Hi, another update woop! Didn't really know how to write this one. It doesn't help that i am writting 3 things at the same time, gets really confusing lol!

Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 5

"Hey Berry"

It has been about a month since Santana and Brittany discovered my little secret and we have been inseparable ever since. Well, when I say inseparable I mean it outside of school; I still refuse to involve others in my drama.

It's been nice, having other people in on my secret and hanging out together. They usually come over our house were we laugh and joke, play games or we go out clubbing to pick up chicks together. Well I and Noah do anyway, Brittany and Santana just go to dance and be together freely away from judgemental eyes. They really do make a cute couple, even though Santana can be a hard head at times.

I do a quick scan of the hallway only to see lots of people watching our interaction with interest, probably expecting a beating.

I say quietly under my breath so only she can hear "You shouldn't be talking to me at school San" before turning to her with my mega watt fake smile. "Santana! What a surprise to see you here today by my locker, how may I be of assistance?"

Now that she knows my secret she just smirks at me when I go into Rachel Berry mode, I almost miss the times when she found it annoying.

"Look, me and Brittany..."

"Brittany and I" I correct, it's difficult not to do that when I am engrossed in my character...

Ah ha, there's that eye roll I've been looking for! "Brittany and I have been talking to Puck and we all agree that you need to drop the act" she says determinedly.

My posture tenses up when she mentions that and I immediately turn back to my locker, hissing under my breath "This is hardly the time to be discussing this!"

"Well you always cut me off when we try and talk to you about this in private! This is the only time you will listen to me!" she says in exasperation.

"Yeah? Well what happens when I drop the act huh? Noah will be kicked down to the bottom of the food chain and I won't let that happen!" I whisper harshly.

"Brittany and I will help you! No one messes with me Rachel and you know it! Do you honestly think I can stand back and watch people shit all over you all day? Do you know how much I want to punch all their faces in?" it's very rare that Santana lets her true feelings out and I wince at the harsh truth.

She softens slightly noticing that before adding "Look Rach, your family now whether you like it or not and I look out for my family".

"What are you doing talking to the troll for Santana" the commanding voice of Quinn echoes around the hallway as her harsh gaze lands on the both of us. Wow, do I get new nicknames on a daily basis? I wonder if she has a little book called 'Berry insult 101', that's kind of cool. Lol.

I send Santana a look telling her not to do anything stupid to which she rolls her eyes again. I still don't trust her so I answer for her. "Why good morning Quinn it's nice to see you to. Santana over here was just asking about our Spanish homework which I am only too happy to help with."

Quinn looks confused while Brittany, on the other side of Quinn, is watching us with her brow's furrowed.

"I thought you already know Spanish San, why would you need help?" Quinn asks now with suspicion.

Santana gives me the look which screams 'is that the best you could come up with?' I just shrug sending her 'I don't know, I can't think that quickly'. Yeah, we can eye communicate now, it's pretty cool, but it will never be as good as Noah and I's twin communication, hell we even think the same things.

"No bitch, it's a piece of cake, I kinda dozed off when the Homework was assigned though and man hands is the only who pays attention so..." Santana replies covering for me.

Quinn nods accepting these words. "Well, come on, we have things to do, you don't want to catch something" she says looking at me in disgust before flowing down the corridor.

I can see Santana clench her jaw in anger and decide to place a comforting hand on her arm to calm her down, away from everyone's view.

"This conversation isn't over" she mutters before walking towards Brittany following Quinn down the corridor.

I see Noah leaning against the lockers opposite me, looking at me with disappointment, I can't stand that look so I grab my books and head off to class, vaguely wondering why I didn't get slushied this morning.

Lessons were as expected, boring, but being in character, I was a dedicated study.

There was no glee club this lunch, which is after school today instead so as I make my way through the cafeteria doors, I was met with one big mother fucking shock.

Standing around me in a semi circle is the majority of the jocks at school, each with different flavoured cups of slush in their hands grinning at me evilly.

