Always Been You

Chapter Nine

|Rachel|

"Rachel?" I heard a familiar, soft and cheery voice. A smile automatically formed on my face, as I looked at the woman in front of me. She had one of the biggest smiles and her arms quickly engulfed me into a bear hug. "I can't believe you're here! Kurt! Come here Kurt! Oh, he'll be so happy to see you again!" I smiled and laughed a little.

"Kurt is actually the one that invited me," I said with a smile. "How've you been?" I asked the kind woman. She smiled at me and welcomed me into her home.

"I've been grand," she smiled. "How about you? How has life treated you?" Carole lead me to the dinning table, where I could clearly see Kurt talking to his dad.

"It's been a little hard," I admitted. "But overall, it's been good." I smiled and she smiled and sat me down at the table. Kurt turned with a surprised face , but it was gone as soon as it had arrived. A wicked grin came into his face as he sat next to me.

"Well, well, well," he said. "Look who's here." I playfully rolled my eyes at him and we hugged. I looked over at Kurt's dad and greeted him as well, receiving a small bear hug from him.

Carole served us food and we started to eat. And of course, I was basically getting interviewed or interrogated about my life back in Broadway and in fame. It was a little hard to talk about, but I knew I would go back before I knew it.

Our conversations came to a halt when there was a knock at the door. We all turned our heads towards the door, and Carole laughed and hugged a tall frame. She turned and guided the person towards us. My heart stopped when I looked at the all too familiar brown orbs.

**
|Finn|
"I thought you weren't coming," my mom said as she stepped back. "Where's Quinn?"

"She wasn't feeling well," I hesitated to tell her. I didn't know what to say, so I came up with the first thing that came up to my mind. "But she wanted me to tell you that she's sorry for not coming."

"Oh tell her not to worry about it," my mom smiled. "Come on let's go to the dining room. Also, guess who is over for dinner?" She grabbed my hand and dragged me over to the next room.

"Who-" I stopped mid sentence once my eyes landed on the familiar face. She's here.

"Finn you're here!" Kurt said with a knowing smile on his face. He stood up and side hugged me. "Come, here's a seat for you." He dragged me to the seat next to Rachel.  She avoided my gaze and looked down at the food in her plate.

Burt got up to answer the ringing of a phone, and my mom went back to the kitchen to bring more food. Kurt sat in front of me and Rachel, and smirked at us.

"I don't think I heard you two greet each other," he said as he played with his food. I rolled my eyes and tapped my fingers on the table. "You know Finn, it's rude not to greet someone."

But it may not be rude to kick someone's butt, I thought. I should've known by his persistence on my presence at this family dinner. But I shrugged it off and turned to look at the girl next to me. She was on her phone now, typing away. She gave out a small sigh, and her eyes lifted up to meet mine. A very slight blush crept up her cheeks as her eyes scanned my face.

"Hi," she softly greeted. Her voice was barely above a whisper, and it made me happy that she greeted me. I don't know why, but I couldn't look away from her.

"Hey," I replied and she gently smiled before looking away. Our first greeting in the span of what, 10 years? I don't know anymore. But sitting next to her right now brought me back to high school.

"Let's eat!" My Mom cheered as she brought the big bowl of smashed potatoes.

>>>>~~~<<<<

"No, no stop," I groaned. "I swear if you shove me again you're going to regret it." Kurt laughed as his arm went to the spot next to me, shoving me completely. "What did I just say!"

"Oh come on Finn," my mom laughed. How could she? She wasn't in an awkward position with Kurt. I couldn't even begin to tell you how much I hate Twister.

"Finn you're supposed to put your left leg over to the yellow circle," Burt laughed as he looked down at the spinner then back up at the football game.

"I know!" I groaned once again. Why did Kurt have to choose this game?! "You know what, I give up. Game over." I let myself fall down to the floor and Kurt came crashing over me. Pain spread all over my abdomen as Kurt laughed.

"I'm going home," I said as I sat up, and playfully shoved Kurt away from me.

"Why so soon?" Burt asked.

"He needs to see Quinn," my mom said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. My eyes instantly went to a quiet Rachel who had a neutral face. Her eyes went to me and she smiled at me, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Um yeah," I replied as I stood up. "But we'll see you next week." My Mom nodded and her face lit up.

"Maybe we can start planning the wedding!" She squealed and Burt smiled at my moms little outburst. Rachel had a shocked face for a couple of seconds before composing herself and smiled at me.

"Congrats," she said and I smiled back.

"Thanks," I said. "Well I better get going." And with that I hugged everyone except for Rachel. She and I just awkwardly stood in front of each other and said goodbye. I walked out the front door and stood in their porch for a couple of seconds, trying to get my thoughts together, and started walking to my car. I heard the front door open, and I turned to see Rachel walking down the wooden steps. She was looking down at her phone but glanced up and met my eyes for the hundredth time tonight.

"Hey," she said turning off her phone and shoving it to the back of her jeans. "It was good seeing you today."

"Yeah," I replied. "I didn't know you were here in the first place," I lied. Why would I say, hey I've been thinking about you a lot lately and actually knew you were around? That'd be dumb.

"Yeah I just needed a. . . Break," she shrugged and smiled. "It's kind of suffocating being in the spotlight-"

"That's weird coming from you," I interrupted with a small chuckle. "The Rachel I knew would never say something like that. She'd kill to be in the spotlight," I said as I took a step towards her. She playfully rolls her eyes and shakes her head. Her eyes held a playful glint, but soon it turned gloomy. What's going on in that head of yours Rachel?

"So you're with Quinn, huh?," She asked with a change of subject. I nodded, not really enjoying this conversation. "How long has that been going on?"

"Since high school, we never broke up," I said looking down at the floor. The guilt of our failed romantic relationship in high school fell upon my shoulders as our conversation dragged on.

"Good for you," She smiled, but it didn't look genuine. It looked like the fake ones, where you try to be happy about something. But it wouldn't matter, she despises me. I was cruel, immature, and just plain mean towards her. I wouldn't blame her for slapping me or something. "When's the date?"

"Still undecided," I said and she nodded in understanding. "For how long are you sticking around?"

"Another month or two I think," she replied. "I don't think I'm all that ready to go back after. . ." She trailed off as she stared at the ground.

"It sucked that you didn't win," I said. Her eyes snapped towards me, and confusion was sketched onto her features.

"You. . . You watched it?" She asked, her eyes scanning for any trace of lies in my face.

"Of course I did," I said. "We might not have ended in the best terms, but I'll always cheer you on. Always." Her eyes lit up, and a smile spread across her lips. A small blush crept onto her cheeks, it was really faint. "I'll see you later." That was the last thing I said before stepping inside my car, and drove back home with my thoughts orbiting her.