How far should a person go in the name of true love? - The Choice
Two Months Later
"Rach, you sure you're okay with doing this? I mean, I know you have a busy day tomorrow and all..." Kitty trailed off as she glanced over at Rachel, who's hair was currently being curled by a young hairstylist.
Rachel waved a dismissive hand, showing off her brand-new manicure. "This is your night. I would not miss it for the world. Besides, I did promise to help," she added with a smile. Rachel was seated in an elevated chair, one person working on her hair while the other did her make up. There were eight other women seated beside her who were being treated similarly.
Kitty, dressed in a green satin gown, already had her make up and hair done. Though she looked flawless, her face was far from relaxed. In fact, she looked as though she was about to be sick.
"This is a mistake," she said, beginning to pace. "I don't know what I was thinking, starting my own line. I'm not talented enough. People are going to hate all my clothes and I'm going to end up living on the street." She stop speaking, taking several deep breaths in an attempt to calm herself down.
"Would you please relax?" Rachel asked, a slight edge to her voice. She would have felt sympathy for her best friend if she hadn't been hearing this same fear for the past three weeks. That was around the time Kitty and Isabelle set up the debut of their line and Kitty's anxiety shot through the roof. "Or do I need to call your boyfriend and get him back here?" she asked.
"Already here," came a voice. Rachel watched as Artie Abrahms wheeled over to where Kitty was pacing, reaching up and placing a hand on her hip. She looked down at him and smiled, her face relaxing. Rachel made a gagging sound but Kitty either didn't hear her or pretended not to.
It was as though Kitty and Rachel's lives had completely switched over the past two months. After Puck had left Rachel at David's party following the premiere of Sam's music video, she'd spiraled down. She didn't contact him like he asked her to, but she didn't try to move on from him either. To her, all men were the enemy, so she stopped going out, throwing all her energy into preparing for her show. The little time she had left was spent trying not to think about Noah. That and finally settling things with Sam.
A week after the debut of the video, she called Sam and asked to meet for coffee. They needed to talk, a talk that was about a year overdue.
"You're mad," Sam said as he sat down in the Starbucks across from Rachel.
Rachel shook her head. "No, I am not mad," she promised, taking a sip of the latte in front of her. "I signed away the rights to my image years ago when your manager asked me to. After all, I am in most pictures of your shows, especially the early ones." She let out a sigh. "I am not here to give you a piece of my mind or chew you out or anything like that. We just need to have a talk. A real one, I mean."
"A talk about what?" Sam asked.
"Us," Rachel said as though it was obvious.
And so they talked. They sat in the coffee shop for hours talking about them. They laughed as they shared stories from the years they dated, the fun they had, the memories they shared.
"I still remember you first coming up to me in that bar and spilling your drink down the front of your shirt," Rachel teased, smiling at Sam like she hadn't in over a year. "I thought it was the cutest thing ever."
"Yeah, I was pretty darn cute when I was trying to make you fall for me. But then I fucked it all up, didn't I?"
Rachel nodded her head. "You did," she agreed. "You started to take me for granted, as evidenced by your indiscretions with Chelsea."
"I'm done with her. For good. I don't want someone like her in my life."
"It is probably for the best. You deserve someone better than her."
Sam took Rachel's hand and looked her in the eyes. "I love you, Rachel."
Rachel gave him a sad smile. "I know you do. And part of me will always love you. But we both know we are never going to work out."
Sam let out a sigh. "Yeah, I know that now. It's never going to be the same between us because of what I did, isn't it?"
Rachel nodded her head. "It will not. I could attempt to forgive you for everything, but I know I never truly will. Deep down, I will always end up secretly resenting you. I cannot live like that. I will always be your friend, Sam. You know that."
"Yeah, I do. I think I can live with that. So, you gonna marry the teacher then?"
Rachel let out a sad sigh, a small tear rolling down her cheek. "Unlikely. He refuses to speak to me because he believes I used him to get you back."
"What? Seriously? Because of the video?"
"Because of your interview following the video."
"That moron. I was dumb enough to throw away the best girl I could have, he can't be that dumb too. I'll talk to him Rach. I'll make him see reason."
Rachel shook her head. "Please do not, Sam. It is not worth it. He said his peace. I will just have to live with that."
"But you love him," Sam accused.
"I know I do. But it is what it is." Rachel rose to her feet and embraced Sam. "Take care of yourself, okay? I am always here if you need me, remember that." Rachel gave him a soft kiss on the cheek before waving and walking out of Starbucks.
