Chapter 2: And It's Beginning To Get To Me

"Quinn?" Rachel asked, the pleasant surprise obvious in her voice. The other girl's blonde hair was swept back by the oversized sunglasses perching on her head and Rachel smiled, her bright hazel eyes a familiar sight.

Quinn smiled at the sound of her name uttered from those luscious lips and she felt her heartbeat speed up a little more. She remembers me! And God I just love the way she says my name...It's almost like my name just rolls off her tongue...

"Rachel?" the blonde countered.

Rachel blushed a little as Quinn smiled warmly at her. "Yep, that's me," she confirmed a bit too cheerfully.

Rachel mentally kicked herself. All those awards and acting classes, and that's all you can come up with?! Geez, Berry, can you be anymore pathetic?

Quinn couldn't stop smiling when a tinge of red started to creep onto Rachel's cheeks. She's so beautiful when she blushes, Quinn observed, softly shaking her head and ducking down again.

A strained silence fell between the two as neither one of them made the eye contact both so desperately wanted.

The tense moment was interrupted by the rather loud ringing of Quinn's cell phone, to which Quinn blushed hotly as to her utter mortification, the chorus to 2 Live Crew's Me So Horny filled the air. She hastily took her phone out and fumbled a bit with it before successfully managing to cut-off the offending ringtone.

"What?" she hissed into the speaker. She turned slightly to the side averting herself from Rachel's amused gaze and tried desperately not to combust from absolute embarrassment. She rolled her eyes as she listened to Puck prattle on the other line. "Puck, no... I already told you about a hundred times... I'm not... Look, I'm really not in the mood for this... Because!"

Rachel thought Quinn's fumble for words was completely adorable. As much as she didn't want to eavesdrop on whatever conversation the blonde was having on the phone, she couldn't help it. Especially since Quinn was only a few feet away. Slowly and cautiously, she turned to steal a quick look at the blonde again. At that same moment, Quinn looked up at Rachel and she met the most intense hazel gaze she thought she'd ever seen. For a seemingly endless moment, the two locked eyes and simply took the other in. Swimming in a dizzy haze of widening realization, everything else seemed to fade into black, leaving the two of them alone.

Quinn could hear Puck talking to her on the other line. She knew that there were people chattering about enjoying the game. She knew that she was standing only a few yards away from the girls' bathroom, and that a small group of girls had exited it and were whispering and giggling as they walked away, glancing over their shoulders trying to determine whether or not it was a true blue royal standing outside the restrooms. But everything was muffled, far away, irrelevant, insubstantial. The only thing Quinn was sure of in that moment was that a few yards in front of her was someone she thought she would never meet again, no matter how much she had hoped for it, and she had no idea what to say.

Having now gotten a really good (and somewhat less unobstructed) look at her, Quinn thought Rachel was even more gorgeous than she remembered; her familiar chocolate brown hair, though partially hidden by her maroon baseball cap, and sparkling brown eyes were just so perfect with her face and slim body. She reminded her of the rare beautiful girls she had seen in her life. Not the models or famous actresses she had met. Although those girls were good-looking and glamorous, they had no substance. But yet, at the back of her mind, nagging her, there was something so oddly familiar about the other girl. She couldn't place it at that moment but she didn't really care. Even Puck's voice couldn't break her out of her reverie.

"Quinn...Quinn! Are you even listening to me?"

God, she's really, really hot, Quinn thought guiltily, as though the brunette might be able to read her mind as well as her eyes. No, it's more than that; she's beautiful. She's insanely beautiful. And I think I'm drooling...

Snapping herself out of her love struck gaze, Quinn blinked, turning her attention to her flat mate on the other line, who had now stopped talking and turned uncharacteristically quiet. Taking a breath in and slowly exhaling, she flashed Rachel a coy grin and turned slightly to the side again, keeping her line of vision trained on the patch of bushes in front of her. It was safer that way. Safer and less obvious.

Tina chose that moment to come out of the bathroom. She spotted her best friend, back turned to her, and approached her, tapping her lightly on the shoulder.

