Love Is Strange Chapter 8: That's The Truth, a glee fanfic

A/N: Just wanted to say a quick thanks to Lynn and Northstar61, my two most loyal reviewers. They review every chapter and I always look forward to what they have to say. They are one of the reasons I'm continuing this story. Every chapter there are less and less people reading and it gets discouraging, but then I read the reviews, and I can write another chapter. I read reviews before I start every new chapter. So..thanks guys.

Chapter 8.

Rachel's plane ride seemed to last forever, even though it was really only 4 and a half hours. She had spent the flight thinking about what her 'friends' had said to her about Jesse.

* flashback*

"Rachel, he's just using you again. He is just trying to lure you away from practices so that we suck for nationals, and his alma mater wins!" Mercedes stated matter-of-factly.

"Yeah Rachel, he doesn't care about you! It's always been a game to him! He got the high score when he turned your head into an omelet." Finn spat. "God, you're so stupid, Rachel!"

Puck broke in with a joke, "Yeah, egg's Benedict. That's what we should call him." Everyone in the room turned to look at him. Some glaring, some looking like they were thinking 'he can't be that stupid'.

"Jesse does too care about me. And I care about him, and I trust him. I believe him when he says that he won't hurt me again. He doesn't even talk to Shelby anymore, and he hated Vocal Adrenaline. It doesn't matter what you guys say, I'm going to see him." Rachel had retorted before storming out of the room.

Now that she was here, she couldn't help but wonder if they were right. She had lied when she said she trusted him. She wasn't sure if she did or not. She knew that his face lit up when she walked into a room. She knew the way he looked at her, and the way he made her feel. But she couldn't shake the feeling that maybe they were right.

Jesse fidgeted excitedly in his seat at the terminal, flowers in hand. He couldn't decide between lilies, sweet peas, or carnations, so he got a bouquet of all three. Nothing big, but a small bouquet to greet her with. He ran a hand through his curls in frustration at the anticipation. He paced as her flight landing was announced.

Jesse straightened his clothes as he searched for her in the crowd that had exited the plane. When he finally saw her, he almost didn't recognize her. All the air, escaped his lungs at once, as he took her in. She had on black skinny jeans, a white button up blouse with the sleeves rolled up, and a gray scarf, which he could only assume was for decoration considering how hot it was outside.

She stopped for a moment and looked around, searching for him. When she spotted him her face lit up and a wide smile spread on her face. He threw a hand above his head and then spread his arms open for her. She ran toward him leaving her bag behind, and leapt into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist. He spun her around, squeezing her to him.

"I missed you!" she exclaimed.

"I missed you sooo much more." he said.

He released her from his grip and set her on the ground, before holding the flowers out in offering to her. She gasped a little and smiled.

"Aw, their beautiful." she said, taking them gingerly from his hands.

"I couldn't decide, so I got them all." he replied nervously. She just giggled and kissed his chastely on the lips. Together they walked back to get her bags, and headed home, to his dorm.

The room was small, as was normal for a dorm room. 15X15 was the average dorm size at UCLA. Jesse set Rachel's bags by the door, while she looked around. There was a twin bed pushed up into a corner of the room, stretching out along one wall, and a desk against the opposite wall with some shelves above it. Rachel wondered around the room, looking at the posters, pictures, books, and other things that made the room his. This was where she would be staying for the next three days. Although it was already late in the day for them to do much of anything, Jesse convinced her to come to a party with him. A normal thing for a college student on a Friday night. However they still had hours before the party, so they wondered to the mess hall to get something to eat.

They sat at a table eating their dinner, when a tall, burly boy sneaked up behind Jesse and clapped him on the back.

"Jesse! Where you been lately? You coming to the party tonight?" the boy asked as he eyed Rachel. "Who's your friend?" He said taking her hand and kissing her knuckles.

"This is Rachel, my girlfriend." he said pointedly. "Rachel, Chance. Chance is a friend of mine. We are both in the school A Capella group, Bruin Harmony."

"Jesse! I didn't know you were in an A Capella group!" Rachel could feel the excitement bubble up in her chest. "I want to hear you guys."

"You will at the party tonight." Chance chimed in. "Anyway, nice to meet you, Rachel. Jesse, I gotta go get stuff ready for tonight. We go on at 12. Later, dude." he once again patted Jesse on the shoulder, before walking away.

"He seems nice." Rachel said taking another bite.

