Crystal Clear

AU: Quinn is a college student, working towards becoming a famous journalist. Rachel is the lead singer of a local band in the NYC scene. They meet one night and that is enough to ignite something either of them was expecting or even wanting to happen.

AN: This is my third story, took me long enough to start writing FF again, but here I am. Some days I think I'm too old to be doing this, but hey, there was something telling me to just get over it and do it. I am not quite sure just yet on how this will play out. But should be fun, and good, and angsty, and sappy and then fun again. And there's love, yes.

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It's the first snow of the year. I'm slowly walking back to my dorm, a quick late night dinner with Mike, some coffee and back to the books. I love snow. I sit down for a second on one of the benches in the park, just looking at the falling snow. Washington Square looks so different now, during the summer is warm (almost too hot some days) and you get to see people skating or playing guitar. Now that it's cold, and though it may be a bit late, I feel safe. There are not a lot of people around. I'm not worried, my dorm is on the next block and Mike will be catching up with me any second now. If this were to be a TV show or a movie, and I think I've seen this episode before, the guy (or girl, preferably), would be showing up just about now. Making small talk and offering me a cup of coffee or tea.

- Hey – a mysterious voice says coming from behind me.

- Hi, I reply not turning around.

- I got you some coffee.

- You didn't have to.

- I know, I kinda wanted to surprise you, finishes Mike sitting next to me. Oh, well, one can only dream, I think. After a few minutes in silence, he stands up, reaches for my hand and asks:

- Are you ready to go? – I am about to join him, when some kid comes up to us, almost yelling:

- Hey! There's a show tonight, go to Shade, my friend's band is playing – He's handing us some flyers and Mike takes one.

- What kinda music? And please don't say gangsta rap, 'cos that's not music.

- Funny guy, no, he plays the bass, they're actually just backing up a singer. She's enrolled in the music program at you school…assuming you go to NYU (and we nod). Anyway, they're good – I barely make sense out of what he's saying, he speaks too fast, he looks too excited. May be I looked like that when I was 18, I wonder – You should stop by if you appreciate Broadway tunes, good music and a great new voice. Trust me.

- Oh, yeah?, asks Mike defiantly.

- Yes, I recognize that my friend might not be the next Flea, but the girl will be big… someday.

- Flea? - I laugh. At least he knows who that dude is. Actually, I'm not sure I really know what he's talking about. Flea? I need to get out more. But Mike actually seems impressed.

- Alright kid, you got me. How much are the tickets?

- For you and your lady? – Now that he has out attention he's speaking slower, I am worried though; don't we have a test tomorrow? And wait, did he just say "your lady". I am about to protest when Mike carries on with the conversation.

- Correct, I want two tickets for these two slackers.

- Mmm, how about 10 bucks each?

- Sounds good, let's see the tickets - He pays for the tickets and the kid runs to some other people that are strolling in the park.

- Mike, I know you're dying to go back to the real world, connect with music and meet cool people… but we have a study group that's been waiting for us at least half an hour… not to mention we have a test tomorrow.

- Q, we're ready as we'll ever be. You have great notes, and I am doing OK, this is just a regular quiz and the fact that we have a study group for a weekly quiz is worrying me.

- I know, I've thought about it, however…

- Look, let's have some fun tonight. Like we once had, back in the day.

- You mean when we were freshmen.

- Yes, when we were wild and free.

- We were never wild and free.

- I know, but at least we used to go out and meet people. Now all we do is hang out with the same dorks from our classes.

- I love those dorks.

- So do I, don't get me wrong. But Q, we're juniors, busy all the time, internships, grades, essays. We need to go out more, enjoy the city. We're far from Ohio and we have to live a little.

- True.

- We have the rest of our lives to be perfect, the amazing journalist you'll be and then I'll have time to write sappy novels about two best friends that fall in love, or at least they think they are, until when one of them turns out to be gay… but don't worry, I won't tell you who so I don't spoil the end.

I punch him in the arm. Stupid boy. But I do love him and I did love him.

- Alright, Chang. Let's go to your stupid concert. What time does it start?

- In like an hour. We can have a few drinks.

