Rachel ran through the corridor only one thought going through her mind: get to Quinn. She carried on running she turned a corner and saw Quinn backing up to a locker she was staring at something in front of her and that’s when Rachel saw the gun pointing at Quinn. Rachel took off in full sprint to get to Quinn just as she got there and turned to face the shooter grabbing Quinn’s arms the gun shot sounded out. The momentum that had built up as she ran took her and Quinn sideways and made them fall into a classroom. Rachel kicked the door shut as Quinn got up.

‘Are you okay?’ Rachel asked checking Quinn over from the floor with her eyes.

‘Yeah I’m okay are you?’ Rachel only gave a nod as she got up she noticed there was a fire exit, she looked back to the door that lead to the corridor and the fire exit and then grabbed Quinn’s hand pulling her to the exit. Once she got there she opened it and pushed Quinn towards it.

‘I want you to run Quinn, run and don’t look back, Santana and Britt are waiting, I’ll be behind you, but just run and don’t look back.’

‘But you are going to be behind right?’ Quinn asks checking Rachel’s face. Rachel takes her hand in her own.

‘I’ll be behind you, now you need to go.’ Rachel says pushing Quinn out the door. Quinn nods and takes off running. Rachel watches her get round the corner before closing the door and walking towards the door leading to the corridor. Before she gets to it she goes to the radiator bending down and putting something through the pipe going through the wall once she’s done that she stands up again. She opens the door and exits it slowly. She gets to the middle of the walkway before turning and facing the shooter.

‘Hello Jacob’

‘Hello Rachel, I see that I got you then’ he says pointing to Rachel’s right lower stomach where her top had turned a red crimson.

‘Yes unfortunately you did get me, a shame really’ Rachel says while taking off the zip up hoody she was wearing and tying it around her wound. Wincing at the pain but making sure it’s tight.

‘Indeed it is, but why?’

‘Because I really didn’t want to die a virgin’ Rachel explains.

‘Hmm that definitely is a shame’

‘How about we make a deal?’

‘Like what?’ Jacob asks interest and eagerness showing in his features.

Meanwhile outside Quinn runs round the front of the school everyone sees her but she runs straight to Santana and Brittany who are waiting next to but not with the other glee kids. As soon as she reaches them she grabs them both in a hug and holds them tight. Both girls hug back just as tight, they pull back and both look her over to make sure she’s okay. Brittany looks around and then at Quinn.

‘Where’s Rach?’ is all she says pulling out of the girls arms. Quinn turns around looking at where she just came from.

‘She’s meant to be behind me she said she would be’ Quinn says her eyes growing wide and looking at where she had come from with panic her head shaking franticly ‘she’s meant to be there.’

‘Quinn did you make her promise to be behind you?’ Santana asks all three girls looking at the school now their eyes all sparkling with unshed tears.

‘No i just asked her if she would be behind me i didn’t get her to promise’

‘God Dammit you should of got her to promise Quinn she would never have broken a promise to one of us! Shit!’ Santana shouts.

‘San calm down when I left she said she was okay, so she must still be okay so stop worrying’

‘Quinn couldn’t of done anything anyway Rachel was only thinking to protect Quinn not herself, she would of done it with either one of us.’ Brittany says Santana sighs and nods.

‘I’m sorry Quinn i didn’t mean to snap at you’

‘It’s fine San i understand.’

Carmel High

Shelby was just finishing up the marking of her music class, sat in the teacher’s lounge, when one of her colleagues put the TV on.

News just in a shooter has taken over Mckinely High School, most students got out and are now out on the parking lot with the staff trying to calm the situation. Just minutes ago one lucky girl managed to escape the shooter her name is Quinn Fabray. She has said that she does not want to talk about it but the information we do know is that there is one other student stuck inside with shooter apparently they went in to save their friend, we do not know the students identity because the blonde refuses to talk to us. The police and ambulance have just turned up, we will keep you posted.

Shelby didn’t hear much after that she grabbed her coat and bag, students work forgotten, and ran out of the building to her car and raced to Mckinely. Once she got there she jumped out of her car forgetting to shut the door. She ran through the crowd, she noticed Quinn being checked out in an ambulance whilst talking to a police officer, she ran to the closest police officer she could find.

‘Excuse me could you tell me any information that you know’

‘I’m sorry miss but i can’t tell you anything’

‘look I’m parent to one of the students here please can you just tell me something, i know that there is a student still in there please do you know the name? The sex? Anything?’

‘we know it’s a female miss, but that is all for now’ The officer said an apologetic look on his face Shelby started to calm herself knowing that are many females at the school and the possibility of her daughter being the female student in there. Then she noticed the police officer listening to his radio.

‘What, what is it?’ she asked her eyes scanning his face franticly.

‘We’ve found out the girls name’ The officer said seeming hesitant to tell her.

‘Please, please i need to know it could be my daughter in there please just tell me’

‘Her name, Miss its Rachel Berry’ the officer said.

‘no’ Shelby said shaking her head ‘no’ she said stumbling back the police officer tried to grab her arm but she pushed him away ‘no it can’t be her please no.’ She turns to face the school and starts to run toward it when she’s grabbed from behind. ‘My daughters in there let me go please she needs help, let me go!’ Shelby shouted everyone started to face the commotion Shelby had tears coming down her face. Then she heard a voice in her ear. Mr Schuester was holding onto her.

‘You need to calm down, what Rachel needs right now is for you to keep yourself safe, she’s okay Quinn said when she left that they hadn’t been hurt, there hasn’t been any other shots sound out’

Just as he finished three shots sounded out quickly, everyone ducked and gasped. ‘Oh god no’ came from Shelby as she tried to run for the school again but Will stopped her and held tight taking her to one side. Quinn was back standing with Santana and Brittany next to the rest of glee all of them were staring at the school building most of the girls with tears dripping down their cheeks.

With Rachel and Jacob

‘Like what?’

‘well if you empty your gun we’ll go into that classroom’ she says pointing to the one she and Quinn went into. ‘Sit down by radiator and I’ll let you take my V’ Rachel said as sexily as she could manage without throwing up.

Jacob smiled like a man that had just won the world he nodded eagerly and started to move towards the classroom.

‘ah ah ah’ he stops and looks at her confused ‘lose the bullets’ she says with a smirk he does as she says and fires of the rest of his bullets which happen to be three. Then he walks into the classroom. Rachel guides him to where she wants him to sit. She looks at him and has to swallow down the vile rising in her throat as she takes in the site of a very excited Jacob in front of her. She checks her stomach, she knows she’s losing a lot of blood but she has to power through, if not for her then for her girls and her family. She slides down straddles him feeling his stiffness against her makes her want to vomit right there and then and she almost does but manages to keep it in. She starts to lean in towards his lips her hands going behind him so she can support herself. Their lips are a breath apart when Jacob hears two clicks and then feels something around both wrists he looks down and sees that his wrists have been handcuffed.

‘Where did you get those from?’

‘The police man i ran past wasn’t very perceptive’ was all Rachel said as she slid off of him and leant against the wall resting her head against it and pulling her knees up wincing as a shot of pain passed through her. Jacob noticed it though and decided he had to ask.

‘Why did you do it?’ Rachel’s head rolled to look at him with a raised eyebrow, so Jacob continued ‘why did you save Quinn, she has caused you the same amount of pain she has me so why would you save her?’ Jacob says Rachel looks at him, a smile plays on her lips and then she looks forward.

‘She’s hurt me more then she could have ever hurt you Jacob’ Rachel states and she roles her head to look at him again, Jacob waits for her to carry on. ‘I’m in love with her’ she said the shock showed on his face ‘we went out together but while i was with her she didn’t want anyone else to know so she carried on being mean to me at school, i understood that, but there were times when we would hang out and she would be moody or get angry and she would lash out at me and be mean to me again and i couldn’t cope with it so i broke up with her, the day i sang grenade, i chose that song for a reason, it told her i couldn’t cope with it anymore and that it was over but i still loved her and would still protect her no matter what, and that’s what i did i protected her’

‘That’s amazing you know protecting her like that even though she hurt you, i admire you.’ Jacob said, she smiled at him and then looked forward, coughed a little and tasted blood in her mouth she sighed and pulled her phone out.

In the car park

Brittany stood staring at the school building she was one of the only people that wasn’t crying, she couldn’t, she had to be brave, for Quinn, Santana and especially Rachel. She felt a vibrating on her leg and realised it was her phone she pulled it out saw the caller ID, she answered it quickly.

‘Rachel?’ she asked everyone turned to her.

‘Hey Britt’ was all she got back.

‘Are you okay? Are you hurt?’ Brittany asks worry all over her voice. Rachel leans her head back on the wall and closes her eyes feeling slightly tired.

‘That’s not important right now.’

‘Important Rachel of course it’s important’ Brittany says eyes widening at what Rachel was saying the rest of glee were trying to get closer, so they could hear the conversation better, Santana and Quinn were the closest ones.

‘Britt i need you need to find a policeman is there one nearby?’ Rachel says she could feel Jacob looking at her and herself getting weaker, her hoody was soaked and the carpet was starting to get stained underneath her, Rachel knew she only had a short amount of time.

‘Yeah there’s one sitting with your mom and Mr Schue’

‘My mom’s here? Actually Britt ignore that you need to go to the policeman’

Brittany nodded then realised Rachel couldn’t see ‘okay Rae I’m going over now’

Rachel smiled knowing Brittany probably nodded and then realised what she needed to speak. ‘okay honey when you reach the policeman can you tell me’

‘Okay’ Brittany made her way to the police officer ‘I’m there now’ she said facing them Mr Schue and Shelby looked at her the policeman turned.

‘Okay you need to tell him it’s me you’re talking to okay?’

‘Yeah’ she says and looks directly at the policeman ‘Hey Mr policeman officer, I’m talking to Rachel the girl that’s inside the school’ as soon as they hear this, the policeman turns to fully face her and Shelby and Mr Schue stand up.

‘Okay miss carry on we’re listening’

‘Okay they’re listening’

‘Great i want you tell them that we are in room 301 on the corridor with the library and when they get there tell them to shout my name and i will slide a book out to show them which room okay?’

Brittany nodded and relayed everything back word for word Rachel listened just in case. The police officer ran off to sort everything out once she had finished. Shelby was busy hugging Will so Brittany headed back to the group she sat on the curb her back to the school.

‘Rach?’ Rachel took a breath tasting blood in her mouth she tried to swallow it down but only got more in return.

‘Yeah sweetie?’ Rachel asked

‘Can you stay on the phone for a little longer?’ Santana and Quinn sat down in front of Brittany and they each locked eyes with the other.

‘I’ll stay on as long as possible Britt’ Rachel said knowing she would have to leave earlier because she was becoming too weak and finding it harder to breath.

‘Do you remember when we all went ice skating?’

‘The four of us, of course I do’ Rachel said smiling at the memory, Brittany smiled on the other end and Quinn and Santana shared a look then looked back to Brittany with shy smiles.

‘Yeah and Q and S couldn’t get the hang of it’ Brittany said

Rachel chuckled ‘they kept falling over’

‘yeah and Santana got a bruised ass’ Brittany said laughing as Santana blushed, but then she went serious and Rachel knew what was coming next. ‘What did we do after we went ice skating Rae?’

Rachel cleared her throat ‘I took you to the park your mom had helped me set up a surprise picnic with all your favourite foods in the band stand.’

‘Yeah and what did we do when we got there?’

‘We sat there and talked, we laughed and joked’

‘We talked, laughed and joked but we didn’t argue or shout at each other did we?’

‘No Britt there were no arguments’ Rachel said smiling at the memory as tears slid from her eyes.

‘What did we do after the meal?’

‘We walked to see the ducks all together we carried on talking, smiling and being happy’

‘Yeah we fed the ducks for a bit and we were just us and then where did we go?’ Rachel swallowed hard tears coming down her face harder now, as she remembered. She started to feel herself getting even weaker, Jacob carried on watching her, feeling slightly disgusted with himself now.

‘We went back to yours’ Rachel said ‘Your parents had gone away for the weekend after your mom helped me set everything up’ Rachel smiled as much as she could at the memory, she knew she would need to stop talking soon before Brittany caught on to her being injured.

‘Yeah what did we do when we got back to mine?’

‘We went to your room’

‘But what did we do?’

‘Nothing, we lay on the bed you held me from the front Quinn was holding you from behind and her fingers were entwined with mine on your waist Santana was holding me from behind and was holding your hand on my waist, we were all touching somehow’

‘And what did we do then?’ Brittany said wiping the tears that were on her cheek away and looking at both Quinn and Santana and they were doing the same.

‘We went to sleep right there with each other, holding each other in some way, being ourselves.’ Rachel said calmly, she knew she had to go now she was starting to find it too hard to breath.

‘That’s my favourite memory Rach, it always has been’ Rachel nods smiling with tears going down her cheeks.

‘Yeah... mine to sweetie mine to, Britt i have to go’

‘Okay’ Brittany nodded

‘Britt?’

‘Yeah Rae?’

‘I love you sweetie so much’ Rachel said wiping her cheeks.

‘I love you to Rachel I’ll see you soon right’

‘Of course’ Rachel said with a smile ‘tell Q and S i love them to’

‘I will and they love you.’

‘I know’ and with that Rachel put the phone down. She leant her head back and tried to catch her breath. She could feel herself getting tired and fought against her eyelids not wanting to give in. Jacob watched and was about to say something when they heard a shout come from the corridor. Rachel’s head rolled to look out of the door to where the shout came from.

‘RACHEL!’ she heard, realising it was probably the police officers she grabbed one of the books that had been knocked onto the floor in everyone’s haste and slid it out into the corridor, hearing it thunk against the wall on the opposite side, then she heard stamping feet running towards her.

‘Rachel?’ came from Jacob and Rachel turned to look at him leaning back against the wall again. ‘I’m sorry’ he said when he knew he had her attention. She smiled a small smile at him and gave a little nod, feeling weak she didn’t feel she could get the words out properly. Then up to six police officers ran into the room.

‘It’s about time you got here.’ Rachel got out with a teasing smile even though she was fighting to keep her eyes open. One of the male members got Jacob up from the floor after unhooking him from the radiator.

‘Hey these are my handcuffs’ he said.

‘Well then you are really not perceptive’ Rachel said moving her hand to wipe the blood from her mouth.

‘Okay little miss we’re gonna get you out now, I’ll have to carry you though, is that okay?’

‘I really don’t care’ Rachel said breathing heavily. Jacob had left the room with two policemen. As he left the school one arm being held by a policeman each, cheers erupted from all of the students when they saw them come through the door.

The glee club clapped but weren’t that focused on him they wanted to make sure Rachel was okay.

‘where is she?’ Tina asked.

‘Oh you know Rachel she probably wants to make a dramatic entrance’ Kurt said jokingly trying to lighten the mood but only received glares in return.

Inside the policeman that had talked to Rachel picked her up, Rachel whimpered in pain the movement making her dizzy aswell, she was trying to keep her breathing controlled but was losing the battle. The police woman that had arrived with the others looked at the floor.

‘Gary?’ she said and the police office looked at her then where she was looking on the floor and saw the big patch of blood and the hoody soaked with blood wrapped around her.

‘She’s lost more blood than i thought we need to get her out now.’ The woman nodded and they started to walk quickly through the halls.

‘Hey little lady so what’s your name?’ the Gary said obviously knowing her name but wanting to keep her awake, Rachel understood what he was doing.

‘It’s Rachel... Rachel.. Berry’ she answers letting her eyes slide closed for a few seconds and opening them.

‘I’m Gary and this is Robin’ He says Rachel nods.

‘So what do you want to do when you grow up?’

‘Be... on... Broadway’ is their answer as Rachel’s breathing becomes harder and she starts to get to tired, her lids drifting further down her eyes as she fights to stay awake.

‘Is that your dream Rachel to be on Broadway?’ Robin asks trying to keep her awake as well.

‘no... be with... Britt...Quinn... and San’ is all she says before Rachel gives in and lets the darkness take over her left arm that had been around her waist flops out into the air.

Robin radio’s out ‘Okay we need a stretcher outside the entrance immediately the girl has a serious shot wound to her lower right stomach and has lost a lot of blood, she will need a blood transfusion. She is unconscious and her breathing is shallow and irregular, not sure about heart beat at present because we are moving.’

As soon as the message is through a police officer runs to the ambulance, the entire parking lot stops cheering and watches as stretcher is wheeled to the main entrance.

‘Oh no’ comes from Quinn as a whimper as her eyes tear up she looks away from the door.

‘SHIT! NO, NO WAY!’ comes from Santana as angry and upset tears escape her eyes. Kurt’s hand shoots to his mouth and tears drip down his cheek. Tina cries as Mike holds her Mercedes stares at the doors with blurred vision a she cries, the guys try to hide the fact that they have tears dripping down their cheeks but don’t do it well, Shelby is being held back from running by Will as they both cry, And Brittany she stares at the door with a blank expression, her hands curled into fists and her nails digging into her skin but not braking it, her teeth and jaw subtly clenched, she doesn’t speak a word just watches.

The stretcher gets to the main entrance and Gary rushes out placing Rachel on it, Robin leaves after Gary they rush Rachel up the steps placing the stretch on the ground once up there and roll the stretcher to the ambulance quickly. That’s when Brittany moves she runs up to Robin who is following behind them quickly knowing that she has to go in the ambulance.

‘Hey police woman?’ Brittany shouts Robin looks at her as Brittany falls into step with her, they carry on walking. ‘Can i go with her, I’m her girlfriend, please, let me go with her.’ Brittany says Robin looks at her as they carry on walking, everyone is watching and Santana and Quinn watch in shock.

‘What’s your name honey?’ Robin asks thinking about Rachel’s last words.

‘Brittany, I’m Brittany’ was her answer and Robin nods.

‘Come on then i have a feeling Rachel would want you with her.’ Robin says and everyone watches as the two women got into the ambulance with Rachel.

