It was January 2010. We were starting a new decade and most importantly, I was starting my last semester of high school. I was projected to be valedictorian. You might wonder how you become valedictorian of a performing arts high school and it was the same as a regular school: by being beating than everyone else. I was the smartest and the most talented. It wouldn't make sense for anybody else to be the valedictorian. I knew that I was going to end high school on a high note with that and another national championship. I would be on top of the world.

I hadn't heard back from Julliard but I knew for certain that I had been accepted into UCLA. I had received the letter even. So at least I would have a consolation prize if I didn't get into Julliard. I wanted to believe that I would still get in on my merits, but I had really tanked my audition, in front of my dad…because of my dad. The thing was I probably wasn't even as angry at him as I should be. I was mostly sad. Sad that I wasn't going to the college of my dream, even I had a better chance of being discovered at UCLA.

Aside from failing my audition, the one thing that was stuck in my mind was Faith. I didn't know why I was thinking about her so much. Was I crushing on a girl that I hadn't even met? Granted, it wouldn't be the first time, but I knew that I shouldn't. She might not even like girls. Plus I kind of didn't want to meet her, not that I would get a chance. I wasn't a stalker and I wasn't just going to wait somewhere that she usually goes in hopes that she would decide to be there at the same time. That would be creepy.

"Jessa, I need you to go and wait somewhere for me." Shelby told me after rehearsal was done.

"What?" I asked.

"I need you to go to the music store and wait to see if Rachel shows up and talk to her if she does." She explained. "You should befriend her."

"Miss Corcoran, don't take this the wrong way, but don't you think that you're taking things a little bit extreme. I know that you want to meet Rachel, but doing this seems kind of weird." I stated.

"One thing that I need to remind you is that if Rachel is not made aware that I am her mother by the time Regionals comes around. I will not be able to serve as coach." She said. "I need you to do this for me."

It looked like I didn't really have a choice because I didn't want her to replace me as the soloist. She hadn't threatened to do so, but I didn't want to anger her. I sighed and drove to the music store. I did like going there and even performing there sometimes.

I started to drive, listening to the 80s station as I did so. I didn't even know what to say to Rachel. I mean sure we had a lot in common, but that didn't mean we could be friends. I started to sing along with the radio as I drove.

Hot summer streets and the pavements are burning I sit awry
Trying to smile but the air is so heavy and dry

It's a cruel, cruel summer
Leaving me here on my own
It's a cruel, cruel summer
Now you're gone

The city is crowded my friends are away and I'm on my own
It's too hot to handle so I've got to get up and go

It's a cruel, cruel summer
Leaving me here on my own
It's a cruel, cruel summer
Leaving me here on my own
It's a cruel, cruel summer
Now you're gone
You're not the only one

You know it was kind of weird for them to be playing a song about it being super-hot when it was literally below freezing here. As such I was dressed in my winter gear. At least it wasn't snowing. I started to walk around the store, looking for Rachel before I froze.

It was her. It was Faith. I knew that I was supposed to wait for Rachel, but I didn't think that I could let this opportunity pass me by. I probably wouldn't get many other chances to talk to her and I just ran into her by happenstance. She was wearing the prettiest maternity dress and cardigan and checking out some Lionel Richie songs. She was specifically looking at the sheet music so maybe she was a musician as well as an amazing vocalist. Maybe I would be able to find that out sometime.

"You like Lionel Ritchie?" I asked her as I pushed the book away. I looked at her and her pretty green eyes. She was definitely pregnant, but that didn't make her any less beautiful. She was taller than me but that wasn't that hard to do. I hoped that she was thinking about me the way I was about her. "It's one of my favorites."

"Who are you?" Faith asked. I shouldn't have been surprised that she didn't know who I was. She didn't seem like the type of person to scope out the competition. Plus her not knowing may be able to give me an edge. She wouldn't know about my reputation and I could let her get to know me.

