A/N Thanks for the reviews, they make me giddy with glee. (Pun totally intended) This is set in season 2 around Special Education but Rachel never got together with Finn at the end of season 1.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Rachel stood in front of her bathroom mirror trying to calm her nerves. Today was the day the solo for Sectionals was going to be assigned. She was terrified of the consequences should she lose it and needed a minute to collect herself before heading downstairs and having to see her dad. He would know something was up and he wouldn't be happy. He said Broadway stars didn't get nervous.
She walked into the kitchen and yelped when she was caught off guard by her dad in a tight hug. "Good luck with glee club, honey. Let me know when you get the solo. Love you." He said as he kissed her on the top of the head before letting her go and grabbing his keys. She breathed out shakily as she heard his car pulling out of the driveway and left the house without breakfast. She didn't think she'd be able to keep it down.
She hardly paid any attention to her lessons and the day seemed to pass in a blur. Before she knew it, it was time for glee. She wandered down the hallway towards the choir room, but stopped in front of the door. She unclenched her clammy hands and took a deep breath when suddenly, pain erupted all over her small body. It felt like a thousand tiny needles poking at her while her eyes stung and she shivered at the sudden cold as laughter erupted around her.
She gasped as she realized she had been slushied and tears began to mix with corn syrup. She mentally kicked herself for allowing her showface to break and she hurried into a nearby toilet, hoping that everyone had been to busy making fun of her to see her cry. She didn't want to give them that satisfaction.
She hadn't noticed the pair of concerned eyes following her as she disappeared through the door.
The moment Rachel stepped into the toilet, she locked the door and hot tears made their way down her cheeks. She kicked a stall door as hard as she could, releasing her anger and relishing in the sound it made as it bounced of the stall walls before sinking to the floor, head in hands.
She sobbed as she drew her knees to her chest and rocked back and forth in an attempt to comfort herself. It's not like anyone else will, she thought bitterly. Gathering herself as her sobs turned into sniffles, she stood up and stared at her reflection in the mirror.
She hated, no despised, her life. She couldn't take it anymore, it was far too painful. The constant humiliation, everything. Everything hurt. She clenched her fist as she snarled at the girl in the mirror and slammed it down on the sink as she screamed in frustration.
"Rachel! Rachel, are you okay in there? You're late for glee." Rachel huffed in annoyance as Mr Schue's voice came from behind the locked door. "I'm fine, Mr Schue. I just got slushied, I'll be there soon." She snapped as she wiped her face. She knew he wasn't actually concerned for her well being. No one is, a voice reminded her.
The room fell silent as she walked in 10 minutes later. She was still wearing her stained sweater and she could feel everyone's stares on her as she made her way to her usual seat away from the group but she held her head up, putting her showface on.
"Alright, now that everyone's here, we can get down to business. Sectionals is in a week and I've decided to spice up our performance a bit." Rachel swallowed hard but didn't let any emotion show. "Mike, Brittany, you're going to be showing off your killer dance moves-"
"Wait, so they're going to be dancing in front of me while I sing my solo?" Rachel interrupted impatiently, not letting the worry in her voice be heard.
"Actually Rachel, you're not going to be singing a solo." Mr Schue's voice faded off as Rachel felt her heart almost stop and she slumped back in her seat. This couldn't be happening.
She spent the rest of the lesson ignoring him, choosing to think of ways to get the solo, only realizing glee had ended when everyone started to gather their things and head out of the room. She knew arguing with him would be futile but she desperately needed the solo. Her solo.
She saw her dad's car in the driveway when she reached her house and sighed heavily. She dragged her feet through the door, her heart threatening to beat right out of her chest. She knew what was coming.
She dreaded what was coming.
"So how did it go, princess?" Hiram asked as Rachel made her way into the living room. "I...I didn't get the solo." She muttered quietly, bracing herself.
The first slap echoed through the house and she brought her hand up to her cheek to soothe the stinging pain. "Useless! You're useless!" He yelled punctuating it with a second, harder blow.
"I'm...I'm sorry! I'll talk to Mr Schue tomorrow! I'll get it, I promise!" She sobbed as she held the now throbbing cheek. He pulled her forward by the collar of her sweater until she was face to face with him and looked at her in disgust. "Don't make promises you can't keep, bitch." He growled as he threw her to the floor and stormed out of the house.
She crawled to the wall and craddled the wrist which she had landed on and most likely twisted. She lowered her head to her knees and cried. She couldn't take it anymore. She just couldn't.
A/N Not pleased with this chapter but I hope it was passable. Thanks for reading, please review, they make my day, especially with school and tests coming up. Also, 'bitch' is probably the most vulgar word you'll find in here, it was hard enough to type.
Just a question, should Quinn or Kurt to reach out to Rachel?
