Chapter 8

"Hey sweetie. What are you doing up so late?"

Rachel turned around, startled a bit.

"Oh, hi daddy. I can't sleep."

"What's up?"

"I just.. I'm nervous for the show tomorrow."

"My daughter? Nervous? For a musical? Not possible."

Rachel laughed a bit, "I know, crazy right?"

"You're gonna do great sweetie, You're father and I are so proud and love you very much." He kissed the top of her forehead, hugging her tightly.

"Thanks daddy. I love you too." She wrapped her arms around him tightly.

He noticed the tiny gold star dangling from her wrist. "Where's this from?"

Rachel looked up to see him starring at her new bracelet. "Oh a friend of mine, one of the boys I tutor, he gave it to me."

"Really? Its beautiful."

"I know. I told him I couldn't accept it, but he insisted. Said it was a thank you for tutoring him."

"Well, the boy has a good taste. In jewelry... and girls."

She began to blush as she smiled thinking about how Finn "liked" her.

"Goodnight sweetheart, we'll see you tomorrow."

"Night!"

...

"Hey Beautiful"

Rachel rolled her eyes and smiled as he walked over towards her, "Hi Finn."

He smiled his signature half smile as he leaned on the locker next to hers. He loved the way she played off her attraction to him. Clearly she found something about him worthy enough to continue to talk to him. And he was gonna run with that... "So, are you nervous for tonight?"

She nodded, "To be honest yes. And I'm not sure why, I'm a performer and this is what I do..."

"Yea, I know what you mean. Every time we have a game, I freak out too."

Rachel looked up at him, "Really?"

"Yea. But it definitely helps when the game starts and I look into the stands and I see my mom there, she points at me like this..." He lifted his arm reaching out and pointing at the wall across them.. "and then she winks."

Rachel smiled as she watched him demonstrate, "That's really cute Finn."

He looked over at her, smiling, "Yea? Well so are you Ms. Rachel Berry."

She blushed a bit as he smiled at her, "Are you gonna make it to the show?"

"Definitely. I was your tutor, so I have to see my masterpiece."

Rachel laughed, "I'm sorry tutor? Finn, you helped me run lines after school. I highly doubt that's a sufficient amount of work to say your my tutor...But, I'm glad you'll be there." She shut her locker, before turning around and walking away gripping onto her notebook tightly. Finn couldn't help but smile a bit as he watched her go. Just a few weeks ago, she couldn't stand him.

...

"Good evening, Rachel." Rachel turned around to see Jesse standing behind her as she peeked out through the curtain.

"Oh Jesse, Hi."

He smiled grabbing her in an awkward hug and kissing her cheek. "I just wanted to come and say hello, wish you the best of luck."

"Well thank you, that was very sweet. I actually should finish getting ready though."

He nodded as she made her way around him towards the back where her vanity sat.

Jesse watched and smiled before returning to take his seat. She sat for a minute starring into the mirrors, she'd always found Jesse St. James attractive. No doubt. And so quaint. The perfect performer. A great personality, aside from his cockiness, but a genuine guy. She was flattered by the attention she received from him and the growth in their relationship, but something felt weird about it all. Obviously he was interested, but something was holding her back... or someone.

Tina walked by, interrupting her thoughts, "Hey girl. You ready?"

Rachel smiled brightly as she turned around hugging her best friend, "Yea, are you?"

"So Ready!"

They both laughed a bit as Rachel turned back to adjust her hair. Tina looked down at her vanity noticing Rachel's new piece of Jewelry.

"This is beautiful, where from?"

Rachel looked up and notice her bracelet dangling in Tina's hands, "Oh, that. Um, Finn gave it to me actually." She mumbled a bit and put her head down trying not to expose her very pink cheeks.

Tina began to laugh a bit, slightly nudging her arm. "Oh my god, he is totally into you."

Rachel shrugged her shoulders, "Yea."

"I mean when you said he was into you, I figured you know, I don't even know what I thought, but this... this is really into you. It's beautiful... Oh my god, he's so into you."

Rachel grabbed it out of her hand, "Alright, enough. I think I get it now." She laughed placing the bracelet down on her table.

Tina stood watching Rachel as she crossed her arms in front of her, "And you are so into him."

Rachel turned quickly to face, "What?"

"You like him too."

"Do not."

"You so do. Your cheeks match your pink dress right now."

Rachel glanced int the mirror quickly, "Okay. You need to stop. I do not like Finn Hudson. I'm his tutor."

Tina rolled her eyes playfully, "Mhmm!"

"And even if I did... It's Finn Hudson."

...

