Not Like I Think About You Constantly

By: Tracy Cook

Disclaimer: I do not own anything; these characters belong to the creators of Glee, One Tree Hill, and The Vampire Diaries.

Authors Note: This is an AU fic that focuses around Glee/OTH/Vampire Diaries. There will be NO VAMPIRES and characters may be slightly OOC, but I will try and keep them in character.

Pairing: Quinn/Rachel, Brooke/Haley, and Caroline/Rebekah.

Rating: M

Chapter Eleven

Times of Change

"God damn it!" She shouted out, running after Haley. "Haley!" She pushed her way through the crowd, not caring who she hurt in the process. Her eyes connected to the back of her retreating girlfriend. "Haley!" The tutor made her way out the front door and Brooke followed closely behind her, but as she passed through the door she could no longer see Haley anywhere.

Casting her hazel eyes down the street and around the yard she searched for the other woman, finally spotting her running down the street. "Shit!" She had already made her way to the next block over. 'Jesus Christ! How the fuck does she run so fucking fast!?'

Brooke sprinted after her, suddenly thankful for her years of cheer leading practice. She was catching up to her quickly. "Haley! Haley! Please, stop running!" She screamed out, her naturally raspy voice cracking under the strain of her screams. Catching up to Haley, she reached out and grabbed ahold of her arm in order to stop her from running.

Haley turned around and stared up at Brooke with a sorrowful expression on her face. Her large brown eyes were wide and full of tears, she was sniffling sadly, but there was a scowl on her lips that showed Brooke that she was angry as well. She didn't say anything.

"Haley…" She muttered under her breath.

"What?" She bit back angrily.

"You can't seriously be upset about that." Brooke defended and Haley scoffed and rolled her eyes, pulling her arm away and crossing them over her chest. "Haley, that happened so long ago. We were drunk and made a mistake, it didn't mean anything to me!" She insisted.

"You slept with him."

"I've slept with a lot of people." She laughed a little. Watching the other woman's face fall, she realized that those were the worst words she could have used to defend herself. If she were on trial for murder right now, she would have been the one who attempted to justify it by saying 'I've murdered a ton of people.' 'God, what the hell is wrong with me!?'

"Haley, I didn't mean—"

"—No, you're right Brooke." She laughed sarcastically and waved her hand like it was no big deal, when they both knew that it was. "This really shouldn't be so surprising."

"Hales—"

"I mean, all I have to do is hug the guy and you get jealous and don't talk to me for days. But, you sleep with him, and record it so that you can what? Watch it anytime that you need something to help—"

"—I've never even watched it!" Brooke defended. She didn't want Haley to think that she had recorded this video to watch it over and over or anything like that. Until this moment she had not even remembered making it.

"That's so not the point!"

"What is the point Haley?" She wondered. Honestly, she could not understand why she was so angry with her. She understood why she was jealous, but it hadn't happened while they were together.

Haley glanced away and hugged herself tightly as she chewed on her bottom lip and thought about it. She felt insecure and vulnerable, exposed for Brooke to see. She hated it. "The point is that you made it in the first place, Brooke." She turned to look at her girlfriend. "I would never make something like that, and I can't believe that you would."

"I wouldn't." Her voice was adamant.

The tutor laughed. "I think that it's blatantly obvious that you would."

"No, I mean…" Brooke's voice trailed off as she took a few steps closer to Haley and rested her hands on her arms. "I wouldn't. Not, she wouldn't."

Haley furrowed her brow in confusion and stared up into hazel eyes. "What do you mean?"

"That girl in the video wasn't me. I'm not that person anymore. It was just a stupid drunken mistake that I made, because I was feeling insecure that night and he insisted. It meant absolutely nothing to me." Her eyes shimmered with tears and her lips trembled, her heart was pounding rapidly in her chest. She was terrified that she was going to lose the one thing, the one person, that gave her life reason.

Haley did not say anything for a few minutes, and when she finally spoke, it caused Brooke's heart to stop completely. "How many people have you slept with, Brooke?"

