Oh goodness. I'm incredibly sorry for the wait. It seemed like this week didn't want to cooperate with me - at all. On top of having ridiculous amounts of homework, I'm also on the edge of getting a cold. Plus, musical practices are starting up soon so that will take up an excessive amount of time also. But enough about me, here's your update! :)
Once I made it back to Mike, Finn and Rachel, I told them how I was going to have to leave and help Artie with US History. I saw Mike tense up a little, which I guess is sort of understandable. How would you feel about having your girlfriend go work with her ex boyfriend who worked his butt off to win her back at the start of the school year? I walked up to him, leaning against his tall frame while he put his arm around my waist, feeling him loosen up.
"Oh Tina, I was really looking forward to preparing you for the pageant. I know it's early to start, a whole month and a half in fact, but the more practice the better. We want to win don't we? I mean, I know I wa-" Finn clamped his hand over Rachel's mouth, something that left Mike and I to giggle, Finn smiling one of his signature lopsided grins before removing his hand from Rachel's mouth, just to be met by a fierce glare.
"Rachel, it's fine. We'll just get together tomorrow or something. I wanna go re-dye my hair anyways," I turned to Mike, grabbing one of my blue streaks and twirling it around my fingers with a grin. "I was thinking red this time?"
Mike nodded, kissing my cheek and smiling himself. "Whatever you do, would be beautiful," I couldn't help but grin even bigger, if possible, at that statement.
"Tina, you can't re-dye your hair before a pageant! Do you know what the judges will think?" Rachel walked towards me, grabbing a colored streak into her own hands before peering carefully at it.
"Rachel, I honestly don't care if the judges see my streaks. Maybe it'll mark me tallies, or whatever they use, for personality," I watched Rachel's face go from disgust to amazement within seconds. Her eyes grew bigger before she smiled.
"Oh! Tina you're so smart. See, you're already getting the hang of how a pageant works. Oh this is just going to be so much fun!" Finn smirked, pulling Rachel back to his side before announcing they were gonna go. We said our goodbyes, listening as Rachel started talking her head off to Finn, who turned back and gave us a look before pulling her to a halt and kissing her. We laughed, watching her melt into his arms before they stepped into his car, waving once more before leaving the park.
I turned to Mike, wrapping my arms around his neck before pushing my body completely against his and laying my head on his shoulder. He put his arms around my waist, pulling me closer (was that possible?) before swaying gently. I closed my eyes, basking in the moment before I heard the faint sound of yelling, distinctly being a little girl voice before hearing a fit of giggles. I pulled away from Mike, sending him an apologetic smile before kissing him soundly on the lips.
"I'll call you when you get home," He said, pulling me in for a hug before asking, "When will that be again?"
I pulled away from him quickly, noting the cautious look on his face. I sighed. "Mike, it's only me helping him with homework. It's the one subject I'm actually good in, and we're friends. Friends help each other. It's not like we're going to pull a Puck and have sex. You'd let me help Kurt or Mercedes if they needed it, wouldn't you?"
Mike gained a look of embarrassment before replying. "Tina, I know. I'm sorry. It's just... You understand, don't you? I wanna be friends with him, I just don't know if I trust him yet." I pulled him close, my hand on his cheek, before putting my face only inches from his.
"Well, this is the test, now isn't it?" I kissed him before he could reply, feeling his grip on me tighten slightly as his tongue traced my bottom lip. I opened my mouth slightly, losing myself in his kiss once more, before hearing a yell again, closer this time. I jumped out of the trance, straightening my shirt before kissing Mike once more on the lips.
"I'll be home by 9 at the latest," He smiled, pecking my cheek.
"Talk to you later," He pulled away, his hand lingering in mine before taking off to his car. I heaved another sigh, patting down my hair before walking towards the source of yells and giggles retreating over the hill.
By the time I made it to Artie and Caitlin, I could understand why it was taking them so long to reach where I was. Artie would wheel a few feet before telling Caitlin to catch up, which would result in giggles and when he would reach out to pull her closer, she'd yell, not wanting to 'get caught'. I couldn't help but laugh at Artie's frustration before deciding to help him out.
"Who's this little girl?" I asked once I was close enough for them to hear me. Caitlin looked up, seeing me before yelling my name enthusiastically.
"TINA!" She ran towards me, arms up and ready to be hugged. I giggled, kneeling down to her height before engulfing her in a hug. When we pulled apart, I couldn't help but notice how similar she looked to Artie. They both had the big blue eyes; Caitlin's being slightly bigger and more innocent looking. Her hair was a little lighter than her brothers, and while his fell straighter, her's curled a little more. She grinned, showing the missing tooth she had in her bottom row of teeth. This only made me smile a little bigger at her, before noticing the ache in my heart. I was missing out on this?
"How are you, squirt?" I asked, waiting for Artie to catch up to us. I noticed the smile he also had on his face; contrasting the look of slight frustration he had just seconds earlier. When Caitlin didn't reply, I looked down at her, noticing her looking at me, but not my face. Her eyes were wide with fascination as she stared at my hair.
