Disenchanted

OK so here is yet another update. Hope you enjoy…

After being dropped off by Kurt that afternoon Artie's stomach filled up with a slew of butterflies. His friends were one thing but his parents…the two people that for the last eight years had to live with everything day in and day out…he knew that they wouldn't take it all in as seamlessly as his friends did. No, they would want answers that were a bit more logical because face it if he told his parents that he could walk because some fortune teller at a carnival took a shining to him well they would most likely lock him up in some mental ward and that was the lesser of all the extremities in his mind.

He'd been sitting at the dining room table (in his chair to soften the blow a bit) and was working on his homework. The smells of his parent's favorite take out wafting through the air when the door opened.

"Artie we're home," his mother said.

"Something smells good," his father added.

He was glad that his dad made that comment, as a bit of casual conversation was a good thing in the moment.

"I decided to surprise you and order in from your favorite Thai restaurant."

By then his parents had entered the room. His mother taking a seat on a chair while his father stood leaning against the wall.

"What's wrong Art…girl trouble?" his father asked.

Artie could swear his face flushed red.

"N-no…why would you ask that dad?"

"Because you're a teenage boy," his father simply sated as if that were the most logical answer in the world.

It was then his mom spoke up.

"God Artie please don't tell us your failing a subject…because we told you that if you wanted to join in all those extracurricular activities you needed to maintain a B average."

"I still have my A average mother…but…dad why don't you sit down and eat and we can talk about things after dinner."

He was determined to drag it out as long as he could however his parents could sense something was up.

"Author Michael Abrams!" his mother exclaimed causing him to freak out.

Great, she was using the middle name this couldn't end well. And what would be worse would be if this was only a twenty-four hour thing and all this was for nothing.

"There is something your not telling us," she continued, "and we're not going to eat until you tell us!"

He swallowed the slowly growing lump in his throat as he looked over to his still standing father.

"I think dad should take a seat first."

Reluctantly Mr. Abrams took a seat and soon both his parents' eyes fell upon him.

"Ok, mom, dad try not to freak alright," he prompted as he wheeled his chair around the table until he was in the center of the room. "Now remember a few weeks ago I came home slightly depressed when I once again began to realizes that the chances of me ever getting out of this chair in the near future were slim to none."

His parents both nodded as he began to slowly maneuver himself out of the chair.

"Well it turns out I was wrong!"

Both of his parents flashed a shocked look to him. They were definitely speechless to say the least as his mother stood up and flew to his side placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Artie…when did this happen…how did this happen…"

He began to open his mouth to speak his insane story when his mother interjected.

"Never mind…"

And soon her voice was demanding his father to bring the car around as they were going to the hospital to see just what the hell was going on with their son.

XXX

He hated hospitals. He hated the smell, hated the food, and hated well everything.

He had spent all of Thursday evening as well as the greater parts of Friday seeing specialist after specialist all of which told the Abrams family the same thing. That there were no signs at all that their son had any kind of injury at all…let alone one that was as severe as was stated on his medical charts.

"He's a medical miracle," was a common comment.

"A positive anomaly," was another one.

All and all it was totally and utterly conclusive at least from a professional stand point. The injuries that he sustained from that car accidents eight years ago were no longer an issue and that he was not fully mobile and could begin his life as a normal teenager.

His parents were still a bit on edge over the miracle but overall they thought that they must of done something right to be blessed with this kind of miracle in their sons life.

XXX

After finally arriving home late on Friday afternoon he decided to check his cell phone where he was shocked at how many messages he had concerning his whereabouts that day at school.

Artie are you all right?

Tina's voice echoed in his ears

You skipped school and you almost never do that…not even to avoid bulling…anyway are you sick? Do you need me to come over?…call me back I'm worried…

It was sweet the way she called him the way she did but he wouldn't expect anything less from her.

Abrams I take it the parentals had a total freak out…

Came Kurt's panicked voice next on the machine

Well if you still are alive after that one then your most definitely ready for operation geek to chic…anyway call me, text me, tweet me…let me know when your ready to let the second phase of your transformation commence.

He let out a laugh.

'Gotta love Kurt' he thought to himself as he listened to the rest of his messages before making callbacks.

XXX

Tina jumped at the sound of her phone ringing the familiar chords that signified it was her best friend calling her.

