I saw a fic done like this a few months ago, and I was gonna take a whack at it, but never really had the time/inspiration. At this moment, I'm in the back seat of a car that's one/third of it's way from Florida to New York and I'm so bored I could die. So now's my time and inspiration.
I think it's called the iPod Shuffle Challenge. Basically, you pick a pairing and a fandom, turn your iTunes on shuffle, and write ten drabbles to ten songs, totally unrelated to each other. They're going to be rough and unedited, unless I feel like editing them once I'm done. You're also supposed to stop writing when the song ends, but I don't think I'm gonna do that. We'll see though, eh?
Totally more than ten here. Like I said, I'm on my way home from Florida and literally have nothing else better to do.
Trainwreck – Demi Lovato
"You're a train wreck, but I wouldn't love you if you changed." She said softly.
He looked up at her, his heart still pounding from his (totally badass) emotional breakdown. He felt the unshed tears stinging his eyes, and the look on her face tugged at his heart strings. She was totally serious.
"I mean it." She said, cautiously taking a step towards him. He doesn't blame her for being careful. He totally just tore the fuck out of his bedroom, while screaming at her about what a big fuck up he was, and how they were never going to work out, and how it was no wonder his dad left him, because he was a loser and everyone knew it. "I love you, Noah. You're not a fuck up, or a loser." She said, stepping over a bunch of CDs he'd scattered.
She placed her hands on his chest and leaned up, kissing him softly on the cheek. "Yes, we're complete opposites, but that's what makes us so imperfectly perfect for each other, don't you think?" she asked.
"I'm not good enough for you." He said softly.
"I'm falling like I've never fallen before…It's funny…You said we wouldn't make it, but look how far we've come." She said, smiling his favorite little half smile. "You're perfect for me, Noah. I wouldn't change a thing about you. I've always known you were different. In a good way." She said, nodding and making sure he understood her completely.
"I love you too." He said softly, his hands landing on her hips.
"Good…Now, let's clean this up."
War in Your Bedroom – A Change of Pace
He yanked her inside roughly, slamming the bedroom door and pressing her against it as he nipped and licked at the flesh of her neck, groaning at the taste of her skin. Fuck, he'd kill for this shit. She gripped his shoulders almost painfully as they fought for dominance. He grabbed her legs and hiked them up around his hips, groaning when her nails scraped at the back of his neck.
His need for her started in his chest and spread to every inch of his body. He held her tightly against him as he walked towards the bed, laying her down and climbing on top of her. He knew every single button to push, every single word to say, to make her scream for him.
To everyone else, she may have been the innocent Rachel Berry in her plaid skirts and animal sweaters, but he knew that she was so beyond that. And he liked reminding her that he was the only one who knew that.
It was just her and him, and he couldn't get enough of it. Her skin, her hair, the soft little noises she made. They fought for dominance the entire time, like always. Rachel Berry was not a submissive lover, and he fucking loved it.
Burn – Usher
"This fucking blows." He says, looking at the gravel.
She nods, and she sniffs, wiping at her eyes.
"It's just…not gonna work." He says.
"I know…this has…this has been coming for a while, I guess." She says softly.
Deep down, he knew that it was the best option for the best of them. She was going to New York, he was staying here. It wasn't…practical. It didn't make any sense. But still, the thought of her being with someone else made him sick to his stomach.
"It's been fun, Berry." He says stepping forward, pressing a kiss to her temple.
"Sure has, Noah."
There's a loud beep, and then a woman sounds over the intercom:
"Now boarding flight 11A to New York City."
He pulls her into one last hug, kissing her temple again.
"Go get 'em, kid." He whispers.
"Goodbye, Noah." She whispers back, her voice strained, before she picks up her bags and turns, heading towards the gate.
He turns around and closes his eyes, his chest constricting painfully as he tries to keep himself in check.
A month later, it still hurts like fucking hell. He's tried distracting himself with other girls. And Santana's great, she really is, but she's not Rachel. And when he accidentally calls her Rachel, the sting of the slap is nothing compared to the sting of how much he misses her. It's only been a month. And already she's been gone way too fucking long.
He's stuck. Part of him knows he needs to accept it and move on, but another part just wants to break down and lose his shit. He misses her. He tries to remind himself that it's what's best, for both of them. But when he lies awake at night missing her this much, it's hard to believe.
I Love Your Existence – Alex Goot
She's furious. Beyond furious. She's absolutely…pissed!
He's walking behind her, trying to catch up with her so he can calm her down, but she's having none of it.
"Go home, Noah!" she shouts over her shoulder. "Leave me alone!"
