Chapter 2:

"Rehearsal was boring," Rachel said through the phone. "These people are so behind."

"You know we can hear you, right?" Gisele snapped. "If we are so boring and behind, why are you even here?" Gisele was angry that a girl who didn't care, went out nowhere and took her female lead.

"I have to go. Business." Rachel hung up. "Well, Mother thought Vocal Adrenaline needed some female star power. And I need the credits for when I graduate and go to either: NYADA, Tisch, Dullard or NYU." Rachel confided. Her tone was saying: DUH! to Gisele. Even though Gisele tried to hide it, Rachel can see Gisele was hurt. "Oh, it's okay…" Gisele looked at Rachel menacingly "Maybe you'll get hold back like Chris, and take my female solo. I mean what is the chance that any good schools want you?" Rachel whispered.

Smack. Rachel put her hand against her cheek where Gisele slapped her. Rachel looked shocked. Members of Vocal Adrenaline swarmed around the drama. Rachel had tears pouring out of eyes. Everyone looked at Gisele crudely. "Hey. That bitch deserved it." Gisele claimed.

Rachel looked innocent. "N-No. I was j-just saying that Gisele is an a-amazing performer and she w-would be very g-good as a lead." Rachel kept hiccuping while wiping her tears Everyone knew that Shelby would be very pissed if she found out. Each person tried calming Rachel so Shelby wouldn't see that Rachel had been crying. Rachel looked at the members of Vocal Adrenaline grateful. "Thank you, guys. I don't want to cause any more trouble. Mother won't mind. Just tell her I wasn't feeling well." Gisele glared at Rachel. Rachel took her bag and left. Jesse was sitting on the sidelines the whole time. He didn't actually see the events of what caused but he felt that something was off.

Jesse followed Rachel to see what she was doing. "Mom!" Rachel raced towards Shelby. Rachel looked around to see if there was any audience. Luckily for Jesse, she didn't spot him. "The plan started. I'm starting to like the plan a little more after Gisele slapped me. Now I know what you mean - about her being spoiled." Rachel laughed softly. A sweet laugh like music. Jesse shook his head. He should be focusing on their conversation. Not Rachel. Rachel isn't that cute anyway. Jesse was the boy that girls fell for. He didn't fall for girls. Especially Rachel - his coach's daughter. "I mean I get to practice my acting skills and piss Gisele off! So what is the real reason for this?"

Shelby hesitated to answer. She finally answered "I need you go here and motivate them. And show them what real star is. I really need you to motivate Jesse. " Jesse was stunned. I mean he was the best. He has what helped Vocal Adrenaline win - the secret ingredient.

Rachel sighed "Okay." She looked like she was trying to process everything through her head. "Puck's going to pick me up. I told everyone I would leave before you came back."

Jesse was so distracted about Shelby needing to bring Rachel for him to better. He was already the best. He thought Shelby thought he was able enough. Jesse had to keep his eye out on Rachel. She might be the key to Shelby. Jesse chased to reach Rachel.

He finally spotted her!

"Hey, beautiful." Jesse can tell the owner of the mysterious voice was grinning. Jesse peeked to see what was happening. Rachel was opening the door to a jeep.

Rachel giggled "Hey yourself." Jesse felt a feeling boiling in his stomach. Rachel seemed like a hard person to impress. Very hardcore. Then this guy comes and makes her giggle like a 6-year-old girl? "I taught that bitch a lesson! She was so annoying…. Oh and Jesse St. Jackass is just an ignorant guy with no drive. I mean he's talented. He just has many flaws and he lacks emotional depth - real feelings." Rachel hopped into the car. No one has said so many bad things to Jesse. It was true. He could be a major star. If he fixes his problems.

Jesse was offended. He stared at the nothingness of space as the car drove away. He's been called talented by many people but never a person who lacks emotional depth, ignorant and a guy with no drive. Have people been doubting his gift for a while now?

When Jesse came in for the early rehearsal, Rachel was already there looking at sheet music. "Hey." Jesse greeted. Rachel's eyes never raised. "So, umm… Where's Shelby?"

