And hello to a new chapter!
Can I get an "amen"?
(silence)
All right, can I get...a...REVIEW?
Seriously, I'm not digging the silence. But ON with the chapter!
Brody was pretty much everything Sam wasn't and quite frankly, it got on his nerves.
The minute Brody stepped in, Rachel came out and gave him a super friendly hug, but that wasn't what ticked him off. She introduced him to everyone and he got to work working on some sort of fancy pastry...Sam couldn't cook that fancy.
Brody's attitude with everyone else was different: he was polite to Rachel's Dads, mostly ignored Kurt, and exchanged insults back and forth with Santana.
"Do you know what you're problem is, Santana? You're loud, and you're rude, and you think that attitude equals talent." He fired when she teased him about not cooking naked and just wearing an apron.
"I think she's brilliant." Sam mumbled.
Brody just looked at him incredulously and went back to stirring his batter. "Well you're one of the few."
Santana hopped off the counter and walked right up to him. "You know another thing that I am: a hardcore friend, and I can definitely smell your sketchiness from here."
He sighed and glared at her. "You're all talk and no proof."
"Don't need proof." She replied simply. "I know exactly what you are, and I will dig a little deeper and destroy you."
"Santana, Brody, please don't fight." Rachel said as she washed the dishes. "It's Christmas Eve, let's not argue."
Santana rolled her eyes and headed back to the bathroom. "Whatever, I'm gonna go get ready for the party."
"Kiki!" Kurt called from his room.
Brody walked up to Rachel and pulled back some loose hair that was falling off her shoulders. "How do you tolerate her?"
She shrugged. "Kurt and I have dealt with her all throughout high school, we're used to her bitchiness."
That was another thing that Brody did that annoyed Sam. He would quite literally be all over Rachel and would barely leave her side at all. He'd compliment her here and there, poke her, mess with her hair...all the things Sam would do but it would be terribly awkward if there were two guys petting her.
He even brought a pot with an orchid in it because he thought that "orchids are sexy plants".
"So Sam," Brody said turning to him on the couch. "Rachel tells me that you're a senior in high school. How's that coming?"
"Sam's on the football team." Rachel said, beaming.
"Oh really? What position?" Brody asked.
"I'm the quarterback." Sam said. "I'm also on the swim team and the vice-president of the senior class."
Rachel smacked her hand on her head. "My gosh, I forgot you were vice-president. But I'm sure you and Blaine are doing a nice job handling things, right?"
He nodded. "Yup, we got everything under control."
She pouted at him. "Sammy, stop being such a lonely-warthog right there on the couch, come join us!"
Hiram grinned. "Yeah Sam, don't sit there alone, join in on the Christmas spirit."
She held up a plate that she was washing. "You can help me dry the dishes."
Now it was Sam's turn to playfully pout. "Awww chores on Christmas, babe?"
Brody set his bowl down in the sink and rolled up his sleeves. "He's right, Rach, he's the guest. Let him rest and I'll help you."
Sam jumped up from the couch and in just a second, he was at Rachel's side grabbing a dish towel. "I was just kidding, I'd love to help you dry the dishes, baby."
Brody just shrugged and worked on making his next dish. "Refreshing to see couples actually think they can last long distance."
A Few Hours Later
Sam never knew that drag queens could party!
It was definitely a little different from having that trans-kid Wade/Unique in the Glee Club. Everyone was just so different. And he could definitely see the difference between a drag queen and a regular woman: drag queens always looked more flavor-full. They also talked different, more flamboyant and they exaggerated their words a lot.And there were so many of them, that he was having trouble figuring out which was a real girl and which was a drag queen. There were also a few socialite woman tossed into the mix but it was hard to tell who was who.
He could also see that Brody was a little uncomfortable with their surroundings. Sure, he didn't look like a kid going to Disney World for the first time, but at least he tried to look happy with everyone around.
