The short ride to Puck's house was a silent one, Rachel couldn't shake this unsettling feeling she felt just sitting in this car. She's so frightened about what her friends are going to say about Layla. She can already see Santana causing a scene over this. Rachel rolled down her window and felt the bone chilling winter's breeze all over her body. Something about the cold calmed her nerves a little she honestly didn't know what she was thinking inviting Layla to this party. She feels like she's just throwing herself in front of a bus by going through with this.
Layla felt the tension and knew Rachel was second guessing herself about inviting her to come. She really didn't mind staying with the Berry men but Leroy did keep insisting. She looked over at Rachel and without a doubt in her mind remembered how hard it was to leave her after their night at the lake. Rachel rolled up her window and kept her focus to the empty road in front of her. It didn't occur to her that she would be passing Quinn's house on the way to Noah's. When she saw Quinn's car on the driveway as they passed she regretted getting in this car and not being with the one person she truly wanted to be with. Rachel turned to Layla and something inside her wanted to say something to bury this awkward silence. Before she knew it Layla had parked her car and she would have to go through with this party. She took a deep breath and stared at the blue door just a few feet away, panic started to spread all over her body.
"Rachel are you all right?" Layla watched Rachel's body language change from fright to complete terror.
"I'm fine, let's just go inside." Rachel opened her door and stepped out. They started walking towards the house when Rachel turned around and faced Layla. "I haven't told anyone that I may be bisexual."
Hearing her admit it for the first time made the terror convert itself into extreme fear. Every step that brought her closer and closer to the house that is filled with her friends, an ex boyfriend and Santana was making the blood rush down to her feet. Layla's never seen Rachel this pale before, she couldn't believe how much she was stressing about this party.
"Okay? That's fine Rachel but we're best friends. That's all the back story you need I don't go around telling people I'm gay. Just relax, you have nothing to worry about." Layla placed her hand around the diva and started rubbing her shoulder.
Rachel closed her eyes and took another deep breath. "Your right, I don't know why I'm so nervous." She knew exactly why she was nervous for tonight. This was the first party of the year and she had no clue how to act around her renewed friendships. When they reached the porch Rachel tried to relax for a minute before ringing the doorbell.
"It's going to be fine Rachel." Rachel shook away her troubled thoughts and when she was about to ring the doorbell the door flung open revealing a fashionable Kurt Hummel.
"I knew I heard voices, Good evening Rachel and you brought a guest. Hello! I'm Kurt."
"Hello Kurt, this is my best friend Layla Forren. You don't suppose Noah will be upset if I brought her with me do you?" Rachel saw the expression on Kurt's face as he stares at Layla and expected nothing less. Those blank stares of being mesmerized by her natural beauty was something Layla was used to on a daily basis.
"Hello there Kurt, it's very nice to meet you. I love your vest, it looks hand made." Layla gently touched the patch work he had spent hours doing to perfect his attire for tonight. Kurt was even more surprised, that this girl knew fashion and obviously has a good eye for it.
"Hi, I'm Blaine Kurt's boyfriend and no Rachel I don't think he'll have a problem with it."
Kurt snapped back and realized that he hasn't spoken for a few minutes. "Oh, right. I'm terribly rude. It's very nice to meet you please come inside it's freezing out."
"It's very nice to meet you Blaine." Layla and Rachel stepped inside and saw that the room was completely empty. They looked at each other and wondered where everybody was at.
"I sincerely apologize Layla, it's been a while since I've been praised by my work. Blaine tells me all the time but hearing it from a total stranger took me off guard. So long have you known Rachel and why hasn't she mentioned you before?" Kurt was a bit abrasive but he was really curious to hear their story. Sure Kurt just started being friends with Rachel but why would you want someone as gorgeous as her to be kept a secret?
"Kurt! Please excuse him. He's had a little to much to drink. Everyone is down stairs we were just grabbing some cups. We should probably head down soon everyone was wondering when you were going to get here Rachel." He nudged Kurt's shoulder and gave him a dissatisfied look for his behavior. Rachel was surprised to hear that everyone was waiting for her, it brought a smile to her face knowing that they actually wanted her to be here.
