Hey guys, I know I haven't done much posting in a while but I've been extremely busy with college and stuff so I haven't really had the time. But as a Jarley shipper, I'm hurting right now and I'm sure you all are too especially with the spoilers about what is going to happen with them in the next couple of eps. This story is basically going to be how I personally would want to see it pan out so it is AU'ish but I haven't changed any back story of what we already know etc. Hope you guys enjoy this first chapter, although its a bit angsty so idk hahaa, anyways reviews would be appreciated so I know what you guys think! Thanks for reading :)
Walking through the corridors of McKinley seemed a lot different now, maybe because he was back on his scooter for the first time in a while, but also because it was like every single girl was suddenly looking at Jake Puckerman with some sort of twinkle in their eye, not that it never used to happen because he knew it did. He knew it did because Marley used to tell him it did. I guess what he should be saying is that the girls had always looked, but he just didn't notice them, all he saw was her.
But things were different now and had been for a week or so, and who was Jake to deny some of those girls of a smile back, or even stopping to speak to some of them, she was no longer there and he hadn't seen her since a week ago. He knew what he did was wrong and he understood that she had been hurt, he just thanked whoever was up there for making him see sense before he went completely through with it and that he didn't hurt Marley anymore by sleeping with Bree. But the fact he went with the intention, and did some things that he wished he never, was too much for Marley to handle and he understood that. But he quickly decided that instead of allowing himself to think too much about it, that instead he was going back to his old self. Jake, just Jake, with the chip on his shoulder, his leather jacket, scooter, and not a care in the world because when you haven't got a care, you don't feel anything.
He hadn't been to glee practice since Marley sang Wrecking Ball a week ago, nor had he been spoken to by any of the glee members. Instead, he'd just receive disappointed and angry looks off them when they happened to walk by him while he was flirting with another cheerio. He knew they'd all be going back and telling Marley and that she'd probably think he was hooking up with them like the rest of them do, but the truth was he wasn't, but not because he wasn't getting offers, because he was, but because every time any girl practically threw themselves at him, the angelic face of the brunette with big blue eyes that he could forever look at, always popped into his thoughts first.
He scooted his way towards the exit, figuring that it would be no big loss to miss the rest of the day because he wouldn't learn anything anyway; whistling some sort of melody as he quickly glided through the now emptier halls of McKinley. However, he was soon stopped in his tracks when his ears where drawn towards the voice coming from the door just ahead of him, the door to the choir room. He leaned his scooter against the wall and stood beside the door where the voice was coming from, daring to look at the face to whom he knew the voice belonged to, but not wanting to be seen by any of the others. He took a deep breath before slowly taking a peak through the window of the choir room door and looking straight away at the girl sat on the stool just a bit further away from him... Marley.
She was singing, he didn't know what song it was though, but she looked sad and this had been the longest he had been without seeing her and he realised why he didn't let himself go a day without seeing that beautiful face, even if she was sad. He moved himself closer to the door so he could hear the lyrics more clearly but never taking his eyes away from her.
I never want to see you unhappy,
I thought you'd want the same for me.
Goodbye my almost lover,
Goodbye my hopeless dream,
I'm trying not to think about you,
Can't you just let me be?
So long my luckless romance,
My back is turned on you,
I should've known you'd bring me heartache,
Almost lovers always do.
He clenched his jaw and cleared his throat quietly, trying to not looked too concerned in case anyone walked past but hearing Marley sing those lyrics was like a knife to his heart. This was something Jake could honestly say he had never felt before and the feeling was coming too over powering for him as he had to look away, leaning himself against the wall next to the door and taking long deep breaths as he tried to regain control of whatever he was feeling.
He looked back once more as Marley finished the song and the rest of the glee kids began clapping and giving her praise, but all Jake saw was Ryder rise up from his seat, walk over to Marley and pull her into a tight hug. Jake gave a pained look as he watched Ryder quickly kiss the top of her head before saying something to her, and then walking her back to her seat with his arms draped around her. Suddenly that painful and hurt feeling had changed into rage and jealousy, watching his best friend consoling his ex girlfriend, the very same best friend who had feelings for and kissed said ex girlfriend. But at the same time he realised, who was he to be jealous? He promised Ryder that he wouldn't hurt Marley and he did, he promised Marley that all he needed was her, and even though that was still very true, he messed up.
However, what Jake should have done at that point to what he actually did do at that point where two very different things. He should have walked away from that door and carried on with his care free life, instead, his hand almost with a mind of its own, knocked twice on the choir room door before he himself slowly entered.
"Oh no he didn't." said Unique who was currently staring at jake with disapproving raised eyebrows. Jake looked back towards the door, contemplating whether or not to just walk straight back out, but he quickly caught the eyes of Marley Rose, and he didn't want to be anywhere else but here. He looked around awkwardly at everyone, noticing the different judging looks that were painted across their faces. Ryder looked especially angry as he was sat just behind Marley, who refused to lift her gaze from her hands on her lap.
