Just a reminder I still do not own Glee or any of its characters. Hopefully these updates will keep coming. I still cannot guarantee anything. But I will do my best.
Quinn sat next to Finn listening to Mr. Schue go on and on about how booty camp was the key to winning nationals. To the former blonde it sounded like a bad infomercial, but Rachel would be all for it so she smiled and nodded and made enthusiastic comments when necessary.
But all she could think about was Finn. His disgusting arm resting on the back of her chair. The way his cheap cologne clogged her sinuses. That annoying smirk thing she used to think was so endearing. Everything about him made her furious. But what bothered her the most was the way he looked at her.
But, Finn was looking at Rachel. He looked at her like he loved her. Like she was the axis that his world spun on. She looked at Rachel with the same infatuated gaze.
Except she was better than him. She could give Rachel so much more.
Unlike Finn, Quinn wasn't in awe of Rachel, she understood Rachel; she saw through the talent, and the manipulation, and the power hungry drive she plowed through life with. She saw the scared little girl who was afraid she wasn't good enough. And that was the part of Rachel Quinn loved the most. Not because she wanted Rachel to fail, or because she got off on the diva's pain. But because Rachel's vulnerability made her human.
It made her remember Rachel running into the auditorium earlier that day with tears already welling up in her eyes. She looked devastated. And she had every right to be. If Rachel had been in her own body, she wouldn't have run to Finn, or Kurt, or even her dads, she would have come right back to Quinn. And that thought tore the former blonde up inside. It made her realize how much Rachel loved her. Even if she didn't want to admit it. And it only made it harder to stand her ground and keep pushing Rachel away.
Quinn couldn't get away from Finn fast enough when the glee club split up. There were only a few members not assigned to booty camp, and they were given permission to leave. But Rachel scheduled another session in the auditorium to practice pieces for the fall musical. How did she keep up with all of this?
Quinn retrieved Rachel's binder of music from the diva's locker and made her way down to the auditorium. A few stage props had already been set up backstage for auditions for the play and Quinn had to admit she was quite impressed how prepared the glee kids were. The musical had only been announced today.
Rachel's planner stated that the diva would sing I Feel Pretty as her audition piece. Which was great because Quinn didn't know a single word to that song.
Rachel had arranged for glee's pianist to accompany her as well because a few minutes later he walked onto the stage and wordlessly sat in front of the piano. Quinn stared down at him for a moment before smiling tightly and handing him the sheet music. "I'll need a few minutes to look over the piece. I'll let you know when I'm ready." Quinn said as she frantically looked over the music. She could get through a practice run just reading over the music. And maybe that would be enough to get her through the audition.
"Okay, can we start with some warm up scales?" Quinn asked, and the pianist played chords for the girl to match her pitch. But just as quickly as Quinn started she was rudely interrupted.
Shelby appeared from behind the curtain leading to backstage and Quinn's scale trailed off as she stared at the woman. Her first instinct was to protect Rachel. Maybe even just walk away and avoid whatever conversation Shelby hoped to have. But Rachel would never do that. She would stand her ground. And after what the diva went through today, she deserved to hear whatever Shelby had left to say. "Your range is better." Shelby exclaimed with a bright smile, "It was good a year and a half ago, but it's better now," the woman continued as she walked toward the piano.
"Thank you. But, but I don't remember asking for your help." Quinn responded as politely as possible.
"What song are you auditioning with?" Shelby continued.
"That's none of your business. I don't know why you're here but I don't want talk to you. You have made your feelings clear. And I would greatly appreciate it if you would respect my wishes." Quinn stepped around the piano to keep the distance between her and Shelby as the woman continued to approach Rachel.
"Rachel I'm sorry that things didn't work out the way you wanted them to. We both had expectations that were not attainable." Shelby placed her hands on the piano and looked down at the brunette expectantly.
"No, I think's quite the opposite. We both had expectations that were unattainable that could have been molded into expectations that were realistic. But when you realized that I was not your baby anymore you abandoned me. Again. That's what happened. Please leave." Quinn spat back at the woman.
"Rachel. I never meant to hurt you the way I did. I'm your birth mother. I thought when we met there would be a connection, or a spark, or maybe I would just feel all the love every mother is supposed to feel about their child but-"
"But you didn't because I'm a teenager. Because I'm not what you expected. Because you didn't get to watch me grow up. Or fail, or succeed. Or whatever it is you're trying to make up with Beth." Quinn paused when she brought up Beth, she hadn't meant to bring her daughter into this argument, but now she had why stop there, "You came into my life and flaunted what I have always wanted in my face and just as quickly took it all away. And you expect me to stand here and be civil with you after what you put me through? I had to go to therapy because of what you did. You have no right to be here."
"You're right. You have every right to be angry with me. I ruined whatever chance we had at a real relationship. But, Beth is not a replacement for you. I could never replace you, Rachel. I may not know you well. I may not have raised you, but I love you. And I know I haven't shown that well. Or maybe not at all. I will abide by your wishes and keep my distance. But, if on your terms, you ever need anything, I'll be here."
"Thank you," Quinn cleared her throat and turned back to her sheet music, "If you'll excuse me I need to get back to my rehearsal."
"May I say one last thing?" Shelby's voice was much more vulnerable than it had been before. Quinn knew that her words hit the woman much harder than she meant to. But she didn't her decision. She needed to hear how Rachel felt.
"Yes." Quinn agreed.
"You should sing Somewhere there's a place for us. You will get the part with that song." Shelby reassured the diva.
"Thank you for that suggestion. I will take it into consideration." Quinn stated, "Now if you'll leave me to my rehearsal please."
Shelby nodded and walked out of the auditorium without another word.
Quinn looked down at her music and sighed heavily. "I'm sorry, but I think's enough for today. I apologize for wasting your time." Quinn gathered Rachel's music and made her way out of the auditorium.
...
How could Shelby interrupt both of their lives in one day? How rude can one woman be to bombard two teenagers like that? Not even considering how her actions might affect either one. It made her question if Shelby was the right choice for Beth. It wasn't as if Quinn could give her a better life than Shelby could, but at least she would know her daughter was okay. Alive. Healthy.
After her encounter with Shelby, Quinn owed it to Rachel to give her an update of how her day was going. Since the day was over Rachel should be under the bleachers with the Skanks or making her way back home. Rather than trying to hunt down the girl Quinn decided to just call her. She pulled out her phone and dialed the number. The phone rang three times before the diva finally answered. "Hello?" It was obvious Rachel had been crying, which meant that the brunette was probably back at her house.
"Hey. Is everything okay?" Quinn asked gently.
"No. Today has been awful. How did your rehearsal go? Did the song sound okay?" Rachel asked.
"I didn't get to practice. Shelby crashed your rehearsal, and I didn't want to stay after that." Quinn admitted.
The blonde her a scoff on the other line, "This day just keeps getting worse and worse. What did she want?"
"I think we should talk about that in person. Where are you?"
"I'm in the janitor's closet in the science wing." Rachel admitted, "I didn't want to go home and face your mother like this."
"Why would you do that…? She's usually... did you talk to her this morning?" Quinn demanded.
"I may or may not have had breakfast with your mother this morning…" Rachel admitted knowing she had done something wrong.
"Rachel," Quinn sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose as yet another complication had to be resolved, "We'll talk about that later. I'll meet you in the science wing, but I think we should get off campus for a while."
"I agree. Any ideas?"
"I know a place."
