Hey guys... I'm a little nervous to upload this chapter. For all of you confused as hell right now, i'm so sorry. I made things worse. So here's the truth. I was thinking of deleting the story. But, then i thought of all the time and effort i put into this and i'm truly too dedicated to walk away. So, it's not going anywhere. What happened, was, i uploaded a letter saying that i was going to delete it and then changed my mind, so i quickly deleted the letter and began working on this chapter. I hope this will make a lot of you feel better. If you're confused after reading this chapter, please tell me. The story is under major reconstruction at the moment... I really hope you all like this chapter.
Chapter 11
Finn launched forward in an upward motion. His head was pounding, his heart was stammering, and his mind was racing. Was it a matter of cold feet, he wondered? The dream he had just now supported his curiosity.
In the dream was a series of events. This had never happened to him before. He experienced flashbacks of a night he hadn't experienced yet to a look at a terrible future, him being the only one responsible. It left a mark on his brain. He knew he'd be able to think of nothing else the next day. And that wasn't a good thing at all. Tomorrow was Prom. Rachel deserved his undivided attention.
Rachel, he thought. He wondered if it was too late to call her. Checking the clock on his phone beside him, it read 12:03. Maybe he'd get her on the line. It was worth a shot.
"Finn?" The sound alone soothed him to no end.
"Rachel," he breathed deeply into the phone, signaling his relief. This only caused confusion to seep into the girl's voice.
"What's wrong? Did something happen?" she asked hastily.
"Yeah," he admitted. "I had a terrible dream." He could hear a faint chuckle within his ears. He started to laugh as well.
"Are you laughing at me?" he asked.
"What? Nooo…" she replied, sarcastically.
"You're laughing at me." He stated.
"Okay, I'm sorry." She replied. "It's just the relief kicking in I guess. Good thoughts aren't the first things that come into my mind when someone calls me at midnight."
"I didn't know who else to call," he admitted. "It involves you; it's all about you, actually."
"Oh goodness, please tell me you did not have one of those wet sex dreams. If that's the case, I'm hanging up." She joked. He blushed, almost becoming embarrassed that she considered that.
"No," he quickly shut down idea. "Look, is anyone awake in your house?" he asked.
"Nope," she replied. "Pretty sure Shelby was in bed long before 9:00."
"I'm coming over. I can't talk about this over the phone. You're going to be mad at me." He told her.
"What, Finn, are you crazy? It's midnight and considering we have to be up so early tomorrow morning to start getting ready, you're out of your mind. And why would I be mad at you? You're my best friend."
"I'll be there in ten." He replied.
"Fi-" he hung up, cutting her off from protesting further. Putting on a shirt and the pair of jeans he wore that day, he hurried downstairs to get to his truck. When he pulled in the driveway of the house he was expected to report to tomorrow afternoon, he rushed to the front door.
He waited a moment before the lock turned and the short brunette grabbed his arm and yanked him inside. Closing the door behind her, she turned to face him. "Scratch crazy, are you freaking insane? Forget what I said in the past, my mom would actually have my head for this."
"Look at you, sneaking boys in past midnight. You're such a rebel." He joked. When she sent him a glare, He continued. "I needed to talk to someone."
She issued for him to follow her into the kitchen. Pulling out a stool for him at the island, she waited for him to speak. All the while, she took it upon herself to boil water for tea. "You have my undivided attention."
The dream was so realistic that it had him questioning what real life was. The last thing he remembered physically doing was coming here earlier today after Rachel got home from school. He'd given her the dress and the necklace, watched her fawn over it in complete appreciation, and then retreated back to his house to delete more pictures of Sugar from his computer. That's where it must've begun, he thought. He didn't remember getting to his bed, but that's where he sat up moments ago.
"I don't know, it was just so real, and detailed and long- it was a really long dream. That's the crazy part considering I'd only gone to sleep a few hours before." He was disgusted with the images seeping in the back of his mind.
"What happened," Rachel asked as she positioned herself in the seat next to his.
"Don't get mad at me, because you'll hate it," He told her, taking his cup of tea in his hands.
"Finn, it was just your dream. How can I get mad at that?"
