Disclaimer: I do not own Glee, Puckleberry or Big Girls Don't Cry by Fergie. BUT, I really wish I had Puck. He's damn sexy.
A/N: This story is based loosely off of Mash-up, the eighth episode in Season 1. Some of the words used in the series are put into the story as well. The P&R stuff means the character is being switched over. Hope it isn't confusing :)
Noah Puckerman was popular; he was a football player, he was a stud… And he was in Glee Club? Puck couldn't believe how he, the most badass person in the school, had suddenly fallen down from being the coolest guy to step on campus to having people like Jacob Ben-Israel actually dare to look him in the eye. He just couldn't see the reason behind this madness…
How could this have happened? Puck was just in it for the attention from older moms, right? It still didn't explain why the hell he just quit football for Homo Explosion? And to top it off, secretly, Puck actually liked Glee. It was something that not only let him show off how more of a stud he was, but singing was ten times better than hearing Coach Tanaka yelling about the team being a sack of Lima Losers.
Puck winced at the nickname. He hated the thought of even staying in this town. There was no way in hell was he gonna stay here in Lima, Ohio. Puck betted a million dollars—more than he could make with his "pool" service in twenty years, not that he wanted to do that for the rest of his youth, even if the cougars were fun…—that no one in the next two towns even knew of a place called Lima. He just didn't want to end up like his father, a failure.
However, this didn't really give him an explanation as to how he went from ditching the football team, walking into the Glee room, and looking down into Rachel Berry's brown eyes. Puck just couldn't believe this at all. He used to make throwing a slushie at Rachel as his favorite pastime.
"Are you sure about this, Noah? I mean, choosing us over the team means you might get a slushie in your face every day…" Rachel pointed out, her voice soft and warm.
Puck finally understood why he had walked out on football… The reason was standing right in front of him. It was Rachel. She was probably the only girl that actually had faith in him… Who didn't just see him as some hot stud or some man whore. Her brown eyes just… Looked deep within his soul… Soul? Damn, there goes being a total badass. Puck looked around a bit, and then smiled, not even regretting the two words that escaped his lips,
"Bring it." Rachel smiled and they locked in a tight embrace, as if they both desperately needed to hold on to something right now.
P&R P&R P&R P&R
Rachel couldn't believe this… Noah had actually left the football team… For Glee? Or was it for her? Rachel couldn't wrap her mind around it as Noah gathered her in a hug, his body pressing against hers. She needed him… And he needed her. Yet… Rachel couldn't do this; she was still in love with Finn.
"Where's Finn?" Artie asked, asking no one in general. Puck and Rachel broke apart, everyone's eyes turning to the doorway. Rachel's heart sank. Noah's arm wrapped around her waist, but it didn't stop the pain in her heart. Where was he…?
The rest of Glee just looked at the door longingly, all hope had disappeared.
"I guess… we should start on our song now." Mr. Schuester said. "Does anyone have a song suggestion?"
"…I do." Rachel announced, her voice quivering a little. She looked as if she was close to tears. Rachel could feel Noah watching her carefully, frowning at how upset she was.
"Um, okay, go for it, Rachel." Mr. Schue agreed, worried at her state, like everyone else in Glee.
"Noah, I need you for guitar, is that okay?" Rachel asked, her brown eyes looking straight at him.
"Yeah, babe. No problem." Puck agreed, picking up the guitar and sitting down on one of the stools. Rachel gave a little smile and walked over to the piano as the rest of Glee sat down to watch.
The smell of your skin lingers on me now
You're probably on your flight back to your home town
I need some shelter of my own protection, baby
To be with myself and center
Clarity, peace, serenity
Puck looked at her, catching on to the lyrics. Rachel ignored him, continuing.
I hope you know, I hope you know
That this has nothing to do with you
It's personal, myself and I
We've got some straightenin' out to do
And I'm gonna miss you like a child misses their blanket
But I've got to get a move on with my life
It's time to be a big girl now
And big girls don't cry
Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry
Despite her lyrics, Rachel's eyes were tearing up, her voice cracking slightly in pain, as she tried to sing.
