SPOILER ALERT: So,I'm super excited about hearing the news that Jon Groff will most definitely be back once he's done with his play in London. Yay! *does happy dance*

And also, starting next week, I'll be gone until September and I really don't know when I'll be able to update next(I know, I hate it when people say that but now I get it). Therefore, here's another chapter and I'll try to do my best while I'm away.

Thanks again for reviewing, sorry to disappoint the person who wished I don't have a life so I could update sooner :D

[This might be my favorite scene in this whole story. Probably because it seems the most real to me, since I saw it one night in a dream and I wrote it down instantly, it gave me a whole new perspective on this relationship. I don't quite remember all of it but the point's there. Thumbs up for teenage hormones! And yes, I'm aware that having dreams about your AU Glee characters is a bit obsessive :D ]

It was the afternoon of one of the most important days in Rachel's life. She was invited to sing at an event at City Hall. The major factor was that there would be representatives from The Juilliard School of Arts in New York. It was Rachel's dream to get into their prestigious music program. If there ever was a time she got nervous, it was now. Not that she was nervous about performing, more anxious to impress the Juilliard folk and even more, her parents. Her dad had a few days to kill before his next business trip, so he and Shelby were visiting some old friends. They promised Rachel they would be there to see her sing at 7 o'clock.

Rachel was pacing around her room, doing vocal exercises, as well as getting ready (doing her hair, make-up…), while Jesse was just sitting quietly on her bed. He understood what an incredible honor this was for Rachel and how much she was looking forward to it. Jesse had offered to come keep her company, keep her calm before the performance. For the past 17 minutes Rachel hadn't even acknowledged his presence, she was too busy to focus on him. It was only 5:28 but Rachel liked being prepared.

About 5 minutes later, Rachel made herself take a moment to catch a breath. She stopped and looked around - Jesse was playing with his fingers, looking bored as hell, as well as looking like an abandoned little boy, that no one wants to play with. She suddenly realized how happy she was that he was there with her, how good he made her feel. They had been secretly dating for the past 57 days and were astonished at how good they were at keeping their relationship private. Kids at McKinley knew Jesse was seeing someone but they all thought it probably was some home schooled music geek. Some of them had seen her with him but they had no idea who she was, or at least they had no idea she was from Vocal Adrenaline. After Jesse's performance of "She's Got A Way" they realized that this was for real and accepted the fact that Jesse was happy and tried not to get involved, they understood Jesse wanted to keep things private so they just left it at that. And Rachel was very good about keeping her emotions intact, so no one would notice how she's been positively glowing inside for the past two months. Right now she knew Jesse would probably do anything for her if she asked him. Rachel looked over at the huge bouquet of red and white roses he had just brought her; she walked over to and fixed the composition, remembering the other night.

*FLASHBACK*

Rachel and Jesse were sitting on his bedroom floor, studying. Of course they both had separate homework but they liked just being with each other, they didn't have to do something together to enjoy spending time with one another.

"Hey…" Jesse said, putting his text book down and looking up at Rachel.

"What is it now? You really aren't very good at math."

"No, it's not that. I was just wondering if you're busy Friday night."

"It depends on what you have in mind." Rachel replied, giving a quirky smile.

"Well…The guys and I got a gig playing at Joe's Joint. Any chance you would want to come?"

"Wow, congratulations! Of course I would! I've been dying to hear Saint James. You always talk about how you're in a band but I've never actually witnessed it. Makes me wonder if it's even true." She teased.

The place was almost packed and everyone seemed to love Saint James. Probably because they sounded pretty freaking amazing. Jesse, Puck, Artie and Chris (who was the only one of them that wasn't in glee club because he couldn't sing, he was just a fantastic drummer.) really made an excellent team. They did a few Queen songs, something from Stevie Wonder, and an original song, written by Jesse which was incredible. After that Jesse took his microphone, stood up from the digital piano they had there and faced the crowd.

"This next song goes out to someone very special to me sitting in the audience."

What Jesse had just said seemed so sweet but he said it so casually that the only person who was truly touched by this was Rachel, because she understood it was meant for her.

They started playing the Kings of Leon song "Use Somebody". Noah and Artie sang background while Jesse sang lead (of course) and it sounded remarkable.

I've been roaming around, always looking down and all I see
painted faces, fill the places I can't reach

You know that I could use somebody...
you know that I could use somebody...

Someone like you and all you know and how you speak
countless lovers undercover of the streets

You know that I could use somebody...
you know that I could use somebody...

Someone like you!

Rachel just stared and smiled as she watched and listened to Jesse sing to her in front of about 60 people. He just kept on getting better and better. Not once did she regret giving him another chance after she found out he was in New Directions. That was about the only thing they didn't really talk much about – their choirs – just to be safe. After all, they knew that Regionals was coming up and they were up against each other, and they weren't going to so soft on each other, either.

Jesse ended his song and also his gig, staring contently at Rachel.

