A/N: Thank you everyone so far who has commented and read so far... I can't believe it's been already 40 reviews with only the prologue and first chapter, I'm amazed. I thank you for the welcoming response. Also, "Fake Brittany" is revealed in this chapter... thank you for everyone for your suggestions, they were very helpful. I was completely torn when I made my decision, but I think I could intertwine the idea well with a certain song that Santana sings ;) Thank you for soulsaidin for the suggestion!
Let me clarify before anyone freaks out, Heya WILL be endgame in this story. That is all.
Thanks to my beta fossil_10! Enjoy the read!
Disclaimer: This fic is RPF! I do not own anything, this is a complete work of fiction. I DO NOT know either of these women nor am I affiliated with Glee or its creators. I also do not own the song "Taylor, The Latte Boy," by Kristin Chenoweth which this fic is loosely based on. These two are not a couple… unfortunately.
The Latte Girl
Chapter 2
Last night was a tough one… After the Glee episode, Heather was completely mentally exhausted. Ashley felt so bad for her roommate that she even offered her one of her Oreos. Heather had never been more confused in her entire life. She was such a ball of emotions that she didn't know what to do with herself. Everything with Taylor made her want to throw her covers over her head and hibernate forever… These frequent calls just made her miss him more and pine for something that seemed they could never figure out.
On the other hand, her unexpected reunion with Naya seemed to make her insides twirl around in excitement. Thoughts of the Latina drifted vividly through her mind as she desperately tried to interpret the situation she was in with the star. She didn't know if she wanted to her to come in every morning or never see her again. The girl was doing strange, unidentifiable things with her mind and with her heart… The whole situation kept Heather conscious the entire night.
So when she woke up this morning, she was that jittery mess college people normally get when they had been studying all night for final exams. Her hands were shaky from too much caffeine and the little sustenance in her tummy. However, she had been preparing herself for an entirely different exam. That test was Naya Rivera… However, one side of Heather still hoped her proctor would show up for another latte, while the other side thought that the Latina would simply forget about her. Heather assumed the latter would be the most likely scenario… who would care to remember some plain-Jane, coffee hostess?
She opened up shop like any typical morning, trying her hardest not to expect anything. She was surprised, however, to find when she came to open the door to the Black Horse Café that there were a few anxious customers waiting outside. A little frazzled, and obviously jumpy, Heather rushed to tend to the early morning risers.
Luckily, one of her coworkers helped her with the rush hour shift at seven. Kaitlyn had been working with Heather at the Black Horse Café since she was first hired. The younger, vibrant woman taught Heather the ropes of being a coffee barista. She certainly had learned from the best. They of course had their differences… one being that Kaitlyn never acquired the patience that Heather always carried. If you pissed her off, it was not a pretty sight. The girl had short auburn-hair with crisp cut bangs and a sharp wit that would always catch Heather off-guard. Her pale, porcelain skin was graced with a few ornate tattoos here and there, representing the rebelliousness and artistic statement she embodied.
Heather admired the firecracker of the young girl. She was a couple years younger than her, with more determination and spirit that Heather could ever wish for. Even with her youth, she still managed to hold a slightly more mature demeanor than Heather… Heather always exuded a childlike hopefulness. Kaitlyn was a struggling college student, taking night classes to get her degree in anthropology or something odd like that… The temperamental brunette tried to explain it once to Heather, but the blonde just got lost. She was bright and intelligent and Heather respected the girl greatly. She was fun to work with and Heather loved her company… except in the mornings… Unlike Heather, Kaitlyn was a horrible morning person. She would snap at the customers left and right, so Heather decided it was best that she take the register whenever they had early shifts together.
The morning carried on; however, it seemed typically more busy than usual. The coffee shop got enough revenue to get by, but they weren't by all means the biggest hot spot. It was one of those secret treasures that made Heather love it all the more.
