Chapter 4
Heather sat on her comfortable new couch with the fireplace and tv on trying to warm up on a cold Wednesday morning. She held the hot mug of coffee between her hands as the tv continued to play without her attention. Instead she was looking out the big open windows at the park where she could barely see people out walking their dogs, just walking, running and a myriad of other things. Her thoughts drifted to the last time she thought she'd see Naya Rivera, her best friend, or ex best friend, not Naya Rivera the movie / television star and platinum selling recording artist.
4 and a Half Years Ago
It had been six months since Taylor had moved in and things had been going great. It had been nearly two months since he proposed and Heather couldn't be happier, or so she thought. On her morning run she decided to stop by the mailbox to see if anything had come for her. Opening the box she saw the somewhat large stack of invitations, smiling as she took them out excited to go through them and see who RSVP'd. Taylor was still sleeping so when she got home she sat down in the kitchen with Zach and set the invites on the counter.
"Here we go Zach, isn't this exciting?" He looked at her once before walking away. "Guess not." She laughed to herself, shaking her head.
The majority of the stack was from family and Taylor's baseball friends. When she got down to the last one it felt like her heart skipped a beat. Right away she knew the handwriting, she'd know it anywhere. It was undeniably Naya's handwriting and knowing that made her palms a little sweaty and her breathing to slow. Opening the RSVP she expected a polite decline but to her surprise Naya said she was going to be there and that she'd have a plus one. She wasn't sure why hearing this news seemed to hurt rather than make her happy but the one thing she did know that she was excited to see the girl.
"Look Zach, Naya is going to be at the wedding." She held the card up for him to see as if he could actually read it. He let a soft meow causing Heather to look at him like he had suddenly grown another head. "You miss her too?" He let out another meow as she pet his head. "I know, me too." With that he hopped off the counter and walked out of the room. "Take it you blame me too." She had blamed herself since the day Naya had left so it was only logical that Zach would blame her too.
Present
After Naya had left that day Heather had tried to call, email, text, she even made a twitter account so that she could send the girl a message. She hoped that in two weeks when Naya returned to L.A. they could talk about things face to face and that Heather could apologize in person. That day never came and after waiting another week she finally relented and called Dianna. It was a simple conversation as all Dianna told her was that Naya was moving to New York permanently. It was clear that Dianna wasn't the happiest with Heather either and she understood exactly why. She jumped suddenly as a loud shrill broke through the quiet room. Catching her breath she reached over for her phone as she checked the caller I.D before answering it.
"Hi Ash." She said as she continued to look out the window.
"Hey loser, make any friends yet, or find any friends yet?" Ashley laughed, mostly to herself knowing Heather wouldn't find it funny.
"How's L.A?" She didn't even bother commenting on her friends question. Ashley was silent for a minute thinking of how to say what she wanted. "Ash?"
"Oh, L.A is the same but there's something I need to tell you. Are you sitting down?"
Heather raised an eyebrow as she readjusted herself on the couch to get comfortable for whatever Ashley was about to tell her. "I swear if it is something stupid I will have Zach come after you, he's a Mexican fighting cat you know."
Ashley shook her head on the other end of the line. "Sure whatever you say, but this is something you probably won't be happy about."
"Out with it Lendzion." Heather was expecting her friend to tell her something trivial and for lack of a better term stupid.
"Before I left New York I ran into someone, a brunette, very pretty someone."
Heather rolled her eyes. "What's his name Ashley, and why is your telling me this now?" The blonde was becoming less than amused and while she was normally upbeat, she simply didn't feel that way today.
"Not a he, a she, and her name is Naya Rivera, you're ex best friend." Ashley heard her friend swallow the lump in her throat. "I ran into her at a coffee shop not far from your place, she's the one that gave me directions and the reason why I was a little late."
"You ran into Naya and you're only telling me this now?"
"I didn't want to freak you out or spoil you moving into your apartment."
"Then why are you telling me now?"
"I was just thinking about it and I think I ran into her for a reason, she said she used to live around there and so I just wanted to let you know." Heather looked out the window and found herself staring out at the park, wondering if Naya was out there right now. "The rumours are true though, she is dating someone, just be careful Heath."
"I will, I don't plan on going to look for her. If she wanted to see me she would have tried, right now I just need to get things settled here." She wasn't intentionally lying to Ashley she was lying to herself. While she had no intention of trying to find Naya she hoped that she would run into the girl.
"If you need anything just call okay?"
Heather took a deep breath. "I will, thanks." She paused. "Ash…" She trailed off unsure of how to ask the question she wanted too.
"She's good and 30 definitely looks good on her, the bitch." Ashley laughed causing Heather to let out a small laugh of her own. "I gotta go, I'll talk to you later Hemo, oh and at least give Jenna a call you need friends loner."
"Bye." Heather said as rolled her hanging up the phone. She couldn't believe that Naya had been so close to her and she had missed the opportunity to see the girl. It was her that was supposed to stop and get the coffee's that day but she was too excited so Ashley had offered to go.
