He had always stood up for himself. He wasn't one to lay low. However, he had to do just that right now. He wasn't planning on keeping it that way, but for now, if he ever wanted to be involved; he knew that he had to stay out of the way. He had to let her make all of the decisions, because obviously he wasn't getting anywhere by making the first move time and time again.
Months ago he had been in charge of the school, along with his group of friends. He could get anything he wanted based on fear alone, and he could let his anger out easily by beating kids up or throwing them in dumpsters.
That wasn't the case anymore. He was in Glee Club, the lowest position on the totem pole. He was still on the football team, but the players all gave him flack routinely, especially after his romance with the most irritating girl in the whole school.
His stud status was dropping quickly as well. As recent as two months ago he would've been able to get any girl in the school to hook up with him. All he had to do was look a girl up and down, smile at her, and she was his. However, nowadays, even though he could still get most girls, his selection was more limited. Plus, it wasn't like he wanted any of those girls. He only wanted one girl but she wasn't going to be his. Not too long ago he thought that he had a chance. He honestly thought that she was going to pick him, but then his best friend rolled up with a job, and it was all over. He was always being overshadowed.
That girl though, he needed her. He never felt this way about anyone. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that she was carrying his child, but he knew that there was something else. He never could get her out of his mind. But she wasn't his, she never was, except for that one night, but as soon as it ended she had made sure to remind him that she wasn't his. She reminded him that she never wanted to be his, and that she regretted being his for that brief moment in time.
He needed her, so bad. He at least needed his daughter. He couldn't live with himself if he let his daughter grow up thinking that his best friend was her father. But he had tried reasoning with her, and he had tried to support her and prove to her that he was the better choice. Nothing would work. He had become so fed up that he had blurted the secret out to his partner for a glee assignment. That didn't go over too well. His partner had yelled at him, reminding him that she didn't choose him, she chose his best friend. She told him to stay out of her life, that it was the least he could do after he had screwed everything up.
That's what he was going to do. Now, he wasn't going to be a deadbeat and just pretend that everything was back to normal. He was just going to try and win her heart by the sidelines. Whether that was by staring at her meanfully during a group rendition of Lean on Me, or by pushing some ninth grader into a locker when he heard him talking trash to her, he was going to do it to win her over. He wouldn't talk to her, or come up to her again, as he knew that wasn't what she wanted. But, he was hoping that over time his simple gestures would start to work and she would talk to him. Because once she made the first move, all bets were off. If she came up to him then he could take it that she wanted him to be involved, and he would do anything to make that happen.
So when Puck walked into school on a Monday morning and saw Finn and Quinn at her locker arguing he didn't walk up to them and offer a snide remark like he usually would've. He just kept walking. He secretly hoped that their argument would lead Quinn into his arms, but he wasn't an idiot so he knew that was clearly not going to happen. Finn and Quinn were always fighting these days, but even after their biggest fights, she never ran to Puck. She stayed with Finn, and kept pretending that the baby inside of her was really Finn's.
He walked to his locker and got his binder out. He slammed the locker shut and saw Rachel Berry standing behind it, looking at him.
Puck sighed. "What do you want Berry?" He wasn't in the mood to put up with her and her obsessive compulsive tendencies today.
"I would really appreciate it if we could have a conversation Noah."
He hated that she called him Noah. No one called him Noah, except for his mother and sister, but that was a different case. Rachel Berry should not be calling him by his first name. Puck sounded much cooler, and way more tough. He knew telling her that would be a lost cause though; he had tried that when they were briefly going out.
Rachel took Puck's silence as acceptance to her invitation so she quickly started talking.
"Finn and Quinn are fighting… again. I'm aware that you still are not terribly enthused about Glee but it means a lot to the rest of us and if they keep fighting then I get the feeling that one of them will quit! We won't be able to get to sectionals, and everything will be ruined! I'll be ruined!
Puck rolled his eyes. He should've known that this was all because Rachel wanted something for herself out of it. He crossed his arms and replied, "Well what do you want me to do about it?"
Rachel assumed that this was Puck's way of offering help and smiled. "Even though we broke up and you refused my request to be friends, I think that we're both mature enough to work together. I want you to help me. We need to make Finn and Quinn happy, they're so miserable, especially around and each other and it's really making me worry for the sake of all things Glee."
"Not a chance." Puck said and he started to walk away.
Rachel, ever the persistent one, caught up to him and followed him. "I know that you know about my feelings for Finn and whether you want to admit it or not, I know that you have feelings for Quinn. This baby drama has put a damper on their relationship, I guess due to stress, but all I know is that Finn is genuinely happy when he's alone with me. Is it the same way when you're alone with Quinn?"
