Hello everyone. I hope you are all well. Thank you to everyone who has alerted/favorited this story and an extra special thank you to everyone who has reviewed as well. They make my heart feel warm and fuzzy. We get a look at some Faberry this chapter to get things rolling in the right direction. I'm sorry for any mistakes or errors, it's 4 in the morning and I'm fighting with my computer to post this. This is also the longest chapter I've written and it was actually going to be longer but I figured it would be best to split them up, because I'm extremely tired and it just makes more sense that way. Anyways, I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the week and for those who review, your hugs are in the mail and should be delivered soon. And by the way, who else is excited to hear the duet Rachel and Quinn sing together that's coming up? I know I am! ...I really should get to bed now.
Ennnnnnnnnnnnjoy!
Chapter 5: Between the Lines
Quinn stood staring at the piece of paper magnetized to her refrigerator with a nervous feeling in her gut memorizing the words typed out on the red invitation decorated with pink and white balloons and different sized hearts along the margin: Valentine's Day Party written in professional script font on the top line followed by the time, date, and place including an RSVP number. The Berry's have always been known for their holiday themed parties, they seriously have a party for any holiday, even ones they don't celebrate. Typically her mother never attended the family's get-togethers due to either work, she claims the weekend is when she gets her best work done, or her going out of town, but since she had done most of her work the previous week, Judy figured it best to go to one and see how she liked it. It was then that Quinn heard footsteps leading into the kitchen.
"Good morning sweetheart. You're up early for a Saturday, aren't you?" Judy asked turning on the water in the sink to wash dishes.
Quinn looked at the stove clock, 10:37. "I guess, but Mom do I really have to go to this thing?" She asked pointing to the invitation.
Judy turned around to see what she was referring to and quickly turned back to the dishes. "Yes honey, I already told them that I would be bringing a guest and that's you." She could hear the disapproving look on her daughters face. "Oh come on Quinnie, we'll have fun. I've never been to one of their parties and I've always wanted to and since I have my work already done for the weekend and Susan being busy with her family, it's the perfect opportunity to see what all the fuss is all about." Judy and her sister Susan were extremely close, and with them being a mere 15 months apart, it wasn't hard to see why.
"You always throw out their invitations." Quinn deadpanned.
"Well… I'm not this time. We're going Quinn Fabray and that is that." Quinn leaned her back into the refrigerator door hard and crossed her arms; her mother didn't seem to notice. "And besides, isn't their daughter in your little glee club at school? Rachel, right? I'm sure she'll be there and you can hang out with her so you're not stuck with the old, boring adults." Judy tried her best to tease Quinn, but the younger blonde was having none of it.
This was the one thing Quinn was worried about; seeing Rachel. Having to be around her all night and probably being forced to actually talk to her. How could she be expected to hold a conversation when every time she sees the brunette her mouth runs dry and her mind blanks? There's no way she could go a whole night being in her presence. It would just be torture, not to mention a bit awkward if Rachel confronted her about her strange behavior. The past few days had been hard enough on Quinn not paying the diva any extra attention, which was hard during the school day and she still found herself not glaring but instead almost gazing at Rachel during classes as the girl answered the teacher more intelligently than half the class could understand. Rachel must have felt the blonde staring at her because on more than one occasion she had glanced back to meet Quinn's eyes and acting on instinct, Quinn suddenly looked at the front of the room pretending she wasn't just admiring her meticulous and quite adorable ramble of an answer. However there was one occasion where Quinn did let her eyes linger on those intense brown orbs, it was like Rachel wanted her to be looking at her and Quinn felt her heart jump to her throat and her breath hitch but kept her eyes locked on the diva and watched, as if in slow motion, her throw her gorgeous brown locks over her shoulder and gave Quinn the most subtle, almost sexy, smirk the blond had ever seen. And just as fast as it happened, it was over and Quinn had to jerk her head back in astonishment and disbelief, this thing with Rachel was starting to get out of hand. Now she was delusional.
