Soft Shock Chapter 1, a glee fanfic

A/N: I wasn't going to put this fic on here but I thought I may aswell give it a shot. I really wanted to write a werewolf story with the some of the Glee characters and so I put this together. I'm not sure how it's going to turn out but I tried to keep it as interesting as possible. Of course, this first chapter is going to go on a bit so you can get all the details out of the way, but I assure you the next chapter will get to the more exciting part.

Chapter One:

Too Fast, Slow Down

Rachel

It wasn't the first time my fathers and I had fought, but it was certainly the most regretting time. You see, they hadn't been around as much as I needed them to be. They always had their weekend date nights, or were busy at work, but even when they finished at work, they would go straight out with each other. It was as though I didn't exist. I was having a hard time at school. I thought the ridiculous slushie-throwing had stopped, but it only seemed as though the students had wanted me to think that, and catch me by surprise. That's why I had five members of the football team all throw each of their slushies at me. Simultaneously. I was freezing cold, shivering, crying, and nobody even spared me a glance, let alone help me. I am so sick of people thinking that I don't have feelings. Sick of people who think that I'm not like them - a human, an emotional teenager.

Glee club was okay, I have to admit, but it seemed as though each rehearsal spent, a little piece of myself was taken. After recently discovering that Santana was capable of many musical genres for her stunning voice, Mr. Shuester insisted she have more solos. Mr. Shue also found a new love for jazzy blues and that was the perfect genre for Quinn. It was as though the glee club was getting tired of my voice, and I saw the fresh looks of excitement and approval when the glee club members who usually didn't take solos actually stepped up. Noah's voice was beautiful and often took duets with Mercedes. Their voices somehow meshed together and created a fantastic sound to my ears, I'll give you that. But what happened to Rachel Berry? The girl that got this club together? Has everyone forgotten about her?

I needed my dad's to hold me, and comfort me like they used to a few months back. I don't know when they decided now was the right time to start running off with each other; when I need them the most. It's so lonely being an only child. This is why I wish I had friends. No, one friend would be just fine for me. One friend would mean the world to me. But I can't blame people for not wanting to take a chance at friendship with me. I'm loud and apparently cannot stop talking, and usually it's about myself. But I mean, what else is there to talk about? Nothing else is interesting. Oh, now that sounds bad. Okay, I take it back. A lot of things are probably more interesting than myself. I just haven't found them out yet.

After my enormous argument with my fathers about not acknowledging the presence of their only child and a few tears later, I found myself running out in the cold, dark winter streets of Lima, Ohio. I was greeted by an uneasy tingling feeling on the back of my neck by the orange-yellow glow of the street lamps that were casting odd shadows on the ground. I had never run away from home, ever. But the look of anger on my Dad's face and the irritation on my Daddy's, I just didn't understand. I needed to get away. I couldn't be in the same house as them as that awkward and spiteful tension wafted through the air as though it had it's own scent. My parents had never been like this in an argument before. Usually they would just mumble pathetic and weak apologises and take me in their arms, holding me until the feel of security finally touched me. They were always there for me, and they were always supportive. I love my dads more than anything, but what has changed? Have I changed? I hope not. Life's what you make it, and I certainly did not make this unpleasant relationship between my dads and I. Not intentionally, anyway.

I shivered as I snuck my chin lower into my bunched up woolly scarf. Thank god my coat was thick and long, because I had no intentions of going back any time soon, and I thought that without the warm protection of puffy clothes from winter's icy bite, I may very well be frozen by now. I told my dads that I was going to a friend's to spend the night. They sighed and let me go. It proves that they don't pay that much attention to me anymore, because otherwise they would have realized that their poor little daughter has no friends. Nope, not even one. Just acquaintances. And staying at an acquaintance's house was not even an option with all this sadness and anger that hung in the air, following me. Besides, who would let annoying little Rachel Berry into their homes? Finn probably wouldn't even feel too keen on the idea.

As I walked slowly and aimlessly down the sidewalk, I felt yet another tingle on my neck; the feeling of being watched. Anyone could have grabbed me; snatched me away and never let me go. But I suddenly felt free. There was no one to stop me or tell me to be safe - to do the right thing. It was just me, myself and I. As it usually was, though. I was getting close to the local woods. It wasn't very big, but it wasn't very small, either. There weren't many animals that lived there. Harmless birds, squirrels, rabbits, the occasional lost and scampering fox. But even a fox would dash away at the slight crunch of your shoes in this town. I also knew that if you cut through these woods - which wasn't that far a walk - you could reach the lake. I loved it there, it was beautiful, especially at night. I used to go there sometimes with my dads when I was younger. We'd watch the peaceful glistening sparkles on the lake's surface as the bright silver moon cascaded it's rays down upon it. The comforting and relaxing sound of crickets, hiding away in the grass, watching the precious scene with us. My dad's laying either side of me, my tiny hands in their larger ones as we lay on our backs and stare up at the delightful view of many golden shining stars. That was another reason that I signed my name with a gold star after it - not only because it represented me being a star, but also holding the childhood memory of the moments I so happily experienced with my fathers.

