Puck's POV

Yesterday afternoon was pretty good. We found a kick-ass song and killed it. Rachel is actually pretty cool. I had a lot of fun except for the part when Finn rang her and she was talking for about 20 minutes.

I drive to school earlier this morning. I don't have football practice today but I don't wanna be too late because I told Finn that I would meet him on the football field. Apparently he has to tell me something. It's probably nothing, but I'm his bro, and after last year with the whole baby drama I don't wanna screw our friendship up at the moment.

When I am about 10 minutes away from the school I notice Rachel walking by herself towards school. I stop the car about 10 yards in front of her. She notices me and approaches the car. She sticks her head in the window that I winded down.

"Do you need a ride?"

"I was actually contemplating the universe and how-

"Do you need a ride?"

"Sure. Thank you Noah."

She opens the door and gets in. I actually don't mind it when she calls me Noah. If anyone else said it, it would be weird (except for my mum and sister, of course), but for some reason when Rachel says it I get a warm feeling. And I am not a mushy person! I am the Puckasaurous! But that doesn't mean I don't have a heart.

"So Noah, why are you getting to school so early? Aren't you just going to skip first period anyway?"

"No way! I have chemistry first period! But that's not why I'm coming to school earlier this morning."

"You! You like chemistry! Ha! Since when did you care about anything that requires work?"

"Why is it such a surprise?"

"Oh… I don't know… I mean it shouldn't be because you attend classes most of the time and are always going on about how important your education is and how interested you are in science and English and what not… so why did you come to school earlier?"

Her sarcasm makes me let out a laugh. "Whatever Berry. Anyway the reason I am at school so early is because of Finn. He needs to talk to me about something."

"Oh okay. I need to go to the library and study for an English test coming up."

"Have fun with that."

I approach the school and pull into the student car park and park in my usual spot. There are few cars here and one of them is Finn's.

"Well, I'm going to head off to the library now. I'll see you around."

"Cya Berry."

I watch her walk towards the back door whilst locking my truck. In a quick flash of her hair, she is gone.

I start to walk towards the field. As I approach the tri-line, I see Finn sitting on the bleachers so I jog over to him. I open the metal gate and notice how it makes a creaking noise as it is pushed open, and the same when I close it.

"Hey Finn. What's up?"

He is sitting on one of the long, metal benches with his elbows on his knees and his head resting on his palms. "I need to tell you something."

He doesn't sound sad or angry, he actually sounds a little excited. "Yeah I got that part. What do ya need to tell me?"

"Well… yesterday when I was at Quinn's house rehearsing, we- well, long story short we kissed!"

I can't quite figure out whether he thinks that this is a good thing or a bad thing, but judging by the smirk on his face I take it that he thinks that this is a good thing. And my first thought is Rachel.

"Wait… what?"

He takes his hands away from his face and sits up. "We're in love! I have known for a while but have brushed It off telling myself that it is nothing but then… there was a spark and… we confessed our love for each other and everything was perfect dude!"

I have no idea what is going through his head. Has he even considered Rachel? "Dude! What about Rachel?"

"Oh well… we'll just stay together until Quinn and I sort everything out and then I'll break it to her gently."

"So if you're gonna break up with her anyway then why not break up with her today. You know, tell her the truth?"

"C'mon dude, you saw how upset she got about the whole Santana thing. If I tell her the truth about Quinn… who knows what she'll do!"

I am really pissed. "It doesn't matter! She deserves to know!"

Finn gets up and looks angry. "Dude! You are so out of line! Why do you care so much about Rachel anyway?"

I restrain myself from hitting him and walk away. I don't need to look back to know that he is fuming and knowing Finn, slightly confused by the situation.

Rachel's POV

At lunch, I am at my locker, admiring the picture of Finn and me in glee. A photo that I originally hated because it was unexpected and I wasn't shot from my left side but I can settle with this picture because it's of Finn and I!

As I close my locker and turn around I am met with a cold, icy liquid that makes my eyes burn. I try to find the source and watch Karofsky and Azimino strut away, exchanging a hi-five.

