Chapter Thirteen

"Quinn?"

"Yeah?"

"I feel…really strange."

Joe could only sit into the front seat in the blonde's car and think about what just happened. It all seemed bittersweet; at the same time, though, it was awkward. He felt good about it; at the same time, though, he felt bad.

That was literally his first-ever kiss with any girl he's ever met. He liked it. It was the type of joy he was looking for with the blonde since he's been avoiding her all this time.

The kiss sent shivers all through Quinn's body. It brought back everything she felt when she was with Finn. Fireworks. Happiness. Magnets in their eyes attracting each other. It was a long-awaited moment. It was awakening. It was…well, magical.

She did get a part of where Joe was going with it, though. She hadn't been in a real relationship with anyone since junior year. Going with Finn to prom after breaking up with Sam, and trying to make another baby with Puck, definitely didn't count in that sense.

The blonde rested her head on the driver's seat. "Yeah, I guess." She didn't know what much to say to him. She was still frozen.

Joe leaned against the car window, letting his thoughts pass by like the birds flying past from above. "Can I ask you a question?"

The blonde looked through the mirror hanging from the roof of the car, and applied more strawberry gloss. "Feel free."

Oh God. Is Quinn going to say yes to this? Is she going to say no? Will she smile, yell, laugh, roll her eyes? Joe had so many thoughts as to Quinn's response. "Do you…um…do you like me?"

The blonde turned to him. "Of course I do. You know it."

"N-No, I mean, like, do you…like me? You know, as…"

Quinn was a closed diary with a lock attached to it and a heart embroidered on the cover. No one was allowed to read her thoughts on crushes and affections. All of that was something she's been scared to do all this time.

Joe really meant well, though. He was everything Quinn can hardly find in a guy for the past 3 years. Only problem was that things were going too fast. Should she be happy with this? Should she wait until later on? Only time could tell.

She shook her head, thinking of what the consequences and achievements that would occur if she took a stand on this. "Joseph…you're a really sweet person, and I appreciate that."

The blonde's eyes shot to him. He had many ideas on his mind as well. "But…I'm not really sure of myself when it comes to liking a boy like that."

Teen Jesus played with a strand of his dreads. "That's reasonable."

Quinn still glared at him. The way he said that made it seem like he was let down by her. Did she put him down? Does he really understand?

"Joe…are you, um…?"

"Am I what?"

"Feeling kinda bad? You know, since I said—"

The dreadlocked boy turned in her direction. "No, I'm not feeling bad or anything. I just want to know where this is heading. I mean, Sam certainly thinks that we should go at something."

Sam? Sam Evans? Oh great.

"So Sam dragged you in the whole hanging with me and wanting to kiss me thing?"

"He said I should step up from my personal level. I mean, before all of this, I was nervous to hang out with you and what you'd think of me. Plus, there's Christianity involved with that."

The blonde nodded.

Joe turned to her. "How…how do you feel about me?"

"I think you, Joe, are the kindest boy I've hung out with recently. As much as I want to be with you, I'm graduating in a few months."

"Where?"

"To a school in New Haven, Connecticut."

Connecticut. God, that was far away. Joe couldn't stand the fact of Quinn being miles and miles away from her. He wanted her right next to him. He wanted her to stay in the same neighborhood so they can still visit each other. He wanted time to slow so he can spend all the time with her possible.

Quinn had noticed that he hasn't spoken after she said New Haven, Connecticut. Poor boy. He has to stay in McKinley for two more years, and the blonde is moving on to newer places. Why can't she make a wish to be a sophomore right now so she and Joe can really be together?

She reached her hand out, her fingers softly pressing on the dreadlocked boy's fingers. She gripped a little harder and received his attention. If he wasn't let down before, he was going to be when June hits.

"I'm sorry. I really am. I don't want to leave anyone I love. You all changed my life. I can't see myself in any other place than home with all of my friends."

A slight smile. All Joe responded with was a slight smile. He was so blessed to be considered as anyone Quinn loved. He loved her, too. He loved everything about her. He didn't love the fact that she was leaving her, though.

He stuttered. "Quinn…"

Crap. What was he gonna say to her? Her porcelain face came in contact with his. Her beauty distracted from what he wanted to say.

"Yes Joe?" She waited patiently for an answer.

