Chapter 1

Tina didn't understand.

She didn't understand how the boy that liked her since 7th grade decided that he didn't anymore. The boy that told her everything. The boy that would eat lunch with her everyday. But she didn't care anymore.

Well that's what she was telling herself. The tears on her sketchbook said otherwise.

Instead of going to her last period before glee, Tina decided to sit outside on the bleachers and draw in her sketchbook. The weather outside was nice, one of the better days. It was warm with a small breeze. The football team wasn't practicing today so it was the perfect place for her to sulk and draw. All she wanted was to get herself together before seeing him in glee, but her brain kept going back to earlier that day.

As the words he used to crush her heart echoed in her mind, the grip on her pencil tightened. She drew and drew as tears rushed down her face.

"Oh," she softly gasped as the lead of her pencil broke. Annoyed with herself, Tina shut her eyes and set her head down in her lap.

She hated feeling like this. She hated feeling weak and frustrated and confused—especially over a boy.

"Pull yourself together, Tina," she said to herself as she lifted her head up. "Maybe it's for the better," she sighed, tucking her dark, blue streaked hair behind her ear.

As she went to grab another pencil from her backpack, she saw someone heading towards her.

"Oh no," she whispered quietly to herself.

Tina didn't have the energy to explain why she was out here crying and drawing. She hoped whoever it was would ignore her, like everyone else does.

As the figure got closer, Tina was able to make out who it was. It was Finn Hudson.

Tina didn't know for sure if Finn would talk to her or walk past her. Sure, he was in glee club, but they've barely said a word to each other.

Tina focused on her sketchbook and continued to draw as Finn got closer, trying to avoid eye contact with him.

"Hey Tina."

"Damn it," she thought to herself.

"Hi Finn," she replied, with a tight-lipped smile. "What are you doing out here?"

"I was supposed to be taking notes in chemistry when I realized I didn't have textbook. I figured it would be here since this is where I spend most of my time."

"Oh," she nodded. "Good luck."

Tina went back to doodling, assuming Finn would be on his way when she saw a shadow on her sketchbook. Slowly lifting her head, Tina saw Finn sitting next to her, scanning her drawing.

"Excuse you?" she said, with a lifted brow.

"S-sorry," Finn stammered.

Tina held back a giggle. She didn't expect Finn Hudson to find her scary in any way. But he continued. "You're just really good."

Tina was drawing a small doodle of a cat, her favorite animal, and she was just working on the shading. It wasn't her best work, but Finn made it seem like it was the Mona Lisa.

"Thanks," she replied timidly.

Tina pulled her phone out of her pocket to check the time. They had a little less than 10 minutes before glee club started. Finn watched her as she put her phone back in her pocket and closed her sketchbook.

"I'm gonna head back inside. I don't wanna be late for glee," she told him.

"Wait, before you go," Finn said, catching her attention. "Are you okay? I mean when I came out here, I saw you with your head down. And your eyes are pretty red."

Usually, Tina would answer that question with a quick "I'm fine" because she didn't want to talk about whatever sad thing she was going through that day. But looking at Finn she could tell that he wasn't just asking because he felt like he had to. His face was full of concern and tenderness. He actually wanted to know if Tina was okay.

Tina watched her feet for a moment before answering. "Artie broke up with me earlier today." She slowly lifted her head to see a sympathetic look on Finn's face.

"Oh..wow Tina I'm really sorry to hear that," he consoled.

"It's cool," she countered, although she knew it wasn't. She didn't want to cry again so she got up and slung her backpack on.

"C'mon, we don't wanna be late for glee," she sighed, remembering she would have to see Artie in the choir room.

She thinks he can read her mind because as Finn is standing up, he offers to sit next to Tina in glee so she won't have to sit next to Artie.

She actually smiles for the first time today. "Thanks," she said to Finn as they walked back inside the school building. "I appreciate it."