Just want to say a big ole thank you for even clicking on this story and being interested in my story. :D Sorry for any mistakes btw, let me know if anything is unclear to you.

This entire story is dedicated to Cory Monteith and the legacy and love he left behind. :) We love you so much Cory!

Enjoy!

Rachel yawned, walking down the hallway of her busy dorm room on her way to her room. As usual, there were countless students walking the halls. Some were waiting in line for one of few bathrooms on this floor, some were waiting for one of the washing machines to be free, there was even a couple like were literally making out against the wall.

This kind of busyness was common in this dorm room, well, any dorm room at Ohio State really. They had some of the rowdiest dorms, frat houses, and sororities in the state of Ohio. But of the colleges she could afford, they had the best music program.

Her dream school had been NYADA in New York City, but there was no way she could afford a prestigious school like that. Not since the fallout between her and her fathers, the end of which resulted in her fathers refusing to pay for her schooling as well refusing to speak to her.

She had to apply for financial aid and multiple scholarships just to make sure she wouldn't be in debt for the rest of her life. And her dads hadn't budged once, and she hadn't talked to them for over six months, since the day of her high school graduation when they fought about her future.

Despite having raised her in a musical environment, once she was denied acceptance to NYADA they thought she should go with a major that was more practical. They tried to get her to apply to law school and pre-med programs, but she refused them everytime they brought it up.

Suffice to say, their last fight involved lots of yelling, crying, and threats. She wasn't going to give up her musical dreams just because her ideal college didn't accept her.

Since then she'd fallen back on her best friend Santana, who let her stay at her parents' house the months leading up to their departure to Ohio State. Then they moved together, sharing Santana's VW Bug on the drive to Columbus, revelling in the freedom of no longer being under their parents wing.

While Santana joined a sorority, Gamma Phi Beta, which was strictly for girls in the athletic department (Santana was there on a cheerleading scholarship), Rachel was stuck in one of the many overfilled dorms on campus.

And her roommate, don't even get her started on her roommate. Lauren Zizes was a nice enough girl, but very blunt and often brought over weird sexual partners. She was absolutely obsessed with Twilight and her own computer (which she sometimes used to hack into the school system, illegally may she add), and would even practice wrestling moves with her teammates, all of whom were very large and bulky.

That meant she didn't hang out in her dorm room often. She bided her time staying around the library or the school's theatre department. In fact, she'd just come from backstage at the theatre where she was helping to paint sets for the school play.

Not only did she pride herself with being an avid member of the theatre community by helping out any chance she got, but she'd even managed to snag the lead roll of Margaret Pollitt in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, this years fall play.

So yeah, the drama and music programs were pretty much her life. And other than that she didn't have much of a social life. Or friends for that matter, just Santana and hey girlfriend Brittany who was super nice and sweet to her, albeit a little dense sometimes.

Occasionally she be dragged along with Santana and Brittany while they went out on the town with some of the other students at the college. But they weren't too bad. She knew a couple of them from high school and from various classes around the college.

The only other person she had really talked to outside of school assignments was a young boy her age named Blaine Anderson. He was also part of the drama program and was set to play her onstage husband, Brick.

He was quiet and polite but had his own little circle of friends that she didn't want to butt in on.

That left her a little lonely most of the time, with Santana constantly at cheer practice, in class, or with Brittany. God she needed a life. It was just too bad she was too chicken to go to the numerous parties Santana invited her to at her sorority.

Finally reaching her dorm room, she cautiously swung the door open, relieved to see that Lauren wasn't here right now, probably had a wrestling match given it was Friday night, a typical time for a sporting event.

She collapsed on her bed, happy to lay in silence and rest her aching body. It had been a long week and her dance class was making her exhausted. It was by far her hardest class because of the three major skills in theatre, dancing was her weakest point, she'd always excelled in singing and acting thankfully.

Closing her eyes, she promised herself she'd only sleep for an hour. Her music theory homework was currently burning a hole in her book bag and she was not a procrastinator.

The sudden buzz of her cell phone made her groan, and she turned on her side to face the little table, squinting to see if the text was even worth moving for.

Seeing the little lipstick emoji that accompanied Santana's name, she reached for the phone and slid it open, pulling up her text messages.

Where R U chica? -S

Rachel narrowed her eyes suspiciously. Santana was obviously up to something. Usually when she started a text message like that, she wanted to drag Rachel somewhere that she probably wouldn't enjoy. Like a party or a bar, most likely.

In my dorm room... Why? -R

She waited another minute for Santana to type her response, yawning again. She really hoped Santana didn't want her to go out, she was way too tired.

