"Hey, Rachel. Can I talk to you for a minute?" Rachel knew who was speaking to her without turning around. She tried not to sigh, but she really didn't want to speak with Finn Hudson at the moment. Especially if it was about what she thought it was going to be.
"Sorry, Finn," Rachel lied. "I actually have to get going. I have ballet club, and part of my personal ethic includes the intention to prevent tardiness at all costs. As a future-"
"-star," Finn finished for her. "I know, but I also know that you don't have ballet club on Fridays. You've avoided me for the whole term. Fall Break starts tomorrow, and you haven't said a word to me since school started.
"I'm sorry," Rachel said, closing her locker. "I thought that when you broke up with me so you could try dating Santana and Brittany and 'find your inner rockstar' we were making a mutual agreement to stay away from each other. With the exception of glee, of course. But that's in the best interest of the team, not you and me."
"Rachel!" Finn called as she began to walk away.
"Yes?" Rachel turned around, clearly aggitated.
"Look, this wasn't how I wanted this to go. I did – I did a lot of thinking over the summer, and I know that's hard to believe. The bottom line is that I shouldn't have broken up with you. While you were gone I realized that I don't care if you want to make relationship calenders or wear goofy t-shirts to my basketball games. It would all be worth it."
"Why are you telling me this now?"
"I don't want to lose you to him."
"And by 'him' I assume you're referring to Jesse. Finn, as I've told everyone multiple times, Jesse and I are just friends."
"So you're flying all the way out to LA for break to visit your 'just friend?'" Finn asked, disbelievingly.
"Yes. He invited me, and I accepted."
"Rachel you can't just run away from us! I'm trying to fix things."
"And as much as I appreciate the effort, I'm going to have to decline. I can't be in a relationship with you. Especially not now, and maybe not ever again. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to pack."
Without sparing Finn another glance, Rachel maneuvered around him and headed straight for the parking lot. Sliding into her car, she threw it into drive and began her journey back home.
"Are you packed?" Jesse asked the second she answered the phone.
"Just finished," Rachel smiled. "I've already put my suitcase in the trunk."
"Great," Jesse said approvingly. "The flight takes off at 10:00 you're time, so that's 7:00 my time. You should be in California by 11:30, give or take a few minutes."
"You should really let me pay for the plane ticket," Rachel said. "I'm not poor, you know."
"I know," Jesse laughed. "But, that would not be proper. I invited you, I make the payments."
"Don't expect this to work every time."
"Dully noted," Jesse replied. "Anyways, for getting picked up at the airport I have a few options."
"Let's hear them."
"Option number one, I have my chauffeur pick you up. Pros to this, Rodger will pick you up wearing a complete suit and hat combination. And, if you so request, I could possibly persuade him to hold up a white sign with 'Berry' written on it in black sharpie. It would be perfectly cliché, and people would envy you. Option number two, I come pick you up in my excessively expensive foreign car. Pros, we'll see each other sooner. Cons, I might get trampled and/or cause a riot."
"This is a very tough decision."
"See, that's what I thought. But then I found an amazing compromise. Thus, I present to you option three. Rodger waits for you in the airport; hat, suit, and all. Then, when you enter the limo that Rodger brings you to, I will be sitting in the back ready to welcome you to Los Angeles."
"I'll take door number three, Bob," Rachel laughed.
"I couldn't have picked better myself."
"As much as I don't want to get into the whole time-zone induced conversation again, I have to remind you that it is now midnight in Ohio."
"Point taken," Jesse said. "Get a good night's sleep. I have some pretty intense things planned for us tomorrow."
"Sounds ominous."
"No comment."
"Good night," Rachel said with a role of her eyes.
"Night," Jesse replied before quickly adding. "And remember get your pets spayed or neutered."
He quickly shut the phone.
"Here you are Ms. Berry," Rodger smiled as he opened door to a sleek, black limo.
"Oh, Rodger," Rachel laughed. "How many times do I have to tell you to call me Rachel?" She smiled widely at the large African-American man and slid into the car.
"Amazing," Jesse said, seemingly awed. "You've already managed to wrap Rodger around your finger. How long have you known each other? Ten minutes?"
"Seven, actually," Rachel corrected. "But who's counting?"
Jesse just smirked at her and rolled his eyes. He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into a side hug.
"I figured we'd stop by my house and let you put your stuff away," Jesse proposed.
"Wow," Rachel exclaimed. "This place is much larger than it looked on that episode of Cribs."
Rachel took in the spotlessness of the home. The crisp grays, blacks, and whites looked as if they had been pulled out of an expensive and exclusive home décor magazine. (Which they probably were.) The furniture was modernized with geometrical shapes in slick leathers and dark colors. The TV in the living room was an enormous flat screen hooked up to an entertainment center with so many buttons Rachel wondered if Jesse even knew how to work it.
"You saw that?" Jesse asked. Amusement lit up his gray-blue eyes, and his lip curled up at the side.
"I plan to have my own episode one day," Rachel explained. "I watch to evaluate how each celebrity did at hosting. That way I can make sure I don't make their same mistakes, and I can do better."
"Is it strange to say that doesn't surprise me?"
"No," Rachel said after a moment. "I think it just means that you know me."
"Well, now it's your turn to get to know me. Starting with getting to know my town. Today's agenda: Hollywood hotspots. But first, I'll show you to your room."
Jesse lead Rachel up the stairs and to the left hallway.
"The movie theater's in there," he informed, knocking on the first door on the left. He pointed the the room across from it. "That's the game room."
"I'm assuming you'll show me those later," Rachel interrupted.
"Of course. But, this right here-" he came to a stop at the second door on the left. "- is where you'll be staying."
He pulled the door open, and Rachel smiled. The room, like the rest of the house, was modern but instead of the normal blacks and charcoals the room was decorated with a deep purple and light grey.
"My mom designed this room," Jesse explained. "from the colors to the canopy bed. I did request the TV and stereo set, though. I took the liberty of stocking the movie shelf with Funny Girl, Rent, and Breakfast at Tiffany's."
"Not bad," Rachel smiled. "But, The Way We Were is my favorite."
Jesse rolled his eyes, "Put on your walking shoes, Berry. We've got places to see."
"Shouldn't you be wearing a disguise?" Rachel inquired curiously as they walked down a street that was mostly empty.
"Damn," Jesse muttered. He patted the pockets of his well-worn jeans.
"What?"
"I left my glasses with the fake nose and mustache at home." He shook his head in faux disbelief.
"Don't make fun of me. I'm merely suggesting-"
"Rach, this is Hollywood. People here are used to seeing celebrities that are just as, if not more, famous that me. If anything, I might get stopped by a tourist."
"This is so different that Ohio," Rachel sighed.
"Face it, Dorthy," Jesse smiled as they turned onto the next street. "You're not in Kansas anymore."
Rachel looked around in awe as she realized where they were. Rodeo Drive.
Sorry it's so short, but I really wanted to get an update out!
And to all who could pick up on my Price Is Right references I commend you!
Oh, and PS... Things are about to get FUNNNN:)
Reviewsss?