She never expected to ever work as a waitress, but she needed some extra cash for the summer, and the higher scale restaurant was perfect even though she, a lot of times, would see people she knew. Being on a break after her second year at NYU, she decided to go home instead of taking summer classes for a change of scenery. The bad thing was occasionally, often times more, she would have to wait on people who were familiar with her and the person she used to be: a complete bitch. So most were shocked at the good-natured, well mostly, person she'd become. It kinda came with the territory of living with Rachel and Kurt. They annoyed the hell out of her, but she would do anything for them; they were family.
There weren't many restaurants of this class in Lima, and Santana was happy that the owners' were her high school sweetheart, Brittany's, cousins. She remembered all the date nights they'd shared on the house there. Her and Britt had decided to end things before college, with her going to NYU and Brittany heading off to some fancy dancing college in California, the long distance would have been too much and hurt like hell. They ended on good terms, though, and still talked a couple times a week. She was sad when she found out Britt wouldn't be home for the summer this year, but was supper happy when she found out why. The girl was accepted as a backup dancer for Beyoncé on her upcoming tour. I mean who could ever pass up that opportunity, and God knows she has the talent. Santana shook her head, thinking of the girl, fondly. She still loved her, though not in the same way, and wished her the best.
Santana scrolled through the pictures on her phone while she waited for her shift to begin. After the first couple, she began to laugh uncontrollably. Berry must have stolen my phone before I left, she thought. The picture in question, or several rather, were pictures of the diva in various spots in the apartment making little pouty faces until she got to the one that Rachel had taken while she was in the shower. At that one, Santana felt a blush run all through her body as she began to giggle. The picture was of Rachel giving a thumbs up and a smirk toward Santana's naked body silhouetted in the shower. She made a mental note to call Berry, who had to stay in New York for a summer dance class at NYADA, to yell at her later. Not given the chance though her phone starting buzzing and the diva in question's picture popped up on the screen.
"What's up, Yentel?" Santana answered.
"Hey!" Rachel scoffed, mock offended. "I thought we were past that, Satan."
"Woah-woah, line has been crossed, Yentel," Santana returned. "Besides, you deserve it. After taking my phone without permission?"
Rachel giggled on the other end. "So I take it you saw the pictures?"
"Yeah. I did. Didn't you have anything better to do? So what'd you call for Hobbit?"
"Santana!"
"Sorry, Hobbit."
Rachel sighed on the line. "Just wanted to know how home's been treating you."
"Better than I thought, honestly. Most people still think I'm the hard core bitch I was two years ago."
"Nope. Now just semi-bitch."
"Hey…nope that's accurate."
The two shared a good natured laugh.
"Look, I'll call you later, Rach. My shift starts in a few."
"You better, bye Sanny."
"Bye, Berry."
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
Santana retrieved her apron, ticket book, and pager (yeah, that high class) and clocked in. She set about getting some of her routine stuff crossed off her list before the dinner rush hit. She waved hello to the bartender, Scott, who had hit on her twice since she'd been here even though he knew she played for the other team. She'd been cool with it, though, since he just like to flirt and nothing more. Though she never flirted back, she didn't want any ladies to get the wrong idea.
An hour later, the pace still hadn't picked up so Santana wondered up to the set that had been set up for whoever was performing that night. She picked up the guitar, strumming a few chords, and began to sing. Playing was so natural for her that a song always flowed through her when she picked up the instrument. The song was the last one she had ever sung for Brittany. For some reason, that was her go to song. The arrangement she had come up with had made the moment bittersweet. It was the song that she had used to break up with her. A single tear rolled upon down her cheek as she remembered, plucking the last chord. She had been unaware, but the whole restaurant was now watching her. She swiped away the tear as they all clapped for her. She rose up and made a great deal of bowing for the small crowd, earning a few chuckles. She hopped down and headed to her section that had acquired a few tables during the course of the song. With a spring in her step, she wrote down their orders in her shorthand writing. Santana went to the kitchen to pick up their orders when Rick, "The Stick", as he went by in high school, began to tease her about the impromptu performance.
"So, Sanny, still the diva we were in high school?" he taunted.
