A/N: A drabble that I had to muse upon after tonight's episode (2x17, Night of Neglect). That said, this isn't based off of the episode - it just inspired it. So no spoilers.
Further musing: I don't know about you, but Rachel's been depressing me so bad lately and I really want her to find inner happiness that's not dependent on anyone else.
Long after the lights had been turned off, Rachel sat on the edge of the stage. Everyone else: the audience, her teammates, the band; they had already left.
It wasn't the first time. The janitors were used to seeing her after hours, and she knew she had a while before they would ask her to leave.
She ran her hand over the floor of the stage near her leg, remembering all of the music, the rush of energy, the sheer exhilaration of performing that had taken place upon it over the past two years. Like the one that had happened earlier that evening.
It had been amazing. One of their best yet. The crowd had gone wild, the applause deafening. Everyone had giant smiles on their faces, beaming with pride well deserved. Compliments were bandied back and forth, and Brittany had been going around, hugging everyone.
It had made her feel wonderful. Glee was finally a family.
...
It had made her feel sick. The only time she felt like anyone ever saw her was after a performance.
Silent tears slipped down her face, and she drew her legs up, wrapping her arms around her knees. It was getting harder to pretend she was infallible. Unaffected. Above it all.
It was getting harder to pretend, period.