"What… Why would you ask me that?" She breathed out to the best of her ability.

"You said it was a lot, and I want to know. How many is a lot?"

"Haley, I…" Brooke started to explain as she went through some names in her head, but she couldn't remember most of the people that she had slept with. She had been intoxicated on most occasions. She knew that it was terrible. Who forgot people that they slept with? It was supposed to be special. It was special to Haley. "I…"

Haley shook her head. "You can't remember." She moved to walk away, but the cheerleader held onto her arms and stopped her.

"No!" She stared down into her eyes. "Not an exact number." Brooke paused and blinked away some tears as she attempted to breath. "But why do you need to know so badly? I always felt like you were the one person who never judged me. So, why do you need to know now? It has nothing to do with us. With our relationship."

"It has everything to do with our relationship." Haley laughed as tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Hales." She whispered softly.

Her voice cracked as she spoke, and she continued to laugh a little. It was her way of dealing with sad situations. Sarcasm and laughter. "How am I supposed to compete with all of them?" She paused and flung her arms open. "I mean seriously, Brooke! You've been with so many people, all of them more experienced and beautiful than me, and—"

"—More experienced, maybe. More beautiful? Never. None of them were more beautiful than you." Brooke insisted.

"I find that hard to believe—just look at me! I'm tutorgirl, I'm a nerd, no one even looks twice at me." Haley belittling herself broke her girlfriend's heart. She hated the way that she talked about herself like she was not the most amazing woman on the face of the planet.

"I did."

"I know… but—"

Brooke reached out and cupped Haley's cheeks with her hands as she pulled the beautiful woman closer to her and stared down into her eyes. Her lips quirked up and the dimples in her cheeks caved in as she smiled, staring into brown eyes with such intensity it was almost scary. No one had ever looked at Haley like that.

"Haley, I don't care about all of those people. Yes, I've had sex with a lot of people, but it never mattered to me. It was just pointless sex." She paused, her hands shaking as her fingers tangled in Haley's hair. "This. With you. This is so much more than that. I think that you are the most beautiful woman that I have ever met."

"That can't be true, I mean just look at your friends—"

"It's not your opinion that matters here, it's mine." She paused and raised a brow at her. "But, you've been checking out my friends eh? Should I be jealous?"

Haley laughed and slapped her hand gently against Brooke's stomach before tracing it down to her hip and holding her closer. "Don't be ridiculous, Brooke. None of them compare to you."

"Good." She smiled smugly, before growing serious again. "And no one that I have ever been with compares to you. I think that you are so gorgeous, and sexy, and I promise you that I do not want or need anyone else. So you're just gonna have to deal with that, okay?"

"I'm just gonna have to deal with it?" The tutor smiled brightly. "Well, if I have to, then I guess I will."

"Damn straight you will!"

Both girls laughed a little at the playful turn in their serious conversation. Brooke quickly turned the conversation back around as her voice deepened and she traced her fingers along Haley's ear. "But, seriously Haley, you are. You're so much better than all of them."

"But, why? What makes me so great?" She asked insecurely.

"What makes you so great?" Brooke sounded as though it were an insane question. "Everything!" She kissed the top of her head and watched as Haley started to blush at the compliment. "Most importantly, though, you don't just pretend to care about me to get in my pants, and what we have between us. This connection. It isn't just about sex. I like that."

Haley's eyes widened in shock. "Really? It doesn't bother you?"

"Not at all. I'm happy moving at your pace." She smirked and waggled her eyebrows suggestively as she looked the tutor over. "And despite finding you to be super freaking hot, this isn't just about that. I'm happy just being with you. You make me so happy, Haley Bob James."

She blushed brightly and leant into the hand that was caressing her cheek. "You make me happy too, Brooke Penelope Davis."

Brooke laughed at the usage of her middle name. Haley had insisted that she tell her, because it was only fair. Leaning down she captured her lips with her own in a sweet and loving kiss.

O

Rachel had been released from the hospital a few days ago. They had told her to make sure that she got plenty of rest, and she wasn't supposed to return to school for at least a week. The doctors had initially told her two weeks, but she managed to talk them down. Insisting that she was fully capable of attending school while in her condition. If she had it her way, she would have returned two days ago.

