Disclaimer: See chapter 1.
A frantic text from Kurt left Rachel curious. A sudden Girl's Night at her house? What could have brought this on? That night, Rachel was finishing brushing her hair as the doorbell rang. Her dad answered the door, greeting the familar boy.
"Hey Rach, how do you feel about doing duets again?"
"Oh, lovely, you want to do one with me? What song did you have in mind?"
"Actually, I was really hoping to do one outside of the box. Maybe Finn and I could do one together. You know, solidify our brotherly bond? We could do one of the classic rock songs he likes so much! Who would you pair with? Do you think you can convince Shue to do it?" Kurt almost bounced on Rachel's bed with excitement.
"I don't really know who I would pair with. I mean the assignment is supposed to be about heartbreak. How would you and Finn work with that?"
"Oh, right. I completely forgot about the put-upon motif. Hmm.. Maybe I should pair up with Britt. You know, she was the first, and only girl I ever kissed. Although Finn was my first crush. Maybe I could do like a moving on song with Finn."
Rachel burst out laughing. She was imagining Finn's face if Kurt tried to do a love song about him. He was extremely uncomfortable the first time around. Now the two actually lived in the same house. "Well, to be honest, I think Finn and I have broken up and gotten back together enough to have the requisite emotion for a heartbreak song. In all honesty, you and Britt would be a better fit for a duet."
"I.. was actually thinking... You and Puck should do a heartbreak duet." Kurt smiled slowly, examining Rachel's reaction.
"Noah?!" Rachel's pulse speed up. Bringing Noah into the mix when already with Finn would only bring out Finn's possesive side. "That isn't really a good idea. I mean you know how Finn feels about Noah and his girlfriends."
"Yeah, yeah, he like has PTSD about Puck around his stuff. Sometimes he can be just like a five-year-old! I mean just because Puck talks to you doesn't mean he is trying to steal you away! I still can't believe Finn got all pissy toward Puck last time you and Finn broke up. They like almost stopped being friends once he found out you and Puck kissed." Kurt stood up, looking around Rachel's room, trying to hide his miniscule smirk.
"What do mean Finn got mad? I cheated on him, of course he would be angry." Rachel's voice sounded small, full of guilt.
"Well, I heard in the halls that Finn told Puck to never talk to you again. And I mean Puck was so instrumental in getting you two back together! He even approached me with the idea for the Barbravention! Finn told me it was Puck's idea to take you on a date in New York! I mean Puck's romance skills allowed you to see Finn's potential. And how does he repay Puck's loyalty? He forces Puck to stop being friends with you. Seriously? Jealous-much?" Kurt turned back toward Rachel to see her shocked expression.
"He did.. all that?" Rachel was stunned at the new information. Noah really could be so sweet when he put his mind to it.
"Yeah, and I mean thats why, if you ever wondered, Puck hasn't really talked to you since that whole cheating business." Kurt sat down on the bed again.
"Oh." Rachel did in fact wonder if she made Puck angry with using him again for Finn's attentions. She was still so guilty at her poor behaviour. She was also very angry at Finn's actions the entire time she has known him. This cheating on who with whom business was tiring. The heartbreak assignment was conjuring up old feelings of resentment and jealousy Rachel believed she had long forgotten. "Kurt, I had an idea of the perfect song for me to sing!"
"Wonderful! Anway, do you wanna grab some ice cream? I have such a sweet tooth tonight! I was thinking maybe we should go shopping this weekend to update your wardrobe. Especially if you are going to be auditioning for NYADA this semester!" Kurts excitement became infectious. Rachel put all other thoughts to the back of her mind as she focused on entertaining her guest.
Puck sat at home, eating dinner in front of the tv as usual with his family. He had already informed his ma and little sis who his mate was. His phone chimed with an incoming text.
Help Finn's glee assignment. Something to remind Rach how unfaithful he has been.- Kurt
Puck rolled his eyes. Sure, whatever. he responded. He then texted Finn.
