Colors// Mike Chang Glee

Stay the Night

"Mike told us you were obviously hiding something. Then ran off and we knew you'd be here. Is everything okay now?" my Dad asked as we released each other. I nodded my head sniffling slightly. I looked over my shoulder seeing my eyes were red and puffy through the mirror. My nose was pink but everything after that seemed fine.

"You know my anxiety. I'm okay, thank you guys so much. I couldn't have asked for a better family than you guys" I smiled.

Later that evening I went back to celebrate with the team. It was great. It was fun, we all went out to the park to hang out for the rest of the night while Miss Pillsbury went back to the school to speak to Mr. Shu. 

I didn't get to go back with them, even though everyone else did. I knew it was my fault but literally thirty minutes after the show was over everyone hopped on the bus to go back to the school and I stayed back with my dad and Andy. But we all met up at the park afterward though and I hung out with Artie since I wasn't feeling up for all goofing off everyone else was doing.

"So where'd you go? You seemed a little freaked out at Sectionals," Artie said as I pushed him along the paved sidewalk going through the spacious green grass where my friends were all walking and running and talking and jumping up on benches as we walked through the park.

"Can I trust you to keep it all to yourself,?" I laughed partially in seriousness and partially jokingly.

"Of course," Artie chuckled, interlacing his fingers over his lap.

"I have anxiety," I came out and said. "So I was having an anxiety attack during the celebration and I didn't wanna bring anyone down."

He looked up at me quickly before putting his hands on the wheels stopping me from pushing him any farther. "I had no clue. I'm sorry, I know anxiety is a serious thing," he said. "But for what it's worth, you" he paused dramatically. "Were amazing." 

I smiled in appreciation and continued to push him. "Thanks," I replied a little shyly.

The rest of the night Artie and I had small talk. I got to know him a little better and he got to know a little about me. Soon enough people began to disappear as their parents went to pick them up, and some drove themselves. In the end, it was just Puck, Rachel, Mike, Tina, and myself.

"I'm so proud of you and the team," I smiled at Tina. She looked at me and returned the gesture.

"Are you kidding? You were amazing. Your solo was fantastic!" Tina complimented me as Mike made his way to us with his hands in the air dancing to something he was listening to on his phone.

"Thank you," I thanked her quickly before getting closer to Mike and pulling his earbuds out. "You know. It'd be polite to share the music," I smiled. 

He gave me a cute little goofy smile before handing me his other earbud. I pushed it into my ear and listened as he did the foot movements to a song I wasn't familiar with. We walked side-by-side as the night grew older. Then it was only Mike, Rachel, and myself.

"What time is it?" I asked Mike as I noticed Rachel walking alone a little ways ahead of us. 

"It's ten. We should probably get going," Mike motioned towards the parking lot, looking around as the only thing giving us any sense of light were the few lampposts that cascaded a rusty orange color onto the pavement. I looked over at Mike and handed him his earbud.

"Thanks," I said, walking next to him as we started to walk towards the road to my house.

Soon enough Rachel was picked up and it was just Mike and I walking back to my place.

"Will you stay for dinner?" I asked, looking up at him, hoping if he noticed my hope he would say yes. I could tell I took him by surprise as his lips parted and he had a small smile played on his lips.