Chapter Five

The weekend was over. It was rather irritating as school days always pass slowly, while Saturdays and Sundays instead seem to fly away.

Everyone seemed to have their heads still immersed in friday night. According to what the students said as they talked animatedly, Santana's party was amazing. What was so "amazing" about a bunch of guys who get drunk and destroy someone's home still eluded Rachel. She had already been to similar parties, and truth be told, she knew she hadn't missed anything fancy. Perhaps in the future, she would laugh at certain moments spent with friends in those parties, but right now, she couldn't care less. Rachel noticed Finn waiting at her locker and could not help but wonder if he had regretting to have chose to watch "Funny Girl" with her, instead of going to the first great party of the year. It was hard to decipher what was in the mind of that boy; one moment, he was teasing her, and the next, he was asking her to go to class with him so that he wouldn't be late as he always was.

Finn had greeted her with a simple "hey" and when she was about to open her locker, she heard someone calling her name. Rachel wasn't surprised to see Quinn running toward them excited to tell every single detail of the party to which she had refused to participate. Predictably, the cheerleader turned a normal high school party into a red carpet event with the aim to convince Rachel to come to the next. Just then Quinn realized that her friend wasn't the only one who missed the party and suddenly she turned to Finn asking him why he hadn't come. The tall boy seemed taken aback by the question and opened and closed his mouth without knowing what to say. He looked down at Rachel circumspectly for what seemed like an infinite amount of time before answering.

"There was an emergency. A really important thing," Finn stressed the word "really" without hesitation. He hoped that Quinn would not have done any more questions and was relieved when she nodded a simple "okay" and ran away when she saw her boyfriend, Puck, down the hall. Finn breathed a sigh of relief and lowered his gaze again to Rachel, who was smiling smugly to herself.

"So... watching TV with me is more important than a party?"

"What? No! Taking care of your daddy is," Finn said, while Rachel kept her eyebrow raised as if she did not believe a word of what he said.

"Just because I like your dads, doesn't mean that I like you, too."

"Well, I've never said that," Rachel whispered, smirking.

She watched Finn starting to walk away peeved and, with a little chuckle, she quickly opened her locker to grab her books when she saw the usual white envelope with her name on it. Finn was already halfway down the hallway, so she just took the letter, shut the locker and ran to catch up with him. They both went into the classroom and took their seats before the bell rang, starting the English lesson, without being able to erase the fact that, even though Finn was trying to mask it, he regretted nothing as well.

"Stars hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires: The eyes wink at the hand; yet let that be which the eye fears, when it is done, to see. What do you think Macbeth was saying to himself?" Mrs. Ryan lowered her glasses and laid them on her nose. She walked along the school desks glancing to the students waiting for at least one of them answered the question she had put. She was the classic teacher that everyone was afraid of, and no doubt, one of the most austere. The woman took her place next to the teaching post and leaned against it. Her eyes fell on a particular girl sitting on the second row center who didn't even seem to have noticed that the lesson was still in progress.

"Ms. Berry?" asked the teacher severely. "Ms. Berry?"

"Dear Rachel,
The more days pass, the more I realize how truly generous and kind you are, but I also deem you the most selfless person I know. You don't worry about what people might think of you, you don't follow the mass and most of the time, I would really love to be just like you.
Thanks, because you make me want to be different, a better person, and not the usual jerk that I am.
Love, your secret admirer"

Rachel didn't think she could be a source of inspiration for someone. It was now the fourth time that she read it and still couldn't believe the kindness of this guy. He filled her with compliments, compliments that she thought she didn't even deserve. She knew that she was talented and ambitious, but to be told that she was also unselfish and kind, was a different story. For the fifth time Rachel was about to re-read the letter. It was as if it never bored her. She was never the kind of girl that easily got distracted in class. She had always been a model student, with enviable grades and an attendance record that was, to say the least, perfect. She hadn't the slightest idea that the misfortune wanted that the only day in which her attention was directed towards something else, Mrs. Ryan would have taken action.

"Ms. Berry!" Rachel dropped the paper in her hands on the desk and looked wide-eyed the woman in front of her.

