Sorry for taking longer than I usually do to post this chapter. School just ended on Thursday due to the heinous amount of snow days we had this year, and I had to tie a few loose ends before I could continue with this story. This chapter is going to contain a lot of angst, so be mentally prepared. The ending should be a little more pleasant than the rest of chapter. Enjoy!

Jesse's POV

Most people think of glory and talent when they hear me. They think of my three show choir national titles, my excellent grades, and what looks to be my overall success in life. Some people just think of plain old winning when they hear my name. Those people don't really know me at all. They don't my life, my relationships, my struggles, and my failures. And most importantly, they don't know Rachel Berry.

How can I be a winner when I shut down the only spout that spits something decent in my life? I don't really have parents or any other sort of family. Ms. Corcoran is the closest thing I have to a "positive adult influence," but the rest of Vocal Adrenaline, they're not family. Maybe they love my voice and the trophies I help them win, but they certainly don't care about me. But why should they? Why should anyone care about me? After all, I haven't exactly been a good person to anybody, specifically to a certain girl carrying my baby.

I made mistake after mistake when it came to my relationship with Rachel. I should have cut off all ties with the members of Vocal Adrenaline. I should not have transferred back to Carmel High and I really shouldn't have cracked an egg on Rachel's egg. For once in my life, I really had everything, but now, I have nothing.

"Hey, Jesse! Wait up," called Delilah, a girl in my first period who, chased me as I left the classroom.

"Yes?" I answered grudgingly.

"Congratulations!" she beamed, probably referring to our win at Regionals.

"For what?" I asked, not only to her, but to anyone who knew the answer.

Rachel's POV

I miss Jesse. I miss his singing and I miss his dancing. I miss everything about him, from his genuine smile right down to his arrogant smirk. I keep telling myself not to give in and run right back into his arms, but what if that isn't giving in? What if I should give him another chance? I just don't know anymore. It seems like every step I take is wrong. I'm lost, completely and utterly lost, and I don't know if I'll ever get back on the right track.

It isn't just about missing Jesse. It's about having seen real regret in Jesse's eyes when he spoke of what he had done wrong, and then seeing the hurt in them at the end of our conversation. I wonder if I looked like that after he broke my heart, and I wonder if I look like that now. The sadness and hopelessness is also because of being pregnant and alone at the young age of 16. Of course I'm not completely alone; I still have Quinn, Tina, and Puck by my side (I gave Quinn my permission to tell Puck everything after he caught them spying on me and Jesse. You know it's funny, while I was a little irritated that they spied on me, it also helped me feel a little bit more secure at the time.), but it's hard to feel content with that when you see Quinn move Puck's hand to her stomach to let him feel Beth kick. I know that as a loud and proud feminist, I technically do not need Jesse in my life, but I also know that maybe it would be best if I gave him another chance. Somehow, I still felt some trust for him to help me and our child. Besides, Puck, Quinn and Tina were probably tired of comforting me when I cried and holding my hair back when I threw up, both of which were common occurrences. Could I really let Jesse back in?

"Berry," said a familiar and deep voice.

"Noah, hi," I said, trying to sound normal.

"Puck," he corrected.

"Umm… how can I help you?"

"Actually Berry, I have an idea on how I can help you. Well really, how I can let someone else help you."

"That's very sweet of you, Noah, I mean Puck, but Quinn is already sharing her wise pregnancy tips with me. She's surprised me with how nice she can be when she's not popular and when I'm not trying to steal away her man."

"Yeah, Quinn's sweet at heart. She's special."

Surprised by the sudden softening of his expression, I chirped, "I'll be sure to tell her that you said that."

"Damn you and your big mouth, Berry. Actually, I wasn't talking about Quinn, I was talking about-

"Your mother?"

"No."

"Rabbi Greenburg?"

"No!"

"Barbara Streisand?"

"I was talking about… that Jesse kid."

"Has Quinn been slapping you harder than usual?"

"Yeah, the 8th month is tough, but no, it hasn't been affecting my brain function. I just, think you should give him another chance. I mean, this is coming from someone else who screwed up when it came to his baby momma."

"I never knew empathy was one of the emotions you could experience."

"Yeah, I think those weekly counseling sessions with Mrs. Pillsbury are paying off."

"Noah, I love him. I just, don't want to be selfish."

"Selfish?"

"As I told him, this isn't just about my relationship with him. I'm pregnant, Noah. Sure I think I can trust him, but what if my love for him is irrational and it would be disadvantaging our kid to give him another chance?"

"Listen to me, Berry. As much as I hate to admit this to you of all people, when you're in a high school relationship, it's easy to screw things up, I would know. Only God and Quinn know why Quinn gave me another chance, and look where Quinn and I are now. Plus, if he does any wrong, you know I'll kick his ass, Quinn will do something ferocious, and Tina will go all ninja on him. Quinn and Tina are really worried about you, and… so am I. I like having you as a friend. We all think you should give Jesse another chance, so just think about this, OK?"

With that, he walked away. I stood by my locker for a couple of minutes thinking over everything he had said. I wondered if I should listen to him, his girlfriend, and Tina. They did have a point; Tina meant well and Puck and Quinn were experienced in that particular area. I remember chuckling about how he's always "Puck" in my head, but "Noah" in conversation. It was because of my professionalism; a person should always call her coworkers (or fellow glee club members) by their proper names. It took me hours to explain that to Quinn, who at the time thought I called him that because I still had feelings for him. (Which I never did, I only dated him because I wanted to make Finn jealous) I do have feelings for him, friendly feelings, but not romantic ones. It's amazing how many new friends I had made through this depressing experience.

Sighing, I took out my phone and texted Jesse.

I'm giving you another chance. If you break my heart again, Noah will beat you up, Quinn will do something ferocious, and Tina will go all ninja on you.

I nervously paced until my phone buzzed, signaling a reply.

Are you asking me to be your boyfriend?

Actually, I'm asking you to ask me to be your girlfriend.

Silly Rachel, it's rude for a boy to ask a girl out over text. I have a better idea. I'll see you soon. Thank you for giving me another chance; you don't know how grateful I am. Tell your friends that no ferociousness shall be needed. Oh, and I love you!

I love you too, Jesse.