Authors Note: Hey everyone. I just want to thank you for deciding to read this fic, I really hope you enjoy it. My first ever one shot did so well and I was overjoyed with the reviews. So I've decided to write a full story this time. This fic is an AU fic, meaning WMHS never existed and Finn and Rachel never met. It's set in New York City. I hope you enjoy :).
Rachel woke up to the sound of her cellphone alarm; Barbra Streisand's 'Funny Girl' song echoed in her bedroom. Rachel yawned and then smiled happily as the song played. Barbra was her idol. She adored her and her music and wished to someday, be just like her, she admired Barbra and embraced the courage she had. Rachel was Jewish, just like Barbra, and just like a lot of other Jews she had a larger nose than any other person she knew, but because of Barbra she loved it. Barbra had taught her so much about herself and to be proud of who she was, nose and all. Rachel had thought about getting a nose job, as when she was younger everyone in her high school had told her that if she ever wanted to achieve her dreams she'd have to change the way she looked. But when Rachel came across Barbra and saw that she had a large nose and was a Jew she knew that she didn't have to conform to what people thought was 'beautiful'. She was beautiful the way she was.
Rachel grabbed her robe that hung on the back of her bedroom door and headed towards the kitchen. There she grabbed a mug and began pouring herself a nice hot cup of coffee. Then placed herself on the couch and turned on her favorite programme 'Broadway World'. After 15 minutes into the programme Rachel's cell rang, she quickly answered it:
"Good morning" Rachel said.
"Hey Rachel, it's Dianna. Wanna meet up for some coffee? I haven't seen you in one whole week!" one of her best friends, Dianna asked.
"Oh, hey Di. Yeah sure that'd be nice. I'll just have to go get dressed. You caught me in the middle of watching 'Broadway World'" Rachel laughed.
"Oh, you and your obsession with that programme…" Dianna giggled. "I'll meet you at the Hard Rock café in about 30 minutes?"
"I know, right? And sure! See you there" Rachel replied.
Rachel ended the call with her friend, watched the rest of 'Broadway World', and then went to her room to get dressed. She took a Red Polka Dot Skirt out of her closet, a Black Poodle Sweater, some orange tights and bright red shoes then quickly got changed. She then brushed her teeth, tied her hair back and set off to the café her and Dianna planned to meet at.
Rachel loved the Hard Rock Café. It was one of her favorites, because they did serve the best coffee.
As she approached the café she saw her best friend waiting outside. Dianna was wearing a lovely Aqua colored dress that stopped at her knees with a pair of lovely brown boots; her hair was long and flowed along with the light breezy wind.
"Hey girl!" Dianna shouted when she saw Rachel.
"Di!" Rachel greeted her with a huge hug. "I've missed you."
"Me too!" Dianna said squeezing her back "Come on, let's get something to drink, I'm parched."
The two girls got a small square table at the back of the café and placed their orders. Rachel ordered a large, milky coffee with a small salad sandwich and Dianna ordered a cappuccino with a cheese sandwich.
"So how have you been girl? It seems like forever since we last saw each other" Dianna wondered.
"I've been great! I've auditioned for a role on Broadway! I'm sure I've got this one in the bag" Rachel smiled happily "And how have you been?"
"That's great! Of course you'll get the part… You're Rachel Barbra Berry" Dianna said returning the smile "And I've been good! So… any love interests, Rachel?" Dianna winked.
"Oh no! I don't have time for guys, Di! I'm too busy with my career." Rachel said then sighed "I'd love to find love though. But I just seem to drive guys away." Her eyes saddened.
"WHAT! You don't drive them away. Trust me Rachel, you're gonna find someone and he's gonna love you for you! Career and all!" Dianna said squeezing Rachel's hand.
"Thanks Di! Well I hope Mr Right turns up soon!" Rachel smiled.
Suddenly the waiter interrupted the two girls.
"Hey ladies, sorry to interrupt, here's your order" he smiled placing their order onto the small table.
