Summary: AU. Set in the BOS (Brand of Sunshine) universe. Kurt's at Dalton, Sam's in glee, and Sunshine never left McKinley. In which Sunshine goes through the lengthy and complicated process of "friending" the members of the glee club, and some people outside it.

Chapter 1 ~ Of Broadway and Sunshine

1. Impression

The first thing Sunshine thought when she saw Rachel Berry was "powerful." Contrary to popular belief, this was not during the less-than-successful performance of "Empire State of Mind," but in Chemistry class, where Rachel gave a thirty-two minute speech on the importance of lab safety to Maura Nann. Sunshine watched everyone else roll their eyes, calling for her to shut up, and saw that Rachel couldn't care less what they thought.

2. Interest

"Empire State of Mind," might have led Sunshine to New Directions. Maybe. But Sunshine really felt her interest peak that day in the bathroom, with Rachel up in her face and raw emotion pouring off her like water out of Niagara Falls. It also helped that their impromptu duet sounded better than anything Sunshine had sung since coming to Lima.

3. Labels

The first time she heard Rachel called a diva, she thought it was a mistake. By the twenty-seventh time, (on the same day), she realized it was a misconception. Rachel was no diva. She was pure, all-out Broadway.

4. Emotive

Sunshine's been on the receiving end of jealousy before, but no one has ever done anything like sending her to a crack-house over something like New Directions. She hadn't gotten hurt by Rachel's wrong directions, (you can't live in her neighborhood and not know how to defend yourself), but she'd seriously considered dropping the glee idea. After all, how fun would singing be if she had to look out for the unofficial head of the club?

She changed her mind when Rachel asked her to join again and she realized that the girl wasn't malicious, just over-emotional. It was a key piece to the long process of understanding Rachel Berry.

5. Misunderstanding

She doesn't understand why Rachel avoids her the first week, doesn't realize that in those five days she's more welcome than Rachel has ever been and the other girl is expecting you to ostracize her just like the others. All she knows is that Rachel Berry will barely look at her.

"Don't take it too personally," Tina advises after Sunshine confides in her, "Rachel's so used to feeling unwanted that she sees it even when its not there."

6. First Step

Sunshine's not very patient, and when another week's passed and Rachel still doesn't respond to her attempts at friendship, she decides she's not being blunt enough and corners her after glee.

"Will you be my duet partner?"

7. Training

They practice long and hard—Rachel makes sure of it and Sunshine's not complaining. (As long as they work at Rachel's place.) Rachel is continually shocked at how easily the other girl goes along with her suggestions, until she asks Sunshine about it and the Filipina says simply, "You're the one who's gone to classes since you were three. I've never done anything but sing. It's not too hard to figure out who should be in charge."

8. Awkward

Sunshine's no pushover though, after the second hour she insists that they take a break. Rachel wonders if this is the end of what she had considered "hanging-out," but when she voices the question Sunshine laughs and asks if the only way Rachel knows to hang-out is to rehearse. Rachel smiles awkwardly, not sure how to say yes without saying yes.

Luckily, Sunshine's eye is caught by the endless stack of movies by Rachel's huge flat-screen T.V. and instantly asks if they can watch one. (She hasn't seen a movie since she moved here, but Rachel doesn't need to know that.)

9. Bonding

After the third musical and the second bowl of popcorn, the girls are laughing freely and Rachel wonders how her rival/duet partner ended up sprawled on her couch eating her food and watching her favorite movies. It feels nice, and Rachel thinks this is the first time she's relaxed with a friend since who-knows-when.

10. Duet

Sunshine says, and Rachel agrees, that their duet is absolutely amazing, especially considering that their song, "Think of Me," from "Phantom of the Opera," is technically considered opera, which Sunshine has never attempted and Rachel has never succeeded in. After Rachel transposes it, (only Emmy Rossum can sing that high), and Sunshine modifies it, (just a little), they're ready to blow the glee club away.

11. Competition

There's a moment of stunned silence after the performance, and during that moment Rachel panics. Were the vocals off? She did think she was a little flat on that one note, and Sunshine's voice really was suited for a more modern piece, and why wasn't anyone saying anything? Sunshine catches her arm before she can start blabbering, pulling her into a bobbing bow, and then the room explodes in applause.

They don't win, but they celebrate with sleepover and Rachel invites Mercedes—who did win with her smash hit with Santana—along. She isn't sure who is more surprised when Mercedes accepts. But she doesn't regret her decision, even when Mercedes gloats for the first ten minutes of the night.

12. Friends

Rachel isn't sure when she decides that her relationship with Sunshine has progressed beyond "acquaintance" level. She still fights just as hard for every solo Mr. Schuester gives to the other girl, (though Sunshine gives as good as she's got when she wants to).

It's just—the constant competition is lighter than the nails-drawn, teeth-bared version that Rachel is so used to. Make no mistake, she's still driven, passionate Broadway material, but Rachel Berry has redefined her role as the leading lady. After all, it does get lonely at the top.