"Have you guys seen him? He wasn't in my fourth period class either. Should we be worried?" Tina's voice sounded so panicked she tends to over think things.
"He's fine guys, Rachel texted me earlier that he's just having a really rough day." Kurt answered.
"But it still makes no sense why that happened to him. I guess I'm back to bringing extra clothes to school. It has to be someone that initiated this whole thing." Mercedes looked at everyone shaking their heads agreeing to what she said.
Quinn storms inside and takes a seat furthest away from everyone. Her mood hasn't changed since fourth period. Everyone watches her as she puts on her head phones and tunes everyone out. She picks her Radiohead playlist because hearing the different blends of instrumentals helps her relax and clear her head.
"Looks like Quinn is having a bad day as well." Blaine says.
Quinn settles in her seat but doesn't even notice Sam taking the seat beside her until he waves his hand in front of her face.
Sam's a good guy but he must've really lost his damn mind waving his hand on her face just to get her attention. Quinn who was minutes away from exploding slowly turns her head with ferocity in her eyes. When Sam met those dark eyes he knew he made the biggest mistake of his life.
Everyone in the choir room we're glued at the scene. It's very entertaining watching Sam's expression change from friendly to flat out scared the second Quinn turns to face him. It was like watching a baby gazelle getting trapped by a hungary lioness. The room felt so tense but everyone was anticipating the outcome.
Sam clears his throat and looks at his shoes avoiding eye contact. "I was... wondering if you were all right? You seem to be upset about something... so I was just checking to see if you wanted to talk."
Quinn wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone and she can sense everyone's eyes fixated on them. Maybe they were expecting a Quinn blow out, making Sam feel insignificant and stupid for trying to be a good friend to her but she's to exhausted to really say anything. She knows Sam means well but he picked the wrong day to play good samaritan. So she turns the volume up a little bit higher on her iPod and looks forward completely ignoring his question.
"Hey guppy lips! Move away from Q and go bother someone else. Can you see or is that black hole you call a mouth sucking away at your vision to see otherwise? Clearly Q isn't in the mood to talk. So why don't you take a few seats further down and mind you own business." Santana may not be the smoothes talker but everyone knows she means well.
Sam gets up like a dog with his tail between his legs and moves a few seats down just as he was ordered. Everyone looks away pretending not to listen but everyone was thinking the same thing.
Poor Sam.
Santana and Britney takes their seat in front of Quinn. They know this routine quiet well, it would take a couple of hours until they can get Quinn to talk about what's bothering her. So they leave her alone but guards her unless someone else wants to take a crack at making her feel better.
Mr. Shue walks in and addresses the whole class he notices that there's a huge gap in the middle of the seats.
"Where's Rachel and Finn?" he asks but all he got were blank stares and a few shoulder shrugs.
"What's going on guys? Did I miss something?"
"Finn got slushied today Mr. Shuester. He didn't show up in his third and fourth period classes. We're all confused why it happened to him. We're half way in the semester and no one else has been slushied." Tina explained with concern in her voice.
Mr. Shuester was surprised to hear the news. "Well has anyone tried to contact Finn?"
"Rachel is with him now I think. She hasn't updated me so I'm not sure if they'll show up to today." Kurt answered.
Santana and Britney look at each other once they heard Rachel's with Finn. It's loud and clear why Quinn was upset. They turn around to see if Quinn was listening but she just kept looking forward with her head phones still in her ears. Only this time she raised the volume even higher to avoid hearing the topic of discussion.
This is not going to end well. Santana thought to herself.
She was beginning to worry about Quinn because this new lifestyle of hers is starting out a complete mess. When Quinn called her during second period to get her lacrosse team ready she couldn't have been more happier to do it. But looking at her now she's a complete wreck. She's lost the upper hand and it really all depends on how important Rachel is to her to be able to set things right.
Quinn was always the dominate type, always in control, always had the upper hand. And to think that Rachel Berry has turned the queen bee into a lush of mixed emotions only after a few months of playing cat and mouse with each other was a complete and utter shock. Not to mention the three years of torture Quinn unleashed on Rachel. How could they possibly get past all that was a mystery on its own.
"Sorry we're late Mr. Shuester I promise it wasn't for a dramatic yet riveting entrance." Rachel jokes. Finn walked right behind her with that goofy smile Quinn hated so much.
"Hey Mr. Shue sorry we're late." Finn greeted but continued walking finding a spot on the top tier next to Sam.
As Rachel walks towards Quinn she was met with fierce brown eyes. Santana never stopped starring at her until Rachel made it to the seat next to Quinn. Rachel looks at Britney to find the reason behind Santana's intimidating glare but Britney just shrugs her shoulder and gives her a wary smile.
