HI there everyone. I know (at the time of writing) I have "The Princess and the Peasant" and "Mi Vida…Not So Loca" to finish writing, but I've had this idea floating around for a while and I was going to wait until I had written a lot more of it before posting it. Unlike the previous two (at the time of writing) I haven't got absolute clear endings – I know where I want them to go but haven't quite structured them yet, especially "Mi Vida…Not So Loca". However, this story is completely mapped out so I wanted to write it and upload it.

This story is rated M because of the difficult topics raised/mentioned/written. I won't give away a plot, however quitter early on there is a big even that shapes the whole story which is a catalyst for everything else in the story to happen. Things to come in the story are slightly 'triggering' (I think that's what it's called) such as spiralling mental health issues and certain difficult topics that might not be discussed or talked about a lot in public (in my opinion).

Now, due to my age (nineteen) I don't know about everything that would 'really happen' that will go on in my story, however I do like to research things so that it has is the most realistic I can make it. Having said that, not all information will be correct or right, so if anything is truly 'not accurate' or 'right' then please, drop me a message either in a review or a private message. I generally accept all criticisms and feedback, but I find it a bit annoying when 'Guests' log on because I like to reply to my reviews, purely just to say thank you and to gage what they like – of course, I'm not discouraging 'Guest' reviews! Any and all reviews are appreciated so thank you in advance.

All that being said, please enjoy the story and I apologise in advance for lack of updates; I'm coming to the end of my first year at university and I'm a bit of geek when it comes to work!

Thank you! Carmella :)

Chapter One:

One More Song

Monday afternoons at around five o'clock were usually quiet. Especially considering this particular school had finished an hour ago. Of course, like most schools there were after school clubs and teachers who were staying behind so they could grade their papers away from their messy and loud families. However, six o'clock on a Monday afternoon, even at this school, was definitely usually quiet. The parking lot would be empty and the janitors would have gone home, turning the lights off and locking up the doors as they left. If the janitors had turned the lights off and locked the doors, then that certainly meant that the kids who went to the school would be long gone. They would be at home; studying or playing on their computers or hanging out with friends, possibly helping their parents prepare dinner or looking after siblings. But in this school, at six o'clock on a Monday afternoon in the middle of October, one club was still working hard; despite the fact they could have gone home two hours ago.

William McKinley High School was the somewhat proud owner of an all singing, all dancing Glee Club. It was this club where thirteen of the school's teenagers were practicing their hopefully showcase showstopper for their latest competition. At the forefront of the particular routine they were practicing, was their Captain; Rachel Berry. The small brunette was bright, bubbly and incredibly ambitious. Her mind was – and had always been – set on the bright lights Broadway. By the age of three (apparently) she had already mastered the knowledge of most of her idol's movies, Barbra Streisand, and by the age of ten she knew all the major songs on Broadway and could receipt all of the favourite ones. Where her fathers – yes, plural – were proud of their little girl's ambition and drive for stardom, others around her were not quite so encouraging. When she was younger, she was picked on for her vocabulary and bizarre dress sense (which consisted of tartan/plaid skirts, knee high socks and sweaters with animals on them). During her first two years of high school, she was pelted with ice cold drinks called 'Slushies' which would stain her clothes (different sizes, the same styles from when she was younger) and be called ridiculous and hurtful names: Treasure-trail, Manhands, Ru-Paul but to name a few. It was a strange twist of fate, but thanks to the Glee Club her biggest enemies – the Cheerios – were now her friends. Together, for most of them in their senior year, they were all working hard to try and beat their rivals: Vocal Adrenaline.

