Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Chapter 4, Part 1
Artie's POV:
Soon after I texted everyone from Glee Club, Santana and Brittany arrived at the hospital. Tina and I were still waiting outside the room.
"What happened? Are they okay?" Santana looked like she was about to cry at any second and Brittany looked scared too.
"We don't know yet..The doctors haven't told us anything."
"God, what's taking them so long?"
"Relax Santana, they're gonna be okay" and Brittany hugged Santana while she sobbed.
I really wanted to pull her from Brittany and calm her down but I just sat there looking at them. Tina's awfully quiet too. And I'm reminded again why I hate going to the hospital. "Tina, I need to go somewhere for a while. Can you stay here with them until I come back?" "Sure, Artie."
I texted Santana and hoped that she read it immediately. 'Meet me at the field now'. I waited for a while and finally saw her coming alone.
"What's up Artie? I'm not in the mood for anything right now."
"I know. That's why I texted you. I'm gonna tell everyone in school that you volunteer here every Sunday. I'm gonna tell them you're close with me and I'm gonna make them believe me."
"Whatever" and she turned and started to walk away.
"Santana Lopez! Come here this instant or so help me God I'm gonna tell everyone in school that you like your best friend's boyfriend". That made her turn towards me immediately.
And she slapped me hard on my face. I think it's gonna leave a mark.
"You love Puck. And you secretly wish every day that he'll leave Quinn and come to you." Another hard slap on my other cheek. My mom's gonna find out a girl slapped me.
"You love Puck so much that every day you steal glances to him during lunch time and hope that no one sees you. Well guess what? I saw you. I know! And Puck knows too but he purposely ignores you"
"Shut up Artie!" and the hardest slap rested on my cheek again. Okay, three is my limit.
"You can slap me more if you want but I'm gonna cry because it really hurts. But if it lessens your pain, just hit me as hard as you want. I'll be your punching bag today. Because as much as your slaps hurt me, it hurts me even more seeing you in pain. And it hits me even harder that I can't do anything to take that pain away. So go ahead. Slap me. Hit me. Do what you want as long as you let it all out". I closed my eyes because I practically gave her the green light to hurt me, but what I felt was her head on my knees and her tears falling down like a waterfall.
"I hate you Artie".
"I know". And I let her cry.
After a while she seems to calm down a bit. I bent down a little, lifted her head up, wiped her tears away and kissed her forehead. And then the most amazing thing happened. She kissed me. On my lips. And I didn't want her to stop. But then she pulled away and said, "Bye Artie". And I don't understand what's going on.
Chapter 4, Part 2
Tina's POV:
I wonder what's taking Artie so long.. I am feeling so restless just waiting for news. I went to the bathroom to wash my face and heard sobbing from outside. Wait, that's Santana's voice.. Should I go inside? Oh my God..why is she crying so hard? At this rate she could hyperventilate at any time. And it really happened. I heard her hyperventilating and quickly went inside.
"Santana, are you okay? Calm down..try to breathe normally"
She's still hyperventilating so I wanted to walk out and call the nurse but she held my hand as if she didn't want me to call anyone. And then I remember what to do. I reached for my bag and tried to search for something and luckily there is a paper bag in there. I asked Santana to breathe in the paper bag slowly and calm down. I rubbed her back and she slowly recovered. I know she must be really parched after all that and wanted to get a bottle of water.
"Tina..it's okay.. I'm okay.. Thank you.."
"You're welcome. You know, the vending machine is not that far. I can quickly grab a bottle for you."
"It's okay..Let's get out of here after I wash my face."
"Okay..are you okay? Do you want to talk about it?"
"No. And I appreciate it if you don't tell anyone what happened. Look, I have no energy to go all Lima Heights right now but you know what's gonna happen if you blabber right?"
"Yes, no worries Santana. But I really hope you can talk to someone about it. I'm sure it's bothering you"
"Don't worry Girl Chang, I'm fine"
After Santana put on a bit of makeup, we both left the bathroom and Santana sounded perfectly normal. As if nothing happened before.
"Have the doctors said anything yet?"
"No..still no news. If this goes on, I'm gonna have to go home first. You want a ride, San? My dad's picking me up in ten"
"Sure, I need to finish my Spanish homework, although I don't know how I can focus on doing it with Quinn still in there?"
And Artie said to them, "Don't worry, I'll text you both if the doctor tell us anything"
"All right, thanks Artie"
"Come on Britt let's wait downstairs. This hospital is suffocating me".
