Okay so this is my first ever Glee fan fic and as you will tell pretty much right away it's rather heavy AU. Okay I'm not going to BS any of you. I am so not up on all this AU, OCC and what not fanfic, fandom language. I'm 21 so I'm old I guess or I've just been living under a rock I'm not quite sure which. But anyway this story is well I have no clue really what you would class it as but I am sure you will all figure it out as you read and hopefully will come to just enjoy it for whatever wacky mess it turns out to be lol!

I have no idea how you guys and girls are going to react to this fic. Anyway I just hope you enjoy it and let me know what you think and speculate and all that great stuff. I really just want to write something that you're going to enjoy reading, isn't that the main goal at the end of the day? If you do have any questions never feel shy to ask them, I will do my best to answer them all as best I can. I just want to say thank you for reading and for those of you who review (if you do) thank you too, so much cause I know how easy it can be to read and not leave a review, reviews I swear to god can be harder than writing the actual story. So anyway enough of me yammering on let's get this started...

Second Chances, Strippers & Stars

Chapter 1

"Auditions, Temptation & Fresh Starts"

Dreams, they can be taken for granted, ignored even forgotten but no matter what you do with them they are so irreplaceable in what they offer you. Dreams can be your comfort at night, your escape in the day or even your entire life goal. No matter what type of dream it is there is always something about it that reveals your hearts greatest desire, need or regret.

For Rachel her dream was all she had right now because her reality had recently become even harsher than normal. Moving away from everything she had ever known to a new town, a new school she had yet to start and a new set of circumstances that were anything but easy. Yes this was her reality now but it wasn't going to be this way forever, oh no not for Rachel, Rachel had dreams, big dreams but they were more than dreams one day her dreams would be her reality.

One day Rachel's reality would be her name shining brightly on a marquee and performing to packed houses of adoring fans some of which would even be waiting for her at the stage door. Yes one day this would be Rachel's reality because one day Rachel Barbra Berry was going to be a star. Rachel wasn't completely unrealistic though, considering she was only fourteen she still knew to get that reality wasn't going to be easy or without hard work. But Rachel had more than just a dream of her future reality to get lost in at night when she slept, or to fantasise over when she got bored in English, Rachel had a plan.

"Rachel?" The familiar voice rings out through the chilly, cramped one bedroom apartment as the spring sun starts to creep in through the drawn curtains. As much as she knew she had to answer Rachel really didn't want to. It was so much easier to stay tucked away in the security of her covers and soft pillows than to actually get up and face reality once again.

That morning, like most mornings the covers seemed like the perfect hiding place, they were there and all though they didn't offer much of a hiding spot they were all she had without actually getting out of bed and that would be defeating the purpose.
"Rachel!" The voice calls out again, this time louder and clearly getting closer. Not even five seconds pass before the clicks of high heeled boots ring out from making contact with the hardwood bedroom floor. "It's half seven already and you haven't even sat up straight yet, let alone eaten or god forbid got washed and dressed." The voice continued making Rachel's eyes shut tighter in attempt to block the words out to no avail. "Rach, come on seriously get up, we really can't be late on our first day at a new school." The voice pointed out the stress in her own voice evident which quickly tugged at Rachel's guilt.

Slowly Rachel peals back the cover from her head and squints at the bright sun now filling up the bedroom before slowly making eye contact with the face behind the voice that had woken her from her dreams.
"Or we could just not go at all and then we wouldn't be late." Rachel suggests sheepishly, knowing she was pushing her luck but still deciding to try all the same. Her big brown eyes grow wide and puppy dog like as she tires her utmost to sell her suggestion on what she knew was a tough buyer.
"Hmm nice try darling but not a chance, we've already been out of school for three months and I've got all kinds of do gooders breathing down my neck, we really can't risk it. Now come on, go and get dressed and I'll make us some breakfast." The voice explains as a smile crosses her lip gloss covered lips making Rachel's heart melt.

It never ceased to amaze Rachel just how strong and together her sister was, she was only two and a bit years older than Rachel but here she was practically being a mother to her and that was nothing new, Lexi had been doing it since the day Rachel was born.

After seeing Rachel shuffle off in to the bathroom, Lexi finally lets out a sigh the worry and concern she tried so desperately to hide from her sister finally escaping somewhat. Lexi knew today was going to be a long day, between starting at this new school, making sure Rachel was okay and then working till god knows what time Lexi was going to be dead on her feet but it had to be done. Lexi tugs at her black bootleg jeans, shuffling them back up her curvy hips. She ties her waist long brown hair into a bun, using the long length to her advantage so she didn't have to use a band. Lexi then looks towards the time; thankful pancakes were not only easy but quick.

