So this is it, guys - after 222k+ words, 45 chapters, 16 months, few writer's blocks and countless hours spent in front of my computer screen, I finally finished it. The last few chapters were the most difficult part to write because I didn't know how to give such a long story a worthy ending. But I am relieved that I kept my promise and pulled it through. Please enjoy.

"What do you mean you'll be just staying for summer?" Kate's confused voice rang out of my phone speaker. "Does this mean what I think it means?"

"Yes, it means exactly what you think it means," I patiently replied. Sprawled over my bed, I had my phone lying next to my face, which was half-buried in my pillow.

The line went silent and I could imagine my friends staring at each other in disbelief.

To be fair, I could've told them sooner of my plans to finish high school in Lima, but the appropiate moment never came up so it had come to this. My friends were just ringing me up and asking when I would return to New York, and now they learned that I would only be back for summer. With Quinn of course.

"So," Jake's voice piped up from the other side of the line, "you really want to stay there for another year?"

"Have I been not clear enough?" I mumbled into my pillow.

"Wow. Just, wow."

"She must really love her," Nikki whispered and the other two agreed with a hum. I rolled my eyes.

"People from school will never believe us if we had to explain why Rae's not coming back," Kate said.

"Yeah," Jake laughed, "they're gonna think we're shitting them. Our Rae staying in a hellhole for another year – and that for a girl? Are we talking about the same Rae who refused to stay in the same bed for more than a night?"

I turned on my back and grunted. "You do realize that I can hear you."

"Yeah, we do and we wanted you to hear that," Kate knowingly replied, her voice getting louder as she talked to the phone again. "And? How does it feel like?"

"How does what feel like?" I sighed, innerly preparing myself for a sneaky question that would most likely be uncomfortable to answer.

"You know, the big 'c-word'."

"Nikki, what is she talking about?" I impatiently asked.

"Well, my first thought was 'cunt', but I think she means 'commitment'."

Scrunching up my face in confusion, I was about to probe for more clues when Jake let out a groan and quickly said, "What Kate is trying to say in her weird ass way is, how does it feel like to be in a committed relationship that's been going strong for a year now?"

"We got together in February and it's May now. I didn't know you were failing Math this year?"

"Well, you two were already acting like a couple when we visited you in December, so excuse me if I assumed that this relationship has been established since forever."

"And for Rae, one month of relationship equals a decade," Kate added. "I remember how her longest relationship before Quinn was two weeks, and they didn't even see each other most of the time."

I groaned and covered my face with my hands. "Thanks for bringing up the lovely memories I try so hard to forget. I really wish I could take all of this back, none of them deserved that."

It got silent once again.

"Can you please act less surprised about this?" I tiredly required. "I know I used to be an asshole and I'm really not proud of it, but can we get over it? It's not like I don't already hate myself for it."

Jake hesitantly cleared his throat. "You know how much we don't like hearing you talk about yourself in that way."

"And before you deny it, you always find a reason to hate yourself," Nikki cut me off before I had the chance to speak up. "You always do this. Even when there's no reason, you still find a fault in you."

"So it's not my fault I hurt all those girls?"

When they didn't immediately answer, I wanted to dejectedly sigh, 'Thought so', but Kate angrily started, "Listen here, dipshit, this is not a pity party and since we're your best friends, we'll be honest about this. Yes, you were an asshole and yes, it was your fault that we sometimes had to clean up the aftermath of your escapades – but it's in the fucking past and you've changed, you can't be held responsible for your immature actions forever. Get over it, and I'm saying it with love."

That left me speechless and I blankly stared at the ceiling.

"No, Jake, don't try to take away the impact of my words," I heard Kate hiss in the background. "She can handle it."

"Rae?" Nikki tentatively asked and I let out a weak, "Yeah?"

"We love you, you know. We just wish you would do the same."

"Sorry," I breathed. "Still got this habit to find fault in myself since it was everyone else that was leaving me."

"Oh, Rae," Nikki sighed, then I heard her exclaim in indignance and seconds later, Kate's harsh voice replaced Nikki's soft and understanding tone.

"Don't encourage her to stay a pussy," which was obviously directed at Nikki. "And you Rae, you're better than that. I don't remember a melancholic pussy hitting on me on my first day in sophomore year and I don't remember giving this sad piece of shit a chance at being my friend, and I certainly can't recall how I let someone like that become my best friend."

