Somewhere Only We Know (1/3)
Title: Somewhere Only We Know (1/3)
Author: irisayame
Rating: PG-13 for language.
Disclaimer: I don't own Glee, or anything I may refer to, like the awesome songs I use :)
Length: 2.904/13.547
Spoilers: None, really.
Summary: Prompted at the awesome rq_meme. It's the one-year anniversary of Rachel and Quinn, and Quinn decides to set Rachel on a scavenger hunt through Lima.
Author's Note: Go away now if you don't like fluff. This is basically fluff, fluff and more fluff. Of course, we're going to have a lot of flashbacks. It's got 2 parts, this is the first one. All the mistakes (which undoubtedly will be there) are mine. This story has basically been all I have been thinking about this weekend, so if you like it, or if you've got something to say, or if you've got any kind of tips or pointers, or even if you have nothing to say at all: leave a review! Oh, and those bad things that I say about the city of Lima? They're true. Look it up. Enjoy the story! :)
“Go to the place where we first met”
Rachel blinked at the little paper that her dad had given her during breakfast that morning. She knew the handwriting of course. She knew who she was about to meet. That was why she had been so eager to come here. Her eyes were seeking out blonde hair, a pale skin, her girlfriend of one year, but they were met with no such thing. She was at… kindergarten.
All the Lima children of their generation had of course grown up together, and there were like, 3 places to attend kindergarten. Rachel and Quinn had gone to the same one. It was the first time they had met, obviously, which was why Rachel was standing in front of the closed gates of St. Gerard’s Kindergarten, the biggest pre-school in Lima. Only… she was at a loss of what to do now. She felt her cellphone vibrate in her pocket, reached out and took it, and sighed with relief when she read who the text was from.
Quinn:
The EXACT place.
Rachel:
What, do you mean like the exact coordinates? Do not despair, I still remember where we first laid eyes on one another, yet I am troubled by the fact that it is summer vacation and the school is thus closed. I don’t know what you expect me to do now.
Quinn:
Get to the EXACT place. That’s what you’re going to do.
Rachel:
Are you expecting me to break into Lima’s largest pre-school?! I won’t do such a thing!
Quinn:
That’s what you think now. But I can be patient. Not too long, though, so rather you give in to your curiosity sooner than later, love J
Rachel:
You are insane. And so not worth it. Text me when you have relocated your brain.
Rachel huffed angrily. Breaking into your old kindergarten. Yes, the best way to spend your one-year anniversary would be in jail, instead of doing something actually romantic. What the hell was Quinn thinking? She couldn’t actually be thinking that Rachel would break the law and break in? She put away her cellphone and crossed her arms, determined to stand there and wait until Quinn came to her senses.
4 minutes later, Rachel was climbing over the fence with the ease that could only belong to a dancer. She shook her head while she walked to the window at the back of the school, the one that didn’t close properly. She wricked and wriggled until she managed to squeak it open noisily.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” she whispered, but hoisted herself up and tumbled through the window not-quite so gracefully or silently as she had planned. She quickly jumped up and looked around in panic, waiting for alarms to go off and police to barge in and arrest her.
Nothing happened.
Part of her was much disappointed in the Lima security systems, but on the other hand, what was there to find here? Watch out, I’m going to steal your drawing?
She rolled her eyes, before taking in where she was. An empty classroom with tiny chairs and toys carefully put away to rest for the summer. She looked at the posters on the walls and knew that she was in the wrong room. The regular door into the hallway was closed when she tried it, and she bit back a cuss word. She managed to open the desk, and after rummaging through files, books and drawings she found the Master Key that every classroom had somewhere.
She tried to put the words “illegal” “criminal” “police” and “law breaker” out of her mind when she opened first the door to the hall, and then the door to access the classroom that she remembered best. Her old classroom. Their old classroom, rather.
“Alright, kids. I get that you all find this very exciting, but calm down. We’re all going to introduce ourselves first, alright? My name is Ms. Carr, and I will be your kindergarten teacher this year. Now, why don’t you tell something about yourself?”
Rachel straightened her back and scraped her throat.
“Hello everyone. My name is Rachel Berry, I am 5 years old since May 9th, and I am ecstatic to meet new people and make new friends this year. I love singing, mostly Broadway musicals but also Ms. Streisand, of course. I won my first dancing competition at the young age of 3 months, I am very competitive all around. Also, when I grow up, I will be a star.”