"The first thing I remember is that you were sitting in your room, all after we went to prom." He started.
"What?" she laughed. "Are you some kind of future-seer now?"
"I'm being serious," he pushed.
"I know," she sighed. "Continue."
"I came up to your room to apologize to you for something. You were mad at me and I explained that I did whatever I did because I was drunk and I begged for your forgiveness and you said that I was irredeemable." He shuttered at the low-blow from Rachel he'd never really received. He looked to her to see her staring at him with unbelievable eyes. Then, sympathy replaced them, and a hand found its way to his back. "Then, I looked up at you in your window and there was a look exchanged. I don't know how to explain it, it was all very weird."
"You know I could never say that to you, right?" she asked. "I mean, yeah, you've done your fair-share of bad things in the past and you've upset me from time to time, but I could never condemn you irredeemable. That's a little inhumane for my taste."
"I know, but it felt so real. I couldn't shake it. It wouldn't end." He told her.
"Then what happened?"
"Some crazy stuff started happening that I didn't even know was possible in a dream. I started having all these flashbacks about what happened at prom and afterwards. You came out looking like an angel in the dress that I got you. You had your hair fixed and you were so pretty." He remembered. This was the only good thing he had from the dream, besides their limo ride together and the dances they shared, leading up to all the bad stuff.
"I'm actually anticipating that for tomorrow. Enlighten me, how pretty is pretty?"
"No other girl could compare." He assured her.
"Then what bad things happened?" she wondered.
"James came back." Her eyes widened in shock. "You were so upset. Then, we were dancing on the dance floor and I caught sight of Sugar sitting on Puck's lap and I lost it. You begged me not to go, and I ignored you and got myself into an ugly fist fight; only disappointing you in the end."
"Wait," she stopped him. "Sugar and Puck, what do they have to do with any of this? I thought you ended things with Sugar earlier today?"
"I lied," he admitted, sheepishly.
"We're going to talk about that later," she scolded. "Continue," she instructed.
"I stole a bottle of vodka and ran up to the roof to drink it and sulk over how badly I screwed up. Then, you came up, told me a bunch of things I already knew, yelled at me, etc. Then, I drunkenly kissed you and you pushed me away."
He stopped to watch her face. He noticed it was reddening to the color of a tomato. She looked down and then back up at him. Reaching her hand out, she smacked him on the arm. "What was that for?"
"Every guy knows that it's not a good idea to kiss a girl when you're drunk!" she exclaimed. "Good for dream-me," she laughed.
"No, it's not good. Because after you pushed me away, you told me to get some sleep and I became even more upset. I did something that falls along the lines of irredeemable."
"What?" she asked.
"I slept with Quinn, and then you walked in and saw us and you were crying and I was trying so hard to explain myself and you told me to go hell." He ripped off the band aid.
"You slept with Quinn?" she asked slowly.
"Don't be angry with me, it came out of nowhere. You were so hurt and it hurt me to know that I couldn't explain myself because I really stooped that low. It was my entire fault."
"I'm not upset. I'm just really shocked because I didn't see that coming," she told him. Out of nowhere, a loud burst of laughter submerged from her. Relief filled him with the large breath he took. He didn't know how she found that funny, but he was glad it was the opposite of everything that he was expecting.
"Have we talked about her recently? I'm still trying to put together how you got Quinn in your dream?" she asked. Her eyebrows furrowed. "You don't have normal sex dreams of her, do you?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
"No, I think it was just my mind making the worst thing possible happen. You've talked about her a lot and I probably just put the pieces together in my subconscious."
"Is that all that happened?" she asked.
"Basically; after that the flashbacks ended and then we were in the town hall, taking pre-office photos for the wall. We couldn't stop spitting out insults at each other like before we became friends, and then it turned sexual-looking." He explained.
"Why is everything in your dreams sexual, Finn Hudson?" she playfully demanded to know.
"I didn't mean it like that. I'm just saying, the way they set us up, was a little awkward for a lawful pose. You were sitting on my lap and at one point my hand moved a little higher and I was groping your boob."
