And that's all Rachel heard from Jesse from a while… except in her dreams… but they only occurred three times a week or so. Nothing to worry about – she was happy with her life as it was. She was back in the game.

Rachel arrived at the college two days before classes started again. Her farewell was sad… it was hard to leave everyone – Her dads, Shelby (and her new boyfriend Mr. Schue), Quinn, Puck, Beth (she saw Beth and Shelby quite frequently over those holidays), Artie, Tina, Mike, Mercedes, Brittany, not so much Santana, Kurt, Blaine, Carol and Burt (they came over for dinner quite a bit) and most of all FINN. She was pretty tearful at their farewell.

When she arrived in California the first thing she noticed was the water. She had been to California before, but she rather had missed the ocean.

She was boarding at the college and today she was going to meet her new roomie. When she arrived her roommate wasn't there yet but she learnt that her name was Marissa Lark. She was also a freshman and was apparently studying science.

Rachel took the top bunk and spread out her pink comforter. She was nearly finished settling in when Marissa arrived.

"Oh hello" Marissa said sounding friendly "I'm Marissa."

"I'm Rachel" Rachel said shaking her hand.

"Good I wanted the bottom bunk" Marissa said gesturing to the bed.

"Good" Rachel said with a small laugh

She liked Marissa already. She was tall, tan and had curly blonde hair. She was a native Californian, and loved surfing. But she was also a bit of a nerd. She listed Star Wars as her favorite movie. She seemed perfect and Rachel would have been intimidated by her if A) she wasn't so damn nice B) she was a singer. She claimed to be tone deaf and uncoordinated. She also liked country music so the girls decided not to get a radio but stick to their ipods.

In her first couple of weeks of college Rachel was in love. With the college, with her new friends, the opportunities she was offered. She wanted to sign up for everything – the Winter Musical, Vocal Ensemble, Dance Club… she was just so excited. Everything was perfect.

She and Marissa became close friends. They talked about everything – classes, boys, friends, family. Rachel told her all about Finn and she said that she was lucky to have him, which made Rachel consult her list again. Marissa didn't have a boyfriend which Rachel found surprising.

Life was great. Rachel even scored the part of Eponine in Les Miserables, the school production. A freshman getting such a big role was something that hadn't happened since Jesse St James had been at the school.

That was the one thing that Rachel could find fault in within the college. Everyone loved Jesse. He was always talked about. Every rehearsal the director gushed about him…

"I still find it so amazing that my favorite student Jesse St James at his young age managed to score a role in Grease! It's not a main role – but it's BROADWAY! And they say big things are coming from him! I bet you on his opening night he'll receive many more offers." He just went on and on till Rachel nearly exploded. "And he's from Ohio! Who would have guessed someone like him came from Ohio?"

"Aren't you from Ohio?" Marissa asked. She had come to bring Rachel coffee during one of their longer rehearsals.

"Yeah" Rachel admitted quietly

"A wonder you didn't meet him!" The director practically shouted

"I did" Rachel said simply. She instantly regretted it.

"You knew Jesse St James?" The lead Cossette said disbelievingly with a sneer "Sure"

"I did… my mom used to coach his glee club." Rachel continued

"That's right! Your mom's Shelby Corcoran!" The director agreed excitedly. Cossette rolled her eyes to mask her jealousy. She was in Jesse's year and she had a huge crush on him. Like all the girls in school.

She hadn't actually heard from Jesse himself but that wasn't his fault. Actually that was her mother's fault…

To understand this Reader we must momentarily take a step back to the infamous Graduation Party and the unrevealed events that transpired between Shelby and Jesse after the party…

"Shelby!" Jesse called stepping out from behind a bush out the front of the Berry household.

"Jesse! You scared me half to death!" Shelby cried nearly dropping a sleeping Beth. She had just finished waving off Puck and Quinn and Mr. Schuester. "What are you still doing here? In a bush…"

"Waiting for you, listen Shelby" He said pleadingly grasping her arm. "I love-"

"Don't you dare Jesse! Don't you dare!" Shelby said warningly

"What?" He asked sounding confused

"Don't you dare say you love Rachel I cannot handle this now!"

"Shelby I love-"

"Not another word" Shelby said firmly, and covered his mouth with her palm. "She doesn't need this and I certainly don't! Jesse I let Rachel go, then I tried to get her back. But I went the wrong way about it and not only did I lose what I thought was my only chance at having a daughter but I inadvertadely broke her heart." Jesse looked away "Then I got Beth and now I have to learn to share her and I empathize with Quinn and I want to give her this chance but she wants to talk about joint custody and it's just too much Jesse! And I think I might have feelings for Will and now you telling me your in love with my other daughter that I only just managed to form some sort of a relationship with!" Shelby sighed "Oh Jesse I'm sorry" She said softly, for tears had formed in his blue eyes.

"I'm sorry Shelby. I'm sorry you have to go through all that. You don't need to hear my problems too. I just didn't know who else to go too." He said softly

"Jesse I know. But what you need to do is let her go. I made a mistake bringing you together and I am so sorry for that. But she is off to college now and your off to Broadway" they both smiled at that "and she's with Finn" His smile faded "now and you have to respect that."

"Will she ever love me Shelby?" He asked hopefully

"Maybe. Maybe in time Jesse… maybe she loves you now I don't know. But it's not your business anymore Jesse. Let her live her life and maybe later you'll meet again. Probably on the Broadway… She'll be a star to you know."

"I know" he said knowingly. He handed Shelby a note "Will you at least give her this for me? I was up half the night writing it" He pleaded

"Jesse…" But the front door opened and Jesse was gone in a flash.

But of course Shelby never gave Rachel that letter. Shelby did read it– but the contents on the letter will not be revealed currently.