A/N: Finally, chapter 7! Again, I apologize for it taking me so long to update. I decided to take botany, physics, and organic chemistry all in the same semester so I'm beyond busy and it's only the second week of classes. I'm really trying to update once a week so just keep a look out! And again, thank you all for the reviews, favorites, and such; they really make me happy and excited to continue!

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Quinn walked down the long hallway in her brand new red and white Cheerios uniform holding a large lime slushy in her hands. On either side of her were her two new friends from camp along with the rest of the cheerleading squad. The giant moving mass of red and white suddenly stopped when one small brunette turned to face them all, the color draining instantly from her face as she snapped her eyes shut. Every slushy from the horde of Cheerios came raining down on the small girl except for two. Brittany held her green drink in one hand as the other gripped tightly onto Santana's arm. Quinn's slushy hit the ground with a splash directly in front of her. She had only one thought as she watched the hallway and the tiny, scared brunette turn green, Rachel Berry.

"What the hell, Q?" Santana screamed when the icy liquid splashed her new white sneakers.

"What? Uhm, sorry S. It slipped. There was condensation and it slipped."

"Yeah, whatever Quinn." Santana leaned into Quinn's ear and whispered, "Next time, keep your jaw off the floor too. I know she's actually hot but we have a rep to keep up around here."

"What? I-no, what?" Quinn stuttered, mentally debating between telling Santana her past relationship with Rachel or slapping her for thinking she was a lesbian.

"Whatever Q. Just keep it cool. We can't have a flaky head Cheerio."

"Right. Sorry. I guess I was kind of nervous too. But I definitely don't think she's hot. Have you seen that nose?" Santana rolled her eyes as she pried her arm from Brittany's grip, linking their pinkies instead.

"Sure. Like I said, keep it under control." Santana turned with Brittany in tow and headed down the hall to their first period English class.

Quinn watched the two girls round the corner then quickly ran to the bathroom she watched Rachel enter just moments ago. She opened the door expecting her to be at the sink cleaning up. Instead, she saw Rachel sitting in a puddle of green goo against the wall. Rachel didn't look up to see who had entered the bathroom until she heard the door's lock click into place.

"What do you want? Have a red slushy to finish the job?" Rachel asked her voice full of sadness masked with bitterness.

"No. I wanted to make sure you were okay. I'm new here and where I'm from slushy-ing someone is something we would get suspended for. I'm sorry the Cheerios did that to you."

"Oh. Aren't you the new Head Cheerio?"

"Yea. I'm L- Quinn Fabray. I went to Cheerio camp over the summer and I guess I impressed Coach a lot since she picked me over Santana."

"I don't know why she picked you, you're actually nice. Santana stole the only friend I made here away from me. She said I wasn't cool enough to be friends with 'her Britt-Britt' or whatever. I'm Rachel Berry by the way." Rachel stood up and walked towards the sink. She took one look at herself in the mirror and started crying all over again. "I don't understand why they picked me to be mean to. I was always so nice to everyone!"

"I don't know why either. All I know is that this school runs on hierarchy and if I want to stay on the top, I have to do what the other Cheerio's say. I- I just wanted to come say that I'm sorry for the slushies." Quinn stared at the shaking girl in front of her wanting so much to just hug her and be her friend like she had so many years ago. A part of her also wondered why Rachel hadn't even asked about her last name. Surely she must remember Lucy. It had only been three years.

"Thank you, Quinn. You're not like the other Cheerios." Rachel smiled at the blonde and took in her appearance. She stilled when her eyes reached Quinn's wrist. She was wearing a friendship bracelet that looked too familiar for comfort for Rachel. Quinn noticed her staring and quickly whipped her arm behind her back, concealing the bracelet.

"You're welcome. But uhm, you could not say anything about this? You won't have to ever worry about me slushy-ing you but I can't promise anything for the rest of the team." Quinn looked nervously at the ground as Rachel studied her face carefully.

"Sure." Rachel replied on reflex, too engrossed in Quinn to understand what was just said. Quinn turned to unlock the door when she felt a small, slimy wrist grab her own.

"Wait. Uhm, you said your last name was Fabray, right?" Quinn anywhere and everywhere but Rachel's questioning brown eyes.

