Hey guys! Thanks for the reviews I've had so far! It definitely helps moral ;) So, here's chapter two, and don't worry, I have more to come! I really hope you guys enjoy this one! And as always, I do not own Glee.
CHAPTER TWO… THE QUEST
Sweet Caroline, good times never seem so good…
Rachel woke with a huge smile as her new alarm clock blared in her room. Today was the day; the day she finally took control and got what she wanted. She decided to skip her morning treadmill run to give her more time to pick the perfect outfit. She was going to shine and show Noah Puckerman that he made the right choice in choosing to fall for her. She threw her closet doors open and began the task of going through her choices. It took over ten minutes to find her favorite shirt buried at the back amongst her Glee costumes. It was a black, long sleeved, sheer lace shirt with a built in tank underneath. Her favorite aspect of the shirt though was the low drooping back that was held together with loose strands of sparkling black beads. There was no way to wear a bra with the shirt so she knew that not only would she look pretty but she'd be giving Puck just a hint of what she could give him. Rachel decided to pair the shirt with a pair of black skinny jeans and her favorite glittery flats. It was an outfit that she felt was much more like herself in than any of the animal sweaters or knee socks she wore but also that there was finally someone worth it to show. She took a quick shower before throwing her hair into a sloppy bun and applying light makeup. She felt like a million bucks as she made her to-go cup of coffee in her Wicked cup and grabbed her Spring Awakening tote bag full of supplies and headed to the school to prepare.
Puck had decided the night before that he was going to be on time today. He had this strange feeling in his stomach that it was going to be a really good day. He woke up to his favorite Red Hot Chili Peppers song and hummed it while he threw on his 'lucky' blue plaid shirt. It wasn't actually lucky, as a matter of fact it brought him a slushy facial; but it was the shirt he wore when he realized he had fallen hard for the little Broadway diva. The drive to the school was peaceful and he even had time to stop at the Lima Bean for a nice hot cup of coffee. By the time he got to school he was in full productivity mode for the first time in his life. He opened his locker still humming the Adam Lambert song Kurt of all people had forced him to listen to. Despite his best efforts he had become hooked on it and couldn't help but belt the lyrics whenever it played on the radio. His eyebrows bunched together when he noticed a small package sitting on top of his messy stack of books. He couldn't help but open it immediately; his curiosity getting the better of him. Unfortunately, his confusion only grew when he found an apparent mixed CD with a note that said to play the 13th track at Glee club. He shrugged and went to toss it in his backpack when he noticed a note taped to the back of his locker. It was a photocopy of what looked like someone's typed journal entry.
I had a break through today. I was walking down the hallway and HE was walking towards me. The sun was coming in at just the right angle and I swear HE glowed! I think I'm head over heels in love with him. Unfortunately I'm pretty certain he has no desire for me.
At the bottom of the copy was a message made out of newspaper and magazine cut out letters.
For more, ask Janitor Steve for the envelope. Love, your biggest fan.
Who the hell could this be? Rachel? Nah… no way. She wouldn't be this bold.
Classes forgotten he shoved his backpack into his locker and headed off to find the creepy old Janitor. It took him over half an hour to dodge hall monitors and roaming teachers before he found him cleaning graffiti off the west wall of the gymnasium.
'Yo, Mr. Steve!' He called out as he walked up to him.
'What do you want kid?' he replied, backing up slightly as if he thought Puck would try and hurt him. Poor guy, can't imagine what kind of shit kids pull on him. He through his hands up in surrender as he walked closer and watched as the janitor's shoulders lost some of their tension.
'Word is that you have something for me… an envelope?' The man grunted his answer and dug the envelope out of his deep pockets. 'Can you tell me anything about the girl who left it?'
'Nah, I was sworn to secrecy. She was a looker though, consider yourself mighty lucky son.' He replied with a chuckle and went back to his work. Puck couldn't help the grin that graced his face as he thanked him and headed back inside. As soon as he walked through the double doors he ripped the envelope open and pulled out its contents.