When I'm sure both of them are gone, I asked "Artie, you like Santana, don't you? It's her. She's the girl you have a crush on".
"How did you know?" Oh crap, I was hoping he'd deny!
"I.. smelled your cologne on her just now, when we where in the bathroom."
"Does my cologne really smell that strong?" and I could hear him sniffing.
I chuckled, "No, silly! It's just that I've been learning to recognize people from their footsteps and smell. So I'm used to noticing the small details. The perks of not being able to see through my eyes" And then there was an awkward silence.
"Everything good between you and Santana?"
"Why'd you ask?" He's dying to know. It's obvious from his voice.
"Nothing.. just that you guys were gone for quite some time just now. And when you returned, Santana immediately wanted to run away. When she arrived, she was worried sick about Quinn"
"Well I'm sure she's still worried sick about Puck and Quinn. She just didn't wanna be here with us. She'd rather go home early and get a lift from Brittany. I guess being in Glee Club doesn't change the fact that she's in the popular group huh? She'd rather be with the cheerios than us."
"By the way, we were talking before and I didn't get to tell you why I was here."
"Yeah, what is it?"
"I came here to see you because-" and our conversation was interrupted again. This time by the doctor. Quinn and Puck's parents couldn't come immediately so Artie and I decided to wait until we know that both our friends are fine. Puck's mother wanted to come but his sister was having high fever at home. Quinn's mother was in a meeting and couldn't be excused, while her father is in the court working on an important case. Everyone else texted Artie constantly, asking for updates because they couldn't come. And when we heard what the doctor said, how we wished they'd all be here. Because we don't know how we're gonna convey the message to everyone.
Chapter 4, Part 3
Artie's POV:
It's been a rough week for Glee Club members. Sectionals will begin two weeks from now and two of our friends are in the hospital. Puck still unconscious and Quinn needs to go through intense physiotherapy before she could walk normally again. It could take months for her to recover. Which meant, she would be in a wheelchair for a few months. We're all praying for Puck to wake up from his deep sleep. It feels different, not hearing someone scolding Finn for his bad moves or teasing the other girls just for fun. Funny how we initially felt awkward with the cheerios and guys from the football team but ever since the accident, we have grown closer to each other. We grieve together and share the pain together. This week during Glee Club practice, Mr Schue brought us all to the hospital. We visited Puck and Quinn. And although we're in a hospital, Mr Schue made us sing for Puck. He said Puck might be hearing us so we should tell him to wake up and come back from his deep sleep. We sang 'Stand in the Rain by Superchick'. Some of us were in tears, some holding it in, but I'm very confident every single one of us sang from our hearts.
My Sunday routine is still the same. I will visit the children at the Pediatric Ward, spend some time with them and hopefully made them feel happy or entertained. But it's weird without Santana around. She's been avoiding me all week and she didn't even show up for the kids. I asked the nurses and they told me Santana came on Saturday. I texted her a few times but she never replied. When I called it never got through. I don't even see her in the canteen during recess time. I asked Brittany and she said they've been eating at the school rooftop. I know they're both not eating. I wonder what they're doing up there. They used to just sit and hangout in the café with Puck and his friends. But now that Puck and Quinn's not around, I guess they feel awkward staying in the canteen. But that's the problem. Mike and Matt are eating with us. Why can't they join us?
I can hear her voice.. "Bye Artie" And feel her lips on mine as she kissed me goodbye. I hadn't even asked her out formally and I've been rejected. Okay, I did say "Wanna go over the rainbow with me?" but that just happened at the spur of the moment. If I could ask her out properly, I'd totally do more than that. Rose petals around her, candles, just the normal cheesy things people do when they're in love. Don't get me wrong, I know clearly that I'd get rejected even with those romantic gestures. But that doesn't matter. I just wanna do it for her. She doesn't have to say yes or accept me. Who am I kidding? I'm me and she's perfect. I just want her to know that she's perfect. Because it would be a shame if she doesn't know that.
Chapter 4, Part 4
Santana's POV:
"Artie, all my life.. I'm always in the constant need to feel powerful and in control. Because the truth is, every day I feel so helpless, small and useless. The one and only boy that I like in school, doesn't even turn a glance at me. He loves my best friend. That means I'm nothing compared to Quinn. I'm not beautiful enough, not lovable, not desirable. And I basically have to starve every day to keep my body in shape. Every time during recess, I look at people eating whatever they want happily, without any worries and I feel so jealous of them. What do I eat every day? A fruit and Coach Sylvester's protein drink. That's why I put up a show every day, showing everyone that I'm okay, I'm strong and I'm so desirable when the truth is, I feel so small. And I know, every guy that asked me out wants me for sex because their eyes are on my boobs when they talk to me. They never look at me in the eye, never try to know the real me, never sincerely want to be with me. So I gave them a little revenge. I make them want me, beg for me and make them think that they're gonna get me and one day, I'll leave them, just like that.
