Party!
(Santana)
Nothing is like relaxing in my own bed after a day doing a terrible test of the college. It took me a while to get back to the college pace and my extra work at my company: everything still tires me. For these and others reasons, I agreed with Rachel's idea in making a party at our place to close friends. It would be a great for cool our minds. It was the first since we moved to New York. Everything else was just a dinner with friends or films sessions. It was good to take advantage of the fact it was easier to store away things and embellishments to not run the risk of accidents, all because we didn't have much furniture. We decided to put the snacks on the dinner table and the drinks and disposable cups on the sideboard. Whoever wanted beer should go to the kitchen. So, that's it.
Rachel also made some interviews to hire a maid because we couldn't leave everything as clean as we would like to. With a big apartment and the busy life we had, we didn't have the energy to proper cleanning anymore. We were inclined hire Bena, which was the nickname for Benazir Hangal, an Indian about 40 years old with husband and kids: all working and studying in NYC. She had worked as maid for a neighbor in our building, but the family was moving out to a house in New Jersey, a suburban neighborhood, too far for Bena goes to work everyday. Rachel talked to them and Mrs. Steven said Bena was an honest and qualified person. Truth be told: she was the only interviewed I attended, so that's why I was so inclined to hire her.
Working in our home involved a special clause in the contract: nothing about our personal lives could be revealed. All because of Rachel, and more specifically her relationship with Quinn. I understood that Rachel can't be known as a gay actress because it would be bad for her career. Still, it sucks. If Bena agrees and sigh the contract, we will have someone to help cleaning the house after the party. Oh God, that would be so nice.
"We have drinks, snacks and MMs. Do you think something's missing?" Rachel picked the snacks that we bought.
"There won't be so many people. Consider: Johnny, Andrew and some of my friends from college who may or may not bring companions, and the Rock'n'Pano staff. That's my side. On your side, it's Quinn and…?"
"I called Luis, the guys from the play, Nina, Angela, Josh Solano and Nick."
"Nick, Nick Brown? I didn't know you are speaking with him again."
"It would be silly to break up with all of my colleagues at the time of Across. And Nick and I were the chased ones, remember?"
"Truth." I walked into the service area and continued our conversation over there. "Don't forget Mercedes and Julio, they're in town."
"Yeah. Mercedes said they will watch my play before it's too late. What should remind you that I will get along with most of my guests, so..."
"I'm a much better host than you, Ray."
It was true. All times that I gave little parties in the pool house back home in Lima, they were very successful.
"Did you buy larger trash bag?" I asked.
"No." Rachel replied as I quickly swept the room. "And did you speak to Johnny about DJing?"
"My boyfriend will do it, hobbit. Don't worry." It' was so good to call Johnny: my boyfriend. I also could see my sister smiling after I said this.
I checked again all we bought for our little party and realized that we forgot simple things like straws and toothpicks, so I quickly went to the grocery store near my home. The annoying part of living in Manhattan is that it was more expensive than other neighborhoods, but it wasn't worth to spend some gas and patience on the traffic to buy such little things.
When I returned with some groceries in hand, Johnny was already at the house installing a globe on the ceiling and being watched closely by Rachel. By the rules of the building, we could use loud music at parties on weekends until midnight before giving arguments to the neighbors to call the trustee, the custodian, and the police. What was our strategy to get along with them? We invite our neighbors from downstairs, upstairs and next door, so we would have an edge over the loud music.
"Hello!" I said from distance. First I let the shopping bags into the kitchen before going back to the room and kiss my boyfriend.
"Hey, Princess." He down the small staircase and finally our lips touched.
"You're early."
"I came to install the sound" He pointed to the boxes in the corner of our room. "A party can't roll without great music."
"Sweet! Now that the two lovebirds met…" Rachel made her presence known before toward to her room. "I have to work."
"I'm so counting down the days to her flight to L.A."
"No, you aren't. You will miss her like hell as much she missed you when you travelled last year." Johnny hugged me and we kissed again.
"Did you miss me?" I teased him.
"I might get drunk once or twice." Johnny smiled and he kissed good one more time until Rachel interrupted.
"Guys?"
"What?" I said.
"Don't forget to make the pate. The ingredients are in the fridge."
