Disclaimer: I don't own Glee.
Sorry it's been a couple days. I just realized I have one week to sell $250 dollars worth of ads by next Monday (insert sad face). But on the bright side, I get to go back to school and sit in a desk for eight hours everyday... Wait, that's not a good thing. Haha, jk. Well, enjoy!
"...And then we saw a late night rerun of West Side Story at her house." Jesse finished, stuffing his ice pack into his bag. They'd just finished a giant dance number and his ankle was on fire.
"Aw, that's so romantic!" Andrea gushed, combing through her hair quickly. "So are you guys official?"
He gave her a strange look. "I told you that Rachel I are just friends."
"...But you kissed her during dinner and then held her hand throughout the entire movie?"
He shrugged. "I don't need to explain the complicated details of my relationship with Rachel. We're just friends- except better." he smirked, thinking back to that night.
"I've never had their vegan salads before." Rachel stated while she wiped her mouth. "But I must admit that it was definitely delicious."
He let out a low chuckle. "I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. Any movies in mind?" His eyes stared as her pearly white teeth bit down gently on her plump pink lips.
"Not really... I guess we could go back to my place and see what classic reruns they have showing tonight." she smiled. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
He snapped out of his trance. "Like what?"
Her brown eyes sparkled. "Like you're in love with me."
His back stiffened a bit. "Yeah right. You wish Berry." he smiled gently. "You missed a spot..."
"Where?" Rachel asked, horrified.
Jesse leaned across the table, his left hand caressing her cheek. He saw her eyes glaze over and pressed his lips carefully onto her soft ones. After a few seconds he pulled back, smirking crazily.
"I got it."
Her cheeks flushed a bright red. "Let's pay the bill and get going, shall we?" He had the satisfaction of hearing a faint squeak in her voice. Something girls only did when he made them nervous.
"I don't think that what you're doing will be a good foundation for your relationship." she pointed out, throwing her dancing shoes into her backpack.
"Foundation? It's not like I'm going to stick to this girl forever, Andrea. I think you've been watching too many 90s movies."
She rolled her eyes. "Have you had sex yet?"
His hands dropped his phone and he shot her a flustered look. Her smile grew bigger.
"You so haven't."
Jesse cleared his throat. "That's none of your business!"
"You're so into this girl that you're respecting her boundaries! It's absolutely amazing how much you've matured." she cooed.
"I am not into her so much that I'm willing to become a boyfriend Andrea! She's just... A lot harder to get."
"In other words: she doesn't trust you yet."
"Not completely. Which is why I'm just friends with her." he held up his hand. "Spare me the whole 'but you kissed her' talk."
She huffed. "So you aren't pursing her to get into her pants?"
He stopped packing up his belongings and stared into the distance. "No, I actually didn't really think about it until you pointed it out just now. It's just that there's more to her than just her body." he cleared his throat. "Don't get me wrong, her body is great. But she's different. I'm different with her."
Andrea stayed silent, paying specific attention to every word he said.
"But that doesn't mean I'm whipped. Jesse St. James does not get whipped."
Her body shifted slightly. "He doesn't. But maybe Jesse does."
Rachel watched intently as the choir director scribbled down 'Ballad' on the whiteboard. His signature smile lit up his face as he turned to the group.
"Can anybody tell me what this word means?"
"It's a male duck." Brittany guessed. Mr. Schuester gave her a confused look.
"No... That's not it." he pointed to the male fashionista. "Kurt?"
"A ballad is a love song."
He pondered that statement. "Sometimes but they don't always express love. A ballad is a story made into a song. It can be about love, happiness, sadness, etc. Your assignment for the week: singing a ballad as a duet. Sing what you would want to tell that other person- anything you're feeling."
"I pick Quinn." Finn said with that dopey smile on his face. Rachel looked away.
Of course. Could he get more obvious?
Mr. Schuester shook his head. "Ah, your partners will be chosen by fate." he pointed to the top hat sitting upside down on the piano. "I've put each of your names into that hat. Whoever you pick is your partner."
Santana raised her hand. "But Matt's out sick today. He had to go to the hospital because they found a spider in his ear."
Everyone groaned in disgust. Mr. Schue made face. "I guess I'll just have to put my name in there for now." he scribbled on some blue paper. "Who's up first?"
Rachel watched as one by one the members were paired off. Unfortunately for her, no one ever chose her name. Finally after the last pair was chosen, Rachel stood up and walked towards Mr. Schuester.
