Chapter 10: You're Just in Love
Chapter song: "You're the cream in my coffee" – Nat King Cole & "You're Just in Love" – Ethel Merman & Donald O'Connor
Time: September

Quinn stepped into the choir room and felt the familiar wave of nervousness wash in over her. Without even realizing it, she silently prayed for strength and grabbed the cross that was supposed to rest upon her chest, but instead she felt a quite different shape. Then she remembered that she was wearing her Eiffel tower necklace (which she bought in Paris) today. She awkwardly let her hand fall down and went further into the room. She sat down on the front row, not interested in passing Samcedes who were sitting on the second row. She then felt a hand gently tugging at her shoulder.

"Gus," she said a little surprised. "I didn't see you there."

He sat down next to her. "I know, you are busy not look at anything," he grinned

Quinn wasn't exactly sure what he meant, but she had a feeling that he knew more about her than she thought. She glanced towards her blonde ex-boyfriend, who seemed pretty swallowed up by making his girlfriend giggle.

"So, you will be do it?"

"Huh?" Quinn asked confusedly.

"You will be do it, yes? Sing?"

"Oh… I don't know yet."

"Alors, what is that?" He pointed to the music sheet in her hand.

"Well," she chuckled, realizing she was showing off some rather odd behaviour. "I think I'm going to do it, but only if I'm able to calm down a bit. I'm really nervous right now, and my singing skills tend to disappear whenever I'm nervous."

"I have hear you sing;" he leaned into her and whispered "You will be fine."

Quinn smiled and felt herself beginning to unstiffen.

He has that effect on me, she mused. He makes me calm.

Mr. Schue stepped into the class room and began talking about… something. Quinn wasn't paying attention at all, as she was trying to take deep breaths to gather enough courage.

After a little while, she felt Gus' breath on her neck, as he quietly whispered into her ear: "Maintenant." ["Now.]

She noticed Mr. Schue had stopped talking, so she stood up and asked if she could perform a song she had been practicing. She wasn't exactly sure if she had done it because she felt secure enough or if it was because of Gus' encouragement. Maybe both. Whatever it was, she was now standing in front of the entire class. She had handed Brad the music sheet and she cleared her throat.

"Uh, this is a somewhat unconventional song, but I like it… and I hope you will too," she said. God, I've completely lost my HBIC-attitude. And I'm not really sure I like it, she thought, feeling somewhat exposed in front of the group.

She heard the familiar chords of the song she'd chosen. She closed her eyes and opened her mouth, and then the words just started flowing out.

"You're the cream in my coffee
You're the salt in my stew
You'll always be my necessity
I'd be lost without you

You're the starch in my collar
You're the lace in my shoe
You'll always be my necessity
I'd be lost without you"

She opened her eyes, but kept gazing at the floor to avoid the looks of her fellow glee clubbers. She pulled her blue cardigan a little tighter around her.

"Most men tell love tales
And each phrase dovetails
You've heard each known way
This way is my own way

You're the sail of my love boat
You're the captain and crew
You will always be my necessity
I'd be lost without you"

Then the instrumental break came, and Quinn slowly looked up at her class mates. The first person she saw was Mercedes, who was sitting right in the middle of everything. She was smiling big and gave Quinn a thumbs up. I've got to make up with that girl, Quinn thought. I miss her.

"You give life savor
Bring out its flavor
So this is clear, dear
You're my worcestershire, dear.

You're the sail of my love boat
You're the captain and crew
You'll always be my necessity
Like a restaurant with a recipe
You're the lace in my shoe
I'd be lost without you"

Quinn finished the song wiggling her hips a bit while smiling. She had actually enjoyed singing despite her uncomfortableness at the beginning.

The group clapped and Mr. Schue got up and approached Quinn, putting his hands on her shoulders.

"Great job, Quinn. That was really good." He then faced the entire group, but kept a hand on her shoulder. "I really appreciate it when you guys do something that's outside the box. The more creative you get, the more practice you get – and the more experience we get before sectionals. So let's-"

"Oh my god, Quinn!" Santana exclaimed.

"What?" Quinn asked nervously.

"Your cross… where's your cross?"

Quinn instinctively reached up to her neck, and then she realized what the Latina meant. "O-oh, my cross… I-I…" she stuttered, not really sure what to say.

"Quel croix?" Gus asked confusedly. He was looking at Quinn, but she wasn't the one who answered him. ["What cross?"]

