A.N. I'm going to do a short series of semi-chronological flashbacks from multiple perspectives on the completed story, Junior Year. Flashbacks will range in genre from romance to humor to angst. Sometimes from Rachel and Puck's perspective, but things that you didn't see. Often from other character's perspectives, such as this one from Artie which refers back to the beginning of the story in Chapter 4.

Disclaimer: I do not own Glee or anything familiar.

…

Arthur Abrams was a keen observer of the human condition. Well, at least within McKinley High. This mostly came from years of being ignored by his peers after the accident which left him confined to a wheelchair. Since no one interacted with him, he got used to observing from the sidelines. That changed somewhat in high school when he joined the glee club, but it was a slow road toward change. It seemed that "normal kids" were uncomfortable around him and some thought that because he was physically disabled, he was also mentally disabled. Hey, just because he decided to be the sole reason Uncle Ralph's belt and suspender store stayed in business did not mean he was mentally deficient. He just had a different sense of style and sense of loyalty than others his own age. But years of being an outcast meant he didn't give away this loyalty easily.

Artie found it very telling that the jocks who joined glee did a good job of ignoring him most of the time. Sure, they'd laugh if he made a wise remark about Rachel being a diva; but if Artie raised his hand to give a high-five, he was left hanging. Every time. So Artie continued to do what he did best. He observed.

He watched as New Directions came together and fell apart during sophomore year over the baby-gate drama—thank you Kurt and Mercedes for that little moniker. He watched as Rachel Berry revealed the truth, and as the golden boy Finn Hudson crumbled. He watched as Noah Puckerman and Quinn Fabray grew closer, and then how they fell apart when junior year started and everyone learned that they had given away their daughter for adoption. He watched as Puck became silent and sullen—more so than before. And he had to admit, if only to himself, that a part of him felt a spiteful sense of glee that this bully was actually suffering—that he was experiencing some consequences to his actions for once. C'mon, the guy did lock him in a port-o-potty and threaten to tip it over. Dude wasn't a nice guy.

Today Artie spared Puck a glance as he plopped into the seat next to where Artie had parked his wheelchair. Lately, Puck had been sitting in the back of the room, or if Quinn was there, he sat in the near the front corner. Artie had been hoping that Tina would sit next to him, but he didn't bother asking Puck to move. He didn't want to be rude to the sad hulk of a boy—even if it wouldn't even come close to the payback he deserved. And he didn't want to seem desperate in front of Tina either. So he stayed chill while Mr. Schue starting going on about the Winter Concert and the new song he wanted to do, "Times Like These". The class listened as Mr. Schue played the cd to introduce the tune. Artie already knew the song, and found it surprisingly fitting for the holiday show. Surprisingly because it wasn't a holiday song, and also because Mr. Schue was not always known for making the best decisions.

At the end of the song, Rachel's hand shot up. Of course. "Mr. Schuester! I for one think that this song is an excellent choice!"

"Agreed." said Artie and Puck simultaneously.

Puck raised his hand to offer him a high-five, which Artie returned in a daze due to the shock-and-awe impact of the event unfolding before him. Artie knew he had to be giving Puck a look that rhymed with his nickname. Because seriously, WTF? This gesture came from a guy who had been sitting morosely in the corner for every glee rehearsal up to this point. Suddenly, he and Artie agreed on something (with Rachel, no less), and Puck's offering a high-five? And don't think that Artie didn't notice how Rachel's jaw dropped when the two agreed with her in unison, followed by the small smile after the high-five was completed. He did.

At first, he just thought Rachel was pleased with people agreeing with her for once and probably pleased that things were coming together for the team—because Rachel Berry cared more about winning choir competitions than any athlete at McKinley cared about winning games.

But then he noticed Rachel's looks toward the back of the room throughout the rest of rehearsal. Although he was sitting next to Puck, he could tell that it was the jock who was the object of her attention. Artie noticed Puck steal glances Rachel's way as well.

Something was definitely going on.

But Artie didn't make it his business to find out what. He had more important things to worry about than the romance of the week in glee. Seriously. He had to think about how to either get over Tina, or get back together with her. So Artie turned his attention from the weird couple of Jews making eyes at each other from across the room to the even weirder couple that he was hoping to make with Tina.

"Hey, girl, hold up!" he called after her at the end of rehearsal. Artie felt a surge of happiness when Tina smiled beautifully back at him. He raised his eyebrows and tried out his playful sexy voice. (Yes, he had one.) He gestured to his lap. "Wanna lift?"

Tina giggled and shrugged, "Sure, thanks."

It was like heaven.

…

A.N. This story idea is inspired by kaelaelameee's suggestion, which was probably inspired by alien09's North: The Outakes. The reason I'm doing these is because they are quick and easy to write compared to some of the other stories I'm working to complete, so this will help keep the Junior Year universe alive while I come up with a continuation Summer in the City.

Feel free to make requests. I have a few suggestions from reviews for Junior Year too, but I started with my own idea to begin near the start of the original story. Finally, thanks to Karma22 who helped me work through some title ideas!