a/n: Hey everyone! Sorry for the delay, I had major writer's block this week. I'm still not totally happy with this chapter, but it kind of sets up the next few, which are going to be...well, a lot of things! But anyway, things are going to begin to speed up quite a bit (in story time) as the exposition is wrapping up. My plans for this story take it to the end of the school year...and I don't know if you're keeping track, but we're only into the third week! So hang tight! There is still so much drama a-brewin'...

Also, I will be updating again TOMORROW (yay), so thanks for being patient.

paily lover: i'm totally awful a naming characters, so i usually just look at a list of popular names from when that character was born and call it a day. so, i totally saw BIANCA! and was like, PERFECT! 'cause i thought of bianca lawson...who played maya, just like you said. and bianca was also the name of annoying little sister in 10 things, which, of course, lindsey shaw starred in on TV.

cici: honestly, the window scene and that whole coming out scene is like, one of my favorite paily scenes, and i think it will always be. without a doubt, that's probably the most important kiss in paige's life right there. but, i feel like it was a different moment in time. and i still feel like she was still bottled up a bit and not ready to let herself really be comfortable with herself. so now the kiss with quinn, she's freer and more comfortable with herself and i feel like that allows her to feel even more. i kind of see it as similar to her kiss with em by the pool. they're both emotional and amazing, just *shrug* different.


I didn't sleep that much last night, so I guess it only seemed fitting that I would be up before the alarm. Holding a beautiful girl in my arms all night was terribly distracting...that and I couldn't get over how perfectly her body fit into mine. We had stayed up much later than we should have just kissing and talking

I lightly placed kisses along Quinn's shoulder until she began to stir. As she rubbed her eyes and murmured, I whispered into her ear, "Good morning."

Quinn rolled over so that she was now facing me. She stared up at me and whined, "No," as she nuzzled further into my body. Everything she did was so incredibly adorable.

The last thing I wanted to do was let go of Quinn and get out of this bed. I wished I could just stay here, with her, forever. But another day of torture beckoned to me.


Every morning, I waited in excited anticipation for lunch period when I would get to see Quinn again. We always sat next to each other, each day, a little closer. Our legs were always touching, and sometimes, when no one was watching, Quinn would place her hand on my leg. We exchanged smiles knowing we had something special, something that was just ours, our own secret. Just her smile and her touch helped me get through the rest of the day.

I went to practice as normal on Tuesday. I just pretended that Monday had never happened. I used all my willpower to not knock out Bianca and tried to ignore her as best as I could. In fact, I tried to ignore all the girls. I didn't need any of them. I only needed one girl.

I ran faster and I worked harder the entire week. I felt like I had something to prove. Not to anyone else, just to myself. I had to prove that these girls couldn't bring me down. I saw a lot more playing time during Thursday's game and, for the first time, was actually looking forward towards Saturday's big home game. I'd miss not seeing Quinn cheering on the sidelines though.

Every night felt like a dream. Quinn made me promise that I would still get all my school work done and not let her presence be a distraction. The days she had rehearsal were the easiest, because whenever she was around, I had trouble taking my eyes off her.

Most nights we'd end up laying in her bed, cuddling and watching a movie. Followed by kissing...and some sleeping. It was a routine that I was sure I could get used to. And before I knew it, another week was gone.

"Hey, do you want to go to a party tomorrow night?" Quinn asked me, out of the blue.

"I didn't even know they had parties around here."

"Neither did I. Apparently it's invite only though. I guess they try to keep it secret for a reason. Katelyn invited me."

"Look at you, little miss popular," I said, smirking at Quinn.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm not sure if I want to go. I probably should though," Quinn reached over and weaved her fingers through fine, "I would certainly go if a certain someone came with me."

"Oh yeah, who would that be?"

Quinn scowled at me. "I know parties aren't really your kind of thing, but..."

"Quinn Fabray, are you asking me out on a date?"

"Perhaps," she smiled, "Would you at least consider it?"

"But, I wasn't invited..."

"I'm inviting you, right now, silly."

I didn't reply, I just stared at her hand intertwined with mine.

"Please?" Quinn asked again with a sugary sweet tone.

I looked up at her again and sighed. "You know I can't say no to you."

She leaned in and kissed my forehead. "I didn't know it'd be this easy to have you whipped."


The next morning I pried myself from Quinn's bed to head down to the fields early before our game. I went over and sat on the bench and pondered everything that was going on. It seemed like things happened so suddenly. So quickly. But it all felt right.