"You gots blue hair again?" She said, the statement coming out as a question more than a statement. I nodded, noticing the way she smirked a little.
"Blue was always my favorite," was all she said before taking off down the hill to the swings. I stood there, slightly confused before brushing it off and walking towards Artie who looked to be debating about how to head down the hill. I headed to the back of his chair, gripping his handles before guiding us slowly down the hill.
"Thanks," he said, a shade of pink slightly dusted across his cheeks. I had the urge to ruffle his hair and make a joke, but I decided against it.
"Artie, it's no problem, really. We're still friends, right? And friends help friends," I felt like this was my statement of the day, the way I kept using it in every situation. I notice Artie smile a little at my statement before continuing to make conversation.
"Sorry for calling on sort of a short notice, I didn't mean to make you cancel your plans," It was my turn to blush, but not from embarrassment, from disbelief. Was I really that distant from Artie that homework help seemed like a burden to him?
"Artie, really. It was nothing. My plans were pretty much coming to an end for the day anyways. Plus, it's nice to be with you again," My eyes widened once I realized how that sounded. "I mean, it's nice to hang out with you, again"
Artie chuckled that deep chuckle again, shaking his head. "It's fine, Tina. I know what you mean,"
I let out a sigh of relief before leaving the silence between us to take over. We made our way over to the swings, letting Caitlin bask in them for a little while longer before I eventually convinced her that the first one home won 'Run Away from Artie'. I watched as she scrambled off the swings and towards her house, laughing as Artie rushed to push himself to the house before she got there.
By the time I reached Artie's house, both Artie and Caitlin were sitting on the porch laughing and huffing.
"That was fun Tina! You should come back more often, things are more fun with you," Caitlin headed inside after hugging me again briefly. I felt my eyes water up a little, but blinked the tears back, not wanting to look stupid. I looked to Artie who nodded his head a little, agreeing with Caitlin's statement that still lingered in the air.
"She's right, you know?" I nodded back to him, walking off the porch and sitting in the grass, watching as he rolled down the ramp and parked next to me, swiftly moving from his wheelchair to the grass in seconds.
"Listen, Tina. I know you're dating Mike, and I get that. I mean, yeah it hurts, but just because I lost my girlfriend, doesn't mean I have to lose my best friend, right?" I looked over at him, feelings my eyes become damp again as he peered down at the grass, brushing his fingers against the tips of green lawn before continuing on. "And I know you might not want to become friends again, but, to be honest, I miss you. Caitlin wasn't lying when she said things are more fun with you, they really are. I forgot how fun just going to the park could be. If you don't want to become friends again, I understand, honestly. I just... I miss you, Tee."
That's when I lost it. I felt my tears escape my eyes, letting them roll freely down my cheeks as I made an embarrassing sob in the back of my throat. Artie looked up, his eyes widening as he took in my appearance. I could only smile at his expression. I crawled into his lap, letting myself curl up as small as possible as I leaned my head onto his shoulder. He tensed up for all of a second before wrapping his arms around me, hugging me and whispering soothing things.
"I'm sorry Tina! I won't... I won't bring it up again. I promise. I'll just let you do whatever you want to do, gosh I'm so stupid. Why couldn't I just keep my mouth shut for one fr-"
"Artie," I said, pulling back and looking at his face, letting him know I was serious. "You didn't say anything wrong. You said everything right. I've been so stupid to neglect our friendship, and I miss you too. I miss the comfort that existed between us. Everything just feels wrong without my best friend," I smiled, wiping my tears away as he smiled back.
"It's nice to have you back,"
"It's nice to be back, Artie. Now, about that history homework..." Artie groaned, playfully shoving me before letting me off his lap to get back into his chair. As we were going inside his house, I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as I took in all the events from today. Artie's speech made me realize just how off my life had been for the past 6 months. And he was right; it sucked not having your best friend because of a break up. As I stepped inside the Abrams house, I closed my eyes, letting its warmth surround me, and feeling at ease immediately.
It's nice to be back.
:) Yay for happiness. Even if it is friendship. I just feel bad, because when there's happiness, that's when you know the anger is definitely coming. Or at least, that's how it works in most stories. And who said this story is like most stories? :)
Thank you excessively for the reviews! They honestly are a big help in motivation for writing. Questions, complaints, concerns, anything is welcome to be received through Reviews. :)
P.S - Did anybody watch the Brittany/Britney episode? Opinions? I lalala-loved that they did Paramore's The Only Exception. But, sadly, I don't think Lea could ever pass by Haley Williams. Lea is so good, and she did a fantastic job, I just don't think anyone could sound like Haley in that song, you know? It was a good episode, overall. I'm really excited for the Religion episode, though. I'm forcing all my friends, Gleeks or not, to watch it. I know it will be good. :)