Disclaimer: I do not have any relation to Glee or any of the writers on Fox. Purely fictional.
"So, how was your day?" He asked as he attempted to snuggle beside her. It was a good thing that her body complimented his, making it possible for the both of them to squeeze in that small frame.
"Theo."
The word alone was enough to dash his good spirits. He cringed at the mention of his name and asked, "Did he give you any trouble? Got him good enough in the nuts love? I'll do it for you the next time I see him."
She giggled and kissed his forehead before putting an arm around his shoulder so that he could settle nicely in her neck. "It was good."
"Oh yeah? How so?"
"I told him that it was embarrassing, to be involved in all that crap out there. There were people who still looked up to him, and he shouldn't be putting himself through this."
"I highly doubt so." Cory muttered under his breath, causing Lea to playfully smack his arm.
"Hey! He was my first boyfriend alright? If he didn't end things with me, you wouldn't even have met me." She teased.
"I don't think so."
She raised her eyebrows at his confidence.
He looked up and fingered her jawline gently. "It started with that video of yours. And you had to go winking at the camera like that. You took my breath away the minute you started singing Lee. Then you just had to go be different from everyone else, didn't you? Making my heart skip a beat whenever I see you. The moment when you told me that I've been on your mind was when I knew that I'd die if I didn't have you."
She giggled at him. "Talk about being dramatic Mr. Hollywood, but go on."
"I'm serious Lea. We would have found our way to each other even if we didn't meet under these circumstances. That's what happens when two people belong with each other. Even if they lived in different parts of the world, we would have met in the end."
She turned away from his gaze and asked him softly, "But Cory, what about you know, Ryan? And the rest of the world."
He sighed and closed his eyes. "We don't have a choice I guess. Because we belong in their world too, so things don't work out as easy as it does. Unlike the rest of them, we can only wait."
"So what now? Goodbye?" She didn't want him to see her cry, but she couldn't control the tears from rolling down her cheek.
He looked up and kissed the drops away. "No. Because we will never have a goodbye." Then he held on to her. While he was sure that there were more moments to come, he couldn't guarantee the next time he would get the chance to hold her like this again.
A sorrowful darkness surrounded them. Neither of them said a word. They knew that when tomorrow came, it was time to return to the real world where they couldn't be together anymore. The sounds from the television screen hung in the air. It was the only place that set them apart from everyone else who denied their relationship. Because there was nothing wrong if they wanted to savor their last moments together.
Cory looked at the paper in front of him. Ryan tapped impatiently with his foot, hinting that the giant was taking too long a time to decide on this. In fact, what other choice did he have? Cory should have known that drastic measures had to be taken.
"Take your time Cory. The whole world isn't waiting." Ryan spoke up sarcastically. Cory frowned and looked at him.
"Does it really have to come down to this? Can't I just stop talking to her or something? This is a little extreme if you ask me." He twirled the pen in his fingers as he outlined her initials that were imprinted on the paper.
"And how will I know that the both of you understand self preservation? The line's been drawn Cory, it's time to make things right."
The giant man sighed and scrawled across the line that marked his fate.
When he left the office, dejected, he heard a voice that he was so familiar with. As he turned towards the sound, he was greeted with her face on the television screen hanging on the wall of the lift lobby.
"So Lea Michele, what do you have to say about Cory's comment? Are you two as close as he mentioned?"
Lea grinned at the reporter's question. She looked into the camera and said, "Basically I bring light and joy into Cory's life everyday."
"Hey, sorry! I was held up at work. But don't worry, I'm here now!" Amber huffed. She had agreed to meet Lea half an hour ago, but between the Los Angeles traffic and delay from work, she ended up arriving later than expected.
Lea looked up from her magazine and smiled at the chocolate woman's arrival. She stood up and the two ladies wrapped themselves up in an embrace. It had been a few weeks since Lea's scare at the hospital and even longer since they had a decent conversation together. Finally, they managed to have their schedules rearranged, making it possible for them to meet again.
As Amber called for the waitress, Lea packed away her things and looked at the woman whom she missed so dearly. It was months later and she still recalled the time when Amber would come up to her room at nights, and they would have heart to heart talks about everything.
After taking her order, the waitress left and Amber turned to the small brunette. "How are you?"
"I've been busy, but I've been good."
