A/N: Hello again. (= So this is chapter 2 of Smile! I hope all of you have enjoyed this so far. Once again, thank you to all those who review and whatnot. Oh, and sorry how I message everyone who reviews LOL. I realize it gets kinda annoying, but it's just to show how I truly appreciate your words. Hope you like this one guys :D !
Disclaimer: I don't own Glee … sniff.
Chapter 2
The swings squeaked in uncoordinated harmony as they slowly swayed back and forth. It was 8:40 PM and Mike Chang and Tina Cohen-Chang have spend nearly four hours together.
"This is nice," she admitted.
Mike agreed honestly. "I know." Then once again, as Tina's worries began to carry through the breeze, it went back her direction.
"You like him don't you?"
She felt her heart drop on the tanbark. He continued on.
"Artie I mean. I can tell .. I see you stare at him. You know, in Glee .."
If they had this conversation yesterday, she would've quickly ran away. If he asked her five hours before anywhere else, she would've crawled right back into that shell of hers. Tina knew she shouldn't be so open with him, seeing as what happened with Artie, but at that second she didn't really care.
"Kind of. Well, no. Well I don't know - It's a really long story -"
"I like long stories." She stared at him a little speechless at first, but eventually smiled appreciatively once she absorbed his words.
As time flew and autumn leaves crackled on the pavement floor, two people remained the same. Their conversation had lased over an hour with relentless laughs, heartaches, reminiscent memories, but mostly a connection like no other. At the time, being vulnerable was essential.
"You like her don't you?"
"No I don't -"
'I didn't even say her name yet."
The tables turned as Tina sneakily accused him. She always knew he liked Brittany: she was tall, blonde, skinny, pretty, popular, and not to mention she was a cheerio after all. She assumed Mike was just following the football - cheerleader chain. She persisted with the accusation.
"Brittany .. I see you two together a lot, and you can c-completely tell from the way you l-l-look at her that .. Th-that's there's something."
For once, she didn't see a smile. She didn't see a grin that was so convincingly full of bliss. What she did see was a stressed, scared reflection of Tina. She saw him shiver, she saw him unhappy, and saw him sad. It genuinely concerned her. It was her turn to be knight and shining armor.
Without a word, he felt her gently caress his shoulder, and with that he felt trickles of comfort. It wasn't that Tina's assumptions weren't correct, it's the knowledge that his affection was so obvious that others noticed.
"You don't have to be ashamed or embarrassed. Believe me .. I f-felt like that too many times with .. With uh-Artie that I figures it's just a waste of e-emotion. Even if figuring it out m-ment two hours ago."
Mike felt a little breathless. He's never seen her so poised or confident, nor so unafraid. Her helpful words even left a lingering sensation up his spine. He wasn't the one to talk about problems or feeling but hey! There's a start for everything.
After Tina's little speech, a silence grew. But it wasn't an awkward "God I'd rather see Kurt in a leotard and leg warmers" silence , but more of a comforting, sweet silence. Suddenly, a loud buzzing noise interrupted the stillness of the night.
"Crap! It's 10:20 already!" Tina frantically gathered all her belongings while carrying her phone with the other hand, talking to her dad.
"I'll be there in a few minutes daddy, I p-promise!"
Oh crap. It's 10:20 Mike thought. Luckily, his parents weren't nearly as protective as hers were.
"let me take you home, it's too dark for you to walk alone," he considerately offered.
A guilty look struck Tina's face. "It's f-fine, I only live a c-couple blocks away anyway."
Once again, Mike wasn't comfortable with that proposition. He could never again feel comfortable with the idea of her being harmed. It just bothered Mike too much, and it definitely showed on his face. To the point where she can tell what was going on through his mind. She tried to slow herself down.
"I had a really good time in a really long time." She continued on. "It's late, and I only live a couple blocks away. I promise I won't die, and if I do, then frozen yogurts on me. My treat."
Mike smiled to the wit of her comment. He nodded signifying approval, and with that, she ran, slowly being swallowed by the darkness of the night.
So how are you guys liking the story so far? :D Trying to progress from my other chapters so yeah, I hope you guys liked! Thank you guys sooooooooooo much for the helpful reviews, I'm so grateful. Read and review, most importantly enjoy. :)
