Notes: First off, thanks to everyone who favorited and alerted, and an even bigger thanks to everyone who took the time to review. It seriously made my week. Second, my "research" for this chapter involved four minutes of clicking links on the NYU website. Last, the conversation recap was supposed to be a tiny bit at the top of the chapter. It sort of got out of control and became chapter two... I hope that it's an enjoyable read and I promise that I'll get the story moving with next chapter!
(Do I know you? Did I ever?)
In different parts of the city, two different minds replayed their conversation. They had caught up, starting with the basic rundown of where they were. Rachel was just finishing up a Bachelors in drama (with an emphasis in acting - and including a lot of extra music classes). She was poised to start the exciting and terrifying process of breaking into the professional world.
"I know it's not just going to be handed to me- well, I suppose I could get the first thing I auditioned for, which would be fantastic, but it isn't very likely. It'll probably be a while before I can actually support myself with my theatrical endeavors."
"So… if you're going to spend all this time going from audition to audition, how were you planning on living in this damned expensive city?" Santana had stayed on campus, not because she wasn't getting sick of the teensy dorm she called home, but because every time she looked at apartments she realized that she'd never be able to afford one unless she dropped out.
"Oh, we've got a plan," Rachel started excitedly. "There are four of us that are going in on this ridiculously small apartment so we can each work 20 hours a week and afford it between us. See, we've all got different voice types and wildly different appearances so we figure that we'll never be up for the same part and therefore won't ever have to sabotage each other!"
"Ah, well…" Santana struggled for something nice to say. The best she managed to come up with was, "Sounds like you've found a great group of likeminded individuals."
Rachel actually blushed a little. "Sometimes I forget that people outside the theater world are actually sane and can be put off by that kind of attitude." She grinned sheepishly, "But, yeah, they are a great group and the fact that I wasn't the one that made that argument first makes me feel comfortable about their honesty."
Santana laughed, 'Honesty. It always was a big thing to you." Her smile softened, "I actually am glad you've found a group who gets you."
Santana had finished one degree in social anthropology and was just rushing head first into a Psychology and Social Intervention (PSSI-PHD) Doctoral Program.
"Uh… wow… ah, what does that lead to? I'm honestly coming up with nothing." Rachel's admission obviously embarrassed her.
It only made Santana laugh, "That's a damn good question." At Rachel's horrified expression she then reassured, "There's a few places to take it but I'm probably looking at the administrative side of education. I'd like to get in and have a say, try to make school a little less awful for kids."
Rachel had been impressed, had actually threatened to be moved. Santana was both proud and a bit embarrassed, so to change the subject the Latina had asked if the future starlet had gotten all the roles and solos she'd wanted, to arm her as she took Broadway by storm. Rachel admitted that she'd had some complaints at the time, especially the first year when she kept getting chorus member and 'villager #2' kind of parts. As she worked her way through the program she'd been able to score more leads, or at least solid character parts.
In turn, Rachel had asked Santana if she still sang. It was almost a casual inquiry, except for the fact that Rachel was somewhat horrified at the thought of anyone giving up music when they had talent for it. Fate would have to tear music away from her, kicking and screaming.
"My first year my singing was confined to the shower, and possibly a few lucky fellow dormers who were in a position to appreciate the thin ass walls." Santana shook her head, she really needed to get away from campus. "The next year though, I actually signed up for the big 'All School Choir'."
Rachel made her eyes widen a bit, going for that 'far off' look, "I'm just imagining you in a regular choir..."
"I know, right?" Santana laughed. "Actually though, they did all sorts of music, popular and classical. And even the old stuff... well, depending on who you asked some of it was boring as hell," obviously her words, "or 'over my head'," most likely the professor's. "Some of it though, once I actually learned it and got to hear it from inside... It was amazing. Even if the words didn't mean anything to me, it was gorgeous all on its own."
"Yeah," Rachel smiled fondly, "I mean, I didn't go the classical way either, but good music is good music. It's always amazing to be part of something great."
At the time Rachel hadn't even realized that she'd referenced what she'd said to Mr Schuester about her dreams for Glee club that first year. In a number of ways, she really hadn't changed that much. Then again, in other ways she'd changed a great deal. Santana definitely noticed and though much went left uncommented upon, one certain elephant in the room was owed a nod, due to their circumstances.
"So, you've been converted to the dark side of the sexual force. When'd that happen?"
"'The dark side'," Rachel quoted and rolled her eyes but all the same smiled at the adorable dorkiness. "I was never entirely appalled by the idea. Really, at least for me, the current theory of sexuality being fluid and based more on idea than the physical makes a lot of sense. I guess it's kind of a cliché answer now, but I really didn't want to exclude anyone that I might be able to be really happy with."
It was kind of the cliché answer, but it was still a good one and Santana acknowledged it with a nod. "And hey, better to try it out here than in Lima. Your crowd'd probably not freak out at all if you brought a girlfriend 'round."
"Ha!" Rachel laughed theatrically, "please, homosexuality and the theatre have gotten along since the beginning. If I actually wanted to freak those guys out, I'd have to show up with my construction worker husband and two point five kids."
"Hey," Santana mock defended, "two point five kids is freaky! And tell me this: how is it that abortion is such a huge deal but the average family in this country is getting away with cutting kids in half and nobody bats an eye?"
The conversation had wound down after that with small talk of their last visits home and who had kept up with whom. That list was pretty short. Santana stubbornly called Brittany every year on her birthday (they'd always been best friends, damn it) while Rachel generally called/heard from Kurt when either one of them had something to brag about. She also called Puck every year, though closer to Hanukkah than his birthday. About that point they'd been sitting in the coffee shop for some hours and it was becoming clear that they'd have to call it over fairly quick.
"So..." Rachel started, "It's been wonderful to see you again and be able to catch up, Santana." It had been good to talk to Santana. Of course, she thought it might have been a relief to talk to anyone who understood music, drama, and competition, but who wasn't completely wrapped up in it all.
"Yeah," Santana smiled, then bit her lip in an odd display of nervousness. "I was thinking... You know, it has been nice. And, even if Candace's evil plot kind of fell apart, if you wanted, maybe we could meet up once in a while, hang out. It'd be great to have a friend who understands why I can't help but roll my eyes every time people talk about the 'joy of going home for the holidays'."
Rachel laughed in agreement. "So true."
With a wide smile and an actual wink Santana added, "Besides, I want to be able to tell people that I saw Rachel Berry in her first professional role."
They'd exchanged phone numbers and made loose promises about calling 'sometime', each convinced that the other probably wouldn't. They weren't high schoolers anymore and life was a busy thing. Either way, a certain friend was going to hear about what could have been a true disaster...