Christmas had come and gone with Naya being able to spend a few days at home in California with her family. Now she was back in cold weather, snow on the ground and she couldn't be happier. She felt lighter in New York than she did in L.A. It was mid morning when she walked into her favourite coffee shop, dressed and ready for work. Thankfully she was early and hoped she could sit and enjoy her coffee before the busy day that stood before her. After getting her coffee she sat down at a table that had two chairs with a window view. It was somewhat of a gloomy day in the city as dark grey clouds covered the sky but Naya didn't seem to mind, she was just glad to be having her favourite coffee.
She was enjoying her coffee when she saw a familiar blonde walk through the doors. She squinted trying to see if it was who she thought it was. She shook her head telling herself that it couldn't be who she thought it was, so she went back to enjoying her coffee. When she looked up no more than a minute later she saw that the blonde had disappeared so she went back to looking out the window and she getting to her last few sips of coffee.
"I'm so sorry but are you Naya Rivera?" Naya turned her head and came face to face with the blonde.
She immediately stood up and hugged the woman. "Mrs. Morris, how are you? Please have a seat." She gestured to the other chair at the table.
"I'm very well thanks, and how are you? You're career has been booming and I must say your album was superb, you have a lovely voice."
Naya couldn't help but blush as she looked at the older woman. "Thank you. What brings you to New York?"
"Visiting, I've always wanted to be in New York, it's a wonderful city." Naya nodded.
"I'm sorry I wasn't about to be there at the wedding I was really looking forward to it, and seeing you and the girls."
Mrs. Morris sipped on her coffee with a questioning look. "Sweetie, didn't you hear?"
Naya shook her head. "Hear what?"
"There was no wedding. Heather and Taylor were going to have the big wedding then it turned into a small family wedding and then it turned into no wedding at all." Mrs. Morris explained leaving a shocked look on Naya's face.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know."
Mrs. Morris shook her head. "No need for apologies, don't get me wrong I loved Taylor but Heather has always been a free spirit and he was tying her down. I'm not entirely sure she ever really wanted to get married but once he started talking about her moving back to Arizona and giving up her career I guess things went south."
"But she always said that she'd do that for him."
"Her and I had a nice chat about how when you love someone they wouldn't ask you to give something up for them, they'd accept you for who you are and what you love." Naya smiled, Heather's mother had always been a woman of wisdom, but she figured that was to be expected with all the woman had gone through. "Tell me about your love life, are the rumours true? You're dating Chase Crawford?"
Naya laughed. "No, I'm not dating Chase Crawford but I am dating."
"Oh what's his name?"
Naya's phone started to ring so she apologized before answering it. As she put the phone back into her pocket she apologized once again. "I'm so sorry that was the studio I need to get to work, but," she looked into her purse before taking something out, "Lea gave me these tickets for the show tonight that I'm not going to be able to make it to so I want you to enjoy New York." She handed the tickets to Mrs. Morris before both women stood up. "It was so nice to run into you, and I hope you have fun tonight." They embraced once more as they said their goodbyes. "Oh and its not Chase but there is someone and his name is James, he used to be on something about hills and trees." Naya winked as she walked out of the coffee shop.
The next morning she woke up to find Dianna and Arthur cooking breakfast with Maurice. "I swear you have your own place." Naya mumbled groggily as she sat down.
"I thought I'd be nice since you got home so late last night and I wanted to know what was up with you running into momma Morris. First Ashley now her mom, maybe fate is telling you something." Naya laughed as Dianna handed her a cup of coffee.
"Funny, but speaking of things to know, why didn't you tell me about the wedding never happening."
"What wedding?"
"The Messiah's, who do you think? Heathers!"
Dianna turned around. "What are you talking about?"
"You didn't tell me that they didn't get married."
"They what?"
"Wait you didn't know either?"
"No, they told everyone they were eloping so none of us went."
Two Weeks Later
Heather was about to take Ashley's advice and call Jenna as she sat down on her couch and nervously bit her nails. She held the phone up to her ear and let it ring, and on the third ring the other woman answered her phone.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Jenna, its Heather."
"Heather as in Heather Morris? Hottest dancer ever." Jenna gushed.
Heather let out a little laugh as some of her nerves decreased. "That would be me."
"Whats up girlie? It's good to hear from you." Over the next half hour the two girls filled each other in on what was going on in their lives and Heather invited Jenna over for dinner which she gladly agreed too.
It wasn't until Jenna got to the building that she recognized something familiar about it and it wasn't until she reached Heather's apartment did it all sink in. Heather had bought Naya's old apartment. When she walked in she felt familiar in the surroundings but tried to keep it under wraps so that Heather didn't know or did she? "Hey do you know who owned this place before you?"
Heather set a glass of wine next to Jenna. "No why?" She laughed as she sat down.
"No reason, they just did a great job with upkeep and all that. A lot of times in New York the main reason why people sell is because they couldn't be bothered to take care of it." While this may have been true the shorter girl had no idea for sure but was just covering her tracks. Lea is going to love this. She thought to herself as she sipped on her wine.