As I entered the wood, I sighed and exhaled a light puff of oxygen which rapidly froze, reminding me how cold it was and that I should probably go home. But I was actually starting to like being alone, being in charge of myself and my safety. It gave me time to think and explain myself to, well, myself. I heard a twig snap and the rustling of leaves as I lurked deeper into the dark night, and I froze. When all remained silent, I sighed again and continued to walk, a little faster this time. It was probably just a bird or a squirrel or something. No big deal, I mentally shrugged it off.

Without the street lamps for guidance, it was harder to make sense of the obstacles that were chunky broken-off branches that had fallen to the ground and large solid trees. I accidentally bumped my shoulders against the thick, rough trunks a few times but luckily for my puffy coat, no damage was done. The almost-fading moon rays that seem to try so hard to beam down at the awful night through the thick, smoky grey clouds just weren't enough because I felt my shoe scuff something and I hit the floor. The hard, damp ground. I lay there for a second, dazed, and trying to make sense of what had just happened. I groaned as I propped myself up with my hands, trying to recover my strength and balance, but when I looked straight ahead I was not met with darkness or black unpleasant shadows, but eyes. They looked familiar; a dark chocolate brown with a delicate sparkle from the moon. Then I realized what this creature was, and gasped in fear. I wasn't sure if it was normal for a wolf to have such eyes, but I was too terrified to think of it in much detail at this moment. It looked directly at me, and I could of sworn I saw it squint, as if challenging me. I tried to back away but I stumbled backwards and fell to the floor again. I hadn't had a chance to even process what to do next when the animal was pinning me down, big bulky paws either side of my head and those eyes again, staring down at me.

It snarled and I swallowed. "Please," I whispered softly, trying to soothe it and reason with it at the same time, as though it knew what I was saying. After a few seconds - probably about thirty though it seemed like a lifetime as those intense dark orbs from the wicked creature above me stared me down - I thought it understood when it's gaze seemed to relax and it's tensed shoulders had loosened, letting it's head just droop towards me rather that force it into a cruel gesture. I slowly tried to shuffle upward from underneath it but it had locked me pretty tight. I managed to lift my arm out and around it's body and gently tried to move it's mattered fur-covered leg, but instead I earned a deep throaty growl and I suddenly panicked. A quick reflex of when I am scared of something is to throw my arms over my face, and so I did, but on the way of doing so I accidentally whacked the wild mutt in the face, earning a whimper from the animal.

My heartbeat's rate increased terribly much in a matter of seconds and it was as though I could just hear the loud pounding in my ears as I burned up and cried out with pain as the wolf snapped it's teeth right the way through my coat and into my arm. I tried to shrug the animal off but I seemed to have just got it more worked up. It tore and ripped at my coat until half of the sleeve was detached. I cried and sobbed, hot tears running down my burning cheeks, soaking my face and dampening the strands of my hair that were close enough. I tried to bury my head into my scarf, and all I could taste was the salty liquid of my tears and wool. I released a screech of pain as the wolf sunk it's fairly blunt teeth into my arm again, and I swear I heard my bone crunch. If only it was newborn, with teeth as sharp as needles, would it have possibly hurt less. But whilst the bluntness of the bones that were its carnivorous teeth sunk into me, fighting hard to break the skin, all I could see was pitch black, and I was pretty sure I died.

Quinn

Sure, it was a strange thing for me to notice that Rachel wasn't at school today, because when have I ever thought about her? Well, apart from the time I was trying to get her to step away from Finn, ordering slushie facials for her from Karofsky, drawing pornographic pictures on the bathrooms walls of her, sketching over-ugly pictures of her in my notebook, and telling her to shut up during glee when she annoyed the hell out of me, I pretty much never thought about her. It wasn't that I hated her. I mean, if anything, I envied her. She had a perfect life. I wish I had her life. She was beautiful, dare I say it. Her voice was fantastic and the only reason I wanted her to shut up when she sung was because I wanted so badly to sound like that. I couldn't bare the jealousy that coursed through my veins as I watched her perform, and I often yelled at her and stormed out of the class. It was too bad I couldn't blame it on the baby hormones anymore since I'd given birth. It's hard for me to talk about. I gave my baby girl up for adoption and found the most adoring parents that earned a soft spot in my heart for them. They'd shown me pictures of them together, their family and their house. The wife couldn't have kids and I felt incredibly sorry towards her. Hey, look, there I was sixteen and pregnant with an unwanted child and there was this poor woman, married to what looked like the love of her life judging by the happiness in their photos and couldn't even have a child to show their love. I chose them, and I don't regret it.