If looks could kill Rachel would be dead by now.

Rachel loved in an absurd way to be the center of attention, having all eyes on her, and so on; after all, she was a star. This time, however, she just wanted to hide in embarrassment. She couldn't believe she had just been scolded. She, Rachel Berry, caught to not paying attention in class.

"Act 1, scene 4, page 3." Mrs. Ryan had not yet erased that intimidating look. "Would you, Ms. Berry, please tell the whole class what do you think Macbeth would convey in this monologue of his? Or maybe I assume that what appears to be a letter is more interesting than my class?" That woman was famous for her severity. If it weren't for the coach of the Cheerios, Ms. Sylvester, Mrs. Ryan would, without a doubt, be the most feared woman at McKinley.

"No, Mrs. Ryan." Rachel's voice had never been so low in her entire life.

"I was sure of it," she said bitterly. "Why don't you tell us your opinion about MacBeth?"

"I... I wasn't - I wasn't focused on the lesson, and I apologize, but I can't express my opinion on something I don't know." Rachel cursed herself as soon as those words were out of her mouth.

"Well, perhaps, you can concentrate better on this Shakespearean tragedy this afternoon..." (the mischievous smile of Mrs. Ryan did not bode well) "...in detention." Rachel's jaw dropped suddenly feeling the astonished eyes of her peers. She didn't want to worsen the situation so she just nodded cordially, and looked down at the textbook.

How could this happen? Her curriculum could be affected if the punishment had been put into effect. Her future, her career and her dreams were more important and big than a guy... no matter how incredibly sweet he was.

"This is bullshit."

"Mr. Hudson!" The teacher suddenly came in front of the guy taking off her glasses indignant as all students turned toward them amazed and amused at the same time. "That language is not tolerated in my class."

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Ryan, but it's not like Rach was the only student who wasn't listening. I mean, look around. No one here seems to be remotely interested in McWhatshisname, and yet, only the student who was distracted just this once, is punished." Finn answered, determined and without regretting having spoken that way to an adult. "I don't know what you'd call it, ma'am, but to me, it's bullshit."

The last time a student answered in that way was in junior year, when Puck practically shouted at the professor of Geography, who had just told him he had to commit if he didn't want to repeat the year. Fortunately, with Quinn's help, Puck managed to be promoted with a low C+, but the outburst was remembered by all. It was another reason why Puck was also known as the badass of the school.

Now, however, things were different. Although Finn was Puck's best mate, he wasn't its exact copy. Sure he wasn't a "Valedictorian," but he wasn't the worst student either. He undertook the bare minimum and was also quite naive but, he never ever had responded rudely to a teacher.

"I'll see you after class to talk about your behavior, Mr. Hudson." Mrs. Ryan gave him one last glare before taking her place again. The class fell into a deafening silence and Rachel felt compelled to do something. But what? Somehow she had to thank Finn for his attempt to defend her, but what could she do?

Rachel turned around and met the gaze of Finn. She mouthed an honest "thank you" and put her hand over his. Rachel was about to move it when Finn gave it a little squeeze before winking at her and letting go of the grip.

Suddenly there was the sound of music coming from the third row and the same quarterback pulled out his cell phone lifting up the volume.

We don't need no education
We don't need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers leave them kids alone
Hey! teachers! leave the kids alone!

Without warning Finn stood resting one foot on the chair and, pointing to the teacher, he sang trying to imitate the best Roger Waters. The other students were all in complete delirium, as if they were in a real rock concert. Mrs. Ryan tried to bring back the silence but didn't get the desired results. Finn also had in mind to improvise a few dance steps, but, knowing his ability, he preferred to just sing as Rachel stared at him enthusiastic. It was already enough that he had defended her and now, he was also singing one of the biggest hits of Pink Floyd during English Literature. She didn't know what prompted her to do it; maybe it was the adrenaline of the moment, or her performer's soul, but before she realized it, Rachel straightened her skirt and stood up, ignoring the complaints of the teacher to do what she did best: sing.

All in all you're just another brick in the wall.
All in all you're just another brick in the wall.

