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I sit at the back of the class, doodling over my notes, ignoring the teacher and waiting for this lesson to be over. I sigh with relief when the bell sounds and we are dismissed. I start to shove my things in my bag when I spot a familiar brunette girl by the door, looking straight at me with excited chocolate brown eyes. Without realising, I find myself smiling a genuine smile at her. She waves me over, trying to get me to hurry so I role my eyes and make a show of packing up slower on purpose. She smirks and folds her arms.
I get bored of the game and give in and head towards her. "Hey," I greet her. She starts walking with me towards my locker.
"Hey," she copies, smiling up at me. "So, are you coming to meet my friends?" I sigh and her hopeful smile starts to falter. I dump my bag in my locker.
"Rachel, I don't think it's a good idea if I'm honest. I won't fit in." She grabs my hand with both of hers and looks up at me pleadingly. My hearts beats just a little faster and I swallow to regain myself.
"Please Quinn? At least, for five minutes? I promise you'll love them and-"
"What is it with you and wanting me to meet your friends so bad?" I ask, with slight defence in my voice.
"Because I don't think it's doing you any good being with the skanks." We're outside now and I get loose from her hands to dig my cigarettes out of my back pocket. I pull one out and put it to my lips ready to light. I notice the horrified look on Rachel's face. She quickly snatches the cigarette from my mouth and throws it to the side.
"Hey!" I yell at her.
"See; see that's what I mean! You shouldn't smoke Quinn; it's not good for you. I bet the Skanks don't tell you that do they?"
"No, but they don't act like my damned mother either," I retort, getting pissy. A heavy look dawns on Rachel's face.
"Did she know you smoked?" She asks almost silently, afraid I'll get even angrier for her bringing up my dead mother.
I sigh and run a hand through my short locks. "No, well, I only started after she-" I pause, not wanting to say the word out loud. "Believe it or not, my life was pretty darn perfect before it all happened. I used to be blonde and everything," I say and I realise Rachel giggles slightly. "What?" I ask, this time giggling myself. Rachel looks at me and reaches out, touching at strand of my hair between her thumb and finger. She stops laughing and a fond look replaces her laughter. I gulp, heart speeding up again.
"I bet you looked even prettier blonde," she gazes into my eyes, holding my bewildered stare until I look aware, feeling my cheeks graze with heat. She giggles again. "Did I just embarrass Quinn Fabray?" She asks slyly. I look back at her and smirk, pushing her shoulder.
"As if! Right, if you want me to go hang out with your friends, we better stop messing around and get a move on." Rachel Beams at me and clings onto my arm.
"So you're coming?" she asks excitedly.
"Do I speak a different language or something?" She taps me around the head playfully then once again grabs my hand and leads me towards the courtyard.
She lets go off my hand when we stop in front of a group of very different looking people sitting on the courtyard steps. I scan the group and realise that most of the high school stereotypes are represented in this group. Cheerleaders, Jocks, Goths, Nerds. Maybe Rachel is right, maybe I could fit in here.
"Hey Berry, why'd you bring her here?" An African American girl dressed in street clothes asks as she looks me up and down with a look of disregard plastered onto her face. "I don't think any of us want to drown in cigarette smoke and bad attitude." I narrow my eyes, about to reply but a dark haired, Hispanic cheerleader skips towards Rachel, dragging her away from me whilst shooting me a cold glare.
"Yeah, just toss the skank back in the trash where you picked her up from and forget about trying to change her. I'm sure she'd be just as happy not bathing and smoking forty a day," she says curtly, crossing her arms and shooting me a sarcastic smile, daring me to argue. Rachel starts to say something to me whilst harbouring an apologetic look but I turn fast on my heel and run in the opposite direction, not wanting to be near any of them.
As soon as I run, I kick myself mentally for not standing my ground and arguing back. I don't care what people think! I think, but my brain counters with, then why am I running? A tear escapes from my eye and whips back across my face as I run. Eventually I stop to catch my breath. I'm under the bleachers but the skanks are nowhere to be seen. I kick the ground angrily and let out a growl of frustration. I feel my whole body shaking and my fists are balled up tight, nails digging into my palm.
