A/N.: I just wanted to say a quick thank you to all the people who put this in their alerts/favorites. I'm a little sad I didn't get more reviews, but I really do appreciate the feedback I got, so thanks! Hope you enjoy the next chapter! ;)
Chapter 2:
Dani had spent her entire morning browsing the internet for places that were looking for a waitress, typing out applications and of course looking for an outfit that would make a good impression.
She usually didn't care what people thought of her clothes, she wore what she liked and felt comfortable in, but she really needed a job, so she needed to make a good impression on her possible future employers. That, however, didn't mean she didn't stay true to herself, she just toned down her usual choice of clothes and picked a pair of black jeans that was not torn, a light colored ruffled blouse and a black blazer with leather sleeves.
After making sure she had everything, she made her way out of the small apartment she and Elliott shared.
Santana was sleeping contently, and may or may not have been dreaming about a certain singer, when Rachel decided to disturb her much needed rest.
"Santana get up!" she said in an annoyingly high pitch that Santana chose to ignore.
Rachel huffed, smacking Santana's leg "Get up! We have work this afternoon!"
"Go away!" she growled into her pillow.
"Santana! I mean it, we have to work this afternoon!" Rachel exclaimed angrily.
"Ugh! Why did you have to wake me up? It's only 11 o'clock!" the Latina complained.
"Because we have the afternoon shift. Gunther just called me." The smaller girl replied, obviously frustrated.
"But I already have the evening shift too! I swear I'm going to kill this ignorant little…" Santana ranted. "I need coffee!" she declared only seconds later, begrudgingly getting up to start the coffee machine.
Dani was in a good mood, although she found her new employer a bit creepy, she was elated to have found a job this quickly. The best part next to getting paid was that she got to perform for the customers.
So, being in the good mood she was, she was happily serving the customers in her section, glad for every tip she got.
Just as she stood behind the counter, two women entered the diner clad in their uniforms; it was obvious that they were working the next shift. Both of them were beautiful, but Dani found herself drawn to the taller woman.
"Hey Dani, right?" one of her new co-workers interrupted her thoughts "Do you want take the break together? We could get to know each other a little better," he suggested.
Dani contemplated this for a moment, but figuring she had the next shift as well and would have to take a break eventually, she decided to take so she could at least have someone to talk to. "Sure," she smiled.
"Cool. Let's go to the break room in the back," he said, leading the way.
They sat down in the corner and Dani realized that she hadn't told Elliott about her success yet. "Sorry, I just need to call someone real quick," she said, already dialing her best friend's number.
"Hey!" she greeted happily.
"Dani! How'd go? You sound happy."
"I think it went well…I got a job at the Spotlight Diner on broadway," she said nonchalantly.
"What? That's awesome! I can pick you up, it's on my way."
"Great, I'll see you around six?" she asked.
"I'll be there, see you Dani-babe!"
"See ya!" she smiled although he couldn't see her.
"Sorry about that, I promised I would call," she said with a smile.
"No big deal! So…tell me a little bit about yourself," her co-worker, whose name-tag said 'Steve', asked.
"Well, I'm Dani, I'm 21 and I love to sing, you?" she replied, not really comfortable with telling a complete stranger about her life. It took her a lot of time to fully trust a person, Elliott had been no exception to that.
"I'm Steve, I'm 23 and I hope to be signed by a record label, but seriously what's this with the vague answers?" he asked with a smile, hoping to get her to tell him more.
"I don't really trust easily," she shrugged.
"Okay… do you play any instruments?" he changed his approach.
"I do," she replied curtly.
"What's wrong? I thought we wanted to get to know each other?" Steve asked, confused about Dani's sudden coldness.
"I thought it'd be nice to talk somebody, but the whole question thing…nah that's not for me. But it was nice to meet you," she said as nicely as she could, before returning to the front of the diner and resuming her spot behind the counter, waiting for somebody to change position with her.
