Chapter 11: St. James' Fire

"My Sofia here would be a very good teacher," Jesse St. James, former Vocal Adrenaline Coach and Star. He was still pretty much good-looking in his mid-30's, only a bit…well…meaner, and still competitive. "Well, shes a good artist, although, of course, I'd want her to focus more on her singing she's very talented, although not as talented as I am…But oh well, that's why I put up the school, so I could train her, too, coz you know…."

Jesse was going on and on about his achievements and all that, but Zach was just staring at the goblet of water on the table, his mind drifting somewhere else. He was thinking about Beth, Arnold…Arnold and Beth…About—

"Zachary," Jesse said which zapped Zach back to reality, "Are you listening?"

"Uh, yes, sir, I was just…ah—"

"Thinking about college, eh?"

"Yeah, well, sort of like that."

Sofia smiled at him from across the table. She was a very pretty girl, with very light, very blonde hair, a smile that could pass for Covergirl, and bright, Blue eyes that could captivate anyone. Right now, though, it wasn't working for Zach.

"See, that's what I called you in her for." Jesse said. "I'd want you to work for the St James Center for Music and the Arts. You only need to get a couple units in Music, and you can teach. Actually, you can already teach, I've laid everything out."

"What?" Zach said, confused.

"When you came with us for New Year's Eve dinner, my partner there, Louis, he thought you were amazing," Jesse said, "Not like I am, of course, but you were and so he wanted to get you for the school. It would be great, Zachary, you get to stay in Ohio, get to teach, get paid easily, You get to stay with my Sofia…"

"Oh, that's a very great….offer, Mr. St. James, but I am…Well, I'll think about it."

"Oh, screw thinking," Jesse said, "This is the best music school in town!"

"I know, but—"

"Sofia's staying," Jesse said, "She'll be teaching, too."

"Art?" Zach said.

"No," Jesse said, "Musical Instruments."

"But Sofia loves Art."

"And she also loves her dad," Jesse said, "Right?" He looked at Sofia.

Sofia looked at Jesse then at Zach, "Right," She said, and smiled a bit sadly.

"Besides," Jesse said, "This would be good for you both. I mean, if you ever want to try out for Broadway in the future, this would be a great experience."

"But I thought Sofia was going to Princeton?"

"You are?" Jesse looked at Sofia.

"Well, I…I applied…Just…in…case—"

"Oh, Sofia, you don't need Princeton," Jesse said, "You can stay here, teach, you know."

"Right…" Was all Sofia could say.

"Come on, Zachary," Jesse said, "You wouldn't wanna follow in your father's footsteps, Or even Blaine's—"

"Hey, that's not a very nice thing to say."

"What I'm only trying to say is," Jesse said, "Maybe you should try carving out your own path and maybe, follow my lead 'round here."

Zach took a deep breath, and drank some water.

"You won't let the St. Jameses down, would you?"

"No," Zach said, "Of course not."

"So it's a done deal, then? You're teaching? Staying with my Sofia?"

"Right," Zach said, "Sure. Of course…I'd…love to be with…Sophie."

"Great!" Jesse exclaimed, raised a glass and then, "Cheers!"

"Cheers," Zach said, clinking his glass with Jesse's.

"I can't believe he did that," Sofia said later that evening while she and Zach were at the porch and Zach was saying goodbye for he had to go home, "I'm sorry, Zach, I just…You know dad, he's so competitive and he has all this plans and—"

"It's okay," Zach told her, "I can't believe you're staying here. Teaching."

"I know, right?" Sofia laughed, "I myself can't believe it, but…but Dad is…Well, I think…I mean, this would be good, for him, me…I guess he only wants what's best for me."

"Well then…"

She then reached out for his hand, "I'm so glad you chose to stay," She said, "I mean…You would've said no if you didn't want to, right?"

"Yeah, of course," He said, "I…I…I'm staying. With You."

"Ahh, Zach," She smiled and flung her arms on his shoulders, hugging him, "Thank you."

Zach smiled, "So…Few more months and we're graduating and…and teaching…cool."

She laughed, "Well, I'm glad I'll still be having you."

He smiled, "You too," He took a deep breath, "Anyway, I have to go home, I'll just see you around?"

"Thanks, Zach," She smiled and gave him a kiss on the lips. Zach was surprised. Sofia spoke, "That," She said, "Is my Goodnight kiss."

He smiled unsurely, "Goodnight, Sophie."

"Goodnight, Zach."

And then Zach waved goodbye, went in his car, and drove away, his heart and mind getting more and more confused by the minute. If he was choosing to stay, then why did he feel that he was lying to himself?