Find Yourself
I don't know why the muse is making the past few chapters short and filler. I guess it's because though she has the plotline down she is kind of bummed by the lack of reviews. Anyway my heart is still very much into this regardless so don't worry about any reckless abandonment on my part. Still don't own GLEE or GH sadly…
Ever since the moment last week when Mr. Schuster announced the additional rehearsal to be held with just her, Artie, Puck, and Rachel, one word seemed to formulate in Kristina's mind… complicated.
It was now a good five minutes past the start time of the rehearsal, as the foursome sat in the choir room, Mr. Schu nowhere to be seen.
Artie assured the others that the teacher was never late so something must be up while Rachel began a diva rant stating that Schuster was once again ruing her life and that she didn't need to be wasting her time being counter productive.
The tensions in the room were so thick that they could be cut with a knife.
-
Sitting next to Artie resting a hand on his shoulder while haphazardly playing with his suspenders Kristina let out a sigh as she flashed a look to Puck who was tuning his guitar.
"I may be the newest member of Glee but maybe Rachel is right in thinking Mr. Schuster is testing us."
Rachel flashed a self-satisfactory smile to the other girl in the room while Puck just shook his head.
"Thanks Kristina for stroking her ego like that."
Flashing a smile back in Puck's direction Kristina know that the young man secretly loved the young divas ego amongst a laundry list of other things about her.
Moving her hand from Artie's shoulder she crossed her arms across her chest.
"Seriously though… think about it. Artie says Mr. Schuster is hardly ever late and yet."
She paused.
Maybe it was just her who thought that they should rehearse their numbers anyway.
"No," Artie said smiling his sweet smile to the girl sitting besides him, "I get what your saying Krissy and your not over thinking it. Guys maybe Mr. Schu is testing us."
Puck flashed the young boy in the wheelchair a sharp gaze.
"So then, I have one question… who goes first."
His gaze shifted from Artie (and Kristina by extension) to Rachel who was sitting on the piano bench with an agitated look on her face.
"If you assume I'm going to volunteer to start Noah, well you should know by now what happens when one assumes."
He simply smirked.
He had heard the saying a million times. That when one assumes one makes an ass of themselves or something like that.
"Well you not wanting to be first is well… a first."
Rachel simply rolled her eyes.
She really didn't want to argue with Noah Puckerman of all people about how useless this rehearsal was seeing as how she had killed 'Don't Rain or My Parade' at Sectionals and how she really didn't need to go over her well deserved "Defying Gravity" solo either at that juncture in time.
"We'll go," Artie spoke up before any line of bantering could continue.
He paused before looking over to Kristina.
"I mean if you don't mind Kristina."
Kristina's face lit up as she pulled out her ponytail and shook out her hair.
"I don't mind at all."
He nodded as he began to play the opening cords to the duet and began to sing his first verse.
Looking on Rachel and Puck were definitely impressed.
They had come a long way since they performed the song in front of the glee club a few days ago.
Their harmony had vastly improved and they had upped the difficulty of their choreography to more then just having Kristina sitting next to Artie singing along while he played his guitar.
They seemed like naturals together.
Singing the last note they had their ears met with not two but four sets of applause.
Turning to the doorway Kristina and Artie's eyes were met with the smiles of Mr. Schuster along with Miss. Pillsbury.
"I'm sorry I was late guys," Will spoke with a sincere edge in his voice though Rachel just glared at him wondering if that tone was just an act.
"Miss Pillsbury had car trouble and so we were waiting for the auto club."
"Well then why is she still here," Rachel asked from her perch on the piano bench crossing her arms.
She kind of wondered if perhaps there were more to the two teachers then met the eyes. God she didn't want to think about it all, Mr. Schu was in the divorcé process, one of her two gay fathers was even his representation.
"Well," the teacher spoke looking from the student to the doe eyed red head, "they called back saying that they were going to be a while so we decided to come inside seeing as I had this rehearsal scheduled."
"How professional of you Mr. Schu," Puck said, "now if you don't mind maybe I can run through my song and check the car out… see if I can fix it… no charge."
"Oh, I'd like that," Emma said smiling before looking to Will realizing that by taking one of his students away from rehearsal she would be imposing, "I mean if that's alright with you Will."
The teacher nodded saying that it was all right and that Puck could be excused just as soon as he preformed his song.
Puck nodded as he began to strum the opening chords of Sweet Caroline.
It was in that moment that Kristina realized that she had never heard Noah sing outside of group numbers and as he opened his mouth she was shocked that this was the case.
Noah Puckerman was definitely talent in the musical department and she would definitely have to comment on this after the fact.
