GENERAL NOTES: Rachel shares one of her songs with Mike
WARNINGS: None
Rachel: smiled softly to herself as she put the pen down on the bedside table next to the bed where she was laying on next to Mike. After two weeks, she had finally completed the song she had been working on and while she was bias, the brunette thought it was really good. "I'm finished." She told her boyfriend, the room only brightened by the two bedside lamps. It was nearing 10pm and the couple had settled in for the night. It was Rachel's favourite time on the day, she loved just being with Mike and being comfortable and relaxed before bed.
Mike flipped the book he had been reading shut, looking over at Rachel curiously. He knew she'd been writing more lately, but he hadn't wanted to invade her privacy by asking for details on the song while she was still working on it. Now that she was done, though, he couldn't deny he was interested in the process and whatever the finished product was. "Can I read it?" He asked, a bit tentatively. "Or, actually...can I hear it?"
Rachel: wasn't expecting Mike to want to listen to it but she probably should have. Biting down on her bottom lip, the brunette nodded her head tentatively after a pause before quickly opening her mouth to explain. "I'm not a professional so it might not be that good." She felt the need to defend. "They say to write about what you know so... I wrote it about you. About us. Be nice?"
Mike couldn't help but grin when Rachel immediately went on the defensive. "It'll be amazing," he argued, leaning forward to press a soft kiss against her lips. It was a surprise to hear that she'd written about them - somehow their relationship had never crossed his mind as a potential subject for a song - but he nodded in agreement anyway. "I'm hurt that you'd think you even have to ask me to be nice," he teased. "But ok."
Rachel kissed her boyfriend back before offering him a shy smile. "Okay..." She replied before turning her attention down to the page where the lyrics were written. Sucking in a breath, the brunette closed her eyes and began to sing.
The city sky's feeling dark tonight
We're back to back with our heads down
Just look at me, give me more tonight
Just give me more of your love now
Let's set fire to the lonely night
You're beautiful when you look at me
Let's give love another life
Cause you'll be safe in these arms of mine
Just call my name on the edge of the night
And I'll run to you, I'll run to you
I would run to you, if you want me to
Just give me some kind of reason
I'll take the pain, take it all away
Just give it some kind of meaning
Let's let go, let it be the start
You know I'm feeling the same thing
Let's let go of our broken hearts
Cause you'll be safe in these arms of mine
Just call my name on the edge of the night
And I'll run to you, I'll run to you
Even if it's gonna break me, love
Gonna make my way to you
Anyway it's gonna take me, love
I run to you
I run to you
Run, run
Cause you'll be safe in these arms of mine
Just call my name on the edge of the night
And I'll run to you
I'll run to you
Even if it's gonna break me, love
I run to you
Mike knew Rachel was talented, but hearing her sing something she'd put so much of herself into put it in a completely new perspective. As soon as the song came to an end, he immediately voiced the thoughts. "You're so crazy talented, and I'm not just being nice. That was amazing"
Rachel: smiled softly. "You really think?" She asked before biting down on her bottom lip. "Thank you."
Mike couldn't help but smile at the seemingly shy way she responded. "I really do," he nodded. "Have you thought about performing your songs before? Like an open mic night somewhere?"
Rachel: shook her head. "Not really." She admitted. "I don't see myself as a girl who writes songs and has an album. At least, not yet. I need to be concentrating on Broadway classics if I even stand a chance at getting a role."
Mike shifted slightly, settling more comfortably beside her. "Fair enough. From what I've heard they're too good not to ever do anything with, but you're right, they might not be the best choice for Broadway auditions." Looking down at the bed, he picked at an imaginary thread on the blanket. "Have you seen anything you're thinking of trying out for?"
Rachel: closed her notebook and it put in on the bedside table beside her. "I try out for everything." She replied seriously. "Even Chorus Parts that have barely any face time on stage. Anything and everything. I can't be too picky just yet."
Mike nodded. "That's probably the smartest approach. I can't imagine you not getting something soon that you can use as some kind of stepping stone to a bigger role. They just need a chance to realize what a star Rachel Berry is."
