Sorry for not updating. School took over my life, but I have Christmas break coming up soon! Lots of time off means reading and writing more fanfiction :)

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, no, I don't own Glee or its characters.

Seeing her coming towards me made my heart beat ridiculously fast. I can't believe she actually agreed to meet me.

All I thought while waiting in that parking lot was that she wouldn't want to see me. Why would she? I basically broke up with her right in front of all her (so-called) friends. I can only imagine the grief that they gave her when I exited that stage. Not to mention how much angrier they must have been when they found their choir room covered in toilet paper.

So I am baffled as to why she is running towards me with a grin on her face. I can't help it as I feel a smile spreading across my own.

"Hello,"

"Hello," she says, almost in a whisper.

I find my mind going blank as she looks at me expectantly. I don't even really know where to begin.

"Thanks for meeting me..."

She only nods. I can tell that she is nervous. I would be lying if I didn't admit that I was nervous myself. I know I said I never get nervous, but it isn't everyday that you tell someone you love them. I have never done this before. There has never been anyone that I care about more than myself. Now I have that person standing right in front of me.

"To be honest, Rachel, there are so many things I want to say to you right now. I'm so grateful that you are even giving me the time of day, after everything,"

She's biting on her bottom lip and I can't help that my eyes immediately focus on her mouth. I want to kiss her so badly.

"Rachel, I'm so sorry. For everything – what happened yesterday, being dishonest with you, and most of all, not telling you how much I love you every second that we were together,"

Her jaw practically drops at my declaration. Before she can say anything, I carry on,

"I've never been the guy to express his feelings to others. I have been perfectly content with keeping to myself and being independent. I have always focused towards my future and never let anything get in my way. And I consistently assured myself that I didn't need anyone by my side to be happy. Fame and success felt like a guarentee for all the happiness in my life.

But then I had to meet you. It killed me to admit that you had such a huge effect on me. Spending time with you brought out the person I didn't know I wanted to be. The passion and heart you put into performing, the way you care for your teammates, and the fun that you allow yourself; I want to be someone like that and I felt it in me when I was with you,"

I see tears in her eyes and out of habit, I raise my hand to her cheek.

"I love you, Rachel. I know that I was a complete jerk to you yesterday and that there are things we certainly need to talk about, but I need you to know that,"

After what feels like an hour-long pause, she raises her hand to rest on top of mine. Looking into my eyes and giving me a watery smile, she says,

"I love you too. So much"

Rachel takes a step back and my hand drops to my side. Confusion is written across my face.

"...but Jesse, I need to hear everything, the whole truth. I mean, was our meeting in the music store even real or was it a setup to spy on New Directions? Why did you leave us, me, so abruptly? There are so many things rattling through my brain right now..."

I take both her hands in mine.

"Rachel, I want to explain everything to you. I know that what I'm going to tell you will probably be shocking and overwhelming, but you deserve to know all—"

"—now your scaring me," she says, her chest rising and falling with more speed.

Dammit, now I was freaking her out. But it's true, hearing that Shelby Corcoran is her mother will be more than shocking. "There is nothing to be scared about, there are just important things I need to tell you. But I don't want to do this here. Can we please go somewhere else we can talk in private?"

She looks very hesitant, and glances up at me with questioning in her eyes.

Timidly, she replies, "yes."

As I lift myself into Jesse's car, my mind is whirling. I cannot believe that he just professed his love for me. Did that really happen? And what on earth was he talking about in regards to this shocking admission he had to tell me. What if Brittany was right and he really was Mr. Shuester's son? That would be a good reason to come to Mckinley and join our glee club. He might have just wanted to meet him. Or what if he was being blackmailed by Vocal Adrenaline in order to bring him back to Carmel. He might not have even wanted to return there, he was forced to. Or maybe—

My neverending thoughts are abrubtly disrupted by yelling. As I look up, I see Finn, Mike, and Matt storming towards Jesse and I.

"Get the hell away from her, St. James!" was yelled by Finn as Mike and Matt got in Jesse's face.

"Stop, guys. STOP!" I tried desperately to push them away but they wouldn't budge.

I weaseled my way in between them and Jesse.

"I said, stop! This is none of your business, so please leave us alone,"

"The hell it isn't are business, Rachel. This guy played us all and he's gonna pay for it," Finn moved closer with his fist clenched by his side.

Jesse spoke up, "I had no intention of playing you guys. This involves me and Rachel and I'd really appreciate it if you would let me speak to her alone."

I swallowed thickly. The tension hanging in the air was insufferable.

Finn reaches his hand out for me, "Rachel, come with me. This guy doesn't deserve any forgiveness or hearing out. You saw what happened yesterday, he picked his team over you. What makes you think that he isn't messing with you again right now?"

I look at his hand and then glance over my shoulder towards Jesse. If I was being honest with myself, there really was no decision to be made.

"I'm sorry, Finn, but I'm going with Jesse. He wants to explain his actions, and I want to hear what he has to say. I know that you don't want to hear this... but I love him," I pause. "And if we have a chance to save our relationship, than I am going to do everything in my power to make it happen,"

Finn just stares at me, shifts his eyes to Jesse, then back to me. He takes another step forward, to where he is so close, I find myself wanting to take a step back. When he speaks, his voice is just above a whisper,

"Please, Rach. Come with me. You don't need this guy. He's only going to hurt you again and again,"

I look down, shaking my head.

"Jesse isn't the only person who has hurt me before, Finn. In fact, is it not true that I have forgiven you for hurting me more than once?" I see him flinch, and continue to press on, "I appreciate your concern, but I am giving Jesse a chance to explain himself, whether you like it or not."

He looks at me with what is no doubt disapproval.

"Fine. But don't expect pity from me when you come back all upset, Rachel. And if this destroys us even more for regionals, it's on you."

He turns and calls for Mike and Matt to follow. As they reach McKinley's entrance, Finn takes one final glance back to me, then disappears through the doorway. It's painful to see him so angry with me, especially since I really thought that we were starting to become good friends after all the drama we went through together.

As I'm thinking this, I realize that my back is almost flush against Jesse's chest. I feel his warm breath against my neck, immediately increasing my heart rate. I slowly turn so that I'm facing him and smile weakly. He gives me a soft smile in return. After an awkward moment of silence, we both head to the car doors. As I click my seat belt in place, I take a deep breath. This was going to be a long and emotional day.

I'll try to update sooner. Thanks for reading :)