A/N: Hey there Gleeks! Um, well this is my first fanfic, so I hope it isn't too bad. Basically this is a result of boredom, but I think this first chapter came out pretty good. I know the idea is totally overused, but I thought I'd write my own interpretation of Rachel, Kurt, and Blaine's lives in New York after high school. Anyway, constructive criticism is welcome, and reviews are definitely appreciated! It's going to be rated T just in case you know, for future chapters, but the story starts out pretty PG. There won't be any smut though. I can read it, but I can't write it, sorry. Ok, I'm done rambling. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Glee or it's characters! I'm just a fangirl! :)
Chapter 1
Surprise, Surprise.
Rachel heard a light knock on the door as she rifled through one of the many boxes scattered on the floor. Pushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear, she stood and made her way into the front room of the apartment. The small brunette wondered who could possibly be here, considering most of her friends and family were back in Ohio, and Kurt and Blaine had keys. When Rachel opened the door, she wasn't expecting who she saw standing there.
"Uh, hi Rachel," Finn said nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. The tall man noticed the obvious look of shock and confusion on Rachel's face and quickly asked if he could come in. Rachel simply nodded and gestured him to enter, still not saying a word.
After closing the door, Rachel turned and faced her ex-boyfriend. "Hello, Finn," she began. She would have asked him to sit, but her trio had yet to buy a couch. "What are you doing here? I thought you were staying in Ohio for college." The brunette girl mentally smacked herself for that comment. She knew exactly why he was there: to see her.
Once their senior year at McKinley had ended, Rachel had told Finn that she wanted to break up with him so that she could move to New York to chase her big Broadway dreams. She knew that neither of them would be able to handle a long distance relationship. Obviously, Finn hadn't been able to let go.
"Yeah, I am. But I… just needed to see you, Rachel," Finn replied as he looked down at the carpeted floor and then back up at her, "Plus, you know, Kurt's my brother, and I thought I should visit."
Rachel's sad smile faded and she sighed, "It's only been a few weeks, Finn. And I already told you, we both need to follow our dreams, make a future for ourselves. Even if it means being apart." As soon as she said those words, she regretted it. Honestly, Rachel wanted to jump in her ex's arms, kiss him, and tell him that they would be together forever. But she didn't, because that wasn't what she needed nor wanted. Being with him would only hold her back.
Finn had expected that answer from her, but he thought he'd try anyway. To Rachel, the disappointed, almost broken look in his eyes as he stared at the ground was heartbreaking. "Yeah, I know…" Finn finally said after a few seconds, "But…um…my flight back home doesn't leave until next week, and-"
"Of course you can stay here, Finn," Rachel interrupted without thinking, suddenly realizing that they had no where for him to sleep in their new, barely-furnished abode.
"Oh," Finn's eyes widened at that statement, "I was just going to ask if I could hang with you guys since I'll be here a while. I didn't think you guys had anywhere for me to sleep."
Rachel sighed, "Yeah, we only have two mattresses right now. I'm so sorry, I said that without thinking." Tired of standing, Rachel settled for sitting on the floor and Finn followed suit.
"Wait," Finn said, a disturbing thought coming to him, "Does that mean that…Kurt and Blaine…sleep together?" Finn's wide-eyed expression returned as Rachel answered with a 'Yes'.
"Whoa, I don't even want to think about that!" The boy exclaimed with a half-chuckle. Maybe it was just the brotherly instincts kicking in, but he did not want to imagine Kurt getting it on with his boyfriend. Noticing Rachel hadn't said anything and was just staring at him with a sort of longing expression, Finn changed the subject. "Um, so when do your guys' classes start?"
Pulling a stray box closer to her, Rachel explained that classes began in 3 weeks, which was just enough time for them to unpack some of their things and do a little exploring around the city. Finn seemed fascinated the entire time, amazed at how ambitious his three friends were.
Rachel continued to search through one of the boxes labeled 'Rachel' as she spoke to Finn, but stopped when she found her picture from junior prom with Sam and Mercedes. A small smile crept onto Rachel's face, thinking of how Sam and Mercedes had fallen in love on that night, but then grimaced as she remembered how upset she had been when Finn had gone with Quinn, and Quinn had slapped her. Not to mention the whole Jesse fiasco. True, she had gone to senior prom with Finn, but she still had a sour feeling about junior prom.
Finn peeked over at the photo that she was looking at so intently, and frowned when he saw it. He had been kicked out of junior prom by Ms. Sylvester. The tall man remembered something suddenly and pulled his wallet out from his back pocket. Of course what he was looking for was in the same place it always was.
"Look, I kept this," Finn said, showing Rachel the picture he was holding. He smiled sincerely. This picture had comforted him whenever he missed Rachel, which, although he would never admit it, had been every day for the past month.
Rachel turned her attention to the piece of paper Finn held out in front of her and let out a quiet gasp when she saw the photo. It was of the infamous 'Finchel', posing at senior prom. Rachel moved her bangs from in front of her eyes, and she felt a tear begin to form at the corner of her eye. She felt silly for starting to cry over a simple photograph, but it had suddenly brought back memories of when she and Finn were happy together, a brief moment when their futures didn't matter and they lived in the here and now. But reality had soon set in and that was precisely why Rachel was becoming a weeping mess now.
Finn noticed her getting teary-eyed and tentatively wrapped his arm around her. He realized that that was a big mistake as soon as he felt Rachel jump at the contact.
Tears now rolling down her face, Rachel turned to Finn, who had quickly removed his arm, and whispered, "I'm sorry, Finn. This… is just too painful right now," the brunette choked on her words before continuing, "I think you should leave. I'll… call you later. Same number, right?"
Finn was taken aback, but he just nodded and left out the front door swiftly. He just stood there in front of the apartment for a minute, clenching his fists, until he spotted two male figures headed his way. He stalked off silently, hoping that Kurt and Blaine wouldn't recognize him as he passed by them.
Honestly, Finn had known that coming to New York would be a huge waste of time, but he had really just wanted to see Rachel. He still loved her. But she loved singing. She loved New York. She loved Broadway. And she no longer had time for him.
As he climbed into his car, Finn realized he hadn't booked a hotel room. He should have taken Rachel's offer to stay with them. But, on second thought, he couldn't burden Rachel anymore than he already was.
OK, so what did you think? Remember, reviews are so appreciated! I'm kind of a procrastinator, so I don't know when I'll get the next chapter up, but I've already started writing it. There will be a lot more Klaine in future chapters, I promise! Don't give up on me! The other chapters will probably be longer too. :)
