Chapter 1: Encounters
Summary: While HeMo has always remembered Naya, Naya is oblivious to the fact that she has met HeMo before Glee. This chapter tells their first encounters.
Author's note: This is my interpretation of how Heather and Naya climbed to fame and the subsequent HeYa relationship—that will lead them to that final KISS. I'm trying to make this as real as possible, so if I missed out any details, remind/correct me in your reviews? Also would love to hear your ideas.
Disclaimer: I don't own Heather Morris or Naya Rivera. They own each other.
"So tell me, how did you two meet?"
I always smile at that question.
May 17, 2008
It's one of those nights in WeHo gaybar when you feel like getting trashed with your friends, but they are just actually really horny. Now it's kind of bugging you because you can't concentrate on eyeing your prey.
Danny is already drunk and practically dragging me and Alex to the bar. "I wanna get into someone's pants! I wanna get laaaidd. Ya know what I'm sayin'?"
"Dan, nuh-uh." I shook my head, disapproving his behavior. Under this condition, the only business he will get is to get bounced off the club.
Alex lifted his chin and pointed his glass to the crowd. "See that one over there? He's totally checking me out."
"Nope, he's checking me, out, dude," Danny contested as he tried to kiss Alex's cheek, but is blocked by me.
"Okay, then, you watch this!" Alex jumped to the crowed, claiming his prize, to Danny's disappointment.
"What? Wait up! Aww man.."
"Heather, you're supposed to be my wingman. This is no Harvelle's, so just focus on being a good wingman, okay. There's no sexy burlesque dancer out here. Just help me out! I haven't got it for like, three weeks now."
"Shut up, Dan. You're a d-bag when you're drunk." I slapped his left hand that is now roaming on my ass. Again, maybe he is that desperate, but that's definitely not helping him.
When he stops making noises, I turned to him, to see him dart me one of that 'I know what you're doing' looks.
"What?"
"You're perving on someone." He said with a Cheshire's grin.
"Who?" I lied, blatantly, because then he caught my eyes shot to a couple of girls in couch.
"You know your taste in girls is actually getting better." He nodded approving my perving.
I must agree. That one girl in the middle has got to be the definition of perfection. The gorgeous Latina is wrapped in a very short tight black dress that she has to adjust every now and then. It shows just the right amount of her toned skin; everytime the Latina shifts, the dress lifted to show more of her thigh.
"Such a tease." I said while cocking my eyebrow. I turned to Danny, and apparently he's also laid eyes on the same direction. It turned out that the girls are friends with a raging gay who constantly waved his hand while he talks.
"I'd tap that, alright. Come on, babe, let's go there. We go nail this together." Danny took my hand and ushers me across the dance floor.
I couldn't agree more, at least if I get shot down, I'd still have Danny to be blamed. Somehow the Latina looked so familiar to me. I might have met her before. I know I did, but I just can't place it yet.
A few more steps and then I realized, it was her. The girl from the audition that had left her leather jacket. It must've been a year. I never really texted or dialed her.
I tried to step forward, but I chickened out and immediately stepped back.
"What's wrong?" Danny yelled to me to beat the music volume.
"Danny, I know this girl, I met her twice, and it was very awkward. What if she remembers me?" I tried to release my hand from his.
"I don't care, just, hook me up with her friend," he insisted.
"Sorry, bro, you're on your own here."
With that, I pushed myself through the crowd, back to the bar and down my drink with a gulp.
March 18, 2007
I went home earlier than all my friends, who ended up in God-knows-where. I feel so lonely. For a moment, my life in this city feels so superficial. I turned the TV on, and watch Beyonce music videos, study the dances. When my eyes couldn't bear it anymore, I suddenly remember that piece of tissue paper from the girl. I walk to my chair to retrieve it from my pants' pocket. Her number—that is written by lipstick—has been practically smeared, although still readable.
