Well, hello there! And happy Easter for those who celebrate :) Here's chapter 16. I wanted you guys to know there are probably about 5 chapters left, more or less. Anyway, thanks to my beta Pam for her thorough reading and her lovely opinions on this chapter, and for all of you who have patiently waited for it. Enjoy :)
Disclaimer: nah, not mine. Glee still belongs to RIB, whom I maintain a love/hate relationship with.
Chapter 16: Bet on it
Good morning, beautiful :) Don't be nervous, you'll do great! Break a leg ;)
She smiled like a fool at her phone as she read his text for the umpteenth time. Her body was going through a weird mix of feelings today; all from butterflies in her stomach to slightly shaking knees, and everything in-between. And that also included an ear-to-ear smile because Finn had remembered she started rehearsals today and had made sure to leave her an encouraging text to start her day. Finn, whom she was dating now. God, she loved so much being able to say that. She sighed contentedly. She didn't reply though, because she didn't want to wake him up. She had gotten the text just before 3 am, which meant that Finn had most likely gone to bed even later than that. She knew he often stayed up late to study because it was quieter at night, and she honestly didn't know how he managed to do that given his strong aversion to coffee. But he was doing great with school and she couldn't be prouder of him.
Finn and Rachel had been dating for a few weeks now, though they hadn't talked to their friends about it yet. Their situation was complicated enough as it was, so they had decided to take some time to get used to it themselves before having their friends' breathing down their necks, because what else could have been expected from Kurt and Santana? They had already paired up to try and get them together, after all. They even talked about an "Operation Finchel", for God's sake! Both of them had even questioned Rachel and Finn to know whether their "operation" had been successful, but they hadn't managed to get much from any of them. And, to be honest, Rachel found it sort of entertaining.
She got up and walked to the bathroom, stopping to look at herself in the mirror. She usually didn't like her just-woke-up look (who does, anyway?) but all she saw now was a huge smile, that was likely to stay all day, and she couldn't help but think she was content with that. The Funny Girl plus Finn mixture was definitely suiting her.
After she showered and had her breakfast, she grabbed her things for school and rehearsal, double checked she had everything she needed, and left for school. It was definitely going to be an exhausting day today. She had dance class and although she had made peace with Miss July, that didn't mean her teacher was any less strict, only nicer. Slightly so.
By the time she had her lunch break, she thought Finn would be awake, so she texted him.
On my lunch break. Can I call you? :)
She set her phone on the table and grabbed her fork, her phone buzzing before she even got to take a bite of her salad.
"Hello?" she said as she answered.
"Hey babe, how are you?" Finn greeted back warmly.
"I'm good. And by good I mean really, really nervous."
She could hear Finn chuckle, and to be honest, if it were a different person, she would have made a scene already, because how dare someone laugh at her anxiety? But who was she trying to fool, this was Finn. She just couldn't get mad at him.
"No reason to be." He replied honestly. "Everything will be fine. They already picked you, Rach."
"But what if they change their mind? What if I make a fool of myself for being so nervous and they end up getting someone else? What if-"
"Hey, hey Rach. Breathe, please". She could hear the slight yet honest concern in his voice, so she obliged.
"Good. Now, listen to me. You will do great. You have prepared for this your whole life. You know the lines and the songs backwards, and you will definitely give them your own Rachel Berry twist too, so there's nothing to worry about. Plus you have a contract, baby. They can't just change their minds."
She sighed.
"I guess you're right…"
"Just trust me."
"I do… Thank you."
"No problem." He said softly.
Her anxiety was still there, but Finn never failed to make her feel better. The sole sound of his voice could make her feel warm and at ease, no matter what.
They were silent for a couple of seconds until she spoke again.
"So… how was your day?"
"Eh, it was good. Suddenly got better when I got a text from this cute girl, asking if she could call, though." He replied, his voice going from nonchalant to flirty. His words had the desired effect, as he could hear giggles on Rachel's end.
"Same here. You stayed up late last night?" She asked, her voice laced with something between gentleness and worry.
"Yeah, I've been a little behind with my Psychology class because of Glee club but I'm up to date now. Turns out Psychology's actually pretty interesting, who would have thought?" he joked.
