Disclaimer: ok…I've never done one of these before but from the many I have read, they usually go something like this:
I own nothing except my cliché little plotline. If I owned Glee, Puck would be secretly in love with Kurt and Chris Colfer would be my bff.
A/N: I've been reading Glee fanfiction practically religiously for the past few months to get me through the Glee hiatus, but this is my first attempt at writing my own story. Tell me if you think I should keep writing or just stick to reading, and if you have any other tips or constructive criticism for me, that'd be awesome.
A Welcome Change
Chapter 1
Outside of glee, Tina just happened to be the stereotypical Asian in the matter that she got straight A's in all her classes, rocked the goth look, and happened to kinda sorta really like math, though she'd never admit it because that wouldn't really help her reputation. Though she seemed to excel academically, had a nice voice, a few good friends, and a loving boyfriend, Tina felt like she was missing something. Despite this, she would go about her daily routine as if she was entirely content with her life when what she really wanted was change.
She wanted excitement! Artie was great. He was kind to her, romantic, and always knew what to say, but there was no spontaneity in their relationship: a sweet peck on the lips when they met or departed and Friday night movie nights for their alone time. These evenings usually consisted of taking turns picking movies, cuddling up in Tina's oversized living room to watch each film and maybe make out a bit if the mood was right, but it had just become so…boring.
Just like every other day, Tina was walking with Artie to his third period class, gave him a small peck on the cheek, and then continued down the hallway to her favorite class of the day: pre calculus. All the while she had been regarding how sad it really was that she looked forward to math class each day more than spending time with her boyfriend.
Tina sat down at her desk in the third row, just close enough to not miss anything but far enough where she managed to not get called on too much. She got out her textbook, red and black graphing calculator, which Kurt had personalized for her, and last night's homework, which she was particularly confident about, when of all people, Noah Puckerman approached her.
"Yo…uhm…Tina?" Puck felt quite guilty at the fact he barely remembered her name because he was so used to calling her "Stutterfly" or "that Asian goth chick", but beginning a conversation with a derogatory remark wasn't exactly the way to get what you wanted.
Tina looked up from her desk, surprise conspicuous in her eyes considering Puck had apparently not attended a math class in two years and, noticing that he had no math supplies in hand, assumed he needed to borrow a calculator or something of that sort.
"Hi Puck. I'm sorry, Kurt is borrowing my backup calculator, but Mr. Garrison always keeps a few extras he lets students borrow." Tina managed to say surprising herself with the calmness in her voice recognizing the fact that she intentionally never had a real conversation with the school man whore.
Puck furrowed his brow taking in Tina's quick and presumptuous reply. After shrugging it off realizing she must just be intimidated by the school stud actually talking to her, he responded saying "Oh, no, I'm not even in your math class, I'm in Algebra II this semester, but I'm kinda struggling, and I figured since you're Asian and all, you must be good at math and I was wondering if you'd tutor me. I usually do just enough to pass, but this chapter is kicking my ass and I can't fail another class."
Rolling her eyes at Puck's racist yet accurate comment, Tina realized his request was really no surprise and that if he didn't pass math, then he would be ineligible for all extra curricular activities, including glee, so she agreed to help him.
"Oh, yeah, no problem, I tutor some middle school kids at the library after school on Tuesday's and Thursday's from 3-4. If you want to stop by around four we'll see how you're doing and how I may help" Tina was quite proud of her confident, matter-of-fact response, realizing just how much being in glee and making some real friends has affecting her communication skills.
"Alright. Cool. Hopefully a few lessons from the person with the highest grade in precalc will help my "D" in the class. See you after school Tee." Puck answered, turning to leave the classroom and giving Tina his signature smirk and wink.
"Tee"? No one called her Tee except Artie. They were by no means on a nickname basis. Heck, they were barely on a first name basis! That was just weird, but not nearly as bizarre as the little flutter in her stomach when he winked at her. She knew that he had directed that little smirk to every girl at school at one point or another, but she could hardly remember the last time something Artie did had made her stomach feel like that. Tina decided it was best not to analyze any of it at the moment.
About halfway through finishing her assignment, while the rest of the class was on their second problem, it occurred to her, why hadn't Puck just asked Mike for help? Mike was one of his closest friends and as of the last test, had a grade 1% higher than Tina's. Upon realizing this, a little involuntary thought popped into her head: what if Noah Puckerman happened to be the change and excitement her life needed?