A/N: I was pleasantly surprised by the support and interest for this story. I never intended for it to be more than a one-shot and it just sort of kept growing. This isn't the last chapter, but there is just one more to come. I might be inclined to try a longer nerd/popular Quinntana in the future when I'm done with Love Me and the sequel to Santana's Baby.
Now you get to find out what Quinn is thinking and see some things from her perspective. Hope you enjoy!
Her Nerd
QW2014 – Day Seven – Free Day
Part II
Quinn had been in a strange but peaceful cocoon for hours, but she had heard bits and pieces of the conversations going on around her. She knew her mother was there and apparently Santana and Rachel from school, something that surprised her but shouldn't have. Both girls had defended her before when someone had been awful to her at school and both said hi in the hallways or their shared classes. She couldn't call either her friend, but Santana's words had floored her.
I never dreamed anyone could feel that way about me, was the first thing that went through Quinn's mind as she began to regain full consciousness.
She didn't want to open her eyes, however. She didn't want to deal with her reality anymore. She was tired of being targeted for no real reason. She was tired of crying herself to sleep every night. Tired of seeing her mother struggle to make ends meet because Russell's big shot lawyer had figured out a way to con her mom into signing papers without reading them first and she had forfeited all rights to alimony and child support. She hadn't been able to afford a lawyer, so she had been screwed over once again by the man that had promised to take care of her and love her for life.
Quinn knew things were tight. Which is why she had started visiting the local library for books to read instead of buying her own. It was why she had stopped drawing when she ran out of supplies at home. It was why she always wore the same things to school so her mom didn't have to worry about spending money on clothes for her senior year. Everything still fit and she took care of her things, so she was okay with it. So her tennis shoes were getting a little scruffy. She could deal.
The school had approved free lunches, so she stopped bringing those from home as well. It wasn't much, but it made the groceries last longer. There were no trips to the movies, no shopping sprees and she couldn't remember the last time they'd ordered take-out.
But the fact that she could breathe in her own home now without the worry of pissing Russell off made up for a lot of it. She was just so grateful for the things they had and maybe if she got a job somewhere after school she'd be able help her mom with the bills. As it was, they were sharing a one-bedroom apartment and Quinn slept on a pullout bed in the living room.
But it was home and it was peaceful, even if she still cried a lot at night.
Santana's voice felt like a balm on her frayed nerves. She could feel the warm cloth cleansing her skin and it felt heavenly. She had a massive headache and she felt a little nauseous, but having someone that apparently cared by her side made her feel a tiny bit better.
She heard soft humming and then singing. Something else Santana was good at, she mussed. Was there something she didn't excel at? No one could be that talented, smart and beautiful, but apparently she was wrong.
When the song was over, she felt the wash cloth pass over her neck on last time before she heard Santana moving away. Assuming she was in the bathroom, Quinn tried opening her eyes slowly only to groan and close them again when the bright light over the bed all but blinded her.
Just what the hell had happened to her?
0-0
Santana heard the slight groan and she dropped the plastic basin into the sink and ran back into the room just in time to see Quinn trying to blink her eyes open. She moved towards the bed quickly, a smile on her full lips.
"You're awake!" she said softly, not wanting to startle the blonde.
"Wh – what happened?" she croaked out.
Santana immediately grabbed the plastic cup from the side table, put a straw in it and brought it closer to Quinn's face. She directed the straw towards her lips.
"Here, drink some water so your throat isn't so dry," she encouraged gently and watched as Quinn's lips wrapped around the tip of the straw. Once she'd had her fill, Santana removed the straw from her mouth and used a tissue to wipe them dry. "There, is that better?"
"Much," Quinn answered timidly. "What are you doing here, Santana? What happened to me?"
Santana frowned as she set the cup down. "You don't remember anything?"
Quinn squinted her eyes again and Santana moved to lower the intensity of the overhead light.
"Thanks. I just have a really bad headache right now and I'm really nauseous for some reason."
"You had a really nasty fall, pretty girl," Santana explained as she brushed some of Quinn's bangs away from her forehead. "Two of the football players slushied you this morning and then one of them pushed you. You slipped and fell, hitting your head on the floor and passed out. We've been at the hospital for like eight hours now."
