I realize I'm in the middle of AMNG, but I've just had so many ideas for a sequel to Holiday that I was about to burst if I didn't start writing them down. So like Finn with football and glee club, I'm doing both. I present to you now the first chapter of Dates.
August 26th, 2012
Rachel couldn't believe it, New York. She was once again in the city that had been her dream for years and she was beyond excited. Her fathers had rented a van and packed it full of everything she'd need for her first semester of college then drove her from Lima to Manhattan. They had arrived Saturday evening and stayed in a hotel not too far from NYU. Rachel really wanted to see Finn; he had been in the city for a few days already as his classes had started the day before and he had orientation before that but her dad had insisted that she could wait until after they left the city the next day. She settled for a quick phone call to let him know she had arrived safely instead. Her dad had a point, once they left after helping her move in, she and Finn would be completely parent free for the better part of the rest of their lives.
That night her and her fathers enjoyed a night on the town as a congratulations and a farewell. Hiram and Leroy were overjoyed at everything their daughter had achieved but at the same time felt it was bittersweet. Their only baby girl was no longer their baby girl. She was off to fight the big bad world on her own; she didn't need them anymore. It was hard to let go.
The next morning they arrived at Hayden Hall and Rachel's dorm was on the tenth floor. While this would provide a nice view, it would be a hassle to get all her stuff upstairs. Rachel had practically packed her whole room in her bags and trunk. Surprisingly it only took her and her dads two trips to get everything upstairs.
When Rachel and her dads entered her double room, they were surprised to find that her roommate had already arrived and had mostly set up her side of the room. It was only ten am. Rachel shuffled awkwardly through the door dragging her trunk behind her. The blonde didn't even bother to acknowledge her presence as she lounged on her bed lazily. Her daddy tried to indicate that he wished to introduce himself and Leroy to the girl but she just continued to read her Cosmo, ignoring Hiram entirely.
Leroy and Hiram offered to stay and help her set up some of her things but Rachel told them she could handle it herself. This made Leroy burst into tears. Rachel had a feeling one of them would eventually cry but she had been betting on her daddy being the one to get hysterical. Generally Leroy was stoic and usually wore a mask of confidence when faced with intense pressure. Now he was blubbering like a baby. Rachel consoled him and promised to call him every day and to Skype once a week. "I'm moving dad, not dying," Rachel said sarcastically as he cried into her shoulder.
"I know, I know baby, it's just, I still remember the day you were born. You were so little and you needed us so much. You don't need us anymore and I don't know how to handle that yet. The house is just going to feel so empty without you there." Leroy's sobs slowed as he hugged his daughter tightly. Now Rachel was crying.
Hiram, Leroy and Rachel all group hugged and cried over having to leave each other but twenty minutes later they dried their tears and pulled themselves together. Rachel promised again to keep in contact as much as she could then her fathers left. It would take about ten hours to get home and they had work in the morning. Rachel sat on her bed staring at her belongings. They were the only material pieces of Lima she had left; those five suitcases, a mini fridge and her trunk. At least she had Finn, Kurt, Blaine and Santana to go through the homesickness with her. Sadly she couldn't keep them all in her room too.
As Rachel started organizing her things the blonde who had been absolutely dead to the world for the past forty minutes at least finally moved. "Hey," she said as she stood up and walked into the bathroom. Rachel had been startled slightly at the sudden sound. A few minutes later the girl came back out and walked over to Rachel.
"I'm Éponine Carter. I'm assuming you're Rachel Berry, if you're not, then you're in the wrong room," she said as she stuck her hand out for Rachel to shake it.
Politely, Rachel gripped her hand and shook. "Yes, I am Rachel Berry. It's nice to meet you."
"Yeah, whatever. So you have two dads?" Éponine asked semi-interestedly.
Rachel shook her head. "Yes, do you have a problem with that?" While New York City was much friendlier than Lima in regards to homosexuals, there were still judgmental homophobes everywhere.
"No. I have no problem with the gays. It was just unexpected. You don't seem like someone who would have two gay dads." Éponine laid back down on her bed.
"What type of person would seem to have two gay dads?" Rachel questioned.
Éponine shrugged. "I don't know. A lesbian maybe?"
Rachel looked mildly offended. "Just because someone is raised by gay parents, be they two men or two women does not mean that they will be gay themselves. I'm completely straight. Gay parents raise children the same as a traditional couple would."
"Okay," Éponine replied disinterestedly. Rachel was pretty sure she hadn't even really been listening. "So where are you from exactly? I'm Manhattan born and raised."
Rachel unzipped her first suitcase full of clothes to begin putting them in her dresser. "I'm from Lima, Ohio. It's fairly small."
