The next day, I walk into the school with new courage (partly because I was wearing a Cheerios uniform, and partly because Santana and Brittany were at my sides). Satisfaction tingles within me as everyone turns and looks at me. Boys whistle, girls smile. Never once had I felt accepted- but I do now. It was as if no one remembered Quinn the Loser (not that they would, she was an outcast). It was just me- Q, Head Cheerio. Most popular girl at school. A new girl.
I walk into class with Santana and Brittany and take my seat between Rachel and Sam. "Hey, Rach," I say. She just stares at my uniform. "Head cheerio." Her jaw drops, and I nod. "I'll tell you all about it later."
I turn to Sam. "Hey, how was your night?"
He smiles and shrugs. "Uneventful. You?"
"Made Cheerios," I reply happily. "Made some new friends."
"Santana and Brittany?" he asks.
I nod, wondering how he knew. He looks pointedly beside me. I look over, and Santana has replaced Rachel, with Brit behind her. "Where's Rachel?"
Santana laughs. "I made the Dwarf move." Brit giggles.
I look around and Rachel's sitting up front, by herself. "You don't have to be mean to her," I say. "She's my friend."
"Well, we're your friends now. She'll bring down your new rep," Santana says.
"No, Rachel's cool," I disagree.
"Q, that's mean," says Brittany.
I stare at them for a moment, then give up and look at Sam. "Why are you friends with them?" he asks.
"Once you get to know them they're really nice. And you never said anything- how did football tryouts go?"
"I made the team, but I'm not quarterback like I wanted to be," he says a little sadly. "That's Finn Hudson."
"Oh," I say. I know who that is. He was Rachel's crush, she never stopped talking about him. "Well, who cares? You're cuter."
Before he can say anything back, the teacher comes in and begins our lesson. At the end of class, I say good-bye to Sam, Brittany, and Santana and go up to Rachel. "Hey," I say.
She doesn't even look at me. "Where are your friends? Seems like Santana's your new best friend."
"Rach, come on," I say, putting my hand on her shoulder. "I didn't know she took your seat."
"Yeah, well you didn't do anything about it either, did you?" Rachel snaps. Then she turns and storms away from me.
Was I losing my best friend?
* * *
At lunch, I walk in alone. I see Rachel sitting on one side, with some kids from the Glee Club. On the other side, Santana and Brit wave to me from the Cheerios and football players table. Well, it wasn't like Rach was waiting up for me. So I went and sat next to Santana, who had conveniently saved me a spot in between her and Sam. "Hey," I greet both of them.
"Hey, Q," Santana and Brit say simultaneously.
"Hey, Quinn," Sam says, with a cute smile. "So...I was thinking maybe you and I could hang out sometime?"
My heart starts speeding up and I catch my breath. Was he asking me out? I'm at a loss for words. Thankfully, Santana saves me. "We're having a party at Q's house this Friday. You're totally invited, you can hang out there."
I give her a thank-you-so-fricken-much! look. She grins.
"It's a date," Sam says.
