Rae's heart was beating rapidly. He hugged her tightly… and shirtless. She didn't know how to react and opted for awkwardly patting his back. His smooth, shirtless, strong back… Rae took a deep breath, breathing in his smell. Boy sweat and CK One. He pulled away from her and grinned.

"Sorry, I interrupted you. What did you want to say?" he asked.

Rae's heart went from racing to unmoving. No, you can do this, Rae, she thought. Just come out with it.

"I- I, er…" she cleared her throat and looked away. Her confidence from when she walked to the park had disappeared. He's going to be disgusted. He wouldn't fancy her.

"C'mon, out with it!" Finn teased.

"I was going to tell you-"

"Finn!" one of his teammates called but Finn just turned around and waved him off.

"Sorry, go ahead," he prompted her again.

She was bricking it now. He doesn't feel the same way; she should just turn around and leave.

"I like you," she said quietly.

"Oh, uh, thanks, Rae. I like you, too. I'm glad to hear that list is empty," he said awkwardly.

Rae was confused. "What list?"

"The list of things you hate about me," he laughed lightly.

"Oh, yeah."

He didn't get it. He thought she meant in a friendly manner. Of course he would. Why would she say something like that and expect it to be taken in a romantic way? When your fat friend tells you they like you, they must never mean it romantically since they know no one would ever like them back the same way, right?.

Dejected, Rae turned and started to walk away with her forehead scrunched as she mentally scolded herself for even trying.

"Rae!" Finn called from behind her. "Rae! What's wrong?"

She ignored him and kept walking. He called her name again but when she ignored him again he shrugged to himself and ran in the opposite direction to join in the match.

A couple hours later the gang met at the pub. Rae stood by the bar with Chloe talking about Chop, Izzy, and the dreaded friend-zone.

"There's no way out of the friend-zone, Rae," Chloe said as she walked away.

Rae's heart dropped. Of course there's not. She should just give up in her fantasies of having Finn. Well, maybe not her fantasies of him but her hopes of them being together.

"Hiya," she heard before she was wrapped in another hug from Finn.

This time, she hugged him back fully and said a hello in return.

"Where'd you get off to?" he asked.

"What do you mean? I went home and then came here," she said.

"No. Why'd you walk off? Did I say something?"

She should just come out with it. Say it now before she goes crazy pining after him. What if he takes the piss? She screamed for her head to shut up and her heart to take over. Just say it, Rae. Just do it.

"When I told you I liked you earlier…" she started. "I didn't just mean as a friend."

She chanced a glance at Finn. His eyes were wide. Maybe he was surprised? Or was he disgusted? Fuck, what has she done?

Finn didn't say anything; he just stood there and stared. Rae couldn't take it anymore.

"Never mind," she muttered quickly before rushing out the back door. Once outside she rested her back against the wall and closed her eyes.

She was so fucking stupid. She should have never done it. She'd ruined everything.

Her mental berating was interrupted by a concerned Archie.

"All right there, Rae?"

"Yeah, fine. Just got a bit claustrophobic inside," she fibbed.

Their attention turned to the door opening again. She groaned when she saw Finn walk out.

"Hiya," he said. "Arch, mind if I talk to Rae?"

"'Course not, I'm going to go refill. Meet you inside in a few," Archie nodded to Rae as he walked in.

"Come to take the piss, have you?"

Finn rolled his eyes. "No, Rae. I wouldn't do that. Not before and not now."

"Sure, whatever," she muttered, kicking at the ground.

"I'm sorry I didn't get what you meant earlier. I wasn't expecting it in that sense."

"Right."

"Are you the one that sent me this letter, then?" he pulled a pink and white envelope from his back pocket, breaking her heart even more.

"Finn, do you really think that I would send a love letter let alone in a bloody pink envelope?"

"I- I don't know. I also thought you didn't fancy me back either. I'm not known to pick up on stuff like that. Mum says I'm oblivious," he let out an awkward laugh.

Rae froze. "You what?"

"I'm oblivious when it comes to girls. I don't understand why someone would send me a love letter or even when they're blatantly flirting. I don't notice it right away. I mean, what do I have to offer? Just a meaningless hook-up? That's what Chop told me, anyways."

"Seriously? Finn… you're fucking great. You're also a moody git."

"Hey!"

"Well, it's true, Finn."

"Yeah, I know." Rae laughed at him rolling his eyes when he said it. "Listen, I'm sorry. And I didn't mean to just stand there in the pub. I was just- I was surprised."

"Sorry," she said quietly.

"Don't be," he smiled.

"So, Finn…"

"Rae…" he mocked.

"Would you like to go out with me sometime?" she asked shyly.

"What are you thinking of," he asked as he made his way closer to her until he was standing directly in front of her, only centimeters separating them.

She was at a loss. Finn being so close was fogging up her head, she couldn't concentrate.

"I- I don't know. I've only ever been on one and that was sneaking in after-hours to the leisure center. What do people usually do?"

She felt stupid. Yeah, ask him out but have no idea for what to do.

"Maybe we can hang at yours and listen to records, watch telly… without the gang," he laughed.

Alone? With him? Fuck yes.

"Sounds good," Rae grinned.

"Why don't we just head out now? Just sneak away," he suggested.

"Well, someone's eager," Rae teased causing Finn to blush bright red.

"Shuddup."

"Let's go," she said as she grabbed his hand and pulled him in the direction of her house.