The Way We Were

The Way We Beg

"Noah, move."

Puck put his arm on the locker in front of Mercedes. "No."

She rolled her eyes and went to go around him but he put his other arm around her. "Would you stop? I don't even know what you want."

"I want you to listen to me."

"I have class."

"Why can't you look me in the eye? Is it because you still love me?"

Her eyes shot to his. "Excuse me?! Have you lost your mind?!" He backed up a step but she followed him. "You don't get to ask me if I love you! You broke up with me!"

"We didn't even break up!" He protested. "You just never talked to me again!"

"What was I supposed to say?! You made your choice! I had to pick up the pieces and move on!"

"Mama-!" He noticed the people looking at them and pulled her to a closet. "Mama, it wasn't even like that! What was I supposed to say, do?! It came out of nowhere for me!"

"For you?! How do you think it was for me?!"

He sighed and hung his head. "I'm sorry I didn't handle it well-"

"I'm sorry, too. I thought you were better than that."

He bit his bottom lip before looking up at her. "I couldn't get my head around it."

She only quirked a brow.

He snatched on the light so he could see her better. "I love you, Mama."

"Don't." She put up a hand.

He pressed that hand against his heart. "I do."

Tears ran down her face. "What does that even matter?"

He gathered her face in his hands and pressed a kiss to each of her eyelids. "It matters a lot. I want to be with you."

"Seemed like you wanted to be with Rachel." She whispered.

"No!" He hugged her. "How many times do I gotta tell you?! I love you! You and nobody else!"

She let him hold her as her heart broke. Minutes later, she pushed him away. Figuratively and literally. "Will you marry me?"

Puck stopped moving. "Mama,-"

"It's a yes or no question, Noah." She swallowed hard and looked him in his eyes.

"Why do we have to get married?! Why can't we just talk to your dad?!"

"That means no." She reached for the doorknob.

"Mama, please." He put his hand on hers.

"I'm getting married Saturday." She opened the door and left.

He punched the wall and swore.