Hey bro. Need help the the glee hw?
Finn responded almost immediately.
Please? Come to mine? ASAP
Puck didn't know if he was going to go so far as to blantantly wave Finn's undesirable past in front of his girl. However, he knew that Finn always needed the most help he could get when it came to realtionships. He grabbed his guitar and went over the Finn's house a half hour later.
Finn's mom opened the door. "Hey, Mrs. Hudson. Finn asked for some help with glee," he responded.
"Oh, sure, Puck. Come on in." Most parents prefered to call him Noah, but Mrs. H was cool like that.
Finn and Puck tired out different songs ranging from musicals to metal. He finally realized the perfect song that wasn't blatantly anything. But, if Puck's future wife was as smart as he knew she was, it would hit Kurt's intentions all the same. "How about Hinder?" Puck asked Finn. He started the intro to Lips of an Angel.
"How is that about heartbreak, dude?" Finn queried.
Puck rolled his eyes. "Its like the two main peeps are like in relationships with other people. And they like broke up, so its about like not moving on from your perfect person or some shit."
Finn broke out into a huge grin. "Awesome!"
Over the next few days, Rachel worked diligently on her song choice. She knew a few other people were pairing up for their songs, but she never usually paid much attention when she had a task at hand. One day, she did notice something peculiar. As she was walking to her locker, she heard a herd of cheerios pleading with someone. Their voices were being hushed, so they kept getting quiter, until she turned around. They were all huddled around the boys bathroom for some reason. She shook her head. Those girls will do whatever they can to get a boy. Even stalking the bathroom, apparently.
That day in glee, Finn and Puck went up to perform their song. Finn sang lead of course, and from the seats Rachel beamed at him. Puck stood in the background with his guitar. Rachel coudn't help but notice that he seemed particularly... clean today. His face seemed to glow in the flourecent lighting. Even his voice took on a more dulcet tone when he added backup to Finn. Rachel always knew Noah was particualrly attractive, but ever since this semester started he was even more so.
When Finn started to sing, "Girl, you make it hard to be faithful," the words jotled back to everytime he chose Quinn, whether she was in a relationship or not. Suddenly, she felt as if she didn't actually know who Finn was singing this song to. Despite her internal turmoil, she kept her best show smile on her face, as an encouragement to her boyfriend. It was probably just the odd assignment stirring up old resentments. Best to just brush it off. When it was her turn, she realized she picked the perfect song to allow her pain and insecurities come through.
She started off singing, keeping a somber countancence. When she stated picking up the song, landing on the song's namesake, "I'm not that girl," she allowed herself a glance at the audience. Finn looked blank, as usual. Most other members mirrored her somber look. Noah, surprisingly looked angry. Not his causual stance, but sitting forward with his hands gripped tightly on his knees.
Rachel got to, "Gold hair with a gentle curl," before glancing up at Quinn. Quinn was the stoic queen as usual. Rachel finished off the song and sat down next to Finn. The room gave a half-hearted attempt at a clap. Quinn stood up.
"What was that Rachel? You don't seriously think I'd want Finn back after all this time, do you?"
Rachel stood up to face her in shock. "Quinn. I have no idea what you mean. Finn and I are very happy," she saw Noah wince in the seat behind her, "and unless you know otherwise, Finn and I are going to stay together." She smiled at her blissfully ignorant boyfriend beside her.
Quinn scoffed. "Yeah, right. The whole school knows that you two are the rubber band couple. We all take bets on how many times you two are going to break up and get back together in the year." Rachel's eyes grew with shock.
"Rubber band?"
"Yeah, its like you two don't even enjoy actually being together. You just enjoy the drama of it all." With that Quinn rolled her eyes and sat down, effectively ending the argument.
Rachel responded with, "That's not true!" before running out of the choir room.
She got halfway down the hall before she heard footsteps behind her. "I don't want to talk about it, Finn."
"Too bad. And you're right. Finnoocence should be the first one to follow you after you storm out." Puck rolled his eyes as Rachel turned to him stunned.
