At the next Glee Rehearsal on Monday, I lay my head on Finn's shoulder. Since the whole bill debacle got settled Finn and I had been back on track. Mr. Schue came in to talk to us about Ballads. I tuned most of what he was saying out. These last few days had been incredibly hard on me, especially since the chastity ball was coming up this weekend. It felt like such a lie. Me, being pregnant going to this thing having to act like I was a pure good Christian girl. It was almost laughable. I knew it meant a lot to my father and if I tried to back out it would look even more suspicious. These thoughts raced through my mind as Mr. Schue talked.
"Okay. So here's our assignment for the week: I'm going to pair you off, and I want you to pick a ballad to sing to your partner. Look them right in the eye, find the emotion you want to express, and make them feel it," Mr. Schue explained. "I pick Quinn," Finn said as I couldn't help but smile. The thought of Finn singing a ballad to me was a great one. He was always singing those love songs to Berry whenever they were paired up together. It would just be nice for a change for him to sing love songs to me. "No, no, no. Too easy," Mr. Schue said shaking his head and finger at us "Your partners will be chosen by fate. "Ooh!" most of the Glee Club members said as I sat up.
Partners chosen by fate? This could be an interesting concept. Especially since Puck had been so great to me last week trying to get money for me and our baby. Part of me was almost hoping he would draw my name so we'd get to spend some time together without Finn thinking it was weird. "Ooh, yeah," Mr. Schue chuckled "I put all your names in this hat. Whoever you choose is your partner."
"I bet the duck's in the hat," Brittany whispered to Santana "But Matt's out sick today. He had to go to the hospital, 'cause they
found a spider in his ear," Santana said raising her hand. "Um... I guess I'll just have to put my name in the hat for now," Mr. Schue said awkwardly "Who's up first?" Mr. Schue asked as Puck bravely walked up first. It didn't surprise me at all that Puck went first. All I could hope for was that he would say my name. We all drummed our hands wondering what name Puck was going to say "Mercedes," Puck said as I noticed Mercedes roll her eyes. I couldn't help but feel a little bit crushed. 'There goes my excuse to spend time with Puck' I thought to myself wondering who would get me. As Artie rolled up, I got my answer "Quinn," he smiled as I smiled back at him. After learning to be in the wheelchair last week I had really gained respect for Artie so working with him this week wouldn't be so bad. Finn went up as he drew a name "Kurt" Finn said as pretty much the entire New Directions burst into laughter, myself included. The thought of Finn having to sing to Kurt made me feel slightly better. At least he wouldn't be singing yet another ballad to Berry. Sure, Kurt was gay and I was pretty sure he had a crush on Finn but I wasn't worried. Kurt seemed nice as far as I could tell, he was also very talented. Maybe he could push Finn to be a better performer. That was all I could hope for this week.
I comforted Finn as he took his seat back down. "I can't believe I have to sing to another dude," Finn frowned as I rubbed his shoulders. "It's not going to be so bad. I mean Kurt is really talented," I said as Finn seemed to nod to agree. Santana went up and ended up getting Brittany which Brittany applauded. Tina and Mike were also paired up. Which left Mr. Schue and Rachel.
"Looks like I get you, Mr. Schue," Rachel said as she walked up to the front of the room. "Uh... you know what? Maybe we should just wait until Matt gets back," Mr. Schue said awkwardly. "The fates talked, Mr. Schue," Finn teased much like what Mr. Schue had said to him about having to be paired with Kurt. I couldn't help but laugh as I lay my head back on his shoulder. "Would you mind clarifying what kinds of songs you want us to sing?" Artie asked raising his hand. "Why don't you let Mr. Schuester and I demonstrate," Rachel smirked as she went over to our pianist "Brad, "Endless Love" in B-flat, please. It's my favorite duet." "I really don't think that's an appropriate song, Rachel," Mr. Schue said shaking his head. "Why? It's a great song, and it's a perfect ballad." Rachel said confused. "Yeah. I really like that song, Mr. Schue," Finn said as I looked up at him smiling and laughing a bit. Mr. Schue and Rachel then began to perform 'Endless Love'.