Rachel: shook her head. "We've been here two months and I haven't even got a call back for a crappy background understudy. Maybe I'm not as a good as Lima made me think I could be?"
Mike chewed on his lower lip. "You are," he tried to reassure her. "It's just an industry that hands out a lot of rejection until you audition for the right person.”
Rachel: shrugged. "Or a nose job." She replied softly. "I thought I had heard my nose wasn't good enough enough during my time at McKinley. Fuck, I was so wrong."
Mike 's eyebrows knit together, a mixture of concern and confusion crossing his face. It was a harsh, judgmental industry they'd decided to go into, he knew, but hearing Rachel repeat that kind of criticism of herself hit hard. "Fuck that," he shook his head. "People at McKinley are idiots, and so are the casting directors you've auditioned for so far. You don't have to change parts of yourself to get a role...besides, you're gorgeous how you are."
Rachel: smiled softly at the passion lacing her boyfriend's voice. "I know." She replied honestly. "I know I'm not the typical beauty but I do know that I am beautiful. It just sucks sometimes for the thing that took me the longest about myself to accept is the reason why I'm being turned down for jobs."
Mike let out a quiet breath. Their situations weren't identical, but it wasn't like he was blind to the biases against him as an Asian-American in performing arts and the ways they worked against him. It was close enough to mirroring her situation that he could see where she was coming from. "Remind me why we're doing this to ourselves, again," he laughed slightly, trying to diffuse the situation though there was a hint of truth to his words.
Rachel: laughed at Mike's comments. "Because we're desperately seeking the approval we never received from our parents from strangers?" She offered out after a moment.
Mike couldn't help the surprised laugh that slipped past his lips. "You know, I actually hadn't thought of it like that, but it would explain a lot."
Rachel: smiled softly. "It really does." She laughed, moving to press a kiss to Mike's lips. "But I don't really care what anyone thinks about me... Besides you. I've become nicer since you and I started dating. You're why I quit the Skanks. I'm sure if you hadn't come along and reminded me of who I truly was supposed to be, I'd be in jail."
Mike cocked his head slightly, considering what Rachel had just said. "Who know the power leaving a note in your locker and some dance lessons could have," he teased. "But I'm glad you remembered who you really are. Besides, without you, I'd be slowly going crazy in a pre-med program somewhere. We're good for each other."
Rachel: laughed. "I'm glad we've prevented each other from slowly going insane."
Mike grinned. "Me too. This isn't where I thought getting transferred to Lima Heights for a while last year would end up going, but it's pretty much the best thing that could have happened."
Rachel: hummed in agreement. "I never thought I'd find the love of my life in high school and that my love would be from McKinley." She admitted with a shake of her head. "It's funny how life works."
Mike distantly wondered whether it should have felt as natural as it did that they both seemed to think of their relationship as something permanent, considering how young they were. He didn't give it much thought, though, because somehow everything felt right the way it was. "I almost feel like I owe my dad the right to say 'I told you so' on this one, since he was in favor of the whole transfer thing, but I'm not sure he'd even want to hear it."
Rachel: smiled softly. "You really should let him. Though I don't think he planned for you to end up slumming it with a Lima Heights Skank." She laughed.
Mike snorted in amusement. "I'll get right on that," he laughed, leaning forward to press a quick kiss against her lips. "Besides, this is hardly what I'd call slumming it."
GENERAL NOTES: Mike starts college while Rachel starts a new job
WARNINGS: None
Rachel: let out a long sigh as she walked into the Brooklyn apartment she and Mike now called home. Things between them had been going amazingly but the brunette knew that could all be put in jeopardy now that Rachel was working as a waitress and Mike had officially started his freshman year at NYU. Tossing her handbag in the corner by the front door, the former Skank made a beeline towards the couch. She had been on her feet for ten hours and Rachel was pretty sure she was now incapable of standing.
Mike made his way up the steps of the apartment, each one feeling more draining than the last. It had been his first day of classes, and while he'd thought the professors would go easy on them, at least for the day, he'd been completely wrong. In spite of the exhaustion and throbbing muscles that hours of dance classes had left him with, though, it had been one of best days he'd ever spent inside a studio. Opening the door, he grinned as he realized Rachel was already home from work. "Hey," he greeted, setting his dance bag down by the door and walking over to the couch where his girlfriend was currently sitting.