Finn had taken a change of clothes to change into after practice for the show. He was gonna meet up with Mike who was going to see Tina, and he wanted to get a good seat so he quickly showered up and changed. He'd even bought her some flowers earlier in the day and stored them in some water in his locker.

"Hey man!"

Mike looked up and nodded, "Hey? You ready?"

"Yea. It think so."

Mike smiled as he noticed how nervous Finn looked, "Alright man. Let's go."

The two of them walked towards the auditorium.

"You've never been to a show here huh?" Mike looked over at Finn who was carrying a beautiful bouquet of Lilly's.

"Uh, no."

"Yea, I hadn't either before I started dating Tina, it's actually pretty cool. Who would have known right?"

Finn laughed, "Yea, I would have never guessed. Or even think I'd be at one."

Mike smiled, "So you really like her huh?"

Finn looked over at his friend, "She's different. She gets me, and she's a challenge, which is probably why I fell for her. It makes her special. You know?" He looked over at Mike who was smiling. "I know, its cheesy and lame."

"No man, its cool. It's how I feel about Tina... Speaking of, I'm gonna head backstage to sya hi to her, wanna come and give those to Berry?"

Finn nodded as he followed him in.

...

"So when are you gonna ask him out?" Tina had continue to bombard her with questions about Finn and even Jesse.

"I ma not gonna ask him out, will you stop. You're driving me crazy." Rahel began to pace around the room.

"I just think its so cute. And then we could double date."

"Alright, slow down partner." Rachel rolled her eyes as Tina smiled.

"I'm just saying, it could be fun."

"Yea, I'm sure it could be."

"So then you're not into Jesse anymore right?"

"Jesse?" Rachel looked up at Tina a little confused.

"Oh, please. You've been swooning over the guy since we were freshmen. And he seems into you too."

"Well yea, but again, its Jesse. And he's leaving in a few months anyway. I don't know. He's so cocky. And I don't know." Rachel rolled her eyes.

"You're just realizing that?" Tina began to laugh before taking a seat next to Rachel. "I think you should go with Finn. He likes you, and you like him."

"You don't know that."

Tina rolled her eyes and noticed something before looking back at Rachel to respond, "I think I do." She winked as Rachel looked at her confused.

Tina suddenly jumped up and made her way over to Mike flinging her self into his arms and planting a soft kiss on his lips, "There's my favorite boy!"

"Hey babe!" Mike smiled as he hugged her tightly.

Rachel smiled and then tensed up a bit when she saw Finn standing behind them flowers in his hand.

Finn looked over at Mike and Tina smiling before Rachel caught his eye. He cleared his throat before making his way around them and towards her.

"Hi."

Rachel stood up quickly, "Hi!"

"These are for you."

Rachel blushed a bit as she took the flowers from his hand. "They're beautiful Finn. Thank you."

Before he could say anything else the girls were called for show time.

"I guess that means you have to go now?"

Rachel laughed, "Yea, but thanks for stopping by. That was very sweet of you."

"Well, I am a very sweet guy." He gave her his suave look as she began to laugh. "You still nervous?"

Rachel nodded, "Yea. Freaking out actually."

"Well you're really good at hiding that. And don't worry, I'm sure you'll do great."

"Thanks."

Mike called over at Finn. "Time to go Hudson."

He nodded before turning back to Rachel, "When you get out there look for me okay."

"Why?" Rachel looked up at him confused.

"Just do it." He walked away smiling and then stopped quickly. He made his way back to her as Rachel looked up nervously when he stopped merely inches from her face. "Yes?"

"Break a leg."

Before she could respond Finn walked out following Mike towards the Auditorium.

Rachel stood smiling.

Tina notice as she stood by her, "Not interested huh?"

Rachel looked over at Tina, a smile still stretched across her face. "Alright. You're right... Now Lets go."

Tina jumped up, "I knew it!"

...

The curtain rose as Rachel took the stage, her heart began to race quickly. She panicked a bit for a moment. All eyes on her. She closed her eyes and opened them quickly as she scanned the room. And there he was. Their eyes met and he noticed her nervousness, so he pointed to her and winked, just like his mom did for him. Rachel smiled and all of a sudden everything was okay.

...

As the final curtain fell, the students made their way to the front of the stage to take a final bow. Finn and Mike stood clapping and cheering loudly. He was blown away by how amazing she had been.

...

The girls made their way out towards the auditorium where the boys and their families waited after changing and grabbing their things.

"There's my gold star. Rachel, you were amazing."

She smiled as her dad lifted her in the air hugging her tightly, "Thanks Daddy."

She made her way over to her father grabbing him tightly in a hug, "Hi Dad."

"Hi angel. You were brilliant as always."

"Thanks. I take after the best right?" She winked hugging him again and noticing Finn in the corner of her eye.

