Chapter 11:
The best for us
"This time I promise that we won't be interrupted." She says in a playful tone as she turns to her girlfriend who is sitting with her elbow resting on the kitchen island and observing the brunette whilst Rachel makes them smoothies. "Here you go." Rachel hands one glass to Quinn.
"Thanks." Quinn takes the glass and smiles at her girlfriend.
"This is one of the few things I can do in the kitchen, although I have to say it's pretty good." She moves closer to Quinn and pecks her on the lips.
"It is." Quinn says as she licks her lips.
"So… as I was saying…" Rachel trails off as she places her glass on the island. "We won't be interrupted this time…" She chews on her bottom lip trying to hold back her excitement but she ends up smiling anyway. Quinn's lack of enthusiasm quickly diminishes her smile as her girlfriend's reaction is not exactly the one she was expecting. "Uh… we can watch a movie if…"
"Okay…" Quinn nods, putting the glass down.
A little confused, Rachel takes her girlfriend's hand and leads them to her bedroom.
They chose a movie and settle on the bed.
As usual, not long after the movie started Rachel tries to kiss Quinn, but to her surprise Quinn seems distracted.
"Uh?"
"I said I want to kiss you."
With a frown on her face Quinn turns to her girlfriend as to look at Rachel properly.
"Do you have to ask?"
"Well… you're kind of…"
"What?"
"Distracted?"
"I'm watching the movie."
"You're acting weird."
Quinn sighs heavily. The truth is that she really didn't want to ask, but she has to. It's the best thing to do and she can't avoid this subject anymore.
"Is it because of the… breast thing?" Rachel frowns worriedly. "I'm not going to pressure you or anything."
"It's not that."
"Oh… what's wrong then?"
She takes a deep breath as she can't believe she is going to say this.
"I want you to date Finn."
Rachel smiles at her girlfriend as she thinks this is probably some kind of joke. Quinn however remains serious, with a straight face. After a moment she realizes her girlfriend is not joking and Rachel sits up on her bed.
"What?" She opens her mouth in disbelief.
"I want you to date Finn."
"Yeah. I heard that. I just really hope you're joking."
"I'm not joking… Not date date. I think you should fake date him." Quinn says as if it is the most natural thing.
"Where is this coming from?"
"Look. School is about to start."
Rachel rolls her eyes and huffs.
"No. Listen to me." Quinn sits as well. "The first days of school define the entire year. Finn is the quarterback and even though not even that is enough sometimes, at least it's something."
"Enough for what?"
"You can't be serious." Quinn stares at her girlfriend dumbfounded. "Hello! Have you forgotten about our previous years at school? The bullying? The insults? The slushies?" She whines. "Oh god…" She hides her face on her knees, wrapping her arms around her legs as she is so ashamed and regret is leaving a bitter taste on her tongue.
"Quinn…" Rachel says sweetly.
"Of course you forgot." She lifts her head, showing off her red eyes. "I wouldn't be here right?"
"It has nothing to do with that." Rachel assures firmly. "And I didn't forget. I just choose to not allow these things to bother me, I mean not too much anyway." She smiles as she becomes more relaxed. "As for the people that used to bully me and now are my friends or acquaintances at least, I don't hold any resentment towards them."
"Yeah, but…"
"You and I though…" Rachel cuts her off in a serious tone. "That's another thing entirely. Every insult that came from you used to make me feel a thousand times worse and I couldn't figure out why at that time…"
"I'm sorry." Quinn says in a sweet voice and with adoration in her eyes as she looks at her girlfriend.
"Besides…" Rachel continues. "No one else put that much effort in getting under my skin."
She moves closer and presses their lips together sweetly.
"But…" Quinn insists.
"No buts. We both know why you were obsessed with me." She smirks. "To the rest I'm just… I don't know… another loser. Don't worry, people barely remember me. And I'm not planning on hitting on anyone's boyfriend so…"
"You better not." She says petulantly and they smile at each other as Quinn caresses her girlfriend's hair. "It's not that simple…" She adds after awhile. "You saw what happened to Kurt."
"David was what happened to Kurt…" She states suggestively.
"No, it's not the same thing. I'm not David."
"I didn't say you were." Rachel interrupts her girlfriend but Quinn cuts her off.
"I would never threaten you like that. Karofsky had no excuse other than Kurt being gay. And he was not even by far the only bully in that school."
Rachel shakes her head.
"I'll do anything you want. I'll pretend we hate each other. I won't talk to you more than necessary and I won't cross any boundaries you're not comfortable with, but that's it." She waves her hand.
