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Chapter 2

That Summer:

Family Ties and

Unexpected Surprises

I was awakened from my reminiscing stupor as my overstressed mother yelled at a perplexed airport employee. We had just landed in Atlanta and from what I could tell, somewhere between California and Georgia, her custom made Prada luggage bags went missing (something she claims to be very essential for her new life in Georgia, but I just think its her way of saying 'look you southern hicks, this is what real class and money looks like'), and she was losing her mind.

I sigh and walk away, wishing for the first time she would just drown herself in alcohol and become the unfeeling being I've grown to know.

In the car on our way to our new home, I was silent, managing to get lost in thought once more as strong tingle spread inside my stomach and chest; I felt slightly dizzy as if my body was lacking the oxygen it yearned for.

Ha, all of this just from a girl that I may never see again.

I suddenly felt my mom turn around in her seat, leering at me with an expression that was a mixture of constipation and feigned worry. I guess she was trying out her new role as a caring southern mom; what not a better way to establish herself in the neighborhood as a represenator of true motherhood.

Feeling the need to acknowledge her, I go into perfect daughter mode. I look up at her, giving her a fake, joy fairing smile before speaking. "What mom?" I ask.

"What's on your mind, honey? Are you upset about leaving Palm Lake and California, because your father and I really thought this was what you wanted?"

'No, this is what I wanted. I was just thinking how good it felt to be somewhere that I belong." I say with a small smile, being honest with her for the first time.

"Oh honey, don't be silly. You're a Fabray and we belong anywhere that we may choose. It's a right that comes along with a status of our nature." She says with a haughty laugh. She really didn't know anything and it stung, even with our lie of a mother-daughter relationship, you would think she would be able to sense what this meant to me and finally come to an understanding of who I am; but she didn't, a further notion that I'm not their child just an interactive center piece of their lives. So I stayed silent for the rest of the ride, fading into memories once more.

When the car came to a halt, I was snapped out of my dream like trance as my heart swelled with excitement and joy, but to only have it deflate when I took in my surroundings.

"Umm, why are we at a country club and what town is this?" I ask with intrigue and unknowingness.

"Had Honeysuckle changed this much?"

"Oh sweetie, our home isn't ready just yet. So your father and Uncle Jonathan decided to have a small family vacation in Savannah. That way, you and your new cousin can bond before school starts." She says as my father bark orders to bellhop and valet.

"Mom, Uncle Jonathan has been remarried for four years. So that doesn't make him my new cousin, just annoying." I say sighing as I find my way to my private suite.

Later at dinner, I found myself staring at my dinner plate as my family seated themselves patriotically: My dad and uncle, each taking place at either end of the table as my aunt and mom were seated to the right of them; while us children were sitting beside our respectful mothers. The adults divulged themselves in mindless chatter, talking everything and nothing but I couldn't really find myself to listen.

When I looked up, I caught sight of a cocky smile that belonged to my cousin and I couldn't help myself from commenting.

"Puck…nice Mohawk, I didn't think country clubs permitted hooligans." I say in a teasing manner.

He just smirked and leaned back in his seat, placing his hand over his heart before he spoke. "Cuz, that hurt. Whenever are gonna get along?" he asks mockingly.

"When hell freezes over." I say in a coolly yet jesting tone. His eyes widen in surprise as the adults gasped in shock. I think it was the first time they heard me use any profanity, even a biblical reference. Suddenly Puck burst into a fit of laughter as well as his little sister; for some reason it allowed me to smile, truly smile.

When the laughter died down and parents having their mini convos, dinner progressed and I caught myself spacing for millionth time that day.

When I felt a hard bang on the table, I was startled back into reality where everyone's curious gaze settled onto me.

"Quinn, your Aunt Joanne asked you a question." My father stated sternly. I knew it meant that I better answer the question and stop embarrassing him that instant, and so I did.

I straightened my shoulders and smiled a politely at my aunt. "Sorry, what did you say Aunt Jo?"

"Sweetheart, I asked…" I saw her lips moving and her hand moving animatedly, but I lacked the ability to hear her words; as if she was a real life silent movie.

For the grace of God, Puck picked up on my inability to speak and jumped in for me.

