A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed. A warning: this chapter is really long.
Chapter 6
The morning of Sectionals Rachel learned first-hand what a hangover is. When she woke up, her head was throbbing. Opening her eyes, moving was painful. As soon as she got up, a wave of nausea hit her. She made it to the bathroom just in time to empty the contents of her stomach into the toilet. Now she's sitting next to Haylee on a bus with the rest of Vocal Adrenaline. Most of them also have hangovers. They're all using their own hangover cures. Andrea has a water bottle that hides vodka and 7Up…hair of the dog that bit her. Michael has a McDonald's bag and is eating a greasy breakfast sandwich to soak up the alcohol. Lauren is also eating, but she's eating saltine crackers. Giselle took aspirin and it did the trick. Giselle leans forward in her seat to talk to Rachel.
"How are you feeling?" Giselle asks. Her tone is sickeningly sweet.
Surprised, Rachel turns to face Giselle. Giselle alternates between ignoring Rachel completely and making her disdain for Rachel clear. Giselle has never said one kind word to Rachel. As pain shoots through her head, Rachel regrets the sudden movement. When she sees Giselle's wide smile, she knows Giselle is enjoying her pain.
"I'm fine," Rachel replies. Putting on her best show face, she smiles wide.
Giselle snickers. "You don't look fine. You look like hell," Giselle points out.
"Thanks," Rachel says sarcastically.
Giselle narrows her eyes. "If you can't do your solo, say so now," Giselle hisses. "Someone that knows how to hold their liquor will do it," Giselle says.
Rachel thinks for a moment. She doesn't want to give up her solo. But, remembering Shelby's words on the way home from the police station, she wonders if she should. She does have a hangover, and she doesn't know how it will affect her performance. They can't lose. Failure is simply not an option. But, before Rachel can say anything, Haylee turns around to face Giselle. Kinking her eyebrows, Haylee smirks.
"Someone like you?" Haylee asks. There's a hint of amusement in her voice. She knows how Giselle operates.
"Surely you're not suggesting you do it?" Giselle says. Her tone is mocking. "I was the female lead last year when we won Nationals," Giselle reminds her.
"And you didn't have any solos. Jesse did. That's why we won," Haylee points out. "But, no, I'm not suggesting I do it. You're the only one that doesn't think Rachel can do it. She is the female lead this year. And, she's the only one here that can pull off Barbra," Haylee says.
Crossing her arms in front of her, Giselle sits back in her seat. Haylee and Rachel both face forward.
"I appreciate your defending me, but maybe she has a point. I do have a hangover. I've never felt this awful in my life. My head is killing me. We can't lose Sectionals because of me," Rachel admits. She lowers her voice so only Haylee can hear.
"We're not going to lose. We don't have any competition at Sectionals. The other schools are a boys' juvenile detention center that always tries to rap and a Catholic school that sings church hymns," Haylee explains.
Pushing her worries aside, Rachel breathes a sigh of relief. They're going to win. Vocal Adrenaline isn't going to lose Sectionals for the first time because of her.
While they were talking at the party, Puck offered the extra ticket to Sectionals to Kurt. Since Rachel gave him tickets that were supposed to be for the team's parents, he figures he'll be the only teenager. As a rule, he doesn't like adults and adults don't like him. They take one look at him and decide he's trouble. He needed reinforcements, and he couldn't exactly ask any of his friends in New Directions. So, now he's sitting in the passenger seat of Kurt's SUV as they drive to Sectionals.
"How's Rachel?" Kurt asks.
"She's kind of scary when she has a hangover," Puck says.
"How bad is it?" Kurt asks.
Puck just shrugs. "She threw up and she has a headache. But, she's Berry. She can sing in her sleep," Puck says.
"I hope you're right," Kurt says. "So how did she get out of jail anyway?" Kurt wonders.
"Her mom," Puck replies.
Kurt gasps. "And she's still alive? That woman is absolutely terrifying," Kurt says.
"I'm not scared of her," Puck says. He's slightly insulted. Puck isn't scared of anyone or anything. Seeing an angry Puck, Kurt cowers in the driver's seat. "But she is a bitch," Puck adds.
Kurt breathes a sigh of relief. Puck might be insulted, but he isn't reverting to bullying him. Kurt decides to change the subject before Puck's anger rises.
"New Directions is going to be there," Kurt says.
Puck still considers his former teammates friends. But, he doesn't know if they'll feel the same when they see him cheering for Vocal Adrenaline.
