This is my first Glee story, though not my first story ever...so have some faith in me.

Despite what this chapter leads on, this story WILL be focused mostly on Vocal Adrenaline and Rachel will probably be the only New Directions person making a regular appearance.

Disclaimer: I own nothing written here except characters I created. I am not associated with Ryan Murphy, the cast of Glee (only in my dreams), or any other of the creators.

Chapter 1

"Guys!" Rachel yelled, running down the hallway towards the choir room, where the rest of New Directions were sitting sprawled across the room, already ready to start practice.

Finn looked up, hearing Rachel's voice. "She's five minutes late," he said.

"Argyle's never late. I hope she's not here to tell us about some new show on Broadend or Westway or something," Puck said, playing around with his guitar.

Kurt rolled his eyes. "You mean Broadway or West End?" he asked. "Boys." He muttered under his breath, to which Mercedes responded with a nod.

"Guys," Rachel said, running in, obviously out of breath, leaning against the piano for support.

"What's the matter?" Quinn asked. "Running from that Jewfro kid again?"

"You shouldn't run from the only guy who doesn't mind those sweaters that make you look homeschooled," Santana said.

"If Rachel goes to school at her house…why do we see her here every day?" Brittany asked.

Rachel rolled her eyes. "No guys, listen," she said. "So I was spying on Vocal Adrenaline-"

"Rachel, I thought you said you were going to stop that after that time where they almost caught you!" Mr. Schuster said.

"That changing room could've very easily been a bathroom. How was I supposed to know it was Jesse's dressing room?" Rachel asked. She briefly flashed back to where she had almost walked in on Jesse changing, shaking her head to get the image out of her mind.

Mr. Schuster rolled his eyes. "You were saying," he said, motioning her to continue.

Rachel nodded, stepping up the center of the room, the way she stood indicating she had important news, not that she didn't announce everything like it was crucial news, as long as it got her the attention she felt she deserved.

"So I was spying on Vocal Adrenaline and I heard them talking about how now that Jesse was gone, they know they're not the same team anymore," Rachel said. "I even heard them say that they aren't sure they can win Regionals this year." Rachel straightened up and allowed a proud smile to come onto her face as she heard the room burst into noise and cheering.

All of them started talking excitedly, as they realized that if Vocal Adrenaline wasn't a lock for first, they could be. Even Mr. Schuster joined in on the excited chatter.

"See guys?" he said over the noise, causing the room to quiet down. "This is our year! We're going to breeze through Sectionals and then…we're gonna take home the first place trophy in Regionals and show Carmel whose boss!"

The room cheered and clapped, and more chatter ensued as the group started planning their numbers for Regionals, six months from now.

"But we can't think about Regionals until we think about Sectionals," Mr. Schuster said. "So…who has some ideas?"

"We're screwed," Giselle said as she paced the huge stage of Carmel's auditorium, her shoes echoing in the abandoned room. "What the hell are we supposed to do now that Jesse left?"

"Why didn't they just fail him like they did the rest of us?" Travis, one of the oldest members of Vocal Adrenaline at twenty four, asked. "What made him so special? Especially since they knew he was our golden ticket."

"I heard his parents threatened to sue the school if they failed him. And God knows they would win," Haylee said. She sighed, laying down on the stage. "I miss him…"

"Oh give it a rest, Haylee," Giselle snapped. "It was one time, and he only slept with you because he was upset about leaving Berry. We all knew he still loved her for whatever reason, and you were a sad attempt at getting his mind off of her."

Haylee rolled her eyes, playing with her hair. "Whatever," she muttered. Words were not one of Haylee's strong suits. She, like many of Vocal Adrenaline, deserved to be held back as many times as they had been.

"First we lose Jesse to UCLA, now Shelby to that kid," Giselle said. "Our reign cannot be over! Not this quickly! We were more than Jesse! He was only a voice!"

"Are you kidding?" Haylee asked. "He was amazing, Giselle. He made us the champions we were. His voice was better than anyone's. Even when he left to go be with that mediocre show choir, people started talking."

Giselle let out a yell in frustration. "We can't be over! I've given my life to this choir! Now to have it all crumble down because Jesse 'Needed to go on to bigger and better things'? I don't think so," she said.

"What can we do?" David, another older member of Vocal Adrenaline, piped up. "Everyone who is good enough is already in Vocal Adrenaline."

Giselle sat down, running her hand through her hair, looking around.

"We can't be over," she muttered. "We just…we can't be."

"Rachel," Mr. Schuster called as the rest of the Glee club left the room. He motioned for her to wait, waiting for the room to clear out before he started talking.

"How are you holding up?" Mr. Schuster asked, sitting down next to where Rachel was sitting.

Rachel shrugged. "Fine, I guess," she said, playing with the fabric of her dress. "I mean, Glee club's back on its way to the top, Vocal Adrenaline's on its way down, so of course I'm great."

Mr. Schuster sighed, looking at Rachel. "You haven't been yourself lately," he said. "You've been quieter."

"I thought people would appreciate that," Rachel said. "Finn always says I talk too much. I just think it's because I have a lot of opinions people should hear, but apparently no one else agrees."

Mr. Schuster laughed, but didn't deny what Rachel said. "But still," he started, "Ever since Regionals you've seemed depressed. I would've thought you and Finn would be together, it's what you've always wanted, right?"

Rachel sighed. "Mr. Schue, I love Finn. But I just don't love him that way. I gave myself to Jesse more than I thought I did, and I just…I can't forget him as easily as I thought," she said, looking away, obviously embarrassed to admit this to a teacher.

Mr. Schuster sighed. "I understand what it's like to lose someone you loved. Is that why you're continuing to spy on Vocal Adrenaline?" he asked.

Rachel nodded slowly.

Mr. Schuster looked around the room, the look on his face indicating he was choosing his next words carefully.

"Rachel…Jesse hurt you for his own selfish gain," Mr. Schuster said softly. "You realize this, right?"

"With all due respect, Mr. Schue, you didn't see him when he looked at me at the end of Regionals. There was something there. And I know an acting face versus a true feeling," Rachel said. "I swear, there's more to the story than I know."

Mr. Schuster sighed, opening his mouth, no doubt to argue with her some more, but then closed it, deciding against it.

"You're not going to stop spying, are you?" Mr. Schuster asked.

Rachel shook her head.

"Figures," Mr. Schuster said. "You always were a stubborn one, Rachel."

Rachel grinned proudly, "My Dads say stubbornness is a trait that gets you far in show business. They encourage it, actually," she said.

Mr. Schuster nodded, laughing a little. "At least make it worthwhile for the club too. Give us updates on what Vocal Adrenaline's doing, and if they get a new lead," he said, standing up.

"Of course," Rachel nodded. "You guys will be the first to know."

"Thanks Rachel," he said, walking to the door. Before he left, he turned around and looked at her.

"Rachel?"

"Yes Mr. Schue?"

"Mind your heart, okay?" Mr. Schuster asked.

Rachel nodded slowly. "Thanks, Mr. Schue."

Okay, now tell me what you think! :)

I'll post another chapter...as soon as I write it. hehe