"Finn, you're still here?" She smiled as she made her way towards him. She tip toed up grabbing him in a hug. "What'd you think? So boring you fell asleep?"

Finn laughed, "No. It was, really cool actually. You're amazing Rachel. I'm very impressed."

Rachel began to blush, "Well, thank you Finn. I owe you. That trick your mom does, really works. And I'm sure all the "tutoring" you gave me definitely helped too."

They both laughed as her Dad walked up behind them clearing his throat.

Rachel noticed as she turned to see both her fathers standing, waiting for an introduction, "Oh. Dad, Daddy. This is my, friend, Finn Hudson."

"Finn, these are my parents, Hiram and Leroy Berry."

Finn stuck out his hand, "Pleasure to meet you both."

"Son, nice to meet you." Hiram stuck out his hand shaking it in return.

Leroy looked over at Finn, before shaking his hand, "Finn Hudson? Carole's son?"

"Yes, Caroled Hudson that's my mom"

"Such a small world, I worked as a lawyer for the company she works with. I got to work directly with your mother. She mentioned she had a son who attended McKinley. Pleasure to meet you."

"Thank you Sir." Finn smiled as he shook his hand.

Rachel smiled as she watched them, "I tutor Finn in Math and he helped me run some lines for the play."

"You have a very talented daughter. Amazing at everything she does." Finn smiled, he liked bragging about Rachel, something about it made him feel good inside.

"Well, thank you Finn. Our little Berry is gonna do great things in life. Thank you for encouraging her and helping her out."

Rachel turned to give both her dad's a hug, "I'll see you both at home okay?"

They each kissed her forehead before saying goodbye, "Not too late."

"I know. Love you guys."

Finn waved, "Nice meeting you both."

"Likewise, son!"

When the Berry's had left, Rachel turned to Finn, "So..."

Finn smiled making his way closer towards her, "So..."

Rachel blushed, "Don't you have some big party to go to or something? It is Friday night?"

"Nope." Finn was now close enough where she could almost feel his breathing on her skin, "I figured we could hang out."

"Really?"

"Why does that sound so shocking to you?" He looked down at her confused, for being so smart... she kinda wasn't.

Rachel laughed a bit, "It's not that it's shocking, it's just..."

"It's just what?"

"Never mind. What are we gonna do?" She crossed her arms around her chest giving him a sharp look.

...

About twenty minutes later, the two of them were walking along the beach laughing.

"That did not happen?" Rachel laughed some more as she looked up at Finn who was carrying her shoes for her.

"I promise you it did. The kid threw up everywhere on the field. It was awful they had to cancel the game."

"I don't believe it, why would he get drunk before the game?"

"Who knows?"

"That's disgusting."

He smiled as he watched her. She was perfect. The way her tiny feet slid across the sand. The way her eyes sparkled. The way her hair shimmered in the moonlight. The perfect shape of her lips. She was beautiful...

"Thank you Finn. This was really fun."

"You're Welcome Rach. I'm glad you had a good time."

"You're not so bad after all Finn Hudson."

"Th-ank you?" He laughed a bit.

Rachel smiled, "What I mean is, you're not the guy I thought you were. Its nice to know I was wrong."

"Well you already know I think you're pretty awesome."

She nodded as they continued to walk. A few seconds passed before she stopped and faced him.

"Can I ask you something?"

Finn looked down at her, "Anything?"

"What's up with you and Quinn Fabray?"

"What?"

"Are you guys together, do you still like her...or?"

"Quinn?... No, I mean we dated last year and sure she's a great girl, and hot, but we weren't right for each other, I'd be lying if I said we were happy all the time. To be honest we spent most of our relationship arguing with one another."

"Oh"

"What made you ask about Quinn?"

"I hear things. I know you guys dated and I just wasn't sure if you were still into her, i just had to make sure."

"Make sure?"

Rachel looked up at a very confused Finn. Sure she knew he liked her, but she knew what kind of guy he was, or at least thought he was. And tonight, walking along the beach, she realized that he was a good guy. And everyone deserved a chance right?

"Yea. Make sure you weren't into her, before I did this..." Rachel tiptoed up pressing her lips to his.

Finn was startled and pulled away quickly. "Umm?" He was stood Rachel just kissed him.

Rachel looked up at him completely embarrassed, obviously she was wrong and he actually didn't want to kiss her, "I'm so sorry."

Finn looked down at her, "Oh no, its.."

"I.. I shouldn't have done that." She began to walk away quickly as Finn grabbed her arm bring her back to him.

"I'm glad you did." Before she could say another word Finn grabbed her face pulling it towards his and kissing her softly.