Brittany's mom arrived in the afternoon to pick up Quinn, Kitty, and Santana for an exciting hangout at her house. The sun shimmered through the leaves as they eagerly piled into the car, chatting and laughing about their plans for the day ahead.
As Shelby settled onto the couch beside Rachel, she could feel the weight of the moment hanging in the air. Rachel glanced up, her eyes filled with curiosity and concern.
"I know you want to talk to me about what happened at school," Rachel said softly, her voice steady but tinged with apprehension.
Shelby furrowed her brow, her expression a mix of confusion and frustration. "Yes, but I don't understand why you did that," she replied, searching Rachel's face for answers.
Rachel sighed, a heavy sound that seemed to carry the weight of her recent turmoil. "When Miss Holiday told me that Finn and I weren't going to sing, I just… I lost it," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Kurt and Mercedes were trying to help me at the time, but I was so caught up in my meltdown that I didn't realize they wanted to support me. Miss Holiday said she'd give everyone a chance to sing, but in my frustration, I walked out." Her shoulders slumped, and she took a breath before continuing, "Then she came after me and told me I was off the team. She said I couldn't come back without talking to you or Cassie."
There was a pause as the enormity of Rachel's words sank in, the air crackling with unresolved feelings and the bitter taste of lost opportunities.
With a heavy heart, Shelby cradled Rachel's hands gently between her own, the warmth of their connection mingling with an intense sense of urgency. Her voice, steady yet brimming with emotion, broke the silence between them. "I'm really disappointed in you, Rach," she said, locking her gaze onto Rachel's. There was a depth of concern in her eyes, a silent plea for understanding. "You can't keep lashing out at Miss Holiday just because things don't go your way. You're better than that."
Shelby took a moment, her brown eyes searching Rachel's for any sign of recognition or remorse. "I know your fathers weren't around for you, and maybe they didn't equip you with the tools to manage your emotions," she continued, her voice softening, "but there are healthier ways to cope with your frustrations."
Taking a deep, steadying breath, Shelby battled the storm of feelings swirling within her, determined to maintain her calm. "Next time you feel one of your tantrums bubbling up, try counting backwards from ten," she suggested, her tone shifting to one of warm empathy. "And if that doesn't help, just step away from the situation before it escalates like it did the other day." Each word was steeped in sincerity; she genuinely wished for Rachel to grasp the potential for making better choices.
Rachel remained silent for several moments, her gaze fixed intently on the worn wooden floor as she absorbed Shelby's words. "That's what I was afraid of," she finally murmured, her voice barely escaping her lips, a whisper laced with vulnerability. "I didn't want to disappoint you or Cassie, but what if none of those things work?"
"It should, Rach," Shelby replied, her tone a mix of firmness and gentle encouragement. "I know you've been struggling lately, but I can't keep ignoring the fact that you need to be punished."
Rachel's shoulders drooped in resignation as she slowly nodded, the weight of her actions apparent in her demeanor. "I'll accept any punishment without getting upset."
Feeling a surge of tenderness envelop her heart, Shelby tenderly ran her fingers through Rachel's hair, a soothing gesture that spoke volumes during that fragile moment. "I'm grounding you for a week," she finally declared softly, her voice gentle yet resolute. Rachel simply nodded in response, her expression a mix of acceptance and sorrow.
"I will need your phone," Shelby added. Rachel reached over the table, her hand trembling slightly as she passed her phone to Shelby.
"Don't worry, Rach," Shelby murmured softly, her voice laced with warmth and reassurance as she wrapped her arms tightly around Rachel. The comforting embrace seemed to be the only thing holding Rachel together as sobs began to escape her lips, each tear cascading down her cheeks in unrelenting streams, evidence of the emotional turmoil she faced. "I promise, I'll give it back to you once your punishment is over. On Monday, I'll speak with Miss Holiday about everything that's been happening with you, and I plan on bringing you along so you can sincerely apologize. You need to understand that if I hear about you making mistakes like this again, it could be the end of your time in New Directions for good."
Rachel's eyes widened in disbelief, a surge of panic rising in her chest like a tidal wave threatening to crash over her. "W-what? You can't do this! Glee club means everything to me!" The overwhelming weight of her emotions felt suffocating, and she teetered on the brink of a meltdown, her heart pounding wildly in her chest.
Shelby tightened her embrace, her presence a steady anchor amidst the whirlwind of Rachel's feelings. "It's going to be alright, Rachel. I'm not taking Glee club away from you just yet. But when that moment arrives, I promise I'll be right here to help you navigate life without it. We need to address your behavior," she said, gently pulling back to meet Rachel's gaze with unwavering determination. "And I'm still going to schedule an appointment for you with a therapist next week."
"There's nothing wrong with me!" Rachel retorted sharply, a mixture of frustration and defiance etched across her features, as if she were trying to convince not only Shelby but also herself.
Shelby shook her head gently, her expression a blend of empathy and understanding. "You struggle to cope with certain situations when they become overwhelming, and that's not your fault; it's a part of who you are."
Rachel took a deep, shaky breath, her shoulders slumping under the heavy burden of reality. "I'll go, but only if you take me," she conceded, her resolve softening as the fight faded from her posture.
