Chapter 3 – Old Friendships Never Die

"Of course, they are getting ready for Valentine's Day. Schue is a sucker for this holiday, I can understand I suppose? It's sweet… Yes, I know Kurt, we don't have Valentines. But who cares? We have each other. Right, I hope you get Blaine… With Mercedes? I'd rather not. I mean, with everything that happened… It's fine I'll see you another day, no worries… Finn and Quinn, back together in Sam's back. Do you buy it? I mean, I guess it was just a matter of time before the Inns got back together… I am fine Kurt… I am sure, yes. We weren't made for each other… Kurt, I must go, but I'll talk to you later, okay?"

Rachel was on the phone with her best friend, well her only friend, really and had to stop when more than 20 minutes after her dance class ended, there was still a little girl waiting for ride. Not any little girl. Rebekah Puckerman. Rachel knew Rebekah ever since she was a baby, back in the day when she was still somewhat friends with her brother Noah – it seemed like another life, really. "Bekah sweetheart, what are you still doing out here? I am about to close the dance studio." Rebekah absolutely loved Rachel, she was nine, and has taken dance classes with Rachel for three years now. Classic and modern jazz, Rachel was like her big sister or something. She tried singing too, but it did not sit well with her, a lot of words to memorize, and the emotion of it all. Rachel sure could ace it, but that is because she was incredibly talented. "I am waiting for my mum, she was supposed to come pick me up after work, but she's yet to come." Rachel put her hand on Rebekah's shoulder and walked with her while she had her phone stuck to her ear.

"Hello, Ms. Puckerman? It's me, Rachel… Sorry, yes, I mean Deborah. I apologize for interrupting you, but I am here with Rebekah at the community center and she tells me you were supposed to pick her up… I understand completely… I'll take her home, you still keep a key under the mat, right? It's my pleasure Deborah. As you say, Noah must still be at practice. Goodbye, Deborah. No rush, I'll keep an eye on Rebekah until you arrive. My pleasure, Deborah."

She knew Noah, he wasn't at practice, it finished early today and he must certainly be with some cheerleader in a closet in high school doing whatever that sexually active teenagers do, Rachel thought. She always had a soft spot for Noah Puckerman. They grew up together, in the same neighborhood, until his deadbeat father decided to leave and his mother was forced to move the entire family to the other side of town, where rent was more affordable. She saw Noah literally break, when his father walked away, Bekah still a baby. That's why she gave him free passes for all the times he hurt her. That's why, albeit everything, the slushies, the names, the degrading comments, she kept putting papers and notes in his locker at school. But the day he told her they weren't friends before, something in her broke. This, she could never forget. Forgive maybe, but never forget.

Her thoughts followed her until she reached the Puckermans and got inside with Rebekah when she heard sounds from upstairs that only meant one thing. Noah had company, and not the kind his sister should know about. "Rebekah, sweetheart, why don't you go to the kitchen and I'll fix you some snack. I just need to go grab a book I lent to Noah last month. Alright?"

Rachel took the stairs, expressionless but boiling inside that Noah would bring a girl at his mother's and would not even answer and leave his sister out in the blue, like that. The moaning was intense out there, she shook three times at his door – just like his mother used to when they were playing as kids and time would come for Rachel to leave. Something in Puck snapped, he pushed Stacey – or was it Stella? – from his lap and went to the door. "Bekah, go away, I'm busy studying with a… friend." Rachel huffed, exasperated and stomp her foot on the ground on the other side of the door. "Puck, this is Rachel. I kept your sister at bay downstairs with a snack. I suggest you clean up, send your friend home and join us downstairs. Your mum is going to be here any minute."

Berry? What the hell was she doing in his house and why would she know about her sister's and mother's schedule? For a second, his heart swelled that after all those years, they still had a sort of connection. Then his brow furrowed because she had called him Puck. She never did. Then he regrouped, right, he needed to get Sally out of here, without anyone noticing. He sent a text to Rachel.

[5.19 PM]

From: Noah Puckerman

Can u distract Bekah while I sneak Stella outta the house? Cmn down now. Tx.

"Bekah darling, why don't we go and watch Hannah Montana together in the living room? You can grab your snack with you, I'm sure your mum won't mind." As she walked to the living room, she saw Puck slowly going down the stairs motioning to his conquest to be as quiet as quiet can be. A few minutes later, Noah came in the living room as if nothing happened. He plopped on the couch and looked at Rachel looking fondly at Bekah while Bekah was watching this blonde/brunette singer/not-singer show. "Care to explain, Berry?" he asked, nonchalantly.

"Explain what, Noah?" As he was about to answer, Rebekah spoke noticing for the first time that he got in the room: "Oh hello Noah. Rachel drove me back from dance classes after that Mum asked her to do so. Mum was supposed to get me but she something came up at work. So, Rachel offered to do."

