x
''Have you decided what you guys are doing for prom yet? Its happening soon right?'', my Dad asks without taking his eyes of the road. I'm surprise he managed to control himself and not mention it till now.
Kurt shrugs, ''Yes, it's next Friday but, even though I kinda of need to go to crown the next queen, I don't think I'll be attending after last year's disaster.''
Dad sighs but gives the boy a little nod. He understands it better than he wishes he did, ''Come on Kurt. You can't let them ruin it for you. Graduating High School is something you only get to do once; you need to celebrate it with your friends. Besides, after what happened with David Karofsky I don't think anyone will do anything. No one wants that kinda of guilt on their shoulders.''
I nod, ''I think Dad is right Kurt, you and Blaine should go.''
He pouts, but I can see is he considering it. A night meant for you to dress up and dance? How could Kurt ever say no to that? ''What about you?" he asks from the front seat.
''I don't know. I'm not exactly excited about it and it's not like I have anyone to go with.''
''You have us!'' Blaine declares, I know he is excited about it, he is Blaine, he is even happy about all the singing Glee club is gonna have to do during it, ''We should all go together; the four of us!''
I look at Quinn; she hasn't said anything since we left and I can tell something is not right. I turn my attetion to Blaine, ''I will get back to you on that.''
When they get distracted by a sports car that passes by I focus on Quinn again, ''What is wrong?" I ask.
The answer comes in a whisper, ''Nothing.'', She tries to smile and it would fool me if we weren't so close. I know what her real smile looks like, ''Quinn, tell me.''
She closes her eyes and takes three deep breaths, ''I- I think I'm having a- a pa-panic attack.''
My eyes widen, ''Dad!'', I shout, ''Stop the car.''
''Rachel what-'', I don't give him the chance to finish his sentence, ''Now!''
He pulls over and my attention is back on Quinn. She is trying to catch her breath and all the color has evaded her cheeks; she is as white as a ghost. I do the only thing I can think of and get out of the car. I stand outside, holding on to the door while she stares at the celling, ''Quinn?" I call her name and she jumps in her seat. She looks at me with teary eyes and next thing I know she is moving forward.
I manage to catch her and lead her to the ground somewhat slowly. She holds her hair up as the breakfast she had eaten earlier at the hotel makes an appearance. I hate throwing up, or watching others do it, but I swallow the uncomfortable feeling inside of my stomach and focus on caressing Quinn's back and telling her everything is okay.
After a while, she moves again, I help her sit down on the grass – away from the unexpected guess of course – and kneel down next to her, ''Do you want something for the nausea?'' I ask.
She gives me a half smile, ''Do you have something that will make me sleep and forget this ever happened?''
I grin because she is still shaking but at least she is speaking, ''Well, it won't take any more of your memories away but it will certainly make you sleepy.''
She nods, ''I accept.''
I turn to my Dad, who I now notice is standing close to us with worried eyes, ''Dad, can you please find the water bottle and the first aid kit?''
He seems to think about it for a moment before moving, ''Sure.''
I look back at Quinn. She is hugging herself; the scene breaks my heart at the same time I have to fight the urge to say own. I put an arm around her shoulder quietly trying not to scare her, ''My dad will bring you the medication in a minute. I have a backpack with drugs, food, water, flashlight and a few other things one may need when traveling. It's mostly just for precaution, in case we end up lost in the middle of nowhere with no one to save us…'' My brain catches up with my mouth and I stop, ''Sorry! I am… rambling. I always do that when I'm nervous. Actually I always do that not matter what I am feeling. Finn always complained… And I will just shut up now.''
She looks at me unexpectedly, ''No! Keep talking.'', she snuggles in closer and whispers: ''Please.''
''Ok. You have been around me long enough to know I usually can't not talk'' I sigh, speaking. Ok. I can do that. I'm Rachel Berry after all, ''Anyway, I like to have all those things in the car because dying from dehydration or starvation must be really absenting and uncomfortable. Also, is good to have a knife and flashlight because a serial killer may find you and attack you. Which can't be much fun either.'' Quinn laughs and I smile. I don't even know what is coming out of my mouth but if this is what she needs than who cares?
Dad walks towards me and hands over the small bag, ''Here you go.'' I remove my arm from Quinn just long enough to find the pill and give it to her along with the bottle of water. She washes her mouth and swallows the medication. When she is back on leaning on me, I return the items to my father and smile, ''Thanks. We will be back in the car soon.''
He nods, ''Take your time.''
I notice Quinn has stopped shaking and I'm about to ask if she is feeling better when she says, ''Keep talking.''