"I didn't mean it to sound like that. I'm sorry Rachel I'm just really intrigued to hear how you two came to be." Kurt linked his arm around the diva and smile apologetically. "I must say your ensemble looks outstanding. I'm glad you went for this look instead of that other one you we're considering. This totally screams Rachel Berry!"
"It's all right Kurt, and thank you. I've known Layla for almost four years now actually. We went to the same dance camp together and she's actually attending Juilliard this year." Rachel felt proud announcing Layla's achievement she couldn't wait to go there herself.
"Juilliard! Thats amazing how do you like it?" Blaine wondered as he opened the door for them.
"It's busy, but they have really great programs and very well connected to all the major dance companies in New York. So it's definitely a great place if you want to pursue dance as a career."
They finally reached the bottom of the stairs and what they saw was a little surprising. Sugar, Puck, Tina and Mike were dancing in the middle of the room while Finn, Sam, Mercedes and Artie is playing a drinking game and laughing so hard that Sam nearly fell off his chair. Roy Flannagan the foreign exchange student was passed out on the couch with DRUNKY written in what seemed to be permanent marker on his forehead along with a curly mustache and a dark circle around his eye that would appear to be a spectacle.
"Welcome to the party!" Kurt announced.
"RACHEL! Guys! RACHEL is here!" Mercedes screamed out and walked towards the diva with arms wide open. Rachel was still holding her tray full of cupcakes and wasn't prepared for a hug. She quickly handed the tray to Layla and embraced Mercedes.
Finn looked up from his deck of cards and saw how beautiful Rachel looked. He smiled at the glowing diva and couldn't take his eyes off her.
"So are you going to try and kiss her at midnight?" Sam saw how Finn was looking at her and knew that he still had very strong feelings for the brunette.
"No, it's to soon for that. I don't want to rush her into anything." Finn responded. It was really tough convincing himself that his feelings for Rachel was nothing more but friendship.
"Hello Mercedes!" Rachel laughed seeing how drunk Mercedes has gotten.
Layla looked over at the table and wondered if that dorky looking guy was Finn. "Hey Blaine, is that short haired guy in the blue shirt Finn Hudson?"
Blaine turned to Kurt and wondered why she would be asking. "Yeah that's Finn Hudson. Why did you want to meet him?"
Layla wanted to laugh so hard hearing that question. She remembered thinking back when Rachel was a mess in the beginning of summer because of him. She vowed to herself if she ever ran into him she would slap the douche and give her a piece of her mind. "No, Rachel just talked about him a lot and I always wondered what he looked like. And now I know." Layla gave them both a genuine smile.
Rachel looked over at Layla and noticed that she was glaring towards the table where Finn was sitting at. Rachel walked quickly over to Layla and tried to block her line of vision but it didn't help much because Rachel is 5'2 and Layla was 5'5.
"Are you all right? I forgot to mention that Finn and I are actually friends. So don't feel like you have to be protective over me. We settled our differences and got past the drama. I know that look in your eyes Layla you don't have to worry about him." Layla met those perfectly brown eyes and smiled Rachel stared hard into those light blue yet mischievous eyes.
"Okay Rachel no worries here."
Kurt and Blaine looked at each other in unison. They smelled something juicy, hearing Rachel just made them feel like there was more to their friendship than what their letting out.
Blaine handed Rachel a drink and offered one to Layla but refused. "Sober driver. Thank you though."
Rachel knew she was going to have to introduce Layla to Finn sooner or later. She grabbed her hand and decided to introduce her get it over with now than later. "Guys! I'd like you meet my best friend Layla. Layla this is Finn, Sam and Artie." Mercedes took her seat and took a swig of her drink. "and this is Mercedes Jones."
"Hi Layla! Your Rachel's best friend? Has she been hiding you in her closet?" Mercedes questioned.
"Giggy dee, Giggy dee" Artie greeted. Which made Layla laugh actually.
"Nice to meet you Layla." Finn added.
"Yeah how come Rachel never mentioned you before?" Sam wondered.
Mike taps Puck on the shoulder while dancing with Tina and points in the direction where Rachel was standing. Puck focused all his attention automatically to Layla and within seconds Puck was next to Rachel leaving Sugar dancing by herself.
"HEY!" Sugar whined.
