Disclaimer: I don't own GLEE. I wish I did.
Thanks for the reviews. Hope you enjoy the newest chapter and review it.
"5,6,7,8". Counted Shelby as she clapped Vocal Adrenaline in.
It had been a few months since Rachel had moved to Carmel and she was now the lead for Sectionals tomorrow and was working twice as hard as the others. She and Santana had spoken frequently about what New Directions were doing and by the sounds of it, a medley. Mercedes had all the leads which had annoyed Santana to the max.
Flash back
"Rach, she's even worse than you". Said Santana as she paced infront of Rachel who was seated on the lounge watching her friend pace.
"She can't be that bad". Laughed Rachel lightly. Santana whipped around and narrowed her eyes at her friend.
"She is! Every time at rehearsals, she demands a break every five minutes, she then demands for everyone to fan her with a fan. She's like a diva diva, she's worse than a normal diva". Said Santana as she flopped down on the lounge next to Rachel and flew her hands up.
"And she's not even that good of a singer, even I'm better! Shelby has helped me singing a lot". Smiled Santana. Rachel nodded her head.
"She has helped you a lot and you are definitely a better singer than Mercedes".
End Flashback.
"Alright guys. That was awesome. Have a red bull then go home and get a good night's sleep for tomorrow. I've already cleared your schedules so the only thing you have tomorrow is rehearsals for sectionals at lunch time, then sectionals. Remember, there's a sectionals on tonight in about 2 hours, attend if you want. Now good bye". Said Shelby as she walked back to the director's desk as everyone sighed in relief and left. Rachel stayed on stage for a few moments. She wanted to do a run through of her solo by herself with no-one watching. The steps were incredibly challenging but she was so grateful for being awarded the solo so she practiced time and time again.
"Rachel?". Called Shelby as Rachel finished the last of her solo. She wiped the sweat of her face and turned and smiled at her mum.
"Yeah?".
"You need to hurry up and shower and get dressed, otherwise we are going to miss San and Britt perform". Said Shelby as she looked at her watch. Rachel's face whitened as she realized her mother was correct. Rachel ran down the stairs towards her mum and grabbed the bag Shelby was holding out. Shelby gathered her papers on her directors table whilst she waited for Rachel. Shelby knew New Directions weren't any competition to them, but she was very excited to see Santana and Brittany sing and dance and even more anxious to see Mercedes sing. Shelby had heard from the other girls that she was an okay singer, just a huge drama queen.
"Mum?". Asked Rachel as she approached Shelby full dressed and showered. Shelby grabbed her bag and turned around and grinned at Rachel.
"That was the quickest you've gotten ready". Laughed Shelby lightly. Rachel grinned at her mum.
"I know! That's because we have to go see Britt and San perform, like now, so hurry up, we need to go!".
/GLEE/GLEE/GLEE/GLEE/GLEE/GLEE
Rachel was all giddy. Her and Shelby had just arrived before the doors shut. The duo were seated in the front row. It had appeared Brittanys mum, Kim, had reserved the two seats next to her and her husband. Rachel grinned as she sat down next to them. They talked quietly but stopped when it was announced that McKinnley was about to start.
Rachel looked up as Mercedes came on centre stage and started singing an Aretha Franklin hit for her solo. Rachel looked at Shelby and seen her frowning, she laughed inwardly; her mum was always so picky when it came to singing. Mercedes finished her solo as the others came on for a group performance. Rachel spotted Santana and Brittany straight away and grinned at them. Brittany spotted her parents and her other best friend and grinned at them, she was about to wave but then stopped when she realized she was dancing. Santana then spotted her best friend and Shelby and her smile grew even bigger. New Directions danced their hearts out and finished with a flourish. Rachel stood up and clapped. She wasn't clapping for her old club, just two individuals in it: Brittany and Santana. Brittany took Santana's hand and bowed to the crowd before running off the stage allowing for the next team to perform.
They waited for the other two groups to perform but when the time came, everyone was on the edge of the seats.
"And the winner is, The New Directions from William McKinnley High School". Announced the MC. Rachel stood up and clapped politely as they jumped up and down in excitement. Mercedes turned and smirked at Rachel in challenging way, Rachel smirked back in return. Game on Rachel thought to herself.
/GLEE/GLEE/GLEE/GLEE/GLEE
"RAY!". Squealed Brittany as Rachel approached New Directions, but mainly only to see her best friends. Rachel laughed lightly.
"Hey Britt! Good job out there girls!". Smiled Rachel as she hugged Brittany and then moved onto hug Santana. Santana smiled lightly.
"Thanks Ray". She smiled.
"Hey Bezza, Carmel looks good on you". Grinned Puck as he walked over and bumped Rachel's hip. Rachel laughed lightly.
"Thanks Puckerman". Smiled Rachel.
"What're you doing here?". Said Mercedes as she approached the quad with her arms crossed across her chest. Rachel narrowed her eyes and turned and faced Mercedes.
"I've come here to support my best friends". Smirked Rachel as she glared at Mercedes.
"Yeah? Did you see my solo?". Asked Mercedes.
"I did but it lacked...power. You should come to our sectionals tomorrow night. Then you will see what a true solo should look like". Challenged Rachel as she raised her eyebrows. Mercedes glared at Rachel.
