I stood in front of playhouse square in downtown Cleveland waiting for some mystery guest to accompany me. It took a lot of reassuring my dad's that it was safe and that I did have my rape whistle on me at all times. It was Independence Day today. I woke up feeling something was off, but I had no idea what. I went downstairs and my dad said something had come for me. I opened it and it was a note and a ticket to see wicked on tour at playhouse square. The note just said that I knew this person but they wanted to keep a surprise, so after I reassured my daddies I set off to playhouse square. I stood watching the cars go by, It was cold even for July, I tugged my jacket tighter on me trying to warm up.
I liked to show up a little early to everything, I checked my phone and saw i had about two minutes until the person was supposed to meet me right in front here. I closed my eyes and listened to the cars go by. "Happy Independence day" I opened my eyes and turned to see him. Him, the boy who broke my heart and disregarded me as nothing. And went on to win regionals, the one thing I wanted more than anything. I looked at him; He had a leather jacket on with black pants and another shirt with German words on it. His hair was longer but still the same. I thought of all the sleepless nights I stayed up crying over him, wishing he never was born. Wishing he lost his ability to talk or sing every again. And I was overwhelmed with wanting to make him see what he lost.
"Shall we?" he asked waving his hand over towards the entrance. "Of course" I told him as we walked in together. The usher took our tickets and handed back the stubs. We had exact center seats, in the middle. I settle down into my seat next to Jesse. "I'm actually surprised you showed up" he admitted looking over at me. "Why?" I asked smiling knowing exactly why he would think that. "Well after last year, I kind of thought, never mind" he said awkwardly. "Oh the egging, that was a shame egg is hard to get out of hair" I told him as he flinched a little.
"Well the show was wonderful" I smiled as we walked out. "Yeah but you would have done better" he smiled. "Well thank you, I better start heading home" I told him, he looked left and then right. "How about we go out to dinner? Now" he specified. "Well I guess, I could as long as it's vegan friendly" I smiled. "Perfect let's go"
"The chop house mh never heard of it" I told him as we opened up our menus. "My uncle took me here a couple of times" he said. "Aw look at the little girl and her care bear, it's like the one I won you" I smiled at the little girl and she smiled and ran away. I looked up at Jesse who was looking at me like I was a ghost. "What's wrong?" I asked him. "How are you taking last year so lightly? You told me the heartbreak I made you go threw was the kind girls like you hold on to forever and now you're making jokes about it?" he asked quizzically. "Why not? It's not any of it was real aren't I correct?" I asked him.
"Rachel Barbra berry, you know it was real and I know this is an act because even though its brilliant I know you, I know how you are and after this you will go home and sing your feelings out because I know you. I also know I hate myself for what I did to you and what I put you threw because I regret every minute of it and would chose love over my career now, because I know how it feels to see the one person you love break" he whispered the last part out quietly.
"I just thought I could make you see what you were missing" I laughed stupidly at myself. "I know what I'm missing, hopefully Finn knows what he has" he smiled, I looked off awkwardly. "Finn and I aren't together" I told him. "Really, regionals you two seemed pretty- you know" he finished looking down awkwardly. "Yeah, found out about him and Santana last year and I kissed puck and a whole mess started and he's with Quinn now" I scoffed at her name. "Rachel I'm sorry truly" he said reaching across the table to take my hand, I didn't object. "No you're not, I'm single and on the market" I laughed. "True there is that plus, but I don't appreciate anyone else hurting you." He told me rubbing circles on my hand.
"You know just because you took me to a show and dinner doesn't mean this was any sort of date, and or grope market" I smirked as we stood outside the restaurant front. He threw his head back and laughed. "God I missed you" he smiled "People tend to" I laughed. "I could imagine that easily, why don't I walk you back to your car so you don't have to use your rape whistle, because it's nearly midnight on a Sunday night and some creeps lurk around here" he smiled. "You may escort me to my vehicle .james" I laughed as he looped his arm threw mine and we started walking.
"Looks like I didn't get raped" I smiled standing by my car. "I would have saved the damsel in distress" he smirked. "Please you would have a miva off" I laughed. "True" he smiled. "Well I probably should get home, my dad's will get worried" I sighed. "You're their little girl, and maybe you could be my-"he stopped as our noses touched. Our eyes locked and my breath was hitched in my throat. "I'll um see you around" I whispered as I ducked out and into my car behind me.
