Chapter Nine:
It seemed a whole lot easier at the dance to decide to let down these boys because today I'm standing at the end of the hall watching them walk towards me and it's not something I wanted to do. I was crazy not to want two boys chasing after me, call me self fish but I'm a theater nerd, I haven't been interested in boys in forever not since I found out the last boy I had feelings for was playing for another team. So I had to be crazy not to embrace this right?
Feeling like I was going crazy, I quickly stepped out of their view going to the opposite way to my first period class. Making it easier for me to avoid them I made it so I walked into class the minute the bell rung, making me on time not late. Sliding into my seat I avoided eye contact with everyone just opening my book to the page Mr. Shuester had on his was an independent day in his class meaning he was grading papers and we were reading by ourselves, something I was very thankful for. Class went by really slow probably because I was on the edge of my seat hoping that Puck wouldn't try talking to me. I didn't want to avoid Quinn but I didn't want to start any conversation near Puck. I wanted to give myself time to figure everything out.
Just as the bell rang I sprung up from my seat, my things already collected. Dropping my papers off at the desk with the rest of the kids I practically ran out of the classroom. Running to the library I hid behind the doors, watching the clock and making my way through the hallway and into my second period. Getting to my seat just as the bell rang, my teacher started class.
"Alright" My teacher clapped her hands smiling as she held a stack of papers in her hand "Pop test today! Surprise"
Everyone moaned and complained, me I was ecstatic. That meant I didn't have to talk to Finn today which I was very thankful for.
"Sucks right?" I heard Finn asked from behind me, knowing for sure he was talking to me I looked back smiling, nodding and turning around just as the teacher handed me my test. Getting out of there was harder than the last class but I managed sneaking out without Finn being able to talk to me.
"Hey Rachel" Clearly not being able to avoid the two clowns, before I knew it I was drowned in slushies. Granted it had been a while but I thought we were over this. "Hope you enjoy getting that out of your outfit"
"You are such an asshole" I did not condone cussing in any way but Karovsky needed to know how he was acting was not funny in any way. Shaking the cold slushie to my face I went up to him, poking him in the chest "I don't see what's so funny about throwing this in my face but it will stop"
Slapping his shoulder hard I turned around to go to my locker to grab a new outfit.
"Your a bitch Berry" Turning around to give him a hard glare, I took the high road and didn't say anything else to him. He wasn't worth my time. Kids laughed at me as I walked past them to my locker. I could feel the slush roll off of me onto the floor. I was embarrassed but tried not to let it show, I needed to be strong. Unlocking my locker I grabbed another pair of jeans and t-shirt going into the bathroom to wash my hair out and change my clothes. By the time I was finished, lunch was over and I was already off to my next class. The last two classes of my day had none of my friends in them. But as the last two classes got finished I ran into Karovsky who gave me the finger and slammed my books out of my hand.
Picking my books up, I threw them in my locker. I was so done and exhausted with the harassment from those boys. Putting my head in my locker, I closed my eyes doing my breathing exercises. Something I did occasionally to relieve stress and tune out the rest of the school. Halfway feeling better I took my head out of my locker and felt a hand on my shoulder. Jumping I turned around stepping back afraid that it was Karovsky but I was met with Quinn.
"What's the matter, are you okay?" Smiling slightly, I nodded closing my locker "Are you sure because you've been acting weird all day. You didn't talk to me in first period and you skipped lunch"
"I'm fine, I've just had a lot on my mind lately" Walking down the hallway, Quinn close next to me
"I didn't mean to freak you out when I told you about Finn and Puck liking you. It just seemed that you liked Finn and I wanted to give you some support by telling you that he liked you back"
"That's the thing, I really didn't see Finn that way until you said something"
"Don't feel pressured, take your time. You've got the rest of the year and on. And even if you do decide, Finn will still be your friend he's a good guy. He won't hold a grudge and like I said Puck is probably onto another girl right now so he's defiantly someone you don't have to worry hurting"
"Right"
"I'm sorry, I'm going to stop talking now. I'm being real pushy and I promised myself I wouldn't say anything else"
"Quinn it's fine, your fine. I just have a lot on my mind" Repeating myself hoping she would get the message
"I have cheerios practice and I'm about to leave for it but I came to you because I was wondering if you still needed a ride"
Running a hand though my hair I forgot that my car was at Finn's step dad's house.
