Do you ever imagine your life as a path? Maybe it's a path you've walked before in the park or down the street or maybe it's a more artistic interpretation. But it's your life, and as milestones happen, maybe trees sprout out or when something bad happens, maybe a rainy cloud will form over part of it, and you have to walk through it to get to the other side.
It's always how I was able to visualise my life. But in this moment something changed about my path, when the mohawked man opened his palm and looked at me expectantly. I came to a juncture. Whereas before I could walk down this trail, now it had split into two. Go left for something, go right for something else. I didn't know what each path held.
My rational brain was screaming at me to take the path where I would decline this man. Wait for him to leave, maybe call Rachel as I got a taxi home. Safely lock myself away and never think of mohawk man again. That option of course, is the one I chose. I would be an idiot to go off with this guy, who I knew nothing about.
Just as I was about to decline his offer, something happened. Something that, looking back on it now, I have decided to be one of the most important events of my life. The one that would change everything and maybe make me believe that I never really had the option of two paths. That the road I've travelled was always set to turn out this way.
"Hey Noah, sorry I'm late, I had to lock up the diner, and people wouldn't leave, and then I got a phone call from one of my dad's and it was just a nightma- oh! Santana!"
I didn't think I could get more shocked as I swung in my seat and faced the entrance of the diner. As soon as I head the rambling voice, I knew immediately who it was. We both gaped at each other, before I squinted a little. "Rachel?"
"Wait, wait, wait." The man, who I gathered was called Noah, as if that was a name, looked between us, a lecherous grin taking over his face as he swung his finger from the short form of Rachel, who had closed her mouth and moved nearer to us, to me, who was even more confused than I had been all night. "You two… know each other?"
Rachel came and stood next to me, waving at the server who she called Joe, before looking back at Noah. "Yes Puck, she's my roommate. How do you two know each other."
Okay Puck? Now I was seriously addled. "We don't." I blurted out. Puck got up and wrapped his arm around me, to which I immediately shrugged off.
"We just met tonight. Santana here looked a bit down, so I offered for her to come with us." Puck explained.
Rachel rolled her eyes. "Seriously Noah, I don't think any girl with half a brain would accept that offer, I mean, really? She doesn't even know you, I bet you didn't even introduce yourself."
Puck back to me and stuck a hand out. "Noah Puckerman, everyone but this little Jew princess calls me Puck. At your service. Now, are you coming with us? We're going to be late if we don't get a move on."
I took Puck's hand which he gripped and pulled me to my feet. I yelped and yanked my hand away, following the duo as they started to leave the building.
"Coming with you where? Late for what? And how did you know my name?" I scrambled to catch up as they walked down the block, Rachel's little legs moving a mile a minute as they matched stride with Puck's.
He turned around and continued to walk, missing a lamppost by half a hair, much to my disappointment. He gave me that grin again, that made me thank the heavens above that I was a lesbian, otherwise I'd be sorely disappointed if this was the type of guy on offer.
"You have your name tag on, must be from your audition. I'm guessing it didn't go too well, if Puck was trying to cheer you up. But don't worry, onwards and upwards." Rachel marched on with her finger in the air for dramatic effect.
"Hey Rach, do you think she needs to change her threads?" Puck pointed to my legs. I was wearing a skirt that came just above my knees with a white shirt. It was my work outfit and I hadn't changed for my audition.
Rachel turned around and scrutinised my outfit, which was ironic in itself. Although I did a double take when I finally took in what she was wearing. A black leather jacket with black jeans and three gold chains hanging down. She had smoky eye makeup on and honestly, looked kinda hot. "Yeah, that won't do, it's only like quarter to two. We've got loads of time, Kurt will have something."
Where the hell were we going, if nearly two in the morning is loads of time.
"Yeah but Kurt left when I did, and we were the only ones left." Puck explained as he flipped a coin into a homeless man's cup and walked out into the street, turning around once again to face me and Rachel.
Rachel smirked as Puck held his arms out wide, still walking backwards across the street. "You think I haven't picked his lock before?"
Okay, who the hell was my roommate. I clearly knew nothing.
Puck gave a short laugh into the air, fist pumping and clicking his heels as he ran straight towards a lamppost and clung to it, sliding down and landing as we came up next to him. The action made me smile, despite myself as I followed along.
I had no idea where we were going, what I would find at the end of the journey, or who the hell these people were, but I found myself not caring. For once, I found myself going into something with reckless abandon. Maybe these two were rubbing off on me.
