By Chance

Quinn moved to New York to work at the popular Windorf Magazine, to live the dream. Little did she know that a certain mohawked boy can destroy her hopes of having a happy life. Could she survive her new life or did she make the wrong decision?

A/N: So this fic is totally AU. Please take a chance on reading this story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Glee.

Chapter 1: Welcome New York, Welcome New Life

Quinn Fabray stood there at the middle of Time Square, trying to take in everything she's seeing right now. Groups of pedestrians were walking along the streets of Manhattan. She laughed lightly when she saw the famous naked cowboy. She still couldn't believe that all her hard work has finally paid off. She's finally here in New York, living the dream. Being able to work at the Windorf Magazine is what she always wanted. And now, she's not letting the opportunity fly away.

She glanced at her wrist watch. It's exactly one in the afternoon. Therefore, she only has half an hour left to find a way to go to Central Park. Quinn sighed, not knowing which way to go. A lot of people were just walking by her, obviously in a hurry. She could take a cab, but she didn't want to rely on a cab to go anywhere. She wants to explore the streets by herself today.

She scanned the crowd, and saw a man who's back was turned to her. From her vantage point, she could see that he was wearing a black leather jacket and a fedora on the head.

Quinn approached the man, hoping he would know how to get to her destination. "Excuse me." The man didn't seem to hear her, or at least that's what she thinks. Quinn tapped his shoulder, making sure she would catch his attention this time using a much louder voice. 'Excuse me." But she still got nothing.

She knows for sure that this man is ignoring her. How dare he ignore her? No one ignores Quinn Fabray, unless she wants to get ignored. She refuses to be ignored, and being in New York wouldn't change that. "I was just wondering if you have any idea on how to get to Central Park," she said.

The man, obviously taller than her, turned around then. He looked not much older than her. Underneath the black jacket, he was wearing a plain white V-neck tee with simple jeans and sneakers. Both his hands were shoved inside his pocket. Under his fedora, she could see only a minimal part of his hair. Quinn has to admit, he looks kind of attractive, except for the ridiculously big glasses he was wearing.

"Central Park. You're joking, right?" The man snickered, looking at her like she was a joke.

Quinn was slightly offended with what he just said. There she was standing in front of him, seriously asking for direction without a hint of sarcasm, and he thinks she was joking?

She raised her perfect brow at him, both hands on her hips, and looked at him drop dead serious. "I, most certainly, am not joking."

His lips formed a cocky smirk, like he was amazed at what she just did.

Quinn glared at him right in the eye to show how serious she was being.

"Oh, you were serious?" The smirk leaving his face. "For a second there I thought you were making that up just to have an excuse to talk to me," he said cockily, the smirk returning to his face.

Quinn just stood there, wondering if she was actually hearing what she just did. How arrogant can this person be? "And what makes you think I want to talk to you?" she simply retorted.

"Come on. Let's be honest here. Aside from the obvious, we both know for sure that I'm attractive," he stated.

Quinn scoffed. "Are you for real? Besides from the obvious? What are you talking about?"

Did he really think she was into him? This is what she gets from asking direction. "Look, I just want to know how to get to Central Park. I don't want to waste any more time than I already had."

"You don't know how to get to Central Park." He looked at her firmly, trying to figure her out.

"No. If I did, I wouldn't have asked and wasted time just to deal with an arrogant, self-obsessed jerk," she exasperated. "I'm new here in Manhattan," she added, feeling the need to state that fact.

"Figured." And yet, another cocky smirk, which Quinn is starting to hate by the way, formed on his lips.

"And what was that supposed to mean?" She folded her arms across her chest.

He simply snickered.

Unbelievable. What on earth did this man find funny? Did she crack a joke or something? She's starting to question this man's sanity.

Quinn stared daggers at him in disbelief. "Nothing," he said nonchalantly. "Okay. Just walk 17 blocks north to 59th Street. If that's enough for you, then great, you're there. It's just under a mile. If you need to get anywhere special in the park, you'll have to add that distance. If you want to take the train, take the one here to 59th Street/Columbus Circle and you'll be on the southwest corner of the park."

Quinn plastered a fake smile and thanked him, not even bothering to sound thankful at all. She's just glad that all that bickering was over, and she would never probably have to see this guy again.

"No problem, blondie." The smirk obviously still in his face. And without saying any other thing, he swam to the group of people on the streets.