It had only gotten worse in glee when people were asked to perform their "love song selection" in front of the class. Quinn had forgotten all about the assignment and she debated just making something up last minute but being in the state she was in, which was raging jealousy from seeing the star couple perform "Don't Go Breakin' My Heart", her heart really wasn't in the singing-love-songs spirit so she was hoping to just be skipped out on.
Artie had a very gutsy performance of Michael Jackson's "P.Y.T.", to which Santana almost ripped his head off if it hadn't been for literally everyone holding her back and thankfully he wheeled out of the choir room and left for the day to avoid losing use of anymore of his body parts. Of course once the dust was settled Brittany leaned into her girlfriend and whispered, "Well it was a good song." Santana just rolled her eyes and took her girlfriends hand in hers again.
It was no secret that Artie was always after the tall blonde cheerleader, even after she and Santana were official. But try as he might, which was surprisingly hard, she never gave him the time of day. Plus Santana threatened him daily which halted what little, or no, progress he made with Brittany.
Puck performed an offending version of Queen's "Fat Bottomed Girls" to his what-the-hell-is-he-thinking crush Lauren; she wasn't impressed, which kind of surprised people, but no one really cared enough to discuss it further. Since Lauren was new to the club, she wasn't expected to sing. So she didn't.
Santana performed a duet with Brittany to the tune of the very sweet and innocent, two things Santana is not which is why everyone knew Brittany suggested it, Barry Louis Polisar's "All I Want is You" with Santana even playing the harmonica, which Quinn later found out she learned exclusively for the song to make her girlfriend happy. Needless to say everyone awed once they were finished with Brittany having a beaming smile on her face, and even Santana had a slight smirk and twinkle in her eye once they sat back down and joined hands with the blonde's head resting on her girlfriends shoulder. Everyone knew Santana was tough as a cupcake when it came to her counterpart and thought it was very endearing of her to agree to do such a loving song with the girl of her dreams.
Tina and Mike did a sing-and-dance number, obviously with Tina singing and Mike dancing. Quinn couldn't remember what number they did though, but it was some love song.
Sam, the kid Quinn couldn't stand the most because he always gave her googly eyes, sang Justin Beiber's "Baby" while attempting to gaze into her eyes through the whole thing. Everyone in glee knew he was trying to get a good starting reputation around the school so no wonder he would go after the head cheerleader. Only he thought since he was a big football star, then he would be a shoe in. Little did he know, Quinn only had eyes for one person; that person being, of course, a girl. During the performance she thought her eyes were going to stick to the top of her head from rolling them so much while seeing the boy dance? She didn't know what movements he was doing on that floor, but it sure as hell wasn't any step she was familiar with. But alas, the boy sat down back in his seat when the song was finished, glancing back at Quinn with a wink. Quinn almost felt herself gag.
Having Kurt back in New Directions was a very refreshing breath; it felt like they were whole again. And having Blaine there to support his newly found boyfriend was very refreshing for Kurt. The bullying being at an all time low, and from the countless amounts of begs and pleads from really everyone in the club, Kurt decided to come back after Christmas and somehow convinced Blaine to come along too. They sang an acapella version of Paul McCartney's "Silly Love Songs", it really did sound phenomenal. They were a highly respected couple around glee club since unlike most couples, they detested public displays of affection and never kiss and tell so when they took their seats again, that were slightly pushed together, they just smiled and nodded briefly to each other which caused everyone to have a loving smile cross their lips.
Mercedes was the next to perform, and hopefully the last according to Quinn. She sang one of Alicia Keys' classics, "Fallin'", and with it being such a well known song, everyone was on their feet dancing and singing along by the end. It was a nice transition from all of the sappiness going around the room.
