Hey guys! This is chapter three of save money live better! A/N: since I've gotten so many wonderful reviews lately I decided to extend the story! I don't know what chapter I'll end the story with but I'll tell ya when I figure it out. Enjoy! ~Vikki3775
As both Finn and Rachel walked into the diner, the petit trainee looked on in awe at the retro styled restaurant as if it carried the key to solve all of her problems. At the corner of her eye she saw Finn grin at her, but the brunette barely noticed.
The restaurant consisted of New York city styled wallpaper and playbills that were scattered on the walls. If any new customer came by, they would've obviously seen that this place was very popular, due to the amount of people in the eatery. But one thing that stood out the most to Rachel was at the back of the eatery; with spotlights pointed in its direction.
The stage.
This wasn't just any stage. It was a small little platform where a piano and microphone was placed on top. Rachel then noticed that drums were placed at the back of the platform for musical use also. It was every performers dream.
"Rach?" Finn asked as he chuckled before reaching out to shake her shoulders lightly. She snapped out of her reverie.
"I'm sorry, what?" She said in a daze. The freckled boy smiled.
"Our table's over there." He said as he pointed towards a large table filled with people in the same exact uniform as both of the young adults. She recognized Quinn, Puck and Santana but there were a few others that the brunette didn't recognize. There was an African American woman, a highly groomed male, an Asian woman and a boy in a wheel chair with glasses. They were all waving the two over with smiles on their faces. Finn walked forward; Rachel not far behind and they both took the last two available seats, which was next to each other, unsurprisingly.
"It's about time you two." Puck said starting the conversation. "Dude if you wanted to fuck her just do it already. Don't just undress her with your eyes." He said smirking. Rachel turned to look at Finn and already started to see a tiny tint of blush form upon his cheeks. Rachel then turned to Puck and raised her eyebrows.
"Well excuse me Noah, but Finn and I were having a very interesting conversation, which didn't involve any sexual activity." Santana scoffed.
"Oh yeah? Did it involve the two of you bumping uglies because I've gotta tell ya, it's-"
"Okay a little too much information guys!" A male voice interrupted. At that response, Rachel decides to turn and look at the amazingly fashioned boy in front of her. He had an eskimo hat on, a buttoned up shirt, knee high boots and really, really tight pants on. It was to the point where Rachel couldn't even express how tight those pants looked on him.
"I don't think we've been introduced. I'm Kurt Hummel. You must be Rachel." The girl smiled.
"Yes I am. It's very nice to meet you Kur-"
"Wait, what kind of hairstyle is that? Are you seriously trying to be Pippi Long stocking?" Kurt screeched; looking horrified.
"That's exactly what I said, Petunia." Santana said abruptly.
"Um…no?" Rachel said hesitantly; unsure of what to say.
"Because honey you can do so much better." A feminine voice said. Then Rachel took the initiative to turn and look at the person who appeared to be the African American girl. Kurt nodded in agreement.
"Hi I'm Mercedes, and Kurt's right. I can see from here that your hair is much too beautiful and soft to be put in simple braids. I wouldn't say it the way Kurt would but his intentions were right." Rachel smiled.
"Thank you Mercedes. It's very nice to meet you too." Suddenly a clearing of the throat disrupted the exchange between both women as the Asian girl and the guy in the glasses came into the brunettes view.
"Hi we haven't been introduced. I'm Artie and this is Tina. I work in the electronics section while Tina works at the pharmacy" Rachel watched as Artie and Tina made subtle glances towards each other as the boy was introducing them. Rachel almost immediately made the conclusion that both employees had feelings for each other. Rachel nodded.
"I'm Rachel, it's nice to meet you." She said genuinely.
Small talk between the staff took place until a blond haired waitress and a waiter with gelled hair approached their table; smiles on their faces.
"Hey guys! How's it going?" The male said while grabbing the menus before anyone ordered. Thankfully, everyone knew what they wanted already; including the brunette.
"Hey Blaine." The whole table greeted, except for Rachel.
"Hey Blaine" Kurt called out, gesturing towards Rachel. "We have a new staff member and her names Rachel Berry" Blaine then looked directly at her and smiled.
"Hi I'm Blaine. This is Brittany." He greeted while gesturing towards the blond who was taking to Santana. Brittany then stopped her conversation at the hearing of her name and looked at Rachel, smiling also.
"Its nice to meet you guys." The trainee said nodding.
"Yeah, my girl Brittany here owns this restaurant." Santana said patting the girl on the back. And at that moment Rachel almost swore that she saw a sparkle gleam in the Latina's eyes when she said that.
"Well my parents actually own the place. Lord Tubbingtons been trying to take over the business, but I told him that he couldn't until stopped smoking." Brittany exclaimed while sighing.