"Rachel…"
"Don't worry we're going to be okay."
"No! Can't you see? I know I sound like a hypocrite as I was so mean to you in the past, but I can't handle watching them doing that shit to you!" She exclaims angrily.
She cups Quinn's face with both hands caressing her face tenderly to calm her down.
"It's been ages since the last time I was slushied baby and besides we're not freshmen anymore."
"Please do it." Quinn pleads with a husky tone, in a barely there whisper.
"I'm not going to do this. I'm not going to fake date anyone. I can't do it." Rachel informs resolute.
"Sure you can. People do it all the time." She says between gritted teeth as she pulls Rachel's hands away
"When both participants are aware, Quinn!" Rachel exclaims irritated. "I'm not going to do that to Finn."
"Rach-"
"I'm not going to do this to us." She cuts Quinn off.
The pink haired girl stands up as Rachel watches her curiously.
"Where are you going?" She asks when she realizes what Quinn is intending.
"Home."
"Home?" Rachel repeats doubtful.
"Yes home." She replies irritated.
"You're going to leave like that?" Rachel gets out of her bed as well.
"I'm just giving you time to think about it." She says with a controlled voice.
"I'm not going to think about it. I'm not going to do it period."
"Why?!" Quinn shouts. "I'm just asking you for one thing god damn it! You dated him before."
"This is different can't you see it?!" Rachel cries out. "What I'm going to do when he…" She shakes her head. "Do you want me to cheat on you?"
"Of course not." Quinn replies promptly.
"So explain to me how is it going to work? Am I allowed to kiss him?"
"You kissed him before…" She says losing her resolve a little.
"What about sex? Before we broke up our relationship was progressing to that point…" She trails off as Quinn flares her nostrils and clenches her jaw.
"It's fucking Finn." She snaps as she loses her temper which means that Rachel is probably right and the two of them together is definitively going to mess with her head. "Fucking control him!"
"I'm not you."
Rachel sighs and closes her eyes as she regrets her words.
"Quinn…"
She turns on her heels and leaves the room before Rachel can stop her.
It's not that she doesn't agree that Quinn has a point and she is trying to take care of them both, but she just thinks that adding Finn into the equation is going to make things worse rather than help. Okay, maybe part of her doesn't want to manipulate him as she still cares about the boy, but mostly she is pretty sure Quinn won't be able to handle it. The fake part is all on her side of the deal, Finn won't know. To him they will be a couple again, which means they will have to do what couples do. This is so not going to work.
"Ugh!" She presses her hand aggressively on the keys of the Berry's piano frustrated. Two days have passed and Quinn is resolute, before they can see each other again Rachel has to think everything over. Only Rachel doesn't want to think about anything because her answer will be the same and she is certain that they will have yet another fight.
"Hey, be careful there." Hiram teases her.
"Hi daddy."
"Hi baby girl." He kisses the top of her head. "So, what's bothering my little princess?"
Rachel smiles and turns around to look at Hiram.
"Nothing important." She shrugs.
"You were molesting our piano, I think it's important." He pokes her playfully, sitting by her side.
"I don't know I jus-"
"Hiram!"
It's not that she is happy that she is hiding for the first time something from her dads, but as Leroy comes in she can't help but be relieved.
"Yes honey?"
"Off to the kitchen we have a dinner to prepare."
Hiram makes a funny face, kisses her one more time and stands up.
"Right away sir!" He says mockingly.
Rachel giggles and turns to Leroy. "Hi dad."
"Hi sweetheart." Much like Hiram, Leroy goes and kisses his daughter tenderly.
"What's up?" She asks noticing the bags Leroy is holding.
"Oh, we're having dinner with the guys here. We kind of liked that night we had that impromptu dinner in here."
She nods.
"So we decided to do it again, only we're cooking this time."
"That's wonderful." She smiles at him but then the smile vanishes as a thought occurs to her. "You guys are not hiding, are you? You shouldn't change anything in your day to day life because of stupid people." She frowns deeply.
"Isn't she our pride?" Leroy addresses to his husband as his smile spreads across his face. "No little star. We're not. We are never going to hide who we are or who we love and that includes our friends."
"That's right." Hiram nods in reassurance.
"We just want to show off my amazing cooking abilities."
"So humble." Hiram mumbles playfully.
"Should I be jealous? Cause you should only cook for me." Rachel says half serious. Well, she is his baby girl after all.
"Are you over with the vegan phase?" Leroy arches a brow inquiringly.
