Author's Note: Thank you very much for the reviews, they are amazing and never fail to put a smile on my face! Hope you enjoy this chapter, it's one I've been saving for a little while until the plot developed, but here it is :D Please read, enjoy and review!

Chapter 12

Finn POV

I wonder if it's normal to go for a walk at six in the morning on a saturday. Because that's what I've been doing for the past hour. Walking. From six in the morning on a saturday.

Rachel was right - we need to do something about Mr Shue whose clearly losing it. But I'm not Rachel. Everyone will think I'm a pussy or trying to take over if I go around telling them what to sing for Glee, so why I'm taking Rachel's advice, I have no idea.

As I lay down on the grass in the park, I got a weird feeling. Like someone was watching me. I squinted my eyes open and practically jumped out my skin in surprise. Because someone was watching me, smiling. And fucking hell, she's hot.

I sat up and rubbed my eyes.

"If you were that taken with my good looks you might of at least waited till I was awake. Then you could of enjoyed my charming personality too." I rubbed the back of my neck, got up and smiled at her. Sometimes, I'm really thankful to know Puck. There's no way I'd have a clue about flirting with girls without him. She didn't look away, she just smiled more widely.

"You looked so peaceful." She giggled. "I'm Katie."

"Oh, hi. I'm Finn. You new around here or what?" She's hot. With really long, crazy blonde hair and big boobs and everything. There's no way she could of lived around here without Puck mentioning her.

"Yeah, for a bit. My dad got a job here, so we've come to stay for a little while."

...

Rachel POV

It took me all weekend, many hours of online research and two sleepless nights trying to wrack up the courage, but I've finally planned my Mission: Get Detention in Chemistry. There was always the chance I could fake whatever I do and just pretend to Finn... It's not like we have the lesson together anyway. But at the same time, if I want him to help me with Glee, it's only fair I play by the rules - stick to our 'agreement'. Right?

I can not believe I am about to do this.

I spotted Finn by the tire shed before the bell signolled morning lessons. He grinned at me and I smiled nervously back. When he smiles, does that mean he likes me? More than a friend, I mean? Or is he just being friendly... I subconsciously fingered the lovebite on my neck as he continued to stare. It's started to fade slightly, but concealer is the only way to hide the evidence from my inquisitive dads.

As I headed up to the Chemistry block, there was a sudden enchore of wolf-whistling. I turned, my eyes darting to the source of the sudden excitement. My jaw dropped. A blonde girl had entered the corridor. But she's not just any blonde girl - she may even be a contendor for Quinn in the looks department. Her hair is blonde and huge - excessively curly and wild. She wore what I presume to be a skirt, but similar to the 'skirt' I wore to Puck's house party that time, it was barely more than a belt. And her top had a plunging neckline, revealing a very impressive cleavage. She was smiling as she walked the corridor. She could be a model, she's just... perfect. Before I could analyse her any further, one of the huge football players appeared in front of me. Opening his mouth to reveal yellowing teeth, he leered at me before chucking his slushie over me.

I screeched in shock at the same moment a tinkering laugh sounded close to me. The new girl stalked passed, laughing at me. She eyed me, amused as she drifted passed and turned the corner. The whole corridor was laughing too. And pointing.

Hastily, I composed myself, setting a cold, detatched look on my face and glared at everyone who dared look in my direction. I'll be the one laughing when they all end up working for me. Finally, I arrived at the school councillors office.

...

Finally cleaned and dried, with a substitute shirt, I arrived at Chemistry.

And there she was. That nasty little bitch, ie, the new girl. Officially having no friends, not even any fellow Glee club members to support me in this class, I sat at my usual table, alone, waiting for the day's instructions. I'd done plenty of research last night and finally decided what I could do to gain detention, and prove Finn wrong. It seemed simple enough.

"Set up your flasks now everyone. You are to do this in pairs-" I stuck my palm in the air. Miss Rudd glanced at me. "Unless you really insist upon doing the experiment independantly, of course. No messing about." She warned, concludingly.

The blonde girl set about beginning the experiment without even a word of welcome or greeting from the teacher. Instructions were on the board. It involved the Meths.

The plan was to create different coloured flames on the logs we were experimenting on, causing enough of a distraction or excitement in the class to halt everyone elses experiment or at least, get a reprimand for being irresponsible in a practical subject.

I began to set up. As I placed the log in the sturdy metal clasp, to hold it in place, I began with the meths.

"So, are there any clubs at this school?" The new girl was asking a nearby student.

"Yeah tons. Cheerleading, Football-"

"What about performing arts?"

The other student laughed harshly. "You don't wanna get involved in that shit. You'll be a laughing stock."

"You've clearly never introduced sex appeal to performing arts at this school, if that's your reaction." Sex appeal? The last time I checked, sex appeal is not always essential in performing arts at all.