Since their talk, Rachel and Sam had been communicating daily, both through call and text. He'd already picked up his tickets for her opening show and promised her his parents were coming too. Sam kept begging her to let him help fix things between her and Puck, but Rachel stubbornly refused, claiming Puck hated her and would kill Sam on sight if he saw him.
"Hey lady, are you with me?" Kitty was waving a hand in front of Rachel's face. Rachel blinked her eyes a few times before looking up at her roommate. "I said, what's your schedule for tomorrow? Are we going to have time to even speak before your show premieres?"
"Unlikely. First, Riley and I are being interviewed on Good Morning America. Make sure your tape that for me, would you?" she added with a smile. "After that, the entire cast and I are holding a live question and answer session in the main lobby of the theater, as well as taking photos with fans. Then we have a late lunch with just the cast. Then I come home and get dressed for the red carpet. Then I get into costume and we premiere. And finally, once the curtain goes down, I go to the after party. Riley guessed it will be almost six in the morning by the time I get home. He said it was like that for the premiere of The Book of Mormon."
"Sounds hectic," Kitty commented as Rachel rose from her seat, hair and make up finally done.
"No, it sounds like heaven. Interviews I can handle. Fashions shows, on the other hand..." Rachel trailed off with a laugh. "You are lucky I love you. I am going to go get dressed. I will see you on the runway." She blew Kitty a kiss before disappearing into the dressing room.
Kitty turned to Artie once she had vanished. "So, they're all coming, right?" she asked quietly.
"They promised they would under punishment of death. Or at least under punishment of me not playing Xbox with them for the next month.'
"All of them?" she asked again.
"Yes, all of them."
"How did you get him to agree to come?" she pressed.
"I lied, plain and simple. He asked if she was going to be here, and I told him no. I said she was busy preparing for her big day tomorrow so she couldn't make it. Then he was fine with coming."
"Finn knows she'd here though, right?"
Artie rolled his eyes at his girlfriend. "Everyone knows except Puck. I know you think I'm an idiot, but I do know how to follow directions," he teased. Kitty made a face at him. "Finn and Quinn are coming with him. They're going to make sure he's right up front when she walks out. I don't get why we're doing the whole cloak and dagger thing. He misses her. Finn and I have to listen to him bitch all the time about how he's an idiot, about how she hates him, about how much he loves her. Finn actually told him to nut up or shut up. He hasn't brought her up since."
Kitty groaned. "Rachel is the same way, I swear. She's convinced he hates her since he told her not to call him again. I told her to just text him, but she won't. I would have taken her damn phone and texted him myself, but the bitch never lets her phone out of her sight." Kitty shook her head. "Whatever, they'll see each other tonight, and everything will be fine."
Artie nodded in agreement. "Right. Everything will be fine.
Puck was sitting on the subway, tapping his feet impatiently. A week ago, he had no problem going to Kitty's stupid fashion show debut. He didn't give two shits about clothes, but Artie made it clear they all had to support his girlfriend, even if she was a raging bitch.
But that was last week. However, as of two hours ago, he had something else he'd rather be doing. And he couldn't because he gave his word he'd be at the fucking fashion show.
After the disaster known as Rachel's theater party, Puck had moped around for the rest of the summer. He did a lot of tutoring and played video games when he wasn't. He went out with his friends when they asked, but he wasn't any fun. Ending things with Rachel had messed him up more then ending his engagement to Tina had, and he couldn't figure out why he was so hung up on a girl who had used him.
Of course she had used him. What girl would choose a high school teacher over a rock star? Puck couldn't blame her for making the choice she had. Part of him kept wishing he'd been mistaken, but Rachel never called or texted him to tell him that, so he assumed her and Sam were living happily fucking ever after.
Once school started two weeks prior, Puck at least had less free time to think about Rachel. He was busy teaching chemistry to new group of kids who could care less about the subject. He was so desperate to not be stuck at home alone that he even agreed to co-run the fucking glee club with Finn. Finn had been looking for someone who could play guitar, and Puck fit the bill.
He kept seeing advertisements for her show everywhere he went. Apparently, it was a huge deal. He heard Finn mention to Quinn one night that Rachel's name was on the short list for a Tony nomination, which apparently was a big thing in the theater world.
Puck saw her on The Today Show with her costar and she was a natural. Rachel was the perfect person to interview. He was going to turn it off right away as soon as he saw her face, but then they mentioned she was going to sing, so he just kept watching. Sure enough, she and Riley performed the big love song of the show, and Puck was kind of bummed he wasn't going to be in the theater on opening night. Elsa was coming up from DC to see the show, and he was going to be in his apartment alone because he couldn't pick up the phone and call her.
