A day was all it took for Rachel to begin losing her mind; it's amazing how after knowing someone for only a couple of days, that person could become so necessary for survival. Too dramatic? Try telling Rachel Berry that.

A sudden knock on her door interrupted her sullen train of thought and she got out of bed for the first time since school ended just a few hours before to answer it, considering she fact that she was home alone. Once she opened the door, a determined Finn Hudson almost knocked her out of the way to get inside. Almost breathless, he turned around to see Rachel's mouth opened a bit in shock at his entrance.

"Sorry," he said, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. "I wanted to make sure I could get in before you slammed the door in my face."

Rachel couldn't help but smile slightly at his antics, but the smile faded away as she realized she was still supposed to be mad at him.

"So I'm here to apologize," Finn began speaking as he brought Rachel's attention back to him. "Like I did in my hundreds of messages... But seriously, I'm so unbelievably sorry, Rachel. Please, please forgive me." In his hand, Finn held out a small box that he had pulled out of his pocket. "I got you this as an apology. Don't think I'm trying to buy your forgiveness, though.. It's just a way of saying I'm sorry and-"

Finn was cut off by the pressure of Rachel's hand on his own as she picked up the box. "You didn't have to do this," she said as she glanced back up at him.

"No, I did. I mean, I used all of my savings, but for you it was worth it."

Rachel opened the small box slowly and took out a heart-shaped locket, small enough to fit in her palm without being seen. Smiling down at it, the brunette pulled it around her neck and clipped it on. "It's beautiful," she said quietly. "Thank you, Finn."

Finn nodded and the two stood in silence before Finn asked, "Are we good?"

Rachel nodded back, her eyes filled with gratitude. "We're good."

"Can I hug you?"

"You don't have to ask."

Finn gently wrapped his arms around Rachel's delicate frame and pulled her into a tight embrace, full of affection and warmth. Rachel reciprocated his hold with her own arms and rested her head on his chest.

"These past few days have been hell for me, Rachel," Finn confessed, tightening his grip on the petite brunette.

Rachel kissed his chest lightly. "Me too."

"I want us to be a couple. Like a real one where we go on dates and hang out at each other's houses and I can kiss you whenever I want because being without you was horrible and it made me realize how much I really do care about you and want to be with you and-"

Finn was once again cut off by Rachel, but this time not by her hands. Firmly, her lips pressed against his and she managed to mumble, "Hey, calm down."

A bit stunned but pleased by her gesticulations, Finn nodded as best he could considering Rachel's lips still touching his. "Is that a 'yes'?" he asked after pulling his lips away far enough to talk.

"For the sake of playing hard-to-get, it's a maybe."

Finn rolled his eyes as he felt all of the tension that was before surrounding them completely disappear. "I think that's a bit unreasonable."

"I don't," Rachel smiled flirtatiously as her phone rang. Confused as to who it was when she saw the unknown number, Rachel picked up the call. "Hello?"

Finn watched as Rachel's face completely changed form. She smiled the brightest he had ever seen and it lit up the room.

"Yes, yes thank you so much," she said brightly, her face full of excitement and anticipation before hanging up the phone.

"What is it?" Finn asked, his face now just as bubbly as Rachel's. Simply put, her happiness was contagious.

"I got a callback for Fanny!" Rachel smile grew bigger as she spoke.

"A callback?"
Amused by his bewilderment, Rachel explained, "It means they want me to audition again for Funny Girl. It means they're really considering me, Finn. This could finally be my big break!" Rachel squealed, kissing Finn quickly with enthusiasm before she picked up her phone again. "I have to call Kurt and my dads and Blaine and Tina and Mercedes..."

Finn grinned sincerely at Rachel's excitement; he was genuinely proud of her. However, he was afraid; afraid of losing her for good if she ended up earning the part or if not, when he graduated and she remained in high school for another year. A bittersweet feeling occupied his thoughts for the time being. Still, he vowed to support her with whatever she wanted to do. He didn't own her. Heck, she wasn't even his girlfriend. Well, yet.

I hope you all are enjoying this! This chapter was a bit on the shorter side, but I intend to make longer ones tomorrow and Wednesday. As always, please continue reading and reviewing. :D

If you guys have any ideas as to what can happen, feel free to comment them in a review! I can't promise to use them, but I vow to consider each and every one.

Thank you all so much!