"Who's here?"
"Your mom is here and so is mine. Rachel is out getting something to drink but she'll be back soon."
"Rachel Berry, right?"
"Yeah. She and I were there when it happened. I tried to stop them, Quinn, and I'm so sorry I didn't get there on time. I promise you I tried and Rach wasn't too far behind. Miss Holiday called the paramedics and we rushed here with them. Papi's been looking after you."
"Wow. I sure missed a lot." Quinn looked up at her, still surprised to see Santana there. She'd honestly thought no one cared about her other than her mom.
"Your mom is going to be so happy that you're awake. She's been so worried. We've been keeping her company and then mami came with some food for her so she's currently eating at the canteen and taking a little break. She hasn't left your side until now and we had to make her!"
"Poor mamma. I hate when she worries."
"She told us a little of what's been going on. I'm sorry it's been so difficult for you guys, but I promise you we're going to be here from now on. Mine and Rachel's family. You're not alone anymore and I'm going to protect you in school. I won't let anything else happen to you, pretty girl."
That was the second time Santana had called her pretty girl and it made Quinn blush.
"Why would you even bother with me?" she asked quietly while looking away. "I'm just a loser that's going to bring your popularity down."
Santana cupped her chin gently until their eyes were locked. "We don't know each other well yet, but I hope you know enough about me to know popularity doesn't matter to me. I didn't ask to be popular just because I play sports. I talk to anyone and I don't care about their background. It's no different with you."
"If that is true, how come you haven't talked to me this much before?"
Santana sighed and looked away. She wasn't expecting to have this conversation just now, but now that the opportunity had presented itself, she was going to grab the bull by the horns and go with it.
"Because I was too much of a coward, Quinn. I've wanted to talk to you for the longest time, to become your friend. But I also wanted more than your friendship and I was afraid of your rejection."
Quinn's eyes widened slightly at the confession. "What? Why would I reject you?"
"Hell if I know. Pretty girl, I really like you. I want us to get to know each other. I want you to maybe consider giving me a chance to win you over. Maybe if you see I'm a nice person you'll agree to go on a date with me in the future," she finished, her cheeks coloring slightly.
But before Quinn could even process her words and answer, the door opened and Rachel came in followed by her mother and a woman she assumed was Santana's mother.
"Quinnie," her mother cried out happily. "You're awake, darling. Oh, I'm just so happy right now!"
Wasting no time, she walked over to the bed and leaned down to kiss her forehead and hug her carefully.
"Hi, mamma. I'm sorry I worried you," she whispered as she held her tightly. "I didn't mean to."
Judy moved back and cupped her cheeks, shaking her head. "This is not your fault, Quinn. You didn't ask to be bullied. You didn't ask for this to happen. But I will be making sure I talk to Principal Sylvester about this incident and I'll take it to the school board if I have to. Maribel and I talked and she's going to represent us."
"What? No, mamma," she whispered urgently. "We won't have the money to pay her! I don't want to be more of a burden for you. I'll just be more careful next time, I promise."
Tears were falling down her temples as she pleaded with her mother, and because of that, her headache and nausea intensified. She paled instantly and Santana rushed to the bathroom to retrieve the plastic basin once more and made it back just in time to see Quinn turn on her side. She barely managed to put the bowl under her mouth before she started throwing up.
Judy held her hair back and started rubbing her back softly while Rachel went to fetch a wet cloth and Maribel went out to get the nurse. Santana just held the bowl and tried to keep Quinn propped on her side so she wouldn't choke or get it on her clothes.
She was dry heaving when the nurse came in followed by Maribel. Santana put the basin aside and grabbed the cloth Rachel offered so she could start wiping Quinn's face gently.
"You have to calm down, pretty girl. We're already worried sick here and you throwing up isn't helping!" she tried to joke as she helped Quinn lay back down.
The nurse took this opportunity to start checking Quinn's vitals while everyone looked on, eyes moving between Santana and Quinn and their intertwined fingers.
When the nurse was done, she told them she was going to get Doctor Lopez.
"Quinnie, you need to stop worrying about things and let me take care of you, okay, sweetheart?" Judy pleaded with her as she took her other hand and ran her fingers through Quinn's hair. "That's my job and I don't mind it one bit."
