Chapter 11: Flouisa

"Hello? Anybody home? I'm walking in."

Louisa entered her own apartment cautiously and was guided by the smell of fresh baked cookies coming from the kitchen. Once in there, she saw Kurt and Blaine too absorbed in each other to notice her presence. She cleared her throat exceedingly loud; making Kurt jump in Blaine's arms:

"Boo! We were waiting for you. Look! We even baked you some cookies to thank you for lending your place to us."

A mockery smirk appeared on Louisa's face:

"You were waiting for me? So why haven't you heard when I announced I was coming in?"

The way Kurt's face blushed and the crooked smile Blaine was giving her were enough of an answer to the girl. She shook her head:

"Never mind... Why don't we make some tea to go with those cookies and we can gossip a little in the living room?"

Provided with coffee, tea and cookies; the three of them sat together on the living room. Kurt rested his head on Blaine's shoulder and smiled to his cousin:

"It was a good Christmas and the New Year started wonderfully, hasn't it? We are all happy here in New York and having dad and Carole over is always a pleasure."

Blaine added:

"You have a great family. Now it's even better with Louisa less grumpy too. I think we should all send Brody a 'thank you' card."

As the girl wasn't smiling with them, but instead fidgety; Kurt sat up and took her hand:

"Is there something about Brody we don't know? I always told he wasn't good news..."

Blaine elbowed Kurt to make him quiet: Louisa looked distressed and was focusing on something on the floor not to look at them. When she turned, her eyes were moist and her nose was growing red:

"My sense of family has been altered a lot since I moved here. First, being away from my mother and getting closer to you, Kurt. Then seeing Uncle Burt and Grandma. I have to admit that Blaine and Finn changed my life for the better. However, seeing my father again has awakened a part of my past that was long forgotten."

Kurt pursed his lips. She smiled feebly and went on:

"This whole situation with my father is driving me nuts. And everything with Brody just feels too much alien to me. I mean; I had few boyfriends and fewer got that serious. It's weird to be in a relationship where I don't trust him 100%. Not that I think he'll cheat or anything; yet I still haven't had the courage to tell him about my...condition.'

Kurt squeezed her hands:

"How many times do I have to tell you that there's nothing wrong with you? Ok, you have your struggles; but who doesn't?"

"Come on Kurt; my panic attacks can be too much to take from someone who isn't used to it. I feel like a burden to whoever is with me. Brody once said he loved me; how can he love me when he doesn't know me? At the same time, it feels good whenever I'm with him. I can't complain, but I also can't fall for him either. I keep telling myself that maybe this is how things work in New York. Maybe the problem is just that I'm not adjusted to live around here."

Blaine smiled and got up from the couch:

"I agree that maybe you're expecting something from Brody that he can't give to you. I mean; how can he show you that he's ready to take you exactly as you are, if you don't show him who you are? You have to allow yourself to be vulnerable so people can reach you. It's not easy; I used to hide too. Kurt was the one who taught me how to do it, just by being his full self around me. Anyway, if you really want to be an actress; you need to learn how to open up to people."

He started searching her DVD's self until he found what he was looking for. Like he knew she'd have that film; he turned his back to the other two while putting the film on the player and selecting a scene. Anastasia's Learn to Do It scene began playing on the background and he signaled the other two to join him in a performance.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/hJAaY23S_Fk

Vladimir:

You were born in a palace by the sea.

Anastasia:

A palace by the sea.

Could it be?

Vladimir:

Yes, that´s right.

You rode horseback when you were only tree.

Anastasia:

Horseback riding? Me?

Vladimir:

And the horse...

Dimitri:

He was white!

Vladimir:

You made faces and terrorized the cook!

Dimitri:

Threw him in the brook!

Anastasia:

Was I wild?

Dimitri:

Wrote the book!

Vladimir:

But you behave when your father gave that look!

Dimitri:

Imagine how it was!

Soon enough, the three were goofing around the room and making funny faces to match the cartoon's character.

Vladimir:

Your long-forgotten past!

Vladimir, Dimitri:

We've lots and lots to teach you and the time is

going fast!

Anastasia:

All right. I'm ready!

