sorry it's late :) power went out!

Chapter 10: Floating

My alarm clock glowed nervously in my face. The numbers blinked at me. 12:34. Scattered thoughts sprinted thought my disorganized brain. Running my hands through my hair, I glanced over at my nightstand. My cell phone sat quietly, waiting to be in use. Stretching my tired arm as far as I could, I grabbed it. Flipping it open, the picture that greeted me spat in my face. I was smiling like an idiot as Tina lay her soft lips on my forehead. Her lips were puckered but still smiling. Her fingers were tangled in my hair. I sighed, annoyed, and flipped to my contacts. Finding Tina in the list, my clammy fingers fumbled for the "talk" button. My breath shaky, I raised the phone to my ear. Suddenly cold, I listened to the stinging rings.

"Hello?" A crackling voice answered, "Who is this? Hello?" Ripping the phone from my ear, I slammed the phone shut. I gasped for air. The words I wanted to say l were buried in the depths of my brain. Throwing the phone down on the table, I pulled the warm blanket up to my chin. I took some deep breaths and tried to get my heart rate back to normal. My bed seemed to swallow me up and silence the thoughts scattering around my head. A soft wind blew outside, lulling me to sleep.

My eyes flew open to the sound of my clock shrieking in my ears. Rubbing my sleepy face, I threw the covers off of me. I put on my glasses and pulled my wheelchair close to me. Putting on the brakes, I lifted myself into the chair. I shivered against the cold, metal bars. Throwing on a shirt, I got ready for school.

My mom babbled about baby plans, names, toys, bedding, even paint for the walls on the car ride to school. Trying to be supportive, I threw in a couple names. I was excited about a baby sister, don't get me wrong, but my mind was firmly planted in the situation last night. My stomach flipped around and tied itself in a squeezing knot. I flipped open my phone again, just to be greeted by the howling picture. I forgot what I opened it for and snapped it closed. My lips closed in a tight line. My mom gazed at me, confused, and chattered on. Finally pulled up to the school, only to be greeted by an excited Finn. He helped me out of the car as fast as he could.

"Hey, Mrs. Abrams!" Finn gushed, "How's the baby?"

"Perfect," My mom chuckled. Finn leaned over and put his face on my mom's stomach. She gasped and started to chuckle again.

"Whoa," Finn whispered, feeling my mom's protruding stomach. Finn drew in a quick breath and whipped his head away. He started jumping up and down, just like last night.

"She kicked!" Finn cried. My mom laughed at him, her sunny, golden hair bouncing as she giggled.

"What? Who kicked?" Kurt asked, walking over. He shifted his weight to his right leg, crossed his left arm over his stomach and held his right one by his face. Kurt was always so calm, so cool.

"The baby! Artie's mom's baby!" Finn said excitedly, "It's a baby girl!" Kurt gasped and grabbed my mom's hand.

"Congratulations! Whatcha gonna name her?" Kurt said, then started doing exactly what my mom did in the car.

"This. is. so. exciting," Finn whispered to me, watching Kurt babble on. It suprised me how excited Finn was over the whole situation.

"Can I-" Kurt started. My mom cut him off.

"Sure, you can touch my belly," My mom said, giggling away again. Kurt have a breathy laugh and leaned over like Finn did.

"Hi, baby," Kurt started talking to my mom's stomach, "You are going to be one happy baby. Your big brother is going to teach you how to be great in school and excell in video games. Finn is going to teach you how to play sports and I will teach you how to style your world," He added, chuckling again, "We will rule this world, just remember my voice, remember your new friend, Kurt." With that statement, a salty tear rolled down my mother's rosy cheek. Kurt gave her a huge hug.

"Thanks Kurt. Remember, if you need anything, I am there for you," My mom said, sniffling.

Giving me a hug and kiss, my mom drove away.

"I love your mom," Kurt added, looking at me.

"I do, too," I said, laughing.

Kurt pushed me into the school, giving Finn a break. Students bustled in the hallways and hugged like they haven't seen eachother in years.

"I think you should name her Violin, because girls are pretty like them," Finn said. He probably wasn't going to stop talking about the baby until she started school. Kurt looked at Finn like he was a martian. Looking ahead, I saw it again. Tina kissing Puck like it was her last kiss she would ever have. Puck moved his hands further down her back. Tina kept kissing him, but shifted her hands to move his back up. Kurt pushed my wheelchair faster past them.

