NEW YORK – PART 1

(Rachel)

Nationals! Finally! This is a three days competition with the 12 Regionals winners, plus two champion's teams from Alaska and Hawaii and the current National champion, in case: Vocal Adrenaline, from Lima, Ohio. The first day is the technical competition with a pre-established theme. The organization chooses an artist, a music style, or music from a specific decade to be executed. Five teams are eliminated in this round. On the second day, there is a technical and artistic judgment with a pre-determined or free theme. Five more are eliminated. The five finalists compete on the third day and they may or not use a 12 minutes setlist. Generally, the theme is free.

Saturday, the big final, is when the big show happens. The house is full and the audience is hungry for fun. The great talent also needed to communicate well, thrill, winning the audience that directly influences the opinion of the judges-celebrities. This is the point here, because technically, all five remaining teams are equivalent: they are already the best in the country. There is more at stake: some scouts use to attending the competition in search of the best soloists, the most interesting people and the best dancers.

I heard that when the Nationals go through New York, there were producers in the audience looking for new people to make some off-off-Broadway play that serves to test a particular concept for a bigger show. Well… choose somebody in a choir competition is cheaper and you already do the first audition right there, on the stage. I know a case of an actor who managed to win Broadway this way: discovered in a choir competition. So, in resume, that was my first big chance.

It was also the last great performance of New Directions current group. Noah, Mike and Lauren were going to graduate this summer. Mike was accepted at Princeton, Lauren was going to a college in Utah, and Noah would survive somehow. There was also Brittany: Her father moved to Los Angeles and the rest of the family was also all packed. It was the first opportunity of Mr. Pierce in a major newspaper, so he couldn't let this escape. Santana is going to Stuyvesant in three weeks. My sister would live in New York first then I. How unfair!

I considered this an unique opportunity to do a happy end for my team. Next school year, we would have to start working hard to rebuild the group, so winning the Nationals would be fundamental for that: everybody likes to be part of a winner group. Despite Schuester and Finn, our team chose the songs that fit on three big topics: sex, drugs and rock'n'roll. We use the pre-established program to create a piece performed in three acts with well knowing songs. It's National, all the teams invest on great productions, and amateur original song hardly wins the audience. Of course we had a plan "B" in case we can't put into practice the first. That was a precaution we take after we learned our lesson in our first competition.

"Do you really think this crazy idea will work?"

"It's a risk, Quinn. But we need to distingue ourselves from other choirs somehow. This is a very competitive environment, and we need to consider the possibility of more stringent positions with regard to creativity because it is the land of Broadway and the places with the best professional..."

"Ok, ok... I get it!" Quinn rolled her eyes and then smiled. "You have talking about that a million times."

I was increasingly bewitched by that smile and those eyes. When I heard she broke up with Sam because of me, to show she was no longer willing to play games, I was secretly very happy. She said she would give me room for the Nationals, so I could focus on the numbers. The team practiced every day for three hours and I was pleased to see that everyone faces it with the utmost professionalism, despite my sister' dog mood. But in time to board the bus, knowing that Finn held two armchairs in front row because of his long legs, Quinn didn't hesitate to travel by my side.

"My father saw online a studio for rent in Little Italy" I said to Quinn.

"What?"

"Santana. It's possible that she will live alone in a studio in Little Italy. The apartment is not far from Stuyvesant and she can go to school by bike. Broadway Avenue is near from there, did you know?"

"It will be weird not to see Santana in the next semester."

"Santana will live in New York before me. That is weird!"

"Sometimes I get the feeling that you will end up in NYC sooner than you think." Quinn turned to face the window and frowned.

"Would you miss me?" I teased.

"You?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Honestly, I would consider a great offense if you miss Santana and not me. I was your greatest opponent in school."

"You? My greatest opponent? Keep dreaming, Lopez 2. You were my favorite target, but Lopez 1 was my truly opponent... she still is."

"Quinn, you will deny that I was your main model while you developing your artistic abilities?"

"What?"

"I'm talking about all pornography you 'published' about me in the bathroom and the collection of my caricatures that you have in a certain notebook. I'm not counting that I stole almost all your boyfriends in school: Finn and Noah. And don't forget that I gave you a push to be with Sam. True be told, I was the most remarkable person in your school life. "

"Do not talk like that!" She closed her expression.

"Like what?"

"As if saying goodbye."

Quinn looked back at the window and this time she ignored me for a long time. The bus was quiet because the tiredness of the long journey. Quinn moved as if to find a position for napping. She was so different since that bathroom confession. The camera became a regular company even in school. I was impressed when I saw her pictures on line: all artistic, with interesting light control, and without filters. Before, I wouldn't be surprised if I saw Quinn dressed in a well pantsuit to work in a large law company. My view about her has changed. Now I could see a beautiful woman traveling around the world, dressed in a vest press, denouncing injustice through the lens of a camera.

"I'll get water. Want something in the cooler?" Sam offered, already jumping Noah's legs.

"No thanks!" Quinn even took her eyes from the window and I confess that gestures were thus able to make the blood freeze. She was a naturally intimidating kind of person.