"They haven't seen Vocal Adrenaline perform with Rachel. Mercedes and Quinn want to scope out the competition," Kurt explains.
"Are they still pissed that Rachel jumped ship?" Puck asks.
"Yes," Kurt replies with certainty.
"You weren't in the green room with us at Sectionals. I know she can be annoying, but no one should be treated like that," Puck says.
"I may not have been there, but I, of all people, know how bullying can make you feel. I get it," Kurt says.
Puck looks at Kurt. "I'm sorry I did that to you," Puck says.
There's a hint of surprise in Kurt's eyes. He smiles. "It's okay," Kurt says.
In another car, Shelby is picking Jesse up from his parents' house.
Shelby might not be Vocal Adrenaline's coach anymore, but she coached them for years. She recruited most of the current members. She's their teacher. Their mentor. She writes letters of recommendations. She helps them get ready for auditions at their prospective colleges. She even keeps in touch with a few of her former students. So, when Haylee and Lauren told her they really wanted her to go to Sectionals, she couldn't say no. And, when Jesse mentioned that he was coming home for Sectionals in an email, she decided they were going together. She knows some of the parents aren't happy that she quit. Going with Jesse will make seeing them slightly less awkward.
Jesse was a part of Vocal Adrenaline for four years, and it's still a part of him. He loved high school. He was the star of Vocal Adrenaline. He was Shelby's favorite. The four National titles Vocal Adrenaline won while he was male lead helped him get exactly what he wanted. He got out of Lima. He got a full-ride scholarship to UCLA. He should be happy. Ecstatic. But, UCLA isn't what he thought it would be. He thought he'd be the male lead. Or, at least get solos. After all, he's Jesse St. James. But, he hasn't gotten one solo since he's been in LA. The juniors and seniors get all the solos while he harmonizes in the background. It's beneath him. He's homesick, and he used Sectionals as an excuse to go home for the weekend. Of course, his parents aren't there. But, he has the house to himself instead of sharing a dorm room with an annoying roommate. And, his former teammates will tell him how much they miss him. That he's irreplaceable. It will be a much needed ego boost.
As soon as Jesse opens the door, Shelby envelops him in a hug. He returns the hug, taking comfort in her arms. He didn't even know how much he missed her. When he was on Vocal Adrenaline, his teammates were jealous of him. None of the other boys ever got a solo. Even the girls got tired of performing songs that highlighted the male lead. He may have been popular, but he didn't have any friends he could really talk to. Only Shelby. She's his confidante. Because she had the same dreams, she understands him on a level no one else does. Except Rachel. They part and take their places in Shelby's car.
"How's college?" Shelby asks.
Jesse just shrugs. "Okay," Jesse mumbles.
The short answer tells Shelby that something is wrong. Turning to look at Jesse, she kinks her eyebrows.
Jesse sighs. "I should be happy. I got out of Ohio. I have a full-ride to UCLA. It should be enough for me," Jesse says.
"But it's not?" Shelby asks.
"I need to be a star. My coach doesn't appreciate my talent. I haven't gotten any solos. I just mindlessly harmonize in the background. It's humiliating!" Jesse explains.
"When you were in high school, you were a big fish in a small sea. Now you're a small fish in a big sea," Shelby says.
Annoyed, Jesse rolls his eyes. "You're supposed to tell me that my coach must be crazy if he's not taking advantage of my talent," Jesse says.
Shelby smirks. "Come on, Jesse. You know me better than that. I'm trying to be honest. You're like me. When I went to New York, I thought I'd be starring in a Broadway musical within a week. I was the most talented singer in Lima. But, everyone trying to make it there was the most talented singer in their hometown. Look, I think you're gonna make it as an actor, but it's gonna take a while," Shelby says.
There are very few people Jesse respects, and Shelby is one of them. She's the first coach he ever had that was better than him. She's also the first coach that ever critiqued him, and she's the only one he listens to. So, when she tells him that he'll make it but it will take a while, he listens…and he believes her. He swallows the doubts and insecurities that have eaten away at him since he started UCLA. Shelby knows him better than his new coach. She knows what he's capable of. And, she believes in him.
"Patience is a virtue I'm sorely lacking," Jesse says.
Shelby smiles. "You're like me," Shelby repeats.
"You? Impatient?" Jesse asks, mock shocked. "Never!" Jesse says sarcastically.
Shelby lightly hits his shoulder. Jesse laughs.