She rests her head on my shoulder and I do as I am told, ''So… Prom. Well, I'm sure you will be one of the candidates, alongside with Santana, for prom queen, so you should go. We can go shopping for a dress this week if you want to, and I think Puck and at least ten more boys are going to ask you to be their date so I would totally understand if you wanna join one of them. Then, I wouldn't go because being a third wheel is not fun. Finn asked me, but I don't want to go with him and I'm not even excited about it so…yeah.'' I take a deep breath, ''We can talk to Kurt and he can help out with the dress search, he has great taste, if he wasn't so gifted and had a voice that can almost hit notes higher than I can, he would make a great stylist.''
''I agree.'', she is looking at me with a smile, ''I'm feeling a lot better, and almost falling asleep.'' If her voice is any indication of that; she is about to pass out. I look at my Dad's direction, ''Can you help me? I don't think I can lift her up without making us both fall on our asses.'', I hear Quinn's laughter and I giggle, the medication is definitely hitting her.
Dad helps me to get her in the car and I put the seat belt around her, ''Thanks'', she says to me, and her voice is so sweet and baby-like it makes me fall a little more in love.
x
''Noise. Why is there noise coming from my right side?'' I groan and open my eyes, rolling on my bed to see my cellphone screen lighten up. I grab it and press the green button, ''Hello?"
''Hey Quinn, its Santana.'', says the voice, ''Please tell me I did not wake you up.''
I give her a half laughter, ''Hi, Santana. You kinda did.''
''Shit! Sorry! I just ran into Rachel so I decided to call you.'' She says in a rush.
I look at the clock on the wall and smile, ''It's okay, it's past four, I shouldn't still be in bed anyway. What's up?''
''Well, like I said, I ran into Rachel some minutes ago and we – actually she and Brittany – decided to do a movie afternoon slash night. Are you in?''
''Oh.'', I consider it. I feel like absolute crap but I do want to hang out with them, and besides, I need to apologize and thank Rachel, ''Sure, where?''
''At Brittany's. Do you want me to pick you up?''
''No it's okay, my mom can take me.'' She just won't.
''Okay. See you there.''
''See you.'' I hang up and lay back down. My head is exploding. My throat is dry and I have a terrible taste in my mouth; just washing it up with water wasn't very neat. I sigh. I cannot believe I freaked out like that; in front of Rachel, her father, Kurt and Blaine. I thought I had it under control but obviously didn't. I hate appearing weak. I hate needing others. But I have to admit that I'm not exactly angry at the fact that she was the one who took care of me. I loved the way she hold me and distracted me. The sound of her voice made my heart settle when usually that very same sound is the one who makes it beat faster.
There's a knock on the door and my mother soon enters my room, ''I thought I heard your voice. How are you feeling?''
''I'm fine, just need to take a shower and brush my teeth.''
She smiles, ''That's good. Who was it on the phone?''
''Oh, Santana; asking if I wanted to go to Brittany's house. Movie night.''
''Okay. Do you need me to drive you? I can wait for you if you are quick'', she offers.
I give her a big fake smile, ''No need. Santana is picking me up.'', Brittany's house isn't very far from my place. Twenty minutes walking. I'm not ready to enter a car and the exercise will be good for me.
My mom nods, ''Okay then, I'm heading to church. Like I told you before, I will be there till at least night o'clock. Call me when it's time to pick you up okay? Have fun dear.''
She waves and blows me a kiss, ''Thanks.'', I answer as she closes the door. I stay in bed till I hear the sound of her car leaving the garage.
Time to change and walk.
x
I ring the doorbell and then hear footsteps from inside the house. Soon there's a smiling blonde in front of me pulling me in for a hug. A tight one. ''Rachel you are here!'' she practically screams.
I grin as she releases me, ''Hi Britt.''
We walk inside and I notice Quinn has already arrived and is in the living room with Santana, I say hello and Santana is out of the couch, ''Hey Berry.'', she gives me a quick hug, ''Me and Britt will get the popcorn ready. Make yourself at home.''
''Ok'', I watch her go and take my time with turning around, I don't know what to say or do around Quinn; probably ask her how she is doing. She has been on my mind all day – nothing new there – and I wanted to call but didn't want to bother. But before I have the chance to open my mouth I hear her angelic voice, ''Hey Rach. How are you?''
She is smiling at me and all I manage to do is mimic the action, ''I'm… fine. You? Feeling any better?''
''Yeah I guess so. Look,'' she gets up from the couch and talks while moving her hands, ''I'm sorry for causing trouble and ruining your trip. And I wanted to thank you for taking care of me.''
She is blushing. She is absolutely adorable, ''It's okay Quinn. Really. I'm glad you let me. And you didn't ruin the trip'', I take a deep breath and a steep forward, ''In fact, you made it better so thank you for going.''