Rachel jumped and let out a squeal in surprise as she felt someone tap her shoulder. "Jesus! Tina," she exclaimed none-too-quietly, hand on her chest, as she turned to face her best friend. "Don't scare me like that!"

"Chill, Rach!" Tina smirked. "You watch way too many horror movies."

Rachel shot her a look and pouted. "I do not!"

Tina giggled at Rachel's childish expression and grabbed her hand. "Okay, fine, you don't. Now come on, we've been gone for quite a while. The gang's probably worried about us."

Rachel rolled her eyes and smirked. "Yeah, right. Kurt and Mercedes maybe. But Jesse and Sam, I totally doubt they've even noticed we're gone."

The two girls giggled and turned to walk back to their friends.

Quinn felt her stomach do flip-flops as she heard Rachel and her friend talk and giggle. Her heart hammered in her chest as Rachel gave her one final smile, waved and walked away, leaving her and Puck alone on the phone.

On the other side of the line, Puck was starting to get worried for his friend. Though Quinn usually kept silent during the majority of their conversations, the girl on the other line sounded completely out of it. "Quinn, are you sure you're all right? You haven't dropped dead on me, have you?"

Quinn sighed and finally addressed Puck. "No, yes, I'm fine. I just..." she looked longingly at the two fading figures in the distance. Quinn wrapped her free arm around her midsection, trying to ignore the pitter patter of her beating heart and the fluttering butterflies in her stomach.

Puck became quiet again as he mulled over his friend's situation. He only knew of two things that would leave Quinn as unsettled as she currently was. But seeing as there was no way for those bloody reporters to enter university grounds without them knowing, he settled for the latter option.

"Why Quinn Lucille Fabray," Puck started accusingly. "Don't tell me you've just caught yourself a new love interest!"

Quinn quickly shook out of her trance when she heard Puck's teasing and shrugged innocently, as if the boy could see her doing so. "What?"

"Oh, don't what me," Puck said, his voice carrying on a knowing tone. "I know that silence! I've seen that silence. Now tell me, who's the girl?"

Quinn was at a loss of words. Oh, wonderful. Now Puck knows! Pretty soon the other girls will know and I'll never hear the end of it!

"Puck, there's no girl," Quinn stated as firmly as possible. Puck remained silent on the other line, and Quinn guessed he was probably biting his tongue to keep from commenting otherwise. Unable to take it, the blonde royal acquiesced. "All right, fine!"

"A-ha!" Puck whooped triumphantly. "So, what's her name? Did you talk to her?"

Quinn smiled at her friend's eagerness and sighed. "Her name's Rachel, and yes, I talked to her. Well, sort of."

"Rachel, huh? Sounds like a pretty one," Puck carried on their conversation as Quinn began the trek back to their group.

A very beautiful name fitting a very beautiful girl indeed, Quinn thought.

Puck caught the renewed bout of silence from the other line and his grin grew wider. "Ah, was she from that group of girls from earlier? Or the other one you 'met' yesterday at the Coffee Shop?"

"A definite no to the first, but a yes to the latter. And talked in phrases was more like it," Quinn said as she kicked a pebble.

"Cat got your tongue?" Puck teased.

"Something like that. It was just, she was so beautiful, and her smile was just absolutely gorgeous, and I'm shutting up now." Quinn blushed and buried her free hand in her jacket pocket.

"Quinn Fabray, Her Royal Highness, is gushing and blushing over a girl!" Puck exclaimed as Quinn blushed even more. "Wait till the girls hear about this!" With that, Puck unceremoniously hung up leaving a red-faced Quinn gaping on the other line.

"Puckerman! No! Don't you even dare!" Quinn yelled at Puck as she neared her friends and ran after him.


Meanwhile, as Rachel and Tina neared their friends, Tina noticed that Rachel was being awfully quiet on their walk back. She instantly grew worried. "Rach, are you okay?"

Rachel looked up and saw concerned eyes gazing at her. "Uh, yeah, yes. I'm fine. I just..." she trailed off as she fumbled over trying to find an explanation. Should I tell her or shouldn't I? she mulled over. Is there even anything to tell? She took in a deep breath and slowly exhaled. "Nothing." So much for trusting your best friend.

"Are you sure?"