They had all had experience with the team, but Rachel more so than anyone. Not only had she dated their own captain and star performer, Jessie St James, but their coach just so happened to be Rachel's biological mother: Shelby Corcoran. Where they both had imagined a heart-warming, Broadway musical inspired reconnection, it didn't happen. Shelby wanted her baby girl, not her teenage girl and their dreams of joining together and mother/daughter bond had been broken. Rachel was not only left feeling abandoned but depressed. To add insult to injury, the (at the time ex) Head Cheerio, and Rachel's (now) friend Quinn Fabray gave birth to a daughter and Shelby adopted her. Beth was Rachel's replacement and the two hadn't spoken or heard a word from each other since. The classically beautiful blonde haired, green eyed girl became slow friends with Rachel after the birth and adoption of her daughter: together they mourned the loss of someone special to them but also bonded on the fact that their special person was allowed to live the life wanted and deserved. As well as Rachel and Shelby no longer being in contact, she and Jessie hadn't spoken since he had pelted her with eggs in the school parking lot after a particularly bad break up. So, the New Directions wanted to go all the way and win, especially for their senior year, but no one quite more so than Rachel.

As well as Rachel and the rest of the club wanting to win all of their (upcoming) performances and competitions, their Glee Club director William 'Will' Schuster wanted them to gain trophies and prestige. He had fought hard for the club in regard to it being created and it lasting. The Cheerio's coach and the school's most frightening teacher, Sue Sylvester, had an unexplainable vendetta against the club. She wanted to destroy them in any way she could. She sent her Cheerios to the club to sabotage it from the inside, rigged votes and destroyed equipment from the outside. Will just couldn't figure out what it was that made her hate the club so much. But, he didn't care: as long as his kids were happy and they bounced back, then curly brunette man was prepared to keep on fighting until all of his kids were beaming and cheering at their victories. They all had the collective want to win at Nationals, but they also had their personal wants and the Glee Club, New Directions, was able to help them achieve with their goals.

There a boy named Artie Abrams who, thanks to a car accident when he was eight years old, was stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Where he once wanted to become a dancer, he now had a new dream of becoming a film director. He already helped direct the school's (cancelled) musical and had made several short films with his friend and fellow Glee Clubber Tina. She herself used to be so shy she stuttered whenever she had the small amount of courage to speak. Now, thanks to New Directions, she could speak and sing in public, as well as to herself in private. She had even managed to snag a boyfriend in the form of Mike Chang; one of the four football players who were also in the club. Mike himself had always been a good dancer but was afraid to show off his skills to other people. The same with Mercedes Jones. She was a diva but had never had the full confidence or style to demonstrate herself. Kurt Hummel (football player and Glee Club Co-Captain Finn Hudon's step brother) and his newly transferred boyfriend Blaine Anderson were the only (open) gay teenagers in the entire school. Like Rachel they had suffered from the homophobic atmosphere of the school. Both boys loved to sing – Kurt being just as in love with Broadway as Rachel – and Blaine into more 'chart topping hits'. They found that, as well as following their dreams, Glee Club provided them with a safe bubble. Here they weren't judged or treated badly because of who they were. Now, like the rest of the club, after only two years (and now onto their third) they had the confidence and air to show the world their talents. And Will couldn't be more proud to showcase them in their competitions.

With it nearing ten past six, Will thought it was only fair to let the kids stop practicing and get on home. Where some only had school to get up for; the tall and 'clunky' male lead of the club Finn, the Mohawk 'stud' (and the father to Quinn's adopted daughter) Noah 'Puck' Puckerman, a blonde Tennessee native and Sci-Fi enthusiast Sam and Mike had football practice. As for the girls, Quinn, the quick and fiery (yet secretive) Latina, Santana Lopez and her innocent, brilliant dancer best friend Brittany Peirce needed to be up early for a vigorous and gruelling Cheerios practice. The other kids may not have had early morning commitments, but he certainly didn't want them to skip out on homework assignments because he kept them in school too long. He had, of course, gotten permission from his students' parents asking for them to be able to stay behind for practice once a week, due to their competition being in the next few weeks, but he still didn't want any of them to fall behind.

