Chapter 2: Moving

One Month Later

It had been a month since Naya and Lea had their last late night coffee session. Finally the two found some time, once again at night after a long day of work. Aya walked in with a smile on her face as she saw an awaiting Lea with two coffees.

"What got you so happy?" Lea asked as Naya pulled out the chair and sat down across from her friend.

"I finally found it, it's small but perfect just across central park from where I am now."

Lea smiled and clapped her hands. "Yay, you finally found a house. I'm so excited, nothing beats a Naya Rivera backyard barbeque, with tofu burgers." Naya made a face at the last bit before shaking it off and having a sip of her coffee.

"I know right?" She took another sip of her coffee trying to get rid of the imaginary taste of tofu. "I move this weekend." She said clearly excited about her upcoming move.

"What about your condo?" Lea asked as she too sipped on her coffee.

Finishing her mouth full the taller girl shrugged. "The realtor is going to take care of it. Maurice and I are just excited to have more space. Once its sold, all I have to do is sign the papers. I told him I don't care who its sold to or how much so long as I get back what I paid for it." They remained quiet, both tired from the days work, as they finished their coffees. "Why are you so quiet? What's on your mind?"

Lea shook her head snapping out of her daze. "Nothing, just tired is all."

"Spill, whatever it is. You are never to tired to talk."

"I was just wondering about you and Hemo and what happened between you too. I know you don't want to talk about it, it just sucked once you left the party and I've been trying to find a way to bring it up."

Naya looked down with a sad expression on her face. "We outgrew each other."

"That's what you say and maybe it is just that or maybe it's something else but I want you to know that I am here to listen." Lea looked down at her watch. "I better head out, be careful walking home please." Naya nodded as lea stood up and put her coat on. "Oh and Nay its okay to miss old friends."

Naya took a few moments to process what her friend had said before she too got up and headed home. Most people would say she was crazy walking around New York City at night but she loved it and it made her feel at ease. It was something about the tall buildings, bright lights and millions of people who didn't care what was going on in your life because they had enough of their own problems.

As she walked through Central Park, the trees were bare of their leaves the only thing covering their branches was snow. Soft lighting filled the pathway she took she her apartment and even though it was chilly outside she couldn't help but want to take her time and enjoy the winter. Maybe it was because she was from Los Angeles but she liked winter and the cool air. She saw the beauty in a snow covered park and all the Christmas lights that would stay up long after Christmas had passed. Tonight was no different, as she walked to looked around and admired the beauty and serenity of that the park had to offer at such a late hour. She also couldn't help but think of what Lea had said earlier, it was frustrating her that she couldn't get it out of her head no matter how hard she had been tried. And she did try. She tried so hard to block it out but finally once she was halfway home she let her thoughts drift back.

5 Years Ago

Heather and Naya were laying in Heather's living room as they watched a movie. They had planned a Britt-Britt, Santana night, as they liked to call them, so that they could unwind from the weeks work load and celebrate Naya going to New York for two weeks to work on her album. Instead of ordering Chinese like they always did they opted to cook some pasta and make a salad. They had also agreed to share a bottle of wine, which they both knew made each other even more giggly than normal.

They were laying on the couch with Naya's head in Heather's lap when Naya got up to leave. "Where you are going?" Heather asked as she pulled Naya back down on the couch causing them both to laugh.

"To call a cab so I can go home and sleep." Naya smiled as she stood up once again.

"Stay here, no need to spend money on a cab when you're more than welcome to spend the night."

Naya thought for a minute before sitting back down. "If you insist."

"I do, want to make some popcorn? We can watch another movie or something upstairs."

"Sounds good to me." They stood up and headed for the kitchen.

An hour later they were curled up in Heathers bed watching a movie on tv. Pieces of popcorn laid on the bed and floor after a failed attempt at trying to throw them into each others mouths. Still not tired enough to sleep thanks to the wine Heather turned on her Pandora. She watched as Naya leaned her head back, eyes closed and she mouthed the words to the song. Without warning the girl jumped up and stared jumping on the bed as the song changed, holding an imaginary microphone as she sang. "You need a friend, I'll be around. Don't let this end before I see you again. What can I say, to convince to change your mind, of me. I'm going to love you more than anyone, I'm going to hold you closer than before." Heather laughed as she stood up and picked Naya up off the bed, spinning them around. As she put her down she moved one of the girls arms around her neck and held the other in her hand as she started to sway to the music. "We'll be free together baby." Naya leaned back and sang with a slight laugh.

Across the hall Ashley was just getting home. Hearing the music she peered into the Heather's room and smiled to herself as she watched the two best friends danced around the room. Heather leading, Naya singing. She leaned against the door frame like an all knowing parent watching her child be happy. Ashley left as the song ended without disturbing the two girls who were still dancing.

They stopped laughing as their movements slowed causing them to look at each other. Heather leaned her forehead against Naya's as her hand came up to brush an errand strand of Naya's hair behind her ear. She leaned unaware that Naya was holding her breath but just as their lips almost touched they heard a bang come from downstairs. The noise snapped them back to reality. Releasing the breath she had been holding Naya backed away. "I should go brush my teeth, get ready for bed. My toothbrush still here?" Heather nodded.

"I'm going to go see what Zach knocked over, did you want a bottle of water?" Naya nodded as they both headed in separate directions.

