Part 1: Introductions

Today was the first day of school at McKinley High and everything was "in order" as Sue Sylvester would say. The jocks were preying on freshmen meat, as the Cheerios were giving command to slushie and dump losers into the dumpster. But something was different that day and Quinn was the first one to notice.

"Something feels different," Quinn stated to Brittany and Santana as they looked up from their lockers.

"What do you mean something feels different," Santana questioned as she raised an eyebrow at the shorter blonde.

"I don't know, I just have this weird feeling," Quinn stated as she bit her lip and scrunched her eyebrows.

"I don't feel weird," Brittany stated as she bounced up and down happily.

"I know you don't B. I just have this weird feeling that something isn't in place," Quinn stated as she stared around the hallway and noticed a short brunette at the entrance doors. Quinn continued to stare at the girl as Britney and Santana followed her gaze.

"Who's the new girl?" Santana questioned as she stared at a short brunette giving her the up- down with a look of utter disgust on her face. "How can she wear argyle with knee high socks and a plaid skirt?"

Both Brittany and Quinn shrugged as they continued to stare at the foreign girl when the said brunette turned around and made eye contact with all three girls.

"Shit, she's making her way over here," Quinn murmured as the brunette happily made her way in front of the three girls, a big smile plastered on her face.

"Excuse me, hi, my name is Rachel Berry and I'm trying to find the Principal's office." The brunette stated as she smiled even more at the girls.

Quinn, Santana and Brittany stared at the girl in shock unsure of how to respond.

"Umm.." Quinn mumbled as she stared at Rachel and noticed Karofsky approaching in the background, slushie in hand. Karofsky stalled as he made eye contact with Quinn who then glanced to both to Santana and Brittany. Brittany just smiled excitedly and Santana shrugged her shoulders as she mouthed; "up to you." Quinn glanced back to the short brunette in front of her and bit her lip. 'She doesn't seem bad, I'll give her a trail period,' Quinn thought as she removed her stare from the brunette to Karofsky who was waiting in the background. Quinn subtlety shook her head from side to side and Karofsky nodded in understanding and continued on his way as if nothing had happened.

Quinn giving a small sigh immediately turned her attention back to brunette who was staring up at her in apprehension. "I'm sorry, can you repeat your question…Raylin?"

"Rachel," the brunette corrected as she shifted her feet and stared at the ground.

"Right, what was your question again Rachel?" Quinn stated as the girl smiled brightly at Quinn's use of her name.

"I was wondering if you could direct me to the principal's office."

"It's-"Quinn began but was quickly cut off by Brittany's excited voice.

"It's down the hall to your left," Brittany said happily as she bounced up and down. "I'm Brittany and you're hot."

Rachel whom was taken aback by the comment was rendered speechless and could only nod with a light pink blush appearing on her cheeks.

"Brittany's right you're hot but you have an incredibly bad sense of fashion but it's nothing we can't fix. I'm Santana by the way," the Latina stated as she towered over Rachel who seemed to become even darker in shade across the cheeks.

"And I'm Quinn," the last of the three girls stated as she glanced at the shorter girl. "If you need anything else just let us know."

Rachel nodded and said her thanks as she watched the girls walk away. Quickly shaking her head and turning away from the sight of the girls, Rachel began to make her way to the principal's office. Upon arrival she was greeted by a woman with light orange hair, and pale complexion.

"Hello, you must be Rachel," the woman greeted as she extended her hand to Rachel. " I'm Emma Pillsbury. I'm the guidance counselor here at McKinley and I wanted to welcome you and let you know that I'm here in case you need anything. My office is just down the hall from here."

Rachel nodded in understanding and shook Emma's hand in response. "Thank you Ms. Pillsbury, I'll keep that in mind."

Emma smiled as she let go of Rachel's hand and pointed to a desk just a few feet away.

"You can check in over there and you'll receive your school schedule and books," Emma stated as she clapped her hands together and smiled. " Well, I think that's all. I'll see you later Rachel."

Rachel nodded once more as she watched Ms. Pillsbury exit the office and hastily made her way to the desk to check in and retrieve her materials.

Minutes later Rachel was fortunate enough to locate her homeroom just a minute before the warning bell rang. She rapidly made her way into the classroom and found the nearest seat available and sat down.

