More Than Anyone
A/N: So this is my first Glee story. I've been obsessively watching it with my neighbor. Quinn is my favorite, (mostly because I find Dianna Agron amazingly attractive, physically and personality wise.) But this is a Quinn centric fic. But everyone get's they're moments. I guess this is slightly AU but I'll explain at the end of the chapter. Please enjoy.
Disclaimer: im only going to say this once. I don't own Glee or any of it's characters. The plot although is mine. As well as the characters I create. Which are stated at the end of each chapter if needed.
Chapter 1: We All Fall Down
*beep beep beep beep*
Quinn awoke to the familiar sound of her alarm clock. The whole summer she was able to sleep in late and not be annoyed by the constant buzz. But today was the first day of school, again. Her body ached as she got up from bed, the morning sun shining through the wooden slats of the shutters. She shuffled towards the bathroom and looked at her self in the mirror. Her eyes were red and puffy, like she had been crying all night. Which, she had been.
It's been exactly two months since she let Beth go. She doesn't admit that she slightly regrets it. Not to anyone…but Puck. They spent some time together during the summer after Regionals. They mostly spent the time in silence by the lake, sitting in the bed of his truck. They would just watch the calmness of the water and the birds while they swam around. There were nights when she would sleep over, and he would hold her while she wept. Quinn would have sworn she heard him choke back his own tears. But she could never look at him if she was crying, she just kept her back to him and placed her hands over his as he cuddled her into his chest.
She was surprised that Puck didn't push her into having sex again, but she understood because she was sure he was just as scared as she was. They broke up two weeks before summer ended, but they agreed to still be friends. When they weren't together, most of the glee kids hung out together at each other's houses. Mercedes and Quinn even planned an end of the summer barbeque for everyone, which everyone came to even Santana and Brittany.
But it was time to buckle down Quinn thought. Junior year starts today; she could only imagine what would happen with the news of Glee losing Regionals. She jumped into the shower quickly and turned on the hot water. She did her usual routine, washed her hair, lathered up with body wash, rinse, condition her hair, lather up again, shave her legs, and finally one final rinse. She ran her fingers over her stomach and stopped for a second before feeling the swell of sadness run through her body.
"Get a hold of yourself Quinn." She told herself as she turned off the water and grabbed the towel from the rack. She wrapped the towel around her self and walked over to the closet to pick out something to wear. She chose a simple floral print dress and a white cardigan with some ballet flats to match. She dried her hair and straitened it putting a skinny headband on to hold her hair back. She checked herself out in the mirror before heading downstairs for breakfast.
Mercedes looked up from her bowl of honey nut cheerios and gave her a smile.
"Hey girl, ready for the first day of classes?" she asked.
"As ready as I will be." Quinn answered with a small smile grabbing a banana and a bowl for cereal. She cut up pieces of banana placing it at the bottom of her bowl, pouring some cheerios in and pouring in some soymilk.
"What's your schedule again? I got glee first, obviously. Then algebra 2, chemistry, english, P.E., foods and nutrition, and then history" Mercedes spoke finishing her last bite of food.
"Glee, English, Anatomy and Physiology, P.E., Statistics, History, and then foods and nutrition." Quinn answered taking her first bite of cereal.
"I think you might have class history with Rachel and Matt. And I think P.E with Santana and Brittany." She said while washing her plate.
"That's cool." She said blankly taking mouthfuls of her cereal. She really didn't care about who was in her classes with her, if she could have picked, she wouldn't have anyone she knew be in class with her. But it was hard for people not to know you when you were the ex-cheerleader/celibacy club president who ended up pregnant.
She ate her breakfast quickly before washing her bowl and getting her backpack from upstairs. Quinn checked for her essentials and walked downstairs were Mercedes's father was waiting for them. He dropped them off and wished them good luck on their first day back. The two girls walked through the halls of McKinley. The jocks bumped into them making them drop their books. But it was a lot better than a slushy to the face. Rachel, Finn, Tina and Matt were all outside the choir room greeting each other.
