If you were to look up the word determined in the dictionary, you would literally see the face of one Rachel Berry plastered with her infamous thousand-watt smile staring back at you. She's quite convinced that after graduating high school she'll be leaving this pathetic excuse for a town to go to college in New York and never again look back.

And if she's not going to work her ass off and maintain her 4.0 GPA until senior year, she might as well say goodbye to college and dreams and New York and start submitting resume to be a dishwasher at Breadstix, not that it isn't a decent job, but come on if you were going to set your dream, wouldn't you rather set it high? That's why on Friday night, here she is reviewing her lessons that day instead of partying or hanging out with kids her age. Although her lack of friends and permanent residence in loserville might be contributing factors to her lonesome Friday nights or any other nights for that matter but that's beside the point.

People just don't seem to like her and she has no idea why. Okay, maybe the fact that she talks more than she should and doesn't exactly pass as pretty or hot to compromise for her annoying self might be another reason why nobody wants to be seen hanging out with her but still it's not like she's done anything bad to anyone or has some kind of plague or bad breath to justify their need to avoid her. Besides her dental hygiene is on top her list of priorities so she highly doubts bad breath would be a problem. She flosses between classes for God's sake! Apparently, your physical appearance matters more than your talent, intellectual capabilities and personal hygiene in her school. She internally rolls her eyes at just how stupid that mentality is.

Her dads, although loving and supporting in all the ways they can, haven't really been always around to look after her. She's used to being independently left alone at the house every time her parents leave for some business trip and fully trust her not to fool around. Not that they even have to worry about her hosting a party involving a bunch of drunk and stoned high schoolers when they've long given up on the idea of her ever bringing a friend for sleepover. It worries them sometimes and they voiced out their concern over dinner one time but she shrugged it off and they never really pressed her anymore.

She wakes up at exactly 6am on a Monday morning and head to the bathroom for her morning routine but not before she pulls out her photo of Noah Puckerman under her pillow and gives it a good morning kiss. Needless to say, she has unrequited huge crush on the guy ever since he let her borrow a pen that one time hers ran out of ink. Maybe even before that instance, she'd already admired him from afar but it wasn't before that incident that she officially admitted that she's got it bad for the dude. It wasn't really that big of deal for others but for Rachel it's something, especially since Noah's like on top of the food chain while she's not even on it and it's not every day you see someone popular interact with well, someone like her.

She arrives in school 30 minutes before class starts just like she always does and made a beeline to her locker to get a few things she needed for the first subject, History. Although she's quite positive that Noah shares this class with her because she somehow acquired a copy of his schedule which may or may not involve hacking the school's computer system (lack of friends has its own perks) but she's not sure he'll be there since she's barely seen him attend before. Better sure than sorry so she heads to the ladies room to make herself look at least presentable. Rachel is nothing but hopeful that this maybe the day that Noah finally notices her and she's not about to risk not looking impeccable for the day she's been waiting for. But just as she was by the door, she saw Kurt and an instant scowl appeared on his face.

He continued staring at her so Rachel spoke. "Is there anything I can help you with?" she asks as polite as she could.

Kurt Hummel. The only open gay kid in McKinley. Also a neighbour in loserville. Well in this school, not unless you're a jock or part of the cheerleading squad aka cheerios then you're not cool enough to be on popular list so it's not really very surprising.

He's practically in all of her advanced classes and clubs. If anything, they are all too similar, disconcertingly so. In attitude, in ambitions, in beliefs. Except maybe in fashion sense because apparently Kurt has them and Rachel doesn't since she manages to dress up like a toddler and a grandma both at the same time, his words not hers. They would probably have been basically best friends had Kurt only stop dissing her the way he is doing now.

"Really, Rachel?" he asks with a raised eyebrow. Well, he's probably the closest thing she could consider to be an acquaintance since they don't really have a choice but to interact having almost every class together but then again he probably considers her as competition rather than a friend thus the strong feeling of indignation from him towards her.

