Wow! An update so soon? Well, to be honest, I'm not very confident about this chapter. Not only is it another short one (and likely the last short one for a while) but it didn't come out as important as I planned it to be. Have no fear, I finally started planning everything about this story out in detail, so I know where I want to go with this fic.
Now, as promised, it's time for ME to reply to YOUR reviews!
TopHatGirl - Thanks! Yeah, I feel like punching Rachel sometimes too, which is why I had to make sure I accomplished that feature in the story as well. And go ahead, hug anyone you want. I like hugs (hint hint, wink wink, nudge nudge)
Greenberry Rhythm - Yeah, I like the Matt/Mike parts too. But, I have to try and add in relationships between other characters. I can't forget about them, so expect some Tina/Artie action to happen in the near future. (Not this chapter, sorry if I got your hopes up.) But ultimately, Mike and Matt will be the major pairing of the story. Hope you enjoy it!
lost-in-the-lyrcs - First of all, I have to admit, I love your username. I dont' know what it is, but I like it. Second, nothing personal was on my laptop. I keep everything I want to keep on my flashdrive, so everything on my laptop was either stuff that could be recovered or material things that I can get over. For example, I had the documents for the chapters of this story on here, but I also had a story back-up on my flashdrive. So it's all good, thanks though. Third, I like overdramatic Rachel too. It's something I notice in her in the show, so I'm trying to reflect it in the story. And Brittany: yeah, I love her. I have to admit, I'm studying Brittany's lines to make up my own in this story of equal humor. I'm not sure I'm pulling it off, but I'm hoping so. For example, Brittany talks about a cricket that reads to her in the show. Well, I've made that cricket a character (sort of). Also, like you said, that chapter was dialogue heavy, and I realized it while writing. This one is just as short, if not shorter, so it may be another one like that, sorry! Trust me, though, I have big plans for the future, and unlike these passed few chapters, I have the next chapter planned out in detail, ready to start writing anytime.
So, thanks for the reviews! But by no means does that mean stop reviewing! Read this, then review again! It makes me a happy author!
DISCLAIMER: i aint bein da owner of nun o' dis, yo!
Chapter 8 – Panic
The walk back to the car was serene for Finn, Rachel, and Brittany. Apparently, the cricket (named Reginald, according to the blonde) found its way back to the group, easing her worry.
The three approached Mercedes' stolen car. Rachel walked toward the driver's side door, taking out the keys to unlock it, but Finn absentmindedly opened the door before Rachel did anything.
"Oops, I must have left the door unlocked," Rachel said. "My bad."
The friends ignored the mistake, got in the car, and began to drive.
"Finn, Reginald is mad at you for leaving him at the bench."
"Brittany, I didn't even know Reginald existed until a few minutes ago." Finn shook his head in confusion.
"Reginald says that's no excuse and I shouldn't listen to you."
"So are you going to let that grasshopper–"
" –Cricket."
"Cricket…decide what you do from now on?"
Brittany stopped and looked out the window, deep in thought. "That's…not a bad idea!"
"…Pinocchio much?" Rachel said. Finn shrugged.
"Reginald says you talk too much, Rachel."
"What! I…whatever."
"Yeah, that's what Reginald thought."
Rachel scowled. "I don't like Reginald…"
"Reginald doesn't care." Brittany said as-a-matter-of-factly.
Life's what you make it so let's make it rock!
Life's what you make it so come on! Come on!
Everybody now!
"NO! I DON'T WANT TO!" Santana screeched, finally grabbing the remote and turning off the horror that was Midnight Karaoke, a new game invented by Tina where they sing any song that comes on Disney Channel.
"Hey! I was just getting into it!"
"No you weren't. Shut up." Santana barked coldly.
Tina frowned, and then looked confused. "Hey…I just realized something…"
"What's that?" Mercedes asked.
"Rachel's not here."
"Really?" Quinn asked. Everyone looked around the room to indeed learn Rachel was missing.
But then she walked through the door with Brittany right behind her.
"Brittany!" Santana exclaimed, running to give her friend a hug, which Brittany welcomed with open arms.
"Did you go out and find them yourself?" Mercedes asked.