"Okay, last but not least we have Quinn" Mr. Schuester stated. Everyone turned in their seats to face the blonde, waiting for her to take her position in front of the group. Wide eyed, her vision bounced off everyone else's, linger on Rachel for little bit longer than necessary, before confessing that she hadn't thought of any song for the assignment. "Well nonsense, I'm sure you can think of one off the top of your head and the band knows just about everything." He gestured to them with all of them slowly nodding their heads in agreement. Sometimes Quinn wondered if she had ever heard one of them speak.
Defeated, she rose from her chair with thoughts of different songs racing through her mind before she got to the piano, still trying to think of a song, any song, to sing. She glanced back around the room at her peers and fellow glee mates before resting her eyes on a particular brunette sitting in the front row. She tried to think of a song that would please Rachel and make her happy, maybe even impress her, but she was coming up empty. It wasn't until she glanced a little farther down the brunette's right arm that she zoned in like tunnel vision seeing his hand joined with hers and she felt that familiar rise of jealousy start rumbling in her stomach. She knew exactly what song she wanted to sing. She stood at the piano bench and politely requested to Brad the song she wanted. She then pulled up a stool behind the microphone stand and lowered it to a comfortable position. She looked over at the piano man and gave him a nod to signal him to start playing. She closed her eyes and let the harmony take her over, swinging her upper body back and forth with the heel of her foot tapping out the beat.
When the rain is blowing in your face
And the whole world is on your case
I could offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love
When the evening shadows and the stars appear
And there is no one there to dry your tears
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love
I know you haven't made your mind up yet
But I will never do you wrong
I've known it from the moment that we met
No doubt in my mind where you belong
I'd go hungry, I'd go black and blue
I'd go crawling down the avenue
No, there's nothing that I wouldn't do
To make you feel my love
Everyone around the room was swaying to the beat by the point the strings joined in. Quinn slowly opened her eyes to look around at the other couples with arms around each other and lazily staring into each other's eyes and even Mr. Schuester had a small twinkle thinking of the person he cared for, more than likely Mrs. Pillsberry, now known as Howell. Quinn trailed her eyes down to see Rachel with stars in her eyes looking back at her and her hand resting in her lap, not accompanied by Finn's. Her boyfriend had his bottom lip slightly poked out and Quinn felt a smile creep up on her lips as she closed her eyes again to finish the rest of the song.
The storms are raging on the rolling sea
And on the highway of regret
Though the winds of change are blowing wild and free
You ain't seen nothing like me yet
I could make you happy, make your dreams come true
Nothing that I wouldn't do
Go to the ends of the earth for you
To make you feel my love
To make you feel my love
Quinn was welcomed back to reality with a big round of applause from all of her peers, and a darling Rachel standing from her seat clapping very enthusiastically. Quinn felt her cheeks start to burn as a blush crept up her neck onto her face and she bowed her head with a shy smile. Rachel always made her feel nervous and this was the most the girl had ever paid attention to Quinn, especially in glee. Needless to say, Quinn was extremely satisfied with both her selection and her execution.
"Quinn, that was simply magnificent!" Rachel exclaimed as the room began to quiet down. Quinn noticed the nods around the room. Now she knew how Rachel felt to have everyone's eyes on hers, and she could see how it could be addictive.
"Really Quinn that was just… wonderful. Thank you for that." Mr. Schuester congratulated her once more and asked her to her seat as he moved the stool back to its original position beside the piano. "All right guys, I'd say that was a very successful Valentine's Day Tribute so congratulations to you all on a job well done. Now have a good weekend and I'll see you all next week."
Everyone gathered their things, excited about getting their weekend started and spending it with their significant others. Quinn watched as Rachel and Finn joined hands again, walking together out of the room, but not without Rachel glancing back over her shoulder directly at Quinn. Quinn felt her heart skip a little.
"Hey Q, you going to Puck's party tomorrow night? You know it'll be a good one." Santana and Brittany walked over to their friend with linked pinkies, Quinn saw this and smiled.
"No can do, my mom's making go to Berry's dad's party tomorrow night." Quinn responded sounding a little more excited than she probably should have.
"Isn't that for like, old people?" the tall blonde asked.