"Yes, why?"

"I was just wondering if, uhm, perhaps you've heard of… Well you see; I know this girl…"

"Just spit it out already!" Quinn's nerves were growing every second Rachel hesitated. Oh no. She knows it's me. She's going to ruin my new reputation. I'm going to go right back to being Lucy.

"I was wondering if you were perhaps related to or knew of a girl names Lucy Fabray. She would be the same age as us."

"No, I don't. I've never heard of anyone named Lucy Fabray before." Quinn blurted quickly, trying to sound as natural as possible while lying about her own true name.

"Oh. Okay. Well, I'll see you around I guess. And thank you, for not slushy-ing me." Rachel gave a small smile before turning to the sink to begin cleaning the melted green drink from her face, hair, and clothing.

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"Dad! Daddy! I'm home!" Rachel called out into her warm home, dropping her book bag by the front door. Hiram greeted his daughter with a kiss on the cheek when she entered the kitchen.

"Hello sweetheart! How was your first day of high school?" Leroy asked as he leaned down to hug the still sticky girl.

"It started out terrible but I met someone who was really nice to me for once." Rachel stated with a shrug.

"Oh really? Who was this 'nice person'?"

"Her name is Quinn. She's new here but she's already the Head Cheerio. She was one of the only two people on the team who didn't slushy me. Brittany was the other but that's obvious; she wouldn't even throw a slushy at the wall. But after the cheerleaders left the hall Quinn came into the bathroom and apologized for them all being so mean. She's nothing like the rest of those evil minions in red and white uniforms."

"That's great sweetie. Anything else interesting happen?"

"Well, sort of. I asked Quinn if she knew of a Lucy Fabray."

"Why did you do that?" Hiram was puzzled by his daughter.

"Her last name is Fabray, too. I thought maybe they might be like cousins or something. But she said that she's never heard of a Lucy Fabray." The Berry men shot worried glances to each other. They had heard about 'Quinn Fabray' from Claire. Neither of them thought it was necessary to tell Rachel since she hasn't spoken to Lucy in over three years. Now she's back but Rachel doesn't know. And obviously Lucy doesn't want her to know either. Leroy excused himself from the kitchen, grabbing his cell from the counter and taking it outside.

"Hello?"

"Hi Claire. It's Leroy."

"Oh hey! How have you been? It's been quite a while, hasn't it?"

"It's only been like two weeks."

"I know. I just miss seeing you guys all the time."

"Sorry about that but with Rachel starting high school we've been a bit busy."

"Oh yea! I forgot that was today! How was her day? Can I talk to her?"

"Actually, that's what I'm calling about. Do you know what school district the Fabray's have moved into?"

"Uhm, no, actually I don't. I haven't spoken to any of them since Lucy, I mean 'Quinn' got her nose job."

"Well, I think I found out what school she goes to. And she must have changed more than just her nose because Rachel didn't recognize her at all."

"Wait, what! They go to the same school? And Rachel didn't recognize her? Lucy didn't say anything to her?"

"Not exactly. 'Quinn' is the Head Cheerio and as a part of the Cheerios she's supposed to slushy the nerds and unpopular kids with the rest of the team but she didn't slushy Rachel. She followed her into the bathroom and apologized for everyone else."

"And Rachel didn't figure it out?"

"Nope. But she did ask if she knew a Lucy Fabray."

"What did Lucy, sorry, Quinn say?"

"She said no. She claimed to have never have heard of a Lucy Fabray either."

"Oh my. Well, it looks like this will be an interesting year for both Rachel and Quinn."

"You said it sister! And oh, while I've got you on the phone, what are you up to Saturday? Hiram asked me to invite you to dinner with us. He's making eggplant parm."

"Sounds fantastic! I'll be there for seven. Maybe I'll get the inside scoop on this 'new girl' from Rachel."

"That's what I'm hoping for. I know she tells you more than she tells Hiram or me. I just don't want her getting hurt again. I finally convinced her to put the friendship bracelet in the box with the rest of her Lucy memories."

"Don't worry Lee, I'll figure it all out."

"Thanks Claire. I'll see you Saturday."

