A/N: Hello again guys! So, here's the shooter. Kind of a bit of a different take on what is normally presented in shooting fics. I hope you like it I'm hoping to get back into writing this story, and if anyone has anything they want to see happen or have any ideas, shout out in the comments. As always, enjoy and please review; they always make me happy!

The students had already pilled into the auditorium by the time Quinn and Rachel made their way in. Whispers of Noah's earlier incident surrounded them, sweeping over them like waves, though the two girls did their best to ignore them.

Quinn led the way over to two seats to the side. The moment she sat down, she looked around for any sign of her fellow glee club members, but found none. The thought of not knowing where her friends were in such a vulnerable time put her even more on edge, but Rachel seemed to sense this, mumbling a few reassuring words until the blonde settled somewhat.

Principal Figgins stood behind the podium, clearing his throat several times before speaking. It was clear that this was not going to be easy for him, that he was going to have a hard time presenting the information he was about to reveal; and this confirmed the two girls worst thoughts.

The shooter.

"Attention teachers and students," he began, his voice graver than they'd ever heard it.

"I've gathered you all here today for an important announcement. After much discussion with the local police, we have decided that it for everyone's best benefit for you to become aware of the identity of the student who orchestrated the…events"

Quinn couldn't remember when she'd been in a school assembly this silent.

"Adam Clark"

The name was unfamiliar. A look to Rachel proved the name had no significance to her either. Glancing around the crowd, the blonde saw no sign of the name meaning anything to anyone.

But then a picture came up on screen.

A picture of a boy with a beaming, eager smile. A small young man, freckles sweeping his dimpled cheeks, blue eyes shimmering and brown hair slightly scruffed.

Quinn had seen him. Never knew his name.

And suddenly she remembered.

Quinn walked down the main corridor, flanked by Brittany and Santana. Hair pulled tightly back into a ponytail, she watched through cold eyes as students parted before her, shrinking away at the sight of the bright red cheerio's uniform.

All except one.

A nameless boy approached her, extending a letter out to Quinn, a shy smile on his face.

"Good morning, Quinn Fabray. I was hoping you'd take this letter, and consider my offer for taking you out on a date"

Before Quinn could even snicker, Santana had snatched the letter from his grasp, ripping it open before reading it aloud in a whiney, high pitched voice.

"Dear Quinn Fabray, I would like you to know that I think you're simply the most stunning girl I've ever seen. I would like it very much if you would allow me to take you out on a date, and treat you like a lady. Yours, nameless nodody," Santana finished with a sneer, thrusting the letter harshly back into the now trembling boys chest.

Laughing, the girls walked off.

Quinn was stock still, shock coursing over her. A voice rang in her ears.

"Quinn, look out!"

Finn had shouted at her to give her warning. Because Adam had been aiming for her. She was supposed to take Finn's place, shot in the throat, slipping away from the world drowning in her own blood.

Beside her, Rachel was having a similar experience.

"No, no no!" Rachel screeched, flailing her hands through the air in her frustrated fit.

The band groaned. This was the sixteenth time Rachel had cut herself off, and they still hadn't managed to get through the entire song at least once. In a huff, the tiny girl stood in the center of the stage, glaring up to the lighting boy.

"Could you please try and do your job properly? I can't engage in the appropriate amount of eye contact with the judges if the light is glaring and possibly damaging my eyes, can I?"

Somewhere in the darkness of the upstairs lighting came a disgruntled mumble, quickly followed by a

"Yes Ma'am"

"Good. What's your name, anyway?" Rachel questioned, hands on her hip.

"Never mind. The only thing that's important is that a star can only shine when she has the right and appropriately trained people lighting her up. Understood?"

A heavy sigh. Followed by another

"Yes Ma'am"

Unknown to the girls, far to their left and near the back, Sam sat alone, having only gotten into the auditorium when the picture flashed onto the screen.

He knew that face. He'd talked to him only two weeks before the shooting.

"Look, kid, I'm sorry. But I just don't think you're cut out for my football team"

Beist gave a small shrug, swinging the sack over her shoulder with a nod and walking off.

"Tough break bro," Puck mumbled, punching the blue eyed boy on his way past.

"You can always try out next year," Finn offered with a smile, following Noah.

"I can help you practice, if you want!" Mike quipped, putting on his bag and leaving.

Sam was the last one there, struggling to get changed back into his Spiderman hoodie. When he finally emerged, he found a small brown haired boy standing in the middle of the change room, tears brimming in his eyes.

"Look, mate I'm sorry…" Sam began awkwardly.

"I just. I need people to notice me. I've been here three years and nobody….nobody even knows my name," was the unnamed boys reply, staring at Sam desperately.

Sam gulped.

"Well, ah. What's your name?"

"Adam. Adam Clark"

"Clark, like Clark Kent!" Sam grinned.

Adam stared at him blankly.

"You know, like Superman…." Sam trailed lamely, straighten up and throwing his bag over his shoulder.

He walked past the smaller boy, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"I'll tell you what, Adam. This is your year, yeah? You'll find something to get noticed, I just know it. And then everyone will know your name"

Adam gave a small nod, eyes still downcast, left alone in the room as Sam left.

Quinn glanced around the mass of students, trying to find any Glee club members. She looked around just in time to see Sam jump up and sprint out the doors.

Without a word, Quinn leapt to her feet and took off after him. She followed him out the doors, tracked the last flick of blonde hair around the corner of the corridor. Heard the slamming of the bathroom door. She hesitated, slamming a hand over her eyes, opening the door and shouting into it bathroom.

"Listen up, this is Quinn Fabray. Anyone in here other than Sam Evans ought to leave right. Now"

She impressed herself with the ease in which she could slip into that commanding tone, but didn't dwell on it long. Stepping into the bathroom, she heard a familiar sound.

Sam was in the only closed stall, throwing up.

Quinn leant against the wall, her head hung low and waiting until he finally stopped.

Silence followed.

Then,

"It's my fault, Quinn."

Quinn bit her lip, hesitating.

"It's my fault too, Sam"

She heard a chocked sob bounce around the bathroom, as Sam obviously tried to hold back the tears. Deciding it was best to leave him now, she stepped outside.

And into Rachel's arms.

The brunette threw her arms around her, pressing her face into her neck as she cried heavily. Quinn could feel her chest moving back and forth with the force of the sobs underneath her hands, the singers small body trembling as she cried so hard the blonde feared she may never stop.

"It's my fault"

"It's my fault"

After a long pause, after a long breath, Rachel said the words that made everything better.

"We were cruel to him. He shot Finn and Mike. He murdered them. There's a difference"

Quinn peeled herself away from the girl, cupping her face with her hands. She slid a thumb across delicate cheeks to rid them of tears. She felt her heart constrict painfully.

"It still hurts," Rachel whispered.

"It hurts," Quinn replied, so as if to remember.

Because if Quinn was to be honest, the days were getting more painful.

But not only for the same reason Rachel was talking about.