Hey Guys! Thanks for the response on the story so far; keep it coming! It really makes my day. Here is the next chapter, which happens to involve our favorite blonde!
I look through my tear filled eyes to see an angry Finn glaring at me. "You are a pathetic worthless little-" His hard came flying towards me, here comes the punching, like every night. I close my eyes and anticipate the blow...
"Enough." A small but firm voice said from behind me. "Get out before I call the cops, or worse the press."
I look to see Finn immediately leave, before I coil into a ball on the floor, crying in pain. Soft hands enclosed my bruised body, and I immediately felt safe. I looked up to see my savior, and saw this striking woman. She had short blonde hair, and a very petite body. She was beautiful. Her hazel eyes were locked on mine, and I instantly feel self-conscious.
"Come on let's get out of here." She said in a sweet, gentle voice. She helped me up off the ground, and silently led me out of back way of the building. We avoided the press and hopped into a taxi, leaving the Grammys and the drama behind.
My mind was set into a daze, thinking of how Finn was going to react when I got home that night. I knew I was going to get another beating when I got home, I just knew it. Finn was angry with me at how I acted at the awards. He felt as though I embarrassed him, and I'm sure somehow I managed to do so. I am just thankful that somebody came to my rescue this time. I stared at my savior; there was something about her that just made me feel safe, peaceful. She was beautiful, her every feature was breathtaking and I couldn't stop myself from staring at her. She finally looked over and caught me, and I had to look away sheepishly.
"I'm sorry, I never even introduced myself." She emptied the silence with her voice. "My name is Quinn... Quinn Fabray." She smiled lightly at me.
"My name is Rachel Berry." I say absent-mindedly. Quinn... even her name was beautiful...
"I know, you're kinda famous." She giggled.
"Yeah... right..." I fumble. "Where are we going by the way?" Looking out the window, I do not recognize where we are.
"My place. I kind of figured you wouldn't want to go home to Mr. Hudson and besides you and I need to talk..." She stared at me with honest eyes. I smiled nervously at her. We enveloped into a comfortable silence, both of us staring out our designated windows.
After 10 or so minutes, we pulled into the parking lot of an apartment building. Quinn paid the cab driver and we got out of the car and walked into the building.
"Hey Fabray!" A guy at the front desk called to her.
"Hey Bernie!" She called back.
"So I was thinking, you and I, we should go out to dinner tonight." The guy called Bernie was hitting on her. I instantly felt this pang of... jealousy? I have no idea why, but I don't like anybody talking to Quinn like that.
"Sorry, I have company tonight." Quinn answered pleasantly. They continued light conversation with each other for a few moments, while my mind wandered to other places. The sound of my name brought me back to attention.
"Rachel... B-Berry." Bernie stuttered at me. In my mind I rolled my eyes, I was so used to getting that reaction from people, but I politely smiled and introduced myself.
"Hi, yes, I'm Rachel." I shook his hand. He looked as though he was going to poop his pants.
"Alright well, we got to go, catch you later Bern!" Quinn laughed, and grabbed my hand, pulling me away from the scene.
We entered the elevator, and she pressed the number 5 button. "Sorry about him, he has been trying to get with me ever since I moved here..." Quinn rolled her eyes.
I smiled reassuringly at her, letting her know that I didn't really mind. As the elevator started climbing up, so did my anxiety. I had no idea who this girl really was; this could all be a trap. My mind jumps to the worst conclusions, but I look to the girl at my side and realize that she is just here to help me out.
The doors slid open and we stepped out. We walked down a long hallway until we reached the last door, room 156. Quinn unlocked the door and led me inside.
"Are you hungry?" She asked me. Instead of waiting to give an answer, she set down a plate of cookies in front of me. I took one greatly, realizing that I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast.
I was gnawing away at my cookie, when I noticed hazel eyes staring at me. I put down the food self-consciously. "Thank you Quinn." I mumbled. I don't know if I meant 'thank you' for the cookie or thank for saving me.
"How long has he been beating you?" She asked the question carefully. I was not prepared for this conversation.
"6 months."
"Have you ever told anybody?"
"No, he told me not to."
"Why haven't you left him?"
I thought about this question for a moment. Was I really about to tell all my secrets to this stranger? But realizing this, Quinn wasn't really a stranger to me, for some reason I feel like we really knew each other. "I think it's because there's still some part of me that really loves him. I know it's stupid for me to hang on to the guy that he used to be... but I'm sure a small part of him still loves me." I start to cry at the thought of leaving him. I would have nowhere to go, no one to be with.
Quinn's soft voice pulls me out of my daze. I look to see that it's nearly 1:00 in the morning; I must have fallen asleep. "I think it's time we go to bed. I don't have a spare bedroom or anything, so you can just take my bed, I'll sleep on the couch."
I began to protest at her offer, but she grabs my hand and gently leads me to her bedroom. I slump in the bed, and instantly fall asleep, too tired to even care at this point.
...
"Rachel?" Quinn's whispers woke me up. I groan as I turn over, trying to ignore my dream. "Rachel?" She says a little louder. I open my eyes to see her hovering over me, looking distraught.
"What's up Quinn?" I slur.
"C-Can I sleep with you? It's just I couldn't sleep, and I figured you wouldn't mind and-"
"Of course Quinn." I cut off her rambling. I shift over to give her more room and she delicately slides in beside me.
"Goodnight Rachel." She says beside me.
"Goodnight Quinn." I reply, before I drift back into sleep.
...
I awoke again to Quinn sobbing. I turn over to see that she is thrashing around in her sleep, and the sight breaks my heart. I don't even know this girl, but seeing her in so much pain and hurt makes me want to cry. I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her close to me. She is still shivering after a while, but the crying had subdued. I whispered in her ear until the turmoil had stopped. She had drifted back into an easy sleep, but now there was no way I was going to sleep. I look at the clock and see that it's nearly 5 o'clock.
Quietly as I can crawl over Quinn and tiptoe out of the bedroom. I locate the bathroom, and start my shower. As I start washing my body, I can see the black and blue spots from where Finn's fists made contact with my skin. My tears start blending with the shower water as I finish cleaning myself. As I wash away the glamorous makeup and cover up from last night, old faded bruises are making themselves more known. My entire body aches in pain, but the thing that aches the most is my heart.
Realization dawns on me as I step out of the shower; I came here in my Grammy dress; I left my purse, my wallet, everything back at the event. I figure that Quinn would let me borrow some of her clothes for the time being, so I creep inside her room and find some sweats and a baggy t-shirt. This will have to do for now.
...
Quinn grumbled her way into the kitchen just after I finished making a pot of coffee. "Morning." I smiled to her. I wasn't sure when to ask about her nightmares, but I know I had to say something.
The deep purple bags under her eyes were very prominent, and there were fresh tear stains on her cheeks; so I knew she had been crying again.
"Morning" She groaned back at me. She eyes the clothes on my body, I knew she recognized them.
"All I had was my Grammy gown; I hope you don't mind me wearing your clothing..."
"No. I don't mind... you look better in it than I do..." She mumbled the last part, but I could still make out the words she was saying.
I handed her a steaming cup of coffee and we sat down at the small kitchen table. Either of us said anything for a while, both just sipping our coffee quietly.
"We need to get your stuff from Finn's house." Quinn finally said. The finality in her told me that it wasn't up for discussion.
"W-What?"
"You can't stay with him any longer, after all the crap he's done to you. No. You can stay with me until you find a place to live. Okay?"
I nodded at her. "Thank You Quinn."
"No problem." She smiled sweetly at me, and we were enveloped back into silence.
Chapter 3: Rachel and Quinn go to Finchel's house