"Typically yes, but since my mom doesn't have anyone to go with, and she doesn't have any work to do, then I have to go with her."
"What are you going to do all night? Just sit and talk to all the parents or something? I'm sure Berry will be there, unless Finn drags her to Puck's party." Santana thought out loud. Quinn felt her stomach drop. She was kind of looking forward to spending the evening with Rachel now that she thought more about it. It never crossed her mind that she would actually end up going to Puck's party, but now it did seem like a more probable possibility. Finn was always dragging her out to those parties, even though she never had fun.
It was Saturday night and Quinn and Judy stood outside the Berry residence, Judy wearing a knee length pencil skirt and red blouse with ruffles around the collar trailing down the buttons in the middle and black pumps, and Quinn wearing a simple black dress with similar shoes. Santana had texted Quinn multiple times begging her to show up at Puck's saying it just wouldn't be the same without her but Quinn would have to argue that considering the time's she chose to drink resulted in her getting pregnant and the second time with her bitching at Puck about getting her pregnant, she had been quite ashamed of her behavior. There was another time she was pretty tipsy, but she refused to think too much about that. Quinn replied with an apology and saying she simply couldn't get out of going with her mom to the party. Little did the Latina know, Quinn was jittery the whole time getting dressed. She even debated what to wear and then remembered that she had to come across like she didn't want to be there in the first place and would much rather be at Puck's with all of her other friends. Of course this was still assuming the tiny singer would even be at her home and Finn wouldn't force her to go with him.
A short, balding man with thick black rimmed glasses greeted both women at the door with a bright smile. So that's where Rachel gets it.
"Welcome Judy and Quinn. I'm Hiram Berry, my husband Ben is somewhere around the house mingling. Anyway, welcome to our home." He opened the door wider and waved the two into the house handing Judy a glass of champagne. Quinn heard light music playing from their surround sound speakers and looked around at the décor and balloons tied to nearly every sturdy surface of the house. The house had a very homey and comfortable feel to it that made Quinn feel instantly relaxed, the smell wafting around reminded her Rachel and fluttered her eyes closed and took a long breath in, feeling herself relax a little more. "Judy, I don't think I've ever seen you here before at previous parties. We're very glad you made it to this one."
"Yes, well I do apologize for that. I'm always working over the weekend but fortunately I finished my work earlier in the week and plus your parties have created quite a buzz around this small town and I needed to see what all the talk was about. I'm just sorry it took me this long to come."
He waved off her apology. "It's nothing to be sorry about Judy, really, we're just happy you're here now." Wow can this man get any more genuine? He turned to focus on Quinn, "I'm assuming you don't want to hang out with all of us old farts" Quinn lightly chuckled and shook her head, "Rachel is in her room if you want to go see what she's up to."
Quinn furrowed her brows. "She's here?"
"Well yes, where else would she be?"
"I just didn't know if she would be with Finn at Puck's party or down here talking with all the other guests."
"No, I think she and Finn got into an argument or something because she normally would be down here with all of us, but she hasn't come out of her room all day except to grab a quick bite to eat. Maybe company would do her some good." Quinn subtly nodded her head. "The room is the first one on your right when you get up the stairs."
Quinn looked at her mother for her approval to leave her side, which she immediately granted, and Quinn smiled before ascending the stairs. She was walking down the narrow hallway when she heard a deep bass that was coming out of the room she indicated as Rachel's. She recognized the song, realizing Rachel was already well into it, and leaned against the wall next to the door that was cracked open and heard Rachel singing along.
Will he, will he still remember me?
Will he still love me even when he's free?
Or will he go back to the place where he will choose the poison over me?
When we spoke yesterday
He said to hold my breath and sit and wait
I'll be home so soon, I won't be late
He won't go
He can't do it on his own
If this ain't love, then what is?
He's willing to take the risk
So I won't go
He can't do it on his own
If this ain't love, then what is?
I'm willing to take the risk
'Cause he won't go
He can't do it on his own
If this ain't love, then what is?