"Okay, can we not talk about this? I don't really want to recall the porno you were probably watching before you went to sleep." she interrupted. "Just, tell me what you remember waking up with."
"We were outside and you handed me my birthday present. It was a big box filled with stuff. You said you wanted an earlier start and it made me upset because I realized that I'd messed up the best thing in my life. I said that our fighting was stupid, and I hated not talking to you, and I begged you for another chance. When I woke up, the last thing you told me was that you didn't know where we stood anymore." He sighed, remembering the horrific images and scenarios he had to face in tonight's short-lived sleep. "I had to talk to you, or else it would've kept me up. It would've kept my mind away, tomorrow, from the important things. I needed assurance that none of it was real, because if it was, I wouldn't even know how to look at myself in the mirror."
"Finn, you're fine. It was just a bad dream. Everything's okay," she said, pulling him into an embrace.
"Rachel, I know we never really went into detail about this before, but I want to say it. The guy that I was before, I hate him. I never want to retreat to that person again. He was malicious and miserable, and everything that I despise. I think of that drunken guy from the party a couple of months ago who said those awful things to you that I don't even remember and I want to punch him so hard. I'm so sorry that I hurt you, because thinking about all that happened in my dream makes me want to vomit. I could never be that way to you again. I'm an asshole, Rachel." He held her hands in his own. She looked to him in a way he didn't even know was possible. So many words of encouragement were flowing from her brown orbs.
Thinking she would tell him what she was feeling and how she thought of the matter, she told him of a story he'd never heard before.
"You broke a vase in the hall," she began.
"What?" He was completely thrown off.
"Well, I say a vase. I'm not sure. I heard a glass crack and that's what startled me. I was so upset with everything. I thought it was just some drunken teenagers walking through the hallway. So, I opened the door to the darkness to see if anyone was hurt. I don't think I've ever rolled my eyes as far back as I had when I found out that it was you." She laughed, pushing a strand of her curly hair behind her ear. "Then, like the drunken idiot you were, you fell straight to the floor; saying 'ow' as if that was going to help."
"I never wanted to tell you about this because I figured you'd rub it in my face or find some way to make a punchline out of how much I care about you." She admitted.
"What did you do?" he asked on the edge of his seat.
"I slammed the door in your face." She told him.
"Ouch," he replied.
"Then, my guilt overtook me, right about the same time I heard you puke. So, I moved to you and helped you up. I felt like a powerlifter. You were so heavy. But, thankfully, I got you to the bathroom and helped you empty your stomach into the toilet." She cringed when thinking about it. "I remember sitting there thinking that you were so stupid after already having the flu."
"You should've left me," he scoffed.
"Trust me, I tried. But then, for the tiniest fragment of a second, you showed me something so different from what I'd seen and suddenly a tiny wave of hope filled within me. You thanked me. And to me, I can't even describe what it did. That's when I realized that you could never be irredeemable to me. I mean, yeah, we've had our rough times. I shed tears here and there, things got to an all-time awkward, but it led to where we are now. So, let's say that what happened in your dream really came true. Let's say you really did ditch me in the middle of the dance floor to start a fight over your ex, then got mad drunk and slept with my ex best friend; Do you really think I could call you irredeemable?" she asked.
"I mean, I'd probably be really pissed. It'd take me a while to forgive you, but I wouldn't all-together refuse you. We've been through worse. You're my best friend and that's all that matters. So, forget about that silly dream and get over here, because we have a prom to get to tomorrow and if I've got to smile for those damn cheesy pictures, so do you." She laughed, taking him in her arms once again. Holding him close, she savored the moment. Running her hand through the back side of his hair, she thought of everything she had to decide within the next few weeks. Leaning into his neck, she took in her favorite smell of his fabric softener from the shirt clinging to his back. This brought her face to face with every reality she'd have to come to term with in the near future.
New York was literally around the corner. She'd already been accepted. But, that meant that all of this would be for nothing. She proudly claimed that she'd never be able to not forgive him. But once the chips fell, would the same be said from him? Her heart sped faster when she thought of what would happen to them after she left. Nothing would be the same; that was for sure. She hugged him closer to shut her mind up.
