Star Crossed Lovers
Chapter 3: Just The Two Of Us
A/N : This chapter is remarkably long ! Hehee, sorry everyone. I can't wait for another chapter longer to let Mike Chang waltzed his way into the story. So, as a disclaimer, I've been using song's titles as chapter titles and also as the centrifugal point of the story flows. And none of these songs are mine. Sorry for the late disclaimers. And enjoy
Oh, Glee isn't mine too,though...teehee
The sun shined all over Bushwick, practically awakened the whole New Yorkers in progress. Well, almost whole actually.. Since 3 a.m after her daily morning moisturizing, Rachel always seemed to be ablebuzzing fully charged a little bit too early than the rest of our mankind. Kurt followed after around 6 or 7 to make decent breakfast for the whole household. In Saturdays, it was usually pancakes. And since it's Tuesday, then...waffle baffled !
"Mmm...smell nice, porcelain" mumbled someone from the hall way.
"Morning Santana. Rough night ?" greeted Kurt while smiling into the waffle batch.
"Yep, a few customers being asses last night. Dani and I had to kick them out of the diner, which took like two hours tops. I don't even have the energy now,Kurt. So let me devour those sinfully delicious breakfast of your before I hit the sack". Santana and her 3 months girlfriend –Dani, got the night shift again last night. Though Tana never lacked on protesting about the seemingly unfair shifts, she actually enjoyed it. Since it meant more quality time for her and Dani.
"Whoaa, crappy Tana. Not a good sign. But you need to keep it down though, or you'll be waking up someone from her deep sleep."
"Who? Rachel? I thought hobbits woke at 3 or so ?
"Ha ha. Very funny, San. I thought we're over this high school nicknames?", comes Rachel out of nowhere bringing a vase with fresh flowers.
Grinned ear to ear, Santana hugged her New York newbie comrades from Lima. "Ohh, you know I love to tease you,Rach"
"Yeah, I know", she returned the hug. "By the way, what Kurt meant was The Asian Sleeping Beauty. She came home late again last night. Having a wonderful night with Elliott, I bet. Ohh, you should've seen it Kurt !"
"Whaat? You've eavesdropped ?", gasped Kurt.
A light blush spreads across her cheek in embarassment. "Well, a little. I only witness a small part though.. Oh, you all should've seen it ! Right in front of our apartment, he leant a little to whisper sweet nothings on her ears. And she blushed a little on it, but nods eventually. Did I mention that Elli had brought the bashful side of Tina? Because If I didn't, then sure, he did. And after that, he gave her a goodnight kiss and send her off inside. Aww, isn't that romantic ? And he's been doing that night after night after night"
"He did ?". Blaine who was previously napped on the couch had obviously awakened and decides to join the conversation.
"Jesus! How long you've been there, Warblers? You gave me a heart attack", snapped the startled Santana.
"Hehe, sorry San", grinned Blaine apologetically. "so, about Tina..Oh, I'm glad she's at least a little bit happy now. I missed the old sweet Tina. But it doesn't mean I hate today's Tina. But I think she will shine a lot brighter without those bitterness in her". The comment alone earned silent nods from the whole room.
Even though they were apart, they all agreed on something: Tina doesn't deserve to be unhappy. She had been part of the family for so long. And her sweetness had been one of the catalyst that would keep the old Glee family warmth. The sassiness is cool,though. It meant that she's strong enough now to stand up for herself without any protective shield named boyfriends. But the manipulative and mean role was so not hers. The role was usually goes to Santana, Quinn, and well..sometimes Rachel too. But not Tina. She's too gentle for that. And one great team player too. So when the news about her changed attitude spreads out, everyone had been worried to no end. Well, everyone but the source of this fiasco who was currently remain unheard of in Chicago after his last visit to Lima.
"Was last night their second date?" asked Santana curiously.
"Nope, I believe it's third ones. Since she's been her for three days", everyone now looked at Kurt's way in incredulous looks on their face.
"What? I happened to be the biggest fan of Miss Cohen-Chang's romantic New York endeavour, if you may", defended Kurt hotly.