I open my locker and pull out a towel and my spare change of clothes, hoping nobody notices the tears streaming down my face, leaving trails of salty water slicing through the purple slushie.

I walk over to the girl's bathroom and open the door, not noticing Santana following close behind. I grab the chair on the far side and once turned around, I find Santana standing at the sink closest to the door.

"What do you want Santana? Have you come to gloat? You know, about this, and Finn?"

"Actually no. Wait, you know about Finn?"

I am angry to hear her play dumb; she has no idea what pain she has caused. "Oh give it up Santana! Everyone knows about you and Finn! You're the one who announced it in front of everyone in glee!"

"Oh I thought you were talking about something else. And I actually feel incredibly guilty about that thank you very much. I didn't do it to hurt you! I did it to hurt Finn! Besides you deserved to know! I was doing you a favour! He wouldn't have told you in the future anyway."

What does she mean about 'she thought I was talking about something else'? And Santana? Feeling guilty? I don't think so.

"Look you don't have to believe me but I am sorry. You need help washing that slushie off."

"Whatever. And I don't need help."

"That wasn't a question."

I feel a wave of surprise when she approaches me and sits me down in the chair.

"Put your head back."

I did as I was told and felt the cold water run through my hair. "Why are you doing this?"

"Let's just say it's an apology for what I did to you."

"Thanks Santana."

"Whatever Berry."

Once I was cleared of the purple slushie I entered one of the cubicles and changed into my spare clothes. I was surprised to find Santana had waited for me.

"Oh. You're still here."

"Look Berry, I need to tell you something."

"What's so importa-

"During first break I saw Finn and Quinn playing tonsil hockey in the auditorium."

Anger surged through me. I truly thought that Santana actually cared about me. But to find out that she just wanted to spread another lie to make me feel worse. How could I believe that Santana couldn't be a bitch?

"Wow. I should've known that you didn't actually care about me and that it was just a part of your stupid plan to make me feel worse. You're a liar, Santana. And a bitch!"

"But Berry, I'm not lying! It's the truth!"

"Oh really? Because you were just casually in the auditorium!"

"Tina and I were going to practice. Okay? After I saw Finn and Quinn I texted her that practice was cancelled. I thought that you would appreciate that I'm telling you?"

I was so angry that I didn't think it would be worth it to think of a reply. I stormed out of the room after picking up my slushied clothes and stepped into the corridor.

I approach my locker from the other end of the corridor and see Finn waiting for me. He waves and I smile and wave back. I pick up my pace and when I am within a few feet of him he notices something is wrong.

"Hey babe. Is something wrong?"

I look into his eyes and see the caring Finn that I fell in love with. "It's just Santana and the stupid jocks."

He put his hand on my shoulder. "What do you mean?"

"Ugh well, the stupid footballers slushied me in the middle of the corridor so I went to the bathroom to wash myself off and get changed only to meet Santana who was really kind and rinsed the slushie out of my hair and even waited for me after I got changed but when I emerged from the cubicle she told me about how she saw you and Quinn making out in the auditorium but don't worry, I told her that I didn't believe her. I know that you would never do that to me. Thanks Finn."

Finn averts his gaze which fell on the wall during my venting session back towards me. "Thanks for what?"

I smile at him. "For allowing me to vent."

"Don't worry, it's just Santana. She'll say anything to cause tension in other people's relationships."

"I know." I stare into his chest and back up to his eyes. "I love you."

He smiles and walks away, without giving me a hug goodbye and more importantly, without saying I love you back. He probably just forgot.

Puck's POV

It's the end of the day and I am heading towards my truck when I see Rachel walking out of the car park on her way home. I start walking faster and end up jogging towards her.

"Hey Rachel!"

She turns around and looks stunned. "So you're addressing me by my first name now, what did I do?

"Oh nothing… do you want a ride home?

She considers this for a few moments. "Sure. I'd love one."

We both turn around and walk to my truck. I'm feeling very kind towards Rachel at the moment considering her world is soon going to come crashing down. And I actually like being nice to Rachel.

