it was one of the hardest chapters for me to write, I felt so bad about Jesse and that's probably why I projected onto Jesse my own reactions to similarly hard situations: we get defensive and annoyed under stress.

-s.


Chapter 9: Bees and Birds

Rachel's POV

Rachel watched Jesse grab Kate's arm and tuck her outside. She suspected that the hue of her face matched the red colour of the dress she was wearing.

"Is everything all right, sweetie?" she heard Hiram's voice behind her.

"Yes, dad, I'm fine." She looked around. "Have you seen Finn?"

"He's helping his mother with the dishes. Awfully nice of her, to be honest. And where's Jesse?"

"Um, he left... But dad?" she called after him, looked around to make sure Finn's out of the ear reach and said softly, "Jesse wants to come over later. Is the guest room empty?"

Hiram frowned.

"Frank from Chicago stays overnight with his wife, sweetie. I don't think it's a good idea for Jesse to come tonight. Can't it wait until tomorrow?"

"Um, not really, he says it's urgent. I'll make him some room on the floor in my room if we finish talking late."

Her dad still didn't look convinced but turned to see Leroy waiting for him with a stack of gifts from the guests.

"Let the boy come over, Hiram. But only this once, Rachel, in return for the marvellous party."

Rachel nodded. She sent her dads a kiss thorough the air and went to look for Finn. She had to make sure he's gone before Jesse returns. She found him and his mum in the kitchen.

"Rachel, sweetie, the party was great," Mrs Hudson hushed with a warm smile. "We've had a lot of fun tonight."

"Thank you, Mrs Hudson. Um, Finn, I think you should take your mum home, it's pretty late and the cleaning is almost done. Besides I feel bad for letting you two do the dishes.

"It's fine, sweetheart. But you're right, it's pretty late, you must be sleeping on your feet. Come, Finn, say goodbye to Rachel and I'll get the car."

Rachel grinned at her boyfriend and felt herself being pulled against him in a hasty but passionate kiss. She grinned against Finn's lips and locked her hands behind his neck.

"So, I'll see you around, Rachel," Finn murmured huskily. She felt his hands wander down her back until they reached her hips. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too... Oh, your mom's calling you already. Bye."

After seeing Finn off the door Rachel sped to her bedroom and jumped into the shower. Sometime later, while waiting for Jesse to arrive, she paced nervously around the room. When she finally heard the silent murmur of Jesse's Range Rover's engine, she ran downstairs to let him in. On her way upstairs, they passed Leroy who greeted Jesse shortly and told him that it was Jesse's turn at making breakfast.

"Sure thing, Mr Berry."

"Goodnight, kids. Behave."

Jesse followed Rachel to her bedroom and raised an eyebrow when he noticed a mattress, pillow and some blankets on the floor.

"Dads' friend took the guest room," Rachel explained suddenly nervous again at the forthcoming conversation. How could she talk about that with Jesse? Best friends aside, he was a guy. A good looking and popular among girls guy who, to make it even worse, clearly didn't like her boyfriend. But she knew that Jesse wasn't easily distracted when he's determined to do something – and he sounded fairly serious before he left with Kate earlier.

Jesse didn't waste time and threw his bag at the mattress. He wasn't one for a small talk, either.

"How could you be so stupid? Please, just tell me that you didn't actually have sex with that fucking moron. It was funny before, I get the high from dating popular guy, but I think you've overstepped the line, Rachel."

Rachel's heart stopped in her chest. What? When the first wave of astonishment weakened, her blood boiled instantly.

"Excuse me?!"

How dare he lecture her on what to do and not do and look down on her relationship? He never was in one, how could he ever know how it is to love anybody and feel close to that person when his closest encounter with any human being is based on some neanderthalian idea of impressing other guys and satisfying his primal needs.

But it turned out, Jesse was nowhere being done yet.

"So what happened with the whole waiting for the right guy thing?" he asked mockingly keeping his harsh tone.

Rachel's expression hardened instantly as she heard the words and the tone of his voice. Best friend aside, he was behaving like a completely insensitive jackass. Besides, where was he for the last few months when she was telling him about her love for her boyfriend? Finn was the one, Rachel knew it and it was the only thing she was certain right now. She thought Jesse understood that, and would be with her to the end. She couldn't understand why he would want to make her feel suddenly so guilty about her potential love life – because that was the effect his words had on her. When he told her he wanted to talk about it with her, she expected him to be supportive, not yell at her from the first sentence. This wasn't what friendship should look like.

