Chapter 13

Reality check

Back to school day was finally there. For Rachel, it meant the day she would make peace with Finn.

Unable to sleep, she got out of bed at 5 am. She went downstairs to get her banana and flax seed oil mixture and drank it as slowly as she could. She waited, impatiently, until six to get on her elliptical. After her exercises, she took a shower and got dress. Unable to stay calm much longer, she decided to go to school early, she could always go to the auditorium and sing if she was too nervous, she knew that would calm her down.

She put her winter her coat and cap on and went outside. The time was a bit cold but sunny, promise of a great day. So, she went to her car and drove to school.

The school parking lot was nearly empty. She parked her car and got out of it. She walked quickly toward the big building that was Mc Kinley high and passed the school's doors. Then, she went to her locker and took her note pad; from the desk of Rachel Berry and wrote a quick note: Finn, I really need to talk to you before classes. I will wait for you in the auditorium. She went to his locker and stuck the note on it. After, she went to the auditorium where she waited Finn.

At the Hummel household, Kurt was already ready to go to school, but Finn was still sleeping. So, Kurt decided to wake him up and have a little chat with his brother dear.

He knocked on Finn's door once, twice, three times before hearing "I'm up." from a grumpy voice on the other side of the door.

Finn took time to get dressed before opening the door to Kurt. He dressed himself in jean, white t-shirt and his football jacket. Then, he opened the door, still half asleep.

"What do you want?" asked Finn, grumpily.

"I wanted to be sure you were ok." asked Kurt, trying to touch his brother shoulder.

"Why wouldn't I be? It's a new day, new start, a new hot girlfriend" said Finn, trying to adjust his mask on. He knew that if he could fool Kurt, he could fool anyone.

"Yeah, Casanova, speaking of your new girlfriend, when are you planning on telling your ex-girlfriend that you're dating Santana now." Replied Kurt, worry about the reaction Rachel would have.

"She will see it at the same time the others will but she'll probably be hanging too tightly on Puck's lips to notice." replied Finn a bit too angry.

"You are not warning her?" asked Kurt, stunned.

"Why would I? She didn't take the time to warn me before jumping into Puck's arms, so why would I warn her about Santana." replied Finn a little bit too harsh to be natural.

Kurt looked at Finn suspiciously. It made Finn feel uncomfortable, as if he knew about the bargain that he and Santana had agreed to. He should have known that Kurt would see through him. He really would have to work hard if he wanted the others to believe that he was truly that into Santana.

"What?" asked Finn, feeling attacked by Kurt's cold gaze.

"I think you should go easy on her. You'll see each other at school every day and you guys are glee club co-captains. I really think you should talk to her first." replied Kurt trying to calm Finn down.

"There won't be any problems Kurt but you won't know that since you are not going to McKinley anymore." said Finn a bit arrogantly.

"I hope you guys can work this out, for both of you." Kurt said leaving Finn's room to go downstairs.

In the kitchen, eating breakfast, Kurt was thinking about Rachel and the reaction she would have after seeing Finn with Santana. Even if, indeed, Rachel was with Puck, what he wasn't really buying, he knew that Rachel would react intensely. He knew that, as her friend, he had to warn her. So, he took his cell phone and dialled Rachel's home number but got the answering machine. He didn't want to leave a message to worry her fathers. As a second option, Kurt dialled her cell phone number but without more success, but he decided to leave a message. He wasn't sure if he needed to be explicit or just give her a hint. He finally decided to take the band aid off quickly.

Rachel, it's Kurt. I haven't much time, so I'll spill the beans; Finn is dating Santana and they are probably going to smear it down your face, I just wanted to warn you. One other thing, You and Puck? Really?

Once he had left the message on Rachel voicemail, he took the last gulp of his orange juice and went to the living room to get his coat. At the same time, Finn was getting downstairs yawning and scratching his head. Kurt put on his coat. He didn't know if he should tell Finn about him warning Rachel. He didn't know if honesty would pay off but he chose it anyway.

"I warned Rachel about you and Santana." said Kurt, one hand on the doorknob.

"You did what?" replied Finn, angrily. "I told you before, stop messing with my life Kurt." added Finn and hand on his forehand.

"I had too." replied Kurt looking at Finn.

"How did she took it?" said Finn sighing, telling himself that maybe it was for the best, that maybe, this way, it wouldn't start World War III.