"Ouch," he choked out. "Any tighter and I might lose a lung or two."
"Are you tired?" she asked, ignoring his joking comment.
"No," he asked, his face hinting at confusion. "What are you up to?"
"I'm probably not going to be able to fall asleep for a while. Do you want to watch TV with me?"
"I recall you saying your mother would have your head," he joked.
"I don't care," she told him. "Plus, you're going to be gone by then. If not, oh well. I'll take the heat for it."
Once they settled on the couch, they were just in time to catch the ending of Divergent on HBO. While Finn dived into the movie, Rachel's mind rushed to other places. She started to develop pesky conflicting feelings. With moments like these, she saw exactly what she would be leaving behind.
That's when she started thinking about the possibility of herself throwing the escape plan out of the window, calling to tell NYADA that she'd changed her mind. She didn't know now, sitting next to Finn. She could see herself a few years down the road calling herself his wife. She didn't know if those kinds of feelings were what she was feeling right now, but there was definitely a pull at her heart. She just couldn't explain it. Maybe it was the fear of losing the closest best friend she'd had next to Santana. If she chose to leave him, it'd definitely be heartbreaking.
All the while, she felt like it was a step she needed to take. Although James was out of their lives for good and her mother would never retreat to that trash again, she would still have to deal with her manipulation. A lot of deals would probably be made on her behalf if she decided to stay. The marriage wouldn't just include spending all the time in the world with her best friend as her husband beside her. She'd also be expected to carry out other obligations; like dealing with the press, charity events, ruthless women after Finn. Her mother would also find a way to remain constant in their lives. They'd probably still be expected to pay her out in full. It just wasn't something she saw herself being happy doing.
She fell asleep with a crowded forehead. It was around five am when her arm was slowly tugged at. It took her a minute to process things. But when she realized she fell asleep, she shot up. She sighed when it wasn't her mom. The rising sun seeping in through the blinds framed his face perfectly. His sleep-swollen eyes looked disappointed that he startled her.
"Hey, we fell asleep." He informed her.
"Yeah," she laughed. "It would appear so."
"I'm going to head out before my dad wakes up and finds us out." He laughed.
"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea," she agreed.
"I'll see you later on, okay?" he asked.
"Yeah," she replied through her sleepy voice. She was fading fast. "I'll see you."
Jessica, Alaina, and Blaire stared at her with amazement. She did the same thing to herself in the mirror. After a day spent full of transformation with Santana at her side, they were finished. She was ready for tonight.
"Wow," Santana was flabbergasted. "So, it turns out that Hudson is decent when it comes to shopping for you. How much you want to bet he got Kurt to pick out the dress?" she laughed, admiring her own dress in the mirror aside of her.
"He actually did, "Rachel admitted, remembering the conversation they shared after he'd given her the dress. "But, before you say anything, it's the thought that counts."
"And the money," Santana joked.
"Hey!" she playfully nudged her, laughing at her obnoxious joke.
"These nails are not finished drying, Berry." She warned. "I don't want to have to cut a bitch."
"Just shut up and get over here," she smiled. Taking her friend in her arms, she felt a flow of gratefulness fill within her. "I'm glad you're here."
"I'm glad I'm here too." She admitted. "I can't believe your mom actually let me come over and get ready with you and your artists."
"You're growing on her," Rachel informed her. It was true. Shelby was starting to show more of a liking to the young girl than she had when they first became friends.
"Well, how could I not?" she smirked.
"You know, you never told me who you were going to prom with." Rachel remembered.
"Because you're looking at who I'm going to prom with; myself." She smiled and shamelessly admitted. "But, if you must know, there's this girl I'm thinking about asking out at the dance." She smiled.
"Who? Santana Lopez you better spill right now." She warned.
"Brittany from middle school," she laughed in embarrassment.
"No way," Rachel exclaimed. "Aww, Tana, I'm so excited for you!"
"Well, I hope she says yes." She admitted.
"She will," Rachel assured her.
"Enough with the cheesiness," Santana laughed. She never really was one to dwell on her feelings like Rachel and Quinn so easily did around her. So, to say that she was coming out and telling Rachel this was a big step for her. She felt happy that she was there to witness her happiness.
