She couldn't believe it. The events from that day ran through her head as though she was at a movie theater. She smiled as he squeezed her hand. She knew he was thinking the same thing. They came, they saw, they conquered.

One week earlier…

How could she?

He was driving home running through the conversation over and over again trying to figure out what had just happened. It was supposed to be a normally wonderful date. Nothing special. Just dinner and a movie. He knew he shouldn't have approached the subject, but time was going fast and he needed to know what was going to happen at the end of May. Granted it is only March, but acceptance letters were already coming and his were few and far between. She had told him that she wasn't accepted into NYU and he believed her. At first.

He noticed how every time he approached the subject she would start biting her lip and become a little antsy. He might not be that bright, but he knows Rachel and he knows when something is wrong whether she'll admit it or not.

After the movie, he decided that since they had a little time till curfew, they could go for a drive. It wouldn't take long. Just a drive out to the state park and then her house. The radio started to play one of the songs they had chosen for Nationals. Rachel, being the perfectionist that she was, decided to take advantage of the time and said that they should practice. He agreed and soon they were singing their hearts out while he was drumming on the steering wheel.

When they reached the park, he got out, opened her door, and led her to the edge of the lake. The sun was setting and causing the water to shimmer with colors of pink and yellow. It was perfect. He pulled her towards him wanting to savor the moment for all it was worth.

He kissed her on her head and then suggested they walk around and find a place to sit till the sun goes down. Once they found a spot next to a tree, he sat down and let her sit on his lap so that she wouldn't get her dress dirty.

"This might just be one of those moments" she stated out of the blue.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, when I look back 20 years from now, I will most likely be able to remember this moment more than that test in Spanish last Thursday.", he loved how she explained things to him, "This is just a moment I don't plan on forgetting."

"Me, too", he gave her that quirky smile.

He held on to her for a few more moments before he let his mind wonder to what would happen after the upcoming summer. He needed to know what she was going to do.

"So have you decided on what college yet?" he simply asked.

Uh oh! There she goes biting her lip again. And what for it… Yup, she started wiggling around.

"Well, I still haven't given it much thought. I mean I could go with Northwestern or Ohio State, but it all depends on what scholarships I get and what my dads can afford. I mean it's not like I have a job and am saving up for college like you. By the way, how much have you saved?"

Add rambling and changing the subject to the list.

"Listen, Rach. I don't want to talk about how much college is or other technicalities. I want to know where you want to go. Where all did you get in?"

"Well, of course there is Northwestern and Ohio State. I also got into Washington State in St. Louis and some odd college in Maryland that I applied to just because it was free."

"What about NYU?"

"Finn, you know I didn't get in. Why do you keep asking about it when you know it's not going to happen", she stood up and stepped a few feet away.

He knew he had just ruined her perfectly good moment, but he was irritated that she refused to tell him the truth.

"Rach, I know you got in. You can stop lying."

"I'm not lying! How dare you accuse me of lying! Take me home now", she made her way to the truck wanting to escape this conversation all together.

"Rachel, wait up! I'm not trying to accuse you of lying. I'm trying to figure out why you are lying. Why do you not want me to know about NYU?"

He finally caught up and grabbed her arm to stop her. She tried to pull away, but he wasn't giving up that easily. He then pulled her into a hug to try and stop her from running away from him again.

"Finn, stop. Let me go" her tone was completely unreadable.

He let her go afraid that she might get angrier. She ran to the passenger side of the truck waiting for him to unlock it. He walked over to her side, unlocked the door, and opened it. After all, she was still a lady no matter how frustrating she could be at times.

When they got to her house, she opened the door and jumped out before he could even put the car in park. He, of course, followed her. When she realized he was following her, she stopped at the door. He knew where this was going and decided to let her fume about it because she was going to anyway. Once he arrived at the door, she stuck out her hand.

"Thanks for a sweet, inquisitive night, Mr. Hudson. I shall see you Monday."

He gave her his hand and allowed her to give a firm shake meant for business meetings. Before he let her hand go, he pulled her to him so quickly that she had no time to dodge the deep kiss he planted on her mouth. When he pulled away, she looked dazed.

"Good night, Ms. Berry."

He smiled, turned, and got back in his car. She was still standing there. Only the dazed look was gone and replaced with a look that made him want to cry.

He left that night and drove back home. He texted her before he went to bed telling her he loved her and she wasn't going to be able to change that.