"If I over cooked the bean sprouts you can just tell me" Hiram's voice disrupted the quiet stagnant atmosphere of the Berry dining table. Most days a second of silence was something to be appreciated, with the civilised chatter of all things Broadway and inspirational a moment to enjoy your soya was something greeted with delight. But today it didn't seem like anyone was up for conversation, and Rachel's fathers voice had that sympathetic undertone that he seemed to use more often now a days. It was easier when she was little, when she didn't get a part in the play or the solo that she dreamed off – he didn't have to use that sorry tone, because Rachel knew it was all her fault no matter what they said. She would try harder, be better, be so good that they just couldn't possibly ignore her. It wasn't the same with high school drama. It seemed like there was nothing Rachel could do to get Quinn to like her.

It all started when she first came to McKinley, everything aside, it was Quinn Fabray who managed to weave her way into every worry and subconscious desire that Rachel seemed to have. Did she want to be like Quinn? Maybe. But she was happy being herself. It wasn't that she wanted to be like Quinn, it was that she wanted Quinn. As a friend. It was always important to add the later to her thoughts about the girl, because everything else seemed too unfamiliar to even process. But Quinn would never be her friend. She made that very clear every opportunity that she got. And why would she? What made Rachel so deserving of Quinn's friendship? Especially with everything that had happened with Finn Rachel wasn't expecting a comforting hug any time soon. Or even a glance from those hazel eyes. Rachel pushed around her garden peas mindlessly around her plate, her eyes focusing on the doily that laid under the saucer of vegetarian gravy. Her fathers always counted Sunday nights to be traditional family nights, and even though she knew the evening would follow with Dean Martin and mint chocolates, there was a craves in her heart and mind that seemed to engulf any opportunity of happiness that fluttered past.

"Rachel?" he repeated, this time a little quieter, not wanting to startle her out of her only mind too sharply, just in case she fell abruptly. She cleared her throat and adjusted her cutlery in the standard finished position, followed by an instant shake of her head and a reassuring smile, or as reassuring as it could get. LeRoy's brows furrowed in unrest, the two fathers taking a split moment to look at each other in unison for confirmation before turning their attention to their lost teenage daughter. LeRoy inhaled deeply and put down his own fork.

"Now I know you aren't telling us something sweetie" he began, Rachel's deep chocolate eyes rose from the table to hold her father's gaze, determined for him not to ask any more questions. What could she even say? There wasn't any use in continuing to protest that she was okay, but it was much better than venturing into the reason behind her constant need of approval of Quinn. They'd be disappointed in her. She was disappointed in herself.

"It's nothing, really. I guess I'm slightly preoccupied with getting Glee club off to a good start." She rationed, picking up her fork urgently and stabbing another mouthful and then chewing intently with a smile, hoping it would do the trick. It didn't seem to get either of them off her back but she could definitely see the smallest of grins cross Hiram's face. Swallowing she hesitated for a moment, hoping one of them would drop the subject, but as her eyes darted from one side of the table to the other she knew she was trapped, the worst part being the fact she also knew they were doing this because they cared about her. "There's this girl at school."

"I knew it LeRoy, I knew it and I told you didn't I, don't you remember when we were watching Funny Girl and-"

"Dad! No." Rachel's cheeks flushed a deep red as her eyes rounded in shock, Hiram's expression turned from utter excitement back to that stereotypical sound and respectful father.

"Let her continue" LeRoy added before taking a sip of his green tea placed perfectly to his right.

"I don't like her, not like that. And that's not the problem." Rachel's voice suddenly became more vulnerable. She got that feeling in her stomach that she used to get when she knew an audition went badly but she was still hoping for the role. When she knew that she had no chance of winning but she still couldn't help but hold onto that chance. That what if. She looked down at her lap and composed herself. "The problem is, that she doesn't like me. Not at all. Not even a little"

Hiram exhaled and leaned to take Rachel's hand in his. "If she's bullying you Rachel you know that there are people you can talk to about it." LeRoy nodded in confirmation but Rachel tugged away, her arms crossing over her stomach as she tried to bury the feeling. She hated feeling like this. So controlled and so helpless to a girl that didn't even care about her. Why did she care so much about what Quinn thought about her anyways? Why did she have this urge to please to her, to make her smile, to make her know just how special she was. Her stomach did another flip at the thought and she felt a sense of light headedness rush over her. She tried her best to stay calm, her sudden paleness could only worry her fathers more, and that's the last thing she wanted. Straightening out her posture she continued, even though she could feel her chest getting heavier and palms sweatier.