Puck stopped walking and turned around to face Rachel. He looked down at her. "What are you saying – you want us to try and get them to break up or something?"
Rachel's face looked like she was actually offended by the statement. It was true that she still had feelings for Finn, but since Quinn had told her to stay away from him, she had. She realized that it was wrong to have such an emotional connection and flirtation with someone who was having a baby with his girlfriend.
She shook her head. "No, not at all Noah. I just want us to spend more time with them separately. I think that'll make them happier, you know, not being around each other so much, and then our little group will be safe from corruption."
"I can't do it." It was simple. Puck knew that Quinn wouldn't want to spend any time alone with him, so there was no point in trying. She would just have to be unhappy with Finn.
"That is very selfish Noah." Rachel said, disapprovingly.
Puck started walking away, backwards, still facing Rachel. "Oh well."
Glee practice was scheduled for after school at 3:30. Puck walked in and saw Mercedes, Tina and Kurt gossiping in one corner, and Finn and Quinn arguing quietly in another. He didn't want to join either group, but he saw Artie in his wheelchair, tuning up his guitar, so he headed towards him.
"Hey man." Puck offered.
Artie looked up at him. He was a little surprised, to say the least. Puck might have stopped torturing him not that they were both in Glee Club, but that didn't mean they were friendly.
"You're talking to me now?"
Puck motioned towards the other two groups. "Well either that I go invade myself into the baby drama and arguing, or start gossiping about Mr. Schu and Ms. Pillsbury. You might not believe it, but you're kind of the only sane one in this room."
Artie nodded. "Oh I believe it. Mike and Matt will probably be around soon though, you're friends with them."
Puck shrugged and pulled up a chair. "I don't know. All Mike talks about now is some girl in history class, and Matt is always going on about Santana. They've practically turned into girls."
Artie sympathized. He had recently lost a true friend, who he had hoped to be something more. Tina and him still weren't speaking, which he knew was his fault, but he was sincerely hurt that she had lied about her stutter.
"Are you jealous or something because you and Santana used to go out?" Puck could tell that Artie didn't like asking such personal questions, but that he had to in order to keep up conversation.
"Hardly. You couldn't really call what we did dating. We were just both single, and popular, and hot, so we got together."
At that moment, the rest of the Glee kids started scattering in, along with Mr Schuster. He had brought along sheet music and the jazz band.
Once the kids sat down, he started his speech. "Glee Club is all about diversity. Every single one of you in here is different and that's what makes New Directions so amazing and special. There's a new song that I've chosen for us to rehearse. It's traditionally a solo, but I was going to make it a duet. Originally I was going to have Finn and Rachel sing it together, but Rachel brought to my attention just minutes ago that I have been giving songs to the same people so frequently and she thought it would be best if we utilized some of our other talent that we don't use as frequently."
Puck looked at Rachel. He thought that she must have gone crazy. Rachel was not one to give up a part in a song, ever. This was almost reaching miracle status, but then Puck realized that she must have had something else up her sleeve.
Mr. Schu continued, "So I've decided that Puck and Quinn will sing the song together."
Puck immediately heard a chair skidding across the floor. He saw Quinn stand up to interject. "Sir, what about Brittany, Santana, Mike, or Matt? They never sing!"
Mr. Schuster looked confused to why Quinn would want to give up an opportunity to shine. "This song really better suits your voice, along with Puck's. But don't worry Quinn; I'm going to make sure that everyone gets a chance to sing at some point. Now why don't you and Puck come up here and get your lyrics?"
Puck knew that Quinn didn't want to sing with him, but he stood up and walked over to the front on the room. Quinn hesitantly followed.
Mr. Schu handed them the music. "I think you guys know this song, right? It's been on the radio quite a bit."
Puck nodded, he wasn't one to listen to pop radio but he was familiar with the song. Quinn nodded her head as well. She wouldn't admit it, but this was a song that she frequently sang in the shower.
"Good, I'll just give the sheet music to the jazz band and you guys can have your first go at it."
Mr. Schuster handed the band the music and they set up their instruments. Puck didn't know what to do during the duet. Was he supposed to face Quinn? He looked at her, she was clearly facing forwards and intended to stay that way, so he guessed that was out of the question.
He looked over the lyrics and gulped. He hoped no one would pay too much attention to them when they sang, as the words summed up what Puck felt inside.
The band was ready and they motioned that they were ready to start. Quinn tried to stop fidgeting and Puck took a deep breath as the music started.
Puck was the one to sing first,
Some things we don't talk about,
Rather do without and just hold the smile
Falling in and out of love
Ashamed and proud of, together all the while
It was then Quinn's turn to sing the next part. She was shaking from nerves.
