Somewhere Over The Rainbow
By: Farisya MJ
Chapter 3
Artie's POV:
My day every week began at Sunday, 12pm in a Pediatric Ward. That's when I get to spend an hour with Santana and a few kids. The best hour of my day and also the whole week. I never thought volunteering at the hospital would bring me close to her. I enjoyed meeting the kids and making them laugh every week and Santana makes it even more perfect. I never knew she's such a good entertainer. She can act, sing, dance & she's always full of ideas. We compete all the time to give a better idea. She likes to boss me around and ask me to follow her ways. I tackled that by first agreeing, then suggesting something better. Then it all began. Our battle to come up with a better idea every week. One day I popped the question, "So..you're a mean girl at school but volunteers at the hospital to entertain children at the pediatric ward. I don't get it". "Get what?". "Why are you so mean at school? You're so different here". "Well I still go all Lima Heights to the naughty ones right? Not like I'm totally different". "So why did you start coming here? Don't get me wrong..I'm not saying it is unlikely although I do sound like that. It's just that no many teenagers take their time on the weekend to do charity work,right?". "Well last year I wanted to go to a concert so badly and my mom said I have to earn the money. I can't just demand from her and dad. So we made a deal. I have to come volunteer at the hospital and she'll pay me for it. I really needed the money, so I agreed to it. After my first visit, I just fell in love with these kids. I feel so happy being able to put a smile on their face. Plus, I get to role play sometimes. I'd dress as a nurse, or a police..any costume that I could rent from the halloween shop. The kids LOVE it." "So you do love acting." "Yes, that's why I'm planning to study in New York Film Academy after school". "Are you serious?". "Yeah, why?". "I'm planning to study there too after school". We looked at each other for a few seconds and laughed.
"Okay, if you're so keen on joining NY Film Academy, why aren't you.." "in any drama club in school? I knew you'd ask me that. Have you seen the people who joined Drama Club? They look like ppl who jump out of High School Musical". "Well there's also.." "Glee club? Oh please! Like you guys are any different from them! Sorry..I have a reputation to protect in school". "You do know you need to at least be in one play for your resume to look good? Why not join Glee Club? We're doing a play in hopes of getting new members". "Thanks for the offer but I'm good. I only get one chance to be in high school and I'm not gonna ruin it". "Okay, let's make a deal. Come and see our rehearsal. Just one rehearsal. And you can see for yourself whether we're just a bunch of losers or passionate people who love arts." "Ugh, do I have to? I can't keep my mouth shut if you guys suck. You know that right?". "Who said you'll be watching from the audience's seat? Sneak in woman! You can watch from upstairs without catching our attention". Santana thought for a while and agreed to come. But she didn't promise to stay till the end. Good enough for me. I have to talk to Mr Schue about this.
Tina's POV:
I've been crying a lot lately and my mom became worried. She tried to help me by putting me in the most awkward position that could possibly happen. She called my childhood friend, Mike Chang to listen to my problems. Great! I have to tell the person I rejected that I got rejected indirectly too. What a beautiful solution. And there he is, the light-footed steps of Mike Chang. I really don't know how to tell him. "Tina, I know things have been awkward ever since I confessed my love to you..but I really dont want to lose you. We've been friends for so long, don't make me regret telling you that I love you." "Mike, it's not you. I..I don't know how to tell you. It's too personal, even for you". "Are you having girl-related problem? Cause I can totally tell your mom and you can talk to her". "No..it's not that. I really don't wanna talk about it with you". "With me. So this is what we are now? I thought we're best friends, Tina. Even if you dont love me the way I do, I thought our friendship was real". "It is..". "Then why are you keeping this 'thing' to yourself? You've been crying a lot and no one knows why. Don't do this to yourself".