It was nice for Rachel to be leaving my boyfriend alone for once and singing a duet to another guy, even if it was Mr. Schue. Finn seemed to be checking Rachel out which bothered me. Why was it no matter what I did I could never seem to be enough for him? He always had to be looking for something else and with Berry of all people. I glared at Finn who seemed to notice that I saw him staring at Rachel and diverted his eyes away from her. I could see Rachel all of a sudden give Mr. Schue that look she always gave Finn. It then hit me, maybe the reason Rachel felt such a connection with Finn was because Mr. Schue always had them singing duets together. I could only hope that Mr. Schue would learn from his mistakes and not pair them up anymore. We all clapped politely as the bell rang and we headed off to our next class for the day.
That afternoon I arrived home to my mom looking very excited. "Oh Quinnie, your chastity ball dress just got here," she beamed. "Oh. That's great," I smiled weakly. "Come, we need to try it on before your father gets home," my mom smiled as we headed into her bedroom.
My mom left the room as I got into my pure white dress. It felt like a lie putting it on. Pretending I was so pure. Pretending that I had never had sex before. Pretending that I wasn't pregnant. All I could see in the mirror was a fraud. I hoped and prayed that my mom wouldn't see right through me, or worse, my dad. I took a deep breath as I stared in the mirror as my mom reentered the room with a glass of wine. She reached out her arm to mine as she smiled at me. "Sweetie, I'm so proud of you. The chastity ball is so important to your father," she said as I nodded nervously, staring at the girl in the mirror wishing I was her.
I then began to think about missing the comfort of my cheerios uniform. The control panel was perfect to hide my baby bump. My mom began to try to zip my dress but she was having some issues closing it. "That's odd...we had this custom made a month ago," she said confused. I knew I had to come up with a lie. "I had a big lunch, really big tacos," I lied as my mom as she pulled me in for a hug. Something changed when she hugged me. I could see her facial expression almost fall. It was then I knew she realized I was pregnant.
"No worries, sweetie," my mom said blatantly ignoring what she had just felt "I'll just take it down to the tailor tomorrow. We'll let it out a bit." I sighed almost relieved that she was ignoring this. "The problem here, honey, is, you know I just don't think you've been getting enough exercise ever since you quit the Cheerios," my said as she began to measure me, hoping to convince herself that I was just gaining weight from lack of exercise rather than facing the cold, hard truth. "Am I right?" she asked as I followed her lead. "Yeah. Yeah. That's right," I nodded as she measured my waist. "I mean, you used to spend hours every day doing backflips and high kicks," My mom said as she finished measuring me & now faced me. "And now, I mean, now you spend all your free time sitting on a stool in the dark singing show tunes. Do you know how many calories you burn singing?" she said as she held my chin affectionately "Hmm? Not very many."
My mom seriously had no idea how much work I did in Glee Club. Did she really think all we did was sit on stools in the dark? Sure some songs I would sit and just listen to but for the majority of the club we had choreography which was just as rigorous as Cheerios practice. Just then my dad's voice interrupted my train of thought. "JUDY, GLENN BECK IS ON," I heard his voice call as he entered to room as my mom grinned.
He gasped as he covered his eyes walking in to see me getting ready for the chastity ball. "Oh! Wait. Hold on. Hold on," he called out as he entered the room and my mom laughed "Oh, I don't want to see,"
"Daddy it's not like I'm getting married," I said awkwardly laughing. It wasn't anything like that at all. "I don't want -" My dad began as he walked in with his drink finally uncovering his eyes as he kissed my mom. "Oh look at you," my dad beamed at me.
"Speaking of getting married, how's that boy you've been dating?" he asked as he took a seat next to my mom. "Yeah. Yeah he's not pressuring you at all is he?" my mom asked almost like she knew the answer. "No," I stated quickly shaking my head "No, he's a gentlemen." This was true Finn had never made me feel pressured to have sex with him. He always treated me right, especially now throughout this entire pregnancy. "I'm glad to hear that," my dad smiled. "Mhmm," my mom agreed with him. "That's why I'm inviting him over for dinner on Sunday," my dad said. "Oh! wonderful," my mom said as she beamed. I couldn't help but be nervous. Finn coming over to meet my parents on Sunday? I was sure nothing good would come of it. I could just pray that he wouldn't get too nervous and blurt out that I was pregnant to them.
