A/N: Did it really take me two years for me to finally update? Maybe. Do I care? Not really because quarantine is driving everyone insane and got me back on Glee... again owo
Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Glee.
Rachel: Hey. Haven't really heard from you the past week. I just hope you're doing alright. I hope we can still be friends, kind of. I guess I'll see you at school.
Rachel turned off her phone and sighed, leaning back against the passenger seat of her Daddy's car.
"Everything alright, sweetheart?" LeRoy asked, not taking his eyes off the road.
"I-I'm fine, Daddy. Just a little worried about Quinn."
"You two have been pretty close this whole summer. Texting and calling each other whenever you're not visiting each other."
Rachel softly laughed, fiddling with her phone as she looked at it in hopes of a reply. "We kind of promised each other. Make up the lost time as friends."
"Friends?"
"You know what I mean, Daddy."
The man laughed as he could have sworn he saw his daughter rolling her eyes at his comment. He pulled up to the front of the school. "Well do tell when you see her. You must be worried sick to not hear from her for just a week."
"I will, Daddy." She gave him a gentle peck on the cheek before getting out of the car and into the school. She took in a deep breath, nervous of what's to come for her senior year. She looked at her schedule that had her locker number and combination.
She walked towards it and found a large patch of pink leaning against where it should be. Short pink hair, something that wouldn't be seen in McKinley. The girl in question was wearing a black tank top with the bottom rolled up to reveal her midriff. She wore black leggings that hugged her legs and over it was a ripped jeans skirt. Black combat boots covered her feet and she could have sworn she saw black nail polish on the girl's fingertips.
Rachel walked up to the girl and cleared her throat. "U-um... Excuse me. I think you're kind of blocking my- oh my G-" She stopped herself and froze when the girl turned, revealing familiar hazel eyes outlined with thick eyeliner. "Q-Quinn..." She eyed the girl, trying to connect the back of the person she saw and her friend.
Quinn took note of her confusion and simply smiled before leaning against the diva's locker again, chewing the piece of gum in her mouth. "Hey, Rach. Like what you see?"
"Y-you... I just... Quinn?" Rachel was completely speechless. Hearing the blonde speak connected all of the pieces and she had no idea how to process it.
Quinn shrugged. "Just trying a new look. Took me a few days since I still can't wash my hair without getting pink all over my towels. What do you think?"
"I... have no idea what to say. Which is a first because I always have something to say, but this... Oh my Barbra, was this why you haven't replied to my texts all week?"
"Half. Definitely half." She noticed the guilt crashing over the young diva and her smile soon faded, now guilty for not responding. "Hey. I should've said something. I just couldn't... I... I guess I got nervous. That was our first-"
Rachel nodded, not wanting her to finish the sentence with other students around them. "Kind of my fault since I initiated it..."
Quinn stopped her. "No... Just no. You should not apologize for doing what you did to answer what I've been asking all summer. Do you understand me, Rachel Berry?"
The brunette tensed at the girl's tone but gave a small nod. "I-I understand completely, Quinn."
The blonde took in a deep breath before nodding. "Okay. But don't forget it, Rach. I really mean it."
"I know..." Rachel looked at the pink locks before reaching out to touch it, taking in how soft Quinn's hair is to the touch despite the dye. "I always thought red or yellow was your color. But pink does seem to suit you."
Quinn shrugged. "It's temporary. I can switch to permanent if you want."
"What will Sue say about it?"
This earn a small groan. "Shit. I forgot about that."
"Auditions are today for those who haven't done it over the summer from what I've heard. I've also heard that Santana will be commenting..." Her gaze went back to the pink.
Quinn let out another groan at the realization that her best friend will not pass up the opportunity to make fun of her hair. "She'll say I look like an edgy Strawberry Shortcake."
"More like cotton candy dropped onto the road," the Latina in question said as she walked past the two with Brittany by her side.
"There it is."
"Three boys broke up with their girlfriends when they saw you, Quinn!" Brittany called from down the hall.
Rachel puffed up her cheeks at the call before pulling down Quinn's tank top to hide her midriff. Quinn swatted her hands away. "Hey. Warn me next time," she teased, only to make the diva red. "Jealous?"
"You wish, Fabray. Ugh. Now I know how Finn felt when I had that stupid Britney getup."
Quinn raised an eyebrow and folded her arms. "I found it cute. And just to let you know, I had to look away during glee club because I'm pretty sure I might have stolen you from Finn if I looked any longer."
