NEVER OLD ENOUGH - FINN HUDSON

03 - britney and breadstix

03 - britney and breadstix

"The key to having an efficient life is an organized portfolio and bank account, you want to know what is due for payment while keeping track of the remaining money. Today we will be going through a simulation that will be counting towards your end of the year portfolio." Ms. Harris announced earning a few groans.

Cora didn't mind neither did Finn her focus was on the intense hangmen game they were having, Finn had been the one to convince her to play little paper games as if they were kids. Cora didn't even have to think before agreeing, her child at heart was ecstatic. 

"This is a partner project but I will not be giving you any time in class as we have other things to go over like the notes nobody wanted to take, that time goes into your in-class project work. Get your notebooks out as I pass back rubrics." To say that Ms. Harris was fed up would be a complete understatement.

Cora got her notebook out right after figuring out what Finn had written even though she only found out from making too many mistakes. Sure, Finn was a little oblivious but he was a hidden genius when he wanted to win like putting a smiley face at the end infuriating his partner.

Ms. Harris droned on with the boring notes while Cora didn't pay attention as she focused on her rubric, highlighting all of the parts she found important. The girl was fully ready to explain why she should work on her own as she assumed Finn would go with his buddy Puck, she worked better alone most times anyway.

A small slip of paper came into her view with a signature smiley face on the front, that was Finn's little sign that Cora found very endearing. She didn't read it right away just placed it under her notebook and finished up the notes then focused on the smiley face note.

'Partners? :)'

The raven-haired girl looked over to see Finn's hopeful expression making her swoon and nod completely agreeing. The boy did stuff to her but she didn't want to do anything as he was taken by loud Rachel who seemed to hate her.

Cora brought herself to the reality of Finn already being taken but being his partner wouldn't hurt anyone as it was strictly business with a little innocent fun, she knew that. They were just partners, nothing more, nothing less.

-

"No Britney Spears and that is final." Mr. Schue finished ignoring the dissatisfied looks from the glee club as they all wanted to sing from someone they knew. 

Artie complained a bit under his breath leaving only Cora to hear it, her small laugh echoed through the silent choir room not that she minded. It seemed as if only she knew about Artie being a smartass but that came with being sat next to him.

"This won't end well," Cora mumbled Artie nodding in agreement, their classmates were very keen on performing Britney Spears for the big assembly on Friday, Cora didn't even know if she would be want to be apart of that. 

Performing in front of others is great and perfect for gaining experience but doing it at school was different as you have to pass by those people every day. Cora could do a bunch of strangers but not people she is expected to grow up with for the next few years. 

The practice went on with a few complaints and murmurs about the performance they are meant to do in a few days, Artie being convinced that Mr. Schue will end up changing his mind at some point. Cora believed that the teacher was going through something or having issues with someone, maybe his life being too much for him.

Either way, she was getting ready for the man to break.

At the end of the practice, Cora left to go to Breadstix where her best friends would be waiting except instead of going alone she invited Artie, thinking that it would be good to have him as a friend out of the club scene. To her surprise, he agreed on coming with, he seemed pretty excited about the invite making her happy with the decision.

"I'm glad we are doing this, Artie, you're really cool to be around." Cora happily commented wanting to make sure that her intentions were pure, she didn't want him or anyone to think that she would be using him. 

"Me too, you're just as cool, kind of like a breath of fresh air." 

Cora felt the exact same, everyone in her life has been there for years, they knew Cora as past and present her. Artie knew her as the new club member that was younger than everyone else. Her age brought a small issue with the others as they didn't really attempt to make her feel welcome all except Artie and Finn.

"Are your friends going to be okay with me coming?" Artie questioned as Breadstix came to view, he was nervous but couldn't run (wheel) away due to Cora pushing his wheelchair.

"Of course, mis amigos sus amigos." 

They shared a laugh at the saying while going up the Breadstix pathway, Artie leaned forward to open the door allowing the girl to push him in. As usual, the restaurant was busy and smelled delicious, sure it wasn't all made by scratch but that didn't matter to them. 

Cora eyed the restaurant searching for preferred people, it took a few moments before her brown eyes fell on an overexcited Ashley, the blonde waved the duo over. For once they chose a table over a booth probably looking out for Artie which made Cora's heart warm at the thoughtfulness of her friends.

"Hey guys, this is my friend, Artie. Artie, this is Ashley and Marla." Cora pointed everyone out while introducing them, she didn't want Artie to get embarrassed at some point for calling one of them the wrong name even though they wouldn't care. If anything they would ignore it and just continue the conversation.

"It's so nice to meet you, Artie," Ashley stated moving a chair to a different table just so there was plenty of enough space for the boy. Marla simply smiled at the boy not wanting to scare him off with being too excited, she left that job to Ashley.

"It's nice to meet you both as well," Artie mumbled becoming a bit embarrassed by how nice and pretty the two were, he wasn't used to people getting excited over his presence.

Cora sat at the only empty spot once Artie seemed to be settled, her eyes instantly landing on the pieces of bread sitting in the middle of the table. She reached forward to grab herself a piece earning a knowing look from Marla.

"Hungry, are we, Cora?" 

It was an ongoing joke of Cora's appetite, she ate a lot even though it never showed with her dancer body. Marla being convinced that she ate so much due to dancing so much, she needed to balance the two out. Ashley just found it endearing that Cora enjoyed eating so much.

"How was Glee Club, today?" Ashley asked wanting to know more about the club, maybe get a little insight from a longtime member. 

Artie looked at Cora before answering, throughout the meal his body became more relaxed around the girls. By the end of the meal, Cora was happy to see the three laughing and enjoying themselves, she felt accomplished for making a new friend and bringing them together.

Artie being her friend seemed to be a good choice.