A.N/ I have edited a bit from the previous chapters, nothing major I just corrected bits of information. Though in chapter 5 I have added a scene where Rachel writes in her diary, you can go back and read it if you want.

In the Glee Universe: Sam is not in McKinley and therefore is not dating Quinn, I mentioned that they were dating in a previous chapter but I've changed it. Instead Rory Flannigan is the new kid. Sam will feature in this story, so Sam Evans fans don't worry, he'll be a part of my universe because I think he's adorable.

This chapter is mostly about Rachel, her past in McKinley and why she had to move. It's revealed while she sings her song to Wallace; I thought it'd be a good way for non-gleeks to get to know Rachel's character.

~~VM~~Glee~~

"I'd like to go next!" Rachel stated before anyone else had the opportunity. A bright smile lit her face when she stood in the centre of the room and said, "After a vast selection of songs I have chosen to sing 'You've Got A friend', though originally by James Taylor, it was also sung by my icon and role model Barbra Streisand. It is a song that emphasises Wallace's and mine blooming friendship as the song elegantly exhibits the meaning of friendship."

Rachel closed her eyes as she waited for the music to start and when she heard the sweet tune of the piano, her lips curved and she allowed the melodious music to consume her. Music was truly her everything.

"When you're down and troubled
And you need some love and care"

The annoyed looks on her peers faces at her speech instantly fell away the moment her angelic voice radiated through in song. No one had ever heard Rachel Barbra Berry sing before and that was a tragedy because she sounded as if she had fallen from the heavens rather than a small town called Ohio. When Rachel opened her eyes again, you could see the fiery spark that ignited in her as her potent voice compelled the room.

"And nothing, nothing is goin' right"

She perfectly expressed the lachrymose feeling that one would experience when they if had a disheartening day.

It had been the day that they had lost regionals, Quinn had given birth and her mother adopted baby Beth. They had thought that glee club was over but there had been a miracle and Sue Sylvester, of all people, saved New Directions.

Then everything had changed in Rachel's life when she walked down the hall of William McKinley High with her head held high and a fearless expression on her face. Before she even reached her locker, the jocks were headed her way with slushy cups in her hand. She knew, she just knew that it was meant for her.

"Taste the rainbow glee-itch," Amizon had laughed as he and Karofsky tossed the blue and purple slushies in her face.

Rachel took a deep breath as the flavoured ice slid down her checks and neck and dripped of her top. She wiped her eyes to clear her vision; getting a slushy facial was nothing new but the sight of her two very shocked and angry fathers in the hall was.

"Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there"

Her father's soon discovered that this had been a recurring event ever since she started high school. They were not pleased at all.

"I will not stand by and let my daughter be made a victim throughout her high school life. As a student at this school it is her right to be protected by any means of harassment and for her to feel safe in her surrounding environment. By the barbaric manner of her fellow students, it is obvious that she is not," Hiram said, he was outraged at the laid-back manner of the rules and regulations of the school.

Mr Figgins tried to do damage control, "Mr Berry, I understand-"

Hiram was not having any of his excuses and interrupted, "No, you don't understand. My daughter's life is getting scarred by these shameful hooligans, I can't even call them boys. It sickens me to know that this has been happening for this long and no one has done anything about it."

"We are wasting our time here," Leroy stated, he was just as angry as Hiram. He looked at Figgins and said, "It's your job to protect people."

"I'm sorry but-"

They had heard enough. It was clear that there was nothing the principle could do.

"We are having Rachel transferred from this school. This is effective immediately," Hiram stated.

Rachel's eyes grew in shock. She had sat beside her dads while they argued with principal Figgins but she never thought that they would take such a drastic decision, especially one about her life without even Okaying it with her. Nevertheless she allowed her dads to pull her out of the office but she felt her heart drop.

Veronica and Wallace were taken aback by Rachel's voice but they wore pleased expressions which made Rachel feel somewhat relieved; they didn't see her as a 'Gleek' or 'Freak.'

"To brighten up even your darkest night
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come runnin' to see you again"

No matter how much their decision hurt her, she knew that they had done it because they loved her.

