Monday morning found Rachel Berry struggling through a raging headache. She and Noah had enjoyed each other into the early hours of Sunday morning and spent the rest of the day in sweat pants watching movies and eating junk food. It was casual and fun, something Rachel had never experienced. She knew that there was always a special connection with her and Puck but the fact that they were so comfortable with one another made Rachel happier than she thought possible. She didn't have to be anything other than herself and finally felt safe enough to do it. He had argued with her when she tried to make him watch a musical, had forced her to try a bite of his ice cream regardless of how bad it would be on her vocal chords, and then had played the guitar so that she could sing along. It was an equal partnership of give and take and she loved every second of it; even if it included a wicked hangover.
She yawned and stretched as she walked over to her large closet to choose her outfit for the day. Prior to this weekend she would use Sunday to plan out every aspect of her week, from her outfits to what color pen she would be using each and every day. Things were different now. She was a woman. She had lost her innocence to a boy that seemed to be the perfect match for her and she felt empowered. She was not going to hide behind the animal sweaters, big voice and vast vocabulary anymore. Rachel Berry was going to show off the badass, talented girl she truly was and make Puck proud to have her on his arm. She skimmed past the 'school clothes' section of her wardrobe and dug out the piles of clothing she had fallen in love with but hadn't had the balls to wear. Puck had told her over and over again during their hours together that he loved her skirts but today it just wouldn't work. She wanted to look hot and strong… not like a hooker. She picked a pair of black skinny jeans that had three strings of rhinestone chains that hung at alternate levels between belt loops from her right hip. Pairing them with a white lacy camisole and leather bolero, she felt she belonged on her badass boyfriend's arm. She picked her favorite pair of black boots that hit just above her knees and teased her hair so that it looked full and dramatic. Makeup was never really an issue so she kept her usual look, just adding a bit of glittery eye shadow for pop. Grabbing the black satchel she had bought weeks ago for a trip to Cleveland, she headed out of the door and hopped onto her coral colored Vespa that Puck had assured her was the female equivalent of a motorcycle and would be super fucking sexy.
-glee-glee-glee-
'Finn, wake the fuck up and go take a shower!' Santana shouted as she rushed around her large bedroom. Finn lifted his head off the down pillows and scrunched his face against the sun. She happened to catch a glimpse of his current state and couldn't help but give him a soft smile. His chestnut brown hair was a disaster and stuck out at angles that she didn't think possible. He had a really sexy five-o-clock shadow from going a few days without a shave but the sexiness and masculinity in it was taken away by the adorable way he was rubbing his eyes and trying to wake up; he looked like the cute little boy he must have been years ago. She hopped up onto her big bed and crawled up to give him a kiss. 'Morning Finny, it's time to get up for school.' She said sweetly before cuddling up next to him. She was already showered and almost ready to go in her tight dark denim jeans and her navy and white tank but she would pay big money to stay curled in his arms for the rest of the day. They had pretty much avoided getting out of bed on Sunday and her hangover was still going strong but she was in complete awe of how wonderful their time together was. He was sexy and had done some amazing things to her and at the same time held an innocence that had her falling for him… hard.
'Can't we just stay in our little bubble?' He asked pulling her completely flush with his naked body. 'I'm not ready to let you go…'
'Who says you have to? I'm single and you're single so why don't we see where this goes?' She asked as she let her fingers run nervously over a patch of really soft skin on the inside of his upper arm.
'Are you sure?'
'Yes I'm sure. I want something that feels real… it feels real with you.' She looked up into his eyes and saw pure happiness. He gave her a genuine smile before swooping in for a romantic kiss. She hummed against his mouth and let him hold her close. 'We have to go to school.' She whispered once they pulled apart causing him to groan and hide his head in his pillows. 'Come on Finn, I want to show you off!' She laughed and rolled off the bed so she could slip on her navy Jimmy Choo pumps. Finn got out of bed not bothering to cover himself as he walked sleepily towards the bathroom. Santana took the opportunity to admire the tall man and his amazing body. He had to have worked out since the last time they were together because his once slightly pudgy body was now ripped, the muscles of his back were defined and she had to fight back a legit whimper when the door closed behind him.
Luckily it didn't take Finn long to get ready and he made his way downstairs to the kitchen with much more enthusiasm for the day. Santana had thrown her hair up in a messy bun and put her usual heavy eyeliner on with a nude lip… she looked stunning. She was in the middle of blending a delicious looking shake so he took a seat in the stool closest to her and watched.
'Do I have something on my face because you're staring?' She asked self consciously.
'Nope, you're just really pretty.' He shrugged and grabbed the portable breakfast she handed him. Her face lit up.
