AN: Hiiii! Just a heads-up, I used Tina's POV on this chapter. hehehe :))


It's been almost a week since I came back here in Providence. And I'm not going to lie, after having all the wedding prep and hanging out with everyone; I'm really missing everyone already, especially Artie. I'm not being biased. It's just that out of everyone, he's the closest one to me. We really go way back before glee club, so it's really inevitable for me not to miss him the most. Which is weird, he seems to be a bit distant lately since I got back here. Or maybe he's upset with me? But why would he be upset? I haven't done anything wrong to him. I know Artie, he doesn't reply to texts with just one sentence or just two words. Usually, he puts a novel in his replies, especially when he got into film school. He replies like he's some philosopher or something. Kidding. But I don't know, I guess he's just busy working on some short film or something for school. Maybe I'm just too paranoid. Yeah, it's not 'maybe' Tina, you are really paranoid. He's just busy with school. Don't disturb him.

While I was doing my term paper for my major, I couldn't help not to think of all the things that we've done during the past week. It's been a long time since we both sneaked out late at night just to hang out. Well I was the one who usually who goes out to his house during the wee hours because my parents usually leave me all alone whenever they're away for their business trips, and I don't want to sleep alone in our house so I invite Artie to sleep over while they're gone. But his mom doesn't want him to sleep on other people's house that's why I was the one who sleeps on their house. Well that was back when before we dated and while we were still dating. After Artie and I broke up, things really had changed. As much as I wanted to go out late at night to talk to him and sleep at his house, I already had Mike. Though Artie and I remained good friends, our break-up never became a hindrance for us to become as close as we are right now.

I took a short break from making that freaking term paper and made some tea to calm my senses. While waiting for my tea to steep, I suddenly had a flashback everything when Artie and I went to Lima Bean. It was really nice catching up with him. To be honest, we've never done that in a long time now. And we really should do that when I get to New York this weekend. I hope that he's not too busy when I get there.

"Tina, after all these years that we've been through, you'd expect me to leave you? You know, we may not be together anymore, but you'll always have a special place in my heart. You're my best friend, Tee. And besides, I'm your back-up fiancée, remember?"

"Back-up fiancée..." I mumbled as his voice echoed in my head. I still can't believe Artie made that pact. Did he just made that pact out of pity because Mike dumped me? I hope not. I mean, what if I end up marrying a cheater? Or maybe I could be a battered wife like Coach Beiste? Oh god, I don't want that to happen to me. At least with Artie, I know that I'm safe. And he's right, our kids are guaranteed to get in to every pre-school. And the sexual chemistry...hmmm.

I stared on the last selfie that we took right after our lunch date as I take a sip on my tea. His eyes were glowing and it was pretty much obvious that he was genuinely happy, and same also with me. It's been a long time since I've smiled like that...I miss that kind of Tina. I'm so lucky to have Artie. I mean, he's only one of the few who really believes in me and he never really gave up on me. That's why I really love him so much. I can't imagine my life without him. Sometimes, I just wish I also got accepted in New York too so that I could get to be with him and with the rest of our friends whenever I wanted to.

All these thoughts are making me miss him more. Ugh. I really wish it was Friday already so that I could get to be with him...I mean, them, my friends. Yeah, my friends, not just Artie.

"I miss u sooooo much already. :(" I typed on my phone and hit the send button.

After a few minutes later, my phone lit up as I was sipping my tea, "Same" He replied. There's something going on with Artie. He's not usually like this. He's been like this for the past few days and it's been bothering me a lot. I immediately dialled his number and after a few rings, he answered it. "Artie, are you alright? What's wrong? Why are you acting so weird lately?"

"Tina, h-hey, err, I'm fine. Don't worry." He said with a faint chuckle.

"No, Artie. You're not okay. There's something bothering you. I can feel it. Artie, you can always talk to me. I'm your best friend, remember? I'm sorry if I'm worrying too much. I couldn't help it, okay? Because you were doing fine the last time that we were together and then you've been acting weird when you got back there in New York." I was really worried about him. I really want to know what's going on and maybe I could help him resolve some things.

"I'm fine, Tina. Believe me." Artie was never a man of few words. I mean, he was before, back when we were in freshman year. He would always keep quiet whenever there are jocks around us or something, but he was never quiet when he's with me. We would always talk about a lot of things whenever we're together. I swear, we could talk about everything under the sun. That's what I love the most about Artie. I could feel that he trusts me too much to let his guard down whenever we're together, and I'm also the same with him. He doesn't filter himself when he's talking to me. He could be brutally frank or awfully sweet to me. That's how our friendship works.

"Really? So 'K', 'Yea', 'Yep', 'Same', 'Sure', means that there's nothing wrong with you?" I couldn't help not to raise my voice at him. I could tell that he got pissed by my tone when he took a deep sigh.

"Tina, you're overreacting. You know that I use those words whenever I text. Sheesh." He said.

"Yes, I know. But you never use them frequently..." I pouted. He's right. Maybe I am overreacting, am I? Maybe I just got used to his long texts when I was helping him plan the wedding.

"I-I'm just busy with schoolwork, that's why. Sorry if I got you worried." His voice was calmer now.

"Nah, I'm sorry also for being too paranoid. I care about you, okay?" I care about you, Artie...maybe too much. Because that's what best friends do, right?

"Y-yeah, thanks, Tina. I..I need to go now. I still need to finish some scripts tonight. See you soon, Tee. Bye." I could tell that he was a bit nervous on his tone. But why would he get nervous? Hmm, maybe he had too much coffee. Oh, Artie, too much coffee is bad for you. I wish it was the weekend already so that I would know what's really going on with him.


AN: Sorry if this chapter may seem to be a filler, but I promise that the best is yet to come. Swear. Lol =))

Thoughts? :D