I narrowed my eyes when I saw Hudson walk hand in hand with Berry. He's been broken up with Quinn, that fine piece, for a week and already, he wasted no time moving onto Berry. I don't know what he sees in that Gleek freak, anyway. Sure, those short skirts of hers are pretty kinky, especially when she bends, they do a little whoosh but nobody moves on from Quinn to Rachel. Not in public anyway. Downgrade, Finn. Downgrade.
I make my way over to the happy couple, holding a beautiful slushie. I was going to use it on Berry this morning, since Grape is her favorite, but seeing her walk in with my best friend changes things. Not by much, but enough that I can't slushie her this morning. I throw it out in the trash, disgusted with myself for ruining a good slushie. This is going to stick with me for the rest of the day.
I lean against Finn's locker, waiting for him to grab his shit so we could walk to first period Spanish together and I could pester him for details on the new squeeze, but he never walks over here. His eyes flick in my direction after I see him drop Berry off in her homeroom, but we don't look at each other long, and he walks right back out. Since when does he cut? Fuck this shit. Now I have to go follow him out. Better hope his lucky stars that Slyvester doesn't see us leaving school grounds. Last time she did, I had to run fifty laps in the rain. If I go down, I'm taking Hudson to do these laps right down with me.
I jog up to him a quarter of the way into the parking lot. If he moved this quick during games, maybe we'd actually win some. I call his name repeatedly but he makes no move to turn around until I grab his arm.
"What's up with the girl, Hudson? You and Fabray break up a week ago and already you're tapping Berry? You realize how that looks to everyone, right?"
"Mind your own business, Puck. This doesn't concern you." I'm astounded, and actually, a little concerned by his balls. He never talks back, that kid. He's always with that smile of his and singing about rainbows and shit. That's why we're best friends. He's so mellow all the time, evening me out.
"Dude, I just asked what's up with the girl. Quit being so defensive. I'm your best friend, remember? I just want to know what's going on."
"Yeah, yeah. I know. It's been a rough day. Sorry, man. But really, I can't talk about it. It's just this whole thing and really, it's Rachel's and I don't want to mess her up by opening my mouth. I'll see you later." He gets in his car and just drives off, leaving me with my mouth agape, saying what the fuck. What whole thing he is even talking about? Figures he'd get himself into some kind of trouble and I'm going to have to bail him out.
I have to proceed onto my next option, which is slightly more complicated, since Berry and I choose to never talk to each other. It's a choice that's worked well for us, with some exceptions when we broke it. I make my way back into the building, narrowly avoiding the security guard. Despite not attending math class in two years, I know we share that class so I saunter in, feeling everyone's eyes on me.
The teacher looks at me, confused at this new development. "And who are you?"
"Noah Puckerman. I attend this class." I sit in the empty seat next to Berry, and prop my feet up on the chair in front of me, causing the teacher to roll her eyes, turning around to go back to whatever she was doing on that board.
"Sup, Berry?" I whisper over to her as her expression turns to bewilderment, and she looks around the room.
"Are you talking to me?" God, she's an idiot. Of course I'm talking to her. How many Berry's are there in this class?
"Yeah. Obviously, unless you know another Berry. Let's chat."
"Am I on hidden camera? Or being Punked? There has to be a reason for your sudden desire for conversation. Take that desire and swallow it. I'm not in the mood for your games today." I don't understand why she's making things difficult, or why she even had to mention the word swallow. I'm attempting to carry on a civil conversation, and now I'm picturing her swallowing instead. Focus, Puckerman. Focus.
"Why? Did Hudson wear you out last night?" A flash of panic flies through her eyes, leaving as quickly as it came. Bingo. I smirk.
"It's okay if you tell me. I already know how good you can be. I'll ask him later, find out how he rates you. I guess you'd rate higher than Quinn. They've never gone that far. Did you sleep with him to compare us? Or was it so you can be the first to touch the rainbow?"
Her hand shoots up, as she asks to be excused. Figures she'd try to escape my questioning. She can't take the heat.
I give the teacher a wink and follow Berry out of the room.
"We're not finished here." I grab her elbow to stop her from running.
"Yes, we are. Get your Neanderthal paws off me. I asked to be excused from Calc for a reason, and that reason was you. I'm leaving. Move out of my way."
She looks kinda green while I'm holding her arm. I let go because I don't want to be responsible for throwing up all over me because I held on too long. But I don't move out of her way.
"You realize he just broke up with Quinn, right? You're just the rebound. Don't get too used to him. He'll get back with Quinn sooner or later, and you'll be dumped on your ass."
"You're misinterpreting my friendship with Finn. He's being a friend to me during a very difficult situation in my life right now. He is being supportive and kind, and helping me deal. That's all there is to it, and obviously being friends with a girl is not something you can understand, considering you don't have any platonic relationships with females."
I narrow my eyes at the last remark. She has a point, but I choose to disregard her rambling and focus on the situation at hand.
"What kind of difficult situation? How hard can your life be, Berry?"
"Mind your own business. You don't know the first thing about me." I roll my eyes at her attempts to be badass. Her life is so pristine, it kills me. She's tapping her foot, which she only does when she's nervous. Good. It means I'm closer to cracking what's going on.
"Get real, Berry. You order boxes of stars from the internet. Your main concern in life is school, Glee, and focusing how to get on Broadway. Your dads love you, and get you everything. You live in a fancy house with a maid, and you've never had to work a day in your life. Admit it. You don't live like us mortals do."
I may have gone too far when I realize she's blinking back tears, and when she stomps on my foot, and scurries off into the nearest girls bathroom. I'm left standing there, wondering what the hell has gotten into everyone. I still haven't gotten to the bottom of anything and I have nothing better to do, it's not like I'm going to attend class so I sigh, and follow her into the bathroom.