"It's not a phase!" She says outraged.
"So I guess you'll have to share me. I like cooking real food sometimes darling." He teases her.
"Vegan food is real food."
"Okay, I understand the no bacon policy, but I need eggs and cheese and all these things normal people eat."
"Normal people?" She opens her mouth dramatically. "Daddy, please defend me."
"I like cheese." Hiram grimaces guilty.
"In my own house." She crosses her arms defeated.
"We love you; vegan or not." Leroy kisses her cheek. "Now come and help us."
She smiles as she shakes her head amused.
"Of course dad."
So she easily follows the two men into the kitchen; she really needs a distraction right now.
Like everything that involves the Berrys, the cooking is filled with laughter and happiness and of course, music. In the end they manage to prepare everything in time.
"That must be them."
Leroy warns the two other Berrys as Hiram and Rachel are setting the table.
"Daddy?"
"Yes dear." Hiram replies absently as Leroy walks away and towards the front door.
"Do you think sometimes we need to do something we don't want to do but we have to do because otherwise you know you're going to lose something that is very important to you?"
"That's a very vague question uh?" He says playfully. "It's always good to be ourselves and do what we want to do, when we want to do, but sometimes we can't. Is this about a solo?" He teases and she rolls her eyes.
"I'm being serious daddy."
"Something is bothering you and you're being evasive about it, but it's okay I trust you and I know you'll come to me when you need to. To answer your question, yes, sometimes we need to conceal." He rubs her shoulder. "It doesn't mean you should erase yourself nor do something that goes against your principles." He winks at her and holds her hand. "Okay?" She nods at him. "Now, let's go greet the guys."
Not long after and they are all sitting at the table having dinner and enjoying a pleasant night with friends.
"So Rachel where's that lovely friend of yours?" Kate asks to a giggling Rachel as she is sitting in front of the younger Berry.
"Kurt?" Rachel frowns confused she doesn't remember introducing the fashionable boy to Kate. "Busy with his dreamy boyfriend probably." She sips on her water as she smiles at Kate. "I have to call him by the way." She adds.
"I'm happy you and Burt's son are getting along so well, but I'm talking about the pretty lady you introduced us to the other day."
"The Fabray girl." Alice clarifies bitterly.
"Quinn." Rachel says calmly, ignoring Alice's tone as Kate nods with a smile. "She is fine. She really liked you by the way."
"She seemed to be a nice girl." On her side, Mary steps in looking at Alice out of the corner of her eye.
"She is. Quinn is… sometimes she is a little hard to deal with and she is definitely a reserved person but, she's a very good friend." Rachel explains mirthfully.
"I thought you didn't like her. Wasn't she the girl who stole your boyfriend?" Alice asks intrigued.
"Actually I did it first. Finn was her boyfriend before he was mine."
"A boyfriend that she wasn't particularly fond of, wasn't Noah the father of her child after all?" Leroy questions her rhetorically.
God knows how she respects and loves her dad, but she feels all her blood going to her head as she takes a deep breath to calm herself down.
"I thought we were over with the whole judging Quinn thing. She is my friend now. Is it that hard to understand?" She says in a serious tone looking at Leroy who is sitting at the opposite end of the table.
"She bullied you Rachel, I don't live here and I know what she's done. I can only imagine what it was like for your dads to deal with it." Alice interjects.
"It wasn't that bad." She shrugs. "I was chasing after Finn."
"She used to bully you before that." Leroy points out.
"How do you know about that?'
"You told us. You showed us the comments she left on your videos."
"I didn't say it was Quinn."
"Pretty blonde cheerleader."
"It could've been someone else." She mumbles.
"Honey I just want you to be careful that's all…"
"Quinn has been raised to be a good Christian girl, Russell's perfect daughter. You have no idea what it was like to be her. She was sixteen. She made mistakes, but she has learned a lot. She is still just a teenager…" She presses her lips in a thin line thoughtful. "She doesn't open up easily, but I know she is sad because of Beth." She looks around the table. "She needs a friend. And I'll be there for her."
"Okay." Leroy nods as Hiram squeezes her hand, proud all over his face.
"She is very lucky to have you as her friend." Mary tells Rachel. "And I'm proud of you. It's hard to forgive, but I think it can only be good in the end."
"Mary is right." Michael smiles in sympathy.
Rachel nods; she knows that Mary is also a much forgiven person.
"So, I know I'm only sixteen, but I want to know. How are the investigations going?"
