After Rachel and Kurt insisted on a musicals marathon I decided to take the opportunity to go to the bar just round the corner. I was hoping to get back just as the credits started so that I could act all disappointed that I missed it but the night was passing way too slowly. The bar was almost empty and the regulars that I normally sat and talked to weren't about. I finished my drink and checked my phone. I had three new messages. The first was from Kurt begging me to hurry up because Rachel was driving him crazy moaning about Finn and Brody. No surprise there. The second was a message from Brit asking if I knew where she could buy a panda hat. Don't even ask. But it was the third message that confused me. I don't understand why she'd sent it or what it meant, it just said;
Hey Santana, Can't wait to see you. I've got some news. Q x
Unbelievable. After all this time is that all I get? I stared down at my phone. Surely she could've waited until she got here tomorrow to mess with my head. I sighed loudly and rested my head in my hands.
"Hey, are you ok?" I heard from behind me as a hand rested on my shoulder. I turned to see a woman with bright blue eyes and long flowing blonde hair.
"Oh yeah I'm fine. Thanks. Sorry, do I know you?" I questioned her looking into her eyes. She looked familiar to me but I didn't know her. I just prayed that she wasn't one of Berry's annoying 'Broadway Wannabe' friends from NYADA.
"No, sorry. My name's Annie." She put out her hand for me to shake. I complied.
"Santana." I swiveled back round on my stool to face the bar and waved towards the barman pointing at my drink. "Hey Joe. Any chance of a complimentary refill over here for your favourite customer?" He waved his hand and carried on making a blue cocktail. "So, what's up Annie? Because I'm really not in the mood for a therapy session right now."
"Actually, I was just about to ask you if you wanted a drink but I can see that you're all sorted." She pointed at the cocktail that the barman placed in front of me. I nodded. "And I thought maybe you could do with some company, besides, you look amazing in that dress and my ex is right over there. Making someone a little bit jealous doesn't hurt."
"Oh right so you're hitting on me." I smirked at her as she sat on the stool next to me. "Normally I would be more than happy to oblige, you're hot and I'm hot, why not, right? But honestly I'm not in the mood right now." I fiddled with my phone as I spoke.
"I get it." She pointed at the phone. "Girl problems?"
"Kind of. More like a friend-messing-with-another-friends-head problems." I smiled sarcastically, pulling a face and she laughed.
"Well, we've all been there." She winked. "How about I take your mind off her. I promise you'll have a good night."
I laughed at her. "Really? Don't you think that's a bit forward? I am no whore." I teased placing my hand on my chest, pretending to be hurt.
"What? No, sorry, I meant at the bar—I wasn't saying..." I laughed harder as she blushed.
"Relax Blondie, I'm kidding." I nudged her. "You're new to this I'm guessing." I smiled at her and she looked down at the bar. "Hey." I touched her chin gently so that she looked back up at me. She smiled. " You're doing fine. Do you want a drink?" She nodded silently.
We sat and talked casually about jobs and I told her about how I was avoiding Rachel and Kurt and she told me about her ex and how she liked New York. We had several drinks and sang along to the music played in the bar until finally she turned to question me.
"So what's the deal with you and your 'friend'?" She said, air quoting with her fingers. "Are you together or were you or what? You can tell me, you never know I might be able to help."
"It's complicated." I replied. "And the sarcasm wasn't appreciated." She looked at me waiting for me to continue. I exhaled deeply and proceeded. "We hooked up at a wedding and since then, well, I've heard nothing. Now she sends me this message out of the blue." I showed her the text. "I guess I'm just kind of worried about what's going to happen."
"Why? She said she's looking forward to seeing you. That's a good thing."
"No, you don't get it. I'm not exactly her type." I laughed. "And anyway, I don't want to get into that, she's my friend." I smiled. Annie nodded. "Eurghh. This is too much drama." I dropped my head down onto the bar and a thudding sound echoed slightly more than I expected. "Ouch, crap." I laughed rubbing my forehead.
"Shit Santana, you're bleeding." Annie pointed at my head snickering. "Sorry, I don't mean to laugh. Come on lets get you cleaned up." She grabbed my arm and dragged me into the bathroom. She was about half a foot taller than me and slightly more sober. I stumbled leaning over the sink and looked at my head in the mirror, squinting to see the tiny cut by my hairline.
"I wouldn't exactly call this an injury. I've had much worse." I laughed as I wiped the tiny trail of blood away with my finger.
"Better to be safe than sorry." She winked. "Jesus, it's midnight." She said looking at her phone.
"Well it seems like I've had a better night than I expected then." I grinned at her as I got my lipstick out of my bag.
"What, that's it? Too much liquor sweetie?" Annie laughed at me. "There were a few words I associated with you when we first met but lightweight wasn't one of them."
I winked at her. "You were right not to." I traced the outline of my lips with the dark red coloured lipstick and filled in the rest with one fluid motion.
"Suits you." Annie smiled as she sat on the edge of the row of sinks. "Wait you have some right there." She laughed as she leant in and wiped a tiny smudge from under my bottom lip. Her touch was soft and it sent a shiver down my spine.