- Let's do that, let it never be said that Quinn Fabray does not know how to have fun.

- That's the spirit.

We walk into the bar. Typical New York scene, I can even breathe the coolness in the air and know that I don't belong here. I am a wannabe reporter, writer, may be documentalist or artist. But here we are, so let's have fun.

- First things, first, says Mike while walking towards the bar and I just stand near by the entrance. He motions me to approach to the bar. There are some people around him and he's buying a tequila shot for everyone.

- Yo', dude, this guy is what we needed! – some guy is yelling. There are other two guys and Mike's handing them shots. Last one is for me.

- Ready Q? Ready everyone?, my friend asks to our new acquaintances. They yell. Everyone drinks, including me. First shot.

- Guys, what's your name? - The same "yo', dude" is asking – My name is Taylor, I play drums and whatever percussions are required during the show, this is John, guitar expert and Leo, bass badass.

- Very cool introduction – replies Mike – we're here because of a friend of yours – he explains pointing at Leo.

- That'd be Mark, he's trying to be a musician.

- But the guy has no chance – John cuts.

- Give the boy a chance, we're just newcomers, just like … - And then we lose them for a few minutes, they're discussing Marks musical abilities and how the band is relatively new and Mike has gone to the bar to get us a couple of beers. The guys are actually nice, despite of their vocabulary. Taylor is the shortest, curly and semi long hair, brown and has a very intense stare, he dresses like a rock star; ripped jeans, Rolling Stones t-shirt. John's more like the artsy guy, shoeless and baggy jeans while Leo looks like a cool dude from SoHo. Very nice combination.

- Who's the voice? Mike asks giving me a beer.

- The voice – John repeats – a girl I met a few summers ago during freshman year. She was singing in class and blew everyone's minds away. I never really had the courage to talk to her… but then I met these guys, we started playing, but we realized we needed a voice…something. We're decent, so she said yes.

- And Broadway tunes?, I ask. I am curious now.

- Her choice mostly, and then Leo here also wants to break into the musical Broadway scene, I play jazz mostly, so it's a good fit, and Tay just wants an excuse to play - John explains – See, it's not just Broadway, we make our own arrangements and… you have to listen to us.

- Yeah, I play some hard rock on my spare time, but I barely have anytime for that. Rachel's very demanding and…

- That is only because she wants everyone to live up to their potential – A tiny voice emerges from behind the guys. John laughs and turns around.

- You just missed the tequila shots, John says.

- That's alright; you'll get me one after we play.

- Yes, ma'am. Let me introduce to some newcomers… well, I don't think we've actually let you guys talk.

- That's cool – Mike takes over. Rachel is actually extremely attractive, I usually don't go for shorter girls, but there's something about the way she carries herself. She has beautiful eyes and perfect hair… and her smile. Oh, no, I think they are staring at me. I snap out of my fantasy. Mike is talking to me.

- Q?

- Yes, what were you saying?

- We're juniors at NYU, wannabe writers and journalists and artists and I told Rachel you sing and she's asking about it.

- I wasn't listening, sorry – And for the first time I really make eye contact with her. She looks interested in what I am saying – I like singing, however I am sure you're a much better singer.

- Hey, Quinn… that is your name, right? Look, music is music, and I'd love to hear you sing someday – She smiles. Again.

- Guys, they need us on stage, Leo announces.

- We have to go, John continues, but hey, Rach, maybe we could tell them about… - She's already walking away but manages to yell something that sounds like a "yes, please do".

- Right, so just hang out here after we're done. We have this cool birthday party and you guys should come. We don't usually invite people along, but you're cool and hey, we all go to the same school…

- Yeah, we're in – Mike replies. I give him a "what the hell stare" and he just shrugs.

- The music starts. We get a second beer. Yes, they are cool. Yes, she is pretty…beautiful and amazing and … Oh, she's singing. God. Is this a human voice?

- She is – Mike is about to say something but I put my hand in his mouth.

- I get it – he says anyway – I think you have the hots for her. I turn around to look him in the eye.

- And tell me you don't – he doesn't reply – Chang, this is amazing.

- And it's about to get better, Q.

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