A/N: Yay! New chapter! I really don't have much to say here. All of the basic character information is in the author's note from the previous chapter, and I guess that's all there is to it. I really hope you guys enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Also, thanks for the reviews, story alerts, and favorites. They mean a lot.

Same disclaimers; same warnings

"You know, I'm trying to get the period legally removed from my last name, considering its sheer unimportance and stupidity," professed Jesse and he and Rachel walked to homeroom two days later. "Plus, it makes me look like some sort of privileged moron when I sign my name and such."

"Fascinating." Rachel looked up and nodded at her friend intriguingly. "I heard some girls whispering about you in the locker room yesterday before gym class…"

Jesse raised an eyebrow as he sipped from the mug of coffee in his hand, motioning Rachel to continue.

"Yeah, they said something about you changing your last name to St. Faggot…"

"Is that so?"

Rachel opened her mouth to speak, but stopped herself upon seeing the slight look of despair crossing Jesse's perfect facial features. "Without the period, of course," she muttered in an attempt to keep the conversation moving along. "They're obviously just jealous of your talent."

"Well, of course. Everyone in this filthy little town is," he replied, letting his gaze follow a random freshman, who just nodded in agreement before running away from the pair out of fear. "You must tell me, though, who were these girls? I could use a good laugh."

"Oh, I don't know. Brittany Pierce, I suppose."

"Brittany Pierce from Glee Club? Well, that makes it all the better, considering her lack of knowledge concerning anything besides cheerleading."

Rachel bit her lip and shook her head as Jesse spoke.

"Wait a minute, Brittany Pierce…the cheerleader. Is she friends with Quinn Fabray?"

"I doubt it. I mean, yeah, they're on the cheerleading squad together, but I doubt they even associate with each other. Why?"

"Hm, are you friends with Quinn Fabray?"

Rachel pushed the hair out of her face, replying, "Just barely. I try to be nice to her at the lunch table and in pottery class, but we just don't have much in common. Honestly, I feel bad for her, although I try not to be seen with her too much."

Jesse nodded, looking ahead. "I plan on making a romantic gesture towards her."

Rachel let out a weak chuckle. "…In an attempt to sabotage Finn Hudson? You know, I like your way of thinking."

"No."

Rachel looked confusedly at Jesse. "Uh…Sam Evans?"

"No."

"Then who?"

"Rachel, for once I am not looking to sabotage anyone."

"Oh? Then what do you plan on doing for Quinn Fabray?"

Jesse smiled dreamily. "Whatever it takes to win her over with my amazing talent and charming wit. I'll carve her name into all the campus trees if I must, much like Orlando and Rosalind from Shakespeare's As You Like It."

"And for what do you owe Quinn Fabray's company?"

"It's simple- I'm in love."

Rachel gaped up at her fellow lead soloist.

"Yes, it may be a naïve sort of love, also similar to poor Orlando's, and I don't know what exactly has come over me, but I'll do whatever it takes to get that girl in my arms."

"That's absurd," Rachel insisted. "Why, you need someone who can be the Elphaba to your Fiyero, the Ulla to your Leo, the Whatsername to your Johnny, the Mimi to your Rodger, the Wendla to your Melchior!"

"Yes, Rachel, and I truly believe that one day I can have that sort of epic romance with her."

Rachel sighed. It wasn't that she wanted Jesse or anything, but she was afraid of losing her friend to a new love interest. Rachel could have almost any guy in school within seconds, and honestly couldn't see herself dating somebody as similar to her as Jesse. But, of course, to Rachel, everything had to be dramatic. Like, what if Jesse fawning over some girl made him lost interest in show choir and Glee Club? Jesse's happiness could surely destroy the dynamics of the whole club, without a doubt! And then it hit her…

"Glee Club. Jesse, don't you see? You have to get her to join New Directions!"

"I…Really? You think?" he asked, absurdly nervous.

"Yes, yes, yes! And, speaking of which, look who it is!" Rachel pointed to Noah Puckerman as they passed him by in the hall.

"Noah!" Jesse called out. "I mean, uh, Puck. Have you decided about Glee Club yet?"

Puck approached them with a blissful smile plastered hard onto his face, because two of the most popular kids in school, one being a senior, had enough interest in him to start up a real conversation. "Actually, I already talked to Mr. Schuester about it, and my audition is today during sixth period."

Jesse raised an eyebrow and smiled at the newbie. "I'm very proud of you, and now I suppose we'll have something real to discuss over the unnatural lunch at the table?"

"Yeah, definitely."

Without bothering with a proper parting, Jesse turned his body to continue on to homeroom, linking his arm with Rachel's for the rest of the walk.

At that moment the late bell rung throughout the hallway. Puck's smile grew wider than ever, because being late meant he had somebody to stop and chat with in the hallway. Sure, he had just gained himself his first detention, but it was well worth it to him.

~x~

Sixth period approached faster than ever. Puck was pleased for quite a few reasons. For one, he got to miss his gym class for this audition- Mr. Schuester signed him a note, and everything was settled. He walked into the unfamiliar choir room, examining the foreign territory. He walked up to his Spanish teacher, guitar in hand, all ready for his audition, until he began listening to the sound of the other students' voices.

"No, just no," Jesse started, speaking very sternly to Mr. Schue. "I simply won't stand for this." Rachel was at his side, as always, protesting along with him.

"Mr. Schue, is this some sort of joke?" Kurt Hummel walked right up to Puck, looking him straight in the eye. "Glee Club is my safe zone, and adding such poison to the group would just negatively affect us all."

"Oh, please. You've got to be freaking kidding me," Finn responded. "Kurt, Puck's done nothing to you in the past."

The overwhelmed teacher chimed in, "Actually, Kurt, I have to agree with Finn on this one. Everyone who has auditioned for this club has gotten in; to stop that now would just be unfair."

Kurt went back to his seat, crossing his arms as Brittany put an 'understanding' hand on his shoulder.

"That still doesn't solve my problem," Jesse continued, following his teacher around the room until he got a good response. "Please, Mr. Schue, I beg of you."

"Jesse, what is it that you're asking, exactly? Your question seems pointless," Will finally responded.

"My proposal is far from pointless. I just don't see it fit to hold an audition without me. Now, just hear me out. I'm merely suggesting that I be present while Mr. Puckerman sings his song."

Will sighed loudly. "You know what, fine. Jesse, you can stay. Everybody else, wait in the hall while Puck sings his song."

The students began piling out of the room, apart from Santana Lopez and Sam Evans, who had to be mauled off each other from their making out.

Puck looked nervously around the now-empty room before beginning to strum away at his guitar. He let himself pluck away and get lost in the music for three minutes. As he watched his teacher nod in approval and Jesse scribble down notes while his singing, Puck was happier than ever.

Before he knew it, the rest of the members were back in the room congratulating him.

Finn patted him on the back, saying, "See? I told you it would be great!"

Rachel walked up to him and said, "Welcome to the New Directions."

And at that moment, Noah Puckerman finally felt like he had a place to belong.