"For my 'sexy song' I will be singing Hot by Avril Lavigne," Rachel announced to us all. I could tell she was trying to look a little more risqué but her attempts had failed. She still looked as preppy as ever.
"You're so good to me, baby baby. I want to lock you up in my closet, where no one's around. I want to put your hand in my pocket, just because you're allowed. I want to drive you into the corner, and kiss you without a sound. I want to stay this way forever, I'll say it loud."
As Rachel was singing, I was listening, but not watching. My eyes were wandering and they met Finn's for a moment. He smiled at me and I smiled back. We hadn't talked since yesterday and I was unsure of how our conversation would go. Based on that look, however, I wasn't feeling nervous.
Rachel must have seen the look that Finn was giving me because not only did her volume increase, but the look on her face was more angry than sexy.
"Now you're in, and you can't get out. You make me so hot. Make me want to drop. It's so ridiculous, I can barely stop. I can hardly breathe. You make me want to scream. You're so fabulous. You're so good to me baby, baby. You're so good to me baby, baby." She sang the chorus, and don't get me wrong, it sounded great. But I just felt like she was over singing it a little bit. Maybe that was just her style.
Suddenly something landed in my lap. I looked down and found a crumpled piece of paper. I looked around curiously and saw Puck watching me with a smug smile. We made eye contact briefly and I felt a chill go up my spine, in the best possible way. I assumed the note was from him. He nodded and urged me to open it. I looked at him cautiously but followed his advice.
The note read: Check your phone.
Not exactly what I was expecting, but I slyly pulled out my cellular device and noticed that I had a new text message from Puck. Surprise, surprise. I opened the text, expecting something great to be in there, but all it said was: We're still on for tomorrow right?
Oh right! The party tomorrow night! I legit would have forgotten had it not been for Puck. I texted him back: Yes, but need I remind you this is not a date.
His response was almost immediate: Not yet it's not.
I didn't feel the need to respond. I looked to him across the room and could tell he was beyond excited, no matter how much he was trying to hide it. I had to admit, it was rather adorable. And then I remembered what had happened between me and Finn. I still hadn't told Puck and I really was not looking forward to that conversation. I was still unsure as to how he would react. My plan was to tell him in the car this morning, but I chickened out. I'm not exactly good with confrontational stuff.
Rachel finally finished her rendition of Hot and the applause followed. This led me to my next thought, which revolved around the fact that I still didn't have a song to sing for tomorrow. I could probably pass it off, but it was my first week. I didn't want to seem lazy just yet. I'd have to brainstorm when I returned home. Either that or Google, and something in me was leaning toward the second option.
The bell rang, interrupting my deep thoughts. I quickly collected my things and zipped up my book bag. Everyone had left the room except for Finn and I. He was waiting for me, which was good because we hadn't had a chance to talk until now.
"Hey Kate," he said ever so sweetly.
"Hi Finn. How are you?"
"I'm alright, and yourself?"
"I've been better," I stated plainly.
"Something bothering you?"
"Nothing in particular. A lot of things are starting to pile up and I'm just a little stressed."
"Do you need something to relieve stress?"
"I probably should. I'm never good with that."
"How's tonight?"
"I could probably swing that. What did you have in mind?"
"It's a surprise. I'll pick you up at 7." He walked away, leaving me curious and also slightly nervous. But I trusted him, so I knew things would be alright.
The day went on uneventfully, as per usual. All the learning and socializing and stuff tends to blend together after a few days. Being the new girl had its ups and downs. Everyone recognized me and seemed to know me, but only certain people interacted with me. I was becoming better friends with the football players and being the manager of the team just got more and more fun, even if our team was terrible. They actually seemed to be getting slightly better. I don't know why but suddenly more plays were being made and more points were scored. The first game of the season was next Friday and I was in charge of the scoreboard.
Practice ended and we all gathered into the huddle. Somehow, I ended up in the middle and the smell was almost unbearable. It was kind of interesting how my best friends this year were pretty much all guys. The girls seem pretty cliquey and catty, and I'm just not into that stuff. Guys are much easier to get along with. They are straight forward and to the point. There's nothing you really have to figure out about them.
