Junior Year

18

"I'm skipping glee club today." Quinn told Sam when he approached her locker after school on Friday. "I'm tired and I wanna get home to Beth."

Sam nodded. "Can I come over?"

Quinn bit her lip. "Okay."

"Cool." Sam grinned as he took his phone out. "Let me text Finn that I'm skipping glee, too."

Quinn gathered her books before closing her locker. She turned to Sam. "Ready?"

Sam nodded as he put his phone away and took Quinn's hand.

Quinn led Sam out to her car. She put her bag and books on the backseat, leaving her phone in the cupholder up front.

"Let me know if my mom texts me." Quinn requested as she got in the driver's seat and buckled her seatbelt.

When Sam was buckled, Quinn started driving home.

Quinn's phone went off, and she glanced at Sam.

"I got it." Sam said as he picked up the phone. He furrowed his eyebrow. "Puck?"

"I wanted to talk to you about that." Quinn stated softly.

"About what?" Sam wondered.

"I want Puck to see Beth." Quinn answered. "Well, I want Beth to see him."

Sam furrowed his eyebrow.

"We talked during lunch the other day and-"

"You said you were doing homework." Sam cut Quinn off.

"I was." Quinn nodded. "With Mr. Schue. Puck was there, so when he finished his test, we talked."

"And you decided that he should see Beth?" Sam asked.

"They need each other." Quinn stated. "I talked to him and he apologized again for last year, and he gave me money-"

"If this is about money-"

"It isn't." Quinn cut Sam off. "I told him I didn't need it, but he insisted that I take it for Beth."

"Why didn't you tell me you talked to him?" Sam wondered.

Quinn looked at Sam as she parked the car in front of her house. "When it comes to Beth, I make the decisions. I appreciate what you do for her, but-"

"You're my girlfriend." Sam reminded Quinn as he dug through his pocket and pulled out a ring. "I was gonna give you this."

Quinn's eyes widened. "Sam, we've been together, like, two months."

"Nine weeks." Sam corrected Quinn.

"Exactly." Quinn said.

"Oh, wait, you think this is an engagement ring." Sam realized. "It's a promise ring."

Quinn raised her eyebrow.

"A promise to love you forever, and to marry you someday." Sam clarified. "To protect you and Beth."

"That's really sweet, Sam." Quinn said softly as she picked up the ring. She slowly put it on her left ring finger and smiled.

"Fits like a glove." Sam noted with a grin.

"It's beautiful. Thank you." Quinn replied as she eyed the ring.

"I love you, Quinn." Sam told her.

"I love you, too, Sam."