Another update for you guys, I don't really have much to comment except to thank you all for your continued support and say that I will endeavour to update more often.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters or Glee etc.
Quinn was on top of the world. Literally. She was standing with one foot on Santana's back, the other on Brittany's, her hands raised into triumphant fists and a glorious smile on her face. She was once again what she was destined to be, the best.
Then it hit her. The wave of nausea; she was falling.
The fragile blonde landed with a hard thud on the grass. She winced in pain as it shot up her back and checked herself for damage. Other than a few cuts on her arms and legs, she was fine, but this would be a major setback for her physical recovery from the accident. To be truthful, she was pushing herself with Cheerios practice and one reason why she was refusing to return to Glee was that she was afraid that her body wouldn't be able to handle all the dancing.
Within seconds, Santana and Brittany were by her side, helping her up. She could hear Coach Sylvester blaring "Walk it off ladies" into her megaphone, "Fabray, I've not seen a fall more spectacular since Jennifer Lawrence at the Oscars. You are a disgrace."
Quinn bit her lip, willing herself not to cry. She wasn't that emotional wreck anymore, she was popular, head Cheerio and top of the pyramid; she would not cry. She closed her eyes for a moment, composing herself and finally looked up at Coach Sylvester, expecting to see nothing but disappointment. Instead, there was something else on the coach's face, something Quinn had rarely seen – worry.
Sue Sylvester motioned for Quinn to speak to her and the girl ran over obediently. "I'm sorry, coach. I must be out of practice, it won't happen ag-", but she was cut off by Sue "Q. I'm worried about you"
Quinn placed a hand on her hip and raised her eyebrows, "Why?" she asked, in genuine confusion. "I've never been better and I've finally come to my senses and quit Glee."
"It's not about that, although yes, that was a major victory over Spongehair Squarechin. But look how skinny and pale you are, I can barely see you. Sandbags and the other one have been worried about you."
Quinn could feel her coach's eyes looking her up and down. She placed the other hand on her hips and looped up as defiantly as possible into Sue's eyes, "I've been doing the Sue Sylvester master clease and eating salad – no dressing of course. I've never been in better shape, Prom Queen is basically mine." She replied sternly.
"You know Q, now you finally do have my bone structure, and it doesn't look good on you," Sue pinched Quinn's cheeks causing the girl to yell out, "This isn't beautiful, it's scarier than Glee's performance at Sectionals. You need to eat more to get better – how's your physical therapy?"
"F- fine" Quinn stumbled over the lie, "I just need a little time to adjust-"
"Sort your act out, Fabray." Coach Sylvester interrupted, "Or you'll be off the squad" and with that, Coach picked up her megaphone, shouted for the Cheerios to 'clear out' and left Quinn all alone on the grass.
The girl dusted herself off, smoothed her skirt and pulled her ponytail taut. She couldn't lose it all again, not when she was back on top. Yes, maybe she hadn't been eating well enough for her physical recovery, but she was terrified of turning back into the post-pregnancy chubby girl who no one wanted – or even worse, Lucy Caboosy.
Quinn picked up her pom-poms and walked, deflated across the field. As she walked, she vowed that she would remain on top this time, and no one would get in her way.
"Baby, are you hurt?" Max cooed patronisingly. It was lunch the next day and the relentless boy had already pulled her onto his lap in the cafeteria as a show of masculinity in front of his friends. "Would you like me to kiss it better?" he asked, slipping his hands under the top of her Cheerios uniform to graze Quinn's skin, earning him cheers and jeers from his friends.
Quinn slapped Max's hands away in a way that she hoped seemed playful and tried to giggle "Not here.." she replied, her voice was intended to be teasing, but instead it just sounded frigid. Santana raised her eyebrows at the girl from across the table before turning back to her plate of cheese fries. The blonde's stomach rumbled at the sight of the delicious fried potatoes. "I'm going to get something to eat" she said, partly out of hunger, but mostly just to get away from her boyfriend.
"Get me a burger." Max grunted in reply.
"Sure" Quinn hopped off his lap, thankful to have some space and made her way towards the line up. She noticed a familiar blond boy in front of her and rolled her eyes, though, at the same time, she was grateful to see him.
"Hey," Quinn greeted him smiled, before she could stop herself; talking to Sam was just so easy, it was instinct.
