Run

Hello

Throughout the rest of the class many performers tried their best but failed when they were so close, Jesse didn't know how many exactly got cut from the program but he did know that the class was a whole lot smaller from when they began. It seemed like an eternity but finally his name was called, he felt a gentle squeeze on his hand and shot Rachel an appreciative smile as he made his way to the front of the room. Rachel had given an outstanding performance, now he just had to do the same; he wasn't willing to risk his place at NYADA after working so hard to get here so Jesse went with an old song that both he and Rachel loved, so as he turned to face the crowd he couldn't help but meet her eyes and gave her a knowing smirk as the beginning notes of Lionel Richie's Hello rung out into the quiet room.

"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?

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

Rachel watched and held her breath as he sang his song, their song even, she had no idea what he would be singing but she definitely did not expect it to be Hello. Then again it was Jesse and he always was full of surprises.

Jesse couldn't help but fight the grin as he saw Rachel starring at him, eyes not wavering at his performance and in that moment he would have loved to have known just exactly what she was thinking and if she was feeling the same things he was, he made a mental note to himself to ask her that later, but for now he concentrated on his performance.

"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
Because I wonder where you are
And I wonder what you do
Are you somewhere feeling lonely?
Or is someone loving you?
Tell me how to win your heart
For I haven't got a clue
But let me start by saying I love you"

Jesse let his eyes shut for a brief moment, all the memories of high school flooding back at him; when he just so happened to run across Rachel in the music store and they enjoyed an impromptu duet together that made him feel so alive and excited, something a girl had not made him feel. His memories then shifted to spending a lot of time in her bedroom, singing and making out, he still felt a pang of guilt regarding the Madonna incident but they managed to work past that and he learned a valuable lesson of not forcing someone into doing something that they wouldn't want to do.

Even the bad memories sometimes made him smile, they were both incredibly dramatic people with fierce loyalty and they wouldn't back down for anything. If Rachel was willing to give him another chance he would jump at the opportunity and although she had forgiven him, he would still try his best to make it up to her.

"Hello!
Is it me you're looking for?
Because I wonder where you are
And I wonder what you do
Are you somewhere feeling lonely?
Or is someone loving you?
Tell me how to win your heart
For I haven't got a clue
But let me start by saying I love you"

His tone turned soft as he let the last note ring out into the silent air, for a moment no one dared to breath and then, just as he had for her, Rachel stood up from her seat and applauded him. He grinned goofily back at her as his eyes fell towards Carmen Tibideaux who had now finished writing in her notebook. She bowed her head to Jesse, "Very nice Mr St James. You may return to your seat"

Jesse breathed a sigh of relief as he quickly walked back to his seat, taking his place by Rachel who was grinning at him with her brown eyes and right then he really would have loved just to kiss her but he had to control himself. A small round of chatter had broken out amongst the students as Jesse was the last one to perform, after a moment or two Carmen Tibideaux finally stood back up and gazed around the remaining students.

"Congratulations, you all have officially made it into NYADA. The hard work starts now, do not disappoint me. You are all dismissed"

The students quickly broke up and dispersed from the room, Rachel and Jesse lingered for a moment, neither really wanting to leave before they spoke about what had happened. Once Dean Tibideaux had left the room Jesse turned round to face Rachel, only to find instead a small hand gripping at his shirt while the other grabbed the nape of his neck and pulled his lips to hers. Although taken by surprise Jesse happily obliged by returning the passionate kiss, pulling her flush against his body as much as he could, the heat from her body radiating onto his, they both deepened the kiss and it was only when the bell rang that they remembered they were still in the auditorium, the reluctantly pulled away, both breathing heavy and staring at each other. Jesse looked ruffled, Rachel noticed, her hand had wrinkled the front of his crisp black shirt and his hair had been messed from where she had been tugging at it. Jesse noticed that Rachel's lips were swollen with how hard he kissed back, and her cheeks were pink with both the heat and passion.

"Sorry" Rachel squeaked, trying to fix herself as best she could and regain at least some composure.

"Don't be" Jesse smirked, "I enjoyed it. Who knew you could be so spontaneous?"

Rachel blushed, "I couldn't help it, I was watching you up there singing our song and then you came walking back down with such a confident look on your face and..." She trailed off, her cheeks flaming an even brighter red

Jesse's smirk grew even wider as he realised where she had been going with her statement, "I turned you on didn't I?"

Rachel rolled her eyes, "Yes! And no need to be so smug about it"

"I'm not smug" Jesse chuckled, "I'm just happy that you finally admitted how I can make you feel all hot and bothered"

"Smug bastard" Rachel whispered

"Sorry what was that?"

"Oh nothing. Lets go" Rachel smiled, grabbing her things from her chair and swayed from the chair, Jesse groaned to himself as he willingly followed her outside. She really was going to be the death of him.