"Artie oh my god are you okay."

She listened to his laughter echo in her ears from the other end. It obviously was a yes but still she had to know.

"Artie?"

"I'm okay Tee."

"Why weren't you at school today then. Cause if your lying to me and you are ill I can come over tonight…I can skip my date with Mike tomorrow."

From his end he listened to that comment with a flutter in his heart.

She'd do that, she'd abandon her date with Mike Chang if she thought he was ill…he thought about it for a second but he wasn't the kind of guy to intentionally sabotage things…if he was to sabotage Tina and Mike which he so wouldn't it would be by a complete and utter accident.

"I'm fine…really it's just my parents…they kind of over reacted when they saw…well you know and they had me seeing specialist after specialist."

"But your okay."

"Super."

Tina smiled from her end as the duo talked more about anything and nothing like the best friends that they were.

XX

After about an hour on the phone with Tina he dialed his other best friend.

"Abrams was I right…they had a freak out didn't they."

"I mean if you saw your paraplegic son all of a sudden stand up wouldn't you freak out?"

"Point taken…anyway Mall tomorrow you me and Mercedes for that little make over."

"If I can tear myself away from mom and dad, I have a feeling that they are about to get a bit more overprotective."

"Don't use that as an excuse…they know me…they know that I'd swear on my best pair of Prada Loafers that I'd keep you out of harms way you know that."

Artie let out a laugh.

"I know Kurt."

"Well then, I'll pick you up at noon."

"Sounds like a plan."

Hanging up he made the rest of his calls before letting his head fall on top of his pillow for a long evening of pleasant dreams.

XXX

Tina was glad that her parents were still out of town as she looked at her reflection in the bathroom mirror on Saturday. She just knew that they would make a big to do about her date especially since it was with a fellow Asian. She swore they would already be talking about calling Mikes parents and planning a trip to Sheets and Things to pick out china patterns.

She continued to look at her reflection…nothing too different or special then what she would normally wear to school seeing as it was Saturday afternoon and she and Mike had decided on just a casual hang out as opposed to a formal date.

The doorbell rang and she headed toward the door to see Mike's smiling face greeting her. He looked no different then he would on a normal day either so at least he hadn't thought of this afternoon as more then what it was.

"I'm glad you didn't bale on me," were his first words as she grabbed her purse and stepped out on her porch to lock her door.

"So Mike…did you decide what movie you wanted to see yet?"

"I have it torn between this kick ass dance movie that just came out and this new zombie flick that's supposed to be insane…but I'll be the gentleman and let you decide."

She flashed him a smile as they approached his car and he opened up the passenger side seat for her.

"But," he whispered, "I'm leaning toward the dance one…not that I want to influence you or nothing."

Looking toward Mike as he entered his car she flashed a wicked grin.

"Zombie flick it is then."

XX

At the same time that Mike was arriving at Tina's Kurt had shown up at the Abrams home.

Thankfully Artie was able to sneak past his parents and get the door first.

"So," he said noticing his friend was alone, "Mercedes in the car or…"

Kurt let out a dreamy sigh.

"She decided to blow off shopping to spend time with the boyfriend…can you believe it she chose PUCK over us…I may have to engage in some of my own personal retail therapy."

Artie let out a laugh.

"What's so funny Abrams."

"Just that if you had a boyfriend you'd probably want to spend time with him as opposed to the gang."

"See that's where you're lucky…if you and Tina get together she's your girlfriend and she's one of the four musketeers.. it's a win win."

Cracking a half smile the thought of Tina who probably was out with Mike as they spoke.

"Win win," he repeated in a daze as he entered Kurt's car and flipped on the Lady Gaga CD that was in the boy's stereo.

XXX

"God that movie was horrible,' Tina said laughter ringing in her voice as she and Mike left the Cineplex a few hours later.

"Hey I wanted to see the dance movie remember."

Tina nodded.

"Yea I do."

Mike maneuvered himself so that he was now walking backwards as he looked directly into her face.

"So is there any way that we could salvage this date?" he asked, "how about we head to the arcade…see if I can school some Jr. High kids in DDR."

"That is if I don't school you first."

It was no secret that Tina was the second best female dancer in glee club next to Brittany and she'd give him a run for his money at the game.

