Chapter 7

Two weeks had flown by fast; everyone had done their best to protect me. Brittany helped me tell Mr Figgins that Tony was the one who had done it with other jocks but I didn't know who else. Tony was put on suspension for a month, where he'd have to think about his behaviour and come back with a better attitude but I didn't see it working. Most time was spent preparing for sectional, which were only a couple of days away. I was nervous and excited, felt just like a swim met expected I'd be singing in front of a lot of people.

While the girls had promised to come down for it, they didn't think about exams being the same week for them. Unfortunately, they weren't going to see me sing but my parents would, they'd never seen me sing and so this was going to be. Puck had announced that after the competition there would be a party at his place, to celebrate or drown our sorrows. I had asked Quinn if she wanted to go but she said she had been too many Puck parties to last a lifetime, she said I could go. However, I suggested maybe we could go on our first date that, she laughed since it'd mean we'd been dating for a whole month without going on an official date.

We had done things like lunch dates at school in the auditrom, dinners with Brittany and Santana at breadstick and pizza/movies with them but nothing had been labelled as our official date. My reasoning was I wanted to get to know Quinn better, so I could plan something she'd want to do and not to be lame. Quinn said just being with me would be special, which was sweet but I did want my first date ever and with her too be special. With this all being said Quinn agreed to go whether we won or lose but we hoped to win. My injuries from that brutal attack were slowly going; I still had to wear my knee brace just to help with dancing for glee club.

My torso and back were no longer looking purple, instead an ugly green colour but that just meant they were healing. My stitches had been taken out; leaving me with a scar which would heal but Quinn liked kissing the edges of it. My arm had healed faster than the doctors thought it would and so the cast was removed, but if the pain got too much I could bandage it or come get it casted up again.

Today was Tuesday, I was currently in glee club we were rehearsing heavily and longer this week with the competition being Friday. Mike was going over the dance for the group number with Finn, Sam and Puck. Brittany was doing the same but with Tina, Quinn and Mercedes. This left Rachel, Kurt, Artie, Santana and I going over vocals with Mr Schue, every thirty seconds Rachel put in her opinion; which helped a little.

Mr Schue said, "Emily you need to reach a little higher."

"I'll try Mr Schue," he nods probably understanding my nerves. Hearing a knock on the door we all paused to look at one another to work out what to do, who it was. Mr Schue eventually stood up and went to open the door.

Mr Schue said "Emily, there's someone here to see you," he sounded confused. When we stood back I couldn't stop the tears that sprung to my eyes, I sat back shock and gasp; having no control over anything.

With all eyes on me, I said "Oh my!" Jumping from my seat I run across to him and jump up into his arms. He laughed while holding me in his arms, I buried my head into his shoulder just enjoying hugging him again.

"Ready?" he asked placing me back on the ground.

"Always," I say getting ready.

Toby then said "I swear on my bike that I will always be Emily's brother and friend until she said otherwise," he held his hand forward.

"I swear on my lucky goggled that I will always be Toby's sister and friend until he said otherwise," connecting my hand into his as we shake hands.

"Friends for life," we say on the last shake.

I asked "What are you doing here?"

"Hanna told me you were singing now; no way was I going to miss seeing that. I arranged with your Mum to come down a few days earlier since it's been a while."

"I can't believe she hid this from me."

"Well it was for the best."

"True but she's terrible at keeping secrets."

"Now that is true, since when are you singing?"

"You knew I could always sing but swimming was always more important. They don't have a swimming pool here."

"I remember you telling me that, you said you would die if you didn't swim in a chlorine filled pool at least once a day. You also asked me if your hair was going to start falling out because you no longer wore a swimming cap," Toby quoted me.

I replied with "Okay, I might've been somewhat dramatic when coming here but I'm happy to be here now."

"You seem it. Hanna also let it slip, it was because a special someone."

I responded with "Hanna and her big mouth."

"Hey, I could tell you other things she said."

"No, no not need," I say.

Toby asked, "Which one is she?" Turning around I gesture for Quinn to come over, she smiles nervously and walks over to me.

"Quinn this is my brother, we lived on the same street in Rosewood and he has been a great support when I was questioning my sexuality. Toby this is my girlfriend, she has been incredible since the moment I met her."

Toby spoke "Hi, it's nice to meet you," he held his hand out.

