Author's Note: I don't own Glee!
Chapter 7
Puck's POV
I was pretty sure that Rachel was doing her best to avoid me the rest of the day. I barely got a chance to say hi as she slipped into Spanish as the final bell rang. I tried my best not to imagine she had stalled on purpose. She chose the empty seat next to Finn, which I tried not to let bother me. But then I had to remind myself of the conversation I had overhead at lunch. She was genuinely bothered by the fact that I was a stud. That she felt that because she wasn't experienced, she wouldn't be enough for me. But Santana was right. It wasn't about sex with Rachel. I loved being around her. She made me smile a lot more than I am used to. She also made me want to be a better person.
Mr. Schue passed out a quiz and announced that the Glee kids were excused to the auditorium once we finished. Regionals were this weekend and we had practice every day after school except for Friday. Saturday morning we were going to be meeting at the school at 8:00am for a few extra hours of practice before loading the bus to Dayton. I wasn't too thrilled about the early hour on a Saturday, but if it was going to help us win, I wasn't going to argue.
Of course, Rachel was the first to finish her quiz. I watched her out of the corner of my eye as she packed up her bag. I caught her quickly glance over at me and my eyes returned to the quiz.
She stood in front of Schuester's desk as he looked over her quiz.
"Good work as usual Rachel. I'll see you in the auditorium. If you can, make sure the sound system is all set for us."
"Yes sir," she said. It was quiet and rough, as if she hadn't spoken in several hours. Mr. S watched her leave the room with a hint of concern.
I quickly finished the quiz, pretty confident in my answers. Spanish was actually pretty easy for me. I think it had a lot to do with Santana. Over the years I heard her speaking with her parents in their native language. Also, Mr. S is a pretty kick ass teacher.
"Well done Puck! Conjugation is your strong suit!"
I gave him a quick nod and a "see ya in Glee" and dashed to my locker. I had to get Rachel by myself so we could finally talk about what happened today.
As I reached the auditorium, I heard Rachel speaking with Brad and walked slowly to the stage.
Brad saw me first and gave me a quick nod. I returned it and hopped on stage.
"You sure you're okay being in here," I asked as I approached her.
She shook her head, "I'm fine."
She tried to move past me and I grabbed her wrist before she could. Her eyes landed on the contact and then up to mine. I couldn't help the hitch in my breath when I saw a hint of sadness.
"Will you please talk to me?"
"Noah, I'm fine. What happened today will just be something that I need to get used to."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
She took a deep breath and looked over my shoulder, "Brad, can you give us a moment?"
Once we were alone, she took a seat on the edge of the stage and I followed suit.
"Noah, I am not sure what you see in me," I could barely hear the words, but I did and it pissed me off. I went to respond but she held a hand up to stop me, "I just need some time, okay?"
Her eyes seemed to fall anywhere but on me. I open my mouth to respond when the school bell to note the end of the day rings. Quickly after that a few gleeks make their way into the auditorium. I watch as a laughing Tina and Mercedes make their way through the doors followed by Mike, Sam and Quinn.
When I look back over, Rachel is standing and I try to ignore her wiping her cheek.
Thankfully Mr. S comes in a few minutes later and announces we'll be working on the second number today. I wasn't sure how well me and Rachel's duet would go with the mood both of us were in.
Rachel's POV
By the time Thursday rolls around, I am mentally exhausted. I spend whatever time I could preparing myself for the competition on Saturday. The rehearsals up until today were mostly spent on the second number because Mr. Schue seemed convinced that mine and Noah's chemistry along with the fantastic contemporary dance that Brittney and Mike would be performing along with it, a sure fire hit with the judges.
At lunch I could barely eat my salad. I wished more than anything that I could make my brain agree with my heart on the Noah situation. I know he cares for me, and the fact that he admitted to loving me in front of the entire Glee club should be enough. But when I look up to see him flirting with a random Cheerio at the jock table my stomach drops. Obviously this girl didn't take Santana's threat to Nicole as a warning. Did he really think that that was going to help my decision? Obviously he doesn't care enough because he just lets her sit on his lap.
I am not the only one to notice and I feel Santana stand next to me. I put on hand on her arm and stand, "Don't, he's obviously given up on me. Three days seems to be too long of a wait."
She gives me a sympathetic look as I smile and walk away. I pretend to not feel the pair of hazel eyes on me as I walk out of the cafeteria.
