A/N: So I'm completely overwhelmed by the response to this, thank you guys so much for reviewing it means so much to know what you think! I really hope you like this chapter and I think I'll be updating this again quite soon :)
Many thanks to superflyse who without her help, I don't know how I'd write this story!
Chapter Two: Jealousy's a Bitch
Quinn arrived home after Glee and headed straight for her room, just knowing that her father now lived in the same house as her had put her on edge and she wanted to do everything she could to avoid him. After locking her door she took a moment to remember what it was she planned to do that evening. One thing was sure, she needed evaluate her situation and think up a plan.
First things first, she wanted to get changed out of her outfit as she felt uncomfortable in the dress and wanted something a bit more from "her time". Rummaging around her wardrobe she only found her baby doll dresses and although she did like them, one of the things she wanted was her newer style. Another thing she didn't like was her hair cut, much preferring it when it was shorter but that would have to wait as the chastity ball was next weekend and she would have to keep her father happy as in only a few weeks Finn would stupidly out her as pregnant, that was unless she stopped it.
The teenager found that she was in need of a shopping trip and since it would be a good way of bonding, she thought to ask Kurt and Mercedes to join her the next day at the mall, as long as she mentioned make over, Kurt would be in.
She spent the rest of her night re-arranging her room around and getting reacquainted with what actually in there, googling the effects of changing the past can have on the future, learning of paradox's and other things she took a note of, including gathering a list of Time Travel related books, movies and anything that could give a clue. Every now and again she would get distracted and click on another tab which she was using to research ways to woo Rachel. In the end, the thing she was most proud of was the chart she had created and had hung on the back of her door underneath some coats that hung there, it seemed like the best place to keep it hidden from her parents.
She'd used her notepad to write down every event she could remember happening up until the crash and then made a chart and calender accordingly and used gold stars to mark off everything that happened, since it made her think of Rachel and she felt that the girl would appreciate it.
Later on, Quinn ended up stood facing her open window. Looking out at the stars that were just starting to appear, the other houses and the treetops silhouettes in the moonlight. Everything about it was perfect, the cool breeze that caused goosebumps on her arms, the sounds of passing cars. This was first time that she had stopped and realized what she had, how someone or something out there had decided she was worth giving a second chance and she was alive because of it.
Still, even knowing this she felt so alone. Quinn knew and never had a problem with the fact she normally preferred her own company to others. But in that moment, all she wanted was for someone to hold her and tell her it would all be okay. She craved her mom, not the one busy cleaning up after her father downstairs but the one that had divorced him and had learnt to accept Quinn for who she was.
Feeling exhausted, she closed her window and fell into her bed, climbing under the covers, her head thrown back upon the pillows. She was motionless, just thinking over the days to come and how she would change it into a better future for everyone, not just herself.
oOo
The next morning the blonde teenager woke with a new feeling, she was excited. Today was another day she was living, and she wanted to make the most of it. Her clothing choice was something she was happy to be in, picking out one of her dresses, a matching headband and a cardigan. She would have preferred to wear something a little different but this outfit helped to make her bump less noticeable.
The day was off to a good start, until she arrived at school and was welcomed by the sight of Puck pursuing Rachel. That relationship had been missed from her notes and she wasn't happy to see him pass over a grape flavored slushy to the diva to try and win her affections. It was frustrating, the fact he was able to do such things and she was forced to watch. Though what could she do? This Rachel didn't know her like before but as Quinn filled with jealousy she knew that would change soon enough.
The ex-cheerleader forced herself into put all her energy into re-organizing her locker to the way she liked it and not looking at Rachel, but even that was hard as her giggle could be heard from across he hallway.
"Hey babe," Quinn paused and rolled her eyes hating the term of endearment Finn used. Looking up, she saw him leaning against the neighbouring lockers and also watching the two Jews with just as much disgust as herself. "what's going on with them?"
"Don't know, don't care." She fumed, slamming her locker door with a little more force than intended.
"Oh, yeah same." He agreed begrudgingly, swinging his arm over her shoulder and pulling her into his chest. Instantly, she shrugged him off and took a step to the side to avoid his touch. She hated looking at him let alone touching him, she couldn't help but think of was how in another world, he was probably married to Rachel, since she wasn't there to have stopped the wedding.
"You have English first, right?" Finn asked, having tried to memorize her timetable the night before in hopes of impressing her and getting a chance to get to the next base with his girlfriend.
"Yeah, I do." She nodded, holding her books closer to her chest.
"Want me to walk you?"
"No." She deadpanned.
"Well... I guess, I'll... um.. see you at lunch then." He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek, she cringed. I'm never going to be able to get used to that.
Quinn quickened her pace and arrived at her classroom early, she hesitated and glanced around hoping to see a familiar face. She found two, Matt and Mike sat at the far back talking together with smiles on their faces. The girl walked forwards and sat at their desk, placing her bag on the spare seat next to her to stop anyone else joining them.
"Hi boys," Quinn grinned, "what are you talking about?"
