A/N: Hey! How's things?

First off, I know it's been waaaay too long since I updated. I just had sooo much to do during my easter holiday, and I really wanted to be able to spend more time writing than I did :( However, my exams are coming up, but they finish quite early :D After that, I'll have a few blissful weeks of writing! YAY. So until then...

Next, this chapter was initially intened to be part of a longer chapter, but a) I felt guilty for leaving it so long between updates and b) when I got writing today, I got to this point and it just felt like the right time to finish this chapter.

Right, I'm going to shut up now haha Enjoy!

Chapter 11.

Puck took a quick, deep breath before knocking on Nikki's front door. They had been dating for almost two weeks, but hadn't told anyone. They were discrete at school, but got together almost every afternoon since. Now, Puck was taking Nikki on their first 'official' date.
He wore dark jeans and a fresh white t-shirt with a leather jacket over the top- the closest to a suit he had ever worn except for one or two glee performances. Not wanting to turn up empty handed, he held a small bunch of orange carnations in his hand. He had thought about pink, but Nikki didn't strike him as someone who liked pink at all.
Puck didn't usually get nervous, especially not because of girls, but he could see his hand shaking slightly as he bought it up to the door. He took a second, and then rapped his knuckle sharply on the polished wood. He could hear movement behind it, and the door was pulled open by a tall, slim woman. Puck knew immediately that it was Nikki's mother- Nikki looked just like her. He had previously thought that Nikki resembled her father, but reconsidered it now. However, the woman in front of him had a very stern air about her, and he had never felt that from Nikki.
"You'll do." Mrs Winters announced, as if Puck was supposed to know what it meant, before moving out of the doorway for him to enter.
"Nikki, your friend's here." she hollered up the stairs on her way past, a strong southern twang resounded through the downstairs floor of the house. Puck could hear shuffling around upstairs, and then Nikki emerged.

When he saw her, he almost had to place a hand on the wall to keep himself standing. Hewas surprised by how different she looked. Her long dark hair had been set into curls and pinned back, a few strands escaping and cascading over her shoulders and collar bone. Thin straps held up the shimmering, ivory coloured dress, with the ruffled skirt, thick glittery ribbon around the waist and a straight bodice. Her knobbly knees were clad in nude coloured tights. Small opal gems dotted her ears and encircled her wrist, the magnitude of different colours in them sparkling, the blues emphasising the striking shade of her eyes. Her lashes were darkened with mascara, and her lips were slick with a soft pink gloss. Her feet were clad in thin black pumps that glittered as she made her way down the stairs towards him.

"Hey Mohawk." She greeted, a slight smile decorating her face.

"You look incredible." He breathed softly.

"You scrub up pretty well too," Nikki replied, grinning as she stepped down the last few steps. When she got to the bottom, she stood on the tips of her toes and planted a small kiss on his cheek. He stared intently into her eyes for what seemed like hours, but he managed to catch himself before he fell too far into his contentment.

"These are for you," he told her, his mouth feeling clumsy and numb, holding out the posies.

"Thank you," Nikki beamed. "I'll go a find a vase; I'll be right back."

He watched her as she almost floated down the hallway into the kitchen. He once again found himself alone, but he didn't mind, using the time to compose himself. However, he was glad when she emerged again quickly, beaming dazzling whites at him. She intertwined her fingers with his; her hands were soft and warm, feeling good in his.

"Ready?" he asked, turning towards the door. Nikki's mother had emerged from the kitchen, and he could feel her stern gaze burning into his skin.

Nikki nodded, but then quickly turned back to her mother with an afterthought. "Where's Tom?"

"He's running late," Mrs Winters replied "But he'll pick you in a few hours."

Nikki and Puck bade their goodbyes and after a short, chatter filled drive, they pulled out outside the restaurant. Nikki reached for the door handle, but Puck put his hand over hers to stop her.

"Wait here." He told her. Nikki's eyes knitted together slightly as a small, amused smile turned up the corners of her mouth, but she did as he asked. She watched curiously as Puck got out of the car, crossed around the front of the vehicle, and opened her door for her, offering his arm with a cheeky grin. Nikki laughed and accepted, stepping daintily onto the pavement. They walked through the doorway and were led to a small, candlelit table at the edge of the large room. The cream coloured tablecloth was frilly and delicate, and Nikki worried about setting her bag on top of it, not wanting to mark it in anyway. The first thing she did when they sat in their seats was lace her fingers with Noah's, feeling the warm, slightly rough skin of his fingers against hers. She smiled sheepishly at him, a little nervous now that she was here. She didn't know why; it wasn't like it was the first time she had been alone with Noah. It was more to do with the fact that she had never had a reason to wear a nice dress before, she had never had an opportunity to put on any shoes other than sneakers or her boots, the occasion to put on some make up had never arisen, and despite what she had thought beforehand. In short, she had never had a boyfriend before, and although she didn't understand what was really going on, she didn't feel uncomfortable about it.

Puck looked at her; really looked at her, for what felt like the first time. The soft candle light that flickered on her face, dancing in her intense blue eyes, she glowed. He wasn't sure when he had realised it, or even when it had started. He knew that he thought he'd had it with Zizes, and had been almost 100% certain with Quinn. With Shelby, he was sure it had only happened because of Beth; and Rachel and Mercedes didn't really count because he'd had ulterior motives with them both, but now he knew. Looking at Nikki, it was so plainly obvious; he couldn't understand how he hadn't seen it before. He almost felt dumb for not realising it earlier than he had.

Noah Puckerman was in love.

A/N 2: I know I've said this a lot before, but reviews really are appreciated and reviews= happy me and lots of smiles :D