The glee club snap out of their shock and run to their cars all sharing a lift except Santana and Quinn who went in Santana’s car, Mr Schue gave Shelby a lift to the hospital.

In the ambulance Brittany’s head was lying next to Rachel’s and she held her left hand her eyes looking at their fingers entwined and she spoke.

‘Please Rachel, please keep fighting for me, we need you here, San, Quinn and me or is it I? See look Rach we need you, not just for speaking lessons though, because we love you, i know we had a hard time showing it you but we do Rachel, We love you so much, i don’t think we’ll cope without you Rachel. We need you it’s not just a want it’s a need, please just keep fighting for me, for Quinn, Santana and for us, you said we’ll see each other soon at the end of that call, I’m taking that as a promise Rachel, so do not brake it Rae, I love you’ Robin watched as Brittany spoke to Rachel and a tear dripped down her cheek, she wiped it away quickly, she made herself promise to phone her girlfriend when she got off even if it was just to say i love you.

Robin leant forward ‘she’s a fighter’ she said looking over Rachel’s face Brittany’s eyes leaving their hands to go to Robin’s face, Robin looked at her and continued ‘she’s going to fight for you, I know it’

‘How?’ Brittany asks in a whisper to scared to speak fully.

‘When we were trying to keep her awake we asked her what she wanted to do when she was older, she answered Broadway, I asked if that was her dream.’ Robin took a breath and Brittany stared at her intently for a few seconds before going back to looking at her and Rachel’s entwined fingers on the bed. ‘Broadways always been her dream ever since i knew her’ Brittany said.

‘So why then when i asked did she say it wasn’t?’ she said Brittany’s eyes snapped to hers scanning them for any lies, Robin smiled and carried on, ‘She said her dream wasn’t Broadway it was to be with Quinn, Santana and you, Brittany, that’s what she told us her dream was and those were her last words.’ Robin watched as Brittany’s eyes filled up with tears after seeing the truth and honesty written in Robin’s eyes.

They got Rachel straight into the ER, Brittany sat in the waiting room, waiting for the others, as well as news on Rachel. Robin was outside talking to another police officer. When Santana and Quinn ran and took the seats either side of Brittany grabbing a hand each, the rest of glee club ran in along with Mr Schue and Shelby soon after they all took seats around the girls, all needing the quiet support and the closeness. It was an hour later when a doctor finally came in, she gave them all a small smile.

‘Are you all here for Rachel Berry?’ she asks, she gets nods in response.

‘They got the bullet out and have given her a blood transfusion, she lost a lot of blood, she’s stable at the moment but unconscious we don’t know when she will wake up and we will have to keep an eye on her’ The doctor says, there’s a collective sigh of relief that floods the room and the doctors about to leave when Brittany stands up.

‘Excuse me, but are we allowed to see her?’

The doctor gives Brittany a soft smile and nods ‘she’s allowed visitors’ and with that the doctor leaves. Just then Robin walks in and smiles at them.

‘I have some good news, Jacob has been sent down for attempted murder and has pleaded guilty.’ Robin explains and the glee cheer, happy with both sets of news.

Brittany walks to Robin and smiles ‘Rachel’s stable and she’s allowed visitors, you were right, and thank you.’

‘For what?’ Robin asks confused.

‘For being with her when i couldn’t be, and for what you said in the ambulance, it really helped so thank you’

Robin smiled softly at Brittany ‘It was no problem, actually my honour, she’s Lima’s hero and I got to help her and the people she loved in their time of need, that’s why i do my job, why i love it so much.’ Brittany smiled back and then hugged Robin. Robin was surprised by the sudden action but hugged back anyway. Brittany pulled back and smiled excitedly.

‘I’m going to go see her now, she’ll need someone there to keep her out of trouble’ Robin chuckled and nodded and Brittany ran out of the room Santana and Quinn following her.

When they got to the room, Brittany hesitantly put her hand on the door took a breath and pushed it open and what the three girls saw in the room made them breathless and tears spring to their eyes.

I struggled writing this chapter with having tears well up in my eyes, especially with the bits containing Brittany. I went through it to edit bits and by the end i had tears down my cheeks. I hope you guys like this chapter and it would mean so much to me if you would tell me what you thought :D

Rachel looks around at her supposed group of fiends hurling insults at her every single one of them laughs at her, even her secret girlfriend Quinn Fabray. Tears well up in Rachel’s eyes as ‘shut your mouth Man-Hands’ or ‘Stop with you annoying rambling RuPaul’ or ‘No one gives two shits about yo Treasure Trail’ hit her. Santana stood up ‘you should just never speak again Man-Hands then everything would be perfect.’ And that was the one that did it. Rachel took a breath in, closed her mouth, walked to her seat, grabbed her stuff and then quietly left the room. Everyone watching as she slowly walked out, not a Diva storm out, just an upset and hurt girl leaving the room.

Rachel got home and went to her bathroom; she broke a razor against the sink and grabbed the blades. She cut each arm three times, let it bleed a bit, enjoying the relaxing feeling it gave her. She put the razor in the tub and tucked it at the back of her draw. She bandaged her arms up and slid her sleeves down. She didn’t say a word to her dad as she walked into the kitchen; she got a packet of crisps and returned to her bedroom. She sat watching her TV not really eating the open packet of crisps that lay beside her.

The doorbell rang and her dad answers it, she already knows who will be there, it doesn’t make her feel any happier about it.

‘Honey Quinn’s here’ her dad shouted up the stairs, instead of replying she walked onto the landing face blank not having the usual smile when Quinn comes over. Quinn sees her and climbs the stairs. Rachel turns and goes into her room, Quinn follows behind her.

‘You okay Rach?’ Quinn asks all she gets in reply is a nod, Rachel just stares at t TV, she still had a blank expression on her face, ‘Rachel what’s wrong?’ Quinn asks as she sits down on the bed facing Rachel, who just stares at her blank eyed, no sparkle, they are just stone, showing no emotion that her normally expressive eyes would.

Quinn puts her hand on Rachel’s arm and shakes her a little ‘Rachel?’ Rachel’s blank eyes snap up to meet Quinn’s hazel eyes. ‘What’s wrong Rachel? What’s happened?’ Quinn notices a drop of blood on Rachel’s sheets and her hazel eyes widen in horror and panic she looks to Rachel again.

‘Rachel are you hurt? Did someone hurt you?’ Quinn asked franticly, trying to get some response from Rachel. She doesn’t get a response, Rachel just stays the same even though in her head she’s thinking, yes I’m hurt, by everyone I fucking care about, but instead of saying that she doesn’t open her mouth to speak, she doesn’t let her eyes or face change to show emotion, well that’s what people wanted right? For her to shut up, for her to just stop being herself. Quinn’s voice breaks through again ‘Rachel tell me are you bleeding? Are you hurt?’ Rachel still doesn’t give a response, she just stares Quinn in the eyes begging her to see through the blank facade, to see the hurt, the pain, the upset caused by the people who surround her every day, people who she loves and care about. Quinn leaves, eventually giving up, but there’s still worry in her eyes. The next day at school Rachel goes in, in baggy grey tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt with a pull over hoody over the top.

She walks in, not smiling like normal, not with a skip in her step as she walked down the hall, no she’s just emotionless, she walks silently to her locker. She opens it quickly getting her books and locking it again before pulling away only to be hit by a slushie that Karofsky had in his hand. Instead of huffing or responding to it she just turns to her locker puts her books away, gets a spare top and hoody and walks to the bathroom. She doesn’t say a word to anyone and no one finds it funny.

She gets to the toilets quickly, a few remarks come her way but she ignores them like usual. Tina and Mercedes are in there sorting out their hair and make-up when she walks in. She doesn’t say a word to them, she silently moves to the sink. When they move she pulls her hoody off showing the bloodied bandages that lay on both of her wrists. She pulls her slushie soaked t-shirt off. Tina and Mercedes see her arm and the bandages that are wrapped around them. Tina is the first to speak after breaking out of her shock.

‘Oh my god Rachel are those cuts?’

She doesn’t receive an answer, Rachel doesn’t even look her way as she carries on cleaning the slushie off of her face and out of her hair. The bandages get wet though and she has to take them both off, the deep cuts she put there last night are showing now and they are barely heeled over. Rachel starts cleaning her cuts, she hears Tina gasp. Mercedes turns Rachel to her.

‘Did you do this to yourself?’

Mercedes asks taking both her wrists gently. Rachel just stares at her blankly before pulling both her arms away and reaching in her bag for two more bandages, she wrapped them around her wrists then put her fresh clothes on and put the dirty clothes in a plastic bag. She leaves without saying a word to the two girls and she doesn’t glance back at them when she exits the room.

Mercedes turns to Tina. ‘Girl we got a problem’ Tina only nods in response as she tries to control her emotions.

Throughout the day Mercedes and Tina watch Rachel and how she acts. She stares off in class not even paying attention, she doesn’t even crack a smile, she doesn’t talk to anyone and she doesn’t answer questions, even if the teacher asks her directly. They also notice how she’s protective of her arms pulling them out of the way someone walks past, keeping them close to her body and pulling her hoody sleeves down every now and then.

It’s time for glee soon enough, everyone’s there but Rachel and unsurprisingly Mr Schue, who walks in five minutes later without any sign of Rachel showing up. Mercedes and Tina start to worry and secretly so does Quinn. Mercedes raises her hand to gets Mr Schue’s attention but he doesn’t notice.

‘Mr Schue?’ She finally says. His head comes up and he responds with a yeah. ‘Tina and I are worried about Rachel’ she gets out looking around the room she sees confused and shocked faces from her team, she tries to ignore the guilt it makes her feel.

‘Why?’

‘Well... we noticed she won’t talk to anyone, she... well.. pretty much non-responsive’ Mercedes says, having to clear her throat a few times to get her word over the lump in her throat.

Santana stands up clapping happily ‘She listen to me, finialy, YES!’ She sits back down when she sees their faces.

Mercedes shakes her head ‘that’s not the only thing. Rachel got slushied earlier Tina and I were in the bathroom when she was getting herself cleaned up, she took her hoody off and she had...’

Mercedes trailed off not being able to continue talking about what Rachel may have done to herself.

‘She had what Mercedes?’ Mr Schue asked with a raised eyebrow and was that concern in his eyes?

Tina took over from where Mercedes left of after taking a deep breath ‘deep cuts on her wrists, they were barely healed over, and they didn’t look like they were put there on accident, when we asked her about them, she didn’t respond, not even her eyes showed any emotion.’ Hearing that something clicks in Quinn’s mind and she whispers to herself ‘The blood.’

 Finn Stands up ‘What? Rachel? No. She would never do that to herself. Ever.’ He says with certainty. And as if to prove him wrong Rachel walks in then, hoody in hand after being slushied for a second time that day. Everyone’s eyes go down to her wrists to see two bandages that had speckles of blood showing through them. Rachel walks to the back of the risers ad takes a seat away from everyone else, she puts her hoody on the seat next to her, then she stares off into space her eyes on the floor.

‘Rachel aren’t you going to apologise for being late?’ Mr Schue asks.

Rachel’s eyes snap to up to lock with Mr Schue’s who’s taken back by the lack of emotion, then they move away and back to the floor, everyone watches Rachel silently panicking. Rachel can feel their eyes on her and thinks to herself, yeah I’m sorry, for even turning up.  Rachel leans back in her chair and moves her eyes to focus on the choir room door instead. She zones out and doesn’t anything that’s said in. At the end of glee she stands up, picks her bag up and grabs her hoody, she walks down the riser steps. Quinn moves in to her path, she yanks the hoody from Rachel’s hands, Rachel blankly watches as other glee members join them to see what happens. Quinn unwraps the bandage on her right hand not needing to see both wrists, she finds three deep and barely healed cuts laying beneath the fabric. Rachel stands there a void of no emotion. Tears come to Quinn’s eyes and she pulls Rachel in for a hug.

Rachel just stands there, her arms stay down by her sides, not hugging back, just lets Quinn hug her. The others watch when Quinn lets go, Rachel takes her hoody stepping around her and walks off, not saying a word. Everyone watches in disbelief. Santana speaks up then trying to ease everyone’s guilt and worries, especially her own.

‘She’ll be herself tomorrow, don’t worry it will go back to how it was before’ She smiles at everyone, they just look at her and Quinn steps forward.

‘I’m not so certain she will just bounce back, this seriously looks bad, cut wrists, no talking, no emotion, just blank.’ With that Quinn turns to leave making sure she gets out of the room before she lets the tears that have filled her eyes fall.

The next day Rachel comes into school wearing another set of baggy tracksuit bottoms, a t-shirt and a black hoody, but no smile, no bounce and definitely no emotion. Rachel walks through the corridor and gets to her locker silently. She opens it, but doesn’t get anything she needs, she quickly closes it before turning and getting a slushie to the face. She turns and opens her locker again she gets the fresh hoody and t-shirt. She walks down the halls to the closest female toilets. When she walks in there she’s greeted by Brittany who turns and looks at her.

‘Hey Rach’

Rachel doesn’t respond to her, just looks at her and walks to the sink turning away to start getting cleaned up. The door opens a few minutes later and in comes the other glee girls. Rachel takes her hoody off ignoring the girls and the eyes that she can feel on her. The three cuts had healed over now and were in plain sight but just above them lay another bandage occupying her arm.

Quinn steps forward ‘Rachel why are you doing this to yourself?’ Rachel just carries on washing the slushie off of herself thinking to herself, it helps to take the emotional pain away with the physical. Santana steps forward and clears her throat as she starts to speak.

‘Rachel will you please speak to us, we are really worried about you, look we’re sorry for what we said and the we have acted towards you in the past’ Rachel’s head and eyes snap around to meet Santana’s eyes and looks at her thinking. Oh really now you’re sorry well that’s too late now isn’t it. Santana hates the fact that there isn’t any emotion in her eyes and so has to look away from them. Rachel turns and carries on cleaning up. She puts her fresh pair of clothes on and turns to face the group of girls. Mercedes is the one to step forward this time.

‘Rach we all care about you, so please tell us what’s happening, we’re sorry for what we have said and done to you before Rachel please, just talk to us’ Rachel looks from each face turning and finishing with Brittany who smiles at her, but it isn’t her usual bouncy, happy smile. Rachel grabs her bag off the counter and makes her way through the group of girls, not looking back, not speaking, just thinking, to little way too late. With that she leaves the girls there.

Quinn watches her secret girlfriend leave. She loves Rachel, she really does, but she’s way to scared and nervous to come out to everyone about it. Seeing her like this upsets Quinn, it’s killing her inside, and the worst part is that she has no idea how to fix it, at all.

Its second period when Rachel is called to Miss Pillsbury’s office, the class brakes out into immature whispers and ‘ooh’ but Rachel ignores them takes the slip and leaves making her way to the office. She walks in after knocking ‘Hey Rachel take a seat.’ Rachel does as she’s told and takes the offered seat, she watches Miss Pillsbury once she is seated. ‘So Rachel it’s come to a few of the students attention that you are acting weirdly and you may have cuts on your wrists is that true?’ Rachel doesn’t answer Miss Pillsbury which causes the woman to look up. ‘How are you feeling Rachel?’ she doesn’t get a response, Rachel’s eyes go to her lap. ‘Are you self harming Rachel?’ Rachel’s eyes snap up to finally lock with the councillors eyes for the first time; Miss Pillsbury sees the lack of emotion in them and looks away immediately. ‘Rachel would you like to talk about it?’ She doesn’t get and answer, she looks at Rachel with worry filled eyes but sighs in defeat. ‘Rachel you can go if you want.’

Rachel gets up without a word and walks out of the room. She doesn’t go back to her lesson though. She goes to the auditorium instead, She doesn’t go to the stage though, she decides to just take a seat at the back right of the dark room. She looks at the stage, she stares at it intensely just thinking about everything that’s been on her mind for the past few days. She sits quietly the bell rings for lunch, she stays sitting not hungry, she leans her head back against the back of her seat and looks up at the ceiling closing her eyes and just taking in the silence. The door opens and the rest of glee club come in, she opens her eyes and turns her head to look at them silently.

‘She’s not in here’ Puck says as he turns to the rest of them, Santana takes a step forward Brittany by her side.

‘No one’s seen her since second, I’m starting to get worried’ Santana says even of it looked like it was difficult to get out of her mouth. Quinn moves up next to her and Brittany ‘we all are San’ she says quietly, Brittany whimpers a little as tears escape.

‘I miss her rambling, her singing, her positivity, I just miss The Rachel Berry’ Brittany cries and Santana wraps a comforting arm around her.

Mercedes come up to them. ‘So do I Britt I wish we’d never treated her the way we had because she truly is one of my friends and I do care about her a lot, even if I don’t show it’ Kurt comes up next to her agreeing with them.

‘Same here even though her dress sense is bad I miss Rachel and who she used to be I suppose her annoyingness is part of why I like her’ the rest of the club joins the and Tina puts her thoughts in.

‘I just can’t believe we’re all sheep and followed everyone in tormenting her. Hell that’s not even being a teammate  let alone a friend’

Puck sighs ‘Tina’s right we’ve all tormented Rachel and she still cares about us I mean. She forgave Quinn, Santana, Brittany and myself for the way we treated her in the past, she offered us her friendship and support but we carried on tormenting her afterwards, yeah it may have been milder but it was still there and worse when we had a rough day. However that still didn’t stop her caring about us, if we needed her, she’d be there’

Everyone nods. Rachel watches as tears form in Quinn’s, Mercedes and a few others eyes. She sees how they do actually care about her. But then she thinks back to how they treated her. They might say this now but if she went back to normal, let her walls down again, then she could get hurt again. They may go back to how they were before with her and it would hurt even more after that.

She loved Quinn, she really does and she hates what Quinn is having to go through seeing her like this. But Quinn started the torments. She laughs along with everyone else, if she really loved her, she would defend her. Maybe Quinn’s ashamed of her; maybe it has always just been her. Rachel watches as the glee club share a few hugs. Quinn walks away from them to the stage where she sits at the edge, tears streaming down her face.

