Author's Note: This is my first story and I don't know how to really do Author's Notes, so I'm just putting it here. I'd like to acknowledge that this work isn't solely original. I got the idea of Quinn and Mike talking in the library from another story, along with him drawing on her. I believe the story was called 5 Boys Who Broke Quinn Fabray's Heart, or something to that effect. However, the plot of my story is entirely different. All I got from that story is the inspiration, the initial location (or so I believe), Mike drawing on Quinn, and her simply not being ready for another relationship. I have changed most details and it really is a different story. Nonetheless, if you are the author of the story I took these ideas from (I will admit it, I took these ideas, with no foul intent) and wish me to take down my story, I will do so without hesitation. Thank you and please enjoy.

Also- I would read the story I mentioned above. It is excellent.

Quinn Fabray sat quietly in the library, hidden among the towering bookshelves, contemplating her fall from grace. Once, she had been that girl, the one that every high school girl wanted to be, the one all the boys wanted to date. The head cheerleader, whip smart, president of the celibacy club, drop dead gorgeous, etc. And here she was, heartbroken over a boy in a wheelchair that had used her. But I'm getting ahead of my self now. Let me go back to the beginning of her fall from the Queen's position.

It started when Quinn had Glee Club, though only to keep an eye on her boyfriend Finn. It was soon after that it happened. Quinn had gotten pregnant at sixteen years of age, in her sophomore year of high school. With her boyfriend's best friend's baby, no less. Five months later, she lost Finn to the lie she had concocted to make him believe it was his baby, not Puck's. After another four months of humiliation, pain, and regret, Quinn had Beth, the only person in the world she was sure she ever loved, even if she could only hold the tiny baby for a few minutes.

Against her instincts, Quinn went out with Puck for six months after she let Beth go. He claimed he loved her, and somehow Quinn convinced herself that she loved him too. Then she found that asshole sleeping with Santana. She wasn't really surprised. Neither of them had it in their systems to be faithful. But it still hurt.

Desperate for someone, anyone, and it was then she found Artie. She knew that he only asked her out to get Tina back from Mike, and she thought it couldn't hurt to do him a favor. Quinn could see how much the crippled boy loved Tina, and knew she owed for the years of embarrassment she put him through before. Then the impossible happened- she fell for Artie. Looking back now, she wondered. Was it because she was so lonely? Or something else? Whatever it was, Quinn managed to convince herself that Artie had fallen for her too, only for him to finally get Tina back, just hours ago.

And here we are, with Quinn wondering what she should do. What was her life worth anymore? Then she heard the word that saved her, the word where our story begins.

"Hey."

I looked up, surprised somebody had found me here. Actually, I was far more surprised to see who had found me: Mike Chang. What the hell? Why was he still here? Glee had ended three and a half hours ago, and I was starting to think I was going to be spending the night at school.

"Oh. Um, hey Mike…" I trailed off unsure what to do. He sat down next to me and was silent for a few minutes.

When he finally spoke, I jumped. "I saw your face earlier. When Artie did that whole emotional I need you- I love you- I can't survive without you shit for Tina. I had figured he was using you, but I didn't guess you'd fallen for him. Thought you could use some company."

"Glee ended hours ago. Did you just come back for me now?" I asked, surprised by his confessions.

"Well, no- I've been here in the library too. Remember I actually loved Tina too. I just saw you."

"You don't seem too heartbroken," I said suspiciously.

"I don't think I loved Tina the way Artie does. I never imagined spending the rest of my life with her or anything like that. Just like a couple of months in high school girlfriend who you're still friends with after. Anyway, I've been in love with, like truly in love with, someone else the whole time. Have been since I moved here five years ago," he said. My thoughts raced. What was this? Mike hardly ever talked to me. For that matter, he didn't talk much to anyone. He was the strong but silent type.

"Oh," was all I could think of to say. Mike took a pen out of his pocket and twiddled it in his hands. To my surprise, he then took one of arms and began to draw on it.

