Disclaimer: I Do Not Own Glee or any of the lyrics included in this story.
"I don't wanna be one of the boys, one of your guys. Just give me a chance to prove to you tonight, that I just wanna be one of the girls, pretty in pearls, not one of the boys."
-from 'One of the Boys' by Katy Perry
"I can't believe I'm actually doing this" Rachel cried, clutching the fruity alcoholic cocktail that Santana had prepared for them. "I feel so bad, and so good; like I feel scared sick cause security could burst in at any second and send us all to jail for underage drinking, but it's an exhilarating kind of sick."
"Calm down hobbit, we're going to be fine, me and Britts do this all the time" she laughed. "That guy must really get under your skin to inspire you to do this huh?"
"I don't know what you mean" Rachel said, bringing the drink to her lips yet again.
"We've been trying to get you to come out with us for the last few weeks and you never would, but one conversation with the pool boy and you're down."
"It's not that San" she defended weakly. "I always wanted to go out with you guys, but I had a boyfriend at the time. I didn't feel it was appropriate then, but that isn't the case anymore so, why not?" she finished, taking a large gulp from her drink.
"Okay, I'm going to need for you to slow down with that" Santana said, grabbing the drink from Rachel's hands. "It's your first time, and I can already tell you're going to be a lightweight. I am not carrying your ass around all night, so take it easy. Moderation" she emphasized, taking a small sip from her own drink as demonstration.
"Are you sure you don't like that guy Rachel? You spend like, every day with him and you talk about him all the time" Brittany piped in, sorting through their mixed array of clothes to pick outfits.
Truth be told, she really did think of Finn a lot often than she cared to reveal to anyone, and not always in just the 'friends' kind of way. It had been that way since the first day he walked into The Playground and introduced himself. But no one else needed to know about that fantasy.
"Yes I'm sure Brit, we're just friends" she exclaimed loudly, if not entirely convincingly, noticing Santana's doubtful stare. "Seriously. He's not exactly the 'boyfriend' type, and I just got out of a relationship anyway so it's nothing like that."
"Suuuure" Santana called, rolling her eyes as she walked over to help Brittany.
"We just get along really well, we're boys" she recited just a little sadly. "He doesn't look at me that way."
"Let's see how he looks at you when he sees you in this" Brittany cheered, holding up a tiny pair of white shorts and a cropped deep blue over the shoulder top that made her cringe a little bit just to look at. "Do you have any shoes that go with this Tana? I don't trust hers" she whispered, eying Rachel's penny loafers with barely masked distaste.
"What's wrong with my clothes?" she asked, pulling at the fabric of the purple sundress she'd initially planned on wearing. It had taken her hours to decide on this outfit, she was comfortable with it.
"Are you kidding me?" Santana started, raising both eyebrows as she started in on her. "You look like a freaking-"
Rachel flinched as Brittany's hand came over Santana's mouth to prevent whatever hurtful thing she was going to say. Oh how Rachel loved Brittany.
"Your clothes are...well they look like you Rachel so that's okay. But, your friends already think you're a boy, maybe if you dressed a little differently, they wouldn't be confused. See, like this" she said, releasing Santana and grasping the sides of Rachel's shirt, pulling to make the fabric stretch across her chest. "I can totally tell you have boobs now! Confusion all gone!" she declared, clapping for her own stroke of genius.
"She's right. You want to come out with us, it's on our terms, and we say this is what you wear" Santana stated, reaching forward to lift Rachel's dress over her head.
"Hey! I can do it myself!" Rachel cried, stepping back and wrapping her arms around herself.
"Well by all means, go ahead" Santana smiled, lifting the shirt over her own head and pulling on the black tank top, slashes going through the back to reveal large amounts of her tanned skin. Smirking she tossed the abandoned shirt at Rachel, hitting her in the face with it before pulling on the short multicolored skirt.
Looking over, Rachel watched as Brittany followed suit, pulling down her shorts and replacing them with the striped black and white ones she had picked out, not even covering herself in the g-string she was wearing as she did so. She then removed her top, revealing her bare breasts to Rachel as she pulled on the shimmery halter top. Rachel gulped, knowing that they were testing her, so she grabbed her drink, downing another large gulp before she sat it down and lifted her dress.
"Damn Berry" Santana praised, eying Rachel's pale pink bra and matching panties as she reached to pull on the white shorts. "That's a hot little body you've been hiding there." She brought over a strappy pair of sandals, handing them to Rachel as she continued to stare appreciatively.