"Well, what are you doing then, Noah?"
Noah's eyes blazed with something Rachel couldn't recognize. "I..." his voice was strained, "I had to make sure you're ok." He looked at the ground.
Rachel took a deep breath. "Oh." She gave a little laugh. "Even though that's my boyfriend's job."
Puck slammed his fist against the nearby lockers. Rachel jumped back in shock. His fist had made a dent. "Noah, are you alright? I realize we haven't talked in a while, but we are still friends. Despite.. everything." It was Rachel's turn to look at the floor.
Suddenly she heard sobs coming from Noah, who had slumped to the ground.
"Noah, oh dear." She sat down next to him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She laid her head against his. "Shhh... it's alright. We can figure this out. Just breathe. It's ok. I won't tell anyone this happened. Don't worry."
Noah's chocked voice broke Rachel's soothing litany. "You.. can't... have to... stop.. putting yourself... down.."
With her hands rubbing his sides and back, her cooing eventually calmed him down. She heard a slow rumbling sound like.. purring? Rachel leaned back carefully. "Noah, you are not alright. Please tell me what's wrong." She tried to make eye contact.
"Rachel. I can't tell you." The silent lockers stared at the couple on the ground. "You know how when you're in class and not paying attention," Rachel scoffed. She always paid attention. Puck rolled his eyes. "Ok, how when I'm in class dozing, and then the teacher says that something is on the final, so I perk up? Well, I'm not going to do that. I'm not going to tell you just so you will change around me." Noah stood up, and walked away slowly.
Rachel sat on the floor, following his retreating figure. Why in the world would she change around him?
On Saturday, Puck received a text from Kurt. It occured to Puck that he didn't remember giving the dude his number.
Meet me at the mall in 20 - Kurt
Y? Is this still Phase 1? I don't kno man - Puck
Trust me - Kurt
Yeah, didn't really work last time... - Puck
Well, fine. I'll just tell you. Come shopping with me and Rach and Santana. - Kurt
That's the plan? Shopping? Seriously, dude? - Puck
If this was Kurt's planning skills in action, he was having serious doubts about even making it to phase two.
She needs to see how beautiful she can be without Finn. Now will you come? - K
Fine. - P
Twenty minutes later, Puck parked in the only mall in Lima, hoping to stop his rappidly beating heart. He was going to see her again. 24 hours apart from her only made his Veela even more restless than seeing her with Finn.
As he walked up to the troop standing on the ground floor, Berry turned to him and smiled. His Veela got a full blast of pure joy from his mate, and his Veela was instantly satisfied.
MATE HAPPY. MATE NEAR. SMELL. Not right now dude. But maybe she'd go in for a hug.
Puck stepped up to the bouncing girl and wrapped her in his arms. "Here you are. We were starting to get worried," she mumbled into his chest.
"Rach, I was only two minutes late. Seriously," he gave a slight chuckle as he released her. He couldn't help the smile that appeared across his face at her concern for him.
"Wow, Puckerman. This must be the start of the apolcolypse. Lady-Hummel, he's actually smilling. Is this some side effect of a new version of pot I haven't heard of?" Santana turned her quizzical glance to the other glee members.
"I think its nice. Don't you, Rach?" Kurt turned to his friend with a knowing smile.
Rachel nodded before heading off in a direction. Puck could smell her slight embarassment at the turn of the conversation. Or was it his?
"If you keep smiling like that, then everyone will soon know your big secret," Kurt sing-songoed quietly to him as the two fell in step behind the girls.
"Don't worry, I'm sure the total life-sucking shopping we are about to do will help with any happiness I have left." Puck chuckled to himself.
Kurt smiled even bigger. "Oh, but you don't even know the reason we are going shopping. It's for my brother's birthday party. And I convinced Rachel to get a new dress. A sexy dress."
Puck swallowed. His Veela was starting to get excited. Not the right time or place, he told himself. Kurt laughed at Puck's reaction. This was going to be fun.