Real Romance • A Faberry Story

Chapter 11 - Picnic

I heard Quinn's car pull away from the park, and I started to walk along the sidewalk, looking for Finn.
I ventured 20 yards before I saw a beautiful picnic setup laid on the same blanket on which we shared our first kiss. There was grapes and champagne and a few packs of uncrustables because Finn hated making sandwiches.
I sat down on the blanket, looking around for Finn, but he was no where in sight. I grabbed my phone out of my purse and called him.
"Hi, this is.. uh Finn Hudson.. I'm sorry I couldn't get to the phone but uh.. just leave a message."
"Hey, Finn. It's Rachel. I'm here at the picnic. It's so beautiful. So I uh was just wondering where you were? I can't wait to-"
"Rachel?"
I turned to find Finn walking toward the blanket with a big stride.
I hung up the phone and put it down. "Finn, I was just calling you, you didn't answer."
"Yeah, I was busy looking for you. You're 50 minutes late. Where were you?" He looked at me with stern eyes.
"I was just-" I stuttered. "I was with Quinn. We went shopping."
"Of course." He said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I stood up.
"Ever since you guys dated, it's like all you do is spend time with her. I'll call you to tell you good morning, but you'll be busy shopping with Quinn or driving with Quinn or Having lunch with Quinn. What happened to us, Rachel?"
"Finn, I don't know where this is coming from? Ever since we started dating again, I've spent almost every day with you. I wouldn't have it any other way." I ran up to him and hugged him but he just shrugged me off.
"Rachel, if there's something going on again with you and Quinn, I need you to tell me." A tear started to build up in his eye. "I need you to be honest."
"Finn, nothing is going on! Can't you see that we're just friends!" My eyes started to fill with tears.
"I'm not sure what I can see with you anymore."
He walked past me and headed straight for his car.
I stared at the dead grass below my feet. The dead leaves of fall blew in the light wind and I pulled my new sweater around me tighter. I turned to the blanket, still covered with romantic delicacies. I slowly trudged to the blanket and sat. Tears streamed down my face as I thought, "Is Finn right? Is there something more with Quinn?"
•••
"Finn, we need to talk, call me?"
I put the phone on my night stand and pulled my self deeper under the covers. "What have I done?" I thought. My thought was quickly interrupted by a buzz on my nightstand. I immediately grabbed it and pulled it to my ear.
"Finn?"
"Rachel."
"Finn, are..."
There was a pause.
"Are what?" He said, his voice shaking.
"Are you still mad at me?"
"I don't know, Rachel. I just don't know what to believe anymore."
"You need to believe that I love.."
There was another long pause.
"Rachel?"
"I don't know either, Finn. Okay? I don't know. I don't know if I love you. I thought I did but.."
"But what, Rachel?"
"But something's changed. Someone's changed. And I can't just ignore that."
Finn was silent.
"I just need time, okay?"
"I'm glad you were honest." He said before he hung up.
I threw my phone on the floor and covered my head with a pillow. And then I sobbed. And sobbed. And sobbed.