"Alice is the best lawyer in this town honey and she is not going to let the police rest until those sick men are in jail." Hiram informs her calmly.
"Seems like something you'd say to me when I was six." She says annoyed.
Mary places a soothing hand on Rachel's thigh and squeezes it tenderly.
"It's true though. Don't worry okay?"
"Is everything okay?" Rachel asks with a little sadness in her voice.
"Yes. I was a very lucky woman. Things could've been a lot worst."
"I know."
###
She has never been into this kind of pastime, to her every hour she spends doing nothing is a waste of her time. She can have leisure activities after her life goals have been accomplished, but until then every single minute must be spent doing something productive. So sitting on the grass watching people having fun in the park is a total waste of her precious time. Unless, of course, if Quinn's lips are involved and maybe also her tongue, because God damn it! It's the damn Fourth of July every time Quinn kisses her.
Only she has a feeling that kissing is not going to be happening now, especially when she sees the look on Quinn's face as the pink haired girl approaches her.
"Hey." She says trying to force a smile.
"Hey." Quinn replies in a low voice as she sits by Rachel's side.
Rachel chuckles and averts her eyes, looking forward at nothing in particular.
"We're back to the cold treatment…"
"We're in a public place." Quinn says nonchalantly.
"It didn't stop you on the fourth of July…"
"It was dark and people were drunk."
She sighs, fingers fidgeting with the grass.
"I want to apologize for what I said to you. I keep saying I have forgiven you but then I throw something from the past at you." She looks down at her own hand. "I'm sorry."
"You were right."
"I was not." Rachel replies firmly and turns to her girlfriend. "Quinn, I know you said you want me to think everything over but-"
"It was a stupid idea." Quinn cuts her off.
"I- what?" Rachel asks confused.
Rachel wasn't the only one thinking. The two days she spent away from her girlfriend were awful. She actually wanted to see Rachel as soon as she stepped foot inside her house in the night they fought. She also learned that she hates fighting with Rachel which is funny because in the past she sort of used to seek for these little moments of passion. Because, yes, their interactions never lacked passion, only, back then this passion was used wrongly, mostly in the form of stupid arguments.
"I mean I never thought one day I was going to be asking you to date Finn."
More confused than ever Rachel opens her mouth a few times before she finally speaks.
"You mean…?"
"I just wanted to make sure you were going to be protected."
"I know Quinn, but... Let's just see what happens…"
Running her fingers through her hair, Quinn exhales heavily and nods her head still not looking directly at her girlfriend.
"Are you going to look at me?" Rachel asks as she notices that Quinn is avoiding eye contact and she knows why. Quinn's eyes are a dead giveaway to her emotions. She has the most expressive eyes Rachel has ever seen, so whether she is okay or not Rachel can tell only by looking at those beautiful hazel orbs. On the outside she can show a cold façade, but she can never fool Rachel as long as the brunette manages to look into her eyes.
"I am looking at you." Quinn looks her way quickly.
Rachel smiles at her fondly and cupping her girlfriend's cheek she makes Quinn look at her so she can lock their eyes onto each other.
"Now you are."
"It's just… first your dads' friends and then…" She sighs as she knows Rachel won't like it that she saw the Skanks even if in reality it wasn't her that searched for their company. "Mack told me she saw us in here. She didn't see anything compromising, but anyway… it's just that…" She snorts in frustration as her hands run into her hair. "Everything sunk in, school, my parents… and also I had lots of awful dreams and I just got worried about you and your safety. I'm rambling."
"Yeah." Rachel teases her as she bumps their shoulders onto each other.
"I'm serious." Quinn says in a low voice.
"And I want to kiss you."
Completely unable to hold back her smile, that one smile that makes Rachel feel butterflies in her belly, that makes her feel so special because she knows she is fortunate for seeing it and more yet for putting it on Quinn's lips, the pink haired girl presses her forehead on her knee.
"When you say things like that, it's… I don't know… surreal."
"Why so? Who wouldn't want to kiss you?"
"Well, I once thought you wouldn't, those were awful days." She smiles shyly.
"Okay, now I really want to kiss you." Rachel pouts.
"My car?" Quinn inquires hopefully.
"Sure."
After a good amount of time making out inside Quinn's car, Rachel gets back home and as soon as she steps foot in her house with a silly smile plastered on her face Hiram inquires her about the turnaround in her demeanor.
"Nothing daddy." She beams happily. "I just had a very pleasant afternoon with a friend."
He narrows his eyes suspiciously.
