She had told her fathers that she was just going to visit some of the other Glee Clubbers. She didn't like lying to her dads, but really? They were the ones who drove her to excel, they were her support system and her biggest fans. Telling them that their baby girl was going off to party when she could be working on homework or applications for college or any number of things much more productive than going out to a party. With Noah Puckerman.

What was she thinking? Rachel asked herself as she sorted through her closet. Why was she even worrying about looking nice? Shouldn't she just pull out a pair of jeans and a button up top and not be stressing about how nice she would look? Why was she trying to look good for Puck?

It must a self-confidence thing, she decided as a Dave Matthews song came on over her iPod speakers. She really just wanted to look good for herself, whether or not Puck appreciated the effort.

She eventually chose a light green dress and a white cardigan. The dress was relatively loose and very comfortable and Rachel had used the reasoning that this would probably one of the last warm days during which she would actually be able to wear a dress without leggings. Might as well wear one that shows off your legs and highlights the color in your eyes.

Not to mention that she really had no idea outside teen movies and two-bit TV shows about what to wear for these sorts of things. Or even what to expect. Raunchy dancing, random hookups, spiked drinks and lots of strangers she would be incalculably uncomfortable with.

She smiled at herself in the mirror, twisting the cap back onto her mascara. Bring it on high school social elite! She was Rachel Theresa Berry and there was nothing that could stand in her way!

Grabbing a grey headband as the final touch to her outfit Rachel began to double-check her purse to make sure she had everything. Money, emergency numbers, cell phone, pepper spray – as she was rummaging through her things she heard a car drive down her road.

Glancing at the clock she saw it was not even eight fifty, was that really Puck? There was no way he was early. Then she heard the horn honk right outside her window and she peeked out, pushing the curtains aside lightly.

There he was, just stepping out of his truck and leaning against the door of his car, examining his reflection in the mirror. Rachel really couldn't even try to lie to herself, the boy was ridiculously attractive. It almost wasn't fair how much he annoyed her and how hot she really thought he was. It was absurd.

It was much the same way with Finn, except there was actually a physical barrier between them rather than an emotional or a personality barrier. Quinn and her baby. It was still a little strange to Rachel that Quinn, who really was into the whole 'Chastity Club' idea, would let herself get pregnant. It was equally Finns fault too, she reasoned, not wanting to be sexist about it, thinking to herself as she made her way downstairs, he should have been safe.

Rachel winced. Honestly, she had no idea what actually went on and frankly, thinking about that sort of thing, especially between the boy she liked and the girl carrying his kid, was not something that she took pleasure in visualizing.

"Hey Dad, Daddy, I'm going, okay? I'll see you later!"

"Whoa there cowgirl," Brian came out of the kitchen in flowery yoga pants and a loose white shirt that made Rachel smiled. Daddy was so cute sometimes. "How late are you going to be out? I just want to make sure that you have a ride home and I want you to be okay. Is your phone charged? Do you have your emergency credit card?"

Rachel laughed and smiled, hiking her purse higher on her arm as she walked over to her Daddy and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Don't worry about it Daddy, I have everything. I checked twice."

Brian nodded as she pulled away. "I trust you honey bunny." He said, smiling and waving as she walked to the door. Rachel waved at her Dad as she shut the door, walking down to the driveway and trying not to smile.

"You're early." Rachel said, walking around to the drivers side of the truck and hoping that she would be able to get into his Ford without falling. Three inch heels added quite a bit of stature to her frame and though she knew she would be throwing them off in a few hours she didn't care. The grey and green suede pumps were just too cute to pass up.

"I thought we could swing by for something to eat first," Puck said, getting into the car and watching as Rachel slid into the passenger side seat nearly effortlessly, her dress hiking up without her actually trying to be sexy.

She didn't really try to turn him on, but just the fact that she was undeniably pretty and seemed so careless about the fact was really attractive. She always walked like she owned the place, or at least that she tried to. Glee club was were she became overbearing, Puck assumed only because that was the one place where she could really shine and be herself. Slightly insufferable, he would admit, but the fact that she knew where she belonged at what she wanted to do was interesting and attractive.

She knew who she was and what she wanted, Puck hardly knew anything about himself and he had no idea what would be going on in a year or so when he got out of McKinley.

