AN: I know I said I would update this like a while ago, but then I got sick and didn't feel like doing anything so sorry. Anyway, did anyone else that watched last weeks Glee think that Puck was extra freaking adorable, cuz I know I did. I really hope Quinn doesn't ruin everything. Well I hope you like this chapter. & sorry for any mistakes.

Disclaimer: I still don't own Glee :( if I did Sam would still be on, Santana & Rachel would be friends, Quinn might possibly disappear :p and there would be much Puckleberry love all episode, every episode :) also I don't own the song "Picture to Burn", Taylor Swift does.

Chapter 3-As Far as I'm Concerned

"Breakdowns can create breakthroughs. Things fall apart so things can fall together."-Unknown Source

Rachel's POV

Even though I was tired, I had a hard time falling asleep after Noah left. I just kept on replaying our conversation over in my head. I still can't believe he said those things. Did he really think I was beautiful? Perfect? He had sounded and looked sincere when he said it. Then I started thinking about how he kissed my forehead, so sweet and gentle like he was trying not to break me. And then somewhere in my head a little voice said how I wouldn't mind if he kissed me again, a lot more.

I stopped myself; I just broke up with Finn today. I can't be thinking about kissing other boys, I should be sad and moping. But while I was sad, I didn't want to mope. I wanted to move on. This was the last straw for Finn; I wanted to be over him. I fell asleep realizing that when Finn inevitably came to me in a few weeks saying he still wanted me, I wouldn't go back to him.

When I woke up, I went through my normal morning ritual. I almost forgot that Noah had said he would give me a ride to school today. I didn't remember until my phone vibrated, I opened it up and saw it was from Noah. My heart started pounding faster just at the thought of being with him and I quickly texted him back.

{Noah}

hey rach be there in 10

{Rachel}

Ok Noah, I am already around and ready to go.

He didn't text me back, but almost exactly ten minutes later, he was knocking on the door. I went to open it up and smiled brightly at him.

"Good morning, Noah"

"Morning, my hot Jewish American princess." I blushed as he smirked. "Ready?"

"Yep, let's go." I replied. I bent down to grab my bag, but Noah beat me to it. "Thanks."

"No problem" he smiled down at me as we walked to his truck. He even opened the door for me and helped me get in. Then he handed me my bag and walked to the driver's side. We were both silent for a while during the drive, until I broke the silence.

"Really, thank you for everything, Noah." He just shook his head. "Seriously, Rach, it's really no problem, that's what friends are for."

I almost died when he said this; it was the first time he actually said out loud that they were friends. The rest of the drive was silent, other than our humming along with the music. Once we got to school, Noah walked to me to my locker and told me to have a good day. Before he left, it almost looked like he wanted to say something else, but he didn't and he walked away.

The rest of the day was pretty uneventful; Kurt, Mercedes, and Sam had been acting as my bodyguards all day. A few weeks ago I would have been confused as to why Sam was here, not that we hadn't become friends since prom, but not that close. However, Kurt, Blaine, and I had been let in on the secret that he and Mercedes were dating.

It was almost time for glee when Santana came up to us, "Berry" The three of my "bodyguards" faced her and tensed Santana rolled her eyes, "relax, I just wanted to make sure we were good to do our duet today." Confused as to why she would care about me I just nodded.

"Good" and with that she walked away.

Santana and I killed our song. I knew that there was no way that we would lose. Then Santana actually said something nice to me. I was on cloud nine. I was immediately brought down from my high once Quinn and Finn started singing there song. I didn't mean to cry or runaway, honest. I meant all the things I had said about moving on. But hearing them sing that together, only a day after the scandal, it was too much. I ran out of the auditorium as fast as I could and for a moment I didn't know where to go. Normally, when I was upset I ran to the stage, not away from it. I went to the next best thing. The choir room. I sat on the piano bench and tried to stop the tears. I was failing when I felt someone sitting next to me. To my utter surprise it was Santana, and I almost had a heart attack when she wrapped her arms around me for a hug.

"What are you doing?" I quietly asked, still in shock.

She pulled away slightly to look at me. "I'm here to comfort you."

"Oh, um, thank you."

"No problem, Berry. That's what friends are for."

"We're friends now?" I didn't think I could be more shocked, hearing these words twice in one day was almost surreal.

"Like I told you earlier, you're not so bad. I mean you totally helped Britt the other day, so you know, yeah."

"Oh, ok." That was all I could say at the moment. We sat in silence for a few minutes when Santana spoke up.

"Finnocence is not worth it. He's a douche. You can do better."

"I know he's not worth it, I didn't mean to cry. It's just them singing that song...it's only been a day! Last night I told myself that I was over him and sick of his games."

"That's good; you need to tell him that though." She looked at me like it was the easiest thing in the world.

"Santana, I can't just walk up to him and do that. I may be confident in my talent, but I don't have your confidence."

"Then use your talent, Monday sing a song." She stood up and grabbed my hand. "I would tell you to go today, but I'm pretty sure that Mr. Schue ended practice after Puckerman punched Finn in the face."

"Why would Noah do that? He could get in serious trouble." I stared at her with worry in my eyes.

"He did it because he cares about you. Now come on." I went to protest, but I guess she expected this because she stopped me. "Don't worry; I'll explain it all during our all weekend sleepover at your house."

"Our what?" Since when did Santana Lopez sleep over at my house?

"We're going to my house so I can pick up clothes. Then we will go to your house and hang for the weekend. Plus we can figure out the perfect song to sing for Monday."

