Quinn Fabray: My Story

Chapter 11 - 2009-2010 Thunderclap

Monday morning school was back in session. After a much needed break I felt regenerated for the school year. Of course the Yearbook photos were coming up for the clubs. I thought back to how excited I was last year to be in the yearbook. I was cheer captain my freshman year. I posed proudly with my squad as well as Coach Sylvester. Now that I was off the cheerios the only club photo I would have would be Glee Club. Sure, I was proud to be in Glee Club. Based on years past I knew most of the popular kids loved to deface the club's photos. It wasn't too long ago that I was among those kids laughing at the so-called losers. I couldn't help but almost feel ashamed that my pregnancy had led me to losing my popularity to only be known as the once cheer captain who sang in Glee Club and got pregnant in high school.

Early into Glee Club rehearsal that morning Kurt brought a ton of Thunderclaps into the choir room to show most of the Glee Clubbers what I already knew, the pictures would get defaced. What I didn't know was the severity of how the defaced photos affected the members of the Glee Club their respective years, some went crazy and became homeless while others committed suicide. It was then I found out that Figgins had cut the Glee Club's photo which might have just been a blessing in disguise, especially for me. I was already going through so much with the pregnancy, not having to worry about my photo being defaced felt like a sigh of relief.

As I sat in the library with Santana and Brittany, watching them deface who knows how many photos from last years Thunderclap I couldn't help but think about how much I missed being a Cheerio. Wearing the uniform made me feel safe, contained. Even when I was feeling left out, I looked at least like I was a part of something. Santana and Brittany soon had to leave for cheerios practice which left me alone in the library. It was then I began to look through last year's yearbook. I wanted my kids to look back on these yearbooks and see who I was, make them proud that I'm their mother.

The one I was carrying now probably wouldn't even know me or know what I went through to have her. She'd look back at her own parents yearbooks, Terri and Mr. Schue. Terri was also a cheer captain so she wasn't too far from who I am. I might not look like the head cheerleader now but I still felt like her inside.

I continued to glance at the photos wishing somehow I could turn back time and get myself back on the cheer squad, at least to be in the photo. Then the idea hit me. I was done playing the victim. I was going to march into Coach Sylvester's office and demand to be a part of the cheerios photo whether she liked it or not. I got up more determined than ever to get what I deserved in time for the club photos.

At Glee Club rehearsal the next day Mr. Schue had an announcement for us. "Hey, guys! Great news! Glee club gets a photo in the thunderclap," Mr. Schue grinned as he entered the choir room. The majority of us replied to this with some fake enthusiasm. "Yep. It's going to show everyone at the school that glee club is on its way up. When we win regionals, those claps are going to be collector's items. I mean, all of your classmates are going to be begging for your autographs," Mr. Schue grinned at us before frowning a bit "But, I had to compromise to do it. Um, we only get a quarter page in back. Which means we have to pick two team captains to appear in the photo. So, tomorrow we're going to put it to a vote! Exciting, huh? All right!"

The majority of us looked at each other. Two team captains? None of us wanted to be the captain for the Glee Club if we knew what was good for us. The only person we could think of that wouldn't care about the defacing was Rachel. Rachel wanted to be the center of attention which was our saving grace. If only we could convince Mr. Schue that we only needed one team captain. That was a problem for tomorrow.

The next day it was put to a vote. I wrote down Rachel's name for the first time ever. It wasn't a compliment to win this vote. In fact it was more like a punishment. Mr. Schue counted all of the votes. "Looks like everybody voted for Rachel," Mr. Schue said shaking his head amazed by the fact that we all voted for Rachel "Including Rachel. But, we need two captains, guys."