Author: WingedWolf121
Disclaimer: Of course I own Glee. What do you take me for, a random girl writing fan fiction?
A/N: My first fic! Yeah!
You think it might be happening when she chooses him as a dance partner. She looks to you, but after that there is no hesitation in which guy she chooses. Nor in his exuberant grin.
It's only a little bit of jealousy, you think. Just because, you know, he's tall and used to be a football player, and now he plays basketball. And he can dance.
Stupid Mike Chang and his stupid moves. Of course it's not fair to the other man. Mike's the best dancer on the team-who else would Tina choose to dance with her, once he had turned her down?
But there's something about that smile on Mike's face…
A day later.
You look in the choir room windows, and it's kind of embarrassing. You have to strain and push yourself up to even reach the glass pane in the door.
The only reason you bother is because you heard laughter. Tina's laughter, her beautiful laughter. And there they are. Mike sitting down in a chair, gesturing wildly with his hands, your girlfriend with her hands over her mouth trying not to giggle.
A sick feeling mounts in your stomach.
"You are being ridiculous." You say to yourself. "He knows we're dating."
But then again, weren't Mike and Tina partnered for that Ballad assignment? They had never heard what those two came up with! What if they were together then, laughing and singing "Safety Dance", and dancing!
Breathe, Artie. Tina doesn't even know about that particular fantasy. Because well… telling Tina about his dream of her in a medieval dress dancing with a midget in a meadow might be pushing her weird tolerance.
But that doesn't change the sound of their laughter. You wheel away down the hall, feeling very, very, alone.
"So, how's the number with Mike going?" You ask casually as she wheels you down the hall.
"Great! I mean, I'd rather dance with you…but Mike does tap already and we're thinking of adding in some stuff." You writhe inside. Some part of you really hoped that this was the one field of dance Mike was incompetent in, and that Tina was going to go down on her knees and beg that they not bother to do the number.
Maybe it was kind of selfish, since he told her to do the number anyway.
"So, what's up with you? Are you sure you don't want to do it, I mean Mike will back off if you'd like to…" There isn't much hope in her voice. She's just asking for show.
"Nah. You should get to class." Tina releases your chair and kisses you on the cheek, then goes to the classroom on the right. Mike is going in also, and he holds the door for her.
You grit your teeth. You'll never be able to show Tina such a chivalrous gesture, or smile down at her like Mike is doing. It strikes you randomly that, even if you weren't confined to this chair, he would be taller.
U gonna come over 2nite? You stare at your phone almost desperately.
Gotta work on dance w/ Mike. Il come 4 brekfast? You nearly growl at the phone.
Dont bother. You close the phone with a snap and wheel angrily towards the other wall of your bedroom. Pacing is so much more satisfying when you have legs.
What if Mike and Tina are dancing around now, pressed against each other like those couples on "Dancing with the Stars" who look they're sleeping together, not dancing?
You wish you could get on your hands and knees, and puke in the toilet.
The dance number is exquisite. They do the number Tina composed, shoes tapping in unison, sounding far better than your stupid tap wheels.
Mike is grinning, twirling her around. That wasn't in the original, since Artie could never move like that.
Tina looks beautiful, on another level with her dancing. One look at her face and he knows she is aware of nothing else, only her partner and the dance steps. Her skirts flows around those perfect legs, her hair fans behind her.
Kurt looks slightly proud, and you remember that he took over costume design now that they had a budget for it. You should be happy, because Tina looks gorgeous. You knew that she loves dancing, but you had no idea how good she could be.
Never been so clear that you're dragging her down. You continue to sing, as you feel Quinn put a hand on his shoulder and rub comfortingly. Quinn is a good person, now that she isn't under Sue's influence.
And the number ends and Tina dips down. Mike and she are very close now, hands clasped as she stares into his eyes. And you want nothing more than to be Mike Chang.
"That was fantastic!" Tina is laughing, twirling around in her skirt with Mike. He looks completely relaxed and handsome, very able bodied.
"You guys were great!" Mr. Schue calls to them. He has risen up in his seat clapping, eyes appreciative. How to use this new talent. "How's this for an opening in regional's!"
Puck whoops, Finn pumps a fist in the air. Mercedes is dancing with Kurt now, the two already talking about costumes.
"Artie, is it cool with you?" The teacher asks. Suddenly everyone is looking at you, and you're about to tell them that no it isn't, that a special project he worked on with his girlfriend has been turned into this horror-
But Tina looks so hopeful. She's still standing next to Mike, and they look good together.
"Fine with me. You two were great, I'll sing for you guys." And you wonder if you're planting the seeds of your own destruction.
"Artie!" Quinn hurries out the door after you, face glowing with concern. "Are you okay?"
You turn to face her. Sweet face so full of concern, blonde hair like an angel.
Tina looked prettier, when she was dancing.
"I'm fine. This number will be great for sectionals." She looks at you, not fooled for a moment, and you turned your face away. "Mike is a great dancer."
"Yeah. So is Brittany." You remember that Brittany has been taking on most of the dancing parts, since Quinn is pregnant and can't dance so well.
But Brittany isn't dancing with Finn or Puck, so there's no way Quinn understands. "I've noticed. Sorry, my dad is waiting for me. Tell Tina I say goodbye."
You wheel away as fast as you can, even if your dad isn't even halfway to the school, and it's raining out, so your wheelchair might get rusted.
"Artie!" Tina is hurrying down the hallway towards you, looking worried. "Where have you been? After the number you just disappeared!"
"My Dad was coming to pick me up." She studies you for a moment, and there is hurt etched on her face.
"If you'd like, we can find another number for sectionals." she says. You shake your head almost angrily. Pity?
"Do the number! Don't let me stop you!"
"What is with you? I thought you were okay with this!" Okay? Okay with his girlfriend getting together with a guy who makes him look pathetic?
"I am! Look, just get to class." You roll away as she stares after you, pained and confused, and for a second you consider going back. Then Mike comes over, and says something to her.
They walk off down the hall, and Mike's hand is far too close to hers for comfort. Bitter taste floods your mouth.