The path that I'm walkin', I must go alone
I must take the baby steps 'til I'm full grown, full grown
Fairy tales don't always have a happy ending, do they?
And I foresee the dark ahead if I stay
I hope you know, I hope you know
That this has nothing to with you
It's personal, myself and I
We've got some straightenin' out to do
And I'm gonna miss you like a child misses their blanket
But I've got to get a move on with my life
It's time to be a big girl now
And big girls don't cry
Like the little school mate in the school yard
We'll play jacks and Uno cards
I'll be your best friend and you'll be mine
Valentine---
A tear fell down Rachel's cheek as she stopped, she turned her face away. She couldn't do this… It hurt too much. Everyone in the room could feel the sadness waving off of her. Puck stood up, a look of worry on his face, but Rachel just backed away and ran out of the room.
P&R P&R P&R P&R
"…I think… We should just cancel the rest of our practice for today… Um, good work guys." Mr. Schuester finally broke the silence; everyone got up, gathered their stuff and walked out. Puck and Mr. Schue being the only ones left.
"...I should probably get Rachel's stuff…" Puck gathered her bag along with his and walked out of the room, seeing Mr. Schue sit down and place his head in his hands when Puck looked back.
He could hear sniffs coming from the girls' bathroom, Puck walked over to the sound, spotting Kurt and Artie outside the door. When Puck reached him, Kurt sniffed at him and Artie just gave him a sigh.
"Maybe it's best that you not being here." Kurt pointed out, Puck frowned. Why the hell not? He was her boyfriend after all, and yet… Puck couldn't bring himself to snap back at Hummel.
He felt pathetic. Puck just wasn't feeling like himself… Puck didn't feel like a badass, he didn't feel like a stud. He felt helpless. He knew that that song was for Finn… But the way Rachel looked at him; it felt… like she was singing to him.
Tina and Mercedes walked out of the bathroom, shaking their heads to Kurt and Puck. The four left, Kurt and Mercedes arm in arm, Tina pushing Artie, all four talking in hushed tones.
He walked into the restroom, ignoring the fact that it was girls', perks for having an afterschool club. Rachel had locked herself within the cubicle, crying. A flash of anger came upon Puck; he was going to kill Finn for hurting Rachel... Surprise kept hitting him though… When did Puck really fall for Rachel…?
"Rachel, come out." Puck could hear her trying to calm down her tears.
"N-n-no." Rachel's voice came from behind the stall door.
"Please, Rach…" It was probably on the rarest times that Puck actually used the word, please.
"Just leave me alone, Noah…" She responded. Puck sighed and sat down, putting his and her stuff down.
"Rachel… I'm not gonna leave until you do." He declared, crossing his arms.
"…Fine…" Her voice quiet.
The two stayed there for half an hour. Puck was reading Night by Elie Wiesel—Rachel got to him with all her love for reading and whatever—waiting patiently outside of the cubicle. Puck actually liked the book; it made him feel closer to his Jewish history. He nearly smiled as he agreed to one fact about Rachel and him. They were a couple of good looking Jews.
Finally, the door swung open, Rachel walking around Puck. He scurried up and looked at her. Her face was red; her eyes were puffy from crying. Puck felt his stomach give way; he hated seeing her in such a state.
Rachel turned the sink on, splashing water on her face. Puck gently pulled her hair out of her face. Neither could say anything, unable to carry a conversation. Puck cleared his throat as Rachel wiped her face, slowly tugging her hair out his grasp.
"Thank you…" Rachel avoided his gaze, spying her stuff near his.
"Yeah…" Puck couldn't say anything else, even though there were a million words to be said.
"Well, I'll see you later…" Rachel walked away, the door of the girls' bathroom swinging shut behind her.
One word finally came to Puck, and he just had to scream it aloud.
"FUCK."
A/N: Please, please, please, please review. I hope you liked it.