7x15

The day after Piper's panic attack happened to be A-Troupe's day off, and Piper spent the whole day reorganizing her bookshelf by authors and wondering what was wrong with her. If she had learned anything from watching Finn be with Amy, it was that she didn't want him to be with anyone else. She liked Finn, and she wanted to be with him.

Hearing him say that he wanted the same should have made her the happiest girl in the world, and it had for a moment. But then he'd reached for her hand, and she had completely frozen up.

Maybe it was all the anxiety she had already been feeling from Miss Angela's return to the studio, but it all felt like too much. Piper had never been in a romantic relationship with a boy before, let alone her best friend. Her friendship with Finn was so familiar. He kept her calm. She kept him on time. They watched movies in his basement and texted for hours into the night when she couldn't sleep. Piper knew deep down that dating wouldn't change those fundamental aspects of their relationship, but regardless, she couldn't shake the feeling that everything would change, and there were already so many other things changing in her life. All of her siblings had moved away from home. Miss Angela was running A-Troupe rehearsals. Dancemania would change her dance career as she'd always known it.

She couldn't take any more change right now.

Piper had specifically chosen to leave out the details of her panic attack from her parents, but it worried her that something like that could happen again. And what would happen if Finn wasn't there to pull her out of it next time?

As much as she didn't want to take Finn's advice and seriously consider finding a therapist, Piper couldn't help thinking that maybe it would be good for her. She still didn't want to talk to someone she didn't know, however, so she called the next best thing: her sister.

Lauren had an undergrad degree in Psychology and was currently working on her master's degree in Boston to become a licensed professional counselor. As soon as Piper told her what had happened over FaceTime, Lauren confirmed that Finn was right about it being a panic attack.

"If it's really getting that bad, you should see a doctor, Piper. They might be able to recommend anxiety medication," Lauren told her seriously.

"But that's the first time it's happened," Piper sighed, leaning her head back against her bookshelf. She was sprawled out on her floor, too tired to crawl the small distance to her bed.

"Do you feel like it's disrupting your everyday life? Stopping you from things you otherwise wouldn't think twice about?"

Piper bit her lip, her eyes watering as she shrugged dejectedly. "I don't know," she muttered, but then she thought of all the things in the last year that she had talked herself out of because she was too afraid of what could happen or just frankly hadn't been feeling up for because of restless nerves and knew that the answer was really yes.

Lauren seemed to suspect this anyway without her needing to say it. "Think about it, okay? I'm serious. What do Mom and Dad think?"

"I haven't exactly told them," Piper mumbled, and her sister gave her an exasperated look.

"Piper, they need to know."

"You're not going to tell them, are you?"

Lauren sighed, frowning at her. "I should. Mom and Dad are there to help you. If you're having panic attacks—"

"It was one time," Piper reiterated, "What about 'client confidentiality' or whatever?"

"Sure, but you're not my client. You're my sister, and I have a moral obligation to look out for your wellbeing."

Piper rolled her eyes at that but didn't argue back. She didn't have the energy for it. Lauren seemed to take pity on her and instead asked, "How is the Finn Situation anyway?"

Piper shook her head, staring up at the photos that adorned her mirror. "He broke up with Amy and said he wants to be with me, but..."

"But?" Lauren prompted when she trailed off, and Piper sighed.

"I'm scared, Laur," she admitted, her voice cracking slightly and eyes watering. It was probably pathetic how much she had cried over Finn the last few days (or weeks for that matter). She was feeling more emotional than not these days.

"What are you scared of?"

"I don't want everything to change."

Lauren was quiet for a moment before telling her gently, "Things are going to change one way or another, Pipes. You both have feelings for each other, and you both know it now. Why would you want to hold yourself back from something you really want?"

Piper bit her lip, running the question through her mind again as Lauren shrugged at her. "Falling in love is a beautiful thing," her sister continued, "But there are days where it feels like the hardest thing in the world too. That doesn't mean you shouldn't take a chance on it."

