Hey everyone. This is a completely AU story based around the lives of Rachel Berry and Quinn Fabray. I don't want to give too much away. I hope you all enjoy. Reviews are always great :)
"Rachel wait up!" Quinn Fabray came bustling out of calculus trying to flag down the smaller girl. "Hello Quinn. I hope this isn't some game you are playing, trying to distract me while Santana jumps me from behind."
"I'll keep that in mind for the future," Rachel scoffed and Quinn continued, "Seriously though I need your help." Rachel stopped abruptly, shocked that her tormentor was asking such a thing. "Don't look so surprised. I was just wondering that since this weeks Glee assignment is about forgiveness maybe you could help me find a song."
Rachel let the thought process. For as long as she could remember Quinn had done everything possible to make her life absolutely horrible. Rachel was never one to hold grudges so despite everything she could never hate the blond. She found it a bit honorable that Quinn was asking through forgiveness in the best way; a song.
"I'd love to help you Quinn," Rachel finally said. It was now Quinn's turn to be surprised. She had not expected such an easy answer. "Oh um okay great. I have the auditorium today at three, so if you could just meet me there…"
With that Quinn trailed off down the hallway. Rachel released the breath she didn't know she was holding and turned to head to her next class.
Three o'clock came faster than either of them had anticipated. Both girls entered the auditorium with shaky hands and sweaty palms, unsure of what to expect. Quinn took a seat at the piano and began flipping through some sheet music.
"If you don't mind, I brought a few suggestions of possible songs." Rachel walked to the opposite end of the piano, afraid of invading the blonds space. "I won't bite."
"Huh what?"
"You can come over here," Quinn said as she slide over along the bench. Taking a breath Rachel walked over and sat down. "So what do you have?"
Rachel laid out her findings, mainly all Barbra or Broadway. Quinn chuckled at her predictability. "If you don't like them you could've just said so." Quinn stopped abruptly and turned towards the smaller girl, "I like your selections, I just don't know if they are me." Somewhat discouraged the brunette started putting the paper back into a folder.
"Well what is you then?" Rachel asked without making eye contact. Quinn thought about this for a moment and replied, "I'm sorry Rachel."
"Quinn it's okay I know I am biased towards anything Barbra. I should have taken into consideration your own personal tastes before I pick-"
"This is isn't about the music Rachel."
"What is it about then?" Rachel finally took her eyes off the folder and looked back at Quinn. She could see sincerity in them and tears she knew Quinn would never let fall.
"I have been so awful to you Rachel. Not a day goes by where I don't hate myself for the things that I've done to you. You are so amazing Rachel. I wish I could take back everything. I wish I didn't miss my chance to know you."
Touched by the words Rachel didn't know what to say, but she knew Quinn needed her to throw her a line, something to keep her floating. "Think of this, right now, as your chance. Everything that happened, we can put it in the past. You are amazing as well Quinn. I would love to be your friend if you'd let me."
Quinn couldn't hold it any longer, so she pulled Rachel into a hug. "Thank you." It seemed like longer than it was but both girls eventually let go. "Should we get back to the song?" Rachel suggested, feeling a blush creep into her cheeks. "Actually I think I'm going to pick one out on my own."
"Oh okay," Rachel said, again discouraged. "Hold on Rachel. It's just that I want you to be surprised by the song I sing to you."
The smaller girl smiled and walked out of the auditorium. She couldn't wait to tell her dads about the events that had unfolded.
Quinn remained in the auditorium for a couple more hours. She had found the song and had to make sure it was perfect. While walking to her car she felt infinitely better. Rachel had forgiven her and that was all she wanted.
The traffic was a lot heavier than she had ever seen on a Tuesday night. Something about the situation was unsettling to Quinn. The cars in front of her crept slowly and eventually she could make out the flashing lights of an ambulance and police officers. It had recently started snowing, but the roads weren't in bad enough condition to cause an accident. As Quinn approached the crash site she was horrified. A truck was completely embedded into a smaller car, ripping the latter in half. She continued to drive at the pace of the traffic around her. Scanning the ambulance crowd, she saw a body being lifted onto a stretcher. Even though there were so many people huddled around, Quinn recognized the small person.
"Rachel," she breathed out, before hearing the honks signaling her to move forward. At that moment time froze. Quinn had one destination and she'd be damned if she didn't make it there in time