"Yeah he's cool. The typically Cali-boy, but still he's awesome. He's kinda like the third in command in the group. Not that we have leaders, captains, or anything like that, other than a president, but even he doesn't say much. There are just some people who hold more authority than others. Just by being themselves. You know what I mean?" Jesse explained.

"Yeah, like you." Rachel smiled behind her fork. Jesse wasn't actually paying her attention, he was just ranting along.

"Yeah and Richie is just so soft spoken...Wait. That's not what this is about." he said finally catching her comment. He smiled despite his sternness.

"Oh, of course not. You were saying." she chided.

"I know that I kind of took over Vocal Adrenaline after regionals, but those kids needed a leader and Shelby was busy with Beth." he narrowed his eyes at her. She couldn't help the giggle that escaped from her.

"That's why took over New Directions, or at least almost did, until you left." Both flinched at the memory, but neither chose to acknowledge it.

"Fine! I'm an attention whore! But you are just like in that way. You, however, draw the spotlight. I kind of just jump into it." They both laughed, as Rachel nodded that it was true.

She wanted this moment to last forever, but knew that it couldn't. Especially not with what she was going to talk to him about later. She smiled weakly, enjoying the last of the ease of this trip.

Dinner only lasted about an hour, so they headed back to his dorm to get ready for the party, even though they still had three hours till the party started, which was at 11.

He laid on his bed and patted the spot beside him. Rachel reluctantly sat beside him. She thought this would go over better if she didn't lay with him.

"Jesse, there is something I want to talk to you about." she began. He propped up on his elbows to look at her.

"Shoot." he said, encouraging her.

"Well, the glee club kids, think that you are just trying to steal me away from practice, so that at nationals we won't do well and Vocal Adrenaline will win." He rolled his eyes. "And as much as I have come to trust you again, and believe you, I still am not sure that they aren't right. So I need you to tell me." She carefully said each word, and deliberately chose them.

"Tell you what Rachel? I already told you that I never really even liked Vocal Adrenaline. What more do you want me to say?" he was angry that she had even asked him this.

"Tell me that you really like me and that you aren't just using me. Tell me the truth."

"You already know the truth!" he said storming out of the room with clothes in hand. "I'll be ready to go by 11. See you then."

Rachel sat back on the bed and cried. What have I done?

Jesse was angry. Not at Rachel, or at the glee club. We was angry that he had put them in a situation that would cause them to think these things, and cause her to doubt his feelings for her.

He didn't know where he was going, but he had to go somewhere. He also had to come up with a way to make Rachel see, how he felt about her. He could think of only one way to express how he felt. Through song, as was their way of doing things. He pulled out his phone and dialed Chance's number. Chance picked up after the third ring.

"Hello? Jesse?" he said into the phone.

"Yeah, I need a favor. Can you get the guys and meet me in the auditorium?" Jesse asked, he as already hanging up when Chance agreed.

When the clock read 11, Rachel headed to the door or the dorm room. Jesse was standing on the other side, hand raised like he was just about to knock when she opened the door.

"Hi." she whispered.

"Hi." Jesse said. "Ready to go?" She nodded and then closed the door behind her. She was a little bit more relaxed when she felt his large hand slip into her smaller one. A small smile appeared on her lips, despite, the fact she knew he was mad at her. They walked to the party in silence, and it was unbearable for Rachel.

They arrived at a frat house, with people everywhere and music vibrating the frame. A girl flew out of the house and fell on the lawn throwing up. Rachel cringed as they walked past her. Jesse squeezed her hand reassuringly. They continued into the house that was full of beer cans and grinding kids.

Chance swaggered up to them and threw and arm around them both.

"Everything is ready man. We are gonna kill it!" he whispered into Jesse's ear. Jesse smiled a bit, and nodded. The three of them walked toward the main room, which was dark and full of people dancing. Jesse pulled Rachel to the floor.

"Wanna dance?" he asked over his shoulder, but didn't wait for her answer, as he pulled her as close as possible to him. Rachel was nervous. She had never been one for this type of 'dancing' and had also never done so. Jesse smiled down at her, knowing the thoughts that were running through her mind.

He grabbed her hips and pulled them to his, swaying to the music. Rachel had a soft smile of her own spread on her face, as she began to get into the beat. Chance brought them a couple beers, and walked away, telling them to enjoy.

"You don't have to drink it, you know." He looked at her beer, and back to her.

She smirked and took a big gulp of the ale. Jesse raised his brows at her. She shrugged, and said "This isn't my first party." Although it wasn't, she still had also never been one to drink beer. She hated the stuff, but refused to let it show on her face. Jesse took a drink of his and they continued to dance.

