A/N: 200 Reviews! THAT'S SO CRAZY! THANK YOU! I did not expect people to like this as much as they did...but i'm so glad you all do! This chapter is a cuteness overload...well in my opinion it is. aksdjaskldfjkasdlfj Finn is perfect. (I just had to get that out of my system.) Anyway, I hope you all enjoy it! Thank you so much again! :D
Rachel woke up the next morning, a terrible pounding headache ensuing the second her eyes fluttered open. Closing them immediately, she groaned, reaching around aimlessly until she found her phone. The tiny device had waked her up, and she opened an eye slowly to read the text from Finn.
'Are you awake yet?' it said.
She closed her eyes before opening the one slowly once more. Typing out a quick no, she shoved the phone as far away from her on the bed as she could before turning over on her other side. She reached for the covers slowly, completely covering the rest of her body. She wasn't moving today.
Her eyes fluttered open a few hours later and she instantly brought her hand to her head. This headache wasn't going to go away by itself. She needed two things, the perfect medicine for a hangover; water and motrin. She sat up briefly before collapsing once more. She groaned. "Forget moving." She mumbled to herself as she glanced at the clock. It was just after one in the afternoon. She didn't even remember what time she had gotten to bed the night before but she didn't care. She had a feeling Tina and Quinn were in this same position too.
Standing slowly but surely, she walked across the room, opening the door only to find sunlight pouring in. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, walking clumsily out of the room towards the kitchen.
"Good morning sunshine!" she heard when she entered. She looked over, seeing Tina and Quinn sitting at the table, a grin plastered across Tina's face. Quinn's eyebrows rose at the sight of Rachel.
"What the hell happened to me?" Rachel asked rhetorically, grabbing a glass of water.
"A train hit you." Quinn said as Tina giggled.
"I believe that." Rachel said with a shrug as she headed towards the table. "I almost need to wear my sunglasses inside this house." She added as she took a seat.
"Well, you were drinking that shitty tasting alcohol like it was water." Tina said, taking a bite of the salad she had in front of her.
Rachel's eyebrows rose, another pound to her head as she began to drink the water hungrily.
"Remind me why we did that?" Rachel asked.
"We didn't…you did." Quinn said. "We didn't plan on you practically chugging that stuff. It was eighty proof for crying out loud. Two shots of that and anyone would be good to go. Especially with your tiny size."
"Plus it tasted absolutely awful." Tina added as they nodded.
"And whose bright idea was it to go purchase and consume the cheapest bottle of alcohol we could come across?" Rachel asked.
"Group decision, really." Quinn said.
"And remind me again why I thought it was a good idea to drink copious amounts of it?"
Tina shrugged. "Well, you were down and I mean I've never seen you resort to alcohol before like that, but you sort of went over the top."
Quinn nodded. "You were quite the wreck my dear…"
"Cool. I think I might've officially hit rock bottom." Rachel said with a sigh.
"No you haven't." Tina replied quickly. "You just don't know how to handle these things, Rachel. For starters, you've never been involved with someone this seriously in your entire life, so this is a definite change for you; Finn being gone and all. Not only that but since when has the world denied Rachel Barbra Berry of anything?"
"Since we moved here." Rachel said with a scoff.
Tina shook her head lightly. "It's all just temporary….a minor setback, just like your NYADA audition back in Lima."
Rachel shuddered at the thought. She had almost blown her chances of getting in by choking on her one all time favorite song. She shook the thought off immediately, repressing it once more.
"Sorry I didn't mean to bring it up. You know everything is going to work out just fine." Tina said, catching Rachel's sudden facial expression change.
Rachel shrugged. "I suppose so. It just gets tiring listening to people act all positive around me when it's clear that nothing is going to come of it."
"You don't know that." Tina said simply.
Rachel took another large gulp of her water. She didn't want to talk about this any further. She didn't want anybody's pity or empathy anymore. "Thanks for the reassurance, but I think I need to go back to sleep before I get sick…" she said as she stood.
Tina nodded. "Sorry."