A tear rolled down Rachel's cheekbone and she briskly brushed it away. She stirred in her bed, unable to fall asleep as her future haunted at her.

She picked up her pink phone and twirled in her fingers for a moment. She then scrolled down her contact lists and stopped at Finn's name. She silently debated on whether or not to call him. She needed to talk to someone who was not an adult. Shelby had agreed with her dads and they seemed adamant on moving out of Lima as well.

Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring

"Hello?" Finn's sleepy voice answered in a haze.

Rachel took in a breath and tried to sound as though she hadn't been crying. "Hey Finn."

"Rachel?" Finn's muffled voice said. She heard his bed creak and figured that he must have checked the time. "Rachel? Are you okay? It's like 2 am."

Rachel suddenly felt that she couldn't tell Finn. How would he react? She couldn't deal with that now. He had said he loved and now she was about to tell him that she was transferring out of McKinley, and possibly Lima?

"I'm sorry," she hurriedly said and cut the call before Finn had a chance to reply.

Rachel got out of bed to get a glass of water; water always helped calm her down when she was upset, and of course singing.

Rachel had been a bit disappointed when Finn hadn't called her back, she could be dying and he just went back to sleep. The thought made her irate.

She took out the gold star cup that Shelby had given her and smiled. She finally had a mother, after sixteen years. And she has a sister. It's weird that Beth is her sister and biologically belonging to her Noah and Quinn but she was glad that Beth was with her family and that Quinn and Noah had the option of visiting Beth, an opportunity she hadn't had with her own mother. That is if her fathers don't move out of Lima.

Rachel really wanted to belt out a dirge but she didn't want to wake her fathers up or get another lawsuit threat from her neighbours so she decided to watch 'Funny Girl'.

When she got up her phone rang with 'Defying Gravity.' She glanced at the caller ID and saw Finn's name light up. Her breath hitched. He hadn't gone back to sleep.

"Hey Finn," she greeted and bit her lip nervously.

"Rachel? Could you open your door? Or your window?"

Rachel was stunned. Was Finn outside her house? Actually willing to climb up her window for her? This really was something considering what a klutz he was.

"Finn, are you outside my house?" She needed him to say it for his implication to really set in.

"Uh yeah," he coyly replied.

Rachel opened the door with wide eyes and was met with a concerned pair of brown eyes.

"Hey," he smiled cautiously as he put his phone down.

"Hey," Rachel breathed out and moved out of the way to let him in.

"I-uh-I was worried, it's not like you to call at 2 am or cut the call either and you usually have a lot more to say and I barely get in a sentence so I figured something's wrong," he rambled and Rachel should feel insulted but she was touched that he knew her that well. It was usually true, if she wasn't her talkative self than something had to have been wrong.

Rachel diverted her eyes as she mumbled, "I didn't mean to make you worried, I just couldn't sleep and for some reason I called you."

Finn quirked an eyebrow, he seemed much more awake now; it was probably because of the coldness of the late night/early morning phase. "Some reason?" His voice made Rachel glance at him and when she saw those brown eyes she got sucked into his orbit once again.

"I don't know why." She knew why. It's because he was Finn and he cared. He cared that she was sad. He cared that she couldn't sleep. He cared that she called. He'd care that she was leaving and that's way it was so difficult to tell him.

He smiled his silly smile that was the most adorable thing Rachel had ever seen. He moved closer to her and whispered, "I do. It's because you love me too."

She felt the words get caught in her throat. "Finn…"

"You're everything I never knew I always wanted Rach," Finn whispered softly as he gently brushed his fingers across her cheek. "And I'm so glad that I joined glee club because I got to meet you." They got lost in each other's eyes.

Here, it was the boy of her dreams was telling her everything she wanted to hear but she couldn't possibly reciprocate his feelings because she would be gone by the end of summer.

Finn smiled gently, "You know, I even love the controlist part in you that wants everything perfect."

Rachel's eyes never left his as she corrected him in a whisper, "I'm controlling, controlist isn't a word."

Finn chuckled, "I even love when you correct me." He leaned forward, their lips centimetres away when he said, "I love you Rachel Berry, I really do."

"Finn…"

"And tonight when you couldn't sleep, I was the first person you called because you love me too," When the words passed his lips he crushed his lips against hers.

"Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall
All ya have to do is call
And I'll be there,"

Rachel's eyes habitually closed shut as tears welled up as it always did when she performed a solo. It didn't necessarily have to be because of the lyrics but because of the depth of emotions she felt and conveyed while she sang.

"Finn, I'm moving," Rachel said when their kiss broke.

Finn looked at her with confusion. "What?"

She took in a deep breath to gather her courage, this felt much more difficult than she thought it would be. "When Summer's over I won't be coming back to McKinley nor will I be in Ohio."

The confusion was now replaced with shock, "What?"

"My dads and Shelby thinks it's best if I transfer and my dad got offered a job in California and now he's gonna take it and I have to move with them."

"Why?"

She could see his heart breaking and her heart broke along with his. "My dads saw Karofsky and Amizon slushy me," she admitted. They all went through it and because it became a norm for the glee clubbers it seemed like a trivial thing to transfer over but that's the only thing they knew and therefore didn't realise the abuse they really went through. "They are very protective and see it as abuse."

"Karofsky and Amizon?" Finn gritted through his teeth and clenched his fists.

Rachel noticed Finn's angry tone; she knew that he would pick a fight with them. "Finn, don't do anything stupid, it's not gonna change anything."

"Rachel you can't leave," his sad and pleading voice made Rachel wish that she could abide by his words.

She meekly shook her head and tears threatened to spill out of her big brown eyes. "I don't have a choice," she whispered in a heart-wrecking sob.

"Rachel…"

"Finn, please just promise me you'll leave it be?"

"You've got a friend, you've got a friend."

Her eyelids fluttered up but she seemed to be consumed in by the thoughts of the boy that she left behind. She blamed Quinn for bringing him up; she was perfectly fine with falling in a crush with Veronica's ex rather than pining over her own ex.

"If the sky above you grows dark
And full of clouds
And that old North wind begins to blow.
Keep your head together
And call my name out loud
And soon you'll hear me knocking at your door"

When she had informed the glee club about her situate they had been stricken with shock and had tried to convince her to stay but she wasn't the one that needed convincing it was her fathers but Rachel didn't want to upset her fathers any more than they already were so she didn't allow her friends to speak with them.

"You don't have to move Rachel, we can protect you," Brittany softly said with sadness echoing in her voice.

"Yeah, we can form like a protective bearer around you like the CIA," Mick said, he might not have been friends with Rachel but he didn't want her to leave.

"Or I can smash my fists in their face," Puck gritted as he shoot up from his seat, ready for a fight. Finn seemed to agree with his best friend's method and got up to follow him.

Rachel grabbed Puck's arm and pleaded, "Noah, please, just sit down, okay? Getting in a fight will not change anything other than get you and Finn expelled." She sighed. "It's really my fault for hiding this from them. Honesty, Respect and Dance have been the Berry motto but I've defied that. I've been dishonest by withholding the truth and I've allowed myself to be disrespected. I'm sorry but this is what my dads want and I don't wish to disappoint nor do I want to argue with them again."

"Rachel…" Quinn dragged out unsure of what to say.

"We're a family, we can-" Will started, Rachel was his star, she couldn't leave.

Rachel sent him a regretful look. "I'm sorry Mr Shue but they've already decided."

"Where are you moving to?" Mercedes questioned in a soft voice.

"California, there's a town called Neptune."

"Does that mean we'll be competing against you for National's?" Kurt's eyes grew wide a he asked her that question.

Rachel smiled ruefully and for the first time she had a spark in her eyes since the news of her transfer. "I'm banking on it."

"You just call my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come runnin' runnin' runnin'
runnin' to see you again
Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall
All ya have to do is call
And I'll be there, yes I will"

Wallace liked Rachel's song choice and he hoped that their friendship really did bloom like she said it would. But the song reminded him of his friendship with Veronica.

He hadn't even known her name the first time she helped him out by cutting him of that flagpole. He knew that no matter what, where or when she would be there for him.

Weevil had headed straight toward him and said, "My bitch. Weren't you supposed to wait for me at the flagpole? I'm not sure I could have made that any clearer."