Rachel smiled and assured the other girl. "Yes, T, I'm fine. Honest."

Tina sighed and shook her head. "Ok, whatever."

Rachel bit her lip guiltily. Should she really tell her best friend? Tell her what? That you're smitten with a girl you barely know except her name? She shook her head. Smitten? Geez, I've been spending too much time around here. I'm starting to talk like the locals...hmm...although Quinn did have a nice voice. A really raspy, sexy voice.

Rachel smirked to herself and decided to let it slide as just another case of insane crushes that'll never work out in the long run. With that, she plopped back down on the blanket and smiled. "So, how's the game?"

"Intense. Henry's team is winning!" Jesse exclaimed, his eyes never leaving the field.

"Oh, cool."

Jesse glanced briefly at Rachel and noticed the smile plastered on her face. "Hey, you okay? You didn't get into any trouble back there did you?"

Rachel just rolled her eyes and shook her head. "No, I'm fine. It's just... isn't it a beautiful day?"

Jesse just looked at her blankly before answering. "Uh, yeah sure." He looked over at Tina who just shrugged.

"Oh, hey! Henry's got the ball!" Rachel exclaimed excitedly and stood up. "Go Henry go!"

At that, Jesse turned his attention back to the game and joined Rachel as she cheered his friend on.


"God, I'm so hungry," Rachel moaned in complaint two hours later. Henry's team had won and everybody was packing up and heading towards the parking lot.

"Hungry? You practically polished off all the sandwiches and chips! And you're still hungry?" Kurt exclaimed in bewilderment.

"What? That was well over two hours ago!" Rachel explained, as if that answered his question.

"Damn, Rach, where do you put all that food?" Mercedes teased. She, along with everybody else, could never understand how the press could allege her childhood friend as anorexic when she really wasn't, and in fact, ate like a pig.

Rachel pulled a face, not at all amused at the dig. It wasn't her fault she easily got hungry. "Come on, I'm starving here and all you can do is tease and mock me?" she whined.

"Oh, that's not good," Sam said.

"Yeah, a hungry, whining celebrity is never a good thing…especially for her posse," Jesse chimed in.

Rachel glared at the two before smacking them both on the arm.

"Ow! All right, fine," Jesse exclaimed, shielding himself from the brunette's swats. "Here's twenty quids! Go knock yourself out!" he said, handing over the note to the irate brunette.

Rachel smiled triumphantly, thanked him with a loud kiss on the cheek, and then ran off to one of the food stands.

Jesse wiped at his cheek and rubbed his bruised arm. "I swear to God, that girl eats like a pig and the media actually calls her anorexic."

Sam nodded in agreement. "I know, but hey, just shows what they know."


"Can I get a Classic Superclub and some sea salt popcorn?" Quinn told the vendor, placing her order. "Oh, and a bottle of water as well."

Quinn inhaled the scent of popping corn kernels and licked her lips as her stomach rumbled. That's what you get for not eating anything.

Quinn had discovered that Rachel and her friends were only a few clusters away and so spent the rest of the afternoon gazing over at Rachel rather than to occupy herself with something as trivial as eating. She observed how the beautiful brunette interacted with her friends. She couldn't help but stare at her. She'd wanted to look at her and never stop. Everyone and everything else, the game and the various girls crowding in front of her, was invisible. Rachel was the only one that mattered. She watched as she tossed her lovely dark chestnut hair when she laughed. Quinn had briefly wondered (not for the first time that day) if she should go up to her and ask her if she would mind if she ran her fingers through her hair.

Stop it, Quinn! She told herself. She knew she couldn't go up to the other girl and ask such a ridiculous question. But a great part of her wanted to, very badly.

"Hi... I'd like an order of the spicy falafel melt, please."

Quinn thought she was hallucinating Rachel's sweet voice, but when she looked to her left, there she stood, looking as beautiful as their earlier encounter, only this time she had lost the baseball cap and her wavy chestnut brown hair was tumbling down around her shoulders framing her face like a priceless painting. She smiled at the vendor and practically bounced on the balls of her feet as she waited for her order.