The class fell silent abruptly, when a book was thrown violently against the teaching desk, leaving both Finn and Rachel standing in front of a woman more than furious.

Finn wasn't sure what would happen after this little show, but seeing the giant and pleased smile on Rachel's face, he knew that any punishment would be worth it.

Tic toc, tic toc, tic toc.

They were silent for ten full minutes and the only sound it heard was the ticking of the clock hands. After their little performance, Finn and Rachel were dragged by an angry teacher in the office of the Principal Figgins. Mrs. Ryan told him everything while the two guys, who dared not to say a word, looked at the floor worried.

"I am very disappointed. Especially in you, Ms. Berry." Principal Figgins looked at the girl before turning the same look to Finn. "Since none of you have ever had problems during these years, I will give only a detention. Everyday after school for the rest of the week start from today. Understood?"

"Yes, Principal Figgins." Finn and Rachel replied in unison. The man motioned for them to go but before the two could get up someone objected.

"Wait, that's all? No disciplinary action as a written warning? Nothing?" asked a shocked Mrs. Ryan.

"Well, considering the events, the situation was not so serious. Miss Berry was simply distracted, while Mr. Hudson has behaved like a perfect gentleman and has defended his friend. In addition, the singing is a form of art very creative and I do not think that they should be severely punished just for that." Principal Figgins smiled gently at the two kids. He had always been a music lover and a pretty quirky and unique principal. From her expression, Mrs. Ryan was far from okay, but of course, she couldn't do anything so she just nodded and left the office, throwing a black look at them for the last time.

Once they were alone, Rachel apologized ensuring not to do it again and went out greeting Principal Figgins affably. Finn didn't want to put Rachel in bigger trouble, but it happened. He didn't expect that she would get up to sing too. He just wanted to brighten her mood and, even if he hadn't thought carefully, he was convinced it was a good idea. He stared at the empty chair next to his and apologized quickly to run out into the hallway to look for Rachel. It didn't took too long for him to noticed her little figure leaning against the wall with her head bowed. Finn sighed and slowly walked to her. Fortunately, the lesson wasn't over yet and everybody was still in class. Finn reached out and gingerly put his hand over Rachel's left shoulder.

"Rach-"

Her shoulders began to shake as she covered her mouth with her hand. Finn believed that she was crying, so he looked around hoping that one of the caretakers had left the cart with a roll of toilet paper. Finn suddenly realized that Rachel's shoulders weren't trembling to hold back tears, but because she was trying to not laugh too much. Finn dropped his hand and opened his arms in amazement when he heard the laughter that came from her mouth

"The hell you're laughing at?" Finn asked, confused but at the same time amused.

She was crazy, crazy in a good way.

"I..." Rachel said trying to stop laughing "I can't believe we just did that! Did you see Mrs. Ryan's face?!"

Her laugh was like contagious. Finn couldn't help but laugh, too. He was certain that she would be angry at him or made one of her usual diva scenes and instead, there she was, laughing for doing something that was against school rules.

"Thank you." Rachel talked after finally calmed down.

"Hey, I didn't do it just for you. I've never liked Mrs. Ryan, and her injustice fueled my contempt for her even more."

"Thank you anyway," she said as if she didn't care why he had done what he did.

The bell rang and the students went out immediately from their classrooms and, before heading towards their next lesson, Finn replied with a small smile, "You're welcome."

"I was just reading a letter-"

"Wait, what letter? From who?" Quinn asked lively.

"Here we go again." Finn murmured, hoping to be heard by anyone.

They were all sitting at lunch and the news of the little incident during English literature had spread to the entire school. Puck could not stop complimenting Finn for his rebel behavior while Kurt looked forward to coming home to see what Carole and Burt would say.

The others, however, wanted to dig deeper and thus, forced by Quinn, Rachel began to tell everything from the beginning.

"I think you all know already," Rachel answered, gladdened.

Quinn simply waved her hand playfully and said, "Yeah, but I still wanna hear it."

Frustrated, Finn dropped his fork on the plate half full of pasta and said loudly while rolling his eyes, "From her secret admirer! Okay?"

"Dude, chill out." Puck hit his friend's arm and berated him with his eyes for having raised his voice against his girlfriend.

