A/N: No, your eyes are not deceiving you. Here is another chapter already.
Thank you to all who have read this story, alerted this story, added this story to their favorites, and/or reviewed this story. I appreciate all of it. If you reviewed the last chapter, you may have noticed that I didn't respond to the reviews like I usually do. I decided you would prefer the chapter instead.
I don't have a beta and I do my best to edit my own work, but I admit that after the 800th time or so of reading it through, I tend to gloss over and so mistakes are made. If anyone would like to volunteer to be my beta I would love them forever.
Disclaimer: I don't own Glee, any of the characters or the songs mentioned in this story. The only thing that is mine is the plot.
Chapter 7
***RPOV***
It was the day after karaoke and I was standing on my porch waiting for Noah to pick me up for school. I had my school bag and a small rolling suitcase packed for an overnight. I had cleared it with my dads and Noah's mom for me to spend the night at Noah's. It had been a week since I had spent the night at his place and I missed that connection with him. It was a source of comfort to me to spend extended periods of time with him. Time spent with Noah was refreshing. I could be myself around him and not worry about anything.
Following karaoke, Noah had pulled me close to him in the car and my heart started beating so hard. I was surprised Noah couldn't feel it. Then, just before he got into his truck, he said he thought I looked beautiful. I wanted to run to him and kiss him, but I was rooted in place by my fear. I was still paralyzed with the fear of taking that first step. Deep down, I knew it was an irrational fear, but I couldn't get past it.
I stood on the porch until his truck had disappeared from view. When I could no longer see the red glow of his taillights, I ran into the house and up to my room where I flopped down on my bed. I let out a deep breath I didn't know I had been holding. I grabbed my pillow and held it over my mouth to muffle my scream as I kicked my feet on my bed in joy.
Once I calmed myself down, I reflected on Noah's behavior at karaoke. True, my outfit had not lived up to Kurt's ideals and brought Noah to his knees, but it did evoke some type of reaction out of him. I guess it was a start.
I was brought back to the present by the sound of Noah's approaching truck. He parked in my driveway and got out of his truck to help me with my bags. It was totally unnecessary. I can handle them myself, but he was always such a gentleman with me. This was just another part of Noah that he didn't share with the general public.
Once he had stowed the bags in his truck, he leaned down and placed a quick, chaste kiss on my lips. "Good morning Rachel."
"Good morning Noah." I smiled up at him. My heart started beating wildly again like it had last night. I wanted nothing more than to kiss Noah again, but all Noah did was motion for me to get into the truck. I swallowed back my disappointment and kept the smile plastered on my face.
As we drove to school, we chatted about how we were eager for the weekend. Noah was dressed up for school today. The team had to dress up in shirts and ties on game days, or if the game was on a Saturday, then on the day before the game. McKinley High had one more football game on Saturday and then the season was over. I had yet to go to one of Noah's games. It was never something I had ever really been interested in, but now that he and I were becoming closer, I wanted to go to see him.
"So, I was thinking of coming to your game on Saturday," my voice trailed off at the end as if I were asking a question instead of making a statement.
Noah looked over at me with a smirk on his face. "You don't have to do that Rachel. I know sports like football aren't really your thing."
"I want to go," I told him. "I'd like to see you play."
"Are you sure? Who would you go with? I wouldn't want you to have to go alone."
"I thought I could meet up with Mercedes, Tina and Artie. They usually go to the games to cheer for Kurt."
"You do realize that we are horrible don't you? We probably won't win."
"Noah, I don't care if you win or lose. I just want to see you do this. I know football is really important to you and if it's important to you, it's important to me."
He was quiet for awhile. Just before I could allow myself to get too freaked out, he spoke up. "You can only come to the game on one condition."
I was shocked. He was giving me conditions on going to a public event. How dare he? I let my frustration out at him. "You're giving me conditions for attending your game? I can go if I want – I don't care if you approve or not."
By the time I had finished, we had arrived at school. Noah jumped out of his truck, retrieved his football bag from the bed, and jumped back in shutting the door against the nip of the cool Fall air.
"Take off your sweater."
"Excuse me?" What in the h-e-double hockey sticks was he talking about?"
"You have something on underneath it right?"
"A tank top, but I don't really see how that is relevant right now." My indignation was rising with each passing moment. "What are you trying to do here Noah?"
Noah rolled his eyes at me. "You said you wanted to go to the game to see me play."
"Yes, but . . ." he cut me off before I could continue.
"Then you have to wear this today." He reached into his bag and pulled out a jersey. It was his jersey – with his name on the back. My heart jumped into my throat when I saw it.
"Noah I'm speechless."
"All of the players' girlfriends wear them before the game." As he finished saying this he looked up at me with an unsure glance.