"Yeah, I've never heard of it," Éponine said blandly. "What are you going to for? Your info on Facebook just said you were in Tisch but not which program."
"I'm going for Musical Theatre. It's my dream to be on Broadway someday. Getting an education from one of the best schools for the arts in New York will just help make it a reality." Rachel voice oozed enthusiasm.
"Oh, I'm going for the same thing," Éponine stated with real emotion in her voice for the first time. "I've wanted to be a leading lady ever since I saw my mom as Christine in Phantom when I was five. She was mesmerizing and that was when I decided I wanted to do the same thing. Having everyone's eyes on you, watching you and believing what you're selling them, it's an intense feeling. I hope to experience it for myself on a Broadway stage someday. My dad, he actually is directing a new Off-Broadway show that I really wanted to be in but he said no because I had to 'earn it.'"
Rachel looked awed. Her roommate's parents were actually involved in the Broadway world! That was so cool. Éponine continued speaking as she got up to unpack her last suitcase.
"I'm only going to college because my father is paying for it. He said it would 'help me hone my craft' or some junk. I'm sure I could easily get a part in any production I auditioned for if I wanted. This is all just a formality," Éponine explained to Rachel as they were setting up their room. "Someone like you actually needs the schooling."
Rachel's mouth fell open slightly. "What do you mean 'someone like me actually needs the schooling'?" She continued unpacking her suitcase, not looking at her new roommate as she waited for her answer.
"Someone with as little experience as you have. You're from Ohio. It's not exactly culture capital of the world," Éponine laughed at the thought of being from anywhere besides New York.
"I have experience. I've done community theatre and I was the female lead in my high school's glee club. Obviously Tisch thought I was good enough," Rachel countered.
Éponine whirled around to face Rachel and looked at her seriously. "That's exactly my point. If you and I auditioned for roles tomorrow, chances are you would get shot down and I would get the part. You really need the schooling so that you won't get rejected. Plus, you don't really have the look."
Rachel looked down at herself. She was comfortable in her skin and had come to embrace her look but the way Éponine had just tore her down brought back old memories and insecurities of not being good enough. "What do you mean I don't have the look?" Rachel asked quietly. She knew better than to ask but she had to know what the girl meant.
"I mean you look like a five year old whose mother dresses her, not a college freshman at NYU. All I've seen you pull from that suitcase are animal sweaters, skirts and frilly dresses. Do you even own a pair of jeans?"
Relief washed over Rachel when she realized Éponine was only criticizing her wardrobe. While she still wasn't too happy about it, she could handle that better than being told she needed a nose job for the thousandth time. It got old after a while. "I like my outfits. I think they're cute."
"Cute won't get you noticed, Rachel. Especially by guys; they don't want cute, they want hot and sexy." Éponine sat on Rachel's bed and stared at her.
"Guys aren't really the reason I'm going to college. I'm here to learn to be a better actress so I can make it on Broadway someday. Besides, I already have a boyfriend and he likes how I look." Rachel blushed at the thought of Finn. She loved telling people she had a boyfriend. For some reason they were always surprised.
Éponine's eyebrows went up. "You certainly work fast. You've only been in Manhattan for like a day."
Rachel laughed. "We've been together for over a year. As cheesy as it sounds, he's my high school sweetheart; really he's more than that. We're 'tethered' as Finn likes to say."
Éponine snorted at Rachel's lovey-dovey expression. "I give you guys a month before college splits you apart. Everyone I've ever known who went to college with a high school sweetheart, left college with a different sweetheart…or single."
"I know everyone thinks they're the exception to the rule when it comes to high school relationships making it in the long run, but Finn and I really are the exception. We will make it because we are both very dedicated to one another and we want the relationship to work." Rachel was getting tired of having to defend her relationship. Every person she knew had been trying to tell her that she and Finn would break up eventually and that high school relationships don't transfer to college and beyond, but she refused to believe them. Finn and her had been through so much together, she couldn't imagine her life without him in it. Why couldn't people just accept that they were staying together?
"Where does he go to school?" Éponine asked simply.
"Hunter College. He's majoring in music education," Rachel crowed proudly.
Éponine looked bored. "Well, you two might stand a chance since you'll at least be on the same island." With that the girl hopped off Rachel's bed and went back to unpacking her own belongings.
The conversation died after that and the room went silent for about the next hour as Rachel set up her stuff and Éponine lay on her bed reading a Rolling Stone. When Rachel got to her bag full of knickknacks and keepsakes and started setting them out on top of her desk and dresser, Éponine looked up just in time to see her put out a picture of her and Finn.
