So I failed to mention that this story is slightly AU, takes place in the second season, but the timeline is not followed strictly. Some things worth noting: Santana is not on the Cheerios, Finn and Rachel have broken up, and Brittany and Santana are not together. Some things align with the show, but others don't. Anyway, this is my first story so reviews are welcome.

Santana's POV

"Hold it, no way am I gonna sit back here and sway while Trouty Mouth sings a duet with Preggers. Nuh-uh, Shue, get your crap together cuz it ain't happenin." Sure I was mad, but not really about Sam getting to sing a duet with Quinn. People may know me as a bitch, whatever I'll play the part, but really all I wanted was to win. The truth is, we weren't going to win if Barbie and Ken sang, no, we needed someone with real talent.

"Santana, please I'm here to give everyone a chance. Including you…Sam and Quinn are getting the opening duet, but I was thinking you could take a solo." I looked at Mr. Shuester like he had lost his mine. Me? I avoided looking at anyone but him, but I felt the stares of everyone in glee club on me. I swallowed hard and tried to cover my blush, why did he want to embarrass me in front of everyone like this.

"No." I said as calmly as I could as I slouched down a little lower in my chair.

"What do you mean no?" Mr. Shuester asked confused.

"I mean 'no', I'm not going to sing at Sectionals. I want to win, just like everyone else, and we won't do that with me singing a song. If we want to win we need…Rachel." The silence in the room let me know that I wasn't the only one surprised that I had just help boost Rachel's sweltering ego. When the diva stood and waltz up to the front of the room, I immediately regretted what I'd said. She was just going to go up there and talk about how much she deserved to get the best role for everything. "Shut up Berry." I scolded before she even got a chance to open her Barbara Streisand belting mouth.

"But…B-but I didn't even say anything." She managed to stutter out.

"But you were going to, and I don't need to regret my decision. You can have your stupid solo again Rachel, if that's what you want. As long as chubs doesn't sing with you." I said glaring at Finn before I stood up and exited the choir room without another word. I rushed over to my locker and grabbed my duffel bag. I knew I couldn't go home, that was the wrong place to be, maybe I could just go out to the field. School was basically over and the Cheerios would be out to practice in about ten minutes.

I slammed my locker shut and made a beeline for the bleechers outside. I didn't stop to talk to anyone, I just wasn't in the mood. I just wanted to be alone for a change. Alone felt good right now. I pulled out my headphones played a really soft tune and got comfortable laying down on my duffle with my legs lying flat on the bleechers. I could stay here forever. I wonder what would happen if I did. Would anyone care? Would I? If I did would-. "Ow!" I chirped practically falling off the bleechers and only regaining my balance because I put my arm out to brace my fall. "What the fuck is wrong with…" I looked up and rolled my eyes. "Berry, what do you want?" I asked taking my headphones out of my ear and looking up at the diva from a seated position.

"Oh my gosh, Santana I am so sorry. If you would like me to, I'll call the nurse and get her out here right now to examine you for any injuries-." I quickly stood up and put my hand over her mouth. I couldn't stand to hear her blabber on and on, couldn't she just get to the point? Her eyes went wide and I pulled my hand away fearful that she would scream because I'd touched her. Now we were standing facing each other and Berry looked like she didn't know what to say now. This was a real shock, I'd never seen her actually speechless. "We were all wondering where you were Santana? You just got up and left, it was like you'd taken storm out lessons from me." I let a quiet giggle escape from my lips and immediately covered my mouth. Shit. Why did I do that? Now she was smiling and it was literally destroying me on the inside not to just smile back, but I didn't. I refused to give in. "Were you lying?" She asked quietly fixing her skirt to make sure there were no creases in it before she took a seat next to me.

"Lying about what Berry?" I questioned raising an eyebrow.

"I don't deserve another solo; you were just saying that because you didn't want to perform one. You don't think I'm talented you're just embarrassed to be a part of this group." I hated that she was assuming things about me that weren't even close to being true, but what I hated more is that she was saying all these things with no conviction. This was Rachel Berry for Christ's sake; sure she lacked confidence when it came to boys or appearance, but never when it involved show choir. "I know you hate me, but you could at least be honest with me. If I don't deserve to have a solo then you should tell me. I want to be the best because I am, not because you're letting me outshine you." She looked up through those stupid thick eyelashes of hers and right into my eyes. I turned away watching the cheerleaders get into perfect formation, and Brittany do four back flips and into the splits. I let moments come and go, where I should've said something to Berry, but didn't. "And you called me Rachel in there, don't think I didn't notice. What has been going on with you? First you save me from Dave and then you give up your spotlight for me. Is this some evil plot? Is Quinn in on this as well?" I continued to let Berry talk and think whatever she wanted, but none of it was true. "Santana Lopez you'd better respond to me this instant or…or-…"

"Or what Berry?" I questioned with a smirk on my face.

"Or I'll be very upset with you." She said crossing her arms over her chest. I grabbed my duffel bag and stood up shaking my head at the lack of a verbal insult that I was waiting to hear from the diva. She tried to stay angry, but ended up with just a bewildered expression as she saw that I was about to leave. "Where are you going? You can't just ignore me!"

"You deserve the solo, and I'm not saying that as part of some sort of scheme, I mean it Rachel."