She looked at him trying to feign innocence. "What are you talking about?"

She might have an idea of what he's asking about but she's not sure how he knew about it. It's not like he's friends with him or anything so she's not about to give anything to him unless she knows that is what he's talking about.

"Would you drop it?" he says stepping closer and Rachel stepping back. "I know what you did last Saturday."

Okay. Confirmed. He is talking about that. But what she doesn't understand is how he knew when she's quite certain that they're not even friends. She's never even seen them talk even once and that's saying something because she always watches Noah. Always.

"Look, what I may or may not have done during the weekend is none of your business, Kurt."

She may have found out about Noah's pool-cleaning business and may have taken advantage of the fact that they have a pool at home and may have asked her dads to get someone to clean it. And oh God was it ever worth the money watching him especially when he took off his shirt while he worked on their pool. The way his body glistened under the sun while sweating just made Rachel's heart swoon. Who would have thought that collecting flowing leaves and dirt on the pool was hot? She hasn't even started on his big guns as she heard him once refer to his lovely arms. Of course she took a few photos from the window in her room to add to the growing collection of candid photos she has of Noah.

Then and there she decided that they may need to have their pool cleaned daily-or not because that may be too obvious. Probably just weekly. Not too needy. Just casual. Yeah. God she sounds like a guy trying to get into a girl's pants, only she's the girl trying to get into the guy's pants. She can't believe where her train of thoughts are taking her. Although she'd never admit it to anyone because of how not Rachel-like it would sound but she's rather turned on by his bad boy image.

"Oh please. You're practically taking advantage of him."

What does he care. It's not like he's in a relationship with him to call her out on this.

"It's not like my exploitations last Saturday is even illegal or something," she shot back. "And maybe if it is, I'm sure it is not in your hands to take action because again I repeat, it is none of your business."

He opened his mouth but did not answer. Obviously because it's true. Unless he's jealous because he also has a thing for her Noah as she'd like to claim him even if it's only in her own mind.

"Maybe you're just envious because Noah and I clearly have a great chemistry." Yes, despite the lack of interaction between them she knows that there is something between them and it doesn't matter if she's the only one seeing it right now. Soon enough everyone will, including Noah himself.

"Like I would even think about being jealous of you," he says while rolling his eyes because it was only slightly true. "He wouldn't even give you a second glance in the hallways."

Oh she gets it now. He does like Noah. Maybe that's why he'd been up her butt all this time.

She falters a little because as much as she tries to convince herself that soon enough in one way or another, things will go her way but a small part of her knows what he said is true but she didn't want to acknowledge it still.

She stands up a little straighter trying to feign confidence. "At least I got glanced at. And you know what," she says and points a finger at him. "Even if I'm the last girl he's ever going to consider having a relationship with, I'm still going to be ahead of you. Tell you why. Because I. AM. A. GIRL."

She enunciated every word giving emphasis to it. Don't take this the wrong way. She's not against homosexuals. In fact, she's got two gay dads whom she loves and respects with all her heart but Kurt really got under her skin this time. Not that he doesn't always do. Most of the time she ignores him and his snarky comments but not this time.

He lets out a huff. "Now you're pulling the gay card huh?" He's smiling now and then smirked like he just got an idea. "How sure are you that you're going to be ahead of me when it comes to boys just because of my sexuality?"

"Considering you are the only gay kid in school, I highly doubt that you-" But she never finished her statement because Kurt cut in by calling her name with a hint of a smile like he's finding it to be very amusing. "I'm the only open gay kid in the school."

"So what are you trying to imply exactly?" she asks and crossed her arms over her chest. "That there's someone in here who's still hiding in the closet and is in a secret relationship with you?"

She almost laughs at her deduction until Kurt spoke again. "As a matter of fact, there is."