"Good morning everyone, I hope you found the summer satisfying." Rachel spoke as she held Finns hand. Finn smiled at Quinn and Mercedes giving them both hugs before backing away and going back to Rachel's side.
"Yeah how was you're last day yesterday?" Tina asked
"Pretty good, me and Quinn went to church with my family in the morning. Then just relaxed a little bit." Mercedes answered. Quinn just smiled and started walking into the choir room. The bell rang and everyone was chatting to each other as the other glee clubbers walked into the room. Puck of course was a bit late but he found a seat next to Quinn and smiled at her. Mr. Schue walked in with his bag and placed it on the piano,
"Good morning guys! Hopefully your summers were all to your liking. And hopefully you got a lot of rest because we are definitely going to step it up this year and try to get to nationals." He said excitingly.
Everyone smiled and clapped before hearing the doorknob click open and the sound of footsteps entering the room. All of them turned to look at the guy who had walked in. He was in a military uniform, tan shirt and dark blue slacks with a red stripe on the sides. He had the white cap on as well and some medals and pins adorned his shirt. Mr. Schue had approached him first. Everyone kept staring and started guessing about what he was doing there.
"Rachel…" Finn whispered to her.
"Yes Finn?" she said looking at him.
"Am I gonna get drafted?" he answered an innocent look on his face.
"Finn you have to be 18 to be drafted, plus it's illegal. Don't you remember from history?" Rachel answered, smiling at his innocence. Even though all of them had grown up quite a bit over the summer, Finn had his moments. Rachel looked around and looked at Quinn who was staring at the new boy. Out of all of them Rachel thought that Quinn had grown up the most. She wasn't as mean, and Rachel had even befriended the blonde over the summer. You could see it in her eyes, the hint of sadness that shone behind her hazel green eyes.
"Okay guys, we have a new member which is great! This is Nathan Archer. He's a transfer student from California. He's also in the JROTC program here at McKinley" he said, his hand now on Nathans shoulder guiding him to the front of the class. Both Santana and Brittany looked at each other and smile. The JROTC program at McKinley was one of the top ranked in the country. They were just as good as the Cheerios and they're drill instructor was almost like a male Sue Sylvester. All the members were guys and were more like knights in shining armor compared to most of the Neanderthal guys on the football team. But all of them also had girlfriends, but as far as the girls new, Nathan was single.
"Hi." Nathan spoke his voice deep but still friendly. He was at least six feet tall, blue eyes tan skin, and dark brown hair. Both Santana and Brittany kept staring at him but he looked up and his eyes settled on Quinn. He smiled at her, and she returned the gesture. Nathan was in awe; there were a bunch of pretty girls that he had seen in his life. But this girl, she was beautiful. Her hazel green eyes burning holes through him, her smile infectious, even her damn fucking eyebrows were perfect.
"Tell us a bit about yourself Nathan." Mr. Schue spoke finally breaking Quinn and Nathan's gaze.
"Yes sir." Nathan stated, "I lived in Los Angeles when I was younger, but moved to San Francisco when I 10. And then we moved here for my dad's job. I wanted to join Glee so it was something different that I can put on my college applications." He said.
"Can you actually sing?" Puck spoke up. He didn't like the way he was looking at Quinn, and he also didn't like every other girl (plus Kurt) in the room basically undressing him with their eyes. Even Rachel had gone silent, and it takes near an atomic blast to do that.
"I don't think I'd join Glee if I didn't know how to sing." Nathan answered back, frowning questionably.
"Why don't you give us a little preview Nathan, im sure everyone wants to hear it. Right guys?" Mr. Schue said with a smile.
"Yes, definitely." All the girls said, while all the guys just said "sure" and nodded.
"Alright take it away." Mr. Schue said moving to take a seat in his chair.