Yet today, Heather immersed herself with the coffee grounds and espresso machines as people quickly came in and out. The door was constantly jingling and the line growing considerably. It was 8:11 this time. She was at the counter and it happens again. Heather didn't even see it coming. She was so absorbed in her work that she had to even take a step back to make sure this time it was real. She looks up from her task and sees Naya standing in line with her shades on, smirking quietly. Heather's eyes go wide as she notices the smiling actress. She begins to panic and turns to her coworker.
"Pst!" Heather hisses and Kaitlyn looks to her, eyebrows furrowed.
"What?" she all but grunts grumpily.
"Take the counter!" Heather whispers frantically.
"Huh? Why?"
"Just… Just switch spots with me!" Kaitlyn looks to Heather confused and then looks to the line and spots Naya. Her eyes widen too at the familiar face she sees on commercials constantly promoting Heather's favorite show. She shakes her head, amber hair bobbing nervously as she did not want to deal with a celebrity at this early hour.
"Nuh uh! No way I am dealing with that this morning!"
"Kaitlyn!" Heather hisses. She barely even registers what's happening until she hears that familiar voice. The world seems to freeze. And for a moment, she looks around and it actually seems like it does. Everyone's eyes were set on the person in front of her, her coworker included.
"Good morning," Naya's voice rumbles out to Heather's ears. Heather's eyes shoot up from the cash register to meet those brown orbs and familiar smirk.
Heather could hear a couple behind Naya whispering, "It's Santana from Glee!"
"Hi," Heather manages out, slightly mystified. She blinks her eyes twice and remembers her job. She clears her throat.
"How are you?" Heather asks kindly with a smile.
Naya's eyes brighten, completely focused on Heather as she answers, "I'm well. And yourself?"
"Fine, but had a long night…" Heather mimicked Naya from yesterday with a smile, even though Heather was being honest. Naya chuckled.
"Yeah… sorry if I was a bitch or anything yesterday."
"No not at all. Besides, customers always come first," Heather replied professionally. She swallowed as she capped and uncapped her sharpie nervously while Naya eyed her again. "So, what can I get for you this morning?"
"A double caramel latte please. Medium," she tells Heather taking out her wallet. Heather eyes her as she takes out her money. She quickly picks up the appropriate cup.
"Name please?" she says and it makes Naya look up at her with a wide smile.
"Naya," she answers in a light chuckle, as the blonde had already started writing her name down before Naya had even said it. Naya shakes her head knowingly. Heather's heart was soaring at the sound of the Latina's familiar laughter.
"That'll be $2.55…" Heather reports. When Naya hands Heather a five, Heather is reluctant to take it. "You're going to take you're change this time, right?"
Naya looks over to Heather's coworker who is eyeing them while she makes a drink. She squints at Naya while pouring skim milk wearily into the cup. Naya smiles back at Heather.
"Yeah… don't worry, I won't make you suffer with my flattery again," Naya husks. Heather could only nod while she shudders at her tone.
"Uh huh… It'll be right out."
"Thank you," Naya replies kindly. Heather whisks away quickly and yanks Kaitlyn to work the register while she prepares Naya's drink. Heather glares angrily at Kaitlyn who sends her the same accusing glance before the two get back to work. Naya followed her Latte Girl's movements again.
"So you avoided my question yesterday," Naya called out to her teasingly. Heather froze and her hands were becoming shaky; this time it wasn't from the lack of sleep or from the over-caffeinated condition she was in. She felt like she was caught in her lie. She hated how everyone was watching them like this was some sort of show. She hated it more that Naya seemed unfazed by the attention.
"Um… come again?" Heather squeaked as she lifted the lever to make her latte.
"You never told me your name."
Heather's voice caught in her throat.
"So… what's your name? As I see you have no name tag," Naya said lightly, staring at the swell of Heather's chest unabashedly. Heather looked down and pulled at her button up blouse slightly. She needed to start wearing more appropriate shirts to work… Naya smirked. Employees were never required to wear name tags, it never occurred to Heather until now.
