Chapter Eight
Every once in a while, there have been moments in which the atmosphere has changed from one extreme to another in a matter of seconds. This was one of those moments - one of those precious times when you think nothing can go wrong, but instead comes the bolt from the blue.
In the background, you could hear Stacey and Stevie playing, or rather, screaming in their room with the door half open, down the hall.
Sam's house wasn't really a villa. It was more like a small apartment, but on the other hand, they couldn't afford much however it was very nice and welcoming. Well, welcoming until now.
"Earth to Rach," the guy said waving his hand in front of Rachel's face. "What are you doing here?" He repeated the question looking her in the eyes.
It was then that Rachel snapped out of her thoughts and she remembered what had just happened. The girl turned quickly towards her friend glaring at her. "I could asked you the same question", she answered to the boy without looking away from Mercedes, who chuckled nervously clutching the arm of her boyfriend in search of support. "It's a funny story," she said, trying to smile.
"Can't wait to hear it", was the only reply Rachel gave with a monotone.
"Well.." Mercedes spoke again glancing at Sam. "You know that I asked you to babysit Stacey and Stevie, right? Well, um, apparently my boy here," she said clutching stronger the arm of the poor blonde, "did the same by asking Finn. Isn't it funny?" She finished starting a fake laughing urging Sam to do the same.
The brunette was silent with the same detached gaze, which immediately silenced Mercedes.
At least she hadn't reacted like her usual inner diva would have had.
"Look I'm sorry", Mercedes sighed. "I really wanted to tell you but I knew that you wouldn't like it." At these words, Rachel's look changed from a cold one to an understanding one. After all, it wasn't the end of the world, and they obviously hadn't done it on purpose. "Maybe we can drive you home and leave Finn to babysit or vice versa", suggested Sam putting his arm around Mercedes' shoulder.
It was not a bad idea indeed. Now that she thinks about it, Rachel would have been able to recover the time lost to prepare for college and securing a safe place to NYADA. Not that she needed further confirmation, but it was always best to be prepared for any eventuality. Having lived her entire adolescence in a small town like Lima, having to transfer at the end of the year in the city that never sleeps, was a huge change. Considering also that she would have to leave behind almost all of her friends and family was the thing that saddened her the most.
Rachel was ready to retrieve her coat when the voice of Finn made her turn in amazement.
"Or we can both stay here."
Did he actually just said that?
"I mean", Finn continued when he saw the astonished face of his friends. "We all know how clumsy Rachel is and I'm pretty sure that she would be able to burn the house down just by trying to heat the water."
Wait. What?
"What is that supposed to mean?" Rachel asked angrily.
"C'mon. The summer when we were 13 you had decided to cook breakfast at all costs and you managed to ruin my scrambled eggs," said pointing to himself with his index finger, stressing the possessive adjective.
The girl gasped as if he had just said that Barbra Streisand wasn't the best singer of all time. "For your information it's been 5 years and I have improved in the kitchen. Ask my daddy." She said defiantly. "The other day, when he was sick, I cooked him a great chicken soup and he devoured it."
"Yeah, exactly. He was sick. He probably couldn't even feel the taste of what he was eating." It was way too easy to respond in kind. "And let's face it," Finn whispered flirtatiously, passing his hand on Rachel's arm. "You love spending time with me and leaving you alone with children would be irresponsible."
Okay, that's it.
She could pass the comment about her cooking skills because even she knew that she wasn't exactly the heir of Julia Child, or the next Alice Waters or even the female version of Gordon Ramsey.
But saying that she could not take care of the children because she wasn't responsible enough, not that.
She was rather angry and irritated and she then moved Finn's hand away from her. She was indignant to see that her frustration had only amused him more. "Oh, from what pulpit! Who is that until last year gave in incandescent because he kept losing at Helo!"
Finn's confusion about the word "pulpit" was clear, but having mispronounced the name of one of his favorite games was the priority. "First of all, it's HALO." He emphasized the name to which the girl replied by rolling her eyes only.
Why do the boys treat their video-games as if they were their children or their most precious treasure?
"Second of all," Finn continued. "You have no idea how much effort a guy puts in a game so don't you dare to talk about it." His face came closer to the girl's one looking down on her so their eyes met.
They continued to argue for God knows how long. It was a childish behavior, Rachel had to admit. But Finn was able to make her nerves in a manner that exceeds the unbelievable.
In the meantime the stomach of the two lovers continued to grumble more and more. Nobody seemed to acknowledged their presence in spite of them tried in every way to stop this useless discussion. It was inconceivable. It had been at least half an hour, and Sam couldn't risk to lose even a minute of the film. Not even risking that his date with Mercedes was ruined, of course. So, rather than stand by and watch their friends discuss, the two came stealthily out of the apartment and Finn and Rachel didn't even notice that they were left alone in the small living room. Fortunately, they had discussed at moderate voice without shouting like two idiots.
However the noise of the car engine wasn't unnoticed by Rachel and the girl hurried to look out the window just in time to see Sam and Mercedes running away, literally.
