Chapter 6 – Welcome to McKinley
"Quinnie!" Judy Fabray called, "Breakfast is ready honey."
Charlie groaned into his pillow before he rolled over on the couch and fell off into the floor landing with a thump. He berated himself for forgetting that he had volunteered to sleep on the couch so his cousin could have his bed. He was not making that mistake again because this couch was definitely made for sitting, not sleeping.
"Why in the heck are you on the floor, Q?" Savannah asked from her spot behind the couch.
"Ugggh, I forgot I was sleeping on the couch and rolled over a little too far." Charlie explained, getting up. "You're sleeping on the floor tonight. I can't sleep on that thing."
"Ya don't say?" Savannah stated, taking in his groggy appearance. "Why not, that couch is great!" Savannah told him as she munched on her toast.
"Sure, but its leather and I kept sticking to it last night. You like it, you can sleep there." Charlie told her as he headed into the kitchen scratching his severe bed head.
"Morning, honey." Judy greeted as he walked into the kitchen.
"Morning, Ma. Morning Aunt Jen." Charlie greeted with a kiss on cheek for each woman. "Morning, squirt!" Charlie greeted Ashley with a ruffle of her hair.
"Morning Bubba." Ashley greeted around her scrambled eggs.
"Good morning Quinton, sleep well?" Jen asked him in greeted.
"No ma'am, but that's okay because someone is going to be sharing a bed later." He quipped, sending Savannah a dirty look.
"Hey! Don't be mad at me, not my fault you slept like crap." Savannah called, holding up her hand in innocence.
Charlie ignored her as he busied himself with fixing his plate of food.
"What are you kids going to do today, Quinn?" Jen asked her nephew as she ate her breakfast.
Charlie finished chewing his food before answering, "I wanted to introduce Savannah to a few friends of mine. Mom, do you care if a couple people come over to swim?"
"Not at all, baby. We're going to be here all day though. Except your father, of course, he'll be at the office." Judy informed him.
"Okay. You bring your suit Savannah?" Charlie asked his cousin.
"Yup." Savannah replied, "I was hoping to get a swim in while we're here. Pool looks nice Aunt Judy." Savannah told them.
"Excuse me ladies, I'm gonna go grab my phone real quick." Charlie informed them before leaving the room.
To Santana: Wanna come swim today at the house?
Santana: B too?
To Santana: Of course.
Santana: Sure, be there in a little bit.
Santana: B wants to know if you have any pool toys.
To Santana: A few.
Santana: Okay. We will be there in an hour or so.
To Santana: See y'all shortly.
Charlie changed into his swim trucks before heading back downstairs.
"Santana and Brittany are coming over to swim." Charlie told Judy when he arrived back in the kitchen.
"Are those the Fruit Loops?" Savannah asked from her chair at table.
Charlie laughed, "Cheerios, but I think Fruit Loops may be more accurate of a description."
"Quinnie! Don't say that, Santana and Brittany are lovely girls." Judy informed everyone.
"Yes ma'am." Charlie conceded.
"Riiiight, well I'm gonna go change. I'll be right back." Savannah announced before heading upstairs.
Charlie went into the living room and flicked on the T.V. and his Xbox before settling down in front of the couch to play. A few minutes later Savannah returned in her swim wear. She had on a hot pink and yellow two piece that looked perfect against her tanned skin and a pair of shorts that ended just below her rear end. She sat down clumsily next to Charlie on floor before reaching for the other controller.
"You can use this one, hold on. We'll just take turns so we don't have to use the split screen." Charlie told her.
They took turns playing Call of Duty and shouting directions at the other loud enough for the neighbors to hear.
"He's right there! To your right! Shoot! Stab him!" Savannah shrieked at Charlie.
"I see him! I see him! Ah, got cha!" Charlie yelled at the T.V.
"Will you two please keep it down!" Jen yelled from the kitchen
"Sorry, Ma!" Savannah yelled.
A few minutes later the door bell rang. "Will you get that?" Charlie asked Savannah, not talking his eyes off the T.V.
