9. Something new

Two and a half years ago

Naya parked outside Heather's house a little after midnight. Amber's brunch party had prolonged more than anyone expected and, even after three hours and five bottles of water, the girl could still feel the buzz of all the afternoon drinking. For someone who didn't drink at all, Amber's party had been filled with alcohol.

"Come inside." Asked Heather, tugging Naya's jacket.

"But it's getting late."

"Just for a little while."

"We have an early call tomorrow," the shorter girl reminded her, already feeling her conviction slipping at the pull of Heather's demanding hands. "And you know I'm taking care of the midget beast. I've got to walk her in the morning or she'll pee all over my carpet."

She was referring to the Cannich that her mother had left for her to take care of during a short trip to Italy. Heather giggled at her friend's annoyance, still not over the fact that the small dog had once pooped all over her car.

"I know, I know. But Ashley is already asleep and I'm too wired to go to bed now. Just one more hour, Nay-nay."

The blonde pouted moving closer, without ceasing the tugging on Naya's jacket. It might have been her intention to come off as innocent when she pleaded, but the brunette felt her stomach burn under her gaze. She held the blonde's hand, pulling it from her jacket, and groaned through a quickly growing smile.

"Alright, alright." She relented, turning off the engine. "Cheater."

"Cheater?"

"Yeah," said Naya, stepping out of the car. "You know I can't resist the puppy look."

Heather walked towards the front entrance proudly, taking Naya by the hand.

"That's not cheating. It's winning, fair and square."

When they got inside every light was off except for the one in the hall. The house was warm and smelled like strawberry tea, that Ashley had certainly been drinking; but beyond the reach of the ceiling lamp there was nothing but dense silence and darkness.

"Is she really asleep, already?" Whispered the brunette, now being extra careful not to make a sound.

Heather chuckled, bumping her friend lightly on the shoulder.

"Would I lie to you? She's been going to bed pretty early lately. Oh and you can walk around normally, doofus. Ashley sleeps like a rock."

"Hey, watch who you call doofus." Naya threatened as she followed Heather to the living-room.

After lighting a few candles and turning off the hallway light, Heather moved to the kitchen and opened the fridge.

"Want something to drink?"

Naya was sitting on the back of the couch watching the blonde, and barely acknowledged the question before Heather came back with two beers in hand.

"I really shouldn't be drinking."

"Worst case scenario, you have to sleep here." The dancer winked at her, a daring smirk fixed on her lips.

"What about the midget?" Naya reminded her with a smirk of her own, trying to ignore the blush creeping up her own neck.

"You'll get to her eventually."

Heather stopped in front of Naya, their legs grazing as the blonde extended the second beer in her hand.

"Too many needy women for just one me."

"Oh, I think you can handle it." Heather noted, locking her eyes on plump lips as she spoke.

They went quiet then.

The sudden silence made Heather very aware of her erratic heartbeat. Her hands were clammy and she felt her shoulders tense under the scrutiny of brown eyes. Yet she couldn't keep the challenge from her smile.

She studied the fine lines of Naya's mouth noticing the way full lips curled up under her gaze. Her mind was blank, her whole being focused on Naya. She didn't know what she was doing but she could feel herself moving forward, as if pulled by the sheer magnetism of those supple lips. And suddenly Naya was moving too.

All she had thought about in the past few days was when she would be able to kiss her friend again. Now, as they slowly shortened the distance between them, the blonde could feel the acid burning of anxiety in the pit of her stomach. She gasped when their lips grazed, grabbing the brunette's hip for support when sensing her legs were about to give in. Her breathing was getting heavier, the invasion of oxygen making her lungs clench painfully. She used her lips to part Naya's, closing in on her bottom lip with all the desire that had built up since the last time. The shiver that went up her back would have stopped her, if her need to keep kissing wasn't so strong.

The soft velvety touch against her mouth made her insides clench with need. Pressing the brunette's body against the back of the couch, their legs interlocked effortlessly. Naya gasped against her mouth as Heather's thigh came in contact with her center. Freezing for a moment, with their lips still touching, they breathed in shared puffs of air. Heather took the beer from Naya's hand and set both their drinks on the pier table to her right.

Looking back at brown eyes, she could feel the unspoken questions hanging in the air. Is this okay? Is this something we're going to start doing? But before either of them could find an answer, Naya was closing the gap again. Their mouths captured each other. Heather gripped the brunette's hips harder as soon as Naya's tongue came into contact with her upper lip. Moving to catch it, Heather parted her lips and entered Naya's awaiting ones. Their tongues played softly with each other, before the rhythm fastened as they fought for dominance.

