As always, I am overwhelmed with the number of story alerts…not so much the reviews, guess you guys are shy. I do thank those that were kind enough to review. I don't own Glee or the characters, but thanks to Brad Fulchuk for the prompt!
Rachel slipped the key into the lock and turned. Nothing. She wiggled it back and forth. Still nothing. She stomped her foot in frustration. Once again she jiggled the key and turned it. The lock finally clicked. She turned the handle and practically fell through the door, exhausted from the countless hours of job hunting she had done over the past seven hours. The apartment was dark, so Rachel figured Kurt hadn't gotten home yet. She dropped her purse and satchel on the couch, leaning over the end table to turn on a lamp. She collapsed on the couch, thinking that sleeping right there in the clothes she had on seemed like a better option than actually having to drag herself the few feet to her bedroom. Kicking off her shoes, she shoved her purse and satchel over and stretched her legs out on the couch. Her eyes were beginning to feel heavy when she heard the front door creak open. She could hear Kurt giggling and Blaine shushing him, as they shut the door behind themselves. Her eyes couldn't even open to make eye contact with either of them.
"What time did you get home Rachel?" Kurt called from the kitchen, opening the fridge and grabbing a bottle of water. Rachel tried to tune out all the noise he was making.
"I think she's sleeping." Blaine whispered. Kurt reappeared in the living room, taking a seat on the arm of the small recliner Blaine was sitting in. He stared at Rachel for a few seconds.
"I was trying to sleep." Rachel sighed, still not daring to open her eyes.
"Blaine and I went exploring today. Do you know how many coffee shops there are in New York? And book stores, there seem to be a lot of book stores too." Kurt rambled. Rachel just knew he wasn't going to stop. He could talk for hours upon end when he got excited. And he was obviously excited.
"There are so many fabulous Broadway shows playing and-"
"Well, this is New York, Kurt." Blaine politely reminded him. Kurt playfully swatted Blaine's arm. Rachel finally gave up. She knew she wouldn't even get a cat nap at this rate. She opened her eyes and stretched her arms over her head. Rolling on her side, she propped her head up on her left hand, watching Kurt wave one hand in the air as he continued to squeal with excitement. Blaine shook his head, smiling at how ecstatic his boyfriend was at being in the Big Apple.
"So, how did your job hunting go? I have a follow up interview on Friday at a quaint little boutique a few blocks over." Kurt prattled, finally taking a deep breath.
"That's great, Kurt. My day didn't go quite as well." Rachel frowned. Kurt leaned forward, placing his bottle of water on the coffee table.
"Oh no, what happened?" Kurt asked.
"I think I went to no fewer than twenty places today. A few said they would be in touch, but most said they weren't hiring." Rachel said, casting her eyes to the floor.
"Don't give up Rachel. You've only been here a week. Something will come up." Blaine chimed in. He glanced at Kurt, who nodded in agreement. Rachel flopped back on her back, throwing an arm above her head. She sighed loudly, suddenly second guessing her decision to go to school in New York. She and Kurt had been here a week, which meant she had three more weeks to find a job in order to help pay rent, electric, and groceries. They were quickly finding out things in New York were a little more expensive than back home in Lima. She certainly didn't want to ask her dads for any more assistance than they had already provided.
"I know, I'm just feeling sorry for myself." She managed a slight grin.
"I bet I know what can cheer you up." Kurt clapped his hands together, bouncing a little on the arm of the chair. Rachel raised an eyebrow. "Let's fix a nice dinner…the three of us together"
"Great idea, Kurt." Blaine stood and headed towards the kitchen. Kurt waited for Rachel to get up, but she didn't budge. He leapt from his seat, snatching her hand and pulling her from the couch. Instead of pulling her up into a sitting position, she practically fell off the couch. Kurt looked on in horror as he let go of her hand. Rachel broke into a fit of laughter as she threw out her arm to catch her fall. She jumped up and brushed herself off, still laughing. Kurt finally joined in, snickering at her graceful fall. They were both giggling when they entered the kitchen. Blaine was carefully pulling items out of a cabinet. Kurt and Rachel both ceased their laughing and looked on in bewilderment.
"Well the great news is it looks like we're having Ramen noodles and green beans for our nice dinner." Blaine sighed. Rachel looked from Blaine to Kurt, bursting into laughter once again. Kurt fell against her as he followed suit.
"I'm glad you two find this so hilarious." Blaine rolled his eyes. "Kurt, do me a favor and hand me a pot. This is going to be the best pot of Ramen noodles you guys have ever had."
Rachel sat the table, as Kurt filled their glasses with bottled water. Blaine sat the bowl of noodles and a pan of green beans on the café table. The three huddled around the tiny table, filling their plates and talking about their plans for the rest of the week. Kurt tapped his fork against his glass, gaining Blaine and Rachel's attention. He lifted his glass in the air.
"Here's to us." Rachel and Blaine lifted their glasses to touch Kurt's. "Great friends and great loves." Kurt looked from Rachel to Blaine, noting the color change in Blaine's cheeks.
"And to conquering New York..." Blaine smiled.
"One Broadway show at a time." Rachel added, clanking her glass with theirs once more. "Thanks for making me feel better, you guys. I'm so glad we're all here together."
'And Finn, once he gets here." Kurt choked down a forkful of noodles. "You did tell my brother to hurry up, right?"
"He'll be here Friday." Rachel assured him.
"Good, I'm thinking I want to rearrange my bedroom set already." Kurt laughed. "I'm going to need his manly physique." Blaine shot him a disheartening look.
All kidding aside, I know things will look up for you once he gets here." Kurt gave Blaine a half-hearted smile in return, despite the fact that his comment was directed at Rachel. She seemed oblivious to their exchange.
"Oh wait, I almost forgot." She lifted her glass once more. "One last toast." Blaine and Kurt looked at each other perplexed.
"To Blaine…for making the best Ramen noodles I have ever eaten." Rachel smiled as she tapped her glass against Kurt and Blaine's, then quickly swallowing a sip of water.
"Here, here." Kurt shouted.
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