Chapter 4
"Rachel!" Her mother's voice echoed through the large house. "Hurry up, we're going to be late!"
The same words echoed around in her head, only flying out each ear. Instead, she sat still in front of the mirror at her vanity set.
She stared at the image that it showed her. She had to keep taking second glances every time she saw the girl in front of her. She couldn't recognize her, no matter how hard she tried. Of course, she still had her glasses and was able to escape her mother before plastering makeup all over her facial features. But, she still felt disgusted knowing that she didn't look like herself.
It had been a matter of three months since that crucial discussion on the staircase with her mother. With that being said, her "escape" plan had only grown stronger, with the help of Quinn and Santana. But, with every rainbow comes a storm, which explained for the reason she was sitting in front of this mirror in the first place.
She'd begun to accept everything that was happening to her, to her mother's delight. She figured it was the best way to convince Shelby, before she would rip the rug from under her mother's feet when it came time for college. So, she held her breath, attended all of the social events that her mother scheduled for them, and wore only smiles when her insides screamed otherwise.
With this also being said, three months was plenty of time for her mother to buy and fill her closet with dresses that she'd rather scream than have to wear. This explained where she was now. It felt like she had no circulation left as she tugged at the extremely tight black dress she wore.
This, with the white pearls hanging heavy around her neck, the very tall heels that she had no idea how she'd leave the house without tripping in, and the huge curls that ran through her hair, was what she had trouble recognizing. It wasn't her at all. But, her mother wanted a show. So, she'd get one.
Holding the vanity in front of her, she slowly rose. She knew that if her mom called her name one more time, she'd go nuts. So, she decided she wouldn't give her that advantage. Gathering as much balance as she could, she made her way for the stairs. Meeting her mother at the foot of them, her facial features rose into a smile at Shelby's furious ones.
"Took you long enough," she commented. "What were you doing up there anyways?" She asked, grabbing the car keys and her purse, as well as handing Rachel her very own small white purse. Examining it, she saw the two C's. Chanel, how fancy…
"You know, normal things, fixing my hair, putting on perfume, singing "The Rain in Spain"," Rachel replied to her mother with her usual sarcastic manner. It'd happen so often lately, that her mother gave up with the usual scolding her behavior, and the "do not embarrass me" speeches before they went into public. Instead, she always chose to brush it off, which was exactly what she did now.
"Just get in the car…"
She chuckled to herself, before wobbling out the front door in front of her mother. She knew that she was watching her struggle, this lead to her next question.
"Rachel, are you okay? You seem to be struggling."
"I'm fine. It's just a little hard for me to walk like I have a stick up my ass. Mother, won't you teach me your ways?" she asked, as if they were in some classic fairytale. She knew her mother hated when she did this as well.
As they climbed into Shelby's Mercedes, Rachel buckled her seatbelt and mentally prepared herself for today. She knew she couldn't be spatting out sarcasm like she had with her mother on the daily basis.
They were headed to Spring Meadows, a resort a few miles outside of town. This place was usually where the wealthier families in town gathered on the weekends. There were spas, swimming pools, golf courses, basketball courts, tennis courts, and restaurants. Rachel remembered coming here a lot when she was younger with her parents, but since John died; her mother hadn't been coming as often.
That was, with the exception of today, of course. They were on their way to another social event; the second one that Shelby had dragged her to in the span of just two weeks. Forget a social life, she seemed to think her mother thought. This explained why she'd only been able to see Quinn and Santana during school hours lately. Every weekend, her schedule almost blew up.
Today, the respectable young women and their mothers from the founding families would be gathering at the tables by the swimming pools to drink tea and share small talk, while the respectable young men and their fathers gathered at the large golf course to discuss politics. She immediately felt guilt when Sam texted her this morning, saying that his father was dragging him along for the ride.
