AN:/ Slight Futurefic. Un Beta'd, but I do try, sometimes my mind just works faster than my fingers, so bear with me please. Enjoy ( I hope!) More soon, this is just the setup for the most part. Will be Puckleberry soon. :)

Rachel Berry looked down at the plain, white envelope. She knew exactly what that meant. There were still a couple of minutes before glee started. She could open it now. She also could have opened it about a thousand other times since yesterday afternoon when she had gotten the letter. But she knew what would happen when she opened it. As long as it stayed inside the envelope there was still a chance.

Turning it over in her hands, she sighed and glanced at the door just in time to see Mercedes, Quinn and Kurt walk in. As they chattered, Rachel quickly shoved the letter back in her purse, zipped the bag and smoothed her skirt. She doubted they were paying any attention to her anyways, but she still wanted to keep her business her own. With a small sigh she watched as the rest of the club followed close behind. No time now. She let out an internal sigh of relief.

"So. Now that our seniors have finished applying to schools, I think it's time we get back to work. For some of you this is gonna be the last chance to win nationals. "

With that Mr. Shuester began to hand out new sheet music. With one glance Rachel knew she wouldn't need it, but focused in on the notes harder than ever. This was her last chance. Which meant she was going to have to win. Rachel Berry wanted this more than anything. She needed this. Vocal Adrenaline was done. Jesse was gone, Shelby was gone and so was any chance they had at winning. Just to prove her confidence, Rachel smiled widely and offered suggestion after suggestion until she thought she could be satisfied with the number.

It was almost enough to get the letter off of her mind. Almost, but not quite. By the end of practice, Rachel couldn't take it anymore. She knew it was time to face the music and open the damn letter.

Slowly, Rachel shuffled up the steps to the bleachers. People didn't notice her there. She was so out of place it was like people just didn't believe she was there. Sitting down, Rachel pulled out the letter and flipped it over in her hands a couple of times. She almost backed out, but before she could stop herself, she ripped the envelope open.

"Dear Rachel Berry," It read

"I am sorry to inform you that we cannot accept you to New York University.

There were many applicants this year and the process of selecting students

was very difficult. We hope..."

Rachel couldn't read any more. That was it. Everything she had ever wanted lay in her hands. Too bad it wasn't turning out the way it was supposed to. She let out a long sigh, hoping it would relieve some of the pressure in her chest. All that work. for nothing. Sure there was a back-up plan. But Rachel wasn't stupid. She knew that it she didn't get out of Lima now, she would be stuck here forever. People didn't leave too easily. She should have planned it out better, but she was so sure. The only reason she had even applied to Lima was because her dad and daddy insisted. Rachel had agreed, but she had been so sure that New York was just waiting for her.

"What's this Berry?" Noah Puckerman climbed his way down a few bleachers and snatched the letter, taking several seconds to scan it over before realizing just how important this would be to Rachel. He didn't care.

"Looks like I'm not the only one who;

's going to be a Lima loser." Puck sneered and dropped the letter again. He had really expected more of a fight from her. He was being a dick, but he was honestly happy to see Rachel get knocked down a peg or two. If the almighty star could be stuck here, it made him just a little less pathetic.

Rachel didn't speak. She just bit her lip and vowed not to cry. She had hoped to keep this to herself a little longer. But apparently not. That was just the kind of day she was having.