A year later
I sat behind a desk next to the producer of the show. "There wasn't one, you thought was good and you could find a connection to?" dean asked flipping through papers. "Not one, I mean they sing ok but I would block their voice out, don't we have anymore auditions?" I asked worried we wouldn't find someone to play opposite to me. "There's one left, she's a senior is high school though. Minds well can't hurt" he sighed. I leaned back into my chair and closed my eyes.
I waited for the mediocre singing to start, on my own from les mis came on. Great butcher a classic. I reached over and took a sip out of my water bottle. The girl started and I almost spit out my water on the table. I looked up, and there she was singing. I smiled as I watched her. She hadn't changed at all. Her sweater and plaid skirts and her big brown eyes.
"Thank you we'll get back to you" dean told her as she smiled and walked off stage. He turned to me. "She's good" he said. "Her, She's my opposite" I told him and I meant it in more ways than one.
Rachel
I smiled as I opened the stage door. I got the part of Sandy in grease. I still didn't know who was playing Danny. They might have told me but I was overwhelmed that I got it and I was rushing to get ready. I smiled as I walked on stage. "Ok Can someone find out if Rachel showed up yet?" someone asked. I hurried my walk onto the stage. "I'm here" I smiled. "Perfect, wonderful. I'm dean the producer of the show" he smiled. "Nice to meet you" I smiled. "And Our Danny, Come on!" he yelled waving his hand around. "Is Mr. Jesse St. James"
I watched as he walked onto the stage. "So why don't you two get to know each other" dean told us. "We've met" I smiled. "Oh when?" he asked curiously. "We knew each other in high school" I told him. "Hope there's no hard feelings because I don't care whether you two want to kill each other make it work for the show" he told us.
"I sat across from him, just twiddling my thumbs. "So you take me to a show and dinner, and never call?" I asked still looking at my thumbs. "I didn't think you wanted me to" he told me. "Well, either way you still should have called" I told him. "I should have just thought I should give you some space" he said. "Like a year of space?" I asked sarcastically. "Well no more like day, but something happened and I had to go back to UCLA" he told me. I scoffed when he said UCLA, the scholarship that stood between our relationships.
"Ok take five and next time try not to look like you want to strangle him" dean cried out leaning back into his chair. "I wear my heart on my sleeve unlike some people" I told him putting my hands on my hips and walking off stage. "What's that supposed to mean?" Jesse asked coming up behind me. "Whatever you would enjoy it to mean" I smirked, tying my hair back. "Look, you know I'm sorry about what happened what two years ago now? Just please forgive me for the whole entire silly argument and lets rehearse?" he asked. I looked up at him. "Silly argument? How dare you!" I screamed at him and quickly took the lid off my water bottle and tossed it onto him. "Have a great show" I told him taking my bag and walking out.
I got home after school and went to my room. I decided to make playlists for my iPod, with songs we did in glee club. My phone started to go off. "Hello this is Rachel berry" I answered. "Rachel, we need you back" I scoffed at him. "Really? How interesting. Grease not going well I see?" I asked. "The girl is horrid she butchered summer loving and hopelessly devoted to you in ten minutes. Please just come back for the sake of the show" he begged. I laughed. "No, always taking me for granted until I'm gone seems to be your thing Jesse. Enjoy the mess you made" I told him and hung up.
I finished up with iTunes and happily went downstairs. My dads were gone for two days so I had the house to myself. The doorbell rang and I went and opened it. My smile fell, "What are you doing here?" I asked him crossing my arms. "We need you, I need you listen to this" he said holding his phone up as a screeching noise came out. I reached over and shut the phone ending the noise. "Why don't we grow up and deal with the consequences of our own actions" I told him. "Rachel, I love you" he said.