As the third pancake slides from the pan onto one of the plates Lexi's phone starts to ring and Lexi lets out a groan quickly positioning the phone between her ear and shoulder as she continues making breakfast.
"Hello?" She answers her voice sharper than normal as she was trying to concentrate on three things at once.
"Hey mamacita..." The voice from the other end of the conversation replies making Lexi's heart jump in to her mouth.
"Spider?" She whispers quickly looking to see if Rachel was still in the bathroom. "Look, I'm really busy right now..."
"Hey, hey calm down. I'm ringing 'cause I have a spot for you tonight if you're interested." Spider explains his Mexican accent making every word seem that much smoother than it should. Lexi flips another pancake and takes the phone in to her left hand, her eyes still focused on that bathroom door making sure Rachel didn't walk out and hear her.

"Spider I told you before I'm not doing that anymore. Look, you really helped me and I appreciate that, you know I do but I have to be careful now. I've got me and Rachel starting school again and this cleaning job after school and yeah it will be tight but we're going to make it." Lexi explains being as careful with her words as she could, not wanting to do anything to anger this man who she knew she didn't want as an enemy.
"Look mammy that's great but you do this job tonight you won't have to work all month. We have this friend of mine coming in for a party, she is beyond loaded and is bringing her loaded friends with her. She's a big tipper..."
"How big?" Lexi asks before she can even stop herself, quickly regretting it as it made her sound like she was interested which she wasn't.
"She uses hundreds like they were singles mammy." He explains causing Lexi to bite down on her bottom lip hard; she couldn't lie she was more than tempted. Sure this would be a quick fix for cash but Lexi knew she had to play this straight, she couldn't risk any one finding out she had too much to lose.
"I'm sorry Spider but I can't. Thank you for thinking of me but I just can't risk it..."
"Look, you don't have to explain sweetness I understand. Just know the door is always open for you, always. You need me you call alright? Good luck with your new job mamacita, I'll speak to you soon." He blows a kiss down the phone not letting Lexi get another word in before hanging up.

Just then the bathroom door opens up and Rachel walks out with a frown as she pulls her hair back into her red headband.
"Who were you talking to?" She asks curiously, her face turning in to a smile seeing the breakfast laid out on the small table in the middle of the kitchen.
"My new boss" Lexi lies much too easily her heart panging with guilt, she hated not being honest with Rachel but there were some things this innocent, delicate young girl just didn't need to know about. "Now you're going to have to eat pretty quick okay, it's going to take us a good ten minutes to drive to Carmel from here." Lexi reminds her as she places her pancake filled plate in front of Rachel and pats her back, still having a thousand things to do before they left.

Rachel just nods quickly digging in to her pancakes with a smile but as she looks up and sees her sister running around the small, cramped apartment, flustered and leaving her own food to get cold Rachel couldn't help but sigh.
"Are you not going to eat yours?" She asks knowingly as Lexi folds up the blanket on the sofa and drapes it over the back, tidying the cushions as she went. Lexi stands up straight and flashes her younger sibling a grin, topping it off with a wink, her brown eyes glimmering in the sunlight that was pouring in from the window she was stood in front of.
"Of course I am, so don't get any ideas they are mine." Lexi replies with a giggle rushing back over to the table and digging her fork in taking a large bite before giving Rachel a look that said 'Happy now' and then swigging it down with some orange juice. "Right, we have five minutes and then we've got to be out of here." She adds as Rachel rolls her eyes.

Lexi sinks down in to the seat next to her seeing the insecurities flash across Rachel's face.
"Listen to me Rach, I know you're nervous but that's normal I am too. It's a new school, a new town, new people but the one thing that's the same is the one thing that matters... you've got me." Lexi assures her with a bright smile as she reaches over and squeeze's Rachel's resting hand gently.
"I know but it's not fair you having to baby sit me at school because I am socially awkward and can't make friends of my own or I just seem to attract the harshness of my peers..." Rachel whispers, her eyes not leaving the half eaten pancake she was starring at so intently.
"Rachel, I do not baby sit you at all. I just do what any big sister would do I look out for you and you do not attract harshness, they are just bullies okay? They are just insecure people who see you, so beautiful and talented and special and get jealous and know of no other way to deal with their insecurities than to lash out at you. Now come on, you have your plan and I know you're not going to let some insecure assholes ruin that are you?" Lexi reminds her finally making Rachel lift her head up and look at her.