"No problem. Have a good night!"

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Quinn sat in her favorite corner seat at the Lima Bean, the only coffee shop in the small town. It was early Saturday morning and she was drinking her double shot espresso latte before heading off to a grueling Cheerios practice. She carefully watched each person as the entered through the glass doors and stood on the growing line. Her concentration broke momentarily when she accidently spilled some of the hot coffee onto her lap allowing one person to sneak in without Quinn noticing. She jumped up when the hot liquid hit her legs, knocking the rest of the drink to the floor. Shit. Now I have to run home and change my uniform and pray to God that Mom can get this stain out. Quinn reached for some more napkins from the counter. She jumped slightly when her hand brushed against another. Quinn looked at the person attached to the hand as if she were seeing a ghost.

"Miss Edmunds?"

"Yes. Do I know you?"

"Uhm, yea. It's, uhm, I'm Lucy. Lucy Fabray." Quinn said softly, watching her former teacher and friend as her face went from confusion to surprise to joy.

"Lucy! It's been so long! You look so different! I didn't even recognize you!" Miss Edmunds hugged the shocked girl and handed her some more napkins when she noticed the coffee dripping from her skirt. Quinn looked around the shop hoping nobody from school was there to hear her old name being spoken.

"Actually, I go by Quinn now Miss Edmunds. But yea, that's what I was kind of going for. I'm a whole new me now. When Daddy got transferred and a raise I asked for a nose job and I went to cheerleading camp so I lost a lot of weight."

"You look fantastic honey! And I've told you before, call me Claire. Also, what's with the blonde hair? I liked your natural auburn color."

"Sorry, Claire. I didn't like it, and neither did Coach. She said that for me to be Head Cheerio material I had to dye my hair blonde."

"That's silly! But congrats on making Head Cheerio as just a freshman! That's amazing!"

"Thanks. Uhm, Claire, what are you doing in Lima? Don't you still live in Belleview?"

"I do. I'm visiting, uhm, friends for dinner tonight. I haven't seen them in a while and I figured I'd come explore the town since I haven't been here in a few years."

"Oh. Uhm, you're not visiting the Berry's, are you?"

"Well, yes, I am. I take it you've run into Rachel since you moved here." Claire studied Quinn's face for any helpful details or emotions. She knew her and Rachel had stopped talking after the Berry's moved but she didn't know why. Neither of the girls would talk to her about it.

"I guess you could say that. We go to the same high school now."

"That's great! You guys have a lot of catching up to do then."

"Not really. I can't be friends with her anymore. Besides, she doesn't know that I'm Lucy. Actually, when you go there tonight, can you not say anything to her?"

"Why not? Luc-Quinn, you two were the best of friends growing up. Trust me, I jumped through rings of fire to help you two stay friends and now you're just going to forget about her? That's not like you."

"It's complicated." Quinn looked down at her hands mindlessly blotting at her now dry and stained skirt.

"Well, I've got time if you want to talk. It's been far too long. Why did you stop calling me?" Claire stared into Quinn's hazel eyes looking for that little girl she knew from years before.

"It's complicated, too. I- I have to go. I have Cheerios practice and can't be late." Quinn got up to toss her cup and the pile of soaked napkins.

"What about tomorrow? Are you free? I would really like to catch up, if that's okay with you."

"Uhm, sure. I get out of church at noon. I could meet you here."

"That's perfect." Claire smiled before getting up to give Quinn another, more sympathetic hug. "And don't worry; I won't say anything about you to Rachel tonight."

"Thank you Claire." Quinn half smiled at her then turned to exit through the growing crowd of coffee lovers and high schoolers with nowhere else to spend their Saturdays. Claire sighed as she watched the girl she once knew so well cross the street and take off running towards the school.