'You're such a sap Finn Hudson!' She laughed and grabbed his hand to pull him to the door so they could head off.
It only took about ten minutes to get to McKinley High from Santana's house and find a parking spot. They ignored the stares of the student body as they walked towards the doors with their hands interlaced.
'Well, well, well… Satan and Finnocence are holding hands after a weekend of being MIA…' Kurt began.
'I think the word you're looking for is wanky!' A voice added behind them. They all turned around and immediately opened their mouths in shock.
'Who are you and what did you do with the girl that used to own that body?' Santana gawked at Rachel Berry. The short brunette gave her a grin and spun around so the small group could see the full outfit.
'Do you like it? I felt that a new look is appropriate considering my new status.' She asked, not really caring what they thought.
'New status as…' Kurt prodded and yelped when Puck came out of no where and draped his arm over Rachel's shoulder.
'My girlfriend…' He gave her a sweet smile and chaste kiss. 'You look super hot babe. I was into your animal sweaters and short skirts but I always new you were a badass in hiding.'
'Thanks Noah… I thought you might like it. So, I don't know about you guys but this sun is doing nothing for the headache I still have so I'm going to head to inside to the choir room.' She chirped and pulled Noah inside after her.
'I think I might still be drunk…' Santana stated quietly, almost to herself.
'Nope, I haven't had anything to drink and I still saw that.' Finn answered.
'Yeah, I drank a lot but not enough to hallucinate days later…' Kurt added. 'I think I'm going to join them. Oh and if Tina asks where I'm at… DO NOT tell her.' Finn and Santana gave each other a look of confusion and silently agreed to follow their friends and see what the hell was going on. Just as they made it inside they were greeted with another strange situation that left them even more baffled.
'Quinn can you please stop ignoring me!' Mike yelled toward the blonde that was trying her best to get down the hallway. She stopped in her tracks and turned around slowly, her eyes red and puffy like she'd been crying. Mike made his way to her, his shoulders slumped in defeat. 'I'm so sorry Q…'
'Cut the crap Mike. I thought that you were different! I trusted you and you go and treat me like a harlot just like all of the other men in my life did.' She looked like a different person then the one that usually walked the halls like she owned the place. Now she wasn't even trying to pretend she was strong. Mike reached out to touch her and she flinched as if he'd hurt her… maybe he had.
'Quinn, I know I messed up but I promise you that everything I said was true. I just… I need to talk to her first.'
'Yes, I think you should speak to your girlfriend Michael… and try not to talk to me ever again.' She spun around and took off towards the choir room leaving Mike standing in the middle of the empty hallway staring at her as she ran.
'You okay Mike?' Finn called out and the Asian boy jumped, not knowing anyone else was there. He turned around and the couple could see the sadness in his eyes as he shook his head, shoved his hands in his pockets and took off towards the choir room.
'Wow, I think the party really did some damage.' Santana stated softly as they walked towards the choir room behind their friend.
'No joke; I mean I'm happy we're together now and I think that the whole Puckleberry 2.0 will be interesting but I have a strange feeling that the rest of it isn't going to go so well.'
-glee- -glee- -glee-
Rachel sat down happily on Puck's lap; enjoying the solitude the choir room gave them even though they knew it would be short lived.
'I missed you.' He mumbled against her lips. She sighed and deepened it trying to show that she felt the same way. Just as she wrapped her arms around his neck and opened her mouth to allow his tongue to dance with hers, the door to the room opened.
'You guys are disgustingly cute and I have to find out the story behind it.' Kurt interrupted breaking the two apart with his usual flair. He took a seat next to the two and brushed his hands down his hot pink blazer and black striped skinny jeans. After minutes passed of him straightening out his clothes and fiddling with the porcelain fox broach on his jacket and the all white fuzzy tail attached to his pants, the couple finally broke.
'What do you want to know?' Puck asked, not caring in the least that the kid was being super nosy; just annoyed that he didn't get to the point. Kurt ran his hands against his hair to make sure it was perfect before and turned on the two with a sparkling grin.
'I want to know how you got Rachel to get rid of her horrible clothes! God knows I've been trying for years and hadn't succeeded. Then one night in the Puckerman Zone and she comes in looking like the gorgeous Diva I knew was hiding underneath.'
'Hey, I totally liked her old clothes. I had nothing to do with her getting rid of them. If she came to school tomorrow wearing one of those jumpsuit things she wore last year, I'd still hold her fucking hand and be proud to have her as my girlfriend.' He answered honestly.
'Awwwwww….' Rachel and Kurt said in unison causing Puck to blush and duck his head.
'S'fucking true.' He grumbled.
