"Excuse me, excuse me. Outta my way, people."
I froze as I head his voice coming closer. I slammed my locker closed and tried to make a run for it, but as I turned around I came face to face with him and all of his Jew Fro glory.
"Jacob," I murmured unpleasantly.
"Grace, would you care to elaborate on rumors that have appeared in my blog about your summer rendezvous with Noah Puckerman?" Jacob shoved his blue Jew mic in my face and stared intently at me.
I rolled my eyes and glanced away from the boy behind Jacob who was holding a camera. "I spent my summer in Illinois, Jacob. Everyone knows that…except you apparently. I haven't even seen Noah yet."
"Ah, is that hopefulness I hear in your voice? Shall we be expecting a happy reunion of the two of you today?" Jacob asked with a naughty smirk, his eyes growing wide under his coke bottle glasses.
I looked at him in disgust. "Just-just go away!" I sputtered and pushed Jacob away from me and hurried down the hallway.
Truth be told, I was hoping that when I saw Noah we could do one of those slow-motion runs down the hallway and into each others arms… I'm kidding...
No I'm not. Oh, how I would love to jump into that boy's arms. In actuality, though, the likelihood of a hug from Noah was slim to none, especially in a crowded hallway. He had a rep to keep, y'know.
Ha, yeah right.
Anyways, last school year, after losing regional's, thinking we lost the glee club, singing an incredibly tearful 'To Sir, With Love', but then being told we had another year, we were pretty mixed up with emotions, but mostly just beyond excited. So excited some interesting things happened between the Noah and I. I wasn't stupid enough to make him wait for me all summer while I was visiting my mother's sister in Chicago, but I did tell him we'd pick back up where we left off when I was back.
I was shaking, that's how freaking excited slash nervous I was to see him.
It wasn't until 4th period that I finally saw Noah. Well, it was more like I saw him walk past the open doorway of my Physics class. I immediately shot my hand into the air and waved it impatiently.
"Can I use the bathroom?" I asked quickly. My teacher rolled his eyes and nodded. I shot out of my chair and nearly ran from the room. I took a right out the door and ran until I finally saw Noah down the next hallway. I smiled and took a deep breath.
"Why is it I never find you in class?" I called with a light laugh. Noah turned his head and smiled back at me. He turned around and slowly started walking my way.
"That's a good question," he quirked an eyebrow at me. "I just don't seem to have the answer for you."
"I though it would be obvious by now, but I'm stalking you, Noah," I teased.
"Doesn't surprise me; all the ladies want a piece of this," he said back with a playful smirk.
I laughed as I looked up at him. We were silent for a moment until I finally stepped forward and wrapped my arms around his shoulders.
"Surprisingly, I missed you," I laughed lightly. "Chicago just wasn't as fun without you to constantly pester."
"I can't really say I missed that…" he chuckled. I gasped jokingly and pushed him away.
"Fine," I said and turned to walk away from him. I could practically feel his eye roll as he hooked his arm around my waist from behind.
"Trust me, had had a boring summer with you gone," he smiled and nuzzled my neck. I giggled loudly from being ticklish – which he knew- and pulled away from him.
I decided to be daring and grabbed the back of his neck and stood on my tip toes to plant a kiss to his lips. I pulled away after a moment and smiled slyly up at him. "That's what I missed this summer," I said before taking a few steps back. "See you later," I smiled before hurrying back to my class, leaving Noah smirking at me from down the hall.
It was the middle of my study hall period and I was walking aimlessly around; I was pissed…well, kind of. We had gone out to the courtyard during lunch and seriously brought the house down with our own rendition of Jay-Z and Alicia Key's Empire State of Mind. No one even flinched the entire time.
Except that new kid with the blond Beiber hair cut.
So, anyways, I was way too restless to sit in a chair for an hour, reading. No thanks. I was coming around a corner when head the faint sounds of guitars playing and drums beating and voices singing. Curiously, I snuck over to the choir room and saw the boys of Glee, plus one blonde, playing a very familiar tune. I smiled and snuck in the door, watching the boy's smiles as they played together. Puck and the blonde -who I happened to recognize from the courtyard earlier- were both behind their guitars, Finn sitting at the drums while Mike was dancing as always, and Artie was gettin' his rap on in his seat. As the blonde kid became more comfortable, he sang stronger, causing surprised smiles on the other boys faces.
