Chapter 1: New Beginnings
"I don't think Sue is going to like us joining Glee club very much." Brittany worries her lip between her teeth.
"I just want you two to come for moral support the first few days okay? If Sue gets mad, blame it on me." Quinn says closing her locker "I mean it might not be so bad."
"If Sue thought us joining other extracurriculars was a good idea, sure." Santana scoffs "Look, B and I will come, especially cause she wants to dance."
"Don't act like you're not looking forward to singing Sanny." Brittany crosses her arms "You love being better than people, and I know for a fact you're better than Rachel."
"Of course I'm better than Berry Blast Slushy." Santana rolls her eyes "It's not like it's hard."
"Cut it out. No more slushies this year. Well, no throwing them anyway." Quinn says.
"Whatever you say Q. Let's get to class." Santana says, hooking pinkies with Brittany.
"But I hate class." Brittany pouts as Santana pulls her along.
At the end of the day, the girls find themselves sat amongst some of the biggest losers in school, but also a few football players.
"Alright, welcome to Glee club everyone. Glad to see you all here." Mr.Schue says "Now I know some of you from my Spanish classes, but let's start off with a get to know you game. I'm sure you're tired of them, but let's get it out of the way." There's a collective groan around the room- first days of school suck.
"I promise it won't be so bad. So everyone is going to say their name, grade, favorite artist and song." he instructs. Immediately, Rachel's hand is in the air.
"Yes Rachel?" he sighs.
"I think it would be productive for everyone to also name their favorite musical." she eyes the popular kids.
"If you have a favorite musical, include it." he says "Since you're already speaking, why don't you start Rachel."
"Obviously I should, as president of the Glee club." she stands up and straightens her skirt "Hello everyone, my name is Rachel Barbra Berry, named after the great Barbra Streissand. I am a sophomore and my favorite singer is of course Barbra Streissand, I particularly enjoy Don't Rain on my Parade'' from my favorite musical Funny Girl." she smiles proudly.
"Thank you Rachel. Who wants to go next?" Mr. Schue ays and Quinn raises her hand."Uh, Quinn Fabray right?" he asks. She nods and come to the front of the room.
"Hi everyone, you probably know my name is Quinn Fabray and I'm a sophomore. I guess my favorite singer is maybe Kelly Clarkson and right now my favorite song is maybe her song Since U Been Gone. I don't really know any musicals. I guess Grease is pretty good." Quinn says. Mr. Schue thanks her and goes through everyone else, and then tell them to hang out together for awhile and properly get to know each other. He also gives them their first assignment, to perform on Friday.
"So what did you guys think? Maybe we can stay in the club?" Quinn asks Santana and Brittany.
"Let's see how the week goes." Santana says and Brittany agrees.
"That's totally fair. I think we are really going to like it." Quinn says.
"Excuse me," Rachel says, and they all look up "I do hate to interrupt but I wanted to properly introduce myself to all of you while I'm not covered in blueberry Slushy. I know you know me, so I'll skip the pleasantries. Why are you here?" She asks.
"Because we can do whatever we want troll." Santana barks, and Brittany elbows her. "Sorry, I'll try to be nice."
"Right… so, did you have a reason?" Rachel taps her foot.
"We just wanted to expand our friend group and try something new. We all like to dance and sing. We think we are pretty good too." Quinn says.
"Well, as long as Sue didn't put you up to this, welcome to Glee club." Rachel smiles and skips away.
"She's definitely one of a kind." Santana snickers.
"Hush. I think she's really nice, and whether you admit it or not she's talented." Quinn smacks Santana's knee. The head Cheerio isn't sure what strikes her about the girl, but it's like she's put a spell on her.
"Quinnie has a crush…" Brittany realizes "You like her."
"And she told us she was straight." Santana shakes her head "Tsk, tsk."
"I do not. I just think we ought to be nicer to her." Quinn points out.
"She's called Brittany the S-word in every class they've shared." Santana argues.
"Doesn't everyone call Brittnay a slut?" Quinn asks, and Santana punches her in the arm.
"No, not that word. And no one can call her that, you bitch. I meant…" she leans down to to whisper in Quinn's ear "stupid."
"Ohhhh. Well, this our chance to prove her wrong." Quinn says.
"We shouldn't have to. Brittany's a genius, right babe?" Santana says and Brittany nods.
