Author's Note - Hey guys, this is my first time submitting any fic so any comments/criticisms are highly welcomed.
Lyrics are from Paramore's "We Are Broken"
Disclaimer - I don't own Glee or any of the characters
Chapter One
It had been 2 weeks since Quinn Fabray left the cheerios and the blonde still held her head up just as high as when she was HBIC. She could still instill fear in those who were dumb enough to cross her on a bad day and, even without the red, black and white uniform to hide behind, Quinn radiated confidence.
Everyone thought that being off the cheerleading squad might have tamed Quinn a bit, but if anything, she had gotten worse. Her friends in New Directions were starting to get worried.
"I've never seen her like this." said Finn, turning to Rachel "Sure she used to be a pain in the ass, but now she seems to be going out of her way to make everyone else feel like crap." The young diva nodded silently, waiting patiently for him to continue. "I just don't understand, you'd think she'd be acting at least a little nicer considering how she was treated last time she left the Cheerios. "
"She didn't leave last time Finn, Coach Sylvester kicked her out, remember?" Of course he did, how could he forget Quinn's pregnancy and how she had tried so desperately to trick him into believing he was the father. "I understand you're concerned for her Finn," the brunette continued. "But do you really think I'm the best person to be talking to about this? We're not exactly close," she grumbled. It was a severe understatement and the pair both knew it. Rachel had been on the receiving end of some of Quinn's nastier pranks of late and had had just about enough of it. She was nothing but kind to the ex-cheerleader, so why did Quinn seem to have a personal vendetta against the brunette?
"Rachel!" a voice called from the other end of the hallway. As she got closer, Rachel made out Mercedes' face in the crowd. "Hey, I wouldn't go this way if I were you," she urged. "Quinn's on a war path again. I haven't seen her this bad since Britney got distracted by those squirrels in cheer practice a couple of years ago and missed catching little miss HBIC." The smaller diva let out a small giggle before mentally kicking herself. She had to go this way to get to the choir room; she'd planned to rehearse a new piece for glee club this week. Taking a deep breath Rachel nodded.
"Thanks for the heads up Mercedes, I'll see you later."
Today was going to be one of those days, thought Rachel to herself as she continued along the hallway to the choir room.
Once inside, she found the CD she was after and pressed play on the CD player. Immediately the music started to wrap itself around her and soon she began to sing along, her eyes closed in concentration.
I am outside
And I've been waiting for the sun
With my wide eyes
I've seen worlds that don't belong
My mouth is dry with words I cannot verbalize
Tell me why we live like this
Keep me safe inside
Your arms like towers
Tower over me
Yeah
Cause we are broken
What must we do to restore
Our innocence
And oh, the promise we adored
Give us life again cause we just wanna be whole
Tower over me
Tower over me
As the last note left her mouth, she heard someone begin to clap slowly behind her.
"Not bad Berry," Spinning around, Rachel saw Quinn leant against the piano, eyes fixed on hers. "Maybe next time you can try not looking like you're constipated while you screech." the blonde sneered. Rachel felt her anger begin to rise at the snide remark. No, don't let her know she's gotten to you, she thought to herself.
"Thanks for the advice Quinn, but I don't think you're exactly in the position to be giving out performance tips," replied Rachel "I mean you've gotten how many solos in Glee club so far?" The blonde smirked in reply.
"Oh kitty's got claws. Small, blunt claws, but claws all the same." Quinn strode over to where the other girl was standing, her face nearly touching the brunette's. "You'd better watch yourself Berry, we wouldn't want to that pretty face of yours getting all messed up now, would we?" she almost whispered as she stroked the side of the young diva's face. Unable to form an audible response, Rachel just stared.
Laughing softly to herself, Quinn turned to walk away. "See you around," Pausing at the door; she glanced once more at the stunned girl she had left behind. "Kitty."