Hey guys! It's update time haha! Uhm this is a short chapter, but it is needed because well . . . ya, you'll see! So I hope you enjoy it, and this chapter will help you get ready for the gala, which is the next two chapters! Enjoy guys! :)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chapter Ten:

Hurt

"Ew! No, take it off now!"

Rachel pouted as she turned to face Quinn in the body-length mirror, twirling prettily in the satin dress. "You don't like it?"

Quinn shook her head, gagging sarcastically as she stared at the long length. "Rachel, Kurt said to look at Aritzia, and we're at winners," she exclaimed in disbelief. Her eyes analyzed the blue sash going down the middle of Rachel's dress, the need to vomit just by looking at it. "Just please take it off!"

Rachel shrugged, placing her fingers on the purple pokadots that covered the material. "But it's bubbly!" she exasperated, smiling widely as she continued to twirl happily in the mirror. She caught Quinn's annoyed reflection behind her. She sighed heavily in defeat, stomping towards her change room's stall. "Fine, we'll go to Aritzia!" she called as she locked the door behind her.

She could hear Quinn giggling in accomplishment as she stripped from the dress, pulling on her plaid shirt and high socks. Rolling her eyes melodramatically, Rachel zipped up cotton skirt that reached the end of her thighs, exhaling deeply at the known comfort and material. She opened the door of the stall room, stepping out with the rejected dress folded in her arms. "Here," she mumbled as she handed it to Quinn. Quinn smiled appreciatively at her, placing the dress with the rest of the declined area at the corner of the change room.

"Come on Berry," she chirped as she linked her arm through Rachel's, "we're going to find you a dress that will represent your hot singleness."

Rachel froze slightly when they stepped out of the store, walking along the interior of the large mall. "Actually," she started, biting her lip nervously, "I have a date." Quinn snapped her head towards her in shock, her face masked with surprise. "Y-Your bringing Jesse?" she asked in disbelief. Rachel looked at her helplessly, shrugging her tense shoulders. Quinn widened her eyes, turning away from her slightly. "Well, how does Kurt feel about this, have you talked to him about it?"

Rachel sighed heavily, her chest heaving at the action. "I have actually, he told me he didn't care surprisingly as it is, but I'm going to try to keep their distance, just in case he says something rude again." She took a deep breath; her mind conflicted with unanswered questions. "But I just don't get it, Quinn, he was so perfect, and then he said those things, and I guess it was just a wake up call."

Quinn looked at her contently, trying to solve the situation herself. "Well hopefully it's just a small flaw you can fix, but you know that no one is perfect right Rachel? I really hope you know that," she said. She tightened her hold on her arm, smiling sweetly at her. "I just hope you choose the right guy."

Rachel nodded firmly, as they rounded the short corner of the large pathway in the mall. They both stopped immediately as they noticed the words 'Aritzia' painted on a sparkling sign. Quinn turned towards her. "Let's go!"

Rachel rolled her eyes at her excitement, following as Quinn practically skipped into the store, pulling her along with her. Rachel gasped in horror as she noticed the skin-tight clothing, the revealing dresses and shirts hanging up on the store's wall and hangers. Hell no, she would not be caught wearing this.

"Quinn!" she hissed, gripping her wrist tightly, "this is a gala we're going to, not a strip club!" She tugged her out of the store quickly, sighing in disbelief as they stepped in the interior of the mall, the bright lights blinding her scarred eyes.

"Rachel, those are beautiful dresses! You haven't even looked at them!" Quinn exclaimed, trying to push her back towards the shop. Rachel easily dodged her, blocking her attack as she moved to the side, letting Quinn trip forward.

Quinn fumed as she tried to wrap her arms around her, trying with all her strength to pull Rachel towards the store. "Come on, let's just check!" Quinn screamed, catching the attention of a few by passers. Rachel groaned in frustration, breaking Quinn's hold on her and slipping from her grasp. She turned to the opposite direction of the store, giggling lightly as she saw Quinn run after her, her arms spread open in an attempted lunge.

Rachel stopped shortly, making Quinn crash into her harshly from the action. Her eyes froze dreamily as she noticed the beautiful dress in front of her, her heart shimmering at the design. Rachel stared up at the clothing on the inside of the glass, her eyes analyzing the colour on the poised statue.

