Take it or Leave it (A Glee Quinn Fabray Story)

Tears and Tests

Now that I'm finally alone, the tears swim in my vision, threatening to spill down my cheeks. The streets are blurry, and I constantly have to reach up and wipe my eyes. After 15 minutes of driving, I reach the paved driveway of my house. It's started raining, so as I step out of my car, my sweater gets soaked through in minutes. I rush towards the front door, holding my backpack over my head in an attempt to keep my hair dry. I rifle through my keys, searching for the one that unlocks the door in front of me. I grab the silver key and twist the door handle. I step onto the mat, and slip off my sneakers. I take the stairs two at a time and close my door behind me. I toss my sweater into my laundry hamper and fall back onto my bed. The tears dribble from my eyes, and run down my cheeks silently. 25 minutes later, I hear the front door open again and my mom's voice call out my name. "Up here, Mom." I reply, not bothering to disguise the emotion in my voice. She stomps up the stairs, and pushes my door open. "Another bad day, Quinnie?" She asks softly as she strides over to my bedside. "Yeah, Cheerio's practice was intense today." She nods distractedly, and I turn my head towards her. "What's the matter, Mom? You seem distracted." She stares right in my eyes and sets her jaw. "There wasn't Cheerio's practice today, Quinn. You told me that this morning." Shit. I curse internally, scrambling to come up with a lie. "Ummm, I lied?" I say meekly. She shakes her head and her eyes have a partially hidden note of sadness. "Tell me the truth, Quinn. I have a right to know what's happening in my daughter's life." I fall back against my pillow and sigh. "I was with Finn." She looks skeptical. "For an hour and a half?" I nod and tense up, hoping that my half-truth is convincing enough. "Why were you crying? Did he break up with you?" Shaking my head, I sit up and cross my legs. "I got my biology test back today and I didn't do very well." She smiles sympathetically, but I'm not sure she believes me. She leans over and kisses me gently on the forehead, then rises to her feet. "I'm going to make dinner, we're having pork chops tonight." She closes the door behind her and I sink back into my pillows. The tears don't return, even though I expect them to. I just lay on my bed for half an hour, until my mother calls my name for dinner.

