Title: Crown of Gardenias

By: Lcrazemag

A/N: I'm sorry this came out a bit more about Finn than Rachel but that's just how it flowed. This literally took 15 mins- it's 6am and it was in my head so I spilled it out- so forgive me for any editing errors.

She couldn't even really be mad at him anymore.

Even though he'd managed to somehow fuck up their prom nights for two consecutive years, she knows that he probably wont or.. can't, even identify how his behavior can be wildly inappropriate at the worst times. But underneath the selfish, hypocritical, thick exterior he could be a really great guy. Quinn knew this, she knew sometimes he really did try. And as much as it kills her to admit it, sometimes he really gets it right...

She smiles as she catches the box containing last year's corsage. It was perfect and he looked at her like she was his Queen when he gave it to her. He was so handsome standing at the end of the stairwell and her mom had been so proud. Quinn could convince herself that she could be.. content.. with Finn. Especially when he looked at her like he did when they were in love.

She really tried to love him.

It was just that Rachel made it so hard...

It was always Rachel. For some reason, anytime she thought she might be able to get it right and allow herself to get used to the idea of a future with Finn, Rachel would come and ruin it. She would make Quinn feel like there was more out there for her... make her feel like she was someone special.. like she could be someone special for...

No. Finn.

She smiles as she hangs her prom dress up right next to the other. She uses her cane to get back to her bed and gently lays her tired body back against the headboard. Tonight really took a lot out of her.

But she can't be mad at him anymore. It would be so easy to hate him because.. just because. He never tried as hard as he does now when he was with her. But really, they'd both failed each other. It's just that Rachel.. he loves Rachel. Or he at least tries to love Rachel. And Rachel loves him.. so Quinn tries to like Finn. If only because of Rachel. Rachel loves him. Rachel chose him. And even though no one knows that she and Santana conspired to sing for their ladies tonight at prom, their last grand romantic gesture at Mckinley High, everyone knows the Rachel only sings for Finn.

She just hopes that she gave Rachel something special tonight, even if Rachel doesn't know it. Quinn couldn't give her a dance, or a promise of forever, or even a confession of just how beautiful Rachel looked tonight. But she could give her a bit of acceptance. She could give her support. And she spent most of her high school career giving others confidence from the sidelines, she could try again for Rachel. At the very least, Quinn could make her smile. She just hopes that Finn will be able to make her as happy as Rachel makes Quinn. And if the corsage sitting on the top shelf of her closet is any indication of how sweet and thoughtful he truly could be, maybe he can.