The alarm on the night table beeped incessantly waking Rae from her wonderful dream of having told Finn she liked him. It was an amazing dream; he told her liked her back and they went back to her house. They kissed and – Rae froze as she saw an arm that wasn't her own reaching over her and slamming their hand on the "off" button. She became aware of the warm body pressed against hers, the leg between hers, and the breath on the back of her neck. The hand pulled back from the clock and came back to rest on her boob causing her to flinch back which made her move into something stiff poking at her arse. The other body moaned in response and pulled her closer, still holding onto her tit, and curled their leg tighter around hers.

Rae sat up on her elbows and looked next to her to see Finn sleepily opening his eyes with a smile on his face.

"Good morning," he said groggily.

"Good… morning," Rae whispered, a bit confused.

Finn looked at her curiously. "What's wrong?" he asked.

Rae put her hand to her forehead, her eyebrows furrowed.

"I just…. I thought it was a dream," she said slowly.

"No, it all happened," he laughed. "I'm very real."

Rae raised her eyebrow and motioned with her head to his crotch, gaining a bit of confidence.

"So I felt," she smirked.

Finn blushed and bent his knees in an attempt to hide the culprit.

"Shuddup! I'm a 17 year-old guy! Besides… I woke up with my girl," he grinned at her.

"With your girl's girls in your hand," she mumbled teasingly as she stretched her arms over her head.

He put his hands up in surrender but was silent. Rae looked back to him to find his gaze resting on her chest. She huffed and rolled her eyes.

"Seriously, Finn?"

At least this time he had the audacity to look sheepish. "What can I say? They're distracting; I can't help myself."

She let out a short laugh and got up from the bed, Finn following behind her. He began making his way out the door to the bathroom before he turned back and pulled her to him. Rae gasped in surprise as he set his lips on hers but before she had time to respond he pulled away.

"Good morning," he said again and walked out.

Rae smiled and put her hand to her lips as she admired the view from behind of a solely boxer-clad boyfriend. She was ecstatic. It was as if now it felt real that she and Finn were together, that he really did like her back.

"Babe, can I borrow your toothbrush?" Finn asked; his head popped into Rae's view at the door.

"Babe?" she repeated.

Finn pursed his lips. "Don't like it?" She scrunched her nose and shook her head. "Right. Well, what do you say? Do you mind?"

"Isn't that kind of… gross?"

Finn's full body came into view as he came forwards until he was standing right in front of her. "Rae," he said, his voice husky. "My tongue has been in your mouth. Don't overthink it."

Rae gaped at him before smacking his arm. "Filth! Absolute filth!"

Finn laughed. "Oh, come on! That was nothing. But unless I get a toothbrush, it's going to stay filthy."

"The green one."

Finn leaned forward and kissed her quickly again before retreating back to the bathroom.

Was he ever going to let her kiss him back? He just needed to stay still for a bit so she could give him a little something-something in return.

Rae sighed happily and grabbed a few pieces of clothes to change into, trying to inconspicuously hide her boulder holder between a shirt and leggings whilst Finn brushed his teeth. Ten minutes later they were both dressed and downstairs. Rae was rather disappointed she couldn't ogle him in next-to-nothing for a bit longer but she did have to admit he pulls off that "Grunge is Dead" tee very, very well.

"You got cereal, Sugar Pie?" Finn asked as he rummaged through the cupboard for breakfast.

"Sugar Pie?" she asked speculatively.

He stopped and turned to her. "No?"

Rae laughed lightly.

"Nah. Coco Pops to your left. So what are you doing today?" she asked as she sat down at the small table in the kitchen.

"You want some?" Rae shook her head. "Well, it depends on your plans, Honey Bunch," he smirked as he poured the cereal and milk into a bowl.

"Fucking hell, Finn. Keep going and The Four Tops is going to demand royalties," she laughed. "I don't need a pet name."

Finn sat down across from her and grinned at her with a mouthful of cereal.

"So who the hell in their right mind sets an alarm during the summer holiday? I mean, I'm a morning person but if I don't have to get up for college I'd prefer to wake up without some loud fucking beeping," Finn said before shoveling in another mouthful.

Rae felt her confidence shrink. "Someone who's not in their right mind and has trouble sleeping and oversleeping," she whispered shyly.

Finn froze with a spoonful of Pops in the air. He dropped his spoon back into the bowl and reached for her hand. "Shit, Rae. I didn't mean it like that! I was just teasing. Please don't be-"

"Finn, it's fine. I understand. Um… Guess we could meet the gang at the pub," Rae said.

"Sounds good. I'm going to stop at home and change first. What do you say we meet there?" he suggested, rising his bowl off in the sink.

Rae smiled and nodded as Finn grabbed her hand and pulled her up so she was standing. He lifted her arms and secured them around his neck, setting his hands on her hips. She leaned in slowly as if asking for his permission before their faces collided.

Finn reluctantly pulled away. "Mmm, that is never going to get old. I'll see you in a bit, sweets," he said.