When the door opened Santana's eyes widened automatically. She took in the sight of the girl in front of her before looking at her surroundings. She took a step back and looked out at the driveway at Charlie's truck, she was at the right house. She looked back at the leggy blonde in front of her and gulped.
"I-Is uh Q here?" She stuttered out.
"You must be the Fruit Loops, come in! I'm Savannah." She greeted with a smile.
Santana just nodded dumbly before following Savannah.
"Hi, I'm Brittany!" Brittany greeted, "You look like Charlie, only hotter."
"Hear that Charlie Horse? I'm hot and you're not!" Savannah called to her cousin who was still immersed in his game.
Santana shook her head to rid herself of the leg induced haze she was in. She sat on the couch grabbing Brittany hand to pull her down next to her. Brittany looked at Santana knowingly before patting her leg and leaning over kiss her cheek. Santana's face flushed before she reached down and interlocked her pinky with Brittany. Charlie tossed the controller to Savannah before turning to his friends.
"Hey guys." Charlie greeted, "Y'all are awfully quiet. What's wrong?"
"San's embarrassed because she was check- ump." Brittany started before Santana covered her mouth with her hand.
"Nothing, Hillbilly. Are we gonna swim or what?" Santana asked dismissively, grabbing Brittany's hand and dragging her toward the kitchen.
"Hello Mrs. Fabray." Santana greeted.
"Hi, Santana, Brittany, how are you ladies this morning?" Judy asked them. "This is my much much older sister Jen. Jen this is Santana and Brittany. Brittany's father is Russell's new partner at the firm."
"Judy, I'd hardly call a year much of a difference. Hello girls, pleasure to meet you." Jen greeted.
"Mrs. Fabray do you have any toys?" Brittany asked sweetly.
Jen's eyes grew to the size of saucers before turning to wait for her sister's reply.
"Ex-excuse me dear?" Judy stuttered, her face turning scarlet.
"For the pool, Ms. Fabray, she meant for the pool." Santana explained.
"Oh! Yes dear, they're in the pool house." Judy replied, pointing outside.
Moments later Charlie appeared in the doorway with Savannah in tow, "Come on y'all let's go. I'll go grab some towels."
Jen scooted over next to Judy before asking, "So, was I the only one who thought she was talking about your vibrator or…" Judy nodded.
The four teenagers all were out to the pool before Charlie jogged barefoot across the hot concrete to grab them some towels. When he got back he saw Santana watching Savannah drop her shorts before applying sunscreen to her legs. Charlie balled up and towel and threw it at Santana, hitting her perfectly in the head. After she pulled the towel on her face she shot him a dirty look and he just raised his eye brow and cut his eyes to Savannah, daring Santana to say something.
"Hey B," Santana called, "Wanna go see what water toys we can find in the pool house?"
"Yeah, come on San." Brittany said clapping happily.
"Your friends are weird, Q." Savannah observed.
"They aren't, they just take some getting use to." Charlie replied.
"Whatever you say Quinn, I mean the girl from yesterday and now these two… you've found quite the group up here." She told him.
"You've just gotta get to know them Savannah. Santana and Britt have been really cool to me since I've moved here and Rachel, well I'm still working on that one." Charlie told her as he threw a float back in the pool.
"You met Rachel?" Brittany asked as she and Santana approached them carrying four water noodles and a huge float with a duck on it.
"Yep, we saw her yesterday at Starbucks. She was a mouthy little thing. She doesn't know me, I will smack her." Savannah assured them.
Santana nodded, "She is very mouthy. I have the same urge most of the time, but Q has a weird hobbit fetish so she's off limits for me now I guess."
Savannah laughed, "I know! You guys should've seen him yesterday. He was falling all over himself trying to soothe her pouty ass. Quinton, I didn't want to say anything yesterday, but I'm pretty sure she thought we were together."
Charlie shook his head, "Santana I asked you to stop with the name callin and Savannah don't say that, she did not."
"Well I think she did, she was all smiles until she saw me. Just my opinion." Savannah said before walking over to the pool ledge, dipping her toes in testing the water temperature.
"That would sound like something Berry would think, Q. Just saying.." Santana told him.
"Who cares? It doesn't matter now, so can we not talk about it?" Charlie asked.