"We will be there".
/GLEE/GLEE/GLEE/GLEE/GLEE/GLEE/GLEE
"Remember guys, show smiles. Do not stop smiling throughout the return at all. And make every move count. This our year, again. And we are going to nationals. Okay guys, hands in!". Said Shelby as they put their hands in.
"Alright guys, on three Adrenaline. 1,2,3 Adrenaline". Said Shelby and on three, they yelled adrenaline. Vocal Adrenaline were on last which Rachel was grateful for. She was incredibly nervous. She knew the group one like she knew the alphabet and she knew her solo even better.
"Rach?". Asked Shelby softly as she approached her daughter. Rachel stopped her thoughts and looked at her mum.
"You've got this in your bag sweetie okay? This is yours". Shelby said softly as she kissed her head softly and made her way out into the crowd and waited for her team to perform. She looked around the room and smiled when she seen Brittany's parents sitting with Brittany, Santana and Puck. Last night after the New Directions win, they were suppose to go out and celebrate but Santana and Brittany didn't like their team, they were all so mean. So they decided to celebrate in the family, with Puck joining the two families. Shelby smiled as Santana looked at Shelby and gave her thumbs. Shelby smiled and gave her thumbs up in return. Shelby continued to look around the room and noticed the rest of New Directions sitting away from Brittany, Santana and Puck. Shelby sat there and watched the other two whilst she anxiously awaited for her team to perform. She grinned as she heard the MC announce team were coming onto the stage. She heard loud whoops from the crowd and she looked over and smiled as she seen Puck whooping loudly. She turned her gaze back to the stage just as they started their group redemption of "Rehab". Shelby grinned as she smiled as her team, they were so good. They kept their show smiles on. Their flips and twirls were top notch, as was their singing. After they'd finished their group song, Shelby stood up and clapped, she then sat back down and waited for her daughters solo. The group parted as she walked out singing "You've got the love" by Florence and the Machine. After the intro, Shelby met Rachel's eyes with her own and Shelby saw the determination and strength in her eyes as she sang stronger with more determination and power. Shelby then looked back over at Mercedes and seen her mouth open, she smirked and grinned before returning her gaze back to her daughter in time to see her make her final note. Shelby grinned tearfully and stood up proudly as she clapped so loud that the people next to her were giving her funny looks. She excused herself and ran backstage and wrapped her daughter into a hug.
"Rachel! That song was... amazing! I didn't know you had it down that good". Gasped Shelby as she hugged Rachel. Rachel wrapped her arms around her mums waist and grinned.
"I've been working hard on it". Rachel smiled as she squeezed her mum again tighter. Shelby kissed the top of Rachel's head before letting go and going around hugging everyone else. Rachel made her way over to her friend from she first started, Anne, and hugged her. The team walked out onto the stage and waited as the MC announced the winner.
"And the winner is, from Carmel High, Vocal Adrenaline". Called the MC as Vocal Adrenaline jumped up and down and hugged each other. Rachel squealed as she hugged Anne.
/GLEE/GLEE/GLEE/GLEE/GLEE
"RAY!". Squealed Brittany as she ran down the hallway to her best friend. Rachel turned around and prepared herself for being launched at by Brittany. She laughed as Brittany launched herself at Rachel and wrapped her arms around her.
"That was amazing! The way you guys did all the flips and turns and omg! Your solo? AHHHMAZING". Grinned Brittany as she hugged tighter. Rachel laughed lightly and let go of her best friend.
"Thanks Britt". Smiled Rachel as she turned to Santana. Santana hugged her best friend and grinned.
"Good work Rach, it sounds even better out of your room". Laughed Santana. Rachel hit her best friend lightly before hugging her. Puck grinned and offered his congratulations as well.
"Here comes trouble". Whispered Puck as he nudged Rachel. The quad turned around and seen Mercedes coming with the rest of New Directions, she rolled her eyes lightly.
"Congratulations Rachel, that was an epic performance". Smiled Sam as he and Mike stepped forward and hugged Rachel softly.
"Thanks guys". Grinned Rachel as she hugged them back softly and then letting them go so they could stand next to Puck and Santana. Tina stepped forward as well and hugged her and whispered to her softly. Rachel smiled at Tina as Tina made her way over to her boyfriend, Mike and held his hand. Mercedes narrowed her eyes at the group opposite her.
"Puck, Mike, Sam, Tina, Brittany and Santana. Let's go. We have a team meeting" said Mercedes as she narrowed her eyes. Mike, Sam and Tina looked nervously between each other and then back at Rachel, they didn't want to go but they didn't know if Rachel wanted them around after the way they treated her.
"Actually Mercedes, I've just invited them all to our celebratory party". Smiled Rachel as she turned to the others and smiled, letting them know they were welcome where they were. Mercedes narrowed her eyes at Rachel and the others before walking off. She walked a few steps before Rachel called out to her one last time.
"Oh and Mercedes? In case you were wondering, that's how you do a solo. With power and conviction in knowing what you're singing is golden and being able to sing it properly".
There you go guys, next chapter. I hope you like it. And I just wanted to point out that I personally don't like Mercedes (as you can tell by my story) but I LOVE Amber. But yeah, read and review please
