This is unbeta'd so please no torches! This is just a little thing that hit me in the car earlier. I really wanted to write something for my birthday yesterday (the 3rd) but we spent all day in the arcade and I just wasn't inspired so a few hours late is okay with me. I really hope you guys enjoy this. It's not a couple I normally write but I decided to step out of the box. Enjoy and review and I might write more!
Rachel took in a deep breath as she stared at herself in the mirror. She gently smoothed the invisible wrinkles in her simple white dress, rocked forward on the tips of her heels, and slipped her headphones into her ears. She contemplated changing for only a moment before confidently striding out of the loft she shared with Kurt and Santana.
She was unbelievable nervous. Finn had never liked her in heels which resulted in ballet flats and a ridiculous appearance but she'd always loved them. She delighted in the burning of her calf as she walked, the extra few inches that put her eye level with most people, and the sex appeal. He didn't get most things about her though, like the song blasting through her headphones. He never understood how someone could be so lonely or why someone would write about it. She did.
Rachel turned her music off, shoving her headphones into her purse, and walked into the café. Rachel surveyed the area looking for the perfect table but instead found herself being waved over. "I assumed you'd be late."
"Schwimmer, Schwimmer, Schwimmer, if there is anything that I've taught you since you've been in my class it should be that being late is never acceptable." Cassandra chided as she helped Rachel into her chair, something that had completely astonished the tiny diva. She thought chivalry died out, but the action was definitely appreciated.
"Oh, yes of course." Rachel mocked. "You remind me of Sue Sylvester. She's a ruthless cheerleading coach at McKinley. I'm pretty sure when she looks you in the eyes she's staring into your soul searching for your biggest fears so she can torture you with them." Rachel was entirely confused when Cassandra tipped her head back and let out a loud, genuine chuckle. It sort of reminded her of a little kid who'd just heard their first knock-knock joke.
"That woman is kind of scary, even for me. She comes to NYADA and sits in on a few classes a couple times a year to 'cleanse her palate of whiny, pathetic, untalented little babies'. I admire her skill as a coach though. You've got to be good to win so many national competitions." Cassandra took a sip of her tea and motioned towards a cup of hot coffee Rachel hadn't even noticed.
"Thanks." Rachel whispered shyly. "She's kind of the devil though. However, I have a larger soft spot for her than I should. She used to address me as Streisand quite often and I will never pass up and opportunity to be compared to someone as amazing as Barbra, even if Santana mocks me relentlessly."
"Clearly this girl is insane if she can't recognize a talent as big as Barbra. Everyone likes Barbra at least a little bit but then you have people who obsess and realize just how great she is and sets out to own a copy of every single vinyl record of hers out there. When I finally got the last one to complete my collection everyone thought I was crazy because I just started dancing in the middle of the record store." Rachel grinned. She liked this side of the woman.
"I had a similar reaction when my daddies gave me my last one for Hanukah. By the way, you are pretty crazy. Don't you see yourself in class? You're like a dictator or something." Cassandra tipped her head back again in that laugh Rachel was beginning to love. A smile was forming on Rachel's face so she hid it behind her cup of coffee. She wasn't sure where their interaction was going yet. It could either go really bad or absolutely amazing. Either way, she didn't want to give anything away.
"I've never met anyone who owns as many Streisand records as me, especially so young." Cassandra paused. "I don't understand why you're being so shy."
Rachel blushed and cleared her throat. She considered telling the truth. Why she was so nervous to be around her. Why she thought she wasn't good enough to be in her company but before she could Cassandra spoke again. "I know you're Jewish Schwimmer but do you watch Christmas movies? Every year my family sits down to watch these ridiculous movies, some are old and some are new, but they're always amazing. Do you do that?"
Rachel smiled as her thoughts of one Finn Hudson were thrown out at the realization that the woman in front of her was completely different. She would never be like him and it was completely unfair to compare the two. "No, we don't do that but maybe I will someday."
"Rachel, would you like to have dinner with me?" Cassandra asked with a shy smile that Rachel couldn't help but think out of place on such a beautiful and confident woman.
"You know, for the past eight months I thought all love did was crash and burn and just end but on this Wednesday in this tiny café I've seen that it begins again. Yes, I would love to accompany you to dinner." Rachel beamed at the woman sitting across from her., just weeks prior she believed her to be evil and uptight but now she believed her to be sweet, kind, and beautiful. It's funny how a love story just appears out of nowhere.