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Chapter Eight:

"For a second there I thought I had the wrong house."

"No, I was just upstairs I was working on some things while waiting for you." Smiling politely she ushered him the house. The question on her mind, wondering why he was so late.

"Yeah, sorry I'm running really late but Burt pulled me into a later shift down at the shop. I would have called you but I left my phone in my bag with my spare clothes in the locker. Burt doesn't allow phones in the shop, and I tried explaining to him but with all the customers he wasn't really up to listening. Than I got to the store down the street and found out they didn't carry this so I had to go down a little farther." Finn smiled as he held out a little bundle of light pink and yellow sweet peas tied with a black ribbon holding them together.

Failing to attempt the ridiculous smile taking over her face as she took them into her own hands.

"They're beautiful, thank you very much." Excusing herself to take them into the kitchen, Rachel set them onto a vase from under the sink placing them to sit on the counter near the window. Walking softly back into the hallway she held up a finger "Let me grab my purse and we'll get going."

Helping her into his truck, Rachel blushed as his hands touched her waist. Thanking him quietly, he shut the door making his way around to the drivers side jumping in.

"So where are going this evening?" Rachel asked as they started down the road, stopping at a stop sign Finn gave her a shrug

"I guess you'll find out once we get there."

"Secretive." She giggled crossing her legs, he grinned at her once more before taking off. "So how long have you been working for Burt at his shop?"

"This summer he offered me a job, he worked with me for my football schedule and still does. It's to make extra bucks for college. I'm grateful I even got the job, I don't want to screw it up."

"Where are you planning on going to college?" Rachel was genuinely interested to hear about someone elses plans other than her own.

"Community college, maybe Ohio State I applied to both. I'll get into either or, I didn't get any scholarships or anything so I'm on my own, well I'll have financial aid so there's that."

"Have you put any thought into what you might study?"

"No clue, that's what they have general studies for though right?"

"Right." Maybe, not everyone had their future planned out like she did.

Small chatter filled the truck as he drove them to their destination in which Finn pulled into the parking lot. Gasping as she looked out the window, pulling the door handle in excitement as she realized where they were. Chuckling Finn took his keys out the engine, joining her as she waited.

"I've never been here before, or any actually.."

"You've never been to an aquarium?" Quite shocked to this finding, he would have figured she had. He though everyone had been to an aquarium once in their life.

"No, I've always wanted to though so this is perfect!" Finn handed her, a ticket as they entered the place. "Come on, let's go in I bet there is so much to do in so little time."

Finn winced at the jab of him being later but he took that as a challenge he would make it up to her.

Handing the man their ticket Rachel went to grab for a map at the entrance but Finn took it out of her hands. "No way, I'm taking you on a tour. The place won't be a surprise if you know where you're going."

"Well what are we waiting for?" Walking ahead of him, Finn chuckles jogging to catch up with her.

Going through the first exhibits Rachel squeals with joy going over to the open tank in the middle of the room. Gaping wildly at the sting rays swimming in the water just below their bodies, it amazed her that they were even open. She would have thought they'd all be closed in, but was proven wrong. Dangling over the edge of the wall, the smell of the water was a little unfamiliar but welcoming because this is what kept the animals true to their home. Something Rachel admired about the aquarium, how at home he animals seemed to be.

"Oh, my god!" Rachel laughed pointing to the turtle coming from under one of the bridges. "That thing is huge!"

"I remember it from when I came here as a kid, it's gotta be like seventy by now."

"Wow, how amazing." Rachel watched it swim much quickly than she could imagine a four hundred pound turtle could swim. Using her finger, she suggested moving on to the next exhibit. Taking the lead, Finn jumped on the escalator carrying them both up to the next level.

Through out the aquarium, Finn found it cute how amazed at everything she was. How when they went through the rain forest exhibit she nearly bounced with excitement in seeing a sloth hanging out in one to the trees. Even when she screamed in finding a sign at the end saying 'Beware of the Tarantula'. He didn't have the heart to tell her that the sign was just to scare kids because her hand stand in his until they left.

"Never going in there again." She mumbled as they were being carried by the escalator down to another floor. "Those are poisonous, don't they know that?"