Wanky.
/
"Alright, a little to the left, a lot to the right and a slice of luck, bang!" Rachel jimmied her pin into the lock. Honestly, where the hell did she learn to do this? I was going to have to talk with her later on.
"Okay, we have fifteen minutes to get her Bushwick ready." Puck stated as he followed Rachel down the hallway of the apartment we had just broken into. We walked past three doors before we came upon a large living room with a kitchen off to the side. It was like the apartment out of Rent and I was fascinated. These people lived here? What sort of jobs did they do to get an apartment his big and spacious?
"I'm thinking feathers." I followed Rachel's voice into a large bedroom which I assumed must belong to the man called Kurt. He had a large bed with fairy lights hanging down. The room was more styled than mine, and got me thinking about the owner.
Wait a minute.
"Bushwick? We're going to Bushwick?" I exclaimed, just now processing what Puck had said as we entered the apartment.
Puck was looking at the pictures on the wall as Rachel was throwing out items from the closet. "Ooh how about this?" Rachel exclaimed, completely ignoring my question, as she held up a pair of black shorts, a cropped black top with no arms and a shawl with black feathers sticking up every which way.
I shook my head and backed away as Puck looked over and grinned. "Perfect. With the combat boots. Her makeup already looks smoking hot, just fluff the hair up a bit and we have a winner."
"No way. What kind of place do you even wear that in. And why does someone called Kurt have clothes in women sizes?" I exclaimed as Rachel pushed all of the clothing onto me.
"You'll know if you meet him, now go, you have five minutes." Rachel shooed me into the en-suite and closed the door on me. I looked at the feathered jacket and sighed.
What was in Bushwick?
/
"So how do you guys know each other?" I asked as we trawled down the block. We had got a taxi to Bushwick from Kurt's apartment, which hadn't taken long at all. We were now walking to… wherever it was we were going.
The one thing I had noticed about Puck and Rachel was how comfortable they were with each other. They had no filter with each other, bickered constantly, but you could tell there was something there. Something deeper than just friends. Something I had never experienced before.
They looked at each other. "High school." Rachel answered as we turned a corner.
The lots were all abandoned big buildings and old warehouses. I had assumed we would be going to someone's house or a bar. I hadn't really been to a lot of bars. A few in college but the bars in Lima weren't all that. I had gone to a few college and high school parties but not many. Being in glee club didn't really help my rep and I wasn't that close to my friends at college.
From the café to Kurt's house had been such a whirlwind that I hadn't really had a lot of time to process what I was doing. I was walking through some shifty neighbourhood, to an unknown destination with a roommate who I clearly knew not a lot about and his friend, who I knew even less about. I broke into someone's house, raided their wardrobe and ended up wearing what I feel like is an old costume from some cabaret production. And I loved every minute of it. My heart was pumping, my nerves were building. I hadn't felt this good in forever.
The night had a mysterious air to it and for once, I was willing to go along with the ride. Tonight was a night of saying yes.
Puck and Rachel stopped walking. Puck put his arm out to stop me too. He grinned and looked over at us. "Can you feel that?" He closed his eyes and tilted his head.
I stood still and tried to understand what he was talking about. I followed Rachel in closing my eyes and listened to the world. My heart started vibrating, sending shockwaves down my body, but it wasn't from nerves. But music. Loud thumping music flowing through my bones, rattling my rib cage. Puck grabbed me by the arm as we strode on, the thumping got heavier and heavier as we neared our destination.
I could hear people screaming, talking, laughing. We turned a corner and stood. Watching from the opposite side of the road as a large, two clearly abandoned warehouses came into view. The two buildings were lit up, some windows flashing a multitude of colours, some white lights. There were crowds and crowds of people outside, dancing in the alleyway between the two that served as an entrance. A bridge was connecting the two from above as people hung over the edge, chatting and laughing with those down below.
I had never seen anything like it.
I followed the duo as they walked across the road and into the split between the two warehouses. The wonderment must of shown on my face as Puck looked over. He took me by the arm and smiled at me. "Cool huh? Welcome to New York City. Bet you never got anything like this in whatever town you're from?"
I shook my head. "Ohio can't compare. Where are you from?"
Puck laughed. "This city is ours. NY born and bred. All of us."
I looked over at him and frowned. "All of you?"
Puck just smiled, whilst Rachel took me by the hand and led me past the crowds. Some of them greeted her and Puck, whilst they said their hellos to others. "Hey Santana," Rachel shouted in my ear, the music becoming so loud, "if you get lost, I have my phone. You've got my number so just text me, okay?"
