Hey everyone! Here's chapter 3. It's a little slower so I'm really unsure about it. Hopefully it's actually better than it seems to me. All mistakes are my own. Enjoy.
Thanks for all the alerts/reviews.
DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Glee or any or it's characters.
Chapter 3 – A Friend In Need
The following morning Charlie was being prodded awake by a sharp jab to back. He grunted and waved the culprit away with his hand only to receive another jab to the back.
Charlie rolled over to get a look at his offender only to find a smirking Latina clad in her Cheerios uniform standing by his bed holding a yard stick.
Charlie grunted again and rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, "Oh God, this has got to be a nightmare."
The cheerleader poked him with the yard stick again, "Any dreams with me in them would be sweet. Get up, Hillbilly. I figured you like, got up with the chickens or some shit. Why are you still in bed, its 8:30."
Charlie put his forearm over his eyes, "Exactly, its 8:30, why are you even awake?" Charlie moved his arm and lifted his head to look at his friend, "No, scratch that, why are you in my room? How did you even get in my house?"
"B and I had Cheerios practice at 6:00am this morning. I texted you twice and you didn't answer, so I came over. Your lovely mother was the one who let me in. She said I could come on up." Santana explained.
"Forgive me, I'm still half asleep. I missed the part where you said why your here so darn early." Charlie said.
"Because you ignored my texts, duh. Nobody ignores Santana Lopez." Santana told him, placing a hand on her hip.
"Sorry, but obviously I was sleepin. What'd you need anyway?" Charlie asked, sitting up in his bed.
"I wanted to see how things went last night with the hobbit. You should've seen Finnept's face when he found out you gave his precious Rachel a ride home. It was hilarious! Anyway, how did it go?" Santana asked, interested.
"Okay, I guess. I got nervous and maybe might have inadvertently insulted her. I'm not sure." Charlie told her as he looked down at his blanket.
"What'd you say?" Santana asked him.
"Nothing really, but she still looked kinda offended. I said New York wasn't a place I could ever live or something, I don't remember. I was just nervous and babbling. I said something about her Dads and she took that outa context too." Charlie told her as he exhaled dramatically.
Santana chuckled, "Listen up, Q. You'll learn this about Berry once you get to know her better; she's over dramatic, she's a diva, and she can handle just about anything that's thrown at her." Santana explained, "Seriously, I really doubt you offended her. She was just being Berry. Don't worry too much, okay?" Santana assured him.
Charlie nodded, "I'll make a better impression next time. Hopefully I won't be so nervous. Umm, could you turn around, please?"
"For what?" Santana asked him confused.
"I wanna get up." Charlie explained, "I'm not wearing pants."
"Dude, you're naked under there? You could've said something, ya know." Santana told him with a slightly degusted look.
"I most certainly am not! For goodness sake just turn around please." Charlie insisted.
"You're wearing embarrassing underwear aren't you?" Santana asked, "Or is little Q awake this morning?"
It was staggering to Charlie how unabashed Santana was about just about everything in her life. "No, but if it were I promise you this conversation would have killed it immediately." Charlie told her before making a turnaround gesture with his finger.
"Fine, whatever." Santana conceded.
Charlie climbed out of bed and walked over to his dresser and pulled out a pair of basketball shorts.
"Dude, those aren't even embarrassing. I was expecting Minnie Mouse or something!" Santana laughed.
Charlie slipped his shorts on before facing her, "Not hardly. You busy today?"
"Not really. I'm hanging with B later, but other than that I'm free. Why, what'd you have in mind?" Santana asked, twirling the yard stick that was still in her hand, "Dude, this thing is awesome. Why do you even have it?"
"It's my little sisters so don't break it. I was thinking about trying to find some step sides online for my truck. I was wondering if I found any around here if you would ride with me to go get them. Maybe help me put them on to?"
"Sure. I told you already you needed some for that thing. It's a big jump for a shor-" Santana stopped mid sentence before she burst into fits of laughter.
