The Way We Were

The Way We Help Puck

Mercedes was surprised when Puck slammed into the locker next to hers. "What's wrong, Noah?"

"Mama, I'm going to be stuck here for the rest of my life." He moaned roughly.

"No, you're not. You got into Santa Monica College in California, Lima Community College and Baker College in Michigan. You can choose where you want to go."

"Didn't you read all those letters though? They said I have to graduate with a 2.6 GPA."

"You can do it."

"I have to get at least a C on my geography test. A C!"

"Noah." She gave him wounded eyes.

He looked back at her, just as pitiful.

"How about I help you study?"

He perked up. "Why'd we break up?"

"Don't go there, Puckerman..."

W.W.W.

Puck rubbed his nose roughly as he concentrated. "I'm not getting this!"

"Just focus." Mercedes kept her voice soothing to go along with the ‪Enya‬ music playing (he said the classical freaked him out). "I know how you get stuck on one thing so let go of the last answer."

"What if I forget it?" He panicked.

"It's okay. If you forget it, we can go over it again."

He gulped before emptying his mind of the last answer.

"Now what countries made up the Allies during World War II?"

Mike came into the dining room. "Hey? What are you doing here?"

"Mama's trying to help me pass my geo test." Puck pouted.

Mike fared well in geography. "Why didn't you tell us you wanted to study?"

"Because the last time I studied with you, I only remembered one thing!"

Mike snorted with laughter. "Oops!"

"Get out, Mikey!" Mercedes pointed towards the door.

He came forward to press a kiss to her mouth then left.

She wrinkled her nose at his back before turning back to a staring Puck. "What?"

"You look good together." The rocker stared at her wistfully.

She beamed. "Thank you. He's kinda cute and I'm very cute so we make a cute pair."

He didn't laugh like she wanted but instead looked forlorn. "I'm really sorry."

"About what?" She frowned.

"For not marrying you when I had the chance."

"Noah,-"

"I was too young and stupid to realize how good I had it. I don't even have a good reason. I loved you. I guess I just didn't want to take that step."

"Noah, you were sixteen years old. What sixteen year old is ready for marriage?"

"Mike."

She sighed lightly.

He lifted a shoulder. "I'm not wishing you farshturkn glik or anything but if you ever wind up single, I'm ready."

Mercedes wasn't sure how to take that so she ignored it. "What countries made up the Allies during World War II?"

W.W.W.

"Can we talk?" Mercedes asked Quinn as they got ready for bed.

Mike was already in the bed, watching television.

"Sure." The blonde continued brushing her hair.

"Has Finn approached you at all?" Mercedes wanted to know.

Quinn stilled. "Did someone tell you that?"

"What? No."

"Nope." Quinn continued brushing.

"I'm serious, Q. Noah apologized for not marrying me two years ago. I think he still has feelings for me."

Quinn took a deep breath. "Finn and I did talk."

Mercedes gasped.

"I think with everything changing and everyone going their separate ways, it's just gotten to him. He apologized, too and said he'd always love me. I was his first love. How he wished he wouldn't have been so scared.

But he said that he was happy Mikey wasn't and that he was happy for us. That he really loved Tina and he'd never be with her if it wasn't for me.

It really helped me get closure."

Mercedes thought about it. "I think that's what this is. Noah kinda gave me an open invitation but I think he knows our time has passed."

Quinn smiled. "Good."

Mercedes giggled. "So what are you wearing for the last day?"

W.W.W.

Mercedes finished signing a boy's new 2012 yearbook across her picture with a smile. "Have a great summer!"

He flushed and ran off.

She turned and bumped into Puck. "Hey?! Did you take your test yet?!"

He shook his head, white as a sheet.

"Noah, you have to relax. Take a deep breath."

He took shallow breaths.

She put her pen in her purse and took his hands to hold to her ample chest. "Feel my heartbeat."

He wanted to feel her breasts but he was honestly freaking out. He tried to pay attention and eventually he could feel her heartbeat. It was strong and solid. "I feel it."

She put one of her hands on his chest. "Match your heartbeat to mine."

He didn't know how to tell her it was already happening.

"Close your eyes."

He raised a brow.

"Close your eyes."

He closed his eyes.

"Breath deeply. Let yourself relax."

Against all his issues with dropping his guard, he followed her directions. Suddenly, he felt skin on his chin. His head dropped and the skin moved to his lips.

Electricity sparked between them but before he could take it further or wonder what this meant, she was gone. "Go get 'em, Noah."

He opened his eyes feeling like he could hear Steppenwolf's Born to be Wild in his head. Oh that test was goin down!

W.W.W.

Puck paced with the whole glee club as his teacher graded his paper. He was ready to rip his Mohawk off. What's taking her so long?!

The teacher came from the room and handed him the papers.

The group surrounded him as he read. When he didn't say anything, Finn demanded, "Well?!"

"I got my first A!" Puck lifted it high.

The glee club cheered loudly. All the seniors were graduating and going to college!