Rachel POV
Today was a great day. It was the start of my senior year, we're going to win nationals, I'm going to be accepted to NYU or Julliard to start my Broadway career and did I forget to mention that me and Noah or shall I say Puck are back together. I had the best summer, just spending it with my friends even though me and Finn felt that we weren't right for each other because of his lingering feelings for Quinn. We're still friends but I am completely in love and committed to Puck. I walk down the halls of McKinley and even though the glee club members are still considered losers, we're respected for making it all the way to nationals. I look for Puck but I think he is still showering from morning practice. Oh well. I walk to my locker and see that it has been decorated with pictures of Puck and I, and then the entire glee club and pink wallpaper. Only one person knows the combination to my locker, Puck. He's the sweetest boyfriend ever and I actually thought he would break up with me the second week for not putting out but I guessed wrong. This was going to be an eventful year.
Puck POV
I got up at five to get ready for practice. I made it to school by five thirty and saw that I had time to go to the art room to get some supplies. I walked to Rachel's locker, thank god she gave me the combination or I would have broken into the principal's office to find out. I decorated her locker with gold and pink wall of cut out stars. Did I forget to mention that she's my girlfriend and the best one at that. She's the most amazing and sweetest girl. She's the first girl that when they look at me they don't see a bad boy or tough guy or a screw up, but she sees me for who I really am. I have never been happier and I'm glad I get to share my senior year and hopefully more years to come with her. Not to ruin my reputation, I have her call me Puck, but when we're alone she calls me Noah or when she's really angry and we're around people. I haven't told her yet, but I applied to some universities in New York for music. After I'm finished I put in a few of the pictures I developed of us and one of the entire glee team. We are definitely going to nationals this year and I can't wait to share that experience with the awsomest (if that's even a word) girl in the entire universe.
Shelby POV
I arrived to school at seven thirty after I dropped Beth off. I headed to the principal's office to get my class schedule and as it turns out I'm teaching senior AP English. I hope it's a lot better than junior English at Carmel, but I won't get my hopes up. I explore the school some more and automatically find the auditorium, until I hear a familiar voice singing. It was Rachel!
No, I can't take one more step towards you I learned to live, half alive I hear you're asking all around I've learned to live, half alive It took so long just to feel alright Who do you think you are? Who do you think you are? Who do you think you are?
'Cause all that's waiting is regret
Don't you know I'm not your ghost anymore
You lost the love I loved the most
And now you want me one more time
And who do you think you are?
Runnin' 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Who do you think you are?
If I am anywhere to be found
But I have grown too strong
To ever fall back in your arms
And now you want me one more time
Remember how to put back the light in my eyes
I wish I had missed the first time that we kissed
'Cause you broke all your promises
And now you're back
You don't get to get me back
Runnin' 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
Don't come back for me
Don't come back at all
Runnin' 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
Don't come back for me
Don't come back at all
Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?
From what I can tell her voice has improved, she sounds more mature and developed and I am a proud mother. I head to my classroom and try to get settled in. I prepared my lesson plans two weeks ago. I check my watch and it says 7:45, so I wouldn't expect any student here until I hear heels in the distance.
Rachel POV
I start to head towards my AP English class hoping Noah would be there. I'm so glad he decided to take the test to get into the AP class, even though it seems he gets bad grades because of his attitude in his class, he's really smart. I notice the door is open so I believe Noah is in there. I walk up towards the door and I see the person I least expected in the teacher's seat. Shelby. She must have heard me coming because she looked up at me, but she didn't seem too surprised, but I on the other hand felt my jaw drop. Last time I saw Shelby was when she rejected me for the second time in my life.
Shelby POV
I saw Rachel at the door and I was shocked at first, but I was happy she was in my class. At least I know I have one hard working student so far.
"Hi Rachel," I say with a wide smile
Rachel POV
Did she speak, I was so shocked I didn't even hear.
"Hi Shelby," I said quietly. I was so in shock I didn't hear anyone approaching
Puck POV
Why is Rachel just standing at the door? Oh well, might as well scare her to get back to my bad boy habits. I walk up behind her and put my arms around her waist and I can feel her crawl out of her skin and jump a little.
"Hey babe, I'm so glad to see you. I've been wanting to do this since last night," I say as I quickly turn her around and plant a kiss on her. I tried to the deepen the kiss and noticed that she was the only student in the classroom, so I picked her up and carried her to a desk and I can feel her pull away.