Quinn’s full of guilt, she knows this started back in her being a bitch to Rachel days. She had started the torments; people just followed and carried them on. She’d caused this pain to the girl she loves and she hated herself for it. The rest of glee leave sensing Quinn needs to be alone. Rachel stays still watching Quinn, who gets up and sits at the piano. ‘This is for you Rachel, I love you with all my heart and I am so sorry for the way I ever treated you because you never deserved it.’ And with that said Quinn starts to play the piano.

Rachel didn’t know Quinn could play the piano as she listens to the song dedicated to her flow around the auditorium, she can’t help the tears that spring into her eyes and flow down her cheeks silently. She stays sitting watching Quinn intently, her eyes showing the first emotion in days, pure love.

The song finishes, Quinn stands up her own tears are silently falling down her cheeks, she wipes them away and sniffs. She looks out in to the dark auditorium and silently wishes that her Rachel returns to her soon and exits the stage and leaves the auditorium. Rachel stays still thinking over everything she just seen and lets a small smile slip onto happy to know the people she cares about do care about her to. But she knows she can’t forgive them yet. It’s not that easy they hurt her a lot and she hates that fact. Fourth period is glee practice, Rachel stands and finally leaves the auditorium, her face returning to the blank look she had been wearing. She walks into glee slowly and looks around for a chair, there’s one at the back and one empty next to Quinn.

Quinn watches her hopefully wishing Rachel would take the empty seat next to her. Rachel walks to the chair beside Quinn and sits down then faces the front and stares off watching in silence not really taking anything in. They practice the routine that they had sorted out. Mr Schue hands her a song to sing knowing Rachel isn’t one to turn down a solo, Rachel looks at the paper the back at Mr Schue and then back to the paper, then she turns to Kurt and hands him the paper he takes it an all the hope on everyone’s faces fall as Rachel leans back in silence and looks at Mr Schue. He sighs and shakes his head in defeat before walking back to the piano and they start with Kurt’s song.

Rachel doesn’t even sing background she just silently dances. She doesn’t show any emotion either which is even more shocking because normally the diva is even more emotional when she is doing something concerning music. At the end of glee Quinn stays in her seat and Rachel does the same next to her. Once everyone left Quinn turns to Rachel she takes in a deep breath and her eyes scan over the girls face.

‘Rachel did I make you feel like i was ashamed of you?’ Rachel’s head drops and she looks at her hands in her lap. Quinn grabs her hand in both of hers ‘Oh honey’ she Rachel’s head up to connect their eyes and stroked her cheek. ‘Rachel I’m not ashamed of you, of us, no never, I’m just so scared and so nervous, I mean I know glee will support us but I don’t want to give anyone anymore ammunition to torment and hurt you Rach, knowing I started it is killing me. I love you Rach I really do never ever think I’m ashamed of being with you.’ Rachel looks into Quinn’s eyes and Quinn and can see the first sign of emotion she has in Rachel’s eyes for past three days and a half days. Then Rachel’s leaning in and her soft lips are caressing the blondes Quinn’s shocked at first before her eyes close and she responds to the kiss with love and passion, when they pull away it’s only because their lungs have a burning need for oxygen. Quinn looks into Rachel’s eyes ‘Rach I want my Rachel back the girl that rambles all the time and is bouncy and energetic, caring and loving. I love you for who you are so please come back to me.’ Rachel pulls Quinn in to a hug and takes a deep breath.

 ‘I love you’ she whispers out, it’s so quiet Quinn almost missed it, but she didn’t, she heard like Rachel was shouting it out loud and proud, like she has always wanted to. Rachel pulls away after another minute and Quinn beams at her. Rachel gives her a small smile, nowhere near one of her usual smiles and then she gets up and walks out of the room.

The next day Rachel comes in a baggy pair of dark red tracksuit bottoms with a black t-shirt on that has OMG written in red on it, her hoody is the same as the t-shirt. She walked to her locker slowly and silently, she opened it only to close it quickly and turn ready for the slushie that was coming her way. Before it could even get within distance of her she was grabbed from behind and pulled backwards, she looked to see that Santana was behind her with two hand still wrapped around her biceps keeping hold of her a glare was in place. Then Rachel heard a bang and her head snapped to look in front of her, Finn and Puck had Karofsky pinned to the lockers and Quinn stepped in face to face with the jock, she had a slushie in her hand. ‘You come near Rachel again or look at her in the wrong way, one of us will have you tackled on the ground bleeding and being slushied in two seconds flat understand me?’ Karofsky gave a terrified nod his eyes wide, Quinn then threw the slushie in his face and walked to Rachel, Finn and Puck both punched him in the face once each and walked away. Quinn go to Rachel and smiled shyly at her, Rachel was looking from Quinn to Karofsky as her brain took in what had just happened, Santana had let go of her arms. Rachel pulled Quinn in for a hug but immediately let her go remembering exactly where they were.

Quinn just smiled and grabbed her hands pulling her in and hugging her. ‘Good morning’ she whispers into Rachel’s ear. Then she pulls away Rachel smiles at them all, not her normal smile far from it really, but a smile nonetheless, everyone smiles back at her. They all head to their lockers and then their lesson, well everyone but Rachel, she makes her way to the auditorium, bag slung over her one arm.

 She takes a seat at the back leaning her arms on the seat and putting her head on it. She smiles thinking about how her teammates had protected her. She doesn’t realise how long it’s been, how long she’s been thinking everything over in her head, the lunch bell goes and it startles her. She stands up and makes her way to the stage, she walks up the steps and to the centre of it, she raises her arms either side and closes her eyes, taking in the silence and tranquillity, the calmness of a normally busy place. After a minute or two stood like that she turns to the piano and walks towards it, she places the portable docking station out of her bag on top of it and plugs her ipod in, she turns it on, not noticing that the rest of glee club had walked in after trying to find her.

She picks a song and slips her hoody off and places it next to the docking station. She takes a couple of steps away from the piano. She does a double back flip into handspring and then a round off, she twirls and dances to the beat of the music, expressing ever emotion to the dance. All of glee watch in amazement not even Quinn knew she could do that. Rachel does a front flip, into a one hand cartwheel, to a handstand, going into a one handed handstand curling her body to touch her hand to her feet, showing her toned abs. She places her hand back on the floor and pushes off and back onto her feet and carries on dancing gracefully travelling to the back of the stage. Where she runs into a forwards flip and then launches herself into the air to do a half twist. She lands it and then does a double back flip launching herself once again in the air for a backwards summersault and lands it on her starting spot. She finishes as the song finishes and turns back to the ipod on slightly out of breath she walks over to it and turns it off.

Everyone’s mouth had dropped open as they watched her, not believing what they had just seen. Rachel stands there silently trying to get her breath, she turns away from the piano and looks out towards the auditorium and that’s when she see the who of New Directions sat there mouth hanging open. She lifts her hand and gestures for them to join her up on stage, Quinn’s the first one up and out of her seat running to her girlfriend. She envelopes Rachel in a hug. ‘That was amazing baby. You’re so talented’ Rachel squeezes her in response and smiles at her when they pull away, everyone else joins them a minutes later, Santana’s the first one to speak.

‘I can’t believe what I just saw, that was better than any girl I’ve seen on the squad even Q... no offence’ Quinn looks at her and smiles with a shrug.

‘None taken, it’s the truth’ Brittany steps forward.

‘Is the old Rachel coming back yet we all miss her’ Rachel looks at Brittany, who has tears in her eyes, and pulls her into a hug. Brittany holds her tight and then let’s go. Rachel still doesn’t speak, she turns and picks up a guitar, she strums then tunes it and strums again, she nods in satisfaction. She starts playing a tune that every member of the club knows and love ‘don’t stop believing.’ She motions for everyone to sing along and they do, they end up having a jam session in the auditorium until the end of lunch. Rachel doesn’t sing but she smiles, happily playing as everyone sings and dances, only Quinn knew that she could play guitar, it was one of her favourite activities, the song finished quicker then everyone liked but they were still having fun.

Puck turns to Rachel, ‘I didn’t know you could play guitar, or dance like that, it’s awesome Rachel, now all we need is your laugh, voice and energy and it would all be perfect.’ Rachel breathes out a small sigh and looks around at everyone’s smiling faces. She puts the guitar down and reaches for her hoody, once she has it she quickly slips it on. Everyone’s face falls slightly as Rachel gives no sign of speaking. Quinn grabs her hand and entwines their fingers. Rachel looks to Quinn then to her hands studying their entwined fingers.

‘We’re going to be late for glee’ she says its croaky because of the lack of use but they all hear it, she looks up to see that some people actually have tears in their eyes, even a few surprising people, not naming names *cough* Santana *cough*. They all pull her into a group hug after a few minutes they pull apart and Quinn pulls her into a hug of their own, kissing her forehead and holding her tightly. They all walk to glee happily, they walk in and Mr Schue’s already in there waiting for them. Finn steps forward once they stop ‘Sorry we’re all late Mr Schue we had an unscheduled jam session in the auditorium’ Mr Schue looked at them and raised an eyebrow his eyes showing confusion.

Santana stepped  forwards this time ‘ we went in search of Rachel lunch because she wasn’t in any of her lessons. We found her in the auditorium about to dance so we all sat and watched, she was amazing, I mean like really amazing, once she had finished she called us all on stage, she picked up a guitar and we sang for a bit, we didn’t even know she could play guitar.’ Santana turned to Rachel. ‘How long have you been able to play the guitar?’ Mr Schue didn’t expect Rachel to answer and was about to speak and get them all to sit down when he heard.

‘About seven years, Quinn and my dad’s are the only people to know because I’ve only ever really played to them’ Rachel explains and everyone smiles at her happily, Mr Schue’s jaw drops. ‘You spoke’ is all he can say Rachel looks at him and nods ‘Yeah twice actually, unless you count what I said to Quinn yesterday that’s three times and this which is four... and I’m rambling’ Everyone cheers and pulls Rachel into another group hug, once its finished Quinn pulls Rachel to her, wrapping her arms around Rachel from behind and resting her chin on Rachel’s shoulder. Tina speaks up first ‘We’ve missed your rambles Rach.’ Mercedes follows her lead and speaks up ‘and your laugh... which we still haven’t heard’ Artie follows forward and clears his through ‘And you smile’ Quinn squeezes Rachel and smiles lightly Santana and Brittany come forward and say in sync ‘And your singing’ Quinn straightens up and says loud enough so everyone can hear ‘to be honest Rachel, I’ve just missed everything makes you, you’ Everyone chimes in their agreement and Quinn kisses Rachel on the side of the head, she smiles to herself when she feels Rachel lean into the touch.

Mr Schue stepped forward and gave Rachel the piece of paper with the song on it Rachel looks at it and then back up at him. ‘Oh no I gave this to Kurt and it’s his to do, I don’t want to sing yet anyway’ and with that she yet again hands the sheet of paper back to Kurt, everyone sighs, hoping t her Rachel sing again soon.

 It goes on for another week, Rachel hasn’t hummed a tune, let alone, sing backing or anything, the others are getting worried that Rachel won’t sing for them again. She’s sat in glee Quinn leaning on her messing with their entwined fingers, some lyrics come into Rachel’s head as she looks at their hands and how perfectly they fit together, she can’t help it when she sings the quietly to herself.

If your not the one

Then why does my hand

Fit your this way

She stops singing, no one seems to have heard her but then Quinn sits up and turns to her with wide eyes that had the shimmer of tears in them. ‘Did you just...’ Everyone turns to look at us. Puck chimes in. ‘Just?’ he motions for her to carry on talking. ‘Sing?’ Quinn finishes looking Rachel straight in the eye. ‘Did you just sing?’ Quinn repeats the question fully and everyone turns to face Rachel, who’s staring blankly at Quinn, who deflates a little, everyone sighs and goes back to what they were doing before, they missed the wink and nod that Rachel gives Quinn. Quinn beams and jumps onto Rachel knocking them both out of their chairs and on to the ground. ‘Ow Quinn’ Rachel laughs, everyone turns and gasps wide eyed at Rachel’s laugh hearing it for the first time in over a week. Quinn goes  onto her elbows and stares into Rachel’s eyes, doing this Rachel remembers another song and its lyrics.

Her eyes, hey eyes

Make the stars look they’re not shining

Rachel stops singing and smiles at Quinn tucking a few strands of hair behind her ears, Quinn smiles and her eyes glisten with unshed tears.

She’s so beautiful

And i tell her everyday

Quinn gets up and pulls Rachel with her, pulling her into a hug a soon as they’re standing. Rachel had been singing to quietly for the rest of the club to hear, they thought they were talking, Quinn lets go of Rachel not holding back her beaming smile ‘go on Rachel sing, please, let them hear you.’ Rachel nods and sings louder so the rest can hear her, but she never takes her eyes away from Quinn’s.

You know, you know, you know

I’d never ask you to change

If perfects what your looking for

Then just stay the same

Rachel sings watching Quinn as the tears finally drip down her cheeks, She stops singing, Mr Schue and walked in and was smiling, Everyone ran to Rachel taking her into a hug. Rachel couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her so naturally. ‘I love you guys’ she says. ‘We love you to Rach’ everyone responds all in sync they all burst out laughing as they pull away.

Rachel sits down watching the rest of the club with a smile on her face, she thinks to herself. The power of words is an amazing thing, you can use them to describe something beautiful, you can use them to express your love and happiness, they are used in song and so leads to dancing, to joy, laughter, fun, however they can also be used negatively, they can be used to hurt people, to bully, to be unkind and sometimes when it’s like that, it’s better to just keep silent. Maybe sometimes it’s not the power of words that’s the problem, it’s the power of silence instead.

The meaning of silence:

1. the state or quality of being silent

2. the absence of sound or noise; stillness

3. refusal or failure to speak, communicate,

4. a period of time without noise

5. oblivion or obscurity

Other words related to it are, calm, peace and serenity.

Brittany turned up at Rachel’s house at six; she was excited but nervous at the same time. She knocked on the door and waited for Rachel to answer it. Rachel was in the bathroom looking at herself in the mirror, trying to calm her nerves, when she heard the knock on her front door. She took in a deep breath and made her way down the stairs. Brittany took a few deep breaths before the door came open revealing a smiling Rachel.

‘Hey Britt, come in’ Rachel said opening the door wider so Brittany could get in.

‘Hey Rach, thanks for asking me over’ Brittany said with a shy smile, Rachel took her coat and hung it up in the closet.

‘No problem Britt, it’s nice to have you over.’ They headed over to the kitchen with an awkward silence over them. ‘Would you like a drink?’ Rachel asked breaking the silence.

‘Do you have any coke?’ Rachel nodded ‘could i have that then please’ Rachel smiled and nodded getting the drink from the fridge and a glass and pouring it out for Brittany. Another awkward silence settled on them. Brittany settled herself on the stool at the counter and watched Rachel pour her drink, she sighed.

‘Why’s it so awkward?’ Brittany asked, Rachel looked up handing her, her coke.

‘I don’t know I suppose it could be because we’re trying to get used to each other again and we don’t want to say the wrong thing.’ Rachel said sitting across from her on another stool.

‘Well is there any way to fix it, I don’t like it being awkward’ Brittany said with a pout.

‘I don’t know Britt’ Rachel answered honestly her fingers fiddling with each other, Brittany looked around the room and noticed a vase of her flowers on the kitchen table. She smiled at that and looked back to Rachel, who had been watching her, Rachel smiled at her happily.

‘Thank you for those’ Rachel said gesturing to the flowers ‘They are all very beautiful’ Brittany smiled her usual happy smile and some of the awkwardness went away.

‘Rachel can i have a hug?’ Rachel’s eyes snap to meet Brittany’s before smiling. She slides off of her stool to stand up and nods.

‘Of course you can have a hug Britt’ Brittany slipped off her stool and made her way round to Rachel. She stooped down and took Rachel in her arms, Rachel wrapped her arms around her happily both happy to have each other back in each other’s arms. They felt the awkwardness wash away and a familiarity take its place.

Once they break away they decide on watching a movie with some popcorn and soda. Brittany left around ten in the evening. They managed to start talking properly without any awkward silences. They had joked and laughed as well and when Brittany left they shared another hug as a goodbye. Rachel smiled to herself after closing the door and cleaned the house before going to bed.

Rachel drove to school the next morning humming to herself. She was finally happy to go to school again, to see her friends, and especially to see Brittany. She pulled into the parking lot and took her normal space and got out of her car, smiling on her way into school.

Brittany got out of bed happy to, finally getting to spend some time with her diva, yes Brittany is adamant that Rachel is still one of her girls, she said a quick hello and goodbye to her parents, grabbing and apple and stroking Lord Tubbington on her way out of the door to her car, she got in it and turned the radio on as isn’t she lovely played, she hummed to it and then started to sing along, she used her fingers to drum on the steering wheel. She pulled into the parking lot and parked next to her diva’s car before getting out and locking it, walking to the school building smiling to herself.

Santana picks Quinn up at her house and they are still in a bad mood, they face losing their favourite diva and it’s making them upset, defensive and then angry and moody with one another. Quinn huffs for the third time and Santana tightens her hold on the steering wheel.

‘We have to find out who it is’ Santana growls out with a scowl.

‘Of course we can’t lose her to an idiot that might not treat her right’ Quinn says, Santana sighs at those words.

‘Yeah but they would treat her better than we ever did, I mean look what we did to her, she let us use her as a verbal punching bag, and when we were angry and horny she let us use her then, no wonder she did what she did, maybe it would be best if we just left her alone.’ Santana says, Quinn looks out the window at her words, wiping a tear away before steeling her expression into one of determination.

‘No San! We are meant for her and she and Brittany are meant for us! We are going to find out who her admirer is pull them aside and-‘

‘Kick their heads in?’ Santana asks hopefully, making the blonde smile even though she was interrupted.

‘No San we are going to have a calm not violent chat with them’ Quinn says with an amused smile on her face.