"Okay! We'll I'm glad to see that your okay Finn. But next time try not to ditch class okay. It's your senior year the last thing you want is your grades to slip. Now let's talk about regionals!" Mr. Shue started his lecture about the theme and which team they were up against.
Quinn still kept her head phones on watching Mr. Shuester write something on the board. Everyone was still curious to know what Rachel and Finn talked about. If Finn knew why he got slushied? They'll have more time to talk to him but right now Mr. Shuester was overly eccentric about the theme this year.
Rachel turns her head to look at Quinn but no response. Sam was the only one closes to them to see anything but he seemed really focused on what Mr. Shue was talking about. Rachel watched Sam intently as she places her hand over Quinn's hand. Sam kept his eyes locked on the front of the class.
Rachel turns to see if Quinn's mood has changed but nothing her hand remained still underneath hers. Rachel looks at Sam once again and she intertwined her fingers with Quinn's hand and grips it tightly.
Just be cool Quinn, Rachel is trying to reach out to you so just accept it. This whole mess with Finn never would've happened if you weren't so hot headed. Think about it Q just be nice for now and if she ever does find out that you put that hit on Finn then deal with it then. But she's oblivious to the truth so just take what you can get.
Quinn takes a deep breath and once the heated breath was out of her lungs she returned the gesture and held Rachel's hand with hers. Rachel looked at her with a beaming smile but Quinn wasn't ready to face her just yet. They sat in glee in a comfortable silence until Mr. Shue excused them.
Finn was the first to leave because he didn't want to be bombarded by questions he had no answers to. Puck followed behind him wanting to see if he wanted pay back on those lacrosse douche.
Quinn had cheerleading practice which completely slipped her mind when she picked up Rachel for school today. Rachel turned and faced Quinn while everyone walked out of the choir room.
"Are we okay Quinn?" Rachel's voice was soft. They released each others hand a while ago because they didn't want people to see.
"Yeah, we're okay Rachel." After she answers she finally faces her girlfriend.
"Quinn, I think I know you a little better than you think." They were the last one in the room but Quinn wasn't ready to have this conversation.
"Rachel I completely forgot I have cheerleading practice, so can we talk about this later? Just take my car and I'll get Santana to drop me off at your place okay." Quinn was out the door before she can even respond.
Rachel sat in the choir room for a few minutes looking at the white board and figuring out what songs would be great to sing that will relate to Quinn and still meet the requirements for the theme this year.
She takes out her notebook and begins to scribble a few songs that quickly popped in her mind and before you know it she was content with her list and headed for Quinn's car.
...
"Quinn your late! I need five miles around the track before you can even consider making eye contact with me. Becky go keep track for her and she better be sprinting because I will not teach this routine twice." Sue Sylvester screams at the mega phone.
Quinn knew the consequences of being late so she'll take the punishment and hopefully the run can clear her mind about what to do about Rachel.
Quinn started sprinting while Becky screamed at her to run faster each time she passes by.
Rachel is going to want to talk about this relationship. Thats unavoidable. Rachel will probably bring up Finn and his low self esteem issues. That can be avoided. So where do I stand?
I like Rachel, I like being around her, I love her voice, her smile. How did I even get here? I thought I was just going to use her to get New Directions to win National's this year so I can put another accomplishment on my school record. So how did I get HERE?
It seems like every time she passes Becky she had a new question about herself but never finding an answer to any of them.
"FOUR MILES!" Becky screams at her.
"What?…I need more time." she says to herself. Five laps of sprinting really isn't anything to her but Sue probably wanted Quinn to learn the routine so giving her just enough laps to get warmed up without seeming soft was her plan all along.
I like Rachel! That's all that matters, if I'm lost about who I really am she helps me find that person. But it doesn't give me an excuse to blow up on her every time someone comes in the picture. She's Rachel Berry, after years of tormenting her somewhere in her heart has my name on it and that's all I need to know.
She finishes the five miles in record timing, running really helps her when she's thinking about a lot of stuff. She walks with Becky and Sue orders her to line up and learn as she goes.
Britney helps her along the way but the whole thing was a blur. She'll learn the formation later but for now the moves are what's important.
At the end of practice everyone was pretty much exhausted. Sue kept everyone an hour later because she was on a rampage to perfect this routine and Quinn kept falling behind. She also lectures Quinn if she's ever late again that she'll be kicked off the Cheerios.
Which is a lie because Sue can't risk losing her when National's is so close. Sue finally dismisses everyone around 7 o'clock. Quinn grabs her phone and sees a few missed calls from Rachel.
