A/N - This story will start off with a T rating, but as we progress it'll be an M, so I'm just going to keep it at that for now. I'll warn you an advance when chapters will be M or T. Enjoy!

Chapter One:

Welcome Class of 2012!

Senior year.

This was her last year at this god forsaken high school.

This was her last year to get it right.

This was her year not to screw up anything.

This was her year to not let anyone get her down.

This was her year to be all about herself.

She was done with boys.

She was done being the class bitch.

Her new motto? Be independent.

Quinn Fabray strutted into McKinley High School, head held high, and her short blonde hair swaying with every step she took.

A Cheerios uniform was tightly lined against her body.

Sue Sylvester had agreed to let her back on the Cheerios, and the blonde couldn't have been happier. In the end, where some of the kids in Glee had music and theatre, Quinn had cheerleading. Cheerleading was her passion.

To top off her strut down the hallway, she placed her hands on her hips and watched as the people slipped towards the sides of the halls, in order to let her through.

She held a smug smile on her face, pleased in the fact that she still had the power to move the kids to the sides with her attitude.

She walked by Puck who gave her a predatory look, but she ignored him, turning and walking as calm as ever to Glee rehearsal.

She was over Puck.

Even though the boy may have been her first true love, she was completely over him.

Done.

Out of her life.

Even though the boy may have been the first boy to ever take her virginity, she was over him.

Even though she may think about him every day, she was over him.

Quinn was just thankful she was one of the lucky teen girls, that did not get pregnant their first time having sex. She barely knew how to handle herself let alone another tiny body.

And her parents would rip her apart limb from limb if she ever told them she had gotten knocked up.

The blonde marched into the choir room, ignoring the looks that some of the kids gave her as she sat down. They may look all pissed at her now, but in less than ten minutes they wouldn't.

Yes, she had been a complete bitch to all of them. Yes, she may or may not have slushied all of them on a daily basis, or at least had someone do the dirty work for her, but that didn't matter. Because, it was all going to change today.

She had discovered herself over the summer.

After of course, she went through her rebellious phase, and decided to dye her hair pink.

She cringed at the mere thought of the pink hair. She was ecstatic when she had soaked out the pink streaks and went back to her natural blonde ways.

But over the summer, she truly had realized she didn't have to be a complete bitch to be popular.

She needed to be nice. She needed to not use people for her own personal gain. She just needed to be herself and not care so much about popularity. Because, it wasn't about being popular anymore.

It was about her future, college, career.

This was her last year and she wasn't going to mess it up with worrying about what people thought of her.

Quinn's hazel eyes flickered around the room, observing the kids that piled in, and the ones that were already there.

Finn Hudson, the starting quarterback of the McKinley's football team, entered the room, and gave her a sideways, goofy smile. They were good friends, and had talked occasionally the previous year. Although the boys strange infatuation with her was a little bit uncomfortable.

Whenever he didn't think she was looking, he would stare at her.

But Quinn saw everything, and she saw him staring at her throughout Glee rehearsals. She figured she owed the boy a date someday, but it wouldn't be anytime soon.

She was going to stay solo for a while.

She watched Puck walk in, his shoulders forward and trying to look like a hard ass even though Quinn knew he was a total softy on the inside. When he gave her a wide smile, she turned her head away, trying to ignore the way she felt her stomach explode in an array of fireworks.

Tina, Mercedes, and Kurt all walked in together and Quinn examined the pair. She had never really talked to any of them, except for Mercedes one time, when the girl was feeling down about herself. Quinn had encouraged her to love herself no matter her flaws, or what she looked like.

"And people don't think I have a nice side?" Quinn thought, rolling her eyes, and bringing her arms up to cross over her chest.

Santana and Brittany walked into the classroom together, and Quinn gave them a wide smile. The two best friends gave her the same smile, taking the two seats next to her before getting wrapped up in their own conversations. Quinn had spent a good part of her summer with them, so she really didn't need to catch up on anything. But she knew for a fact Brittany was at Santana's house everyday over the summer, and she couldn't help but wonder how they always had something to talk about.

Didn't they ever get bored of each other?

Quinn was ripped from her thoughts when the final person walked into the room, and she glanced sideways to see who it was.

Rachel Berry strutted into the room, her arms swinging at her sides, and her legs taking deep strides as she stood front and center in the room.

Even though the girl was annoying as hell, Quinn knew she was the one she owed the biggest apology to. And she made sure that she included Rachel in her little speech she had prepared for the club.