Rachel and Quinn had found out in their sophomore year that Santana was attracted to girls. She'd dated guys before and had even been in a serious relationship before they'd met, but she never seemed happy about it. That night she sat the both of them down and spilled, it seemed like a large stone was removed from her shoulder. Ever since that night, Rachel had been nothing but supportive of her best friend, and there wasn't a moment that she ever regretted that decision.
"Your mom's back," she said. When the heels made their way closer and closer, Rachel turned around to greet Shelby. The tall brunette woman stopped in her tracks, taking in her daughter.
"So?" she asked nervously. Shelby seemed to be giving off a weird look in the beginning. Rachel couldn't describe it. It looked like fear, almost. Then, she completely wiped her previous expressions away. Bringing her hand over her mouth, Rachel viewed the tears beginning to form in her eyes.
"Oh my," she mumbled. Walking forward, she wrapped her arms around Rachel. "You look so beautiful. You both do," she laughed, motioning for Santana to join them. When the group hug was finished, she thanked the three girls standing in the corner of the room. They made their farewells known after Shelby paid them.
"Now, before Finn and the reporters get here, I need a picture of the two of you," she smiled. She led them to the staircase. When they decided on their pose, Shelby flashed a few shots. Rachel laughed in harmony with them. That was, until she realized that they wouldn't be sharing this moment with Quinn as they always used to promise each other when they were younger. Something told Rachel that Santana got the same idea. She looked at her with eyes of understanding before proceeding to revel in the moment.
After a few moments of standing around and waiting, Shelby exclaimed. "They're here!" Rachel looked out the window to see Christopher and Finn emerge from their separate cars. Every bit of confidence she once had was wiped away. Now, nervousness overcame her being.
Christopher walked in before Finn, being the first to take in the girls. When he took in Rachel, something weird happened. He flashed Shelby a look. It almost said, "Is this for real?" It was as if her appearance was somewhat peculiar to them. If she had to guess, it was probably because her glasses were missing. She looked nothing like her normal self.
"Wow, you girls look really beautiful," he commented after snapping out of his weird trance with Shelby.
She didn't have time to question anything. Finn stepped in shortly after. With the small clear box rested in his hand, it nearly fell to the floor. Instead, his jaw was the only thing that fell to the floor. Rachel felt a little embarrassed by his amazement. He couldn't take his eyes off of her.
But, all the while, neither could she. He looked like a prince. He looked like the most handsome guy she'd ever seen in her life. She was beginning to stumble over her own thoughts looking at him in his dark black tux.
"You look really beautiful," he admitted in a voice that could've caused her to drop dead.
"Thank you," she replied. "You look," she stuttered trying to find the right words. "You look, wow."
"Thank you," he replied with an ear to ear grin. The tension in the air could be cut with a pair of scissors.
"I'm here too, Finnegan." Santana stepped around the two. "You look appropriate." She smiled.
They both chuckled turning to the girl. "Thank you, Santana."
After watching the girl nod with a smile, they turned to the box he was holding. "I know my dream may have been bad last night, but the only good idea I got out of it was this. It's a yellow rose. I figured it'd match your dress."
Placing the corsage around her wrist, Rachel admired its beauty. "I love it," she admitted.
"I'm glad," he smiled down at her.
"Picture time!" Shelby interrupted. All three teens groaned out of annoyance.
By the time every picture that could have possibly been taken was, the reporters showed up. Finn cringed internally when the questions ran along the lines of the ones that were asked in the dream. After a full half hour of torture, it was finally time for them to leave.
"Not to be the bearer of bad news or anything but I kind of promised Quinn I'd check in with her before they left as well. I'll see you guys there though." Santana smiled, hugging Rachel.
"Its fine," Rachel admitted although she was sad to see her friend go. She didn't fret. She'd see her in a matter of minutes. "I'll see you."
By the time they were on the road, they got lost into small conversations of their own. Most of it was about how tonight would go.
"What's your number one prediction about tonight?" Finn asked as he flashed his eyes to her and back to the road.
