𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 | jesse st. james

8: so close

╰─▗ ▘➤𖥸 chapter eight

where eliza cannot sleep for the
life of her, and jesse st. james is why

IT WAS A SLEEPLESS NIGHT for Eliza Hudson after hearing the voicemail that may or may not have alluded towards mutual feelings between her and the ever-puzzling Jesse St. James. That was why life found it funny to stick them together in a room not even 24 hours later.

As they went over the verses to their Regionals duet of 'Faithfully,' Eliza knew there was only one thing she could be faithful about, and that would be her guarantee to go insane by the end of the week.

Now, yes, she had been saying that almost every week now, but there was something about this week that felt particularly off– and it wasn't just because she was in Rachel Berry's basement last night. No, something was going to happen this week that would make her lose her mind.

It might've even been this very rehearsal. The vocals were great; Eliza and Jesse gave nothing less of what was expected from them in that department. But the chemistry was entirely out of whack. Frankly, Eliza was freaking the fuck out standing in the vicintity of the guy she was stressing over all night. She couldn't bring herself to fully look him in the eye, and she had the habit of taking a step back for every step he took towards her.

"Hey, guys, just checking in, but are you two okay? Something felt a little off there," Mr. Schue said.

Responding a little too quickly, Eliza said, "Everything's great. I don't know what you're talking about. Frankly, a teacher shouldn't be butting into stude–"

Jesse took Eliza by the shoulders, startling her into shutting up. He shot Mr. Schue a sunny smile before the teacher had time to process where Eliza was heading in her rant. "We'll be right back."

Despite her protests, Jesse dragged Eliza out to the parking lot.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"You mean other than being led to the parking lot against my will?"

"So you're feeling sassy today too."

"I don't know why you dragged me away. I was completely right in there. Teachers should not be up in students' business like that."

"I didn't say I didn't agree, but it isn't something you'd normally tell Schue straight up– though I'm certain you think it often."

"Since when are you so concerned with what I say to Mr. Schue?"

"Since– wait, you have..."

Jesse trailed off as he zeroed in on a stray piece of hair slipping from her Cheerios ponytail. He gently tucked it back in place. How could he do something so... so rash! Her brain stopped functioning but Jesse picked up right where he left off.

"As I was saying... I'm far from concerned about what you say to Schue. I'm more concerned with the way your body's been stiffer than my uncle's nightcaps and your face is all screwn up with unsettling tension."

"Thanks," she said, her tone afflicted with very much apparent sarcasm.

"No, believe me, frustrated is a much cuter look on you than most, but why is it even on you in the first place. Everything alright?"

And how could he go saying things like that! Eliza was enraged. Eliza was furious. Eliza was... helpless. How was she supposed to say that she was so bothered because she felt such complicated things when Jesse tucked a piece of hair behind her ear just now, or when she heard that voicemail of his last night, or just about every time she was with him now because these feelings she had for him wouldn't stop growing. It was all so frustrating. Of course she was tense. But she couldn't tell him why.