Finn Hudson could hardly wait for the lunch bell to ring. One more period was almost over, bringing him closer and closer to 3:00 football practice. His fingers itched to feel the satisfying thwack of a leather ball in his hands. His legs felt cramped under his not-quite-big-enough desk, and he longed for fresh air and the synthetic green grass of the football field.

And, of course, the sight of Quinn and the Cheerios practicing. Finn was no Puckerman, but he could appreciate the tiny pleated skirt and short tops that the girl's wore as much as the next guy. Of course, the uniform looked amazing on Quinn. Finn glanced toward the back of the room, where Santanna and Brittany were giggling over something on Santanna's Iphone.

He still didn't know how they had ended up in the same class, since individually they barely ever did any work and together they never did. Brittany's long blond Cheerios ponytail made him think of Quinn, although Quinn's blonde was a bit more vibrant than Brit's. Finn squinted, but he couldn't discern any of the answers on Santanna's test.

He didn't even bother trying to look at Brittany's. Quinn was the smartest of the Unholy Trinity, but since she was currently in Mr. Horn's class, Santanna was second-best. Brit's head was full of air and rainbows.

"Time's up!" Mr. Dewwit, the math teacher, stood and began collecting papers from the first row of students. Frantically, Finn scribbled in a few random answers. He was probably going to fail the test. He usually did. When Mr. Dewwit reached his desk, Finn handed in his half-completed paper and grabbed his backpack. Mr. Dewwit paused for a minute, looking at Finn's paper, then sighed and moved on to the back row.

"Mr. Dewwit?" Brittany asked sweetly. "Raise your hand, Miss Pierce." Mr. Dewwit said, frowning sternly. "Oh yeah. Sorry." Brittany's hand shot into the air. Mr. Dewwit made a show of looking around the room.

"Yes, Miss Pierce?" He asked finally. "Are we dismissed?" Brittany and Santanna has already shouldered their backpacks, and Santanna was halfway out of her seat. "As soon as I get your papers, you may leave." Mr. Dewwit said. That was all the reason Finn needed. He was out of his seat and in the hallway faster than Brittany could solve 2+2.

Finn was thinking about football. Which meant he wasn't paying much attention to anyone around him. Or anyone walking directly at him. Which was why he didn't notice the tall, slim girl until he slammed into her full-force, knocking her and her books to the ground.

"Oh, my god!" Finn looked down at the girl, who was rubbing the side of her head. "Are you okay?" Instinctively he held out a hand and pulled the girl to her feet so that he stood facing her. She had fiery red hair long enough to tap her elegant shoulder blades, and large, sparkling emerald orbs shaded by dark lashes. A light smattering of freckles was dusted across her smooth, pale skin and delicate nose.

"Uh, h-hi." Finn said, stammering. He wasn't quite sure what the rules of etiquette were when you knocked over a beautiful girl in a crowded hallway. "I'm, uh, sorry about, you know...that." "It's fine." The girl smiled sweetly at him. Her voice had a slight breathy quality to it, and reminded him of Quinn's. She held out a hand. "I'm Sapphire."

Her nails were rounded and perfect but unpolished. Quinn always wore fingernail polish. Awkwardly, Finn grasped her hand in his and shook it. He couldn't help but think how Quinn would never shake anyone's hand. "That's a pretty name. I'm, uh, Finn."

Suddenly he remembered himself and where he was, and he reached down and gathered up her books. When he straightened up, the girl-Sapphire-smiled at him again. "Thanks." She took the books from him, and and their arms brushed against each other for a fraction of a second. Finn felt electric chills all down his body.

The bell rang, loud and harsh, breaking the spell at once. "Better get going." The girl pulled her hair back into a ponytail and snapped an elastic around it. Finn watched her intently. She had slim, agile fingers. "Don't want to be late for my first English class." Finn shook himself. "Yeah. It was nice to meet you." He paused. "Sapphire." "Nice to meet you too, Finn." The girl swung her bag over her shoulder and set off at a quick pace down the hall. Finn looked after her, watching her hips sway with each step she took. Damn He thought to himself. She's got a really nice butt.