"Do you mind? I need an outlet right now. And I don't think the librarians would take it too kindly if I drew in the books."

It irritated me for a moment, but I decided I didn't care, telling him, "Whatever. I didn't know you could draw."

"There's so much people don't know about me. I'm either that Asian football player or the guy with the wicked dance moves. One or the other for every person. People don't know what else I do. I do love drawing and singing and dancing and football. But I do a bunch of other shit and I'm pretty good with all of them. But no one knows that. They don't know who I am."

God. Where were all these words coming from? But I couldn't help but be able to sympathize with him.

"I know what you mean. Nobody has an idea of who I am either. I'm just this girl who used to be on top of the world and then threw everything away by getting pregnant," I told him.

Offhandedly, he said, "I never thought that's all there was to you."

I looked at him then, really looked at him. His eyes were kind and understanding. And I realized that he was just what I needed right now, someone who cared about me and understood me. Of course, I had no idea if he actually cared, but it was only someone like him I needed.

"Thanks. That means a lot. And for the record… I never thought you were only a football player or a dancer. Granted, I don't know what else there is to you. But I know there has to be more."

Mike replied, "At least the people in Glee know who you really are. Even they don't know me."

I didn't know what to say to this. I wanted to tell him that wasn't true, but it was. I had no idea who Mike Chang really was.

Instead, I told him, "You know, I don't think I've ever heard you sing. Like a solo, I mean."

He looked at me, and it felt like he was looking into my soul. I expected him to offer to sing, but instead he cynically asked, "Who has?"

Immediately, I felt a need to remedy that situation. So, I nudged him. "Sing for me then."

To my surprise, he refused. "No."

"What, are you embarrassed?" I asked.

"Of course not. It just doesn't feel like the right time or place."

Although I didn't really know why, this frustrated me. I made a pouty face at him, the one I always used with Finn to get my way. I slapped myself mentally for thinking this. God, thinking about Finn still hurt.

Mike smiled. "If it means that much to you, I promise that someday, I will sing for you, Quinn Fabray. You can count on it."

I contemplated this for a moment. "Pinky swear?"

He laughed. "On one condition. After I sing for you, you have to sing for me."

"You've heard me sing!"

"So? What if I want to hear you sing again?"

"Fine. Now pinky swear on it," I demanded. He smiled again, and I couldn't help but smile too. Something about a smile like Mike Chang's just made me want to sing. He took my pinky in his, and shook. My smile got bigger.

"We have a deal then?"

"Yeah. Now, we should probably go home. It's nine already," he said. Startled by this, I jerked my wrist and looked at my watch.

"Hey! I was almost done!" Mike exclaimed suddenly. I stared at him, confused.

"Your arm?" Looking down, I realized he had been drawing on my arm the entire time. Funny. I had hardly even noticed after awhile. Now, there was a picture of a rose on the inside of my wrist, marred by a jagged line from jerking my wrist away.

"It's beautiful," I informed him. "But why a rose?"

Mike's eyes flickered to my face. "Hardly beautiful anymore. It was almost perfect."

"It still is, trust me. But why a rose?" I asked again.

"I guess because you used to remind me of one."

"Why?"

He hesitated. "Don't take offense, but before your pregnancy, when you were still a Cheerio, that's what you were. A beautiful rose. But… how do I put this? You were thorny, I guess."

I thought about this.

Then he said, "Wow. Thorny sounds way too much like horny to work in that context. Maybe prickly was a better word."

Then I understood. "Oh. You can say it, Mike. I was a cold heartless, bitch. It's okay. I know it's true."

"I wouldn't go that far."

"But I was. What do I remind you of now?"

"A lilac. Still gorgeous, but just without the thorns," he said. I wondered how flattered I should be he basically just called me gorgeous.

"So why did you draw the rose?"

"I don't know. I could draw a lilac on your other wrist if you want," he offered.

"Hmm… another time. You were right before, we should be going."

"Okay. Need a ride?" About to say no, I realized, in fact, I did. I had texted my mother ages ago to tell her I would get a ride while I was too depressed to go home.