"I can't believe they just scooted out like that!" Rachel spread her arms looking around astonished.
Sure, they were pulling their discussion too long, and when Sam had tried to stop them they have managed only to blame each other for starting. But this does not change the situation. They asked them to babysit and knowing the strange relationship that she had with this guy, how could they leave her alone with Finn?!
Speaking of whom, he suddenly became strangely silent. He stood with his feet glued to the floor and recreated expression and it didn't take long for him to burst out laughing.
Sure, seeing it from another point of view, the situation was quite funny but, seriously? It wasn't the right time to laugh. She couldn't believe that the boy, instead of worrying like she was doing, was laughing. She couldn't believe that instead of looking for a solution, he was rejoicing. But most of all Rachel couldn't believe that she had aggregated to the infectious laugh of Finn.
They both had tears in their eyes and a sore stomach, and even when they didn't find the circumstance so funny anymore, they keep laughing anyway. They could exchange the most idiotic jokes existing and they would still find them hilarious.
Perhaps their previous animated conversation hadn't attracted the attention of Stacey and Stevie, but their hysterical laughter certainly did. The two kids in fact came out in that moment from their room and approached cautiously toward the two teens looking at them as if they were out of their mind.
"Rachel?" Stacey said with a weak voice.
The little girl was wearing a gray T-shirt with an indigo sweatshirt and simple jeans. She had her hair in a pigtail and despite how she often felt embarrassed by her companions who were always well dressed, Rachel thought she was one of the most beautiful and sweetest little girls she knew. Just like Sam, Stacey had the same brown eyes of her father and even though Rachel had met Mr. Dwight and Mrs. Mary Evans just once, she immediately recognized who they resembled more.
Stevie was right next to Stacey and his blue eyes were the identical copy of those of his mother. Although he was only a year older than his sister, he felt like he had the duty to protect her, so when he noticed two crazy laughing for no reason in their living room, he kept Stacey close to him.
Rachel then tried to calm down and hugged the two blonds, hoping not to have frightened them too much but all they did was reciprocate her embrace.
"No hug for me?" Of course Finn had to ruin the moment by opening his mouth.
Both departed quickly from Rachel and threw themselves into the arms of the tall guy. Stacey grabbed his neck while Stevie clung to his leg and as much as it bothered Rachel to admit, the scene was rather adorable.
"You can join in you want to," smirked Finn when he noticed the girl staring at him with a sweet look which vanished immediately when he opened his mouth.
Thanks Finn for ruining the moment, again.
The two left the boy to go and jump on the couch and to turn on the TV. Rachel took the opportunity to head for the kitchen and announce that she would prepare dinner. Although they wanted only a plate of pasta with tomato sauce, simple to prepare for her fortune, she persuaded them to also prepare the vegetables as the second plate.
"But Rachel, we don't like green peas," Stevie pouted.
"I know but that's all there is and I can't eat the meat that's in the freezer," Rachel replied, starting to heat the hot water for the pasta.
"Why not? We like meat!" Stevie stood up running into the kitchen, evident that he was trying to avoid eating green peas.
Rachel turned gently to him, but before she could answer, Finn grabbed him from behind lifting him off the ground. "She's a vegan," he said, starting to tickle the boy before leaving the child to get off the ground and he immediately fled laughing to his sister. The two siblings decided to give up the television and threw two pillows on the floor on which they sat and took over the cards that were on the table. There wasn't a real door that separated the kitchen from the living room. There was only a sort of arch which allowed the two babysitters to control the Evans, even by staying in the other room.
Finn was still giggling after seeing Stevie run in such a ridiculous way. He was scratching his head before turning to Rachel with a smile, when he realized that she was studying him with an unreadable expression.
"What?" He asked confused.
Rachel just shook her head and turned to resume cooking. "Nothing. I'm just... surprised that you know that I'm a vegan." She replied shrugging her shoulders. She remembers having started the vegan diet a little over a year ago. Her dads were opposed because they feared that it wouldn't be beneficial to her health, but with the help of some doctors and nutritionists she managed to change their minds. She didn't even remember to have told her friends that so she was more than shocked that Finn, among all people, knew.
"Towards the end of our Junior year you had tonsillitis." Finn's voice was smooth as he approached the counter where Rachel was cooking. "I remember I went to the appointment with you because Hiram and LeRoy couldn't and my mom had practically forced me," he said chuckling as the girl twirled her eyes. "The doctor told you that you would have had to undergo surgery to remove the tonsils and you were afraid that would affect your singing voice," continued the boy starting to cut the onion. "I'm like Tinker Bell," Finn imitated the voice of Rachel. "I need applause to live!" They said in unison laughing while Rachel poured the pasta into the pan and added salt. She remembered that day very well. She knew she was a tad dramatic but no one had to compromise her chances of becoming a star and, in the end, she didn't even have to undergo any surgery and she miraculously managed to recover thanks to some herbal tea and staying in complete silence for a few days.
