A/N: Thank you for reading my story and the response!
Disclaimer: I do not own Glee and its characters.
Of course, Rachel didn't forget about the glee club.
Lauren left Glee and dumped Puck saying it was a waste of time, which meant that member shortage happened. But it was a new school year. There were plenty opportunities to recruit freshmen by Sectionals.
"… and I suggest that we perform the Go-Go's 'We Got the Beat'…"
Groaning and growling, the members of New Directions shook their head in objection as Mr. Schue mentioned an old school piece to recruit students. No sooner had Mr. Schue finished than Rachel held up her hand in the air and stood up to speak.
"When attempting to recruit freshmen, we need to catch a great deal of attention. Why don't we sing and dance with current hit tunes? Like last year? We got two members back then."
"Like someone never tried to sabotage to join one of them since she tricked her into going to a crack house." Mercedes accused, folding her arms across her chest.
Rachel clenched her jaw, but immediately collected herself and cleared her throat. "I think we should make better use of Mike and Brittany's dancing skill this time. As for the current hit tunes," Ignoring the accusation, she picked up her pink binder from her backpack and flipped through it as she continued to speak. "Like 'Happy' by Pharrell, or 'Party Rock Anthem' by LMFAO?" She lifted her head from her binder to look over everyone in the choir room. "Artie, Mercedes or Santana's voice suit that kind of tunes."
Astonished, everyone turned their face towards Rachel, widening their eyes, hanging their mouth open.
"Did I hear that correctly?" This was Tina, whispering to Mercedes who just shrugged.
"Did you eat something that didn't agree with you?" This was Puck, chuckling.
"Alright, Hobbit. What's your angle?" This was Santana, folding her arms over her chest, her eyes narrowed.
"I resent that, Santana." Rachel huffed. "I simply mentioned the fact." She tucked her hair behind her ear.
Sure, Rachel didn't like to share the spotlight. That was true. But it was not like singing a solo for Sectionals, Regionals or Nationals. Or she didn't appreciate the other member's talent. To begin with, who could think she was going to choose LMFAO to sing (or MC to be precise) for herself? Not ever. She would be satisfied with being an extra instead.
Having said that, she needed new members to sing a solo for those competitions, just as she had needed Sam and Quinn to win the duet competition in Glee. Plus, honestly, she had a heap of things in her mind right now.
"If you don't like my idea, I can show you another one, like show tune medley and me singing?" Rachel made a straight face to Santana, shrugging.
Santana snorted. "That's not how it works in the real world, Yentl."
"Alright, guys, how do you think about Rachel's idea?" Mr. Schue cut off. The members nodded affirmatively. "Then, we'll be well prepared with those songs by Friday."
Rachel, who had already sat down on her chair, held up her hand again, earning everyone's groan. "Can we get a cooperation of Cheerios, Mr. Schue? For dancing backgrounds."
"Quinn, Santana, Brittany, what do you think?" Mr. Schue asked. "Of course, without telling Sue."
When Quinn was about to open her mouth to dismiss the idea, Puck put a word in. "I'll talk to my ladies, Mr. Schue." Puck smirked, and turned his head towards Rachel throwing a wink at her, which he earned a light punch on his shoulder from Finn.
"Thanks, Puck." Mr. Schue nodded appreciatively. "Okay, the club dismissed." He clapped his hands before everyone left the choir room.
Rachel made her way to Tina and Artie who were standing at their lockers. "Hi, guys."
Tina and Artie looked at each other before turned their faces to Rachel, throwing a quizzical look at her as she fished the flyers for the project at hand out of her backpack before she handed out the flyers to them.
Once Rachel finished explaining her and Kurt's project at hand included the charity event briefly, she asked cautiously. "Would you guys do me a favor?" Rachel looked down at Artie. "Can you film the whole project, I mean, the charity event, our rehearsals, the musical performance, everything and all? Like a documentary?" She saw Artie stare at the flyer contemplating. She cleared her throat. "You know, you can use it for your college application next year too, as a video essay or something, if you like. Jesse told me that you're interested in his college, right?"
Artie nodded. "Yeah, I've been thinking about my career path lately a lot. I love singing, but film production is really intriguing."
Rachel turned her head to Tina. "And Tina, I want you to audition for 'Shirley Todd'. I think your voice cuts out for musical."
Tina narrowed her eyes. "You once did say that I was not ready for musicals?"
Rachel rolled her eyes. "Do you really need to bring up what is done? It was a year ago."
"Right." Tina held up her hands in air. "I'll think about it."