The last six months had been tough on both girls in the same and in different ways but through it all the bond they shared hadn't changed once and it never would. Rachel had always had this unwavering confidence in her abilities and all though that hadn't changed; her confidence in herself in general had been knocked. But who could blame her, she had been bullied at their last school, at least in till Lexi had stepped in but it was enough to make Rachel insecure especially on top of everything else that had happened.
"No you're right I have my plan and part of that plan is going to school and getting good grades and making my way to Broadway." Rachel states with a determination that lit up her entire face and made Lexi's worrying heart warm.
"That's my star!" Lexi beams leaning over and kissing her head as she looks to the time. "Okay star, time for you to get shooting to school." She says standing up and grabbing both her and Rachel's bags from by the front door. Rachel was still nervous but kept the smile on her face her sisters words, like always, having had a great effect on her.

Shelby Corcoran was of course already at the school, the halls were refreshingly empty as the clock read five to eight. This was probably Shelby's favourite time at work, just before the start of the school day and everything was still fresh and there to be got. Shelby smiles at her handy work as she smoothes down the poster she was hanging up on to notice board just in front of the main doors. Shelby knew her confident smile would most likely be gone by the end of the auditions her poster was advertising for but at this point she could still hope and dream that someone amazing would walk in and blow her away. She was almost praying for them to.

Shelby had been the director of Carmel's glee club Vocal Adrenaline for almost five years and she loved it, even the stress and responsibility she enjoyed in some sick twisted way. She guessed it was the distraction that being so busy and overwhelmed gave her that she truly loved. The ability to completely in gross in something and hide away from all the fears, regrets and pain that filled her mind when given the chance to think, was something she could never pass up on. Shelby knew that was part of the reason she and her team had been so successful, she had been able to commit herself to it one hundred and ten percent and in return expected nothing less from her team. Shelby wasn't there to be a friend to her students, she wasn't there to hold their hands, Shelby was there to help them win and boy did they know it. Coach Corcoran was feared alright, she had a reputation of perfection and it wasn't just something she expected she demanded it and if she didn't get it may god have mercy on your soul.

The team was starting to look stale though and that certainly wasn't going to do, Shelby all though hesitant to hold open auditions knew it was their only real chance of finding anyone. Shelby had one star on her team and he was fantastic but he wasn't extraordinary and his attitude really didn't help him. Sure Shelby had attitude and arrogance and a lot of the time she encouraged her students to have that too but Jesse took it to a whole new level, a level that was a hindrance more than an asset. Shelby knew she needed someone to match or even rival his talent to send the lad down a peg or two but finding them was going to be some task, but that was what Shelby did.

As she walks back in to her office, her hands clasping the last few left over posters and flyers she notices someone sat in her office chair.
"Excuse me?" She says loudly, making her presence known as quickly as possible her authoritative voice booming through the small room. Slowly the black leather chair spins around and reveals and all too familiar face from Shelby's past. "Helena?" Shelby asks questioningly noticing the dark brown hair, in loose curls pulled back in to a headband and large Gucci sunglasses covering the person's eyes.
"Well who else do you know who can afford Gucci?" The woman asks with a grin, her English accent making Shelby's lips turn into a smile.
"What are you doing here?!" Shelby asks in astonishment, throwing the posters to her desk and pulling Helena up and in to a tight squeeze of a hug.
"Me? Excuse me but when does Shelby Corcoran teach?" Helena bats back removing her sunglasses to reveal her ever distinctive and bright blue eyes.
"Well I had to do something after New York, which speaking off why aren't you there? Don't you have some board meeting to sleep through...? I mean chair?" Shelby mocks having missed this kind of back and forth for far too long. Helena laughs and waves her hand in front of her face in a 'pfft' manner.
"Believe me, they can cope without me. Looks like I got here just in time though..." Helena says taking a long hard look at her oldest and dearest friend as she chews on the end of her sunglasses. Shelby frowns looking down at what she was wearing wondering where the look of disapproval was coming from. "Your skirt is actually past your knees and I see no cleavage. Sweetie, I know you're a teacher but with a figure like yours you should be flaunting it not hiding it." Helena explains reaching over and trying to undo one of the buttons on Shelby's silk purple blouse. Shelby instinctively pushes Helena's hand away and bites back her urge to laugh.
"I work with horny teenage boys all day long, I'm not risking anything." Shelby points out her eyebrows rising in a suggestive manner that only make's Helena giggle in excitement.
"Well surely some of them have to be worth more than a sly look when they bend over?" Helena asks perching herself on the edge of her best friend's desk. Shelby rolls her eyes and laughs walking around to the chair and sitting down pulling herself into the gap.
"And this is why you could never be a teacher..."
"Oh we both know it wouldn't be the pretty little boys I'd be after." Helena remarks crossing one leg over the other as she starts to fiddle with one of Shelby's ornaments.

