CH5: PLANS
–FINNs Plans–
[PLAN 1: Saturday 9:30am – 2 days after the bus - INTERROGATE BARISTA]
Blaine… What kind of a name is Blaine? Sounds like a major appliance. And what's with all the bow ties? Maybe it's part of his uniform, like flair or something. It's New York. Whatever.
It's an unseasonably warm sunny Saturday morning for November in the city. The previous 2 night's weather seems to have momentarily washed away the chilly dreariness of autumn and everything feels crisp and clean. Or maybe the universe is just working extra hard in Finn's favor today, since he's finally set out a determined course to learn more about his muse.
Time to make friends with a barista.
xoxo-gleegleeglee
Dude better be here today. I feel like an idiot. What am I gonna say to this guy anyway? And geez, for a Saturday morning it's actually surprisingly pretty slow in here right now… What's that about? Like, a bunch of people in NYC just woke up on a random Saturday morning and decided they DIDN'T need their coffee today? Weird. At least the line's pretty short.
I should forget about it, this is dumb. He's gonna think I'm a stalker.
No, no. It's fine. I've seen Law & Order. I just have to 'good cop' him, butter him up long enough and he'll tell me all his secrets. It's a good plan. It's a solid plan. It's — Oh thank you Cheesus he's here! Good. SHIT. Words…. What am I gonna –
"Good morning! Welcome to JUST THE PERKS! What can I get for you today?"
"Hey man, umm. how's it going.. Yeah I'll just have a… caramel apple spice latte - large. Annnnd… yeah, maybe one of those maple bear claws too."
"Excellent choices! Would you like that wrapped up to go?"
Finn glances around the unusually empty shop and replies "Nah, I think I'll have it here, thanks."
While casually gazing down at the pastry case, Finn's tongue unconsciously sticks out and inattentively slides from one corner of his lips to the other. He catches his own reflection in the glass and realizes how ridiculous he looks; he immediately tightens up his face, clears his throat and straightens his posture. He watches anxiously, chewing the inside of his cheek, as Blaine zips around behind the counter preparing his coffee order.
Since there's no one in line behind him, Finn finally decides it's now or never.
"Hey ah.. So. Your name's Blaine right?"
"Err, yessir, just like my name tag says… Why do you ask?"
Yeah dumbass, why DO you ask? "Ahhh, no reason. It-It's a cool name. Not common.." IDIOT.
"Thanks.. I guess my parents thought so too..? Was there something else I can do for you?"
"Maybe. Ahhmm," he clears his throat "I-I'm in here quite a bit, maybe you've seen me, and ahh, I've noticed you've worked here for a while now…" Shit. this. is. awkward. Bow tie, hair gel. He's gonna think I'm hitting on him. Probably should have planned this conversation before I got here. "Do you like it, working here?" How is that helping with the 'not sounding like I'm hitting on him' part of this dialog?
Blaine's reply remains pleasant if not slightly confused, "well it's not like I dreamed of being a barista for a living but yeah, it's okay. My boss is pretty cool and I like meeting new people, plus it helps pay the bills until my music career puts me in a better place. As if that's ever going to happen," he chuckles timidly. "Why do you ask, are you looking for a job application? Because you can apply onli–"
Finn cuts him off "No, no I'm actually pretty set with maybe too many jobs right now probably."
"Really? Sounds interesting.." he smiles "So you're a busy drummer with a lot of jobs and a sweet tooth then?"
"Haha yeah, I guess that's me. Coffee's kinda gross unless it's got some other, like, good flavors in it." Yeah this is going real smoothly. Then his brain catches up "Wait, how do you know I'm a drummer?"
Blaine chuckles apologetically, "Sorry I didn't mean to make assumptions, but isn't that a drumstick kit bag slung over your shoulder?"
DUH. "OH yeah, it is.. Funny that you'd know that… Do you play?"
"Not drums, no. Just piano & guitar. And I sing – well, I used to be in an acapella group."
"Oh wow that's cool man." This is getting weird and taking too long, just get to the point already. "Uh, so you're here like most mornings, or just certain days, or.. ?" Why are you STILL asking him stupid questions? QUIT STALLING.
"Well I'm usually here 3 or 4 mornings a week, and sometimes 2 afternoons. Actually, I have a break in like, 15, if you wanted to chat, or y'know, if you're busy I could give you my number and maybe we could..."