"We understand Kurt. We all are interested too, though"
"Oh, what would've Changster said If he heard how you all betrayed him this way?" scoffed Santana so suddenly. Nobody, nobody thought that the Latina beauty was apparently disliked the whole Tina-Elliott shotgun hookups. The other three looked at each other in doubt, thinking the very same thing: Was Santana serious ?
"Umm..why would Mike had a say about this?" asked confused Rachel.
Santana had to use all of her willpower to fight this urge on rolling her eyes in annoyance.
"Oh, come on hobbit. We all the living evidence of the only functional couple of McKinley High. Of course it was High School, but didn't you see? They are meant for each other. Rachel, did you forget? He announced to you and Finn that he'd like to marry the miss Asian too sometimes in the future. So, why did we go behind his back and shove his girl to another man while we could've keep her safe until he's back?"
"Whoa, Santana..I don't know that you-"
"Wait Kurt, let me speak", said Blaine while cutting Kurt's retort. "San, Mike left her. Dumped her for good without any further explanations but 'You're not Asian enough'. It broke her, San. Not into two, but pieces. I saw her, San. How she turned even worse after he left her like there's a protective barrier that no one can touch. So at this point, if anyone can goes through that barier alive and has intention to make her happy...so be my guest. I am her bestfriend, anyway". Blaine ended his speech in challenging way which made Santana has to purse her mouth shut. For a moment at least.
"Umm, so the argument's done..I need to go and wake the sleeping princess,by the way. Breakfast ready,Kurt?" asked Rachel.
"Yep"
"Oh good, I'll go get her then so she'll have plenty of time to prepare her self. For the FOURTH hot date !". Santana could't help but rolled her eyes over Rachel's cheekiness.
"Fourth?". Now, it was Kurt's turn to be suprised.
"Yeah, Elliott texted me this morning. He's taking her to the New York Public Library"
"Oh, way to go for being romantic. Hope they'll have a good time to get sexy in between Saxon-Anglo Lit and Psychology section. Lik high school, If I'm not mistaken"
"For her college application, San" smiled Rachel answering Santana's sarcastic remarks.
Blaine jumped at the mention of Tina's college application. "Seriously Rach?"
"Yep. Elliott said he got her to be interested in applying for NYADA and Tisch. So, he'll dedicate himself today to help her with any preparations. Application, essays, documents, and even for audition prep. Oh Kurt, he's such an awesome man behind that lazy ass at Pamela Lansbury's rehearsals"
Kurt chuckled at his newfound buddy's sudden changes. " Yup,he is. See San, if Tina happy then we all are happy. And I think you should too"
Santana said nothing but crossing her arms in protective gesture.
" I don't have any professional experience in performing stage. I barely got solo in many of our choir competitions. Have no special remarks at school beside winning a national in Brainiacs competition. I am no president of any classes. I barely joined any clubs. And I bet the 'Too Young to be Bitter' club won't look good in my applications. I barely have any dance experiences. Or acting. Thank God I went for Jan role at that last school musical performance. Seriously Elli, I'm doomed", Tina banged her head repeatedly onto the desk, which earning a mean glare from the librarian.
"Sorry...", she mumbled apology.
Being the optimistic guy on the table and also a little bit lovesick, her partner leaned over from his seat to touch her hair gently. Giving a gentle caress onto strands of her black hair, he gave her these calming effect in progress.
"Don't worry Tee, you have plenty of time".
"I do?"
"Yep. So far, you've been in the cast for two school musicals. Which is good. And you might've only gotten few solos in choir competitions, but you guys won those competitions right? So it should be meaning something. As for experiences, true professional experiences would be better. But neither Rachel nor Kurt had those when they applied for NYADA. And they've made it. I think you only needs to nailed that audition, and you're in!"
She looked up so fast with glimmer in her eyes, which unintentionally had startled the said Elliot.
"Really? You think so, Elli?"