The drag queens brought a plethora of exotic dishes, some were simple and Christmas themed while others were unusual but tasty: Cous cous, sushi, Baba ghanoush, gumbo, exotic salads, all kinds of meat, sorbets, tarts, souffles, spice cakes, jellies...so much food that the table looked absolutely fancy.
As he scooped some hummus onto his plate, he noticed a fellow drag queen standing right next to him helping herself to some of the ham wraps. She could have been mistaken as Cher with her makeup, wig, and sparkly clothes.
When she locked eyes with him, he gave her a polite nod and gestured to the food. "You girls really went all out on the food tonight."
She threw her head back and laughed. "Honey, us women at the Ivy League of FABULOUSNESS are more than ordinary. We never bring simple, plain, and ordinary dishes on holidays! We leave it to the regular women to bring cookies and cracker and cheese plates and...mac n' cheese." She eyed the mac n' cheese distastefully.
He chuckled. "Well sometimes it's nice to eat casual food, it reminds you of home."
Suddenly, another drag queen had joined her. This one looked amazingly just like Santana from the tight dress, the voluminous hair, and the high heels. "Honey, I would eat a bowl of Baba ghanoush to not remind me of home." She eyed Sam. "Well look at this. We're in the presence of a real life honest Calvin Klein model!"
Sam smiled and stuck out his hand. "Hi, I'm Sam. You girls really did a number on the food tonight."
She shook his hand with her somewhat dainty but manly fingers. Sam took notice of the brightly painted fingernails. "Hello, Sam, I'm Marilyn and this is my friend Paulina.. Are you a model?"
He shook his head and helped himself to a ham wrap. "No, but I wanna be. My girlfriend thinks I'd be a great one too." He eyed Rachel who was sitting on the couch looking at old yearbooks with Kurt, her Dads, and a few other drag queens.
Marilyn looked over and pointed. "That your girl?"
He nodded. "Yup, she's friends with Kurt who invited everyone tonight."
Paulina took a sip of her champagne out of her glass. "She's beautiful. And You're beautiful. I think you both are gonna make some beautiful babies."
Sam chuckled again. "Well we're not thinking that ahead of our relationship, but thanks for the compliment."
"Yo, when's Isabelle showing up?" she asked Marilyn.
Marilyn shrugged. "Oh you know her, she likes to show up fashionably late sans Carrie Bradshaw. But once she shows up, this kiki will pump up!" She patted Sam's shoulder. "Take care of that hot body of yours, Sam." They both walked away and disappeared.
A few seconds later, Brody showed up in their place and began eating off the cheese plate. "What's up, Sam?"
He shrugged. "Nothing much, just admiring all these...interesting choices of a cuisine."
Brody nodded and frowned at the food. "Way to show me up. Everyone knows that drag queens can cook awesome food, if I had known they were coming, I would have made my own Baba ghanoush. This just depresses me."
"Personally I like it." Sam said. "Sure, comfort food reminds me home, but I'm totally all for exotic cuisines."
Brody picked up another cheese cube and looked at Rachel on the couch. "She's really a thing, ain't she?"
Sam noticed him staring and suddenly felt uncomfortable again like he did when Finn stared at Thanksgiving. "Yeah, she's definitely something."
"Yep, she's hot." Brody said. "And she's so sexy!"
Sam almost dropped his plate and was about to jump to her defense, but he remembered what Rachel told him when she pulled him aside as the guests started coming in.
Now Sammy, I know that you might think that Brody's a little...intriguing, but I want you two to get along tonight for me. And I promise, you have nothing to worry about.
Instead of getting defensive, he decided to put out his claim on her.
"Oh yeah, she's sexy. You should see her in bed, she is a super-freak!"
Brody chuckled and helped himself to some quiche. "Hot nasty sex, looks like you and I aren't too different." He left the snack table to join Rachel and Kurt on the couch.
There was a knock on the door, so Kurt went to answer it. In came a woman who looked exactly like Sarah Jessica Parker, wearing a bright floral pink dress and a yellow scarf. "So sorry I'm late, she's been a bitch tonight. And by bitch, I mean this snow." She said hurriedly while brushing off her dress.