"Are you and Finn getting back together?"
He was a teenager once, he knows what that smile means. He also knows his daughter pretty well, or so he thinks.
"What?" She frowns annoyed, although nothing can really ruin her mood now. "No. We're not. I'm just in a good mood, that's all." She kisses him quickly and heads off to her bedroom.
Even though she knows Quinn still has some unresolved things she can't help but feel at ease. She knows her girlfriend will eventually be comfortable enough to open up her heart to her and talk about that delicate subject. The thing they never talk about.
The B word.
For now, the most important thing is that they have each other.
"I have to say, I'm finding it really weird that you really did dump him."
"I didn't dump him Kurt. I just said I didn't want us to get back together. And why are you so surprised? We talked about this in New York."
"I know, I know… I just…"
"You didn't believe me."
She stops and stares at him. They're shopping again, because Kurt needs to renew his closet as their return to school is approaching. As he pointed it out he has his fashion reputation to take care of.
"I did, but you know… you have been a little Finn crazy since it all has started, glee club that is. Plus, there was the kiss." He clarifies.
"He kissed me." She points it out and shrugs. "It's different now."
"Good for you. I mean, I like Finn. And I like you guys together too."
She glares at him.
"I do." He says defensively. "Okay, sometimes you kind of lose yourself and I confess that the version of Rachel that I like the most is the Finnless Rachel. And you know why?"
He inquires her as she shakes her head amused.
"Because she doesn't spend her time complaining about stuff Finn does or doesn't do."
"I wasn't that bad."
"Yeah right… let's go." He intertwines their arms and they start walking again. "We have to rescue my boyfriend."
Moments later and they are entering in the shopping's newest game zone.
"Dude hit him!"
They hear Finn's voice before they approach their friends. The trio is gathered in front of a fight game platform.
"I'm trying!" Blaine laughs as his eyes are glazed at the screen in front of him and his fingers are hitting random buttons franticly.
"Like he has a chance." Puck disdains, just as Blaine's character hits him with a special.
"Wow!" Finn shouts. "What were you saying Puckerman?"
"Whatever. That was just luck."
"Hey guys!" Kurt announces their presence and as Blaine gets distracted Puck defeats him.
"Yes!" The boy with the Mohawk shouts animatedly.
"Hey." Blaine kisses Kurt's cheek.
"Hey Kurt, hey Rach." Puck greets the pair of friends. "I'm going to try another game. See ya." He walks away.
"Hey Rach." Finn says awkwardly.
"Hello Finn."
"Uh… I'm going to…" He points his thumb toward where Noah has gone.
"Sure…" She waves her hand shyly.
"That was weird." Blaine states.
"Long story; I tell you later." Kurt says in a low voice and only for him to hear. "Who wants some ice cream?" He suggests beaming.
"Lead the way." Blaine says smiling joyfully.
Sitting near the shopping's mall fountain and enjoying her vegan ice cream Rachel smiles from ear to ear when she feels her phone buzzing on her purse. She knows who is texting her. She takes her phone out quickly.
Quinn: I'm half way to calling the police to arrest this girl for public indecency
Rachel chuckles and starts testing back.
Rachel: what?
Quinn: she is eating an ice cream and I'm gonna tell you, it should be illegal the way she's looking so sexy right now…
Rachel looks around, scanning the area and searching for any trace of pink hair in the vicinity.
Rachel: really?
Quinn: yep
Quinn: which is weird cause she has this fashion's choices that makes her look like an infant sometimes… omg! Am I a peado?"
"I have not!" She says a little louder than she intended.
"Who you're talking to?" Kurt asks curious.
"My dad." She gets shocked with the easiness she spilled the lie, but gets back to her phone anyway.
Rachel: I have not!
Quinn: You? Who's talking about you?
Rachel: Haha
Rachel: where are you?
Rachel: Ps: you think I'm sexy
Quinn: I think you're beautiful
She twists her nose and bites her bottom lip as she is getting flushed.
Quinn: and yes, sexy too
Quinn: I'm going to buy some cds, meet me at the parking lot later?
Rachel: Quinn, it's just Kurt and Blaine…
Quinn: Alright see U
Rachel: :)
"Done?" Kurt inquires suspiciously.
"Yes." She says petulantly.
"Your ice cream is melting." Blaine warns her making her smile. She resumes her task and gets back to her ice cream. "I don't know about you guys, but I want another one." He informs as he stands up. "Do you guys want something?" He asks them.
"I'm fine." Rachel answers as she is still eating her ice cream.