"No, don't be. Seriously, thank you. You're the best friend a girl could ask for, I just feel like if I don't lie down I'll throw up everywhere."
Tina chuckled as Rachel smiled before turning to walk away, leaving Tina and Quinn once more.
Rachel lied down in bed once more. She was exhausted. She could hardly remember much from the night before except for she ended up laughing a lot…and crying a lot. Never again would something like that happen. 'I'm far better than that.' She thought to herself.
Just then she grabbed her phone, suddenly remembering the text that Finn had sent her earlier before she fell back asleep. She felt a stab at her chest. She missed him deeply and she wanted nothing more than to be in his arms at that exact moment.
"Maybe I should fly to Vegas." She said to herself as she checked her phone, a few texts from him on the screen.
'Lol. No you're not awake. I believe you're more talented than you think…texting in your sleep.' She smiled before reading the other one.
'Okay now you probably are sleeping…sweet dreams :)'
She typed a response. 'I was but now I'm awake. Not for very much longer though. Call me later?'
A text was sent back momentarily after. 'Of course babe.'
She reached for the star around her neck, her hand gently stroking against it as she closed her eyes. She refused to take the necklace off except for during showers. 'He'll be home soon.' She said to herself as she sighed. 'I can't even do this' was the thought that soon followed, along with a small set of tears, only worsening her headache.
000
That night, she sprawled out on the couch, her knees upright, and her laptop resting on them as she scrolled aimlessly through twitter; and shopped online. Her hangover headache was minimal at this point, and she glanced up once in a while at the television, laughing at the random show she had on. Quinn had gone out with Puck, and Tina had agreed to dinner and a movie with Mike, leaving Rachel with the house to herself. She didn't mind being alone, but the silence was kind of eerie, in a peaceful way. "This house is going to be destroyed when you both return, since I'm such a huge partier and all." She had joked with Quinn and Tina before they both left.
She was sleepy and due to the rough day she had been having, she didn't bother getting ready. She was still in the same clothing she had on the night before, coincidentally Finn's shirt and a pair of pajama shorts underneath, though his shirt completely covered them.
Her eyes were already fighting to stay open, but she had promised Finn she would try to stay up until after his show. After their show tonight in Las Vegas, they would make their way to Phoenix. From what Rachel gathered, they'd end in Los Angeles; however they'd fly back there from the east coast. It didn't make much sense to her, but it worked. He would be back by the end of January.
Just then she heard a ringing coming from her laptop speakers. Knowing it was nothing other than Skype, she quickly accepted the incoming call, waiting patiently for Finn's face to appear.
When it did, she smiled happily. It had only been a day, but she already missed him more than words could describe…more than she could describe.
"Woah." He said, making a strange face, his eyes wide.
"I know…I look fantastic…" she said sarcastically. She hadn't even bothered to brush her hair.
Finn smiled. "I'm just blinded by all the beautiful." He said.
Rachel smiled as she shook her head before she heard yelling from behind him. "How cheesy dude!" Jeremy had yelled.
"Hey!" Finn yelled turning his head away from the camera. She saw him reach for something before throwing it in Jeremy's direction, hearing Jeremy scream like a little girl.
He returned his attention back to Rachel. "You weren't joking about that crazy night you had last night huh?"
"Nope." She replied with a smile. Just seeing his face made her day better. "Did you have a good show?"
"Great show. It went smoothly for an opening night. The fans were incredible and…" he shrugged. "It was just surreal."
"But I missed you Rachel!" Jeremy then yelled in high pitched voice.
"Shut up!" Finn yelled.
"Well, I miss Jeremy too."
"Would you like to share an intimate moment with him?" Finn then asked, causing Rachel to laugh.
"That's okay." Rachel said, looking into the screen.
"So, what did you drink again?" Finn asked, remembering the texting conversation they had earlier before his show. "You crazy party animal."
"It was the absolute worst kind of alcohol, Finn. It was like Nikolai or something…really cheap and really nasty."
"Ah." Finn said with a nod. "Yeah, that'll do it."
Rachel nodded.
