A/N: So I brought Teagen along for the ride. I have Finn missing out on having Rachel as a part of his life because I think he should realize what he's lost. I have Chad missing Rachel because he's smart enough to see that she's special. I think Rachel (at this point) would be a little leery of Finn suddenly deciding to be friends with her. She's not sure if he has some kind of ulterior motive, or if he actually wants her friendship. I wouldn't blame her a bit for being a little gun shy around Finn.
Rachel was driving to the bowling alley and she felt a little weird. The glee club never really used to do group activities. Or maybe they had, she thought after a moment, but they never invited me. She didn't really want to dwell on it, but something about Finn's invitation had been bothering her. She couldn't say what. She didn't like the fact that she couldn't put her finger on it. Teagen sat in the passenger's seat with a pair of shades on singing under her breath. Rachel focused on what she was singing and started laughing.
"Ain't nothin' but a glee thing, baby.
Two loc'ed out gleeks so we're crazy.
New Directions is the club that trains me!
Unfadeable, so please don't try to fade this (Hell yeah !)
But uhh, back to the lecture at hand
Perfection is perfected, so I'ma let em understand
from a young gleek's perspective"
Teagen grinned at her and Rachel started singing along. They went into the bowling alley laughing and hanging on each other. The other glee clubbers saw them and waved.
"What's so funny?" Tina asked curiously.
"Oh my god," Rachel gasped, "Artie you would totally love this!"
"I would?"
"Teagen, you have to show them."
"Only if you do it, too, Ray-Ray."
"Wait do they still have karaoke here?" Rachel looked around her.
"Yeah, I think so," Finn gestured over to the little stage.
The girls talked to the guy behind the counter who said they were more than welcome to use the equipment. They performed the whole song for the glee club who laughed at the changed lyrics. Everyone loved it.
Bowling was fun, Rachel decided. It was nice to just hang out with everybody.
"Thank you, Finn for inviting Teagen and me. We had a great time."
"Don't worry about it. I'm glad you both came."
"Finn, is there something wrong?" Finn looked uncomfortable. He looked away and then looked at her.
"Rachel, you know sometimes I really miss you." Then he looked horrified. "I mean, your friendship. You know we were friends for a long time."
"Oh. Yes, you're right. You miss our friendship?"
"Yeah. I do." Rachel nodded like she understood. That was one of the awesome things about Rachel. She really understood him.
"Hey, Ray-Ray? We have to go. It's almost 11, remember?"
"Oh no! I'm really sorry everybody, but I really do have to go."
And then she was gone.
*glee*
"I miss you, Ray-Ray." Chad's voice murmured in her ear.
"I miss you, too."
"I miss kissing you out by the lake," his voice grew husky. Rachel sighed.
"Chad…we said we were going to be friends. This isn't a very friendly conversation."
"I know, I'm sorry, Ray. It's just a lot harder than I thought it would be. Listen, I'm going to ask you something, and you can tell me to get lost, but I need to ask it anyway."
"Okay."
"Can I take you to your homecoming dance?" Rachel sat up and gasped into the phone.
"What?"
"Would you do me the honor of being my date at your homecoming dance?"
"Yes!" Rachel answered without even thinking. She missed Chad, and she jumped at a reason for seeing him.
*glee*
Kurt Hummel is excited for tonight!
Rachel Berry and Mercedes Jones like this.
Blaine Anderson is there something I should know?
Kurt Hummel girls' night, sweetie.
Finn Hudson it's not at our house this time, is it? Last time you guys were giggling so loud you kept me up all night.
Puckasaurus dude, why don't you call me when the chicks are all at your house?
Finn Hudson because I like living.
Rachel Berry, Kurt Hummel, and 6 others like this.
Mercedes Jones don't worry, Finn. It's at my house this time.
Finn Hudson Oh. Well, that's good.
*glee*
Rachel had fun with Mercedes and Kurt. She loved their diva nights. Kurt noticed her preoccupation and the slight flush in her cheeks.
"Rachel…do you have juicy gossip to share?" Rachel blushed furiously and shook her head.
"You do! What is it? Is it a boy?" Mercedes asked.
"Okay! You win! I've been wanting to tell somebody. Chad's been keeping in touch, and well, he called the other night and asked me something."
"What?" Kurt was watching her glowing eyes and her smile. She really liked this Chad guy.
"He asked me to McKinley's homecoming!" They goggled at her.
"Rachel, That's in two months!"
"I think he wanted to make sure he got to me before anyone else. That and he has to make travel arrangements."
"That boy must really, really like you," Mercedes murmured, her eyes wide.
"I think he does," Rachel said shyly.
*glee*
Teagen Sherwood is in a relationship with Santana Lopez.
Rachel Berry, Kurt Hummel, and 30 others like this.
Santana Lopez Wow. Thank you guys.
Britt-Britt We're just glad that you're happy.
Chad McCrea I hope this means you'll stop hitting on Ray-Ray.
Teagen Sherwood She knew I was just teasing. For the most part.
Chad McCrea What about "that one time"?
Teagen Sherwood Dude, it was a moment, I just sort of lost my head.
Rachel Berry I said nothing happened, Chad. Teagen's a…gentleperson?
Kurt Hummel Gentleperson?
Santana Lopez I think Rachel means she's not exactly a lady. That's one of the things I like best about her.
Rachel Berry That's exactly what I meant, but she understands that no means no.
*glee*
Finn had been trying to slowly rebuild his friendship with Rachel. He thought it was going pretty well. She talked to him on the phone and in school. They went to the movies once or twice. She helped him with his homework. It was this progress in their relationship that made him bold enough to ask her to homecoming.
"Hey, Rachel? Can I ask you something?"
"I wrote down all the formulae on that index card right there, Finn."
"No, it's not about math, it's personal." She sat up and frowned at him.
"I suppose so, but if it's about Teagen and Santana that's really not my business."
"Uh…no." He took a deep breath.
"Iwantedtoknowifyou'dgotohomecomingwithme."
"What?" She looked confused.
"I wanted to know if you'd go to homecoming. With me." Rachel gave him a kind of sad half-smile and tilted her head slightly. His stomach started to hurt. She was going to tell him no.
"I'm honored that you would think to ask me, Finn. I know you consider me a friend, and that means a lot. However, I've already been asked by someone else and I need to honor that commitment."
"Oh, good. I'm glad you have a date then. I was worried about you." He mumbled randomly. Yeah, he had just wanted to go as friends. For her sake. He was glad he didn't need to worry about her. She smiled a tight smile at him that didn't reach her eyes.
"Thank you for worrying about me. You're a good friend."
*glee*
A/N: I can hardly wait for the Homecoming Dance. I will have to think about it a bit though because I want it to be perfect.