"I guess I get you Mr. Schue."
His eyes widened. "Maybe we should wait until Matt gets back..."
"The fates talk Mr. Schue." Finn repeated, smiling.
Artie raised his hand. "Would you mind clarifying what kinds of songs you want us to sing?"
Rachel smiled brightly. "Why don't you let me and Mr. Schuester demonstrate?" she turned to the man sitting on the piano bench. "Brad, Endless Love in B flat, please."
The adult frowned. "I don't think that's a very appropriate song selection."
She shrugged. "Why not? It's a wonderful song and a perfect ballad." She honestly didn't understand why he was objecting to it.
"Yeah, I really like that song Mr. Schue." Finn added smugly.
The director sighed as Brad began to play the opening chords. "My love..."
Her heart fluttered a bit. His voice was so smooth and fit the song well. With every line they sang she was more and more entranced by the man standing before her. Sure, he was her teacher, but that didn't stop her from being slightly attracted to his voice. And those eyes were so pretty and totally complimented his teeth- which were a pearly white harbor. Rachel liked great oral hygiene since it showed wonderful self esteem.
She didn't why or how, but what she was seeing and what she was hearing made her look at Mr. Schuester differently. He was super, super cute that it made her want to blush.
The song ended and he stumbled back a bit. "Okay, well... Something like that is fine."
Rachel smiled completely dazed.
Jesse knew something was up with Rachel the moment she opened her door. Normally, her eyes would remain calm but today they had a sense of hyperactivity in them- that or it was a sign of infatuation.
"So you needed my assistance?" he asked, removing his coat and placing it on the nearest chair. The brunette nodded energetically.
"I need your help in choosing the perfect ballad to sing to Mr. Schuester. Preferably a love song or something that admits desire."
He raised his eyebrow. "Whoa. Wait a second, desire? Isn't he like... Your teacher?"
Her cheeks flushed lightly. "Yes. It's just a song, Jesse. It's not like I'm going to marry him or anything."
His blue eyes watched intently at her body language. The way she moved gingerly and how her cheeks grew red whenever she said Schuesters name. It was clearly obvious.
Holy hell! She's got a crush on her teacher!
"Are you sure about this? Maybe you should sing something a little less edgy and straightforward like Wonderful World."
Rachel frowned. "That's a song describing what it would feel like to be in heaven."
He smiled. "Exactly."
"Jesse!" she groaned, throwing herself onto her bed. "I really need help with this assignment here! There are thousands of songs out there that I could sing- but I need one. The perfect one."
They sat there for a few minutes, thinking to themselves until Jesse started to hum a tune. Rachel shot up and looked at him.
"What are you humming?"
"Crush by Jennifer... Something?" Jesse guessed, shrugging it off. The only reason he was humming it was because his sister had denied to turn off her music at 2 in the morning. Now he had a preteen song about crushes stuck in his head.
Rachel smiled. "It's perfect!" she launched herself at him before he could process it, sending them both tumbling down.
He chuckled lightly, moving a few loose hair strands from her face. "You really need to be more careful Rachel."
She giggled. "Sorry, guess I got a bit too carried away..." her eyes focused on his mouth. "Thanks for helping."
"I hum one song and you're ready to settle?" she pecked his lips lightly.
Oh yes. This is definitely just a crush between her and her teacher. Rachel's just in a phase.
"What can I say, we're friends because we think so much alike. Now help me practice." she said, propping herself up.
Jesse smiled. "Yes ma'am."
Damn you, Jennifer Paige for writing such an obvious song.
The next day she'd planned to sing it to him in the choir room, but he'd scrambled an excuse about letting another group perform first. Rachel looked away and bit her lip, remembering the evening's events.
"Sweetie I'm home," Mr. Schue projected as he entered his apartment. Rachel had been in the kitchen checking on her casserole while Mrs. Schuester opened up a cabinet.
"Rachel darling, don't forget that he also likes a clean house."
She nodded, taking out a drink and walking towards the couch. Hell, even the back of his head was so dang cute. Rachel held out the drink for him and watched in satisfaction as he took it.
"Thanks."
She smiled. "You're welcome."
Will's eyes turned and looked at her in utter surprise. All the while she was just happy to see him more.
"Casserole's almost ready." as she skipped towards the craft room to clean, she could hear footsteps practically run into the kitchen. And being the teenager she was, she couldn't help but lean over the doorway of the craft room and eavesdrop.
