Rachel's Turn

Chapter 48

Rachel left school in such a hurry that she forgot to tell Amy she was not going to meet her after school. She needed to collect her thoughts before talking to Ryan as she planned on telling him everything before he found out somehow. Today was ridiculous and she hoped that the hype would die down in the next few days so she could finish the last few weeks before Thanksgiving break.

When she arrived home she saw her sister Sara's car in the drive way. Perfect timing. Just what I need a dose of Sara. Rachel thought as she walked into the house. "Rachel is that you?" Sara called from the living room.

Rolling her eyes and taking a deep breath, Rachel placed her bag in a chair and walked into the living room to find Sara. "Yep, what are you doing here?"

Not amused, Sara retorted, "I was coming by to drop off some of mom's baking pans, but then when I realized that my baby sister is a celebrity, I thought I would wait to see her. Is that ok?"

"I am not a celebrity. Geez can everyone just drop it already! Do mom and dad know?" Panic started to settle in as the lecture and punishment she would surely receive for being there and dancing and singing. Oh goodness what if they see the pictures and watch the video? "Are you going to yell at me too because if you are I am really not in the mood Sara. It has been a weird day and I have to get stuff done before I talk to Ryan tonight."

Sara motioned for her little sister to have a seat beside her. Rachel sat sideways on the couch and placed a pillow in her lap as she turned to her sister to listen. "I think you need to talk about it? Am I right? I am your sister, Rachel. When I got word about the whole radio deal, I looked it up and watched the video and saw the pictures. I always knew by baby sister had some pipes." Sara chimed at Rachel, drawing a tiny smirk. "Has Ryan seen it?"

Fumbling with the corner of the pillow, she felt tears pricking her eyelids. "Not that I am aware of. We have a phone date tonight and I am going to tell him. I am afraid he is going to be pissed and stop talking to me again or lecture me again... he hates Cole..." She cut herself off and just shook her head as she fought the tears.

"What do you mean stop talking to you again and lecturing you? Rachel, tell me what is going on." Sara was now very concerned and switching into full on protective sister mode, which Rachel would have normally been happy to see.

She composed herself and looked at Sara and before she could stop herself, her mouth began to pour. "It's just that it has been hard not seeing him and being able to talk to him. He has been out on training whatever's and hasn't been able to call or text and then we do and Cole came into the picture trying to be my friend again. Ryan does not like him and thinks he is trying to make a move on me but we were OK until this dang choir trip and I had to ride with Cole there and back and then we danced and he got me to sing. We hung out and he took me on a carriage ride so I could see downtown Nashville before we left yesterday. He was really sweet. Now, this whole radio mess and everyone at school thinks we are together but Cole went all psychotic today and walked out of choir class after yelling at everyone including Miss Wendy. And now I have to tell Ryan and I hadn't even thought about mom and dad finding out not that it is bad I guess but I just can't deal with them right now!"

Sara's eyes tripled in size as did her heart as she processed the rapid fire of words from Rachel. She felt bad for her little sister and knew that this should be exciting for her, but it looks like her little sister is in the middle of an emotional hurricane. Sara knew she needed to help guide her sister safely through this storm before she talks to Ryan.