A/N: Hey guys! SO SORRY WE HAVEN'T UPDATED! I've been working on this all day so we'd have something & I think it turned out pretty good! Thank you to everyone who reviewed, that's really what encouraged us to write. And thanks to all our readers! Just a reminder: Chris is regular font, Darren is bold font. Please comment, follow, just let us know what we think! And updates will be more regular from here on out :)
After coming home from the set, I hop in the shower and change into my regular clothes. Tonight the cast is meeting up at Lea's house for a small party. We usually get together at least once every couple weeks, even if it's just for a group lunch. But tonight we are having a real party. I decide on wearing a fitted black t-shirt and jeans, with a tan fedora. I really don't need to get to dressed up, but it is a special occasion so I should look nice.
The party starts in about 40 minutes, and although I live only 20 minutes away, I agreed to pick up Darren, so I have to leave earlier. He said he doesn't want to go in alone, since he isn't as tight with the others. Over the past two weeks he has been on set, we've bonded over Harry Potter, Star Wars, music, and just joking around. Although we all hang out on set, Darren rarely has scenes and when he does they are always with me, so he hasn't had time to really get to know others. But I'll be heading to "Dalton" soon, so we will get to know the Warblers, which will be fun.
Either way, I'm not complaining, because Dare is good company and we are kinda like best friends now. I know it's not realistic, but after these couple weeks we've got really tight, and it's nice to have another guy friend. All the other guys on set I would definitely consider to be in my close circle of friends, but for the most part they aren't as much like me as Darren is.
And yeah, he's straight. But he doesn't treat me any different and I keep everything normal so it hasn't been a problem at all. The only weird thing was that one night at dinner. I swear he practically held my hand at one point and I don't know, he was almost, flirty? But I think that's just the way he is. So I've overlooked it and just let the friendship flow.
I pull into the parking lot of Darren's apartment building and wait for him to come out. As I look at the door I see him coming out with a slight grin on his face. When he notices my car and heads toward it, his smile grows and I laugh. He is always so happy, even for no reason!
"Hey Dare, " I greet as he gets in the passenger seat.
"Hi Chris! How are you? And thanks for the ride," Darren replies, obviously in a good mood.
"You're welcome, and I'm good. Glad to be getting out with everyone. The rehearsal schedules been so busy lately, it will be nice to relax."
"Yeah, I can't wait! But good thing you are gunna be there, because if not I would just be a lost puppy."
I laugh, knowing how that's not true, because he's very social and everyone likes him. "If you say so. Got any other plans this weekend?" I ask, and the conversation flows from there.
I soon realize we have arrived at our destination. As we head in Darren comes up next to me and grabs my hand. "What the-"
"I'm so nervous! What if they don't like me? Help Chris!" he says, giving me his best puppy dog eyes.
I sigh, because how can you resist those? "Oh come on Darren, it will be fine! You are overreacting. Now come on, we are going in." I pull my hand away, even though I would like nothing more than to walk into a party holding his hand. Any guys hand, really. I really am content just being his friend, but overall, it would be nice to have a boyfriend of some sort. And I have to admit, I have a slight crush on Darren but no. He's just a friend. Keep it professional.
When we walk in, I see that Harry, Naya, and Cory are all already here. They wave and greet us, and Cory pulls me over to show me a picture of something on his phone. I look at Darren and nod in Cory's direction, and I'm a little surprised to see he genuinely looks a little unsure of himself. But Naya quickly waves him over and offers him a drink. That's a downside to being the youngest cast member. Almost all of them are allowed to drink legally, and I'm only 20 so I can't. It doesn't stop me from having a small drink once in awhile, but I can't drink a lot like the others. Which also means I'm almost always the designated driver. Luckily tonight, since we are at Lea's, people can just crash at her house, and she doesn't tend to have a lot of alcohol anyways. But I didn't think it through that Darren can drink, though it doesn't really matter.
Cory excitedly pulls out his phone and I turn my attention towards him. I'm laughing over the funny photos he's showing me when Lea comes over. We hug and she says I just need to see her new dress and give opinions. Even though I am not as fashion driven as my character Kurt, the girls all seem to think that I have his ability to know a good outfit. But I do have good style, so I always go along, just like now.
When we get back to the party scene a few minutes later, everyone else has arrived. I see Amber taking her coat off at the door and I rush over to her. Amber is one of my dearest friends and I always spend lots of time with her at these events. "Hey Chris, I can't believe it! You're actually coming over to talk to me! Is Darren not here?" She laughs and it's genuine so I know it's a joke, but I realize what she means. Me and Darren have been hanging out lots and I guess I've kinda ignored my other friends lately.