Santana was already beyond annoyed with her customers and that after only half an hour, it had to be a new record. She decided to go look if someone was willing to take her section while she went behind the counter.
She was shocked when she saw the face of a familiar looking blonde. What is she doing here? This can't be good…I'm going to make a fool of myself! Get your shit together Lopez! She thought.
"H-hey… Do you wanna swap places and take my section?" she asked, cursing herself for stuttering.
"Sure. Oh by the way; I'm Dani," she said with a smile.
"I know," Santana replied, then realizing what she'd said and seeing the confused look on Dani's face, she blushed deeply. "I-I mean, I saw you at Joe's Pub yesterday and you're wearing a name-tag," she said nervously, internally cursing herself. Smooth, real smooth, Santana.
"Alright then! Well did you like it?" she asked flirtatiously.
"Yeah, you were awesome," Santana said.
"Thanks! I'll take your section now, see you later," Dani replied and stared at Santana's chest "Santana," she finished her sentence with a wink after reading the name-tag and possibly looking a bit longer than it took to read those seven letters.
Santana was left behind feeling more nervous than before. Dani was even more gorgeous up close and her confidence was a definite turn-on; it wasn't the kind where the person walked around like they owned the place, acting obnoxiously cocky, but rather the kind where the person was at peace with being who they truly were and teased others in a friendly way.
Throughout the afternoon Dani and Santana continued swapping places while occasionally chatting. It was only towards the end of the afternoon shift that they ended up behind the counter together.
"Soo, Santana you must be a singer too if you work here, right?" Dani asked glancing at the Latina next to her while refilling the sugar caddies.
"Uh yes," came her reply.
"Cool! I gotta hear you sing sometime," the blonde stated.
"Sure," Santana smiled. "So until when are you working today?" she asked.
"My shift ends in ten minutes I think," she said looking at the clock above the entrance of the diner.
"Oh," Santana said slightly disappointed; she had hoped to talk more to Dani.
Dani seemed to notice Santana's disappointment "I gotta change out of this hideous uniform, why don't you take your break and we can talk a little in the back," she suggested.
Santana blushed but agreed anyway.
They stopped in front of the locker room "Be right back," said Dani with a wink and went in to change back into her normal clothes.
Left behind with feelings she did not like at all, Santana paced in front of the door, trying to tell herself that there was nothing to be freaking out about. Just an incredibly hot girl that's changing behind the door, no big deal. Just as she had calmed down again, the door opened, revealing Dani in high-heels and tight pants. Santana gulped inaudibly. Yep, no big deal.
Dani took the initiative and walked them back to the front of the diner "So why are you working here?" she asked, wanting to get to know the Latina a little better.
"What do you mean? This is my dream career!" Santana teased, suddenly back to her usual confidence.
The smaller girl laughed "Right. I'm so sorry!"
"It's okay, I'm used to people thinking that way," she said playfully.
"Alright then tell me what does your future in this wonderful diner look like?" Dani played along.
"Well there's nothing better than refilling sugar caddies and taking orders. I love being bossed around and…okay you got me," she laughed "Honestly though, I've always dreamed of making it big with something I'm passionate about, but I'm still waiting for my big break," she confessed.
"My big break hasn't happened yet either, but I believe that if you have the talent and the passion for it, you're going to achieve your goals," Dani said.
"Huh, I guess you're right. Aren't you heading out? Your shift's over," Santana asked with a small smile.
"No, not yet. I'm waiting for – oh that's him! It was nice talking to you Santana, see you around," she said and hugged the taller girl goodbye, practically running over to a guy who was looking around, probably for her.
Santana watched as she tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and a huge smile spread across his face. Santana stood close enough to hear him exclaim "You did it babe! I'm so proud of you!" After that he hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead. Santana recognized him as her bandmate Elliott, who appeared to be her boyfriend as well, much to her dismay.
She watched sadly as Dani linked her arm with Elliott and went to leave the diner, but just as she was at the door, she turned around and gave Santana a small wave.