"You don't eat ice cream," said Finn out of blue. Evidently the confused look of Rachel was noticeable and so the boy went on to explain. "The doctor told you that after removing the tonsils, you would have been able to eat all the ice cream you want, instead of rejoicing like a normal teenager, you said you didn't care and that also you couldn't eat ice cream." Finn continued to prepare the sauce, and when he noticed the silence he knew he had to keep talking. "It was weird because I remember that from an early age as soon as we saw the ice cream truck pass, we were first in line to get one." It was funny how the good memories could brighten days. "When we went to McDonald's you always ate a huge Big Mac," he said with a small smile. "Then you began to keep ordering the salad, and I thought you were passing the usual phase of some girls who decide to go on a diet, although you honestly don't need it." Rachel thought at first that he was sarcastic but his eyes were fixed on the kitchen counter, trying not to leak any kind of emotion. "You had even started to avoid chocolate milk," he added, sounding puzzled. "One day at the supermarket I met LeRoy and so I asked him why you were becoming more attentive to what you eat, and he replied simply that you had decided to become a vegan."
So that's how he knows it.
Rachel was silent the whole time listening carefully to what Finn had just said. She couldn't believe that he was so observant to details, and that he remembered most of their stories since they were children. It was something strangely sweet of him and after the story, the two ended up cooking in silence. The boy was quite cooperative and exchanged a few words such as "could you pass me a plate" but nothing more. Finn opened the top drawer where there were pinned the various cutlery and he placed them on the small table in the kitchen. He let out a small laugh when he saw that Rachel couldn't reach the top shelf where the glasses were without getting up on her toes.
Both placed two plates and two glasses on the two longer sides of the rectangular table, and a pot full of pasta and the bowl of peas in the middle next to a bottle of water.
Rachel was quite satisfied with their work and highed five Finn when she saw his hand up.
They could form a good team after all.
Suddenly Finn walked away from her and headed toward the living room. "I'm going to tell the kids that dinner is ready," he said with his back to her.
"Oh," he turned suddenly as if remembering something important. "Next time you cook me dinner, wear one of those sexy aprons and possibly with nothing underneath," he winked suggestively before going out completely from the kitchen.
The usual snooty Finn was back.
Damn him.
"I. Don't. Like. Them." Finn threw at each word a green pea to Rachel.
It had been about a full hour after the beginning of the dinner. Apparently they had precise seating and so Rachel was forced to sit next to Finn. All the dishes were almost empty except for those infamous green peas. Both Stevie and Stacey had finished, very, very, slowly, the first plate and, to her astonishment, they had eaten most of the legumes. At first grievance, Rachel convinced the two to eat making them even appreciate the food. The only one who seemed to have a childish behavior was that hateful eighteen sitting next to her.
She didn't want to do the usual sermon but there are children of the third world who starved every day, and this reckless dared to waste food by throwing it to her?!
"Stop it! They are good for your health, and you should appreciate them instead of despising them. Look how good Stacey and Stevie are," she pointed with her hand in front of her. "They're eating without saying a word." Both children nodded proudly receiving only a playfully glared by the tall boy who, in spite of the lecture, continued to launch green peas on the brunette.
"Keep calm, do not stoop to his level," repeated the girl mentally. "In an hour Sam will be home and you can go home and relax-". Her thoughts were muted when she felt something over her head. It wasn't long until the "green ball" became two, and then three, and then four, and five... She couldn't "keep calm" even after this.
"That's enough!" Rachel took a few vegetables and then place them on her hand before tossing furiously upon him. Fire against fire, right? Okay, she was the first to be annoyed by the behavior of Finn, but unable to stop him with the words she thought to start with the facts. It irritated her to an inconceivable amount that he could bring out this unconscious side of her.
There were more peas on them and on the floor than there were on their plate but the two continued until they realized the mess they had made.
Finn looked with wide eyes at the girl, as if for the first time that evening, he was actually scared of her. They hadn't been so silent since they came into the house. The two children looked at them like they were waiting for what kind of reactions they would have had, but suddenly both Rachel and Finn laughed, unable to contain themselves. It was easy to laugh with him, this was one of the few, if not the only, good thing in being in his company.
Finn began to raise the pulses remained at the top of Rachel's head continued to chuckle until they were out of breath and looked at each other smiling, oblivious to the stares of the Evans.
"Aw Sam was right!" Stacey clapped her hands excitedly.
"About what?" Rachel asked, turning absently.
"About you and Finn! That you two are a couple! It's so romantic," she said with dreamy eyes as if she was seeing a romantic movie.
To say that Rachel was shocked was an euphemism.
"Nooo," Stevie stepped in with his mouth still full. "He said that they would make a good couple," he explained eating the last bite of food.
Thank God they had all finally finished eating.
"It's the same," Stacey said shaking her hand as if nothing had happened.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you Stacey but, Sam's wrong." Rachel didn't miss the way the cheerful face of Stacey fell, but she certainly didn't notice the one of the boy sitting next to her. "We're just friends, if you can call it that," she whispered the last part, hoping not to be heard. "And," she continued showing a smile to brighten up the child. "I already have someone. Kind of," she said, referring no doubt to her secret admirer. Finn immediately looked at her as if he was trying to read her inside and Rachel had to turn on the opposite side. She knew that Finn would know who she was referring to if he had looked her in the eyes. It was like a strange gift of his. Strange and creepy gift. Finn, as we have all have figured out by now, is not exactly the smartest guy in the world, but if there was one person he could understand more than anyone else, it was Rachel. It was as if he could always know what she was thinking, and she couldn't bear it.
