Quinn sighed as she tied her apron at the back and put her hair up. It was Wednesday already the week had flown by. Her time was nearly up covering reception at the hotel she was temping at, it was time to find a new job already and she was back at the diner for the fourth night in a row. At least Santana, Rachel and Kurt were all at work. She liked the other people that worked there but it just wasn't the same. Santana had been off the night before and it was too quiet even with the waitresses singing and dancing on tables. She rolled her eyes, her section was filling up already. A busy night, just what she wanted.
She headed over to two girls sitting in her section. She smiled brightly.
"Hi are you ready to order?"
"No" The one girl said without even looking up.
Quinn raised an eyebrow. She could be a bitch but this girl was rude.
"We're waiting for some friends" Her friend explained with an apologetic smile "Could we get two waters while we're waiting please?"
"Sure no problem" She replied walking away from the table.
"I don't see why we came to this tacky place did you see that girls uniform" The rude girl said as Quinn walked away.
"Blair will you please stop complaining" The blonde girl pleaded with her friend.
Santana had caught the exchange and followed Quinn to the counter.
"Want me to go all Lima heights on her skinny ass?"
"Maybe later" Quinn giggled putting the girl's drinks onto a tray.
"We're singing once you drop those off" Santana told her with a smile "Rachel could use the practise"
Quinn resisted the urge to throw the rude brunettes drink over her and set it down with a smile. She walked over towards Rachel and Santana. She rolled her eyes when she heard I say a little prayer start to play. Santana had been serious about teaching Rachel the unholy trinity routines. It brought back some good memories. She was impressed they still knew the routine.
I run for the bus dear,
While riding I think of us (us dear)
I say a little prayer for you.
Half way through their number Quinn noticed Santana had a triumphant smile on her face. She looked up and saw Nate and Chuck walking in. Quinn hadn't told Nate where she worked so Santana obviously had. Part of her wanted to kill Santana. The last thing she wanted was for Nate to see her in her tacky work uniform. He was a success and she was a waitress in a theme diner. On the other hand he was looking pretty good and couldn't keep his eyes off her.
Both girls noticed Nate and Chuck had sat with the girls in Quinn's section. So Nate was friends with the bitchy brunette and probably with the pretty blonde. Quinn cursed herself for not remembering the basic rule. Never trust a man.
"It's probably nothing they came because I told Nate you work here, but I'll hurt them if you need me too" Santana told her trying to be reassuring.
"Swap sections"
"No chance Q"
Quinn headed over to her tables deliberately leaving Nate and Chuck until last.
"Hey" She said with an overly bright smile. "Imagine you two ending up in here"
"You were great" Nate said smiling warmly.
Quinn felt a bit more at ease.
"Red and white suits you….do you have your cheerleader outfit still? Feel free to wear them tomorrow night" Chuck added earning himself a slap on the shoulder from the brunette.
"You told him?" She asked Nate
"It may have come up" He replied with a shrug.
"He wouldn't stop talking about you" Chuck added making Nate look a little uncomfortable.
Quinn fought the urge to laugh.
"Are you ready to order?" She asked saving him any further embarrassment.
"What do you have that's fat free?" The Brunette asked.
"Blair it's a diner just have fries" The blonde cut in.
"Serena I didn't want to come here, I'm sure there is nothing I would want to eat" Blair said glaring at her supposed friend.
Quinn loved tables like this, nice quick simple order…..or not.
"Why don't I give you all another few minutes" She suggested backing away.
"Four burgers please" The Blonde said flashing a dazzling smile.
"Anything else to drink?" She asked looking at Nate and Chuck.
"Water is fine" Nate replied.
"Anything alcoholic" Chuck said before returning to a heated argument with Blair.
Quinn headed off to put on their order. Chuck had been ok when she had met him but their friend group seemed to have a lot of issues. It was not something Quinn was interested in being a part of. She wanted to get to know Nate better but his friends were another story. They reminded her of what Santana and she had been like in high school. But it wasn't high school anymore. She could still give Nate a chance but it would be away from those people. Or at least Blair. There was something about that girl she just didn't trust. Come to think of it Serena gave her a bad feeling as well but maybe that was because she was eerily beautiful.
"What time do you finish?" Nate asked as she brought their food over.
"10" She replied setting the plates down "Can I get you anything else?
"I could take you home" He suggested ignoring her question.
"I was just going to get on the subway" She replied with a smile.
"I'd feel better driving you"
"You should just let him, he's persistent he'll probably turn up anyways" Serena laughed.