"I…I don't know if you want to or anything. Well, at least until you graduate, anyways." Good start, Joseph. Good start. "Quinn…can we…well, get started?"

Confusion whirred in the blonde's head. "What do you mean?"

"On a relationship. What I mean is, well…would you be willing to be my girlfriend?"

He couldn't believe he was asking that. The word girlfriend sounded awkward and shaky coming out of the dreadlocked boy's mouth. He didn't want Quinn to believe something was mentally wrong with him, but he was so nervous.

"Hmm…girlfriend." Quinn needed a moment to think about it. "Seems bittersweet."

Joe nodded, still waiting on an answer.

Quinn was three guys' girlfriend: Finn Hudson, Noah Puckerman, and Sam Evans. She was confident enough to be with the three of them. How can she not be with Joe? And who could turn down someone as sweet and attractive as he?

She couldn't.

"I would like to."

Joe had the biggest smile spread on his face. A yes. A yes confirmed by the one and only Quinn Fabray. He reached towards her, his arms clenching the blonde's body. Quinn felt so warm and loving. Joe felt the same.

"We have to make promises for each other, though."

"Anything."

"First, no sex. I mean, I kinda broke that rule, like, years back. But I wouldn't want your dad storming to my house, yelling at my mom."

Joe nodded. "Check."

"Also, I'll promise not to be with any other guy when I'm with you. After all you've done for me, I wouldn't want to betray you."

Joe pulled apart to gaze into the pretty girl's hazel eyes. He never felt betrayed when he was with Quinn. He felt comfort with her when he was uneasy. He felt happiness with her when sad moments happen. He felt appreciation with her when others dissed him. He felt love with her when no one else did.

"No way. You betray me? Never. I'll appreciate everything you do or say." Quinn couldn't help but smile. Joe calmed down a bit, rubbing her left shoulder. "And as a devoted Christian, I won't be with another girl other than you."

The girl nodded. It seemed pretty weird since it sounded like they're getting married at a young age. However, it was the right thing to. Quinn trusted Joe. He was a really honest person. He wasn't one of those guys who makes a girl their girlfriend, and goes after another. He was something special.

"Of course."

They gazed at each other. Neither one could take their eyes off the other. They were stuck in the moment. It didn't take long until their faces leaned in on each other's and their lips touched. Joe sucked in everything Quinn had to offer. Everything was sweet. It woke him up. It brought him to the reality of things.

It brought him to the reality that he could be free with her. It brought him to the reality that he can speak his mind. It brought him to the reality that he can be listened to without criticism.

Quinn was the most positive person in McKinley High he could ever have. He didn't wish for anything better than that.

I can't have anything better. I can't have anything better than Quinn sitting next to me. Not anything.

"Sloppy! You sloppy babies! Is this what we're really going for?"

For a Wednesday in March, it was pretty warm out. The weather report predicted this day to be eighty-one degrees.

Sue Sylvester had her exhausted and wimpy Cheerios out on the football field to do warm-ups and practice stunts. They had been going at it for an hour already, and they were ready to stop.

"Uh-uh, Elena! You stop crying over there! Tears and fears will have you off this team in a matter of seconds!"

The cheerleading coach was on fire today. Her wicked cries reached out to the other side of the field. Even the runners on the track had enough of her yelling. They hoped she cracked something and just shut up for a minute.

"Wow, she's…really loud."

Quinn and Joe had snuck out to the field and sat on the bleachers, watching Sue tame the poor little Cheerios. About half of them were baking under the sun, and the rest complained about their performance.

The blonde chuckled at Joseph's comment. "Yeah, Sue's a pretty evil coach at times. Maybe she's behaving this way because of her pregnancy."

Joe turned to her. "Pregnancy? She's…she's having a baby?"

Quinn nodded. "It still seems pretty confusing to me."

The dreadlocked boy couldn't really see Sue's baby bump, being that she was turned around to shout at the girls in leotards and cheerleading skirts.

The blonde rested her head on Joe's shoulder as her eyes wandered around the field. Football players were on another end doing drills, track and field team members were running around the dusty tracks, and the cheerleaders were gathering to practice the stunt once more.

At that moment, Quinn spotted two familiar faces. One of them rested on a black-haired Cheerio's shoulder while she rubbed her pale face.