She, herself, was not up for the journey she'd be joining at her mother's side. Especially since she'd known most of these women and their little girls since she was the age of 6. If you think little girls refusing to play with you, and grown women calling you a "chubby little thing", was bad, imagine how things would be today; especially when most of those girls had grown to be snobby little brats just like their mothers, and she was the one that was chosen to marry Finn Hudson. According to her mother previously, the Hudson's were considered gold in this town, right after their family name.
According to local history, they discovered some sort of water source for the new settlers, which made them heroes or something. She never really paid much attention to history class seeing as though she'd study, take the test, and be over it. So, it was safe to say that she didn't know. It was also safe to say that she didn't care. But, since her "future husband" was considered as town royalty, many of the fellow founding families wanted their daughters to marry him. It also didn't help that many of these girls had already fallen in love with his looks.
So, today would be no picnic. She could already here all of their whispers in her head.
"My daughter would have had a better chance."
"Wasn't she that chubby little girl?"
"She looks like an embarrassment for this town."
"She's not pretty enough for Finn Hudson."
She could say that, for the first time in her life, she was glad that Shelby was accompanying her. If there was one thing that she could say, it'd be that from the earliest age, she'd developed her sarcastic attitude from her mother. She wasn't exactly saying that she was proud of that or that she was proud of her mother for anything. Shelby was a cold-hearted bitch. But, for as many terrible things that Shelby's said to Rachel, if someone verbally attacked her family in public, Shelby had as much, maybe even a little more, sarcasm to go around. And, she always got the last word.
She knew this, because they'd faced it before. It was a few months after her father passed away. It was the first time they'd stepped out to a public event without John. And, as usual, one of those women had to express their opinions about the state of the Berry family.
"How are you supposed to keep the town together when you can't even keep your appearance together?" Ashley Weston, Brody's mom asked one day when Shelby and Rachel attended a private meeting regarding previous events.
Her mother had taken in a little too many cocktails, leaving her a little buzzed in front of everyone. Rachel, herself, remembered the embarrassment that she'd placed on the both of them. But, Shelby retaliated in the best way possible, low blows.
"Didn't your husband cheat on you with a college student, Ashley?" Shelby asked. "If it were up to me, you're not really an advocate for public appearances."
Rachel remembered how she'd made the blonde woman look like the biggest idiot as she ushered for Rachel to follow her out of the room and into their waiting limo. Rachel later heard the cries coming from Shelby's room as she ascended the stairs to get ready for bed. There was a crack in the door, so she stood watching her mom cry her eyes out with so much hurt in her heart.
Then, she watched her push back the little while capsules in horror. As soon as Shelby noticed her presence, she jumped up and slammed the door shut. Rachel's heart dropped, knowing that things were terrible for them. She didn't think that things would ever get better.
She was a little shy of fifteen then. Now, at seventeen years old, she knew that she was right. They were still in a mess, even if it didn't involve pills and alcohol.
Her mother pulled her out of her train of thought when she changed the radio station to classical music. She took it in for a moment, before looking to her mother for an explanation.
"What is this?" Rachel asked, reaching for the knob. "Put it back." Her mother only smacked her hand away.
"It's calming," Shelby told her. "I know you're nervous about being in the same atmosphere as all of these women and girls, especially because of the fact that a lot of them will be jealous today. Finn is a very attractive young man, and a lot of these girls will be angry that Christopher chose you." "Plus, a lot of the events we've attended before were with men, and it's less intimidating, trust me. I've gotten into a lot of cat fights in my day when I was in line to marry dad."
"Wait, I thought that dad chose Finn," Rachel asked. "And that he chose me to be with Finn."
"Dad chose Finn to become the mayor and suggested the marriage in his will," Shelby assured her. "However, no one said that you had to marry Finn."
"Then, why am I here?" she asked. "If that's the case, then can we go home?"
"Because, Christopher was nice enough to accept the suggestion that you marry Finn to keep the wealth in the bloodline. Out of all the girls in the founding families of this town, he chose you. You should be more appreciative," she told her.
"Whatever happened to marrying someone because you love them?" Rachel asked," Not just because your parents say so?"
"This is it on the left, remember?" Shelby asked, ignoring what Rachel previously asked. "I've got to check us in, but you can wait in the lobby."