I ripped my sweater over my head and threw it behind my seat. Once I had discarded it, I held my hands out to Noah while simultaneously trying to keep myself from bouncing in my seat. "Did you just ask me to be your girlfriend?" I squeaked out.
Noah chuckled. "Yeah, I did."
I threw myself at him and wrapped my arms around his neck. When I finally pulled away, I pulled the jersey over my head.
"Come here you crazy girl," Noah laughed out. He put one of his hands under my chin and pulled my face towards him as he leaned in to me. Our lips met in a sweet kiss that took my breath away. Once he pulled away we sat there with our foreheads resting against each other.
***NPOV***
I finally broke the spell. "As much as I hate to say this, we better head in to school." We slid out of the truck and I helped her tie the excess material of the shirt into a knot in the back. I brushed her hair forward over one of her shoulders and nuzzled into her neck. "Baby, I love the way my name looks on you." I couldn't help it – I did. I wanted everyone to know she was my girl now.
I had decided last night that I wanted Rachel to be my girlfriend. I didn't want to be just a friend to her anymore. I told myself that at the first sign of any interest from her, I would let my intentions be known. When I picked her up this morning, she had accepted a kiss on the lips so easily and then she made it known that she wanted to attend my game just to see me. I figured I didn't need any more invitation than that.
I walked Rachel to her first class. As we passed through the halls, you could see the shock on everyone's face and hear the loud whispers of disbelief. It's true that I had been "involved" with many of the girls at our school, but I had never let any of them wear my jersey – not even Santana. In our little insulated high school world, this was epic. I just passed by everyone with a smirk on my face.
The day flew by in a haze and school was over before I knew it. I met Rachel at her locker and pulled her into an embrace. "C'mon baby – let's get out of here."
Rachel looked up at me with her big, brown eyes and just nodded her head in response. I offered my hand to her and she took it. We were halfway through the student parking lot when she stopped. "Wait. I promised Kurt I would talk to him before I left school today. Do you mind?"
"Nope. Do you want me to come with you?"
She shook her head. "No. I should only be a minute. I'll meet you at your truck."
"No problem." I took her bag from her and made my way over to my truck. I settled behind the wheel and waited for Rachel. Five minutes passed and I figured she would be there soon. Ten minutes passed and I started to wonder where she was. When fifteen minutes had passed, I decided to go looking for her. I had just shut the door to my truck and turned to make my way over to where Kurt normally parks when I saw her making her way to my truck from that direction. To the casual observer, Rachel looked the same as always, but I could tell there was something off about her now. Something had obviously happened when she was with Kurt.
I jogged over to her. "Rachel, what's wrong? What happened over there?"
She looked up at me with a smile plastered on her face. "Nothing is wrong Noah. I don't know what you're talking about."
It was a lie. "Rachel – tell me the truth. I know you better than anyone and I can tell that something is wrong."
Rachel didn't say anything. She got into the cab of my truck and buckled herself in. I let out a long breath and climbed in after her. I started the truck and left the parking lot. I was driving a little more aggressively than normal due to my agitation. I knew something was wrong with her and she was shutting me out. As I drove, I continued to silently brood. I would sneak glances at Rachel from time to time. She was sitting staring straight ahead and now that it was just the two of us, she had let down her guard. Her shoulders were slumped and the color had started to drain from her face.
We arrived at my house quickly due to my speeding. I parked my truck and ran over to her side of the truck to help her out. I pulled her into my arms and just held her.
"Rachel – say something. Tell me what is happening. You are scaring me baby." I pleaded with her.
She pulled back and looked up at me. "Kurt just said something to me that upset me."
"What did he say? Did you two have a fight?" Rachel and Kurt were usually very close and I couldn't fathom what he could say to her that would've upset her this much.
"No, we didn't fight. I doubt Kurt even knows that what he says upset me." Rachel took a deep breath. "Noah, I promise I'll tell you – I just need some time to process."
Leaning down, I placed a soft kiss on her lips. "Okay, I'll back off, just don't shut me out." I grabbed all of our bags out of the bed of my truck. "Let's go inside. We can relax in my room with a movie."
I got Rachel settled in my room and went back out to the kitchen to slice up some apples to munch on and some bottled waters. There was a note on the kitchen counter from my mom.
Noah,
I am out running some errands. I took tonight and tomorrow night as personal days so I could go to your game tomorrow. I will pick Sarah up from Kayla's house and grab a pizza on my way home. See you and Rachel when I get there.
Love,
Mom
I was happy to learn that my mom would be at my game tomorrow. Her work schedule made it difficult for her to make it to a lot of my games. I was also pleased to see that she had dinner covered.
I went back to my room with the snacks and found Rachel curled up on the bed under the blankets. She was laying on her right side facing the empty side of the bed. I toed off my shoes, placed the food on the nightstand, and crawled in next to her.