"Baby, come-"
"Don't call me baby!" she shouts as she steps up her stoop. He jumps up, skipping the steps entirely. She's quicker, but he's stronger, and she'd probably kill herself if she ever even tried that.
"Rachel, stop." he says firmly, grabbing her arm gently. She wrenches it from her grip.
"I said go home! Get out! Go! I don't want to talk to you ever again!" she screams, and even she knows it's a bit dramatic. But when he rolls his eyes, she gets even more pissed and punches his chest repeatedly before shoving him roughly. "I mean it! Go! Go…flirt with Santana and Brittany for all I care! I don't care!" she shouts, so angry that she's not paying attention to what she's even saying.
"Baby, San doesn't mean shit, and neither does Brittany." He says softly, but she shoves at his hands when they try to bring her closer.
"Don't touch me!" she snaps. "Good bye!" she hisses before opening her front door and slamming it behind her before he can try to sneak in. She clicks the lock and hears him groan.
A few seconds later, she hears him stepping off the porch, and she slumps against the door. She's pretty sure she's just broken up with him.
Well, he deserved it! She saw the way he was flirting with Santana, touching her leg and pulling on her skirt like that. She huffs and crosses her arms over her chest.
Suddenly, she's brought out of her thoughts by the sound of a guitar.
She freezes.
Perfection is defined
When your heart beats next to mine
And time stands still for us
My hand in your hair
And yours on my chest
Moments with you are my life's best
She looks out the window next to the door and sees that he's standing on the top step, playing the song that just weeks ago, she told him was one of her favorite modern love songs. She'd mentioned it in passing. How he remembered, she had no idea. How he took the initiative to actually learn it, she never would know.
We crossed paths for a reason
The planets aligned in that particular season
It's clear to me that we'll eventually be
Inseparable
She opens the door, and he takes another step up, his eyes locking with hers as he sings and plays.
I love your existence
I love your existence
I can't get enough
You sung your song in your beautiful voice
And my senses rush 'cause they have no other choice
I breathe you in and I see through your eyes
You are an angel with a beautiful disguise
He repeats the chorus and there's a lump in her throat that she's trying her hardest to swallow.
So buckle up and embrace the greatness
Get me high, and release my sadness
I love your existence
I can't get enough
Buckle up and embrace the greatness
Get me high and release my sadness
I love your existence
I can't get enough
He stops and takes a deep breath, and she realizes that his version is so much better than the original.
"It was supposed to be for your birthday. But I didn't know if I was gonna make it 'till then." He says, swinging his guitar around to rest on his back. "I wasn't flirting with San, Rachel. And even if I was, who gives a shit? It's not like I like her that way." He shrugs.
"That was beautiful." She chokes out, trying to stop the waterworks.
His eyes get wide and he's right in front of her in a heartbeat, his hands on her face.
"Shit, baby, don't cry. That's not what I wanted!" he says, and she giggles, shaking her head.
"It's happy. Happy crying." She nods.
He sags with relief and rolls his eyes. "You chicks and your happy tears. Shit." He says, shaking his head.
"Thank you for that." She smiles widely and stands up on her toes to press her lips to his. "I love you too." She murmurs against his lips.
"I love your existence." He says with a smirk, and she smiles.
Smother Me / Queso – The Used
"The Used?" she asks, wrinkling her nose in distaste as she looks up at him, her eyes leaving his iTunes list.
"Uh, yeah." He says as though it's the most obvious thing in the world. "Their music is the shit." He says.
"Their music is vulgar, violent, and distasteful. It should hardly even be considered music." She says, doing that 'holier-than-thou' shit she sometimes does.
"You don't think they have one song worth listening to?" he asks.
"No." she answers with a shrug, turning back to the computer screen.
He leans over her shoulder, placing his hand on top of hers on the mouse as he scrolls, searching for the one song he knows is going to make her melt. Or at least, it will when he does what he's planning on doing. He kisses her shoulder as he clicks the song and then takes her hand, pulling her to her feet.
He places one hand on the small of her back, and tenderly holds the other, gesturing for her to put her hand on his shoulder. She giggles, but does it anyways, and he slowly begins dancing around the room.
When the lyrics start, he sings along softly, his eyes never leaving hers. As the song progresses and she listens, her expression softens considerably.
When I'm alone, time goes so slow
I need you here with me
He sings, and she smiles, pulling herself closer to him as he serenades her. He leans down, singing softly into her ear.
Let me be the one who calls you baby all the time
Let me be the one who calls you babe all the time
Let me be the one who calls you baby
The one who calls you baby
The song ends and she pulls her head back, smiling widely up at him. Both of her arms wrap around his neck and she leans forward, kissing him softly for a minute. She pulls back and opens her mouth to talk when the real end of the song happens.
