Ch:1

Beth P.O.V.

I felt a soft, familiar hand brushed across my face. I stirred, my eyes fluttering for a second, but closing just as fast. My mother chuckled, kissing my forehead. "Time to get up, baby."

I yawned, not opening my eyes. "But it's...the day after Friday...uh..." God I'm so tired.

"Saturday?"

"Yeah, Saturday. Lazy day."

The blanket jerked off my body, and I groaned. "Really?"

"Out of bed, now."

I rolled over on my stomach. "Five more minutes, please?"

"If you're not up by the time I come back..."

I heard her leave the room, her footsteps fading as they continued down the hall and away from my room. I drifted in and out of sleep, until my mother's voice made me jump.

"Beth!"

I groaned again. "But I don't want to."

Her footsteps echoed in my room, and I opened one eye. My mother stared down at me, and I smiled helplessly up at her. "Do I have to make you?"

I shook my head, opening both eyes. "I'm up."

"Get dressed. We're leaving in ten minutes."

"Where are we going?"

She smiled, kissing my forehead again. "You'll see."

I mindlessly slipped into a pair of jeans, my Wicked tee, and was stumbling down the hallway trying to get my converses on. Mom was waiting for me by the door. Her keys in one hand, and my phone in the other. I took it, turning it on.

"Are you ready?"

I nodded, waiting for my phone to turn on. I followed her out to the Range Rover, hopping into the passenger seat. My phone vibrated and I looked down to read my text message.

~Hey little sis! You excited to start high school Monday at McKinley?~

I smiled, quickly sending one back.

~Of course! But I have some big shoes to fill though, don't I Rachel?~

~No, because you'll be fine. You're an amazing kid. They'll love you.~

~Still...being related to you and mom means they'll have expectations.~

~You'll be fine. So how's mom doing with you starting high school?~

~She doesn't talk much about it. Hasn't said anything to me yet.~

~It's because you're growing up, and she hates it. Just give her time.

Tell her I said hey, and I'll talk to you later, Beth. I love you.~

~Okay. Love you too, Rach.~

"Who were you talking to?"

I smiled, shoving my phone into my pocket. "Rachel. She said hi."

"Oh, what did she want?"

I hesitated. "She wanted to wish me luck on starting McKinley Monday."

She didn't say anything and I looked out the window, watching the trees fly by. After a few seconds I looked over at her. "Why do you not like talking about McKinley?"

I saw her take a deep breath in. "Just some things there...that happened. Not my best moments."

"Things like the Rachel thing?"

"Half, yes, the Rachel thing and the other half concerning your parents."

"My parents went to McKinley?"

She nodded, and I saw something flash in her eyes. "Yeah...have you talked to them lately?"

I shook my head. "Not Quinn. I haven't talked to her in months. Puck calls at least once a week though. Just checks in and stuff."

"Why have you not talked to Quinn?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. It doesn't matter anyway."

"What do you mean it doesn't matter? I told you, I wanted them in your life because I didn't want them to go through–."

"The same thing you went through with Rachel. I know. I didn't mean it like that. I meant, it doesn't matter that she doesn't want to play the other mom card."

She gave me a weird look, and I sighed. I guess she was going to find out anyway. "Last time I talked to her, she asked me to call her mom."

We pulled into the parking lot of the high school. I looked out in time to see Rachel's bug parked near the auditorium. I could have squealed. "Why didn't you tell me Rachel was here?!"

"This is your surprise. Since you're starting Monday, I thought you could use a perspective about the place. Who better than your sister?"

I hurried out of the car, but stopped when I realized I'd interrupted our conversation. Mom was getting out of the Range Rover, and I waited until she walked around. "I told her no."

"What?"

"I told Quinn no. That I couldn't call her mom."

"Why?"

I smiled. "Because I already have a mom, whether she likes it or not."

She put an arm around my shoulders, walking towards the auditorium with me. "You didn't have to tell her no. I wouldn't have minded."

I laughed. "Liar. It would have you."

"It would not!"

"Yes, it would. Every time I saw her, or talked to her, you'd get this look on your face like someone was stabbing you in the heart. Puck said it was where she tried to get you into trouble when I was younger, so she could get me back, and now you're always scared that she'll try again...or worse...that I'll choose her over you."

There was a moment of silence, and mom pulled her arm off of my shoulders. "Would you?"

"Choose Quinn over you?"

She nodded, and I stopped walking. She stopped a few steps ahead of me, and I shook my head. "No, I wouldn't. Come on, you're my mom. Genetics mean nothing to me. You were there when she wasn't. You adopted me, and you loved me. That's what matters."

She smiled. "I swear you're growing up way to fast on me."

I took her hand, and pulled her into the school, with my back to the noise that continued up. "I love you, mom."

I let go of her, turned and ran straight to my sister, who welcomed me with open arms.

"Oh my god. You're taller than I remember."