I wanna be a billionaire so freaking bad
Buy all of the things I never had
Uh, I wanna be on the cover of Forbes magazine
Smiling next to Oprah and the Queen
Oh every time I close my eyes
I see my name in shining lights
A different city every night oh
I swear the world better prepare
For when I'm a billionaire
Yeah I would have a show like Oprah
I would be the host of, everyday Christmas
Give Artie a wish list
I'd probably pull an Angelina and Brad Pitt
And adopt a bunch of babies that ain't never had it
Give away a few Mercedes like here lady have this
And last but not least grant somebody their last wish
Its been a couple months since I've single so
You can call me Artie Claus minus the Ho Ho
Get it, heh, I'd probably visit where Katrina hit
And damn sure do a lot more than FEMA did
Yeah can't forget about me stupid
Everywhere I go Imma have my own theme music
Oh every time I close my eyes
I see my name in shining lights
A different city every night oh
I swear the world better prepare
For when I'm a billionaire
Oh oooh oh oooh for when I'm a Billionaire
Oh oooh oh oooh for when I'm a Billionaire
The blonde boy gave a surprised laugh, "That was… that was really cool!"
Finn nodded with his half smile, "Nice, you think you can come back and do that in front of everyone?"
He shrugged and smiled, "Sure."
As Finn pounded happily on his drums, I came away from the door and clapped loudly, "Yay!"
The boys, startled, turned my way and laughed at my enthusiasm. I skipped over to Puck as he swung his guitar behind him. I wrapped an arm around his waist and he responded by putting one over my shoulders. I looked over to Sam and grinned at him.
"That was awesome," I said. "I can't wait for you to apart of Glee."
There was a pink tint to his cheeks as he smiled, "Thanks…Grace, right?"
I nodded and smiled at him. "Yeah, what's your name?"
"Sam," he smiled back lightly.
"It's nice to meet you Sam," I nodded to him and looked up at Puck, "This is almost as good as the time I caught you totally rockin' the air guitar at Sheets 'n Things."
Puck playfully shoved me away and placed his guitar onto the piano behind him.
"Get outta here," he said with a teasing smile and came towards me. I stopped him with a raised finger and a large grin.
"So it's been a couple months since you've been single, huh?" I teased by referencing the lyrics he had sung.
He rolled his eyes in annoyance. "You really just need to go away," he laughed.
"That hurts my feelings, Puck," I pouted.
He raised an arm to try and hug me, "Let me give your pride a hug."
I laughed loudly and playfully smacked his arm away, "Rude!"
I looked over at Mike and Artie, who were snickering happily at our banter, when Puck took advantage and scooped me up around the waist and lifted me over his shoulder.
"Hey!" I shouted. "What are you doing?"
"Going to have my sweet way with you," Noah chuckled and began to walk from the room.
"No, that doesn't sound like fun," I teased. "Frankenteen, help me!" I called to Finn, but it was too late, we were already heading out to the parking lot.
"Noah," I whined. "We can't miss Glee today."
"We're not," he laughed. We had reached his truck and with one hand he pulled down the gate on the back and flopped me onto it.
"Ow," I laughed, trying to rub my butt. "You could learn to be a little bit more gentle."
He leaned forward and captured my lips wit his, "Better?"
I laughed, "Maybe a little." I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him between my legs as I kissed him again.
"I guess you having your way with me isn't so bad after all," I grinned as we broke apart.
With a teasing smile, Puck shrugged. "Haven't had any complaints, so far," he said.
I nodded while trying not to laugh, "Okay, that's really reassuring."
"Hey, we're talking about Puckzilla here," he said with pride.
I gave him a bored look, "If you promise to never refer to yourself as 'Puckzilla' ever again, we can continue our PDA."
"Fine," he grumbled before kissing me once more.
"Hey!" We jumped apart, startled by the noise. We looked back at the school to see Coach Sylvester standing with a mega phone pressed to her lips.
"Get back to class you hooligans," she practically sneered. I quickly hopped down from the tailgate and bit back a laugh as Noah slammed it shut. I grabbed his hand in mine and pulled him past Sylvester and into the school.
"Talk about Sylvester-zilla," I said quietly after the doors closed behind us.
"More like Sylvester-saurus Rex," he grumbled. I started giggling, causing him to laugh as well.
