Thank you guys for still reading this story. Also, thank you guys for the amazing review. I know it's been ages since I've updated this story. Forgive me. Also, I've noticed that the last chapter was a little boring and dry, so I spiced it up a bit. Hope you guys like this chapter.
Next Monday, Artie somberly wheeled himself down the hallway. He could sense everyone's eyes follow him as he stopped at his locker. Artie quickly unlocked the door, grabbed his books and headed to his first class, which was history, to avoid any more glares. He took his usual place in the first seat in the front of the room, near the door. Artie noticed Brittany and Santana were laughing to each other in the back, while Finn and Quinn happily talked to each other on the far side of the room.
"Okay class, take out your books and turn them to page 670. Today we'll be covering the early battles of World War II." Mr. Hunter said as he walked into the classroom.
The class slowly took out their books and turned it to the pages. Brittany took out her Spanish book, but didn't seem to know to difference.
"Santana, why don't you begin to read the first paragraph." Mr. Hunter said as he took a seat at his desk.
"In 1931,Germany-"Santana continued to read, while Artie's mind focus on what happened this weekend.
On Friday night, he and Brittany happily spent the night together. Artie and her cuddled while they watched a horror movie, until Brittany fell asleep in his arms. The next day, as he rolled out ofBrittany's house, he received a call from his mom. After spending a few minutes trying to figure out what she was trying to say, Artie caught the part where she said that his dad is diagnosed with lung cancer. He quickly wheeled himself out of sight and broke down behind a bush. Sunday came around and Artie found himself sitting alone in the waiting room at the hospital. His mom dropped him off and left after she nearly broke down as she pulled up to the hospital. Artie tried to go to see his dad but
"Artie, are you okay?" Mr. Hunter asked as he interrupted Santana.
Artie just looked at him and remained speechless.
"Why don't you go see the nurse. Someone will tell you the assignment later." Mr. Hunter said as he watched Artie put his things away and wheel himself out of the classroom.
Artie started to head for the nurse's office, but quickly became sidetracked and made his way into the auditorium. He always thought the auditorium was the perfect place to escape the everyday struggles of being a high school student, but today just felt like the perfect way to release his depression and pain. Artie wheeled himself onto the stage and climbed out of his chair. He lay on the ground and stared at the lights about. After awhile, his phone vibrated. Artie pulled it out and answered.
"Hey, mom." Artie said as he faked being happy.
His mom wasn't so lucky. She was crying her eyes out and it gave Artie shivers.
"Mom, are you okay?" Artie asked.
"Your father…he…Oh Artie." His mom said as she continued to choke up.
"What about dad? Mom, is he okay?" Artie asked as he began to choke up.
"No, he passed away during sur-" His mom started to say but Artie hung up.
He sat on the stage, frozen and lifeless. The lights beat down on him as time continued to fly by. Artie wanted to just break down, but something was holding him back.
In the Main Office, the secretary just got the call from Artie's mom. Quickly re-acting, she looked where Artie's first class was and sprinted down the halls. The secretary banged on the door and let herself in.
"Ah, Mrs. Williams, what can I do for you today?" Mr. Hunter asked with a smile.
"I need to see Arthur Abrams, immediately." She said as she caught her breath.
"I'm sorry, but he's down in the nurse's office. He didn't look too good." Mr. Hunter said as he walked over to her.
Mrs. Williams apologized for intruding and quickly ran down to the nurse's office and looked for Artie there. After the nurse said Artie never came down, Mrs. Williams went back to Mr. Hunter's room.
"Are you sure he wasn't down there?" He asked as she told him that Artie wasn't there.
"Yeah, he never showed up." Mrs. Williams whispered so the students couldn't hear.
"Well, what happened? I'll relay the message to him if he shows up again." Mr. Hunter said.
"His father passed away this morning during surgery. He had a really bad case of lung cancer." Mrs. Williams whispered as she wiped a tear strolling down her cheek.
"Oh no. Poor Artie." Mr. Hunter said as he looked at the ground.
"Excuse me, Mr. Hunter. Can I use the bathroom?" Brittany asked in the back.
"Yes, you may Miss Pierce. Don't take too long." Mr. Hunter said as he looked over at her.
Brittany quickly got up out of her seat and quickly walked out of the room. She cheerfully walked down the hallway, not knowing anything about what happened to Artie. Brittany used the bathrooms right next to the nurse's office. After finishing her business, she popped into the office and checked on Artie.
"How is he?"Brittany asked the nurse.
"How is who, dear?" The nurse asked with a smile.
"Artie, you know, the kid in the wheelchair." Brittany said cheerfully.
"Oh him. He hasn't been in here today. Mrs. Williams was just looking for him as well. Is everything okay?" The nurse asked.
"I don't know. Maybe he's just popular." Brittany said as she shrugged her shoulders and left the office.