Once Shelby pulled around the front of entrance, they both hopped out of the car as she left the keys to the valet. The teenager looked at her with curiosity as she wobbled around, clumsily, in the tall heels, but he shook it off and hopped into her mother's car.
Once they got into the large room that was the lobby of Spring Meadows, Rachel sat on one of the many sofas as Shelby checked them in at the front desk. Once she was finished and motioning for her to get up and join her, Rachel was stopped in the process. Her mother pulled her to the side to give her a small pep talk.
"Today's all about appearances, Rachel," Shelby reminded her. "You can't pull the same stuff as you do at home. Your impression is being shaped today by these women."
"I know," she told her. "Don't embarrass you, I get it."
"No, don't embarrass yourself." Shelby argued. "You're going to be the wife of the mayor. These people are going to need to trust you to be respectable and polite, and proper. Don't give them a reason to believe that you are anything other than that. I know that you're mad at me for all of this, but don't take it out on these women. If you need to, take it out on me at home. Just not here, okay? You need to have it together so these women can see that you know what you're doing."
"They're still going to gossip behind my back, though," she told her mom. "I guess I don't really see the point."
"That doesn't matter, Rachel," Shelby told her. "I've already given them a few reasons to look down on this family. Show them differently."
"How?" Rachel asked. "Here's the thing, I DON'T know what I'm doing."
"Be the woman that your father raised," she told her. "Be the woman that your father knows you're capable of being."
She huffed, not knowing what to do with what her mom just told her. Of course, she knew she'd have to suck up to no end, using her politeness and charm to the women she'd be encountering today. She also knew she'd have to swallow her pride and take it if the girls were mean to her. She was going to be Finn's wife, and for all they knew, there was nothing that she could do about it. The knowledge that there actually was something she could do about it, made this whole thing better.
Once they'd made their way to the reserved area by the pool, Rachel took in the large crowd of women and young girls her age. It only made things worse that she hated large crowds of people who she didn't know. So, she did what she did when she was younger, and got as close behind her mother as possible.
Some of these women wore hats, while others had their hair pinned up in elegant hair styles. The white, light pink, lavender, and light blue dresses almost tripped out her eyes as they were everywhere. They must've been popular colors, especially since it was almost spring time. She had no idea why her mother chose black for her if this was the case. All the while, she kept her hands respectfully at her sides, as the white purse hung over her shoulder. She couldn't help but notice it was all like a scene from "The Titanic".
Once their attention was caught, all eyes occupied Rachel as she moved closer to the crowd. She kept her glance to the ground, afraid that if she looked up she'd be able to see the faces of all of the people leaning over and whispering. Surprisingly, when she did, no one moved an inch. They kept their eyes on her and her mother.
"Oh, you've grown so much, sweetheart," one woman approached the two. "Shelby, she looks so much like John." Rachel didn't remember seeing her before. But, that didn't stop her from smiling and offering a polite "Thank you."
This happened for the next thirty minutes, which caused her to become exhausted. She had been introduced to women who knew her, but she'd never met before, little girls who were much younger than her, girls the same age as her who looked her up and down, and finally, older woman who were grandparents to some of these girls.
She remained polite, offering kind words, complimenting their dresses, or how pretty some of the girls were with their hair up. In the meantime, she'd received compliments at how pretty she'd become, or how they loved her dress. She knew it was all lies, but she smiled and thanked them anyway.
By the time tea was served, Rachel and Shelby, found themselves at a table with Mrs. Puckerman and her younger daughter Michele, Ashley Weston, to her mother's dismay, and her daughter Gabriella, whom Rachel recognized as one of the girls she competed with for the role of president of the student council, Mrs. Evans with her daughter Steffie, one of the snobby little bitches who refused to play with her when she was younger, and finally, Claire Abrams, with her daughter Tiffany and her grandmother. All three teenage girls looked at her as if she were a statue in an art museum. With less appreciation, might she add?