Brittany leaned over and whispered to Santana, "I hope it's his clothes." Santana half smiled at her and linked their pinkies together.
Nathan nodded and shook off his nerves before starting. He heard the band in his head start off and he opened his mouth finally letting the words out.
"You only waited up for hours
Just to spend a little time alone with me
And I can say I've never bought you flowers
I can't work out what they mean
Never though that I'd love someone
That was some else's dream
Cause you give me something
That makes me scared all right
This could be nothing but I'm willing
To give it a try
Please give me something
Cause someday I might call you from my heart
Someday I will know my heart."
Nathan ended his song, and Puck wished he hadn't made him sing cause the guy was actually really good. And now all the girls were moving from undressing him with their eyes, to just strait up eye fucking him. He wasn't as concerned with the other girls, but he mostly worried about Quinnbecause she was staring at him with her mouth slightly agape. Quinn was surprised with his voice, it was deep and raspy when he sung, and she could help but just stare at him in disbelief.
"That was great Nathan! We're all really glad that you can join the Club." Mr. Schue spoke standing up and directing him to a seat. Nathan sat down next to Rachel and Finn, who were in front of Puck and Quinn.
"That was really good, although you were a bit flat on some of ending notes. Nothing that a little practice couldn't help." Rachel said to him with a smile.
"Thank you Miss. I will try." Nathan said and smiled back at her. Quinn rolled her eyes at the comment; Rachel couldn't just have said he did a good job. But she smiled at her bluntness. Although, her and the brunette didn't have a great relationship their first and part of the second year of high school, Quinn actually liked Rachel as a friend. She wasn't as high strung outside of school. I mean sure she still rambled like her life depended on it, but she was much cooler when they were hanging outside of school.
"Well guys, our first assignment of the year you're gonna be in pairs. Although now with Nathan, we'll have one group of three. I want you guys to find a song that is usually sung as a solo, and turn it into a duet. But you'll have to compose it on your own. I'll be here to help though." Mr. Schue said as he reached behind his desk to get The Hat.
Brittany's eyes widened as well as a big grin that had formed on her face. You can just imagine what was going on in her mind, probably something to do with ducks.
"Alright, Nathan why don't you do the honors." Mr. Schue spoke.
Nathan stood up and walked over to the hat. He wasn't gonna lie, he wished with all his might that he would be partnered up with the beautiful blonde girl with the hazel green eyes. He reached his hand into the hat and opened the paper.
"Quinn?" he questioned looking around. Everyone turned their heads towards the beautiful blonde, who he now knew her name was Quinn. Even her name was beautiful.
"Okay. Well, Brittany now it's your turn." Mr. Schue spoke. Nathan noticed the other blonde in her cheerleading outfit walk down the steps to the piano. She winked at him as she passed by and he gave her a confused look but smiled anyways. He sat back down and watched as the other members picked their partners. The blonde cheerleader, Brittany was paired up with Finn, the tall guy next to Rachel (whose name he figured out when the Mohawk guy picked her name out of the hat.) The brunette Cheerleader, who seemed to be pissed about even getting a partner, picked the rather flamboyant guy named Kurt. The boy in the wheel chair, Artie had chosen Mercedes, and the last three Mike, Matt, and Tina were put together.
"Alright now that everyone has their partners let's spend the rest of this time to plan out your song choices. So get together with your partner and discuss." Mr. Schue said
Everyone gathered with his or her partner, the room suddenly filling with chatter. Nathan stood up and went up one level to sit next to Quinn. He held out his hand and offered a smile before sitting down. "Hi, im Nathan" he said, mentally slapping himself since she obviously knew that. She reached out and shook his hand with a small smile. "Yeah I know." She answered back.
"Um…yeah. Sorry im kinda nervous. You know being new and all" he spoke. He thought to himself, im also nervous because your out of this world beautiful.