She watched the brunette give a sad, longing smile in Finn's direction and Quinn followed the girl's gaze to the boy who was glancing down.

'Well that relationship didn't work out.' Quinn smirked at the thought, before turning her gaze back over to the brunette who was clearing her throat for attention in the middle of the room.

"Fellow Glee Club members, I just wanted to say how excited I am to start the new year, and I can't wait to share with you my suggestions for song choices that we should sing at Invitational's this-" Rachel began, talking so fast, that Quinn thought she was going to faint.

"Hobbit! Shit-" Santana started, tearing her gaze away from Brittany for two seconds, "First day of school, and I'm already feeling the urge to slap that smile off your face. Sit your ass down, and lets me catch up with Britts." The Latina hissed, turning back to Brittany.

It took a total of two seconds of looking at Brittany for Santana's anger in her eyes to evaporate. Those dark orbs quickly brightened up and turned into a soft, nurturing gaze.

Santana was strange like that. She could be a complete bitch to someone one second, and then look at Brittany and be the sweetest girl on the face of the Earth. Brittany most definitely brought out the best in Santana Lopez.

Although, Quinn had no idea why. It was almost as if the two girls were on their own radio frequency, that no one else could ever possibly get on. Quinn actually couldn't remember a time when the two girls weren't attached by the hip.

The talking in the room stirred up again, and Rachel's jaw was slacked opened as she stood in the front of the classroom.

Quinn couldn't help feeling a tiny ounce of sympathy for the girl, and when Rachel glanced at her, she gave the brunette an empathetic smile.

The brunette hesitated, obviously debating whether or not to smile at the girl.

Finally Rachel returned Quinn's close lipped smile and took her seat.

And Quinn's suspicions about Finn and Rachel breaking up were indeed confirmed when the brunette sat four seats away from the boy.

Around five minutes later Mr. Schuester finally walked in, a gleam in his eyes, a pep in his step, and the tiniest smudge of lipstick on his cheek.

'God I didn't need to know that you and Miss Pillsbury were making out seconds ago-" Quinn thought, a feeling of disgust washing over her, 'Scratch that, Miss Pillsbury wouldn't even let you get into her pants Schue.'

"Hey guys! How was your summer?" He asked quickly, dropping his suitcase down on the piano, and pulling out a sheet of papers, while some kids answered while others didn't even acknowledge what he had asked, "Great, great, mine was pretty good too." He said distractedly, as he stuck out his tongue and flipped through the pages of white paper in his hand.

And Quinn saw her opportunity.

She raised her hand slowly and glanced around the room, waiting for Mr. Schue to spot her.

Her hand was just starting to ache when he saw her and smiled, "Quinn, got something to say?"

She nodded her head, and stood up, smoothing down her Cheerios skirt, and walking to the front of the classroom, her fingers clasped together tightly as she looked around the room.

Everyone was familiar except a blonde boy sitting in the back of the club, his shaggy hair blocking his eyes.

Even though she didn't usually fall for the beach blonde, surfer look, this kid was actually kind of cute.

She made a mental note to get his name before the class ended.

She cleared her throat, and all of the kids seated in front of her slowly went mute, and Quinn felt a wave of anxiety crawl up her spine and tickle the back of her neck. She flickered her gaze to every single teenager in the room before licking her lips and beginning her speech.

"So, I'm pretty sure everyone knows I've been just about the biggest bitch in this sc-"

"Hey!" Mr. Schue said, glancing up from his spot by the piano. "Watch the language!"

'Oh please, half the damn songs we sing have the word bitch in it and I never see you crawling up Santana's ass when she curses.' Quinn's thoughts ranted but instead, she turned and smiled politely at her teacher, "Sorry, the cruelest girl at this school," She corrected and earned in approving nod from Mr. Schue. "And I just wanted to say how truly sorry I am for that." She said quietly, feeling goosebumps beginning to rise on her forearms, "Over the summer I learned a lot about myself, and I learned a lot about the person I want to be. And so I just wanted to say sorry, and I sincerely hope I can have a fresh start with each and every one of you..." She cut herself off, biting her bottom lip as she glanced up at the brunette in the front row, "And especially you, Rachel." She ignored the way the girl gave her a shocked look.

The girl obviously had to see this coming because, no one else in the room looked surprised.