"Someone's going to pull a 'Carrie' and kill the prom queen." She laughed. He chuckled at her creativeness.
"No, I'm being serious. Where do you see yourself in a few hours from now?" he wondered.
"Content, I guess. I want to look back and know that I lived tonight and had the best night ever; with you." She added. "What about you?"
"It's a secret." He smiled.
"Oh come on, that's totally not fair," she exclaimed.
"You'll find out by the end of the night, I promise." He told her.
"Wait, you passed up the school," she informed him after realizing they were headed in a different direction.
"I know," he smiled.
She felt ashamed for even the slightest fear creeping up within her, because she trusted him. She knew that he would never be capable of causing any physical harm to her. It just scared her that they weren't going where they were supposed to be going. She was thrown off by the time the stadium lights left the rearview mirror.
"Is it possible that I wasn't over exaggerating when I mentioned the whole 'Carrie' thing?" she asked, watching cautiously out the window.
"Relax, I don't think it would be pretty beneficial for me to kill my prom date and the only real friend I have on the same night." He laughed.
"Okay, Norman Bates," she joked. "Just tell me where we're going."
"We're almost there," he assured her. "I thought about everything you told me last night. About how you helped my drunken ass-hat self when I didn't deserve it; and I came up with something. I didn't want to have to tell you about my dream last night, but you listened to me, even though it was the most unpleasant dream I'd ever had. I want to give back."
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"You cared about me, even when you could've easily walked away. You chose to stay that night and help me. You helped me last night when it was so late and you let me in. Now, I'm going to help you."
Rachel noticed all signs of street lights vanish from outside of the windows. They were driving through the section of the woods that separated the two sides of town. They were driving through the section of the woods that absolutely terrified her.
Instantly, she looked to the floor to avoid her eyes from wandering to the scenery she feared the most. When the truck began to come to a stop, Rachel's eyes widened. Grabbing hold of the side of her door, she squeezed it tight. When the truck stopped completely and Finn turned the key and took it out of the ignition, her heart fell to depths below her toes.
Swallowing hard, her gaze remained to her feet. Refusing to look up and around, she spoke. She didn't realize the edge her voice was holding until it broke mid-sentence.
"Finn, why are we stopping here?"
"Sam was on the phone with Quinn earlier today. So, I asked her a few things. I didn't tell her about my dream because that would be downright awkward. But, I wondered what she knew about you that could help me make this the best night of your life."
"You clearly asked the wrong person." She said, with a death grip still on the side of the door. It wouldn't be such a big deal if the truck was in motion, she thought. But, it wasn't. Along the abandoned road in the middle of nowhere, the truck was parked to the side and they were both sitting in complete darkness. "Finn, I think I'm going to be sick." She said, feeling her stomach churn. It was the feeling you get when you're about to get on a scary ride, times 1000.
"Let me finish," he pleaded. "I asked her what your biggest fear was. At first, she didn't want to tell me because she thought she'd help ruin your night. She didn't want that. She said she'd caused enough trouble for you already. But, when I told her what I wanted to do tonight, she instantly caved and told me about this place. She told me how every time y'all would pass this place, you'd get really nervous and look to the floor. She even told me that they used to stop in the middle of the road and pull your leg from time to time. We all laughed when she said she remembered how you would scream their ears off when her mom unlocked the doors and called for the monsters."
Rachel's heavy breathing calmed remembering their old times. But, her heartbeat didn't settle. This was, in fact, her biggest fear. She didn't know why Finn brought her out here.
"She's right, okay? I'm terrified of this place. The unknown and darkness of it all scares the hell out of me. What's your point, Finn? Why are we here?" she asked, holding her stomach. Reaching for the lock on the side, she made sure that it was pushed down. What triggered her fear of this place the most was the possibility of something reaching in and grabbing her. Finn's hand rested on her shaking ones, causing her to jump.
"I'm going to help you get over your fear." He assured her.
"Finn," she started with wide eyes and a raising pulse. "What? No, no, no; I'm not getting out of this truck. You'll have to drag me out, kicking and screaming. We have to go back. Santana's expecting us. We're supposed to be at the school."