"Likewise," Quinn agreed shaking his hand.

"So this is glee club?"

"Yep," I say with a smile.

Turning around I bring Toby forward and said "Okay, we have Kurt, Artie, Mercedes, Tina, Mike, Finn, Sam, Puck or Noah, Rachel and Mr Schue our choir director."

"It's great to meet you all sorry if I mix everyone up, bad with names but Emily your missing two," Toby spoke.

"I know, they are my closet friends here, thought I'd introduce them separately."

"Right," he said putting his hands up in surrender.

"Santana and Brittany this is my brother Toby. Toby this is Santana and Brittany, Quinn's closet friends and I think it's safe to say mine too."

Toby smiled and said "It's nice to meet you guys too but Emily don't let Hanna hear you say that."

"Good point but she still knows I love her."

"True," he nods.

Mr Schue stepped forward and spoke "It's nice to meet you and welcome to Lima."

"Thank-you, I'm sorry for interrupting your practice. I just couldn't wait to see Emily, I hadn't seen her in a while."

"You're welcome to stay and watch, just please don't interrupt."

"Thanks but I'll wait for the show. Em, I'll be in the car park, orange truck."

"Alright, I shouldn't be too long," I say hopeful but knowing that wasn't the case. Toby quickly leaves and practice resumes, though I am hopeless distracted but I try my best to focus for the club's sake.

"So, Toby's here," Quinn spoke as everyone packed up for the day twenty minutes.

I replied with "Yeah, I'm so excited. I was wondering if you guys would want to go to breadsticks for food and get to know Toby. If not it's cool."

"Emily, you had us at breadsticks," Santana said pointing at herself and Brittany.

Quinn said "Of course, I want to Emily," I smiled happy and we left the choir room for the car park. Walking out of the building and out of all the vehicles left in the parking lot, Toby's beat up truck stood out like a sore thumb. As I approach the truck, I saw Toby reading a book; always a reader I thought.

"Hey," I say while pulling the door open.

"Hi," Toby said startled but putting his book down.

"Sorry it took so long, with the competition this week everyone is stressing out and that means practicing longer."

"It's okay."

I asked "Are you hungry?"

"Always."

"I'm glad that hasn't changed."

"What are you talking about I haven't changed at all."

"Not answering your best friends phone calls, you even got a haircut," I say ruffling his hair.

Toby said "Emily, I'm sorry. My boss was giving us fourteen hour shifts by the time I got any free time, all I wanted to do was sleep."

"You didn't return any of my phone calls, I thought you were mad at me."

"For what? Leaving, Emily I understood why you had to leave. I know how important family is, especially to you. I'm sorry for not answering your calls."

"It's okay, I'm just really glad you're here."

"I'm glad to be here too."

I then instructed "We better get going the girls will be waiting."

"Waiting where?"

"Well I assumed you'd be hungry and also want to get to know my friends, so we're going to the local restaurant here for food."

"You know me so well," Toby commented before turning the ignition on and began following my directions.

Walking into breadsticks behind Quinn, who was following Santana and Brittany over to a table. Sliding into the booth after Quinn, I shuffled further over to make room for Toby, who happily sat down next to me. I think Santana had freaked him out a little on how breadstick crazed she was, which only made me laugh.

Toby spoke "So your face doesn't look to bad?"

"Thanks."

"You don't think you were a bit dramatic with Hanna? I thought you were dying when I heard it was worse than that time with the gutter," Toby said serious.

"At the time, I couldn't actually tell what was hurt but everything did."

Santana asked, "What's this gutter you are referring to?" Toby and I looked at each other having a silent conversation with our eyes.

Sighing, I finally say "There were these guys in Rosewood who didn't accept that I was gay and well, they took me out on an adventure that lead to a broken shoulder and two broken ribs."

"Adventures are meant to be fun," Brittany said looking up from her menu.

I replied with "Safe to say this one was not. Anyway they threw me into a gutter and Toby was the one to find me."

Quinn then asked "Can we change the topic?"

"Sure," I say placing a calming hand upon hers.

Toby asked "So how long have you two been dating."

"Almost a month," Quinn replied with a smile.

"Nice, does Alison know?"

"I believe it's come up in conversation a couple of times."

"Who brought it up?"

"Both of us, I only did to help her move on as well."

Toby asked "You mean to Spencer?"