"Refresher?" my dad asked my mom not even noticing how my face had fallen at the thought of Finn coming. "Honey, I don't want you to lift a finger for me, I'm your wife," my mom exclaimed with her usual trophy wife persona as she took my dad's glass to get him a refill. "My little lemon drop," my dad chuckled as he hit my mom's butt. "Oh!" she exclaimed. "I gotta go catch Glenn," my dad said clearing his throat as he rushed off.
I turned around, looking at myself in the mirror as I took a deep sigh. I could get through this, pretending like I was the picture perfect daughter my parents thought I was. I tried so hard to be that girl. They had raised me right, celibacy had truly meant something to me. I played around with the cross necklace I wore everyday. 'God, I know I've sinned. I cheated on my loving boyfriend, I went against everything I've believed in by sleeping with Puck. I know that. I'm really sorry.' I thought to myself as sighed again. 'Please, please let me find a way for the truth to come out to everyone. Whatever happens after that I believe is truly what's meant to happen. I know I lost a lot between being kicked off the cheerios and my popularity but I know that's not what's important anymore. Being in Glee Club has really taught me so much. I know I only joined to try to destroy it but everyone in that club has really stepped up for me in so many ways. Thank you as always for keeping me safe and please ensure this baby girl is okay and will get the life she deserves. Thank you. Amen,' I thought to myself as I did the sign of the cross hoping my prayers could all be answered.
That next day Artie and I had agreed to meet up to rehearse our ballads. I met him in the AV Club's classroom after school. "Hey thanks for meeting me here," Artie smiled a bit as he wheeled himself towards me. "Of course," I smiled back as I walked into the classroom. We were silent for awhile but finally Artie spoke up "Have you thought about your ballad?" Artie asked smiling a bit. "Actually I have," I said as I took out my sheet music "Like a Star by Corrine Bailey Rae." "I think that would really suit your voice," Artie smiled. "Yeah?" I grinned back. "For sure," Artie said. "Thank you," I smiled again then asked him "Have you decided on a ballad?" "Not yet," Artie said. "Maybe we should work on finding you a ballad then," I smiled a bit. "Yeah...maybe," Artie said. He then turned to me "Why don't you perform your song? Maybe it'll inspire me," he smiled a bit. "Okay," I said as I began to sing the Corrine Bailey Rae song.
"Just like a star across my sky, just like an angel off the page. You have appeared to my life, feels like I'll never be the same. Just like a song in my heart, just like oil on my hands. Oh, I do love you. Still wonder why it is I don't argue like this with anyone but you. We do it all the time,you're blowing out my mind," I sang as I was then transported in my mind to think about Puck and how I truly felt about him "You've got this look I can't describe. You make me feel I'm alive. When everything else is so faint without a doubt you're on my side. Heaven has been away too long. Can't find the words to write this song, oh your love. Still I wonder why it is I don't argue like this with anyone but you. We do it all the time, you're blowing out my mind. Yeah. I have come to understand the way it is it's not a secret anymore 'cause we've been through that before. From tonight I know that you're the only one. I've been confused and in the dark. Now I understand, yeah, yeah. I wonder why it is. I don't argue like this with anyone but you. I wonder why it is I won't let my guard down for anyone but you. We do it all the time you're blowing out my mind. Just like a star across my sky. Just like an angel off the page. You have appeared to my life, feels like I'll never be the same. Just like a song in my heart, just like oil on my hands," I sang as Artie clapped for me.
"That was really beautiful Quinn," Artie said. "You think so?" I smiled a bit. "Definitely," Artie said. "Thanks I appreciate it," I smiled a bit as we left the school. If picking a ballad had taught me anything, it was how torn I truly was between Finn and Puck. Puck was always there for me but Finn had been so sweet throughout the whole pregnancy. After everything Puck had done for me last week there was a part of me that fell for him again, much like I did the night he was there for me. I knew I had to keep this to myself. I was with Finn and I couldn't hurt him.