That shut her up. Wow that would have resulted to a great amount of expletives had she not restricted herself from saying such crude words. Now it's her turn to be speechless which was certainly rare. "Shocked, aren't we?" Now the smirk he's wearing is even more visible and more confident and more arrogant.

As offended as she is at the realization that Kurt had managed to score himself a boyfriend while she never even had anyone have a crush on her, (well none that she knows of anyway except that weird kid everyone calls jewfro but Rachel doubts that he even counts) he could be lying for all she knows. She stuttered as she tried to speak again. "W-who?"

"And why would I tell you?" Hah. Caught. She knew he was lying.

"Because unless I know and confirm it, the boyfriend you speak of remain nonexistent and can only be real in that delusional mind of yours because you made it up to make me feel bad about myself," she says sternly with a triumphant smile plastered on her face which Kurt finds really really annoying

"Fine." Well, that was easier than Rachel thought it would be.

"Well, spill," she says and the smile still on her face which angers Kurt because the only thing more abrasive than Rachel Berry herself is a smug Rachel Berry and then the name is out before he could think about it.

"Finn."

To say she was shocked was an understatement of the century. Her eyes became even bigger and her jaw dropped to the floor as she stared at Kurt. "Finn?" she asks. "F-finn Hudson? School quarterback Finn Hudson?"

He feels all the blood rush to his pale face and he's not sure if it's because of shame that he just dragged the innocent guy into this or because of the images that formed in his mind on what Finn would do to him in reaction to this news or maybe both and he tries not to give away his thoughts on his face. Finally he speaks. "The one and only."

He's screwed. He knows he is. He's royally screwed. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Word vomit. Right after he dropped off Finn's name like a bomb, he instantly regretted as he tried to think of possible things Finn would do once he finds out about this and nothing good played inside his head. One being castrated with his bare hands. Another maybe getting strangled to death and considering he's a third of his size he can do it in one hand. He cringes. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

He couldn't help it. It's just the first name that popped into his head and it came out. Now, he couldn't take it back. Not when he's finally gotten Rachel Berry right where he wanted her. Stupid word vomit.

She has gotten into his nerves since their freshman year in McKinley High. Being always on top of the class while he only comes in second, belonging in all the clubs he's in and practically hogging the spotlight that was supposed to be his. She's been on his watch for the last two years trying to look for a way to bring her down so he could overshadow her but to no avail until about sophomore year when he noticed how she stared at Noah Puckerman. No, stared was way too modest to justify the way she looked at him. She ogled him. He thinks she might be in love with him or something and that's where she loses.

But Finn. He curses himself for not thinking of someone who could've been a bit smaller so he could escape when he tries to strangle him or maybe someone not popular who would be a lot easier to reach out to and more believable so that Rachel wouldn't question it but his stupid mouth has to say Finn, the six foot three quarterback, definitely high profile person in McKinley High who has the Captain of Cheerios as his girlfriend and will easily crush his bones into ashes rather than agree to be his "boyfriend."

How would he tell Finn without him going all Braveheart on him. More importantly, how would he make Finn agree to be his pretend boyfriend in front of Rachel. He knows he's a good guy but he's not sure he's that good to the extent that he would be willing to act gay. They've never really interacted with each other having belong in different circles of friends until as of late when they found themselves eating dinner at Breadstix with both of their single parents announcing to them their recently developed relationship of which both of them were previously oblivious about.

He wouldn't put it past Rachel to confront Finn and ask him to confirm what he'd just told her soon. He knows Rachel would hunt down Finn the minute the bell rings signalling for the end of the first period. Oh Barbra. This is even harder than he first thought it would. He needed to find Finn fast. Never mind the first period. He silently scolds himself for yet again letting Rachel be better than him academically.

He was thinking of the things he could use against him to make sure he agrees on the charade he accidentally put him to while on his way to the boys locker room as he was sure he would be there with Noah to ditch first period just like they always do but stops in his tracks when he heard yelling by the hallways followed a gentle weeping sound. He hides behind a few lockers down and could not be more thankful in this situation for being small enough not be seen. He slowly attached his back to the wall.

