Disclaimer: I do not own Glee or Definitely, Maybe.
Author's Note: Please review! And no, Sam has not been eliminated from the list of contenders. I went back and changed what Rachel said from "She's my daughter! Not yours!" to "She's my daughter! You lost any chance to be in my life or hers!" because her saying "she's not your daughter" could be perceived in a different way than I meant it. So, don't ever eliminate anyone until the end. Now, Jesse comes into the story in this chapter! And I'd love to hear who you think Ava's dad is in the form of a review (hint, hint). ~Jackie
I was cleaning up after Glee practice in the auditorium. Everyone had left behind a mess of glitter and costume scraps and I swept the stage, humming "My Man" to myself. Soon I was fully fledged singing.
Oh my man I love him so
He'll never know
All my life is just despair
But I don't care
When he takes me in his arms
The world is bright all right
What's the difference if I say
I'll go away
When I know I'll come back on my knees someday
For whatever my man is
I am his forever more
Suddenly, I heard clapping echo throughout the auditorium, someone walking towards me. "Brava, brava. How I love it when you sing that song, Rachel,"
I squinted and his face appeared in the spotlight, smiling devilishly. "Jesse," I remarked. "What are you doing here?"
"Aren't you happy to see me?" He teased, coming to join me on stage. "And what is a beautiful leading lady like you doing cleaning up?"
"I volunteered," I said. "Now, answer my question, please."
"I've come to make you a once in a lifetime offer that could make you a big, big star." Jesse replied. "I've been offered the role of Radames in the musical, Aida. We are still looking for the right young starlet to play the title character, and I have decided to ask you if you were interested."
"Me?" I gasped. "Why me?"
"You're a very talented girl, Rachel." Jesse said. "The musical doesn't open until June, so you only have to miss a few weeks of school at the end of the year. I know you're sad you didn't get into NYADA, but this will help your career so much."
"What's NYADA?" Ava asked.
"It's a university here," I explained. "NYADA stands for 'New York Academy of the Dramatic Arts.' Senior year your Uncle Kurt and I both applied for it. He got in, but I didn't."
"Really?" Ava gasped. "But you're so good Mom! Don't tell Uncle Kurt I said this, but I think you're better than him."
I laughed. "Your uncle's pretty amazing too."
"I don't know," I responded. "I'm basically putting everything on the line for me to do this. And what if I don't get the part?"
"I have connections, Rachel. I can almost guarantee this part is yours. We haven't seen a single good audition yet! And I'm sure Finn won't mind. That guy follows you like a lost puppy."
I looked at the floor. "Finn isn't my boyfriend, anymore. I'm with Noah."
"That's a shame," Jesse spoke without sympathy. Then he grinned. "Hey! I know what'll make you feel better! Auditioning for this part!"
I shrugged. "I'll have to think about it,"
"You go."
"Excuse me?" I said, I hadn't been paying attention. I had been getting lost in my thoughts.
"You go with Jesse," Ava stated. "I could tell me asking to go see him made you upset, so he must've done something to you, am I right?"
"Well, how about I continue? This is a really emotional part."
I met Puck at his locker the next day.
"Hey Hot Jewish American Princess," He said when he saw me, leaning forward to give me a kiss. I deepened it, hoping to make him happy before I told him of my plans. "So, what's up?"
"Guess who I saw yesterday?" I asked him.
Puck thought for a moment. "Dunno," He caved. "Who?"
"Jesse St. James," I mumbled.
"Who? Can you speak up, Rachel?"
I cleared my throat. "Jesse St. James," I answered a little louder.
"That asshole?" Puck demanded. "What, do you want me to kick the crap out of him for you? I'm sure I could get Sam and Finn onboard too-"
"Noah, baby," I said softly, placing a hand gently on his shoulder. "Jesse asked me to be on Broadway with him. And I think I'm going to say yes."
He frowned in reply. "The Hell? So you're going to leave me here? You're going to leave us all here?"
"Noah, it's not like that-"
"Yes! It kind of is! Look, Rachel, I know I'm not the smartest guy with the brightest future, I can't get you an easy ticket out of Lima like St. Jackass can, but I care about you. Lima Loser or not, I care about you."
"Why are you acting like this whole relationship is real?" I questioned boldly. "Noah, Puck, it's not real!"
"It's real to me!" He said, his volume rising. I admit here I got a little wide eyed and I jumped as Puck slammed his locker door and turned to face me. "Rachel, I've fallen in love with you! Don't you see?"
"No," I cried, my voice thick. "This wasn't supposed to happen!"
And then, he kissed me again. Harder. Much harder. "Well, it did."