"I can't believe you invited her in!" Will growled. She heard Terri shuffle.
"She said she was one of your Glee kids." more movement. "And it didn't take long to find out she's in love with you."
"So you made her clean our house?"
The shuffling ceased. "Look Will, I've been dealing with these school girl crushes for years. So why shouldn't I get a little something out of it?"
Rachel bit her lip and put on a show face. Gloves on and ditzy smile plastered on her face, she barged into the kitchen. "We're out of Ajax." her eyes glanced at Will.
Terri stirred the side dish. "In the linen closet sweetie."
She nodded, walking out to but not before waving intimately at him. "Bye," she mouthed.
After that, things happened pretty quickly. She'd heard more argument from Terri before he'd walked in the craft room, offering to take her home.
And who was she to turn down a free ride from the hottest man in her life? So in her thoughts, she had planned to sit next to him... Not behind him in the backseat.
"Mr Schuester?" she questioned.
He sighed. "Yes Rachel?"
"Why do I have to sit in the backseat?"
There was a pause before he shuffled an excuse. "It's the law. Children have to ride in the back."
Children? "A child under seven..." she mumbled.
"Well, I'm just concerned for your safety."
Her heart swelled, touched by his confession. "You care about my safety? Really?"
"No... Not really?" he countered with slight confusion.
Make a move, Berry. she thought before remembering that her selected song was currently in her bag. Heck, now that they were alone, she could finally sing to him.
"How about we take opportunity of this golden alone time and rehearse our ballad?"
He shrugged. "I don't have any music."
Rachel beamed, taking out the CD. "It's alright, I made us a CD." unhooking her seat belt, she leaned over and gingerly popped it in the player. She sat back and waited for the familiar beat.
"Ah, crush..." she whispered, smiling and watching his reaction. "See you blowing me a kiss it doesn't take a scientist to understand what's going on baby..."
He pressed the off button harshly and Rachel's brows knitted together. "I wasn't finished."
"Yeah well the acoustics are really bad in the car. Put your seat belt back on." he said, looking anywhere but in her direction. "So... How's things with Puck?"
She grimaced. "I broke things off. He was too immature." she was only half lying- the other reason why she'd broken up with Noah was because of Jesse. But seeing as things with him weren't getting anywhere, she wanted to move on.
"That's high school."
She nodded. "I'm a high maintenance girl. I need someone who can keep up with me intellectually and creatively."
He chuckled lightly. "That's a lot to ask for in a teenage boy."
Her cheeks blushed lightly. "That's why I have my sights set much higher." she hinted. Mr. Schuester said nothing after that.
The morning after wasn't any better. So far, this week had gone by horribly for Rachel. Well, that aside from Jesse who kept trying to cheer her up.
Did you have fun singing to him?- J
She shook her head and smiled, placing her phone on the edge of the sink and reapplying her lip gloss. And who would you know walked out of the stalls? None other than the Susie Pepper.
"Hey Barbra Streisand- we need to have a little talk." she demanded. Rachel's annoyance spiked.
"I have nothing to say to you, Pepper. If you continue to stalk me I'll press charges!" she placed her make up in the bag. "Everyone knows you're the school crazy."
The girl in the overalls washed her hands. "I was crazy." she admitted. "Crazy in love."
Rachel groaned. "There's nothing you can do or say to make me change the way I feel about Mr. Schuester. Our love is for the ages." she tried and failed to push past her. "Your threats will only make our love stronger."
"Let me tell you a few things I learned from psychotherapy and an esophagus transplant. You and Mr. Schuester are never going to work out."
"What do you mean?" Rachel asked, confused. For all she knew they were totally compatible.
"We're not so different." Pepper said. "We're both mildly attractive and extremely grading. Love is hard for us. We look for boys we know we can never have. Mr. Schuester is target for our self esteem issues. He can never reciprocate our feelings which only reinforces the conviction that we're not worthy of being loved."
Her words spoke the truth and honestly? The truth was like a slap in the face- awakening Rachel from a very deep sleep and reinforcing the reality of the current situation.
What the hell am I doing pining over Mr. Schuester? she spat in her mind. One minute I want Finn the next Jesse... Now Mr. Schue? What happened to me?
