Circle The Drain
Part Two: Runaway (Toast To The Douchebags)
Musical Inspiration: Runaway by Kanye West
OOOO
Rachel Berry was back in Lima.
Quinn couldn't stop the automatic eye roll when she heard the 'news'. Rachel Berry was constantly on the tongues of the Lima citizens. She had went from an understudy on Broadway to having a minor role, and it was like the biggest news ever. Quinn and Rachel had ended their friendship on bad terms.
It wasn't as bad as it had been through out high school, but it had topped the cake of Rachel's behavior. She had told Quinn, that Quinn would never go anywhere in life. It was the reality of the statement now that pissed Quinn off.
She might not have went anywhere, but her life had to be a step up from the fake that surrounded Rachel's. At least Quinn knew who her friends were, and exactly who she was.
Was she jealous of Rachel Berry? No, and yes. But only yes because Rachel had escaped, and Quinn was stuck.
Jesse...
That was a situation that was to much to even think about. They didn't change their public relationship, but he'd show up at her door late at night or early in the morning depending on their shifts. He'd bring food, and silence.
It was becoming a routine. The first time was the only time she had been surprised. Now, she expected him, and she could tell that he was depending on those meetings. Once during the first couple nights, she had fallen asleep on the couch before he had come over-he was even more of a dick the next day at work.
He wasn't taking the Rachel thing well. Their nightly meetings had less talking and when he did speak, he was a jerk.
She took three nights of it, and didn't answer the door on the fourth.
OOOO
"Quinn Fabray?"
Quinn rolled her eyes. Was her last name really necessary? It wasn't like they hadn't known each other all throughout high school, it wasn't like they didn't have phases of being friends.
Still, Rachel had to be the overdramatic one. She had to say the cliche movie line. She had to just pop in whenever she felt like it and gloat that Quinn was in the exact position of life that she had predicted.
"Rachel." Quinn tried to smile, at least pretend to be civil.
It wasn't working.
Rachel didn't dress like a baby and an old lady anymore. Her agent must have given her some tips.
Rachel hugged her like they were best friends. Quinn had to contain her groan.
Jesse was watching from the counter.
Rachel didn't talk long, and Quinn didn't pay attention to her. Jesse watched the entire time, and Rachel didn't acknowledge him.
Quinn didn't answer the door that night.
OOOO
Sitting in front of the mirror, the massacre of it took her breath away.
But she was stronger than this.
"Why?" he asked when he saw her.
"I need change." She replied.
OOOO
It was like missing a limb. She still tried to brush the former length, but the brush would come up with nothing, and she'd be reminded of her short hair. It was cooler, it was easier to manage, but after a week, she missed the old.
He didn't like it. He vocalized his opinion and sometimes he'd look at her hair with obvious distaste.
She didn't do it for him. She did it for her.
OOOO
"What is this?"
They had been sitting in silence for fifteen minutes. He had brought donuts. They laid untouched on the counter.
"What?" he replied.
"This." She stared into his eyes, "What are we doing?"
His eyebrows kneaded together, "Enjoying each other's presence?"
"That's it."
"Was that a question?"
"No."
"Quinn."
"What?"
"I can't be the man you want."
"I don't want a man."
"I can't be...anything worthy."
"I don't want anything. Worthy or not."
"I just...I am satisfied with this, aren't you?"
She scoffed, "Life has made sure that nothing can satisfy me, so, no."
"Quinn."
She said nothing, but held his gaze.
He sighed, "I don't know what you want from me."
"Nothing."
"Don't be this way, if I could be something, if I were someone, I'd...I'd-"
She held up her hand, "Jesse, I want nothing more than what we have, which is basically nothing, but its enough."
He nodded, "Enough."
OOOO
She found a better job. The employer paid more, and didn't care that she didn't have a college degree. It was a level above receptionist work, but anything was better than waitressing.
She wanted to tell Jesse the moment she found out.
That was a bad sign. She should feel obligated to tell him anything. She shouldn't want to. She did. She wanted him to say he was proud of her, and this was a good step for her getting out of Lima. She wanted him to hug her. To kiss her, to want more than the something they had.
It would hurt him more than it would make him feel happy for her. This job could get her out of here. He'd still be stuck. He'd hate her for it.
She didn't tell him.
OOOO
It was her last day of waitressing. Jesse had kissed her that morning. He had no idea of her new job, or the fact this was her last day working with him. He hadn't turned into a romantic fool, but he kissed her, once. It was long and inevitable.
It wasn't the best kiss ever, she could feel the inkling of dislike that he still felt towards her. He would never completely like her. It would always be one of those relationships, he would never love her, and she could never love him.
She had grown attached, but it wasn't love. She felt slightly bad about not telling him about her job. But not telling him, was protecting her and his feelings.
She didn't want him to hate her so quickly again.
And he'd hate her more for lying, but it was all hate.
The small smile he gave her after their kiss crossed his mind. Her gut wrenched slightly more.
To Be Continued...
AN: The next part will be the last.
One reviewer wrote that they were happy to see this fic, and not to be offensive, but happy? This is very depressing, I have to listen to depressing music to write this, and I am still frowning when I take a break.
i feel for Quinn, but she is such a strong character that I don't feel to sadly for her, she can handle it.
Thanks to the few readers, this is the second least popular fic I have written, probably because of the ship (The first least popular was my Dollhouse one, but that show was so under-appreciated as it was, that I don't take it too personally)
Review.