A/N: Hey here's chapter 8! A lot is going to happen, so, get ready!

Chapter 8: I'm Leaving

(POV Rachel)

"Noah, since when does your mom act like this?"

Noah snorted.

"Ever since I can remember."

"I'm serious, Noah."

"Me too! I really can't remember the time she wasn't like this. I mean, she has been different, but yeah, that was years ago."

"There has to be a reason why she… you know… acts insane and desperately want us to be together."

Puck frowned.

"You got a point there, but not everything has a reason."

I raised my eyebrows.

"What? Of course everything's got its reason. Like, I'm here on this planet to impress people with my talent and you to impress them with your… strength or something…"

"No, not everything has its reason. Get that thought out of your mind."

My eyes widened.

"Noah, I… It's not a thought… It's something I believe in… Are you okay? I mean, are you really mad because I believe everything happens with a reason or is there something else going on?"

Puck turned around on his chair.

"I'm sorry, but I'm worried…"

"Well, don't be! I'm not your boyfriend, so instead of trying to be helpful, go try fixing your own shit!"

I couldn't believe he just said that…

"I-I'm so sorry Rachel, but-"

Before he could finish his sentence I stood up from my chair and walked to the door and opened it, and I wanted to walk away, but I bumped into Miss Puckerman.

"I'm sorry, I-"

I started, but she interrupted me.

"I came to say dinner's ready. I've made it all myself for you guys… You've had a fun talk?"

Without looking at him, I knew Puck was eye-rolling.

"I wouldn't call it like that… but, sure. You're not eating with us?"

"No, I'm not… I err… I've got an appointment… for work… Well, okay, bye! I'm back around nine!"

Before I knew it, she'd gone downstairs.

"Well, that was weird."

I said to myself and followed her downstairs. I heard also Puck follow,

"Hey, you may call my mum weird, but for me, I mean, she saying she's having an appointment as an excuse for something else, it's a common thing."

"And you never asked where she was going for real?"

"No, I… I thought it was better not to…"

"But you say everything you think."

"Not here! At school, yes, but here… well, sometimes… But in this case… I'm actually afraid of where she's going…"

"Where do you think she's going then?"

I asked and then I saw the dining table. There were candles and napkins and there was wine…

"I don't know… but my mind expects the worst, like a broth-"

Then Puck saw it too.

"My mum's losing her mind with this… Let's just pretend she didn't do any of this and let's just eat."

"Great idea."

I said and sat down on a chair. I'll just pretend everything is okay.

/

(POV Finn)

"This is your first time here, huh?"

Quinn smiled at me.

"What? Sorry, I was distracted by this tasteful food…"

I said, with a piece of pizza in my mouth. Quinn laughed.

"You really need to learn you have to swallow your food before you talk… Anyway, I asked if it was your first time here, at Breadstix."

"Yes, yes it is. I've heard people say it's the best restaurant in town… I haven't been to other restaurants yet, but I already agree with them."

"Good. I've never been to other restaurants either. I can tell you, you get never tired of this place. I used to go here every Saturday, with my parents, until…"

Quinn trailed off.

"Until what?"

I grabbed a piece of pizza and took a bite.

"I… well… it's nothing. Just ignore I said that."

Quinn took a bite of her food.

"It's really delicious, right?"

She said without having without having swallowed. We both laughed.

"Yes it is."

/

(POV Rachel)

"You think it's good? The food?"

I looked up at Puck.

"It's okay…"

"Is anything wrong?"

I thought about saying what had been in my mind since the beginning of the dinner, but instead I shook my head.

"Rachel."

"What?"

"You're lying. I can see that."

I looked down at my plate.

"It's nothing. Just leave it… It's not important."

"Rachel, c'mon, just spit it out. I'm not gonna beat you up, or something. I don't beat girls."

"I… I… It just can't go on like this."

"What can't go on like this? Rachel, what are you talking about?"

I ignored him and put some food in my mouth.

"Rachel! You're acting really childish right now! Just say it!"

I swallowed and opened my mouth. I needed to say it.

"Fine. Listen. I think it's better if I leave. I-"

Puck interrupted me.

"What? Why? Where do you wanna go?"

"It's best for both of us. Your mom won't be able to play the matchmaker and I think Finn has to live here instead of me… I don't trust Quinn."

"Do you hear yourself? Now I remember why people think you're selfish."

"What? No! I'm doing this because I see as my brother and I want what's best for you!"

Puck stood up.

"You leaving isn't what's best for me! I'll have to cope with my mother on my own!"

"But Finn-"

I started, but Puck didn't let me talk.

"No, Finn's not coming back! Gone is gone."

"I thought you were best friends…"

"WERE. Yeah, you say that right. I think he's made a really big mistake by kissing you and running away."

I stared at him with my mouth open.

"You're not here to decide whether he'd made a mistake or not. Yes, you can have your opinion, but that's it. I know you want to protect me, but… I'm not twelve anymore, you know…"

Puck sat down again.

"I know… I just… Don't go, okay?"

I sighed.

"I'm sorry… I'm really going."

"But what about your dad? Wouldn't he be disappointed?"

"Leroy? Yes he would, but he isn't going to hurt me. That's not him."

"That's Hiram."

"Yes… but I think I won't see him again soon. Even if my dad – Leroy – decides to go back home, I won't let that happen unless Hiram decides to apologize."

"Good. Just know you can come back whenever you want to."

"I know… Promise me neither you or your mom won't Finn if he comes back."

Puck groaned.

"C'mon Noah, promise me."

