After a break from writing, I thought I'd start up a new story to occupy me this summer. A Cinderella Story is one of my all time favorite movies. And Faberry is my all time favorite couple. So I thought I'd give this a go. Please review and let me know what you think of this first chapter. Thank you so much!

NYUgirl: It's late..I should go. We will talk tomorrow, yes?

Hopeless_Wanderer: Of course. Sweet dreams.

*NYUgirl has signed off*

Rachel closed her laptop with a soft sigh, aware of the smile that hadn't left her lips for the past hour and a half. She stood up slowly and climbed into her bed. The past nights conversation ran through her head.

"How do we go to the same school, but we've never met?"

"You'd think after months of talking you would want to know who I am."

"I have to know who you are."

All these messages from her mysterious online friend were promising, but she knew in the end they would only be disappointed. They had met in a NYU chatroom earlier in the year, and connected instantly. It wasn't until a few conversations later that they realized just how many commonalities they shared.

McKinley High wasn't a large school, but it was big enough to go unnoticed. Rachel had felt invisible her entire life. The particular interest of this internet acquaintance was comforting, but she wasn't about to risk it all by revealing herself. She was the recipient of a slushy almost every day. Her glee club status held no relevance in the social hierarchy of the school. Rachel walked through the doors on the first day of her freshman year determined to make a name for herself, but all plans were quickly washed away with the icy cold liquid that dripped down the front of her body.

Since then she stayed hidden in the shadows, along with her best friend Kurt. He had been there for her through it all. The death of her mother, her father's remarriage and untimely passing, and he helped fend off the abuse she received from step mother Shelby, along with her ruthless step brother Jesse.

This was not the ideal life Rachel had pictured for herself. She wanted to be on Broadway, maybe one day starring as Fanny Brice in her favorite production, Funny Girl. But it seemed as though those dream vanished along with her father. She was left in the hands of Shelby and received no mercy. Her step mother ordered her around every chance she could and expected Rachel to work unending shifts at the family owned karaoke bar that her father had established long before she was born. She put up with the torture and abuse in hopes that one day she could make enough money to leave this place she used to once call home.

NYU lit the fire of her desperation. It had everything she had ever wanted and was in the precise place she had dreamed of living her entire life. She was glad to have built a connection with someone that shared similar aspirations, but she was afraid that was where it would end. She was a loser and knew it. No one would ever want to associate with someone so insignificant.

#$%#$%#$%

The next day Rachel pulled up to Kurt's house after beckoning to Shelby's every request. She watched from the curb as his older brother Finn hopped into his jeep and sped down the street. Finn was quarterback of McKinley's football team and had lost all interest in his brothers life once he found out Kurt preferred relations with men. Kurt once told Rachel that Finn feared his association with Kurt would strip him of his status, so they shared a last name and that was it.

She was lost in thought and didn't see or hear Kurt get in the car. "Good morning gorgeous." Rachel stumbled out of her mind and threw a smile to her best friend.

"Hi there, aren't you looking stunning today."

Kurt prided himself on his sense of fashion and awareness of all the latest trends. Like Rachel he shared a similar interest in all New York City had to offer and kept pushing for their ventures to the big city after high school.

They pulled into the parking lot and managed to find a spot in the crowded space. It was quickly stolen by a flashy red sports car. Rachel slammed on her wheel in frustration as Kurt rolled his eyes. They watched as Santana Lopez followed by Quinn Fabray and Brittany S. Pierce stepped out of the vehicle.

"It's only fitting that the devils themselves drive a red car."

Rachel laughed at Kurt's remark and continued on to find a spot a little further away from the building.

#$%#$%#$%

At lunch Rachel sat with her glee friends, but wasn't interested in their banter. She was preoccupied with a conversation going on on her phone.

The grilled cheese is not half bad today.

She couldn't help but look around the room in an effort to see just who it could be she was corresponding with. Everyone seemed to be on their phone. And everyone seemed to be eating a sandwich. Her phone vibrated, breaking up her thoughts.

Tell me who you are. I can't stand it much longer.

She bit her lip and slowly typed back.

Why must you know?

Immediately she received a response.

I have to.

She sighed softly and before she could even think about what to say she received another text.

Let me make an offer. This friday night, at the Halloween dance, meet me on the middle of the dance floor at midnight.

Rachel stared at the message for awhile and didn't get a chance to reply before the bell rang to end lunch.