Rachel: smiled softly at Mike's greeting. "Hey baby." She replied, a yawn escaping her lips before she shook her head. "How was your first day?" She asked, her tone light as the excitement and curiosity oozed from her voice.
Mike dropped down to sit next to Rachel, noting the soft yawn she let out. "Long day?" He asked, watching her curiously. "It was great. Kinesthetics of Anatomy probably won't be my favorite class - it feels too much like something pre-med not to haunt me a little - but everything else was amazing." He paused for a moment, focusing on her more completely. "Thank you for encouraging me to go after this."
Rachel: nodded her head at his question. They were officially in a grown up relationship and the brunette refused to hide anything from Mike. Not that she did during high school but things were a lot higher in consequence now that they lived together. "I had a long day but I managed to get $50 worth of tips so that's something, I guess? Even if I'm only getting $7 an hour. Like, how is that even liveable?" She muttered before moving herself closer to Mike. Leaning over, she pressed a kiss to his lips before smiling against his mouth. "You're going to be so successful. I can't wait to see you perform again."
Mike cringed internally listening to Rachel talk, especially when she voiced her frustrations over her financial situation. It wasn't an ideal situation, her working as a waitress, but he was confident that it was only a matter of time before she landed a break. "It's not. They should have to at least adjust minimum wages with cost of living increases, but I'm not sure that's a change that's ever going to happen. Other than that, though, how was it?" He wrapped his arm around her shoulders as she moved closer, happily returning the kiss. "It's going to be a while, you know. I don't know if they make a habit of casting freshmen in performances."
Rachel: snuggled into Mike's side as she felt herself relax for the first time in hours. "It was okay. Santana called me during my lunch. She fucking hates OSU. I'm glad I didn't go there." She admitted casually before smiling softly. "You're too good for them not to cast... But if they don't see that, I'm more than willing to wait. Or force you to perform a private show for me." She laughed.
Mike wasn't surprised in the least to hear that Santana wasn't loving OSU. Like Rachel, she had always seemed destined for better things than Lima had to offer. "I'm still surprised she's actually going there. Think she'll stick it out long term?" He pressed a quick kiss against the top of her head before speaking again. "I'm glad you didn't, too. I know it's not always going to be easy, but I really think New York is where you're meant to be." Laughing softly, he nodded. "You know you can have a private show any time."
Rachel: shrugged her shoulders. "I'm not sure. Maybe? Santana wants to prove something to everyone so she'll probably stick it out and be miserable only to say she has a college degree." She explained lowly. "I miss her."
Mike held back an amused snort at the characterization of Santana. "Yeah, that sounds like something she'd do." He nodded a bit wordlessly. "I'm sorry, Rach. Maybe we can figure out a way for you to go back to Ohio to visit her soon."
Rachel: shook her head. "I don't want to go back to Ohio." She replied sincerely. "I want her to come here and maybe she'll realize how much potential she has... I mean... We do have a two bedroom apartment. I wouldn't ask her without discussing things with you but maybe she could live with us? It would help money wise and I'd have my best friend."
Mike hadn't been expecting that response from Rachel and he was momentarily glad that he'd had as much practice keeping his thoughts hidden as he did, since it let him keep his face carefully neutral. "Do you think she'd want to move here?" He finally settled on asking.
Rachel: shrugged her shoulders. "I'm not sure... Maybe? She's wanted New York for as long as I have. I just feel bad that I get it and she doesn't."
Mike nodded slightly. It was easy to understand where she was coming from, in spite of the fact that it had caught him off guard and he'd never been completely sure where he stood with Santana. "We'd need to figure out whether or not it would really be feasible, but," he shrugged, "I don't have a problem with the idea of it."
Rachel: smiled softly. "Are you sure? We're a team and if this is something you don't want, I'm not going to get mad. Your voice matters just as much as mime." She reassured sincerely.
