I know it's been a while since I last posted, and I've had this chapter written on my phone, but a lot has been going on in my life. One of my friend's little sister was hit by a car and passed away Monday night. She was ten years old and had a lifetime ahead of her that was taken away too soon. I probably shouldn't be sharing all of this, but I always feel like I owe you guys explanations when I delay posting. I don't think I will be able to post again for a while because I have to work on a rough draft for my college essay and read four books by the end of the summer, so I hope this super long chapter will hold you over until then. Enjoy!
[THIS CHAPTER IS PUBLISHED IN MEMORY OF BRIDGETTE CULHANE. REST IN PEACE MINI NINJA ]
Rachel had much difficulty concentrating in school the next day (but of course she still did because she was a star in the making and couldn't afford to slack). For the first time in her entire high school career, Rachel actually texted during class. She had sent a message in the car ride home so Ethan had her number and they'd been texting ever since. In the classic, cheesy way, they were talking about nothing and everything at the same time. Rachel looked around and noticed Nelly and Mercedes were doing the same, their phones in their lap or behind a book, their fingers moving rapidly over their keyboards. A new message came in on all three phones from a number neither of them recognized.
'Dear Rachel, Nelly, and Mercedes,
Please stop distracting Ethan, Chris, and Trent. Madame Montfleur is becoming very frustrated with them after having to ask them numerous times to put their phones away. Also, Warbler practice is from 3 to 4 today, so please do not text them during this time either. Enjoy the rest of your day and I'm sure we will see each other soon.
Sincerely,
Wes'
The three girls all snorted, trying to contain their laughter. Even in text message, Wes was the definition of professional. They quickly sent a message to their boys, detailing Wes's message and ordering them to focus. After saying a quick goodbye and promising to chat with them after Warbler's practice, they closed their phones and returned them to their bags and pockets. The next few classes were uneventful and finally it was lunch time. The trio sat with the gleeks and chatted about what they could sing at Regionals, especially since they tied at Sectionals. In Rachel's opinion, tying was far too close to losing, so they really had to step it up if they wanted to make it to Nationals. Puck teased the three girls a bit on their day yesterday, much to Rachel's chagrin, forcing them to tell the table about what had happened. The responses were all different but overall positive, ranging from Quinn's 'let's just hope we don't have another Jesse on our hands' to Santana's 'wanky girls, get some'. Finn was the only negative person, frowning significantly and crossing his arms.
"What's wrong Frankenteen?" Santana teased. "Worried now that Berry's moved on you don't have a fall back?"
"Shut up Satan," Finn snapped, before returning to his confused and hurt puppy look. "I just thought you were waiting for me to forgive you Rachel." Numerous people scoffed around the table, including Rachel.
"You broke up with me, remember Finn?" she sneered, getting more pissed off by the second. "You lost all right to comment on my love life when you ended our relationship." She paused for a moment before turning towards him and leaning toward him angrily. "And I'm not some lap dog who'll come running back the second you show some affection towards me. You had your chance to be with me and you ended it over a stupid mistake."
"Rachel-" Finn tried to cut in but was stopped.
"You lie to me about having sex with Santana and I forgave you, but you can't manage to forgive me when I kiss Noah out of anger? What about Quinn? You lead her to cheat on poor Sam even when just last year she had a child with your best friend," she growled the last statement, something shocking the others surrounding the table. She took a deep breath and calmed herself. "I saved myself for you Finn. I didn't sleep with Jesse because it didn't feel right. I didn't sleep with him because he wasn't you. Clearly you didn't love me enough to do the same with Santana. I would have been able to get over that fact a little easier if you hadn't kept it from me for so long. I'm done getting hurt by you and lied to by you and waiting for you to forgive me for something so insignificant, no offense Noah." Puck shrugged and whispered a soft 'it's cool'. "I suggest you get over me Finn, because I am so over you." Everyone at the table (minus Finn and Quinn) erupted into applause, some high-fiving and patting Rachel on the back. The group had returned to their usual conversation when Nelly received a text message.
"Hey, it's from Kurt." She read it and a confused expression grew on her face.
"What's it say Nel?" Artie asked, rolling closer.
"It says 'Heads up. Not my idea'."
"I wonder what that could mean," Tina said.
"I have no cl-" Nelly went to respond but was cut off when the cafeteria doors opened and voices began to sing. She heard them slowly build up before a steady beat was echoing throughout the room, the vocal instrumental coming in while the Warblers flooded the lunch room. They started dancing and weaving through the tables, Trent, Chris, and Ethan somehow making their way to the girls. Blaine started singing and all eyes were on him.
Here we go again.
I kinda wanna be more than friends.
So take it easy on me,
I'm afraid you're never satisified.
Just when New Directions realized their friend wasn't among the backup singers, Kurt came bopping in, taking the next verse.
Here we go again.
We're sick like animals.
We play pretend.
You're just a cannibal,
And I'm afraid I won't get out alive.
No I won't sleep tonight.