They send me pictures when I ask. They don't do it unless I want to. Otherwise it'd seem like they're rubbing it in my face. She's a few months old and she's beautiful. I'm glad that I adopted her out, to an adoring family. I couldn't have done that. I mean, I couldn't have raised her. So I gave her up. It was the sensible and good thing to do, right? Her hair is blonde and she has faint curls. Her hair is a little lighter than mine but I have a strange feeling her hair will darken as she grows older, like Puck's. She has hazel eyes. They're beautiful. They insisted I choose her first name and she'll have their surname, of course. I told them no, but they told me it was a show of respect and a thank you. Her name is Autumn Woods. I have to admit, I had forgotten their surname when I came up with it, but they smiled and said it sounded perfect.

Ever since I'd given her up, I tried to stay mature. My parents had allowed me back into their lives, into their home, and as much as I strongly disliked them - never hated, because hate is a bad word - I accepted the offer. I barely talk to them. Nothing is to be said. I'm not their little girl anymore, as much as I want to be, they've made that clear. Other than that, life is okay. Puck is more careful with what he does with girls, and I smirk at that, because really? Puck being careful with girls? That's something I never thought I'd see, but I appreciate him, and we've become sort of friends, I guess. It's kind of sweet the way he talks about Super Mario Brothers because you'd think he's all chasing cougars and showing them his, in my opinion, disturbing nipple ring and trying to get the ladies, what with his stud image, but he's really just another boy. He didn't bother to grow back his Mohawk, just left his head shaved. It looks cleaner, and I like it.

Brittany and Santana are dating, which I saw coming in my head but never thought they'd have the guts to come out like that. Seeing them together holding hands instead of pinkies actually makes me feel warm inside. They kiss in public and I'm quite surprised that I don't find it revolting, but some how sweet. I guess I'm jealous that they don't care about what people think.

So here I am now, sitting in glee without Rachel Berry. That's the only reason I noticed she wasn't in, because usually she's always early and already singing a warm-up solo in front of her uncaring audience, barely acknowledging her presence as though her singing were just like background music that you didn't really pay attention to. I took a seat next o Santana who was lazily staring at her fingernails. Brittany was sitting next to her and just looked completely out of it, with purple shades under her eyes.

"What's up with Britt?" I asked the Latina quietly, gesturing to the blonde with a slight nod of my head in her direction.

"She recently discovered that she's in love with coffee. She hasn't slept all weekend. Her mom banned it from the house and now, I think she's forgotten how to talk," Santana replied not as quiet as I would have thought. "I had to help her get dressed today. She's super tired," the brunette smirked.

"Alright, Lopez. I just asked what was up with her, you didn't have to put the awkward image of you dressing Brittany into my head," I muttered, scrunching my nose up in disgust.

Santana snorted, "You're just jealous my girlfriend is smoking' hot."

"Yeah? Not right now she isn't."

"Watch it, Fabray," the Latina snapped and I just sighed, giving my full attention to Mr. Shuester who had stepped in front of the class to begin the club.

"Alright, guys. Let's start practising with yesterday's song. Finn, Rachel, come on up here," Mr. Shue smiled, stepping aside as Finn took the centre. The tall boy's face scrunched up in confusion when no petite brunette in argyle followed his lead.

I sighed, and raised my hand. "Hello? Rachel's not in today. How could you have not noticed?"

"I know. I mean, it was all pretty quiet when we got here. You should have known," Santana scoffed out at the idiotic minds of some of our fellow glee clubbers.

"Rachel? Not at school?" Puck laughed, "But she's got one hundred percent attendance. I don't believe it. Where's she hiding?"

"Alright, guys. I guess we'll just have to perform another number until she's back," the teacher sighed.

After glee, I hunched my backpack over my shoulder and tiredly started making my way down the hallway. It had seemed like such a long day, though it was probably because I had to put effort into my glee performance today since Rachel wasn't in. It sort of made my wonder how sick the singer had actually gotten because she even came to school with tonsillitis a few months ago, which she really shouldn't have because I felt myself coming on with a sore throat after she spoke to me.

The image of her in bed with a thousand bandages wrapped around her body and a bowl of cold untouched soup nestled on her stomach came into my mind and I snickered. Breaking me out of my thoughts was a light tap on my shoulder, and I turned around to face Santana. I raised my eyebrow in question to her.

