Whale hello there Terrans. Welcome to another Glee story. So normally I do full on big stories, but I thought I'd give doing a one shot a chance, for a change. So as usual, a bit of background info. This takes place at first, during Jake and Marley's duet when they sing '' A thousand years '' and later, after the Valentine's Day kiss scandal. Also, this is a little AU-ish as I reversed a particular event.

Please enjoy!"
_

Marley Rose wasn't an open person…far from it. Whenever it came to her personal life, she normally changed the subject. The only people she ever opened up to were, her mom Milly, best friends Kitty and Ryder and her boyfriend Jake.

She loved Jake…she thought. I mean the guy was nice. He was a bad boy, smart, funny-ish, handsome, comforting, understood what living in a financially struggling household was like but most important of all; he truly loved her. But did she love him? Sure, maybe, she wasn't sure. Despite the bond the pair shared, she always found herself thinking about someone else.

That '' someone else '' was Ryder. Ryder Lynn. Jake was ( she'd never admit it ) right, Ryder's name did sound a lot like a doll's name. He was awesome. He was kind, smart, like her – came off as a bit cold and aloof and was just genuinely a nice guy, also his smile, semi-Beatles-style haircut and abs weren't exactly not helping the situation either.

Marley, who was currently sitting on her bed, found her mind wandering away with thoughts of the young blond-wait! What was she thinking? She was with Jake. Handsome, cool, razer scooter riding Jake. Ryder was great and all, but she wasn't with him that way. Sure, she liked him at first, but it hurt when he went '' to the doctor '' when he invited her to see him play football that Friday night.

'' Marley! Sweetie, get your bags. Its time for school!''

'' Huh? Sorry-coming mom!'' Marley called from her bedroom as she raced downstairs.

-x-

Once the young woman got to school, she was met with the same welcoming; a red cherry slushie to her face by the resident bullies; Phil and Bobby.

'' This what you get for joining the Glee club'' Phil wooed.

'' And for being related to the 8th natural wonder of the world'' Bobby added as he and Phil walked away.

'' Yikes, Phil and Bobby didn't give you a break did they?'' a voice chuckled.

'' No-gah! It smarts'' Marley winced as she dropped to the floor.

'' Hold still. I got these…just for the occasion'' the person whom the voice belonged to, handed her a bottle of eyedrops.

Blinking rapidly, Marley staggered up. '' Thanks Ryder'' she said, her eyes still bloodshot.

'' No problem, now follow me, I'm no doctor but I think this is a job for the nurse'' Ryder smiled as he escorted her to the nurse's office.

Unbeknownst to him, Jake had seen the whole thing play out. He currently had his fists balled as he saw his girlfriend and best friend walk away together. What was Ryder doing? Marley was his girlfriend, not Ryder's. Gah!

'' Something wrong?'' Kitty asked as she walked to the young man, her serial-killer smirk on her face.

'' Its Ryder. He told me he'd back off Marley for the sake of our friendship. Gah, that lying douche'' Jake said, smashing his fist into his locker, leaving behind an obnoxious dent.

'' Hey, easy there, psycho, they're just friends. Afterall, you won lady Pukesalot's heart, didn't you?''

'' I guess so-

'' Then drop it. You can either be the supportive boyfriend who realizes that he can't control his girlfriend, or you can be the guy who'll become so clingy it drives her into the arms of another guy.''

Jake went silent.

'' Well, which is it?''

'' I don't know, the second one I guess.''

'' You guess huh? Ok'' Kitty shrugged, walking away.

''Wait!''

Kitty stopped and turned around.

'' How do I get her to see that I'm the only one for her?''

Kitty grinned her patented sociopath grin. '' Ok, here's the plan.''

-x-

Later that morning, Marley found herself in the auditorium with a familiar figure standing there.

'' Hey handsome'' Marley flirted.

'' Hey yourself. What brings you here?''

'' You sent out on Twitter: whoever I'm dating, meet me in the auditorium.''

'' Oh...right'' Jake rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment.

'' So, why'd you bring me here?''

Jake went silent for second, remembering Kitty's words to him. '' I thought we'd try out a duet for regionals. Ya know, so we go straight to nationals?'' As he said this, Jake tried not to seem nervous.

