Thank you for all the reviews of Chapter 7! I appreciate them so much. I know there isn't much Finchel in this chapter, but there will be some in the next chapter, and I have arcs planned for both of them in the upcoming chapters! Again, thanks so much for all the support. In case any of you are interested, a new chapter of my other fic should be up soon, too!
Chapter 8: Try Again
Final exams were over, and Finn was happy with his grades. Right now, he was just trying to enjoy his last few weeks in Lima before he went to New York. He was nervous about moving, he wasn't going to lie, but he'd loved Columbia when he visited, and it would be nice to be with Rachel and Kurt again.
Right now, Finn was sitting in the choir room, waiting for Mr. Schue to arrive, when Blaine came in. "Hey!" Finn said. "Have you and Kylie talked at all about the setlist for Nationals?"
"We have," Blaine said. "We were planning to tell the rest of the glee club at practice today, but I wanted to tell you alone first."
"I'm listening," Finn said.
"We wanted to do some classic rock, your favorite genre, as a thank you for everything you did for us this year," Blaine said. "You really helped the glee club a lot. We were thinking of More Than A Feeling by Boston as the duet, and then America by Neil Diamond and I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For by U2 as the group numbers."
Finn felt so honored. "You guys want to do Nationals for me?"
"Yeah," Blaine said. "Finn, you've been such a great leader this year."
"So, are you and Kylie going to do the duet?" Finn asked.
"I tried to talk her into it, but she's afraid to sing in front of a full house of people," Blaine said. "So I'll see if Tina wants to do it with me."
"That would be great," Finn said. "So, are you excited for New York?"
"Of course," Blaine said. "I got into NYADA."
"Have you told Kurt yet?" Finn asked. "He'll be so happy to hear that."
"He was the first person I told," Blaine said. "He's so excited."
"It'll be like old times," Finn said.
"Hey Finn, I got here a little early because I wanted to talk to you about something," Blaine said. "Something about Kurt. "And I think you're the only one who will really understand this."
Finn nodded. "What's going on?"
Blaine reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. "Right before Regionals, I was looking at engagement rings for Kurt."
Finn was right - he knew this better than anyone. "I remember when I was looking at rings for Rachel. I love Rachel, and I knew I wanted to marry her. I still want to marry her. But now that I look back, I don't think it was the right time to get engaged. We were so young, and I was so scared of losing her. I did end up losing her, but I found her again. I know this time it's for good, and I know that one day we will be able to get married."
"So you're saying you think I should wait?" Blaine asked.
"Yeah," Finn said. "Blaine, Kurt loves you. He missed you so much when you were broken up. I can't see Kurt marrying anyone else but you, and one day I do hope you give him that ring. But I do think this might be too much too soon. You just got back together."
"I guess you're right," Blaine admitted. "We should probably see how things go in New York first."
"Yeah, you should," Finn said. "In the long run, I don't think you have anything to worry about."
"I don't think you and Rachel have anything to worry about either," Blaine said. "Speaking of New York, next weekend I'm going there for a weekend with Sam, Artie and Tina. Maybe we could look for apartments while we're there?"
"Yeah, I'd like that," Finn said. He wanted an apartment with Rachel, but maybe that would be too much too soon as well. The other members of the glee club began coming in, and then Mr. Schue arrived.
"So, today, we're going to be hearing our Nationals setlist, if I'm remembering correctly," Mr. Schue said.
"Yup!" Kylie said with excitement. "Blaine and I came up with some fun songs. For the duet, we picked More Than A Feeling by Boston."
"And since Kylie doesn't want to sing in front of so many people, I was wondering if Tina would like to sing the duet with me," Blaine said.
"I'd love to!" Tina said.
"Thanks, that would just be too many people for me," Kylie said. "We picked out America by Neil Diamond for the first group number. We thought Sam and Artie would be good at leading it and then give small solo parts to Kitty, Marley, Jake and Ryder."
"Then for the last group number, we thought I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For by U2 would be good," Blaine said. "And we like the idea of that number highlighting the four seniors."
Everyone seemed to like the song choices. "And we're dedicating our Nationals performance to Finn," Blaine said. "He's done so many great things for the glee club this year."
"Yeah, we'll really miss you next year, man," Ryder said to Finn.
"I'll miss you guys, too," Finn said. "Blaine, you should tell the glee club your big news."
"I got into NYADA!" Blaine announced as the glee club cheered.
"So we'll have to look around campus there when we go to New York this weekend," Tina said. "And speaking of New York - I got into NYU!"
"And I got into Pace," Sam added.
Again, the glee club cheered. "You guys already know about me and Brooklyn Film Academy," Artie said. "So all four of us will be in New York, plus Finn."