Why I fell in love with Noah 'Puck' Puckerman:
He's my rock star; he is beautiful; he has a huge heart; he is a badass but underneath is a really gentle, caring soul. I love his eyes, his smile, his rockin' body. He is strong, opinionated, and crude… but it really makes me smile. I want him so bad my heart aches. I wish he knew how I felt… I'm just scared to be rejected.
Bleachers 3:15
Love, you're biggest fan
The letter was set up in the same manner as the rest; a photocopy of a diary entry and a cut up message at the bottom. Puck shook the envelope again and smiled when a small gold key fell into his hand. He flipped it around hoping there would be another hint, but much to his displeasure it was free of clues. He groaned when he realized he had to wait all day to get his next clue or find out who his admirer was. Dragging his feet he headed towards his homeroom class, determined to keep an eye out on all of the ladies of McKinley; there was bound to be a slip up, a lasting glance, a stuttering of words… anything to give her away.
By the time the final bell rang at 3:10, Puck was the first out the door. Despite having scoped out every female and some of the males, he wasn't any closer to finding out who his secret admirer was and he had to know… his curiosity had gotten the best of him and he couldn't bear it anymore. He was out of breath by the time he reached the bleachers and let out a growl when all he found was a locked box. He fished out the key from his pocket, still warm from messing with it all day. He carefully unlocked the box and a huge smile broke out on his face. On the very top of the pile was a picture taken three years earlier at a Bahmitzvah. Rachel and Noah were sitting outside and Rachel was kissing his cheek while he wore a large sloppy grin. After looking through the box for a few minutes he stood and headed to Glee with it in hand. He was the last to walk in but paid no mind; he went straight for the CD player and inserted his new CD, turning it to track 13. As expected, a familiar tune began to play. He turned around, locked eyes with his girl and finally sang her the song he should have sang months ago.
I've been roaming around, I was looking down at all I see Someone like you and all you know and how you speak Off in the night while you live it up I'm off to sleep Someone like me, someone like me I'm ready now, I'm ready now Someone like you, somebody I've been roaming around, I was looking down at all I see
Painted faces fill the places I can't reach
You know that I could use somebody
You know that I could use somebody
Countless lovers under cover of the street
You know that I could use somebody
You know that I could use somebody
Someone like you
Waging wars to shake the poet and the beat
I hope it's gonna make you notice
I hope it's gonna make you notice
Someone like me, somebody
I'm ready now, I'm ready now
I'm ready now, I'm ready now
I'm ready now
Someone like you, somebody
Someone like you, somebody
As the final note played, Rachel rose to her feet and gave him a small smirk. Puck walked to her as quickly as possible and lifted her up in his arms to kiss her life his life depended on it. They were both desperate for air when they pulled apart and completely oblivious to their teammate's judgments.
'It's about time Noah.' She whispered into his ear.
'It's about time Rachel.' He beamed. 'Can I drive my girlfriend home?'
'I hope so, word on the street is her dads are gone all week.' She winked and slithered out of his arms. He couldn't do anything but stare as she walked to pick up her things; shocked that she was being so forward. It was a new Rachel Berry, a bolder more secure Berry, and he couldn't believe he was lucky enough to have her. She grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the door to head home.
'So you found my stalker box?' He asked as they pulled into her driveway. She giggled and swated his arm.
'Don't call it that! I don't know if you noticed but I have one too. Let's call them… admirer boxes instead.' She grinned.
'Alright… so you found my admirer box?' He watched as she began fiddling with the bottom of her shirt nervously and couldn't help but place his hand over hers to calm her.
'I thought the only thing I would find under your bed was a stash of dirty magazines and junk food. I didn't mean to snoop.'
'I know baby, no worries… so you didn't find my stash of dirty magazines?' He joked trying to lighten the mood. She let out a loud laugh and nodded emphatically.
'I did but I was trying to erase that discovery from my memory.' She pretended to shiver before her lips turned up into a big smile and she pulled him in for a kiss. He pulled her into his lap and kissed her back softly, cherishing her body against his.
'Thank you for hiding under my bed Rach; I'm really glad you did.'
'Me too Noah.'