Quinn Fabray wiped the last traces of her tears and stood up straight. She'd been crying for the past few hours and she'd missed a couple of her classes. She just couldn't stand seeing Sam there. He didn't even look at her now.
Quinn felt the tears building up in her throat again and she fought them down. No. She shouldn't cry. She was Quinn Fabray, for heavens sake. H.B.I.C. Though she was no longer the Head Cheerio, she was still just as pretty and just as mean as she used to be.
But…was that what she really wanted to be known as forever? The bitchiest girl in school? Someone girls would look at and think 'Wow, I never wanna end up like her'?
Or did she want to be the sweet, beautiful accomplished young woman who got up from where she'd fallen and moved on? She didn't know. All she knew was that everything was falling apart for her. She was losing everything.
She'd lost Beth.
She'd lost Puck.
She'd lost Finn.
And now she lost…Sam.
She had nothing left.
I brought this on myself, she thought bitterly, glaring at herself in the mirror. I cheated on Sam with Finn, I gave Beth away, and I pushed away Puck…and now look at me. I ruined my own life. How ironic, that she would bring about her own downfall. She, who had been hell-bent on destroying other peoples' lives to make her feel better about herself…
Quinn stared at the girl in the mirror. She looked perfect, except for the puffy red eyes and the pinch to her mouth.
And did she hate them for abandoning her? For pushing her away? No, she admitted to herself. Who could blame them really?
Quinn let go of the sink, which she had been clutching to steady herself, and slung her backpack over her shoulder. She was about to leave when she heard someone calling her.
"Quinn?"
She squeezed her eyes shut and took a few deep breaths. She turned around, steeling herself for the fight that was to follow. "What do you want Berry?"
Rachel frowned and set her bag on the floor. She'd heard someone crying on her way to her English class and she'd decided to check it out. She was really surprised to see Quinn; The queen of self-confidence. "What's wrong Quinn?" She crossed her arms over her chest, but the look in her eyes was…compassionate?
Quinn's eyes narrowed. "I'm fine Rachel," she snapped. "Now get out of my way before I make you." The threat sounded lame with her voice still stuffy from crying. It would be more effective if she was holding a slushie, but she didn't have the energy to even do that anymore.
"Are you sure?" Rachel's usually annoying voice was tender. She rather bravely placed a hand on the blonde's shoulder, taking it as a good sign that she didn't shake it off. "Even though we've had our issues in the past, let's put that behind us now." She put her hands on her hips and flashed a smile at her. "After school, Mercedes and I are going to the Lima Freeze. You should come with us."
Quinn sniffled and wiped at her face again. "I tried to ruin your life last year. Why are you helping me?" she said flatly.
Rachel bit her lip. For some reason, the sight of this usually self-assured blonde so upset made her heart break. Maybe, she thought, this could be the first step to burying the hatchet with her. There was a part of Quinn that other people had yet to see, and Rachel was determined to see that side. "Well, we Glee clubbers need to stick together. Its a new year Quinn, and well, we should start over." She held out her arms for a hug. "So what do you say? Can we...start over?" She hoped, she prayed, Quinn would say yes.
A smile slowly spread on the blonde's face and she hugged her tentatively. "We'll see where this leads us." She slung her backpack over her shoulder and turned to leave.
"See you later Quinn!"
Quinn looked over her shoulder and she was smiling back. "See you later…Rachel."