"Why didn't you call me?" Puck asked, looking at Rachel with an angry look. He was the man of the house, supposed to take care of his sister and mother, or so he thought. "Deborah tried to call you Noah", Rachel interjected, "but you were apparently at practice. That would explain why you are sweaty. Maybe you should think about a shower."

Puck smirked, he didn't look ashamed for one bit. He just shrugged his shoulders about to make a dirty comment to Rachel when something struck him: "Wait a minute, how is it that you take dance classes with my sister Berry. You're that bad? I've seen you dance, you're alright. You shouldn't stick to 9-year old classes," He snickered. Rebekah once again answered before Rachel got a chance: "Don't be ridiculous Noah, Rachel is our teacher."

Teacher? Puck looked astonished. That's what she's meant all those years when she said she had dance classes? That she was volunteering at the community center to offer little girls who came from modest background, just like his sister, free dance classes? He always thought all she did was take them, to be a Broadway star or whatever she talks about non-stop. On second thought, he knew Rachel. He grew up with her, and remembered all too well her generosity, her selflessness. He pretended to forget because she was tied to a time where he lived with his two parents, and they lived on the right side of town, with no money problems. But here she was, giving classes to his sister while he was, well, throwing slushies at her. "What the hell? How come it's the first time I am hearing about this?" Rebekah just shrugged her shoulders, not even granting him an answer.

The reality is that he seldom spoke to her and did not show any interest in her life or his mother's for that matter. Ever since he turned into a stud, it's all been about football, popularity, chicks and parties. Lost in his thoughts, he saw Rachel got up from her seat, ready to leave and when he was about to object, his mother came in: "Hello everyone! Sorry for the delay. Rachel thank you so much, you're a life savior" Deborah said, as she approached the hug the petite brunette. "Hello Noah, I see you got out of practice. Maybe a shower would do you good?"

"Ma" he complained, while kissing her on the cheek. "Well, it's time for me to leave. Ms. Puckerman, it was my pleasure, really." Deborah looked at her as if she grew a second head: "Nonsense, I'll call Hiram and tell him you're staying for dinner tonight. I'll cook for everyone, it'll be fun."

"Yes, please stay Rachel," Rebekah pleaded with her. As much as Rachel loved the little girl, she also saw panic in Noah's eyes at the idea that he would spend an entire dinner with him – and she got it, why would he? Sure, he'd kissed her a couple of times, but that's only because he was a hormonal teenager and she wore short skirts, but he never liked her. Well he did, in another life. She knew that she needed to spare him. "Deborah, that is lovely but I really need to get going. I still need to work on my homework and it is getting late already. But thank you so much for the invitation."

"Alright, I am not happy about this, but let's reschedule, then? It's been ages you haven't come around. We don't get to see as much as we used to. Of course, I see you at the Hospital, Bekah at dance lessons and Noah at school – but it's not the same, and it'd be so good to catch up, right Noah?" The young man could not answer, there was so much going on in his mind. Instead, Rachel answered on his behalf: "I appreciate the offer Deborah. But, I don't think Noah would be comfortable with me sitting at your dinner table," Noah looked at her with imploring eyes. The carapace he's built during all these years after his father left, cracking down after an unfinished sentence from Rachel freaking Berry.

To answer Deborah's questioning look, Rachel continued: "We just grew apart Deborah. It happens. Noah is popular, and I am the school freak resident. Anyway, I should get going. Thank you so much for your hospitality, and I'll see you at the Hospital this weekend, right?" Rachel offered smiling, "and Bekah, sweetheart, work on those pointes, will you?" She hugged the mother and daughter, and waved shyly towards Noah. That's when he snapped back from his thoughts. "Let me walk you out, Rach." Rach, here was the nickname he'd given her when they were younger, slipping from his mouth for the first time in more than a decade. He didn't even notice. She did.

They walked to her car, in silence. "Goodbye Noah." He took gently her arm before she could get in her car, bore into her brown big eyes, God, she was beautiful. It came all flooding back to him. There was a time when he was madly in love with Rachel Berry, and he swore to their Rabbi he'd marry her and spend the rest of his life with her. "Why?" he whispered. Rachel looked at him, there was so many answers to that. He needed to be more precise. "Why what, Noah?" she said. "First, why do you see my mum on weekends at the Hospital?" Rachel scoffed/ "Not that you care, but I've been volunteering there for almost five years now, jamming a bit with the kids undergoing treatment there." He nodded.

How on earth did his mother and his sister still have ties, arguably good ties, with Rachel Berry, for years, while he had no idea, not even when they dated during that week. "Can I leave, now?" she said, trying to untangle her arm from his hand. "Why didn't you tell my mother, about us, about us not being friends anymore, about me doing well, what I did to you all these years, if you were still seeing her?" She could've. But he knew Rachel Berry and did not consider, for even a second, that she would tell. But he needed to know why.

Rachel exhaled. "Because Deborah doesn't deserve to have her heart broken more than it already is." That sentence hit home. His grip on her forearm slightly weakened and that was enough for her to get out of his hold and jump in her car.

