The sun was shining through the golden curtains, gently kissing Rachel's skin as her eyes fluttered open slowly, taking a moment to react to her surroundings before a smile crossed her face at the realisation she was in New York.

Sitting up suddenly in bed, Rachel looked around the hotel room taking in the beauty of the room. A room in New York, Rachel was actually back in New York and a massive grin covered her face as she hopped out of bed and ran around to Kurt shaking his shoulders to wake him up.

"Kurt!" Rachel said "Kurt! Wake up!"

Kurt groaned in response. "what? is our hotel room on fire?"

"No!" Rachel exclaimed laughing, pulling back the sheets on his bed "No we're in New York come on get up!"

"Thats all?" Kurt replied, "We were in New York last night...and we will be tomorrow. Right now, I want to sleep!" And with the final part Kurt pulled the sheets back up over himself to hide his eyes from the daylight.

"Come on Kurt!" Rachel sighed. As Kurt grumbled a response, her dads opened the adjoining door between the rooms they were each staying in. Kurt simply groaned again

"Good Morning Future Broadway stars!" Hiram sung loudly, causing Rachel to jump up and hug her dads.

"Good morning Dad." Rachel replied, kissing Leroy on the cheek "And you too Daddy"

"Morning Mr Berry's" Kurt moaned from the bed, sitting up and wiping his eyes

"Hello Kurt" Hiram replied, "Come on you two, get dressed and we'll go to breakfast. Then we'll drop you two off at Julliard for your introductory meeting!"

"Okay Dads, we'll be down in a little bit"

...

Around an hour later, Rachel and Kurt were walking towards the Julliard academy auditorium where the receptionist had informed them the meeting would be happening. Rachel had a large grin on her face as she looked around the courtyard they were walking through, buildings that bled history and tradition. This only grew as the auditorium came into view. Julliard's Auditorium was a large imposing building, Rachel and Kurt look to each other as they saw a crowd of students heading towards the doors.

"Wow...it's beautiful" Rachel gasped

"Yep" Kurt said, nudging her "Come on Lets go"

Rachel grinned back at him, and nodded eagerly. The two of them walked towards the building, arm in arm. As they entered through the glass doors, the two of them were greeted by a large number of students stood grouped, lining up as they waited to be allowed entrance to the auditorium itself. Rachel and Kurt weaved their way through the students towards a table where they would be able to sign in and receive a welcome pack along with name badges.

Rachel and Kurt stood patiently next to each other in the two lines as they waited for the person in front to be done. Rachel found herself stood behind a guy with short curly black hair, and she could hear the end of the conversation that was going on in front of her;

"Welcome to Julliard, Mr Agrisino " The female admissions spoke softly, "I hope you enjoy your time with us"

"Thanks, I'm sure I will" A deep but smooth voice that Rachel found calming to her ears came from the curly hair boy in front of her. As he spun around, Rachel felt her breathe hitch, this mystery boy pausing in front of her and she could feel him taking in her appearance as she did the same with him.

Rachel smiled at the attractive boy who was gazing back at her; He was a few inches taller than her, and he had tanned skin that she connected with his surname to mean he came from an Italian descent. Her eyes travelled down his body and she took in his appearance. He wore a red short-sleeved shirt and cream pants. Much in the same way she saw on Puck and Sam at home, his sleeves were tight around his arms in a way that allowed to her to notice he obviously worked out. His obvious athleticism and beautiful smile made her find him incredibly attractive.

Rachel breathed out slowly as her eyes returned to his face and met his brown eyes again. He was gazing back at her with an intensity that made her heart beat. She opened her mouth to say "Hello" when she heard a voice to her right,

"Yo James, you coming bud?" she followed the voice to a guy who was waving a hand over to a group of three girls and four other guys.

"Nice to meet you" James whispered to her, before picking up his bag; in one quick motion slinging it over his shoulder and passing her towards his friends. Rachel watched him walk away and found herself wishing that she'd introduced herself.

"Miss?"

The voice of the female administrator snapped her out of her daydream and turned forwards taking a breath before replying "Berry, Rachel Berry"

...

"So who was that cute guy you were talking to"

"What?" Rachel said blushing "I don't know what you're talking about"

"Oh come on" Kurt said rolling his eyes as the two of them took their seats in the auditorium. "You were checking him out"

"No I wasn't" Rachel replied embarrassed. Kurt gave her a look that silenced her protesting. "Okay...well, his friend called him James..."