How can someone be so beautiful? Quinn barely contained the smile threatening to burst across her face as she continued gazing at her. Rachel was barely five feet away from her, but Quinn wondered if she could hear her heart hammering in her chest.

Rachel felt as if eyes were watching her, and so she turned to her left. To her surprise, and delight, there was Quinn, looking at her, blushing, and quickly ducking her head again.

She is so adorable, Rachel grinned, barely containing a full-blown smile from erupting across her face.

"Quinn!" One word – just her name – and her heart skipped.

"Wow, fancy seeing you again," Rachel said, trying to keep the surprise and excitement down in her voice.

Quinn looked up and saw two pools of brown gazing warmly at her. "Rachel...yes, it is quite a surprise." Quinn bit her lip. "I didn't think I'd see you again."

"Same here," Rachel said. Now that she had a better look at the other girl, she swore she'd seen Quinn somewhere before but couldn't quite place it.

"Umm, this'll sound ridiculous, but um, besides yesterday, have we met before?" Rachel asked pointedly. No sense in beating around the bush, she always said.

"Umm, well, unless you go to St. Andrews or are from around these parts..." Quinn chuckled nervously.

"You're right. My mistake," Rachel replied, shuffling her feet. "It's just, you look so familiar and...never mind." Wow, and the award for biggest dork of the year goes to...

"I get that all the time," Quinn smiled, brushing the comment off. "I mean, you look vaguely familiar too. Other than from having met you yesterday, that is."

"Yeah, I get that all the time, too." Rachel replied with a chuckle.

"I'm usually pretty good with names and faces but I'm not sure where I know yours from," Quinn said, baffled by why Rachel looked familiar yet she couldn't place it.

"Like I said, I get it all the time," Rachel said, hoping that Quinn wasn't one of those autograph hounds. She really didn't want to deal with that right now, especially while she's on vacation, and especially when she was starting to like the blonde.

Quinn bit her lower lip and hoped she didn't blow her chances by being so persistent. "So I take it you're not from around here then?" Oh, right. Of course she isn't, you moron! She just said so...

"Uh, no. The US actually," Rachel winced when her voice came out as a high-pitched squeak. "I'm from the US. I'm only here on vacation."

Quinn chuckled, "Yes, I should have gotten that from your accent." Oh, now you go and make fun of her accent!

Rachel blushed and smiled. "Uh, yeah. I guess."

Silence filled the air as the two smiled at each other awkwardly.

"So umm..." Quinn started. Say something! "Umm, did you enjoy the game?"

Rachel smiled and brought her arms across her chest again, a habit she'd had since she was little when talking with somebody who'd drawn her interest. "Honestly, I didn't know the first thing about rugby when the game started," she laughed nervously. Dork, she told herself, you're a big dork. And she can see that.

Quinn couldn't help but laugh along with her. She's got such a beautiful laugh. Her heart beat a bit faster when a gust of wind blew a few rogue strands of hair into Rachel's eyes. Rachel reached up absently and brushed them back, tucking them behind her ear. I want to do that, Quinn thought, and actually clenched her left hand inside her sweater pocket. Rachel smiled a be-dimpled grin at her, making Quinn a little weak in the knees. Oh, Fabray...you've got it bad for this one.

Rachel bit her lower lip and tried to compose herself. Okay, try not to make yourself sound like the biggest dork again, all right? "Yeah, well, I finally was able to understand it, that is, after several lectures on the history and mechanics of rugby from my best friend."

"Oh, so you're here to watch a friend play?"

"Yeah," Rachel replied and smiled somewhat smugly. "His team actually won."

"Oh." Quinn nodded her head in reply. "Umm, our team actually lost," she said in a slightly embarrassed tone. "Well, not really. We finished second and we won three crates of beer," she grinned.

"The Rat Pack right?" Rachel asked. "Nice name. Big Sinatra fan?" Rachel's smile grew into a grin when Quinn laughed and replied "I, uh, honestly don't know. I suppose so." She had a deep-throated laugh which sent goosebumps down Rachel's spine.

Rachel laughed as well and shook her head. "I guess three crates of beer isn't a total loss."

Quinn's eyes twinkled. "Yeah, nothing like alcohol to liven the spirits of defeated men, huh?"