The finality of her statement convinced Quinn immediately that it was true, this girl would be a star in the future. She was not sure how, or even what it meant exactly, but she knew that this girl was going to get everything she wanted. For a sly second, she envied the girl, because she had her act together so well. Nothing shy about that introduction. Quinn was shy. But everyone looked at her expectantly, and she realized it was her turn.
“Uhm, hi. My name is Quinn Fabray. I turned 5 August 19th, and I really like music and I like it when my mom reads to me.”
Her face was red and she averted her eyes from the rest of the class. She met eyes of the girl next to her, who had just introduced herself, the future star. Rachel. The girl smiled at her, and she released a breath when the boy next to her started talking and introducing himself as Matthew Rutherford before immediately closing down. Thankfully, she wasn’t the only one who was shy. Not everyone was like Rachel.
Rachel moved towards her, locked eyes with her, and whispered in her ear:
“It’s really great that you like music! We should do something sometime, sing or dance or something.”
“Maybe. That’d be really nice.”
When she looked up, she saw that some people really were not shy like her and Matt, but loud like Rachel. Rachel’s eyes glistened when a boy stood up and started dancing, his blue eyes were wide with excitement when he made a swinging turn and smiled at the class.
Ms. Carr thanked Artie, and called for the next kid.
On the seat she had once called hers, she found another note. She sighed. So it was going to be like that? A scavenger hunt. Typical for Quinn, the secret romantic that she was. But Rachel wasn’t patient. She wanted to see Quinn. Rather sooner than later. But obviously, that was up to her.
“First prize, one week in Lima. Second prize, two weeks in Lima.”
Rachel snickered, and made her way out of the pre-school swiftly, after locking the doors behind her. She closed the window noisily again, but didn’t pay much attention this time around. She had a new goal envisioned.
When she was standing on the street, she made her way to the Lima Opera House.
“Quinn, there’s no other way. I refuse to spend any more time in this town than I have to. The day after I graduate, I’m gone. I’m going to New York.”
“What’s wrong with Lima? I mean, it has memories. You grew up here. We grew up here. And do you really have to go so far away? Lima’s fine too, isn’t it?”
“Don’t lie, Quinn. Everyone just wants one thing, and that is to get out of here. And I will. Lima is death for ambitions, especially for ambitions like me. The entertainment industry has died here long ago. Anything slightly creative is doomed in this town.”
“That’s not true! Don’t you remember-“
“Yes alright, you can have your one lone exception. Happy? But that is one example, Quinn. Lima is known for nothing, but if Lima would be known for anything, it would be because entertainment fails here.”
“Rachel, you’re overreacting. Cut out the drama, it’s really not that bad.”
Rachel raised an eyebrow and grabbed her hand, dragging her behind her.
“Rachel? Rach? Where are we going?”
“I’m going to introduce you to my parents.”
“Your… Your dads!? Rachel, no! I’m not ready for that! I can’t, not yet! Don’t! Stop! Let me go, now! I can’t-”
“We’ve been putting this off for a long time now. It’s about time.”
Quinn kept on protesting the whole way there. Rachel understood that alright. Quinn was terrified of meeting her dads, because she was sure that they wouldn’t approve. They knew that Quinn once was HBIC, and had tortured Rachel effectively for way too long. They knew Quinn had gotten pregnant, and given the child to Rachel’s mom.
They also knew that now, Quinn’s role in Rachel’s life was nothing if not extremely positive. They didn’t know that Quinn was her girlfriend, but they knew that Quinn mattered to her, in the best way possible. Quinn however, didn’t know that her dads knew that part. She didn’t expect to be welcomed with open arms.
When had time sped up? Were they already at Rachel’s? How could that be?
Rachel kept one hand strongly holding Quinn’s, while her other fumbled with the keys before unlocking the front door. She walked in, dragging a terrified, pale Quinn with her, and called out:
“Dad! Daddy! I’m home, and I brought a visitor!”
“Shhhhht! Not so loud! What if they here you?!” Quinn croaked out.
“That’s kind of the point, honey.”
“We’re in the kitchen!” Adam called out.
Rachel determinedly walked towards the kitchen, while Quinn obviously wanted to walk anywhere but the kitchen. She squeezed the blonde’s hand fiercely, and led her in the bright kitchen, where her fathers were both sitting by the kitchen table.
