The next week I was met with some interesting news. Shelby had returned to Lima to coach a Glee Club that Sugar Motta and her father Al Motta payed a ton of money for. Seeing her in the hallway that first day I couldn't help but get emotional. I had begged her to come to Lima so I could truly get to know Beth. Now here she was back in Lima all because some stranger offered her a job. It hardly seemed fair.
Shelby had arranged for Puck and I to meet her that afternoon. Truth be told I wasn't looking forward to facing her again. "You okay?" Puck asked me as I arrived at the classroom. "Let's get this over with," I said coolly trying to pretend like I didn't care. Puck gave me a look. He seemed to pick up on the fact that I was trying to hide my feelings. Shelby then got up from behind the piano. "You're back," I said pretending like I was surprised by this. "Yeah, I went to New York. Thought I'd do it all, the whole working mother thing. But, when I was in rehearsal, even performing, I couldn't stop thinking about Beth. How I could miss her milestones, you know? Her first steps, first words, first -" Shelby began. "I get it," I said narrowing my eyes at her. "So, when I got this job offer I couldn't refuse. I'd missed so many firsts in Rachel's life, I was not about to do that with Beth," Shelby said honestly.
"So what made you come back here?" I asked as Shelby looked at me confused. "Are you okay? What's going on with you?" she asked. "What do you think is going on with me," I shot back at Shelby. "Quinn!" Puck exclaimed. "I showed up in New York begging you to come here and now all of a sudden when the money is right you'll come back to Lima," I said in a hurt tone. "Wait what?" Puck said confused. "I know you did ask me to come back here. I get why you're hurt but dressing like some punk rock girl without a care in the world isn't going to change that," Shelby told me seriously.
"Why did you want to meet us hmm?" I asked annoyed. "I want to give you a chance to get to know Beth," Shelby said as I couldn't help but laugh. "Oh that's rich. Now you want to give me a chance to get to know my daughter. You took away the last thing that had meaning in my life and now here you are back trying to do what I wanted after I decided not to feel anything anymore," I said hurt. "You have a lot of growing up to do Quinn. I came here to offer you that chance to spend time with Beth but all you're proving to me is that you're not ready for that," Shelby said as tears formed in my eyes. "Are you just trying to torment me with the idea of seeing Beth?" I asked emotionally. "Not at all. You just need to clean up your act and maybe I'll consider letting you see her," Shelby said. "Fine," I said as I stormed out of the room. "Quinn...." Puck called after me but it was too late. I was already gone.
That afternoon I just headed home, sobbing my eyes out. My mom wasn't home so yet again I was all alone. It had been a long time since I had let myself feel this hurt over anything. I heard a knock at my door. I opened the door. "Hey..." Puck said as I wiped my eyes. "What do you want Puckerman?" I asked emotionally. "I want to talk to you," he told me seriously. "Fine. Come in," I said as we sat down on my couch.
"You went to see Shelby in New York," Puck said as I nodded. "Is that why you quit Glee?" "One of the reasons," I shrugged. "I should've been there for you. I was too busy trying to be cool to realize you were struggling." I wiped my eyes shrugging "Anything else?" "Quinn, look at me," he said as I turned to him with tears rolling down my cheeks. "I've always loved you, Quinn. I probably always will. I love you enough to know this isn't you," Puck told me seriously "I know you're hurting right now. You lost so much over the last two years and no one gave a crap. Everyone was so concerned with everyone else that no one thought enough about you to be there for you." "Is this supposed to make me feel better?" I asked emotionally. "What I mean is...I'm here now. Screw everyone and everything else," Puck said as I chuckled "I'm going to make sure everything will be okay," he smiled a bit as he paused to say "Come back to Glee Club. It's not the same without you. Don't do it to try to get back to normal. Do it because it's what you truly love." I nodded wiping my eyes "Okay," "Okay?" Puck grinned. "Thank you," I whispered as Puck held me close as I went upstairs to dye my hair back. The Quinn Fabray of old was making a comeback but I wasn't trying to be perfect. I was just going to be me and not care what anyone else thought.
The next afternoon I had arrived at Booty Camp which Puck had told me about. It was for people who needed extra help with getting caught up with Glee Club, especially with their dancing. Since I had missed out on the first two weeks of Glee Club I knew that meant me. "Can I help you, Quinn?" Mr. Schue asked as everyone turned around to see me standing there. "I heard this was for people who need a little help with their dance moves and want to win Nationals," I said. "That's right," Mr. Schue said. "So I'm a little rusty. And uh, would it be cool if I joined in?" I asked nervously. "Absolutely," Mr. Schue said as I smiled "Welcome back." "Get in here, girl. You've been missed," Mercedes grinned as she hugged me. I then hugged Mike. "Alright, let's line it up. Enough, enough," Mr. Schue said interrupting my hug. I smiled a bit "Alright, let's get in line. Booty Camp, here we go. Line it up," Mr. Schue said as I stood next to Puck. "I'm proud of you," Puck grinned. "You were right. I need to get back to being me. The first step is getting back to Glee Club. The next step is making amends with Shelby," I said honestly. "Welcome back," Puck smiled hugging me. I couldn't help but smile as he hugged me. For the first time in a long time I truly felt I was right where I belonged.
I stopped by Shelby's Classroom. I knew I had to apologize to her for how I reacted. I had been so upset. Sugar was rehearsing with Shelby being her usual obnoxious self. After she left I spoke. "She's hopeless, you know," I said. "Nobody's hopeless," Shelby said shaking her head. "You changed back," Shelby said amazed. "I felt this was more me," I shrugged. "What happened to you, Quinn?" she asked me seriously as I sighed. "I was just so hurt that you didn't want to give me a chance to get to know Beth. I know I was being ridiculous but it just hurt that you didn't take me up on my offer," I sighed. Shelby nodded "I understand. Look Quinn, you're eighteen, you're graduating high school. This is the time. This is the time when you should find yourself. The first step to becoming an adult - stop punishing yourself for things you did when you were a child," Shelby said. "You're right," I sighed "When can I see her?" "We'll talk about it," Shelby said as I smiled a bit. "Thanks Miss Corcoran," I said. "You're welcome," she said as I walked off glad to have the chance to really get to know Beth.
"You're back?" Rachel said shocked as she saw me walk into the choir room with my usual blonde hair and sundress. "I think this was more me," I chuckled as Rachel hugged me. "I just knew you'd come back. Like I said. Glee Club wasn't the same without you, Quinn," Rachel said. "I know," I said smiling "So what have I missed?" "Well we're having auditions for West Side Story! You should try out," Rachel grinned. "Really? West Side Story huh?" I said intrigued. "Just hands off Maria that's my role," Rachel chuckled as I laughed. "No worries. I was thinking I'm more of a Graziella type," I smiled. "You'd be great in the role," Rachel grinned. "Thanks," I said as Mr. Schue then entered the choir room as we prepared for yet another week of rehearsals. I was glad to be back to the girl I used to be and truth be told I was never going back to trying to be something I'm not.