"And don't forget about Rachel, Kurt and Santana," Tina said.
"Wow, so much great news," Mr. Schue said. "And now that we have our Nationals set list, we should start practicing."
x
"I don't know, do you think I should do it?" Rachel asked. She was sitting in her apartment with Kurt and Santana, debating with herself yet again about whether not to try out to be an understudy for Funny Girl.
"Yeah, you should do it," Santana said. "I saw the girl who got the part at the diner. She's pretty, but she doesn't have the Fanny Brice look."
"I did some research on her," Rachel said. "Last year she was in Les Miserables. She had a small part, but she's incredible."
"So are you, Rachel," Kurt said.
"Yeah, I have a NYADA winter showcase, a high school production, a high school Nationals, two high school Regionals and three high school Sectionals on my resume, and some local competitions," Rachel said. That wasn't a bad resume when you thought about it, but it wasn't compared to what the star of Funny Girl had. She'd been in several on and off Broadway plays. "And according to some Broadway blogs, the original understudy already quit because she's so difficult to work with."
"And you aren't difficult to work with?" Kurt teased.
Rachel giggled. "I guess I can be."
"I'll call them up and see if they'll let me audition," Rachel said. She went to her room and turned on her computer to look up Rupert Campion's phone number. Before she had the chance though, her skype began going off, and she saw that it was Finn. She smiled as she answered the call. "Hey!"
"Hey!" Finn said. "Guess what?"
"Tell me," Rachel said.
"The New Directions are dedicating their performance at Nationals to me, as a dedication to thank me for all my help this year," Finn said, looking so proud.
Rachel felt so proud of Finn. "That's amazing!"
"I'm excited to see you at Nationals," Finn said.
"Me too," Rachel said. "Well, you'll see me for a couple days before when I come to help out."
"Yeah," Finn said. "Mr. Schue and I were thinking we'd have the alumni mentor the new members, like what I did for Sectionals."
"I'd like that," Rachel said. "I haven't really gotten to know very many of the new members yet."
"Yeah, the four seniors are coming to New York this weekend," Finn said. "I wish I could come."
"So do I," Rachel said. "I'm glad we're back together, but it still feels like something's missing."
"Yeah, that's how I feel," Finn said.
Rachel figured now would be the time to tell Finn. "Finn, I think I'm going to try out for the understudy or for a smaller role in the play."
"You should," Finn said. "Everyone has to start somewhere. You'll work your way up to a starring role, but it wouldn't be bad to start off with a smaller one."
"I guess you're right," Rachel said. "That could give me a better idea of how the business works."
"Yeah," Finn said. "I miss you."
"I miss you too," Rachel said. "I can't wait for you to move to New York."
"So, I think you should go for it," Finn said, giving Rachel a half smile.
"I'll give it a try," Rachel said. "I love you."
"I love you too," Finn said.
Talking with her friends and with Finn had helped Rachel realize that trying out for a smaller part would be the right thing to do. She called Rupert Campion and left a message, asking when she could come try out to be an ensemble or understudy.
x
"Rachel! Get up!"
Rachel rolled over in her bed and saw Kurt. "Guess who's here?"
"Your boyfriend?" Rachel said.
"Yup!" Kurt said. "And Sam, Artie and Tina!"
"I knew it," Rachel said. "I'll be right there." She got out of bed, got dressed and went to the kitchen, where Kurt was sitting on Blaine's lap and Santana, Artie, Sam and Tina were sitting around the table.
"Rachel!" Tina exclaimed, jumping up to hug Rachel.
"Hey!" Rachel said. "It's so good to see you guys."
"You too, Rachel," Artie said. "How are you doing?"
"Well, a few days ago I called the Funny Girl director to see if I could audition to be an understudy," Rachel said. "I still haven't heard back yet." Was Rupert not interested in her?
"I bet you'll hear back," Blaine said.
"So, what did you guys think of your colleges?" Rachel asked.
"We'll be visiting later today," Tina said. "And looking for apartments."
"You guys should consider getting an apartment in our building," Santana said. "If you just use partisans, you can create several extra rooms."
"Blaine might move in here eventually," Kurt said.
"What about Finn?" Tina asked Rachel.
"I think he wants an apartment with you guys," Rachel said. She would like for Finn to live in their apartment with them, but maybe that should be up to him.
"Well, it all depends if we can get out of dorms at our schools," Artie said. "Other than NYADA, all our schools want first year students to live on campus."
"We'll help you guys get out of the dorms," Kurt said. "So, are you excited for your senior Nationals? Finn told me your setlist."
