Lessons she learned when her memory slurs
As they marvel with love at the sunset
Walking away at the dark end of day
She will measure and break like a habit
Quinn Fabray walked past down the hallway with an earphone around her ears. It's her senior year, her last year in WMHS, and she plans to make the most of it. She didn't regret giving up Beth because that'll ruin her school years even more. What she knows is, she just wants to spend her time with the Glee Club and Puck. She doesn't want to get back to Cheerios either—her life is good and she thought: why would she ruin a good thing? Besides, she enjoys wearing her cardigan and mini dress rather than her Cheerios uniform—at least now. Her friendships are well-maintained as well. She's now living with her mom, but still visits Mercedes almost every weekend. Sometimes she hangs out with Santana and Brittany, like she used to.
And Glee Club—oh, Glee Club. She'll be busy with Sectionals in the next few months, again. Now that they have the freshmen, junior, and sophomores, New Directions is pretty much crowded now, but the more the merrier.
Quinn enjoyed her life. Very much. There's times when she looked back and sees her life as a popular cheerleader and girlfriend of the hot football jock Finn Hudson but….. Things have changed now. She's with Noah Puckerman, an amazing performer, and a total heartbreaker. Puck has his flaws, Quinn sees him eyeing Santana and some other girls... always. Even at times she saw some sexts at Puck's inbox from Santana. But that's enough for her. She's had her heart broken so many times. Quinn knows that she's the only girl he loves. And she doesn't need to complain if someone pushed her while she's walking down the hallway—she's no longer seen as the girl she was.
She's with the guy who hugged her from the back.
"Hey, babe…" he said.
"Geez, you gotta stop doing that!" Quinn said.
"Calm down, girl…." Quinn giggled, and kissed him. "You disgust me," Quinn said.
"I know. What are you doing tonight? Maybe we should—"Quinn puts her index finger on his lips and said, "Make out in your couch? Hm, no, thanks."
"I was about to say a movie…." Puck mutters.
"Well I'll think about it, since you're a bad movie partner." Quinn joked, and laughed.
"No I'm not!" Those two held hands and run to math class.
Once the bell rings, Quinn quickly ran to her car. She promised Shelby she'll visit Beth at Carmel High School. Don't know why she asked her to meet them there, since Shelby no longer coaches the Glee Club anymore.
Nonetheless, Quinn drove all the way there.
She arrived, and just from the parking lot she can hear music, most likely from the auditorium, blasting out loud. At her school, where Glee Clubbers are still classified as losers, the students (and Principal Figgins) wouldn't approve music like these. Quinn stopped by at the cafeteria to grab an iced cappuccino and sandwich, and continue making her way to the auditorium.
Vocal Adrenaline had never looked better.
She saw some people in black dresses and jackets, dancing and singing to Body Language – Queen. Over the stage, she saw someone in black t-shirt with brown curly hair directing them. Clearly it's not Shelby. He looked very passionate and spirited, just like Shelby. She knows she's seen him, and probably know him. Besides, she thinks that he's hot. And his singing voice… Quinn knows that voice, it sounded very familiar. She wanted to just go up to the stage and ask, but…. She doesn't want to risk anything. Quinn thought, I think I knew him …. But who is he? I think he's-
"Quinn! Hi!"
A voice dispersed her thought. "Oh, hi, Shelby!"
Shelby was wearing purple top, black jeans and black heels with 2-years-old Beth, with floral dress, socks, and mary-jane shoes. Beth looked a lot like her, she hasn't changed. Beth looked at her eyes deeply; she knows Quinn's her mom.
"Hey, Beth!" Quinn said. Quinn held Beth and kissed her cheek. She turned her head to Shelby's. "So why did you want to see me here, Shelby?"
"Oh nothing, I'm just seeing my kids practice. I miss it so much, I miss coaching, but I don't regret it at all…. I'm at the happiest point of my life. I have Beth, and…. I guess that's more than enough." She smiles deeply. "Hey, I can always teach her singing, right?" They giggled.
"So how's life, Quinn?" Shelby asked, and smiled.
"Well, you know—school, Glee, and…. I'm dating Puck now and I'm pretty much in love with him…. And I guess that's it…." She can't help but thinking about that guy. "Hey…. Who's coaching Vocal Adrenaline now?" Quinn looked over the stage.
