A/N:

Hello everybody! While I was listening to my Mamma Mia! soundtrack (my guilty pleasure), I put a few songs on repeat multiple times and decided I would write fanfiction off of them. So, without further ado…what happens when you write fanfiction off Mamma Mia!

Pairings include…Rachel/Jesse and Shelby/Rachel. First off, though, is Rachel/Jesse {of sorts}.

DISCLAMER – Sadly, I do not own these amazing characters. If I did, Rachel and Jesse would be married and would have two children named Barbra and Freddy. Or Elphaba and Tony. Or…wait, off topic. Regardless, I own nothing.

Rachel POV

"Alright guys, this week your assignment is to find a song that explains how you are feeling. I know I've assigned this before, but it's nice to vent feelings using song. And with that go forth!"

Mr. Shue was too enthusiastic for his own good. But I pulled out my best show-face and grinned all the way out of the choir room with Finn's hand in mine.

"Want to go to the library to look for songs?" Finn asked; that goofy grin on his face that used to make me swoon. Now I was immune.

"Actually, I already have my piece. I'm going to go try it out in the auditorium. But I'll call you later." I flashed my brightest Rachel-Berry-smile and Finn walked away after kissing me swiftly on the lips.

With a sigh, I walked away quickly to the auditorium, pulling out the sheet music for Learn to be Lonely. Over summer, I had learned how to read basic sheet music on piano. I was still learning bass clef, but daddy thought I was doing fairly well by myself. I sat down on the piano bench and stared out at the empty auditorium. It was shocking to think that only a handful of months ago, Jesse St. James was on this very stage, throwing New Directions into a funk. Now he was at UCLA, becoming a star like I know he will one day be.

Thirty minutes later and after successfully learning five bars, I gave up. I got up dramatically from the piano bench and walked to the opposite side of the stage, trying to clear my head. Instead of thinking of the notes, I found myself thinking of him.

Stop it Rachel! I screamed inside my head, my hands knotting up in my hair. I finally collapsed, growing weak from the battle raging inside of my head.

"Hello Rachel. How are you doing?"

My heart skipped a beat at the sound of his voice. I looked up to see him nod casually at me and take a seat at the piano. Jesse examined my piece for a moment and then casually began playing it.

I hate him. I concluded icily as I observed him fluently play the piece through.

Jesse paused at the chorus and turned around too look at me. With a slight smirk on his face he walked over to me and sat down beside me, looking down at me.

"So Rachel, how's New Directions going?" Jesse asked, completely ignoring the elephant in the room.

"I don't want to talk," I suddenly began singing. Jesse looked shocked for a moment, but then backed up a little and allowed me to stand up.

"About things we've gone through, and though it's hurting me, now its history." I sang cautiously, than took a breath to go onto the next part stronger.

I've played all my cards
And that's what you've done too
Nothing more to say
No more ace to play
I paused for a moment to glance at Jesse. He had his usual composure on his face, but he nodded a little as if to encourage me to go on. So I did.
The winner takes it all
The loser standing small
Beside the victory
That's her destiny
I absentmindedly began to twirl a piece of my hair but I was beginning to gain confidence. It didn't matter that there was no actual music in the background; I was officially on a roll.
I was in your arms
Thinking I belonged there
I figured it made sense
Building me a fence
Building me a home
Thinking I'd be strong there
But I was a fool
Playing by the rules
The lyrics were so true they even surprised me. By the time this verse was over, Jesse was laying out with his hands behind his back keeping him up. He had the ghost of a smile playing on his face and it looked as if he was dreaming up something. Ignoring the adorable sparkle in his eyes, I drew a breath and continued singing.
The gods may throw a dice
Their minds as cold as ice
And someone way down here
Loses someone dear
The winner takes it all
The loser has to fall
It's simple and it's plain
Why should I complain?
I gave a little sideways glance before beginning the next verse. Jesse had a look that radiated guilt, like he knew what was coming. He probably did; when we were dating, I made him watch the movie version at least five times just to annoy him. Now, I was almost glad. I put all I had into the next verse.
But tell me does she kiss
Like I used to kiss you?
Does it feel the same
When she calls your name?
Somewhere deep inside
You must know I miss you
But what can I say
Rules must be obeyed
I put a bitter tone on the edge of all the appropriate phrases just to see his look of guilt increase. By the end of the verse, Jesse couldn't even look at me. I had seen the pictures on Facebook; he just recently broke up with his California girlfriend. I had always wondered if I meant anything to him. Maybe – to him – his California girl WAS better than me.
The judges will decide
The likes of me abide
Spectators of the show
Always staying low
The game is on again
A lover or a friend
A big thing or a small
The winner takes it all
What was Jesse in my life? He looked like he was asking the same question to himself. I realized that he was a mixture of both a lover and a friend. He would tell me things that I needed to change and he "loved" me. Past-tense, though.
I don't wanna talk
Cos it makes me feel sad
And I understand
You've come to shake my hand
I apologize
If it makes you feel bad
Seeing me so tense
No self-confidence
But you see
The winner takes it all
The winner takes it all
I realized that I was crying when Jesse glanced up at me and sighed, nodding slightly to himself. I quickly wiped the tears from my face and continued on to finish up the song.
The game is on again
A lover or a friend
A big thing or a small
The winner takes it all
My voice broke right as I started the finishing notes. I took a deep breath and finished singing.
The winner takes it all

I was openly crying at this point. It's not like I could've held it in; I may be like Shelby in looks and talents, but I'm not hard. I don't have a great poker face; I'm still learning. Jesse stood up and took me in his arms and I started crying into his darkly-dressed chest.

"Rachel, I'm sorry. But it probably wouldn't have worked anyway. I'm only here for my uncle's funeral. Right after that, I'm back to UCLA. We would've never seen each other and you deserve so much more. Like Hudson, for example. Can't you see that?" Jesse said softly, gently stroking my hair as I continued to cry.

I took a deep breath and looked up at him. "I'm sorry about your uncle."

He looked a little wistful for a moment and sighed. "I love you,"

To say I was shocked is an understatement, but I gave him a half-smile. "I love you, too. But I do understand your point. Maybe later on in our careers we'll be reunited dramatically on stage. But, I'm not sure if now is the right time."

Jesse nodded and smiled down at me. "That day will come, though. Until then, my love."

And then Jesse St. James kissed me softly yet passionately on the lips and took his leave from my life. But I realized it would only be temporary. Because if I knew anything about this show I called my life I knew that Jesse would be a main character.

One day.