Her head snaps towards his computer and her brow furrows, making him chuckle.
"Well apart from that section, it's a lovely song." She giggles, smiling up at him.
"See? They're not just 'vulgar, violent, and distasteful.'" he tells her, and she nods in agreement.
"No, I suppose not."
Wish We Were Older – Metro Station
He pulls her out onto the dance floor, and he knows that she feels like everyone is watching her after the horribly humiliating public break up with Finn.
"Just dance with me." He tells her. "Let 'em talk their shit, fuck 'em." He says, pulling her body against his. She wraps her arms around his neck and he feels her body shaking with sobs, but with the way she buries her face in his shoulder, he knows no body else sees.
"Touch me." She says when he's got her in his truck, away from prying eyes. He doesn't refuse. He pulls her dress off of her, and removes his tuxedo, and she kisses him desperately, and he hopes she knows that this is so much more to him than just sex in his truck. He hopes he knows that he's hurting for her.
He pushes inside of her and she whimpers that she wishes things were different, that they were older, then maybe things wouldn't be as complicated.
The next morning, they wake up and he watches as her eyes brim with tears.
"Don't cry." He says, taking her hand. "I won't let go." He whispers, kissing her temple. She leans into his touch, and he wraps an arm around her. "I wish we were older." He breathes against the crown of her head. Then they could really say 'fuck everyone else' and just peace the fuck out.
I Wanna Grow Old With You – Adam Sandler
She's roped him into watching The Wedding Singer for the millionth time in a row. It's been one of her favorite movies since she was a teenager, and he's always done nothing but express his dislike for it. But he loves her, so they curl up on their couch to watch it together anyways.
When they get to the scene where Adam Sandler's character sings to Drew Barrymore's character, Rachel about dies when she hears Noah singing along softly. She sits up and looks at him.
"What? Dude's got skills." He says with a shrug. "'I wanna grow old with you,'" he says. "Is there a better way to tell a girl that you're super crazy ass in love with her? No, there isn't. That shit's legit." He says.
She smiles slightly and leans her head back on his shoulder to keep watching.
"Hey, Rach?" he says.
"Yeah?"
"I wanna grow old with you." He says, and she suddenly sees a small velvet box in her line of vision, opened to reveal the most beautiful ring she's ever laid eyes on. She gasps and sits up, her eyes locked on the object.
"Noah!" she gasps, clutching his thigh.
"Owch, babe." He chuckles, slipping his hand between her claws and his flesh, lacing their fingers together. "So?" he asks.
"Oh my God, absolutely!" she squeals, throwing her arms around his neck.
She's No You – Jesse McCartney
"Come on, baby." He says, pulling her towards him.
He can sense her reluctance as she lets him pull her against his chest.
"She's no you." He says, and she looks up at him, her big brown eyes a little sadder than they should be.
"What do you mean?"
"You're the only one who's ever made me feel this way." He says. "Nobody else matters. I don't want anything I don't already have. Yeah, she's pretty, but she could be on the cover of every damn magazine, and she'd still be nothing compared to you. You're everything I want, babe." He says before kissing her forehead softly. "I love you. Nobody's gonna change that."
She smiles softly. "I love you too." She says, and he grins in response.
"Good. 'Cause that chick doesn't mean shit."
Sick Inside – Hope Partlow
"Rachel, I'm so, so sorry." Quinn says, and Rachel can hear the pain in the blonde's voice.
Well, if she thinks she's in pain, the stupid girl has absolutely no idea what Rachel's going through! Rachel closes her eyes and inhales through her nose, trying to keep her composure. She doesn't want Quinn to see her cry.
"He doesn't love me. He doesn't even care. I…I didn't mean…I didn't mean for it to happen…It just…sort of did." Quinn says, and Rachel turns away. "It just…happened so fast. I wanted it so badly though, I didn't stop it." She says, and Rachel feels her step closer. "He was looking for you, so we were just walking and…he kissed me by his truck. And please believe me, I'm so, so sorry!" Quinn says, and now Rachel knows that she's crying.
Rachel wants a glass of water. She feels the tears pricking in her eyes.
"I knew that it was wrong…I admit it…God, I really wanna tell you that I put up a fight but…that would be a lie." She chokes, and Rachel hugs herself, still refusing to turn around.
"In the moment, it felt so right." Quinn sighs, and Rachel turns around, slapping her across the face.
Quinn's silent for a minute, keeping her head facing the direction that Rachel slapped her.
