A/N: Yeah, sorry for the wait guys. I was out of town for a couple of days just got back today. Um…uh…right, un-beta'd. Some dialogue taken from a very glee Christmas and from Silly Love Songs.
xxx
I'm not a hero! I'm just a girl! A normal teenage girl!"
"No, you are wrong. You are much more than that. You are special; Our Savior."
"I never wanted this! I didn't choose this, Lunis!"
"Hero's never choose their destinies, Rachel. Their destinies choose them."
xxx
It was a disaster. A complete and utter disaster. They had not only been booed out of the room-which wasn't surprising-, but she once again had a bruise in the shape of a shoe print on her arm. She couldn't believe she forgot about that considering the fact that it hurt so badly the first time.
Rachel huffed as she yanked her sweater off, glaring at the door out of the corner of her eye. Mr. Schuester conveniently left out the fact that he would not be caroling-torturing unsuspecting students-with them and left them to bear the grunt of their fellow students' anger. This was all his fault.
"I still can't believe that that teacher let those students speak to us like that."
The brunette heard someone exhale a little ways away from her and a sweet melodic voice tinged with annoyance filled the air; "What did you expect, Rachel? We're still losers to everyone in this school."
Frowning at Quinn's words, Rachel pursed her lips before walking over to Puck and sitting next to him. She crossed her arms as she leaned into him; "I can't believe she threw her shoe at me."
Noah smiled in sympathy before wrapping an arm around her shoulders and rubbing them gently as he leaned down to whisper in her ear, "I'll take you out to get some hot chocolate later, ok babe?"
Rachel's frown evaporated as she beamed up at him, eyes sparkling with joy; "Thank you, Noah."
"Guys, we can't let what just happened ruin our Christmas spirit. Mr. Schue got us this beautiful tree to inspire us. We're gonna practice now and gear up for round two tomorrow."
Sam narrowed his eyes at the hulking boy as he placed a hand on his girlfriends waist, gently guiding her away from the tree and from Finn in case what he said invoked a physical reaction from the dimwitted boy. He didn't want his girl to get hurt.
He glared at Finn; "Dude, what makes you in charge of what we do?"
Finn scowled as he crossed his arms; "I'm the team captain, dude. That's what makes me in charge and c'mon, I'm only trying to do what's right for the team."
"Technically speaking, you're the co-captain, Finn." Quinn spoke up, subtly shaking loose her boyfriends hand so that she could continue placing ornaments on the tree, "Besides, when is the last time you've done something captainly. You literally just sit there and let Berry do all the work. Why do you get to invoke captain rights without taking responsibilities for your other duties?" She finished, barely sparing the red-faced boy a glance.
The spiky haired young man clenched his fist in his crossed arms and jutted his lip out, "H-hey, I take care of this team, Quinn. At least I'm not part of something that's constantly trying to sabotage the Glee club like Coach Sylvester is. I care more about this team than you do!"
"Don't talk to my girlfriend like that man-"
"Don't talk to Quinn like that, Finn Hudson!" Everyone was startled in silence when Rachel's voice boomed throughout the choir room. They all turned to face her with equal expressions of shock and surprise, none of them expecting to hear the little diva defend Quinn of all people from her beloved Finn.
Rachel flushed red but stood her ground as she glared at her ex-boyfriend with her arms crossed even more tightly against her chest. Her eyes brimmed with anger and disbelief; "Quinn has done more for us than you ever have, Finn and I would know. And don't you dare try and refute me on that. We both know just how 'captainly' you've been over the past year and a half."
Finn grunted but stayed quiet as the other glee clubbers mumbled in agreement. Smiling in triumph, the brunette turned her head slightly to grin at them when she froze. Hazel eyes were peering at her in fierce appreciation; she felt lightheaded, and a little bit faint. Quinn had never looked at her like that before. It was amazing.
"Besides, no one will bully us. Santa Claus can do anything and this year I asked the Glee club to stop being picked on."
Rachel smiled blithely as she watched the tall blonde place presents on top the piano. Last year, she found Brittany's ignorance to be completely annoying. But knowing the troubles soon to come for the statuesque cheerleader, the brunette couldn't help but consider her innocence endearing now. She hoped she would be able to keep it this time around.
"She's kidding right?"
"Guys, this is serious. Listen up."
Wringing her hands out in front of her, Rachel furrowed her brow before walking away from the assembled group and towards the naive blonde. She tapped the girl on the arm and beamed up at her, rocking back on the soles of her flats as the other girl turned and faced her.