This only made Rachel redder. "Oh, please, Quinn. Just keep it down for now. At least when we're in the halls so boys don't ogle at you and your new look."
Quinn laughed, sensing extreme jealousy from the brunette before being playfully pushed to the side so said girl could get into her locker.
"Does she have a name?" Rachel took Quinn's silence as confusion, especially when she noticed the blonde bit her lower lip in thought. "This new look."
"Lucy."
Rachel stopped and looked at her friend, surprised at how quick she was to respond and the name she chose. "Wait really?"
Quinn gave a shy nod, her cheeks turning a rosy pink. "I think I might have done this look if I wasn't going to go through the bitchy Head cheerleader route. Look fierce enough to keep people away."
"Well I do hope that Lucy enjoys herself while you dress as her. But you promised to rejoin Cheerios so I don't want to see Lucy until we know it's okay for her to come out."
"Yes, mom~" Quinn teased, only to receive another playful push. She scrunched up her nose and smiled as Rachel playfully rolled her eyes.
Quinn ignored the stares from everyone in the cafeteria as she poked at her salad. She took a bite and noticed everyone at her table was also staring at her. "What?"
They didn't say a word, not taking their eyes off of her shoulder touching Rachel's and the familiar red, white and black ensemble she changed into. Only four of them didn't seem to mind as much, but they were still surprised at how close the two were.
She was aware of the shock, but pretended it was normal. "Is this because of my hair?"
"Not entirely…" Tina murmured as she couldn't take her eyes off the touching shoulders. She looked at Mercedes. "Did I miss something here?"
"I'd tell you if I even knew, girl," Mercedes said before looking at Rachel. She gave the smaller diva a look that read "You are telling us your answer when lunch gets out."
Rachel sunk down in her seat but Quinn grabbed her arm to keep her up, fearful she might fall out of her chair. She waved off the looks. "You're embarrassing her. If she sunk any deeper, she'll be under the table."
"So was that-" Puck gestured towards the pink hair, "-Rachel's idea?"
"Nope. All me. Rach didn't even know until this morning. You should've seen the look on her face." She was greeted by a smack to the arm by the diva, making her laugh at the girl's red face. "What? I just wanted to see that shocked face of yours when I did this."
"I just wish you could've told me last week. I wouldn't be freaking out like this if you did."
Quinn let out a sigh before resting a hand on Rachel's face, ignoring the slacked jaws of the others on the table. "I'm sorry, okay? But I'll make it up to you by dyeing my hair back tonight, okay? Maybe leave a stripe to keep a little bit of Lucy."
"You will?"
"Of course. Whatever makes you comfortable."
"And whatever makes us uncomfortable," Santana said with a grimace," Q, we're bleaching your hair now if you're gonna be like that with Streisand."
The blonde rolled her eyes before letting go of the diva. "You're just upset I'm Head Cheerio again. Jealous?"
"Not for long once I beat your ass and overthrow you again."
"Bring it, Lopez." Quinn couldn't help but to wink at her friend, knowing the two of them will continue their banter throughout the rest of their high school life.
Rachel felt an arm link with hers when she walked out of Chemistry, only to be Quinn. "Oh, hi. Were you waiting for me?"
"Maybe. My class was just down the hall so it's not hard to pick you up for glee. Hope you don't mind."
"Not really," the diva beamed as they continued the walk. She noticed a few people quickly moved out of her way, not realizing it was Quinn glaring and scowling at anyone who dared to approach the diva. She turned to look at the blonde who simply smiled at her. "Wonder why everyone is avoiding us."
Quinn shrugged. "Who knows?" she asked innocently," So I have a question this time, Rach."
"Yes?"
"Should we make us a… thing?" Quinn quickly jerked her head away when the diva's snapped towards her after looking away. She nervously bit her lower lip, unsure how the brunette would react. "W-we don't have to if you're not ready, Rachel." She was stopped by the shorter girl.
"Quinn. Are you ready?" Judging by the pink tint in the blonde's cheeks, Rachel already knew the answer. She took in a deep breath. "Tell you what. My answer is yes, but-" she quickly stopped the Cheerio from reacting," -to make sure we are perfectly fine to be together in school, let's take it slow. We're different from Santana and Brittany so it might give everyone whiplash if we start kissing in the hallways so soon."