Rachel slowly looked up at the tall guy, her eyes began to suddenly widen. He was beautiful. He had dark brown hair, hazel eyes, a crooked smile, and the cutest dimples. She gazed at him until Dianna interrupted her.
"Thanks. Everything looks great" she said.
Rachel quickly jumped out of her gaze.
"Um, thank you" she smiled at him softly..
"You're welcome" he spoke to her, not realizing he'd blanked her friend. "Enjoy" he said. He then turned around and walked off.
Rachel watched him as he walked back to the café kitchen and blushed when he looked back to see her staring.
"Oh my god. He so likes you." Dianna smirked. "And you so like him!"
"What, no!" Rachel denied. "I don't even know him."
"Did you see the way you looked at each other? It was like you'd just fell in love in a split second!" Dianna squealed.
"You're insane. He's a waiter. He just served our food and I said thanks! No big deal!"
"He totally dismissed me and concentrated on you! He LIKES you Rachel. How can you not see that?" Dianna smiled. "Don't you think he's cute?"
"Well..." Rachel began.
"OH MY GOD YOU DO!" Dianna interrupted.
"Wait what, no-no-no. I mean… he seems sweet. I liked his smile" Rachel stuttered.
"I can't believe this just happened. It's so ironic, considering we were just talking about finding you a 'Mr Right'" Dianna giggled.
"Nothing is going to happen Di. He's just some guy who works in a café that served us our food." Rachel told her friend.
Once they left the café the two friends said goodbye and both went their separate ways. As Rachel walked through Times Square the tall, mysterious, crooked smiled waiter circled in her mind. But why? He was just some random guy who served her, her food. He didn't seem to be someone special. Just another guy. But she felt different about him, she felt connected to him. A weird connection. Did she like him? Or did she just think she did because he was 'nice' to her. Either way she knew she wanted to see him again, even if it wasn't to talk to him, if it was just to look at him. So she decided that after work tomorrow she would head to the café.
Could this be the start of something amazing or just another disaster?
Once Rachel arrived back at her apartment she switched the coffee machine on and began making herself a warm, chocolate coffee. She was the only person that ever drank hot coffee on a warm New York City day. But she couldn't help herself; she had to have her daily dose of caffeine, even if she'd just had a big cup of it at the café. Then she sat down on her cream colored couch and began thinking about the waiter once again. As she drifted off into a day dream she was once again interrupted by her doorbell ringing. She glanced over at the door as it opened. There she saw her best friend appear, Jon. He was her one and only true best friend. Rachel's smile widened as he entered her apartment.
"Jon!" she screamed, got up, and jumped into his arms. "What are you doing here? I thought you were still in LA?"
"I wanted to surprise you. How has my beautiful baby been?" He replied twirling her round in his arms.
"Jon I've missed you so much! SOOOOO MUCH!" Rachel squeezed him once more and then let go. "Come… sit! Do you want coffee?" she asked as she sat down beside him.
"No I'm fine! You and your coffee obsession." He laughed. "Rachel it's so great to see you. I'm so glad to be back home."
"I'm overjoyed you're home! I didn't even know!" She smiled. "Jon, I have something to tell you... I met some guy today… well I didn't meet him, he was a waiter and he was so sweet and I don't know If I like him or not but Dianna seems to think we both like each other. But it's the first time I've ever seen or talked to him." Rachel babbled on still smiling and feeling all excited.
"Whoa! I've missed quite a bit haven't I?" Jon chuckled. "If you like him, go for it! I mean you rarely ever like guys, Rachel, so this guy must be pretty special, right?"
"But…"
"No buts just go with the flow babe! You never know what could happen." Jon said and then moved a little closer to her giving her the biggest bear hug ever.
If Rachel was to listen to anyone it would be Jon. He was the one person she ever took advice off and Rachel Berry never took advice, just gave it, so she knew Jon must be right. And she trusted him with all her heart.
"Pop 'Broadway World' on. I've missed our show!" Jon smiled.
"Sure thing. I've missed watching it with you!" Rachel said and with that she switched on the TV and the two best friends sat chatting and watching their favorite programme together… just like old times.