"You know, we could always finish our little chat at my place. I have wine!" I said smiling up at her. My vision was slightly blurred at this point and I could hear myself slurring as I spoke. Part of me knew that this wasn't a good idea but I decided there was a sure fire way to get Quinn out of my head for the night and that was to bring Annie back to the apartment.
I woke up and my head was throbbing. I had a pale arm draped over my stomach and hair tickling my neck. Shit. I looked over at my clock to see that it was only 8am, way too early to be up after such a late night. The blonde next to me stirred as I tried to shimmy out from underneath her. I slipped on some shorts and a t-shirt and wandered out into the kitchen.
"And she's up." Kurt stated smiling between Rachel and me.
"Ok Lady Hummel, keep the voice down before my head explodes."
"Or before I wake up your friend?" He smirked. Crap. "Curtains aren't soundproof Santana."
"Tell that the Rachel and the human Ken doll." I winked at her. "Coffee anyone?" They both shook their heads.
Just as I began to pour a cup for myself I heard a noise behind me. I turned to see Annie standing by the table. "Good morning." I smiled at her.
"Morning." She responded, yawning. "Is that coffee?" She grinned.
"Want some?" I asked laughing at her failed attempt of subtlety.
"Yes please. My head's pounding."
"Mine too." I replied. "These are my flat mates Kurt and Rachel." I pointed over to them.
"I guessed." She replied. "Hi I'm Annie."
They both greeted her.
"Remember Quinn's coming tonight Santana." I nodded. "I know it's late notice but I was wondering if it was ok for her to stay in your room tonight? I'll tidy up if you like but I wanted Brody to meet her and it would be easier for him to stay over, obviously in my room." I felt my muscles tighten. So not only would it be awkward that we had to see each other but we'd have to share a bed. Fabulous. Annie looked to me and snickered. I slapped her shoulder and handed her the mug of coffee.
"Sure Rach. Whatever." I moaned.
"What's wrong? She's your friend." Kurt questioned.
"Yeah I'm just tired. It's fine."
"Are you good friends?" Annie looked at me with a joking smirk. Not cool. I shot her an evil glare and then relaxed to a smile. We both knew that last night wasn't serious but I had to give her credit, it was a fun night. As much as I loved them, it was nice to have a break from Grandma Berry and Kurt and just relax.
"So Annie, what do you do?" Rachel asked turning to the blonde sitting opposite her.
"I'm a choreographer." She replied smiling. "I haven't done anything major so far, just a couple of shows. Actually, I've recently been asked to help choreograph some routines for the winter showcase at the performing arts school, NYADA?" Rachel's face lit up.
"That's where Kurt and I go to school. It's amazing. So have you accepted the offer? It could be a great opportunity." I rolled my eyes. Good one Annie, now you've really started her off. The blonde looked over at me as if she'd read my mind.
"Not yet but I probably will. Speaking of work, I'd better go. I have a dance class at 11." She stood up and walked back into my bedroom to collect her things.
Kurt and Rachel gave me a devilish look and I felt myself blush. This is why I don't bring people back. Annie walked back into the room leant over and kissed me on the cheek.
"Thanks. I had a great night. We should hang out again at some point." She hesitated before adding, "And good luck for tonight."
"Thanks." I grinned getting up and making my way over to open the door for her.
"You'll be fine." She winked at me and walked out of the door and down the hall.
"Well." Kurt placed his hands on the table, drumming his fingers. "She seems nice."
"Yep." I replied retaking my place at the table and relaxing back into my chair, closing my eyes.
"That's all you have to say?" Rachel questioned looking concerned. I nodded. "Santana." Rachel said with more force in her voice.
"What do you want me to say Rach?" I said sitting up. "Do you want me tell you what I did last night? Do you want me to tell you that it didn't mean anything and that she's just a friend? What do you want?"
"I don't want you to get hurt." Rachel shouted. I felt my pulse quicken. She inhaled. " Look I'm sorry. You just put up with so much crap and pretend it doesn't get to you. We all saw how hurt you were at the wedding with Brittany and Sam but you're worth more than this." Tears began to build in my eyes. "You deserve to be happy, not someone's one night stand."
"Well fortunately for you it isn't your fucking problem." I said as I got up and stormed into my room. I could feel a lump in my throat. I jumped face down on my bed and sulked into my pillow. There was nothing worse than being patronized, especially by Berry. Why should she get a say in what I do or who I do it with?
Kurt appeared at the foot of the bed. "Are you ok?" he smiled. "You know she's just worried about you, don't you?"
"I know, I know. I'm just a bit stressed out. I'm just going to go back to sleep. I'm working later and I'm exhausted. I just need a rest. Tell her I'm sorry?" He nodded, gave me a reassuring smile and left.
Brilliant. So not only did I have to look forward to awkward conversation all night with Quinn, but now I had to apologize to Rachel for snapping at her. What a nightmare. Oh, and to top it all off, Berry and Kurt would undoubtedly tell Q about me and Annie, just to make the fact that the two of us slept together feel a little bit more insignificant.