Naya's hands, that held Heather's neck, moved upward dipping into locks of golden hair. She tugged and pulled lightly, never stopping the increasing pace inside their mouths. When the brunette's fingers lightly scratched Heather's scalp, she moaned against plump lips. As she gathered her breath, Naya started leaving firm pecks around the outline of her lips. Heather smiled and without thinking pulled Naya by the ass, lifting her in her arms until they were nose to nose. Naya immediately wrapped her legs around Heather's waist, the sensation sending a jolt downwards that had both girls searching for each other's lips again.

Desperately engulfing the lithe body between her arms, Heather still ached for more contact. Moving around the couch without ever stopping their kiss, she set them down on the soft sofa. Their eyes met for a burning second. Naya pulled Heather down against her and their lips sought contact as their bodies united and melded.

The feel of Naya's body tightly pressed against her own made Heather's stomach boil. With each movement her skin buzzed aching for Naya's touch. Her breathing grew heavier and more unstable. Quickly it became hard to silence the groans that erupted from her throat as she pushed forward, her body rocking against Naya's. The girl underneath her seemed to be having the same problem, her heaving chest pushing Heather's while her hands pulled her closer.

Heather felt a fervent need invade her, settling between her legs with a force like she had never experienced before. Her limbs tensed as if they needed to touch every single part of Naya's body. Freeing her hands from under the girl's back, she stroked the tanned skin of her shoulders, gripping the muscles like a drowning man fighting for air. Her fingertips grazed the brunette's collarbone before moving downwards, finding their way between their bodies. As they reached the rise and fall of Naya's chest, both girls gasped. Heather was panting against Naya's mouth when their eyes locked. Without words blue eyes asked for permission to keep going. With a flustered wild look on her face, Naya bit her lip pushing her chest against Heather's hands. It was all the approval she needed.

Pressing her lips against Naya's, she let her hands close around the girl's bust. The groan that escaped Heather's throat clashed with the moan erupting from the mouth connected to hers. Their tongues met before their lips had even closed the gap between them. Heather's hands continued their path downwards, still lost in their search for something that would numb the pressing throb in her center.

Naya moved her lips to Heather's neck, ferociously devouring her. With her eyes tightly shut and already feeling light-headed, the blonde's hands finally reached the hem of Naya's shirt. Her heart was pumping hard against her ribcage as her hands made their way under the fabric. Her actions slowed down by the distracting frenzy of sensations caused by Naya's lips on her neck. She could feel her underwear clinging to her uncomfortably, her body screaming for release. Heather's stomach clenched dangerously as she palmed the tightness of the brunette's abs. Naya's lips froze against her neck as Heather's hands timidly grazed her muscles.

"Heather," she groaned, barely above a whisper.

The blonde brought her eyes back to her in a flash. The lust in the other girl's voice made her tremble as her own desire was reflected in brown eyes. She fell back to Naya's body, kissing avidly.

With one hand still on Naya's stomach and the other holding onto the girl's neck, Heather pushed herself forward again. When Naya bended the leg that was trapped between Heather's, her thigh rocked hard against the dancer's middle. Heather moaned breathily, their kissing growing sloppy and more desperate.

It was already impossible to still their bodies, their hands, their moans. Heather pulled away, both girls groaning at the loss of contact, before she started kissing down the brunette's neck. Naya pushed her chest against her mouth, one hand tugging Heather's hair while the other hooked around her belt strap. She pulled Heather back, her index finger seemingly having grown newfound strength. Heather smiled against her lips and, in that moment of distraction, Naya flipped them, straddling the dancer. She gasped in surprise, her eyes dark with lust as her hands climbed up Naya's body, now completely at her reach.

Naya lost her focus when Heather's hands reached her breasts again and gripped harder than before. Naya's body seemed to react on its own, pressing itself down on Heather who immediately raised her hips. The pressure was unbearable.

Though her clothes suffocated her, Naya's infuriated her. Heather rose to sit, pulling the girl towards her. She kissed her hungrily, bringing her fingers to the hem of Naya's tank top shoving her hand inside.

"Oh!"

The shocked gasp pulled their mouths apart. Heather's hand froze its movement, lingering over Naya's bra before she hastily pulled back.