Now, Kurt doesn't always eavesdrop but when he does it's always some juicy gossip.

"What are we going to do now?" the voice of a girl asks followed by another weep. "Abortion is not an option." He vaguely recognizes the voice but he's sure he's heard it before.

Abortion? Abortion. Someone's pregnant. He gasps and he has to cover his mouth to lessen the noise that came out of him. Now, this is headline news right here. He momentarily forgets his mission. He can't wait to tell Mercedes. He tries to listen intently for more details but he could only hear muffled cries and mumbling. Something about being lost and parents shaving head and kicking out or was it cutting head off. He wasn't sure but what he did realize was how that nasal quality in the girl's voice belong to a certain blonde cheerleader, the one Finn was dating. His mouth was literally hanging open when he realized Finn's girlfriend was cheating on him. He was about to step out and confront the little bitch until he heard another voice.

"I don't know," says an all too familiar voice as Kurt's eyes goes even wider with his mouth if it was possible. "I still can't even properly tie my shoelaces. How am I supposed to know what to do with a baby?"

His jaw was now permanently glued to the floor. Oh God. This is information overload. He started shaking his head. He wasn't even in the situation yet he couldn't quite comprehend it. What more if he was actually involved?

The initial shock of finding out Finn had gotten someone pregnant was replaced by worry because surely Carole isn't going to take this very nicely and he knows her and he actually feels bad because he can see that she's a good mom but then he smirks as though an invisible light bulb just lit above his head when he realized that this just solved his problem. Smiling to himself, he continued to listen to the conversation.

"Finn Hudson, you better get yourself together," shouts the same nasally voice again. "If you're old enough to get me knocked up then you should be responsible enough to deal with the consequences."

Kurt takes a peek and sees the retreating figure of the blonde girl in cheerios uniform just as Finn shouted. "We didn't even have-" He knew it would be useless to finish his sentence when Quinn has already taken a left turn and so he kicked the lockers hard only to be hurt by his own actions and he does it again and again and again until he felt numb and lean his forehead on his locker.

Kurt waits for a few more moments to let him have a moment to cool down from his state but when he stared at his Gucci watch, he realized he didn't have much time before the bell rings. He's not a mean person but he was desperate enough to do this so he stepped forward and walked in Finn's direction.

"Are you okay?" He thinks that if he at least was a little nice to him, it would make him less of an ass for what he's about to do.

Finn turns his head to find Kurt looking at him with sympathetic eyes. He tries to compose himself and half-heartedly smiles down at the small dude in front of him to hide any emotion. "Yeah, man. Why wouldn't I be?"

He gives him a small smile laced with concern before he continues.

"Well, for one, the door of that locker below yours is slightly damaged obviously because of the impact of your kick since I can still see a few small red spots that had rub off on your shoes from the paint coating the locker," he says in one breath. "And two, your hair is a mess which either was a result of a hot make out session with a girl or a depressed state which caused you to pull out your hair in frustration."

He gives Finn a once over before he continues again. "And judging by the tears that are falling from your eyes," he crosses his arms and puts a finger on his chin. "it's the latter."

Finn shoots him a glare. He didn't even realize he was crying until Kurt pointed it out and he roughly wipes it out of his face. "I'm pissed okay." He was about to lose it but he didn't want to vent on the dude especially since he looked weaker than an average person. Figuring out, he probably wanted something, he then promptly asks. "Is there anything you need?"

Kurt walks around him, his eyes following his movement and ends up on his other side while slowly leaning his backside against one of the locker doors. "Ohh nothing," he starts up. "I just kind of need a favour."

He decides to test the waters before plunging in. After all you may never know, he might actually say yes without Kurt needing to use his situation to blackmail him.