"So come on, what are you doing here of all places? Ms New York only leaves to go to London, Paris & the Bahamas I seem to remember you telling me." Shelby asks sorting out a few of her papers trying to avoid the urge to slap Helena's hands away again.
"Well, turns out I had to be in town for some business anyway and I knew you were here so I thought why not make a real trip out of it, like the old days?" Helena asks as her smile just grows wider and her eyes flash with mischievousness that Shelby knew all too well. Shelby had seen that look many a time back in New York when Helena was trying to stand on her own two feet and helping Shelby out with somewhere to stay while she was busy auditioning for every show imaginable. Both girls had been in their early twenties and had on more than one occasion painted the town every shade of red imaginable well in to the next day.
"Helena it's a Monday and I know what a night out with you turns in to." Shelby replies trying to hide the fact the suggestion had more that pricked her interest. It had been far too long since she was able to let her hair down and just have fun and she knew with Helena fun was a given. Helena leans across the desk and brings her eyes to meet dead centre with Shelby's. She raises her eyebrows and Shelby knew she couldn't say no, those eyes, that look that just took her back to all those years before when everything was less complicated. "Fine, I'll come but there are conditions." Shelby explains earning a yawn from Helena who unlike Shelby didn't have commitments, at least she didn't have any that she couldn't break and get away with due to her money and status. "One, I'll drink but I'm not getting paralytic..." Shelby continues quickly holding her hand in front of Helena's face to stop her from speaking. "Second, I am to be in MY own bed no later than two, do we understand?" Shelby asks turning her hand so it was now awaiting a handshake to seal the deal.
"Fine, deal but you are seriously getting buttoned up way too tight in your old age for my liking" Helena snipes jokingly sliding off of the desk and shaking Shelby's strong hand. "I'll pick you up for eight, be ready and make sure you've eaten. We don't want empty stomachs..." Helena smirks before leaning over and kissing Shelby's cheek and picking up her car keys from the side before leaving. Shelby flops back into her seat and just lets out a strong breath, shaking her head and wondering just what she had let herself in for.

Carmel High School was bigger than the last one Lexi and Rachel had been to but the students were basically the same as at any high school. Lexi as always didn't seemed phased at all, her brown eyes were focused and her posture straight, shoulders back and most of all chin up. Lexi had learnt from a very young age that this approach was best, not many people were brave enough to start with her and if they were they soon regretted it. Rachel had her own way of coping, she kept her head mid level, not looking down afraid but not looking for trouble by sticking her head right up like Lexi. Rachel was so much more fragile & petite than Lexi, in frame, height and guard but she still did have one it was just different. Rachel smoothes down her pleated skirt as they make their way out of the principles' office, equipped with their new schedules.
"Okay so you said you have maths? I'll walk you to class and then head off to..." Lexi explains looking down at her own schedule with a sigh. Rachel quickly looks over her sister's shoulder and smirks at what she sees.
"Science and it's a double." Rachel explains causing Lexi's jaw to actually fall open in shock.
"Science?! First thing on a Monday... oh dear god and it's a double." Lexi protests aloud before turning her attention back to Rachel who was gone. Lexi turns around to find her now smiling and looking at something on the notice board near the entrance.

"What are you grinning at?" Lexi asks making her way over and looking over her sister shoulder to see the poster that had a music notes on it. She reaches over and plucks it from the board before motioning with it to Rachel.
"It's a poster for auditions for the schools Glee club called Vocal Adrenaline" Rachel explains making Lexi's eyes narrow curiously.
"Do you want to try out?" She asks causing Rachel to give her a knowing glare. "Of course you do. Well you should, go for it." Lexi encourages seeing a light spark in to Rachel's brown eyes that she hadn't seen since all this started. Rachel's eyes ponder the poster for a second longer before a strong nod comes over her head.
"You know what I will." Rachel affirms grinning brightly, snatching the poster from Lexi's hand and standing up on her tip toes to hug her sister tightly. "I'll see you at lunch" Rachel chirps before quickly disappearing off to find her first class on her own, much to Lexi's shock but also happiness. Maybe this would be what Rachel needed to find contentment again.

