It was a little before 7 am (as in 7 in the freaking morning) when Artie found himself rolling down the school's hallway with eyes half closed and head drooping forwards. He didn't even realize that the school doors opened that early.

Apparently, Mr. Schuester had a bit of a freak out and implored to the club that they needed to get together more often. The problem? The only time all of them could get together was before school started, which meant Artie had to be up before the sun was. How lame is that? The best part of waking up in the morning (besides being alive of course) was the fact that the sun was already up and now he felt as though the rays of light were mocking him when they pierced through his bedroom curtains and highlighted his already dressed form. Yep…it sucked.

As he entered the choir room he startled, his head shaking the sleepiness away and his eyes forcing themselves into a widened state, as the loudest snore he had ever heard rang ear-deafeningly through the room.

Mike and Tina were already there. Mike's arm was around Tina's shoulder while Tina's head rested soundly against Mike's chest. Artie sighed, the corners of his lips pulling downwards. Yep…it really sucked.

When he looked over to his spot at the end of the bottom row, he felt his frown slipping away. With eyes bright and tail bushy (it was an innocent description…honest), Quinn sat in the seat that was right next to where he always sat. She looked…well, Artie couldn't think of any better way of describing her than saying she looked as though she owned the morning. Not a single hint of sleepiness to be found.

"Morning Artie." Quinn smiled and suddenly, Artie found his new 'best part of waking up in the morning.' They were just friends, of course and Tina was still what floated his boat (again, a completely innocent description…really), but that didn't mean he couldn't enjoy what he was seeing. Right?

"Morning." He returned her smile with one of his own and parked himself next to her. "So this kind of sucks, huh?"

"Oh, I don't know…it could be okay." She made the tiniest squeak as she pulled her arm across her chest in a satisfying stretch. "How much do you want to bet Finn forgets his pants before leaving the house?"

Artie chuckled, but before he could respond another blaring snore, stemming from none other than Mike Chang, filled the room.

"God!" Santana pounded a fist against one of the chairs she was sprawled across of. "I don't know if you guys realized this or not, but I need at least ten hours of sleep to function properly or else I turn into sort of a bitch."

Artie and Quinn glanced at each other and rolled their eyes.

"And I can't get that with Asian Snorlax busting my ear drums." Santana huffed.

Artie raised his hand and interjected. "Actually, Snorlax is-"

"I don't care." Santana snapped as she draped an arm over her eyes. "Someone shut that boy up so that I can get my z's on."

"Why do we even have to be here this early?" Without opening her eyes, Tina groaned."I don't think I could sing even if I wanted to."

Brittany tugged on her hair, using pencils to brush it. "I didn't know they made a seven in the morning. D-does the seven at night know?"

"Tina has a point." Quinn commented, ignoring Brittany all together. "What's the point of being here?"

With that, Rachel took it upon herself to address the group and took her spot front and center. "I find that my voice is primed and ready to perform from the moment I open my eyes, but I see where some of you, all of you, would have a problem this early in the morning, but I would have to agree with Mr. Schuester. We need as much practice as possible if we are going to win nationals. We already waste more time than necessary discussing what we are going to sing and fooling around. These morning meetings will help cut down waste and increase practice time productivity." Rachel stood up straight and plastered on a large showy smile as she waited for some kind of reaction from her fellow glee club members. Applauds probably, if Artie had to guess.

"Shut your screechy little trap hole or I will make you shut it!" Santana barked from where she lay, moving only enough to point a threatening finger at Rachel.

Quinn turned in her seat to face Artie and covered her mouth with a hand in hopes of concealing her snickers. It failed as Artie couldn't help, but start snickering because of it.

"See, not so bad huh?" Quinn continued to giggle as she rested her hand on his shoulder...and then proceeded to rest her forehead against her hand. It was all in an effort to contain her laughter, at least that was how Artie explained it away.

"You were right." Artie's shoulders rumbled in joy as the heat from her hand gave him chills (funny how heat can do that sometimes) and as the scent of her hair sent a rush of vanilla to his nose. "Um, so I was wondering if you wanted to come over today after practice. We can finish up our project and you could even stay for dinner if you want." Diverting his gaze to his lap, he blushed. Quinn pulled away, raising a brow and Artie became worried that he was coming off too forward.

"You sure that would be alright with your mom?"

"Yeah, it won't be a problem and Aims will be thrilled. She hasn't stopped talking about you since you left. Here…" Artie reached behind his chair and pulled a white glittery piece of cardstock out of his bag. "She asked me to give this to you."

The entire 4x6 piece of cardstock was covered in silvery glitter and there were holes punched in the shape of stars in the corners where strands of pink flowing ribbon were tied to it. It was an invitation to 'Aimee Abrams Super Special Girls Only Tea Party Extravaganza!' and it specifically requested the presence of one 'Princess Quinn.'

