Naya/Heather Fic: I Am The Liar and You Are The Saint Chapt 6/?
Title: I Am The Liar And You Are The Saint
Rating: R
Summary: She had become an expert at putting on a face when she was around Heather. Naya just hoped it was enough for people not to realize it, because honestly Heather was wearing her down.
Pairings: Naya/Heather, Other: Heather/OC, Naya/Mark, Side Dianna/Lea
Disclaimer: I do not own anything, this is a complete work of fiction. These two are not a couple… unfortunately.
Spoilers: Season 1 and Season 2
Word Count: ~6,600
Warning: Angst!
And Happy Birthday Naya!
Author’s Note: Thanks again for everyone who has been reading and commenting! I appreciate it so much and I love hearing your feedback. I also decided, in order to challenge myself a little more, to see if anyone had any requests that could be reasonably fit into the story. I think it may be fun if you guys are willing! I have a pretty set scheme of events, but there a lot of filler moments where I sometimes find hard to complete. I would love your suggestions and I would do my best to include them (again as long as they’re not too outlandish).
I see this chapter much more as a bridge to later BIGGER events. It’s very much the set up. There’s quite a bit of cast interaction, and I just hope I hit everyone accurately as well as I did Naya and Heather. I apologize for any mistakes! I have to give credit to fossil_10 for the word ‘fan-fuckin-tastic’ because while I was writing the beginning of this chapter their comment popped up and I just had to use it! So thank you for that. Also thanks to all the normal people (you know who you are :D) On to the chapter, enjoy!
I Am The Liar And You Are The Saint
Chapter 6
The past few days had been hell for Naya. Since that day of filming “Me Against the Music”, Naya had been mechanically going through the motions of her work day. Heather and Naya didn’t really have a moment to linger on the broken way they left things at the trailer. The two were so immersed in filming, rehearsing, and recording that time spent with each other was scarce. Naya reasoned it was much better this way. She would often catch Heather giddily talking on her phone or constantly texting Nate, so she assumed things were going well with the couple. Yesterday, Ryan scolded her and threatened to lock her phone up for the day if she didn’t put her priorities straight. Although, immediately after confronting Naya, she did notice that the blonde sulked around the lot a bit, but after a day or so it was as if nothing had ever happened. Naya could only wish she could say the same for herself. She found herself bitter and constantly tired. She would be hungry, almost starving. When she was presented with food her famished state would disappear and her stomach forbade her to eat. All she wanted to do now was sleep.
So you could only imagine Naya’s enthusiasm as her shaky hands lazily tried to put on her fake eyelashes. She was failing miserably as she was attempting to ready herself alone in her apartment for the cast’s premiere party tonight. Ryan told them all it would be a great “break” from acting and that it would be a time to enjoy the work they had achieved so far on season two. Naya personally felt that the occasion served far from a break, as she was acting twenty-four hours these days. She was surprised she had mustered the strength to confirm her invitation for tonight. She at least expected herself to make some lame excuse that she couldn’t be there, but her mind told her she couldn’t let her Glee family down. Just do exactly what you’ve been doing for the past two years… It’s not that bad and you’re used to it now. It’ll all pass eventually… Naya hoped desperately.
Naya heard her phone buzz on the night stand next to her bed and got up to receive the message.
Kevin Mchale 4:47 PM Yo, Veiled Fairy! U best be ready for a fan-fuckin-tastic night! U, me, Panda, Chris, Amber, and Hemo… all night long baby! First rounds on me!
Naya couldn’t help, but smile to herself and roll her eyes as she scrolled through her friend’s text. She immediately responded.
Naya Rivera 4:49 PM Kevin, u do realize that drinks are on the house tonight? So try not putting urself up on a pedestal here lol. I prob wont stay long at the after party tho…
Naya felt her phone vibrate almost instantly from Kevin’s firing texting ability.
Kevin Mchale 4:50 PM Ah whatever… all the technicalities. But say wat now? We will not let that slide tonight… this will be epic! Season two, Naya!
