Chapter 2: Scandalous

Quinn stopped in her track as she came face to face with Will Schuester. A million thoughts ran into her mind. Why would he be here? What would he be doing here? Here? In New Haven? What's going on? So many thoughts...But there were also other thoughts...That he looked better now...That there was that certain sadness in his eyes.

"Quinn," Will said. He realized how much Quinn has changed in the past two years. How different she looked—how more grown up she is. Like she now had the confidence of someone who knew how to stand on her own, who was trying to stay strong, who was beautiful in every single way.

"What are you doing here?" Quinn blurted out.

"I was at a conference," Will said.

"A conference?" Quinn asked, "Here? In New Haven?"

"Glee club advisers' conference," Will said, taking something out of his pocket. It was the invitation for the conference. He handed it to Quinn, "I didn't want to come, believe me," Will said, "But no one else would. And I'm still Glee club adviser..."

"Sorry," Quinn muttered, "I didn't mean to sound...rude. I just...I was just surprised."

"I know," Will said, "Sorry."

"Nah, don't," Quinn said.

They looked at each other for a little while without saying anything and then,

"Sorry," They both said almost at the same time.

"How are you?" Will asked.

"I'm...alright," Quinn said, her voice small. "How are you?"

Will put his hands in his pockets and, "Good, good," He muttered.

"Good, I—"

"Could we talk, Quinn?"

Tell him you're busy, that you're seeing Rachel, that you have to go, Quinn told herself, but by seeing Will and looking into his eyes, she felt...trapped. Like she couldn't resist staying. It felt scandalous, even then. It felt...tempting to stay.

"Just for a few minutes," Will said, "There's this cafe I saw and—"

"Yes," Quinn said, "Let's go."

xx

Will was looking at Quinn as he was sitting across from her at the table. He didn't know what to say. Only she could make him feel this way. Like he couldn't breathe. Like he was young again. Like he was nervous. Like he wanted something. Something he knew he shouldn't have.

Quinn took a deep breath. Someone needs to speak, she thought.

"How's Miss Pillsbury?" She asked.

"We broke up." Will said.

"What? Why?"

Will shook his head, "She has been...feeling very resentful. I was, too. Because things have changed between us ever since...that kiss."

"Oh god no,"

"Listen to me first," Will said, "Emma...she's...she's changed, too. For the better. She's stronger now, better...Wiser. She went away. She...went to Italy. Like she always wanted to.

"She went to Italy? Since when?"

"A couple of months back," Will said, "We were on and off for a year. She'll always be dear to me, though. I was really blessed to have her."

"Of course," Quinn said.

"How are you and Puck?"

"We're...alright," Quinn said, "We talk every once in a while, but...mostly that's that. It's for the best. We really had to let each other go."

Will nodded his head, "I...have really been thinking about you, Quinn."

"Really," Quinn muttered, "Why?"

"I just...I don't know," Will said, "That kiss..."

"Was an accident."

"I wish I could say I regretted it," Will said, "But somehow...a part of me says otherwise."

Quinn drank some coffee and took a deep breath, "I really...It's not...That wasn't supposed to happen."

"I know," Will said, "I'm sorry."

"Nah, don't be...It's not that it was bad, but...but it makes me feel...guilty."

"Sorry,"

"Please stop saying sorry." She sighed, "I always looked up to you, you know?" Quinn said, "And I still do...And that's what makes it complicated."

"Maybe I shouldn't have come," Will said, "I didn't mean to see you—"

"That's the thing," Quinn said, "A part of me feels like...like this was supposed to happen. Like I was supposed to see you. Like I wanted to see you. And that's wrong. That's wrong coz...coz you're supposed to be my former glee club adviser, and that's that." Her voice was shaking now, "I don't wanna be this person, you know? This person who ruins things...this person who...who's awful and—"

"Quinn, you didn't ruin anything."

"I don't know what to say," She said, and took hold of her bag, "I should go," She said, "I really should go."

"Quinn, don't—" Will said as he tried to hold her hand.

"Please," Quinn said, "Don't."

"I'm sorry."

Quinn just shook her head and bit her lip. "I have to go."

"I'll be here until tomorrow. If you wanna meet up and talk, call me. I still have the same number."

"I should go."

"Quinn,"

"I'll call you if I...I should go." She said, and finally, left.

xx