"Thanks for that extra hour of torture Q! We really appreciate it your relationship with Richard Simmons." Santana tends to get defensive when her routine gets off tracked. Now she won't have time to spend with Britney because her parents expects her home around this time.
"I'm sorry Santana, you know I didn't plan I being late. Rachel kept wanting to talk about stuff. I'll make it up to you, you and Britney can spend the night alone in my room okay?" Quinn knew that would calm her down but the second she realized what she just offered she wished she had just bit her tongue.
"Great! But I want two nights, because it's you and the dwarf that canceled my sweet lady kisses tonight."
"Fine, but not two nights in a row and not on my bed!" Quinn explains her demands.
"Excuse me did I hear you right? There is no negotiating this Q, I know you need a ride to her house. I want two nights in a row and once in your bed because your floor is so uncomfortable." Santana fires back.
"Fine! But bring your own sheets I don't want anything that I own to have Santana and Britney all over it."
Santana smiles and hangs her duffle bag on her shoulder. "See Brit, I just landed us a double date and a comfortable stay in Quinn's bed. Shall we say this Friday and Saturday we don't even need to leave her bedroom." Santana winks and pokes Britney's side which caused the blonde to jump and laugh.
Quinn felt sick at the thought of having to rent out her room for two nights. That means sleeping in the couch and waking up early just so her mother won't suspect anything. Then a bright light shined in her head this couldn't have been more perfect. Quinn dial's her mother's number and informs her that she'll be a little late for dinner because practice is running a little later than usual. Judy was more than understanding since National's for the cheerleading competition is just a two months away. She's fully aware of how Sue trains her cherrios when a major competition is approaching.
Santana parks the car in front of Rachel's house and before Quinn steps out of the car Santana grabs her duffle bag and forces the blonde to look at her. "Don't forget our deal Quinn, slumber party friday and saturday night."
Quinn gives Santana a trusting smile, "I know Santana, this friday and saturday." She pulls her bag from Santana's grasp and makes her way towards Rachel's house.
"She sounded a little too happy about our deal Brit. She's up to something I can feel it."
"Don't think to much about it San, I love sleep overs at Quinn's." Britney leans over to Santana and kisses her neck. "I can't wait for this Friday. You sure know how to spoil a girl." Santana turns and faces her girlfriend.
"Anything to make you happy love." Britney couldn't stop herself and kisses Santana all over her face. Santana begins to laugh with each kiss and begs Britney to stop.
"I love you to Santana."
…
Quinn rings the doorbell and for some strange reason felt really nervous seeing Rachel. Quinn hears the door unlock from the other side.
"Good evening Quinn, will you be joining us for dinner tonight?" Leroy answered the door and to his surprise from the look on Quinn's face she couldn't have been more happier to see him answer the door.
"No sir, I was actually just here to pick up my car. Practice ran a little late and my mother is expecting me home soon. I was just hoping to speak with Rachel if that's all right. I know it seems late and your all probably eating dinner but I promise it wont take very long." Quinn really knew how to talk to parents. Thanks to her parents being the scaries people to talk too really helped her confidence. Leroy called for Rachel and two minutes later Rachel's beautiful smile was all that Quinn could focus on. Leroy gave them their privacy and walked to tell his husband that Quinn is definitely the girl their daughter is swooning over.
"Hey Quinn." Rachel wasn't sure if a kiss was appropriate because of how things were left between them. She leans forward and gives Quinn a tight hug, "I really missed you today Quinn. I'm sorry that our first day of school didn't exactly turn out great and I'm really sorry about that." Quinn pulled away from her embrace and looked at Rachel in the eyes. Her heart was beginning to race not out of nervousness but because Rachel has this way of looking at her and she hasn't quite figured out why it makes her heart beat so much faster.
"It was my fault Rachel." Quinn took a second to figure out the right words to say because the last thing she wants is to make matters worst by lying. Then suddenly she hears her phone ring.
"It's my mom, hold that thought. Hey mom I'm on my way home I just had to stop by Rachel's house cause I needed to talk to her about something."
When Judy heard Rachel's name she remembered how she had treated the young girl and decided to let Quinn handle the situation.
"Okay but I want you home in ten minutes. You still have homework and your dinner is getting cold."
"Okay mom, ten minutes. Bye." Quinn hangs up the phone and when she turns to look at Rachel her expression was heart breaking.
"Rachel what's wrong?"
"Is it me Quinn? Cause I'm getting this feeling like your avoiding this important conversation. I know that this is new to you and honestly I'm a little scared myself because what if one morning you decide this isn't what you want." Rachel could feel her eyes begin to water from the thought of not being with Quinn.
