The New Kid Chapter 24, a glee fanfic

CHAPTER 24

The flight was uncomfortable, hot, stuffy and loud, but Finn didn't notice any of those things. He was going to freakin' Hawaii! The 5 and a half hour flight felt like mere minutes to Finn, who was practically walking on air. When they touched down, Finn grabbed his two bags and ran out of the airport, eager to explore his new surroundings. From his previous experiences, Finn knew that he wanted to live somewhere that was walking distance away from a major attraction, but not so close that he was constantly disturbed by the public. After a whole day of walking around an exploring, Finn finally found the ideal spot for him to set up camp. It was a shaded spot that was only accessible to people by crawling through an alley. It wasn't accessible to those walking. Finn knew that it was unlikely that anyone would mug him, or even disturb him at that. Moreover, Finn's new 'home' was a ten minute walk away from the breath-taking Hanauna beach. The crystal-clear waters and golden blanket of sand were a perfect backdrop for Finn's daily performances. Once Finn had put down his suitcase on the cave's floor, he picked up his guitar case and made his way over to the beach for the evening.

"NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!" Rachel cried, stamping her foot on the floor. "Damn it, Noah! You need to keep up with my vocals!"

Rachel and Puck were trying out a possible duet for Nationals and it wasn't going very well. The rest of the New Directions, Mr. Schue included, were cringing at the music. Neither one was singing incorrectly, but Puck's voice didn't measure up to Finn's voice at all, and he knew it. Finn had a way of blending his voice to fit with whoever he was singing with, but with Puck, it was like him and Rachel were two bulls butting horns.

"Look, I'm sorry," Noah said, trying hard not to lose his temper and strangle the tiny brunette. "But you're pretending I'm someone else. I'm not Hudson. I'm never going to be Hudson. So rather than trying to force me to do something I can't do, why don't we find a song that I am actually able to sing. Or better yet, sing with someone else!"

Everyone was getting extremely annoyed at each other. They had a month until Nationals, and at the current rate, there was a better chance of pigs flying than them taking home first prize. Rachel was being intolerable, ordering Glee club meetings at least once a day - including during the weekend. It wasn't the same without Finn. When Finn was around, he had a calming quality to him that prevented them from getting to each other's throats, and he was the best singer so Rachel couldn't be too bossy. He wasn't there now though, and everyone felt it. Santana still felt horrible about how everything went down between her and Finn. She could sense from his text's tone that she wouldn't be receiving another one for a while, and it was killing her. She had pushed away her best friend in the world; he probably hated her. Every night, she would go home and cry into her pillow for an hour, and then stare up at the stars, hoping and praying that someway, somehow, she would see Finn again.

Finn's bare feet slipped through the golden blanket of sand. It was a gorgeous temperature outside; gentle rays of sunlight softly baked the many tourists on the beach. Finn walked over to an empty spot of land - it was hard to find one among the many picnic blankets, towels, etc. - but Finn found his spot eventually. He had decided on a set-list already, and he planned to not spending too long in one spot: he would keep shifting down the beach as the hour went by. Finn quickly tuned his guitar, opened his case for donations, and then started his first song.

I lost my shoes last night, I don't know where I put my keys

I was tired and fell asleep beneath an oak tree

I bet my mother's proud of me from each scar

Upon my knuckle and each graze upon my knee, and all I know

Is I got a cab and then threw up on his car seat

He kicked me out and then I walked in the rain

I tell myself in every way, "I won't be doing this again"

And tomorrow's a brand new day

Someone told me, "always say what's on your mind"

And I am only being honest with you, I

I get lonely and make mistakes from time to time

So no man call ya, bibia be ye ye

Bibia be ye ye, ye ye ye ye

Bibia be ye ye

I remember less and less and mostly things that I regret

In my phone are several texts from girls I've never met

And in the pocket of my jeans are only coins and broken dreams

My heart is breaking at the seems and I'm coming apart now

Now things are looking up, I'll find my shoes right next to the oak tree

And I'll get a bus straight into town and spend the afternoon

Looking around for the things that I left on the ground

And say you're with me, tomorrow's a brand new day

Someone told me, "always say what's on your mind"

And I am only being honest with you, I

I get lonely and make mistakes from time to time

So no men call ya, bibia be ye ye

My momma (be ye ye)

Someone told me, "always say what's on your mind"

And I am only being honest with you, I

I get lonely and make mistakes from time to time

So no men call ya, bibia be ye ye

Bibia be ye ye, ye ye ye ye

Bibia be ye ye

My momma (be ye ye)

My momma (be ye ye) (bibia be ye ye, ye ye ye ye)

My momma (be ye ye)

Bibia be ye ye

My momma (be ye ye)

Finn had been told by a lot of people that he sang in a very similar style to Ed Sheeran - whether that was a compliment or not - so he tried to include a couple of Ed Sheeran numbers in every performance. As Finn started singing, people's attention turned to him, and many contributed to his guitar case of money. In fact, one couple even gave him a 20 dollar bill. That was when he realised something: tourists were generous!