We're willing to take the risk
I won't go
I can't do it on my own
If this ain't love, then what is?
I'm willing to take the risk
Quinn, knowing the song well, was outside Rachel's door contemplating why she was listening to such a depressing song. She probably just likes the song weirdo. Quinn realized how obvious that was until she heard a sniffle come from Rachel's room wondering what was going on in that head of hers. Why don't you stop being a creepy stalker chick and go find out? She shook her head and looked across the hall at what was the bathroom and grabbed a few tissues.
"Rachel?" She asked softly slowly tapping on the door effectively pushing it further open.
The girl spun around in her computer chair, caught totally off guard by the familiar voice, wiping stray tears away from her eyes. "Qu-Quinn? What are you doing here?" Her eyes were blood-shot as she kept trying to keep the tears at bay while in the presence of what used to be her nemesis.
Things have calmed down considerably between the two since Quinn stopped giving her a hard time. They weren't friends by any means, but they weren't at each other's throats either. Rachel sniffled again and Quinn's heart broke for the brunette and at the same time she wanted to murder whoever it was who made her feel this horrible. But she also felt a tingle run through her seeing Rachel with her hair in a messy bun, a wife beater (to which Quinn noticed was not accompanied by a bra), and black booty shorts. Maybe Rachel considered these her "chill clothes", but it was something entirely different to Quinn.
"Hey. I had to come with my mom to the party your dad's are having downstairs. One of your dads suggested I come up and see you since I guess you haven't been yourself today." Quinn took a few steps into her room, seeing trophies lining every shelf in her room along with a few plaques hanging on the walls. Other than that, all Quinn noticed was pink. Pink walls, pink bedspread, pink computer with a black desk with a small black chair, even pink picture frames with a few of her and Finn, and New Directions after they had won Sectionals both years and another one of their last day of school. Quinn smiled at the memory.
"Oh. I'm sorry you have to see me in this condition. Excuse me." She turned her chair away obviously trying to get a hold of her emotions before attempting a conversation with the blonde.
"Here." Quinn offered the tissues in her hand. Rachel turned and gave a sheepish smile at Quinn before gladly accepting them with a whisper of a thank you as she politely dotted her eyes and dried her nose. "What's going on? I heard the song you were singing. Is it Finn?" Quinn didn't want to intrude too much in the brunette's personal life but she couldn't stop this feeling of needing to know what had her so upset.
Rachel looked up at Quinn with scrunched brows. "What do you care if it is or not?"
Shit. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked, it's not my place." Quinn looked down at the floor and started fiddling with her fingers. This was the start of an awkward night.
"Allow me to apologize Quinn. You're only asking a question." Quinn raised her eyes, keeping her head parallel to the floor, and quirked an eyebrow. "While I wouldn't classify us as friends exactly, I wouldn't call us enemies either and with that comes a level of trust. And maybe you could understand since you were also with him in a romantic way." Quinn lifted her head up, not knowing where this was going. "To answer your question, yes it is about Finn. We seemed to have had a disagreement earlier today and as you can see it has taken its toll on me emotionally. You can sit down, you know." Rachel motioned to her bed and Quinn took a seat.
Thinking Rachel was going to continue, Quinn stayed quiet and studied Rachel's form. She was staring off into space with a hard look on her face, more than likely reliving the argument. The silence was stretching into an uncomfortable one and Quinn decided to press a little further.
"You want to talk to me about it? I can be a good listener." Quinn offered with a small smile.
Rachel huffed out a laugh. "I'm sure that's what you want to hear about all night. My boy problems with the one I stole from you last year."
"Rachel, I don't care that you two are together. Last year was a long time ago. I've gotten over it by now." Rachel nodded her understanding, her sadness written clearly on her face. "But I thought you were happy with him. I mean after Christmas break and you got back together it seems like everything's been fine. Singing duet after duet, he even sang that song for you in glee." A song that was all about him and not at all about you. Quinn felt that very familiar sting of jealousy in the pit of her heart. She took a deep breath, remembering this was about Rachel. Not her.