She smiled as she fastened the shorts, grabbing up the top and pulling it down into place. Rachel stepped in front of Brittany's full length mirror, smiling widely as she took in her own reflection. The shorts really did make her legs look amazing, and as she turned to inspect behind, she found that they fit her hips perfectly, hugging the curves of her behind enticingly. The top was snug fitting, her breasts popping out against the fabric that stopped midway her belly. She had never worn anything like this, and before she actually saw herself in it, you would have never convinced her that she could pull it off.
"We're geniuses" Brittany cheered, walking up to wrap an arm around both Rachel and Santana. "You look super hot Rachel. But, it needs something" she said thoughtfully, studying Rachel's frame in the mirror before towards her nightstand.
Rachel and Santana shared a confused glance before finally shrugging, it was Brittany. Rachel made her way over to Brittany's dresser as she took another sip of her drink, starting to really feel the effects of it. "So where is this party at" she asked, sitting down in front of the attached mirror as Santana combed her fingers through Rachel's hair, applying mists of hair spray.
"A friend of a friends' house" she answered, shrugging her shoulders. "I don't actually know the people, but they throw awesome parties, and the house is right off the campus grounds, so we don't have to risk driving trashed, it's perfect."
"Cool" Rachel giggled, reaching forward to apply her eyeliner and mascara.
"Found it" Brittany squealed, bouncing towards Rachel and pulling her up from her seat. She bent down, her eyes level with Rachel's abdomen as she studied it. "I thought it was pierced. It looks like your holes closing, why?"
"My friends from high school wanted to do something big for graduation. Most of them got tattoos, but I ended up just getting my belly button pierced. I don't really wear rings that often, most of my old rings got lost in the move, and I lost the ball to my last one in my sleep the other night."
"Well tonight you're going to wear this" Brittany said, holding up a dangling rhinestone 'R' belly ring.
"Brit, why do you have an 'R' belly ring?"
"It's not an 'R' Rachel" Brittany whispered, "it's a handicapped B" she explained, drawing an imaginary line from one bottom end of the 'R' and connecting it to the other, forming a 'B'. "It's sensitive about it's condition. But it will pass for an 'R' for you tonight."
Rachel giggled loudly, the alcohol making that a lot funnier than it should have been as she nodded. "Thank you Brit."
Brittany smiled as she unscrewed the top of the ring, placing it at Rachel's belly button and pushed it through. "There, now you're perfect!"
"How do you feel?" Santana asked, leading Rachel back over to the full length mirror to give herself a once over as Brittany finished her makeup.
She inspected her wildly tousled hair and the smoky eyes with deep satisfaction. She had never seen herself look so hot before, like ever. The impressive reflection in the mirror, combined with the confidence the alcohol was igniting in her made her laugh loudly as she raised her arms in the air and spun in a circle before caging Santana in her tiny arms for a hug.
"I feel amazing Tana! Amazing and sexy, and so excited! We're going to have so much fun tonight!"
"The party doesn't really start up til about 11 at the earliest, and it's only 9:30 now. What did you wanna do to pass the time?"
"I know exactly what we should do" Rachel declared, swaying slightly on her way to the dresser, puckering her lips to apply some gloss for a finishing touch. "I think it's time you meet Finn."
Rachel stumbled slightly, holding onto Brittany's elbow as they made their way through the U.C. "There are never this many people here" she said, looking around at the crowded building. "There must be something going on tonight."
"Or they all knew we were making an appearance" Brittany giggled, "The party don't start til I walk in" she sang, imitating Kesha with a loud laugh as Santana opened the doors to The Playground.
There were more people in tonight than she had ever seen as she looked around. Rachel let her eyes search the bay first, finding nothing. She continued her survey, finding every bowling lane filled up with groups of people she'd never seen, and all of the ping pong and Foosball tables were also occupied. She searched all of the pool tables until she finally spotted him, bent down over the table shooting a game with Puck.
Perfect.
"There he is" she whispered, nodding her head towards the table.
"Please tell me not the dude with the ridiculous mohawk."
"No! The one putting the chalk on his stick, see?" she sighed. He must have felt all of their eyes on him, because as soon as he'd made his shot, he turned to them. Finn's mouth immediately fell open, the butt of his stick dropping to the ground as he shot straight up.
Well that was a good reaction.
Rachel linked arms with her two friends, pulling them towards the table that her other two best friends occupied. This was going to be fun.