WHOA he definitely thinks I'm — "Ahhh, that really would be.." make your brain work faster, dipshit "well see actually I have a question. It might seem really strange, or random, whatever," he gulps in a large breath "See. There's this girl…"
"O-OHH oh.. Ok ok I see! This happens sometimes, people want to find out information, and… Okay GO! Who is she, your girlfriend? Or maybe, a mystery girl?" What. the. hell. Why did he choose those words?
"Well no, n-not girlfriend," not yet he-heh, "but yeah, pretty sure she's been in here a few times before. I've seen her. Ahh, tiny little thing. Long dark hair, BIG smile, BIG brown eyes, giggles a lot really cute. She wears this um, crazy rainbow striped coat, and a matching hat. It's just, I've seen her talk to you in here before, and it looked like you might know each other?"
"Rainbow striped coat. Short, brunette. Brown eyes…. " Blaine smiles to himself knowingly.
"Yeah-Yeah. DAZZLIN' smile," Finn grins widely. "I just.. she's pretty unforgettable, I'm sure you'd know who I mean. If you really know her, that is?"
"Ah, sure. Well, it's sort of against policy for us to give out information about other customers. I mean, I don't know you, and what if you turned out to be a serial killer or something?" Finn's smile drops slightly and Blaine quickly recovers, "N-Not that I think you are, but.. y'know, it's not something I'd want on my conscience.. And of course, the same courtesy applies to you as well; I mean, would you want us to give your info out to random strangers?"
Dammit. Touché, clever Barista Blaine. "Well yeah, ok I see your point.. b-but i promise I'm harmless! Definitely NOT a serial killer. I just hoped you could maybe tell me anything at all, even just her name? Or i-if you DO really know her, socially whatever, like, if she's a friend, maybe you could–"
"Tell ya what," Blaine interrupts, "here's my phone number. Give me a call, maybe we can discuss drum lessons?"
"Drum lessons? You want to learn to play the drums?"
"Well, before today I hadn't actually thought about it, but to be honest it wouldn't hurt my career aspirations, and - assuming you're good enough to teach me, I could take a lesson or two, and then y'know, maybe you wouldn't be a 'stranger' to me anymore," he smiles, with an almost wink in his response.
Finn blinks for a beat. Queue LIGHT BULB emoji.
"Oh-OOH. YES! Y-Yeah, that'd be an AWESOME idea, seriously! Oh, and, not to brag, but so you know I'm actually a pretty awesome drummer. That's in fact one of those many jobs I mentioned, drum instructor at Adam's Crib."
As the realization of Blaine's double entendre kicks in, Finn knows he's grinning like a fool now, but he doesn't really care. He does a mental celebratory fist pump in his mind at how super-smart Barista Blaine seems to be. He thinks this dude is pretty cool.
"Well great then.. so.. Here's your large caramel apple spice, and one maple bear claw. That'll be 9.95. "
Finn hands over a $20 dollar bill and tells him to keep the change. He makes a promise to call him later that afternoon about scheduling lessons. He eagerly chomps down his pastry in 3 bites and heads out the door.
Well hell. Went in to find a muse, ended up scoring a date with the barista. Pretty successful plan 1, I think? Hmm. Wonder what Kurt's up to this week?
xoxo-gleegleeglee
[PLAN 1A: Monday - 4 days after bus - DATE WITH BARISTA, Adam's Rockin' Crib]
Ok it's really not a date. At least, Finn hopes Blaine realizes that.
He's pretty sure he does. After all, it was a GIRL whom Finn was trying to find out about at the coffee shop the other day; hopefully there's no confusion or weird subtext to this whole 'teach me to drum' thing. But after all the verbal diarrhea spilling out of his own mouth that day, he can't be positive…
Nevertheless, Finn thinks it could be cool getting to know him better on this 'bro date'; it can only help in earning Blaine's trust & getting him to open up and talk, right? Plus, if he gains a new friend (who will one day possibly lead him to potentially the girl of his dreams), then it's all the better.
Besides, Finn just knows Blaine knows her identity but is holding out. In Finn's mind, that scores Barista Blaine some extra points for being a really cool friend to his muse. She's just so little and delicate looking, she needs an army of protectors. Geez he really wishes he just knew her name!
As Blaine cheerfully hops through the doorway of the music shop - sporting way too much hair gel, a bright red bow tie and a huge grin - for whatever reason, Finn has a weird vision of Blaine seated at the drum kit with himself standing behind him showing him how to hold his sticks; but this ain't a pottery class, Blaine's no Demi Moore and he's no Patrick Swayze.