"Quinn always wears a cross around her neck. C'est sa marque de commerce." Kurt said, studying the exchange student. ["It's her trademark."]

"I can't believe you've taken it off," Santana bellowed indignantly.

"What's that you're wearing instead?" Rachel asked. She was squinting to get a better look at Quinn's new necklace.

Why are they freaking out like this? Quinn thought. And why the hell did I choose today to wear this, knowing I'd be standing up here in front of everybody?

Mr. Schue had taken a step away from her, and was now incredulously studying her neck. Gee, this is just swell, she mused. My so-called friends are exposing me to a third degree interrogation and it feels like my teacher is staring at my boobs.

"I know why she not wear cross," Gus suddenly said while laughing

Oh dear God, no.

"It is because she is kind of a bad Christian!" He practically yelled while gesturing wildly, referring to their conversation at his first tutor lesson.

"Oh dear God." This time Quinn said it out loud as she blushed heavily. She dropped her face in her hand.

The next that happened surprised everyone in the choir room. There had been a deafening silence for a few seconds after Gus' remark when Brittany suddenly said: "Quinn's a bad Christian?". She then snorted a little, then she giggled a little, and before they knew it, she was laughing like a crazy person. It didn't take many a seconds before the entire glee club was dying with laughter; at Gus' statement, at Brittany's reaction, at everything. Even Quinn couldn't hold it in, so she had to hold on to the piano not to fall over from laughter. Had she not been laughing, she would have noticed that there was one person in the room who wasn't laughing: Sam.

What the hell just happened? He thought, looking round the room. How is this funny? The Three Stooges are funny. This is just… it's not funny.

He clenched his jaw and looked at Quinn. I know what that is around her neck. That's a little Eiffel tower. Why is she all up in my face about this? We get it, Quinn. You're dating the French guy. Good for you. Or is it? I mean, he didn't even know that she always wears a cross. That's like the first thing you notice about her. Well, next after her eyes. And her lips. And her hair. And her smell. She always smells good.

Anyways he's already kissed her, yet he didn't know about her cross, what kind of a boyfriend is that? I guess I should just be happy that he wasn't looking at her boo… uh, that he wasn't looking at her neck. And did he just call her a bad Christian? What does that even mean? She's a really good Christian, I'd know, I dated her for six months, he thought, remembering all the cold showers he was forced to take during those months.

Sam, stop this. You're not going to this to Mercedes. Focus on her. Look how sweet she looks when she's laughing. He smiled and put an arm around his girlfriend, who was still chuckling hysterically. That's more like it.

A few minutes later, they were all still laughing, so Mr. Schue told them to take five. They all exited the room to get some water and fresh air, except Quinn who stayed at the piano. Some of the others padded her shoulder on their way out, still laughing.

Quinn could feel her French plait had loosened slightly, so she pulled her ribbon out and shook her head a little, making her hair fall down her shoulders, as the last students left the room.

"You coming?" Sam asked on his way out of the choir room.

Confused Quinn turned around and looked at him, and then she noticed where he was looking – or rather who he was looking at. Mercedes was stilling sitting on the second row.

"I'll think I'll just stay here," she said. "You can go, I'll see you in five."

Sam looked over at Quinn, who was replaiting her hair, trying to look at anything else but her ex-boyfriend and his girlfriend.

"M'kay. See you in a bit."

Quinn was still looking at the floor, when Mercedes sighed heavily.

"Quinn, we really need to talk. Please," she pleated.

Quinn closed her eyes and bit her lip. She knew Mercedes was right; this couldn't go on for much longer. Finally she looked up at the diva and nodded. "I know."

She went over to the chairs and sat down on the first row, looking up at her friend.

"I'm so sorry" they both said in unison.

Then they both kind of chuckled while exhaling.

"Look Quinn, I don't know what to say. I-I hate that I've done this to you."

"You haven't exactly done anything wrong."

Raising an eyebrow, she said "You mean besides stealing your boyfriend?"

"It was my fault that Sam and I broke up. And we had been broken up a long time before the two of you hooked up." Well, that sounded bitchy. Nice job Quinn, you just couldn't say 'before the two of you fell in love', could you?

"Yeah, but you're my best friend. I should've told you."

"Yes, you should have. But I know my own temper and I know how I sometimes react… needless to say, I understand why you didn't tell me, Mercedes."

"But still, dragging him to Artie's party… making out with him in front of everybody… in front of you."