"Me too. Just bring me a bottle of water please." He winks at his boyfriend flirtatiously. "Okay."
Blaine turns around and stops in his track annoyed.
"Oh look. The gay crusade."
They hear Azimio's unpleasant voice.
"Just ignore him." Kurt asks.
"Have you noticed how daring these losers are getting?" He addresses to his friends. The footballers laugh mockingly. There are two others with Azimio and the absence of David is not unnoticed by Kurt.
Blaine turns around to face Rachel and his boyfriend.
"Are you guys going to be okay?"
"Yes, surely they're not here to do anything stupid," Rachel frowns at the trio in front of them. "Although I'm a little confused as to why they're even here." She adds gesturing her hands.
"None of your business bitch." He snaps. "You were better with that hot outfit…" He says in disdain as he rakes over her body. "At least we had something to entertain us." He taps his friend's chest, as the other two boys smirk by his side.
"Watch your mouth asshole; don't talk to her like that."
"Oooh." The two others tease him.
She might be different, but she certainly still knows how to channel her HBIC attitude. They glare at her as she moves in front of them, crossing her arms in a forceful manner.
"Why do you care? Is she your girlfriend or something?" He says mockingly, he didn't recognize her.
Oh no…
Rachel starts panicking.
But despite her racing heart and the sweat in her hands, Quinn manages to remain complete impassive.
"That's the best you can do?" She says annoyed. "Just get lost."
"Oh baby you don't get to tell me what to do. Unless…" He gets closer to her and Rachel is by her side in the snap of a finger followed by Kurt and Blaine.
"Quinn, just ignore them…" Rachel holds her girlfriend's arms protectively.
"Fabray?" Azimio looks at the pink haired girl more attentively. "I'm impressed." He then moves his eyes to Rachel's hand and the brunette releases Quinn's arms right away. She is pretty sure Quinn is going to freak out later; they don't need to give him more ammunition.
"Something wrong here?" out of the blue Finn gets by Rachel's side protectively.
"Oh look, the captain of the freaks."
"Are you guys okay?" Finn looks at his ex girlfriend as Rachel nods her head.
"Let's go guys." Azimio nods his head in annoyance and the trio leaves.
"What did he want?" The tall boy asks after Azimio and his friends are out of sight.
"Does it matter?" Kurt huffs irritated. "He is an idiot."
"Yeah. Guess he just wanted to provoke us." Blaine adds.
"Okay. Uh Kurt?" Finn turns to his step brother as Rachel eyes are focused on Quinn. "Can you give me some money?" He asks guiltily.
"Fine." Kurt rolls his eyes.
"I guess I'll get going." Quinn informs as they all stare at her intensely taking in the sight of her new look, the hair, the clothes and the piercing.
"Already?" Rachel asks.
"Yeah, stay with us a little." Kurt asks friendly.
"Thank you for the offer. But I really have to go." She licks her lips nervously glancing at them all. "I… Bye." She adds awkwardly.
Without another word she leaves them and they all watch her go in astonishment.
"And there she goes." Kurt states still a little shocked. "We definitely need to talk about that." He points to the rushed pink haired girl.
"Uh… I just remembered I need to go too."
"What? Why?" Kurt and Blaine say at the same time.
"My dads." She informs lamely. "Uh… See you guys later okay?"
"But we're your ride back." Blaine states confused.
"They're waiting for me already." She kisses both of them quickly. "Bye guys."
She left the boys in a rush and ran toward the parking lot right away. She wanted to catch Quinn before she could leave.
"Quinn, please wait!"
She calls out to her girlfriend, a few steps ahead Quinn is walking towards her car. She stops with her back turned to Rachel and sighs.
"I…" Rachel places herself in front of her girlfriend, waiting for her breathing to return to normal again.
"That's what is going to happen…" She says upset.
"He was just messing with you."
"Once school starts it's going to get worst."
"Quinn."
"No!" She shouts angrily. "Can't you see? I'm not going to stay passive and watch them mess with you." She raises her hands and brings them back down, hitting her own thighs. "I literally can't." She says through gritted teeth. "They'll figure out!"
"What you mean? What do you want to do?" Rachel asks in desperation.
"I don't know..."
Rachel nods sadly.
"Come on. I'll take you home."
"You don't have to." She says in a low voice.
"I'm your girlfriend. Of course I have to."
"I don't want to be an inconvenience; I can get back and go with the boys."
Rachel says hurtful as she is not very pleased with Quinn's tone.