"Out of everyone in here, I think it's safe to say I have been the cruelest to you, especially when you didn't deserve it, and I'm sorry. And I hope this year we can have a chance to straighten things out, get it right this year, and maybe even become friends?" Quinn suggested, giving the girl a shy smile, and waiting for her reaction.

There was none.

Instead Kurt spoke up from the second row, "So does this mean, I'm not going to have to bring an extra set of clothes everyday?"

Quinn chuckled, giving the boy a crooked smile, "I can't promise you that, but I can assure you, I will not be the one slushing anybody this year."

Kurt hesitated, giving her a thoughtful look before nodding, and turning to discuss something with Mercedes.

Finn smiled at her and she was reminded of a golden retriever. The boy was obsessed with her. She was almost afraid that he might have a picture of her hanging up on his ceiling.

"I think Quinn has changed, don't you guys think?" The tall boy said, trying to encourage the other kids to speak up about Quinn's sudden change of view on life.

Everyone gave him a nod and a forced smile, not really paying attention to what was going on in the conversation.

Quinn gave up, shrugging her shoulders and walking back to her seat by Santana and Brittany.

"Guys!" Mr. Schuester said excitedly, turning and throwing some papers into the air, looking like a rabid squirrel, "I found some Journey songs we haven't covered yet!"

Everyone in the class let out a groan, and Quinn slunk in her seat, the back of her head hitting the chair.

"I'm proud of you Q!" Brittany whispered, glancing at the blonde over her shoulder and giving her a signature wide Brittany smile.

Quinn returned the smile, and thanked the girl quietly.

When she glanced up to the middle of the room, she saw Mr. Schue directing Finn and Rachel to stand up and demonstrate how to sing properly, and she couldn't help thinking sourly in the back of her head that she wouldn't be getting many solos this year.

She let out an annoyed breath, crossed her arms over her chest and began to zone out.

This was going to be a long year.


Hello Quinn.

Quinn was nibbling on the piece of bacon in her mouth when her phone vibrated against the granite counter top of the island in the middle of the kitchen. She swallowed the strip of her favorite food, smiling at her mother as she whisked past her, heading straight for the coffee machine.

Uhm, hi. Sorry, who is this?

She replied back, setting her phone down, and swiveling in the stool, as she watched her mother scurry through the kitchen.

Judy Fabray was like a mouse, that constantly being chased by some invisible cat. Her mother was always in a hurry, and always had to be doing something otherwise she'd go insane. That's why Quinn never had down time as a child because, her mom thought it was necessary to involve her in everything known to mankind. Quinn had probably played every sport known to mankind just because, her mother had gotten more of a kick out of it than she actually did.

"Quinnie, I'm sorry I've barely seen you all week!" Her mother said, when she noticed Quinn watching her, "work has been busy. How was your first week of school?"

Work.

That was always her excuse.

Quinn would bet a million dollars that the woman didn't even know what grade she was in.

The blonde shrugged her shoulders, reaching for another piece of bacon and nibbling on the end of the strip thoughtfully, "Uneventful." She said, waving the bacon around in the air, as her mother giggled.

The older version of Quinn grabbed herself the cup of coffee she had been making and walked back towards the island. She stood directly across from Quinn and traced her eyes over her daughter.

"You excited for Cheerios this year, honey?" She asked, bringing the white coffee cup up to her mouth and sipping down some of the coffee.

Quinn thought about the previous years of Cheerleading. She had quit softball freshman year for cheerleading. It was one of her favorite things in the world. Cheerleading would always be one of those past times she did when she was older.

"I am-" She said, swallowing the piece of bacon, "But this year Sylvester is going to be really rough on this year. Yesterday, she made Santana do eighty pushups in a row, without stopping. If she even slowed for a second or fell, she had to start over, and Santana couldn't do it, but Sue kept her there until Santana's dad came down and yelled at her."

Judy sighed, shaking her head, "I swear that woman is insane."

Quinn nodded, "She is."

"I heard a rumor that she was a lesbian the other day-" Judy piped up, "I wouldn't be surprised if it were true."

Quinn swallowed loudly, staring down at the counter top and looking over the jagged rocks on the smooth surface.

Although she was completely one hundred percent straight, she didn't have anything against gays. She would actually even consider herself one of those straight alliances people. But her parents on the other hand, thought being gay was totally wrong, so she had to go along with it.

"Wouldn't be wrong if she was.." She mumbled underneath her breath.

