Why was he taking her? That was a good question, one Puck had been thinking about for most of the twenty minute drive. Okay, maybe half the drive. The other half had been spent trying to figure out why she'd lied to her parents about staying at Tina's.

Puck knew he could have talked her out of going. He could tell by the way she was wringing her hands in her lap and biting her lower lip that she was terrified. Not that he could really blame her. He knew he'd take a ton of shit for this, but he'd recover. Rachel, on the other hand, well... As much as he hated to admit it, maybe Finn was right. Maybe she wasn't as tough as she acted. He had no doubt that she was fearless when it came to performing, but she was clueless when it came to dealing with people her own age.

Breaking free from the kiss, he shifted back into his seat and pulled the keys out of the ignition. Turning back towards her, he started to tell her that they could go someplace else if she wanted, but she had already unlatched the seat belt and her hand was on the door. She had her chin held high and a look of determination on her face. It looked like she was going to an execution rather than a party, but it made him smile in appreciation. The girl had some balls, that was for sure.

By the time he walked around to the passenger side, she had removed her coat and folded it neatly on the seat. She fished her pink cell phone out of her tiny pink purse. She carefully zipped the bag closed, and tucked it under the seat. Sliding the phone into the pocket of her jeans, she turned and looked up at him.

"I look okay, right? Of course, I always take a great deal of care with my appearance, but what I'm asking is, am I appropriately dressed for the occasion?"

He couldn't help but laugh again. "Try it again, Rach, with normal people words."

A smile teased the corner of her lips. "Do I look okay?"

Glancing down at her he realized that other than the fact that they were pink (big surprise) he really hadn't noticed the clothes she hadon. He took his time, letting his eyes slide over her from head to toe.

The tight pink sweater looked soft and fuzzy, and showed off every curve. The V neck was cut lower than anything he had ever seen her wear, and he spent a brief moment wondering if there was some sort of miracle bra thing going on there, because he'd never really noticed her boobs before. He wasn't complaining though, they looked fantastic.

His gaze dipped lower and he admired the low slung jeans that hugged her lower body. He found that even the sight of her ass in pants made him want to know what she had on under them.

She actually looked... normal. More than normal actually, she looked fucking hot. She still had a few Berry touches, like the pearls around her neck, but instead of making her look like a stuck-up priss, it was just... Puck couldn't quite put his finger on the word.

His mother's voice popped into his head."Class, Noah, you should look for a girl with some class."

That was it, she looked classy. And smoking hot.

He realized she was staring at him, waiting for him to answer.

"You look great, Rach."

She smiled brightly, the relief evident on her face. "Thanks Noah." she said shyly.

He winced. "Um, yeah... look, I don't mind if you call me Noah, really it's cool. But around these guys..."

Her face fell. "Oh I see."

"No, look it's not you. It's just that I beat up the last kid who tried to call me that. Not even Finn calls me Noah. Only my mom does. People just might think it was weird."

She nodded her understanding, but her face didn't quite recover.

"Look, Rach, you don't have to do this you know, we could go somewhere else..."

Her posture changed, and she thrust her chin up again. "What?" she asked, her eyes blazing, "are you embarrassed to be seen with me?"

"No... that's not it, I was just trying to..." See? This is why he never tried to be the nice guy. He always fucked it up.

"Trying to what? Weasel your way out of this?"

Weasel his way out? It had been his fucking idea! And he knew, deep down, she really didn't want to go. Looking down at the tiny force of nature standing in front of him with her arms crossed, he threw his hands up in surrender. He couldn't win this one. Throwing an arm around her shoulders, he pulled her down the sidewalk.

"Why would I be embarrassed? You're going to be the hottest girl there, and you'll be with me. Now, c'mon." Damn he was smooth.