A/N: Ta - da! Chapter 9. I am so sorry it took so long, my laptop was delayed a couple weeks getting repaired, but it's back now and hopefully to stay! I'm really excited to get back into this story, I've missed writing it, and I hope you guys are excited to get back into reading it! Again, really, really sorry about the delay! I hope this chapter makes up for it somewhat (:

Thank you to my wonderful beta BuffyAnne, for being awesome and full of support (:

Disclaimer: Glee belongs to RIB & Fox, not me ): "Someone Like You" belongs to Adele. (Sorry if I got the lyrics wrong, I didn't actually look them up and I always get lyrics wrong lol)


I sat in the tiny cubicle after second period, trying to sob quietly. I had a wad of tissues pressed to my face, but my small whimpers and sobs were still very noticeable in the silent bathroom. Karofsky nailed me straight after second period with a grape slushie. You never get used to the cold sting of the corn syrup and ice hitting you in the face, but I've never been as shocked by it. I used to always be secretly prepared for the inevitable attack, but I honestly didn't expect it to happen today. I had been stupid enough to think that just because Puck and Finn were being so chivalrous and understood what was happening, that everyone else in the school did too. God, I'm such an idiot! Of course they don't. I'm still the loser of the school; I'm still gonna be number one on their target list. Now I was sitting in the bathroom, crying my eyes out with no change of clothes and being reminded of all the reasons I hate my life.

I heard the door swing open and sucked in a breath, waiting for whoever it was to leave. They didn't, and after a moment there was a knock on my door. My brows knit together in confusion; who the hell would knock on the door to the only occupied cubicle in the bathroom?

"Rachel?" Of course. Ms. Pillsbury would. "Rachel, I know you're in there. Will said you didn't come to his class and when I checked with Mr. Banks, he said you never showed up to his class either. It's almost lunch. Do you want to come to my office until then?" Apparently she didn't need me to confirm who it was before plowing through that monologue. Upon hearing no sound from me again, she continued her spiel. "Look, Rachel, I know you're in there and I can't stay in this bathroom much longer, so please come out. I can't excuse you from this class or the last one if you don't. "

I sighed and stood to open the door. Ms. Pillsbury was standing on the other side, tense and looking like a cat ready to pounce. Pounce right out of the bathroom doors in her case. I almost laughed but sniffled and started crying again when I caught sight of myself in the bathroom mirror. I had tried to clean off, but my sweater was stained an awful purple color, everyone would know I'd been slushied.

I spent the rest of the hour crying and doing some homework in Ms. Pillsbury's office. She had tried talking to me, but I didn't want to think about what happened, never mind speak about it. Things went so well yesterday, day two of Finn and Puck walking beside me everywhere, that I didn't think anything would happen for the entire thirty seconds they weren't by my side.

Lunch time came and I quickly made my way to the choir room. Everyone had beaten me there anyway. As I walked into the room, Puck looked pissed and Finn looked confused, jaw hanging open slightly. Will was first to speak.

"Rachel? What happened?" A month ago, he wouldn't have asked, preferring to ignore the stains on any of our tops. I smiled sadly, my eyes still red.

"Nothing, Mr. Schue. I wasn't paying attention in the corridors. Needless to say, Karofsky jumped on the chance to discard his dollars' worth of ice cold slushie on my head."

"Motherfucker. He's dead." I spun around to look at Puck, just in time to see him and Finn fist bump and stand to march out of the room, determination gleaming in their eyes. I tried to stop them, but Will beat me to it.

"Enough guys. Sit down. You wanna cause trouble? Do it on your own time, not mine. I'm sick of breaking up fights. Sit down and sing when I tell you to. I don't want to hear a word out of either of your mouths otherwise."

"But, Mr. Schue - "

"I said enough Puck! Sit. Down!"

They both grudgingly sat in their seats.

Not five minutes later Finn stormed out of the room, nodding at Puck inconspicuously as he went. Puck stood up, "Mr. Schue, he seems pretty pissed. I should follow him to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."

Will nodded and Puck followed Finn. Roughly twenty minutes later, both came storming back into the room, red in the face with bloody knuckles and red spots on their clothes. They cornered Santana, and the screaming began.

"Who the fuck do you think you are?"

"How could you do that? She's just out of hospital! What made you think that was OK?"

"If you weren't a girl, I'd slam you into every wall in this building until you couldn't see straight!"