I open the door for her and she happily hops into the truck and puts her seatbelt on. I shut the door and jog over to the driver's side and repeat the same process. I start the engine and we are on our way.

It is silent in the car. Rachel has her face in her palm and is staring out the window; god knows what she is thinking about. I really think I should tell her. Finn is being an A-grade douche for what he is doing to her. He is cheating on her with Quinn and not breaking it off. Quinn and Finn are both as bad as each other. Finn is cheating on Rachel with Quinn and Quinn cheated on Finn with me!

We are nearly at Rachel's house now. I have a horrible feeling of guilt in my chest but I've decided that I am not going to tell her. It's best that I don't get involved more than I already am.

I park the car on the side of the road opposite Rachel's house. "Do you need me to walk you to the door?"

She looks at me and giggles. "I'm fine Noah. Since when did you become such a gentleman?"

A dark shade of red covers my face. "Shut up."

She shuts the door and poke's her head through the window. "So I guess I'll see you tomorrow when we practice our duet?"

I smile. "Sure. Hey. Do you want a ride to school tomorrow?"

"Sure. Well, I better go. Bye Noah!"

"Cya." I watch as she crosses the road and steps onto her lawn. I ignore the warm feeling in my chest as I watch her step inside and slowly drive away.

Rachel's POV

It's been a week since Puck and I won the duets competition, with Mercedes and Brittany coming second. We haven't gone to breadsticks yet because stupidly Mr Schuester didn't organise the voucher until afterwards and Breadsticks are fully booked for the next week so we are going to celebrate our win next week.

Puck and I have become closer in the last week. Our carpooling has become permanent and we talk a lot more. I like being friends with Puck. Despite his bad boy attitude and some of the footballers that he hangs around he is actually quite a good guy.

Finn has been acting weird. He's been secretive and he keeps cancelling our dates. He said that he has been having family troubles which I can sympathise with. I've been there. About a year ago my dads and I had gotten into a huge fight about which colour we should paint the house. We decided on blue and white.

The bell rings, signalling second period's end, and I walk out of the geography classroom and start heading for my locker. I have a free period next so I am planning on using it wisely and exercising my already amazing vocals, probably in the auditorium. I would like Finn to come too so I can coach him a little but I have only seen him once today which was in the morning and I don't' want to disturb him considering the tough time that he is having, he probably just needs time and to be alone for a while.

I reach my locker and unload my things from last period; I fix my hair a little in the mirror, grab a singing exercise book, close my locker, and head towards the auditorium. My eyes capture the sight of a few of the footballers striding my way, holding slushies, so I take a detour through a few other corridors to avoid the slushie facial that I receive every day.

Once I have reached the auditorium door most of the students have entered their classes, I turn the handle and walk in, only to feel my heart freeze, and my whole body stop. It felt like a lifetime as I watch the scene unfold in front of me.

There, in the middle of the stage, are Finn and Quinn, arms around each other, lips locked, looking happier and… more passionate than ever. I feel tears stinging at my eyes but I can't move. I hadn't noticed that I dropped my exercise book until now, when they both heard the thud and looked up to see me in my stunned state. They both pulled apart quickly. "Uh, Rachel! I didn't expect to see you here…" But I didn't hear him as my legs finally started working and I ran out of the room, tears finally streaming down my face.

I slam the door behind me as I run out of the room. I'm not sure where to go or what to do or what to think except of how stupid I have been. I mean, believing that Finn has been having family troubles when really he has been having make-out sessions with that bitch! Santana was right! Why did I ignore her! Ugh I have been so naïve!

I have run to the field and decide to go to the bleachers as there is no football or Cheerio practice on so it is practically deserted. I open the small, metal gate and notice Puck standing there, on one of the higher steps, staring at me.

I probably look like an emotional wreck. I sure do feel like one. But before I can think any more about this stupid situation I feel my weak legs give way and before I crash to the ground I feel strong, muscular arms catch my broken body and I am too exhausted to object or fight back so I just stay there, my tears staining Noah's shirt.

I don't know how long we have been standing here for, maybe five minutes, but suddenly I feel Noah leading me to sit down and I don't argue. I just sit there and feel his arms wrap around me again. I let out more tears into his shoulders for a few minutes until they turn into quiet sobs.