"I'm Jessa St. James, the lead singer of Vocal Adrenaline." I explained. "And you're Faith Fabray. I saw you perform at Sectionals. Your rendition of 'Everything I Own' was good. It was a bit pitchy, but it was better than that Vanessa Hudgens version and definitely better than that awful NSYNC* version. You are very talented, though."

I wanted her to know that I had seen her perform. I might have sounded a little weird. I hoped that she didn't think that I was weird for my honest critique of her performance. The best part was the emotional connection she had to the song, like she had lost someone recently. It made me want to know her inspiration behind the performance.

I then walked down the aisle and she followed. So it seemed like there was a little bit of attraction, or she was at least interested in hearing what I had to say to her. I decided to continue talking.

"This is one of my favorite haunts." I added. I don't know why I said it like that. I didn't think she would be impressed by my jargon. "I like to flip through the celebrity biographies and get lifestyle tips. I'm a senior now so this year is my victory lap. Winning another national championship would just be icing on the cake. I'm going to the University of California Los Angeles. Maybe you've heard it of it. So I think this song needs to be sung."

I don't know why I went on that spiel about celebrities. If I was trying to impress her, I could talk about some of the actual celebrities that I had met, but I didn't want to sound conceited.

"Are you sure it's a good idea to sing it here?" She questioned. I supposed part of the reason that I wanted to do it was because I wanted to hear her sing again. I wanted to hear how we sounded together.

"You can show people that you're more than just a statistic." She remarked. Maybe that was my way of telling her that the fact that she was pregnant didn't bother me. "I always do this. I like to give impromptu concerts for homeless people. I know how important it is to give back to those less fortunate."

I should not have said that part since I knew that she had been kicked out of her house and I saw a frown on her face. I needed to start playing so I didn't put my foot in my mouth anymore. I sat down at the piano and began to play. Now that I thought about it, this song was kind of about a stalker.

I've been alone with you inside my mind
And in my dreams I've kissed your lips a thousand times
I sometimes see you pass outside my door
Hello, is it me you're looking for?

Seemingly, she didn't think I was too creepy because she indeed started to sing with me.

I can see it your eyes, I can see it in your smile
You're all I've ever wanted and my arms are open wide
Cause you know just what to say and you know just what to do
And I want to tell you so much I love you

I long to see the sunlight in your hair
And tell you time and time again how much I care
Sometimes I feel my heart will overflow
Hello, I've just got to let you know

Cause I wonder where you are and I wonder what to do
Are you somewhere feeling lonely or is someone loving you
Tell me how to win your heart cause I haven't got a clue
But let me start by saying I love you

The crowd then began to clap. Was this a mutual feeling? Our voices sounded so good together. I just had to make my move and honestly what did I have to lose at this point. I thought I wanted to give up girls for my career, but Faith made me question all of my plans.

"You know we should do this more often." I suggested as I held her hand. "How do you feel about Friday night?"

"So I can't drive right now. I'm staying with my teacher, but I have to ask. Why me? I'm sure that there are a lot of girls you could go out with." She declared.

"One of the biggest things that attracts me to a girl is her talent and you're probably the most talented girl I've ever met." I replied. I mean I had met Taylor Swift before, but if I'm using the term to refer to someone under twenty, then yes Faith was the most talented girl I had ever met. "I like you Faith and I want to take you to dinner."

"Yes then." She replied. I should probably go. I told the cab to pick me up about now.

I could have offered to take her home but that was probably too soon for someone that I had just met. I watched her walk away. I wanted to cheer. I was about to do so before my phone rang. It was Shelby. I sighed and picked up because she probably wanted to talk about Rachel.

"Well?" She asked.

"I think I'm in love." I blurted out. I can't believe that I said something so stupid.

"With Rachel?" Shelby inquired. "Jessa I don't know if I could support something like that."

"It's not Rachel. I didn't see Rachel. She wasn't here. I ran into Faith and the two of us sang together. I asked her out on Friday." I explained.