Wallace had taken a deep breath and let out a nervous chuckle and said, "Okay, I get it, a'right. Very funny. I guess we're even now. Right?"

Weevil's voice was full of aggression when he threaten, "You get what boy? You get that you're a dead man walking, is that what you get?"

"Leave him alone," Veronica calmly stated. She seemed unfazed by his presence.

Wallace smiled at Veronica and she let a smile break through her own features as well.

"So you want to get the PCH Biker Club off your ass?" Veronica grinned.

Wallace gave her a genuine smile to his fearless best friend. Veronica shot him a quizzing look, she somehow picked up that there was a reason for his smile but instead of asking she returned his smile.

"Now ain't it good to know
That you've got a friend"

Logan caught the interaction between the two BFFs and felt a longing in his heart. He didn't have that relationship with anyone now, he used to have it when he was in the Fab4 but now Lilly was gone, Duncan was trapped in his own world, and Veronica… He lost Veronica when he made her choose. And when Veronica smiled at Wallace it was almost like the girl he'd been friends with was there. He couldn't believe how much she had changed. He knew she got tougher and he was proud but he didn't mean for her to lose hope… He never wanted that.

Meg glanced at Veronica, she had been there for her through the entire purity test fiasco and Meg truly appreciated. If Veronica hadn't helped her, she might have been sent to a Catholic school. Her eyes flickered to Logan and she saw him watch Veronica. She tilted her head curiously and wondered if it was possible for their friendship to be renewed, it there was a possibility Meg would help make it happen. She remembered the once upon a time in their story and she knew that if Veronica had that again maybe she'd be less vengeful.

"When people can be so cold
They'll hurt you yes and desert you"

Veronica's smile faded as she remembered her past. Her once best friends had been cold, they had hurt her and they had deserted her.

Logan hated that those words made Veronica's smile disappear, it wasn't often that she'd smile and he hated it even more to know that it disappeared because of him. He never realised that his actions had caused her to change that much, he hadn't realised it until she'd said that her dad was the only reason she was still alive. And that scared him.

Rachel's voice was still strong but it held pain. She had known what it was like to not have friends. Before Mr Shuester could become the director of glee club in Rachel was alone with no friends. Tina, Mercedes, Artie and Kurt may have been the first people to be in glee along with herself but they hadn't been her friend. Sure, they cleaned slushies' off of each other but that was about it. They didn't invite her to go shopping or have sleep overs or even talk to her much. Rachel Barbra Berry was a loner until Mr Shue got Finn to join.

"And take your soul if you let them
Oh but don't let them"

Even though Rachel had bullied for majority of her schooling life she never let it get her down because she had a dream – more of an ambition. She was going to become a star, not just any star but a Broadway star. To Rachel, the reason no one liked her is because they felt overpowered by her determination, ambition and talent.

The only people that liked her in glee during the course of the year were Finn Hudson and Noah Puckerman. Though over time she had become friends with her fellow glee clubbers… Granted it was over the summer just before she could leave but nevertheless she had their friendships. And Rachel was proud of herself for forming friendships with the girls that were meanest to her.

Quinn Fabray was the HBC; her number one high school rival had turned into one of her best friends. The two girls were complete opposites. Quinn was the pretty blonde head cheerleader that was dating the quarterback of the football team; Finn Hudson. Rachel was the petite brunette 'Queen of Gleeks' that wanted to date Finn Hudson; her male lead. It was love at first note, as soon as Rachel heard Finn sing, she fell head over heels for the tall football/basketball player/male lead singer.

Their rivalry was inevitable and it started before Rachel's crush on Quinn's boyfriend.

As their story proceeds Finn, the charismatically charming Prince falls for the ambitious and passionate pauper. That was until he found out the ice queen (Quinn Fabray) was pregnant – as the loyal and moral guy he is, he stuck by Quinn's side.

It was a surprising turn of events when the biggest badass in all of Lima history took an interest in her, Rachel Berry. Yes, Noah 'Puck' Puckerman had wanted to date her, Rachel Barbra Berry because she was a 'hot Jewish American Princess' and he was a 'hot Jewish American badass.' Their relationship inevitably fell apart as he had feeling for his best friends (Finn Hudson) girlfriend (Quinn Fabray) and she had feelings for Finn. Even though Noah had at the time refused to proclaim them friends; that was the moment they started becoming friends.