"I'm just a girl who kissed a boy who…is in love with you."
When You're Mad – Ne-Yo
He tries really hard to concentrate on what she's saying, and why she's screaming at him, and why she's so mad, but it's proving more and more difficult by the minute. He loves it when she swears, and he tries his hardest not to chuckle when she throws the pillow at him and misses.
"Are you laughing!" she shrieks.
"Baby, I'm sorry!" he says, and she crosses her arms over her chest, her nose wrinkling angrily. "You're just…super fucking sexy when you're mad." He tells her and she scoffs, smacking him in the chest.
"You're a pervert!" she snaps. He grabs her wrists and twirls her around, pinning her against him.
"God, it makes me so hot when you get this mad, baby." He groans softly into her ear, his hand sliding down her stomach and then beneath her shirt.
"Noah!" she says firmly.
"And when you hit me like that? Fuck, I just wanna rip off your clothes." He breathes huskily, kissing that spot below her ear he knows she loves. She shivers. "I don't mean any disrespect, but fuck, baby, you're just so. Fucking. Hot. "And you're a freak in bed when you're this mad." He adds, grinding his erection against her backside, making her gasp.
"I'm still going to be mad when we're done," she says even as she guides his hand up to her breast.
He smirks, feeling her nipple harden underneath his touch as she moans softly. "I can work with that."
Passenger Seat – The Summer Set
It's almost three AM when he pulls up outside her house, and he looks up at her window, which is the only room in the house with a light on. She peeks outside and he grins when he sees her wave before she disappears and the light goes off. He gets out and walks around his mom's Volvo, towards the fence. A few seconds later, she's running towards him.
"Noah, what are you doing?" she whispers. He leans down and kisses her, his hands on the fence.
"Jump the fence." He whispers. "Your dad'll never know." He tells her and she looks back at the house. When she looks back at him, she's biting her bottom lip. "Come on, baby." He whispers, placing his hands on her hips to help her.
She giggles and jumps, and he lifts her over the fence, kissing her once before setting her back to the ground.
They drive way over the speed limit out of Lima and she cranks the radio up, and they sing loudly the whole way. He laughs when she rolls the window down and leans out, letting the wind blow through her hair.
They park next to the lake, far away from anyone who could hear or see them.
The sun shines through the windows brightly (despite how foggy they still are from last night's activities) and he kisses her hair softly before gently shaking her.
"We gotta go, baby." He says. "Before your dads wake up." He tells her. She nods groggily and sits up, climbing into the front seat, not even caring that she's not fully clothed yet.
He drives quickly and when he gets to her house, he pulls her in for a long, slow kiss. She grins widely at him as she climbs out and runs back inside.
After a particularly long glee club practice, when they're the only ones in the auditorium, he pulls her to him and she smiles. "Wanna ride home?" he asks.
"Of course."
"We can take the long way." He says softly, lacing his fingers through his as he leads her towards his truck.
"What long way?" she giggles.
Fuck, he loves it when she giggles like that.
"You know…past the old Crawford Mill." He says.
"Noah, that's like, five miles outside of Lima." She says with a smile as he helps her into the passenger seat. He shrugs.
"So? I don't wanna say goodnight yet." He tells her, and her smile widens before she leans forward and kisses him.
"Okay. We can go past the old Crawford Mill." She says softly.
"We could christen it…no one would know." He smirks, wagging his eyebrows.
She laughs and shakes her head. "Get in, Casanova." She says.
Read my Mind – Goot feat. Tay Jardine
It doesn't matter how many ways he tries to write it. Any song doesn't seem good enough. He groans in frustration, crumpling up another piece of paper with a shit song on it. How the hell is he supposed to tell her how he feels if he can't even fucking write it?
He's doing a lot better now because of her. Ya know, sometimes, he wishes she'd just read his mind.
He's the one that she wants, and she knows it. She struggles over how to tell him. He's not exactly a 'public declaration' sort of guy, that much she knows. She sort of wishes that he would jus…sense it. Then everything would be so much easier, because at this rate, it seems as if she's never going to find a way to tell him how she feels.
She's standing next to him at the mall when a girl comes up and asks for his number. He shrugs and tells her he doesn't really give it out, and Rachel's eyes widen. After the girl walks away, he looks down at her. "What?" he asks.
"Why didn't you give her your number? She was obviously interested." She says.
"Everything I need is right in front of me." He tells, a smile playing on his lips.
She smiles back, biting her bottom lip. "Funny. I feel the same way."
He swallows his pride and takes a deep breath. "Yeah?"
"Yeah." She nods, blushing slightly.