"Hi I'm Puck. Welcome to my humble abode Rachel aren't you going to introduce us? You're being rude to the host."
"Back off Puck she's only been here for ten minutes." Mercedes blurted out.
Rachel knew this would happen she just didn't expect she would feel so uneasy watching Noah flirt his way to meet Layla. Rachel knew that her feelings for the blonde was strictly platonic. They're best friends and nothing more so why did she feel protective over her.
"Noah meet Layla Forren" Introducing Noah to Layla made Rachel's stomach churn.
"Nice to meet you Noah." Layla heard the frustration in Rachel's voice. She thought it was adorable because that only means Rachel was a little jealous that this guy was slightly flirting with her. She felt a little overwhelmed with all of Rachel's friends crowding around her and Rachel managed to get pushed outside the circle and Finn thought that was the perfect opportunity to greet her.
"Hey Rachel! You look really pretty tonight."
"Thanks Finn, are you enjoying the party?"
"Yeah it's okay. Did you do anything exciting during the break?"
Layla spotted Rachel talking to Finn and something inside her started to boil. "Rachel, take a shot for me." she yelled over everyone. Rachel looked up and smiled at the blonde. Layla reached for Rachel's hand and she was more than happy to grab hold of it.
"Sorry Finn I'll talk to you later okay."
Finn couldn't have looked more disappointed as he watched Rachel leave his side. This whole situation between them was really breaking him down, he really missed being with Rachel. She was the one person that believed in him and he was so stupid throwing it all away.
"SHOTS!" Puck screamed out, everyone cheered and walked towards the table where all the alcohol was at.
Britney and Santana was upstairs in Puck's room making out. The walls were pretty thin and once they heard how rowdy everyone was getting they decided to join the party. When they got down stairs everyone was crowding around the alcohol table. Since Layla wasn't drinking she decided to play bartender and started pouring everyone's shot.
"Tanny! How am I standing here and pouring shots over there? Is this a magic trick?" Santana looked at blonde pouring shots and couldn't recognize her.
"To a new year! Winning sectionals and to friendships! Cheers everyone!" Rachel raised her shot glass in the air.
"CHEERS!" Everyone raised their drink and took the shot. Mercedes and Tina coughed a little while Artie was still chugging down his chaser. Layla laughed seeing how inexperience this group is when it comes to drinking. Rachel on the other hand took her shot like a pro she was the first girl that slammed her shot glass down on the table. Layla just found another reason why she loved this girl so much.
Santana really had no idea who this girl was but when she saw the way she looked at Rachel she thought there might be something between them. Santana grabbed Britney and stormed over at the table. She found two empty shot glass and slammed it on the table in front of Layla.
"Fill it up bartender." Santana ordered.
"I'm glad you guys finally decided to join the party. Britney, Santana I'd like you to meet Layla." Rachel felt an unsettling feeling after introducing them. She looked at Santana closely and from the darkness in her eyes she seemed fired up about something.
"Are you just going to stand there or are you going to pour me and my girl here a drink? Vodka preferably."
Layla was really getting irritated by Santana's attitude. She met her glare and kept her stance firm there was no way she would ever back down from this little hood rat.
"Santana! What's your problem?" Rachel expected this to happen but honestly Santana has no right to be this rude when she's never even met Layla.
"My problem is that my shot glass is still very much empty and here I thought Puck picked this cheap looking bartender from his trashy local hang out so that I wouldn't have to lift a bottle and pour myself a drink. If your working for tips, stripping might be better for you because my glass is still empty and I don't see you making a dime bar tending."
SLAP!
Everyone was so shocked and couldn't believe what just happened. Half the glee kids were looking at Santana holding her cheek. Her eyes started to tear up from the blow. She was taken by surprise and fury was starting to build inside her. The other half was watching Rachel's shaking hand. Rachel had no idea what got into her. She never resulted in violence but hearing Santana talk about her friend that way pushed her to her limit.
"Santana...I'm..." Rachel really had no idea what to say at that point.
It took Santana a minute to get over the initial shock of what just happened. She leapt for Rachel's throat.
"Te odin! Te quiero matar, no pongas las manos en mi!"
