Chapter Two: Close Encounter of the Jock kind.

Note: Name Change to Valarie. IDK WHY I JUST ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES

Maybe skipping lunch wasn't such a good idea, I think to myself as I trudge through the muddy courtyard. The sky had turned a dark black and purple as lightning struck miles away. I curse lightly having only the light material of my leather jacket shielding me from the cold rain. Finding a small back alleyway to the school I stand beneath a tin roof for shelter and slide down to a sitting position.

Luckily I was able to capture a few shots before the rain really set in. Pictures of a hulking football player talking to a delicate fashion forward boy in the parking lot, a blonde and brunette duo eating lunch on the bleachers, Ms. Pillsbury sneaking some extra hand sanitizer from the supply closet and one picture of Santana gazing off into the distance during lunch period. I rest my head against the wall and close my eyes.

This picture resounded with me. She looked lost and all I wanted to do was help. But that was dangerous. Attachments to people, no matter how shallow only ended in heartbreak later when I would inevitably leave town.

Consistency is rare in my life. So many cities, friends and lovers have been forgotten once I leave. I am a chameleon, trained to blend in with my surroundings as they come.

My upbringing consists of learning how to fit in , figuring out ways to master tricks of any trade. In Detroit I discovered how to blend colors to create oil paintings. In Miami I mastered the strict and precise movements of ballet, while New York taught me photography, which I gladly use today. The picture of Santana stays up on the display and I will myself to delete it.

"Santana does that a lot lately, just stares off into no where. If she got with me she would not be looking so bored."

I look up slightly to see a lean muscled boy standing next to me peeking down at my camera. He wears aviators, despite the rain and a long sleeved green shirt. Running one hand across his short Mohawk he shakes off the rainwater and shrugs on a red and white letterman jacket that reads, "Puckerman".

Noah Pukerman

There had been no doubt he was well known. Every class I walked into there had been five or six girls swooning over the fact that his ex- girlfriend had broken up with him. Any girl would have killed to sit next to him on a rainy Ohio day but my interest was minimal. These guys were a dime – a – dozen in towns all across the nation.

The boy sunk down next to me stretching his long legs in front of him. Then with a flick of his hand he produced a lighter from his pocket and lit a cigarette.

"Costello, right?" he asked exhaling smoke into the air.

I nodded and winced as the smoke gathered near my face. He laughed taking in my discomfort.

" I prefer Valarie though" I managed, " I'm not on the football team so last names won't do. "

"Feisty, I like it. Noah Puckerman by the way. But you can call me Puck". He replied with a wink.

"Well I won't be calling you anything if you don't put that cancer stick out soon" I coughed again trying to circulate fresh air back into the conversation.

Grinning he stubbed out his cigarette with the tip of his worn out boots.

"Much better" I commented.

He smirked, "I like a girl who knows what she wants."

I managed to suppress an eye-roll as he sidled up next to me.

"So what do you say we get out of here, go somewhere more private? It may or may not be just as wet."

Not being able to contain it any longer I let out a loud laugh that echoed down the empty breezeway and caused a few wandering students to glance our way.

Puck looked around nervously before placing both hands in the pockets of his jacket and pouting.

After a few minutes needed to regain composure I turned towards him.

"It's not you honestly, I just prefer someone a little more…. Feminine." I tried.

"I'm in Glee Club. Once I sang a song about how it felt like to be a girl, so I think I have the feminine side down baby."

I sighed and tried again, this time turning my whole body towards him.

"I'm an avid fan of Rizzoli & Isles, and I don't even know what it's about" I said slowly hoping to make an impact with the statement.

Puck's face scrunched into one of confusion and then finally understanding.

"That's the show with the two hot chicks right?" he answered back with a slow smile.

I laughed lightly batting his arm. "Exactly".

I always got along well with guys growing up. It seemed while other girls chased them and teased I remained on the sidelines wondering what the big deal was.

Middle school came around and girls were concerned with who asked them to the Winter Formal and which boy kissed the best. Boys were always there and I knew of the life my friends wanted with the big house and the ten kids all raised with a supportive husband. The thing was, I never wanted it and I had never been shy to admit it.

The rain pattered against the tin roof and filled the silence that had come between us. He grabbed the camera from my hand and flipped through the pictures quickly before pausing on the candid of Santana.

Puck's face softened, as ones does when talking about a family member or a close personal friend.

"Tough as nails this girl" he murmured, " Takes quite a bit to come out of the closet in Lima".

Come out of the closet. It made perfect sense; the way she walked and talked was an exterior show for anyone brave or stupid enough to confront her about one of her biggest insecurities.

Trying to maintain a passive expression I bit my lip waiting for him to continue.

Puck shifted the camera in his hands and continued, " Before last school year ended she told the Glee Club. Some people couldn't keep their mouths shut" his fists closed in anger and a meek expression covered his face as he realized he was doing it as well.

"But that was all she said they were-rumors." He continued, "Small town gossip travels fast and she became the number one news headline overnight".

I twisted my ring waiting for my chance to ask the question that had been weighing on my mind since the encounter with Santana.

"Brittany is her best friend right." I attempted trying to sound disinterested.

Puck nodded shortly and began to speak before the bell sounded ending lunch period.

"Got to run. Catch ya later hot stuff." He stood up to walk away before turning around.

"If you ever change your mind, you know where to find me", he remarked with a glint in his eyes.

Putting two thumbs up I waved him away.

So Puck was in Glee club too. For the amount of bad reputation it got the members seemed pretty cool. Well most of them, I shuddered as I remember Rachel's' lament about perfect pitch and perfect tone.

Guessing that I would be late for my last class I sprint across the drenched courtyard to find my Spanish class.