A/N - OLA! Welcome to a new COLLAB PROJECT between myself and SapplingOfASar. This is a fully co-authored piece and we're having a BLAST writing it, we hope you'll enjoy reading it just as much!
This story was borne of a spitball session debating on the best pregnant finchel story to be told; she voted for the high school era 'what if Rachel was in Quinn's shoes?' scenario (only minus the cheating and lying and Pucktana of it all)... and well, here we are. We're starting off with a mostly AU/non-canon finchel background leading into Freshman year where they are both 14 going on 15, then this story will cover seasons 1-3 as close to canon as makes sense in this version. Because of this role-reversal, Rachel may seem a little OOC sometimes but we're trying to keep her inherent traits prominent - namely, whatever she does, she does it with GUSTO and determination. There'll be a few other minor course corrections along the way, but most of the gleestereggs of the first 3 seasons will otherwise remain in tact or appear in some AU form. ALRIGHTY... ON WITH THE SHOW! =)
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PROLOGUE: SUMMER BEFORE FRESHMAN YEAR
Rachel Berry has a secret. She's a smart, practical girl with two gay white collar professional fathers who've raised her to dream big and work hard to achieve her goals. They've always supported their daughter's ambitions and long ago recognized her talents, but even with them championing her dreams, she feels the need to conceal her life goals from the ugly world that exists in Lima Ohio and more specifically, William McKinley school district.
You see, in addition to her academic excellence and permanent status on the honor roll, Rachel is a gifted singer, dancer, and actress. One day she hopes to see her name in lights over Broadway – but this dream is simply not conducive to surviving the hell-hole known as McKinley High, a veritable bubbling cauldron of toxic teenage wasteland mentality; she's already seen what happened to Quinn Fabray and refuses to let that become HER reality, which means her Broadway dreams remain a closely guarded secret.
The Berry family lives in a quiet upper-middle-class neighborhood next door to the Hudson family. Mrs Hudson – call her Carole, she always reminds – is a kind-hearted open-minded soul with a particular fondness for Rachel, whose own birth mother hadn't wanted anything to do with her. Carole has happily taken on the role of surrogate mother in Rachel's life, and Rachel loves her just the same as she loves her own fathers.
Carole is a war widow, her husband Christopher having died a hero's death in Desert Storm in Iraq. This tragedy left Carole alone to raise their only son, Finn, as a single mother. Thanks to Christopher's life insurance and other military benefits, the surviving Hudson's never had to worry too much about money. Their home was paid for, as was Finn's college tuition – should he decide to apply – or a nice nest egg for his future even if college wasn't in his cards.
Being a single mother is certainly rewarding in and of itself, but Carole also felt the need to give back and help her community – particularly those in the military. She took night classes while working as a part-time secretary during the day and worked her way through to an RN certification and is now the head nurse in the trauma unit at Lima General Hospital. Being a full-time working mom posed challenges of their own, but the Berry family was always there to watch over Finn and to help fill the missing father figure role in his life as well.
Carole remembers the day the handsome Berry couple next door brought their beautiful pink bundle of joy home, just four months after Finn was born and two months before she found out about Christopher's death. The two families immediately bonded and were a constant support to one another over the years.
It is no surprise at all that Finn and Rachel, having grown up together, had become best friends over the years. Both were quite outgoing and had many shared friendships in school. Finn was doing especially well considering he was very athletic, an excellent drummer since early childhood, and incredibly easy on the eyes as far as the girls were concerned.
By the summer before freshman year began, Finn and his best friend Noah Puckerman (call him Puck, 'or else') decided to transition from baseball to football. The two 14-year-old boys were lounging around Finn's room when Rachel popped in for a visit – unannounced as usual, but this was just what they did.
"Hi boys! Lazing your way through another glorious summer day glued to that dreadful combat game of yours again I see!"
"Hey Rach!" Finn's face lit up and pulled a crooked grin in greeting upon her entrance. Rachel wasn't sure when that smile of his started making her knees go weak when it appeared and she also wondered if he knew he was having that effect on her.
"Hey shrimp, s'up," Puck nodded his chin at her without tearing his eyes from the TV screen or the bad guy he was in the middle of taking down.
"So Finny, I was thinking we could go to that arts and crafts fair at the park tomorrow morning. I'm feeling a blue mood phase and want to redecorate my room before school starts. I could use a few new pieces, and of course, your help lugging it home would just be an added bonus."
"He can't. We're busy tomorrow."
"Busy with what Noah, frying more brain cells in front of that ridiculous game box?"
"Actually Rach, I was gonna tell you this later. We're trying out for football."
"Finn that's such a barbaric sport! You'll get yourself murdered out there!"
Finn chuckled at her dramatic reaction. "Thank for the vote of confidence! You worry too much, Lil' Bee. I'll be fine. Besides, Puck's pretty good as my wingman. I think when we get to show coach how well we work together we'll be a shoo-in to make the team."
"Yeah Huddy, we're gonna mop up the field with those other losers! Hey Berry, you should try out for cheer squad. You already like wearing those crunchy toast little skirts all the time anyway. At least this'd give you a reason to run that big yap of yours with all your peppy annoying energy. RAH-RAH, SIS-BOOM-BAH!" Puck teased in a high-pitched voice.
"You are a Neanderthal, Noah Puckerman. And there's really no way I would consider trying out for something as cliché as cheerleading."