When the bus stops in front of the theater, the members of Vocal Adrenaline get off and head in different directions. Fighting back a second wave of nausea, Rachel practically runs to the bathroom. The vodka and 7Up went right through Andrea, so she follows to use the bathroom. Giselle and Lauren find their dressing room. As Giselle does vocal warm-ups, Lauren stretches on the floor. Haylee buys a few bottled waters.
When Rachel comes out of the bathroom stall, she sees Andrea washing her hands. Andrea smiles sympathetically and offers her water bottle.
"Here. This'll help," Andrea says.
"Thanks," Rachel says, smiling.
Rachel takes a sip from the water bottle. She's expecting water. So, she's shocked when she tastes vodka. Cringing, she spits it out.
"Oh, did you think it was water?" Andrea asks. She doesn't need an answer. Rachel's expression tells her the answer. She can't help but laugh. "It's vodka and 7UP. Hair of the dog that bit you," Andrea explains. She shrugs.
As Rachel nods her head, she feels a flash of pain in her head. She's willing to try anything if it will make her feel better. She's only going to have a few sips. Just enough to cure her hangover. Not enough to get drunk. She can name famous performers that have been known to drink before they perform. She'll still be able to perform. Taking a deep breath, she drinks from the water bottle again. When she's done, Andrea takes another sip.
"I get nervous. I need a drink," Andrea says. Her tone is light. She laughs.
Surprised, Rachel stares wide-eyed at Andrea. She didn't think anyone in Vocal Adrenaline got nervous. They always seem so confident. Cocky even.
"You get nervous?" Rachel asks.
Andrea nods her head. "Nothing I do is ever good enough for my parents," Andrea explains.
Andrea can perform in front of thousands of teenagers at a school assembly. Easy. But, performing at a competition when her parents are in the audience unnerves her. She has a knot in her stomach.
Rachel knows exactly how Andrea feels. Every time she sees Shelby, she feels inadequate. They'd only known each other for a few weeks when Shelby cut all ties. Shelby wanted a daughter. After all, she adopted Beth. She just didn't want Rachel. It's an old wound, but it's never healed. And, now that Rachel's at Carmel, every time she sees Shelby, it cuts open the old wound. When she saw Shelby after her performance at the school assembly, her mother critiqued her performance. When her mother got her out of jail, she acted like Rachel's one mistake would ruin everything. She thinks Shelby said what she did because she cares, but it still hurt.
"I know how you feel," Rachel says.
Andrea remembers Rachel's house. The first thing she saw was a portrait of Rachel. The hallway was filled with pictures of Rachel. Rachel in costume at school plays. Rachel in a leotard at dance recitals. Rachel holding up trophies after singing competitions.
"It kind of seems like your parents are your biggest fans," Andrea says.
"My dads are," Rachel says pointedly.
"But your mom isn't," Andrea concludes.
Rachel looks down. When she looks up, she has her show face on. A wide smile. Fake.
"We'll just have to show everyone that doesn't think we're good enough how wrong they are," Rachel says.
A determined glint in her eyes, Rachel leads the way to the dressing room. They're going to win. Her performance is going to be flawless. Even Shelby won't be able to find anything wrong with it.
While Vocal Adrenaline is getting ready, the theater is filling up. Show choir coaches. School principals. Teachers. Family and friends of the performers. Teams in other sections that are scoping out the competition. When Puck and Kurt walk in, they run into New Directions at the concession stand.
Confused and surprised, Finn looks from Kurt to Puck.
"What are you doing here?" Finn demands.
"The same thing you are. Scoping out the competition," Kurt replies.
Finn looks straight at Puck. "You're not in Glee anymore," Finn points out. His tone is accusatory.
"I'm here to see my girl," Puck says.
He can see the wheels turning in Finn's head. Finn hasn't even figured out who Puck is with, and anger is already bubbling beneath the surface. All of New Directions holds a grudge against Vocal Adrenaline. Especially Finn.
"You're with someone in Vocal Adrenaline?" Finn demands.
"I'm with Berry," Puck replies.
"What? Rachel? It's not bad enough that you had sex with my girlfriend! You're dating my ex?" Finn yells.
Puck shakes his head. "You broke up with Berry! And, aren't you with Santana?" Puck points out.
"I- it doesn't matter! You know I was with Rachel! Friends just don't do that to each other," Finn snaps.
"Do what? Date each other's exes? Did you forget that Santana's my ex?" Puck asks incredulously.
"Rachel's different," Finn mutters.
"It's always different when it's you! Everyone thinks you can do no wrong! I'm sick of it!" Puck yells.