"You're not still pinning over her are you?"

"No, I'm actually seeing someone now," Toby said.

"Hanna mentioned that she thought you were seeing someone, she wasn't sure though."

Toby asked back "When is that girl ever not sure about something?"

"True, so when do I get to me this mystery girl?"

"She should be coming to the competition this weekend."

"I'm going to the bathroom, if the waitress comes can order my usual?" Toby asked standing up.

"Sure thing," I say watching him go.

Quinn spoke "He seems nice."

"Cute," Brittany said making Santana snap her head.

Brittany explained "What he is, those dimples and that bad boy look he has going, really works for him."

"I liked him until Brittany said that," Santana said making me laugh.

Quinn asked "How does he already have a usual when it's first time being here?"

"There's only one thing Toby ever eats, whenever we go out to eat. Cheeseburgers, it his staple food," I explained. Santana clicked her fingers which summoned a waitress, who quickly wrote our orders down. Santana ordered a chicken schnitzel with gravy and an ice tea, Brittany went with a beef schnitzel with gravy and an ice tea and Quinn ordered a chicken curry with an ice tea to drink as well. For Toby and I, I ordered a cheeseburger with fries and a coke each.

Toby sat back down five minutes later saying "Sorry, did you order my usual?"

"Sure did," I say smiling up at him.

I then asked "Oh, how's Jenna?"

"Wondered when you'd ask about her. She's doing a lot better, your letters are helping a lot or that's what she's said. She's even thinking of returning to Rosewood High soon."

"Really, are you sure she's ready for that?"

Toby spoke "No but it's not up to me. I'd feel better if she had a friend, someone to actually look out for here."

"I could ask the girls or Paige?" I suggest.

"Em, the girls not a good idea and Paige, she's too busy trying to beat your record."

"That girl never learns, she is never going to beat me," I say smiling.

Toby said, "She might, you look a bit rusty."

"Shut up and I am not rusty, I was swimming but then had to stop after the fight, since I had a cast on and now I'm busy with sectionals. I am in no way rusty."

"How? You said in your thousands of phone calls that this place doesn't have a swimming pool."

"Which they don't but my new friend Tana has one in her backyard that she allows me to use."

Santana then said, "Hey Toby, do your parents like Emily?"

Toby replied with "Are you kidding me? They love her, I'm sure they want Emily as their kid more than me."

"That's not true they love you, they just also love me," I say smiling.

Santana said "That's like my parents. When I don't pick up the dishes to take into the kitchen I get, why can't you be like Emily? Do you think she lets her parents do everything for her, no, now take these to the kitchen."

Toby replied with "Been there done that? One time we were playing video games, making a little mess and Mum comments on it. Emily drops her control and starts cleaning, apologizing for the mess."

"You are not normal," Santana said shaking her head.

"Don't worry sweetie, I find it endearing," Quinn said placing her arm around my back and rubbing it.

"Thank-you," I say leaning forward to peck her lips.

"Okay, get a room," Santana tosses at us. We continued talking about random things, the girls were really working at getting to know Toby and he was doing the same; which made me extremely happy. Ten minutes later and a waitress approach our table, she place our plates down in front of the correct person; although having to do two trips.

Santana asked "How did you and Emily meet?"

"When Emily's family moved into the street, my parents forced me to welcome them to the neighbourhood and we hit it off straight away."

"Until you saw me hanging with Alison," I say around my burger.

Toby replied with "I was just protecting you, I didn't know that she was sick."

"I'm just messing with you."

"You seem older and I'm assuming you don't go school, what do you do?" Quinn asked.

Toby answered with "Actually I'm Emily's age and I'll take it as a compliment that you think I look older than I actually am. However, I don't go to school."

Santana asked, "Why not?"

"I had very disruptive sophomore year and well didn't want to continue wasting time on school, so I pick up a trade and joined a few construction crew," Toby explained.

I asked, "How is work going?"

"Good, the crew I was just with did a job out Philly way. I got to see Melissa a bit,"

Before he continued, I say "No way, don't tell me you're dating Melissa?" By Toby's little grin and trying to hide it, as well as his blush gave him up immediately.

"You and Melissa Hastings never would've seen that," I say honestly.

Toby replied with "We just had coffee a few times, I asked her out thinking it wouldn't go anywhere and well we kept going out. She's nice, smart, funny and talent."

