A New Direction (Glee and Finchel/Samchel fan fiction)

Chapter 5- First Date

As I tried on different outfits, I became extremely nervous for my first date with Sam. I had invited Mercedes and Tina, another girl in Glee club, over to my house to help me decide what to wear.

"Girl you look amazing in red." Mercedes said as I emerged from my wardrobe in a red blouse and black skirt.

"I think green might look better." Tina replied, as I whipped out a green gown. Finally, I settled on a navy blue dress that cut off just before the knee. It wasn't too casual, but not formal either. It was perfect. As I sat at my vanity while Tina played around with my hair and Mercedes fixed my makeup, my nerves got the better of me.

"I-I don't think I can do this." I stuttered as I jumped out of my chair, my face in my hands. 

"Is this about Finn?" Tina asked, giving me a hug. I nodded. I was so scared that Sam would lead me on, like Finn did, and I would get another broken heart. 

"Sam won't do what Finn did to you. He's a good guy, he won't hurt you." Mercedes said.

"I'm not completely over Finn yet. I don't want Sam to be my rebound. Plus, I'm supposed to be focused on my dreams and future, not-" I was cut off by Tina.

"Rachel," she began, "you have to let that go and not worry. You're sixteen, don't stress about this, okay? Just have a good time." The three of us shared a hug, before I drove Mercedes and Tina home and then drove to Breadstix. As I headed to meet Sam, I was thinking about what Tina had said, and I knew that she was right. I had to let my worries go and I needed to live in the moment.

"Wow, Rachel, you look amazing." Sam grinned as he greeted me at the booth I had been waiting at. He was wearing jeans and a button-down shirt. I was relieved that he had kept his promise for this to be a casual dinner- I was afraid that he would turn up in a tuxedo! 

"And you look very handsome." I smiled, as I stood up. Sam gave me a strong hug and a soft kiss on my cheek, and I couldn't help but blush. We sat down, opposite one another, and it wasn't long until we ordered our food and were brought our breadsticks. I ordered a vegan salad and Sam ordered ribs.

For the remainder of the night, I had a great time. Sam and I discussed our favourite music and movies, which lead to him showcasing his celebrity impressions, which made me laugh. I told Sam about my goals and ambitions.

"I just can't see myself anywhere else but on a stage, singing, and I won't stop until my dreams come true. Music is the only thing in my life that truly allows me to express myself." I said.

"I love how passionate you are about your future." He replied, "I'm not even good at anything besides impressions." He replied.

"You're an amazing singer, and you're great at football, you have so many talents, Sam, including impressions. Don't worry, you'll figure something out." I smiled as I took Sam's hand across the table. He looked at me with clear, kind eyes and I felt like I could see right into his soul. 

"You're an amazing person, Rachel."

After dinner, Sam and I talked in the parking lot next to his pick up truck. I leaned against the front of his car and Sam stood facing me, wrapping his fingers around mine.

"I had a great time Sam," Blushing, I looked down at the road and shuffled my shoe in the gravel.

"Me too, Rachel. You know, not everyone at school thinks you're cool, but I think you're awesome and I'd really like for you to be my girlfriend." Sam smiled a wide grin as he spoke to me. I saw it coming, I had a feeling that Sam would ask me tonight, but I knew that I had to say no, even if it did hurt.

"I know, and I think you're pretty awesome too, but you have your reputation at stake." I lied, covering up the real reason why I couldn't date Sam, " I mean, once people found out about us, you might not be so popular anymore-"

"Rachel, don't you get it? I don't care what anyone says or thinks. I like you for a reason, and if you want to, I would love to be with you." 

"Last time," I stammered, hesitating to mention anything about my relationship with Finn to Sam. I needed to be honest with him, "The last time I was in a relationship it was with someone you know. Finn, actually, from Glee club. We met over the summer and he broke my heart. It was the worst pain I have ever had to go through. I can't risk going through that again. It may seem childish, but I-"

And that was when he kissed me. Sam slipped his hands against my face and held it as I ran my hands over his shoulders. As we kissed, for a moment, everything was perfect, and I knew that Sam and I would be perfect for each other. As we broke away from each other, I looked up into Sam's eyes as he held my waist close to him and whispered,

"I will never hurt you."

Author's Note: Sorry for a pretty short chapter! The story will really start picking up over the next few chapters, so I hope you continue reading and see where Rachel will go next! Will Finn suddenly cause her to change her heart? Thanks for reading!

~Alex~