"You won't have to be sick of me anymore because we're not friends," Finn says.
As Finn leads New Directions away, Puck can only scowl.
When Puck and Kurt get to their row, they see that their seats are right next to Jesse St. James and Shelby.
"Is that who I think it is?" Kurt asks, shocked and horrified.
"St. Jackass," Puck mutters.
When Puck and Kurt take their seats, Jesse stares at them with wide-eyes. He recovers from the initial shock and smirks.
"This row is reserved for family and friends of Vocal Adrenaline," Jesse says.
Scowling, Puck turns to face Jesse.
"This seat is reserved for the lead singer's boyfriend," Puck says, an edge to his voice.
Jesse wonders if he misheard. When Jesse looks at Puck, he sees a screw up. When Jesse looks at Rachel, he sees a star. Rachel and Puck are polar opposites.
"You're with Rachel?" Jesse asks incredulously.
Puck leans forward. His hands ball into fists at his sides.
"You got a problem with that?" Puck demands.
"When we broke up, I thought she'd go running straight into Hudson's waiting arms, but you?" Jesse says. It's clear that he's insulted anyone could go from him to Puck.
Puck narrows his eyes. "Are you questioning the Puckzilla's sex appeal?" Puck asks.
Shelby cringes when the word sex comes out of Rachel's boyfriend's mouth. She knows Puck has had sex. Beth is living proof of his exploits. But, she doesn't want to think about him having sex with her daughter. Suddenly her head feels too heavy to hold up. Her thoughts are heavy. The weight is crushing. She sighs. Focusing on Puck, she glares at him.
"You're not exactly her type," Jesse scoffs.
Puck knows he's not Rachel's type. Her type is a male lead. Finn. Jesse. And, they both hurt her. They may be her type, but she's too good for them.
"No, her type is assholes that treat her like shit," Puck mutters.
Puck's language gets the attention of everyone within earshot. He ignores the disapproving looks. Kurt snickers as he watches the scene unfold. But, Shelby isn't amused. No, she's visibly annoyed. She wouldn't be surprised if Puck started a fight, and she really doesn't want to take Jesse to the emergency room.
Jesse's arrogance fades a bit. He looks down, feeling guilty for being one of the assholes. His silence screams that Puck hit a nerve.
"I never thought I'd see the day that St. Jackass would be at a loss for words," Puck announces.
"That's enough," Shelby hisses. There's venom in her voice. Her tone is deadly.
Looking straight into Shelby's eyes, Puck laughs out loud.
"Well, if you say so," Puck says. His tone is mocking. His disdain is clear.
If looks could kill, Shelby's expression would annihilate Puck. She leans over Jesse, so her face is right next to Puck's.
"I would love nothing more than to see you assault Jesse," Shelby says. She lowers her voice so only Puck can hear, but that doesn't lessen the power and the fury of her words.
Puck stares at Shelby as though she's lost her mind. And, slowly her expression changes. Tilting her head slightly to the right, she smirks.
"You're on probation. One mistake and you'll go back to juvie where you belong," Shelby continues.
Her words push Puck over the edge. Too angry to sit still, he jumps up and runs out of the theater. Not wanting to be alone in enemy territory, Kurt follows.
With an almost sinister laugh, Shelby relaxes back into her seat.
Puck stops just outside and punches the wall in frustration. Kurt takes his hand and examines it.
"Ugh! Why does everyone insist on pissing me off?" Puck yells.
"Okay. I don't think you and Jesse should be in the same room for any longer than absolutely necessary. Vocal Adrenaline goes last. There's a coffee shop a few blocks away. We can wait there," Kurt suggests.
They head to the coffee shop. When they get to the front of the line, Kurt orders a chai tea and Puck goes for a cup of black coffee. They take a seat at a table.
"I should tip Finn off and watch as Finn and St. Jerk beat the shit out of each other," Puck says.
"Let's talk about something other than Jesse," Kurt suggests. He leans in and lowers his voice. "Has your mom ever walked in when you had a girl in your room?" Kurt asks.
"My mom knows to knock," Puck replies.
"Oh. Blaine spent the night last night, and my dad walked in," Kurt says.
"Was he pissed?" Puck asks.
"You could say that," Kurt replies.
"That sucks," Puck says.
Kurt nods his head and takes a sip of his chai tea. "So, how are things going with Rachel?" Kurt asks.