The first class was easy enough to find and Rachel quickly apologized for being late and explained she was new before taking her seat at the back of the room and getting out her newly bought text book. As the teacher got underway writing various problems on to the board Rachel found she was unable to even look up at the board, her eyes were far too interested in the poster that was now sat over one of the pages of her book.
"You're not actually thinking of trying out are you?" A voice asks from behind her, causing every hair on Rachel's neck to stand to attention. Rachel felt paralyzed something about the voice made her almost feel inferior. She gulps back her insecurities and just gives a faint nod keeping her brown eyes on the paper in front of her as her wrist flicks her pencil across the page as she tries to catch up with what had been written on the board. "Well you shouldn't we have VERY high standard in VA and I just don't think you'd cut it. I'm not trying to be mean; I'm just trying to save you from some social embarrassment." The voice pipes up again, this time seemingly closer which only made Rachel more uncomfortable.
"I don't need saving from social embarrassment or anything else, thank you." Rachel replies sharply, shocking herself with her own tongue but proudly so, she smiles when the voice goes quiet and just tries to focus on her work.

As the bell rings Rachel quickly tries to place her books back in to her bag when she notices someone stood in front of her desk. Rachel does her best not to let their presence affect her and continues to put away her things, her actions becoming more frantic. Finally the books are away and she stands up only to come face to face with blue eyes and a mound of curly brown hair. Rachel couldn't deny the face was rather good looking but the look in his eyes was anything but attractive.
"Did you want something?" Rachel asks sarcastically, her shoulders hunching as she clutches her bag closer to her chest. The boy smiles having not seen her face before, he was suddenly struck by just how beautiful she was.
"Jesse!" A smaller girl hisses her elbow connecting with the blue eyed boys' ribs hard.
"Uh right" He says shaking off the cobwebs and focusing on what they were doing again but as hard as he tried the words just wouldn't come out. Rachel's brown eyes fix on his seeing whatever was behind them before vanish but also recognising his voice as the one from behind her in class.
"God, I'll do it myself." The girl snaps pushing the boy back and standing in front of Rachel no more than an inch apart. "Do yourself a favour and DON'T take this as a warning, this isn't us suggesting, this is us TELLING you. Stay away from Vocal Adrenaline auditions because if you show up, we promise you..." She looks behind her to the boy who still hadn't taken his eyes from Rachel. "You'll regret it." The girl finishes shouldering Rachel back in to the seat she had just stood up from. "I mean look at you, not exactly pretty are you?" She laughs as her hand reaches for Rachel's skirt. "And clearly your fashion is stuck in the 1950's and that just won't do. We have a reputation of being not only the hottest vocalists and dancers but the hottest lookers too. And if by some miracle you managed to sing just well enough to get in your face would scare off any judge and your body well... twelve year olds aren't exactly hot stuff now are they?" She smirks seeing her words were starting to have effect as Rachel's eyes look down at her own body. "Can you say all A's" The girl laughs referring to Rachel's breasts. "No seriously little girl, just stay away" She sneers before patronisingly patting Rachel on top of the head and strutting away. Jesse though doesn't move and as Rachel's now glossy eyes look up towards him he finds himself about to reach out for her hand. "JESSE!" The girl screams from the doorway waking him from his trance and quickly springing him in to action as he rushes back to his friend.

By the time lunch had come around Lexi was just about ready to put her head inside a gas oven, she had understood nothing in any of her classes and only managed to keep awake in Science because the threat of the Bunsen burner setting fire to her waist long hair was far too real. The canteen was understandably packed but Lexi wasn't awfully bothered, food was actually the last thing on her mind, she just wanted to find Rachel.
"Rachel?" Lexi calls out noticing her little sister sat slumped at the bottom of one of the staircases near the canteen entrance. Rachel's chin was rested on the palms of her hands as she had both elbows on her lap, this wasn't a good sign. "Has something happened?" Lexi asks finally close enough that she didn't have to shout over the traffic of students walking through the corridor. Rachel's brown eyes slowly look up and the look said everything. 'Oh crap' Lexi thinks silently, shifting herself against the railing of the staircase and reaching her arm through the gap to stroke Rachel's hair back. "What's happened? You were so excited before about the auditions; don't tell me Maths was that bad?" Lexi asks trying her best to keep it light hearted but failing miserably.