''It was my pleasure. Now… about prom. I may or may not remember hearing you say you don't want to go. I'm hoping I can change your mind.''
''And how are you going to do that?''
''By asking you to go with me? I don't wanna go with some random dude or even with Puck and since you don't wanna go with Finn I was thinking we could go together.''
Wait, is this really happening?, ''Are you sure?''
''Of course I am Rach.''
Never in my life I would have dreamed about this moment happening. Ok, that's a lie. But I never thought it could actually happen. So I steal my dream-self line: ''Then yes, I will go to prom with you Quinn Fabray.''
She gives me a smile and bites her lip in a way I swear is going to kill me, ''Good. Can I give you a hug?'', the question is quietly asked and takes me by surprise. Again. She is always taking me by surprise. I manage to nod between giggles. She walks till me carefully and puts her arms around my waist while I put mine around her neck. This is familiar territory. Especially for me; this is how all of our hugs have happened till this day. It's sad she doesn't remember but I'm down to making new memories.
Minutes pass but neither of us wants to let go. I really don't mind. She smells like sun and vanilla. She fits perfectly in me. The sound of a cleaning throat coming from behind me is what breaks the contact, ''Sorry to interrupt but we got a movie to watch.''
Lopez. If you weren't one of my best friends I would definitely kill you.
Quinn makes a face. I can't help but grin, ''So…what are we watching?''
''Batman Begins and after that, The Dark Knight'', Santana declares. I can see she is proud of herself, ''Q here doesn't remember the awesomeness of it so we have the obligation to show it to her before watching the third one in the teather.''
''Oh Santana if people knew how much of a nerd you actually are.''
She gives me her famous smirk, ''Well… they don't. And won't, because you know that if you ever open that pretty little mouth of yours to anyone you will be as dead as a wall.''
''As a wall? Really? That's the best you got Lopez?'', I love to see her groan when I tease.
Quinn rolls her eyes at our little scene and then laughs, ''Can we please introduce me to Batman now?''
I smile at her, ''Yes!'', I offer my hand and she takes it, which makes my smile grow even larger. We sit on the couch while Santana puts in the DVD and Brittany comes into the room with the popcorn, ''Does anyone want something to drink? I can go get it.''
I look around the room and see Quinn and Santana shaking their heads, ''No, we are good Britt, thanks.''
She nods and join us on the couch, which Santana also does after a minute, ''Ok! Let's get this party started.''
x
''Why did I agree to this again?''
She is pouting and I laugh, ''Probably because you had eaten like, dozens of chocolates – without lactose of course – and was really excited because of Christian Bale, so somehow, you thought it would be fun.''
''Please stop me next time I feel the need to do that.''
I nod, ''Will do. Now… which one should I try on?''
''The purple and the blue.''
''Thank you wise voice coming from the beyond but she was asking me so…''
''Shut it Berry, you may have improved your closet but I'm still the most qualified person here to help you all choose your dresses.''
''Excuse me!'' Kurt protests, ''That's a lie.'' They start an argument about who is the best and I roll my eyes at Rachel, ''A simple question causes this mess.''
She giggles, ''Yes. But I agree with Santana, you should try out the purple and the blue ones.''
I sigh, ''Okay, what about you? I really liked the red.'' I think she will look extremely sexy on it too but leave that part out.
''Really?''
''Yeah…''
''Okay. Try yours and then I will try the red.''
I smile, ''Deal.'', and walk towards the tester.
I have the two dresses in my hands and decide to put the purple one on first. It's longer than most and really simple, but quite beautiful. The blue one is shorter but not enough to show the big ugly scars I have on my thigh. And the necklines on both of them are big but not till the point of making me uncomfortable.
The team decides on the blue one and it's time for Rachel to try hers.
My jaw hits the floor when she comes to show us. It's cliche but oh so true. It marks all the right curves and her cleavage in a way that makes me want to die - the good type of death. She is smiling at me. Wait, not smiling. Smirking. And her mouth just moved - what did she say?
''What?'', I ask aloud.
She laughs, ''What do think? Technically you are my date, your opinion is important.''
Date? Really? This girl is gonna be the death of me - literally in this case.
''I-I think you look amazing.'' Nice Fabray.
I hear giggling from the other side of the room but can't take my eyes of Rachel. Friday is going to be a long and awesome night.
A/N: If I say I'm sorry AGAIN will it make it better? I have no excuse other than not having time. I wanted to finish this story before my winter break was over but I have three more days before school starts again and I hate everything. Hope you liked this chapter though.
And I apologize for any mistakes I may commit. I am carefull when I write and I do edit. Three or four times each chapter but english is not my first language so sometimes I may miss a few things. Thoughts?
