CHAPTER 26

"NO WAY! Are you crazy, Mr. Schue?!" Mercedes cried.

"I thought you all would take this news a little better. I'm a star. You can learn from me." Jessie said, cockily.

"We were already fighting for second leads. And now that you've shown up, I've lost all hope at ever getting a solo." Kurt exclaimed.

"Yeah, that's right. And y'all just trot me out at the end of every number so I can wail on the last note. How is that okay?" Mercedes shouted.

"He's a spy, Mr. Shue. I would know. I'm like the biggest snake here." Santana explained. She had, yet again, shoved down her sadness about Finn and put on her bitchy expression. The only two people in the world who could successfully break the wall down were Brittany and Finn.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, guys. I saw all the paperwork, I spoke with his parents…" Mr. Schue said.

"They winter in Bali. It's a very expensive phone call." Jessie purred. Everyone other than Rachel rolled their eyes at the stuck-up 18 year old.

"Jessie just moved in with his uncle, which is in our school district. It's all above board, guys. He goes to this school now." Mr. Schue said.

"But this isn't fair." Artie muttered.

"Guys! Everyone who's ever auditioned for this group has gotten in. That's how we do things here. Okay, to suddenly change the rules now, that would be unfair." Mr. Schue exclaimed, appalled of his students. Brittany suddenly raised her hand.

"What's up, Brittany?" Mr. Schue asked.

"Mr. Shue, is he your son?" Brittany asked. Everyone looked at her as if she was from Mars.

"I don't understand. Why are you doing this?" Rachel asked Jessie. Jessie cupped her face in his hands.

"Because when you love something, you got to go for it. You would never be with me completely if I were on the opposing team. And I care about you more than winning another national title. So I left Vocal Adrenaline. For you."

"All right, guys, we have got a lot of work to do. Jessie, great to have you here. Welcome aboard!"

It had officially been a month and a half since Finn arrived in Hawaii, and his life had started to build a rhythm to it. He would go for a run and do bodyweight exercises on the beach to keep his strength and fitness up; he would he some breakfast; perform for 3 hours; eat lunch at one of the numerous restaurants by the beach; play another performance in a location further down the beach for a couple of hours; eat some dinner and then go back to his shelter. The temperature was starting to get a little hotter as it was now almost the beginning of May. Finn woke up one morning, worked out, ate breakfast at Costa coffee, and then got ready for his first set of the day. The people knew him pretty well by now, and they all applauded as he started to play his guitar. He had decided to do a set of just original songs, and he started with the song that he sang on the camping trip with George, Liam and Harry. He missed those guys so much, especially George. They probably knew that he had run away by this point, but they had no way of reaching him.

I met you in the dark, you lit me up

You made me feel as though I was enough

We danced the night away, we drank too much

I held your hair back when

You were throwing up

Then you smiled over your shoulder

For a minute, I was stone-cold sober

I pulled you closer to my chest

And you asked me to stay over

I said, I already told ya

I think that you should get some rest

I knew I loved you then

But you'd never know

'Cause I played it cool when I was scared of letting go

I know I needed you

But I never showed

But I wanna stay with you until we're grey and old

Just say you won't let go

Just say you won't let go

I'll wake you up with some breakfast in bed

I'll bring you coffee with a kiss on your head

And I'll take the kids to school

Wave them goodbye

And I'll thank my lucky stars for that night

When you looked over your shoulder

For a minute, I forget that I'm older

I wanna dance with you right now

Oh, and you look as beautiful as ever

And I swear that everyday you'll get better

You make me feel this way somehow

I'm so in love with you

And I hope you know

Darling, your love is more than worth its weight in gold

We've come so far, my dear

Look how we've grown

And I wanna stay with you until we're grey and old

Just say you won't let go

Just say you won't let go

I wanna live with you

Even when we're ghosts

'Cause you were always there for me when I needed you most

I'm gonna love you 'til

My lungs give out

I promise 'til death we part like in our vows

So I wrote this song for you, now everybody knows

That it's just you and me 'til we're grey and old

Just say you won't let go

Just say you won't let go

Just say you won't let go

Oh, just say you won't let go

Say You Won't Let Go was always a crowd-favourite: he always earnt extra funds from that song. It was the best song he had ever written himself and the ladies in particular loved it. An hour later, he had enough money to break for lunch, so he walked down the beach strip, looking for a restaurant. He knew he needed to look at healthy restaurants as well - if he got fast-food every day, he would get pretty obese. He decided on Subway and he ordered a steak sandwich and a drink. He sat down, happily eating his sandwich when suddenly, someone slid into the booth and sat opposite him. Finn looked up in confusion and annoyance, and then he saw who it was.

The man was dressed in a formal suit, rather than the more traditionally worn Hawaiian shirts or beach clothes, so Finn knew he was important. A business owner perhaps. Or maybe a lawyer?

"Hello, sir. Can I help you?" He asked.

"Yeah, actually. You were great today. I don't think I've ever heard a performer as good as you."

FInn laughed and smiled.

"Thank you, sir. And you're too kind. Today's just been a good day I guess."

The man shook his head.

"No, you've been just as good every day for the past month."

"Well, it's a huge confidence-booster to know that you enjoy my performances." Finn said, beaming.

