[Glee] First Date - Rachel/Quinn (2/?)
Title: First Date (2/?)
Author: youngerdrgrey
Pairing: Rachel/Quinn
Summary: AU. Quinn needs someone for a charity event and there’s nothing more charitable than spending time with Rachel Berry. Pre-Show.
Rating: T
Warnings/Spoilers: None
Disclaimer: I own nothing. All rights for the characters and the world go to their owners (like Ryan Murphy and FOX). I, in no way, believe - or would lead others to believe - that I own Glee. I am merely a fan of the television show who has ideas for things that RIB could do/could've done.
Past Chapters - One
Author's Note: In chapter two, Rachel decides she needs a little help. Please review if you read.
(2/?) FIRST DATE
Kurt has the best fashion sense out of everyone in the school. No matter what the boy wears, he owns it. If anyone would know how to dress me for my not-date with Quinn, it would be him. Only problem is that he is a lot like most of the population of William McKinley High School and generally hates me. I’ll have to use every bit of charm within me to befriend him and coax him into helping me. Most people would have nothing to talk to him about, but I can think of a few things. And it’s not just about using him either.
As a recently out but ridiculously transparent youth, Kurt Hummel presents the perfect opportunity for me to broaden my horizons and show just how personable I can be. Having two gay dads, I know quite a bit about the difficulties of living in Lima and being considered as nothing more than a flamboyant freak. I know all about the lives of my fathers, including their personal coming out stories. I figure we can bond over the fact that half of the town will never accept us because of the labels placed upon on us. I figure that the two of us can talk and help each other truly realize who we are and come to accept the things that maybe we aren’t willing to divulge just yet. Like my nonsensical crush on Quinn. One would think he’d feel the same way; however, when I go to talk to him, he greets me with this:
“Ew. Could you not stand so close to me? Your sweater is giving me a migraine.”
I blink back the sting of his words. Whilst repeating to myself one of my favorite quotes (“no one can make you feel inferior without your permission”), I take a step back. It’s best not to start this by ignoring his wishes.
“Did you know that approximately one in every fifteen residents of Allen County has a gay relative, or friend? And did you know that of that very small category, only four in every thirteen will openly converse with them with others present?”
Kurt stares back at me, blankly.
“What do you want?” he asks.
Always crass that Kurt. But I won’t let that deter me.
I propose, “Since the majority of our town’s population finds anyone of or relating to homosexuality unfit for their friendship, I thought that the two of us could bond and create a sort of companionship that would get us through the next two years relatively unscathed.”
“Unlike you, Rachel, I have friends.” His tone holds no contempt, no sting, nothing. Yet, it burns like the searing, hot tea the Cheerios dumped on me shoes yesterday. He clears his throat, adding, “And even if I didn’t, I wouldn’t really go for you. You’re not easy to talk to. You’re not friendly. You treat everyone as if we’re five-year-olds new to performing and breathing when, in all honesty, people would much rather prefer to see us hit the stage than you. I’d say no offense, but you can take that however you want.”
“People throw you in dumpsters,” I say. He winces and I wonder if there’s a way to recover from that. He has to help me. I have no one else. I go on, “They lock you in lockers. Guys have changed out of your gym class because of you being in the same row as them. There are teachers who hate you, absolutely hate every little thing about you and give you bad grades because of who you are. No matter what you say or do, you will never get as much as you deserve.”
“Do you have a point, Rachel?” he asks through pursed lips.
“People don’t like me. But, if I could spend time with more popular people, all of that would change,” I tell him.
“I’m flattered, but as you said, I’m not exactly an in-crowd favorite,” he says.
I can more than just affirm that. “Right, but you could be. We could be, if you only do one little thing for me.”
“And that is?”
“Dress me. I’m convinced that if I conform to the fashionable aspect of typical American teenage culture, the doors of opportunity will fall to my feet.”
“Dress you?” he repeats. “I’m good, but not that good. You’d need an in and the only in you’ll get with my help is some jock in your bed for a night.”
I was thinking more of a cheerleader, but how would he know?
I straighten my back in an attempt to look less vulnerable than the needy words I’m about to say.
“Tonight, I have a once in a lifetime chance and there’s no way I can do it looking like I always do. I need your help, Kurt,” I say to him.
He takes me in. Head to toe. Side to side. Fluttering eyelashes to tense fingertips. Finally, he sighs.
“I T.A. next period. We can go to the mall and find you something,” he says.
I almost question why we don’t stop at my house first, but we both know that there isn’t going to be the right thing there. As I have been told, my normal wardrobe resembles someone’s crazy fetish and not the mundane monstrosity that walks the halls of McKinley.
I nod along with him.
He clears his throat. When I look to him, he says, “I do have one condition.” He pauses for effect - and I’m sure he does because he’s almost as dramatic as I am. “I want to know everything about this date. From pick up to the awkward moment in the hall the next day.”
That’s easy enough. What could be the harm in telling one person? It’s like we’re already becoming friends to share secrets to. We could have sleepovers! We could watch movies and try on silly outfits and everything. This is going to be so much fun!
Kurt gives me the strangest look as if he can just read my mind. He groans and closes his locker. He heads down the hall, mumbling something along the lines of ‘this is why choir kids have a bad reputation.’ Normally, I would comment, but nothing can bring me down today. Today, I’m unstoppable.
~~~~ Thoughts?