"Okay," I say to Santana. "My parents are gone for the night."
Santana and Brittany smile identically. "Let's get this party started!"
They start setting up and decorating, so I sneak upstairs to my room and dial Rachel's number. It goes straight to voice mail. I sigh. "Hey, Rach. I know things have been weird between us this week, but it would mean a lot to me if you came to my party tonight. Please -- just come." I hang up. I really hope she'll show up.
"Q!" Brit's voice calls from downstairs. "Some people are already here!"
"Alright! I'm coming!" I yell back. My eyes find the wall of pictures of me and Rachel, and I feel tears start to form. I push them back. She has to show tonight.
Soon enough, everyone was at my house. Everyone. Like, the whole school. In a couple of days, I had become the most popular girl in school (with the help of Santana, Brittany, and a Cheerios costume). Everyone wanted to talk to me, even people I didn't know. After a while, I have to get out of the crowded house.
I escape out the back sliding glass door. I go to sit on the porch steps, but someone else is already there. He was kind of cute, aside from the fact that he had dread locks and wasn't wearing any shoes. I shrug and go sit next to him.
"Uh...hey," he says.
"I say, wanting to be friendly. "Why are you out here by yourself?"
"I'm new. I thought coming to a big party would help me meet people, but I just don't like being around lots of people just yet."
"Were you home-schooled or something?"
He nods. "I don't know how the girl who threw this party could take it."
I snort. "Yeah, me neither."
"Isn't she the Head Cheerleader or something?"
I nod. He obviously doesn't know that that's me, since I'm not wearing my uniform. Then the sliding glass door opened. I looked up and saw Santana and Brittany. "What are you doing out here, Q?"
"Yeah, the party's just started -- Lord Tubbington's here," Brit says. "I think he took my dad's car."
I laugh. "I'm just getting to know the new guy."
Santana smiles at him. "Oh, hey. Welcome to Q's awesome house."
The guy turns to me. "Wait -- you're the Head Cheerleader?"
I smile sheepishly. "Yeah, sorry I didn't mention that. I'm Quinn."
"Joe."
"Well, come one, let's go back to the party," Santana says.
I look at Joe. "You coming?"
"Sure," he replies.
We go inside, and I immediately freeze. Rachel's standing there, looking around uncomfortably. I know Santana and Brit spot her too because they stifle groans. "Rach!" I exclaim. "You came!" I run to her and throw my arms around her.
"Uh, yeah. But don't think I've just forgiven you."
I pull away. "Rachel, come one, I didn't know Santana took your seat! Besides, I think you guys could get along, right?" I turn and look at Santana pointedly. She nods and forces a smile.
"Yeah, right."
"Please, Rach, I'm really trying here."
Rachel scoffs. "Oh, yeah, that's why we haven't hung out once this week and you don't sit with me anymore."
"I should be sitting with the Cheerios, Rach." I can't believe this! Why is she trying to make it seem like I'm the bad guy?
"Oh, yeah 'cause you're Head Cheerio now. That explains perfectly why you're being such a bitch."
I stare at her. "Are you serious right now? I'm trying to fix things and all you're doing is being mean to me!"
"You know what? I'm out of here. I came here out of the goodness of my heart, but apparently you aren't going to be reasonable. See you around, Q." She turns and storms away.
I would've never thought last week that Santana and Brittany would be my loyal best friends and Rachel would be the one who was mean to me.
The rest of the party was good, when I didn't think about Rachel. There was just one problem when everyone left and it was all over -- Sam had never even showed up.