Finn kept telling him to call her. He missed her, and Finn knew it. But she hated him. He saw her face when he climbed into the cab. He was a jerk, and even if she and Sam weren't planning their wedding, she wasn't going to ever want to see his face again.
Puck kept hoping his phone would beep with a text from her, but weeks went by and his phone remained silent. Instead, he got a "save the date" for Tina's wedding. He threw it on the counter without a second thought.
On the Friday of Kitty's fashion show, Puck arrived home from work, his briefcase full of papers he was going to spend all weekend grading. He'd given his AP chemistry students a test today, so at least he'd have something to do while everyone else was at Rachel's show tomorrow.
Finn and Quinn were going to be meeting him at his place in an hour, and the three of them were going to head to the penthouse on fifth avenue where Kitty's fashion show was going to be held. Elsa and Joe were going to meet them there. His brother and wife were even going to be there. Puck couldn't understand why everyone was making this huge effort to support Kitty. No one liked her. She was a bitch to everyone.
He guessed that was just what friends did for one another. And she was their friend now since she was dating Artie.
He had been busy getting ready for the stupid fashion show when there was a knock at his door, and his priorities for that night changed drastically.
Puck opened the door, his tie hanging loosely around his neck. Standing there was the one person he hoped never to see again. "Sam," he said, the name coming out bitterly.
"I know you think I'm a giant tool, and you're right. I am. But can you hold off on punching me for five minutes? I've got something important I want to tell you."
Puck let out a grumble, but reluctantly let Sam into his apartment unharmed. If he was here to tell him and Rachel were engaged or expecting or something, he was really going to lose it.
"I'm sorry." That was the last thing Puck expected to hear from Sam's mouth.
"What?"
"For wrecking things between you and Rachel. I've been wanting to reach out to you for awhile, but she didn't want me to."
Puck narrowed his eyes. "Oh, and I suppose she gave you her blessing now, did she?"
"Are you kidding me? She'll kill me when she finds out I was here. But I had to come. I had to fix things."
"Fix things?"
"Between you and Rachel."
Puck couldn't have looked more confused, even if he tried. "Why exactly do you want to fix things between me and your girlfriend?"
Sam let out a loud laugh. "Me and Rachel? We're not together. That was what I intended when I made that video and did that interview, but after, Rachel and I talked. We had our shot, and I fucked it up. She'll never be able to trust me again, not as a lover at least. We're friends now Puck, that's all. And I feel like shit for torpedoing the relationship you two had for no good reason. I wish I had realized earlier Rachel and I weren't meant to be. If I had known that, I would never have said what I said in that interview. I wrote that song for her, but I realize now that was a goodbye to her. You're the one she loves, Puck. Not me."
Puck shook his head. "No, you're wrong. She hates me."
"No, she doesn't," Sam insisted.
"Why hasn't she called me and told me this, then?"
"Because you told her not to. She told me the whole story of that night. She thinks you hate her, so she doesn't want to call you. She's too afraid you'll reject her again."
Puck sunk down onto his couch, his head in his hands. Rachel still cared about him, even though he accused her of using him. He'd been a jerk to her, and she still loved him. He didn't deserve her, but he was willing to spend the rest of his life trying to.
"What do I do? I miss her every day."
"Tell her that. Go to her, and tell her how you feel."
"I fucking can't," he said, tossing the tie across the room. "I have to go to this fucking fashion show tonight, and she's got her show tomorrow. I'm never going to get a chance to tell her."
Sam placed a hand on Puck's shoulder. "You'll figure it out. You have to. She's worth it."
Sam was right, Rachel was worth it. She was worth everything. She was worth flying halfway across the world just to have dinner with her. He would do anything for her, including walking out of this damn fashion show and showing up at her place with flowers, begging her to forgive him.
Unfortunately, he wasn't going to get a chance to even try that. Finn and Quinn were refusing to let him back out. Once they were outside the building, Puck started making excuses why he had to leave.
"Look, I have a stack of tests I need to grade," he said as they walked up to where Joe and Elsa were waiting for them. "I really need to get on it."
"Oh shut up, you're not getting out of this," Quinn insisted, taking his arm. "I know you don't like fashion, but you might be surprised and actually enjoy yourself. Plus, you can't ditch your brother. He flew in all the way from Georgia to see this, so smile and bear it!"