"Oh and just happens to look exactly like Spencer, who you had a crush on for I don't know your whole life."

"Melissa and Spencer may look alike but they are nothing alike. I know it seems weird now but just see us together and give us a chance."

"Fine but if you end up marrying her, just remember Mrs Hastings will be your mother-in-law."

Santana interrupted "I thought you said all parents loved you."

"They do, doesn't mean the feeling is mutual. Mrs Hastings, is one scary lady she'd give Sue a run for her money," I say shocking the girls that they actually pause to look up at me.

"Who's Sue?" Toby asked.

I replied with "The girls coach, she is nothing like my coach. I actually like my coach. Sue once made them run in hail from the outskirts of town, if they didn't make it back in a certain amount of time; they were kicked of the team."

"Damm, Mrs Hastings isn't that bad. You just don't like her because of what she said when she learnt you were gay."

Brittany asked, "What did she say?"

I replied with "She basically warned me to stay away from her daughters, looks like she frighten the wrong person."

"How can you be so sure Spencer and Alison will be together?" Toby asked.

"Because of how they look at each other, longingly, dreamingly, plus they both told me while drunk."

"Spencer drunk that's a sight to see," Toby said with a smile.

I replied with "Well-being one of her closet friend, I have seen it and it aint a pretty sight. She's the type of drink that won't stop talking and throws up, a lot," I shake my head at the thoughts.

"Lightweights," Santana scoff making Quinn and Brittany giggled.

I replied with "Meet Spencer parents and then tell Spencer she's a lightweight, or better yet see what she can do with a hockey stick in hand."

"Ouch," Toby said shaking his hand.

I asked "How can it still hurt?"

"It doesn't, I'm just remembering."

"You were the idiot who caught it."

"Because you told me too," Toby argued.

"Such an idiot," I say shaking my head.

I asked "Anyway, got any more jobs line-up?" I smiled when Quinn sneaked a few of my fries to eat but I act like I didn't notice.

"No, the crew said they'd give me a call if I was need but a reference call was all they can give me."

"Well that's okay, I guess. Gives you time to focus on Melissa."

"Oh shut," Toby said tapping my head gently.

Quinn asked, "How come you've never heard Emily sing?"

Toby replied with "Emily was too busy swimming, I knew she could but she never had time to show me."

"How can one person be so crazy about swimming?" Quinn questioned.

"I never understood it," Toby spoke.

Santana asked, "How did you pick up swimming Emily?" I smiled at the question knowing the answer quite well in fact but not really wanting to share.

I replied with "It's a mermaid secret."

Brittany said, "But you're a unicorn."

"I know Brittany but I'm also a mermaid," I say with a smile.

Toby said, "I know that reference, I can't pick it," he shook his head. Feeling vibrating I looked to see if it's my phone but it was Toby's, I watched as he pulled it out I see Melissa face upon the screen and I steal the phone from his hand.

"Hey honey," I say answering Toby's phone but also wrapping my arm around Quinn's shoulder. Quinn looks up at me and I winked at her, making her smile and nod her head.

Melissa replied with "Well that was the last voice I expect to hear on the end of my boyfriend's phone."

"I think the more unexpected thing to hear is you and Tobs dating."

"You might have a point, anyway where's Toby?"

I replied with "Bleeding on the ground, you know how I get when people don't answer my phone calls after a very long period of time."

"Yeah like you would do that much damage to him, I'm sorry for not answering your calls."

"So you should be, I had important stuff to tell you."

"What?"

"That's not how it works Melissa and you know it."

"Fine, what do you want?"

I replied with "Check on Spence before leaving would you."

"Why?"

"Oh come on Melissa be the big caring sister you are meant to be to her."

"I hate you so much."

"Everyone seems to say that to me a lot, well not my girlfriend of course."

"Wait, girlfriend since when?"

"Again that's not how it works, but I guess you'll met her this weekend."

"Okay you've gotten a lot weirder since leaving."

"I take that as a compliment."

"Can you put him on the phone, please?"

"Sure thing honey," I say pulling the phone way.

Looking at Toby, I say "Apparently she wants to talk to you."

"I hate you so much," Toby spoke as he took the phone back and walked away. I can't help but laugh at Toby's words, knowing it wasn't true whatsoever.