I untangle myself from Puck's grasp and wipe at my wet face. I look down at Noah's chest to reveal a wet shirt. "Sorry about all this Noah… I'll wash your shirt for you."

Puck looks at me with caring, hazel eyes. "Rachel, don't be sorry. And don't worry about the shirt. It's fine, really."

I'm so lucky to have a friend like Puck. After being in his strong grasp I feel a lot better, but I think it's time that I go home, even if I do miss out on last period. "Um, I think I'm just going to go home."

I get up to leave and feel his hand on my arm. "I'll drive you."

"No. You don't have to do that. I don't want you to miss class."

He smiles. "It's maths! I wouldn't be going anyway."

"Thank you."

We both walk slowly towards the car park. It's a silent walk, which is okay; I don't really feel like talking at the moment anyway. I spot his truck at the back of the car park, which is closest to us. We finally reach it and he opens the door for me. I say thank you and hop in, my shaky hands buckling my seat belt.

Puck walks around the other side of the car and gets in. He straps himself in and starts the engine, the same process playing. As we start to drive, I can feel his stare on me at the times when he is not looking at the road. I probably owe it to him to tell him what happened after I practically fell into his arms.

After a long, silent drive we pulled up at my house. "Do you want to stay over for a while? My dads are at work so there'll be no-one home."

He looks at me and runs his hand through his Mohawk. "Yeah, of course."

Once in my room I sit on my bed and hug one of my pillows. Puck is standing in the doorway. I offer him a seat on my desk chair and he accepts, slowly walking towards it and plopping himself down on it with a thump.

We exchange glances and I decide to break the silence. "I suppose I owe it to you to tell you what happened…"

"Rachel, you don't' have to tell me anything. I am happy to be there for you, you don't have to tell me if you don't want too."

"No, I want to tell you. Besides, I should really tell someone."

He doesn't respond, just looks at me and I continue. "Well, I may as well start from the beginning or it won't make much sense… Well as you know Finn and I broke up because of the whole Santana thing but then he apologised and I forgave him so we got back together. And you also know that he and Quinn got paired together for the duets competition. Well about a week ago when I got slushied, Santana helped me wash off, which was weird, and waited for me while I was getting changed, also weird, and when I was finished she told me about how she saw Finn and Quinn making out in the auditorium but I didn't believe any of it and stormed off, when I told Finn this he just said that that was Santana and not to worry about it. In the next few days I hardly saw Finn at school, he said that this was because he was having family troubles. Anyway today when I went to the auditorium I found Finn and Quinn making out and when they saw me I just ran and that's when I met you…"

Puck looks angry, to say the least. On one hand, he looks sympathetic but on the other hand he looks pissed. Really pissed. And while I am flattered by this I am also scared because I know what Puck can be capable of if he is angry enough.

"Rachel I am so sorry."

I show a puzzled expression. "For what?"

He stands up and starts pacing. "Last week, when we were driving to school and I told you that Finn wanted to talk to me…"

"Yeah."

He takes a deep breath and looks me straight in the eye. "Finn told me about how in rehearsal the two of them made out and told me how they were in love and that he wasn't going to break up with you until he and Quinn had 'sorted everything out'. I should have told you Rachel, as soon as I heard. Rachel, I am so sorry."

My emotions start flooding back but I don't show them, I just try to hide the wavering in my voice. "So you knew?"

He takes a step towards me. "Rachel, please forgive me. I wanted to tell you but-

I can't hide the waver in my voice now and tears are threatening to spill. "So you knew that Finn and Quinn were dating and making out behind my back and you didn't tell me?"

"Rachel, I-

"Puck you need to leave."

He wraps his left hand around the bed post at the foot of my bed. "But I-

"Leave. Now!"

He pulls his hand away from the bed post and takes one last look at me before he takes off out of the room, followed by the front door slamming behind him. After a while I hear his truck speed away and I am left to deal with my emotions on my own. I pull my knees into my chest and release quiet sobs for a long time.