"He didn't reach her but I left a message on her cell phone, so she'll learn it eventually." added Kurt, opening the door. He went out of the house and left for Dalton Academy.

Finn stayed home a few more minutes after Kurt's departure. Knowing the time to leave would arrive before he would totally be ready to face the day, he forced himself to put his coat on and left the house. He knew that Santana was waiting for him at her house. They had planned that he would pick her up at seven thirty and they would arrived together at school, holding hands and more...

So, lamblike, he went to Santana's house and waited few minutes in his car waiting for her to get out of her house, all dressed up in her usual Cheerios uniform under her red short coat. She got into the car and kissed him, but Finn had no reaction.

"Come on Finnocence, we have to practice to be believable." said Santana, looking seductively at Finn as she put one hand on his leg, near his groin.

Finn let Santana kiss him without much participation. Once they were both back on their seat, ready to go, Finn accelerated and drove to McKinley high school, not quite the scenario they had planned would work. At this moment, he had to fully put his mask on.

The school parking lot was really crowed. As soon as she got out of the car, Santana came at Finn's side and griped his large hand tightly and Finn merely smiled dumbly to the people who began to stare at them.

"But you hand on my lower waist Finnocence, this way, nobody will question our status." said Santana guiding his hand down her back, deposing it slightly at the start of her buttocks.

Finn reluctantly agreed to Santana's request and soon he started to hear people whispering as they passed by.

Once in, they continued their parade and everybody kept starring at them, whispering louder. They went to Santana's locker to take her books. After, they went to Finn's to get his stuff. There, Santana saw Rachel note on her new toy locker, tore it and threw it on the floor.

"We should go making out in the janitor closet?" said Santana lowering a finger on Finn's torso.

Finn had no desire to spend time alone with Santana who would probably eat him alive in there. Opening his locker, he found the perfect way out.

"Tempting, but I really need to get to class and look at something." said Finn opening his USA History book, happy that he found his way out on this one.

"I'll see you later." He added giving her a quick kiss on the lips. Kiss that she decided to extend for everyone to see.

Finn stepped back after thirty seconds, out of breath. He looked around to see if Rachel had seen it. But, she was nowhere to be seen.

"Bye baby." said Santana sending him a kiss.

"Bye." replied Finn, looking at her as she walked away with Brittany.

Finn was relieved to see her go. He knew that Santana wouldn't be low maintenance but her PDAs would be the death of him.

Once Santana out of his sight, he took the little piece of paper that she had thrown on the floor and unfolded it. It was a message from Rachel, she was already at school and she wanted to see him in he auditorium before class. His body started to shake, God, he was not ready to face her yet. He hoped that studying would change his mind.

So, he went to his USA History class and sat on his chair. Seeing the chair next to his, he realized that he was sharing his desk with Rachel. The fact of seeing Rachel so close to him made him queasy. He left the class running. Santana had had a great idea: the janitor's closet.

He went to the janitor's closet and hid there for the entire first period. He preferred to face detention, if he was caught, better than facing Rachel. So, he sat there and waited.

Rachel waited as long as she could in the auditorium but she didn't want to be late for class. Furthermore, she would see Finn there because they were sharing their desk.

So, she left the auditorium and went to her USA History class. While getting there she saw people looking at her weirdly. She thought that maybe the win at sectionals had made people change their mind about new directions.

"Berry, wait for…" screamed Puck as he was running after her.

"Sorry, Noah, I'll see you later." replied Rachel interrupting him.

Before getting into her classroom, she stopped herself, took two deep breaths and she entered. She was disappointed to see Finn's bench unoccupied, but sat on hers and waited. Professor Hudler got into the room and closed the door, but Finn remained absent.

Their teacher didn't give them new stuff; he gave them some revision to do by themselves.

At nine o'clock, Professor Hudler left the classroom for a few minutes and, then, people started to talk. She didn't want to give attention to those gossips, but she turned her head toward one of the gossiper when she heard Finn's name.

"Santana Lopez and Finn Hudson got it on during the holidays." said one person.

"Yeah, I heard they had steamy sex on Christmas night." said another.

"Lucky Hudson, he's finally going to know what a woman is." said another, not seeing Rachel was eavesdropping.

Those comments hurt Rachel, but she told herself last year mistakes were last year mistakes. She truly wanted a fresh start and a future with Finn.