Rachel brushed it off, noting that they were only jealous of her. Instead, she sat up straight and tried to mimic her mother's actions. Reaching forward, she placed a spoonful of sugar in her tea, and spun the liquid around gently, careful enough not to hit the sides of the glass cup with her spoon. The older women of the group watched closely, in appreciation that she knew table manners.
"So, Rachel, you're mother's told us so much about you." Claire smiled at her. "We're so glad that you could join us today."
"It's an honor to be here and involved," she replied. The profits from this tea would be sent to some cause that Rachel forgot when her mother explained it to her. She hoped they would bring it up for her or she wouldn't have to address it directly. "The foundation you have all built is so inspiring to me and I only hope to succeed just as half as it did."
"So, your mother's informed you on what this event was about today?" Mrs. Evans asked, looking to Shelby. That's when she felt the edge of her mother's shoe lightly tap the side of her leg. With a pounding heart, she swallowed thickly and replied.
"Yes ma'am," she tried to hide the fear that they'd ask her more about it. She sat silently, waiting for someone else to speak.
"That's amazing, Shelby," Claire smiled, turning to face Rachel once more. "We only hope that once you get married, you'll help us further the organization. The rate of homelessness is only growing and they could use your help."
"I think it would be an amazing distribution on my part," she replied, impressing her mother. The woman then jumped into a conversation about today's world and environment, leaving the children to have their own conversation. The three girls, including Mrs. Puckerman's younger daughter, hopped into a conversation of their own. She wished she could tell you what it was about, but even she didn't know.
She tried to listen in at first, some of it being about their mutual friends and teachers. But, after a while, she tuned out. Instead, her inner self screamed at her. She wanted nothing more than to throw her shoes and necklace into the pool and run as far away as she possibly could.
"Excuse me," she interrupted the women in the middle of their discussion. "Is there a restroom somewhere around here?"
"Right around the corner, dear," Mrs. Evans told her.
"Thank you, "she smiled, as she excused herself and walked away. Shelby paid no mind. She caught the eyes of some of the women and girls at other tables, but she smiled and walked past them. She walked until she was out the eyes of everyone.
Locking herself in the bathroom stall, she had to figure out how to remain calm. Her hands were already shaking. There was no way that she could take much more of this, and they hadn't even been there for long. According to her mother, they were going to be there for at least a few more hours.
Did you get the gossip on all of the women in Ohio yet? Isn't that what those tea parties are about? –Tana
I'm surprised they let them drive there. I was waiting for you to tell me they had a carriage sent to the front of your house, Mrs. Hudson. –Quinn
I can just imagine Rachel curtseying. – Santana
I'd pay all of my savings for one of you to bail me out of here. – Rachel
Guess it's not all teacakes and rainbows? –Tana
Not in the slightest. –Rachel
I better get back before they have my head. – Rachel
Putting her phone down, she stepped out of the stall to an empty bathroom. Walking to the faucet, she turned the cold water on and gently brought a few handfuls against her face. Once she was convinced that she was calm enough to sit through a few more hours of gossip and proper elegance, she returned.
The next few hours were everything she thought they would be. With all of the gossip of the lower class citizens in Lima, as well as the boring public speaking about people and places she didn't know existed, conversations about her "future husband" right in front of her face, and the annoying looks from most of the girls there, she'd had enough. All she wanted was to go home and sleep everything off.
During the last public speaking of the day, Rachel decided she'd move over to the snack bar before being pushed into last minute conversations by her mother while everyone was saying goodbye.
Taking a few finger sandwiches from the large crystal tray, she shoved them into her small white Chanel purse, along with some pretzels and a bag of chips.
"I see I'm not the only one stocking up," A voice played through her ears. Her heart nearly fell out of her feet in realization that she'd been caught.
Turning, she came face to face with a blonde girl, a few inches taller than her. She was wearing a turquoise dress as she smiled down at her with cerulean blue eyes.
"Couldn't really fill myself with those tiny appetizers they passed as lunch," Rachel replied.