They had gotten closer when her mother adopted his and Quinn's baby – yes, Quinn had cheated on Finn with his best friend Puck. Rachel didn't like to think of the baby-gate incident because it was over and everyone had moved passed it. Finn and Noah had become best friends again and Quinn had made peace with both the boys.

Anyway the fact was that Quinn Fabray and Noah Puckerman had been continuously in touch with her due to the fact that their baby was now her baby sister. And it had brought them closer.

Another close friend to Rachel is Kurt Hummel – he admitted that their rivalry for solos is what kept them from seeing how similar they were and how much potential they have at being best friends. Now that their competitions were out of the way they are able to see each other as respectable artists and friends.

As for Finn Hudson – He held a place in Rachel's heart but she had not spoken to him since she moved to Neptune yet there was a longing in her that wished he'd call. But she understood that it was painful for him to let her go as it was for her.

If it weren't for her dads she would still be at McKinley. She would have fought with all her might and they would never have been able to take down Rachel Barbra Berry because she was a fighter.

It was classic cartoon, only Rachel Berry could befriend her enemies.

"You just call my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come runnin' runnin' runnin'
runnin' to see you again
Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall
All ya have to do is call
And I'll be there, yes I will, yes I will
You've got a friend, you've got a friend"

Dick was absolutely stunned in his seat. He'd never heard someone sing so beautifully, he'd never been mesmerized by anyone before. It was like her voice put him in a trance that only allowed him to focus on her. He felt her words. He felt shivers and goose bumps on his arms. Shit, I think I'm crushing on Rachel freaking Berry! He sat wide-eyed and just watched her sing with tears glistening in her eyes.

"Ain't it good to know
Ain't it good to know
Ain't it good to know
Ain't it good to know"

The purity, passion and powerful strength in her voice were prodigious. She always cried when she sang a solo, she was just an emotional person who was deeply connected to her music.

"You've got a friend
You've got a friend"

Throughout the song Rachel had managed to keep a smile on her face. Her eyes glistened but the fiery feel was clearly visible.

After a moment of stunned silent the crowd burst into applause. Rachel smiled brightly with a pleased look on her face as she took in their applause. Rachel loved the applause and roars; she's like Tinkerbell she needed applause to live that's why no matter what anyone does or says she'd always be okay as long as she has music and that wonderful sound of applause.

"That was amazing, Rachel," Shelby smiled with pride and joy as the petite brunette smiled in acceptance and looked with sparkling eyes of joy.

No matter what the song, Rachel always felt a sense of accomplishment when she successfully belted out a song or performed.

The song had really touched Wallace; with a bright smile he hugged Rachel. "That was awesome!" He looked at her with wide bright eyes which made Rachel feel her smile only widening with each compliment she received. She was happy that Wallace liked her song selection, not that she doubted it but it was nice to get the appreciation she deserved.

Madison fumed Rachel. "I guess now I know why you dress like Pippi Longstockings," Madison remarked with the 'I'm-better-than-you' attitude. "You use the bright coloured stockings and horrid floral dresses to distract them from your screeching voice."

"Do I detect a hint of jealousy?" Veronica countered innocently with a lifted eyebrow. "Because the only screeching I hear is the sound of your nails trying to keep your green eyes at bay."

Rachel was surprised at Veronica's defence of her though it made her feel special. It made her feel accepted.

"Madison doesn't have green eyes," Susan frowned, she though Veronica was smart.

"She means green eyed monster aka jealousy," Carrie whispered to her friend.

Shelby watched the girls and decided that it would be best if she defused the situation sooner rather than later. "Madison, if you think you're better, how about you sing your song."

Madison smirked, "With pleasure." She strutted forward as she indicated for her back up to join her. Shelly and Susan tag along but Carrie remained seated with a bored expression.

"I have never envied the deaf more than now," Logan mumbled with a sigh. Veronica heard his remark and silently agreed.

~~VM~~

Song: You've Got A Friend
Artist: Barbra Streisand