Pity and Promise
Rated: T (for language)
Pairing(s): Faberrittana, Finchel (implied)
Disclaimer: I do not own Glee or any of the songs used in this story.
A/N: We have some of Quinn's thoughts in the beginning, and then the meeting continues. I think the story has a few more plot points before it finishes, so let me know if you guys have any ideas for future stories! I'm actually working out a Cheerio!Rachel story, with a possible teenage pregnancy to go along with it. Please review! c:
Quinn couldn't help but feel like crap. She knew this wasn't her doing. From the beginning, the simplest thing to do would have been to ignore Rachel and let her sort out her own problems. She could see Santana and herself shrugging at the change in the brunette, and blaming it on not getting a solo.
Except, now that she knew what was going on, she couldn't find it in herself to regret watching out for the girl when they went to Carmel, or questioning her in the bathroom that first day.
"I don't know what you're talking about." It was Rachel's classic excuse, used so much that people could tell something was wrong when it was used.
"Everyone in the glee club noticed." Yes, everyone, but only Quinn and Santana were willing to help. Even Brittany knew beforehand.
For all the good that she tried to do, how she responded that day was pretty accurate. "If you're going for attention, then you got it."
She cursed herself, even if it was for saying something she couldn't control. But remembering that conversation was what drove her forward, what made her want to help Rachel Berry. The last words of their short conversation was an echo of today's incident.
"This isn't you."
Mr. Schue was always the one to break up fights between the glee kids; it became normal, since most other teachers weren't around or weren't willing to jump in to separate things.
The downside was that now that things had escalated, Quinn knew that he wanted answers. Answers that she wasn't sure she could give. She glanced over at one of the girls in question-who wouldn't even look up-and it became clear that she had contacted Shelby hoping it would help, but instead, it only made things worse.
As expected, none of the people currently occupying the office thought to say anything. If anything, they were thinking of what not to say that could possibly get them in further trouble. Grateful that Mr. Schue, though a great teacher and glee coach, barely ever caught on to problems that his students were having.
Well, until Rachel made a scene in the middle of the hallway.
Now he was involved, clearly upset, and wanting an explanation that would fully describe what the hell they were doing. She could easily tell him what happened and hopefully get Rachel the help she needed, but she was met with resistance. This could very well push the girl away, and Quinn didn't know if she could handle that. Worrying about her every day was already enough, but being her friend was important to. Having the girl blatantly ignore her would be torture.
"It was my fault, Mr. Schue." Quinn's eyes darted upwards when someone started speaking, trying to hold back a response to Rachel taking responsibility for what happened. She was speechless, and she was frantically searching for something to say.
"How so, Rachel?" The man's eyes narrowed. Crap.
Don't do it, Rach. "I started the fight. I let anger get the better of me and caught Quinn off-guard in the hallway."
Her brain finally caught up with her mouth, and she felt anger herself, except for many different reasons.
"That's not true!" Even the questioning glare from Rachel and the curious glances from Santana and Brittany didn't detour her. "I fought back. I've been bugging Rachel all week-it's not her fault."
She noticed that Shelby stayed quiet through the whole charade, something that Quinn was thankful for. Things were messed up enough.
"I'm getting two different stories from two different people. I only want an explanation. Shelby?"
Quinn's eyes darted over to the woman, almost daring her to say something. She had no power over Shelby, but the desperation she showed might have persuaded her to avoid any more complications. "Sorry, Will, these girls know more than I do. I only came because Quinn called me."
Mr. Schue's tipped his head. "Why did she call you?"
For once, Shelby appeared to be taken back by what she said. The blonde decided that it was time she took matters into her own hands.
"I called Shelby because I thought Rachel might like to see her." She put in quickly. "Rachel wasn't really happy. The fight was just from all the crap that's happened this week. It was innocent."
"Innocent?" The teacher questioned, disbelieving. "Quinn, I just saw you and Rachel going at each other, which, might I add, has marks to prove it." He gestured to the brunette, who currently had her eyes focused on her hands on her lap. "I won't tolerate fighting. You both should know that by now."
Quinn rolled her eyes. "Sure, like how you tolerated Finn and Puck fighting. Or me and Santana fighting last year." Santana acknowledged this statement with a nod to Brittany.
"I'm not condoning this. You don't have to remind me of previous fights. Since they were not punished thoroughly I have to be fair with you as well, but this is more serious." Quinn felt the stinging above her eye as a reminder. "I know very well that you aren't telling me the truth and you aren't leaving 'til I get some answers."
Everyone in the room jumped slightly when small hands banged on the desk. Rachel looked furious, and for probably the second time Quinn was glad she wasn't on the receiving end of them.
"I flipped out and tackled Quinn in the hallway." Quinn made a move to cut in but Rachel soon silenced her. "Shelby was the last person I wanted to talk to. I'm fucking done with all the crap that's being thrown at me." Both of the adults looked up at her raised voice. "I started the fight, maybe bruised Quinn, and I'm not gonna let anyone else get blamed for it."
Quinn watched her the whole time, expecting her to pass out with how pale she was from the screaming. It was hard to watch the girl break her silence and get her emotions out in the open, but she made the decision then to be the one to help her.
"I cannot punish you, Rachel. But I did expect better of you. It might be best if you and Quinn avoid each other for a couple days." The blonde's eyes widened. What?
"I'm going to do what I think is best for me." Even Mr. Schue couldn't argue, and Shelby avoided eye contact. "Can I go now?"
"Yes..." Mr. Schue sighed, and they all departed in a mix of confusion and apprehension.
"Rachel." Quinn caught up with the girl who had started to walk away. "I don't know why you did that."
The eyes that found her caught her by surprise, if only by how sad they looked. "Because it was my fault. I'm tired of arguing. I didn't mean to get you in trouble. I'm sorry."
"Hey, it's okay." She put a hand on the girl's shoulder to try and offer some comfort.
"I screwed up and I'm sorry. I'm stupid and selfish. You've been a good friend, Quinn."
The sudden apologies were having an effect on the blonde, and she wished that she could just hug the girl and make all her problems go away.
When the brunette started walking away once more, she tried to catch up. "Rach, it's not your fault."
"I know very well it is. You don't have to protect me, though I appreciate it. I'll talk to you later, Quinn." She had no choice but to watch Rachel run down the hall with her face buried in her books.
Quinn was nearing her breaking point too. One step forward, two steps back. Except now Rachel might be too far from her reach.