March morphed into April, and April brought truth.

After winning regionals and our chaotic showcase - "A Night of Neglect" - after being Quinn's girlfriend for a whole month, after holding hands and secret dates and kisses, the truth would come out, as it always seems to do.

----------------

The day before, while at Mr. Schue's "Booty Camp" where we learned to improve our dancing skills, Finn broke Rachel's nose. With his terrible dancing. We all knew it was inevitable, to be honest.

Now we were sitting at glee practice and Rachel announces she wants a nose job. It reminds me of the time Quinn told me she was getting one, when she changed everything about herself. I think Rachel is pretty the way she is, but just like with Quinn, I'll support her decision. It's not my place anyway. So I stayed silent for the time being.

"Let's say I wanted to have a slightly more demure nose? Like... Quinn's, for example." I thought this was funny considering Quinn had taken inspiration from a celebrity who had also gotten a nose job, who had taken inspiration from someone else, and I'd guess the list just goes on. But nobody else knew that of course.

"I- I would never change my appearance for vanity, but, I mean, the doctor said that it could possibly improve my talent, which would help us all for nationals..." and I think that's a load of crap and you don't like your nose.

She went on about how her changing her appearance would actually somehow benefit us, but I tuned back in when Santana began, "Hold up. Could we all just get real here for a second? I hear that Rachel's got a bit of a schnoz. I mean I wouldn't know, because like Medusa I try to avoid eye contact with her." Same. Santana and I aren't great friends, but most of the time we're on the same wavelength.

She continued, "But can we all just stop lying about how there aren't things that we wouldn't change about ourselves? I mean I'm sure that Sam's been at the doctor's office and rifled through pamphlets on mouth reduction. I'll bet Artie's thought about getting his legs removed, since he's not really using them anyways. And I'm definitely sure that Tina's looked into getting an eye de-slanting." I didn't really agree with her anymore and I thought she was just being plain mean. She's pointing out everyone's flaws for what reason? It feels like I'm back at Elida all over again.

The worst part is Quinn has definitely done the same thing even though she was bullied. I heard in Sophomore year she picked on Rachel for her appearance even though she knows exactly what that feels like!

I looked at Quinn and she, like the rest of the glee club, seemed a bit uncomfortable. Maybe she's changed since then? Personally, I can't think of a time when I've heard her say anything demeaning.

As everyone started talking about what they wished they could change about themselves, I remained unusually silent. What would I change about myself? The way I look is fine, my dancing is fine, my singing is fine, the fact that I like girls is fine, so... I'm not so sure. Maybe I love everything about myself. It doesn't matter anyway, it's not like I'll have to wear my biggest insecurity on a t-shirt or anything.

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Quinn's running for prom queen with Finn, much to my distaste. Rachel is jealous of her; she's very dramatic like that. I guess I'm a little worried about Finn too, considering he could make a move on Quinn and would be oblivious that we're together (because even though the whole glee club knows we kissed and has observed us holding hands and such, Finn's a little slow).

I had helped hang up posters all around the school too, which was bound to cause discomfort. But my discomfort won't help anyone. I am going to be the best girlfriend of Quinn Fabray that I can be, so if right now that means hanging posters, then so be it.

I put the thought out of my mind as I drove my car to the Lima Bean to meet Blaine, Mercedes, Tina, Santana, and Kurt (who I'd met up with a few times in the past couple months despite him having transferred schools).

I ordered an italian soda, grabbing it and heading to the table where the five were already seated. I took a spot by Blaine, who smiled welcomingly at me.

"You haven't asked us anything about our New York trip," Mercedes started.

"Is it because it's too painful?" Tina asked.

Kurt looked annoyed. "Yes, as a matter of fact. But while the New Directions are preparing to perform at nationals, the Warblers are preparing to perform at a nursing home in a strip mall next to a national bank." Close enough. "But I'm so proud of you guys!"

"We miss you so much," said Tina.

"I mean isn't there any way you could come back to McKinley?"

I put my soda down. "I think that's Kurt's choice."

"Yeah Maya, and I mean, I'd be all for it if it wasn't for Karofsky. Even though I know you could kick his ass any day," Blaine told me. I felt doubtful about this but didn't say anything.

Santana suddenly looked as if a lightbulb had popped up above her head. "Wait, what did you just say?"

"Kurt needs to be safe," Blaine responded seriously.

"Can we please change the subject?" Kurt asked, looking ruffled.

"Sure," Tina replied. "So Maya... what's been going on between you and Quinn?"

"Can we go back to the part where we hate on Karofsky-"

"Yeah, I think I saw you here holding hands with her last week," added Blaine.

"Mhm." Mercedes took a sip of her drink. "I'm pretty sure everyone but Finn and maybe Brittany knows that something's up with the two of you. Most of us saw you kiss, too..." I could barely catch her last sentence as she mumbled it.

"You kissed?!" Blaine shrieked. When no one else looked surprised, he continued confusedly, "What, you guys all knew already? Why didn't I hear about it?" He pouted at Kurt and glared playfully.

"Sorry Blaine." He patted his more-than-friend's head. "I wasn't going to out her as lesbian without permission."

"I didn't ever say I was lesbian," I spoke up.

Blaine glared - this time not playfully - at Kurt, daring him to speak negatively. "That's... fine," he stuttered, flustered. "Sorry for, um... assuming-"

"I've gotta gay- go- go, I've gotta go." Santana stood up abruptly and walked right out. She hadn't really been paying attention to the conversation since we'd changed the subject from Karofsky.

