A/N: Sorry! I got carried away writing future chapters and almost forgot to post this week's. My bad! There's a little bit of nearly everybody in this chapter.
Chapter Four
Heading off campus Wednesday afternoon, Kurt encountered Carmen Tibideaux just arriving, and he stopped to greet her.
"Welcome back, Madame Tibideaux! Are all the NYADA auditions finished then?"
"Yes, Mr. Hummel, they are, and I must say it is a pleasure to return home and sleep in my own bed again. Are you in a rush to be somewhere? Or can you find the time to escort me back to my office and fill me in on Rachel's news? I expect she has been somewhat airborne since she got the role." Carmen remarked wryly.
"Yes, you could say that." Kurt immediately relieved Carmen of her briefcase and turned to accompany her back to her office. "But she's managed to come down from Cloud 11 to about Cloud 9." He exchanged a grin of mutual understanding with the Dean.
"And rehearsals are going well?"
"Everything has been going well, although there is a major casting change this week."
"Really?" The Dean stopped suddenly in surprise. "What's happened?"
"The actor who was playing Melchior was cast in a movie and he's leaving sooner than expected. So they've recast that role."
"Well, well, well. And who have they cast? Anyone from NYADA or its alumni? Or have they decided to stunt cast as so many productions seem to resort to these days?" It was quite evident from the contempt in her voice that she had little use for stunt casting.
"No, not stunt casting or anyone from NYADA. He's not likely anyone you'd know, although like Rachel, he is from Ohio and a former show choir champion. His name is Jesse St. James."
"Jesse St. James. Jesse St. James. Ah yes, I remember Mr. St. James!"
"You do?" It was Kurt's turn to abruptly stop in surprise.
"Yes, he auditioned for NYADA one year. A gifted young man, but that's not what I remember most about him."
"No?" Kurt waited in eager anticipation to hear Carmen's estimation of Jesse's less likeable qualities; the Dean was not one to pull any punches.
"What I remember best is when he approached me at Nationals, the year your show choir won. I had just heard Rachel and your team perform and I was on my way out when he stopped me. I was certain that he had come to plead his case for an audition, but no, that wasn't it at all. I can still recall his words to me. He said 'Rachel's the most talented person I've ever met, bar none. If anyone's going to be a star one day, it's her.' Then he promised me that I would never regret accepting her for NYADA."
"Wait. St. James said that? Did that? For Rachel even though his choir was competing against ours?"
"Yes. It was a very altruistic thing to do. I don't see that happen too often in the competitive world of The Arts. And it turns out, he was right about Rachel. I must say, I'm glad to hear that he's landed a good role. His talent and passion for performing should take him far if he's given the right opportunities. He'll be an excellent match for Rachel in the production; his abilities were being wasted as a show choir director. I must drop by a rehearsal later this week and see how they are progressing."
"I'd like to see that too." Kurt muttered to himself, while still mulling over Carmen's surprising words. Could it be that he had misjudged Jesse to some extent?
Madame Tibideaux's ever sharp hearing had picked up Kurt's words. "Well then, why don't you escort me to rehearsal on Friday? But let's not inform Ms. Berry, she needs to concentrate as she adjusts to the recent changes."
"I'd be delighted to escort you." Kurt then placed his hand over his heart in a dramatic fashion. "And I swear my lips are sealed."
Dean Tibideaux unlocked her office door and ushered Kurt in."Wonderful. That's settled. I'll contact the director and arrange for us to watch unobtrusively. Then, after that's finalized I will notify your other teachers you are on special assignment. Now, let me just start the coffee and you can fill me in on what else has been happening at NYADA in my absence. Your accounts are always so much more interesting than that of my colleagues."
XXX
Since Spring Awakening was one of Jesse's favorite musicals, he had the songs and the dialogue memorized long before his audition. Because of that, rehearsal time had quickly moved into his learning the blocking of the scenes and run throughs with various cast members as they were available.
