It was now the week of Nationals and I couldn't believe that I was here in New York. The group and I had taken our final exams the week before since we'd be gone and everyone else was stuck at home. I looked around New York, stunned by every beautiful sight and all the buildings. Tomorrow would be the first preliminary round and if we made it to the final round; then we would have to come up with a great original song. We figured that if we were out and checking out the city; it would inspire us to come up with a great song We took the ferry out to Liberty Island and some of the group even climbed the statue while I was among those who stayed on the ground with Artie.

After the ferry ride back; we went to see Time Square and then Kurt accompanied me to see the American Ballet Academy as long as I promised to go with him to see the Vogue building. When we arrived at the studio; we were shown around and I mentioned my training and the teacher that was showing us around led me to the headmaster's office and I was permitted to come in and dance for the headmaster. I was thankful I was in easy clothes to move in and Kurt came in to watch. After I danced; the headmaster gave me a pamphlet about their senior year scholarship program that would have coming up here either during Christmas or spring break and dance to see if I would be eligible to dance here for college. I had to admit that the thought of that did sound exciting. Kurt and I finally saw the Vogue building and then we rejoined the group. By that time; the sun was setting and all the lights were coming on. We saw the lights and reflected on our adventure which led us to the title 'Light Up the World.' We started discussing lyrics while Puck, Sam, and Artie were strumming out chords for the song and I would occasionally play the piano and Finn would tap out a rhythm with his drumsticks so that we could help the band with the music.

It took us about two hours but we finally had the music and the lyrics. We took everything to the band and started working on the music, playing the idea we had. After awhile; we had the tune just right and they had us leave so they could work on trying to finish learning our preliminary song which was the classic 'I Can't Help Falling in Love with You' that had been an Elvis classic until it was remixed by the pop group A*Teens and the remix was what we were using. We finally went down to get dinner and started eating. After dinner; I went back to my room to shower before bed. Little did I know what I was about to be in for. I finally got rid of my clothes and started the shower to wash the travel away.

Jesse's P.O.V

I couldn't believe Dustin had kept to the idea of doing IV drips for Nationals week. I don't take to kindly to needles plus I was tired of using steroids. It was illegal and especially for competitions. I could hear Coach Goolsby coming so I had to escape. I saw the air duct so I got up and silently crawled away. I heard him calling me but I wasn't going to respond. I had a feeling though that he'd tear this hotel apart to try and find me just to administer this monstrous cocktail that would ruin me later.

I kept crawling to who knows where but I finally found a room on an upper floor and heard a shower running. 'I'll take it' I thought to myself, jumping out of the vent and looking around. From the way the room was organized and the perfume on the dresser told me the occupant was female. I smelled the perfume and recognized it right away. It was the jasmine perfume of the only love of my life, Gabriella. I heard the shower stopping but there was no place to hide.

Gabriella's P.O.V

I turned off the shower and had my hair wrapped in a towel and my robe on. I applied some lotion and took the hairbrush out of the drawer and started brushing my hair before I turned on the hair dryer to finish the process. I had just turned the dryer off when I thought I heard something in my room. I made sure my robe was tied tightly and slowly opened the door. Cautiously; I looked around, praying there wasn't a burglar in my room. I walked toward the bed and a figure shot up and I gasped. "Jesse; what the hell are you doing in my room and for that matter; how did you get in here" I asked.

"I got in through the air duct but I had to escape Gabriella. Coach Goolsby was trying to give me steroids. I wasn't kidding about Vocal Adrenaline's practice and I've gone to show choir board to get Vocal Adrenaline out of competition for good" Jesse replied. "That's nice but I thought I made it clear that we were done" I told him. "Gabriella; hear me out. I hate Andrea and I would never go out with her. She kissed me by force and I was pushing her off. I don't want to be with anyone but you. You are the only girl that matters to me and I mean that" Jesse pleaded. Right at that moment; my robe started to come untied and I said "Cover your eyes Jesse." When he had done so; I changed into my nightgown before I asked "Is all that you just told me the truth?"

"Yes Gabriella; every bit of it is the truth. I want you to come back to me. You are the only one I want" Jesse told me, holding me close. "I'll have to think about this Jesse. I have to know that you really mean this" I told him. Just then; a loud knock came at my door and I told Jesse "Hide in my closet and be really quiet." I got him in the closet and then went to the door. It was Dustin Goolsby and I asked "What do you want?" "Is Jesse in here? I know you two are dating" he told me. "No; I wouldn't let my sorry ex in here. Now; I kindly suggest that you leave this instant or I will call security and have thrown out for disrupting my rest" I told him, slamming the door.

I waited a moment before opening the closet and telling Jesse "It's safe but you'd best stay in here with me tonight but leave before sunrise or before I have to leave for rehearsal." "Alright and I'll take the couch Gabriella. Thank you for protecting me tonight" he said. "It's no trouble but let's not mention what you almost saw" I replied. "Already forgotten" Jesse replied, removing his shoes and stretching out on the couch. I made sure he was fully asleep before I crawled into bed.

I looked over at him sleeping so innocently and I thought about what he had told me. I realized he really meant his apology and I had been wrong all along Now that I knew he was for real; we could mend our relationship and try not to let anything stand in our way. I finally turned out the light and fell asleep; dreaming of winning Nationals and hoping that I would be able to happy with Jesse once again.