Chapter 2: Finn (I'm Free [Heaven Helps The Man])
"So how is your assignment for glee going?" Rachel asked Finn. They were in the school library together on a study period – she was working on an English assignment while he was finishing up some homework for his history class. But the glee club assignment had been on the minds of both of them.
"It's going okay, I guess," he replied. "I just have to think of the right song to express how I feel about it."
Mr. Schuester had asked the glee members to explore the theme of belonging and what it means to them as individuals. In other words, how had belonging to glee changed them. For Finn, it had been a whirlwind year since he had been drafted into the club. Before then, he had been the "big man on campus" with the perfect girlfriend and the top step on the school social ladder. Now he had an outlet to showcase his talent, a huge group of allies who he could count on when things went wrong, and a father figure and role model in Mr. Schue, someone he could talk to and ask for assistance when he needed it. There was no better place for him to belong right now than in glee club.
And with Rachel. Since he confessed his love to her at regionals, he had done so with sincerity and honesty. He hoped that she felt the same way about him that he did about her.
"Hey Finn," Rachel said as she put her pen down and looked at him. "You know how you told me at regionals that you loved me? I know I hurt you when I was with Jesse, but after what he did to me before the competition I knew I needed someone who treated me with respect, someone who really cared for me. Then I realized that person was you." She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
"I love you too," she said with a smile.
Hearing Rachel's own confession of love made a strange feeling course through Finn. He had never felt so happy, so proud to be in a place where he belonged. In fact, he had never felt so free!
"I know the perfect song for my assignment now," he said. He fumbled in his pocket for his iPod Touch, found the song he wanted and hit play. The sound may have been a bit tinny, but it was the perfect song to express his feelings.
"You're my best friend, Rach. I promise I will never stop fighting for you no matter what!"
Standing up from his chair, he looked at Rachel and sang his heart out.
Looking into your eyes I know I'm right
If there's anything worth my love it's worth a fight
We only get one chance
But nothing ties our hands
You're what I want
Listen to me
Nothing I want
Is out of my reach
(I'M FREE)
Heaven helps the man who fights his fear
Love's the only thing that keeps me here
You're the reason that I'm hanging on
My heart's staying where my heart belongs
(I'M FREE)
Running away will never make me free
And nothing we sign is any kind of guarantee
But I wanna hold you now
And I won't hold you down
I'm shaking the past
Making my breaks
Taking control
If that's what it takes
(I'M FREE)
Heaven helps the man who fights his fear
Love's the only thing that keeps me here
You're the reason that I'm hanging on
My heart's staying where my heart belongs
(I'M FREE)
I wanna hold you now
And I won't hold you down
You're what I want
Listen to me
Nothing I want
Is out of my reach
(I'M FREE)
Heaven helps the man who fights his fear
Love's the only thing that keeps me here
You're the reason that I'm hanging on
My heart's staying where my heart belongs
(I'M FREE)
Heaven helps the man who fights his fear
Love's the only thing that keeps me here
You're the reason that I'm hanging on
My heart's staying where my heart belongs
I'M FREE!
Author's Note: Finn's song is "I'm Free (Heaven Helps The Man)" by Kenny Loggins, from the Footloose movie soundtrack