Disclaimer: I do not own Glee or any of it's characters. If I did, St. Berry would be endgame, Kurt would have been accepted into NYADA, and Finchel would get out of our faces. I also do not own It's a Hard Life by Queen. I worship Queen and Jesse's go to song choice will always be Queen.

xxx

How I Know You - Chapter 1

Taking one last look at his old office, Jesse said goodbye to Carmel High school for the third and final time. He lifted the box containing his belongings and started towards the nearest exit, which lead him across the auditorium and out the stage doors. It had been a long, hard year as the coach of Vocal Adrenaline; after their loss at nationals two years ago, funding had been cut, the team had lost its competitive edge, and the school had searched relentlessly for a more able coach that could restore the glory of Carmel's one and only attribute. Jesse had not been on their list of possible coaches, for he didn't make his failure at UCLA known to the public; but after months of unemployment, he had heard of his old schools predicament and had offered to pick up the position. Vocal Adrenaline was a dying flame; all of the lead performers had been forced to graduate and no new talent wanted to join a team whose reputation was quickly disintegrating . No one was special in Vocal Adrenaline, there was no star. Even with Wade/Unique as its lead vocalist, Jesse knew they couldn't win at Nationals, not when he was up against the New Directions and Rachel Berry.

Two years ago, the New Directions were a pitiful glee club. Even if Jesse had competed with them, bringing his own incredible talent to the mix, there was no hope for a win. Yet, there was a driving force in that club that propelled its talent, and its census, to a standard almost comparable to that of Vocal Adrenaline. That driving force was named Rachel Berry. Her hard work and dedication to the glee club had never dwindled, no matter how many slushies were thrown at her face and no matter how many members insulted her or threatened to quit. Their singing and dancing had improved tremendously, and their song choice and choreography stood out at competitions. They still were not clear cut champions, but Jesse could see their potential, especially at last year's Nationals.

And after spying at their regional's this year, he knew they would be the toughest team to beat. Whether it was Rachel's extremely competitive nature, or a blessing from the show choir gods, the New Directions had acquired some not-so-secret weapons to aid in their fight to victory. Blaine Anderson, of the Dalton Academy Warblers had transferred to McKinley and joined the Glee club; and the Trouble Tones, a sub group of the New Directions, had brought with them a well working blend of female vocals that served as a breath of fresh air, along with the Cheerio back-up dancers that made the dance routines appear more advanced (and rehearsed). Therefore, it wasn't surprising when the New Directions took the National title this year; Jesse's insane rehearsal schedule and calculated song choice hadn't been good enough to beat the distinctive and passionate performance of the underdogs. It also wasn't surprising that a week after Vocal Adrenaline's loss, the principal and the club's main investors had fired him for being "not experienced enough to coach such a prestigious team ", then blaming their loss on his inadequacies. They hadn't known, however, how a male drama queen of only twenty years old would react. After reminding the adults of his contribution in the victory years of Vocal Adrenaline and his most recent accomplishment in making Wade a national inspiration, Jesse knocked the four national trophies from the principal's shelf and threatened to make sure they never won another competition before he stormed out in a brume of fury and embarrassment.

Now, as he took the last of his belongings, he couldn't help but stop at the center of the stage and look out into his old auditorium with nostalgia. He didn't know what he was going to do now, what job he would have to settle for, or whether he would continue to live at his parents' abandoned house, but at that moment he just wanted one last song. He set the heavy box down on the piano and sat down to play.

I don't want my freedom

there's no reason for living with a broken heart

This is a tricky situation

I've only got myself to blame

It's just a simple fact of life

It can happen to anyone

You win- you lose

It's a chance you have to take with love

Oh yeah I fell in love

And now you say its over and I'm falling apart

How it hurts deep inside

When your love had cut you down to size

Life is tough- on your own

Now I'm waiting for something to fall from the skies

And I'm waiting for love

Yes, its a hard life

As Jesse entered his soulful chorus, his phone began to vibrate in his pocket. He didn't want to stop, but he knew sooner or later someone would call security to escort him out, so he answered the phone without sparing a cursory glance at the caller ID.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Jesse St. Jacka-St. James? Puckerman here,"

In an instant of hearing his rival's voice through the phone, Jesse hardened his tone, "What the hell are you doing calling me, Puck? Don't you have a graduation ceremony to attend? Or are you going to be roaming McKinley's hallowed halls for another year?"

"Actually, I'm gonna be receiving my diploma tomorrow." Puck sniped, then, as a sort of afterthought, he muttered, "God, how the hell did I think this was a good idea. Goddamn stupider than my plan to seduce Ms. Doozenberry into giving me that C."

"Get to the point a little faster, Puckerman." Jesse snapped.

"Shut your face," Puck growled, obviously not used to being pushed around. "Look, word on the street is that you're coaching those Vocal Adrenaline punks now."

"And? What, did you want me to help your former glee club? You did just win Nationals, in case you forgot."

"Yes, I need your help, but it has nothing to do with glee club. I know I am going to regret this, but Jews gotta look out for one another."

"Okay?"

"Alright man...I need to ask you for a huge favor."

"Like I'd do you a favor," Jesse scoffed.

"It involves Rachel."

The sound of her name sent a surge of electricity through his body and he was instantly worried.

"Is there something wrong? Is she alright? Does she need me?"

Puck snorted good-naturedly, saying, "That's more like it, just let me start from the beginning."

xxx

This is my first St. Berry fic and I am super excited to continue writing it. This is going to be a long fic with many twists and turns! And I promise there's a reason it's rated M. ;)

I'd like to thank eternallystberry who is my beta and DreamsofRay for their words of encouragement and excitement. I couldn't have done it without you. Cindy, you are a beta goddess.

I would really appreciate feedback since this is my first fic! Tell me your complete and brutally honest opinion! I will respond to each and every review!

Chapter 2 is coming up shortly :D