"Did the lady just challenge me?"

Tina simply nodded as they made their way toward the arcade.

XXX

"No…no…no…" Artie said as Kurt held up a blue silk button down shirt.

"But blue is totally your color."

"It's not the color."

"Then what."

"Silk shirts are so not my thing."

Kurt put the shirt back on the rack and crossed his arms. A pout crossing his lips.

"Your thing is suspenders and sweater vests, and borderline hideous ones at that. Seriously you and Rachel have the market cornered on the whole teenage geriatric look."

"Speaking of…I heard about the little make over you did on Rachel last winter when we were learning the finer arts of Hairography and there is no way in hell your getting me into any leather pants."

"Don't worry… the thought didn't cross my mind…though I was thinking maybe a leather jacket?"

"I'll think about it."

Kurt clapped at the progress that they made before his eyes flashed on something.

"Here humor me and try this on."

Artie looked at the item now in Kurt's hand and rolled his eyes. This was going to be a long day indeed.

XXX

Mike couldn't believe his skills had been shown up by a girl as he slumped into a chair in the food court.

"So what's the next way that you plan to emasculate me Tina."

"Hey…you were the gentleman who let me pick the movie and it's not my fault that I just happen to be a better dancer then you."

"Beginners luck."

Tina nodded.

"Yea right…anyway if you want to I could use a cherry coke."

Clapping his hands he stood up.

"One cherry coke coming up."

As he walked away Tina smiled. She was definitely having a fun time with Mike and was definitely leaning to thinking that maybe a relationship with him outside of school and glee club would be a good thing especially if it was as fun and unpredictable as this date so far had been….

Speaking of unpredictable she couldn't believe what she had seen in that moment. Great..and he was heading over to the table now.

"Tee hi," Artie said with a smile on his face as he casually sat down in the seat across from her, his shopping companion taking solace in yet another store in the moment.

"Artie…w-what are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing, after all I thought you were supposed to be on a date with Mike today."

"I am he's just getting me a drink."

Artie nodded.

"Anyway what are you doing here…were you spying on me?"

Artie let out a laugh though he couldn't read Tina's tone to see if she was kidding around with him or being dead serious in her tone.

"So, were you Artie…were you spying on me?"

"No, I was actually here at the mall with Kurt."

Tina let out a laugh. Artie had to be joking he wouldn't willingly go to a mall with Kurt Hummel and no other reinforcements there was no way no how.

"Kurt?"

Artie nodded about to comment as Mike headed over.

"Hey Artie…glad to see your alright."

"Hi Mike…so having a good time on your 'date' "

Tina glared at him wondering what the hell he was doing. Truth be told Artie didn't even know what the hell he was doing he was simply winging it.

"Well I was till SOMEONE schooled me at DDR."

He flashed a sweet smile at Tina.

"That's my girl," he said in a whisper under his breath.

"Anyway Tina your not going to believe what I just heard."

"What," she said ignoring Artie in the moment.

"You know the band that we were listening to in the car on the way here."

Tina nodded as Mike gushed about how he just heard they were having a show in town and that the two of them should go to the music store to see if they could still get a ticket for it.

"Oh my god that would be amazing," Tina said looking to Artie, "I've got to go but I'll see you Monday K."

"K," he replied waving goodbye as he banged his head on the table.

Soon Kurt's hand was placed on his shoulder.

"What's wrong."

"She hates me," Artie mumbled, "She hates me she hates me she hates me."

"Who hates you."

"Tina, I ran into her and Mike when you were in the last shop and made a total ass of myself…"

Kurt shook his head as he sucked in a breath.

"It's Tina…whatever happened I'm sure it will all blow over eventually…always does with you two."

He nodded. This was true.

"And now lets focus Artie…focus on the right…"

"Look," Artie said pausing in front of a window display of one of the stores eyeing the cloths that sat draped over the mannequin.

"Perfect, simply perfect,' Kurt said grabbing Artie's arm..."now lets go try it on."

TBC

Ok so was this a good chapter or was there too much/too little going on. Anyways lord knows how long it is as I really only have it outlined to the next chapter as well as have the end game mapped out. Now if only I can get to point B from point A all will be good… Thanks for reading and reviewing… keep it up!