Catch Me When I Fall
Summary:
Its senior year at McKinley and Quinn's back on top, but when a certain diva gets back with her ex-boyfriend, Quinn can't help but feel jealous, and not for who anyone would have expected.
Rachel Berry/ Quinn Fabray (Faberry) - Eventual
This chapter contains swearing so just a warning; if you are going to be offended, don't read it.
I do not own the characters, just the ideas surrounding them.
Chapter 9: Quinn's POV
Waking up today feels different than usual. Before I even open my eyes I notice how the bed feels harder than my usual expensive mattress and the sheets are so thin they don't keep me warm whatsoever, which I really could do without because I'm freezing. I go to open my eyes but immediately snap them back shut as I am met with an overly bright room and searing pain in my head that is relentlessly slicing though my skull. I try to lift my hand to place if where the pain is but my hand is restricted.
I open my eyes again, tentatively this time, barely more than squinting due to the pounding of my head, and I see a small, tan hand holding my own.
"Oh thank god you're awake Quinn! I was so worried about you." The grip on my hand tightens and I can see tears in the brunette's eyes.
"R-Rachel?" I notice my voice is horse due to my dry throat but the noise deafens me due to the throbbing headache.
"Shh, Quinn. You're moms here but went to get a drink and some food." She offers me a watery smile but I can't help but wonder...
"W-What happened?" I ask trying my best to remember why I have this skull splitting ache but I seem to be drawing blanks.
Rachel's eyes widen slightly in shock. "You don't remember?"
Brown eyes soften slightly and take my silence as a reason to explain.
"Finn and I got into a fight and he flew off the handles, you came over to stand up for me and he snapped and pushed you hard and you fell and whacked your head on the lockers and were instantly knocked out..." She winces somewhat, probably at the memory that seems to be eluding me, before meeting my eyes again after looking at her own lap at the beginning of the story. "Finn ran off as soon as you hit the floor blurting apologies but I wasn't really listening because of the blood...-" A tear escapes but she quickly wipes it away with her free hand. It's killing me seeing her be this distressed but I can't ask her to stop because I need to know what happened to me. After composing herself, Rachel continues once again. "Puck ran to find the nearest teacher to inform them of Finn's actions before returning and carrying you to his truck and driving us all to the hospital. I called your mom while you were being seen to. The doctors say you have a concussion and lost a bit of blood so they want to keep you here for a few days. I'm so sorry Quinn, this is entirely my fault, it should've been me not you." Tears are falling from her eyes more freely and she can barely catch them before they fall from her jaw.
I squeeze her hand reassuringly and smile at her while reaching across with my free hand to catch the few tears that had eluded her.
"Don't you dare be sorry for what that oaf did. It's not your fault and frankly I'm glad it's me here and not you because it hurt me more seeing you this sad than the pain in my head, I don't think I would be able to stand seeing you in this bed." I give her cheek a final stroke before retracting my hand and place it back at my side. I keep smiling as long as my eyes are locked with Rachel's and only stop staring when I hear the door open and see my mom enter the room as quietly as she can.
"Hey Quinnie. I see you're awake." She smiles widely at me and takes a seat on my right side opposite Rachel.
"Mhm" the only affirmative noise I seem to be able to create as my eyes start to close again and I am hit with a wave of tiredness.
"I should tell the doctors" I hear Rachel whisper tentatively, trying to cause me as little discomfort as possible.
"No... Stay" I manage to get out quietly though as I feel myself drift off to sleep. I tighten my grip on her hand just invade she never heard me.
After a few moments of contemplation she answers. "Okay Quinn. I'll stay right here with you."
"I'll go inform them, I'll be right back Quinnie." Mom squeezes my hand briefly before letting go and I hear the opens and closing of the door as age leaves.
The last thing I can remember is feeling a warm hand tuck stray hair delicately behind my ear before pair of soft lips kiss my forehead then whisper, closely to my ear:
"I'll always stay with you Quinn."
I feel a dopey, content smile form on my lips before I fall into a much needed sleep.
The next time I wake up the room is a lot darker. Thank God.
I look across the room to find my mother slumped in a chair asleep and, by the way her back is slouched, she'll regret it in the morning. My gaze falls on the clock on the wall above her head. 2am.
The warmth in my palm hasn't moved since I fell asleep but the grip has loosened and Rachel is leaning forward in her chair with her head resting on her free arm on the bed, fast asleep. I turn my hand around and intertwine our fingers before brushing the stray brunette hair that has fallen into her face as she has slept. She looks so peaceful and content when she is sleeping and I can't help but smile at how at ease she looks.
I put my free arm behind my head and close my eyes as I let myself get consumed by my thoughts.
I can't believe that she really stayed. I was half-sure she would leave as soon as I went to sleep to go straight back to Finnocence. Looks like she really wants to be friends with me. I open my eyes and look down to the sleeping figure again allowing my eyes to trace along her features. She looks so beautiful right now. She's wearing the same short, dark green dress and knee high socks that she wore to school today. I don't care what people say or that I've said in the past, I love the way Rachel dresses. It's so unique and makes her that much more special.
My eyes widen significantly and my grip tightens on the petite hand in my own when I realise that I was slowly beginning to answer the question that I asked myself yesterday, before meeting with Puck.
Oh. My. God... I have a crush on Rachel Berry!
This is the last rational thought before I fall into yet another dreamless sleep which gets me through to the next day uninterrupted.
A/N
Turns out Saturday was WAYYY to busy but it's here now. :3
Looks like next update should be Thursday, but you know me. I'll try my best though. :D
Hope you enjoy the chapter, am trying to get a move on with things cause I don't wanna keep dragging it on. Sorry it's a tad shorter than the rest, it just seemed like a good place to stop without babbling too much. :P
Anyways, thanks for reading and as always I LOVE reviews, they make me wanna write sooo much more. :L xoxo