"Why do you even care, huh?" she spat. "It's completely private and personal and I have no intention of sharing this information with you, of all people!"

Jesse groaned in frustration and he ran his hand through his curls.

"What the hell is wrong with me?"

"You are a guy!" she fired the first thing that came to her mind.

"It's the stupidest excuse that has ever left your lips," Jesse commented sarcastically. "Try harder, maybe I'll let it go."

Doubtful.

"And who else is there for you to talk about that anyway, huh?" he continued. "Your dads, the chicks from the glee club? I thought so," he added with a grim smirk when she didn't respond.

She ran past him and into her small bathroom, shutting the door closed. She was breathing heavily feeling the first tears falling down her cheeks. She pressed her hand to her mouth to muffle the sobs. It was a complete disaster. She sat on the floor, her back pressing tightly to the cool wood of the door.

"Rachel," she heard his voice behind the door. "Don't behave like a child and come back here."

"Go away," she hissed. "For a moment I really thought I can count on you and here you are, proving the exact opposite!"

Jesse didn't respond to the words and for another painfully long seconds, he was completely quiet. Finally, she heard his regretful question:

"Rachel, are you crying?"

Her only response was another muffled sob.

"Fuck," Jesse's voice turned into a complete panic when he heard her crying. "Fuck, Rach, I'm sorry. Jesus, I'm so fucking sorry, please, come out and talk to me. I swear I won't raise my voice again."

"Go away," she repeated. She honestly didn't want to look at him at the moment.

"Not until you let me apologise. I was totally out of turn, Rach. Please, just come to me."

She ignored him.

She was still sitting on the floor, looking ahead of her and wiping the angry tears. She's never felt more humiliated in her entire life and she would never suspect Jesse to be the source of her misery. Just what exactly did she do to him to cause such a reaction? What supposedly could she have done to deserve such a treatment?

On the other side of the door, she felt a soft thud and heard him sit on the floor again. Another dull sound told her that he most probably sat in the same position she was currently sitting in, hitting the back of his head against the wooden surface. She chuckled despite herself; damn, they were similar. People told her that many times and usually she felt a sick pride about it; but now it made her realise just how problematic two divas in the same room could prove to be.

And only then did Rachel realise the entire absurdity of this situation; the truth was, the argument was devoid of any grounds as she never did anything with Finn – anything as in not even letting him to the second base. She simply didn't feel fine about it with Finn. And there she was, fighting Jesse over it because he assumed that she did and thought it made her 'stupid'.

"Rach?" she heard him murmur in a soft voice. "Rach, I'm just worried about you. You mean the world to me, I don't want you to do anything stupid or face the consequences of that stupidity. You can trust me, right?"

She didn't respond again but felt a little better hearing his pained voice. She knew that what he told her was true but she also didn't need him to worry about her all the time and especially when it came to boys. She knew what she was doing, seriously.

Finally, Rachel managed to get rid of the last tears. Sniffing ungraciously, she stumbled to her feet again and looked at her puffed face in the mirror. Jesse must've heard her move because ever so softly, the door opened and Jesse's figure appeared in the doorway. He was pale and seriously terrified when he looked at her. Neither of them said a thing for a few minutes.

"I don't want to talk about it anymore," she told him finally but without looking at him. "You behave like an asshole and I have no intention to put up with it anymore. My relationships, not only with Finn but with anyone, are off-limit to you unless you stop being a jerk."

"Fine, I'll go home," Jesse stepped in her direction and only pressed a light kiss on her cheek. She stiffened. "I'm really sorry, Rachel."

He moved away and left the small room. Rachel wiped her eyes for the last time and shook her head.

"Don't be ridiculous, it's two in the morning," she muttered which caused him to stop just before reaching for the doorknob and look at her questioningly. "You don't have to go."

"No, it's fine, I can..."

"Get your ass to the floor and go to sleep, Jesse," she told him sternly.

Jesse took the offer without another comment. Calmed down, Rachel turned off the light and approached her own bed. She turned her back to Jesse and closed her eyes fully prepared to fall asleep as soon as possible but her brain had different plans. She could hear Jesse taking off his jacket and shirt. She was sure he was looking at her and she felt her heart lurch in pain. When did it all got so freaking messy? Jesse was behaving like an ass most of the times to most people, but he never felt annoyed or angry at her.