"Awww! You must be really sweet on this girl, Quinn. About time you were interested in something else besides school, ball, or your car." Savannah teased.
"Shut up." Charlie said before pushing her in the pool before diving in.
Savannah came up laughing, "Are you girls gonna get wet or what?"
Santana nodded before throwing the noodles and the duck float in the pool and grabbing Brittany's hand before they jumped in splashing the other two.
"So, you two are friends with this Rachel girl?" Savannah asked as she grabbed a float, struggling to get up on it. She flailed and struggled, tossing one leg over it able to mount it.
"Classy." Charlie told her with a raised brow.
Brittany nodded. "No, we aren't." Santana assured her, "We go to school together and we're all in Glee Club together but we aren't friends. It takes all of my strength most days to not put tape over her mouth."
"Be nice, San." Brittany said, slapping her arm lightly, "Rachel is really nice, except in Glee. She tries to boss us all around in there."
"Exactly, and if she tries to cut me out of a solo that I know I can rock better than her this year, I will cut her." Santana told them sassily causing Savannah to laugh hysterically.
"Nobody is cutting anybody Santana." Charlie told her, clearly not amused.
"Charlie, my duckie float needs air." Brittany pouted.
"I have an air compressor in the garage if you want me to put some air in it for you." Charlie told her.
"Yay, let's do that." Brittany exclaimed before getting out of the pool and slipping on her flip flops.
Charlie followed Brittany around to the garage making sure she didn't bump into anything with the giant float. Savannah waited until he saw them vanish around the corner of the house before speaking.
"Charlie told me what a good friend that you and Brittany have been to him since he moved here. I just wanted to thank you." Savannah said as she turned over onto her back. "He's never been away from all of his family before, so it's great that he's gotten so close with y'all."
"Eh, don't mention it. He's a good guy, minus this ridiculous hang-up he has on Berry. He's been a good friend to me and B too." Santana replied.
"All jokes aside, do you think this Rachel person is a good girl. Charlie has never really had a steady girlfriend so this girl worries me a bit. I am not afraid to come up here and deal with her if she breaks his heart." Savannah said seriously.
"You don't have to worry, I've got my eye on Berry already. We're helping Q along. He's hopeless with girls from what I can tell, but B and I have his back." Santana assured her. "I still can't believe he's never had a serious girlfriend."
"He's had girlfriends, but he never lets them stick around too long. He dated this one gal off and on for a few years and then he caught her with her panties down in the back of Billy Mason's Station Wagon. He hasn't really dated since then. I put visine in that skank's water the next day at school." Savannah said, smiling fondly at the memory.
Santana laughed, reaching over to give Savannah a high five.
"I don't think you have to worry about that with Berry. As annoying as she is I don't think we'll need to worry about her." Santana informed her.
"Good. He deserves a good girl. He deals with a lot here. Uncle Russell rides him pretty hard about his grades and sports. He has certain expectations for Quinton, it drives me and momma crazy, but that's the Fabray way; perfection is demanded. Charlie and Uncle Russ have a good relationship other than that." Savannah explained to the Latina.
Santana nodded, "He mentioned that a little bit to Britt and me."
Savannah looked surprised, yet pleased. "Really? That makes me happy to hear. He must really trust you guys. He rarely ever opens up about anything personal."
Santana scoffed, "I know. We tried to get him to talk about sex and he looked like he was going to faint."
Savannah chucked and nodded as she made ripples in the water, "Oh heavens, poor Quinnie. He's so shy about stuff like that. I was at their house one night and Aunt Judy had bought him a box of condoms to make sure he was being safe…I thought he was going to have a stroke right there at the table. I just grabbed them and took them home with me. I told Aunt Judy I needed them way more than he did."
"I'll make sure he's prepared. We don't need any pregnant teenagers running around here." Santana laughed.
"Who's pregnant?" Brittany asked as she approached the pool lugging the duck float with Charlie in tow.
"Nobody, we were just saying how Q needs to wrap it up when he and Rachel start getting it on." Santana said, paddling towards Brittany.
"Ugggh, can we please not talk about that Santana?" Charlie begged.
