It was about 11:30, and Finn had left the Hudson-Hummel residence to look for a high school party. He just needed to forget about everything that was happening. It sounded crazy, but for once, Finn wanted to get hammered to where he wouldn't know what was going on in his life anymore. Luckily, Puck was having a party with his house and Puck always knew how to get liquor.

Finn entered Puck's house and there were already a lot of people. In the garage, there was a beer pong game going on. In Puck's already-trashed living room, there were about 10 couples making out… well, some were doing more than making out, and Finn didn't even want to know what was going on upstairs. He grabbed himself a can in the kitchen, when he felt a girl's hand stroke his back.

He turned around to see Santana. "Hey there, sexy," she said with her sly smile.

Hmm, I wonder how many virginities she's taken tonight, Finn thought. "Oh, hey Santana," he said in a monotone voice. He really didn't feel like seeing her right now. Or ever. After all, most of the mess he was in was partially her fault.

"So, want to go for round two upstairs?" She asked, sliding her hand down dangerously close to his crotch. Finn picked up her hand and took it off of his body, while shaking his head.

"Not now, not ever. Round one was one of the biggest mistakes of my life, not gonna lie," he said. "Even if I were completely wasted, I don't want you to even touch me." Santana rolled her eyes.

"We'll see about that," she said smugly and walked away. Finn groaned. He didn't want to get himself into anymore trouble than he already was in. Of course, it didn't help that he was in Santana's natural habitat: a high school party. He took a drink, and then a few more. Happy new year, Finn, he said to himself. This was the worst start to a year, ever.

Rachel and Jesse were sitting on the couch, complete with a bowl of popcorn in between them. They were laughing and smiling, watching Rent.

"I can't wait to live in New York," Rachel said, as they watched Take Me or Leave Me. "Then I wouldn't have to deal with everyone being absolutely horrible to me."

"That's because they don't know how amazing you're going to be, Rach," Jesse said. Rachel winced at the last word. Of course, reminders of Finn were going to be everywhere no matter how hard she tried to remove it.

"I've been thinking… and, I've decided that I just don't want to do Glee club anymore," Rachel confessed, in which Jesse responded with a dropped jaw. He knew that they were all mean and talentless in there, but he also thought that Glee was the one thing that Rachel could say was hers.

"Rachel, isn't that a little rash? I mean, I know that they're nowhere near Vocal Adrenaline talent-wise, but they kind of need you. And it's what makes you happy," he reasoned out. If he were still in Vocal Adrenaline, he would've supported this decision one hundred percent, just so New Directions would be screwed. But now, it was completely different.

"It was what made me happy. Not anymore. Not when I have to see Finn's face everyday, or listen to Santana and Quinn torment me. If they needed me, they wouldn't have treated me so badly anyway," Rachel said sadly, with a look of defeat on her face. "I'm just tired of having to be against the whole world every single day. It gets kind of old. Besides, it's not like any of them would genuinely care if I left anyway."

"Finn would," Jesse argued, to which Rachel rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"No, Finn wants a girlfriend who follows him around and does everything for him," Rachel said, surprised at how mean she was being. "I didn't mean that… I meant that Finn liked the idea of having someone like me. Not actually me."

Coincidentally, Rachel's cellphone vibrated in her pocket, so she took it out and flipped it open to read the message.

I lovejteihg youdfs.

- Finn

Although Rachel was somewhat touched by the sweet and sentimental message, from the obvious typos, she knew it was a drunk text message. She didn't entirely know how to respond to it. If it were a sincere text, in a heartbeat, she would've said 'I love you' back. But unfortunately, she knew that Finn was probably at some high school party, drunk out of his mind, with Santana somewhere in the equation. She decided to just close up her phone and ignore the text message.

Jesse knew something was going on from the look on Rachel's face. "Finn text you?" he asked curiously.

"I don't think it should count as Finn if he probably doesn't even know how to tie his shoes right now," Rachel replied.

"Wait… he knew how to tie his shoes in the first place?" Jesse joked, causing Rachel to smile slightly. She had gotten used to Jesse's comments at Finn by now. After all, she didn't need to defend him anymore, and Jesse was actually treating her much nicer.

"Thank you, Jesse," she said simply.

"For what?" he asked, surprised at the random gratitude.

"For not letting me spend another celebration alone. And for sticking up for me in the parking lot. It's kind of been awhile since anyone's ever done that," she said with the melancholic tone again.

Jesse hated seeing Rachel so sad. Especially due to the fact that he still had, even just slightly, feelings for her. What's a guy to do… Sorry, Finn, he thought, and leaned in to kiss Rachel.

For about two seconds, Rachel returned it, until she felt a sick feeling in her stomach. "This isn't right," she said after quickly pulling away. "I'm sorry, Jesse. I mean, I know Finn hurt me and everything, but there's still something in me that thinks there's a chance between me and him. And, it kind of broke my heart even more having to say no to spending New Year's Eve with him."

"It's all good, Rachel," he shrugged. He was Jesse St. James. Even though he wasn't as cocky as he used to be, his ego was still indestructible. He just decided to be a little more subtle about it. "Besides, you didn't have to be here with me. I'm used to being alone, it happens with being too good for everyone else." He laughed, and winked. "So what are you still doing here? Find Finn. Tell him how you feel."

"I, I can't," Rachel stuttered after gulping. "He never even apologized to me. How do I know we're not just going to hurt each other again? I've apologized about a thousand times and he never accepted any of them. I don't want to be the girl he just expects to be there all the time. He's probably making out with Santana as we speak anyway. I mean, I should stop caring already. What is wrong with me?" A smile formed on Jesse's lips. "Wow, I'm rambling about him, aren't I?" she blushed.

I'm swerorry.

- Finn

Rachel rolled her eyes again. One sober text message, and maybe she'd consider. Just one would send her speeding over to wherever he was. Probably Noah Puckerman's party, considering his house was always the place to be during big celebrations. She didn't even want to know what was going on there.

"Rachel. You know you want to. Go find him. You can take my car," he said, tossing Rachel the keys to his Range Rover.

She stood still for awhile before sighing, nodding her head and grabbing her coat.