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An Artie/Tina fic

Chapter five.

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Disclaimer: -insert clever little quip about how I still don't own anything of value for Glee here-

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A/N:I love you guys so much. I really do! I read all your reviews, and I'm glad you guys like where this is going so far!

I adore Mike Chang. I think he's adorable and I wish I could have him!

It almost makes me feel bad for what he's going to have to endure in this story.

Anyways, about the story.

Here's the next chapter! It's a bit more depressing than the other chapters, that's for sure.

But it's with a purpose I swear!!

PLEASE REVIEW! And enjoy!

As they pulled into her driveway, Tina felt her stomach tighten nervously. She hadn't realized that she was actually bringing a guy back to her house. Sure, Artie and Kurt had been over to her place before, but they were friends. Mike was more of an acquaintance. An acquaintance who was popular, attractive, and well-mannered to the point where he would surely charm her step-mother. And her father had been working late these past few days, so she would more than likely dodge that bullet. As they got out of the car, she saw the curtain in front of the large bay window in the living room shift slightly where she was sure Lynn had been peeking at them. She sighed softly, smiling to herself. Then she walked over to meet Mike and walk him into her house.

As they entered, things seemed actually normal. People weren't screaming at one another. No one was nursing a budding black eye. And, more importantly, Lynn wasn't hovering over her shoulder, rambling a mile a minute. Instead, she sat in the over-sized leather arm chair beside the window, small reading glasses resting on the edge of her nose as she peered down at a book. She looked up at the sound of her step-daughter entering earlier than normal. As soon as she saw the second body, a look of faux surprise washed over her face. Here we go. Tina readied herself.

"Oh! Tina, you have company. Who's this?" Lynn asked, folding the book closed and lifting the glasses from her face, but making no movements to approach.

Mike, who had habitually slipped out of his shoes already, moved towards her, holding his hand out in a gesture of introductions. "I'm Mike. Tina and I have trig, French and Glee Club together." He explained briefly and concisely. Lynn could only reach out and take his hand, shaking it in slight awe. Tina smiled. She knew that Mike had efficiently answered all of her usual questions in one statement, which left her with nothing to say.

Stepping in, Tina grabbed Mike by the crook of his elbow, directing him lightly backwards, towards her bedroom. "We'll just be studying." She told Lynn over her shoulder as they wandered back to her cave of sorts.

When they were halfway down the hall, she heard Lynn's voice float down to meet her.

"How does everyone always know what I'm about to ask?"

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The walk was slow because Mike seemed fascinated by the pictures on their walls. He stopped at one just before the door to her bedroom. In it was Tina and Marcus, standing shoulder to shoulder, fake smiles plastered to their faces. Tina stepped up beside him, looking up at the picture as well.

"Is this your brother?" Mike asked after a moment.

"Yeah. Marcus. He's in college right now. He's four years older than me." She began to explain.

"He went to McKinley high school, didn't he?" Tina was slightly confused by his fascination with her brother, but she simply nodded, taking a step away from the wall and opening her bedroom door. She flicked on the light and her room came into view. It was very different from the rest of her house, which was white, clean and very modern-chic. Her room was a deep shade of purple, though most of the walls were covered in posters and drawing she'd done. Her bed was huge and the black down comforter that covered it had band names stitched into it in white, done by her own hand. The desk, where the computer sat, was overwhelmed by piles of papers and books that should have been on the shelf beside it. In the corner, by the window, was her favorite lime green bean bag. It showed the fact that Tina nearly lived in that chair, and the color was very expressive of Tina. She smiled inwardly before turning to be sure he had actually torn his concentration from the picture. He had and was now making his way to the bean bag chair. She chuckled a bit when he threw himself into it with a goofy grin. Habitually, she shut the door behind her, moving to the edge of her bed and sliding her book bag off her shoulder, rummaging through it to find her trig book.

They'd been studying for a good two hours when Mike closed his book and threw himself backwards. He had since moved up onto the bed with Tina, because she was studying at a mile a minute and he couldn't keep up with her without looking at what she was writing. From his little outburst, Tina figured it was time for a break. She looked down at him laying across her bed and giggled a bit. He was looking up at her ceiling as if the answers were up there in invisible ink. She looked up there too, suddenly realizing that he couldn't see her favorite part of her room. Standing up, she walked over to the wall where the light switch was. He sat up, looking at her concerned.