"Why are you getting so uptight Quinnie, you obviously like this girl so it seems like a real possibility." Savannah stated.
"Do you just not want to have sexy times with a girl Charlie? It's okay if you don't, Kurt is like that too." Brittany told them as the clung to her duck float.
"What? No! Not that there is anything wrong with that, ya know, but no I'm not- I don't want to not have sex with girls." Charlie stammered.
"He's not gay guys, trust me. When Becky Fisher old me she went down on you on my back porch, Quinn, I literally almost choked to death on my beer. I was oddly proud of you. She is such a goody good! You should have sex with a girl soon, Quinton. It's totally awesome." Savannah told him.
"You've had sex with a girl?" Charlie asked, this was brand new information. "Who!" He asked in shock.
"Oooohhh so now you want to talk about sex? Yeah, I don't think so buddy." Savannah told him with a smile. "You totally know her though."
Charlie's eyes grew wide, "I don't believe you."
Savannah shrugged her shoulders, "Don't believe me all you want. Fine by me."
"Me and San like sexy times with girls too." Brittany informed, "If we weren't in an anonymous relationship then I would ask if you wanted to have sexy times with us."
"Monogamous B." Santana corrected.
Savannah laughed, "Thanks for the offer Brittany, but I have a boyfriend and I really love his penis so I don't think I'll be doing that again anytime soon."
"We have a strap-on that's just like the real thing-" Brittany confessed.
"Hold up! Ladies, too much information. I'm goin inside before I hear even more of an over share. Come in when y'all get done talking about that." Charlie told them as he lifted himself out of the pool.
"Party pooper!" Savannah called after him.
Santana, and Brittany spent the rest of the day hanging out at Charlie's house with his family and even managed to find the time to hang out once more before Savannah left. When Charlie took Savannah and his Aunt Jen back to the airport only a few tears were shed on Savannahs part, much to Charlie's relief. A few weeks later school was starting back at McKinley and Charlie was anxious to get started. Well, mostly he was just anxious to see Rachel.
"No." Charlie said not looking away from the TV.
"Why not? We just want to make you look nice for your first day at McKinley. Gotta dress to impress dude. Don't you want to look hot for Rachel?" Santana asked.
"I'm not dressing up for school, San. There's no reason for it. If she likes me then I'm sure Rachel won't care what I'm wearing." Charlie explained.
"Yeah, not until she sees how great your ass looks in those pants. Seriously man, the Hobs won't know what hit her." Santana said convincingly.
"I don't know Santana. It just seems stupid to dress up for school." Charlie told her, mashing buttons randomly on his Xbox controller.
"It's not. Just take my advice, trust me." Santana suggested.
"Fine, gosh you're persistently annoying." Charlie told her
"Sucker! I knew you'd cave." Santana told him with a smile.
"Shut up. Are you going to play with me or not." Charlie asked, pointing towards his Xbox.
"Yeah, toss me the controller." Santana commanded.
On the morning of the first day of school Charlie was searching his room for his black dress shoes.
"Dang it Santana. Why do you move my stuff?" Charlie asked his empty room.
His phone vibrated from its place on the sink alerting him of a new text.
Santana: I'm coming over to approve your…well you. Be there in two minutes. Let me in.
Before Charlie even made it down stairs his phone vibrate in his hand.
Santana: Open the damn door Hillbilly. I don't have all day!
"You didn't even give me time to make it downstairs. And where have you put my shoes? I can't find them." Charlie complained.
"Under your bed and hurry up. I gotta pick up B." Santana told him as she walked to the stairs.
"If you'd stop taking liberties with my stuff we'd already be outa here. Hint. Hint." Charlie told her as he pulled his shoes from their hiding stop.
"Yeah yeah yeah, let's go." Santana hold him as she snapped a quick picture of him with her cell phone as he threw his gym bag over his shoulder.
To Savannah: Pretty fly for a white guy
Savannah: Nice work, lady. He looks precious.
By the time he made it to McKinley he still had twenty minutes before the bell rang for first period. He made his way to the front office to get his schedule and turn in some paperwork.
"Q, wait up!" He heard from behind him. He turned to find Santana and Brittany walking towed him.
