NA: First of all, I owe a big apology to y'all for going MIA on everyone. Didn't mean to, but a lot of good stuff happened during the past few months and sitting down in front of a computer for over half an hour wasn't an option. Plus, I didn't even have my laptop with me. But I do apologize for disappearing.
Now, back to business. I realize that this is not the happiest piece of writing ever, I usually don't like too much drama/angst BUT these things do happen and people manage to get through them and, most important, learn from it all. I think we have 4 more chapters (tops) lined up before this particular story comes to an end. I will finish the story for me and for whoever is still reading or wants to read the story, regardless of numbers and silly stuff.
Thank y'all for reading.
Chapter 10.
February is over before I know it. I feel different, people notice. My teachers tell me I am – my writing seems freer; my mother is dying to meet Rachel and is jealous of Fanny and Dave, whom are visiting us in a few weeks. Life's better when you're in love… On a different note, Santana won´t stop talking about her upcoming birthday party; she´s been watching way too much How I Met your Mother, because the only adjective she is capable of using to describe her party is "legen-wait for it – dary". Good god. Rachel finds this excitement amusing and has been helping San plan the whole thing. A few friends from Chicago are flying with her for the celebration; Brit says she might pop in. I try not to consider the possibility. I love them both, but alcohol plus NY plus their emotions, that can't end well.
The party will take place at a local bar we all like, Rachel and the guys will be playing that night and San is singing with them, then we´re going to ND, the rooftop where it all started. Leo talked to Mr. Schuester, who was more than delighted to have a group of our friends at his club. "He said he wants to be nice to us, so when we are famous we will play at his venues for a better price", Leo explained and we all didn´t know if we should laugh or take it seriously.
I take Rach out on a date on Wednesday, she has a rehearsal with the band on Thursday, and then Friday is the big celebration, so I know we won't any alone time until Monday morning, and that's just too much. We go see a movie to a new small theater, to her dismay they're playing "Heavy Weights", which I find hilarious. As we enter the place, she starts complaining about the movie, my very own funny girl.
"I can't believe we're watching that", she says.
"What's not to like? It's a classic"
"A classic? Really? Barbra IS a classic. This is…"
"Is a funny movie, we're gonna laugh a little, eat popcorn and then have some tea at the place you like so much, then we'll go home"
"Mmm, and what are we going to do when we get home?"
"Well… I was thinking we could listen to Regina's new album, and then I could read you something I've been working on, I would love to know your opinion, and well, you know, there's always the possibility of some kissing and sexy times"
Rachel laughs and I blush, because it is something I think about but it's always a hard subject to tackle for me. We have discussed it in the past, agreed that we've been dating for a month and sex should be something that happens naturally. Funny thing, every time things are heating up, I am the one to retrieve.
"My god Quinn, you're such a romantic"
"I am just putting the offer out there"
"Oh, are you sure you're up for it?", she replies smiling standing two inches away from me, she knows I am shy when it comes to physical things.
"I am", I tell her looking at her in the eye, "I know I always pull away when we're about to… do something, but I think we're ready. And I don't mean something has to happen tonight, I mean, it should be more romantic, shouldn't it? But I just wanted you to know, I am ready whenever you're ready"
"Babe, I've been ready since… the day we kissed. I just knew you were kind of nervous, which you shouldn't be at all. And we don't need to have a room full of rose pedals to take this step. I just want you. If tonight's the night, then be it. If not, there will be a handful of other perfect nights, just like tonight"
"Maybe after we watch Pitch Perfect", I reply smirking. She softly slaps my arm and kisses me.
Finally Friday night is here, Santana, Mike and I have dinner with her Chicago friends. Rachel and the boys will be meeting us at the bar. Her friends are quite nice and I knew some of them from a few visits I did through the school year. It's just three of them, but they are enough. I mean, in order to be friends with Santana and be a Pol Sci major, there has to be something about you. And we all know it's not necessarily a good thing. I get a text from Rachel that makes me laugh.
Rachel: I miss you, get here already! But don't tell Santana I said that. I want her to enjoy and take her time… but I miss you!
Quinn: I miss you too baby, we'll be there soon
Santana peeks into my phone and starts laughing.
"What?", I ask hiding my phone into my purse
"You're so whipped"
"Oh, come on! I'm not"
There's a brief pause and we are looking into each other's eyes.
"Fine, I am, I'll admit it", I say blushing
"It's alright Q, I mean, you love her, she loves you and the world is round and I am sure you're having great sex"
"San!"
"What? Don't deny it, you have those googly eyes and have been smiling too much. I mean more so than before so…"
Pause again, I hate sex conversations.
"I know you're a real prude when it comes to these discussions, but hey, at least one of us is getting any. Is she any good?"
"The best", I reply looking away.
"Good, happy birthday to me!", she finishes taking a shot that her friends ordered.
