A/N: Written for the Quartie Ficathon in response to the prompt from VM is My Religion: "Moments missed that could have happened" with the request it be written in present tense (to which I say 'ugh' =P). Details for the ficathon can be found on the Quartie Forums! Join the fray! PM me if you can't find it ;)

Takes place during: "Pilot"

"Hi Finn. Rupaul. What are you doing talking to her?"

"Science project, we're partners."

Maneuvering his way down the student crammed hallway, Artie can't help, but arch an eyebrow at the distinct chastising sounds of head cheerleader, president of the celibacy club, most popular girl in school Quinn Fabray.

She wasn't always like this, mean and biting. He remembers her as the carefree wild child that always had a smile ready and waiting for any and everyone. He remembers her adorned in pastel colored spring dresses as her hair danced in the wind and as a soft melody carried her along with it. He remembers her before the uniform, before her world became engulfed in the flair that was red and white.

Distracted by once forgotten memories, Artie continues to propel himself down the hall, unaware that his path is on a direct collision course with the very cause of his distraction. Unaware, that is, until his face decides that it's a good idea to play speed bump for a weighty duffel bag.

-SMACK-

The startling sound of Quinn's duffel bag hitting him square in the face is nothing in comparison to the stinging sensation his cheek and nose is enduring. Never again will he make his way down a crowded hallway while lost in thought. Lesson definitely learned.

"Ugh!" Quinn scoffs as her bag pulls on her shoulder. "Get in the way, much?" With hands on her hips and a single brow raised, she stands in the manner one would expect the Queen Bee of a high school to stand - like she's better than everyone.

"S-sorry." Artie stammers as he adjusts his glasses. He doesn't know why he's apologizing exactly (she hit him after all), but he knows it's what she expects to hear so he willingly offers it to her.

Rolling her eyes, she breaths a disgruntle "Whatever."

Preparing to let their brief confrontation end there, Artie grips his wheels, but before he can give them a push, the memory of a girl humming sweetly to herself while believing no one is around to hear assaults his thoughts. Before his brain has the chance to hinder his voice, he calls out to her. "Hey Quinn?"

In a huff, she spins on heel. "Now what do you want?"

"I-I was wondering if you've made any arrangements to audition for Glee Club? You would be perfect for it." In a lopsided shrug, he tries to smile, but falters and settles for adjusting his glasses again. He figures she thinks he's insane. Honestly, he probably is. Whether he wants to believe it or not, Quinn obviously isn't the same girl he remembers.

Expelling a rush of air in a scoff-like laugh, Quinn exchanges a series of "He can't be serious" looks with her friend Santana (a girl who possesses more attitude than the rest of the Cheerios combined). "What makes you think I would ever join that loser club?" She smirks in that demeaning fashion she has come accustomed to sporting.

Artie gulps in response. "I thought you might want to because…" Diverting his gaze, he scrunches his lips to the side as he mulls over what to say. He can't possibly admit that it's because he knows full well that she has the talent and a hidden passion for singing; she would outright deny it. Spotting Finn down the hall, Artie decides that it would be best to go with the prominent reasoning standing before him. "…well, because Finn-"

"Finn?" Her brows pull together as she blatantly cuts him off. "What about Finn?"

"God, you two are so boring!" Santana grumbles as she tightly shakes her head in disgust. "Stay with this loser if you want, I'm out." With a flip of her ponytail, she stalks off.

Squaring her shoulders, Quinn straightens her posture and resorts back to her well worn snob of a tone. "Forget it. I don't even know why I'm talking to you." She rolls her eyes again and turns to leave.

"You know, you weren't always like this." Artie mutters under his breath, causing Quinn to stall her exit. "You changed."

With hands remaining on her hips, she refuses to face him. Turning her head slightly, Quinn takes a deep disconcerted breath and speaks over her shoulder, her eyes never meeting his. "People change, Artie." Her expression tenses as his name escapes her lips. "Everyone does. It's something we all have to do."

"That's not true." The corners of his mouth twitch slightly. "You didn't have to, Quinn, you chose to." Lowering his head, Artie takes to staring at his twisting hands as he waits for the soft squeak-like sounds of her walking away.

"Wheels! Just the cripple I was looking for. Hold up."

Keeping his head down, Artie cringes at the words. He doesn't need to look to know it's that Mohawk football guy coming to inflict his daily dose of unnecessary torment. Why the jerks of McKinley High insisted on torturing him? He'll never understand.

When he risks a glance, he's surprised to see Quinn standing there, blocking the guy's way with her hand on his chest. "What are you doing?" She questions in an indignant tone.

"Having some fun. What's it to ya?"

"Puck…" Her jaw clenches and her gaze narrows. "Don't."

Artie can barely believe what he's witnessing: Quinn Fabray, Queen Bee Quinn Fabray, telling someone to leave him, not even a worker bee Artie Abrams, alone? That's it. Hell must have frozen over.

Grinning, Puck simply shrugs.

"I mean it, Puckerman." She jabs him in the chest with a stiff finger as she hisses through grit teeth. "Don't do whatever idiotic thing that pea brain of yours has cooked up. Got it?" Crossing her arms, she shifts her weight and pops her hip.

It isn't long before Puck crumbles and flails his arms in the air like a petulant child. "Fine! Gees, that time of the month, huh?"

Glaring, Quinn shakes her head and leaves without saying another word.

Ignoring everything that had just occurred between him and Quinn, Puck saunters his way over to Artie and takes a hold of his handlebars. "What she doesn't know can't hurt me, right?" Puck snorts. "But if she asks, some other dude shoved you in the porta potty, alright?"

"You're going to shove me in a porta potty…again?" Grimacing, Artie slouches in his chair. "I-isn't there a more…sanitary form of torture you could induce? Flush my glasses down the toilet, perhaps? That's always fun…" He chuckles uncomfortably.

As they turn a corner, Artie catches a glimpse of Quinn as she disappears among the sea of students and smiles. Somewhere buried beneath the glory of a perfect reputation and the glow of immense popularity is the glimmer of that pastel colored dress wearing girl he once knew. Perhaps there was a chance that Quinn hadn't changed completely after all.

A/N2: Thanks for reading! I'm going to try and stick to the SLs and character development points from the show (even though they get a bit wonky later down the line) as much as possible, but since I'm a Quartie shipper there will be a ton of friendship/romantic undertones laced throughout...hence Artie and Quinn having some friendly history.

Suggestions for future chapters are always welcomed!