"Not at all, Ms. Wright." Kurt said while helping her take off her jacket.
"That's Isabelle Wright, executive editor at Vogue. And Kurt's boss." Said Paulina who had randomly appeared at Sam's side during Isabelle's entrance.
Isabelle took a look at everyone around the room, threw her arms up and exclaimed "This kiki is marvelous!" She skipped into the room and disappeared within the crowd of guests.
Santana came up to him and cut herself a slice of apple pie. "Watch out for that Brody guy."
"I take it you're not fond of him from the insults you've been throwing at each other?" Sam replied jokingly.
She glared and smacked his arm. "I'm not kidding Sam, I knew this guy has had the hots for Rachel even before I got here. And you've seen how he acts around her, right?"
He laughed. "Don't worry, I think I threw him off by telling him about our hot nasty sex."
She rolled her eyes. "I don't think you've really taken a good look at him. You've pretty much tossed him some bait, given him even more reason to pursue her after you're gone. I'm sure he watches his boundaries while I'm around, but he really needs to know that Rachel is off limits, period."
"You don't think...she...you know..." He said cautiously.
"Pshh, no." She said simply. "If she did, I would have found out from Lady Hummel who would have been nervous as heck trying to keep it a secret while I'm around and I would have told you, so don't worry. But be wary, you can tell he's gonna bust out the big guns after you leave."
"Why else do you think he's sketchy, Santana?" He asked.
"I'm suspicious about his occupation." She snapped. "Rachel says he does odd jobs around town and has a job as a cater waiter on the side, but I'm calling bullshit on it. I mean, who the hell does odd jobs in a big state like New York? Back in Lima, maybe, but New York of all places! As for the catering job, if he can make that much cash slinging sweaty cold cuts and room temp champagne, then any of us can apply for that job. There is something odd about this guy and from the way Rachel's been glorifying him, he is this close to moving in. But she's absolutely insane if she thinks I'm gonna let that happen."
He smiled and pat her shoulder. "You're a good friend."
She grinned and poured herself a glass of champagne. "Now what about you, Sammy Evans? Word from Rachel and Kurt is that there's a girl back home that's practically out for Berry Blood. Got a secret mistress on the sidelines? I never really took you to have a fetish for nurses."
He shook his head. "Chill out, Santana, she's not important. She's in the nursing program at the community college and volunteering as Nurse Gail's assistant and I befriended her." He rubbed his neck uncomfortably. "And yeah, she likes me and dislikes Rachel."
She whistled. "Need me to fly home and take a hit on her?"
He dabbed his mouth with a napkin and drummed his fingers on the table. "No worries, Santana, she's harmless."
Santana frowned. "No, that is harmless." She said pointing at Rachel and Kurt. "I don't know this girl, so until I do, she is not harmless. And she better not come after Rachel, or my fists are gonna fly and my nails are gonna scratch. Capiche?"
He nodded. "Right, I'll keep that in mind."
She reached up and lightly punched his chin. "Keep your chin up, Trouty Mouth." She strutted away and disappeared into Kurt's room.
"Hey Sam!" Rachel called over the laughter on the couch. "Come here and look at these with us!"
He started to make his way to the couch when suddenly, he was spun around and came face-to-face with Kurt's boss, Isabelle.
She was holding a glass of champagne daintily in her skinny hands and examined him up and down. "Sam Evans, yes?"
He nodded. "Yes, I'm Sam Evans."
She grinned. "I've heard nothing nothing but praises sung about you by Rachel and Kurt...and frankly, I think those were all understatements."
He scratched his neck sheepishly. "Really?"
She nodded. "From what I heard, you have a spectacular body and a lovely singing voice. From what I see, however, I think I'm in the presence of a god."
He blushed. "I think you're out-doing your compliments, Ms. Wright. I don't look that swell."
She shook her head. "No, no, no Sam...you're exactly what I envision. You know I'm the executive editor at Vogue, right?" When he nodded, she downed the rest of her glass and poured herself some more. "Well as executive editor, I only envision perfection. And right now, perfection are fresh new faces on our pages and website. Have you ever thought of becoming a model, Sam?"