"Yeah Puck, you're going to have fun," Elsa promised, a smile on her face. The group handed their tickets to the bouncer and were let inside the building, taking the elevator up to the top floor. Once their names were checked off the list, they entered a stunning room. There were lights all around, a runway down the center, and photos of Kitty's designs on the walls. But the best part was that the giant window overlooked downtown.
"Wow, this place is nice," he said, letting out a low whistle. He glanced down at his phone, checking the time. He needed to get to Rachel tonight, and the minutes were ticking away. If he showed up after she was sleeping, she'd kill him. Maybe he could sneak out to call her, if Elsa took her eyes off him long enough.
Kitty's partner, Isabelle, walked out and announced that they'd be starting the runway show in just a few minutes. Puck knew it was now or never.
"Hey' I've gotta run to the john. I'll be right back." Elsa attempted to protest, but Puck waved her off. He needed to at least call Rachel, let her know he didn't hate her before she went to bed and met some other guy tomorrow after she was a big star.
Puck walked past the bathroom and out to the balcony, pulling his phone out. His heart hammering, he highlighted Rachel's number and called it, pressing the phone to his ear. The phone kept ringing and ringing until finally there was a click and he heard the greeting of her voicemail. Puck sighed. Where the hell was she?
"Okay, I will admit I am quite nervous," Rachel admitted to Sugar, one of the other models for Kitty's collection. They were all waiting behind a curtain as Kitty and Isabelle introduced the line to everyone who had showed up. "I am not a model, nor have I ever acted as one. What if I fall?"
"Oh honey, relax," the girl said, tossing her hair back. "You'll be fine. I've done a ton of these shows. Just put one foot in front of the other, and pretend you're at home modeling for your boyfriend or whoever. Plus, your dress is killer. Everyone is going to love it."
"You think?" Rachel asked, looking down at the garment Kitty had chosen for her. It was a tight black dress that fell mid-thigh. There was a sleeve on her right arm but none on the left. Instead, the left side had a few cut outs, revealing her abdomen. It was definitely something Rachel would never choose to wear. It was paired with a few pieces of jewelry and a paired of heeled ankle boots. Her long hair was curled with the top layer pulled back.
"Oh, totally. I'm totally going to buy that dress when it hits stores." Sugar pressed a finger to her lips as the lights dimmed and the music started, meaning they were about to walk out.
"Where the hell is he?" Quinn hissed as the first model hit the runway. "He's supposed to be here when she makes her debut!"
"He said he needed to go to the bathroom. I tried to stop him but he wouldn't listen to me. I don't know what's taking him so long," Elsa whispered. They were shushed, so the two girls fell silent, watching the show as they glanced around for Puck. He seemed to be nowhere in sight.
Elsa cheered loudly as Rachel made her way onto the runway. She looked amazing, and Puck was missing this! Rachel spun at the end, tripping a little. Elsa put her hand over her mouth, stopping herself from laughing out loud. She was going to murder Puck when she got her hands on him. They had worked so hard to set this up, and he had to be in the damn bathroom.
The runway show ended and the lights came back on, meaning everyone was free to enjoy the champagne and admire the pieces up close. The models were going to be walking around while a band played on stage.
Puck reappeared after Elsa was halfway through her glass of champagne. "Well, you missed the show," she said crossly.
"Sorry, the bouncer dude wouldn't let me in until it was over." He didn't seem upset about this at all. Elsa was about to tell him off when Jake, his brother and Marley, his pregnant wife, walked over to them. Puck threw his arms around his brother and fell into conversation with the two of them.
Kitty walked over, a glass of champagne in her hand and Artie at her side. "So, how did it go?" she asked.
"He didn't see her."
"What?!"
"He was in the bathroom and the bouncer wouldn't let him back in until the show was over. So he missed her."
"I'm going to kill him, okay?"
Artie let out a sigh. "I told you the secret thing was a bad idea. We should have just told him."
"Yes, you made that opinion very clear. But it's more romantic if it's a surprise."
Artie shook his head, watching the band set up. "Well, maybe they'll run into each other at Starbucks or something. They're bound to see each other eventually. They share the same friends, after all."
"Wait, I have another idea!" Kitty said as the band began playing. "We get him a ticket to her show for tomorrow, and when he sees her on stage, he'll realize he has to tell her he's still in love with her. Boom, they're back together."
Artie shook his head. "Let's just let it happen naturally, honey. They'll get back together, don't you worry."
