Smoke and Mirrors: A Prequel to Broken
Chapter 2- Falling Apart
A/N: Okay, can we all please get over the fact that I have made Rachel and Finn siblings? And that Jesse and Finn are friends? I understand that in the show they are mortal enemies but, this story is completely A/U. I might mention something from the show but other than that, this story will not have Noah Puckerman or Santana Lopez, plus a few others. If you're confused, you really need to read Broken first.
Mini rant is done... Thank you for all of you who reviewed. I am not a Jesse hater, believe it or not. Thank you to Lilypilots90, who planted the seed in my head. Thank you to my very loyal readers-Solstice07,Kkaty-who read and review religiously. And to my love, Dreamer1483, for I don't know what I would do without her. :) Onto this story. None of its mine-accept the plot and Noé they're all mine! :D
Noé listened to his phone go to voicemail, he knew if he would've picked up Rachel's call she would have been able to tell immediately that he'd been drinking. And that was the last he wanted to get into tonight. The reason behind the drinking; every time he closed his eyes, all he could see was Rachel with Jesse-holding hands, hugging, kissing. Noé shook his head, taking another shot of the whisky.
His heart constricted with the thought of never having Rachel, for now he would be the best friend. No, Noé thought, he couldn't be that. Noé came up with a plan to protect his heart from being shattered by the one girl he was falling in love with.
…***...***
It had been a whole month since Rachel started seeing Jesse, she had never been happier. Well no, she was happy she had Jesse but Noé never came around anymore, he never took her out to dinner, she hadn't seen him since her birthday and it felt wrong.
On the other hand, Rachel ran around, gathering her outfit for her date tonight. Jesse wanted to take her out for their one month. Sighing happily, Rachel applied her lip gloss, then quickly swiping on one more coat of mascara. The more she looked at the mirror, the more she noticed Noé's football picture on her vanity. An internal debate started, she wanted to run over to her computer and write him a quick message on his Facebook page but she had to get down stairs to wait for Jesse.
Groaning, she walked quickly over to her computer, logging onto Facebook. Once in, she started to type his name in the search box it quickly showed up, but as soon as she clicked it, she wished she hadn't. Her chest constricted looking at the 'add as a friend' button. He deleted me? Rachel's heart raced as she thought of the possibility of losing Noé for good. "I have to get him to talk to me," Rachel whispered to the empty room.
"Rach your date is here!" She heard Finn yell up the stairs. Grabbing her bag, she ran down the stairs, seeing Jesse standing in the foyer, a small smile playing on his lips.
"You look stunning, as always, Rach." Jesse reached for her hand, leading the rest of the way down the stairs. When she was a stair higher than the floor, just about eye level with Jesse, he leaned and kissed her softly. "So beautiful," he whispered against her lip.
"Okay kids, keep it PG, big brother is standing right here." Finn grumbled, looking away from his friend, and now sister's boyfriend.
Jesse smirked, turning towards Finn, "Please dude, I'll keep it PG when Hell freezes over." Jesse turned back to his blushing girlfriend, only to press his lips to hers again. Pushing his tongue through her lips, just for her to moan out.
"Dude, seriously lay off," Finn shoved Jesse's shoulder lightly, hoping to get his point across. When they finally pulled apart, panting heavily, Finn said his parting words, "Rachel, daddy said to be home by midnight, any later, I get to kick his ass." Finn gave Jesse a pointed look before leaving the foyer.
Jesse laughed quietly, "Daddy, gets me every time!"
"Stop Jesse, that's not nice. I call him daddy..." Rachel argued, pulling away from him, stepping off the last step.
"But it's different babe, your daddy's little girl," Jesse smiled, kissing her head gently.
Rachel shrugged him off, he was always making wise cracks about her father's, it was the one thing she didn't like about him. "Right. Well, if you're done, can we please go?"
Jesse led Rachel out to his car, following her around to the passenger side to open the door for her. But once he opened the door, in the seat were two dozen beautiful red and pink roses and a teddy bear holding a long black velvet box. Rachel smiled sweetly at the gifts, Jesse came behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, "Happy one month baby." He whispered into her ear before kissing right below her lobe.