"Don't be so crass," Jake stated in the background.

"No, she needs that, it's the only way she understands and why do you think we became friends?"

I had to agreeingly nod at. She certainly had impressed me with her straightforward nature back then and she still did now.

"Rae, you still with me?"

"Yeah and I appreciate your crass words," I softly said with a smile.

"Damn right you do," Kate firmly said. "And I appreciate your badass character. Always did. Even when you first hit on me and I thought of you as a douchebag, I had to admit that you were quite bold. I mean, who hits on a girl without knowing whether she's gay or not? That's a thing only Rae does. And once I got over this whole bad girl masquerade, I found new friendships worth keeping for forever."

Before Kate transferred to my school in New York, it was only a trio of me, Jake and Nikki. We had other friends, but they never managed to get closer to us than Kate did. Nikki was more welcoming of her than Jake was, mostly because she finally had someone to discuss about same interests. Jake was suspicious of her at first because he believed that she was leading me on and using us to gain popularity since she was new at school.

But once she joined the Debate Club, all suspicions were erased because that extracurricular activity wasn't as reputable as any other school sport. She joined the Club because she had a sharp tongue and needed somewhere to lash out, with success. I didn't think that our Debate Club would ever get a headline in our school magazine, but Kate proved me wrong when she shoved a copy under my nose and opened the double-page article with a picture of her smirkingly holding a trophy.

"Now's not the time to dwell on memories," Kate reminded me. "Focus on now. Dwelling on memories means that the present sucks and I don't think you're in a position to complain. What you got is what I call first world problems. I mean, who the fuck gets miserable about their past as a womanizer? You know how many jocks would kill to have the same record as you?"

"You just don't get me, do you," I finally retorted. Just because Kate knew how to verbally fight, quite dirty at that point, didn't mean she was right. "I hurt those girls because I was selfish. I hurt them because I could, because I had control over that. Because everything else seemed to be out of my control."

I turned over on my side, speaking directly to my phone now.

"It felt good to have control over my life for once. I was the one with no obligation to stay, I could leave whenever I wanted to and it just felt so good not to be the one who got hurt. If you don't think that is the most asshole thing to do, then I'm sorry, you're an asshole yourself. At least I can admit it."

The line went silent again and it was almost depressing.

"Never looked at it that way," Jake mumbled in the background. He raised his voice so I would know the question was directed at me. "It wasn't your sex drive leading you then?"

I sighed. "I guess not as much as I made myself believe."

"If she wanted regular sex, she could've stayed with that volleyball chick – what's her name? Janice? That horny bitch, actually dared to come over when we hung out at Rae's."

"Kate," I groaned and I buried my face into my pillow, breathing deeply through my mouth.

"Sorry," she gave in. "I made the mistake of underestimating you."

"Quite a frequent mistake actually," I turned my head to the side to talk.

Kate huffed. "Do you want to hear my apology or not?"

"What do you think guys, do I want to?"

Jake and Nikki were laughing in the background and Jake neared the speaker. "I don't think you have choice. Our debate captain has already improvised a speech, I can see it in her eyes."

"Shut up, gay Jay."

"That wasn't even offensive. You're merely stating a fact that happens to rhyme." I could imagine Jake rolling his eyes.

"I will hang up if you have nothing important to say," I remarked.

"No, Rae, let Kate explain or she will explode," Nikki snorted with laughter. "Ouch, Kate!"

"I'm serious," I threatened, my finger hovering above my phone. Just one touch and the conversation would be over.

"Look, Rae, I'm sorry if I made it sound like your problems don't matter. They do, but what's the point of clinging onto them?"

"I'm not clinging onto anything, I just don't want to be ignorant and pretend like nothing ever happened."

Kate sighed into the phone. "Moving on doesn't equal with being ignorant of your past. You just choose not to make yourself miserable over it because there's nothing you can change about it. Rae, listen, your regret is sincere and you feel like shit for treating those girls badly, and that's more than others can ask of."

I groaned and rolled over to my other side, taking my phone with me. "I just wish there was a way I could make up for everything."