"Yeah. If it's not too much trouble," I said. Inwardly, I was happy I could spend a little more time with Mike. Fifteen minutes with him and I was already pulling out of my depression.

He smiled again. "Of course not. Just tell me where to go."

Mike stood, and offered me his arm to get up. As I followed him to his car, I wondered how I'd gotten here tonight, doing the closest I've ever been to pouring out my soul, and to this boy I've known for five years but hardly ever spoken to at that. Once inside, I couldn't think of anything else to say, so I sat and chewed my lip while directing him to my house. Not my home, but my house. That place cannot ever be called home again. There are still too many painful memories lingering there.

After a few minutes, I began to study Mike out of the corner of my eye. What did I really know about him? He moved here when he was twelve, he was in all AP classes, was the tight end on the football team, and he lost his virginity to Santana. Actually, Santana had taken both his and Matt Rutherford's virginity in the same night a couple years back. Entirely too many guys at WMHS had been de-flowered by Sue's new head cheerleader. But anyway, there was one last thing I really knew about Mike. He was an amazing dancer. Of course, a lot of people knew that. But as a member of Glee, I was one of the few who got to regularly witness his dancing.

I realized all of a sudden that I wanted to know more about him. A lot more. He wasn't saying anything either, which was going to make this a lot harder. Finally, when the silence had gotten excruciating, I reached for his stereo, hoping just as much for something to fill the air as a conversation starter.

"Do you mind?" I asked.

"Of course not," he said. Generous with car, I thought. Noted.

For a couple of seconds I just sat back, analyzing this small exchange for any more new information about him. Then, with a mild jolt of surprise, I recognized the music.

"You like Paramore?" I asked.

Mike looked at me. "Yeah. They're great. Why do you look so surprised? Don't like them?"

"No! I don't really know… They're kind of my favorite band right now. I guess, to be honest, I wouldn't have pegged you for a Paramore fan," I told him slightly embarrassed.

He considered this for a moment. "What would you have pegged me for?"

"Metal. Hip-hop. Rap," I said without a moment's forethought. His eyes widened a bit. Shit. Had I offended him? It hadn't occurred to me what he might think of such an immediate, rather stereotypical, answer. The only thing I had thought to do was tell the truth.

The moment it took him to answer seemed to last entirely too long.

"Well, you got me on the hip-hop. Rap is okay, but is gotta be good rap, not like that Soulja Boy shit. And I hate metal. I honestly can't stand it," he finally told me.

Then he added, "But my favorite is rock. And punk. That's why I love Paramore. Mostly rock, with punk influences."

"Me too," I said. "I mean, I can't do serious punk. But like punk rock or punk pop, that's good."

"That surprises me. I wouldn't have thought someone like you would ever like any sort of punk."

I contemplated this for a moment, wondering if I should be offended. But hey, I had made assumptions about him. Regardless, I couldn't think of how to respond.

He glanced at me. "What do you think of metal?"

"Shit. Like you said."

"Good. I can't stand people who like metal in general either."

I sighed. "What did you expect? Have you ever met a blonde girl who actually likes metal?"

Mike laughed. My heart fluttered. His laugh was almost as magical as his smile. I looked up, and this feeling was immediately negated as he turned onto my street. Finally, when we got to my house, I opened my mouth, trying to think of a reason to stay with him just a little bit longer. Then, the song changed, and I recognized the guitar chords. My heart lurched.

"Oh! This is my favorite song! Do you mind if I stay and listen?" I asked awkwardly.

His eyes flickered over to me. Did I detect a trace of happiness there?

He nodded. Score.

"When I was younger, I saw my daddy cry and curse at the wind. He broke his own heart and I watched as he tried to reassemble it…

My momma swore that she would never let herself forget.

And that was the day I promised I'd never sing of love.

If it does not exist.