"What do you have first period?" Santana asked him.
"Umm AP English 3 with Ms. Bodenheimer." Charlie told her as he read off his schedule.
"Okay, that's this way." Santana pointed, "All Junior lockers are on the 300 hall which is also this way."
Just as they rounded the corner headed toward the 300 hall they saw two jocks toss slushies on Kurt and Rachel while another watched still holding his own big gulp.
"What the hell are they doing?" Charlie asked as he started to walk toward the scene.
"Hold on, Cowboy. Don't get involved. It's just how things work around here." Santana informed him.
"I'll go see if they need help getting cleaned up. I have study hall first period with Sue anyways." Brittany told him.
"What? Heck naw Santana I'm not goin to just let them do that to her." Charlie told her as he tried to pry her hand away from him.
Charlie turned back toward the scene and saw the jocks exchanging words with Rachel and Kurt.
"Let go, I'm going to check on her." Charlie hissed as she threw Santana's hand off of him.
"What the heck is goin on over here? Back off guys." Charlie told the jocks as he approached them.
"Stay out this Fabray." Karofsky told him.
"Hey man, why are you picking on them? I said back off." Charlie said loudly, putting himself between Kurt and Karofsky.
"It's okay Charlie. Those barbarians don't have anything else to do with their time besides pick on people smaller than them." Kurt said bitterly.
"Don't let me catch you doing that again Dave. I'll make practice hell on you." Charlie threatened as he pushed Kurt and Rachel in the other direction gently.
"Ha! Good one Fabray. As far as I can tell Hudson still has his spot so get your rookie face outa my way. If you want to defend these homos then maybe you want an ice shower too." Karofsky threatened back.
"Dude, you ain't nothing around here besides the new kid." Azimio said, "Ya know what? Welcome to McKinley." Azimio said right before Charlie was rocked with a grape slushy to the face.
Charlie stood frozen as the shock wore off. He wiped the corn syrup out of his eyes as he exhaled. Kurt and Rachel stood there wide eyed.
"Are you alright?" Charlie asked as he turned to the other two.
They both just nodded. "Come on Charlie, we should probably wash your shirt out before it stains permanently." Rachel told him as she pulled him toward the restrooms.
"Let's go to the Cheerios locker room guys, nobody will be in there." Brittany said as she walked over to them.
"I can't believe that Puckhead slushied you Q. I'll have a talk to him later, but I'm not sure if he'll listen. Since they're seniors this year they think they have free reign over everyone." Santana explained.
"Sounds like the Cheerios Santana, only you all think you rule over everyone no matter what grade you're in. The hierarchy in this school knows no bounds. It's not so fun when the shoe is on the other foot is it?" Rachel asked Santana with a raised brow.
"I'm pissed that he got slushied hobbit, not you. You should be used to it by now. He's the Quarterback and that position demands a certain respect. The football team is actually going to be good this year because of him and they think they can slushy him like they do you losers? Oh hell naw." Santana stated, "Not on my watch."
Rachel looked down and nodded sadly.
"Santana it doesn't matter who I am. Nobody should be gettin hit in the face by one of those. I'll get him back, don't worry. Let's just get you guys cleaned up." Charlie soothed.
"I have to get my slushy kit out of my locker." Rachel informed everyone, "I'll be there in just a second."
"Well I'm certainly glad I chose to wear my best Marc Jacobs shirt today." Kurt said sarcastically as he looked down sadly at his stained shirt.
"Yeah, glad I decided to dress nice today too Santana." Charlie sassed.
"How did I know you were going to go mouthing off and get yourself slushied. I told you to leave it be and you did t listen." Santana replied.
"I wasn't going to stand there after seeing them do that to her and not do anything about it." Charlie said hotly.
"Guys, can't we all just get along?" Brittany asked sweetly as they approached the locker room.
"Are you guys sure I can be in here? It's the ladies locker room." Charlie pointed out.
"It's fine. Britt can you handle this?" Santana asked, getting a nod from the blonde.
"Good. I'm going to class. I'll see you guys at lunch." Santana said as she left the locker room.
