Sorry for not updating! Tumblr and twitter and homework get in the way. I'm on half term now though, so I'll find some time to write. And I'm going to be moving this story on faster now… although some later chapters are still being planned. Anyway, enjoy and review!
Jesse sat, bored, as Mr Schuester went on about duets, and a competition. Jesse didn't really care; he was spending more time marvelling at Rachel. He loved how beautiful she looked even when she didn't try, even if he didn't like her fringe. He would always think she was gorgeous.
"I have decided." Mr Schuester was still going on. "That we will once again be picking our pairs from the hat."
He got out a hat and placed it firmly on the top of the piano, and tried not to smile when Brittany gasped and whispered something to Santana that he assumed was about ducks.
"Pairings are final, no changing them, no matter what, understand?" Will received a murmur from the club that he assumed was a yes. "Good. Who wants to be first to pick?"
Unsurprisingly, Rachel was out of her seat before he had finished his sentence, and walked up to the hat confidently. After all, she had nothing to worry about. Even if she got paired with the weakest singer in the group, she could carry the whole duet by herself. And she doubted anyone would protest to that, with the ransom of a free dinner at Breadstix being offered for their co- operations.
"Well, I guess Rachel will pick first then." Mr Schue looked at the rest of the club, most of which were rolling their eyes, with the exception of Finn, and surprisingly to him, Jesse.
Rachel shoved her hand into the hat, getting a comment from Brittany about not hurting the duck, and dramatically swirled it round. She pulled out a name, grinning broadly and opening it with a flourish. But once she'd read it, her smile dropped from her face, and she turned to Mr Schuester.
"Mr Schue. I'd like to swap partners please." She asked him, uncertainty evident in her voice.
"Rachel, I've already said, no swapping." He raised his eyebrows at her, having never seen her hesitant over an assignment before. "Who is it you picked out of the hat anyway?"
Rachel ignored his question. "I'd like to swap partners please Mr Schuester." She repeating, biting her lip. "This pairing would not work out."
By now, everyone in the club was desperate to know who she'd picked out of the hat, and they all leaned forward expectantly, knowing Mr Schuester wouldn't back down on this issue.
"I'm sorry Rachel, it's fate. Who did you pick?" When Rachel didn't respond, he held his hand out for the paper. She handed it to him silently, and Mr Schue read it and nodded. "Jesse." He read out.
Everyone turned to look at Jesse, who kept a careful show face on. He was wearing his classic smirk, hiding his happiness between a measured expression of scepticism and amusement, with some superiority thrown in.
"Well, I have no objections to this pairing." He smirked.
"Yeah, well you wouldn't." Finn broke in. "We all know why you're here."
"Yes, I explained about being failed, so you would know about that. I did tell you all after all." Jesse grinned at how easy it was to get one up on Finn.
"You know what I mean." Finn glared, almost getting out of his seat. "You're obviously after Rachel again."
Jesse just kept his show face on. "Contrary to your belief, not everyone is trying to steal your girlfriend from you." He lied, receiving a sceptical glance from Quinn, which he replied to with a smirk.
"Guys, lets not argue." Mr Schuester interrupted the argument, ever the peacemaker. "This may not be the most comfortable pairing, but maybe it will help smooth out the rough edges that past friction has caused."
Rachel nodded. "I don't like it, but I'll do it. For the team."
"Good, thank you for being grown up about this Rachel." Mr Schue said, receiving a huge smile from Rachel, who made her way back to her seat next to Finn. "Okay, who wants to pick next?"
The pairs were picked one by one, some of them being bizarre pairings. Brittany went up to pick, having to get Mr Schuester to pronounce Artie when his name was on the paper. Tina and Mike ended up together, the slip of paper containing the nickname 'Other Asian'. Kurt pranced up and picked Finn out of the hat, causing the taller boy to groan slightly, receiving glares from Mercedes and Kurt himself. Santana then went to the hat and pulled a face when she read out Mercedes' name, and Quinn chose the name Sam out of the hat, receiving a sweet smile from the new boy.
"Well guys, your pairs are picked, and I'm sure this is going to be a week of fabulous duets!" Mr Schuester grinned at his club. "Class dismissed, I'll see you all tomorrow when you can discuss your ideas."
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Jesse caught up with his cousin in the parking lott, having been invited back to the Fabray's for dinner again.
"You look smug." Quinn snapped moodily.
"Hello to you too, dearest cousin. I must admit, I am rather pleased with the result of our duet partners." Jesse grinned at her. "Where as I can see you might not be. After all, you look so similar to Sam it would almost be incest."
"Oh shut up, you're the only annoying family I have in the club." Quinn retorted, just making Jesse laugh.
"I'm surprised in you. You obviously haven't seen the benefits of this situation. Where's your Fabray initiative?" He raised his eyebrows at her.
"I have no idea what you're on about." Quinn glared daggers at him, leaning against her car.
"Well, you can take this chance to make Finn jealous. Whilst I'm confusing Rachel, you can start dating a boy who very obviously plays for Kurt's team, causing Finn to wonder why your standards have dropped, as well making him jealous." Jesse pointed out.
Quinn thought for a minute. "So you suggest I take the role of Sam's big gay beard?" She frowned. "It might work… but Finn likes Rachel, why would he be jealous?"
"Because I'll make him insecure by dealing with Rachel, plus he's never seen you with anyone new before." Jesse said slowly, as if he was speaking to someone with very few brain cells. "Get it?"
"Whatever." Quinn replied, getting in her car. "We'll see what happens." She closed the door, leaving a smirking Jesse to walk around and get in.
"You know I'm right Quinn." He told her confidently. "I'm always right"
He didn't hear Quinn's reply, but he had a feeling it was something to do with "you weren't so right when you threw eggs over the girl you want to date."
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Rachel was sitting in her bedroom with Finn, who looked grumpy. She pointed this out to him, receiving an annoyed grunt in return.
"Well, I'm not very happy with this situation Rach." He replied, glaring at the floor.
"What, having to work with Kurt?" Rachel asked, playing dumb.
"You know not that. You and Jesse." Finn almost spat out.
Rachel rolled her eyes. "I'm offended that you don't know me enough to believe I wouldn't mess around with Jesse behind your back. If I was going to, I'd break up you first, do the honourable thing and not end up lying and destroying the bonds of trust we've gained." She saw Finn's look of horror and hastily backtracked. "Not that I will be dumping you or fooling around with Jesse."
"I trust you but I don't trust Jesse." Finn responded, looking slightly less sulky.
Rachel sighed and went to sit next to him, taking one of his huge hands in both of hers.
"I won't let anything happen, I promise Finn." She gave him an award-winning smile, the one she had carefully practised for hours in front of a mirror. "And I'm sure Jesse knows not to try it on."
Finn gave her his classic side smile, widening Rachel's own grin.
"Okay Rach." He said. "I'll have to trust you. And St. Douche knows he'll be beaten up if he tries anything."
"I don't condone violence Finn." Rachel chastised him, but was cut of by his lips.
"We're good, right?" Finn asked once more, after he'd ended the kiss, trying to push away the insecurities.
"Of course Finn." Rachel bit her lip, smiling. "Jesse St James won't come between us again." She reassured him, but a part of her was reassuring herself.
I was mentally puking at the end… I really don't like having to write Finchel, but unfortunately it was necessary. Anyway, tell me what you think? Next chapter guaranteed more drama! :)