"Tell me about it. It's been crazy for us too, wrapping up the season. And you know what that means. We've been working our butts off non stop, prepping for the upcoming tour." Amber sipped into her drink.
"That's right! It'll start next month won't it?"
Amber nodded.
"And uh, how is he?" Lea asked quietly. She knew that cutting off contact for the time being would be the best option. But every time when temptation gave in, she found her fingers dialing his number. And when his voice flowed through the receiver's end, she couldn't deny that he still took her breath away.
She smiled sympathetically at the girl. Of course she knew what was going on. Cory was back to his usual self, smiling everyday on set and enjoying what he does for a living. But there were times when she would catch the man looking down and spacing out.
"Cory's been well. Or at least he's managing so to speak. He misses you, you know. Still talks about you all the time, and when someone mentions your name, or a news catches his eye, you see him lighting up instantly."
She gave a small smile. "It's the same for me too."
"Why did you guys give it up? I mean, it's clear that you're not over him yet. Wouldn't you want to fight for this?"
"We didn't give it up Ams. It's just not that easy you know?"
Amber nodded in agreement. "That's what I told him too. When we were at the hospital, I told him that this was for the best. But over the past few weeks, I'm not so sure anymore."
"What do you mean?"
"It's like, ugh, how do I explain this? It's like the both of you are doing what everyone else thinks is for the best. But knowing him for such a long time, I'm not so sure that it's the best for him. And the same goes for you too. It's the best for everyone else around you but when you two are submitting into the pressure and the expectations? You'll end up losing yourself in the process. It no longer becomes the real you anymore because you're not doing everything with your heart."
"Is there any relation to my job? I still love what I'm doing."
"Yeah I know, and so does he. It's just that this is a big aspect of your life. No matter how strong your passions are for something, you have to to admit that he still affects you in what you do. Doesn't he?"
Lea looked and her and whispered, "Where have you been? Been missing you like crazy you know."
The chocolate woman flipped her hair and said teasingly, "Divas don't have time for friends you know. You should be lucky that I just spent 10 minutes of my time with you."
The brown-eyed girl giggled.
"Did you ever regret it? Getting yourself into this with him and only having it to turn out like this?"
"No. Because he gave me the best months of my life."
"And there's nothing that you can do now to turn everything around?"
"I doubt it."
"Did you love him?"
Lea looked into her eyes and before she whispered, Amber already knew.
"And so what is it that you guys have now?" She questioned.
Lea sunk back into her seat and shrugged. "I don't know. If it's over, or if it will ever be the same again."
Amber dug into her bag and pulled out her iPod. Then, she scrolled through the music library and passed it to her after selecting a song. "Listen to this. It'll help."
Chapter 35! A quote from Lea Michele herself about her friendship with Cory Monteith! :) Another absolute favorite! And the last three questions from Amber to Lea are sort of a thing that I'd ask any of my friends whenever they feel like giving up in their relationships. It kind of makes everyone think about how important it is to work for the ones you love!
So I'm already working on the final chapter of the story :'( Going to be missing out on this, because Stay Beautiful was definitely a more emotional and personal piece as compared to my two other stories. I apologize in advance for those who have been following along at this period of time. I might not be uploading until tomorrow or perhaps even the next day. The next chapter is the final one, and I'm still considering if I should be writing an epilogue for it. What do you guys think? Have a lovely day anyway :')
CarCarBeepBroom, aw love! You read my Quick one shot too! Thank you thank you thank you for supporting me throughout. You're the best! :) Keep being awesome because that's what you were meant for sweetheart!
Sliguu, Hey Sof! So good that you spent Friday at the beach! It's been ages since I dug my toes in sand, and I'm missing it! Thanks for the love, you're the amazing one for sending it out :')
PaochiCute, my another darling! Don't let your grade get to you alright? No matter what the result is, at least you've put your best through! A 1000 word essay in 5 hours? I've been there, it sucks. But yes, caffeine always does the trick! Sending you all the good luck I've got to you that you'll have a wonderful day!
Noro and finchel-frankenberry-gleek, as always, THANKS LOVE for the support! You guys are equally amazing. Hope you'll enjoy Fell Down Into the Quick World if you managed to read :')
Of course, to the silent readers who never fail to support me in this as well. All of you are wonderfully amazing. Big bear hugs to all of you!