"Wait, stop," Rachel demands
"Why what's wrong? Did someone do something to you? He bothered you again, didn't he? I'm gonna kill him!" I felt my blood boil as I backed away from her
"No it's not that, turn around," she says and I do to find the person who I last expected in my English class. "Oh…uh, hi Shelby"
"Hi Puck," she replies awkwardly and I turn back to Rachel who's still on the desk with a confused look
"Please don't ever scare me like that again," I say releasing a breath I didn't realize I kept
"How did I scare you?" she asks
"Well for one you have never stopped me from kissing you," I say and receive a raised eyebrow from her
"Well I'm sorry for being shocked," she snaps
"Whoa Rach, calm down, I was worried that he got to you, I don't know what I would've done if he did and I was at practice," I whisper so Shelby won't know
Shelby POV
"Whoa Rach, calm down, I was worried that he got to you, I don't know what I would've done if he did and I was at practice," Puck whispers to Rachel. Who is he talking about?
"I know, I'm sorry babe," Rachel said as she hugged him. "By the way I love what you did with my locker, you are by far the sweetest boyfriend I've ever had."
"I was your first and now I'm your last because I am not going to lose you ever again," he replies
"I love you so much, I'm so lucky" Rachel said
"No, I'm the luckiest man on earth and why don't we get out of here so I can show you how lucky I am," he replies with a laugh
"Alright, let me leave my stuff here and then we can go," Rachel says and she turns back to Puck. "Take off your jacket,"
"Why do you want to see me abs again," he says and she blushes
"No, so you don't ditch on the first day," she replies
"Who says I will come back?" he questions with a smirk
"Because you love the jacket too much to be a whole period without it,"
"That's not true," he pouts and Rachel gives him a glare that could kill, my baby has magic. "Okay maybe a little, but I can't live a period without you either," he says while he takes off his jacket to reveal his black shirt.
"Now that's better," Rachel smiles and he instantly stops pouting
"Alright let's hurry up because now I only have forty minutes to show you how much I love you," he said
"Oh please forty minutes is a lot of time and besides I have present for you," Rachel says before she reaches into her bag
"Really rach? I didn't even bring you anything, you making me feel so crappy right now," he pouts again
"Oh cheer up you can give me my present tonight, because guess what," Rachel says still leaning over
"What?" Puck asks trying not to stare at her ass as he soon realizes I'm in the room
"My dads have decided to go on vacation a little earlier and they have left the house in my care," Rachel says and I can see Puck giving her signals to stop talking. I wonder why? I think to myself sarcastically
Rachel POV
"My dads have decided to go on vacation a little earlier and they have left the house in my care," I say to Puck and I can see his eyes moving towards the front of the room. I can't believe I forgot Shelby was in the room the entire time! I'm so dead
"Well that's great but can I please have my present," Puck pleaded and I gave it right to him
"I hope you like them," I say
"Anything you buy…" Puck trails off and I think he hates the gift.
"You hate it," I say aloud
"N…no not at all, I love them," he says as he sits at the desk and puts the guitar picks on the table. I got them engraved of our couple name, Puckleberry.
"Yeah, well I got tired of your rough hands and you always complaining about them because you don't have any guitar picks," I say and he smirks
"Yeah, this is the best present by far," he says and he turns them over, "what's this? My love for you never dies," he reads the inscription on the back
"Yes because its true," I say and I can hear him starting to cry. Puck never cries. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," he replies bluntly
"There is something wrong, so tell me," I say forcefully, "Please, we have almost ever class together and I will ask you every class until we go home after glee,"
"It…it's just that before my dad walked out on us, he gave me guitar picks and said, Noah, you're more talented than you realize and I hope that you can forgive me, but I believe in you and that you're going to make something of yourself one day." Noah cries and I hold his head to my stomach
"That was the only compliment that he ever gave me and it felt good until I realized that he wasn't ever coming back and he wouldn't be there to guide me and help me," he cries
"I know your father was horrible to you as a child…" I say but he cuts me off
"He wasn't that bad…" Puck says
"Yes he was, I remember coming by your house and he was yelling at you calling you names and telling you you're worthless," I said and felt tears come down my face
"Those parts were bad and he wasn't the best father, believe me he had his flaws, but I would give anything just for him to be around. I know what he would've said after I found out that I got Quinn pregnant and he would taunt me, but you know what it's like to want your dad or mom to be there no matter what mistakes you make. I don't care how old I am, or that I started working since I was 12 using a fake id, I just wanted him there!" Puck explains
"Shh, I know baby, and he may never come back around," I tried to console him
"Can you lock the door and make sure no one comes in," he asks and I walk towards the door to close and lock it. I walk towards Shelby.
