Endless dance

Chapter 7 - Jesse

Jesse pushed open the heavy door of the bar, the cool night air hitting him like a wake-up call as he stepped outside. Get it together, Jesse. The street was mostly deserted, save for the occasional distant hum of a car passing by. His footsteps echoed in the quiet as he made his way to the parking lot, each step punctuated by the rising anxiety gnawing at his gut. Finn never called him at work, especially not this late. The voicemail's unsettling tone replayed in his mind, amplifying his worry.

As he approached his car, Jesse's thoughts churned with a mixture of fear and determination. Finn had always been the steady one, the rock in their friendship, and for him to reach out like this meant something was terribly wrong. He's always been the strong one. If he's calling for help it must be serious. Jesse couldn't shake the image of his friend alone in that dimly lit apartment, battling the demons that seemed to have taken hold of him. He fumbled with his keys, the metallic clink a stark contrast to the silent night, and tried to steady his racing thoughts. I have to keep it together. Finn fucking needs me.

His mind raced back to the countless times Finn had been there for him, through breakups, job losses, and family disputes. Finn was always there, no matter what. I owe him. Finn had always been the voice of reason, the calming presence that kept Jesse grounded. Now, it was Jesse's turn to be the anchor, to provide the support his friend so desperately needed. He couldn't afford to hesitate or second-guess himself; Finn's well-being depended on it. The weight of responsibility settled heavily on his shoulders as he unlocked the car and opened the door. I can't let him down, not now.

Jesse paused for a moment, leaning against the cool metal of the car door, taking a deep breath to steady himself. Fuck. The night was eerily quiet, the only sounds being the distant hum of city life and the rustling of leaves in the breeze. Stay focused, damn it Jesse. He knew he had to get to Finn, to offer whatever comfort and support he could. As he slid into the driver's seat, he resolved to be the friend Finn needed now more than ever, determined to bring a glimmer of hope to his friend's darkest hour.

Jesse sat in the driver's seat for a moment, gripping the steering wheel tightly as he tried to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside him. The dim light from the streetlamp cast shadows across the dashboard, and he stared at the empty passenger seat, imagining Finn sitting there, smiling and chatting like he always did. The contrast between that image and the urgent, distressed voice in the voicemail was jarring, deepening Jesse's sense of dread. He took a deep breath, turned the key in the ignition, and the car roared to life, breaking the stillness of the night. I'll be there soon, Finn. Just hold on, damn it.

As he pulled out of the parking lot, Jesse's mind raced with memories of their friendship. He recalled the late-night conversations, the road trips, and the countless times Finn had helped him through tough times. Finn had always seemed so strong, so unbreakable. Jesse couldn't wrap his mind around the idea that his friend could be struggling so deeply. The streets were nearly empty, and as he drove through the quiet neighborhoods, the reality of the situation settled heavily in his chest. He had to be there for Finn, no matter what.

Jesse's thoughts wandered to the last time he had seen Finn. They had met for coffee a week ago, and although Finn had seemed a bit off, he hadn't thought much of it at the time. Why the fuck didn't I see it? He cursed himself for not noticing the signs, for not pushing harder when Finn brushed off his concerns with a forced smile. The guilt gnawed at him, making the drive feel agonizingly slow. He pressed down on the gas pedal, urging the car to go faster, as if speeding would somehow ease the worry that had taken root in his heart.