Rachel handed her a cup of water and Judy brought it close to Quinn's mouth. After the blonde had rinsed her mouth, she grimaced. Santana went to move, but Quinn's fingers tightened against hers so she looked at Rachel.
"Rach, there's a bottle of mouthwash over there on that counter. Could you get it for her?"
Rachel did as she was asked and when Quinn rinsed her mouth with that, she smiled a little.
"Better?" her mom asked her.
"Much. But, mamma, we need to talk about this."
"Quinn, don't worry about anything, sweetie. I'm not going to charge your mother for my services."
Quinn frowned at her. "We're not so bad off that we have to depend on anyone's charity."
Santana sighed. God, but the blonde could be stubborn and prideful.
"Q, no one is offering you charity. We Lopez's take care of our own and now you and Ms. J are a part of our extended family. So this isn't charity, this is us being helpful. It wouldn't be fair that your mom is stuck with a hospital bill because someone else decided to be an asshole. His parents should be made responsible. So let my mom do her thing because she's really good at it."
Quinn's eyes locked on Santana's for several, silent seconds before nodding and looking at Maribel. "I'm sorry, ma'am. I don't mean to sound ungrateful or anything. It's just been a little hard, but we get by."
"Call me Maribel and I know, sweetie. Your mom and I had a long talk and I'm going to be looking into some things for you. I already called Hiram, Rachel's dad, and he's going to be assisting me with this case. We're not only going to look at what happened to you but also at what Russell did to your mom. What he pulled is illegal and he is required to pay child support and alimony. So let me and Hiram worry about these things and you just work on getting better, okay?"
"Quinn, listen to Mrs. Lopez," Rachel pleaded. "She's a really good lawyer and so is my papa, so let them help. You're not alone anymore."
Quinn just started crying again.
Everyone looked at each other worriedly before Judy held her and let her cry things out. Santana kept rubbing her thumb over the back of her hand, looking at Rachel worriedly. The tiny brunette just shrugged her shoulders helplessly as she watched on.
Doctor Lopez walked in then and stopped in his tracks when he noticed what was going on. He looked at his wife for an explanation and she just shook her head. None of them really knew what was going on just yet. He cleared his throat and moved closer to the bed.
"Can I have a moment alone with my patient? I'd like to talk to her for a little while."
Judy kissed Quinn's forehead, Rachel patted her knee and Santana squeezed her hand before they all moved out of the room.
0-0
Santana wasted no time hugging her mother when they stepped outside. "Thanks for helping them, ma," she whispered. "I really appreciate it. They need all the help they can get at this point."
"I know, bebe. Don't worry, we'll make sure they're taken care of."
"Good. I told her how I feel."
"Oh! And what did she say?"
Santana sighed. "You guys walked in just then."
"I'm sorry, bebe. Maybe when she feels a little better she'll talk to you about it. She's as beautiful as you made her sound. And so selfless! Poor thing. I'd like to twist the neck of the little ass that did this to her."
"Don't worry, ma. He's going to be walking funny for a few days. I made sure of that."
"That's my girl! Not that I condone violence, but in this case, after he hurt Quinn like this, I imagine you lost your temper."
"I did. I hope he is suspended."
"Oh, no, bebe, we're going to petition his expulsion from school. We need to make an example of him."
"Even better."
"And don't worry about Quinn. Once your papi is done talking to her, she'll be as good as new."
"Thanks, mami. You guys really are the best."
"And don't you forget it!"
0-0
After a few more tests, Quinn had been released later that night and ordered to be on bed rest for the remainder of the week and weekend. Maribel had offered Judy a better paying job at her firm and told her she could start the coming Monday so she could keep an eye on Quinn over the following days. Judy immediately accepted, knowing it was a generous offer with a steady paycheck, something that would really help them.
Santana and Rachel visited both evenings and brought her the school work she had missed. Quinn was a little quiet around them, a little skittish even, but she'd be lying if she said she didn't like the attention. It was nice having people around that seemed to genuinely care about her. They also brought a few cards from other students wishing her a speedy recovery, which surprised her. She had really thought no one cared about her, but maybe she had been wrong and by being so closed off, she had been keeping people away.