Good. Get ur tiny ass dressed. Britts & I R going out. & Ur coming with us. -S

Rachel groaned. Did she know her best friend or what? She knew Santana was going to drag her out somewhere.

San, I'm really tired, it's been a long week. I don't want to go out. -R

Santana's reply came almost instantly, like she had already anticipated what Rachel's response would be.

U either get dressed willingly, or Britts & I will do it for u. Ur choice ;) -S

Rachel sighed, she knew Santana would actually do that. They'd done it before, in fact. Santana held her down and Brittany dressed her. It was both frustrating and embarrassing for her.

Another ping told her Santana texted her again.

Wear somethin warm. We'll be there in 15. -S

She rubbed her temples, pushing herself up off the bed and heading over to her small wardrobe on her side of the room. She picked a little maroon skirt and black tights, grabbing a cream coloured top to finish it off.

Just as she'd covered up some of the bags under her eyes, there was a knock on the door, signalling Santana and Brittany's arrival.

"So where exactly are you forcing me to go tonight?" Rachel huffed in greeting, crossing her arms over her chest.

Brittany smiled her usually chipper smile and leaned forward to hug Rachel, oblivious to Rachel's annoyance at being dragged out just when she was preparing to settle down for the night.

Santana rolled her eyes, stuffing her hands into the pockets of her jacket. "Calm your tits Berry. It's on campus, so you won't need to go far. You need to get out more anyways. And I don't mean to the theatre. You spend more time there than your own dorm room."

Rachel grumbled in compliance, swinging her bag around her shoulder and shutting the door, locking it behind her.

"Is your avoidance of telling me the truth because you know I won't like it? Or is it because I'll actually enjoy it and you want to surprise me." Rachel asked as they took off down the stairs, seriously doubting it was the latter.

Santana laughed at Rachel's surliness. "You'll see. Just get your ass in the car." Santana unlocked her car and slid in the drivers seat.

Rachel nodded and figured whatever it was couldn't be that bad, so she got into the backseat, Santana taking off moments later.

They pulled into the parking lot and Rachel shook her head, refusing to get out of the car. "No. No way. I'm not going to this stupid football game." She totally spaced that there was a football game right now.

She thought it was suspicious that Santana and Brittany were wearing their uniforms.

"Come on Berry. We have someone waiting for you." Santana turned to look at her.

So that was why she dragged her out here. She was trying to set Rachel up with a guy no doubt.

"San, I appreciate that you care, but I really don't need you to set me up on blind dates. If I wanted to find a date, I would do so on my own." Rachel told her seriously.

Santana shook her head adamantly. "We already promised him you'd be here. And he's actually a pretty good guy, not at all like the last guy."

Ahh the last guy Santana set him up with. He was a creepy guy from the tech department with the ugliest Afro she'd ever seen, and beady little eyes that raked over her body the entire night. She was pretty sure all be did that night was undress her with his eyes.

Rachel snorted. "Yeah, I'm not going to trust your judgement when it comes to guys ever again."

Brittany giggled and faced Rachel too. "He's a sweet guy. I met him on my way to the locker room. He's on the swim team and he's a big music fan. He's also the guy that didn't laugh when I said my cat pooped a snickers bar once."

Rachel sighed, used to Brittany's crazy stories. "Alright alright. But please guys, no more setting me up on dates okay? I'm trying to focus on the play right now." Rachel unbuckled her seatbelt.

"Yeah yeah, story of your life." Santana rolled her eyes as she got out of the car, the other two following suit.

Brittany linked arms with Santana as the three of them made their way into the stadium, stopping near the food court where Santana said the guy was waiting.

Brittany squealed and waved to someone behind Rachel, making Rachel turn around to see a rather tall boy walking towards them. His dark blonde hair was formed into a small quiff at the top of his forehead and he had his hands stuffed into his pants pockets as he made their over to them, giving Brittany a hug.

Santana who had been looking at her watch incessantly, patted Rachel on the back. "Berry, meet Sam Evans, resident guppy fish and member of the swim team."

Brittany giggled as Sam blushed and shook Rachel's hand. "Nice to meet you Rachel." He smiled politely.

"Likewise, Sam." Rachel smiled back. There was something very friendly about his smile that made her feel comfortable, not awkward like she usually experienced when set up with a guy.

And he was cute enough, she just didn't really feel any kind of sexual attraction to him at all. Ugh, no. Stop it Rachel. Don't dismiss him after a mere two minutes in his presence. She told her sternly, pulling her hand away.