"Hot damn Rachel" Puck said eying her with something akin to awe. "And who are your friends?" he asked, stroking a hand back through his mohawk in an attempt at being suave as Finn collected himself.
"Boys, this is Santittany and Brittana" she announced proudly, slurring her words terribly. She giggled at her mistake, placing a hand over her mouth. "Oops. Santana and Brittany, my friends" she amended, beaming brightly at Finn.
"Rachel, are you drunk?" he asked, staring at her with a lopsided smile, her favorite lopsided smile.
"What gave it away jolly green giant?" Santana said, sarcasm dripping from her tone as she stared at him judgmentally. "I don't know where you see the beautiful Rach, he looks kinda doofy to me."
"Excuse me?" he asked, the sting of the insult apparently lost on him since he turned to Rachel with a laugh. "You think I'm beautiful? I knew you were checking me out." Finn looked down at her, shaking his head in mock disappointment.
"Don't flatter yourself Finn" she scoffed, hopefully convincingly. It was hard to tell with all of the alcohol in her system already, she couldn't even attempt to stomp on Tana's foot for fear that she would stumble. "I also said that your attitude pretty much ruined the good looks" she stated, shrugging her shoulders as she stumbled towards Puck. "Why are there so many people here? Is this a party? Is it somebody's birthday?"
"Ooh is there cake?" Brittany interjected excitedly.
"Umm no. The University is holding some kind of overnight event tonight, so we're having free play until 2 a.m." Finn explained with a groan.
"Yeah yeah, so what are you ladies' plans for the evening?" Puck asked, sidling up next to Santana with his game face on. Rachel definitely recognized that face, and she laughed preparing herself for the rejection.
"Getting out of this lame ass hole and hitting a party so we can have real fun" Santana said snidely, looking to her left for Brittany. Not finding her, she turned further around, searching for her blonde partner, finally spotting her talking with a girl they recognized from the dance team.
"I'll be right back guys, we're going to play dance dance revolution!" Santana watched her girlfriend walk away with a slight frown.
"We should play too! Can we play with you guys?" Rachel asked, bouncing forward to grab Finn's elbow for no apparent reason.
"Uh, sure. Me and Puck will split up, I'll take you and he can have your friend so it'll be fair" he said, motioning for Puck to rack the balls.
"Hell yeah! No offense Rach" Puck said.
"None taken" she smiled, more than happy to be paired with Finn.
Puck racked the balls up as Finn wordlessly grabbed a cue stick off the wall to hand to Santana. "You didn't get me one" Rachel said, trying to keep the jealousy out of her voice. She should have figured he would be attracted to Santana, it was Finn.
"You can share mine" he answered smoothly, making her eyes widen as she looked down at his cue, he had never let her even touch it before. "Just don't drop it, or I'll have to kill you."
"Okay."
Rachel watched as he approached the table, bending down and drawing his stick back before slamming the cue ball into the rack. Rachel actually felt the force from his stroke, her stomach muscles tightening as the sound echoed in her ears and the balls rolled about wildly, two of them dropping in the pocket.
That was hot.
"Nice break dude" Puck called. "We're gonna whip your ass when you miss though. Again, no offense Rachel, you're still hot."
"If I didn't look hot you wouldn't mind offending me?" she giggled, rolling her eyes at her crude friend as Finn continued to shoot, making in another ball.
"Probably" he grinned. Finally Finn missed a shot, leaving only two of their balls on. He really was just too talented.
"So you guys are really going out tonight?" Finn asked as he walked over, looking down at her outfit before meeting her eyes again.
"Yep, to an actual college house party" she cheered, her smile so wide it actually kind of hurt.
"I would hope so, that doesn't look like a knitting outfit" he teased, nudging her in the side.
"Shut up!"
"I still can't get over the fact that you're tipsy" he said, shaking his hand. "You turn single and you go wild."
Rachel laughed, punching him in the shoulder. "Being wild is fun so far. They probably never would've gotten me in this outfit had I not had some alcohol in my system. I'd be way too self conscious."
"You shouldn't be, you actually look hot" he said simply, looking away from her to watch Puck shoot in his third ball. "Maybe we should've gotten you some condoms at Wal-Mart the other day, we don't need you to coming in here pregnant after this party tonight. We'd have to kick you off the team, pregnant people can't shoot pool, their bellies get in the way" he teased.
"Funny, you don't seem to be having a problem bending your fat ass over the table, how do you do it?" Santana asked in mock wonder, interrupting them. "It's your shot Rach."
