...

Puck perked up slightly when he saw Kurt proudly sauntering down the hallway as if he owned the place. No matter how much he wanted to, Puck just couldn't simply stop Kurt in his tracks and strike up a conversation with him, maybe ask him how his day was or if he'd like to do something later that night. He couldn't act like a civil human being, that just wasn't how people saw him. It wasn't even how he saw himself.

So instead of what he longed to do, Puck checked Kurt with his shoulder, sending the boy slamming into the row of lockers that lined the hall. Finn, who had been walking next to him, gave him a disapproving look. Puck didn't hear a remark from Kurt, so he continued walking straight ahead.

The day before, after practice had ended, Puck and Finn hadn't talked until it was late into the evening. Puck knew he couldn't spare to have Finn pissed at him, he was his bro. While laying in bed, Skinemax playing lightly in the background, he set Finn a simple apology text message. Finn responded back immediately and said that they were cool. They'd met up at the front doors that morning.

His stomach turned when he thought about how hard he'd hit Kurt. It wasn't just a simple shove, he'd really put some strength into it. Puck blamed it on his frustrations. Why couldn't Kurt just like him too?

Before he was able to make it any further down the hall, Emma Pillsbury, the guidance counselor, stopped him. Her big doe eyes stared up at him with disappointment.

"Miss P." Puck dismissed, attempting to pass the tiny woman. Emma wasn't having it though and she placed a light hand on his bicep. "Is... there something you needed?" He asked,

"Noah-"

"It's Puck." The mohawked boy corrected.

Emma let out a sigh. "Puck." She said. "I've been noticing some... attitude problems coming from you lately. I'd like to ask you if you'd be willing to come to my office during second block?"

Normally Puck would have said yes and just not go, but he had Biology second block. Miss. Pillsbury would give him a pass out of that class. He nodded eagerly. "Sure, Miss P. I'll be there."

"Great. I'll let your teacher know and I will see you in second block." The red haired woman smiled politely and practically skipped away. Puck took the chance of turning around to watch her leave.

Kurt was where Puck had last seen him, picking up his belongings which had spilled from his bag when he'd collided with the lockers. Out of everyone who passed him, no one even spared the kneeling boy a second glance. He looked so alone. Puck wondered where Kurt's little gang was, at least they were always willing to help. He swallowed nervously, taking a step towards the brunette. An apology was on his tongue.

"Dude?"

Puck turned back around to Finn, who he had forgotten had been waiting for him. He scratched the back of his head and hiked his bag further up onto his shoulders. "Yeah, I'm coming." As they started walking away, Puck looked quickly back over his shoulder. Kurt had finally gotten up and was putting his bag back over his shoulder just as Mercedes Jones, his best friend, was coming up to him. The two immediately broke into huge smiles and sashayed down the hall in the opposite direction, gabbing about one thing or another.

Puck was glad for that.

...

His first block class went by in an uneventful manner. Puck failed to pay attention and not even fifteen minutes into the class he was back to doodling in his binder. When the bell finally rang he packed up his belongings and was the first one to exit the room, eager to blow off his second block with an actual legitimate excuse for once.

Miss Pillsbury was waiting patiently for him when he arrived. It was after the late bell, of course. He'd stopped to shoot the shit with some of the guys on the wrestling team on his way. She smiled politely when he entered. "Please, have a seat." She instructed as she further pushed a stack of papers into a neater pile, which probably didn't need to be done in the first place.

Puck obediently sat down in the chair opposite the red headed woman and slouched as he glanced around the room. He'd only been inside Miss P's office once in his first year. He was a bit of a cry baby back then and had sought out guidance from the counselor. Everything in the room was in order. Her books were in sections according to genre and then alphabetized. The pencils on her desk were sharpened perfectly, lined up accurately together. On top of the file cabinet to his right was a spray bottle of Windex, Lysol, and a roll of paper towels.

"What's up?" He finally asked.

Emma crossed her hands on the desk in front of her and smiled again. "Well, you tell me." Her doe eyes blinked. "What's been happening lately, N-Puck? Tell me what's on your mind."

Puck quirked an eyebrow. "On my mind? Well, you're probably expecting me to say staying out late to party and girls, right? So we'll just go with that." Those two things, although they once played a major part in his life, hadn't even phased him as of late. He'd been tired lately, a bit mopey, so he chose to stay in more often than not. And Kurt... Well, he wasn't a girl.

