Authors Note: Nope, I do not own Glee c: not one little bit.
This, was just a bit of experimentation of my part, I'm really trying to get my Quinn and Rachel on the money for this fic, please leave your regards on how I portrayed them if you can spare the time.
Thaaankyou~ 3
Hope you like it.

It was finally that time of the week again.
It was nearing the Glee Club's next session.
Of course, I say nearing because I hadn't arrived yet, and as the unanimous female captain of the Glee Club—Finn being my male counterpart, naturally—I highly doubt my fellow members even begin the sessions without me.
After all, if there is no leader, who is there to bring you to a higher glory?
I couldn't help but smile, not because I thought they were completely "hopeless" without me, more so at the fact of my tacit want as a young woman of my age to be relied on and know I am relied on was being fulfilled.
That wasn't shallow, right?
Of course not.
Now, winning smile Rachel, and begin this session of Glee Club.

I brought myself in posture and made my way into our rehearsal, hearing the usual mindless chatter and turning on my heel, smoothing back my skirt and sitting next to my –leaning on regrettably– ex-boyfriend and male counterpart, Finn.
I gave him my Broadway smile, and he looked away.
I felt my smile wash away.

Finn.

My long lasting on-and-off high school taboo of a relationship with Finn had ended yet again.
It was I who ended it, this time.
Why?
Well, It began when I was watching the news, hosted by a pointed faced woman with her blond hair pulled into a tight bun.
I like watching the news, to keep updated on the world surrounding me.
Of course, the only things that really intrigued me were talk of the theatre, so when the name "Barbara" was spoken my neck snapped up immediately.
I frowned when I realised it wasn't who I wished it was, but a woman called Barbara de Angelis. I was about to zone out again until but something this Barbara said in her interview that thieved my attention.
"You never lose by loving," she told her interviewer. "You always lose by holding back."
I muted the sound of her small audience clapping, and was struck silent.
You never lose by loving; you always lose by holding back.
I was loving Finn, I was loving him with every cell in my body, but in doing so, I was holding myself absent from my ultimate dream; the flashing lights of Broadway.

In my defence, the adrenaline from our high-school affair had been dragging its heels, and ultimately I had to think of the bigger picture; Finn meant the world to me, but singing meant the universe.
It's the only thing that I know I can rely on; Finn had cheated on me, lied to me, and used me.

Singing was my one true love, my only romance, through and through.

Of course, Finn and I were still viewed as the Glee Club's representatives; so I had to keep my relationship with him friendly, but professional.

"Hey guys!" Mr. Shue walked in from his office, clapping his hands and snapping me out of my train of thought.
I fixed my smile on again and focused on the present.
"So, how is everyone today?"
I honestly didn't understand why Mr. Shue asked a group of teenagers that when the best answer he'd get was a shrug or a groan.
He smiled, expecting the responses I had.
"Well, nice to know everyone's as bubbly as usual."
He rubbed his hands together and leaned on the piano, earning a disgruntled look from Brad.
"This week, we'll be revisiting the idea of Duets, seeing as you all loved it."
Half of the class groaned— the "Jocks" were the main contributors to this.

I had to admit, Duets were never my favourite of topics for the Glee club to delve into.
It seemed people were too imposed upon by my talent.
And, it had become routine for me to sing with Finn whenever to opportunity for Duets arose, but I was a little discomfited at the thought of singing with him when he thought so little of me at the moment, we might be singing a nice classical song, then he'll break out into some alternative rock song about a bad break-up.
I scowled.

"Sadly, this week I don't have any coupons for Breadsticks," I could almost feel Santana seething behind me, "But I am going to shake things up a bit." He paced the room.
"Lately I've been noticing you guys have been sticking into groups, The Football players and Cheerios in the back—" Kurt cleared his throat "—Sorry—and the "couples" in the middle and front."
Brittany opened her mouth to say something, but earned a nudge from a pink faced Santana.
"The Glee club is meant to be a unified group," he brought his hands together "I don't see that much unity in here guys." He huffed.
"Putting it simply, you need to mingle; get to know one another."
"Where're you going with this, Mr. Shue?" Mercedes asked from the back row.
"These week your doing duets; but I'm going to chose your partners."