"Sweet." He says before wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her against him, pressing his lips against hers.
Unforgiveable – The Material
She wakes up and groans, her head pounding. When she opens her eyes she sees a face that most definitely does not belong to Noah. She sits up and stares around, trying to remember where she is. How did she get here? Oh my God, she thinks, realizing that the dress laying wrinkled on the floor is hers. She feels like she's going to throw up, and her chest is constricting, making it hard to breathe. She gets up as quickly and quietly as possible, yanking her dress back on, not even bothering to look for her jacket or leggings. She needs to go home.
It's too late though. It's too late to say "I can't do this. I'm engaged."
The flashback is playing in her mind. She remembers noticing that man's lips, and the way his eyes beckoned her, dared her. She walks home barefoot and she's half way there when the tears start to fall as more and more of what happened comes back to her. She remembers him whispering in her ear "Baby, please, won't you stay the night with me?"
She's sure she smells like alcohol, she drank far too much, and…sex. She doesn't even remember the man's name.
When she approaches the apartment she and Noah share, a whole new wave of tears overtakes her. She walks up the stairs and as soon as she opens the door, she knows that he's going to know. She won't even have to tell him.
"Baby, where the fuck have you been?" he asks, clearly worried.
His eyes take in her rumpled dress, her smudged lipstick, her matted hair. He freezes on the spot, and she watches him swallow.
"Baby…Wha…"
She starts crying even harder.
"Noah, I'm so sorry! I'm so, so, so sorry! I know I made a horrible mistake! I didn't mean to, it's so unforgiveable." She sobs. She steps towards him. "Please forgive me." She whimpers.
"What the fuck happened?" he says, his voice low and angry.
"I…at the bar…" she chokes. "I didn't…I drank too much and…and there was a guy and he…he-"
"Did you fuck somebody else, Rachel?" he shouts so suddenly that it scares her.
"Noah, please! Please, I'm so sorry! It's horrible! I hate myself for it! I'm so sorry, Noah!" she cries desperately, moving towards him. Her hands grab for his shirt but he smacks them away.
"Don't fucking touch me." He says gruffly. He takes a step back and the look of utter disgust and heart break on his face nearly kills her.
"I'm so sorry!" she says. "You'll never forgive me, will you?" she asks, her voice broken. "Please…please, I'm so sorry, Noah."
"Who was it?" he asks. "The fuck is his name? I'm gonna go fucking kill him!" he shouts, moving around her.
She grabs his arm. "Don't! Noah, I don't…I don't know..." she says quietly.
He freezes again, and his eyes land on her. She sees his eyes brimming with unshed tears and she feels like she's going to throw up. "My God, Noah, I'm so sorry." She whimpers.
He pulls his arm from her grasp and walks towards his office.
"Get the fuck out." He says in an eerily calm voice before he goes in and slams the door behind him.
Before Your Love – Kelly Clarkson
"Baby, you're not supposed to sing at your own wedding." He calls to her as she walks up onto the stage. She grins and moves to the center, pulling her long train behind her. The lead singer of the band that Kurt arranged for her and Noah's reception hands the microphone to her, and she smiles out at every one.
"Hello." She says. "And thank you all for coming. It means a lot to both Noah and myself." She says, not being able to wipe the smile off her face. "Although it is a little unorthodox, I would like to sing something. And I'm dedicating it to my new husband, Noah Puckerman." She says, eyes locking with Noah's as he stands directly in front of the stage, grinning up at her. "I love you." She adds in a softer tone.
"I love you too." He mouths, and she smiles widely before turning around and gesturing for the band to begin.
She begins singing, her eyes locking on Noah's, and never leaving. She's struck again by how incredibly perfect this song is for them.
I never lived before your love
I never felt before your touch
I never needed anyone to make me feel alive
But then again
I wasn't really living
I never lived before your love
And I don't know why
Why the sun decides to shine
But you breathed your love into me
Just in time
She's certain that he is on the verge of tears.
She takes a deep breath before saying the last line, holding out the last note as loudly and as long as she can, finishing to a loud, rowdy round of applause.
When she finishes, she looks down to see that Noah is no longer in front of the stage. Her brow furrows for moment before she's tugged by the wrist into a firm body, and a set of lips capture hers. She grins into the kiss and wraps her arms around his neck as his arms wrap around her waist possessively, holding her close.
"I love you, Rachel Barbra Puckerman." He says.
"I love you too." She grins in response before kissing him again.
Congratulations – Blue October
He finds her sitting on a bench on the edge of the party, her legs crossed, and a glass of wine resting between her fingers. He approaches and she looks up at him.
