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"Yes, ma'am." I reply, quietly.
"This is so funny, I was just trying to figure out how to get in contact with you." She smiles her beautiful smile. Nichole walks up to the two of us, as Kurt pulls back, giving us space.
"Ms. Corcoran, I was just wondering if I could have a picture of you." Nichole interrupts. It upsets me for a moment. Couldn't she have waited until we were done?
"That is fine, but first I need to talk to Rachel. Can you give us a couple of minutes, and then I will let you take a picture?" I smile as Nichole nods and walks back over to Kurt. I lock eyes with Kurt for a second and he nods towards Shelby. Shelby grabs my arm, gently pulling me into a corner by the front door of the hotel.
"I was so touched by your letter, but I have to ask…have you ever talked to anyone about this?"
"Yes, well not professionally, but I have talked to my best friend Kurt and daddy some. But everything in that letter, no." Her eyes become sympathetic. I feel like my heart is melting. I feel like she really cares.
"Well here is what I want to do. I want to talk to some people around here and see about finding you the best therapist I can. Is that okay?"
"Uhmm. Actually, I am not from here. I am from Lima, Ohio."
"Okay, well I will look around in Lima for the best therapist I can find and see what we can do about getting you some help." She smiles at me.
"Really? You would do that for a fan you have never met before?"
"Yes, you are too pretty of a girl to be harming yourself. I know that what that kid did to you is horrible, and for that I am truly sorry. I can't begin to imagine what it must have been like for you. However, I do want this self-harming to stop. Do you understand?"
"Yes ma'am." I say. I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes. She pulls me into a tight embrace. It was the best hug I have ever had. It was so comforting and warm. Almost motherly. When we pull apart, some of Shelby's friends walk up to her, singing a song. She smiles at them then looks back at me. She moves me toward her friends.
"Do you have that letter I gave you to hold onto before the show?" She asks the taller one with blonde hair.
"Yeah, here it is." The blonde pulls it out of her back pocket and hands it to Shelby.
"Is this your contact information, Rachel?" I nod, too shy to speak in front of her friends. "Okay well I am going to see what I can do and then I will contact you, okay?" I nod again. She smiles at me once more before turning to Nichole. "You can take the picture now, thank you for being so patient." Nichole walks over with her phone in hand as I move away for her to take the picture. Shelby grabs my arms and pulls me back in to her, placing her arm around me.
"I want a picture with you." I place my arm around her and smile the biggest smile I have ever smiled. She gives me one more hug and then begins to walk across the street to the car lot. I instantly grab on to the pole to hold myself up as Kurt rushes to my side.
"OH MY GOD, DIVA!"
"I know." Shelby turns around in the middle of the road to look at us.
"I am going to worry about you." The water works finally hit. My idol, the Broadway legend, THE Shelby Corcoran is going to worry about me, the little talentless girl from nowhere, Ohio. I can't believe it. We say goodbye to Nichole and head up to our room. Once we are inside, I collapse on the bed in tears. Kurt sits beside me, rubbing my back. After about 30 minutes, I sit up and look at Kurt.
"Diva, I love you but your face is a disaster. Go take a shower then we can talk." I get up to go take a shower. After my nightly routine, I sit back on my bed. Kurt plops down next to me.
"Are you better?"
"Yes. Thank you for giving me my time."
"You're very welcome, Rach. I know that was a lot to take in."
"Yes, it was pretty hard. Amazing, but tough at the same time. Does that make sense?"
"It does." He smiles.
"Do you think she will actually call?"
"I am not sure, I don't want to upset you, but I wouldn't hold my breath."
"I won't. I know she is busy. Just what she said to me tonight was enough for me."
"I know. Well, we need to get some sleep for our drive back tomorrow." I nod and we go to sleep.
We wake up in the morning, pack, and head out. We get to the car and I take one look at the hotel where my dream came true. I see a person standing in a window on the same floor we were staying on, it's Shelby. She waves and I wave back before getting into the car. The drive home is so long. I wish I could just go back to last night. We finally make it home; I drop Kurt off before heading home.
"Dad! Daddy!" I yell throughout the house. There is no answer; the first place I check is the kitchen, there is a note attached to the refrigerator.
Rach,
Daddy and I had to leave unexpectedly to go out of town for work. We hope that your concert went well. We should be back in a week or so. We transferred some money into your account; there should be enough for groceries. We are sorry, baby.
Love,
Dad.
Figures. I go to my room and unpack my suitcase. Ding. My phone goes off, letting me know I have received an email. I check it and it is Nichole, attached to the email is the picture of me and my idol. I am in tears once again. I hit the reply button as my phone begins to ring.
"Hello?" I say answering the phone.
"Hello, Rachel?" The voice questions.
"This is she."
"Hi, honey. This is Shelby." I drop the phone. OH MY GOD, she did call me!