Naya let out a heavy sigh. She didn’t know how long she would last in there and she didn’t want to take the risk of being intoxicated around Heather all night. Plus, she was exhausted and she had a lot to think about. In a few days, she was going to film “the scene” with Heather. Its official writing on her white board calendar had begun its looming effect on her. She thought her reasons were actually quite sound.
Naya Rivera 4:54 PM Ugh, idk…maybe. We’ll see how the night goes, Kev. I’ll see u soon.
Naya clicked her backlight off and looked up to meet her reflection staring back in her body length mirror. Naya ran her hands over the exposed parts of her chest and down the fabric of her transitioning grey, blue and white dress. It fit snuggly, as the material hugged her curves perfectly. Her palms met her breasts and Heather’s words echoed tauntingly from the other day.
“…can you put a bra on, please?”
The small brunette frowned and suppressed a sigh. She continued to run her hands lower over her abdomen. A little chirp of worry yelped in the back of her mind when she found how easy it was to feel her ribs through her dress. She had noticed how she had begun to lose some weight as her petite-self looked even smaller than usual. Naya wrapped her arms around herself, pulling her body into a hug. She tucked her chin to her chest and squeezed her eyes shut. She had to prevent herself from letting her body rack up into violent sobs again. She couldn’t let her hot, stinging tears drown her makeup. She had cried so much already, that the emotion was starting to mean nothing. It just left her feeling raw and empty; only leaving behind pulsing headaches.
She took in one long, jagged breath and faced her reflection again. This was something she couldn’t get out of. She felt like a little girl again, trapped in a corner with no way out. The only thing she could do was to continue what had grown into a lifestyle. Just act. It’s the only thing you can do right.
**************
Naya had managed to push through all the press interviews and red carpet shoots without really having to interact with Heather at all. Naya felt rehearsed as she responded to the same questions with the same answers. The producers had all given them lectures beforehand on what they could and couldn’t say about the season in store. She felt like it didn’t really matter, because Ryan gave away everything anyways… She let out a sigh of relief when she found Kevin during the photo call. Her friend pulled her into a comforting hug.
“You look amazing, Nay-Nay!” Kevin said admiring Naya’s look. “And those heels? Damn girl!”
Naya laughed and the sound made her smile. “You don’t look bad yourself. Gosh you and your bowties…” Naya said playfully poking at the knotted tie around his neck.
“You know me. Can’t cramp my style! You gonna be okay tonight?” he had spoken the last part softer.
“Um…” Naya wasn’t actually quite sure. “I’ll be fine. I’m just tired you know?”
“We’re all tired Naya… come on! Tonight will help with all the stress. Don’t worry we’ll take care of you.”
“I don’t need a babysitter, Kevin,” Naya glared.
“Mhm… if you say so,” he said jokingly. She punched him lightly in the shoulder before the two were beckoned to pose for a couple pictures.
Naya had stuck with Kevin for the remainder of the evening and soon found herself surrounded by the loving faces of Amber, Jenna, and Chris. She felt like she hadn’t been able to really spend time with them lately. It had been all work and no play for the entire cast, so casually drinking at a booth in a party put up by Fox felt like a little reunion. Naya was surprisingly having a good time and Kevin mocked her for being such a prude earlier. However, she rejected her friends’ push for a second round, insisting one was enough for the night. Naya promised herself that she wouldn’t let the power of alcohol impair her judgment. It was the last thing she needed. Nonetheless, she was having fun, without getting completely wasted. She had almost forgotten about Heather and Nate and all the other shit she was dealing with in her head. However, Naya wasn’t able to relish that pleasure for long as she spotted the beautiful blonde walking through the entrance. She was late. Naya found that slightly odd, but then realized it was probably to fetch for the man now linked to her arm.
Heather told Naya that she wanted to keep their relationship on the down low, so she would always say in interviews that she was currently single. She said she didn’t want the press to put a strain on their relationship if they went public. Well, she’s certainly ruining that… Naya took a large gulp at her alcoholic beverage, her expression immediately turning sulky. However, this was a private party, so it wasn’t like the press was going to intrude. In fact they were encouraged to invite guests, but Naya didn’t think anything of it. Still, she never thought Heather would be so clumsy about her and Nate.
