Disclaimer: Glee is the property of Ryan Murphy and FOX. I don't own the characters, but most of the storyline is mine and mine only.

Author's Note: This is the prequel to "A Beautiful Somewhere", you don't have to have read that story to know what this is about. It's not a Future!Finchel yet, but we're getting there.

It's been a month since they've been apart and Finn feels like he's missing a limb. It feels all kinds of strange and even though he's attempting to keep it together, the more time he spends on campus, the more he misses Rachel. And he doesn't call her every second of every day, like she told him to, because he knows that she's really having a good time in New York. So he makes friends and works on his football, because he's there for a very specific purpose. But he's still finding it hard to get into the groove of things. However, finding himself a best friend replacement proved to be a lot easier than Finn thought. The best thing about Jared, his psychotic roommate, is that he's just like Puck. If Jared shaved his head and grew out a Mohawk, he would totally work as Puck's long lost brother. And on some strange level, Finn finds it comforting that his roommate/new friend is just like his brother from another mother. They bond over everything from girls, to beer, to football and a whole lot of other things that go along with it. Of course Finn gets made fun of because of the whole Rachel thing and keeping a long distance relationship going, but by the time they get into the hang of their friendship, Jared understands what it is about Rachel that Finn loves so much and why long distance is worth every penny he spends on his phone.

She taught him how to use Skype, because she felt that while they could have all the romantic phone calls in the world sometimes it made sense to just see each other. Of course Finn thought that he would be able to touch her through the screen, like that movie he saw, but the more he poked his screen, the more he irritated Rachel. But she managed to keep her cool and suggested that they should Skype once a week, using the rest of the time to just talk on the phone. Which was fine by him, because he couldn't really lie in bed with his laptop and talk to her for hours on end. That was another thing that Finn was amazed by, talking for more than an hour on the phone. Before Rachel, Finn didn't give a crap about his phone and spent so much time pretending like it wasn't ringing in his pocket. But now the minute his phone starts ringing, Finn is leaping out of his seat and answering it. On more than one occasion Jared has given him the stink eye for scaring the crap out of him. But he can't help it, its instinct to not keep Rachel waiting more than two rings. Because he knows that more than two rings and she'll instantly think that something happened to him. Jared likes telling Finn that he's having a relationship with his phone. Which isn't too far from the truth, but it's not like he can really help it.

(Rachel 12:45) You won't believe what happened today!

(Rachel 12:46) Finn?

(Rachel 12:48) FINN!

(Finn 12:59) yeah?

(Rachel 13:00) That's all you have to say? Yeah?

(Finn 13:02) Jared had my phone, I was rushing to class.

(Rachel 13:04) Why did Jared have your phone?

(Finn 13:06) because he needed to call his new girlfriend.

(Rachel 13:08) Finn, I'm not very comfortable with Jared using your phone to set up his play dates.

(Finn 13:10) why not?

(Rachel 13:13) Because those girls could totally think that you're interested in them.

(Finn 13:15) trust me; girls at school know that I have a girlfriend.

(Rachel 13:16) That's never stopped anyone before.

(Finn 13:18) come on, sandy was drunk, it wasn't like I could just leave her there.

(Rachel 13:20) Fine, whatever.

(Finn 13:22) don't be angry, babe, you know you're the only one for me.

(Rachel 13:24) As ridiculous as you sound, I have to admit that it's incredibly cute having you say that.

(Finn 13:26) of course, anyway, what happened today?

(Rachel 13:30) So you did see my text.

(Finn 13:32) yup, when I went back through my inbox.

(Rachel 13:35) I met with a theatre company and I had an impromptu audition and I might get a chance to be on Broadway before I graduate!

(Finn 13: 37) that is amazing, baby. I'm so proud of you!

(Rachel 13:40) It's not final or anything, they called me back for a second round, so let's see how that goes!

(Finn 13:42) you'll get it; you were born for the stage, right?

(Rachel 13:44) What would I do without you always believing in me?

(Finn 13:46) I always ask myself that, when I figure out the answer I'll let you know.

(Rachel 13:48) Very funny. Can I ask why you only start your texts with caps if there is an I involved?

(Finn 13:50) my phone does that for me, it's very fancy like that.

(Rachel 13:53) My point is why don't you capitalize all the first letters?

(Finn 13:56) because I'm in class and I can't really pay attention to both at one time.

(Rachel 13:58) Good to know that you're still not paying attention in class.

(Finn 14:06) I am totally paying attention in class, we're studying about the rise and fall of the market and how it will affect all of us in the future.

(Rachel 14:12) Is your teacher hot?

