A/N: Thanks again for the reviews. I never meant to insinuate in my original note that Brittany/Santana were together as of the beginning of this story, when I said they are involved I just meant in the story. Unfortunately it's going to be a little bit before significant Rachel interaction, but she'll get back into the story soon enough.

After Santana left, Quinn spent the rest of the day working ahead on homework in a hopeless attempt to take her mind off her problems. She finally fell asleep later that night with the mindset that tomorrow was the beginning of a new day. If she couldn't work through these issues then she wasn't the girl she thought she was. She did agree with Santana though: she needed help.

Quinn woke up at 7 the next day and began getting ready for her 8:30 class. She grabbed a banana on the way out and headed off to her Inquiries into Teaching and Learning class. She hadn't even told anyone what she was majoring in these days. Sure no one had asked yet, but she wasn't quite sure they would believe that Quinn Fabray wanted to be a high school teacher.

She wasn't sure she believed it herself, but when she had settled on the idea, something about it just felt right.

Quinn settled herself in a desk towards the back of the small classroom. It was one of the things she loved about this year in college: now that she had decided on education all of her courses were small seminars. This one was just a group of 25 students and she kind of enjoyed getting to be involved in class again. The only downside was that she was technically a year behind.

She noticed a guy sit down in the desk next to her. He had been sitting in the same seat next to her since the class had started. Quinn had to admit he was handsome with his dark brown hair pressed down and spiked out lightly to the sides. Still, they hadn't even introduced themselves. It was one of those things you saw on TV that never seemed to happen, the kids sitting next to each other in-class becoming quick friends. She had barely talked to anyone in her classes at Yale and nothing was too new here at NYU.

"Okay class, let's get started. Today we're going to take a dive into the deep end into one of the toughest things about being a teacher: classroom management. Before we get into it, I want to see what you guys think. So grab a partner, introduce yourselves, and talk about how you think you might handle an unruly student in your class. Take about 5 minutes."

After their professor had finished Quinn's eyes connected with a pair of blue one's that belonged to the boy she had noticed earlier. They reached an unspoken agreement that they would partner up and quickly turned their desks towards each other.

"I'm Damien," he said introducing himself.

"Quinn. So what do you think?" Quinn noticed he had pretty blue eyes and was an attractive guy. Still, it felt more like Quinn was supposed to think he was handsome rather than actually felt that way.

"Well I like to get control of a classroom. I would certainly give a warning, but after that I like to hand out detentions or send them to the dean depending on the school, you know? I enjoyed learning and couldn't stand kids who disrupted that." The boy sounded confident as he told Quinn his ideas. "What about you?"

While he definitely wasn't a Sue Sylvester who would probably just insult or yell at any students who annoyed her, this was not at all the type of teacher Quinn saw herself being. If Will Schuester taught her anything it was that getting to know your students was important. She wanted to be like him….just less self-involved and more aware. She certainly planned to actually know the subject she was teaching too.

"I don't think I would handle it that way," she stated strongly. "If I couldn't get them to stop I'd send them in the hall and then talk with them after class. I know from personal experience what a difference it makes to the student when the teacher makes an effort. You can't throw a kid away just because they act up…there's always a reason for it."

Damien looked like he hadn't expected Quinn's answer to differ much from his own and was thinking it over. "Wow. I guess I never thought about it that way. So you had some behavior issues in high school personally? I don't mean to pry, I'm just trying to learn."

"Not really, I mean I got away with some stuff my students certainly won't. I had some serious issues in my life though. I saw some teachers help me in incredible ways and some were horrible. If it wasn't for one in particular, I don't know if I even would have made it through high school." Sure, it was probably the kids in Glee who helped her through it more than Mr. Schue, but she realizes that would have never happened without him.

"Alright, eyes back to the front. Let's talk about what we learned." The teacher refocused them before Damien could respond to what he had just heard from Quinn.

The rest of the class went fairly normal as they discussed what each group had said and came up with some guidelines for classroom management. They ended up making a list and tabling the discussion for next week when class ended.

"Hey, wait up!"

Quinn heard a voice and turned around to see Damien jogging up to her.

"Quinn, I hope I didn't offend you or anything?" he asked.

"No, you didn't offend me?" Quinn answered confused.

"It's just you seem to have yourself figured out. I guess you kind of made me feel lost."

Quinn chuckled, if only he knew. "Maybe when it comes to this. I think our own educational experiences shape us as teachers much more than any of these classes ever will."

"You're probably right, but you already taught me a few things. I was thinking maybe we could get coffee sometime and talk more about it? I'd like to hear more of your perspective," Damien asked.

Quinn was trying to decipher whether this guy was really interested in discussing educational methods or was trying ask her out. She certainly didn't want to lead him on as she had no interest in any relationship right now. Either way, he seemed nice enough and she could use some friends. "Sure…I'm really busy this week though. Can we figure out a time next class?"

