Author's Note: You will see lots of Black Keys songs because I kind of love them. ;) Happy Valentine's Day to all, or single's awareness day! May I ask why Cupid, a chubby baby with a dangerous weapon, is the symbol of today? It's slightly odd… Well anyway, happy reading! –Caren67

Disclaimer: I own Glee and all of its characters! Not I don't, that was a complete lie/fantasy! Oh geez, I'm tired. I think it's bedtime. :p

SLUSH

CHAPTER TWO

For the first time ever I skipped Glee. After taking a proper shower to rid myself of any sugary substance, I changed into jean shorts and a tank top and headed for the near by park.

I cranked my I-pod up so it was blaring loud and settled into the prickling green grass of the park. My arms spread wide as if I were about to take flight; I hummed to "Ten Cent Pistol."

Well, he ran around
Late at night
Holding hands
And making light
Of everything
That came before
But there she was
Behind the door

She hit them with her ten cent pistol
Because they ruined her name
Well, she hit them with her ten cent pistol
And they've never been the same

My mind drifted to the terrible teenage antics the jocks did to me.

Why was I the target to slushies, pornographic doodles, and name-calling? I am just a teenager like the rest of them…

But then again Rachel Berry really isn't. I have dreams, I'm determined and unlike many others in Ohio, I wanted to get out of here. To be somebody other than Rachel Berry, the annoying short brunet that everyone hates. No, I want to be Rachel Berry, star on Broadway, married to a hot David-Boreanaz-type-of-man…Yes, that is where I will be.

Though this was wrong in the eyes of my dimwitted high school peers.

What could I do to escape the bullying, to be accepted into society like any other student! Why must I always be alone?

Quit Glee? No, glee was something I loved. I couldn't do that! Plus Glee was somewhere that I could practice singing and performing in front of others.

Dress differently? Hell no, I loved my animal sweaters, argyle skirts, and knee socks. Kurt might say that I dress like a toddler and a grandma at the same time, but that's just me. I could dress a bit differently I suppose, but I would have to shop quite a bit to replace the clothing….

Forget that! I didn't want to be different because people push me around. I would just have to continue with the head held high.

After spending a few hours on the grass, the light began to fade into pinks and oranges and I drove home.

I shrugged of my coat and dropped my keys in the ceramic bowl by the door.

"Father?" I called to what looked like an empty house.

"Dad? Anyone home?" No answer. I walked into the kitchen and picked up the note laying on the granite countertop of the island.

The note read:

Dear Star,

Your father and I will be home around 2pm on Saturday. Sorry it's only Monday! We had an abrupt business meeting to attend. Please, invite your friends over. Socialize! We know our little Star works so hard. You must relax a bit. We have left money to last you the week plus a bit extra if you want to go shopping.

We love you,

Dad

I let out a breath of frustration. Even though my dads were wonderful and they spoiled me, they were always gone and never around for me. They assumed that I had friends. But I didn't. The only one who seemed relatively friendly was Puck.

My parents knew that I wasn't popular by any means. What they didn't know is that their only daughter was the center of ridicule at school.

I took a deep breath and went to kitchen to prepare dinner. I decided to make a French Country soup with sage salt croutons. It sounded pretty delicious. Plus, it was vegetarian and it would at least take my mind off of things.

I began chopping celery when I heard a knock at the door. Setting down the knife and brushing the celery into a pile, I walked to the entrance.

Swinging the black painted door open, it revealed none other that Noah Puckerman.

"Hey Berry." He stood there with his shoulders hunched over and his hands in his jean pockets.

"Um… hello?" We stood there just looking at each other. Awkward.

"So why are you here?"

"Oh. Um…" He glanced down at his shoes and then back at me. "You weren't at Glee and everyone was wondering where you were."

"Uh-huh." I crossed my arms over my chest and raised an eyebrow.

"So... So…. I came here after a vote held by Mr. Shuester. He wanted to make sure you were okay since you never miss glee. Even when you are sick."

"Well I am alive." I held my hands up in exasperation.

"Just out of curiosity," he really is a curious guy, isn't he, "where were you?"

"That's really not your business." Bricks quickly lined my walls.

"Maybe not, but I drove all this way-"

"And I didn't ask you to do so."

"Look Berry. If you need someone to talk to, I'm here. You looked really upset today in the parking lot."

Where was badass Puckerman? And could I trust this new side of him? I didn't have anybody else, so I might as well accept what is offered.

"Thanks. Today just got off to a horrible start. I wouldn't and couldn't deal with it."

"Oh. Slushy facial?"

"You bet, with a wonderful side of name calling and two new pornographic sketches in the restroom." To my utter surprise, Puck's fists clenched in anger.

"Who was it?" He growled lowly.

"Karofsy, cheerios, hockey team…It's nothing I'm not used to." I shrugged. Puck's eyes filled with sadness.

"Rachel, I'm so sorry I ever threw slushies at you." My breath caught. Not only did he sound incredibly sincere, but he called me Rachel instead of Berry.

A metaphorical red brick crumbled off my wall.

"It's okay. I forgave you a long time ago. Do you want to come inside?"

"Sure." I stepped aside, allowing Puck to enter my home.

"Do you want anything to drink? I'm going to grab myself a soda."

"Yeah, that sounds great." Puck followed me down the hallway. He took in all the photos of me with my fathers, singing, or dancing.

"You have a sweet house Berry. Didn't know you were loaded." I rolled my eyes and opened the fridge.

"My dads both have well paying jobs. I have Sprite, Dr. Pepper, Diet Coke, Root beer…"

"Root beer please."

"Root beer it is then." I rummaged around the kitchen cabinets and pulled out two glasses and filled them with ice. Popping the lids of the soda, I turned around to hand Puck his glass.

When I looked at him, I saw him staring down at the note from my fathers.

"Berry, you're all alone?" His eyebrows furrowed.

"Yeah, but I'm used to it."

"They are gone often." He said as a statement rather than a question. I nodded anyway.

"My father is a lawyer and Dad is a surgeon. They aren't home very often, I deal."

"Well if you ever need any company, I'm just a phone call away." There. No one had ever offered me such a thing. If I'm lonely, I can call a friend.

A small smile ghosted over my lips.

"I would like that. Thank you."

"Anytime Berry. Anytime." Maybe I would finally have a friend to make these dark times a little lighter.

Thoughts? Ideas? Please reveiw and have a wonderful Valentine's Day! 3