*Somewhat short chapter, I know, but better than nothing right? I realize that I write Rachel slightly older than a twelve year old, but in the show she acts older than a sixteen year old, so I think she's been mature for her age all her life. Anyway, hope you like this chapter. Please review and let me know what you think!*

The routine of camp soon became second nature. Breakfast, singing class, lunch, recreation, dance class, dinner, group singing (usually by the clichéd campfire) then bed. As much as I loved everything about the camp, my favorite part of the day was practicing with Jesse. When I was with him I could forget about the rude comments my bunkmates made, how everyone basically ignored me when I wasn't singing. With him, I didn't feel like a loser.

Before I knew it, it was Saturday, the day of the audition. In between vocal exercises and practicing our song, Jesse had helped me a little with this duet as well. I knew I was prepared, but that didn't keep my stomach from fluttering when Meredith called my name. I stepped up to the front of the room. The boy I was partnered with, I think his name was Grant, gave me a nervous smile. The song began and suddenly I didn't see Grant standing before me. All I saw was Jesse. I sang the song with more emotion than I had thought possible. When we finished, the class was speechless.

"Very good, Rachel," Meredith said. I beamed at her as I took my seat. Meredith explained that the other classes had auditioned for solos as well, so all the solos would be announced at dinner. I walked out of the class, confident.

"Rachel," someone behind me said. I turned around to see Grant standing there. "You were really good," he said. The other girls from my cabin walked by.

"Yeah, good for a dying animal maybe," one of them whispered loud enough for us to here. I blushed and looked at the ground, blinking back tears.

"Thanks," I told Grant. "You were really good too." And, though he was no Jesse, he really was good. Then we parted ways and went to lunch. I was silent during lunch, picking at my food (Daddy had called the camp and got the meal thing straightened out, so I had vegan food finally). I had gotten used to the girls teasing me about my clothes, my personality, and so on. But they had insulted my talent. That really stung. At the first opportunity, I left the mess hall and went straight to the classroom Jesse and I used to practice. Once I was alone, the tears threatened to come again. I leaned against the wall and slid down on the floor. I rested my head on my knees, letting my hair cover my face. The door opened, but I made no attempt to move.

"Rachel?" I heard Jesse ask. "Oh my gosh," he exclaimed and I heard heavy footsteps as he rushed to my side. "What happened? Are you ok?" I felt his hand on my shoulder and finally raised my head to look at him. He was kneeling in front of me, his face full of concern.

"I'm fine," I said, quickly wiping away the few tears that had managed to escape my eyes. Jesse kept looking at me like he knew there was more to the story. I sighed. "I just don't fit in here," I explained. "I don't fit in at school and I thought here, of all places, I would fit in, but I don't." My voice cracked at the end as I struggled not to cry. Jesse didn't say anything, just pulled me into a hug. We sat like that for a while, neither of us wanting to break the silence. Finally, Jesse stood, helping me up as well.

"I think we should take a break from practicing today," he said. "How about swimming?" I smiled at his suggestion and nodded. As we walked out of the classroom, Jesse slid his arm around my waist. Smiling to myself, I realized I had found a place I fit in.

That place was wherever Jesse was.