"What is your problem? You are so fucked up. Again, just out of hospital, Santana!"

Santana didn't even look phased, "Shut up, Frankenteen and his idiotic sidekick. What's your freakin' problem? Couple of weeks ago and you would have thrown the slushie. I don't get why this is such a big deal."

"This is a big deal because you're a pathetic little whore. You only feel good about yourself when you're sleeping with anything with a pulse or picking on the smaller people. Are you so insecure that you can't be happy with your friends and the fear automatically felt by everyone when you walk down the halls? You're a cheerio. You're pretty much untouchable. Is that not enough? Do you seriously have to prove your point by making other people feel like shit?" Puck was pissed. He lunged at Santana when she scoffed and made a gesture with her hand, obviously intended to shoo him away. Finn hoisted him back by the waist, and Brittany and Quinn were at Santana's side in a heartbeat.

"You know what, Puckerman? I'm sick of you tryin' to start shit with me. Why are you defending Treasure Trail the past few days, huh? You secretly fuckin' her?"

"Santana, shut up or I'll let Puck go. I don't even know why I'm bothering to hold him back anyway."

"Shut up, Finnocence, I'm not done. Anyway, I might be a whore, Puckerman, but I don't care. I like guys; guys like me. No harm done. I'm not insecure, but I really enjoy the look of terror and heart break on someone's face when I straighten them out or hurl abuse at them. It's satisfying; it makes me happy. But if you ever call me pathetic again, so help me God, I will have your nuts on a platter faster than you can finish the last syllable on the word, got it? And as for you, Finn. You couldn't hurt a fucking dust fleck, so I'm actually not all that worried, but same goes. Now get out of my face. Both of you."

Finn let Puck go as Santana turned away. He grabbed her wrist and spun her into his chest. I was close enough that I could see the force he was using to hold her there and that it was actually hurting her, but to anyone else except Finn, Quinn, Brittany and I, it probably looked harmless, if a little weird. I was also lucky to be close enough to hear the words he muttered in her ear.

"You like Karofsky right, San? I mean, he's on the football team, and he bows down to you and does everything you say. He's pretty fun too." She nods and he continues, "Well why don't you go and see what your little stunt has done to him, hmm? Maybe next time you'll think twice before giving the orders, because I might not like to hit girls, despite my actions when I'm angry, but I know a lot of chicks who will have no problem kicking your ass to L.A. and back. Got it?" He snarled, and Santana's face dropped.

I suddenly knew why Finn and Puck's knuckles were bloody. As soon as Puck let Santana go, Quinn pushed him further away and Brittany caught Santana as she stumbled. She looked confused for a minute before looking at Puck's knuckles and back to his face. She stormed out of the room, her two shadows on her heels, and I caught Finn's attention.

"Finn. Please tell me you didn't do what I think you did?" He flexed his knuckles and dropped his gaze, while at the same time Puck laughed. I flashed my eyes to him, and he continued laughing, before being cut off by a loud yell.

"MOTHERFUCKER. PUCKERMAN, HUDSON, YOU ARE DEAD!" I ran out of the choir room and towards where the yells were coming from, to see a large group huddled around a swollen and bloody Karofsky, lying on the floor. Great. They couldn't keep their fucking fists to themselves. Santana's head snapped up toward me when she heard me gasp, along with a few others. Everyone quickly looked back down, not too bothered with me when they had to tend to the boy on the floor, but Santana's lips twisted into a snarl before she sprung at me. Will caught her before she could get very far though, and pulled her back into the choir room kicking and screaming. Everyone in there stood gaping at us, jaws hanging open and eyes wide. As soon as I walked back into the room fully, and Puck and Finn came to stand beside me, their eyes quickly turned to scowls.

With everyone separated around the room, it became clear where the rift was. Santana stood with Quinn and Brittany on one side, arms crossed and eyes shooting daggers at Mr. Schue, who had warned her against coming near me in such a menacing manner again, and I sat with Finn and Puck on the other side. Everyone else sat in the middle, looking awkward but glaring at me at every opportunity. They obviously blamed me, but I was too upset to care. I blamed myself too, after all.

I spent that night curled up with a blanket and Will on my couch, watching TV and generally feeling sorry for myself. I went to school the next day, hoping things would have blown over by Glee, but alas, they hadn't. I wasn't too surprised. Nothing ever went the right way for me after all. I ducked my head and nearly ran to a seat in the back corner of the room, avoiding everyone's eyes. Everyone within a two seat distance of me immediately moved, and I felt awful. I wanted Finn and Puck to get here, or at least Will, so that maybe everyone would stop being so hostile. I picked at some lint on my skirt and, again, was disappointed when Kurt spoke up from the front of the room.