"Oh, Jesse," Rachel breathed out. "Thank you so much, happy one month." Rachel turned in his embrace, hugging him tightly.
Laughing quietly, Jesse accepted the hug, "Before you say thank you, maybe you should open it?"
Rachel reached for the black box, slowly opening it. Staring back at her was a simple white carrot bracelet with five diamond stars attached. "Jesse, its gorgeous."
"Not as gorgeous as you," Jesse simply stated, looking at her, and nowhere else.
Blushing furiously, Rachel took the bracelet out, "Help me put it on?" Jesse just nodded, putting the bracelet on her wrist, then kissing her hand ever so gently.
"Ready?" Jesse walked around to slide in the driver seat, pulling out onto the road and towards their destination.
…***...***
After a night out with Jesse, Rachel was happy to be home, kicking off her heels, she sat on the bed starring at the bracelet Jesse had given her. Hearing the familiar beep of her phone alerting of her of a new text, she slowly stood to cross her room.
**Had an amazing night tonight. Sweet dreams love, -Jesse
Rachel smiled down at her screen, before typing at a quick message, as she put the phone down, it started to ring, noticing the late hour, she really didn't understand who could be calling her so late. Rachel gaped, no, why would he call me now? Rachel thought, seeing Noé's name took her way off guard.
"Hello?" Rachel answered, hesitancy coloring her voice.
The voice that came through the line was heavily slurred, "Why?"
"What do you mean 'why'?" Rachel sat on her bed interested in what he was about to say.
"Why'd ya have to date him?" Noé stumbled through the sentence, just barely making it understandable.
Rachel sat silent, not sure how to answer the question. She had never thought as Noé as more than a friend, but maybe she was wrong. Maybe Noé was looking for more and she just didn't see it. Biting her lip she slowly answered his question, "I... I like him Noé..."
"Do ya love him?" Noé seemed to spit the sentence, as if the thought would make him throw up. Rachel knew, come morning, he won't remember anything.
"I...I think...I could, you know fall in love with him..." Noé cut Rachel off.
"Why do ya love him Ray? What do you see in him? Does he actually care for you? Does he love you like I could love you? Does he know your favorite ice cream comb...combination? Does he know your real obsession? Does he take in a count that you hate green peppers? Does he know you're not ticklish? That you hate when people stare at your feet? That you've never been to a spa because you...can't...stand..." Noé chocked on a sob, "Does he understand I call you Ray because you're like a ray of sun? Rachel, he will never understand you and know you like I do. I love you Rachel, fucking love you. And have for a long time..."
Rachel sniffled, staring at the picture of the two them sitting at the beach, sun setting in the background. "Noé, please, you never once hinted that you..."
"Fuck you Rachel! I have..."
"You're drunk Noé, I'm hanging up." Noé heard the dial tone buzzing loudly in his ear. He tried, that's all that counted. He tried to make her see he was no good for her but she was blinded by love? He was hoping desperately this would still be a short lived relationship but he had a feeling it wouldn't be.
With his mind becoming less and less foggy, he would start thinking more. So he did the one thing he could think of, brought the bottle back up to his lips and took another long gulp of whisky. Slowly drinking himself to oblivion, he didn't want to think, he didn't want to feel, he had nothing left to live for. He wanted Rachel and she was never going to be his.
…***...***
"Rachel? Rach? Rachel! Are you listening to me?" Jesse snapped his fingers impatiently in front of Rachel's face. Rachel's head snapped up, looking at Jesse confused for a moment. "What are you thinking about?" Jesse questioned his grip on her arm just a little too tight. But she knew better than to say something, especially after what happened last time.
It had been two weeks since their one month, Rachel just knew she was in love with Jesse. The way he would just hold her, not uttering one word, gently laying kisses on her head every so often. She just loved it.
On one particular Friday night, she had the house to herself. Dad and daddy were away in business and Finn was off with Quinn. She had decided to cook Jesse a nice romantic dinner, watch a movie, with dessert of course and end the night by just being with each other. Rachel prepared the only kosher meal she knew Jesse also liked, prepared an extravagant molten chocolate cake dessert and found a movie she knew they both would enjoy.