They both shared another laugh and all Quinn could think about was how captivating Rachel was and how much she wanted to get to know more about the other girl. So much more. She sighed. She sounded like a lovesick fool, which she probably was. But she didn't want to scare the brunette away, and she had made enough mistakes with girls that she knew to become friends first and lovers later.

"Rachel, I was wondering..." Before Quinn could say another word, a brown-haired man came jogging down the field calling out Rachel's name. Rachel turned to the direction of the voice and raised an eyebrow.

"Jesse?" Rachel asked with slight surprise and annoyance.

"Hey," Jesse replied as he walked casually up to Rachel and placed his arm around her shoulder.

Quinn eyed the newcomer closely and frowned when she noticed the way Rachel leaned in a bit into his embrace. Quinn had guessed that the guy was her boyfriend. Someone like that was bound to have guys all over her, she told herself, and felt a tightening in her chest.

It only took a second for the young royal to identify the feeling as jealousy.

Jealousy? Now there's something you don't see everyday, Quinn thought with a snort. The notoriously shy future head of the monarch getting jealous over a girl she barely even knows? Certainly was a first in her books.

"Have you ordered yet?" Jesse said, running his hands in his thick brown hair.

Rachel eyed him suspiciously and arched her eyebrow. "Yes, why?" completely oblivious to Quinn's increasing disappointment and jealousy towards her best friend.

Jesse grinned and wrinkled his nose. "Could you call me an order too? I'm kinda hungry and…" he said sweetly.

Rachel rolled her eyes and smirked at her best friend. "And you had the nerve to make fun of my hunger pangs earlier…" She almost laughed at Jesse's pleading face and shook her head, "All right, fine! Go, I'll get your food."

"Righteous!" Jesse exclaimed and kissed Rachel on the cheek, causing Quinn's frown to deepen and her heart to continue to sink.

Wonderful, Quinn though grimly. God you're such a fool Fabray, trust you to hope that Rachel will still be single. She's too good to stay single.

Rachel rolled her eyes again at Jesse and shoved him away. "I'll be with you guys in a few more minutes." Jesse smiled and nodded before jogging back down the field to the parking lot.

"And don't leave without me!" Rachel shouted after him. After placing Jesse's order, she turned her attention back to Quinn, noticing that a frown had formed on the blonde's face. "You okay?"

Quinn shook her head again, "Uh, yes, I was just thinking about the game and how disappointing it really is to have your team not win first place." She hurriedly tried to cover her obvious disappointment, one which had absolutely nothing to do with the game.

Rachel looked at her curiously and nodded sympathetically. "Yeah, it does suck when the team you root for doesn't win."

Quinn heaved a silent sigh in relief and cleared her throat, "Not to sound obtrusive a-and it really is none of my business but…" Should I ask her? Do I even have the right to ask her? What if she thinks I'm some sort of stalker?

"Yes?"

"Um, I take it that was your boyfriend?" Quinn felt her voice croak out. She ducked her head again and blushed hotly.

"What?" Rachel's voice jerked Quinn's head back up, the face of the brunette screwed up in horror and bemusement.

"No!" she asserted firmly, "Oh Jesus, no," her voice sounded as though she was talking in slow motion or something. "No, no, no, no," she added, just for effect. "Jesse and I are SO not…" she could hardly bear to finish as she started laughing. Quite involuntarily, she shuddered at the mere suggestion.

"Oh God no," Rachel said breathlessly, shaking her head violently from side to side. Pulling a face, she eyed the surprised expression on the blonde's face and shuddered again. "Jesse is..." she felt her mouth take a downward turn, "…well he's my best friend. A good childhood best friend."

Quinn felt her heart release in relief and silently made a happy dance as Rachel said those words. She's single! Oh, thank you God…she's single!

Meanwhile, Rachel was too preoccupied with her own inner babble. She thinks Jesse and I are dating? Pressing her lips together she shook her head again wonderingly. Jesse and me? Bleh, it took all of her will power to keep from sticking her tongue out and make gagging noises. It wouldn't be the first time though that people mistook them for a couple, Rachel frowned. She and Jesse had grown up together and had known each other since they were in diapers; they were practically brother and sister. They always hung out together and had always been comfortable enough around each other to get quite chummy, leading people to believe there was more to their friendship. And sure, there was that one brief time when she had this crush on him, but looking back now, the thought of them being together that way was just, well... so not happening in this lifetime or the next.