Rachel glanced around the room and noticed that everyone was broken into groups and were animatedly chatting away. Rachel bit her lip when she noticed an Asian girl with long black hair and purple highlights seated at the black alone. Rachel promptly approached the girl and made proper introductions.

"Hello, my name is Rachel Berry and I'm a transfer student," Rachel stated proudly with a big grin.

"He-hello," the Asian stuttered as she returned the greeting. "I' Tina."

"Well, hello Tina. I couldn't help but notice that you are sitting alone and was wondering if you'd like to be my new friend. I'm rather fond of making new friends. I find that networking is rather effective especially when one, such as myself, is on the way to stardom. You never know who from your network may have connections into giving you your next big break." Rachel stated confidently as she grinned once more.

"Umm, su-sure," Tina stuttered out.

"Excellent," Rachel said contentedly as she quickly pulled out a pink notebook from her bag along with a sheet of gold star stickers. Rachel opened her notebook to a page that appeared to have a fairly long checklist and placed a gold star nest to the line that stated: "Make a new friend. [Network]." After laying the sticker in place Rachel turned to Tina once more.

"I was wondering if this school has any creative arts programs such as Theatre?" Rachel asked as Tina bit her lip and spoke; "We-we have a Glee club."

"Glee club?" Rachel questioned as she stared at Tina and she nodded.

Rachel squealed at the prospect and quickly stood up as she heard the bell ring to notify homeroom was over. "I demand you tell me where the sign up sheet for Glee club is," Rachel insisted as she grabbed Tina from her seat and eagerly pushed her towards the door.

"Uh sure," Tina said awkwardly as she walked out the room with Rachel following close behind. Tina led Rachel to the bulletin board where multiple clubs had sign up sheets.

"It's right he-here," Tina declared as she pointed to a sheet of paper.

"Perfect," Rachel said as she signed her name and placed yet another gold star next to her name. "and I'm the first one to sign up." Rachel grinned as she admired her handiwork.

"It's cause glee isn't exactly popular," Tina stated as she glanced around the hallway and her eyes fell upon three girls in Cherrios uniforms.

"That's nonsense," Rachel stated as she turned to Tina who was suddenly quiet. Rachel began to open her mouth to question why the girl had stopped talking when she noticed what the black haired girl was staring at. Rachel turned her head and made contact with the three girls she met earlier.

Rachel grinned as she gave an eager wave. " Hey Quinn, Brittany, Santana."

The three girls faced Rachel at the sound of their names and stopped to greet her.

"Berry," Santana acknowledged as she gave the girl an obvious once over as a smirk played upon her lips.

Rachel blushed under Santana's gaze and felt her cheeks redden as she heard Santana give a small laugh at Rachel's embarrassment.

"Hi Rachel," Brittany declared cheerfully as she returned the wave hello.

"Hi Brittany," Rachel replied once more as she smiled and turned towards the last blonde.

"Rachel," Quinn stated quietly as her eyes connected intently with Rachel's and felt a chill run up her spin from the sudden connection. Rachel bit her lip in nervousness as Quinn continued to stare at her as if trying to discover everything about her through her eyes.

"Umm," Rachel began but seemed at a loss for words under Quinn's gaze.

Santana smirked at Rachel's lack of speech and spoke; "Damn Berry. We only greeted you and you're already speechless. It's okay though it's a good that you're saving your voice, you just might need it later when you're screaming my nam-"

"OK, Santana enough," Quinn interrupted as she sent an apologetic smile at Rachel. "You'll have to excuse Santana, she loves to flirt with anything that has legs and breasts."

"No," Santana remarked and smirked. "I only flirt with hot ones with nice legs and breasts."

Quinn rolled her eyes at Santana's response and Brittany nodded her head in agreement.

"OK, well we're going to get going now Rachel," Quinn said as she gave Rachel another apologetic smile and pushed the other two forward.

"See you later Berry," Santana said as Brittany wave goodbye and winked.

Once out of sight Rachel released the breath she didn't realize she was holding and turned towards Tina who looking at her bewilderment.

"Tina, are you OK?" Rachel asked as she lightly shook the girl. Tina snapped out of her trance and gapped at Rachel.

"You're friends with the Trio?" Tina exclaimed who continued to look shocked.

"The who?" Rachel questioned.

"The Trio!"

"Who's the Trio?" Rachel asked seemingly oblivious.