"What?" Charlie asked, clearly missing the joke.
Santana gasped, trying to catch her breath only break in to another fit of laughter. Charlie just watched her, his face scrunched in confusion. When Santana finally straightened up she wiped a tear off her cheek that had just escaped her eye.
She chuckled once more before cluing Charlie in, "You're buying step sides for your truck so your little midget will be more inclined to ride with you aren't you? That is freaking epic, Q. I don't even know what to say to that."
"Just say that you'll help me install them." Charlie told her, shrugging his shoulders.
"Yeah, sure, I'll help you on your mission to get to your little leprechaun's pot 'o gold." Santana winked.
Charlie wasn't sure what Santana meant, but he wasn't going to question her after she agreed to help, "Thanks, my lap top is over there. Let's hit up Craig's List."
After an hour of searching the Internet, a half hour drive both ways for pick up, and a twenty minute stop at Santana's for clothes Charlie and Santana were back in his garage. They were laying under Charlie's Tahoe tightening up the last bolt on his new step sides. After finishing they crawled out from under the SUV and stepped back to admire their work.
"What do ya think?" Charlie asked her.
"Looks good to me, let's test them out." She told him as she stepped up on the left side and bounced a little. After she tested the right side she deemed the new addition "berry capable".
Charlie held his hand up for a high five and Santana slapped his hand, "Good work. Thanks Santana."
Santana's response was cut off by the sound of Rihanna blasting throughout the garage from her cell phone.
"No problem, Q." She told him before answering the call, "Hey, B."
Charlie stepped away to give her some privacy and walked over to the storage cabinets that were under his work bench. He dug around until he found his Armour All chrome polish that he used to shine his rims. He grabbed a clean cloth and his stool before he set to work polishing his step sides.
"Hey Q, you care if B comes over here?" Santana asked from her chair.
Charlie shook his head, "Of course not."
"See B? I told you he wouldn't mind. Come on over. See you in a minute." Charlie heard before Santana hung up the phone.
Santana got up from her seat and walked over to inspect Charlie's work, "She'll be here in a minute. They look nice, Q."
"Yep, they're cleanin up pretty good." Charlie replied.
Moments later the sound of quick footsteps could be heard getting closer to the garage before Brittany breezed through the door having clearly just run over from Santana's.
"Hey guys!" She greeted as she walked over to Santana and planted a quick kiss on her cheek.
"Hey babe." Santana greeted her.
"Hey Brittany. How are ya?" Charlie asked from his spot on his stool.
"I'm good, Charlie. What are you doing? Are those the steps you and San got this morning?"
"Yes ma'am they are. What do you think?" Charlie asked getting up.
"They look all shiny. I think Rachel will like them because she likes shiny things." Brittany told him, expressing her thoughts.
"Thanks for blabbing Santana. What do you mean she likes shiny things, Britt?" Charlie asked the other blonde.
"She likes shiny things like gold stars. Rachel says that gold stars are kind of her thing. Something about her star on Broadway or something, I wasn't really listening because she talks a lot. She even put one on my math homework she checked for me last week." Brittany told them.
Santana nodded in agreement before elaborating, "Gold stars are a metaphor for the star that she inevitably will be on Broadway. Her words, not mine. Your little hobbit always sticks one next to her freaking signature too. It's so lame." Santana explained with an eye roll.
"She's pretty serious about the whole Broadway thing, huh?" Charlie asked.
"Dude, you have no idea. You'll see." Santana assured him, "It pains me to admit this, but if anyone could make it to New York, it's Berry. The girl can seriously sing! Her voice almost makes up for the rest of the annoying shit that comes out of her mouth. You should join Glee Club. Rachel would eat that shit right up."
Brittany nodded in agreement.
"Nah, I'm not much of a singer or a dancer. Plus, I'm going to have a full course load of AP classes again this year and will hopefully be playing football and basketball. Even if I could sing, I wouldn't really have the time to devote to y'alls club." Charlie told them as he finished polishing his step sides.