“Oh snap! Hemo brought her boy in!” Kevin announced to the group, also noticing Heather. Everyone’s heads turned to the direction Kevin was looking and they all started to make cooing sounds. Naya tried to shrink into the couch and continued taking longer sips from her drink.
“I think he may need help with his outfit next time…” Amber said to the lot of them and Jenna nodded her head in agreement. Naya simply smirked into her beverage. She was starting to feel warmer and her head lighter at the quick rate she was draining the liquid.
“And he looks like he has big feet…” Jenna also added.
“She could totally do better,” Chris chided as he sipped at the straw of his diet Coke.
“Ah, come on guys. We haven’t even really met the dude yet… or have we?” Kevin searched his mind, trying to remember Nate. Naya chuckled softly and rolled her eyes at her group of friends.
Heather was chatting with some of the producers and guests, introducing Nate every now and again. The smiling, animated blonde bobbed her way in and out of the crowd of guests. Her eyes were searching frantically amongst the throng of people until she finally found who she was looking for. Heather was at quite a distance, but even from where Naya was sitting she could see her sparkling blue eyes brighten up like Christmas tree lights when she had sought out her friends. Her pale lips spread into that infectious smile and she waved enthusiastically at them. Naya contracted her body in, trying to make her look as small as possible hoping the cushions would somehow consume her. It was no use, for whenever Naya flickered glances up she would catch Heather’s eyes unabashedly dance over her skin. Naya unconsciously folded her arms over her body as if trying to cover it and sprawled her free hand over her exposed chest. She knew she shouldn’t be ignoring her like this, Heather was still her best friend and she had to act like one.
Nate had been talking to someone Heather had just introduced to him before rigorously pulling him out of his conversation and towards Naya… and her other friends. Naya’s eyes widened just enough for Chris, who was sitting next to her, to notice. It caused him to raise a single eyebrow in curiosity. Oh, fuck… Naya simply cursed in her mind and she threw back the last of her drink down her throat. She squeezed her eyes shut and crinkled her face, as the fiery liquid burned down to her chest. Naya was frantically thinking of what she should do. Her mind was telling her to stay and not be obviously rude, but her body was twitching to get out of there. Tapping her foot anxiously, she finally decided to get up to find… someone, anyone else but Ken and Barbie. She tried to rise from her seat right as Heather and Nate approached the table and opened her mouth to begin her excuse. Before she could, she felt a soft palm firmly press her knee down, making her ass collide back to the seat.
Her head snapped to her right at Chris who was glaring her down dangerously. Naya gave him her ‘what the fuck?’ face, which was completely genuine. She read his eyes which simply answered, ‘I don’t think so, honey. Don’t be rude.’ Naya couldn’t fathom how she was letting someone who wasn’t even of drinking age yet dictate her actions. She had to admit that Chris was very mature for his age, probably more mature than half the people on set, but still… this was just unfair.
“Hey, guys!” Heather spoke excitedly, acknowledging her friends, but somehow ended up staring at Naya the whole time. The group greeted Heather happily in unison. Amber and Jenna had gotten up to give Heather a big sandwich hug. When Heather had walked in, Naya was in a fit of laughter with that gorgeous smile of hers plastered on her lips. Now, the small brunette was gazing downheartedly into her glass. Heather’s fixed grin twitched a little at her friend’s state.
“Wow, your dress Heather? Very chic,” Amber noted, as the two girls complimented Heather’s outfit. Naya looked back up at Heather and had to stop herself from letting her emotions get the best of her. She tried not to gawk at Heather’s classy yet extremely sexy black number. Oh how she loved how the girl’s style could be so simplistically lovely. It covered her chest and arms, but stopped at mid-thigh. Naya swallowed as she stared at the supple, creamy flesh of the dancer’s legs. She nervously held her head in the palm of her empty hand, staring at the floor. She felt like she was going to be sick with anxiety. Naya had to further control herself when Heather’s singing laughter bubbled from her throat.