"Just the football game." Matt informed her.
Having never been close with either of them she wanted to give it try this time round, it had never occurred to her that she could have found friendship with either of the boys before since Matt left at the end of sophomore year and Mike became attached to Tina soon after but her hopes were to find something that they may have in common.
"Oh yeah, what about it?" The blonde raised her eyebrow, trying to show that she was actually interested.
"We were just saying how-" Mike started to speak but the other boy punched his shoulder quickly, trying to silence him. Obviously whatever they were talking about involved her in some way, and she now she definitely wanted to know how.
"Nothing, it's nothing." Matt released a shaky breath, nervous that he may piss off the de-throned HBIC since she was still terrifying when she wanted to be. Seeing Mike's reaction from the corner of his eye it was clear his friend had realised why he was stopped and both boys tried to move their attention to their work but the blonde was having none of it.
"What aren't you telling me?" She was a little hurt but her voice was strong in it's accusation.
"It's s-stupid." Matt all but whispered.
"Tell me!" Quinn demanded, using the fierce glare she'd learned and perfected so long ago.
The jocks froze and looked at each other, and just as she thought they weren't going to continue Mike spoke up again, "Well, we-we n-need a new quarterback, Finn is..."
"Terrible?" The blonde finished with a smirk.
"Yeah." Matt nodded with a confused expression, not understanding why the once head cheerleader wasn't reacting the way he'd expected her to when speaking about her boyfriend in a bad way.
"He's not the only replacement you guys need, you need a new coach too, maybe one that actually watches the game and can get control of the game. I heard rumors of this great coach in Missouri looking for a new challenge. You guys should see if you can get her to McKinley. She's legendary. Bieste, was her name I think, and if you can get her then there's a chance you guys may win a game before graduation." She said with an amused smile when seeing their jaws drop, "What? Am I not allowed to know enough about football to speak the truth?" Her barely there smile faded, "Sam was much better."
"Sam who?" Both teenager's questioned.
"...Shit." Quinn cursed after realizing she'd spoke the last part out loud, a mistake that she knew she couldn't make. They didn't know Sam yet, he wouldn't even be a student for another year. "Um, he's just a friend of mine."
"Can you get him to try out?" Matt asked eagerly.
"He doesn't go here."
"Can you get him to transfer?" Mike asked hopefully.
"I don't think transferring works like that but maybe, I guess I can try." Why she said that, she would never know. Great, how do you plan to get Sam here? You idiot! He doesn't even move for another year...
"Awesome," Matt grinned, "we need the players."
Just as the three started a new topic of conversation the teacher walked in and ordered silence. So as they started their work each of the boys made a silent plan to try harder with Quinn, it seemed that there was more to her than they'd expected. They had no idea that the blonde was thinking the exact same thing, turns out it was kinda nice to have friends.
oOo
At second period and Quinn had a free, and as much as she liked the her new found friends she needed time by herself. Admittedly, she probably preferred her own company to most others and enjoyed taking a little time everyone once in a while to be alone. So that's how the pregnant teenager ended up, laying down on the grassy field, looking up at the sky and the clouds.
The time went by quicker than expected, when Quinn found herself becoming drowsy she leaned over to her bag and rummaged through until she pulled out her phone which told her she had only a half hour left of her free.
Though, there wasn't much time left, she returned the phone and grabbed for her book she had been reading the previous day. Quinn enjoyed reading, no, she loved reading. It was her escape, it always had been. Every time her father had returned from work and took his anger out on her, she'd spend her night with her head stuck in a book getting lost in the story, and if she ever had spare time it was spent indulging in one of her many favorite stories.
Rolling over onto her stomach, the blonde turned the pages until she found the one she'd bookmarked. She soon lost track of time and about half way through her free her eyes were still on her book, oblivious to that someone had walked up to her. The time traveler was completely focused on her book, until she heard someone by her side clear their throat. She flinched and her eyes flickered to the intruder.
"Hi Q-quinn."
The blonde looked up, moving her hand quickly to block the sun as it tried to blind her. She was surprised to find Tina stood before her, the Goth wouldn't have been her first guess.
"Hi Tina, are you okay?"
"Y-yes, are y-you?" She said with her fake stutter.
"Why wouldn't I be?" Quinn replied nonchalantly.
"Y-you're lying in-in the m-m-middle of the f-football field, that's a-a little s-strange." Tina pointed out, looking around.
"It's not that strange." Quinn mumbled, "How did you even find me? You can't see this side of the pitch from the school."
"I like-like to r-read on the b-bleachers, on m-my free's." Tina shrugged.
"I didn't you know liked reading." She stated, more to herself than to the other girl.
"Um... Y-yeah, anyway I j-just wanted to m-make sure you were okay." With that Tina turned and started to walk away.
"Wait, I've been wanting to ask you something!" Quinn shouted, something inside of her was telling her off for not waiting and keeping to her schedule but what could it hurt? She was only making it easier for the girl and helping her a few weeks earlier than it should.