“Dad, daddy, I would like for you to meet Quinn, my girlfriend.”
Elijah put away his newspaper and smiled curiously at his daughter.
“Your girlfriend?”
“Are you in love with this girl?” Adam asked in a surprised voice.
“I am. And she’s in love with me too. Quinn Fabray is my girlfriend, and we’re in love, and I thought you should know.”
“I’m glad you told us. Rachel, is this the same Quinn that…”
Quinn stepped up then.
“Yes, you are right. I am the same girl that tortured her for years and years. And I got pregnant and kicked out of my house. I know that all in all I don’t come off like the perfect match for your wonderful daughter, and I know that you probably disapprove already, and you would have all good reasons to do so. But I really am in love with Rachel, it just took me a while to get there. I promise, that I’m going to be the best girlfriend that I can possibly be, and try to keep anything from hurting her, ever. I’d really like a chance to get in your good graces too, since Rachel loves you to no end, but if that is impossible I’d at least like for you to acknowledge that I’m not going anywhere. You won’t keep me from Rachel, whatever you do.”
Rachel hadn’t had many opportunities yet to see Quinn’s romantic side, and this exhilarated her more than she would have expected. She looked at her girlfriend, but Quinn’s focus was strong on the 2 men in front of her.
“Alright, you have made your point. Though unnecessarily.”
“I think it was necessary… wasn’t it?” Quinn asked surprised.
“Rachel’s been telling all kind of good stuff about you lately. Alright, we hadn’t exactly expected you to be romantically involved, but…”
Adam looked at his husband, who finished his sentence.
“As long as Rachel’s happy, we’re happy.”
And just like that, Quinn’s fears were gone.
She turned to the brunette.
“Now, what the hell was that good for?”
“First of all, it was about time.”
Quinn rolled her eyes but didn’t comment.
“Second, I wanted you to come to my house, so I could show you something. To prove my point.”
“Point? Wait, what were we talking about?”
“I like being right, and my father, Elijah, can tell you a story about Lima and the entertainment industry that would let you know I am right. Daddy, could you tell Quinn why I need to go to New York to become successful, and can’t just stay in Lima?”
“Well, Quinn, do you know the Vaudeville circuit? The heart of American showbiz between 1880 and 1930 or somewhat?”
“Of course I do, who doesn’t?”
“You’d be surprised. Around the 20s, there were a lot of Vaudeville performers here. But the Lima audiences were so unreceptive to humor that Lima became… an inside joke, of sorts, for performers for a horrible audience. The joke “First prize, one week in…, second prize, 2 weeks in…” was originally about Lima. Spencer Tracy fled this place after 4 months because he was scared New York would forget about him, and when he was in a desolate desert town in California, shooting a movie, someone said that it must be the worst place in the world to be stuck in. His reply? ‘Then you’ve never been to Lima, Ohio.”
“Are you making this up?”
“My grandfather was there to prove it. It’s true. It was true 90 years ago, and it still is today.”
Rachel turned to her, and said:
“You see? I could never stay here, not without giving up everything what I am about, not without diminishing who I am, and I refuse to do that.”
“I’d never ask that of you.”
“I know. But do you understand?”
“It makes it even worse, but… yes, I do. You should go to New York after graduation.”
“Thank you!” Rachel said, and kissed her girlfriend soundly on the lips, ignoring the throat-scraping of the 2 gentlemen in the same room, temporarily forgetting about them. When she pulled away, Quinn laughed, and said:
“I can’t believe you made me go through this just to prove that you were right.”
“Believe it,” Rachel said, before smile and shutting her up with another kiss.
She was sure that Quinn meant for her to go to the opera house. Everytime they walked past the opera house, Rachel reminded her of that story, and called it “The Graveyard of Showbiz”. Quinn would always roll her eyes at that. But there was no note, and it was too early to be over already, unfortunately. She heard a dog barking, and yelped, jumping away from the sound.
“Hush, Roger.”
“Artie?”
In front of his wheelchair, walked a dog. Not just a dog. Roger, the 30 inch Danish Dog, a huge, monstrous beast that listened to no-one but Artie. Tina walked next to him, and even she seemed more than a little bit scared of his pet. That said something, considering she had to deal with the animal on a daily basis.
“Hey Rachel! I was just out, walking my dog.”
“Yeah, I can see that. Even though the dog is kinda walking you.”
Artie looked offended and hurt, and Rachel gasped.
