Disclaimer: I don't own GLEE or its characters though I wish I did.

Author's Note: Hello again! This is an INTENSE chapter so I really hope you enjoy! I'm not sure when my next update will be today but it WILL be up...maybe even another...fingers crossed! Anyways, ENJOY for now!

The rest of the week passes in a blur with Mercedes, Tina, Mike, Quinn, Sam and Puck tentatively asking for her to come back. She was stunned at first when she saw Tina timidly approach her but it quickly faded into amusement as they continued to come, the answer remaining a firm 'no'.

Finn hadn't been ruthless in his hunt to get her back, only approaching her once with a seemingly heartfelt plea and apology but she shook her head and as kindly as she could, declined. He backed off as she wished but she could see how broken and forlorn he looked. He traipsed the halls heavily with red, puffy eyes, dark circles under them and pale skin. Whenever he saw her, he'd send her a painful smile before turning away as if to say I'll leave you alone. I don't deserve you. It broke her heart.

It's now Friday and lunch. She attempts to weave her way through the buzzing, chaotic hallway while people push past her with a gruff "move it". She's lost in her thoughts, ignoring their insults as she thinks about Finn. She hasn't seen him at all today. She hopes he's okay. He looks terrible...

She seems to reach the peak of the horde as slides through with an exhale of relief when Karofsky knocks into her -hard- and sends her flying to the marble floor, books that were cradled against her chest flying in all directions. Her knee slams hard onto the floor and the wind is knocked out of her as she lands, blinking in surprise. The cruel scoffs make her seethe, ducking her head s as her knee pulsates.

"Watch where you're going, Berry" Karofsky sneers deridingly.

She ignores him and reaches to pick up the textbook at her side only to have it kicked away by Azimio. He laughs as she glowers up at him before yelping when someone steps on her hand as they walk by. She pulls it to her chest and bites her lip, suppressing tears as they all cackle around her. She's actually afraid to get up.

"Leave me alone" she rumbles, looking down at the floor.

They continue to scoff and shock flows through her when she feels the all-too-familiar icy liquid pour onto her head, coating her in corn syrup. She wipes the slushy from her eyes as it drips down her face, her face burning in mortification and anger.

She thinks that something even worse is about to happen but is startled when she hears a slam and nothing happens to her. She whips her head up to see Azimio and another jock watching in horror as Karofsky is slammed up against the lockers by none other than Finn. She gapes at the scene before her and at the unadulterated lividness that sears in Finn's usual warm cinnamon eyes and angelic, smooth face. She's never seen him this infuriated before (it's really hot).

"Don't you ever touch her again" Finn snarls dangerously, his voice sharp and dangerous. "Don't look at her, don't speak to her...don't even think about her or I'll kill you!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa" Karofsky says weakly, struggling against his grip. "What are you-"

"Shut up" Finn orders angrily. "You're a stupid fat ass and you don't understand anything! Rachel Berry is the best thing in this stupid cow town and in a few years, she'll be signing autographs and famous while you'll be pumping gas in the dump, yakking about your glory days in high school. News flash: no one cares about you!

"I can't believe how stupid I was to ever want to fit in with you douches. I was blind and mean because I screwed up everything with Rachel and I'm paying the price, having to see her so sad. I'mnothing without her! I hate myself for hurting her so many times and -believe me- you will, too when you see how successful and amazing she'll be in the future. If you ever bothered to get your thick heads out of your asses, you'd see how perfect she is. She's everything to me...she's my world. And I'm tired of saying different."

He sighs wearily. "I'm so in love with Rachel, it's impossible. She's my universe and she always will be. I was stupid and selfish and mean and I screwed it up so many damn times. I abandoned her. But I'm done doing that. She deserves better than Lima, Ohio...she deserves the world. I wish I gave her that. But even if she doesn't take me back, I'm gonna be whatever she wants me to be. That's all I want. I want her to be so, so, so happy. So you're not going to do that shit to her anymore. If you feel like being jackasses and slushying or pushing or bullying someone, do it to me."

They all laugh incredulously. "You're kidding" Azimio says with a sneer.

He shoves Karofsky hard before turning to everyone. "I'm not" he growls. She can hear the honesty behind it. "Every time you want to slushy Rachel or tease her or do anything mean to her, do it to me instead. I deserve it and I'd take a billion paintballs to the head for her. Just stop doing this shit to her because she's so perfect and I love her more than it's possible. I-"

"Finn, look out!" she bellows, pointing at the advancing figure of Karofsky, arm snapped back. Before he can think of dodging it, Karofsky's hand is on his shoulder blade and his fist is driving into his face. Blood gushes instantly.

AN#2: Short but dramatic! I LOVE protective!Finn :)

Next Chapter: SURPRISE!

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