"Mom, I'm sure Quinn would love to answer all of your questions but I'm sure the flight must took a lot out of her; not to mention we're at a stuffy restaurant, not particularly the ideal place for teens and adolescence to relax." He said using a charming smile as I gazed impressed. Uncle Jonathan must have forced that boy to SAT prep classes, because his vocabulary sky rocketed from those of a toddler's to an eight year old's. "So how about all of you take this time to talk and have fun children free, while the three of us go put-put golfing or to the theater, I heard Lion King 3D is still playing."

When Puck was finished, the three of us looked at our fathers eagerly, silently hoping they would give in. They glanced at each other and nodded; they must have understood what Puck meant, or at least somewhat, because the two of them broke in grins and shooed us away.

It didn't take much for either of us to leap up from our chairs, and hurriedly run (meaning speed walk) to the elevators to our respectable rooms to change. Once on our floor, I pulled puck into a tight hug and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. 'You're the best!' I told him before turning to make my way to my suite.

Once dressed, I made my way down the hall and knocked on Puck's and Emily's suite. Emily answered the door with a sweet smile and pulled me in, "Great you're here. I need help on finding the perfect outfit and with Puck being a boy, a football player, and just being himself, he's pretty useless."

"Hey, I heard that." Puck yells from his room in very loud huff.

I couldn't help but laugh at the loving banter between the two of them. Before I conjured up another memory or thoughts of having any siblings, I was greeted by an avalanche of clothing that tumbled down when Emily opened her room door.

It took an hour to dig through the clothes and another 45 for Emily to get ready. So I went to Puck's room to hangout. I didn't bother to knock, I just entered. "So are you ready yet?" I ask in a tired tone as I witness him just putting his shirt on and getting a full glance of his muscular body, completely unfazed. It's a thing that I've come to accept, that boys really don't do it for me.

"Yup, so where's Emily?" He asks while going through a few other bags for his wallet.

"Changing into her clothes, right now." I reply as I walk around his room, gazing at a few pictures he has scattered here or there. I pause when he implores me a question.

"So anyways, are you gonna use this opportunity to raise hell like any other teen and maybe have some fun, or just continue to be so fucking vacant and perfect?" He asks in all seriousness.

"And what's wrong with that?" I ask as my temper gets the best of me. If there is only one thing I have learned from the Frabrays, is how to get defensive.

"Everything! We're young and virtually responsible free, so why not take advantage of it while we can. For the first time, try making friends or better yet dating. Its something what people our age do."

Instead of continuing the argument I grab a random picture frame and hold it close to my chest as I take a seat on Puck's bed. "Why do you care so much?"

"Because we're family, and I'm tired of being this robot for your mom and dad. You need to start living." He says while draping an arm over my shoulder.

When I'm about to answer him, I pull the picture away from my chest and oddly gaze it. For some reason my heart was seeking something special out in this photo. "So who are they?" I show him the picture frame that's tightly clasped in my hand.

"Oh that's the glee club I'm in and before you laugh. Its actually cool and it scores the hotness factor on my side when I wanna get some panties."

"One, eww; you are a disgusting pig and two, are they your friends?"

"In a way, yeah; kinda almost like family. A lot of us tend to hangout. You will meet everyone this summer, well except for berry. She always disappears to musical boot camp or family bonding vacations. So that intense introduction will have to wait til next month, when school starts." He states getting up as Emily shouts that she'll be ready in five minutes as curiosity flourishes my body.

"What do you mean intense?" I ask.

"She's just a little overbearing, and that's when you've gotten to known her for a while. For new people like you, she'll be very off putting; maybe even to the point you would want to kill her." He mutters "But she's my fellow Jew babe and I love her, so I can't allow you to kill. Although you two might actually get along."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because she's just as uptight as you." He says smirking as he dodged the pillow I aimed at his head.

"Go to hell puck." I fire back.

"Nah, my hotness would raise the temp and people there are already suffering." He says while flexing.

Emily runs into the room, spinning around. "So how do I look?" she asks excitedly

"Beautiful." I mutter to her. She grins when Puck nods in agreement and lifts her as we walk out of the door.

"Hey Puck, what's her first name?" I ask. He only gives me a confused expression in response. "The intense one, what's her name?" I ask once more, except slowly.

When realization dawns on him, he responses by giving me a big, dopey grin. "Oh, my bad, Quinn. It's Rachel, Rachel Berry." He says as he calls for the elevator to return to our floor.

Its not that great, so tell me how I did. have a great day guys.

Also, if you see any errors, please point them out so I can correct them immediately.