Hi! I'm new to this archive, but I've been watching Glee since Showmance (I always kick myself for not watching the Pilot first, but no worries, I did watch the Pilot) Anyways, my Gleek status isn't official until I post a fanfic (Yeah...). This idea came right after I watched Sectionals, which btw, had me biting a pillow for every moment. So here you go. The title might be a working title.

This chapter is kinda prologue-ish....just somewhat of an intro.

Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Glee or any of its characters, but the plot is mine.

Snap snap.

The camera flashes.

Oh.

Isn't.

That.

Just.

Lovely.

I quickly do something my agent always instructed me to do. It was rule number in the unwritten code between us.

#1-Charm your way out of the paparazzi.

I smile and toss my perfect dark hair as I skip-step out of the Mercedes-Benz. Before facing the paparazzi, I pivot around to face the dark tinted window of the Mercedes and blow a kiss to my invisible-to-the-paparazzi driver. I barely see Jamison wave back. He steps on the pedal and drives off. Some photographers push through their fellow snappers and race to my car. I shake my head as a smile on my Yves-Saint-Laurent glossed lips appears.

"Miss Berry! Over here for Us Weekly! How does it feel to be a regular sophomore even though your debut album is rocketing off the charts?"

"Are you treated the same even though your album is triple-platinum?"

"Yo, Rach! You're hot!"

I glance around myself and smile, a genuine, non-plastic smile. I blow a few kisses in random directions before I charm my way out of hoard of fans. Like always, the crowd parts as my heels click-clack against the pavement.

Once I'm past the gates of McKinley, the reporters and photographers diminish. Even since I got my record deal, McKinley was strictly 'no photographers and such and such'. Sometimes it's Zen-ful…but sometimes it makes me feel unappreciated, like before Blue Bird Co. signed me.

Before making my daily grand entrance, I do a quick check with my compact. Everything's perfect.

I use all my strength to open up both doors.

Like always…

Hallway movement stops.

You could've heard a pin drop.

I hide my smile. Deonne always told me smiling was cute, but keeping a stoic aura was…well, hot.

Of course, the noise gradually comes back. Artie and Tina walk (wheel) over to me. This time I smile. I always have time for known-befores (aka people I knew before my shot to fame.) . I promised them anyways. Plus, they were in New Directions.

"Hey, Rachel." Tina says tentatively. Star presence makes her nervous.

"Hi Tina. What's up?" I ask. I pull out my Palm Pre and begin scrolling for messages.

"Well, Rachel…" Artie speaks up. "Mr. Schue extended practice time until two."

"We just wanted to let you know." Tina adds quickly. I briefly look up and nod before going back to checking for messages. Looks like Barbara Streisand is looking for another duet with me…

"See ya later, Rach…el." Tina says slowly, as if I'm stupid. I look up again and nod, giving a yep-I-get-it-move-along smile. Tina quickly wheels Artie away without another look.

I tap away with my Palm Pre and add another thing to my never ending schedule.

Glee practice-12:00-2:00