"Um…" Heather couldn't tell Naya her real name. Then she knew she would for sure be able to piece everything together… The actress wasn't stupid. Heather finished Naya's latte, adding extra foam to her cup. Naya smiled again at her generosity, curious on how she even knew she liked extra foam. She never mentioned it before.
"Um?" Naya chuckled. "Or would you rather me continue to refer to you as the Latte Girl… that's what I've been telling all my friends."
Heather looked up at her as she lidded her cup. She talked about Heather to her friends? She couldn't really believe it… She must have heard her wrong.
"I wouldn't mind it… I think keeping things anonymous is safe…" Heather reasoned to Naya as she held her latte out to her. Naya rolled her eyes and smiled.
She slipped the cup from Heather with her left hand, but before Heather could retract away Naya clasped it in a firm handshake with her right. The contact of the Latina's skin on hers was making her senses go into overdrive. Heather stared at their clasped hands.
"Why don't we start this over again the proper, formal way hm?" Naya asked with a mischievous grin.
"My name is Naya Rivera," she said, brown eyes gazing into Heather's piercing blue ones. "It's nice to meet you."
Heather's mouth went dry as she dumbly continued to shake Naya's hand.
"Hey," was all she could answer back softly. Naya laughed loudly, her full gorgeous laugh and Heather couldn't help but smile.
"Wow, you really don't get the whole 'properly meeting' someone aspect, do you?" her smile was so large it took up her entire flawless face, making those cheeks apple up adorably.
"Maybe… I like to keep the mystery alive?" Heather tried to postpone as she tried to think of an idea on what to say.
Naya quirked her eyebrow, resting her right hand on her hip, "Okay, now you're just being a tease."
Heather blushed and fiddled with her apron strings.
"Hey, if you don't wanna tell me your name, I can just go and ask your friend over here…" Naya suggested moving back over to Kaitlyn who was watching the two of them interact with a smirk.
Amused, Kailtyn answered, "Yeah, her name is—"
"Ashley!" Heather found herself shouting the first name that came to her head. Of course that first name just had to belong to her best friend and roommate… Her eyes automatically widened at her stupidness as Naya turned back to her and cocked her head to the side, squinting at her. Kaitlyn looked to her with a similar quizzical expression.
"What—" Kaitlyn tried to question before Heather interrupted again.
"My name is Ashley," Heather said more quietly and with more confidence. Naya walked back over to her slowly as if she were stalking her prey. Heather fidgeted nervously as brown eyes never tore away from blue ones. Heather was hoping Naya would take it and never bother her again, but she continued to examine her.
"Hm… Ashley?" Naya asked her, testing the name on her tongue. Naya didn't know why, but for some reason it didn't feel like it fit. Heather however, simply nodded dumbly.
"Okay. Ashley… do you have a last name?"
"W-Why do you need it?" Heather stuttered. Then her voice turned serious, "Are you gonna stalk me or something?"
Naya laughed loudly again. "Am I going to stalk you?"
"It's a valid question," Heather said looking to her as if she were crazy, and Naya quit her chuckles but continued to smile at her. "I don't just give my last name out to random strangers I hardly know."
"Random stranger…" Naya mumbled to herself, smile growing larger. She squinted her eyes at her and said more softly, "I think I enjoy your humor…"
Heather didn't find any of this funny at all as she furrowed her eyebrows at the Latina.
Then Naya leaned over the counter and whispered for only Heather to hear.
"I like you…"
Those three words flowed just as easily from the Latina's lips like the first time Heather heard her say it. Her heart began to bang furiously against her chest at the words she used to repeat to herself over and over in her head from memory.
"Yeah, I like you… You're just… something else," Naya stated, eyes twinkling. "Can't put my finger on it quite yet, but I'm getting there."