"But you and Finn would make a wonderful couple," the little sentimentalist said sadly. "Like Belle and the Beast."
"Hey!" Finn replied, offended to be considered a beast. It was hilarious and lovable at the same time the way in which the pale face of Finn painted in red for the embarrassment.
"But then he turns into a handsome prince," Stacey said immediately which only made Finn chuckle.
Sure maybe they looked pretty close at the time but that doesn't mean anything. They weren't flirting or anything. They were just two friends who were having fun being fools. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less.
Stacey, however, didn't seem to want to understand. She kept saying that they would be cute together, especially because of their huge height difference. Rachel began to clear the table and stopped Finn when she noticed that he wanted to help her. She listened to their animated conversation and Finn was strangely silent for the whole time. She didn't dare to look up to see what expression the boy had. She knew that if she did she would probably blush without even knowing why. Stacey kept trying to attract the attention of Rachel but she ignored them deliberately.
She felt guilty for treating her so badly, really for no reason, when she was only a child who wanted to play Cupid.
Rachel washed every dish, cutlery and glass more than once to make sure it was very clean, and also because she was now drowning in her thoughts and tried every excuse to not listen to the mental movies that others made about her and Finn.
Her eyes almost came out of the orbit when she saw that it was 9:40pm already. Rachel hurried to dry her hands and turned to interrupt the ongoing conversation.
"It's really late," she said clapping her hands to get their attention as all their faces moved over her. "Go brush your teeth, put on your pajamas and then straight to bed, before Sam comes back."
Rachel knew what it was like to be their age. But she had never been like other kids who thought they were the kings of the world to stay up late, but she did remember all those times that Carole scolded Finn when he refused to go to sleep.
From the looks of Stacey and Stevie, she sensed that they were like that also, but unfortunately she really had her hands tied.
It took awhile to convince them and finally, after several complaints and attempts, both Stacey and Stevie surrendered. The two ran into the bathroom and shortly after, Rachel followed them to make sure they actually go to bed. She simply nodded when Finn said that meanwhile he would have clean up the mess that the two of them had created on the floor, happy to see that he didn't expect for her to do it.
Rachel stood by the door watching the two siblings fooling around with each other before they threw themselves under the covers. She felt a bit of sadness in that vision. As much as she loved the attention that her dads gave her, she always wanted to have a sister or a brother. There was that special relationship that with no one else, not even your closest friend, could be created. Quinn was her best friend, as well as Kurt, Mercedes and Tina. But it would never be the same thing. You could say that Finn was one of her dearest "friends" also, but even with him the speech was the same. On the contrary. Maybe it was even more complicated. But deep down, very, very, deep, in the bowels of her being, in the most hidden and dark part of her body, she cared about Finn, but not in a brother way, or like she cared about Kurt or Quinn. It was a feeling hard to explain, because she wasn't one hundred percent secure about it either.
Suddenly she saw Stevie getting out of bed and before she could ask him what he was doing, he came out from behind his sister's bed, to scare her before jumping quickly on his and, God willing, sleep. He laughed like crazy when he heard Stacey's screaming while Rachel simply smiled at herself. She would never have a sister or a brother, but she certainly would have children, and she hoped that they will have a good relationship, too.
At the thought of having children, Rachel couldn't help but stare at the hallway near the kitchen. Perhaps it was natural to think about building a family with Finn because they practically grew up together.
Yes, it must be for that, she nodded, not knowing if she was trying to convince herself more than anything else.
"Rachel."
"Yes, sweetie?" Asked the girl in question, turning gently as she approached the bed of Stacey who had called her.
Stevie was surprisingly already asleep judging by his small snore. Usually it took five abundant minutes if not more for Rachel to go to sleep completely, instead of Stevie who fell into a deep sleep immediately after resting his head on his pillow.
"Please, think about it." For a moment Rachel thought that she was talking in her sleep, but her pleading eyes were staring at her very seriously.
"About what?"
"You and Finn."
"Aren't you too young to give this kind of advice?" Rachel giggled before raising a little more the blankets. It was almost sweet, the conviction that Stacey was giving about her relationship with Finn.
"Sam always told me that age doesn't matter," yawned the little blonde. "And anyway, we all believe that you two are meant to be together." Her eyes were about to close to but you could see that she was trying to stay awake.
"Like the Beauty and the Beast?" Rachel joked, smiling.
"Like the Beauty and the Beast," Stacey concluded before finally closing her eyes.
Rachel had been sitting there for a few minutes. She made sure that they were really asleep and weren't pretending like many other children did to stay up late. Rachel tucked in both because, although the window was closed, it was a little chilly in that room. She took one last look at the two before going out and turning off the light.
