Chapter 11- Selfless (Tina)


Ever since Tina had broken up with Artie, she had not been able to help feeling a little bit bad, like she had overreacted. What she had told Brittany, Quinn and Santana in Kurt's basement had been true. She had loved Artie in accordance with what she knew love to be. She knew that she was probably wrong and that she would find out what love really was another time in her life. Tina also knew that love was subjective; that it meant difference things to different people.

To her, it meant having somebody in your life that you could always depend on and share everything with. No matter what time of day or night, they would try to comfort you and reassure you while telling the honest truth.

Tina had found that in Artie, until she hadn't.

Until Artie's time was better spent playing video games rather than talking to her or spending time with her.

That wasn't what love was and Tina didn't think that that was what Artie thought love was. She didn't think that anybody did.

So why was Artie so adamant on not being the boyfriend that she needed? Tina thought that he loved her, or at least he said as much on multiple occasions before school let out for the summer. As soon as Artie was under no obligation to see her because of Glee Club and their shared classes, he expended no effort to do so and all bets were off. Tina had held out hope that he would change soon into the summer. She wasn't asking for much, just a little compassion.

Talking to Quinn had made her realise that she hadn't overreacted at all. She had done what was only to be considered inevitable. Artie was not a good boyfriend at all and Quinn had pointed out that Tina deserved a lot more than just a boyfriend who wouldn't actually act like a boyfriend. Tina figured that she was definitely right, but couldn't help but missing Artie. Every time their eyes met in Glee Club, she would look away instantly, not wanting to have to look into the eyes that had once captured her so compellingly.

She sat in the library and put her head in her hands, thinking about everything that had happened recently. If you asked her two years ago if she would be in the midst of planning a scheme against her high school's biggest villain, she would have shook her head no and stuttered out her answer while trying to avoid you. Now, Tina was more confident than ever before. She owed most of it to Kurt. The others too, of course, but mostly Kurt.

"Hey, you okay?" A voice made Tina look up.

With a smile, she blinked. "Oh, Mike, hey. I'm okay. How are you?"

"May I sit down with you?" Mike asked and she nodded quickly, finding that her heart was hammering quickly. Maybe she wasn't as confident as she so thought. Or maybe it was just Mike.

"How are you doing?"

"Good," she said shortly. She wanted to frown. Hadn't she already said this? Or was Mike asking about Artie? Oh, he was.

"I meant…about Artie. Rachel was running her mouth off in English yesterday."

"Fantastic," Tina sighed.

"I set her straight, telling her that it was none of her business and that she should concentrate on trying to become less obnoxious in her own relationship instead of judging you in yours."

Tina stared blankly at him. Since when had a guy besides Kurt actually stood up for her? Artie certainly hadn't. "You really didn't have to do that."

"I know. That's what makes me so nice," Mike replied and Tina stared at him again.

"A Wicked reference, Michael?"

Mike shrugged. "Kurt and I went to dance classes together. He certainly makes a lasting impression. I had the whole soundtrack in my head for weeks before I asked him to borrow the CD."

Tina laughed. "Been there. You should try explaining to your conservative parents why you're singing the RENT soundtrack in your bedroom. Then you know how truly effective Kurt's influence is."

Mike let out a chuckle which Tina thought was adorable. "I can imagine."

"Mike, why have you never spoken to me before?"

He sighed. "You've always been attached. I've never felt that there was a proper avenue. You know how the rumour mill gets when a boy and a girl even speak to each other. I figured that Artie wouldn't have taken to the rumours very kindly. I didn't want to cause problems."

Tina wished that she had a sassy retort for that one, but she came up blank. It was sincere and logical. "You were probably right. Thank you for defending me, by the way. It means a lot to know I have support outside of my friends."

"Your harem," Mike corrected.

Tina smirked. "I don't know what you mean."

"Yeah, I know what Santana calls it. Apparently, I'm neutral territory in this so-called war of yours. Against Puck, right?"

Tina looked around and narrowed her eyes. "Is anything I say going to end up getting back to him?" She doubted that it would be because Mike and Puck weren't really friendly, but she had to be cautious. Otherwise, their whole endeavour could have been for nothing. Mike shook his head.

"Okay. Puckerman has done things to each of us that we're not particularly happy about. The scale varies in how much damage he's actually done. From stretch marks to lasting emotional duress. So we're here and we want things to change. He needs to know that he can't go around doing what he wants all the time. And for beating up Sam Evans just because he was going on a date with Kurt? That was the last straw. Kurt's in full revenge mode right now. Especially after what happened last night."

Mike simply frowned. Tina explained what Kurt had told them at their KHHHB meeting. Mike looked aghast that such a thing had transpired.

"Seriously? They followed them and ambushed them? That's absolutely despicable. Puck needs to know that he is not in good territory right now."

"He's already the target of this scheme. I don't think his territory could become any more negative, if I'm frank. Unless he pulls a Mercedes, of course."

"Now that I did not see coming. What the fuck was up with that?"

Tina shrugged. "Petty jealousy. Delusion. Mercedes had all but claimed Kurt as her gay best friend, a term which Kurt scoffs at and deems highly offensive to his character. She was outraged when she found out that he and Brittany had been friends since the age of seven."

"Dance class," Mike nodded. "I was there. They bonded like I've never seen before. If Kurt was straight, they would be planning their wedding right about now."

Tina swallowed, agreeing. "Probably. I'm kind of happy that they aren't, you know? Their friendship is inspiring. It even inspires my friendship with Kurt. Seeing how he is with Britt, it gives the word a whole new meaning."

Mike suddenly went still. "They remind me of Matt and I."

Tina smiled sadly. "You really miss him. I can tell. Glee Club hasn't been the same for you."

"Would it be for Kurt if Brittany moved away?"

"No. Of course not. Mike, I don't want to overstep my boundaries here but, do you have friends who don't live in another state?"

Mike was too disheartened by the answer that he gave it with a simple shake of the head.

"You're a great guy, Mike. I'd like to think that we're friends. Kurt is your friend. Quinn and Britt like you. Santana…likes you as much as she can like anyone who isn't Kurt or Brittany."

Mike chuckled. "Thanks, Tina."

Tina felt a bubble pop in her chest and she remembered what Kurt had said to her once regarding guys. "If you don't ask, how do you know they're not into you?" She inhaled. "Mike, you wouldn't by any chance…uh…want to go for coffee sometime, would you? As friends," she added, scared.

"I like coffee," Mike smiled brightly. "But I'd like it to be a date. Unless you don't want to. Friends is fine by me."

"No," Tina paused him. "A date sounds nice. Are you free Saturday?"

Mike nodded enthusiastically. "I'll pick you up at 1?"

"I'd like that."

As Mike rubbed her shoulder in parting, Tina wondered whether she was doing the right thing. She didn't want Mike to think that he was being used as a rebound. She also didn't want to seem like she was just trying to get back at Artie. Mike was sweet and seemed to genuinely care about her.

The throbbing that her heart was doing seemed to tell her that it was a good idea dating Mike.

And the heart wanted what it wanted, right?