“I’m so sorry! I thought-”
Tina smacked him, and Artie laughed.
“Don’t tease her like that!”
“It’s fine, that was actually kind of funny. It’s way relaxed, he walks, and pulls me at the same time so I don’t have to wheel myself everywhere. Anyway, I’ve got something for you!”
“What have you got?”
He rummaged through his backpack, and took out a pink mp3-player. He gave Tina a look.
“Before you say anything, it’s not mine.”
“I know.”
Rachel immediately had identified the small device as Quinn’s mp3-player before she got an iPod. It still worked fine, though, and she suspected there to be a message for her on it.
Artie didn’t say goodbye, but was just staring at her.
“Are you alright?”
“I just can’t believe that you actually broke into St. Gerard’s.”
Tina gasped.
“The pre-school?! You broke into our old pre-school?!”
Rachel’s face paled.
“If you tell anyone, ever…”
“I won’t. Everyone will find out without my help. They always do.”
Rachel silently cussed beneath her breath, and Artie called for Roger to walk again.
“Bye, Rachel! Good luck finding Quinn!”
“Thanks, Artie. Watch out for cats! I heard Brittany has one!”
She looked down at the mp3-player again and sighed, before taking the matching pink earplugs and putting them in her ear. She pressed play, and smiled when Quinn’s familiar voice came to life again.
“Hey sweetie! Good work, so far you made it! I told you you’d get over yourself and break into St. Gerard’s, didn’t I?”
Rachel growled, but stopped. What was that song softly playing in the background?
“Well, anyway, I think it’s time for your next clue. Remember what you’re doing it all for. I’ll be waiting. This one’s for the bad side underneath, if you know what I mean.”
Rachel gasped.
“Oh no, she wouldn’t dare!”
But as Quinn’s voice faded out, the song playing on the background came to life.
“And we'll stay out all night
'Cause rest is for the dead
So we won't stop, no we won't stop
Raise your glass high
And let's throw out a toast to the road, where ever we go
We'll hold friends close and never want to go home”
Rachel flushed a bright red at the memory. That Quinn would dare to remind her of that weakness… The night where she had released all control, and gave it to the incapable hands of alcohol. As she started walking, her mind rekindled that night...
Part 2!
Author: irisayame
Rating: PG-13 for language.
Disclaimer: I don't own Glee, or anything I may refer to, like the awesome songs I use :)
Length: 2.904/13.547
Spoilers: None, really.
Summary: Prompted at the awesome rq_meme. It's the one-year anniversary of Rachel and Quinn, and Quinn decides to set Rachel on a scavenger hunt through Lima.
Author's Note: Go away now if you don't like fluff. This is basically fluff, fluff and more fluff. Of course, we're going to have a lot of flashbacks. It's got 2 parts, this is the first one. All the mistakes (which undoubtedly will be there) are mine. This story has basically been all I have been thinking about this weekend, so if you like it, or if you've got something to say, or if you've got any kind of tips or pointers, or even if you have nothing to say at all: leave a review! Oh, and those bad things that I say about the city of Lima? They're true. Look it up. Enjoy the story! :)
“Go to the place where we first met”
Rachel blinked at the little paper that her dad had given her during breakfast that morning. She knew the handwriting of course. She knew who she was about to meet. That was why she had been so eager to come here. Her eyes were seeking out blonde hair, a pale skin, her girlfriend of one year, but they were met with no such thing. She was at… kindergarten.
All the Lima children of their generation had of course grown up together, and there were like, 3 places to attend kindergarten. Rachel and Quinn had gone to the same one. It was the first time they had met, obviously, which was why Rachel was standing in front of the closed gates of St. Gerard’s Kindergarten, the biggest pre-school in Lima. Only… she was at a loss of what to do now. She felt her cellphone vibrate in her pocket, reached out and took it, and sighed with relief when she read who the text was from.
Quinn:
The EXACT place.
Rachel:
What, do you mean like the exact coordinates? Do not despair, I still remember where we first laid eyes on one another, yet I am troubled by the fact that it is summer vacation and the school is thus closed. I don’t know what you expect me to do now.
Quinn:
Get to the EXACT place. That’s what you’re going to do.
Rachel:
Are you expecting me to break into Lima’s largest pre-school?! I won’t do such a thing!