"Are you guys talking about sex without me?", Mike practically yells from across the table.
Oh God.
We get to the bar a few minutes before the band starts playing, Rachel is waiting for us at the entrance. Ready to hand Santana her gift, who's by now just a little intoxicated.
"You shouldn´t have", says Santana snaring.
"I know, I know, but you´re my girlfriends best friend"
"Is that the only reason you have to give me a present? Berry, I am offended, you know I finally accepted your Facebook friend request. Don´t make me take that back"
"Santana…" I tell her, delighted at the fact that Rachel uses the word "girlfriend". One gets used to that quite easily. We never had an "official" talk about it, about being an item. But I wonder if people actually discuss that anymore. It´s like… well, I will do something really significant and amazing when (or if) I propose. But I shouldn´t be thinking so far ahead of me. All that matters is that she is with me and I am with her and she likes me and I like her and she tells the world, constantly, that she´s actually mine. I smile and see Santana sitting on a table with our friends, eagerly opening her present.
"Quinn… babe", Rachel is softly pulling my arm. "Where did you go?"
"Sorry", I reply smiling.
"Are you ever gonna tell me what goes on in that head of yours?"
"I'm just so happy… you know? With you and San, and our friends and you singing with the band"
"You're so weird, babe"
Rach kisses me and goes backstage with the guys, they should be on any minute now.
"So, I think a toast is in order", Mike starts, "to get you ready to go upstage in a few minutes"
"Oh, I think she's more than ready", Christina says. She's one of Santana's dearest friends. I kinda like her, she's cool and fierce but not aggressive and scary like the other two boys Santana hangs out with. They are just plain crazy. Smart, but crazy.
"Friends, raise your glass for this young lady, senior, on her way of becoming a prominent Law student any day now. 22, San, 22", Mike finishes. We all drink and I think I see Santana cry a little. I put my hand on her leg and she squeezes it. She's happy.
After a few more minutes the band starts playing, San's friends congratulate me for having such a talented girlfriend (and of course Santana takes the opportunity to say, "well, I'm sure she's not just talented on stage"). Eventually she joins the band to sing one of her favorite classics from high school, Valerie. She kills it just like she did years ago. Feels like forever.
I feel it's a good time to go get something to drink to the bar, shows over, people are drinking and celebrating, Santana is opening the gift the guys got for her, Marie shows up.
"I didn't know he was seeing someone", Santana tells me as Leo walks to meet her.
"Yeah, for about a month, just like Rach and I"
"No, he is seeing someone, you are staying at someone's apartment, and even I am staying there"
"Do you mind?"
"Hell no, I prefer sleeping in the couch at her place than sharing a bed with you. You snore"
"I don't"
"I have had discussions with Rachel about it. Ask her"
"Mike", I ask to my friend who is staring at the entrance door.
"Mike! We need to settle this and I don't see Berry anywhere", Santana yells.
"Guys, is that who I think it is?", Mike says in a quiet voice, I barely hear him. He seems stressed.
We both turn around to look at the door and my heart starts racing like crazy and my mouth gets all dry. 'Why?' I ask to whatever superior forces are out there.
"Don't tell me is that bitch", Santana says standing up
"Don't move. Maybe she won't see us", Mike tells her taking her by the arm. San sits again. She's probably a little too intoxicated not to follow orders and I am thankful for it.
"What is she doing here? She doesn't even like this type of places", I ask out loud.
"I don't know, but she has spotted us and is walking this way", he replies
"Where's Rach? Mike, don't let Joey see Rachel. I don't she's up to no…", but I can't finish my sentence, Joey is standing next to me.
"Quinn", she starts
"Hi, how are you?"
"Good… but not as good as you, I suppose, I hear you're dating someone new"
"I am". I tense my body; we haven't talked to each other in over 5 months. And the last time we talked it wasn't so pleasant, she wanted us to get back together and I was sure it wasn't a good idea. Then she decided she didn't need me in her life. It was a messy breakup and we didn't talk for about a month, then we talked again and for some reason I begged her to get back together. Agh. It was such a confusing time. Turns out she was already dating someone. She kinda cheated her new girlfriend with me just to dump us both a few days after. Then we didn't talk and when we finally talked she hated me for some reason I haven't figured out just yet and that was the last I heard of her.
"Good. Really"
"Thanks?"
"Look, I knew you'd be here. But I didn't come just for you, I mean, some friends are hanging out here. I know… so out of character of me. I know"
"You could say that"
"The last time we talked… well, it didn't go very well. I figured you'd be here tonight so I decided that maybe it's about time we clear the air. I am not saying be friends again, but at least…"
"Be civil to each other"
"Exactly, I still want to be able to call you or text you sometime, to see how you are and all"
"That'd be nice"
"Cool. I am gonna go meet my friends, but maybe we can chat some more before you guys leave. Or before I leave"
"Sure, I'll make sure to say goodbye or whatever"
"Good", she says smiling and briefly touches Quinn's hand.