The next morning Finn approached me looking really nervous. "Hey we need to talk," he said awkwardly as I turned to look at him. "So um...when I was singing my ballad for the week, I was singing to the sonogram of our daughter and my mom kind of walked in and found out." I narrowed my eyes at him. I couldn't believe his mom now knew I was pregnant. "I can't believe you told your mom. What if she tells my mom?" I snapped upset. "No, she's not," Finn insisted. "Half the school knows. Your mom knows. Who else do you want to tell? Huh?" I snapped again thinking about how Finn told Mr. Schue early on in my pregnancy. "But she's not going to tell anybody," Finn insisted again. "You're wrong, I'm right. I'm smart, you're dumb," I snapped upset.
"That's not fair Quinn," Finn frowned. "So is the fact that you're going to blab to everyone about my pregnancy," I snapped again upset. Finn seemed speechless and almost hurt by how much I was going off on him for what happened. "Quinn..." Finn began as I cut him off. "No, you're wrong, I'm right. I'm right, okay?" I snapped as I stormed off. "She doesn't talk to other moms," Finn called after me as I left.
Yet again tears filled my eyes, how could this be happening? If my parents found out they would burn me like a witch. It would be completely frowned upon because they expected so much out of me. The pressure I had on myself sometimes felt like too much, especially when I knew that I had messed things up for myself.
Sunday was the day I had been dreading all week. Finn coming over to my house scared me. One false move and my parents could find out everything and who knows what that would mean for me. As I put on my light blue dress and white cardigan I told myself that it was going to be okay. I was freaking myself out for nothing. The doorbell rang. "Quinnie, your boyfriend's here," my mom's voice rang out as I hurried down the stairs to greet Finn.
"Hey...you look great," Finn smiled as he handed me the flowers he had picked out for me. "Thank you," I smiled back taking the flowers "You look very handsome." We walked inside my house as we waited for dinner to be served. I stayed silent hoping the dinner could go on without a hitch.
Everything seemed to be going normal. It wasn't until my father tapped his glass to propose a toast that Finn seemed to freak out. "I'd like to propose a toast," My dad said. "Daddy....no," I said awkwardly. I knew nothing good would come out of this toast. "Russell and his famous toasts," my mom beamed as my dad chuckled as he stood up. "The Fabrays are a tight-knit family. I have been blessed with a loving wife, two remarkable daughters. My first married a wonderful Christian man who owns his own chain of UPS stores. My second daughter– little Quinnie– we are just so proud of her. Captain of the Cheerios. President of the Celibacy Club," my dad said as I could see Finn's face fall "I got a little peek at the dress. I'm certain she's a shoo-in for princess of the ball." "She is," my mom smiled in agreement. My dad chuckled "But tonight we are very glad to welcome her new friend–quarterback, no less," my dad began as Finn abruptly interrupted him. "I have to go to the bathroom," Finn said quickly "Uh... too much pop." Finn started heading in the wrong direction. "Oh, wait, it's right through the kitchen, sweetheart," my mom said kindly as Finn nodded and headed through the kitchen.
After Finn left my dad asked "He wears a helmet when he plays, right?" "He's just intimidated by you, Daddy," I said quickly hoping I could sell that as being the reason Finn freaked out. "I guess so," my dad shrugged as he sat back down. We went back to eating as we waited for Finn to come out of the bathroom.
Finn walked out with my mother's kitchen radio. My face then fell was he going to do what I thought he was going to do? "That's my kitchen radio," my mom said dumbfounded by why in the world Finn would have it. "Yeah, I need to borrow it," Finn said. "Finn, what's this?" I asked hoping I didn't know the answer already. "Well, we have this assignment in Glee Club to sing a ballad. They're all about expressing the things you can't find any other way to say," Finn began "Oh, God, Finn, don't," I snapped then changed my tone to beg him not to "Please, don't." "No, I need to do this for both of us," Finn assured me as I tried to keep my composure as he began to sing the ballad he had picked out.