Quinn hasn't really dig deep enough to know what she truly wants. But one thing she does know is how happy she is with Rachel.
"You're absolutely right Rachel, I don't know who I am or what I really want. But when I'm around you everything makes sense. And call me selfish but I don't want to let that go. Today was a disaster and I'll admit that I was at fault for that. But right now, right at this very second I know that this feels right."
Tears were flowing down Rachel's cheeks now and she couldn't stop them even if she tried her hardest. Quinn is perfect in every way she had ever imagined.
Quinn leans forward and just as their lips were inches apart Quinn pauses, "My heart has always been right here." She places her index finger pointing at Rachel's heart. "I was just to blind to see how perfect you are for me."
Rachel melted into those words and found Quinn's soft lips colliding with hers. This was a different kind of kiss neither girl has ever experienced. It was a kiss filled with promises, passion and love. Their tongues playfully teased one another and Quinn slowly pulled away while kissing Rachel's lips a few times.
Their eyes met once again and both girls had a very satisfied smile on their faces.
"I don't have a lot of time left but I want to do this right."
Rachel wipes away her tears and looks at her girlfriend dazed. "What are you talking about?"
Quinn opens the door and drags Rachel to the kitchen where her fathers were enjoying their dinner. Leroy and Hiram look up from their plates and looked at the two girls standing before them.
"I just want to say thank you for being so welcoming to me. I know I have a reputation that you could've easily disapproved of but you both looked past it and accepted me. Rachel informed me last night that she had come out to you." Quinn could feel her heartbeat in her throat, her palms were beginning to sweat and she was finding the right word frightening to say out loud. "I was wondering Leroy, Hiram if I could date your daughter?"
Rachel's mouth dropped in surprise she watched Quinn beside her still looking at her fathers. Both girls were waiting patiently for a response that she's sure will come sometime soon or she hopes because this silence is torture.
Hiram and Leroy look at each other as if they were having a mental conversation. Quinn watched as both men stare at one another and Leroy seemed to have given Hiram a small smile but Quinn could be seeing things.
Hiram gets up from his chair and stands in front of Quinn. He towers over the girls with a serious face almost like he disapproves of this relationship. He met those hazel eyes and for the very first time he knew that his daughter was in good hands. His glare was frightening and Quinn was slowly squeezing Rachel's hand out of fear.
"Of course Quinn, you may date our daughter." Hiram leans forward and hugs both girls.
Rachel and Quinn relax their shoulders and returns the hug. They couldn't have felt more relieved and from the way Hiram was holding them Quinn knew that this was one place she can find her answers and maybe even find herself.
"Oh don't leave me out of the hugs!" Leroy rushes over and embraces both girls who were laughing now.
"Shoot! I have to go, I'm really sorry but my mother wanted me home five minutes ago." Quinn pulls out her phone and dials her mom. She explains that she had problems finding her keys and that she's on her way right now. When she hangs up she says her goodbyes to Rachel's fathers even hugs them one more time before she left.
Rachel walks her out holding Quinn's hand and couldn't feel more prouder and fulfilled at how amazing tonights events took place. They were both out in the open in her house hold.
Quinn took that leap of faith and trusted three amazing people about who she is. She couldn't have been more happier knowing that's there's a place where she doesn't have to hide how she feels about this amazing girl beside her.
Quinn turns around and gives Rachel a soft kiss on the lips. "I know we still have a lot to talk about but I'm really happy being with you Rachel Berry." She kisses her one more time and gets inside her car. She rolls her window down and Rachel is leaning on the car door with her arms folded resting on the window.
"I'm really happy being with you Quinn." Their lips find each other one last time and Quinn starts her car.
"I'll call you later okay?" Quinn said with a proud smile on her face.
"I'll be right here babe." Rachel smiled and bit her lower lip seeing that Quinn's smile got a whole lot bigger hearing the word of endearment.
Quinn drives off leaving Rachel to say the last and very perfect thing to end their first day together as a couple. Quinn drove home with an enormous smile on her face and replaying Rachel's angelic voice calling her babe.
When she gets to her house she took few minutes forcing the smile to go away just long enough so that her mother won't ask any question. But the entire night was making her so happy she wished she can be as brave at her house like how she was at the Berry's.
When she gets to the front door she take one deep breath and enters her house.
...
Quinn woke up refreshed and couldn't wait to pick up Rachel for school. Last night her mother wasn't to upset at her for being extra late. They actually had a nice dinner and even talked about how their days went. Quinn was beginning to enjoy spending time with her.
When she reached Rachel's house the second she turned off her engine Rachel was out the front door walking speedily towards her.