"The three girls you just talked to!" Tina claimed.

"OH, you mean Quinn, Brittany and Santana?" Rachel asked evidently confused as Tina nodded. "Why do you call them the Trio?"

"Because those three girls run McKinley. They've always been together. They're inseparable. You will never see one without the other so they got the title the Trio. Not only are they at the top of the Cheerios but they're the ones that determine everyone's status at school. If you get slushied or get dumped in the dumpsters you are deemed a loser. Otherwise you're safe."

"Wait, so if you get slushied or dumped its because one of them told the others to?" Rachel questioned shocked at the revealing information.

Tina nodded. "Well they're not the ones who do the work that's what they have their henchmen for. But the initial slushie or dump is a direct order from one of the Trio to establish your status. After that initial slushie or dump it's a free for all. Any of the Cheerios or jocks can do whatever they want because you've been determined a loser by the Trio."

"That's horrible," Rachel stated as she thought back to the three girls who seemed so nice. "Why doesn't anyone say anything or stop them?"

"Well as much as everyone hates or loves it, that's how McKinley is run. Plus everyone wants to be in with the Trio. Everyone and I mean everyone wants a piece of the Trio."

"Why would you want to be friends with such horrible people?" Rachel asked now getting angry at the thought.

"Oh-oh no. I never said anyone wanted to be friends with them I said everyone wants a piece of them."

"Huh?" Rachel said now confused.

"Everyone wants a piece of them like everyone wants to sleep with them because they're so hot. If you get one of them you get all of them, it's kind of a package deal." Tina stated as she shrugged. "Only one person has been known to get with them but she doesn't even go here anymore."

"She?" Rachel coughed in shock.

"Yeah, the Trio is totally gay. But I know individually they have all slept with guys. But they're exclusively together."

"Like in a relationship?" Rachel quipped.

"Yeah, but I know every girl would totally go gay for the Trio," Tina said and laughed. "I would too but I have a bo-boyfriend. He's actually the reason why I wasn't deemed a loser despite the fact that I'm in Glee because I'm exempted since I'm dating a jock."

Rachel's mouth formed a little "O" as she analyzed the whole situation and thought to herself that she should of transferred to Carmel high instead.

"But you seem well acquainted with the Trio. They seem highly interested in you especially with the way Santana was flirting with you," Tina said as she lead the way to their next class.

"Well I'm not interested in them," Rachel stated and folded her arms upon arriving to the next classroom door.

"Well that's what you say now but wait till they put their moves on you," Tina stated and laughed.

"Do you find this amusing?" Rachel said slightly offended.

"Hon-nestly a little," Tina replied and smiled.

"And why do you find it so amusing?"

"Well remember I mentioned that only one person has gotten with them, well that girl was my former best friend and she said the exact same thing that you did."

"Where is she now? Your best friend? And what happened between her and the Trio?" Rachel asked now somewhat curious.

"She's-she's dead." Tina said sadly and Rachel felt tension fill the air.

"I'm so sorry," Rachel stated unsure whether she should console the Asian girl.

"It's fine it was two years ago," Tina stated and gave a small smile. "Quinn was there when she died. They were in a car accident on the way to meet Brittany and Santana but they never reached there. No one knows this and I'm not supposed to say anything but Quinn has a scar from the accident."

"Why are you telling me this?" Rachel asked as she bit her lip.

"Because I haven't seen Santana flirt like that in so long, nor have I seen Brittany be that excited to see someone aside from the Trio and.. and I haven't seen Quinn look at someone the way she looked at you since my best friend." Tina said as she shrugged. "But the Trio isn't as bad as you'd think. They only do what they do because they have no choice.

"There's always a choice," Rachel stated now folding her arms again.

"Well with them its diff-different," Tina stated as she gave a half smile.

"Why do you know so much about them?"

"Because I was there when all of it happened and who we loved was mutual. Maybe mine wasn't romantically like theirs but I loved my best friend. That's another reason they tolerate and acknowledge me because of our his-history."

"I see," Rachel said as she nodded her head and bit her lip.

"If they approach you again don't think about their bad reputation. Give them a chance, they might surprise you." Tina stated as gave one last smile to Rachel and walked into her class.

'Give them a chance huh?' Rachel thought as she continued to walk down the hall. 'We'll see about that,' Rachel thought before entering the door to the next class and to the rest of her life.