A/N: Sorry for the late update guys. My computer went haywire. This is based off of a spoiler pic for 'Night of Neglect' where Quinn and Finn are talking to Rachel at her locker (Rachel looks gorgeous) and Finn is handing her what is either a small plate or a very large button.

Rachel POV

"Fuinn for Prom King and Queen. Finn and Quinn, for your Prom King and Queen."

My stomach started churning as I heard Quinn's peppy voice handing out fliers and buttons. She was going from locker to locker, Finn lumbering alongside her.

"Rachel."

I turned to see her perfectly rehearsed stage smile. "Hello?"

"I know we've had our differences, but I feel like we've expressed them and we can move on. I hope we can count on your vote for Prom Court Royalty?"

I saw the strain in her eyes, the fakeness lying within. Luckily, I had been practicing my stage smile since birth.

"I don't know if I'll even go. It seems kind of pointless to me," I shrugged. There. I might as well have driven a stake through her heart.

"Well, it's Prom, it's not pointless," Quinn began to argue then stopped herself. "Okay then. I'm sorry to here that. Let's go, Finn."

"You should go, Rach," Finn told me. "It'll be fun."

I just shrugged and turned back to my locker. I heard Quinn scolding Finn about how "Prom isn't fun, Prom is serious" as they walked down the hall together.

"Hey babe."

I turned to see Mercedes standing by me. "Oh, hey-"

"Cut the crap, Barbra Streisand," she interrupted me. "Did I just hear you say you're not going to the Prom?"

I sighed, putting my books away. "I don't have a date. And why would anyone else want to come with me?"

Mercedes snorted and rolled her eyes. "Please girl, have I taught you nothing? You don't need a man. You're a diva. Tell you what, if nobody asks me, we'll go together. And we'll have a blast. Or you can go with Kurt and Blaine. You're part of Glee. We're pretty tightly knit. We won't let you down. Unless of course one of the guys in the school realizes how fine you are…"

"Stop Mercedes," I interrupted her. "I'm not gonna get a date to Prom."

She thought for a moment. "You know, Sam doesn't have a date, does he...?"

"He hasn't asked and I don't want to press the issue."

"Aren't you two an item? Don't give me some "we're just friends" crap, 'cause if so, you two are pretty close."

I smiled a little. "Look, we still haven't even gone to Regionals. Prom takes a backseat."

Mercedes sighed. "Fine babe. But let me know if you need anything."

I just nodded and watched her walk away. I didn't have any fire in me anymore. I wasn't angry anymore. I was…burned out. Suddenly I felt like I really was back to being the old Rachel. Set on winning and competition by day, but when that day ends, I'm left alone. No one to love me. No one who cares.

But I did have people, I guess. I have Mercedes. I have Kurt and Blaine. I have Sam.

Sam. Why did everything have to get so complicated with Sam? I don't know what changed. All of a sudden it wasn't just that he smiled at me and held my hand when we walked down the hallways. It didn't matter that he really cared. When he told me I was special, it didn't make me feel the way it felt when Finn would tell me. I felt nice. But when Finn would talk to me, I felt it in my soul. That day, when Glee was just beginning, he told me that my voice touched him in the auditorium…that made me feel better than years of my dads constantly praising me.

I could settle. I didn't have much choice but to not be picky. Finn doesn't love me. I was the school loser. I guess if someone like Sam wants me, that's what I get. But I knew what it was felt like to really love someone. How was I supposed to go back from that?

My phone beeped in my pocket, jerking me out of my thoughts.

Go to Prom, or else.

I rolled my eyes. Of course, Mercedes informs Kurt immediately.

You're at Dalton. Why do you care?

I felt bad, but I knew that would be the sting of death for him.

Because you're my friend, and imagine what would happen if, when I'm getting my fashion career started, the press gets the knowledge that I was friends with a no show at Prom?

I couldn't help but laugh out loud. Kurt to the rescue.

Plus, I already brought your tickets. Pay me back after.

Okay, not cool. It took everything I had not to turn around and head straight to Spanish to rip Mercedes' throat out. She and Kurt have been planning like this behind my back? How dare they?

That reminds me, you, 'Cedes and I are going shopping after school tomorrow. I checked your schedule, don't try and back out.

I sighed. Fine, I texted back. Now, I have to get to math. Text me later.

I put my phone in my pocket and headed to class. I sat next to Sam as usual, or at least what had become usual. He smiled and grabbed my hand. I squeezed back. Sam was nice. Sam was sweet. Sam was someone really, really great.

"I have to rehearse after school today," I told him. He nodded went back to algorithms. Great. He was definitely upset. Not that I was busy, but because I was blowing him off, again.

"I'll be available Friday," I compromised. He nodded, not looking up.

"I can't do Friday," he whispered. "Sorry."

"Oh."

I didn't know why I cared so much, but I did. Like someone had put a crater in my chest. I focused on my math work and didn't speak for the rest of the period.

Kurt POV

"Oh. My. God. Rachel, come quick."

I grabbed Rachel through the racks of clothes to show her the dress. It was a simple, elegant, and soft. The beautiful soft rose color would compliment her complexion perfectly. Without saying a word, she held up a dress she had in her hands. This one had clearly been picked by Mercedes. It was a beautiful dark blue with a deep V-neck that was cluttered with silver beading and decoration.

"Which one do you like more?" I asked, not-so-subtly edging my pick towards her.

"They're both beautiful," she said simply. I sighed. She just was not worked up about Prom.

"Come on Rachel. This is Prom we're talking about. You're going to go, dance, have fun, and not think about Finn."

"You told me we were going shopping. You never said anything about Prom," she pointed out.

"Damn, you caught me," I joked, rolling my eyes. "Fine. We'll go shopping for civilian clothes. But you have do face your fears sometime."

Rachel rolled her eyes uncharacteristically. "Whatever. Can we go eat?"

We headed to the vegan café on the other side of the mall. It was slightly apart from the rest of the disgusting, greasy food court, in a nice little venue that got a lot of natural sunlight. Mercedes hated it with her very core. Rach and I adored it. Healthy, tasty, and good for the complexion.

"You said I could get a burger."

My heart stopped. You have got to be kidding me. I thought he was at Quinn's. Why, oh why did they have to come here?

"C'mon Rachel, let's go this way," I diverted quickly. But it was too late. Quinn had seen us, and for some strange reason she was coming toward us.

"Hey guys," she smiled sweetly, Finn looking extremely awkward beside her.

"Quinn," I greeted curtly, my tone flat.

"We were just shopping for Prom," she informed us, her smile spreading. I nodded simply, wondering what she wanted.

"Come on, Rachel, Mercedes, we should go," I excused us. "Sorry Quinn, maybe another time."

Before she could say anything else, I quickly ushered us back to my car. We didn't say another word all the way back to Mercedes' place. When we got there, we popped in a movie (not a musical, unfortunately), had some popcorn, and acted as though nothing had happened. Something was very, very wrong.

A/N: I know this chapter sucked. I didn't really know where I was going with it. Soon I'll put in Regionals and it'll get better. Try and hold on there guys. Also, I've gotten over 100 reviews. That means so much to me and I just want to take some time to thank you guys. You are all absolutely wonderful and somewhat insane for putting up with me and my crazed rantings.