Part 3
I grumble to myself as I head to the showers after gym. Apparently Santana is mad at me for what I said to her the other day during lunch so while I was distracted my clothes and towel had disappeared. By the time I have found them everyone else is either done or almost done and leaving the locker room. I know I need to hurry because I am sure at least Noah is waiting outside the locker room for me to walk to glee. Noah, Mike and Artie all have gym the same period as I do. I quickly shed my gym clothes and turn the water on.
"Hello Rachel."
My entire body tenses as I whip around to the sound of that voice. David Karofsky is in the girl's locker room, advancing toward the showers.
"What are you doing here?" I demand. "This is the girl's locker room. You can't be here."
"Santana just told me you were in here all by yourself," sneered David. "Not a bodyguard in sight."
"You can't come near me," I stammer, grabbing my towel and wrapping it around myself even though I am still standing under the water. "Principle Figgin's told you…"
"Like I care what he said?" scoffed David as he moved to the entrance of the shower stall and leers at me. "We both know you are just playing hard to get. A girl doesn't wear skirts as short as yours if they don't want some male attention. I get you like to play hard to get, but I'm done with that game."
"Stay away from me," I state, my voice quivering in fear as I back as far away from David as I can. "You don't want to do this."
"You are so wrong, Berry," he smirks, "there is nothing I would rather do."
As he takes another step towards me and grabs my arm, I scream as loud as I can hoping that all my years of vocal training make it loud enough to be heard outside the room. I see his face turn bright red in anger and things seem to suddenly turn into slow motion. I watch as he raises his hand and it comes down on my cheek. Things start to go black, but I think I can hear Noah calling my name.
"Rachel?"
"C'mon baby."
"Wake up."
I hear a voice, but it sounds like it is coming through a terrible cell phone connection or something. My whole head is aching and I can't remember why. I try to concentrate on the voice, but then I hear others.
"Mr. Puckerman, you need to let Nurse Jones look at her."
"How long has she been unconscious?"
"Mr. Chang, you need to get off Mr. Karofsky."
David Karofsky! He attacked me! He hit me! I force my eyes open and it takes me a second to focus, but then I see Noah's face.
"Her eyes are open!" he yells and I flinch at the loud sound.
I notice a lot of commotion around me and move my head to see Tina, Artie, Mike, Coach Beiste, Principle Figgins and the nurse. My eyes move back to Noah and I notice he isn't wearing a shirt.
"Why aren't you wearing a shirt?" I ask.
"Because you're wearing it," Noah replies, gesturing to my body. I look down and I do seem to have his t-shirt on. At my confused expression, he continues, "When, um, Mike and I got to you, you only had a towel on. No way was I going to let everyone see you in that."
"What happened?" I ask as I try to sit up a bit.
"You don't remember?" Tina asks softly, moving to my side across from Noah.
"The last thing I remember is screaming and David hitting me," I explain as my hand moves to my cheek and I flinch in pain at the contact.
"Mike, Artie and I heard you scream," Noah explained. "We sent Artie to get help while Mike and I came in. We got here just as Karofsky hit you…"
Noah trailed off and I see his whole body tense as the memory overwhelms him.
"Puck pulled him away from you and knocked him out," Mike continued. "I'm talking, like Anderson Silva did to Forrest Griffin!" At the strange looks he was getting, Mike clarified, "Sorry, UFC reference. He then told me to sit on him and went to check on you. You, um, weren't conscious and you were basically naked so he put his shirt on you and then Artie came in with Tina and Coach Beiste. Coach then called the office and Nurse Jones showed up followed by Principle Figgins."
While Mike talked, Nurse Jones seemed to be poking me to see if anything was broken. Tina had moved away slightly, but Noah was still right beside me.
"Can you tell us what happened before you screamed?" Principle Figgins asked.
"Um, sure," I agreed and tried to collect my thoughts. "I was late getting into the shower because Santana hid my things." I feel Noah growl beside me at the mention of Santana's name, but I continue, "I was just stepping into the shower when David came in. I told him to leave, that he wasn't allowed in the girl's locker room. I reminded him that he wasn't supposed to be near me. He just laughed at me. He said Santana had told him I was in here alone. He just kept getting closer so I screamed. He looked so mad and then he hit me…" My voice trails off as I feel myself start to break down. Noah gathers me to him and I just start crying.
"The police are on there way," I hear Principle Figgins say. "Ms. Chang and Mr. Abrams, since you weren't here for the incident I would like you both to return to class. If the police need to speak with you, someone will come get you."
Tina's POV
I really don't want to leave the locker room. I don't want to leave Rachel. Mike hugs me and tells me everything is going to be okay, but I'm not so sure.
"If you need anything," I begin, moving to place my hand on Rachel's shoulder, "have someone get me."
"Thank you," Rachel nods.