"Tell me about it," she laughed. "Who needs exercise, right?"
"I think I've already dropped a pound or two," Rachel replied.
"I'm Madison," she chuckled.
"Hi, Rachel," she held out her hand for the other girl to shake it.
"So, Rachel, what's your story?" the girl asked, putting another sandwich in her tan hand bag.
"My story?" Rachel looked at her with confusion.
"You, know, your story? Everyone here has a story…" she explained. "Whether it's being dragged here by your entitled relatives or you actually like this lifestyle. I'm thinking the second option is out the window since you're back here with me, sneaking food into your purse instead of listening to the public speakers and sharing last minute gossip."
Rachel had to take a minute to chuckle. She'd finally found a person with the same attitude as her. She'd never known she existed until today. And, she was glad about it.
"My dad was John Berry, the mayor." She told her. "But, he died so now I'm expected to become the lady of the town."
"What's that mean?" Madison asked as she placed a grape in her mouth and began chewing.
"I have to marry the new mayor," Rachel explained further. "So, according to my mom, all of these events are to shape my image. I'm probably not doing too good of a job right now." She laughed.
"Hey, as long as no one else catches us, we should be fine," she assured her. "But, that sucks. Hope he's not old and gross."
"He's no prince charming, I'll tell you that much," Rachel joked, wanting to change the subject. "So, what's your story?"
"My mom's the leader of these foundations," she replied, rolling her eyes. "Apparently, when she gets older, I'm taking over. So, I've got to be at all of these."
"I'm sorry," Rachel told her, sympathetically. "That's got to suck just as much."
She shrugged her shoulders. "You get used to it. Especially when the waiters and valet boys are so hot." She laughed, throwing her glance to a brunette boy in the distance, wiping down a vacant table.
"Is that your boyfriend?" Rachel asked, assuming that they liked each other, seeing the boy look up and smile in the blonde's direction.
"Please," she laughed. "My mom would croak."
She chuckled with her, instantly dropping her gaze in remembrance of what her own mother told her a few months ago. How she was born to be a "show" and nothing more.
That was when a blonde headed lady that she'd seen before began calling the girl's name. She watched as Madison straightened out her dress and flashed a hand signaling for her to wait a moment.
"Well, that's my cue." She smiled. Grabbing her phone, she handed it to Rachel. "Give me your number so neither of us has to be alone," she instructed, causing Rachel to chuckle. Entering the number as fast as possible, she made sure it was correct before handing the phone back to the girl. "It was nice to meet you, Rachel. Talk to you soon?"
"Definitely. It was nice to meet you," she responded before she was left alone, standing near the neatly assorted table. It wasn't before long until her own mother was calling her name. Turning on her heel, she was instantly at her mother's side.
"I have to stay behind to talk to a few of the woman on the board, but you can walk around if you want."
"Really?" Rachel asked.
"You've earned it," Shelby smiled at her. "You didn't do anything to embarrass me today and the ladies are so impressed by how polite and poised you are. They say that they see a bright future ahead for you in this town. I'm so proud."
Rachel was stunned and couldn't believe what she was hearing. Never, in her seventeen years of living, had she ever heard those words come out of her mother's mouth. The whole moment was surreal. She knew that if just one person pinched her arm, she'd come crashing from the dream she was having. If only she could've gotten the whole thing on a recording, because she knew this was a once in a lifetime occurrence.
Smiling, she replied to her mother before turning and walking in the other direction. "Thanks."
By the time she got away from the crowd and out of the main lobby, she found herself in a beautiful garden. The flowers had every color of the rainbow as the noise of the water from the fountains soothed her ears. Sooner than later, she found herself standing outside of the tennis courts.
The area was locked closed by a gate, but that didn't stop her from admiring from afar. She loved when she saw blue tennis courts. Their school court was green, so she wasn't used to it.
After a few minutes of standing there, she finally became bored and moved on. Looking around, she found what seemed to be the golf courses.