They all headed toward the locker room and I collected all the things I needed to clean up. I didn't know who was planning on driving me home tonight, but I was kind of hoping it would be Puck. I hadn't seen as much of him lately. Once all of my work was finished I waited out in the parking lot hoping to find a ride home. Puck saw me first and approached me with a smug grin on his face.
"You need a ride, don't you?" he asked ever so slyly.
"Maybe," I commented.
"You're coming with me," he said, signaling for me to follow him. I walked in step with Puck and he surprised me by taking my bag from me.
"When did you become such a gentleman?" I asked.
"Just another one of my dazzling personality traits." I had to laugh. He opened the door for me, impressing me further and he placed my bag in the back with his own.
"So how have you been Puckerman? I feel like it's been a few days since we've hung out."
"Well that's because you've been spending so much time with Finn. He won't stop talking about you."
"Oh, I meant to tell you about that. See yesterday he gave me a ride home and we ended up hanging out."
"Yeah, that's cool. We are best friends."
"There's more. I guess we were talking and then we, sort of kissed?"
Puck was quiet for a moment. He looked over at me briefly and then turned back to the road.
"I don't know what's going on between us but as of right now, we're just friends. Okay?" I added, hoping to relieve the tension. It didn't do much. "Please don't be mad at me. Even though we aren't a couple or anything, I don't want to hurt you and it just sort of happened. I wasn't planning it or anything."
Still silence. I racked my brain but I couldn't come up with anything else to say to make this any better. I guess I just had to wait for him to say something.
"I'm upset, but not with you. I guess I just have some things to workout okay? I'll see you tomorrow." By this point, we had reached my house. I grabbed my book bag from the back and exited the car. I walked around the front of the car and stopped at the driver's side. Puck rolled down the window and just looked at me. I saw the hurt in his eyes.
I put my hand on his cheek and said, "Hey. It didn't mean anything okay? And we, as in you and I, have plans tomorrow night, remember? You better call me tonight." This comment seemed to lighten the mood as he smiled at me. I walked into my garage and put my things down to think. Believe it or not, I was really excited to go out with Puck tomorrow night. And that's when it hit me, the perfect song to sing for glee club. I jumped in excitement before relaxing on the couch and thinking through my performance for tomorrow.
I had about half of my homework finished when the doorbell sounded. I answered and saw Finn standing on my doorstep in his letterman jacket.
"Oh Finn. I'm sorry! I completely forgot. Can you give me a minute to get my things together?"
"Sure, no problem."
"Please come inside. You can help yourself to a drink and please just make yourself out home. I promise not to take too long."
"Don't worry about it. Take as much time as you need."
I dashed up the stairs into my room. I changed my shirt quickly and grabbed some cash while sliding my Vans onto my feet. I was looking really casual yet that was absolutely okay with me. After all, it was only Finn. I was so comfortable with him that I felt no need to impress him.
Moments later I returned downstairs and found my jacket so that we could head out. I found Finn looking around the kitchen semi-awkwardly. But he seemed comfortable.
"Ready?" he asked me.
"Yeah, I'm all set." He followed me to the front door as I shut and locked it behind him. We took the front path to his car and he opened the passenger side door for me. I just could not get over how much of a gentleman he was. They don't make guys like this in Pennsylvania.
Once we were both all settled in the car, Finn revved the engine and backed out of the driveway.
"So, where exactly are we going?"
"To relieve stress. We'll be there in about five minutes."
"Oh okay. I guess it's good I'm going out. I haven't exactly explored this small town yet."
"There isn't much to do, but if you know where to go, you won't be bored."
"I'm hoping that you will explain to me where the best hangouts are."
"Eventually." Oh nice. Leave me hanging there. Conversation continued normally and soon I saw we were pulling into the parking lot of a bowling alley.
"Bowling? We're going…bowling?" I asked.
"Yeah, it's a great way to distract you from life. Why, are you not into bowling?"
I had to laugh, "No, bowling's fine. I guess it's just that my friends and I back home always through of bowling as a joke. I trust you though. It'll be fun."