"Yeah, I love them, and I'm sure my resort would too. Which is why I would like to offer you an opportunity…"

"FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT!" Sue shouted. The Cheerios were rehearsing practically every day, but now they had two new members. Mr. Schue walked into the gym during one of their many rehearsals and his jaw dropped. There, in Cheerios uniforms, were Kurt and Mercedes singing a Madonna number with the rest of the Cheerios. Will stormed over to Sue, who was holding her bullhorn and was standing at the front of the room.

"Sue, what the hell is going on here?" He shouted. She turned to him and smirked.

"Oh, what's the matter, buddy? Did you miss the show? You probably had to run to the powder room. Let me fill you in. Future center square Kurt Hummel there and his brassy hag Mercedes just tore that Madonna song a new one."

"Wait, you two are Cheerios now?" Mr. Schue asked, turning to his students. It was Sue who answered.

"Yeah, I've decided to add vocals to my already wildly overproduced Cheerios numbers. It'll give us the edge at Nationals."

Mr. Schue turned to his students once again. He was annoyed.

"You guys could've at least given me the heads-up." He told them. Mercedes chuckled mirthlessly.

"You mean, the same way you gave us a heads-up before not giving us a solo almost every week?" She remarked.

"Mr. Shue, Mercedes and I talked it over, and we love being in Glee, but being in the Cheerios will give us more opportunities to shine. So we're doing both."

Sue smirked cockily at Will.

"Ah, chipper up, Tiger. You know, I was down at the pharmacy today, and they're having a monster sale on Dep. Dep is a hair gel. And once again, I am making fun of your incredibly stupid hairdo."

"I'm sorry. You're offering me a full-time job?" Finn asked in disbelief. The man nodded.

"Yup. I own the Dreams Riviera resort and we are in need of a new singer. I feel that you would be perfect for the job."

Finn slowly nodded and smiled widely. This day was turning out to be amazing!

"So if I were to take this job, how much would I be earning?"

"Well, this is what we are willing to offer you for a six month contract, with a view to, afterwards, signing a 2 year contract." He said, sliding a small slip at paper towards Finn. Finn slowly peaked at the number and he almost choked on the water he had just taken a sip from. It was more money than he would earn in a year of street performing.

"Wow, this is…" Finn started but his voice trailed off.

"There's more." The man said. Finn raised an eyebrow.

"Like what?" Finn asked, cautiously.

"Well, if you take this job, you also get free accommodation in one of the resort's suites, food and drinks at the resort. And full access to any of the hotel's amenities, including the beaches, swimming pools, gyms, etc."

Finn was speechless. This man was like an angel sent straight from the highest point in heaven.

"So, what do you say? We can sign the contract this afternoon and you can move in tomorrow."

Finn was over the moon! He was so happy he almost got up and did a quick jig.

"Yeah, I'll do it!"

As George exited the airport, he thought about where he wanted to go first. He got into a cab and told the driver the location. 20 minutes later, he arrived at Finn's house. He walked up to the door and rang the bell. After a minute of waiting, the door finally opened and an old asian couple peered at him. George raised an eyebrow.

"Um… hi? Does Finn Hudson live here?" He asked. The couple scoffed.

"Americans." the man grunted in a very thick accent.

"We no speak english." The woman said. George nodded.

"Sorry, wrong house." He said and walked away. The couple rolled their eyes and shut the door. George was confused, and a bit more worried now. He was sure that he was at the right house. Had Finn moved out? And if so, where? George wanted answers. No, he needed them.

He then went to his next spot on his list of locations: McKinley High. He walked into the school and nobody stopped him as he looked like any other high school student. During Christmas break, Finn had briefly showed him the choir room, so George knew where to go. He cut through the field and walked into the choir room. It was empty. Another dead end, George thought. Suddenly, he saw movement coming from the office next door, so he decided to ask the person inside. He knocked on the door.

"Come on," He heard a voice weakly call out, and George entered the room. He instantly recognised the man as Mr. William Schuester, the coach of Finn's Glee club. He remembered the man from Carole's funeral.

"Hi, um… I don't think you know me but…" George started but was interrupted.

"You're Finn's friend, right? You, him and two other boys sang that beautiful song at his mom's funeral? " Mr. Schue asked. George nodded, surprised that the man remembered him.

"Yeah, I am. And I haven't heard from Finn in over a month. And then when I called Santana asking if he was OK, she just hung up on me and didn't answer. I'm getting kind of worried."

Mr. Schuester sighed and nodded.

"Yeah, I'm not surprised that Santana didn't give you an answer. She's not doing too well. Finn… um… he ran away from home. None of us know where he is."

George's heart dropped.

"WHAT?" He shouted. "You've got to be kidding?!"

Mr. Schue shook his head and looked at the dishevelled boy.

"I wish I was. Finn was told that he would have to be put back in foster care until he turned 18, and he couldn't do it. He ran away. Santana called him and ended up insulting him so much that he hung up on her and he hasn't spoken to anyone since. I'm sorry I can't be of more help than that. You can try talking to Santana, but I doubt she'll be much help either."

George slowly nodded. He couldn't believe it. Finn had gone AWOL. George didn't know where Finn was, what he was doing, but he knew one thing. He was going to find Finn, if it was he last thing he did.