Éponine stood up and moved over to Rachel's desk to grab the photo. "Ooh, is that the boyfriend? What'd you say his name was? Frank, Fabio?"
"Finn, his name is Finn and yes, that's him." Rachel took the picture back from Éponine and put it on her desk once more.
"So this may be awkward, but I think if we lay down some ground rules concerning visitors now, it'll make things easier in the long run. Basically, if you want the room so you and Flynn can have sex or whatever, just let me know at least 24 hours in advance so I can tell my parents to expect me home."
Rachel's cheeks pinked. "Um, well, Finn," Rachel emphasized his name hoping Éponine would catch on, "has a single room so I don't think that'll be necessary, but I agree. If you need me out of here just give me enough notice so I can make arrangements." She wasn't stupid. Rachel knew her attractive roommate would probably put a revolving door on their room if she could. "But if you can't give me notice, just put a sock or something on the door so I know not to enter."
"Great! Now that that's out of the way…" Éponine went back to her bed while Rachel went back to putting her stuff out before a knock on the door startled both girls. "Were you expecting someone?"
Rachel shook her head no. She and Finn were supposed to meet up at his dorm later once Rachel got settled in. "Maybe it's an RA," she suggested with a shrug as she walked over to answer the door. She opened it a crack but upon seeing the man behind it, threw it open and tackled him. "Finn!" Rachel planted her lips on his and wrapped her arms around his neck. He stumbled from the unexpected added weight and nearly knocked over a freshman walking down the hall behind them. "What are you doing here? I thought we were going to meet at your place later?"
"I wanted to surprise you and bring you these." Finn pulled a colorful bouquet of flowers up to his face and handed them to his shocked girlfriend. She smiled brightly at him and breathed the bouquet in deeply.
"Well, I am surprised and thank you. These are lovely. I just wish I had a vase. I'll have to use one of my mugs for now," she stated as she pulled Finn into the room with her then shut the door behind them.
Finn stood there awkwardly taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. It was a pretty decent dorm room. He'd definitely seen smaller, like his own for example, but his was a single. Then his eyes fell on the blonde reading a magazine on the bed. They locked eyes for a moment as she glanced up before Finn could look away. She sat up then got off the bed.
"You must be Flint. I'm Éponine," she said sticking her hand out to be shook.
"Uh, it's Finn actually." He grabbed her outstretched hand and she face palmed herself with her other one.
"Sorry, I'm horrible with names. I'm sure I'll get it eventually though. So Rachel tells me you're her high school sweetheart. How cute," she said in a voice that made it sound like it wasn't so cute at all.
Finn glanced at Rachel nervously who was just trying to ignore her roommate as she put her flowers in some water. "Uh, yeah, you could say that."
Éponine dropped Finn's hand and looked at him in the eye. She was only about four inches shorter than him. "Look, I'm going to tell you what I told Rachel. College splits people up. The chances of you making it beyond this semester are slim. So don't be too disappointed when you realize you followed Rachel to New York for no reason."
Finn reeled back, affronted by her statement. "I'm sorry but I've known you all of two minutes. Who are you to tell me how my relationship is going to turn out? I've known Rachel for three years. I think after what we've been through so far, we can handle college. So if you'd just keep your opinions on my relationship with my girlfriend, which you know nothing about, to yourself, I'd really like that. Thanks." Finn walked away from Éponine and over to Rachel. He leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Rach, your roommate sucks."
"I know," she vexed. "I guess this just means I'll be spending a lot more time at your place." Rachel bit her lip and winked suggestively at him. Finn could already feel his pants getting tighter.
"Well what are we waiting for?" he growled into her ear quietly. Rachel's bitchy roommate was still in the room and within earshot.
Rachel looked around to make sure nothing was just lying about. Satisfied that her room was organized enough for now, Rachel grabbed her purse and pulled Finn toward the door. "Goodbye Éponine. I'll see you later," Rachel said as nicely as possible before exiting the room she'd be living in for at least the next four months.
About a subway car and fifteen minutes later, Rachel and Finn were crashing through Finn's dorm room door, hungrily attacking each other's mouths. Finn slammed his door shut behind him and turned the lock until he heard it click then moved his hands back to Rachel's waist. Without effort Finn lifted her and pulled her legs around his waist. He carried her over to his bed then sat down on the edge of it.
Rachel got off Finn and started undoing his pants as he scooted back on the bed more. Once his jeans and boxers were gone he pulled his shirt off and sat there cross legged watching Rachel slowly remove her own clothing. He was painfully hard and while Rachel teased him with her leisurely strip he took his length in his hand and started rubbing up and down.
