Glee: (n) a fantastic television show, owned by Ryan Murphy...not by me :(

Chapter 7

She stood at her car, looking at the school wondering whether she could go in. Did she have the strength to do it? No, she decided, she did not. Turning to open her door, she stopped when she heard her name, "Rachel" Quinn called out to her, adding softly "are you ready to do this? You aren't alone, remember that. I'm right here with you. It'll be alright".

Rachel looked at her friend, took a deep breath and said "okay, it's now or never, let's go in". She walked up the stairs and went straight to her locker, ducking her head, in hopes that she wouldn't see him or perhaps the other way around. The day went by with just a few moments of nausea, but it wasn't so bad. She began to feel a little hopeful in that maybe, just maybe, Noah wasn't there. However, she spotted his all too familiar mohawk when she walked into the choir room. He didn't even look her way. And as much as she didn't want a confrontation with him, she realized just how much it hurt to be ignored. Her heart ached with longing to be back in his arms, to be comforted by the one person who was always able to bring a smile to her face. Right now, though, he was the one person who was hurting her the most.

She realized that she probably deserved it. She was pregnant, by... someone. That fact was still so hard for her to grasp. But whoever that someone is, it wasn't Noah, and for that, she knew his hurt and anger was justified. It didn't stop the pain in her heart, though. Just a glance, just one, it would make a difference. Nothing. She would almost prefer the angry words to this cold silence.

"Mercedes, do you notice something a little off about our little Miss Diva over there?" Kurt leaned in to not-so-quietly whisper. Rachel winced in response. She didn't want the status of her relationship to be a a topic of conversation. Not like this, not for this reason. She wouldn't mind, of course, if things were going well, but she knew that wouldn't happen again.

"I did. I saw it throughout the day, Prince Charming seems to be over his feelings towards our resident Princess." Mercedes responded with a smirk. Her particular comment ripped a hole in Rachel's heart. To feel it was one thing, but for others to notice that Noah no longer loved her put it on a whole different level. She felt the tears stinging at her eyes, and blinked furiously. She refused to let them see her cry. Quinn looked over and saw her red eyes, and knew that she had heard them.

"I'm sorry, but when did Rachel's love life even become a blip on your radar of things worth talking about? Last time I checked the two of you had moved on to more important things to discuss, such as your relationship with Blaine, or yours with Azimio. No one thought it necessary to point out when things weren't going so well with Matt, Mercedes, and I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have like it one bit. So how about a little respect here. Back off."

Mercedes opened her mouth to respond, but stopped short when Rachel ran out of the room. "I'm sorry, Quinn. I didn't know it was all that bad. I thought she was riding a little high on her diva horse, and Puck was trying to put her in her place."

"Well, next time, maybe you'll have a little more heart, and think before you open your mouth." With that, she followed Rachel out of the room. It didn't take her long to find her crying in the bathroom. "How well I know this room, and those tears. Come on, Rachel. Let's get you cleaned up and I'll drive you home. Before you even argue, you can leave your car for the night. I'll bring you in in the morning."

"Quinn, I don't think I can do this again. He didn't even look at me. He wouldn't even spare a glance in my direction. Maybe I can just stay home."

"Rach, you know that's not the answer. You are so much stronger than that. You don't hide from anything. You face it, head on. I know that this is scary, and I know it hurts, but you can do this. How about you stay at my house tonight. We can watch a movie, or not. We can talk if you want to or not if you don't. Whatever you need, that's what we'll do."

"I don't know. My dad's aren't real thrilled with me staying out on a school night."

"Don't worry, I'll figure out a reason that you just have to spend the night. It'll be fine."

"Okay. And Quinn...thanks. For everything."

…...

The next few days passed just like the day before. Silence and hurt. She knew that things could be much worse, but that didn't help. She also knew that she had another worry she needed to focus on... telling her dads. Rachel decided that the best time would be the weekend, Friday, in particular, just in case they didn't take it so well. She had no idea just what their reaction might be. They were great parents, and they've always been supportive, but this is so far from the dreams they had for her. How would they react to their dreams, her dreams, being thrown away. She pretty much had the night planned out. Dinner and dinner conversation. She would also have a bad packed, just in case. As she looked in her closet, picking out what would be the most "required" clothing, she felt that all too familiar lump in her throat. Just how much would she lose in keeping her baby?

A quick glance at the clock told her that her dads would be home in 10 minutes. She began setting the table, and noticed just how much her hands were shaking. She was terrified of their reaction. A car door closes, and she takes a deep breath to steady her nerves. "Here we go" she says to herself. "Hi daddy, how was your day? How was work? I've got dinner ready. Dad should be home in a few minutes, so you have time to get cleaned up!"

"Rachel, calm down. You are rattling a mile a minute. My day was fine, work was work. I'm starving, so I'm going to come all of the way in the door, hang my coat up and sit down at the table." He said with a smile and a shake of his head. "You look like you are about to jump out of your skin". Leroy leaned down to kiss her forehead.

"Dad's home!" Rachel called out to her daddy. "Are you ready yet?"

"Honestly, Rachel." Leroy was exasperated "calm down. You're making me nervous."

"Oh, hey Quinn" she greeted her friend as she walked in with her dad "I'm glad you could make it! We're having lasagna!"

Sitting down at the table, Rachel's stomach was full of butterflies. She didn't think that she would be able to eat. She breathed slowly and deeply, trying to calm herself down. Quinn looked at her, and smiled. She knew the fear that her friend was suffering through, but she also knew how strong this petite brunette was. She was confident that she would be fine. She saw her take a deep breath, and knew it was time.

"Dad, Daddy, I've got something I need to talk to you about. I. Well, I" not for the first time, Rachel struggled to find the words. "I'm pregnant" she blurted.