take me back to the start

Chapter 5: You Love, You Learn

Still August, 2012

The movie had been released for about three months, and was gradually gaining momentum to become the biggest hit Disney Channel had ever seen. Money kept pouring in from album sales too and Finn was actually famous. The other day he had been grocery shopping only to end up having to run away from the horde of teenage girls that had started a riot when they saw him. His manager was considering hiring a body guard until the commotion died down a bit. But the thought of having a body guard didn't sit well with him.. he was just a schmuck from Lima who had gotten lucky, not a celebrity.. why were all of these girls going crazy over him?

If he didn't enjoy the acting and singing part so much, he would have probably quit. The rabid following of the movie was more than a little disconcerting.

But he had already signed on to participate in the sequel, so there was no more room for second thoughts.

Plus it was a job and it paid the bills (and left a lot remaining at that), and he wasn't going to give that up. Wasn't fame and fortune what everyone wanted anyways? It was like the ultimate form of popularity. He only needed one more thing to achieve the ultimate happiness..

Finn wasn't going to lie, he debated calling Rachel every single day now that he had made something of himself. He'd be mid-dial thinking about how he could apologize and tell her that he had always wanted to be with her but couldn't until he had found himself and found success, but he always hung up the phone before finishing punching in the numbers. That familiar cloud of uncertainty would darken his optimism, telling him that she would never forgive him, that he wasn't worth forgiving...

It wasn't until 3 months later that he finally decided grow a pair and follow through with the call.

November, 2012.

Finn was standing alone in his room; staring at the iphone in his hand, the updated phone number on the post-it on his mirror, and the piece of notebook paper with his pre-written apology and plea to Rachel ready on his desk. He took a deep breath, dialed the number, and was about to press the little green button when...

"all the single ladies, all the single ladies, all the single ladies, all the single ladies.."

He mentally cursed Kurt for ruining this pivotal moment.

"What?" he answered shortly.

"I'm going to pretend you didn't just break out that attitude with me and tell you that under no circumstances can you just barge back into Rachel Berry's life begging for her back."

"Why the hell not?" Finn sputtered.

"Seriously Finn. I just got your email and can only pray that I called you in time. It would not be healthy for either of you if you got back together at this point. Trust me, it will only end in disaster."

"Kurt, unless you give me a really good reason why you suddenly feel the need to upgrade your role in my life from step-brother to babysitter, I'm going through with his."

He heard his step-brother sigh dramatically on the other end of the line.

"I was really hoping I wouldn't have to resort to this, but unfortunately, I'm going to have to break Rachel's trust and tell you why it is vital that you stay away from her. These last few months.. I haven't been completely honest with you."

Finn swallowed, this didn't sound good.

"Rachel didn't hear about your recent success until August. I didn't know this until after, but she's been on a rigid mental regimen that excludes any 'thinking' having to do with you, something she and her doctor made herself do after she had a mental breakdown the summer."