Disclaimer: I don't own GLEE or its characters though I wish I did.

Author's Note: MERRY CHRISTMAS, WORLD! Thanks for the awesome reviews and as my gift to you, it's a big update night! I have so many chapters typed up but I want to pace this so I won't go hog wild. Song credit last chapter was 'Yule shoot your eye out' by Fallout Boy. Enjoy this chapter and look out for more reviews tonight! LOVE TO ALL!

Once he departs, she feels a part of the weight on her shoulders disappear as she crosses her legs primly, remembering Mr. Schue wanted to talk to her. The teacher heaves a sigh, taking a seat on the edge of the piano, facing her as he meets her eye grimacing.

"Yes, Mr. Schue?" she presses.

"What's going on, Rachel?" he asks on his exhale.

"What do you mean?"

He sighs again, running a hand over his face in exhaustion. "You know what I'm talking about." She stares at him expectantly. "Refusing solos, being quiet, letting people say things with disregard, Finn singing that song...what's going on? You're...not you anymore."

She rolls her eyes and exhales loudly, stopping him. "Ask...Finn" she says thickly, her mouth tasting bitter when she says his name. "He's the one making a scene."

"If this is about your issues with him" Mr. Schue says in annoyance. "Or if it's about the fact other people are getting attention then-"

She snorts, cutting him off. She feels the anger bubbling and roaring viciously in her chest as she gets to her feet, feeling something inside of her snap. "Wow...I never pinned you to be like them" she says incredulously. "I never thought you would judge me like they all do. Maybe I don't want solos because I don't enjoy it anymore...this-this dysfunctional thing you call a family. Maybe I don't want to talk because I'm sick of getting bashed every time I open my mouth. Maybe the things they all say hurt me because I'm a person with feelings and maybe it hurts even more that no one has ever stood up for me except Artie."

She makes a disgusted sound shaking her head. "If that's all..." She strides toward the door, fuming.

"Does this mean you're quitting?"

The question, so blatantly asked by Mr. Schue, freezes her as she ponders for a moment.

Quitting. Rachel Berry is no quitter. But right now, she doesn't really know who she is anymore. And maybe quitting isn't the right word.

Turning to face him, she shrugs idly. "I don't know" she says, for the first time in a while sounding confident. "I'll keep you posted."

Without allowing him to respond, she departs from the choir room. Liberation in a small form washes over her as she releases the breath she's been holding since he left her, another chunk of the weight that's been eclipsing her disappearing from her shoulders. She relishes in the foreign feeling for a brief moment, smiling softly.

The elatedness is short-lived when she spots Finn hovering by a nearby locker, hiding, and Santana's seething frame stomping towards her and a brand new burden is unleashed.

AN#2: Ooh suspense! Haha

Next Chapter (that will be posted TONIGHT): a heated confrontation...gloves up!

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