Vladimir:

Now, shoulders back and stand up tall

Dimitri:

And do not walk, but try to float.

Anastasia:

I feel a little foolish. Am I floating?

Vladimir:

Like a little boat!

Dimitri:

You give a bow.

Anastasia:

What happens now?

Vladimir:

Your hand receives a kiss!

Vladimir, Dimitri:

Most of all, remember this:

Vladimir:

If I can learn to do it, you can learn to do it.

Dimitri:

Something in you knows it--

Vladimir, Dimitri:

There's nothing to it!

Vladimir:

Follow in my footsteps, shoe by shoe!

Vladimir, Dimitri:

You can learn to do it too!

Vladimir:

Now, elbows in and sit up straight.

Dimitri:

And never slurp the stroganoff.

Anastasia:

I never cared for for stroganoff!

Vladimir:

She said that like a Romanov!

Dimitri:

The Samovar.

Vladimir:

The caviar.

Anastasia:

Dessert and then goodnight?

Louisa forgot all her worries and trusted her new teachers that would lead her through the New York lifestyle.

Vladimir, Dimitri:

Not until you get this right!

Vladimir:

If I can learn to do it

Dimitri:

If he can learn to do it

Vladimir:

You can learn to do it!

Dimitri:

You can learn to do it

Vladimir:

Pull yourself together

Vladimir, Dimitri:

And you'll pull through it!

Vladimir:

Tell yourself it's easy

Vladimir, Dimitri:

And it's true! You can learn to do it too!

Vladimir:

Next, you must memorize the names of the royalty.

Now here we have Kropotkin

Dimitri:

Shot Potemkin

Vladimir:

In the Botkin.

Anastasia:

Oh!

Vladimir:

And dear old uncle Vanya loved his vodka

Dimitri:

Got it Anya?

Anastasia:

No!

Vladimir:

The Baron Pushkin

Anastasia:

He was?

Dimitri:

Short!

Vladimir:

Count Anatoly

Anastasia:

Had a...

Dimitri:

Wart!

Vladimir:

Count Sergei

Dimitri:

Wore a feathered hat.

Vladimir:

I hear he's gotten very fat.

Anastasia:

And I recall his yellow cat...

Vladimir:

I don't believe we told her that...

Anastasia:

If You can learn to do it, I can learn to do it!

Vladimir:

Don't know how you knew it.

Anastasia:

I simply knew it! Suddenly I feel like someone new...

Vladimir, Dimitri:

Anya, you're a dream come true!

If I can learn to do it,

Anastasia:

If I can learn to do it

Vladimir, Dimitri:

You can learn to do it!

Anastasia:

You can learn to do it.

Vladimir, Dimitri:

Pull yourself together

All Three:

And you'll pull though it!

Vladimir:

Tell yourself it's easy,

All Three:

And it's true--

Vladimir, Dimitri:

You can learn to do it,

Anastasia:

Nothing to it!

All Three:

You can learn to do it too!

They ended up falling together on the couch during a fit of laughter.

xXxXx

"Finn! How many times do I have to tell you not to leave the moist towel on the bed!

"You're not my mother, Rachel!"

"Exactly my point."

Another grumpy morning when the two of them were screaming at each other for apparently no reason. It had been a couple of weeks since they'd agreed they needed to talk; but with all the Holidays and relatives, the conversation was postponed. However, unlike their communication, their problems hadn't disappeared.

Rachel knew with all her heart that she loved Finn, but couldn't he grow up like any other boy? Her friends in NYADA, especially Brody, had opened her eyes to a whole new level of maturity that man could reach; Finn stood stuck with the past and dreaming of reliving his glorious High School days by going back as a teacher. Maybe their journey would someday lead to different paths; maybe it had already happened and they weren't ready to see. She dreaded the day they couldn't deny it anymore.

"Rachel? Were you listening to me?"

"Sorry Finn; I got distracted. What was it?"

"I'm meeting with my college friends after class today; I'm coming home late."

"Again?"

Finn was genuinely shocked:

"How again, Rach? The semester has just begun."

She sighed:

"I know, but I feel like I hardly ever see you. First it was always going out with your mother..."