3 hours later, Finn's guitar case was full of money. He counted it. In three hours, he had earned 60 dollars. It was the most he had ever earnt in that amount of time. However, he was a better singer now. Finn then took a shower in one of the beach's public showers before going to grab a bite to eat for dinner. As Finn walked down the street, he admired the miracle that was Hawaii. He was walking parallel to the beach, and he looked at the various cafes and restaurants that were next to him. He ended up going to a nearby Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, costing him about ten dollars, and leaving him with 50 dollars to save. Finn smiled to himself. At this rate, he might be able to afford rent on a studio apartment in a year's time. That night, Finn settled down on the rough ground of the small alley. He had brought a blanket with him from home but he didn't have a mattress. It was OK though - it was more than enough. He had food, water and shelter - everything else was a want, not a need.

The next day, Rachel was in the local music store, searching for a song for this week's Glee assignment. After all of the arguing the week before, Mr. Schue had put a hold on Nationals preparation to try and build team morale. The theme of this week's assignment was 'Hello,' and Rachel knew exactly what song she wanted to sing. She opened the Lionel Richie songbook and flipped through the pages, until she reached the song. Suddenly, the book was gentle lowered from her face, to reveal a well-groomed, dark haired boy, who Rachel recognised instantly.

"Lionel Richie, huh?" He said, smirking at her. "One of my favourites."

"Oh my god, you're Jessie St. James." Rachel said, astonished. Jessie was the male lead of Carmel High's 5 time National Champions Vocal Adrenaline. Rachel started to blush furiously.

"And you're Rachel Berry." He replied coolly. "I saw you perform at Regionals. Your rendition of Make You Feel My Love was flawed. You totally lacked Adele's emotional depth." He took the book from Rachel's hand. "But you're talented." He winked at her and walked away. She followed him and he continued to speak to her over his shoulder.

"You know, this is one of my favourite bookstores. I like to come and flip through the celebrity biographies, pick up some lifestyle tips. I'm a senior now, so this is kind of my victory lap. Snagging a fourth consecutive National championship would just be gravy. I'm getting out of Ohio soon. I've got a full ride to a little school called the University of California, Los Angeles. Maybe you've heard of it. It's in Los Angeles."

Rachel nodded and smiled at him. There was a brief silence, before both of them simultaneously noticed the piano in the center of the room.

"What do you say we take this song for a spin?" He suggested, walking towards the piano. Rachel was shocked and nervous.

"H… here?" She asked. "I… I'm kinda nervous."

Jessie sighed.

"Ah… I remember when I used to get nervous. Come on, I do this all the time. I like to give impromptu concerts for the homeless. It's so important to give back."

Rachel looked at him. Was he flirting with her? Could she finally have a boyfriend? She tentatively sat at the piano next to him, and he began to play and sing.

I've been alone with you inside my mind

And in my dreams I've kissed your lips a thousand times

I sometimes see you pass outside my door

Hello, is it me you're looking for?

I can see it in your eyes

I can see it in your smile

You're all I've ever wanted, and my arms are open wide

'Cause you know just what to say

And you know just what to do

And I want to tell you so much, "I love you"

Oooh yeah

I long to see the sunlight in your hair

And tell you time and time again how much I care

Sometimes I feel my heart will overflow

Hello, I've just got to let you know

'Cause I wonder where you are

And I wonder what you do

Are you somewhere feeling lonely or is someone loving you?

Tell me how to win your heart

For I haven't got a clue

But let me start by saying, "I love you"

Is it me you're looking for?

'Cause I wonder where you are

And I wonder what you do (wonder what you do)

Are you somewhere feeling lonely or is someone loving you?

Tell me how to win your heart

For I haven't got a clue

But let me start by saying, "I love you"

With that song, Jessie had won Rachel over. It didn't matter that they were competing at Nationals. All she cared about was that someone wanted to date her. Someone who didn't care about her weight, nose, or anything. At the end of the song, both Rachel and Jessie leaned in. What Jessie didn't know was that that kiss was Rachel's first kiss ever. Another reason why she was so spell-bound by him. She didn't even see Mercedes, Tina and Kurt watching them from the corner of the room. Mercedes picked up her phone and made a call. The person on the other end answered. Mercedes took a deep breath and spoke.

"Mr. Schue, we've got a problem…"