"Do you trust me?" he asked.
"Yes, but I-" she stammered. He interrupted her.
"Then, you have nothing to worry about. Here," he smiled. "As for Santana, she's been onboard this plan the whole time, as well."
"Why are you giving me your phone?" she asked.
"This is the only time I will ever give you control over my truck's stereo. Take advantage, wisely." He chuckled. After saying this, Finn opened his door and stepped out. She sighed and squeezed her eyes shut. The only thing that interrupted her death-grip on the phone was the slight knocking on her window.
"Is this some sick way of you making fun of me for being afraid of some woods?" she asked through the window. There was no way he was being serious. "Because, if so, it's not funny."
"C'mon, Rachel, unlock the door." He begged. "I'm not making fun of you."
"We could die," she warned him. "If you're smart, you'd get back in the truck too."
"I promise that I will not let anything happen to you, Rachel. You just have to trust me."
Sighing, she took a moment to think. In an irrational fashion, she reached forward and clicked the lock. Before she could regret her decision, the feeling of the night air hit her shoulders. Next, the hand that gripped the side of the door so hard was now taken into Finn's.
He slowly guided her out of the truck. When her heels touched the concrete ground, she knew there was no going back. She kept her gaze to the ground. She squeezed the hell out of Finn's hands as he guided her towards the middle of the road.
"We're so going to get hit by a car," she complained. "This is a really bad idea."
"Remember what I said about trust, "he reminded her. "Now, what song are you going to be picking for us, Ms. Berry? If I had to guess, I'd say it's some corny Broadway song," he laughed as he mocked.
"For your information, Broadway songs aren't all that I listen to. I bet you don't even know my favorite song." She challenged.
"I'd like to take you up on that," he smiled, taking the phone from her hand. While he typed something, she wrapped her arms around herself and nervously took in her surroundings. When DNCE's "Toothbrush" started playing, she laughed tremendously.
"What? I'm pretty sure you've broken the replay button with this one. One could only assume," he smiled.
"Give me that," she told him. "Listen and learn, Hudson. This is my favorite song." The music was stopped. Then, Berlin's "Take My Breath Away" played through the dark night.
"Well played," Finn commented, holding his hand out for her. "Dance with me?"
Taking his hand, she allowed him to pull her close. Closing her eyes, she tried to make herself forget everything around them. It was a hard task. But, she somehow managed. He led her as they slowly swayed to the music.
"See, you're doing it," he whispered.
"Did I have a choice?" she asked.
"No," he smiled and continued to dance with her.
After they'd been out there for another hour or so, the music continued to flow. Finn was in the process of twirling Rachel around to an upbeat song. The fear was still present in her chest. But, it was somewhat manageable with Finn at her side. He really helped her tonight, despite how much the older version of her would oblige. She'd never be able to repay him for this.
Without either of them expecting it, Rachel felt a small droplet hit her bare shoulder. "Did you see that?" she asked.
Looking to the sky, Finn sighed when the stars weren't as visible as they had been a while ago. It was drizzling. "This can't happen. I looked at the forecast."
His present disappointment began to calm when she began to giggle hysterically. "This is gold. I love it!"
"Why?" he asked, laughing. "Your hair and makeup is going to be ruined. "
"It's raining," she laughed. It was like the sky opened up at her voice. The water began to pour down on them. Within a minute, they were soaked. "Just like in the movies."
"C'mon, we should really get back into the truck." He instructed.
"No," she tugged at his arm. She knew that she was stupid. But, something told her that this was what living was like. Since she'd come so far, she didn't want to give up now. "Let's stay."
"Okay, maybe you're the insane one." He told her.
"Have you ever danced in the rain, Finn Hudson?" she asked. "That would be one hell of a prom memory."
"But, I can't play any music. The water's going to get into the truck." He protested.
"We don't need music to dance," she informed him.
"So, I'm taking this as a sign. You're not scared anymore?" he wondered as the rain poured down on his raised eyebrow.
"I think a part of me is terrified and another part of me is forcing myself to shut it up because I'm here with you. So, let's dance!" she exclaimed, grabbing his hands and moving to the beat in her head.