"Kurt, it's okay," I told him. He looked down at me.

"It's not that, I'm scared of him," Kurt replied, pushing even faster. Passing them, Puck kissed Tina's neck, making her giggle loudly. The giggle slapped me in the face. I wanted so bad to go back and tell her how I felt, but I just couldn't. Puck was too tough and seeing her just took the words out of my mouth. At my locker, I overheard two hairy, tall boys talking about Puck.

"You'd think he's knocked up enough girls, huh?" one of them said. The breath rushed out of me like a balloon.

"What girl is it now?" the other one asked. I sat completley still, like it was going to change something.

"Santana. I can't believe it. Two cheerleaders in a row. Just don't tell anyone, no one knows," The first one replied. Breathing again, I chuckled under my breath. What's Puckerman going to do now? He He can't stay with Tina when he has another PREGNANT girl in his life. This piece of news was what I needed to get an edge on the neandrethal.

The day passed slowly until glee club rehearsal. Finn and Kurt met me beforehand.

"Where's Mercedes? I haven't seen her all day," I asked. Kurt groaned.

"It's weird without her, right? She had a dentist appointment," He said, frowning.

"I know. The day isn't the same without her fierceness," I replied, chuckling dryly. Going into rehearsal, I saw Tina and Puck sitting next to eachother, holding hands. They were looking into eachother's eyes and smiling. Gross.

"How is everyone? I hope you all have a song planned from your assignment," Mr. Schuester greeted us, reminding us of our songs. The assignment was to sing about love and peace. How cliche. Shyly, I raised my awkward hand.

"Artie, how are you doing? What's up?" He asked, friendly. He smiled at me sympathetically.

"Fine," I started, shooting a glare at Puck, "I just wanted to know if I could go first."

"Sure," Mr. Schue replied, waving a hand to the front. Everyone except Puck cheered for me. Tina started to, but stopped when she saw my pained face. Cueing the small band we had, music swirled around me. The first few words escaped my lips, first quietly, but then booming, really meaning what I said. Tina stared at me, her mouth slightly open.

Alright, Already we'll all float on,

Don't you worry, we'll all float on,

Alright, Already we'll all float on,

Don't you worry, we'll all float on,

Even if things end up a bit too heavy

we'll all float on

Finishing the song, Kurt and Finn cheered as loud as they could. Tina's face was twisted into a fake unimpressed look. Puck smirked at me. Being childish, I stuck my tounge out at him. He let out a breathy chuckle.

"Very good, Artie. I'm impressed. That was...powerful," Mr. Schue said, "Who's next!"

"Me!" Tina called, her voice like wind chimes.

"Alright, Tina!" Mr. Schue called, clapping his hands. She stood up, grabbing Puck's hand. He came up with her. He grabbed a stool and guitar, ready to perform. Light notes started to fill the silence. Along with the notes, Tina opened her mouth to sing. Magic wrapped around me as her beautiful chiming voice pierced the air. All eyes were on her as she sang the gorgeous tunes. Most of the time, she watched me, pain in her eyes.

When we get to the ocean, we're gonna take a boat to the end of the world

All the way to the end of the world

When the kids are old enough, we're gonna teach them to fly!

You and me together, we can do anything, baby,

Yeah, Yes,

You and me together, we can do anything, baby.

I looked like a complete idiot staring at her, my mouth hung open, convinced she was singing to me. She finished the song, hugging Puck close and moving her stool. She smiled at me and sat down. We all cheered rabidly.

"You blew me away, Tina! Way to go!" Mr. Schue cheered. That song was for me. I know she still felt the same feelings for me as I did for her. The melodies that crashed over me were meant just for that. After she finds out the piece of news I have hidden, she will be mine for sure, I can just feel plot I had cooking up, if well executed, would work out perfectly. Guilt surged through me again, and I realized I was being awfully self-centered. God, why did I have to have such a nice concience?

While I sat there plotting, four devistating words smashed my heart.

"I love you, Puck," Tina said, dreamily. Here we go again.

ooooooh what's gonna happen (dun dun dunnn) more to come!