A/N: This is the prologue for a story idea I have. It's only setting the story up. It's not indicative of the main characters. Everything that happened in the show up until Special Education happened in this story and it is AU starting during Special Education. In short, Rachel stands up for herself and transfers to Carmel. As the female lead of Vocal Adrenaline, she is the most popular girl at Carmel. Puck and Kurt join her shortly after. Puck gets expelled from McKinley and Kurt's dad realizes he can't afford the tuition at Dalton. The main relationships will be Puck/Rachel and Shelby/Rachel. Jesse St. James will play a role later on. Shelby hurt Rachel, so Rachel will not want a relationship with her at first even though they keep running into each other at Carmel. But, as Rachel gets more and more popular and starts acting out to fit in, Shelby will step in. R&R please. I'll continue if people like this idea and are willing to be patient for another chapter or two as the relationships start to develop.

Prologue

Rachel Berry has always wanted to be a star. She has a pathological need to be popular. She craves attention and praise. She couldn't be her mother's daughter and not be a talented performer. Years of training fine-tuned her natural talent. She's the star of McKinley High School's Glee Club, New Directions. Her boyfriend is the male lead, Finn Hudson. At first glance, she's living her dream. But she's not. Being in New Directions is a nightmare for Rachel Berry. The other members don't like her. Some even hate her. They bully her. Torment her. Finn doesn't defend her. He even had sex with the biggest bully. She wants to be friends with them. But, she's not there to make friends. She's there because it's the first step on the road to stardom. Even though they don't like her, all of the members of New Directions will admit that she is the best singer they have. And she still didn't get any solos for Sectionals.

Angry and bitter, Rachel walks into the choir room, a piece of grey duct tape covering her mouth. She knows it will attract attention. Make a scene. She hopes it will make a point.

"Rachel, what are you doing?" Will asks, exasperated.

Sitting down in a chair in the back of the choir room, Rachel rips the tape off her mouth so she can answer. "I'm not doing anything. You've silenced my talents. I'm merely protesting. My talents are wasted in this club. My star shines too bright and I think you're threatened by it," Rachel says before carefully putting the tape back in place.

"Take that off! I'm tired of this, Rachel! You have a terrible attitude! You're a lousy sport and it is not okay anymore!" Will yells, frustrated.

Taken aback, Rachel looks like a wounded puppy. She can count on one hand the number of times Will Schuester has raised his voice. When she recovers, she stands up. "Well, I'm upset! I'm furious about this!" Rachel yells. She looks at Finn. "About a couple of things actually," Rachel says.

"I'm sorry you're disappointed, but you know you could also make the choice to be happy," Will says flippantly.

After class, Rachel goes into the auditorium and sits down on the piano bench. She's more comfortable here, on stage, an instrument at her fingertips than in her own home. For her, there's nowhere she'd rather be than on stage. It's the only place where people appreciate her. Where she stops being an annoying know-it-all and becomes a star.

Rachel looks up from the piano when she hears footsteps. "Hey, Rachel. I've been looking for you," Kurt says, approaching the piano.

"No, don't bother spying on me to get a leg up because the only solos I'm getting for Sectionals are in my mind," Rachel says, bitter.

"Actually I was hoping that you could help me. I've been sitting in my car for over an hour waiting for Karofsky to make a Mickey D's run. I've been invited to audition for a solo," Kurt explains.

"Why should I help you? I mean you're our competition," Rachel says.

"Because even though we hate each other, we've had our moments. And I could use your expertise. And no one knows how to kill a ballad quite like you. You are as brilliant and talented as you are irritating," Kurt says.

"Considering that this might be my only chance to sing for a little while, I'll give you a couple tips," Rachel agrees, smiling slightly. "So what did you have in mind?" Rachel asks.

"I've settled on Celine Dion's classic, My Heart Will Go On," Kurt replies.

"Oh no. You need something much more personal than that. I mean this is about you," Rachel says dismissively. "Do you ever fantasize about your own funeral?" Rachel asks.

"No," Kurt replies, staring at Rachel.

"I do. Finn throwing himself into the grave out of grief and all of the heartfelt speeches and regrets," Rachel murmurs.

"That's insane," Kurt says.

"Clearly no one in the Glee Club appreciates me so is it so wrong for me to fantasize about them finally realizing how amazing I am, but it being too late? And there's only one song that expresses those feelings. I'm sure that it's in here somewhere," Rachel says. Picking up the sheet music, she finds Don't Cry For Me Argentina.

At Sectionals all of the members of New Directions are in the green room, nervous and excited, as they wait to go on. Except Rachel Berry. She didn't get any solos. Even though she's the best singer in New Directions. The thought of Quinn as the female lead infuriates Rachel.