Santana asked, "What's the deal with you and this Melissa person?"

"Nothing really, she's just never really cared about Spencer and her parents play favourites, let's just say Spencer never wins."

"She sounds mean," Quinn commented.

I replied with "Actually it's the opposite. She's a Hastings, not her fault that happened; they are incapable of feeling or expressing emotion."

Quinn asked, "Does that included Spencer?"

"Sort of, she at least has us, where Melissa friends just encourage that side of her. However, Spencer hasn't broken away from the module and since Melissa's moved out, they're focus is on her. Training for the next lawyer, I guess."

Brittany stated, "Their parents don't seem very nice."

"It's not their fault, something just happened to them when they became lawyers. The Hastings as a collective are pretty messed up but some are slowly breaking that module, Spencer and Melissa are the most human Hastings I have ever met."

"That's crazy that a family can be like that," Santana commented to which I nod my head.

I then say "But don't worry, not all of Rosewood is that messed up. You just have to meet Hanna's and Aria's Mum to declare that."

Brittany asked, "Will we meet them on our visit to Rosewood?"

"Yeah, they'll insist on it. Besides, I think Hanna will plan a huge get together for everyone, it's the kind of thing she'd do."

"Sounds good," Quinn said resting her head on my shoulder.

I asked "You full?"

"If I eat anymore I won't fit into my cheerio's uniform."

Leaning down to Quinn's ear, I whisper "You're beautiful," I kiss her temple before straightening up.

As Toby sat back down he apologised for the phone call and I asked "Everything okay?"

"Melissa just needed directions on how to get here," Toby explained and continued with "Melissa told me to tell you, she hates you."

"Feeling the love," I say with a smirk.

Toby asked "Why do you have to mess with her like that?"

"Because she hates it, it wouldn't be fun if she liked it. Besides, she makes it way too easy."

Toby looked at Quinn and said "How can you stand to be with her? She's annoying."

Quinn replied with "No, she cute and adorable that's what she is. Beside she makes everything fun and I like spending time with her."

"Aww, I feel the same way beautiful," I say kissing Quinn upon the lips.

"Cut it out you two!" I heard Santana shout. Smiling against Quinn's lips, I continue kissing Quinn who doesn't seem to mind at all.

Toby then said "Okay break it up, don't make me hurt you."

Pulling back slightly, I say "Like you could," Quinn wraps her hands around my neck pulling me back down to kiss her.

"Fine, you're paying for my meal and you can find your own way home," Toby said as he stood up and left breadsticks.

"See you two tomorrow," I heard Santana say as they stood up and also left.

Quinn pulled back and said "They left."

"Must've been something we said," Quinn smiles and pulls me back into kiss. As we continue to make-out in the middle of breadstick, I made sure my hands stay where they were and I didn't rush Quinn in anyway; whatsoever.

A voice then said "Alright, break it up you two, we aint a make-out business. Either order something or get out," turning to see who it was I see it's our waitress obviously bored. Pulling my wallet out, I place two twenty dollars bills down and that was enough to cover mine, Quinn and Toby's meal; luckily Santana and Brittany had left money before leaving. Sliding out of the booth, I offer my hand to Quinn who takes my hand and I help her out of the booth.

In the parking lot, I see Toby's car is gone and Quinn asked, "Want a lift home?"

"If you don't mind, that'd be nice."

"It's not a problem Emily," Quinn said as lead the way over to her park car. Once we are driving, I feel Quinn reach over and take my hand in hers.

"You are cute, you know, that right?" Quinn asked.

I replied with "Not really."

"You have the biggest and most giving heart, I have ever met and it makes you the cutest person ever."

"Thanks beautiful," pulling Quinn's hand up I place a small kiss upon the top of her hand. As we continue to drive in the direction of the car, I feel my phone vibrate once. Pulling my phone out, I think it's just a text from Toby but when unknown appears on the screen; it freaks me out.

-Unknown
Hey our best friend is in town. Just making it too easy –A.

"You okay?" Quinn asked.

"Yeah. It was just Hanna, wishing us good luck for the competition. She doesn't want to miss saying it but she'll be having exam brain for the next few days."

"Well that's incredible sweet of her, say thank-you from me."

"Will do," I say fake writing a text and putting my phone away. I tried my best to enjoy the car ride home with Quinn but that text and the other messages are completely on my mind.