“Thanks, Amber,” as if suddenly remembering, “Oh guys! This is my Nate… I mean Nate’s my…”
“Boyfriend,” he finished as he shook Kevin’s outreached hand. He went around the circle introducing himself to Heather’s co-stars. As he approached Naya, she reached out her hand politely as a simple greeting. Nate took her hand, but pulled her close and gave a friendly peck on the cheek. The surprising gesture made Naya wish she had a large bottle of hand sanitizer.
“Hey, Naya! Long time, no see! You look great,” he said trying to start up casual conversation. Nate looked a little more drained than when she saw him last.
Naya forced a smile and murmured, “Thanks.”
She didn’t notice Heather’s attentive gaze.
“So, Nate? How did you two meet?” Chris inquired.
“Well… we pretty much grew up together. Middle school, then high school…”
“Aw, so it’s a first love kinda thing?” Jenna cooed encouragingly.
Nate chuckled, wrapping a loving arm around his girlfriend’s waist. “Yeah, I guess it is. Right, Hemo?”
The entire conversation thus far, Heather was watching Naya intently, trying to read some sort of reaction from her friend. She was getting nothing. Naya continued to fiddle with the rim of her cocktail glass. Heather finally returned her gaze up to Nate when he tried to confirm the question.
She answered sweetly, “Yup, ever since freshman year biology.”
Nate smiled goofily at the memory, “Oh yah! I remember I would ask her the stupidest questions just to get her to talk to me… You would never guess, but she was ridiculously shy.” Nate playfully bumped their hips together.
Naya watched Heather’s expression discreetly falter into a hint of sadness. “Well, freshman year wasn’t exactly easy…” she tried to say with the same enthusiasm as earlier, but Naya could see right through that. Naya was again reminded of that night Heather had first opened up about her father. Naya had been talking about some high school memories, reminiscing her awkward phases of those quite embarrassing years when the blonde confided the personal story.
“My father passed when I was fourteen. He had cancer… You never think it’s gonna happen to you, and when it does… you can’t really believe it. It felt like something out of those stupid dramatized movies, where everyone is extremely overpaid and the end is always happy and everyone gets what they want. But in my case I never got the happy ending.”
Naya recalled Heather’s voice cracking as she further delved into her full life story, pouring out every emotion of her childhood. Naya didn’t pester or pry, and she didn’t have to encourage. Heather willingly told her everything, telling her feelings and thoughts she had never told anyone else before. For some reason it felt so easy and so different recalling on her missing paternal link; it was because it was Naya. She never asked one question. She simply listened and that’s how Heather knew she could love the girl… as a friend that is. Heather admitted not enjoying her high school experience and just simply dancing her way through it. She told her how she would come home broken, distancing herself from her friends and changing the way she acted. Heather told Naya how thankful she was for her siblings and mother for being there. If they weren’t, Heather confessed she would’ve been too lost to do half the things she’s achieved now.
“Right, it wasn’t…” Nate said looking back at Heather more seriously as he caught his clumsy sentence.
Heather didn’t want to dampen the lively atmosphere, so she tried to shake off those darker memories. “Yah, but this kid was a real charmer…” she began jokingly. “We had to dissect a frog once and he tried to be all manly, pretending he had a strong stomach. So he decided he could impress me by butchering up the whole thing. By the end of the period his face was so green, I swore he was going to pass out or something.”
Nate rolled his eyes and said smiling, “I’ve tried so hard to forget this, but she always brings it up.”
Heather continued, laughing out, “And at the end of the day, one of my friends told me he had to leave his English class and call his mom to go home early. Funniest thing ever.”
“Hey, I told you it was because it was a combination of the smell of formaldehyde and having those nasty tacos for lunch…”
“Sure it was…” Heather said jokingly, “But I did feel bad.”
“It took me quite a while to win this one over… If only you weren’t so stubborn and would actually talk to me. But I didn’t give up, obviously,” Nate chuckled.