Brittany raised an eyebrow in surprise as she gave Rachel a wide smile before turning back towards her work; "What are you asking Santa for this year, Rachel?" she asked, her tone playful and exuberant.
Rachel giggled as she took a step closer to the joyful girl, her eyes sparkling with mirth as she smirked conspiratorially, "I already got my wish fulfilled, Brittany. But I have a feeling that there are more presents still to come."
xxx
"Do you want to go out tonight, Quinn…Quinn?"
Quinn tore her eyes away from Brittany and Rachel and up towards her boyfriend, ignorant to the dark frown marring her delicate features, "Hm?"
Sam shook his head and gave his girl a little half-smile as his eyes flickered towards the giggling duo and back at Quinn, "I asked if you want to go out tonight? Mentally prepare ourselves for the fun that will be sitting on Santa's lap tomorrow."
The blonde girl's frown dimmed just a bit as she forced a small smile onto her face. She probably should spend some time with the taller blonde. After all, he was her boyfriend; "Ok, sure. What tim-
"Hello, Samuel. I'm sorry to interrupt your conversation, but I was wondering if I could speak to Quinn for a moment?"
Sam raised an eyebrow as Quinn whipped her head towards the shorter girl. He smiled compassionately as confusion mixed with joy passed over his girlfriend's features only to be replaced by her trademark scowl. He'd have to remember to ask her about that later.
Squeezing Quinn's waist, he placed a light kiss to her temple before turning to face Rachel; "That's up to Quinn, Rach. I do have to get to class now though, so I'll pick you up around six tonight, Quinn." He nodded towards the brunette as he untangled himself from his girlfriend and walked away.
They both watched him go with differing expressions, one of intrigue and the other of panic.
Quinn felt anxiety well up inside her. Why was Rachel asking to speak to her? The brunette never showed any real interest in talking to her. It had been all Quinn; she was the one reaching out, albeit in her own tiny way, to the other girl. M-maybe Rachel was there to tell her to stop. After all, she had already spent an inordinate amount of time with the little songbird and maybe Rachel was sick of her coming along and bothering her.
That thought made her feel un-expectantly nauseous.
Scowl deepening to hide her unease, the blonde crossed her arms defensibly as she glowered down at the younger girl, "What do you want?"
Rachel faltered at the harsh words, nervousness flickering through her eyes as she bit her lip and crossed her arms behind her back. She ducked her head and chewed on her lip, fighting through the fear before glancing back up at Quinn determinedly.
"I was just wondering if you'd like to make what happened this afternoon a regular thing. We could meet up every other day and I could teach you how to play the piano."
Hazel orbs widened in astonishment; Quinn certainly hadn't been expecting that. The blonde fumbled as her high level vocabulary flew out the window, "I, uh, well, um, I-"
The brunette tilted her head to the side as red creeped up the blondes neck towards her face. Her brows furrowed as she tentatively placed a hand on the hyperventilating cheerleader; "Breathe, Quinn," she murmured soothingly, rubbing soft circles into the other girls arm until her breathing evened out.
Quinn inhaled deeply in and out before she mentally shook her head, mortification flowing through her as she thought about how she freaked out over a simple question. What the hell was wrong with her? It's just Berry.
"Quinn?"
Blinking at the sound of her name, Quinn pursed her lips as she uncrossed her arms and stuffed her hands into her jacket pockets. Her head ducked as she mumbled, "Yeah, sure," in a low voice.
Rachel's answering smile was shocking in its beauty. The little songbird looked absolutely exhilarated at the thought of spending time with her. With her. Quinn Fabray.
She almost couldn't believe it and Quinn couldn't help but feel a little happy at that. No one ever looked that excited to spend time with her. Even her so called best friends, past and current boyfriend. Rachel always did have a way of making her feel special.
"Wonderful! Let's say, tomorrow during lunch? Oh wait, you'll probably want to sit with your cheerio friends-how about-"
"Rachel," The brunette eyes widened at how her name sounded coming from that sweet voice. Quinn had whispered her name reverently, her voice tingeing with amused affection, gentle and melodic humor. She never heard Quinn take on that tone of voice when addressing her.
It shocked and thrilled her to no end.
The blonde seemed to only then become aware of how gently she spoke her name. Quinn cleared her throat and started again, her tone light and friendly with a hint of dismissive urging, "Lunch time is fine. I'll see you then, ok? Ok, bye."
Quinn didn't wait to see what her response was. She just left.
And Rachel couldn't stop the grin that spread out on her face even if she tried.
