Ch. 2: Discovery

The first time he saw her the next day, he had to do a double take. He was watching her as she shuffled through the books in her locker. She looked relatively normal minus the small blue spot under her eye, but she seemed a little off. Her demeanor wasn't as confident and peppy like normal. She was looking at the floor. He decided to check it out.

He walked over to her locker. "Hey Rach." He greeted.

She looked at him like she had seen a ghost. Her face went pale. She slammed her locker shut and ran off. He couldn't figure out what was going on, but something was going on.

It had been a week since their last tutoring session when he called. She saw who it was, but decided to pick it up anyway. He deserved some sort of explanation.

"Hello?" She said quietly.

"Hey, Rachel. It's me, Finn. I was just wondering if maybe we could meet and study before the next bio test. I am so confused about the material and since you are smart and get it, I was hoping we could study together." He rambled.

She smiled at his nervousness, but still remembered what Jesse said. She thought for a moment and decided that Jesse shouldn't control who she hangs out with. He should trust her. "How about tomorrow, four, my place?" She said all of a sudden.

He was so surprised that she agreed to it that he forgot to say yes. "Finn?" She asked.

"Uh. Oh. Yeah. Sounds good. I'll be there." He replied. "See ya later, Rach."

She shut her phone as she melted at the sound of her nickname.

After that day, they resumed their tutoring sessions. They swapped places they met at. They had dinner quite a few times because it would run late. It was like dating, but without the drama and romantic stuff. Finn knew that and so did Rachel.

She had not told Jesse about it, of course.

One day, they were at Rachel's house going over the cardiovascular system when her doorbell rang. She excused herself and went to answer it. She froze when she saw Jesse. He looked rather upset. Especially when he pointed at Finn's truck. He leaned in, grabbed her arms tightly, and whispered in her ear, "Get him OUT of here!"

When he let her go, she was shaking. She knew what would happen once Finn left. She knew the consequences. She also didn't want Finn to know. He had always seen her as strong and independent and she didn't want him to think otherwise.

She walked into the living room where they had been studying. "Finn, something has come up. I need you to leave, okay?" She asked still shaking. Finn noticed.

He stood up and made his way over to her to ask what was wrong. Before he got there, Jesse stepped in and motioned to the door. Even though his gut said not too, Finn grabbed his things and left the house. He got in his truck and left. He'd call her later. Just in case.

After he left, Rachel's world was turned upside down. Jesse threw her against the wall. He walked over and proceeded to wrap his hands around her neck adding a little too much pressure.

"Never, ever, EVER lie to me again. You said you'd never do this again. You said you loved me!" He screamed as she gasped for air. He held her there until her face was almost a deep shade of blue. When he released her, she dropped to the ground and started sobbing. He reared back and kicked her right in the stomach. She winced in pain as she tried to stand.

After a few minutes of failed attempts, Jesse bent down and picked her up bridal style. She wiggled trying to break free, but figured that he would hurt her more if she did. He gently placed her on the couch and kissed her forehead.

"Don't you see how this is all your fault? I simply asked you to stay away from one person and you disobeyed me. I have tried to make you understand. What more do I have to do?" He asked before he left to get her a cup of water.

She laid there trying to catch her breath and taking in his words.

That night, Finn called her over and over again. She just wouldn't pick up.

The next day, he found her at her locker wearing a cute turtleneck with a bunny on the front. Typical Rachel, he thought. He didn't try to approach her. He knew she wouldn't talk to him. He needed to try and catch her alone.

The day continued with no surprises. First period Spanish put him to sleep, Second period Algebra made him rethink his purpose in life, and lunch sucked. As he walked to third period bio, he found himself excited. He would get to sit next to Rachel. He walked in and saw her at her normal desk. She was the only one in there. He took this to be his chance. The strolled on over to his seat beside her.

"Hey, Rachel." He greeted.

"Hmm." She replied looking down at her notebook.

"So, uh, what happened yesterday? I tried to call you last night, but you didn't pick up." He cut to the point.

"I just needed some alone time with Jesse." She replied shaking.

He reached out to touch her hand as to get her attention. He didn't expect her to flinch and pull back.

"Rach? What's wrong? Is everything okay with Jesse?" She shuddered at the sound of his name.

He looked at her for a moment before she let out a small, "Yes."

"Are you sure? Rach, if he tried anything, you let me know and I'll knock his face in." He said.

She remained quiet.

The rest of the day was quiet, too. At least to him.