‘I like my idea better’ Santana mumbles under her breath, but Quinn hears her anyway. She chuckles before replying

‘Of course you would Santana, but Rachel wouldn’t like that’ Quinn says and sees a very rare sight after she finished talking, Santana pouting. Quinn chuckled again and then they pulled into the parking lot, they both prepared themselves for a long day.

Rachel met up with Tina and Mercedes at her locker and saw Brittany coming down the hall obviously she already went and got her things, so Rachel waved her over to them. Brittany smiled when she saw Rachel waving her over to them and made her way to the three girls. Tina and Mercedes had seen Rachel’s eyes wonder and the smile she had grow a little and turned to look at what the diva was looking at, only to see Brittany walking over to them. Tina and Mercedes looked at each other raising an eyebrow and then turning to Rachel, who looked at them, her smile dropped a little and she made a, what gesture, her eyes full of innocence. Tina and Mercedes rolled their eyes before making a, you will explain later gesture, to which Rachel returned with a maybe and a smirk.

All four made their way to class chatting to each other, Brittany let her eyes wonder around the halls, looking for some reason slightly protective, Rachel just smiled at her and carried on talking to her now best friends.

Santana and Quinn were walking the halls glaring at anyone that got in their way, they had already interrogated Finn and Puck on their diva’s admirer claiming it to be of importance so they could find the twirp and see whether he was planning to hurt the diva and that they were doing it for the sake of their team. Finn and Puck being stupid enough to not really understand the excuse and go with it, actually told the truth and said they knew nothing, and have heard nothing in the boys locker room, except that Rachel had been getting notes all week from a random person and that one of the jocks had noticed little gifts Rachel got in her locker, but no one knows who except Rachel. Santana and Quinn had huffed and walked out of the room to find their other victims.

Santana found her next victim at recess and sidled up to his locker, Artie looked up at the Latina with a gulp. The same happened with Mike around the corner when Quinn turned up. They both grabbed the boys and took them to the same room and sat them down on the opposite side of the table to them.

‘What we got you hear for is to ask you a few questions’

‘Look I’m sorry I wasn’t there when they did it, I swear I didn’t know’ Artie said raising his hands up. Quinn and Santana raise an eyebrow.

‘What are you talking about wheels?’ Santana asked and Artie’s eyes widened.

‘Uh nothing’ Artie said looking away Santana and Quinn glared at him before shaking their heads and looking away from both girls.

‘Right...’ Santana says dragging it ‘look we came here to talk to you about Berry’s admirer’ Santana said, Quinn just nodded a long and then took over.

‘We’re worried you see that Berry’s admirer will hurt her and that will hurt the team and we really don’t want that at all so your gonna tell us what you know’

‘why should we though prey do tell’ Artie says leaning away from them ‘i thought you two would want to see her hurt’ Santana and Quinn had to try real hard not to jump at him as anger builds up in them.

‘look we want to know what you know, you have the easy way where you sit and tell us what you know or –‘

‘I will fucking rip you limb from limb until you tell me, I mean us’ Santana growls.

Artie and Mike both swallow hard and share a look before bursting out all at once.

‘Okay, okay, SHUT UP’ Quinn shouts to get over the noise, both boys stop talking ‘one at a time please’

Artie takes over ‘look the best people to ask are Mercedes and Tina they are like best buds with Rach, all we got the gist was that Rachel has been happy ever since it started which was Monday I think, and from what the girls were discussing at lunch, I don’t think it’s a guy’ Artie finishes and both Quinn and Santana’s eyes are wide.

‘You’re saying it’s a girl doing this for Rachel?’ Santana asked Artie nodded in response.

‘And your saying that it’s making her happy?’ Quinn asked this time it was Mike who gave a nod in response. Quinn and Santana gritted their teeth before getting up ‘thanks for the help lads’ and with that said they left the room.

At lunch Rachel met up with Mercedes and Tina and they walked to the choir room, Mercedes and Tina couldn’t wait to get there so they could question Rachel about this morning with Brittany.  Except for when they walk in Brittany is in there sat on the piano bench, Rachel walked over and sat next to her quickly. Tina and Mercedes sighed and grabbed two chairs pulling them to the piano, soon the choir room was filled with laughter and jokes, chats and gossip.

Quinn and Santana were once again walking the halls, glares in place, they had noticed the lack of Brittany around them. So had everyone else, now people were whispering about it and making up stupid rumours. They were still searching for Brittany, as they were walking past the choir room and heard laughing, two specific laughs that caught their attention. They turned to the choir room door and peered in through the window. They saw Tina and Mercedes first they were laughing in the middle and they heard the piano and looked towards the piano. That’s when they see their two girls at the piano laughing and joking about while Rachel was playing the piano. Quinn and Santana swallowed at the sight of them both so happy again.

Quinn came away first and then Santana turned away and looked at her. ‘It was Britt’ Quinn says completely certain especially after that.

‘She must of been apologising through all her notes her gifts everything, it was Britt’ Santana says with a nod. Santana bit her lip and looked away from Quinn. ‘We need to apologise to and we will start off with this.’ Santana says passing Quinn a piece of paper and nodded, they both waked off and abandoned their lessons to get prepared.

Glee came around quickly Rachel walked in with Mercedes and Tina and sat down leaving a chair to her right just in case, they carried on chatting about the shopping trip they had planned for this weekend, they couldn’t wait, Kurt came in and sat behind them joining in on their chat and invited himself on the shopping trip. Santana and Quinn walked in taking seats in the middle of the room on the second row. Everyone else started to fill in and take their seats in their groups and soon the room was full of chatter and laughter. Puck and Finn were seeing who could go the reddest whilst the girls went on to talking about films in the theatre and Santana and Quinn watched noticing a light in Rachel’s eye that had been missing for awhile. Brittany walked in then and Rachel’s head turned to look at her. Rachel watched as Brittany’s eyes goes from Quinn and Santana, to the seat in the middle and then the seat next to Rachel and Rachel. She noticed Rachel was watching her and smiled she had been fiddling with her bracelet the two had, Brittany walked her way to the seat next to Rachel and sat down next to her, Rachel said something and Brittany laughed and then they settled into talking and laughing with the others.

Mr Schue walked in excitedly about to talk when his quickly interrupted by an unexpected voice.

‘Mr Schue, Quinn and I have a song to sing’ Santana says pulling Quinn up with her. Rachel and Brittany turn to look at them and they both raise an eyebrow. Santana grabs a guitar from one of the stands as she walks past, then sits on a stool everyone now realises is in the middle. Quinn stands by her side and they both look at Rachel, however everyone thinks they are looking at Brittany.

‘We did something, and at the time we didn’t realise what was happening but we were hurting someone, someone we care a lot about, so we want to try and make it up to them, this is only the beginning of a very long and overdue apology’ And with that said by Quinn, Santana starts strumming the guitar and the song starts.

(San, Quinn, both)

I see your face in my mind as I drive away
'Cause none of us thought it was gonna end that way
People are people and sometimes we change our minds
But it's killing me to see you go after all this time

Santana has a sad look on her face as she sings, it takes everyone back to see all her emotions written across her face, regret, sorrow, pain and was that love? But Santana kept her eyes locked on Brittany and Rachel as she started to hum with Quinn.

Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm
Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm

Music starts playin' like the end of a sad movie
It's the kinda ending you don't really wanna see
'Cause it's tragedy and it'll only bring you down
Now I don't know what to be without you around

As Quinn sings Rachel takes in a deep breath that no one sees, there’s tears in the hazel and brown eyes before her and she can see the two girls struggling to keep them in, their voices blend well together when they sing.

And we know it's never simple, never easy
Never a clean break, no one here to save me
You're the only thing I know like the back of my hand

And I can't breathe
Without you, but I have to
Breathe
Without you, but I have to

Santana actually feels the pain as she breaths in, the lyrics have truth to them, ever since her one girl officially broke up with her and the other may not be official but has left because of the pain caused she has been finding hard to breath, especially when she’s one of them or both of them.

Never wanted this, never want to see you hurt
Every little bump in the road I tried to swerve
People are people and sometimes it doesn't work out
Nothing we say is gonna save us from the fall out

Quinn looks at them a tear spilling over on to her cheek as she sings with Santana, Brittany watches her two girlfriends a miniscule smile in place as they do something to try and say sorry to Rachel. Brittany looks to Rachel and sees the diva biting her lip but apart from that you couldn’t tell what the diva was thinking.

And we know it's never simple, never easy
Never a clean break, no one here to save me
You're the only thing I know like the back of my hand

And I can't breathe
Without you, but I have to
Breathe
Without you, but I have to

As Quinn sings these words she nods in agreement, the diva had been open letting them get to know as much of her as possible, but they never did get the opportunity to fully get know the diva they only ever got to know her half way. They thought that had been enough that they had known everything about, what a mistake they had made. It was a the same for Quinn when she breaths in she feels the loss of two girls she loves so much and yet can’t have anything to do with her because she has caused them pain.

It's two a.m., feelin' like I just lost a friend
Hope you know it's not easy, easy for me
It's two a.m., feelin' like I just lost a friend
Hope you know this ain't easy, easy for me

And we know it's never simple, never easy
Never a clean break, no one here to save me, oh

I can't breathe
Without you, but I have to
Breathe
Without you, but I have to
Breathe
Without you, but I have to

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry

As Quinn and Santana sing the final words, both staring at their girls to get across how much they mean them they both have tears dripping down their cheeks, Quinn wiped hers away because she can, but Santana has to keep playing she doesn’t mind though, she doesn’t care that the glee club get to see her so emotional, so upset, it only helps to get the message across better.

Once the girls had finished singing the confused glee club started to clap but all Santana and Quinn did was look over at the diva and Brittany. Santana puts the guitar back in its stand and takes the time to wipe her eyes while her back is to the rest of the club, she then turns and sits down with Quinn sitting next to her. At the end of glee when everyone had left but the four girls Rachel stood up and walked over to Santana and Quinn a small smile in place.

‘Girls that was amazing and thank you’ Rachel said with a smile and then left with Brittany who smiled and waved at the two girls. Rachel got into bed that night with one thing going through her head ‘maybe there is hope yet’ she says to herself.

Friday morning Rachel woke up with a bad feeling but shook it off and continued with her morning routine getting up and doing her normal workout before getting her morning shower. She walked down her stairs she got a banana and a shake for her breakfast, then she heard a beep of a horn outside telling her that Brittany was outside. She ran happily out her door and jumped in to the car, the feelings she had this morning leaving her immediately.

Rachel smiled at Brittany ‘morning.’

Brittany smiled back straight away ‘morning Rae’

They get to school and get to their lockers, Rachel nodded a civil hello to Santana and Quinn who smiled and waved at them as they walked past. Rachel and Brittany had a shared Spanish class first period so they made their way to it, Mercedes and Tina came up the other side of Rachel and all four started to chat happily and joke around.

In Spanish class Brittany sat next to Rachel but they weren’t allowed to talk so they settled for passing notes every now and then.

Why is Mr Schue’s hair always kinda greasy?

Brittany passed her note to Rachel who giggled at it.

I don’t know maybe he keeps the grease to feed the elves coach Sylvester say live in there.

Rachel responds Brittany quietly giggles and nods before her face becomes serious.

Next period have you got a free?

Brittany bites her lip before sending the note over to Rachel, who raises and eyebrow when she reads it but scribbles her reply and passes the note back.

Yeah why?

Brittany has a smile ghosting at her lips but doesn’t let it escape as she writes out her reason.

I have one to I was wondering if we could meet at the choir room?

She passed it to Rachel hoping her shaking and nervousness were left unseen, however Rachel did see it and couldn’t help but think it was cute. She took the note and read, instead of sending her response she looked up at Brittany who had been watching, waiting for her response. She locked eyes with her and nodded with a small smile in place. Brittany beamed at her, which only made Rachel smile even wider.

Rachel exits Spanish before Brittany and makes her way to her locker, as Brittany did the same, it had been decided that they would get their stuff and meet in the choir room. Rachel couldn’t help but notice the bad feeling she was getting again like she had this morning when she woke up, but then she thought about meeting Brittany and the only feeling she was happiness and joy as she made her way to the choir room.

Brittany gets into the choir room first and she is a ball of excited and nervous energy all rolled into one as she waited for Rachel to turn up. She way by the piano jumping from one foot to the other, humming isn’t she lovely because she hadn’t been able to get it out of her head since she had heard it yesterday morning. Brittany’s head shot up when the choir room door opened and then Rachel walked in a nervous and shy smile on her face. She closed the door behind her and made her way to the piano bench and sat down on it.

They messed about for Rachel playing tunes on the piano as Brittany danced around and had fun, the both of them laughing eyes lit with pure joy. Brittany sits down on the bench next to Rachel wiped from her dancing but full on beaming, Rachel still giggling happily. Brittany watches her a smile on her face.

‘I’ve missed this’ Brittany says as Rachel slows the tune she was playing to a calming melody.

‘I’ve missed this to Brittany, more then it shows’ Rachel replies as her fingers run over the different keys she needs. Brittany smiles and watches Rachel’s fingers move.

‘Will you teach me summert Rae?’ Brittany asks with a slight pout just to make sure Rachel says yes.

Rachel stops playing and looks to Brittany and sees the face she can’t help but laugh at the girl before nodding. ‘Yeah okay I’ll teach you how to play something just copy me’ Rachel says and places her fingers on the keys, she waits for Brittany to do the same and when she does, she moves her fingers slowly watching Brittany’s fingers to make sure she is doing right. After Brittany messes up on a part for the fifth time Rachel stops she stands up and behind Brittany placing her hands over the top. They both jump as a shock jumps through both of them at the touch.

‘Here like this’ Rachel says as she guides Brittany’s hand and fingers through the harder part. Brittany smiles as she plays the part correctly, she looks up at Rachel who is smiling down at her their hands still touching. Their eyes lock and tension fills the room, before Brittany can do anything though Rachel moves her hands and steps away. She sits back next to her and places her hands back on the keys.

‘Ready to run through again?’ Rachel asks looking up through her eyelashes at Brittany.

Brittany nods ‘yeah now I know how to do that part I think I can play it’ and so they both start at the exact same time and they play the song all the way through. Brittany claps when they finish absolutely beaming and she looks at Rachel. ‘I did Rae, I played it on my own, I did it’ Brittany exclaim proud of herself. Rachel watches with a proud smile and nods.

‘Yeah Brit you did, and you played it well.’ Rachel told her proudly. Brittany turns to look at her and their eyes lock. Rachel swallows hard as her mouth runs dry, they can both see the love in each other’s eyes. Both sets of eyes flicker to the other girls lips and back up. Rachel licks her lips and Brittany watches the move intently, the tension grows thick.

Brittany’s about to lean in when an alarm goes off, they both jump a little and look around, it’s not the usual fire alarm. They hear people running and then an automated voice comes over the speakers of the school.

‘please evacuate the school, the school is in lock down, there is a shooter on the loose’ Rachel rolls her eyes at the crappy message before kicking into action.

Rachel grabs Brittany’s hand and pulls her out of the choir room, she sprints through the hall way pulling Brittany behind her until they get to the car park, Rachel sees Santana standing by the stairs to the entrance at the top staring at the school, they run over. Rachel sees Santana let out a breath and relief flood her face as she saw them. Rachel looked around. It looked everyone was out but where was Quinn? Rachel turned back to the school and the Santana.

‘Where’s Quinn? She would have come straight to us’ Rachel stated. Santana and Brittany look to the school and then back at Rachel; Santana has a look in her eye that makes Rachel’s mouth run dry with fear. She looks at the school; the police had arrived now and were standing idle talking to each other. Rachel swallows and then before she knows what she’s doing she runs past a policeman and straight into school, ignoring her name being shouted by Santana and Brittany.

Brittany holds Santana back from running in as well.

‘San stop, calm down, she’s going to be okay, she’ll find Quinn and they will come out fine, please don’t leave me’ Santana calms down when she hears Brittany’s plea at the end and turns to hug her. After they break apart they turn to look at the school silently.

Seven minutes later they hear a gunshot.

Tuesday morning Brittany didn’t have to rush to practice but knew that Rachel did practice her vocals in the morning in the choir room. So she got up again a little earlier than normal and left her house with a quick goodbye. She crept into the choir room and placed a box with a folded note on it and then quickly left. She placed her next note in Rachel’s locker and went to get herself some breakfast.

Santana and Quinn pulled into the parking lot and met up there and walked to the football field, they sat down on the bleachers. Santana sighs and leans back.

‘She’s right you know?’ Santana says Quinn looks at her with a raised eyebrow.

‘Britt she’s right the way we are acting it doesn’t show that we ever loved Rachel, it just backs her theory.’

Quinn nods ‘yes I know but I’m scared we can’t just come out to the school for the sake of Rachel we will lose our reputations’

‘see that right there is what I’m talking about and what Brittany is telling us, we are still worried about our reputations and aren’t willing to get back the girl we love. Quinn it’s not just us in this equation its Brittany and Rachel to we’re hurting them just as much if not more’

Quinn sighs ‘what are we going to do then?’

‘I think I may have an idea.’

 Rachel pulls up in the school car park grabbing her bag and slipping out locking her car she makes her way into school. She stops off at her locker before heading to the choir room. As she opens her locker a folded piece of paper slips out and onto the floor. Rachel quickly bends and picks it up, unfolding it and starts to read.

Rachel

I know that you normally spend the morning before school starts in the choir room, I always used to secretly watch you through the door, I did it just to get that little while where you didn’t have any worried and you weren’t stressing out, you were just singing for the fun of it, to get everything out and I loved being able to see you like that. And so that’s the perfect place to put your next gift. It’s on the piano, it’s only the start for today, I hope you like it.

Love you always

Your Brittany

Rachel smiles folding her note and placing it with the others that now live in the jewellery box in her locker. She grabbed everything she need and made her way to the choir room as quick as possible. She noticed another note on top of the box that was indeed on the black piano, she quickly placed her bags down on one of the red chairs and then made her way to the piano. She picked up the note and opened it slowly, her hands shaking in anticipation.

