"Taking Chances"
Synopsis: "I'm not gonna hold on to this regret anymore. I'm gonna get him back." Tina isn't happy with the ending she got with Artie, so now she's gonna change it.
Prologue: Tina's POV
There he was wheeling away from me as I stood there looking at him watching his figure disappear into the hallway. My mind begins to wander as I try and register what just happened. Was it that I kept it a secret for so long? Was it that I faked a disability to push people away? Or was it that he only liked me for my disability?
Is what I did so terrible? I mean, I was young when I did it. Hiding behind my stutter only made me feel safe because then people would leave me alone. They wouldn't bother reaching out but then Glee came around and I didn't want to hide anymore. I didn't want to carry the mask of the stutter along with me anymore. I wanted people to see me for me and not my stutter.
I told him the truth, I've never told anyone before. Doesn't that count for something? Although Glee was my home. Artie was the only one to see me for who I was. I thought of all people he could see past my stutter and see the real me. I thought he'd be more understanding because he too knows what it's like.
I don't know how much time passed before I left. A minute? An hour? It was too soon to tell.
If that's what I get for bearing my soul, then I'd rather hide behind my stutter.
It's been weeks now and still the vivid image of him wheeling away haunts me.
Artie and I have come to a silent agreement to pretend as if it never happened. We don't talk about it, he keeps his mouth shut and I keep mine.
The last thing the group needed would be the two of us making things difficult. Finn, Rachel, Quinn and Puck were already doing that for us.
I didn't tell anyone what happened. I don't believe Artie did either. We still maintained our friendship but it wasn't the same. There were no more hidden jokes that only Artie and I would know. There were no meeting up during study hall to practice some songs and no after school sessions.
Conversation was kept to a minimum and anything in relation to lying, romance, or disabilities was off limits.
I missed our conversations in which we could talk about anything and everything. Talking till midnight or until one of our parents came in and demanded us to get off the phone.
Artie no longer dances with me. I was assigned to dance with Mike Chang whom I actually sorry for on the account that I've been the most obnoxious dance partner. I have nothing against Mike. I just really wanted to dance with Artie. Mike's a nice guy though. Instead of complaining, he nods along but I know he's wishing he had a better partner. One that doesn't stare off into Artie's direction when it's time to hit our marks.
I lost my stutter after that day. After years it became habit but I've now broken the habit and am back to normal, at least what qualifies for normal. I still refuse to accept the fact that I'll ever be completely normal.
I look back at that week where Artie and I grew closer than we've ever been and then watch again as we move back further than where we started.
How I miss him, and everything we used to be. I miss the freedom of talking about anything. I miss the butterflies in my stomach when he smiled at me. I miss the rush when I pressed my lips against his and the throbbing pain when I saw him wheel away.
I can't do this anymore. I've got to do something. I'm not gonna hold onto this regret anymore.
I'm gonna get him back.
A/N: Okay guys. This is a new fanfic. I'm gonna try and update as quickly as possible. Reviews are lovely, thanks for giving it a chance. New update coming soon :)
-Ally