The sun leaked into Rae's room the next morning, lighting the particles that floated around in the air. She had fallen asleep on the floor, only grabbing a pillow and blanket from her bed. Rae sat up, running her hands over face as though trying to rub away her feelings from last night. The room spun as she stood up, grabbing her head to steady it, making her way to the bathroom.

She stared into the mirror momentarily, repulsed by her face, as per usual. She hated everything about herself, and it was a deep rooted hate. She could feel it in her soul, down to the very core of her being and it was absolutely exhausting. The phone rang then and she almost didn't want to go get it, but it might have been her mom and she didn't want her to worry.

Rae jogged down the stairs and picked the phone up off the receiver, " 'ello." She answered.

"Rae?" Finn voice came through the phone, a voice she didn't expect to hear.

"Finn." She said simply.

"Where ya been Rae? I've been calling since last night. I was started to get worried. I half wanted to go over right now instead of callin'."

"Oh, sorry. I felt asleep early and just woke up now." She didn't even know what time it was; glancing over her shoulder to look at the clock on the oven, she saw that it was after noon.

"Well, you must be well rested then." Finn said, with a small chuckle. "Do you mind if stop by? I wanted to see ya."

Rae paused for a moment. She felt like utter shit. She didn't want to fittest guy in all of Lincolnshire who just happened to be her boyfriend to see her. She didn't care about how he thought she was beautiful, she didn't feel it and she couldn't, no matter how hard she tried.

"Um, I'm actually feeling pretty sick. That's why I've been sleeping all day. Do ya mind if I just give you a call later?"

"Are ya sure? Do you need anything?" he asked, his voice full of concern.

"No, I don't need anything. Thanks Finn."

"Don't forget to give me a ring later, yeah?"

"I won't. Bye." She hung up the receiver, not able to continue talking to him. She hated lying to him. She desperately wanted to tell him how she felt right now, but what if Chloe was right? She could scare him away at any moment, she didn't need to add to the long list of odds that were already stacked against her.

The next day, after staying in her robe for a straight 24 hours, Rae decided it was time to shower and leave the house. The hot water against her skin was soothing and comforting. Today she would try to be positive. Today she would try to think that she was as beautiful as Finn thought she was. Today she was just going to try.

She walked out of the house, the fresh summer air inviting. She had spoken on the phone with Finn and said the gang were meeting up at the chippy and then going to the park for a couple of beers. Walking into the chippy, she noticed that she was the last one to get there. Finn immediately got up and rushed to her, giving her a kiss and hugging her tightly.

"Are you feeling better?" he asked, pulling his head back from the hug, tucking a hair behind her ear.

"Yeah, much better. I think I just had a stomach bug." She fibbed, not really sure what else to say.

They held hands on the way back to their usual table, the gang shouting hey's and hi's to her as she sat down.

"Alright there, Rae?" asked Archie, stroking her back.

"Yeah, I'm alright. Just had a stomach bug or something. Did I miss anything?"

"No, nothing really. " he dropped his voice into a whisper. "Chloe got rejected by a guy in university last night. It was hilarious."

"Shit," Rae giggled. "I wish I was there to see that."

"Are we heading out gang?" Chop said, standing up.

There was a collective yeah and everyone started to make their way to the park. They all sat on the bleachers and the girls stayed while he guys went to play some footie with a some other guys that had already been there.

"You sure you're alright?" Finn asked Rae as he put down his bag and took off his jacket. "Just say the word and I'll take you home, yeah?'"

"Oh, Finn, I'm fine! You go play! " she pecked him on the lips and sent him off with a smile.

Rae did feel okay so far. She was avoiding Chloe as much as she could without it being obvious. She just didn't want Chloe to trigger her again.

The game started and Rae cheered Finn on, holding a beer in her hand. Her and Izzy joked and laughed with one another as they cheered on their boyfriends as Chloe sat, looking discontent. Even though it was wrong of her, Rae couldn't help but be a little happy about that.

She averted her attention from Chloe when she heard footsteps next her on the bleachers. A few girls came up to watch the game; they stood there for a few moments speaking amongst themselves.

"Hey, do you know who that guy is there?" she was pointing directly at Finn as he dribbled the ball towards the goal.

Rae started to panic slightly but tried to reassure herself. Maybe she was just a family friend? Maybe they went to pre-school together and somehow she just recognized him. Maybe she wasn't even interested in him and just wanted to say how hideous she thought he was. Rae would take any of those.

"Yeah, he's my boyfriend. Why?" Rae responded, the words leaving her lips before she could control them.

The girl looked stunned at first and then began to laugh, and then her friends joined in. "You're joking right?" she continued to laugh. "I mean, if you fancy him that's alright, but I just don't see that happening sweetie, alright?" she said, condescendingly, placing her hand on Rae's arm.

Rae wasn't sure what to say. Her anger had taken over her entire body, her hands were shaking and it felt like her face had a match lit to it. She could feel Chloe behind her, her hand wrapped around Rae's wrist. Izzy also had her hand on Rae's arm as though they knew what she was about to do next, even if Rae didn't know it herself.