This chapter is from Finn's perspective.
Remember to like and comment if you enjoyed.
I do not own Glee or its characters.
"Guys, we got a problem," Will said seriously, addressing the Glee club.
Finn had just walked into the choir room and was listening to him continuing speaking, "Her name is Frida Romero. I went to scout out the competition."
Finn didn't need to keep listening to know Will was right. He had gone with him and heard firsthand her edition of Star-Spangled Banner. She belted on the level of Rachel and Mercedes, making her a serious threat.
The ex-quarterback zoned out for a bit, thinking of personal problems in his life, such as Burt's cancer scare and his relationship status with Rachel. He prayed for his stepfather's safety and wondered what was going on with Rachel or where he even stood with the young starlet.
"It's BIG," Will emphasised, making Finn quickly think he was talking about something else before knowing what he was talking about.
His friend continued, "It could fill an arena. I mean, it's big, and the only way to beat them is to be huge. Like stadium huge."
Finn swiftly cut in, "We need to be even bigger, increasing what we have now and going above and beyond."
"We need something that will blow the heads off of 100,000 people at a time," Will finished before the lights shut off.
"Zombie apocalypse," said Sam, which Finn found a bit amusing.
"Or Beyonce's halftime show," Unique added.
Before he or Will got a chance to address the club, Figgins' voice boomed on the loudspeaker sternly, "Children, this power outage is not an emergency nor an excuse to go wilding through the hallways while we're investigating the root of this mere calamity. Classes will continue," Finn knew there was no way that'd happen, "and your brains are to remain in the on positions."
Had this happened when he was in Glee club, he knew that he and Puck would be exchanging high fives talking about ditching school as soon as possible, possibly getting others to join. Rachel wouldn't like it, but what she didn't know wouldn't hurt her.
The principal continued, "If the darkness persists, candles and flashlights will be distributed based on grade point average. I now have to turn off the PA system so I can save our precious generator resources for the coffee machine and my plug-in lower back vibrator."
Finn should've been weirded out, but it was Figgins, he was used to it. All the students looked up at Will, who audibly groaned, unaware of what to do.
"Okay, that puts a damper on our stadium songs," he said.
However, the perfect idea came to Finn and as official co-director of the Glee club, he spoke up, "Change of plans," eyes looked up at him, "It's now blackout week."
"How did you know my idea?" Will said, walking down the hallway with Finn, flashlights in their hands.
The taller man shrugged, "I thought it was a good idea."
Will chuckled a bit, "Well, you know what they say, great minds think alike."
The two turned around the corner and made their way into the teachers' lounge, sitting down at their usual table. Will aimed his flashlight at his planner, Finn immediately took out his phone and began to browse through his texts with Rachel, wondering what to do.
The older man gazed at him and asked rhetorically, "Isn't it blackout week?"
Finn's lips pursed and he responded, "Sorry, it's just a lot's going on right now."
He put away his phone and Will replied, "I'm sorry to hear about Burt, but at least you'll be getting the results soon. Kurt's set to come home soon, right?"
"Yeah," Finn monosyllabically answered.
He paused for a moment and said, "But things have also been complicated with Rachel. Before we made up the other day, I was talking on the phone with her and it brought back old memories. I- she was talking about how we haven't seen each other in a while and I sort of miss her, but also sort of have moved on."
Will gave him a pat on the back and said, "Girl troubles, I've been there. You just gotta speak from the heart."
"Didn't you try that with Emma?" asked Finn innocently.
"It's not always going to work," Will stated, "Sometimes it just isn't meant to be and you move on."
"But I'm not even sure what I want," Finn said with a bit of frustration.
"I've been there too. I didn't know what I wanted with Emma, but I found my way."
"Rachel and I were together for such a long time. We almost got married. I just don't want it to feel wasted," said Finn.
"You still got plenty of time. I was with Terry for many years and even when our marriage was dying, I stayed with her until the fake pregnancy because I didn't want change."
Will looked his friend in the eyes and asked, "Do you want Rachel or do you want things to stay the same?"
Although Finn wasn't intending it, Will advised everyone to put away their phones and reconnect with their surroundings for blackout week. Sam agreed, stating that he didn't need technology to entertain his family.
"Sam's right, guys. When I was growing up, we didn't have all these phones and gadgets and we did just fine."