I am still processing my recent encounter with my ex, when I feel a small hand in my hand.
"Hey", she says
"Hey", I say back, "I just experienced one of the weirdest moments in my life"
"So I see. Funny, for some reason I felt as if Mike was trying to hide me or something"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, he was acting all suspicious and trying to make small talk. He is a bad actor, I am telling you"
"I'm sorry; I just wasn't sure how this was going to play out"
"I want to think that you did it to protect me, but she seemed like a perfectly nice girl"
"You don't know her"
"That's true. All I'm saying, is that I felt as if you were hiding something. I don't know, it just didn't feel OK"
"Baby, really, I thought she was going to go all crazy or something. But she didn't and now I guess she's cool and we can be civil around each other"
"Sounds good then"
Time does fly by when you're having fun. The next thing I know it's that is almost 2 am, the bar is about to close and Santana can't even stand up. Mike is trying to get her some water but I am thinking she won't be drinking it. Tay has already offered his place as our next stop in the madness and crazy show that Santana's birthday has turned into. My hits of the night; Brit didn't show up but called San, they had a major fight over the phone, Joey didn't go back to see me, which I think is for the best and Rach has been nothing but great all night long, though I know she's been drinking more than I have and is already drunk. But, unlike S, she's an adorable dork drunk.
We're paying the bill when Joey comes up to me.
"We are leaving now", she says and I notice how she grabs the chair's back to gain some stability. I laugh and she does too.
"It's been a while since I've been out this late… not to mention drinking. So don't make fun of me Fabray", she says.
"Oh, I'm not. And don't worry, I've got my own bunch to deal with", I tell her looking at Mike hugging Santana while Rachel fails miserably at holding them both. John is practically snoring on the table and Tay is helping Christina put her shoes back on. Fun times.
"Well… it was good seeing you and please know that, although this might not be the best moment for us to be friends, I do want to be around", she is saying while holding my hand. She is keeping appropriate distance and I don't sense any funny games going on. So I briefly squeeze her hand and smile.
"Yeah, we can give it a try", I reply. She is about to hug me when I feel a strong hand pulling me.
"Back off!", Rachel yells.
"Baby, calm down", I tell her
"No, I might be drunk, but I know exactly what is going on here"
"Rachel, I know I don't know you but let me explain"
"That's right, you don't know me, now walk away"
"Babe, you're overreacting", I try to tell Rach, but she won't hear
"No, no, I know exactly what is going on here and look if you want to…"
"I think I am gonna leave, I also had one too many drinks and this is too much for me", Joey says when one of her friends shows up at our table.
"Quinn, I can't believe you", Rachel is saying
"What on Earth are you talking about? She was apologizing and saying we should try to be civil around each other. Not even friends, Rach"
"Oh. But I saw her holding your hand, and what was that? She was gonna kiss you!"
"Babe, let's go home please. You're not making any sense right now"
Tay, Mike, San and her Chicago friends go to Tay's. Leo and Marie stay behind so we can put John in a cab and then make sure we get one for Rachel and I.
"What a night", Marie says.
"I'm sorry", I tell her
"No, I mean, these things happen. It was a fun night anyway"
"Yeah, well, let's just make sure Mr. Drunkie here gets on a cab and then we'll help you girls", Leo offers.
"Thanks, really", I reply
"No problem, these two are like family, so maybe I should be the one apologizing, but you have to understand: Rachel is in love. So her emotions are all over the place"
"But her reaction tonight, it's like she doesn't trust me or something"
"She does, she's just scared"
"She shouldn't be"
"I know, but you know how she is"
"I guess"
But do I really? I mean, I never gave her a reason not to trust me. Even with Joey around. But I am too tired to think about these things and am more than ready to just go home.
"Alright John", Leo says propping a very drunk John in the cab, "take it easy man, are you sure you can handle it? We can go home with ya, we're not really concerned about going to Tay's"
"I am fine", he grunts as a response, "and by the way blondie, "you don't deserve Rachel"
"What?", I ask, "John, just go home"
"Rachel, listen to me. You can do better than this girl. With all due respect Q, you're super nice and pretty, but come on. Rachel will end up going back to guys". Rachel is not saying anything, which doesn't really worry me because maybe she's done with crazy arguments.
"Are you kidding me? Just leave!"
"That's it man, sorry Marie, but I think we're taking this one home", he says while opening the front door for Marie, I think he mutters some kind of apology, but I just wave goodbye.
We get home and I put Rach in bed. I can't really go to sleep; I am seriously tired but equally upset. So I just pour myself some water, put my pajamas on and try to watch some bad late night TV.