"Alright, I promise, but if he does another stupid thing, I will stab his eyes out, 'cause-"

I interrupted him.

"Noah."

"Fine. I promise. When are you going?"

"Now."

I said and stood up.

"What? But… where are you going? I don't understand…"

"To my dad. Leroy. I think he is allowed to leave the hospital by now."

When I looked at Puck's face I knew he was upset. I knew he had to cry, but he wouldn't. Just because he was a Puckerman, and Puckermans don't cry. At least, that's what he told me once. He suddenly hugged me.

"Take care of yourself, Rach."

/

(POV Finn)

"Thank you for taking me to Breadstix, Finn."

Quinn stroked my cheeks and kissed me.

"Oh, it's nothing."

It's been 20 minutes since we've been back and I suggested to make out and she took me with her to her bed.

"No, it isn't nothing… Because of you I remembered why I loved going to Breadstix."

She kissed me slowly and I kissed her back. I brought my hands to her back and pulled myself closer to her. Quinn bit on my earlobe and started kissing my neck, while I let my hand slowly slide lower and lower. Quinn suddenly turned away from me and sat up.

"Finn! What do you think you're doing?!"

"Nothing, I-"

Quinn interrupted me.

"Oh please, I know exactly what you are doing."

"What?"

"Oh c'mon, Finn, you're trying to have sex with me."

"No! I-I-I…"

"Yeah, what?"

"I'm sorry if it seemed like it… I just want to feel like I'm your boyfriend… I just feel like you don't let me in… You don't anything about yourself…"

"So you just conclude you need to have sex with me before I'll let you in?"

"No, I-"

Quinn cut me off again.

"By the way, you don't tell much about your life neither, so zip it,… darling."

"I… I… What do I have to do so you let me in?"

It took a few seconds before she answered.

"You have to take it slow. WE have. Just baby steps."

I nodded and got off her bed.

"I understand. I'm sorry, Quinn…"

I said and left her room.

/

(POV Rachel)

"Dad!"

I yelled and ran to Leroy and hugged him.

"Hey Rach! How are the Puckermans?"

I flinched. I didn't expect him to bring them up.

"They're fine, I guess… But I… Dad, I have to tell you something."

"Take your time."

Leroy said and sat down on the hospital bed.

"I left the Puckermans. Like, really left. And no matter what you say, I'm not going back. I wanna stay with you."

"Oh, Rachel…"

He said and sighed.

"If you're not going back, for whatever reason you think is so important, ten you'll have to return to your father."

I widened my eyes.

"Hiram? No! No, I wanna stay with you! He frightens me… You've just recovered from – you know what – so, I… I wanna keep an eye on you!"

"Rachel, it's not your responsibility and I'm fine! I can take care of myself!"

"Please! I love you, dad, please let me go with you."

I begged him, but his face stayed neutral.

"This is no discussion. I'm going to a hotel and I don't even have enough money to pay for two. I promise you, I'll keep in touch with you. But right now, I'm going to drop you off at home."

I pouted.

"But you can't, like, live in a hotel! How long are you planning on staying there!"

Leroy shook his head.

"I don't know. As long as I have to. You understand I'll do anything for you, right? But I can't separate from Hiram."

I nodded.

"Yeah I do understand. But you do understand we can't live on like this, right?"

Leroy nodded.

"I'm close to getting professional help, dad. I really think we need it. What do you think?"

Leroy frowned.

"I don't think that's a good idea. I bet it will make things worse. Hiram might knock us down even before help has arrived. He will make us regret it. Get that thought out of your head, Rachel. You never think of consequences. You have to start doing that, for God's sake!"

I've never seen Leroy this upset before. I bowed my head.

"I'm sorry…"

He stood up.

"You coming?"

I closed my eyes and nodded. I was scared to death something bad was going to happen. And unfortunately, my intuition was almost always right…

/

(POV Finn)

It was lunch break time and I sat with Quinn in the cafeteria. This whole morning I haven't said a word to her, just because I'd realized how stupid I've been yesterday. I thought about apologizing again, when Tina came running to me.

"Finn, Finn, have you seen Rachel?"

"Like, today?"

She nodded.

"Then, no. Why?"

"She's… She's missing… It's weird. She's been absent this whole morning and nobody knows where she is."

"Maybe she's just sick."

Quinn said, and shrugged.

"No, she always texts me if she's planning on staying home. There is something going on. We can't just sit and do nothing!"

Quinn raised her eyebrows and replied.

"You just want our help to find her because you are like a lost puppy right now. She's your leader and you're her follower. You are nothing without her. And I can tell you, we're not gonna-"

I interrupted her.

"You can count us in."

Quinn scowled at me. I knew she didn't like it, but that was just because she was anti-Rachel & friends. It was selfish.

"You got any idea where she is?"

I asked Tina.

"I… She told me she was staying at the Puckermans…"

I sighed. Of course.

"Well, let's go there, then."

"Now?"

Tina said and frowned.

"Of course now, don't you want to find your leader? Or are you scared to get detention?"

Quinn snapped. Tina crossed her arms and wanted to say something back, but then I saw Puck walking into the cafeteria and interrupted her.

"There's Puck. You stay here, I'll confront him."

I said and walked as fast as I could to Puck.

"What have you done? Where is Rachel?"

Puck frowned.

"Calm down, dude. She's not living at mine anymore, so back off."

Oh no. This was totally going the wrong way.

A/N: So that's kind of a cliffhanger, isn't it? Sorry if you don't like that, I just wanted to get you on the edge of your seat. I have no idea how long it's gonna take for me to update again, but we'll see. Thanks for reading!