Santana pulled Brittany to her. "Well, you two kids have fun. We have to get down to the locker rooms for Coach Sue's pep talk or we'll be at the bottom of the pyramid for the rest of the month. Don't forget to use condoms, kids." Santana smirked, wiggling her eyebrows amidst Rachel's death glare.

The couple disappeared through one of the doors leadin downstairs where the locker rooms were, leaving Rachel standing alone with Sam.

"She's something isn't she?" Sam chuckled when he noticed Rachel glaring after her friend.

Rachel shook her head, focusing her attention back on the boy in front of her. "That's not exactly how I'd describe her."

Sam laughed outright at that, placing his hand on the small of her back as he led her over to the concessions counter. "Well, I don't have to deal with her everyday," He shrugged with a smile, "Can I get you something? Pretzel maybe?" He reached into his back pocket to grab his wallet.

"Sure, that sounds nice. Thank you." She bit her lip as she watched him. His lips were rather large, but being someone with a large nose, she wasn't one to judge someone based on their facial features.

He ordered who pretzels and two bottled waters, passing one of each to her as she thanked him. "So how do you know Santana and Brittany?" Rachel asked conversationally as they headed to the stands.

"I met Brittany over the summer. They were renovating the locker rooms by the pool so we were using the football locker rooms and I ran into her as we were both leaving. She liked the keychains I had on my duffle bag. And then we just got to talking. I met Santana a little while later."

Rachel nodded and giggled at Brittany's antics. Brittany had an obsession with keychains. She had them on her key ring, backpack, duffle bag, and any other item she could.

"That sounds like Brittany alright." She sat down on the red, metal bleacher next to Sam, ripping off a piece of pretzel.

Sam laughed. "Yeah, she's a really sweet girl. What about you? When did you meet them?" He asked.

"I met Santana in elementary school. She was the only girl in my entire class that never talked maliciously about me behind my back. When she does say something, it's to my face and she does it with love. Even if she won't admit it." Rachel chuckled.

Sam laughed again, waiting for Rachel to continue. "As for Brittany, they met at some cheerleading competition sophomore year. They were from rival schools but they fell in love anyways. They've been inseparable since and so I've gotten to know Brittany very well." Rachel explained, Sam listening aptly.

They spent the next twenty minutes or so like that. Both talking about their majors, she in music and him going for a general studies degree, unsure of what he really wanted to do yet.

She quite liked Sam, he was easy to talk to and was a very good listener. She just still wasn't feeling any kind of spark. She desperately wished she did (because she really did want some kind of companionship, only having one boyfriend in the past) because Sam was a really nice guy.

She saw a sea of scarlet and grey appearing on the track surrounding the field and she smiled when she saw Santana and Brittany stretching and preparing for the game.

"So um, Rachel?" Sam asked after a couple minutes of silence, the stands getting fuller and fuller as each minute ticked by and it got closer to the start of the game.

He looked a little nervous, his avoiding gaze making her nervous too. "Yeah? Is something wrong?" She asked, tugging her coat a little tighter around her as a breeze whipped across the field.

"I just, I have to te

ll you something and I don't want you to take it the wrong way. I'm uh, I'm not really looking for a relationship right now. I know Brittany and Santana had planned this to be a date, because cmon. I know when I'm being set up." Sam wrung his hands like he was afraid it was going to hurt Rachel.

On the contrary though, Rachel was rather relieved. She didn't want to be the one to tell Sam that she didn't see a relationship with him going anywhere.

So she smiled and put her hand on his arm comfortingly. "I completely understand Sam. In fact, I'm not looking for one either. This is my first year at the university and I really need to focus on my studies. I didn't even know about this setup until half an hour ago." She laughed when Sam let out a relieved breath.

"I can't tell you how relieved that makes me Rachel. I really didn't want to lead you on but I wasn't sure if you were wanting something more. I'm just not ready." Sam looked happier now that he'd gotten that off his chest, the air around them feeling more relaxed.

Rachel was also feeling pretty happy now. Who would've thought she'd gain a new friend from one of Santana's failed set up attempts. "I get it, I do. But if you don't mind me asking, what happened exactly?"

Sam deflated a little, "Her name was Mercedes. She's a super talented singer, so talented that she thought she'd head to L.A and try her luck with some record companies. I didn't fit into that plan I guess. She said she didn't want me to go to L.A just because she was. So she broke up with me." Sam shrugged.

Rachel rubbed his arm, feeling sorry she even brought it up. "Well it's her loss. You seem like a great guy. You'll find someone, I know it." Rachel said confidently.

Sam looked up at her with a grateful smile. "Thanks Rachel. You're a pretty good friend." He bumped her shoulder with his playfully.