Five minutes later after they had both done what they needed to, to get ready for bed they crawled under Heathers fluffy duvet comforter. The radio was on, playing softly as they started to doze off. Naya took a deep breath and relaxed as she listened to the faint sound of the music. "I love this song." She whispered of the Goo Goo Dolls song playing, as she turned on her side facing Heather.

"Me too." Heather said as she too turned on her side, their legs barely touching. Their eyes were both closed but when Heather opened hers for a second she saw the slight smile on her best friends face. "I know its just 2 weeks but those two weeks are going to feel like forever without having you right now down the street."

"Hemo, I'm not moving there it's just two weeks silly." Naya mumbled opening her eyes just slightly before closing them again.

A minute later Heather opened her eyes again to see if Naya was still smiling and she was ever so slightly ."What you feel is what you are and what you are is beautiful." She sang softly expecting Naya's smile to grow and when it didn't she knew that the girl had fallen asleep. "Sleep well beautiful." She leaned over and kissed the girls forehead before moving back and closing her eyes. When she did all she could think about was their almost kiss and the several times they had almost kissed before. The thoughts quickly vanished as she too drifted off to sleep.

When Naya opened her eyes next she saw thin rays of sunshine come through the window. She stretched her arms out with a yawn and looked over at the still sleeping blonde next to her. She wasn't sure why but she always seemed to have a more comfortable sleep in Heather's bed than she did in her own. Taking a deep breath she climbed out of bed and put a pair of Heather's track pants on.

Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes she headed downstairs towards the kitchen. As she got closer she could smell coffee and waffles. She smiled and leaned down to pick up Zach as he brushed against her leg.

"Morning gorgeous." Ashley said in an old Hollywood accent.

"Good morning hot momma." Naya set Zach down and sat on the counter facing Ashley as the girl handed her a cup of coffee. "Have I told you lately that I love you?"

The two best friends of one Heather Morris laughed. They had grown somewhat close with all the time Naya spent over and vice versa, it got to the point where Naya would always tell Heather to bring Ashley with her whenever the girl came over. "Sadly no, and I think I've fallen for someone else since you're jetting off to New York."

It was then that Naya had a better look around at the several boxes. "You spring cleaning or something Ash?" She asked as she looked over at the box marked 'Ashley's junk'.

"No, in order to move you have to put the stuff in boxes first or at least most people do. Out with the old in with the new boy toy." Ashley said with a raised expression wondering why Naya was asking her such a silly question. Or what she thought she be a silly question because she didn't know why Naya wouldn't have already known she was moving out.

Heather walked in to hear the last part of the conversation and instantly stopped as she rounded the corner. Her breathing slowed and it felt as though her body had increased a few degrees. She watched as Naya sat speechless on the counter, looking as cute as ever with her messed up morning hair and no make-up. Ashley was looking at her like she was crazy and Heather knew exactly why. She was looking at her like that because she expected that Heather would have told her by now about Taylor moving in and Ashley moving out.

It wasn't until Zach meowed that the two finally broke their gaze at each other and looked over at Heather. She could see the tears in Naya's eyes and Ashley's words started to sink in. "Why didn't you tell me?" She set down her cup of coffee and hopped off the counter, Heather remained silent. "I can understand not wanting to say something at work but I was with you all night and you didn't even mention it." Still Heather stood speechless as Zach rubbed against her leg. "When is he moving in?"

"He gets in, in two days." Heather managed to squeak out as Naya let out an incredulous laugh, tears threatening to spill out but anger keeping them in.

"I need to go, thanks for the coffee Ash."

Naya brushed past Heather as she made her way to the hall closet to get her coat. "Naya please stay for breakfast." Heather called out to her as she watched the girl walk out the front door but she couldn't move.

Present

She walked into her building and waited for the elevator as she thought about the conversation her and Heather had had and how two weeks turned into five years. She wound up getting a last minute audition while she was recording that she couldn't turn down. Now five years later Naya struggled for a second to get the key into the lock of her front door as she stopped thinking about the past. She laughed at herself as she finally let herself into the apartment and smiled when Maurice came running towards her asking to be pet. He was the cutest golden retriever she had ever seen and when she first saw him at the pet store, the runt of the pack she knew she couldn't say no. She reasoned that she was away from family and anyone really close to her outside of Lea and Jenna. Telly and the rest of her friends were still in L.A so while she didn't think she would ever have a dog again but the little guy won her heart over.

"Do you have to go outside buddy?" He didn't wag his tail anymore than he already was signaling he didn't have too.

"Hey hun, I took him out not to long ago since you said you had a late shoot tonight." She looked up and smiled at her boyfriend. "You alright?" He asked as he gave her a short sweet kiss.

Naya shook the dust from her head and smiled at him. "Yeah, yeah just tired been a long day. Thank you for taking him out, I appreciate it."

"Anytime, that's what I'm here for."

"Did daddy take you for a walk?" She asked the dog, instantly making him start to wag his tail faster. "Should we all go for a short walk?" The dog wagged his tail faster this time. "What do you say? I know it's late but it's actually pretty nice out and he loves to play in the snow."

Her boyfriend laughed as Naya pouted at him. "Fine, fine and I know he loves the snow I spent a half hour drying him off."

"Laugh if up Lafferty, let's go chop chop." She said, making fun of his One Tree Hill days. James put his coat on as she got Maurice ready. Her and James had met while they were both filming the same movie three years ago. They started out as friends and slowly became more. He was the perfect boyfriend, sure they had their share of arguments, every couple did but he understood her and the lifestyle. For the first time in a long time she was happy, she had let go of the past and moved forward with her life.