He smiled gently. Oh, how he had fallen for this girl. In one time she could be so strong, and next she could be so fragile. But his favorite would be the one that she showed at this moment : Filled with happiness and hope. So, he gave her an enthusiastic nods to encourage such mood.
"Yep. I think you need to take a few dance classes too,though. It never hurts to add a little bit in that application. Beside, I heard Kurt and Rachel were so aweful in their Ballet class. So I bet Madame Tibbedeaux won't fancy any Lima fools on her dance floor anymore"
Tina chuckled at his wit. But it was right,though. Rachel wasn't that bad of a dancer back then in their Glee club. But Kurt sure was a poor dancer. So guess the story was probably true. Now, she made mental notes to look for any dance studio who's available for night time classes. Oh boy, how much she had on her plates right now ! Keeping her straight A's, the glee club, prep for Nationals, and now she needed to take extra dance classes. Now she's kinda glad that she doesn't have any boyfriend to add the stress at the moment.
'Well, I guess boyfriend thing should wait until I really move to New York' she mentally added while staring at the strikingly handsome Elliott Gilbert right in front of her.
Catching her gaze, he smirked at her sudden blush. "What's with the face ?"
"Umm... N-n-n-nothiing" she looked down immediately, was too embarassed to be caught while fantasizing Elliott as her future boyfriend.
"Hey Tee", he reached for her hand.
"Mmmh ?"
"Let me treat you a drink. Callbacks ?"
"Sure", she nodded in approval.
"Good. But firstly, what the hell Too Young To Be Bitter Club is? It sounded awful...", Tina answered his question with a little jab at his biceps.
The pair entered The Callbacks only to find their group of friends was already there, sitting on their usual booth. By the sight of them, Kurt automatically stood and waved to the entrance. Without further thinking, Tina grabbed Elliott's hand and made their way toward them. Only Santana stared at their latched hands in disgust.
"Hey, you guys' been long ?" asked the Asian girl toward the gang.
"Meh, just half an hour. Santana and Dani just arrived 5 minutes ago." Answered Sam.
"Oh,where's Artie ?", asked Elliott this time.
"He had an appoinment with the landlord. He needs apartment with ramps, so this one is a catch. Closer to his soon to be college too. So I guess he'd fight teeth and nails for that apartment", again, Sam was the observant one and always keeping tab on his friends.
"Aww, I hope he got the apartment though..", wished Rachel in her usual whiny tones.
"Heh, no that crippled look, I knew Artie is the tough one", Santana said while sipping her martini.
"Tana !", scolded Dani while elbowed her side.
"What? I'm telling the truth"
"Don't worry,Dan. We all used to her snideful remarks", said Blaine full of assurance.
"okay hun, why don't you sit here ..I'm going for beer for both of us", Elliott ushered her to sit before went off to the bar. They took a minute or so, making sure that Elliott was out of hearing range before bombarding the unsuspecting Asian with questions.
"Oh. My. God. Hun ? He calls you with pet names now?" gushed Kurt a little too excited now.
"Now, hold on your horses Kurt...it wasn't..pet names. Friend calls other friend hun too right?" answered Tina while fighting off blushes.
"Yeah right." Rachel appeared to roll her eyes in obviousness, "But...what about Twinkle Eyes, though?"
"Ack! Rachel Barbra Berry ! You spied on us, aren't you?" scolded Tina which made the whole group wolf whistled. But Rachel gave her a simple shrug as an answer.
"Proven ! Salute to you, corporal Berry", saluted Kurt in millitary way toward the said Rachel, and she replied in same way. Blaine couldn't contain his laughter any longer. Oh, how cute his meddling fiancee is.
"Okay guys, Please stop pressuring her. To get her spills all the steamy details is my duty, as her best friend. Not some babling hysterical meddlers like you all", grinned Blaine. Ah,such a wingman. He knew how to save her from any uncomfortable moment. "So instead, would you tell us about your...er, future academic preferences, Tee?"
Suddenly feeling relieved on the change subject, she decided to answer him excitedly. "Oh yes, I decided..well,actually Elliott helped me decides,though. That I am going to aplly for...drum rolls please", the whole gang rolled on the table almost simultaneously. "To NYADA !".