"This is all your fault, Rachel. I don't know how or why you got Puck and Finn wrapped around your little fingers, but it's causing problems. Big ones. You're a loser. Causing fights between those at the top of the social pyramid makes life a hell of a lot more difficult for us at the bottom, including you. We've all gotten more abuse today than ever before, all because there are tensions between Puck, Finn and Santana. May I suggest you get over yourself and stop dragging Puck and Finn along behind you? It's pathetic."

"Yeah, Berry, it's not cool. Why should we have to suffer just 'cause you're a wuss who's scared of walking down the corridor alone? We shouldn't. It ain't fair. Set this straight, or there's gonna be a whole lot more trouble in your life." Mercedes chimed in, and I could feel tears spring to my eyes. Ganging up on me wasn't fair. This wasn't my fault.

"That's not fair. Finn and Puck can make their own choices, and they made the choice to hang out with me at school and defend me because they're worried about me. Why am I being attacked for it? It is not my fault. Furthermore, why should I apologize and make this right? Why should I take all the heat for the losers? I'm the one most ridiculed and laughed at in this school. Just because I'm not as big a target anymore and therefore you guys are taking a little more of it in the corridors, doesn't mean I should offer myself back into that role, just to protect you. It's fairly obvious you wouldn't do it for me."

"Damn straight we wouldn't. You're meant to be the one takin' all the heat. That's how it works. You take the slushie facials, we stay in Glee club and pretend to like you." I gaped at Mercedes and she looked like she regretted saying that. I grabbed all of my stuff and on the way out pushed past Will with tears in my eyes.

"Rachel, what's wrong?" He tried to stop me, but I shook my head and wrenched myself from his grip, shooting one last look back at the choir room before running to my car.


God, everything just seemed to get worse and worse with this Glee club. They'd never get along. I saw Rachel leave the choir room, and when she pushed me away and hurried out the doors, I saw Puck and Finn round the corner, I quickly nodded at them and jerked my head in Rachel's direction, they nodded back and took after the small brunette before I turned and walked into the choir room.

"What the hell was that, guys?" I shot a look of questioning disbelief around the room, before Kurt rolled his eyes and answered me while examining his nails.

"Ugh, Rachel got dramatic again. We told her to sort out the problems between Finn, Puck and Santana by essentially telling Finn and Puck to get lost, because we're getting a lot more shi - abuse in the corridors now that she isn't a target, and she flipped. She said it was their choice blah, blah, blah and that it wasn't fair that she make herself a target again to save us the grief. Which it totally is. That's the way things have always been, why change it?"

"Uhm, because it is unfair! You guys are unbelievable. Rachel does everything she can for this Glee club; she tries to help you with your voices; she helps me pick songs for competitions that showcase our best talents and give everyone a shot at the spotlight. She's spent all year defending you and Glee club, believing that it would help to make you guys at least appreciate her efforts. She put everything into this club, and you walk all over her. What would you do if you didn't have her, huh?" I was getting very angry at this point, and Tina interrupting me did not help.

"Mr. Schue, no offense, but she only does that so she can win. She doesn't help with our voices, she tells us how bad we are and all of our faults, probably in the hopes of making us feel so bad that we won't want any solos and she can have them all. Lord knows that's all she wants." She finished with an eye roll and I almost slapped her. Well, not really, but you know what I mean.

Finn walked back in then, looking angry, and I assumed Puck had gone home with Rachel. I nodded at him before continuing, "What? That is the biggest load of bullshit ever. You guys are so ungrateful! Why do you treat her like that? Do you realize we wouldn't even be a Glee club if it wasn't for her?"

"No one cares, Schuester, get on with the lesson."

"You're right, Santana. No one does care. That is why Rachel cuts herself, and tried to kill herself a couple of weeks ago, because none of you give a shit about her!" Finn jumped up from his seat and yelled my name, telling me to be quiet, but I wasn't paying attention. "You are so self-centered that you couldn't see someone who was blatantly in need of help. You ignored her, because despite the fact she does everything possible for you guys and tries her hardest to help, you don't care in the slightest about her. Get out of my sight, and come back when you feel like you can actually be a team for once." I dismissed them and watched them leave with shocked expressions.