Finn had always had this little problem with anger management and often, or better still, almost always, kicked objects, mainly chairs, to calm down. All were aware of this side of him, but certainly no one expected a reaction so exaggerated. Finn immediately lowered his eyes visibly displeased and apologized to Quinn. He continued to eat, relieved on one hand that the subject was dropped, and, embarrassed on the other by the confused look of a certain brunette on him.

Rachel had always wondered what detentions looked like. Not that she couldn't wait to be punished or something, but she had always seen that punitive hour only in movies and now her curiosity was increased. Honestly, she expect to be locked up in a classroom surrounded by the usual bullies and bad boys of the school to do nothing.

Puck had told them about his experience in detention. In freshmen year, before they were all friends, he and some other jocks had literally thrown Kurt in the dumpster. Too bad for them, and fortunately for Kurt, just at that moment the Principal Figgins was passing by and seeing that act of bullying forced Puck and others to spend the lunch hour in the classroom to write the rules of conduct of the school twenty times. Rachel had no problem with words, but, in all fairness, she didn't want her punishment to be the same.

The sound of a broom fell on the floor made her return to reality. Rachel giggled when she saw Finn sighed for the billionth time while he scratched his head nervously.

Apparently while Finn and Rachel were in class, Mrs. Ryan had returned to the principal's office to discuss their punishment until they reach a compromise. "Since they love to perform so much, make them clean the auditorium for the entire week," she suggested, and to her great joy, Principal Figgins agreed, probably because he was sick of hearing her complaints.

"How long do we still have to stay here?"

Rachel turned around and saw Finn sitting on the floor with his legs stretched out and his hands resting behind. Their punishment lasted about an hour and they had started to clean at least three quarters of an hour ago. She took a quick glance at the watch before answering, "at least 15 minutes."

Finn groaned as if 15 minutes corresponded to 15 days, and closed his eyes, leaning his head back. Rachel for some reason, found herself admiring him. It was inconceivable how a guy could be attractive even just sitting with his eyes closed.

"You know, you can stop cleaning. This place shines more than a pair of shoes just polished by Kurt," Finn said while keeping the same position.

Rachel looked around and to her astonishment, he was right. The auditorium had never been so clean in all these years. Satisfied, Rachel put away the brooms, cloths and various paraphernalia used to clean and sat down next to Finn, making sure that the bottom hem of her skirt didn't rise too far. It was a style that characterized her. Her wardrobe was full of questionable sweaters and mini skirts, but not a vulgar or easy girl kind. It was more a sexy librarian style, or as Kurt said, a mixture of a toddler and a grandmother.

She kept pressed directly the skirt so it doesn't leave her thigh too uncovered. This didn't go unnoticed so much so that the same guy sitting next opened one eye to peek.

"Aren't your skirts a little bit too short?" Finn pointed out. "I mean, not that I mind; for a dwarf, your legs are incredibly nice to look at, but perhaps you hardly ever noticed that there are many other guys who think like me."

Rachel felt her cheeks redden and she tried to ignore his comment slash compliment to focus on the last part. She didn't know whether to be offended or flattered to be appreciated even though she wasn't popular and she didn't feel pretty enough. Which escaped her, instead, was the interest of Finn.

"Why does it bothered you that someone look at me?" Rachel asked.

"It's not that it bothers me that someone look at you. Okay, yeah, maybe a bit but..." Finn sat up quickly finally opening both eyes. "It's more how they look at you that annoys me. They personifying you, and I don't like that."

Rachel wanted to correct him and tell him that the correct verb form was "objectifying" and not "personifying", but the way he cared for her was quite adorable and she didn't want to ruin a moment like that. "Thanks... for being protective and having my back like my daddy said. It makes me realize I don't have to worry as long as I have you on my side." Rachel gave him a smile and was happily reciprocated. "You're like the big brother that I never had." She laughed with the aim of making him laugh too, but she missed the way Finn's face fell to the words "big brother", but he masked all hitting her slightly. It was useless to continue to have high expectations. For her, he was just like a brother and nothing more, no matter how much this hurt him.