Quinn looked over at Rachel and saw that she was in deep thought. She smiled at the way the other girl's brows furrowed and her nose wrinkled. Quinn continued to gaze at her, her eyes skimming over her creamy, perfect skin. She had high cheekbones, and full, pouty, utterly kissable pink lips. Quinn swallowed a gulp and had to mentally restrain herself from reaching over and tracing the outline of Rachel's lips. She wondered if they'd be as soft as she imagined and if...

"Anyway," Rachel waved a hand dismissively in front of her not noticing Quinn's open stare. She looked over at the vendor to see if her food was done. Not yet, she thought impatiently. "Enough about my nonexistent love life. How about you? I mean, you go here, at St. Andrews right?" After a moment, she looked back at Quinn expectantly, wondering why she hadn't answered. Quinn was staring at her and the look in her eyes started to unnerve her.

"Uhm, Quinn...Quinn?"

Quinn was vaguely aware of Rachel's voice. They're probably as soft as velvet and as sweet as strawberries…no, peaches. Yes, peaches are far more sweeter than strawberries...

"Quinn?" Rachel was getting more flustered by the minute. This was ridiculous. She'd been used to people staring at her, but that didn't mean she had to like it. At first she had felt like smacking them up the head and yelling at them for their rudeness, but once she got used to it, she just dismissed it and ignored it as best as she could. Right now though, with Quinn's continuing open stare, she was getting more and more uncomfortable by the second.

Quinn was broken out of her Rachel-centric thoughts by the brunette's tone. Did she notice me looking? I'm in so much trouble. Oh please tell me she didn't notice. Please? Nonononoono. This is so embarrassing!

"Uh – uh—yes? Sorry. I spaced out a little. It's the hunger." Her mouth chugged out her thoughts in slow motion.

"I asked if you're a student here at St. Andrews," Rachel repeated. "Are you okay?"

"Oh, yeah," Quinn replied. "I'm fine." Seeing the look of uncertainty in the other girl's eye, she felt it necessary to continue. "Really, I uh...just got lost in thought...that's all."What is wrong with me? I barely know this girl, yet I am completely drawn to her.

Rachel narrowed her eyes and looked at Quinn in disbelief. She decided to let it slide as another 'nervous-fan-trance-like-reaction,' as she would put it, and closed her eyes to regain her composure before opening them and smiled softly at Quinn.

Smirking, she decided that humor was the best relief for the momentary tension in the air. "So, are you a student here at St. Andrews or are you just here for all the hot guys?" Or girls, she mentally added. Please say girls.

Quinn quietly let out another sigh, glad to see the girl hadn't noticed the effect she'd had on her. "Umm, yes, I am. I'm an Arts History major, though going for the... guys is a rather good excuse to come here and watch the game."

Although I'd really much rather prefer picking up girls instead, perhaps a girl such as yourself, Quinn added in her thoughts but refrained from saying it out loud. She wasn't exactly sure whether the brunette was interested in girls as well so she decided it would be better not to bring it up rather than risk scaring her away.

Rachel laughed at Quinn's answer and cocked her head, becoming genuinely interested. "Arts History student, huh? I take it you love everything artistic and ancient?"

"Well, yes, presumably, I do." She chuckled lightly. "I also love traveling. I actually spent my gap year before college traveling." She paused and bit her lip, momentarily wondering why she felt so at ease sharing her personal experiences with this girl. Oh, what the hell! She'll probably end up reading about it somewhere anyway, Quinn concluded.

"I went to Nicaragua and worked in a small community with a group called Raleigh International; we built a community center, repaired bridges, and taught kids English." She smiled at the memory and the wonderful time she had there and how satisfactory it felt being able to contribute to other people's communities. She also recalled the tranquility and the relaxed atmosphere around the community, a far cry from her usual hectic and chaotic life back in the city. Not to mention the pressure of being the next in line to the British throne and the press' relentless peering into her personal life. That's why she loved it so much in St. Andrews. After the initial curiosity and excitement, the locals left her alone and she was able to lead a normal life as a college student. "Then I went to Africa on sort of like a safari thing. It was the best time in my life. I've actually gone again for the past two summers. The whole traveling experience was quite fun and I would do it again in a heart beat."