"Charlie give me your shirt. We have some Shout in here by our washing machine. I'll spray it for you." Brittany offered.
Charlie unbuttoned his shirt and gave it to Brittany.
"Well for what it's worth Cowboy, you did look nice today. It's a step up from that cowboy hat or pajamas." Kurt joked as he scrubbed on his own shirt.
Rachel bustled in the door with her slushy kit in hand before she was grounded by the sight of Charlie peeling his undershirt off. Rachel felt her jaw drop open a little as Charlie turned in her direction. The 'V' of his pelvis was visible over his dress pants. Rachel blinked twice before looking at Kurt who was clearly enjoying the view as well. Rachel stepped in front of Kurt to block his view before offering her services to the blonde boy.
"I have a wash cloth in my emergency bag if you would like to use it to wash off Charlie. I also have shampoo to get the slushy out of your hair." Rachel alerted him with a smile.
Charlie smiled down at the adorable brunette, "You just get yourself cleaned up first Rachel. I'll just wash off in the sink with paper towels. Thanks though."
Kurt caught Rachel's attention before gesturing toward his stomach and mouthing oh my goodness and pointing toward Charlie who was busy whipping himself off with a gob of paper towels. Rachel watched him with a small smirk on her face before getting started on her cleaning ritual. Charlie went around to the other side of the lockers to change into the clothes he had brought to wear home after football practice. He slid his dress pants off and put them in the bag he had his tennis shoes in before taking out his jeans and pulling them on. He slipped into his Nikes and pulled on his Vols t-shirt before he walked back around to where the others were. He saw Rachel bent over drying her hair with a pink towel she had clearly brought from home. He let his eyes trail up her toned legs a second before forcing himself to look away. Rachel stood up, flipping her hair over her shoulder before reaching into her bag for a hair dryer.
"Does this happen a lot?" Charlie asked curiously.
Rachel nodded a little, "More than I'd like to admit actually."
Charlie gritted his teeth, "I don't' know how yet, but I'm going to try to get them to lay off."
"That's a kind gesture Charlie, but I'm not sure you will be successful. Those neanderthals do this to almost everyone, if you aren't a Cheerio or an athlete then you're pretty much free game for a slushy facial. That's how it is at McKinley. I'm not sure it will change any time soon." Rachel explained.
"I may not get them to stop altogether but I'm not letting him to that you-you guys." Charlie told her.
"That's sweet of you to try Charlie, thank you." Rachel told him before turning on her hair dryer.
"You should probably get to class Charlie. We're already ten minutes late." Kurt said from behind him.
Charlie nodded, "Which way is Ms. Bodenheimer's class from here?"
"You're in AP English? It's right around the corner. We have the same class, I'll escort you there sir." Kurt said with a smile.
"Thanks Kurt. Do you think it's okay to leave Rachel in her by herself?" Charlie asked as he watched the little diva dry her hair.
"Your girl will be fine. Brittany's still in here if she needs help." Kurt assured him.
"Where is Brittany? I haven't seen her since she left with my shirt." Charlie said puzzled.
"She said she had study hall this period. That means she has Coach Sylvester, so Britt is probably back there watching cartoons or something." Kurt said dismissively, pointing toward the door at the back of the locker room.
"There's a TV back there?" Charlie asked interestedly.
Kurt laughed, "Of course! This is the Cheerio's locker room. They have so much swag it's not even funny." Kurt explained.
Charlie, clearly impressed, just nodded his head. Rachel finally turned off her hair dryer and wrapped the cord up before sticking it back in her bag.
"You two better get to class!" Rachel scolded, "See you two later at lunch." Rachel told them as she hurried out the door.
Charlie smiled after her before the look on Kurt's face caught his eye.
"You really have a thing for our resident diva, huh?" Kurt asked with a smile receiving a nod from Charlie. "Well for what it's worth, she likes you too. Come on Romeo, let's get to English. Bodenheimer is already going to throw a hissy."
"Is it really always like this for y'all, Kurt? With the slushies and stuff?" Charlie asked.
"Yes, but that's how it's been since we've been at this school." Kurt said as he pulled open the door to their class room. "Welcome to McKinley."