That night, he was restless. Rachel had said something horrible to him, with a look that showed all the hate she had for him. No, it was not hate. It was worse, it was pity. He blocked all memories of her the day they left their old house and he decided to become a badass. He spent so many years denying it, that we almost believed he didn't know Rachel Berry. But he did. And more importantly, she did not know him. His qualities, his flaws, his family as well. During his sleep, he relived all those moments when he slushied her, called her names, helped the cheerios in their pranks to humiliate her.

The last thing he remembers was one their last interactions. "I am sorry your father left, Noah. He is a jerk. Daddy says it means stupid, only worse." Noah was hurting so much, he did not see the tenderness in Rachel's eyes and moves that day, he only resented her for having two Dads, while he had none. He sent her a dirty look. She recoiled but then said: "You know, I have two fathers, Dad and Daddy and they love you so much Noah. I'd love to share them with you." Noah snapped. He was angry at everyone and took it on the person who deserved it the least: "You can keep your fathers to yourself, Berry. They're just faggots."

Noah woke up distraught. He had buried that memory down, he was not even sure if he actually said that. Of course, he had. It was the last time Rachel showed any interest in him. Even that week of dating was mainly about making out, she did not care about him last year, that's why it had been so easy for her to break up with him. Then, he remembered that she also told him he was a "jerk" – the same word she had used to define his deadbeat father. It was only 6 AM. He decided to go for a run and go early to school so that he could talk to Rachel.

At school, he went to her locker and waited for a bit – which both Finn and Sam noticed. Then he began roaming around the hallways in search for her, when he passed by the auditorium and heard a voice: "And I am telling you, I'm not going, you're the best man I've ever known…" It was Rachel, at the piano, she had gotten so much better than their kids days when he would beg her to stop playing. She never did. She was just stubborn like that, he remembered fondly.

He sat behind, unable to move. He had heard that song before when Jones sang it and sure the girl had pipes. But what she did not have was raw emotion, the ability to send shivers down your spine without wailing notes. Rachel's version was a genius balance of fragility, delicacy and smoothness. Puck had not witnessed Sam and Finn followed him and sat next to him, as dumbfounded as he was. When she was done, Finn broke into applause, betraying their location.

Rachel was startled and then she saw the three boys approaching, Finn with an awestruck look on his face, Noah his hands in his pocket, lost in thoughts and Sam genuinely smiling at her. "Good morning, boys. I am sorry, was Glee club supposed to meet in the auditorium? I'll get out of your way. Have a good a day" she quickly said, her music sheets under her arm.

"Rachel, wait!" It was Finn. She stopped and turned to him, smiling. Of course, she would turn for Hudson, I am so sick of it, Puck thought. "Rachel, you were exceptional out there. I mean, who knew you could play the piano?" Puck was quick to answer: "I did." Rachel shot him a mysterious look. "But, your voice, your poise. I mean, Rachel, you had Mercedes sing this song in front of everyone last year, let her take it from you, and didn't say a word while your rendition is just, well, a whole different level. Why?"

"Maybe because I am not as conceited and selfish as you thought I was? Anyway, it doesn't matter anymore. Mercedes has an exceptional voice, she's as good as I am, and you'll do wonders together. All of you. Now, if you'll excuse me." As she was aiming for the exit, Puck called: "Rach, can I talk to you?" Finn looked at him angrily while Sam was a bit, uncomfortable, he wanted to apologize to Rachel and then blurted: "Rachel, I also need to talk to you."

Puck looked weirdly at Sam, not understanding what he would have to tell Rachel. "As I said, I have to run. I have homeroom. Samuel, I'll talk to you later today. Finn. Noah." She left them, alone. Finn, not sure what to make of their exchange, Puck enraged that she would speak to Trouty Mouth and not give him the time of the day. He shot his phone from his pocket, and texted angrily:

[8.27 AM]

To: Crazy Berry

Da hell? U'd speak to Trouty but not to me? U serious?

[8.29 AM]

From: Crazy Berry

Noah, must you be so gross in writing to me? I do not own you anything. But I'll talk to you sure, you know I always will, because even if you'd like to forget about, we were in fact, friends before.

He recognized Rachel in that little dig she threw at him. At least, she would talk to him. They had so much to unwrap. As he and Sam were walking out, Finn asked them: "what was this about? Since when do you guys speak to Rachel? You used to throw slushies at her and you barely know her." Sam looked at him and mumbled: "We have a class in common, needed her notes" while Puck, more confident: "why do you care? You broke up with her in the nastiest possible way? You're a tool, Hudson."

Finn was left in the auditorium, alone, taken aback by Rachel's attitude towards him and by his friends' attitude towards him and his Rachel. He was jealous. Sure, he was seeing Quinn on the side, it was still a secret, but if Rachel showed any sign she wanted him back, he'd come back running.