During the chorus, each Warbler grabbed a girl's hand, Mercedes, Nelly, and Rachel being dragged out of their seats by their boys. The rest of the room looked on as the Warblers danced cutely with each McKinley girl, milking this performance for all it's worth. The only two that weren't dancing with a girl were Blaine and Kurt, who were performing and continuing to prance around the room.
Oh, oh,
I want some more.
Oh, oh,
What are you waitin' for?
Say goodbye to my heart tonight.
Oh, oh,
I want some more.
Oh, oh,
What are you waitin' for?
What are you waitin' for?
Say goodbye to my heart tonight.
Blaine took the next line, winking at the New Directions table, all of whom he'd grown rather close with.
Here we are again.
I feel the chemicals kickin' in.
It's gettin' heavier,
And I wanna run and hide.
I wanna run and hide.
Those girls that hadn't been chosen swooned when Kurt growled his next lines sexily. Blaine found himself gravitating closer, singing the united lines looking directly into Kurt's eyes.
I do it every time.
You're killin' me now.
And I won't be denied by you,
The animal inside of you.
At this point, the whole cafeteria was moving to the music, the Warblers leaving the girls and moving around, heading towards the doors.
Oh, oh,
I want some more.
Oh, oh,
What are you waitin' for?
Say goodbye to my heart tonight.
Oh, oh,
I want some more.
Oh, oh,
What are you waitin' for?
What are you waitin' for?
Say goodbye to my heart tonight.
Kurt and Blaine sang the next verse facing each other while their friends behind them looked flirtatiously at the girls around the room but still remaining in their formation.
Hush, hush, the world is quiet.
Hush, hush, we both can't fight it.
It's us that made this mess.
Why can't you understand?
Woah, I won't sleep tonight.
The formation broke up again, some of the Warblers even throwing their blazers down as they went to dance with the girls again.
Oh, oh,
I want some more.
Oh, oh,
What are you waitin' for?
Say goodbye to my heart tonight.
Oh, oh,
I want some more.
Oh, oh,
What are you waitin' for?
What are you waitin' for?
What are you waitin'?
Here we go again.
Here we go again.
Here we go again.
Say goodbye to my heart tonight.
Oh, oh,
I want some more.
Oh, oh,
What are you waitin' for?
What are you waitin' for?
Say goodbye to my heart tonight.
The cafeteria exploded with applause. New Directions was baffled by how well their opponents-but-secretly-friends were accepted. The Dalton students laughed and dispersed, talking to some of the New Directions and McKinley students that approached them. Chris, Ethan, and Trent all hugged their girls.
"What are you guys doing here?" Rachel asked, nestling into Ethan's arms.
"We kind of planned this last night," Ethan explained shyly. "We really couldn't wait until Friday to see you."
"Well we're glad you came," Nelly smiled, pecking Chris's lips.
"Look who it is boys," a deep voice said. "It's gay ass Hummel and his homo prep school friends. The past month must have been a dream for you Fairy."
"Back off Karofksy," Nelly threatened while Chris held her back. She'd always been overly protective of Kurt and knew what he had been going through when he decided to transfer.
"Was I fucking talking to you Harrison?" Karofksy spat. His eyes grazed over the giant brunette holding Nelly and his sneer turned into a smug smirk. "The new guy looks a little too comfortable there Nelly. Didn't you meet Hummel's prep school friends yesterday?" Nelly simply glared at him. "Guess the rumors are true. You are a little whore." Soft chuckles came from the football player's chums as Nelly gulped, desperately trying to contain her tears. "No wonder your boyfriend dumped your slutty ass."
"That's it!" Chris shouted, stepping around Nelly and walking up to Karofsky. "It's worse enough you drove Kurt away from his friends and family. Now you're bringing up a girl's past to put her down? What kind of man are you?" The lunch room 'ooh'ed, all the teens now enthralled with the scene unfolding in front of them. "It takes a really insecure person to resort to degrading others so crudely. Now why don't you and your little jock straps disappear before we show you how Dalton handles things." At this point, the rest of the Warblers were gathered around Chris, glaring at the ignorant athlete and cracking their knuckles.
Karofsky appeared to be a tad frightened, but immediately straightened up and scoffed. "Like I'd be scared of you fags." He turned to his friends and laughed. When he turned back around, a hard fist collided with his jaw, knocking him to the ground, unconscious. The jocks looked up with wide eyes to see Kurt shaking his quickly swelling hand.
"Scatter," he ordered the football players, shooting them an icy look. They quickly followed orders, leaving an applauding cafeteria. Kurt smiled before feeling the pain of the punch sink in. "Someone please do something to make this throbbing in my hand stop."
Mercedes and Rachel swiftly grabbed Kurt and started to lead him out of the lunch room. However, they stopped dead in their tracks when they saw Sue Sylvester blocking the doors, her arms crossed and a classic bored look on her face.
"Porcelain, it's good to see you again," she stated.
"An honor, as usual, coach," Kurt replied, holding his throbbing hand.
"Care to explain why Tarzan over there is out cold on my floor?"