Quinn looked at him slowly disappear to the crowd.

Quinn followed the man with a fedora's instructions. And to be honest, she was kind of surprised that he had told her the right information. The thought of him giving her wrong information just to mess with her couldn't seem escape Quinn's mind. Well, until now.

She found herself standing beside the Alice in Wonderland sculpture on the north side of the park. She saw the Angel of Waters Bethesda Fountain on her way there, and thought it was just breathtaking.

She looked around multiple times, before she saw the small brunette she was looking for.

Rachel Berry.

"Quinn!" Rachel's grin was so big that it would be of no difference to the one the Cheshire Cat has. She instantly pulled Quinn into a tight hug.

"Hey Rachel, it's good to see you, too."

"I've missed you so much! I'm sorry I wasn't able to pick you up on the airport. I couldn't get out of rehearsals. I know, I'm a bad friend." Rachel pouted and offered an apologetic look.

"It's fine. And you're a very good friend." Quinn smiled her skinny friend. "So, how's Broadway?"

"It's amazing!" Rachel's eyes sparkle at the mention of her lifelong dream. "It's everything I ever wanted. How 'bout you? Excited for work tomorrow?"

They started walking along the park. "Excited and nervous. I still couldn't believe I'm here now."

"Yeah, me too. A while ago, I was starting to worry that you might get lost in a city this big."

"Well, it wasn't really an easy journey. I had to encounter a total jerk just to know how to get here."

Rachel looked at Quinn skeptically. "What do you mean? What happened?"

"Oh, don't get me started."

Quinn told Rachel all about her encounter with the arrogant jerk at Starbucks. Both decided they needed coffee, for Quinn, after a tiring plane ride; for Rachel, after a tiring rehearsal.

"Funny. He kind of reminds me of someone I know," Rachel stated while looking down at her latte.

"Well, I'm just glad that over with. I just hate that arrogant bastard."

Rachel laughed at her friend, receiving a glare. "What? It's been a while since I saw you like that," she defended.

"If you were there with me, you'll feel the same way."

"Just forget about him." She smiled. "Let's go see your new apartment," Rachel sang.

They arrived at her apartment just a few minutes after their conversation. The apartment is just right for Quinn's taste. It didn't have a bedroom, but she was totally fine with having a studio typed apartment. Her bed was on the right side of the apartment on top of a platform. She has her own flat screen TV, an amazing kitchen, and a wonderful sofa set. What more could she ask for?

"If you don't like it, we could always find another one." Rachel has been worrying about Quinn not liking the apartment.

"It's perfect Rachel. Thank you." Quinn hugged her friend to assure her that she's okay with it. "I really like it. And besides, I need an apartment that I can pay for."

Rachel pulled away and answered her ringing phone. "Hello?"

Quinn stared at her friend as her lips slowly forms a little frown. "What? Now? But it's a Sunday and he promised me," Rachel argued on the phone. "Fine, I'll be there as soon as possible. Bye." Rachel sighed and looked at Quinn.

"What's wrong?" Quinn questioned.

"They need me to go back," Rachel explained. "Which is really unfair, considering they told me I can spend the day with you."

"It's okay. You should go. I'll be fine."

"I'm really sorry. I know I promised to spend the day with you but now, I have to leave."

"It's okay. Your career's very important. I understand. Now go," Quinn encouraged.

Rachel smiled apologetically. "I promise I'll be here first thing in the morning to pick you up. I'll make it up to you," Rachel promised while walking to the door.

Quinn plopped down her new couch as soon as her friend left, feeling tired.

Quinn fixed and arranged all her things to the apartment. After that, she went to the grocery store for food. Her fridge is literally empty right now, and she would really like to have something to eat for dinner and for breakfast tomorrow. The only problem is, with the amount of food she bought, Quinn couldn't single-handedly carry all the grocery bags to her apartment.

"Here's your stop." The cab driver turned around, waiting for her payment.

Quinn took out some cash from her pocket and gave them to the driver. "Here you go. Thanks."

With the help of the cab driver, Quinn was able to take all her bags out of the car. She went to the elevator, but was having a hard time carrying all of the bags.

"Need some help with that?" a deep voice said from behind.

A/N: So, what did you guys think? Who'd you think is the mystery guy? Please leave comments and reviews. I would really like to know them. Thank you for taking a chance in reading this fic. Sorry, if you feel like the characters are OOC. Tell me. I'll try my best.