"I was happy." Again Quinn raised her eyebrow and gave her a questionable look. "I mean, I'm happy now too but not as happy as I used to be. And today just kind of added to that." Rachel added almost silently. Quinn gave her a sad look, not knowing exactly what to say. This is not how Quinn expected to spend her night with Rachel. She'd never seen Rachel look so devastated and almost broken, it was a far cry to the usual excited and exuberant Rachel Berry she displayed in front of everyone else.
"Look," Quinn began, "I know I'm probably one of the last people you would like to talk to about this but I know how Finn can be and maybe it will help if you just talk it out. You know, get some of the weight off your mind."
Rachel stood from her chair and Quinn started to panic thinking she was going to ask her to leave or that it wasn't any of her business and start throwing their past in her face. She let out a breath as Rachel sat down next to her, only to have it hitch again when their hands lightly grazed. "Sorry." Rachel quickly apologized and scoot further away. Quinn kicked herself telling her emotions to get a hold of themselves.
"You're right." Rachel responded, lifting Quinn's hopes. "You are the last person I would want to talk to about this." And down they went. "But you're also right that I should talk this out, get the weight off as you said." Quinn slowly nodded waiting for more elaboration. "Why did you help Finn that day? He told me you guys got into some sort of argument before lunch or something."
"Um, yeah, we did." Quinn said awkwardly scratching an invisible itch on the back of her neck but not wanting to tell Rachel the real reason they were fighting was because he was making the situation about himself when she felt he should focus on his girlfriend and her feelings. She couldn't break Rachel's heart more than it already obviously was. Quinn looked up at Rachel hoping she wasn't expecting an explanation but from the look on Rachel's face, she was. "I just didn't really like the song he was doing and thought you would have preferred something else. Something more meaningful I guess."
"And what song would you have chosen?" Rachel asked without missing a beat.
"Adele's One and Only." Quinn blurted out without hesitation. She had listened to that song over and over again with only Rachel on her mind. She looked at Rachel in the corner of her eye seeing if she caught on to her immediate answer. When she couldn't tell her reaction she turned her head a little more to see Rachel giving her an almost bashful half smile and bowed her head away from the blonde. Quinn felt confused by her reaction, but chalked it up to her agreeing that it was a better song than the one her boyfriend sang and couldn't help but smile from the adorableness that was Rachel Berry.
When her smile faded, Rachel looked back up to Quinn's eyes. "Finn said you didn't agree with the reason he was singing it." Busted. Quinn was doing everything she could to keep a straight face and not give away that she was caught. "It's okay, Quinn, he told me everything and I agree with your opinion." Quinn locked eyes with Rachel and figured that that was what the argument was about between her and her boyfriend. Rachel lowered her head and pulled her knees to her chest and pushed herself up against her pillows propped up by the headboard.
"That was what the fight was about?" Quinn prodded a little more.
Rachel nodded, tears welling again in her eyes but wiping them away quickly with her tissue. "Yes. He told me that he wanted me to know that he was okay with what happened between Puck and I. I tried to explain to him that I didn't have feelings for Puck when I did what I did, it was just to get back at him for doing what he did with Santana." Quinn felt like bobble head with how many times she was nodding her head as Rachel talked. She noticed Rachel contort her face from sad and helpless to what looked like furious in a split second and looked Quinn square in the eye, which caused the blonde's eyes to widen and take full attention. "Can you believe that? He wanted to make sure that I knew he was okay! Like what he did to me wasn't even a big deal!" Rachel balled her fists up looking down at her comforter and Quinn could see what a hard time she was having with her emotional build up.