Rachel adjusted her bright red hat before tugging her navy blue dress down as she pulled out her cell phone from her purse. She sighed flippantly as wrapped her arms around herself and glanced around the room. Finn had cornered her yesterday after Quinn left and practically begged for her to meet up with him before school started today.
The brunette had reluctantly complied, but only because she felt like it would be good for the team if she and Finn got passed their animosity towards each other-or in her case, her striving case of indifference-and learn to work together so that the New Directions would have one less thing to worry about.
Five minutes passed and there was still no sign of her ex. Rachel huffed while adorning Quinn's trademark scowl. What kind of person asked someone else to hang out and then showed up late? Ridiculous.
Her phone tinged, and she couldn't help but roll her eyes.
'I swear, if that's Finn telling me he can't make it…' her mind didn't finish the thought as she flipped it open before a wide beam broke out onto her face when she read the screen.
2 New Messages
1st message
Noah:
Hey babe, I had a lot of fun last night. We should definitely do that again sometime, except with less clothing. ;)
Rachel giggled before typing out a simple reply and hitting send: Rachel: No :), hehe see you in Glee Noah3
Her smile morphed into a beam as her grip tightened on her cell, staring at the device in her hands before opening the next message and reading the contents of it.
2nd Message
Quinn:
Uh, do you want to meet at the beginning of lunch or the middle?
Rachel:
Whichever is fine with me, Quinn! As long as you're prompt and arrive on time, it doesn't matter to me.
"Hey, Rach."
Rachel's head snapped up at the sound of her name, her bright smile shifting and dimming until her face was a mask of politeness. She held her phone to her chest as Finn ambled up the stairway and walked towards her with a small, dopey smile playing on his lips.
Something slithered up her chest, something she couldn't explain. But it felt ugly, and deep, not to mention powerful.
It made her feel-
Her phone buzzed against her chest, the vibrations drowned out by the sound of Finn's mediocre voice breaking the tense silence that had encompassed the surrounding area.
"So, hey, thanks for meeting up with me. I, uh, I'm glad." He said, smiling at her much like he use to. Like she was the only thing in the entire world and he couldn't possibly live without her.
Brown orbs slit at that thought. She still can't believe how easily she fell for his lies.
Finn fingered the bottom of his loose green and blue hoodie before taking another step towards her until he was looming over her. Discomfort was too weak of a word to describe what she was feeling with him hovering over her.
Still, she refused to say anything, just continued to stare up at him with darkened brown irises and crossed arms.
He visibly swallowed before saying something completely un-expected. Totally took her off guard. Really it did.
Finn pulled out a lightweight rectangular box covered in green wrapping paper, holding it out to the girl like a dimpled smile.
Rachel could only stare at the familiar box with a raised eyebrow before flickering her gaze back up towards Finn. She knew what was in it and she was only now aware of just how well Finn Hudson manipulated her last year…this year.
Whatever.
Anger pursed through her veins; he was aware of everything he was doing to her. Giving her a present when they were broken up so that she wouldn't move on. Stringing her along, talking to her in that soft, gentle manner like she was still his world when in reality he was fucking Quinn Fabray in secret. Giving her that bullshit speech about her being a star only to come back a few months later claiming to love her, effectively tying her to him, anchoring to him when he became bored with Quinn.
God, he played her so well. She bit her bottom lip hard as red hazed her vision.
"I, uh, I ordered this for you for Christmas before we broke up. J-just open it."
The brunette shook her head as she scoffed, her curled locks flowing in the air as she openly glared up at him; "I know what you're trying to do and it's not going to work."
Rachel registered the surprise that appeared in his eyes with a dim smile. She almost scoffed again; His arrogance was disgusting. Did he really think she would come running back to him just because he got her a cheap present?
Well, it wouldn't be the first time you've forgiven Finn Hudson after her utterly wronged you. Can't really blame him for thinking that.
She frowned as she pushed that thought to the darkest recesses of her brain because she wasn't that Rachel anymore. She was different. Stronger, and she wouldn't let Finn Hudson take advantage of her.
Rachel cut the boy off before he could speak; "No, no. You do not get to come in here acting like you care about me after lying to me for months!"
"C'mon, Rachel. Not letting me apologize isn't fair."
Brown orbs rolled in disbelief as the shorter girl took a step back from her lumbering ex, "I've let you apologize plenty. I know that Christmas is supposed to be about forgiveness but…I'm not ready to forgive you, so please, stop trying to make me."
Finn's face screwed up into a ugly expression as his fist clenched and he slung the present down onto the floor, "This isn't fair! Why are you doing this to me! We're supposed to be together, Rachel!" he half whined, half yelled, grabbing a hold of her arm and yanking her into him.
