You're Special ch. 22
I never been nervous for a date before but I really excited too as this is the first time that I actually gotten to plan one for the person that I'm dating as the people that I have dated never really cared about what I liked. They just like having Quinn Fabray the HBIC, head cheerleader of the Cheerios and the perks that comes with having me on their arm and they thought what it would be like having a hot girlfriend. I was pretty much a prize to be won and shown off for everyone to as it annoyed me to no end as every jock hit on me even when they knew that I was dating someone at the time especially guys like Puck who hit on anything with a pulse. He would try to get me to sleep with him even though I was dating his best friend but there were times which was few and far in-between when he could be sweet and kind if he wasn't thinking with his second head.
I never saw myself dating a girl but Rachel is more than just a girl as she makes me want to strive to be all that I can be, that I can reach of all my dreams and I want this date to be the start of showing how special she is. I had a general idea of what I wanted do and luckily a friend of mine from the time that I had went to theater camp instead of Cheerios' boot camp was able to pull some strings for me, obtaining the tickets that I needed. I check the weather report to see it was going to be clear, taking the necessary precautions incase the large possibility of it being wrong because come on, it's the weather report and making sure that the reservation that I made in a week advance is still good. I phone in a favor from Kurt and Mercedes to finding the right outfit and they were more than happy to help in this endeavor as the fashionista swears that Rachel won't be able to keep her eyes off of me in this.
I get ready for my date and as the time draws closer, the more nervous I feel which is an unfamiliar feeling because I know what to expect when my dates are guys as what happens revolves normally with dinner and a movie or anything of dating clichés. All the dates that I've had in the past have gotten so repetitive that I've started counting the minutes until they were over and the guy would drop me off at home, thinking that I'd enjoy their time and that they managed to be romantic in some way. This is the first time that I brought my date flowers and I had to the florist what each flowers' meaning before deciding on a bouquet of white jasmine because they mean sweet love. Every time I think of what the starlet has done for me up until now and how incredibly she has been, helping me figure out what my feelings are and never pressuring for more than I was able to give.
I want things to work between us because I like how I feel when I'm around the dork and I don't want them to end so I'm going to show her that I'm worthy of her affections. I make sure that I have everything I need before kissing Mom and Kitty on the cheek before leaving in my car towards the Berry residence, pulling up into the driveway then taking a deep breath to calm my nerves. I take the flowers then up the steps to the front porch, knocking on the door to see a large man standing behind it and he was a bit intimidating if I'm completely honest. It's a bit off putting meeting your girlfriend's parents for the first time but I can't let him know that I find him that way or he'll think that I'm not good enough for his daughter. I don't know where this need to prove myself to this man or why I want his approval in the first place but I know that I want to be on good terms with of the starlet's Dads if this is to work.
Another man comes out from the kitchen who's sufficiently shorter than the man that's standing in front of me in a frilly pink apron with a throw towel over his shoulders and glasses. He smiles warmly at me and before I knew what was going on, I'm pull into a bear hug that for reason makes me feel safe and warm similarly to the way that I feel when my girlfriend's hugging me but totally different.
"I have to say that Rachel sure does know how to pick 'em. She's gorgeous, isn't she LeRoy" Mr. Berry said taking my face in his hands.
"Beautiful. I mean you look exactly how Judy did when she was your age but Hiram, let go of the poor girl's face" LeRoy said putting his hand on his husband. "You're making her uncomfortable. I'm sorry about him, Quinn. Rachel will be down soon"
"That's okay" I said laughing nervously. "Wait? You know my mother?"
"We went to school together and we were good friends at one point" LeRoy said shrugging her shoulders.
My mom never told me that she and Rachel's Dad were friends but I guess I never much thought about her life before she married my bastard of a father and now I'm wondering what her life was like. Questions for another day but for now, just make a good impression on Rachel's Dads. After having them ask me a few questions about school and cheerlead ring, I found it easier with the starlet's Dads especially Hiram after finding out that he has a love of Emily Dickinson, Ernest Hemingway, and Charles Dickens. A nervous cough is heard as I look up to see a captivating sight to behold as my adorable dork is standing in the doorway of the living room in maroon dress shirt with the top two buttons left undone and grey mini skirt. I'm trying to rack my mind for the last time that I actually seen the starlet in a skirt or a dress but hot damn does it do something to me as LeRoy chuckles slightly, closes my mouth before something flew in it.