Britney got a hold of her right before she was able to grab onto Rachel. Britney pulled her back while Puck got in front of the latina and started pushing them back far enough from Rachel. Layla took hold of Rachel's hand and pulled her to her side. Rachel was still in shock for what she has done.
"Calm down Santana, let's go upstairs and get some fresh air." Puck carried the Latina up the stairs with Britney followed behind. Santana was still hysterical she kept trying to fight her way out of Puck's grasp but he was to strong. When they finally got up stairs Britney stood in front of the door while Puck held Santana trying to sooth her.
"Britney go grab the vodka in the fridge, Santana's going to need a few shots." Britney walked over to the kitchen and grabbed the bottle and three shot glasses.
"Are you okay S?" Santana was quiet but he knew if he released her she would just storm back into the basement and tear Rachel's head off. "Santana?"
Santana was unresponsive she was bottling her anger so she can calm down long enough to make Puck believe that she can go back down stairs. She really needed a drink Britney returned and poured her a shot right there.
"Here babe." Britney handed it to her, Santana downed her shot and asked for another Britney filled it up and with no hesitation.
"Let's go to the living room so we can sit okay."
Britney looked at Santana and knew that they dynamics of this party has changed unless she can convince Santana not to kill Rachel tonight. But that would take a miracle or maybe five to six shots in a short period of time might do the trick. Santana will never forgive Rachel for what she's done she's going to have to ask Puck to stay with her while she goes and picks up Quinn. But Britney wasn't even sure if Santana would give her the keys.
Puck sat Santana down on the couch sandwiching the Latina with Britney on the other side.
"Tanny are you okay?"
"Santana. Answer your fucking phone." Quinn was pacing back and forth in her bed room. She's been calling Santana for the past thirty minutes because her mother knocked out a little earlier than expected.
"Damn her!" Quinn looked at the clock and saw that it was only ten thirty. She tried calling Britney's phone and still no answer. Santana and Britney didn't realize that they left their cell phones in Puck's room.
Ring! Ring! Ring!
"Fuck!" Quinn was losing her patience. She looked around her bed room trying to see if she could find the spare key to her car. "I'm going to kill you Santana!"
"Rachel? Are you all right?" Layla wondered what was going through her mind. She hasn't spoken since Santana left the room.
"Rachel don't worry about Santana. She had it coming, I can't believe how she was acting towards Layla. Snap out of it Rachel you were just defending your friend." Kurt was sitting next to the diva trying to break her trance by rubbing her back.
"Yeah Rachel don't worry so much. We know that she was one at fault for this. You really didn't do anything wrong." Tina added.
Rachel didn't know what to say. A part of her thought how liberating it was when her hand met Santana's cheek. She had no right talking to Layla like that. But she's also Quinn's best friend and she may have just ended her chance at being with Quinn because Santana will never forgive her for this. She needed to make this right this wasn't the way she handles things. Rachel got up and started walking towards the stairs without saying a word.
"Rachel?" Layla called out to her but Rachel just kept on walking. Everyone looked at each other and was thinking the same thing. Should we stop her?
"Who the fuck was she any ways? Why is she even at this party. I thought it was all glee kids." Santana was screaming feeling the effects of the alcohol.
"Santana can I speak with you?"
Britney and Puck turned their heads and saw Rachel by the entrance of the living room. Puck stood up from his seat to block Santana just in case she charges at Rachel. Santana focused her attention on Rachel and with every fiber in her body tried not to run over there and beat the crap out of her. Puck and Britney knows how much she's had to drink but knowing Santana there is not enough alcohol she could drink that will make her talk to Rachel.
"And why the hell should I? You're lucky I'm not over there slapping the shit out of you right now."
Rachel looked down fearful of Santana's eyes, but she didn't want to start her new years like this.
"Please Santana"
"Oh your going to have to do better than that Smigel."
Puck and Britney looked at each other and thought about leaving but Santana now has alcohol in her system and she's capable of anything at this point.
"Britney, Puck can you please give us a moment."
"You better make sure about that because once they leave this room I have no problem getting in your face so you can feel what a real slap feels like." Santana had that same crazy look in her eyes that not a lot of people has seen but for those who have was never seen again.
"I don't know Rachel, Santana's pretty good at hiding bodies." Puck poured the latina another shot just in case Rachel gets her way and he knows she will. Santana grabbed the shot glass and drank it.