Pushing her outwards, he pulled her close, and twirled her around. An obnoxious fit of laughter escaped her when she was being dipped and the water was hitting her face.
"Hey, watch this," she exclaimed, kicking off her heels. Gliding across the concrete, she moon walked the best she could. The robot dance moves seemed to follow as Finn laughed and followed her movements. His were a little more terrible, but she didn't judge him. Instead, she took in the moment and had the time of her life; ignoring the copious amount of fear running through her veins.
"Watching every motion in my foolish lover's game," Finn began singing the lyrics to the song previously played before the rain as they slow danced again. This was the first time he'd ever opened up enough to sing to her. She remained silent in pure amazement. With every lyric that left his tongue, the tone seemed to improve. He was vocally blessed.
"So, he sings," she observed.
"He tries," he downplayed himself.
"Well, I think you sound really good." She smiled with encouragement. He didn't argue like she thought he would. Instead, he smiled and continued to sway with her.
"Thank you," he said before returning to the music. "On this endless ocean finally lovers know no shame," he sang on. This time she joined him.
"Turning and returning to some secret place inside," he looked at her with wide eyes. It was understandable. She'd never informed him on her dreams of venturing off onto Broadway in the near future. Nor, had she ever hinted at her interest in singing. If anything, they'd only spoken briefly on her interest in the medical field. That was all he knew as far as her future was concerned.
She didn't like to think of herself as big-headed when it came to her voice. She knew that she had one. People had told her that much since she was three. But, never would she rub that in someone's face or take an extra amount of pride in it.
Her singing voice wasn't about gaining recognition. If anything, it was the feeling that came along with singing a song. It helped her to better understand who she was. That was most important. When she sang, her soul was present. No better feeling came along with that. When she sang, she knew exactly who she was; even in the most troubling of times.
"She sings," he mocked, with a hint of astonishment.
"Yeah, well, I guess there's a first time for everything, right?" she laughed.
"Maybe," he started, throwing her off. What did he mean by that? She didn't know until he revealed his motives. As the rain poured around them, he took her arms in his hands and gently guided her towards him.
She couldn't really see the expression on his face through all the rain. To look up at him was enough for her face to become even more soaked. So, to say she was surprised when his hands met her chin was an understatement. Before she could even have time to process, he went for it. Her heart did a double take when his lips brushed against hers.
This was it, she thought. Her first kiss. It affected her more than she'd like to admit. She just kept thinking about the reality of what was happening around her. For the first time in her entire life, she was being kissed by a boy. Not just any boy, she reminded herself. This was Finn Hudson, the guy who she hopelessly fell for every day in freshman year; the guy who was her best friend.
That last bit of her thought process stopped her. Finn was her best friend and now he was kissing her in the rain. Was this a dream? Maybe she was still on the couch. She thought about pinching herself, but she didn't want to. Anything that could distract from this moment seemed like a no-go.
She'd never done a drug in her life, yet she felt every high that came along with it. Her toes curled and her body tingled. Damn it, Hudson, she thought. How could one person make her feel a kiss in her toes? Easy, she knew. He did that to her with his perfect hair, and face, and his sexy suit.
As her thoughts raged on, she moved in harmony with Finn. Her arms rose to the back of his neck. As she massaged his hair with her fingertips, she hoped she was doing okay. She could tell immediately that he had experience, which intimated her to no end. But still, she tried her hardest to mimic his actions. He realized this halfway through, offering a light chuckle.
Not wanting the moment to end, she sighed when she couldn't take it anymore. Pulling her face back, she let out the large breath she'd been holding back. She took pleasure in the sight of his eyes slowly opening, as if he'd been in a deep sleep.
"What was that for?" she asked.
"My dad always told me to kiss the girl when I got the right chance. What better chance is there than now?" he asked, looking up at the pouring sky.
"I'm the girl?" she asked with a smirk.
"You're the girl," he laughed, picking her up and twirling her around. "My girl."
She didn't know how long this would last. She didn't know what was to come tomorrow, or the day after that. She only knew one thing.
"Best. Prom. Ever."
With the best of wishes, Kat. :)