I nodded at her. I wouldn't admit it, but I was a little daunted. This was unlike anything I had been too, and whilst I wasn't naïve, I was hardly an expert either. I was thankful for Rachel and Puck however, I felt more comfortable with them by my side.
"Let's get some drinks!" Puck shouted as we followed him into one of the warehouses. The thumping bass was rumbling throughout the whole room as a massive crowd of people danced, facing the DJ who was pumping his hands in the air. I smiled as I watched everyone dancing, nobody seemed to care about anything other than having a good time. It was such a difference from parties where everybody would judge or just sit there talking.
Puck danced all the way to the next room, high fiving people as he went. I laughed along with Rachel as we jogged to catch up with him. The next room had no music in, but had half a wall where there was a band playing behind it. People were fist pumping and jumping around to the music with no inhibitions whatsoever. I felt free just being around these people.
This side of the wall housed people chilling on tattered couches scattered around as well as a large table with four coolers around it. Puck walked over and clapped a blonde boy on the back. He turned around and hugged Puck as we walked towards the table.
"Hey bro, damn couldn't find you or Rach anywhere," he said as he hugged Rachel.
Holy shit his lips were big.
"Hey, I'm Sam." The blondie held his hand out to me.
"Santana. Boy those are some trouty lips," I shook his hand whilst Puck snorted as he started making drinks from the dozens and dozens of bottles on the table. Sam looked confused for a second before he started to laugh. He reached into the cooler and grabbed a beer.
"She's my roommate, she can be quite… cutting. Are they here?" Rachel asked as she took the drink from Puck, downing it in a few gulps and grimacing. "Oh my Noah. Seriously?"
"What? We have to catch up. Anyway yeah, we had to go and get some clothes from Kurt's." Puck handed me a cup and drunk from his own, making a face. I peered into my cup, the brown liquid sloshing about. I frowned and sniffed. Well there was coke in there, and maybe whisky? I took a sip and felt the liquid burn, the coke was flat. Rum. Definitely rum.
"Ah I see," Sam said as he eyed my feathers. I rolled my eyes and started drinking the concoction, trying to discreetly hold my nose as not to appear like an amateur. "Yeah, everyone is here, they're all about somewhere. It's a good one tonight. Everyone who's anyone is here." Sam explained.
"Yeah well, she's been outdoing herself lately." Rachel chuckled as she made herself a new drink.
"That she has." Puck said. He looked at me for a second and tipped my cup slightly, encouraging me to finish my drink. I wonder who 'she' was.
"Now I could swear that I have a feather shawl just like that in my closet. But that's so odd, because my apartment is 4 miles the other way. Hmm." I turned around as a soft spoken voice invaded my space.
"Hey Kurt." Puck said as Rachel hugged him. She looked over at me and back to Kurt. "Look, we couldn't let Santana come in what she had on. And we knew you, being the fashion genius you are, would have something." Puck explained.
I could kind of see the reason behind Kurt being the owner of the bedroom I was in, not thirty minutes beforehand. He had perfectly quaffed hair and porcelain like skin. A kind, if not babyish, smile and a flowery shirt tucked into high-waisted leather trousers. A bandana tied around his neck topped the look off. Oh yeah, this kid was gayer than a fairy. And more effeminate than me.
"I know what you're doing, but will choose to accept your praise because it is true. Santana, nice to meet you, Rachel has told me a little about you as her roommate. I'm Kurt." I smiled and nodded at him as two girls and a boy came up behind Kurt. One of the girls, a larger, black girl draped herself around the smaller boy's shoulder laughing hysterically.
"Oh man, you should've seen it, Quinn just tried some ghetto ass move on the dance floor." The black haired girl started wiping her eyes as she moved off of Kurt, who was touching up his damaged hair and flung herself into Sam's arms.
"You know what Mercedes, you can walk home." The second girl pointed her finger at Mercedes. She had a blonde bobbed haircut with pink streaks thrown in, her features were stunning and her voice was incredibly regal.
"Mmm whatever mama, I'm staying with Sammy tonight anyway. Come on Sam, let's go dance." Mercedes grinned up at the boy as she led him away, through another door at the far end of the room.
"That was Mercedes, Sam's girlfriend. This is Quinn, they both live with Kurt." Rachel gestured to the girl. "Quinn this is Santana, my roommate. Puck met her in a café tonight when he was waiting for me. Such a lucky coincidence." Rachel babbled on as she finished her second cup, her cheeks tinting red a bit and a massive grin plastered on her face.
