Glee-ficlet I wrote last year for my birthday
When Quinn had answered the phone Rachel had to breathe in and out slowly two times, before she could be sure she would not sound to overly enthusiastic about her calling.
"Hello Quinn," she chirped into the phone. "To what do I owe the pleasure of you calling?"
"Just letting you know I'm coming to that birthday-party of yours, you know, the one you handed out printed invitations to to everybody in Glee today."
Rachel's heart did a double take. She had not dared to hope that the tentative friendship she had been able to form with Quinn was already good enough that the other girl would accept an invitation to a social function from her. Knowing the blonde could not see her, she allowed a wide smile to grow on her face.
"I'm delighted to hear that Quinn, but why did you not simply confirm it by marking 'I'll attend' the card and dropping it in the box I hung up at my locker?"
"Yeah well," the voice on the other end trailed off into silence for a moment. "I also wanted to ask what you would like as a present. I don't really know what to get you, besides Broadway soundtracks or movie versions of musicals. But I guess the chances of me picking one you do not already own are pretty slim, so... what would you like?"
Quinn's rambling was like the sweetest music in Rachel's ears and she had to control herself not to squeel into the phone, afraid she might scare the other girl of. Instead she answered as composed as she could.
"I don't need any presents Quinn. I'll be happy enough to have you coming."
And it was true, she knew it in her heart, where, inexplicably Quinn had wormed herself in.
"That won't do Berry, at birthday's you give out presents. So what do you want? Don't ask for Finn, wrapped in a ribbon though, you're not gonna get him."
It did not sound so harsh this time. Rachel smiled ruefully in the knowledge that Quinn could not see her. Finn was no longer first in her mind, after all for what he had tried, he never managed to help her write a good song.
"That is perfectly acceptable. I don't think Finn would appreciate it anyway."
"Good, so what do you want then?" Quinn asked again.
'A kiss from you' Rachel thought, but she'd never voice that wish out loud. Even a Rachel Berry knew that, just sometimes, honesty was not desirable. She sighed, knowing Quinn, when she had set her mind on something, would not let up until she said something
"You could look for sheet music, a new song we could do for Glee club maybe." Rachel suggested.
The blonde snorted on the other end of the line. "Typical Berry-answer. But alright, whatever. See you."
With that she hung up. Gingerly Rachel placed her phone down as well. Some things were better left unsaid.