"And he's cute" Kurt responded, raising an eyebrow at her. Rachel was about to reply when the lights dimmed and a woman with long blonde hair walked out onto the stage.

"Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen, Actors, Dancers, Musicians, Performers and Singers. Welcome to the NYADA and Julliard Academy Programme, My Name is Janet Williams and I am the Director of the Julliard theatre department." The Woman paused as there was a round of applause

"You are here this summer, because each and every one of you has the ambition to come to New York when you graduate and enrol at two of the most prestigious academies for the performing arts. Over the next month, you will be involved with a number of our tutors who will work with you to give you an idea of not only the challenges you will face but the first of many, hopefully, enjoyable lessons. I will now hand you over to the head of the programme, one of NYADA's finest who will be responsible for you over the next month, Arnold Stanson."

The woman on walked off the stage to applause. The man walked forwards introducing himself.

"Hello everyone" Rachel saw him take a breath, "You are all here because regardless of your talent, you are the finest performers that our country has to offer and you have chosen us to be the institution to help you hone this talent. The institution to assist you in living your incredible ambitions."

He then launched into a talk that lasted a further hour about what the summer programme would involve. Where they would work, what activities they would take part in and who they would be working with. Towards the end, Rachel turned to Kurt.

"This sounds amazing" Rachel whispered, Kurt nodded eagerly and pointed back to the stage.

"Now that is out of the way" He cleared his throat. "For the last five years, I have served as the Head of National Show choir competition's executive committee. I am aware that there are a number of students in the audience who participated in our National Championships right here in New York a couple of months ago"

As he finished the were a number of murmurings amongst the students and he raised a couple of hands to silence them

"In the spirit of NYADA; of recognising the talent within our community. I'd like the chance for the representatives of their respective show choirs to stand so that we can introduce ourselves to one another"

He said, pulling out a piece of paper and began reading a number of names. He ran through a dozen show choirs, including the last three who had finished in the top ten: Singaz Wit Attitude, Vocal Extreme and Vocal Chords. Two more were read out before it was their time.

"From William McKinley High School, Ohio; this years 12th place finalists; The New Directions." Both of them stood up nervously when it was announced; waiting to see what the reaction would be considering the events that took place during Rachel and Finns duet; but there was the same simple applause that had come for the teams who had been announced before.

"We also have four students from this year's runners up. From Carmel High School, Ohio; Vocal Adrenaline." Three girls that Rachel and Kurt recognised from this year and the year before stood as well as a guy that they didn't; and again there was a gentle applause.

As they sat down again, there was a smile on the face of the as he reads the next name. "And last but not least, I'm glad to say that we have three representatives of this years National Champions from Oregon: The Scale Blazers"

Rachel and Kurt watched eagerly as five rows in front of them two guys and a girl stood and waved to the crowd. There was a whistle, and Rachel saw that it was from the guy from Vocal Adrenaline who then punched the arm of one of the Scale Blazers playfully. Rachel followed his gaze and found that it landed on the curly haired guy who she had come face to face with earlier, who was shaking his head with a smirk on his face. The sight of it made her heart beat just that little bit faster. After a few seconds they sat back down. Rachel felt Kurt touch her shoulder gently.

"Looks like your cute friend is talented" Kurt teased.

Rachel sighed exasperated, a slight hint of a blush on her face "Kurt..."

"Thank you" The gentlemen on the stage announced

"A part of this programme is to teach you to embrace your fellow performers and to appreciate the talent that is on offer. As you can see we have some incredibly talented people here this summer. Now, You have all been split into groups for the next two weeks. You will find several lists in the foyer; please take the time to find yourself and the Tutor that your group has been assigned. They will be wearing a name tag just like yours. I hope you all have a fantastic time with us this summer, Thank you"

...

After they had split into their groups, they were given time to mingle and get to know the people they'd be spending the next two weeks with.

Rachel found herself separated from Kurt and she was glancing anxiously around the room she found herself in. A few of the students were chatting, laughing as they got to know one another. Rachel was sat quietly by herself, as she pondered about how great this summer was supposed to be, her thoughts however kept drifting to the fact that her friends were back in Ohio, and now Kurt wasn't here with her. She lingered on the thought that despite the talk of recognising and mingling with the other talented people here at the programme, many of these people would be competing against her for entrance to NYADA.

"Hey..uh...is that seat taken?" Rachel heard a familiar voice and as she looked up from glancing at her hands, she was greeted by the smiling face of the curly haired guy from earlier. Oh god…what are the chances.