Rachel frowned. "W-Who's Lord Tubbington?"
"It's her cat." Finn answered surprising Rachel. For a moment, Rachel didn't even know that Finn was present since he's been so quite this whole time.
"…Anyways, is everyone getting the usual?" Blaine asked the table of adults as he wrote everything down on a notepad. When everyone nodded, the short man turned towards Rachel. "And what would you like Rachel?" The girl looked down at her menu and pointed to the meal that she wanted.
"Um…I'll have the skyscraper Caesar salad with some water please." Blaine raised his eyebrows questioningly.
"Are you sure? We are very famous for our wraps and burgers here."
"Oh, I'm/she's vegan." Finn and Rachel said at the same time. Things were quiet at the table except for the murmurs of the other customers and the faint music in the background, as everyone looked at the two; Finn especially.
The broad boy shrugged. "What? I know she's a vegan. So?" He said, as blush appeared again on his cheeks for a second time that night. Blaine then cleared his throat and looked at Rachel again.
"Well Rachel we do sell tofu burgers and they are delicious." Rachel finally relented and she smiled as she nodded in agreement.
"Okay I'll try it." Blaine smiled.
"Good. Well guys Brittany and I will be back with your food! Come on Britt." He hollered as he turned around and left with the menus and his notepad.
…
"Hey guys, you know what we should do? We should go to a local club tonight." Everyone except Santana groaned at this idea as Puck shrugged with a "what's wrong with that" expression on his face. Finn hung his head and sighed.
"Puck why would we want to go out? It's Friday, and I'm pretty sure tha-"
"Oh please Hudson you haven't gotten some in days!" Santana interrupted, snarling. "Hey, I want to be the first one to say "congragu-lay-sions" as I hand you a big certificate that spells 'manhood'."
"Yeah, Lopez is right. Huddy you haven't gone out since-"
"Can we just drop it!" Finn growled as he interrupted the conversation at hand. Silence took over everyone the co-workers sent sympathetic glances towards the frustrated boy, excluding Rachel who looked completely confused.
"Dude I'm sorry. But we at least expect you to come. It'll be fun, and you can finally get with someone." He said trying to lighten the mood, only succeeding slightly. "That reminds me. I've gotta shave my "hello giggles."
"What I-… do I even want to know?" Rachel asked hesitantly, getting five very rushed 'no's in response. Finn sighed.
"Fine." He said looking up at Puck. "I'll go to the stupid club." Mumbles of excitement and eagerness filled the table immediately as Finn looked at Rachel; smiling softly.
"Rach you know you don't have to go right? I'm just doing this to get these guys to stop beating me up about it."
"No, I want to go." She said as she reassured Finn more than herself. "You'll need a club buddy while everyone's acting crazy. I am more than happy to attend with you." She said with a beam. Finn smiled, and leaned over and whispered in her ear.
"And if we get bored or uncomfortable, we can always just sneak out and go watch a movie or something." He suggested as his warm breath tickled the girls ear, making her shiver. Rachel looked up at him,eyes wide.
"O-Okay." She mustered out.
"Alright guys I just texted my girl Britt and she's all for it too, and Petunia asked Blaine to come so we're all set."
"Wait we're gonna go home and change right? Because I cannot go to a club in this outfit." Kurt said frantically.
"Why not Kurt?" Rachel asked,curious.
"Why not? It's never too late to accessorize or put on new clothes. Every time of the day is a party."
"…of course it is Kurt." Quinn said sarcastically while getting up with the rest of the staff.
"Alright, fine. We all meet up at the club at 10 o'clock. Is that fine?" When everyone nodded, Puck continued. "Alright, I'll see you punks later." And with that the mow-hawked male left.
"Alright well I'll see you guys." Quinn said, hugging everyone: except for Rachel who looked hurt when she left.
"I-I'll see you guys." Rachel muttered as she waved faintly at the remaining staff members.
When the cool breeze finally hit her face when she left the restaurant, she was suddenly grabbed into a hug by Finn. When they pulled apart, Finn looked at her sympathetically.
"I'm sorry Rachel. What Quinn did to you was not okay. Trust me, you're not the only one who's been pushed away." He said desolately as his voice drifted off. Something flashed in his beautiful hazel colored eyes that the brunette couldn't point out. Hurt? Anger? She didn't know.
"Finn are you oka-"
"Yeah, yeah I'm fine Rachel." He said in a distraught voice. I'll-I'll see you later." He said as he turned the other direction and retreated back to the direction of his car. As Rachel watched the back of Finns slightly hunched back, the same question from before popped in her head again.
"What the hell was that about?" She muttered exasperatedly.
…
Well that's it guys! It probably wasn't the best chapter you guys expected but here it is! Again I really appreciate the reviews you guys are giving me. Thanks a lot! ~Vikki3775