Naya wanted to choke herself with the cherry stem that she found at the bottom of her cup. She couldn’t stand the cheesy happiness. However, Naya didn’t notice Heather’s still slightly saddened demeanor.
Sensing Heather’s discomfort, Chris spoke up about his high school nightmares. “Oh don’t worry, Heather… My awkward years aren’t much to brag about either. Most of the student body thought I swallowed Alvin the chipmunk when I was an infant. Oh and during my junior year I played Sancho in Man of La Mancha for our school’s musical… well, all the kids at the end of night who came up for our autographs all swore I was a girl because of my voice. That just proves what a joy my high school experience was.”
Everyone laughed at Chris’s storytelling from his not so glorious past times and it caused the rest of them to reminisce on embarrassing high school moments. Naya watched sadly as Nate would give Heather loving kisses on her temple and cheek, their fingers constantly teasing and poking each other. The two would randomly look in each other’s direction, giggling childishly at some inside joke. She couldn’t take anymore and got up to leave.
“Whoa, girl… Where you be going?” Kevin was obviously a little tipsy.
“Oh, would you look at that? My drink is empty… I’m just gonna go over there and get myself… something else…” Naya said looking down at her glass, just trying to find some excuse to get out of there. Chris eyed her suspiciously, and she just glared back him daring him to do something about it.
“I was actually going to get us some drinks too, I’ll join you,” Heather tried, but Naya interrupted.
“I see Dianna, Lea, and Cory. I’ll see you guys later,” she said quickly and changed her course over to the three actors. Heather sat there dumbfounded by Naya’s attitude, as the Latina raced over to their other friends. Sometime in the middle of Kevin’s billionth attempt to defend his years being in a boy band, she eventually got up and walked herself over to the bar… it was going to be a long night.
~*~
“Hey, Naya! How have you been tonight?” Cory exclaimed excitedly, giving her a small side hug.
“Alright… it’s been interesting so far.”
“Interesting?” Dianna spoke questioningly to Naya.
“Don’t ask…” Naya responded back to her blonde friend. Dianna nodded her head knowingly, expecting the Latina to tell her later. However, Naya had no intention on telling anyone what was going on in her mind.
“Oh! I actually wanted to tell you two,” Cory began gesturing to both Naya and Dianna, “Loved your fight scene. You ladies did not hold back at all… So entertaining.”
He chuckled, Lea joining in on the laughter. It made Dianna roll her eyes at them; Naya couldn’t help but giggle along too.
“I’m sorry to point this out though… not that you two didn’t do a good job or anything, but you could really tell that Dianna was mentally prepping herself for the slap,” Lea said between fits of laughter.
“What?! Please…” Dianna said in disbelief.
Lea threw her arms up in defense. “I’m just saying! You turned away a second too early…”
“Sorry that my reflexes are just too good,” Dianna bickered sarcastically.
Naya scoffed. “No, you were just scared I was actually going to hit you.”
“Well, you did the first take!” Dianna pointed. Lea and Cory both made ‘oh snap’ gasps and continued laughing at the two.
“It was an accident! I swear! And I apologized a gazillion times…”
“I know, I know… I already forgave you. Even though it hurt like a bitch…” Dianna said with her sweet smile.
“Wow, I cannot believe you actually hit Dianna. Kinda wish I was there for that,” Cory added with his boyish smile.
“Oh Cory, how I love when you speak your thoughts,” Dianna joked.
“Darling, it’s okay… you don’t have to be all embarrassed that you got beat in a cat fight,” Lea chirped, wrapping an arm around Dianna. The blonde gave the shorter girl the death glare.
“Mhm, sure Lea…” Dianna said shaking her head, smiling. She lightly slipped out of Lea’s hold and walked over to Ian and Ryan for a quick chat. Naya couldn’t help but question the change in Lea’s expression. She didn’t have time to fully contemplate on the matter as a familiar low voice rumbled behind her. Naya turned to meet deep blue eyes, and her smile faded.
“Hey, Naya. Hey guys…” Nate said waving to Lea and Cory. Lea waved back while Cory shook Nate’s hand.
