Ready for for chapter four of this giant mess? Here we go!
Senior year rolls around and of course, the only thing on Noah Puckerman's mind is Quinn Fabray. He's spent all summer, messaging her on facebook, texting, calling but hanging up before she answers the phone.
Orientation day, a day for new students to meet the teachers, and returning students to find out what classes they're in and where their lockers are, ends at one o'clock. Hoping to avoid Quinn, Puck shows up at 12:30. He takes care of things and then dashes back to his car before Dr. Wilson can say hello and ask him how his summer was.
The first month of school are a blur. He doesn't remember them and he wouldn't want to if he could anyways. It's just a stupid month of meeting the new kids, receiving text books, and going over what you're going to go over that year. Pointless.
But then October rolls around and Puck happens to be on "Tables/Floors duty" with Kurt and Quinn. Kurt and Quinn each have brooms and are sweeping under the senior lunch tables and Puck is spraying the tables with cleaning solution and wiping. Kurt finishes much quicker than the others so he rushes off to hang out with his friends for the rest of the free period. Finally he's got a chance to talk to her. So he swallows all doubt, which slides down his gullet like glass, and approaches her, Clorox bottle and paper towels in hand.
He's not even within three feet of her but he can smell her perfume. That's not creepy, is it? He finally opens his mouth and says "Hey, Quinn. Can I ask you something?" She replies, "Depends on the question." Her body language and tone is just so...flirty. He can't take it. He's about to wet himself over how cute she looks. She smirks and bends over, still cleaning up crumbs left by her classmates. He can't help but catch a glimpse of her behind but then he remembers his main objective.
"I, uh, um, do you still like me?" She stops in her tracks upon hearing the question. She stands up straight, the broom and dustpan in her hands. "I don't know, well, ya know, what you did." She pauses. "It was all just kinda really harsh last year." He's satisfied with the answer because, hey it's October. "I'll have so many more chances to change that 'I don't know' to a 'Yes' this year." He thinks to himself.
At football, Finn is still the quarterback and Puck is still the fullback. Yeah, Puck is Finn's go-to receiver but the two don't talk much anymore, seeing as they're not in the same classes anymore. During practices, they don't talk to each other outside the huddle. They pal around with Karofsky and Azimio, but never alone. Their relationship deteriorates as it becomes more and more obvious that Quinn has feelings for Finn. Quinn's feelings for Finn aren't the only reason that the boys don't talk anymore though.
Every time Puck sees Finn, Karofsky, and Azimio, he feels torn. He can't find balance anymore. On one hand he finds himself being the bad guy in his situation with Quinn. On the other, he finds himself being the good guy for being the only one of the four boys to actually care. Puck is the only one of them who beats himself up over it. The only one who feels any sort of remorse. That fact makes him feel slightly better about himself when he's feeling the incredible urge to steal one of the many pistols in his father's desk drawer. He'd never do it, but he does have a very vivid imagination and suicidal thoughts just happen to sneak into his mind every now and then.
As the year progresses, Finn remains pals with Karofsky and Azimio. He even begins hanging out with the cheerios and surrounding himself with girls, as any tall, popular quarterback "should". Quinn even forgives Finn, Karofsky, and Azimio.
However Puck befriends the unexpected. Santana, Brittany, Mercedes, and Tina. Of course, Quinn hangs out in that clique, so I guess you could say Noah Puckerman befriended her too. That might be a stretch though.
Mercedes is in all of Puck's classes, and they flirt effortlessly, but it means nothing to either of them. Mercedes is beautiful, smart, sweet, and mature. She seems to like Puck because, well, he is pretty charming. Of course, Puck falls for her, but then he quickly snaps out of it when he realizes that it's only a crush and he should waste no time on her when Quinn's single and so attractive it's painful. Mercedes snaps out of her crush when she realizes just how hopelessly devoted Puck is to Quinn. They remain close friends though.
The year progresses like you wouldn't believe. Quinn and Puck tease around each other. Whether it's bumping into each other or eating lunch with their friends, they couldn't be more awkward. The sexual tension is just ridiculous.
Around Christmas, WMPS runs what is called the holiday bazaar. Basically, vendors from around the area come to the school and sell their goods to the students so that the students can get their holiday shopping done in one day at school. The seniors run the bake sale and raffle ticket sales to raise money for their gift that they give to the school at the end of the year. Apparently, Mrs. Hollis, the science teacher who makes the schedules that tell which senior what duty they're on doesn't hate Puck. She assigns him to work the raffle table with Quinn fourth period and the gift wrapping station eighth and ninth periods. And he's on shopper-assistance duty while Quinn's got a free period.
As they're selling raffle tickets, they're smiling at one another and Puck can't help but crack a few jokes about how good Quinn is at selling tickets. "It must be the saleswoman blood she inherited from her mother", they joke. They have a lot of fun together, selling raffle tickets. And Puck is just ecstatic that he's been able to make her laugh and smile. Later, they eat lunch together and this isn't just an ordinary lunch. It's one that leaves it's mark on his memory.
They take seats in the hallway at an empty table, because the lunch room is in use by the holiday bazaar. This is the only time they've been able to get away from the raffle table to take their lunch break, so they're alone. Yes, alone. As in, just them. He remembers laughing at how cute she is when she exclaims how good her soup is. She looks like she's exploding with happiness or something. But that's not the part that leaves him breathless. It's when he says "Welp, this is awkward." As he takes a bite from his apple, thinking that they're still not friends. The expression on her face of confusion when she replies simply "Why?" is what gets him. She of all people should know that he thinks she hates him.
The year progresses as it should, as everyone expects. There's nothing in the year that stands out other than the holiday bazaar. That day's flirting makes him feel good. Eventually they get back into their routine of the odd love-hate relationship they share. The proper word for what they are is acquaintances, because they never really become friends.
Graduation at WMPS, with a graduating class of 29 students, is a big deal. Dr. Wilson takes great pride in the ceremony and it being her last year before retirement, this one has to be perfect. Graduation isn't what really matters though. It's the after party. It's held at a local country club, paid for by the parents and some trustees. During the last dance is when our hero, Puck, gathers the courage to ask Quinn what he's needed to ask her all year. He pushes through the crowd of cheerleaders swarming around him and Finn and put his mouth near her ear so only they can hear him.
"Quinn, I need to ask you something." He says, unsureness in his voice.
"What?"
There's cheerleaders, their friends, their parents, and school faculty around, so he asks in a hushed, embarrassed tone, "Can we talk about it somewhere alone? Like on the phone or facebook?"
But she's Quinn flippin' Fabray. She has to her have her way or no way. "No. Just ask me here."
With a sigh of defeat he looks her in the eyes "Are you still mad about last year?"
"Jesus, can he just stop?" she thinks to herself, mentally rolling her eyes. "Well, yeah, kinda. It's just something I don't think I'll ever get over."
Unsatisfied, he gives her a bro-hug (she gives everyone else normal hugs but he's different and won't allow herself to be wrapped up in his arms) and says goodbye, even though they're both going to be attending Ohio State and there is a large possibility that they will see each other on campus.
Laying in bed that night, he decides that one day he'll figure out a way to make everything between them right. "Even if it takes my last breath" he concludes before falling asleep.