"All right guys that was awesome!" Mr Schuster announced with a laugh in his voice and clapping his hands wildly. The competition was only two weeks away. The kids had a week long break after this week was up, and Will was 'allowing them' to rest and have fun, before they would be back to more intense rehearsals. Some of the kids – namely Santana and Puck – complained about how hard they were working, even though they were going up against "Sucky singers" in this round, as well as Vocal Adrenaline. Once again Will had told them that they always had to work hard as if they were going up against Broadway stars and celebrity singers: something that Rachel echoed and took greatly to heart. To play to the other members of the club, Will also compared their efforts to winning against professional football players and (if there were such a things) professional cheerleaders. If playing to their 'idols' didn't work, then simply reminding them that if they won it meant they would get less teasing and would have something good to put on their college applications, would.

Looking at his tired out but extremely talented 'bunch of misfits', as they had been called on several occasions by the school's principle, simply known as Figgins, Will could not hold his wide grin back. He was so proud of them. Every time one of them perfected a dance move or hit a new note or just made a new improvement on themselves – whether it in school or their personal lives – he felt like the proud father he always wanted to be. Two years ago, when most of his Glee Kids were just little sophomores, he was so close to being a father. His now ex-wife had lied to him about being pregnant, simply because she was paranoid about her high school sweetheart being tempted by a co-worker. She stooped so low, that she was almost successful in convincing "The knocked up Fabray girl" Quinn, into giving her the baby she was carrying so that she would carry on with the lie. Thankfully, Will had found out about the scheme before anything too serious happened. The only problem was, he was now a thirty something divorcee and was losing hope on love and a domestic future. Now whenever his mind dragged him back to think of that particularly dark moment in his life he looked to his singing students and felt his heart swell with pride. He was close to having one daughter, but now he had thirteen children. Thirteen children he was immensely proud of and loved to pieces. Even though they had not all got on at one point or another and had at one point been subjected to an apartheid – Cheerios and Jocks on one end of the social ladder and the geeks and nerds on the other – they had come and bonded together. They now mixed so well that it was almost as if they had never had a division. Like a well mended curtain, only if you looked really carefully and through squinted eyes, could you just about see the remains of separation. And yet as quickly as you see the line of difference, do you suddenly see the unity and togetherness the group had.

Troubles were ahead, but it was comforting to know that they were all bonded and friendly enough to know that they could get through anything together. They hoped anyway, especially for the two people that it would affect the most.

The clock had slowly ticked along again, and Mr Schuster let out a happy sigh. "All right guys," clapping his hands once again he straightened up, "Once again you were fantastic and I am sure that we are going to be awesome when it comes to Regionals!" His praise was met with a chorus of whoops and "Right back at you". Grinning at his club once more he pointed towards the door and jerked his thumb at it. "All right guys get out of here, good job." As they began to pack up their belongings he told them individually how proud he was of them. He walked up to Tina and Mike and congratulated them on their excellent choreographing and praising them on how quickly they had picked up the new changes Brittany had suggested just over twenty four hours ago. The Asian couple beamed at him and thanked him for his kind words, Mike slinging his and his girlfriend's bags over his shoulder and wrapping an arm around Tina's waist as they walked over to the door with small shuffling steps, clearly still feeling the rhythm and the beat of the music within them.

Sam and Mercedes were packing up their things and discussing their future weekend plans already when Will moved over to them, helping Artie put his backpack on the back of his wheelchair too. Puck also handed the boy a stack of games he promised he would lend him. Before talking to Sam and his girlfriend, Will high fived Artie and said how impressed he was with his new set of flashing lights on his wheels. The boy shrugged and said that the laddies "Digged" them, causing the teacher to laugh and argue back with "Whatever you say Artie!" The boy then promptly wheeled himself off to catch up with Mike and Tina, Puck following next to him calling a "Later Mr Schue" over his shoulder. Bending down slightly to the seated couple, he clapped Sam on the shoulder and nodded his head with pride as he congratulated them on their singing. Mercedes had come such a long way from being 'the final note' of the group. He was proud of her for allowing her inner diva to come out and shine. As Mercedes thanked him with a sassy comment and a huge lung filled chortle, Will turned to Sam and told him how his glad he was that he no longer relied on his 'abs' to get him through the glitz and glam of Glee Club. The blonde boy blushed a little but slyly looked over at Mercedes as he told him they were put to use every now and then.