I really didn't wanna cry in front of Mike but the tears just came. I know Mike has always cared about me. He's protective and gentle at the same time. I don't wanna hurt him by saying I'm in love with someone else but hearing how worried he is made me touched and sad at the same time. Suddenly, I felt his hand touching my hands. He put a mint candy on my hand. He always does that every time I cry, because mint candy makes me stop crying. I ate the candy while still sobbing and felt his hand wipe my tears away. I don't know how he looks like right now. Is he angry, or sad, or puzzled? But what I know is, for the first time he held my hand and just kept quiet. As if telling me that he's here for me and he won't force me to tell what happened. I held his hand back and we stayed like that for a few minutes. I didn't realise when did I fall asleep, but when I woke up I'm covered in blanket. I need to stop making people worried. I need to stop loving Artie.
Santana's POV:
Sneaking into the auditorium was never in my wish list but now that I've done it I can't believe it wasn't. Here we are, the unholy trinity spying on the Glee Club's rehearsal. I hate to admit, but they're really good. They're a weird combination but together they make a good team. And guess what? Frankenteen is one of them! If someone from the football team can survive being with them, how bad can it be? I'm having second thoughts now. "So what do you guys think?". "I don't know Santana..it's gonna be awkward to be in the same room with Finn. And I don't think Puck would agree either". "Brittany?". "I am totally a better dancer than all of them. If I join, I'd definitely get to lead them in dancing. I'll join if you join, Santana". "Quinn? Come on..it would be weird without you around. We need to stick together." "Why are you so keen on joining Glee Club suddenly? We're busy enough with Cheerios practice and Cellibacy Club". Should I tell her? No one except Artie knows about my plan after school. "Santana?". "All right, I'll tell you guys cause you're my best friends.." and that's how I told them about my dream to go to NY Film Academy and how I need to be in at least one play to have a good resume. After that Quinn promised to talk to Puck about letting her join the Glee Club with me and Brittany.
And now we're here. Auditioning in front of Mr Schuester. I let Brittany choreograph our moves since she loves it so much and we're singing a Britney Spears song for the audition - Lucky! Guess what? Overprotective Puck is joining us together with his friends from the Football Team. Interesting..now I'm gonna feel awkward seeing them being lovey dovey all the time. I wanted to forget Puck but it's impossible cause I see him every day. While I'm singing Lucky I can't help but to notice Artie's fixated look on me. He smiled throughout our performance. Yes, Artie! If it weren't for you I wouldn't be here. Stop smiling! You're distracting me.
Mr schuester was so happy that we joined Glee Club and we also brought another three guys with us. Guys who dont wanna audition but want to be in Glee Club. I think at this point Mr Schuester is too happy that he managed to get 12 people to join the Glee Club so Puck, Mike & Matt didn't have to audition. Of course Berry insisted that the boys should audition too and then Finn backed them up. So it's official now. I'm in Glee Club! Damn, I never imagined I'd say that!
Artie's POV:
"She is..so lucky..but why does she cry?" I totally am trying to tease Santana right now. I try to hide the smile on my face but it's too hard. And she is totally pretending to not notice me trying to tease her. Her face just turned red and she's avoiding eye contact. "If there is nothing missing in my life..pfff..." I can't. I just blurted out laughing. "Oh shut up Artie! It's not funny!" I can't. I just can't. I laugh hysterically untill my eyes water. Suddenly Santana pushed my wheelchair. I don't know where she's bringing me but she sure ain't slowing down. Wanna know what happened? She brought me to the hospital's open field. It's sorta a place to jog or have picnic with families who came to visit. She brought me there and she pushed me round and round the field while screaming like a mad woman! I laughed cause it doesn't feel like she's torturing me. It feels like she's having fun with me. After ten rounds she stopped slowly and lay on the floor. I was out of breath too. "Ugh..I'm seeing four of you Santana". "Serves you right" (she said while panting)