"What was that Quinnie?" Judy asked loudly.

Quinn glanced up, noticing the anger etched into the older woman's face.

She swallowed nervously before opening her mouth to answer. "I said that's disgusting, and she is a disgrace." Quinn mumbled, glancing down guiltily, taking back what she had just said in her mind.

"That's what I thought." Judy said quietly, chugging down the last of her coffee before putting her cup in the sink.

"I'm working the late shift today, so I won't be home until late this evening. You're not doing anything tonight, correct?" Judy said, rounding the island and coming up to stand right beside Quinn.

"Nope." Quinn muttered dryly.

"Okay, well don't just sit around today. Be productive!" Her mother said, leaning forward and smoothing down Quinn's hair. She kissed the top of her head softly before turning and walking to exit the kitchen, "And your father's upstairs, and he might be around, so maybe hang out with him for a bit!" She suggested, shrugging on her pink jacket and smiling at her daughter widely. "I love you Quinnie! Be good!" Her mother said cheerfully before turning and walking towards the front door.

A few seconds later Quinn heard the door slam shut.

She turned back to the counter top, reaching for the last piece of bacon on the plate and bringing it up to her mouth. She grabbed her phone and clicked open the new text message she had received while talking to her mother.

It's Rachel Berry.

Quinn swallowed down the piece of bacon, and jumped off the stool, typing a quick reply to the girl as her bare feet slapped against the hardwood floor. She made her way to the living room, preparing to spend the day on the couch watching whatever she could find on cable.

Oh, hi. What's up?

She threw herself down on the couch, reaching for the remote and turning on the television to a random channel, scrolling through the channels until she stopped on some old cartoons.

Nothing. Anyway, Quinn, I just wanted to thank you for being so polite in rehearsal the other day. And I accept your apology and I do sincerely hope we can become friends this year, as well.

Oh... Yeah, sure no problem. Friends would be cool.

Great! I'm glad that we figured that out.

Yup. Me too.

Yes, so? What are you up to on this fine Saturday?

Chilling like a villian. You?

Sounds fun. And I'm watching some movies with my dads.

Oh fun. What movies?

Friday the 13th, Halloween, and Fright Night.

Rachel Berry likes scary movies? I would have never known.

I'm full of surprises, Quinn!

I'm sure you are.

I am!

I shall call him squishy and he shall be mine and he shall be my squishy.

Finding Nemo? I love that movie! But why are you quoting it?

It's on the television. :)

Oh I see.

Yup, I love Dory.

Me too. You know you are kind of weird. Which is ironic...

I'm very weird to be honest. And how is it ironic.

Well, I've always had this strange obsession of being popular, and I've actually always wanted to be like you. But whenever I got around all those popular people, I would get so nervous, and I would be speechless, and I'd babble like an idiot and make a complete fool out of myself.

I'm sure that's not true.

It is.

Is not. Look, my advice? Just be yourself, and people will like you. And if not, they don't matter.

I don't know. I've just always wanted to be popular. And I'm sounding desperate now.

Quit getting down on yourself! Maybe someday soon you can come with me to talk with some of the kids you consider "popular" and you'll get the hang of it. Sound good?

Yeah, that actually sounds great. Thanks Quinn!

Anytime Rachel.

Well I got to finish the movies with my dads. I'll talk to you later.Bye Quinn.


Hey Quinn... It's Rachel Berry. Mercedes told me about what happened at Cheerios today and I wanted to say I'm sorry that Sue put you on the JV squad this year. But Mercedes also told me that you were considering quitting, and I really don't think you should.

Rachel, you do realize I have your number saved correct?

Oh... I didn't know if you would have saved it. But anyway, don't quit Cheerios!

Why? It's pointless. I can never make Varsity now.

Yes you can! You don't know that. You just have to keep trying and don't let Sue get you down. Believe in yourself and you can be whatever you want to be.

I just don't get it. It's senior year, I've been on the Varsity squad every year, and I work so hard for that damn woman. I feel like the whole world is against me.

I'm not against you.

Okay then, besides you.

Look, I know you are mad, I would be too. But the best thing is to not show you are getting down about it. Don't give up, and show Sue that you are better than her. Prove to her that you deserve to be on Varsity not JV, prove to her that you are better. And you'll feel much better if you follow my advice than quit. I'm Rachel Berry, I'm just proving a very valid point here.

You are crazy chick. :) But thank you, I suppose I could give that a try. But I'm still upset.