Her sister wasn't the only one who seemed to be thinking along those lines. The next day, Piper found herself sitting alone in The Next Steep, staring into a mug of tea that wasn't drinking itself and brooding over the predicament she'd found herself in when Amy slipped into the seat next to her. Piper mustered a small smile for her best friend, who simply inclined her head toward her in return.

"You want to talk about it?" was all Amy said, and Piper sighed. The whole studio had to know by now what was happening between her and Finn given the way gossip spread like wildfire here.

"I'd rather hear what's going on in your own life," Piper muttered in response. She was avoiding the Finn Situation because running away from it was the only thing she knew how to do. Besides, her communication with Amy had been lacking while Amy dated Finn. It had hurt Piper too much to hear about her best friends' dates when she had been wallowing at home with a heart that felt like it was breaking every day Finn was with Amy.

Now her best friends were broken up, and her heart still felt like it was breaking, but this time it was of her own accord. She should have just taken a chance and told Finn she wanted to be with him too. Now, they were just friends, and there didn't seem like a good way to take back what she had said. Going back in time, unfortunately, was not an option.

Amy gave in to Piper's request and folded her arms on top of the table, fingers tapping against her arm as she said, "Okay. Well, me and Finn broke up, which you already knew that. My dad's parents visited last weekend, and Mom was a nervous wreck the whole time because Dad got stuck at work trying to sort out a big case and wasn't even there for most of their visit. Our camping trip is scheduled for the week of Dancemania because it's the only time Dad can get time off work, so I have to miss it. Oh, and me and Henry are kind of a thing now."

Piper had lifted her mug of tea to her lips to take a sip but nearly dropped it at the news of Amy and Henry. Sputtering, Piper looked at her with wide eyes. "You and Henry are what? You just broke up with Finn three days ago!"

"I know, I know, but me and Finn have talked everything through. We're better off as friends, and he's fine with it," Amy said. There was a soft smile on her lips as she continued with, "Henry set up this whole camping trip for me in Studio A the other night when I was upset I couldn't go on my family's trip, and we talked through a lot of things, and then we kissed, and it just felt so right, you know? I don't really know how else to explain it, but kissing him just felt different from kissing anyone else."

Amy's turnover of relationships never failed to astound Piper, but if her best friend was truly happy, she wasn't going to rain on her parade. Besides, if Amy had to date anyone, Henry would have been Piper's first choice for her. They'd always had a special bond together.

Just like she had always had a special bond with Finn.

She took a sip of her tea, which had been sitting so long it was now cold, then asked, "So you two are official then?"

"We went on our first date last night. We ate dinner together then drove around in his car and talked for hours. I loved every second of it," Amy answered. There was a look of pure joy on her face as she recalled the evening, and Piper couldn't help thinking that she had never looked that happy with Finn. That thought made her feel the slightest bit better.

"I never really got over him, you know?" Amy continued, "I dated Finn as a distraction, but I never would have dated him at all if someone had told me they had feelings for him." At this, she gave Piper a pointed look, and Piper sighed, looking down sheepishly.

"I didn't want to admit it to myself, let alone anyone else," she muttered.

"Why not?"

Piper shrugged, staying quiet for a moment before admitting, "I guess I was afraid of a repeat of what happened with Josh."

Amy was quiet at that, and Piper glanced up to find her watching her thoughtfully, her lips pursed. Finally seeming to decide what she wanted to say, Amy told her, "Finn cares a lot about you, you know?"

Piped nodded. "I know..."

"I'm serious. He talks about you all the time." Amy gave a small smile as she added, "You're the one thing we had in common."

Piper's lips turned up into a sad half-smile, but then she looked down again. "I'm sorry I never said anything. But he's your ex now. I can't—"

"If that's why you're telling yourself you can't be with him, you're going to have to find another excuse," Amy interrupted seriously. "It's not going to bother me if you date Finn. I had a very short crush on him, but you and Finn have a connection that's way deeper than anything I'll ever have with him."

