Author's Note: Woot! A new chapter (: I'm really quite happy with how this story is progressing. I just hope you guys are too! Anyways, enjoy as always. Hopefully I'll be able to continue my writing streak (:
Quinn reached out to comfort her best friend, being her shoulder to cry on as Rachel choked on her words, unable to produce a sensible sentence.
"Quinn... lonely... no one..."
"Rach, shh. It's okay I'm here," Quinn said in a soft whisper as she stroked her Rachel's hair.
"What happened... lost reason... not happy..." Rachel continued to cry into Quinn's shoulder for a good 10 minutes. Slowly, though, her cries faded into small whimpers. She had finally lost it and she was well aware of that, she just never thought it'd be now, like this. As she pulled away from Quinn, she dried her eyes and tried to steady her breathing. "I'm sorry Quinn. It's just... lately, I've been so lonely on my own and I feel like I've been losing my mind."
Quinn eyes filled with concern as she wiped away the black splotch left from excess mascara on Rachel's tear stained cheeks. "When did all this start Rachel?"
"I don't know... I just feel like... there's so much I'm missing in my life."
"Like what?"
Rachel sighed and got up to wash her face. Her eyes were getting quite puffy and she felt like a cold splash would refresh her enough that she could actually think properly.
Quinn looked at her friend sadly, what had happened to her? Rachel's lost the fire in her and now when she stared into her eyes, all she could see was cold hardness. Quinn took a deep breath and spoke up loud enough for Rachel to hear over the running water. "Hey Rach, I think I have an idea."
Rachel peered at her curiously from the doorway of the bathroom. "What is it?"
"Well," Quinn started out slowly. "Clearly, you're lacking a lot in your life..."
"No kidding," Rachel said bitterly.
Quinn raised an eyebrow as she continued, ignoring Rachel. "Seriously Rachel, I think the thing you're missing the most right now is.." Quinn hesitated. "..a companion."
"You mean like a male companion?" Rachel wrinkled her nose at the thought.
"Well yeah, just... think about it. When was the last time you had a boyfriend?"
Rachel's eyes dropped at the thought. "Finn," she said quietly.
"That was in high school Rach. We're already turning the big 2 0 this year, you have to start living your life!"
"Quinn, we've talked about this before. It's really not fair for you to be pushing me back into dating." Rachel's stomach turned just at the thought. She didn't need anyone, especially if they weren't Finn.
"Don't even start with me Rachel. I am in no way pushing you; I'm barely even nudging you. Plus it's for your own good." Quinn knew it was going to be hard to change Rachel's mind once it was set, but she had to try. She couldn't just let Rachel slip away until she'd lost herself completely. "I see hints of you, the real you, here and there. Usually when you're trying to argue your case, or when you get angry and become the diva that once filled you completely." Quinn smiled, but it quickly faded. "But all those glances... they're not nearly enough. I haven't seen a full blown smile in months now Rach, and I'm really starting to worry."
"I appreciate your concern Quinn, but how is a man going to help me become who I once was. From past experience, I know most men cower at the thought of a strong woman and they only set limitations for myself."
"Rache-"
"No Quinn, I know what I'm saying."
"Rach-"
"Quinn! That isn't what I nee-"
"What you need Rachel is to let your hair loose from that awful bun you've been keeping it in ever since Finn broke your heart!" Quinn screamed at her. She was fed up with constantly being interrupted and if screaming was how she was going to get Rachel to listen to her, then screaming it was.
Rachel took a step back, her eyes wide. She was shocked; she had never seen Quinn like this.
Quinn sighed, realizing this was not the way to handle things. "Rach, I'm sorry," Quinn said, reaching for Rachel's hand. "I care about you and I don't want you to turn into stone, I don't want to lose you." Quinn could see her vision blurring but she didn't want Rachel to see her like this. She squeezed her eyes shut and made the tears disappear. She didn't realize until she could see clearly that Rachel hadn't spoken a word. "Rach? Rachel, please talk to me," Quinn begged. "I'm sorry."
When Rachel finally spoke up, it was so faint Quinn could barely hear it. "How did you know?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"How did you know that I wasn't the same person I once was?" Rachel repeated, this time slightly louder.
Quinn laughed with relief but as soon as she saw the frown appearing on Rachel's face, her laughs faded into just a smile. "Rachel, you're my best friend. I know you better than anyone else in this world. Do you really think I would've not noticed?" Quinn answered, rolling her eyes. "Plus the paintbrush was a dead giveaway."
Rachel's tiny smile was short lived as a look of confusion crossed her face. "What paintbrush?"
Quinn walked over to the easel set in the corner of Rachel's room and picked up the same paintbrush Rachel threw, covered in fuchsia paint. "This one," Quinn said. By the look on Rachel's face, Quinn knew she didn't quite understand so she smirked and continued in her explanation. "Since when has Rachel Berry ever been caught dead with a paintbrush? Like really, you don't even like colouring!"
Rachel smiled sheepishly. "Hey! It was worth a try! I needed to get my creative juices flowing..."
"Trust me Rach, there are a lot of better ways you can achieve that goal. Like sex," Quinn said with a smirk.
"Quinn!" Rachel's eyes widened with horror at her best friend.
"Hey, it's true. Too bad you wouldn't know," Quinn snickered.
Rachel's cheeks grew red as she diverted her gaze. "I have never been promiscuous enough to try, unlike you."
"Great sex can do a lot for you. Like when you're screaming and moani-"
Rachel cut Quinn off. "HONESTLY! I don't need further details about sex, I know how it goes," Rachel said, looking appalled.
"Barely..." Quinn muttered under her breath.
"Excuse me?"
"When was the last time you had sex Rach?" Quinn asked.
"I'd rather not talk about it."
"Really? Because I remember when you called me up at 4 in the morning, going on for an hour about how great it was and how you didn't know what you were missing, giving me the full report."
"Well then, you shouldn't have even needed to ask if you remembered it so well," Rachel huffed, clearly upset.
Quinn smiled, knowing not to push it any further. "C'mon, let's head out and grab a late lunch."
"I'm not really in the mood..." Rachel began but was cut short by the grumbling sound her stomach made.
"Ha, don't give me that. Let's go! Promise I won't make fun of you anymore," Quinn pleaded with a tiny smile.
"Fine... but it's on you and I get to choose the place!" Rachel said, excited now.
Quinn let out a groan, "I guess this means we're having greek?"
Rachel beamed. "Good guess."
Across town, Finn flopped onto the couch and turned on the TV, settling for the same channel the TV had been on when it was last turned off. He let out a sigh, just his luck. It was a Broadway musical. Correction, her favourite musical. He knew all the words, all the songs from watching it with her countless times. He covered his eyes with his hands only after turning his TV on mute. She deserved his full attention. He missed her so much, her hair, her smile, her touch and most of all, her voice. Oh, that voice... Just thinking about it tied his stomach in knots. There wasn't a thing he didn't miss about her but it's been almost a whole year since they've seen each other. He never would've thought he could've survived this long but he has... for her, in hopes of seeing her one day, like he so desperately needed. Unlike others who would've given it up by now, he believes in her, in them, in love. And that's the only thing he would ever need, hope.
Feedback is always appreciated! I pray to grilled cheesus everyday & I really hope he won't disappoint! (; Much love.