Too busy concentrating on the conversation, I spilt the meths across my arms. If I had any less class I may have cursed at that minor mistake.

"Having trouble?" The new girl asked patronisingly.

"Not at all." I replied coldly. I lit a match as she smirked and shook her enormous hair out of her face. Stupid girl, everyone knows it's the general policy to tie hair back when doing a practical. Just as I leaned forward to apply the match to the log, feeling the bats of anticipation fight in my stomach, the new girl barged into me, harshly.

Within barely a moment, I screamed, the match coming into contact with my arms, my skin automatically catching light. It spread up my arms as I jumped about, screaming. The whole class was staring at me, some people shrieking as they noticed my arms. I flapped them about and ran over to the nearest sink.

"Rachel Berry! You stupid girl!" Miss Rudd screeched, as I doused my arms with the tap water, tears stinging in my eyes. "You stupid, irresponsible girl! Playing around with the meths! Could have set yourself on fire! Could have severe burns!" She continued to scold as I ran the cold water over my arms pointlessly. It hadn't hurt, I didn't even feel it. Because it was that stupid, typical trickery with the meths that Finn had told me about once. The flames didn't even catch hold of my skin. But it had frightened me.

The new girl was casually leaning across her own experiment, smirking at me. I wiped my eyes and turned away as Miss Rudd continued grumbling to herself about the lack of responsibility of today's youth. I gave up with the experiment, hastily, packing away the equipment, before storming out the room before I broke down in tears.

So much for impressing Finn with my inner-rebellious streak. I guess I'm a born and bred 'pussy' as Finn would say. The whole thing had shocked me, seeing my skin in flames. In all honesty, science has never been a strong point of mine.

As I sat by the fountain, waiting for the rest of the class to finish, none other than Puck interrupted my private thinking time.

"What do you want, Puckerman?" I asked scratchily, not in the mood for his games. He shrugged, not moving.

"Saw you coming out the Chemistry bit. You look a bit traumatised. Rudd didn't sit on you did she?" It was such a ridiculous thing to say that I laughed despite of myself.

"No." I sniffed a little shakily, "Just a bad reaction to the Meths." Puck surprised me by laughing.

"Been there, Berry."

After a moment of awkward silence, he cleared his throat. "See you at lunch then, I guess." As he wandered off, Finn appeared by the tire shed that is situated directly across from the fountain. He and Puck did this silly slow-motion running towards each other, as I'd seen them do several other times before, before charging in to one another in greeting. How very strange. After slapping each other on the back and doing whatever boys do, he made his way across to me.

"Sup?" He asked, planting himself down right next to me.

"Not much."

"How did Chemistry go?" He looked at me, just as I looked at him. He had a bit of a cheeky expression about him, his eyes lighting up, his dimple slightly on display. I shook my head.

"Horrendously." I launched in to the whole horrific ordeal, as he laughed aloud during the arms-on-fire part. Finally, he put his arm around me carelessly and squeezed me slightly.

"Great job, I'm impressed."

"I'd like to pretend that it was actually all on purpose but unfortunately, the whole thing took me completely off guard. I was convinced at one point I'd end up on the floor, writhering in pain from being set on fire!" That set him off laughing again as the bell sounded.

"Oh, man. I wish I'd been there." He chuckled. I began to see the funny side, but only just, when he suddenly turned my face towards him with his hand and kissed me, right on the mouth. His lips are really soft, not all chapped or slobbery like Kurt often warns me about. It only lasted long enough for me to close my eyes and attempt to kiss him back, before he pulled away looking flustered.

"Erm..."

I licked my lips automatically, without thinking. It gave me a strange, jelly feeling all over, tasting him. I shivered unvoluntarily.

"It's-" I began.

"Oh God. I'm so sorry- you, I, starting to fall- I don't know what that was." He stammered worse than Tina, before fleeing into the parking lot without a second glance.

Does Finn mean what I think he does? Is he starting to fall for me?

...

Finn POV

Shit. Can't believe I just did that. Again. But when she told me about what happened in Chem, she just looked so adorable. And she's wearing her hair back today... The lovebite I accidently gave her is on full display. Well, if you squint enough at the spot where she's tried to hide it that is. It's weird. I didn't even think about making out with her when I was round there last night. We just talked. Who knew Rachel would be the one I seem to spill my guts to?

Between wanting to be around her to talk to, and wanting to get off with her, I can't seem to forget about her. I'm officially going crazy.

"Crazy in luuurve." A voice sounded in my ear. I swung my arm around and whacked the person who'd just frightened the living day lights out of me. "Fuck, easy going there Finn." Puck cursed, rubbing his shoulder and glaring at me.

"Oh soz." Yeah. I'm too lazy to say 'sorry'. Whatever.