I brushed the stray stands of hair out of her face and behind her ear. "So I have some good news – my mom left me a note that she has tonight and tomorrow off so she will be able to go to my game tomorrow."
Rachel sat straight up in bed. "Your mom is going to be here tonight?!"
"Um, yeah." I was at a loss as to what was going through Rachel's mind.
"Did she say what time she is going to get here?"
I shrugged my shoulders. "She just said she would pick up Sarah from her friend's and pick up a pizza and then be home sometime after that. I guess that would mean between 5:00 and 6:00. Why are you so interested in this?"
"Noah, please don't ask why, but after dinner, I need to talk to your mom in private."
"I really wish I knew what was going on, but if that's what you need. . ." my voice trailed off.
"Please Noah, just trust me. I will tell you soon."
I pulled her back down so she was lying next to me and drew her in closer to my body. "I'll drop it for now." I was screaming on the inside, but I couldn't let Rachel see that. I would give her until Sunday before I started pressing her for information again. I wouldn't let her shut me out forever.
"We sure did cause a stir at school today didn't we?" Rachel asked as she smiled up at me.
I let out a chuckle. "That's an understatement. I think I saw Jacob Ben Israel piss himself because he was so excited about the gossip to post on his blog."
"Ewwww – that is so gross. Jacob is so creepy. At least he'll leave me alone now that he knows you're my boyfriend." Rachel giggled.
"Say that again baby."
"What? Jacob is creepy?"
"No – what did you call me?"
"My boyfriend?" As soon as the words were out of her mouth, I crashed my lips down on to hers. We shared a passionate kiss. I couldn't get enough of her, but I willed myself to break away from her before things went too far.
"I love the way that sounds," I admitted to her.
"Me too," she said. Her voice was all breathy from the kiss. Before I could kiss her again, she scooted down the bed and rested her forehead against my chest. All I could do was hold her. She needed comfort and reassurance now more than anything.
My mom arrived home shortly after 5:00 p.m. and called Rachel and I out for dinner. My mom tried to keep the conversation flowing while we ate, but it was a lost cause. Rachel was tense and could barely choke down her pizza. All I could do was focus on how upset Rachel was. My mom could tell something was up, but Sarah chattered away blissfully ignorant to the tension in the room.
Since I had agreed Rachel could talk to my mom after dinner, I sent Sarah into the living room to watch TV and I cleared the table. I stayed in the kitchen washing and drying the dishes while the two of them talked in private in the dining room. What could she possibly need to talk to my mom about that she couldn't tell me? I was tempted to listen by the door that separates the two rooms, but I didn't. I wanted to keep my word to her and respect Rachel's privacy.
I finished up in the kitchen and Rachel and my mom were still talking. I retreated to my room to make sure my things were ready for the football game on Saturday. I hate to scramble around at the last minute. I put the last of my equipment in my bag just as my mom and Rachel walked into my room. My mom's arm was around Rachel's shoulders and it was obvious Rachel had been crying – hard.
I crossed the room in two strides and took her hands in mine. "What happened? What's wrong?"
My mom spoke up, "Noah, you need to calm down. Rachel is already upset enough."
I hadn't even realized my voice was raised. I took a deep breath to calm myself. "I'm sorry. I'm just so worried about you Rachel."
"Noah, Rachel has promised me that she will tell you everything, but she's going to do it in her own time. You are not to pressure her – do you understand me?"
"Yes, Mom." I would agree to anything if it would help Rachel feel better.
"Good. Now, I have to run a quick errand. Sarah is watching TV. Can you keep an eye on her while I step out?" My mom asked me. I agreed and my mom left the room and shut the door behind her. Hmmm, that was odd. She was the one who demanded that the door be open at all times if both Rachel and I were in here.
I led Rachel over to the bed and we got back under the covers. I hit the remote for my stereo and some songs began to softly play. I held Rachel close to me and just smoothed her hair reminiscent of the way she had comforted me after my fight with Finn and the subsequent breakdown.
We laid there just holding each other for about ten minutes. The song changed to "I'll Stand By You" by The Pretenders. I know it had a chick lead singer, but I decided to sing along with it. I needed some way to get through to Rachel and I decided to take my chances with this song to do it.
Oh, why you look so sad? Tears are in your eyes
Come on and come to me now.
Don't be ashamed to cry, let me see you through
Cause I've seen the dark side too.
When the night falls on you, you don't know what to do,
Nothing you confess could make me love you less
Once I sang those words, Rachel started sobbing again. It seemed like the lyrics were getting through to her so I decided to risk upsetting her and kept singing.
I'll stand by you, I'll stand by you, won't let nobody hurt you,
I'll stand by you.
So, if you're mad get mad, don't hold it all inside,
Come on and talk to me now.
And hey, what you got to hide? I get angry too
But I'm a lot like you.
