I had no intention of starting another story so soon but brain does not seem to want to stop thinking of new plot ideas. The instance one pops in my head, I have to start writing. So here is my brand new Puckleberry. Again like with most of my stories, NO Puck/Quinn or Rachel/Finn
Disclaimer:None of these characters are mine. I own nothing.
Rachel was headed towards glee rehearsal feeling as though she had just finished running a marathon. Her legs felt weighted down and her eyes did not want to stay open. She was not sure why she was so wiped out. She had not done anything out of the ordinary except in gym they had played volleyball and she had not been able to get her energy back up since.
As she sat down in her seat, she pulled out her sheet music ready to work on today's song when someone plopped down next to her.
"Heiy, Beriryy." Rachel rolled her eyes as Noah Puckerman spoke, his mouth full of a candy bar.
"I'm sorry Noah, I'm afraid that I can not understand you. What with your mouth occupied with a tooth-decaying, no substance, and completely unhealthy food. Which you really should stop eating since you are about to sing."
He grinned at her before opening his mouth all the way and putting the rest of the candy bar in. She rolled her eyes again but could not stop the smile from tugging on her lips. Ever since Mr. Shue had assigned them to work together on a Spanish project a few weeks ago they had reached a friendship of sorts.
While they did not hang out together outside of school or even really acknowledge each other in school, they usually sat together in Glee. They had started talking every night online, she was helping him with some of his homework so he could keep his GPA up for football and he had lent a hand in stopping quite a few slushy attacks from the hockey team.
He quickly swallowed, "So what's up Berry."
Rachel shrugged, "nothing unusual. How was your math quiz?"
He groaned, "It sucked but I think I least got a c."
She smiled, "good for you, Noah." He grunted, uncomfortable with the praise, "Yeah, whatever. Math is still stupid." He heard her let out small chuckle. He turned in surprise expecting a lecture on the importance of mathematics. He looked at her closely, narrowing his eyes slightly. She looked really tired and she seemed paler than usual. "You all-right?"
She nodded, "of course. Why?"
"I don't know you just look out of it."
"I'm tired. I must not have slept well last night."
He shrugged as the rest of the gleeks began falling in. He started talking to Finn and Kurt about Friday's game, while Mercedes and Tina crowded around Rachel.
"Girl, did you hear? Tina and Artie have a date Saturday." Mercedes squealed.
"Mercedes." Tina cried, embarrassed.
Rachel grinned, happy for her friend. She had been waiting for Artie to ask her out for over a month. "Congratulations, Tina. When did he ask you?"
"During lunch." Mercedes answered before Tina had a chance. "It was so cute. He rolled over and he was blushing. He held out a-"
"Mercedes, whose date is this anyway?" Tina interrupted aggravated. "Maybe you could let me tell the story."
Mercedes huffed annoyed, "Fine, I won't say another word."
Rachel tried not to laugh, "Tina, what was he was giving you?"
"A purple flower he made in art class." Mercedes cried out, unable to contain herself. Tina glared as Rachel burst out laughing. Mercedes just shrugged at Tina who rolled her eyes before stomping to her seat.
All-right, Guys!" Mr. Shue yelled, clapping his hands together. "Now I want to work on our choreography. I had Quinn, Santana, and Brittany working out a routine. Since they are the best dancers and are use to making up cheer routines."
The girls stood up, "Ok, now this may look complicated but we will go through it a couple times." Quinn spoke beckoning Finn and Matt over, her captaincy coming out. "Finn, grab my waist; Matt go over to Santana."
She nodded to Mr. Shue who pushed play filling the room with Beyonce's "Irreplaceable. The girls started dancing; the routine was filled with turns and lifts. Rachel could feel more of her energy slipping away just watching them.
"Everyone up and we will position you." Quinn barked. Santana place Rachel up front and center, since she would be singing the lead with Mercedes. "Hmm, who would be the best male for you…?" Santana pondered, then a sly grin light up her face. "Puck" She called out, "you're dancing with man hands."
Rachel rolled her eyes at Santana, as Puck walked over. He stepped behind her, his hands resting lightly on her waist. As the music started, Rachel pushed through her exhaustion focusing on the steps.
Puck watched Rachel closely; although she was keeping up with the others he could tell her energy was down. Her eyes had dark circles underneath them and she seemed to be out of breath. After they had gone through the routine twice, Rachel collapsed into her seat. She felt like she could not move, her hands were trembling and she was having troubling focusing.
"That was good but I think we should go through it one last time." Santana ordered.
Rachel groaned inwardly but stood up with the others. "Are sure you're ok?" Puck whispered in her ear. She nodded but before she could take a step, the room swayed causing her to stumble. Puck grabbed her arm steadying her. "That's it." He mumbled, guiding her back to the chair.
"Sorry, but Rachel's done for the day." He told them sitting her down.
"What's wrong, Rach?" Mercedes called walking over to her.
She smiled weakly but before she could answer Quinn snorted, "I'm sure she's fine. Just having one of her diva moments. Now can we please go through the routine again."
Puck glared at the cheerio, but before he could tell her exactly what she could do with her routine, Rachel stood up. "Of course Quinn. I'm fine."
"No, you're not." Puck barked, grabbing her arm before she could take a step. "You can barely stand up let alone dance. Now sit back down."
"Oh, please. She can't handle a little dancing, then why is she-"
"All-right." Mr. Shue quickly interrupted before Quinn could continue, "I think Puck is right. Lets call it a day and we can start fresh tomorrow." Everyone nodded except Santana and Quinn who just rolled their eyes before walking out.
Rachel smiled softly, "thank you Noah."
He shrugged, "No problem. Get your stuff I'll take you home."
She blinked in surprise, "Thanks but that's not necessary. My father is going to pick me up."
"No need. I drive right by your house anyway. Besides you look like you're about to collapase." He answered bending over to pick up her backpack.
She smiled and stood up following him out to the truck. As he threw her bag into the back he noticed that her foot kept slipping as she tried to step up into the seat. He frowned walking over. She blushed but he just picked her up around the waist, putting her into the seat.
They were quiet as he drove her home, he glanced over because Rachel Berry had never been quiet in all his years of knowing her. She was laying her head against the window, her eyes kept fluttering as though she was fighting to keep them open.
Once he arrived at her house, he noticed that she was sound asleep. He hopped down and walked over scooping her up bridal style. She didn't even stir as he carried up the stairs. Only when he laid her down in the bed did she wake up slightly. "Thank you, Noah. Despite your outward appearance, you're quite chivalrous." She muttered sleepily.
He grinned, "Whatever, Berry. It was just a perfect excuse to cop a feel." But she was already back asleep and didn't even hear him. He shook his head, pulling the covers up over her. He left a note saying he would talk to her later tonight and to call him if she needed anything. He wasn't sure why he felt the need to leave the note but decided he only cared because she was a friend now.
"Whatever," He muttered, letting himself out. Deciding not to dwell on how right it felt to carry Rachel in his arms or the sense of fear he felt when she stumbled during rehearsal. "I'm sure she's just coming down with the flu." He muttered backing out of the drive.
Let me know what you think! Thanks!!!