"Yeah," Sam said. "You and the new girl picked a pretty good one, Blaine."
"And the three of us will be there cheering you guys on," Santana said.
"Santana, Brittany said she's coming to Nationals, too," Tina said.
"Oh, Santana's moved on," Kurt said.
"Hummel!" Santana shouted.
"Oh, who is she?" Tina asked.
"Her name is Dani, she works at the diner with us," Santana said. She got out her phone and showed them Dani's picture.
"She's hot!" Sam said.
"We think Santana should ask her out!" Rachel said. Then her phone started ringing. She looked at the caller ID. It was Rupert Campion. Rachel went to her room and picked it up. "Hello?"
"Hi Rachel, this is Rupert Campion from Funny Girl."
"Hi," Rachel said.
"I got your message," Rupert said. "Maybe on Monday could you come audition for the understudy role?"
It wasn't the role she'd wanted originally wanted, but yes, she wanted to be part of this production. "Yeah, that would be great."
"Does noon sound okay to you?" Rupert asked.
"Yeah, noon works for me," Rachel said. "I'll see you then." She went back to join her friends in the kitchen. "They want me to try out to be the understudy!"
"And eventually you're going to get to be Fanny," Kurt said.
"We don't even know if I'll be the understudy yet," Rachel said. Still, it felt good that they were considering her for something.
"And if you ever get to perform, we'll all be here, so we'll all be able to get to see you," Blaine said.
Rachel had to admit, she liked her friends' enthusiasm. It felt good to be around people who supported her and made her feel good about herself, unlike at NYADA, where she constantly felt like she was being put down. She got out her phone and sent a quick text to Finn. "Finn, they want me to try out to be the understudy!"
Finn texted Rachel back. "That's amazing! See, I told you they would."
"Telling Finnocence?" Santana asked.
"Yeah," Rachel said.
"Well, he should know," Kurt said.
Rachel turned to the visitors. "Are you guys ready to have some fun in New York?"
"Yeah!" Sam said.
After breakfast, Rachel sent a text to someone else who'd been supportive of her in her tryouts for Funny Girl - Shelby. Shelby had been the one to give her the initial audition advice for the audition that originally led her to a callback. She'd told Shelby about not getting the part, but she was sure Shelby would be glad to hear she had a chance to audition for the understudy.
x
The next day, Rachel and Shelby were meeting for lunch. Santana was working at the diner, Kurt and Blaine were on a lunch date of their own and Artie, Sam and Tina were visiting the dorms at their respective schools, so Rachel had some free time to get together with Shelby.
"Thanks for agreeing to meet me for lunch," Rachel said as she and Shelby sat down. "I'm actually going to be trying out to be the understudy for Fanny Brice in Funny Girl."
"You know I always love to see you," Shelby said. "I was so sorry to hear you didn't get the part, but maybe you'll get the part of the understudy."
"I hope so," Rachel said. "If the girl playing Fanny can't perform at any time, I'll get to perform. Even if I just got to do one show, that would be nice."
"No matter what happens, Rachel, don't let your quest for fame take over your life," Shelby said. "That's what happened to me for the longest time."
"But everything worked out," Rachel said. "You have Beth, and you and I have reconnected."
Shelby looked upset. "Well, not everything."
"What do you mean?" Rachel asked.
Shelby leaned across the table. "I have another daughter. A couple years after you were born, I got pregnant after a one-night stand. I couldn't get in contact with the father after I got pregnant and I didn't think I could be both a single mother AND a Broadway star, so I put her up for adoption. It's like you and me were for the longest time. I've always been wondering where she was or what she looks like. I don't even know her name. Her adoptive parents have my information in case they ever need me, but they haven't contacted me."
So Rachel had a sister? A sister who was out there somewhere? "Wow," Rachel managed to say. "Well, where was she born? How old is she now?"
"She was born in Ohio," Shelby said. "Like you. That's where her adoptive parents live. Or at least, where they lived when I had her."
Rachel didn't know what to say. There were so many secrets about her past. What was her sister's name? Was she still in Ohio? "Well, I hope I get to be an understudy or get a smaller role," Rachel said. "Thanks, Shelby."
"No problem," Shelby said. "We should get together again soon."
"Yeah, I'd like that," Rachel said. She walked back to her apartment, thinking about what Shelby had told her. Somewhere, there was a girl walking around who was her sister, a girl who likely didn't even know she existed.
Chapter 9 preview: Rachel tries out for Funny Girl to be the understudy while dealing with the aftermath of finding out that she has a sister out there somewhere and not knowing who or where she is. The New Directions Class of 2012 also return to Lima to help prepare for Nationals!
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