"It's natural I guess. What's your class schedule?" Quinn asked trying to be friendly. She couldn't help but look into his blue eyes. she looked him over noticing the way his forearms contracted as he took out his schedule from his pocket.
"I have history next, then Anatomy and Physiology, P.E, English, Statistics, and lastly foods and nutrition." He said showing her. Quinn raised one of her eyebrows at the fact that he had three classes with her, she wasn't sure if she should mention it or not. But she decided to help him out on his first day.
"I have anatomy, P.E, and Foods with you. So maybe we can sit together or something. I can help you out." She said looking up at him. His smile crept on his face and chuckled lightly.
"Thanks Quinn. Im gonna need all the help I can get." He said looking into her green hazel eyes. Nathan noticed the small color change in her eyes. He didn't know what it meant exactly. But he knew that his eyes did the same thing depending on his mood.
"Do you have any thoughts about a song yet?" Quinn spoke.
"Um not really. I mean there are a lot. But I like to sing songs that mean something ya know?" Nathan said sitting up in his seat. His eyes scanned over Quinn getting a better look at her. Started noticing the small things, like the small scars on her hands and legs. He wondered how she got them. He trailed upwards and noticed her neck and collarbone, and how all he wanted to do was plant wet kisses on it. But he was a gentleman, so he didn't let his eyes linger on for any longer.
"Of course, I mean, you have to sing something that means something so you can feel that emotion." Quinn stated before looking at Nathan's eyes. They were focused on her and she could feel them burning holes into her. The bell rang and both of them smiled, Nathan being the first to speak as he grabbed his binder and note pad.
"I guess I'll see you in Anatomy" he said with a smile.
"Yeah sure. See you." Quinn answered walking out of the choir room.
The day passed by slowly. Quinn kept her eye on the clock as she sat in English class. The last five minutes seemed like an hour. But of course Quinn still paid attention to Mrs. Hurbert as she spoke in her monotone voice about the importance of grammar in the real world. Quinn didn't even know why she was so anxious to get out; it definitely wasn't because she wanted to see Nathan again. Who am I kidding, she thought, he's super cute, seems like a gentleman…but all high school guys want is to have sex. And that turned out great for you didn't it? She fought with herself. Her attraction to Nathan was quickly shot down.
Finally the bell rung and she got out of her seat getting her things and walking over to her locker. She saw a couple of the other JROTC guys walking with Nathan and laughing. He was smiling and laughing with them, and he seemed a bit more comfortable with them than the others in glee. Quinn quickly changed out her books and started walking towards her Anatomy class. She got there before to many people showed up so she sat at an empty table near the back of the class. People started coming in more frequently, and thankfully they were people she didn't know personally.
Nathan entered with his binder and book in hand and smiled seeing her in the back row. He walked towards her, not noticing all gazes from the other students. Even at his old school Nathan knew it was odd for the other students to see the JROTC guys in their uniform. But he joined more to feel part of something because his home life was far from a family. Also the mass amounts of girls who thought he was smokin' hot was a plus as well. Although, Nathan was a one-woman type of guy. His mother had taught him everything he knew about girls and how to treat them with respect. So when he was with a girl, he was with her completely.
He sat down next to Quinn and turned to smile at her. "Hey. How was English?" he asked as he pulled a pen from his binder and set it on his note pad.
"Totally great." She said sarcastically, she looked out of the corner of her eye to look at him, seeing his serious facial expression.
"Oh…cool." He answered before writing down Anatomyat the top of his notes.
"Im being sarcastic…it was boring as hell." Quinn answered
"Oh well…good because no one ever actually likes English." He laughed
Quinn just smiled and looked towards the front of the class seeing her teacher walk in. Throughout class, she stole quick glances over at Nathan. She noticed his neatly written notes, everything in order and in line. Most guys she knew had some of the worst writing ever. Finns was almost illegible, Pucks was at least a bit better, but all over the place. So it was nice to see that Nathan was neat.
