Here is a special Puckleberry date night! :)
Sorry it took me a while to write another chapter. I've been lacking inspiration lately :/
Anyways, here is the next chapter.
We were like magnets. As soon as Noah and I walked into the school that morning, all eyes turned towards us. As if they weren't surprised enough the first time we were dating. It was a strange feeling to be the center of attention. Noah gripped my hand tighter the further we walked, as if to assure me that he wasn't going anywhere. I looked up at him and smiled, and he smiled back. We walked around the corner of the hallway and stopped by my locker. Noah leaned against the neighboring locker as he waited for me to exchange my books.
"So, I've been thinking," Noah began, letting his fingers trace down my arm and grab my hand again as he spoke. "Now that we are a real couple, I want to take you out on a proper date. No weddings that I am forcing you into, no jealous boyfriends in the way, and none of my family members forcing their way into your personal space. Just you, me, and the perfect evening."
"That sounds lovely, Noah," I said, still captivated by how sweet and charming he was being. It was like a whole new Noah Puckerman, a much better one at that. He was still himself in some ways, for example, he was still utterly obsessed with Super Mario Brothers and loved to tell me all about them, he was still intimidating to the whole school, and he still kept his Mohawk perfectly groomed. He just did things in a less ludicrous manner.
"How about tomorrow night?" he suggested.
I shook my head; "I have my piano lesson tomorrow night."
"Oh," he said dejectedly, "What are you doing tonight?"
"Nothing."
"Great. I'll pick you up at 6."
I was a little wary for a moment. Tonight seemed kind of soon, but I shrugged the feeling away and agreed to go on the date tonight. "Where are we going?"
"Well, Rachel, I'm afraid that is for me to know and for you to find out," he smirked.
I crossed my arms and held back a smile, "Fine. Don't tell me. I'll just spend my entire day unable to think about my schoolwork because my mind will be so preoccupied by the whereabouts of this date. I'll fail all of my classes today, and it will all by on your conscience."
"Yep, sounds about right." His smirk widened as he began to walk away. The bell sounded in the halls. "I'll see you in English class!"
I watched as he retreated down the hall, slipping into his first classroom. I shook my head and smiled, it was going to be a great day.
The day seemed to drag on and on. Our perception of time was quite strange, actually. When we have no interesting plans or are completely dreading something that is happening later on, time seems to fly by; however, when something incredible is happening time takes forever to go by.
So, here I sat in the middle of my Chemistry class, learning about Chromatography or something like that, bored to tears. I glanced at the clock, only twenty more minutes to go, and then World History, and then English.
I let out a sigh. It was going to be a while.
I slipped in my pink and black polka dot dress that evening. It was my favorite dress. Jesse always hated that dress. He said it was childish. Stupid Jesse. I know Noah will like it. He was so kind and considerate; I know he will like me in anything.
I struggled to pull the zipper up on my own. It took me a few tries to zip it over the midsection of my back, but I eventually pulled it all the way to the neckline. Next I slipped into my shoes: shiny black heels that I purchased over the summer last year. Last year. That was before glee club was even a real thing. Before Jesse and before Noah. I shook the thoughts from my mind. There is no reason to dwell on the past when the present is so incredibly amazing.
I walked over to my jewelry stand and looked through my selection of earrings. I picked out a pair of small black studs and put them into my ears. I then looked one last time in the mirror. I was actually very pleased with my appearance.
I exited my bedroom and headed down the stairs to the living room. Just Dad and I occupied the house tonight. He was currently in the living room, reading a book. I stomped down the last few steps to go his attention so he would look up from his book, and that's exactly what he did.
"Rachel, you look incredible," he said, "Is that the dress I got you for your birthday last year? Or was that the blue one?"
"No, it was this one," I replied. "It's my favorite dress, you know."
Dad smiled. "When is Noah getting here?" He closed his book and placed it on the coffee table beside his chair.
I glanced at the clock: 5:57. "He should be here any minute now." I sat by the window that allowed me to see the front side of the house so I could see when Noah arrived to pick me up.
"Rachel, I don't want you out too awfully late tonight since it's a school night, okay?"
"Okay, Dad, I'll be home early. I promise."
"So where is Noah taking you tonight?" Dad asked.
"He won't tell me!" I exclaimed, "and everyone knows how much I hate surprises!"
Dad just chuckled at my response. "I'm sure you'll have a great time regardless, Rachel. Noah seems to be a very nice young man."
"He is," I assured him. I noticed a car coming up the street, and I smiled when I saw the car pull into the driveway. "He's here." I got up from my seat. "I'll see you tonight, Dad."
"All right. Have fun!" Dad called after me as I headed out the door.
I skipped outside just as Noah finished getting out of the car. I ran up to him and leaped into his arms, wrapping my arms around his neck for support.