Finally, Rachel's shirt was off. "You are so sexy," Finn mumbled lowly watching Rachel unzip her skirt and let it fall to the ground. Just to tease him further, Rachel dipped her hand under her waistband and started playing with herself. She threw her head back and whined as she pushed her fingers inside herself. Though Finn couldn't actually see just what she was doing, knowing was making him work his shaft faster. Then Rachel stopped and pulled her hand from her panties. She brought her hand up to her mouth and stuck the two fingers covered in her shiny wetness in her mouth then sucked them clean. Finn nearly came right then.
"Fuck this," he growled before ripping Rachel's panties down her body and yanking her back onto his lap. She let out a squeal then wrapped her entire body around his. Her heels dug into his behind and she pulled his head to hers and kissed him passionately as she played with the hair at the nape of his neck. Finn gripped Rachel by the hips and shifted her forward then buried himself inside her. She moaned into his mouth as he moved her back and forth on him.
Rachel pulled back and looked down to watch herself take Finn in over and over. Sometimes he thrust as far in as he could go and sometimes he'd just tease her with his tip. Sometimes he'd enter her hard and fast and sometimes he would take things so slow Rachel thought she might burst in agony. Though Rachel was on top, Finn was in total control.
Finn ran his hands from Rachel's hips up her back and to the clasp keeping her last remaining article of clothing on her body. Like a smooth criminal, Finn unhooked the clasp and ripped the bra from Rachel's chest. He immediately gave Rachel's nipples the attention they deserved with both his hands and mouth.
Getting closer to that sweet release both were craving, Finn licked from Rachel's nipple back up to her neck and sucked on her skin. It had been a while since Finn had left his mark via hickey and he thought it was time to do so again. He sucked hard and folded his hand around Rachel's neck to steady her so he could work. As he did this, he placed his free hand on Rachel's abdomen and ran his hand down to where Rachel and his bodies were meeting. Gently, he circled Rachel's clit with his thumb and felt her body clench. She was about to come.
"Finn, oh God, touch me Finn," Rachel whined out. She thrust her hips forward more trying to get as much skin-to-skin contact as possible while pushing Finn's head onto her neck more. Though she'd probably regret it later, Rachel wanted that hickey now just as much as Finn did.
Finally, Finn pressed her button the right way and Rachel screamed out his name. Her torso arched against him and he could feel her nipples pressing into his bare chest. Her body shuddered and Rachel's heels pressed into his butt painfully, but a good pain, and he could feel a fresh wave of wetness around his length before Finn's "o" popped onto his face and he came inside her with a loud groan of his own. They rode out their intense orgasms together, bodies heaving, adrenaline coursing through them and what seemed like electricity between their skins every time they touched. Once the intensity died down, Finn and Rachel let go of one another and fell backwards away from the other.
Rachel's head hung off the bed and Finn was lying on Rachel's feet. They were both very uncomfortable still tangled in each other and lying on each other's body parts at weird angles but they were both so spent, neither could move.
"Finn," Rachel started between heavy breaths. "We just…had sex…in the city…for the first time." She could feel the weight come off her feet then hands wrap around her wrists. Finn pulled her back up to look at him.
"First of many times and I'm just talking about today," Finn said huskily before kissing the prominent hickey that was now on Rachel's skin.
"I think I'm going to have to return the favor," Rachel said pulling Finn's head back by his hair. She attached her lips to Finn's neck and started sucking herself. She even bit down gently, eliciting a moan from her boyfriend. He really loved being bitten. Sometimes it made Rachel feel like a sexy vampire.
She sucked and licked and bit Finn's neck until he had his own little bruise forming. "Now we're even," Rachel said with a laugh. "Now all the girls at school will know you're mine." She kissed the spot again. "It's like a 'Property of Rachel Berry' stamp."
"Oh so I'm your property, huh?" Finn said mockingly, remembering the last time he had said the same thing. Instead of rephrasing the way he had, Rachel just shook her head in agreement.
"Yeah. You're my sex slave and I demand more…now!" she roared, pulling her feet from behind Finn's back and shoving him back onto the bed. She pressed herself against Finn and kissed him with a smile on her face. He rolled Rachel onto her back and hovered over her.
"I love you," he said simply, nuzzling his nose against Rachel's before pressing his lips to hers.
"I love you," Rachel replied. "Now get in me!" Finn laughed then got busy making love to his awesome and beautiful girlfriend again. The pair spent the rest of the afternoon in Finn's dorm enjoying their first moment of alone time in their new city and Rachel couldn't have thought of a better way to spend her first full day as a resident of New York.
Exciting first chapter huh? And just a forewarning, these chapters will not be chronological as I will be posting ideas as they come to me. Dates will span all of Rachel and Finn's time post high school, not just the first year.