It was probably why she was so terrified when he attacked her without warning. Instead of trying to explain him everything, she was too stunned to even consider her own reactions. The truth was, she desperately needed someone to talk about it and Jesse was right: she couldn't imagine Quinn, Mercedes or Tina understanding her inner doubts. The whole situation with Finn was haunting her for weeks now; he was hinting at it for some time and she wasn't sure how to tell him no without making him angry – she wasn't the easiest girlfriend and she Finn was so easy to rile up. She did try talking with other girls about it but they just threw some crude comments or jokes and weren't helpful at all.

When Jesse told her they were going to talk, she partially hoped to find some answers. Instead, she received that.

Rachel rolled onto her back and opened her eyes. She listened for a minute to the sound of Jesse's calm breathing. He moved a bit on his make-up bed and she knew he wasn't asleep either. She played with her hair while speaking silently:

"Are you going to yell at me again?"

Jesse moved and sighed.

"Of course not. I'm really sorry, I overreacted."

Rachel sought Jesse's tall figure on the floor and spoke up again:

"I didn't sleep with Finn. It's a big deal after all. It's just that... Finn wants to take it to the next level and I love him so much..."

Under the cover of darkness she couldn't read his reaction but she was grateful for that – he couldn't see her face either and it gave her a bit of strength to get the conversation she needed.

"I thought you wanted to wait for the one," Jesse spoke up after some time when he was sure she wouldn't continue.

"He is the one," Rachel said with grave conviction. "I know he is. He loves me, we sing together and everything in the world falls into the right place. He's the guy that I've always dreamed about. And I feel like because of that I should be ready but I'm not. But Finn's so popular and I see how girls look at him and I'm afraid that he would just go to someone else if I don't... surrender. Please don't yell at me anymore, Jesse, I wouldn't survive it."

With every word, Rachel felt the heavy burden slowly disappear from her shoulders as she opened her heart. Although at the beginning her voice was strong, it turned into barely audible whisper at the very last piece. She felt her arms tremble when she tried to control the emotions but failed miserably. She saw Jesse jumping to his feet and climbing into her bed. Before she had a chance to react, she felt Jesse pulling her over to his chest as she began to cry silently.

"I'm so freaking sorry for earlier. I freaked out, you are still my little friend; I was worried."

Rachel nodded her head in understanding.

"Rach, shh," he patted her back and hair in comforting manner. He pulled away and lifted Rachel's head so that their eyes met despite the obscure vision. "Believe me, I hate to say it but you need to listen to me. If you decide that you are making the right decision, then go ahead and do it. I'll be there whatever happens afterwards. But, Rach, you are special and this decision shouldn't come from the sense of obligation. If you don't feel like one thousand percent sure about it in here," he poked her chest, "then don't do it. If Finn fails to see that then it means he's never been worthy of you in the first place."

Rachel didn't miss the fact that Jesse, for the first time ever, didn't call Finn by his surname or any nickname. He was serious and she was happy that despite his personal dislike for Finn, he didn't attack him or her again, but did his best to keep caring. That was what she wanted, needed, Jesse to be right now: friend, not overprotective jerk.

"I thought..."

"I didn't say I want you to," Jesse explained reading into her question before she had a chance to finish it. "I still think you should wait, most probably until you are forty or something."

She chuckled despite herself. But his words were what she unconsciously needed to hear.

"Or, at least not with him," Jesse continued. "I don't like him – and I have reasons not to like him, we both know it. He treated you like thrash when you two met, Rachel. Maybe your rose-tinted glasses obscured your vision and did harm to your memory, Rach, but I remember how we spent weeks on the phone with you crying your eyes out because he played you and tried to use you to get a scholarship."

"He's changed," she protested. "He grew up."

"Yeah, maybe," Jesse's voice was doubtful. "You wanted a piece of advice and I'm giving you one: you don't have to do anything, until you are ready."

"I... I think that I tell this to Finn next time we're together. I know that he would understand," Rachel replied, grateful for Jesse's support. She hugged him and burst into a teary laugh. "Thank you."

She felt Jesse stiffen. He held her for some time, until she calmed down completely. When she stopped crying, she pulled away from Jesse's arms. He really was the best thing that has happened to her, apart from Finn, and she wanted him to be happy, too.

But she also felt like torturing him in revenge. And she could kill two birds with one stone.

"So," Rachel suddenly lightened up at that last thought. "I've had my bees and birds talk – it's your turn now."


Jesse's POV

What?

"No freaking way, Berry," Jesse stood up hurriedly, suddenly not feeling like being in the room anymore. The last thing he needed was talking about Kate with Rachel nonetheless. "I'm perfectly fine."

