A/N:

Hello everybody! This is a two-shot about Rachel and Jesse mainly because I'm a hopeless St. Berry shipper. Who else is TOTALLY EXCITED that Jonathan Groff is coming back? I am! Anyway, here is the first part (aka Rachel's promise to Jesse). Enjoy!

Rachel Barbra Berry is not a complex person. Everybody who spends two minutes with her would know that she has two gay dads, plans to be on Broadway, and has a strange love for sweaters with animals on them. But one thing about Rachel that most people don't know is she can't go back on promises; not even ones concerning Jesse St. James.

As she slipped on her black dress with the emerald green sash, Rachel had only one thought. That thought happened to be her contemplating why she was doing this.

Because I promised, Rachel amended, tying the sash as tightly as she could to emphasize how good she looked in the dress. Not like she was trying to impress anybody, anyway.

But he cracked an egg on my forehead; doesn't that mean that I shouldn't have to go?

Rachel quickly came up with the solution as she started her car and drove off to Carmel, her Spring Awakening soundtrack playing smoothly in the background.

The entire drive over to Carmel, Rachel considered all scenarios. There were some good ones (like Jesse sweeping her up in his arms and kissing her until the world ended; than they would have two children named Barbra and Freddy). There were some bad ones (another egg; another angry mother haunting dreams of innocent Rachel). In the brief moment when she wanted to turn around and go home, Rachel realized she was already in the Carmel parking lot. Sucking up what little pride she had left (you can only have so much pride when you've been dumped over ten times by Finn Hudson of all people – this time it was because of Quinn…again), Rachel got out of her car and headed towards the cafeteria. A light grimace crossed her face as she passed the school mascot. It wasn't because of the twisted, sick theory behind it (well, it partially was but that was beside the point) but it was because she realized her place. And it wasn't a good one, either.

Rachel slipped into the back doors of the cafeteria and stood in the back row, only ten rows away from Jesse. Even though she thought he would've been happy for finally leaving Ohio, Jesse had a look of subtle sadness radiating from behind his show-face. It looked as if he didn't want to graduate; like he didn't want to leave. As the principle walked up to the front, Rachel threw that thought aside. Graduation at Carmel was nothing like regular graduations. The students didn't walk in to music; there were merely introduced as the graduating class and then the valedictorian started talking. She recognized the person; it was a member of Vocal Adrenaline. His name was Paul; she used to go to elementary school with him and at Regionals he had been one of the many back-up dancers in the shadow of Jesse. As he spoke about the many troubles that the seniors had gone through to get to where there are today, Rachel realized that all of the Vocal Adrenaline people had tears streaming down their face. Except for Jesse.

What was wrong with him? Rachel questioned mentally, staring at the back of Jesse's head. She didn't stop staring at him until the principle started calling the names of the graduating class. She tore her gaze away as he shifted and got up along with the rest of his row. Instead of the blue robes everybody else was wearing, all the Vocal Adrenaline members were wearing red robes with black sashes.

"Joseph Michael St. James. Lead member of Vocal Adrenaline. Graduating with honors and moving on to attend UCLA. I'll miss your visits, Jesse." The principle said fondly, handing Jesse his diploma and shook his hand. I clapped the beat to 'Hello' and saw Jesse's head rise, his eyes meeting mine. I gave him the best smile I could muster up and watched as he went back to his seat. Ten people later, my phone vibrated. I pulled it out silently and flipped it open, almost shocked at who sent it.

Jesse – Thank you.

Rachel – For what?

I sent the message quickly and looked for non-existent lint on my dress. After counting the stiches in the hem three times, my phone vibrated.

Jesse – So I guess this is good-bye.

Way to avoid the question, I complained to myself and rolled my eyes. After taking a minute of consideration, I typed out a response and sent it.

Rachel – No…I'll be seeing you. Someday.

It took five people for him to respond.

Jesse – Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.

Rachel – Wow. Cheesy.

The ceremony ended, yet I stayed in my seat. I was deep in thought, thinking about the next time our paths would cross.

"Rach,"

I looked up to see Jesse sitting down in the empty chair next to me. His cap was in his hands and he was no longer wearing his robe; instead it was the same outfit that I met him in. He looked up and gave me a genuine half-smile. I tried my best to smile but it came out more like an ugly-cry look. He wrapped me in his arms and stoked my hair. We stayed like that for a moment and then I pulled away from his grasp and looked him in the eyes.

"I can't forgive you yet, Jesse. But congratulations and good luck in UCLA." I whispered, looking down at my feet.

He lifted up my chin with his index finger to where we had eye contact once more. "I understand you can't forgive me yet. But one day you will. I'll be there for you, whenever that day is. Good-bye, Rachel. My funny girl,"

Jesse bent down, kissed my forehead, and then walked out the door without looking back. As he left, Rachel noticed that his posture wasn't as good as it regularly was. Normally Rachel would've corrected him, but she liked how well things had just ended between them. So she followed Jesse's footsteps and left, never looking back.