CHAPTER 2 - SHE MAKES ME (FEEL ALRIGHT)
A singer in a smoky room, A smell of wine and cheap perfume
For a smile they can share the night, It goes on and on and on and on
"Rachel, it's about time! You're almost late!" Rudy Munoz, her shift manager, bellowed to her as she rushed through the front door.
"I'm so sorry Rudy! There was terrible traffic due to a disabled car and the cabbie had to take an alternate route to get here."
"Okay just get yourself clocked in and take over for Mya, her shift is over in like 15. Oh, by the way, there's a new dishwasher who started tonight, and he'll be doubling as a busboy if Luke doesn't show up – and right now the odds are good that he won't. New guy's name is Noah but he prefers being called 'Puck', and trust me, you can't miss him with his crazy haircut. If you start seeing tables piling up just let him know."
"Sure thing Rudy, thanks for the heads up!"
Two Hours Later…
Puck was already hating his new job tremendously. The only good thing about it so far was a free meal per shift and the opportunity to get in on open mic night. Employees were not only allowed but also encouraged to perform. But the place was completely packed to capacity all night – no surprise since it's a Friday night – and he felt like he wasn't ever going to get an actual break in order to have that free meal, let alone find time to show off his musical skills. Not to mention his lame ass co-worker Luke, whom he'd never even met, was apparently a slacker who only showed up when he felt like it. This meant extra work for Puck, both by bussing tables out front and washing all the dishes in back himself.
Rudy finally came back and told Puck he'd cover for him to take his break, which was a godsend right at that moment considering Puck had needed to take a leak for at least half an hour by then. Puck stopped in the kitchen and requested an Italian hoagie with onion rings then rushed out toward the main entrance where the mens room was located. On his way out to the restrooms, he noticed the gorgeous but very tiny brunette poised at the hostess stand, and nearly walked into a ficus plant watching her as he passed through. Daaaaamn fine ladies they got working here! he thought to himself. On his way back from the restroom, he decided to stop and introduce himself.
With a waggle of his eyebrows he sauntered up to the hostess podium and pulled out the first pickup line that popped into his mind. "Hey baby, you come here often? Would you like to?" he asked while smiling shamelessly at her.
Rachel looked up and took in the mohawk, dirty wet apron tied around his waist and ridiculously muscular physique and quickly deduced this must be the infamous new guy Rudy mentioned. She pasted on a friendly (if slightly sarcastic) grin and replied "Is that the best pickup line you've got? If so, I'm sorry to tell you this, but some cows from the 1970's called and they want their CHEESE back."
Puck chuckled at her "Alright short stuff, no need for the hostility! So your name's Rachel? I'm Puck."
Rachel glances down at her name tag and back to the dark brown eyes of the guy now hanging on the side of her work station. "Well color me surprised, you can actually READ. Lovely to meet you, Noah."
"Uh, yeah I can read just fine. And it's just Puck, at your service baby. So.. are you single?"
Ugh. The absolute LAST thing Rachel needed was another muscle head frat-boy type hitting on her, especially tonight. Time to put this one out of his misery, just like all the others. "Listen, I'm sure you find yourself very charming, and perhaps this very cliched approach of yours works quite well with some girls, but you'll find it simply will get you nowhere with me. Also my status is completely irrelevant, particularly since I have a strict no dating coworkers policy, therefore you might as well save it for the drunken sorority crowd. They're due to show up any time now. And also, tables 25, 30 and 32 need cleared. I've been told that's your job tonight, Noah, so you might want to mosey your cheesy self over there and get it done. Sooner than later would be best and most appreciated. Fridays are always very busy and the late night rush is about to hit."
Whoa. Hot girl is sassy. "OK OK sweet cheeks, I can take a hint, you're not into the Puckmeister just yet, that's cool baby. I like a good challenge. But FYI I'm on break right now, so I'll get those tables in like 15. Cool with you, princess?"
"I'll be waiting with bated breath. Now please excuse yourself, there are customers behind you looking to be seated," with that she turned away from him and greeted the incoming diners.
Puck took the hint and remembered his food order, making a B-line for the kitchen as his cell phone began to buzz in his pocket. Pulling it out he quickly answered without looking at the screen. "Go for Puck!"
"Hey man, I didn't expect you to answer. How's work going?"
"Finnster, you missing me already? Haha.. yeah dude, this job blows. Seriously. The chicks are hot but frigid, and the dude who's supposed to be on shift with me is a loser who apparently calls off all the time, like tonight. So I'm bustin' my ass sweating my balls off and there's ice queen hostess out front acting like a slave driver."
"Glad to hear you're having a good time and making friends already," Finn laughs at his friend, "but uh, dude you know you can't just quit though right? We gotta pay the rent somehow man."