"We understand." Santana told him, "But if you do change your mind you can probably audition at any time. I don't think you have to actually have to have talent to get in, Mr. Shue doesn't turn kids away."
"We'll see how it goes, Santana." Charlie told her as he put away his cleaning supplies.
"Those look awesome, Q. Nice work." Santana told him as she admired his work.
"Wanna go to the mall with us, Charlie?" Brittany asked him out of the blue.
Charlie looked at Santana, not wanting to impede on their girl friend time.
"That's a great idea, B. You should totally come with us, Q. I could go home and get a quick shower and be back in a little bit. You down?" Santana asked.
Charlie thought about it for a minute. Not having anything better to do he agreed.
"Sure, sounds good. I'll drive. Just come on back when you're done." Charlie told the two girls.
"Cool, we'll be back in a few. And we're picking out your clothes by the way. Later, Hillbilly." Santana told him before taking Brittany's hand and walking toward her house.
"I knew she was up to something." Charlie told himself before heading inside.
Charlie stopped by the kitchen and grabbed himself a bottled water from the fridge before heading up to his room. He flipped on his T.V and watched a little of the rodeo that was playing on ESPN Classic before getting in the shower. A little while later he emerged from his bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist.
"Ahhh! Good Lord, how do you keep getting in here?" Charlie asked the girls that were lounging on his bed, his voice escalating.
"Door was open." Santana stated, pointing towards his door, without looking away from the T.V.
Charlie huffed, "Which clearly gives you an open invite?"
"Yep," Santana said, finally looking his way.
"You could be an underwear model. You have the body for it." Brittany stated.
"No he couldn't. He's self-conscious about his little briefs, Britt." Santana said laughing.
"I am not, I just didn't really want you to to see me in them." Charlie explained, "You're my friend. It's weird."
"Yeah, whatever." Santana told him, "We don't care. We're so use to it with Cheerios and costume changes in Glee that it doesn't even phase us anymore. Come on B, let's raid his closet."
Charlie grabbed some briefs and a pair of shorts before going into the bathroom to make himself decent. He was sitting patiently on the edge of his bed when the girls appeared out of his huge walk-in closet holding more clothes than he could wear in a week.
"This is so much fun! This is way better than dressing up Lord Tubbington." Brittany squealed, clapping her hands happily.
"I am impressed by your clothing selection, Hillbilly. I was shocked to find out that I own just about as much plaid than you do." Santana commented as she laid out his pants and shirt selection.
Charlie had no idea why he was giving in to this torture, but it seemed to make Brittany oddly excited so he allowed it to continue. He stood up and went around to the side of the bed and grabbed his favorite pair of jeans and a white Fox t-shirt before he held them up for inspection.
Brittany jumped a little and clapped, "You'll look so cute! This," she pointed, "and your flip flops with that black belt you have in your closet. Try it on! Let us see."
Charlie tossed the shirt back on his bed before dropping his short to the ground. He caught the shorts with his foot and kicked them toward Santana, hitting square her in the face. Santana snatched them off her shoulder and glared at Charlie.
"What's wrong Santana? I thought you weren't phased at all." Charlie told her as he finished buttoning his jeans.
"Very funny, you ass! Just hurry up." Santana said sending him another glare and chunking his shorts back at him.
Charlie pulled his tee over his head before he headed over to his closet for his shoes and belt. When he emerged from his closet he looked around his room in search of his hat.
"Have you guys seen my hat?" Charlie asked, moving the clothes on his bed.
"You're not wearing it." Santana quipped.
"Of course I am. Where is it?" Charlie demanded.
"Charlie, I was wondering if I could wear it. I really like it and it totally matches my outfit." Brittany said, giving him the look that always broke down Santana's resolve.
Charlie sighed and nodded not having the heart to tell her no.
"Yay!" She squealed, bouncing over to where the hat in question sat on Charlie's desk.
"How do I look, San? Yeeehaw!" Brittany yipped before spinning around.