"Watch." She said simply, pointing at the ceiling before flipping the light off. As soon as she did, it erupted into a flurry of stars and planets All hand drawn in glow-in-the-dark ink. A soft sigh passed the football player's lips and she had to smile at him. It seemed like such a sensitive sound for a man so… macho. He stood up, his eyes still trained on the ceiling, and walked over to her. She, too, was looking upwards until she felt his hand on the small of her waist. She looked down, gasping a bit at the sensation, and when she looked up at his face, he was looking down at her. She felt the blood begin to rush through her veins faster and she knew she should be enjoying this but all she could think of was Artie.

"Did you draw all this?" he asked softly. She just nodded, not trusting her voice right now. He looked up once before putting his other hand opposite the other, pulling her lightly towards him. "Beautiful…"

Then, before she even understood what was happening, she felt his lips on hers. She placed her hand on his shoulders in every intent to push him away. It was all moving far too fast. And really, the only person she wanted to kiss was Artie. The boy who hadn't talked to her for almost a month and had hurt her in ways she couldn't explain. Thinking about it, Tina realized that she was being ridiculous. She and Artie were never going to happen. She needed to get over it. Over him. And who was a better rebound than Mike Chang? He was attractive, smart, funny…

Slowly, she began reciprocating the kiss. Her hands moved from his shoulders to around behind his neck. She stepped forward, her eyes fluttered closed and she relaxed in his arms. She felt his tongue flick lightly against her lower lip and she obediently opened her mouth, feeling his tongue slip into her mouth, exploring it hungrily. It was actually pretty enjoyable, and as she massaged his tongue with hers, she was beginning to get into it.

Tina heard the front door open silently, and she assured herself it was just Lynn taking out the trash or something. But moments later, she heard her father's booming voice followed by his heavy footsteps. In a fit of panic, she pushed Mike away and flicked the light on only moments before her father burst into the room, his features tainted with severe ferocity and his cheeks red with anger. She pressed herself against the wall, trying to breathe evenly. She saw his eyes flicker between her and Mike, who was sitting against the bed and analyzing the detailed stitching on her comforter. The silence stretched on for a few moments too many, and Mike finally stood. He gathered his book bag and his trigonometry book, mumbling about being late for dinner. He side-stepped her dad, who had his gaze intent on her face, noting how close she was to tears already.

As soon as the front door shut again, Mr. Chang stepped into his daughters bedroom fully. Tina scrambled backwards, desperate to keep the distance she had between herself and him. But he was faster that she was, and with one large step, he reached out for her, grabbing her by the hair and pulling her forehead. She knew better than to cry out, but she couldn't keep the tears from rolling down her cheeks. He began shouting at her, but she wasn't listening to what he was saying. She was trying to distract herself from what was going on. She tried thinking about the kiss she'd just participated in, but it wasn't helping. Instead, her mind wandered to the night before with Artie. She felt a wave of safety wash over her at the thought. She let the world she was occupying now fade away and she recalled simply being in her best friend's arms.

It seemed that her father had different plans, though. Apparently, he'd wanted some sort of response from his daughter, and when she failed to give him one- he forced her to. He tipped her head back, demanding she look at him. When she did, she saw the anger in his eyes and she knew what was coming next. As if on cue, he pulled his hand back before swinging it forward. His palm collided squarely across her cheek, an exaggerated slapping sound echoing through the room. Satisfied with the cry that escaped his daughter's lips, he released her hair, and she fell limply to the ground. She waited until she heard his footsteps retreat all the way down the hall before letting the sobs overcome her.

It could have been ten minutes or two hours. All Tina knew was that her tears had finally gone dry, and the pain in her cheek had successfully receded. She slowly lifted herself up off the ground, shuffling slowly over to her bed, sitting on the edge. She looked at the bedside table, ran her fingers over the steel knob before pulling it open. Reaching in, she pulled the velvet pouch from the back of the drawer, feeling her weapon of choice beneath the soft fabric. She opened the drawstrings and pulled the blade from it's confinement. The light glinted off the sharp edge and as she pressed her thumb to it, she drew a small bead of red blood. With a sharp intake of breath, she placed the sharp edge against the exposed skin of her forearm, poised and ready. But something halted the blade. With a sad sigh, she dropped the blade on the comforter before reaching for her phone. Her fingers flew over the buttons, knowing which buttons to push out of habit. The drone of the ringer was almost hypnotic, and as it halted mid-ring, she braced herself for his voice.

"Hello?"

Apparently, she hadn't cried all her tears after all.

End of chapter five.

I know, I hate her dad so much!! Anyways, who is on the phone?

The answer might surprise you...

Hope it's tolerable! If not enjoyable!!

Like I said before, reviews are appreciated, positive or negative.

Until next time ...!