If his 'gaydar' can be trusted (and he's pretty sure it can) Finn knows which team Mr. Coffee plays for. Not that he has any issues at all with that - he's an evolved modern guy who believes love is love. Plus, his step brother Kurt is totally like, 'Capital Queen GAY' (Kurt's words, not Finn's). Finn just sometimes worries that his own ability to open mouth → insert foot tends to blur the lines of communication unnecessarily, especially when he's nervous. (Like on a Saturday, when trying to extricate certain information from a barista he doesn't know about a girl he doesn't know.) He makes a mental note that Law & Order is a stupid dumb unrealistic TV show and shouldn't be on the air anymore.
To be sure he doesn't risk screwing up this budding bro-mance / investigative pursuit of a certain elusive brunette, he decides he needs expert help. In a flash of brilliance, Finn grabs his phone from his side cargo pants pocket and quickly taps out a text to his step brother:
** hey Kurt – if ur not BZ can U stop Adam's ASAP? need help, fashion 911 **
Ok it's a lie. Just a little one though, he thinks, as that bow tie approaches. He'll deal with fallout later. Whatever. Finn knows his brother's achilles heel. Kurt will show. And who knows, Finn might end up getting a brother of the year award if this goes the way he hopes!
At the very least, maybe Kurt could help diffuse a potentially embarrassing situation that Finn is almost certain to put himself in. Of course Kurt being, well, Kurt, he could also make it go so, so much worse too.. Finn's really hoping this was a good idea, when his phone buzzes alive with his reply:
** OMG FINN! You're such a caveman! What have you done this time, are you wearing your lunch again? Better not be on the new Alexander McQueen polo I just got you… Be there in a flash! **
Yep. He knew he could count on Kurt. He really is a good brother.
Blaine spots Finn, who waives him over. With a quick hello how are you and a handshake greeting, Finn explains "Kit's setup in the soundproof room over here. Let's get started!"
xoxo-gleegleeglee
[PLAN 2 - TAKE THE BUS]
This is going to be tricky. I'm positive I know where she got on and off the bus that night. Does she do that often? But I've never seen her on the bus before. Would she have a regular set schedule? At that hour at night she had to be heading home, right? I hope so. So she must live somewhere nearby… unless… UGH unless she was going to see that douche I saw her with that one time. What if that was HIS stop where she got off? What am I gonna do if she's really seeing that dude. Or any dude who isn't ME. Hmfft. Well, UNIVERSE. I'm gonna trust you on this, you're reeling me into her for a reason, aren't you?
Until my new best friend Mr. Coffee wants to spill the beans, I guess I'm left following my own devices here. And hope I don't get pepper sprayed. That would be totally a sucky way to meet a girl. Maybe I'll just randomly run into her again soon. Or maybe I should wait for Barista Blaine to fess up.
Still, I gotta get to the practice studio twice a week and this IS the only bus route that gets me there. SO. I guess I'll just keep my eyes open and hope the universe still likes me? And hope that she wasn't freaked out when she saw me gawking at her – oh crap. I didn't even consider that. I really was gawking that time, I just couldn't help myself.
Yeah, I bet I'm getting pepper sprayed. I'll just have to be prepared, bring sunglasses - or a snorkel mask. Right, because THAT would TOTALLY win her over…. Gaaa what's wrong with me? This train of thought over a girl is just NOT NORMAL.
If I get sprayed, I get sprayed. She's totally worth it.
–RACHELs Plans–
[PLAN 1 – 1:30am, about 6 hours after the bus - ONLINE RESEARCH]
MR. GOOGLE: "NYC Metropolitan Transit Authorities + bus schedules"
After 15 minutes online, Rachel has downloaded the full schedule of the bus route which had carried the amber eyed enigmatic stranger away from her just a few hours ago.
As Tina's soft snores float through the loft, she wishes she was also adrift in dreamland. Even after several glasses of wine and the soothing sounds of Barbra, Rachel had tried to go to sleep after the movie ended, but nevertheless found herself tossing and turning for hours before resigning to the fact that she at least needed the bus schedule in hand. (After all, it was her only connection to that electricity and the mysterious man through whom that current flowed. For now at least, it was something.)
Thanks for the song Babs, I really needed the push, right? Plan 1, check!
She closed up the laptop and gently set it back atop her bedside table, pulled her "quiet, star in slumber" eye mask over her face again and settled deep back into the pillows with a huff. Her over active imagination wouldn't recede, and she continued to writhe around under the faux-down comforter as a nagging thought kept rolling around her slightly tipsy mind.