I gulp and close my eyes shut tightly, clenching my fists as in unison, they bombard me with a tidal wave of slush, soaking me to my very, now frozen, core.

The cafeteria irrupts into laughter and I mentally thank god that Noah was not here to witness this, who knows what he would have done.

However, all thought leaves me as I see a livid looking Santana pushing people aside in an attempt to get to Karofsky, the leader of this pack of dogs.

I know I won't be able to stop her, but I can't let her do this, certainly not right now. So as she reaches him, pulling her fist back preparing for a punch, I pretend to stumble, moving in her way, getting one mighty punch to the face.

'OUCH MOTHER FUCKER' is the thought screaming through my head as I writhe around on the floor, clutching my face, leaving Santana stood there in stunned silence. The jocks cheer, thinking Santana had purposefully hit me, but when I look up into Santana's eyes I can see self-hatred in them and mentally kick myself for doing that to her.

I stand up wobbling slightly as Santana reaches out to steady me, but stops herself when I send her the look.

I take a deep breath, putting on a smile before speaking "Let's go take a look at that Spanish homework shall we?" I say grabbing her arm and pulling her out of the cafeteria.

"What was that about?" one of the jocks asks.

"Donno, it's Berry, she's a freak" Karofsky says, the jocks nod in agreement, moving back to their table.

I don't care how lame and out of character that excuse was because right now, my main worry is Santana. I drag her into the furthest toilets and turn to look at her.

She flinches at the red marks appearing around my left eye but doesn't move. "Santana, this is not your fault ok? I got in the way, you couldn't have done anything to stop it!"

Brittany then comes in the toilets looking at me in worry before turning to her secret girlfriend. "San" she speaks softly.

That seems to knock Santana out of her self-pity as she turns to me in anger. "Why would you do that Rachel? Why did you get in the way! You know he deserved whatever he got yet your still trying to protect this stupid game of yours! Stop being so fucking selfish!" she screams at me.

I can feel my anger rise with hers "You think I did that to protect my stupid fucking image? Admittedly it was partly because I didn't want it to come out like that but fucking think about it! What do you think would have happened if you punched a football player in fucking football season? Do you think Principle Figgins would have let you off with a warning? Fuck no! People turn a blind eye when I get hurt or bullied Santana, Figgins especially because I have 'faggot' fathers, I was not going to let you ruin yourself!" I finish my rant breathing heavily leaving Santana stunned while Brittany smiles softly at me.

"You're so stupid... Letting yourself get hurt by me just to protect me..." Santana trails off miserably as a few tears escape her eye's, staring at the floor.

"I think we need a group hug" Brittany says happily, pulling both Santana and I into her arms, giving Santana a kiss at the same time.

"Ahem, I love you guys and everything, but I do not need to be that close to you when you kiss" I say untangling myself from them.

Santana looks at me smirking, "What, we are hot together, I don't see the problem"

"Yeah your definitely hot, but you're like my sisters and I don't need my face that close when you do that" I cringe.

"What about Noah?" Santana asks raising an eyebrow.

"What about Noah?" I ask confusedly.

"You see him kiss girls all the time"

"He's my wing man" I answer simply.

They go to leave the bathroom but turn to look at me when I don't follow.

"I got to clean up" I say gesturing to myself.

They nod but Santana turns to look at me again smirking, "Spanish homework? Really?"

"It was the best I could do in that situation!" I huff.

Once they have left, I turn to look at myself in the mirror, wincing at what is going to be one hell of a black eye.

I look down at my clothes and frown, this is going to take more than a simple sink wash to look presentable for when I get home to my fathers.

I sit in there for the rest of lunch and part way through last lesson, waiting for the changing rooms to clear so I can use the shower.

I sneak in, hiding my belongings in the corner and strip down, stepping into the shower, letting the warm water wash away the slime of the slushy.

Once finished, I step out and begin to redress into some gym clothes, it's all I have with me today other than my real clothes in the car, when I hear sniffling.

I look up surprised, in only my gym shorts and bra, walking around the side of the lockers to find Quinn?