"Hey...no its not" Rachel said, finding herself smiling at him subconsciously before gesturing to the empty seat "Please"

He nodded back at her, dropping his bag and sitting in the free seat. As he did, Rachel breathed out trying to focus on her dreams of New York instead of this incredibly handsome guy. The two of them sat nervously in silence for a few minutes before she noticed him turning in his seat to face her.

"So...I guess we're supposed to get to know each other?" He said in his calm voice, eyes glinting at her as he smiled. She stared into his eyes and found herself bite her lip nodding "Officially this time"

"I'm Rachel" she replied holding her hand out as she giggled at him, her voice soft "Rachel Berry"

"You have a beautiful smile Rachel" James said truthfulness dancing in his eyes, She felt her blushing. "And since we're doing this officially...I'm James, James Agrisino"

"Nice to meet you..." Rachel replied, before smiling and shrugging her shoulders softly "officially"

James grinned back at her, his white teeth showing. Her insides stirred as he leant forward in his chair "So...you're in a show choir"

"Yeah, I am"

"Don't tell me the name...I remember it...New Directions"

"Yep"

"So that means you're from Ohio right?"

"Right again" She giggled "You're doing well"

"I'm good at twenty questions" He laughed and she couldn't help herself doing the same.

"I can tell. I'm very impressed"

"I'm glad" James was fascinating, she couldn't take her eyes off him "But, thats about as much as I know...whereabouts in Ohio?"

"Lima" Rachel said leaning forward herself, supporting her head on her hand as she placed her elbow on the table. "My turn"

"Hit me"

"Your second name, Agrisino. Italian?"

"Nailed it" He replied softly giving her a thumbs up

"You James are in a show choir too. The Scale Blazers?"

"Sure am" He replied wearing a teasing smile and she felt herself enjoying the banter.

"Which means, of course, you're from Oregon"

"Three out of three" He confirmed, a fondness in his voice

"You go to school in...Portland was it?"

"Correct"

"I think you're a singer"

"I am"

"You're the male lead of your team"

"You're miles better than I am at this game" He laughed and she couldn't help but join in.

"I'll take that as you conceding" She teased mentally wondering to herself why are you acting like this?

"Definitely" He said nodding at her, licking his lips before he spoke again "Where are you going to apply NYADA or Julliard?"

"NYADA. I want to study Musical Theatre" Rachel replied, smiling

"Broadway dreams?"

"It might sound stupid considering, like, everyone here has the same dream but yeah. I've thought about it ever since I was a little girl"

"Its not stupid" He responded, smiling "It's your dream. It doesn't matter what other people want or think. Its yours"

"Thats nice...I like that" Rachel grinned back at him, "What about you?"

"Julliard. Drama" James replied, then licked his lips "I've always wanted to perform. Broadway more recently, but always performing"

Rachel smiled back.

"So, Lima. Thats near to Carmel High?"

"A couple of hours, but we've competed against Vocal Adrenaline before" She replied simply "How do you know them?"

"Well, we finished in second to them two years ago before winning this year" James said as he scratched his neck "I got to know a few of them well, got a bit more friendly with them this year. You know, without Jesse st James"

"Yeah..." She agreed "Yeah, I know Jesse"

"He's talented but an incredible douche, who along with his friends seemed to decide that Show choir was a thing where you couldn't be friendly with the competition"

Rachel replied, frowning slightly "I didn't know vocal adrenaline could be friendly. They've practically terrorised us for the last couple of years."

"I'm sorry about that" James said sadly, and Rachel heart warmed

"Why do you say that"

"Because, we've only just meant but you're wonderful James replied "A really sweet girl"

"I'll have you know, I have been known to have a mean streak" Rachel said playfully, grinning at him

"I don't doubt it, but my comment stands" James replied, his eyes showing the truth behind his words as she gazed into them. he really does have beautiful eyes

Rachel blushed, and there was a silence between them as both looked away from each other slightly embarrassed. After a couple of moments Rachel spoke "Congratulations on winning by the way"

"Thanks" He grinned "Was this your first time at Nationals? I don't remember you from a couple of years ago"

"It was our first nationals" Rachel confirmed, a little disheartened to hear it out loud. "We finished twelve"

"That's great for your first performance at Nationals" He said and nudged her shoulder softly. "Sure, we won this year but my first nationals we finished fifteenth"

"So what you're saying is i'm on track to beat you this year"

"Not likely" He replied, causing the both of them to burst out in laughter

The two of them talked for another forty minutes, the conversation turned to more personal matters as they were both eager to get to know the other. As they did, the more they talked Rachel found that they had a lot in common. James' mother was a vegan too and she owned several Vegan friendly restaurants back home in Oregon. While he wasn't himself, he revealed that he split his eating between the two depending on when his father was at home or not. Like her father Leroy, his father was a businessmen and was on the board of a major firm that worked in a number of states across the country.

