Personally I think lead is easier and more fun than rhythm.
Glad to see another inspiring lead.
Five scales huh? That's great. I started lead and only knew one.
Learn as many as you can, forwards and backwards.
Learn the Modes that go with them. By that time you'll be working that neck from one end to the other, and people will wanna watch as much as listen.
It will do nothing but help you later down the road.
In the mean time, listen to the songs you like, as long as there are some guitar leads in them. :)
If you know five scales, I'm assuming your a fair hand at snatching the rhythm and key from a CD. That is half the battle. Next find the scale, trial and error will work in the beginning. Later you can listen and tell what scale it's in, at that point, it'll be easier.
Keep your guitar tuned.
Listen and play with the song, and count on plenty of frustration. All music students have plenty of that. Just don't get discouraged. Determination and the love of music are two assets.
Find some decent tablature sites and snag some of the songs you would like to learn. Practice no more than three at any given time. A very old and wise rule.
If you don't have a CD or the cash to get a CD to go with the tab, download some MP3s that you can find tab for. That'll make it really easy.
The last two things I can tell you is, practice till it hurts, and,
Good luck.
Slidin' on.