i am the greatest star

If the idea of apologizing had been difficult enough, standing here, having to swallow his pride and actually do it was way harder. “I…” With a sigh, Puck handed over the cookies, grimacing a little at how terrible they really looked, especially in the sunlight. “They’re supposed to say ‘I’m Sorry’, but they got a little… smudged. Like the kind you made me, when you were playing karaoke, and accidentally smacked me in the face with your microphone? Anyway-” He wiped his slightly clammy hands on his jeans and shrugged. “They’ve got a little… you know, in ‘em, so… take it slow.” The actual words he needed to say were still on the tip of his tongue, struggling to come out. “It was the last of my stash, but… I figured I kind of owed you.” 

Fingers tapped on his arms that were folded along his chest, chewing on the inside of his cheek as his eyes flicked down to the cookies -- or what looked like cookies. He had to stifle a laugh. it was a good effort. His eyebrows shot up, though when he mentioned that they had something in them. “Noah,” he whisper screamed, “My dad is a doctor. He could get into so much -- ugh, just come in.” He grabbed the plate and his friends arm and tugged him inside before shutting the door and taking the plate of...what were supposed to be cookies and setting them on the counter. He grabbed one of his own decorated cookies and set it on a plate before setting it down onto the counter. “Take off your shoes or Papa will kill you,” he stated, raising an eyebrow, “And I forgive you, I guess. But when you throw a slushie at me next, can you please use the grape flavor? It’s the least gross of them all and easiest to get out of clothes.” 

Josie: My brain represses things that make my ears uncomfortable so I don't have the slightest idea who or what you're speaking of.

Josie: Sorry about that, your name and voice constantly being linked with Finley Hudson made me...less than interested in getting to know you so far.

Raphael: Good point. I wish I had that same talent. 😒

Josie: Congratulations on your captaincy, Raphael. It was absolutely well deserved and I look forward to seeing you lead the team. That said, it's come to my attention that despite being the most evenly matched members of the team, musically speaking, we've yet to perform a selection together. We absolutely must rectify that this week.

Raphael: Thank you! I'm honored to be captain, but it's slightly unfortunate that probably one of the least talented members of New Directions ended up being in charge of...something, however co-captain isn't bad.

Bree: Or maybe I should smack you. I bet people would love to see that.

Spencer: So last night was wild.

Spencer: You hungover?

Raphael: We're not speaking of what happened.

Blaine: I'm afraid I don't have the answer to those questions, but congrats on your nomination! May the best (wo)man win. Who knows, maybe we'll even become co-captains.

Blaine: And for what it's worth, I definitely don't think you should be on the not-list.

Raphael: You too! Honestly, if I were to lose, I'd rather lose to you than to any one else. Except maybe Finn. Sugar definitely should NOT win, though. You've at least got talent.

Bree: I'd like to know, too, so I can go over and smack some sense into them. Both for nominating you and for /not/ putting you higher on the not-list.

Michaela: It wasn't me on either account but I hadn't even thought to assume you nominated yourself until you sent this, so.

Tina: Listen, I've watched too much reality TV to NOT love mess and drama at least a little bit, so I don't hate you for the whole 'exposing Quinn and Puck' thing the way some people do... but I also didn't nominate anyone for captain, and I have no idea who else would have put you in there after all of that.

Tina: How can you even be thinking about that after the Glist, though??? Like, you being at the bottom? That's obviously not true.

Raphael: Thank you, Tina! For being the one person who doesn't seem to hate me. Me either, though Finn's name has been thrown into the hat on who nominated me. 🤔🤔🤔

Santana: I blame Finn. Voting for you would be an obvious cry for help after she spent the last few weeks coming to the realization that Puckerman will always have more sex appeal than she does.

Santana: As for the not-list, I feel like that one is a kind of a no-brainer.

Raphael: Do you really think Finn was the one who nominated me? I feel as though that'd be odd, since she's so focused on the break up.

Finn: Same!

Finn: The randomly being nominated thing, not the not list thing. I don't really know how I got second hottest either though. I haven't really paid attention to how I look since the whole breakup thing.

Raphael: Please, Finn. You're the most wanted bachelorette here, and I'm sorry that you don't see that. And if you need to talk or anything, I'm available.

Roderick: no clue, but whoever put you on the Not list put you UNDER me which is insane, so they must be crazy. I've worn the same sweatshirt for like, three weeks in a row.

Raphael: One, I appreciate that you also agree that I don't belong on the not list.