"Hey babe, what smells so good?" Jesse called out as he approached the kitchen. Stepping around the island, he went right for Rachel, wrapping his arms around her waist, gently kissing her neck.
"Dinner, just for us." Rachel leaned into his touch, loving the way he held onto her tightly.
Jesse gave her a gentle squeeze before releasing her, "Sounds perfect."
Rachel smiled, playing with her necklace Jesse had bought her, gently tugging on it, she felt it snap, coming off her neck. "Oh my!" Rachel exclaimed, holding the broken necklace in her palm.
"What?" Jesse turned around, finding Rachel looking at something in her palm. "What is it baby?"
Rachel looked up from her necklace, "It broke?"
Jesse noticed she had the most confused look on her face. "What did? The necklace?" Jesse stomped over to where Rachel was standing, looking at the necklace. Grabbing her arm a little forcefully. "That's a goddamn expensive necklace! And you broke it?" Jesse seethed, in a deadly calm voice.
"Jesse, ow, I didn't mean to! Jesse let go of me!" Rachel tried tugging her arm of his grip but he wasn't letting up. Whimpering slightly, she shrunk back, "I-I-I'm sorry," biting back tears and the sob, she tried to go with it. She watched as he grabbed the necklace, and stormed towards the door.
Rachel put a smile on her face, "Nothing honey, just about how much fun we'll have tonight." Even though Rachel didn't want to go the party, she knew if she didn't there was strong possibly he might someone new, someone prettier.
Jesse loosened his hold, "Of course babe." Turning his attention back to the road, Rachel was left to think about how her life had changed so drastically.
It had become little things like telling her she was eating too much.
They had just sat down at the diner, looking over the menu when Rachel voiced her opinion.
"Mm, the new veggie burger looks delicious, with a salad. Doesn't that sound good Jesse?" Rachel looked up from her menu. Without missing a beat Jesse responded.
"Yeah, if you're not looking to be the next big Broadway star." Jesse hadn't even looked up from his menu.
"What's that suppose to mean?"
Jesse looked up, having a very serious expression. "Well, that's a lot to eat. Too much for you, you should be watching what you put in your mouth."
"Are-are you calling me fat?" Rachel was stunned, she had never once heard someone say that to her, and of all people to say it, her own boyfriend?
Jesse pondered what Rachel asked, knowing he should say no but how could lie to her? "I don't want to lie love, so yes, that's what I'm telling you." Jesse gave Rachel a small smile before going back to his menu. "You should have the salad, hold the sides, with lemon juice. Maybe a little salt and pepper."
Rachel just looked at him perplexed, not sure how to answer him.
Jesse pulled outside the house, it was already swarmed with teens. "Rach, how much have you had to eat today?"
"We're not discussing this Jesse. Not now." Rachel knew this could get her in trouble but at this point she just wanted to get this done and over with.
"Fine, limit yourself to two cups of beer, you don't need the empty calories." Jesse pushed open his door, waiting for her at the front.
"Yes sir," Rachel said under her breath.
Once inside, Jesse left her in the living room by herself. Well not by herself, there were loads of drunken people trying to dance. Rachel huffed sitting down next to a couple making out; it was too loud and extremely stuffy in the all too small house.
…***...***
Finn saw Jesse at the keg getting two cups of beer. "Hey, dude, don't drink too much. You have to bring my sister home tonight."
Jesse smirked at his friend, "Don't worry. These aren't for me. They're for your sister."
Frowning, Finn went into overprotective brother mode, "Rach doesn't drink. You know that."
"We'll see about that," Jesse mumbled under his breath, walking back to where he had left Rachel.
Finn grabbed the back of his stupid leather jacket that he always wore, "What the hell are you talking about? You know she doesn't drink. I swear if you force her to, I will end you."
Jesse shrugged Finn off of him, "Chill out. It's fine. Go find your girlfriend." He brushed past the people crowding the doorway and went back to the living room to find Rachel but when he got there, she wasn't. Jesse quickly scanned the room looking for the familiar brown waves; not seeing them Jesse headed outside to the front porch. Quickly looking around the crowd, he finally found her sitting at the edge, knees tucked against her chest. "What are you doing out here?" Jesse asked, touching her shoulder gently.