“Hi! You’re Heather’s boyfriend, right?” Cory greeted politely.
“Yeah, Nate… and you are that guy that’s obsessed with my girlfriend and has a weird affinity to offer beef jerky at the most random times?” Cory’s signature smile quickly fell, as his face altered into one of fear. Nate was obviously referring to that behind the scenes cast interview Heather had in which Cory had sneaked in the background offering her beef jerky like the dork he was. However, his quirkiness made him friendly and undeniably likeable, Naya had to admit.
“Uh, uh… I…” Cory faltered.
Nate’s blank expression broke out into that ridiculous smile again as he said, “Psych! I’m just messing with you man…” Nate gave Cory a loud clap on the shoulder, and the slightly taller man let out a weary laugh. Cory looked to Naya, eyes obviously still in shock. Naya simply shrugged her shoulders as she laughed quietly at her friend’s reaction with Lea.
“But don’t get any ideas,” Nate said, tone serious but smile playful.
“Oh yah. You really don’t have anything to worry about… We try to keep everything PG on set…. well as much as possible,” Cory spoke more hesitantly, but still managed to wink in Naya’s direction. She glared at him questioningly. What in the world is he referring to?
“Dude, I don’t care what you guys do as long as it’s not with my girlfriend,” Nate said jokingly. He really doesn’t have anything to worry about. The girl was a saint, she wasn’t going to go breaking his heart… unfortunately. Naya thought to herself in dismay.
“Don’t listen to Cory… he has no idea what he’s talking about,” Naya reassured, continuing to glare the man down. Cory was looking everywhere but at Naya’s dangerous gaze, even though his mischievous smile still played on his lips.
Nate simply chuckled at the remark, “You guys all seem really close. When Heather told me you were all like a big, happy family I thought she was just exaggerating. But it’s really true after seeing all you guys together.”
“Of course. We spend so much time together; you have a tendency of getting really close to the people you work with,” Lea confirmed. Naya and Cory nodded in agreement.
“Yes… I’ve learned never to second guess the woman ever again. She’s always right,” Naya mentally agreed when Nate turned to her. “Hey, Naya… Sorry, but I was wondering if I could pull you aside for a minute? I just needed to talk to you about something…”
Naya eyed the man questioningly as her stomach started to feel heavy with dread. Why Nate wanted to talk to her, she had no idea… All she knew is whatever he needed to say, she was certain she would not be happy to hear.
“Sure,” she said, trying to disguise her hesitancy with a smile. She found herself quickly being pulled away, and she stole a glance behind her at her two abandoned friends. They gave small waves of encouragement; Cory’s was more a ‘good luck, I hope you survive’ wave. Nate led them to the bar and the two took seats on a set of tall stools. Naya crossed her legs and bobbed her foot nervously. She wasn’t quite sure why she was so anxious. She didn’t do anything wrong, did she? Maybe Heather told him about their cleavage filled incident. Naya shook her head. It still wouldn’t matter, because Naya knew, and Nate should too, that Heather was completely straight. Nate hailed the bartender and ordered a Jack and Coke.
“And for you?” Nate asked politely, turning to Naya.
“Oh, can I just get one shot of tequila? Thank you.” Nate raised her eyebrows at the tiny Latina, slightly shocked by her order. Naya simply shrugged him off and the man bustled off to mix their beverages. That’s when Nate began.
“So far tonight has been… crazy,” Nate said letting out a sigh. If Naya could guess, she would say Nate seemed a little worried. She didn’t really notice before, mainly because she was trying to avoid all eye contact with the couple, but Nate’s cheerful, sea-kissed eyes were sunken and tired. He sounded so unsure of himself compared to all of Naya’s prior conversations with the man. Something was off…
“Yeah… it’s been a lot to handle. Dealing with press and fans and too many flashing lights can be quite overwhelming,” Naya answered casually.