"You're having my baby," Finn began as my heart sank. This was his big plan? To tell my parents I was pregnant. I tried to keep myself composed even though it was hard to. "What a lovely way of saying how much you love me. You're having my baby. What a lovely way of saying what you're thinking of me. I can see it your face is glowing. I can see it in your eyes. I'm happy knowin' that you're having my baby. You're the woman I love and I love what it's doin' to you. You're having my baby. You're a woman in love and I love
What's goin' through you. The need inside you I see it showin'. Oh the seed inside you baby," Finn sang as slowly throughout the song I realized how sweet this really was of him to sing to me. It wasn't until my dad cut off the song that I truly was put back to reality.
My dad kept stepping closer and closer to Finn looking more and more angry. I bit my lip knowing this wasn't going to end well. Finn also looked upset by how my father reacted. "What the hell was that all about?" my dad asked insisting on an answer as I teared up. "Mom, Dad I'm pregnant," I sobbed as my dad looked fit to kill, my mom however looked dumbfounded by the fact that I was pregnant. "Come...let's talk in the living room," my mom said ushering Finn and I into the living room. Finn wrapped a supportive arm around me which I didn't know how much I truly needed until that point.
"There must be some sort of mistake here. Quinnie, we raised you right," my mom said shaking her head. "You...you did. We didn't even have ...sex..." Finn stammered. It was true we never had sex. I felt bad for Finn because he looked like a liar. "I'm sorry. Can we just stop with the lying, please?" my mom snapped in the coldest tone I had heard on her. "But I..." I began wanting to explain it all, how I cheated, how Finn was innocent of what happened to me. He didn't deserve to be put through this.
My dad interrupted me "When you were about five years old, I took you and your sister down to an Indians game. All the other dads brought their sons, but my two girls were enough for me." "Daddy," I said emotionally as a tear rolled down my cheek. "Your sister made it through the whole game, but you fell asleep in my lap. I kept hoping nothing exciting would happen, 'cause I didn't want the crowd to get too loud– ...wake you up. Didn't matter. You stayed asleep in my arms till the game ended." he said as I couldn't help but tear up. "Daddy, I'm so sorry," I murmured emotionally. My dad took a deep breath "You need to leave," he said pointing to Finn. Finn got up but I stopped him. "Wait. Please, Daddy can we talk about this? Finn is a good guy. He loves me," I said emotionally. "You, too," my dad said to me as my heart sank. I was getting kicked out? I couldn't help but cry.
"Get out of my house," my dad said icily. "You can't do that. She didn't do anything wrong," Finn insisted "Please, Mrs. Fabray, do something." Finn pleaded with my mom. "Don't bother, Finn," I sobbed as I stood up "If she wanted to do something, she would've when she found out that I was pregnant." "You knew?" my dad asked my mom stunned. "I– no. She didn't tell me anything," my mom insisted.
"But you knew," I said emotionally "And I needed you. I needed my mom." I sobbed as my mom looked at me, almost as heartbroken as I felt. "And you were so scared of what he would do if he found out you just pushed it aside like we do every bad feeling in this house. If you don't talk about it, it doesn't exist." I began. "Now do not turn this on us! You are the disappointment here!" my dad shouted at me. "Why?" I asked tearfully "Because I'm not a little girl anymore? Because I made a mistake?" "Who are you? I don't recognize you at all," My father said shaking his head. "I'm your daughter. Who loves you," I said emotionally "And who knows this must be really hard for you, but I just need my daddy to hold me, and tell me that it's going to be okay."
My father put his head in his hands shaking it as he began to walk towards me. I thought he was coming over to hug me, say he'd be there for me, anything along those lines. "Please," I begged as he looked at me, almost in disgust and walked away. I couldn't help but sob. "Judy!" he called my mom who scattered out of the room, leaving me and Finn. I sobbed as Finn pulled me in close. "Hey it's going to be okay," he assured me. "How can it be? I just got kicked out Finn," I said emotionally. "Look, I can't promise you anything but I can ask my mom if you could stay with us. I mean she knows about everything already," he said as I nodded. "Thank you," I said emotionally. "Of course. I'm here for you Quinn," Finn smiled holding me close. I had no idea what I did to deserve having him stand by me like this, especially when he didn't even have to be involved in this mess. It was my mess, not his.
