Hello everyone! Enjoy!
Chapter 7: Setbacks
Trying to relax herself from what almost happened, Rachel stood up and smiled. "It is very nice to meet you, Prince Collin."
"It is an honor to meet you, princess," he smiled back. "To be honest I've been trying to get the nerve to come here and formally meet you before asking you to accompany me to my father's banquet dinner this evening."
Puck stared at Rachel, trying to see if she would really be another man's date after they almost kissed. Her smile faltered but she hesitantly nodded. "Yes I would love to join you."
Collin nodded. "Great. I have a meeting to attend but I will be back around six to come pick you up."
"Okay," she replied as he left.
When Collin and Daniel were gone, Puck angrily looked at Rachel. "Seriously? We almost kissed and you're still going to go out with that guy?"
"Collin is one of the eligible princes I have to choose from, I have to go out with him eventually. What happened with us was a moment of weakness that should not have happened. I am supposed to be marrying a prince, we cannot happen."
"Why the hell not? You had no problem with it when we were sixteen."
She sighed. "I was young, I did not think about the way things are supposed to work here. I am sorry that this is not what you want but-"
"You're weak," he said.
She stepped back. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me. You're weak. The girl that I fell in love with was ready to fight for the man she loved and wanted to be with. The woman standing in front of me now, I have no idea who this is. And honestly, I don't know if I want to know her."
"Noah-"
"Have fun on your date," he said before walking away.
Rachel sighed to herself. She knew Puck was upset with her but she didn't know what to do to fix this. As much as she wanted to kiss him, she was also still unsure about their relationship. She didn't feel like that girl that stopped her wedding to that horrible Prince Jesse and finally stood up for herself. But ever since she sent Puck home, she felt like that girl who let everyone dictate her life. She didn't know what happened to that girl and she had no idea how to get her back.
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As Puck walked, he kept thinking about all the possible princes that Rachel could meet and fall in love with and it made him even angrier. How could she want to pick a stranger over him after everything they've been through? It didn't make any sense to him. He didn't think he had any feelings for Rachel anymore but after what almost happened, Puck realized maybe he was still in love with her.
While he was walking, he ran into Ryder and Arabella. "Arabella what are you doing here? I thought you were having lunch with your family?"
"Father had other business to attend to and my schedule was open so I decided to come by and see you. Ryder was helping me find you."
Realizing he had to tell Arabella the truth, Puck sighed and looked at Ryder. "Can you excuse us?"
"Sure I'll be in the common area if you need me," he nodded as he walked away.
Puck turned to Arabella. "Look I know we really clicked at the party but-"
"You're still in love with Rachel," she finished.
He stared at her in confusion. "How'd you know?"
Arabella shrugged. "I saw the way she cut in and said you were supposed to be helping her today so you wouldn't have lunch with me. Plus everyone knows the story of you two so it is not a huge surprise that you still have feelings for each other."
"Well I don't know about her still having feelings for me but I know I still love her. I was just trying to act like I didn't."
"I understand. But what makes you think she does not feel the same?"
"We almost kissed then a prince came in and asked her out and she immediately said yes. Clearly she doesn't feel the same way."
"Or she is trying to do what is expected of her," she suggested. "She is being the obedient princess we are all taught to be. The time she spent with you may have changed her for a little while but without you, she resorted back to who she was before except worse."
Puck sighed. "I just don't know what to do. I was so close then some guy stepped in and ruined it. Maybe I should just go home."
"And be a quitter? That doesn't sound like someone who once traveled all the way here to save the girl he was in love with."
"That guy knew that the girl loved him too. If she's able to almost kiss me and seem like it had no effect on her whatsoever then maybe I should step away and just let her do her own thing. If she wants to marry a prince then who am I to stand in her way?"
Before Arabella could respond, Ryder and Sara walked up from around the corner.
"Are you serious?" Ryder asked. "You're really going to give up on her?"
Puck stared at them. "Have you two been listening?"
Sara shook her head. "That's beside the point. How could you give up on Rachel? You two are made for each other, you proved that when you almost kissed."
"Look Rachel and I are done. That's not going to change. For the rest of the time that we're here I'm going to try to keep my distance."
Ryder smirked. "Does that mean you won't be attending the garden party in a few hours?"
"Do we have to go to that?" he groaned.
"Seeing how you are staying with the royal family I would think so."
Puck frowned. Looks like there would be limited opportunities to avoid Rachel. "Great."
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At the garden party later that day, Rachel lost count of how many times she had to put a fake smile on for everyone. More than anything she wanted to just relax in her room instead of being at a garden party with people who just wanted to question her about who she will be marrying. After what happened with Puck, the last thing she was feeling up for was a party.
While she walked, Shelby went over to her. "Darling we have a problem. The entertainment has cancelled, there is a big storm in their country so they are not able to get here."
Rachel frowned. "They were supposed to be singing for everyone. What are we supposed to do now?"
She thought for a moment before speaking. "You mentioned that Noah could play the guitar correct?"
"Yes," she nodded.
"Do you think he could perform something?"
Rachel quickly shook her head. "Mother I do not think that is a good idea."
Shelby frowned. "Darling you are about to become queen. People are expecting you to be able to organize events and have everything under control even in situations like this. I know this situation is uncomfortable but I need you to put aside your personal feelings and ask Noah to perform."
Not wanting to go against her mother, Rachel hesitantly nodded before going to look for Puck. When she found him, she frowned when she saw that he was with Ryder and Arabella. More than anything she wished Arabella would stay away from him and she couldn't understand why she felt that way.
