A/N: Good news and Bad news…
The good news, this is not the end! There will still be another chapter. Whether it is the last or not remains unseen.
Bad news, it's short. But I've got a busy weekend ahead of me with my youngest turning one and hubby turning 30, so not sure when I will be able to finish.
Hope you enjoy this little munchies.
(***)
Rachel's POV
When Kurt came sauntering into the room, I was standing at the piano going over my song for that day. He had a smug smile on his face and I knew he was up to something when he changed his direction towards me.
"What are you up to?" I asked with narrow eyes.
At that moment, I can see Puck enter the room out of the corner of my eye. I ignore the butterflies and wait for Kurt to answer my question.
"Oh nothing. I just remembered that Blaine and I will have to reschedule to see your fab new wardrobe."
I look over at Blaine who is speaking to Artie and Tina, "But-" my eyes flash up to Puck who just took a seat in the back row. By the look on his face, he obviously told Kurt to cancel on me. I really shouldn't be surprised. If anyone is Team Puckleberry, it's Kurt.
Before I could think any further on the issue, Mr. Schuester walked in. I groaned inwardly when the best seat available was in the middle row, right in front of Puck.
Keeping my eyes anywhere but on him, I quickly made my way and sat down. Quinn and Santana started arguing about a song they both wanted to sing when she felt hot air spread along the back of her neck, "I don't like being avoided Berry," Puck whispered huskily. A chill ran down my spine and I'm sure he got a kick out of the shiver it caused.
"I spoke to you this morning, Noah," I say faking annoyance.
"That's cause you were forced to. I'm talking about over the summer."
I looked over to see Quinn and Santana still arguing and turn to face Puck. I gasped at his closeness, his face just a foot away, "I was not avoiding you, I had a very strenuous dance class schedule. For example, I have a modern dance class the same night as Temple. It ends shortly before services start and I surely wouldn't show up sweaty and –"
"I wouldn't have a problem with that," wiggling his eyebrows at me.
I roll my eyes but still send him a small smile, "I'm sure you wouldn't. I was never intentionally avoiding you. I hardly saw anyone but Blaine and Kurt this summer."
"And why is that?"
I open my mouth to respond, but nothing comes out. I sputter an "I don't know," and turn to the front of the room to see Mr. Schuster had finally gotten things under control.
Suddenly, I remember the song I'm going to sing. It's definitely directed at someone in this room, and his actions from this morning only gave her more motivation to follow through.
"Who's up first?" I hear Mr. Schue ask.
Everyone looks over at me and I shrug, "I have something, but if anyone wants to go before me they can. And I'm not doing to be a diva, I just…"
"Just get the hell up there Berry," I hear Puck laugh once he gets my name out and I try to hide my own giggle.
I gave the crowd a wide smile and took my place in front of the group, "I chose this song because our assignment was angst and I'm not sure you couldn't get more…angsty than this," I cringe at the use of a word that doesn't even exist, "It's called Happy Now by No Doubt."
Kurt and Blaine smiled knowingly at me. Finn of course looked clueless. I could tell Puck didn't know the song, but seemed intrigued when he seemed to sit up straighter.
I was ready to let it all out and I was determined to make it my best performance to date. Rachel Berry was selling this song for all it was worth.
The music started and I could see a few light bulbs on some faces at recognition.
You had the best
But you gave her up
'Cause dependency might interrupt
Idealistic will so hard to please
Put your indecisive mind at ease
You broke the set
Now there's only singles
There's no looking back
This time I mean it
I stood still for the first verse, making sure to see everyone's reactions. They all seemed pretty amused, except Finn who just looked slightly uncomfortable.
Once I started the chorus, I made sure to work the room.
Are you happy now?
How is it now?
Are you happy now?
Are you happy?
The uncertainty you had of me
Brought cloudy shady company
The tenderness habitual
A seldom-fading ritual
You killed the pair
Now only one is breathing
There's no looking back
This time I mean it
Are you happy now?
How is it now?
Are you happy now?
Are you happy?
I took a hard stance right in front of Finn and made sure he was paying attention by placing a hand on his shoulder. He didn't bother shoving me off, he knew better.
No more leaning on your shoulder
I won't be there, no more bother
If you feel you just might want me
That's too bad, I'm not the easy
I began running around the room again and all the girls plus Kurt got up to join me.
The contemplator all those years
Now you must adhere
To your new career of liberation
You've been cast all by yourself
You're free at last
You broke the set
Now there's only singles
There's no looking back
This time I mean it
You're by yourself
All by yourself
You have no one else
You're by yourself
I ended the song out of breath and with a wide grin on my face at the obvious support I was getting from my peers, with the exception of Finn, or course.
Puck's POV
I will be completely honest. Rachel Berry has shocked me several times, like a lot. But after this performance, I'm ready to take her on the piano in front of everyone in this room. Now don't get me wrong, the sex would just be a bonus to the power that is Puckleberry.
She's currently breathing heavily and flushed, a sight that I have dreamed of for who knows how long. Now that I know what it actually looks like? I want to see it as much as possible.
Everyone is congratulating her on a great performance. Finn is sulking, go figure, but not throwing a fit. Maybe there were too many big words in there for him. He got the point though cause he glanced up at me and glared. I glared right back but turned quickly when Rachel took her seat.
Leaning forward, I spoke in her ear, "I'm driving you home today."
She didn't argue so I knew my plan was on track.