Enjoy.

Kurt's POV

Puck wasn't at school. Why wasn't he at school? Is he avoiding me? Maybe he got suspended. I'd ask someone, but then they'd get suspicious. Puck and I barely live on the same planet, much less attend the same school. If he is suspended, how exactly is that push Finn was talking about, going to occur?

My dad walks in the door at 4:30, wiping grease off his hands. I look back down at my magazine and read about the new line of Gucci boots. (AN: I have no idea if Gucci has boots. I just like boots in general.)

"Hey kid."

"Hey dad."

"What are you reading?" he asks, leaning over the couch.

"A magazine. I'm going to need to borrow your credit card."

"Not another see-through raincoat I hope." I can hear the gleeful dread in his voice. He likes that we have the kind of money to purchase see-through raincoats, but would like to spend it on anything else.

"No. I need some boots."

"You need them? Will you die without them?"

"I might dad."

"I'll consider it. Did you finish your homework?"

"Yes dad."

"Well that's a good start. Carole's getting home soon and I was thinking I'd surprise her with dinner already made."

"And what exactly did you want help with?" I ask tentatively. My father cannot cook. It is a fact of life that I came to terms with early on. Sadly, neither can I. We eat lots of sandwiches, salads, and take-out. You can't burn any of that.

"I don't know what to make," he whines, using his sad dad face. Can't say no to that.

"Let's see. How about pasta? It's carbs, but I don't think either of you are too concerned about your figures."

"We have pasta in our house?"

"Yeah. I bought some a few weeks back because- well I'm not going to explain. I bought it. It comes in a box. I figure we can't mess it up too bad." He laughs at my comment and opens the fridge.

"Will we need milk?"

"No."

"Good cause we don't have any."

"We need to shop more."

"I think you shop far too much. I'll do the shopping."

"They're really cute boots dad."

"I'm sure they are. Maybe Finn knows how to-"

"He can't even work the stove."

"Damn."

I pour the correct amount of water into a pot and turn on the fire. My dad and I sit around waiting for the water to boil. When it finally does, I pour the pasta into the pot and set a timer. I sit there for a minute, reading my magazine. Dad comes back in the room with a fire extinguisher. I roll my eyes and close the magazine.

"Only seven minutes?"

"That's what the box says."

"What if it's a typo?"

"I'm sure it isn't Kurt."

"Whatever you say. You know, cause you aren't the one who almost burnt down the house or anything."

"You're never going to let that go are you?"

"It destroyed my flip-flops!"

"What were your flip-flops doing on the counter?" he exclaims, a grin still on his face.

"It was a science experiment!"

"What was the conclusion?" he asks incredulously.

"I don't know, the flames destroyed the materials!" We bust out laughing.

"It was like a big ball of fire!"

"Like a scene out of an action movie!"

"Your mom was so calm and we were running around in circles!"

"If she hadn't been there, this place would've burned to the ground."

We both take a breath and sit on the ground next to each other. We silently reminisce on my mom.

"She stayed up till 3 in the morning helping me finish that project."

"That sounds like her," he sighs.

"I really miss her sometimes," I whisper, sniffling.

"Me too."

The timer beeps and I jump a mile. I stand up and turn off the timer. In my idiotic stupor, I grab the handle without a potholder. It's burning hot and I instinctively pull away, knocking the pot off the stove in the process. I watch the pot hit the ground and the water and pasta go cascading out onto the tile. I collapse back on the ground and stare in amazement.

"I think a romantic restaurant might be nice," I murmur. He laughs.

"You're right kid. We're just cooking challenged."

"The nicest thing you could do for Carole is not burning down our house."

"Was that the door?" he asks, standing up. He goes to the door and I hear him say, "Carole, you're home early. I was thinking we might go to dinner. We haven't had a romantic date in a while."

"Oh, that's so sweet. Let me go freshen up and then we can go," she says. I hear a kiss and then my dad runs into the kitchen.

"You need help cleaning up?" he inquires, obviously hoping I'll say no.

"It's fine. Go have fun with Carole."

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

"Love you kid."

"Love you dad."

I start cleaning up the mess. It isn't too bad. Kinda gross because I'm on my knees on the dirty floor, but overall not too bad.

"You need some help?" Finn asks and I whip my head up to look at him.

"No. I'm almost done." He reaches down and grabs the empty pot. He sets it in the sink and runs water in it.

"Puck's coming over," Finn tells me. I choke on my own spit. "Your dad said it was okay. Is it okay with you?"

"Sure," I gasp. I hadn't anticipated seeing him.

"Cool. He'll be here in five." With that he leaves the kitchen.

"Great."

This story feels like a book. It's very drawn out. I kind of like it though. It gives the characters more depth. I don't know if most people can appreciate that, but I hope you do. Reviews, reviews, reviews. Thanks.

Oh, and the band I'm recommending this time is Elias.