Her phone clamored to the phone as she let out a wail, pure fear welling up into her heart as he tightened his hold on her arms, and attempted to force his lips onto hers.
Rachel cried out as she half-raised her arms, pressing them hard into his chest as her eyes screwed shut. She knew it would probably be fruitless, but she couldn't not fight. She was done playing the victim.
So she pushed, she pushed with all her might and she prayed that someone, anyone would be able to hear her cries.
"Kurt?"
"Sam?"
The blonde boy gave a charming smile as he jogged over to his former friend, waving like an idiot before he stopped in front of the other boy, "Hey, man! What are you doing out here?"
Sam watched as Kurt bit his pretty-uh, his-his guy lips and give him a semi-smile, swinging his arms out in front of himself as he turned to face him, "Hi, Sam. I'm just waiting for m-my friend Blaine to get here. We're meeting up for coffee and he's running late from his rehearsal in the Kings Island Christmas Spectacular."
The blonde faltered for a second, his smile disappearing as confusion entered his eyes only to have his beam return full force. He ran a hand through his golden locks and cheesed at the stylish boy, "Oh, that's cool, I guess. How, uh, how have you been doing, man?"
Kurt's gaze fell as he shrugged, prickling the bottom of his uniform with a finger as he removed an imaginary piece of lint before sighing, "The classes are harder but the kids are kinder. But, I miss you guys a lot though. What brings you here, anyways?"
Sam continued to smile as he stood behind Kurt in the coffee line, "Oh, just skipping 4th so I can pick up a iced coffee for Quinn. She's craving it, and since she's going to be busy with Rachel during lunch, this is the only chance she'll have to get it and she doesn't want to wait until after school."
The coiffed boys eyebrows raised in surprise; "Quinn and Rachel? Are you sure you're talking about the same people cause from what I remember is that Quinn couldn't stand our resident diva."
Shrugging indifferently, Sam stuffed a hand into his pocket before bringing out his wallet and checking the contents of the slick leather, "Rachel broke up with Finn, and your bro has been acting a bit too handsy with her, so me, Puck and Quinn have been watching out for her. Don't tell Quinn I said this though, but I'm really starting to think she likes her, which is cool cause Rachel is nice-
"Wait, what do you mean Finn is getting "hand-sy?" Kurt asked incredulously, his eyes wide with doubt.
Sam exhaled before glancing back up at his friend, a sad smile on his face as his hair fell into his eyes. He blew it away; "Finn's been acting out, man. He looked like he was three seconds away from taking a swing at Rachel that last time she tried talking some sense into him."
"We are talking about Finn Hudson right? Finn, Finn? My brother Finn?"
Licking his lips, the blonde tilted his head as he reluctantly nodded, "Yeah. Things have changed, Kurt."
Kurt's brow puckered as he turned back towards the barista, rattling off his order dismissively before looking at Sam, "Then you need to tell me what's going on because that's not Finn. Finn can be judgmental and hurtful, but he'd never actually hit a girl."
"I don't know man. Their breakup…it did something to him."
xxx
Rachel un-expectantly collapsed onto the floor, her knees slamming against the hard wood as her scream froze in her throat.
There was a deep, unnerving silence that still somehow managed to echo around her, swallowing her up and leaving her un-whole.
Her arms throbbed, the hand sized bruises already appearing and yet she made no move to check them. She kept her eyes tightly shut, waiting for another assault on her body.
Relief hit her square in the chest when nothing came.
Brown orbs blinked open, hesitantly glancing in front of her and around her for the Offender only to find that she was completely and utterly alone.
And that's when she noticed her hands, still outstretched in front of her were burning. A white, hot heat pulsing beneath her fingertips.
She pulled her hands back in a panic and stared down at them before letting out a blood curling scream when slit red and gold irises stared back up at her.
A Red and Gold eye situated on each palm of both of her hands.
xxx
"Well, yes. That poisonous lump of cancer she called a boyfriend was the one stunting her potential."
"Hm, perhaps we should thank Eblis. He is the one who convinced her to get rid of that waste of a meat suit after all."
"Thank that Serpent Goat? You can't be serious, Lunisel. We don't associate with creatures of Sin, remember?"
"…right."
"Come now, Lunisel. It is time to check on the other one."
xxx
A/N:Iblis/Eblis are the same person. There are many variations to his name, and they are going to pop up from time to time in the story. He will officially be known by another one of his names when he comes into contact with Rachel again.