"You don't want me to take you home?" Quinn frowns worriedly.
"That's not what I said…"
"What's the matter then?"
"I don't know… you seem to be mad at me." Rachel averts her eyes, tugging her hair behind her ear.
"I'm not." Quinn snaps. "Look, just get in the car okay?"
Without another word Rachel walks towards the car and as Quinn unlocks it, she opens the door and gets inside the car silently.
Watching her girlfriend's every move Quinn gets in the car as well and drives out of the parking lot.
"You're going to stay like this?" Quinn says after minutes of a loud silence.
"Like what?" Rachel replies, eyes gazing out the window.
"Never mind."
She sighs and looks at her girlfriend; she doesn't even know why she is acting like this. She hates when people do something for her only because they have to. Basically her relationship with Finn was full of moments where he did things because he had to do.
"You don't have to do things for me just because you're my girlfriend."
Quinn opens her mouth in confusion, taking time to process what Rachel said. But then it finally dawned on her.
"You thought I wanted to take you home because I felt like it was my obligation? Is that why you're upset?"
"Uh…" Rachel looks at her hands not sure what to say.
"That's ridiculous."
"Why?" She asks angrily.
Quinn shakes her head incredulous. She remains quiet for awhile as they are almost approaching Rachel's house, when they finally arrive and she stops the car in front of the house, she takes off the seatbelt and turns to her girlfriend.
"First of all, it's my obligation because I want it to be my obligation. I want to take care of you. But no that's not why I'm here. I'm here because I want to be."
"I… sorry, it was stupid of me."
"It was." She says teasingly. "Also, I wanted to do this." She leans forward and presses their lips together.
Rachel smiles into the kiss, her dads far away in her mind, but before the kiss can get more heated, Quinn pulls away, although she stays pretty close.
"Come in?" Rachel whispers as she rubs her nose on Quinn's chin.
"I thought your dads were home?"
"They are." She rolls her eyes. Being Saturday night she could only expect two healthy adults would want to go out, but she isn't that lucky tonight. "But…"
"Rachel…"
The big problem is that they are moving on in the physical department. They haven't done anything really daring and Rachel has yet to get to second base, but locking the door every time Quinn visits is far too suspicious and not locking the door is far too dangerous.
"I know bu-" She stops mid sentence when she spots a familiar car getting closer to her house. "That's my dads' friends."
They pull away from each other and Rachel gets out of the car to greet the two women.
"Hi Rachel." Mary greets her happily.
"Hi." Rachel replies.
The older brunette tilts her head and looking at Quinn she waves her hand in greeting.
"Hi Quinn."
"Hi." Quinn waves back.
"Hello." Alice wraps her arms around Mary.
"So… uh." Rachel turns to her girlfriend; she places her hands on the door and leans forward, her head practically inside the car through the window. "I see you later okay." Quinn nods as Alice watches them with narrowed eyes "I'll call you." Rachel adds in a whisper.
"We tried to take these two out, but they're like old people."
"That's because they are."
Rachel says playfully as she is on her way to the kitchen, she just left her bedroom. She is already dressed in her pajamas and is going to get a glass of water, because she is thirsty, not because of anything else.
"Hey!" Hiram protests. "I'm not."
"Yes we know you're not. You're practically a child sometimes." Leroy teases his husband.
"I resent that."
"You guys want something from the kitchen?" Rachel asks politely. She goes to the coffee table and starts taking out the empty glasses.
"Wait, I'll help you." Mary stands up from the couch and helps her out.
"Looking at this scene she could almost fool an audience." Hiram mocks her daughter, because Rachel doing anything domestic? Not that they care in the slightest, they spoiled their daughter with delight.
"I resent that daddy." She says fidgeting outrage.
She and Mary walk away towards the kitchen.
"Can I ask you something?" Rachel asks as she places the glasses on the kitchen island and observers the older brunette, Mary nods her head. "Is it difficult?"
"What?"
"You know…" Rachel draws her lips into her mouth eagerly. "Living here in Lima?"
Mary turns around and looks at the brunette girl more attentively.
"Why?"
"I mean. Because…" Rachel trails off embarrassed.
"Oh!" Mary realizes what Rachel meant. "You mean because I'm a lesbian."
Rachel nods shyly.
"Not so much anymore. I mean, it was awful when I was a teenager and lived under my parent's thumb. Besides it was more difficult back then I guess."
"I suppose."
"I think it was harder for Alice. My parents weren't that supportive, but they certainly weren't like her parents."