Brittany and Santana.

Before when Quinn was a cheerleader, she and the two girls would hang out almost every day. When they were the head students of the school, they'd take control of anything they can. They were like the Three Musketeers, stated by Brittany before Quinn changed from her punk phase.

Now they seemed more…distant. Quinn was no longer a cheerleader, which meant that the three can't spend as much time together as they used to. Not only that, but Santana and Brittany would always plan make-out sessions and dates with each other. It was a good thing to Quinn, though, because she couldn't possibly deny the friendship Santana has with the witty blonde.

"I miss being on the Cheerios." She was so caught up with seeing her two best friends that she didn't realize she said that.

Quinn a cheerleader? Joe found that as one of Quinn's big accomplishments in her life. "You were on the team?"

The blonde nodded, still cuddling up in his shoulder. "That was last year, though. I kind of want to do it again. I mean, the Cheerios haven't won a championship since before that scandal with the human cannon Sue had."

Human cannon? Pretty extreme.

"Can't you still do it?" Joe asks.

"I'm…not really sure. I mean, they're prepping for another championship. Plus, I'm not as athletic as I used to be."

Joe took a moment to look at her. She looks as if she can cartwheel all the way to New York City. He wasn't sure if the blonde was trying to doubt herself again, but there was no reason to.

"I see you on that team, Quinn. You should go back. I'd be willing to watch you if you like."

Quinn smirked. "You wouldn't want to see me bust my butt."

"You're not going to."

The blonde took a moment to look up at him, needing more assurance. "Are you sure I won't?"

"Yes, I'm sure. You were probably amazing before. I know you will be once I get to see you."

Quinn felt a little more confident about her decision. She missed working out after school with the other girls. She missed wearing the infamous Cheerios leotard and skirt with the flaps. She especially missed spending more time with Brittany and Santana. It didn't seem like a bad idea.

"I'll definitely consider it," she spoke up.

Joe couldn't wait to see her. This was a side of Quinn Fabray he hasn't seen ever since he came to this school. Once she joined the cheerleaders, he would get to see her perform with the rest of her friends.

On the field, the two lesbian Cheerios went back to the benches to rest. Their arms and legs were killing them. If anything, it felt like they were going to rip apart.

"Santana…"

Brittany had placed her head on Santana's shoulder once again. A cute little sight caught her eye. Quinn was having a small conversation with Teen Jesus on the bleachers. Neither of them noticed Brittany and her girlfriend looking at them.

"My, my," a clever Santana spoke up. "Looks like our girl got hitched with another one. I didn't know she was feeling it that bad with Joseph."

Brittany looked bewildered at the dreadlocked boy. He had a charming smile on his face as he shared a laugh with Quinn after a joke. "Is Teen Jesus a lesbian like us, Santana? I mean, look at her. She spends more time with Quinn than anybody."

Oh, God… Santana couldn't believe how ridiculous her girlfriend was acting. "Brittany, Teen Jesus is a boy."

Brittany cocked her head to the side. "Are you sure?"

"No girl has a singing voice, face, or arms like that."

Brittany nodded. "I'm kinda wondering why he wears cardigans all the time. Must be to cover up his armpits or something."

Santana couldn't hold in the chuckle from Brittany's statement, although it seemed utterly bogus. "Brittany, stop."

"I'm just sayin'."

"So, you're going to do it?"

"Of course I am. I already told you."

Quinn and Joe were at their lockers, grabbing their things and getting ready to go. They brought up the talk about Quinn returning to the cheerleaders again.

"I just hope Sylvester would let me."

Joe leaned against the lockers, his eyes pointed towards the blonde. "Why wouldn't she?"

Quinn opened her locker and grabbed a couple of books and her backpack. "Well, the Cheerios are getting ready for a championship. I don't even know all of the routines yet."

"You could if you just keep observing them. That's how I learned to play guitar."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah."

Unbelievable. He's bluffing.

"But what if she says no?"

Joe took a moment to look at her. Who could ever say no to Quinn Fabray? She literally gets anything she wants. She'll even get things she doesn't even ask for…like a previously homeschooled, Christian boyfriend.

But knowing Sue Sylvester, it may have its side effects.

"She won't say no to you. You're going to be out there with those girls and winning another championship. If not, you can always try again. I mean, you are the bold and tough Miss Fabray, aren't you?"