Rachel

I hope you slept well last night and you liked my note this morning. Do you remember that day you took me to the pond to feed the ducks, it was just us and we sat there just joking about and talking, I loved those moments where we could just stop and talk, we would listen to each other word for word no matter what it was about. That day we had a discussion about what figures would represent us. You would be a shining gold star, because that’s what you’re going to be one day, what you are already. We decided mine would be a duck because of my love for the animal. But when it came to Quinn and Santana we got stuck, we joked about how Quinn’s would be bacon, how Santana’s would be a hand with two fingers sticking up swearing at the world. But then we got serious because we wanted to find something that could represent our girls. You picked ice cream for Santana because it’s her favourite desert and her one weakness but us, so then we had to decide on Quinn. We just sat there in our comfortable silence thinking and we gradually got closer together, until I was leaning on you and you had an arm wrapped around me, we didn’t care what anyone else thought. Then I remembered Quinn’s love for handbags and that’s what we decided on, that she would be represented with a hand bag. We wanted to get a bracelet with those four charms attached for all four of us. But then Santana and Quinn turned up and they shouted at us for being so close together, we tried to tell them our idea but they said it was stupid and that it was never going to happen. They ruined the day for us and I remember you walked off crying because they took their moods out on you and I couldn’t stop them.

I loved that day up until they turned up and I am sorry I couldn’t get them to be quiet, but to make it up to you I got you this, I went out the other day and got two bracelets with two charms each, it’s in the box on the table I decorated it myself, I want you to put it on I don’t care if anyone sees it I have mine on to and I’m proud of it.

Love you always

Your Brittany

Rachel’s eyes began to tear up as she read the note remembering that day, it had been one of her favourites up until that point, she had been so excited to have something that included her girls and that she was able to wear, but then Quinn and Santana ruined it, they had called her such mean names. Brittany had tried to get them to stop but they wouldn’t. In the end Rachel gave up she stood up and left tears spilling down her cheeks, she remembered feeling all of their eyes on her but wouldn’t turn back around to face them she couldn’t. It was one of the memories she kept close and she used the end of it when she was braking up with them, using that pain she shouldn’t have been feeling if they loved her the way they said they did.

Rachel folded the note placing it in her trouser pockets she looked at the box for the first time and laughed, on the top of the box was a painted gold star that had Rachel going through the middle in red paint. Then on the sides was a yellow duck with a speech bubble coming from its mouth that said ‘Quack’ in the middle of the duck was Brittany’s name in black paint. Rachel bit her lip and smiled at the site trying to push back the tears. She picked it up slowly and opened it inside was a silver Bracelet with two charms on it, one was a duck and the other was a shining gold star. Rachel full on beamed at the bottom of the box was another not which simply said:

Put it on!!

And not wanting to get shouted at Rachel lifted the piece of jewellery up and clicked it onto her wrist. She stroked the duck charm beaming smile on her lips. She took her note out and placed it in the box and the placed them both in her bag before continuing with her practice.

Brittany watched with a full beaming smile as Rachel read the note, she bounced from foot to foot when Rachel took the box in her hand, seeing the tears in Rachel’s eyes she thought she had done the wrong thing, But then a full on smile graced Rachel’s lips and Brittany knew she hadn’t. She couldn’t help the giddy smile that crossed her lips when Rachel put the bracelet on, and then using the box to keep her note safe. Brittany stayed there watching Rachel’s practice just like she used to, she enjoyed seeing her the way she used to and she noticed that Rachel never lost her smile.

The bell rang and as soon as Brittany heard it she ran as fast as she could so not to be seen. It was between 2^nd and 3^rd she went to her locker and received a note, she opened it quickly, she couldn’t help the smile that came onto her face.

Brittany

That memory is one that I cherish, well until Santana and Quinn came, but we can’t let that little moment ruin it. Brittany don’t apologise for not being able to get them to be quiet because honestly I’m just glad that you tried. Thank you for the amazing box, I love the way it’s decorated, it’s in my locker now keeping all my notes from you safe.

The bracelet is amazing and I am wearing it with pride thank you so much, I didn’t know that you came to watch me in the choir room in the morning but it means a lot for you to tell me.

Brittany do you remember the time when we were eating ice cream at my house and you said you liked the clip in my hair because it had a bear on it with and on the tie were some ducks? I remember we carried on talking for a while but your attention always went back to that clip, then Santana came in, and she was in one her moods and we didn’t get to talk much for the rest of the night. I loved it when we just sat and talked to it meant so much to me just to have that time.

Look inside you locker Britt, after you read this note, you’ll see why.

Rachel *

Brittany folded her not and placed it in her bag pocket with the other ones and then searched in her locker until her hand hit something. She closed her hand around the object and pulled it out. Her hands shook with anticipation as she slowly opened it. She beamed when she saw in the middle of her hand was the same teddy bear clip with tie that had ducks on it, Brittany didn’t hesitate to clip it straight into her hair, she didn’t care if anyone saw it meant a lot to her, especially now, Brittany got her books and headed to class. She stopped off quickly to drop a note into Rachel’s locker.

At lunch Rachel went back to her locker, she opened it and noticed the piece of white folded paper on one her shelves, she started to smile, already knowing who it was from. She opened it quickly.

Rachel

I remember that day, I remember trying to plot ways on stealing it, it only ended up making my head hurt, I’m glad I didn’t take it now because it means so much more. I hated the fact that Santana had come in interrupting our talk to order us upstairs, I wanted to stand up to her, tell we weren’t done talking but I was to scared I didn’t want to be shouted at.

I’m glad you liked both your box and bracelet and that you are wearing it, I’m wearing you clip as well. Rach I may not be giving you anymore gifts to you today, well not bought ones, but I wanted to give you something else, meet me in the choir room at the end of the day please. I’ll wait until half four for you. If you don’t turn up I’ll understand.

I hope you do though.

Love you always

Your Brittany

Rachel smiled at the note and there was no doubt in her mind she was going to be going to that choir. Brittany had done so much for her in the past few days, more than anyone has done for her in years, and she knew she at least deserved her to turn up.

And so that’s what she did as soon as school got out she put her stuff in her locker and closed it making her way to the choir room. She anxiously made her way to the door, a shaking hand making its way to the handle and she slowly pushed it open. She stepped in and her eyes immediately locked on to a very nervous and fidgety Brittany.

‘Hey’ she said quietly, Brittany smiled.

‘I didn’t think you were going to come’ Rachel smiled at her.

‘of course I was I would never let you down’ Rachel gave Brittany the once over and noticed the clip in her hair ‘the clip looks good on you Brittany’

Brittany giggled a genuine giggle for the first time in days ‘I’m glad you think so, I didn’t care what anyone thought I just wanted to wear it’

‘That’s good Britt’ Rachel smiled at her

‘You’re wearing you bracelet’

Rachel nodded ‘I told you I would be I’m proud of it Brittany, I don’t care what people say about me’

‘Look Rach, I wanted to give you this, remember that book you read to me? You know when I had those nightmares because Santana forced us to watch that scary film.’

‘Yeah I remember we tried to argue with her but it didn’t end well’

‘well you remember reading it to me, you said it was your favourite book but you lost your copy when you were ten, because you left it on a train’

‘yeah I remember, crying about it, but my dad’s never got round to replacing it.’

‘well I don’t want them to, I want you to have this copy, the one you read to me, to get me to sleep when I had nightmares and when I was upset because Lord Tubbington had gone missing. The one that hold’s the memories. And then when your upset and having trouble sleeping you can read it and it will help you’ Brittany handed Rachel the old book. Rachel beamed at Brittany and took it.

‘Thanks Britt that means a lot’

Brittany nodded a sad smile graces her lips ‘I have to go Rachel but we’ll talk soon’

And with a sad smile from Rachel in response Brittany leaves. Rachel flicks open the book and on the first page theirs a note simply reading:

It will get better soon, I promise.

Love you always

Your Brittany.

Rachel smiled at the little message and went home that night she read the book it had been her favourite when she was a child but never knew why, now it’s her favourite for different reasons, the book is simple, it’s Matilda by Roald Dahl. She always loved the fact Brittany liked to listen to it and that she got to read it to her. She remembered one time when Brittany’s head was in her lap, she was running her fingers through the silky blonde hair and reading her the story, slowly soothing her to sleep it had felt amazing to do it.

When Brittany woke up that morning she knew she didn’t have to rush in, however she had wanted to so that she could watch Rachel practice and post her note. So she got dressed, had her breakfast and left. She hadn’t heard from Santana and Quinn that night, which she was okay with seen as she had been busy anyway, she ran through the hall and quickly broke into Rachel’s locker and placed everything appropriately before running off to catch Rachel singing.

When Brittany got to the choir room Rachel was already there, however this morning she wasn’t singing, she was sitting at the piano, her fingers flying over the keys with ease. In her head however was a battle, she wanted to forgive Brittany, it wasn’t just a want though now it was a need, she missed having the blondes arms around her, the bubbly attitude and happiness the blonde brought and most of all her voice. Rachel sighed and shook her head, she really didn’t know what to do, but the one thing she knew that was going to happen, was that sooner rather than later she will forgive Brittany. The bell rang and she got up from the piano to go to her locker. Missing the blur of blonde hair as Brittany ran away from the door not wanting to be seen.

When Rachel got to her locker she was still thinking through things, so when she opened the locker and looked in she was surprised to see a single red rose in a vase with a note leaning against it. Rachel bit her lip and smiled at the flower before getting the note. She opened and took a breath like she did every time she got a not.

Rachel

Good morning, I hope you aren’t too tired from reading. You know I always loved mornings, especially if I woke up next to three amazing girls. I wish I could hug you Rachel I loved our hugs because you would always fit perfectly. Do you remember when we played monopoly with Quinn and Santana and they were both bad losers, Santana shouted at us and then she got in an argument with Quinn. They both stormed out, you looked at me and sighed before moving over to me and hugging me. We sat on the sofa cuddling watching TV. They came back ten half an hour later with ice cream and apologies and joined our cuddling session. However I wouldn’t let you out of my arms because you were just so perfect for me to hold.

A red rose means passionate love, well we made lots of that, but we also had the feelings of love. I know we may not have shown you our love correctly Rachel and I am so sorry for that. I did love you and still do, I will always love you, this one rose signifies how much I passionately love you, I will see you in glee later. I miss you Rachel. I hope to hold you again soon.

Love you always

Your Brittany

Rachel couldn’t contain a laugh at Brittany’s passionate love making statement. However she did nod in agreement with it, because no matter what has happened that was true. She folded the note up and placed it in her box in her locker, where all notes are let safe and secure. She grabbed her books closed her locker and made her way to her class smile plastered on her face. What she hadn’t seen however was Santana and Quinn watching her from down the hall. They saw the joyous smile on her face and scowled.

‘You don’t think she is going out with someone do you?’ Quinn asks turning to Santana.

‘I don’t know but if she is she won’t be for long, she is our diva and I am not giving her up without a fight’

‘Well we’ll put our plan into motion tomorrow then, the sooner the better and the sooner we’ll have her back with us where she belongs.’

Santana nods but she is still frowning about whatever put a smile on HER Diva’s face. She knew that smile because it was one she used to share with them until she fucked everything up. It was the I’m so happy I could fly, or sing, smile. It hurt Santana to see it and not be the one to put it there. She sighs and walks her way to class.

Rachel got to her first class and on her table in front of the whole class was sitting a carnation, a not lay underneath it. Rachel bit her lip sitting down and looking around. Everyone was watching her intently. Quinn was in this class and was watching with a frown and a glare. Rachel swallowed thickly and moved the carnation to one side before picking the not up. She unfolded it slowly keeping an eye on her class members to make sure no one read the note over her shoulder.

Rachel

On your table you will find a striped carnation, the meaning of which is refusal. I chose this because I am refusing to give up on you and us. We will be friends again and soon. Hopefully then we can build back up to where we used to be. I love you Rachel and I won’t make promises I can’t keep like I will never hurt you again. It doesn’t work like that because along the road we will get hurt by each other, However I am going to say I will try my hardest in every possible way to keep you out of harms was physically and emotionally. I refuse to let myself believe that we are truly over because I know we aren’t. I refuse to let anyone else hurt you the way Santana, Quinn and I have. And I refuse to let you go and give you up. Because Rachel you and I both know we belong together. I am willing to be friends first. Earn your trust and forgiveness first because god knows you deserve that and more.

Love you always

Your Brittany

Rachel bites her lip to keep the tears that have brimmed at bay, once they are controlled her smile widens and she breaths out. She folds the note up and places it in her jean pockets before picking up the flower, she strokes each petal before smelling it. She places it next to her note book and looks up. The whole class, including the teacher, had been watching her and could see the sparkle in her eyes and the glow she had as she smiled. Quinn’s eyes lit on fire when she saw Rachel’s face and let out a quiet growl that no one could hear. She gripped the desk to keep herself in control, but seeing that glow and smile on HER diva and the sparkle in those brown eyes that she hadn’t put there almost killed her.

Rachel left her lesson quickly and as she ran past Brittany’s locker she posted her note and ran to meet her small group for recess.

Brittany walked to her locker, she could hear gossiping about Rachel’s flower and note in class and smiled to herself. As she approached her locker she saw Quinn and Santana having a heated discussion about something. She sighed and shook her head, she watched them and lip read most of the conversation until they left.

‘Santana I was there I saw her bite her lip when she got the flower, I watched as she took a breath in before she read the note, I saw her bite her lip to keep herself from crying before breaking out into the smile that she had for us, whoever this person is, they are making her happy, we need to do something, we need her back otherwise we are going to lose our chance’

‘Do you think I don’t know that Quinn I saw her this morning that smile. It hurt that I wasn’t the person to put it on her face, we just do our plan tomorrow and hopefully we will start to fix things, she can’t have lost her feelings for us yet.’

Quinn sighs ‘Whatever Santana all I’m saying is that we need to move quickly otherwise we are going to lose her more than we already have.’ Before Santana could say anything else Quinn left. Santana brushed her hand through her hand and left in the opposite direction.

Brittany sighed, well at least they have a plan, is all she could think before turning to her locker. She opened it and a note fell out. She smiled and picked it up, quickly opening it and starting to read.

Brittany

You always knew me so well; I am perfectly fine although I did enjoy a good read, thank you so much for the beautiful flowers, they are so amazing, I miss you to Brittany and hopefully it will get better soon. Right now though we just have to carry on, I’m looking forward to seeing you in glee Britt, I’m still wearing the beautiful bracelet and necklace I love them.

I remember playing monopoly, Quinn had managed to get some of the places Santana wanted and she had gotten angry, they had both left and all I had wanted to do was hug you so I did. We moved to the sofa and started to watch Scooby doo because it is one of your favourite cartoons. I remember you snuggled up next to me and I lay against you. They came back with both of our favourite ice cream and said sorry, Santana tried to get a cuddle off you and Quinn tried to get one off of me, but you were stubborn and wouldn’t let go of me, I was happy because I didn’t want you to let go of me I always felt safe and secure in your arms Britt especially after one of those moments. And when you didn’t let go of me I felt so loved, we fell asleep like that in the end and Santana and Quinn snuggled up to each other in the end as well. You know Britt I think your right we are going to be friends soon. We just need to get past this.

Rachel*

Brittany smiled at the note remembering that night once more, yeah it may not have been perfect but to her cuddling Rachel was one of the best things you could ever do. It made her happy to know Rachel was still wearing her gifts, she was still wearing her bracelet and her clip was on her bag strap. She couldn’t stop the joy that the last piece of the note had brought and she had to stop herself from bouncing up and down. The bell rang and she practically skipped to class.

Rachel had watched from down the hall as Brittany got her note. She smiled at the joy her not had caused before walking off to class. When she got there however she was surprised to see yet again on her desk was another flower with a note underneath. The rest of her class were watching again as she approached her desk. Normally in this class she would sit with Tina on her right and Mercedes on her left, they obviously hadn’t turned up yet. She sat down and looked at the flower; it was a light blue with a yellow middle. Taking a breath and reaching for the note. She looked around again to make sure no one else was reading it with her.

Rachel

The flower on the table even though it’s simple is called forget-me-not. The meaning is, remember me forever. You may be thinking at this time that you wouldn’t be able to forget me anyway. But I’m going to make myself unforgettable and you will see why soon. Although it isn’t just me that is to be remembered it is you as well, trust me Rachel when I say I could never possibly forget you ever, I love you Rachel, I will see you in glee later.

Love you always

Your Brittany

Rachel smiled a tear dripping from her eye, she tucked her note in her pocket with the one from earlier, she had forgotten to put it in her box.

‘Who’s the flower from?’

‘Holy shit’ Rachel exclaimed as she jumped she looked up to see Mercedes and Tina looking at her the both raised an eyebrow, they took their seats and looked at her, she couldn’t keep the smile from spreading across.

‘Oh my god you have an admirer and you didn’t tell us’ Tina says lightly hitting Rachel on her arm. The girl laughed.

‘So was there a note?’ Mercedes asked

‘Oh hell yes there was a note look’ Tina said pointing to the tear drop on Rachel’s cheek. Rachel wiped the tear unfazed.

‘Okay girl spill what did it say?’ Mercedes asked leaning in closer the whole class seemed to shift forward, even the teacher, Tina leant in as well. Rachel bit her lip and swallowed.

‘I’m not allowed to tell you sorry’ Rachel said with and apologetic look. Most of the class deflates.

‘what girl we are your best friends you have to tell us, come on just a little bit of information, is it Finn?’ Mercedes says.

‘What? Ew no it was not Finn’ Rachel says

‘Come on Rach you have to tell us something please we won’t tell anyone else you know that’ Rachel looked at her two best friends she knew she could trust them with her life if she needed to. She took a breath and let it out. She leant on the table and the shifted closer to hear her.

‘It’s not a boy.’ Is all she says before the bell rings and she runs from the room. Tina and Mercedes look at each other before getting up and running after the little Diva.