"I actually didn't see that. I only saw you holding hands. But thanks for that image though," she said chuckling awkwardly.

"Sorry, I just figured you'd-… wait, how did you know we were a couple then?"

"Apparently Kurt had seen you at the coffee shop in the mall. He texted me immediately."

"Oh my god, you knew for so long? I feel terrible," she said rolling her eyes while shaking her head.

"Mercedes, stop being so hard on yourself. You are not doing anything wrong." Quinn took her hand. "I'm not mad at you."

"You may not be mad at me, but I can see your pain when he holds me or whispers things into my ear. And as much as I enjoy that, it's killing me to see you look so sad."

Again, thanks for the image, Quinn thought, but kept it to herself this time. "First of all, your relationship is none of my business. And secondly, you're exaggerating. Really. I'm fine."

The black girl squinted at her.

"I'm fine." Quinn repeated nodding her head.

"Are you sure?"

"If not, I'd tell you. I promise." I wonder if he's given her a promise ring as well.

"So we're cool?"

"Yes, Mercedes. We're cool" Quinn stood up and hugged her best friend.

"Thank God. I've really missed you, Quinnie."

"Missed you too."

As they were hugging, the rest of the Glee club came back to the choir room. Quinn sat back down on the first row and Mercedes caressed her shoulder from behind.

It's really getting to her, Quinn thought. My reaction to their relationship – it's really getting to her. I've got to stop being so moody and emotional around them. She's my best friend and I need to accept them as a couple for her sake. I can do this. I'm Quinn Fabray. She straightened her back and smiled, already feeling better.

Gus sat down next to her and regarded her.

"Today, you are very beautiful," he said. She appreciated the compliment, but she still couldn't really figure him out.

Shortly after, Sam entered the room and Quinn quickly looked down at her hands. I may be feeling better, but I'm still not at ease with him. I can't face him just yet. I wonder if he has noticed that I keep avoiding his eyes. By the way he sighed as he passed her, she figured I guess he has.

"So, first of all," Mr. Schue began. "I want to thank, Mr. Prideaux for-"

"Please, call me Gus."

"All right, I want to thank Gus for breaking the ice just before. I feel we needed that after the summer break, it seemed like we were all a little tense."

You have no idea, Quinn, Sam and Mercedes thought simultaneously.

"Before we continue I've gotten a special request from two students… apparently we already have our first suggestion for sectionals: Sam, Mercedes, the scene is yours."

Quinn closed her eyes inhaling deeply. Don't do this Quinn, be the bigger person.

She opened her eyes and tried to put on a smile as the couple stood in front of the piano. Gus looked at her furrowing his eyebrows. She gave him a quick smile.

"Okay, so, uh, we've been talking and, uh…" Sam chuckled shyly.

"…over the last couple of weeks…" his girlfriend continued

"Yeah, and 'Cedes and I have been practicing a little something."

'Cedes? I so can't be the bigger person

"You see, Sam and I would like to do a duet at sectionals. We know you all have to approve first, so we thought we might give you a little appetizer."

Rachel murmured something inaudible, but Finn quickly hushed her.

Sam looked at his girlfriend and chuckled again. "It's kind of an old song, but it's about love, so I guess it's still pretty relevant."

Okay, first test, Quinn. Just keep smiling.

Sam grabbed his guitar and began playing some different chords. After a little while he began singing.

"I hear singing and there's no one there
I smell blossoms and the trees are bare
All day long I seem to walk on air
I wonder why
I wonder why
I keep tossing in my sleep at night
And what's more I've lost my appetite
Stars that used to twinkle in the skies
Are twinkling in my eyes
I wonder why"

So far Mercedes had been standing at the piano following the music sheet. Now she turned to face Sam and began approaching him while singing

"You don't need analyzing
It is not so surprising
That you feel very strange but nice
Your heart goes pitter patter
I know just what's the matter
Because I've been there once or twice
Put your head on my shoulder
You need someone who's older
A rubdown with a velvet glove
There is nothing you can take
To relieve that pleasant ache
You're not sick
You're just in love"

By the end of the second verse they were dancing around each other, smiling and winking at each other. Then they both repeated their verses at the same time, harmonizing perfectly.

