“Forget the dress and forget Blaine,” Quinn rolls her eyes almost instinctively (Rachel was never able to follow instructions) and shakes her head as she takes a step closer, says in a lower, stern tone -- “We need to go, Rachel. Now.” It’s not a command, almost like a please, a prayer, and Quinn doesn’t wait for her to comply as she takes a firm hold of Rachel’s smaller hand and turns with a smoothness that surprises her. She only has one destination, and she doesn’t wait for Rachel’s permission as she makes her way towards the exit -- until the sound of erupting clapping rang clearly in her ears and the disorienting flash of light that followed shocked Quinn out of the disgruntled daze she was in.
It was only the second time her name was called that she heard it clearly. Quinn Fabray.
The recoil wasn’t completely instant, but when it did hit her, she could feel it: the almost deafening clapping, the flash of light, knocking the wind out of her tightened chest. Her hands instinctively tore away from Rachel, as if her skin was hot to the touch. Her head rushed away as her cheeks flared to a light shade of pink impossibly fast. Her heart, heavy and pounding so loud, it drowned out the party, fell deep into her knotted stomach and constricted there.
Her mind was almost swimming in thought. The first thing that popped into her head when she was announced was God, she hoped that whoever was behind that curtain had the attention to listen and noticed the switch. The second was her mother’s face, beaming with pride when she would tell her the news the following morning. The third was how she almost forgot she had to do the stupid dance with the Prom King, but she figured a few minutes of dodging Blaine’s miniscule feet wouldn't kill her. Anxiety would, maybe. And the fourth was what on Earth possessed Santana to forfeit her crown. The only thing Quinn could do was to look for Kitty amongst the crowd. Everyone knew the importance the title held for the Head Cheerleader. Being Prom Queen was the ultimate price, and she’s one of three people who know exactly what’s waiting for her if she goes up to collect that crown.
It all made her a little uncomfortable and weirdly nervous, if she’s being honest, nervous enough for her nerves to show, which they basically don’t ever. All of her body prayed to go, to turn sharply and stop the embarrassment of a backfired plan, but then there are sure, knowing hands being placed all over her in guidance towards the stage, and she puts Noah to shame with the way the crowd parts like the red sea. Her legs felt like sludge, unable and unwilling to glide across the floor as gracefully as her mother would’ve envisioned. Quinn knew her awaiting fate.
X-marks the spot. She knows she’s standing right on position and Quinn braces herself for the impending, inevitable bucket of fake blood that’s about to dye pink hair red as she stood, forced to keep her head straight as the crown was placed over her head. Quinn closes her eyes, squeezes them impossibly tight as nimble fingers clench the fabric of her dress. It’s coming -- 1, 2, 3...
But it never does, and then come the echoing screams. Thick lashes flutter open, but the darkness is still surrounding.