Although she didn't want to admit it- and she really didn't want to. Susie Pepper was right. She wasn't worthy of being loved- her years of experience only proved that. All those time she'd follow a boy around only to be humiliated even more. It was horrible. And throwing herself at her own teacher? That seemed pretty low.
"Trust me- I'm a cautionary tale." she looked at Rachel's scowl. "You need to find some self respect, Rachel. Get that mildly attractive groove back. Okay?" the crazy girl walked out leaving a very confused and horrified Rachel.
I've made a mistake. she thought.
Another part of her conscience snorted. So fix it. What are you going to do to clean up all your mess?
It wasn't like Jesse was upset- it's just that he was severely bothered by Rachel's obsession over her choir director. It was getting ridiculous.
She sung Crush to him, how more obvious could it get? he thought all the while kicking an empty soda can from the school sidewalk. I'm surprised he hasn't said anything. Surely he has to know by now... So why is he letting her get more into it?
"Stupid teenage girls." he muttered, watching as the can skidded across the other end of the street. This was getting out of hand. He was starting to feel things, urges, for one girl. For Rachel Berry.
Never would he have thought he could possibly like a girl. But with the way his thoughts always reeled back to her and how she captivated his attention whenever she talked was crazy. It scared him senseless knowing his... Feelings were getting so out of control.
Why do you care so much if she likes her teacher?
He huffed, pulling at his hair. Because it can be tough.
Why should you care if her life is tough? It's her problem. You're nothing to her.
Because I care about her. He let go of his hair, eyes wide as he looked up at the sun. Holy Jesus... I care?
Finally. It's about time you get something right.
Jesse's lips turned into a barely there smile. He'd never gotten to actually thinking it before.. The fact that he already cared so much about her. And in a certain way. But now the problem was, did she care about him? Was he just as important as she was to him?
I don't want her to get hurt. he thought weakly. What if I'm the person who ruins her?
...Then don't be that person. Give her something to believe in.
Her palms were sweaty when Mr. Schuester walked into the choir room. Urgent to fix her mistake, she shot up quickly and placed a pot of flowers on the piano. "Mr. Schuester, I'm ready when you are. The ballad that I've selected has a very important message that I'm anxious for you to hear."
He shook his head. "I'm going to stop you right there, Rachel." He looked intensely at her. "The way you've been acting is totally inappropriate." he shook his head. "I'm sorry Rachel but that's all I'm ever going to be- your teacher."
She looked at her feet. "I know." her hands turned around the flowers so the label was facing him. "I came to apologize for the way I've been acting. The ballad I chose was 'Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word' by Elton John because I know how much you love him."
His expression didn't waver, causing chagrin to rush through her veins. Scoffing, she sat down in the nearest chair. "I'm such an idiot for mooning over you and cleaning your apartment..." she shook her head in disgust.
"Hey- it's okay."
She turned her face away from him and shut her eyes, tears already overflowing her eyes. Her body shook once from being so cold and embarrassed. She was barely aware that he took the seat next to her.
"I know it's not always easy for you Rachel. And I know there are some things about yourself that you think you'd like to change. But you have to know that there's some boy out there who's going to like you for everything you are. Including those parts even you don't like. Those are going to be the things he likes the most."
All the while he was going on in his speech she kept replaying everything that'd happened so far. Finn and the way he played her. Puck who'd just wanted to get with her out of the fact that she was Jewish. And then there was Jesse and the way he made her swoon but seemed to shy away from a legitimate relationship. Sure, kissing was fine with her, she wasn't complaining, but she always felt the need to be more. She looked up at him regardless, tears exposed but no longer shameful. "Thanks Mr. Schue."
The teacher smiled. "Anytime." getting up, he gathered the pot of flowers. "You know Rachel, you never really needed much help with your ballads. You've been knocking them out of the park since day one."
She laughed. "I know." her pocket vibrated and she took out her phone, looking at the screen intently.
Meet me outside your house tonight. I need to run something by you.- J
Her heart fluttered lightly and her thoughts were interrupted by Mr. Schue. "Coming, Rachel? I was thinking about having a group ballad but I need to consult with every member."
She nodded, stuffing the phone inside her pocket once more. Suddenly the world didn't seem so harsh.
So, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Please correct me in any mistakes made on here (more words=more mistakes). Lol. School starts next Monday, so I'm not excited for that- but education is important. I just I could get my education WHILE still being able to sleep in during the weekdays :P Don't forget to review! They're the rain to my endless drought! Love you guys!
-Fanatic4Fiction