"Do you know what's up with Berry? Why… she wasn't in school today?" Santana swallowed and played with the hem of her skirt.

"Um, no. Why would I know?" I asked, because it was obvious she and I weren't friends. "Why do you care anyway?" I laughed sarcastically.

"I don't!" the brunette barked, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Mhmm. Someone's a softy for Berry," I teased, smirking.

Santana let out an irritated 'ugh' and left for her car when we arrived at the parking lot. It confused me that Santana would even ask such a question about Rachel Berry, because after all, she and I were insulting her together not long ago and leaving horrible comments on her MySpace videos. I regret it. Berry's a person. I feel bad. She deserves so much better than what she's given. And for a start I should start calling her Rachel instead of Berry. If Santana can show concern for her then I certainly can.

I sighed as I got in my car.

When I entered my house, my mother was in drinking god knows what, but whatever it was made her eyes almost red. I came into the kitchen, where she sat on the wooden stool completely aware of my presence as she stared at the floor, her arm crossed and glass in one hand. She didn't even say hi, and it stung so bad.

I poured myself a glass of apple juice. That stuff made me feel sick after I drunk too much but it was nice and cold and I just felt like it. I took my drink and silently began to leave the room when my mother called back. "Hey! Quinnie, aren't you going to say hello to your mother? You're getting more and more rude every day. Where are your manners, young lady?"

"I came into the house. You should have greeted me," I huffed, only half-way turning back at her.

"Don't give me that attitude, young lady! As long as you live under my roof, you will respect me and your father. Now get to your room," she snapped.

"Don't worry, I was already going there." I stomped upstairs, hearing a 'stop that!' from my mother downstairs and went into my room. I placed my glass on the table and slumped into bed, burying my face in my pillow.

Rachel

I awoke to a burning headache and a painful sting in my right arm. I groaned as I tried to open my eyes, squinting as daylight burned into my sight. When my eyes finally adjusted to the light, I opened them wider, frowning when I realized I was still in the woods. The memory of last night hit me and I whimpered. I actually whimpered like a wounded puppy. I turned my head to look at whatever disaster may lay upon my arm, only to find a shiny pink mark. It was large, but there was no blood. How could I have healed so quickly? The pain was agonizing and when the creature bit me, I could feel the liquid pouring out of my skin and down my arm. This was impossible.

I managed to sit up, gathering the surroundings that closed in on me. The trees were bare and snow clumps were patched around on the ground. There was no sign of the wolf, but I shuddered at the thought of it.

I snapped out of my thoughts when I realized that my fathers would be worried sick. Then I remembered that they're both probably at work guessing on the sunlight for the time of day. I looked down at my arm again and my eyebrows knitted together in confusion. I touched the mark. Beneath my fingertips it stung at the feel of new skin upon it. I brush my fingers over it. It felt smooth. It was… abnormal. My aching body began to settle and I slowly stood up. My sleeve was nowhere to be found. I didn't have to look in a mirror to know how much of a mess I was. I mean, I was just attacked by a freaking wolf only a few hours ago. Lima had wolves? This was insane. My coat was ripped and my face felt dirty. I walked at a rather fast pace out of the woods, only focusing on the faint noise of traffic, and eventually made it to the sidewalk. I ignored the horrid stares that people threw at me. Then I cried and ran home. I tried everyday of my life to stay strong and not cry, but I let my tears fall because I was so damn scared right now and nothing made sense. Am I being punished for getting mad at my fathers? For leaving them? Probably so.

What seemed like an eternity of running later, I finally managed to get to my house. I crept up to the door and fumbled in my jean pockets for my keys. Luckily, they were still there. I unlocked the door and creaked it open as quietly as I could. When I heard no sound, I stepped inside and closed the door behind me. Nobody was home. I dashed upstairs which I was quite surprised I could do, and threw my tattered, ripped coat off on the floor. I stared at it and gulped. I started to shake fiercely. With fear, and then somehow anger. I wasn't sure what I was angry about but something just bolted right into me and I felt like smashing something. I gently closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths to ease my temper into a calmness. When I was finally under control of my own emotions, I went to the bathroom. I turned the shower on, nice and hot. I was incredibly surprised how I hadn't frozen to death after spending a night out in a deadly cold winter's night.