"Hey, me and Kurt are going to find Finn. He's been trying to ring me." Puck said as he put his phone back in his pocket.
"What?" Rachel took her phone out and groaned, "me too, I'll come with you. Santana you coming?" Rachel turned to me as Kurt and Puck weaved through the crowds.
"I'm gonna find the toilet, but I'll text you." Rachel nodded as she walked off.
"Come on Santana, you're going to need some help navigating through this place." Quinn smiled as she held onto my arm and led me through the door we just came. We walked back into the alley which seemed more crowded than ever. I didn't even know what the time was, but the party seemed to be gaining way more momentum instead of slowing down. I didn't even feel tired like I should've been.
"Yes! I love everyone! Bushwick warehouse parties are the one! She just knows how to throw a party!" One girl was screaming out, with her hands in the air. She didn't have a top on and she clearly didn't give a shit. Nobody around her did either as they ignored her. She walked towards us with her arms outstretched.
Oh hell no bitch.
Before I could defend myself from this girl who was clearly out of her mind, Quinn shoved her away, not even breaking a stride as she barrelled through the crowd, most getting out of the way for her. I laughed as I felt the alcohol Puck had given me start to take effect.
I wasn't really a lightweight. I usually drunk quite a bit at the parties I had gone to, but I was in no way hardcore either and what Puck had given us was really strong. I could feel my blood pumping more and a lazy grin take over my face as me and Quinn weaved in and out of rooms, different music playing in each, rock, rap, drum n bass, house. Each room had its own vibe and most of them were packed out with people.
We walked down the corridor which had a line of people against the wall, some of them greeted Quinn, like they had done for Puck and Rachel, whilst she nodded back. She walked into the door where the queue had formed, bypassing everyone.
"Hey ladies, get to the back!" One guy shouted out. I turned slowly, trying to figure out who had shouted at us.
"Hey man, that's Fabray, she's part of this, you wanna get kicked out?" Another voice piped up. Part of what? Am I part of it too?
Quinn smirked, "I'll meet you out here." I nodded and went into the now empty stall. Whenever I got drunk, the one place which would always help me figure anything out was the toilets. Who had been that girl I had kissed? Whose house was I at? How much had I had to drink? It was sort of my drunk happy place. Right now, I was trying to sort out faces and names of everybody I had met tonight. Kurt, Puck, Sam, Mercedes. There had been a boy named Finn. And what was Quinn part of? Who has been outdoing herself lately?
It was like I had invaded some family. I mean, everyone had been super nice, but who really were these people? They seemed all so used to this environment, and there relationships were perplexing. I couldn't work anyone out. They just had this coolness about them but they were so cryptic, little glances, comments with no explanations.
I finished and walked out of the stall, Quinn was primping in the mirror and someone had rushed into the toilet I had vacated. I washed my hands as Quinn looked at me in the mirror.
"So what's it like living with the one and only star Rachel Berry?" Quinn mocked as she jazzed her hands.
I chuckled, "Oh she's something. Did you go to school with Puck and Rachel too?"
Quinn nodded as she checked her makeup. "Yep, all of us, Puck, Kurt, Sam, Rachel, Mercedes. Who else have you met?"
I shrugged. "Just them, God how many are there?"
"A few more." She smiled.
"Hey darlings, wanna freebase?" A guy shoved a clear pipe in front of us as we turned around.
"Get the fuck away Brett, nobody wants to end up like you." Quinn snarled as she dragged me past the ginger haired boy. I looked at him in disgust, his teeth were rank and his clothes stunk.
"Did he just offer us crack?" I asked in disbelief. I had never tried drugs apart from some pot in college.
Quinn laughed. "Yeah, they're crawling in this place. You get wind of one of these parties and bam, they're all here."
We kept walking instead of coming back the way we came, into a new room. Some techno music was playing, and the lights were flashing from green to purple and back again. Quinn nodded her head towards the far wall where Sam and Mercedes were lounging.
"Hey guys, anything been happening?" Quinn asked.
Sam shook his head as he pointed towards the dancefloor. We both turned around and watched as a lanky boy body popped in front of a growing crowd. They were cheering and whistling as he sped up. I was in awe as he contorted his body, twisting and turning to the beat of the music.
"Well Mike is on fire tonight, is Tina not around?" Quinn asked as she flicked a dozing Mercedes on the head.