I laughed, squeezing her. "That's what you miss in ten months. You didn't expect me to stay five foot four forever, did you?"

I pulled away, realizing what she meant. I was the same height as her, and I smiled. "I missed you Rach."

She bumped me with her shoulder. "Missed you too, mini me."

I smiled again when Rachel automatically threw herself to mom. "Shelby."

Mom hugged her back. "Hey stranger. Me and you will catch up on your New York stories later. I think the last one we left off at was your apartment being flooded?"

I sent a glare to them both. Keeping things from me. I should have known. "Wait, you two have already talked?"

Mom nodded, smiling. "I'm sorry. I would have told you she was here earlier than today, but I wanted it to be a surprise."

She turned back to Rachel, smiling like she always did when Rach was around. Not that I blame her. It's hard not to smiled around her. "So about your apartment?"

Rachel shrugged. "I don't know. I'm off work for a couple of months. They're re-doing the stage, so I'll find somewhere close by."

Mom shook her head. "No, that's stupid. You can stay with us."

I nodded. "Yeah. I have that extra bed in my room."

"Thanks guys, oh and Shelby...there's something you should know before we go any further."

"What?"

"I found out that McKinley is starting another glee club, but their leader is the daughter of someone I'm pretty sure you already hate..."

"Who?"

"Quinn."

As the universe would have it, she walked in, carrying a stack of books. A girl followed her. I stepped closer to mom, stuffing myself in between her and Rachel. Quinn looked up, smiling at us.

"Rachel? What are you–," Her eyes caught mom. "Oh...and Shelby...what are you doing here?"

Mom shrugged, and Rachel cleared her throat. "Uh, I was in town for a break. I thought I'd come see Shelby and Beth."

Quinn peeked around mom, smiling at me. "Hi Beth."

I halfway waved. "Hi."

I felt my mother's arm go around my waist, and I leaned in closer to her. Quinn frowned. "Wait, what are you guys do here at the school?"

"Beth's starting here Monday."

It was surprising to hear mom say something, but the ice-cold stare that came with it made me re-think the surprising thought.

"Really? What grade?"

"She'll be a Freshman."

"Huh. Didn't think you'd be that old yet. Hey, you should try out for Glee. I bet with a combination of mine and Puck's voices you'll be amazing."

I death stared her. She frowned again. "Right, and I forgot to introduce you guys. This is Katie, my other daughter. She'll be starting here as well, for her Sophomore year. She's the leader of the Glee club, you know?"

Mom looked down at me, and I pushed into her. Crap. I probably should have mentioned that Quinn had adopted another kid.

"Well, don't mind us. I'm leaving anyway. Everybody, it was great seeing you. Beth, I'll see you around, at Glee practice hopefully. Rachel, goodbye, and have fun while you're in town."

She turned her eyes to mom, and I watched them turn dark and cold. "Shelby..."

No one said anything until they left, and then it took a second for one of us to speak. Mom squeezed me around the waist, quickly letting go. "Are you ready to see the place?"

I nodded, still staying close to her. I didn't dare look in her eyes. I knew from the tone of her voice that she was close to going off. I didn't want to be the one to do it.

Rachel took my arm pulling me through the auditorium. I looked back at mom, and she followed a few feet behind us, looking down at the ground. I hooked my arm through Rachel's, and leaned to her. "What am I going to do?"

Rachel shrugged. "I don't know. I've never seen Shelby like this before. I knew she didn't like Quinn, but I never knew she'd be this mad at her being here."

I rolled my eyes. "Thanks for the advice Rachel."

She smiled at me, bumping me with her shoulder. "I'm sorry."

I shook my head, stealing another glance at mom. We caught gazes for a second, and she gave me a small smile. I tried to return it, but it wouldn't come out. I turned back to Rachel, sighing.

We went through the entire school. The auditorium, of course, the gym, freshman hallway, cafeteria, library, and finally the glee room. I listened carefully, remembering what Rachel advised about the normal things, and ignoring the Rachel-ism when it came to being popular and the best in the glee club.

"So, any questions?"

I shook my head, looking everywhere but at my mother. She did the same, but I knew that when we were home I'd hear about it. "No, I'm good. Thanks for the tour, Rach. It'll really help Monday."

After a second, mom walked over to the piano, picking up a piece of paper from the top. "Speaking of Monday, I have to tell you two something. I know it's last second, but I was offered the position last week and I took it."

"What position?"

Mom sat down on the piano bench. "I'm the new music teacher. When they found out we were back in town, the principal called and offered it to me first based."

Rachel nodded. "Congratulations. I know you said you always wanted to teach again, so I guess here's your opportunity."

Mom smiled. "Yeah, I guess it is."

"So, what do you think Beth?"

I looked up at them both, realizing I was off somewhere in space. I smiled, walking over to the piano. I put my hands on mom's shoulders, standing behind her. "It'll be amazing."