I stripped of my clothes and stepped inside of the shower. I winced as the water hit my scar, causing it to burn. After a few seconds of letting it get used to the temperature, I continued to wash, grabbing the soap and sliding it all over my body that somehow felt filthy. The thought of bugs crawling in my hair whilst I slept - or lay unconscious, I'm not sure which one it was - made me shiver with displeasure. I washed my hair with my favourite shampoo, coconut and vanilla, and tried to wash out every scent of wolf, damp mud, rotten wood and stale blood. It was weird, I could smell the blood but not see it. Perhaps the wolf licked me clean? Wanted every last drop that fell from me? I felt anger building within me again and tried to push aside my thoughts with just the simple washing of my hair.

After I finished showering, I got changed into clean, loose clothes. Some sweatpants and a black long-sleeved shirt, to be exact. Yeah, I know, you'd never expected Rachel Berry to own such a thing, but I'm human, too. Then I discarded my used clothes into the laundry basket, all but my coat which I hid away under my bed until I knew where to get rid of it to. My parents could never find out how irresponsible I've been, though of course they'd be concerned of my condition, but they'd also probably never let me out of the house again. Besides, I'm too ashamed of what I let happen to me. And too terrified to talk about it.

I settled onto my bed, pulled out my laptop and looked up information on wolves. Apparently, they're very peaceful and intelligent. However, towards humans they can possibly be timid, but also aggressive. I surely did not do anything for it to pin me down like that. Perhaps it was the sudden movement of when I fell. Maybe it felt that I was a threat to it. Then I guess the wolf that attacked me was either crazy, or a lost tiny wolf-like panther.

I tried to take my mind off everything. All this thinking was making my head hurt. I turned my laptop off and settled it on the table, then slumped down into my bed. I closed my eyes and let my mind and body relax.

I awoke to a light shove on my shoulders and I fluttered my eyes open to see my Daddy, Hiram. I let out a tired yawn and stretched my arms above my head. "Hi, Daddy."

"Rachel," he said in a stern voice and furrowed his brows in a slight anger, "why weren't you in school today?"

Oh, damn. I totally forgot about that. I couldn't tell him I got attacked. He would probably label me crazy considering the scar takes away every evidence of it being brutal, let alone a wolf attack.

"Of course I was at school, Daddy. What are you talking about?" I tried to put on my sweet, innocent voice, pretending I had no clue what he was talking about.

"I got a text message from the school secretary, informing me that you didn't attend any of your classes," Hiram squinted suspiciously. "Who did you stay with last night?"

Oh, no way. He's totally going to phone their parents. Um, well I can't say Finn. He'd probably assume something inappropriate, therefore I can't name any of the boys. Dang it, I don't know any of what the girls in glee club's mothers or fathers are like. Neither do I have any of their numbers. Except Tina's from a school project we were working on and Quinn's from Finn when he needed to call her and I just added her number in case I ever needed it. Which I wouldn't.

"Tina," I mumbled, avoiding eye contact.

"Tina Cohen-Chang?" He asked.

"Um, yes." I hoped he wouldn't phone her parents.

"Okay. I'm going to call her parents to make sure that you did in fact go," he raised an unsure eyebrow at me and made his way out of the room. Great. Why was everyone's number in the phonebook?

Without a second to lose, I jumped out of bed and grabbed my cell phone off the table and called Tina's cell. No answer. Damn it! I tried again, and still no answer. I exhaled shakily, knowing I had to call the girl who hated me. After a few rings, she picked up.

"Hello?"

"Quinn? Look, it's Rachel. Please, I need a favour. Could you ask your mother or father to pretend that I spent the night at your house when my father calls? Otherwise I'll have a lot of explaining to do," I pleaded, talking so fast I'm not sure she would understand what I said.

"Rachel? How did you get my number? No, wait. Where the hell have you been, Berry? You must be seriously dying to miss a day from school-"

"Quinn! Please! I'll explain later. I have to go. Thanks." I quickly snapped the phone shut and ran downstairs to my father. His face was confused and frustrated as he held the phone to his ear.

"No, but my Rachel told me she spent the night-"

"Daddy!" I snatched the phone from him, ending the call.

"Rachel! What are you doing? That was incredibly rude!" He took the phone back.

"Sorry, I forgot. I was half-asleep. I didn't stay at Tina's. I stayed at Quinn Fabray's," I faked a laugh and tried to smile, hoping he would buy it.

"Russell Fabray's daughter? The girl who made you cry almost all of last year?"

"We're good friends now."

"Alright," he sighed and gave me a suspicious eye, dialling the Fabray's number. After a few rings, someone answered. I sat next to my father on the chair in our kitchen, close enough to hear who was on the other end of the line.

"Hello?" came the voice, as it certainly sounded younger than Mrs. Fabray should have sounded like.

"Hello, is Mrs. Fabray there?" my father asked.