This received a small nod. "I guess so…" She looked back at the brunette. "So… what do you think we should do to start?" she asked, hopeful.
Rachel couldn't help but to feel her heart flutter, seeing how it's not often to see the headstrong cheerleader take suggestions in relationships. When it came to Finn and Sam, she didn't hesitate to be in charge and order them around when needed. She always set boundaries around them and when to start being intimate in school. So seeing her allow Rachel to set rules was adorable and showed how affectionate and vulnerable she can be around the diva.
"Well. If you want to start as soon as possible, how about this?" She pulled her arm away from Quinn's before taking her hand, making sure their fingers intertwine. "No one would mind too much about this and we can work our way up from there. And in the choir room, we can sit together like this. Okay?"
"I'd like that…"
The two walked into the choir room where they found Mercedes and Kurt at the piano. They ignored the knowing looks in the two's eyes as they stared at their intertwined fingers. Mercedes smiled at Quinn. "Wanna close the door and tell us everything that has happened, Quinn?" she teased, making the blonde's cheeks as pink as her hair.
Before either of the two could answer, Kurt was already behind them, closing the door and making his way to Mercedes's side. "Talk. We want to hear everything before the others come in. And it's unfair that Santana and Brittany already know."
The new couple exchanged looks before Rachel held up their connected hands. "I said yes." They braced themselves when their fellow divas' eyes widened at the response. They were soon greeted with excited squeals and hugs from the two in the room, making them laugh and squeal as well.
"Finally! Oh my God, you do not know how long we've waited for this!" Mercedes said as she pulled away from Quinn. "Is that why your hair is pink?"
"Well yes and no. I just thought it would be nice to do this and surprise Rach. Well. I had to change out of my Lucy clothes when she had me rejoin the Cheerios." Quinn scrunched up her nose when she was pushed at the shoulder by her new girlfriend.
"Oh my God, you two are adorable together," Kurt teased," So. Is that why you were squished together all day? Because Rachel gave her answer?"
"Being around Quinn all summer makes me get used to it… and yes," Rachel added shyly.
"Is it wrong, though?" Quinn inquired, an eyebrow raised as if to challenge the two.
"Of course not. We're happy for you, Quinn. You look happy. Genuinely happy."
Quinn couldn't help but to smile at this, knowing the boy was one of the most helpful when it came to her accepting her feelings. The four decided to take their seats, seeing how the school's biggest gossips wanted to hear everything that led to the new couple's agreement. Quinn had her arms wrapped around Rachel as she leaned against the small diva as a way to get closer to the other two, Rachel paying no mind to the action and easing into her hold.
The doors to the choir room opened as the rest of the glee club slowly made their way in. The four noticed everyone shooting confused and surprised looks their way when they saw Quinn draping herself over Rachel as if it was normal but the couple paid no heed to the stares. Finn was the last one to enter with Puck and he froze when he saw his two ex-girlfriends all over each other.
He slowly made his way towards the two and offered a crooked smile, making them pull away from each other. "Hey," he said.
"Hi, Finn," Rachel beamed. "You want to sit with us?" She pointed to the seat next to Quinn. She would have offered a closer spot but Santana and Brittany chose to sit behind them for the day.
Finn looked at the blonde and noticed she was also sporting a smile, showing no signs of protest against the brunette's offer. "Um… sure. So is this…" he gestured between the two of them," -what you meant by you two spending time together?"
The two exchanged looked before nodding. "It's kind of a long story," Quinn said sheepishly.
"We can talk after glee, okay?" Rachel added, knowing how leaving open-ended answers might confuse the tall boy.
"Yeah… yeah." He took his seat next to Quinn. "So… you two are happy?"
"You can say that."
Finn quickly nodded in agreement, not wanting to question the two further until later. "Good. I'm happy for you guys, then."
The two couldn't help but to grin, seeing how he wasn't getting angry at them compared to other moments in the past. But they remained seated, not wanting to make anyone uncomfortable if they stayed too close the entire lesson.
When Mr. Schue finally made his appearance, cheers were heard from the students as their teacher announced another new year for the club. Nationals was going to be in Chicago and would be the seniors' final year of competition, making everyone more pumped to win this year.
Rachel reached over to grab Quinn's hand, allowing the two to lock eyes and smile. "We'll get it this year, Rach. All of us."
A/N: Will I have an Epilogue chapter? Let me know. Thank you for reading! owo