Quinn is sat on the floor with her arms wrapped around her legs, crying softly.

She still hasn't noticed my presence so I walk quietly and slide down the wall next to her; she looks up startled before her look turning to horror when she notices it's me.

She quickly rubs the tears away from her eyes furiously, turning to look at me angrily "What are you doing here?" I am sure that would have been intimidating if it wasn't for the red puffy eyes and the wavering voice. She goes to stand up before I get a chance to answer, wanting to make a quick escape.

I grab hold of her arm though, pulling her back down and looking into her eyes, for the first time in front of Quinn Fabray, I let my character slip in an attempt to comfort her. "I won't tell anyone Quinn, you can cry" I say sincerely.

She looks up at me for a moment, before flinging herself in my arms, crying into my shoulder, I can do no more than put my arm around her, rubbing my hand in a soothing motion while whispering comforting words. "Shhh, it's ok. Let it all out"

She eventually calms down enough to control her breathing and pulls herself away from my arms, almost reluctantly? Na.

"So what are you doing here?" she repeats her question.

I smile sheepishly pointing towards my attire "Had to take a shower"

Her eye's follow where I was pointing, finally noticing that I am in a bra and gym shorts before looking away blushing furiously. Hmm interesting.

"and what is the one Quinn Fabray doing in the locker room crying her heart out?" I ask playfully, but she still flinches, pulling further away from me. Oops, guess that was a bad move.

"Look, you don't need to tell me anything but I have found in the past that it helps, telling someone your troubles, that is..." I scratch the back of my neck nervously not really knowing what to say. This girl is the only girl ever to make me feel nervous.

She snaps her head to me then, her fiery hazel eyes staring into mine "How can you be so nice to me? After everything I have done to you! Do you know it was me who called that Slushy attack on you just now?" looking confused and annoyed at the same time.

I sigh "I figured as much Quinn" I say tiredly.

She looks taken aback completely by that answer, looking at me through different eyes she asks "Why are you acting so differently now? This is not the Rachel Berry I know"

"That's because you don't know me Quinn" I say in slight anger, she was the one who judged me in the first place after all.

She flinches at my tone and there seems to be regret in her eyes, so I soften slightly. "I don't know what you're going through right now Quinn, but I am sure you can pull through" I say standing up "You're stronger than you think" I begin to move away when...

"Where are you going?" she asks almost desperately.

I turn and smile, a real smile for a change which catches her off guard "The bells about to go and I don't think Mr Schue would approve if I walk into Glee half naked" I add with a wink leaving a blushing Quinn behind.

I arrive late to Glee for a change, surprising the rest of the glee clubbers as well as receiving worried glances from Noah, Santana and Brittany. They know I never break character unless there is a reason, and arriving late to glee is definitely breaking character.

I march in, head held high with the same ridiculous smile on my face, taking my seat at the front.

"What's the matter Berry? Is my talent too much for you to take so you start slacking in glee? This is why I should get the Solo's" Mercedes sneers from the other side of the room.

I turn in my seat smiling brightly at her, flashing my teeth "Absolutely not Mercedes, I happen to think your 'talent' could use a little work, I'm sure with a little bit of practice you will be able to reach those high notes but it is inferior to my vocal range. When the day comes that your talent outclasses my own, I will happily give you the solo's but that day is not today." I finish with finality leaving a slack jawed Mercedes. I suppose even Rachel Berry is not that full of herself but after everything that has happened so far today, I'm feeling annoyed and agitated.

Quinn enters the room then, eyes immediately landing on me, looking for something in my eyes. I give her my biggest fake smile making her wince at the size of it "Well hello Quinn, nice of you to join us" I may have been the real me earlier, but I will not break character now.

She frowns at me before moving to the back of the classroom just as Mr Schue walks in. For the rest of the day I can feel her eyes on the back of my head, almost searing with their intensity.

Is it nearly time for McKinley to meet Rachel and Noah Puckerman Berry?

Had the eye colour wrong lol, just changed it! Thanks for pointing it out guys!

Please review!