“Oh, I bet. Heather hasn’t been handling it the best… For the past few days, Heather has been a whirlwind of emotions to say the least…” Nate spoke distantly and Naya raised her eyebrows. If Naya knew Heather as well as she did, she could say that the woman normally never let any of the publicity get to her head. Her boyfriend’s description didn’t seem right. Nate spotted Naya’s questioning expression and clarified, “Oh, but you know Heather… I mean, well she’s normally always happy. She is happy… what I mean to say is…”
This is getting really weird… Why is he telling me this? Naya thought in her nervous, sing-song voice.
Nate closed his eyes and took a deep breath, “Heather was just a ball of nervous, excited, and crazy before today. It’s been kinda stressful to deal with her… It was like I couldn’t say anything right, it always made things worse. I didn’t know what to do to comfort her. You know how people can get sometimes when there’s too much going on?”
He shouldn’t have to deal with her craziness like it was some sort of inconvenience. He’s her boyfriend for fuckssake and they’ve known each other for years. Shouldn’t he know what to say? What pissed Naya off the most was that Nate made it sound like it was a job to be there for Heather. Naya politely responded despite her true opinion.
“Yeah, of course. You feel absolutely ecstatic and amazing for one second, but then you remember the shitty side of the situation and then you start dreading it.” Naya could easily relate it with how she feels every time she sees Heather.
“Exactly. I couldn’t have said it better… This is actually sorta what I wanted to talk to you about. Recently-” Nate stopped as the waiter came back with their drinks. They both thanked the man and clinked their glasses together briefly. Simultaneously, the two both tipped their drinks to their lips, taking large inhuman gulps at the alcoholic liquid. Naya had to raise the back of her hand to her puckered lips, her throat burning from the drink. It did nothing to relieve Naya’s building tension unfortunately.
“Can I actually get another, please?” Naya called to the bartender before he attended to another guest. She hoped she didn’t sound desperately alcoholic… she probably did.
Nate set down his glass and continued, “What I was saying is… I was wondering if you’ve noticed anything different?”
Naya was waiting for him to elaborate, but he simply stopped. “Anything different, how?”
“Well… Heather, well she’s… Have you noticed anything different in her behavior? She’s been acting… a bit off lately… It’s really been worrying me.”
Naya furrowed her eyebrows. She honestly didn’t know if she could answer the question. She hadn’t really spent any genuine time with Heather to notice, all she had were longing glances from a distance. Rather creepy really… Naya admitted, but she searched her brain for any acknowledgeable, abnormal behavior. In fact, Naya thought Heather was doing well considering how happy she’s been on set. She was always on her phone talking to... someone, if not Nate. She couldn’t be cheating, could she? That’s the stupidest thing you have ever thought in your life, Naya Rivera. Heather would never cheat on him, they’re practically married… Nate’s worry about the girl they both loved made Naya worry too. If he was sincerely concerned for Heather, something must be wrong and it made Naya very much intrigued to get to the bottom of it. The bartender returned with her second shot and she nodded a thanks, but left the small glass alone, too interested in the matter at hand.
“I… I honestly don’t know. I can’t recall anything considerably unusual,” Naya felt like a horrible friend as those words left her lips. She should know if something were wrong. “Why? What’s been going on?”
“I don’t know, maybe I’m over thinking it… Ever since I came by that one day on set, things have been a little weird. She randomly shuts me out and she gets into these mood swings… I mean I understand she’s a girl and everything, but with Heather I feel like stuff like that never happens. She’s just so distant and well, not very affectionate lately…” Nate said the last part into his drink as he took another large swig.
Naya didn’t know what to infer about the last few words. In her mind she was probably interpreting it differently from what Nate was trying to get across. It was all hopeful thinking.
“You guys seemed fine just right now,” Naya pointed out.
“That’s the thing! One minute she’s normal, the next I’m second guessing myself again… At home she barely said a word to me then, when we came here, everything was fine. Until a few minutes ago when she left to go to the bar… and now I don’t know where she is,” Nate said carelessly looking about the room for the blonde. Naya guessed that was probably the millionth time he had done so.
