A bit of an explanation, I think is called for. The original Total Eclipse of the Heart was supposed to be a Rachel/Jesse centric fic, and quickly turned into one about Puck and Quinn, so I decided that I would move all the Puck and Quinn chapters out, and create a story based on just them, which is why this story has been retitled Under Pressure.
Total Eclipse of the Heart is still a story, I have created a new one, where I am posting all the Rachel/Jesse chapters that have been written, and will still be. The stories share some chapters, because there are moments when the stories collide with each other. If it's confusing at all, I'm sorry. You are welcome to unfollow this story o=if you do not want to read a story about Puck and Quinn. You can keep following it if you wish. You may also follow the other, official Total Eclipse of the Heart that I added if Rachel/Jesse are what you're looking for.
I'm sorry about all this, guys, I really am.
Quinn was sitting in her last block class, tracing small circles on her belly in the places the baby was kicking when her cell phone buzzed once in her backpack. Looking up from her desk, her eyes fell on the fat, old study teacher that was asleep at his desk, snoring softly as his students did the same. Quinn leaned down and pulled her phone out of her bag. Kurt was blinking on the screen as she selected the text message and read it.
Rachel and Jesse broke up. –KH
Snorting once because it was slightly funny as well as typical, Quinn typed back a quick, So, why should I care? –Q
Putting her phone down on the table, she continued to draw the small circles, humming the only lullaby she knew. When she started quietly whispering the lyrics, she could feel people staring at her, but she didn't care. Not anymore. "Lullaby, and good night, with roses bedight. With lilies o'er spread in baby's wee bed."
Her phone buzzed again and she snatched it up, opening the message.
Because Rachel's been nothing but nice to you. She deserves to have friends right now. She deserves to have friends in general. –KH
Quinn looked at the text message for a long time, debating on whether or not she should respond. It took her a while to find the right thing to say. Quinn knew Kurt was right, and she had noticed him getting closer to Rachel these days. In fact, aside from the three boys who were no longer talking to her, the entire glee club had gotten closer to Rachel, except Santana of course, but she was an exception. Quinn was the only one left, and Kurt had a point. Rachel had been nothing but nice to her. Quinn had no reason to hate her. Other than jealousy.
But, no one should let that get in the way.
With a sigh, Quinn typed, Ok, I'll meet you in the choir room… -Q and excused herself from study, quietly tiptoeing from the room and shutting the door silently behind her. When she finally made it to the only place in the school she felt comfortable, Quinn saw Kurt, Mercedes, and Tina sitting in the blue chairs, waiting.
"What happened?" she asked, her voice wavering because this was an all knew experience for her. "Is she okay?"
"We don't know," Mercedes said, checking her phone as if Rachel was going to text her. "We saw her crying after Jesse walked away from her before fifth block started. We ditched our last block classes to see if she was alright."
Quinn nodded, holding her binder closely to her chest. "Oh, I see." She sat down in front of Kurt, placing them in her lap. "Are we gonna talk to her?"
Kurt looked at his phone. "She should be out by now. School is almost over." The three of them stood and looked at the blonde sitting in the chair. "Are you coming, or not?"
"Yeah, I'm coming," she said, standing up with them and walking out of the chorus room.
They found Rachel by her locker, carefully putting binders onto the shelf. Pausing for a moment to look at her, they advanced toward Rachel with determined looked on their faces. They stopped when they were right in front of her, crowding around her and staring at her.
"Hi?" she said, confused as to why they would be near her.
"What happened?" Kurt nearly shouted, his words acid and sleek. Her brow furrowed in confusion. "You weren't in drama!"
She sighed. "I was with Ms. Pillsbury."
"Doing what!?" Kurt was still hysterical.
Rachel sighed, turning the dial to her lock and facing the three girls, plus Kurt. "Do you guys wanna go get manicures or something?"
The five teenagers were sitting in comfortable arm chairs, their feet dangling in warm water. At the moment, Quinn and Rachel were having their toes painted, Mercedes and Tina were getting manicures while getting foot massages, and Kurt was getting his fingernails buffed and shinned.
"Rachel, this was a really good idea," Kurt said, tilting his head back and closing his eyes. "I needed a girl day."
"Yeah, girl, we should totally do this more often," Mercedes added, wiggling happily in her seat. Quinn and Tina 'Mm'ed in agreement.
"But why did you ask us to come? Don't you, like, not have friends?" Everyone shot Kurt angry looks.
"I needed a me day and Ms. Pillsbury said to invite friends; you guys are the closest things I've got and I'm pretty sure Jesse is probably with the boys, plus I wouldn't want to be with such Neanderthals anyway…" she said, trailing off at the end.
Quinn reached over and squeezed Rachel's hand; Rachel froze at the gesture. "Well, I'm glad you asked us to come with you. I haven't gotten a manicure or pedicure or anything day spa related since I was kicked off the Cherrios; I haven't had the need."
They all nodded in agreement, sighing at the same time. "You know, Rachel, I actually really liked the Run Joey, Run video you did." Rachel turned her head to looked at the blonde next to her. "I mean, sure it was a little bit unfair that you added Puck and Finn in there when you're dating Jesse-"
"Was dating Jesse," Rachel corrected solemnly.
"Oh, sorry," Quinn said quietly, looking around awkwardly. "Was dating Jesse, but I think they're all over reacting. It was just a video…" She trailed off, looking back to Rachel.
The small brunette smiled. "Thanks, Quinn," Rachel said, smiling at her brightly. "It's good to know there's someone who thinks differently than everyone else."
"I liked it," Kurt, Mercedes and Tina chorused, looking at Rachel from behind Quinn. Rachel laughed once, biting her lip. "It was… clever and a little bit comical at how bad it was…"
Rachel smiled. "Yeah, the shot where 'When he looked down, his hands were red,' was a little ridiculous, wasn't it?" They all nodded, smiling. Rachel took a breath, clenching her hands into nervous fists before asking her next question. "Hey, does anyone wanna come over tonight? My dads are gone for the week and I've got the house to myself." Everyone's eyes perked up.
"I know none of you have really liked me, but I think I could use some friends tonight. What do you think?"
"Hell yeah!" Mercedes said, answering for everyone and Rachel smiled.
Okay, so that's the start. The chapters are going to be one right after the other because I don't want to have that whole waiting period thing, so, yeah. Off to edit some more chapters!