I feel a hand touch my shoulder and I turn around at lightning speed, knocking whoever it is to the floor. A small yelp gives away their identity before my eyes process who it is. I glare down at Rachel who begins to hoist herself up and smooth her dress whilst avoiding eye contact.
"I'm so sorry Quinn; I really didn't think they'd act like that."
"I don't care," I snap coldly. She brushes a tear away from my face.
"Yes. Yes you do," She says matter-of-factly. I inhale sharply, raising my shoulders in defence. "You put up this front;" she waves me down, "to make people think you're another bad-ass punk chick with a devil may care appearance and attitude to match. But you know what I think Quinn? I think you're a scared little girl that hides behind a huge wall because she doesn't know how to deal with her issues and she doesn't know how to reach out to people so they'll help her. That's why I called the-" She stops, hands flying to cover her mouth trying to take back the words she has just said.
I glower at her as her words sink in. That's why I called. Fury starts to pound throughout my body and every inch of hair on it bristles with anger and disbelief.
"It was you that called the social services," I say almost too quiet for her to hear. I inhale deeply, trying to control my rage but it's no use. "I can't fucking believe you did that! How the hell did you even know where to send them?" I shout.
"Your student record, it wasn't that hard to find out where you lived…" she mumbles, averting her gaze.
I shake my head fiercely. "Do you have any idea what he did to me?" I snap. "Your little call? Yeah, he thought I was the one that called and he beat the shit out of me for it! Look Rachel, look!" I say, almost screaming. I lift up my shirt, revealing not only the huge, yellow and purple bruises that cover most of my stomach and reach all the way around to my back but also the cuts I did last night.
Rachel stares in horror and she chokes on her tears, tearing her gaze away from my father's damage. "Quinn I'm so sorry I didn't know he'd do that to you! Why didn't you tell the social worker? Why are you still there?" She sobs back.
"Because…" I want to say, because I know what it's like in foster care! But deep down, I know that's not the reason. Sure it affects a lot of kids in a bad way but let's face it, it couldn't be worse than this. So I tell her the truth. "Because my father and that house are the only things that I have to remind me of my mom! She raised me in that house. All the memories I have are in that house and If I leave it all behind, I leave her too," I say, realising I'm also crying.
"Quinn," she starts but doesn't finish off her sentence. Instead she takes a tentative step towards me and when she realises I'm not going to run away again or push her away she hugs me gently but amorously. I feel her hand slide up the inside of my top and lightly touch the bruises and cuts. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." I stand there whilst she hugs me in shock as I realise no one has been able to get this close to me since my mother's death. I shake my head and push her away from me, instantly missing her affection.
"Don't. It's better if you don't. Please Rachel, I'm asking you once more. Do not get involved with my issues. You're in way over your head. I know what's best for me right now, trust me." She wipes her eyes as more tears come. She shakes her head.
"I'm not giving up on you Quinn. You need someone to care for you, you're a wreck. You need a friend," she says softly.
"She's got friends Berry," sounds Shelia's voice from over Rachel's shoulder. All three skanks stand there, scowling at Rachel who looks at me with sad doe eyes and I have to stop myself from looking into them.
Rachel nods her head and brushes her hand against mine before turning to leave, giving me one last sympathetic look. She tries to pass Ronnie who holds her arm out to stop Rachel. "Hold up Berry, you think you can just walk out of here after you've made Quinn like that?" Ronnie gestures to me. Rachel's sad eyes have now become clouded with alarm and she glances at me for help.
"Please, I just need to get back to my friends," she mutters, gaze down.
The Mack laughs curtly. "I'm afraid it doesn't work like that sweetie, you see, you've upset our home girl Quinn, now you've gotta' pay the price."
All three skanks start to advance on her, The Mack swiftly grips her arms from behind and Shelia holds her head up. Ronnie moves towards her with a bunched up fist, ready to impact with Rachel's pretty little face.
"Stop it!" I yell at them irately. The skanks look at me confused. "Just let her go, she didn't do anything to me, she just came to see why I was upset is all."
The Mack sighs, "Can't we just beat her up anyway? I've never liked the whiney little bitch!" Just then, I notice a cruel look cross Ronnie's face.