"No, he's here, he just has needed a friend so I've been there. But I'm all yours tonight!" I reply and wink.
She laughs and we walk over to Lea and Dianna, who are discussing up coming scenes. I can already tell this is going to be a great night.
Three hours and for many of my friends, quite a few drinks later, someone has turned on "party" music and we have all started dancing. It's mainly harmless, just fun and bouncy. Right now, some Top 40 song is playing and I'm dancing with Amber, the two of us just goofing off. Mark and Dianna come over and since I won't be leaving her alone, I go to sit down and take a break. Dancing is exhausting!
I pour myself a glass of water and head back into the living room. As I do, Darren bounces over with that big dopey smile on his face. When he gets close I can smell alcohol on him, and I know he's had a little too much to drink.
"Hi Chris! Why aren't you dancing? Dancing's GREAT!" He emphasizes by doing a little turn.
"Just taking a break Dare, don't worry about me. Get back out there!" I smile encouragingly. I'm glad he's enjoying himself, especially since he was worried.
"Aww, but I want you to dance! Come dance with me? Please?"
Oh ok. He wants to dance, what the heck? "Okay, fine. I'll dance with you," I say, using a mocking tone. He drags me by the arm to the center of the group. Tik Tok by Ke$ha comes on, and immediately everyone gets more upbeat. I use my go-to move, a shoulder shimmy. It works for any occasion and you can change it to any beat! Darren comes over and tries to copy me, but he just looks ridiculous.
"Maybe you should stick with jumping and spinning for now!" I say to him, because now a few others are laughing with me.
"Or maybe, you could teach me? I bet you have lots of good dance moves Chris," he says, leaning in.
I give him a confused look, but just keep dancing. The song changes and I hear a familiar beat. Oh god, no.
The all too familiar tune of Single Ladies by Beyoncé is in my ears and Jenna and Heather look to me like "We'll do it if you do." They were my "back up dancers" when as Kurt, I did the dance to this season 1.
Someone starts chanting "Chris, Chris, Chris" and I finally agree. Lea starts the song over and me and the girls get in position.
I remember all the moves and I smile as the others cheer us on. Then we get to my "solo" part, and I know if I don't do it the others will make me eventually. So I get my hips going and spin them around. There are lots of whistles and cheering which makes me blush and laugh. Me and the girls finish the dance to thunderous applause. I take a small bow and the regular dancing starts again.
Darren comes over and pats me on the back. "See? That's exactly what I'm talking about! You got moves" He raises his eyebrows at the last part and I roll my eyes.
"Yeah right. Come on, let's just dance," I respond, pulling him back into the center.
We dance for a while and although I'm kinda sweaty and tired, I keep going because it's fun. Some of the others come close, but mainly I only interact with Darren. We are in the center and keep getting pushed into one another, but honestly, I don't mind.
Tonight has been GREAT! I was a little worried I wouldn't be included, but I now know that was pointless, because everyone is so nice! I love them all! And now I'm dancing with Chris and I'm really enjoying myself. I never realized, but now that I see him in that t-shirt, wow. He has some muscles. Just look at those arms?
Whoa. Why am I thinking that? Too much alcohol. That must be it. At least I'm having fun.
I go over to Chris and grab his hat. I place it on my own head and back away slowly, using my best mischievous grin.
"Come and get it Chris!" I say, waving him over.
"Give it! Right now Darren!" He pretends to be annoyed, but I know he's not.
"I don't know… Convince me?" I give him puppy dog eyes, because usually they work on him.
"Fine… What do I have to do?"
I pause, thinking. What should I make him do? So many possibilities… But it's just a hat so it can't be that bad. "Well, I really want to dance like you. So you have to try and teach me!"
"Ugh, fine! I'll try. Now give me my hat! I have hat hair," he grumbles and we head back to the dance area. "Okay, what kind of dance do you want me to teach you?"
I smirk and reply "The hip one"
"Of course you do. Well, it isn't that hard actually. Just get into it and move your hips. Like this"
He demonstrates quickly and I try and copy. "I can't! I just look stupid," I complain.
He laughs, which doesn't help. I keep trying but I can't do it like Chris.
" I guess it's just your talent. I can't seem to get it," I say with a frown.
"That's okay, most people can't. It was fun to see you try though," he says and smiles.
"Well if there's ever a contest for the sexiest dancer, I'll let you know, because you would definitely win!"