"Afraid of spiders?" Smirking down at her, she gently smacked him across the chest. Stepping off Rachel went to go in one direction as Finn went in another, she than realized she still had a hold of his hand. Finn squeezed it gently pulling her his way, before she let go. "Come on, we're going to be late if we don't start heading there now."

"Late to where?" She asked him in curiosity but followed him anyway.

"It's a surprise." He repeated as she fell in sync with him while walking across the carpet

"You sure do like to make everything mysterious."

"Not mysterious, adventurous!" Finn's eyebrows raised mocking excitement. Giggling, she found herself closer to his side as they made it to a large group of people waiting outside three sets of doors. Wanting so much to ask him again what they were doing, she knew better. So instead Rachel took a look around for clues and finding just what she was looking for. The posters of dolphin facts, dolphin pictures, times of dolphin shows were a sure sign of what they'd be doing. Tightening her grip on his hand she titled her head up smiling up.

"We're seeing a dolphin show!" Her face lit up when he smirked

"You don't let anything past you, do you?"

"I love dolphins, they've been my favorite animals since I could remember. I used to want to be a marine biologist up until my fathers took me to my first ballet class, after that every thing I knew besides performing was history."

"I wanted to be a marine biologist too." Finn laughed, remembering the numerous trips to the aquarium talking his mom's ear off "I thought it was like training dolphins until my mom told me I had to take more science classes and study organisms and crap. I'm pretty sure she just told me that to get me away from the idea."

"What are you planning on doing after school, you graduate this year right?" Rachel broke hand contact leaning against the wall to get comfortable as they waited, trying to get more about his interests in studies a little more. Instead she was met with a cold hard brick wall.

"Yeah I'm an undecided senior..." Finn looked away focusing on one of the dolphin posters. His plans were definitely something he did not like to talk about. Instead she placed a reassuring hand on his arm.

"You'll figure it out, I'm positive of it."

Smiling down at her, Finn pointed to the woman taking tickets. "Come on, let's get a good seat."

Finding a seat wasn't a problem especially since they were one of the first ones in there. Crossing her legs Rachel got situated for the show, barely able to contain her excitement. Doing his best to hide the sign in front of their seats with his foot, Rachel put her purse on the floor.

"This was a great idea Finn, I would have never guessed you'd take me to an aquarium."

"Does this mean I get brownie points for creativity?"

"No, put it means that next time you have to compare to graceful dolphins, eccentric fishes and fascinating animals in the Australian exhibit."

"Next time?" Finn smiled as she smacked his leg, trying to hide her smile.

"Look the show is starting." Sitting straight ahead she listened to the woman introduce themselves and the dolphins by names. Finn was completely to enthralled by her to even pay attention to what was going on in front of him. Rachel looked gorgeous today, well she always looked pretty but he was glad she decided to dress up for their date, for him. He watched as she clapped for the dolphins as they were being introduced, she was smiling so bright.

"Did you just see that Finn?" Rachel shook his arm looking at him wide eyed, knocking him out of whatever he was just thinking of. Realizing Finn was already looking at her, Rachel blushed as he shook his head. "Well you should really watch, it's more interesting."

"Doubt it."

Amused yet completely charmed by his line, Rachel tried her best to put all her attention towards them. Through out the show she'd laugh with the rest of everyone else at the silly things the dolphin would do, gasp at the tricks they could preform and clap when the one dolphin did something she'd only see on TV.

"Our friends here just told us they would like to share the water." One of the trainers teased "How about it Ringo, would you like to give your friends a feel your home."

Looking around Rachel laughed at the poor hopeless people who were just about to get wet, but than she spotted half a sign near Finn's foot. Nudging his out of the way, Finn bit his lip to hide the grin he was holding back.

"Caution Wet Zone." Rachel read, having that be enough of a warning she went to move but Finn grabbed her hand holding her there. "Finn, I can't get wet my hair will get messed up and I'll smell like dolphin water."