"That my deer," Rachel whispered lowly to Quinn, who was mimicking her same, frozen movements, "is my dress."

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rachel gripped the strings of the shopping bag tightly, smiling widely as she stepped out of the store, Quinn linked to her side. Quinn beamed brightly at her, peeking through the bag to stare at the dress once more. "I must say Rach, I am very, very impressed with your dress choice. And it also got my dress 50% off," she giggled lightly as she gripped her own bag in her hands.

Rachel nodded in agreement. "I told you it was better than Aritzia, just don't tell Kurt I ran out before I even saw any of those dresses." Quinn laughed half-heartedly, throwing her head back in joy. "I actually can't believe we found them so quickly, honestly thought it would take forever, I wonder if Kurt got a suit, did you know he's taking Blaine? Don't you find that kind of . . ."

Quinn's voice slowly echoed in her head, her words silencing as Rachel stared at a certain Latina opposing direction they were walking, her finger laced with another blonde's. She gulped harshly, pulling on Quinn's shirt, warning her. "That's Santana," she whispered lowly, cocking her head towards the brunette who was starting to sway towards them, her hips bouncing to each side of her body.

"Well speak of the devil," she slithered, coming to a stop in front of them. Quinn sneered at her, smiling sarcastically. "I'm looking at one."

Rachel giggled lightly, as Santana smirked in false defense. "Wow, Berry, did you hire her to run your insults?" she wondered, twirling a manicured finger through her hair. The blonde chucked from beside her. "This is my friend Brittany, and no I don't pay her to be here unlike some people . . .."

"Yeah, well she must be free because she looks like a two dollar hooker I could buy at the variety store," Quinn retorted, smiling sweetly. Santana's face faltered for a second, before she recovered quickly, shaking her head. Brittany tilted her head to the side, looking down at her body in confusion. "But I'm not hooked on anything . . ."

Rachel and Quinn's eyes widened at her comment, staring at her like she had three heads. Santana waved her off, stepping towards Rachel closely. "Were you searching for a dress to store your extra nose fat?" she snickered. Rachel stared at her in disbelief, her mouth agape in shock. "You're going to the gala too? How the hell – "

"Finn invited me," she smirked. Rachel felt her face fall immediately, hurt by the new information. "I believe it was right after he came home from your house too, which is pretty ironic if you ask me. But you know what the best thing is about angry Finn is?" Santana stepped closer towards her, her lips rasping at Rachel's ear. "When you lets out all his anger on you," she stood back, smiling in accomplishment at Rachel's pained expression, "take it as you want, but we both know what that means."

Quinn noticed Rachel's broken features, and stepped forward, looking at Santana in disgust, pushing Brittany away from them. "Listen here Mrs. Mexicano, you should ditch the badass act, it's not a good colour on you," Quinn hissed. Rachel pulled on her wrist lightly, dragging her back towards her. "Come on Quinn," Rachel choked out, "can we please just go home?"

"You know, I think it's a better time you leave, because I got to show my dress to Finn to spot where all the zippers are, you know, so for after the gala, it won't be that hard to get me out of that dress." She waved her tiny fingers at Rachel's crying face, lacing her finger through Brittany's softly. "I totally picked out her underwear by the way," Brittany called after them before she sauntered off with Santana without looking back.

Quinn sighed heavily, shaking her head in disbelief as she turned to Rachel, rubbing her face free from tears lightly. "You okay?" she asked, concerned.

Rachel nodded firmly, the ache in her heart unbearable to stand. "Yeah," she whispered brokenly without meeting her best friend's eyes, "just fine."

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

So, you didn't get to read about Rachel's dress yet because I want to use it as a surprise! Anyways, uhm, sorry for the shortness of this chapter again! It's just really needed but it can't be that long you know? And also, next two chapters are THE GALA! AHHHH! Here are some spoilers for the first part of the gala –

- Jealous sparks will fly my friends . . . I mean really fly.

- There will be some sweet moments, and some sad moments.

- Jesse is back guys! And he's still mean!

- Finchel is inquired . . . finally right?

WELL THAT'S IT FOR SPOILERS! Click in on Sunday to see the first part of the gala, can't wait for you guys to see what I have planned for the second part! Drammaaaaa! Love ya and review! Xoxo

PS: GLEE ISN'T FOR ANOTHER WEEK, WAH:(