"The only way you can redeem yourself is not making the same mistake with Quinn, but I don't need to tell you that since you're serious about her."

Facing the ceiling again, I slowly smiled at the thought of my girlfriend. "You guys won't believe how much I love her."

I heard them 'aw'ing and some rustling indicated that Kate had handed over the phone to either Jake or Nikki.

"And you won't believe who came up to me yesterday and asked when you would return," Jake slyly said and I could hear the smirk in his voice. "You finally made nice with Gabrielle!"

I sheepishly laughed and lamely answered, "Yeah, it felt nice as well."

"You were an idiot for teasing her, you know," Nikki chidingly threw in and Kate shushed her. "Let's all not act surprised about the tiny little fact that tough and badass Rae had an awful crush on Geeky Gabby during sophomore year."

My grimace was one of pure horror and embarrassment. "Don't call her that! And what did you say about moving on? Let's not dwell on the past, shall we?"

Kate snickered and mumbled something only my other friends could hear, and I felt left out. "Guys, uncool. I'm gonna hang up if you don't mind, I'm tired."

"Wait, Rae, one more thing," Kate quickly said and she paused. I impatiently tapped my fingers against the mattress.

"You made quite the remarkable change. For the better, may I add. And I'm speaking for all of us when I say I'm proud of you."

My finger tapping stopped and I could feel my heart being painfully squeezed. But it was the good kind of pain, reminding you that you were capable of loving and hurting, which ultimately proved that you were alive.

"She's never said a truer word. We are so proud of you," Jake softly continued.

"And proud to be your friend," Nikki added.

The squeezing stopped, but my eyes started to burn and I pressed the palm of my hands against them to stop possible tears. I wished my friends were here with me right now, so I could engulf all of them in a bone-crushing hug.

"I love you guys so much," I quietly said with a trembling smile. "I can't wait to see you again."

"Same for us," they murmured.

"I'm going to hang up now," I said after clearing my throat. "I love you guys. I'll call you when Jerry's booked the tickets to New York, okay?"

"Okay. Take care," Nikki softly said.

"Oh and Rae," Jake interjected before I could end the connection.

"Yeah?"

"No matter what, we stick together, right?"

He could always make me smile whenever he was being his innocent and cute self.

"In other words," Kate suddenly interrupted, "Jake got a scratch on one of your cars. You really should change the combination of your safe."

"Never mind, I'll find someone like you -"

"Do you mind if I change the station?" I asked Quinn, already reaching for the car radio.

Quinn's eyes darted from the road to me, then back to the road. She frowned. "No, go ahead. You don't like Adele?"

"She's talented, no doubt." After zapping through five different radio stations where only advertisements were on, I gave up and turned it off completely.

"But?"

"But this song makes me uncomfortable," I admitted and looked out of the window in embarrassment.

Quinn shot me another questioning look. "And that is because -?"

"Because it makes me think of us, and how wrong Adele is – I won't find someone like you, I don't want to find someone like you," I quietly said, looking down on my lap. "I just want...you. I'm sorry, I'm getting sentimental over a song."

I let out a groan and closed my eyes. My full transformation into a sap was complete. Was I really ready to stay another year in Lima?

When the car stopped and gentle fingers lifted up my chin to bring soft lips upon mine, I pretty much had my answer.

–

We could hardly keep our hands off each other, the reason why we were late to our respective classes. Parting after a kiss was the hardest thing to do, especially when you had a girlfriend like Quinn Fabray.

Storming into my Chemistry class, I briefly apologized to the teacher and sat down on my usual seat next to Puck, who looked far too smug for my liking.

"Not a word," I breathed.

But he talked anyway. "You really don't want to know what happened after you two sex-bunnies rushed off?"

"Don't ever use that word again," I grimaced, but curiosity got the better of me. "What else happened? Who's Prom Queen?"

"No one cares about the Prom Queen," Puck dismissively said. "The real topic is Karofsky. He asked if he could have a dance with Kurt, man that was a shock to everyone. Like, it was the gayest night ever."

"Dave?" I said in surprise, louder than I intended to and I got chided by my teacher. Ignoring him, I continued in a lower volume, "He came out?"

Puck ruffled his mohawk. "He didn't say he was gay, he just wanted a dance with Kurt and apologize to him for everything he's done to him."

