Will The Real Rachel Berry Please Stand Up?

6

Well that could have gone worse Quinn told herself as she headed through the rain to her car. Rachel hadn't said an outright no to her friendship request she'd just said she didn't need or want it. On the trust front Rachel hadn't ruled out being able to trust her in the future she just didn't think she ever would. Surely the fact she was keeping count of apologies and kind remarks was a good sign? ....Oh who was she kidding, she'd just been knocked back by the girl at the bottom of the social pyramid and that had hurt.

Quinn's emotions were all over the shop.

Frustration and anger at Rachel for turning down a perfectly valid offer of friendship, disappointment for the same reason, regret for her previous behaviour and self–pity, was she really unworthy of anybody's affection? She was dismayed to find tears forming and threatening to flow down her cheeks. She hadn't cried since giving up Beth for adoption. She wiped her eyes; if she could deal with giving her baby away then she could deal with a minor setback on the road to Rachel Berry's friendship. Self-pity never helped anyone. The rain battered the car windscreen – an invigorating run around the park in the rain was just what she needed. She could listen to her RB playlist, mull over the events of the day and consider her options. One thing was for sure, Rachel's rejection hadn't changed her feelings and touching Rachel's bare arm had been a small high in a day of lows.

Rachel paced around her bedroom watched by Ali who was sitting on the bed leaning against the headboard feeling exhausted just from listening to Rachel's day. She could tell Rachel was upset by the complete lack of impressions in her account.

"Occam's Razor Rachel" was her only comment

" There's nothing remotely simple about any of this." replied Rachel,"My main tormentor and the instigator of all I have suffered at school got up this morning and randomly decided she wants to be my friend?" Rachel's voice rose in puzzlement," What's her angle?"

Ali sighed," Maybe she really, genuinely does want to be your friend. I'd recommend it."

Rachel smiled then frowned."But why now all of a sudden? It defies all logic – she must have some other agenda. But what? How could she possibly do anything else to me? Why on earth does she want to be my friend?"

Ali got up off the bed and hugged Rachel," Because you're an amazingly talented, highly amusing, incredibly loyal, not to mention hugely attractive, individual"

"Well she has had a lot of exposure to my talent and has been very cutting about it, she hasn't met the amusing me, she has no idea about my loyalty and she's the straightest God-fearing heterosexual in all of Lima if not Ohio." Rachel countered.

"Quinn's the only person with any chance of knowing her own motivations so us speculating is going to get us nowhere." Ali held up her hands to stem Rachel's protest," Yes it is extremely out of character, yes it is incredibly strange and no, I've no idea what will happen next."

"I assume the wrath of a thwarted Quinn will be unleashed on me which combined with Finn trying to ask me out again is going to make for a simply hideous rest of the week. More slushies, being thrown in dumpsters and locked in cupboards, never mind an upping on the verbal abuse front. Perhaps I should agree to go out with Finn just for the miniscule amount of protection that might afford me?"

"God no Rachel – remember how miserable you were last time. It took us ages to extricate you from that sham of a relationship. Leave the damn school, play hooky for a few days, break your ankle or just see the storm out like you usually do. That's all I can come up with" suggested Ali, "Leave that damn school is my preference"

"I can't. It's Dad's old school – he was so pleased when I got a place there. I can't tell him what's been going on it'd destroy him." Rachel squared her shoulders, "I can deal with it. I just wish I didn't have to. Still I have some pretty hideous tops I'm keen to inflict on the unsuspecting eyes of my tormenters not to mention appropriately colour-matched tights."