Back To The Future

Stop Or Go

There was nothing to do other than stare at this boy who hated her, spilling his fears in front of her. It was an insight she wasn’t prepared for and one other people wouldn’t believe anyway. His face mirrored the scared one from the other night, urging her to believe him - and it was then that Rachel gave in. What was the purpose of fighting about this when he was so convinced it was true? And this had become too elaborate if it really was a prank. It made no sense. Did she believe him entirely? Of course not, but he wasn’t about to let this go and if Rachel couldn’t beat him… join him!

“Okay, Noah. Okay…just-” Sarah’s giggling penetrated their bubble again and the sounds of glasses clinking nearby made her look in that direction. Their parents. “Don’t you think you should at least tell them? Obviously not specifics because this is insane but, I don’t know, something?” In an odd way, Rachel felt a little bit special knowing she was the only one he was telling these things to but if he was so worried, he really couldn’t keep this to just them two. How she kept this to herself this long was even more astounding.

How in the world could he forget about his family at a time like this? It never crossed his mind to tell his sister and his mother about the incident that happened at Temple. Puck was the man of the house and showing fear wasn’t an option. He was their protector and it was going to stay that way for as long as possible. If anything happened to them he would be crushed and as Sarah’s laughter and his mother’s chatter played in the background, he was going to try his best not to worry them. Even if it meant tackling the whole zombie race himself.

“I can’t tell ‘em. Not until I absolutely have to..” When his mother came into the kitchen and told him it was time to get going, it was kind of a relief. The more and more he talked about the situation, the more it became real. At least to him. “Well I guess it’s time for me to go. I’ll see you ‘round school, Berry.” He wanted to stay longer, wanted to figure out some kind of plan but it was pointless. Josh was probably long gone by now and if the virus had indeed spread, the warning signs would come soon. And even with a heads up, no one would actually be prepared. Fuck you Rick Grimes!

Stop Or Go

Being stopped in her tracks like this was a gesture she often fantasized Finn would do. After declaring something incredibly important, he’d rush after her…but this wasn’t Finn’s face staring her down with an insufferable smirk on his face. It was Noah’s. Heaving a sigh at the wrong boy, Rachel regained control of her arm but stayed put.

Of course she thought about that night! One doesn’t forget somebody practically barging into her house declaring the existence of zombies at odd hours of the night! The implications of accusing somebody of attacking you was one thing and another entirely to assume he’s undead while doing so. The latter just wasn’t realistic! But although she had a hundred reasonable explanations to debunk his story, nothing could take away from the terrorized face he had that night either.

She softens, her defenses on pause as they switch back to the root of the problem. Sarah’s laughing at something and Rachel’s voice drops to a harsh whisper. “I know but…what else am I supposed to think? If I came to you with this instead of the reverse, you wouldn’t believe me either!” Although some conspiracy theorists on Reddit would probably disagree with her. “Maybe you’re not insane or Josh is just a deranged cannibal, I don’t know, but what would you have me do?” She’s asked this before but he’s yet to give her an answer. Pack up and go? Tell the police? But more importantly, “…Why have you only told me?”

A puzzled look appeared on his face the moment she asked her last question. Til this day he didn’t know why Rachel was the only person to know his secret. The girl had dealt with so much adversity at school so what’s another wrench thrown her way? Of course his secret had nothing to do with bullying her but if she could handle ice cold drinks being thrown her way, she could handle this.. right? Probably not but still. Better her than all these other losers in Lima.

“I’m telling you, Berry. Some shit is going down. It’s fuckin weird that after the night I saw him.. in.. yannno.. his form or whatever, he goes missing! Like come on!” He reminds himself to keep his voice down. The last thing he needs is for his sister to overhear and go running to his mother who’s probably already tipsy and have them cause a commotion.

“I think I’m just scared. I know what I saw and what’s real but if I tell more people, it’ll become more of a reality.” If zombies were going to take over, the thought of it wasn’t as “fun” or “cool” as it looked on television. This was real life and whether or not Josh was a cannibal or an actual zombie scared the crap out of him.

Stop Or Go

He was far too nonchalant about what he’s said like it didn’t directly affect her! ’It’s not worth getting worked up about’ - has he not met Rachel? She looks at him just as incredulously as she thinks his statement is and turns to stack their dishes in their right cabinets. She strains only a little to reach and lets out a most exasperated sigh that has nothing to do with her being unable to stack the top ones properly.

“How exactly did you think I was going to react to you saying something like that?” Rachel took everything to heart even as much as she tried to pretend it didn’t sometimes but he knew this too! It wasn’t just what he said but the intention behind it. ’Not like you’ll survive anyway,’ who says that? She makes sure her voice doesn’t travel to Sarah in the next room or their parents just outside either and turns to address him before he attempts to escape elsewhere (something she’s been itching to do too). “You said nothing about my family, just me. Assuming you’re correct for argument’s sake, you just implied I would die like it wasn’t a big deal. I know you don’t care but the topic of the undead or not, you don’t say that to somebody else.”

Not like he would notice or care if she actually did. Nobody believed in her and Rachel mumbles as much as she crosses the kitchen, intent to head back upstairs. Maybe she really was just projecting but that didn’t mean he still didn’t have to apologize for this. “It’s plenty worth getting worked up about.”

Leave it to Rachel to storm out of the kitchen. She’d done it one too many times and at this point, it was expected. Every time Schue tried to give a solo to someone else she’d storm out until she got her way. It’s like she needed to walk out to get her point across. Attention seeker? Maybe. Diva like tendencies? Definitely. Was the storm out actually going to work on him? Hell no!