Mike heard her words, and he didn't doubt the sincerity behind them, but it was still hard to get past years of feeling like he didn't have a voice of his own. Or, if he was honest with himself, to admit that part of him was jealous that Rachel could bring along the parts of her life from Ohio that she missed while it felt like he'd left nothing but fractured relationships behind. Shrugging again, he nodded. "Yeah, it's fine. It's not like I hate Santana or anything. But I'm not sure she'd be all that thrilled about living with me."
Rachel: frowned. "What makes you think that? She likes you." She replied honestly. "She likes you more than she's ever liked Puck or anyone else I've somewhat dated. She thinks we're good for each other. I promise. If she disliked you, trust me, you'd know."
Mike huffed out a soft laugh. "I don't even know, actually. Just a feeling I've always gotten from her."
Rachel: shook her head. "Well don't okay? Besides, if she ever treated you badly I'd force her back into line." She added before kissing his lips. "Enough talk about Lima. Did you want to go and have a shower together and totally not get clean?"
Mike nodded, relieved for the opportunity to drop the conversation there. "Sometimes I swear you can read my mind," he grinned, getting up from the couch and reaching back to offer her his hand as they moved toward the bathroom, a trail of clothing littering the floor behind them.
GENERAL NOTES: Rachel officially meets Mike’s parents. Awkwardness ensues.
WARNINGS: None
Rachel was nervous. More nervous than she had been in a very long time. Tonight, she would be meeting Mike's parents and she knew she had to make a great first impression; she just hoped they'd give her a chance. Removing any and all "skank" like items from her person, the brunette dressed in a simple little, black dress with heels and her hair in soft curls. With her make-up light, not a smokey eye in sight, Rachel parked her car in the Chang's driveway before she slowly approached the front door. Ringing the doorbell, the nervous teenager took a step back as she waited for someone to answer, hoping like hell that someone was Mike.
Mike didn't know what to expect from the evening. His mom had promised to try to rein in the more difficult parts of his father's personality, but they both knew that was a more difficult task than it sounded. The older man had a prickly personality on his best days and Mike wasn't looking forward to subjecting Rachel to it, but it was important to him that they at least give it a shot. He wanted his parents to recognize that she was important to him and not just a high school distraction from studying like his father was quick to assume. As the minutes ticked closer to the time Rachel had agreed to come by, Mike made his way downstairs so that he would be able to circumvent anyone else getting to the door before he did; just as he reached the last step, the doorbell rang out and he all but launched himself at the door, ignoring his mom's stifled laugh from the next room. "Hey," he greeted, fixing a warm and reassuring smile that he didn't entirely feel to his face as he opened the door.
Rachel relaxed somewhat when she locked eyes with Mike before returning the smile. "Hey, yourself." She greeted, not knowing whether she could kiss him so instead she opted to hug him. Allowing her boyfriend to lead her inside, the brunette bit down on her bottom lip nervously as she gripped onto Mike's forearm as she waited to see who would greet her next
Mike picked up on her nervousness almost as soon as the door swung open; the way she clung to his arm once she was inside the house only made it clearer, and he wished there was some way he could telegraph to her that there was nothing to worry about. A platitude he didn't quite believe himself, if the knot in his stomach was anything to go by. For all the times Rachel had been at the house, it had always been when his parents were gone and he couldn't imagine that this was a fun experience for her. Thankfully, his mom was the one they ran into next. " Your father is in his office," she informed him before turning her attention to Rachel, and Mike shot her a grateful look at the warm greeting she extended to his girlfriend.
Rachel relaxed a little bit more as Mike's mother greeted her in a way that could only be described as warm and welcoming. "It's so nice to meet you." Rachel smiled. "You have a lovely home." She added, repeating what she had seen on so many movies and TV shows.
Mike was tempted to stare at Rachel out of the corner of his eye as she seemed to shift into a different personality, making light small talk with the older woman. This definitely wasn't how he had pictured the evening going, but it was a welcome surprise. He removed himself slightly from the conversation, letting the two of them talk more in hopes that it would help put Rachel at ease.
Rachel kept her grip on Mike tight as she and his mother continued talking. After ten or so minutes, the brunette was beginning to relax when I footsteps began to approach the three of them.
