After everything has changed – 2

Quinn Fabray's bedroom was painted in bright orange. All over it, golden trophies of her cheerleading days shined, touched by the light of the bright sun outside. Nothing had changed. But she had. Quinn's hair now went down to her waist, and it was looking especially golden after two hours of tanning in the garden. She was a woman now, and quite an indecisive one. Some boxes were waiting by the door for her to pick them up and carry them to the guesthouse, where she was going to live for a while.

She hurried down the stairs. It was September 9th, and she had already started giving classes in Clark Kindergarden, right next to William Mckinley High School, a place that surely brought her more memories. She was an English teacher, like she had always dreamed of. She would rather be teaching Literature to clever sixteen-year-olds who would pay interest to her and would even like to exchange novels with her. But no, her job was basically to read the tales of Little Miss Sunshine to a bunch of uninterested five-year-olds.

'You look beautiful, Quinnie. Did I tell you that Harriet Wellington's son is in your class? His name's Richard. Such a cute little boy. He's just like his daddy.' – Her mom told her while they had coffee in the kitchen.

'Yeah I know. Uh, mum, I should be leaving soon. I really have to arrive on time if I don't wanna lose this job'.

'Of course, sweetie. But one last thing. When was the last time you spoke to Finn?'

'You mean Finn Hudson. Like, my sophomore year boyfriend? What's up with him?'

'Well, I happen to know that Bailey, you know who that is right, Susie's daughter? Well, she kind of dumped the boy after a two-year relationship. For his cousin. They actually eloped to India together. Such a crazy story, all over Lima right now. It's what everyone's buzzing about'.

'So you want me to find out if it's true? Mom, I'm not in high school anymore' – Quinn said, partly to hide the fact that she was absolutely shocked with the whole thing. She hadn't heard from Finn since Nationals, and hadn't said a word to him since way before that. Who knew he would end up with Bailey Johnson? She used to hang out with Brittany Pierce. Quinn remembered her face. She was a little spoilt good-natured ginger girl. Didn't sound at all like Finn's type.

'Oh, no, dear! Of course not! I already know it's true. I just thought, now that you're back in town, after the incident, you're also ready to start over. You know, have a social life, meet new people. So I thought maybe you could go to Finn's and see how he's doing? You need to keep in touch with your old friends, Quinnie. They were always there for you, remember?'

She planned out in her head what she would say to him when she met him. He wouldn't hold a grudge by that time, and if he did, she probably wouldn't notice it. After all, they were adults. Grown adults. His new house was in a very peaceful neighbourhood. Maybe they would grab coffees and share some memories. It would be good for her. But why was she shaking so bad? She couldn't lie to herself; she had been waiting to see Finn again for a long time. Just talk to him. She wanted him to let her explain everything that happened during her sophomore year, all her regrets. She wanted to share her pain with him. Because he was Finn Hudson, the boy with the sweetest smile.

She daydreamed while she drove, and after found a place to park. But when she got out of her car, she saw a man a few streets down. He was wearing a denim shirt and brown trousers, and was carrying a guitar. Could it be? No, it couldn't. He was down in Florida, wasn't he? She wondered if she should run to him, say hi. Of all the people in the world, Noah Puckerman was the last she would expect to find there. He was further away now. Quinn reconsidered it. Her mind was mistaking her. It could really be anyone, literally anyone. She grabbed her notebook and made her way to the little classroom, that had already a particularly funny and not exactly pleasant smell. She smiled to herself when she understood the irony of the whole situation. Guess who ended up as a Lima loser after all?