Part 12

Rachel thought of skipping the remaining classes, but she had perfect attendance so far and she didn't want to mar that record just because Quinn broke her heart. She's stronger than that. She thought that she managed to avoid Kurt but he found her anyway after the last class.

"Hey! Where have you been all day? I can't find you during lunch."

"I had to finish some homework, so I skipped lunch," Rachel lied.

"Are you okay? You don't look like your usual chirpy self."

"Yeah, I'm fine," Rachel answered snappily.

Kurt sensed that something was bothering Rachel but he knew it's not the right time to ask.

"How's your birthday dinner?"

"It was good. Why? Did you hear something about it?"

"Hmm, like what?"

"Nothing," Rachel quickly answered. "Sorry Kurt, I would love to talk but I really need to practice some songs at the auditorium now."

Kurt understood that it was Rachel's signal that she wanted to be alone, "Okay, you look like you have a lot to express." Kurt hugged her. "Everything will be okay, don't you worry about it … whatever it is that you're worrying about."

Kurt's words made Rachel wanted to cry again, but she kept it in. She cannot cry in the hallway. Rachel went to the auditorium intent on practicing but her heart wasn't into it. She was too sad to even sing and that's so not like her. She played the piano idly, no songs in particular, just some random notes and by the time she realized it, it's already 4.10 pm. She quickly made her way to her car and saw Quinn was waiting there impatiently.

"Sorry, I lost track of time."

Quinn didn't say anything but just got into her car once the door's unlocked.

The drive to Quinn's house was every bit uncomfortable for Rachel. She kept glancing at Quinn who was looking out the window the whole time. She wanted to put the music on, but she felt too nervous to even move a muscle. When they arrived at Quinn's house, Rachel parked on the roadside but she didn't shut down the engine.

Quinn opened the passenger's door and as she was about to step out, she said, "You left something in my room."

"I didn't leave anything in your room," Rachel said sceptically.

"It fell out of your pocket yesterday," Quinn sounded convincing.

Rachel thought about it, she was wearing a skirt with pockets yesterday. "Why didn't you tell me yesterday then?"

Quinn just shrugged and got out of the car. Rachel had no choice but to turn off the engine and followed Quinn into her house. It was very quiet inside.

"Where's your mom?"

"She has some business meetings."

When they entered Quinn's room, Rachel looked around for that particular item but she can't find whatever it was that she dropped.

"So where is it?"

Quinn closed the door and stood by the door looking amused. It annoyed Rachel greatly.

"What?"

Quinn rolled her eyes, "Oh God Berry! Can't you relax a bit? Take a seat."

Rachel crossed her arms and pouted and chose to stay standing instead. Quinn took a seat on her bed.

Her voice softened, "Aren't you even curious on how the spell's broken?"

Rachel relaxed her posture, "How?"

"I think it's the kiss, because right after you kissed me –"

"You kissed me."

"Whatever … anyway, after that I felt there's this energy that went through me. I was so confused afterwards. Then when Jacob did that interview and I got all defensive, I realized that there's something different, I was being myself again. I was still unsure, and then I saw you outside of my History class, so I had to put it to a test, and it worked, I can ignore you."

Rachel looked hurt but she asked, "Why would the kiss break the spell?"

"Maybe just like all fairy tales, only a true love kiss can break the spell."

"Oh," Rachel looked unconvinced.

Quinn chuckled, "Did you hear what I just said?" Quinn can't believe that Rachel didn't pick that up.

"Yes, the kiss broke the spell."

"A 'true love' kiss broke the spell."

"Oh," Rachel understood now, "OH. So, you think …"

"Well," Quinn shrugged, "it's going to suck if I'm your true love but you're not mine, isn't it?"

They both smiled shyly.

"Come here." Rachel walked slowly towards Quinn. "Come on, I'm not going to bite. Well, at least not yet," Quinn gave her a sneaky smile.

Rachel laughed at Quinn's playfulness and she was about to sit down when she realized, "Oh My God! Quinn Fabray, you're a horrible human being! You let me go through the whole day thinking that you hate me. I was so miserable."

"I'm so sorry," Quinn looked at her sadly, "I wanted to tell you in the bathroom, but you went on and on and on, and you looked so cute doing it, so I thought that I'd play along."

"Well, I'm glad that you found that amusing," Rachel said sarcastically.

"I wouldn't use the word 'amusing' to describe it," Quinn's voice was raspy.

Rachel cleared her throat and sat next to Quinn.

"I'm still trying to understand what this means."

"It means," Quinn looked deeply into Rachel's eyes, "that the spell is broken, that I am myself again, and I still mean everything that I said to you last night."

"Oh," Rachel sat straight.

"I think I need better reaction than 'oh'."

"Sorry, I'm trying to let all these sink in." Rachel turned to face Quinn, "So, let me get this straight, are you saying that you really do like me?" Rachel still can't believe that everything was real.

"I think I used something stronger than 'like'," Quinn moved closer, "but I'll say that word again some other time." She tucked a strand of hair behind Rachel's left ear and cupped her face.

Rachel took a deep breath. "Quinn, this morning it got pretty fast. I'm not ready for that," Rachel let out the words while releasing her breath.

Quinn's voice deep and husky, "Me too, this morning I have no control but now I do. Look, I can prove it to you."

Quinn ran her thumb along Rachel's jaw, over her lower lip, and settled on Rachel's chin. She softly kissed Rachel's bottom lip, and then slowly moved to Rachel's upper lip. She pulled away and looked at Rachel. Rachel opened her eyes, wondering about the lost of contact and saw Quinn smiling at her, "See."

Rachel's eyes were dark and fixed on Quinn's lips. She lunged and kissed Quinn hard. Her right hand went around Quinn's neck and her left hand went around Quinn's waist, trying to bring their bodies closer. Quinn was taken aback by Rachel's move, her right hand was still cupping Rachel's face and her left hand was on the bed, to keep her from falling over. It went on for a few minutes until they had to break for much needed air. They were both breathing heavily.

Rachel looked at Quinn shyly, ashamed of her sudden attack, "Sorry, I can't help myself."

Quinn laughed happily, "Would you like to stay for dinner?"