"Really pulling the last resort card? Telling me you love me? I'm not the girl who cracked an egg on, I'm wiser and I now not to trust someone such as yourself begging at my doorstep to come be in a show and telling me he lov-" I was cut off by him pulling me towards him and forcing his lips on mine. I struggled at first, but it kind of felt like I was home. I decided against that and pushed him until I could get him off. "Believe me now?" he asked. "No, and be thankful I don't have another bottle of water on me. Goodnight"
I woke up to the sound of my phone going off. I rubbed my eyes and picked it up. My voicemail box was now full and I had a feeling I knew who it was full of. My suspensions were proved very right. I listened to all fifteen of them which all consisted of; I need you, I do love you, I'm sorry, we can't do this without you, and look out your window. I scrunched up my eyebrow and sat for second until I walked over to my bedroom window and opened up my curtain. I stared at him in disbelief. He was suited up in full Danny costume. Even the hair. I opened up my window. "What are you doing?" I asked him. "Trying to get my sandy" he replied with a smirk. "You look-"he cut me off. "Hot, sexy, handsome, rebel, Daredevil?" he asked. "I was going to say stupid, but sure" I told him. "I know you have a sandy costume you could easily put on and join me in" he smirked.
I shut my window and went down the stairs and out the front door. "Will I have to call the police for trespassing?" I asked him as I cut across the front lawn. "You wouldn't, you love me" he smiled. "Arrogant as ever huh?" I asked him. "Of course" he said looking at me grinning. "What are you staring at?" I asked him crossing my arms over myself. "You look adorable in your little heart pajamas and braids" he smiled. "Well thank you, but you seriously should leave" I told him. "Please, don't come back for me. You can still hate me with a burning passion but Rachel please come back for the show that girl is an abomination of so many sorts. The show needs you." He pleads. "why should I Jesse? Really I'm sure the girl is just fine that recording in just a bad interpretation of her" I told him
"How many recordings will have to make you listen to, to believe she's horrid? The show needs you. It's literally dying at your feet. Come back for it" he told me. "Fine, but I still hate you" I told him. "Good, won't last for long but good, I'll be waiting we'll go back together" he told me. "Fine but I'm taking as long as I want" I told him. "Wouldn't expect any less"
"Oh gee Traci, Please you're getting pitchy" I heard as Jesse opened the stage door for me. "Being a star in training I will make this entrance one to remember" I quietly told him as traci started up on hopelessly devoted. I waited on the side of the stage and took over the song "I'm not the first to know, there's just no gettin' over you Hello, I'm just a fool who's willing to sit around and wait for you But baby can't you see, there's nothin' else for me to do I'm hopelessly devoted to you" I ended the song and looked over at traci. "Your services here are no longer needed, and I'm sure they weren't exactly wanted. But hey that's show business, bye" I smiled. I watched as the girl stood there and then just walked off. "Thank the lord, Rachel I love you" dean smiled. "Thank you" I gushed.
"Did you already tell them you came and got me to get a pat on the head from dean?" I asked him as tied up my jazz shoes. "No, I'm not that shallow Rachel" he told me. "No,? Last time I check you were" I told him. "I know you keep talking about how you've matured and all, but so have i. I've learned from mistakes rach. I willing to fix them if you'll let me" he told me coming up behind me. "No, no ,no, no! I will never date you Jesse. Plus I don't fall for co-stars and that will come in handy when I do my endless Broadway shows"
"Rachel! Rach sweetie come here we need you for costume fitting" dean waved for me to come over. I got up and went over to him. "Ok this is April and she's the costume designer so just go with her" he told as the short blonde turned around. "Hey! You one of will's kids. You're a fruit right?" she asked smiling. "My names Rachel berry if that's what you meant" I told her. She laughed. "Ok I got her dean! Come on pumpkin" she smiled taking my hand.
"Come on I don't bite" she smiled holding out a tape measure. "Honey I am so glad you came back because that Traci girl was getting bad, I was about to volunteer for sandy" she told me. "You would have been better than whatever she was attempting to do" I told her as she held a skirt against me. "I know! It's crazy but how about that Jesse kid" she nudged me. "What about him?' I asked her. "I think i saw him once there when I sang home wasn't he?" she asked me. "Yes I believe he was" I told her. "You two are so cute together I just wanna lock ya in my basement and keep you forever" she laughed while I chimed in with some uncomfortable laughter.
Jesse
"Ok I'm done with her send Jesse in!" I turned my head to see Rachel walking out and a blonde women waving to me, I knew her. What was her name? April Rhodes that's it. I walked over and smiled. "Good to see you again April" I told her. "Well you were at McKinney then! Come on we have measuring to do" she told me taking my hand.
