Chapter 4: Woos and Woes

"More tea, Quinn?" Rachel asked. Quinn was sitting down on a flowery couch in Rachel and Finn's house later that day. She was telling her about Beth, and what had happened.

"No, thanks," Quinn muttered. Rachel sat down across her.

"Okay, look, I know things may be hard right now, but it will be alright,"

"I just don't understand why she has to do this. Why she has to be this hard. Rachel, it's just…devastating. She thinks I don't care that Shelby died, of course I do…"

"Of course, we all do."

"Oh my God," Quinn muttered, "I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to be insensitive…"

"It's okay, Quinn," Rachel said, "After all, I wasn't with Shelby for so long…It's really Beth that…that's probably having a hard time among all of us."

"I know," Quinn said, "I just wish she gives me a chance, you know?"

Rachel stood up and looked out the window, "Remember when we were in High School and you started doing all those crazy things?" Rachel looked at Quinn, "You put up that Glist,"

Quinn smiled a bit, embarrassed.

Rachel went on, "You avoided Puck, been with Sam, broke up with Sam to be with Finn, dyed your hair Pink, been with the Skanks, dyed your hair Blonde, plotted against Shelby—"

"I don't know where you're going with this…"

"My point, Quinn," Rachel said, "Is that we all go through those phases. We all become crazy," She went on, "And yes, it's hard to watch Beth go through it. We all want to protect the people we love, but sometimes, they have to learn their own lessons. They have to make their own mistakes, and get up from those. Beth is a good kid. And I know it may take some time, but she'll warm up. Just trust her."

"I do," Quinn said, "It's just that I don't trust myself."

"Oh," Rachel came up to her and hugged her, "Listen, Quinn. Please don't give up on yourself. You're better. So much better than you give yourself credit for. And…just remember, you got through everything and became a better person. Don't give up on Beth,"

"Thanks, Rach,"

Rachel smiled, "Oh, by the way, I've something to tell you."

"And what is it?"

Rachel rubbed her belly and smiled at Quinn.

"Oh my God," Quinn exclaimed, "You're pregnant?"

"Yes!" Rachel said, "I told Finn last night and he was so happy. I'm actually thinking of baby names already…Maybe Patti…or Barbra, but I'm already Barbra so screw that…Maybe I'll call her Yentl, or Cheryl…at least that's still Barbra,"

Quinn laughed and hugged Rachel, "I'm so happy for you," She smiled.

"Thanks, Quinn!"

"But what if it's a he?"

And then they cracked up.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Beth," Zachary saw Beth coming out of the Biology classroom and walked up to her, "Hey,"

"Hey,"

"So…what happened?"

"She grounded me," Beth replied.

"Sorry," Zach said, "What did you tell them?"

"That they're not my family. That maybe they should just kick me out, or allow me to marry you—"

"Hey, Beth, wait up," Zach said, "We're not together. You know that, we're just friends. And you like someone else,"

Beth rolled her eyes, "I just wanna get out of that place."

"Why don't you give your mom a chance?"

"She's not my mom,"

"Beth, she is," Zach said, "You have to face the truth at some point, you know?"

Silence and then someone came up to them.

"Hi, Zach, Beth, it's Glee club practice," It was Arnold Abrams, Artie's younger brother. He looked pretty much like Artie, glasses and all, and he was also very smart.

"Yeah, we're coming," Beth said.

"Okay, see you," Arnold smiled and walked towards the choir room. Beth closely followed suit.

"Beth," Zach said.

"What?" Beth looked at him.

"Please, just…Give people a chance. Not everyone's out to get you."

She bit her lip, rolled her eyes, and continued walking away, Zach trailing closely behind.