A very flushed Ashley was standing by the door looking stunned and yet somehow amused.

They jumped to opposite sides of the couch, their bodies aching with the sudden separation.

"A-Ashley!" Heather shrilled; her voice suddenly very high-pitched. "I-We were…"

It seemed silly to make up an excuse for what they were doing. Even if her roommate had only caught a second of it, she was certain it was enough to figure it out.

"I was just dropping Heather off." Naya started, adjusting her shirt hurriedly.

"I don't think dropping is the appropriate word." Ashley teased averting her eyes from the anxious couple.

Naya's lips turned upwards, a mortified grin adorning her features. Heather bumped her in the arm, her own embarrassment coming out in a choked giggle.

"I think it's time for me to go."

Heather wanted to protest, but Ashley's presence quickly shook the tension from her body and she stood up with Naya. Throwing an apologetic look at a smirking Ashley, she followed the other brunette to the entrance.

Naya turned to her as she opened the door. Her eyes were tender and her smile bashful, contrasting greatly with the wild hair that framed her face and the ragged breaths that escaped her lips. Heather couldn't help but stare for a while, not really noticing they were standing there in silence.

"So… See you tomorrow, then?" Naya eventually said, her voice low again making Heather's stomach burn as well as other parts of her body.

"Yeah, tomorrow." She agreed, barely through a whisper.

Before Naya could fully exit her house, she pulled her by the arm and left a firm peck on the side of her lips. Naya smiled, closing her eyes at the touch. Their eyes met and they giggled breathily.

When Heather closed the door she caught sight of Ashley heading to the stairs with a glass of milk in hand. She watched her friend fumbling for words and explanations.

Ashley stopped at the foot of the stairs and looked Heather in the eye.

"You guys are doing that tour thing this summer, right?"

Caught off guard by the question, Heather simply nodded vehemently, eager to avoid the subject for a while longer.

"Well…" Ashley started looking up to their second floor before a smirk grew on her lips. "That should be fun."

And just like that she was gone, leaving an incredibly awkward Heather standing behind. The blonde shook her head as a huge grin pulled at her cheeks, before heading to her room as well.


The day before

"I'm sorry."

Naya felt her heart swell. It weighted down on her chest as she took in Heather's expression. For the first time, in a long time, Naya felt some sort of recognition in her eyes as something transpired between them. Before she could say anything, or simply run out the door, the blonde pulled her into her arms. The girl's face buried in her neck, and Naya had to fight the urge to cry. Being this close to her was always hard, no matter how many times they touched. But actually feeling her so close - that hint of something else tensing the air around them - was unbearable. Naya broke the hug, her heartbeat already pulsing against her skin erratically.

"I never like the guys you date."

The words hit Naya's ear before their eyes met. Looking at Heather now, so vulnerable and pained, broke her heart. No matter how many times she had felt the exact same way, she couldn't watch her like this. And maybe because of that, she felt a wave of tenderness wash over her. It washed over the tension, over the desire she fought to keep controlled, and melted her completely as she gazed at the bluest eyes she had ever seen.

"I know."

It was time to leave, though. Time to go back to the life she should pursue, instead of being held in this closet of memories.

"I'll see you later."

Leaving the bathroom Naya felt like she could finally breathe. Her eyes burned with unwanted tears as Heather's face haunted her thoughts. But she was relieved to be outside, to be walking towards a table where she could finally relax. No past, no hurt, just a new chance.

When she sat back down in front of him, a genuine smile formed on her lips. He smiled back at her and easily started making conversation. It felt good to be here, talking and sharing laughter without shivers running through her back, without her chest heating up at an unstoppable pace. She would miss those feelings. Maybe one day Nate, or someone else, would make her feel all that way again. But, for now, it felt good to feel less. To smile with just a hint of anxiousness, to be playful with just a hint of curiosity, to notice his hand grazing hers with just a hint of curiosity, to watch his face near hers with just a hint of excitement. As their lips met there were no butterflies, no fireworks, but there was a wave of relief as she finally gave in to someone who, at this moment in time, wanted to be with her, who could be with her.

She didn't know how long they stayed there. As soon as the kissing had started, it hadn't stopped. She tried to pull away at times, to catch her breath and rest her lips from all the pulling and sucking he was vigorously doing. But his eagerness left no time for words and, in a way, it made her feel good.