Really Quinn? You like the fact that he can write neatly? Stop making excuses and just focus. He's probably got some girlfriend back home in California or something. Or he might be gay. He was looking at Kurt for a long time.
"Quinn?" her teacher spoke, breaking her out of her thoughts.
"yeah?" she answered looking at her teacher confused.
"How many of the 206 bones in the body are located in the hands and feet?" she asked.
Quinn looked down at her notes and tried looking for the answer. She couldn't find it. She panicked, "um…." She said looking around. Nathan pushed a piece of paper towards her it read 50 percent.
"50 percent." Quinn answered.
"Very good Quinn, and Nathan, What is the difference between anatomy and physiology?"
"Anatomy is based on the study of the structure of the human body. While Physiology is based on the study of function of the human body ma'am" he answered.
"Very good both of you." The teacher said turning back around to lecture.
"Thank you ma'am" Nathan answered and looked back down at his notes. Quinn looked at him and whispered, "Thanks…for the answer" she said with a smile.
"You're welcome." He said smiling back and then looking back up at the board to take notes.
The rest of the class was spent in silence between the two. They knew that this class was going to be tough. Mostly because their teacher's first words were, "This class is going to be tough."
The bell rang and Quinn gathered her things as well as Nathan who closed his binder and looked at her. "Ready for P.E?" he asked as he walked her to her locker. "Sort of, the teachers are pretty intense here." She answered. She noticed the looks that the two of them were getting. Some of the cheerios started whispering to each other and the other students just parted to the side to let them pass through.
"well im sure you'll do fine. I mean you're pretty…fit. Uh I mean you're in shape." He said awkwardly. Really Nate? You're pretty fit? God she probably thinks you think she's not fit enough. Nice job jerk. He mentally slapped himself. Quinn just looked at him confused not know whether he meant that in a nice way or he thought she was fat. But she didn't really care since she wasn't attracted to him. They walked talking about anatomy class as they approached the locker rooms. Quinn turned to look at him, "well im gonna go you can't follow me in obviously." She said pointing in at the girl's locker room sign. He smiled and nodded, "obviously, I'll see you outside." He said as he left towards the guy's locker room. Nathan quickly recognized some of his new friends from JROTC, Rocky and Joe
"Hey bro, saw you walking with Quinn Fabray, I wouldn't get in with her if I were you." One of the guys said. Nathan was folding his shirt and putting it in his locker.
"What do you mean? She's a nice girl." He answered as he put his P.E. clothes on.
"Man it's like something out of a soap opera, she used to date Finn Hudson the quarterback of the football team. And she got knocked up by his best friend Noah Puckerman. I think they're in Glee with you. But I mean the kicker was she was captain of both the cheerleading squad AND president of the celibacy club. She's practically fallen off the social ladder." The boy said as he tied his shoes.
"You're gossiping is strait out of a soap opera." Nathan spoke with a laugh, "just because she made a mistake doesn't make her a bad person right? I mean we all have your faults." Nathan answered back starting to walk out of the locker room.
"You must really have fallen for her if you're defending her. But you should watch out, cause Puck is still hung up on her" Joe stated.
"Look I barely met her, if she were anyone else I would still defend her. Semper Fidelis right boys? No matter what or who." Nathan quipped as he walked out onto the field. In all honesty, after finding out about Quinn's past, he was more curious to find out even more about the beautiful blonde. We all have our secrets Nathan thought.
POST A/N: All right. So Nathan, I gave some thought as to who might play him. but I couldn't really find exactly who I wanted. So im gonna say a younger version of Chris Evans (from Cellular, Fantastic Four, The Losers).
Also for those of you who don't know, JROTC stands for Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps. You can Google more info about it if you want. The JROTC part is the AU part. Cause we don't see that in the show. But I thought it would add more to Nathan's character (you'll see more of his mysterious secrets throughout the story.)