A/N: Wow! It's overwhelming how receptive you guys are of this story. So a huge thanks to everyone and an early update. I have pretty much have story's structure but, I still would very much like to hear from you guys.
This one gives us a little bit of an overview, without giving much away *as intended*.
Passengers please put on your seatbelts for we are about to take off. – Your Pilot.
Disclaimer: I still don't own glee. Also this one is still non betaed. PS. I am looking for one.
CHAPTER 2
Rachel is sitting outside Figgins office as she waits for her turn. This is going to be her last chance of opening at this school year's assembly. And Rachel is quite sure that that the principal is one tear drop away from finally choosing her.
She is in the middle of internalizing a spot-on emotion that would convey the persuasion of her career when Figgins start, "Miss Berry-,"
"I can assure you, Principal Figgins that I am most qualified to open this year's assembly," she interrupts on a full on rehearsed monologue. "In fact I made a portfolio of my accolades pertaining to, but not limited to performing at such an event and also I even procured a copy of cds in which I am singing through various scenarios that may arise. In fact if you would so kindly accompany me to the AVR and view this right now, you could hear my perfect pitch amidst the chaos of burning-,"
"Miss Berry," Figgins' stresses stopping her. "Miss Berry," in that monotone voice- as Rachel prepares herself-"I don't need any of this," hands indicating the stacks at his table.
"But Principal-,"
Figgins raised his hand to silence her and continues "because the school has decided that you would be our opening act."
Rachel beams, "I always knew you'd see it my way, it would be such a prestige for the school to have a future star regales its halls."
"To be frank Miss Berry, Coach Sylvester pull out her cheerio act after I forbid her to include fifty hamster balls with knives inside as her act. My hands are tied. You are our next best option."
"Regardless of the reasons, it would be such an honor. Thank you," she says leaving the office.
Although her ego has suffered a bit by the reason of being chosen, still she can't help but be thankful to the insanity of one Coach Sylvester
The extra spring in her step never lessened as the day progresses. She can't help it even if she could. Not when all her hardwork has finally come to fruition.
She is on her way to her last class before lunch time when she saw Santana placating what looks to be a distraught Brittany. She is on her way to avoid the duo, well mainly to avoid Santana in case the girl decides to vent her irritation elsewhere, when she heard Britney mumble, "I've really missed her, San..."
She stopped dead on her tracks. Since the two seems to be too caught up in their conversation to notice her eavesdropping, she decided to hide behind a locker. She reasons that it is better to know when Santana's fuse is shorter than the usual than have her walking blindly in a direction of a ticking bomb.
"I know, Brit Brit. But we both got a txt saying she is fine and gots some stuff to do. And knowing Q that probably means some lame ass shit like knitting trousers or something," she answers at Britney's worry.
Brittany seem unconvinced so she adds, "Hey, how 'bout, when Q returns from God knows where I'll ask her... then have her treat us to Breadstix and feed Duckie macWacky…" As she quietly adds, "even if I have to chain her ass to underneath a lawn mower"
Rachel shudders and scurries away from hiding spot because knowing Santana, that can't be far from the truth. So even her best friends don't know where she is and the fact that they are both still talking about it means Quinn isn't back at school yet, she ponders on her way to class unsure of what this knew information would mean.
At the cafeteria Rachel kept a vigilant eye on the Unholy trinity's table, and apparently still no sign of Quinn if Santana's scowl at her phone and Britney's picking her food to go by. Her uneasiness is increasing by the time she is halfway through her meal and decides to excuse herself and instead practice her performance at the assembly in the auditorium instead.
By the time glee meeting rolled, Rachel isn't her usual self. The only thing that kept her from losing it all together is that she still has her set list presentation to Mr Shuester which is if course dismissed by the teacher.
"I really appreciate the effort you have put through and I promise to keep this list in mind. But I think that it is too early for us to be solely focusing on the competition, we still have months to prepare."
"But, Mr Shue…"
"Rachel, how about you let me take this and I'll go through with it tonight. But for now, our assignment is HOMECOMING! Yeah!," beaming on what he thought was a brilliant idea.
How Rachel's day plummets in such a short time – she is sure she deserves as least a couple more hours- she'll never understand.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Quinn could feel the uncertainty envelope her like a hug the moment the plane lands. Sure she missed her best friends, the gleeks and her parents but now that she had the taste of what is it like outside of Lima, she just wants it.