He interrupted her:

"Stop there! You know how much I like your dads, but sometimes when the three of you are together it's just too much Berry to take."

"So now our problems are ours parents?"

Finn's face turned into a not-so-much convincing grimace:

"Maybe."

She sighed once more:

"No, Finn. The problem is us; it has always been."

She began to sing the chorus part of Eminem's Love the Way You Lie. Finn stared at her trying to figure out what was going on.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/uelHwf8o7_U

(Rihanna)

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn

That's alright because I like the way it hurts

Just gonna stand there and hear me cry

That's alright because I love the way you lie

I love the way you lie

Eventually, he joined her singing the rap part.

(Eminem)

I can't tell you what it really is

I can only tell you what it feels like

And right now it's a steel knife in my windpipe

I can't breathe but I still fight while I can fight

As long as the wrong feels right it's like I'm in flight

I offer love drunk from my hate

It's like I'm huffing paint and I love it the more I suffer

I suffocate

And right before I'm about to drown she resuscitates me

She fucking hates me and I love it

Wait

Where you going

I'm leaving you

No you ain't

Come back

We're running right back

Here we go again it's so insane

Cause when it's going good it's going great

I'm Superman with the wind in his back

She's Lois Lane

But when it's bad it's awful

I feel so ashamed

I snap

Who's that dude?

I don't even know his name

I laid hands on him

I'll never stoop so low again

I guess I don't know my own strength

(Rihanna)

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn

That's alright because I like the way it hurts

Just gonna stand there and hear me cry

that's alright because I love the way you lie

I love the way you lie

I love the way you lie

(Eminem)

You ever love somebody so much

You can barely breathe

When you're with them

You meet

And neither one of you

Even know what hit them

Got that warm fuzzy feeling

Yeah them chills

Used to get them

Now you're getting fucking sick

Of looking at them

You swore you've never hit them

Never do nothing to hurt them

Now you're in each other's face

Spewing venom

And these words

When you spit them

You push

Pull each other's hair

Scratch, claw, pit them

Throw them down

Pin them

So lost in the moments

When you're in them

It's the craze that the corporate

Controls you both

So they say it's best

To go your separate ways

Guess that they don't know you

Cause today

That was yesterday

Yesterday is over

It's a different day

Sound like broken records

Playing over

But you promised her

Next time you'll show restraint

You don't get another chance

Life is no Nintendo game

But you lied again

Now you get to watch her leave

Out the window

Guess that's why they call it windowpane

(Rihanna)

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn

That's alright because I like the way it hurts

Just gonna stand there and hear me cry

that's alright because I love the way you lie

I love the way you lie

I love the way you lie

(Eminem)

Now I know we said things

Did things

That we didn't mean

And we fall back

Into the same patterns

Same routine

But your temper's just as bad

As mine is

You're the same as me

But when it comes to love

You're just as blinded

Baby please come back

It wasn't you

Baby it was me

Maybe our relationship

Isn't as crazy as it seems

Maybe that's what happens

When a tornado meets a volcano

All I know is

I love you too much

To walk away now

Come inside

Pick up your bags off the sidewalk

Don't you hear sincerity

In my voice when I talk

Told you this is my fault

Look me in the eyeball

Next time I'm pissed

I'll aim my fist

At the dry wall

Next time

There will be no next time

I apologize

Even though I know it's lies

I'm tired of the games

I just want her back

I know I'm a liar

If she ever tries to fucking leave again

I'mma tie her to the bed

And set this house on fire

Just gonna

(Rihanna)

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn

That's alright because I like the way it hurts

Just gonna stand there and hear me cry

that's alright because I love the way you lie

I love the way you lie

I love the way you lie

The finished the song and stood silently trying to read the other's expression. Suddenly, Finn disappeared into the room. He came back a few minutes later with a bag on his shoulders:

"I don't know what else you want from me."

She cut him off:

"I want you to grow up and face your problems like a man!"

He snorted mockery:

"Like Brody?"

"Stop bringing other people to our fights."