"Funny, you remember, since you were busy chucking the losers into dumpsters, Sticky," she countered.
"Ouch. Still the class-A bitch," he chuckled, handing her the food through the window.
"And don't you forget it!" she yelled over her shoulder, laughing.
Santana laid down the plates with the smile still in her eyes. She had missed the easy banter she shared with him. She dismissed the thought, running up the menus she had forgotten to the hostess station.
"Santana?" the hostess said to grab her attention. "Mary wanted you to cover her table over in the north dining room. I just seated them."
"Ok, yeah, sure. Whatever," she replied offhandedly before heading to one of her own tables that was signaling her. After she brought them soda refills, she turned her attention to Mary's table, or her's now. Though she may not like some of the people she waited on, she prided herself on being a good waitress.
"Sorry about the wait. Can I start you both with some drinks?" she asked, noticing a third place.
"Yes, please. We'll both have Cokes. And a…lemonade…for my daughter," indicating the empty place.
"Of course, I'll be right back with those," Santana left the couple and approached the bar to fetch the drinks. As she walked around the corner of the bar, she literally ran into Scott.
"Jeez, Scott, watch it!" she yelled at him.
"I do, whenever I can," he smirked flirtatiously.
"Scott," she said patiently, filling the glasses with the drinks. "I've told you a thousand times," here she walked around the bar, "I don't play for your team."
"A guy can dream." Santana just rolled her eyes.
She was still smiling when she placed the two Cokes and lemonade in front of her customers. The daughter of the couple was now at the table but was playing a game on her phone so Santana saw nothing of her except how sleek and shiny her brunette hair was. "May I…" she paused when she felt her pager buzz. From where she was standing, she could see the hostess station so she looked to see if it was important. The hostess gave the okay to finish. When she returned her attention to the table after the brief second, she lost her ability to finish the question. She was looking at the cutest and most innocent yet hard eyes she had ever seen, and the face they were in the most beautiful. Santana choked back whatever it was that was holding her speech and stuttered out the other end of the question to her ticket book, missing the smile the girl was trying to hide. "T-t-take your-uh or-order?" The girl's parents didn't seem to notice this and ordered. Santana focused her attention on them, refusing to look at the girl. That is until the girl placed her order. Santana forced herself to look in her direction. She was met with a smirk and a raised eyebrow. This girl was amused by her. That aggravated Santana and at the same time, she was intrigued her.
"Though nothing looks good on the menu," she gave a pointed look to Santana, who in turn flushed at what she thought the girl was saying. "I guess I'll have the rosemary chicken."
"O-okay," she stuttered. The girl flashed her a bright smile, wiggling her eyebrows. Santana almost died, literally, a blush tinting her neck and ears. She gave a tentative smile and took their menus. Chill out, Santana, she's probably just messing around with you, she reprimanded herself. You do not stutter, and no matter how cute she is, she is probably straight. Besides you don't know her name. Santana shook her head and handed the hostess the menu and was headed into the kitchen to give Rick the ticket when she realized the hostess had been calling her.
"Yeah?" she turned, slightly guilty for being lost in her thoughts.
"Jaime and Candice wanted me to ask you if you wanted to be the entertainment tonight. The band they had booked cancelled last minute, and they heard you earlier today. Candice said she'd cover your tables while you did a few songs. They said a full set wasn't necessary, but if you wanted to you could."
Santana beamed, clearly excited. "I'll do it! Let me just tell my tables." She went to all her tables to tell them, saving the girl's for last. She approached the table and heard them arguing.
"No, Dani. You aren't switching your area of study."
"But, Dad. I don't want to be a doctor!"
"Being an aspiring musician isn't a productive career!"
"But, Dad."
"But nothing, Dani!"
Hmmm, Dani? Santana edged closer, not wanting to intrude. "Sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to let you now that one of the owners will step in as your waitress. The entertainment for tonight cancelled, and I was asked to step in."
The girl, Dani, looked at her funny. Then gave her a smile. "Then I bet you're really good. Can't wait to hear." Dani winked at her.
