The Gleeful Return [Q. F.]

- 19 -

Prom was approaching faster than Santana could keep up with. She was talking with Brittany more and more, confirming that she wanted to go to Prom too... and that she didn't have a date.

So it was settled in Santana's mind, then, that she would be going to Prom with Brittany. Dress shopping couldn't happen without a date and a plan.

Quinn was surprisingly content with not having an obvious date, but she wasn't content with not being a shoo in for Prom Queen. Approaching Juliet, she said, "Now I know you haven't been around long enough to know, but I am Mckinley's Prom Queen. It's like my official government title."

Juliet scoffed. "It's not a government position, Quinn. I'm going to assume that you want Prom Queen this year though, right?"

"Why else would I have a voting slogan?" Juliet's eyebrows shot up. "Vote Quinn Fabray for Prom Queen!"

"You're kidding."

"It's not a kidding matter, Juliet. Especially for my family. Appearances and social status is everything."

"Even your father?"

"Especially my father." Quinn paused. "I had a nose job, Jules. Before I transferred here. And I was fat, too." Juliet's face and shoulders sank visibly. "Frannie was the perfect older sister. Our father insisted that we were perfect and portrayed the family as nothing less. So, when his less than perfect daughter asked for a nose job, he happily agreed."

"Jesus, Quinn."

Continuing, Quinn lowered her voice. "Yeah. But I still wasn't good enough for him."

"Because of your weight?"

Quinn nodded. "Mhm. I basically starved myself for the next few months. I lost the weight, but I gained an, essentially, untreated eating disorder."

"Quinn..."

"I know, I know. It was rough."

"Don't run for Prom Queen."

"What?"

"Don't run for Prom Queen," Juliet repeated. "You know what you're worth. I know what you're worth."

"Maybe some days, but I don't know how to love myself."

"Does anyone? We're just a little bit worse or a little bit better than the next person."

Quinn rolled her eyes. "I don't know if I can believe that."

Juliet shrugged. "I try to trust those around me to help me see it in myself."

"I don't have people to help me see it. My mom is too carried away with her own stuff, my sister's away at college, and my father literally kicked me out of the house. Like, Juliet, I'm no better than dead to him. I don't even have a boyfriend!"

"You have me," Juliet said softly, her voice trembling. "Let me help you."

Even though Quinn tried to hide it, Juliet could see tears building in her eyes. "Are you going to prom?"

"I don't have anyone to go with."

"Come with me." Quinn felt like someone was stomping on her chest. "Uh, I'm going with Santana and probably Brittany... a girls group."

Juliet's breath hitched in her chest and voice caught in her throat. "I, I don't know what to say."

"Just say yes," Quinn exhaled.

After a brief silence, Juliet heard herself saying, "Yes."

---

Prom approaching meant that the end of the school year was approaching. The end of the school year approaching meant that Nationals was approaching. Mr. Schue decided that Santana would lead the girls in 'Valerie.' For the group song, 'Light Up the World' would take that spot. The only question left was who would get the solo. Although Juliet was not convinced, Quinn was sure that she should get the solo. Rachel, of course, insisted that she was the obvious choice for the solo. Mr. Schue, on the other hand, was not as convinced.