"Well if you'd just stalk me anyways I guess I should say yes"
"I guess you'll have to" He said "I'll meet you here at 10"
"Well I best get back to my other tables" She said going back to work.
"So another lost cause for Archibald, at least Charlotte had money and Dianna was interesting, some cheerleader waitress are you serious?" Blair asked in disbelief.
"Blair!" Serena exclaimed "She'll hear you"
Quinn could hear every word but girls like Blair did not bother her. She used to be a girl like Blair.
"She's a nice girl Blair" Nate said "And she got into Yale so I guess that gives her one up on you"
"She went to Yale but she's working here?" Blair questioned raising an eyebrow "She's lying or there's something wrong with her"
"Now now children let's not say thing's we'll regret" Chuck said surprisingly being the voice of reason "Quinn is a nice girl leave it alone Blair, and Nate you know Blair just worries about you in her twisted way"
"If she's hiding something I will find out" Blair said taking a sip of water not touching her food.
"Not everyone has secrets like us" Nate sighed "Let's just go I knew it was a bad idea to bring you"
Quinn was behind the counter when Nate came to say bye to her.
"I'll be back at 10" He reassured her.
Quinn said bye and went back to cleaning. Blair had made her feel determined to give things a try with Nate. She would not be told by some stranger that she wasn't good enough. Quinn was good at being perfect. She may not be fitting to other people's ideas of perfect anymore but that didn't mean she would let people look down on her either. She felt a bit of her old bitchy self coming out when she thought about that girl.
Nate was waiting outside as promised when she finished work. Santana was on until close. She said goodbye to her friend and went outside to meet Nate. She looked at his sports car convertible. She didn't know what type it was but it looked expensive.
"Nice wheels Archibald" She said with a smile.
"Home now or did you want to get a drink first?" He asked
Quinn raised an eyebrow "Have you seen what I'm wearing?"
"We could go to the Empire" He suggested. "Besides I think you look fine"
"So you're trying to get me back to your place before a first date?" She asked getting into the car.
"No just a drink in a lounge, we don't even have to go to Chuck's suite" Nate said "Gentleman remember"
"I guess one drink would be ok" She agreed.
She pulled her hair down and shook it out with her hand. It was slightly curly and she was sure it would be windswept by the time they got there. Nate assured her she looked ok.
She found the Empire even more intimidating now she was stood there in her work uniform. But what was one drink when she didn't have a job to go to in the morning.
Nate took her to a quiet table in the corner before going to the bar for drinks. He came back with a beer for him and a cocktail for her. She thanked him and took a sip as he sat down.
"So Santana told you where I work?" She asked.
"She thought I may need help finding you" He replied
"And you've been talking about me?"
"You left an impression" He admitted "It's not often I meet a beautiful girl who's interesting to talk to"
"Flattery Mr Archibald what are you trying to achieve?"
"Getting your number and maybe a date for tomorrow night"
"An official one?"
"An official one"
"I was going to give you this earlier" She said handing him a slip of paper with her number on it.
"So what time do you finish work tomorrow?" He asked.
"I've finished that job for now" She replied.
"I get off work around 6, I know as a date I should pick you up and arrive with you but I'm guessing you girls will be here then getting ready"
"I guess we can meet when I get off stage" She laughed.
"You can meet some of my friends I think you'll like them"
Quinn just took a sip of her drink not wanting her mouth to betray her.
"They're not like Blair don't worry" He added.
"Blair?" She questioned deciding to play dumb.
"She can be difficult but we grew up together" He explained.
Nate told her a little bit about the newspaper he owned and a bit about his time at college. An hour had passed before she knew it. Nate had stuck to soft drinks after his one beer so he could take her home. He had noticed her looking sleepy and taken her back down to the car. He opened the door for her which made her smile and took her all the way to her doorstep for the second time that week.
"Tomorrow night?"
"Tomorrow night" She agreed
Nate brushed a stray strand of blonde hair that had fallen in her face. He pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head. It was definitely a nice place to be and he was so sweet.
"I guess you should go to bed you've got work tomorrow" She said pulling back.
"I guess I should" He replied still holding her.
Quinn held her breath as Nate lent down and kissed her softly on the lips. Like in all cheesy romantic stories it was the perfect goodnight kiss. Quinn couldn't help but want more but the last thing she was going to do was invite Nate inside it wouldn't lead to anything good. Instead she whispered goodnight and headed inside. She couldn't keep the smile from her face. She had just met Nate but he was easy to fall for.