Rachel's POV
Dammit Rachel! You've never let this stuff get to you! You know you're better than all of those knuckle heads! You know that! Just wash yourself off before anyone enters the girl's bathroom and change into the extra set of clothes that you always bring. That's better. Now get on with your day.
I walk out of the bathroom, with my wet, slushie stained clothes in a plastic bag. I'm sick of those stupid footballers throwing slushies in my face all the time. What did I ever do to them? I know I can be controlling and I never shy away from informing people of the truth but that is no reason to cover someone in a wet, sticky beverage!
Anyway, while approaching my locker, I notice a very tall Finn standing there, obviously waiting for me. I really don't want to see him. Not after I find out about him and Santana's 'relations' the other year. I still can't believe he did that to me, and frankly, I don't want to see him right now.
"Hey Rachel… how have you been? We haven't really talked much since… you know."
"Oh I wonder why? We were dating! And I find out that you got it on with Santana! Of all people! Was it because she's prettier than me? Well I'm sorry that I'm not a Quinn or another beautiful cheerleader but not everyone is that lucky! And I was so-
"Jeez! Rachel! It's not so bad! It's not like we were dating at the time or anything. Can we please just forget this ever happened and move on? I am so sorry Rachel. It will never happen again."
Is he serious? Does he not understand anything? I can't just get over something like this. But I do miss him. And he is right. We weren't going out at the time. I probably am just over-reacting. It's not like he would ever do something like that to me again. He genuinely cares about me after all. It would be unfair if we didn't give it another shot. We haven't talked for a week; I do think it's time to get over this.
"I suppose you're right. I am probably over-reacting. I forgive you. Just… please, please promise me you'll never do anything like that again…"
"Rachel Berry, I love you and I promise you a thousand times that I will never hurt you again... So… are we back together?"
"Finn Hudson, I forgive you! I love you too!"
As soon as I could blink, I was in his arms and found myself wrapping my arms around his shoulders, feeling safe and happy again. I really don't know what I would have done without him. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Sure, he has his flaws, but I love him, and that is all that matters.
Puck's POV
Could my day get any worse? My truck broke down so I had to walk to school, then I was late, which I wouldn't mind usually but I had football practice so the Coach killed me! The worst part was when I was walking down the corridor, guitar in hand, I saw Berry and Finn talking, with Berry staring at him with those doe eyes, followed by them going all gooey and hugging each other. I'm guessing they've kissed and made up.
I hate the fact that he is always stringing her along like a kitten with some string! It's not fair on her. He's always going between her and Quinn, which really takes its toll on Berry. It's not like I care about her or anything but us Jew's gotta stick together, and it's not hard to see the pain that she tries to hide because of stupid Frankenteen!
I walk alone to glee. I skipped last period so I'm about 20 minutes early. I'll just play my guitar or something to keep myself from being bored. I approach the room and am surprised to see Rachel sitting at the piano. My spirits are lifted a little as I see her, and I walk in.
"Hey Berry."
She looks shocked and stops playing with the keys. "Pu-Puckerman. What are you doing here so early?"
"Relax Berry, I skipped last period."
"Noah! You should never do that! Education is very important and if you skip all of your school life how will yo-
"I get it. What about you? You can't lecture me about skipping class when you are doing it right now!"
"I cannot believe that you are accusing me of such a crime! I for one care about my education and as you should know I am going to use that to my advantage when I am the brightest star on Broadway!"
"Then why are you here?"
"I was in the auditorium. I have a free."
"Whatever Berry."
I walk over to one of the vacant seats in the front. After sitting down, I silently watch her. She looks uncomfortable under my stare and I try to hold in a smirk as she plays a melody with her right hand, her left occasionally tugging at her short skirt.
"I take it that you and Finn are together again."
She stops playing and looks at me with an unreadable expression. "Yes we are. I realised that I over-reacted and it was silly getting worked up about an incident that happened when we weren't even together."
I am surprised at how easily she gave in to him. It has only been a week since they broke up. "Do you really believe that? Or do you just think that you have to believe that?"