"Dude, as long as it doesn't involve killing or stealing or any crime that's like, uh, will result to me going to jail, then I guess I'm okay." He gives him a smile but it doesn't reach his eyes. His mom had specifically asked him to play nice with Kurt. Be of assistance to him anytime he needs it and it looks like this is one of those times so he plays along.

Suddenly, Kurt feels guilty. Why does he have to make it difficult to blackmail him by acting so nice but then again he thinks about boys and their pride and he doubts he will agree.

Kurt lets out a big sigh followed by a very toothy smile. "Yay, great!" he says and claps his hand and hooks his right arm with his left leading him to walk towards the hallway. "All you have to do is pretend to be my gay boyfriend in front of Rachel Berry."

"Oh no prob- wait what?!" He stops in his tracks only to grab Kurt's shoulder to face him and look straight in the eye.

He looks back at him with a serious face. "You have to pretend to be my gay-"

He looks confused more than he usually does right now. "No, I know what you said. What I meant was why? Look, I am not against you gay dudes or anything but look as much as I'd like to help, I have a street cred to protect."

"Which is why you'll have to do this favour," he adds.

"Wait." He's not the sharpest tool in the shed and he's usually the last person to get the joke so it doesn't really surprise Kurt that he doesn't understand him quickly. "What do you mean?"

Kurt wanted him to figure it out himself so he opted not to reply to let him process what he said. It takes more than a few minutes before realization finally dawns on him.

He honestly didn't want to do this especially now that he's looking intently into his eyes like he now knew what he meant but he needed confirmation first. He mentally says sorry to Finn and bows his head down unable to tell it straight to his face,

"I heard it," he starts. "And if you want to maintain your good reputation in school and your relationship with your mother, you're gonna have to suck it up."

It takes a moment for Finn to finally realize the implications of what Kurt just said. Then goes ballistic as Kurt expected, throwing his arms all over both Kurt and himself as he tries to comprehend what is happening.

"Dude, you're being unfair," he starts up. "You can't do that."

He fishes out his phone out of his pocket. He genuinely doesn't want to do this since he and Finn have been getting along pretty well now but if he's going to act like this then that leaves him no choice.

"Watch me," he says and turns his face his phone to Finn and show him he's one click away from calling Carole.

He watches as the blood drains from Finn's face and immediately knew he'd won him. But then one look at his crestfallen face just throws away the happiness he might have felt from his accomplishment.

"But why me?" His voice sounds defeated like he's giving in because there's nothing he can do anymore and he takes pity.

He tries explains how he had managed to drag him into the situation as if it would make him feel better but he just nods and doesn't even look at him in the eyes.

"Look Finn," he starts. "I was just caught in the moment and you know how much I hate Rachel Berry. You'd just have to confirm when she asks you if you're dating me and then that's it. After more or less than a month, I'll just stage a break-up between us and it's done. I'll even help you with your situation with Carole."

And then there's silence and Kurt feels more guilty now that Finn looks like he's about to cry and guys like him never cries or at least not in public because God forbid someone found out and calls them gay.

He hears Finn speak again before he can roll his eyes at his thoughts.

"But what if she tells other people?"

Now that was a question Kurt did not know the answer of. Wow. How could he not think of that? He goes back to his mantra. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Now what?

"Finn, I-" he stutters. "I'm so sor-" The ringing of the bell stops him from whatever he was about to say and he could've been relieved because he didn't know what to say anyway but then again the bell only means one thing. They watch as student after student come out of classrooms and head to their locker. Kurt does a mental countdown of the seconds before Rachel Berry appears in front of them.

And of course, Rachel did not disappoint. He sees her at the end of the hallway before she sees them. Sure enough, the look on her face shows that she's looking for a particular tall muscular quarterback in letterman jacket.

Even in the crowd of students passing through the corridor, he's sure any minute now she'll catch sight of the person he's looking for so he grabs Finn's head and pulls it down to make him duck and avoid getting seen. Then they enter the first vacant room he sees.