"I'm so proud of you, you know." she suddenly said. He could hear the smile in her voice.
"For getting up to date with Psychology? Rach, I should have never been behind in the first place." He laughed.
"Not just Psychology, no." She smiled at his humbleness. "I'm so proud that you have found your vocation, and that you are content with what you are doing."
"Thanks, Rach. I really am happy." Finn replied honestly.
They fell into another short, yet comfortable silence, only this time Finn was the one to break it.
"Rach, don't you have to go?"
"Yeah," she sighed. "I should get going. Just one more class today, and then rehearsal. I don't even know how I'm going to sit through it. I'm too nervous today to deal with Musical Theory."
"Calm down, you'll do great. And pay attention to Musical Theory, Miss Berry. Maybe you'll happen to like it, just like I ended up liking Psychology."
"Can't promise anything, Mr. Hudson." She said in a cocky tone, trying not to laugh.
"Don't use that tone on me, Miss Berry."
She couldn't help laughing anymore after his teacher-like words, making him laugh as well. When the laughter died down their said their goodbyes.
"Bye baby", Rachel said, "thanks for listening".
"Anytime, Rach. Break a leg. I'll call you at night. Bye".
Rachel got home pretty late, her purse hanging from her hand lazily, a bag of groceries in her other hand. She was secretly thankful that none of her friends were home, since Santana was at work and Kurt was working on a group project at a classmate's place. She loved them, yes, but she was too tired to deal with their antics today. She left the few groceries she had bought for her dinner-for-one on the countertop in the kitchen and then went to the bathroom to take a long shower.
The hot water helped her body relax as she washed off the exhaustion of the day. She knew she'd get used to handle her new busy schedule, but it would take some time.
She stepped out of the shower, feeling significantly more refreshed now. After putting on some pajamas, she went to the kitchen and put together something to eat. She played some soft music and plopped on the couch, munching on her salad as she stared at her phone, waiting for Finn's call.
After doing the dishes, she took her textbook to bed, determined to stay awake until she could talk to Finn. She was halfway through the chapter she was reading when her eyes started to feel heavy, so she placed the book and marker aside and put her phone under her pillow, before resting her head on the pillow too.
Santana and Kurt got home together, since Kurt had picked her up from work so none of them would have to walk alone so late.
"Berry, you at home?" Santana yelled into their apartment as a way of greeting, Kurt walking past her to Rachel's bedroom.
"Santana, she's asleep." Kurt hushed as he sat next to Santana on the couch of their small living room.
"What? How old is she, ninety-five?" the Latina asked as she went through the pages of an old magazine from their coffee table.
"She just started rehearsals today, she must have had a long day." Kurt explained.
"And she won't even tell us how it went? I bet if it was Lurch she would have stayed up all night." she said matter-of-factly.
"I don't…" he trailed off as Santana lifted her eyes from the magazine and gave him a questioning look. "Okay, yes, she probably would have. But we're not Finn, what can I say?"
"Do you know what their current relationship status is?" she asked, leaving her magazine aside, clearly interested in their new subject.
"No…" Kurt shook his head. "I tried to question him, and even Carole, she knew nothing and he was vague."
"Vague? Like what?" Santana asked, perching up in her seat.
"Nothing in particular, he just laughed it off and said they were on good terms but that's it. And Rachel?"
"No clue. She changed her phone's lock pattern since last time…" she mumbled, more to herself than to Kurt.
"What?" he asked, hoping he had misheard.
"Nothing. I know nothing." Santana said, rolling her eyes.
"This is frustrating. They are gonna be eighty-five and still in a will-they-won't-they status." Kurt complained.
"I don't think so." Santana smirked. "I bet they're already dating and hiding it from us."
"What? No, I don't think they'd do that to us…" Kurt frowned. "Would they?"
"I bet you twenty bucks they're dating."
"I'm not gonna bet on our friends' love life, Santana." He knew he would get in trouble. Associating with Santana usually meant trouble.
"Oh, puh-lease, we've betted on worse things!" Santana exclaimed.
"What? I don't know what you are talking about." Kurt denied, hoping she didn't remember. Although Santana started enumerating, counting with her fingers.