Rachel reached to her night stand and turned on the small star lamp by her bed. He saw her roll her eyes.

"Oh really?"

"Yeah, really. Jesus, Rach, just forget it."

Rachel frowned at his harsh reaction and suddenly Jesse felt like a jackass again.

He still was feeling regretful because of his previous outburst. But seriously, how was he supposed to react when he had thought that she had sex with Hudson? It was hard enough to see her make sweet eyes for him, now he was to go around knowing that he was her first? So sue him for a jealousy rage. But that was fine now, Hudson wasn't her first and she told him she had no intention of doing anything with the moron for the time being.

Jesse's hope returned at those words; at least she wasn't that weak to 'surrender' even under the threat of Hudson breaking up with her – and Jesse felt even more hatred for him for making his Rachel feel that way. Jesse would never pressure her into doing anything she wouldn't want herself; he would be there for her despite all. He should be there for her, not that idiot. Jesse loved her unconditionally; and for the time being, since he couldn't demonstrate it to directly yet, he had every intention of showing her his love through those smaller, friendly actions. Even if it meant going through agonizing conversations like this one.

But no power in the world would make him talk about his sex life with the girl he's been in love with for the past few months. It was hard enough to listen to her love confessions and plans with the douche bag she calls her boyfriend.

"Why are you so defensive? I thought we could trust each other?" she repeated his own words with a frown and added with sarcastically: "So, what now – you can force the conversation on me but I can't return the favour?"

Oh, she wanted a payback? Jesse shook his head. Rachel was sitting on her bed now, looking at him seriously.

"Jesse, I know you're not the type of guy who does relationships but I really think Kate's great for you and..."

No, she wasn't saying what he thought that she was saying, right? Jesse sighed and pointed his finger at her.

"Whoa, stop it right there," Jesse interrupted her as soon as possible. "I'm going to tell you this once and for all, Rach: I don't consider Kate in those categories. And I won't."

Rachel pouted.

"But I though that maybe..."

"No."

"But..."

"No."

"Jesse..."

"There is this girl that I like, okay?" Jesse blurted out before he could stop the words flying out of his mouth. Rachel opened her mouth to probably scream in excitement but he didn't let her say anything, effectively stopping her attempt with a glare. "She's the most beautiful and perfect person I know," he added with admiration, taking his probably only chance to tell her that in person even though Rach had no idea he was talking about her.

"But she likes someone else, okay?" Jesse explained with his most brave showface on. "And I'm not going to crash myself in the middle of their love drama because she'd hate me for doing that. Especially that the girl's totally oblivious. Kate's just convenient from time to time. I'm eighteen for Christ's sake, Rach. I'm not going to sit down because of that, okay?"

Either way, Jesse planned to wait for his time. Rachel had nothing in common with Hudson, it was only a mater of time before she realised that. When the day comes, he will come out and say it – until then, though, he would be there for her, as simple as that. And Kate? He'll say this again: convenient.

There was a moment of complete silence before Rachel tucked a strand of her hair behind her ears and nodded her head.

"Okay."

What? Jesse was prepared for an hour long therapeutic session from her, especially after such revelation. But Rachel simply nodded her head again and sat back down on her bed. Her face screamed curiosity but her lips were sealed.

Jesse, for the first time since he realised he had feelings for Rachel, started freaking out in connection to that. She never seemed to be so... reasonable. He was used to her prying for every piece of information about his life for the past six years and now, when Jesse admits caring about someone, Rachel backs off? Okay, being aware of her complete ignorance about his feelings for her was one thing, but Rachel not even being a tad interested in hearing about his feelings for anybody was totally depressing.

To be completely honest, Jesse sometimes had no idea how Rachel could be so blind not to notice his love. He was a great actor but he wasn't that good, for sure. Or maybe he was? Or maybe she was so focused on Hudson that other people ceased to exist.

"Rachel, is everything fine?" he heard himself asking. "Maybe a fever or..."

"Jesse, I'm really fine," she assured him and shrugged before continuing. "We may be best friends but still there are some things that we wouldn't want to share with each other, right?" she threw him a meaningful look and Jesse sighed nervously. "I don't expect you to be devoid of such boundaries, as well, so we'll make a deal right now. From now on, my budding sex life is one of those off-limits topics for you while I'm ready to grant you the same privilege when it comes to your budding emotional life and try not to push it too much after what I'm going to say right now."