Then, professor Hudler came back and everybody stopped talking, putting their heads back into their books.

When she left her class, Rachel went back to the auditorium to wait for him, if he had had her message, he would knew where she was and she wanted to be there to welcome him.

At ten, after the first period, Finn got out of the janitor's closet and went to his second period classroom. Every body in the hallway was looking at him differently. People he didn't even know started to talk to him, to hi-five him as if he was a hero or something. Everybody was staring at him, boy impressed and every girl willingly. He felt like he was another Finn Hudson, one who wasn't weeping for Rachel Berry and somehow he liked it. Boys extended hand to him and girls kept starring at his body. It made him feel good about himself.

Then, he saw Rachel' silhouette leaving their USA History classroom. He went to hide into the nearest bathroom, hoping that she hadn't seen him. Luckily for him, she had not. Looking through the bathroom small door window, he saw her getting into the auditorium. So, he went to his next class safely.

After two periods, Rachel hadn't heard about Finn. In some way, she had, but what she had heard couldn't possibly be the truth. That truth would imply Santana and Finn becoming a real couple. She had heard things about them making out like two animals in the parking lot earlier today. She knew that it couldn't be the truth, people had the tendency to exaggerate things and Finn would never to that to her, he loved her, he had told her.

She decided to spend her lunch time in the auditorium, wishing he would come to see her but he didn't. She had lunch alone and went to her third and fourth periods without seeing Finn, but it was okay for her because she would see him in the choir room later.

To be sure that he wouldn't see Rachel during lunch time, Finn took Santana out for lunch, pretending that he wanted to be alone with her. She bought it and they went at Bread's sticks. They eat a lot and made out a little in the car in the school parking lot. Finn knew that this masquerade was the price to pay to get over Rachel's betrayal and to keep his reputation safe and he was partly willing to pay it.

At one o'clock, they got out of the car and Santana kissed him goodbye before faking to zip back his pants and went away. Looking at it, a lot of people looked at him with admiration and he just ran to the next class hoping he would not see Rachel.

He also succeeded to go to his fourth classroom without seeing the brown haired girl. However, he spent the whole period wondering how he would be able get alive out glee club practice once Rachel would face him and Santana. He knew she would be there and he knew that Santana would enjoy displaying their "love" in Rachel's face. World war III was coming soon…

Right after her fourth period, Rachel went straight to glee rehearsal's room. She hadn't arrived there first, Puck was already there, pacing.

"Why didn't you call me back?" asked Puck almost running to her.

"I didn't get your call Noah." Rachel answered, looking into her purse and seeing that she had left her phone home.

"Why did you want to talk to me?" asked Rachel zipping back her purse and looking at Puck.

"To know how you are handling things." answered Puck, taking her into his arms.

As Puck was holding her, taping her back, the other glee club members arrived, talking, but they stopped when they saw Rachel and Puck. They looked at them surprised.

"So you two are together now?" asked Quinn, a bit shocked.

"They just like to switch partners." replied Artie.

Rachel wasn't sure she had understood right.

"No, Noah and I are just friends and who likes to switch partners." Rachel asked Artie who turned red at Rachel's question.

"So, you don't know?" asked Mercedes, stunned.

"Know what." Rachel asked as she saw Mr. Shuster getting into the room. The only two people missing were Finn and Santana. Then, she got scared.

"Who likes to switch partner guys." repeated Rachel, looking at every each of them.

Then, her world crumbled down, she saw Santana getting into the room holding Finn's hand, smiling. Finn managed to look as smiling as her. She kept looking at them, mouth wide open. Finn went to sit in his usual bench and Santana came to sit on his lap. Rachel stayed there, unable to talk. Puck helped her to sit next to him, but she couldn't stop starring at the new couple.

Santana was quite happy with the expression on Rachel's face. She had succeeded to unbalance her opponent. Santana kept smiling while nibbling Finn's neck. Finn reminded there, sitting, motionless, not saying a world. Santana took his large hand and put it on her tight. Rachel turned herself to face Mr. Shuster who looked as surprised as she was.

"I see thing have changed over the holidays, but our main objective remains. We have to battle and defeat Vocal adrenaline in Regionals. I don't think we'll have another chance next year if we fail this time." said Mr. Shuster, trying to get them out of their stupor.

"For starting our new year, I thought that maybe a duet could be a good idea." Mr Shuster said. "Finn, Rachel, co-captains, do you think you can manage it." Their teacher asked them.

