RACHEL POV

I shouldn't have fallen for the boy in the music store.

I shouldn't have been charmed by his face, his eyes, his voice.

I shouldn't have ignored the rest of New Directions when they told me he was playing me.

But I did all of those things, and look where that got me.

Sitting alone by the pond, crying for one Jesse St James.

Now all I can do is wonder, did he ever really love me?

JESSE POV

With regionals approaching, Shelby was pushing us extra hard. Everyone else assumed it was because she didn't want to lose a fourth consecutive national title, but I saw through her poker face.

She was mourning the seperation of her and her rightful daughter. I was mad because she made me break her daughters heart just to tell her she didn't want to know her, and walk away.

VA was sure we were going to kick ass at regionals. But this year, I wasn't as certain.

And that worried me. If there was one thing Jesse St James was sure about, it was winning. But I had seen what went on inside the halls of McKinley, and I knew that New Directions were a pretty tight group. They lacked vocal coaching and a the expertise of Dakota Stanley, but VA lacked heart.

I pushed myself at reahersals, but at home I felt empty. Alone. I had nothing to do outside of Carmel High anymore. My weekends were usually spent with Rachel.

Rachel. Could our relationship ever be fixed?

I even had nightmares about the egging. The look on her face when I cracked the egg on her forehead. The broken look in her eyes.

My insides had seemed to rip open, as I had said goodbye to the only girl I had ever really loved.

RACHEL POV

Don't stop believing

Hold on to that feeling

I sang my heart out to the audience. This was regionals, we couldn't lose... I wouldn't be able to face any one of those stupid robots from Carmel.

I usually had alot of critisism for my fellow glee clubbers, but even BRITTANY was putting on her best performance.

The song finished and we continued to the next song.

I started singing.

Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars

I could really use a wish right now wish right now wish right now

Then the other girls started sing background.

Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars

I could really use a wish right now wish right now wish right now

Artie, Puck, and Matt were sharing the rap. Finn couldn't, because he could TOTALLY not rap.

Yeah, I could use a dream or a genie or a wish

To go back to a place much simpler than this

Cause after all the partyin' and smashin' and crashin'

And all the glitz and the glam and the fashion

And all the pandemonium and all the madness

There comes a time when you fade to the blackness

And when you starin' at that phone in your lap

And you hoping but them people never call you back

Artie finished and Puck took over. After a few more lines, it was my turn again, and Quinn and Mercedes joined in with me.

Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars

I could really use a wish right now wish right now wish right now

Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars

I could really use a wish right now wish right now wish right now

We continued to sing and then the song finished. Just one more to go now.

Oh, oh, oh

Oh, oh, oh

You were in college, working part-time, waiting tables

Left a small town and never looked back

I was a flight risk, afraid of fallin'

Wondering why we bother with love, if it never lasts

I say, "Can you believe it?"

As we're lyin' on the couch

The moment, I can see it

Yes, yes, I can see it now

I never thought Mr Schue would pick Taylor Swift, and more importantly, I never thought the males would agree to sing it. I have to admit, I usually prefer Broadway, but Taylor's songs seem to have meaning. I can think of a few that PERFECTLY describes the Jesse fiasco.

We were nearing the end now...

And I remember that fight, two-thirty AM

You said everything was slipping right out of our hands

I ran out, crying, and you followed me out into the street

Braced myself for the goodbye, cause that's all I've ever known

Then, you took me by surprise

You said, "I'll never leave you alone."

You said, "I remember how we felt, sitting by the water.

And every time I look at you, it's like the first time.

I fell in love with a careless man's careful daughter.

She is the best thing that's ever been mine."

You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter

You are the best thing that's ever been mine

Do you believe it?

We're gonna make it now

And I can see it

I belted out the last line.

I can see it now.

We were surely going to place. The audience erupted with applause and I found myself being crushed to death in a hug from NOAH PUCKERMAN. Seriously? Oh well, maybe he's changed his ways...

And then again, maybe not, I thought as I watched him walk into the hallway, and punch a very familiar looking boy in the guts.

JESSE POV

I was watching New Directions perform, but I couldn't take my eyes of Rachel the whole time. She looked stunning, wearing a sparkly white dress with a big blue sash around the middle, and her hair down but with glittery blue hair clips pinning back her dark curls.

I had never seen a girl I found more beautiful, and I doubted I ever would.

Their performance - it was pretty amazing - ended and I ran out backstage. I HAD to see her.

As I was nearing the door out on to the stage, I could her the laughter of Rachel and Quinn. I was nearly there...

But then someone stepped in front of me, wearing white pants and a light blue top with a white tie, blocking my path.

"Puck." I said pleasantly. "How nice to see you again."

His fist crashed down on my body, knocking me to the ground.