"Of course. Have a good one Quinn." Honestly, she was pretty busy and she really wanted to evaluate how she thought about getting coffee with Damien. Putting it off a week would allow her a chance to think it over. Still, she fully expected to agree to a time next week.

"Yeah, you too."

Quinn was proud of the way she handled that. It didn't even make her nervous as most interactions with guys had a habit of doing.

Quinn only had one other class on Monday's, Writing the Essay, which went fine. Afterwards it was time to get back to her life.

###

How ironic that the NYU Counseling Center should be on Broadway. It was a big fat sign that maybe this was the place to be. At least it was nowhere near any of the shows. Quinn took the elevator up to the 4th floor and found the right office. As she walked in she saw a kind looking student that looked a couple years older than her sitting behind the counter.

"Hi, I was hoping to make an appointment for a counseling session." Quinn suddenly felt weak and the urge to run out of the building struck her hard. However, the only thing that felt more embarrassing than being here was running away.

"Are you a student at NYU?" the girl asked.

"Yeah."

"Can I please see your student ID?" Quinn quickly fished her ID out of her purse and handed it over to the girl.

The girl responded by typing a few things into the computer. "Okay Quinn, what kind of counseling were you looking for?"

Quinn was confused. What kind of counseling? Were there even multiple types? She suddenly felt like she wasn't prepared to be here at all.

The girl seemed to notice the look on Quinn's face. "What I mean is would you like individual short-term counseling or we have group counseling. There are also self-improvement classes where you work on certain aspects of your personality. Obviously I don't know what you need help with….If you need help deciding there are some pamphlets over there." She pointed to some holders on the right side of the counter.

Quinn quickly glanced through the short-term counseling and self-improvement class pamphlets. She found it hard to imagine talking through her problems as being anything remotely short-term, but it was the only thing that didn't require her to face a group of people, so it was clearly the obvious choice.

"I think I'd like to schedule an individual session," she said with all the fortitude she could muster. There was something about being at a counseling center that just zapped the confidence right out of you. She really hoped that was something that would return as she continued coming here.

"Okay, let's schedule you a session. Can you let me know which of these categories you might need help with so I can assign an appropriate counselor. I promise everything that happens in this office is strictly confidential." The girl passed her a list that she quickly scanned down.

"I guess it's a combination of friendship problems and…uh…identity problems," Quinn managed to squeak out the last part of the sentence.

"By identity you mean that related to GLBT issues correct?" The girl eyed Quinn as she asked.

"Yes," Quinn replied blushing deep red. She knew this girl probably couldn't care less. She probably dealt with 10 guys and girls just like Quinn every day. Still, that didn't make it any easier to tell a complete stranger.

"Is there anything else? Any other issues?" the girl pressed.

"I don't know…I guess. These are the most pressing though…if that makes any sense?" Quinn knew this was a mistake. She was already being asked things she didn't want to answer. She certainly didn't feel like delivering a laundry list of problems because there were some she still couldn't bring herself to even think about.

"Perfectly. Are you having any suicidal thoughts?" the girl asked.

Quinn couldn't believe what she just heard. The girl had just asked plain as day whether she was suicidal. What on earth was up with that?

"WHAT? NO! Absolutely not!" Quinn yelled.

"Quinn, please calm down. It's just something I'm required to ask. I'm not asking for any reason other than that, I promise you. I'm sorry it upset you." The girl's eyes looked apologetic.

Quinn knew she was making a scene and luckily there was no one else in the front of the office at the time. "Oh okay. I didn't know," Quinn decided to let it go, but she definitely felt the question could have been asked in a more appropriate way. "Well when will my appointment be?"

"It's okay. I just have one more question. Would you be more comfortable talking with a male or female counselor?"

"Female, definitely." Quinn didn't even have to think twice about that question. She could never really remember a time in her life that she has been particularly comfortable around men, especially when her feelings are involved. She wonders whether it has something to do with the issues she is currently facing, but ultimately decides the responsibility lies more with her father than anything else.

"Okay then, I will put you down for 3pm on Thursday with Dr. Taylor. That is the earliest opening I have unfortunately. I trust you'll be okay until then, but here is an emergency number just in-case." She slid a card across to Quinn.

Quinn was frustrated that she would have to wait until Thursday to talk out her issues. Still, it might take her a few days to muster up the courage. She grabbed the card and muttered a thank you before leaving the office.

Three days….she wasn't sure how she was going to make it that long. Quinn's mind fell on an earlier suggestion. She needed to get a job. She knew she needed something to keep her mind occupied and a job search would be the perfect way to do that.

###

Quinn decided to take a long walk down Broadway to clear her head. It was as she was in the SoHo area that her eyes settled on a now hiring sign. It was in the window of a small clothing boutique and Quinn was suddenly inspired. If there was one thing she felt comfortable with it was her fashion sense. As a struggling college student Quinn couldn't imagine anything better than getting a discount on clothes.

The store seemed to be desperate for help. The manager asked if she was available for a quick interview right the spot. After a few questions the manager told Quinn to fill out an application and as long as there were no issues, she would be hired. For the first time in weeks she felt confident. There was something about being wanted that just made you feel better about yourself.