"You'll look just jazzy in all these" she told me. "Thank you" I smiled. "So Rachel eh?" she asked me smiling. "What about her?" I asked thinking she knew something I didn't. "Do you like her? You two are just so cute" she exclaimed. "Yes I like her, Why wouldn't i?" I asked her. "No reason honey just asking! Someone is defensive!" she laughed. "Are we done here?" I asked her eager to leave. "Sit down pretty boy I aint even started" she told me taking out measuring tapes and more.
"Are you sure you're not Will's son?" she asked me. "I am not 's son" I confirmed to her. She burst out in another rage of laughter. I leaned back and noticed a bottle of something on the table behind her. That's right she was drunk most of the time. "April are you drunk?" I asked her. "I think the real question is when I'm not drunk cutie" she laughed. "Here let me pin this together really fast" she said, "uh no I think you shouldn't be with sharp objects while your drunk why don't you just lay down?" I offered her. "Fine by me go do show bizz hot stuff" she laughed as I slid out of the room.
"Ok and frenchie come in" dean waved at the girl who was playing frenchie. I watched Rachel as she waited for the girl to hit her mark so she could carry on. to be honest I mainly watched Rachel. "Ok frenchie re-read your lines and get them perfect. Break everyone!" he yelled. I watched as Rachel got up and walked towards me. "Having fun watching me?" she asked. "Very. Guessing I was as secretive as I thought" I told her. "You were like a beacon" she corrected me. "Was April drunk when she fitted you?" I asked her trying to strike up some small talk. "A little but not a lot why?" she asked. "She was full on drunk when I went on and she was convinced I was son" I laughed. "You do look alike, I mean the hair and the vests" she smiled pulling my vest I currently had one. "Whatever you think" I told her as I reached over for the bottle of water I'd set on the table earlier.
Rachel
"And five six seven and eight and one two three and four go up then down keep it going and pause" I had all of the steps down the first and second time we rehearsed them. But everyone else couldn't catch on. "Ok don't look so robotic loosen up!" dean told them. "We shouldn't even have to go through this we already know all these steps by heart since we've been three" I told Jesse. "It's true we shouldn't but hey that's show bizz" he smirked quoting my line from earlier. "You think so slick with your hair and your iconic bad boy image don't you? You think you can just waltz in and make everyone's panties drop, don't cha?" I asked him. "Well that would be my charm yes." He nodded. "But I'm not everyone, if you hadn't already noticed" I told him placing my hand on my hip. "Oh I noticed the first time I saw you in the music store, and your adorable little bow sweater" he smirked placing on hand on the table next to him. "And I remember your arrogance in you black jacket and dog tag around your neck" I told him smiling.
"Are we really going to discuss every outfit each other's worn?" he asked me. "No, because all your clothes are the same and that would be a colossal waste of my time" I retorted at him. "Well then" he said clasping his hands on the table. "I'll just be going, get out of your that's not as luscious as mine" he smirked as he pushed in his chair. "You shouldn't care about looks that much, it gives the wrong impression" I told him. Mashing my lips together to form a flat line. "Like what?" he asked almost challenging me now. "You know exactly what" I told him standing up and crossing my arms
"Oh I do?" he asked. "Yeah you do, because your jesses James" I told him stabbing my finger at his chest. "And your Rachel berry, and these lines have been used before by us and a little less vulgar is I must say so" he told me. "Why can't we ever just get along? Oh I know your ego won't allow it" I told him. "My ego won't allow it? Rachel you won't allow it. And I don't why your so against us getting along. I am not some kind of he-devil out to get you" he told me as I reached the door handle to leave. "Yes you are and we both know it"
I had to admit this walk out wasn't as dramatic as the last I didn't have a water bottle on me but it was fine. I decided to ignore any calls from him and every other form of communication. My phone rang and I ignored it. I didn't want to talk to anyone. I remember what Jesse said as is stormed out that it wasn't his ego it was me. And to be honest it was me. I didn't want anything to do with him, because I know how it ends. It ends up me crying and broken again.
I looked over at my clock that read it was nearly midnight. I sighed as my phone rang again just for kicks I looked at the screen and it wasn't him. it was the callback number that I got when I was told I got the part. I picked it up because honestly it could only be dean.
"Hello Rachel berry here"
"Rachel, I've been trying to contact all day why the hell won't you pick up?