"Plastic Man being gay, Plastic Man cheating on her, Plastic Man being actually made of plastic, Plastic Man being a drug dealer, Plas-"
"Okay, okay! I get it." He interrupted. Of course she would remember. "And do not name He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named in this house, please."
"Whatever. Fuck Voldemort. You in or not?" The girl asked, as she extended her hand for him to shake it.
Kurt sighed, defeated. "Alright. I'm in." he said, shaking Santana's hand.
"Perfect. All I have to do now is prove you they're dating so I can get my twenty bucks." Santana said, returning to her magazine.
"What? We're not going to wait until they actually tell us? If they are dating, that is." He added, raising his index finger.
"Where's the fun in that, Hummel?" Santana looked at him as if he had grown a second head. "And they are dating. Trust the girl with the psychic Mexican third eye."
Kurt just groaned in response, wondering why he had gotten himself into this in the first place.
"Wait, shut up, Hummel." the girl said, smacking Kurt's thigh.
"Ouch! What? I didn't say anything!" he complained in response.
"SHHHHH! Geez! Do you hear that?"
They both stayed silent and listened more carefully.
It didn't take Kurt more than a couple of seconds to understand what his friend was talking about. "Rachel? Giggling?"
"I know those giggles." Santana said, standing up and tugging from Kurt's hand, heading to Rachel's bedroom. "C'mon."
Kurt only groaned. What had he gotten himself into?
Her buzzing pillow startled her. It took her a few seconds to realize she had fallen asleep and it was her phone that had woken her. Wait, her phone? It must be Finn!
She quickly swiped her finger across the screen to answer his call as she cleared her throat.
"Hello?" she said, her voice a little hoarse.
"Oh, were you asleep?" Finn lamented. "I'm sorry, Rach!"
"No, no, I was just… um, okay, maybe a little…" she admitted.
"Ugh, sorry I called so late," Finn apologized again. "I was working on a group assignment so I couldn't call earlier. I just assumed that since you hadn't texted you were going to bed or anything, you'd still be awake"
"It's okay." She smiled. "I'm always glad I can talk to you. I actually fell asleep, that's why I didn't text you."
"Long day, baby?" He asked, half concerned and half eager to know how her first rehearsal had gone.
"Yeah, exhausting." Rachel sighed.
"How did rehearsal go?"
"Pretty good actually" she replied, her smile and excitement evident in her voice. "They are, of course, paying more attention to Lauren, who is the primary actress. But I worked on the choreography while she worked on the lines and songs. I guess it'll be easier once I know the choreographies. After that I'll just have to watch Lauren's rehearsals and rehearse only once a week myself."
"It'll all be worth it, you'll see." He smiled.
"How can you be so sure?" Rachel whispered.
"How couldn't I? You are super talented, Rachel. Haven't I told you this enough?" He hated how this turn of events had made her lose part of her confidence, but he'd be damned if he wouldn't help her get it back. "You're bound to make it. I mean, right now, you're an understudy. I know you were not very happy with it at first, but this Lauren girl won't always be able to perform. I mean, not wishing anything bad upon her, but she could get stuck in traffic or go on holidays… So you're definitely gonna have your Broadway stage, babe." He stated, his voice warm.
"You've always believed in me." She whispered again. Finn had to be the only person to get her speaking like this; all short sentences and a quiet voice.
"And you've always believed in me as well." Finn shrugged, and she could hear the smile in his words. It was true. He wasn't sure he'd have accomplished even half of the things he had if it wasn't for Rachel's support.
They continued talking about their day, Finn making Rachel laugh and forget about her exhaustion, until something going on behind her startled her.
"HA! I knew it! You're talking to Frankenteen, aren't you?" Santana yelled as she snapped Rachel's curtain/wall open, with Kurt on her heels, unable to stop her on time.
"Oh my God!" The shorter girl yelled in response, one hand resting on her chest as the other one discreetly swiped the phone's screen to end the call. "Santana! Curtain means privacy! And when did you even get here in the first place!?"
"Yeah, but the curtain can't muffle your giggles, Berry." Santana replied. "And you didn't hear us because you were happily chatting with… whom? Who the hell were you talking to?" The Latina asked, her hands on her hips and a smug look on her face.