I pulled my phone out of my bag and thumbed through my contacts. I stopped when I got to Emily's name. I clicked to open a new text window and started to type. hey em

And I stopped. I wanted to tell her about everything going on, but I second guessed myself. We really hadn't spoken since our phone conversation at the start of school, so it might be weird. I locked the phone and threw it back into my bag. I took in a deep breath and just stared vacantly around the fields waiting for the rest of the team to show up.

We did our warm-ups and the coach read off the starting line-up. She listed off the entire line-up before she said, "Sweeper, Paige McCullers." Quite honestly, I wasn't expecting to start. When the coach read my name, an awkward silence overcame the bench. I saw Jenny turn towards me and give me a look that could kill a puppy. Jenny was one of Bianca's minions; I never had known her name until this Thursday when she was put as starting sweeper since our usual starter was still hurt.

The coach gave her usual pep talk and we ran onto the field to begin the game. As much as I hate to admit it, I was shaken by the team's reaction, particularly Jenny's. I wasn't playing my best, which was probably the worst thing possible in my first starting opportunity. Early in the first half, I let one of the other team's forwards get by me, which led to them taking an early lead. I felt so defeated. I thought for sure the coach would pull me out after that, but as the game continued on, I realized she had no intention of doing so. Jenny subbed for me briefly to give me a rest, but as I reentered the game, she shot me another deadly look.

As we were lining up for the second half, I looked towards the bleachers. I saw Quinn sitting there, waving. I couldn't believe she had come down to support me. Knowing she was there refilled me with strength as the second half began.

With Quinn by my side, I played well the rest of the game, and we ended up winning 3-1. After the game, the coach pulled me aside and congratulated me on a strong outing. She told me if I kept up this kind of play, the starting position would be mine. I was excited, of course, but I had no idea what kind of backlash I would get from my teammates.


"Should I wear this?" Quinn said, holding up a dark pink dress, "Or this?" She threw the pink dress to her bed and picked up a lavender dress.

"What, are we going to a librarian party?" I remarked.

Before I had the chance to make any other snarky comments, I saw a lavender dress being launched at my head.

"Pink it is," Quinn answered herself.

She walked over to her closet and began to rummage through, presumably for her signature cardigan.

I quietly approached her from behind.

"I think you dropped this," I said, holding out the other dress.

As she turned around, I grabbed her waist and pulled her towards me, gently placing a kiss on her lips. We lingered there for a moment and I could tell Quinn was aching for more. As she began to lean in, I released her from my grip and pulled away.

"I guess I should get ready now," I casually said as I turned and headed back to my side of the room. I felt a wad of cloth hit the back of my head. I turned and saw the lavender dress laying on the ground in a crumpled ball.

"Tease."

Amused, I smiled back at Quinn. "I only learned from the best."

I tried to piece together an outfit from what little I had clean. I pulled out a white collared button down shirt and slipped it on over my tank top. As I did, Quinn's coy expression caught my eye. Not to be outdone, she unknotted the towel she was wearing.

"Two can play this game."

I couldn't believe the audacity Quinn had. She stood across from me, completely naked. I froze as my eyes followed the curves of her body...it was even more perfect than I had imagined.

"Can I help you?" She jolted me out of my silent admiration.

She slipped on a pair of underwear and put on her bra, all the while giving me suggestive glances. I tried to look away because I knew this would lead no where good. I dug deeper into my closet when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned and was no more than a few inches from a nearly naked Quinn. I swore I stopped breathing entirely. She began to unbutton the top few buttons of my shirt as she kissed my neck. And then nibbled at my neck. And then made her way down to my collarbone. And then to where she had just unbuttoned the shirt. There were shivers through my entire body and my heart felt like it was about to jump out of my chest. She placed one last gentle kiss on my cheek before she pulled away and reached into my closet and grabbed a black blazer.

"Wear this."

She sauntered back to her side of the room and continued to get dressed without saying another word. I was able to finally catch my breath, but I wasn't able to fully recover.


"So, where exactly are we going?"

"I'm not really sure, Katelyn gave me directions though."

As Quinn read from the crumpled paper, I slipped my hand into her free hand. I surprised myself with the courage to publicly acknowledge whatever it was that we had, though it was under the blanket of darkness. There was a sense of relief, and even giddiness, when she held my hand back.

"How can you not be sure...?"

She just shrugged as we continued through the grounds. Eventually, we had passed all the buildings and were in the open fields. Quinn reached into her bag and pulled out a flashlight.

"Really?"

"Yeah, Katelyn told me to bring one."

And then it began to dawn on me. I knew exactly where we were going. I immediately tensed up and released my grip on Quinn's hand. There was a giant knot forming in my stomach.

"Paige, what's wrong?"

I tried to dissuade Quinn from going any further. "Don't you think this is dangerous? And what if we get caught?"

