Fireworks
Disclaimer: I do not own Glee.
Summary: Spoilers for 2x12: Silly Love Songs. Rachel visits Finn in the nurse's office, hoping to find the closure she needs to move on with her life. As she does, she forms a close and supportive friendship with Noah Puckerman. Sometimes, the best love is the one that was always there. Eventual Puckleberry. Samchel friendship. Mentions of Puck/Lauren and Finn/Quinn.
Chapter 13: Closing
The walk back to her soon-to-be-ex-boyfriend felt like the longest and slowest walk of her life. The performance was still going on, although Rachel was nowhere to be seen on stage. Lauren hurried to her seat. At once, Puck glanced up at her.
"Where were you?" Puck whispered, his eyes darting between Lauren and the stage.
"Just getting some air," Lauren replied quietly, "Can we talk in private for a moment?"
"Right now?" Puck asked, a little indignant at the idea of leaving the performance. Rachel had disappeared off stage for the act, but Puck knew she'd be on for the next.
"Yes, please," Lauren replied firmly. "It's important and it won't take too long. You'll be able to see Berry."
Sighing, Puck nodded, following Lauren out of their seats and back down the aisle. Lauren pushed open the first set of doors so that they were outside of the theater hall, but not outside in the front and the parking lot. Puck looked at Lauren in puzzlement.
Ensuring no one was around; Lauren turned to Puck and said determinedly, "I've been doing some thinking and I think it's best if we break up."
Eyes widened in astonishment, Puck nearly choked on his words, "You want to break up with me?"
"Yes," Lauren replied confidently. "I just don't see us working out, Puckerman."
"Why not?" Puck asked, crossing his arms. Lauren nearly laughed, knowing that the reason behind Puck's offended conduct was because he was usually the one who broke up with girls, not the other way around. After all, despite whatever growth and maturity he might have developed over time and whatever genuine feelings he may have for Rachel or another girl, Lauren knew Puck would go to his grave emphasizing and praising his badass reputation.
"You and I both know," Lauren said, "That the only reason you wanted to go out with me in the first place is because I wasn't like your typical conquest. I gave you a challenge. I wanted to be wooed. I repelled your usual courting methods. It surprised you and you thought, 'This is one badass of a girl. She's a big challenge.'"
Puck did not argue. He knew she was right. The big reason behind his attraction to Lauren was indeed the challenge she presented.
"And I was cool with that. I like a challenge myself, so I didn't see the harm in it. Besides, I like a guy who can woo me. It's sexy," Lauren smiled, "But let's be honest. Aside from that, we've got zero chemistry, Puckerman. You and me, we're about as compatible as a boa constrictor and a rat."
"I wouldn't say that, but…" Puck began.
"You know I'm right," Lauren interjected. "And to be honest, I'm kind of a bitch to you. I think we can make really great friends, Puckerman. We're kind of alike, you know? We're both awesome badasses and we don't need people to defend us. We're both really confident of ourselves because we know we're awesome. So yeah, I think we can be badass bros, but I just don't see us being boyfriend and girlfriend, you know?"
Puck nodded, "Yeah, I guess you're right about that. Maybe it'd be better if we were just bros – err… friends."
Lauren smiled, "We can totally be bros, Puckerman. We can be the biggest, badass, most incredible bros ever."
Puck smiled, taking a seat and leaning his elbows on his knees. "Yeah, that sounds good," he sighed, rubbing his eyes resignedly, "It's too bad we can't work it out."
Lauren sat down beside him, patting him on the back. "I know, but I mean, would you have wanted it to work out?"
Puck looked at her, bewildered. "What the hell do you mean? Of course I would have wanted it to work out."
"Oh Puckerman, you and I both know that's not true." Lauren replied.
"Really? And who would I have wanted it to work out with instead?" Puck asked sarcastically, crossing his arms.
"Berry." Lauren stated matter-of-factly. Amused, she watched as Puck's mouth dropped open in shock, his eyes widening as though she had just discovered his most guarded secret.
"Rachel? Wh-what do you… You're out of …" Puck stammered, his face growing red.
