The Gleeful Return [Q. F.]

- 20 -

"So. Nationals?"

"Nationals."

"It still seems so surreal."

"Just look at this. We're in New York. For Nationals."

"God, it's so much cooler than Lima."

"Or all of Ohio, at that rate"

Quinn, Santana, Brittany, and Juliet sat around a small table beside Times Square. It really was surreal for them to be sitting there in the midst of everything famous and exciting. McKinley wasn't built for this. The phrase "Lima Losers" didn't appear out of nowhere.

So, yes, it was surreal for them to be sitting there. Not one of them could have written this in a book or movie. Sure Quinn could cheer, Santana could sing, Brittany could dance, and Juliet was a great gymnast, but never could they have imagined Nationals in New York.

The four of them shared one hotel room, which, maybe, wasn't the best idea for Mr. Schue to agree to. Quinn and Juliet were third and fourth wheeling next to Santana and Brittany, but neither of them cared. Not one of the four would have wished for a different room arrangement because the Unholy Trinity was now the Unholy Quartet.

After dinner when everyone was getting ready to turn in for the night, Quinn and Juliet sat outside on the hotel's back patio because, after all, Santana and Brittany wanted the room for a bit.

"You know, for a while, I really hated this place. I was mad at my dad for moving me here." Quinn nodded, but stayed silent as she continued. "I was perfectly fine at my old school. I sure as hell wouldn't have been slushied there."

Quinn laughed. "That's probably true."

"And I wasn't supposed to be friends with you. I mean, you were made out to be a cold hearted bitch who was too obsessed with her own vanity to care about anything or anyone else. And for a while, I believed that too."

"Do I want to know where this is going?" Quinn narrowed her eyes cautiously.

Juliet nodded. "Yes, you do." She crossed her legs and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I wasn't sure about this school and I wasn't sure about you. But then you were pregnant and opened the door enough to let me in and get to know you. Now, don't get me wrong, I was shocked that summer when everything seemed to change between us."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"It's okay, you don't have to apologize." Juliet cleared her throat and re-crossed her legs again. "I've learned a lot about myself these past two years after moving to McKinley. A lot of things seem to have 'fallen into place,' so to speak. And that's why I feel so comfortable talking to you now." Quinn nodded silently. "I want to tell you something, but I don't want it to change our friendship. I feel like I finally have a real friend and I don't want to screw that up." Tears began to build in her eyes.

"You won't."

With the first tear falling, Juliet said, "I'm telling you this because we're friends and I trust you, Quinn." She paused once more, willing up the courage to push the words out of her mouth. "I... I like girls. Not boys."

Quinn's shoulders dropped as she gave Juliet a soft smile. "Oh, Jules." She reached over and wrapped her in a warm embrace. "That's what you wanted to tell me?" Juliet nodded without saying anything. "You're okay," Quinn said as she used her thumb to wipe away tears. "You know that wouldn't change anything about our friendship."

"I know," Juliet said with a sniffle. "I was just so scared."

"I understand. Obviously Santana and Brittany would get that too."

Juliet laughed at that. "Yeah, I guess they would."

"I'm really glad that you felt comfortable enough to tell me this."

"You're my best friend."

"Have you told anyone else?"

Juliet shook her head. "No, just you."

"Oh, well then I'm honored," Quinn replied with a smile and small laugh. "Do you think you'd want to tell Santana and Brittany?"

"Yeah, I think so."

"Do you want me to be there when you do?"

"Yes," she replied with a quick nod. "Yeah, I'd really like that."

"Okay, then consider me there. You just let me know when you're ready and I'll be there." Juliet nodded. "Hey, come here." Quinn reached out and hugged Juliet. "If you ever need anything you can always call or text me. I'll always be here to talk."

"Thanks, Quinn."

"We should probably head upstairs and get ready for bed."

"Big day tomorrow."

Quinn let out a sharp laugh. "Yeah, says you! Are you nervous?"

"A little."

"Don't be. You're going to kill it and we all know it."

"I hope so."

"We're all on your side, Jules."

---

In the end, Quinn did not misplace her hope. Juliet had, in fact, "killed it." Neither Juliet nor the group as a whole could have done better because they traveled back to Lima, Ohio as National champions.

A/N: I hope the end of this book didn't feel terribly rushed or sudden. The whole plot was getting to be a slow burn and I wanted to speed it up a bit. There will be a third book to follow, but for now, this is it.