Hey guys! This is kind of a sequel to "Broken", my other story, but it's not absolutely necessary to read that one. Reminding you guys that English is not my first language, so please don't stone me for my mistakes :) But criticism AND positive reviews are welcome! Also, since I'm not American I don't know now the difference between grad school, college, or how long you're supposed to stay in Julliard, so if anyone wants to set me straight I would appreciate it. Rachel and the gang are about 20 years old in this story.

Thank you everyone who read Broken! On with the story now.

Cause baby you're a firework
Come on show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Rachel forced her eyes shut as she shouted out- with all the might her diaphragm would allow- those last verses of "Firework" by Katy Perry. She remembered the first time she heard that song. At that time, she really believed in herself. She really believed she had a shot at a magnificent future. She tried to focus on those feelings.

"No, no no! Stop! Rachel, where is the emotion? Perfect pitch, but I don't feel like you mean it. You have to make me believe that you wrote the song!" Her teacher/coach said as she shook her head in frustration. "How many times do I have to tell you that? You are going to flunk this and I won't be able to save you."

Rachel already expected that. It was always like this in this class. After spending two years studying classical music and piano (on which she did well, but only that), her first "hands on" class had her excited at first. But after hearing from her teacher that she had a really trained voice, but lacked emotional depth, it really got to her nerves.

What happened to her? How come she was the golden girl at Mckinley High and nobody at Julliard? Was she really just mediocre amongst a bunch of losers and now that she was amongst real talents she just faded in the background?

She thought back to the time when she was younger. Emotions did seem to run high on those days. Everything was huge. Every moment. Every achievement. Every loss seemed to fill her to the brim.

But now…now high school seemed such a small world compared to where she was, living in Manhattan. Finn always told her that she was too talented for such a small town like Lima. He told her he believed in her. And now they barely talked to each other. All that talk about her being great, him believing in her, it all went down the drill. As much as he had expressed that he wished her good things and wanted to be around for her, he now didn't seem to care whether she lived or died. He hadn't called her or tried to contact her at all in the past year. Not even a call on her birthday. Not even a text message. Nothing, as though she had never existed in his life.

And boy, had that hurt. She just decided to give up on trying to contact him and being nice to him after that. She thought they could at least be friends, but apparently she was entirely dispensable to him.

It was a really weird feeling. She didn't miss being with him. What hurt the most was thinking that she hadn't been enough of an impact on his life, which sounded conceited, but hey, there had been plenty of "I love you"s and plans of a future together on their relationship. Whatever happened to that? "Screw him" she thought, walking down towards the subway, ready to go back to her small flat down in Soho. Her parents had spent a fortune on her, trying to make her comfortable.

It was Friday and she thought about the weekend. She was going to get a good rest…and then one more week just like this one she had just had. Great. Her social life was as good as her emotional singing right now. Her life was just great.

After a long, too-hot-for-your-skin shower, Rachel emerged from her room wearing flannel pajamas. She looked down and thought that she was a failure even at pajama-choosing. "Well, it's not as though someone is going to see it" she thought, resigned. And these days she had noticed that she had dark bags under her eyes and a little dullness to her expression. She was never satisfied whenever she looked at the mirror.

After fixing herself a bowl of cereal with some fruit as a substitute for dinner, she went – bowl, spoon and all- to check her e-mail on her notebook. And maybe Finn had made an update on facebook…?

No. She would not cyberstalk him. Not anymore, at least. She felt pathetic every time she accessed Finn's or Quinn's profile, trying to figure out what Finn was up to. But it was like and addiction, and also the only way for her to know, at least a little, of what went on in his life.

A window popped in front of her. It was Mercedes on skype. Rachel smiled, happy to be able to talk to someone and distract herself a little.

"Hey girl! Looking good! What are we up to?" Rachel said, clearly getting Mercedes' vibe.

"Rachel. Come on. I know you want to ask. Just ask me."

Rachel panicked. What she was talking about? Did she know that Rachel had been cyberstalking Finn, because she was so obsessed and couldn't ask anyone about him? Did everybody know? She was screwed if that was the case!

"Mercedes, I-I don't, listen, I…" Rachel began, tumbling on her words and getting into a panic.

"Girl, what are you saying? Aren't you gonna ask me if I made it?"

Then it hit Rachel. Mercedes was trying out for American Idol and today she had had an audition! Relief coursed through her.

"Of course 'Cedes, I was just getting there." Rachel put on her best smile. "So did you-"

"YES! I made it and they loved me!" Mercedes was referring to the tough judges.

"Mercedes, that is wonderful!" Rachel squealed in delight. At last some good news to cheer up her day.

"And how are things going down in NY girl?"

"You know when we were in high school and we got into college and we got all excited and stuff?"

"Uhum!" Mercedes said, with a smile.

"Well, I don't know. Whatever happened to that? Growing up sucks."

Mercedes' face fell a little. She sighed almost comically.

"You got it, girl. I'm listening."

"It's just that all of those dreams I hoped to achieve by coming here just seem….further away than ever. Life is so dull. The routine…is so unexciting. I feel numb."

"You know, there's a cure for that. It's called ice cream. Grab a spoon and have a go at it"

Rachel laughed a little. What she didn't say was that she had already tried that, but she just couldn't find any comfort in stuffing her face.

"You know you can always count on me right?" Mercedes told her. "I feel bad I can't do much from where I'm at. But I have to sing again for and can't go down to NY."

"Mercedes, don't say that. I'm fine. No need to worry. But you're always welcome in my house, if you ever feel like coming to NY. We can watch some Broadway shows together." Rachel said, brightening and smiling.

Mercedes smiled. "I'd like that." Mercedes looked thoughtful for a second. "I know. Puck is going to NY with his band. Why don't you call him and go see them? Seeing a familiar face wouldn't hurt, you know."

Rachel mentally flinched. She hadn't seen Puckerman in a while.

"Of course! I'll do that. Great idea, 'Cedes." She said, with a nervous smile, not meaning to call him at all.

"Great. Listen girl, I have to go to sleep. Put my diva on. You know the drill. But if you need something, don't hesitate on calling me, ok? OK. Bye now!"

Rachel said her goodbyes and went to bed as well. It was way past her usual bedtime and being sleepy in the next day wouldn't help her mood at all.

That's it for now, hope to get the next chapter up soon! Please review? :) Love, Morana