When you're standing at the crossroads, don't know which path to choose,
Let me come along, cause even if your wrong, I'll stand by you
I let the music keep playing on the stereo, but I stopped singing there.
Rachel calmed her crying the best she could. "Noah, when I went to talk to Kurt today he and I had a disagreement over what I should wear to your game tomorrow."
"That's why you're upset?"
I was incredulous. There was no way she was this upset over an outfit. I hadn't seen her this upset since Finn.
"I wasn't finished," she continued in a soft voice. "When I disagreed with Kurt, he accused me of being moody due to PMS."
"Is that what this is? Hormones?" I kissed her temple. "Don't worry about that baby – I understand. It's not a big deal." She must have just wanted to talk to my mom about "girl stuff."
Rachel started crying again. "Oh, I wish it was that simple." She took a deep breath and looked up at me. "When Kurt said he thought I had PMS, I realized that I'm late."
"Late?" My voice reflected my confusion.
"Oh God, this is so humiliating." All of the color had drained from Rachel's face and her voice faltered as she continued. "Noah – I'm late as in I might be pregnant."
Just like that all of the air was sucked from my room. Without realizing what I was doing, I pulled away from her and sat up and dropped my head into my hands. This had to be some kind of cruel joke. First Quinn is pregnant by me and won't let me have anything to do with the baby, then Finn uses Rachel and humiliates her in front of the entire school and now she might be carrying his baby. Could my life get anymore fucked up?
I looked up and Rachel was gathering her things and making her way to my bedroom door. I jumped up and stopped her before she could leave my room. "Where are you going Rachel?"
"It's okay Noah. I understand if you don't want anything to do with me now. I'll just wait with Sarah until your mom gets home with the pregnancy tests." Well that explained where my mom was.
"What are you talking about?"
"You pulled away from me. I just assumed you were disgusted with me. I know I'm disgusted with myself."
I enveloped Rachel in a tight embrace. "Rachel, I meant what I said in that song. There is nothing you could tell me that would change how I feel about you. I'm here as long as you'll have me." Rachel slumped in relief against me.
"Rachel can I ask you something? Didn't you and Finn use protection?"
Rachel shook her head back and forth slowly. "No. I know it was stupid, but I got caught up in the moment and I didn't even think of it." She looked up at me. "What about you and Quinn?"
"She told me she was on the pill and I believed her." Neither of us had anything to say following those admissions.
There was a soft knock on my door. "Come in," I called.
"Hey guys. I have the test here." She held up a small brown paper bag.
Rachel's hands were shaking as she reached out for the bag. "Thanks Linda. I really appreciate your understanding."
"Don't worry about it dear." My mom smiled reassuringly at Rachel and me.
"Um, Linda – I know this is going to sound weird, but can you come into the bathroom with me. I'm too scared to do this by myself." Rachel's voice was timid as she made her request.
"Of course Rachel. You forget I am a nurse – this is nothing I can't handle.
Rachel and my mom retreated and I stayed in my room. I was pacing like a caged animal. No matter what the outcome of the test, I was going to be there for Rachel. I cared about her so much. I would even take responsibility for it if it made it easier for her to explain to everyone. I know she still didn't want anyone to know she had slept with Finn.
Five minutes later, my mom and Rachel returned to my room. I held my breath waiting for their answer.
"It was negative." Rachel was grinning from ear to ear.
I swept her up in my arms and laid a big kiss on her lips. "Oh baby, that is great news. You must feel so relieved."
My mom gave Rachel and me a moment to ourselves before she cut in. "Listen you two, I can't help but notice that Rachel is wearing your jersey, Noah. Does this mean she is your girlfriend now or are you still just friends?"
"Yeah mom – she's my girlfriend now." I smiled at my mom.
"Oh I am so happy for you two. I knew it was just a matter of time." My mom's tone turned serious then. "I have to ask though if you two are being responsible."
Rachel blushed beet red. I answered for both of us. "Mom, we just got together today. We're not ready for that step at all."
"Alright, alright. I won't talk about this anymore right now. The same rules apply for now – I need to know if Rachel is spending the night and the door stays open at all times. Just promise me that when you are ready to take that step, you'll be responsible – even if that means coming to me for advice or assistance. I know that it can seem embarrassing, but I doubt either of you wants to be in this situation again anytime soon." My heart sunk as my mom continued. "Lord knows I'm not ready to be a grandmother yet," she chuckled.
"Mom, I think you better sit down."
A/N: Sorry for the cliffhanger – you know you love it.
The song is "I'll Stand By You" by The Pretenders. It is such a beautiful song – I love it.
FYI – If any of you are Twilight fans I have started a story for that fandom called "Fate, Choice, Control" if you're interested.
Please leave me a review and let me know what you thought. Thanks!