I've been roaming around, always looking down and all I see…

*END OF FLASHBACK*

As she was tampering with her flowers Rachel had another realization that she had to share with Jesse. Jesse was still in his own little world, a look of both sadness and understanding on his face. He was truly happy and proud of Rachel, even if it didn't look it at the moment. Rachel also realized that she had been completely ignoring him, so she suddenly went over to the bed where he sat, and crawled up into his lap, putting each of her knees beside Jesse's hips and wrapped her arms around his neck. Jesse, as if instinctively, put his hands on her waist, holding her tight, but he was startled, to say the least.

"Shouldn't you get your hair don-"

Rachel cut him off by giving him a slight kiss on the lips.

"You know. I usually hate getting flowers from guys," she said, going on to kiss his right cheek, slow and sweet. "It makes me feel uncomfortable." It was true. When a guy gave Rachel flowers she always hesitated and she wasn't sure why. Wasn't that supposed to be some romantic gesture that made you happy? She just never felt it, perhaps because she didn't feel comfortable with the guy who was giving the flowers.

Jesse frowned. He was only trying to make her feel better, not uncomfortable. And if that made her feel bad, why was she making him so damn hot right now by being so awesomely affectionate?

"But I love these." She whispered, as she started to nibble on his ear.

Shivers went down Jesse's spine as she did so. Whoa, that was something he had never experienced before but it felt so good. After Jesse had gotten over the initial shock of his forward girlfriend, he smiled and pulled away so he could see Rachel's face.

"You're going to blow everyone away tonight, I hope you know that. You might even want to turn it down a notch so somebody doesn't get a heart attack."

Rachel giggled. He was being so incredibly supportive she just couldn't stand it.

"Thanks. And thank you for being here with me. Tonight I could use someone like you, too." She said, as she pulled him in for a passionate kiss which led to them making out on her bed for the next 23 minutes. It was erotic and romantic. Good thing she didn't do her hair before that.

The event had already started and Rachel was about to perform "Don't Rain on My Parade" once again. She was to enter through the back door and make her way through the room, as she'd done many times before. Jesse was right there with her, awaiting her queue. Rachel was foundling her hair, which was perfectly curled, and was sporting a dark blue and black dress. Both her parents were sitting out there, along with the Juilliard representatives, the mayor and many more noticeable figures in society. This was by far the most influential and important crowd she had performed for. One of the judges from Sectionals had called her mother up and offered Rachel to sing tonight, because she had been so incredible at Sectionals. Jesse saw that she was getting a little nervous, so he took her hand as he heard the announcement "Without further due, Rachel Berry from Carmel High School's National Champion show choir Vocal Adrenaline!" being made. He really wished he could be sitting at a table on the other side of the door but it wasn't possible. He would just have to listen from outside and take a peak though the back door.

"Break a leg." He said, smiling and sending her off, as he heard the music start.

"I love you." Rachel said with a sigh.

And then she was gone.

Gone. Out there she went. Rachel Berry had just said those three words to Jesse and just swept off into her performance. It was a little unorthodox but it somehow fit the two of them perfectly. Jesse would have preferred to be the one saying it first, in some kind of romantic setup but this seemed just spur of the moment, which was much more romantic. It seemed so true, so real, and nothing can beat that and the feeling you have afterwards. True, they had only known each other for about two months but when you know, you know. Love usually hits you when you don't even expect it. Jesse knew he was in love with Rachel much earlier but somehow he had been hesitating to say it. Now he was left there, alone, listening to the girl he loved knock the socks off the most powerful people town. Life was good. He knew he wouldn't have it any other way.

Rachel's performance went wonderfully, as expected. She received a standing ovation and everyone was impressed. Her mother smiled proudly, as if she was completely responsible for this success, but Rachel was glad for at least that. What they all didn't know was that she had just told Jesse she loved him for the first time. It was the first time ever she told a boy she loved him. And it was true, he was her first love. She didn't plan on saying it but it just came out. Rachel was just so overwhelmed by the support he was giving her; she realized that she really did love him, and she hoped to hell that he loved her back. During her performance she felt so free, so happy, so…in love. This emotion radiated through the room and touched everyone, which made for a perfect performance. Life was good. She knew she wouldn't have it any other way.

After her performance Rachel ran back out to Jesse, who was almost in the same spot he was when she left. She ran over and leaped into his arms as he spun her around.

"You were spectacular," Jesse said, as he put her down and looked her in the eyes "And I love you, too, Rachel Berry."

Rachel never knew that hearing those words could warm up your heart so much. This was easily the best evening of her life, she had a good feeling about Juilliard and everything just seemed to be going so well. She smiled as she hugged Jesse again, her smiled turning into a soft laugh. Jesse buried his face in her hair, inhaling the sweet smell of it. Gosh, he loved everything about her. He lifted his head to kiss her but after a few seconds he heard someone walking in their direction, so he opened his eyes to see what was going on. He suddenly broke the kiss and a look of worry overtook his face.

Rachel took a look over her shoulder to see what was disturbing them.

"Mom!" she gasped.

I'll upload the next chapter once I get back from the weekend. Until then, keep guessing what's gonna happen :)