The Running Back

Chapter 5

But she needed to get to class unless she wanted to risk getting there late, which she didn't. Rachel would have to wait until lunch to go find him. She had far more advanced classes than he did, or at least Rachel was sure that she did. It wasn't as though Rachel knew much about Finn's schedule, but from the short time that she had gotten to know him Rachel learned that he wasn't exactly the brightest guy around. And yet, girls still fawned over him.

Not Quinn though.

After the first half of the day was done Rachel headed off for the cafeteria. Her day had been fairly uneventful up until then, and she didn't expect it to get any more exciting as the day wore on. Apart from classes, all that awaited her was that talk with Finn and football practice. The latter would come later, but as it was lunch she could easily find Finn. The Cheerios and the football team always sat together at the same table. Noah would occasionally sit there with them, but most of the time he'd sit with Rachel. A couple of times he had invited Rachel to sit with them, and one time she did... way at the very edge where she had practically hid behind Noah the entire time. Not exactly her finest moment, but this was back when she was still a freshman.

She made her way there, tray in hand, and instantly saw Finn. He wasn't exactly hard to find as he was so tall. He was standing beside the table, his back turned to Rachel. From what she could tell, he was talking to someone but whoever it was must have been far smaller than him as Rachel couldn't even get the slightest glimpse of him or her. She walked over slowly, trying her best not to eavesdrop. Of course it was hard to do so when Rachel heard her voice.

"Look, I said that you're not sitting here today."

"Oh, come on."

"You heard her Manboobs. Just get out of here before I have to go all Lima Heights on you." Santana Lopez. She was well known in the school for being the hottest girl around (not in Rachel's opinion, of course) and also for being Quinn's second in command. Truthfully, the Cheerios feared Santana more than Quinn, and for good reason.

Finn though, didn't seem to take her threat seriously, although her words did sound very genuine. He continued on with pleading with Quinn. "It was an accident," he told her. "I didn't mean to hit her. You know that." Rachel heard Santana scoff. "I didn't," he emphasized, this time aiming his words at her.

"I know, but you should have been more careful."

"Okay. I know, all right? I feel really bad and-"

"Don't," Quinn cut him off. "Just don't say anything. I know you didn't do it on purpose, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm really mad at you. I really don't want to see your face right now so please, just go sit somewhere else for today." Finn's shoulders fell. It was clear that he knew that he was getting nowhere. He muttered something under his breath and turned around. He took a step forward but stopped the instant he saw Rachel.

"Oh, hey," he said nervously, reaching up to rub the back of his neck with one hand as he held onto his tray with the other. "How's your head? Are you feeling all right?"

"I'm good Finn, and so is my head."

"Good," Finn nodded. "That's good. I'm really sorry about what happened. I didn't-"

"No, it's okay. It's not your fault."

"Yes it is!"

"No one asked you Santana!" Santana laughed. Finn turned his attention back to Rachel. "Well, it's really good to see that you're okay. I'll see you later at practice, all right?" Rachel nodded her answer with a smile. Finn smiled back and then he went off to find somewhere to eat. For a moment Rachel felt bad for him, but then she saw Quinn in front of her and she decided that she could worry about Finn later.