"Laugh again and I won't slow down before I stop". "Okay2, promise I won't". We both looked at each other and smile while panting. "Hey Santana". "What?". "Wanna go over the rainbow with me?". I don't know whether she can understand my metaphor or not. All I see is a surprised look on her face that slowly changed to a burning red. Oh my God, she's blushing again! "What do you mean, Artie?" "I think you know what I mean. Don't you Santana?" I asked, smiling. She wanted to answer but I stopped her. "Don't answer me now. Take your time to think. I'm in no hurry to hear your answer". I took out a paper from my pocket and hand it to her. It was the paper that I used to write my dream. She should know, she used the same paper that day. "Open it when you get back home" I said with a smile. After that we went back to the Pediatric Ward, and Santana has been awfully quiet. I don't care what she'll say to me. I'm just happy I get to tell her how I feel. :)
Santana's POV:
"Britt, help me! I'm gonna flip right now" "Relax, babe. Tell me what happened" "Can you come to my house? I can't talk about it over the phone" "Ok sure. Do you want me to pick Quinn on the way?" "She's on a date with Puck. I'll fill her in later" "Okay, see you in 15" "What's up girlfriend?" I heard Brittany coming in but my head is still under the pillow. "Hey, are you gonna talk or are you gonna sleep". She said that while tickling me. "All right, all right, stop..haha". I sat on my bed and smiled at Brittany. "I know I'm pretty Santana, but stop staring at me. Why are you flipping?" "Ugh.." and I'm back to hiding my face under the pillow. Brittany pulled the pillow away from my face and looked at me. "You don't have to sit. Just tell me what's going on" "Artie asked me to be his girlfriend" "So?" "So? I don't know what to do..I can't say no.." "Why not? You did it to Karofsky, and Matt, and Jacob.." "Okay2 point taken. But this is Artie." "What? You like him?" "NO!" "Then what's the problem?" "I just feel sorry for him cause he has gone through a lot"
"How do you know?" "Cause he told the kids" "Wait, he's volunteering with you at the hospital? Since when?" "He just popped out of nowhere one day and we've been spending some time together. And I'm flipping because I don't wanna hurt Artie. It feels so wrong doing it to a handicapped boy. I don't know how to say no" "If you don't like him that way..it shouldn't be a problem. Think of him as a guy who confessed to you, not the boy who volunteered with you at the hospital. I know they're the same person, but you treat all the boys who confessed to you the same way. You make them woo you, and then you leave them." "I don't know..I'll think about it." "Well I gotta go now. Text me if you need to talk" "Okay, thanks Britt" I hugged her before saying goodbye. Then I lay in my bed, thinking why it feels so wrong to say No to Artie. Suddenly, a text message came in "San, Quinn and Puck got into an accident!" Shit!
Tina's POV:
After the incident with Mike the other day, I decided to make an appointment with Miss Pilsbury. I can't tell my parents because they obviously love Mike and they'd feel devastated to find out I'm in love with someone else. On top of that, Artie's not Asian. I can't tell Mike cause I don't wanna hurt him and I also can't tell Artie cause the problem involves my feelings for him. Talking to Miss Pilsbury was really great. She's a really good listener and her calm and soothing voice made me feel comfortable to open up. Miss Pilsbury was not keen to talk about love in the beginning but she decided to tell me to follow my heart. She said that I cannot force my way out of love the way I can't force my way into love. Pushing the feeling away and keeping it unrequited only makes the feeling grows even more. I need to accept the fact that I'm in love and let things happen naturally.
So here I am, in the hospital that Artie volunteers in every Sunday. I decided to give him a surprise visit. I miss him by the way, I haven't spoken to him since last Friday. I headed to the Paediatric Ward, hoping that he is still in there. A nurse helped me to find him. I smell his cologne, he must ne near. "Artie, you have a visitor" "Hey..Tina! What are you doing here? Thanks Jenny!" "I'll leave you two together yea? I'm at the counter if you need me" "Woman! What are you doing here? Come here, there's a chair here." "I just wanted to give you a surprise. I missed-" "Oh my God, Tina! That's Puck and Quinn!" "What? Why are they here?" In a split second, the environment in the hospital changed. I heard people running here and there, doctors calling out Puck & Quinn's name, the smell of blood made me sick and I instantly knew something bad is going on. I held Artie's hand, trying to calm myself down. "Artie, what's going on?" "I think they got into an accident. They're unconscious. Tina, we gotta tell our friends. I'll text them. Stay here, Tina. Don't go anywhere." God, please save my friends. Please don't let anything bad happen to them.