"Ms. Corcoran, you wouldn't mind if I locked the door until class starts," I ask cringing on the inside that I called her by her teacher name
"No it's okay," she replies
"Thank you," I say as I return to Puck
"Talk to me," I say
"I just wanted him here. I wanted to talk to him about different things like sex instead of finding out for myself, or the first night I spent in juvie and how afraid I was , or the first time I got drunk or the first time I had sex," he said
"I know baby," I say
"I know you do and that is why I love you so much, because you understand me better than anyone else," he says and starts wiping the tears, "well look at it this way, at least I don't have to go home and be told that I'm a loser or that I'm a deadbeat teenage dad who isn't good for anything,"
"Yes and everytime you mess up you learn from your mistakes and you are not a deadbeat dad, you're an amazing and talented person who wasn't able to provide for his daughter and made a combined decision to give her a good home. I hope one day if she comes to look for you that you will and tell me all about her and that she looks just like you and has a Mohawk," we all laugh at that
"How come every time I mess up, you are so forgiving?" he asks
"Because if I didn't forgive people then I will be a bitter person who has no one to talk to including myself," I respond
"Hey Noah and Rachel, come here, I want to show you something," Shelby says and we both stare at each other before we get up to walk towards the desk. We were shocked to see her holding a stack of pictures in her hand. I noticed that they were pictures of Beth since she was born. She hands them to Noah and I can see that his heart is melting just looking at her.
"Oh my god, she's so beautiful," Noah says. "Oh no you didn't Ms. Corcoran!" he exclaims as he shows me the picture of baby Beth in the bath tub with a mohawk
"Oh my god I have such a beautiful sister," I let the words slip out
Shelby POV
"Oh my god I have such a beautiful sister," Rachel says and I smile at her, I'm glad she looks at Beth as a sister
"I have such an adorable daughter," Noah says and I can see tears he's trying to hold back. He tries to give me the pictures
"No it's okay, keep them, I have more copies," I say
"These are definitely going in our lockers, thank you so much Ms. Corcoran," Noah says
"No problem," I respond
"I'm sorry for giving you such a hard time in the hospital when you wanted to adopt her. I was so angry because I didn't want to give her up, but I don't have enough money and I didn't want to give her a life… I just don't want to be like my dad," he says. "Babe,"
"Yeah," Rachel responds as she is still rummaging through the pictures
"Can you put those in your bag," he asks
"Where's your bag?" Rachel asks
"In my locker and I don't really want people seeing me this way," Puck says, "and don't mention this to anyone, you hear?" he smiles
"Oh I have enough blackmail to ruin your reputation before the clock hits 8, but you do have to pay me," Rachel responds
"Oh yeah, I think I will repay you like this," he says and he cups her cheeks and kisses her and I should be grossed out since she's my daughter, but they are so cute
"Rachel can I talk to you for a minute?" I ask
Rachel POV
"Rachel can I talk to you for a minute?" Shelby asks and I nod to walk towards the door where she is but I am stopped by Puck's arm
"Hey don't shut her out, listen to her and see if you can repair your relationship. I would give anything to do the same, okay?" Puck tells me
"Okay," and I walk out into the hall with Shelby
"I just wanted to tell you that I'm not only your English teacher, but I'm also your glee co-coach," she says hesitantly
"Okay," I say and smile
"I also want to tell you how sorry I am about what happened between us. I thought that you didn't need me. I mean you grew up your whole life without a mother and I thought I was helping you by removing myself from the equation. I guess I was wrong when I heard what Noah was saying inside the classroom about how he still needed and wanted his dad. Do you still feel the same way?" Shelby asks
Shelby POV
"Yes of course, I've always wanted you there. I wanted you there when I was being bullied by kids because I had two dads, or when I didn't get a solo, or when I couldn't do a move in dance class, or when I went to my first dance, when I got my period, when I went on my first date, or when I had my first kiss or when I lost my virginity," she rambled and I stood there stunned that my baby girl was no longer a virgin. She looked so innocent and fragile
"I'm sorry, can we start over?" I ask
"Yes, I would love that so much," Rachel stays and hugs me
"So how about dinner after rehearsals?" I ask
"Yes," she squeals and we walk back into the classroom to see that Noah has returned Puck
"Hey Noah, guess what?" I say excitedly
"What did you say?" he asks angrily
"I mean, hey Puck, guess what?" he smiles
"What?" he says
"I am going to dinner with my mom!" I yell
Shelby POV
"What did you say?" he asks angrily. Whoa where did all this anger come from?