Mike stiffened at the sound of the approaching footsteps. His father barely approved of him on a good day, and he was his father's only child. There was no telling how he would react to Rachel. Still, he didn't want to stress her out or anything, so he tried to disregard the feeling of needing to walk on eggshells around the older man. When Michael Sr. stepped closer, Mike had to resist the urge to shrink back under the weight of his cold gaze. "Dad," he nodded, "this is my girlfriend, Rachel."
Rachel offered Mike's dad a smile before reaching out her hand for him to take, which never happened. Dropping it back at her side, she bit down on the inside of her cheek and forced another smile. "It's nice to meet you."
Mike cringed at his father's lack of response, noting the embarrassed look that flashed across his mom's face as she took in the scene as well. "Nǐ bǎozhèngguò," he muttered under his breath, trying to save face as much as he could while reminding his father that he had, at least at one point, agreed to meet Rachel and to give her a chance. Slipping his arm out of Rachel's grip, he wrapped it around her waist instead, trying to ease the awkward sting of his father's attitude.
Rachel had no idea what was happening besides the fact Mike's dad clearly did not like her. With her boyfriend's arm wrapped around her waist, the brunette tried to relax into his embrace but found herself as stiff as a board.
Mike hated this feeling. Confrontation was something he avoided at all costs and being in a position to directly confront his father made him want to turn around and leave the house immediately. It wasn't fair to Rachel, though, not to at least say something. "You could say 'hi'," he spoke up pointedly, staring the older man down until he stretched a hand forward toward Rachel.
Rachel was having trouble biting her tongue. She knew she wasn't every parents dream girl for their child but Mike could certainly do a hell of a lot worse. The brunette cared about their son and Rachel just wished the Chang's could know and see that. Accepting the delayed greeting, the brunette decided to do what she does best; talk. "I'm so excited to meet the people who raised such an amazing and talented man. Your son is rather remarkable, I bet you are so proud!"
Mike felt the tips of his ears flush as Rachel began speaking. It was strange to hear someone talk about him that way, he was more used to hearing about the times he failed to live up to expectations. But this was why he couldn't understand how anyone saw Rachel as anything other than generous and supportive when she was the first person who had ever made him feel like he wasn't invisible. Before his father had time to do more than nod, his mom jumped back into the conversation. "That's very sweet of you," she enthused. "And I hear you're quite talented yourself."
Rachel blushed as Julia compliment her back before shrugging. "I can sing a little. Mike taught me everything I know about dancing though. He's kind of amazing." She smiled, locking eyes with her boyfriend before leaning into his side.
Mike snorted. "Saying you can sing a little is the biggest understatement I've ever heard." His father's face darkened at the explicit mention of dancing; there had never been a problem with it when he was younger, but as Mike got older and it became increasingly clear that dance wasn't something he was going to outgrow on his own, his father's attitude had become more outwardly disapproving of the hobby.
Rachel nudged him gently with her shoulder. "Okay, okay maybe it's a slight understatement but I don't know how far it will get me." She laughed.
Mike relaxed a little as he let out a slight laugh along with her. The banter was familiar and light enough that the strange pressure of the situation slipped his mind for a second. But only for a second, as his father took that opportunity to remind them of his presence. "There's too much instability in the arts to be a feasible career choice," Michael Sr. weighed in. "It would not be wise to count on singing as a path to the future. Just like Michael and his dancing."
Rachel stopped laughing when Michael Sr. weighed in on the situation. "I would agree." She replied before adding. "But Mike's talents are anything but subpar. If he was just a mediocre dancer than he'd have trouble making a career out of dancing but have you actually seen your son perform? He's amazing and incredibly talented to a point where he could easily teach the craft if nothing else though I highly doubt he'd be a teacher should he pursue it. He's gifted and I just think maybe you should know that." Rachel rambled before her eyes widened when she realized what she had just said. "I'm sorry."