"Wow," I breathed to myself in wonder. "That was really brave of him."

Puck shrugged and said, "I think all this coming out stuff is stupid. It makes being gay a bigger deal than it is, I mean, it's just a part of you who you are, why is there a need to reveal it like a secret? Like, no one's ever come out as an asshole before. Your orientation should be something you can mention along with your hobbies, and not make it a special trait."

I slowly turned my head to him and stared at him in wonder.

He weirdly stared back. "What? You don't agree?"

"No, I'm actually amazed," I smiled at him. "What gave you that idea?"

Puck rubbed at his arm and thoughtfully scrunched up his eyebrows. "Prom night, actually. Like, everybody acted so surprised when Karofsky asked Hummel for a dance. Like they couldn't believe he was gay until he would personally say so, until he would come out. And that's bullshit, he was gay all along, coming out doesn't make this truer or something."

"You knew he was gay?" I whispered in surprise.

Puck shrugged. "Doesn't make a difference if the linebacker's gay or not, does it? He can be whatever he wants as long as he keeps the opponents away from our side of the field."

He still managed to amaze me from day to day and I couldn't have chosen a better bro.

"If there was a grade for attitude, you'd deserve all the A's," I said with a sigh and nudged his arm. He gave me a lopsided smile and tilted his head.

"Nah, what the hell do I want with grades?" he shrewdly grinned and took out a bubblegum stripe. He offered it to me, but I shook my head. "They don't tell shit about me and if people want to judge me by some numbers and letters," he unwrapped the bubblegum and popped it into his mouth, "then let 'em. It obviously makes 'em feel better if they can categorize you."

I hummed and leaned back in my chair. "There was this girl who once told me that this is what losers say to feel better about themselves."

And to this day, the memory could still be vividly played in my mind. It happened three years ago, I had received an F on an essay for missing the topic. Not wanting to show how bitter and disappointed I had actually felt, I had offhandedly told anyone who would listen that grades were useless anyway and couldn't measure intelligence. Almost everyone had agreed with me until a girl with pitying eyes had said the words that still haunted me whenever I saw a merciless red F on someone else's test paper.

I hadn't seen that particular grade on any of my own tests ever since. Partly because I always learned enough to get a C, partly because the generous donations of my fathers to the school didn't allow the teachers to be too rough on me.

Was I really just a loser who made this all up to feel better about myself? Couldn't I just admit that I had failed?

"Now she ain't totally wrong, just not completely right either," Puck said while chewing his gum, still looking at ease. "I mean, do you hear rich people complaining 'bout earning too much money? Of course only the losing people are the ones who see the real problem. Same with everything else. Like fucking politics. Fucking dictators screwing over their people. Ever heard of a dictator resigning 'cause he realized he had too much power? No? Yeah, thought so."

I wordlessly stared at him and he shrugged again. "So yeah, Rach, that girl wasn't wrong, we say that to feel better about ourselves 'cause there's no one else who would do that for us. We're the losers of this system, no one's gonna complain for us if they have it better. You can't expect Honor Roll Girl to see the bad in something that places her better than the rest."

Sometimes I lost, sometimes I won faith in humanity. Sometimes I doubted, sometimes I believed in people.

"You're really clever, you know," I quietly said with a weak smile. "I just wish more people would see you for who you are."

Puck chuckled under his breath and shook his head. "If you haven't noticed yet, I don't really care 'bout what others think of me. Besides, it would totally ruin my badass reputation."

It was the last week of school. We barely had any lessons anymore, the teachers had as much motivation as the students had, which meant that their classes mostly consisted of watching movies.

It was a fine sunny morning as I sat in the kitchen and ate my cereal, from time to time glancing out the window to admire the clear, blue sky. It was the perfect weather to ride a motorcycle and the perfect day to introduce Quinn to the freedom of riding a motorcycle. She would love it. And if not, I would get to enjoy the feeling of her holding on to me for dear life. Either way, it was a win-win situation.

I looked up from my cereal bowl when I heard steps nearing the kitchen, and I acknowledged Shelby with a short nod.

"Morning," she quietly replied and opened a cupboard. "Coffee?"

"No thanks, I'm fine. I need to go now anyway."