"I had a run in with some of the kids who are already in it and they were right, everything they said was right. I'm far too ugly and I look like a twelve year old I mean really I know boys with bigger breasts than I have. I have no idea what I was even thinking going to audition..." Rachel starts to fire off sentence after sentence the speed in which she spoke picking up more and more with every word it was hard for Lexi to keep up. "I mean I know I can sing and I can hold more than my own in that respect but if they are all caught up in looks then I'm..."
"Hey... calm down." Lexi says calmly trying to grab Rachel's attention which thankfully she did. "They said you were ugly?" She asks needing conformation before she went and killed whoever said it, her hands quickly shaking as the anger surges through her body. Rachel was far too hurt to even think about what Lexi's reaction would be and just nods lost in her own thoughts. "Who was it? Do you know their names?" Lexi pushes wanting to make sure she got the right person all though she was more than willing to take them all down to make sure she got the right one.
"No." Rachel lies she only knew the boys name but he hadn't actually said anything well not since she looked in her eyes. Rachel wasn't sure why but she just couldn't throw him under the bus even if he probably did deserve to be.

Lexi's anger moves to the side once she sees just how upset her baby sister was, it hurt her like nothing else and all though it made her anger worse at the same time it made her calm down.
"Okay well, you're going to listen to me not to them." Lexi instructs moving over and sitting down next to Rachel whose head instantly finds its place on Lexi's shoulder. "Fuck them, fuck what they say because it's all jealous bull shit." Lexi spats her arm securely wrapping over Rachel's delicate shoulder. "Rach, once you get on that stage and sing the last thing you will be thinking about is them and their lies. You don't need me to tell you how beautiful you are, inside and out because deep down you already know that. What you need to do is go in to those auditions and do what you do best, own that fucking stage!" Lexi explains making Rachel laugh and smile from ear to ear. "See there she is there's my star." Lexi states leaning in and kissing Rachel's temple seeing she still wasn't full convinced on it.

"What have I got to do to get you to go huh?" Lexi asks nudging her sister with her shoulder playfully and pulling a face. Rachel laughs again and just shrugs as Lexi leans in even closer. "Come on, I know there's something running through that mind of yours." Lexi prods to which Rachel finally sighs and clears her throat.
"Will you come with me? Please?" Rachel asks with nervous eyes her head still leaning on her sister's protective, strong shoulder that had always been there to cry and lean on all of her life. Rachel normally did everything to hide her insecurities but with Lexi she knew she didn't have to and there would be no point even trying. Lexi just laughs and lets her head fall back and forth in a strong nod.
"Of course I will, can I bring a banner with 'GO RACHEL!' written on it or would that be too much?" Lexi jokes making Rachel shove her away playfully. "No seriously of course I'll come what time are they?"
"Uh half three till like six but I guess that depends what time you get seen." Rachel replies having mesmerised the times within seconds of seeing the poster.

Lexi felt her heart actually fall in her chest, she had work her first day at a new job how in the hell could she explain this to her boss?
"Shit" She mutters with frustration not meaning for it to be said out loud but it was too late it had.
"What?" Rachel asks her face falling at the thought of her sister not being able to be there with her, really not knowing if she could do it without her. Lexi's eyes melt the second she sees the look on Rachel's face, she couldn't let her down these auditions had been the happiest she had seen Rachel in months.
"I'm supposed to be working but..." Lexi thinks through what to do but she knew there was only ever going to be one outcome. "... Don't worry about it okay? I'll call in and I'll sort it all out and come three thirty I'll be right by your side, cheering you on as you knock all those assholes off the map, okay?" Lexi assures her hiding her own fear as best as she could. Rachel knew Lexi needed this job though and after all this was just some stupid high school Glee club, work and money were far more important. But before she could object Lexi had already stood up and pressed her finger to Rachel's lips to shush her. "No arguments, now go get something to eat and then get to class okay? I'll meet you outside the auditorium at twenty past three okay?" Lexi says firmly so Rachel knew better than to argue.
"Okay..." Rachel says sweetly her face returning to that of contentment again feeling much more confident now she knew Lexi would be with her. Lexi would do anything to see that look on Rachel's face so it was more than worth it even if she could lose her job. "Lex?" Rachel calls out before Lexi could get too far away. "I love you" She says once they were making eye contact again.
"I love you too Rach, now go on go get some food and I'll see you later." Lexi replies watching as Rachel, scoops up her bag and disappears into the canteen again. The second Rachel was gone though Lexi let the heaviest sigh of her life leave her lungs, time to face the music and call her boss.

Just as Lexi had guessed and rightly so she was fired even before she had started her job. Lexi laughs knowing if she didn't she would cry and Lexi Berry didn't cry, especially not in a public place. Lexi leans back against the brick wall and just stares at her phone her conversation with Spider from that morning running around in her head like a pinwheel. Lexi knew she needed money and she needed it fast. 'How in the hell are we going to survive?' She rants inwardly, biting on her thumb nail as she paces back and forth, her heels clicking loudly against the concrete. 'Maybe if I just worked tonight for Spider then I could give myself time to find something else...' she pondered the allure of this big spending friend of his having really gotten to her. 'No! No don't be so stupid Lexi. You have to play this straight; if you ever got caught... no, no I'll think of something I always do.' Lexi argues with her own brain, the sensible side and the practical side each making a compelling argument and driving her further insane. Finally the bell rang and shot her back to reality and for a short amount of time would be some kind of distraction from the dilemma she was now in.