There was a cough. "Oh, yes. This is Mrs. Fabray. And this is…?" that certainly wasn't Mrs. Fabray. That was… Quinn? What was Quinn doing? I had to bite my bottom lip to keep myself from laughing.

"Oh Mrs. Fabray you're sounding very good. Even better than the last time we met. Anyways, my daughter, Rachel, told me that she spent the night at your house with your daughter last night. Is that true? Apparently she wasn't at school, and I was quite curious."

"Yes, yes of course she was here. At first she wouldn't stop singing and I couldn't sleep and then she tried to talk about Barbara Streisand and then… uh, she was wonderful."

"Oh! Well thank you so much, Mrs. Fabray. I was just worried, that's all. Thank you. Goodbye." Hiram politely ended the call after a quiet 'goodbye' was heard. He looked at me as if waiting for me to say something.

"I'm quite small. Sometimes they don't see me in class."

Quinn

My parents would have never gone along with such a task that Rachel had requested. They would give me a lecture on the importance of honesty, the consequences of lying and how many mistakes I've made it my life. How I'm getting worse, blah, blah. If I weren't so curious as to why Rachel wasn't in school, and wanting to argue with her of how much she made my day worse with having to put so much effort into glee, I might not have pretended to be my mother on that call and just let her down with a smile. But I'm not even that cruel, and besides, she sounded pretty desperate. I told myself I was going to be nice, didn't I?

I went back upstairs into my room, waiting for my phone to ring so Berry could explain herself to me. That Rachel's father was a moron if he thought I was my mom. Jeez, I know I gave birth but am I already sounding like a mother? No, he's just dumb. And so I waited for Rachel to call. And I waited. And waited. What has it been, like, fifteen minutes? Good thing I kept myself occupied with my drawing pad, sketching an ugly picture of Rachel. Hey, it takes time to be nice and drawing gross pictures of Rachel makes me smile. Besides, I mean, I didn't lie to her dad for nothing, and how dare she lie to me and not call? So I picked up my phone and scrolled through my calls until I found my most recent one - Rachel's number. After a few rings she picked up.

"Berry! Why didn't you call me? I've been waiting to hear your explanation," I pretty much growled into the phone.

"Uh, sorry Quinn. And thanks for pretending to be your mom to my dad," she quietly chuckled, "I just, I'm not sure I feel comfortable telling anybody about what happened last night, yet. I'm still kind of freaked out."

"Oh god, Berry. You didn't do anything with Finn did-"

"No!" she squeaked, almost cracking the sound through the line, "it's absolutely nothing like that. It's… why are you even talking to me, Quinn?"

"Hey, don't get like that with me. I just helped you out, didn't I? Plus, I have a question," I softened my voice a little.

"Sorry. Shoot."

"Are you friend's with Santana?"

"Santana Lopez? Not the last time I checked. Why's that?" she sounded believably confused. I take it she's not lying.

"Oh, don't worry. It's just, when you weren't in yesterday she came up to me asking if I knew anything about your absence. She looked kinda worried. Santana never cares for anyone."

There was a long pause until she finally spoke. "Well that's rather odd. I'm pretty sure that Brittany is just convincing her to pretend to care and be nice. They're together, after all, aren't they? Brittany probably wants everyone to consider her girlfriend one with a heart."

"Good point. That's probably the reason," I laughed. How could I have been so stupid as to believe Santana actually cared for Berry?

"Hey," I was pretty sure Rachel just whispered to me. It was creepy. "We're actually having a normal conversation and not killing each other with insults. Actually, it's usually you who throws the insults, but it's kind of nice to have someone to talk to."

Her voice sounded sweet and almost pleading. I shook my head. "What do you mean, Berry? You think I'm your friend?"

She sighed, defeated. "Of course it would never happen."

I bit my lip, thinking of Santana. If she could show concern for Rachel, why couldn't I? It's time to be a better person. The pain I felt when I was pregnant, how everyone threw slushies at me and called me those horrible insults. Oh god, I don't know how Rachel survives at school. "Hm," I ignored her last statement. "Are you okay, though?"

"I'm not sure. I feel okay but mentally, it's… I believe I'm well enough for school tomorrow. I'll see you then?" I could tell the end sentence was a question due to the pull of the last word.

"Sure. And you better be in tomorrow. Glee needs your voice so I can sink back in the background," I grinned even though she couldn't see it.

"I will." I thought I could hear the smile in her voice too.

School came around and I didn't share any classes with Rachel. Of course, I didn't like her that much as to track her down so she could tell me her story, so I just waited until it was finally time for glee club. I realized that I was probably getting my hopes up for some super totally awesome story of how Rachel managed to accidentally drive her car into the sea and get strangled by an octopus instead of her really just probably having the flu. She is awfully dramatic, after all.