I bit my lips. There's something else about that girl that has raised my curiosity. I'm not quite sure what it is, but the moment I stepped up to talk to her, I felt embarrassed and nervous. Like when you meet someone who's famous or powerful, you will feel so small. Well, it's not quite like that, there are also some other feelings that I couldn't explain. I dismiss all my thoughts and put the tissue on my Mac. I might just text her tomorrow, or the day after.
February 9, 2009
Today is the first day for "Glee", after I got casted as the third cheerleader. I'm so psyched by the time I reach the studio. It definitely will be different from all the work I've done before. I have sacrificed all my dance jobs to take acting classes months before. Who thought, that at the same time, not only did I get to meet an awesome new roommate, I also get called to play in "Glee".
I felt adrenaline rush as I walk into the meeting room. When I appear, Zach instantly pulled me into his hug, "Our third Cheerio! This is her, guys. She's the Beyonce dancer, you should see her dancing, it's like, fierce."
My cheeks are blushing when I realized that I'm being complimented by Zach Woodle. I smile to everyone in the room, and notice some familiar faces.
"Jenna and I already knew her. She taught us how to dance 'Single Ladies'. Heather!" Chris walks to my direction and pulls me into a hug, followed by Jenna.
"Can I just say that you're awesome? I own Beyonce Experience DVD. You're the blonde that dances next to her, right? I'm Amber, by the way." A plump girl greeted me, and I shook her hand.
"I own that DVD, too. Girl, aren't you lucky to work with her?" A guy moves toward me, "I'm Kevin."
The next minute, most of the people in the room are around me and waiting to be told about life as Beyonce dancer. I feel humiliated because Ryan Murphy is also in the room, and the reason that the meeting hasn't started yet is because we're still waiting for two other casts.
We burst into laughter when I told them that one moment in the Grammy where Beyonce stomped on Tina Turner's foot. A girl then steps into the room and greets everyone with a charming smile. It turns out that she is Lea Michele, probably the most experienced of us all, because she has done Broadway and all. Also, she's got the main role. Now everyone's attention is on her, as she being question about Broadway. By the way she interacts with people, I can tell that the brunette is so sweet and humble.
When I just began to question who the last cast is, a slender figure walks into the room. By then I realized, there might actually be something called as fate.
February 14, 2009
It is the morning of Valentine's Day, and I have to tell you, it sucks. It sucks so bad when you don't have any boyfriend or girlfriend. Thankfully I now have my roommate Ashley, tonight we're probably going to do something better than watching cartoons.
I get on my bike and start to cycle. For a few weeks I've been excited about this coffee shop nearby. In the weekends they always sell organic pastries, and their coffee is pretty good too. So I figure today I'll celebrate my lameness in the Valentine's Day with some goodness of organic pastries.
The coffee shop is unusually crowded today, that they have two queue lines. I jumped into one of them, and is already busied with texting my friends.
"You're here?" I heard a question, but I didn't feel like it was directed to me.
Then I heard a cough, I glanced up. There she was. In sweatpants. I was shocked for a while—the kind of shock when you encounter a unicorn—but then my brain kicks in.
"Yeah, I'm here?" I said, clueless.
"What, I mean, is, you live around here, Heather?" She gestured with her phone, keeping her eye contact on me. For some reason I'm getting the kind of vibe when you are being questioned by a mob about your reason for intruding his territory.
"Yeah, my place is actually two blocks away." I answered nervously.
"I see, my place is not far either. What a coincidence." She said with a smile, and I froze. I was thinking that maybe we both are destined to have awkward conversations forever, but this time there might be improvement.
"Well, actually I just moved in for few weeks. So I'm new here. I don't know much. This coffee shop is practically the only hangout place I know around mine. I'm such a nerd." I pouted. She laughed, adorably.
"I can show you around, definitely. Now that we're neighbors. Did you know there's some great sushi restaurant just down this street? It's seriously addictive."
I was about to comment on it, when I hear another cough.
"Can I get you ladies anything?" The barista asked both of us. Apparently we've been talking for a while, that we didn't realize it's our turn to place orders.
