Okay, so this is my first Glee fic and this idea has been picking around in my brain for a while. I know we all want a Disney episode in the show, but I think this will have to do.
"Okay guys, we're gonna do something a little different for the next week or so." Will Schuester explained as he walked into the choir room, holding a folder in his hand. "I've noticed lately that you guys have gone through some tough times and I get the feeling like you're trying to grow up too fast to deal with it. I had the same problem when I was growing up." Everyone gave him weird looks.
Of course, Rachel was the first one to speak. "I will be the first to say that I really don't understand what you mean Mr. Schuester. While yes, some of the members of this club have gone through bumpy roads, but I regretfully say that most if not all are very childish and immature."
"Sure they act immature, but are they really? You for instance have spent most of your life focusing on your life as a Broadway star, but have you ever just let yourself be a kid?" She, for once, was speechless. "So you see my point. Now I know you guys have gone through some hard stuff in your lives, whether it be when you were younger or just yesterday. So I want to give you the chance to be the kids I know you are, and to do that, I need you to use your imaginations and act like kids again. So what I want you all to do is watch your favorite Disney movie and pick your favorite song from that movie and sing it for us. I know I've got my song picked out."
There were different reactions in the group. Brittany seemed to be the only one ecstatic about this assignment. "Yay!" She yelled. "I'm gonna sing my favorite song ever! Winnie the Pooh."
Everyone seemed to warm up to the idea of the assignment and began to discuss their different ideas, the girls were talking about their favorite princesses while the boys discussed the least girly song they could do, all except for one lone mowhawked member who was busying himself staring off into space. The only one to notice the teen was none other than the acute Rachel Berry who was going to make it her business to find out why her friend wasn't hyped up about the assignment.
"Hello Noah." She greeted cheerfully and took a seat next to him which was a little ways away from the group.
"What do you want Berry?" He asked with a side stare. "I'm really not in the mood to deal with a Berry-induced headache right now."
"While that did hurt my feelings," She began. "I just wanted to see if you were okay. I expected you to not be as excited as the rest of the group, but I figured you would have had at least a few negative things to say about it."
He rolled his eyes and muttered without any feeling, "This is a stupid assignment. I'm not a kid and I'm not going to sing stupid Disney songs because Mr. Schue thinks we need to be." He looked at her with tired eyes, "Was that negative enough for you?"
She stared at him for a long moment before taking him by the arm and dragging him out of the room and into the hallway. He didn't fight back, but just let himself be pushed out the door lazily.
When they were outside, she gave him a small glare. "What's wrong with you Noah?" She demanded quietly yet forcefully.
"What do you want from me Rachel?" She was surprised he used her given name and not her surname like usual. "I'm sorry I'm not totally stoked about this assignment, but that's just something you'll have to live with."
She shook her head, "No…Noah, this isn't about the assignment. You aren't being yourself right now and I hate to see you like this."
"Like what Rachel?" He demanded and backed her up against the lockers. "You can't fix me Rachel." He whispered. "Because I'm not broken."
"Please don't lie to me." She pleaded and looked into his eyes. They seemed dead and hurt at the same time. "Just tell me what's wrong. I would like to help in any way I can."
He sighed and pulled away to lean against the locker next to her. "I want to be mad and yell at you for getting into my business. But, I just can't, not with you." He admitted. "I want to be mad about this assignment because I should think it's gay to sing about that stuff, but I'm not and I don't." He looked straight ahead and sighed. "Truth is, I'm actually kind of jealous. You guys got that chance as kids to just be kids."
She looked at him, confused. "What do you mean, Noah?"
"My dad left when I was little. It turned my family's life upside down. I had to step up and be the man before I had a good chance to be the kid." He looked almost ashamed. "While you guys were playing pretend and watching cartoons, I was making sure I did all I could so my mom wouldn't cry anymore because it makes me super uncomfortable when girls cry, so don't start any waterworks because you feel sorry for me because I can see the flood gates opening." He pointed accusingly at her and she laughed and wiped her eyes before any tears could be shed. "My point is that I've never seen any Disney movies." He shrugged his shoulders. "Sarah has a few, but they're the princess ones I really can't see myself singing to."
She giggled lightly and rubbed his arm a little bit. "And they call me a drama queen." She joked and rolled her eyes at his glare. "I understand what you mean. I spent most of my time as a child in dance classes and singing lessons. The only Disney movies I've seen are the ones that were put on Broadway like the Lion King, The Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast. And I only watched those because I wanted to see if the plays were accurate." She explained with a small smile. "I wasn't forced to grow up. I chose to." She shrugged her shoulders. "I know it doesn't really compare to your story, but I'd like to help you by finding a few of the more male-oriented movies and watching them with you." He looked at her like she was crazy. "I refuse to have one of our strongest singers not compete just because he hasn't seen a few movies." She declared with a firm stare.
He just stared at her and rolled his eyes. "No way Berry. This is a new level of crazy, even for you."
"No, I'm serious. I actually have a few movies in mind that I think you'll like." She explained. "There's one called Hercules about a boy who was born a god and becomes a total badass and I think Mercedes is doing a number from that movie, so you could pose for her song. You'd get to show off your arms. Oh and there's also one called Treasure Planet which is about a troubled boy who helps find the greatest treasure in the galaxy. You could dress up really rugged and show off your feelings."