I randomly took a seat next to Mercedes. We've become quite good friends. Not the best, or anything like hanging out together, but school friends.

"Hey, Quinn," Mercedes greeted me with a gentle smile.

"Hello, Mercedes." I twiddled my thumbs in my lap as I waited for Rachel to arrive; my eyes locked firmly on the doorway.

Matt, Mike, Artie and Tina were already here, and it's not like Rachel to be late. Santana and Brittany came in together looking flushed and there hair was a little out of place and… ugh, how can they do that in school? I sighed, and drummed my fingers on the underneath of my chair whilst I waited impatiently. Finn lazily stumbled in and not long after, Puck.

"Guys, is Rachel not in today?" Mr. Shuester asked, miserably. He knew glee club didn't have the life in it when she wasn't there.

"Oh, it's nice to see you're finally paying attention to me," a voice sarcastically mumbled. I looked up to see that voice belonged to one Rachel Berry.

She looked terrible. Well, she always looked terrible but I mean she actually looked ill this time. Sure, she was wearing her white knee-high socks and those daft black shoes, black pleated skirt and a hideous hot pink argyle sweater, but her face. It was so pale and she looked dead. Black shaded her eyes and no signature Rachel Berry smile was placed upon her lips. Instead, her features lay emotionless upon her worn-out face.

"Rachel! We're so glad you're back," he smiled and turned to face her. His smile fell when he saw the state of her. "Whoa, Rachel you don't look too good. Are you sure it's right for you to be in school today?"

"I'm fine!" She snapped.

"O-okay... That's good. Uh, are you ready to perform with Finn?" he was clearly taken aback from the unusual behaviour the diva was giving off.

"You know what? No, Mr. Shuester, I'm not ready to perform with Finn. I want to show this glee club that I, Rachel Berry, am the best singer in here. I want a solo. A one off. You haven't given me a solo in what seems like forever, Mr. Shuester. How dare you? I got this club together. Without me we would have lost at Sectionals and-"

"Okay, Rachel! You can take a solo. Go for it," Mr. Shue raised his hands up in surrender and sat on the stool by the piano as Rachel took the centre.

"Fellow glee clubbers, I am going to show you what a real performance sounds like," she smiled, and began to sing. No piano, no instruments, just pure voice. Except, it probably would have been better if the band was playing to drown out the sound that came from the brunette's mouth. Was this a joke?

"I wish that I could fly / Into the sky / So very high / Just like a dragonfly," her voice didn't have it's strength. Instead, it was weak and cracked at certain notes. She held her hand to her ear and furrowed her brows. "I'd fly above the trees / Over the seas in all degrees / To anywhere I please," she sung, and gave it all she had, it was clear.

I shifted nervously in my seat. You know when you get embarrassed for someone when they're doing something stupid or making a fool of themselves? Yeah, that's how I feel. I glanced around the room to see an amused face from Brittany, a disgusted face from Mercedes, a dumbfounded face from Finn, and Puck was smirking. I looked back at Rachel.

"Oh I want to get away / I want to fly away / Yeah, yeah, yea-uhh," she cracked her note and then made an incredible noise. Her last lyric blew it. What the hell was that? Did she just howl? At least, it sounded like that. Or maybe it sounded like something being strangled, trying to cry and kind of howling instead. I was too shocked to laugh. She cupped her hand over her mouth and the other glee members looked just as surprised as I did.

"I'm so sorry, I think I'm going to throw up," Rachel squeaked out and dashed out of the room, leaving everyone dumbstruck.

"Well, um, that was, uhh-" Mr. Shuester tried to find the right words but his voice was lost when he saw Santana sprinting out of the classroom after Rachel. Oh no, she's going to kill Berry for hurting her ears.

Rachel

I felt fine this morning, but the classes dragged on and I felt so tired I could have just slept on my desk. I was suddenly feeling angry again when I came into glee and tried to sing my heart out but my god, my performance would scar me for life. The sound that came out of my mouth? What was that? It sounded like an animal. I ran down the hallways in escape of my embarrassment, and because I desperately needed to find something to throw up in. I finally reached the girls bathroom and emptied myself into the nearest toilet. Pain wrecked through my body and I was shaking uncontrollably. The vomit stung me and left a fowl taste in my mouth. I just gripped onto the edges of the toilet bowl and breathed heavily. I froze when I heard the door open and footsteps.