Rachel smiled, supremely impressed. "A humanitarian and a nature lover. I'm surprised. Not that many people are that involved anymore in elevating the situation of people and the environment that aren't of their concern. At least, not that many that I know of."

Quinn smiled back and dropped her head, blushing. "Yes, well, it was a welcomed relief to the mad routine of the city and the relentless pressures of overly concerned family members," she said with downcast eyes.

Rachel smiled and giggled. "Yeah, life in the city, and around the parental units, can be redundantly distressing." She waited for Quinn to look up and asked, "So, by your accounts, you're a...sophomore?"

"Yeah," Quinn looked up with a smile. "But enough about me. How about you? Where do you go?"

"Erm, I'm actually currently on a sabbatical," Rachel cleared her throat and bit her lip nervously.

"Really?"

"Uh huh. But I was previously enrolled at Columbia," Rachel said a bit reluctantly, not sure if she should divulge such information to a girl she barely knows. It'll be on the internet if she decides to look it up anyway, along with everything else concerning my personal life.

"Ahhh. An Ivy Leaguer?" Quinn teased, enjoying the answering blush and laugh of the other girl.

"I suppose you could say that." Rachel grinned.

"So, what were you studying, if you don't mind me asking?" Quinn asked. She eagerly listened to the other girl, wanting to know every little detail about the engaging beauty.

"Psychology with a minor in Philosophy," Rachel answered somewhat hesitantly, hoping she didn't come off as being too nerdy. Not that she probably already didn't. Dork, meet Dorkier — I'm sure you've met. Rachel mentally made an eyeroll at herself.

"Psychology and Philosophy?" Quinn asked in pleasant surprise.

"It was either that or Economics." Rachel shrugged. "And as much fun as studying and analyzing the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and service is, I thought going for a major in psychology and a minor in philosophy would be a more interesting subject to venture."

"Ah, yes. Numbers can be very, very tricky indeed," Quinn nodded in agreement. She playfully raised an eyebrow at the brunette. "You're not profiling me or anything right now, are you?" she said jokingly, grinning when she saw Rachel blush as she shook her head.

"Shush," Rachel playfully swatted the blonde on the arm, a light tinge of pink continuing to color her cheeks.

Despite her blushing, Quinn fondly took note of the look that lit up Rachel's eyes when she talked of her major. Her eyes were so... different. They were a light, whiskey brown shade that just seemed to sparkle when she talked about something she liked. Quinn ran her hand through her hair and chuckled. "Well, my apologies then. I just know quite a number of psych majors and they usually formulate an opinion or evaluation of sorts about me within the first fifteen minutes we spend talking."

"Ah, one of our favorite and extremely stereotyped pastimes actually," Rachel replied smartly and they both laughed. After all the stress Quinn's had over the past few months, it was a welcomed relief to be able to just laugh and enjoy a casual conversation with someone she liked.

They turned when the vendor called their attention with their orders in hand. Quinn cut Rachel off as she handed over her money to pay for her food.

"No, let me," Quinn said sweetly.

Rachel shook her head and smiled. "No, I can't let you do that. I –"

"No, really, it'd be my pleasure," Quinn said cutting her off again. "It's not everyday one gets to meet a beautiful lady such as yourself and have the pleasure of sharing a wonderful conversation with her."

Rachel blushed at Quinn's compliment and said, "Thanks," not quite looking her in the eye.

As soon as Quinn paid for both their orders, Rachel hungrily took a bite off her sandwich and mumbled with a mouthful, "You really didn't have to do that."

Quinn chuckled and pointed to the corner of Rachel's mouth. "I already told you, it's fine. And uh, you've got a little something on your mouth."

Rachel's eyes grew wide as she swallowed. "Where?"

"Uh, right there," Quinn smiled and pointed to her left cheek. "Here let me," she took a napkin from the stand and wiped the left corner of Rachel's mouth, "All right, all gone now."