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As I settle into my place at the table, my father gives me a warm smile. "I heard about your biology test, sweetheart. Don't sweat it, I'm sure you'll do better next time." If he knew what was really happening, he'd burn me on a stake. I manage a small smile, and try to direct the attention away from me. "So, how was your day, Daddy?" He launches into a long description of the cars he sold today and I try to appear interested, but I'm pretty sure I look as bored as I feel. I mess around with my pork and potatoes, pushing it around my porcelain plate, until my mother notices and asks if I would like to be excused. I nod absentmindedly, and push away from the table. I place my plate on the counter and head back upstairs. I quickly change into my pyjamas, and crawl under my duvet. I pull out my book, and instantaneously immerse myself in the story. I've always loved science fiction because it provides me with the perfect escape from my stressful life. Adelaide slashed at the Atahi's robe with the glowing blade. "Saki!" She yelled as her partner was struck by another warrior. Saki screamed out in pain as the blood began to soak through his black training pants. Adelaide stuck her dagger in her opponent's gut and rushed to Saki's side. I read for hours, until my clock reads 10:30. I can hardly keep my eyes open, but I urge myself to stay awake long enough to find out Saki's fate. "Stay with me, Saki!" Adelaide screamed as she clutched the bloody boy's hand. "You aren't getting away from me that easily, Cupcake." She whispered, tears dripping from her cheeks to his barely rising chest. My eyes start to close involuntarily, and I stick my bookmark in to mark my place. I drop the novel onto the table next to me, and let myself drift off.
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The next day, I grab two pieces of toast on my way out the door. "Bye, Mom." I call out, but it's muffled by the bread in my mouth. "Bye, Quinnie! Have a great day!" She replies happily. I start my car and quickly drive over to Santana's house. When I pull up to the curb, she's already locking the door to her house. "Hey, Q!" She says breathily as she climbs into the passenger seat beside me. I smile and grab her backpack. I shove the bag into the back seat and step on the gas pedal. After 20 minutes of talking and laughing, we pull into the school parking lot. We slam our doors at the same time and head towards the door. Finn catches us before we enter the building and he kisses me on the cheek. "Good morning, beautiful." He answers as he grabs the door for us. "Thanks, handsome." I say and give him a quick peck on the lips. He smiles and pulls me closer to him. "Get a room." Santana mutters as she breaks away from us. She heads towards the large group of jocks and cheerleaders positioned by the trophy case. "I have to put my stuff in my locker." I say, looking up at Finn. "Ok, let's go that way." He smiles and turns the corner, with me still wrapped in his arm. I give a slight shiver and Finn suddenly stops. "Are you okay?" I nod with a small smile. "Yeah, it's just a bit chilly in here. Especially in this uniform." He immediately shrugs off his jacket and drapes it over my shoulders. "Thanks, sweetheart." I reach into my backpack and pull out the books that I never opened last night. "Oh, shoot!" I exclaim, and bring up my hand to rub my forehead. "What?" Finn asks, concerned. "I have a freaking algebra test today!" The bell rings loudly, signalling 5 minutes to class and I swear under my breath. Finn quickly kisses my cheek and rushes off to his first class. I grab my algebra books hurriedly and jog over to the group of Cheerio's to find Santana. "Let's go, Santana. We've got algebra." She waves goodbye to the other girls and follows me down the hall towards our first class.
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Once we reach the classroom, we take our seats in the back corner next to each other. "So," She whispers in my ear. I jump. "Jeez, Santana. That freaked me out." She laughs quietly. "How are you feeling?" I look at her weirdly. "Good..." She rolls her eyes and shakes her head at me. "No, Fabray. About that." She points at my stomach. My eyes widen in alarm, but then I relax, realizing that I was the one who told her. "Ohh. I'm good. Finn and I have to go to the doctor." My voice lowers for the last few words and Santana nods. "Coolio. Have you booked an appointment yet?" She asks loudly. "Santana!" I hiss. "Keep it down!" She grins and looks at me with defiance. "Sorry, bub. I don't do quiet." I stick my tongue out at her and change the subject. "So, are you ready for this test?" I ask, flipping my textbook open to last night's unfinished homework. She pulls the book closer to her and stares in confusion at the rows and rows of numbers. "What the hell? I don't speak numbers!" I give a small giggle and start into an explanation about variables and constants. "And so, x=2.38!" I finish. She shakes her head. "Nice try, but I don't get it. Don't feel bad, though. I don't get anything." She says, pseudo happily. "Come on! Just try one question." I plead. She shakes her head and shuts the book with a bang. Just then, the teacher walks in. "Hello, class. Remember, we have a test today!" She announces loudly. This results in a series of groans from the other students. I ignore them, trying to cram numbers and letters into my already full brain. "Books closed please, Quinn." The teacher calls from the front of the room, interrupting my quick study session. I look up, startled. "Oh, sorry." I slide the textbook into my bag and grab a pencil. She walks around the room, handing out the sheets of paper, as I review the material once more in my head. When the paper lands on my desk, I let my pencil do the work and I try to let my mind drift. I start daydreaming, actually it's more like daynightmaring, and let my pencil write the answers for me. What a mess my life has become. Pregnant at 16, terrified at every given moment of my secret getting out, always keeping my guard up, even at home. Santana nudges my shoulder. "You okay, Q?" I nod, not knowing why she's suddenly asking. "Yeah, I'm fine. Why?" She points at my page, which is polka dotted with teardrops. "I didn't know I was crying!" I exclaim in a hushed tone. She nods and raises her hand. "Yes, Miss Lopez?" The teacher acknowledged her waving arm. "May Quinn and I use the washroom?" The teacher nods and Santana drags me behind her to the door. Once we're outside, she pulls me against the wall. "Take five and meet me in the girls washroom right there." She points at the door. I nod and start walking down the hallway.