A/N: Hey everyone - back again with more Quill. This is the sequel to Almost, and if you haven't read that, you really should. Otherwise you'll be pretty confused. There will be some flashbacks in this story, but I'll mark them clearly. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: There is no copyright infringement intended. I don't own Glee, or it's characters. In season 3 when Will and Quinn run off together, you'll know I've assumed control.
"Alright guys good work today, I'll see everyone on Monday."
A chorus of "Later Schue" and "Thanks Mr. Schuester" filled the auditorium as three dozen high schoolers chattered their way to the parking lot. When the last backpack had slipped around the corner, Will Schuester sat heavily down at the directors table. He rubbed at his tired eyes and sighed. If running a glee club of 12 was tiring, corralling three times that amount was infinitely exhausting. More kids made his job ultimately more rewarding, but it also meant more voices to fine tune and more self-proclaimed stars fighting over solos.
Maybe he was just getting old. They said that 35 is the new 25 - but right now 35 felt like the new 55. Even with the help of a choreographer for the kids (and my God what a happy day it was when she showed up) he still woke up most mornings with an aching body. Between Spanish classes, Glee Club practices, and helping produce this years spring musical, he was just plain run down.
After checking his watch he decided to shelve his internal whining for another day. He made his way through the empty halls - the sound of his hush puppies echoing on the tile loudly. He took in the posters decorating the walls, and debris left behind by the eager-to-leave student body and he remembered why waking up with a sore back and creaking knees everyday was worth it. He was made to be a teacher. One of the things that made him happiest in life was guiding his kids to heights that they didn't think they could reach. Watching their faces light up under the spotlights when they got a standing ovation. And after all that had happened...he counted himself lucky that he still had the opportunity. He was doing what he loved, and if that meant regular trips to the local pharmacy for Icy Hot and Excedrin so be it.
He pushed out of the doors and into the warm May afternoon, past the (honestly frightening) giant stone statue of a wildcat. Even after a full year here he still marveled at the differences between McKinley and his new school. Springfield High was one of the best and most lauded schools in Ohio. It had a specialized program for arts and language students, hallways blessedly free of slushy puddles, a cheer leading coach who didn't want to cut the brakes on his car, and of course as Figgins would say, "Boosters who write fat checks." It was his dream job, and all in all not a bad reward for being run out of Lima. Well maybe not run out. Guided gently.
"Isn't one year after graduation, like, way too soon to be having a high school reunion?"
"You're preaching to the choir, Melissa," said Quinn Fabray, as she packed a duffel bag in preparation for a weekend away from her dorm room. "I'd much rather be anywhere than spending what I'm sure will be an unbelievably awkward two days in Lima."
Even saying the name of the town out loud had her stomach churning nervously. Her first year at Ohio State (thankfully financed by scholarships, loans, and her mother's alimony payments) had been the polar opposite of her time in Lima. Free of lies, hurt, and anger. She had some of the worst moments of her life in that town. She had also had some of her best, but this past year had been an opportunity to start with a relatively clean slate. Though, she had a feeling that her slate was going to be dirtied by the end of the weekend.
"If you don't want to go that bad – don't go," offered her roommate simply. "I'm sure you - "
"Rachel Berry," Quinn interrupted sharply, "Is an absolute force of nature. If I don't show up she will diva down here and drag me to that party kicking and screaming."
Of course the mastermind behind this 'reunion' was Rachel. She thought it would be fun (and in some cases, therapeutic) for the original members of New Directions to gather one year after graduation. A party at her fathers' house, she had explained excitedly over the phone a few weeks ago. And when Rachel had that tone to her voice it was just easier to go along with what she wanted.
The truth was though, despite some of her more...unique...qualities, Rachel had turned into one of her closest confidants in her last years at McKinley. She owed her. A lot. And if that meant suffering though this party to make her happy, then she would have to do it.
Besides, she was still on pretty good terms with most of the club. Most being the key word. There were some names on the guest list she was dreading seeing face to face. It's easy to get on the wrong side of people when your high school legacy is cheating on your boyfriend with his best friend, getting knocked up by said best friend, getting kicked out of your house by your parents, and using mildly underhanded means to get some notoriety back. Oh, and who could forget having a 'scandalous affair' with your choir director. That's the kind of thing that cements a girl's reputation in small town Ohio.
"Well it's only two days," said Melissa. "After it's all over you can come back and forget about the entire town again."
"Yeah," Quinn replied softly, only half paying attention as she checked the time. "I guess I can."