The song used in this chapter is Call It Off by Tegan and Sara. It can be found on youtube(dot)com(slash) watch?v=HSJFbqDP3Zo
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And so, for the second day in a row, Quinn found herself in Rachel's living room. The television was on, but neither girl was watching it. They had discussed a few song options on the drive over, but hadn't really spoken since they walked in the door.
Every time they glanced over at one another and locked eyes, they'd blush and look away quickly. This happened several times until Rachel faked a yawn and cheesily put her arm around Quinn. It was a strange reach, since Quinn's shoulder sat higher than hers, but the dorky move did its job, and both girls fell into laughter.
"We should work on the song, I guess." Quinn started to get up as she spoke, but was quickly pulled back onto the couch by Rachel's surprisingly strong grasp.
Rachel was blushing slightly when Quinn landed beside her, but her voice was as strong as ever. "Actually, there was something I wanted to do really fast. Before we start working."
Quinn nodded. "Okay, did you like…want to talk? We should talk, I guess. That's always a good thing. And we can't put everything off forever. And I think-" Quinn was cut off with Rachel imitating Quinn's move from the choir room, and placing her finger to Quinn's lips.
Rachel whispers. "You sound like me. Quit rambling, Cheerio." And Rachel leaned forward and kissed Quinn.
The kiss didn't last very long. A moment of light pressure and it was over. Rachel searched Quinn's face for some sign of emotion, but didn't see any until a split second before Quinn was practically flying towards her.
This kiss was nothing like the one before it. After the initial contact both girls shifted into one another, not breaking contact. Rachel was fumbling, her lack of experience showed. Quinn didn't care. She found herself leaning slightly over Rachel, pressing their bodies together. Their tongues met for the first time and both girls gasped into the other. Rachel moaned softly and Quinn jumped back, a jolt of electricity shooting down her spine.
Rachel didn't know what happened. "I…is something wrong?" She was breathing heavily, the fact that Quinn was still pressed against her not allowing her heart to settle.
Quinn shook her head. "Everything is….exceptionally right." Quinn tried to pull away, but Rachel wraps her arms around Quinn's waist and pulls her even closer. Quinn is practically laying on top of Rachel now, both girls are surprisingly comfortable.
They lay quietly for a few minutes, neither girl wanting to break the relaxed silence. It's not until Rachel hears a key in the door that she pushes Quinn into a proper sitting position and leaps to her feet. She greets her fathers at the door, rushes through some introductions while ushering Quinn up to her room, and shouts "Love you, see you later!" down the stairs before shutting the door.
Both girls stand awkwardly, as if they hadn't just been making out and snuggling on a couch. Rachel sighs and fidgets awkwardly. Quinn giggles, remembering how fidgety Rachel was at the party.
"What're you giggling at, Cheerio?" Rachel cocks her head to the side and smiles lightly, taking in Quinn's face when she laughs.
"I was remembering something. Why do you keep calling me 'Cheerio'?" Quinn asked.
"I'm not sure. I guess it's just kind of…endearing." Rachel blushes before continuing. "You being a Cheerio has always been a point of controversy between us, but if I make it my own, I feel like it's not as big of a deal. Do you mind it? I can stop, if you would like me to." Rachel feels like she hasn't stopped blushing since Monday.
"I don't mind." The words rush out of Quinn; she realizes how happy she sounds and is self-conscious. "I like it."
"Okay. Good." Rachel smiles. Suddenly they're standing awkwardly again. Rachel walks silently over to her bed and takes a seat, patting the spot next to her. Quinn sits uneasily, not knowing what to expect.
Rachel takes a deep breath and turns to Quinn, tucking her legs beneath her. Quinn can see the beginnings of a Rachel Berry monologue in the brunette's eyes, and settles in for a long speech.
"Quinn. The last week or so has been incredibly interesting. Confusing and unsettling, but interesting. I have had a very nice time spending time with you, and getting to know you. I want to thank you again for caring for me at the party." Rachel shakes her head when Quinn tries to say there's nothing to thank her for. "And furthermore, I want to thank you for helping keep our admittance of romantic feelings from interfering with our working relationship."
"I have liked you for longer than I may have let on, Quinn. The feelings have just come to surface more lately. I know that there are very many problems that we will have to work through, but I have to say that there is nothing more than I would like to do than to be in an exclusive relationship with you." Rachel silences Quinn as she tries to interupt again. "I understand that since you are so recently out of a relationship with Finn, that you may need some time, and I am fully ready to wait until the timing is right for you. Okay, that's all, your turn."
