I know, I know, I just posted the first chapter a few hours ago. I just figured I would write the second one since I have a bit of time on my hands before going to school. It's the least I could do considering I might leave you guys hanging for a while due to being swarmed by exams.

Forevergleek9615: Your comment really put a smile on my face. And in case you were wondering, I like Faberry as well (you will see some friendship in this story) and there's not a doubt in my mind that I'll be writing a fanfiction for them one day. Then again, my friend already forces me to do that. Concerning Santana's softer side, I have to agree with you. The only time we saw it on the show was with Brittany, rarely with anyone else. You'll definitely be seeing more of it in this story.

Forgot to point out in the first chapter that Brittany and Artie didn't break up and are still together.

Now that that's dealt with, unto chapter 2!

Rachel woke up to the sound of her alarm and almost instantly jumped out of bed. She figured she wouldn't have to deal with her father if she managed to get ready earlier and skipped breakfast altogether. She wouldn't eat anything unless he allowed her to. He always pointed out she had to not only sound but look the best that she can and that sometimes meant starving herself.

She quickly put on the first thing she spotted in her closet. An animal sweater, a plaid skirt, socks that reached her ankles along with black tap shoes. She hated her wardrobe but Hiram didn't think she should have to decide what to wear. Her clothes were just a slap in the face that got here into even more trouble at school. She looked at herself in the mirror before noticing some bruises were visible on her face due to the beating her father gave her the night before.

She sighed because covering them up was going to take a while and that meant less a chance of leaving the house before her father gets up. Once she was satisfied that the makeup had made the black eye and the hand shaped bruise on her cheek practically invisible, she grabbed her bag and hurried down the stairs.

When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she was sent knee first to the floor. She cursed herself for being so clumsy before looking up and realizing it was actually her father who had tripped her. Hiram chuckled to himself and bent down to whisper in his daughter's ear. "Be a good girl today." Rachel couldn't do anything but nod. She quickly got back to her feet and thank god she was close to the door because if her father saw her limping to get there, she would never hear the end of it.

As soon as Rachel got in her car and slammed the door shut, she collapsed in the driver's seat and finally allowed the sobs she had been holding back for so long wrack her entire trembling body. After a few minutes of getting her frustrations out, she started up her car after applying another layer of makeup just in case anything was visible due to the tears. If only she knew a certain Latina assisted to the whole scene.

Santana didn't expect to see Rachel in this state. The diva usually always had a smile on her face and was probably the most enthusiastic person on earth. Sure, it could be annoying at times but still. She used to be the only person excited for the first day of school but there she was, crying her eyes out in the car. Santana quickly shook it off and drove off a few seconds before Rachel managed to calm down.

Everyone parted as Santana walked into the school in her cheerios uniform. She was glad to be back on the squad with Quinn and Brittany. It made the whole student body slightly wearier of them. Not that she needed the uniform to put fear in people's eyes though. Last year out of her uniform had been hell and she finally felt firsthand what her fellow glee club members had to go through long before she did. That's why she made a promise to be slightly less bitchy to people. Well, unless they deserved it.

Santana caught sight of Brittany waving and smiling as she stood by her locker. She hadn't spoken to her best friend all summer. Actually, she had barely spoken to Brittany ever since the blonde had picked Artie over her. The Latina couldn't handle rejection quite well. She approached Brittany with a smile. Santana wasn't going to resent her anymore. She just had to move on because this silliness was affecting their friendship.

"Santana! I missed you so much!" said Brittany in a overly enthusiastic tone before enveloping Santana in a very tight hug.

"I-I missed you too but… B-Brittany, I need to breathe."

Brittany quickly released the hold she had on her best friend. Santana had to bite back a laugh at the guilty look on her best friend's face. Oh, how she had missed simple moments like being caught in one of Brittany's bear hugs. They started walking down the hallway together but stopped when they crossed paths with Finn and Quinn.

"Quinn! I missed you so much!" said Brittany but was stopped by a rather smiling Quinn before she could hug her.

"I missed you too but you are not suffocating me this year, Brittany!" answered back Quinn as Brittany had to stop herself from leaping into the air and tackling the blonde to hug her.