Making his way towards her, he wrapped his hand around her wrist to make sure she wasn’t able to leave. A small smirk played across his lips when he figured this was probably the most male interaction she’s ever had. And it was with a hot stud at that! But now was not the time to get a big head about things and think with his other head. He was going to apologize and she was going to accept it. Even if it meant pulling out his best George Clooney acting skills.

“Have you even thought about what I told you when I came over that night? I mean, like really thought about it?” There wasn’t a day that went by that he didn’t think about Josh. Not to mention that he was now missing and no one seemed to be looking! Were his parents hiding something? Were the two even still alive? How could he not think about anything else other than the fact that this world or city was about to change. “You saw my face that night. You aren’t stupid, Berry. I’m not losing it… what I saw was real. I just wish I had some way to prove it to you.”

Stop Or Go

Cold shoulder? He complains nonstop about her inability to remain quiet most of the time and when she finally is, he complains? Rachel manages a glare as she’s made to stand idly by, waiting for her duty on the dishes. Why their parents always force them to wash the dishes by hand when it only takes one person to load their perfectly capable dishwasher is beyond her. More to the point, why was Sarah never made to do the same? Instead, she’s happily watching television while Rachel and Puck are left to stand miserably next to each other in domestic torture.

It’s been days. Yes he sort of hurt her feelings and made her feel quite strange regarding this whole situation but there really wasn’t anything serious to be mad about. At least not enough to warrant her ignoring him to this degree but Rachel is nothing if not dramatic. He’s never seemed to mind what she did in any way, shape or form, though, so why is it an issue now? She’s giving him what he wants, what else does he expect?

“I said ‘hello’ in a general sense. Last time I checked, you fell within the confines of that category, did you not?” Was he waiting for a hug too? A conversation? If he was, that was news to her. All he wanted to talk about were his convoluted theories and Rachel wanted to do anything but! Besides, he should start getting used to not speaking to her what with her ever impending demise upon them. “I’m fully aware you don’t care anyway.”

Her last statement wasn’t a lie. They were neighbors, classmates and glee club members but never friends. They ran in two completely different circles. She was the outcast and he was the jock. A mean one at that. He was the bully and she was his victim. Why she never told her fathers would forever stay a mystery to him. It was like he was waiting for them to call him out about it. But with each dinner that went by, none of the yelling and hollering occurred.

“I really don’t care. I just don’t understand why you’re mad about something you don’t even believe in.” Shrugging his shoulders, he continued to finish up the dishes as fast as he could. It was clear she didn’t want to be in his presence and he’d much rather go watch television with Sarah in hopes his mother would want to leave soon. This was awkward and to be honest, he hated the feeling of Rachel being mad at him. Even when he’d throw slushies her way, Puck always made sure they were grape. That at least counted for something, right?

Handing her the last plate to be dried off, he washed his hands and reached over to grab a paper towel. “I didn’t mean it like that yanno? I dunno what’s gonna happen and if it even was a zombie I saw but I’m sure you and your dads’ will be okay. It’s not worth getting worked up about, Berry.”

Stop Or Go

The Berrys prided themselves in their quality entertainment services when it came to hosting. Rachel herself didn’t mind for it presented her with the opportunity to perform during Berry Dinner Theatre. She cared not for who it was, Rachel was an equal opportunity performer! Everyone should have a chance to gawk at the combined efforts of the Berrys shared talents! But given this evening’s guests, her usual enthusiasm for hosting was nearly non-existent.

While Rachel held no grievances with Mrs. Puckerman and Sarah herself, she did with the third member of their household: Puck. Not that her fathers would assume anything was wrong with this anyway; Neither Hiram nor Leroy knew of the slushies, the blatant rudeness or the crazed stories a certain someone was plaguing Rachel with! She had never volunteered the information and for all they knew, he and Rachel were like this all the time. However, with Rachel’s renewed annoyance, there was no guarantee she’d keep this up.

It was easy to greet his family with hugs but Noah wasn’t spared a look. Even as she was forced to sit across from him at the table, he wasn’t acknowledged beyond asking him to pass the salad dressing. He made it abundantly clear the last time they spoke what he wished for her. They clearly weren’t friends. There was no point in pretending they were.

The first Sunday of every month brought much pain and annoyance to Puck. Not because it was followed by Monday which he hated more than Quinn’s love of bacon. It was simple. The first Sunday of every month belonged to the Berry’s and the dinner they always cooked up for his family. His mom loved their company and Sarah seemed to always be enthralled by Rachel’s impromptu performances. Why? He’d never know. The cooking wasn’t all that great and Rachel’s voice was the most annoying sound known to man! Yet here he was, throwing out fake smiles to the Berry men and counting down the minutes until this whole shindig was over.

Rachel hadn’t spoken to him since the other night and tonight wasn’t anything different. She didn’t even glance his way. Not like he cared anyway. The world was going to end, zombies were going to take over and he’d probably be the lone survivor in this stupid town. Of course he had been the only one to witness the first ‘zombie’ but still. These idiots couldn’t survive Breadstix being closed on Thursday’s let alone an attack against the walking dead.

Once everyone was done with their meals, Rachel and Puck were called upon to do the dishes. Sarah was off watching television on the couch and his mother found herself in the backyard drinking wine alongside Rachel’s dads. Grabbing the soap and the sponge he started scrubbing off the remaining remnants of food. “How come you didn’t even say hi to me when we walked in? You’ve been giving me the cold shoulder all night.”