"Puck is right, one time she got really jealous of my barbie doll because I kept playing with her boobs and I haven't seen her since." Britney grabbed the Smirnoff bottle and poured Santana another shot.
"Fine if it's an audience you want Santana then you can have it. I just wanted to make things right. I'm not going to apologize for the way I handled the situation earlier. But you had no right talking to my best friend that way. I get it Santana. You live a hard life because of the choices you made but you not owning up to your feelings is the reason why your so angry." Rachel needed to get that out because she knew exactly what she was going through. The difference was between them was that Rachel didn't want to start her new year hiding her feelings for Quinn.
Santana stared hard at Rachel she didn't want to hear it but what she said was true. Hiding her relationship with Britney was a constant battle and she knew she was losing. She was losing herself by not admitting who she really is.
"Is that it?" Santana was quick to reply because she knew Rachel was only doing this for Quinn.
"Look, you and I never see eye to eye. But I know what your going through. Layla didn't deserve to be treated like that Santana. She didn't do anything wrong." Rachel honestly didn't know what she would be getting out of this conversation. She knew Santana would never apologize and she knew she would never confess her feelings for Britney. Rachel wasn't looking for forgiveness either but it pained her to see this strong and confident girl hiding in a closet full of doubts and fear.
Santana knew she was out of line but it wasn't going to change the situation. From the moment that blonde looked at Rachel she knew they had history. She just wanted to test her theory and that whole best friend cover wasn't fooling her. Quinn was fragile and Santana always felt like she needed to protect her somehow. She knew deep down that Rachel was going to break through Quinn's walls and shatter her heart it was just a matter of time. But if she can save her the heart break why wouldn't she protect her.
"I was just trying to salvage the evening. I really didn't plan on ruining the night for all of us. So if we can be civilized and join our friends down stairs without all the tension I would really like it if we can still have a good night." Rachel shrugged her shoulders and gave them a wary smile.
"I hope you could join us. I honestly didn't want to spend the new years fearful for my life. But I would really like it if we can take a real group shot with you and Britney." Rachel turned around and joined the party down stairs.
At least you tried. You didn't run away and you faced her. Let's just hope for the best.
When Rachel reached the bottom of the stairs everyone rushed over to her.
"No bruises? That's a good sign." Kurt grabbed her face and examined it closely.
"Hair looks fine." Mercedes added.
"We didn't hear any yelling? So how did it go?" Tina was anxious to hear what happened upstairs. While Rachel was gone they decided to explain Santana's behavior to Layla. It surprised her to hear how all of them know she's gay and in love with the other blonde but Santana was still afraid to be honest with herself.
"She's upset but Britney and Puck is keeping her company with a whole bottle of Smirnoff."
"Okay well no reason for us to frown about it. Let's drink!" Their buzz was fading and the vibe of this party was getting too serious and they needed to start drinking again.
"SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT! EVERYBODY!" Britney started singing from upstairs. Everyone looked up and was surprised that Santana actually wanted to join the party again.
Everyone started singing along with Britney and made their way to the table. Sam grabbed the bottle and started pouring everyone's drink.
"Come on Rachel! I have your shot right here! Layla! Can you take a picture of us please?" Mercedes held up her right hand with Rachel's shot and then held her camera towards Layla for the the group photo.
"Round two! To a New Year! Let's drink till we forget what just happened! Cheers everyone!" Puck announced and everyone cheered at his toast.
It didn't take long for to the party to get back on track. Britney started dancing with Santana or mostly trying to keep her standing long enough so that Britney can have someone to grind on. Mercedes, Tina and Sugar joined Britney in the dance floor along with Sam and Puck. Blaine kept the mixed drinks coming because they were losing valuable drinking time. It was 11:10pm and everyone was still pretty sober except for Santana after seven shots she was starting to get a little sloppy.
"How you holding up?" Layla questioned.
Rachel didn't know how to answer her question. She just gave her this look like she felt guilty about something. Rachel was always easy to read but Layla couldn't make out what she was thinking.
She really has changed.
Rachel for some reason couldn't find in her to look at Layla. "I'm sorry for the things she said Lay. I feel so embarrassed you really didn't deserve that."
