2 weeks. I haven't seen or heard from Heather in two weeks. I called her phone every day. It would ring and ring. I even went over to her apartment, but her car wasn't there. To say I was worried was an understatement. I was a mess. I woke up, went to work, came home, attempted to eat, and then went to sleep. Every day, it was the same routine. Dianna was getting worried, I was losing weight, and I looked a mess. Thank God for the make-up crew at Glee, they performed miracles on my face. Due to Heather's absence, Murphy wrote that Brittany went away to dance camp. Santana basically mopped through McKinley's halls waiting for her best friend to walk through those front doors. I felt the same way. I would check my phone, every morning praying that Heather would have called me or even sent a text, telling me where she was.
"You have to snap out of the Nay" Dianna tells me as we walked to the makeup trailer. I absent mindedly nod my head. "Are you even listening to me?" She screams into my ear. I tried to tune her out, but a part of me knew she was right. This wasn't healthy. I don't even remember the last time I had a real meal. "You're right Di" I mumble under my breath. Grabbing my wrist, she stops are progress and pulls me into a hug. I instantly fall into her embrace. "She probably needed time to think. She hasn't forgotten about you. If she was here right now, what would she say? I don't think she would like this new Nay-Nay" Dianna whispers soothing words into my ear. I nod in the crook of her neck. Tears were softly falling down my cheeks. "You will be okay" Dianna reassures me wiping the fallen tears away with the pad of her thumb. "Thank you. I don't know, this is really hard" I reply as we begin walking again. She nods her head. I'm sure she understands to an extent, but I don't think anyone could understand this feeling. I wouldn't wish this feeling on anyone either. "How bout I come over tonight and we watch movies and eat junk food? We can watch action movies because I'm sure you don't want to watch that mushy crap." I nod my head agreeing with her. I don't think I can take Nicholas Sparks and his always happy universe. "That sounds perfect" I reply softly. A smile graces my lips. It seems almost foreign, since it isn't forced. "There's that smile I missed so much" Dianna smiles back grabbing my hand and dragging me the last few feet to the make-up trailer. I laugh. The first real laugh in 2 weeks, and it felt good. "Okay, okay. I'm coming. No need to yank my arm out its socket" I reply, jokingly snatching my arm back. "Oh you got jokes now?" Dianna replies with Quinn's signature eyebrow rise. I cover my mouth and silently giggle. She did that entirely too perfect for me to handle. I sit in the chair as the makeup artist begins to do their work. "You seem happier" One says. My eyes are closed, so I can't tell who it was. I nod my head, I don't feel completely happy, but I feel better. Dianna is right. Heather just needed time to think.
"Ready?" Di asked me as we walked out of the costume trailer. Both of our uniforms neatly pressed, hair and make-up perfect; we were ready to film. "Yeah" I gave her a confident smile. She grabbed my hand, dragging me towards the make shift choir room. "Here we go with the grabbing again" I mumble under my breath, fighting the urge to smile. "Is that Mrs. Rivers smiling or do my eyes deceive themselves?" I hear Kevin say from across the room. "Hardy, har har bee" I laugh walking over to him. "I'm glad to see you smiling" he whispers into my ear as I lean down for a hug. "It feels good to smile Kevy" I reply. He squeezes me tighter before letting go. I go sit in my usual chair. I pang of sadness reaches my chest as I look beside Kevin and see an empty chair. As if reading my mind Dianna comes skipping across the room, bouncing on my lap. "She will be back" she whispers wrapping her arms around my neck. I nod wrapping my hands around her waist. Thank God for Dianna, I don't know what I would do without her. "Come on Rivers, you need to show Chord how to do a real impersonation" she yells getting off my lap and pulling me up. I laugh and follow her towards Chord, Amber, and Cory. "I heard you were doing sorry ass impersonations Chordie" I reply in my sweetest voice. Amber and Cory burst out laughing. "Is that a challenge?" Chord asks. "Yes Trouty, this is a challenge" I laugh, and "The Great Impersonate Battle of 2011" began. Of course I won with my flawless impersonation of Sarah Palin. Even Chord had to admit it was good.
By the time the day was over, I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. It felt really good to be happy. I made my way to my car, stopping at the store to pick up endless snack for the junk food fest I was about to have with Dianna. I couldn't resist stopping at my favorite Sushi shop and getting some California Rolls. Finally pulling into my driveway, it took three trips to bring all the food into the house. Stuffing the rolls into the microwave to keep them warm I raced up the stairs to change into something more comfortable. Grabbing some yoga pants and my glee sweatshirt, I walked back downstairs and into the kitchen. Looking at the clock it read 6:30. Dianna should be over any minute. "Ding, dong" I raced towards the door, opening it up wide. "Hey you" I smile. Dianna smiles back. I take the bags from her hand and she follows me into the kitchen. Grabbing some plates from the cabinet, Dianna moved the food into the living room. Getting comfortable, we watched Rush Hour 1,2, and 3, and stuffed our faces with our unlimited supply of sweets. This was exactly what I needed.
"How are you feeling?" Dianna asked me, throwing a piece of popcorn in the air and catching it in her mouth. "I actually feel pretty good. Thank you for this" I reply. She smiles and continues to stuff her face. I can only laugh, when sprinkles of chips land everywhere but in her mouth.
"Knock, knock" I hear from the front room. "Where you expecting someone?" Dianna asked me curiously. I nod my head, but get up to answer the door. I check the peep hole, but I see no one. Opening the door slowly, I see the last person I would expect.
"Heather" I whisper softly.