Rachel Berry hated being unproductive.

Sectionals were coming up and she needed to practice her song, plus she still had to present it to Mr. Schuester. Along with this, she would have to get caught up in her dance lessons, vocal training, and classes. She had to keep a decent grade point average to get into the college of her dreams, and she was not going to do that if she got behind because of a minor gunshot wound.

One of the perks of being stuck in bed resting had been Quinn's nearly obsessive need to be there for her and take care of her. Rachel did not know if it was the guilt that she felt for hurting her so many times, or the fear of possibly losing her, but whatever it was, Quinn had practically been over at her house non-stop.

In some ways, Rachel hoped that they would never return to school. She was worried that this kind side of the blonde would vanish as soon as people were around them again.

She had grown extremely attached to being close to Quinn and she didn't want to lose that just yet.

Even if it meant falling behind a bit in her classes.

A full-lipped smile spread across her face as she heard someone enter her bedroom and she snapped her head up to look at them. Quinn returned the smile and walked through the door with a tray of food in her hands. She had been making her vegan-friendly breakfast for the last two days. It had become sort of a ritual between the two of them. Rachel did not believe that she could ever tire of seeing that beautiful face when she woke up.

"How are you feeling today, Rach?" Quinn asked as she set down the tray in front of Rachel and took a seat on the bed across from her.

"I am feeling much better now that you are here with me." Rachel admitted, her smile widening as she watched a blush rise along the other woman's pale skin. She loved making her blush. It still amazed her that she was capable of such things.

Ignoring the comment to the best of her ability, she responded. "You better eat up. We need you to get back to being strong and healthy."

The starlet smiled and nodded her head as she picked up her silverware and started to eat the lovely breakfast that Quinn had made for her. It was delicious. A few minutes passed in comfortable silence while they ate, but Rachel felt the urge to say something. "Thank you so much for all of this, Quinn. I never would have thought that you of all people would be the one here, taking care of me." She whispered the last words softly.

"Rachel…" She breathed out. "You don't have to keep thanking me."

"I know." Rachel smiled. "I just cannot help it." Her voice held excitement that made Quinn feel terrible. She knew that the beautiful woman was happy to be spending time with her, but she also knew that this would have to end as soon as they returned to school. "If someone would have informed me that all I had to do was get shot to spend time with Quinn Fabray, then I may have considered it sooner."

Hazel eyes grew serious and angry, and her muscles tightened. "Don't you dare say that, Rachel."

"I was only joking." She insisted, but Quinn still looked upset. "Sorry…" She muttered out, averting her eyes and focusing on her food as she ate. Now the silence that surrounded them was awkward. In a way, she had meant what she had said though. She didn't mean that she wished that she had got shot at an earlier time, but she wasn't really upset that it had happened either. On some level she believed it to be fate. It had brought her closer to the woman she loved, and she was happy about that.

Both women were searching for something to say to break the silence.

Finally, Quinn decided to speak up. "Sectionals are coming up in two weeks." She paused and looked up at Rachel, allowing her eyes to run along her face. She loved her face. She smiled sadly as she noticed her eyes fill with excitement at the words and it made her feel terrible. She didn't want to break the news to her, but she knew she had to. "Mr. Schuester is already searching for a replacement for the lead solo…"

Rachel's head snapped up and her brown eyes widened, her full lips parting in shock. "What!?" She exclaimed. "Quinn, please do assure him that I will be healthy and fully-functional by then. There is no need to find a replacement. I will be perfectly capable of performing the solo at sectionals." The diva's heart was racing; she could not lose her spot.

Chewing on her bottom lip, she shrugged her shoulders, "I think that maybe you should sit this one out, Rachel. Your wound is still healing—"

"—I will be perfectly fine! I must sing at sectionals—"

"—we will be fine. We will win sectionals, and then you can come in and sweep them off their feet with your lovely voice at regionals." 'Wait? Did you just say that Berry has a lovely voice? Well she does-Wait! No! Stop it!'