Quinn:
That’s what you think now. But I can be patient. Not too long, though, so rather you give in to your curiosity sooner than later, love J
Rachel:
You are insane. And so not worth it. Text me when you have relocated your brain.
Rachel huffed angrily. Breaking into your old kindergarten. Yes, the best way to spend your one-year anniversary would be in jail, instead of doing something actually romantic. What the hell was Quinn thinking? She couldn’t actually be thinking that Rachel would break the law and break in? She put away her cellphone and crossed her arms, determined to stand there and wait until Quinn came to her senses.
4 minutes later, Rachel was climbing over the fence with the ease that could only belong to a dancer. She shook her head while she walked to the window at the back of the school, the one that didn’t close properly. She wricked and wriggled until she managed to squeak it open noisily.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” she whispered, but hoisted herself up and tumbled through the window not-quite so gracefully or silently as she had planned. She quickly jumped up and looked around in panic, waiting for alarms to go off and police to barge in and arrest her.
Nothing happened.
Part of her was much disappointed in the Lima security systems, but on the other hand, what was there to find here? Watch out, I’m going to steal your drawing?
She rolled her eyes, before taking in where she was. An empty classroom with tiny chairs and toys carefully put away to rest for the summer. She looked at the posters on the walls and knew that she was in the wrong room. The regular door into the hallway was closed when she tried it, and she bit back a cuss word. She managed to open the desk, and after rummaging through files, books and drawings she found the Master Key that every classroom had somewhere.
She tried to put the words “illegal” “criminal” “police” and “law breaker” out of her mind when she opened first the door to the hall, and then the door to access the classroom that she remembered best. Her old classroom. Their old classroom, rather.
“Alright, kids. I get that you all find this very exciting, but calm down. We’re all going to introduce ourselves first, alright? My name is Ms. Carr, and I will be your kindergarten teacher this year. Now, why don’t you tell something about yourself?”
Rachel straightened her back and scraped her throat.
“Hello everyone. My name is Rachel Berry, I am 5 years old since May 9th, and I am ecstatic to meet new people and make new friends this year. I love singing, mostly Broadway musicals but also Ms. Streisand, of course. I won my first dancing competition at the young age of 3 months, I am very competitive all around. Also, when I grow up, I will be a star.”
The finality of her statement convinced Quinn immediately that it was true, this girl would be a star in the future. She was not sure how, or even what it meant exactly, but she knew that this girl was going to get everything she wanted. For a sly second, she envied the girl, because she had her act together so well. Nothing shy about that introduction. Quinn was shy. But everyone looked at her expectantly, and she realized it was her turn.
“Uhm, hi. My name is Quinn Fabray. I turned 5 August 19th, and I really like music and I like it when my mom reads to me.”
Her face was red and she averted her eyes from the rest of the class. She met eyes of the girl next to her, who had just introduced herself, the future star. Rachel. The girl smiled at her, and she released a breath when the boy next to her started talking and introducing himself as Matthew Rutherford before immediately closing down. Thankfully, she wasn’t the only one who was shy. Not everyone was like Rachel.
Rachel moved towards her, locked eyes with her, and whispered in her ear:
“It’s really great that you like music! We should do something sometime, sing or dance or something.”
“Maybe. That’d be really nice.”
When she looked up, she saw that some people really were not shy like her and Matt, but loud like Rachel. Rachel’s eyes glistened when a boy stood up and started dancing, his blue eyes were wide with excitement when he made a swinging turn and smiled at the class.
Ms. Carr thanked Artie, and called for the next kid.
On the seat she had once called hers, she found another note. She sighed. So it was going to be like that? A scavenger hunt. Typical for Quinn, the secret romantic that she was. But Rachel wasn’t patient. She wanted to see Quinn. Rather sooner than later. But obviously, that was up to her.
“First prize, one week in Lima. Second prize, two weeks in Lima.”
Rachel snickered, and made her way out of the pre-school swiftly, after locking the doors behind her. She closed the window noisily again, but didn’t pay much attention this time around. She had a new goal envisioned.
When she was standing on the street, she made her way to the Lima Opera House.
“Quinn, there’s no other way. I refuse to spend any more time in this town than I have to. The day after I graduate, I’m gone. I’m going to New York.”
“What’s wrong with Lima? I mean, it has memories. You grew up here. We grew up here. And do you really have to go so far away? Lima’s fine too, isn’t it?”