Mike made a mental note to thank Rachel for the support sometime when they were alone. He had been trying to convince himself that dancing wasn't what he really wanted to do for months so that it wouldn't sting so bad when his father eventually shut that plan down, but her willingness to defend him without even seeming to think about it meant a lot. Before his father could argue any further, Mike spoke up, directing his comment toward his mom. "Is dinner ready?" He asked, knowing she would pick up on the pointedness behind the question. As the woman nodded and began leading them toward the table, Mike took a step back, guiding Rachel away for a moment for a quick kiss to try to express his gratitude.
Rachel was about to follow Mike's parents to the dining room table when her boyfriend stepped back and guided her away from his parents. Turning to face Mike, the brunette looked up at her taller boyfriend before biting her bottom lip. "I'm sorry for speaking to your dad like that."
Mike bit down on the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. "Don't be," he tried to reassure her. "I'd never have the guts to stand up to him myself, but I might have enjoyed hearing someone finally do it more than I should admit. That was amazing. You're amazing."
Rachel relaxed when she realized he wasn't mad. "Well, it's true. You could be a professional dancer with ease. You are so talented." She whispered, leaning up to press a quick kiss to Mike's lips. "We should probably join your parents, I wouldn't want them thinking any badly of me."
Mike was reluctant to pull away, the idea of hiding out with Rachel sounding better to him than joining his parents. Still, he knew she had a point, so with one last quick kiss they moved into the other room. "Sorry," he stated sheepishly as his mom shot him a knowing look.
Rachel hummed in agreement. "Yeah, sorry." She replied sincerely before taking her seat at the table.
Mike sat down across the table from Rachel. The restless feeling was back as he eyed his father nervously out of the corner of his eye, but it was his mom who surprised him by speaking up first as she brought the last of the food to the table. "So, Rachel, you mentioned that you sing a bit. What else do you enjoy doing?"
Rachel cringed at Julia's question. She didn't really do anything else beside singing and smoking weed but she hardly doubted they'd be pleased about that. "Um... Not much, really. I mostly spend time with my friends and do homework."
Mike held back a laugh as Rachel answered the question. It wasn't surprising that she didn't want to get into the details of how she spent her free time; Mike doubted his parents would have appreciated hearing about the skanks and Rachel's position within the group. Luckily Julia seemed to pick up on Rachel's disinterest in discussing the subject, simply responding with a "Well, friends and homework are important at your age."
Rachel nodded her head in agreement. "Totally." She replied before biting down on the inside of her cheek. The brunette was usually so good at reading situations but she wasn't sure if Mike's mother liked her or was merely tolerating her because of Mike.
Mike tried to keep quiet through the rest of the awkward dinner, only cutting in to interject when he felt he needed to. For the most part, the conversation kind of died down, with his mom occasionally making small talk and his dad talking about how things were going at the office, so both he and Rachel were spared the interrogation he had been half expecting all night. Once they'd all finished eating and Mike had helped his mom clear the table, he moved back to where Rachel was sitting. "Now that you've survived the awkward dinner, want to get out of here for a while?"
Rachel remained pretty quiet throughout the rest of dinner with Mike's family. She answered questions when prompted but for the most part, she just kept to herself. With dinner finished and Mike's father excusing himself from the table, Rachel remained in her seat as Mike and his mother cleaned up. "I would love that." She whispered before standing from her seat. "Would you like us to help you with the washing up first?" Rachel offered out to Julia who quickly thanked Rachel but declined.
Mike breathed a sigh of relief when his mom declined Rachel's offer of help. He wouldn't have minded helping out a little, but the idea of the chance to get away from the awkward, stifling atmosphere was appealing. "Awesome," he replied, flashing his girlfriend what was probably the first real smile that had crossed his face all evening. "What do you feel like doing?"
Rachel said one last goodbye to Mike's mother as the young couple made their way towards the front door. "Maybe we could spend time by the lake?" She suggested, knowing the fresh air would be a good change compared to the cramped style that was dinner.
Mike nodded, taking ahold of Rachel's hand as they slipped through the front door. It was a short walk to his car, and he only let go of her hand once they reached the passenger door to open it for her. "Sorry that was kind of...awkward," he told her as he climbed into the car. "My mom's pretty cool, but my dad isn't exactly the warmest person."