Not wanting to hear any more, Will patted him on the shoulder again and made his way over to a pinky linked Brittany and Santana. He was exceptionally proud of his bubbly blonde student. She wasn't the brightest student he had ever met. In fact, it was no secret that she was struggling in a lot of her classes. It was amazing she was allowed to do Cheerios and Glee Club, but it he put it down to two things: her impeccable dancing abilities and the help of her best friend; Santana. It was probably also not such a well-kept secret that Santana was helping Brittany a lot with her school work. As tough and 'badass' as the Latina tried to make herself out to be, her soft side was brought out of her by that blonde beauty. That soft side, however, was only reserved for Brittany and he respected that greatly. Where Santana would no doubt make an amazing lawyer or politician or something along those lines, Brittany would be one of the world's best choreographers and dancers; he knew that. She didn't need academic brains for that, just the brains she had that made her move like nature. As long as those two remained best friends, then the best they could be would be shown to the rest of the world.

As Will he praised Brittany for coming up with a more complicated and 'showy' line up of moves and for teaching the rest of the club them, he saw out of the corner of his eye the twinkling smile playing on Santana's lips. He could see the same pride in his favourite Latina's eyes as he wore every time he spoke to his favourite bubbly blonde. Knowing that they were more exhausted than most of the club due to their rigorous Cheerio's practice, he kept his praising short and simple and allowed them to be on their way: pinky linked and sharing hushed whispered giggles.

In a huddle in the middle of the room stood Finn and his brother Kurt with Blaine holding Kurt's hand, and allowing the slightly taller boy to rest his head on his shoulder. Finn was talking animatedly with hands – probably about football – when Will approached them. "Hey guys," he announced himself, standing next to Finn, "Great job with that new number. What did you guys think?" He always liked to ask the three boys their views on the song choices, purely because of their reactions. Finn always bobbed his head and dug his hands deep into his pockets as he told his favourite teacher just how "Awesome" the song choice was, Blaine would nod his head but would always hold his hands up in a claw like fashion and wave them in a circular motion as he squinted his eyes telling him once again how some of the songs were a little too cheesy or a little too emotional. Kurt would then of course slap his boyfriend on the arm and rant on about how no song can be too emotional, and then Will imagined him spending the rest of the night chewing Blaine's ear off about comparing the emotion and dramatics seen in both Broadway and today's modern music.

Much to his prediction, Finn wiped his brow and smiled his charming (yet sometimes dopey) smile and bobbed his head. "It was awesome Mr Schue," he looked briefly to his brother before turning back to his teacher and mentor, "Kurt and I were saying how this year we're totally gonna win this competition!" Mr Schuster smiled at his enthusiasm and told him how they needed to get the combination of hard work and rest just right, and then there would be no stopping them. The tall boy shrugged his huge football playing shoulders. "Yeah but we totally wiped the floor at all the other competitions we performed at, and so we're totally gonna rock this competition." Kurt nodded his perfectly styled head at his brother and turned to Mr Schue, still with his hand encased in his boyfriend Blaine's. "Finn's right Mr Schue, with all of this practise we've been slaving over and exhausting ourselves with, there is no way we are going to lose." All three boys smiled smugly at each other and then turned back to Mr Schuster. The man looked at their faces and knew that their confidence was well deserved. "Go on guys, get out here and get some rest. I hear Principle Figgins' morning assembly tomorrow is going to be rather...taxing." He chuckled and patted each boy on the back and said goodnight to them as they left.

