It was snowing lightly outside when they arrived at the school a little after six and Quinn tilted her head up to stare at the dark sky. It was a nice evening, well, to her at least, and she pulled off her black jacket. Looking down at herself she watched the snowflakes contrast severely with her black skirt and tights. She stretched out a hand to try and catch some of the snow and the flowing red sleeves that she had attached to one of her black tank tops swayed with the movement.

"You coming Quinn? You're going to freeze if you stay out here," Mark called.

She lifted her head and blinked once, finding him standing in the doorway to the building, holding the door open. His blue tie stood out from his white shirt and black pants.

"Coming," she replied simply, taking the stairs two at a time. He wrapped and arm over her shoulders as he ushered her inside.

"Will they let me in?" she asked. "Isn't it a couples' dance?"

"Alex is already inside, and Caim and Jake are ahead of us. It'll just look like you and I are together."

Quinn didn't reply, just stared at her flats as they padded almost silently across the floor.

"Quinn?" Mark stopped walking and stopped her as well. She looked up at him and frowned. "What?"

"Are you alright?"

Quinn groaned. "Kitchie asked me the same thing. I. Am. Fine." She sighed and crossed her arms. "Why do you all think that something is wrong?"

"We're just checking on you," Mark replied, concern lacing his voice. "You know that if there's anything bothering you that you can tell me right?"

Quinn swallowed and looked away, locking her voice away deep in its voice box. Of course she knew, but it wasn't like she was actually going to tell him anything. She wished that a distraction would pop up and divert Mark's attention, as she could feel his gaze boring into her head, but nothing came.

"I'm just nervous about the dance," she told him. "I've never been to something like this and I don't really even know why I'm going…" She ran a hand over her hair, which had pulled back in places with clips and in the other places spiked with Kitchie's gel.

"Don't be nervous," Mark told her, giving her a hug. He smiled. "We'll help you out." He led her into the gym and Quinn immediately winced. Despite that the dance had only been going on for about a half hour the place was full and the music was loud. They had walked in during the middle of a fast song that had people jumping and Quinn took a step back. Mark laughed and tugged on her hand, pulling her farther in. "I don't know!" she called, having to nearly scream to be heard.

"Don't worry! It'll get quieter!"

Somehow Quinn doubted that and she slid her hand free of his. She'd disappear for a few minutes, check a couple things, then come back and hope that it was indeed quieter. "I'll be right back!" she shouted, and before Mark could reply she was out the gym doors, heading down the hall for her locker. She swallowed and tugged on the bottom of her skirt, feeling the base of the music vibrating her bones. She picked up her pace until she was running, not caring as she passed by her locker. She ran down the stairs to the basement, past all the locked and empty dance rooms and other classrooms, up the other set of stairs to the top floor and down that hallway. She stopped at the top of the opposite staircase and took several deep breaths.

"Training for a marathon?"

She turned to see Gwen walking up behind her dressed in a pair of black dress pants and a green shirt with a white tie. Quinn forced a smile. "You never know," she replied. Gwen laughed quietly and looked her up and down. "You look nice," she told her.

"Thanks," Quinn replied. "And thanks for the skirt."

Gwen shrugged. "Not like I was wearing it."

Quinn nodded and, upon remembering that she didn't have any pockets, held her hands behind her back.

"Why aren't you downstairs?" Gwen asked. "I thought you came here to dance." A teasing smile twitched on her lips and Quinn rolled her eyes. "Totally. I'm going to tango with all the guys, and be the one in the center of the mosh pit." Sarcasm loaded her words and Gwen laughed. "Wow, not in the best mood are we?"

"I'm alright," Quinn replied sincerely. "Tired, but that won't last for long."

"Not if you're going to do what I think you are."

"Exactly."

Both girls fell silent and Gwen stepped up to her. She took Quinn's hand and pressed something into her palm. "Good luck."

"Thanks. For… everything."

Gwen smiled slightly. "Don't thank me yet." The two girls hugged and Quinn stepped back. "I'll see you later? Maybe…"

"Eventually," Gwen replied.

"Yeah, eventually." Quinn gave the older girl another smile before turning and starting down the stairs.

"Wait, Quinn."

She stopped and looked up to see Gwen leaning over the banister. She opened her mouth to speak, but then closed it. She did that one more time before shaking her head. "Never… never mind. Have fun at the dance."

"You too."

"Will do."

With another exchange of small smiles, Quinn headed downstairs to her locker where she tucked what Gwen had given her onto one of the shelves. She paused, taking a deep breath, before going back to the gym