Loud cheers were heard from the middle of The Callbacks which caused one mass turning heads, but they didn't care. Their friend was finally coming back to her senses. And that's alone worth an top-of-the lung kind of cheer.
"Thank you,ladies and gentlemen", said Tina wholefully pleased to her friends' reaction. "And for the backup plan, I'm going to apply for Tisch too. Elli told me NYU has great acting department at Tisch. You were right,Blainey Days. I shouldn't settle for something less than my passion", she hugged her boo of whom sat right beside her. "I'm going for acting. I love acting. And, and...I love you guys" said her once more while offering sincere smile toward the whole table.
"We love you too Asian", said Santana while leaned over to hug the girl in front of her.
"Aww, group hug !", yelled Rachel again which causing the whole table went huddling toward Tina's form.
Elliott watched the group from afar. He knew he needs to give her time to tell her friends about her news. She needed a little time to shine, and he was okay with that. Holding two cold beers on his hands, he had enjoyed the view anyway. Of how the twinkles on her eyes danced in glee while she received enthusiastic congratulations from her friends. Of how her hands unintentionally flew around in gracious way, as if she was dancing in slow motion. Of how her laugh resonated in this bar. He chuckled, oh how he needed to stole her for himself.
"Hey, what did I miss?", he went over looking all innocent.
" Oh nothing, I just told them about NYADA and Tisch", answered her. Yep, the glee was still there. Unable to cotrol his urge any longer, he went and kissed her temple softly. "That's good, Tee"
Tina was dumbfounded for the sudden kiss. Never had Elliott been THIS daring, to kiss her right in front of her cliques. She could see a few of them went really awkward toward his gesture to her. But Blaine, Kurt, and Rachel grinned widely anyway.
"Um...SHOTS !",now the group's attention toward Elliott came back to her. "Umm..I'm gonna get us all shots. To celebrate! One round, my treat !". Now the whole table went back to cheering mode.
"Oh no, not yours. Mine. I told you, It was my treat right?" said Elliott coming after.
"But...you said one drink, Elli."
"In New York terms, it means for the whole night, silly. Now get used to it, since you're gonna move in to NY and all".
As a feminist, Tina hated if a guy paid for all of expenses. She wasn't helpless nor penniless, you know. But it seemed like she had found her match by meeting the ever hard-headed Elliott Gilbert. She pouted for her loss in this bill-dance again. "Fine, but tomorrow...I paid for one morning bagels, kay?", she tried to reprimand any further pointless argument with him.
"Whatever you said,princess". Elliott yelled at Tina's back -whose already made her way toward the bar.
"Hey man, thanks"
Elliott stared at his bandmate's fiancee, kind of confused with the sudden 'thank you'. "Thanks for what, mate ?"
"For Tina," smiled him genuinely. "I haven't seen her soo happy, so optimistic for a long time. I, myself think that Veterinary Medicine would be a huge mistake for her."
Elliott took a sip from his previous unattended beer and shrugged off at the so called compliment. "Nah mate, no need to thank me. Besides, I have my own intention."
"Intention?" , Sam chose to butt in into the conversation. Really, he meant no harm. After all, he's the protective big bro among the group.
"Well, If she got into NYADA or Tisch, wouldn't it be easier for me to see her? " smirked him confidently. This remarks however brought smiles to Tina's friends. Well, almost everyone. If only Santana chose to leave her frown behind.
"Here comes the drriiinkkk everyone~", Tina singed her words in tune which answered by many cheers from the table occupant. She herself drained a glass of greenish unknown alcohol mix. The taste burned her throat eventually, but she decided to suck it up and drink it anyway.
"It's Tuesday Karaoke !" screeched Rachel out of the blue.
"Really? Aww,babe..we must do our duet", asked Kurt toward Blaine.
"Sure you guys do, but I need to steal the first stage, kay?" asked Elliott. "Hey Tee, care to join me?"