But you Artie..you came into my life, invading me like a terrorist and for the first time in my life, I felt naked. I feel like you can see right through me. And you looked me in the eye when you asked me out. Everyone else looks like they're about to jump right at me. And I can't handle it. I hate feeling powerless. Even if a boy is crazy enough to love me, I need to feel like I'm the one holding the cards. I need to know that he can't see right through me so that I can lie to him, the way I lie to every one every single day. Because if I don't..I'm afraid my show's gonna be over. And everyone will know how imperfect I am. And they won't treat me the same. They'll take advantage of me and I will never let that happen. So Artie..I'm sorry for doing this but I can't accept you. And I don't want to be near you anymore."
Yes, that's what I'm supposed to tell him. But seeing him in front of me, I became tongue-tied.
"What do you want? Are you out of your mind? We're in school"
"You're in Glee Club, Santana. Is it that weird if people see us talking?"
"I've got nothing to say"
"Well I have a lot to say and girl, don't you dare walk out on me. I may not have legs to run but I can wheel faster than your feet"
Right..sure you can, Artie. Sure you can.
"Meet me at the auditorium. Now!"
Ugh, I wanna strangle this boy!
I peeped in the auditorium before entering, just to get a hint of what Artie's doing. It's dark, I can't see anything. And then the spotlight appeared at the stage. Artie's behind the piano. And what is that on the floor? Oh my God..rose petals! That's it, I'm out of here. I'm not gonna reject him twice.
"Baby, please try to forgive me" And..he started singing already.
I really wanna run away but somehow my feet move towards the chair he put near the piano. So I just sat there, listening to him singing 'Shape of My Heart'. God, this is so cheesy! But the piano part isn't. Anything turns romantic with piano in the equation. Dear God, how do I get to be so lucky? I don't deserve all this. I'll just hurt him.
"Santana, I know you're in love with someone else right now. And even if you're not, I'm a 100% sure I don't stand a chance at being your boyfriend. But I just want you to know how amazing you are in my eyes. Every day I look forward to come to school, just so I can see your smile. And my life begins every Sunday, when we volunteer together at the hospital. I know you have 7 different smiles. 1 when you're with the kids. You smile like you're looking at something beautiful. 2 when you're with Brittany and Quinn. You smile like nothing else matters around you. 3 when you think of something cynical. You will say a one-liner that always blows everyone's mind. 4 when you look at Brittany. You communicate through your eyes to laugh at Rachel's sweater or sweatpants. 5 when Puck talks to you. Your cheeks turn red and your eyes smile. But your lips will remain unchanged. 6 when you're amazed. You stare at the person straight in the eyes and do not utter a word. And lastly you smile whenever you win something. Victory smile! There's so many wonderful things about you that I want to discover. But, I know you and me being together is like wishing I could walk again. It's something that I really want but I can't have. And I'm okay with it. Because honestly Santana, being able to love you is the most wonderful thing that has happened to me. I never knew I could meet someone as amazing as yo-"
I kissed him again. A long, passionate kiss. It feels like the earth stopped moving for a while. Nothing matters at that moment. I just wanted time to stop. Just let me be in that moment with him. Then, the bell rang. We stopped kissing.
I look him in the eyes and said, "Thank you Artie. Thank you for loving me".
"Hey, what's not to love?"
I held his hand, his freezing cold hands.
"I will never be able to love you back, but I pray that you will find someone who will love you more than you love her. And you will both be happy together. I'm sorry that person is not me"
"Well, the girl of my dreams kissed me twice. I have nothing more to ask for. Except for one thing, can we remain as friends? That's all I ask for. We don't even have to be close. Just don't run away from me again."
"Okay, I won't. And you need to stop doing all these singing and rose business"
"Deal". I smiled at him. What did I ever do to deserve you?
