Tina loves singing The Beatles. He knows because back when they'd been partnered for their duets she'd suggested 'The Long and Winding Road', and she hums 'Eleanor Rigby' to herself without even noticing while they study for AP Chem. So when Mr Schue suggests a group performance of 'Hello/Goodbye', Mike can see her face light up from across the choir room. It falls again slightly when he announces – as expected – that Rachel and Finn will take the leads, but he's at least secretly relieved that he doesn't have to watch her sing lead opposite Artie. That pairing is just too new in its vaguely official status to sit well with him; it kind of makes him want to kick things.
As she stands up from her seat, looping her book bag over her shoulder and flicking her hair behind her shoulder, Mike tears his eyes away – the last thing he needs is another berating from Matt about his staring being too obvious and a strict order that he needs to get over himself and set his sights on someone new.
The problem is – the problem keeps being – he doesn't want to set his eyes on someone new. He knows they're still getting to know each other but…he really likes Tina. He likes her smile and her voice and the way she draws little stick men in the corner of her homework. He appreciates her helping Brittany learn lyrics – so many lyrics - to the songs with such unfailing patience, and how adorable she had looked in the over-sized blue pyjamas when they had filmed their mattress commercial. And he's always impressed that – even though she's a Freshman – she can kick his ass in a science pop quiz.
She's with Artie, he knows it and he accepts it. He's not the type to try and break up something that makes two people he likes – and tentatively considers his friends – happy. But that doesn't mean he has to like it.
Which is why, when she's partnered with him to dance in the number, wearing that black and white dress, and in the middle of the numbers she turns to him and gives him a coy little finger wiggle of a wave, he can't help but feel a little bubble of hope well inside him.
Hello/Goodbye it might be. But he can't help but wonder if there might one day be a little goodbye Artie/hello Mike as well.