Left in the room were only two members of the infamous New Directions in the choir room. Quinn and Rachel were sat at the piano where Brad was usually perched and were running through scales. Their relationship was the one that surprised him the most. Quinn Fabray and Rachel Berry being friends. They really were on polar opposites. Not only in their looks and home lives, but of course with their social ranking at school. To Quinn, Rachel had always been the boyfriend manipulator or the girl with dreams too big for herself. To Rachel, Quinn had always been the All American Girl that all other girls should aspire to be like. He liked to think that their new found friendship wasn't completely down to the unfortunate circumstances regarding parenting and babies at the end of their sophomore year, but rather that they had just grown up and finally realised that they were more similar than they were different. All of his kids had grown into wonderful people and would continue to do so as the years progressed, but he was glad that Rachel and Quinn were able to make a go of their friendship for their last year properly together in high school before they left to truly accomplish those great things they were destined for. Rachel's future was a given: a Broadway superstar. Quinn's was not so easily mapped out. He could see her being absolutely anything she wanted. Like Rachel – and the rest of his Glee Kids – she was going to excel and be brilliant in anything and everything she set her mind to. She was intelligent and beautiful. She could go to one of the best schools in the country and excel, he was sure of it. And he was sure that the Glee Club had helped her to become a more rounded person.

Will was brought out of his musings when he heard the scraping of the piano stool and Quinn's tired voice spoke to Rachel. "I would stay Rach, but I'm seriously exhausted." He watched as Quinn picked up her book bag from the top of the piano and pulled the strap over her shoulder. "Maybe Saturday I'll come over to yours and we can practice then?" Rachel was still seated at the piano when she nodded her head and smiled up at her blonde friend. "All right Quinn, I guess it has been a long day what with that algebra test in math as well as rehearsal." She shrugged her shoulders and began to stand up, but Quinn walked around to Rachel and put a hand on her shoulder. "You're right it was really tough. How do you think you did?" She asked, biting her bottom lip and squeezing Rachel's shoulder. The brunette shrugged and then smiled up at Quinn. "I'm not too worried; maybe if you decide to come over we can work on some pre-practice?" The blonde nodded her head and smiled a little more. "Sounds good Rach, I'll see you tomorrow okay?"

"See you tomorrow Quinn." The two girls embraced, with Quinn bending over slightly to wrap her arms around her petite friend, and then Quinn smiled at Mr Schuster. "I'll see you tomorrow Mr Schuster." She said, waving at him as she made her way out of the room. "Bye Quinn, great job!" He called out to her, making sure he told everyone of his students just how well they had done in the long afternoon's rehearsal.

Now there was only the two of them left. Sighing a little because of the exhausting task of teaching during the day and rehearsals in the afternoon, Will began to heave the scattered chairs and stack them into a pile. He looked up as he wiped away some water from the top of the seat of red, plastic chair at the sound of the piano key being lightly pressed. A scoffed smile appeared on his face and he shook his head at her. "Are you not dying to go home and rest Rachel?" With a little chuckle he asked, seeing that she was stretching her fingers with a little frown on her face and she began to tinkle the keys again, playing a soft melody. The brunette looked up at her teacher and smiled softly at him. "As much as I would like to go home and start on the week's already long list of homework, I really wasn't impressed with my performance this afternoon." Will smiled at her as she frowned her delicate features once again. She began to play more of the soft tune but then began to play the introduction to the sound they had just been dancing and singing too. Her nose made a funny wrinkled shape and he shook his head at her. "Rachel your performance was flawless. You're amazing, you don't need to practise here anymore than the others." He shuffled over to her and stuck his hands in his pockets as he spoke to her. Shrugging her light shoulders, Rachel shook her head. "That's very kind of you Mr Schuster, but it's like my old drama teacher said to me; you never stop practicing until the curtain goes up." She then got to the bit of the song she wanted to work on and began to sing.

Her usually strong and confident voice was straining and tired. She still sounded as amazing as always, but her fatigue was showing through and Will could tell she was only going to get herself worked up. Taking his hands out of his pockets he then quickly walked to the CD player they had been using to rehearse with. At the sound of the pre-recorded song being played through the speakers of the room, Rachel halted her fingers' movements and looked up. Wil had spun around and had his eyebrows raised at her. "Come on Rach; give those piano playing fingers and break and practice properly." He smirked at her and helped her out of the stool by presenting his hand to her. "Will you sing Finn's part Mr Schue?" She asked, standing next to him and counting the beats by clicking her fingers by her side. He beamed at her and nodded his head, however he didn't reply because his/Finn's part came up. Taking a deep a breath, he puffed his chest out and then beamed up at the ceiling, pretending to be staring into the dazzling lights of the big Broadway stage his kids will be performing on at the end of the school year. He knew that they would make it to nationals. It was being held in the amazing city of New York and that was where his kids needed to be. For Rachel, being in New York was more than a dream: it was going to be her reality. The air of Broadway was what she wanted and needed to breathe and she was going to stop at nothing.