The blonde cocked an eyebrow. "Intriguing."

Teen Jesus laughed and followed her halfway down the hall before making it to the exit. "Well, I have to get home. I'm supposed to meet my mom and dad at a church event afterschool."

The blonde wiggled the fingers on her right hand, which faced in Joe's direction. "Alrighty then. See you tomorrow," she said before standing on her tip toes and placing a light kiss on the dreadlocked boy's cheek.

They headed towards different directions. Before getting home, Quinn needed to find Coach Sylvester before she'd leave.

Quinn was nervous, though. Would Sue let her on the team like Joe predicted? The two have been somewhat close. Sue would always call her a young Sue Sylvester—at least without the bone structure.

Somewhere inside told Quinn that this wasn't going to work out. Sue was an empowering woman. She can even out rule the principal, who happens to lay back in the same leather chair and stare at students with just a little complaint whirring around in his brain somewhere. Sue, although evil, could do better than that.

Another thing inside her told her that cheerleading wasn't much of a big thing in her life. Even though the Cheerios gave her many friends, being off the team gave her a lot of thought about her future. It gave her a lot of thought on who her real friends were, what her real passions were, what she would be doing at Yale once she graduates.

There it was: Sue Sylvester's office door. Three seconds more and she was going to face the cheerleading coach's throne. And then—

"Hello Quinn."

Rachel Berry.

"Oh, Rachel. What are you doing here?"

Quinn spotted the brunette walk towards her. She seemed very peppy. Her knee-high socks, flats, and her bright smile pretty much gave that away. God, she must have the world record for the most knee-highs and flats in any girl's bedroom closet.

Rachel clenched at her backpack leaning off one shoulder. "I was gonna ask you the same thing."

Quinn took a moment to peek inside the window of Sue's office. All she could see were certificates, a TV hanging off the top corner on the ceiling, and Cheerios trophies. They almost blinded her eyes. She could hardly see Sue sitting at her desk with her Cheerios co-captain and assistant, Becky Jackson sitting before her.

"I was considering rejoining the Cheerios. I was kind of inspired when I spotted them at free period."

Rachel nodded, although she strongly thought joining on the Cheerios was a bad move. It made Quinn the hell of the diva in William McKinley. All of those past memories of Quinn trying to dominate over her and taking the power away from all of those insecure students came back to haunt Rachel.

She couldn't stop the conversation there just yet. "Inspired? By what, may I ask?"

"A couple of things," Quinn spoke up, playing with her fingers. "I missed spending as much time with my home girls as possible." Boy, did it sound weird for Quinn to call Santana and Brittany her home girls or what?

"And…well…Joe thought that I'd be great on the team. He wanted to see me cheer with the girls, so…"

Rachel grew a smirk. So it was all Joe, huh? She knew it. She knew it all along.

Quinn could sense her. She knew exactly what she was thinking. "Yeah, yeah. Go on with your sissy, gossipy, high-pitched squeal. Joe really likes me…and, well, I like him, too."

Rachel bit her bottom lip as she grinned. "So, you two are dating now?"

"Nothing much. Just hanging out at lunch, studying at each other's houses, seeing each other at church—"

The brunette cooed.

"He thinks that I have that ability to be on the Cheerios. I mean, he never saw me. And I really want to help the girls win another championship. This is my one shot to do it."

Rachel nodded. "Well, if I were you, I wouldn't really do it. I mean, being a cheerleader can do things to a girl."

Understood. Quinn continued to listen.

"But if it makes you feel happy and there's something meaningful that you want to achieve out of it, then there's no one stopping you."

Quinn smiled. "Thank you, Rachel."

Suddenly, the door cracked open. Becky Jackson walked out. "Quinn, Coach Sylvester wants to see you."

Quinn looked ahead of her at the open door. Well, it was time. Time to face her.

Becky glanced up at the brunette and scoffed. "Ugh, not man hands again."

For someone who has Down syndrome, and for someone that everyone should feel bad for, she was ultimately rude.

The Cheerio walked away with her hands on her hips. Rachel turned to Quinn and waved to her. "I'll see you tomorrow, Quinn."

Rachel was gone. It was Quinn. Quinn…and Coach Sylvester.