"That seat taken?" he asks, gesturing to the empty spot next to her. She shakes her head a he sees the forced smile on her lips.
He sits down and glances at the glittering engagement ring she's wearing. "Congratulations." He says, gesturing to it. She smiles and looks at it as well.
"Thank you." She says. "And thank you for coming." She says, gesturing around to her engagement party.
"Do you wanna go for a walk?" he asks. She considers it before shrugging and standing.
"Sure." She says as he stands. He offers her his arm and smiles when she takes it before leading her down a stone path that weaves through a series of gardens.
He swallows as he goes over his little monologue that he's prepared for her. She looks at him and her brow furrows.
"Something wrong?" she asks.
He stops them and turns so that they're facing each other head on. "I've got a lot to say." He says. "I thought I had it all worked out in my head, but I'm drawing a damn blank, so just…bare with me, I'll try to go slow." He says.
"Noah…" she says, her tone laced with a warning.
"You wanna go for a drive? There's something I wanna give you…I've had it for years." He says, shaking his head at himself.
"You left me." She says, and he looks up to see that there are tears in her eyes. "You don't get to do this." She whispers.
"I know, Rachel, and I regret it every damn second of every day." He says, the pain in his chest making it difficult to breathe.
"I can't take this." She says, turning away from him.
"Wait, stop!" he says. "I know I messed up, Rachel." He tells her and she turns to face him, her hands on her hips. "I didn't come to…to beg for you back." He says, though it pains him say it. "I just…I wanted to see you. You seem really happy."
"Yes, I am." She nods.
"I just wanted to give you this…I've had it for years." He says, pulling the small velvet box out of his pocket and holding it out to her. "I can't change what happened, Rachel, and I can't change your mind…but I just really want you to have this." He says, taking her hand and putting the box in it.
"I can't take this, Noah." She says, her eyes glued to the little box.
"It's yours." He shrugs. "I'm not taking it back. Bye, Rachel." He says. He gives her hand a small squeeze and leans down, kissing her fore head softly, before taking a step around her and heading towards the parking lot.
"You left me!" she shouts after him and he turns around. "You left! Why do you have this?" she cries desperately.
"I bought it before I fucked up." He says simply and her shoulders sag.
He watches as she looks down at the box before pulling it open. He hears her sharp intake of breath, and then she looks up at him.
"I can't take this." She repeats.
"Too bad." He shrugs. "It's yours. It's not like I'm going to save it for someone else." He says.
"Is there someone else?" she asks, and he sees the apprehension on her face as she awaits his answer.
"No. And I doubt there ever will be. My heart's yours, Rach."
She looks back down at the ring he bought her four years ago, and he takes advantage of the distraction, quickly slipping through a row of cherry blossom trees before she can try to give it back again.
Every Time You Lie – Demi Lovato
"Sorry, Rachel. I just…it's not like, working out." Finn says to her, and she waits for the onslaught of heartbreak and sorrow and sadness to hit her.
But it doesn't. And in truth, she sort of felt it coming before he even said anything.
"You're really cool though." He tells her. "And I'm sorry. We can still be friends, right?" he asks.
She nods. "Of course, Finn. Always. Don't apologize." She says with a smile, and it's not even forced.
He smiles back and gives her a hug before leaving.
She tries to feel sad later that night when she's in bed. She's sure that the sadness will hit her now that she's alone, but it doesn't. Well, then obviously it will hit when she wakes up in the morning.
Her glass of water remains untouched on her bed stand as she falls into a restful sleep.
She wakes up the next morning and she's not even the least bit upset. In fact, she feels better than she has in months. She's smiling as she does her morning routine while she gets ready for school on Monday, which is something she hasn't done in a long time. She's feeling light and refreshed, and it's rather enjoyable.
When she walks to her locker between first and second period, Noah appears next to her with a half smile.
"Good morning, Noah." She says cheerily.
"Hey, Berry." He smirks, and she tries to ignore the way her stomach erupts into butterflies because of the way he says her surname. "You're in a surprisingly good mood." He notices.
"Surprisingly? Is there a reason I shouldn't be?" she asks, her brow furrowing.
"Nah." He says, shaking his head. "I just kinda figured you'd be at least a little sad about you and Finnocence." He shrugs.
"Oh yes, that." She says as she continues to put books in her locker. "Well, to be honest, I knew what he was going to say before he even brought it up. I suppose it had been coming for a while now. I feel relief, actually." She says honestly. "I know better than to let him break my heart." She smiles, pushing her locker shut.
He watches her with an amused expression. "Really now?"
