"Everything's fine," She said with a pretty little smile on her face. She sat up straight, her legs crossed, her hands rested gracefully on her knee. The chair wasn't that comfortable. She had expected a couch: something made of leather that she could lay down on, taking sophisticated puffs from a cigarette as she talked, like Betty Draper on Mad Men. However, a scene like that would give away one of her many secrets: she hadn't stopped smoking.

Doctor Jessup kept her narrow eyes on the clipboard that Quinn had just handed her. "Well, Lucille, either your telling the truth now or you've lied on your entry questionnaire."

Quinn cringed, but maintained her composure. "It's Quinn. I go by Quinn." She said simply, cocking her head.

The therapist looked up blankly. "That's a far cry from Lucille."

"It's the name on the insurance. Quinn's my middle name."

"Is there any particular reason you don't go by Lucille or…Lucy, perhaps?"

It seemed like a rude question. Quinn shrugged. "Not really. I just like Quinn better."

The therapist finally accepted this, and smiled slightly. "Honestly, I do too."

Perfect. "So, we're on the same page." Quinn raised her hands slightly, facing her palms up.

"So, Quinn…" Doctor Jessup sighed. Quinn lowered her hands nervously, understanding that it was time for business. "You say everything's fine. In fact, you wrote that the biggest contributor to stress in your life were…your college applications."

"I have a lot to do." Quinn nodded, putting on her serious face.

There was a long pause, and Quinn struggled not to let it psych her out. Finally, her doctor spoke. "Quinn, if you don't mind me asking whose idea was it for you to start therapy?"

She chose to tell the truth for the first time since entering the office. "I did." She admitted lightly. "My mom might have thought it was a good idea too. We agreed that mental health is just as important as physical, and you get check-ups for your physical health too, right?"

The therapist looked concerned. Quinn's palms started to sweat. She didn't know why she was so nervous.

"So that's what this is to you, Quinn? A check-up…?"

Quinn froze. She had to force herself to speak through the lump in her throat. "Yes."

"You're a very pretty girl, Quinn. You're very poised." Doctor Jessup told her.

"Thank you." She said, not even pretending to be surprised by the compliment.

"However, your composure is forced. You're not relaxed. Do you feel threatened by me?"

Quinn forced a sunny laugh. "Excuse me?"

"Quinn, I'm a professional. Don't underestimate me." She said. Quinn's face fell. "You're here because you know there's something wrong with you, and you're trying really hard to get me to tell you that you're okay."

Quinn was suddenly furious. How could this woman even make a judgment like that? They'd known each other for about seven minutes.

"Everything's fine…" Quinn re-asserted, even though it was clear to her that it wasn't. "I can deal with things by myself. I'm not crazy."

"I'm not saying you are," The doctor leaned forward, her voice softening. "I'm only saying that I think you could be happier."

"Well," Quinn spat wryly, finally cracking. "Happiness is kind of a tall order for anyone, don't you think?"

The bell rang to mark the end of fourth period. Quinn gathered her books with a frown on her face. Her mind was still back in Doctor Jessup's office, going over the conversation from the night before over and over again.

The doctor was right: she wasn't okay. She hadn't been for months. With every step she took, the sick weight in her stomach got worse. All day, she felt like crying for no reason. She'd fantasized breaking down, but whenever she had the opportunity to let herself, no tears would come. She was kicking herself now. Why had the therapist intimidated her so badly? Why hadn't she been able to talk about that during the session?

"What's up, girl?" Mercedes asked her as they passed each other in the hallway.

"Hey," She smiled. "Not much, how are you?"

"I've been better. My chemistry test was just awful."

"I'm sure you did fine,"

"Maybe…"

Quinn watched Mercedes walk away and felt a pang of sadness. That was the maximum depth of their conversations now. Mercedes had tried to keep in touch with Quinn after she moved back in with her mom, but Quinn had made sure to push her away. She just wanted to live at home without the reminder that she'd ever been away.

Quinn made her way to the cafeteria. Lunch was her least favorite time of day. She hated that kind of forced socialization. She waited in line and got a sandwich then went to sit at her usual table, next to Puck.

She lowered herself into her seat, smoothing out her skirt on the way down. Puck gave her only the briefest glance of acknowledgement as he shoveled spaghetti into his mouth. Quinn didn't try to make conversation. She knew they'd have nothing to talk about.

The rest of the day was a blur. Quinn waited it out boredly, only half attentive in every single one of her classes. She kept contemplating skipping Glee rehearsal that afternoon. Then, she kept contemplating quitting Glee again. What was it really doing for her? Besides fooling her mother into thinking she actually still had a social life…

She went, though. She sat in the front row, emotionally preparing herself to listen to Blaine and Rachel test out new numbers for an hour-and-a-half. She was thrilled when Mr. Shuester put her out of her misery prematurely.

"Duets…!" He cried out, scribbling the familiar five letters on the board. "It's a little later in the year than we've done them in the past, but I think we're in good need of a friendly competition. However, to avoid the drama we had last year, I will be picking your partners."

Quinn was actually relieved. She wouldn't have to go around like a loser trying to find someone willing to work with her.

"Alright," Shuester said, examining her group. "Let's have Kurt and Puck work together…Finn and Tina …Rachel…how about you work with Artie… Blaine and Mike. And I guess that leaves Quinn and Rory."

Everyone was silent, glancing around confused.

"That's…random…" Mike finally said, his eyes shifting.

Quinn had to think for a second to remember who Rory was. Finally, she turned around and smiled at the little Irish exchange student who she had spoken maybe four words to since he arrived. He smiled bashfully from the back row and waved.

"Now, everyone split up…and start getting to work!" Mr. Shuester called out.

Quinn stayed in her seat. Rory could come to her.

"I've never sang a duet before," Rory told her, enthusiastically taking the seat next to hers. "Is it hard?"

He seemed like a sweet kid. Quinn already felt at ease with him. "No, not at all… We'll make sure we pick something easy for you."

He grinned, and it was impossible for Quinn not to grin too. It was weird, in all the times she'd smiled within the past 24 hours, this was the first time it felt genuine.