"I'm not, Rachel. I put all my heart on the line; I was completely honest with you. I can't give you more than that; I can't be more than that. Now I'm even surer of my decision: I'm moving out. I'll stop by when you're at school to pick up the rest of my stuff."

"Finn, stop! This won't solve anything; we need to talk."

"Sorry, Rachel; I won't wake up one day like the man of your dreams."

She began to sob:

"You are the man of my dreams. I love you, Finn."

"I love you too, Rach. That's why I'm leaving before we hate each other."

xXxXx

NYADA was the kind of place that made you aware of all the gossips even if you didn't want to. That was why Brody's peaceful morning in the cafeteria was disturbed when he heard the news some girl was practically shouting a couple of tables away:

"Have you heard it? Rachel Berry flunked a note of Don't Rain on My Parade during a class yesterday."

"Rachel Berry? Little Miss Barbra herself? Unbelievable!"

"That's what I heard. People are saying it's because she had a nasty fight with her boyfriend and he moved out."

"Are you sure of it? Those two were practically married."

"Of course I'm sure; I heard that pale boy that's his brother or something telling his boyfriend..."

Brody stopped paying attention as the girls began to describe the physical attributes of Kurt and Blaine. So Rachel and Finn had broken up for real? He had one sole thought in his mind: he must find Rachel as soon as possible.

Leaving half his protein-shake behind, Brody got up and ran to the class he was almost sure Rachel was in now. He only stopped to breathe when he was already outside her dance studio and seeing through the glass door that she was in there. When Rachel left the room, she took a while to see him because she was distracted by her phone:

"Brody! What are you doing here?"

"I needed to see you; you have a minute?"

"Sure; what's so urgent?"

"I can't talk here; can we go to my room?"

She followed him there and he closed the door behind them. He took a deep breath still looking at the door before turning to her with eyes sparkling with hope:

"I need you to be completely honest with me."

She nodded and he walked to sit on the bed with her, grabbing one of her hands.

"Is it true that you and Finn broke up for good?"

She didn't answer and stared out of the window uncomfortably. He was glad she wasn't looking because her silence said everything and he couldn't stop the smiled growing on his face:

"I'll take that as a yes. Rachel, I love you and I need you to know. I'd do anything for us to be back together."

She turned to him in a small voice:

"What about Louisa, Brody?"

He hadn't thought of her until that very moment. Of course he cared about Louisa; maybe even loved her. He was so sure of his feelings when he thought he'd lose her. However, since knowing Rachel was available; he couldn't think of nothing else. Rachel was the one that really moved him; he'd dare say the love of his life.

"I'll break-up with her as soon as I have an answer from you."

Rachel got up with an upset face:

"You will break-up with her? You haven't done it yet and you're already asking me to be your girlfriend? What kind of guy are you? You were saying you loved her not that very long ago. If I remember it correctly; the last time you said that was while she was spending the Holidays with you in that same bed you're sitting now."

He was lost and confused; but all he wanted in that moment was an answer from her:

"I know all that, Rachel. But you are the one that never left my mind. Even Louisa knows that. I know I don't deserve your trust after how we broke-up; but you were confused too. You slept with Finn when we were together! It doesn't matter now; nothing else matters now. All I know is that this loving I'm feeling right now; I've never felt before. I'm already yours; just say you want me too and we can be happy forever."

She sighed and sat back besides him:

"Look, Brody, I know we still have unsolved feelings towards each other. But every day more I realize that I see in you all the solutions for Finn's flaws. In the same way you say you can't get me off your head; I can't get Finn. I love him and I'm not ready to give up on him just yet. Maybe I rushed things with you because I was confused at that time. And your feelings are mixed up right now. You didn't get to know the real me; the one that Finn helps me remember. I love you as a friend; but that doesn't mean I don't love you. I want you in my life; I understood that when we became friends again. But I'll understand if you need some time..."

He pursed his lips and nodded. He took her hand that was stretched towards him on the bed:

"I'll take it. As I thought when we became friends again: I rather have you in my life as my friend than not having you at all. I don't know if I can ever give up on you, I don't even know if I want to try right now; but I'll respect your decision."

She smiled:

"Can I hug you now? Even if I'm all sweaty from my dance class?"