And, when Rachel sees Finn sitting in an armchair unperturbed, she knows they couldn't be any further apart even though they're together. He's not angry that they're not the leads. He doesn't know, or doesn't care, how much it hurts Rachel. He doesn't understand her well enough to know how much she's hurting. Which reminds her…he hurt her, too, by having sex with Santana and lying about it. The lying only made everything worse. It gave Santana ammo to use against Rachel. And she did. She told Rachel the ugly truth in the middle of Glee rehearsal. It was humiliating. Of course, Finn apparently told other people, too.

"You told Kurt," Rachel says, looking at Finn. She doesn't need to explain. He knows what she's talking about.

"I don't remember. Maybe," Finn says.

"About Finn and Santana? No, I think I told him," Mercedes corrects.

Taken aback, Rachel stares at Mercedes. How did Mercedes know? Why didn't Mercedes tell her? "Who told you?" Rachel asks.

"Me. I think Brittany told me. Or maybe it was Puck," Quinn says.

"Yeah. It was me," Puck confirms.

Blown away, Rachel looks around the green room. "Everyone knew about this but me?" Rachel asks.

"Pretty much," Tina replies.

"Nobody tells you anything because, a, you're a blabbermouth and, b, because we all just pretend to like you," Santana says, smirking.

"That's not true. I kind of like her," Puck says. He's the only one to disagree. To defend her. Not even her boyfriend steps up to defend her.

Finn stands up. "Look, you were dating another guy so you don't really have a right to be pissed at me about it, okay? And, fine, I shouldn't have lied about it, but that isn't what you care about. You care about the Santana of it all," Finn says. He doesn't sound sorry. Not that he hurt her. Not that he lied.

"Oh, who are you right now?" Rachel asks.

"Best green room ever," Lauren says, enjoying Rachel's pain and suffering.

"You know what, you guys are going to have to find somebody else to mindlessly harmonize in the background because I'm not going on stage with him!" Rachel yells.

Rachel storms out of the green room. She knows they need twelve performers to compete. She feels guilty for leaving. She doesn't know why. None of them feel guilty about hurting her.

Guilty, Rachel goes back to the green room. She needs a minute before she faces them. She knows they will attack her the second she steps into the room. From her spot just outside the green room, she can hear them talking about her.

"I'm going to kick that dwarf's ass," Santana mutters.

"Then she can perform with a black eye," Quinn says, laughter in her voice.

"Boy, you need to go talk to her. She's your girlfriend," Mercedes says.

"I don't know if she's my girlfriend anymore," Finn replies.

"Please, Man Hands has been chasing after you for a year. She's not going to break up with you," Santana scoffs.

"No, I mean I don't know if I want her to be my girlfriend anymore," Finn explains.

"I don't know what you ever saw in her," Quinn says.

"If Finn's not going to go talk to her, we need to find a new member," Puck points out.

"Everyone's replaceable. Even Rachel," Mercedes says.

It's not the first time a member of Glee Club has said Rachel is replaceable. But, Rachel decides it's going to be the last. If she's so easily replaced, she's going to let them find a replacement. In the five minutes before New Directions performs. As she walks away, she knows the few members of Glee Club that don't already hate her will hate her now.

Still wearing the white and black dress that all the female performers in New Directions are wearing, Rachel goes to the back of the theater and waits. The masochistic part of her wants to watch the performance she's no longer a part of. It hasn't even been a year since she stood in the same spot watching Vocal Adrenaline perform Bohemian Rhapsody. Watching Jesse St. James on stage. She knew her relationship with Jesse wasn't real. It was a diabolical plot to destroy the heart of the competition. To destroy her heart. But, what she felt for him was real. And, seeing him on stage with Vocal Adrenaline shot Rachel right through the heart. Rachel feels a different kind of hurt now. She's not brokenhearted. But, she is losing something that means so much to her.

"And now, for our final performance of the program, from McKinley High, the New Directions," the announcer says.

Copying Rachel's dramatic entrance at last year's Sectionals, Sam steps out from the back of the theater, the spotlight following him, as he sings the opening lyrics of I've Had The Time Of My Life. Audience members turn around to watch him walk down the aisle toward the stage. A few seconds later, the spotlight is on Quinn as she makes her entrance, also from the back of the theater, and joins in singing. As they sing, they make their way up on stage. When the red velvet curtains open, Rachel sees the other members of New Directions in the background dancing. And, hidden from view behind the others, one student that isn't in Glee Club. Jacob. The blogger. Rachel's stalker. And apparently Rachel's replacement. But, he doesn't sing. Rachel doesn't know it now, but the only reason he's on stage is because Puck threatened him with bodily harm.