"What's so funny?" Finn asked as we came back into the choir room.
Puck laughed, "I just got cock blocked by Sylvester."
I hit his shoulder and gaped at him, "Shut up, you so weren't going to get any, and especially not now."
"It's always worth the try," he shrugged with his famous lewd smirk.
"Man, you guys are so cute, it makes me sick," Mike chuckled.
Both Puck and I looked at Mike, "We aren't together."
Artie snickered and rolled his eyes. "Right," he laughed before Mike wheeled him from the choir room.
"Let's head out," Finn clapped Sam on the shoulder and shoved him out the door. I chuckled as I head Sam ask, "What's up with those two?"
Puck wrapped his arms around from behind me and kissed my neck. "Want me to finish having my way with you?" he asked.
I laughed and pushed his arms away, "No, I do not, Mr. Puckerman."
Noah let out a throaty laugh before leaning against the piano as I sat on the bench. I placed my hands in my lap and stared up at him with a smile.
"What?" he asked suspiciously.
"You didn't grow back your mohawk," I mused lightly and plucked out a couple notes.
Noah shrugged indifferently. "Yeah, my mom wanted me to keep it off," he sighed lightly.
"Awh," I cooed teasingly. "What a good son."
"Girls love when a guy has a good relationship with their mom," he smirked.
"Oh, is that it?" I laughed.
"You tell me," he grinned back.
I thought about it and shrugged. "Yeah, it's kinda true," I smiled as the bell rang loudly.
"Do you have this lunch?" I asked as I stood.
"Nah," he shook his head. "I had first lunch."
"Too bad," I shrugged while walking by him. Noah pushed away from the piano and grabbed my arm as I passed, pulling on it gently.
I turned to him and smirked while placing my hand on the back of his neck and pulling him down. I gave him a quick, soft kiss causing him to sigh in slight annoyance as I stepped back and nearly laughed.
"Go to class, Puckerman," I smiled.
"I hate you," he called after me as I left the choir room.
I shook my head and tried to hide my happy smile while walking down the hallways. I turned the corner to head towards the cafeteria when I was blocked by a group of freshman and sophomores crowding the way and the sounds of girls yelling in front of them.
"What's going on?" I asked a slightly frightened freshman girl.
"Two Cheerios fighting," she said back quickly.
"You know who?" I inquired while trying to get on my tip toes and see over.
"Quinn," she answered quickly. "And the Spanish girl."
I threw my head back and groaned. Great. I thanked the small girl and pushed the two boys in front of my and slipped between them.
I quickly steered my way through the gathering crowd as Santana roughly pushed Quinn to a row of lockers. I ran up and grabbed hold of her ponytail and yanked as hard as I could, sending her to the floor with a loud screech.
"'Sup, hoe?" I sneered down at her. "Whatcha doin' down there for? A little too top heavy, are we?"
I laughed at the glare I received after mentioning her 'summer surgery'. I looked behind me and saw Quinn dusting off her skirt. She looked up and smiled, which I happily returned.
"Bitch!"
I screamed in surprise as Santana jumped up and pushed me as hard as she could into the lockers. I groaned and Quinn quickly took over for me as her and Santana locked together, clawing and pulling hair. As soon as I pushed away from the lockers to have a go at Santana, Schu appeared and pulled them apart.
"Hey, hey, hey!" Schue came running in and pulled the two Cheerios apart. "What's going on? What happened to us being a family?"
"Oh, please," Santana sneered. "Like I really care about any of you."
"Walk away!" Quinn screamed at her as Schue held her back. " And tighten your pony before you get to class!"
As Santana retreated through the small crowd her hands went up and secured her ponytail before giving us a sassy hand.
"You got this?" Schu asked me and I nodded. He let go of Quinn and I took his place and put my hands on her shoulders.
"Breathe," I said with a smile. She briefly closed her eyes and took a couple breaths before looking at me and smiling.
"Thank you," she said.
"You're welcome," I laughed as we hugged each other tightly. "I always got your back."
Quinn grinned and linked her arm through mine as we began to walk to lunch. The group of people surrounding us had dispersed, but many were still gazing cautiously in our direction.
"What're you lookin' at?" I asked loudly to a few new Freshman Cheerios. They quickly looked at each other and Quinn and I snickered as we watched them hurry away.