"Of course," Shelby replied, her reassuring smile lighting up the dim room like a beacon of hope piercing through the gloom. "Your sisters will be at school."
A rush of humiliation swept over Rachel at the thought of her sisters knowing, her mind racing with visions of them mercilessly teasing her.
No, they wouldn't humiliate you like that, Shelby tried to reassure her, her tone soothing.
But the image of Santana loomed large in Rachel's mind, with her razor-sharp wit and relentless snark, ready to strike at the slightest hint of vulnerability.
"What are you thinking about?" Shelby asked, her brow furrowing slightly, a hint of concern flickering in her eyes.
Rachel's gaze drifted to the floor, a cloud of apprehension hanging over her. "I was just reflecting on how Santana will probably unleash a flurry of snarky comments to get back at me for how I treated her in Glee Club," she admitted, her voice laced with unease.
Shelby took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully. "I need to be completely honest with you. I didn't like how you, Finn, and Mr. Schuster—a grown man—treated Tiger when she was in Glee Club. I know I shouldn't say this, but I sensed something was off with her. Every time she came home, she seemed sad and withdrawn, hiding behind a façade of happiness. I even overheard her crying one night while talking to Brittany on the phone. It broke my heart. I tried to approach her, but she shut down and ended up crying herself to sleep in my arms. That moment shattered me. Then we discovered that another student, David Karofsky, was bullying her along with the three of you at Glee Club. I was furious. I felt betrayed by Mr. Schuster."
"Are you still mad at me?" Rachel whispered, her voice barely above a murmur.
"No, I'm not mad at you anymore, I promise," Shelby replied softly, her tone shifting to one of understanding. "I want you to know that Tiger isn't out for vengeance. No one in this house will mock you for grappling with the pain of your father's abandonment. We all have our own struggles with our so-called families." Her words were firm yet compassionate, an unwavering support In the midst of Rachel's turmoil.
To lift your spirits, we can sing together; it's something that always seems to help when we're feeling down, just like it does for your sisters.
Rachel beams with excitement. "I would love to sing! Can we sing 'Next to Me' by Emeli Sandé?"
Shelby responds with a warm smile, pressing play on the audio. The music begins to fill the room, and they start to sing in harmonious voices.
(Shelby)
"You won't find him drinking under tables,
Rolling dice or staying out 'til three.
You won't ever find him being unfaithful;
You will find him, you'll find him next to me."
(Rachel)
"You won't find him trying to chase the devil,
For money, fame, for power, out of greed.
You won't ever find him where the rest go;
You will find him, you'll find him next to me."
(Chorus Together)
"Next to me,
Ooh, ooh."
(Shelby)
"Next to me,
Ooh, ooh."
(Rachel and Shelby)
"Next to me,
Ooh, ooh.
You will find him,
You'll find him next to me."
(Rachel)
"When the money's spent
And all my friends have vanished,
And I can't seem to find no help or love for free."
(Shelby)
"I know there's no need for me to panic
'Cause I'll find him, I'll find him next to me."
(Rachel)
"Oh, the skies are grey
And all the doors are closing."
(Shelby)
"And the rising pressure makes it hard to breathe."
(Rachel: "Hard to breathe.")
(Rachel and Shelby)
"When all I need is a hand
To stop the tears from falling,
I will find him,
I'll find him next to me."
(Rachel and Shelby)
"Next to me, (Next to me)"
"Ooh, ooh.
Next to me, (Next to me)"
"Ooh, ooh."
(Rachel)
"Next to me, (Next to me)"
(Rachel and Shelby)
"Ooh, ooh.
I will find him,
I'll find him next to me."
(Rachel)
"When the end has come
And buildings are falling down fast."
(Shelby)
"When we spoiled the land
And dried up all the sea."
(Rachel)
"When everyone has lost their heads around us,"
(Rachel and Shelby)
"You will find him,
You'll find him next to me."
(Rachel and Shelby)
"Next to me, (Next to me)"
"Oh, (Ooh, ooh) Woah!"
(Shelby)
"Next to me."
(Rachel and Shelby)
"Ooh, ooh.
Next to me, yeah.
Oh woah!
You will find him,
You'll find him next to me."
(Rachel)
"Next to me."
(Shelby)
"Next to me, yeah!"
(Rachel)
"Next to me."
(Rachel and Shelby)
"Next to me,
Yeah, yeah!"
(Shelby)
"Next to me. (Rachel: Next to me!)"
(Rachel)
"Oh, yeah."
(Shelby)
"Oh, yeah.
Next to me."
(Rachel)
"Next to me."
(Rachel and Shelby)
"Yeah, yeah.
You will find him,
You'll find him next to me."
(Shelby: "Yeah.")
Once Shelby and Rachel finished their duet, a wave of relief washed over Rachel, lifting her spirits significantly. With a gentle press, Shelby silenced the music playing on her cellphone, allowing the room to fill with a comforting quiet. They made their way to the kitchen, where the enticing aroma of snacks wafted through the air. As Shelby busied herself preparing something delicious, Rachel felt a growing sense of comfort and decided to retreat to her room, needing a moment to unwind and gather her thoughts.