You can never say never
While we don't know when
But time and time again
Younger now than we were before
It was then time for them to both to sing together. Puck wanted to look at Quinn
but he saw that her gaze was fixated on Finn.
Don't let me go,
Don't let me go,
Don't let me go,
Don't let me go,
Don't let me go,
Don't let me go
Quinn stopped singing, as it was once again Puck's turn to go solo.
Picture you're queen of everything
Far as the eye can see, under your command
I will be your guardian when all is crumbling
I'll steady your hand
Puck couldn't help it anymore, he had to look at Quinn, especially since it was her turn to sing.
You can never say never
While we don't know when
But time, time and time again
Younger now than we were before
To Puck's surprise, once it was time for them to sing together, Qunn had turned around to face him as well.
Don't let me go,
Don't let me go,
Don't let me go,
Don't let me go,
Don't let me go,
Don't let me go
The jazz band started fading out, because Mr. Shuster had decided to end the song there. Puck took a deep breath and tried to get back to reality. Maybe he had felt like he was actually saying those words to Quinn instead of singing them in front of all of Glee Club, but it was only a song and now it was done. Maybe he had felt a strong connection between the two of them during the song, but he had to stop setting himself up for disappointment.
He came back to reality and heard all of Glee Club clapping for them. Even Finn, which meant he didn't suspect anything out of the ordinary between them.
Mr. Schuster stood up and patted them both on the back. "That was very good Quinn, and Puck. I'm very proud of you two. You had strong emotion in your voices, but next time just make sure to interact with each other a little bit more. Not only your voices have to get into the song."
Puck and Quinn sat back down. The majority of the remaining rehearsal time was spent by Rachel complaining that since she had graciously given up an opportunity at a beautiful duet that she deserved to have another solo song to sing at sectionals.
At 5:00 it was time to leave. Most of the Glee kids hurried out the door, but Rachel had motioned him to stay back. He saw that Finn and Quinn were still packing up to go as well.
Rachel went up to Finn and said, loud enough for Puck to hear, "Finn, I remember you telling me that you were having a lot of trouble with math this semester. I just got my test back and I received a 97%, I was wondering if you wanted to go to the library for a study session?"
Finn looked at Rachel and smiled. It was a genuine one. He wanted to jump at the opportunity to spend some alone time with Rachel, which he knew would have some studying involved, but also a lot of laughs and subtle flirting. It would be a definite upgrade from going home to argue with Quinn. But reality had to set in.
"I do need the help, but I have to drive Quinn home. Thanks though Rachel."
Rachel wasn't about to quit just yet. "Well Noah's still here. He could drive her home, couldn't you Noah?"
Rachel turned to look at Puck and motioned with her facial expression to agree. He should've known that this was all part of Rachel's 'Make Finn and Quinn Happy Again Plan'. Even though Puck had said no he was stupid to believe that Rachel would've listened to him. It was Rachel Berry after all. Puck already had made his decision on how to deal with Quinn though, and it was to stand by on the sidelines. Forcing her to drive home with him wasn't really letting her make the first move.
Puck shook his head. "She wants to drive home with her boyfriend Rachel, not me."
That was supposed to be the end of it. Puck would drive home alone. Rachel would call her dads and they would pick her up, and Finn and Quinn would drive home together. However, something happened that surprised everyone, most especially Puck.
"If you need the help then let her tutor you Finn," Quinn said quietly, barely above a whisper, "You have to start doing better in school. I'll ride home with Puck, if you don't mind that is."
Finn shook his head. "No, I don't mind. Thanks Puck." Finn nodded in Puck's direction and Puck waved it off, it was no big deal.
Finn and Rachel left the rehearsal room first to head to the library, while Quinn finished putting the last book in her bag. She started to lift it up to put it around her shoulder, but Puck took it from her so that he could carry it himself.
"I don't mind carrying my own bag Puck."
He shrugged, "It's the least I can do."
They walked out to Puck's car silently. It wasn't an awkward silence, but it was one that was so unknown. They both knew all the things they wanted to say to one another, but they were both too afraid to be the first one to say anything.
They got into the car and started driving. Puck deduced that since Quinn had spoke up and wanted to ride home with him, that it could qualify as being a first move. Puck would be safe being the first one to speak.
"How's everything going… with the baby?"
Quinn sighed. "Everything's fine. Well, it's stressful and a pain to deal with, but the actual baby is doing fine."
Puck nodded. "And it's still a girl?"
Quinn looked at him like he was an idiot. Then she burst out laughing. "Yes Puck, she didn't randomly decide to switch genders."
Puck smiled. He loved her laugh. It reminded him of bells ringing softly in the wind. It was one of the most cheesy things he had ever thought of, but that didn't make it any less true.