“Don’t lie, Quinn. Everyone just wants one thing, and that is to get out of here. And I will. Lima is death for ambitions, especially for ambitions like me. The entertainment industry has died here long ago. Anything slightly creative is doomed in this town.”
“That’s not true! Don’t you remember-“
“Yes alright, you can have your one lone exception. Happy? But that is one example, Quinn. Lima is known for nothing, but if Lima would be known for anything, it would be because entertainment fails here.”
“Rachel, you’re overreacting. Cut out the drama, it’s really not that bad.”
Rachel raised an eyebrow and grabbed her hand, dragging her behind her.
“Rachel? Rach? Where are we going?”
“I’m going to introduce you to my parents.”
“Your… Your dads!? Rachel, no! I’m not ready for that! I can’t, not yet! Don’t! Stop! Let me go, now! I can’t-”
“We’ve been putting this off for a long time now. It’s about time.”
Quinn kept on protesting the whole way there. Rachel understood that alright. Quinn was terrified of meeting her dads, because she was sure that they wouldn’t approve. They knew that Quinn once was HBIC, and had tortured Rachel effectively for way too long. They knew Quinn had gotten pregnant, and given the child to Rachel’s mom.
They also knew that now, Quinn’s role in Rachel’s life was nothing if not extremely positive. They didn’t know that Quinn was her girlfriend, but they knew that Quinn mattered to her, in the best way possible. Quinn however, didn’t know that her dads knew that part. She didn’t expect to be welcomed with open arms.
When had time sped up? Were they already at Rachel’s? How could that be?
Rachel kept one hand strongly holding Quinn’s, while her other fumbled with the keys before unlocking the front door. She walked in, dragging a terrified, pale Quinn with her, and called out:
“Dad! Daddy! I’m home, and I brought a visitor!”
“Shhhhht! Not so loud! What if they here you?!” Quinn croaked out.
“That’s kind of the point, honey.”
“We’re in the kitchen!” Adam called out.
Rachel determinedly walked towards the kitchen, while Quinn obviously wanted to walk anywhere but the kitchen. She squeezed the blonde’s hand fiercely, and led her in the bright kitchen, where her fathers were both sitting by the kitchen table.
“Dad, daddy, I would like for you to meet Quinn, my girlfriend.”
Elijah put away his newspaper and smiled curiously at his daughter.
“Your girlfriend?”
“Are you in love with this girl?” Adam asked in a surprised voice.
“I am. And she’s in love with me too. Quinn Fabray is my girlfriend, and we’re in love, and I thought you should know.”
“I’m glad you told us. Rachel, is this the same Quinn that…”
Quinn stepped up then.
“Yes, you are right. I am the same girl that tortured her for years and years. And I got pregnant and kicked out of my house. I know that all in all I don’t come off like the perfect match for your wonderful daughter, and I know that you probably disapprove already, and you would have all good reasons to do so. But I really am in love with Rachel, it just took me a while to get there. I promise, that I’m going to be the best girlfriend that I can possibly be, and try to keep anything from hurting her, ever. I’d really like a chance to get in your good graces too, since Rachel loves you to no end, but if that is impossible I’d at least like for you to acknowledge that I’m not going anywhere. You won’t keep me from Rachel, whatever you do.”
Rachel hadn’t had many opportunities yet to see Quinn’s romantic side, and this exhilarated her more than she would have expected. She looked at her girlfriend, but Quinn’s focus was strong on the 2 men in front of her.
“Alright, you have made your point. Though unnecessarily.”
“I think it was necessary… wasn’t it?” Quinn asked surprised.
“Rachel’s been telling all kind of good stuff about you lately. Alright, we hadn’t exactly expected you to be romantically involved, but…”
Adam looked at his husband, who finished his sentence.
“As long as Rachel’s happy, we’re happy.”
And just like that, Quinn’s fears were gone.
She turned to the brunette.
“Now, what the hell was that good for?”
“First of all, it was about time.”
Quinn rolled her eyes but didn’t comment.
“Second, I wanted you to come to my house, so I could show you something. To prove my point.”
“Point? Wait, what were we talking about?”
“I like being right, and my father, Elijah, can tell you a story about Lima and the entertainment industry that would let you know I am right. Daddy, could you tell Quinn why I need to go to New York to become successful, and can’t just stay in Lima?”
“Well, Quinn, do you know the Vaudeville circuit? The heart of American showbiz between 1880 and 1930 or somewhat?”