"Ok, midget. Go work, please!"
Meanwhile, the intercom rang. Quinn. It was good that she arrived earlier to help with organization. Quinn soon was knocking the door.
"Hi San." Looked like she was running. "Where's Rachel?"
"In her room getting ready for work."
"That soon?"
"It's almost six, Fabray."
"Oh!" She looked at her cell phone. "Right. I was talking with my professor about my monograph and I thought I was on time…"
"Ok." I said with some indifference. It sucks that Quinn would graduate first than me.
Rachel left her room already ready to work. She kissed Quinn and said goodbye to us. She would come back with a lot of people, among them Mercedes and our cousin Julio. Johnny soon took charge of doing the heavy stuff while Quinn and I were in the kitchen tidying edibles and disposable. The kitchen, unfortunately, would serve as a circulation area for people caught the drinks. The foyer also would be used because it gives access to the toilet. But mine and Rachel's room would be locked. As much as this party was for our friends, we understand that adult parties (such as adolescents) could escape a bit out of control and someone could want to find a someplace to have sex. I ok, with that, but not in my room and on my bed.
"How things are going with you and Rachel?" I asked Quinn while we were in my room. I was finishing dressing up in my bathroom. Quinn, lying on my bed, was staring at the ceiling.
"She doesn't tell these things to you?" She sat on my bed to proper talk with me.
Quinn was dressing funny these days, with basic dresses and always walked with a bow in her hair. It's longer than her usual and I swear I would pay a hair cut to her in a very expensive place. She needed it bad, I could feel it. I know her money is short. Maybe too short. But it was weird seeing the once so vain and queen bitch Quinn Fabray dressing so basic while my sister kept better fashion sense and had money to do so. Yes, the only one Rachel Berry-Lopez now was dressing nice and she hired Kurt Hummel to be her personal stylist even though he still lived at the other side of the country. Well, they talk a lot by Skype.
"But it's her side of the story. I want to listen yours." I went up to my wardrobe. I grabbed a jacket, but it wasn't for me, then I showed it to Quinn.
"Nice jacket. Beautiful."
"It's for you. You're too Sears these days." Quinn wore the jacket and it improved a lot her look. "But tell me." I returned to the bathroom to my makeup. "How things are going?"
"Excluding the stress of her temporary move out?" I nodded and kept focused on my makeup. "I don't know! Rachel is distant these days."
"Do you think it's because Los Angeles?" Quinn nodded. "I must say I was on your side in this, but I can't get myself so much in my sister's busyness, even though she is committing a blunder."
"Do you want me to believe it?" I frowned at Quinn. "Come on, Santana, you always got yourself in Rachel's busyness."
"Maybe I'm not afraid to get my opinion known, but I don't decide for her, Quinn. That's what I mean. If I do, she would never date you, for starters."
"That's fair. Well, as you know, we haven't talked and discussed about Los Angeles yet. She will spend a few months out, and I still don't know what to do about it. I don't have money to flight there every weekend and I don't know how things will work. I do know Rachel will flight back to spend a day or two with me… with us… and there is internet…"
"Looks like you need somebody to talk, Fabray. Have you ever held to discuss this with a therapist?"
"Like the one you went last year and it last only two sessions?"
"It was three sessions, actually, and she did help. That's when I decided to take some time off traveling around and it was one of the best things I've ever done."
"Maybe, but not now. I'm not that desperate."
"If you say so…"
"It won't be that bad, do you know. It's only six months and Rachel and I will talk everyday. And we will, as you say, scissoring at skype every time we can."
"All right, Fabray."
"Well, on the other side, you do look very good these days with Johnny." I couldn't hold myself and I smiled.
"The feeling is that I just met him, but in a different way. At the same time, there is one of my best friends on hand. This is formidable. Johnny and I are enjoying ourselves a lot."
"You're on honeymoon!" She smiled at me and it was genuine.
I should be. When I got ready to party, I found my boyfriend drinking a beer while he was talking with Santiago, who had just arrived with his girlfriend, Kayla, I think that was her name. I kissed Johnny quickly before iterating myself about the conversation. They were talking about sports. I rolled my eyes. Nobody would never reach a consensus since everybody supported a different team. I loved the Buckeyes and the Browns because of my papi, even thought I was currently a Lion. Johnny was a Bulldog's huge fan. Santiago was a Violet and fanatic for the Giants.
