Chapter 1:

The Spark

I sat in the attic, coughing up a storm, and flailing my arms around like an idiot, trying to blow away all the dust that flew into my eyes and nose.

"Stupid dust." I cough-muttered.

I didn't really know exactly what I was looking for, but I knew I was a bored 13-year old on break, looking for something to do. That's when I found the box. I pulled it out from under three other boxes. The only reason it stuck out was because it was purple, my favorite color. I read the label on it.

Elizabeth "Beth" Corcoran

There was also a little gold star beside it. Mommy always called me her gold star for some reason. Perhaps it had something to do with her past job as the Vocal Adrenaline coach.

I blew the dust off first, and then carefully opened the box. The very first paper I grabbed was the one toward the very front of the box. My birth certificate. Elizabeth Rachel Corcoran, born June 8, 2010. Well, nothing out of the ordinary there. I grabbed the next few papers and found that they were just old photographs of me as a baby, and as a toddler. I grabbed the next paper. I looked at it. Adoption papers. I couldn't believe it. Was there a chance I could be… Adopted? No. It wasn't possible. Mommy would've told me. Right? I walked downstairs and ran into the kitchen, where mom was sitting. I mean, I knew I had no father figure. But adoption?

"What are these?" I ordered, the old papers in my hand. Mommy's eyes filled with worry.

"Beth, what were you doing in the attic?" Mom asked me.

"Answer the question." I said, feeling tears gather up in my throat. "Am. I. Adopted."

Mom nodded, shame showing on her face.

"Mom, how could you? Or should I say, 'Shelby'. How could you go on 13 years, lying to me…?"

I saw tears running down her face.

"Mommy, I want answers." I said, taking a seat next to her.

She explained everything to me, not holding back. She explained the William McKinley High Glee club to me, and the role it played. She explained why my name was Beth. My mom even talked about the night I was born, and Regionals.

"Wow." I said in amazement. She nodded.

"Mommy, that's a great story." I said.

"Great indeed. Now, get to bed. You don't want bags under your eyes, now do you." she said.

I nodded. But little did she know that she sent a spark flying, which would soon turn into an inferno.