Quinn leaned in using her arm to hold her weight and whispered, "Try to walk it off, Rach." Rachel looked up to Quinn, taking in the close proximity of the blonde, raking her eyes up and down Quinn's lean body catching just the bit of cleavage she could see due to the opening her position allowed, and Quinn could have sworn she saw Rachel's pupils dilate the smallest of amounts. Quinn narrowed her eyes a bit trying to see if she saw what she thinks she did. Rachel flew off the bed and started pacing the floor in front of Quinn before she could be entirely sure.
"I told him I didn't think it was fair of him to ignore my feelings and that he needed to focus on me considering what he did was much worse but of course he just didn't seem to see my side." Rachel continued her rant and Quinn sat back up watching the girl ping pong between the walls before she stopped and whispered something so soft that if it wasn't for the close attention Quinn was paying to Rachel she wouldn't have heard it. "Sometimes I wonder why I tried so hard to get him back." Rachel quickly shook her head a couple of times before continuing her pacing. "My heart is still bruised from what he did. You know something?" Rachel stopped right in front Quinn, who wasn't sure if Rachel was looking for an answer so she just slightly shook her head. "He never once apologized to me about." Quinn felt her jaw go slack. She was sure at some point Finn would have at least given his girlfriend a simple apology. Rachel shook her head frantically back and forth. "Nope. Not once. Not one 'I'm sorry Rachel for sleeping for someone else and losing my virginity to them when it was kind of an unsaid promise that we would be each other's firsts, and then lying to you about it months.' Not one fucking I'm sorry. Not one ounce of visible remorse. How could I be so stupid, Quinn? Why did I try so hard to get him back just for him to cut me down like this?" Quinn could literally see Rachel's delicate heart breaking and just wanted to tell Rachel that she could be the one to put it all back together and would never hurt her like she's been hurt before. Knowing that wasn't an option, she just sat frozen in place.
Rachel looked down at the floor feeling the heartbreak taking over again before Quinn finally realized she needed to say something. "You're not stupid, Rachel. You're one of the smartest, kindest, most caring, and loving person I know." Rachel gave Quinn a sidelong look. That was the nicest thing Rachel had ever heard the Cheerio say to her before and Quinn knew this too and they both shared a smile, knowing that they were starting some sort of friendship. "You love him don't you?" Quinn tried getting back on track.
Rachel let out a big sigh and nodded her head. "Of course I do. I wouldn't have been with him for this long if I didn't." Quinn felt her heart drop a little at the confession and hung her head. "I just don't know if he appreciates me and that's what frustrates me the most. I feel like I do everything for him and do anything I can to make him happy and from that he expects the world from me. All I expect in return is a little attention and a simple apology for his wrong doings. Is that too much to ask?"
Quinn shook her head, "Of course it's not. He should be the one doing everything for you. You're just too good for him Rachel." Rachel looked at her expectantly and took a seat on her bed next to the blonde. "But you guys make it seem like you're so much in love. You mean to tell me that that's a lie now?"
"Adele fan, are you?" Quinn simply nodded, utterly confused at the instant change in topic. "That was a brilliant performance you did in glee today. It was a nice change to have something so intimate in contrast to all the sweet and lovey dovey songs people were singing."
"I thought you would love that kind of thing." Quinn said with a smile.
"I do. I love romance, anyone would know that about me. But it was just a nice change of pace and good note to end on."
"So what does this have to do with Finn?" Quinn wanted to get to the bottom of this.
"Well before you came in, I was singing a song."
"Adele's 'He Won't Go.'" Quinn answered. "It's about this couple who's together but they're not exactly in love but they care about each other enough to stay together because they figure what they have is better than nothing and they don't want to hurt the other by walking away."
Rachel smiled, impressed at Quinn's knowledge of music. "Yes. Singing is my way of expression." This was common sense for anyone who simply knew Rachel's name. "It helps me get over my troubles and calms the beast in my head, if you will." Quinn lightly laughed, knowing she does the same thing. "When we have to put on a performance in glee then typically I'll choose the most loving song to show everyone that we're still good together and also because we have great chemistry when we perform. But with everything that happened between Finn and I today then that song summed up how I felt about the situation. This man, or boy, whom I love deeply doesn't really seem to care that much about me, and I think he knows that too. He acts as if he's doing me a favor by dating me, but neither one of us wants to fully let go knowing what we had in the past and hoping that somehow we'll get that back soon. So we just keep staying together and trying harder to understand one another."