Rachel was still backstage as the band finished their second song. She was supposed to sing a song she'd written next, and then she was going home, hoping to get a few hours of sleep before she had to be up for her big day tomorrow.
"Okay everyone," Kitty said as she stood on the stage. Rachel smiled a little. She could tell by Kitty's voice she was a little drunk. She deserved it, this was her night. "I have a very special surprise. One of my very good friends who also modeled tonight is like, super talented. She promised to sing one song that she wrote before she goes home and gets some sleep. So please everyone, put your hands together for Rachel Berry."
Elsa turned, looking for Puck. But of course, he had vanished. He was standing out on the balcony, talking with his brother and Marley, not having heard a word Kitty said. She really was going to kill him.
Rachel took a seat at the piano, taking a deep breathe. She agreed to sing only if she was allowed to play as well. She wasn't letting some stranger butcher her music.
She was nervous to be singing this song. She'd written it last month and no one had heard it yet. There was one person she wanted to play it for, but of course he wouldn't be here to hear it.
Her fingers started dancing across the keys as she started playing the melody to the song.
I tell myself you don't mean a thing,
And what we got, got no hold on me.
But when you're not there, I just crumble.
I tell myself I don't care that much
But I feel like I die 'til I feel your touch.
Only love, only love can hurt like this.
Only love can hurt like this,
Must have been a deadly kiss.
Only love can hurt like this.
Say I wouldn't care if you walked away,
But every time you're there, I'm begging you to stay.
When you come close, I just tremble.
And every time, every time you go,
It's like a knife that cuts right through my soul.
Only love, only love can hurt like this.
Only love can hurt like this,
Must have been a deadly kiss,
Only love can hurt like this.
Only love can hurt like this.
Puck's ears perked up as he heard music drift out from the main room onto the balcony. He, Jake, and Marley started making their way back inside when Puck stopped dead in his tracks, spotting Rachel seated at the piano, deep in song. Here he was trying to reach her, and she had been five feet from him the whole time.
Your kisses burn into my skin,
Only love can hurt like this.
But it's the sweetest pain,
Burning hot through my veins,
Love is torture, makes me more sure
Only love can hurt like this.
Only love can hurt like this.
Only love can hurt like this,
Must have been a deadly kiss,
Only love can hurt like this.
Only love can hurt like this,
Your kisses burn into my skin,
Only love can hurt like this.
Only love can hurt like this.
Save me, save me,
Only love, only love,
'Cause only love can hurt like this,
And it must have been a deadly kiss.
The crowd started applauding as Rachel took a bow before heading back behind the curtain. Puck stood there in silence. From what he heard of the song, he knew it was about him, about them.
He had to talk to her now, before she went home still thinking she hated him. Puck started walking over to the curtain, but a security guard stopped him. "Sorry buddy, this area's for models only."
"You don't understand, I have to talk to the girl who just went back there. It's important!" he insisted. The guard shook his head. "Come on man!" he said before turning away, feeling frustrated. Rachel was right there, and he couldn't get to her because of some rent-a-cop being a dick. The universe hated him or something,
Puck stomped back over to Joe and Elsa, a sour look on his face. "What died and crawled up your ass?" Elsa asked, giving him a look.
"Guy being an asshole," he grumbled. "I was trying to get to the back and he said it was only for models."
Elsa raised an eyebrow at him. "Why were you trying to get back there?" she asked.
"I was...never mind, it's not important." he didn't need everyone knowing he wanted Rachel back before she officially forgave him. "I'm gonna bounce. I have a lot of stuff to do at home and I'm tired." Elsa started protesting but Puck held a hand up. "Look, I appreciate you guys bringing me along, but I really just want to go home and knock out for the night. Have fun at the show tomorrow." he gave her a hug before saying a quick goodbye to everyone else.
Puck left the room and headed down the stairs, wondering why Rachel hadn't called him back. He'd left her a message, telling her it was important, but maybe she wasn't interested now. Maybe she was a month ago, but he'd waited to long to man up. Maybe she'd moved on.
Puck watched a mane of dark hair disappear inside a cab as he started walking towards the subway stop, lost deep in his thoughts. Maybe it was for the best. Maybe they weren't really meant to be. Maybe...
"Noah?"
Puck looked up. There, on the side of the street was a taxi with the back door open. And there, standing in the doorway was Rachel, looking right at him.
Disclaimer: The song featured in this chapter is Only Love Can Hurt Like This by Paloma Faith. The song in the previous chapter is Red by Taylor Swift.