"I do try." She giggled, feeling much more at ease. She could see herself becoming great friends with Sam. Her first real guy friend! Maybe he could tell her why most guys found her so off-putting and stayed clear of her.

They chatted a bit more and finished off their food just as the static from the speakers signalled the start of the game. He announced the opposing team; the Iowa Hawkeyes, which was met with string of boos on the home end and cheers on the guest end.

"Annnnnnnd now your home team; The OHIO BUCKEYES! Let's hear it!" The announcer yelled as the marching band began to play the schools anthem and the flag team ran down the field spelling out the word 'Buckeyes'.

Rachel and Sam stood up and cheered with the rest of the student body, all around them a sea of grey and maroon t-shirts and jackets. They announced each of the players in turn and Rachel focused on each in turn, trying to see if she recognized any of them from one of her classes. As a result of getting there super early, they got really nice seats, right above the the sideline where the players would be.

Her eyes zeroed in on one player in particular, knowing he was on the field somewhere, and sure enough his stupid haircut was blatantly obvious even from the stands.

Just the sight of him made her sick. Noah Puckerman, the biggest douchebag to ever cross her path. She met him in high school thanks to a certain other person and he'd done nothing but make her life hell. Him and his high school girlfriend Kitty.

While Kitty had turned over a new leaf after high school, Puck continued to be a complete unemotional ass. She was extremely annoyed to learn he had also gotten accepted to this university and had then tried her best to ignore him.

Thankfully, that had been pretty easy ever since she broke up with him, but the thought of even talking to Puck again made her nauseous.

He caused so many problems in high school and seeing him brought all that back. The bullying from Puck and Kitty, him standing up for her when Puck picked on her. It all made her glad high school was over.

"Hey, are you okay?" Sam asked, placing a concerned hand on her arm.

Rachel shook her head and snapped out of her thoughts, figuring she probably looked like a maniac just staring at Puck.

She faked a smile, "Yeah I'm okay, just getting caught up in my own thoughts."

Sam nodded. "You just looked spooked for a second, staring down at the players. You know one of them?" He asked.

She sighed, deciding she might as well tell him. Not like it really mattered anymore anyways. "Yeah. Noah Puckerman, I used to go to high school with him. I dated his ex-best friend."

Sam looked a little surprised. "You know Puck? Judging by your tone I take it you're not exactly on good terms, huh?"

Rachel chuckled a little, "Definitely not on the best of terms. Never were really. He and his then-girlfriend pretty much tortured me in high school. Things got pretty ugly and he hurt me and my ex in unforgivable ways." Rachel shivered.

"Wow, I'm so sorry Rachel, I had no idea. I mean, I knew Puck was an ass, but I didn't know he was that bad." Sam placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I know how it feels, I was bullied too."

Rachel smiled up at him sadly, glad that he understood. She didn't have many people that she could connect with on this. Santana had gone through something similar when she first came out, but once the drama of it died out, things were okay for her. It helped that Santana didn't take any shit and had a thick skin. She was a lot more intimidating than than her. The bullying didn't happen everyday like it did for Rachel.

"Thanks Sam. And I'm sorry too. People can really suck can't they?" She licked her lips, looking straight ahead. She didn't think for a second that just seeing Puck would reopen old wounds. She was kinda hoping she could just avoid everyone from high school and never have to relive any of that hell.

"Yeah, they can. But its okay. We'll show em, when we're living our dreams and they're working at McDonalds for the rest of their lives. Best thing we can do is try and let go of the past and focus on the future." Sam said, chugging his water and squeezing her hand determinedly.

Rachel smiled a little that. "The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or learn from it." She quoted, squeezing his hand back. She loved that quote, it had always been one of her favourites from the Lion King. And it brought back so many memories, both happy and painful.

Sam chuckled. "Hey, that's from the Lion King, right?" He grinned to himself when she nodded. "That's funny, my friend Finn is always saying that same quote."

Though Sam didn't notice since the game had just begun, her smile dropped off her face immediately at his words. She had no idea Sam knew him.

Yeah, that was funny indeed.

Whooo! First chapter! And yes, this is a repost of another story I've deleted. I didn't like the way it was going so I decided to revamp/delete the old one.

Not really any Finchel interaction yet, but I have to give you all some basis for this world they live in! Mostly just some established friendships like Pezberry & Samchel (because that's all Samchel will EVER be if I have anything to say about it lol).

Hope you all enjoyed it. If you did, please leave a review/fav/follow. Can we get 10 reviews for this story? :D

10 reviews = next chapter