As she headed back to class, Brittany could hear something fall, coming from the auditorium. Not really wanting to go back to class, she peaked into the auditorium and found Artie sitting alone on the stage with his wheelchair thrown into the stands. Before she could call out to him, Artie started to sing, while fighting the urge to cry.
Hey Lucy, I remember your name
I left a dozen roses on your grave today
I'm in the grass on my knees, wipe the leaves away
I just came to talk for a while
I got some things I need to say
Now that it's over
I just wanna hold her
I'd give up all the world to see
That little piece of heaven looking back at me
Now that it's over
I just wanna hold her
I've gotta live with the choices i made
And I can't live with myself today
Hey Lucy, I remembered your birthday
They said it'd bring some closure to say your name
I know I'd do it all different if I had the chance
But all I got are these roses to give
And they can't help me make amends
Now that it's over
I just wanna hold her
I'd give up all the world to see
That little piece of heaven looking back at me
Now that it's over
I just wanna hold her
I've gotta live with the choices i made
And I can't live with myself today
Here we are, now you're in my arms
I never wanted anything so bad
Here we are, for a brand new start
Living the life that we could've had
Me and Lucy walking hand in hand
Me and Lucy never wanna end
Just another moment in your eyes
I'll see you in another life
In heaven where we never say goodbye
Here we are, now you're in my arms
Here we are for a brand new start
Got to live with the choices I've made
And I can't live with myself today
Me and Lucy walking hand in hand
Me and Lucy never wanna end
Got to live with the choices I've made
And I can't live with myself today
Hey Lucy, I remember your name
By the time Artie finished singing, Brittany had already slowly made her way up to the stage.
"Artie…that was…are you okay?" She asked, not thinking straight.
Artie was stunned by her being there. He thought he was all alone. Artie remained silent as he looked up at his girlfriend as she towered over him. After a few minutes, Brittany sat down next to him and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Baby, what's wrong? You can tell me." Brittany said reassuringly.
Artie let out a deep sigh and wiped away his tears.
"…my dad passed away today." Artie said as he turned his head away from Brittany, hiding his tears.
"You have a dad?" Brittany asked as she sat up.
"Yeah…well, had a dad." Artie said as he started to choke up.
"Oh my god. Artie, I'm so sorry. Is there anything I can do?" Brittany asked as she started shedding a tear.
"Naw, just don't tell anyone. I'm sorry, but I need to be alone right now." Artie said as he broke down.
"Aw, baby. It'll be okay. Please try to come to Glee today, at least." Brittany said as she kissed him on the cheek and stood up.
"I'll try…" Artie said as he lay on the ground, staring back up at the ceiling.
Brittany slowly walked out of the auditorium, where she was greeted by Santana, holding Brittany's things.
"Why were you in the auditorium? I thought you were in the bathroom." Santana said as she handed Brittany her things.
"I was. I, uh, took a wrong turn." Brittany said, trying to think of an excuse.
"Bull shit. What's going on, B? Don't lie to me." Santana said with a grin.
"What? I'm not lying to you." Brittany said as she blushed.
"Yeah, right. And I'm the nicest person in the whole damn school." Santana said sarcastically.
"Okay fine, but don't tell anyone, promise?"Brittany said as she pulled Santana closer to tell her.
"Yeah, yeah, now what is it?" Santana asked.
"Artie's dad passed away today and now Artie's just hanging out in the auditorium to blow off steam." Brittany whispered in her ear.
"Oh my God. Is he okay?" Santana asked.
"Hell no. He's an emotional wreck. But don't tell anyone." Brittany said as she walked away from Santana and to her next class.
Santana stood there as people began to pass. She spotted Puck and pulled him out of the crowd.
"Hey, watch it. This is a new shirt." Puck said as he picked Santana's hand off his shirt.
"Shut up, Puckerman, and listen. I've got some juicy news. Artie's dad died this morning." Santana said as she looked at him.
"Are you serious? Oh man. How's Artie holding up?" Puck asked.
"Apparently, he's an emotional wreck. Don't tell anyone though, alright?" Santana said as she walked down the hall.
As they separated, Puck told Finn, who told Quinn, who told Mike. Santana told Mercedes, who told Kurt, who told Rachel, who told Tina. Eventually, the news came to Mr. Shuester.
While Artie was still highly upset, he grew madder and madder at himself.
"Artie, you're a fucking idiot! Do you remember the last thing you said to your dad? You told him that you hated him. Now you can't apologize, can you? You're worthless! How the Hell do you have a hot girlfriend like Brittany when you can't even walk? Everyone in Glee…they only pretend to like you!" Artie said to himself as he buried his head in his arms.
Sorry to leave it here, but don't worry. It'll work out! Hope you guys liked this chapter. Reviews are always great.