A World Away From Home
You could never pack too many jeans, that was his philosophy. Jeans can be worn with anything, causal, formal, whatever. And best of all, they were comfortable. So ten different pairs of jeans were a must. Finn takes the stack of jeans out of his suitcase and walks over to his new closet, laying them out on the middle shelf. Most of the closet space is already filled with the remainder of his wardrobe. He as already been in this room for three days and finally decided to start unpacking. With his clothes in their designated places, the only things left to unpack were personal belongings.
"Hey, Hudson! Get your ass moving. We are going out tonight." That was one of Finn's roommates, Jason. He is an ass. He can be selfish and stubborn and will do anything to get up a girl's pants. But like every other person, underneath that he is very loyal to his true friends and leaves no man behind. The hard part is becoming a member of his circle. That's something Finn did fifth teen years ago when they were kids. Both sharing the similar situation of fathers in the military, a bond was created that is still present. Jason went to a different high school but their mothers were still good friends and Jason played football so they still crossed paths. However, Jason just played ball to get girls attention, not because he had a passion like Finn. Or at least a passion Finn thought he had.
That's why Finn was here, in London, England. Senior year did not end the way he thought it would. His relationship with Rachel didn't end in the way he thought it would. After he put Rachel on that train, Finn seriously didn't know what the next step of his life was. A week had passed with him locked up in his room until Burt came in and threw a bucket of water over his head. It was that day that he ran into Jason who started telling him about this once in a life time opportunity in London.
As Another ploy to win the ladies over, Jason had started his own band. Through a connection with his cousin's uncle's friend and someone else that Finn can't remember, Jason got his band a gig in a London nightclub. It wasn't anything fancy, and they could only perform twice a week with on call bartender duties, but Jason heard the word London, which transferred over to London girls, and he was sold. He also came from a family of money so expenses didn't even cross his mind.
The only time this story became relevant to Finn was when Jason mentioned the need of a new drummer. Drums. The one thing that has been constant throughout Finn's life. It didn't take much for Finn to agree, wanting to get away and find something for himself. His mom was the issue. She was so worried about her son and his future. She knew they could work pass him not getting into school. What she couldn't digest was him giving up on life. Finn wouldn't know it because he was locked in his room, but Carole cried each day he was in there. She just wanted him to understand that life wasn't over for him. It was that want that gave her son a hug and kiss and wishes of luck for the next two months. She and Burt paid for his traveling and a few new clothes and gave him enough money to start off until he started getting paychecks from the club. She knew if Finn had to move on from all of this, this was his path.
Finn was now roaming through his book bag, taking out his phone charger, clock, wallet, and a few other small items. It was when his hand ran over a small flimsy rectangular paper that he frowned. Rachel looked so beautiful in this picture. Hair down, mid-thigh dress, million watts smile covering her face, which rest on her fist. Her elbow is propped up on top of the piano while the other hand lazily flows over the keys. She looks so happy and in her element. She probably looks the same way now, Finn thinks. Happy and in her element… without him. Finn lets out a deep sigh. He was to realize that she is going to move on and he has to do the same. For now at least. He moves on to a picture underneath Rachel's and can't help but laugh. It's a shot of them performing Hot For Teacher this past year. Puck is front and center on the guitar.
"Ugh, I hate that dude." Jason never tries to hide his opinions. Finn looks over to his shoulder to see him in the doorway. Finn can only shake his head. Its not that Jason actually disliked Puck, its that he was just like Puck. No guy likes another guy who competes for his girls. When Jason told Finn that they would also need another guitar player for this trip, he recommended Puck, but that was shot down fast. "Are you done putting your panties away, we got place to be."
"Yeah, let me just grab my wallet." Finn gets up and moves to his dresser to retrieve his wallet, and phone. They are heading down to the club to sign some paper work and get accustomed to the place. It's about a ten-minute walk from their apartment. He follows Jason into the living room where Kyle is waiting by the front door.
Kyle is the guitar player Jason picked up. Apparently they went to school together and Jason knew he played the guitar and invited him instead of Puck. They went to school together, but Finn doubts they ran within the same circle. He has only known Kyle for a few days but so far he can tell that he is a quiet guy. He likes to wear buttoned up collar shirts tucked into khaki pants. He wears huge horn framed glasses that are partially covered by his medium length brown hair. Finn didn't want to say it, but Kyle just looked straight up nerdy. He was like Artie, minus the wheelchair and the spontaneous swag factor. Don't get Finn wrong, there was nothing wrong with Kyle or the way he dressed, he was just shocked that he was friends with Kyle; mister popularity.
The three of them get to the club in no time. Finn is happy they were staff and got to walk right in, not that it really mattered since the line outside consistent of three people. It isn't the best but Finn has already formed a respect with club Fire Jay. The inside space was actually quit large it just lacked the customers. While Jason goes to find their new boss and take care of the paper work, Finn and Kyle sit at the bar. It is nice to be eighteen in London. Finn wouldn't say the place is empty, but it isn't crowed either. There were a few girls dancing on the floor and a few couples at the bar. Not seeing anything interesting, Finn turns to Kyle.