The end of the school day came around a lot faster than either Rachel or Lexi expected after the long, dragging morning but they were thankful all the same.
"Hey, so you ready to knock some socks off?" Lexi asks greeting her younger sister with a tight hug as they meet up outside the auditorium. Rachel bites her lip hard but nods the confidence in her abilities now taking over and pushing all other doubts firmly away. It was hard for her though, in the last six months she felt as though she'd lost her shine. Rachel before had always thought she was the best and mainly that was because, she was. But after everything the past six months, well year and a half really if you count everything, had thrown at Lexi and herself it was hard to keep that same belief. "Good, that's my star." Lexi says proudly as a tall blonde lady, probably in her mid twenties walks out to the small group of them waiting.

"Okay guys so my name is Amanda, I'm Coach Corcoran's assistant. Now basically how today is going to work is like this. Coach Corcoran is only interested in the voice today, so these will be blind auditions. She will be sat with her back to you and just listening to what you sing so those of you with dance routines figured out may wanna hold back." She explains with a smile as a few of the group let out disappointed groans. "Now as soon as you're finished she'll probably ask you a few questions and then she let you know her decision. Try not to get too disheartened though okay? Coach Corcoran has a very specific thing she's looking for so if she does say no, don't take it to heart." The young blonde continues knowing for some of these young kids rejection could be hard to take. "Right well I'll lead you all through to the backstage so you can warm up and we'll get started." She explains her hands clamped together enthusiastically as she leads the thirty odd students through the darkened auditorium and to the backstage area.

Soon enough people were doing scales, stretching, applying extra make up and checking hair in the mirror all praying they would have what Coach Corcoran was looking for.
"So what are you going to sing?" Lexi asks now sat up on one of the prop boxes, her long legs swinging as she chews on some gum trying to occupy her mind from other thoughts.
"Well, I thought about maybe doing Journey..."
"What? Rachel, honey I will kick your ass myself if you do 'Don't Stop Believing' Now don't get me wrong, hell of a song, when you're drunk but it's been done to DEATH. Besides your voice is way too good to waste on 'Journey'" Lexi interrupts making Rachel's eyebrows rise questioningly. "What?"
"You for a second there sounded like you knew what you were talking about." Rachel points out with a giggle and Lexi just shakes her head giving a swift backhand swipe to her sister's arm.
"Look just because I don't sing doesn't mean I don't still know a thing or two. I sat in on your vocal lessons for years and there is only so much Tupac full blast can block out."
"You choose not to sing, you could if you wanted to. I still think there is something seriously wrong with you for not even wanting to. I know having me and my voice as competition is a lot to live up to but I swear I wouldn't judge you no matter how awful your voice may be." Rachel sasses making Lexi's big brown eyes narrow.
"Don't push it, just do your vocal warm ups."
"Don't you want to know what I'm singing?" Rachel questions with an ever bright smile.
"Well if it's not Journey, I guess it's going to be Barbra? Or should that be Fanny?"
"How in the world did you guess that?" Rachel asks mocking shock to which Lexi just shrugs her shoulders.
"Lucky guess" Both girls laugh as the auditions start to begin. "Alright" Lexi says jumping down off of the prop box and back to her feet. "I will see you after okay? I can't stand here and listen because I'll either cry or smack the coach in the mouth if they say no, which they won't!" She adds quickly, her eyes becoming focused and serious on Rachel's again. "I'll be right outside the main doors okay? You're going to blow them away so don't even think about getting nervous." Lexi assures her grabbing Rachel by the shoulders and pulling her in close before kissing her cheek lightly. "I love you" She whispers before disappearing back out of the auditorium.

Rachel takes in a deep breath as she hears person after person get unceremoniously told no by an unfamiliar and yet still terrifying voice. It wasn't overly harsh but it was to the point, crisp and precise and to someone who was desperately hoping to impress, dream shattering. Rachel's stomach was suddenly swirling in every direction possible, she hadn't sung in front of an audience of any kind in six months, what if she no longer could sing? What if she wasn't good enough anymore? What if she was going to hear that 'no'?
"Rachel, you're up honey." Amanda says softly from in front of the curtain having poked her head around just enough to be seen. Rachel's head snaps in the direction of the voice and flashes her best smile to the assistant, no time to worry now, it was show time.