Gradually the house began to fill for the party. First came Andrew and his rumored new girlfriend, and then some other friends from Columbia and two of our neighbors attended. Within a half hour, the house was full and the party was taking shape. Johnny was in the corner DJing while I was hosting the party. Sometimes I provide him some beer and affection. I wanted people to feel comfortable. Many brought gifts thinking that was an open house party. Crazy hum?
"Are you sure you don't have any announce to do?" Andrew tried to be discreet, but I understand the astonishment. I only party with my college friends in some bar.
"There isn't a special occasion. It's just party to relax and have fun."
"Ah, let's see ..." Andrew still didn't believe me.
Quinn didn't waste her time and spent the party between the dance floor and the sideboard where we puck the drinks. She was willing to dance and drown sorrows by the amount of vodka with soda. I was afraid with this particular combination: it never generated good things. Let's face it, something strange would happen. I went to the kitchen and two of my friends were with their tongues in each other throats. The detail is that one of them was engaged to a woman who worked on Wall Street. See? Lock out my sisters and mine bedroom was a terrific idea. I wonder what was circulating in my party. I grabbed a bottle of water and went to the dance floor. I took a sip from the bottle and then handed it to Quinn.
"But this is water." She complained.
"Exactly! Drink it."
"But this is water!"
"Drink. It. Fabray."
She obeyed me. Good for her. If she got drunk at least the hangover the next day would be smaller. Rachel and her friends from the theater arrived as planned at once after ten o'clock. They've got our house seething with all the sound. Amid the crowd: Mercedes and Julio came. I hastened to embrace both. I had missed them so much. It had been months since I saw them in person. The last time was at Thanksgiving when all the family celebrated it with abuela. Rachel arrived like she was the owner of the party with her actors friends. Sometimes I wanted to punch her, like when we were kids. The alcohol I had consumed didn't help ward off certain ideas of family violence. Rachel hugged Quinn and they kissed briefly. After that, I was no longer watching Quinn closely. I had people to chat and dance. I was a hostess. At least the guests were enjoying themselves.
It was a neighbor who gave me the warning that was almost one A.M. I went to Johnny and asked him to lower the sound. He did it gradually, to not be rude to people on the dance floor, warning with music that the party was almost over.
"What happened?" Rachel complained. "I was dancing with my friends."
"Rules of the building, little sister." I said and turned my back on her.
Soon people stop dancing. It was a tip for them think of leave and I positioned myself strategically in the foyer to say goodbye. Half hour later, it was just Johnny, Mercedes, Julio, Rachel, Quinn and me. More or less to Quinn, I would say, because she drank too much. Rachel and I, with some support from Mercedes, helped to take her to my sister's bedroom.
"Fuck!" Rachel said after Quinn passed out on her bed. "It's been a while since the last time I saw Quinn like this."
"Maybe it's your fault." I said.
"Maybe we should discuss it later, Santana."
"Oh man, you seriously need a new decoration." Thank god for Mercedes clueless. She was watching around while Rachel took Quinn's boots off. Honestly, I didn't see anything bad in the décor. It had a nice painting, dark wood contrasting with bright walls. It was even elegant.
"Ok, Quinn is safe and sleeping. You can go now."
Rachel remained in the room, perhaps to take a shower or whatever. I didn't care. Meanwhile, Mercedes and I met our men sitting on the sofa. Johnny was exhausted and Julio was still drinking.
"If I knew that my cousins gave good parties in New York, I would come to town sooner."
"Don't count on it." I collapsed on the couch beside Johnny. "Good thing I have preserved my room clean and untouched, because I would hate, hate and hate if I had to fix it before sleep. And about that, we have a sleeping bag if you two want to spend the night."
"I'm inclined to accept the offer." Mercedes said. "I hate to take cabs this late."
"The office and the sleeping bag is all yours."
"So, aren't you going to open the gifts you won? What discourtesy, Satan."
"Open gifts means more dirt, Wheezy. Let's do it tomorrow, then I'll send an email thanking everyone even though I didn't asked for them."
"Always pragmatic..." Julio smiled.