"So quite obviously you have something personal on your mind." Emma nodded to herself. She then shook her head and waved her hand briefly. "Let's put that to the side for now and talk about something easier. I've noticed you're a bit of a bully, Puck. Wanna talk about that?"

Although he didn't think talking about how much of an asshole he was, was easy, Puck shrugged. "I don't know. Sure. I'm a jerk. What about it? 'S not like I'm hurting anyone."

Emma paused for a moment, a thoughtful look on her face. "Well, no. Not physically. But did you ever think about mentally? For example, Kurt Hum-"

Puck didn't think before he opened his mouth. "Kurt? Did he come to you? Did I upset him?"After his outburst, Puck retracted, slightly embarrassed.

The woman's eyes widened slightly. "You're concerned for him." She pulled her hands from the desk and placed them in her lap. "Well, I think I understand what's been on your mind Puck. Can't say I expected it though." Emma glanced over her shoulder at the small display of pamphlets. "I should really update these..." She mumbled, turning back around empty handed.

"What?" Puck blinked, feigning obliviousness. "I don't know what you're talking about." He said nervously.

"Noah," Emma started, ignoring the slight glare she received for using his real name. "It's okay. I understand if you don't want to talk about it. But maybe it would help?" She left it as a question so as to not push the student into anything.

With a sigh, Puck ran his hand over his mohawk and bounced his knee. "You can't tell anyone."

Emma smiled happily and adjusted the papers again. "So, a boy crush, huh? On Kurt Hummel. I just want you to know, Puck. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being ga-"

"Don't say that word!" Puck yelled sharply, startling the counselor. He shrank further into his seat. "I'm not..." He looked around. "I'm not gay. It's just him. It's just Kurt. I don't get my rocks off by watching dudes go at it."

"Right. Sorry." Emma said quickly. "I shouldn't have just assumed... Well, um. You want to be with him, right?"

Puck had never really thought about it in that way. He wanted Kurt. He'd never thought about wanting to be with him. It sounded a bit too corny for him. Although, the thought of being in a relationship with the soprano was sort of appealing. He rubbed his face awkwardly and nodded. "Yeah. I guess. I don't know." He sighed. "It's not like he'd return my... feelings. He only sees me as this dick who throws him into the dumpster every morning."

"So I'm just gonna ignore that little tidbit of knowledge in exchange for you never throwing anyone into any sort of trash again, hmm?" Emma shuddered as she squirted hand sanitizer into her palm. "And maybe you consider pursuing Kurt. Not maliciously, of course. Try and catch his interest."

Puck rolled his eyes. "And how do you suggest I do that? The kid hates my guts."

Emma turned around and reached for a pamphlet entitled "How to Woo your Boo."before sliding it over to Puck. "Common interests are the key to romance."

...

Before practice started that afternoon, Coach Tanaka came in grumpily and told everyone to listen up and pay attention. A moment later, Mr. Schuester happily came in, but that wasn't who Puck was distracted by. Kurt Hummel had followed him in, his hands on his hips, looking as uninterested as ever. A few of the guys immaturely flipped and accused Kurt of looking at their junk. They were of course, ignored by the brunette. Puck watched closely as Kurt leaned back against a row of lockers.

"Hey guys. I know you're probably wondering why your Spanish teacher is here to talk to you when you have practice." Mr. Schue started, holding a clipboard down at his side. "Well, me and Kurt aren't here about Spanish. We're here about Glee club, right Kurt?"

Kurt nodded once before inspecting his nails.

"Anyway," Will held up the clipboard, his face serious. "Glee club needs guys."

The room fell silent. His teammates all looked around at each other, chuckling to themselves. Next to him, Finn was awkwardly looking at his feet. What Miss. P had told him rang through his ears. Puck pushed himself off of the lockers and held his index finger in the air. "I can sing."

The look that crossed Kurt's face definitely gave him a sliver of hope.

Will seemed ecstatic. "That- That's great!"

...

A/N: I'm really sorry I'm not making these very long. I figured I'd kept you waiting long enough, so I decided to upload what I have. Also, it really makes me a sad person that so many people favorite this but only four have taken the time to review! D8

Next chapter will be in Kurt's POV.