"Oh, it's Jesse St. James."
Jesse? That douche who—"Oh, Jesse? Ha, he's good…." Jesse St. James? The guy who betrayed New Directions, wildly talented and yet don't know how to act like a real man? Quinn thought he could change her mind about Puck, but no.
"I know right!"
The practice ended, and the Voc Ad members walked out the auditorium. Jesse ran up to the stairs, sweat coming down his veins. He surely looked tired, but he's still looked energized as usual. He brushed his sweat with a towel. "Stalking much, Shelby?"
"Very funny, you knew I was here," Shelby laughed.
"And who's this beautiful girl?" Jesse winked, and looked at Quinn. Quinn rolled her eyes, surprised. "I-I'm Quinn Fabray."
"From New Directions, huh? Now here's a stalker." Jesse laughed, and pointed at her.
"What the—No! I came here to see Beth. I'm her mother, actually." She murmured.
Jesse grinned. He looked like as if he's interested in me, Quinn thought.
"Oh no—it's 6pm already. Gotta get home soon, is it okay if I leave you two alone?" Shelby said. Shelby, even though no longer coaching Voc Ad, she's still a disciplined person and follows her schedule. Jesse and Quinn nodded.
Quinn handed Beth to Shelby, and Shelby waved as she walked out of the auditorium. As those two were left alone, Quinn smiled bitterly. "So, what do you want, Jesse?"
Jesse grinned again. "I don't know… what do you think?"
Quinn sighed, and looked away. Quinn knows where this is going—or not. "Look, I can see you seem to be interested in me. But before you move forward, one thing you should know about me—I'm taken. And I'm happy. Even if I'm single, I wouldn't be interested in you either. I know who you are, and I know you're going to break my heart somehow."
Jesse laughed. "How could you be so sure, huh? Is it because you're too hot that a lot of guys want you? Well yes, I'm interested in you. But first, who are you dating? I think I kind of need ot know that."
"Noah Puckerman." Quinn said, proudly.
"He's a douche. I know what he did to Rachel."
"You're a douche, too. And I know what you did to Rachel." Quinn raised one of her eyebrows, and smiled bitterly.
"Fine, you won. But I'm offering you friendship. I can be your friend; I can be someone you'll look after when your Puck isn't there for you. And I promised not to make you fall in love with me. Fair?" Jesse smiled. He slightly implied that he really wants her.
Quinn laughed hard. "Okay, dude, you got it. But you promise not to ruin my relationship with Puck—and no, I'll never fall in love with you, ever!"
Jesse grinned, again. Jesse gave her his card, and Quinn put her number on Jesse's phone. He also got her to take a picture in his phone, and they chatted.
"So I thought you're going to University of California? Why did you take that opportunity away? And give me a good reason." Quinn asked, and she smiled.
Jesse giggled, and said "I don't know…. I can't give you a good reason." They giggled. "I don't feel like going to college yet, I just want to teach these kids, you know… about show choir. About how it feels like to be a part of something. I felt that when I was in Vocal Adrenaline, I felt… precious."
"I know how that's like." Quinn murmured, and smiled. "Oh geez—it's 8 pm already! Almost my curfew for the weekdays! Nice to meet you, Jesse."
Quinn grabbed her bag and she ran out the auditorium. She drove her car to her house, along the road, she can't stop looking at Jesse's card, and she can't stop smiling. That grin, amazing voice, breathtaking performance, and the way he knows how to steal a girl's heart, how he's a lot hotter when he's sweating.…. Quinn knows this is wrong. Totally wrong. But how could a girl not smile when a guy offers attention? Besides, Quinn knows it's not going anywhere. Quinn saw how dating like this would affect to her. She's had her heart safe.
With Puck. At least for a while.
Jesse jumps to his bed, turning on his iPod and turns on his cell. He looked at Quinn's name on the contacts—he can't be bothered with the loud music playing. Her eyes, her silky smooth braided hair, the way she talks, her dress….left him paralyzed. He knows it's also wrong, knowing that she's with someone—no matter what a jackass his boyfriend is—she is taken. For God's sake, Jesse, just forget her, Jesse kept telling himself. He's still confused. But there's one thing he's pretty certain of.
She's the most beautiful girl he's ever seen.