When she finally was able to stop it, faking a bashful smile at their intense display of affection, he suggested they went for a ride. All Naya heard through his cheeky smile was "let's make out in my car". But, as her eyes disobediently scanned the crowd for a familiar face, she knew it was time to change location. Whether the blonde was still there or not, she didn't care to find out.

When they entered the car he started his iPod. The playlist's title was just a nonsensical mix of letters and numbers, but as soon as the corny love ballads started playing, she knew he had perfectly planned it. Stopping a snort that built its way through her throat, she let him caress her cheek. Looking lovingly at her, he threw another round of compliments her way.

"Your lips are so sexy. I've never kissed lips as soft." He whispered as he slowly inched closer. "I could kiss you for hours."

The last one was the truest of his comments. And - keeping his word - the kissing continued. His hand rubbed her arm up and down before travelling to her neck and pulling her even closer. His breathing grew unsteady as his other hand settled on her lower back, scratching lightly, and pressing her against him. His tongue swirled inside her mouth at an increasing pace, going from playful to a perfect impersonation of a washing machine. It was hard for her to keep up with his frantic monotonous movements. As his breathing grew heavier and his hands turned rougher, her willingness slowly abandoned her. Turning away from the kiss for a much needed breath, she felt his mouth attacking her neck. She was so aware of his every action and his growing sloppiness, that her body turned rigid and unresponsive. She had definitely lost the mood.

"Hey…" She whispered against his hair. "We have to stop. I have work tomorrow."

"No, not yet." He muttered sucking her neck.

"No, Nate. Really. I had a great time, but now I have to go."

He stopped kissing her, looking her in the eye with a pouty scowl, half hidden by an understanding frustrated smile. It was kind of adorable.

"Can't we just hang out a bit more?"

She cocked an eyebrow at him with a playful smirk adorning her lips.

"If by hang out you mean this, I'm sorry but no." That didn't sound exactly as she had intended, so she added with a low tone. "It's getting late and if we don't stop now, I don't think we'll be able to, later."

He gripped her hip tightly, his smile growing immediately.

"But we'll see each again soon?" He asked, not looking as unsure as his tone suggested, while he stole a few last kisses.

"Sure."

And with that she smiled, a smile that held no falseness or sorrow and just a hint of joy.


Present

"Tell me all about it," Telly exclaimed, spilling sugar into his espresso. "Spare me no detail."

Naya could already imagine the look she was about to receive, so she chose her words carefully.

"He's nice."

And there it was before she had even elaborated.

"Very nice." She added honestly.

Telly wasn't buying it, though.

"He took me to a fancy restaurant. We had nice small talk. He paid." She accentuated the last part. "He's very easy to talk to, really. Telling me stories about his old days race driving and about how he met Megan at that Xavier Rudd concert, and thought she was trying to sell him coke."

They both cracked up at that. Megan and coke were two things that didn't belong in the same sentence.

"We had some wine during dinner, we shared desert… We did it all by the book, basically."

Telly was nodding slowly. He had a smile permanently attached to his face, that didn't quite hide the curious and slightly accusatory look in his eyes.

"Then he asked if I wanted to get a drink. I said yes. And… WesawHeather. The place was really ni…"

"Woah, hold on!" Telly lifted his hand to stop her. His eyes wide with shock. "You saw who now?"

"Can we leave that part for later? It really sort of ruins the Nate continuity."

"I'm sure it ruined it yesterday too."

And he wasn't wrong.

"What was she doing there? Please tell me she isn't stalking you now?"

Naya was flabbergasted by his assumption, snorting a little.

"Are you crazy? She was there with the dancers, remember? That dinner we skipped."

Telly's mouth formed an "oh" but he still didn't look convinced.

"Apparently she goes there a lot. And by the look on her face she didn't expect to see us there, at all."

That piqued Telly's interest. "Did she say something? Was she mean to him?"

"No." Naya whispered, "And why do you sound so excited?"

Telly just shrugged sheepishly. The short silence drifted her mind back to the way Heather had eyed him.

"You know how she is. She's never intentionally mean. She was actually quite cheery, at first."

"I know all that. But if you're going to tell me she didn't react at all, you're about to lie to me."

"Well, she gave him the look."

"The look, hum?" Telly chuckled. "Poor guy. And then what?"

"Then nothing. She went back to her 'clan'. And I stayed there with him. He started gushing about her, though. That was awkward."

"What? You're kidding?"

