Chapter 1
Rachel pulled the strap of her bag tighter to her small body. She inhaled sharply. Her first day of high school arrived. She was no longer at the small junior high in her town. She was at the big school. There were over a thousand students here. It was the only thing in Lima that brought everyone together. In Ohio, there were very things that people looked forward to. High school, however, was the one door that you could enter and exit through four years later with the hopes of leaving. It was the last stop before you got out of this town.
Rachel surveyed all of the people in front of her. It was only freshman. Her sister told her that the first day for freshman was known to all the upper classmen as minnow groupings. It was the day all of freshman formed alliances and found their niches before upperclassmen sharks came in the next day. This way the day. This was the time when she, Rachel Barbara Berry, could find her niche. She surveyed the crowd with excited anticipation. She put on her signature smile and walked toward the crowd.
An hour later, Rachel found herself sitting quietly in the choir room by herself. Making friends was never her strongest character trait. She took in deep breath to withhold her tears as she began to realize high school wasn't going to bring her the solace and grace that she imagined it would. She searched through her memory for a Broadway classic that would help to express her inner turmoil, when she heard the door open.
There stood a petite young man. He hair was styled. His sweater looked expensive.
"Sorry, I didn't realize someone was in here," he said quickly but didn't move. Rachel had a feeling that he was waiting to see if she would evacuate.
"It's fine," Rachel replied relaxing her shoulders and tightening her jaw. "I can clearly tell that you have musical interests. And perhaps musical skill by the direct clarity and focus of your voice. However, as you can see, my musical talent led me here first. Can I help you with anything?"
Rachel had never been in the choir room before this point, but she wasn't going to admit it. Today was the day that people claimed their territory. She was determined to claim this. This choir room would be her sanctuary. And hers alone.
The boy squinted his eyes at her.
"Clearly, we both wanted this room. I just need to for a few minutes to sing an emotionally charged ballad. So if you could step out that would be great." His confidence didn't intimidate Rachel like he had hoped.
Rachel stood and put her hands on her hips. She was guarding the piano like it was her life. She watched the boy take in her appearance. She was even shorter than he was.
"Do you always look like a sad kindergarten nun?" he asked trying to be catty.
Rachel glared at him but then softened her gaze.
"I'm Rachel."
The boy hesitated but then took her extend hand.
"Kurt." He gave a curt but compromising smile.
An alliance had been formed.
. . . .
Santana looked up from the couch as the front door opened.
Leroy set down his coat and gently kissed the top of her forehead.
"Hi, my eldest child." He collapsed next to her on the couch with a heavy sigh.
"Doctoring that hard?" Santana asked turning to her father with a grin.
"No biggie, just saving lives," he replied as her loosen his tie. He looked around. "It's quiet. Is your sister home yet?"
Santana shrugged. She gave a weak smile. The only reason it was quiet was because showtunes weren't blasting from upstairs.
"I don't think so."
The two of them stared quietly at the television for a moment before Leroy broke the silence.
"Well before she gets here, I want to have a quick chat with you," Leroy said turning the tv down and turning to her.
Santana inwardly groaned. Here it comes, she thought.
"We've all been a family for a long time.—''
"Eight years," Santana corrected.
"She adores you and I know that she can be a handful.—''
"Dad, I know this. I've known her since she was six. I'll look after her at school. Don't worry," Santana said shifting back to the television.
"I don't doubt that you will, San. We're just worried for her. You always seemed to fit in." Santana looked down at her hands at that. "Sometimes you fit in a little too well. You're still grounded, by the way." Leroy continued back to his original train of thought. "I'm not asking you to be her best friend, but just keep an eye on her."
Santana gave her father a weak smile. "Okay."
Leroy gave her a soft grin. "Don't worry, I gave Rachel a talk already about keeping an eye on you."
Santana laughed. "I'm sure all 90 pounds of her can battle anyone giving me a hard time."
…..
"Can I talk to you?" Santana looked up to see Rachel at her doorway. Santana sat up as Rachel sat down quietly across from her at the desk.
"How was minnow groupings day?"
"It was fine," Rachel said quietly as she looked down at her hands.
Santana bit her lip. She needed to tell her soon.
"Rachel, tomorrow –''
"I heard about you at school today," Rachel's tone was quiet, chilling and threatening all at once.
"Rachel—'' Santana's voice sounded more sympathetic and apologetic than she had heard in years.
"I just – I just wanted to tell you that I get it," Rachel said quietly.
"I'm pretty sure you don't," Santana said angrily. "You're fourteen. It was first day of high school today. You can't possibly 'get it.'"
"Defensive much?"
"Do what you need to do, San." Rachel stood up and started for the door. Her face hardened. "I won't stand in your way."
Rachel got to the door but turned around suddenly remembering something.
"I asked Daddy to give me a ride tomorrow. I told him that you have an early practice."
Santana felt like she had been slapped. Early practices didn't start until next week.
….
Santana walked down the hall with determination and strength. Today was it. The day she had been dreading had arrived. Putting her shoulders back a little more, she walked into through the double doors with a look of such fortitude that a path was cleared for her. She saw another Cheerios uniform come and stand next to her.
"Morning B, what's our status?" She asked not even turning to look at her.
"The list is almost full. Full of shitting freshman if you ask me," Brittany said as the halls were cleared in front of them.
Santana simply pursed her lips and continued walked. She gave a scrawny looking boy barely a half side glance before she shoved him with her shoulder as she passed. She could hear footsteps of other Cheerios were behind her. She could see the long dark hair of the girl she had been hoping to avoid most of the day. She was struggling with her locker combination to open it.
Santana straightened herself and focused her gaze. Out of the corner of her eye she saw her turn and watch her walk by. Santana tensed up and waited to hear her call out to her, but she didn't. Santana relaxed slightly, relieved. She turned the corner and went on with the rest of her day, hoping to continue to avoid her.
Rachel held her books tightly to her chest as she watched the Cheerios pass. Her brow furrowed as she watched Santana get further down the hallway.
"So the fun begins, huh?"
Rachel turned to see Kurt standing next to her. He was supporting his Mark Jacobs bag on his shoulder. She gave a slight smirk.
"No one ever said that high school would be easy," she laughed.
"Yeah! And you're at the bottom of the food chain!" someone yelled as the two of them turned only to feel their ice dripping down their faces.
