a/n: hope you like it! As usual, I'm open to suggestions, prompts, questions, etc...
DANI
Dani stepped out into the rain after working an eight hour shift at Breadstix. Why did it have to rain? Why today? It was her first week in Lima. After graduating high school in Seattle, her mom shipped her off to Ohio to 'assist' her grandma.
Really, her mom was just punishing her for not going to college. Other than this one disagreement over college though, Dani usually got along well with her mom. Even after she came out, her mom was pretty cool about it, so she didn't really have any bad feelings, she just wished she could be in LA starting her dream instead of waiting tables in the smallest town ever.
The upside was that her grandma had a huge house, and even a small house separate from the main one that she let Dani live in. Although, it wasn't that small, it had a large bedroom, a master bathroom, a living room, a kitchen, and a guest room with its own bathroom as well.
Pulling up to the small house, which her grandma had officially told her was her own house, Dani looked at her phone for texts. She wasn't surprised that she didn't have any, her friends were probably busy in college, or just busy living in a city and having things to do.
She was getting serious cabin fever from having nothing to do but work. She guessed that the high school year had started already because she had seen kids walking around with backpacks and she was almost jealous that they had something to do.
SANTANA
Santana had just walked in the door with Quinn when her mom shouted at her to come to the kitchen.
Rolling her eyes, Santana turned to Quinn, "Be right back."
Quinn ran up to Santana's room while the Latina went to find her mom.
"Yes, mom?"
"Santana there was another charge on your credit card, I told you it was only for emergencies," her mom huffed, turning to face her.
"Well yeah, but I just really wanted these shoes... I'll pay you back if it's a big deal," Santana looked down, she always felt bad about disappointing her mom, despite her bad girl image.
"How do you plan on doing that?"
"I don't really know..." Santana realized she didn't have a job and she got all her money from her parents so it would be hard to pay them back.
"I think you need a job."
"Ok," she didn't want a job, but she knew she shouldn't fight her mom on things.
"Ok then. Go play," her mom laughed and waved her away.
With another eye roll, Santana ran up to her room to Quinn.
"I heard everything, job huh?" the blonde said from Santana's bed.
Santana went to sit next to her, "yup, what do you think I should do?"
"I actually have the perfect idea!" Quinn squealed.
THE NEXT DAY AFTER SCHOOL
"Are you serious Quinn? You want me to work for Coach Sylvester?" The blonde was already dragging her to Sue's office.
"Yes! I worked for her when I thought I was pregnant. You know, to get baby money. Then I quit when I realized it was just the flu..." She shivered remembering that scary moment in her sophomore year, two years ago. "Anyway, it's super easy, she just makes you get her coffee and stuff. Plus you have all the time in the world now that you quit the Cheerios."
"Don't remind me," the brunette huffed.
"You didn't have to quit Santana," Quinn gave her best friend a sad look, knowing that in Santana's head it was her only option.
"I did if I didn't want that stupid commercial to air."
Both girls frowned and looked slightly upset at the thought of the campaign ad that would have outed Santana. Right now, only Quinn, Rachel, Sue, and the guy who made the commercial knew she was gay. Rachel had actually been really supportive and her, Quinn, and Santana had become extremely close, spending most if their weekends and free time together.
Finally getting to Sue's office, Quinn confidently walked in and basically did all the talking. As team captain, she had a lot of pull when it came to the coach, and 20 minutes later they walked out of her office and Santana was newly employed.
DANI
"Is it horrible?"
"Not horrible, but sooo boring!"
"I bet. I'll have to come do a concert there, liven things up a little."
Dani was on the phone with Taylor (yes, Taylor Swift), one of her best friends since she was 13. They had met when Dani was on vacation in California and Taylor was still trying to get a record deal. They had stayed in touch and actually visited each other a fair amount for living so far apart.
"Oh my god, I think the biggest stage they have is in the high school!" Dani laughed.
"Well, ok maybe not a concert. But I have next weekend off, can I come visit you?" Taylor asked hopefully, missing her best friend.
"Of course! I'll show you around!"
"Awesome! Ok, I have to go, I'll text you about details! Wish me luck!"
"Good luck," Dani laughed as she heard the crowd in the background roar right before Taylor hung up to jump on stage.
She looked at the clock and realized she should probably get ready for work. She threw on her uniform (white shirt and black pants) and went out to her car, waving bye to her grandma on the way out.
"Dani!" Jacob, one of her co workers called out to her as she walked into Breadstix. "Thank god you're here I've been so bored!"
"Well your savior has arrived!" Dani joked. It was 4 o'clock, so not many people were out for Italian food.
Dani sat down next to Jacob and helped him fold napkins. "What's been up Dan?" Jacob asked her.
"Since I saw you yesterday? Not much. How was your date with Jenna last night?"
"Pretty good, we went to the public gardens and just hung out, y'know."
That was one thing Dani loved about Jacob, he was really sweet and wasn't afraid to be sensitive. Especially about his girlfriend, Jenna. Dani had met her once and she was probably the nicest person ever. They made a great couple, which made Dani feel just a little lonely.
"That sounds nice," she smiled.
"We need to get you a boyfriend so we can double date!"
Dani laughed, "I'm gay," she watched him, not exactly nervous about his response, but curious.
"Well then we need to get you a girlfriend!" he said in the same excited tone.
For a small town, people here were super accepting. It was weird, like even her grandmother and her friends were totally cool about it.