"Boy do I wish I had a camera right now," Lauren laughed, clapping her hands together. "I think this is the first time I've ever seen you incapable of actual words, Puckerman."
"Well, it's your own damn fault, woman," Puck replied, flushed.
Lauren smiled, "You know I'm right though." When Puck did not say anything, she asked, "Do you like Berry?"
"Of course," Puck said without hesitation. "She's my best friend."
Lauren rolled her eyes. "Stop with that nonsense. You know what I mean," she paused, her gaze fixated on Puck. "Does being with me distract you from her like you'd hoped it would?"
Puck squirmed uncomfortably, "Lauren, I wasn't with you to distract myself from Rachel. I really did like you. And I liked wooing you."
Lauren smiled, "I know. I enjoyed it as well. But that being said, why didn't you ever tell Berry about your feelings?"
Puck sighed, his eyes downcast. "What's the point? She'll never feel the same. Even when we dated for that week last year, the only reason why she wanted to date me was to make Finn jealous. When we kissed, it was to get back at Finn because he had sex with Santana and lied about it. When she asked me to sing that duet with her, it was to make Finn jealous. Everything was about making Finn jealous. And now, she's finally done with him, finally done trying to get Finn, but there's no point anyways. Rachel will never think of me in that way."
"Why do you say that?" Lauren asked, baffled.
"Because," Puck threw his hands up, "If she did, wouldn't she have said something by now?"
Lauren snorted, "That's your reason? You do remember up until like five minutes ago, you were dating me, right? Berry doesn't seem like the kind of person who would have said something about her feelings for you, knowing that we were an item."
Puck shrugged, "Even so. What about before you and I started dating? She and I were good friends by then."
"So? That doesn't mean anything. Maybe she had feelings for you, but she was put off because you kept trying to woo me, and she thought you only saw her as a friend. Maybe she was still trying to sort herself out from the whole Finn thing. But that doesn't mean Berry may not actually like you, Puckerman." Lauren said, exasperated.
"And what if she does?" Puck asked. "What if she does like me? So what? We date for awhile and then we graduate and she gets to go off to New York and be the star she was born to be, and I stay in this fucking town? And then when she gets there, she'll meet a bunch of smart, interesting guys, and realize that's who she's meant to be with? That I'm just her dumb, one-time- deal boyfriend from high school … one of her dumb, one-time-deal boyfriends from her dumb, fucking high school? Then what? We break up at Thanksgiving when she's in town, hook up when she comes back for Hanukkah, and then break up again in January?"
Lauren stared at Puck, amazed that he had just willingly expressed his vulnerable side to her. Puck had just admitted that he was completely afraid of the prospect of Rachel leaving him after high school. At that moment, Lauren had no doubt that Puck was very much in love with Rachel Berry.
"Look Puckerman, who knows what's going to happen a year from now? Or two? But for right now, there's a chance that Berry might actually like you and things could really work out between you two, and you're not even giving her a chance. Or yourself." Lauren replied.
"Lauren," Puck started, hope bouncing like a firework inside his chest.
"Go get her, Puckerman. Be the man you are and for once, take that chance and be with someone who may actually make you happy. There is no shame in having someone to love and who loves you back; it doesn't make you any less of a badass." Lauren stated boldly.
"Lauren, I am sorry that things didn't work out between us. For what it's worth, I think we had a lot of good moments." Puck said.
Lauren smiled softly, patting Puck on the back. She stood up, looking past the glass doors to where Sam was perched on the bench, waiting for her. "Yeah, we did. But I'm not one to get in the way of true love. And like I said before, I think this is the beginning of an awesome, badass friendship." With a grin, she waved goodbye to her now ex-boyfriend and pushed open the doors, marching onward.
"Oh my god, I love this color." Mercedes gushed, twirling around like a giddy schoolgirl. The vermillion color flattered her skin tone and the wide empire band and full bell skirt accented her curves in just the right ways.
"It's beautiful," Rachel approved, smiling as her friend twirled in front of her again. "You look so gorgeous, Mercedes. I think you may have found your dress."