"She's pretty fine, isn't she?" She always looks pretty fine, especially last night where she didn't really bother to try to look nice. Sometimes all the face paint or whatever girls put on makes them look like those creepy pot dolls my nan keeps. Puck grinned. I looked to where he pointed. He was staring at Katie, who waved back at us. I couldn't get the taste of Rachel's lip stuff off my mouth though.

"Er, yeah." I nodded.

"What's up with you all of a sudden?" Puck asked, looking at me weirdly.

"Nothing." I coughed. Why does Rachel always do this to me?

"Good, then snap out of it." He led us across to the auditorium. Halfway there however, Katie joined us.

"I hear there's a Glee club happening now." Woah, she really doesn't seem the type to like that kind of thing.

"Yeah, our school's well up for performing arts. Or performing of any kind to be honest, we're not really fussed." If anyone else said something like that, it would be a seriously bad case of the smoothness. Chicks really dig it when Puck talks like that though. Apparently not Katie.

"I like to save my throat skills for singing and not for entertaining any part of the male anatomy. Got it?" She walked ahead of us and I pulled Puck back, smirking.

"You just got owned, man." He shoved me into the wall and ignored me.

...

Rachel POV

Unbelievable. Finn brought that awful new girl to Glee! Her name is Katie apparently. As soon as she arrived, she headed straight over to Mr Shue.

I nudged Kurt as he was talking to Mercedes. Mercedes shot me evils when I interrupted their conversation.

"How do you think Finn met the new girl? He's never mentioned her before..." I hissed.

"I doubt he tells you every minor detail about his private life, Princess. For all you know, they could be long-lost make-out buddies." I literally had to swallow bile. Well, metaphorically, anyway. If Finn seriously liked such a low-life bitch, we are no longer friends. Not that I'm jealous. I just can't have a vocal partner for Regionals, who is so shallow and unobserving. Anyone with eyes and a brain can see she's clearly a nasty piece of work.

At her first official 'audition', she sang 'If It Makes You Happy' by Sheryl Crow.

"Woah. She's amazing." Mercedes whispered loudly to Kurt. "She may even be the best one here."

Mercedes has clearly gone deaf, right?

...

Finn POV

"Boys, I think we should make bets." Typical. Mike Chang.

"On what?" Puck asked looking pretty bored as we took it in turns to kick one of the swinging tires at the end of the day. Usually, we'd have football practice, but considering we're still banned, we've taken to hanging out here to stop our mom's getting suspicious. What a bunch of pussy's, I know.

Quinn appeared suddenly. Alone of course, considering her friends are probably still at Cheerio's practice.

"Oh, look who it is." Chang stated the obvious as she sat down on a random tire.

"I know I'm probably the last person you want to speak to-" She looked at me and I shrugged.

"What do you want?" My eyes found Puck's, who shrugged back at me looking weird.

"I was just wondering who the new girl is? She's a really good singer, but I heard her talking to Kurt and that Mercedes about introducing sex to Glee and-"

"Well you'd know all about that. Maybe you should get together and discuss ideas." I replied shortly, still sore about everything that happened.

"Right." She stood up, glaring at us.

That was when Chang thought it was alright to start on about making bets or whatever.

"Lets put on bets - who can get with the new girl before the end of the week-"

"Unbelievable!" Quinn yelled, before storming off. For once, I think I agree. I'm still pretty confused about the Rachel thing.

"Not sure about this, man." I shook my head, looking at Chang. "I'm supposed to be meeting her in a minute. Apparently she wants me to show her around town or something..." Chang looked like his eyes were about to pop out his head. Puck just cheered, grinning.

As we got to the locker corridor, where I'm supposed to meet Katie, Kurt and Rachel strolled around the corner. They stopped short in their conversation when they saw us.

"Finn!" Rachel said, looking at me. Here come the butterflies. "Can I talk to you for a minute." I'm not sure, but I think I heard Chang whisper 'gang bang'.

"Er, sure." She led us to the West corridor, that was empty and dark.

"I-I think we need to talk. About what happened earlier." She began.

"Look, I'm so sorry. It shouldn't of happened, I-" She stepped back, looking really hurt.

"Why?"

I frowned. Actually... I don't know why...

"Rachel... I really like you... I like spending time with you and stuff, it's just... I really like you. A lot. I just don't know whether I'm ready to get close to someone again, after..." She was just watching me. Her eyes are pretty big actually, and really brown. I stepped closer to her and I have no idea why - it would just make me want to make out with her, especially when she looks at me like that... I closed my eyes.

"Finn, I don't understand... I-I think, I like you too. I'm not Quinn." Something felt weird below my chest but I ignored it. If she can so easily 'like' or pretend to like that Jesse guy, and use me the way she did, or even pretend she doesn't like that Kurt kid when she clearly thinks a lot of him, what's to say she won't just mess me around? Man. I'm such a douche. Puck would crucify me if he could hear my thoughts. It's a good job he doesn't have that tele-whatsit. "Finn?" She asked again.