"Eat?" Rachel looked at him, slightly amused. "It's nearly nine o'clock, what were you planning to eat?"

"I was kind of feeling a milkshake."

"A milkshake." Rachel said, raising an eyebrow and smiling slightly as Puck grunted lightly, swung an arm around her headrest and backed out of her driveway expertly. Shifting gears Puck winked at her and shifted the car into drive.

"Yep. I think that Martha's is open until ten on Fridays."

Rachel shrugged, sliding the purse off her shoulder and making sure that her cardigan was buttoned nearly all the way up.

"You're behind the wheel."

They drove in silence for a while. Puck began to tap his fingers on the steering wheel and Rachel was watching the road. They pulled up to Martha's Sweet Shoppe and Puck got out beginning to walk around to the other side of the truck. Rachel opened her door and was surprised to see Puck holding out his hand for her.

"You're in heels. Gravel. You'll slip."

"Thanks." Rachel muttered, taking his hand and letting him help her down to the ground. Maybe he held her hand a few seconds longer than he should have, but Rachel wasn't going to say anything. They walked in awkward silence up to Martha's and both were wondering why they were here. Puck was trying to recall why on earth he had asked the girl out to a party and Rachel was attempting to remember why on earth she had told him that she could take her.

"I'll have a strawberry milkshake, thanks." Puck ordered and then turned to Rachel. "Want anything?"

"I'm good." Rachel said, shaking her head. Truth be told she would have loved a chocolate milkshake but she didn't really want to ruin her diet.

"Don't worry about it, I still have money from my job. What do you want?" Puck asked again, pulling out his wallet.

"Really, I'm fine." She insisted, smiling.

"One small chocolate shake." Puck told the woman behind the counter. Rachel was annoyed and inside, really happy at the same time.

"I said I didn't want one."

Puck shrugged. "Well I wanted to get you one. Don't like chocolate?" He asked, pulling out a five for both drinks and waving the drink in her face. Rachel didn't take more than two seconds to grab the plastic cup, smile and take a huge delicious sip.

"It's my favorite. Thanks."

"No prob. Now you have an excuse to refuse a beer." Puck said, holding the door open for her as Rachel walked back over to the truck. She was a little disappointed when Puck didn't help her back into the truck but what could she expect? And that was actually a lot smarter than she gave the boy credit for.

He started up the truck, putting his arm around the headrest again and when they started driving he didn't move it away, reaching over to the stick shift for only as long as it took to change gears before putting it back over her chair.

Rachel stared at the shake in her hands. Puck was being exceptionally nice and she had no idea why.

"Why are you doing this?"

"What?"

"Taking me out, paying for my drink." Rachel held it up before looking at it and then taking another sip before continuing, "You're just being so nice, you know? It's weird. You told me last week we weren't friends."

"Maybe I want that to change."

Rachel shut up and stared out of the window again. This was too weird. It was just like last week. It was strange and it hurt a little. She had no idea whether he was acting or if he really meant it. It was just confusing.

"Okay."

It took only about three minutes to get to the neighborhood and then another couple of minutes to find the place, tucked as it was in a nice little niche surrounded by trees and picket fences too high to see over. There were cars parked in between the trees and no way to see them from the street.

Puck got out of the truck and waited for Rachel to do the same. Once she was standing in front of him Puck smiled widely and stepped forwards, putting an arm around her shoulder and beginning to walk her up to the door.

"You look good tonight."

"Stop being so nice."

"You don't like it?"

"You're acting like you can get anything you want." Rachel said, turning and glaring at him as they stood on the doorstep. Puck smiled and leaned down and Rachels eyes widened. She tried to take a step back but there was a piller at her back.

"Maybe I can." Puck smirked. Rachel narrowed her eyes, recovering.

"Maybe I can." Rachel repeated, sliding away from Puck and opening the door – no knocking necessary. She glanced back at the boy and tossed her hair back, staring him down as he raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms, smirking.

"Don't get into trouble Caroline,"

Rachel smiled as he followed her into the party, rap pulsing out of the speakers. She could already smell the beer and hormones from where she stood, inches in front of Puck.

"Don't try to stop me."