Rachel sat on her bed with a shoe box opened in front of her. Slowly, she pulled out each memento and inspected it carefully. First she pulled out a picture of her and Lucy from the first time they ever hung out outside of school, the art exhibit. She looked at the smiles on everyone's faces and remembered making Sand Art with her fathers and her new best friend. Next, she pulled out the birthday card Lucy had made for Rachel's tenth birthday. She had cut a piece of gold paper into a star, glued a picture of Rachel on it, and made it pop up when you opened the card. In her neatest cursive writing she wrote, "Happy Birthday Rachel! You are always the star! Love, Lucy." Rachel propped the open card next to the box then reached for the next picture. It was of her and Lucy on the last day they saw each other. The two of them were standing in front of the sand castle they built together, hugging and grinning as if they had just built a whole kingdom for the most important people in the world. Rachel couldn't help but smile as she reminisced on that day. She recalled running into the water then jumping back because she was afraid of the fish. She remembered Claire slathering Lucy in extra sunscreen because she was already starting to burn after being there for just ten minutes. She remembered plotting a sneak attack on Claire with Lucy and dumping a bucket of water over her head. Then she also remembered the events of that night. Rachel's eyes started to swell with tears as she remembered her father's telling her that she would be moving. She remembered running off to her tree house with Lucy and staying there all night. She remembered crying into Lucy's arms and then waking up curled against her best friend. She remembered her soft, reassuring words being whispered over and over again. "It's okay Rach. We'll still be friends forever. No matter how far away from me you are I will always love you." Rachel laid the picture next to her and dug into the box some more. Her fingers brushed against a soft rope. She grasped it and brought the item to her chest. She didn't even have to look to remember each color on the bracelet and the exact order they were in. She didn't have look to know that the bracelet she held in her hand now was the twin to the one Quinn was wearing on her wrist that whole week. Tears poured from her eyes as she remembered every detail of the five years she spent with her best friend, and the phone call that destroyed it all.

Rachel jumped when she heard a knock at her door. She scrambled to shove everything back into the box. Before she could cover it up her door opened. She was about to yell at one of her father's for entering before she gave them permission but was stopped before a sound could escape her mouth. Standing in her door way was Claire.

"Miss Edmunds!" Rachel wiped her eyes with her sleeve then ran over to her old teacher.

"Rachel! How many times do I have to tell you to call me Claire?" She hugged the girl tightly, taking in all that is Rachel Berry.

"Sorry. I guess it's just habit." Rachel shrugged.

"It's alright sweetie." Claire smiled at her, reaching her hand to Rachel's face to wipe away some stray tears. "What's wrong honey? Why are you crying?"

"I was just thinking about old times."

"You mean about Lucy?" Rachel glanced over at her bed, the box still open and her bracelet lying next to it on her comforter. Claire led the small girl over to her bed and sat down. She picked up the bracelet and placed it gently into Rachel's palm.

"Look Rach, I know it's been a long time but why don't you try to contact her again. I'm sure we could find her somehow."

"But she said she never wants to talk to me again."

"No, her father said that. Did Lucy say that directly to you? Rachel, there's something you need to understand about the Fabray family. You remember all the times you and Lucy hung out together, right?"

"Of course."

"And do you remember where you two would hang out?"

"It was always at my house or out somewhere with you, Dad, and Daddy."

"Exactly. Honey, the Fabray's didn't approve of your friendship with their daughter. I had to go through a lot of trouble to try and keep you guys together. I knew it wasn't right for Russell to try and end a friendship as beautiful as yours and Lucy's."

"Really? Why you just tell me that Mr. Fabray didn't like me? I'm sure I could have convinced him otherwise. Daddy says I'm very charming and can win anybody over."

"Sweet heart, it wasn't you that he didn't like. He didn't approve of your parent's life style. I know it sounds silly to you but that's how he was. I don't think Lucy would have ended your friendship if she had the choice. I know she loved you. And I know you love her. I'll tell you what. I'm going to see if I can get ahold of the Fabray's again and see about getting you and Lucy to talk again."

"Do you think you could really do that?"

"I'm positive I can." Claire smiled brightly, hoping that she really would be able to keep her promise. She would find out Sunday afternoon when she met up with Quinn.

"Thank you so much Claire!"

"You're welcome sweetie. Now, how about some eggplant parmesan? I can smell it all the way up here and it's making my stomach growl!" The two girls hopped up off the bed and raced down the stairs to join the Berry men in the dining room just as they were placing the tray on the center of the table.

