Age 5

Noah Puckerman was not happy. His mom had stupidly dragged him to that Berry girl's house, the one with the two dads. He didn't get that, he barely had one dad most of the time, why did she get two? His mom said it was her birthday and her dads were giving her a party and he'd been invited. Why did he have to go? He didn't even like the girl. He'd seen her at temple before, but she was always really loud and annoying. But here he was, at her stupid party, for her stupid birthday, the stupid girl. He kicked his mom angrily as she rang the doorbell. One of the dads opened it and said

"Noah, how lovely to see you! Do come in, the bouncy castle is in the garden."

He pushed his mom again and ran past the dad into the house. His mum stayed to talk to the dad. He went out into the garden to play on the bouncy castle. There were loads of kids on there and they all looked really happy. He sat on the grass to undo his Velcro flash up trainers and climbed up. He pushed the other kids out the way so he could bounce the highest. He ruled this castle, he was the king. He shouted this and stuck his tongue out at them.

After a lot of jumping, Noah was tired and really thirsty. He jumped down and went inside the house to find some juice. His mom was still talking to one of the dads. He tugged on her jeans and said,

"Mom, I'm thirsty."

She patted the top of his head, a thick curly mop of hair, but he pushed her hand away angrily.

"Mom, I'm thirsty." He repeated, tugging more viciously.

"Alright Noah, I'm just in a conversation."

"But I'm thirsty!" He whined, tugging again.

"Noah, how about we get you some juice?" said the dad, and he took him into the kitchen. There were packets of juice boxes on top of the counter. The dad handed him an apple juice box and said to his mom,

"I haven't seen Rachel for a while; I'd better go and check on her."

Noah wrestled with the juice box, ripping the straw off and the wrappings too. He looked for a bin to throw them in and found one round a corner next to the fridge. Also hiding down there was Rachel Berry. She looked stupid, thought Noah, just sat there at her own birthday party looking sad. He slurped up his drink and said,

"What's wrong with you Berry?"

"Nothing." She looked up at him with big brown eyes. Her hair was very long, very brown and very straight. She had a red hairband in her hair, and her fringe was cut straight across her forehead. She had on a white dress with a big net skirt underneath, and red flowers on it. It had a red sash and a matching red cardigan. She wore matching red patent shoes and little white ankle socks.

"You're getting your dress messy sat on the floor."

"So what?"

He slurped his drink again and sat down next to her, crossing his legs.

"Why are you in here when your bouncy castle is outside?"

"Don't want a bouncy castle, or any of those people."

"Don't you like them?"

"They don't like me."

Noah couldn't argue with that, but he felt kind of sorry for the Berry girl.

"I like you." He said not looking at her and with much hesitation.

She turned to him and flashed him a huge grin. Her front two teeth were missing he noticed. He really wanted to put his finger through the gap. He smiled back and offered her his juice box. She slurped a bit, dribbled some down her chin and wiped it with the back of her hand.

"Thanks." she said. She could have meant for the drink or for him saying he liked her. Either way he replied,

"No problem." And from then on they were friends.