"Are they sleeping?"
Rachel was slowly closing the bedroom door for fear of waking them up when she heard a male voice behind her that made her jump with fright.
"Yes," she breathed relieved leaning hand over her heart when she saw that it was just Finn.
"Cool," he said simply, with no intention of moving from there. They were expecting the arrival of Sam from time to time, but the road outside seemed to be practically empty. The only thing audible in the house was the little Stevie snoring and Finn and Rachel's breathing.
The clock seemed to have stopped because they did not hear its ticking either.
'Sometimes silence can seem so loud', R. Kelly said in one of his biggest hits, and the phrase couldn't be more appropriate to the situation.
Nothing. Seconds passed, minutes maybe, and no one had yet broken the silence. Rachel decided to go back to the living room and wait for her friend there. She preferred to wait by sitting rather than standing like a codfish.
She began to walk past Finn, but the boy grabbed her gently by the wrist and turned her toward him. Rachel was ready to ask him what was going on but she was out of breath when she saw his eyes fixed on her. That night they seemed to be particularly more amber and definitely much more expressive. The problem was that he didn't know what kind of emotion he was feeling.
They were expressive but indecipherable.
Her eyes fell as it were instinctively to his lips. Those lips from which she received her first kiss. Those lips as soft as silk. Those lips that suddenly turned upward in a smile that immediately freed the boy's voice in laughter.
Rachel tried to ignore the way his dimples were clearly visible, or how incredibly cute they were, and broke free from Finn's grip rather confusing, and even annoyed.
"What's so funny?" Asked Rachel crossing her arms over her chest displeased.
Finn raised his hand again and moved away a strand of hair from Rachel's face while continuing to giggle. "You still have green peas in your hair."
Rachel tried not to roll her eyes and waited for Finn to finish removing any legume that she still had in her hair. Ironically her hair smelled of berries, even though he had thrown food on her and it was surprisingly very soft and silky also. He could run his fingers through her hair with ease and every pea slipped away immediately. He controlled one last time and nodded with his head to let her know that she was completely peas-free.
He didn't move though. Just like before, he was like in a state of hypnosis, but unlike before, Rachel wasn't going to budge. Finn twirled a strand of her hair around his index finger before putting his palm on her cheek.
Rachel didn't think it was possible, but his eyes were even more intense than before. She felt her legs become jelly and her heartbeat speed up when she saw Finn get closer and closer to her.
"Rach.." Finn whispered a short distance from her face as their breathing became more labored. He didn't continue the sentence. Maybe because his eyes were focused on her lips. Or maybe because he was short of words. Or maybe because someone, in that moment, decided to return.
"Hey guys!"
There was a cheerful voice from the living room. It seemed to have become a habit. One of those clichés that every moment of tension or clue was dampened by the arrival of someone. Whether is an undesirable person, or in this case, a friend with a really bad timing.
Finn didn't move away as Rachel thought he would. He had instead dropped his hand, making her miss that small and innocent contact, as he closed his eyes and sighed bitterly.
She didn't know what he wanted to tell her, but she was pretty sure that if Sam hadn't come, she probably would have been kissed again. There, in the midst of that small, narrow hallway with two young children in the realm of dreams just a few feet away.
Finn took a second to recover before re-opening his eyes. He met Rachel's gaze who looked at him with a mixture of confusion and sorrow. The boy took a slight breath before breaking eye contact with the girl and go quietly into the living room, leaving Rachel unsure of what to think.
Finn put on a smile while he approached to a radiant Sam.
"Hey man, how was the date?"
Despite seeming to be tired Sam replied to his friend exalted, "It was great! It was so perfect. Unfortunately we were late for our reservation at the restaurant," he said, glancing at his friend playfully, as if to say that the delay was partly his fault. "And so we had to go directly to the cinema and we had dinner with popcorn but you can't understand dude, it was great anyway! Avatar as you know is one of the greatest films of all time, right? And Mercedes didn't complain that I repeated line by line, in fact she found it a lovely thing! Gosh I just love her so much."
Rachel joined the two only at that moment, leaning on the wall near the living room. She saw the way Sam's face lit up just at the thought of Mercedes and she was sure that he would continue speaking without stopping, if only he could have. He tried, despite his enthusiasm, to maintain a moderate tone of voice because he knew that his two siblings were already asleep.
Apparently, Finn had dealt with the mess that Stevie and Stacey had created in the living room. The cards that were scattered all over the floor, were arranged one above the other on the coffee table and the pillows that were used as chairs, were back on the couch, dusted off and in order.
She was glad that Finn had occupied the rest of the house while she looked after the children. At least Sam wouldn't have had to deal with reordering everything. She didn't want his magical evening ended with him forced to do housework.
Rachel wasn't exactly listening to their conversation. More than anything she just saw Sam gesticulated animatedly while he was probably telling for the millionth time the movie to Finn. Strangely, he didn't seem bored or uninterested. Indeed, he had his eyes half hooded as he laughed, clapping his hands amused. His dimple was on display as it was showed the right side of his profile and she stopped herself before she could reach to touch it.