And I wasn't being rude, I really was finished with my breakfast. I didn't want Shelby to interpret this as me avoiding her, so I stood up and brought my empty cereal bowl to the sink.

I was about to leave the kitchen without another word as I usually did, when Shelby suddenly called out, "Rachel?"

I stopped at the doorframe and slowly turned around. "Yeah?"

Shelby fidgeted with her coffee cup. "I won't be home until ten. I left some money on the coffee table in the living room if you want to order in, and it should be enough for you and your girlfriend in case she comes over."

It was like the lighting in this room had shifted, I suddenly saw Shelby differently. She no longer was a stranger in her own house, she no longer was the unfamiliar face that I couldn't connect warm memories with, but someone who cared. She had known about Quinn all along and never forced me to talk about her, she had just accepted it and never tried to talk about my relationship.

My expression was one of astonishment and gratefulness, and my voice almost cracked when I said, "Thanks."

Still looking unsure, Shelby continued to play with the handle of her empty cup. Then, she carefully asked, "Are you going to take the motorcycle today?"

My smile faltered and I expected her to try and talk me out of it. I slowly nodded.

She silently stared at me, scanning my face and I wondered if she was thinking the same, if she was thinking about the resemblance of our faces.

"Be careful, will you?" And her voice shook, causing my insides to churn as well. Why was she looking this torn? Why was she doing this to me again, confronting me with feelings I didn't want? "Please drive safely. I don't want to lose you again."

Unable to comprehend the sudden emotional weight she had thrown at me, I almost wished she had let me leave the kitchen without a word. I could be on my way to Quinn right now, but instead I was fighting the growing lump in my throat.

And I said the only thing that could make both of us breathe freely again.

"You won't. See you tonight," I paused and gazed into her teary eyes, "mom."

I couldn't stick around to watch her reaction or I'd never be able to leave the house, so I finally turned and left, grabbing my bag with one hand, the other wiping away single tears. I needed a clear vision if I wanted to drive safely.

The first few minutes Quinn had been riding with me, she had almost hugged the life out of me and squeezed all the air out of my body. But once she trusted my driving style and noticed that I wasn't trying to pull any crazy stunts to impress her, she relaxed and pressed her upper body against my back. But this made me tense up because feeling her body flush against my back was a great distraction and all I could think about was stopping somewhere private and -

No, I had to concentrate on driving because this wasn't only about my safety anymore, I was responsible for Quinn's life as well. And I would never forgive myself if something happened to her on my account.

Quinn directed me to a parking slot that was reserved for her because she was a Cheerio. Sue had made sure that none of her Cheerios would ever be late for pre-school practices just because they couldn't find a place to park their cars.

"I have to admit," Quinn started once she had pulled off her helmet and shook her ruffled hair, "it's better than I imagined."

"Yeah?" I smirked and ran a hand through my own messy hair.

"And to be honest," she continued with a sly grin, coming closer to me, "it's quite a turn-on."

"Uh-huh," I breathed and she pulled me in for a kiss. I knew it would only be a win-win situation.

–

Unfortunately, we had to part for our first class and apparently, heavily making out on school grounds was frowned upon. Figgins was as much of a cock-block as Santana was.

I was on my way to history class when something caught my eye and I froze, standing rooted to the ground. Utter disbelief and disappointment made my blood run cold as I watched Dave approaching Kurt with a slushie from behind. I wanted to scream and run up to him and beat the shit out him, but I was too late, Dave had already raised his cup and – done nothing.

Kurt turned around in mild surprise and he flinched at the sight of a slushie cup, but Dave didn't budge, he just held it in front of him and it seemed like he was offering it to him. Only when Kurt accepted it with an astonished smile did I feel like breathing again, and I sighed loudly, cursing myself. I had jumped to assumptions far too quickly.

I walked past them two and greeted them, and I couldn't describe the smile that I had given Dave, but he had understood my look and flashed me a happy, free grin. He was beaming and his eyes sparkled with joy, and I was truly happy for him. Prom night had freed him.

I was still thinking about him once I entered History class and only when someone waved a hand in front of my face did I snap out of it.

"Er...can I help you?"

I looked down to find Finn warily gazing up at me from his regular seat. I couldn't find an ounce of resentment within me to start a fight. I didn't need to start fights to prove myself anymore.

