[Rachel]

"Noah Daniel Puckerman! I order you to put me down right now! Ahhhhh! No non nono DON'T please! Finn! Quinn do something! " Despite my cries and shouts, everyone just stood watching and laughing as Puck carried me out to the backyard. Everyone followed suit and started chanting..

"Pool pool pool pool!.."

Pool? Oh no. Is he going to throw me into the pool? Shooot. I wiggled and struggled in Puck's grasp but his grip on me remain tight. He was strong.. I barely moved an inch in his arms. He was cradling me like my life depended on it which was ironic cause he was about to throw me into a pool. The rest were inching him on to drop me in the frigid pool. He was smirking in agreement. He started doing a little dance and swung his arms forward only for me to shriek expecting the hard wet cold water to hit me instead all I got was more laughter from him. Such a jerk. Not knowing which swing would be the real one scared me. It wasn't that I couldn't swim. I can assure you that I'm probably the best swimmer of the group but not being in control of something scares me. This, being weak and small holding on for dear life scares me. Puck started swinging again. Was this it? I closed my eyes in anticipation. Once again, It was only pretend.

"Puck, come on. Its her birthday. Just drop it." Out from behind Kurt, Quinn spoke up.

Finally.

"Awww, Quinn.. Its just water" Puck turned to face Quinn with me still in his arms. Quinn just stood there glaring at Puck. I cringed further into Puck's arms eventhough the stare was directed at Puck. She was scary when she needed to be. We've all experienced bitchy Quinn before but this, this was furyQuinn. I swore I might have seen smoke coming out of her ears and horns out of her forehead. I felt Puck loosening his grip on me. He was going to let me go. Thank god scary Quinn.

"Fine. Now only because she asked me, I will drop you...Now say Thank you Mr Big Guns" Puck was obedient, maybe he was just scared of Quinn. What a pansy ass. Maybe after Beth, like Quinn, he had changed too. Good on him. As I started to say my thanks, I felt Puck's arms tensed thinking he was gonna release me. Release me he did. Right in the water.

SPLASH

The last thing I saw before my body connected with the cold water was Puck fist pumping the air and quickly running away as Quinn started chasing him. I quickly swam up to the surface to face a laughing mob of friends who just stood there to witness my fall. Finn stood by the edge with a towel in hand ready to lift me up. I knew he wanted to laugh along with the group but he felt conflicted. Here was a perfect prank to play on someone but that someone was his girlfriend. i got it. I mean I would be too if the roles would have been reversed. I quickly patted myself dry and smiled assuring him that I wasn't angry. I wasn't truly angry really. I was just shocked. Part of me was a bit pissed that I was thrown in a pool on my birthday but i knew the difference between a cold slushie in the face and a cold pool. Eventhough I was freezing my ass off with only a towel covering me, I felt warmth from the group. Yes they were laughing. But they weren't laughing at me but at the situation. Any other day, I wouldn't have Quinn chasing Puck around in my defense. I wouldn't have Mike or Brittany, Heck even Santana in my house, celebrating my birthday with me.

"Hey hey. Get ready for me love cause I'm a comer.." I sang as I went down the stairs all dried and warm. I might have done a little curtsay as I landed at the last step. Maybe.

Everyone grunted lovingly at my grand entrance. I smiled knowingly. Tina quickly pulled me to the group and sat me down. There was a huge cake shaped like a star with Rachel Berry spelled in white pipe cream. It was the best cake I've ever seen in my life and I've seen many lovely cakes.

"We wanted it to look like the stars on the walk of fame and I am sorry for throwing you in the pool but you looked hot coming out of that water Berry. Before you - " Puck explained before he was interrupted by getting smacked on his mohawk by Santana.

"Focus. Keep in it your pants Puckerman."

"Well, someone's jealous from the lack of attention.. Stop smacking me guys. This mohawk needs love and attention. If you wanted to smack me, we'll do it in my house after Berry's party. We'll smack each other all night long." Everyone started making gagging sounds. " Pfft Fine, where was I ? Oh ok now before you cry or start singing show tunes to say your thanks. We all have something for you. We don't really have that much cash cause we all chipped in to make you that cake so we figured we'd sing you a song. Is that Ok? "

I could feel my eyes tearing up. This was way more than what I'd expect. The whole glee club turned up, baked me a cake and am now singing me a song? . I must be dreaming. In fact i think I may have been dreaming ever since school started. No way is life this good now.

" This lovely song is for our fantastic captain without whom we won't be winning countless competitions with. You may be annoying at times but its only your persistent need to be perfect that has made New Directions perfect in our performance. Here's for you Rachel Barbra Berry. We love you and despite everything, we all do want to follow your lead." Mercedes said before singing.

Wait.. HANSON?

Oh god.

The familiar lyrics soon faded in with Puck on guitar and Finn on cardboard makeshift drums. I've always felt the gratifying feeling of performing for someone. The sudden rush of nerves and excitement singing in front of an audience but sitting here, watching the group swaying and singing for me was an experience I've never felt before. I was proud of the individuals who have come a long way since the first day of glee, bonding together as a group. They sounded so good. I didn't even notice if they were on pitch or not. Just being in that moment took my breath away.

"Let's get up and make it known

Never take a chance alone

I'll be there whenever

You're at a crossroads

I know it will take some time

I know it's gonna take it slow

All you gotta do is show me

And I'll follow your lead"

"Oh man, this cake is UHMAZSING!" I moaned as I stuffed myself with another slice of cake.

"Heck yeah, Who knew Quinn and Tina could make cake. Awesome cake! I love cake! CAKE! CAKE! " Mike, the normally quiet one screamed in approval. Laughter roared from the small group. He clearly was enjoying his cake as was everyone. As I looked at every cake stuffed face, the sudden realization dawned on me. These were my friends.

The night went on to continue to be one of the best nights I've ever had. I was about to find out later, a night that topped all nights. The start of something bigger. But we'll leave that to another time.

(Holy. I am so so sorry for the delay for this. Life's been pretty hectic for me so i never got round to writing this. This feels too short somehow, like it was rushed. I am sorry for that. Thank you for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it. Like it, Hate it Review it. Again, im sorry for the delay)