Mercedes giggled, "I think so too! Although I really did want to look at some more styles … Kurt said they're having a huge sale at BCBG."
"We can check it out too," Rachel suggested, "But maybe we can ask the salesperson to keep this on hold for you for a bit?"
"Yeah, I like that idea," Mercedes nodded. "Hold on a sec, let me change." She quickly ducked into the fitting room. A few minutes later, she and Rachel exited the Group USA The Clothing Company store. The two girls had been busily looking at prom dresses all Saturday afternoon.
As Mercedes steered Rachel towards the BCBG Maxazria store, she asked, "Why aren't you looking for dresses, girl? You know prom's coming up and you're always the type to do things sooner than later. Unless you already bought a dress and haven't told me, in which case, I will be very upset that you didn't bother to tell me earlier."
Rachel smiled at the antics of her friend. "Mercedes, I haven't bought a dress yet. Didn't I tell you? I'm not going to prom."
Mercedes stopped walking abruptly; holding her hands up and looking at Rachel as though she had just told Mercedes she wasn't planning on graduating.
"Hold up girl," Mercedes exclaimed, "You're not going to prom? Why the hell not?"
Rachel shrugged, "Because I don't think it'll be that much fun and I rather spend the night with my dads or perusing the latest playbill."
Mercedes placed her hands on her hips, "Rachel Barbra Berry, you cannot be serious."
Rachel frowned, "Of course I am. Besides, I don't have a date –"
"A lot of people don't have dates and they're still going to prom." Mercedes pointed out.
"Even so … I think it'll just be awkward if I went to prom by myself." Rachel replied.
"You won't be going by yourself," Mercedes argued, "You'll be going with me, Kurt, Blaine, and my date Roger," Mercedes sighed dreamily. Rachel smiled as her friend slipped into her daydreams and fantasies. "So you won't be alone."
Rachel sighed, "I'll be the fifth wheel, Mercedes. Kurt and Blaine are going to prom together. You and Roger are going together. It'll just be awkward if I tagged along."
"Why don't you ask someone then?" Mercedes suggested.
Rachel scoffed, "Who would want to go to prom with me?"
"What about Puck?" Mercedes asked. At the mention of his name, Rachel flushed beet red.
"Noah wouldn't want to go to prom with me." Rachel murmured.
"How do you know?" Mercedes asked. "He and Lauren broke up a week ago. He's fair game!"
"Exactly," Rachel said. "This last week, I saw six Cheerios flirt with him. He'll have a date in no time. Besides, even if I did ask him, who's to say he would say yes to me? All he sees in me is a really good friend."
"You know that's not true, girl. Puck would ditch any girl for you." Mercedes smiled.
Rachel rolled her eyes, "Are we talking about the same person?"
"Rachel, come on, you and I both know you want to go to prom with Puck. You're not giving yourself the chance to be happy. You're always one for taking charge of your life, so why not take charge and ask Puck to prom?" Mercedes said.
"I'm not asking Noah to the prom, Mercedes. I just repaired my heart; I don't want to see it shatter to a million pieces again so soon." Rachel said firmly.
Mercedes sighed, "Fine, but you'll be regretting this when you're eighty. It's totally perfect too. He's the only one still available you can go with; everyone else has a date to prom. Brittany is going with Artie, Finn is going with Quinn, Santana is going with Karofsky, which by the way, is just … ugh," Mercedes shuddered, "Mike and Tina are going together, me and Roger, Kurt and Blaine, even Lauren and Sam found dates to prom!"
"So just because Noah and I are the only ones without dates, we should go together?" Rachel said, raising an eyebrow.
"That can be a reason too!" Mercedes said. "But the main reason you two should go is because you both love each other."
Rachel opened her mouth, about to denying Mercedes' claim, when her friend clapped a hand over her mouth. "Don't even try, Rachel. It's true and everyone in the whole school knows it."
"Can we please not talk about this, Mercedes? I really don't see myself going to prom. Anyways, if I really want to experience prom, there is next year too. And it'll be more meaningful if I go next year because it'll be my senior year. So please, let's not talk about prom or Noah or Noah and my going together, because I don't see it happening." Rachel pleaded.