Layla knew there was something else bothering her but couldn't make out what it was. So she put her arm around the diva and held her close.
'Its no big deal Rachel, thank you for defending me. I never knew you had it in you to be so aggressive it was kind of a turn on."
Rachel felt even more embarrassed hearing Layla flirt with her for something she felt really awful about. She did feel a rush of adrenaline when the sound of her hand leave Santana's cheek.
"It was so unlike me. Honestly it frightened me a little. Santana always knew how to irritate me and I never had a problem letting it roll off my back. But tonight, I just couldn't bare listening to her talk to you that way." Rachel took another sip of her drink and realized that it was already empty. She didn't notice the whole time they were having this conversation she's been slowing downing her drink to calm her nerves.
"Empty? I'll go grab you another one." Layla walked away leaving Rachel to finally relax. She honestly didn't know why she felt so weird around her.
"Hey Berry!" Santana linked her arm around Rachel's and started pulling her towards the backyard.
"Santana what are you doing?" Rachel started to panic because this was it. The beating of all beatings, she hoped that she can negotiate some terms like no hitting in the face or maybe just one good hit instead of multiple punches.
Layla turned around Rachel was gone. "What the?" she held on to the drink and decided to watch the guys play beer pong.
"Hey Layla want to play on my team?" Puck had that I'm in heat face and he's directing it all towards Layla. She did find it adorable how he's trying when she knows he really has no chance with her.
"Sure Puck I'll play."
Puck's face lit up when he heard her answer. "Move man don't be a cock block!" Puck pushed Finn out of his side and watched Layla took to his side. Layla gave Finn this hateful glare when she passed by him. Finn looked away not knowing what it was that made her give him that look.
OUTSIDE IN THE BACKYARD
"Santana! Just don't hit my face okay. My hopes, dreams, future, my career and my life depends on my face being perfect." Rachel pleaded in front of the now very intoxicated Latina.
"I'm not going to hit you. I just wanted to talk." Santana was so unsteady standing up Rachel wondered how much she's had to drink.
Puck's backyard was lightly dimmed by the moon. It was in the middle of winter but Santana could hardly feel the chilling breeze. A few feet away from the back door were some chairs. Rachel spotted some blankets by the hammock she quickly grabbed it and wrapped it around Santana. She lead her towards the chairs so that she wouldn't hurt herself just by standing.
"But before we can talk I need you to drink this. All of it Berry, then I'll consider if you should be forgiven from you behavior from earlier." She handed her the cup and Santana though very drunk still came up with evil plots that scared Rachel a bit. When she looked at the red cup it was three quarters filled with orange juice.
"Thats it? If I drink this you won't come after me with any blunt objects?" Santana nodded yes with an evil smirk that followed.
"All of it Rachel and no stopping. If you stop for a breath the deal is over. So take your time I have all night just make sure that cup doesn't leave your lips until its empty."
Rachel grabbed the red cup and just went for it. Seconds into the drink she realized the alcohol and orange juice ratio, she felt like throwing up but she was almost done and Santana was giving her a once in a lifetime get out of a beating card so she had to pull through this.
Your almost done Rachel, keep going! Its all vodka and I think I'm going to throw up. NO! Come on you can do this!
The last gulp was the hardest but when she finished she slammed the red cup on the table and Rachel let out a loud burp.
"Damn Berry! Congratulations!"
Britney looked at the clock and noticed that there was only thirty minutes left until countdown. She ran upstairs to Puck's room and found her phone with thirteen missed calls and five voicemails from Quinn.
"Shit!" Britney dialed Quinn's number and waited for her to answer.
"BRITNEY! What the fuck? I've been calling you for an hour! Where the hell are you guys? Is Santana wasted? I asked her for one favor and she's drunk isn't she?" Britney couldn't get a word out Quinn was really upset.
"Quinn! Calm down, we left our phone upstairs but i'll be on my way. I just have to look for Santana's keys but I'll be at your place in no time." Britney was looking around Puck's room but found nothing.
"Okay but hurry call me when your outside. Hurry Brit!" Quinn felt so relieved but time was running out and she had a very small window of opportunity for her plan to work. Britney ran down stairs and headed straight to the backyard where she found a very wasted Rachel Berry slumped on the table rambling about her failed relationships.