Over dinner Heather told Jenna about Ashley running into Naya and then how her mother had run into the girl as well. Jenna almost told her the strange coincidence that she had bought Naya's old apartment but she decided to keep that little fact to herself. Jenna did tell her that Dianna too had moved to town and told her that she was sure Dianna would love to see her. As the night wore down and Jenna headed out to leave she told Heather to go for a walk and take in the park.
"Isn't it late though?"
Jenna laughed and gave Heather a hug. "Anywhere else, yes but here no. Besides you said you aren't getting much sleep, maybe getting more accustomed to your surroundings will help with that.
Naya's House
Naya was at home having dinner with James. "Nay you seem distant, are you okay?"
"Huh? Oh yeah I'm fine, just thinking that's all." She smiled sweetly at him.
"I just worry about you sometimes that's all. You work so hard, and it's always give but never take."
"I know I'm fine really, just a little tired."
"Dance with me?" He asked as he stood up from his chair at the table and extended his hand.
She thought for a minute and raised an eyebrow. "Sure." She took his extended hand as he turned up the volume on the stereo.
They danced for a few minutes until Naya finally spoke. "Let's go for ice cream I have a bad craving."
"Naya it's freezing out."
"So what, you big baby, come on let's go." As she said it his phone started to ring.
"James Lafferty." She smiled, finding his professional voice cute, even though it was intended to be serious. "Not right now, I'm in the middle of something, okay I'll get back to you."
"Work?"
"Yeah, but don't worry about it."
She smiled at him. "No, go I've bailed on you enough times, call it payback." She kissed him lightly as they headed for the door.
"Naya before I go there's something I want to ask you."
"Oh yeah what's that, because for tomorrow night I'm not sure if I want Chinese or Italian." Her comment made him laugh.
He got down on one knee and her breath caught in her throat. "Naya Marie Rivera, will you marry me, or at least consider it. I know you're not completely ready but I'm willing to wait." He pulled a ring out of his pocket. "I don't want to rush you or anything like that I just want you to know that I'm serious about us."
She made him stand up, still unable to speak. She looked into his eyes and saw nothing but love and affection. "I'll think about it." She told him honestly, he nodded in response not upset or hurt by her answer. He respected her truthfulness, "did you still want to wear the ring, I've been carrying it around for weeks and I'm scared I'm going to lose it." She nodded and he slipped on her finger. He gave her a sweet kiss goodbye and told her he'd call her tomorrow.
Naya looked at the ring on her finger, and knew she needed a walk to clear her head. As she stepped onto the sidewalk she looked up as it began to snow. A walk through the park was exactly what she needed, the fact that it was snowing made it all the more calming. The snow seemed like it was floating down from the heavens, landing gracefully on the pavement floor.
It had gotten colder, and Naya had her hands deep in her pockets as she tried to pull the jacket closer to her body. Scarf wrapped around her neck as she looked over the rink that now had no skaters on it as it was late. She looked up at the lights, the Christmas lights that had yet to be taken down and although she should have been thinking about James, he was the last thing on her mind. Instead she was remembering the last Christmas she had spent with in L.A with Heather. Every since she had run into the girls mother she couldn't help but catch herself thinking about the blonde more and more. Even though she didn't to admit it she did miss the girl that used to be her best friend.
Meanwhile Heather had stood from her spot on the bench she had been sitting at in the park, and began to walk back to her place. Her pace was slow, this was her time really enjoying the park and she wanted to enjoy it like Jenna had said. She stopped dead in her tracks as she seen a woman on a hill over looking a small section of the park, where there was a clear view of the lights. Heather hadn't noticed this spot on her way to the park but as she looked passed the woman she was amazed. That's when something familiar struck her about the woman. Gaining her courage she walked up to her, she knew it was her, it had to be.
"It's beautiful." Her voice was almost a whisper but loud enough for the other woman to hear. It might not have been the smoothest thing to say but it was the only thing that had managed to come out.
Naya's heart stopped, she knew that voice, she played the sound of it over and over in her head all the time, never wanting to forget it. She turned around slowly as the snow continued to fall gracefully. Her mouth almost fell to the floor, it was her. She was unable to speak.
"You said it was just two weeks." Heather said after taking one step closer.
"And you didn't come after me."
5 Years Ago
Heather was stuck in place after watching Naya run out the house. It wasn't until she heard Ashley speak that she registered what was going on. "Go after her!"
"Right, go after her." Heather nodded and ran out the front door forgetting to put shoes on. She hoped that Naya would still be sitting in her SUV contemplating what to do and she hoped that she could change her mind and get the girl to stay.
But as she ran out of the house Naya wasn't in the driveway instead Heather spotted her way down the street. Feeling defeated she headed back inside the house and found her room mate sitting on the couch. "She's gone." She sat down next to her friend and leaned her head on the girl's shoulder.
"I'm sorry Heather, I didn't know you didn't tell her."
"Not your fault, she's right I should have told her, and now what if she's completely gone?" Tears started to well up in her eyes.
Ashley wrapped a supportive arm around her friend. "Its two weeks, that's it then she'll be home."
To be continued…