"You're thinking entirely too hard about this." He began with a small smile. "But I appreciate it. Find me some movies and we'll watch them at your place. I'd say we could watch them at my house, but my mom will get the wrong impression and start planning a wedding." He smiled at her laugh.
"Well, that sounds fine. Friday after Glee club then?" She suggested and he nodded. "Then let's go back inside because I'm getting a sneaking suspicion that we're being watched." She turned a pointed glare to the cracked open door and the four heads of Kurt, Tina, Mercedes, and Artie.
"Do you want something?" Puck asked a little harshly and grinned when they all pulled their heads back in and didn't fail to hear the not so quiet gossiping that was already spreading. He rolled his eyes and she led them back into the choir room to discuss different songs.
They are greeted with everyone staring at them without shame. Puck glared at them but otherwise, said nothing. They parted ways and took their original seats without a single word.
The conversations returned and Rachel found herself being bombarded with questions from the members that were spying on them. "Okay Diva, spill." Mercedes began with a grin and leaned in.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Rachel replied diplomatically and crossed her arms. "How much did you hear?"
"Don't play dumb Berry." Kurt deadpanned. "We heard enough to know that you have a hot date with none other than Noah Puckerman."
"It's not a date." She said seriously. "We are just doing research for the assignment. Besides, we tried dating, but we both knew it couldn't work out."
"That's because you were hung up on Finn." Mercedes pointed out. "But you aren't anymore, so I really don't see the problem."
"And he was 'hung up' on Quinn." Rachel used air quotes for the 'hung up'.
"Don't even try that card, he would've stayed with you if you had let him." Kurt said matter-of-factly. "I mean, he took a slushy and quit football just for you."
"He makes a habit of doing strange things to get into a girl's underthings." Rachel said, but seemed to be considering what they were saying.
"And I think he likes you." Tina said with a grin. "He looked real happy talking to him, like it wasn't Puck."
"That's because he wasn't Puck when he was talking to me." Rachel whispered to herself and felt the curious stares on her. "He was just…Noah."
"Ohhhh she's got it bad too." Mercedes teased and ruffled her hair a little bit.
Meanwhile, Puck was getting similar treatment from Finn, Artie, and Matt. "Dude, what was that all about?" Finn asked.
Puck shrugged, "She pulled me out and started acting all crazy and asking me all kinds of questions."
"She seemed worried about you." Artie pointed out.
"It wasn't anything." Puck growled out.
"Then why do you have a date with her Friday?" Mike asked with a grin.
"Did you hit your head? We're not dating." Puck muttered and stared straight ahead. "She's helping me pick out a song for the assignment because I haven't really seen too many Disney movies, that's it."
"Yeah, you know you could have just as easily borrowed those movies. Yet instead you are choosing to stay in the company of Rachel in her home to watch said movies with her." Artie explained in his technical language. "Probably in the dark…alone on her couch."
"Whatever, she's just helping me out." Puck said.
"And since when does Noah 'Puck' Puckerman need help with anything?" Mike piped up.
"I don't need the help, but she wouldn't shut up." Puck insisted with annoyance. "Plus even if I did want her, I've just got back on good terms with Finn. I'm not gonna break bro code again. I've got too many strikes as it is."
"Dude, I don't care if you want her. I'm with Quinn now for real." Finn insisted and laughed at the strange look he got from his friend. "It's just that, she seemed really happy when you two were together for that one week. And even just now, I saw her smile a real smile for the first time in a long time when she was talking to you."
"She's always smiling. It's kind of scary."
"That's her show smile." Finn informed with a proud smile for noticing something the others hadn't. "I really think you should give her a shot dude."
"Who are you, my matchmaker? Leave me alone alright. Even if you are over her, she will probably never be over you. That's why we didn't last the first time." Puck sounded pissed. "She was so hung up on you that she wouldn't even give me a chance even after I made a fool of myself with that song."
"I don't think she's after me anymore." Finn stated. "We actually haven't talked to each other in like a month or something like that."
"And you have to admit that you were kind of obsessed with Quinn at the time too." Artie piped in and bent his head down.
"It wasn't Quinn, it was Beth." Puck said quietly. "I was going through a rough time and wanted all the things for her that I didn't get."
"Well I still think you have a shot with Rachel." Finn said with finality. "I think I've narrowed it down to two different songs…" And that's where they lost Puck's attention, leaving him to contemplate his own songs and maybe the possibilities of his Friday evening.
So let me know what you think : ) I know Puck and a few others are a little ooc, but to be honest, I don't care. I think it works with my story. So….take that!
To be honest, I had a similar idea as I was writing this with Rachel being the one who hadn't seen Disney. Maybe I'll do an alternate beginning or something.
Let me know what you think each member should sing. I love hearing everyone's ideas. I was serious when I said that Mr. Schue already had his song and I'll give you a hint, Sue was his inspiration on it, but not in some weird romantic way, that would be horrible and gross on so many levels. Seriously though, give me your ideas in the reviews and I might just use them and I'll even give you credit for it. I'm gonna try to give every member a chapter for their performances even though it's mostly a Puckleberry centered story.
Until next time, keep it real.