“Of course I do, who doesn’t?”
“You’d be surprised. Around the 20s, there were a lot of Vaudeville performers here. But the Lima audiences were so unreceptive to humor that Lima became… an inside joke, of sorts, for performers for a horrible audience. The joke “First prize, one week in…, second prize, 2 weeks in…” was originally about Lima. Spencer Tracy fled this place after 4 months because he was scared New York would forget about him, and when he was in a desolate desert town in California, shooting a movie, someone said that it must be the worst place in the world to be stuck in. His reply? ‘Then you’ve never been to Lima, Ohio.”
“Are you making this up?”
“My grandfather was there to prove it. It’s true. It was true 90 years ago, and it still is today.”
Rachel turned to her, and said:
“You see? I could never stay here, not without giving up everything what I am about, not without diminishing who I am, and I refuse to do that.”
“I’d never ask that of you.”
“I know. But do you understand?”
“It makes it even worse, but… yes, I do. You should go to New York after graduation.”
“Thank you!” Rachel said, and kissed her girlfriend soundly on the lips, ignoring the throat-scraping of the 2 gentlemen in the same room, temporarily forgetting about them. When she pulled away, Quinn laughed, and said:
“I can’t believe you made me go through this just to prove that you were right.”
“Believe it,” Rachel said, before smile and shutting her up with another kiss.
She was sure that Quinn meant for her to go to the opera house. Everytime they walked past the opera house, Rachel reminded her of that story, and called it “The Graveyard of Showbiz”. Quinn would always roll her eyes at that. But there was no note, and it was too early to be over already, unfortunately. She heard a dog barking, and yelped, jumping away from the sound.
“Hush, Roger.”
“Artie?”
In front of his wheelchair, walked a dog. Not just a dog. Roger, the 30 inch Danish Dog, a huge, monstrous beast that listened to no-one but Artie. Tina walked next to him, and even she seemed more than a little bit scared of his pet. That said something, considering she had to deal with the animal on a daily basis.
“Hey Rachel! I was just out, walking my dog.”
“Yeah, I can see that. Even though the dog is kinda walking you.”
Artie looked offended and hurt, and Rachel gasped.
“I’m so sorry! I thought-”
Tina smacked him, and Artie laughed.
“Don’t tease her like that!”
“It’s fine, that was actually kind of funny. It’s way relaxed, he walks, and pulls me at the same time so I don’t have to wheel myself everywhere. Anyway, I’ve got something for you!”
“What have you got?”
He rummaged through his backpack, and took out a pink mp3-player. He gave Tina a look.
“Before you say anything, it’s not mine.”
“I know.”
Rachel immediately had identified the small device as Quinn’s mp3-player before she got an iPod. It still worked fine, though, and she suspected there to be a message for her on it.
Artie didn’t say goodbye, but was just staring at her.
“Are you alright?”
“I just can’t believe that you actually broke into St. Gerard’s.”
Tina gasped.
“The pre-school?! You broke into our old pre-school?!”
Rachel’s face paled.
“If you tell anyone, ever…”
“I won’t. Everyone will find out without my help. They always do.”
Rachel silently cussed beneath her breath, and Artie called for Roger to walk again.
“Bye, Rachel! Good luck finding Quinn!”
“Thanks, Artie. Watch out for cats! I heard Brittany has one!”
She looked down at the mp3-player again and sighed, before taking the matching pink earplugs and putting them in her ear. She pressed play, and smiled when Quinn’s familiar voice came to life again.
“Hey sweetie! Good work, so far you made it! I told you you’d get over yourself and break into St. Gerard’s, didn’t I?”
Rachel growled, but stopped. What was that song softly playing in the background?
“Well, anyway, I think it’s time for your next clue. Remember what you’re doing it all for. I’ll be waiting. This one’s for the bad side underneath, if you know what I mean.”
Rachel gasped.
“Oh no, she wouldn’t dare!”
But as Quinn’s voice faded out, the song playing on the background came to life.
“And we'll stay out all night
'Cause rest is for the dead
So we won't stop, no we won't stop
Raise your glass high
And let's throw out a toast to the road, where ever we go
We'll hold friends close and never want to go home”
Rachel flushed a bright red at the memory. That Quinn would dare to remind her of that weakness… The night where she had released all control, and gave it to the incapable hands of alcohol. As she started walking, her mind rekindled that night...
Part 2!