"Rachel?" The voice was so soft, sweet and caring that I didn't recognise it. I slowly turned my head around to find my gaze was caught with dark, brown, chocolate eyes. I'd never really paid much attention to her eyes because I had never really spoken to her properly, let alone have a reason to make such eye contact. Her eyes were beautiful and a part of me melted for a reason unknown.

"Santana?" I breathed, confused of her presence and slightly amazed with her eyes. They seemed to have a different glow to them. Or maybe it was always there and I just never noticed it before.

"Rachel, are you okay?" The tone of her voice showed that the question was real. She cared. This wasn't a joke.

"I- I, um, no. I'm definitely not okay," I whimpered again. That's the second time in my life I've ever whimpered and Santana bit her lip at the noise I made.

"You're not going to throw up again, are you?" she asked genuinely.

"N-no, I don't think so." I wasn't sure why I was stuttering. Maybe it was nerves. Or maybe it was because I was still shaking.

"That's good." She reached her hand out towards me and I took it. She pulled me up and kept her voice soft. "Tell me why you weren't in school yesterday," she asked as we made our way to the sinks after I flushed the toilet. I turned the tap on, letting the cool water dance on my hands.

"I can't." It was a simple answer.

She grabbed my shoulders and spun me around to face her, but there was no anger in her actions. "Tell me," she pleaded. I stared at her eyes again. They scared me and made me feel warm at the same time. She noticed how interested I was in them and turned her head to the side so I couldn't look at them.

"You have to promise not to tell my dads," I said seriously and she nodded. I slid my right sleeve up to show her my pink, shiny scar. Her eyes grew wide and her knuckles turned white as she clutched her left hand to the edge of the sink. She bit her lip.

"What's wrong, Santana? It's just a scar," I said, for I was confused of why she reacted so badly when she hadn't even heard the story.

She took a deep breath and touched it. Slid her finger across the smooth surface and winced, as if the thing had burned her.

"Please tell me you cut yourself." Her voice was thick with desperation.

"Are you assuming that I self-harmed myself, Santana? Although my position at this school is clearly low and I would seem like the type of girl who could without a doubt suffer from immense depression, but-"

"You didn't cut yourself?" She looked like she was about to cry. I shook my head no.

"Wh-what h-happened?"

I exhaled, ready to reveal my stupidity and nightmare of reality when the door burst open and there stood one Quinn Fabray. I quickly pulled my sleeve down and shifted my gaze to Santana then back to the blonde who was slowly walking towards us.

"Santana? What's going on? Are… is everything okay?" Quinn asked, staring at the brunette Cheerio.

"Berry's sick. Leave," Santana growled. The animal-like tone of her voice made me shiver.

"No way, Lopez. Since when did you care about her?" Quinn took a few steps closer until she was almost touching noses with the Latina.

"Since always!"

"Liar," Quinn spat.

"Oh, you're calling me a liar? Don't be such a hypocrite, Quinn. Just think about the time when you lied to Finn about being the father of your baby," Santana said through clenched teeth. "Remember how many people you hurt? And now you're mad at me for caring about Rachel?" Santana started to shake heavily in anger.

Before Quinn could even say anything, Santana had ran out of the bathroom.

"Thanks a lot," I mumbled.

"What?"

"That was the only person who cared about me and you made her run." I looked into hazel eyes. "Why did you do that? Are you really that spiteful that you prefer me to go through my pain alone? She wanted to talk. She was being nice," I snarled. Really, I snarled. "Have you ever heard that word before, Quinn? The word nice? Do you know what it means? Do you think maybe you could try it someday?" I had no idea where this was coming from, but it had to be said.

Quinn looked taken aback, and sort of hurt. "I- I'm sorry, Rachel. I just wanted to know what was going on with you. I… I do care," she admitted and looked confused herself at her own words.

"Why do you care?" I whispered unintentionally. I suddenly didn't have the energy to raise my voice any higher. I gripped on to the sink and stared at the drain. Stared at anything but Quinn.

"I don't know. It's just, you're usually so strong. It's kind of scaring me, Rach. And you sounded really desperate on the phone. I wanna be good to you. I know how much it hurts to be in your place. To have the slushies thrown at you, and the name-calling. The sense of being unloved and alone. Everything. I've experienced all that. I'm done playing the bad guy. I just wanna talk." Quinn's voice was sweet and she awkwardly started to rub soothing circles on my back.

"Okay." I gave in.

"My place after glee?" Quinn asked, and I looked up to see hopeful hazel eyes.

"Your place." I was surprised at the smile that formed on my lips. Maybe life is finally letting me have a friend. Or two.

Well, that was the first chapter. Please leave a review, I appreciate it a lot and I'd like to hear your thoughts on my story. The next chapter will have a lot more Faberry and more mentions of Santana.