"No. I mean I guess she can sometimes come off as mean – but you don't understand. She's been through so much, she's a good person, she's kind and strong and she isn't afraid to face everything that's out there" she could feel her voice break a little. "It's nothing. I don't want to talk about it, I guess I just wish we were friends" she rolled her shoulders and took a sip of water, holding the liquid inside her mouth for a little longer. She let the feeling of the cool calmness take over her, trying to forget it. Shut up Rachel, it doesn't matter what anyone thinks. Not even her. Because you're Rachel Berry. And you have one more year with her and then that's it. Then you're going to go to NYADA. Then you can forget about Quinn Fabray.

"What's her name?" Hiram asked casually, finishing off his meal, a darting look from LeRoy made him suddenly clear his throat "if you don't mind me asking" he added quickly. Rachel hesitated, her fingers nervously tugging at the hem of her dress. She wanted to go upstairs, lock the door, crawl into the bed and shut her eyes so tight that they threatened to never open. She didn't understand why she was feeling like this. And that was the worst part.

"Quinn" she mumbled. The words sounded foreign coming from her lips. They'd only ever left when she was talking directly to the girl. They seemed odd being said to someone else, as if their names were something only they shared. It was stupid. Everyone called her Quinn. And maybe she talked about Rachel to other people anyways, but Rachel couldn't stand the thought of about what so she didn't linger on the thought for two long. "Quinn Fabray" she repeated hoping to sound as least interested as she could. LeRoy's eyebrows perked up in interest, and he gave Hiram another look. It seemed as if they had their own understanding or language, one that didn't need words. Rachel hoped she'd have that with somebody one day. But for her, words just didn't seem to have a limit.

"Oh" LeRoy said with his lips pursed, the curious expression still painted across his face. "Is that?"

"It is" Hiram answered instantly.

"Does she-"

"She doesn't"

"Do you?" They both turned to Rachel whose expression was a similar state to her dad's, her brows puzzled, half of her curious and the other anxiously desperate to stay ignorant.

"Do I what?" she stuttered out, not exactly sure what she wanted to hear. Her dads knew her, that's all that she managed to assume, but what could they possibly know about Quinn that she didn't? She waited firmly to be filled in. Hiram nodded at LeRoy in confirmation that he should tell her and Rachel buckled deeper into her seat knowing how her fathers stories went. Hardly to the point, and though usually enjoyable, she just hated this state of unknowing. She craved her bed more and more.

"Your father was out of peppers as usual so I said I'd go around and ask Peter next door if he had any" Peter lived with his wife and their three pet dogs. He was a stout man with a large puffy face that was usually flushed a lively red. You could usually find him mowing the lawn in a state of utter exhaustion or trying out new cuisines whilst watching the cooking show, it seemed he got on with her fathers well enough and he was always a helping hand when it came to cooking. His wife was okay though, she said she liked Rachel's singing voice, but then again most people did. Rachel cursed herself for thinking like that. "And he said that the Fabray's had a visitor" she didn't pursue in asking how Peter knew, considering Quinn lived a good few streets down. "Someone with a suitcase, clearly moving in. Of course I wondered who and then he said" LeRoy shot a glance at Hiram and Rachel hitched her breath silently "he said it was Quinn" he continued.

"Aha but you see" Hiram added in a tone that could only be compared to one he used during cluedo when he knows he's got the right combination. Rachel's heart crashed against her ribcage in an odd sensation as she was locked in a moment of suspension "Quinn was standing right there inside the house"

"And turns out, The Fabray girls are twins!"

In that moment Rachel's heart stopped. Quinn Fabray had undoubtedly succeeded in taking over her life in some weird and wonderful way and before she could decide whether it would destroy her or make her she had to face the fact that now - there were two of them.