Her heart skipped a beat as she heard the compliment. It caused a blush to spread along her cheeks and down over her shoulders. 'Did she just say that I have a lovely voice? She really likes my voice?' "Quinn, I thank you for complimenting my voice, though I would have used a more accurate word to describe it, perhaps, superb, or magnificent. Still, I digress, I must insist that I sing at sectionals this year, it is not up for debate."

"Rach…" Quinn said in a worried tone as she reached out and placed a hand gently over Rachel's, giving it a soft and reassuring squeeze. The brunette stopped ranting as her eyes widened and her naturally tan skin was painted a bright pink. "Sit this one out. For me?"

Quinn's voice and eyes held such concern that she found herself giving into her wishes. She did not want to worry the other woman. It shattered her knowing that the first time that her glee club would perform, she would not be a part of it, but she agreed. "If you insist."

"Good." She grinned and gave her arm one last squeeze before pulling her hand away. She immediately missed the warmth of Rachel's skin. "Because, I do."

They continued to eat, now that they had returned to a comfortable silence. It was amazing that despite everything that the two of them had been through, they still felt comfortable in each other's presence. Suddenly, Quinn glanced up and noticed that Rachel had smudged a bit of her breakfast across her upper-lip. She chuckled softly.

Rachel could feel Quinn's eyes on her face and she saw that she was laughing, attempting to be polite about it, but failing miserably. "What is it? Do I have something on my face?" She started to wipe around her mouth in hopes to remove whatever it was before further embarrassing herself.

"Yeah…" She nodded her head. "On your lip."

She wiped her lips with her napkin, but only managed to smudge it even more. "Did I get it?"

Quinn was laughing loudly now as she shook her head. It was too cute seeing Rachel frantically attempting to clean off her face, her brows knit together in frustration and a look of complete annoyance on her face. She was visibly growing agitated. 'Why is she so cute?'

A pout formed on Rachel's full lips as she stared over at the blonde cheerleader, this causing her to laugh even more. "I would appreciate it if you would help me instead of simply sitting there and laughing at me." She whined out.

"Sorry, come here." Quinn waved her hand, telling Rachel to lean in, which she did.

Reaching out, Quinn traced her thumb over her perfect upper-lip, blushing as she felt the softness of it beneath her finger. 'Oh God… I did not think this through… just ignore the feelings, you're just helping her… Don't even look at those perfect, full, kissable lips-oh goodness!' It did not help that Rachel's eyes fluttered closed and she let out a soft moan at the contact. 'Sweet Jesus…' Her finger lingered longer than necessary as hazel eyes glanced down at those lips. The kiss they shared running through her head. She wanted to kiss her again.

She could recall how those lips had felt against her own. How her heart had started racing and her skin had felt like it was on fire. The way that her body went numb and an aching need formed between her thighs.

'If I just lean in a little closer...'

Quinn couldn't stop herself, and she lent in just a little closer. Just close enough that she could feel her heated breathe rush against her lips. Just close enough that she could practically taste her sweet lips. 'Just close enough to tease myself... Pull back Quinn! What do you think you are doing? You can't just kiss her! It will ruin everything! Pull away!'

Gathering herself, she pulled away and returned to her seated position across from Rachel. Wearing an awkward expression and a familiar blush. She blushed constantly when she was around the starlet. She was the only person that she couldn't seem to control herself around.

The awkward silent eating commenced and they both ignored the feelings of need and desire from the close contact. Rachel didn't dare act on her feelings. She knew that it would be too soon and that it would push Quinn away.

'Hurry up and change the subject before she thinks that she has ruined everything and she runs away again.' "Do you think that we could go and visit Puck today?" Rachel wondered.

"Rach…" Quinn stated harshly. She did not want to visit the man who had nearly killed the woman that she loved. She was so angry with him and she did not understand how Rachel could just forgive him. How she could forgive the people who hurt her so easily. 'Like me. How does she always forgive me?'

"Please? You promised that you would take me. I just need to make sure that he is alright after everything that happened the other day."

