italicized portions are the song "Broken" by Lifehouse.
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happy reading.
When Finn first had told Kurt about his break-up with Rachel, Kurt was shocked, but soon understood Finn's motivations once the situation with Puck had been explained. Kurt (and Finn – despite whatever he tried to tell himself) could easily see that Finn still loved Rachel. Kurt, in an effort to not to take sides, decided it best just to urge Finn to try to forgive her eventually, and try to think about something else to get his mind off his problems.
Over Christmas break, Finn was able to distract himself from his school life and relationship problems with the new video games he'd received for the holidays. But, when school started again, it was harder for Finn to continue pretending like everything was normal.
Finn just tried to go about his day like he normally would. He was, however, aware that whenever he saw Rachel, he could never really look her in the eyes, and when Santana flirted with him, he only really pretended to be interested. The illusion held up for the first four days back to school, but on Friday, when Karofsky and Azimio effortlessly pushed past him as he walked down the hall, he felt powerless, and then when he heard the two of them laughing and turned to see Rachel covered in green slushie, it made him want to cry. And what was worse, he just kept on walking.
She been exchanging texts with Kurt since their friendship had flourished at the Sectionals competition, but Rachel felt bad about dragging Kurt into her problems with Finn. Finn was Kurt's step-brother, it would be selfish of her to make him choose between the two of them. Luckily for her, Kurt had called her after hearing the news from Finn, asking how she was doing. She had already shed so many tears over what she'd done, but even more still found their way out as Rachel described how awful she felt about her previous actions, and how selfish she felt now about having tried to get Finn to come back to her. Kurt, being the good friend that he was, just tried to comfort her the best he could, and gently suggested that she just try backing off for a while, to let Finn have some space, and if he wanted to rekindle a relationship with her, Finn would do it himself.
She didn't sing much over Christmas break, but once school started, having taken Kurt's advice to heart, she figured she might as well try to move on; after all, if Finn was, why shouldn't she?
Rachel, with her warm, signature Rachel Berry smile on her face, marched into school on the first day back, determined to move on, to focus on her schoolwork and extracurriculars (voice lessons, dance class, and glee rehearsal – making note not to be around Finn more than necessary).
However, after seeing Santana flirting with Finn before class on Tuesday, her smile began to falter. It wasn't until Friday when Azimio and Karofsky threw a freezing cold slushy in her face, did her smile finally fade all the way out.
That afternoon, while working on his homework, Finn got especially frustrated with one particular math problem and finally decided he needed to take a break. Leaving his desk, he turned to the iPod dock in his and Kurt's [intermittently-] shared room and turned on the radio. He instantly recognized the music whose notes gently fell from the speakers, and, silently hoping that his voice wouldn't crack, sang along as the vocal started.
The Broken clock is a comfort
It helps me sleep tonight
Maybe it can stop tomorrow
From stealing all my time
And I am here still waiting
Though I still have my doubts
I am damaged at best
Like you've already figured out
I'm falling apart
I'm barely breathing
With a broken heart
That's still beating
In the pain
There is healing
In your name
I find meaning
So I'm holding on
I'm barely holding on to you
When Rachel got home from school that day, she felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. All she wanted to do now was relax and relish the feeling of not having to avert her eyes every time Finn was nearby. Music was what she needed, so she turned the radio on, hoping to hear fun song she could dance around to. She was sorely disappointed when a familiar song began to play. She just stood still and listened to the first verse, until she felt the urge to finally sing along, no matter how sad the song was.
The broken locks were a warning
You got inside my head
I tried my best to be guarded
I'm an open book instead
And I still see your reflection
Inside of my eyes
That are looking for purpose
They're still looking for life
I'm falling apart
I'm barely breathing
With a broken heart
That's still beating
In the pain
Is there healing
In your name
I find meaning
So I'm holding on
I'm still holding on
I'm still holding on
I'm barely holding on to you
Finn's eyes shimmered with withheld tears as he continued singing along, silently wondering if Rachel were listening this same song right now. He cranked the volume up now, not caring if anyone else heard him, he just needed to let all these feelings out.
In the back of Rachel's mind, she felt proud for holding her tears back as she went on singing (crying makes you congested, and congestion effects your voice, which she can't have happen on stage in emotional scenes of Broadway performances). She, too, turned up the volume, feeling so free being able to let out all of these pent-up emotions.
I'm hanging on another day
Just to see what, you will throw my way
And I'm hanging on, to the words you say
You said that I will, will be okay
The broken light on the freeway
Left me here alone
I may have lost my way now
But I haven't forgotten my way home
I'm falling apart
I'm barely breathing
With a broken heart
That's still beating
In the pain
There is healing
In your name
I find meaning
So I'm holding on
I'm holding on
I'm holding on
Barely holding on to you
I'm holding on
I'm holding on
I'm holding on
I'm barely holding on to you
After using all of their vocal strength to belt out the last line of the song, Finn slumped back down onto his bed, and Rachel leaned lazily against her dresser, both of them feeling drained, but also resolved, as the song ended.
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