"You think I'm making a mistake, don't you?" Piper asked quietly, her hands gripping her mug tightly.

Amy sighed and shook her head. "I just don't want you to have any regrets." Piper bit her lip at that, and Amy asked, "What's the worst thing that could happen if you date him?"

"It doesn't end well, our relationship goes up in flames, and I lose him forever," Piper answered immediately.

"Those are valid concerns," Amy said, "And if that does happen, I'll be right there to pick you up just like you were for me when LaTroy dumped me."

Piper chewed on her bottom lip as her best friend spoke, staring nervously into her tea. At her silence, Amy continued with, "You're only thinking about all the bad things that could happen, but think of all the good things that could come of it."

"Like what?" Piper sighed, looking back to her best friend somewhat curiously.

"Well, you don't have to worry about him dating someone else because he'll be committed to you," Amy started, giving her a pointed look before continuing on. "You don't have to make excuses to see him because being together is enough. And you can kiss him whenever you want. That's a big one."

Piper reluctantly smiled at that, rolling her eyes, and Amy giggled triumphantly at making her smile. She grew more serious, however, as she said, "You run the risk of getting hurt in any relationship, Piper. Anyone can hurt you or leave you, but you take a chance on the people you love because they're worth it. Are you really okay with playing it safe for the rest of your life?"

Amy was right. Lauren was right. Everyone around her was telling Piper to take a chance. Maybe it was time she finally listened.

When she didn't respond immediately, Amy added in a softer tone, "Me and Finn were not meant to be more than friends, but Piper, I really think you found your person, and I'm sorry I ever stood in the way of that."

Deep down, Piper couldn't shake the feeling that Amy was right, that Finn was her person. She had been running from these feelings for so long, afraid of getting hurt again, but she should have known Finn well enough by now to know that he would never intentionally hurt her.

It was time to stop running and face this once and for all.

Hands shaking nervously, Piper reached for her phone and sent a text to Finn asking him to meet her in Studio A. Amy simply watched, smiling softly to herself when she realized what her best friend was doing.

When the text message had been sent, Piper set her phone aside again and asked, "What do I even say to him?"

"Just be honest with him. It's Finn, Piper. Trust me when I say that nothing you do or say is going to push him away. He loves you."

Piper's heart nearly stopped as Amy uttered that last sentence, and she held up a hand. "One thing at a time. Please. I'm already freaking out enough about this."

Amy reached out a hand, laying it on top of Piper's and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "You've got nothing to worry about," she promised her, "This is a good thing."

Piper took a deep, calming breath and slowly nodded. "Thank you. I love you."

"I love you too. Now go get your man."

Piper's heart was pounding as she made her way to Studio A. Nerves of anticipation filled her stomach, and she wiped her hands nervously on her leggings as she tried to think of what she was going to say to Finn. What did she even want to say to Finn? Her mind was going blank, and she gulped. If this conversation went awry, she would never be able to face him again. She would have to switch studios, or at the very least join B-Troupe with Summer.

Studio A was empty when Piper reached it, and she checked her phone, fingers tapping against her phone case to see if Finn had responded. He had indeed replied to her message, saying that he'd be there soon, but how soon was soon?

She didn't know if she could do this.

Dance had always been an outlet for her emotions and pent up nerves, so she began marking through the choreo for the Dancemania routine while she waited. Even after Miss Angela had apologized to her, she still felt uneasy around the woman. After months of tensing up just thinking about her, Piper figured it would take time to ever trust her or feel comfortable around her. An apology wasn't enough to undo all the psychological damage Miss Angela's cruel words had caused.

Ten minutes later, Finn finally hurried into Studio A, his eyebrows knit together in the way they did when he was concerned about her. Piper stopped dancing and took a deep breath, forcing herself to meet his eye as he approached her.

"What's going on? Are you okay?" he asked urgently. He seemed genuinely concerned, as if afraid she was going to be having another attack in Studio A today. He had been so calm during her panic attack the other day, but she couldn't help wondering if it had freaked him out as much as it had herself.