"You and Finn seem to be arguing a lot."
Quinn was silent. Puck realized that maybe he shouldn't have brought it up. He was about to apologize when Quinn answered, "We're just really stressed out. He's always working, and then doing homework or practicing for Glee, and I'm always trying to study or worrying about everything."
Puck nodded. "I wish you'd tell him the truth." It was a whisper, and Puck was shocked that it had actually come out of his mouth. It was unintentional. He had only meant to think it in his head. Mercedes was right; he didn't want to make things harder on Quinn.
"Puck, please, stop it. It's too late to tell the truth even if I wanted to. I've already got Finn so involved, and everyone thinks it's his. I was supposed to be a virgin, so it's bad enough I'm pregnant with my boyfriend's kid, but if people found out it was actually my Finn's best friend… they'd crucify me Puck."
Puck sighed. There was no use in arguing. Nothing he said was going to change her mind. He just had to hope that it would change on its own.
Puck pulled up in the driveway of Quinn's house. He parked the car and exhaled. He looked at Quinn, but she wasn't moving, not even taking her seat belt off.
"What's wrong?"
Quinn looked at Puck. "This isn't my house… not anymore."
Puck didn't understand. He looked at the house and back at Quinn. "What do you mean this isn't your house anymore?"
He saw Quinn start to tear up and he felt awful for asking questions. If he knew that it would've made her cry he wouldn't have asked.
"Finn told my parents that I was pregnant so they kicked me out. I've been living with Finn at his mom's house for about a week."
Puck didn't understand how her parents could be that terrible, mean, and unsupportive. Quinn was their daughter! How could they punish her so much for one mistake?
Puck took his seatbelt off and opened his door. Quinn put her hand on the shoulder to sit him back down. "What do you think you're doing?" She hissed.
"I'm going to yell at your parents for being such assholes!"
Quinn shook her head and started crying again. "No Puck, you can't! It's no use anyways; they're not going to change their minds! Can you please just drop me off at Finn's?"
Puck leaned farther back into his seat. "This is so wrong. I wish things could just go back to the way they were."
Quinn nodded in agreement. "Can you just take me to Finn's?"
Puck realized that Quinn was in no mood for talking, so he put the car back into drive and drove her to his best friend's house. They didn't talk for half the ride, but then Puck couldn't take the silence anymore.
"Mercedes knows." He muttered. He had to say something, and this was the only thing that he knew to say that would get a reaction from her.
Quinn looked at him with pure terror on her face. Her words were filled with complete venom. "What do you mean Mercedes knows? She would only know if you told her! Why did you tell her, are you an idiot?"
"How do you expect me to keep all of this inside Quinn? I'm going through a lot too!"
Quinn rolled her eyes. "Oh well boo-hoo for you Puck. Get a diary!"
Puck didn't know she would be this mad. He had to say something to get her to calm down and stop freaking out at him.
"Don't worry Quinn, she made it seem like she wasn't going to tell anyone. I'm positive about that."
He wasn't. She had made it seem like she wasn't going to say anything, but he knew Mercedes and he was defiantly overestimating her ability to not gossip to Kurt about this.
Quinn sighed. "But she knows. Which means that more people could know. Puck, please stop telling people. I can't keep going through all of this drama. It's not good for my daughter."
"Our daughter." Puck reminded her.
"Stop pushing your luck." She warned. She crossed her arms and turned to look out the window. Puck realized that he was fighting a lost cause. All of the work he had done was ruined. After the performance of Lean on Me he really thought that he had got somewhere with her, but being the bonehead that he was, he had ruined it all.
He parked in front of Finn's house. Before he unlocked Quinn's door he had to tell her something.
"I'm sorry for being an idiot Quinn. I really don't mean to be but it's just… I want it so badly. I want the baby, and you. I've never been the best with handling my emotions or stuff – at least, that's what the guidance counsellor tells me – but I really just want to prove to you that I'm the one you should pick. I want to be the one you want to pick."
Quinn looked at Puck and gave him sympathetic smile. She whispered, "I'm sorry Puck, but things are too difficult. If it's worth anything… if I could go back and do it over again, I would've told Finn the truth. It's too late now though, and I can't go back."
Puck sighed. That didn't make him feel better. It made him feel worse. He was so close, but she still wouldn't pick him. Knowing that she would meant that she wanted to, ad the fact that she still wouldn't killed him. He unlocked the door and Quinn took that as her signal to leave. She gave his arm a gentle squeeze and left, leaving him to his self-pity.
I hope you all like this story! I'm not sure if I want to make it multi-chaptered or leave it as a one-shot, so what do you think? I'm leaning towards multi-chaptered.
If you have the time, comments are much appreciated. :)