Rachel sits, beaming, waiting for Quinn to speak. Quinn sits, shocked, waiting for speech to come back to her. When she speaks, it's in a frightened tone that Rachel wasn't expecting.
"Rachel, I like you. I swear, I do. But I just don't know if I can be in an actual relationship with you. With a girl. Kurt told me not to worry, blah blah blah, but I just…I don't think I can do that. I'm a Cheerio, President of the Celibacy club, I go to church on Sundays…I'm sorry, Rachel. I wish I could, but I can't do that. I'm sorry." Quinn realizes she's crying. She's mortified, and feels terrible. She rushes from the room and down the stairs, ignoring the calls from Rachel's fathers as she runs out the door and into her car.
She didn't realize how much she enjoyed Rachel waving to her as she left, until it wasn't there any more.
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She only saw Rachel in passing the next day. They didn't have Glee again until Thursday; Mr. Schue was on a teachers retreat.
Rachel ignored her texts, and walked away when Quinn approached her in the halls. Quinn assumed that Rachel was angry with her for kissing her and then running. Which makes sense, that was a bitch thing to do. It was terrible to lead her on like that, Rachel was probably pissed.
Thursday in Glee Rachel didn't look at her. Kurt kissed Quinn on the forehead, but didn't say anything else to her. Quinn was so ashamed. After all he'd told her, she still wasn't strong enough.
When Mr. Schue asked if she and Rachel had anything, Quinn was shocked to hear Rachel say "We haven't got anything just yet. But if you don't mind, I'd like to show something that I've been working on, Mr. Schue."
Mr. Schuester gestured for Rachel to take the floor, and she grabbed Kurt's hand and pulled him up with her. They stood before the club, and Quinn didn't recognize the song right away. When Rachel began to sing, Quinn realized something. Rachel wasn't angry. She was heartbroken. And this song was for Quinn. Kurt sang back up, never tearing his apologetic gaze from Quinn's eyes. But Quinn never looked away from Rachel.
I won't regret saying this, this thing that I'm saying
Is it better than keeping my mouth shut?
That goes without saying.
Call (Call)
Break (Break)
It (it)
Off (off)
Call (call)
Break (break)
My (my)
Own heart (heart
Quinn didn't realize she was crying until a tear rolled down her cheek into her hands, balled tightly in her lap. Her heart broke for Rachel, and the pain she had caused her.
Maybe I would've been something you'd be good at
Maybe you would've been something I'd be good at
But now (now we'll never) we'll never know
Quinn's head started spinning; she could no longer hear Rachel's voice properly. She'd never felt so terrible in her life. She had been so extremely selfish. She could overcome losing her reputation, if it meant she got Rachel in the end. The song was ending, as she pulled herself together. She almost lost it again when she heard Rachel sing the last line.
There's a chance I'll start to wonder if this was the thing to do
I'll start to wonder if this was the thing to do
Quinn could see tears rolling down Rachel's face, and had to stop herself from jumping to her feet and hugging Rachel. She had no right to cause the smaller girl this much pain. She was awful.
The Glee club applauded, Rachel and Kurt took their seats. The rest of the time with the club couldn't end fast enough, and as soon as it did, Quinn was out the door.
When she got home, she lay down on her bed and stared at the ceiling. After a few minutes, she got her iPod from her bag, and turned it on shuffle. The first song that came up was a song that Rachel had sent her at the beginning of the week, but she'd never listened to. Rachel's voice echoed in her head.
"It's written by a writing team out of New York City, and it's from a musical that they wrote. The band is New York City based as well. The harmonies are beautiful."
Quinn laid her head on her pillow and listened. As the song played, her eyes slowly widened. When the song ended, she stood up and got out of bed.
She walked out to her car, climbed in, and drove to Rachel's house. When she pulled up in front of the familiar home, she didn't hesitate. She walked right up to the door, and knocked until someone answered. Rachel's perplexed face didn't discourage Quinn in the slightest, and Quinn pulled her iPod from her pocket and showed it to Rachel.
"I've got our song."
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Hint: The song Quinn found IS going to be their duet. Let's see if any of you figure it out. =)
Please review!