She simply nodded, letting out another deep breath and reminding herself that this was Finn. She trusted him more than she trusted anyone else. There was no rational reason to be nervous around him.

"Yeah, I'm okay."

Finn's shoulders visibly relaxed, and he nodded. "Oh, good. So, what's up?"

"Just be honest with him," Amy had said. So Piper mustered up every ounce of courage she had and did just that.

"I didn't mean what I said the other day- about just being friends."

This seemed to catch him by surprise, his eyebrows shooting up and eyes widening. "Oh. Yeah, okay. Cool," he stammered, letting out a nervous laugh.

Piper was looking at him- really looking at him, taking in every single one of the features that she loved so much about him. His deep blue eyes that were the most beautiful shade of blue she'd ever seen. The freckles that sporadically dotted his skin. The loose curl that often fell out of the otherwise perfectly gelled mass of curls atop his head.

Just his presence was enough to calm her racing thoughts. She hated having to be vulnerable around other people, but Finn had been breaking down her walls from the moment they'd been stuck in the back row for Regionals together. If she was going to trust anyone with her heart, it would be him. He was the only one she felt comfortable sharing the kind of vulnerability that came with falling in love, and that vulnerability meant laying everything out in the open for him to see.

Her hands fidgeted in front of her as she started talking, everything spilling out of her at once. "Before you came to the studio, I liked this other guy, and we were kind of friends, and I thought he liked me back, so I told him how I felt, and he rejected me, and it was humiliating and completely turned me off to dating and all of that stuff. And when you came to the studio, I was still working through that, and it freaked me out every time you asked me out because I wasn't ready for that kind of thing at all."

Finn's face fell at that, and he started to say, "Pipes, I had no idea you were going through that."

"No, I know. I never told you because I didn't like talking about it. And I still don't, but..." She took a deep breath to steady herself before continuing. "I just- I told myself that I was never going to open up to someone like that again, and when I realized that I might have feelings for you, it terrified me because I didn't want to lose you like I lost Josh."

He nodded slowly, sticking his hands in his pockets. "That makes sense."

Piper bit her lip, moving to sit on one of the benches in front of the office. Finn followed her lead, and it didn't escape her notice that he sat so close to her that their sides were touching, leaving no space between the two of them. There were still nerves in her stomach, but these were different from the nerves she felt when she thought about Miss Angela or Dancemania. They were exhilarated, somehow both terrified and excited of what was to come.

"I really like you, and it really scares me," she muttered, swallowing thickly as she turned to meet his gaze.

There was a soft smile on his lips, but it faded as he told her, "I never should have dated Amy. I just thought..."

He trailed off, and she filled the silence with, "I should have said something sooner, but I figured you got over me when you stopped asking me out."

Finn shook his head, his eyes never leaving hers as he uttered, "I'm never gonna get over you, Pipes. I tried, but... You're the one."

It felt so foreign yet so affirming to hear Finn speaking so affectionately about her, and she gulped nervously, knowing that nothing was ever going to be the same again after this conversation.

Her heart was pounding as she uttered, "I'm so tired of running from this."

"So stop."

Their faces were mere centimeters apart, and his eyes were searching hers for any sign that she didn't want this, but he would find none. His hands cradled her face gently, and then he was closing the distance between them, and her breath hitched as his lips met hers. It was her first kiss, and she had no idea if she was even doing it right, but she was kissing Finn, and that was all that mattered, and in that moment, she knew exactly what Amy had meant when she said that kissing Henry had just felt right because nothing Piper had ever done before had felt more right than this moment.

The kiss was sweet and gentle, and when Finn pulled away, he rested his forehead against hers, clutching her hand in his. Piper's eyes fluttered open to meet his, and a suppressed giggle escaped her lips before she wrapped her arms around him and buried her face against his shoulder. She had no idea what she was supposed to do after kissing her best friend who might possibly be her boyfriend now, but she did know that the only thing that felt better than kissing Finn was being in his arms.