(Finn 14:20) if you're into old dudes with hair coming out of their nose and ears, then yeah, he's smoking hot.

(Rachel 14:21) Ew.

(Finn 14:22) you asked. ;)

(Rachel 14:24) I miss you.

(Finn 14:26) I miss you too, Rach. Like a lot.

(Rachel 14:27) Good. :*

(Finn 14:30) what is that supposed to be, because I just spent the last few minutes trying to decipher it.

(Rachel 14:32) It's me blowing you a kiss and look at you using big words in texts.

(Finn 14:34) this girl I know told me that big words are a huge turn on.

(Rachel 14:35) This girl you know is very right. She also wants to know how much longer you're going to be in class.

(Finn 14:40) for about another 20 minutes, after which I have three more classes and football practice.

(Rachel 14:42) I hate being so far away from you and not knowing your schedule by heart.

(Finn 14:46) I got the full one, so I'll send it to you when I get home tonight.

(Rachel 14:49) I like the sound of that. I love you, Finn.

(Finn 14:52) I love you, Rach. I'll text you when I get home, even if you will be asleep.

(Rachel 14:55) It's nice to wake up to text messages from you, so I'll look forward to it.

(Finn 14:58) great. :D have a good rest of the day, babe.

(Rachel 15:02) I will and I'll talk to you tomorrow. :*

From: Rachel Berry

To: Finn Hudson

Subject: Re: my life right now

Dear Finn,

Your schedule actually scares me a little, because I was under the impression that I would be spending most of my time either buried under books or rehearsing. But your schedule is full. When do you even get the time to sleep? And I know how much you love sleeping. Please tell me you're eating healthy through all of this…. I can't be up all night worrying about if you've eaten all your meals or not. I know that I will do that anyway, but I really need you to look after yourself since neither I or your mother are there to help you get your fruits and veggies in.

I won't send you my schedule because it might actually make you jealous, but I will tell you that all the free time I have (which is not really all that much) is spent thinking about you. I was talking to Christina, even if she insists that I call her Chris, about plans for us and she said that I should come visit you when we get the next weekend off. I don't have classes for two weeks because most of the students in my class are going to be performing in various productions across the city. I will be going to see every single show, but I also will be sparing some time to come visit you. I already have the money and everything sorted out, I just need to get myself a plane ticket and I'm all yours for the weekend. Thank you for also mentioning when you have parties that you just have no choice but to attend, because as per my plans, I'm coming there during one of those party weekends. I'm sure you can spare a few hours for me, right?

It's really late here, I should probably be getting to bed soon because I have an early class tomorrow followed by a few more auditions on Broadway. I know that while my luck is terrible right now, it's going to get better with time. And one day, I will be on that stage, performing to a full house with you right up front, looking up at me adoringly.

I love you, Finn.

* Rachel

From: Finn Hudson

To: Rachel Berry

Subject: Re: re: my life right now

Hey babe,

my schedule scares me too. i sometimes wonder how i actually get through the day without wanting to shoot myself. i didn't think college would be this hard. isn't it supposed to be a good mix of fun and something else? i feel like i have about five minutes of fun a day. i am sleeping. well not a lot, but enough, because i can't function straight if i don't get all the sleep im supposed to get. of course with someone like Jared living with me, it's impossible to really get a lot of sleep. he has a new girl over every night. i tried telling him to like warn me in advance, so i can go stay with joe... but he never remembers.

so you're coming to visit me soon. that's exciting news. i promise to put my 'parties i have to attend' aside for you. it's not every day that i get to spend with my future wife, right?

sorry that i took so long to reply to your email, you're probably sitting there staring at your inbox... better yet, you've probably already refreshed it a 1000 times because you were wondering when i was going to respond to your email. here it is. i got home really late because of a football thing and i passed out, i didn't even get to check my phone. you're going to do fine at your next few auditions, you're rachel berry, and you can make anything happen. and yes, i will be there, looking up at you adoringly. i promise.

i love you too, rachel.

all my love (see, i used that line)

finn.

From: Rachel Berry

To: Finn Hudson

Subject: Re: re: re: my life right now

Please use capitals in all the right places, Finn. That is one of the many things that we were taught at school.

Love,

* Rachel

From: Finn Hudson

To: Rachel Berry

Subject: Re: re: re: re: my life right now

Okay, I'll keep that in mind next time. I have to go for practice now, babe, so maybe after that we can Skype? Since I finally remember my password, which you should be totally proud of me for.

Love,

Finn

From: Rachel Berry

To: Finn Hudson

Subject: I love you.

I can do that. I have a late audition tomorrow, before class, so we can Skype after that.

Love,

* Rachel