"It was really crowded in there, I think I'll just out here for a few minutes. Go on ahead in side, I'll be fine." Rachel mumbled, not really wanting to be around the booze anyways.
"Okay, if you say so. Here I got you this," Jesse handed her the cup of beer.
"Thanks," and before Rachel could say anything else, Jesse slipped inside. She knew it would come down to this, but she was hopping it wouldn't.
Rachel's thought wondered to Noé, ever since he had drunk dialed her, she hasn't heard from him. She wondered if he was worried about her, wondered if he ever thought about her. She didn't have time to think for too long before some approached and sat down next to her. Looking up, she was met with the familiar blond hair and deep blue eyes she had been missing. "Noé, hey." She would admit it was quiet awkward sitting here with her once best friend.
Noé didn't know what really drew him to her, but when he saw her sitting there, all alone he couldn't stop his feet from moving. He was missing her like crazy, he wouldn't say it out loud though, he had a pride to keep intact. Besides, what was the point keeping in contact with a girl who you felt so passionately for knowing she would never feel the same. "Hey. What are you doing here? You hate the 'party scene'." Noé mumbled quietly.
"Uh, well, Jesse brought me here but it's a little too crowded for me. So, I came out here..."
Noé cut her off, noticing the red cup in her hand. "Is that beer?"
Rachel looked down at the still full cup of warm beer, a scowl forming on her face. "Yes, but it doesn't look very good."
"You don't drink."
"I know, he thinks I might...if I'm with him." Rachel practically whispered, too embarrassed to admit that she came out of peer pressure.
"You can just dump it out, he'll never know the difference..."
"Except when I'm not tipsy." Rachel sighed, "You said it yourself, I don't drink, I would or should get tipsy off this one cup."
Noé shrugged, "Well, then I don't know what to tell you."
"Why'd you call me that night? Or do you even remember calling me?" Noé's troubled blue eyes met Rachel's concerned ones. "You're drinking a lot more, why?" Rachel asked, hesitancy coming through her voice. Just because they hadn't talked in a while didn't mean she wasn't concerned about him.
"Wouldn't you love to know," scoffed Noé, there wasn't enough alcohol in his system to pour his heart out. "Just stressed, that's all. I'm fine and have it under control, no need to worry."
"I will worry about Noé, your my best friend. Whether we're talking or not, I will always be here." Rachel abandoned the cup of beer on the step of the porch to reach out and touch his arm, she watched as he flinched away from her, like she had burned him.
"Just...forget about it." Noé sighed at the feeling of her hand on his thigh, he couldn't stop her from that one and maybe he needed that touch more than he thought.
Rachel sighed, "Fine, but can you please take me home?"
"Would your boyfriend approve?" Noé bit out, letting his anger for Jesse slip out more than he thought. But the ache in his chest was telling him to take her home, prove to her that he's better than Jesse.
Rachel turned around, looking into the large picture window, looking for the mess of curls that would be her boyfriends. Sure enough she found him grinding against another girl, face close to hers. Rachel's stomach churned at the thought of him kissing that other girl. Turning back to Noé she shook her head. "Probably not, but I don't think he'll even notice I'm gone." With the nod of Noé's head, he held his hand out for her to take. Rachel took it willingly, letting Noé pull her towards his car.
…***...***
Hours after Finn first saw Jesse at the keg, he was planning to head home but wanted to check with Rachel and make sure she was okay. After searching the house from top to bottom and looking around outside, he still couldn't find her. Spotting Jesse in the living room with some blond cheerleader, he approached Jesse, anger evident on his face. "Jesse, what the hell? Where's Rachel?" Finn grabbed Jesse, making him stumble backwards.
"Who the fuck knows. She left. I guess. I don't really know. Why are you asking me?" Jesse slurred out, reaching to Finn to balance himself.
"You brought her here!" Finn shook his head. "You know what? Never mind, she probably found a way home, asshole! Finn stormed out of the room, taking Quinn with him.
A/N: I know I suck! Expect Broken this week and faster updates from now on. Leave me love! 3