Brittany sees Rachel running from her classroom and down the hall and as the Diva runs past her she hears a ‘Hey Britt’ shouted her way before the diva’s gone. Just after seeing the diva, she sees Mercedes and Tina come running out of the same classroom and run after the Brunette, both shouting a ‘hey’ as the ran past. Brittany laughed at the scene before going on her way to class.

Rachel managed to out run the other two and dived into her class panting. She looked up to see everyone staring at her, she raised an eyebrow at them and the all turned to look at her desk. There lay another flower, she smiled making her way towards it, she sat down lying her other flower next to her new one and sliding the not from underneath she opened it.

Rachel

Lay on your table is a Hibiscus flower it was hard to find I can tell you that much, It’s pink your favourite colour, I thought it was perfect, the meaning is delicate beauty. You are definitely a beauty Rach, I always thought you were beautiful not just on the outside but on the inside as well. Don’t let anyone ever tell you different because you are so, so beautiful. You can also be delicate, hurt easy emotionally and physically I know and that is why I always used to be so careful around you, when we made love, I was never rough with you I was gentle and that is because I wanted to make you feel the best you have ever felt, do you remember that day it snowed and Santana and Quinn wanted to have a snow ball fight. I made myself your protector so when a snow ball was thrown your way I would do everything to get it away from you. The onetime I pretended to slip over and took the hit for you. It was so funny because Santana, Quinn and I all went in soaked and had snow all over us, you came in smiling and not a that much snow on you, well i couldn’t get all of them. I loved that day we were all so happy, it was amazing. You to me Rachel are a delicate beauty and I will do everything to protect you.

Love you always

Your Brittany.

Rachel smiled remembering that day, she had always wondered why she hadn’t gotten that much snow on her. Thinking back she also realised just how gentle Brittany was when they love she smiled at the memories and relished them, because those had been the perfect moments. Rachel concentrated for the rest of the lesson after everyone had finished watching her, after that lesson was lunch and then last period was glee and Rachel could not wait.

Rachel walked passed to Brittany’s locker and posted the note she had written for her, before walking off to put her flowers in the water, with rose, in her locker. She met up with her little group and sat down munching on a bit of carrot. Tina and Mercedes came up either side of her and sat down. Rachel sighed and looked at them getting ready for questions.

Brittany made her way to her locker still smiling, more people were talking about Rachel’s flowers. Some were even mentioning Rachel’s reaction to the notes and from what she could pick up on they were good reactions. Brittany carried on walking and got to her locker. She readied her hand at the bottom just in case and opened it. A note dropped straight into her hand and she smiled. Bouncing a little she opened it and read quickly.

Brittany

I am not the only delicate beauty in this school, because you my dear are definitely beautiful, you always have been and always will be, whenever I saw you I couldn’t stop my eyes from wandering and following you until you disappeared, I found myself lucky enough to have you as well. You know I remember thinking why hadn’t I got as much snow as you guys had gotten. Now I know and thank you, I thought back to our love making and realised that indeed you were gentle with me, and you did make me feel the best I ever had Brittany and that means so much to me. Brittany you are amazing, beautiful, fun, caring and spirited I don’t ever want you to change Britt never. You are perfect just the way you are.

Rachel*

Brittany smiled at her note and bounced a little not able to keep it in this time. She placed her note in her locker with the others and made her way to lunch. Rachel looked from Tina to Mercedes and just waited for them to speak. Mercedes turned her head towards her and spoke first.

‘So if it’s not a boy that means it’s a girl right?’

‘No Mercedes it’s a rabbit, of course it means it’s a girl’ Rachel says rolling her eyes at them, Tina and Mercedes exchange a look.

‘Right and your okay with that?’

‘was it lost on you two that I was raised by two gay men, who happen to be my dad’s, I’m perfectly fine and open minded about this stuff.’ Tina and Mercedes nodded and smiled.

‘So do you know who it is that’s able to place such a smile on your face’

‘Nope secret admirer the only way I know it’s a girl is because they told me so in a note’ Rachel said looking at both of them.

‘Can we read the notes?’

‘Um no I would prefer you didn’t’ It wasn’t because it was Brittany who had wrote them, It was because they were so special and personal to her and Brittany she didn’t want anyone else to read them.

‘Okay then’ Mercedes and Tina said at the same time, the conversation changed into talking about the movies, the planned to go and see one on Sunday, Rachel bit her lip thinking that maybe she could invite Britt along.

Rachel walked to her locker after lunch to get everything she would need to take home, she opened her locker to see another flower added to her vase and another note leant against it. Rachel reached out and took the note. She opened it and started reading.

Rachel

The new flower in you vase is a simple sunflower but something so simple can always be the best, its yellow like the sun of course but also like the shining stars. The meaning of a sunflower is adoration, and I do adore you, and rightly so you amazing, talented, beautiful, fun and caring. Your worth everything and more, I adore you for your bravery, your courage, you leadership and most of all, I adore you because you managed to get me to fall in love with you within an hour, your amazing Rachel your perfect and never think you any less. Now get your ass to glee because I know you hate to be late.

Love you always

Your Brittany

Rachel laughed at the last bit but that still didn’t stop the couple of tears that spilled over onto her cheeks. She tucked her notes into her box and grabbed the vase of flowers to take with her to glee so that she could head home from there. She checked the time and started to walk to the choir once in there room went silent and looked at her and then her flowers.

‘So it is true, and you didn’t tell me?’ Kurt say but was smiling.

‘Who’s trying to get into my fellow hot Jew’s pants?’ came from in which he got an eye roll in response.

Rachel caught Brittany’s eye and smiled shyly at her, before sitting down next to Mercedes and Tina who both started looking at the flowers. Rachel smiled widely at them as they started talking. Mr Schue came in excitedly; he clapped his hands for attention.

‘okay guys today we are going t-‘

‘Mr Schue’ Brittany interrupts him.

‘huh? Uh yes Brittany?’ he says slightly surprised.

‘I have a song I really want to sing.’ Brittany says smiling.

‘really well come on up the floor is yours’ Mr Schue says smiling happily, Brittany gets up and walks to the middle.

‘There’s some swearing but it gets across what I want to say, kay I’m ready’ And with that the music starts and Brittany starts to sing.

Made a wrong turn, once or twice.
Dug my way out, blood and fire.
Bad decisions, that's alright.
Welcome to my silly life.
Mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood.
Miss 'No way, it's all good', it didn't slow me down.
Mistaken, always second guessing, underestimated.
Look, I'm still around.

Brittany looks at Rachel their eyes locking as she sang the next bit and understanding flooded Rachel that this song was for her, Rachel swallowed and gripped the edge of the seat so that she could keep control.

Pretty, pretty please, don't you ever, ever feel
Like you're less than fuckin' perfect.
Pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel like you're nothing,                                                            You're fuckin' perfect to me

You're so mean when you talk about yourself; you were wrong.
Change the voices in your head; make them like you instead.
So complicated, look happy, you'll make it
Filled with so much hatred, such a tired game.
It's enough; I've done all I can think of.
Chased down all my demons, I've seen you do the same.

Rachel watched as Brittany put everything into the song all her emotions, Rachel knew the song was for her so she didn’t need Brittany to make it obvious, so she didn’t she kept singing, her eyes closed as she sand the next bit.

Woah ohh, pretty, pretty please, don't you ever, ever feel
Like you're less than fuckin' perfect.
Pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel like you're nothing,
You're fuckin' perfect to me.

Everyone watches wide eyed as Brittany sings even Santana and Quinn can’t believe what they are seeing, it amazes them. They now know that they need to give Brittany more credit because she is very talented.

The whole world's scared so I swallow the fear.
The only thing I should be drinking is an ice cold beer.
So cool in line, and we try try try, but we try too hard and it's a waste of my time.
Done looking for the critics, cause they're everywhere.
They dont like my jeans; they don't get my hair.
Exchange ourselves, and we do it all the time.
Why do we do that? Why do I do that?

Why do I do that?

Yeah, oh, oh baby, pretty baby
Pretty, pretty please, don't you ever, ever feel
Like you're less than fuckin' perfect.
Pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothing, you are fuckin' perfect to me, yeahhh.
You're perfect, you're perfect
Ohh pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothin' you're fuckin' perfect to me.

Brittany finishes and smiles at everyone her eyes going to Rachel for a few brief seconds and catches her wipe a tear away, Brittany knows then she got through what she wanted. Everyone sits there in stunned silence until they all start to cheer and applaud the whole choir room erupts. Brittany smiles at everyone. Mr Schue stands up.

‘That was amazing Brittany, well done, okay guys how about we take today’s practice off and I’ll see you guys tomorrow’

Everyone cheers and leaves except for Rachel and Brittany. Rachel is taking her time to pack up. Brittany stands biting her lip because she wants to see what Rachel thought of the song. Rachel turns to see Brittany. She smiles and walks forward.

‘So what did you think?’ Brittany asks nervously.

‘It was perfect Britt’ Rachel giggles and looks up at her ‘Britt I’ve been thinking a lot lately and I’ve decided something...’ Rachel trails off.

Brittany bounces from toe to toe nervously ‘yes?’ she prompts for Rachel to carry on.

‘I would like to be Friends again, I forgive you Britt’

Brittany squeals and takes Rachel into a hug. ‘Really?’ she asks

‘Definitely’ Rachel says hugging back ‘would you like to come over and watch a film?’

‘Of course I would’ Brittany says and they leave to go to Rachel’s house.

Monday morning Brittney got up early making sure she had everything for her day and for Rachel before leaving her house with a quick goodbye to her mom. She set everything up before heading to her cheerio’s practice where she met up with Santana and Quinn.

‘Hey B did you have fun with your mom yesterday?’ Santana asked after giving Brittney a hug

‘huh?’ Brittney said confused

‘you know you went shopping with your mom yesterday’ Quinn smiling at Brittney as she gave her a hug finding the tall blonde adorable when she was confused.

‘Oh yeah it was good, we got some food and then went clothes shopping and I got a new collar for Charity’ Brittney says understanding and quickly coming up with something.

Santana and Quinn smile at her and they walk towards the fields, there wasn’t any sign that they missed Rachel at all and it confused Brittney.

‘Don’t you two miss Rach?’ Brittney missed the two girls flinch and their smiles falter at the name and waited for answer.

‘Where did that come from B-B?’ Quinn asked trying to avoid answering her eyes locking with Santana for a few seconds before looking straight ahead.

‘Well I know I’m sad and missing Rachel but you two aren’t acting sad or like you miss her did you love her at all or was she correct in saying it was a lie?’ Brittney said mostly thinking out loud for the second part.

Santana and Quinn stopped at the question and looked at Brittney both hurt by the lack of trust and that she didn’t believe them when they had said that they loved The Diva. Brittney stopped as well turning to face them and looking at them expectantly.

‘Britt of course I miss Rachel’ Santana said stepping forward.

‘me to Britt we may not show it but we do miss her and we definitely love her why did you says that’

Brittney shrugged ‘because your acting like it doesn’t matter you still care more about your reputations then getting her back, and if you did love her then that isn’t what you would be doing, you would have started scheming on ways to get her back by now, but neither of you have, it just got me thinking that maybe what Rachel sang about you saying you loved her but you were lying was true. Maybe you never actually loved her, whereas I did and I miss her so much, Friday night I would normally have held Rachel instead my arms and heart felt empty as I watched you two.’ And with that said Brittney turned on her heal and headed towards her practice, leaving behind two shocked and upset Cheerios.

Santana and Quinn were quiet for the rest of their practice as their thoughts raced around their heads. They could see Brittney was right about them and what she was saying, the way they are acting doesn’t show that they miss Rachel but they were trying to make it better for Brittney. They didn’t want show how hurt they were and how much they truly missed Rachel and maybe that hadn’t been a good idea, maybe carrying on like nothing had happened hadn’t been for the best, maybe it had given off a completely wrong message, now it was up to them to do something about it but they just didn’t know how.

Meanwhile Rachel was just coming into the school car park, she parked up and made her way to the school building she took a sneak peek at the Cheerio’s practice that was going on, on the field that you could see from the car park and smiled when she saw Brittney showing off her talent. Rachel made her locker, when she got to it however she stopped mouth agape.

In the middle of her locker was a gold star hanging by ribbon that was trapped either side at the top of the locker. On the star was a piece of folded paper which Rachel pulled off and opened.

Rachel

I’ll be at practice now so I hope you don’t mind but I sort of broke into you locker and put your gifts in there, I hope you like them.

Rachel I just wanted to say that I miss you, that Friday without cuddling you was terrible, I love you so much and I am sorry I didn’t show it to you when we were together and I’m sorry I didn’t stick up for you with Santana and Quinn. But I hope you understand I didn’t mean to ignore it, if I had noticed it sooner then maybe I could of prevented it, I’m going to do my best to fix it though.

I hope we can be friends again soon I miss our hugs.

Love you always

Your Brit-Brit

Rachel had to force herself not to cry whilst reading that, she hated the fact that Brittney was blaming herself, thinking that if she had stuck up for Rachel more she could of stopped it. Rachel didn’t want Brittney to think it was her fault not ever. Rachel folded her note up placing it in her inside jacket pocket with the rest of her notes. Then she put her locker combination in and opened it. Inside she was met with a rose in a cup of water, a jewellery box and a DVD. Rachel picked up the DVD and noticed it was one of the only musicals she hadn’t got, Rent, even though people thought Rachel was a Broadway freak and had every musical in her DVD collection, she didn’t really have very many. She would save up for an odd musical here or there. She had been wanting to get Rent for a while, which Brittney obviously found out about. Rachel smiled then she picked up the jewellery box, she looked at the lid, onit was a glittering star with music notes surrounding it and a microphone. Rachel lifted the lid and instead of a ballerina she was met with a singer holding a gold microphone to her lips spinning round. In one of the compartments was a note.

Rachel

We all know you love singing, and I love listening to you, you have a voice of an angel and it will take you far, you will be on Broadway and the public will love you and soon you will be the role model to girls when they are our age like Barbra Streisand to you.

I cannot wait to see you on stage on your first night in a Broadway show belting your heart out, I will be there cheering you on that’s a promise. Rachel things will get better from now on I’ll make sure of it myself, and hopefully along the way Quinn’s and Santana’s heads will come out from there asses.

Look underneath in the secret compartment there’s one more surprise for you, when you get it put it on for me straight away. I want to see how it looks on you.

Love you always

Your Brittney

Rachel couldn’t contain the laugh that came from the Quinn and Santana comment. She kept the beaming smile in place as she lifted up the top level up, and there in the hidden compartment lay a gold necklace with a small gold star hanging from it. Rachel picked it up as if it was the most fragile thing in the world, she unhooked it putting it around her neck and clicking it together stroking it to make sure the star was in the correct position. Rachel got her note book and scribbled out a note. She closed her locker, after putting the gold star that had been hanging on the front of it in it. And made her way to the choir room for her early morning practice, on the way she posted the note in Brittney’s locker.

Rachel got to the choir room and had fifteen minutes left to practice and so she practiced as hard as she could. Even though her thoughts kept going back to all the amazing things Brittney is doing for her at the moment.

Brittney was happy when practice was over and quickly got showered and changed into a clean uniform before making her way to her locker. She opened it and was surprised when a note fell out. She picked it up and opened it.

Brittney

I want to thank you for all the amazing things that you are doing and have given me they are amazing. I know it’s hard at the moment and missed you on Friday to, but it will get better. Brittney it was never your fault and I don’t want you thinking that you have to promise me because you were the one that showed you love me the most. Maybe if things had been different then yes this might not have happened, but it didn’t happen and you can’t change the past you can only learn from it for the future.

I miss you so much Britt and I really so hope that we can be friends but I still need some time with everything that happened with Quinn and Santana. Thank you for the necklace Britt it’s beautiful and I love it.

Rachel *

Brittney smiled at her letter and made a silent promise to Rachel not to blame herself her thoughts were interrupted though by a very familiar voice.

‘Who’s the letter from B?’

Brittney rushed to fold the letter and shove it in her locker before Santana could read any of it.

‘nobody... did you know that jellyfish aren’t actually made of jelly? I was quite disappointed when I found that out’ Brittney said trying to get the subject away from her note.

Santana looked at her suspiciously but smiled in the end anyway and shook her head ‘no B I didn’t know I would be quite disappointed to’ she closes Brittney’s locker and links their pinkies walking their way to class. Rachel happens to be in their first class and walks in not long after they get there. Brittney looks at her as she walks in Rachel seeing this strokes her necklace to show Brittney it’s and she beams at Rachel who grins back, it doesn’t last too long though because Rachel looks to Santana who wasn’t paying any attention to them, Rachel sighs and takes her seat.

Between 2^nd and 3^rd Rachel stops off at her locker and receives yet another not from Brittney.

Rachel

That necklace looks amazing on you like I knew it would I’m glad that you like it and I promise not to blame myself.

I hope to be friends soon, have a nice day.

Love you always

Your Brittney

Rachel smiles at the short note and adds it to her others, happy that at least Brittney took a little time and effort to respond to her letter and compliment her. They didn’t see each other for the rest of the day but Rachel did start to feel two sets of familiar eyes on her as the day drew to a close.

Brittney got up the next day at ten she got showered and dressed she left a note for her girlfriends saying that she had to leave early to go shopping with her mom, and that she would talk to them later. She then got into her car. She pulled over at a shop and got some things she knew she would need from it, then got back in her car and started to drive again. She pulled over when she reached Rachel’s house and grabbed the bag from the shop and left the car. She bent down placing the items on the mat and wrote out a note. She then rang the bell and ran back to her car across the street and waited.

Rachel opened the door and looked out no one was there she was about to close it again when she caught sight of what was on her door mat, she bent down and picked everything up and took them inside closing the door behind her.

Brittney had watched her biting her lip anxiously and then smiled when she saw Rachel take everything inside and close the door. Brittney drove off and started to get everything ready for the next stage in her plan.

