AN: Hey Guys! Sorry it has been so long. My computer crashed and was finally able to borrow one from my mom. I am having a bit of writer's block as well but hope to have an update soon. A big thank you to my beta Lyric Dalton for continuing to check in on my progress.

AN2: A reminder that I do not own anything associated with Glee.

Walking into school that morning, I was nervous to face everyone during free period. Part of me took comfort at the thought that there probably wasn't any other group that was as forgiving or understanding as the people in glee. This was going to be a lot of work but if I pulled it off I just might have a chance of Rachel taking me seriously.

The first couple of periods actually went a lot faster than I'd thought they would. As I was walking down the hall towards the gym, I ran into Rachel. I really didn't have time to stop but knowing that I needed to earn back her friendship for this plan to work I paused for a moment.

"Hey Rach! How's your day going?" I asked trying not to sound rushed.

"Um, it's pretty good. How about you?" she asked sweetly.

"It's good. I don't mean to cut this short but I kind of told Matt and Mike I would meet them in the gym for free period. But maybe I'll see you at lunch?" I hoped she'd say yes. I really hoped so.

"I was thinking about going to the music room to practice but, yeah, maybe I will see you then," she responded, looking as if she was fighting an internal battle with herself.

"Cool. Hopefully, I'll see you then," I finished as I started walking back to the gym.

Walking into the gym, I saw that everybody was already gathered on the bleachers. 'I can do this' I thought to myself as I walked over to face everyone.

"Puck," Mercedes spoke up, "What's this all about? Artie said you wanted to talk to all of us. And shouldn't Rachel be here. She's always the first one to show up for a meeting."

'Here goes nothing' I thought before I began to explain. "Rachel isn't here because she wasn't invited. Before you go thinking that I'm being a douche bag for not including her, this is actually all about her."

"W-w-what do you mean?" Tina asked.

"Most of you probably know that me and Rachel were dating for like four days before she broke up with me. She said that she couldn't date me when she still had feelings for Finn. I told her I was going to break up with her anyway but she knew I wasn't. I was just being a tool. I know I said a while back that she makes me want to light myself on fire but once we started hanging out I kind of figured out she really wasn't all that different from me. Rachel may be annoying, bossy, egotistical and all but I guess that's how you could describe me. She's only that way because she's determined to make something of herself and contrary to popular belief I have plans of getting out of this crappy cow town too." I must have started rambling because everyone but Artie was staring at me wide eyed. That seems to be my new problem.

"So, are you trying to tell us you like Rachel?" I was surprised to hear the question coming from Finn.

"Yeah. That's also why I need your help. I kind of have a whole plan to win her back. I want to show her that we're going places on our own but that together we could be totally unstoppable. She's the first person who I ever felt really believed in me and I want to make sure she knows I believe in her, in us. This is where you all come in. I knew from the moment Mr. Schue announced the project exactly what song I wanted to do. I know we were supposed to just write out choreography in case our song is chosen but I was hoping that you would all actually perform the number with me and sing back up. Kurt and Mercedes, I was thinking you could design the costumes. But absolutely no feathers. And I'd really appreciate no spandex. I know Artie has already agreed but what do you all say?" I asked waiting for anyone to respond.

After a few silent moments I heard everyone start to shout out their agreements. I think I even heard Kurt say, "It's about time." Immediately everyone moved into planning mode. There was going to need to be rehearsals scheduled, costume fitted, choreography worked on, etc. In the midst of the madness Finn walked towards me with Quinn at his side.

"Look man, we just wanted to tell you that we are happy to help. We know things haven't exactly been great between the three of us lately but if Rachel makes you happy then we've got your back. It's the least we can do considering I was a jerk for crushing Rachel in public," Finn said with a sincerity I didn't expect to hear from him.

When the bell rang, we all left the gym and headed towards the cafeteria as it was finally time for lunch. I didn't eat breakfast this morning. I was too worried about asking for everyone's help and I'm now starving. After grabbing a tray with food piled up, I headed over to where the rest of the club was sitting. Who would have thought that these people would actually become my friends? I don't think I could go back to my old ways even if I wanted to. These people showed me it's ok to be yourself.

I was lost in my own thoughts until I heard my name being called. I looked up and realized that Rachel had sat down at the table and everyone had strategically placed themselves so that the only seat left was next to me.

"Noah, are you ok?" she asked concern filling her voice.

"Yeah I'm fine. I guess I just spaced out for a minute. I thought you were going to practice during lunch," I said trying to hide just exactly how happy I was she decided to come.

"I was going to but I saw all of you over here and decided that it wouldn't kill me to socialize instead of practicing for once. It's kind of nice to finally have real friends," she said blushing slightly.

"Funny, I was just thinking the same thing," I said as I chuckled.

"What do you mean Noah? You have always been Mr. Popular and had tons of friends," she asked puzzled by my statement.

"That might be the way it seemed but let's be honest. All those people were just scared that if they were on my good side and did whatever I told them that I'd toss them into the dumpster or do something like that to them. No one really cared about me except Finn and I was even an ass to him most the time. It's just nice to finally have people I can trust and lean on." I admitted to her.

Then she spoke words that took me aback as they weren't words I heard very often, "I'm proud of you, Noah."

Rachel really was a far better person than anyone could ever deserve to have in their life. Once you got past the whole controlling diva exterior, you found someone who was kind, caring, bright, funny, and driven. It doesn't hurt that she is hot as hell, too. Those tiny skirts and tight sweater vests were enough to kill any teenage guy. She definitely still made me want to set myself on fire but for an entirely different reason than before I got to know her. Hey, give me a break. I may be changing but I am still a guy after all. Some things you just can't control.

Once again getting distracted and realizing I was taking entirely too long to answer, I responded with a simple, "Thanks."

I think she figured that I felt awkward which in all honestly I did a little bit so she quickly changed the subject. "I was thinking that maybe I would see if everyone wanted to come over to my house after practice today and watch a movie. What do you think?" she asked.

"Um, yeah, I think that would be cool of you. I am sure everyone would come," I tried to respond in a cool voice not wanting to sound thrilled. The more time I could spend with her the better. Even if it did mean everyone else would be hanging around. It was then that the next bell rang, signaling it was time to finish the rest of our classes for the day. All in all, the day had gone pretty smoothly. Definitely better than I could have ever expected. There was still a month and a half before the end of the quarter and a lot could happen between now and then. I just had to keep thinking positive for the time being and have faith that this would all work out.