'' Great, what'd you have in mind?''

Jake handed his girlfriend a sheet of paper.

'' Christina Perri. Pretty romantic choice.''

'' Is it now? Mike, hit it!''

As Jake gave the command, the pianist began to play.

Marley began to sing. '' The day we met, frozen I held my breath. Right from the start, I knew I found a home for my heart…beats fast, colours and promises.

How to be brave? How can I love when I'm afraid…to fall? But watching you stand alone, all of my doubt, suddenly goes away somehow.''

As she sang this Marley began imagining her singing partner being Ryder instead of Jake.

''One step closer'' the pair warbled in unison.

'' I have died, everyday, waiting for you. Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years. I'll love you for a thousand more.''

Jake looked at Marley and beamed. She was so beautiful. '' Time stands still. Beauty and all, she is. I will be brave. I will not let any-thing take whats standing in front of me, every breath, every hour has come to this.''

The pair began to sing in unison

'' One step closer. I have died every day waiting for you, darling don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years. I'll love you for a thousand more. And all along I believed, I would find you. Time has brought your heart to me, I will love you, for a thousand years, I'll love you for a thousand more…''

This continued for a few more minutes before the song stopped.

'' Marley?''

'' Yeah Ryder?''

'' I think I love you-wait, Ryder?''

'' Oh, oh sorry. I- I didn't mean Ryder, I meant Jake. I love you Jake '' Marley giggled nervously.

'' I know what you meant. You love Ryder don't you?''

'' What? No-

'' Liar! I know what deception looks like, Rose. Gah, I can't believe I ever opened up to you. We're through'' Jake scoffed, storming away.

'' Wait, Jake!'' Marley called.

Jake looked behind him. '' What?''

'' I…I love you.''

'' Bite me, Judas'' he snapped.

Marley fell to the ground and began to sob.

-x-

'' He didn't'' Tina gasped later that day during lunch.

'' Oh, he did. Hmph. That boy's many things but he ain't no liar'' Unique added.

'' I, I just can't believe that just one word caused this whole scene'' Marley replied.

'' I say screw him. He's a douche anyway'' Kitty smirked.

'' What am I gonna do? I mean, we still go to school together. This'll be a nightmare'' Marley groaned.

'' Ssh ssh shh. Drama, lunch line'' Sugar shushed, cocking her head.

The group looked at a familiar face getting his food.

'' Hello Jake, how're you?'' Milly asked.

'' Fine.''

'' You don't sound fine, what's wrong?''

'' Nothing! Just, drop it'' he snapped.

'' Hey! What gives? Mrs. Rose is like the nicest person at this school. She's just being a concerned person'' Ryder asked as he was at the opposite end of the lunch line but was still within ear shot.

'' You'' Jake put his tray on the side. '' You caused this'' Jake's eyes went red, he started to walk menacingly toward Ryder.

'' Caused what-ow! What the Hell man?'' Ryder rubbed his cheek after Jake punched him.

'' You ruined my life!'' Jake tried to throw a punch but his hand was caught by Ryder.

'' Cool it. I didn't do anything.''

'' Liar!'' Jake grabbed his tray and whacked Ryder across the face with it.

'' Ahh'' Ryder fell to the ground, clutching his face. His nose visibly bleeding.

'' Ryder!'' Marley ran to her friend. '' Jake? What's your damage?!''

'' I-I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me'' Jake stuttered.

'' I do. Beta Puckerman, Figgins' office now'' Sue grabbed the teenager and dragged him behind her.

'' Ryder, show me your face'' Marley panicked.

Moving his hands away, Marley could see that Ryder had an obvious black eye, broken nose and potentially a concussion, as evident by his huge pupils.

'' Marls, it that you?'' he asked.

'' Yeah Ryder, its me, how many fingers am I holding up?'' Marley asked, extending four fingers in front of her friend.

'' Twelve?''

'' Get him to the nurse now!'' Marley screamed. '' Ryder, you're going to be ok!''

Ahh Marley, she's so nice. Maybe that's why I enjoy writing about her. Thanks for reading Dravenites, hope you enjoyed it. Until next time please stay safe, stay awesome and if you live in SA like me, get them booster vaccines!