"Shouldn't you be up there?"

Startled, Rachel turns and finds herself face-to-face with Dustin Goulsby. "You're Mr. Goulsby, the director of Vocal Adrenaline," Rachel says, surprised and nervous.

"And you're Rachel Berry, the star of New Directions. I've heard Will Schuester dances to the beat of his own drummer, but no one told me he's tone deaf," Dustin says.

Looking at Dustin quizzically, Rachel frowns. She's not going to defend Will Schuester after the way he's treated her, but he's not tone deaf.

"If he's not tone deaf, there's no excuse for giving Blondie the lead," Dustin explains, looking at Quinn. "She's good. A little sharp. But any choir director worth their salt can tell she lacks the vocal training that you have," Dustin says.

Rachel Berry doesn't think before she opens her mouth. If she did, she might realize that Dustin Goulsby is the last person she should be talking to about this. But, she needs someone to talk to and he's there. So, she opens up to him. She tells him everything he wants to know and more.

"I never thought I'd say this, but it's probably good that Mr. Schuester didn't give me the lead. I don't think I could sing a duet with the male lead right now. He's my boyfriend. He had sex with Santana. The worst part is that everyone knew but me. No one told me. They don't like me. They don't appreciate my talent. My boyfriend doesn't even defend me," Rachel vents.

Dustin smiles slightly. "That's their loss. I'm in the market for a new female lead," Dustin says.

Disbelieving, Rachel looks at Dustin, raising her eyebrows. "Why? I mean Vocal Adrenaline won Nationals last year. And Sunshine's with you. She's good," Rachel points out.

"After Sunshine's solo at our invitational, the bloggers said Vocal Adrenaline lost a step. She's good. But she's not a star. I need a star to replace Jesse St. James. You're the only star that shines as bright as Jesse in all of Ohio," Dustin says.

The mere mention of Jesse St. James brings back memories. Jesse performing Another One Bites The Dust in McKinley's auditorium to funkify New Directions. Jesse cracking an egg on her forehead. Shelby and Jesse holding hands as they waited for the winner of Regionals to be announced. Jesse looking straight into Rachel's eyes as he held the trophy. Rachel closes her eyes and looks down.

Rachel doesn't trust Vocal Adrenaline any further than she can throw their former male lead. Not when Jesse broke her heart. Not when Shelby discarded her like yesterday's garbage. So, she has a hard time taking Dustin at his word.

Rachel doesn't know what to do with the offer. There's nothing to keep her in New Directions. No friends. No allies. Not even an opportunity to showcase her talent. Not when Will won't give her any solos.

Does Vocal Adrenaline really want her? Or is it another trick to give them a leg up on the competition? Rachel has so many questions, but she won't believe the answers so she doesn't ask them.

All she knows is that she doesn't want to go crawling back to New Directions. To the so-called friends that make fun of her mercilessly. To the boyfriend that made her look like a fool. To the teacher that plays favorites. Rachel has never been one of Will Schuester's favorites.

Rachel wonders if she could start over at Carmel. Make friends that like her for who she is. Be popular. But, can she have a fresh start at Carmel? It's been less than a year since Vocal Adrenaline egged her, since her mother said goodbye to her. Not knowing if Dustin knows what went down last year, Rachel treads lightly.

"Does everyone in Vocal Adrenaline know about this?" Rachel asks.

"Yes. My performers are used to being the best. They've won the last five consecutive National titles. They know they won't win this year. Not with Sunshine. They told me about you actually," Dustin replies.

Shocked and confused, Rachel is silent for a moment. The same people that humiliated her…want her? But, she thought they hated her. And then she realizes, even if they hate her, it's not any different from how the members of New Directions feel about her. The only difference is that Dustin is promising her solos. So, she can join Vocal Adrenaline and get solos or she can stay in New Directions and harmonize in the background. Either way, she's hated.

"Does Shel- Ms. Corcoran have anything to do with Vocal Adrenaline?" Rachel asks, nervous.

Dustin smiles slightly. "I'm the director of Vocal Adrenaline. Shelby is a music teacher at Carmel. Everyone in Vocal Adrenaline is in her class," Dustin explains.

Rachel sighs slowly. Her mother doesn't want to be her mom. Shelby Corcoran doesn't want to be a part of her life in any way, shape or form. Not as a teacher at McKinley. Not as a co-director of New Directions. Not even as a friend. Rachel isn't going to invade Shelby's space. It's not because she's above inserting herself into someone else's life. After all, she inserted herself into Finn Hudson's life. It's because it hurts too much to know her mother doesn't want her and there's nothing she can do to change Shelby's mind. Shelby rejected her daughter, yet easily accepted Quinn and Puck's daughter as her own. Time has passed, but the hurt is still there.