While they had not yet continued their interrupted conversation, Santana loved coming by to visit. Rachel had asked Judy what supplies Quinn needed for her drawings and which comic books she preferred and they went on a little shopping spree after Santana's team kicked ass that Saturday morning.
When they had arrived that evening at their little apartment, they were weighed down with bags. They had gone a little crazy and got Quinn not only painting and drawing supplies and all of the latest comics she had missed, but also a few shirts, a pair of Vans, a Harry Potter hoddie and a backpack since hers had been ruined and stained in the incident.
At first, Quinn put up a fight, her pride shining through, until Santana and Rachel talked some sense into her and she finally accepted all of her gifts and then acted like a kid let lose in a candy store. It was adorable to see and Santana just fell harder for the blonde she had been getting to know little by little.
They ordered pizza and watched movies the rest of the evening since Judy was out meeting with Maribel and Hiram to come up with a plan of action for both the school incident and the money Russell had to pay them.
When Judy arrived at home, she found all three girls sleeping next to each other on the pull out sofa and just stood there a moment watching them and all of the things they had obviously brought her daughter. She snapped a quick pictured and sent it to both Maribel and Hiram, telling them their girls would be staying over from the looks of things. After turning off the television set, she made sure they were all covered well and went into her room, a smile firmly planted on her lips. It seemed things were finally looking up for them and she couldn't be more grateful for the two families that had come into their lives unexpectedly to change things for the better.
0-0
"Are you ready for tomorrow?" Judy asked as they sipped on some hot chocolate before bed.
"I guess, mamma. I don't know what to expect, but San and Rach promised they'll come and pick me up so we can all arrive together."
"I'm glad. You three seem to be getting close. It's good to see you smiling again."
"Yeah. It's nice having them around. They make me laugh."
"What about Santana? You know she likes you, right?" Quinn blushed prettily and nodded. "So she told you?"
"At the hospital. But then you guys all came in and we didn't finish talking. We haven't been alone since then, so I don't know."
"Well, do you like her back? She's a sweetheart and I wouldn't mind having her as a daughter-in-law."
"Mamma, stop! We haven't even gone on a date yet and you're already making plans for the future."
"Oh, so you do want to go on a date with her!"
"Who wouldn't? Mamma, seriously, have you seen her? She's gorgeous and funny and smart and so caring. I wish we had become friends before now. It's our last year and I'll probably never see her again after we graduate."
"Don't say that, darling. Of course you will. That girl really likes you and I don't think college is going to keep you apart. If she asks you out on a date you should really consider going."
"We'll see. She hasn't mentioned anything anymore, so she might have changed her mind now that she's gotten to know me better," Quinn voiced her doubts while looking down into her mug, her cheeks coloring lightly.
"That's highly doubtful, sweetheart. I think you should give her more credit than that. From everything I've seen so far, Santana is a wonderful girl. I think she'd be good for you and you need to stop thinking people don't like you as you are."
"It's hard to sometimes. Even though they've been so nice to me, I still don't know what will happen tomorrow at school. I'm still going to be considered a nerd and a loser."
"I wouldn't worry too much about what your high school peers think. Once you graduate, you won't keep in touch with most of them anyways and you'll move on to bigger and better things. I know you don't think so now, but you have a promising future ahead of you."
"Do you really think I can make it to college? We're not going to have the money to pay for it, mamma."
"That's where grant and scholarships come in and I'm already doing research on that. Maribel and Hiram are looking into it as well for us," she assured her as she covered Quinn's hand with her own. "Honey, we're not alone anymore. Our struggles to make it are almost over. I'm going to have a steady income now, we have two wonderful families supporting us and you have two friends that really care about you. I'd say things are finally going in the right direction."
"I guess you're right, mamma. I'm sorry for being such a pessimist. I know things are changing for the better. I just don't want anything to ruin things again."
"That's not going to happen, darling. We're going to be just fine." Judy got up, kissed Quinn's forehead and smiled at her. "Now finish your hot chocolate and go to sleep, young lady. You're back to school tomorrow and I want you to get a full night's sleep."
0-0
One more to go (I think!)…see you soon!