He scratched his head and bit his lip. "Well...yeah, I mean I've always thought about it. And it would really be a great way to help support my family."
"That it is." She replied. "And also, as executive editor, I have connections with people. Connections with all the best of the best modeling agencies who have helped put the faces of our models on our pages." She took a step closer to him and lowered her voice. "If you let me work with you, I can get you associated with the best of the best. You'd be terrific! I can seriously already picture your face on all the billboards."
Sam felt like he had just been handed the moon. An opportunity to be seen by the best modeling agencies the world has ever heard of? That would be a dream come true! But suddenly, he remembered that he still had to finish high school in order to have a backup job plan, and it was all a little hasty. He decided to wait. He gave her a polite smile and took a step back. "It really sounds like a wonderful opportunity, but that will have to wait a while. I'm still finishing my senior year, and I still have a lot of time to weigh my options. But thank you very very much for the opportunity, I will definitely keep it in consideration."
Isabelle pursed her lips. "What a shame, but I'm willing to wait. Because all good things come to those, meaning the world, who wait. And Sam Evans, you are definitely worth waiting for." She reached into her handbag and pulled out a small business card. "Here, if you're still considering it after you graduate, let me know."
Sam felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see Rachel smiling up at him. She hugged his arm tightly. "There you are! I feel as though I haven't seen you all night!"
Isabelle nodded approvingly. "I just tried to offer him an opportunity to jump into the modeling business, but he's a smart boy and keeping his options open until graduation. You were more than right, Rachel, he is a studmuffin!"
Rachel giggled. "Why thank you, Ms. Wright, and he's all mine. I'm gonna miss him so much when he's gone!"
Isabelle finished her second glass and grabbed a plate. "You two are absolutely dazzling. Sam, if you know any guy that's just like you who likes a gal who likes to cha-cha, call my card. Now please excuse me, I'm gonna sample some of these yummies."
Rachel grabbed his hand and started pulling him to the couch with everyone. "Come on, we're all quieting down a bit and Brody's putting on a movie."
"Oh, what movie?" He questioned as he allowed himself to be dragged.
"The Fifth Element!" She exclaimed. "He said it has sci-fi, action, romance, comedy...and a brief musical number!"
He chuckled. "It does, it does. You'll like it, I promise."
They both sat on the small space that was left on the couch while everyone sat around it. Brody pressed play and the movie began.
"Merry Christmas, Rachel." He whispered, placing a small kiss on her ear.
She smiled and snuggled up to him. "Merry Christmas, Sam. This has been the best Christmas yet."
Meanwhile back in Lima
Penny was pacing around her room with her phone pressed to her ear. "Hi, Sam, just wanted to say Merry Christmas! I hope you're having an awesome time in New York, you simply must tell me about it when you get back-"
Her door suddenly opened and Anthony poked his head in. "Penny, come on out, we're opening presents."
"Not now!" She hissed. "I'm trying to leave a message for Sam and you just ruined my attempt!"
He rolled his eyes. "You've been in here trying to leave a good message for an hour, I'm surprised none of them went through and you bomboarded his phone. Give it a rest, send him a text, and get out here."
"Tell them I'll be out in a second, I'm going to leave one more and this time I'll get it right." She said.
He sighed and closed the door.
Yo, it's Sam. You know what to do. Beep!
She smiled and sat on her bed. "Hey Sam, it's me Penny. I just wanted to call and wish you a Merry Christmas! I hope you're having an amazing time in New York, you simply must tell me everything when you get back from winter break. Catch you later, bye!"
After she hung up, she glanced at her calendar at all the red X's marked for winter break.
Only twelve more days until he came back...
Dun dun dun! See what I did there? I made the story more interesting by adding some Brody/Sam interaction AND including Penny at the end since we all hate her guts so much! Hopefully that's enough fuel power to...you know...maybe get myself a review for pete's sake?
Enjoy, all you lovelies!