"I dunno Rach, I think it's a great idea. You're already all bendy and flexible from all those dance classes, and you DO like wearing little skirts..." he winked at her then rolled into a full-bellied laugh as she scowled at him, clobbering him with his bed pillow. "Seriously though, I think it'd be really cool. Just think, if I make the team and you made the squad we'd be set for our high school careers, be included in the coolest parties, and get to travel to all those away games together. It could be fun."
He could still see the skepticism in her eyes, so he added "Plus I hear the cheer Coach is some badass national champion and the cheer squad wins like, mad competitions."
Finn knew her far too well; her competitive nature wasn't something she advertised often, but he was all too aware of its existence thanks to numerous blood-sport games of Monopoly, gin rummy, and even Twister. "Really? They compete and WIN on a national level? Well... I already have so many extracurriculars planned for our freshmen year... but something like that probably would look really good on my college applications. I'll think about it... When are tryouts?"
"Same time as football tryouts tomorrow."
"Alright, pick me up on your way. I'll at least go check it out and worst case, I'll be there to cheer you on and hope you make the team."
"Cool. You're really awesome, Rach."
. . . . .
The thrill of Finn and Puck making the team was only overshadowed by the fact that Finn was also named starting quarterback – quite a feat for a freshman.
"Rach! Did you hear? I got it babe! I made the team... AND you're looking at your new Titan's starting Quarterback!"
"That's outstanding Finn! I'm so happy for you!"
She leapt forward and he easily caught her, sweeping her up into a bear hug and spun her in a circle. When he placed her feet back down on the ground he pulled back to ask "And what about you? Did you hear anything yet?"
"Well, as it happens, I did... technically, the squad roster isn't supposed to be published on the bulletin board until tomorrow morning. But Coach Sue already clued me in that not only did I make the squad, I will also be her newly minted CAPTAIN!"
"Holy crap Rach! You serious, that's so awesome! See, I knew you'd be so rad at this!"
As they resumed their hugging/swinging celebration, Puck joined them and deadpanned "Get a room!"
Finn rolled his eyes at his mohawed pal and Puck added not so subtly, "No, seriously. Just ask her out already dude! Quit being such a pansy!"
Rachel and Finn both felt the hot flush of embarrassment spread across their faces. Finn spun around and slugged the shorter boy in the shoulder. "Shut it Puck. Don't you have places to be anyway? Thought your mom needed you to be home to babysit Sarah."
"Shit. Forgot about that. Guess I better put wings on the old Huffy then before my kid sis burns the house down. I'll see you at Mike's later for the big celebration party?"
"Yep, guess I can't miss it now, huh."
"No you can't – wouldn't be much of a party without the QB! And hey, you can bring the munchkin too," he smirked in Rachel's direction.
"Ha-ha Noah," she huffed. "Stop poking fun at my petite stature; I can't help it if I'm vertically challenged."
"Yeah yeah... you're still my favorite little Jew Babe. Anyway Huddy, a bunch of the upperclassmen – including those super fine Cheerios – are gonna be there too... Pretty sure Lopez is bringing her Magical Mexican Madness punch. Oh yeah, the Puckerone is totally gonna be gettin' some TONIGHT!"
"Must you always be so vulgar and sexist Noah Puckerman? Doesn't it bother you, the way you constantly objectify women?"
"Nope. And the ladies are free to objectify me any ol' time! See you two losers later!"
Once Finn and Rachel were left on their own, Rachel mulled over the words imparted to her by the womanizer of Lima.
"Finn... what did Noah mean, when he said for you to just ask me out already?"
Finn felt a sudden wave of nerves ripple through his more than six-foot-tall frame. Puck might be his best friend since kindergarten but the dude sure has a big mouth. "Uh.. I dunno... I mean, I'm sure he was just being Puck. You know what he's like."
"Yes. Yes I do... but, well... Would it be the weirdest thing? I mean..." she took a deep breath and conjured up all her courage as she powered through her next question. "Would it be too weird if we were to go out? Would you even want to do that?"
He swallowed hard and exhaled. "Y-you mean, like a DATE? Like a real genuine date date?"
"Well, yes... I mean, after all, I'm the stunning young head cheerleader and you're the hot young leader of the Titans; I think everyone will expect us to become an item. And we're already best friends, so it should be easy for us to make that leap, shouldn't it? Or would it be too weird?"
"Um... no, I don't think it'd be so weird... I mean, it's just... what if we're not compatible as more than friends? I sure don't wanna screw up our friendship, Rach."
Her eyes narrowed slightly and she was pensive for a moment. "You make a good point; I wouldn't want that either. I guess there's only one way to find out."
"How's that?"
"You can kiss me, if you want to."
Finn's eyes nearly popped out of his skull and his voice raised about three octaves. "Really?"
"Yes really Finn... I think that's the only way to know if we have chemistry on a romantic level. Unless of course, you don't want to, then–"
He shook his head emphatically. "I want to."
Before Rachel could finish her thought, Finn had already closed the distance and encased her lips with his. After a few moments, he pulled her flush against his chest. Her lips parted just slightly and he deepened the kiss with fervor as she reciprocated. Her hands ran up his chest and twined behind the nape of his neck as his hands gripped her waist and held her firm against his solid frame.
When the kiss wound down, she broke the stunned silence hanging heavy between them. "Wow Finn... did you feel that?"
His breathless reply was immediate. "Yeah... safe to say I think we're pretty compatible," he grinned like a fool as he got lost in her deep coffee-colored eyes. "We shoulda done that a long time ago."
"Yeah. Let's do it again," she smiled and giggled into the next kiss.
tbc... 🏈📣