Disclaimer: I don't own Glee.
Rachel sat alone in the girl's room. They had all decided to go to the little plaza that was in the town square. She had been uninvited as soon as the idea was even suggested. Ms. Pillsbury had taken them and Rachel was left to sit alone. Mr. Shuster and the rest of the boys were doing who knows what. She was getting so lonely that she considered crashing their little man-party but that would only back up what the others had said at the diner.
-Flashback-
As the group walked into the diner Rachel walked by Finn. When the group stood in front of the desk, Ms. Pillsbury excused herself to the bathroom and Mr. Shuster set out to get them a table. Rachel listened to Finn banter with Mike over what was better Call of Duty or Black Opts. She giggled as they began to get pretty into the argument. That's when the comments started.
"Gosh, she is such a nosy little freak. She just eavesdrops on everyone and then buts into other people's conversations," she heard Tina say. "I know. Earlier in the year she was listening in on a private conversation between me and Finn," Quinn whispered back. Rachel knew that they knew that she could hear them. She unconsciously took a step away from Finn. "Seriously! That little slut! Can't keep her man hands off another girl's boyfriend," Santana said. "It's really kind of sad. She doesn't have any friends so she probably listens to other conversations to make herself feel included," Mercedes said. Rachel bit down on her quivering lip.
They really hated her. What had she done to prompt this attack? She stared at her shoe. This trip had been a huge mistake. She pondered why they would hate her so much. Yes she was extremely gifted. She had a big nose. Her dress choices weren't exactly normal but they were her. She was very loud and people considered her obnoxious. Her comments weren't meant to hurt. She only wanted to help really. Yet what she thought was helpful advice was actually harsh criticism. She really didn't mean it but she always messed things up, especially what she wanted. She always messed up when she wanted something to much and she wanted everything to much.
Puck watched Rachel. Finn's comment was bugging him. He didn't like the idea of her having a rough night. He mostly couldn't understand why. Weren't girls supposed to stay up all night? Berry had been on the couch at midnight. He thought for a while that she was just homesick. He thought that a quick make out session would make her feel better. Now as he watched her he thought it was something else; something that was swimming around in that little head of hers that was gnawing at her.
He sidled up beside her and gently nudged her with his shoulder. When he got her attention she looked at him with these big doe eyes, he asked, "you alright there, Berry? You're being quiet." She simply shrugged and moved to turn away. At this he lifted his hand and placed it on her shoulder. He took a step closer and leaned down so he was invading her personal space. "Come on baby. I know you better than that. What's bugging you?" Puck asked as he looked her in the eyes. "I…I…" Rachel considered telling him everything she was feeling; this feeling of being unwanted and disliked. She sighed. "I'm just homesick," she said. Puck looked her expression over. She had a champion poker face. He sighed and made a note to himself to keep an eye on her. Rachel then heard a comment being made about the size of her nose. Maybe she should tell someone…
-End Flashback-
Rachel now sat alone. Did she really but into other people's conversations? She bit down on her lip harshly. Maybe she did. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that it seemed to be true. She felt a few tears slip out from her eyes. She was friendless. Nobody liked her. She felt her lip quiver. She bit down on it harshly. Nobody liked her. She wouldn't let them see her cry though. Not here. She pulled out her bag and pulled out the Nicholas Sparks book she was reading. She would leave everyone to have fun by staying out of it.
-Later-
The girls had returned. The club was now gathered in the little den. Everyone but Rachel, that is. As Finn look around, he noticed that no one else seemed to notice the brunette's absence. He nudged Puck who was next to him. He asked the boy if he had seen her and Puck responded, "She went to the girl's room after breakfast. She hasn't been out since." Finn stood then and walked out of the room. He walked over to the girl's room. He gently knocked on the door. "Rach? You decent in there?" He asked. He heard a faint 'come in'. He opened the door and saw Rachel sitting on her bed a book on her lap. She gave him a smile.
"Hello, Finn. How are you today? I haven't seen much of you," she stated. He gave the girl a smile. "I'm alright. Missed seeing you today," he said walking over and sitting on the bed. "Why don't you come out and sit with us. It will be fun," he said as he attempted to tempt Rachel. She mulled it over. Well she had just been invited to join. That wasn't emphasizing what the girls were saying. She smiled and agreed. Yet she couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to go horribly wrong.
Authors Note:
Merry Christmas! Hope everyone has a very happy holiday. Pleas review. I love to hear what your thoughts are. How about people try to guess what happens.