Rachel walked into her kitchen and placed everything on the counter, she looked at everything, it had her favourite sweets, chocolate, drink, flowers and on top she saw a note with her name on it. Rachel picked up the note unfolding it to read it and sat down on the stall next to her.

Rachel.

I know your mad at us right now for the way we treated you and I understand, and we do deserve it, we are all hurting at the moment, hopefully it will get better though and maybe someday you’ll be able to forgive us all and we could get back to where we were.

But in the meantime this is the start of my apology to you, I love you Rae I do, and I hope that maybe you can forgive me but until then I will work for your forgiveness and take some of your pain away.

Love you always

Your Brit-Brit

Xoxo

As Rachel read it tears started to fall dripping on to the paper and she read the note another seven timed before folding it up and placing it in her jeans pocket, she looked at everything Brittney had brought her and couldn’t help smiling a little, even with the small ache in her chest.

Rachel gathered the Lilies up and put them in a vase taking them up to her room and placing them on her desk so she could see them, then she went back downstairs pouring herself a drink of the pop and taking the sweets and chocolate up stairs with her.

She signed into facebook whilst she ate a bit of chocolate, she pulled up Brittney’s profile she noticed that the blonde girl wasn’t online so she clicked on send a message. She quickly typed out a message to Brittney before turning off her laptop and sitting down in bed and watching a movie.

Brittney got home from shopping, she had been out all day getting everything she needed for her plan to at least get Rachel back as a friend.

She put everything away safely not want anything to get ruined and sat down at her computer she logged on and opened her facebook. She noticed a new messaged and clicked on it leaning back and closing her eyes while it loaded. She opened her eyes a minute later and seeing the message was sent from Rachel leaned forward in her seat straight away and scrolled down to read it.

Brittney

I want to thank you for the beautiful flowers not many people know lilies are my favourite. The chocolate, sweets and pop are lovely to, so thank you. I hope we can at least be friends someday Britt I do but it’s just going to take some time.

 Rachel *

Brittney smiled at the thanks and seeing the star at the end of Rachel’s name she leant back in her chair. Thinking to herself Don’t worry Rachel I’m only just getting started. She signed of her computer and started to make preparations for the next stage.

The next day Rachel woke up making her way downstairs she noticed that something had been post threw her letter box, she took the letter that was addressed to her and opened it reading it there.

Rachel

I didn’t want to disturb you when your asleep so I posted this letter to know you present is outside, I hope you like it.

I’m sorry for everything that you have been put through and that I didn’t help when you needed me most but I’m going to be there now and nothing is going to get in my way.

Love you always

Your Brit-Brit

Rachel again read the note and started to tear up, she still managed a small smile anyway, no one had gone to so much effort for her. It made her feel so special the way she had always wanted to feel with The Girls.

Rachel opens the door and this time sees a big cardboard box outside she picked it up expecting it to be heavy but instead found it quite light. She took it straight through to the kitchen and placed it on her table, she walked over and got a pair of scissors from a draw. She went back over to her package and opened it carefully, she had to move out of the way quickly as a gold star balloon came bursting out. Rachel grinned to herself and pulled the balloon out of the box only then noticing other things inside. One was a cute gold star teddy with a smiley face on it, next to that was a mug with a gold star on it and printed in the middle was her name, However underneath both of them was a gold star cushion. Rachel couldn’t stop the full on beaming smile as she pulled out her presents one by one. At the bottom of the box was another note.

Rachel

I know gold stars are your thing, and one day you will be the star that shines the brightest not just for me but for the world, I hope you like gifts, I only have on condition though, the cushion goes on your bed and you sleep with it, the teddy goes next to Bernard your dog, the balloon goes your room next to you flowers and the mug I want you to use it Rachel don’t just leave it to gather dust have your morning coffee in it.

This is only the start so you better get ready for the rest because it’s not going to stop until we are at least friends again.

Love you always

Your Brit-Brit

Rachel laughed at Brittney’s commands and how well she knew her, when it came to the mug, Rachel wouldn’t have wanted to take it out of the packaging, but instead she went to the coffee machine and poured herself a fresh hot cup, she took her first sip from her mug and smiled to herself. Rachel then did the rest of Brittney’s requests, placing the balloon next to her desk and flowers, her teddy, now known as Sarah the star, was next to Bernard the dog and she placed her cushion right in the middle of her two pillows on her bed. Rachel took a look at her room and couldn’t help but giggle at all the stars in it now. She finished her drink and carried on with her day.

Brittney was sat at home wandering just how well her gifts had gone down with Rachel, everyone knew Rachel had a thing for stars. However the only thing that Brittney had seen of Rachel’s was that cup her mom had given to her the day she walked away again, and well Rachel’s to scared to use it do it says in the cupboard gathering dust. She smiles to herself sure that Rachel would be friends with her by the end of this week if not more and she couldn’t wait to put the rest of her plan into action.

Santana, Quinn and Brittney all sat on the bed in Quinn’s room it felt strange kind of empty without the diva they love in it. There was a sigh from one of them in the room and then Brittney slumped onto her back and looked up to the ceiling trying to keep her tears in check. They remember back to the past few days events:

The day after the performance on the field they couldn’t get anywhere near the diva, she avoided them at all costs, in her frees she would normally go to the auditorium to practice, however when Brittney went to see if she was there it turned out to be empty. The next port of call is the choir room but that was empty to and then they realised they really didn’t know where else to look but the library which held no sign of the petite brunette.

When glee had arrived Rachel was surrounded by Tina, Mercedes, Artie and Mike and it would look to odd if they just went and talked to her, yes they still cared about the way they look to others, so they sat down in the back row all secretly glancing at Rachel without anyone noticing. Mr Schue had come in all excited yapping on about solos but when he asked Rachel if she wanted to sing she shook her head and pushed Mercedes to sing instead, that got surprised, concerned and confused looks but no one said a word, Rachel just sat there in glee sometimes adding bits into a conversation, but never actually laughing or smiling, but the one thing that got everyone worried, especially the girls, was the fact that she didn’t sing.

The next day wasn’t really any better, Rachel walked in, in one her new outfits, Brittney saw the opportunity to talk to her and started walking towards Rachel when the other girl turned and started speaking to Mercedes and Tina, Brittney sighed taking the hint she bowed her head and walked away from them looking for her two girlfriends. The day carried on hardly anything left the diva’s mouth unless she was talking in her little group of friends from glee which consisted of Tina, Mercedes, Mike, Artie and sometimes Lauren, Puck and Finn. The only time she laughed and smiled was when she was with that group of people. When it was time for a lesson that had all four of them in Rachel would make a point to come in early with Puck who was also in the class sit by him and leave quickly with him as not to be pulled away or caught by the other three.

On Thursday however The Trio managed to finally corner Rachel in the choir room, and well that didn’t go well either.

‘Look Rachel I’m sorry for the way i treated you i should never have said those things to you especially in your home i was meant to protect you from that crap but i was the cause of it and I’m sorry please i do love you, you mean so much to all of us please come back to us’

‘look Santana thanks for apologising I’m glad you were able to do it, but you hurt me way too much, you were meant to love me and yet you would take your anger out on me if a day didn’t go your way, that isn’t love not to me, you still care so much about your god damn reputation you can’t put anyone first you claim to love me but you never did anything to show it really. I can’t be in that sort of relationship anymore its causing too much hurt and harm to me, so again thank you for apologising but I’m not coming back’ the Diva’s voice cracked a few times during in that speech and they could see the pain written in her eyes and it was causing all of their hearts to hurt then Rachel side stepped and walked away leaving them all behind.

Its Friday now and after that encounter the Diva worked even harder to avoid them. Brittney carried on staring at ceiling normally on Friday nights she would be able to hold Rachel and now her arms feel empty and useless as the girl she loves is nowhere around. She stayed there thinking about Rachel as the others tried to distract themselves.

Rachel lay on her bed staring at ceiling thinking of her three girls, she was in an empty house all on her own for the next five and half months. Rachel sighed running her hand through her hair she thought back to the past few days.

After her performance Rachel walked through the halls of Mckinely and to her locker, she was thankful that Tina and Mercedes had seen the pain and come to hug her but the arms felt wrong it felt like it should of been someone else hugging her not them, she needed to get away she didn’t want to be pitied she just wanted to be loved, really loved and not a hurtful relationship, she meant everything she sang they hurt her but she still loves them and will do anything for them that’s why she has made the decision to stay away from them until she is sure she can handle it.

She gets home to an empty house, she doesn’t have her dad’s to comfort her they are hardly around anymore, she doesn’t have a mom to go to, she walked away from her twice causing her more pain, and she doesn’t have her girlfriends to distract her from the pain she’s feeling, she walks through her house and starts to do jobs to distract herself, she cleans all of downstairs and then goes to her room taking down all the pictures and anything else that would remind her of The Cheerio’s and her parents and puts them in a box under her bed, she opens her wardrobe she looks at her clothes and pulls her phone out selecting the number she needs she calls out.

‘hello?’

‘Hey Mercedes its Rachel, get Kurt and Tina, it’s time for a makeover’

She smiles as she hears Mercedes squeal and go on a tangent with her ideas about Rachel’s clothing, three hours later Rachel comes home again with hands full of bags Kurt, Mercedes and Tina following her with bags in hands aswell, she goes up to her room and throws out all her sweaters and skirts replacing them with her new clothes. She hears Kurt and Mercedes talking happily. Tina and Rachel are happy in silence listening to them as the put the clothes away. They end up having an impromptu movie marathon, Rachel’s happy that she has the distraction and a full house again.

The next day she walks into school in one of her new outfits the first thing she notices are people smiling at her or staring at her with envy, Karofsky walks past her with a cherry slushy and it doesn’t get throw and no one calls her any names or knocks her down, to say she’s surprised is an understatement, at first she thinks maybe Quinn, Santana and Brittney are behind it and she can’t help the rise of hope that comes in to her chest, but then a group of Cheerio’s come up to her and say. ‘yesterday was awesome I love your new outfit definitely a good change what you did yesterday has given you more respect no one will touch you’

After that is said her hope fades she shakes her head at herself smiles at the Cheerio’s and walks away thinking, yeah of course they’re still going to hang onto their reputation it always meant more than me to them anyway, she reached her locker and was joined by not only Tina and Mercedes but Mike, Artie, Finn, Puck and Lauren. She smiles at them all and they all start to talk about anything and everything she is able to laugh with her group she doesn’t feel so lonely or broken with them. They all split off to their lessons luckily most of her lessons do have one two of her friends in them so she just sits with them when it comes to it. Rachel doesn’t speak much in lesson only interacting when she’s asked or with the friend that’s with her. She makes sure to avoid The Trio even avoiding the places she would normally go to get away from everything just incase they turn up and corner her, now she spends her time in the cafeteria with the glee group.

In glee she doesn’t feel like singing so she pushes Mercedes to sing instead, she knows if she stood up there in front of everyone and even locked eyes with one of The Trio she would breakdown, she can’t even say their names anymore in her head let alone out loud and she winces when someone says something to her about them but it goes missed, she can feel their eyes on her though with added concerned eyes of her friends but she just smiles and ignores them every now and then talking to Tina who’s next to her. Again she leaves to go to her empty home, she can’t keep the pain away this time though and she ends up collapsing into sobs in her shower. She manages to move to her bed but everything she does is like a zombie she doesn’t even bother to eat she’s not hungry.

The next she gets up washed and dressed on auto pilot ad leaves her house again not eating anything again, she walks into the halls and starts to head to her locker, she notices Brittney watching her and then walking towards her, Rachel panics internally knowing she still isn’t ready to talk to one of her ex girlfriends so she turns and goes to Mercedes and Tina, she sees Brittney sigh and bow her head and walk off after seeing the hurt shine in her ocean blue eyes, it almost kills Rachel who wants to run after her take her into her arms and comfort her, but she knows she can’t.

After that little episode in the hall nothing could stop the pain in the Diva for too long so she talked less not really feeling like doing much again the only people to get a smile and a laugh out of her were her group of friends, Rachel started to panic when the lunch bell went and she realised she had a lesson with all three of the girls, luckily she had Puck with her so focused on him, talking to him, joking with him, and avoided any eye contact with The Trio.

It was Thursday when all her effort went down the drain, she realised she had left something in the choir room after the glee session and so she went back to get it, The Trio obviously going out on a limb to find her on her own walked in and came face to face with the girl they have missed so much, Rachel came to an abrupt halt when she looked up and her eyes found the three faces she’d been avoiding looking at her so hard and intently, a new fresh wave of pain and hurt swam over her body as she took in their faces and it took all her effort to not crumble right there and then. Brittney stepped forward hurt and pain evident in her eyes as well and Rachel has to lock her arms from opening them up to Brittney, Rachel looks away only to lock eyes with Quinn, she can see the girl trying to hide her emotions like she always does but with the amount of time they spent together Rachel could see through the cover and could see the hurt there to, Santana however was to good at hiding her emotions and had a mask on that wouldn’t let anything through. She stepped up though and opened her mouth to and started to speak, Rachel started to panic, oh no, no, no, no, I’m not strong enough for this please stop your making this so much harder. Rachel listens to Santana even with her struggling inside, and then with no clue where it came from Rachel opened her mouth and started saying how she was thankful for the apology but that she couldn’t get back with them because they caused her so much pain and she couldn’t take any more of it, it was causing her to much hurt, and then with the strength even she didn’t know she had left in her she walked away from them, of course ending up in the toilets that were the furthest away, she went in locking the door and broke down in the cubicle trying to get out all her pain. Everything crashing down on her at once.

It was getting harder her resolve was braking but she couldn’t just forgive them like she has the other times they don’t deserve it even if it is hurting her she would be in more pain then she is now if she let it carry on.

Rachel carried on lying on her bed thinking about everything that has happened but the one person that kept coming to mind was Brittney, Brittney would normally be holding her right now and she would feel safe and secure in her strong cream coloured arms, but now she felt broken vulnerable and anything but safe, Brittney didn’t deserve the pain that she was being put through she never did anything to Rachel like the other girls she was always so sweet and caring towards her, so maybe Brittney she could forgive more easily, maybe they could become friends but that would mean getting the other two girls hopes up and she couldn’t do that to them it wouldn’t be fair it would hurt them more, ‘UGH I’m so confused!’ Rachel says to herself.

Rachel walked through the crowded school corridor trying to find the people she needed. She was just about to give up when she saw them coming round the corner she ran towards them and shoved them into an empty classroom.

‘What the fuck?’

‘Ow door there, Rachel, what the hell?’

‘Puck, Finn I am so glad that i found you finally, look I need your help with something’

Puck and Finn looked at each other and then looked back to Rachel smiling, happy to be able to help.

‘sure Rach, what can we do for you?’

Then Rachel jumped into the explanation of what she wanted them to do, where and when. The lads got more and more excited about it they couldn’t believe that Rachel fucking Berry wanted to do this but they couldn’t wait.

They planned everything so that nothing could go wrong, Rachel smiled to herself as she walked to class.

Phase one – complete she thought to herself. Rachel walked in to English happily until she saw the face of one Quinn Fabray watching her, she had completely forgotten she shared this class with one of the three cheerio’s. Her smile faded, she would have normally sat infront of Quinn to try and be as close as possible without causing suspicion but today she turned and looked to Mercedes who had an empty seat next to her.

Quinn watched Rachel walk over to Mercedes, she concealed the hurt from everyone when she realised that Rachel wouldn’t be sitting near her. She had been confused since this morning from when Rachel had turned down all the advances she made, and then when they got to school the diva was nowhere in sight when the three girls had gone to search for her in her favourite hide outs, Quinn hadn’t missed the diva’s smile fade when she saw her either. Quinn made sure to watch Rachel when she could to see if anything else was different.

Rachel had walked over to Mercedes, she cleared her throat when she got there to get the girls attention, Rachel could feel Quinn’s eyes on her but ignored them, Mercedes looked over to her and Rachel saw her eyes widen when she saw the change in attire.

‘Hey Mercedes i was wondering if it would be possible for me to sit next to you this lesson?’

Mercedes smiled at her, they had formed a small friendship over the past few months, the other girl nodded.

‘of course you can Rachel.’ And with that Rachel took the seat and got ready for class. All through her class she kept her eyes away from Quinn she looked around the classroom as debates went on but never looked at her. Rachel could feel her phone vibrating in her pocket. It had been a routine in English for Rachel and Quinn to text each other whilst the teacher was talking but Rachel just ignored it and felt Quinn’s stare get even more heated each text she received and ignored.

‘okay class i would like you to pick partners and study and discuss the extract infront of you’

Rachel sighed as everyone split off into twos expecting to be left on her own she was surprised when Mercedes turned to her.

‘would you like to be my partner’ Rachel gave Mercedes a genuine smile not one that was forced or the famous Rachel Berry smile it was a genuine happy smile that she normally reserved for only the three cheerio’s.

‘yeah i would like that’ Rachel said, feeling a very heated glare on her face now, her phone vibrated again and she ignored it, she carried on working with Mercedes and soon they had finished they talked and joked while the rest of the class carried on working and Rachel found it nice to be able to joke and talk about things with Mercedes because when she was with Quinn, Santana and Brittney it was always about cheerio practices, evil Sue, glee or dancing or they were having sex (on the good days anyway).

Rachel like this talking to Mercedes and decided this was how she wanted to be with the rest of glee instead of bossing them around and being slightly obnoxious (okay a lot, but yes she knew what she was like). So Rachel decided to add this into her plan to: act more relaxed let people see who you really are instead of what you think you should be.

Quinn watched Rachel through the class sending her text after text and getting no reply, at the start she was worrying and then after her seventh message, she just started to get pissed off. Then when they chose partners and she saw Rachel giving Mercedes the smile that had only been shown to the three Cheerio’s it had been the last straw now she was definitely pissed and she knew Santana would be to once she told her. What is Rachel doing? Was all that went through Quinn’s head.