He tried very hard to maintain a strictly professional demeanor around Rachel when rehearsing any scenes with her; treating her as he would any other actor that he had no previous personal history with. Neither one mentioned their previous relationship, they just concentrated on the parts they had to play. He was exceedingly thankful for this. If they could continue in this manner then the two most difficult scenes (they had yet to tackle those) would be manageable.
He was intently watching Rachel practice "Mother Who Bore Me," when Jeffrey wandered over to watch with him.
"She's terrific, isn't she?" Jeffrey murmured.
"Yes, she's a star." Jesse agreed without hesitation.
"Well, not quite yet, but on her way to stardom for sure. Just like you."
Jesse turned to look at Jeffrey and raised an eyebrow. "She has an extraordinary voice; I'm very good, but not that good. Why the flattery? Shouldn't you hate me for getting the role you wanted?"
"I'd hate you if you were someone who didn't deserve the part, but I respect talent and you've got plenty. Don't sell yourself short. Although you might not have the vocal capabilities of Rachel, you are a better actor and dancer than she is." Jeffrey grinned cheekily. "And no I'm not just saying that as a pick up line, I'm pretty certain you don't bat for my team, do you?"
Jesse smirked. "Nope, not even the mixed league."
"Pity," Jeffrey heaved a sigh of disappointment - one which was only slightly exaggerated. "I was afraid you'd say that, but it doesn't hurt to ask. You are rather a loner though aren't you?"
"Some would say so."
"You should join Rachel and me for lunch. Get to know us better; we don't bite."
Jesse gave a brief, harsh laugh. "I appreciate the thought, Jeffrey but I'm pretty sure Rachel's boyfriend would be very unhappy to discover I was socializing with her. In fact, you just might get a chance to play Melchior if I did." And with that cryptic comment Jesse strolled away.
xxx
Rachel had understood that the first few days for Jesse would be intense and exhausting. So at first, when he spent a great deal of time discussing technical matters with cast and crew (if he wasn't running lines) she wasn't perturbed that they didn't have much interaction. But it was now Wednesday and in a day or so they would begin rehearsing their two most difficult scenes. Rachel was feeling an increasing need to reconnect with Jesse. Surely it would make the scenes less awkward if they spent some time together and got caught up on each other's lives? Deciding it was up to her to make the first move, she approached him the instant his rehearsal ended for the day.
"Jesse. Do you want to go for coffee or maybe dinner tonight? We haven't really had any time to talk."
Jesse wondered if the fates were conspiring against him today. First Jeffrey and now Rachel seemed intent on having him socialize with her. But it would only make it more difficult for him to sustain an emotional distance. Fortunately, he had an excellent excuse to give Rachel, one that she couldn't overcome. With an outward air of calmness he finished putting away his towel and water bottle, then replied. "I'm sorry Rachel, but I have to get to my job. My shift starts in half an hour."
"Job?" Rachel was taken aback. "You're working?"
"Yes, Rachel, I'm working. My parents weren't exactly happy with me when I flunked out of UCLA. I took the coaching job at Carmel, not just because I wanted Vocal Adrenaline to stay on top but also because I needed that job. When we lost to New Directions, my job at Carmel was terminated. I had nothing left to lose so I came to New York to try to make it. Since I'm not exactly qualified to do much that doesn't involve singing, dancing or acting, I'm a waiter. The job allows me to work around my acting gigs and rehearsals."
Rachel didn't know what to say. Jesse had always seemed to have it all. He had the looks, the talent, the rich parents, and the prestige of being a four time show choir champion. In many ways he had been her idol. It bothered her immensely to think that he hadn't been exaggerating at Nationals when he'd told her about the pressure he was under to make Vocal Adrenaline a winning team again.
"You needn't be sad Rachel; I don't need your pity. I'm not living on the street yet." Jesse smiled but there was no mirth in his voice. "I have to pay for my own living expenses and the utilities I use, but my parents are allowing me to live in their New York apartment for one more year. Now, I don't mean to be rude, but I really have to get going. I'll see you tomorrow at rehearsals."
Rachel nodded and watched with troubled eyes as Jesse walked away. It was even more vital now that their debut was successful. It would affect his future even more than hers.