I move behind Artie's chair and reluctantly begin to push him out of the room. As I maneuver us through the halls I think more and more about what Rachel said. The more I think about it the angrier I get. I am almost running down the hall to get to the choir room.
"Tina?" I hear Artie ask. "Could you slow down a little?"
I don't answer as I turn a corner and see my destination. I am sure Artie and I make quite a sight as we burst into the room, but I don't have time to think about it. I let go of Artie's chair and head straight to where Santana is sitting.
"You fucking bitch!" I yell and the room immediately falls into silence. In the back of my mind I know they are all probably stunned by my behavior.
"What the hell is your problem, Chang?" Santana sneers back.
"How could you do that to her?" I seethe, my fists clenched tightly at my side.
"Who?" she replies, obviously trying to play dumb and not smart enough to understand how angry I am.
"What is going on, Tina?" Mr. Schuester interrupts.
"Karofsky just attacked Rachel in the locker room," I explain, my eyes never leaving Santana. That statement immediately starts a litany of questions from everyone. Artie must notice how angry I am and does his best to explain.
"Karofsky came in while Rachel was showering," he begins. Just that information seems to stun everyone. "She screamed and he hit her hard enough to knock her unconscious. Luckily, Puck, Mike and I heard her and while the two of them went in, I went to get help. Apparently, Puck knocked Karofsky out and now they are all waiting for the police to arrive. The nurse didn't think Rachel got a concussion or broken jaw, but her mouth will be sore for a while."
"But why is Tina so mad at Santana?" Finn asked, looking warily between the two girls.
"Because she set Rachel up," I all but growled. "She hid Rachel's clothes so she would be running late then told Karofsky that Rachel was alone in the locker room."
"How could you?" Quinn gasped, staring at Santana.
"I didn't know he would do that!" Santana tried to defend herself.
"He felt up under her skirt in a crowded hallway!" scoffed Sam. "What did you think he would do if he actually got her alone?"
"I just thought he would scare her," Santana continued to try and justify her actions. Her eyes went to every person in the room, obviously looking for some support and finding none.
"She was already scared of him," Britney pointed out, looking at Santana with eyes full of disappointment.
"It isn't my fault!" Santana persisted.
"My mom watches enough Law and Order and CSI," I rebut, "that I am pretty sure that setting Rachel up like that makes you an accessory or something to what happened to her. I bet the police are going to question you too and I think that answer is going to go over as well with them as it does with me."
Santana looked like she wanted to again protest what I was saying, but this time Mr. Schuester cut in.
"I think everyone needs to calm down," he attempts to calm us.
"Calm down?" I scoff. "You didn't see her! She looked terrified, holding onto Puck like he was keeping her from drowning or something. She's going to have a huge bruise on her face from where that, that…"
I can't go on anymore and just start crying. I feel arms wrap around me and I look up as Mercedes leads me to sit down and lets me cry on her shoulder.
"I didn't know he would do that!" Santana attempts to defend herself again.
"You aren't that stupid, Santana," Sam replies angrily. "You were just pissed because she told you off and getting back at her was more important then anything else."
"I'm sure she didn't mean it," Finn attempts to defend her.
"Just because you two are having sex," Quinn retorts, "doesn't mean that you should do all your thinking with your penis. Hell, you're not much better. When Karofsky attacked her in the hall yesterday you just stood there and let him!"
"I was too shocked!" Finn argued.
"That's bullshit," Quinn fires back. "You were probably ten feet away and you just stood there. Sam ran from ANOTHER HALLWAY to break it up!"
"Well, Sam is just better at everything, I guess," Finn spits out.
"You're bringing this back to being jealous of me?" Sam replies angrily.
"You saved the football team, you saved Kurt, you saved Rachel," Finn snaps.
"Are you kidding me, white boy?" Mercedes joins in. "Every decision you've ever made has been based on what would make you most popular. You chose football over everything. Hell, you prayed to a damn piece of grilled cheese hoping to get your quarterback position back!"
Before the conversation can go any further Mike and Coach Sylvester walk through the door.
"How is she?" I immediately demand, leaving Mercedes' side.
"They, um, had me give my statement first," Mike began. "Then I was dismissed. When they're done Puck is going to take Rachel home. Principle Figgins called her dads and they are trying to get home. I told Puck we'd stop by."
"And I am here to get Santana," Coach Sylvester states. "C'mon, Lopez. I'm taking you to my office to wait for your parents to show up then the police will question you. While we're there you can turn in your Cheerio's uniform, you won't need it anymore."
"What?" Santana screeched in shock. "You're kicking me off the team?"
"You're lucky that is all I am doing," Coach Sylvester replies coldly. "You intentionally put a fellow student in harms way. That goes against the student code of conduct. If I had my way, I would have you tarred and feathered then marched around the school. Now let's move it, I haven't got all day! The sooner that uniform comes off, the sooner I can start the disinfection process."