"I just zoned out," I merely said and took my seat next to Mike, who was already engrossed in a crude drawing of our History teacher. He never got tired of drawing her in the weirdest forms, sometimes he depicted her as a monster, other times as a gnome or an alien.

"Hey, what about one last paper ball fight this school term?" he suddenly spoke up and forgot about his half-finished drawing. I turned my head to look at Finn, who seemed to notice my eyes on him and he stared at me in apprehension, afraid that I would throw heavy things against his forehead again.

"Yeah, but," I faced Mike again, "let's pick a different opponent. It's no fun if Hudson keeps losing against us. We should fight against someone in our league."

Mike grinned and crumpled the sheet with his drawing into a ball. "Makes the victory even sweeter. I know Edison is quite good at aiming, I'll ask him, alright?"

And he stood up to go to a fellow jock across the room. I looked behind me again, and Finn's expression was one of pure relief.

It was about time to bury the hatchet.

–

"Look at my badass bro, coming to school with a hot bike and a hot girl, now that's the life," Puck jokingly said once I sat down next to him in Chemistry class. I couldn't suppress the proud grin on my face because yes, I was living a sweet, sweet life.

"That I can't deny," I cheerfully answered and I leaned back in my chair with a content sigh.

"You know why you're so badass?" Puck continued, and he playfully poked me in the side. I laughed and shook my head. "I figured that being badass doesn't mean a rough look, a large police record and the need to punch everyone. Being badass means being brave enough to be yourself and give no shit about things that could hold you down."

"So I drove to school with a bike and my girlfriend, what does that say about me?" I laughingly asked.

He grinned. "That you're proud to be seen with your girl, and that you don't care if idiots tell you that girls shouldn't ride motorcycles. You know, rebelling against stereotypes and stuffy norms is what I call badass."

"Then you should know that you're the most badass one of all," I proudly said and I held my fist for him to bump it. "Bros for life?"

His smirk grew and he connected our fists. "Bros forever."

–

"Rachel, please pay attention," Schuester woke me up from my day-dreaming and I scowled. I was paying attention, but just not to his lesson. He couldn't expect me to follow his class when the summer heat was making the classroom so stuffy, not giving my head enough oxygen to think clearly.

All my brain could come up with was to scoop Quinn up from her chair and carry her out of the classroom to get real hot and sticky somewhere private. Instead I was stuck in here, settling for only staring at her back. But gladly, this lesson would be over in a few minutes.

I was about to doze off when something light hit my head and bounced on my desk. My eyes fluttered open to find a paper ball lying there, mocking me. I slowly looked up.

Santana had turned around in her seat and she snickered at my annoyed expression. Some people never learned.

Grabbing the paper ball, I pressed it even smaller in my hand. I blew her a kiss and her eyes widened, knowing what was about to come next. But her motions were too slow and I hit her between the eyes, watching in satisfaction as the ball bounced off her face.

She let out a yell of frustration just in time with the ringing of the bell that announced the end of our school day.

Storming over to me, she wanted to lash out, but I shushed her by pressing a finger to her lips. She slapped away my hand, and I tried it again with the other hand, which she grabbed and shoved away.

"Get your disgusting paws off me," she hissed and we started slapping each other's hands away, looking fairly ridiculous.

"Well, stop picking fights you can't win, Lopez," I teasingly said and managed to get one hand past her defense, poking her cheek. She pretended to bite after my finger and I laughingly pulled it away.

"What did I miss in the one second that I didn't look at you?"

Quinn stopped our playful fight and I innocently smiled at her. "She threw a paper ball at me, I was merely fighting back."

My girlfriend shook her head with an amused smile, "You two."

Santana huffed and blew a loose strand of hair out of her face. "Whatever, I'm taking Britts home. Don't call us unless you're dying."

And she strutted away, linking arms with Brittany who had been waiting for her by the door.

"Some things never change, do they?" Quinn said with a smile and we linked arms as well, leaving the classroom.

"No, some things don't," I agreed as we strolled down the hallway. "But some do. And I'm glad that they do, or I wouldn't be the lucky girl to hold your hand."

Quinn blushed and ducked her head, and I fondly watched her struggle with the compliment. She had told me once that she found it hard to receive compliments because she didn't know how to not come off as either ungrateful or arrogant.