"We'll be fine. And we won't be alone." She continued to make her way towards the woods, grabbed my hand and pulling me along.

"I...I just don't have a good feeling about this."

"Oh, don't get cold feet on me now, you nerd," Quinn tried to joke with me.

Quinn continued to search with her flashlight and stopped when she came upon a tree with a bright pink ribbon.

"This is it!" She exclaimed. "It's about ten minutes down this trail."

"Yeah, and it's about ten minutes to turn around and get back to our room." I knew I must have sounded a bit irrational, but I didn't want to tell Quinn about my earlier encounter in the woods.

"Paige, do you really want to go back?" Quinn asked, with concern.

I didn't want to ruin the evening though. Our night out, together. Maybe I was being irrational. What were the chances that Bianca would be there anyway? Maybe it was just a bunch of repressed chorus nerds having a good time.

"No," I shyly replied, "I want to stay here we you."

"I wouldn't go without you, silly." She raised her eyebrow. "Are you going to be okay? We can both head back if you're that uncomfortable."

I nodded. "I'll be okay."

Quinn smiled and kissed my forehead. "Good. 'Cause you look too hot to stay home all night."


It looked so much different at night and the trail seemed to meander through the sea of trees without end. Finally, we heard voices and music in the distance and we knew we must be close.

"See. That wasn't so bad!" Quinn tried to reassure me.

We picked up our pace as we neared the party site and the path began to glow with the yellows and oranges from the lanterns and bonfire. Finally, we reached the clearing near the stream that I stumbled upon not so long ago.

I scanned the crowd frantically, searching for any threatening faces. There were probably 20 or so people there, mostly girls, but a few boys as well...but no sign of Bianca. I felt a wave a relief wash over me.

"Quinn!" I heard a voice yell in the distance. A figure ran towards us from behind the fire and I recognized it to be Katelyn.

"How are you, girl?" Katelyn wrapped her arms around Quinn and let out a girlish squeal.

"I wasn't sure you'd come!" she continued. After greeting Quinn, Katelyn turned to me and coldly said, "Hi, Paige."

"Hi," was all I could muster, with an even more venomous tone. I knew Quinn and her had become good friends, but there was still something about her that didn't sit well with me.

As we began to mingle with the crowd, well, as Quinn did, I did recognize two faces.

"Hey, I know you. You're the newb from the dance."

I know my glances I threw over in their direction certainly weren't an invitation, but I knew they probably weren't even looking in my direction anyway. I knew they came over here for Quinn.

Quinn was polite as always. "Oh, yes! I knew you two looked familiar. Forgive me, but I forget -"

"Matt," the dark haired boy said, as he extended his hand, "and that's Rob."

Rob was definitely the...homelier...of the two.

Matt continued, "Quinn, if I do remember correctly?

Quinn nodded with a grin on her face. I could tell she appreciated being noticed and remembered. I wasn't so appreciative.

"And this is..." he said, gesturing towards me.

"That's my roommate, Paige."

"Ah, yes. Paige. Good to see you again, I didn't even recognize you," he said as he went to shake my hand. I just left my arms folded.

"Likewise."

I felt Quinn nudge me with her elbow and whisper in my ear, "Behave."

"Well," Matt continued, "I'm glad you came out tonight." He looked towards me and sensed my irritation. "Perhaps we'll talk later?"

"Sure!" Quinn eagerly replied.

As the boys turned to walk away, I mumbled under my breath, just loud enough for them to hear, "Have fun preying on drunk Catholic school girls, creepers."

Matt turned around and shot me a look, but continued, unfazed, and began to chat with the next group of girls.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Quinn turned to me and said, in an exasperated whisper, "Paige! What are you doing? This isn't like you."

"Sorry." I felt bad. I was ruining the night for Quinn. "I..I just don't do very well with all...this," I said, gesturing to the crowd around us, "and maybe I get a little protective."

"Protective?"

"Yeah, I don't like seeing other boys hitting on you."

Quinn let out a big laugh. "You're cute. In an awkward kind of way." She paused. "I sort of like it when your jealous."

I felt my face redden as I looked towards the ground.

Her expression turned more serious. "You know I don't have eyes for anyone else? Right?"

I nodded. Maybe I just needed to hear those words.

I tried to stay well behaved the rest of the evening, engaging in small talk with people and avoiding the cans of cheap beer. But I never left Quinn's side. As overwhelming as things got, I felt safe next to her.

We were chatting with a few other girls around the bonfire when I heard a familiar voice.

"Hey, Quinn," Katelyn said, coming up next to her, "I don't know if I've introduced you two before, but this is my roommate, Bianca."