Lima, Ohio
Rachel took a deep breath as she climbed out of the VW Bug her fathers gave her over the summer. It was the first day of senior year and the singer had done some major thinking over the break. She thought about her on-again-off-again relationship with Finn. She thought about what numbers New Directions would do this year. She thought about returning to Nationals and hopefully even winning. She thought about what she would do after graduation. She thought about what she would wear the first day back.
She thought about everything except what had brought on all this thinking.
Quinn.
The former cheerleader had shown up the night before competition with a new haircut and a seemingly new outlook on life. Rachel had never seen the blonde as happy as she was when she followed Santana and Brittany into the hotel room that night, laughing at something the other blonde had said. She even given Rachel a small smile as she passed. Quinn almost never smiled at her.
"You're blocking traffic, Manhands."
"Be nice Santana."
Rachel turned around and smiled at Brittany, nodding her thanks. She may have been a Cheerio, but she was never as cruel as the others had been. It just wasn't in her nature, no matter how much time she spent with Santana. "Hey guys. Excited for senior year?"
Brittany bounced and nodded. "So excited. I like your outfit Rachel."
Rachel looked down at herself. Her jeans were an old pair she wore around the house when her dads were renovating. They had tears and were a little too long and her shoes were a recent thrift shop purchase, a pair of faded red chucks. When she finally looked back up at the two girls, Santana was looking at her weird. "I take it you disagree Santana?"
"Actually, Berry, and I loath to admit this, but I have to agree with B. You have somehow managed to look hot," the Latina reluctantly answered. "Who dressed you this morning?"
Rachel rolled her eyes. "Anyway, thank you Brittany. I appreciated the compliment. I am trying to make my wardrobe a little more New York City friendly. Our trip there made me realize that while Santana could have been a little kinder about her fashion critiques and suggestions, she was correct in her assessment of my clothing." Brittany looked at her blankly and Santana just glared. "Anyway, I guess we should be on our way to class, don't want to be late on the first day."
Rachel spun around and was about to head toward the school when she ran into someone.
"Santana, stop being a bitch."
Quinn.
Rachel looked at her arms where the blonde had grabbed her to keep her from falling. She shook her head, trying to clear the sudden influx of thoughts running through her brain at the simple touch. She looked up at the other girl. "Thank you Quinn, but I'm quite all right." Quinn just nodded. "You can let go of me now."
"Oh, sorry."
"I'll see you all in glee," Rachel said before hurrying off to the class. What the hell was that, she wondered.