The rest of the lesson went by without much notice to both of them after that Rachel was too busy talking to Mercedes whilst Quinn glared at Rachel and carried on texting her getting more and more angry every text that was ignored.

When the bell rang for end of class Rachel walked out with Mercedes so that she wouldn’t get caught up with Quinn, she really didn’t want to talk, Mercedes turned round to Rachel while they were at her locker.

‘Rach, why was Quinn like glaring at you all the way through class?’

Rachel put on her best confused look ‘she was glaring at me? I didn’t really notice’ most likely because I was ignoring her. Is how she answered in her head though.

‘yeah it got worse throughout the lesson but she looked really pissed by the end of it’

Rachel shrugged ‘News flash, Quinn’s always pissed at me it’s nothing different from a normal day’ well that you know anyway. Rachel added in her head she sighed to herself. They carried on to Rachel’s locker to get her books continuing there discussion on best Broadway songs until they split ways for their lesson, Rachel had science which she shared with Puck, Tina and Santana, again she would normally sit a table or two away from the latter. However when she walked in today she looked to the table to middle row and the last one next to the window where Tina sat she walked over to Tina and smiled ‘Hey Tina would it be possible for me to sit here?’

Tina looked shocked for a minute before it faded into a smile and she nodded, Tina and Rachel never really spoke all that often, Rachel took the stool and again ignored the heated glare coming her way from the opposite side of the room.

Science went mostly like English did, she receives texts throughout this time from a very pissed off Latina, she counts about ten texts until they stop but the glare she feels on her face had definitely increased in fire. She sighed and settled into talking and joking with Tina, by the end of that lesson she could safely say Tina was her friend as well. 

The bell rang for lunch and she quickly got up from her desk leaving with Tina before anyone could pull her away, but she did notice the distinct feeling of two very angry glares burning holes in her back, she shrugged it off happy to continue her day like she hadn’t noticed a thing the only thing going through her head was: phase two- complete.

She sighed when she got to the cafeteria she didn’t know where she wanted to go because normally she would be in the choir room practicing, but she didn’t want to chance bumping in to the three Cheerio’s. She walked in through the double doors and looked around until she heard her name being shouted, she looked over to find Tina and Mercedes calling her over, she smiled her genuine smile as she went towards them. Rachel noticed she could feel a pair of eyes on her and looked around as she walked until her eyes landed on a tall blonde at the Cheerio’s table staring at her. Rachel cocked her head to the side to see if she could tell what Brittney was thinking, However Brittney was the hardest girl to get to grips on with that because she could be thinking anything from ‘i wonder what would happen if i hugged Rachel now’ to ‘what’s one plus four equal... oo ducks’ Rachel shook her head as she smiled at her little thought, that was definitely a down side to this, she was going to hurt Brittney.

Rachel sighed and took the empty seat at the table she had been called to, she was half way through her lunch when Puck came up to her smiling. ‘It’s sorted, you ready?’ Rachel’s smile widened when she heard that and nodded getting up. Puck whipped his phone out and sent a quick message before the two of them rushed off out the doors leaving behind a very, very confused Glee table. Then suddenly over the intercom they hear:

‘Could all of New Directions, The Cheerio’s and the Football Team please make their way to the football field, along with Mr Schue and Coach Beiste, thank you’

And that was it everyone that had been called upon stood up and walked out followed by some of the more curious and nosy people that felt like they needed to see what was happening. The mutterings that were going on about it were crazy there were rumours flying round such as:

‘i heard it was because The Cheerio’s and footy team planned to do a big slushie shower to the glee club’

‘Really i heard it was because they were gonna break in to Berry’s house and burn all her clothes’

‘seriously i heard it was because that Glee club were playing practical jokes on the team and they put a dead rat in someone’s locker’

Yeah those were the theories but they just kept getting crazier and crazier. Everyone reached the playing field and took seats in the stands waiting for it to get started, to say people were confused was definitely an understatement, because in the middle of the field was a piano, a drum kit and a guitar, and the fact that glee club were all in the stands with them meant that it wasn’t them. They all watched mutterings still going on.

When all of a sudden there was a loud bang, everyone one jumped, some people scream (the jocks) and others laughed at the screams after they had settled themselves.

Two people ran onto the field both in black trousers with t-shirts and a hoody on, the hood pulled up over their heads so no one could see their faces, they took places one at the drums, another at the guitar, however the piano stayed vacant. There was another bang.

The person on drums started off on a beat the guitar joining in soon after and then from somewhere unknown a person appeared they did a double back flip and then a roundoff to finish stood just in front of the set up the, person that had turned up had a tight pair of black trousers on with a t-shirt and hoody and a cap on the hood was pulled up over the cap so no one could see the person’s face. Some people cheered at the display, but most were too stunned and confused to do anything other than watch in silence. Someone heard Sue mutter ‘I need that person on my Cheerio’s.’

The person that had just turned up walked to the piano and readied themselves and then the music started and they started to play on the piano. Once the person’s voice came into the song aswell, New Directions knew exactly who that person was because they didn’t know anyone else who could sing like that.

Easy come, easy go
That's just how you live, oh
Take, take, take it all,
But you never give

‘It’s Rachel’ Mercedes whispers to Tina who looks to her and nods ‘I know, but who are the other two’

And then as if to answer the question ‘Hey guys have you seen Finn and Puck? they aren’t here’

Mercedes and Tina looked at each other something clicking ‘yeah they are right there’ they said at the same time pointing to the people infront of them. And then they all started to listen to the song without another word.

Should of known you was trouble from the first kiss,
Had your eyes wide open, Why were they open?
Gave you all I had
And you tossed it in the trash
You tossed it in the trash, you did

As if out of nowhere which is most likely (cause its Brad the god of piano) Brad came round to Rachel’s side and took over playing the piano as she stood up and moved infront of the little group she still had her hood up on, but she knew that the people that counted knew it was her.

Quinn was watching her mouth hanging open knowing this was about her, Santana and Brittney and she could tell by the others faces that they knew too.

To give me all your love is all I ever asked,
Cause what you don't understand is

The music picked up in beat and Rachel started dancing like no one had ever seen her dance and they were completely amazed as she started to spin and pop and lock her arms.

Santana watched and started to figure out what this was on about, she remembered snapping and being mean to Rachel in HER house, when she got angry and needed to get it out Rachel had been the verbal punching bag and had just stayed and stood for it, but now it was clear she had, had enough and been hurt to many times by it.

I’d catch a grenade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Throw my hand on a blade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
I’d jump in front of a train for ya (yeah, yeah , yeah)
You know I'd do anything for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Oh, oh

Rachel looked around the stands and found the girls she was singing this to quickly, she could see by their faces that they understood what she was saying or at least part of it anyway. She took her hood down and flung her cap off in one of her dance moves so people could see who it was singing. There were a few surprised gasps but everyone was still to amazed to really do anything.

Brittney was not the brightest crayon in the box and she did in fact know but when it came to reading people she was actually surprisingly good so when she saw Rachel pouring her heart out into the song she knew that Rachel meant it and she knew Rachel had been hurt way to many times and she hadn’t done anything about it, and it hurt her to think about it.

I would go through all this pain,
Take a bullet straight through my brain,
Yes, I would die for ya baby;
But you won't do the same

As she sang that bit she pulled her arms close to her chest as if she was in pain, then she straightened and put her hand like a gun to her head and pretended to shoot, she fell to the side crossing he legs over to catch herself and then spun out to straighten herself up and pointed out to what people thought was a random place, but it was actually to the three girls this song was for. Then she shook her hand on the last line her head shaking as well.

 

No, no, no, no
Black, black, black and blue beat me till I'm numb
Tell the devil I said “hey” when you get back to where you're from
Mad woman, bad woman,
That's just what you are, yeah,
You’ll smile in my face then rip the breaks out my car
Gave you all I had
And you tossed it in the trash
You tossed it in the trash, yes you did

To give me all your love is all I ever asked
Cause what you don't understand is
I’d catch a grenade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Throw my hand on a blade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
I’d jump in front of a train for ya (yeah, yeah , yeah)
You know I'd do anything for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Oh, oh

By now Rachel had danced her way closer to the stands but not too close to them. Every time she sang a line that had ‘I’d’ or ‘my’ in it she would point to herself before pointing out on ‘ya’. The boys we’re swaying in the background joining in happily enjoying the song. Not knowing the secret meaning behind it.

I would go through all this pain,
Take a bullet straight through my brain,
Yes, I would die for ya baby;
But you won't do the same

Rachel was singing her heart out, meaning every single word that left her lips, she looked up to the three girls who were causing her all this pain. She could see the tears in their eyes and Rachel knew that they definitely understood what she was telling them. Rachel shook her head and carried on singing, everyone watching her in awe, some of glee had moved down the stands to get closer. Rachel noticed that they were singing along, she pointed to them and motioned for them to join the other two behind her and so they all ran (wheeled) out to join them (except the three Cheerio’s that is). Rachel smiled at all of them as they past.

If my body was on fire, ooh
You’ d watch me burn down in flames
You said you loved me you're a liar
Cause you never, ever, ever did baby...

As she said that bit the three girls looked at her shocked, they couldn’t believe Rachel thought they were lying about loving her, but then all three looked back on everything they had done to Rachel, everything they had said to her and they realised how it looked from Rachel’s point of view. They all hurt from the realisation of what they had done to the girl that loved them and who they loved.

But darling I’ll still catch a grenade for ya
Throw my hand on a blade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
I’d jump in front of a train for ya (yeah, yeah , yeah)
You know I'd do anything for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Oh, oh

Rachel continued dancing and avoided Quinn’s, Santana’s and Brittney’s eyes not wanting to see the tears or the pain, as they realise what they have done to her, because it would be too much, she wouldn’t be able to fight, she’d run to them and say that it didn’t matter. When it did because it was killing her slowly inside and even though she loved them and they had all those good days it wasn’t worth it.

I would go through all this pain,
Take a bullet straight through my brain,
Yes, I would die for ya baby;
But you won't do the same.
No, you won’t do the same,
You wouldn’t do the same,
Ooh, you’ll never do the same,
No, no, no, no

As she sung the last bit she backed up, shaking her head and once she finished she pulled her hood up and turned her back to everyone, only facing New Directions, Everyone erupted into applause. However New Directions could see her face, and the pain that was there and Tina and Mercedes ran over to give her a comforting hug.

Quinn, Santana and Brittney sat there watching as the girl that they loved was hugged and comforted by her friends, they realised that even with all the hurt they had inflicted upon her, doing that had hurt her to and it made each of them hurt a little more inside.

Rachel hugged Tina and Mercedes, then pulled away walking across the field head low and leaving through the doors, not really wanting to be pitied at the moment so she left.

Rachel opens the door and lets her three girls walk in, they seem happy tonight and that’s the way Rachel wants it if it’s going to be one her last with them then she wants to make is a good one.

She does all of their favourite things so that they stay happy until tomorrow, She cook’s Quinn’s favourite meal which is pasta, bacon and chicken in a sauce with a salad, obviously Rachel just has the salad part with some pasta mixed in but no meat, Quinn’s thankful and happy.

Next is Brittney she made sure she did Brittney’s favourite desert (no not sex) which was a banana split with extra ice cream sat in front TV watching her favourite film which was The Tigger Movie. She was happy to and was bouncing about after getting her little treat.

Santana well her favourite thing is easy to give well because it was sex so after the film Rachel stood up without a word and grabbed Santana’s hand pulling her up the stairs to her room Brittney and Quinn followed. Rachel focused on Santana first making sure she reached her orgasm while the two blondes focused on each other, Rachel made sure that no one touched her, this was about them it was Rachel’s way of saying goodbye, next Rachel focused on both Quinn and Brittney getting them to come quickly. After she had pleasured all three girls she was happy, they realised that she hadn’t gotten any but she told them ‘don’t worry about it I am fine just sleep’ the girls all gave in after the 5^th time she had said that and fell asleep not knowing the reason was if Rachel gave into them she had doubts that she would be able to pull away and put her plan into action.

When Brittney called for her to cuddle like usual after sex she obeyed and snuggled in with her girls Santana wrapped an arm around her waist from the back and Brittney held her from the front Quinn lay behind her. 

In the morning Rachel got up at five not being able to sleep she got some tracksuit bottoms and a sports bra on with a zip up hoody over the top she tied her hair up in a ponytail to keep out of the way. She ran for an hour and a half and got back for half six her hoody was unzipped now showing her sports bra and her sweaty stomach she walked into her kitchen to get a bottle of water from her fridge while she was drinking she heard a gasp, she looked around to see the three cheerio’s that used to be in her bed in the doorway staring at her.

Rachel lowered the bottle and turns to face them directly ‘Are you guys alright?’

Santana stepped forward with a mischievous look in her eyes which Rachel didn’t like or want so she looked to Brittney and Quinn but got the same sort of looks there, Rachel sighed and put the bottle down she walked around the counter and around them and said ‘you guys sort yourselves breakfast out I’m not hungry and i want to shower first anyway.’

‘How about we join you in the shower and then have breakfast?’ Quinn flirted, that offer would normally be taken in a flash and they’d be running up the stairs right now but all Rachel did was turn and give them a small smile.

‘No i think i will be okay you guys eat’

With that she left she listened to the conversation while she climbed the stairs she heard Santana go ‘what the fuck!’ and she giggles then she heard Quinn talk ‘i know she never says no i wonder what’s up.’ And then she heard Brittney’s innocent voice chime in ‘maybe Rachie is just tired or something’ she heard two resounding sighs and a half hearted ‘yeah, maybe’ and that’s another thing that Rachel’s fed up with, she’s fed up with feeling like she’s just here for sex, sweet Brittney is the one that shows she loves her more than the rest and will stick up to them for her at the house when she thinks Rachel needs to be stuck up for.

Rachel got her shower and dressed in something a little different then she normally does because she doesn’t really feel like making an effort today and she doesn’t care what people think, so she got dressed in black skinny jeans with a grey fitting top and a black jacket finished with grey all star converses. She decides to put her hair up in a ponytail again leaving her fringe straightened across her forehead, she looks in the mirror and sighs, she cocks her head to the side to see if she can get a better look from a different angle but it doesn’t really help much, with that she leaves and goes downstairs and into the kitchen, the girls were at the table nibbling on sliced fruit and drinking orange juice.

Rachel walks over to the sink to grab a glass. She opens the fridge and then bends down to get something.

‘Woh who are you and what are you doing in this house?’

Rachel retrieves the readymade smoothie she was looking for before turning whilst saying ‘I live here I think it’s pretty much a given that I’ll be here’

When Rachel finally turns all the way and they can see her properly the cheerio’s can’t help but let their jaw’s drop when they see her. Rachel just places her glass down on the table before pouring herself out a drink.

‘Rachel you look hot’ Santana says with a smirk and a devious look in her eye which Rachel knows all too well.

‘Yeah Rach you trying to impress someone?’ Quinn says playfully flirting most likely thinking she’s teasing them.

‘No actually i decided not to make an effort today so put this on instead’ Rachel says nonchalantly with a shrug then she downs her juice wiping her hand across her mouth. Quinn just blinks at her not believing that Rachel had turned down yet another advance, Santana was just staring at her as if she had grown another head and Brittney was smiling at her not so subtly checking her out, and that’s where she gets the feeling she was just there for sex.

She checks the time it was just going eight ‘I’m going to school, see you in glee’

With that she walks out of her front door and into her car. Time to put the plan in to action.

Okay first faberrittana Fic so hopefully it will be okay please read and review good or bad i would appreciate it :D

I hope you guys like it

Summary: Rachel’s fed up of being treated like a punching bag by her girlfriends at school because sometimes it comes home to what will it take for her to get the message through to her girlfriends.

 

What does it take for you to hear me?

Rachel was fed up, fed up of being a school target for tormenting, fed up of her team mates (or well so they were called) not sticking up for her even when she does for them, but mostly she was fed up of the girls she loves (and say they love her back) not sticking up for her, actually they were the ones that did most of the tormenting.

At school she can understand it, i mean no one knew about their relationship and they had to keep up appearances, but they could tone it down a bit and not be so vicious with it, she didn’t show them how much it hurt because she didn’t want to be called dramatic and be shouted at for pressuring them and causing strain on their relationship.

But when they were at each other’s houses she doesn’t expect to be treated like that, she shouldn’t expect it, she shouldn’t be called the horrible names they decided to call her and then just be expected to forgive and forget she doubts her girls even think about what they say or feel guilty about it. She remembers the first time Santana decided to bring it home though.

Santana stormed in to the Berry residence where the other three were, they were sat in the kitchen eating snacks. Santana came in and sat down with a huff. The three girls all shared a glance.

‘what’s wrong babe?’ Rachel asked her eyes full of concern.

‘its nothing’ Santana snapped. Rachel reached over to take her hand whilst saying ‘San hunny tell us what’s wrong’ Santana snatched her hand away and glared at Rachel.

‘i said it was nothing man-hands now leave me alone’

Rachel took in a deep breath at the name and then nodded getting up with the dishes and washing them she didn’t see the look that the three cheerio’s gave her but she didn’t get an apology either.

From then on she got it more often, yeah it wasn’t as bad as it was at school but it was bad enough. And the sad thing is about all of this sometimes they can have really nice days that have the ability to just erase most of the stuff they do to her and some of the hurt but then others she can’t help but flinch away from them emotionally or physically whether they see it or whether they just ignore it she doesn’t know but those perfect days with the four of them almost makes the pain worth going through. Almost.

Rachel sat on her bed and sighed she knew what she had to do and when she had to do it otherwise she fears that maybe one day they will hurt her too much and brake her beyond repair and she can’t let that happen.

There’s a knock from her front door she knows who it will be and gets up and goes downstairs to open it. Her parents are on a ‘business trip’ for six months, this mean that they are in the apartment up in California for six months, so her girlfriends think it’s a great idea to come over for the night, one last night of love (from her side anyway) and then everything’s going to change.

This is just a short bit to get you into the story it will get better i promise but read to find out what her plan is and what happens once everything changes.