My god, Kurt said that Rachel might be able to keep her hands off of me but I'm starting to think that it might be the other way around. I don't know I'll be able to behave myself especially with those legs on display like that. Calm yourself Fabray! Stop acting like a horny teenage boy. I gulp nervously as I got to my feet, offering the blushing girl the flowers while trying not to stare too much as she looks at me adorably with a shy smile then kissing me on the cheek.
"You don't think that I look too weird in a skirt, do you? I kinda let my Mom talk me into wearing it" Rachel said pushing a lock of hair behind her ear.
"No, no you don't look weird at all. Actually you look quite stunning and I think you should wear skirts more often" I said smiling.
"T-Thank you" Rachel said smiling shyly.
Yes! I didn't fumble through my response. I mentally pat myself on the back as Rachel place her flowers in vase filled with water before turning around to look at me through her bangs and I had to stop myself from taking her in my arms, never letting go.
"Oh Quinn, make sure to have Rachel back by eleven-thirty" Hiram said peeking his head from the entrance.
"Eleven-thirty? But my curfew's normally eleven" Rachel said eyebrows furrowing together in confusion.
"I know but your Dad and I thought that we give you a little leeway since it's your first date so please don't make regret it" Hiram said with a wink.
"Thank you Daddy" Rachel said kissing his cheek.
"You're welcome and make good decisions" Hiram said hugging her. "Have fun but not too much fun cause I'm too young to be a grandpa"
"Dad! You're so embarrassing!" Rachel said blushing like a tomato.
I didn't know how I'm suppose to react to that so I keep silent as Rachel grabs my hand, leading me outside before her Dads could embarrass her further as I open the passenger's door for her. She looks at me with owlish look before climbing inside as I get into the driver's seat, pulling onto the curb while the starlet messes with the radio then singing along with the artist. Sometimes when I hear the dork singing, it's a bit overwhelming but nothing short of amazing and awe inspiring as I can't believe that someone as tiny as Rachel has such a large voice. I have no doubt that she'll make it to Broadway and I can't wait to see her take it by storm, in front row of her opening night as the tiny singer asks me where I was taking but I didn't want to ruin the surprise so I was tight lip other than that she's going to love it. The petite diva almost got it outta me when she started to pout but luckily we arrive at our destination of Columbus Community Center of Theater that's doing their rendition of Wicked and I knew that I did good when a face splitting grin on her face.
We quickly grab our seats which was in the middle of the third row so we got a pretty clear view of the stage and as soon as the lights dims with the curtains raising, my little diva was absorbed in the music and acting. She occasionally explaining who was who or what was going on and I could see why she wants to do as the actress was good but I knew that Rachel would've done it the role better as she mouths the words to every song and every line of the main character. The starlet was surprised when I pull her backstage to met the entire cast to take pictures and getting them to sign her playbill.
"Oh my gosh, that was truly amazing. Thank you for taking me" Rachel said giddily.
"You're more than welcome but this isn't the only surprise that I have in store"
"I wonder what else you have up your sleeve" Rachel said curious.
"You'll just have to wait and see" I said with a wink.
I drive us to Giovanni's where I knew that they have entire page dedicated to vegan dishes because I want Rachel to eat something more filling than a simple salad and I want to show her that I'm actually paying attention when she talks. I remember the tiny diva telling me that she had given up eating meat when she was ten years old when she had seen a documentary on how animals are treated in the food industry, making her sick to her stomach so she switch to being vegetarian then to vegan. Mike had told me about Giovanni's last year when his parents had taken a business trip out of town and had stopped here on the way back since the owner and Mr. Chang are friendly terms. It was easy enough to get an reservation in exchange for helping with some of the dance classes at the community center for a week as we were seated quickly when the waiter takes our orders.
"Wow Quinn, this is amazing and thank you for remembering that I'm a vegan. Most people tend to forget that" Rachel said smiling.
"You're welcome and you should know that I'm not like most people"
"Yeah, it's one of the many things that I like about you"
"So, I'm curious what's gotten you so interested in Broadway"
"When I was about four years old, my fathers were in New York on business and on the last day, they had taken me to see my first Broadway show which happens to be the Sounds of Music. I fall in love right then and there and I knew in that moment that it was what I wanted to do with my life. My fathers put me in singing and dance lesson from the moment that we return up until now" Rachel said taking a bite of her vegan spaghetti.