"So, has anyone seen Rachel today?" asked Santana. Her question was met with confused looks until Finn spoke up.

"No, but why would you care?"

"Oh, I don't. I just…" Santana bit her bottom lip as she contemplated telling them what she had seen today. Finally, she decided against it. "Never mind." Believe it or not, she figured Rachel wouldn't want that much attention on her and if she told her friends, the news would spread around the school faster than wildfire. Wait, what? Since when do I care what happens to man hands? I mean, sure, she isn't as annoying as everyone makes her to be and she's one of the only people at the school besides me who isn't afraid to be vocal about anything but still. Must be because I'm trying to be nicer to people. That has to be it. That wasn't it. Quinn and Brittany noticed there was something Santana wasn't telling them. They could read their friend like a book but they decided to keep their mouths shut.

The bell rang and Finn kissed Quinn on the cheek before walking off to class. Considering the three girls shared their first class, they decided to walk there together. Before they knew it, a speeding figure covered in red colored slushy collided with Santana, making the Latina stumbled back a bit. She prepared herself to go all Lima Heights on the unknown person until she saw who it was.

"Rachel?"

"I-I'm s-sorry." stuttered Rachel in a very low and hoarse voice before running off (actually, limping) to the bathroom with tears visible in her eyes.

"Santana?" Quinn and Brittany's voices broke Santana out of her trance.

"You guys can go without me. I-I'll be right back." said Santana before speeding off after Rachel.

As soon as Santana entered the bathroom, her eyes fell on a teary eyed Rachel, clutching one of the sinks. Some freshman girls could be seen snickering and laughing in the back until the cheerio shot them a death glare, making them quickly scatter out of the bathroom. Santana grabbed a tissue and began cleaning Rachel off.

"Let me help you with that." At that moment, Rachel flinched and backed away.

"I don't need any help." answered back the diva in a very quivery voice.

"Look at me."

"I'm not -"

"Look. At. Me."

"You can't -"

"Rachel. Now."

Rachel slowly lifted her head up to meet Santana's line of sight. The Latina's eyes widened once she saw the black eye and the hand shaped bruise on her cheek now stained with tears.

"Who did this?" Rachel flinched at Santana's tone but eventually composed herself.

"N-No one. I t-tripped and f-fell face first." stuttered Rachel. Okay, maybe she hadn't fully composed herself.

"Bullshit, Rachel."

"It's the truth."

"Is that why the bruise on your cheek is hand shaped?"

"Since when do you care anyway?" Rachel wanted to yell but her tone was just slightly higher than usual.

"I just…" Santana was at a loss for words. She really didn't know.

"Exactly."

"Look, Rachel, that doesn't matter. What really happened?"

"Please, Santana, just… Just let it go." begged Rachel, the emotion clear in her voice.

Santana wanted to protest but when she looked straight into those pleading eyes, she couldn't bring herself to move once Rachel started walking away from her. By the time she snapped out of it, it was too late. Rachel was gone.

"Damn it."

Rachel was running as fast as she could to her car just in case Santana decided to follow her. Why would she care about me? Why would anyone? It's probably just for another prank just to humiliate me. I don't need that right now. But maybe I deserve it.

Tears threatened to spill over as Rachel drove back home but she kept them at bay. When she got there, she was about to go upstairs to her bedroom until she heard a voice that made her blood run cold.

"Welcome home."

Santana wouldn't speak to anyone all day because she was worried for a reason she didn't quite understand. She just had a bad feeling in her stomach. Why would Rachel just take off like that? Where is she? Quinn and Brittany tried talking to her but the Latina just blocked them out. Whatever. Rachel's probably just being dramatic as usual. I'm overreacting. She'll turn up for Glee.

But then, she didn't. That was when Santana really started to get worried. Rachel never misses Glee. Let alone the first one of the year. Something was seriously wrong.

I don't know how I managed to finish writing this and still somehow have 40 minutes left until I leave for school. To think I started writing this at 3 in the morning and now it's 6 in the morning. Oh, well. Next chapter will include… Well, you'll see. Hope you enjoyed! Please leave a review if you did.