Puck's been finding his way through the kitchen while on the phone and has located his food order, which he's now proceeded to dive into. With a full mouth he adds "Yeah yeah, I know… Hey at least the free food is pretty awesome. You should stop by when you're done working, grab something to eat and hopefully I'll be done working by then so we can go find us some college parties to crash with some sweet little sorority sisters to mack on or something. It's been a while, the Puck-monster is getting a little backed up if y'know what I mean."
Finn rolls his eyes at his buddy's crudeness. "Yeah man.. well that's why I'm calling, just to let you know I'm off early. We had two appointments cancel today and we got through the walk-ins pretty quick so Brad said I could shove off a couple hours early. I'm just gonna stop home, shower and change and I'll be there in less than an hour. Hey, you think we can jump on stage there tonight?"
"Ahh…" Puck pokes his head out of the kitchen doors to hear the awful mewling of some drunken frat guys on stage singing 'We Are The Champions' and says "Yeah man, I think we can pull off some White Stripes at least and show these ass-clowns how it's done. Oh my god Finn these guys on stage right now need put outta their misery! My ears are gonna commit suicide if they don't stop soon!"
Finn cracked up at his buddy "Okay then, I'll bring my lucky sticks… you go find some earplugs and quit trying to bed all your coworkers. Hang in there man, see you soon."
"Yeah yeah.. Later dude."
. . . . .
"Okay Rachel, time for your break. I'll cover you. Are you singing tonight too?"
"Oh Rudy, thank goodness! I've needed to use the little girls room for a while now! And why yes of course, don't I always?" she winks over her shoulder as she quickly makes her way to the ladies room.
Fifteen minutes later Finn walks through the doors and looks around trying to decide if he needs to check with the host before sitting at the counter. Rudy seems to answer that for him. "Welcome to the Starlight Diner, how many will be in your party sir?"
"Uh, hi, yeah it's just me. Cool if I just sit at the counter?"
"Absolutely, here's a menu. Just let LouAnne over there know when you're ready to order and enjoy your meal."
Finn takes the menu, thanks the host and picks a seat at the end of the counter closest in view of the stage. Puck still has at least an hour left on his shift, so Finn figures he'll just enjoy dinner and show for now. He's taking in his surroundings, making particular note of the instruments on stage and realizing this place is pretty cool. He begins looking over the menu when LouAnne asks for his drink order.
While he waits for his root beer and reads the menu, debating between burgers or breakfast, he can hear the sounds of someone taking the stage, but the spotlights are off and he can't get a good look at whoever it is. His drink arrives and he places an order for a bacon cheeseburger with loaded fries.
Just as he starts to sip his drink, the stage lights up and he finally sees a tiny brunette seated at the piano as she begins to play. He still can't really see her, since she's so small sitting behind this large baby grand, but he's pretty sure he knows the song - it's an awesome song, but a tough vocal piece to sing, so he's a little apprehensive - especially after the little preview he got on the phone with Puck. At least he was - until she began to sing. Finn couldn't whip his head around fast enough, so fast he nearly fell back off the bar stool.
Clipped wings, I was a broken thing
Had a voice, had a voice but I could not sing
You would wind me down
I struggled on the ground, oh
So lost, the line had been crossed
Had a voice, had a voice but I could not talk
You held me down
I struggle to fly now, oh
Finn can't believe his ears. Is this some celebrity making an undercover appearance in this like, insignificant college town diner? He stands up hoping to get a better look at the singer. He can almost see her face. Before she hits the first chorus he's already pulled out his sticks and is tapping the drum beat on his leg, even though she's singing this with piano accompaniment only, but he knows the song pretty well. He's so tempted to just run up on stage to join her on drums, but he kinda just wants to her her voice. He almost wishes she'd stop playing the piano.
As she hits the bridge he's frozen in place, completely captivated.
But there's a scream inside that we all try to hide
We hold on so tight, we cannot deny
Eats us alive, oh it eats us alive, oh
Yes, there's a scream inside that we all try to hide
We hold on so tight, but I don't wanna die, no
I don't wanna die, I don't wanna die, yeah
By the time she digs into the chorus, Finn can't breathe. He still hasn't even seen her face yet but he needs to meet this girl. Immediately.
… No, I don't care if I sing off key
I find myself in my melodies
I sing for love, I sing for me
I'll shout it out like a bird set free …
He sat immobilized for the remainder of the song just letting her voice completely inundate him. Lost in the lyrics and the beautiful mezzo-soprano sounds swimming around him, he hoped the song would never end, but of course it did. The stage went dark again and the petite songstress seemed to simply vaporize, or so he thought. He tried to see which direction she went and thought he saw her go through some doors that look like were for employees only. Does she work here?
"Hey LouAnne, can I ask you a question? Who was that singing that last song, do you know?"
"Oh you mean Rachel? She's really great isn't she?" the waitress says with a big knowing grin. Finn figures people must ask this question a lot.
"Rachel… great yeah. No, not just great, she's unbelievable. So she works here?"
"She sure does darlin', in fact if you turn around you can tell her yourself how unbelievable she is." With that, LouAnne winks at Finn and walks away to tend to another customer.