"Uh…yeah." Rachel admitted.
"And whose car did you use?"
"Uh…yours."
"No you didn't! Girl, that's a HUGE mistake. But…you did find Brittany…so…I think I might forgive you…"
Rachel smiled happily. "Good! Now, I'm tired, so I'm going to bed.
"Yeah, I'm tired of Tina's singing." Quinn admitted.
"Hey!" Tina objected. "…Yeah, me too."
"But first, we should call Mike and Matt." Mercedes suggested. "Those two are probably still looking."
Matt and Mike continued to drive around the neighborhood in search of their friends. However, they spent more of their time conversing than looking.
Matt asked about how long Mike knew he was gay. Mike admitted that he didn't remember, he just sort of developed a crush on a guy and it eventually consumed his life.
Matt didn't ask, but he was pretty sure he was that crush.
And even now, Mike admitted, he wasn't absolutely sure about his sexuality.
"Does anyone else know?" Matt asked.
"Kurt. I've been talking to him about it lately. It's really helped me."
Matt nodded in understanding. Mike looked over at his friend, who had his eyes on the road at the moment. He knew what Matt was thinking: most likely about what happened, and how he's going to go about it in the future.
Mike popped in a difficult question: "How long do you think this is going to be a secret for us?"
Matt snapped out of his thoughts and looked surprised at the sudden question. He didn't seem ready to answer it.
"Uh…I have no idea."
"Oh…I understand." Mike said.
Matt sighed. He knew Mike wanted to be with him, and not just in secret. It killed him inside to want to keep it a secret, but he felt like it was for the best.
Mike shot out another difficult question: "So…are we dating?"
Before Matt could even open his mouth to answer, Mike's phone rang. He answered it.
"Hello?...Mercedes?...oh, that's good. Okay, we'll go back then…yeah, bye."
Matt spoke up. "Did they find Finn and Britt?"
"Yeah, we can go back."
"Cool."
Mike's question was never answered.
The next morning, the Gleeks got ready, as usual, and piled into the cars. Their first stop was the gas station, as both cars were running low on gas.
"Okay, I'm not planning on stopping again for a long while," Mercedes said, taking command, "So get what you need here, go to the bathroom, whatever. You got three minutes. Ready…go!"
The Gleeks scrambled like eggs to do what was necessary. Artie stayed behind, believing it would just cost them some time if he went. He admitted he didn't have to go to the bathroom, too.
Mercedes was shuffling through the glove compartment in search of something.
"Hey, Artie, if you want, I can get you something."
"Nah, it's cool. Thanks though."
"You sure?"
"Yeah. Hey, what are you looking for?"
"I'm trying to find the wallet with all our money for gas and hotels in it. Do you know if anyone moved it?"
"I don't think so…"
"Oh…"
"Uh-oh…"
The search went from casual to panic. Mercedes was now frantically tossing papers everywhere.
"Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap." Mercedes said as she freaked out.
"Okay," Artie said, dodging each paper, "Calm down. I'm sure it's somewhere. Try checking in the other–"
Before he could finish, Matt popped up by the car. "Hey, guys, I kind of need money to fill up my car. Did you forget? We don't keep the money in my car."
Artie and Mercedes grew wide-eyed.
"…What?" Matt asked.
Rachel was the first to return to the car. Mercedes glanced at Rachel but immediately returned to searching. Suddenly, she stopped.
"YOU!" Mercedes pointed at Rachel angrily.
"I know, I like me too," Rachel stated vainly.
"You were the last one in the car, and now the money is missing!"
"What! Are you accusing me of stealing the money! Let's be realistic, here. What would I do with all that money?"
"Rachel has a point," Artie said.
"But…" she continued, "I remember, when I got back to the car after I found Finn and Brittany…"
Rachel drifted off, and her face twisted to sheer horror.
"What? WHAT!" Mercedes yelled impatiently.
"I…accidentally…left the doors unlocked…"
At this, the four present Gleeks feared the worst.
Rachel said what everyone was thinking: "Someone must've stolen the money."
So, short chapter leads to short note. Sorry for the shortness of this short update.
Please review shortly after reading this short chapter.
I'm not that short, by the way. I'm rather mid-sized.