Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'....Another [Open]

[Rachel Berry]

Rachel threw open the auditorium doors in a bit of rage and stormed down the aisle. She walked right up to the stage, glad no one was there. She just needed to escape her life for a moment and figured this would be the best place.

She hurried over to the cd player that sat on top of the piano and popped in her instrumental version of Journey's Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'. She knew that they had sang it at Regionals, but this was just the right song for her.

She hit play and walked to center stage, taking a deep breath. She swayed back and forth a little, listening to the guitar in the background. She looked out to the empty house, beginning to sing. You make me weep...and wanna die. Just when you said we'd try...Lovin', touchin', squeezin'...each other! She closed her eyes and could see the day of Regionals all over.

Finn had told her that he loved her, but now...now he didn't know what he was going to do with Quinn. She continued on with the song, a tear sliding down her cheek. When I'm alone. All by myself. You're out with someone else. Lovin', touchin', squeezin'...each other.

She walked towards the front of the stage, singing just a little louder. She hoped that maybe he would hear her, or someone would, and then he would know.

You're tearin' me apart! Every, every day! You're tearin' me apart! Oh what can I say? You're tearin' me apart!

She fell to her knees, crying just a little harder. How could he?! He tells me he loves me, kisses me, and then tries to get back with her?! HOW?![/i][/color] Rachel thought to herself. She just could not believe it at all. She felt so used...

The music continued on in the background, though she had no more emotional strength to sing it. It just hurt her too much. She ran a hand through her brunette hair. She took a deep breath, letting her eyes close as she laid back, sighing. What am I going to do...? She asked out loud.

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[Finn Hudson]

Finn was headed back to his locker for a bio textbook. He had to pass the auditorium to get there, and as he got closer, strains of music and a powerful female voice reached his ears. He tiptoed closer, although with the way she was banging on the piano and belting her heart out, Finn highly doubted that she would hear the soft scuffing of his Converse against the shiny tile floor. He hesitated for a moment before slowly pushing the door open and walking in, taking light, cautious steps. He knew how Rachel got when she was emotional: she was a timebomb. Gingerly, he eased himself into a squat in the shadows at the top of the aisle and watched.

She was crying, tears sliding down her cheeks and glistening in the spotlights. As Finn watched, she sank back, crying harder. He felt a pull of guilt somewhere in his chest; was she singing about him? Finn pushed himself to his feet and quietly took a few steps, unsure of how to proceed. He could leave now, but she might notice. He felt like he had an apology to make, because he probably had led her on - just a bit. But he hadn't meant to: he was just as confused as she was.

Standing at the top of the steps leading down to the front of the stage, Finn took a deep breath, focused himself. Clearing his throat softly, he shifted his weight from one foot to the other, uneasily. "Rachel?" he called quietly, "are you okay?" He leaned against the railing for support and bit his lip slightly. There was not going back now.

[Rachel Berry]

Rachel had been laying on her back, quietly crying her heart out. She heard someone's voice and stopped mid-hiccup. She wiped her eyes and sat up, tucking her legs to the side. She took a deep shaky breath and looked right up at him. She couldn't help but gasp.

A hand flew to her mouth and she took another shaky breath. "Yeah...I guess so." She wiped a tear that slid down her cheek, sighing. "I-I don't know..." She stood up, turning her back to him as she walked over to the cd player to turn off the cd. "I'm just...." She laughed slightly. "I'm just confused I guess you could say..."

Rachel turned to look at Finn. Here he stood before her. The guy she had her first kiss with...the first guy to tell her that he loved her. She shook her head slightly, crossing her arms as if she were cold. "Finn...what are we doing?" She took a hesitant step towards him. She really didn't know what she could do...what she should do.