A puzzled expression plays in her features, and she takes a good six seconds before she replies. "O-Of course I believe it. W-Why wouldn't I? Finn is sorry and I over-reacted and we love each other and that is all that matters thank you very much!"
"Whatever you say Berry."
Rachel's POV
Who does Puckerman think he is? Of course I believe it. Well, I sort of do. I think I took it too far but I did have reason to be angry. If it was with someone like Tina I wouldn't be as angry but with Santana? Oh well… it's over now and I can enjoy my perfect life with Finn, and hopefully not have to worry about people like Puckerman asking questions.
My thoughts are interrupted when the other glee kids start entering the choir room. Mercedes and Kurt enter, followed by Finn. Mercedes and Kurt wave to me. I smile and wave back and they take two seats behind me, whilst Finn takes the seat to my left and kisses my cheek.
I look around the room and Mr Schuester walks in with the usual grin on his face. He is holding some sheet music and I cringe a little when I consider the possibility of singing one of his ideas of a fantastic song. The songs he usually chooses are great, but we never really get much of a chance to discuss our ideas.
"Hello everyone! I have to be honest and tell you all that I've had a lot of trouble deciding what this week's assignment should be. But I finally found one that we haven't done for a while, and last time we did this, the two winners won a trip to Breadsticks. So for those of you who haven't yet caught on to this week's assignment, we are doing duets in which your partner will be chosen by my very own top hat!"
I look at the black top hat and contemplate who fate will pair me with. I hope it's Finn. Our voices go really well together. I look around the room to see what other people's reactions are.
"Yay! I hope I'm with Mike!" Tina announces and they both nuzzle each other.
"I'm gonna kill this thing. Breadsticks, here I come!" Santana pledges.
"Okay guys well, Sam, you're up first, choose a name out of the hat and let fate decide."
There are a few 'oohs' and Sam approaches the hat. He pulls out a name.
"Mike."
Tina shows a look of devastation. "No way! Draw again! I get Mike!"
Mr Schue, clearly enjoying this simply states; "Sorry Tina but fate has spoken. Mercedes, you're up."
"Brittany."
I notice Santana's grievance but she holds her head high and pretends that it doesn't bother her.
"Finn, you're next."
"Quinn."
What? I can't believe this. This ruins everything! I am supposed to be with Finn so we can showcase our perfect harmonies and win a trip to breadsticks where Finn will tell me that he loves me. I look over at Quinn and see her smile her devious smile. Surely Finn and Quinn wouldn't do anything that might compromise our relationship… no-no-no what am I thinking…? Finn would never do that to me! Not again. Not after what happened with Santana.
Quinn sniggers at me. "This couldn't have turned out better! Our voices do go really well together. Finn, don't you agree?"
Finn drops an apologetic look at me and turns back to Quinn, who is sitting a row behind us, a few seats away. "Totally."
I know that Finn doesn't really mean that. He just doesn't like confrontation, so he tries to please everyone, one of the many reasons why I love him.
"Okay, Tina! You're next!"
Tina walks up and pulls a name out of the hat. She has a look of shock and fear as she reads out the name. "Santana…"
Santana doesn't even flinch as Tina walks back to her seat next to Mike. To my surprise, she shows a small smile that disappears as soon as it appeared.
"Rachel! You're up!"
I bounce out of my seat and walk elegantly over to the hat. Now that Finn is taken, I am hoping to get Kurt. He is my only competition in glee and we could smash this thing to pieces we would be that amazing. Once I reach the hat I close my eyes and dip my right hand into the hat whilst my left hand is busy with its fingers crossed. I connect my finger with s small sliver of paper and draw it out, only to be staring at it with shear disappointment.
"Puck…"
The already silent room seems quieter as I look around and fix my gaze on Puck. As usual he is wearing his classic smirk as I walk back to my seat and interlace my fingers with Finn's. I remember the last time Puck and I worked on a song together. Well, eliminating the Run Joey Run video. I really don't want to do that again.
