Thank you to those who reviewed and alerted, and added as favorite story! That's what makes me want to write more at 12:30 in the morning when the heating is clanging.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Even though I have dreams about Glee on a semi regular basis.
The next morning, Artie woke up to, not only his alarm, but also the off key sound of his mother, singing in the kitchen. He groaned as he sat up and looked around for his glasses. Finding them on his bedside table, he slid them on and stretched. Artie did his morning routine, and was just buttoning his shirt and fixing his suspenders (the red ones), when his mom called out "Ten minute warning!" As he wheeled himself into the kitchen, she bent down and kissed his head, while handing him a plate of toast with marmalade. Artie quickly ate his breakfast, then swapped the plate for a bagged lunch, which he put in his book bag that had been on the table from last nights work. His mom hung the bag on the back of his chair for him and kissed him again "Call me if you go over to Tina's" she said watching him leave.
When he got to the corner he waited for Tina. After about seven minutes and two and half songs on his iPod, he spotted her racing down the street. He took the ear buds out and waited for her to catch up to him. Artie watched Tina as she bent over, trying to catch her breath. "I don't think I've ever seen you run so fast, not even in gym class" he said bemused. The girl was still doubled over, but she looked up at him through her hair, "That was a once in a lifetime thing" she replied, smiling slightly, "and not a good thing to do in combat boots." For the first time, he took in her appearance. Plaid red pants with rips in the knees, a blue tank top, and an oversized black t-shirt that he could tell she had worked on. The sides of the shirt had been torn in sections and then each section loosely safety pinned together, while the sleeves and neckline had been cut off. Most likely they were hidden somewhere in her room so she could use them on something else. "You look good" Artie said shyly. Tina stood up and grinned at him "So do you, lets go before we're even more late."
At lunch, Mercedes and Kurt pulled Tina into the girls' bathroom and asked her for an update. "Three conditions: it has to be at his house, on a weekend, and an adult has to supervise" Tina counted off on her fingers. Kurt thought for a second before saying, "Well, his birthday is a Thursday, right? We can do it Friday. And, duh, of course it's going to be at his house, where else would it be?" Mercedes elbowed him and asked about an adult. "Technically Puck's almost an adult right?" Kurt and Tina just stared at her. "Never mind, then. Who else is there? No way is Mr. Scheuster doing it" The three friends all shuddered at the image of the Spanish teacher trying to control a party. Tina then remembered the two texts she had received the previous night. She had already told them that Artie would have the party, but she had forgotten the other message. "What about Lea? She's an adult, well kind of. She's good with responsibility, and if something happens at the party, she'll make sure it stops, especially with Puck." Kurt seemed to consider this before turning to Mercedes. The two seemed to communicate, in their usual telepathic way, and then agreed to the plan.
By their next period, Artie was sure something was going on, but no matter how much he pestered Tina, she wouldn't say anything.
Next chapter is the party. I pinky swear. I'll update much faster if I get more reviews.