"Th-th-thank y-you," Santana stumbled, giving a little wave. She heard Dani giggle, then realizing why she mentally face palmed herself. I'm such an idiot. The spirit finger wave? She internally groaned.
Santana weaved her way through the tables to the set that had been slightly rearranged for her. They just knew I was gonna say yes, Santana giggled to herself. She climbed up on to the little wooden stool and picked up the acoustic guitar and strummed a couple chords to tune it.
"Okay, everyone. I know you were expecting some band I can't remember the name of," she paused for the few laughs, "but you get me instead. I'm Santana, and I'll be your entertainment for the next forty-five minutes."
She began with a few of her favorite songs, ones she was sure the customers would enjoy. After a few she paused to make a dedication. Seeking her out, Santana looked around for the brunette girl. Dani. Santana found her looking back, smiling. Taking a shaky breath, she couldn't believe she was doing this, but, "This is a song by one of my favorite artists that I wish I had written. Every time I hear it and sing it I want to following my dreams that much more. So I want to sing this song for anyone who thinks or believes they can't catch their dreams. Because you can." Santana smiled softly at her. "This is Believe in Me."
I'm losing myself
Trying to compete
With everyone else
Instead of just being me
Briefly, Santana looked up at Dani. Santana gave her a small smile before Dani down casted her eyes looking away, realizing the song was for her.
Don't know where to turn
I've been stuck in this routine
I need to change my ways
Instead of always being weak
This time Dani catches Santana's eyes and grins sheepishly. Santana understands. She does want to chase her dreams, but she doesn't think she can. Santana nods. I don't wanna be afraid
I wanna wake up feeling beautiful..today
And know that I'm okay
Cause everyone's perfect in unusual ways
So you see, I just wanna believe in me
The mirror can lie
Doesn't show you what's inside
And it, it can tell you you're full of life
It's amazing what you can hide
Just by putting on a smile
Santana took in Dani's parents and gave each a hard look that she knew Dani would notice, but would be over looked by them. Dani ducked her head, hair covering her face then looked back up with a genuine smile, despite being small. I'm quickly finding out
I'm not about to break down
Not today
I guess I always knew
That I had all the strength to make it through
Santana glanced around her and at the guitar, aware of how the song was having an effect on her, like it always did. Not gonna be afraid
I'm going to wake up feeling beautiful..today
And know that I'm okay
Cause everyone's perfect in unusual ways
So you see, now, now I believe in me
Now I believe in me
Santana giggled at the standing ovation she received. She stood up and gave a bow, finding Dani's eyes watching her with a mix of curiosity and something else Santana couldn't identify. Santana cleared her throat returning to her position behind the microphone. "For me, that song has a kinda personal attachment to it." She swallowed the moisture in her mouth and glanced up through her lashes at Dani across the room. Dani quirked her eyebrows her eyebrow up and leaned in, intrigued. "I-umm-turned to that song when I needed it most and now it just reminds me to keep going." Santana smiled toward the room continually glancing at Dani who Santana was sure couldn't stop looking at her. She didn't mean that conceitedly, but Santana had felt her staring since she strummed that first chord. Santana ducked her head and got up to retrieve her apron. She returned quickly to the microphone. "Thank you. You guys have been great." She stepped down to relieve Candice of her duties.
Santana waited on a few of her newer customers before returning to deliver the bills to her previous tables. She approached Dani's table with their check, noticing Dani watching her. Dani raised her eyebrow as a question. When Santana bit her lip confirming Dani's suspicions she mouthed a 'thank you'. Santana nodded and left the table with the check, thinking of a way to talk to Dani.
Santana was paged to wait on another table and she did so she didn't see Dani and her parents walk out. When she finished the order was when she realized the girl who had captured her attention had left. Santana mentally cursed herself for being a stuttering fool and shy and not getting Dani's number. She walked over to their vacated table and began to clear it while mentally slapping herself. As she picked up the glass that had held her lemonade, Santana saw small writing on the napkin. She held it closer and began to smile as she read it.
That was very sweet.
Call me if you're free
273-9658
PS You're cute when you stutter ;)
Definitely, not straight, Santana smiled.