Chapter 4, Part 5
Santana's POV:
Whenever I'm too stressed out, I'd smoke. It's something that I do once in a while. And since it's not exactly "right" for me to smoke in public, I will always find a place to smoke on my own. That's what Brittany and I do at the school rooftop. Brittany doesn't smoke, she just accompanied me. And today, I feel like I could smoke one whole pack. I know it's dangerous to be at the back of the alley on my own but I usually don't take that long to smoke. One cigarette lead to another, I didn't realize I smoked eight already.
"Well, well, well. Look who's here. Santana Lopez"
Shit! What is Karofsky doing here? I walked away from him but he pulled me and pushed me to the wall.
"I've been wanting to do this for such a long time. There's no way I'm letting you go".
I struggled to free myself from him, knowing how much hatred he has for me. But he was too strong. He ripped my shirt and I cried because I'm too scared. Every kiss felt like a sharp knife, hurting me. I screamed and begged him to let me go but he just kept holding me stronger. When I could feel his crotch hardening, I wanted to die that instant. Just kill me instead, please!
Then I heard someone blowing a whistle. Is that the police? Oh my God, please hurry!
"Shit!" Karofsky let go of me and ran as fast as he could. I fell to the floor, crying and still feeling scared. Then I heard a terrified voice.
"Santana, are you okay?" I felt a person wrap me with a jacket and hold me. My vision became blurry. Maybe it was my tears or maybe I'm about to faint. But I couldn't see who it was. And next thing I know everything turned dark.
When I opened my eyes, the first thing that I felt was my head hurting. I looked around and realized that I'm in a ward. Then I remembered what happened. And tears came flowing out of my eyes. I felt someone touched me and I screamed. I looked at that person, terrified that it would be Karofsky. It's not. It's Artie. I got down from my bed and hugged him. I cried like a baby, screaming in pain. I was so sad and scared at the same time. Artie tried to calm me down. I guess I was out of control because next thing I know, a few nurses came to me and injected me. I could feel my energy drained away and before my eyes were shut again, I saw Artie crying while looking at me. And then everything went dark again.
Chapter 4, Part 6
Tina's POV:
I've never felt Artie so angry before. We're all in Glee Club meeting and Artie asked the boys to help him get even with Karofsky. Everyone was already shocked to hear the news about Santana, but seeing Artie lose control was also scary. He wanted Karofsky to suffer for what he did to Santana but ten times worst. Puck would have helped him without hesitating if he were here. We were all furious at Karofsky too. I think all the girls cried when they heard the news. Brittany cried the worst. She kept saying she should have followed Santana on that day, blaming herself for the tragedy that happened to Santana. It was an excruciatingly painful experience for all of us. Rachel said, "I know she's always been mean and bitchy to us, but she doesn't deserve to be treated that way. No one does".
It's the time we needed Mr Schue's guidance the most. And he was there for us. He was like our parent, giving us the strength to go through all this. He took Artie somewhere right after he lost it in the choir room and when both of them came back Artie sounded calmer. Since sectional is coming, he gave us tasks to complete. We each have our own role. We also had to squeeze in our time to motivate our friends at the hospital. It's good to have Quinn back, but everyone knew she's thinking about Puck all the time. Naturally, Artie spent more time with her. He had gone through the same thing Quinn went through and he wanted to make sure that Quinn never felt alone while going through all that. I get a little jealous sometimes. Even I don't get that much attention from Artie and he's supposed to be my best friend. But, it's important for everyone to be in shape, so I hope Quinn is absorbing all the positivity Artie's giving her.
Quinn's POV:
When I woke up from the accident, I thought God is giving me a second chance to live. I remember how I felt a few seconds before we were hit. I knew, we can't run away and all these images came to my mind. I saw my parents, Puck, Santana and how I haven't let them know how much they mean to me. And when I woke up, it was Artie in front of me. Not my parents, not Puck, not Santana. It was Artie. And a few seconds after, Tina came in with a bottle of water. Are these two dating or what? They're always together. I've never really spoken to Artie so when I saw him I didn't know what to say. But then he told me what happened to Puck and I started crying. I just wanted my mom and dad to hug me and tell me that it's okay. That didn't happen. Artie and Tina hugged me. And then I was discharged and had to be in a wheelchair. I never knew how hard it is to be in a wheelchair. It's as if I'm invisible every day. People used to turn their heads on me every time I walk down the hallway. But now people are avoiding eye contact with me. And who was there for me through all these hardship? Artie, and the rest of the Glee Club members. Artie, especially. He's been treating me really kindly lately. I know he's always been kind to everyone, but he's really attentive to me. He accompanied me through my physiotherapy and I always feel thankful for that..