Finn came up behind me, tapping me on the shoulder. "Mr. Schue, why'd you tell them that? It was none of their business; Rachel is going to be so pissed."

"Rachel doesn't have to know I told them…"

"Mr. Schue, you have to tell her. She's gonna get suspicious when they all start treating her like a china doll, and she's gonna be way more pissed when she finds out you didn't tell her you told them." He raised his shoulders and eye brows at me and walked out of the room.

Fuck. He was right. I was going to have to tell Rachel.


I sat on my couch with a blanket wrapped around my frame, listening to Noah bang around in the kitchen. He was making it difficult to hear the show I was only half watching, so I sighed and muted it.

"Noah, what are you doing in there?"

"Tryna make some lunch that's suitable for your crazy vegan ass. What the hell is 'Tempeh' anyways?"

I groaned as I entered the kitchen and saw the mess, "It's an organic vegan food Noah. Put it down if you're not using it; you are ruining my kitchen!"

"No, I totally wanna try cooking this stuff!"

I lunged at him, attempting to grab the packet, but he deflected easily, stepping back and lifting it over his head. "Noah, while I appreciate the sentiment behind wanting to cook for me, I assure you it is unnecessary and I am not hungry at - OW! Noah! Give it to me!" He poked me in the stomach, only making me struggle harder to get the Tempeh back.

"C'mon, Berry, fight ya for it!"

"No, Noah! And my name is Rachel, give me the freakin' box!" I jumped repeatedly at him trying to pull his arm down, and eventually I just climbed onto the counter behind me. Noah started backing away and I huffed. "Noah, I will jump on you for that box." I warned.

"No, Berry! And my name is Puck!" He imitated me with a flick of his wrist. I huffed out an unintelligible noise, frustrated, and jumped at him. His eyes widened as he stepped forward again to stop me from face planting into the tile, and the small momentum I'd gathered plunged us both to the floor.

The box skidded across the floor and I snatched it up from my place on top of Noah, glaring down at him, "I fucking told you I would jump at you. Don't try this again Noah, I will always win!"

I rolled off of him, with the intention of getting to my feet, but he mirrored my movement and smashed his lips against mine before I could brace myself. I let out an indignant squeal, and Noah pulled back.

"You're hella hot when you're angry, Rachel," he murmured against my skin, and I let out a breathy gasp as he nipped at my neck. He brought his mouth back to mine and, as I wrapped my arms around his neck, he slid a hand up my thigh. I wrapped my legs around his waist and let him pull me up from the floor and set me on the counter. He moved his lips back to my neck as he began to pop the buttons on my cardigan out of their holes with his left hand, while using his right to press me closer to him.

The lock on the front door turning sprung us both apart, and we stared at each other with lust filled eyes before I hopped off the counter and attempted to close the buttons on my cardigan. Puck moved to sit at the island with his hands in his lap, attempting to cover his arousal.

When Will walked in the kitchen door and threw me a lazy grin, my heart stopped for a second. It wasn't technically cheating if you weren't officially together, right? Right.

I smiled back and turned to make some coffee, guilt all over my face.

"Hey Rach, you seem to be in a better mood." He offered as greeting, and my heart stopped again. I had forgotten about the confrontation in the choir room. Puck's lips had made sure of that. My shoulders sagged and I turned to face him.

"Yeah, I… I had kind of forgotten about earlier actually."

"Oh… Sorry." I smiled weakly in return and went back to the couch, setting myself up for a weekend of boredom.


I couldn't feel my hands. I couldn't feel my face. I couldn't feel anything really. Will just said… he said… "They know?" I screeched. I could feel my face now, hot with anger and wet with tears. They rolled down my face unchecked, and I knew my eyes were on fire. "What the fuck do you mean they know?" I shot at him.

He walked over to me but I pushed him away, "No! Get away from me! What do you mean 'they know', Will? Who told them? And when?" My voice rose slightly in pitch and greatly in volume, but damn it I was pissed.

"I'm sorry, Ray. I got angry at them Friday after they attacked you and it just kind of… slipped out."

"It slipped out?" I roared, "It doesn't just slip out! Fuck Will! Get away from me! I can't believe you!"

I turned and ran from his office. I couldn't believe he told them. Who the fuck did he think he was? And to wait three days to tell me? So out of line. I went to the bathroom to clean up, and then the auditorium. Glee rehearsal could go to hell. None of them appreciated me anyway.