He pulled her in his arms and exhaled loudly from all the closeness he wouldn't get from her.

xXxXx

Blaine knew how to be annoying when he wanted to. And boy; he wanted it right now! Ever since that morning when they talked about Brody; he hadn't stop bothering her to open up with her boyfriend. Not that Louisa didn't want to develop a deeper connection with Brody; she just didn't know if she was ready. Half because she wanted to and half to get Blaine off her feet, she decided to give a surprise visit to her boyfriend in the morning she knew he had off.

She was about to knock on his door when it was opened revealing a messy and sweaty looking Rachel. She was surprised seen Louisa by the door:

"Oh! Hi Louisa. I'm going now; see you around, Brody."

Rachel casted Brody a menacing look that Louisa wasn't supposed to see, but she saw anyway. She threw a quizzical look at him and he chuckled awkwardly.

"Lou, pookie; come in here and sit down."

She followed him inside still suspicious. She sat on the bed and he bent down to his knees in front of her, placing his hands on her thighs:

"I know it will sound cliché; but that's not what it looks like..."

"It better not be; because it looks a lot like cheating to me."

He laughed nervously, ducking his head for a few seconds:

"Rachel was here as a friend and we were talking about her break-up with Finn."

"I heard Kurt saying something about them breaking up; but I didn't take it too seriously: they come and go all the time. Yet, it still doesn't explain why she was leaving your room all sweaty."

"She came straight from her dance class."

"Sure... And was talking about her break-up with Finn so important that she had to run from her dance class straight to your room?"

Brody was getting more fidgeting every minute:

"She wanted the privacy; it seems like this time they've broken-up for good."

"Do you want me to believe that Rachel broke up with Finn for good and the first thing she does is coming straight to your room to talk?"

He got up in a jump:

"Come on, Lou! If we were up to something, we wouldn't do it in NYADA: the land of gossip. Besides, she wouldn't leave here all sweaty; or, at least, I'd be sweaty too..."

She raised one eyebrow measuring him from head to toe:

"You've got a point."

He smirked and got back down on his knees:

"Haven't I told you that I love you? Don't you believe me?"

She frowned:

"But I never said it back; I worry that you'll get tired of me someday..."

He got up and helped her lay down on the bed with him being on top. He kissed the tip of her nose and went to whisper in her ears:

"You're worth the wait."

She grinned and passed her arms around his neck, bringing him closer.

xXxXx

His day had been exhausting so far: after waking up in his friends' smelly couch, Finn had gone through a though day of classes and he wasn't whiling to going back just yet to the dreadful couch again. He missed Rachel; but he knew that even sleeping on the other room wouldn't be good for neither of them.

Kurt had invited him to join them on a night at Callbacks. He didn't want to go because he didn't want to bump into Rachel nor Brody. She had denied it, but his impressions about that guy were still the worst possible. However, the prospect of being alone with the smelly couch or facing a drunk party with his college friends who would set him up with a skank were neither appealing. He decided to try his luck and called his brother.

"Hi Finn."

"Hey bro, are you still going tonight with Blaine to Callbacks?"

"We're actually already here; changed your mind?"

"I don't know yet; I don't want to bump into Rachel or Brody..."

"Well, she went straight home after class and he's studying for a test tomorrow; that's why Louisa might show up alone later."

"Cool! Then I'm there in five."

"See you then."

Having a baby brother was useful sometimes. Besides, Kurt, Blaine and Louisa were a good company to keep his head away from the thoughts he had been fighting against all day.

After a quick yet expensive taxi drive, Finn arrived at Callbacks feeling the lighter he had since he moved out of Rachel's house. He spotted the couple in a table by the corner and sat with them, stealing some french-fries as he got comfortable.

"Goodnight to you too, Finn!"

"Goodnight bro. And goodnight Blaine."

Blaine chuckled and pulled Kurt closer to him:

"Leave your brother alone; can't you see how distressed he is?"

"Watch out for the irony, Anderson. I've been really pissed lately."

Kurt raised one eyebrow and commented also ironically:

"We can tell..."

"You two leave me alone. I'm blue because I think I lost the love of my life."