Taking off the painful heels she'd been walking in all day, she cut through the fresh grass with her bare feet. By the time she approached the occupied men and boys in what looked to be last minute golfing, she found the blonde boy in swinging position. She watched him drive the white ball yards away. Before he could put another ball down on the grass and get into position, she approached him.
"Are you winning?" She asked, laughing at his surprise to see her.
"Wow," he said, examining her appearance. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at the Tea Party with the women?" he asked, hinting at a sexist joke.
"Aren't you supposed to be hitting the ball on the green?" she retaliated.
"Well played, Berry, well played," he laughed. "We're just wrapping things up. You know, working on practice swings and all."
"I can tell," she laughed, looking to Finn a few yards up, struggling to hit the ball in front of him. "Has he been like that all day?"
"Football and golf don't exactly mix. At least, not in his case," they laughed for a bit, before Rachel had an idea.
"Oh, can I try?" she asked.
"Here," he handed her the club. "Do you need help positioning yourself?"
"No, I think I can get it," she smiled. Swinging the club back, she felt the ball move from the ground and into the air on contact.
"Wow, who knew you were actually good?" Sam laughed, clapping his hands together.
"My dad may have taught me a little," she admitted as they laughed to themselves for a couple of moments, before being accompanied by Christopher and Finn.
"Rachel, what are you doing here?" Christopher asked, sounding surprised to see her. "Aren't the girls supposed to be by the pool?"
"No wonder she's here then," Finn commented. "She fits the category perfectly."
"What category?" Sam asked, instantly regretting it.
"I'm not getting into this one," Christopher joked as he watched Rachel place her hands on her hips with a facial expression of anger appearing over her face. With that, he walked away to greet some of his friends.
"You know, manly," he laughed, watching Rachel's angered expression heighten. Then, it swept from her face.
"You'd definitely know a lot about that category. I couldn't help but notice how you struggled just now trying to hit the ball," Sam laughed as Finn glared. "You know, I could help you if you wanted."
"Golf isn't my thing." He defended himself. "Why don't you judge me after you've seen me play football?"
"Well, I don't like you or football, so why would I want to watch you?" Rachel asked.
"Because, according to popular belief, it turns a lot of girls on seeing me on the field," he winked. Rachel pretended to vomit while Sam shook his head. "It'd probably help you a lot with this whole forced marriage thing."
"I thought you were head over heels in love with Sugar?" she challenged him, referring to his own words at the dinner table a few months back. "How can you notice other girls drooling over you in the stands, when according to the previous version of yourself, you only have eyes for her?"
He only rolled his eyes and returned to his previous actions. This was practicing his swings with Sam's golf equipment.
"I'd hate to be the one to tell Christopher that his son's a fraud," she said again.
"What about you, huh?" he asked, putting down the golf club and walking over to Rachel. "You don't expect me to believe that this is the real version of yourself?" he asked, referring to the dress she was wearing. "You and I are a lot more alike than you think."
"That's an insult," Rachel laughed.
"How so?" he asked.
"Because you're an idiot, and I'm smarter than you. And people are going to realize that the moment you step into office, which is going to be the reason that this whole thing blows up in our faces."
"How do you know that when the only power that you have over this town is attending tea parties?" he crossed his arms. "Do you even know anything about politics?"
"Do you?" she raised her eyebrow at him.
"I'm going to school for business next year," he informed her.
"Wow, the future of our town rests in the hands of community college professors. I'm so convinced." She spat out sarcastically.
"Can't be that hard if your mom does it," he retaliated. This whole time she hadn't noticed that Sam had left them alone. Instead he was on the other side of the course, practicing his swings.
"You know, you've had a lot to say about my mom lately, but I don't seem to forget how much you kissed her ass the other night when she let you into our home," Rachel fired back.
"It's called being a gentleman," he informed her.
"Are we talking about the same guy?" she laughed. "I can't wait to see what happens when you try to pass that crap with the citizens of this town. They're not all dumb like the girls you charm your way through."
"That's not what's going to cause this to blow up in our faces. It's going to be the fact that I'm prettier than you." He told her.
