Rachel Berry had no one.
Sure, she was in glee, and everyone seemed to tolerate her. But she didn't fit in with them. Kurt had Mercedes. Quinn, Santana, and Brittany all had their differences, but whenever one of them needed something, the other two were always there.
Everyone in that club had someone they could turn to in a time of need, but not Rachel. Sure, she had her dads, but honestly they spent more time fighting over whose turn it was to stay home with Rachel so the other could go on a "business trip." And now that she was old enough to tend to herself, they both were gone most of the time. She spent her nights alone in the house.
The one person Rachel thought she had, ended up being one big lie.
Rachel had never clicked with anyone like she did with Jesse St. James. He was talented, kind, handsome, he seemed to actually enjoy her endless rambling, and he made her happy. Rachel didn't feel so lonely when she was with Jesse. So when she found out that he had been sent there by Shelby, her whole world came crashing down. Everything she thought that was true was a lie.
Not only did Shelby give her a false hope with Jesse, she also given her false hope about having a mother. Her entire life, all Rachel ever wanted was a mom. Someone to go to with boy troubles, to help her the first time she got her period, or when she had to buy her first bra. So when Rachel found the tape that she later learned Jesse had placed in one of her boxes, she was ecstatic. It was the only piece she had of the woman she so badly longed for. She had practically worn the tape out by the time she realized that Shelby Corcoran was her mother. Shelby was her mother, her school's rival glee club's coach, was her mother. And she says mother, not mom, because Shelby made it very clear she would never be her mom. Just like she had dangled Jesse in front of her face, she dangled the chance of having a mom in front of her. But just like everyone else, she realized Rachel was too big of a loser, and she no longer wanted her, just like she didn't want her sixteen years ago.
So Rachel had no one but herself.
So when Kurt invited her to a party that night after regionals, Rachel was at first shocked, but quickly agreed. She could use a distraction, and maybe she could show everyone that she really wasn't that bad to be around.
Rachel wasn't a big drinker, but she had a lot on her mind that she wanted to forget. Jesse leaving her, her dads never being there for her, the constant slushies to her face, Shelby. So even though she knows the dangers of drinking, and the harm it could do to her vocal chords, her cup was never empty, someone was constantly making sure it was filled at least half way. Rachel was starting to feel dizzy when she felt someone tap her on the shoulder.
"Puck, hi." Rachel slurred.
Noah looked uncomfortable, and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Hey, uh, I can't stay long, I actually only dropped by so I could talk to you really quick."
Rachel raised an eyebrow at him, signaling for him to keep going. "Uh, well you know that Quinn had the baby today. While we were at the hospital, Shelby came by."
Rachel's head shot up from her drink. "My mom?"
"Yeah, she wanted to adopt the baby. But, I wanted you to know Quinn told her no. She said it was because she didn't want to be so close to Beth and not be able to see her, but I think she did it because she knew how much it would hurt you. She asked me not to tell you, but I thought you should know."
Rachel blinked back the tears she was trying desperately to hide. "Thank you for telling me Noah. But maybe you guys should reconsider, I think Shelby would be a great mom."
Noah looked at her and smiled sadly before patting her shoulder. "Try not to drink too much, Berry."
Rachel watched as he walked away and quickly moved past the people in the house and made her way to the back door. Once she slid the door shut behind her, she couldn't hold the tears in anymore.
Shelby didn't want Rachel, she told her that, made it clear as day. But jumped on the chance to adopt a baby. Her teammates baby. Why was she so unlovable? Why was she so easily replaceable? Why did no one want her?
Rachel jumped when she heard the back door slam shut and quickly wiped at her tears and tried to hide her face, waiting for whatever kid wandered out for a smoke break to quickly finish.
"What are you doing out her by yourself?" A voice that Rachel didn't recognize asked her.
"Just needed some air, I'm heading back in now." She mumbled.
She went to make her way to the door when two rough hands grabbed her wrist and roughly pulled her. "I don't think so." The voice breathed into her ear. Rachel struggled to free herself, but she was dizzy from the alcohol and couldn't get her balance. Whoever was holding her roughly pushed her against the closed hot tub that was outside and pushed her head down so she was bent over it. She heard him unbuckling his pants and felt the terror wash over her. She kicked, but that resulted in her being hit across the face. So she went limp, only whimpering when she felt him inside her.
When he was done, he released her wrist, but before she could move, he swiftly kneed her in her gut, causing her to fall to the ground.
She watched as her attacker slipped back in the house, where the party continued, no one noticing that Rachel was outside, or had even left in the first place.
Rachel Berry had no one.
Shelby woke with a start and glanced over at her clock and saw it was three in the morning. This wasn't unusual, she often woke in the middle of the night, unable to fall back asleep. She sighed and got up to go make herself some tea when she heard two loud pounds on her door.
"What the hell?" She muttered, pulling her robe closed and making her way quickly downstairs to the front door. She wasn't prepared for the sight that met her.
There stood Rachel Berry on her front porch, with her clothes ripped, a bruise starting to form on her cheek and blood coming out of her mouth.
"Rachel, what, how, are you okay?"
Rachel swayed where she was standing and tried to take a step forward "My dad's aren't home." she slurred out before falling forward and collapsing on the ground.