Jake gulped hard and gave a quiet sigh for reassurance, before speaking, "Um. I know I haven't been here for like a week and that with national's being so soon that's a big no-no. But I wanna come back, and I promise that I'll turn up for whatever you guys need me for and I'll work 100%... I just uh, missed you guys I guess." He finished as he looked back towards Marley who was still refusing to look at him. They all stared blankly at him and he knew that his little speech sucked, but he looked towards Mr. Schue and spoke once more, only a little quieter, "I don't wanna be that guy with the chip on his shoulder again."
Mr. Schue gave him a slight smile as he walked towards Jake, patting him lightly on the shoulder, "It's good to have you back Jake, take a seat." He said and gestured towards where the rest of them where sitting. He sat down on the nearest chair next to Sam who looked at him almost hesitantly, before turning his chair slightly away from him and looking towards Mr. Schue.
Practice had finished and most of the glee club members quickly grabbed their bags and walked out of the choir room without even looking towards Jake. He stayed seated, figuring he'd stay behind a while and work on his dancing as a way to blow off some steam. He looked over towards where Marley was now stood with Ryder near the door of the choir room.
"So breadstix at 7?" Ryder said with a smile on his face leaning slightly close to Marley which unnerved Jake.
"Yeah... sounds good." He watched as Marley replied, giving Ryder a smile back before each of them exited the room and walked off in opposite directions.
He carried on staring in the same spot where Marley had just been stood, trying to go over in his head what exactly he had just overheard. Marley was agreeing to go on a date with Ryder and it was like the world had completely come crashing down on Jake Puckerman. He had lost her, Marley Rose, the only girl who ever bothered to look past his image and saw the real him, the only girl he had ever truly cared about, who he had ever truly loved. The girl he cheated on, the girl who he had lost to his best friend. Nothing could snap him out of it, could make him look away from that very spot, not even the voice of Kitty Wilde who had been behind him the whole time.
"Well if it isn't Puckerdouche." She said as she walked into his eyesight with one hand on her hips and an anything but pleasing look on her face, "You know, if it wasn't for us needing as much help we can get for nationals, I would have ruined you by now for what you did to her. Do you have any idea how stupid you are?" She said, but got no reply from jake who was still staring at the same spot by the doorway. Kitty sighed slightly as she took a seat next to him, "But I'll have to admit, I don't know who is more stupid; you or cowgirl Lynn..." She waits for his reply but gets nothing so carries on, "I mean, I know he can't read words properly but everyone here can so plainly see that he is Marley's second choice and probably always will be, so why can't he?" she said in an almost bitter and slightly upset tone.
Jake's attention was then drawn to Kitty who he realised was now sitting next to him. Turning his head slightly towards as he scoffed at her statement before speaking up, "What are you talking about?"
"Oh please tell me you aren't as dumb as Ryder?" She said looking at Jake with an almost shocked expression, "Did you not hear that song she just sang? In fact I know you can't be that dumb because you were there when she sang Wrecking Ball. Did you not even listen to those words?" Kitty finished with raised eyebrows.
Jake sighed in frustration, "Of course I did Kitty, I can't get that damn song or her voice singing along to it out of my head, whats your point?"
"My point is that she will always want you. You and Ryder are just clearly too stupid enough to realise it, and she's too hurt too forgive you for it." Kitty said in a softer tone than before. It was strange for Jake to see Kitty like this, the old Kitty would have just teased him for it and probably mocked Marley over it, but she had changed and Jake appreciated it. He clenched his jaw at the mention of Marley being hurt, shaking his head slightly and looking down at the floor beneath him he let out a sigh before speaking, "I messed up... big time." But before Kitty could reply, Jake's curiosity side tracked him and he quickly lifted his head up and looked towards her, "Hold up, why are you so concerned about Ryder and Marley going on a date?" one of his eyebrows cocking upwards.
"I just- I just don't want any more casualties in this mess you caused, and I especially don't want us losing in nationals because if we do I will blame you and make your life hell on earth." She said in her usual sassy Kitty manner and Jake nodded his head slightly, although uncertain as to whether she was being completely honest, he decided that arguing with the only person who was tolerating him at the moment, even if it was Kitty, was probably not the best idea.
"Yeah well, everyone is mad at me anyways so I guess you wouldn't be the only one blaming me." Jake said, giving a weak smile but looking to the floor. He felt kitty's arm on his shoulder as she stood up, giving him an almost sympathetic smile before speaking once more, "Well I guess you've got a lot of making up to do Puckerman." She said as she gave him one final smile and walked out of the choir room and into the crowd of people outside.
"Yeah... guess I have."