Rachel expression hadn't change. She was still out of it and Finn didn't have the courage to speak. So, Santana took charge of things.

"Clearly, Rachel's cat got her tong, but mine has already been bounding with Finn's so I'll do the duet with him. In fact, I know a song that would suit us perfectly." said Santana lifting herself from Finn's lap.

"Baby, the drum." Santana added, ordering him. Finn obeyed.

Finn

What I like about you, you hold me tight
Tell me I'm the only one, wanna come over tonight, yeah

Santana

You're whispering in my ear
Tell me all the things that I wanna to hear, 'cause that's true
That's what I like about you

What I like about you, you really know how to dance (everybody laughed)
When you go up, down, jump around, think about true romance, yeah

Finn

You're whispering in my ear
Tell me all the things that I wanna to hear, 'cause that's true

Both

That's what I like about you
That's what I like about you
That's what I like about you

Santana
What I like about you, you keep me warm at night
Never wanna' let you go, know you make me feel alright, yeah

Finn

You're whispering in my ear
Tell me all the things that I wanna to hear, 'cause that's true

Both
That's what I like about you
That's what I like about you
That's what I like about you
That's what I like about you (whispered)
That's what I like about you (whispered)
That's what I like about you (whispered)
That's what I like about you (whispered)

As they were singing, Santana kept turning around Finn with greedy eyes and he sang the song with energy. The fact of seeing Puck holding Rachel's hand made him want to be as convincing as he could be.

At first, the other glee club members didn't know how to react toward the new couple and the new situation, but the song was good, so they soon started clapping, laughing and dancing. Well, everyone except Puck and Rachel.

During the entire showdown, Rachel had kept looking at her feet, angry not to be the one singing with Finn. She didn't want to look at them at the moment, but if looks could kill, she would be a proud murderer.

Puck had stayed at her side, his hand on hers, as if he was trying to take a bit of her pain.

The song stopped and everybody applauded. Finn left his drum and came in front. Santana jumped into his arms and kissed him on the mouth. Surprised, he stepped back, getting Santana off him.

"Great duet, what do you think guys?" said Mr. Shuster who had come to join the new couple.

Everybody cheered.

Hearing the other glee club member congratulated the new couple crushed Rachel heart and pride. Before breaking into tears, she stormed out of the room.

"Nice one guys." Puck said looking at all of them, leaving the room to see Rachel.

It didn't take too long for Puck to find Rachel.

"I knew you would be here" screamed Puck as he entered the auditorium.

He walked to the stage where she stood, facing an imaginary audience, crying. Puck went close to her and held her.

Rachel let Puck rocked her a little and stepped out of his arms. Then, he went to the front row and sat.

"Sing, Berry, Sing!" asked Puck.

Do you know where your heart is?
Do you think you can find it?
Or did you trade it for something
Somewhere better just to have it?
Do you know where your love is?
Do you think that you lost it?
You felt it so strong, but
Nothing's turned out how you wanted

Well, bless my soul
You're a lonely soul
Cause you won't let go
Of anything you hold

Well, all I need
Is the air I breathe
And a place to rest
My head

Do you know what your fate is?
And are you trying to shake it?
You're doing your best and
Your best look
You're praying that you make it

Well, bless my soul
You're a lonely soul
Cause you won't let go
Of anything you hold

Well, all I need
Is the air I breathe
And a place to rest
My head

I said all I need
Is the air I breathe
And a place to rest
My head

Do you think you can find it?
Do you think you can find it?
Do you think you can find it?
Better than you had it
Do you think you can find it?
Do you think you can find it?
Do you think you can find it?
Yeah, better than you had it (Better than you had it)

I said I all I need
Is the air I breathe
And a place to rest
My head

I said all I need
Is the air I breathe
And a place to rest
My head

Do you know where the end is
Do you think you can see it?
Well, until you get there
Go on, go ahead and scream it
Just say it

After the song, he went back to her and took her in his arms again.

"You know that I could be your fake boyfriend." Pucks said whipping her tears away.

"No Noah! It would be wrong because you do have feelings for me. I… I…" said Rachel, stepping out of his embrace.

"You still love him, don't you?" interrupted Puck angrily.

"Yes. As much as I'd like to say no I can't." replied Rachel, looking at Puck, arms crossed on her chest.