Rachel finally looked up, bothered. "Not here. Did you see her car not there? And it's extra early. Talking about early, why are you here?" Jesse smirked. Rachel was an interesting person.

"Why are you?" Jesse fired back.

Rachel raised her eyes in competition. "I asked first."

Jesse wasn't in the mood to it fight back. He put his hands in the air to surrender. "I come early to rehearse and stuff. Happy? Now, what about you?"

"I was looking for songs for Vocal Adrenaline to sing with me heavily on vocal lead." Rachel sighed. She looked for a few moments and an idea came. "Do you want to sing a duet? I mean you are male lead."

Jesse starting smiling smugly. "Oh! So you're on the girls who has a crush on me, too? I mean I am pretty irresistible."

Rachel scowled "No. I know you know about the plan and that. I'm not stupid. You are probably nice to me s tell you want else Shelby says about you, since you know about the plan. You know I'm not this sensitive and conceited girl like Gisele. And Don't Rain On My Parade thing is called acting. My reactions: showface"

Jesse was surprised and a little scared - she knew exactly what he was thinking. "Okay. Sure, what song?"

"My old coach - my mom's close friend, Will Shuester - had a assignment where you are supposed to sing a song with 'Hello' in the title. Cheesy, I know. But clever." Rachel chuckled. "He inspired me to try hard and follow my dreams. He always had a way to encourage people." Rachel paused and saw Jesse looking at intensively. She was talking emotionally. She hardly knew him and hated him but she was spilling her past to him. "Oh. I-um. Sorry, I went off topic." Rachel interjected. "Anyway, we should do Hello by Lionel Richie." Rachel walked towards the stage. "You play piano, right?" Jesse nodded slightly and Rachel pushed the music book in his hands. "Here. You'll start the song."

At the piano, Jesse sighed before playing.

*I've been alone with you inside my mind

And in my dreams I've kissed your lips a thousand times

Jesse looked at Rachel. Eyes meet.

I sometimes see you pass outside my door

Hello? Is it me you're looking for?

Their eyes don't leave off each other. Rachel joined.

I can see it in your eyes

I can see it your smile

You're all I've every wanted

And my arms are open wide

'Cause you know just what to say

And you know just what to do

So let me start by saying "I Love You"

Ohhh Yeah

Jesse was shocked at the perfect harmony of their voices. Her face was very magnificent. And she sung like and angel. Jesse couldn't admit but he was starting to fall Rachel Corcoran. The latest sung lines of Hello was actually portraying his feelings. Rachel does know him very much for some reason.

I long to see the sunlight in your hair

And tell you time and time again how much I care

Sometimes I feel my heart will overflow

Hello? I just got to let you know

'Cause I wonder where you are I wonder what you do

Are you somewhere feeling lonely?

Or is someone loving you?

Vocal Adrenaline members starting entering the auditorium. Noticing the leads singing they sat down in the auditorium seats. They were all enchanted by the combination of the voices.

Tell me how to win your heart

"Cause haven't got a clue

But let me start by saying "I love you"

Is it me you looking for?

Cause I wonder where you are.

and I wonder what you do (wonder what you do)

Are you somewhere feeling lonely?

Or is someone loving you?

Tell me how to win your heart

'Cause I haven't got a clue

But let me start by saying "I Love You"

Vocal Adrenaline and Shelby applauded for the pair's duet. Everyone was amazed except Shelby who was only expecting excellence between the two and Gisele. Gisele was giving the dead eye toRachel. What did she think about man-hands taking her man? Furious. Simply furious. She wasn't as pretty as Gisele. Nothing as near. Gisele had to find a way to get man-hands away from Jesse.

Jesse was astounded of how they sounded together. He knew Rachel was his girl. She was the female equivalent of him. He realized he was falling for Rachel Corcoran.

*Key*

Bold = Both

Italics = Jesse

Underlined = Rachel

Author's Note: Hello! Sorry, it's been a,while for my fanfiction. So, I decide for each fanficition, starting from now it will be every other week. Sorry about the wait! I'll try to write as fast as I can. Good quality still though, obviously. I hope you enjoy this! Please review!