"Hey you" Sam smiled back in a way that warmed Quinn's heart. "What' was going on over there?" the boy asked, nodding his head over at the table where Max was currently participating in a very animated game that only seemed to include shouting and throwing food at each other. The girl rolled her eyes.
"I fell off the top of the pyramid," Quinn admitted softly "Max was checking to see if I was okay" she added as an afterthought, though it didn't really explain the rowdiness of their table. Her voice was barely a whisper and she wondered whether Sam had actually heard her between the bustle of the cafeteria as they moved along the loud line full of friends chatting. It was such an embarrassment that Quinn hadn't even told her mother, so why she was admitting her weakness in the middle of the busy room was beyond her other than the fact that it must be the blond boy's affect on her and the need to simply get it off her chest to someone who wouldn't judge. Considering the last time she'd fallen was when she was pregnant, it wasn't an easy topic for the girl.
"Wow- I mean, are you okay?" Sam's voice was filled with a genuine concern that made Quinn want to melt into its comfort. He reached out to touch her arm in a gesture of concern, but the girl was so used to Max's rough touch that she immediately jerked away. "Sorry," the boy added dejectedly.
"Sorry," Quinn echoed, she wouldn't explain about Max because Sam would only question her decision to be with him again. After a long pause, she remembered the boy's original question, "I'm fine, I just need to work harder in physical therapy and eat a little more".
"Oh, tomorrow, right?" Sam asked, a hint of a smile returned to his lips. He shuffled down the line and ordered the pasta, gratefully taking his plate from the lunch lady, smiling and thanking her. Quinn couldn't help but remember what a gentleman he was, and had always been. He didn't push her for more information about the fall because he knew that it was a sensitive topic made for more private places than the cafeteria and that she'd tell him if and when she was ready.
Quinn furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, "Tomorrow wha-" but she was cut off by the lunch lady barking at her to order, "Oh, one burger and fries and just fries please". She turned back to Sam, but the boy had already move towards the cashier. Catching up to him, Quinn repeated, "What's happening tomorrow?".
Sam had just finished paying, "You'll see" he said mysteriously, before smiling cheekily at the girl and nodding towards the 'Glee' table, "Don't suppose you'd care to join us?".
Quinn looked over to the table filled with her old friends, it was full of laughter and conversation, in comparison, her table looked like it was filled with a bunch of savages. "I got this for Max," she nodded down at the burger and smiled apologetically. Going to sit with Sam was just so tempting, but she couldn't ruin her image, stealing little moments of happiness with the blond boy who used to hold her heart was dangerous enough. Any more and her whole reputation could crumble, "Maybe another time" added, honestly though she doubted that there would ever be a way that she could have Glee and popularity.
"See ya then," Sam nodded semi-awkwardly and made his way over to the distinctly more interesting table.
Quinn sighed heavily, paid for the food and then made her way back over to Max. Every step closer to him caused her heart to be torn further, it was with Sam and the Glee table, yet she was willing to walk away from them. It just brought into question whether popularity was really worth it, wasn't that why she'd joined Glee in the first place – because she liked to sing? The girl reminded herself that wearing that tiara would be worth all of the pain and effort, it would prove that she was just as beautiful and perfect as Frannie.
"Here, sorry about the wait, there was such a long line," Quinn smiled, placing the burger in front of Max and settling down next to him on the bench. She gingerly picked up a fry, studying it before finally placing it in her mouth. The crispy shell broke open releasing a flavour far better than the girl had remembered – grease, potato and salt, it was awful for her, but so delicious and she couldn't believe that she'd gone so long without it. Everything was okay in moderation, wasn't it?
Max took a colossal bite of his burger, his mouth was so full that Quinn could see the food in it as he spoke, though she could barely understand him "Didn't even notice" he shrugged, before turning his attention back to the food, which was clearly far more important than she was.
Quinn sat up straight with her shoulders back and head held high. Although she didn't care for the boy, his indifference towards her still hurt. It reminded her of every time she'd been rejected, and how ugly she used to be. She was very aware that she looked far too prim next to Max, but looking poised was the only thing she could do. She wasn't interested in all the football talk and unfortunately, Brittany and Santana were across the table, though they looked far too absorbed in each other to take note of her. Instead, she held herself elegantly and picked at her fries, counting every minute until lunchtime was over.
A/N: Thanks for reading guys! As always, questions, comments and criticism are very welcome.