She nods. "Mmhm." Then her brow furrows again. "Why are you so interested in the details of my feelings surrounding my break up, Noah?" she asks.
"'Cause I for one think Finn's an idiot." He shrugs, shoving his hands in his pockets.
She blushes, though she tries not to. "And why is that?" she asks bravely.
He steps closer to her and leans down so that his face is a mere inch or two away from hers. "'Cause you're a total catch, Berry." He says.
Her breathing becomes irregular against her will.
"Oh?" she manages.
"Mhmm." He says. "And I'd be more than happy to take his place." He smiles.
She blushes again before looping her arm through his. "Escort me to class then, Noah."
He grins and begins walking. "With pleasure, Berry."
He's Hurting Me – Maria Mena
(Warning- Domestic abuse.)
"You're being ridiculous, Noah and I are just friends!" she shouts back.
Without warning, his hand collides with the side of her face and she hits the ground with a shriek. The pain shoots up the side of her face and she tastes the blood in her lip. She keeps her mouth shut and tries to sob silently because she knows it will only get worse if he hears her crying.
He grabs her by the hair and yanks her up, making her cry out in pain. He shoves her against the wall.
"You're fucking lying!" he shouts in her face, and she sobs.
"No, no! I'm not!" she whimpers, the pressure against her jaw making her tear up even more. "We're only friends, it's not like that with him!" she cries.
"What-the-fuck-ever." He snaps, pulling her away from the wall just to shove her back before walking away.
She turns and watches as he heads for the door, and her heart stops.
"Baby, please don't go!" she sobs, running after him.
She loves him. She knows he's not perfect, but neither is she. She's the one that accidentally made him think there was something going on with her and Noah.
He turns back around, anger evident on his face still, so she doesn't get too close. She's not completely stupid.
"Swear on your fucking life that there's nothing going on between you and that loser!" he shouts, pointing at her.
"He's not a loser." She says instantly, without meaning to. But in a heartbeat, she knows it's the wrong answer. He full on slaps her this time, sending her to the ground again and then he kicks her swiftly, moving her small body three feet across the floor. She curls into a ball.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" she cries. "There's nothing g-g-going on!" she sobs, on the verge of hysterics. "He's a loser! I s-swear on my li-life!"
He's quiet then and she carefully peers up at him. He nods before leaning down and taking hold of her wrist, gently lifting her to her feet. She winces from the pain in her rib cage.
He kisses her forehead gently and she sighs in relief, glad that it's over.
"I'm sorry, baby," he says softly, gently pushing her hair away from her eye, which is sure to be black and blue within the hour. "I just get so possessive. I think of you with him, and his reputation, and I just see red." He sighs, shaking his head.
He wraps his arms around her and she leans into his embrace. "It's alright." She breathes.
Just then, her phone vibrates and the robotic voice says "Call from: No-ah Puck-er-man".
Fuck, she thinks. She quickly darts out of his grasp, grabbing her phone as she makes a bee line for the bathroom. He shouts after her and she slams the door, locking it quickly as she answers.
"Noah! Come quick!" she cries into the receiver.
"Open this fucking door!"
"What's going on?" Noah asks, concern and confusion clear in his voice.
"Rachel!" he screams.
"Hurry, he won't stop!" Rachel screams as he bangs on the door. "Bring Finn, you'll need it." She sobs as she climbs into the bath tub.
"He's fucking hitting you, isn't he?" Noah growled.
"Just get him off his fucking throne!" she cries.
She thanks God that Noah and Finn's place is just down the street from hers and Damian's. She hears the front door burst open less than a minute later.
"Get the fuck out of my house!" Damian shouts.
"You fucking bastard, I'll fucking kill you, you worthless piece of shit!" Noah shouts.
"Where's Rachel?" Finn asks loudly.
"Like I'll tell you." Damian scoffs, and theres the sound of smashing wood.
"If you don't want that to be your god damn skull, I suggest you tell us where the fuck she is!" Finn screams.
"I'm in here!" she cries, not wanting to come out until Damian is either gone or unconscious.
There's some scuffling, some swearing, the sound of more things breaking, and then pounding on the door.
"Rachel, open up, it's me!" Noah's voice says, and it's like a Godsend. She quickly turns the lock and whips the door open, throwing herself into his arms and sobbing. She looks underneath his arm to see that the hall way table as been broken right down the middle, there's a large hole in the wall, and Damian is underneath Finn, who's pinning him with a baseball bat at his throat.
"Thank you." Rachel sobs into Noah's shirt. "Thank you, so, so much. Thank you." She keeps sobbing and repeating this into his shirt, and he holds her close, running his fingers through her hair.