The main door of the auditorium suddenly opened and a teacher was standing there to make sure that they had remained in school and hadn't escaped.

"You can go now!" And with that, the man disappeared leaving the door open.

The two exchanged a look before getting up to retrieve their belongings, happy that the first day of their punishment was over.

"Hey, can you give me a ride home?"

Rachel didn't have a car because she was saving money for NYADA, and usually, it was Quinn who offered to accompany her at home, and, at worst, she just took the bus. Unfortunately, it was five o'clock in the afternoon, and at this time of day, the traffic wasn't the best, and furthermore it wasn't even safe to take the bus alone, so Rachel immediately asked Finn to accompany her when she saw him open the door of his car.

"Why should I?" Finn smirked knowing full well that this would bother her, who, instead, just rolled her eyes.

"Fine, don't if you don't want to."

"Wait!" Finn said quickly when he saw Rachel walking away. He waited until she turned smiling innocently before opening the car door inviting her to enter.

The school was about twenty minutes from the Berry family house, and fortunately, the house of the Hudson-Hummel was only a few blocks further away.

Finn and Rachel continued to contend for the music to listen to in the car, he kept insisting with the rock of Kiss, or Queen, or, the Doors or R.E.M., while she suggested Celine or various musicals such as the Wicked soundtrack that Finn had because of Kurt. They came to a compromise when they opted the classic rock of Journey. It had always been one of the bands they had in common and they both loved humming along to "Don't Stop Believing." They were cheerful and took advantage of the fact that the windows were closed to sing out loud. Rachel's expression changed completely when the next piece came out. They both wanted to enjoy that beautiful love song so they didn't begin to sing as they had done before. The voice of Steve Perry echoing inside the vehicle, and at the very beginning of the second stanza, Rachel broke the silent.

"I love this song."

"Yeah, me too."

"I want this to be my wedding song." Rachel was embarrassed to admit it out loud but at the same time was serene when Finn didn't made fun of her. Knowing her, everyone would have bet for one of Barbra's pieces and, as much as Rachel idolized that woman, "Faithfully" was the song that she wanted to share the first dance with her future husband. She thought several times about that day, often even about her funeral or when she would have won her long-awaited Tony Award, but the day when she would wear a white dress would be special.

Instinctively, Rachel turned to her left. Finn was concentrated in the guide, which was reassuring to know that he, who had driven into a mailman at the age of 16, was now more cautious behind the wheel. She wondered what he was thinking, if he founded ridiculous the fact that she was already thinking of marriage like many of her peers, and as if he could read her mind, he spoke turning toward her for a split second, grinning, "I'll make sure to ask the DJ to put this song then."

"Here we are," Finn said as he parked the car. The lights were out which was to indicate that LeRoy and Hiram hadn't yet returned home. Rachel took off her seat belt breathing slowly from the fear of the reaction that her dads would have had to find out that their only daughter was in trouble. After taking one more huge breath, Rachel turned to Finn to thank him, who just nodded in response still facing towards the street. Before she could stop herself, Rachel moved quickly towards him who was oblivious to everything, and pressed a light kiss on his right cheek. "See you tomorrow, giant."

Finn was like blocked. It was so fast that it almost did not know if what happened two seconds ago, it was not just a figment of his imagination. He felt his skin warm up for the small and simple contact with Rachel's lips. It took all the willpower he had to turn to her. She was now pulling out her keys to open the door. She turned, feeling watched, and waved smiling at Finn one last time before closing the door behind her leaving him still paralyzed.

Maybe, just maybe, he was something more than just a big brother to her.

A/N: Sorry for the long wait! It took me awhile to write this chapter to try to make it as good and long as possible so I hope you like it. However, an enormous thanks to Rebecca Ripple which as everyone know is seriously the best existing beta! Also thanks to each one of you for reading and if you have time, please review! I really would like to read what you think and maybe even have some constructive criticism so please please review. Just so you know, this story will have more or less 25 chapters, but don't worry, you will not have to wait until the last minute to see even just a Finchel kiss. *smirks* lol

Chapter dedicated to the angel that I know will always be with us, and of whom I think constantly every day: Cory. We love you.