Chapter 23: Broken Strings

Zach was having dinner with the St. James' that evening. He was feeling very much awkward because he called up Sophie, asking her to get married, when it was actually meant for Beth. He was so drunk, and he wasn't in the right state of mind.

"So, Zach, are you and Sophie planning to get married right after High School, or will you wait more years?" Jesse asked, in between sips of wine, "Well, if you get married right away, it could be good for the school, too, but I have to make sure that you'll be able to give Sophie the kind of life and house she deserves..." Jesse went on and on but Zach was hearing nothing.

"Zach?" Sophie nudged him, "You okay?"

"Yeah," Zach muttered.

"Looks like someone's got wedding jitters..." Jesse quipped.

Zach took a deep breath, "No, look," Zach spoke, "I...I have something to say."

"What is it?" Sophie asked.

"I'm sorry," He said, "I really am...It's just...The proposal—"

"Zach, I told you, however you did it doesn't matter, I—"

"It's not that," Zach said, "The proposal...It...It wasn't meant for you."

"What?" Sophie said.

"Sophie, I'm really sorry, I really am, it's just...I was drunk...and...I didn't mean to...I mean, I meant to, but for...someone else—"

"Someone else?" Sophie said, "How dare you!" She pushed him.

"Sophie, please—"

'Who was it for?"

"Sophie—"

Jesse stood up, "Get out of my house!"

"Who was it for?" Sophie asked again, angrier now.

"Sophie—"

"Was it for Beth?" She asked, "It's for her, isn't it?"

"I didn't mean to—"

"How dare you," She said, and stood up, "You clearly don't know me." She then ran out of the house.

"Sophie, wait!"

"I don't wanna see your face ever again," Jesse said, "Get out of my house."

Zach then heard Sophie's car's engine running.

"I'm really sorry," Zach told Jesse, "Sophie, wait!" He then ran out, started his car and followed Sophie.

Sophie parked her car in front of the Puckermans' residence. She banged the door of her car shut and knocked heavily on the front door. Puck opened the door.

"Hey," He said, "What is it? Anything we can do for you?"

"Where's Beth?" She asked.

"Beth?" Puck said. Beth was then going down the stairs so she made her way to the front door, "What is it?" She asked and then saw Sophie.

"Sophie," She muttered, "What's going on?"

"What's going on?" Sophie mocked, and suddenly, she slapped Beth hard on the face.

"Hey!" Puck said, pulling Beth aside, "What was that about?" He asked Sophie.

"What's going on?" Quinn asked, "Sophie? What are you doing here?"

"Your daughter," Sophie said, "Is a slut!"

"Excuse me?" Quinn said, "Watch your words, young lady—"

Just then, Zach arrived, "Sophie!" He called out and pulled her aside, "What did you do?"

"I slapped your mistress!"

"Enough!" Zach said.

"Mistress?" Beth asked, "You mean, me?"

"Beth," Zach said.

"Okay," She said, "What's going on? I mean, Zach, what—"

"He was gonna propose to you," Sophie said, "But he called me instead." She laughed sarcastically, "God, how much of an idiot can I be? I always thought there was something between you two, but I shrugged it off...and now, this."

"I have no idea," Beth muttered, "I'm sorry, I—"

"No," Sophie said, "I'm sorry for you, Beth. Enjoy my sloppy seconds." She then pushed Zach, "You two deserve each other." She then went back to her car and drove away.

"You were gonna propose to me?" Beth asked.

"I'm sorry," Zach muttered.

"How much of an ass can you be?" She asked, "I'm engaged!"

"Don't give me that crap," Zach said, "You don't love Arnie."

"Are you drunk again?"

"Beth, however I am, one thing I'm sure of is my feelings for you. I didn't want to hurt Sophie but—"

"You already did."

"Beth," Quinn said.

"Beth, please—" Zach said.

"Go home, Zach," Beth said, "I can't believe you."

"I just didn't know what to do anymore—"

"Go home." Beth said, "Just go." She then took a deep breath and went back inside the house.

Quinn took a deep breath, "Sorry," She told Zach, "You should just go home." She tapped Zach on the shoulder and went back inside with Puck.