Name. A name. What is his name? He needs a name. I can't keep thinking of him as Mr. Sexy Eyes. It's sort of objectifying, and rude. Who does he look like? An Adonis… LOL. Stop it now. Ummm. Okay. Heeee looks liiiike… a Steve? No. Too common. Alexander? Eh, too pompous. Flynn? … Oh! Yes, like Errol… oh that's perfect! Errol Flynn, Golden Age of Hollywood movie star and hero of Robin Hood.. yessir. Your Maid Marian is on the case! Rachel you're such a dork.. Let's assume this is the wine talking and we'll keep this ridiculous train of thought to ourselves. Me myself and IIIIIII….
Hang on. Am I really going to ride this bus all over NYC into potentially hostile and unknown destinations in search of a total stranger by myself? Well that wouldn't be very wise or prudent of me, would it. Yes it's true, I'm quite skilled in the art of self defense, but it would still be needlessly risky and somewhat insane. I'd ask Teeny to join, but she's already got blinders on about this subject and I don't think she can remain objective; plus she's not physically much of a deterrent. Probably the opposite actually.
Blaine or Noah would be the smarter travel companion choices for this adventure.. But then, I suppose that would mean telling Noah what I'm up to… Hmm. Not sure if that's a good idea. He may be my cousin, but he really IS a an over-protective neanderthal and possibly would damage or kill Errol Flynn before I even got a chance to know him at all. It could be over before it begins. I'll have to think about this.
[PLAN 2 – BYE BYE BRODY]
In the fever dream that became Thursday night, Rachel nearly forgot the entire objective she was previously focused on: Operation Lose Brody Weston.
Mature adult communication at their last dinner outing clearly failed. Ignoring his calls & texts obviously also, BIG fail. Gotta hand it to him, he's persistent if nothing else. But he's also apparently a creepy perv. Or a man-whore. And THAT is positively deplorable, contemptible behavior. Even if the rumors were false, she knows what she saw with her own eyes.
Besides, it's not like she felt anything serious for this guy anyway; the chemistry was just wrong. She's also suspicious that he's only able to see on at very specific times and almost never on weekends. What kind of genuine in-it-for-the-long-term guy bails out on weekends? No. He was merely a placeholder in pretty packaging, keeping the loneliness at bay for a while. And now there's just too much controversy surrounding him to even try to remain friends.
Maybe it's the 3 glasses of wine she drank this evening during the movie, but she decides the fact that it's the middle of the night is irrelevant, she just has to get this over with, quickly. She's got bigger fish to fry now. She can't hear his voice again or give him an opportunity to argue, not while 'Slughorn's liquid luck' is still coursing through her veins & encouraging her to just pull the ripcord.
She hopes this blunt text message settles it permanently:
** Brody, please stop calling and texting me. No, we can't meet to talk. No, I don't want to go out for drinks. I thought our dinner last week ended on a clear note: I am no longer interested in seeing you romantically, or even socially. As I've said, my life is too complicated right now and my time too limited. As you know, reputation and personal appearances matter to an up and coming Broadway performer such as myself; it's imperative that I maintain a wholesome personal life free from innuendo. While I appreciate your intentions, your affections and your company are no longer welcomed. Also, I'm pretty sure that the 50-something year old woman I saw you 'macking on' at Jupiter Disco a few weeks ago would be more than happy to spend time with you. LOSE MY NUMBER, PLEASE. **
Feeling triumphant, she flips through her contact list, finds his name and selects the BLOCK option then deletes the entry.
Plan 2, Complete!
[PLAN 3 – Saturday 11:15 am, 2 days after the bus - RECRUIT BLAINE]
"Blaine!" She greets him with her megawatt smile and stretches over the counter with open arms for a quick hug & peck on the cheek. "Are you almost done? I was hoping we could grab brunch at that new vegan place around the block. And I have SO MUCH to tell you!"
"Hey Rachel! Yeah I've got like 15 minutes left here, but I might be able to knock off a bit early because, well look around - it's so DEAD in here today, weird right? Let me just check with Will and I'll meet you out front in a few."
"Sounds perfect! But I can wait if you need to finish out your shift, don't make waves on my account."
–BLAINE'S Plans–
Saturday, after 10am (2 days after bus)
Well that was certainly interesting. Too bad he wasn't actually flirting with me, but a boy can dream. True, he seemed harmless enough, adorably nervous even... it's pretty obvious he was 'Desperately Seeking Diva' - I mean c'mon, how many matching rainbow peacoat sets on tiny brunettes can there be? Especially ones he's seen talking to me directly. I only know ONE. Earnest as he may have appeared, if I'm going to put him in touch with Rachel or vouch for him, I should at least know who I'm dealing with first, right? I'd never want to expose a friend to anyone who could bring her heartache (or worse). She's had enough of that.