So the two of us walked arm and arm out to her car. I saw Noah waiting by his truck, and obviously so did Santana.

"I've got her Puckerman, don't worry, see you Monday," the Latina girl told him as she dragged me to her car. I had the feeling this was going to be an interesting weekend.

"Bye Noah," I managed to yell out before Santana shut the car door in my face.

Over the course of the weekend Santana and I watched tons of movies, and talked about everything and anything. She also let me know that sometime soon we would be going shopping for some new clothes for me. She explained that we were catching up on a lifetime's worth of friendship and that this was important if they were going to be best friends. When I asked about Brittany being her best friend, she said that hopefully that relationship would become something more and she would need someone to fill the bestie spot. Then she came to the subject I hoped she would skip. Noah. The same Noah who had been texting me all weekend to make sure Santana hadn't "killed me or something."

"So, Rae, what's up with you and Puckerman?" San asked while twirling spaghetti on her fork.

"Nothing, Noah and I are just really good friends."

"Don't lie to me; you don't lie to best friends. You like him." It wasn't a question.

"Well, I do admit that I have noticed that my feelings towards him have been the "more than friends" kind lately. But I highly doubt those are reciprocated. And I just broke up with Finn."

"Who cares about Finn? You need to move on, just like you said you wanted to. And those feelings are definitely reciprocated; do you not see the way he looks at you?" I look up surprised and then I blush. "Look I think I just thought of a good song for you to sing."

Monday came and I was excited, and a little nervous for glee. When it finally was time for practice, I took the seat next to San. I must have been jittery, because Noah leaned down to ask if I was okay. I told him I was fine and wanted Mr. Schue to hurry up so I could sing my song. Finally, he walked in and Santana gave me a pointed look so I raised my hand.

"Yes, Rachel?" Mr. Schue questioned.

"Before we start, there is a song I would like to sing." I should have known Quinn would speak up.

"Great. Let's hear another song about how much you love Finn and want him back."

"Shut it, Fabrey. Don't make me come over there." San shot back and before Quinn could say anything Schuester spoke up again, trying to avoid the growing conflict.

"Ok, Rachel, let's hear your song."

"Thanks, Mr. Schue." I pointed to the band to tell them to start. And I danced around the room.

State the obvious; I didn't get my perfect fantasy (I just shrugged my shoulders and let the music wash over me)

I realize you love yourself more than you could ever love me

So go and tell your friends

That I'm obsessive and crazy (I made the motion of being crazy with my finger)

That's fine; I'll tell mine you're gay (I "gossiped" with San and she acted shocked and giggly)

And by the way...

I hate that stupid old pickup truck

You never let me drive (At the time she picked the song, San hadn't known Finn actually didn't let me drive his truck, believe me I'd asked many times)

You're a redneck heartbreak, who's really bad at lying (I pointed at Finn)

So watch me strike a match on all my wasted time

As far as I'm concerned you're just another picture to burn

There's no time for tears, I'm just sitting here planning my revenge

There's nothing stopping me from going out

With all of your best friends (Now I pointed to Noah and smiled, which he returned with a smirk)

And if you come around saying sorry to me

My daddy's gonna show you how sorry you'll be

I hate that stupid old pickup truck

You never let me drive

You're a redneck heartbreak, who's really bad at lying

So watch me strike a match on all my wasted time

As far as I'm concerned you're just another picture to burn

If you're missing me, you'd better keep it to yourself

Cause coming back around here

Would be bad for your health... (I shook my finger in Finn's face)

I hate that stupid old pickup truck

You never let me drive

You're a redneck heartbreak, who's really bad at lying

So watch me strike a match on all my wasted time

As far as I'm concerned you're just another picture to burn

Burn, burn, burn, baby, burn

You're just another picture to burn

Baby, burn...

Everyone except the "Inns" was standing and clapping. Santana came up and gave me a big hug. Which had almost everyone in the room very confused, besides the few that had noticed the rapidly growing friendship between the two of us.

"That was perfect." San complimented me and hugged me again.

"That was very good Rachel, thank you. Now I would like to talk to you about this week's assignment," Mr. Schue walked up to the white board and wrote, EXPECTATIONS. He went on to explain, "I want each of you to pick a song that is about expectations, what people expect out of you, or what you expect out of others. Or I want you to pick a song that most people wouldn't expect you to sing. We'll be performing these in the auditorium throughout the week."

"Hey Berry," a voice came from behind me along with a warm breath against my neck that made me shiver.

"Why hello, Noah. How are you today?" I replied, carefully turning around in my chair to face him. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Santana smirking.

"I'm good. You're song was pretty awesome."

"Thank you. Do you have any ideas on what song you'll sing this week?" I asked him and watched as the corners of his mouth quirked up.

"Yeah actually, I do. I'm sure you do too," he chuckled.

"Well to be honest, I don't have a clue."

"The great Rachel Berry doesn't know what song to sing." He acted like he was shocked and I playfully hit his leg. "You really need to stop hitting me," he joked.

"Or what, you gonna beat me up?" I stuck my tongue out and then laughed.

"No, but I'll…" he started, but was interrupted by San, which left me wondering what he was going to say.

"Yo Rae, I talked to Hummel and we are taking you on our shopping trip after glee." I wondered if I visibly paled. Shopping with Santana and Kurt? Sure I could deal with shopping with them separately, but both at the same time; it was going to be a nightmare.

All I could muster back was a less than enthusiastic, "oh yay."