"Didn't you see the fault in their duet; it was false because they are false. Up beat tempo is okay for them, but a sweet love song wouldn't be believable. Love his about tenderness and I don't think they are capable of such a thing." Rachel added.

"So, you will fight for that dumbass." said Puck sighing loudly.

"No, I still have feeling for him. I think that somewhere, somehow, I will always wait for him, but I need to stick with my resolutions, that and the fact that I have no chance against "superhot" Santana, no way I could give him want she can ." said Rachel.

"You should think more of yourself Miss Berry." said Puck hugging her.

Stepping back of each other, they walked out of the auditorium. They walked until they reached the choir room.

"I don't really feel like going in there." said Rachel to Puck.

So Puck went to the choir room and came out quickly.

"I am getting you home." said Puck offering his arms to Rachel.

She took it. They went to her locker to get her stuff. Once her coat on and her luggage in hand, they went out of the school and got into Puck's car.

Puck drove her home and she got off the car.

"You sure you're ok?" asked Puck, on hand still on the steering wheel.

"Yeah, I've got a lot of work to do. I just need to keep my mind busy." replied Rachel closing the door of Puck's car.

"I'll pick you up tomorrow." Puck said, after lowering the glass on Rachel's side of the car.

"I'll be ready." said Rachel. "Thanks for everything Noah." she added, grateful.

Puck responded with a wide smile. He lifted the glass back up and Rachel watched the car going away.

Once Puck's car out of sight, she went into the house and took her winter garments off. She went into her room with her luggage and sat on her work table. She took out a book out of her luggage. She hopped USA History would get her mind off Finn...

Finn was sitting in the choir room, holding hands with Santana. They were listening to Sam singing tanding up before Quinn.

Lost in his mind, he wondered what was going on with beetween Rachel and Puck. They had been gone for a while now.

"They're probably in the janitor's closet, making out, to get even." Santana whispered in his hear as if she had heard his thoughts.

"She's done that before, remember." Santana added whispering.

Then, she played with Finn's ear lobe with her teeth. Finn stepped back, surprised by Santana attack, whipping his hears with his jacket.

Then, he saw the door open. Puck entered the room and went directly to Mr. Shuster. Finn saw the bad boy saying something to the teacher. Then, Mr Shuster tapped Puck's shoulder and Puck went out the class.

Sam's song ended.

"Is there another volunteer?" said Mr. Shuster.

"I think it is Puck's turn." Finn said dumbly, faking he hadn't seen Puck leave.

"Puck is gone" said Mr Shuster. "Someone else?" he added.

"Where did he go Mr Shu.?" asked Finn, trying to sound as dumb as he could.

"He brought Rachel home, she wasn't feeling well." answered the teacher as he looked at the clock.

"Okay guys, we'll call it a day, but see you all on Thursday, we need to settle the song selections for Regionals, we have a lot of work to do." added Mr. Shuster waving hands to his gang.

Everybody left, except Finn and Santana. Santana sat on Finn, facing him, her legs on each side of his hips.

"What do you say we have dinner out, your treat, but maybe you're in the mood to eat something else?" Santana said, kissing him greedily.

He pulled away from the kiss. He whipped his lips.

"We are alone, there's no need to kiss me like that Santana." said Finn, pushing her of him gently not to make her fall on the floor.

"Relax Finnonence, we're having fun, remember?" replied Santana smiling.

"Stick to believable lies." thought Finn. Then, he thought; USA History.

"Sorry, but I have to study. Mr. Hudler is giving us a test based on revision tomorrow and I really need to study." he answered Santana.

"You are no fun." replied Santana, sulking.

Then, they left the choir room holding hands. Finn went to get his USA History book, to be more believable, and they went to Finn's car.

He drove Santana back home. He let her kiss him. Santana visibly wanted more than just kissing, but he was not in the mood for heavy make out. She finally got out of the car, five minutes after, and got into her house.

He drove to his house. When he arrived, he saw that Kurt wasn't home yet. He got out of his car, walked toward the house and got in. He took off his coat and went to his room, his pack back in on hand.

Then, he sat on his bed, took his USA history book out of his backpack. He hopped that studying would help get Rachel and Puck out of his mind. Little did he know that a tornado was approaching, a tornado named Rachel Berry.

Songs: What I like about you by The Romantics

Say (All I need) by One republic.