Mercedes sighed resignedly, "Alright fine, I won't bring it up again. But seriously girl, stop denying how you really feel for the boy. It's no good."
"Believe me, I know." Rachel said, intertwining their arms together as they continued their shopping excursion.
Locking his car, Sam hurried inside the Lima Bean. Spotting Rachel, he quickly squeezed between the other customers and sat down at their table.
"Hey, sorry I'm late. Cody forgot to clean up again and I tripped on his scooter." Sam grumbled. Rachel gave him a bright smile.
"It's alright, Sam. I hope you don't mind; I took the liberty of ordering for both of us while I was waiting for you." Rachel said.
"That's fine, thanks," Sam smiled. "So, what's up with you lately? I'm sorry I haven't hung out with you in awhile."
"There's no need to apologize, Sam! I know you and Joanna just started dating, so you must be busy getting to know one another." Rachel smiled, remembering the day Sam had called her, tremendously excited because he had finally worked up the nerves to ask Joanna Livingston to prom. The two of them were in several classes together and had talked on friendly terms ever since Sam came to McKinley. Sam always thought she was very pretty and sweet, but he had started dating Quinn and then Santana. A couple of weeks ago, Sam encountered Joanna at the Lima Freeze and the two of them ended up talking for hours. A week ago, he asked her to be his prom date, which she happily accepted, and he also asked her to be his girlfriend, which she also gladly agreed to as well. Rachel was beyond thrilled for Sam. Joanna was a very friendly and smart girl and she seemed to complement Sam well.
"Yeah, Joanna's awesome," Sam gushed. "You like her, right?"
Rachel beamed, "Of course! She was very sweet to me when we talked. I think you two are a great couple, Sam. I'm very happy for you."
"Thanks, Rach," Sam grinned. "I'm so excited for prom! I'm going to rent my tux later with Puck."
Rachel's heart contracted. Lately, the mention of Puck always sped up her heart rate. "Oh, Noah is going with you? He didn't tell me he had a date to prom." She hoped her remark about Puck was not too conspicuous.
Sam could barely suppress a smile. Since Puck and Lauren's break up, Puck and Rachel had been dancing around each other, obviously very much into each other, but still nothing progressing on the romantic front. Even Joanna recognized the spark between Puck and Rachel; she had asked Sam about it once and was very surprised that the two were not romantically attached. When Sam was around Rachel, he tried to bring up Puck in any possible way he could, and every time he did, he elicited a blushing, smiling Rachel. Sam really hoped Puck would pluck up the courage and ask Rachel to prom, but so far, no attempts had been made.
"He doesn't," Sam replied. "I'm just dragging him to go with me so it's not all that boring."
"Oh," Rachel thanked the waiter as he handed her the chai tea she ordered. "I'm surprised he doesn't have a date yet. I've heard so many girls talking about wanting Noah to be their date for prom." Rachel said, sipping her tea slowly.
Sam shrugged, "Yeah, but I get the feeling he doesn't want to take those girls."
"Oh?" Rachel asked, in the most unsuccessful attempt at nonchalance. "You know who he wants to take to prom?"
Sam smiled, "Don't you?"
Rachel blushed, "I-I don't know what you're talking about, Sam."
"Rachel, Rachel," Sam said in a singsong voice, "Denial is not just a river in Egypt."
Rachel flushed redder, "Sam! Please, not here!"
Sam laughed, "Okay, okay. But seriously Rachel, everybody and their mother can see the sparks between you and Puck. I don't know why two people who are obviously in love with each other can't just admit their feelings and be together."
Rachel wondered if it was possible to burst from the unremitting flushing she'd been experiencing all weekend. She buried her face in her hands, willing Sam to not talk about Puck anymore. Why couldn't everyone just leave her be with the Puck situation? She had heard from Puck after her recital last week that he and Lauren had split up; she had even taken him for some consolation dinner and ice cream afterwards. The news that Puck was suddenly a free agent again spread around like wildfire and by Monday morning, girls were all over Puck, more so than usual (probably because prom was coming up and girls were more desperate than ever). While she was happy to be able to spend more time with Puck, she willingly forced herself not to think of them together in a romantic way. She didn't want to get her hopes up and that included prom.
