take me back to the start

Chapter 7: Skimming the Surface

Still May, 2015.

Rachel could not believe her eyes when she saw Bill and Harry laughing and taking a picture with a tall, dashing and dimpled young man who bore a striking resemblance to a certain ex-boyfriend of hers.

It only took her another split second to realize that the man was, in fact, none other than Finn Hudson.

Why couldn't she move her feet?

Run away Rachel, run away. You know as soon as he looks at you with those deep brown eyes you're going to disseminate into a totally helpless puddle on the floor and that is not okay. But wait.. what's he even doing here? Is he here to see me? Why would he do that? Nevermind, it doesn't matter, just LEAVE!

She was just about to access the emergency strength she reserved for occasions like this, when Finn's eyes met hers in a time-stopping moment. She was hypnotized. And he seemed to be too.

Maybe it wasn't too late to run away and hide?

But her voice betrayed her mind's wish.

"Finn?"

Ignoring the security guards' protests he took a couple of wide strides to reach her.

"Hey," he said softly.

She had forgotten how surreally good looking he was. The strong jaw line, the expressive eyes, the lips that looked tailor made for kissing.. He was close enough so that she could smell his familiar aftershave and musky scent. A flood of unsolicited high school memories came rushing back to her. She took a step backwards forcing herself to resist the supernatural magnetic pull this boy had over her.

Alright Rachel, just think of this as the ultimate final test. If you can get through this without bursting into tears, kicking him in the groin, or getting the urge vomit, you are officially in the clear.

"What are you doing here?" she questioned casually.

She couldn't help but notice how much older he looked, a five o clock shadow framing his thinner and more worldly face. He had lost that innocence she had loved so much.

"I'm in New York for work.. I have a meeting later today, and when I saw that poster of you in Times Square.. I just really wanted to see you in your element again. And, you were seriously amazing Rach, I can honestly say I've never seen or heard anything as brilliant as your voice."

He gave her a sidelong glance and gave her one of his asymmetrical shrugs, "I missed it."

Rachel suppressed the imminent chills that were about to take over her body. His little quirks, his use of her nickname as if nothing had changed.. this boy was no doubt about it going to be the death of her.

"Oh, well, thank you that's very kind. You aren't doing too shabby yourself," she finally managed awkwardly.

Finn laughed nervously.

"Yeah things got really crazy really fast after I left Lima."

She looked at him solemnly.

"I know what you mean.."

His brow immediately furrowed.

"Hey I never really got to apologize to you or explain my actions.."

"Don't-" she cut him off, looking as if someone had just slapped her in the face. "I don't want to hear it. Let's just pretend it never happened. In fact, we can pretend that this never happened. And while we're at it, that 'we' never happened. In all honesty I think it'd be best if you didn't visit me again."