Kurt rolled his eyes in his typical way:

"Why are you and Rachel so thick headed and can't be just fine and happy together? You love each other so much."

Finn placed his elbows on the table and hid his head between his arms:

"It's not that simple, Kurt. We've stretched our relationship too much. Sometimes, only love isn't enough."

Blaine patted his arm sympathetically:

"Although I think you're wrong, because, for me, love can always fix everything; I understand that a little time apart can make wonders in a relationship. Take me and Kurt, for example."

"Thanks, dude; but thinking too much about what you and Kurt have will only make me bluer."

The host of the night went up to the microphone to cheer the audience up:

"So, anyone interested in sharing their talent with us tonight? Who'll be next?"

Finn drank another gulp from his cup and got up:

"Me! I want to sing tonight."

Kurt and Blaine looked surprised but cheered him on. He stumbled until the microphone and introduced himself:

"Goodnight everyone; I'm Finn Hudson and I'll be singing Maroon 5's This Love. This one is dedicated to my ex-girlfriend who is the love of my life. Thank you."

http://www.youtube.com/embed/l_CqMFKak1c

I was so high I did not recognize

The fire burning in her eyes

The chaos that controlled my mind

Whispered goodbye and she got on a plane

Never to return again

But always in my heart

He started embarrassedly but, slowly, he was transformed during the song.

This love has taken its toll on me

She said goodbye too many times before

And her heart is breaking in front of me

I have no choice cause I won't say goodbye anymore

Finn looked out of himself during his performance: his threw all his worries into singing.

I tried my best to feed her appetite

Keep her coming every night

So hard to keep her satisfied

Kept playing love like it was just a game

Pretending to feel the same

Then turn around and leave again

The audience went crazy with him and he experienced what Rachel must feel when she's on stage.

This love has taken its toll on me

She said goodbye too many times before

And her heart is breaking in front of me

I have no choice cause I won't say goodbye anymore

Louisa walked in the bar while he was singing and he opened a huge grin when he saw her.

I'll fix these broken things

Repair your broken wings

And make sure everything's all right

My pressure on your hips

Sinking my fingertips

Into every inch of you

Cause I know that's what you want me to do

This love has taken its toll on me

She said goodbye too many times before

And her heart is breaking in front of me

I have no choice cause I won't say goodbye anymore

This love has taken its toll on me

She said goodbye too many times before

And my heart is breaking in front of me

She said Goodbye too many times before

This love has taken its toll on me

She said goodbye too many times before

And her heart is breaking in front of me

I have no choice cause I won't say goodbye anymore...

She walked to sir with Kurt and Blaine, but Finn, when he got rid of all the people complimenting him, decided to be alone outside for a while.

xXxXx

"How many drinks did Finn have? He seemed tipsy."

Blaine smiled at the girl:

"Not at all. Since he arrived he only ordered soda and he didn't look like drunk when he got here."

Louisa excused herself from the other two, stopped by at the bar to get a drink and went looking for Finn outside. She found him sat on the sidewalk looking at the edge of tears. She sat by his side and hand him the beer:

"Did you know I'm legal to drink? Here; it might help."

A glimpse of a smile appeared in Finn's face as he got the paper bag from her hands:

"Aren't you worried of been giving alcoholic beverage to someone underage?"

She chuckled:

"It's only this one; you are under my responsibility tonight, cousin."

He raised the bottle like a toast to her. She smiled:

"Break-ups can be a nasty piece of work; you can count on me if you need."

He grinned at her:

"You're such a nice girl, Louisa. You're so easy to talk to and I always enjoy your company. I wish Rachel could be so easygoing too."

She raised her eyebrows thinking of how much he knew nothing about her:

"I'm not that easy to be with all the time; it's you that only gets to see my bright side."

He starred at her puzzled for a couple of seconds before waving his hand:

"Nah, I can't believe that. For me you're a nice girl and that's it. The only thing I can't understand is why you are still with that prick of Brody."

She pursed her lips and looked down blushing. Finn raised her chin and looked in her eyes:

"Seriously, that guy is a jerk. You deserve better."

"It's not that simple, Finn."