Rachel buckled her seatbelt before turning to face Mike as he made himself comfortable in the driver's seat. "It's okay." She replied sincerely. "My dad isn't exactly a stand up guy so I get it. No judgement."
Mike hadn't heard Rachel say much about her other dad before. It wasn't like the reason he wasn't around was a secret around Lima Heights, but Mike had never felt like pushing her on the subject to find out the exact story. As he started the car and shifted into reverse to back out of the driveway, though, he glanced over at her. "Do you miss him?"
Rachel wasn't expecting Mike's question so the brunette had to pause for a moment. "Yes." She finally admitted once they were out of the Chang's street. "I haven't seen him since he was sentenced. It's too hard. My daddy doesn't understand it but I just... Can't see him locked up."
Mike kept his gaze focused on the road in front of him, aware that the conversation had the potential to blow up in his face. "I wouldn't be able to either," he finally replied. "There've been studies showing that exposure to situations like that can be just as hurtful to kids as the act of the parent being in prison in the first place. That being said, if it were my dad, I'm not sure I would even want to see him."
Rachel smiled sadly. "I love my dad." She replied honestly, her voice barely above a whisper. "He was my hero. He was such an amazing man but I'm angry that he did the things he did. That he's not here anymore. Just like I'm angry that Puck's dad who was super involved in all the shady shit, didn't get a single day in jail. My dad, the black guy, was the only person who was sentenced. It's not fair."
Mike stayed silent for a moment as he navigated the streets toward the lake. The truth was, he wasn't entirely sure what to say, knowing that none of the thoughts running through his head came close to being effective. The fact that Puck's dad had been involved came as a shock, making Mike wonder how she had managed to stay friends with the other male throughout everything. "The criminal justice system is screwed," he shook his head. "I'm sorry, Rach. I can't even imagine what that must be like."
Rachel shrugged her shoulders. "It is what it is." She replied quietly before reaching out her hand to rest on her boyfriend's arm. "Just listening to me helps... Nobody really does that besides you."
Mike nodded. "Anytime," he answered sincerely. A few moments later they reached the lake and he pulled the car into a spot in the deserted parking lot.
Rachel smiled softly at Mike. She knew he was being sincere and honest. He was always there for her and willing to be by her side. Unbuckling her seat belt, Rachel opened the car door and stepped out into the cool breeze. Stretching slightly, she walked around the front of the car to greet Mike who was now standing and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Tonight was good." She whispered, wanting to reassure her boyfriend that she had enjoyed herself.
Mike pocketed his keys as he got out of the car. The only sound that greeted them was the soft sound of the water lapping against the shore; it was peaceful and calming to the frayed edges of his nerves. He wrapped his arms around Rachel's waist when she approached, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as she spoke. "Thank you for being there," he replied before leaning in and capturing her lips against his.
Rachel smiled against his lips before kissing him back and moving her body closer to his. "My pleasure." She whispered, running her fingers through the hair at the back of his head.
Mike moaned against her lips softly as her fingers played with his hair, a shiver going across the sensitive skin at the back of his neck. It was hard to believe that she had actually had anything even remotely resembling fun at the dinner, but even if she was just pretending, he appreciated the effort.
Rachel smirked softly as the sound of Mike's moan filled her ears. "Next up is meeting my daddy... I know you too have met in passing but I know he wants to meet you officially."
Mike shrugged one shoulder lightly. "That's only fair." He paused, looking down as he scuffed his shoe against the gravel of the parking lot. "He's not going to hate me for that time I drove you to the point of disappearing for a weekend, is he?"
Rachel bit down on her bottom lip. "No and like I said, it wasn't you. It was everything... He doesn't hate you."
Mike nodded, but he wasn't entirely convinced. Despite what Rachel said, he couldn't help but feel like their fight had been a major part of the reason she had left. "I know, but still. I feel bad. But I'd love to officially meet him whenever you want."
Rachel shook her head. "Don't feel bad." She whispered before kissing him again. "Now, I have a few hours before curfew... Want to spend it making out in your car?" She grinned
Mike didn't need to be asked twice. "I like the way you think," he laughed. Using the arm that was slung around her waist to guide them back a few steps to the backseat of the car.
