So, this is two chapters in one because originally both were too short.

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN GLEE

"And the winners are, The New Directions!"

It had been a week since the Glee Club at McKinley High School had heard those words and Mr. Schue had given that week off to relax and think over ideas for Regionals.

Artie was at his locker when Mercedes, Kurt and Tina walked up to him.

"Hey, there." Mercedes smirked.

"Hey." Artie dragged the word as he looked at her weird.

"So, have you done anything with Cecilia yet?" Kurt asked.

"What do you mean?" He raised an eyebrow.

Tina slammed his locker shut. "Ask her out, take her on a date, something!"

"Why would I do that?" He asked as he started to wheel to his next class.

"Come on, you obviously like her, we all can see that." Kurt put out there.

"So take the chance, it could be a post Sectionals miracle!" Tina smiled.

Artie stopped and turned around to face the three. "Listen, I told you what happened with Cecilia at her old school and by the sound of her friend telling me that, it's been hurting her for a while. She told me she couldn't open her heart up that quickly, I respect that, I don't want to push her to do anything she's not comfortable with." He said plainly.

The three sighed and headed to their class as he did that same, but for the rest of the day, Artie couldn't help but think about what his friends said earlier. He was highly considering to at least try to ask her out.

During lunch, Artie sat with Mercedes, Tina, Mike, Kurt and Blaine.

"So, I was thinking about what you said and I think I'll go ahead and ask Cecilia out to dinner, but just as friends." Artie sighed, almost in defeat.

Kurt grunted, "Finally!"

"It's about time." Mercedes sighed and threw her hands up in celebration.

"How will you do it?" Mike asked after everyone had settled down.

"Going to sing or something?" Tina asked with a sly smile.

Artie looked at her expectantly. "Really? That would be first choice, but I don't want to freak her out. I think I'll just ask after school today."

"That's cool and all, but why as friends?" Blaine asked.

"I just don't want her to stress herself out with the idea of a date." He sighed.

"Is there something you're not telling us?" Tina asked, noticing his hesitance.

"There's just something Cecilia's friend told me that freaked me out a bit, sometimes when I talk to her I have to treat her like a porcelain doll in fear that she'll break." He looked down.

"What would that be?" Kurt raised an eyebrow in curiosity, yet his face showing concern.

Artie took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes, after putting them back on he said, "I think that should be something she tells you on her own time." They didn't question any further after that.

When the final bell rang, Artie took a deep breath and wheeled over to Cecilia's locker. When he saw her, he stopped a few feet before and just looked at her. He felt the heat in his face increase. He shook his head and continued.

"H-Hey, Cecilia." Artie smiled.

She looked around and then down with a smile. "Artie! What's up?"

"Nothing, I was just wondering if I could ask you a question." He asked almost innocently.

She closed her locker with a curious expression. "Yes?"

"Well, I was wondering if you wanted to go have dinner with me at Breadstix tomorrow?" He said then quickly added, after seeing Cecilia beginning to blush. "As friends?

She let go of a breathe and smiled. "Sure, that would be nice."

"Awesome!" Artie smiled wide. "Pick ya up at 6?"

"Um, actually, would it be okay if I met you there?" She asked quietly.

Artie paused for a moment. "Yeah, sure."

"Sweet, see you then!" She smiled before waving and turning to leave.

"Well, that was really a miracle..." He breathed.

"A Post Sectionals Miracle." Tina patted his back as she walked by with Mike. They both smirked at him as he blushed with embarrassment.

The next day, Artie had never been so nervous for a date before. He couldn't decide what vest he should wear, if he looked okay. Just the thought of seeing Cecilia made him anxious.

When he finally left the house, wearing a dark blue vest on top of a white dress shirt with black dress pants.

He, now, sat at a table for two at Breadstix. It wasn't that crowded, which was good. When Cecilia came about five minutes later, Artie gaped at the sight. She came in wearing a blue dress that went to her knees. On the dress, there was a darker shade of blue of lace that was embroiled all around. It was different from the t-shirt and jeans she wore everyday.

"Hey, Artie, sorry I'm late." She smiled guiltily.

"Oh, no problem, I just got here." He brushed off. "You look amazing."

"She blushed. "Thanks, for some reason Mercedes, Tina and Kurt came and helped me pick out something to wear."

Artie laughed as she took a seat. Thinking how typical it was for the three to pull something like that. They talked and then ordered. She had pasta and chicken and Artie had chicken Parmesan.

"This has to be my new favorite restaurant." Cecilia smile when she took a sip of water.

"It's kinda the hang out place for the kids at school." He informed.

"Huh, that reminds me of Chillies, the band would go there after competitions and what not." Cecilia reminisced.

"You do band?" He questioned as if he didn't know.

She nodded with a shy smile. "Yeah, I played the flute."

"That's amazing, do you still play?" He asked.

"Only at home, band was never really..." She searched for a word. "Fun, for me. I love my flute, so I still play."

"You should play for me sometime." He suggested.

"Sure, that would be fun." She blushed.

The two continued to talk about their favorite songs and bands, basically just getting to know each other. When they finished eating, they sat and continued to talk.

"So, I see you enjoy theater." He brought up.

"Yeah," she smiled. "A friend got me into it last year, and this year I stage managed the play there before moving here."

"Wow, that's amazing, you are really good at it." He complemented.

"Thanks..." She looked emptily at her glass of water. "It was the first time that I felt important..."

Artie looked at her with concern in his eyes. "Important?"

After realizing what she had said, she quickly said. "Oh nothing, sorry." She giggled nervously. She looked at her watch. "Oh, it's getting late, we should get home."

He nodded as he took out his wallet to pay. Cecilia took hers out too. "It's okay, I'll pay." He offered.

She shook her head. "It's okay."

"No, I insist." He argued. The waitress came and Artie quickly gave her the money, saying she could keep the change. When she left, Cecilia looked at him with a mad expression.

"Fine, next time, dinner is on me." She huffed with a smirked.

"So we'll do this again?" He questioned.

She nodded. "Yes, I had fun."

"Me too." He said as the two headed out into the snow.

"Burr, it's getting cold out." Cecilia folded her arms.

"Yeah, first day of winter is soon." He said.

"Oh yeah, and Christmas is coming up soon. I can't believe it."

Just then Artie's dad pulled up. Before he went to the van, he turned to Cecilia.

"Listen, if you ever want to talk about anything, I can always led an ear." He assured.

"Thanks, Artie. I'll keep that in mind." She said as she walked to her car.

Hope you enjoyed!