She sees her mom waiving frantically at the arrival area, with her dad by her side, so she knows she has been spotted. Shaking her head a bit, Quinn readies herself for that family discussion the instant they got home. And she has a fairly good idea of what would that be.
By the time they reach their car and that her mom was fully assured that yes, she is fine and has been well taken care of, the car ride home was spent with an occasional quip from her mom as to what they have been up to and what she had missed the entire summer. She could see that her mom is genuinely interested to know about hers so she answered all her questions and more.
"Well that is wonderful to hear, isn't it dear?" she turns to her husband. "I am so proud of you, Quinnie." her mom continues looking back to Quinn.
"Yes, everything seems to be promising. And I'm so proud of you as well, Lucy," her dad smiles fondly
And in times like this that Quinn often feels like that giggling five year old girl being tucked in bed by her mother as her father boisterously re-enacts the movie they had previously watched.
"But we still have a lot to discuss. Mostly what is best for you."
"Thanks mom, dad." She answers
"I know you must be tired. Why don't you just leave your things by the door and I'll make sure to bring them right up." Her dad says as she drags herself.
"I'll just call you in time for dinner," as her mom kisses her head.
When Quinn managed to come down from the dreamland, quite disoriented with her surroundings, she is still fully dressed from her shirt up to her shoes. Glancing at her watch she hauls herself out of the bed to squeeze in a shower before going down for dinner. Spying her suitcase by the door she as well took a change of clothes.
Going down the stairs, the smell of her mom's cooking hits her. Stomach grumbling she goes directly to the dining table already set with her dad helping her mom. It was a sight Quinn missed while away.
"Oh, there you are honey. I was just finishing this up then I'm going to wake you up."
"It's fine mom. My stomach already did."
"Let's eats then, Lucy."
Dinner went through pretty much the same as the car ride. Having conversations here and there about almost everything, with her dad slightly side stepping the main event as Quinn puts it.
Looking at her father sitting on the couch, Quinn can't help but admire the man that he is. Strict with a firm hand and often time analytic, but she could feel that underlying warmth and care, and see that glint of wisdom in his eyes.
"Before I start, Lucy I want you to know that your mother and I have talked this through and we both want what is best for you. Always," her father starts clasping the hands of her mother as they all wait patiently.
"We have already talked, before the start of summer, that you will finish your schooling. That matter is already been cleared. Now I want to ask you a question and I want you to really think first before answering," her father looks at her. "Is this something that you want or is it some fleeting thing?"
She knows this look for she herself has been doing it- calculating. And Quinn knows that this Russel is the one that needs convincing. So she lets him…
Quinn levels his gaze with her own as they both test each other's stance in the matter. Testing each other's will.
She nods letting them know she understands what is asked. For she has been doing a lot of thinking herself. And it might be a short time for some but she has found her passion and inspiration. And what best describe the Fabrays': passion and excellence. A bit of second has passed, she smiled relaxed. As she answers them with much conviction, "Yes. This is what I want and it would mean much to me if I could share it with the both of you."
Her dad nods, clearly pleased with her answer. "I could see even before you left that you might be inclined to it especially since you don't do things halfway. But we have one more concern. It's about your condition. Lucy not every place is Lima and even here… this family has had its fair share of setbacks."
"Honey, I'm just worried that, well not everyone impartial to this kind of thing. And what you do seems to be rather into large-scale market if successful?" her mother adds.
"Lucy, we love you very much and we support you always, but we don't want you to be exposed to such vile prejudice if we can help it." Her father incessantly says.
Of course Quinn knows what they are saying. I mean if it weren't for the fact she's captain of their soccer team and being innately athletic while maintaining a high GPA and not to mention best friends with the top two cheerios in the school, she'll have a really difficult high school life. But all those things she has, was because she works extremely hard to earn her spot and respect from her peers.
"I know. Maybe not to what extent since I'm not entirely that exposed but I'm willing to take it. And you are both right. Things are probably going to be difficult, all great things are. If things change then I'll do my best to adjust. It's just that I can't help thinking that maybe this is for the best. Maybe the world needs to see me more than just a girl with a dick."
"Lucy is this you trying to make a statement, none of us think of you that way."
"I know, Dad. And believe me, this is not just a statement. I know this is how it should be."
And there it goes… so what do you guys think our Quinn is up to? Let me know your thoughts. Next up, Quinn comes to school. How will the gleeks react? And maybe a bit of faberry interaction? Well see..
R and R..
Pilot out…