"And are you interested in costume support other than performing for the musical?" Rachel asked to Tina. "Kurt needs your help to make costumes. You know, he highly praises you for your unique fashion sense." She added.
Tina, who didn't seem to mind her saying it, grinned. "I think I can handle that."
"Thank you!" Rachel clapped her hands, jumping up and down. She was about to whirl around before stopping herself from doing it, remembering something. "Artie? What did you film with Jesse?"
"Oh, we shot some parody videos with Al Yankovic songs. It was fun." Artie answered with an amusing look.
Rachel raised her eyebrow. "You mean, a parody of a parody? It sounds interesting, but why with Jesse? Didn't you like him?"
Artie shrugged. "Yeah, he was a jackass and still can be. But I think he's very talented. You know, he can act subtly, overdramatically, and comically at the same time. And he can really sing." He admitted. "Besides, he was not that bad when we talked at the restaurant."
"I'm glad you saw his good side." Rachel grinned. "Okay, I have to go. I'll text both of you about more details. Oh, Artie, can I see the videos?"
After posting everywhere she was allowed to and passing out the flyers for hours, Rachel finally got to the Hell Gate studio, exhausted.
When she saw Stephanie at the front desk, she noticed that she was different from the previous encounters. Was she smiling at her? "Hi, Stephanie. Is David in his office?"
Stephanie nodded with a shy smile. "Yes he is. I'll let him know you're here."
"Thank you, Stephanie." Rachel smiled back and made her way over to David's office, wondering what changed her during summer.
"Hi, Rachel." David greeted as Rachel entered the office. "How was your summer? I assume you enjoyed NY and college stuff."
"Yes, I did." Rachel beamed. "But I never imagined college life was that busy. How do they manage to get through?" She sat on the chair and put a box she brought with her on the ground before pull out something from the box.
"These are for you." Rachel bought a DVD of 'Under Hellgate Bridge' and framed old monochrome picture of Hell Gate Bridge for him. "This is for Morgan." The lame 'I heart NY' T-shirt. Rachel smirked as David chuckled. "And this is for Macy." The Origin collection of Mast Brothers Chocolate. "She said she loves chocolate."
"You didn't have to. But thank you." David took them from Rachel. "So, what can I help for you today?"
Rachel told him everything about her (and Kurt's) project for the musical before she asked his band to perform at the fund raising event. "I can pay you guys this time."
"You are the busiest high school student I've ever met. I'm sure you can handle everything in college." David chuckled. "I want to say I'd be glad to accept your offer, but I should ask my guys first."
"Of course you should." Rachel nodded. "Could you give me an answer as soon as possible?" She pushed.
David laughed. "Yes, I will, Ms. Berry."
"Hey, sis. How's my niece?" Jason lay down on his bed, his cell phone in one hand, tossing a ball with another hand.
"She's growing so fast. How was NY? You texted me you met someone."
"About that." Jason hesitated.
"What's bothering you?"
Jason sighed. "I think she isn't over her ex. Not that she's mentioned anything about him."
Jason Deegan, who turned 18 year old on August 28, glanced at a DVD box set of 'The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus 16 Ton Megaset' on his desk, which Rachel sent him as his birthday present since he'd once said that he liked Terry Gilliam.
When Jason first met her, he was almost drowned in her big brown eyes. He tried to play it cool, suppressing his feelings. She was different from any other girls.
The first date went well. He thought that she thought so too. His heart almost dropped when she turned him down for a second date. He, however, couldn't give up easily (her best friend was his roommate, how could he avoid her presence?).
Despite he got her agreed to go on a second date forcefully, he didn't push his luck because of her hesitation. Finally the time when he kissed her was the last day in NY.
During the rest of summer holidays, they didn't see each other again. She made an excuse like she wanted to prepare for SAT since she wouldn't have enough time to do that once a new school year would start. She seemed to be distant compared to the last day in NY.
Sure, they texted or called each other every day ever since they returned to each home town from NY. So, he believed that she'd been really busy with her and Kurt's project and preparation for SAT (he loved her determination but his disappointment was undeniable).
"Oooh, you sound you're in love."
"Suzy, that's not helping." Jason huffed. "I need words of wisdom from a grown woman. Don't pull my leg."
"You said she's not mentioned her ex yet, right? If you are serious about her, all you can do is to wait for her telling everything about her ex."
"Yeah, right." Jason stopped throwing a ball before he put it aside on his bed, thinking how he managed to make her fall for him.
A/N: 'Happy' by Pharrell was actually sung in 5x12 '100'.
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