Naya laughed. "I'm not. I was seriously worried for a second. He kept going on and on about how she had a dominate presence. And that he was scared to come up to us the day we met. But we were both so sexy that he had to at least try."

"Oh no…"

"I know. Then he probably realized what he was doing and changed the route. After that I was obviously the sexiest and the one who caught his eye."

"Awkward." Telly snorted.

"Yup. After that, I went to greet the others just to give myself a little break."

Telly seemed conflicted. She could tell he was keeping a myriad of jokes inside, but he would keep quiet for now. It was so obvious that Naya couldn't help roll her eyes at him.

"You really aren't going to say anything bad about him, are you?"

"Not yet. I'm sure you'll take care of that soon enough. And, at least now, I know you two had something in common."

Naya cocked an eyebrow at him, waiting for him to continue.

"You both seem incapable of keeping your drool in check when it comes to Heather."

"HA-ha." Naya slapped him on the arm, avoiding his look as she continued. "So anyway, I went to the bathroom. Heather was there. We talked for a bit. Then I went back to him."

"Stop doing that. Don't jump the juicy parts."

The brunette met his eyes. "I thought you wanted to know about Nate."

"I want to know about your night. That doesn't just include Nate." Telly said seriously, grabbing her hand across the table.

"You're lucky I found that cute." Naya admitted. "She was drunk and being her usual flirty, 'I forgot we can't do this anymore' self."

Telly held his head on his hands frowning.

"But I was focused. So I told her off and then she got the kicked puppy look." Naya huffed, for the first time feeling slightly irritated about what had happened. "Or should I say the clueless, 'why are you shutting me out' look. I swear, sometimes it's like she doesn't even remember what happened, and then suddenly she does, and it's all so freaking tense and depressing."

Naya let out a long breath, trying not to let the memories take over her brain.

"You know I love her, but damn… She needs to learn when to get her ass out." Telly muttered.

The girl simply shrugged.

"She was pretty drunk, though…"

"That's when the truth comes out." Telly spat under his breath, earning a glare.

"I'm sorry." He quickly retracted.

Shaking herself out of it, she took a sip of her drink and smirked against the cup.

"Anyway, after that things got steamy. I decided I couldn't spend the rest of the night dwelling on the mess that is Heather, sooo… I went back, all smiles, and before I knew it, he had his tongue down my throat."

Naya cracked up and Telly joined her, a light-hearted chuckle that seemed to dissipate the tension from their shoulders.

"That's what I'm talking about!" Telly brought his espresso to Naya's plastic cup, toasting. "Aaaaand…"

"Not bad." Naya confessed around a malicious smile. "A little rough, maybe, but I don't mind that."

"Of course you don't." He jabbed her with a wicked grin.

Naya gasped and laughed easily before he urged her on. She told him the rest of the story, comfortably recounting everything. Telly scrunched his face when Naya told him about the growing sloppiness and they ended up goofing about it for hours.

When they got ready to say their goodbyes, both of them were flushed from all the laughter and their throats ached along with their stomach.

"This was fun. You always make me laugh about by misfortunes."

Telly hugged her tightly, speaking to her shoulder without letting go. "Not always."

Naya held on taking in Telly's meaning. "Let's not talk about that. It ruins too much already."

"Okay. But…" He backed out of the hug, still holding her by the elbows. "I'm proud of you. For trying…"

"Yeah..."

"Don't get too comfortable finding flaws, though."

"I haven't been that picky in the past two years."

Telly scowled but shook his head in agreement.

"It's not fair that you have to see her all the time. How does one move on if they have to stand in the same place with the same person…"

Naya was staring at him, feeling his words lift some of the weight she always carried around. It felt good to hear someone else say it. So she wouldn't feel so damn ridiculous for still being affected by it, for not ever being truly over it.

"… And playing the life you could have had." She heard him whisper.

"Sooo…" he continued, gripping her arms harder. "Know that you are a rock star. You are! A television star and a tiny, grainy rock that can weather any storm."

"What?" She giggled scrunching her nose.

"You're gonna be fine." Telly said firmly, now more seriously. "You just have to keep doing what you do and one day you'll be perfectly happy. You deserve it, Nay. And I know you'll get there."

She hugged him. Mostly because she really wanted to, but also because she didn't want him to see the tears that had gathered in her eyes. She would be fine. Eventually.


A/N: Thank you all for reading! I really appreciate it. You have no idea. I just hope I can keep you interested until the end. Next up: Lea Michele throws a party.