"Yeah if you don't mind"
"Not at all" Quinn linked her arm through mine as we walked down the hallway "Have you given any thought on what your going to accomplish next on your list?"
"Well I was able to cross football game off my list"
"I still need to teach you how to work a professional camera"
"Yes!" I smiled squeezing her arm "That is a must. But I really think the next one to accomplish is either going to be get a part time job or find out which one you are planning"
Quinn smiled "I already know what it is, it's just a surprise for you to find out when I find it most necessary or timely to show you or take you"
"Now I'm really interested"
"It's something you'll never guess"
"Rachel!" We stopped walking and I let go of Quinn's arm to be able to turn around and saw Finn walking down the hallway calling my name.
"I'll catch you outside" Quinn smiled turning to her right and going out the double doors, I was so close. But directing my attention back to Finn as he got closer
"Hey" I said quietly playing with my fingers as he stopped right in front of me
"I just wanted to tell you that I can take you to Burt's shop to see if your cars fixed, coach canceled practice today. She had a doctors appointment or something, so I can take you right now so you don't have to wait for Quinn"
"You've already done so much for me"
"Rach, it's a ride to go get your car from my step dad's place it's no big deal"
"Okay" I nodded
"Okay than" Finn pointed to the door as we walked out into the parking lot, Quinn already waiting for me in her car. "I'll be in my truck"
Going over I went over to the drivers side as she rolled her window down
"Finn offered me a ride to go get my car"
"So your going to go with him?" Quinn asked, with a little smile on her face
"Yes" I rolled my eyes "Just to go get my car"
"Well just don't do anything I wouldn't do with Sam" She winked and started to roll up her window before I could say anything to her "Bye!"
With that little good bye, she was off. Going over to Finn's truck, I climbed in and he turned the radio on a little higher. The noise was a good distraction as he made his way out of the parking lot. Pulling out into the road I sat there staring straight out the wind shield, tapping my nails against my arms as they were crossed. Sneaking a peak over his face was straight, concentrating on the road in front of him. It frustrated me that for someone who was supposedly interested in me, he didn't talk a lot.
"Alright" I cleared my throat turning in my seat towards him, his eyebrows raised in interest to hear what I had to say next "So... tell me, what's one thing in the world that you would like to do that you haven't done yet."
"Anything?"
"Anything" I confirmed as his finger beat on the steering wheel, obvious that he was thinking of an answer. I also noticed that when he was in deep thought he would lick his lips "To drum with my band of choice on stage"
"Realistic Finn, something that could actually happen"
"Hey!" He looked over at me with a playful smile on his lips "I just might be able to do that one day"
"Seriously, Finn"
"Fine" He was quiet, the same look and habit as he thought about it "I would want to travel somewhere"
"Where?"
"Anywhere" Finn shrugged
"Well where's, anywhere"
"I don't know"
"Have you even been out of Lima?" Finn nodded "Out of Ohio?"
He shook her head "Wait! You've never been out of Ohio?"
"No" He mumbled "What's up with the fifty questions anyway?"
"It's called getting to know someone, but don't try to change the subject."
"Whats the big deal?"
"The big deal is that you need to get out there and see the world."
"That's the reason why I chose that"
"It's a fantastic choice if I may add"
"Well where would you like to go?" I crossed my legs Indian style getting comfortable as I leaned against his passenger door. It took him again a few minutes to answer
"I think... if I were to go anywhere it would be either Florida, Canada, New York or California"
"All fantastic choices Finn"
He smiled that half smile that he always does and he seemed pretty pleased with himself. It was quiet as we drove for a while into town. Sitting at a red light he does this thing with his head as he nods at one of the girls walking down the street, with that half smile. A pang went through my stomach, not pleased with the look or that feeling. Turning to watch the girl smile and wave a little at him I sit back in my seat staring straight ahead. Finn pressed on the gas and soon turned right into a parking lot. Getting out of the truck without another word I slammed his door and walked into the auto shop.