Quinn filled out the application and left it with the manager before heading back to her dorm. Soon after sitting down, Mallory came back to the room. The two had not spoken since their kiss the previous day and Quinn had no desire to bring it up. However, she didn't want to push away her roommate over it.

"Hey Mal, how was your day?" Quinn liked taking the initiative, it was time to stop being timid. Despite the complete awkwardness Mallory had brought on the other day, she still felt a strong desire to become close friends with the girl.

Mallory seemed a bit surprised Quinn was talking to her after the previous day. Quinn figured they both felt equally uncomfortable about the situation. "Pretty good, classes went well and then I had practice. I'm kind of exhausted though."

"Volleyball right? Do you play any other sports?" Quinn asked.

"Right. I play some tennis now and again, but volleyball's the only college level sport I play. What about you? You look fairly athletic," Mallory asked.

"I was a cheerleader in high school, but nothing outside of that." Mallory burst out laughing after she finished telling her. Quinn was baffled by the reaction. She assumed the girl was implying that it wasn't a sport, she'd loved see Mallory argue that one with Sue Sylvester. "Let me guess, not a sport? Try being on a national championship cheerleading team and then I'll take your opinion seriously."

"Haha, no it's not that. You are just like the perfect stereotype. Beautiful blonde cheerleader, I should have seen it coming."

Quinn was so not having it. Between everything that was going on in her life, she did not need someone she barely knew assuming things. She might look that way on the outside, but that was not her on the inside. Yeah, so she dated the jock, but she also was in Glee Club, rocked a perfect 4.0 GPA and went to Yale. How many cheerleaders did that?

"Well I also got pregnant and had a kid at 16…so maybe not so stereotypical." Quinn knew it was an inappropriate time to drop that bomb, but she was sick of Mallory acting like she knew her. And unlike so many other things, it was something she no longer felt ashamed of; Beth had seen to that.

"Quinn…I'm sorry I didn't mean…I'm sorry, I don't really know how to respond to that." Mallory looked defeated. Quinn felt kind of guilt for just throwing that it out there, but it was a habit to get defensive when people ticked her off.

"It's alright, I just don't want you to think you know me just because I'm some blonde cheerleader. I figured you should know. I enjoy talking to you Mal, I hope that we can be friends, but people making assumptions….I don't deal well with that to say the least."

"Cool, yeah I'm sorry 'bout that. I don't have anything like that to drop on you, I guess I'm fairly boring compared to you. Hug it out?"

Quinn chuckled. This girl was something else sometimes. She got up and placed her arms around Mallory's waist and gave her a strong embrace. After a few seconds Quinn's phone rang and the two broke apart.

"Hey Santana, what's up?" Quinn asked as she answered the phone.

"Just wanted to make sure you're doing alright Q. After yesterday it took a lot of control to wait 'til now to call you. Hope you appreciate that."

Typical Santana, Quinn thought, making everything about herself in some small way.

"Thanks San. I'm doing a little better. Made an appointment at the counseling center and may have gotten a job at clothing boutique too. Been a busy day, but I think I'm gonna be okay. I appreciate it though."

"Awesome, you are so hooking me up with clothes. I also wanted to schedule you before you're booked at the library or with you damn bed again."

"What does that even mean?" Quinn asked slightly confused about the statement assuming it was a typical attempt at an insult by Santana.

"It means we are hanging out this week and I'd prefer to not be forced to drag you from your room."

"Oh….can we keep it low key at least?" Quinn wasn't sure she could deal with going out to a bar or a party after this past weekend. In fact she wasn't above faking a phone disconnection if Santana proposed they go out and party.

"Yeah, that's what I wanted anyway. Maybe dinner and some drinks….well drinks for me at least, I'm going to need them. I think it's time I told you about me and Britt."

Quinn dropped her phone in surprise. She knew she'd hear about Santana and Brittany eventually, she just never thought it would come from Santana. Sure Santana opened up a little senior year about Britt and coming out, but she was basically forced into that situation. Nobody was forcing her to tell Quinn this.

"QUINN ARE YOU THERE? WHAT THE FUCK?" Quinn heard through the phone even though it was still on the ground. She quickly scrambled and retrieved it before placing it back to her ear.

"Yeah San…sorry. I just never thought I'd be hearing about this from you." Anything resembling a conversation about feelings always seemed to be initiated by Quinn. Which was really saying something since Quinn knew she was far from open about her feelings.

"Well don't fucking rub it in. Let's just leave it here for now and we'll talk about it this weekend okay?"

"Okay, talk to you later Santana."

"Later Q."

After ending that call, Quinn decided to spend the rest of the night working ahead on some homework. She knew she would likely have a job soon and was also starting to have plans over the weekend. When you tossed in therapy she was about to be a very busy girl and she figured she should get stuff out of the way while she could. Quinn remembered when just a couple of days ago she figured NYU would be a break compared to Yale. Boy, how things change.