"Wow, stealing people's phones already class act eh?"
"It's the theater's main call back phone; I figured you would pick up"
"Are we done here because I really need to sleep Jesse"
"I just have one question and I'll let you go to sleep"
"Fine what?"
"Why are you so against us getting along?"
"Because once we get along, there's no stopping either of us from each other, because let's face it we will never be able to just be friends Jesse. We have too many emotions for each other good or bad and I'd rather just stay enemies for now"
Jesse
It all just made too much sense now. There was never a friendship faze with us. We were too in sync with each other. Friendship wouldn't last long at all. And like she said we do have too much feeling for each other. It all clicked. She knows there isn't a friendship step for us. And she doesn't want that. She does she truly hate me? I said I'd leave her to sleep, I never said I wouldn't bother her ever again did i?
I waited until two. It was neutral enough. It was summer and I figured she could either be practicing her skills, or watching her endless collection of musicals. I slipped into the theater's office. "Hello Claire mind if I use the phone?" I asked the elderly women at the desk. "Not at all go ahead" she told waving her hand to the phone. "Thank you" I smiled walking over to the phone that was hanging on the wall.
"Hello this is Rachel berry"
"It makes so much sense I don't know how I didn't figure it out myself"
"I thought you said you would leave me alone Jesse"
"I said I would let you sleep never said leave you alone, that would be a promise I wouldn't be able to keep"
"Like you kept the others"
"Rachel, That situation was different. I was even more egoized than I am now and I thought I'd never fall in love with a girl who wore reindeer sweaters, but I did and I also discovered those sweaters are adorable. But I fell in love with you and it was too late, our future was already doomed"
"Don't you think I knew that? Don't you think I was amazed that someone like you, a senior, the lead of a different school wanted me? Everyone tried to tell me That was a trick, no one would ever in to me, and you came and Swept me up and I was glad shoving our relationship down their throats. But you know what. They were right all along. You weren't a spy no, but you did break my heart, more than Finn or puck ever would have"
"And why would that be?"
"Because I actually loved you"
I listened to the dial tone for a few moments before hanging the phone up. "Girl troubles?" I looked over at Claire. "More than you would ever know" I sighed. "Tell me I need some stories, my book club doesn't talk about nothing good" she smiled
"And I was on the phone with her and I asked why I was able to break her heart more than her other boyfriends and she told me it was because she actually loved me and then she hung up" I frowned running my hand threw my hair. "Sweetie, that story doesn't even seem real" she laughed. "Rachel and I had a thing for drama" I smiled. "You love her don't you?" the old women asked. "Yes, of course I do. She's the female version of me but with more heart, why wouldn't I love her?" I asked Claire. "No just asking look honey I have to go, but we can talk tomorrow what's your name?" she asked. "Jesse " I told her. "Well Jesse I'll see you tomorrow" she smiled before leaving the office room.
Rachel
"Dads I know I love my grandmother just as much as you do, but mashing her food up is just going to make her feel old and females never like aging or talking about age." I told them as they put her food into a blender. "She loves it! Don't worry Rachel" my dad smiled..
"Grandma Claire! Come in how nice to see you" I smiled giving her a hug. "Careful brittle bones, I'm kidding don't worry" she laughed. "Hi mom" daddy smiled peeking his head out of the kitchen. "Hello honey" she smiled walking over and giving him a hug. "Hi Hiram" she waved at my mother dad who was fixing up the food. "Hi Claire lovely to see you I would give you a hug but my hands are kind of messy" he smiled. "That's fine keep on cooking"
Dinner was a long event. Grandma Claire told endless stories and so did my dad's. "May I be excused I need to get ready for bed" I told my dad. "Sure honeys go right ahead" he told me. "Bye grandma, just in case I don't come back down" I smiled giving her a hug. "Night honey"
Jesse
It was around two again and I headed back into the office. "Good afternoon Claire" I smiled as I walked in. "Afternoon Jesse. How are you?" she asked. "Good and you?" I asked her. "Great, I had dinner with my son and his family last night, saw my granddaughter. It was fun" she smiled. "Well hat sounds wonderful can I use the phone again?" I asked her. She nodded and I went over to it.
"Hello this is Rachel berry"
"Hi I just wanted to say I hi I guess"
"Can I hang up now?"