"I have an idea. Quinn? Why don't you do the honours? I mean, she's not your friend right? We are." I stare at her mouth agape, trying to comprehend what is being asked of me. "I mean, if you were friends, we'd have to hammer you both." I grit my teeth at her sick game, but before I say anything, I find my legs walking over to a crying, struggling Rachel who looks at me, face full of hurt.
"C'mon Fabray, we haven't got all day, I'm craving for a smoke here!" Spits Sheila.
I lick my lips and look at Rachel. She screws up her face in preparation for the blow. I swallow hard. I feel my fist ball up and I raise it. I hear the excited laughter of The Skanks as I'm bringing my fist towards Rachel's face but before I even know what I'm doing, the fist turns into my open palm which doesn't hit Rachel. Instead it taps her cheek ever so gently and I simply stare at my hand that's slightly smoothing Rachel's cheek. Her Chocolate eyes open and she looks at me bewildered, then alarm flashes across her face before I feel a heavy foot connect with my bruised side, sending me crashing to the floor. The Mack and Shelia shove Rachel down who lands on top of me, refreshing the pain in my side even more. She scurries up, apologising through tears, then crouches to help me.
The skanks start laughing and she glares at them, whilst trying to haul me to my feet. I can't get up yet, not only has the wind been knocked out of me but the pain in my side is unbearable and I suddenly realise I'm screaming with anguish.
"I knew she wasn't Skank material," says Sheila bitterly. "Now, get the hell out of our sights, both of you, and Quinn? Don't even think about coming back here. You've made your choice," she spits at me. They laugh at the mess that is me on the floor and start to walk off to the other side of the bleachers.
"Thank you," Rachel breaths and I feel the tiny drops of her tears land on my arm as she leans over me. I don't reply. I'm in too much pain. Rachel slowly moves my arm around her shoulders, wincing when I cry out.
After a lot of gentle movements and yelping, I'm up on my feet, supported by Rachel as my arm is slunk around her shoulders and hers around my waist, carful to try and avoid my painful areas. I smirk and she sees, looking at me baffled.
"How can you be laughing Quinn? You-"
"Short ass," I managed to splutter out. She sighs and smiles, realising that the height difference makes us look ridiculous as she tries to support me.
"Oh hush, before I put you back down!" she jokes and I laugh slightly, immediately regretting the pain it causes. "C'mon, I'll get you to the nurse."
"Uh-uh!" I hum, shaking my head.
"You can't be serious, look at you Quinn! You can't even stand up on your own!"
"No," I manage to say. "She'll ask questions. Please Rachel," I plea.
"Rachel sighs with frustration. "Well, what are we going to do then?" I break away from her, flinching as my body aches even more.
"See," I breathe, "I'm getting better as we speak. I have a free period next; I'll be okay, really." Rachel looks me over in concern.
"Why do you never listen to anything I say?" She smiles wanly.
"Same goes for you. I tell you to leave me alone, and look where we are." She laughs and brushes my cheek with the back of her palm.
"Thank you for not going through with hitting me Quinn, but this is my fault." I open my mouth to protest but she raises her hand to cut me off. "So, don't go home tonight. Let me take care of you. We have our homeroom project due in for tomorrow anyway, we can- well, I can work on that, and you can rest."
I ponder for a moment. I could go no problem. My dad would be too drunk to even know I wasn't there and even if he did, he'd get sick of waiting for his punching bag to get home so he'd just pass out. Besides, I could do with a night were I can sleep without worrying about getting hit or about not even waking up at all. I meet her gaze and smile warm heartedly. "Okay," I agree and she squeals, hugging me tight but let's go when I yelp.
"Sorry, sorry!"
I smirk, "C'mon Berry, just get me to the common room in one piece." She huffs and wraps an arm around my waist for support as we slowly make our way back to the school building.
As we walk or should I say, Rachel walks, I hobble, back to the school, I glance at Rachel through the corner of my eye. I smile at the way her silky brown hair settles over her shoulders and down to her breasts. I love the way she smells like sweets and freshness but most of all, I admire the way she has set about wanting to reach out the bitch of a new girl. I smile to myself but then an interesting thought plays out in my mind.
Am I attracted to Rachel Berry?