"I'm just surprised. I leave for one day and you're already getting crazy. Don't you turn into an alcoholic on me, woman." He said jokingly.
"I won't." she said softly. She wasn't about to tell him that her actions last night were a direct result of him leaving along with the accumulation of recurring auditions that ended in disappointment.
"Good." He said before chuckling lightly. "There are so many things I want to say, but I feel so awkward with Jeremy nearby." He said before looking up.
"Don't let me stop you." Jeremy then said, closer to Finn now.
With a shrug Finn looked back at Rachel. "Well for starters, I miss the shit out of you already."
"Likewise." She said simply. He wasn't joking; it really was awkward knowing Jeremy could here.
He flashed her a lopsided grin and they looked at each other through the screen quietly before he spoke up. "You never fail to look stunningly gorgeous." He said quietly.
Rachel raised an eyebrow. "I am a hot mess today. You should've seen me this morning; nothing was going to make me move out of that bed. Absolutely nothing."
Finn smiled. "I'm sure I could think of something that would've."
"No. It hurt so bad, I've never experienced anything like that before."
"What, a hangover? Rachel Berry, the party animal?" He asked with a smirk.
Rachel smiled. "I know, I know."
Finn shrugged. "Happens to the best of us. You still look…" he stopped, apparently searching for the right word. "amazing."
Rachel blushed as Jeremy's face popped up behind Finn's. He mouthed the word amazing as Rachel giggled, Finn turning to him as they hit each other playfully, in that way guys did. Rachel watched the bromance unfold once more like it did so often when she was over at his house. She had to admit, the two are highly entertaining when together.
They talked via Skype for a little longer before Rachel had said she was tired. Finn had nodded, looking disappointed.
"Don't be disappointed, Finn." She said, trying to reassure him.
He pretended to pout and Rachel giggled. He looked adorable with his pouted bottom lip. She wished she could kiss that look right off of his face.
Just then he smiled. "Yeah, go get a good night's sleep. You could use it….yikes." he said, making a direct comment towards her appearance, his face scrunching into a look of disgust.
"Very funny." She said sarcastically as he laughed. She adored his silliness but it made her heart hurt all the more that she couldn't be there with him. "I love you." She said softly as she stared at the screen, taking in every bit of him that she could.
"And I love you." He replied with a grin.
Rachel waved slowly before forcing herself to disconnect. When the screen disappeared, she could feel the waves of sadness hit her once more. She had no idea that she'd be this emotionally invested with someone else. She was always that strong, independent kind of person who focused on herself and her dreams but she didn't feel that way anymore. With Finn, she cared more about his well being than her own. Sure she was still strong and focused, but without him there she felt distracted, weak. He had changed her. She was no longer that selfish individual, striving for all the attention. Instead, she matured. She smiled as she shut down her laptop, before turning out the lights, heading to her bedroom.
Phone in hand, she dialed his number quickly as she climbed into bed. She wanted to hear his voice again.
"Long time no talk." He said when he answered.
Rachel smiled. "I'm so pathetic. I missed you already that much."
"You're not pathetic, babe." Finn replied. "For the record I might have missed you too."
"But Finn…" she took a deep breath. "I don't want to be one of those clingy girls that act all crazy just because their boyfriend is gone. I don't want you to think I have to talk to you every second of the day and hound you. I mean I did just get done talking to you on Skype."
"I don't think those things, Rach." Finn said. "Relax little lady."
Rachel sighed before speaking up. "Does it sound cheesy if I tell you I just want to fall asleep to the sound of your voice?"
Finn laughed. "Yes incredibly. But don't worry, the challenge has been accepted. Do you want me to start boring you with random facts that'll be a sure shot at putting you to sleep?"
"No. I just want to talk." Rachel said.
"I can do that." Finn replied as Rachel giggled.
And Finn did just that. They talked each other's ears off and Rachel listened intently as he spoke more about the show that evening. Before Rachel knew, her eyes were closed and Finn was sweetly saying he loved her into her ear before she hung up the phone. Sure it wasn't the same as him being next to her, but she couldn't complain. After all, it was better than nothing.