Crap. Why did I say that? Chris blushes and looks at me with a startled expression. I can tell he doesn't know what to say, but I really don't either.
I really don't know why I said that. It just felt right. And it's definitely true.
Oh my god. Even my own thoughts are against me.
Breaking the awkward silence I say " Well, I'm gunna go grab something to drink. I'll find you in a bit."
He nods and turns away, but looks a little confused and… defeated? I really screwed that up. Stupid alcohol.
But I know it's not just the alcohol. Because at dinner when I squeezed his hand, I felt something too. I really have no clue what's happening.
I grab another beer because it seems to make everything fuzzy which helps right now.
It's almost 1am, and everyone's getting their coats and shoes, to finally leave.
"Hey Darren, I'm heading out, ready to go?" I hear, and look to see Chris asking me.
"It's okay, I can find someone who lives closer," I respond, not sure if he wants to deal with me after that.
"No, it's fine. I'm taking Cory, Mark, and Dianna too. And I planned on taking you anyways. But come on, the others are waiting," he says, motioning towards the driveway.
I stumble towards him, and realize that I'm not all that capable right now. I drank a few beers and a couple shots of tequila. It has had an obvious affect.
"Whoa. Ok, put your arm around me, I'll help you out," Chris says, offering out his arm for support.
He says goodbye to Lea and thanks her as we walk out and once we get to the car he opens the passenger door. I slide inside and although I try I just crash.
"Dare, wake up. We're at your house. Come on, get up!" I jostle him, trying to get him to wake up, but he won't move.
I've been trying to get him up for the past 5 minutes but he won't budge. I sit back in my seat and groan. I figured he'd drink but good god! He didn't need to get so wasted.
I consider my options. I could keep trying to wake him up, but I'm tired and just want to go home. So, I guess that means Darren comes home with me?
He will just have to sleep on the couch.
I get back onto the road and head towards my home. Lets hope I can get Darren up once we get there.
Luckily, after the drive, Darren wakes up enough for me to help him stumble to my condo. Once inside, I direct him towards the couch, where once lying down, he is completely knocked out once more. I sigh and go to my own room. I really need to sleep and I'll deal with all this tomorrow.
I wake up and look at my alarm clock. 10:07am, it reads. Even though it's later than I usually get up by quite a bit, I'm still tired. Then I start to remember the night before. And, I smell bacon frying?
I get out of bed and throw on some sweats and a t-shirt before heading towards the living room. When I get there, I don't see Darren on the couch, but I hear someone humming in the kitchen.
I walk in and see him frying bacon on my stove and singing a song to himself.
"Hey Darren, morning"
"Morning Chris! Thanks for letting me crash here last night, I'm sure you have details. I wanted to make breakfast as a thank you," he says, gesturing towards the pan. Glad to see he's back to his normal cheerful self.
"Yeah no problem. Just maybe don't make habit of getting totally wasted?"
"I'll try" he says and winks.
"Well, how much longer til the bacon is done? I'm starving!"
It could easily have turned into an awkward situation, but I decided to let this slide. It really wasn't a big deal and I have a feeling he won't drink that much again. The only real harm done last night was when he made that comment about my dancing. I really didn't know how to react and I was worried it had tainted our friendship. But he probably didn't remember, or otherwise didn't care, so I'm guessing it was a drunken mistake. Though I kinda wish he'd meant it.
After waking up on Chris's couch and trying to remember what I could from last night, I figured I must have gotten so wasted Chris had to offer me a ride home. The last thing I remember clearly is him trying to teach me to dance. And me being an idiot.
I don't feel horrible though, and considering the amount of alcohol I consumed, the small headache I have is a minor repercussion. Then, thinking more clearly I realize. I'm on Chris's couch.
Not wanting to overstay my welcome, I think about leaving but decide against it. Instead, I head to the fridge and find some bacon to cook, as a thank you for letting me stay.
I'm just getting started when I hear some shuffling from the direction of Chris's bedroom and figure he must be getting up. I have a whole apology speech prepared if he's mad, which I'm sure he is. I mean, who wants a friend who gets so drunk they have to stay at your house? No one.
But he comes in, not looking annoyed, just tired. And although my headache is getting worse, I put on a grin and try to keep the mood light. He seems to do the same, and after we discuss the reason I'm here, he just jokes around like normal. Since he doesn't bring up the awkward comment I made, neither do I. As we eat our breakfast I look over at him, and I'm really glad to have friend like Chris.