And I patiently waited for her to find the right words. But before she could express them, a loud voice, which was amplified by a megaphone, called our names.

"Berry-Fabray!"

Quinn and I turned around, warily watching Sue Sylvester pacing towards us with a megaphone in one hand. Her constant expression of distaste betrayed the softness in her eyes as she glanced at both of us alternately.

"I hope you are not planning on defiling the janitor's closet. Not because I care, but because I find it disturbing to meditate to the sound of coitus as my office happens to share the same wall."

Quinn looked horrified while I had to suppress a laugh. "No, Coach, we're planning to head home. You can meditate in peace. If you excuse us -"

"No," she simply said, "you are not excused. I was polishing the jars where I keep the pinkies of my Cheerios, when I heard Figgins talking about you staying for another year through the bug that I had placed beneath his desk. Is this true?"

I shared a confused look with Quinn, then slowly replied, "Yes, it is."

Her eyes narrowed. "So love got your brain in chains and it's forcing you to keep going to this school."

Those words rang familiar and I took them with a confident smirk. "No, I choose to stay out of my own will. Love is only one reason of many."

And my eyes automatically found Quinn's at the mention of love, because her face was what I associated with this word. It only made sense with her, it only had a meaning if she was the context used in.

Her adoring smile confirmed me in my decision to stay in Lima.

Sue seemed to notice the look we were exchanging and she scoffed. "Young love. Poisonous. Q, I expect you on the field when training season starts again and no excuse is good enough to be missing unless it's death or worse, herpes. Same goes for you, Ray. Avoid getting anyone pregnant. Now march on. I have to level up my meditation skills."

And she sauntered away.

"Yeah, some things never change," I repeated with a sigh, and tugged at my girlfriend's hand because I didn't want to stay longer in this school than necessary.

But Quinn didn't move, just looking at me with bright eyes that sparkled with love. "But some things do. Or I wouldn't be the lucky girl to hold your hand."

I laughed and teasingly raised one eyebrow. "Did you just reuse my line?"

A playful smirk was my answer and I quickly leaned in to kiss her lips that were curled in amusement, kissing her until those lips parted to moan. Until the smirk was gone, until it was replaced by a heated look full of desire.

"We should head home," Quinn gasped once we broke apart for air.

"Or we could head to the janitor's closet," I mumbled against her skin, grazing the soft flesh of her neck with my teeth as if I was searching for the right spot to sink them in. Oh how I wanted to. But I mustered up all the remaining rational sense I had within me and stepped away from her.

"You're not making it easy, you know," I panted and took in her flushed appearance. All I wanted to do was push her up against the lockers and defile every room of this school with her, but I could think of more comfortable places to pleasure her.

"You're one to talk," Quinn breathlessly said and her dilated pupils hungrily swept over my face.

Her look of want robbed me of air and rational thoughts. "Quinn, before you, I could've never imagined to stay in Lima for longer than a school year. But now I don't want to head back to New York without you. And you're doing it again, you make me question whether I should take you home or take you in the locker room."

Hazel eyes widened in lust. Quinn had the sultriest look I had ever seen on her and I wouldn't be surprised if my pants dropped by themselves. Leaning in to me, she cupped one side of my cheek with her hand and hotly whispered in my ear, "Well, you won't discover new things if you don't change your directions."

And my body and heart felt like exploding in want and desire for her, and I let her pull me to the Cheerios' locker room because I was ready, ready to discover new things with her and ready to take different roads. And I wasn't talking about sex, but about everything that we were going to face together in the future.

She built me up before I could break down, she gave me hope before I could lose it and she pieced me together before I could fall apart.

I couldn't imagine what would have happened if I had never come to Lima, if I had never met her. And I would have never found her, and in the end myself, if I hadn't gone through a change of direction.

I bow down to every reader who has followed me on this long ride from the beginning, and I take my hat off to everyone who wasn't afraid to join and catch up. Furthermore, I thank every reviewer for their comment, whether it was a simple 'good' or long rambling, I read and loved them all.

As this story took 16 months to write, I grew with it and underwent a character development as well. Can you imagine that you were at least a year younger when you started reading this story? Thank you for sparing precious time to read my work. Bless the Faberry fandom.