This story is an edited version of a story that has been already posted by Oliveira815. Please note that the author asked me to revised and gave me permission to repost the story.
Shannon Beiste went to the teacher's lounge at lunchtime on a Friday afternoon. She went to see Emma Pillsbury, her best friend and confidant. Shannon was the sister who Emma never had; always worrying about her, giving advice, especially love advice. She knew all her friend's problems; there were no secrets between them. And now Shannon was concerned more about Emma after what happened three months ago ... Gradually she was recovering, but deep down in her soul she still had terrible scars that would not be erased so easily. Her physical therapist was doing everything to help her to recover. Shannon knew her friend was not open enough to start a new relationship, but all she wanted was to see her friend have some fun, smile a little. She could count on one hand how many times Emma had smiled in the last three months. Shannon sat in front of Emma putting a huge pan of chicken and potatoes on the table.
-Hey, pumpkin!
Hi, Shannon! How are you?
-You know ... (tearing the chicken leg with her hand) I've been thinking ... (Biting the thigh of chicken and making noise while eating) how would you like to go out tonight? I know a restaurant with live music and it's pretty amazing! It's owned by a well-known family? (Licking Fingers) Smoking is not allowed to enter, it is very clean!
Emma pursed her lips and looked indecisively down, poking her grapes with a plastic fork.
-I am not in the mood to go out ...
-Come on Em! (Said with her mouth full) Do you want to spend the rest of your life trapped in that apartment? What do you get from that?
Shannon's words echoed in her head. "Spend the rest of your life trapped in an apartment." After all, what are you doing with your life? What happened in the past was really terrible. But what would be gained by spending the rest of my life totally away from the outside world? Absolutely nothing!
-You are right! I will! You can catch me at 7:00 pm?
Shannon was right about the restaurant.
The restaurant was actually very clean and nothing too glamorous. Actually, it was a very cozy Italian restaurant. Emma loved it right away. There was a small stage where local artists are featured, just as Shannon stated. The two chose the table. Soon came a very friendly waitress to serve them.
-Good evening! Can I take your order?
-Well, I'll have a bowl of rice with onions and butter, (said running her finger through the menu) I would like two servings of Gnocchi with enough tomato sauce, eee ... Ah! I want two, not ... three pieces of lasagna and a portion of Gelato for dessert!
Emma's eyes widened. How can she have such as big appetite? she thought to herself.
-Drink? asked the waitress.
-Ah yes, dear. I'll have white wine.
-And you, Miss? asked directing her gaze to Emma.
-I'll have a small portion of the sugo Gnocchi special, and for dessert a piece of Tiramisu.
-And to drink?
-Ah yes, bring apple juice. The waitress wrote down everything and left. Suddenly a singer took the stage and introduced himself to everyone, would sing "Blaze of Glory" by Bon Jovi. He was wearing a v-neck black shirt with dark jeans. The way the soft yellow light reflected off his curly hair, made him even sexier. The waitress soon returned with their ordered soon after he started playing the guitar.
-That's what I'm talking about! (Shannon said rubbing her hands) Emma took the glass of juice and was pecking at the straw as she watched the guy singing on stage.
I wake up in the morning
And I raise my weary head
I've got an old coat for a pillow
And the earth was last night's bed
I do not know where I'm going
Only God knows where I've been
I'm a devil on the run
A six gun lover
A candle in the wind ...
Shannon took two bites of gnocchi in her mouth and looked at her redheaded friend. The coach noticed that she diverted her eyes from the stage. The coach looked back over her shoulder and turned to Emma with a smile on her lips.
-I would be with him if I were younger ... Emma blinked for a few seconds.
-O-o-o-which? (Said stammering) No! No no! I was not looking at him! Q-I mean, I was e-but-one and was paying attention to the music! It is! n-in music!
-Easy, Pumpkin! I was not insinuating anything! You need to relax, girl! Emma looked away from her friend and took a forkful of Gnocchi in her mouth.
As soon as Will Schuester finished his performance, everyone applauded enthusiastically. Singing at the restaurant earned him some extra money and some women. Almost every weekend he leaves with a different woman. He was a bachelor and nothing stopped him from acting like one. He really did not care about his reputation; all he wanted was fun and distance of a stable relationship. Will came off the stage and was soon greet by his friend, Brandon, who was watching him all the time.
-Wow! Dude ... you are very good! (Brandon said giving a hug followed by a few pats on the back)
-Thank you! You have seen nothing yet!
The two sat at the table and asked for a few beers.
-You know, Will ... I do not know why you waste your talent here in Ohio! Why don't you try your luck in New York?
-I'd love to, but now I can't. I am very involved with the glee club, and this year we have regionals... Suddenly the waitress appeared beside their table.
Excuse me, Mr. Schuester ... that woman (she pointed to a stunning brunette who was sitting at 4 feet away) asked me to give you this.
The waitress handed him a piece of paper. Will opened it and read the phone number. The problem is that he had already been with her once, she was completely crazy! Will crumpled the paper and leaned over, knocking his forehead lightly on the table.
-This is not happening... it's already the third time that she has tried. She is like a piece of gum on my shoe!
Will snorted and sipped on his beer.
-What, Will! I do not believe that will pass on her! She is so beautiful!
Mr. Schuester looked at the woman and she waved a hand giving a wink.
-No way! Will said shaking his head. Brandon sighed and put more beer in the cup.
-Very well, Don Juan ... dismissed with a snap of your fingers and "clack" (the sound he made with his mouth) will melt any girl at your feet!
Brandon had to admit, sometimes he felt a little jealous of his friend.
-Ahh ... you're exaggerating! Will responded modestly.
-I am not! I bet you could spend the night with any woman who is here tonight!
Brandon took a good look at all the women in the restaurant. Then he saw a redhead wearing a floral dress with a white coat very thin on top. Her hair was loose, slightly wavy at the ends.
-I bet you can spend the night with that woman. He said pointing to Emma.
Will turned his shoulder to see her. He took a good look at her. Emma was laughing merrily at something, maybe a big joke that her friend told her.
-Not at all! She's not really my type! It looks like she just came out of a convent! I think she is the type of woman who does not make things easy you know what I mean?
-So, my friend! (Brandon slammed his palm down on the wooden table). See it as a new challenge! Tell you what, I bet you a hundred dollars you can have sex with her within two weeks! You in?
Brandon held out his hand to seal the bet, but Will was reluctant.
He looked back at Emma. If he lost the bet a hundred dollars was a lot of money to lose and their situation was no longer easy. But, after all, what more could he lose?, he thought.
-I agree!
-That's my man! Brandon said smiling.
The waitress came over to Emma and said a little embarrassed.
-Ahh, excuse me miss. That man, (she pointed to Will who was now alone) asked me to give you this. The waitress handed her a piece of paper and left. Emma's eyes widened slightly opening her mouth without knowing what to say.
-What are you waiting for, Em!
With trembling fingers, she opened the folding of the paper and read what was written. "I would like to buy you a drink, you agree?" Her face turned redder than a beet.
-And-and-I can not!
-Why not?! He's just inviting you for a drink!
-I know! But ... No-I can not, Shannon!
She began to have difficulty in her breathing. The coach looked at her friend with a bit of disappointment in her eyes.
-Pumpkin, remember what you are learning in therapy?
-Self-control, (said breathing hard) confidence in itself (breathing a little better) mastery over the mind and body.
-Exactly. Look its perfect to try a little practice.
The redhead looked at the little piece of paper feeling like a loser. All those hours of therapy and medication to control her anxiety was not helping her. When will I be free?, she thought. Emma took a deep breath, looked at her friend and said a little more confidence.
-Okay, I will!