Rachel glanced at the clock and as much as she didn't want to interrupt them, she walked towards them offering a smile to Sam, waiting for both to notice her presence.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you guys," she turned her gaze to both. "Sam, the kids are sleeping and I promised my dads I'd be home before it got too late so I'd better go," she said, pointing with her thumb to the door behind her.
"Of course and thank you so much for babysitting me brothers. Really I owe you," Sam hugged Rachel, visibly and genuinely grateful, before letting go. "Do you want me to take you home?" offered Sam grabbing his car keys.
"No, no, don't worry," Rachel waved her hand. "I checked the bus schedule and the next one should arrived soon, so.."
"Are you sure?" Asked Sam to make sure she was actually convinced. She had spent her Saturday night to take care of two pests, the least he could do was offer her a ride.
"Positive," Rachel nodded, smiling to let him know that he had nothing to worry about. She laid her eyes on Finn's in a way to tell him that he shouldn't even offer to be her chauffeur.
The brunette retrieved her coat and scarf and dressed quickly before opening the door waving to the two boys.
She had just put one foot on the porch when she heard someone's voice.
"Goodnight, dwarf."
Rachel didn't need to turn around to see who had just spoken. She bit her lower lip not to smile before saying goodbye to him. "Night, giant."
Sam and Finn remained standing until they saw the door close behind the girl. Sam threw himself on the sofa, taking off his shoes before getting comfortable and sighing blissfully. He rested his arm on the back of the sofa and when he noticed that Finn was still standing looking at the door from which Rachel had just come out, Sam pointed towards it.
"So how did it go?"
Finn came out of his trance realizing only after some time what the blond was referring to.
"So according to you, Rachel and I would make a good couple?" He asked accusingly in response to his question.
Sam sat immediately composed, chuckling nervously as if he had been caught red-handed. "Oh c'mon, everyone thinks so."
Finn just looked at him, not knowing whether to believe him or think that he was just making fun of him. He sat down on the other side of the couch not wanting to touch the topic, partly because he didn't know how to respond except with a sarcastic "If you say so."
Sam saw the distracted face of his friend and decided to drive away any thought was in his mind with the best medicine for a boy of their age: video-games.
He gave Finn a pat on the shoulder before taking the joystick of the xbox and enjoy a healthy game of Ghost Recon.
The game was a series of playful pushing from behind, profanity and insults. Finn had his tongue out, concentrate not to get beat by the guy who was sitting next to him. The volume was very low for their tastes, but with two kids sleeping down the hall, they couldn't do otherwise.
They were about three-quarters of an hour into the game, even though their eyes were still fixed on the small TV, Sam took up the question unanswered of before. "You still haven't told me how was your evening with Rachel. Did you two fight like cats and dogs all night long?"
Finn chuckled without losing focus. He still planned to win after all. "Quite the opposite."
The evasive answer made Sam lose his focus. He had looked away from the game to ask for more information to his friend when he realized he was already dead proclaiming Finn the winner.
Finn dropped his joystick on his knees before lifting his hands up in victory. He couldn't suppress a huge yawn that made him realize that it was time to go home and get some sleep.
"Thanks for the game man," Finn said with a gentle pat on his friend before getting up and stretching and put on his jacket.
They did a kind of handshake as a greeting and Sam also got up to turn off the TV and before his friend could left he spoke.
"Thanks again dude. I owe you."
Finn didn't even try to hide his happy smile, "Trust me, I owe you."
"Why did you stop?"
It's been two weeks since the night at Evans'.
It was Saturday morning and Rachel was covered of sweat and out of breath. It wasn't the most elegant or feminine thing in the world, but it was the truth.
A few drops slid along the slit between her breasts and Finn mentally gave himself a slap for staring at her right there.
You can't totally blame him, he was still a boy and it's completely normal that the eye falls there sometimes.
Rachel didn't seem to have noticed though, and put her hands on her hips waiting for an answer.
"It's winter," Finn spoke averting his gaze from any part of the body of the brunette. He was blushing and had done nothing but look at her. He felt a little hypocritical to get angry with those guys at their school for personi-no, objectify, Rachel, when it was exactly what he was doing.
Rachel, however, hadn't moved and looked at Finn as if his statement was the clearest in the world.
The boy rolled his eyes, unable to believe that she didn't catch the point.
"It's winter," he repeated slowly, looking at her. "You had promised to LeRoy and Hiram to run with me until the end of autumn, and here it is," he opened his arms for emphasis.
Finn couldn't believe that someone could be so happy for a change of season. Suddenly, the girl's tired face lit up and she began to jump happily and full of energy, as if she didn't spent the last hour running.
Rachel was happy, scratch that, delighted by the news. Don't get her wrong. After all that time spent with Finn her opinion of him had changed, just a little to be clear. The mornings jogging get them closer but to start again with her usual routine was what she wanted.
"We should celebrate!"
"Really?" Finn asked, amused. Had he heard wrong or did Rachel really wanted to celebrate something so trivial?