"Gotta love being Head Cheerio," she chuckled.
"And Head Cheerio's best friend!"
Quinn let out a small giggle as I grinned at her. "I missed you this summer," I said while giving her arm a squeeze. "It was weird being away from everyone! And boring too."
"You should've just stayed here this summer, it would've been way better," she agreed. "And, you and Puck would've already started dating and no one would have to endure this weird game the two of you are playing."
"Okay, first of all, shut up," I laughed. "And second, we aren't playing any game. We're having fun, and trust me its fun."
"Whatever," she smiled. "You two are crazy."
"Yes, but at least neither of us was having a cat fight in the hallway," I smirked.
"Touché," she smirked.
"What was that all about anyways?" I inquired.
Quinn rolled her eyes and sighed. "She was pissed because Sue demoted her and made her stay at the end of the pyramid."
I began laughing loudly at the story. "Serves the bitch right," I snickered.
"Yeah, Sue wasn't too thrilled about her new sand bags," she nearly cackled.
Life's always good with your best friend.
I brought my head down and dropped it onto the piano keys with a groan. Nearly two hours we've been sitting in the choir room awaiting auditions.
Except, no one has shown up.
Thanks, new kid Sam.
"Well, I guess that's it," Rachel said while standing from her seat in the risers. I brought my head up to look at her. She sounded a little too chipper for my liking. I gave her a confused glare.
"No one else wants to hang out with losers like us," she shrugged.
"Speak for yourself," I snorted while rising from the piano bench and meeting Noah on the other side.
"Wait, guys," Finn said hastily as the others rose from their seats. "My friend Sam said he'd be here."
"Sam isn't coming, man," Noah rolled his eyes.
"Auditions were 'til 5, guys," Schue said in an attempt to keep up from leaving. "It's only 4:58."
"Sorry, Mr. Schue," I shrugged while following the herd out of the choir room.
"That was depressing," Tina sighed I nodded with a slight groan.
"What a way to ruin the rest of the day," I said before waving goodbye to them and detouring to my locker for my backpack.
"Gracie!"
I turned as I twirled my locker combo and spotted Noah jogging towards me. "Hey," I smiled. "What's up?"
I pulled my belongings from my locker and Noah came up and closed it up for me. "You busy the rest of the day?" he asked with a smirk.
I pursed my lips in thought as we walked down the hallway. "No," I shook my head. "I just have to do some Spanish; can't believe Schue gave us homework on the first day. Why?"
"Lizzy's been asking about you; thought maybe you'd want to come hang out with us," Noah shrugged while opening the front doors for me.
"Thanks," I smiled to him. "And, yea, I would love to hang out with Liz."
"Oh, so you're just coming over to see her," he teased.
"Duh," I rolled my eyes.
"Gracie!"
As I walked through the Puckerman's front door, I was hit by a flying child and nearly knocked over. "Hey Liz!" I grinned and hugged her tightly.
"I missed you this summer," she said with a large pout.
"Awh, Lizzy, I missed you too!" I told her as we walked into the living room and sat on the couch. "And I'm sorry I missed your birthday last week."
"It's okay," she smiled, showing off a missing front tooth. "I understand."
"I promise, we will go out and do something fun next week. That sound okay?" I asked.
"That sounds great!" Lizzy exclaimed while jumping up from the couch. "Hold on, I have to show you my awesome present!" And with that, Lizzy took off and disappeared from my sight as she ran upstairs.
I shook my head and smiled as I stood from the couch and walked into the kitchen where Noah was looking into a pot over the stove. I approached him slowly and peeked around his shoulder to see what was in there. Which, happened to be just water.
"Whatcha doin'?" I asked curiously.
Noah flinched in surprise before looking down at me with a smile. "Boiling water," he stated.
"Oh. And staring at it obviously makes it boil faster, right?" I asked sarcastically.
"Exactly," he rolled his eyes before turning and wrapping an arm over my shoulders.
"So what are you making?" I asked while smiling up at him.
"Mac and cheese," he shrugged.
"My own gourmet chef," I laughed as I slipped my arms around his waist.
"You act like that and I won't give you any," he teased while dropping his gaze down to mine.
"You better kiss me before your sister comes back down," I said softly.
"You don't have to tell me twice," Noah smiled.
I grinned and rolled onto my tippy toes to meet his lips with my own.
And, it was heaven.