She quieted down, placing her hands on her hips and looking at him. "Wow, you know, that really hurt my feelings," she replied, before a smile plastered on her face and a laugh escaped her lips.
"Do you think it's a joke?" he looked at her with confusion.
"No, but I think you are," she answered truthfully. "Your personality is a lot louder than your looks. Keep that in mind, Finny." She smiled, watching his face drop in disgust at the new nickname she'd given. Only then had she realized it'd stuck.
Turning on her heel, she decided it be smart to walk away now as opposed to staying here only to engage in more pointless banter with her worst enemy. Once she'd gotten back to where her mother was sitting, she joined her at the empty table.
"I'll take one of those," she said, pointing to a vacant glass of wine.
"Turn 21 and we'll talk," her mother replied, which threw her off. She seemed tired, which usually led to bad moods, which she assumed Shelby to be in. But, she didn't make any remarks, she only played along.
"What's wrong?" Rachel asked, as she noticed her mom staring at her phone.
"Just ready to go home," Shelby answered.
"What are we waiting for, then?" Rachel asked, again.
"I told Christopher we'd meet here before we left," Shelby told her. "I kind of wanted to see how Finn did today as well."
"Don't waste your time, mom," she told her mother.
"Remember how I told you that your actions would create an image for you today?" Shelby asked.
"Yes," she remembered.
"Well, your actions toward Finn create certain images as well. You guys are going to have to get along at some point." She warned her.
"That's really easy for you to sa-" Before she could jump into another argument with her mom, they were approached by the three guys. Instantly, Shelby stood and straightened out her dress to greet Christopher. Rachel felt a sharp kick to her foot before she watched Shelby motioning for her to do the same.
"I was beginning to think you forgot about us," Shelby joked, as Rachel's gaze wondered over to Finn. He was texting away on his phone.
"Just got caught up in the game, that's all," Christopher joked, patting Rachel on the back. She smiled at him, taking into consideration what her mother had just said to her. "How was your time, girls?"
"They loved her," Shelby exclaimed.
"Why wouldn't they?" Christopher laughed, showing his excitement as Finn rolled his eyes.
"What did they think about Finn?" Rachel challenged, bringing him out into the light. She knew she was taking part in a round of his own childish games, but she'd just thrown in the towel at this point.
"They think he's…" Rachel's face lit up in amusement as Christopher struggled over his words. "Promising."
"It's none of your business what they think of me anyways," Finn told her. Then he smiled, and spoke again. "The only time you're going to have to see them is when we need food and drinks during meetings, wifey."
"Okay, that's it!" she threw her purse on the table before lunging forward at the tall brunette boy. She would've gotten to him if Christopher wouldn't have grabbed her waist and restrained her. "Hudson, you're so lucky they're holding me back!" she exclaimed, fighting against Christopher's grasp.
"Okay," he laughed, as he placed his hands into the pockets of his khaki pants. "Whatever makes you sleep at night," he told her.
"How about we get out of here before we cause a scene?" Shelby asked, watching some of the women coming back outside to clean the tables.
"That's a good idea," Christopher replied, letting go of Rachel. Holding his hands out for a second, he waited to see if Rachel would act up again. Instead, she smoothened out her dress, grabbed her purse, and headed toward the exit like everyone else.
As she followed behind Shelby and Christopher, she realized their mistake. Finn and Sam trailed on the sides of her, Sam looking at his feet and Finn looking at his phone. The perfect opportunity was in her reach.
With the slightest motion of her feet, she turned and applied all of her force within her arms against Finn's tall and muscular build. Before long, he was falling sideways as his phone was on the ground.
The sound of water splashing filled the air, as the grownups turned to face what had happened behind their backs. Rachel watched as Finn's figure began to submerge from the clear water. The grownups, as well as some of the women from earlier, watched as Rachel's facial features rose into an ear-to-ear grin.
She'd just pushed Finn Hudson into a pool, and there were not enough words in the dictionary to describe how good it made her feel.
Hope you enjoy! :)