Shelby was mentally and physically drained each one of her classes that day had been a disaster, with students not listening or just not understanding the work. And now here she was sat with her back to the stage trying to resist the urge to call off the rest of the auditions and just go home. The first five had been mediocre at best but then after that the standards had nose dived. Shelby really was losing the will to go on but this had been her idea and even if it was sinking faster than the titanic, Shelby was going to see it out to the end.

Rachel stands up, coaching herself mentally to keep breathing, her hands tied together in front of her nervously. As the stage lights hit her Rachel has to take a second before finally opening up her eyes and looking out at the sea of seats in front of her. Rachel could never explain it but something happened to her when she was on a stage or singing, it was as though the rest of the world just disappeared and it was just her, the song and her voice. There was a few seconds silence before Amanda gave the cue to start the music and the second the first note rang through the auditorium Rachel's whole presence changed and the music and her voice just took over.

"Don't tell me not to live, just sit and putter
Life's candy and the sun's a ball of butter
Don't bring around a cloud to rain on my parade
Don't tell me not to fly, I simply got to
If someone takes a spill, it's me and not you
Who told you you're allowed to rain on my parade
I'll march my band out, I'll beat my drum
And if I'm fanned out, your turn at bat, sir
At least I didn't fake it, hat, sir
I guess I didn't make it
But whether I'm the rose of sheer perfection
A freckle on the nose of life's complexion
The cinder or the shiny apple of its eye
I gotta fly once, I gotta try once,
Only can die once, right, sir?
Ooh, life is juicy, juicy and you see,
I gotta have my bite, sir.
Get ready for me love, 'cause I'm a "comer"
I simply gotta march, my heart's a drummer
Don't bring around the cloud to rain on my parade,

I'm gonna live and live NOW!
Get what I want, I know how!
One roll for the whole shebang!
One throw that bell will go clang,
Eye on the target and wham,
one shot, one gunshot and bam!
Hey, Mr. Arnstein, here I am ...

I'll march my band out, I will beat my drum,
And if I'm fanned out, your turn at bat, sir,
At least I didn't fake it, hat, sir,
I guess I didn't make it
Get ready for me love, 'cause I'm a "comer"
I simply gotta march, my heart's a drummer
Nobody, no, nobody, is gonna rain on my parade!"

As Rachel's voice sends the last perfect note in to the back seat of the auditorium everything falls deafly silent. Rachel takes in a deep breath as she falls back down onto the flats of her feet having been stood on her tip toes during the last note. Her hands quickly return to in front of her waist and her fingers interlock nervously not sure if the silence was good or bad.

From the first second Shelby had heard this girl sing Shelby knew she was talented but as the song progressed the higher and straighter the hairs on Shelby's skin stood. By the time the last note was echoing through her ears the hairs had damn near shot off, this girl was beyond talented she was extraordinary. It took Shelby a few seconds to realise this wasn't a dream but just an answer to the prayer she had been asking for all day. As quickly as she could Shelby jumps to her feet and turns around to face the young girl, needing and wanting to get a look of the face that belonged to this incredible voice. Shelby's eyes scan across the stage and finally meet the petite, young and beautiful dark haired girl who had just given a performance any professional would kill to be able to do. But as her young face comes in to focus Shelby's heart stops dead in her chest it was as though she was starring in to a mirror. Shelby's jaw locks in place and her mouth dries as the realisation starts to hit her.
"What did you... what did you say your name was?" Shelby asks barely able to project her voice loud enough to reach the front row let alone the stage. Rachel's posture straightens and taking a second to clear her throat before answers, her face turns into one locked with confidence.
"Rachel, Rachel Berry"

I'm sure you all have questions about this...
Why is Lexi working and worrying so much about money?
What is she going to do now she's lost her job?
Is Spider's offer going to become too tempting to pass up?
What is Jesse's game?
How is Shelby going to deal with the fact Rachel is the name behind that amazing voice?

The next chapter will give you some of the answers you are (hopefully) looking for. I will say this though, a lot of the questions and mysterious within this fic will be answered as we go along. I like to let things get answered as we go along rather than write out long explanations with in the chapter. I try (Try being the main word lol) to answer all questions and what not as we go along in the story and I do promise they will all be answered (eventually) you just have to kind of bare with me and fingers crossed enjoy the ride in getting there as we go. I hope that makes sense and doesn't sound like one big massive rambled mess. In till the next chapter ;;'x