"M-me?"
"Yes." Quinn said stiffly, "Your stutter, why do you fake it?"
Tina's jaw dropped, she'd been so careful and never let the cover down. She'd even taken to stuttering at home, she'd become so used to it. It baffled her beyond belief, that her once bully had notice and called her up on it.
"W-what?" The girl asked, looking slightly worried.
"Seriously? My... Cousin... Has a stutter, so I know all about them and treatments and what not," she waved off the end of the sentence before continuing, "and you're a total fake." Quinn really had tried to be less short with her but her bitchy side just came out sometimes.
"I-I don't know w-what you're t-talking about." Tina stepped backwards.
Quinn sighed, disappointed with herself.
"I didn't mean it to sound so harsh, I just think that you shouldn't have to hide who you are. That's what makes us unique right? Be yourself and you'd be surprised how many people will accept you, you're a really nice girl Tina and you deserve to be happy and not having to be someone you're not." Her speech shocked the shy girl before her, she could see Tina processing her words so she mentally high fived herself for actually doing her first good deed, that was if it worked.
"Do you really think that?" Her voice was quiet but Quinn had heard it.
"Yes!" The blonde gave her a small smile, "Be yourself..."
"I'm scared of telling everyone though."
"Then how about, we keep it just between us for a while then?" She asked whilst digging through her bag for her phone, she checked the time once she found it, "... We still have a bit of time left before next class starts, you can sit with me if you want?"
"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to interrupt you reading..." She trailed off until Quinn lifted her book and Tina was able to see the spine of the novel, "The Time Machine, huh."
"What's wrong with a little H.G. Wells? It is a classic." Quinn placed the book down on her lap, feeling protective.
"Oh I just didn't expect you to read something like that." Tina smiled.
"Well, I'm going through a bit of a Time Traveling phase at the moment. But, you can sit with me, I'm done anyway." She told the goth who happily accepted, although Tina was still a little unsure on whether to trust the ex-cheerleader but she was willing to give her a chance and that's all Quinn needed, a chance. "Anyway, enough about what I'm reading, what were you reading?" Quinn asked to get Tina engaged into a conversation.
oOo
Glee went as Quinn had expected when Puck preformed a song dedicated to Rachel, whilst watching the time traveler found herself clinging onto each side of the chair, preventing herself from doing anything stupid. God, I really want to kick him, like in the face! The thing that annoyed her most was that as much as she would like to sing songs and tell the small brunette her feelings, she couldn't, it had to remain a secret until the perfect time.
In the end Mr. Schue dismissed the teenagers and the students and teacher filed out quickly, all having things to do. Everyone but Puck and Quinn left the room, the blonde waited for a moment as she watched her ex fumble around with his guitar case. Unable to stand the silence any longer, she stormed forwards.
"What are you doing?" Quinn's eyes were fiery with demand, getting straight to the point.
"Um... Putting my guitar away?" He frowned.
"Are you stupid?" She clenched her jaw, "I meant with Rachel, what are you doing with Rachel?"
"Are you jealous? Because there's a whole lot of the Puckerman to go around." He winked at her, attempting to seduce his crush.
"You're a jerk..." Quinn murmured, "Just end things with her, she deserves better than what you can give her."
"Why do you care?" He scratched the back of his head, "You hate Berry."
"I don't hate her, she's my friend and you're-" Pausing she tried to think up a way to explain, "Well you're you."
"You've changed." He said, pulling the strap onto his shoulder.
"Change can be good, Puckerman." With that she made her exit, once out of the door she turned and collided with a body. She let out a small scream, not expecting to run into somebody. Her hands shot out to stop herself from falling, having only been knocked on her side she was able to latch onto one of the locker's.
"Quinn, I'm so sorry, I didn't expect such an exit." The rush of words was familiar and when she glanced up with wide hazel eyes and her heart thudding loudly in her ears she was met with one Rachel Berry.
"Holy crap, you scared me." Quinn breathed in slowly, wiping down invisible dirt from her dress until she re-called the singer's words. "Wait, you didn't expect such an exit?"
"Oh, w-well, yes." Rachel looked down at the floor, "I overheard yours and N-noah's conversation and may I say, our relationship has nothing to do with you Quinn. Thank you very much for trying to save me from any harm but I don't understand what you are getting out out this..."
"I care about you, It's not about me Rachel." Quinn bit her lip and felt a blush on her cheeks, "You deserve to be happy, Puck can't do that."But I can...
Rachel couldn't reply, her mouth just opened and closed a few times without a word coming out. Quinn stood there, trying to be patient but was feeling extremely awkward. Why does she look so confused? Is that a smile? Okay it's been about a minute now and she hasn't said anything... Eventually Quinn lost her nerve to say anything else and with a small smile she walked away, hoping that she made a good enough impression on the girl of her dreams.
Please leave a review, even if it's just a little one!
The next chapter is going to have a more important Faberry scene, a Tina/Quinn movie marathon and some more Mike and Matt! :)