"Yes, it is! That guy doesn't deserve you. He's hiding stuff from you!"

She ducked her head and moved it away from his hands:

"Hiding what? That he's still into Rachel? I know that. As he knows I'm still into another guy..."

Finn was shocked:

"Another guy?"

She blushed again but decided to tell it anyway:

"You, Finn. I have a crush on you since our awkward first meeting when you got me dancing in my underwear."

His eyes opened even wider:

"Wow! That's heavy!"

"I know..."

"But you are... kind of my cousin."

"I know..."

They stood in silence for a while just watching the people coming and going on the street. Finn cleared his throat:

"Lou, I must admit that I was attracted to you too. I don't want to disrespect you, but seeing you dancing almost naked that day made an impression on me. But Rachel is the love of my life. Although you get me confused every time Rachel and I are in a rough phase; she's the one I love and to whom I'm devoted to..."

She stopped him:

"Finn, it's just a crush. I don't want to act on it. I mean, you're a wonderful guy and all that; but it's clear you belong with Rachel. That's what Brody's been helping me forget. You're my family, Finn. There're too many reasons why we shouldn't try to be together."

"That's too much to take in one night; maybe I should get going."

Louisa held him by the arm:

"Please; don't go on my account. Let's go back inside to be with Kurt and Blaine. I don't want things to get awkward between us; I don't want us to walk out of each other's lives..."

He was still staring at her hand in his arm when he answered:

"You got to admit it'll be a little awkward between us..."

She chuckled. He got up and extended his hand to help her up:

"Come on, cos. Let's join the rest of the family."

She grinned as she took his hand:

"Family... That works for me."

He smiled back:

"And as your cousin, I must tell you that I still don't trust that boyfriend of yours."

She grabbed his arm to walk back inside:

"You'll learn to love him as I did."

xXxXx

The pain of not having Finn around was slowly writing itself upon Rachel. And it wasn't only that: everyone else of her friends seemed now to be orbiting around Louisa. She hadn't only lost her love, but also her friends and she was alone.

Besides NYADA's usual gossipers, Rachel was completely alone. She felt like the girl she was before Glee club and she didn't want that bitterness anymore. Walking by herself around NYADA was one of her worse experiences; and it only got worse when she saw Louisa in all her glory with Kurt and Blaine. Rachel couldn't take it anymore.

"Excuse me, Louisa; can I have a word with you?"

The girl started following her to one of the rehearsal auditoriums and Kurt and Blaine came around like her trained puppies. Rachel turned to them in an attempt of a polite smile:

"In private; if you excuse us."

Kurt opened his mouth to protest, but Louisa interrupted him:

"I don't have secrets with them and I thought you hadn't either."

"Fine! But you two don't get to say a word."

Rachel finished her treat closing the door behind them. Louisa had a disgusted look in her face:

"Listen up, Rachel. You are not the Queen of the Universe to boss everyone around."

Rachel had it and breathed deeply not to jump on the girl's neck:

"What do you have against me to make my life a living hell?"

Louisa looked awestruck:

"I'm sorry? Against you? Ok; we hated each other from the first moment we met; but I never did anything to harm you. I don't obsess with you all day like you seem to do over me."

"I'm not obsessed about you; you that came around and stole my boyfriend and all my friends."

"You didn't lose Finn on my account, Rachel. He still loves you; why don't you go after him instead of coming bitching around me?"

Rachel was about to scream at the girl but Louisa stopped her in such an insulting way that Rachel went speechless.

"Alright Rachel, you seem to only understand things when they are sung to you. Blaine, turn one of the mics on for me."

Louisa went up the stage and grabbed a microphone. She started singing Cinderella, Darling from How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying. Rachel sat down to watch the performance, not believing the girl's boldness.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ay1wb1xZLRA

Why treat the man

Like he was a typhoid carrier?

How often can you fly

From this land of carbon paper

To the land of flowered chinz?

Halleluia!

How often does a Cinderella

Get a crack at the prince?

Soon, the two of them were tap-dancing around and having the time of their lives. Blaine was in the audience with Rachel, but he was laughing and cheering the way he did when Kurt performed and Blaine believed him to be the best thing in this world.