Jesse started laughing slowly when her words sank in. Budding emotional life? So in her eyes he was almost an emotionally-handicapped person? Thank you very much, he thought with another silent chuckle. She cleared her throat:

"I understand you too much to know that whoever that lucky girl is, it's not your fault that she doesn't like you back; she's obviously too dumb to notice you, right?"

Jesse couldn't get a word out of him.

"And maybe it's better that... how did you put it?... that 'Kate's convenient'," Rach continued, encouraged by his silence. "Maybe she'll turn out to be the girl for you after all. Even if you don't feel like it yet. And that is everything I'm going to say tonight."

Jesse groaned internally. All he needed was being given a lecture on how his fling with Kate might've turned into the greatest romance of his life, from the love of his life, nonetheless. Great.

However, Rachel seemed to be really concerned about him and the 'mess' she thought he'd gotten himself into, despite her assurances that she will not stick her nose in his matters. Jesse thought that he could use these concerns, though.

"I still think that it's not going to work out the way you see it," he told her seriously but dropping his defensive stance. "But I think I could use some help here," he admitted. "Consider it as getting even for my previous unforgiveable reaction."

Rachel looked surprised but nodded her head encouragingly. He couldn't help but to ask the million dollars question which roamed through his head for some time now:

"Do you think that the girl could ever see past me and Kate when I tell her how I feel?"

Rachel frowned.

"It depends. I don't know the girl."

Jesse sat down on her bed next to her.

"Fine but I still need a girl's perspective on this," he murmured, slightly excited out of the sudden. "Let's suppose it was Hudson – hypothetically, of course! And suppose that he was chasing after you but you're in love with someone else, so he gave vent to his incredibly pent up frustration with... that ice queen from your team. No strings attached, no hard feeling on either side. Just an occasional hook up. Then you fall in love with him and he tells you about her," Jesse paused observing Rachel's serious expression, before concluding: "What do you do?"

Okay that was a long shot. Jesse half-expected Rachel to yell at him but she only pondered his words in silence. Jesse gulped waiting for her answer, thinking at the same time that if by any possible chance they will end up together in the future, she will kick his ass for this evening.

Finally, Rachel scoffed sharply and looked at Jesse directly. She began talking slowly, as if considering every word before she let it slip from her mouth:

"I guess I'd want him to tell me before I'd found out on my own, that for sure. But should I be angry?" she paused and Jesse held his breath. "Not really, it's not like he was cheating on me or anything. I don't understand boys very much but I wouldn't expect one to save himself until marriage. It's more like my kind of thing."

Jesse let out a breath, blinking in relief.

"Really? You really think so?"

"Dead serious," Rachel put her handover her heart. "Just... Jesse, try to take Kate's feelings into consideration. She knows about the other girl right?"

It was Rachel as he'd known her – worrying about Kate of all people.

"Yeah, she knows. And she's okay with that. Our deal helps her with her long distance thing with her boyfriend from Columbus."

Rachel knew about Kate's boyfriend from some more or less relevant conversation so she only nodded her head in understanding.

"Hey, what if Kate's boyfriend finds out?" she asked out of the sudden. Her worry about that really made his heart warm up.

"He'd be pissed?" Jesse guessed truthfully. He shrugged. To be honest, he's never met Kate's boyfriend. "I don't know the guy. But if he'd want to kill me then I suppose I'd have to hide for the rest of my life. If he's anything as tough as Kate, I'm screwed. I can count on your closet, right?"

Rachel burst into laughter. She shook her head and jumped under her covers again. For the second time she turned off her night lamp, saying a hushed 'goodnight'.

"Hey, couldn't we just sleep on your bed instead of making me spend the night on the hard floor? Do you know how hard it is on my back?"

"Get off my bed, St. James," she growled.

Jesse murmured something incoherent in response. Half an hour later, he was resting on the floor, staring at the ceiling in the darkness of Rachel's room, listening to her even breaths, and he couldn't wash the small smile off his face. This evening started out as a disaster but gradually turned out to be more informative then he'd anticipated it could be.

However, he would also have to talk to Kate about her 'Columbus guy' and any potential future life threats. And maybe thank her for forcing him to end their 'deal' weeks ago.


Shelby's POV

Shelby put her phone into her pocket and smiled to herself. She was incredibly satisfied and yeah, Shelby Corcoran could be called a miracle-maker.

Due to Jesse's mother's sickness at the beginning of the last month he couldn't make it to the regular auditions. Shelby wanted to take the chance and show them her most promising student anyway. It wasn't a simple task, she had to dig up every, even the smallest connection in New York to make it happen. She'd spent the last weeks practically sleeping on the phone, making promises she couldn't fulfil to give Jesse another chance.