It turned out that both of them had a love of Broadway shows, him being a fan of West Side Story but also sharing her love for Funny Girl. Talent shows were another area where they found a common interest, Rachel laughing as he revealed he wanted to apply to go onto American X-factor to meet Simon Cowell.

"Hey come on. Its not that funny" He said laughing as well

"It really is, why would you want to meet him?"

"He's amazing. Do you know how many people he's responsible for making famous." James added, smirking at her "Plus, He's British and I love everything to do with Britain. I'd love to live there some day"

Rachel giggled and sighed. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead" He said smiling at her

"You said you've always wanted to perform" Rachel said, "Most guys our age want to be sport stars or something manly like that"

"Are you implying singing isn't manly?" He looked at her with a raised eyebrow before laughing and she couldn't help but join him. "Most of it comes down to not wanting to be like my dad I guess"

Rachel looked at him, and could tell that he didn't have the easiest relationship with him, asking softly "Why?

"He's some hotshot businessman." He said, frowning "He works away a lot and was never really around when I was growing up. You know, he doesn't even enjoy his job, he does it because of the money and because its what he was told to do by his father. If I am going to be doing something in my life, I want it to be because I enjoy it and its what I want"

Rachel nodded, smiling at him.

"What about you?" James asked, "Aside from the fact you're an obvious Barbara Streisand in waiting."

She smiled at the compliment. "I've just always felt I didn't belong in Ohio. That my true life was to belong in Broadway and be a star. I've never really considered anything else as being even remotely possible"

"I have no doubt that you will be" He said staring into her eyes. Rachel tilted her head and stared back at him, and for some reason; despite the fact that she had only just met this guy, she believed him completely; there was truth in his words and in his eyes.

"Alright guys…that's it for today" The tutors voice came, snapping her out of staring at James. "We've only got a short amount of time today, but I hope you've had the chance to get to know some people in the group. Tomorrow, we'll be back at it. We'll start the work on a couple of workshop activities. Thank you for coming, have a lovely afternoon"

Rachel collected her bag and made her way out walking side by side with James as they followed the rest of the group back towards the auditorium. There was silence between them as they walked but as they headed towards the glass doors, he touched her arm gently.

"It was nice to meet and get to you know, Rachel" He said softly, smiling at her

"It was nice to meet you too" She replied, grinning at him. Watching him reach into his pocket, he pulled his phone out.

"I was wondering…if I" he paused for a moment. "Could I get your number? It'd be nice to talk to you some more"

Rachel blushed, biting her lip to stop herself from her grin widening. "I'd like that"

They swapped phones, and after putting their numbers into the others phones; handed them back. His hand lingered on hers for a split moment before he pulled away and smiled at her again.

"I'll see you tomorrow Rachel"

"Bye James" She replied and turned to walk away from him, seeing Kurt watching them covering his mouth with a hand.

…

"Looks like you had fun" Kurt added as they walked away from the auditorium where her dads would meet them.

"I did"

"That looked like some being asked out on a date"

"What do you mean?"

"Exchanging phones?" Kurt said Rachel rolled her eyes at him

"I don't know what you mean. All we were doing was getting to know one another...we're in the same group and it'd be nice to know someone out of it"

"I'm sure" Kurt replied smirking

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"He was definitely into you, Rachel. And I think you like him to"

"I've only known him for a few hours..."

"Alright, Alright. I understand, and I was only having a bit of fun with you" Kurt said, smiling and linking arms with her "But just for the record, he was watching you leave with a silly smile on his face after you gave him your number"

A/N ; So Rachel and Kurt are at this summer programme. James is going to play a role in Rachel's life for the story, as a friend and possible love interest. There's chemistry and they have a lot in common; More of which will come up as we progress.

Next Chapter is going to be a time skip of a week or so and will be out at the weekend. We're going to meet some of James' glee club. As well as Kurt's friends in his group.