Cinderella and the prince.

Don't you realize

You're a real live fairy tale,

A symbol devine?

So if not for your own sake,

Please darling, for mine.

Don't, don't, don't, Cinderella, darling,

Don't turn down the prince.

Don't rewrite your story.

You're the legend, the folk lore,

The working girl's dream of glory.

We were raised on you, darling,

And we've loved you ever since.

Don't mess up a major miracle;

Don't, Cinderella, don't turn down the prince.

Oh, let us live it with you,

Each hour of each day:

On from Bergdorf Goodman

To Elizabeth Arden

In the station wagon

Hurry from Twenty-One

To the Tarrytown PTA.

(No, New Rochelle.)

New Rochelle PTA.

Oh, do not leave us minus

Our vicarious bonus.

We want to see his highness

Married to your lowness.

On you, Cinderella, sits the onus;

So when you name the happy day,

Please phone us.

But don't, don't, don't, Cinderella, darling,

Don't turn down the prince.

Don't louse up our fav'rite fairy tale;

Don't, Cinderella,

Don't, don't, don't,

Don't, Cinderella,

Don't, don't, don't,

Don't, Cinderella, don't,

Don't turn down the prince.

(All right. I'll give him one more chance.)

Halleluia!

Louisa finished it, panting and sweating and walked downstage nearer Rachel:

"See Rach; I know how wonderful of a guy Finn is, but I get he's yours. I never meant to be in you guy's way; and I'll now actively avoid it. However, Finn is family to me and I won't be away from him."

Rachel got up smirking sarcastically:

"Yeah, now you come posing as a superhero; but I know better, Louisa. I know you're into Finn and I know how you use your fake innocent way to get all the people to like you and treat you like a porcelain doll..."

Kurt interrupted her:

"Rachel! She's my cousin and you're saying awful and untrue things about her. She had the best intentions here."

Rachel snorted and looked at him:

"Did she? How blind did she have you, Kurt? Has she told you about the fake relationship she's keeping with Brody? I wouldn't be surprised if it's all a big plot from the two of them to tear me and Finn apart. Brody came running to me the second he knew Finn and I had broken-up."

A blur of pale skin and brown hair passed Rachel: it was Louisa running out of the auditorium.

xXxXx

Louisa had reached that point she avoided with all her strength: her blood had boiled. Brody was nothing more than a liar and she couldn't believe how naïve she had been and how much she had given him the other day. She knew exactly where he'd be and she was headed there in a way that nothing could distract her.

She opened the door to the auditorium where the lights and sound for Next to Normal were being tested. Brody was there with the tech team and opened his arms to greet her. However, the killer look on her face made him quiet again and he stepped aside to let her trough.

She climbed the stage and stood up on the hammock that would be used on Maggie's scene. She looked at the sound cabin:

"Ned, give me the spotlight and turn the microphone on; you can test the light for Didn't I See This Movie while I sing Maggie's part."

She began to sing and Brody rushed to climb on the stage and take his place as Gabe on the scene. She then turned to him instead of the supposed doctor she ought to be singing to.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/zOsg2w-l59U

Didn't I see this movie, with McMurphy and the nurse?

That hospital was heavy, but this cuckoo's nest is worse.

Isn't this the one where in the end the good guys fry?

Didn't I see this movie, and didn't I cry?

Didn't I cry?

Her rage full eyes focused on him.

What makes you think I'd lose my mind for you?

I'm no sociopath, I'm no Sylvia Plath

I ain't no Francis Farmer, I don't fight for you

So stay out of my brain

I'm no princess of pain

Gradually, Brody stopped moving her around like his character should and stared back at her with eyes filled with fear; she only smiled triumphantly.

Didn't I see this movie, where the doctor looks like you?

Where the patient got impatient and said, "Sorry, doc, I'm through?"

I know where this is going, and I know what you're about.

Cause I have seen this movie and I walked out

I walked out

I'm walking...

By the end of the performance, she climbed down the hammock, leaving the microphone there. She turned to Brody and said one sentence before turning around and disappearing as fast as she entered:

"It's over, Brody."