Forever Has to Start Somewhere
Chapter 31: Rumors
"I thought you didn't want to get caught up in Sam's drama?" Jesse questioned. He was walking across the courtyard, on his way to meet up with Adam for one of their performance classes.
"The last time Sam had something going on, it happened to involve Santana," Rachel pointed out. "And, even now it's not Sam I'm worried about. It's Finn. He doesn't deserve to have Quinn cheat on him again."
"I could put together a pretty convincing argument to the contrary," he said. "Given that Finn and Quinn got together while Quinn was with Sam."
"Quinn already cheated on Finn once."
"Karma can't happen before the fact," Jesse argued. "Look, I know if you're really set on this, what I'm saying won't matter. But, I really don't think it's a good idea for you to get involved in this. Despite what I think Finn Hudson deserves, you don't actually know what's going on."
"I can't figure out what's going on if I don't get involved."
"Rachel, please. It's New Directions. No matter whats going on, it's not going to stay secret for long." Silence settled between them for a moment. He could practically see Rachel hesitating as she thought over his words. He added, "Plus, think about how a stalking charge will look when you're auditioning for roles. You won't be allowed in the same room as any of the stars."
She was quiet for a minute before she said, "It would put a damper on my plans if I had to explain the charge every time I had an audition."
Feeling as though discussing the issue any further would just lead to them talking in circles, Jesse inquired, "So you're going to drop it?"
"No, but I'll be extra careful not to get caught."
Jesse let out a soft sigh. "I suppose that's the best I'm going to get from you. Just do me a favor and text me while you and Hudson are out. I wanna make sure to call my uncle so he can prep your bail money."
"You're lack of faith in me is, quite frankly, appalling."
"Oh darling, you are incredibly talented and I have no doubt that you will do incredible things with those talents. However, I also have complete faith that you are never going to be a criminal mastermind." He caught sight of Adam. The other was leaning against the wall next to the doors that lead into the building. His head was dipped down as his fingers flew across his phone. "Okay, I've got to go now. Promise you'll text me tonight?"
"Promise. Though, I still think it's completely unnecessary."
"Noted."
"Leave," Shelby declared as she entered the club room to find April Rhodes sitting with Will Schuester. Her words were harsh, but her words were most disinterested than angry. She didn't so much as look at them again as she dropped a folder onto the top of the piano and began shifting through the sheets. "I know the kids are looking forward to prom, Will, but we really need to think about Nationals some more. I'm thinking a duet between Rachel and-"
"Excuse me?" April cut in. "Did you just tell me to leave?"
Trying to soothe the tension, Will said, "Shelby, I invited April to help us today. She gave me the idea to do songs from Rumours to try and dispel some of the tension between the kids."
"I figured you had invited her," Shelby said, her head still bent down. "That doesn't change the fact that she needs to leave immediately."
April hissed out, "And why is that?"
"Well for starters, you slept with three underage boys," Shelby tossed out. "Which, regardless of how willing I'm sure they were, is a federal offense. Not to mention you got Kurt so drunk he puked on Emma's shoes. You're a bad influence and the last thing we need is you stirring up more drama right now."
"She's actually here to help with that," Will said. "April suggested doing Fleetwood Mac's Rumours to help the kids work through their drama."
Shelby gave a soft hum. She looked up from her sheet music now, her lips pressed in a firm line. "That's actually a good idea. It doesn't change the fact that she can't be here. Now leave before I call Coach Bieste to haul you out of here. She'll be more than happy to help once I explain the situation."
Kurt (3:12pm):
If Jesse tells you I'm cheating on you, ignore him. He's an idiot.
Adam (3:14pm):
Are you?
Kurt (3:15pm):
Ugh, no.
I'm just helping a friend and Rachel doesn't know the whole story so she's assuming things.
Adam (3:18pm):
Ah, I see.
And you think she'll tell Jesse?
Kurt (3:19pm):
Rachel and Jesse tell each other everything.