There was a series of gasps, followed by loud whispers circling the choir room.
My eyes widened.
Pairs picked by Mr. Shue?
But he is unaware of my full potential, my standards!
What if he picks me to sing with someone who i'm totally incompatible with?
What if he pairs me to sing with Mike?
At the thought of his glass-shattering "voice" I shuddered, feeling my eyelashes grow wet.
I opened my mouth, I had to say something! This was an abomination!
"Mr. Shue—"
"I'm going to do this quick." He said quickly, silencing the chatter.
"Alright. Artie's with Sam," Sam looked to Artie and smiled awkwardly, Artie hit his chest twice and pulled a peace sign; I noticed both Tina and Kurt avert their eyes.
"Tina's with Brittany," I heard a small "what?" from the both of them "Santana, you're with Mike," Santana jeered something about soy sauce, and I felt a small rush of relief "Puck, you're with Mercedes" Puck looked up at Mercedes, cocking an eyebrow and nodding at his ex-girlfriend of a record-breaking two weeks, Mercedes rolled her eyes.
"Finn, you're with Kurt." Finn smiled, oddly apologetically but it seemed he was anticipating spending time with him.
Kurt, on the other hand, looked away, mouthing something, and Finn looked down.

I raised my eyebrows.
Mr. Shue really was picking the strangest of couples, wasn't he?
...Wait.
Arite and Sam.
Tina and Brittany.
Santana and Mike.
Mercedes and Puck.
Finn and Kurt.
That leaves...
"Quinn?" I looked to the Cheerio, and she looked as annoyed as ever when I was brought into context.
"No, Mr. Shue." She twirled the pencil she kept for her notebook and gave me a catty glare, "I refuse to work with Man-hands over here."
I fumed inwardly at the tedious nickname she labelled me with, my hands were perfectly feminine!
I tried to return her glare with the same ferocity she had given me.
"And I, refuse to work with someone with as little talent as Miss Fabray," I repressed a smile at my placement of words, if that didn't hit hard I didn't know what would.
"My voice is powerful and seasoned; her voice is weak and watery."
She raised her eyebrows at me, keeping the same expression, but even I could tell she was displaced from my words.
"Watery?" She repeated, then sniggered.
"Yes, dilute, feeble."
She looked down to her notebook, hiding a smirk, a smirk that itself was hiding humiliation, I was sure.
Then she quipped, "You know Rachel, you're a real—"
"Guys!" Mr. Shue interjected, walking forward and clapping his hands loudly to draw our attention.
"This is a prime example of what this assignments about. Unity—especially between the two of you— is scarce in this club.
I know some of you may have your differences, and I know that Quinn doesn't have as much experience in singing as you Rachel," I couldn't repress my smile then. "But, she does have a great voice."
That was when Quinn couldn't either.
"You both do.
And I'm sure all of you know how varied the Musical world is; there's something out there for everyone, you just have to find it."
He smiled, his lesson for the day delivered.
But I was enraged.
I would not have it.
I would not sing with Quinn Fabray.
What kind of hassle will she deliver to me when were alone and practicing?
I didn't want to risk more insults!
Wait, no Rachel. Just breathe.
My inner monologue caught me on the verge of a storm-out.
The Arts are all about pushing boundaries.
Pushing the boundaries of society; pushing limitations, and most importantly pushing yourself.
Get out of your comfort zone, it will only do you good.
 "I'll do it!" I blurted out, it was for the sake of my career, it was something i had to do; bigger picture Rachel, bigger picture.
"What?" Quinn droned.
Mr. Shue grinned. Fantastic. Your duets are due by the end of the week,"
There was the sound of shuffling chairs as everyone took that as their adieu; save Quinn and I.
Quinn was too busy deciding whether or not to look surprised or spit another insult, and I was too busy thinking over what I had just agreed to.

Soon enough, the rest of the Glee club had left, leaving the two of us behind in an empty choir room.

"I can't believe you've just signed me up to a week of living in my personal hell."
"I can't either."