"I appreciate your offer, but I have to decline," Rachel says.

"When my students told me about you, they told me about your connection to Shelby. Look, I can understand if you don't want to be in your mother's class," Dustin says. Rachel looks down, embarrassed. "We can work something out. You can be in an independent study with me," Dustin suggests.

Rachel looks at the stage, where New Directions is performing without her, and then back at Dustin. "Yes, I'd like to take advantage of your offer," Rachel says.

After New Directions leaves the stage, Rachel waits for the award ceremony. She watches as the winner is announced. New Directions. Rachel inhales sharply. Smiling, Will accepts the trophy. Rachel crosses her arms in front of her chest, frowning, when she notices that Finn and Santana are holding hands.

Rachel Berry always wakes up early to work out. The next day, she gets up even earlier. She's meeting Dustin at McKinley to clean out her locker and then he's going to the office at Carmel with her. Freshly showered after a half hour on the elliptical machine, she stands in front of her walk-in closet, looking for the perfect outfit to wear on her first day at Carmel. She doesn't want to stick out like a sore thumb. She wants to fit in. Remembering how much attention she got from boys when she dressed like Britney Spears, Rachel chooses something similar, yet slightly more appropriate. A white button down shirt and a short denim skirt.

Rachel gets to McKinley early enough that no one is there unless they have to be. The hockey team and swim team have an early morning practice. Dustin is waiting for Rachel in the main hallway. He falls into step beside her, walking the familiar path to her locker. He waits patiently as she takes down pictures and puts everything in her backpack. She picks up her textbooks.

"I can get those," Dustin offers, taking the heavy books from her.

"Thank you," Rachel says, smiling slightly.

As they walk to the library to turn the books in, they pass Will's office. Rachel freezes. Part of her feels like she should tell him in person that she is transferring to Carmel. But, she realizes she doesn't owe him an explanation. He's taken countless solos away from her, turned a blind eye to other students bullying her even when it was in his classroom. She doesn't owe any of them anything. Saying goodbye would only give them an opportunity to insult her, yell at her. Make her feel even worse than she already does. If Jesse can leave without saying anything to anybody, so can she.

After they turn Rachel's textbooks in, they start retracing their steps to the main entrance. Students are starting to filter into the school. Rachel looks down, just wanting to get out of there without any confrontations. She doesn't see Karofsky walking toward her, a slushie in his hands. She gasps when she the icy blue drink hits her face. Shocked, Dustin stares helplessly. Rachel wipes slushie from her eyes and looks up at Dustin, embarrassed. In that moment, Rachel Berry knows she's doing the right thing for her.

"What the hell?" Dustin asks.

"I got slushied," Rachel replies. Dustin stares at her blankly. "Everybody hates Glee Club here. The popular kids slushie us," Rachel explains. She doesn't add that she's been slushied more than anyone.

"You don't have to worry about that kind of thing happening at Carmel. Vocal Adrenaline students are cool," Dustin says.

Dustin walks Rachel to her gold Toyota Prius. It's a hybrid. Wanting an environmentally friendly car, Rachel researched hybrid options and presented her findings to her dads before her sixteenth birthday. Dustin opens the door for her.

"I'm going to go home and change," Rachel says, looking at her soiled clothes. "I'll meet you in the office?" Rachel suggests.

After a quick shower, Rachel puts a clean white button down shirt and a black miniskirt on. When she gets to Carmel, Dustin is waiting for her in the office.

"You just missed your dad. He filled out all of your paperwork, but he had to go to work," Dustin says.

"I know. I just spoke with him on the phone," Rachel says.

"We're going to talk to your counselor and get your schedule," Dustin says. He knocks on the guidance counselor's door and Rachel follows him into the small office.

"Hi, Rachel. I'm. Mrs. Bradley," the guidance counselor says.

"It's nice to meet you," Rachel says. Confident and mature, she extends her hand and shakes Mrs. Bradley's firmly. She sits down across from Mrs. Bradley. Dustin stands beside her, a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"I enrolled you in all the core classes you were taking at McKinley. Geometry, Biology, European History, English Literature. You're in Vocal Adrenaline so you'll take Ms. Corcoran's Aural Skills class," Mrs. Bradley says, looking at her computer screen.

Nervous, Rachel looks at Dustin. "Actually-" she starts.

But, Dustin intervenes on her behalf. "Actually, Rachel is going to be taking Aural Skills as an independent study course with me," Dustin says.

"Oh. Okay. You are all set," Mrs. Bradley says, printing off Rachel's schedule.