"I'm here, babe. You're safe. You're safe." He coos into her ear.
Musical Soulmate – Mark Salling
(!)
"Shit, I forgot you were coming over," he says when he opens the door. She frowns. He was the one who asked her if she'd come over so they could work together on the glee assignment, and yet he forgot?
"I can come back if this is a bad time." She offers.
"Nah, it's cool. I just uh…Gotta do something with Hannah." He sighs, and if she didn't know any better, she'd say he was embarrassed.
"Should I go wait in your room?" she asks.
He opens the front door wide enough for her to step in.
"Yeah. I'll be up in a minute." He says, gesturing towards the stairs.
She nods and goes up, heading into his room. She's been in here before, other times they've worked on things for glee together, and that brief time sophomore year where they…"dated". She wonders around, looking at things that are new additions since the last time she'd been in here.
There's a few more photos tacked to the cork board above his computer desk, and she smiles as she sees that one of them is the picture of she and him at Nationals last year. Or rather, after Nationals. They're in the pool and she's on his shoulders, both of them soaking wet. She giggles when she recalls attempting to beat Sam and Quinn in a game of chicken. In the picture, it was right after her first (and only victory) and she's grinning widely, her hands resting on top of Noah's head, his hands just above her knees.
She continues moving around the room, and she sees a notebook lying open on his bed. Curiosity gets the better of her, and she moves towards it. A single glance and she knows that they are songs. She doesn't read the lyrics, just flips through, glancing at the titles.
Mary Poppins. Pipe Dreams. Migration. Scarlet Glasses. Higher Power.
But none of those catch her eye the way one particular page does.
Rachel's Song (Musical Soulmate?)
She sits on the bed and pulls the notebook into her lap, and although she knows she shouldn't, she can't help but begin to read it. It does have her name at the top of it after all.
I remember when I realized
The depth of your beauty
For the first time
A million ears had heard you
But none had listened quite like mine
Every phrase that leaves your lips
Makes me feel as if I'm paralyzed
Talking is trivial, sing another crazy note
And I will be a third below.
A scribbled out verse, and then
The troubles that we knew before
Will disappear and all I know is that
It makes no difference
Where you come from, I don't care
If you need my love, you know I'll be there
I swear
I wanna sing to the world
No need to keep it a secret
You are the one, the only
My musical soulmate
Darling listen,
The audience is calling you
There's more, and she's dying to read it, but just then, his door opens and she looks up. His eyes land on her, then the notebook in her lap, and she stands, quickly putting it back on the bed, though she knows she's been caught snooping.
"I'm sorry." She says. "I…I didn't mean to snoop, I was just curio-"
"What did you read?" he asks apprehensively.
She blushes. "Um…the…the one called…'Rachel's Song'." She says softly. "Musical Soulmate in parenthesis." She adds, as if he won't know which one she's talking about.
He sighs and looks away.
"Well, this is really…embarrassing." He mutters. "You weren't supposed to see that." He says.
"Why? It's wonderful." She says honestly. "It's beautiful." She adds, looking back down towards the notebook. "Is it…for me?" she asks meekly, and he chuckles.
"Well, who the hell else would it be?" he asks rhetorically. She blushes and smiles slightly.
"Good point." She says. "Well, I'd love to hear it." She nods as she picks up the notebook, and then grabs his guitar from where it's leaning against his bedside table.
"Rachel, I-"
"It's my song, isn't it?" she asks, handing him both objects. "Play it for me. Please?"
He stares at her for a second before groaning and moving towards his computer chair. He sets the notebook down and glances at the page for a moment before turning and facing her. She goes and sits on the bed and he takes a deep breath before he begins strumming a soft, pleasant melody.
She feels thousands of butterflies fluttering around in her stomach as he sings, looking directly at her. 'Sweet Caroline' was nothing compared to this.
Darling listen
The audience is calling you
But there's no way in hell
That they will ever feel you like I do
She tries to let him finish, but the urge to get up and kiss him overpowers the brain functions that are telling her to stay put. He stops singing and playing as she approaches, and he seems a little caught off guard when she leans down and presses her lips to his, but within a second, he's weaved his hand into her hair and his kissing her back.
"It's beautiful." She breathes when oxygen becomes a requirement.
"Inspired totally by you." He responds, setting his guitar on the floor.
"I love it." She whispers as he pulls her into his lap.
"Good to know." He says with a smile before kissing her again.
Some of these, I'm really proud of and totally in love with. Others I'm like "They suck. Why did you write that?" But eh, whatevs.
Input? Feedback? I'd like to hear your favorites/least favorites/if you liked or hated them all.