It had been a week since Naya had seen or spoken to Heather, some days their paths never crossed as Naya was recording alot of vocals and Heather dance rehearsals and the days they did have scenes together Heather was out on 'family matters'. Luckily the studio was ahead on production so they could afford to postpone shoots.
Today was going to be the first time they'd seen each other since the night Taylor proposed. Naya spent most nights at home alone; Heather had tried to call at first but after awhile the calls stopped, Naya cried herself to sleep most nights. Playing Heather's girlfriend on the show meant being close to her and Naya wasn't sure her heart could handle it just yet, she knew they had to talk but her pain was still too raw.
Naya arrived on set as she did every other day but this time she went straight to her trailer, avoiding the normal chit chat so as to not have a run in with Heather. Naya's stomach was in a knot, she didn't know if she was sad, terrified or excited to see Heather but it wasn't worth thinking about as she would find out soon enough. Naya sat down in her trailer trying to suck in a few deep breaths to calm her nerves; it was going to be fine she thought to herself.
There was a knock at her trailer door, Naya shot to her feet, "five minutes till your needed on set Naya" a production assistant shouted. Naya sighed in relief, thinking it could have been her cast mates or worse, Heather. She began getting herself ready to head over, what was going to be her game plan Naya thought, pretend everything was fine? Ignore Heather? Naya had no clue. Stepping out of her trailer the sun was beating down hard, perfect opportunity for sunglasses, which was also the perfect disgust for hiding her red, cried out eyes.
Naya walked over to set without running into anyone, sitting in hair and makeup she only had to hold a conversation with Vanessa, which was easy as Vanessa talked mostly and Naya just listened. It was time to take set; Naya's heart was beating out of her chest. The scene today called for her to sit next to Heather and hold her hand, not too bad, not as bad as it could have been, she would get through this Naya told herself. Rounding the corner onto the sound stage Naya ran into her cast mates, most of them had already taken their position on stage, Lea and Matt were talking to Eric who was giving them directions but to Naya's surprise there was no sign of Heather. Naya smiled and said hi to everyone, time was a factor so she didn't really have the opportunity to chat, good thing she thought to herself, she really wasn't in the mood to pretend, which was ironic given her job.
Naya sat on her choir room chair ready for the scene to begin and just as she started to think she could handle it, Heather walked on to set. Her blonde locks hanging long down her face, her blue eyes sparkling in the stage lights, Naya gasped, Heather had taken her breath away.
Heather took her seat next to Naya, neither made eye contact but both could feel the energy of the other, both thinking the same thing.
Heather turned to Naya "Naya, I need to talk to –"
"Ok guys were about to start, is everyone set and in position?" Eric called interrupting Heather.
Matt and Lea scrambled to take position. "Okay, and 3,2—wait!" Eric called. "Heather you need to take your ring off honey, Brittany and Santana aren't engaged" the cast and crew laughed.
Feeling like it was happening in slow motion; Naya watched as Heather slid the perfect diamond ring off her left hand and put it in her pocket. She looked up into Heather's beautiful eyes; they looked back at Naya apologetically.
"Okay and 3,2,1 action!" Eric called.
Naya didn't have time to react let alone think, the scene had begun and she had to be in character. She stared at the front of the stage, trying to keep the heartache off her face, she didn't even realise the long silent pause in dialog.
"CUT" Eric called, "Naya, hun you forgot to come in then with your lines?" he said holding the script and smiling.
"Oh yeah, sorry Eric" she replied shaking her head. Come on Naya, focus she thought.
The scene resumed, all she needed to do was get through this, just breath and get through this one scene.
"Okay and cut! That was a good first take everyone, were just going to do a few close ups now, Heather, Naya were going to start with you, we'd just like a hand hold and a few cute looks, just whatever you feel really okay?" Eric asked the girls.
Heather and Naya both nodded, this wasn't going to be easy but how could they explain this situation to anyone?
The camera started rolling, Naya looked up at Heather and smiled, Heather smiled back. It was time for the hand hold but Naya couldn't do it, realising this Heather reached down and cupped Naya's hand in her own. Heather's touch ran through Naya like fire, it was so warm and familiar; she held her breath praying for the strength to hold back the tears. The fire burnt through her veins, she couldn't do it any longer, Naya broke Heather's hold jumping to her feet.
"I just, I can't do this" Naya said running off set. Heather and the rest of the cast sat looking at each other; only Heather knew what was going on.
"Ah, okay guys just take a half hour break yeah? Matt we'll do your scene with Jayma now" Eric called looking confused.
Naya ran back to her trailer as quickly as she could, reaching the door just in time. She threw herself down on the seat crying into her hands. How was this ever going to get better, she was wearing Taylor's ring? What was going on was this really the end for her and Heather? Naya had a million thoughts all at once, suddenly broken by a knock at the door.
"Naya sweetie it's Di" Dianna knocked lightly again.
Naya wiped her face trying to conceal her running make up, "Come in Di" she called.
Dianna opened the door spotting Naya at once; Dianna smiled at Naya who simultaneously broke down crying. Dianna shut the door quickly and moved to comfort her friend. "Babe what's going on?" Dianna said hugging Naya. "You haven't been right all week; I can tell something's wrong".
"It hurts so much Dianna, it hurts all the time and I don't know what to do or how to make this pain go away" Naya sobbed harder into her friends shoulder.
"Nay what's happened? What's going on babe, talk to me please" Dianna pulled Naya closer.
"It's Heather, she's said yes to Taylor and she's wearing his ring Di, she's wearing the ring!" Naya sobbed not lifting her head.
"Heather's getting married babe, that's good news" Dianna smiled; this was lost on Naya who cried louder.
"No, no its not you don't understand".
"Well help me understand", Dianna lifted Naya's chin so she could look her in the eyes. "What's going on?"
Naya wiped her face and took a breath trying to collect herself; maybe it was time to talk about it?
"I love her Di, I'm in love with Heather" Naya's bottom lip began to tremble as she continued "We've been seeing each other for a while now, she was going to leave Taylor, we were going to start our life together but then he proposes and, and" Naya couldn't finish, she began crying again.
"And she said yes" Dianna said nodding her head in understanding. "Babe to be honest, Lea and I have suspected for a while now but then when the proposal happened I just assumed we were wrong, I never guessed that you two were together and she said yes, that's awful Nay I'm so sorry" Dianna embraced her friend.
"I don't know what to do, I think a part of me thought it was all a bad dream, that we'd work it out but then I come to work and she's wearing the ring?" Naya looked up at Dianna" My heart hurts so bad Di; I don't know how to live without her"
"Oh honey, I know it hurts but you are a strong and amazing woman, you're going to be okay, I promise I'm here for you okay". Dianna said rocking Naya.
There was another knock at the door. "I'll get it babe, you just relax its probably just production looking for us. Dianna disappeared only to return with a serious look on her face.
"Nay its Heather, she wants to speak to you" Dianna said flatly.
Naya sat up straight in her seat, she wiped her eyes. She knew this conversation was always coming; she may as well get all the breaking done at once.
"Send her in Dianna".
