I lied, i updated once more, but i had to, i had a wave of inspiration kick in over me, and i couldn't not write it down. So here we are chapter 4. oh this is kinda a linking chapter, next chapter will be much more emotional. so i hope you like this chapter

Disclaimer: i don't own glee, ever, sadly. however i do own Ben.

It felt good to be free, Rachel thought as she skipped down the front steps of McKinley high, a smile plastered on her face. Rachel was in search of Ben, she needed to talk to him. She had only been dating him for a couple days, but already she felt that he was special. He was peaceful, yet aggressive, funny yet serious, and he treated Rachel kindly. His brown rugged hair fell over one eye, and his almond shaped eyes were greener that the artificial football grass.

He had a toned, tan, muscular body, yet he was lean and tall. Not as tall as Finn, but taller that Rachel, for sure. They had met at the mall, when her theatre friends had taken her shopping for new clothes. He had come up to her and started a conversation with one of his terrible pick-up lines. They hit it off, and before she knew it, they were having dinner at Breadstixs. He had made her laugh, and he had tolerated her arrogance, although she was less arrogant than usual. They had really connected, and although it seemed impossible, he had made her forget about Finn for the whole night.

Rachel searched for Ben in the library, the football fields, and even the lunch room, but she had no luck. She decided she'd call him later, and walked back to her locker. She could see the woman at her locker from a mile away, her red track suit notorious throughout the school. Rachel kind of expected Sue to be there, it was only a matter of time before Sue asked Rachel to join the Cheerios.

"Hey there man hands." Sue greeted Rachel in her usual cynical tone.

"I thought Quinn was the only one who called me man hands?" Rachel replied.

"Nah, it's much too good of an insult to not use. But I'm not here to insult you; I'm here to recruit you. I want you to be on the squad."

"Why?" Rachel asked bluntly.

"Because your pretty, small, and flexible, trust me I've seen you move. Practice starts at 3:00 and runs till 6:00, so don't be late." Sue said, thrusting a red cheerios uniform at Rachel.

"Oh and wear the outfit at all times, it's kind of our thing." Sue said while walking away.

"Um, thanks?"

"Don't mention it man-hands." Sue said with a smirk.

Don't worry, I won't, Rachel said to herself.

1 month later…

"There you are Rachel, I've been looking for you everywhere" Ben greeted Rachel warmly. Ben and Rachel had been going out for a month, and saying she was happy was an understatement. Oh sure he was no Finn, but gosh he almost completely filled the hole Finn created. Rachel had easily upped her way to co-captain of the cheerleading squad. She was popular. Guys liked her, girls envied her, even Santana. No more slushie facials for her.

She had made friends, and even gained an opportunity to cheer for a college team. She was actually very good a cheerleading. She was a entirely different person. Before she had to be bossy and arrogant to get noticed, now all she had to do was walk down a hallway. She found she wasn't arrogant or bossy at heart; in fact, she was quite humble and respectful. It seemed she had turned her life around. But well there was something missing. Although she'd never admit it, she often found herself wishing she could be part of Glee club again. She missed that part of the day when she could sing her heart out. But that was a different Rachel, loser Rachel. New Rachel was glamorous, new Rachel was stunning and charming, new Rachel was popular.

"Rachel, you there Rachel, c'mon we got to get there before 4:00."

"Yeah okay" Rachel said quietly.

Today was a big day for Rachel, today was the day she would slushie the glee club.