Sam went to the front of the bus, where were Mr. Schuester, Brad, Lauren and Finn. I was curious why Finn hadn't come to us once. Or he was asleep or too busy with that damn portable videogame. Finn irritated me when it came to games. He acted like a big kid sometimes that was able to prefer that infernal game then to be with me. Unless our action involved me lying in bed on top of him, preferably creating friction in certain parts.

"NYC ahead!" Schuester yelled and we all celebrated except Quinn who seemed oblivious.

"Not excited?" I frowned and she finally turned her face towards me.

"Why would I?"

"Because it's New York, the greatest city of the world! Where we all may be National champions.

"Maybe." And she almost completely ignored me.

Almost! Though her face has returned to the window, I felt her arm moving against mine until she finally took my hand and intertwined our fingers. I felt more shivers down your spine and butterflies beating inside the stomach. I was fighting the idea of falling in love with Quinn Fabray.

…

The New Directions faced heavy traffic to go to Harlem. The little hotel that we would stay in was a nice six floors building. It charged a cheap daily that other the guests a basic breakfast and has bunkers as option in the rooms. Downstairs there was a reception, the cafeteria and a communal lounge with TV. There was a pub in the basement, but under 18 wasn't allowed. There was also the roof with a few tables with umbrellas where guests use to sunbath or other stuffs.

Good thing we left Lima with everything booked because the hotel was full. Besides the usual people from other countries that travel inexpensively but looks for more comfort and privacy than you could find on a hostel, The North Carolina's choir was also staying there. We try to be friendly with them, but the reception wasn't the same.

I was happy to see that the rooms were spacious and clean with three bunk beds and a single bed as it was sought. There was a small TV and the usual fridge with expensive drinks on there in our room. And the hotel also gave us two keys that Mercedes and I were in charge. The first bunk on the left, closest to the window, were chosen by Quinn and Tina. Santana and I shared the bunk right immediately then. Mercedes and Brittany were in the nearest bunk of the bathroom door and Lauren took the single bed.

"How strange that other choir." Tina smiled as she put her bag on the top bunk.

"I had the impression that the red head guy would explode when they knew we were adversaries." Mercedes commented.

"Maybe they were planning to do extra rehearsals in the hotel and we spoil the plans." At least that's how I interpreted the reaction of other coral.

"We could spy them." Mercedes wondered.

"You are so childish." Santana muttered as she lay on the top of our bunk.

"Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, Lopez 1?" Quinn teased.

"Are you interested in knowing what side of the bed I sleep, Fabray?"

"It's the left one." Brittany replied.

"Hey, Quinn and Santana." Mercedes got between these two. "Give me a break! Like Mr. Schue said: this is not the time to fight. We have to save our anger to the stage."

"There is a Starbucks near here." Tina changed the subject. "Somebody's up?"

"Decaffeinated to Santana!"

"Quinn!" Now it was my turn to fight.

"The same to you, Lopez 2." Quinn smiled.

"I agree." Mercedes beat on Quinn's shoulders. "Give caffeine to the Berry-Lopez sis and as a result we would have a Taz-Mania-Rachel speaking elbows and Dr. Santana House grumping around more than she already had. Nobody would survive for Nationals..."

"Thank you Mercedes, but know that I have many healthy lifestyle habits, beyond my own regular vitamins that prevent harm. In other words, I do not need nor enjoy making use of certain stimulants beverages... humf..." Quinn grabbed me from behind to cover my mouth using excessive energy.

"Get your paws off her, tubers." Santana jumped off the bunk bed in two seconds. On the next one, Brittany was holding her by the waist.

"This is out of control." Tina also tried to contain Santana.

"It was just a joke." Quinn let me go. "I wouldn't hurt Rachel, Jesus Christ! What's your problem?"

"Las chicas están con razón. Usted está sobrepasando los limites." I held Santana by the shoulders and I was careful to speak in Spanish because I know the other girls had trouble understanding it.

"Leave me, okay?" She told Brittany. I use the time to hold Santana's hand and pulled her out of the room. My sister still had to push Quinn on the way.

"Tenemos que hablar ahora!"

I pulled Santana toward the roof we had access by internal stairs. As I thought correctly, the place was empty. It wasn't much there and the sunbeds were very dirty and older than they appeared in the pictures. I felt disgusted by them because soon came to my mind all those movies with couples having sex on the roofs like that one. When in doubt, I prefer to stay stand. Santana had her back to me, looking at a landscape that wasn't a big deal.

"Your quarrel went too far." She kept standing, looking at the horizon. "I am aware that you are stressed, but our friends didn't have anything to do with Brittany going to L.A, or daddy's death, or that you are moving to this city in three weeks and you are afraid."

"Ray, do me a favor: let me breathe for two seconds, and in five minutes I promise I will come down and talk to you calmly and, maybe, apologize with the girls, ok? But just let me stay a bit away from the others?" And she sat on one of the disgusting sunbeds.

"Five minutes!"

I went down the stairs and was aiming to go to the room when Brittany approached me halfway.

"It's my fault." She said looking between her fingers, as if she had broken some window glass.