"Fine. After we finish eating, we will go and visit him."

"Thank you so very much, Quinn." Rachel smiled brightly. She had been worried about the young man ever since she had saw him at the school. His eyes had held such pain and desperation. She knew that he wasn't trying to kill anyone, he just felt trapped in his devastation and needed a way out.

O

"Is this about Rebekah?" Tyler shouted out angrily as he slammed his fist against his locker. He would never hurt Caroline, but he could not help but be upset that she was breaking up with him. He had a feeling he knew why.

"A little…" She muttered, and when his body started to shake in anger she quickly explained, "But, it's mostly about us." Tyler gave her a disbelieving look and she sighed loudly. "Okay! It's mostly about me!"

"And your feelings for her?" His voice shook.

"No, and my feelings for you, Tyler!" She countered defensively. Even if things had not happened between her and Rebekah the night of the party, she still would have had to break up with him. She did not feel anything when she was with him.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean…" Caroline paused and looked down at her feet; she did not know how to explain what she was feeling.

The guilt was overwhelming. She did not want to hurt him. It wasn't fair to him. 'But, it isn't fair to stay with him either. Not if I feel nothing for him.' "I always had this, like, huge crush on you, you know? I pretty much chased you around constantly, and romanticized every single thing that you did, but when we finally got together…" Her voice trailed off.

"You just didn't want me anymore once you got me. It wasn't what you thought it would be." Tyler finished her thought.

"Yeah…" She whispered sadly. "But it's not your fault that it wasn't what I thought it would be, it's my fault… I guess, I just expected too much."

"What do you mean? I can give you whatever you need—"

"—not like that, Tyler… It's my feelings, a connection that is missing between the two of us… And you can't just give me that, it's not possible. I'm sorry…"

Tyler moved toward her and insisted, "I could try. Take you out on more dates, or I dunno, whatever you need in a relationship. Come on Care?" He pleaded with her to give him a second chance, but it only caused her to feel guiltier about the situation. She hated that he could not make her feel the things that Rebekah had. Prior to actually feeling that connection she was content pretending, but she couldn't pretend any longer.

"I'm so sorry, Tyler, I just can't. It wouldn't be fair to you, to either of us to stay in this relationship."

Tyler laughed humorlessly as he threw up his hands. "Yeah, Whatever you say, Caroline. Have fun screwing Rebekah." He turned and walked quickly down the hallway, never looking back at her, and running into a few students. Her heart dropped as she watched him walk away from her, knowing that his words were true only made her feel worse.

"So, how about it sweets? Care to escape to the janitorial closet and "screw?" She used his distasteful vocabulary to get her point across.

Caroline gasped out, her heart skipping a beat as she heard a familiar voice behind her. She turned around and came face to face with Rebekah. 'How the hell is she always right behind me!? It's getting creepy… is she like stalking me?'

"Jesus fucking Christ, Rebekah! You have got to stop sneaking up on me like that!" She exclaimed as she controlled her breathing and calmed her racing heart.

Rebekah walked around her, a smirk on her full lips as she spoke in a matter-of-fact tone. "I would, if only it were not so entertaining to watch you jump." Her smirk widened as she moved toward the other blonde, staring down into her eyes. "Now, about my offer—"

"—No!" She lowered her voice so that she would not be heard by onlookers in the hallway. "Rebekah, we are not going to be doing anything like that again. Just because I am single now doesn't mean that I want to get together with you or anything."

"Shame." She deadpanned. "I was really looking forward to a repeat of the other evening."

"Yeah? Well, stop!" 'Wow… smooth defense Caroline… god…'

Rebekah simply stared at Caroline with amused eyes.

Caroline groaned out in annoyance, throwing her hands up in the air as she started to pace around in front of Rebekah. "Look." She glanced over at her. "We can be friends, I guess. Maybe." Her voice was rightfully hesitant. Not only were the two of them rivals, but now they had slept together, that was just asking for trouble if they tried to be friends. "But, that's all we can be."

