Mystery

"Alright!" yelled Mr. Schuester, overjoyed with the student's performance that afternoon at practice. "That was outstanding guys! Why don't we-" Whatever he was going to suggest was cut off by the tinkling ring of his cell phone. "Ah," he said glancing down at the phone's screen. "I have to get this. You guys…just take five."

As soon as the break was announced, Quinn dashed from the stage, out of sight of all the other members of the club. Everyone else ignored her departure, mingling and engaging in small talk. The division between the popular kids and the "Gleeks," as they had come to be called, was more than a bit obvious. Finn was the only one who bounced between the two groups and it was clear he wanted them all to be friends.

Artie doubted that would ever happen. Puck, Quinn, and the two other cheerleaders, treated the others with disdain, acting as if they were better. They showed no remorse, as Finn had, over misdeeds carried out against the Gleeks. However, Artie had decided to be above their attitudes and simply ignored them, most of the time. If only Mercedes, Kurt, Tina, and Rachel would do the same.

Sighing, Artie wheeled himself to the nether regions of the stage, behind the curtain that masked the others from sight, thinking about only a few nights before, when Mercedes had been very close to pounding Quinn into the ground. Luckily, both Kurt and Rachel had been there to restrain her. He hadn't gone far into the recesses when he heard the sound of someone sniffling. Pushing at the rims of his wheelchair, he moved, driven by curiosity, into the more secluded and darker area behind the curtains.

He was surprised when he saw Quinn Fabray, doubled over, as if in pain, and crying into her hands. Not sure how to handle the situation, he remained frozen for an eternal moment. Finally, he gained the courage to clear his voice.

Startled, Quinn's head shot up, her tear soaked face barely visible in the dim light. "Wh-what? Artie?"

"Um, yeah," he said, weakly, not quite over the shock of finding the Queen of Mean sobbing over…over something. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she snapped, standing up and straightening her skirt. "A piece of dust or something got behind my contact, that's all." Finished with the obviously false explanation, she walked past him, her hip brushing against his arm. "And…Artie…don't tell anyone about this or I'll-"

"You don't have to threaten me," he interrupted her, eyes narrowing behind his glasses. "I don't intend on telling anyone, so don't worry."

Jutting her chin out, her fingers deftly wiped the remaining tears away. "I wasn't worried," she shot back, before leaving him alone.

Shaking his head, Artie wondered at the whole situation. To find Quinn crying meant there might be more to her than he had previously thought. A part of him wanted to discover that unknown person but another part warned him against trying. Not willing to listen to either side, yet, he wheeled himself back on to stage, just as Mr. Schuester was returning. "Okay guys, why don't we try that one more time?"

Taking his place, Artie afforded himself one glance at Quinn. There appeared to be no evidence that she had been crying.

Rachel began the number, while the others joined it. Artie sang along with the others, eyes fixed on Rachel and Finn as the took the center of the stage. Normally, Rachel became an almost scary fan girl when it came to Finn, but when they performed together, that eerie side of her was stripped away and the two couldn't help but shine, almost like two stars in the night. Grinning, Artie wheeled himself forward, then back, in line with the dance steps, before allowing himself one more glance at Quinn.

And that's when he knew why Quinn was crying. Though smiling and singing and dancing, her eyes, full of sadness, were locked on Rachel and Finn.

For the first time ever, Artie Abrams felt bad for Quinn Fabray, who saw the chemistry between the two and, like Artie, couldn't deny it.

In that minute, Artie knew that his adventurous side was going to take over. Quinn Fabray was a mystery, one Artie was determined to solve.

Author's Note: I haven't yet given the two cheerleaders names...according to spoilers, there will be two cheerleaders, besides Quinn, who join Glee but I don't know there names...so if anyone knows, I would greatly appreciate you pming me. Also, there are two members I haven't really addressed...again, I don't know what there names will be in the show. I'll probably make them up for this story, later. Also, I wanted to note Rachel's obssession with Finn - it won't be that way for long, this is just how I think her feelings for him will start.