50 Words in 30 Days: #15 Boyfriend
Pairing: Quinn/Rachel (Unrequited)
Quinn had a boyfriend. Of course, she was the head cheerleader, daughter of a wealthy, influential protestant family, so not just any boy would do to hold that title. No, her boy was the popular head quarterback, tall, handsome, owned an oddly charming smile; he was as good a boy you could find in Lima to hold the title, so Quinn had naturally chosen him. Together, they ruled the school as the power couple. It was simply how things were supposed to be. Girls like her needed boyfriends, and she had Finn Hudson. She had the best around.
However, it was all kind of a coincidence. The social intangibles were a draw, true, but she had different reasons for dating him. For instance, he was really tall. This, ultimately, was the main reason she was dating him; Finn was so huge that it would be impossible to imagine Rachel in his place whenever they hugged or kissed or got remotely intimate. His skin was rough and calloused, a vast difference from what little she'd felt of Rachel's skin in passing moments. His eyes were a lighter, duller brown, and much smaller than Rachel's large, intensely brown orbs. It was the same way that his hair was much duller and shorter than Rachel's long, smooth, thick brown hair. His lips were small and thin, while her lips looked luscious and plump. He stumbled over his words constantly due to his lack of wit and low intelligence, where Rachel was talkative and incredibly smart. Finn lacked direction and ambition outside of a minimal interest in football, where Rachel was incredibly ambitious and passionate in everything she did. He was a horrible dancer, while Rachel was elegant and graceful. He always smelled like Old Spice, while Rachel had a different scent for each season and occasionally on special events. His voice was lower, more monotone, with a lack of power behind it, whereas Rachel's was a pretty sing-song sort of voice, and much lighter; the diva's vocals were so emotive and powerful that she often had a difficult time containing her own feelings. Finn just never was able to have that effect on her.
He had an uncertain, evasive sort of enthusiasm, while Rachel was always excited about something; the diva could always focus on something to keep her balanced. Finn drank and tried to pressure her for sex all the time, while Rachel abstained from both liquor and sex, while still holding the opinion that sex was a good, healthy action. Not that Quinn was going to have sex any time soon, but she had moved past the thought of it being a horrible, sinful deed. Most girls did certain things in their private time, and she'd learned that while she rarely did it, it wasn't a horrible sin. At least, she didn't feel it was. After all, Rachel had given her the courage to, at least where she could afford to, distance herself from her familial and social expectations. Even if most of her efforts and newfound freedoms weren't visible, it was invigorating, and Rachel was her primary motivator.
But with each day, Rachel's ambition and drive rubbed off on her. With each day, life seemed a little brighter, a little more promising. That maybe she'd leave Lima after graduation. So what if she kind of hoped to find herself in New York City in the future? Maybe she'd still be with a boyfriend, maybe she wouldn't have Rachel, but she would have gained a lot with the brunette's help either way. And that was something Finn couldn't offer her. Rachel's influence actually meant something, it made a difference in her life. It just didn't seem too horrible to hope that she'd have a chance to get closer, eventually, when she was strong enough.
Hope had never been a safe bet for the Fabrays, her family had always focused on faith. But maybe it was okay for Quinn to have a bit of faith in Rachel too. And maybe, whenever she was feeling particularly good, and saw the diva, she'd whistle 'Say a Little Prayer'. At least, when it was safe to.
So Quinn had to keep her distance. It just wasn't safe to be near the diva, yet. Finn, he was safe. He was her boyfriend. The word 'girlfriend' wasn't even in her family's vocabulary. She was pretty sure it shouldn't even be in her own, and that it likely wasn't in Rachel's either, so Quinn decided to be safe for both of them. She had a boyfriend in Finn Hudson, and Rachel liked Finn. So she'd hold onto him, she'd stay safe, and keep Rachel from settling with someone beneath her standards. And maybe, once she got the courage, and if Rachel was still single, she'd ditch the best boy around and try for the best person around. Even if she didn't match up. And maybe that would be good, to be in a position where being a Fabray simply didn't matter, didn't have any effect on who she was. Where the value of her character meant more than anything.
And maybe, one day, Rachel would actually see her, and like what she saw. With Rachel's unwitting help, Quinn had faith that she could one day be an unsafe option for the diva. Rachel deserved someone who was just as challenging, incredible and ambitious as her Broadway dreams, after all.
But for now, she had Finn. She had a boyfriend. Because she was just a girl. But she'd be a woman one day. And like Rachel, she'd keep her eyes on the prize.
A/N: Kind of just had this idea hit me today. Was a bit of a rambling mess of thoughts that spilled from my fingers to my word document, but I hope it was enjoyable. Kind of wanted to toss a shred of faberry in there. If I'm honest, I like reading it more than writing it, simply because so many people already write faberry that I don't really feel like I'm contributing much. Don't get me wrong, I like the pairing, I'm more comfortable writing Quinn now, and I WILL write faberry stuff, I just like writing pezberry and quinntana more. So while I have a few cute faberry ideas, you'll probably see more of the other two pairings and friendships.
Anywho, I hope you enjoyed it, and I really have to thank you all for your support :) You've all been absolutely wonderful :D