Rebekah moved toward the other woman with incredible speed, causing her to scream out as hands grabbed onto her shoulders and she was pressed against the lockers. The blonde Brit smirked mischievously as her lips hovered over Caroline's, dangerously close to hers. So close that when she spoke, they brushed against them teasingly. Caroline caught her breath and Rebekah watched as her eyes darkened with desire. She wanted her.

"Friends with benefits, perhaps?"

Caroline responded, her voice strained due to her aroused state. "Just, friends."

O

Rachel walked into the visiting area of the prison, with Quinn following close behind her. Her brown eyes widened as she witnessed Puck sitting on the other side of a glass wall, holding a phone in his hand. He was obviously waiting for her. His eyes lit up when he saw her, and she flashed him a smile before taking a seat on the other side of the glass. Picking the phone up, she held it to her ear.

Quinn stood behind her staring at Puck through the glass with angry hazel eyes. Her hand placed protectively on Rachel's shoulder.

"Thank god you're okay, Rach!" He practically shouted into the phone, his heart racing. "I was so scared. I mean, they all told me that you lived, but I couldn't believe it 'til I saw you for myself."

"I assure you, Noah. I am quite alright." She paused and smiled sweetly at him. "How are you doing?" The worry in her voice confused him.

"You're worried about me? Rachel, I'm fine. I'll be outta here in no time; I've just been so scared." He paused, his eyes shimmering with tears as he spoke into the phone with sincerity that broke Rachel's heart. She hated seeing him so upset and feeling so guilty. "I'm so sorry about everything. I didn't mean to hurt you, Rach." A tear rolled down his cheek and his lips quavered.

"I know…" Rachel paused and nodded reassuringly. "Trust me, I know. I witnessed you shooting at random; I know that you were not aiming at me. I am going to be fine, I promise."

"Still, god, I'm so sorry."

"I forgive you, Noah. I'm not mad at you, and I do not blame you."

Her words caused him to smile shakily. That was all that he had needed and wanted to hear since the shooting. He needed to know that she did not hate him.

Quinn watched the interaction closely. She wanted nothing more than to reach out and take the phone from Rachel and scream at him, to tell him how stupid he was, how he had nearly killed the woman that she loved more than life itself. But, she knew that it would only cause Rachel and Puck to hurt more and that wasn't what she wanted. She did not want to hurt her anymore.

O

Caroline had been put in charge of the cheer squad in Quinn's absence, and it was more than apparent that Rebekah had hated every minute of practice because of it. She hated not being in charge or control, and Caroline loved rubbing it in.

Currently, the two of them were in the locker room after practice. Most of the other girls on the squad had already changed and showered, which left just the two of them in the main area of the locker room.

"That must have been torture for you." She laughed. "Having me out there bossing you around and giving you orders!"

"It was not ideal." She admitted with a smirk on her pouty lips, giving the other blonde little acknowledgement for her teasing. Deep down Rebekah knew that despite Caroline believing that she had been in charge, she was always in charge.

"Not ideal!?" Caroline laughed even more. "You hated it! You were all pouty and upset, and complaining the entire time. It was great!" She smiled smugly.

"You're mean."

"Oh, you're just mad that I—" Her words caught in her throat as she turned around to look at Rebekah. What she saw caused her to swallow hard and her heart to race in her chest. The beautiful blonde was standing in front of her clad in only her bra and panties, wearing a devious smirk on her lips as she stared over at her.

"That you what, exactly?" Rebekah questioned as she took a few steps toward her. "Got to be in charge?" Her smirk widened as she reached behind herself and unclasped her bra, allowing it to fall to the floor.

Caroline's blue eyes darkened with desire as she permitted them to trace over those perfect breasts, down over her toned abdomen, and long delicious legs. She chewed on her bottom lip and tried to control her cravings. She wanted to move toward the British woman, to touch her, to kiss those tempting full lips. 'Control yourself Caroline… this is exactly what she wants…'

"Yeah…" She spoke softly, unable to really think of a response.

Rebekah moved even closer, her body nearly pressing flush against Caroline's as she stared intensely into her eyes. "You do not appear to be in charge now, lover."

