A New Direction (Glee and Finchel/Samchel fan fiction)

Chapter 1- Last Summer

I sat on the ledge of the rocky cliff, gazing across the clear blue horizon of the ocean. I closed my eyes and breathed in the fresh ocean air. The aroma of salt filled me with bliss. Living in Ohio sure doesn't give me many opportunities like this, and being the last day of Summer today assured me that I wouldn't be seeing the ocean again for quite some time. I sighed as I took in the final glimpses of the west coast, taking a mental panoramic photograph of the beautiful Los Angeles shore. I felt a soft touch on my shoulder.

"It's time to leave for the airport, Rachel." I turned to see my dad giving me a warm smile. I smiled back before getting to my feet and making my way towards the rental car, glancing back at the coastline before slowing taking a seat in the back of the car behind my dads.

My eyes were frozen on the beautiful Los Angeles scenery for the entire trip to LAX airport, taking in every last second of being in this amazing city. I didn't want this vacation to end. It was a summer tradition to come to LA with my dads, one we started when I was in elementary school, and I always felt empty leaving this place, but this time was different. This time I felt like I was leaving myself in LA, which was partly true. For the whole of middle school, I was wrapped up in what other people thought of me and trying to fit in, but now that I was less than a month away from being a Sophomore, I decided that for these next three years I must focus on my dreams of becoming a star. I was so bullied in middle school that I was homeschooled for my first year of high school, but my dads decided that I needed to attend a 'regular' school. I knew that I had to focus on myself in order to be the best Rachel that I could be. Whether I would be a broadway star or a pop singer I didn't know, but I knew I would be a star, and freshman year was going to be my year; the year I was going to say goodbye to insecure Rachel, born and raised in Lima, Ohio and welcome Rachel Barbara Berry, soon-to-be world-renowned as the first big name to come from Ohio.

The plane trip to Ohio was peaceful, but every now and again, between my beauty sleep and reading the latest Broadway magazines, my mind wandered to the events of the past two and a half months. At the beginning of June, at Santa Monica Pier, I met an amazing boy who was genuine, warm and the boyfriend of my dreams by the name of Finn Hudson. Everyday of the Summer, we went to the beach, to a fair, to a diner or just spent time together. He would take me for long walks along the sand, and pay for my meals. We shared our first kiss on a ferris wheel and our last on the porch of his home. We had an amazing time together, but in the last week of Summer, he told me that our relationship was over.

"I've had such an incredible summer with you, Rach. I will really miss you." He said, barely looking me in the eye. I held his face in my delicate hands and kissed his lips gently,.

"Finn, thank you for making my summer so amazing. Let me know when you get home and we can sort out a long-distance thing."

"That's the thing, Rach, I don't think we can see each other anymore. Me living in California, and you in Ohio, I just don't think it will work. And you know, I will be in high school and-"

"So you're saying you can't be my boyfriend anymore because you will be in highschool?"

"Of course not, but being hundreds of miles apart, going to two different high schools, you know that it won't be the same. I'm sorry Rach, but it's over." 

Finn looked at me with glassy eyes and I left go of his face. I nodded, holding back tears, before quickly turning away from his house and walking down the street. I didn't even know where I was going, I just wanted to get as far as I could from him. As soon as I was out of his sight, I ran as fast as I could towards the closest bus stop and collapsed on the bench. I began to sob and I couldn't stop, and I didn't until the next bus arrived.

That was a part of me I was happy to leave in California- the heartbroken and sensitive Rachel. I am never going to be that girl again, I thought as I relaxed in my airplane seat, instead, I am going to be strong and independent, and never let anyone else's opinions affect me.

Walking into the halls of William McKinley High School three weeks later sent shivers up my spine. Already I could tell that my sophomore year was not going to be easy. I  On my right, I caught a glimpse of a coach in a red tracksuit giving a small group of cheerleaders a hard time, and on my left, a footballer wearing a letterman jacket holding a short, stumpy kid with glasses against the lockers. I carefully navigated my way to my locker, which was surrounded with seniors, and organised it quickly. I hung a starred mirror on the inside of the door, along with a head shot of the amazing Barbra Streisand, and placed my books on the shelves. I briefly fixed my hair and applied a layer of powder on my face. I smiled at Barbra. I'm going to make you proud this year, I thought. And I knew I would. I sorted through the pile of books and found my math and history textbooks, and made my way to my first class at McKinley. I walked briskly and with confidence, a broad smile on my face and a spring in my step, my Mary Jane's making a soft 'click' each time they hit the floor. I scanned the hallway around me, paying attention to every poster and classroom door, before reaching the end of the corridor, where my math classroom was. Just as I was about to enter the room, I noticed a noticeboard on the other side of the hallway, where a male teacher with a head of curly hair and a knitted vest was pinning a blue piece of paper on the board. I turned towards the board and stepped in closer, taking notice of the teacher's paper. It read: GLEE CLUB AUDITIONS.

"Thinking of joining Glee Club?" The male teacher gave me a wide grin, "We're a show choir club who compete against others and create musical magic. Auditions are tomorrow after school."

"Well, I won my first singing competition at two and a half- consider me in." I replied. I carefully signed my name, finishing it off with my signature gold star. I gave the teacher a smile before heading to math class.

I walked into the classroom to see four rows of empty desks and chairs, except for one desk in the far left corner filled by a large figure, slouched in his chair and engrossed in his phone. He had earphones in and was tapping his floor in a smooth, consistent rhythm on the floor. I ignored him and paced towards the desk two rows in front of him. The boy was startled by the sudden movement and quickly jolted his head up and looked directly at me. I couldn't believe what I was seeing- who I was seeing, sitting in my first class at McKinley,

"Finn?"