One At a Time: Beth Corcoran just turned sixteen and all she wants is her driver's license. She can't understand why her mother Shelby Corcoran won't allow her. She slowly finds a secret about her life and the truth. Please read and review.
AU: Beth and Shelby never moved to New York during Quinn and Puck's senior year. Beth was born and raised in Lima, Ohio..
Chapter 1: Sweet 16
The night has ended well. Beth Corcoran laid down on her queen size bed with a smile on her face. She had a small party with her close friends and her cheerios for her sixteenth birthday. She enjoyed every single one of her presents. She wasn't sure how she felt turning sixteen, but she knew something was missing.
Driver's ed and her driver's license. Beth cursed herself for not being like every other teen in Lima, Ohio. She didn't have her license or a car of her own. She was pretty sure she's the only one who can't drive. And there's only one person to blame.
Her mother.
She hasn't really had the fondest relationship with her mother, the Shelby Corcoran . Shelby moved from being the coach of Vocal Adrenaline, to a teacher at William McKinley High School, and finally Real Estate manager for the town of Lima. With Shelby's schedule, Beth never really gets to see her mother. Beth likes to call her a workaholic.
Beth takes out her journal she's kept since she was thirteen.
Dear Diary,
June 10th, 2026
I finally turned sixteen. My birthday was amazing. My friends are the best. There's only one thing missing; my license. I'm sixteen now and I just really want to drive. Every time I bring this up to my mother, she changes the subject. I'm not sure why..but it's not fair. I'm totally responsible.
Love, Beth.
She puts away her diary as she hears a knock on her door. It's not a surprise that her mother arrives home at twelve midnight. Shelby sits down on her daughter's bed.
"Happy birthday. I hope you enjoyed my gift and your special breakfast." Shelby says. She can see Beth was trying to hide her anger for not being with her on the special day. "Beth?"
"Thank you, mom.. I enjoyed everything." Beth says. "I don't know what I'd do without my friends. I wouldn't want to spend a special birthday home alone in this huge house,"
Shelby sighs. "I'm sorry about today." She apologizes,
"It's fine." Beth lies.
"No." Shelby shook her head. This isn't the first birthday she's missed of her daughters. Last year she remembered how upset Beth was when she wasn't home for her birthday or they weren't doing anything special for her fifteenth. She hated herself for making the same mistake again. "It's not okay. Is there any way I can make it up to you?"
There was a silent pause between the mother and daughter. Beth knew what she wanted. And it was something that her mother could or wouldn't allow her to have. "I'd like to sign up for driver's ed. I'd like to finally have my driver's license."
Beth waited for her mother to respond. She knew what the answer would be. "Beth? We talked about this."
"But I don't understand! Why won't you let me?" Beth cried. Shelby looks at her watch. "It's getting late. We should get to bed. You have school tomorrow." Shelby changes the subject, as always. She kisses her daughter who turns away. She knew she hurt her mother. But Shelby has hurt her for not being with her for her past two birthdays. "Goodnight, Beth. I love you."
With that, Shelby leaves her daughter's room. Beth grabs her pillow and buries her face.
Maybe the night hasn't ended so well. Beth thought to herself as she cries on her pillow. Who cries themselves to sleep after turning sixteen?
There's got to be a reason for all of this.