Authors note: So I know that I have another story which is unfinished, long story short, my other laptop kind of exploded and I lost the next five chapters of it. I will finish it ...eventually, so please bear with me. In the meantime, I decided to attempt a one-shot, just to get back into the swing of things. If you want me to extend this story, please review and say so. Reviews are like crack to me. Anyways, enjoy!
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"Berry, wait"
"Wait for what, for you to throw another insult my way? No thanks."
Quinn struggled to keep up, the pile of books in her hands teetering dangerously as she pursued the brunette through the empty hallway.
"Look can you just wait!"
Rachel ignored her and sped up, the exit now in sight. If she could just get to her car, everything would be alright. Nobody would see her break down.
Quinn sensed the urgency in her pace and immediately allowed her books to fall. Abandoning all pretence, she started running down the hall, desperate to catch the brunette. She eventually caught up and grabbed Rachel's arm, spinning her around and trying to catch her breath.
Shrugging her off, the brunette glared at the taller girl and stomped her foot.
"What Quinn? What do you want?"
Quinn took a step back and smoothened her baby doll dress nervously. What was she thinking? She just ran after Rachel freaking Berry.
"Look, in there ...what they said ... I just ..."
"Let me guess, you just came out here to tell me that you agree. That I should just do everybody a favour and quit Glee."
Quinn's eyes widened and she hastened to defend herself.
"No!"
Rachel blinked rapidly and allowed her arms to fall defeated at her side.
"Well then what do you want Quinn? Because I've had just about all I can take today."
Quinn surveyed the broken girl in front of her and sighed, she really wasn't that bad. Santana was such a bitch sometimes, not that the others stood up for her of course nobody did. Not even Mr Schue, who seemed content to listen to everybody throwing insults at Rachel like it was no big deal.
"I don't want you to quit Glee."
Rachel blinked and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Y-you don't?"
Oh crap, now she thinks I like her.
"Well yeah, I mean how else are we going to win regionals. You may be annoying but you can sing."
Rachel nodded sadly, like she knew there must be some ulterior motive for Quinn to be nice to her.
"Oh. Well I have to go now"
Smooth Fabray.
The brunette turned on her heel and marched through the doors, trying to hold back the inevitable flood of tears that would soak her pillow tonight as she tried to sleep. Crossing her arms, she kept her head bowed against the world and slowly made her way to her car. Finally reaching it, she fumbled with her keys as tears blurred her vision. She struggled with them for a few more seconds until she felt a warm hand close upon her wrist.
Looking up, she saw Quinn watching her sadly. She tried to speak, but the words were caught in her throat and she choked out a low sob.
Wordlessly, the cheerleader took the keys from her hand and opened the car, pulling her round to the passenger side and carefully depositing her in the seat.
Coming back from around the car, she opened the door and climbed into the driver's seat, starting the ignition. It was only then, that Rachel spoke. Tears silently streaming down her face.
"What are you doing?"
Quinn adjusted the mirror and put on her seatbelt before answering.
"I'm taking you home."
XXXXX
They spent the rest of the journey in silence, Rachel's sniffles occasionally breaking the silence. Quinn's eyes never straying from the road.
After what felt like an hour, Quinn pulled up outside Rachel's house and killed the engine. Now unsure of what to do, she handed the keys to Rachel who accepted them wordlessly and crossed her hands in her lap.
Rachel glanced out the window and noticed that her Dads car was missing. She wasn't even surprised. They were never home anymore, always off doing something or another. She pretty much had to fend for herself.
Hearing Quinn move, shook her out of her reverie and she found the cheerleader silently watching her. She quickly wiped her eyes.
"Are you okay?" she asked quietly, searching the brunette's trembling face.
She wasn't, but Quinn didn't care. Not really. She just wanted to be able to tell herself that she did a good deed, helping poor pathetic Rachel get home because she was crying about how much of a loser she was.
Not knowing how to answer without tearing up again. She simply nodded.
Quinn sighed and turned in her chair to face the upset girl.
"Why do you even care what they think?"
Rachel tugged at her sleeve and shrugged.
"Because I want them to like me, everybody wants to be liked Quinn. I thought, joining Glee would be different, that people would actually want to be my friend. That maybe if they saw how talented I was, they would think twice about slushying me in the hallways or whispering about me in the lunchrooms. Guess I was wrong."
Quinn rubbed her neck awkwardly. Why did she drive Rachel home?
"You don't need other people to tell you how talented you are."
Rachel strung her hands together, wishing she was up in her room listening to music. It always helped cheer her up when she had a bad day. Looking out the window she spoke so low that Quinn had to strain to catch it.
"I know, but it's nice to hear it from somebody other than my Dads sometimes."
Quinn cringed inwardly, why was everybody so horrible to Rachel. The girl was obviously just trying to make some friends and be helpful, so she was a little over enthusiastic sometimes, that doesn't mean that she deserved this. Taking a deep breath, the cheerleader turned to face her again.
"You are the most talented person I know. When you sing, I get goose bumps."
Rachel turned and locked eyes with Quinn who ploughed on, seeing the spark beginning to flicker behind those deep brown eyes.
"Whenever you're performing, I can just feel it. Feel everything you put into your performance. It's kind of amazing. The energy and heart you have …it's just incredible to me."
The brunette was smiling now, her eyes shimmering with emotion and her cheeks turning a light shade of pink at the unexpected compliments.
Quinn congratulated herself on cheering the girl up. It felt good to be nice to her for a change.
"And just for the record, everyone in Glee club feels the same way."
Rachel frowned disbelievingly and Quinn nodded.
"I'm serious. All those insults are just defence mechanisms, their jealous Rachel. Don't let them get you down. You're much too strong for that."
Rachel simply nodded, too overcome with gratefulness that she was rendered speechless.
Quinn's icy façade slipped momentarily and she offered the smiling girl a small grin, opening the door beside her.
The brunette grabbed her hand and she turned back.
"T-thank you Quinn, for the compliment."
The blonde's smile grew wider and she winked.
"And I'm not even your Dad Berry."
And with that, she was gone.