Disclaimer: I still own nothing.
Rachel gave a tight smile to her Spanish teacher, Mr. Schuester, as he tried to get her to join his glee club. Again. "I'm just not interested, Mr. Schuester," she said for what felt like the millionth time. "With all of my other extracurricular activities I simply have no time to prance about on a stage in a polyester costume singing outdated songs. Which, for that matter, are not even related to show choir."
"Glee club is more than that-" the teacher began.
"Do you honestly think this would be right for me? Or is it only right for you?" Rachel interrupted. "Face it, Mr. Schue, you only want me for my talent. While I would probably be the most talented and valued member of your club, I would also be the most hated. I do not appreciate people using me for my impeccable singing abilities. And we both know that is exactly what would happen should I join. I would be grateful if you stopped asking me to join. Or at least tell it like it is. Don't insult my intelligence by saying anyone wants me in Glee."
William Schuester could only stare as the small brunette walked away. He couldn't think of anything to persuade her to change her mind. Damn. He really needed a stronger lead than Quinn Fabray...
"I can't believe the nerve of him," Rachel seethed. Her and Sarah were in the lunch line, discussing their day so far. Rachel was still ranting about the joke of a Spanish teacher who wouldn't leave her alone. "You'd think after seven failed attempts to sway me, he'd give up."
Sarah idly picked out an apple, only half paying attention to her best friend. Her mind was preoccupied on the welfare of Jareth. Sarah had been trying to contact him, Hoggle, Ludo, and Sir Didymus. She had even begun wishing away things of value, in hopes that he would get annoyed and come talk to her. It hadn't worked. And now Sarah was beginning to seriously worry. What if whoever had killed Snaggle and wounded Jareth was just the beginning? What if this was a sign of war? What if Jareth hadn't been answering because they were under attack? Or worse... dead? What if-
"Hey," Rachel said softly, breaking into Sarah's inner panic. "I'm sure he's fine... He's probably busy tracking down the person who sent the attacker. He wouldn't leave you hanging Sar..."
"I'm sure you're right," Sarah said with a weak smile. "I'm at the mercy of my own imagination, though."
"What a scary thing to think of," Rachel joked. "Sarah, you're not a damsel in distress. You don't wait around for the knight in shining armor. You go find him and kick his ass for even thinking about making you wait."
Smiling more brightly and tilting her chin up determinedly, Sarah bopped her head resolutely. "You are absolutely right Miss Berry! I'm not just going to sit around and worry until all my hair falls out. I'm going to get to the bottom of this mystery. Even if it kills me."
"Let's not get too ahead of ourselves," Rachel said hastily. "What would a Goblin King be without his Goblin Queen?"
Sarah spluttered incoherently as her friend sauntered away, tray in hand, a saucy smile on her face as she turned back and gave Sarah a wink.
Goblin Queen indeed.
Brittany poked Sarah in the back. "Aren't you going to pay for your food? Because I'm pretty sure a fancy designer didn't it. I don't even see a label on your food. San says you only steal things that have fancy labels on them."
"Right..." Sarah said slowly. She quickly paid for her food, wondering why Brittany always turned up at the most inconvenient of times. If Sarah didn't know any better, she would say Brittany was following her and Rachel around, trying to eavesdrop or spy. But Brittany was too nice for that sort of thing. It must have been a coincidence. After giving Brittany a tight smile, Sarah hurried after Rachel, who was wending her way around the tables to their usual seats.
Brittany, watching the dark haired girl walk away, thought about who exactly Sarah Williams was. Brittany knew she was Rachel Berry's best friend, a drama freak, had really pretty green eyes, and was very smart. But other than that, Brittany knew nothing about her. Oh, she was involved with the Goblin King, too. Somehow. Then where did that leave Rachel? If Sarah was straight... What purpose did Rachel have in the Goblin Kingdom? Unless it was a threesome? Like her, San, and Quinn did sometimes? Shaking her head, Brittany tossed a bundle of small bills at the lunch lady, patiently waiting while the woman counted out the exact amount and returned the excess to her.
"Maybe San can help me figure all of this out." Brittany sighed. Just as she was about to head to the Cheerios table, Brittany caught sight of something lurking around Rachel's foot. It was a small creature that had bat-like ears and tiny little fangs protruding from its upper lip. The thing glanced around continuously, as if looking for any hint of danger. And upon further examination, Brittany saw about four more of the things around the table where Rachel was sitting, and six were walking near Sarah's feet.
Eyes wide, tray clutched tightly to her chest – spilling her lunch down the front of her uniform – Brittany uttered a single word in a breathy whisper. "Goblins!"
Rachel felt like she was being watched. Yet when she looked around, she saw no one even glancing her way. Passing it off as her paranoia of WMHS, Rachel shook her head and began eating her specially made vegan salad. She had ordered the school to make her a salad that was completely and 100% kosher and vegan. No animal products had even been in the same vicinity of her vegetables. Turns out the cooks at McKinley would make anything if you flashed a Benjamin in front of their greedy eyes.
"Brittany did it again," Sarah said as she flopped into the chair opposite Rachel, setting her lunch tray down on the table.
"Do explain," Rachel said as soon as she swallowed her bite of salad.
"She just popped up out of nowhere! Who knows what she heard!" Sarah glanced around anxiously. "I mean, can you imagine what people would say about-"
"Nothing worse then the usual, I assume," Rachel interrupted with a wry smile. "They would just say crazy Sarah and psycho Berry have their heads in the clouds, playing make-believe again. Worse comes to worst, you show them the book and say you got it from there."
"You have way too much experience dealing with nasty rumors," Sarah said quietly.
Rachel shrugged. "Better get used to it while you can. Because once you become Queen, the rumors and stories will be much worse. And guess what else? You won't be able to storm off or complain like I can, and do. You'll have to be graceful about it all, and be the bigger person."
"Queen?" Sarah asked, her tone bordering on hysterical. "Will you stop throwing that word around? I agreed to get to know him. Not- not-" Lapsing into silence, Sarah stared broodingly at her milk carton. Who cared if Jareth was a super sex- super nice man! Who cared if Sarah sometimes did in fact daydream about being Queen Sarah, Jareth's bride? Some people dreamed about celebrities, Sarah dreamed about Goblin Kings. That didn't mean anything. Right?
Two blondes on opposite sides of the cafeteria watched two brunettes eat and chatter. One was seething with jealousy, while the other was smug and very satisfied.
When Rachel burst into laughter, Sarah going beet red, both blondes smiled, affected by the infectious laugh even at this distance.
Jareth silently returned home, happy that Sarah and Rachel were safe and happy, and pleased that the goblins on Lady-watch were in position and on guard. Quinn quickly returned to the Cheerios table, feeling bitter that she was no longer the cause of Rachel's melodious laugh.
'You gave that right up, when you shoved me down in a cage,' her inner Lucy snapped.
'Shut up,' Quinn growled. She so did not want to deal with that guilt today!
"San, why do you think Rachel and Sarah are surrounded by goblins?" Brittany asked, causing the table to fall silent and stare at her.
Quinn had to close her eyes and count to ten, breathing deeply. What was it about Rachel and Sarah and goblins that made them the topic of lunch every single god damn day?