"Anyways," Rachel said meaningfully, hoping to direct the conversation elsewhere, "Where are you taking Joanna for dinner?"
"I was thinking of taking her to Burgundy's Restaurant, over on North Cable Road. I've heard it's a really nice Italian place." Sam said.
Rachel nodded approvingly, "I've heard they serve a very good lobster and shrimp ravioli. Great choice, Sam. I'm sure you and Joanna will have a lovely time there."
"Thanks, Rachel." Sam grinned. His smile faded, as he remembered what Rachel had told him a few days before. "Are you sure you don't want to go to prom? It's a rite of passage! And you'll have fun. I'll be there. Mercedes will be there. Kurt and Blaine are going. I know we all have dates, but that doesn't mean we can't go and have a good time together."
"I know," Rachel cradled her cup, "But when it comes down to it, I will simply feel awkward being there when everyone else has a date. I know I don't need to have a date in order to have fun at prom and I'd rather go alone than go with someone I don't know that well, but I really think it'd be best if I took that time I'll probably be spending sitting alone at a table at prom to be with my fathers or catching up on the latest playbill news or reading a good book."
Sam sighed, "Okay, if you say so. I still think you'd have a good time if you went."
Rachel smiled gently, "There's always next year. Anyways, what do you think of Mr. Schue's ideas for Sectionals? I, for one, firmly believe that we should tackle musical selections from Broadway or perhaps even …"
An hour later, Sam was pulling up to Lima Mall. He made his way inside, stopping at the directory to check where the tuxedo rental shop was. A few minutes later, he stopped in front of the Gap, which was just across the tuxedo rental shop. Sitting on a bench that faced the Gap store was Puck, his arms sprawled out comfortably, and one leg propped up on his other leg.
"Hey Puck," Sam greeted his friend.
"'Sup, Evans?" Puck stood up. "Let's get this thing over with. I'm not a fan of shopping."
Sam snorted, "Me neither. I'm hoping this'll be fast."
"Why didn't you just ask Joanna to come with you?" Puck asked, as the two made their way to the tuxedo rental shop.
Sam shrugged, "I tried, but she insisted that we get out stuff separately. She wants her dress to be a surprise or something."
Puck rolled his eyes, "Girls. It's not like it's your fucking wedding or whatever. You can see her dress, you know."
"Yeah, but it's what she wants," Sam said. "According to her, prom is the 'quintessential moment for girls during high school'. It's what every little girl dreams of, besides her wedding, so it's super important to them."
Puck stuffed his hands into his pockets, "Every girl's dream?"
Sam nodded, "More or less. It definitely puts the pressure on us guys."
"No shit," Puck muttered. He hadn't thought that it was every girl's dream to go to prom. What about the girls that were different from the usual gossipy chatterboxes? What about the girls who had bigger dreams than that? Was it still a part of storybook fantasy to go to prom?
"What about this one?" Sam pointed to a checkered tuxedo.
Puck frowned, "It looks ridiculous."
Sam laughed, "Yeah, I guess you're right," he started rummaging through another rack. "Are you planning to go to prom?"
"I don't know," Puck shrugged, "Seems kind of pointless to go without a date, you know?"
Sam paused, "I suppose, but I mean, you can get pretty much any girl to go with you."
Puck chuckled, "Even so, but this is one of those times I actually want to be with a girl who I like and can have a good time with at this thing."
"So ask a girl who you like and would have a good time with at prom," Sam said.
Puck remained silent, absent-mindedly leafing through the various tuxes. He had been thinking about prom for awhile now. With the breakup, Lauren's advice, Sam's advice, and his continued budding friendship with Rachel, Puck had a very good idea of who he'd like to ask to prom.
"I'm going to try this," Sam held up a black tuxedo, walking to the fitting rooms. Puck followed, standing outside, folding his arms.
