Thank you all for such a great turn out with reviews! This has become my most requested story and I'm so HAPPY! Special thanks to Rain for helping me put my thoughts together. I really needed that. This chappie is a little short, but don't worry, it's going to get longer. Once again thank you please keep reviewing.
~heart :)
Chapter 3
It took me a few minutes to become fully aware of my surroundings again. I had underestimated how much I needed to just let all of that sobbing out; but the arms I found myself in were strong, almost burly, and after looking around through tired and tear filled eyes, I found myself on the floor which left me confused. I jerked back with a start and then blushed furiously when I saw the face of who those comfortable arms belonged to. What the fucking hell-?
"Puck, are you okay?" the deep voice asked me gently, and I stood up on damnedably shaky legs to put some distance between me and my "savior."
I wrapped my arms around myself protectively and collected my bearings as best I could before taking to my usual way of dealing with him. "Karofsky," I practically hiss in anger. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
He actually looked somewhat hurt by my aggressiveness towards him, but after the way he's treated me and my friends I can't say I found any sympathy for him.
"I heard someone crying," he said softly, like he's dealing with a caged animal. "When I opened the door and saw you, I got worried."
"Oh give me a break," I scoffed and I turned my back to him while sitting back on the piano bench, rubbing at my nose with the back of my hand.
"It's true," he replied with a little more force and sat next me, facing the opposite direction to give me some space.
A few moments pass before I growled, "Well you got your free show, and don't worry I'll be looking for the YouTube video." I pushed myself to stand back up and he was about to protest, but I cut him off. "Look, we aren't friends, jackass. And I have no qualms in beating in the shit out of you, you get me?"
His face twists a little in annoyance. "I was just trying to be nice." And then after another second, all of what I said seemed to have caught up with him and he looks a cross between confused and amused. "You know the word 'qualm' and can use it correctly in a sentence?"
I ignore that add-on statement, because really I have no reason to explain to Dave Karofsky of all people how I'm not a dumbass. So instead I wipe the remaining snot and tears from my face with as much dignity as I could. "Yeah, I'm sure you're just 'trying to be nice.' You mean, just like Azimio was 'just trying to be nice' by dropping a slushy over my head this morning. I don't need your brand of 'nice,' thank you."
And with that I begin to storm off stage, but amazingly enough the big turd catches up with me. Does nobody respect me anymore?
He jerks my arm to make me look at him, and I draw back my fist to start making good on my earlier threat but he holds up a defensive hand making me pause. "I've never been to Juvie, so I have no idea how you feel right now."
Okay, what?
"And I know we have never gotten along, and I also know that it's mostly my fault."
Eyebrow.
"But this isn't a game, Puckerman. I wanna make things right. When I saw you crying, it…it just made me realize that even badasses like us get hurt."
I look away from him, slowly dropping my fist feeling slightly exposed.
"And then it made me think that if I was ever hysterical like that, nobody would care. And I just…I just didn't want you to think nobody did."
"That's extremely sappy," I sniffle still not looking at him and dropping some more of my rigid posture.
He smiles slightly, "Yeah, I know. But even jackasses like me can grow up."
I eye him suspiciously for a minute. He seems to be telling the truth, but with the trust issues I have, George Washington could be telling the truth and I'd blow him off. "Why should I believe you, Karofsky?"
"You have no reason to." He replies honestly. "I've been horrible to you and your friends. But I want to make up for it by telling you, if you ever need someone to just, I don't know, talk to…I'm here. And I do care."
I nod once slightly dazed that this conversation is actually happening and it's not some weird ass, fucked up dream, before replying, "Apology unofficially accepted," with a slight smile.
He smiles back and sticks out his hand for me to shake. Which I do, if a little awkwardly, then turn to leave. This time to no disruptions.
On my way out of the auditorium I debated with myself over whether or not I should go to Glee. I really didn't feel like facing anybody, and with Finn still having yet to say one word to me I'm leaning towards no. Huh, friends, right. Not to mention I feel like shit, and I'm just this side of shaken up and blown away that Dave Karofsky was actually, for once, not being a jerk. Huh. I guess some would say, "Weirder things have happened." Although, I'm not entirely sure.
Walking down the hall I avoid any and all eye contact. I felt like everyone could just tell I had spent time balling my eyes out like a girl, and it made my nerves sit on edge. I wanted to lash out. Yell at them. Scream at them until I was hoarse, that "Hey, I'm a person!" But it wouldn't matter, much like it never does. Nobody wants to know me, they want what they know of me.
And yeah, so that does make me fucking depressed, so what?
Once I reach my locker, I make a cursory sweep of my surroundings and notice Mercedes and Tina chatting near the choir room door, occasionally smiling at the other members who walk through. My heart lurches. I'm right here, and none of them notice or say a word to me. Am I really that unimportant? Then I see that blonde haired kid again and my blood starts to boil.
They replaced me. They replaced me with that-that pretty boy! Finn has a new best friend, and Glee has a new member. They don't need me. Any of them!
"Noah, are you coming?" Rachel snaps me out of my daze as she softly tugs on my shirt trying to lead me over to the group. She looks sincere, but that doesn't really matter at this point.
"Who is that ass?" I ask crudely and point an accusing finger in Blonde-boy wonder's direction.
Her eyes widen at my language, but she gracefully ignores it. "That's Sam Evans. Finn got him to join shortly after you got arrested."
Shortly? I bite my lip to keep my emotions in check. "Oh."
"He's from Tennessee. His dad moved here for a better job. They live over in the Dominion," Dominion? That's like, the 90210 of Lima… "and he's also on the football team, so you'll probably like him a lot, considering you both have so much in common. Not to mention he is a guitar player too…" I kind of tune her out after that.
So this Sam is rich and attractive and play guitar and football and probably has this sickeningly sunny disposition that makes it impossible to hate him…shit. So they really did replace me, didn't they? Guess Mr. Shuester was wrong when he said Finn missed me.
"…which is why I wanted to discuss with you, doing a duet. Finn's always busy right now, what with Sam and he becoming friends…"
Nail in coffin. Made up my mind, no Glee for me.
"Rach," I start and she looks at me with big, brown eyes. It amazes me that even after all we've said to one another, she is still one of the only nice people I know. "I think I'm gonna sit out for awhile. It isn't like you guys need me anyway. Tell Mr. Schue I said was sorry, but he was wrong this afternoon."
And with that I shut my locker, grab my bag and head out to my truck. Once I get hom I take out the folded letter to myself and read it again. I really am a loser.
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