Rachel opens the passenger door, "Morning Quinn!" Leans over and gives Quinn a kiss on the cheek and sits comfortably in the seat.
Quinn just smiles at her girlfriend and starts the car. "Hey I wanted to ask you if you wanted to come over Friday night to a slumber party I'm having with the girls. Well it's actually Friday and Saturday if you wanted to spend both nights."
Rachel's face beamed with excitement. "Really? Your inviting me?" For some odd reason when she asked that question it brought her back to when Quinn paid little attention to her and now she's being invited to an exclusive slumber party with the holy trinity.
Quinn arched her eyebrow confused at Rachel's question. "Of course your invited, well honestly it's not really a slumber party. I had to bribe Santana my room because of what happened last night at practice. So her and Britney are sleeping in my room while I sleep down stairs in the couch. I just figured why spend it alone when I can have you to cuddle with."
"Sounds even more fun! For a moment the thought of spending time with Santana in such close quarters sounded like such a bad idea. I know after Puck's party she's especially not very fond of me." Rachel could barely remember that night but reading Layla's letter and seeing the words Quinn saw us kiss and she stormed out was a conversation neither of them wanted to have but knew that it was necessary.
Quinn pretty much blocked out that whole weekend. Thanks to her genes she can turn her emotions on and off at will. And she chooses to avoid that conversation completely and just move forward from that day.
They remained silent until they reach the school parking lot. It was still pretty empty and Quinn parked her car furthest from the school. They didn't mind the walk and it gives them a few extra minutes of privacy.
"Don't worry about Santana, she takes a while to get use to but she's a really great friend. So you still haven't given me an answer... Would you like to spend the night with me on my couch friday or saturday night? Or both nights?" Quinn was facing Rachel now with a mischievous smile on her face.
"I'd love too, are you sure your mother will be okay with me being there? I never told you but..." Quinn cuts her off.
"She told me when you came to my house and asked for me. I've been meaning to tell you about it she wanted to apologize for her behavior. The last couple of days we've actually been getting along. She felt really bad and she wishes you can forgive her for acting the way she did."
Rachel couldn't believe what she was hearing. Judy Fabray is apologizing to her for that morning. "Of course I can forgive her Quinn." Rachel grabbed Quinn's hand and held it. Quinn smiled at the touch.
Rachel wanted to talk more concerning that weekend but she didn't want to leave things unfinished since school starts in ten minutes.
"Quinn, about Puck's party."
Quinn could feel her chest tighten at the thought of how painful that night was for her.
"I don't want to talk about it now but at some point we're going to have to talk about that night. I want us to be honest with each other."
Honest? Does she mean I have to tell her that I was the one who put a target on Finn? That she broke my heart when I saw her kiss someone else. That I'm just slowly putting my pieces back together but I can easily shatter and fall apart if I ever talk about that night. No. I don't want to remember that feeling. I especially don't want to talk about that night.
Rachel watched Quinn begin to breath a little heavier and she watched Quinn wrap her arms around her as if protecting herself.
"I'm not ready Rachel, I don't want to talk about that night because you don't remember anything that happened. All you remember was waking up with a hang over. So I'm sorry if you."
Rachel interrupts her abruptly, "Don't apologize Quinn, I'm the one that should be sorry. Your right, I don't particularly remember that night but I remember you being there. And I know I shouldn't push this conversation on you but I want to get to know you better. I want to know everything there is to know about you." Rachel tries to reach for her hand to hold it and comfort her but Quinn moves away as if she was afraid her touch will break her.
"We should get going, we're going to be late." Quinn grabs her stuff and gets out of the car. The cool air slices through her and she's never felt so relieved escaping from that suffocating tomb. Once Rachel slams the car door they begin walking towards the school.
They walk together in silence until Quinn sees Sam from a distance. She's not in the mood to apologize to him but it a better distraction than this agonizing silence between her and Rachel.
"I'll talk to you later okay Rach, I have to go talk to Sam about something." she walks ahead not giving Rachel a chance to say a word.
Rachel watches Quinn approach Sam with a smile that hasn't been directed towards her ever since she brought up Puck's Party. It amazes her how Quinn can literally turn her emotional switch on and off by command. She needed an outlet or someone to talk too because all these new and confusing emotions, unanswered questions was beginning to eat her up.
"Hey, what are you starring at?" Kurt interjects.
"Kurt, can I tell you a secret but you have to promise me you won't tell a soul not even Blaine?" Rachel turns to face Kurt with a serious look on her face but Kurt was excited to hear some interesting gossip.
"Of course Rachel. I promise."