"Is this coming from the same girl who told me hours ago that the smell of marine life's home was awesome?"
Rachel glared at him playfully going to get up, the timing too late as water splashed onto her. Opening her mouth with nothing coming out, Rachel was just about soaked. Slowly letting go of her hand, Finn watches in shock as she looks pretty upset over the fact that she's dripping wet.

"I am so sorry, I didn't think you'd get that wet, come on let's get dry." Nodding, Finn directs her from the show until they got out into the hallway. Looking down at herself, Rachel was so embarrassed at how wet her outfit was and how almost dry Finn was from her standing blocking him from the water.

"I am going to go use the restroom driers." Walking away, Finn grumbled. He had just ruined everything actually he ruined things from the beginning. This whole date had been a disaster so far, Finn knew it would have been as soon as he woke up late and stubbed his toe into the damn sink. Sure he was clumsy but his terrible days started out exactly the same way, Finn should have known.

Rachel was in there for a good twenty minutes, finally reappearing with now rumpled dry clothes. Hurrying up from his seat on the floor Finn walked up to Rachel, sorry written all over his face.

"I am so sorry Rachel if I would have known it was going to be that bad I wouldn't have made you stay there." He apologized again but Rachel raised a hand to stop him.

"It's no big deal I'm dry, a little water doesn't hurt."

"Yeah but you didn't want to get wet."

"It's fine, really." Rachel smiled looking around at the cleared out hallway. "So have we seen everything here?"

"Pretty much everything, yeah." Walking towards the exit of the aquarium, Finn felt defeated everything he worked for all ruined from a stupid dolphin show. Attempting to get his spirits back up for the rest of the night, Finn looked at her as they walked "Are you hungry?"

"Absolutely."

"Are you sure you're okay with this place?"

"Of course, I don't expect you to give up anything because of me." Rachel waved him off as silly.

"Yeah but there's like only salads for you to eat, we can go somewhere you want to."

"Finn, really I'm fine. I usually eat salads no matter where I go, seriously order whatever you please don't feel bad because of me." Cocking her head to the side she smiles at him. "Plus if we're ever going to do this again your going to have to be comfortable in knowing that I'm fine with you eating meat. That is your personal choice."

"So there's still a possible chance at a next time?"

"Of course Finn, why wouldn't you think so?"

"I just figured you were upset about the water incident, not to mention me being two hours late.."

"Don't be silly, I'm not upset. Obviously you can't control what happens at work, I completely understand. Plus I had a great time today, nasty water getting splashed on me is included." Patting his hand she took it back to look through her menu.

Rachel Berry was so different, if it were any other girl they would have gotten pissed and run off never seeing him again. Yet here she was telling him it was no big deal, even when she had told him before hand that she didn't want to get wet.

Rachel is a good sport, he liked that about her. In fact, he learned today that there were a lot of things about Rachel that he liked. Finn couldn't wait to discover everything about Rachel Berry that he liked.

Rolling up to her driveway Rachel unbuckled her seat belt turning to him to say her good-byes but he shook his head getting out and opening her door.

"Pulling out all the tricks tonight aren't you?" Closing the door behind her, Finn kept perfect pace as they made it up to her front porch stairs. Placing a hand on the door knob she turned to him "I had a wonderful time today, thank you for taking me."

"I'm just glad that you liked the aquarium especially since it was your first visit. Just sucks I didn't think through everything and made you get wet."

"I still disagree with you though, I smell a little fishy."

"A little..." He smirked as she smacked his chest in embarrassment

"You told me that I didn't" Suddenly feeling really self conscious she reached for her key but he grabbed her hand.

"We should really do this again though, I had fun today. Plus I want to get to know you more." Gently pulling her a little towards him that didn't go unnoticed

"I think that can be arranged." Feeling him leaning in a little more, Rachel shied away giggling softly as he placed a kiss on her cheek.. Pulling back, Finns eyes bored into her watching her go into her own house. "I'll see you tomorrow in school Finn."

"See you tomorrow." Breathing out deeply trying to maintain a kept appearance he jogged down her steps and the pavement. Finn couldn't remember a time where he felt this excited about a girl or any girl even.

But if there was something he was sure of, it was that Rachel Berry would be his, sooner rather than later.

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