"You look awesome, B." Santana told her, smiling a thanks to Charlie. "You guys ready to go?"
"Yep, head 'em up and move 'em out, ladies." Charlie told them as he tried to herd them toward the door.
Once the three friends had made it to the Lima Bean they dragged Charlie in to Express where they coerced him into buying two new long sleeve dress shirts and a pair of dress pants that were a little too snug for Charlie's tastes. He was certain that Santana had noticed that she and Brittany could persuade him to buy anything as long as they said Rachel would love it. It was completely unfair in Charlie's opinion. Shortly after the snug pants debacle Charlie, Santana, and Brittany found themselves eating a late lunch in food court.
"So you don't even have a plan to get your midget?" Santana asked between mouthfuls of lo mein noodles.
"Nope. Nothin. I don't really know her well enough to ask her to hang out. I was hoping you guys would help me out with that." Charlie told her, looking hopeful.
"No way, Hillbilly, I don't hang out with that annoying little hobbit anymore than I have to, sorry." Santana told him.
"Why do you do that? Can you try not to call her names, please? Surely you wouldn't like that if someone were to do that to you." Charlie said, cutting his eyes quickly to Brittany.
"Fine. I'll try to cut back, but no promises, old habits and all that." Santana agreed.
"I know!" Brittany exclaimed, startling the other two, "Let's have a Glee Club movie night at my house! We can invite everyone over and invite Charlie over too. That way he can talk to Rachel and we can help him not be so nervous this time."
Santana smiled fondly, "You're so smart B, that's a great idea."
"What do you think, Q? Think you can handle a movie night?" Santana asked.
"Yeah, it's going to require some planning, but that's a great idea Britt-" Charlie's thoughts were cut short by a shrieking Brittany.
"Hey look! There's Rachel over there. And Kurt and Mercedes! We can invite them to movie night right now," She told them excitedly before standing and yelling across the food court, "Kurt! Mercedes! Rachel! Hi! Come over here!"
"Brittany, no!" Charlie whispered loudly, before looking to Santana, "What do I do?" He asked her desperately.
"Dude, first of all you need to calm down. Just act cool. Haven't you ever seen FRIENDS? Just act aloof." Santana said sternly. "Just chill and act cool."
Charlie nodded and rubbed his sweaty palms on his jeans as he watched the three divas near their table.
"Be cool." Was the last thing he heard before he shot up out of his chair as the new comers reached their table.
Santana groaned slightly and tucked her face into her palm shaking her head.
"Hey guys!" Brittany greeted, "Wanna join us?"
Kurt, Mercedes, and Rachel looked hesitant for a second, but agreed. Charlie moved around the table and grabbed two chairs from another table so Rachel and Mercedes could join them. They both thanked him while Kurt just stood there with an arched eyebrow before crossing his arms over his chest.
"As an honorary girl on this outing I demand to be treated as such. So if you're going to be a southern gentleman…" Kurt trailed off, pointing over to a chair and then at the spot where he stood by Mercedes.
Charlie stared at Kurt, blinking a few times before he did as he was asked. The rest of the girls at the table all giggled at Kurt's antics.
"Thank you." Kurt said politely and Charlie sat his chair down beside their table.
Rachel smirked shyly at Charlie as he sat back down in his chair.
"Hey hot mammas and pretty boy, what are you three up to?" Mercedes asked
"We've been shopping." Brittany told them, finishing up her Chinese food.
"We talked Hillbilly here into buying a few new things for school. We were also just discussing having a Glee movie night at Britt Britt's tomorrow night. You guys in?" Santana asked, sipping her drink.
Kurt and Mercedes nodded in agreement, "Sure. We need to talk Artie into getting us some movies. You all know how he gets his hands on all the new movies before they even come out." Mercedes added.
"You don't want to come over to my house, Rachel?" Brittany asked, looking sad.
"Of course I do, Brittany, I just didn't want to assume I was included." Rachel told her before looks at Santana.