"I'm totally in charge." She defended, backing away from the other woman only to trip over her own feet and nearly fall. Rebekah hastily moved toward her, placing her hands on her hips and steadying her. Caroline would have been grateful if this did not lead to Rebekah's entire exposed front being pressed against her, her breasts brushing against her own through the fabric of her top. "Mm…" She moaned out, her eyes fluttering closed.

Rebekah smirked, and allowed her lips to hover over Caroline's, staring deep into her blue eyes. Her fingers tracing over her hips as she pulled her body closer to her own.

Unable to control the urges that she was having any longer, Caroline leant forward to capture those sweet full lips, but Rebekah immediately pulled back causing her to whimper out in disappointment.

"Tisk, tisk, dear. We are only friends remember? No benefits." She turned around and walked toward the back of the locker room, stepping inside one of the showers and leaving behind a very aroused and sexually frustrated woman.

'God I fucking hate her so much!'

O

Quinn smiled as she watched Rachel snuggle up in the covers, and smile in her sleep. She had been planning on leaving, but Rachel had asked her to stay until she fell asleep. So she had. That was a few hours ago. Now, she was staying on her own. She loved watching her sleep.

She knew that it was wrong. It just made her feel safe and secure knowing that Rachel was alright.

The harsh reality of the situation had hit her a long time ago, and she knew that if things had gone differently she could have lost the beautiful woman. That she could be watching them lay Rachel to rest beneath the soil instead of watching her rest curled up in bed. The thought of her lifeless corpse laying in a coffin made her sick to her stomach.

'I never want to let her out of my sight again... I never want her to get hurt again.'

Quinn traced her fingers over her hand and cocked her head to the side as she watched the way that the diva reacted to the touch. Her eyebrows furrowed, and her face scrunched up adorably. She hated how much she loved it. Because, she knew that this was only temporary. This façade, this world that they had built away from reality, it would all come crashing down the minute that reality imposed itself upon them.

She wanted to believe that wouldn't be the case. That they would return to school and they would be best friends, spend time together, that she wouldn't go back to blaming Rachel for her own insecurities.

But, she could not convince herself. She knew herself too well.

Sighing out softly, she ran her fingers along Rachel's fingertips, tears filling her hazel eyes. She wished that they could be closer. That this could be reality. It simply could not.

O

"What do you mean you guys are moving away!? You can't just leave me here alone. I can't handle that." Haley insisted as she looked from her father to her mother. She knew that they had a plan to travel around the country in an RV once she had graduated high school and moved out, but she hadn't yet. She was still in high school and her parents were telling her that they were done with Lima, Ohio. They were leaving her alone.

Lydia James smiled sweetly at her daughter as she moved toward her. "Haley, you can handle it. If it were Taylor, then we would stay, but we know that you can take care of yourself. We have spent years raising all of you and it is time for you to move out and start your own life."

"I'm only seventeen."

"With two jobs, and a great GPA." Her father pointed out.

"Yeah, but—"

"Sweetie." Her mother pulled her into a hug and smiled reassuringly. "You will be fine on your own. Besides, we will be in an RV, we can visit any time that you need us."

"I need you now." Haley muttered sadly as she held onto her mother, Jimmy walking over to her and wrapping his arms around her, joining in the group hug. "I need you guys here. What if something goes wrong?"

"That's life, sweetheart. You've got to learn how to take care of yourself at some point. Maybe you could find a roommate… It can't be any worse than taking care of us." Her father laughed.

"I love taking care of you guys." She insisted with tears in her large brown eyes. She meant it. She loved having them around, they were like her best friends in the world, and she was losing them.

"It's time to grow up, Haley."

O

Authors Note:

Thank you all for the wonderful reviews! I hope that y'all enjoyed that last chapter, and I hope that you guys enjoy this chapter too! :) I've been pretty discouraged lately, so please do leave me reviews to help encourage me to add the next chapter quickly! I love hearing from you all!

Thank you all so much for reading! I hope that you enjoyed it!

-Tracy Cook