We all stared at each other confusedly, eventually shrugging and moving on from the odd encounter.

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The next Wednesday had been yet another glee practice, which ended up painting the theme for the next two weeks as acceptance. We each had to sing a song about acceptance and yes, we actually had to print a shirt with our biggest insecurity in bold black letters.

I was not thrilled.

Thursday night Quinn had texted me about how she was taking pictures at the doctor's with Rachel so he could scale it or something? I'm not sure how these things work, and I honestly would rather stay in the dark.

Today - Friday - I was in glee club sitting next to Lauren and Puck, watching Quinn and Rachel perform their duet. It was a mash-up of the songs "I Feel Pretty" and "Unpretty." I hoped this lesson didn't bring anything up for Quinn, and though she was hiding it all well, she'd confessed to me that she was a bit worried.

...

"But if you can't look inside you

Find out who am I too

Be in a position to make me feel so

Damn unpretty

I feel pretty

But unpretty"

They finished, and I tried to clap the loudest. I swear she's an angel walking the earth. She walked over to me, and I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. 

"Can I kiss you?" I asked quietly so that no one would hear in case she wasn't ready.

She answered with a kiss of her own. I revelled in her smell and her touch. She smelled like strawberries. Her touch sent shivers down my body. As we broke apart, I remembered we were in a room with about 15 other people and blushed a little. Quinn went red as well.

Richard high-fived me. The glee club smiled at us overwhelmingly. 

Quinn took my hand and led us out to her car, where we kissed a "little" more....

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The following Monday during a ten-minute break, Quinn approached me in the courtyard, seething.

"Zizes doesn't know what's coming..." She paced a bit, and I was growing worried.

I sighed. "What happened?"

"Lauren Zizes dared to run against me for prom queen! I mean, no one would ever vote for someone fat, right? They want to vote for someone they wish they were, not someone who reminds them of themselves. Right?" She turned to me with a questioning glance, but it felt like she was urging me to agree with her.

I touched her shoulder, sitting her on a bench and taking the spot next to her. I turned to her and spoke softly, "You do know you didn't used to look like this, right? Isn't that a little... you know, hypocritical?" When I could see the wheels turning in her brain, I continued, "Doesn't she have a fair shot too? Maybe you should just play fair and she'll do the same. Who cares if you win anyway? I promise we'll still have loads of fun." I took her hands in mine. "Well?"

"But...... I don't know, Maya, I just really need to win."

"Isn't that a lot of pressure to put on yourself? A popularity contest doesn't sound that rewarding anyway."

"No, no... No. I am going to win prom queen." She walked away from me, determined, then turned back, saying a quick, "Bye," with a smile.

What in the world is going through her brain?!

----------------

That afternoon during glee practice, Finn and Mike had performed a dancing duet and Rachel had showed what her nose would look like altered.

Tuesday passed with more promotion for Quinn's prom queen campaign, and soon enough it was Wednesday and time for glee practice.

As I walked in - early as usual - two people were already there... but not the two people you would expect. It was Principal Figgins and David Karofsky.

I dropped my bag on the floor and marched up to Karofsky, pushing him. "Who the hell let you in the school?" I asked angrily. I guess my confidence had rocketed since the last time I'd fought him. It felt exhilarating.

"I-"

"Mr. Karofsky is starting a no-bullying campaign and we are currently deciding whether it's fit for him to stay at McKinley-"

"Of course it's not fit!" I yelled. "He's been bullying for years and it's only been a few months! People can't change that fast!"

"May-"

"Nope, I am not dealing with this today." I grabbed my bag and walked right out to my car, going home. This might seem petty, or dramatic, but sometimes it's really hard to control my anger and I was genuinely scared about doing something I would regret. I decided to text Quinn at least, so I didn't leave her or my other friends hanging.

Me

𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚕 𝚑𝚊𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙸'𝚖 𝚐𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚑𝚘𝚖𝚎

Q 💕

𝚒 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚝𝚛𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚍𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚙𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚜𝚊𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚘𝚘 𝚖𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚋𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚙𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚛.

𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝??

Me

𝙺𝚊𝚛𝚘𝚏𝚜𝚔𝚢 𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚝 𝚐𝚕𝚎𝚎 𝚌𝚕𝚞𝚋 𝚋𝚢𝚎𝚎

Q 💕

𝙾𝚑- 𝚊𝚕𝚛, 𝚒 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚖𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚙𝚘𝚘𝚕

Me

𝙰𝚕𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢 𝚘𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚜𝚘𝚛𝚛𝚢

Q 💕

𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚞 𝚝𝚎𝚡𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 & 𝚍𝚛𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐?!

Me

𝙽𝚘 𝚘𝚑 𝚌𝚛𝚊𝚙 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝙸'𝚖 𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚟𝚘𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚝𝚎𝚡𝚝 𝚜𝚝𝚞𝚙𝚒𝚍 𝚖𝚊𝚗

Q 💕

𝚔𝚔 𝚕𝚘𝚕 𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚞 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚒𝚝 𝚐𝚘𝚎𝚜

Me

𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔𝚜 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞

...

𝙾𝚑 𝚜𝚛𝚢 i 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚜𝚊𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚢 𝚍𝚘𝚐!

I guess the voice text was really messing me up because I just said I love you to Quinn and I DON'T HAVE A DOG!