Heather blushed, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
"I just wanted to tell you that I love your coffee… Best latte I ever had," she said, taking a sip of the one she had now. Heather could hear the faintest sigh of content leave the Latina's lips. Her disorientated mind oddly filed away the sound for later memory. "I'll see you around."
With that she turned around to leave. Before she exited the door she turned back to Heather and called out to her.
"Oh, and thank you for the extra foam… Ashley…"
And she was gone again leaving Heather blushing furiously. Heather was sure she had to wake up… she wanted to wake up, but she didn't. When she realized this all wasn't a dream she thought how deep of a hole she was digging herself into. Heather, coming out of her daze, realized everyone in the shop was still watching her. Her eyebrows furrowed and she folded her arms across her chest firmly.
"What?" she asked around to the silent room, and with that everyone went back to their daily morning routine. She turned to make the next order in attempts to shake off the slight inconsistency in her day. As she tried to go back to work, she caught Kaitlyn's eye who was leaning over the counter, smirking at her.
"Stop looking at me like that…" Heather scolded her.
"Hey, sorry… just never knew you to be one to flirt with your customers. For as long as I've known you, you always keep things friendly but professional," Kaitlyn chuckles.
"It was not my fault… she caught me off guard… And I was not flirting," Heather retorted, adding whipped cream to a mocha espresso.
"Mhm… whatever you say, Ashley…" Kaitlyn mocks. Heather rolls her eyes and releases a heavy sigh. She couldn't help, but feel a little torn. Part of her wanted Naya to never come through that jingling door again, while another very large part of her was selfish and wanted to see Naya every morning from then on out… Even if it meant she thought she was someone else.
The final thought made Heather curse aloud.
"Fuck… what did I get myself into?"
Naya walked briskly into the choir room set of Glee, head held high. She tipped her coffee cup back to get the last remaining drops of deliciously flavored caramel coffee, before tossing it into a nearby trash bin. She smiled contentedly. There was no better way to start her day with an amazing latte from one amazingly, curious Latte Girl. Naya's lips smiled wider at the thought of her blonde.
She was intrigued to say the least. The blonde named Ashley reminded her of an irrational infatuation with a coworker that she realized could never possibly work… It was foolish and took up only a brief time of Naya's life when she used to wear her heart on her sleeve. Similar physical traits and verbal tendencies whisked her back to her more innocent, bright-eyed self when she first walked onto this very set. Her eyes glazed at the distant memory of what used to be.
Kevin was doing papa wheelies with his wheel chair and cracking jokes to make Jenna giggle when he spotted his friend smile ridiculously with a dazed expression in the back corner of the choir room. He raised his eyebrow curiously and briefly excused himself from Jenna. He hopped over to the plastic chair below Naya's riser. Judged by her smug expression, he guessed that she must have had her coffee this morning…
"So bee… did Huntress Naya claim her poor, innocent Latte Girl?" Kevin mocked Naya as he leaned on the back rest of the chair with his forearms. Her distracted eyes turned to Kevin. "Did you enjoy going back for seconds?"
"Ha ha… funny, bee…" Naya replied sarcastically. Dianna had strolled in on set and immediately walked over to her fiery, Latina cast mate. After yesterday, she too was dying to know what happened this morning… When Naya was caught up by something she knew the Latina could never tear herself away until she was either completely satisfied or bored.
"Come on now… answer the question," Dianna urged as she sat herself gracefully in the seat next to her, smoothing her sundress over her costumed baby bump. "You were just adorable as you regaled to us your experience yesterday."
Kevin and Dianna snickered lightly and Naya rolled her eyes.
"I was not fawning over her like some teenage, hormonal boy with no control. Keep your pants on, kids… She makes a really good damn latte okay?" Naya folded her arms lightly across her chest, nose lifted slightly in the air, "However, I do feel like this morning went over fairly well…"
"Oh damn!" Kevin praised, "Poor baby deer probably didn't know what hit her!"