I didn't know where I was going but I just wanted to get home and have time to myself. Who was Quinn fooling when she told me all that stuff, it doesn't seem like Finn has a thing for me, in fact it seems the total opposite.
"You must be Rachel" I was welcomed by an older man, who was washing his hands in a sink in the corner. Rinsing her hands off on a towel he walked over to where I was standing and now Finn was next to me. He held out a hand for me to shake which I accepted "Carol and I have heard so much about you, either from Kurt or our boy Finn"
"Like wise" I held my hands together in front of myself
"Hopefully good things" Mr. Hummel laughed hitting Finn on the arm "Well I got a chance to look at your car and it was your transmission, the part to fix it will take a few days to come in so your car isn't ready"
This was not good news "How much will it cost"
"Nothings in writing but on average, about fifteen hundred"
"Oh my god" I moaned running a hand through my hair, this was just not good. That was a lot of money that I personally didn't have and I didn't want to ask my dads.
"I know it's a lot of money but I'm willing to work with you for payments"
"I would really appreciate that Mr. Hummel"
"Burt" He smiled "You can call me Burt"
Nodding, I smiled as Finn put a hand on my back "Well I can give you a ride home if you want to"
Looking up I nodded again "Yes please"
"I'll see you at home" Finn said to Burt as he turned and went to his truck.
"Thank you again, I'll be in contact" I shook his hand again before following close behind to Finn's truck getting in. It wasn't something I really wanted at this particular moment especially since I was being treated like a fool.
"Finn!" Rolling down his window, Finn smiled at the woman coming to his car, the same one who he was waving too earlier. Sitting back in my seat trying not to seem interested I listened carefully as she came up and poked her head in. The woman smiled at me waving a little and than at Finn. Turning forward in my seat again I was just listening. "Well I just wanted to tell you that you guys did good at your game the other day, even if you didn't win. Tom and I were rooting for you guys to win, You made a few good passes and that touchdown"
"Thanks" You could hear the smile in their voices
"Well I've got to get back to work, my breaks just about over" Looking over as it got quiet I smiled as they were both looking at me "It's been nice meeting you Rachel, I've heard nothing but great things about you"
The woman winked at her patting Finn's window and back up. "I'll see you later"
Finn rolled his window back up and putting the car in drive taking us out of the parking lot. Feeling like a bitch was an understatement. But than again I was confused to why I felt cold towards this girl, okay so maybe I wasn't. Stupid Quinn and her stupid talks. I wouldn't be feeling this way if she hadn't of said anything in the first place.
"So who was she?" I asked looking straight forward
"She's Burt's secretary, her names Darla. Burt's known her for a couple years when she came here Ohio U."
Darla looked much younger than she really was, that's for sure.
"Sorry to get your uh... hopes up with the car. I thought for sure it would have been something stupid wrong with it. Not like a transmission problem"
"Not your fault" I smiled suddenly feeling a whole lot happier. It wasn't a far drive to my road from Burt's auto shop, but than again this is one of the smallest towns so I noticed everything was closer together. It was nothing like New York, at all. Feeling like déjà vu because let's be honest, it really was. He pulled into my driveway I collected my belongings and opened the door "Thank you for taking me to check out my car and driving me home"
"Do you need a ride to school tomorrow?"
"No I think Quinn can pick me up?"
"Well what about after school? I know Quinn has Cheerios practice at the center and I can just drive you home after football practice, that is if you don't mind waiting for me. It's been than listening to that bitch, Sue for hours waiting for Quinn"
"Sounds like a plan" Shutting the door, I waved as he smirked from the car. That half smile of his that he always does.
"Damn Quinn" I mumbled
I have big plans next chapter, just to let you guys know. I had major writers block for this chapter and wanted to put in a filler before some stuff went down. So next chapter should be up within a day or two! Excited!
Thank you for all the reviews from the last chapter. You all are amazing, honestly!
5 more reviews please! Thankss!