"So I think Jacob will like this. Nice and quiet." Jacob is their fourth and final roommate. Finn would describe him as a loner with this strange sex appeal. He wears leather jackets and likes to be by himself, and the girls just fall all over him. Finn met him a couple of years ago through Jason at a party and hasn't had any major problems with him. Jason invited him on this trip as their lead singer; he has this rock and roll vibe that the London girls will love. That might be the only reason Jason brought him. Let Jacob attract the girls and then he sneaks in with his charm. He also can play the guitar pretty well which Finn thinks will come in handy.
"Yeah… I agree... Where is he anyway?"
"Not sure, left a few hours ago to get 'a feel or the city.' So I guess we'll just see him tomorrow."
"Yeah…"
"…" This small talk with Kyle was becoming hard for Finn. He was thankful when Jason finally started walking over, and he's not alone. Finn can only shake his head and smile.
"Hey ladies, while you were over here moping, I have secured a job for all four of us and to celebrate, I have brought this fine lady right here over for something to drink. Kyle, move."
"Ah, yeah, yeah, o-of course." Kyle might have jumped off the seat a little too fast because he ends up on the floor with his legs tied around the base of the stool. Finn tried his best to cough and hide his laugh with his fist.
"Oh God, are you okay?" Jason's guest knells down in her cocktail dress to help Kyle to his feet.
"Yeah, I'm f-fine. I, um- I just… I'll be over there." Kyle walks to the other side of the bar.
"Yeah, see, he's fine. Here, have a seat." Jason guides the still nameless red head to the seat Kyle just fell from. She gets comfortable and leans back against the counter top, once looking over her shoulder to spy Kyle with a red face and hands in his hair. "You know, I'm going to start working here soon. So if you are nice to me, I might be able to get you drinks. On the house."
The girl turns back around to face Jason, watching his gaze on her lips. She decides to play into it. "Hum, free drinks are always nice. But you don't even know my name yet."
"You mean it's not beautiful?" Finn cringed at the cheesy line and saw the girl do the same.
"That was bad, try again."
Jason let out a frustrated sigh. "Okay. So, tall gorgeous redhead, what is your name?"
She put on a seductive smile, "My name is-"
"Josephine!" Finn and Jason's heads both turns to the direction of the source. A short brunette stops in front of them. While Jason put on his best smirk, Finn's breath hitches. "Hey, Jose, I think we're going to head back to the apartment. Are you staying here?"
She looks like Rachel.
"Ah, so the name is Josephine. I like that name," Josephine turns her head to the side in a blush. "Whose your friend, Jose?" Jason's smirk just kept getting bigger.
She looks like Rachel.
"Her name is Katherine. And yes… I think I will stay a little longer." Jason's grin is just too big now.
She has Rachel's hair, her skin tone, only a few inches off in height.
"Well, Katherine, you should stay too. I was just telling 'Jose' here about the free drinks I could get her."
Her nose isn't quit as big as Rachel's and her smile isn't as bright, but its when Finn looks at her eyes that he knows that this girl is nothing like Rachel.
"Oh, so those drinks included me as well as my friends?" Josephine runs her finger up Jason's bare arm.
Finn feels foolish for even thinking for a second that this girl was Rachel. Is he that desperate? This is not what his trip was supposed to be about. He is a world away from home and needs to live in the moment, not bringing his past and real life with him. This is a chance to start new, even if it only last for two months. He can do whatever he wants and no one has to know. That is the point of this trip, not to be held back to tied down to Lima.
"Oh of course, I do love friends," Jason gives Katherine a wink and she turns away to cringe.
"Well, if that's the case, Kat, why don't you bring our other roommate over," Katherine turns and walks away with a roll of her eyes.
With the brunette gone, Finn is able to shake his head and try to re focus on the conversion next to him.
"I'm not sure your friend likes me."
"Oh, she just takes a while to warm up to people. She will love you in no time."
Finn doubts that. If she is smart, she will stay away from the horn dog.
"Well lets hope your other friend falls for me faster. Is she nice?"
Josephine lets out a laugh. "Depends on what day you ask her."
Finn lets out a laugh. This whole conversation is quite interesting and he doubts Jason will be able to take on three fierce women.
"Well I guess I'm about to find out. Here they come."
Finn looks up to see the new visitors. However, this time his breath doesn't hitch. It stops working completely.
Katherine and her roommate walk up and stop in front of the trio.
"Hi, I'm Jason." Jason extends a hand, but it's left in the air. Her eyes don't even look at it; they are focused on something else. Really someone else.
She takes another small step forward. "Finn." Three other sets of eyes travel to the wide- eyed Finn still on his stool.
Well there's no mistaking anything here. There aren't too many girl in the world who look like this. Some much for leaving Lima in Lima.
Finn let out a deep breath. "….Quinn."
Finn doesn't really remember when happened after that.