"They didn't accept her?" Rachel questions curious.
"They still don't." Mary smiles sadly as old memories come to mind. "When I met her at college, she was the girl who did everything to please her parents. Alice just came to terms with her sexuality in college." She smiles nostalgic. "Not in the first semester though. And I wasn't her first. First woman that is."
She pouts making Rachel smile. Suddenly the thought of being Quinn's first makes her heart practically sing in utter happiness.
"But she loves you. That's what matters right?"
"That's right. Even though I could've been her first."
"What do you mean?" Rachel frowns confused.
"Alice was a little scared of her feelings for me. It's not that I didn't want to wait for her, I don't know… I just started dating another girl." She grimaces. "I don't regret but… I know I hurt her a little."
"Oh…" Rachel nods, eyes fixed on Mary. She has heard about their story, but not in that much detail, maybe because she was a child after all. "I'd never guess. She seems so certain about… you know?" Mary nods attentively. "She is so invested in gay rights and everything."
"So much has changed…" She smiles from ear to ear. "She certainly has. She is pretty strong now, but she was once very controlled by her parents. She even dated a guy because of them." Mary clenches her jaw as she tries to remain controlled.
"Really?"
"Yeah…" She huffs. "We were dating at the time."
"What?" Rachel gasps surprised. "What did you do?"
"I just accepted it."
"Wow… It must have been awful to you."
"Yeah. But I loved her. She needed to do that."
"What you mean?"
"I knew Alice was going to be a great lawyer. She couldn't leave college." She sighs. "And if to placate her parent's demands and stop the rumors she had to date that guy so I wouldn't stand in her way."
"I see."
"I would do anything for her."
Rachel tugs her hair behind her ear thoughtfully.
"I'm going to go to bed now."
"Sure sweetie. I hope I didn't annoy you with my lesbian drama."
"Of course not." She shakes her head vehemently. "I was the one asking."
Mary kisses Rachel's cheek. "Alright then. Good night."
"Good night."
With her mind in overdrive she heads off to her bedroom and as soon as she can, she calls Quinn.
"Hey." She greets her girlfriend as soon as she opens the door, and as her parents are out at work, they have the house to themselves.
"Hey." Quinn walks in and presses their lips together. With their lips still locked Rachel reaches out and closes the door. She knows what is making Quinn act like this, not that she is complaining because she loves kissing her girlfriend. But even though they've not been together for a long time she knows the difference between their kisses. Right now Quinn is showing her who she belongs to.
After the talk she had with Mary, Rachel called her girlfriend and she said that she understands Quinn's request and that they should talk about that.
They pull away from each other breathless. Eyes hungrily locked into each other. Rachel gulps, trying to control her breathing, Quinn's mouth on her forehead and her hands on her hips.
"We should…" She trails off.
Quinn nods.
They go to Rachel's bedroom and as Rachel closes the door Quinn sits on the edge of the bed. Rachel goes towards her girlfriend and cupping her cheek, she kisses her passionately. Quinn holds Rachel's waist and ducks her head to deepen the kiss. She pulls her girlfriend into her and Rachel straddles her, never disconnecting their lips. They lay down on the mattress as their tongues move with each other and their quiet moans fill the room.
After awhile Rachel pulls away and stares down at her girlfriend.
"I still think it's not a good idea."
"I know." Quinn caresses Rachel's arms and gets in a sitting position. "I know you think I'm a coward because I don't want my mother to find out-"
"Hey." Rachel presses their lips together. "I do not. And I still haven't told my fathers remember?"
Quinn cups Rachel neck and pulls her into another heated kiss.
"Do it for us. Do it for me. It's just for the beginning. I just need to make sure you're going to be okay."
"Are you going to be okay? I mean I couldn't stand it if you're started dating Noah for example."
"Am I going to like it? No. But like I said, it's only temporary." She pecks Rachel's lips. "We're just doing what's best for us."
Rachel nods without enthusiasm, she still thinks fake dating Finn is not a good idea, but she is going to try it anyway. Like Quinn said it's temporary, so they can test the waters and see how things are going to be on their senior year. Really she is doing it for Quinn, and okay, maybe part of her is doing this for her dads, for her family.
But above all things she doesn't trust Quinn's parents. Not even Judy, although something tells her that Judy is going to surprise both of them, but until then, she is going to do everything to protect her girlfriend. And also, she knows Quinn is destined for greatness. And Rachel can smell talent right? She just needs to make Quinn believe in herself.
She is just doing what is best for them.
So? How was it? talk to me.