Puck had done more self-reflecting in the past few days since everything had come out, than he had, well… ever. As it turned out? He was kind of an asshole. Putting it lightly, anyway. Ever since puberty, he’d been selfish, careless, and way more focused on chasing girls and looking cool than treating his friends the way they deserved. When he’d found out Quinn was pregnant, he’d thought it was unfair, but now, he knew it was just karma. It was only about time everything blew up in his face. Quinn had just, unfortunately, been caught in the crossfire. 

Maybe things couldn’t be fixed with Finn, at least not just yet. But Finn wasn’t the only friend he’d been a dick to. There was someone else, someone who had always been there for him when they were younger, only to get nothing but weekly slushies to the face in return. 

And that was how, with a swallowed pride and a plate full of his own version of Raph’s apology cookies - burnt, horribly decorated, and with a little bit of pot mixed in, he made his way up to the Berry’s front door, rang the doorbell, and waited. @goldstarraph​

Raphael’s fingers hurt. From all the baking, practicing his guitar, and making posters for his campaign for captain, he was surprised that he could even keep going. It was all so incredibly exhausting. Of course, Blaine was throwing a party and Sugar was... well, being Sugar. Finn didn’t seem interested, which was a shame. Deep down he knew that his effort probably wasn’t going to mean anything, that everyone hated him for getting involved with the Noah/Finn/Quinn drama, and that he was going to lose despite being the one who’s quick thinking won them sectionals. He just hoped that when Blaine won, or Finn, that they would allow him to help just a little bit.  His eyebrows rose when he heard the doorbell ring, pulling his gloves off of his bandaid covered hands as he moved toward the front door. He wiped his hands off on his apron, and opened the door -- surprised to see his former friend standing at the door. His eyes flicked down to the plate of cookies in his hands before looking back at Noah, his lips pressing together and folding his arms across his chest.  “What do you need, Noah?” Because why else would he be here? 

Raphael: I'd like to point out that SOME OF YOU obviously know that I'd be the best leader because I didn't nominate myself, which I'm sure none of you will believe and I probably wouldn't be able to corroborate my side.

None of this was your business, troll. Don’t pretend like you did this for the good of me, or my baby, or Puck, or because you really care about anything but making us look bad so Finn will fall into your oh-so righteous arms. Good on you, Prince Charming. When do you turn back into a frog? 

Oh yes, please continue to assume my motives like you know anything about me at all. I’m the only one who clearly cares, but if your continuous insults make you feel better about yourself, I don’t mind being your punching bag. Anything to relieve the stress off of you to help your baby thrive. 

Hello, Is it Me You’re Looking For

After four hours and three cups of tea, Jessica was on the verge of giving up. She’d never doubted Shelby before, but perhaps she’d gotten her information wrong. However, just as she was about to leave, she spotted a boy who fit Raphael’s description. As she slowly and inconspicuously made her way over to him, Jessie took a moment to study him and mannerisms. She could definitely see the resemblance between him and Shelby.  He was handsome and definitely had a star quality to him, a je ne sais quoi if you will. Not that she had any interest in him of course. This was nothing more than a covert operation to connect mother and son and acheive legacy status. It wasn’t as if Shelby was trying to set them up.  Once she felt ready, she inadvertently reached for the same record, purposefully allowing their hands to touch. “Oh, I’m terribly sorry. I didn’t realize anyone else liked,” she glanced down and inwardly cringed, “ Lionel Richie. He’s iconic.” She peered up over at him with an adoring smile, “It’s not everyday you meet someone who appreciates the greats. Especially in Lima. I’m Jessie,” she extended her free hand, “You are?”

@goldstarraph​

He needed some inspiration. He needed to get away from his norm, and figure out something else. Though, he wasn’t even quite sure how long he was going to be involved with the glee club. With the apparent vote on who was going to be captain that he was sure he was going to lose, and the backlash he was getting for “outing” Quinn and Puck, he was heavily considering dropping and doing something more useful with his time. The club would never admit it, but without him -- they stood no chance of winning. He was the most talented person there, and no one wanted to admit that. No one wanted to show an apparent traitor any kind of appreciation.  His eyebrows rose when their hands touched, looking over at her and letting out a sigh. “Hah, generally I go for the Broadway section, but it appears that I wasn’t paying attention. Though, Lionel Richie does have some pretty great ballads that could make some excellent  power ballads.” He cleared his throat, taking her hand and giving it a shake. “Raphael,” he stated with a nod, “Most recently brought the New Directions to victory in sectionals. Pleasure to meet you.” He cleared his throat and continued flipping through the records.