"Girl you best not do that again. And no, she had to leave early, she told Mike to stay." Mercedes grumbled as she rubbed her forehead.
"Cedes you forgot to say hey to Rachel's roommate, Santana." Quinn pointed towards me.
"Hey girl, nice feathers." I chuckled and said thanks as the lanky boy came over and draped his arms around me and Quinn.
"Namaste people, ooh nice feathers." Mike grabbed one of the feathers on Kurt's shawl. Quinn made introductions and I met another member of this gang. So I had yet to meet Finn and Tina, I didn't know how any of them kept up with each other there were so many.
"So Santana, you're Rachel's roommate right? Has someone given you a medal yet?" Mike asked me. I giggled, much to my embarrassment, and shook my head. I was really starting to feel this alcohol now.
"No, the only thing I've been offered is some crack in the toilets." I laughed. Honestly I was still a little shocked, and had to see if this was normal for them.
"Oh yeah that'll happen. But if you wanna know what'll happen if you do it, you only have to look at Brett. It's enough to put anyone off." Mike explained as he took a swig of his drink.
So it was just normal. God I was a long way from Lima.
"- yeah I've seen her, we spoke about rent but she didn't want to talk about it tonight. She's always around, you've just got to go searching for her." Me and Mike ended our conversation and started listening to what Sam and Quinn were talking about. Mercedes was completely out of it by now.
"Yeah I know Sam. I just wish she would, I don't know…" Quinn sighed and held the bridge of her nose.
"I know Q, me too." Sam said as he sighed and looked at Mercedes. " Well she peaked too early, I should get her home. You gonna be ok?" Sam asked as he got up and tried to wake Mercedes.
"Yeah I'll be fine, I'll crash at Puck's probably, depends if I find Kurt before the night is over." Quinn said as she got up too.
"Here Sam, I've got work tomorrow, so I'll help and catch a cab home with you." Mike said as he helped lift a knocked out Mercedes. Sam and Mike said their goodbyes to me and slowly made their way outside.
"Hey Santana, I'm going to the toilet again, you wanna come?" Quinn asked me.
I shook my head. "Nah I'm good, I'll text Rachel and see where she is. I'll see you later though."
Quinn smiled and nodded, leaving the room and heading towards where the toilets were. I looked around the dancefloor as people with neon necklaces draped around them and paint splattering their clothes danced to the music. I smiled as I sent off a text to Rachel and made my way through another door, leading to a staircase. I hastily climbed the stairs, a mean feat in the state I was in, which lead me to a balcony overlooking the techno room.
There was one lone figure leaning over the railings, watching the proceedings, arms outstretched. I got closer and saw it was a girl, with long, blonde hair hanging down her shoulders. She had a plain white t-shirt on and black jeans, rolled to the calves.
I walked a bit further along and came to the railing, standing around a meter away from the girl. I looked out onto the room and watched the rave happening below. I never would've thought I would be going to a warehouse rave, but it was so awesome. I checked my phone but had no text from Rachel yet. I checked the time and my eyes bugged. It was 6 in the morning! I had been here for hours. I hadn't ever stayed out this late partying before.
"So, how come you aren't down there dancing?" I looked over to see the girl looking at me. The music wasn't as loud from up here, so I was able to hear what she said clearly enough. I examined her face more. She had cat shaped eyes and quite hollow cheeks. She was way taller than me, but quite thin. Her lips held no hint of a smile, like her face was blank of emotions.
"I'm waiting for my friend to text me and tell me where she is." I explained. The girl raised an eyebrow and nodded, moving her head to watch the room again.
"What's your name?" I heard again. The girl was scanning the room, smiling ever so slightly this time. She looked back at me, waiting for an answer.
"Santana." I said, wondering where she was going with this.
She pushed herself away from the railing and turned to fully face me. I realised then that she was quite beautiful. "Well Santana, perhaps you should dance to the beat of your own drum."
She walked off without a backwards glance as my eyes followed her all the way down the stairs until she disappeared from sight.
/
This night had set off a chain reaction that would start what I was really looking for in life. I never realised that just by being roommates with one Rachel Berry would go on to alter my life in so many ways. This night would be the start of it all.
But there would be one major reason I will always remember the party at the Bushwick warehouse.
It was the first time I had ever met her.
So this story is really helping me focus on something right now, and I'm going to keep writing, but if you're enjoying it, I would love to hear about it. And if there is something you want to see, questions or requests, I would love to hear them too. Thanks.