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm moving to Los Angeles and that's why San is angry. Now she'll have to move to this city, when what she really wanted was to be with you, your father and me. If I stayed in Lima, San would too, but I can't. My mother enrolled me in a dance company in Los Angeles where I'll be able to improve. It's what I like doing, Rach. I'm not the brightest cookie, I will be lucky if I finish high school, so my dance is the only chance I have to be someone with own identity."

Brittany was part right. She was one of the reasons of Santana stress, but she wasn't the one to blame.

"She's up there on the roof." I said Brittany. "Go there and talk to her. My sister always feels better when she's with you, no matter how angry she is. So, go there and making peace, ok?" By making peace between the two could mean "do a quickie." My thoughts turned back to the sunbed and my stomach turned a little.

"Do you think she will forgive me and come to terms with everybody?"

"I'm sure she will! Santana can't resist your sweet lady kisses."

"Neither can I. Thanks Rach." Brittany hugged briefly and took the path of stairs.

The tension between New Directions and the North Carolina's choir was almost physical. If not so, Mr. Schuester wouldn't be giving any moral lesson for the boys. I wasn't interested in discussions and thanked by the bedroom door was before the arguing crowded ahead.

"Your conversation with Santana was fast." Quinn was the only one in the room. She lay back on her bed listening to music on ipod.

"Where are the girls?"

"On Starbucks, I believe. They will bring for you and Santana a decaf."

"Whatever." I sat on my bed. "Sorry about Santana, the push and everything. She is going through a lot of things and my sister tends to react with some violence… you know her."

"I accept your apology with a condition"

"What is it?"

"Give me a kiss." My heart skipped a beat.

"What?" I was surprised and excited at the same time with Quinn's sudden attitude. She was the one who said she would give me space.

"You heard me. I want your kiss of excuses."

"You, Quinn Fabray, want to kiss me?"

"You talk as if we hadn't done it before. But yes, I do!"

I approached and leaned. I kissed her lightly on the lips.

"Satisfied?"

"It was interesting... But I know you can do better." She looked at me, challenging me.

She pulled me against her body, then ran a hand on my neck and our lips met again. Soon, our tongues were dancing. I think I went into a trance. It was always so good to be with Quinn and I confess I was missing her touch.

"You have no idea how long I've wanted to do it again." She whispered in my ear. "Having to stand next to you, singing with you, respecting your space and see you with that idiot. That was torture, Rach."

"It is?" I was still dizzy.

"I want you, Rachel Berry-Lopez." Once again, she kissed my lips and the smile that came to kill me. "I heard the New York buildings usually have interesting roofs."

"Yeah... NO!" The word roof made me back to reality and Quinn frowned. "I mean, we can't go to the roof or anywhere else. Santana and Britt are right there making peace and god knows how much it is fundamental not only to the quality of my home life as well as for the competition tomorrow. Besides, I'm still with Finn and it's bad enough that I'm cheating on him."

"Still? I mean, tomorrow you may no longer be dating, right?"

The door opened suddenly and I turn away immediately in a fantastic reaction time that deserved to be measured. Kurt came in our room with a well flushed face.

"Dear Rachel." He put his hands on my shoulder. "We need to stop these thugs from North Carolina."

"What is the problem, more precisely?" Quinn asked.

"Puck made a joke about the soloist's girlfriend and, surprise, they not stand the game."

"Typical." Quinn rolled her eyes and turned to put the phone of the ipod.

"Rach." Finn came to the door with a red face. That was definitely not my day. "Do you have a moment?"

"What was it this time?"

"Schuester wants to talk to us. Things are getting out of control here."

Finn took me to the lounge where the other choir directors were. Mr. Schue was waiting for us along with an asian woman and that red head guy from the other choir. The discussion began. If it was related to the competition, I would be more attentive student, especially if we could know a vital information to win. Quinn's blaze attitudes had some point: this kind of quarrel and disagreement honestly add nothing. So I sat on the couch, crossed my arms and legs, rolled eyes most of the time and waited them to finish. So much noise to nothing. Finally, it was established that the teams should avoid any interaction.

"That woman was not easy." Finn referred to the other director.

"Frankly. They are fighting for nonsense. As if Noah would stop hitting on any living being with breasts and a vagina." It looked like my sister talking.

"There are certain things that should be off limits and Puck has a girlfriend."

"The limits are set for ourselves, Finn. Noah could flirt with any girl, but she should have dumped him in the first place. Noah isn't smart for many things, but he knows how playing this game. I bet the girl gave him a hint."

"You've been defending Puck so much these days." Finn grabbed my arm. "You've been walking away from me these days. What is happing, Rachel?"

"Do not be ridiculous." I made a sudden movement to make him drop me.

"Sorry! I think it's the stress that is taking the best of me"

"We're all nervous for several other reasons. This is just one more."

"I would call you out for coffee, but..."

"We have to take care of the team."

"Exactly!"

He bend down to kiss me but all I could do was gave him a peck. In that moment, I realized that I couldn't be with him anymore when my mind was with Quinn. Still, broke up in the Nationals could be terrible for the team. So I had to hold on until the torment over.