Author's Note: It's been a while hasn't it? I started a new job and it's been hectic. But, I'm finally able to find some time to write. So expect more frequent updates. This story is inspired by my favorite teen show of the 90s "Dawson's Creek,"(if you have no idea what I'm talking about, hit up Netflix) as well as a drabble I wrote a while back. The title comes from "Find You There" by We the Kings. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Glee or the song "Find You There." (I do own a signed iPhone case and one of Charles Trippy's guitar picks.)

The clank of something against his roof startles him. He's ready to grab his bat from the closet when a leg comes through the open window.

"Hey Finn-what are you doing?!"

"Nothing, just looking for this…guitar pick. Can't play without it."

She's laughing now, "Did I scare you? Finn we've been friends for almost twelve years. And I've been climbing that ladder for all of them."

"I wasn't scared!"

"You were so!"

"No-okay fine you startled me. Happy now."

"Yes, very much so."

"So what's up? It's kind of late, and we saw each other about four hours ago."

"I know, but it's the last day of Summer. We're Seniors tomorrow."

"Yeah, and..?"

He thinks he knows where she's going with this, he just doesn't want to think about it.

"Our entire lives are going to change this year. What college we choose, out of state, in state. If we'll become Doctors, teachers, or stay at home moms. It's the last year we get to be kids. And before that happens, I just want one night, where none of that matters and we're just kids, sitting here on your bed, watching some ridiculous movie, listening to you go on and on about the music."

"Hey! I don't…okay maybe I do. But a film without great music is just a mediocre one. So what did you have in mind?"

They end up watching E.T. a bowl of popcorn between them. Rachel tears up at the end and Finn laughs even if he's following her lead.

When it's over and his alarm clock says midnight, he sort of realizes why Rachel wanted this.

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow Finn. 7:30 sharp right?"

"Yep, we have to go by Puck's house though."

"Okay, well have a goodnight Finn."

"You too. Oh and Rachel?"

"Yeah?"

"I promise this year, it's going to be amazing."

"You say that every year, and some times I don't really believe it, but now, I have a feeling you might be right. Thanks Finn."

He watched her as she swung her legs over the ladder and disappeared. The last of this years summer breeze came through the window, hitting his face.

Summer's here in Lima were perfect. Afternoons spent by the lake, bonfires at night. He hoped he made this one count. Next year, if everything worked out, he would be in New York. Maybe California. Just not Lima.

Lying down in his bed, he let the last night of summer gently rock him to sleep.

"Puck get your ass out here, we're gonna be late!"

"You realize he probably woke up five minutes ago. Why is he your friend again?"

"Puck has his good qualities, being on time is just not one of them."

Finn had met Puck in first grade, when he punched Ricky Johnson for taking Finn's markers. After that, they were inseparable. Even if Puck could be a royal pain in the ass.

Two minutes later, Puck came slowly walking up to the truck. He climbed in next to Rachel, and that's when Finn noticed it.

"What the hell did you do to your hair?!"

"Dude it's a Mohawk! It's senior year and I have to leave a mark. You know badass and all. Plus the ladies…"

"You really think a girl is going to find that attractive?"

"Come on Berry, you know you love it. Makes me look like a rock star."

"Or a muppet."

"Dude do you hear her?!"

"Hey, I'm not taking sides. Although it does look a little ridiculous."

"See, I told you Noah!"

Rachel and Puck bickered the entire drive to McKinley High. The back and forth used to nerve him, but it had become a sort of comforting background noise.

They had always been like this. Most days they got along. Sometimes he wonders if there's some unrealized sexual tension, but he once flat out asked Puck if he thought Rachel was hot. This of course led to relentless teasing from Puck for a week.

He himself had never really considered how he felt about Rachel, even if there were any feelings at all. Mostly he tried to ignore the question.

"Earth to Finn? I asked you a question."

"Oh I'm sorry got lost in thought, first day and all."

"I asked when you have lunch, thought we could eat together?"

"Oh yeah of course. Don't we always?"

"What am I? Leftovers?"

"Noah you are welcome to join us, Finn and I just always eat together on the first day. It's tradition."

"And watch you two stare at each other through mouthfuls of pudding? No thank you."

The school yard was filled with backpacks and students when they pulled up to Senior Parking. McKinley High School was nothing exciting, none of the University architecture found in all television high schools, and the only thing they had going for them was their football team. Finn had spent the last two years as quarterback, bringing the Titan's to two Championships and zero wins.

He hoped this year might be different.

They made their way into the school and towards the lockers. Bright red with a new coat of paint.

The floor still held that permanent stick, from spilled slushies purchased from the gas station around the corner. Students chattered with friends as the girls decorated their lockers with organizers and pictures taken in the summer months.

Finn and Rachel's lockers had been next to each other since middle school, only allowed because teachers adored Rachel. She was an A student, involved in every club offered, and was poised to be this years valedictorian. Ivy league was in her future.

Puck always took whatever the school assigned him, "A locker next to Berry? Next thing you know, I'm actually doing my homework."

So while he went off across the hall, Finn stopped next too Rachel, opening his locker.

"A clean locker. Take a look at this Rachel, I give it a week before shoving it closed with my shoulder is my only option."

"That's because you refuse to use that organizer I got you Freshman year."

"Hey! It's organized, in it's own way…"

"We'll see about that, next time you lose that paper for English."

Before he could properly form a rebuttal, the first bell rang. He pulled his schedule out, "I've got Mrs. Garth for Civil War, first, you?"

"Looks like choir."

"Choir? Can you sing?"

"The school is forcing me to add a performance type class. Apparently, the colleges I'm planning on applying to, like to see diversity in a student's high school career."

"And you chose choir because…?"

"With all my AP courses, this was the only one that fit into my schedule. It's one class, hopefully I can just breeze right through it."

"They want me to do a solo at our first concert Finn?! A solo. Could this get any more embarrassing?"

The lunch period had just begun, and what Finn had hoped to be a nice quiet meal with a friend had turned into Rachel freaking out about her newest endeavor.

"Didn't you have to audition though?"

"Worse. My name was drawn out of a hat. Literally. Mr. Shuester took off that weird golf hat he wears, and threw all our names into it. I got picked and now I have to find some way to avoid this."

"Or you could just sing. Come on, I figure, you're good at everything else, why not this?"

"I guess you're right."

"Aren't I always? Now can I get back to this perfect example of gourmet cafeteria food? My pizza is getting cold."

"You don't have to eat that you know. I'm sure your mom would gladly make you a lunch every morning."

"Maybe last year. She's too busy with what's his name now."

"Come on Finn, Burt Hummel is the nicest man your mother has ever dated. Let her be happy. Who knows there might be wedding bells in the near future."

"I don't even want to go there."

The first bell signaling the end of lunch rang over the speakers. He placed his tray on the conveyor belt, said goodbye to Rachel and headed to Calculus.

"Hello, I'm Mr. Kenneth, welcome to Calculus. What do you say we start out with a pre-test!"

Senior year. Yay.

AN/2: Yay? Nay? I like the idea of Finn and Rachel as friends, in the same way Dawson and Joey were. Except I'll switch things up a bit. Stay tuned!