Rae laughed and rolled her eyes at him as he walked out the door. Today was perfect. The backpack of bullshit was no longer weighing down her shoulders as much as if did before. Sure, Finn didn't know everything and the rest of the gang knew nothing but it was still nice; nice to have someone outside of therapy to talk to who didn't judge you. She felt invincible, like she could conquer the world.

Until the voices started in.

What if she started getting really bad again? What if he thought that being with someone who is ill is too much to handle? What if it was just a bet with a mate? To bed her and then leave. What if he was going home to call Chop and laugh at her?

Right?

She shook her head. No, Finn isn't like that. He wouldn't hurt people; he's a good guy. He defended her, punched Big G when they were taking the piss. It isn't just an elaborate ruse to humiliate her. He wouldn't do that. He doesn't deserve to have these thoughts go through her head.

Why would Finn want to be with someone like her? Someone who couldn't handle their shit, couldn't keep it together. How long would it be until she scared him off?

"Stop!" she commanded herself. "Stop it."

She realized then that she was alone for the first time since she'd nearly killed herself. She was home alone. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as her head whirled with memories of taking the blade to her leg. She was falling short of breath, her stomach churned, and her head throbbed.

She knew she needed to get out of the house. She went upstairs quickly and grabbed her backpack, stuffing the diary inside and laughed bitterly. Backpack full of bullshit. She stumbled down the stairs, grabbing her keys before she opened the door and started off in the direction of the pub.

She counted to ten and tried to calm her breathing, keeping to the rhythm of her steps. Her head was down as she walked, focusing on her feet and whispering each count quietly to herself. When she made it to the pub she let out a deep breath before opening the door and walking inside.

"Raemundo!" Rae heard Chop shout from the bar.

She smiled at him before making her way over to the booth where Izzy and Archie sat chatting. With Chloe. Rae groaned mentally and put on a brave face as she sat down, her backpack on the floor.

"Hiya," she greeted.

"So, Raemundo," Chop said as he brought a round to the table. "Did you and our little Finny-boy have a good night last night?"

Rae blushed and looked out of the corner of her eye to see Chloe giving her a hard stare. "Um… Yeah, it was nice."

"Rae, can I talk to you in the toilets?" Chloe asked as she stood up.

She sighed and got up from her seat following behind Chloe. She closed the door behind her and stared at the sink, unable to look Chloe in the eyes.

"I wanted to talk to you about last night," Chloe started.

Rae pursed her lips to the side and shrugged but didn't say anything. She was still unsure how she was going to handle the situation.

"I don't think it's fair to me that you went and got me kicked out of the gang."

Rae looked at her sharply, just completely bewildered. "You're here aren't you?" she motioned to the door.

"Aren't you moving on from Archie a bit quickly?" she retaliated. "Is Chop next?"

"Stop. What you did last night was wrong, Chloe. I stayed with you instead of going to Knebworth. I didn't say anything about Mr. Carrisford or the abortion… When I told you about the hospital you up and left to go see him instead. I have done a lot for you, Chloe. Have have you done for me?" Sassy Rae was making a return.

Chloe scoffed at her and crossed her arms over her chest. "I let you in the gang."

"Well, thank you for introducing me to people who don't treat me like shit." Rae was trying to keep her voice calm but her blood was boiling.

"They were my friends first, you need to back off."

"Chloe, I don't have any control over them, so be their friend if you both want it. I'm not going to tell them who they can or can't be friends with but I can do it for myself. And I've decided that you're not my friend. Friends don't treat one another like you do me. I need to be around people who don't try and hurt me. I do that enough myself. So, Chloe, I quit."

They turned when they heard the door open behind Rae. Finn came into view and glared at Chloe.

"I thought I told you to stay away from her and fuck off," he growled.

Chloe simply glared at him and bumped his shoulder angrily as she walked out. Finn kept his eyes on her as she exited the pub and turning to Rae he let go of the door. He grabbed her hand and looked at her concernedly.

"You alright? She do anything?" he asked checking her over.

"No, she was just being catty," Rae reassured, giving him a small smile.

He sighed sadly and pulled her into a hug. "I'm sorry she's a bitch to you," he murmured into her ear.

"Yeah…" she sighed. "Me too."

"C'mon, let's go, darling" he said grabbing her hand and leading her out of the bathrooms as she laughed.

They were greeted by the grinning faces of Archie and Izzy. Chop, on the other hand, had his eyebrows raised and the most suggestive expression upon his face.

"What are we talking about?" Rae asked as her and Finn sat down, not letting go of each other's hand.

"Orgasms!"

Rae threw her head back in exasperation. "Jesus, Chopper. Haven't we had this conversation enough?"

She looked over to see a smiling Finn wink as he pulls out his tobacco and papers. She scrunched her nose playfully at him and he leans over to kiss her cheek quickly causing her to blush a bright red and look at the rest of the gang's reaction. Her spirits lifted when she saw them smiling at them and giggled when she saw Archie give her a thumbs-up.

"Where'd Chloe go?" Izzy asked.

Maybe it was time to lift a different kind of spirit (and to her lips).

"She's not welcome anymore," Finn said nonchalantly as he continued to carefully roll his tobacco.

"What do you mean?"

Finn sighed and looked up at Chop. "Simply put: she was a fucking bitch to Rae."

