PUCK'S POV
As soon as I get to school, I try and avoid all of the gleeks. I don't want them to know Rachel's secret, especially without her permission.
I get to math and sigh in relief. I can finally ask Rachel about yesterday, and if she's okay. I look around the room, but I don't see her
When the teacher walks in, I'm immediately worried. Rachel is always at school, and in all of her classes. Even since she got all HBIC, she never missed a class. I kept thinking about all the things that could've happened to her, but above anything, who this Matthew guy was. Was he her boyfriend or something? Because if he was, he's got some competition. Yes, I've accepted that I'm in love with Rachel Berry, and that I want to be with her, hold her hand, and all that girly shit. Since Baby gate, Rachel's been my one true friend. Don't get me wrong, I still have other friends. But no one's been there like she has. She always knew exactly what to do to cheer me up. She even made me her famous sugar cookies. Damn, they were good.
Back to the point, Rachel is not at school. She makes a big deal about having a perfect attendance, so I doubt she's gone for some petty reason. While I was trapped in my thoughts, Santana walked in the room and sat down in the seat next to me.
"Puckerman, where's Berry?"
"Rachel," I emphasize, trying to get her to call Rachel by her name.
"Where's Rachel, Puck?" She rolls her eyes.
"I don't know, but I'm worried."
She rolls her eyes again. "You sound like you're in- oh. Oh my God! You're in love with her!"
"Quiet down Satan. I don't want that fact broadcast before I tell her."
"You even admit it, wow."
It's my turn to roll my eyes.
"Why are you worried?"
"She seemed so fragile the other day, and I'm worried she'll do something she'll regret."
"You mean like, cut?"
I cringed. I can't even imagine Rachel harming herself. "Yeah."
"I doubt it." She was acting so nonchalant.
"Why? Why are you so sure that she won't hurt herself?" I feel my temper rising.
"Because think of everything we put her through here. She didn't break. I don't see her breaking anywhere in the future."
"You didn't see her Lopez. Yes, we should've broken her because of all the bullying, but she didn't even crack. Yesterday, she was so broken, I didn't know who it was. Because Rachel Berry does not break. But Rachel does."
For the rest of the class period, I ignored her and let her wonder. Everything I said was true, however, and that's my main concern. After school I'll probably check the IDA for Ari or someone to find out what's going on.
MATTHEW'S POV
Rachel finally pulled away before grabbing my face in her hands.
"Don't you ever do that to me again! Do you hear me? Please Roo, I don't think I could handle it." She let tears slip from her eyes. I wiped them away with my thumb.
"I won't try to. Now, we need to talk." I gave her a serious face.
"About what?" She looked away, avoiding my eyes.
"I heard you say you were thinking about turning to a blade. What's going on Boo?"
She gave me a soft smile and opened up just a little bit. "Ari spent most of the summer trying to convince me that it wasn't my fault. After about a month or so, I started to believe her. The other day, she was saying that it was my fault and any previous thoughts I had came back even stronger. All I could think was, Ari is telling me this so it must be true. That's what got me through everything before. But I fought back, and I thought everyone agreed with her so I just came here."
She was still crying. I don't blame her.
"This was not your fault Rae." I said forcefully, but she wouldn't look at me. I grabbed her chin and brought it up so we were eye to eye. "This was not your fault."
She took a shaky breath. "I know, but that doesn't make it any easier. I didn't listen to your explanation, and look what happened."
"Can I tell you my explanation now?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood. It worked, and she giggled which was like music to my ears.
"Of course."
"I was talking about and to Gerald and Charles, the guys who were there. They talk about you all the time, so I just got frustrated with them and you just came at the wrong time."
She threw herself at me in another bear hug. "I'm so sorry. I was such an idiot!"
"It's fine Boo. Everything's okay now."
We spent the day in the hospital, making each other laugh. At about 3:30, Rachel got a call. She looked at the caller ID and paled.
"I'm so sorry Roo, but I need to take this."
"Take all the time you need Boo."
I still heard the one side of the conversation.
"Hello?" Rachel asked timidly.
I heard a relieved and angry voice on the other line.
"I'm fine Noah. No, I'm not home. Yes, I'm okay. In Lima. I gave you an answer. No, I'm not going to give you specifics. Don't you have glee? Thought so. I'm okay Noah, better than okay actually. Yes, I'll be there tomorrow. Alright, bye Noah."
"So… who's Noah?" I asked, wiggling my eyebrows.
She laughed at me, and I was so happy that I was awake again.
"Noah is someone from school."
"He sounded pretty worried Rach." She looked down.
"I may not have told anyone that I would be here today, and he was just making sure I was okay."
I could tell she didn't want to talk about it any more, so I changed the subject.
"So when can I see everyone else?"