"Yeah… she was pretty surprised that I came back…" Naya mumbled. "Maybe I'm being too forward?" Naya asked, her question directed to Dianna; the more logical half of the two. The blonde pursed her lips in thought.
"Nah… she's probably just star struck…" Kevin justified.
"But that's the thing… I don't think that's it… She treated me how she treated every other customer in line before me."
"Nay, I think you're kinda reading into this," Dianna pointed out as she watched her friend mull over the fine details of her latest encounter with the infamous Latte Girl.
"Probably…" Naya pursed her lips, "I just feel like I know her from somewhere… that we've met before. I feel like she's hiding something…"
Dianna looked up at her, "Naya, honey. You do realize you met this girl yesterday? How could you know she's hiding something from you?"
Naya shrugged as she brooded. Dianna leaned back and examined her friend's posture, slowly clicking together the pieces.
"Oh my God… Naya Rivera is finally stumped over someone she can't get," Dianna said, laughter ringing in her voice. Kevin snickered.
"I am not!" Naya exclaimed to the two of them.
"Wow… I never thought I would live to see this day…" Dianna told her, placing her hand over her heart in mock emphasis of emotion.
"Oh shut up, Agron."
"Hm, defensive much? The only time I've ever kinda seen you like this was back when we first started filming and—"
"It is definitely nothing like that at all. That was forever ago… I'm not interested in her like that. I'm just… curious is all," Naya reasoned.
"I'm pretty sure curious is the same thing as interested, Nay Nay," Kevin chuckled. Dianna simply nodded in agreement.
"Whatever… I should remember never to confide in you two of all people," Naya scoffed and folded her arms protectively over her chest. She didn't like it when people called her out on her crushes… not that she had a crush. That was the thing, she was honestly only curious about the blonde. Her feelings towards her were undefined at the moment and she was in no hurry to figure them out. She wanted to take her time.
"Oh come on, Naya," Dianna said rolling her eyes and pulling Naya's hand out to hold in her lap, "We're just messing with you. It's such a rarity to see you so flustered."
"I'm not… just to clarify. Do you see me blushing?" Naya said, putting her hand up to gesture to her tanned, uncolored complexion.
"Fine… you're not flustered," Dianna repeated to please her friend, even though she had that knowing smile that Naya always loathed. "Just don't kill the girl while you're out on your conquest, okay?"
Dianna looked to her crossly, that sweet smile playing on her lips while Naya simply shook her head and smiled back. She rolled her eyes at her two cast mates and friends who were looking up at her.
"You know bb, your eyes are gonna get stuck up there if you keep rolling 'em like that," Kevin sniggered.
Naya scoffed and glared at Kevin, "Oh whatever… I don't know how I became friends with you two…"
The two were happy to see that their Latina friend still remained herself over the entire situation. They knew she would let them know if it got out of hand. Dianna patted her thigh supportively.
"Because we all love each other… And when it comes to love, you can't really deny it," Dianna told her wisely, the look in her eyes sending an obvious double meaning to her troubled friend. Naya looked back to her wearily. She honestly didn't know where the blonde got her advice from. It always freaked her out how right she was all the time…
Their director stepped on to set and Dianna and Kevin both left her side to go and sit in their appropriate places. She was left to herself to think as she had no dialogue in this scene. The chair next to her squeaked as another set of red and white polyester uniform flashed in the corner of her eye. Naya turned to her costar who sat next to her. Her eyes briefly scanned over familiar delicate, fair skin that was dotted with cute little freckles unseen by the camera. Bright ginger ringlets bounced in its tight Cheerio's ponytail and her steel blue eyes looked to Naya's soft brown ones momentarily before turning away.
Naya smiled politely in her direction and the other girl smiled back. The two didn't try to acknowledge each other more than that. Naya slumped into her seat. Her eyes drifted off somewhere else as she couldn't help but feel confused and oddly incomplete.