"W-w-what ? Karaoke ? I-I don't know Elli...I'm not comfortable singing in front of...these people" her eyes gazed around the packed bar.
"You did Gangnam solo at regionals" stated Sam in a matter of fact gesture. Which earn him a medium glare from the said girl.
"Gangnam ? Ooh yeah, sexy lady" smirked Dani. Santana arched her eyebrow toward her girlfriend. Really Dani? Really ?
"Come on Tee. Think of it as practice, for NYADA audition. I bet singing for Madame Tibbideaux would be ten times worse than this"
"True Tina. Remember, choose something challenging. Don't give in to your comfort zone. It won't get you anywhere", voiced Rachel.
"Do something passionate, Asian. NYADA always needs someone with passion", advised Kurt.
"So, what do you say Twinkle Eyes ?", he gave her full of assuring smiles.
She exhaled loudly, before finally nods her approvement. "But I don't know what song though.."
Elliott stood and grab her hand in order to lead her toward the stage. "Let's do something... classic. Bill Wither's maybe ?" winked him toward the bartender / karaoke machine-tender. Then the familiar music started to play as he handed her a microphone. He smiled to the shy and pure goddess beside him,
"I see the crystal raindrops fall, and the beauty of it all
When the sun comes shining through.."
There was no way Tina could've hidden her blush when a hot guy like Elliott sung to her like that. In public stage, nonetheless. He refused to let go her hand while clutching the microphone on his other hand. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, encouraging her to join him in this song.
"To make those rainbows in my mind when I think of you sometime
And I want to spend some time with you..."
She finally gave in into some heart wrenching duet...
"Just the two of us, we can make it If we try
Just the two of us.."
"Just the two of us...", her angelic voice made an echoing sound.
The McKinley's High first generation glee club couldn't help themselves but to sigh in content. Blaine went and reach for Kurt's closest free hand, which he replied with a soft smile. Sam nodded over in tunes, clearly being swept away by harmony the duet had created. Rachel kept beaming and gushing "That's my friend sings over there" to Dani. Dani too tried to blended with the whole group's contentment.
"Aren't they cute ? I'm just so happy you know...for him, our cocky-selfish bastard of a friend. And of course for her, our almost too-bitter-to-live on Asian.", said Kurt in hushed tone. All but Santana nodded in approval.
"Okay, that's it", Santana took out her phone from her purse and flipped it open –like those antagonist bitch in any drama movies. She seriously fuming right now.
"W-what are you doing, Tana?" asked seemingly nervous Rachel.
"Yeah, what's up babe?" said Dani in chorus.
"I am calling Changster . Now", Santana punched a few buttons to gain access to certain boy's number. Yep, there he is. Mike Chang.
"No! You can't do that !" yelled Blaine in horror.
"Watch me ,Warblers"
Mike Chang was covered in thin layer of sweat as he packed up his belongings in Joffrey's dance studio. The other students started to disperse themselves after a three-hours intense rehearsal. To say he was tired was an understatement. He's completely exhausted. With recital's just around the corner, he would say that things been getting on his nerves.
'Maybe a couple shots of vodka afterwards would do' thought he, as a couple of girls from his ballet class passed by. Might be accidentally glanced at him. And miiight be accidentally brushing his shoulder off with their ever so-graceful fingers. Mike definitely didn't hesitate to throw an appreciative nod and smirk.
'Well,maybe blowing a little bit steam off won't hurt'
He tucked his slightly damp towel inside his black bag when he heard his phone went off. Frantically, he looked for the said phone somewhere at the bottom of his bag. He took a peek of the caller id. Santana Lopez. 'Weird. Why the hell would Santana call me ?'. But he shrugged it off and decides to answer it.
"Hey Changster," greeted smokey-voiced female at the other line.
"Just the two of us, building castles in the sky
Just the two of us...You and I"
While Tina and Elliott continue with their song, silently Santana prayed that Mike wouldn't catch off the pairs' singing at the back. Cause that would hurt him, a lot.
"Yo Tana, what's up?"