A couple of beers later, and Rachel was a dancing fool. She could grind with the best of them, and Jesse was enjoying it way too much. He was starting to react to feel of her butt rubbing against him. So he was glad when Chance pulled him away, saying it was time to start the show.

Jesse pulled Rachel to the front of the crowd that had gathered around a group of boys. A few microphones were set in front of them. The music cut off, and she realized that this must be Bruin Harmony. A large smile plastered across her face.

"You said you wanted me to tell you the truth, right?" Jesse asked her. She nodded, and he stepped back into line with the other boys. Jesse took the lead, and stood a step in front of everyone else.

I feel like I've been put on trial with you
I know that something's wrong and I'm the one accused
When the verdicts in, it's us who's gonna lose
I can't wait for you to finally hear the truth

Cause I shouldn't have to plead my case
So much love to save

The boys broke into choreography.

If you listen to the things that your friends say
You're gonna be lonely
How can you treat like that
When I give my all to you
Cause I haven't been messin' around
I would never go out
And do the things you don't want me to do
Cause I can tell you right now
That you will never find the evidence on me
And that's the truth
Oh, oh, oh, yeah
And that's the truth
Oh, oh, oh, oh

I need a lawyer just to talk
Cause they're tellin' you what to say
They wish they had what we have
And its jealousy thats in the way.
Cause I can't sit round
And watch them build a case
Cause theres no savin' us now
I'm just doing this to clear my name

Cause I shouldn't have to plead my case
So much love to save

If you listen to the things that your friends say
You're gonna be lonely
How can you treat like that
When I give my all to you
Cause I haven't been messin' around
And I would never go out
And do the things you don't want me to do
Cause I could tell you right now
That you will never find the evidence on me
And that's the truth
Oh, oh, oh, yeah
And that's the truth
Oh, oh, oh
That's the truth

Jesse stood in front of Rachel, holding her hand.

Cause I shouldn't have to prove my case
So much love to save
Save, save, save

Rachel smiled up to him and said "I believe you." He nodded, and the boys finished their set.

The party had almost come to an end. It was about 2 when people began to leave. Bruin Harmony, the boys girlfriends and a few others stayed around talking about helping clean up.

"You guys were really good tonight." Rachel said to the room. They returned with thanks and laughs.

"Aaaww. Thanks, baby" Jesse said in a baby talk voice, making her and everyone else laugh, as he leaned over to kiss her. He chuckled, and dragged a garbage bag to pick up some cans on the couch. "You know," he continued. "Rachel is a singer too. She wants to be on Broadway, and she's actually really good! The star of her Glee Club." Rachel blushed, and tucked her hair behind her ear.

"Well let's hear it!" Richie, the president, exclaimed from across the room. She was surprised she remembered his name having only hear it skimmed over as Jesse went down the line introducing her earlier.

"Oh, no. I couldn't." she said shyly.

"Oh come on! How are you gonna be on Broadway, if you can't sing to a bunch of drunk college kids?" Chance said. Everyone laughed at the truth of his words. Jesse pushed her to the line of microphones, and she smiled. "Blow em' away." he said kissing her on the cheek.

Rachel relished in the way the whole group stopped and their eyes got wide as their jaws dropped.

Honey please don't cry
Listen to me
There's no reason why
We shouldn't agree

If I hurt your feeling
I apologize
You're the only one
That I idolize
Don't cry baby
Don't cry baby
Dry your eyes
Let's be sweethearts again

You know I didn't mean to
Make you feel blue
Honest I'll never do it again

Won't you forgive
Won't you forget
Do as I ask you to
I'll never let you regret
If you just start anew
You know I'm sorry
Oh so sorry
Just don't cry baby
There's no one but you

Won't you forgive
Won't you forget
Do as I ask you to
I never let you regret
Just start anew
You know I'm sorry
Oh so sorry
Don't cry baby
There's no one but you

Don't cry baby
There's no one but you

Jesse smirked, as the group finally came to life and started clapping.

"Wow!" Chance said. He grabbed Jesse by the shirt sleeve and pulled him toward him. "Dude, I think I'm in love with your girlfriend." Jesse laughed and just said "Don't even think about it."

Jesse walked up to Rachel and whispered in her ear, "Let's get out of here." She nodded and they head our of the house and into the night.

A/N: Bruin Harmony really is an all-male A Capella group at UCLA...I looked it up. Longer chapter this time, but it was fun to write. Hope you all like it.

Songs used this chapter:

That's the Truth-McFly

Don't Cry Baby- Madeleine Peyroux

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