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Claire sat at the same table she saw Quinn sitting at when she ran into her the previous day. Her coffee left a ring on the napkin she had it sitting on while the crumbs from her blueberry muffin were scattered across her half of the table. When Quinn walked through the door in her favorite baby blue Sunday dress Claire stood and waved her down. She waved back and then got in line to order her usual coffee before joining Claire at the table.

"Hey." Quinn said as she sat down, unsure of how to start a conversation with someone she hasn't spoken to in over a year.

"Hey. So, I've got a lot to catch up on. First, what's with the new look?" Claire smiled and sipped her tea as she waited patiently for this new version of 'Lucy' to open up to her once again. She already knew about all the changes she had made from when she ran into Judy at the grocery store shortly before they moved. She just wanted to know why Lucy wanted to change so much.

"Well, I needed a change. School became uhm, difficult once Rachel moved away and I needed to learn to stand up for myself but nobody would take me seriously. So I started ballet and gymnastics. Then I joined cheerleading and I lost a lot of weight. Then Daddy said he was being transferred and we were moving to a new school district so I asked him if I could get a nose job and if they could call me Quinn. I didn't want to be Lucy anymore. I never want to be Lucy again." Quinn stared passed Claire as she recounted her thoughts about Lucy becoming Quinn.

"Why did you want a nose job though? You were beautiful sweetie. Why would you want to change that?" Claire questioned.

"Because I didn't think I was beautiful. I didn't fit in with the rest of my family at all and no one at school thought I was pretty either. I didn't have any friends left."

"Then why didn't you call me?"

"Well, I didn't want you to be mad at me."

"Mad at you? Why would I have been mad at you?" Quinn looked at her hands and fidgeted in her seat.

"You were always saying that I was pretty and perfect just the way I was. I didn't want you to be disappointed or try to talk me out of it."

"Sweet heart, I would done nothing but support you. If you wanted to change yourself because you weren't happy then who am I to try and stop it? Yes, I would have told you that you were perfect already and that I loved you no matter what but I would not have tried to stop you from being happy with yourself."

"Oh." Quinn looked around the Lima Bean. She noticed it was surprisingly empty for a Sunday after church. It made her feel more at ease however, knowing that there was no one there she knew from school who could potentially over hear her conversation.

"And if you didn't want to tell me then why didn't you call Rachel?" Claire watched Quinn's reaction to the mention of Rachel's name and smiled slightly inside when it was the exact reaction she thought it would be. Quinn frowned slightly, disappointment in herself shining through her face momentarily before being replaced my emotional hardness.

"I was told that she never wanted to speak to me again. She called the house and told my father that we were friends since kindergarten but that she never wanted to see my face again because I was just someone to talk to until she finally was able to get out of Belleview."

"Quinn, you couldn't have possibly believed that!"

"I didn't want to but that night I got the worst beating from Daddy ever. He was happy that Rachel was never going to be my friend again but he got pissed that I had lied to him for so many years."

"Oh my goodness! Honey, you should have called me! I told you that many times. It is not acceptable for your father to do that to you." Claire reached across the table and grasped Quinn's hand in her own. It felt the same as it had the last time she held her hand. "Quinn, I want to make this perfectly clear. No matter what happens or how far apart we are you can always call me. Since the first day I met you in my kindergarten class I knew you would be someone special to me. You and Rachel are like the daughters I wish I had. I'm going to give you my cell phone number so that you can get ahold of me whenever. And I mean whenever. If something happens at three in the morning and you need someone just call me, it will be okay."

"Thank you Claire. I'm sorry I didn't keep in touch all this time. I was just scared."

"I understand sweetie." She gave a small squeeze to Quinn's hand before moving her fingers to the worn bracelet sitting around Quinn's wrist. "So, if you thought Rachel was never your friend, why'd you keep her bracelet on?"

"Oh, I, uhm, well…"

"You don't have to answer, I already know why. You knew that your father was lying but you didn't want to deal with his beatings any more so you just went along with it but by keeping Rachel's bracelet on you could always keep her with you."

"Wow. It's scary how well you know me." Quinn grinned a bit and took a sip of her coffee.

"What are you going to do now that you're in the same school again?"