"What did she do?" Archie asked concerned.

Finn shook his head, turning his attention back to the rollie. "That's not important. What is is that she was one and is no longer welcome."

"Oh…" Izzy said.

Rae was staring past Chop at the wall as she unconsciously scratched her hand during the conversation. She gasped when she felt Finn's hand land on her own that was scratching. She looked down at her lap and took a deep breath. Finn let go of her and put his index finger on her thigh, thankfully closer to her knee, and began tracing shapes.

Letters.

She shivered as she watched what he wrote.

A-L-R-I-G-H-T-B-O-O-?

She raised her eyebrows. "Boo?"

"Just testing," he shrugged.

She giggled at him and he drew a smiley face on her leg. He wanted to make her smile.

"I'm going to get us a round," she said.

She stood up and as she walked away trailed her hand lightly across his neck causing him to shudder blissfully. She laughed at his reaction and stepped up to the bar. She felt his presence beside her as she waited to get the bartender's attention.

"You never answered me," he said gently, bumping her shoulder with his.

Rae sighed. "I dunno. It hurts but I also feel like shite because I don't like the idea that I was the reason Chloe lost her friends."

Finn put his hand on her back and rubbed circles soothingly.

"Be selfish, Rae," he said seriously. "For once, let yourself be selfish."

"Hiya, girls!"

Finn froze and dropped his head to his chest. "Oh my god, keep her away from me!"

Rae turned to see the voice came from petite blonde girl talking with three other girls sitting a booth by Izzy, Chop, and Archie.

"Who is she?"

"Stacey Stringfellow," Finn whispered maneuvering so his back was to her. "Has she seen me?"

Rae shook her head and Finn made a quick getaway, pulling Rae by the hand behind him. He let out a huge sigh of relief when they made it outside.

"Oh, thank god," he said leaning against the back wall of the pub.

Rae was confused. "What's going on?"

"Stacey will not leave me alone since I broke up with her." He ran his fingers through his hair. "Jesus, that was close."

"Broke…up?" Rae frowned.

"We used to go out last year. Biggest mistake I've ever made."

Rae knew he had exes but it's harder when you see someone who looked so… perfect; so right for someone like Finn. She was dainty and confident. She's one you would parade around in public proudly because guys don't like big girls. Most of all, she wasn't like Rae. She was like Chloe.

Finn was growing concerned about the crestfallen expression on Rae's face. He reached out and put his hand on the side of her neck, turning her head so she was looking at him.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"I… Is going out with me some big ruse?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I don't understand why you'd want to be with someone who's mad when you can have anyone," she sounded absolutely perplexed.

Finn smirked at her. "Maybe I'm mad for that person."

"Wow… You did not just say that."

"But I did," he shrugged. "Why don't you believe me when I say I like you?"

"Because it feels too good to be true. Especially after seeing Stacey."

"I don't want Stacey; I want you," Finn countered.

The image of Stacey reappeared in her mind.

"She's beautiful."

"She's a right bitch is what she is. You're beautiful," he tapped the tip of her nose to make her smile.

She swatted at his hand and tried not to smile but failed.

"No I'm not."

"You really are. I wish you could see yourself through my eyes. Besides, don't you remember what was poking you this morning?" he laughed.

Rae blushed for the umpteenth time that day and looked down.

"Doesn't mean it was because of me," she mumbled.

Finn grinned mischievously, grabbing hold of the open sides of her plaid shirt and pulled her to him forcefully so their fronts were mashed against one another.

"Prepare to be proven wrong, m'dear," he said huskily before planting his lips on hers.

She moaned and reflexively wrapped her arms around his neck. He smiled into the kiss and pulled her tighter to him.

"Finn," Rae started hesitantly after they pulled away breathless, "do you think we're moving too fast? I mean, we just spent the night together the same day we started dating."

He brushed hair out of her face as he answered. "My mum was in an abusive relationship before she met dad. When I started dating dad told me that there were a few things to remember. The pace of a relationship is defined by the comfort of those in the relationship, not by others. The fastest it moves is the slower of the two speeds. If someone is uncomfortable: say something. Anyone else who thinks they have control over others can fuck off. I'm happy moving at whatever pace you set, Rae. If you want to slow down, we will."

Rae didn't answer but pulled his lips back to his causing him to laugh lightly. They were so lost in each other that they didn't hear the door opening.

"Hogging our Raemundo, are you Finny-boy?" Chop teased.

Finn pulled away from Rae reluctantly before giving Chop a grin.

"Damn right I'm hogging my girl. I can't help myself," he laughed as Rae buried her face in his shoulder, self-conscious about being caught macking on her boyfriend by their mates.

Izzy squealed at them. "You two are so made for each other!"

"We're off, mate. Gonna head to the Basement if you lot want to join later."

They waved to the other three as they disappeared from view and Finn turned back to face Rae.

"Want to meet my nan? She's in the hospital and she said she'd like to meet you."

"How does she know who I am?" Rae asked confused.

Finn turned red. "Maybe… I kinda, sorta nattered on about you once or twice," he said unable to look her in the eyes.

She laughed and offered him her hand.