Will came to school the next day beyond miserable. He couldn't focus during his classes and he dreaded going to Glee but he took a deep breath and walked in. He was surprised to see that Rachel wasn't there yet.
"Ok, everyone settle down. We're doing duets-"
Suddenly the door slowly opened and everyone turned to see Rachel trudging miserably to her seat. He took a shaky breath.
"As I was saying, we're doing duets again this week so pick your partners."
Everyone got up and started mingling around. He wasn't surprised to see many of them finding partner so quickly such as Tina with Mike, Santana with Puck, Brittany with Artie, Puck with Lauren and Mercedes with Kurt. Finn and Quinn tried to approach Rachel but she gave them a sad smile and shook her head. Then she got up and approached Sam. Sam shrugged and they began discussing a song. Quinn and Finn exchanged looks and partnered up.
When they were dismissed, Rachel as the last to follow out. Sue was waiting in the doorway and stopped her when she tried to get out.
"Don't think I don't know what you're doing." She sneered.
Rachel looked up sadly. "I don't know what you are talking about, Coach Sylvester."
Sue's eyes narrowed. "Since I couldn't pin anything on you, you and Schuester are laying low pretending that nothing's happening so you won't arouse my suspicions. Very clever."
Rachel shook her head. "Nothing is going on between us. Now please let me through."
She tried to walk around her but Sue grabbed her arm and threw her at a nearby locker.
Will saw the whole thing and ran outside. "Sue, what the hell are you doing to her?"
Rachel whimpered on the ground. He stooped down to help her up.
"Rachel, honey, are you ok? Did she hurt you?"
She stood up without looking at him. "I am fine, Mr. Schuester. "
He looked at her concerned. "Are you sure?"
She nodded. "Yes, I am all right. Now if you'll excuse me, Quinn is waiting outside to take me home."
She shuffled past them and left the school. Sue turned and walked away but he pursued her.
"Sue, what is wrong with you? You can't just throw students at lockers!"
Sue crossed her arms. "You think you can fool me? You honestly think I don't know what you two are doing? I wouldn't even be defending her if I were you, because this kind of behavior threatens your very position at this school!"
Will was so mad but he didn't say anything.
Sue seemed satisfied by this. "That's right; don't say anything because if I catch you again, you and the Glee Club are going down once and for all!"
She stuck her nose in the air and walked away.
Back at Rachel's house, she was nursing her shoulder with Quinn, Tina and Mercedes.
"I can't believe she actually threw you at a locker!" Mercedes said.
"Does it hurt?" Tina asked pressing an ice pack on Rachel's shoulder.
"Not really, but I can hardly feel pain anymore." Rachel said blankly.
"Well at least you and Mr. Schuester are cleared by Figgins. I'm sure you'll have a happy relationship." Quinn said taking a seat on the bed.
"There is no more relationship, Quinn." Rachel said.
All the girls gasped. "What do you mean?"
Rachel hesitated before answering. "It just wouldn't have worked out. The hiding and lying would have driven us mad!"
"Wait a second, Rach. Why would you end it? You two were so happy!" Tina said.
"It's for his sake and mine, Tina. He needs a job and we need him. I'm putting our priorities first. And anyway, Coach Sylvester isn't a stupid woman. She has ways to catch us and I don't want to take that chance."
Mercedes' eyes widened. "So you're just going to walk away from all this? From the one man who truly loves you?"
Rachel looked at her sadly. "It's what's for the best. I wish him well."
The girls hugged her sadly.
"It must have been hard to walk away." Quinn said.
Rachel nodded. "It was. He wouldn't let me go that easily, he was practically crying but I did what I had to do. Besides, Glee Club would hate me if he lost his job because of me."
"Are you absolutely sure you're doing the right thing by letting him go?" Tina asked.
"I'm positive." Rachel answered. "It's for the best."