"Tanny! I need your keys I gotta go pick up some more alcohol for the party."
"Britney!" Rachel tried to stand up but stumbled trying to give Britney a hug. Britney caught her before she fell and hurt herself. Santana reached at her pocket and threw her keys at Britney.
"Come back soon so I can get my lady kisses on okay babe." Britney smiled at her girlfriend and wished that they didn't have to hide their relationship. Rachel was so wasted that she probably wouldn't even remember Santana calling her babe or this whole conversation. Britney sat Rachel back on the chair and kissed Santana on the lips.
"I'll be back soon. Behave Tanny. Rachel drink this okay" Britney handed her a water bottle so she can sober up just a little. This was going to be a memory they will be talking about and it would be nice if Rachel could remember it.
"You are a very lucky girl Santana. Britney is such nice girl and she's so full of life. You guys are perfect for each other." Rachel couldn't even hold her head up let alone drink the water Britney left her.
"Shut up Berry! You don't know what your talking about. Britney and I are just messing around there's nothing wrong with kissing your best friend." Santana got up and decided to go back inside to grab another drink.
Rachel sat in the backyard listening to sounds around her. The moon was so full it reminded her of the time back in the lake with Layla. Rachel sat outside wondering what Quinn was doing right this second. If she was staring at the same moon at this very second.
"Rachel? Are you out here?" The soft spoken voice was recognizable even if Rachel was completely wasted at this point. She tried to lift her head but her body wasn't responding to any sudden movements. Layla took the seat beside Rachel and opened her water bottle for her.
"Drink some of this" Layla helped Rachel sit up. "How much have you had to drink?"
"I think a lot! Santana was out here with me earlier and made me drink her cup so I wouldn't get beaten up. I thought it was a deal of a lifetime totally worth it" Rachel hiccuped after finishing her sentence.
Britney pulled up at Quinn's house and waited for her to sneak out. Five minutes later she spots Quinn running speedily towards the car.
"Hey Quinn."
"Hey Britney! So what happened with Santana?" Quinn asked furiously.
"It's not what you think, she had a really rough night but everything is back on schedule."
Quinn looked at the clock and there was only ten minutes left until the count down. Her heart was ready to burst out of her chest, she couldn't believe that in just a few minutes her life was going to change forever. She was finally going to be with Rachel and nothing was going to get in the way of that. She knew what to say and couldn't wait to get see Rachel face to face for the first time in days. She couldn't wait to look deep into those brown eyes she loved so much, to hear her soft yet aggressive voice just hearing Rachel call her name made her feel so alive. Then her lips, to finally be able to know how soft they truly feel thinking about everything was making her feel nervous.
"Are you ready Quinn?" The drive wasn't long enough to calm Quinn, Britney was watching her fidgeting in her seat.
"A little nervous but I'm ready." Quinn closed her eyes and took one deep breath. When she felt the car completely stop there she was parked outside Noah Puckerman's house staring at the blue door that stood between her and Rachel Barbara Berry.
IN THE BACKYARD TEN MINUTES BEFORE THE COUNTDOWN.
Layla couldn't believe how wasted Rachel was at this point. She could barely hold her head up, she was slurring her words and half the time she was just talking to herself. She even called her Quinn at one point when she was trying to get her to drink more water. Layla admitted to herself that it stung a little bit but Rachel was a mess and she couldn't blame the girl.
"So Rachel tell me more about this girl you like." Rachel popped her head up so fast the motion nearly made her throw up but she held her composure and swallowed hard. Layla handed her the water bottle and Rachel looked at it for a moment thinking that it was more alcohol so she refused to drink it.
"It's just water Rach, I promise you it's not spiked with anything."
"Layla! Thank you Lay for coming." Rachel rested her head on Layla's shoulder and felt so at ease. She remembered how much fun she had with Layla how easy it was being herself and not have to pretend to be someone else. Rachel remembered how passionate Layla gets and how beautiful she dances. Rachel always admired that about her. Layla's movements flowed so gracefully that it captures you and transports your thoughts to a calm and tranquil place.