Finn spun around on his stool and saw the most beautiful girl he's ever laid eyes on. She was incredibly small and fragile looking compared to his enormously tall athletic build. He couldn't stop himself, there were customers in line to be seated but he had to meet her. He walked the few steps over to the side of her station at the podium and waited patiently while she helped the customer currently in front of her, but the moment they walked away he jumped in.
"Uhh.. Excuse me, Rachel?"
She turned to look at him with the biggest, most lovely pearly white smile, and Finn swore his heart did a backflip. "Yes, I'm sorry, have we met?"
"Uhhh.. sorry, no not yet. But I.. I just had to tell you, your song was incredible. Your voice.. Well, like, I've just never heard anything like it. You're so beautiful." Did he just blurt out that she's beautiful? Really smooth move. "I-I mean, your voice is beautiful.. And yeah, you are too."
Rachel's heart skipped a beat or two as she took in the sight of this gorgeous tall man, and she felt herself flushing at his sweet compliments. "Well thank you, you're so very sweet.. but I don't think I caught your name?"
"It's uhh.. Finn. I'm Finn. Finn Hudson."
"Well, thank you so much Finn, I'm Rachel Berry. Have you dined here before?"
"Nah, I actually just moved here a week ago with my best friend. We were planning to get up there and perform tonight but I don't see how anyone can follow you, not after a performance like that. Anyway he's working here tonight, ah, maybe we'll go up after he's done."
"WOW Finn, you really know how to make a girl feel good about herself!" she giggles sweetly and Finn's pulse speeds up. "So who's your friend?"
She has the most adorable laugh and the prettiest eyes he's ever seen. Finn feels his tongue sticking to the roof of his mouth and can't understand why all the moisture from his mouth seems to have relocated to his palms. "He's ah.. Puck, Noah Puckerman. He just started as a dishwasher."
Rachel internally rolls her eyes a little.. Why does THAT guy have to be friends with THIS guy? "Oh yes, I did meet Noah this evening, briefly. He seems… interesting," she says with her sweetest but least sincere smile.
Finn suddenly recalls Puck's remark about an 'ice queen slave driver', surely he didn't mean Rachel? "Hey don't worry about Puck. He's pretty harmless… Well, most of the time. And uh, if he gives you any trouble, just let me know and I'll put him in line for you."
Rachel just can't stop smiling at this guy. This, Finn Hudson.
"Earth to Rachel, are you gonna come back down anytime soon?" Rudy leans over the podium and snaps her out of her trance.
"What?... OH! Y-yeah.. YES Rudy sorry, I'm.. I was talking to this nice customer over here and um.. Rudy can you just cover me for 5 minutes more please, thanks!" She doesn't wait for her manager's response before she walks closer to Finn.
"So you just moved here and you're friends with Noah, and you want to perform on stage tonight. Are you a singer?"
"Well, sort of.. I'm mainly a drummer. Puck sings and plays guitar, but I mean, I sing too. Mostly Puck sings though, just depends on the song. We had a band back home and we're hoping to start a new one here." he pauses for a beat, getting lost in her big sparkling eyes and maybe stalling for time. "Can I…"
"Can you… what?"
"Um. Can I get your number, and maybe take you out sometime? I mean, if you're free, that is."
Rachel doesn't hesitate with her response. "Give me your phone."
Finn does as he's asked, unlocking it and handing it to her, watching intently as she quickly taps furiously for a few moments and returns the phone to him.
"There. I just sent myself a text from your phone, so we have each other's numbers. I'm done at 11pm tonight, but I'm off tomorrow."
"Great, I'll call you later tonight? Or you can call me if you want, and we'll make plans for tomorrow if that's good for you?"
"Yes, that would be wonderful! I'll call you later when my shift ends. I'm so sorry, I have to get back to work right now… It was so nice to meet you, Finn."
Finn can't wipe the smile off his face, and he's pretty sure this is the first time he's walked away from his dinner in a restaurant and let it go cold. "Want me to get that re-heated for you hun, or you wanna just take it back over to Rachel and wait for those flames to stir up again?" LouAnne quips with a wink.
He grins emphatically and unapologetically at her as he takes a giant bite of his now cold burger.
. . . . .
A/N - SONG CREDITS:
Chapter Intro Lyrics from Don't Stop Believin'
Rachel's piano performance = 'Bird Set Free' by Sia (no, not a Journey song. but that's perfectly ok because it's a FANDAMTASTIC song - go listen if you don't already have it on your regular playlist)
Chapter title = 'She Makes Me (Feel Alright)' appears on the 1976 Journey album Look into the Future - and if you listen to it, NO your ears do not deceive you, it's NOT Steve Perry singing! FUNFACT: this was the 2nd (and last) Journey album with Gregg Rolie on lead vocals before he left and Steve Perry joined the group Oct 10, 1977. Funfact #2: the band first met Mr Perry in... (drumroll please)... Chicago, IL. :-D