"Ok, I have to ask, why is everyone so pro-gay around here?" Dani asked.
"Good question, well for me, I had a lot of gay friends in high school. It kind of just happened where one person came out, then like 4 other people did. Everyone's just kind of used to it," he shrugged. "Even the old folks realized there nothing wrong with being gay."
Dani smiled; this place was actually pretty great. She made a note to tell Taylor about it.
SANTANA
"Santana, you have a note from Coach Sylvester to go to her office immediately," the teacher told her, handing her the excused note.
Santana got up with a huff, she never thought she would say this, but she was tired of missing class. Over the past week she's found that Sue basically had her on call all day, calling her out of class a few times a day.
It was almost noon, so Santana assumed she's be going to fetch Sue lunch.
"Sandbags, I need food." Yup.
"Where do you want me to go?" She asked, stepping further into Sue's office.
Head over to Breadstix and get me some disgusting, creamy, pasta," Sue handed her $20 and sent her off.
There was definitely an upside to this job- she got to drive her new car all the time. For her 18th birthday her parents had gotten her a big GMC SUV. It was deep red, her favorite color. She smiled at the new car smell as she pulled out to go to Breadstix.
On her way there, she called in the order so it would be ready.
DANI
Dani hung up the phone after writing down the order a woman had just placed.
The kitchen made the order and she boxed it up and wrote to customer's name on the top: "Sue Sylvester".
"Ooh order from Sylvester..." Jacob made a scared face as he read the box.
"What about her?" Dani asked.
"She's a terrible, mean, horrific, cheerleading coach/news lady."
"She sounded nice enough on the phone," Dani pointed out, easing an eyebrow.
"Then it was probably one of her assistants. That woman can't be nice," Jacob chucked and walked away.
Dani was left the think about this Sylvester woman. Not because it was so abnormal for someone to be mean, but she didn't really have anything else to think about.
10 minutes later, the bell in the door jingled, meaning someone had walked in. Assuming it was Sue or one of her assistants like Jacob said, she grabbed the box and brought it to the front counter.
"Woah," Dani whispered under her breath to herself upon seeing the woman who had just walked in.
She was a young Latina with medium length dark hair and gorgeous, alluring eyes. Dani wasn't used to being speechless from just a look at someone, but thankfully she recovered before the woman approached her.
"Hello, I'm here to pick up an order for Sylvester," she smiled at Dani, with a strange look in her eye, Dani thought.
"Awesome, I have that right here," she handed her the box, "that'll be $12.50."
The woman handed her money and while Dani was getting her change, she heard her talk.
"So, I come here a lot and I've never seen you... Are you new?" She asked.
"Yup, just moved here," Dani handed her the change. "And I'm guessing you're not Sue Sylvester. I've heard some bad things about her..."
The girl laughed, "Yeah, she's horrible. I'm Santana." She reached her hand across the counter to shake Dani's hand.
"Dani, nice to meet you," she smiled as she shook Santana's hand.
"You too," Santana smiled back.
They pulled their hands back and Santana began to walk out. Then she turned around and called back, "I hope I see you around, Dani!"
Dani smiled widely at her, "me too!"
SANTANA
"No, you don't understand, like S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G."
"Ok, Santana, I get it. You like the new Breadstix girl." Quinn laughed at the girl sprawled on her bed while she sat at her desk.
"She looked the same age as us, but she was working during school so maybe she's older..." Santana wondered.
"Probably. Unless she's a drop out. Oh my god, Santana, you cannot date a drop out," Quinn laughed, obviously joking.
Just then, Rachel walked in from the bathroom.
"Are you guys still talking about Dani?"
"Yup," Quinn said, playfully rolling her eyes at Santana.
"She's so hot!"
Quinn giggled, "Santana you're just about the most girl crazy person I've ever met."
It was Rachel's turn to laugh, "Quinn, you're definitely just as girl crazy!"
Santana and Quinn both yelled at the same time, "Well you're BOY crazy!" All three of them cracked up.
Once the laughter died down, Quinn started to think.
"Hey, Santana, why don't you just come out? I'm not pressuring you, but I mean I'm out and nobody cares."
"I agree," Rachel added, sitting next to Santana. "And I know that Finn would stand up for you if anybody tried anything."
Santana smiled at her two best friends, "Maybe soon, but I don't think I'm ready. I don't know why..."
"It's ok, take your time, just know we'll be here for you," Quinn smiled and got up to hug the Latina.
"Thanks, guys," Santana smiled.
DANI
Dani's shift was ended and she was about to lock up when she heard someone enter the restaurant.
"Hey, sorry, we're closed," she said to the petite blonde who had just walked in.
"Yeah, I just needed to talk to you. Dani, right?" she asked, stepping closer.
"Yeah, and you are?"
"Quinn. I heard you were new here so I came to say 'welcome' and invite you to my party tomorrow."
"How do you know me again?" Dani asked, still confused, but taking the party flyer the blonde handed her.
"It's a small town, news travels fast. So can you come tomorrow? It's always fun to have new people!" Quinn asked hopefully but without begging, she was above that, of course.
Dani looked down at the flier, "alright, I think I can. Is it like... A high school party?"
"Well I'm a senior but it will be probably about half seniors and half people from the community college."
"Sounds fun, I'll come, thanks," she smiled at the mysterious blonde who smiled back and then walked out.
"Weird," Dani whispered to herself, looking at the flyer in her hands.