"Of course you're invited! Charlie is coming too, right Charlie?" Brittany explained.
"We want you to come midg-Berry." Santana said, correcting herself. "We wouldn't have asked you if we didn't."
Rachel nodded, looking slightly embarrassed, "Sure Brittany, I'd love to come to your movie night."
"Yay!" Brittany cheered, "I'll text everyone else and see if their in."
Charlie sat in his chair awkwardly. He wanted to talk to Rachel but he was unsure of how to approach her. Santana must have sensed his discomfort because she threw him a life line.
"Wanna help me take up our trays, Q?" Santana asked him, getting up from her seat.
"Sure." Charlie replied before grabbing his and Brittany's tray and following Santana.
"So much for being aloof! You really need to settle down a little, Cowboy. You're not very good with the ladies, are you?" Santana asked.
"Well I had girlfriends back home and I was usually pretty smooth at talkin to 'em. I don't know what it is, Santana, I just lose it around Rachel. She probably thinks I'm an idiot." Charlie said, chastising himself.
"Probably so, but listen, I'm always one to help a friend in need so we'll work on it, okay? I think the key here is to get her to talk to you, which should be easy. She'll blab enough for the both of you. That way you can get used to talking with her and hopefully stop making yourself look like a fool." Santana joked.
"I just can't explain it Santana, she just makes me…lose it." Charlie explained lamely.
"Oh believe me, I understand. Berry makes me lose it too every time she opens her trap." Santana told him.
"Santana…" Charlie warned.
"I'm kidding, sorta." Santana said, "Let's get back over there. Come on."
When Charlie and Santana got back to the table their friends were discussing their movie night.
"I think it's been decided that movie night will also be a pajama party." Kurt informed them.
"I'm down." Santana told them, "Bring pillows too. There is plenty of room in Britt's movie room for all of us to stretch out somewhere."
"I'm in too." Charlie added.
"You gonna let them see you in the pjs I caught you in this morning, Hillbilly." Santana asked him, clearly enjoying his embarrassment.
"Why did you see him in his pjs, Santana?" Kurt asked, with an arched eyebrow.
"Because she broke in my house." Charlie answered, "Can we not talk about my underwear, please."
Charlie was desperate for a change of topic and it seemed Rachel was just as eager.
"Do we need to bring any snacks, Brittany?" Rachel asked.
"San and I will get some tomorrow, but you can bring anything you want." Brittany smiled.
"Okay." Rachel said smiling back, "Kurt, Mercedes, would it be okay if we got going? I promised Dad and Daddy I would be home by 5pm sharp."
Kurt nodded as he, Mercedes, and Charlie stood up. Charlie watched Rachel, a gentle smile gracing his lips that caused Rachel to blush lightly. Santana looked up at Charlie and rolled her eyes before she stood up also.
"See you guys tomorrow night at B's. 7:00 sound good to everyone?" Santana asked.
"Sounds good." Kurt and Mercedes replied together.
"7:00 would be lovely, Santana." Rachel added.
Santana resisted the urge to roll her eyes, "Good. See you all there."
"Bye guys," Brittany said, as she hugged each of them, "Don't forget your pjs and your pillows tomorrow."
"Bye y'all." Charlie waved, "Bye Rachel, have a wonderful evening."
"Bye Charlie." Rachel replied shyly before walking away.
Charlie watched Rachel as the three divas headed out of the food court. He continued to watch the exit with a dreamy look on his face even after they had left.
"Hey, Romeo, snap out of it." Santana said, slapping his stomach.
"She totally thinks you're cute, Charlie! She said so when you and San took our trays up. Kurt said she's been talking about you all day." Brittany told him excitedly.
"Awww, how cute, it's a match made in loser heaven." Santana cooed.
Charlie's face lit up with a massive smile, "Really? She said that?"
"Yep! She was all shy about it too. We're totally hooking you two up, right San?"
"Right!" Santana smirked, "Come on guys, let's get outa here. Just leave it to us, Hillbilly. We so got this."
TBC