The girl's smile was a response rather than exhaustive. Obviously she was serious. We are talking about Rachel Berry, one of the girls, if not the most exaggerated girl that he knew. It wasn't a bad thing ultimately. It was one of the characteristics that made Rachel... Rachel.
He had no idea what she meant by "celebrate" but he was pleasantly surprised when she decided to celebrate their last day of jogging together back in the "secret" place that Finn showed her. The one where they went to the first time.
Finn let Rachel to guide him and was glad to see that she remembered exactly where to go. It was as if she knew that place better than he did when she's been there only once. Her memory was undoubtedly better than Finn's.
They reached the hill and walked over the edge until the fateful tree came into view.
Only then Finn noticed an engraving on it that wasn't there before as he hovered a hand over it not believing his eyes.
F + R
"I did it a few weeks ago."
Finn turned around when he heard Rachel's voice behind him. He wanted to ask her why she did it but Rachel answered as if she could read his mind.
"It's not a romantic incision, or one of those that usual sickly sweet couples make if that's what you think," she giggled standing next to him. "I thought it would be like a kind of tree of friendship. It annoys me to admit it but I think we got closer thanks to this experience and since you were to one who showed me this place I thought that that incision could be like a symbol of our friendship. I doubt that the teasing will magically disappear, but at least I know that I have you by my side as a friend."
Finn was speechless. In part because what Rachel had done was one of the most gentle and lovable thing that someone has ever done for him. And partly because she kept repeating the word "friend." Maybe she didn't even realize it but Finn did. Was it possible to feel bad when someone wanted to be your friend?
It was probably the right time to speak, but what he was suppose to say?
'Thanks for making clear that we are just friends?' or 'Thanks for seeing me as a friend you can count on?'
Rachel didn't wait for Finn to give his opinion because he didn't seem to be in a bad mood since his expression wasn't angry or something. Maybe confused and sad but still it was sweet.
The girl sat down admiring the view and tapping on the ground next to her as if to invite Finn to sit down and, after he did so, they allowed themselves to be carried away by the calm and silence of the moment.
Rachel's smile grew gradually larger. She couldn't believe it. She was watching the sun rise from a view to say the least, breathtaking.
It was official: she loved that place.
She had loved it since the first time but now, even more.
Finn on the other hand wasn't looking at the scenery like she was. His eyes were fixed on the little girl who seemed to be witnessing a spectacle unique.
He didn't, however, miss how her innocent smile turned into a smirk more than pleased.
"Now can you tell me why?"
Finn stared at her disjointed. He didn't understand where that question came out from. "What?"
After what seemed like an eternity all things considered, Rachel turned to him continuing to wear the same expression on her lips.
"Why you keep looking at me?"
Finn was overwhelmed by that question. Saying that he didn't expect it was a real circumlocution. He didn't think twice before breaking the glancing and mutter a simple "No."
He heard the girl sighing and even though a part of him wanted to tell her the reason why he always looks at her, he knew that it wasn't the right time.
Apparently Rachel got the message and decided to change the subject by asking him if she could at least make him another question.
"Who do you think my secret admirer is?"
Once again Finn was surprised by the curiosity of Rachel.
"I don't know. Who do you think it is?" He turned the question.
"I don't know," she copied his answer waiting for a few seconds to pass before adding a "but.."
"But?" He asked, praying for her to continue.
"I..." Rachel took what was perhaps the biggest, longest and harrowing breath of the history before continuing. "I think I might like him, in that way."
The shocked face of Finn made Rachel giggle because she knew exactly what he was thinking. She herself thought the same thing until a few years ago.
"I know it's insane since I've never seen him and I have no idea of who he is, but there's something about him that, I just... I can't explain. What about you? Do you like someone?" She asked quickly, trying not to be the center of conversation anymore.
"Maybe."
"We all believe that you two are meant to be together."
"Like the Beauty and the Beast?"
"Like the Beauty and the Beast."
She didn't know for what obscure reason, the words of Stacey were the first that swooped down on her head. It's been days now that she couldn't remove the conversation she had with a girl of only 8 years old about her love life. This was enough to make her realize how badly she was put in that field. Despite her young age what Stacey had said didn't pop out of nowhere. Apparently she was not the only one to think that, and if so, then maybe deep down, there was a reason.
"Finn," Rachel whispered to attract his attention. "You think that what Stacey and Stevie had said last time was true? That you and I will make a cute couple."
"Why do you care?" He didn't mean to sound so rude or aloof, but for some reason that's how his voice came out as soon as he opened his mouth. "I mean, you have your secret admirer after all."
Rachel snorted in disbelief.
Why did he have to be so hot and cold with her? Why couldn't he just be kind instead of acting often like an idiot?
Maybe he was just moody or he suffered from a mild form of bipolar which sticked out only with her.
"I don't know," seemed to be her favorite sentence of the day. She had already repeated it twice in few minutes. "I actually still don't understand why he's so interested in me. I mean I know I'm very talented and one day I'll become a star and I'll have a slew of guys who will compete for me. But right now we're still in high school, sure it's our last year but still. At this age the only thing that matters is reputation and mine is one of an insufferable diva. Who could possibly be interested in me?"