Huh. Just realized something. I really hope he remembers to call, because it just occurred to me that I didn't even get his name or phone number. OOPS! At least he's kind of a regular at the Perks, so there's that. And clearly he's on a mission to track her down, so it seems their paths are destined to cross again - whether I lead them there or not!
Let's hope these drumming lessons work out - for all of us. Because if my instincts are right, I think there could be something magical between them.
Later that same Saturday - following brunch with Rachel
Uhhh. What were the odds of ALL THAT happening? This day is just too strange….
First, a tall handsome drink of sexy shows up looking for her. Next, she shows up not even an hour and a half after he leaves (wow how fortuitous was that!)... Then an impromptu brunch with Diva - only to learn that SHE is searching for HIM too!? That's insane! Seriously, what are the odds? It had to be him she described, the dimples and height are pretty distinguishing features but her description of his eyes was really the dead giveaway. Having spent this morning seeing them up close, I can't imagine she's talking about anyone else.
I couldn't tell her that just yet though, even though she actually sounds pretty adamant about finding this fella. Rachel's too kind and trusting, too warm and giving. Occasionally too naïve - hence the Brody thing (Ew.) - that's just because she always wants to see only the good in people. Sometimes being her friend means protecting her from herself! He'd really better not be a serial killer.. I hope I don't regret what I'm about to do….
Monday - 4 days after bus - after the 1st drum lesson
Finn seems like a really nice guy, although undercover espionage is NOT his forte. I'm actually starting to feel a little guilty for not telling either him or Diva about each other yet, but I still want to get to know him a little better first to be sure this isn't going to blow up in my face. I have absolutely no idea how many more drum lessons it'll take, but he was so darling trying to get info about Rachel I just have to help the poor guy out somehow!
Maybe in the near future we can forgo the lessons and make it a more casual meeting in a social setting. In fact I should probably invite Puck along. If anyone can see a jerk from a mile away it'd be him - they tend to recognize their own kind! Hahaha… plus I think it'd be fun to see how he is when he's more relaxed, and just asking him to go out with me alone might not serve that purpose. I think I really do want to help him out - especially now having met his step brother - WOW didn't see that coming either! Yeah Finn, points to you for that one!
I think after the next lesson I'll suggest a guys night out, the four of us, and we'll go from there.
Wednesday (2 days after drum lesson) - LUNCH DATE
I have to remember to thank Finn for introducing me to his brother. And I can't believe he called already! Kurt is incredible so far, and Finn is making it very difficult for me to keep him in the dark about the Diva much longer.
Let's see how things go on this lunch date, and then schedule guys night with Kurt, Finn & Puck. At this rate it will be so easy to get Rachel and Finn to meet. More and more I'm becoming convinced they're perfect for each other. But you never know a guy until you take him out drinking!
A/N - LONG CHAPTER THIS TIME, I KNOW! The muse was singing loud and clear the past couple days, so I hope you enjoy this installment! BLAINE's finally here! Playing matchmaker no less! (if you're having visions of Clarence in Its a Wonderful Life, so was I - lol)
And yes, more of Puck and Kurt will follow... :) Loads of plot lines are building too.. I wasn't sure how long this story was going to be but at this rate I think it's going to last quite a while.
In case its unclear, most of the italics is the character thinking to themselves internally. and yeah, this chapter was a lot of characters in their own head space, but given their physical spaces in context it just kind of worked out that way this time.
a little PRETTY IN PINK movie easter egg for you.. :) I couldn't resist – and I don't think RIB could either, because they used one when Kurt & Blaine were discussing junior prom in s2, where Kurt says "what about prom, Blaine?" – a nod to the FAMOUS hallway scene at school when Molly Ringwald aka Andie, is having a RB style blowout on Andrew McCarthy's Blaine character for backing out of prom on her. (see it here: watch?v=8l7LGK2hnQw)
"What kind of name is Blaine?" – a nod to Duckie Dale, who spins out over the name to Andie when she's telling him about her first date with the 'richie'. Every time I ever see or hear Blaine's name, I always hear Jon Cryer's voice echo in my head.
HAHA Watch the clip and change your life forever. You're welcome! watch?v=7JKuv1bGbFI
I don't own google. unfortunately.
Desperately Seeking Diva is a nod to Desperately Seeking Susan, which i don't own.
I also don't own Pretty in Pink. or Glee or Barbra. in case there was any confusion. :P
THANKS FOR READING! PLEASE REVIEW!
FAITHFULLY FINCHEL FOREVER XOXO
—gleegleeglee—