"Rach..." Oh fuck it. I lifted her chin up and leaned down. I stopped a couple of inches away from her face; I could smell her breath, it's always really fruity or something. It's weirdly really nice... She sighed, closing her eyes, before I grinned, pressing my lips onto hers.

...

Rachel POV

"Rach..." He replied desperately. His fingertips drifted over my lips and cupped my chin. He gazed at me for a moment, I could almost see his resolve breaking, as he leaned down, stopping a couple of inches away from my face. I sighed and closed my eyes. If he was about to turn me down after this, I'd be humiliated. I'd be mortified. So I closed my eyes, and tried to enjoy the moment. And that's when I felt his lips on mine with only the slightest of pressures. He was about to pull away, when I tip-toed, frustrated, holding on to his jacket to pull him closer. With his lips still moving with mine, varying the pressure, he pushed me back so that I was leaning against the wall in the middle of the corridor.

I was still clutching his jacket, when I felt his tongue do that thing where he traced the outline of my lips. Kurt said he'd read about that kind of thing and that it sounded disgusting, swapping spit. But like last time, I found myself parting my lips so his tongue could caress my own; his hands had been at my waist before, but somehow, his fingers were now gently running through my hair. He was smiling against my lips now; I tried to pull him closer again as he continued smiling, leaving gentle butterfly kisses on the corner of my mouth.

He leaned his forehead against my own, once or twice nuzzling my nose with his own. His breathing was more erratic but he held me close, his eyes closed.

"I am so done for." He chuckled eventually. I'd been resting my face against his chest. I could hear his heart. I suddenly looked up and frowned, but he just looked happy. I've never seen him smile like this, his dimple on full display and his eyes soft.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"You've got no idea what you do to me, Rach-" His voice was heavy, even a little drowsy sounding. It gave me the jelly feeling again.

I didn't have time to say anything in return however, as Katie suddenly appeared.

"Finn? You ready to go?"

She looks les than impressed and I smirked, despite how romantic the moment should have been. She so wants him. But he wants me, not her.

"Er, yeah, sure." I let go of him when he said that, but he reached out for my hand and squeezed it gently. "I'll see you later, ok?" He leaned down and I felt my lips puckering up unvoluntarily. He grinned, before kissing my cheek.

What a little tease. I nodded at him, as he and Katie left. Together.

...

"Oh, Rachel!" Breathe in, breathe out... I can't believe what has just happened. I should have played it cooler and tried to be less desperate-sounding. Finn must think I'm afraid of spinsterhood or something, the way I was so forward and clingy. I must learn to be more casual around him. Besides... what am I doing? I can't believe I even feel like this. It's just Finn - one of the many arrogant jocks who think they are something really special because they go around sleeping with loads of girls and going to parties and have tons of friends... But then again... Finn isn't one of the arrogant jocks anymore, and I don't think he was ever 'arrogant'. And from what I gather, he didn't sleep with Quinn, so there's still the chance he's not slept with anyone yet. And he did invite me to a party, so it's not like they are off limits... And he might be popular and that suits him, but who needs 'friends' anyway? I won't just be popular, I'll be worshipped when I'm a world-class Broadway star.

"Yes Katie?" I stalled, waiting for her to catch up. Katie was walking several paces behind me as I trekked home from school. She seemed to be heading to the park.

"I was just saying to Finn, you guys are good. But you really need to start thinking about what you want to do for Regionals." Girl, you do not need to lecture Rachel Berry about the importance of Regionals preparation.

"I'm well aware of that, thank you." I replied, glancing towards the park. I could just about make out Finn by the swings. He looked at me a little apologetically, but didn't come over. Why is he hanging out with such a slut?

"Rachel? I've heard things about you. Apparently you are Glee's lead vocalist." I nodded. "Well, as you clearly heard from before, I'm also extremely talented."

"Do you have a point or are you here to brag?" It's definitely better to cut to the chase in these situations.

"Well, there can't be two lead female vocalists in one Glee club." She handed me a leaflet. "I was offered it earlier but it may suit you better. It's for an independant entry. You're extremely talented, I've heard. I'm new to town so I'm joining Glee to make friends more than anything else. But it's different for you, so I'm offering you a solution. Take the independant entry for Regionals, be the sole star, and let me take over for you in Glee club."

She left me to think about it, as she headed back to Finn.

...

Author's Note: I am so excited about the next couple of chapters. This is a Rachel and Finn story, it is not going to be all plain-sailing from here on, and there is still some scheming and a little drama on the way. And Katie is going to be one of those you just... hate with a fierce passion. I'm really looking forward to next chapter :) PLEASE REVIEW!