But darling, you are the only exception…"

This was the point of the song that broke my heart every time I had ever heard it. After Finn, it had been so hard to believe I could ever fall in love again. The song had seemed to fit me so well. And then I had fallen for Puck, and Artie. I just kept making exceptions. During my meditation in the library, I had been determined to stop this, just to be a stone hearted bitch the rest of my life if necessary not to get hurt again and of course not to hurt anyone else, like I was quite prone to doing. But would I ever be able to stop? I couldn't ignore the wrench in my heart that was pushing me towards Mike after being with him little more than an hour. With these thoughts exploding in my head, I began to sing along.

Forgetting Mike was even there; I closed my eyes and just let every emotion I had felt since I had first seen that little cross on the pregnancy test. And it felt so damn good.

My eyes opened as the final strum of the guitar brought the song to a close. Mike was watching me carefully, analytically almost. What was he thinking?

"That was beautiful," he told me. I smiled weakly at him, and then, inexplicably, broke into tears. I hadn't cried at all today, not even when Artie dumped me. But I wasn't crying for him. I was crying for me, something I had not allowed myself to do ever since I let Beth go.

After a moment, Mike pulled me close to him and let me sob into his sweatshirt. "Thank you," I whispered to him once the tears had subsided.

He still held me. "For what?"

"Everything. For listening to me whine. For the rose. The ride, the song, understanding me. This," I told him. He had given me so much tonight, while I had given him nothing, except a pathetic excuse for company.

Mike pulled away gently and looked me the eyes. He took my face in his hands, and kissed me softly. I froze momentarily before returning the kiss. God, it felt so good, so natural, so right…. My heart skipped erratically as his hands slipped from my face to around my waist. Kissing him was like nothing I'd ever experienced. Just as I realized this, I felt like I'd been pummeled in the stomach. What the hell was I doing? I was dangerously close to hooking up with a boy I had had no romantic feelings for until maybe half an hour ago. And was I really feeling something for him, or was I trying to find a way to drown out my pain? I couldn't tell. My thoughts hadn't been clear at all since Beth, and the fact that Mike's hands were currently tracing up and down my back was not helping matters.

It felt so wrong as I pulled away from him. "Mike…" I gasped, my breathing heavy. What could I possibly say to him?

He looked at me with a sad, knowing look in his eyes. "It's okay, Quinn. I had no right to expect you'd want to kiss me or…"

I silenced him by pressing a finger to his lips. "It's not that, Mike. Or maybe it is. That's the problem. I just don't know. I don't know if I kissed you because I wanted you or because I'm trying to shut out all the hurt in my heart. And even if I wanted to, which is just as likely, I also don't want to hurt you. I'm broken, Mike, and everyone that get involved with me tends to get hurt."

"That's not true, Quinn. What about Puck? Artie? They hurt you."

"But it is. Puck slept with Santana because I was ignoring him that week. He loved me, he did, and I loved him, albeit not as much, but I wouldn't, I couldn't, pay attention to him. I've been with… I destroyed Finn. You know that. And Ra…" I cut off abruptly. Mike knew nothing about Rachel. No one did. No one could. "And I'm just not ready to start something all over again. I tend to jump into things too fast and then my heart and someone else's gets broken. I just can't do that again, not yet. I care too much about you already and I'm aware it sounds selfish but I care too much about my own heart too much as well."

I stopped. It was too late. I was already breaking Mike's heart. I could see it in his eyes.

"Just give me time. Please. That's all I'm asking," I whispered. I hated myself for saying this because I knew I had taken too much from him already, all in what, two hours? This was my problem. I kept taking from people and giving nothing in return.

He sighed, and bit his lip. "Time. Okay. I'll give you time. And during that time, can we be friends at the very least?"

I contemplated this. It seemed fair. "Okay. We're friends. And now I better go. It's getting way late." I started to get out of his car.

"Wait! This is probably totally petty and immature to ask, but… how much time do you think you're gonna need?" he asked.

I smiled at him. "Ummm… give me at least a week or two. A month at most."

"Sounds fair." He leaned towards me awkwardly, and for a moment I thought he was going to kiss me again. Instead, he just hugged me and whispered in my ear, "Friends."