Puck's POV
"What the FUCK Puckerman!"
I knew this was coming. Maybe it wasn't the best idea to let Chelsea flirt with me and I probably made it worse flirting back. But I felt like an absolute dick the moment I saw Rachel leave lunch after just ten minutes of sitting down.
I turn and am a little surprised to see Brittney and Quinn standing on either side of Santana.
"I know, okay," I shut my locker and turn back, "It was a dick move. But damn, how long do I gotta wait before she decides she's too good for me?"
All three girls roll their eyes simultaneously and I gotta admit, it's a little freaky.
Before I know it, Santana is pushing me into the locker. I give her my best 'What the fuck' face and her finger is in my face, "Make it right!"
And with that they are walking away.
How the fuck am I supposed to 'make it right?' and what the fuck does that even mean. I decide to sit in my truck the rest of the day cause really, how am I supposed to think about this when I have teacher's yappin in my ear. I make a quick trip to the convenience store and am walking back into school as the final bell of the day rings. I spot Rachel at her locker and make my way over.
"Peace offering?"
She looks at the grape slushie I'm holding out and her eyes quickly move to mine. A small smile flashes and is gone quickly but she takes the cup from me anyway.
"Thank you Noah."
I take the straw from behind my ear, rip the paper off and stick in through the lid, "Walk with me?"
She nods, closes her locker and we slowly make our way towards the auditorium, "I'm sorry about lunch, that was really shitty of me," when she doesn't respond I take it as a good sign and continue, "I just, I should know that jealousy isn't the best way to try to make this right. You're too smart for that," we make it to the auditorium doors and I stop her. I place a hand softly on her hip and cheer silently when she doesn't move away, "Rachel…I understand why you are having a hard time with this, but I promise you, I will not let you down. We are both going to New York and I want to build something special here."
My heart jumps when she smiles, "I know," I could just kiss her right then and there, but I still don't know where she stands as far as 'us' goes. "And I want to do the same, but," yeah, but, there is always a but, "We need to take it slow okay?"
Okay? Hell yeah, okay! I am totally cool with that. I try my best not to grin like an idiot, but it doesn't work. The giggle I get in response is totally worth it. I wrap my arms around her and kiss the top of her head, "Ready to sing this badass love song with me?" I ask. We make our way into the auditorium where all the gleeks are scattered on the stage.
She laughs, which just makes me grin even bigger, "absolutely."
Practice couldn't go any better and Mike and Brittney's dance is off the chain good! I'm more than a little excited that Rachel decides to let me drive her home since her car is in the shop. When she's done saying good bye to Kurt in the parking lot, I help her into my truck and quickly get a good glance at her legs. What? They're good legs!
I hop into the driver's side, start up the truck and we make our way out of the school parking lot, "Mind if I make a quick stop?"
"Not at all."
We chat for a bit casually about the test we had that day in Calculus and I am glad to hear her go on a tangent about Mr. Branson and his need to cough after every sentence.
I pull into the local grocery store and tell her I'll be right back. I quickly make my purchase and make sure to hide it behind my back as I walk back to the car. I hop back into the truck and hand her the pink Gerber daisies.
"Noah," she says it with a smile on her face and her eyes water a bit.
I shrug, "I know they're your favorite."
She looks at me like she is shocked I even knew that. I had heard her mention it one day in the summer when she, Finn and I were in the grocery store buying supplies for a back to school BBQ. At the time, I silently tried to hint to Finn to buy her some, but the big goof just thought I had something in my eye.
I'm only a little surprised when she leans over and places a soft kiss on my lips. She whispers a thank you and kisses me again. I kiss her back and she quickly pulls back. We both know that neither of us have much self-control when it comes to kissing the other. I let her know I'm cool with it when I take her hand in mine after pulling back on to the street.
We're sitting in her driveway shortly after and as she's unclicking her seatbelt when I ask if I can drive her to school in the morning.
"I would like that."
She leans over and gives me a quick kiss on the lips, says goodbye and before I know it she's inside her house.
Later that night when I'm sitting in bed playing COD, my phone buzzes with a message. I grab my phone and smile when I see it's from her.
Thank you
There's no need for her to say any more than those two words. I type out my response, knowing it's pretty corny, but I know I will put a smile on her face.
You're worth it…
a/n: Major fluff there at the end, but I figured it would be enjoyed.
I hope to get the next chapter up soon which will have a visit to Temple and the Regionals competition.