Well... How about I get your mind off of it?

I guess that could work.

Great! What are you doing?

Thinking.

That's cool. Do you mind if I ask what you are thinking about?

Glee, Cheerios, etc. Just life in general. What are you doing?

Watching Funny Girl! :) And well, if you ever need something to talk about, you obviously have my number saved. ;)

I've never seen Funny Girl. And I do! Haha!

YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN FUNNY GIRL? GOOD LORD MS. FABRAY, HAVE YOU EVER LIVED?

Apparently not. I take it it's good?

It is amazingly beautiful. Barbara Streisand is outstanding.

That explains it.

Excuse me?

It's got Barbara Streisand in it. Of course you love it.

I find that offensive, Quinn!

Oh get over yourself Berry.

Ouch, I'm wounded.

I'm just messing with you.

I hope so because, you are being immensely mean!

I'm a mean person.

Actually you are not. You surprise me with your kindness.

Well thank you Berry. You're not so bad yourself, kid.

I'm older than you!

Hey! Not by much...

Still older, therefore still wiser. And still more mature.

I'm pretty sure I am more mature than you.

Maybe more confident. Definitely not more mature.

Lies woman.

Truth woman.

You are infuriating.

That's my job. ;)

Remind me why I'm friends with you again?

Because, I'm adorable.

I am not going to admit that.

Well fine, I didn't want you to anyway.

Yes you did, Rach.

Ugh, I know.

Guess what? I think my mom sorta likes you.

Your Christian mother likes the daughter of two gay dads?

I'm sorry that was mean.

Actually it wasn't, I understand where you are coming from. And don't take my honesty as being disrespectful towards your dads, but she likes you. I don't think she is very fond of your fathers.

Although I don't believe that whatsoever. I understand. I'm a supporter of the gays, even though myself, am not one.

Neither am I, but if you want in on a little secret. I secretly support that too, but I can't act like that around my parents or I'd probably get kicked out of my house.

Quinn Fabray! You rebellious child.

That's me!

I think my fathers have taken a liking to you as well. They see me smile when I text you.

Awh, little Berry smiles when she texts me? How adorable. But on to your fathers, really? Even after how I treated you last year?

They are very open minded. They believe people can change.

Well I'm glad they can accept it so easily. Hopefully, I can prove myself to them if I could meet them someday?

You'd want to meet them?

Uhm, yes. Is that a problem?

Not at all! I'd love for you to meet them, I just didn't think you would.

What? Why?

Because, you are popular, and it'd ruin your reputation to be caught at my house.

The popular talk again? Oh Rachel, despite the rumors, that is not true. The so called "popular kids" don't really care if you hang out with the so called "unpopular kids", trust me. It's not a big deal.

Whatever you say.

Rachel, just trust me okay?

Okay, I trust you.

Thank you. :)

I'm going to bed though. I'll see you tomorrow?

Sure thing, kid. Night, Rach.


Hey girly, what's up with your Facebook status?

The people are crazy one?

That would be the one. :)

Oh, well I had to stay after school for a Glee assignment and Santana and Brittany did as well. And I tried to stay calm because, you know I get nervous and all around the popular kids. And they were actually a lot more... weirder than I am.

Oh lord. Those two are my best friends. They're crazy aren't they?

Uhm yeah, they were singing to "Take It Off" by Ke$ha and stripping off their tops so they were in their sports bra. They're strange.

They are.. I'll have to tell you something about them when we hang out.

Who said I wanted to hang out with you?

That was mean, Berry.

You are seeing Rachel Berry exposed now.

:D You crack me up chick.

I'm hilarious, I know. I make myself laugh.

Cocky much?

Not cocky, confident.

I call it cocky. I have a question for you?

Shoot.

Well as you are hopefully aware the football team made it to state, and my parents and I are road tripping up to Columbus for the championship game and I wanted to know if you wanted to tag along with us?

Really?

No, not really.

Oh.

I'm kidding, Rachel. Of course!

Oh! Well then, I'd be happy to accompany you. I am the life of a party.

Oh jeez, am I going to have to deal with this the whole two hour drive?

Possibly. :)

Eh, I'll live.

Great. I'm going to go out to dinner with my dads. I'll let you know what they say about this weekend.

Great, bye!

Quinn set her phone down, chewing on her thumb thoughtfully.

Maybe being friends with Rachel Berry wouldn't be so bad after all.