"You have a half hour to pack. I'm setting the timer now," my dad's voice boomed from the other room as Finn walked upstairs with me as I took a look at my room for what would probably be the last time I would ever see it.
"So this is your room?" Finn smiled a bit trying to lighten the mood. Finn had never been up to my room, another thing I couldn't help but feel guilty about especially since this was where I got pregnant with my baby girl. I nodded tearfully as I began to pack up some clothes, headbands, hair ties, and bobby pins. I also grabbed my cheerios uniform. Even though I wasn't on the squad anymore having the uniform wherever I wound up would be a memento of a time in my life where I had it all.
Once I finished packing I began carrying the suitcase down the stairs. "Why don't you just wheel it down?" Finn asked me as I shook my head. "I can't. My parents would freak if I did any damage to their wood floors," I sighed. "Let me carry it then," Finn offered as I smiled graciously at him, handing him my suitcase. He carried it down the stairs as the timer rang out. "We're leaving," I announced as my parents both didn't seem to care "Thanks for being so accepting." I said almost sarcastically as I left my home for the last time, getting teary-eyed knowing that I would never come back here again.
I got into Finn's car as we drove to his place. I stared out the window with tears in my eyes. I lost everything, my family, my home, my image. I was so scared of losing Finn too. Sure, he didn't know Puck was the father but what would happen once he did? I couldn't help but shudder at the idea. "We're here," Finn told me gently as I entered the Hudson home with him. "Mom?" Finn called out into the house. "In the basement," his mom, Carole called out as Finn and I walked down the stairs.
Carole sighed as she began talking to Finn as he walked down the stairs. I stayed at the top of the stairs. "Honey, how many times have I told you, you gotta turn these T-shirts right side out before you..." his mom began as she turned towards him but then noticed me standing there. "Um... Mom, Quinn's parents threw her out," Finn told his mom as he looked back at me. His mom also looked at me sympathetically "Could she stay here for a couple of days?" he asked as his mom nodded. "Yeah, of course she can," Carole said she then turned to me "Honey, you can stay here as long as you want." I nodded grateful to Carole. How she could be so accepting of me, taking me in when I was kicked out I just couldn't understand. I couldn't help but feel even more guilty than before. I was fortunate Finn and his mom were so willing to help but the fact that I was putting them through this for nothing made me feel almost worse than before.
"We were kind of kicked out during the middle of dinner...do you think we could eat something here?" Finn asked his mom. "Of course," Carole said as she headed into her kitchen. "We have some left overs, would that be okay with you Quinn?" she asked. "Definitely," I said as his mom gave us each some leftover chicken she had made the day before. I was grateful to have any food at this point. I knew I had to continue to eat right for my daughter so she could grow and prosper the way she should.
"Thank you for dinner Mrs. Hudson. It was delicious," I smiled politely. "Thank you Honey, you can call me Carole," Carole smiled at me. "You're welcome," I smiled a bit. "Finn, help her up with her things. We can get you set up in the guest room," Carole said as Finn yet again carried my suitcase for me as I entered the Hudson's guest room. "The bathroom is down the hall. If you need anything at all my room is right across from the bathroom," Carole told me as I nodded. "Thank you," I smiled. "You're welcome," Carole said as she nudged Finn to leave the room to leave me alone. They both left the guest room to leave me alone.
I looked around at my new room, grateful to have a place to stay. Sure, it wasn't what I was used to but I couldn't complain. I decided to unpack some of my things to try to make this room feel more like home. I put up some of the pictures I had packed including a photo from my first homecoming dance. I went with my best friends, Brittany and Santana but by the end of the night Finn and I first began. Finn and I were crowned Freshman Homecoming King and Queen. It was how we first met and it was a memory I wanted to keep around. Besides that photo I had a few of me with Brittany and Santana after we all made cheerios. They had been my two best friends since I was young so the fact that we made cheerios together was always something I wanted to remember.
