So I have no idea if anyone is still interested in this story but I am soooo sorry that I fell completly away from it. I know this chapter is short but I sincerely hope that you enjoy it and will let me know what you think. But again I AM SO SORRY! Hope you enjoy!
Rachel stared as Puck sat across from her. All evening she had been trying to pay attention to Jake and enjoy the conversation around her but her mind kept replaying that scene from earlier. The look in his eyes had been unreadable but yet… She felt more in those couple of seconds then all the time before. Even more so than when they were dancing in the kitchen last night.
Half of her was afraid to find out. I mean after all this was Puck. His reputation as a womanizer was well earned. Rachel had no doubt that even the idea of committing to anyone made him physically ill. This was the guy who could not even use girls first names because it was to personal.
How could he ever- She shook herself, this was ridiculous. She did not have feelings for Puck. It must be the Florida heat she reflected and her brain had obviously had not recovered from those few seconds of lack of oxygen on the beach. Rachel turned her attention back to Jake who was sweet and cute. Exactly what she needed.
Puck could barely refrain from growling across the camp fire. As the jerk from this morning placed his hand low on Rachel's back. Ever since they had arrived the guy had been all over her. He was good at it too. Puck had been a player long enough to notice a pro. Slow and subtle Rachel didn't even realize what he was doing.
Rachel who had chosen to ignore him most of the night. Focusing most of her attention on douche face who had guided her over to the rest of his ass friends. Most of them seem a lot like the tool from the beach. Blonde and dumber than a box of rocks.
All except for one.
And this was the one Puck was keeping an eye on. The guy was leaning back sipping a beer slowly and he didn't talk much but he had an energy about him. Puck had a feeling this was the elusive Sam which had been mentioned earlier on the beach. The reason Jake had decided to make his move on Rachel before he could see her. Puck could now see why. It was obvious that Sam was the leader of this little group. Not for any obvious reasons but also because of the way the others interacted with him.
Puck's thoughts were interrupted when Rachel sat down next to him, "Hi," She said quietly.
"Hey," He replied.
"You don't have to stay, you know." Rachel told him feeling guilty. He looked bored out of his mind sitting here. She knew he was not the most warm person and with his hideous Mohawk most of the people at the bonfire didn't seem to want to start up a conversation with him and his somewhat obvious attitude.
And despite still being irritated by his childish behavior earlier she didn't want him miserable. After all he was on his spring break too.
Puck just glared at her, "Berry, I'm not going to leave alone with a bunch of drunk college guys we don't know. So give up trying to get rid of me all-right." He snapped.
Rachel felt her cheeks growing warm with anger, "Fine." She spat out angrily. "I was just trying to be nice.
"Bull-shit." He stated angrily,"you just don't want me around so you and what his face can go fu-" His word dying on his lips as Rachel threw her punch all over him.
"How do you like it?" Rachel hissed before climbing to her feet and walking away without another sound.
Puck wiped his face angrily as the cold liquid dripped of his chin. His shirt was soaked and his eyes burned. He climbed to his feet ready to go after her when he noticed the dude Sam was watching them and had obviously seen the entire exchange.
No-one else seemed to be paying attention including Jake who was oblivious to the fact that his date had just stalked off. Sam smiled a slow grin before raising his can in a mock toast. Puck glared and headed back up to his truck before he did something that would land him in jail because he highly doubted after their little exchange Rachel would come bail him out.
Rachel half-ran down the hill not stopping until she had reached the waters edge. She was so upset she felt dizzy. She closed her eyes counting to ten as she listened to the waves crash upon her feet. It was not working. She was still so mad that she was trembling. How dare he! She fumed. He seemed to think that because he was Puck he had a right to say anything he felt like. Well, this time he had crossed a line.
So much for trying to reach a friendship with a...A- "Again there was no word for him" Rachel cried exasperatedly her voice carrying out to the ocean.
She was so furious at Puck and his insinuation that she had planned on sleeping with Jake. Granted it was not by far the worst thing he had ever done to her but those were before she knew him. Before this trip and she knew his words had left her feeling so raw because of her conflicting feelings which seemed to have sprung up without warning.
Rachel wished she could talk to Sophia. She had missed her every day for the past year of course but at the moment it was so intense that it took her breath away. Images crashed in on her like a slap of cold water.
Fire and metal burning in a field, the smell of burnt grass filled the air. Cries and sirens wrenching through the night. Blinking back tears feeling all of the sudden it was just too much.
She glanced back towards the bonfire. Jake did not seem to have noticed that she had left. On a whim Rachel gathered up her hair throwing it up into a ponytail. She peeled off her sweatshirt stripping down to her bra. As she chucked off her shoes Rachel realized this was a stupid idea.
She knew better than to swim alone in the ocean. Let alone at night. However, she didn't care. Finally down to nothing but her bra and panties she plunged into the water. Taking a deep breath she dove beneath the waves as she swam out. Feeling the current moving her down the beach. Not wanting to go to far out of the way of the others in case she got in trouble she tried to keep the glow of the fire in her sight.
Not wanting to go out too deep she pulled back on her stride. She flipped over to her back allowing the water to support her as she floated. Luckily the ocean was pretty calm tonight and the waves did not crash over her.
Rachel could feel herself calming down. There was nothing quite as soothing than the ocean and the feel of the salt tickling her skin. Among her many other talents Rachel was an accomplished swimmer. Her fathers had always teased that she would be a siren in a mythological world.
With a giggle she poked her toes out of the water. She had never went swimming at night before. Her fathers would be horrified if they knew. They had drilled into her head for years about how the ocean was a strong and powerful force. Plus she knew sharks hunted at night and would come closer to shore than in the day. Making it even more dangerous for her to be out.
However, Rachel figured what they did not know wouldn't hurt them. Besides if she did get bit by a shark they would be to horrified for her to be mad. Feeling like a water nymph she dunked back under the water with a laugh.
Puck stormed down the beach. So far this vacation had really sucked. He should have stayed home and stayed in his boxers for the week. It would be a lot less of a headache then the crap he was dealing with now.
The only reason he had come was for some fun and what had he gotten? A cup of punch in his face. Not that he wasn't sure he didn't deserve it but damn could she have made it more obvious that she did not want him around? Telling him constantly that he could leave.
Sure maybe a few days ago Rachel wouldn't have even had to ask. He would have dropped her off and bolted before she had even opened her mouth.
He was kicking up sand fighting the urge to go punch something when he tripped. Catching himself before he face planted into the sand he was surprised to see that it was a shoe. Bending over he noticed a small pile of clothes lying on the beach.
Puck frowned puzzled, "What?" He was scooping up the clothes when he realized the sweatshirt seemed vaguely familiar. Before he could register why he heard a laugh. Squinting he looked out into the water seeing something shiny bopping up and down in the waves.
His eye widened when he realized it was Rachel. He dropped the clothes in shock as he watched her. She looked like a mermaid.
She moved gracefully through the water as though she was dancing. Rachel kept flipping to her back and doing her effortless back bend into the water, her long legs moving her gently through the waves. Her long hair falling down her back, her bare shoulders glistening as the water kissed her skin. .For a crazy moment Puck couldn't help wishing he was that water.
Rachel let out another laugh as a wave crashed over her. Her face bopping back up gleefully.
Without another thought Puck pulled off his shirt, "I need to wipe off the punch anyway." He told himself with a grin as he headed into the water.