"Right now Rachel doesn't know that I'm Lucy, and I want to keep it that way. I told you, I can never go back to being Lucy. This is me now and Quinn is here to stay. Besides, she probably doesn't even care anymore anyway. She wasn't wearing our bracelet."

"I know for a fact that she still cares about you, a lot."

"She cares about Lucy. To her, Quinn is just the Head Cheerio who will inevitably torture her just like the rest of the Cheerios." Quinn winced a bit at the mere thought of having to be mean to Rachel.

"What if I told you there was a way that you and Rachel could be friends again without her finding out that you are Lucy?" Claire smirked at the quizzical expression plastered on Quinn's face.

"What are you talking about?"

"After I talked to Rachel yesterday I realized that she needs her best friend back. And I can tell you do too. So, last night I made you a Myspace account under the name Lucy Fabray. I put up all the pictures taken from the summer's you spent with Rachel. Everything on there is just the old Lucy. And I sent a friend request to Rachel."

"What? I can't. That's basically lying."

"And so is telling Rachel that you've never heard of a Lucy Fabray. Sweet heart, you both need this. You can talk to her again like you used to without having to give up your reputation. I know just how brutal high school can be, trust me. But also trust me when I say that you two will need each other." Claire handed an index card to Quinn and stood up. "There's your log in information and my cell number. Call me if you need absolutely anything. The only times I'm not available is during the school day but you should be in school then as well so there should be no problems reaching me. And I really mean it Quinn. I love you sweetie, don't let time or distance get in the way of that." Claire bent down to hug Quinn one last time before heading back to Belleview.

"Thank you Claire, for everything. I've missed you."

"I've missed you too. Now go home and send a message to Rachel. She's waited long enough to hear from you." Quinn smiled as the woman more like her mother than her actual mother walked to her car and drove off. Wow. I really hope Rachel wants to talk to me. I don't even know what to say to her 'Hey, this is Lucy. Sorry I haven't spoken to you in three years, I thought you hated me.' Yea, this is going to be more challenging than I thought.

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Monday started out like any other school day for Rachel. She got up early and did her morning exercises before enjoying her banana and flaxseed smoothie. For some reason she felt the urge to check her Myspace that morning instead of waiting until after school like usual. When she logged in she wasn't surprised to see she had a new message; she was surprised to see that it wasn't just some Cheerio telling her to get sterilized or to kill herself. It was Lucy Fabray.

Dear Rachel,

Hi! So, I really hope you remember me because I remember you, a lot. I'm sorry we haven't spoken to each other in a long time. I'm sure by now you know that that was due to my father. If it was up to me I would have called you every single day! I've missed you so much! I finally made one of these Myspace things and you were the first person I looked up. I just want you to know that I never forgot about you and to me, you're still my best friend. I hope we can talk again and be friends like we used to.

Love,

Lucy

Tears of joy started rolling down Rachel's cheeks. At the bottom of the message was a picture of Lucy's wrist with the friendship bracelet next to a photo frame of the two girls at the beach, the same picture Rachel had in her box of memories. The bracelet. She's still wearing it. That means, I need to find Quinn today and look at her bracelet. It just can't be the same one.

Rachel marched into the school with her head held high. She spotted Quinn at her locker and made a beeline for her. Mere feet before she reached her target she felt a cold, sticky liquid slide down her face. She opened her eyes in time to see Finn Hudson and Noah Puckerman, the football stars, laughing as the red goo dripped from her hair, empty cups in each of their hands. Passed them she could see Quinn reaching for her books in her locker. Rachel looked to her wrist but saw no bracelet. She pushed past the two boys making sure to be in Quinn's line of sight as she walked to the bathroom, hoping the cheerleader would follow like she had the last time she was slushied in front of Quinn. She was right, sort of. Quinn entered the bathroom but paid no attention to Rachel. Instead she simply went to the sink to touch up her makeup and wash the red splatter from her arms. There was no bracelet on either of her wrists. Rachel frowned and began to silently clean herself up. Quinn left the bathroom with a sigh as the door closed behind her. That was close. I need to control myself better. Rachel can't find out that I'm Lucy, it would ruin her and me. I can talk to her online and that's it. Keep it together Fabray, control yourself. Thank God I took off that bracelet, it was a dead giveaway.