Even the things they've been asked not to tell anyone else.
Adam (3:21pm):
True enough.
Did you still want to watch a movie and skype tonight or has all of this drama put you off it?
Kurt (3:22pm):
Yes, of course. I need to unwind with Confessions of a Shopaholic and my gorgeous boyfriends face.
Adam (3:24pm):
It's my turn to pick, love.
We are not watching Confessions of a Shopaholic.
"So, my actions may have led to some unforeseen consequences," Rachel declared when Jesse picked up the phone. Glee club had just ended so the hallway was mostly empty as she approached her locker. There were a few stragglers – people who had just finished in other clubs – but not anyone she was worried about overhearing her conversation.
"Hello sweetheart," Jesse greeted, his voice filled with amusement. "Did you pick up that stalking charge after all?"
"No, it's worse then that."
"What could possibly be worse then a charge that could ruin your career before it started?"
"Someone on the school newspaper saw Finn and I on our last stake out. Quinn thinks he's cheating on her with me."
Jesse scoffed. "Quinn's delusional. Does she realize how far you'd be downgrading?"
"Jesse! That's not the issue! She's threatening to quit if Finn and I do any duets together."
"Why are you upset by this? That's fantastic news. Schuester won't risk her quitting so you'll get to sing with someone who can actually carry a tune. Puck or Karofsky would be great choices for a duet at nationals, though a powerhouse duet with Kurt or Mercedes has it's appeal as well. Or you could just do a solo and-"
"David isn't talking to me and even if he was-"
"What? Why?"
"We got into a bit of a spat last week. I'm dealing with it." Before Jesse could say anything else, Rachel continued with her previous sentence, "Even if he was talking to me, Finn is Mr. Schue's favorite and he isn't particularly fond of me. He'd rather let Finn and Quinn do a subpair duet at Nationals then let me sing so we can actually win."
"It's not just his decision anymore, especially not when it comes to nationals which Shelby has actually won. I'm pretty sure she wouldn't give Finn a duet with you even if Quinn hadn't given her ultimatum." He paused for a second, considering. Then he added, "Actually, you might end up dueting with Finn for an assignment next week. Shelby really doesn't like ultimatums. She'll make it obvious whose side she's on, even if Quinn retracts it."
"Oh I hope not. Prom is next week and I really don't want it to end Carrie-style."
"I promise not to let that happen."
"Something tells me your presence doesn't mean a whole lot to Quinn."
"It's a mutual feeling," Jesse commented. "But I wouldn't let her ruin your prom for you."
Rachel gave a soft sigh. "I'm just glad you're going to be here."
"I know." They settled into a comfortable silence for a few minutes. "Are you on your way home then?"
"Yeah. Matt and Mike invited me to the Lima Bean, but after everything that happened in glee today, I wasn't feeling up to it.
"Mmm, I'll hang up so you can drive then. Let me know when your home and we'll skype."
"Okay. I love you."
"Love you too."
En: Sorry this one took so long. Rumours is honestly one of my least favorite episodes. I hate what Rachel and Finn do to Sam in it, so it's hard for me to watch it 10 times to make sure I get all the details I want like I do with other episodes.
Luckily, Prom Queen is next and it's one of my favorites (mostly bc st. berry tbh. It's got one of my favorite Jesse lines "I shouldn't have traded what we had for a fourth national title. A first, maybe. But a fourth? No way".) I haven't decided yet whether there will be FInn Drama - on one hand Finn drama is a huge part of Prom Queen and on the other, I feel like Rachel and Jesse in this fic are beyond Finn drama and there would be no precedent for it. Feel free to give your opinion.
I hope no one minds that I didn't actually take this chapter to the end of the episode? I just felt like there wasn't much to say other then the possibility of Rachel telling Jesse how bad she felt about forcing Sam to "out" himself for lack of a better term.
ALSO! I wanted to say hello to all of you who have joined us recently!
Review and favorite if you enjoyed!