"To… my dad." Rachel blurted out in response.
Kurt facepalmed, feeling like he had already lost the bet. Santana raised an eyebrow at her. "You giggle like a schoolgirl when you talk to your dad?"
"I'll have you known, both of my fathers are quite funny men, Santana", Rachel defended.
"Okay, why don't you give me the phone and let me speak with funny Mr. Berry then?" Santana asked, extended her hand to Rachel, as Kurt dragged his hand through his face tiredly.
"What? No, um, he hung up already. He was going to bed, sorry." Rachel spoke quickly.
"So convenient." Santana commented, then pointed a finger at Rachel. "We'll find out what's going on, Berry. I know you were talking to Frankenteen. You don't wanna tell us? Alright, we'll find out on our own." The Latina ranted, and then stormed out, as Kurt rolled his eyes and shook his head disbelievingly.
"I don't know what the hell you are talking about, Santana!" Rachel yelled to her friend's direction.
"She thinks you and Finn are dating." Kurt explained, defeat evident in his voice.
"Wh- what? Why? Why would she think that?" Rachel stuttered.
"I don't know, another one of her 'psychic Mexican third eye' predictions…" Kurt drew air quotation marks with his fingers. "She's gonna drive you (and me, by extension) crazy until she finds what she wants..."
"Well there's nothing to find." Rachel said, crossing her arms over her chest stubbornly.
"Just saying." Kurt said, raising his hands and showing his palms in defense. "Goodnight, Rachel."
"Goodnight."
After Kurt left, Rachel grabbed the phone she had abandoned on her bed and texted Finn.
Sorry I had to hang up, Santana appeared in my room. I hadn't heard her.
It's okay. You can tell them if you want to, I don't mind.
Rachel smiled. She actually wanted to yell it from the top of the Empire State. But a part of her wasn't ready just yet; she still had to get more familiar with the long distance thing before facing her friends' inquisition.
No, you are not the one who lives with them. They just pair up and question me until they drive me crazy.
Okay, whatever you say, Rach. You should go to bed now though :) PS: you know they'll pair up and question you and drive you crazy anyway…
Alright, but you should go, too. You didn't sleep enough last night.
She decided to ignore the PS. She knew he was right, but she wouldn't admit it.
Okay, okay, I'm going to bed now. Goodnight, babe. Sweet dreams :)
Sweet dreams, Finn. Goodnight :)
"Well that went very well…" Kurt said sarcastically over his cup of coffee. Rachel was asleep already (for real, this time), and he and Santana were chatting up before they went to bed.
"Shut up, you know she was talking to your brother." Santana replied, clearly annoyed.
"Yeah, I know." He said simply, stirring his coffee.
"Oh, come on did you really-" Santana started, but suddenly stopped when she realized what Kurt had said. "Wait, what? You agree with me?" she asked, surprised.
"Yeah, I've seen this before, Tanna." Kurt said nonchalantly. He saw his friend's expression light up, her hand slowly extending in his direction, with her palm upwards. "You haven't won the bet yet, though. Not until it's confirmed. They may have been talking, but we still don't know if they are actually dating." Kurt reasoned, halting Santana's complaints before she could even begin to formulate them.
"But what else could be happening if it's not dating? Berry's texting 'someone' 24/7 and her dopey grin looks brighter than the city's skyline!" the Latina countered, throwing her hands in the air in exasperation.
"It's Rachel and Finn, Tanna. And they haven't changed the tiniest bit. They've always loved each other but have only spent about 20% of that time together, for some odd reason."
Santana just huffed and rolled her eyes in response, her arms crossed over her chest.
They fell silent for a few seconds, both of them just enjoying their coffees, until Santana's sudden exclamation of "I know what to do!" startled Kurt.
"Geez, Santana, you need to stop squealing like that when everything's so quiet." He complained, a hand over his heart. "I think you've taken this from Rachel, you know."
"Whatever. I'm telling you, I know what to do!" She repeated, excitedly.
"What to do about what, may I ask?" Kurt actually knew what Santana was talking about, but truth be told, pissing her off was much funnier.
"About world peace." She replied, sarcastically. "I know how to prove Berry and Hudson are dating, dumbass! So I can rub it in her face and wipe yours with my brand new twenty bucks."