"Oh, I don't know. How about you? What's up with you?", her voice were dripping with snarky remarks which made him completely confused. If it was high school, he'd understand. Since his presence alone seemed like able to irritate her. But as long as he knew, he's in Chicago and she's at New York. What mistake could he'd capable of doing in such distance?
"Er... I really don't understand, Tana", was he reply.
"Okay. Let me get it to you simple and nice. Get your ass over to New York A.S.A.P you moron Asian. If you still wants to see your future Chang-squared babies or those house with pickett-fence yadda yadda dreams of your, you better get here FAST and woo her back. Or else, she might gonna run off the hill with another man. And If that ever happened, I'm sure I can already see you jumped off the building of that fancy ballet academy of yours.", scoffed Santana into her phone. Seriously, If he can't read between the lines, she would understand why Tina had chosen to move on.
"Wait a sec, is it about...um, Tina? Because if it is, well I doubt Blaine would ever returned her-"
"Whoever said anything about Blaine, you fool ?" barked she, which caused Blaine jumped off in anxiety. "Blaine got back together with Kurt. Hell, they even happily engaged. Yes, I talked about the lovely Asian of yours. And a New York man who has all the hots toward your woman."
A deafening silence loomed over at Joffrey Academy of Dance for a moment. Your woman. His woman. A long time ago, he would proudly bragged the title off. But not anymore. Since he had broken her heart, brutally if he may added. Well, since then he believed that he had lost the privilege.
"We look for love, no times for tears", Elliott sang a line smoothly.
"Look Santana, I really appreciate what you're doing. But mind you, our relationship is over. I made it clear to her 6 weeks ago. And whomever she had moved on with, I couldn't careless. In fact, I too has move on. I do enjoy my new life here in Chicago. Dance, booze, one night stands, dance. It's something new, Tana. It was my mistake to beg her into giving our relationship a chance. I should've appreciate the freedom she had given me, right? I mean..I finally can see from your side of light, Tana. I bet you can understand me" answered him a little too excited.
Too well-narrated for Santana's opinion. So she knew right then, that her Asian pal also had been bitter about the break ups. Mike Chang wasn't man of words, nor he ever will. Every close people of his would immediately knows that there was something off if he started babbling in way too many lines. While in the bar, Tina also kept singing her heart out toward the man right in front of her.
"Wasted water's all that is. And it don't make no flowers grow"
"You're so stupid, Changster", snapped Santana.
"What ?", asked him baffled.
"Good things might come to those who wait..Not for those who wait too late. You've got to go for all we know" sang her to one of her male good friend. She accidentally sang along with the pairs as her very own over phone conversation gets carried away.
"Excuse me ? Did, Did you just sang to me ?". Now Mike Chang was totally puzzled.
"Yeah. Sorry bout that. Can't helped it though. The lovey-dovey couple's singing is too good. It's hard not to sing along", smirked Santana. 'Come on Changster, come on. Come and eat my bait'
"What couple ?"
"Wanna hear?" Gotcha!. Gladly, Santana shoved her phone over to the nearest music source. In one intention : to rub off the Elliott-Tina chemistry into her friend's sense and ego.
The music was loud and clear. 'She still sings like an angle', thought him. Her voice brought back all the memories like tsunami, washed over his senses. Of how he'd seen her for the very first time. How he seduced her in his wicked yet seemingly innocent scenario. Their first kiss, first date, first time singing, first duet. Hell, even the first time they made love to each other. It was one hundred folds better than those one night stands he had, combined.
"Just the two of us, we can make it If we try
Just the two of us.. You and I"
Hearing out the duet, he was assured that he had yet another of his 'first' with Tina. His very first white rage out of jealousy . And he'd be damn to hell if he ever let THAT guy who sings in harmony with her to ever laid his finger on HIS woman.
"Gimme name, Tana", seethed him uncharacteristically.
"Elliott Gilbert. Sophomore at NYU", laughed Santana inside of her head.
"...I'm coming over..."
"Attaboy".
With the remarks she flipped off her phone, completely satisfied.