As the song ended, the two of them breathed out a laugh and casually high fived each other. Will paused the CD to stop it from going to the next one and grinned at Rachel. "That was amazing Rachel," the brunette smiled up at him and wiped her forehead of sweat, "I told you that you didn't need to practice anymore!" Rachel then laughed at him and shook her head. "One more time Mr Schue, this time with dancing!" With a leap that could match that of a gazelle and the excitement of a child at a birthday party, Rachel went to the CD player and promptly pressed the 'play' button. Shaking his head and laughing at the girl's joy for overworking herself, Will laughed at her; "We really should be going." As she turned around, Rachel portrayed the very definition of a staged 'shocked' facial expression, accompanied by an equally dramatic gasp. She then practically ran – again, like a child at a party – to her teacher and begged; "Come on, one more time." Her dark eyebrows were raised as high as they would go and her eyes were as wide as ever. She then added to her begging by going for the typical gesture of pleading: holding her hands clasped together as if in a prayer. She looked up at her teacher with theatrical tears and whined; "Please?" It was a good thing for Will that he was so used to her antics.

Any other teacher would have probably yelled at her for behaving so immaturely and disrespectfully. He assumed her fathers had the same acts of persuasion delivered to them and could only imagine the things their daughter had convinced them to do with that adorable baby pout and Bambi eyes. He hoped one day he would be able to build up a resistance to her showcase acting (and made a silent mock mental note to ask her fathers for one) but still, he nodded his head. "Okay.," he then put his hand on her shoulder and lightly shoved her slightly. She barely moved and instead laughed at him due to her triumph in succeeding what she wanted.

Getting into place for the dance routine that went with the song, Will still performing in place for Finn, Rachel continued her laughs of succeeded victory. Will rolled his eyes at her playfully and shook his arms in front of his so he could roll his sleeves into a more comfortable position at his elbows. "Fine," He heaved dramatically, wanting to get his own flair of dramatics into their conversation. "It's not like those papers will be gone when I get home anyway." Once again Rachel looked to him with an expression of shock, only this time there was an added element of offence and then, once she caught his eye again, did she hold her head slightly higher. With a tiny puff of indifference, Rachel pushed back her shoulders and spoke above the introduction of the music, in her clipped voice of arrogance, "Thank you Mr Schue. Just think, you're helping me become a star." Still keeping her head to the front so she could look at her 'audience', Rachel counted herself in, this time without the aid of her fingers clicking to the beat: this time, she was pretending the performance was real. At her antics (and wanting to get one final word in) Will stuck his tongue out at her and said, "I'll keep that in mind!"

His timing was perfect, because the small, ambitious girl didn't have enough time to reply with her own comment. Rachel simply belted her first note out with more power than it needed, which threw Will off a little.

Throughout the song they competed against each other and made their dance less of a show of fun and happiness, and more of a tango of dominance. They playfully scowled and shot their notes at each other in sharp tones and glared at one another through exaggerated show faces. But they both thought it was one of the best performances they had done and wished they could show it to the rest of the club in their next rehearsal. However, to do that, they would have to practice again because they knew for certain that if they tried to be spontaneous with their mock hatred and jealousy, then they would ruin it by laughing. And laughing – unless scripted – was absolutely forbidden in a professional performance. Even in Glee Club rehearsals.

Just as they were about to go through a real, real practice, something happen which made them stop and frown. What was about to happen to this fun, yet utterly professional teacher and his mature, yet still very innocent student would change and alter their lives for a good portion of their futures. If not for a long while, then definitely for the rest of their lives.