"You knew what you wanted since you were four years old? There was anything else that you wanted to be?" I asked amazed.
"No, I meant to be on stage and I know that I'm going to make on Broadway"
"Wow, I'm impressed. I wish that I could say the same thing but I hope you save me a seat on your opening night" I said smiling.
"Of course but I'm curious of what you wanted to be"
"Lots of things. An astronaut, a fire fighter, a scientist, and a one point I wanted to be a detective like Sherlock Holmes"
"I see you solving crimes like Sherlock Holmes as you are definitely intelligent like him and you're very observant"
"Thank you but I think that I would rather write stories about Sherlock Holmes and I love to write"
"You seem to always writing some in your notebook and I look forward to attending your first book signing"
"You seem rather confident that I'll be an accomplished author" I said raising an eyebrow with a slight smirk. "Do you know something that I don't, Berry?"
"No, I'm just confident in your abilities as you're the only one in AP English with a higher grade than myself and… I might read have read some of your essay when I was helping the teacher grade his work" Rachel said sheepishly. "You truly are talented, Quinn and I know that you're going to do well in whatever you decide to do"
"That's high praise coming from you, Ms. Berry"
"It's the truth" Rachel said smiling.
Talking with Rachel is so easy and effortless that we sat there, talking and laughing for until the restaurant begins closing for the nigh but there's one more thing that I wanna do before taking her home. I drive until we reach a small cabin that no one else knew was here since it's mostly surrounded by a wooden area and a small lake in the distance which is owned by my grandparents on my mother side. They don't come up here much since they're getting up there in year but pay for the up keeping as I lead the starlet through the house al the way to the roof where a blanket is spread out. I sit down on it, patting the empty space between my legs for her to sit before wrapping my arms around her slim waist as her back press against my front, listening to the sounds of nature.
"This place is amazing, Quinn"
"I wanted to share a piece of me with you. I used to spend a lot time of here with my grandparents during summer vacation and I can say that it was the happiest time of my life before… well everything changed. My mom would sent me here to spend time with my Gram-Gram and Gramps when things were getting too hectic at home. I would go exploring in the woods or swimming in the lake or go fishing with Gramps and I hated when I would have to go home when summer was over" I sigh quietly. "Now I mostly come up here where I need a break from everything and just take my mind off things. I feel at peace here and I can be just me without people expecting things from you or have to deal with anyone's expectations"
"You know that I don't expect anything from you" Rachel said turning in my arms, caressing my face. "And you can talk to when it becomes too much"
"I know Rach, I know. Thank you" I said kissing her palm.
"No thank you for sharing this place with me and I truly do feel special" Rachel said rubbing her nose against mine. "This has been truly amazing date that I've ever been on and I look forward to the next time but I want to plan it"
"Of course and as much as I want to stay up here with you, I better take you home before it gets too late since I did promise to have you back on time"
"I swear that I hate having a curfew" Rachel said pouting adorably.
"Yeah, I don't think that we stay here overnight" I said kissing her cheek.
"Why?" Rachel asked furrowing her eyebrows together.
"Because you're too adorable for your own good and I don't think I'll be able to contain myself from touching you" I said nipping at her earlobe.
"Q-Quinn" Rachel shivers.
"Yes Rachel" I said kissing the spot behind her ear.
"We should go. I d-do have a curfew"
"If we must" I said standing up, offering Rachel my hand.
She takes my hand as I help her onto her feet, into the house towards the car while listening to music but I really didn't want this night to end and it feels like the drive back to the Berry residence was too quick for my liking. I pull up into the driveway, getting out of the car to open the door for the starlet as I walk her up to the front door, shifting from one foot to the other unsure of what to do because the roles have reversed but thankful Rachel made the first move. She presses her lips against mine in a gentle yet passionate kiss as my hands find perch on her hips, pulling her in close as our lips move in sync before air becomes an issue then I didn't want to stop kissing the tiny diva. I kiss her a few more times before bidding her a good night as I drive home like I was on cloud nine and honestly it was.
~Nicole The Dragon Rider signing off
End of ch. 22