The mention of Rachel brings a wide smile to Puck's face. When she dated him to make Finn jealous, Puck realized that he genuinely liked her. His feelings never went away. Her annoying habits ceased to annoy him. He has an instinct to protect her any time anyone hurts her. He's never felt like this about anyone.
"Better than ever," Puck replies.
Talking about Rachel seems to calm Puck down. When they finish their drinks, they start walking back to the theater. Seeing a display of flowers in front of a grocery store, Puck stops to get Rachel a bouquet of red roses. They put the flowers in Kurt's car until after the performance. They make it to their seats as the audience is clapping for the Catholic school.
"Maybe I should sit next to the saboteur," Kurt suggests.
Puck nods in agreement.
As they sit down, Vocal Adrenaline is announced. While the rest of the audience stares straight ahead at the stage, everyone that knows Rachel looks at the back of the theater. Rachel steps out from the back as she sings the first line of Funny Girl. Slowly everyone turns to watch her.
When she spots New Directions sitting in the last row, she freezes momentarily. No one can see her surprise. She has the perfect show face. Their presence only makes her more determined to bring her A-game. Every negative word they ever said to her fuels her. She's going to make them all eat their words.
Rachel looks for a friendly face in the crowd. She sees a friendly-looking man smiling warmly, and looks straight at him. She sings to him. She struts toward him. She's the picture of confidence. Her gestures are dramatic and playful. She serenades him for a few seconds and then moves on.
She's looking for Puck in the audience. She's almost reached the stage when she finally sees him. For a second, she's filled with warmth. And then, she notices Jesse just a seat away from Puck. At first, she can't believe her eyes. Jesse shouldn't be there. Jesse is supposed to be in LA, where he can't hurt her. But, here he is only a few feet away from her. And, when their eyes meet, she misses a note.
She curses herself silently. She's Rachel Berry. She never misses a note. She's been practicing Barbra since she was four. She could do it in her sleep. But, one look at him, and she misses a note. Very few audience members even notice. Of course, Shelby and Jesse pick up on it. Knowing they will makes the mistake even worse for Rachel.
But, the show must go on. Rachel is a professional. She continues singing as if nothing happened. She uses the feelings that Jesse's presence stirs. She knows exactly how Barbra felt. She wasn't enough for Jesse. She pours her heart into the rest of the song.
Standing on stage, she belts out the last few lines. Unbeknownst to her, she's mimicking Shelby's performance in Carmel's auditorium the day Rachel realized the Vocal Adrenaline coach was her mother.
Shelby breathes a sigh of relief when Rachel recovers from her mistake. And, the rest of the performance is flawless. Once again, Shelby sees Rachel sing, and can't help but think that Rachel is her. The subtle movements that add to the drama, the theatrical gestures, the facial expressions, the voice…it's Shelby.
When the song is over, the rest of Vocal Adrenaline joins Rachel on stage. They start singing Under Pressure. Dakota Stanley did the choreography. It's hard. Punishing. But, it's also beautiful. There are turns and lifts. They move in perfect synchronization. Every one of them breaks a sweat, but they make it look effortless. Their show faces are perfect. Wide smiles.
"They would do Queen. Again," Kurt says, rolling his eyes.
"I'm sorry, but is this coming from the team that has done every Journey song written," Jesse scoffs.
One look from Shelby silences both of them.
By the time the song ends, almost all of the audience members are standing up cheering. Except for New Directions. They're sitting back in their seats, arms crossed in front of them.
"As much as I hate to admit it, and I do hate to admit it, girl's good," Mercedes says.
"She's a freaking pain in the ass," Santana mutters.
Quinn nods in agreement.
"Face it. Rachel's always been good, and now she's got twenty-five back-up singers that are better than all of us," Finn points out.
"And they can dance," Mike adds.
"Speak for yourself. I could take any of those girls anytime, anywhere," Mercedes says.
"We're screwed," Finn mutters
It doesn't take long for the judges to decide. No one is surprised when they announce Vocal Adrenaline as the winner. Rachel's wide smile is genuine. When Dustin hands her the trophy, she raises it above her head in triumph.
After the excitement dies down, they go to find their parents and friends. Rachel doesn't even look at Jesse or Shelby. She won't. She never wants to see Jesse St. James again. And, she doesn't know what to say to Shelby. When Shelby bailed her out of jail, for the first time, Rachel felt like Shelby was her mom. But, now Shelby's here with the boy that broke her daughter's heart into a million pieces. He cracked an egg on her forehead. He humiliated her. Any real parent would want to kill him for hurting their child. And, Shelby's smiling and laughing with him. It's a reminder that Shelby isn't her mom.