"Rachel, please why can't we have a friend stage? We could pull it off. Unless you're doubting your own abilities"
"I can hear your arrogance through the phone Jesse."
"Just think about you've had guy friends, like puck"
"Puck mainly wanted to have sexual relations"
"Well bad example, ok what about artie your friends with him and its fine"
"We never talk, artie doesn't generally like me"
"Well screw examples, we can set our own"
"Jesse we will never work as friends, I told you there's too much emotions involved. It will never work"
"We can control those Rachel, we should at least try"
"No is no now if you'll excuse me hello dolly is on and I would hate to Miss Barbra"
I listened to the dial tone again then hung the phone up with a sigh. "You want to be friends?" I looked over at Claire. "Anything, I'm willing to be anything as long as I can be near her" I admitted. "What do you want to control, not that I was ease dropping or anything?" she smiled. "Emotions, she says there's too much emotion between us for us to ever work. But I need it to work" I told the old women. "This is one hell of a love story" she chuckled. "It seems so"
"Why don't you try to date other girls? Give a try I could put you on a blind date with my granddaughter, she loves all of this stuff, and she's very pretty" she smiled. "Ok, Can you have her meet me at The park, I think I'll do something picnic styled" I told her. "Ok I'll tell her"
Rachel
"You set me up on a blind date?" I asked my grandmother. "Sweetie, the boy is trying to clear his head of this girl, and I told him I could set him up a blind date with you" she told me. "Does he even like Broadway or musicals?" I asked her. "He loves it like you do" she told me. "is he fairly good looking?" I asked her. "Very very handsome" she told me. "Fine, but if it goes bad I'm blaming you" I teased her.
"Does this look ok?" I asked my grandmother who was sitting on my bed. "It looks great. I like the little duck on it" she smiled. "Thank you and where am I supposed to go?" I asked her. "The park" she told me. "Ok I guess I'll see you later"
I parked in the gravel lot and got out. I really hope grandma wasn't exaggerating any of this and it's Jacob or something. I walked up the path to the main area. I didn't see anyone, but I did notice him, sitting on a picnic blanket with a basket. "What are you doing here?" I asked him walking over. "I got set up on a blind date" he told me. I shut down. Please tell me there's another male around her that's my blind date. "By who?" I asked him. "Claire, she's a sweet old women at the theater" he told me." and also my grandmother" I sighed.
"You're my blind date?" he asked. "Looks that way, but I am not doing this" I told him turning on my heel to leave. He grabbed my arm. "Please, do it for your grandma. Do it for anyone" he told me. "Fine" I surrendered and sat down
"My grandmother has been giving you advice?" I asked him popping a grape into my mouth. He nodded. "Yes, she's also been eavesdropping on most of our conversation's we have on the phone in the main office there" he told me. "That is hilarious." I giggled. "It is I should have guessed it was your grandmother, you two seem to share a wardrobe" I hit him playfully. "Jesse!" I pretended to scold him. "It was there for the taking" he laughed. "Really then is this funny?" I asked ruffling his hair up. "Touching the hair? How about this?" he asked messing mine up. "Real mature" I teased him. "Nothing's more mature than a tickle fight" he smirked. "You wouldn't" I told him. "Oh I would" he grinned reaching over and tickling my sides.
"Stop, seriously, stop it tickles stop" I laughed as he hovered over me tickling me from every angle he knew. "Never" he smiled. As he kept tickling me. "I would tickle, you but I need to protect myself from your tickling" I laughed. "Really? Could it be a profession for me another thing I'm un-humanly good at" he teased. "No-"I said pushing his backwards reversing our positions. "Because I just reversed us" I smiled. We stayed like that, just breathing looking at each other. I felt his lips touch mine.
I forgot how good this felt. I deepened the kiss and draped my arm around his shoulders. I forgot how well of a kisser he actually was. And I forgot how in love with him I actually was. I wrapped my leg around his waist and pulled him down next to me. "I told you there is no friend stage with us" I whispered to him. "Honestly I could care less as long as I've got you" he smiled. "Cheesy but cute" I told him. "Is, are we?" he stuttered trying to find the right words to say. "It's on" I told him pushing him back down and kissing him again
Narrator
You may think that's the end of the story, but actually. It's just the beginning.