"I hear singing and there's no one there / You don't need analyzing, it is not so surprising
I smell blossoms and the trees are bare / That you feel very strange but nice
All day long I seem to walk on air / Your heart goes pitter patter, I know just what's the matter
I wonder why, I wonder why / Because I've been there once or twice
I keep tossing in my sleep at night / Put your head on my shoulder; you need someone who's older
And what's more I've lost my appetite / A rubdown with a velvet glove
Stars that used to twinkle in the skies / There is nothing you can take
Are twinkling in my eyes / To relieve that pleasant ache
I wonder why / You're not sick, you're just in love"

They held the last note for a long time, Sam with an arm around Mercedes' waist. When the note ended, he pecked her on the cheek, making sure his guitar didn't come in the way.

The entire group clapped enthusiastically, some rejoicing.

That look in his eyes. He really loves her. Oh god oh god oh god, Quinn thought as she quietly began to pant. Don't do this Quinn. Not here. Her eyes began to burn and she could feel her lip tremble.

"Wow, that was awesome guys! Really awesome! I can't believe we've had to oldies in one day without me forcing you to do it; that's a first." Mr. Schue said as Sam Mercedes took their seats in the second row next to Kurt.

Stop it Quinn, stop it. Don't cry. Don't cry.

"Quinn," Gus whispered. "Are you okay?"

She couldn't even speak; she just sat there trying to catch her breath. He really loves her.

Gus quickly looked around and decided that there was only one thing to do.

He turned around to the one guy he knew would understand him and said loudly (to drown out the applausing crowd) "J'ai besoin de la réconforter, aidez-moi et fais un mensonge." ["I need to comfort her, help me and make an excuse."]

Luckily Kurt had noticed how Quinn's shoulders had been shaking for the last few seconds, so he quickly understood what Gus wanted him to do.

The French boy grabbed the blonde's elbow and pulled her up on her feet before hurriedly dragging her out of the choir room.

"He just remembered that he had a meeting with Miss Pillsbury today… a-and he needs Quinn as a translator," Kurt said quickly when everybody turned their heads towards the disappearing pair. Their exit had looked rather unusual, but because the glee clubbers were still so excited about Samcedes' duet, they didn't ask any further questions.

Out in the hallway, Gus pulled Quinn a few feet away from the choir room so that no one could see or hear them and then he pushed her up against a locker looking her in the eyes. He was just about to ask her what had happened, when he noticed she still wasn't breathing properly.

He then wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in for a hug, squeezing her tightly.

"Respirez, ma chérie. Respirez." ["Breathe, my dear. Breathe."]

He began rubbing her bag with one hand.

"Tu as besoin de respire." ["You need to breathe."]

Slowly her panting was replaced by loud sobs as she draped her arms around his neck.

"Oh… my… god…" she cried as the tears ran down her face.

While rubbing her bag with one hand, he began stroking her hair with the other one.

"Do no speak, ma chérie."

He kept on snuggling her until her breathing returned to normal. She was still sniffling when he slowly took a step backward, holding on to her shoulders and regarding her face.

"Better?"

"Yes. Thank you," she said with a small voice.

"De rien."

He reached for her neck and fixed her Eiffel tower, since it was hanging askew.

"You know, maybe you are not a good Christian, but you are a very good Parisien," he smirked using the French word for a Parisian.

She let out a small giggle and sniffled yet again. Then he wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs and asked if she was ready to return to the choir room.

"N-no, I can't go back there now."

"Je comprend bien. Maybe you will tell me why you are not okay?" ["I understand."]

She looked at him, considering if that might make me her feel better, but then decided against it because of her pride.

"I think I just want to go home, Gus. I'm sorry."

"No sorry. C'est bon."

He kissed her cheek and at that moment Kurt came walking down the hall holding her bag.

"Thought you might be needing this," he said, seeing her tear stained face.

"Thanks," Quinn answered as she hugged him.

"Please be happy Quinnie." He handed her her bag and then took Gus' arm.

"Let's go, monsieur. The others are waiting." Kurt looked back at her and waved his eyebrows while dramatically mouthing 'not gay'.

Quinn giggled and headed towards the school exit.

As she crossed the school parking lot, she looked up in the sky where a few grey clouds were floating around.

I guess the summer is coming to an end, she thought as she entered her car and drove home.

Thank you for reading!
So there we have our first few pay-offs. I know it can be difficult to remember minor details from conversations when I don't upload more often than I do. I'm sorry about that, but school and work unfortunately make it difficult for me to upload new chapters more frequently. Reviews, story alerts and author alerts do help though... a lot :-) Glücklich Samstag!