'Thank you Noah that means a lot to me.' She gave him a kiss to his forehead and turned to Kurt. 'Truth be told I did it for me. Noah makes me feel proud to be myself and this is me… I just didn't trust anyone with it before. Now that I have Noah I feel like I have a prince to save me from anything.' She felt him hug her and let her head fall against his shoulder.
'That is sooooo adorable! I'm glad the weekend turned out well for you two.' Kurt replied but seemed a little sad at the end of his statement.
'What's wrong dude?' Puck asked surprising the other two again.
'Can you both keep a secret?' They nodded. 'Oh God it's hard to say this out loud because I've barely admitted it to myself but, for whatever reason, I feel like I can trust you both with this… Tina and I slept together.'
'No fucking way…' Puck stage whispered.
'Are you serious?!' Rachel shrieked then clapped her hand over her mouth to keep her noise under control.
'Yes, I'm fucking serious. I don't know what made me do it because I was way too freaking sober but it happened and I can't take it back. Now Tina is saying some nonsense about me taking advantage of her because she was drunk… it's a big mess.'
'She's a total bitch. In 9th she spread rumors that I took her v-card. Luckily I had a few people that were with me on the night in question and so she started stuttering and slipped into the shadow world until last year.' Puck admitted. Rachel gave him a sympathetic look but turned her attention to Kurt since his issue was current.
'Oh Kurt, everything will be okay… We'll be here for you if you need anything.' Rachel tried to comfort. Honestly, she had no idea how he would get passed something this big but she had to be there for him. Before Kurt could reply the door to the choir room flew open and Quinn came running in. She slammed it shut behind her and fell against the wall in tears. Rachel was up and over to her in seconds. 'Shhhhh… everything will be okay… what's wrong?' She rocked the blonde back and forth trying to help her through her mini breakdown even though she had no idea how to really be of assistance.
'I r-really messed up… e-everyone's going to hate m-me again.' She sobbed.
'No Quinn, no one will hate you…'
'I slept with Mike!' She blurted out in disbelief. 'He's with Tina a-and I slept with him! What is wrong with me? Every time I let loose and drink I end up sleeping with someone and hurting people.' This time Puck got out of his seat and squatted down in front of the blonde and used his thumbs to wipe away her tears. He felt partially responsible for this particular breakdown since he'd been involved first-hand the last time she had drunken hookup.
'Q, we've been through some crazy shit but not once did anyone hate you.'
'Quinn… can I tell you something to make you feel a bit better?' Kurt asked nervously. Puck and Rachel both turned to him with questioning looks but all he could do was shrug. He fought the tightness of his pants and squatted in front of her so that he could be eye level with her. 'I slept with Tina Saturday night…' Quinn's eyes flew open in shock and she let out a small hiccup.
'You did?' Mike's voice asked from the doorway. It was like some horrible teen movie gone wrong. Kurt nodded and Mike let out a breath of relief. Puck and Rachel got up and moved back over to their seat so Mike could take their places comforting Quinn.
'I'm sorry Mike.' She whispered against his chest.
'Don't be sorry. You didn't do anything wrong. We both made the decision to sleep together and Tina and Kurt both decided to sleep together. I'll talk to Tina but I know that after this weekend I would like to give us a shot… if you want to.' She nodded and curled closer to him, not trusting her voice. She had always found Mike to be an amazingly sweet person and his abs were drool worthy. This weekend had been a long time coming, she just hated that it was going to hurt people.
Finn and Santana walked through the door to the choir room moments later and looked around the room in shock. Kurt was crying into Rachel's shoulder; she was perched on top of Puck's lap as he rubbed her back and kissed her forehead; and Quinn was curled against Mike's side, both with tears in their eyes.
'I-is everything okay?' Finn asked, concerned for his friends that all looked like their lives were turned upside down.
'Not really but there's nothing we can do about it at this point but move forward.' Kurt answered sitting up and wiping away his tears.
'Do you guy's mind catching us up?' Santana asked as Finn took the seat next to Kurt and patted his back awkwardly and she took the seat on the other side. Kurt rattled off the events of the last few minutes which left them all in a daze when the rest of New Directions walked through the door. Brittany and Sam were holding hands and talking adamantly about Avatar; Mercedes walked in but looked like she was extremely uncomfortable and refused to make eye contact with anyone; and Lauren had a giant smile on her face as she wheeled Artie in who was also grinning like an idiot. They all took their seats and waited for their last member and their teacher to arrive. Almost ten minutes later, a red faced Tina walked through the door. She refused to look at anyone and took a seat in the farthest corner from Mike and Kurt. It was obvious that word had reached her about Mike's affair but also about the fact that her tryst with Kurt had been revealed. To say tension was high in the choir room when Mr. Shue walked in would be a gross understatement.