Rachel blushed furiously as Quinn reached over to wipe her mouth gently. She sighed when the other girl's fingers lightly brushed her face when she checked to make sure that there weren't any condiments left on her. See, this is why I never have crushes. They make you blush and babble and make your knees grow weak as jello.

"I guess I was really hungry," Rachel said sheepishly.

Quinn smiled and just as she was about to say something a loud female voice echoed from the parking lot towards them.

"Rachel! Hurry Up! We need to go now!"

Rachel frowned and shook her head in annoyance when she turned to see Mercedes yelling across the field. "I'm coming!" She shouted back. Great timing, Mercedes!

Quinn frowned when Rachel turned to her and apologized, "That's my friend and I guess I really have to go."

Quinn tried to hide the disappointment in her voice and smiled. "No, it's fine. I hope on seeing you again?"

Rachel smiled and bit her lip. "I hope so, too."

"Rachel!" she cringed as Mercedes' voice bellowed from the parking lot.

"Well, it was nice seeing you again, Quinn," Rachel said, reaching out her free hand.

Quinn took her hand in hers and reveled in the familiar softness. "The feeling's mutual, Rachel."

Rachel flashed her another smile before turning to jog down the field. "Oh, and thank you for the food!" She called over her shoulder.

"You're welcome!" Quinn replied smiling.

God, I hope I get to see you again soon, Quinn thought as she watched Rachel reach her friends. She had only known the other girl for all but 24 hours, not a day even, and already she felt herself falling for her.

Is that even possible?

She never really believed in love at first sight. Maybe attraction at first sight but never love. She rewound to their brief but pleasant conversation. Rachel was vivacious, very beautiful and unquestionably articulate. Throughout their entire conversation Quinn's heart was racing, her chest seemed all constricted and she couldn't breathe right. All she saw was that lovely face framed by wavy, dark chestnut brown hair and inquisitive chocolate brown eyes looking out, and she was thankful she hadn't lost her nerve or her voice.

I can't believe I didn't botch up and completely embarrass myself, Quinn thought amazed at her ability to keep a conversation, much less share jokes, with the girl who took her breath away.

Oh, God please don't let me be... what? Smitten, a crush, in love?

Her mind immediately thought back to Heather. Of all the girls she had dated in college, she was the worst.

Heather and Quinn had started off fine, as couples usually do. But after a month, the press would manage to publish pictures of the two of them snogging on her bed. Quinn later learned that she had tipped the press off and even had a surveillance camera in the room to record everything. Heather started stalking her after the break-up and her friends sometimes made nasty comments to her. After Heather, Quinn was more cautious with the girls she dated.

"I don't want to make the same mistake again," she said to herself as she walked back to her friends.

But then Rachel was the most angelic thing she'd ever seen and her smile seemed to penetrate through her fear filling her with joy just to see it. In fact, she felt peace. Like a soft blanket in winter it descended over her, warming her to her very soul.

Maybe she was different. Maybe she wouldn't sell her out to the press just for her fifteen minutes of fame. She certainly didn't look like one who craved for that type of attention anyway. Maybe she'd actually love Quinn for what she was and not for who she was.

Whoa, there, Quinn! Love you? You don't even know if she likes you, let alone love you!

But didn't it seem like Rachel had enjoyed talking to her? And she was sure she had felt an undercurrent of electricity and attraction when they had touched, no matter how brief it was.

I'm afraid I might be in love with her and I don't even know anything about her, Quinn thought glumly. Just that she's so gorgeous and innocent and perky and engaging.

Anyone like that must have a boyfriend or a girlfriend (Quinn prayed and hoped Rachel was more inclined towards the latter), even though she'd made it clear to her that the guy who walked up to them was definitely not one.

Yes, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have one.

Quinn frowned. How could she not? She probably has a long slew of admirers asking her out all the time, the pick of the crop hers for the choosing. She kicked a small rock and rubbed her temples.

Brilliant, Quinn thought. Only a few weeks after a disastrous relationship that ended up in hell and you've got yourself another unrequited love. Bravo, Quinn, bravo!