Kitty sassily said, "Maybe back when the dinosaurs roamed, but things are different now."
Finn got a bit annoyed at that comment and spoke up, "Mr. Schue is right. We don't need technology, sometimes the best songs come from the heart."
He still didn't know which song came from his heart, but it was sound advice. They could all learn something disconnected from online and reflecting. The blond took note and began to play his guitar, singing a soft melody.
The tension in the air soon went away with everyone relaxed and lightly chatting amongst themselves. Finn temporarily forgot his problems and was listening to a heated debate between Sam and Blaine about the best Star Wars movie, amused by the nerds.
"Shirtless Natalie Portman does nothing for me. It still had that endless monologue about sand," Blaine said.
"But there was…" Sam went on and Finn tuned him out before Ryder interrupted them all.
He noticed Will staring at him, thinking he was going to tell him something, but he turned away and gave Ryder permission to speak. Finn wondered why that happened, but dismissed it and listened to his younger friend.
The football player spoke, "I want to really reveal myself through this song. I think I kind of need the support to get there. I'd like to dedicate this song to all of us and for all the slushies, real and proverbial, that we've taken to the face over the years."
The brunette sang softly, his eyes becoming more intense as the performance went on. Finn watched him emotionally express himself, admiring his confidence and ability to do so. It made him feel a bit small in comparison, being all bottled up, though he'd never admit it.
The group was captivated by his performance. Finn never had the best intuition, but he could tell this song was about something deeper or perhaps it was just the ambiance tricking him into thinking so. There were no props, just a man and his emotions.
"Sometimes, so hold on," he serenely finished.
Everyone applauded him for the emotional performance with Will echoing all their sentiments, "That was amazing, Ryder. You certainly unplugged whatever you were wanting to let out."
The man turned vulnerable and said, in a cracking voice, "I didn't want to just get them out. I wanted to get in touch with them so I could have the balls to tell you guys something. Something that's pretty hard to talk about."
"I've actually only told one person this, not even my parents know," he went on, "but I'm not sure if I can trust that person to keep it secret. When I was 11, I was molested by my babysitter. She just walked in on me in the shower and she touched me a bit."
Artie interrupted, "Did you just say she? She as in a teenage girl?"
Ryder nodded and replied, "Yeah, she was like 17, 18."
Sam nonchalantly said, "Dude, you're 11, and some hot 18-year-old plays with your junk. I would've killed for that."
Finn didn't agree. He certainly had his fair share of thoughts about older girls at that age, but sex was also something special, not to be taken lightly. Santana was his first and he'd always value and care for her in some capacity despite their differences because of that.
"Why are you ashamed of this?" Artie asked.
"I don't know, it kind of messed me up a bit, like I have trouble trusting girls because of it," he replied.
Will spoke what was on Finn's mind and said, "Guys, this is not something to high-five about."
It was something that'd be on the history teacher's mind even at the end of the week. The two were walking into the auditorium, getting ready to hear the club's final song of the week, Billy Joel's Longest Time.
"I still can't believe the way some of the guys acted," Will told him.
"Well, I can, kinda. When I was a teen, I had thoughts just like that. But as I got older, I realised what sex really means," Finn said.
He added, "Besides, not all guys. Jake and Blaine didn't say anything."
"But Jake was with Marley and Blaine's always respectful," Will responded.
"True, but even with that happening, we still learned a lot this week. We're ready to take on regionals," the tall man beamed.
"Now, don't get too cocky. Those Hoosierdaddies will be tough to beat and the Waffletoots also pose a threat."
Finn smiled and said, "No matter what, I know they'll put their best in. I'll put my best in as well," he breathed in and continued, "I learned a lot this week. I need to get off my phone a bit and stop worrying as much about love, things I can't control, everything."
"Reconnecting with yourself, a good idea. I'm proud of you," he said and the two shared a smile.
Will looked away for a moment and asked, "How about we go out to dinner?"
Before Finn could respond, Will revised his sentence, "A friendly dinner, to catch up and unplug ourselves."
Finn nodded and said, "I'd love to, but first, we have practice to do."
Will agreed gleefully and replied, "Wouldn't miss it for the world."
The New Directions got into their stances and the first lyrics flowed from Artie's mouth, "Woah-ooh-oh-oh…"