"She just doesn't know you yet. Not everyone understands how Brittany's brilliance works." Quinn points out.
"You did not just call Britt brilliant." Puck says approaching them "So what got you three stuck here? They said I could do this or quit football so here I am."
"What do you want, Puck?" Santana grimaces.
"Dangerous question my Latin goddess. You know exactly what I want." Puck winks.
"Go away Puck." Quinn says "You're not wanted by any of us."
"That's not what you said this summer." he smirks and walks away.
"I can't believe you let him near you this summer." Santana says "He's repulsive."
"Well if you two hands ditched me maybe I wouldn't have stooped so low." Quinn sighs "I'm just glad I didn't let him do anything more than kiss me."
"I've heard he's potent." Brittany says "Got some MILF preggers."
"I hate everything about that sentence." Quinn says.
"Fellow gays." Kurt says in greeting, completely ignoring Quinn "Welcome to the closest thing this school will ever have to a safe space. That said, if you ruin one of my outfits with your colorful ice again, I will end you."
"Hi Kurt!" Brittany says "Sorry about that, I didn't mean to ruin your outfit. My mom always gets the stains out of my clothes." Brittany says.
"I'd think with your fashion sense you'd have known about delicate fabrics." Kurt asks.
"My mom doesn't let me wear anything she can't get a stain out of. She says I'm too clumsy." Brittany shrugs.
"Right. Well, I'm glad to see some fellow gays. And Fabray, maybe you should try it. You can do better than Puck." Kurt struts off.
"This is going to be a long week." Quinn face palmed.
Quinn wasn't wrong about that. Sue had read them the riot act about dedicating time to something else, but luckily Quinn managed to convince her that their new found talents could be used for Cheerios. And that they could bring more attention to the school this way. That settled Sue for the time being, but she still wasn't happy to lose precious practice time with her stars. Then there was the change in the social order. Despite still being Cheerios, word spread quickly about them being in Glee club, and their protection for their new found friends turned them into slushy shields one too many times. Slushies were banned from school after Sue had to completely throw away their uniforms after a particularly bad day that left Quinn and Brittany's hair rainbow. They'd also had to prove their intentions to quite a few of their new friends while fending off Finn and Pucks desperate advances on Quinn. The head cheerleader desperately wished she could be like her best friends and have a partner already. Unfortunately, she was sitting across from the only two people who actually cared about her, and they were in love with each other. Rachel was always at a distance, still clearly wary of them, most of all Quinn. She'd relentlessly teased her all of last year, and Rachel clearly wasn't one to forgive and forget. She hadn't totally come to terms with what those butterflies she got around the diva meant, but she had a feeling they proved her friends right. The problem was, her friends gave her those same butterflies whenever they'd come over and cuddle with Quinn in the middle. They insisted on this to keep the innocence, and Quinn wasn't going to complain. She felt safe sandwiched between them.
Friday came and they did a group number of "Say A Little Prayer" which impressed everyone, including Rachel, who gushed over Quinn's vocals.
"Your voice isn't nearly as strong as mine and certainly you don't have my range but I think you'll compliment me very well." Rachel said.
"Thanks, I think?" Quinn said and Rachel laughed.
"I apologize. I can be a bit hypercritical. You really do have a nice voice Quinn. All of you do. And that was some very good choreography. I can't wait to see what else you can do." Rachel says happily. Quinn tries desperately to hide her blush. Rachel doesn't seem to notice, but Santana does and points it out as soon as everyone else is out of earshot.
"You CANNOT be serious Quinn! Do you really like her? I mean, she's not terrible or repulsive like the boys but her? Out of all the girls in school?" Santana whispers yells.
"I don't know guys. Something about her just feels right." She looks down "I don't understand it. These feelings are scary."
"Quinnie" Brittany says quietly and the girl looks up "Those scary feelings are what I felt for San. You're scared to be vulnerable. I bet Sanny felt it too. She doesn't need to admit it." Brittany squeezes her girlfriend's hand knowing how insecure she can be "We're not judging, we're just surprised. She doesn't seem like someone you'd go for. But if that's what you want, we'll support you."
"Wow. That's really insightful Britt." Quinn smiles "I just wish I knew what I wanted."
"We're here whenever you figure it out." Brittany says, Santana nodding her agreement