"Do you know if Rachel's going with anyone?" Puck asked, hoping he sounded nonchalant.
Inside the fitting room, Sam smirked. For two people who were so unsure of the other's feelings, they had no problem grilling him about each other's love life.
"Nope, she told me she doesn't even want to go," Sam remarked. "Although I get the feeling that if she has a good date, she'll be more willing to go."
"Really?" Puck asked eagerly. From behind the fitting room door, Sam smiled knowingly.
"Yeah," Sam replied, checking his image in the mirror. "I think that Rachel is just looking for the right date." Unlocking the door, Sam walked out to show his friend.
Puck nodded his approval, "Looks good, man."
"I think so too," Sam smiled. He noticed Puck was looking back and forth between two tuxedos. "You should try those on."
Puck chuckled, "Hell no, man. I don't need a tux. I don't even know if I'm going to prom."
"Well, you never know," Sam said. "I mean, what if you decide to ask a girl to prom, but no tux? Besides, the closer you buy a tux to prom, the more expensive it will be."
Puck shrugged, "I guess."
Sam patted his shoulder, "If you've got a girl in mind, ask her. This is high school, man. We only get these four years and we're juniors! It's almost the end. There's no better time than now to take those risks and do something awesome. You're not the kind of guy who wants to regret leaving behind something undone, are you?"
"Of course not," Puck replied, glancing back to the black tuxedo he had been eyeing before Sam came out. "You really think I should?"
"Yes!" Sam said, feeling a bit exasperated. "Since when has Noah Puckerman been one to ever question himself? Especially about something like prom and girls?"
"Since I want to actually go to prom with a girl he likes." Puck said, slightly distracted. It was true though; Puck could imagine himself dancing and having a great time at prom. And if he closed his eyes, he could even picture the face of his date and that shot off fireworks in his mind.
I've been toying with the idea of this for months, maybe even a year, Puck thought. Prom is coming up and if it's true that it's every girl's dream to go to prom, then she's no exception. And for once in both our lives, we're both single and she's not in love with Finn. This is perfect. Why the fuck am I not seizing the opportunity? Why can't I … I'm the Puckeroone. I don't get nervous about girls. I don't get worked up about prom. Girls are attracted to me like magnets. I could get any Cheerio to go with me to prom if I wanted. But why the hell is it that I have no desire to go with anyone else except her? Come on Puckerman, man up! Just do it. You don't want to regret anything. If you don't do this now, you'll be kicking yourself when you're 60 and it'll be a lot harder to do then.
Psyching himself up, Puck knew what he had to do, what he wanted to do.
"You know what? I think I will try this on," Puck stated, holding up the black tux.
"Great," Sam smiled. "So you're rethinking prom?"
Puck grinned, "Yeah, I think I am."
Author's Notes: Hi everyone! I apologize for updating so slowly; things are getting hectic at school for me with the semester winding down, so it took awhile for this chapter to be written. Anyways, thank you all for your wonderful reviews for the past chapters! I really appreciate them all. I hope you all continue to stick with me and this story; there are only a few chapters left before the story is finished.
So I decided to write the Puck/Lauren breakup, as some reviewers requested. I think it was a good idea too, because it brought closure to both and it makes Lauren seem a bit more likable in the story. Plus, she's starting to ship Puckleberry! :)
I think some people assumed Sam and Lauren were going to get together, but I really don't see those two dating. And because I wanted Rachel and Puck to be single and everyone else to have dates to prom, I added new characters in to be dates for Mercedes and Sam (and a date for Lauren too!). With no more characters standing in their way, it's only a matter of time before Puck and Rachel admit to each other their true feelings. I'm so excited; those two are just really incredibly stubborn ;)
Edit: Someone said that Captain D's Seafood Restaurant isn't all that elegant of a place to take someone to prom, so I switched it to Burgundy's Restaurant in Lima, OH. I looked over their menu online and it seems more appropriate. Sorry about that everyone; I'm not a native of Ohio!
Next chapter: Puck thinks of ways to ask Rachel to prom.