"Hi. I'm Jesse."
It was the first lie I told her. I don't know if it's even possible for me to be anything other than Jesse St. James, the star male lead of Vocal Adrenaline. My life is one big, never-ending performance. Every look, every smile I throw out is carefully considered beforehand, meant to evoke a specific reaction.
Rachel Berry was so innocent, so naïve that I sometimes wondered if I wasn't the one being played. But no. The more time I spent with her, the more I found that everything about her was sincere. She was malleable under my touch, gently (mis)guided by my words. I looked at her sometimes and almost – almost – felt bad about my actions. Those were the days when her wide, innocent eyes gazed back into my cockiness (I'm not known for my modesty) without flinching, when her smile shown brighter because of my assurances. She was my puppet, of course. Nothing I ever said or did was by mistake.
She wasn't the only puppet in play. I knew that very, very well. When Shelby had approached me with her plan, I had known that she meant to use me. I didn't particularly care one way or the other – Vocal Adrenaline was sure to win Regionals with or without Shelby's deviousness, but it might be fun to seduce little Miss Don't-Rain-On-My-Parade. Just another number in the performance that is my life.
Reaching out to her was easy. I 'happened' to catch her at the library; she didn't question my sudden appearance or my interest in her. I don't think my backhanded compliment even registered. She probably only heard "…you're talented." I invited her to sing with me, my cocky attitude showing so strongly I was surprised when she didn't slap me. It wouldn't be the first time.
I started singing alone, serenading her in a way. I made sure to look at her just so, a heated, challenging glance or two. She joined me before long, and that's when things took an interesting turn on my end.
Why didn't she sing like that at Sectionals?
The straight-up complimentary thought passed through my mind before I even had time to stop it. Her voice was pure, her tone unwavering, and together we harmonized so beautifully it was difficult to sing and play while hiding my surprise. I felt a stir of jealousy, but it was slight compared to my awe. That song forced me to respect Rachel's talent, but it changed nothing. I still needed to seduce her. I still needed to break her. I could see the happiness in her eyes as she gazed at me, and we finished singing. I smiled at her and extended a smooth proposition.
"We should do this more often…how's Friday night?"
She shyly smiled back and I knew I had her.
It was a few days later when she showed up of Carmel's auditorium stage. I watched her from the shadows, chuckling to myself when she threatened the empty air with a rape whistle. Rachel was, if anything, a very amusing girl. I stepped out and walked to her, easy grin on my face.
Almost immediately she started pouring out her heart to me, laying her fears and insecurities bare. Typical Rachel. Her eyes beseeched me to understand, to reassure her. I saw an opportunity present itself … so I took it.
"Hi. I'm Jesse."
It was the first lie I told her. It wouldn't be my last.
A/N: Okay, I have to admit – I'm a sucker for this pairing. This oneshot didn't turn out exactly how I planned it… Jesse wasn't supposed to be such a jerk (like we all know he'll be… despite my inner fangirl protestations). But my opinion doesn't matter as much as you guys! Please REVIEW and let me know what you think!