"This party was glorious! I caught two of my colleagues kissing in the kitchen. I don't know if they are having an affair, but one is engaged with another person: a huge bitch from Wall Street."
"Did you saw that Andrew was flirting with Santiago's girl?" Johnny put out laughing.
"Really?" My jaw was on the floor.
"Andrew, your ex-boyfriend?" Mercedes asked.
"Yeah. Santiago is Quinn's BFF and roommate." I explained.
"Andrew wasn't so naughty when he was with you." Johnny pointed.
"He wouldn't be that crazy. Do you have some problem, Wheezy?" I asked when Mercedes started laughing.
"No, Satan. Somehow I just remembered the day we nearly punch each other in the choir because of Puck."
"Puck? The father of Quinn's daughter?" Johnny was intrigued. I told him several things about my past in Lima, but, maybe, I forgot details about Puck.
"The one. Santana was dating him and Brittany at the same time. One day, Santana let him down and Puck tried to flirt with me, but only because I was a cheerio. This one here was possessed in jealous and wanted to fight me just because I had stolen her man."
"As if." I crossed my arms.
"On the other hand, when we found out we were doing the most amazing duet, Santana and I did some serious shit, my dear." She reached out and we high five.
"Better than I and Finn?" Rachel joined us. I was right: she did take a shower. "I doubt it."
"You and Finn were tedious shit that Mr. Schue made us swallowing it dry just because he was Finn's lover and you were a bossy that could pass over the world to have all the solos." I spited.
"Santana and I did a duet on River Deep Mountain High. It was spectacular, simply."
"That's when Mr. Schue allowed someone else to have a solo in the competitions. I sang Valerie and Rachel always complains about it. But it totally was worth." Again Mercedes and I did high five.
"It was my idea to give the ground for you both in Nationals, don't you remember?" Rachel crossed her arms.
"But before that, Cedes, Artie, Puck and I hold our rank in the regional with BIOTA. Then you came there with original song composed by Quinn and I did the backs." [A.N. see the Saga fic]
"The original song was writing by me and Quinn." Rachel corrected me.
"Ah, then you guys also did duets?" Johnny asked.
"At school?" I tried to make sure. "I've never done a duet with Rachel in the Glee Club." I pointed to my sister. "Actually, she tried to make that Glee Club a Rachel Berry-Lopez show with special guest of Finn Hudson and the rest of us."
"Wow! Not even Quinn sing, or Mike?"
"Mike was the dancer along Britt. Quinn can dance and she has a nice sweet voice, only it's not strong and she can't do the high notes. Yet she made one solo in a local competition and she harmonized with Rachel in the Nationals we won. I would say it was almost a duet."
"Quinn was amazing in the Nationals." Rachel reiterated. "But I wouldn't say the same in the sectionals. She and Sam were terrible and I hate to say it, but you saved us with your solo in Valerie."
"Glad you think so from your girl, Rachel." Mercedes criticized.
"My love for Quinn has nothing to do with my critical faculties."
"Bitch" I fired.
"I think you're confused, Satan." My sister retorted. "The bitch of the family has always been you."
I threatened to get up from that couch and slap some sense in that midget bitch, but Johnny held me.
"You should be smarter, dwarf." I pointed my finger at her. "Because the way you're raising your parrot nose, you won't be able to see over the shit you've been doing."
"What the fuck am I doing, Santana?" She snapped. "Working my ass off to build a career? Is that what you call bullshit?"
"We all are working ours asses off." I snapped. "But nobody here is dazzled by fame and money to start turning their backs on the people who really matter. That's what you're doing with Quinn and our true friends."
"Let Quinn out of it. You don't know what you're saying."
"I don't know what I'm saying? So keep your nose up, treating her indifferently, to see how I really don't know what I'm saying."
"Girls!" Julio stood up and spun between us. "It's not the moment to argue. We all drink too much and we're not thinking right. We are tired and saying things to regret it later. So, calm down!"
The party was really over. Mercedes and Julio decided it was better to take a cab that late than sleep in our home. You know what? I also thought it was better. I went to sleep with Johnny by my side really mad with Rachel's attitudes. I never thought, in my whole life, that I would defend and like Quinn more than my own sister. The world was inside out, for sure.