"Oh wow…" Quinn held a hand over her mouth as she tried to resist the urge to let loose a very audible 'awww'. "This has got to be the cutest thing I have ever seen."

"I think she likes you." Artie shrugged shyly. "So, is that a yes?" When he risked a peek at her, she was nodding happily.

"Hey Quinn." Looking as perfect as ever (what was it with blonds and looking as though don't require sleep), Sam rudely interrupted.

"Hi, Sam." Quinn turned away from Artie and greeted Sam with one of her 'make Artie's morning' smiles. It made Artie cringe a little.

"I was wondering if you were busy after school. The theater at the mall is playing the extended version of Avatar." Sam ran a hand through his boyish-bieber hair. "You wanna, maybe, go with me?"

Quinn looked over to Artie and then back up to Sam. "Artie and I have to work on our biology project."

"Oh, right biology." Sam's expression dropped until he came up with what he thought was the most brilliant idea ever. "Tina and I actually have to work on ours too. We should all get together and work on them. Yeah, it could be like one big enterprise of study. You can be the captain of course." He laughed to himself and slipped into his worn Bones impression. "Damn it Quinn!" He palmed his face and dropped his shoulders. "Sorry, I had to."

Sighing, Quinn didn't know what was worse. The fact that Sam had just made a Star Trek reference or the fact that she knew it was a Star Trek reference. After seeing the horrified look in Artie's eyes, her decision was made. "I don't think that's a good idea." Sending a look over to Tina, she hoped Sam would get the picture.

"What? C'mon Artie, you're with me on this right?" Sam pleaded with his eyes.

"Um…I-I…" Artie began stammering as his hands twisted in his lap.

"We're good. Maybe next time, alright?" Quinn's features held staunchly in a stern expression. "Thanks anyways."

As Sam walked away defeated, something worse walked in.

Puck. Was. Back.

"What's up grade-A milf?" Puck sauntered his way over to Quinn, dropped into the seat next to her and slung his arm around her shoulders. "Miss me?"

"Hardly" Quinn rolled her eyes and promptly removed Puck's arm.

Puck leaned back in his chair, spreading his legs out and getting comfortable. "My place's parental free for the rest of week." His eyes trailed along her form suggestively. "What do you say? You. Me. My room. Could be fun."

Quinn scoffed. "You just got out of juvie!"

"So…?" Puck held his hands out. "Wait a minute…." He pulled back slightly and eyed the blond girl down. "You seeing someone? Damn girl, I was only gone for like…two weeks."

Crossing her arms, Quinn clenched her jaw and spoke through gritted teeth. "That is none of your business."

"It is my business if my baby mama is running around with some other dude."

Artie had remained silent, keeping his eyes turned to the other side of the room, but he couldn't just sit idly by. "Leave her alone. She doesn't want to talk about it."

Disregarding Artie's words, Puck stood up with hands on his hips and shook his head in disbelief. "I thought we agreed we would try this out?"

"I-I…I can't deal with this right now." It came out more in a staggered breath than in anger as Quinn tore out of the choir room just as Mr. Schuester, Finn (with pants on), Kurt, and Mercedes entered.

Artie, Puck, Sam, and Mr. Schuester exchanged a series of looks before turning towards the door and yelling "Quinn!"

Growling like a giant bear, Santana shot up in her seat with hair messed and eyes glaring. "I swear I will cut you all!"

After the last period let out, Artie found Quinn standing at her locker holding her phone tightly against her chest. After what happened in the morning, Quinn was quieter than usual all through school, and now she looked more troubled than anything.

"Wheel you to the choir room?" Artie offered as he pulled up next to her.

"Huh? Oh, hi Artie." She glanced back at her phone, gripping it even tighter. "What's up?"

"Uh, glee practice. You ready?" In an attempt at chivalry, Artie extended his elbow out and waited for her to grab it…but she didn't.

Quinn squeezed her eyes shut as she rubbed at her temples. "I forgot."

Artie reached out and held on to her free hand (in a friendly way of course, they were friends…just…friends). "You okay? Did Puck bother you again?"

"Huh? No…" She left her hand in his. "I-I have to go. I need to get home." Picking up her bag, she pulled her hand out of his. "Tell Mr. Schue, okay."

Artie adjusted his glasses and stared down into his lap at his hands. "What about our project? What about Aims?"

"You can handle it right? We were almost done." She called out over her shoulder as she already started running away. "Tell Aimee I'm sorry."

Hanging his head low, Artie turned his wheelchair around and wheeled himself to the choir room…alone.

A/N: Thanks again to all of you fantastically awesome people who have reviewed, favored, and/or alerted. Your treat of choice for all of you! =)

Sorry for the lack of Quartie in this chapter and what I hope isn't too OOC drama. I promise there will be more Quartie action (hopefully it'll be cute) in the next one.

Thanks for reading!