I began to undo my hair as I brushed it out and got ready for bed. I put on my long pink nightgown and headed for the bathroom to brush my teeth. Finn was already in there brushing his teeth, standing there just in his boxers. I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. "Don't you have pajamas?" I asked smiling a bit. He turned towards me "I do. I mean I wear them when our relatives come over but most of the time I just go to bed in my boxers," Finn shrugged. I nodded "Makes sense," I said as I got my toothbrush ready. "You look really beautiful, Quinn," Finn smiled at me as I couldn't help but blush. "Thank you," I said. I quickly brushed my teeth before heading to bed. Tomorrow was going to be a long day, especially since I was starting out in a brand new place.
That next morning I woke up and headed into the bathroom to fix myself up. I brushed my teeth and picked out my outfit which was a yellow ruffle top with a white short sleeved cardigan. I wore a matching yellow headband to go with the top as well as jeans and golden ballet slippers. I also applied some light makeup much like I did every day and headed downstairs to eat some breakfast.
"Good morning, Quinn," Carole smiled at me. "Morning," I smiled back as I took a seat at the Hudson's kitchen table. "Honey, help yourself to whatever you want," Carole told me as I looked through what the Hudsons had. I settled for some cereal and toast which I ate before heading off to school with Finn for the day.
"So um I'll meet you after football practice?" Finn asked awkwardly. "Yeah. Sounds good," I smiled as we walked off from each other. Finn and I each had rehearsals for our ballads to get to. Artie told me to meet him in the choir room to rehearse which I obliged. "Hey Artie," I called into the choir room as I walked in. To my surprise it wasn't just Artie in the choir room. The entire club was there. "What's all this?" I asked confused. "We'll tell you once we get Finn," Rachel told me. Mercedes entered the choir room with Kurt and Finn. "Hi Quinn," Mercedes smiled as I nodded politely to her. "Do you know what this is about?" Finn asked as I shook my head. "Your fellow Glee Club members want to sing a song for you guys to let you know how they feel about you," Mr. Schue smiled. Finn and I were dumbfounded. The club was going to sing a song for us? It was so sweet. "What are you going to sing?" Finn asked. "Just listen. The song says everything," Rachel smiled as the Glee Club began to sing a heartfelt rendition of 'Lean on Me' with Artie and Mercedes on lead vocals.
I couldn't help but be overcome with emotion. Especially when everyone was singing if we needed someone we could call them. I knew especially right now I needed friends more than ever. I had just been kicked out of the only home I'd ever known, more and more people were finding out about my situation and continued to gossip and laugh at me. It was then I knew the Glee Club was my family, the ones who would stick by me even when the going got tough.
Puck smiled at me throughout the performance as I was especially overcome with emotion. I hadn't made it easy on him, pretending Finn was the father, calling him a Lima loser, and him having to deal with everyone supporting Finn through this, not him. Towards the end of the song Mercedes ran up and grabbed our hands as we danced with the New Directions. Santana wrapped her arm around me smiling as she sang to me. Brittany danced her way over as she hugged me and lifted me up. I couldn't help but smile and giggle having Santana and Brittany there was so helpful for me. It really made me feel not alone. Not to mention the other members of the Glee Club who I hadn't always been the nicest person to were willing to lend me a helping hand and for that I was grateful.
I couldn't help but be all smiles after the Glee Club finished their number. "Thank you guys...you don't know how much this means to me," I said emotionally. "Just like the song says we're here for you, Q," Brittany smiled. "Exactly. Look I know I've been kind of a bitch to you these last few weeks but I know you're going through a lot right now. Britt and I are here for you no matter what," Santana said. "Thanks," I smiled again. "Of course. The Unholy Trinity can't be broken right?" Santana grinned as I nodded. The Unholy Trinity was a nickname the school had given Brittany, Santana, and I since we were the unbreakable trio who had pretty much been through everything together.
After the meaningful number the New Directions had prepared for us it was back to business for all of us. We were preparing for Sectionals after all. We had to make sure our set list was perfect. So far the only numbers we had decided on were 'Don't Stop Believin' and 'Proud Mary'. There was going to be a solo, a ballad. Rachel of course wanted the solo to do 'Don't Rain on my Parade' which was by the woman she could never shut up about, Barbra Streisand. "We'll think about it Rachel," Mr. Schue said to her as she looked upset to be shot down. I could only hope our troubles weren't just beginning as we geared up for Sectionals, especially since Coach Sylvester still had pull in the Glee Club.