Apologies for the delay in updating! Life has been a little hectic. I know how I want this story to end (already have the last scene written), but I'm not quite sure what the journey to that ending will look like yet. So, I might be a little slow with updates.
As the week unfolded, there were clear signs of something emerging between Puck and Rachel. Quiet smiles exchanged when Puck banged on Rachel's locker to force it open. Meaningful glances during classes, which Puck strangely managed to attend this week. Waves swapped from football field to bleachers, which Rachel just happened to sit on afterschool. Overall, though, their budding intimacy remained a slow-moving whisper, which was quite disconcerting to their self-proclaimed matchmakers.
"I thought you said Puck had a handle on this situation, Quinn!"
"I thought he did! When has the guy ever been slow-moving when the possibility of sex was involved?"
"This just proves that he actually likes her. She's not just a conquest to him. He loves her!"
"Okay, let's not quite go that far. I do think we need to help move this situation along though. I think I have an idea, but we'll have to get everyone in Glee on board."
Quinn had managed to pull aside everyone before the Glee meeting and all agreed to assist in the project. It began with conveniently filling all of the seats so that Rachel and Puck had to sit next to each other. Of course, no one missed the way that Puck's arm casually laid across the back of Rachel's seat temporarily, just like no one failed to notice the blush that crept onto her cheeks when her knee accidentally brushed against Puck's.
After Glee rehearsal was over, Quinn suggested that everyone get together that weekend to see a movie at the drive-in theatre. After some debate, everyone agreed on seeing the Blind Side, since it involved football and Sandra Bullock…something for everyone.
The gang met up at Kurt's house on Friday evening as planned. Artie needed some assistance getting into Kurt's Navigator and after some failed attempts of Kurt and Mercedes to give him a boost, Puck wordlessly went over and easily lifted him into the car. Rachel couldn't help but smile as she noticed the way that Puck smiled, and then of flexed his arm muscles, in response to their appreciation for his assistance. Tina naturally jumped in to ride beside Artie in the backseat, while Mercedes got into the front seat beside Kurt.
"Well, since Brittany and Santana will want to ride with Matt and Mike, I guess that leaves Puck and Rachel to ride with Finn and myself', Quinn said, barely concealing her delight at how the plan was so easily put in motion.
When the gang had arrived at the drive-in theatre, Puck and Rachel had to move closer to the center of the backseat so that they could see the screen from in between the front seats. For once in her life, Quinn was pleased she had such a small car with a small backseat.
As the movie started, Quinn noticed in the rearview mirror how Puck and Rachel had gradually moved closer to each other like attracting magnets. Puck's arm was draped across the back seat and Rachel was angled so that her shoulder was slightly resting on Puck's chest. When Quinn saw Puck's hand unconsciously playing with Rachel's hair, she knew it was time to leave. She practically dragged Finn out of the car, while muttering under her breath something about pregnancy and cravings and the bathroom.
After they left, Puck and Rachel sat in comfortable silence, until Rachel suddenly spoke.
"Puck, do you enjoy it when my hair is curled?"
Puck looked at her with surprise, so she continued "I'm just asking because I've noticed that you tend to play with my hair when it's curled…like at the party…and right now…and I'm going to stop talking now before I make this situation more awkward…"
Puck's hand had stalled in Rachel's hair when she began speaking, but after a moment, he began to play with her hair again. Looking straight ahead, yet glancing at Rachel out of the corner of his eye, he stated, "Rachel, I like your hair all of the time."
Rachel casually reached up her hand and ran it through his Mohawk. "I like your hair also, even if you do have a ridiculous haircut."
Puck chuckled and his eyes met Rachel's eyes which were bright with laughter. For a brief moment, everything else seemed to dim into the background as all of their attention was solely focused on the other person.
Suddenly, a voice came from outside the car.
"Here we are at the car. Soon, we will be opening the car doors. And then we will be getting into the car."
"Real subtle, Finn", Quinn whispered with slight annoyance in her voice.
Rachel and Puck pulled apart from each other slightly, much to Quinn's displeasure.
Puck spoke. "I'm feeling hungry, so I'm gonna get some fries."
As, he reached for the car door handle, he casually said, "You want anything, babe?"
"Thanks so much for asking, Noah, but I'm quite full from dinner."
After Puck got out of the car, Quinn turned around with a delightfully scandalous look on her face. "Did Puck just call you babe?!"
Rachel was surprised. He had called her babe, but it felt so natural, she hadn't even noticed it. As she gazed at his retreating form through car's back window, she wondered if perhaps Quinn wasn't so crazy after all.
Up next: Not really sure! I'm thinking about a Glee sleepover and/or something where Puck and Rachel hang out alone randomly.