When she walked over to him, she tried to smile. "Are you enjoying the party?"
Puck nodded, clearly trying to be civil. "Yeah it's okay. Little boring though."
Rachel could tell he was being short with her but she had to ignore it. "Well the entertainment cancelled due to inclement weather and my mother and I were hoping that you would be willing to perform something."
"Seriously?"
She nodded. "You would be helping us out a lot."
"But I don't know the music of Mercier," he shook his head. "I don't think I'd be much help."
"It's ok. As long as you perform something that sounds enjoyable everyone will be okay with it. Please?" she begged.
Knowing that he couldn't say no to her when she really needed help, Puck sighed. "I need a guitar." She smiled before quickly going to find him a guitar as he turned to Ryder and Arabella. "I don't even know what I should sing. I haven't performed in years."
"I'm sure you'll think of something," Ryder replied.
Puck sighed as he went to the stage where he was given a guitar as Hiram introduced him. After he told the band and backup singers what he was going to sing and what he needed them to do, Puck turned back to the audience. When he looked into the crowd, he found his mom and Sara smiling in shock.
He cleared his throat before speaking into the microphone. "Hello everyone. You're going to need to bear with me, I haven't performed in front of an audience in a long time so I'm a little rusty. Here it goes."
As he started strumming and the band started playing with him, Puck tried to forget all about his nerves by finding his friends in the crowd. When he did, he felt more comfortable.
I'm not surprised, not everything lasts
I've broken my heart so many times I stopped keeping track
Talk myself in, I talk myself out
I get all worked up then I let myself down
I tried so very hard not to lose it
I came up with a million excuses
I thought, I thought of every possibility
And I know some day that it'll all turn out
You'll make me work so we can work to work it out
And I promise you kid that I'll give so much more than I get
I just haven't met you yet
Hmm...hmm..
Rachel smiled to herself. Puck was as great as she remembered. It was difficult to believe that he hadn't performed in years.
I might have to wait, I'll never give up
I guess it's half timing and the other half's luck
Wherever you are, whenever it's right
You'll come out of nowhere and into my life
And I know that we can be so amazing
And baby your love is gonna change me
And now I can see every possibility
Somehow I know that it'll all turn out
You'll make me work so we can work to work it out
And promise you kid I'll give so much more than I get
I just haven't met you yet
As he continued, Puck felt the crowd's positive energy and it made him feel better about performing. But he knew that Rachel was watching him and the last thing he wanted was to look at her during a song like this so he looked at Ryder and Arabella who were dancing along to the music, clearly enjoying the performance. He smiled as he continued.
They say all's fair in love and war
But I won't need to fight it
We'll get it right and we'll be united
Rachel noticed Puck looking in a certain direction and smiling so she followed his gaze and frowned when she saw that he was looking at Arabella who was smiling back. She frowned and inside, she wanted nothing more than to interrupt the performance and demand that Arabella be removed. She couldn't believe that Puck would really sing such a romantic song and direct it to another girl right in front of her.
And I know that we can be so amazing
And being in your life is gonna change me
And now I can see every single possibility
And someday I know it'll all turn out
And I'll work to work it out
Promise you kid I'll give more than I get, than I get, than I get, than I get
Puck was on a high. The crowd was enjoying his performance and he couldn't have felt happier in that moment as he performed. It reminded him of the days he was in the glee club with his friends and then Rachel became a part of it and made it even better.
Oh you know it'll all turn out
And you'll make me work so we can work to work it out
And promise you kid to give so much more than I get yeah
I just haven't met you yet
I just haven't met you yet
Oh promise you kid to give so much more than I get
I said love love love love love love love
I just haven't met you yet
Yeah, I just haven't met you yet
As the crowd applauded, Puck left the stage where Ryder, Arabella, Sara, and Maria greeted him to congratulate him.
"Dude that was awesome," Ryder high-fived him.
Arabella nodded. "You are very talented."
Before Maria or Sara could say anything, Rachel came over to them. "Wow that was pretty great for someone who hasn't performed in years."
"Thanks I try," he smirked. But when she kept a straight face, he frowned. "What's wrong?"
"Did Arabella love it? I am sure you loved performing for her."
He stared at her confused. "What are you talking about?"
"You and Arabella. It is obvious that things are moving along nicely for you two."
Thinking back to his performance, Puck was finally able to realize that Rachel noticed him looking at Arabella. He smirked. Even though he and Arabella had already agreed to just be friends, Rachel didn't know that which made it fun to mess with her. "Are you jealous?"
"Do not be ridiculous," she shook her head. "I just think it is inappropriate for you to be flaunting your romance in my face."
He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He was the one who would have to stand by and watch her marry someone else. If anyone had a right to be mad it was him. "Honestly Rachel I don't really care if you considered it inappropriate. You're choosing to be traditional and marry some stuffy prince instead of following your gut and choosing me again. You're the one who accepted a date with another guy after we almost kissed so if I want to date Arabella or any other princess I don't really think it's any of your business. You're not the only one who's allowed to get a happy ending."
Without another word, he walked away from her as she stood there thinking about his words. Obviously things weren't going to get any easier for them the closer her inevitable wedding came. Maybe the best option would be to avoid each other until everything was over and done with.
Let me know your thoughts! Anything you would like to see happen in the story feel free to let me know. Song used Haven't Met You Yet by Michael Buble. Bye for now :)