As he sang she let her eyes drift to where Rachel was sitting, a smile crossing her pale pink lips.
From her end of the spectrum her heart was a bit fluttery.
She didn't mean to think selfish thoughts as she bobbed along to his voice but he had totally volunteered to sing a solo and not just any solo but Sweet Caroline no less for her…right? He couldn't have still been trying to impress Quinn, or woo Santana back to him.
As he finished up he too was met by applause as Kristina approached him.
"Wow Noah… you were just wow."
He smirked.
"I hope you mean wow as a good thing."
Rachel watched Kristina nod and turn to Mr. Schuster.
"Why are you hiding him in the background Mr. Schu?"She began to ask as Rachel headed over to where he was now picking up his guitar to get ready to head over to help the guidance counselor out.
"Kristina's right you know, you were amazing Noah."
He tried to remind himself that he was a bad ass and that he should just shrug off Rachel's complement nonchalantly and yet it was Rachel Berry and with her all his rules just flew out the window.
"Thanks Rach," he said flashing her a grin. He wanted to be all cheesy and continue that he was doing it all for her and yet he still couldn't do it, "It's a shame I'm going to miss you rehearsing."
Rachel nodded knowing that in the real world where she wasn't the center of attention that he nodded to help fix the guidance counselor's car.
--
Puck had left with Miss. Pillsbury by now as Rachel had belted out her numbers to the audience of Artie, Kristina, and Mr. Schuster with her usual poise and precision.
If Kristina was doubtful as to why she acted like the prima dona of glee club it was because obnoxious on not the girl was good.
--
After finishing her numbers she was met with the applause that she knew she deserved.
"I'm sorry again for being late to rehearsal," Will spoke when the applause was done, "but I can see you guys almost didn't need this additional rehearsal day you're all right on the ball."
"I told you so," Rachel spoke with a smile as she began to gather up her loose sheet music that was sitting on top of the piano. "So Mr. Schuster would this be all for today?"
"Yes Rachel, we're done."
Heading toward the door she momentarily paused in front of where Kristina and Artie were sitting.
"I know I'm selfish and don't normally complement people who I feel are competition to me."
Rachel bit her lip trying to formulate the words while Artie just glared at her wondering what words she was going to spit back to the girl he loved.
"But Kristina," she continued, "you really are blossoming as a performer… you too Artie, and I am honored to be able to perform with you."
"Thanks Rachel… I think," Artie said.
She just smiled as she left the choir room leaving the teacher, Artie, and Kristina there.
"I think I'm going to head out too, check to see how Puck is doing with Miss. Pillsbury's car…. You kids going to be alright."
Artie nodded as Kristina raised her hand.
"Yes Kristina," Will spoke trying to hold back laughter on the young girls formalities.
"About tomorrow's rehearsal… Kurt and I may be a but late."
He nodded.
"Kurt already told me, performing Romeo and Juliet in Lit right."
Kristina smiled thinking that it was so Kurt to already be on top of things. This made her smile even more on the inside thinking how she had only been in Lima for less then a month and had already felt a bigger sense of belonging then she had ever felt back at Madison.
"Well break a leg," Will spoke heading out of the classroom.
"And then there were two," Artie spoke smiling at Kristina who had moved her gaze into his direction
She smiled as that word filled her mind again.
Complicated.
As she honestly thought that the complexity of the matter would be all about Puck and Rachel being in the same room together for a prolonged part of time.
"Then there were two," Kristina repeated flashing a smile in his direction, willing herself not to kiss him right then and there.
An awkward silence filled the room before they both spoke.
"So."
"Ladies first," Artie spoke.
"No, you can go first."
He nodded.
A part of him wanted to ask her out but he couldn't bring himself to do so. Perhaps he feared rejection and what any unforeseen drama would do to their duet.
No, any romantic advances would have to wait till after the showcase.
"Um… do you have a ride home cause my dad can drive you if you want to."
She smiled. That was thoughtful of him to ask.
"Well Noah was supposed to drive me home but I don't know how long it will be with Miss. Pillsbury's car so."
"Was that a yes."
Kristina simply smiled as she headed to her locker to collect her things.
Complicated or not she was in love with Artie Abrams and it was eleven days and counting until she could shout it from the rooftops… well that was if she could wait that long.
--
TBC
Again thanks for reading. Sorry Gina in advance for taunting you with ArK moments and not fully delivering. Also I put a bit of Puckleberry in this chapter, which makes me smile. I know it's still on the shorter side but like I said my muse is into short fillery goodness…. Next chapter Kurt and Krissy as Romeo and Juliet… stay tuned….