Getting ready

She looked at the slightly tinted bath tub on her right which she had leant over earlier while her hair bled pink. She'd clean it later; she couldn't be bothered now and had other things to do. She turned to her mirror and stared in to her hazel eyes as she carefully applied the practised made up face. She used a slightly different eye shadow tonight though, this one was dark jade green and completely comprised of glitter, it made her eyes seem greener and slightly pretty. She hadn't done much with her lips, just a raspberry tint to compliment her hair. She cracked a smile that she seldom saw in the mirror. The girl looked at herself and for the first time in a long time she liked what she saw; now she just prayed her date did too.

She sat at her vanity desk rushing out her chocolate hair; she'd kept it straight because it was classic and not too much of a fuss for a supposedly low key outing. It was anything but low key in her mind though. She'd been waiting without even knowing for this day to arrive and now that she knew it was here she was going to look her best. The girl had only put a hint of eyeliner and mascara on her upper eyelids and had gone for a slightly reddish lipstick that suited her skin tone, not too much but just enough to highlight what she hoped was already there. She looked at herself in the mirror and smiled her practised smile of pleasure in her appearance but she c0ouldn't help but wonder if her date would like how she looked.

Pink was a hard colour to coordinate clothes with but the girl made it work. Her date will probably have dressed up a bit so she would too. She flicked through her wardrobe; it had once been full of pastels and whites but now it crammed full of black and vivid colour. It was her true nature but more toned down from when she had first discovered the look. She paused at a blue velvet dress, she'd picked it up at a flea market, it was strapless and clinged to her nicely. She pulled it out and held it up to her body, this was the one. She threw a charcoal cardigan over it to make it less formal and sexual and pulled on her black tights and grey heeled boots. She did a final once over in the mirror and remembered a last minute detail. She rushed to her jewellery box and pulled out a pink chain with a single small gold star charm. It had been a leaving present and it was the most precious thing she owned.

The girl had an outfit planned for two weeks now, practically from the moment she was asked. It was a red dress with faux pearls systematically dotted over the bodice and lining the sweetheart neckline. It was a real find and she had snatched it up as soon as she clapped eyes on it a few weeks after moving to New York. She'd never found a place to wear it but tonight definitely seemed to be the night. She had a small, lightweight cardigan in case it got chilly later on and complimenting ballet pumps. She had one last check in the mirror as she put on a necklace with a blue chain and a single small gold star charm. It had been a reminder to herself of what she was – a star – and it was the most precious thing she owned.

The pink girl arrived before the brunette, which was unusual, and waited, nervously at the table, fiddling with her hands. She clasped and unclasped them repeatedly and inspected her nails then drummed the table while looking at other customers. A voice came from the door and the pink girl focused on the new arrival immediately.

"Rachel Berry, I'm here for the reservation I made for two for 7 o'clock." She spoke precisely at a slightly startled concierge who proceeded to lead her to the table. The pink girl smiled the happiest smile she had for a long time as she stood up.

"Rachel," she breathed.

"Quinn," beamed back Rachel, wondering if she should go in for a hug, "I see you've gone pink again!"

Quinn chuckled as they took their seats after their non-contact, "Yes, it just feels right."

Everything felt right tonight.