We walked in to the joint and I was immediately consumed by neon lights and an old-fashioned sort of feel.
"Hey, Finn. How are ya?" Someone asked.
"Hi Annabelle. I'm doing just fine," he said to the woman working the desk. She was probably in her 50's and she had curly red hair. She looked really sweet, with a little sass.
"Oh, and who's your friend?" she asked curiously.
"This is Kate. She's new in town and she needed to lay off some tension so here we are."
"Hello sweetie. I'm Annabelle and this is my place. What size shoe do you need?"
"Hmm, like a seven?" I answered. She grabbed my shoes, as well as Finn's, and placed them on the counter. I slid $10 dollars over to her but she shook her head.
"Don't worry about it. Not only is it your first time here, but you came with my favorite customer. It's on the house."
"Oh, wow. Thanks." I smiled to her. She smiled genuinely back at me as we walked to our lane. Number 5, how fitting. I took a seat in front of the keyboard, planning to set up the game, when I realized that the board was already partially completed. I looked up at Finn in confusion and waited for him to explain.
"Yeah, so I come here a lot. I know just about everyone who works here. And I always bowl in this lane. So now they just have it preset for me."
"Right. But why does it say…Frankenteen?" I said while holding back giggles.
"Well the first time I ever went bowling, it was with my uncle. And he told me that it's more fun to make up cool nicknames and use them instead of just using your own name. Someone called me Frankenteen once and it just stuck with me. You know, because I'm like tall and…"
"Muscley?" I said finishing his sentence. "I get it. Very clever. There's only one problem though."
"What's that?"
"I'm not sure I have a nickname."
"What about Buttercup? You know, because that girl in the Princess Bride was named Buttercup."
"That's interesting. It just sounds a little too girly to me."
"How about Striker, since you play soccer and all."
"Yeah, I like that."
"Now you need a first name to go with that…"
"How about Sasha? It's very feisty."
"Sasha Striker…I like that. Type it up." I followed his instructions and set the game to start. Finn was up first and started the game off with a strike.
"Should I be surprised? Or should I expect you to knock every pin down on each of your turns?"
"Probably more of the second option. I'll take it easy on you though," he said with a smile.
"Oh thanks, that makes me feel better," I joked. I grabbed a light blue bowling ball that seemed about the right size for me. I walked up to the lane and right as I was about to take my turn, I froze. I turned around suddenly only to see Finn watching me intently.
"Is it possible to put the bumpers down?" I asked innocently. Finn just chuckled before hitting a few buttons. I turned back around to find a bowling lane accompanied with bumpers. I was hoping my athleticism would assist me since I didn't have much experience with bowling. Unfortunately, it didn't. I think I managed to knock down three pins on my first turn. I walked shamefully back to Finn and he just laughed. I shrugged and waited for my ball to turn up which it did eventually. After another shot, I managed to score a 6 in my first frame. Finn walked up again and continued his winning streak with a spare.
"Okay, give me some tips. How do I bowl better?" I asked.
"Just relax. This is supposed to be fun, remember? Have fun with it." I gave him a look of disbelief, but decided to go with it anyway. I grabbed the bowling ball and just bowled, having fun with it. And believe it or not, I knocked over about half the pins. I jumped out of excitement and then calmly returned to a chill state, hoping Finn didn't notice. He did.
"Now what do I do?"
"You want to aim it more towards the right."
"Right. And how do I do that?"
"Why don't I just help you?" I nodded in agreement as he came up behind me and reached his arm around me. He counted to three and we both let go on that number. The ball was rolling at a fast pace and once it hit the first pin all the others crashed down.
"Aaah, a spare!" I shrieked. I embraced Finn in a hug, and he hugged me back, feeling my excitement. Eventually we broke our tight embrace and we were stuck just looking into each other's' eyes. Finn leaned down, accounting for the height difference, and his lips touched mine. We kissed for a moment before I pulled away. I looked up at him and saw his adorable face, but I realized things just weren't right. There wasn't any chemistry. I took his hand and led him over toward the seats, prepared to give him a talk that I really wasn't looking forward to.