Rachel goes to Puck. He's holding a bouquet of red roses in front of him.
"I got these for you," Puck says.
Rachel smiles as she takes them. "Thank you, Noah," Rachel murmurs.
With one hand holding the flowers, Rachel puts her other hand around Puck's neck and rests her head against his chest. As he holds her, Puck notices Jesse a few feet away staring at Rachel. Puck instinctively tightens his hold on Rachel. His expression tells Jesse to stay away.
Ignoring Puck, Jesse approaches Rachel. When Rachel looks up and sees him, her smile fades a bit.
"Your rendition of Funny Girl was flawed. You missed a note, but it had the emotional depth of the original," Jesse says.
Of course he caught the missed note. She knew he would. Embarrassed, Rachel looks down. When it becomes clear that she's not going to respond, Jesse continues.
"I came back for the weekend. I couldn't miss Sectionals. I couldn't miss seeing you again," Jesse says.
Surprised, Rachel looks up slowly. "You knew I was in Vocal Adrenaline?" Rachel asks.
"Shelby told me," Jesse replies.
Rachel looks past him and sees Shelby talking to Haylee. Rachel's expression hardens. Jesse doesn't deserve to know anything about her life. Rachel wonders what else Shelby has told him. She shouldn't have told him anything. Even if she doesn't know Rachel all that well, she should have known better.
Shelby can feel Rachel's eyes burning a hole in the back of her head. She glances at Rachel. What she sees is pure fury in Rachel's eyes. She doesn't understand where it came from. Rachel's last words to her were a thank you and an apology. The only thing Shelby can think of is that Puck told her what happened between them earlier. Shelby was going to tell Rachel that her performance was good, but she doesn't want to fight with Rachel. Not here. Not in front of her students. Not now.
"But, she didn't tell me that Puckerman followed you to Carmel like a lovesick puppy," Jesse continues.
Puck takes a step forward. His hands are balled into fists. Rachel puts her hand on his. He stops suddenly. She has a calming effect on him. She gently uncurls his fist and holds his hand tightly.
"He didn't. He was expelled from McKinley," Rachel says.
Jesse snickers at the revelation.
"He's not good enough for you. You're going to be a star on Broadway, and he's going to be in the state penitentiary," Jesse says.
"He treats me how I deserve to be treated. He defends me. Don't you see that he's twice the man you'll ever be?" Rachel snaps.
Her words hit Jesse hard. He remembers how everyone in New Directions treated her. They didn't appreciate her talent. They didn't listen to any of her ideas. Ever since he saw her at Sectionals last year, he's known how talented she is. He listened when she talked. He believed in her.
"I treated you better than any of them," Jesse says.
Rachel stares at him disbelieving. "You played me. And, when the game was over, you egged me," Rachel reminds him. She looks up at Puck and smiles slightly. "Noah's love is real," Rachel says.
Jesse sighs slowly. He knows he hurt her. He's regretted it since the moment that egg left his hand. If he could go back, he would do things differently. But, he can't undo what he's done. And, he has to live with the consequences of his actions. The only girl he's ever loved hates him.
"I'm so sorry," Jesse says.
"I forgive you," Rachel says.
"What?" Puck demands.
"When Jesse broke my heart, I was so angry and hurt. But, holding onto that anger isn't good for me. I need to let go of the past. My future is with you," Rachel explains.
A simple apology and all is forgiven. Jesse knew it couldn't be that easy. She might forgive him, but she's not going to give him a second chance. No, he had a chance and he blew it. There's no clean slate. And, deep down he knows he doesn't deserve one.
"I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I'm going to do everything I can to earn it," Jesse says.
"That's unnecessary. We're not together anymore. We're not even friends. If we see each other at any future Vocal Adrenaline performances, we'll be professional," Rachel says.
They weren't friends? There was a time when they could tell each other anything. They talked about everything. She understood him better than anyone. Even his own teammates. They shared their dreams. They were friends. And, a friendship like theirs is rare.
"We're not just going to see each other at Vocal Adrenaline performances. We're both destined to be stars on Broadway. When we are, I hope we can be friends again. I've missed your friendship," Jesse says.
Jesse walks away. Rachel watches as he joins Shelby. They leave together. Shelby came with Rachel's ex-boyfriend. Shelby talked to Rachel's teammates. But, Shelby didn't bother to say one word to Rachel. Even a critique would be better than this…nothing.