Finn tried to meddle in her monologue but Rachel continued without giving him the chance.
"I know what guys say and think about me and they sure don't like girls like me. Let's face the truth: I'm not pretty like Quinn or sexy like Santana or-"
"Would you stop?" Finn stopped her by grabbing her hand. He wasn't sick, or at least didn't seem to show that emotion. He was... sad. As if what Rachel thought of herself saddened him. "You should stop comparing yourself to other girls and like you said, it's just high school. And for whatever it's worth, I think you're beautiful."
Finn. Finn Hudson. The quarterback of the football team, the boy dreams of many girls, considered her beautiful. Not Quinn, not Brittany, not Santana, not just any other cheerleader or a classic bombshell, but her. Rachel Berry, his petulant friend.
She wanted to believe that he had only said that to shut her up or for pity, but it didn't seem so. He was sincere.
She was still in shock when his hand let go of her as he stood up starting to do the last thing she expected: sing.
Hey, don't write yourself off yet
It's only in your head you feel left out or looked down on.
Just try your best, try everything you can.
And don't you worry what they tell themselves when you're away.
"What are you doing?" Rachel couldn't help but smile while watching him.
It just takes some time, little girl
"I'm not little," she said jokingly.
You're in the middle of the ride.
Everything everything will be just fine, everything everything will be alright alright.
Finn jumped making Rachel jump and break out laughing while continuing to attend to her personal show.
Hey, you know they're all the same.
You know you're doing better on your own, so don't buy in.
Finn continued to sing with one of the male voices more attuned to his age that Rachel had ever heard. She couldn't believe that Finn had such a beautiful voice and that he had kept hidden for so long.
The boy put his hands on her shoulders shaking her as he began with the next verse.
Live right now. Yeah, just be yourself.
It doesn't matter if it's good enough for someone else.
The urge to perform took the better and, unable to restrain herself, Rachel stood up to finish with Finn the song.
It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle of the ride.
Everything everything will be just fine, everything everything will be alright alright.
They were both out of breath after sang and danced like mad.
The last time Rachel had improvised a song was during her Junior year in the girls' bathroom. A student came from the Philippines was listening to "Telephone" by Lady GaGa and Beyonce without realizing that she was singing aloud. She was good. Very good to tell the truth and until last year, Rachel couldn't stand the idea that someone could overshadow her talent, so she began to sing with her. Too bad that right in that moment Sue came in and ordered them to shut up. Sunshine, this was the name of the girl, shortly after moved to another school and, although Rachel was pleased that the number of her rivals diminished, she was also sorry because they were starting to get to know each other better.
Anyway, it was really unlikely that Sue could come and even interrupt them.
Rachel couldn't wipe the smile on her face because, if there was anything that could make her feel better, it was, without a doubt, performing and Finn knew that. Both stared at one another even when Finn moved Rachel's hair from her face and once again, his eyes were filled only with sweetness.
They were in their own little bubble when someone blew it by clapping.
A little old lady who was passing by them in the company of her partner, must have attended their performance and liked it very much, judging by her beatific smile. Rachel didn't even know that someone other than themselves attended that place, but she was happy to see that they were a sweet couple rather than a group of Neanderthals.
Rachel gave a little bow while Finn just scratched the back of his head with his face as red as a tomato with embarrassment and the two teens waited to be alone again before bursting out laughing.
"Thanks."
Rachel didn't know why she was thanking him. Perhaps because he had cheered her up. Maybe because she just felt the need to thank him. Perhaps for both reasons, or perhaps none of these. The fact is that he deserved the sincere thanks, just to be simply Finn.
"Shall we go, dwarf?" The boy waved his hand the way back to the house and Rachel nodded and smiled at her nickname.
"After you, giant."
A/N: Yes, I'm back! haha I don't know how many of you are still reading this story but thank you if you are and also I want to really apologize for not being able to post sooner.
Anyway I deeply appreciate all your kind comments and reviews!
Although it will take a little while I promise to finish this story because, as I have already said, we all deserve a Finchel happy ending.
For those who would like to see a Finn jealous, you have to be a little patient haha Let's say that jealous Finn is one of my biggest weaknesses so, don't worry.
For anyone who were wondering, the song that Finn sings to Rachel is "The Middle" by "Jimmy eat world". I love and used to be obsessed with that song and I thought it was the one who most suited to the situation and I admit that I listed to it over and over again while I was writing that scene.
Thanks again to all of you. I will get straight to work the next chapter so that you will not have to wait that long again.
I don't celebrate Christmas, however I want to wish everyone a great… holiday? Haha
Also I wanna give a huge, huge thanks to my new beta macyleeynot who has kindly agreed to take the place of Rebecca, who unfortunately could no longer beta this fanfiction. :(
I think it goes without saying that this chapter, like all others, is dedicated to a special person. It's been a year now, and yet I'm still hurt and it's really hard to write when every time I think about it I feel as if I am going to cry and I have a lump in my throat.
Cory, we still miss you so bad.