Thanks for sticking with me... I swear, I'm getting to the wooing.

Chapter 10

I stared long and hard at the mirror that Monday. There was something different about me. I was wearing the sort of thing I always wear nowadays. Cute dress with a basic cardigan, and flats. I tried to fix my unruly hair, but my hair just normally looks slightly messy ever since I chopped half of it off. I like to think I rock the beach look, but who knows.

I was nervous. Nervous as hell. I couldn't stop thinking about all the things that might go wrong. Not being able to control my emotions. Seeing them. I covered all of the possibilities in my mind.

"You're Quinn Fabray. You can do this." I told myself.

It was settled. I was going.

I let the front door slam shut behind me. It was as if the door was kicking me out of the cocoon I had made with Rachel, throwing me out into the world. I got into the passenger seat of Rachel's car and gave her a quick smile. I looked back at my house as she pulled out of the driveway. It wasn't the same anymore. It never would be.

I barely paid attention to the drive. It was only when Rachel slammed on the breaks did I realize how nervous she was. "Shit, sorry Quinn…" her hands were shaking. I looked at her, "it's okay, no worries Rach". I couldn't afford being distracted. Not today. I needed to focus. I could tell that today was different. There was a different feel that filled the atmosphere.

We reached the school. I got out of the car. Standing there, I waited until I felt the cold reach my bones. Then looking over at Rachel, we walked in. Together.

We walked through the halls of McKinley High.

People stared. We kept walking.

Finally, reaching my locker, I turned away from the curious eyes of my peers. " I'll see you in class, yeah?"

Rachel smiled, "of course, I'll see you there" and skipped off. I shook my head and smiled to myself.

I went back to grabbing textbooks for my next few classes. I barely heard the footsteps coming toward me, but there was no way of missing the presence of Sue Sylvester. She placed her hand on my shoulder.

"We need to talk. My office".

I shiver even now as I remember the feeling of her words. It wasn't that she scared me. But rather, her voice was laced with concern. And that terrified me.

There was no holding back anymore. In my mind, I had gone over how to keep it together. I had at that point made it a goal to never cry in front of others, especially Coach Sylvester. There was only one way for me to blow it.

My mouth went dry as she sat across from me. I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

"Quinn… as you know, I have my own news segment. There's a story airing in a few days."

My face dropped. Already. Fuck.

"It's okay Quinn. I made them postpone it. I know we may not have left off amicably, but I do care about you. I know it might not seem so, but you have always been one of my favorites. I just wanted you to know that I am here for you and I will see to it that those… those savages get punished".

She smiled sadly at me, telling me silently that it was okay not to talk. It was okay not to explain.

"Quinn, I'd like to help you. Anything you need, don't hesitate to ask".

I don't even know why. But those words broke me. I tried so hard to stop the tears, to stop my shoulders from shuddering. I heard myself crying. It was horrible. It made me angry. But I felt her put her hand on my shoulder and felt myself let the walls come crumbling down.

We stayed like that for a long time. I cried and she made her presence known. Once I recovered, Her voice broke through the room "so, not to ruin this touching moment, But… the Cheerios. Want to come back?" She looked completely serious.

I couldn't help but laugh. She handed me my uniform and shrugged " Take it. Think about it. Don't decide now. Now shoo, you've already missed first period".

I smiled, collected myself, and walked out feeling, capable. Capable of being okay, of happiness.

Rachel knew.

She had heard through the grapevine that Sue had pulled me into her office. She looked worried. When she saw me walk into class, she waved me over to sit next to her.

It was funny. Three days ago, I wouldn't be caught dead talking to her. Now, I couldn't wait to hear her voice, feel her touch.

She leaned over and whispered, "tell me. What happened?"

I smiled, "I'll tell you later. It was good though. Don't worry"

"Huh" she replied with a laugh. That was all she said. She turned away to pay attention to the teacher, smiling.

The end of the day rolled around. Walking into Glee club, I took a seat next to Rachel. She turned towards me, " Okay" she huffed, "you've kept me waiting long enough, spill Fabray".

"She offered me my spot back on the squad". I smiled and raised my eyebrow, waiting for her to question me.

"Oh." She looked a little shocked, "that's great!"

"And she told me that she's going to go all Sue Sylvester on their asses"

Her eyes widened "she said that!?" I laughed. "Well that's fantastic. I always knew she was a good person. She probably doesn't even hate Glee club. She has a deep fondness for our eloquent voices. We should sing her a song, don't you think? What song should w-"

I interrupted her, "Rach, calm down". She blushed. "I can almost guarantee that if we sang her a song, she would kick us out of Lima, Ohio for eternity".

She giggled. It was like music to my ears. Then Mr. Shue had to start talking.

"Okay people settle down. The lesson for the week is… " I stopped listening.

I let my mind drift. I let my eyes wander towards Rachel. The light silhouetted her features perfectly, I watched intently as her eyes focused on Mr. Shue. I looked at her neck, her soft skin, and glanced down at her perfectly toned legs.

"Quinn… Quinn!" My head snapped upward towards the glee director. "Are you okay?"

I blushed, "fine, sorry. Please continue".

Before completely focusing on the lesson, I made a mental note. I would make Rachel Berry fall in love with me.

I told you there was something different about this day.