A/N: almost random plot bunny. It's not really AU yet. Just kind of what if? And I just friend-ship Rachel with everyone, so why not the new kid?

RPOV:

"Hey. How are you holding up?" I asked quietly, pulling my oldest friend and pseudo-brother into a tight hug.

"Okay. Thanks for coming Rach." I pulled back to look up at him.

"Did you expect me to stay away? I'm here as long as you need me."

"Thanks Rach." I leaned into him, trying to support him in some way, any way. I couldn't fathom the pain he was probably going through, losing his parents in one fell swoop, and what a way to lose them. I hadn't believed my Dad when he first told me that there'd been a shooting at the grocery store, and who'd been killed.

He wouldn't let me leave his side the entire afternoon, holding my hand as if it were the only thing anchoring him to the earth. I held his hand tightly as he talked to the multitudes of family and friends offering their condolences. I squeezed it before he got up to speak at the small service and grabbed it again when he sat back down, tears running down his face. I leaned on his shoulder in the car on the way to the cemetery, feeling the force of the silent sobs shaking his whole body. I wrapped my arms around him as they lowered the caskets into the ground. When it was all over, my daddy tugged my arm, indicating that he should come with us. As we sat in the backseat of the car, he clung tightly to me, the sobs still wracking his muscled chest.

We pulled up in front of my house and I led him inside and up to my bedroom, sliding in his favorite movie and settling myself easily into a comfortable and familiar position sitting between his outstretched legs and leaning against his chest. He wrapped his arms around me and we sat in silence as the movie played. I could feel his tense posture relax as he rested his chin in my hair.

"I love you Rach. You're the best friend a guy could ever ask for."

"I love you too. And I'm so sorry."

"I know. So did I tell you I'm going to transfer to McKinley?"

"No way!"

"Yep! We realized that there's no way to still afford the boarding school tuition. And I love my brother for wanting to try, but I'm not gonna ask him to sacrifice that much. He's already letting his sixteen year-old brother live with him."

"Well you'll like McKinley. I think. People there will like you. Unlike me."

"What's that supposed to mean Rach?"

"Exactly what I said. People at school don't like me."

"Well people at school are worthless then. But once I'm going there, we'll get to see each other every day again. I've missed you while I was at school."

"I've missed you too. So are you going to try out for the football team?"

"Of course! Maybe I'll knock that boyfriend of yours out of his quarterback spot." He laughed which made me smile. I loved my best friend's laugh.

"Doubt it! Finn is the best player on the team!"

"Yeah? Why? What's his best play?"

"I don't know! I don't understand football."

"Got you!" He laughed again as I made a face at him.

"Grow up. And you'd better join glee along with football; I know that beautiful voice you like to hide. We need you."

"Right. We'll see about that."

"You seriously should!"

"Okay Rach. Can we finish 'Avatar' now?"

"You and this movie." I sighed. He'd even learned the language. Okay my best friend's a dork. Irrevocably and undeniably so.

A/N: Love it? Hate it? Let me know!