I sat down at the piano bench and began plucking out a tune. I didn't recognize what I was playing until I started singing along with the chorus.

Never mind, I'll find someone like you

I wish nothing but the best for you, too

Don't forget me, I beg, I remember you said

"Sometimes in lasts in love,

But sometimes it hurts instead"

Sometimes it lasts in love,

But sometimes it hurts instead.

I was crying again by the end of the song, unsure as to why I had chosen it. The lyrics were powerful, and I always cried singing it. This was the third time I'd trusted someone, loved them, let them into my heart, only to be betrayed.

I jumped and shrieked loudly when someone rested their hand on my shoulder. I turned around, nearly falling off the piano bench, and calmed down when I saw who it was.

"Christ, Puck, you nearly gave me a heart attack!" I placed my hand over my chest for emphasis and exhaled loudly.

"Sorry, what? I can't hear you 'cause someone just DEAFENED ME. Christ yourself Rachel, I'll be lucky to have my hearing properly restored ever."

I looked down and turned back to the piano, making Puck drop his playful smirk.

"Sorry, Rach, I didn't mean to upset you… I was just kidding."

"No, Noah, it's fine. It's not that. Did you know Mr. Schue told the whole Glee club about why I was in hospital?"

He looked shocked, "Damn, I skip after first period and come back to shit all over the place." I looked at him, disgusted. "As in shit hit the fan, Rach, don't look so nauseated. No, I didn't know he told them, why'd he do that?"

I was shocked at Puck's calm demeanor; I thought he would have been furious. "I didn't know you knew what nauseated meant, Pucky boy." He glared sidelong at me and I sighed before continuing

"Yeah, he told them on Friday, just after they all went crazy at me. Apparently he got angry and it just 'slipped out'" I said with air quotes.

"God, I am so sick of people betraying me. Is there not one person I can trust? Who can treat me right?" I dropped my head to my hands, thinking about what everyone would say now. "What are you even doing here, Puck? Glee rehearsal is on right now."

"Yeah, I know. When you didn't show up in the first ten minutes and Mr. Schue looked pissy, I figured you'd bailed. I know my Jewish women." He smirked "Rach, there are people you can trust. Mr. Schue is one of them, even if he doesn't seem it right now. He didn't mean to tell them, I'm sure, but it's better now that they know. You'll have more people to help you and maybe they'll stop being dicks. I'll threaten their lives to make sure it doesn't get out, and if all else fails, you'll still have me. I'll always be here." He grabbed my hand but kept his eyes lowered, and I gaped at him for more than a minute.

"Puck… what? I… You never cared before!"

"I know Rach, but the time I've spent with you the last couple days has been fun. You're actually pretty awesome, even in emo mode, and I kinda like you… a lot."

I could feel his palms start to sweat, but I was frozen. This was insane. Everything was insane right now. But that kiss in the kitchen… I couldn't deny I liked Puck… I'd known him for years, we grew up together till High School happened, and he was actually very kind and gentlemanly. Slowly, my body started to loosen up and I turned to face Puck. I brought my unoccupied hand up to his cheek and turned him towards me. I leaned in towards him, waiting for him to close the distance, and with a quick glance at my lips, he did.

We kissed for a while, lazily, and I smiled when we broke apart.

"This totally means we're dating now." Puck whispered, and I giggled.

"Of course, Noah." And I kissed the groan he tried to emit at the use of his Christian name away.

I deserved someone my age. Someone I could talk about with my parents and friends… well, parents. Someone I could go out anywhere with, kiss whenever I wanted, no matter the location. I deserved someone that I could actually be with, who would grow with me and go anywhere with me without any hesitations. Someone who I could potentially spend a long time with. Will wasn't any of those things. He was my teacher. Someone who had already grown completely, in a different era too, someone who had commitments in Lima, meaning he couldn't go to New York with me - or anywhere for that matter - I'd have to leave him behind. I smiled as I looked into Puck's eyes. This was definitely the right choice. He was definitely the right choice.


One last Author's Note, I'm thinking of writing a Klaine fic, I have the plot thought out somewhat and it's gonna be an angst fest, with nice fluff doses along the way, yay or nay? Would anyone read it?

Please review you guys, it makes my day and encourages me to write the next chapter! Even if it's just "this sucks" (Although preferably not… that would make me sad), I'll still appreciate it!