He quickly returned the hug, "I would have came to the door, you know." He kissed me as he set me back down on the ground.
"Yeah, I know, but I didn't want to wait."
He chuckled, "You look awesome by the way." He touched the material of my dress.
"Thank you," I replied with a smile. I knew he'd like it!
We walked around to the passenger side of the car and went through the usual routine. It was different to actually have a kind and considerate boyfriend rather than am arrogant and self-absorbed one. I favored having a boyfriend that was willing to make an effort for me. I liked him, he liked me, and everything was perfect.
We drove past all the houses on my street as we headed into town. I turned the volume up on the radio and began to sing along, as did Noah. We listened to a few songs before I turned the volume down again and started a conversation with him.
"So, are you ever going to tell me where you're taking me?" I asked him, wanting the surprise to be over. I already had an idea of where he might be taking me, but I wasn't positive. It seemed like it was an unwritten rule that dates be held at Breadstix in Lima.
"I suppose I could tell you now. I wanted to do something really special for you, but I couldn't really think of anything good enough for you. So, we are going to Breadstix."
"Noah, Breadstix sounds great. I don't care where we go. As long as I am with you, I know I'll have a good time."
He pulled our clasped hands up and kissed the back of my hand as he continued driving.
"I can't stay out late tonight because it's a school night," I informed him. "Dad wants me home early."
"That's fine. I have to be home early anyways. My mom hasn't been feeling well so I have to get my little sister, Hannah, in bed."
"Is your mom okay?" I asked him in slight alarm.
"Yeah," Noah replied. "She's going to the doctor's office tomorrow, but I doubt its anything serious. She doesn't get sick very often."
"Okay, that's good. I love your mom, she isn't allowed to be sick," I said. I turned the radio back up and began to sing along with Noah again.
When we arrived at Breadstix we were seated immediately at a table in the backside of the restaurant. It was my first time sitting in the back of the restaurant. It was much more intimate in the back than in the front. Jesse would hate it back here. No one would see him.
The waitress came around and took our drink orders. Lemon water for me and a coke for Noah. The waitress smiled at us and headed back towards the kitchen.
Noah and I spent the evening chatting away about nothing and everything. It was something I like most about Noah. We could be together for hours, and still have something to talk about. I told him about my Broadway dreams, and he told me about his dream of being in a band on an international tour someday. We discussed our likes/ dislikes, our hopes/ fears, and for a while we even talked about different lollipop flavors.
Our evening was going perfectly until I glanced at the clock and realized how late it was getting. "I should probably be getting home soon," I said to Noah. "I don't want to go against my Dad's orders."
"Yeah, I should probably be back home soon too," Noah said. The waitress came by our table, and Noah got her attention.
"Can I interest you two in a dessert menu?" She asked.
"No, can we just have the check please?" Noah asked.
"You sure can," the waitress replied. "I'll be right back with the check." She walked off towards the worker station and started pressing buttons on the computer. She came back shortly and placed the bill on the table. "You two have a nice night. Thank you for coming." She walked away again leaving Noah and I alone with the check.
I pulled out my change purse, "How much do I owe you?"
Noah shook his head. "Don't worry. I've got it."
"Are you sure?" I asked. Noah nodded in my direction. I sat back in my seat. Jesse never paid for my half of the meal. Sometimes he would claim that he forgot his wallet and I had to pay for the entire meal.
"All right," Noah placed the bill and tip on the counter. "Let's get out of here." He took hold of my hand and we walked out of the restaurant together.
Noah pulled into my driveway shortly after we left Breadstix and turned off the engine of his car.
"Thank you for taking me out tonight, Noah. I had a great time," I said.
"Yeah, I did too," he replied. "We should do this again sometime. Maybe we could go and see a movie or something sometime."
"That sounds great," I said. "I'm not doing anything this weekend. How about then?"
"Sounds good," Noah responded.
"So, I'll see you tomorrow?" I asked. "Bright and early?"
"Actually, about that, I can't take you to school tomorrow. Since my mom has that appointment I have to make sure Hannah gets to school all right. I'll see you at school though."
"Okay. Tell your mom that I hope she feels better soon," I said. "And good luck at the doctor's office."
"All right, I'll tell her," Noah said. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow." He leaned in and gave me a soft kiss on the lips. "Goodnight Rachel. Sweet dreams."
I smiled, "Goodnight Noah." I got out of his car and headed up to the porch. I turned around and waved goodbye to him and he back out of the driveway and drove home.
I walked inside and shut the door behind me, letting my head fall back against it. I wasn't sure exactly how strong my feelings for Noah were, but I was sure about one thing. I was falling hard and fast for Noah Puckerman.
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