The bell rings, signalling the end of the day. I say goodbye to Finn and approach Mr Schue, asking him about me doing a solo from Westside Story at Regionals. As usual, he declines my superior ideas and I trot out of the room, only to be met in the corridor by none other than Noah Puckerman.
"What do you want Puck?"
"What? Can't I talk to my fellow hot Jew?"
He better get to the point soon. "I'll ask again. What do you want?"
"Well, now that we're duet partners, and a trip to breadsticks is up for grabs, we need to win. And to do that, we need to discuss whatever it is you talk about when you're planning to perform a duet."
"Well, you know that I will only perform a piece that meets a high standard, and I know that it will be hard for you to keep up with my bursting talent, but I'm sure that you'll be fine, and that is why I believe that if I choose the song, and give you the lyrics and things tomorrow, we can both practice separately and bring everything together on the day."
"I know that you must have things kept at a high standard, which is why we should rehearse together. It's the only way. I'm free this afternoon and all week basically so yeah. Breadsticks… get ready for some hot Jew action."
I know why he is doing this. He wants a make-out session. Why else? Why do I have to be free this afternoon? I'll just lie. "Sorry Noah, but I'm busy this afternoon, all week actually. So we'll just have to complete this individually."
"Oh yeah? What are you doing?"
My eyes start to flutter. "W-well I have to uh, see my grandparents and um, yeah."
"Really? All week? And as I recall, one day when you were rambling on you told me that your grandparents live in Texas."
Dammit. "Well uh, they have moved back and tomorrow I-
"Just stop. I'll drive us to your house. At least you won't have to walk."
"But I can't. I told you. I'm busy."
"Let's go!"
"Fine."
Great. If I wasn't such a bad liar, he wouldn't have been so pushy. I guess I'll have to work on that. Wait a second, how did he remember that stuff about my grandparents living in Texas. I didn't think he was actually listening when I talked to him…
We walk together through the corridors and out one of the back doors into the student car park. We reach his truck and I smile when I see a few stuffed toys sitting on the back seat. "Are they your sister's?"
"Yeah… I must've forgotten them…"
He unlocks the car and I hop into the front seat. It is quite warm in the car and I take off my sweater to account for the heat. I place it delicately on my lap and buckle the seat belt. By this time, Puck is strapped in and already starting the engine. We pull out of the parking lot and start our drive.
"Well I was thinking about song selection for this assignment and I wasn't quite sure where we stand right now. Not that it matters or anything it's just relevant to this task and I can't quite think of a song to express how we feel about each other. I thought maybe you could be responsible for the song selection and I can just work out our parts and harmonies in the song or something."
He looks at me briefly and turns back to the road. "Sure that sounds fine. I guess we'll sort that out when we get to your place. So, what are your thoughts about Quinn and Finn doing a duet together?"
I am surprised at his question. Why would he care about it? It's probably just to start conversation. "It's fine. They're friends and I'm sure they'll do a great duet… not as good as ours of course!"
"Can you trust him with her?"
"Of course I can! W-why do you care so much?"
"Eh… just wonderin'."
"Okay…"
I am slightly confused at his questions. Oh well. I just can't wait until this duet assignment is finished so things can go back to normal where I am not Finn's competition.
We pull up at my house and I notice that my dads are still at work, which is normal. They don't get back till' about 7:00pm on most days.
The engine turns off and we both simultaneously get out of the car. I lead to my front door and unlock it with the key that I keep in my bag. We step inside and I put my bag down next to the door. I'll unpack it later.
"Your house is different since I was last here."
I cringe a little at the thought. The last time he was here we were making out on my bed. Hopefully, he doesn't care about that and isn't thinking about it. "Yeah. We had it painted and the furniture moved around. My dads like to keep things different. Would you like a drink?"
"Nah."
"Well, do you want to practice downstairs or in my room or wherever else?"
I really hope he doesn't say my room. That situation is destined for trouble.
"May as well stay down here."