"So much love in one sentence. I'm overwhelmed." Kurt replied. See? Pissing her off.
"Shut up, Hummel. You know what I'm talking about! Everyone needs some tough love, after all. Now, are you gonna ask about my plan or not?" Santana asked, annoyed, much to Kurt's delight.
"Okay, okay. What's your oh-so-brilliant plan to prove that our friends are dating?" he asked, with a flourish of his hand. "If they are, that is." Kurt emphasized.
"Stop with the if's, you know they are." The Latina grumbled, before leaning forward in her seat and explaining her plan. "Now, here's the thing. In two weeks there's a long weekend, right?" She waited for Kurt to nod before she went on. "All we gotta do is invite your big bro over for that weekend. They'll fuck eventually. Guaranteed. Plus Berry's got the biggest bed and our couch is tiny. He won't have anywhere to sleep but with her. Boo-ya."
At this point, Kurt was leaning back in his chair, his elbow on the table, fingers supporting his head, and his eyes narrowing at her friend, clearly questioning the efficiency of her plan.
"Let me get this straight." He said as he too leaned forward, imitating Santana's pose. "You basically want to bring Finn here so he and Rachel can defile our entire loft while we are at work? And then making one of us", he paused, gesturing between him and Santana, "sleep on the couch so he can take that person's bed? Because trust me, dating or not, he won't make Rachel sleep on the couch. I'm telling you, those two are just as stubborn as you are, and if they have set their mind about keeping this from us (again, IF they are indeed dating) it won't be so easy, Tanna. "
"CUT IT WITH THE FUCKING IF'S, HUMMEL!" Santana all but shouted in annoyance. "You know you already owe me those twenty. And I may have forgotten about work, but I can still smell sex on people, alright? I'm telling you, this is gonna work." She said confidently, pointing her finger at Kurt. "Even if we have to fumigate the whole place after he leaves."
"Okay then." He simply said, shrugging.
"Nancy, I'm telling you-" she paused, confused. "Okay?"
"Yeah, okay. I mean, we've got nothing to lose. Best case scenario, we find out what they're hiding."
"That they're dating." Santana corrected.
"Maybe." He added, raising his index finger. "And worst case scenario, we get to spend a weekend with our friend. What could go wrong?"
This was so wrong.
Kurt had announced over breakfast that he would "like to invite his brother for the upcoming long weekend, to celebrate his first show choir victory as a teacher" and was very, very conscientious to ask both Santana and especially Rachel if they would be "okay with him staying over, so he wouldn't have to spend money on a hotel". Santana had agreed so quickly and without complaint that Rachel knew they had agreed on this beforehand. Actually, she could almost feel Santana being the mastermind. Especially after that crazy rant she gave her the night before about finding out what was going on between herself and Finn. They were so busted.
We are SO busted.
Well, good morning to you too, beautiful. Yeah, I'm fine, having a nice day so far, thank you for asking.
Stop mocking me, this is serious, Finn. YOUR brother (though I think the mastermind was Santana) is planning to invite you here for the next long weekend.
And what's wrong with that, babe? I'd actually already thought it'd be a good opportunity to see each other myself.
Seriously? How could he be so calm? Did Finn ever worry about anything at all?
But… but… we'll have to pretend around them, Finn!
Don't they work on weekends, too?
Only on Fridays and Saturdays.
Then we would only have to act normally on Sunday, but we'd have Friday and Saturday for ourselves :)
Rachel sighed. Maybe he was right. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all.
That sounds good, actually.
I know! I can't wait, to be honest ;)
Okay, now she was actually getting excited. It might be hard to hide it from Santana, but hey, she'd get to see Finn, it was sure going to be worth it.
Me neither :) And maybe driving Santana crazy could be fun!
Oh, it will be, babe ;)
Rachel put her phone in her bag and got ready to leave for school. Thanks to Finn's messages, she was now in a great mood and couldn't help the bright smile on her face. Next weekend couldn't come soon enough.
A/N: So... thoughts? You loved it, you hated it? What do you expect for next chapter, when Finn goes to New York? Let me know in the reviews! They make my day and encourage me to keep working on this story :)
xo