a coy smile at his pout.
You're burning yearning for some
She finds herself surrounded by the boys in a triangle formation as she shimmies her hips a little before winking at the crowd.
Somebody to tell you
The three boys stay in their triangle formation as they all shuffle step forwards to the left. Rachel smiles at Mike.
That life ain't passing you by
They all shuffle step to the right. Rachel messes up Sam's hair.
I'm trying to tell you
Rachel removes her hat before circling it in front of her and putting it back on her head. She places a hand on Puck's chest and sticks her tongue out at him.
It will if you don't even try
She continues to flirt with the crowd as the boys dance closer to her, sharing an evil look as Puck grabs her from behind. She struggles desperately, clawing at his arms. All three boys sang the next line.
You can fly!
Puck and Mike throw her high and as she soars through the air, she arches her back holding her ankles.
If you'd only
Rachel lands gracefully next to Sam looking irritated. She joins in the line dancing with a mischievous glint in her eyes. Mike joined Sam for the chorus.
Cut loose, footloose
She dances towards Mike.
Kick off the Sunday shoes
She pushed him hard and he does a back flip.
Oo-wee Marie, shake it, shake it for me
She makes her way to Puck and touches his face before slapping it lightly as soon as his hand rests on her hips.
Woah, Milo, come on, come on let's go
She continues dancing as Puck trips over himself in shock landing on his backside.
Lose your blues, everybody cut footloose.
Sam dances over and pulls Puck to his feet, whispering in his ear as a smile appears on his face. Mike spins Rachel away to whisper in hers.
We've got to turn you around
Mike and Puck begin to clap to the beat as Rachel and Sam engage in a dance off.
And put your feet on the ground
Sam steps forward and tips his hat at her as he moves his feet to the beat.
Now take a hold of your soul
Rachel curtseys mockingly as she moves in and does a complicated spin step. Puck and Mike join in to sing the chorus.
I'm turning it loose
Puck steps forward with Sam and smirks over at Rachel.
Footloose, kick off the Sunday shoes
Sam changes dance styles a bit and throws in some break dancing.
Please, Louise, pull me off of my knees
Puck mirrors Sam's dance moves two beats behind him.
Jack, get back, come on before we crack
The two of them salute at Rachel and Mike who pretend to look defeated.
Lose your blues, everybody cut footloose
Sam and Puck are congratulating themselves when Rachel grins as she and Mike step forward. Mike lifts Rachel and he tosses her in the air only to catch her at the very last moment inches from the ground. They tried not to smile as they heard gasps in the audience and followed with twin pirouettes and a bow. Rachel joined Sam to take the last chorus.
(Footloose) footloose
Sam and Puck start clapping to the beat and nod approvingly. Rachel soaks up the praise and moves to center stage swaying her hips with her hand on her hat as she sends a flirtatious look over her shoulder at Sam.
Kick off the Sunday shoes
Puck and Mike begin a more complicated one walled line dance as Sam set his sights on Rachel and shuffle steps towards her.
Please, Louise, pull me off of my knees
Sam rests his hands on Rachel's waist with her back against his chest and moves his hips in time with hers. Rachel tosses her hat into the crowd.
Jack, get back, come on before we crack
Rachel throws her arm up behind his neck, pulling him closer as his hands slowly trail down to her gyrating hips.
Lose your blues, everybody cut, everybody cut
They continue to sway together in a sultry dance as if they're all alone.
Everybody cut, everybody cut
Sam spins Rachel so that they're facing each other.
Everybody cut, everybody cut
Sam pulls her closer as they continue to shakes their hips. She runs her fingers through her hair as she and Sam look at each other.
(Everybody) everybody cut footloose
Puck and Mike nail synchronized back flips as Sam tugs one of Rachel's legs up around his hips and dips Rachel so low that her hair is touching the floor.
There's silence for a moment and they can hear themselves breathing heavily before the crowd is screaming and applauding the performers. Sam righted Rachel and pulled her into a hug. She found herself squished in between the boys when Noah and Mike joined in. Noah winked at her and mouthed a 'told ya.' She laughed aloud as she heard Santana yell "Hell yes, Sexy Bitches!".
I hope y'all enjoyed the performance. Drop me a line to let me know what you think.