"I punched him, ma'am."
"Hmmm…" she mused, apparently evaluating the scene. "Well done," she concluded with a small smirk. "I will handle any repercussions. Just get yourself and your blazer boys out of here. While I usually prefer conformity, their uniforms are giving me the urge to kick a homeless person." She was turning to leave when she suddenly stopped and faced Kurt again. "And Porcelain?"
"Yes, coach?"
"If those Dalton dweebs give you any trouble, let me know. You know I have my connections. Rocko's always looking for a new assignment."
"I don't think your hit men will be needed, but thanks coach," Kurt acknowledged, nodding his head.
Sue shrugged and whispered, "Just say the word," before storming out of the cafeteria, making a point to push any students out of her way.
"Who was that?" Wes asked, slightly terrified.
"Did she say something about hit men?" Jeff recalled, both intrigue and scared.
"Yeah and why did she call you 'Porcelain'?" Blaine questioned, his inner gay protector shining through.
Kurt sighed. "I'll explain everything on the bus. Let's just get out of here." He let Rachel and Mercedes lead him out, making a quick stop at the nurse's office to grab an ice pack. Nelly walked with Chris, holding his hand but otherwise not acknowledging what just happened. When they finally got outside, Chris pulled her aside and latched their hands between them.
"Are you okay?" he asked, looking into her eyes. Tears started to form in her eyes and she shook her head. Chris wrapped his arms around her and let her cry into his chest. Usually crying girls freaked him out, but for some reason he felt compelled to comfort and protect her. "It's okay." A few minutes passed and her breathing settled, the sobs replaced with soft sniffling. She pulled away and looked up at him from in his arms. "Better?" he asked, wiping her cheeks with his thumbs.
She nodded. "I'm sorry," she whispered, looking down.
"Hey," he lifted her chin. "You have nothing to apologize for. That guy is an ass and had no right to attack you like that."
"Maybe he's right," she muttered, her eyes shifting to anything but him.
"What are you talking about?" he asked.
"Maybe we moved too fast. Maybe I am a slut, I mean I just met you yesterday and-"
"And nothing," Chris stopped her. "I don't know if you felt the same way about me, but I knew you were something special the moment I saw you. I don't regret kissing you because I felt something between us and it felt right. Don't let others dictate what's right and what's wrong. The only one that can do that is you." He looked at her, hoping the message sunk through.
"You're right," Nelly murmured softly. She looked into his eyes. "I know it probably sounds crazy, but when we kiss, I feel like I'm where I'm supposed to be. I don't know what that means yet, but I want to find out. People can judge me all they want. The only people whose opinions matter to me don't care as long as I'm happy, and I'm happy with you."
Chris smiled and kissed her sweetly. They smiled through the kiss, separating with their hands still latched. "I better go," he alerted.
"I'll walk you." The Warbler-Mobile was on the other side of the parking lot. As the couple had walked about halfway there, they heard footsteps fast approaching. Nelly turned to see her three cousins running up behind them. "What do you guys want?"
"We were in the library when all that shit went down with Karofsky," the eldest, Dylan said. "Z texted us what he said. We're gonna kick his ass when we see him."
"No need," Nelly shrugged. "Kurt already knocked him out."
"Kurt?" Brian asked, bewildered. "Why was Kurt here?" Just then they all noticed the tall boy standing behind Nelly. "Who's this?"
"Chris, nice to meet you," he said, reaching his hand out and smiling when they shook it.
"So this is Chris?" Joey said with a smirk. "You know, Nelly mentioned something to our mom about a Chris when she came home." He ignored the knives Nelly was throwing at him with her eyes. "What did she say again?"
"Oh Chris is so dreamy. He's tall, dark, and so handsome," Brian mocked with a high pitched voice.
"And he's got the best sense of humor. I can't wait for our date on Friday," Joey continued in the same manner. The twin boys burst into laughter, with Dylan chuckling softly beside them, when they saw Nelly's red face glaring at them. She grabbed Chris's hand and stormed away, leaving her cousins behind. "Oh come on Nel! We were just playing! We haven't even done the whole protective older brother bit yet!" Nelly ignored him and kept walking, a deep blush on her cheeks. Chris was smiling goofily, slightly blushing as well.
"So you think I'm dreamy huh?" Nelly stopped walking, refusing to turn to face him. "And I have a great sense of humor?"
"Like you didn't already know," she scoffed in return, a shy smile forming on her lips. Chris kissed the side of her head and continued walking.
"Don't worry, beautiful. You're secret's safe with me," he chuckled softly. Ahead, the Warbler-Mobile was already packed and ready to go, Wes waiting at the door with a scowl on his face. Chris was about to walk on when he heard Nelly call his name.
"Chris!" He turned and looked at her. "I hope you know they weren't joking about the whole protective older brother thing." His face dropped and fear came across his face. She giggled softly. Before walking away, she winked and yelled, "See you Friday!" Chris smiled and climbed on the bus, now even more nervous for Friday.
Thanks for reading :) Please review. I love you all!
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