"There's not much to understand with him." Quinn muttered.
"While you may be correct in that aspect, he promised to try and get to know me better and treat me differently and act like the boy I fell in love with last year and made me happy." The sadness was starting to show through Rachel yet again. Quinn was having a hard time controlling herself and not confessing everything in her heart right then and there. "I'll be right back. I have to use the ladies room." Quinn held in a laugh at the girl feeling the need to explain where she was going but she nodded and watched Rachel exit the room. She felt her eyes subconsciously drift down her back and rest on the girl's ass. As if on instinct, her eyebrow raised.
Once she heard the bathroom door click shut, Quinn let out a deep breath. She couldn't believe how stupid Finn was for treating Rachel like dirt, again, but just how affected Rachel was with it all. Quinn always kind of thought Rachel to be stronger, that if she felt someone was taking advantage of her, or bringing her down then she wouldn't stick around and know that there was somebody better out there for her. But that was the old Rachel, the pre-Finn Rachel. Now all Rachel did was make sure he was happy no matter how he treated her. And now Quinn knew exactly how deep that went and she didn't like it at all. Maybe she would have a little talk with Finn later. Anything to make Rachel happy.
Rachel splashed cool water on her face and stared at her reflection in her bathroom mirror letting the water drip off. This Finn thing had taken a toll on her and she knew she wasn't herself anymore. She knew she was being stubborn by staying with him but what they had in the past was real to Rachel. Finn was a good guy, when he wanted to be. But Rachel would give this relationship another chance and hope for the best. She did love him after all, and that meant something. Right?
When Quinn heard the bathroom door open, she straightened her back and smiled back at Rachel as she entered the room.
"Do you want a change of clothes?" Rachel asked, noticing Quinn hadn't really seemed relaxed since she stepped into her room earlier tonight.
"Um, I guess? I mean it's really not a big deal. The party will probably be over soon, right?" Quinn was dying to get out of that dress.
Rachel looked over at her alarm clock. 10:24. "I doubt it. Their parties can go on until the wee hours of the morning."
Quinn smirked, hoping she would be spending that much more time with Rachel. "Then I guess a change of clothes is in order."
Rachel threw Quinn some sweatpants and a t-shirt and Quinn made her way to the bathroom to change. When Quinn got back to Rachel's room, the girl was lying down and watching TV. Rachel noticed Quinn enter and scoot over to give the blonde room to lie down beside her. Quinn put her neatly folded dress on Rachel's dresser and placed her shoes by her door. She hesitantly laid down next to Rachel, careful not to get too close and have skin to skin contact. She couldn't handle that. Especially with what happened last time they were this close. Images of that night kept flooding Quinn's mind. Having Rachel that close to her with that level of intimacy. She was sure the brunette never shared that level of passion and desire with Finn. The two had never spoken of that night before and Rachel always acted as if it never happened, so after a while Quinn did too. But they were making progress tonight. Rachel had opened up to her in the same way she had the night that took place months ago. Quinn wasn't even sure if Rachel remembered, they were both kind of drunk, but she had to know. And if Rachel did remember, they needed to talk about it. Everything needed to be aired out in the open.
Quinn ventured a glance in Rachel's direction to see her eyes glued to the television set. She turned her head back and stared at the ceiling. Her heart was pounding so loud she was afraid Rachel would hear it in anticipation of the answer to a simple question. But it was now or never.
"Rachel?" Quinn asked getting Rachel to turn her head and hum out that she had her attention. It was then that Quinn rolled her head to meet brown eyes that Quinn swore she could get lost in. "Do you remember that night at Puck's party?"
Songs: Adele "Make You Feel My Love" and "He Won't Go"