"I mean, hey Puck, guess what?" he smiles
"What?" he says
"I am going to dinner with my mom!" Rachel yells and I can't help but smile
"That's great, what time should I come to the house?" he asks and I frown at the idea of him sleeping over my daughter's house
"I think 12 or 1, is that okay?" she asks
"Actually no," he says and my daughter's smile falters
"Why not?" she asks a bit angry
"Because I have to work, my mom is a little low on the rent so I picked up another job," he said and I couldn't help but feel sad for him
"Another, you already have two?" she says
"I know, but the pay isn't that great and its better to work than be evicted," he said
"Yeah I know, I just wish there was something I could do, you shouldn't have to work, go to school, go to glee, take care of Emily and still make time for me," Rachel says. Wait who's Emily?
"I know but we have one more year and I desperately need a scholarship to go to college," he says
"Where do you want to go?" rachels asks
"Well I wanted to surprise you, but I took a bus to New York to audition at some colleges," he said
"Really?" I can see her face lights up at the sound of New York
"Yeah, I applied to NYU, Julliard…" he said but was interrupted
"Julliard?" Rachel asks loudly
"Yes," he says
"Oh my god you are by far the best boyfriend, I can't believe you, you know that is like my dream school," Rachel says
"Yeah, that's kinda why I auditioned there, but I also have to look at instate because of the cost. I have to get two jobs when I start to pay for half of the tuition," he says
"Trust me you'll get a scholarship, you're the best wide receiver in the district, talented musician and I mean look at your grades, I may have a 4.0, but your gpa is just as good," Rachel said, man she was smart my gpa in high school was a 3.0
"Yeah like my 3.7 can compete with your 4.0," he says timidly
"A 3.7 gpa is really good and I believe in you, you have football, glee, 3 jobs, and you take care of Emily, that's pretty amazing," Rachel argued
"But it's not good enough for my dad," he says sadly
"Well your dad's opinion doesn't count since he's not in your life, okay, I believe in you and I believe in us that we will get through anything that comes our way, I just don't understand why you won't let me lend you some money, its not that much," Rachel says and pouts her lips
"Oh don't give me that face, that is a lot of money, besides I can't accept money from you, you know that," Puck replies
"Come one five grand is nothing, it's a simple write up out of my checking's account, besides my dads would never know its gone," Rachel said, how would she get 5 grand in a short amount of time?
"No I can't" Puck said standing his ground and I commend him for saying no to those adorable eyes
"I just don't want you to go back to what you used to do, that's what got you sent to juvie," Rachel says and my eyes widen
"Can we not talk about that, its off my public record and I just want to forget. I am never going back to my old ways ever because I have you to think about. Even though it was good money at fast times, it took away my pride, my dignity and my manhood, but then you came along, so don't worry," he tries to convince her
"What time is it?" Rachel asks
"8:20," I say
"Thanks mom," she says and I can feel my heart skip a beat that she called me mom
"Well that leaves me with ten minutes ," Puck says
"Ten minutes for what?" Rachel asks and Puck whispers something in her ear that makes her giggle and I can see his hand touch her ass. I am immediately angered by this but this has been one hell of morning to even say anything. I'm just glad that Rachel is giving me a chance.
"Let's go," Puck demands as he gets up
"No, I don't feel like walking," Rachel argues
"Alright you asked for it," Puck says when pulls Rachel to her feet and then he swings her over his shoulder
"Stop put me down," Rachel pleads but Puck doesn't relent
"See you in ten Ms. Corcoran, and please don't mention anything that happened to anyone," Puck says and exits the room with my daughter over his shoulder.
Rachel POV
I couldn't believe Puck picked me up and dragged me to the choir room.
"Alright, are you ready?"