HYHYHYHYHYHYHYHYHYHYHYHYHYHY
We grabbed our coffee and sit together.
"You know when I first met you," She started the conversation, "I thought you look kind of familiar."
I know. What I don't know is should I tell you that actually I've met you twice, and you gave me your number to fetch your jacket, but I never texted my address to you? That'd make me look like such a creeper.
"People say that all the time. I'm often confused with other people." I lied to save my ass.
"But how come? You're a Beyonce dancer, and you're cute, you know." She complimented in a playful manner.
I choked and spilled my coffee at her words.
"You okay, babe?" She grabs me some tissue.
"Yeah, it's still hot." I pointed to my cup of coffee. Another lie to save my ass.
The other thing that I'm not sure of is whether I should tell you that ever since I move to this city and is exposed to its ambiguous culture, I now dig chicks as much as I dig guys. Maybe, even more in the side of the chicks than the guys. That'd also make me a major creeper, if she's straight. Even though I've once spotted her in gay bar, I still don't want to take any risk.
So for the rest of conversation until we parted ways, I play it cool. I even promised her go hang out together sometimes to get us both boyfriends.
But when she turned around to walk to her direction, I was definitely leering. I know I need to sort things out.
February 9, 2009
"I am Naya Rivera, you can call me Naya." She introduced herself to the crews and other casts.
"Hi, Naya.." The answered unisonly. It's like an AA meeting.
I stared at her and watched her talked animatedly. How people can change in such short period, but actually not changed at all. She is no longer the Hooters girl she once met in a toilet, but she's definitely still the girl that had caught her eyes in the club that night—even more smoking. How can it be when she is only wearing a t-shirt and skinny jeans?
It feels like a daydream that lasts forever until my shoulder is nudged by someone.
"Hey, Heather, right? You're the Beyonce dancer, right? Everyone's told me you're such a cool person." Naya offered her hand to be shaken.
"Yeah, I am." I quickly correct myself, "I'm not that cool but, yeah, it's really great to dance with her." I took her hand in mine, and it probably stayed there for a second too long.
She then motioned me to join the group conversation, and I followed her.
We talked about so things, and I instantly fell in love with this group of casts. They are the most humble people you can meet in Hollywood. Having learnt my lessons, I know there are some others that are just plain mean and snobbish.
I accidentally blurt out something funny, and while everyone's laughing, Naya pinched me in the arm and said, "I like you.."
My heart skipped a beat.
"I like you too.." I replied with my sweetest smile, even though, maybe, I meant it differently.
March 17, 2009
History repeats itself, they say. So true. Like right now when Naya is again sporting another green dress that just fits her so good—and became object of my perving.
The only difference is that this time, she walks to my direction, handing me a glass of tequila, and asks me to join her dancing after.
I obliged. How can I not? After all, she's my best friend now.
I guide her to the dance floor, ignoring the obvious stares from all the males around us. When she's grinding me with her back, I couldn't help but feeling a little bit of disappointment. I know, she doesn't want this as much as I do.
After our hot dance that almost resemble a make-out session, we return to our table and down pretty much every type of alcohol. It was a challenge by Cory and Mark for every girl, God knows what those guys actually want. Between shots of tequila, I saw Mark's hand creeping on Naya's thigh, but I thought, 'whatever', and went for another round. Everything is a little blur after.
March 18, 2009
I woke up with such headache. I tried to open my eyes and I look around my room—it is such a mess. Ashley won't like this, for sure. She hates it because she's the one who does all the cleaning for me when I'm not around. Lately, Glee's schedule has restrained me that I'm practically only home for sleeping.
It was when I feel all my senses start to comeback, I notice there's an arm wrapping me underneath the blanket. I glanced below the blanket and found myself wearing nothing, with a naked body wrapped around me.
I'm shocked for a while. I got a random hookup last night. It's definitely a girl, and she's still sleeping.
I turn my face to face her.
It was Naya Rivera.