"Finn is not fat Tana, leave him alone" Rachel groaned, swaying towards the table with Finn's stick in hand. She eyed the balls, excited to see that he had left her with a straight in shot to start with. She sank the ball in perfectly, giving a small bow as she moved on to the next shot. Though it was slightly more difficult, down the rail, somehow she pulled through, sinking it in as well.
"Tell 'em who taught you that Rach."
"Finn!" she sang, beaming at her audience, extremely proud of her improving skills, even through her slight drunkenness. The joy died when she looked at her next shot though, she'd left herself with a cut shot. She hadn't even practiced cut shots yet. Crap. "Help?"
He came to stand next to her, looking at the balls as well. "Okay Rach, this is going to be kinda hard but you're gonna have to cut in the side" he said, pointing towards the ball.
"Hey, no coaching!" Puck cried.
"Shut up dude, she's still new at this. You can help Santana if she needs it when her time comes."
Puck stopped, watching Finn lean over behind Rachel at the table and quickly changed his mind, hoping to get to give Santana the same type of coaching soon. "Cool deal, proceed."
Rachel brushed her hair away from her bare shoulder, eager to feel Finn's breath on her skin much like she had felt the day he taught her how to break. He leaned closer, staring down the line to determine how the ball should roll.
"These shots aren't really that hard, it just takes a lot of attention to detail" he explained, moving his hand to the exposed skin of her waist to get her to move over slightly, changing the angle of the shot. "It's all in the angle. You have to hit it in just the right spot" he breathed against her shoulder, the warm breath raising her body temperature by about a hundred degrees as she fought to keep standing. Damn all this alcohol, it was really messing her up.
Or maybe it was just Finn.
"You find the line that the ball needs to travel, and you line up accordingly" he said, adjusting the tip of the cue slightly, curling his hand around hers as he guided her. "Then there's the speed. If you hit it too fast" he said, pulling back on the stick then pushing it forward between her fingers quickly, making her jump slightly in surprise "or too slow" he said, pulling it back and pushing forward with exaggerated slowness as she bit her lip, his hips pushing into her hip slightly, "it won't go in right. You have to have just the right speed."
"If you two are done, we'd like to get this game over with" Santana called, rolling her eyes at them. "We have a party to get too."
"I think she's got it" he said, smirking as he righted himself and stepped back. "Let's win this Rach."
She shook her head at the haze he left her in, trying to gain her focus as she leaned over to take the shot. Keeping his instructions in mind, she narrowed her eyes, gave her shot a few practice strokes, then pushed forward, knocking the eight ball in and winning the game.
"Yay Finn! We won!" she squealed, turning to him with a huge smile as he raised his hand in the air for a high five.
"Oh right, midget" he said, lowering his hand down for a low five.
"I officially don't want to celebrate with you anymore" she pouted, sticking her tongue out at him.
"Always so dramatic" he grinned, pulling her in for a side hug. "You're lucky you're such a pool shark or I couldn't deal with your diva attitude."
"Smooth Gigantor" Santana said, coming over to pull Rachel away from him. "It's time to go, say goodbye to your loser friends" she said, eying Puck, apparently angry that he lost them the game since she didn't actually get to shoot. He shrank at her glower, dropping his eyes to the ground as Brittany finally rejoined them.
"You ladies be careful tonight, don't do anything I wouldn't do" Finn warned.
"That's not saying much, but we'll try" she called as Santana tugged her towards the door. She waved wildly, looking back at him, still watching her as the doors closed behind them. Rachel was still smiling as they made their way out of the building, into the warm air of the night. She stared up at the stars, getting more and more excited about her plans for the night as they walked, things had already gotten off to a really good start.
"We should probably take you to the clinic to make sure you aren't pregnant or didn't catch anything from that" Santana stated, smirking at Rachel. "You little slut, I knew you liked him."
"I do not! He is hot though isn't he?" Rachel giggled, clutching at Brittany's hand. "You missed it Brit, we had so much fun!"
"Some of us more than others" Santana taunted, making a gagging gesture toward Rachel.
"Whatever you say Tana, I was just having fun, just like I intend to continue doing if the two of you would stop slowing me down!" Rachel bounced forward, partly running and partly skipping towards Santana's car as she laughed out loud. "Let's get this party started!"
This 'Partying' plan is being broken into two chapters because it was getting so dang long! Anyways, hope you're enjoying so far!
Update coming as soon as I can get it out! In the meantime, check out 'The Tether'!