And she managed to make the impossible happen.

The woman looked at the clock and exactly on time, her choir began to gather in the auditorium. She stood up, impatiently waiting for Jesse to tell him the news. Finally her lead entered the auditorium but she stopped with her mouth open when Kate ran into the auditorium behind him.

With a frown, Shelby noticed how Jesse and Kate seemed to be fighting over something quietly. He pulled Kate's arm to make her look at him while she was fiercely snapping back at his every word. The rest of the team exchanged looks but proceeded with the normal routine before the rehearsal. Shelby knocked loudly on her desk and instantly the pair went silent looking up to where she was sitting. Her good mood died away in a matter of seconds.

"Does anyone care to explain?" she demanded.

Jesse murmured something to Kate but she apparently ignored him and pulled away from his grasp.

"I've been with Jesse in Lima last weekend," Kate announced much to Shelby's surprise. "Rachel threw a party for her dads and her club sang there. We have less than a month left until Regionals; I think it's time."

Shelby frowned hearing the unexpected words knowing exactly what the girl meant. Shelby promised Schuester that they will leave his club alone and thought that the Vocal Adrenaline agreed not to bother with them this year. Most of them genuinely liked Rachel and didn't want to stress her out unnecessarily before Regionals since they were sure to win over Rachel's team without much of an effort. Shelby noticed how Jesse drove daggers at Kate's head while she continued:

"They got cocky," Kate explained shortly. "And, as hard as it is for me to admit, good. We should put them in place."

The rest of the team exchanged glances and nodded hesitantly. Kate's been usually very rarely concerned about other teams' possible chances at beating them. Hearing Kate's words, Shelby couldn't ignore her obvious concern. However, Jesse shook his head and began marching in Shelby's direction.

"I thought we agreed not to attack the New Directions, Shelby," he hissed. "Rachel has enough problems without it."

"Oh for fuck's sake, pull your head out of her pants, St. James," Kate growled suddenly much to everyone's surprise. "She won't even look at you with that bloke glued to her mouth whether you personally serve her the national title on a golden tray or not. Some of us also fight for scholarships. I don't want to screw this competition because you're getting a hard on every time she walks into the room!"

Someone in the back coughed trying to contain laughter. The other people in the auditorium actually paled and some of the girls covered their lips. Shelby stiffened. Knowing about her student's crush on her daughter was one thing, hearing about his sexual frustration caused by that daughter was something completely different. She pushed the unwelcome images out of her mind.

"Shelby, it isn't about Regionals," Jesse turned to look at her again. "Rachel's life has been made a living hell because her friendship with me. She has no freaking friends there apart from the New Directions, who only tolerate her because she is their best singer. It isn't about our or their chances at Regionals but her not being humiliated and ridiculed every day. And I tell you – Vocal Adrenaline in McKinley will only make things even worse"

Shelby stiffened. She heard from Jesse about Rachel's hard situation at school from time to time. But Shelby knew also that Jesse's situation was special as well. She took in the faces of the members of Vocal Adrenaline and with a heavy heart she came to a decision. She looked at Jesse whose expression hardened instantly.

"I'm sorry, Jesse, but the competition is more important than that," she declared. "I won't take any risks."

"More important than what, Shelby?" Jesse bit back. "More important my friendship with Rachel or her mental stability? Let me break it to you – I won't risk my friendship for another championship."

Shelby glared at him from above. She folded her arms on her chest.

"And what about being willing to risk your future for a high school crush?"

"What?" Jesse wasn't the only surprised person in the auditorium now.

Shelby made a sorry face.

"I just got off the phone with the admissions office at Julliard, Jesse. The Nationals will be considered your second official audition."

He looked at her disbelievingly. He was standing there staring at her with astonishment, unable to produce even a word. His great dream was still possible to be fulfilled. But he didn't laugh, though. He didn't start dancing all over the stage, he didn't do anything but stared at her.

"I'm sorry but either you are with us on this or we risk losing to McKinley next month and ruining this again."

Jesse shook his head as if still unable to comprehend Shelby's words.

"I'm sure Rachel will understand it once you tell her," she added more softly, ending the conversation for good.


Jesse's been totally awful to Rachel here and Rachel will get back at him for staging this conversation about her with her in the future – something to wait for, huh?

And, as some of you might have guessed by now, the fluff and peaceful atmosphere are over for now – it's time for some drama!

Next time: Funk with a twist!

-s.