Back to Rachel's POV
I can't seem to let go of Noah. I have his hand in a death grip and I can't seem to let myself loosen it. After Artie and Tina left the police arrived and escorted David elsewhere to wait for his parents to arrive so he could be questioned. Since my dads are out of town they give permission for Mrs. Puckerman to act in their stead so I can give a statement. I quickly get dressed, leaving Noah's shirt on. Mike, Noah and I are moved to Principle Figgin's office. When the police arrive they take Mike's statement then he is released to go back to class.
"Tina and I will come to Rachel's after school," I hear Mike say quietly to Noah. I feel Noah nod and the office door open and close with Mike's departure.
Noah's mother arrives like a little Jewish whirlwind. She's demanding answers and fussing over Noah and I.
"Mom!" Noah attempts to get her attention. "Can you sit down and be quiet so we can get this over with?"
"Mrs. Puckerman," Principle Figgins interjects before Mrs. Puckerman can reply to Noah. "If you will take a seat, we can get the statements over with and then deal with your questions."
"Of course," Noah's mother huffed, sitting on my other side and taking my hand.
The police begin their questioning and I retell everything that has happened over the last few days. Noah then gives his statement. We are thanked for our cooperation and told that they will be in touch with further developments. Once the police leave, Mrs. Puckerman turns to Noah and me and begins her own interrogation.
"Are you okay?" she asks me quietly.
"I've been better," I reply ruefully. "I just want to go home."
"Of course," she agrees. "You can come stay with us until your fathers get home."
"I, um, would rather just go home," I quietly say. "I just want to be in my house, get into my pajamas and stuff."
"I'll stay with her," Noah assured his mother. "Tina and Mike are going to come over after school too."
"If you're sure," Mrs. Puckerman replied. "If you need anything or anything happens you call me."
"I promise," I try to smile, but wince at the pain in my cheek.
"Make sure you get ice on that," she smiles gently at me then turns her eyes to Noah. "You take care of her. I am so proud of you, though."
"Mom," sighs Noah as I see a faint blush tinge his cheeks.
"I mean it, Noah," His mom reiterates.
Luckily classes are still in session so Noah and I are able to get to his truck without running into anyone. He helps me into the cab then moves around to the driver's side. As soon as he is in I latch onto his hand again. When he looks at me in surprise, I sheepishly look at my feet.
"I…it…touching you makes me feel safe," I sputter out, feeling a bit embarrassed for sounding so weak.
"It's okay," Noah assures me, bringing his other hand under my chin to raise my eyes to his. "Whatever you need. I just wish…"
"Can we talk at my house," I ask quietly when he trails off. "I just want to be out of here before school lets out."
"No problem, Rach," Noah reassures. "Lets get you home and into those pajamas of yours."
Once we are in the house I take a deep breathe.
"Why don't you go change," Noah suggests, "and I will get something for your cheek. Tina and Mike should be here soon and knowing the rest of the gleeks, they won't be far behind."
I look between the stairs and Noah and hate myself for feeling any uncertainty about going upstairs. I know I am safe in my own house, but I am just so scared of being alone. Noah must see my uncertainty.
"Or we can both head upstairs and I can get the ice when we get back down," he assures me.
"I feel so silly," I mumble, blushing in embarrassment.
"Hey," Noah smiles at me, though his voice is stern, "none of that. You've been through hell and whatever you need, I will do. If I get to see you in your underwear, that's just a plus."
I can't help but giggle at his attempt to lighten the mood.
"Or you could be a gentleman and close your eyes," I point out as we make our way upstairs.
"Sure babe," Noah chuckles, "because everyone knows what a gentleman I am."
When we enter my room I throw my stuff on my bed and I find a pair of yoga pants and a sweatshirt and head to the bathroom. As I start to change I hear my cell going off.
"It's your dads, Rach," Noah yells through the door.
"Can you answer it?" I ask hesitantly. "I'm not sure I am up to talking to them yet."
I love my dads with all my heart, but I know they must be going crazy with worry and anger and I am not sure I can handle that yet.
"No problem," I hear Noah's response.
When I come out of the bathroom, Noah is just hanging up the phone.
"I think they might be considering putting up a statue in my honor," he chuckles. "I don't think I have ever been told thank you so many times."
"They might," I smile at the idea, but then remember why a statue would be needed. "What did they say?"
"They can't get a flight out until tomorrow morning," Noah explains. "Some big storm in the Midwest has everything all screwed up. They should be home by lunch tomorrow, though. I told them I would stay with you until then."
"You don't have to," I try and argue. "I mean, I'm sure you have other things to do…"
"I'm not going anywhere, Rach," Noah cuts me off and comes to stand in front of me. "Hell, I might not even leave when they get back. Maybe I could just move in. Gotta be better then living in the estrogen hell I normally do."
TBC…