"You know she might think that you're just using her." She pointed out. "I am not going to tell you that you can't date her, but you are going to be competing against this girl at Regionals. There's also the chance that she could be using you. I've gotta go. There's someone outside my door."

She hung up on me and now I was nervous. Faith couldn't be playing me, could she? I knew cheerleaders liked to play games sometimes, but there was no way that she could be doing that, could she? I headed home for dinner. I sat down with my family. My mom had curry chicken. Spicy the way I liked it. That reminded me that Faith probably couldn't have spicy food while she was pregnant, so I needed to take her somewhere that isn't so spicy.

"So I'm not going to be to here on Friday night." I told them.

"Why not?" Sadie asked.

"I have a date." I remarked.

"Who's the lucky guy or girl?" Mom questioned. I blushed.

"Mom, I told you that guys were just a phase for me." I retorted. I couldn't believe that I had had sex with a guy. It was so uncomfortable. Seriously, who would want to do that? Then again, Faith had so maybe I should have been less judgmental. "Her name is Faith. I met her at the music store."

The next day at school, I was approached by some of the other girls.

"So I heard that you asked out one of the girls from that McKinley school." Giselle said. "So I like your idea. You're going to dump her before Regionals so she won't be able to perform."

"No, I'm not going to do that. Maybe I actually like this girl." I suggested.

"I don't believe that. You don't like anyone." She replied. God, she was so annoying. "And if you did, you would be betraying us. Miss Corcoran won't like that you're dating the competition behind her back."

"She already knows about it." I stated. "So how about you focus on learning the steps instead of trying to critique my personal life. You almost tripped at Sectionals."

However, I couldn't help but be surprised when she showed up at Karmel High looking distraught. I recognized that she could have been there to check out the school and maybe even transfer but I was pretty sure that she had neither the money nor the transportation in order to get here every day. That and I really wanted the reason for her to be here to be to see me.

She approached me like she was serious.

"So I have something that I need you to tell me." She declared. "I want to know if you really like me or if you're just playing. I can't deal with being hurt again."

Lost in a dream, I don't know which way to go
If you are all that you seem, then baby I'm moving way too slow
I've been a fool before wouldn't like to get my love caught in the slamming door
How about some information please?

Straight up now tell me do you really wanna love me forever
Or am I caught in a hit and run
Straight up now tell me is it gonna be you and me together
Or are you just having fun

You are so hard to read, you play hide and seek with your true intentions
If you're only playing games, I just have to say bye
Do you love me baby, do you love me baby, do you love me baby, do you love me baby

I've been a fool before wouldn't like to get my love caught in the slamming door
Are you more than hot for me, or am I page in your history book
I don't mean to make demands, but the word and the deed go hand and hand
How about some information please?

Straight up now tell me do you really wanna love me forever
Or am I caught in a hit and run
Straight up now tell me is it gonna be you and me together
Or are you just having fun
Straight up now tell me do you really wanna love me forever
Or am I caught in a hit and run
Straight up now tell me is it gonna be you and me together
Or are you just having fun

"You know you're being way too serious." I said with a giggle, trying to lighten the mood. I completely understood her doubts because I had them too, even if I was better at hiding it than her. "When we go out, you're going to see the real me, not just the girl who wants to kick your ass at Regionals, but the girl who's crazy about you. I'm not gonna hurt you."

"Okay, then let's do this." She declared as she hugged and kissed me. Okay, I wasn't expecting that so soon, but she was pregnant and I knew that she might not have the best control over her emotions. I would probably want to make sure not to get her angry. Anyway, let's get back to the kiss. It was magical and I loved every second of it.

So Jessa and Faith met for the first time and it was epic. Shelby has to be a little bit frustrated since she's falling in love with Faith instead of meeting Rachel though. The songs are "Cruel Summer" by Banarama and "Straight Up" by Paula Abdul. Please don't forget to review.