Rachel went back and forth about her unresolved feelings for Layla, when they parted ways after camp Rachel couldn't stop thinking about her first experience with a woman. Layla was so gentle and forceful with her kisses, the way she held her so protective yet tender. Why couldn't she return the same feelings that Layla felt for her? That was the one question that haunted Rachel until that day Noah kicked that ball straight to her face. Waking up and seeing Quinn after her injury made her realize that was the answer to her question she wasn't Quinn Fabray.
"Hey Rachel I know this night didn't go exactly go as planned for you. I also know that you would rather be with the girl you like instead of me right now." Rachel managed to find the strength to meet Layla face to face because she knew Layla was hurting. This whole night it never occurred to Rachel what Layla was going through being here with her.
"Layla…" Rachel for the life in you, pull it together. You never once thought about Layla's feelings throughout the whole night and she's been by your side taking care of you.
"I just wanted to let you how grateful and honored I am to sit here with you on the new year. I want you to know how proud I am seeing how much you've grown. I'm so happy you've found someone that will love you for the amazing, kind hearted person that you truly are." Layla looked away from Rachel hoping to bandaid some of the wounds that's opened in her heart.
"Quinn you've been staring at that door for the last three minutes you need to go inside and find Rachel. Now! Like you have four minutes until countdown." Britney sat there watching Quinn frozen never taking her eyes off the door scared straight of the future it holds on the other side. "Quinn don't be scared its Rachel we're talking about she's like a tiny fairy filled with gold stars and rainbows ready to fly out of her cocoon…" Britney heard the car door slam and when she turned to Quinn she was already opening the front door.
Quinn stormed in and ran down to the basement. There was only a minute left and she had no idea where Rachel was she couldn't believe she almost lost her one chance because she was too afraid of the outcome. She ran down the steps scanned the room and Rachel was no where.
"QUINN!" Santana yelled out to her best friend.
Everyone turned around surprised to see Quinn here.
"Santana where's Rachel? I need you to focus." Quinn looked at the clock thirty seconds left.
"She's in the backyard I think. She's pretty wasted though"
Quinn opened the door and scanned the backyard she felt so anxious thinking about her future with Rachel. After tonight the old Quinn Fabray will no longer exist. Her life will no longer be filled with regrets only happiness.
Five.
It was a pretty dark night but the moon was shinning bright enough but Quinn's eyes needed to second to adjust. Is that Rachel? Is she with someone?
Four.
Quinn could barely see who Rachel was with but she stood there frozen in front of them. Seeing Rachel with someone else was slowly breaking her heart.
Three.
"Thank you Layla."
Two.
Quinn didn't know what to do. This was it this was suppose to be the moment we tell Rachel how we feel about her why are you just standing there. DO SOMETHING!
One. "HAPPY NEW YEARS!"
Rachel placed her hand on Layla's cheek and slowly leaned in kiss her.
When Quinn's eyes finally adjusted all she could really see was Rachel's dark shadow leaning towards the other girl. Watching all this happen was shattering her heart. Move your legs Quinn, go before she sees you like this.
"Hey Quinn!" Sam greeted her by the back door. Rachel turned her head after hearing someone call out the name she's been longing to hear.
"Quinn?" Rachel squinted her eyes but the light from the inside was slightly blinding her.
Quinn ran back inside to find Britney. She couldn't be here any more, it was like the room was caving in on her. Every second spent in this house knowing Rachel is with another girl was tearing her apart.
"Quinn what you doing here?" Rachel managed to catch up to her and stop her before she left. Rachel still couldn't hold herself up because of Santana's drink. She stumbled a bit but Quinn was able to grab her and steady her.
"I wanted to stop by but my mother just called and now she know's I snuck out so I'm even more in trouble. I have to go Rachel I'll talk to later okay." Tears we're starting to form in her eyes, she really didn't want Rachel seeing her like this. She needed to get out of here she ran up the stairs and out the front door.
"Quinn?" Rachel felt so dizzy she couldn't believe that Quinn was here. The room was spinning so fast all she could do was watch her storm out.
Why aren't you chasing after her? Move your legs Rachel, Quinn was just here go after her. Did we see tears in her eyes?
Rachel ran upstairs and when she reached the front of the house Quinn was no where to be found. Rachel collapsed to her knees not knowing what just happened.