Naya strangely felt bad for him. “I’m sorry. I don’t really know what to tell you… I mean, Heather’s mood is sorta understandable,” Nate looked up at Naya sadly, so she continued. “I mean, things have been very stressful with work. We work fifteen hour days sometimes. You gotta give her a break. I know she’s great at being such burst of energy twenty-four, seven… but this time she’s probably just a bit burnt out…”
Nate simply nodded his head, body slumped downcast. Naya couldn’t stand the man looking so god damn hopeless. It was like seeing a lost puppy.
“Hey,” Naya spoke softly, placing a hand on his arm. Nate looked up. “It’s gonna be okay. Whatever you guys are going through, you’ll work your way out of it. Heather fixes things like this. It’s pretty much her favorite past time to make things better.”
Nate smiled appreciating the brunette’s reassuring words.
“That’s very true. Would you mind if you could just try and talk to her? I don’t know… Maybe as the best friend you can see something I can’t,” Nate said, a gentle hopeful smile.
“Well, I…” Naya started, but she was caught by his sad, deep ocean eyes. God damn it… “Of course. I don’t know how much help I’ll be… but anything to help you two out.”
Nate’s large grin spread back on his lips and it put Naya at some ease. How she hated drama. His normal cheeriness didn’t last long, as Naya suddenly watched Nate’s expression return to its sullen state. She felt heavenly, slim arms wrap around her waist. Familiar laughter tickled warmly at her ear and she instinctively swallowed nervously. She jumped a little at the surprising lithe figure pressing against her back and Nate simply turned back to his drink and mumbled, “I sure hope you’re right…”
Naya swiveled in her seat to find herself extremely close to one, Heather Morris. Too close, too close… Naya chanted nervously in her head. She automatically stared at the blonde’s lips, but forced her eyes up to sparkling, but oddly misty blue ones.
“H-Heather? Um, what are you doing?” she asked uneasily, peeling the dancer’s gorgeous, pale arms from her body. Maximize space, must maximize space…
“Just socializing, the usual… but I missed my bestie! And the best boyfriend in the world,” Heather said shuffling over to Nate. Naya noticed the blonde’s unusual wavering movement. She could not be drunk already… Naya had only been apart from her for about ten minutes!
“Heather, you okay?” Nate said holding her firmly from swaying.
“Of course, babe! Why wouldn’t I be,” she giggled childishly and her hand fell to his thigh, awfully close to his crotch. Naya had to look away. She could not believe it… How in the fucking world was she already drunk? And before Naya! It had to be some sort of record…
“Have you been drinking Smirnoff? You know that never turns out well…” Nate questioned.
“I didn’t, don’t worry,” Nate was not convinced. “Come on, honey… you don’t need to baby me. I’m just having a little fun! Ryan said we all needed a night off, right Nay-Nay?”
The two watched her intently, putting her on the spot. “Uh…” Naya stumbled. Nate was practically staring daggers at her, but Naya couldn’t help but cave into Heather’s dazzling orbs. “Well, yeah… Ryan did say that, but Heather you shouldn’t-”
“See?! Let loose a little, babe,” Heather patted his head and turned back to Naya. “Now, I wanna see Naya move dat ass out on the dance floor!” Naya cringed at Heather’s slang and slurring words.
“Heather, maybe we should just sit for a while…” she tried to suggest, but the thought didn’t settle in the blissful, blonde’s brain. Naya didn’t really have time to think, as Heather quickly sauntered over to her and strongly pulled her from her stool.
“Nuh uh! Lez go!” and with super-human, drunken strength Heather started to drag the reluctant Latina to the dance floor. Before getting too far, Heather turned sharply almost running into her captive. She reached across Naya, closely grazing her chest causing her breath to automatically hitch. She swiftly swiped up Naya’s forgotten tequila shot.
“Heather, wait! No!” Naya tried, but Heather had already thrown back the stinging liquid. Naya sighed in defeat as she allowed herself to be lead to the pulsating music. Naya chanced a look back at a stunned and disappointed Nate.
*Just A Little Author’s Side Note!
So I was very surprised on how quickly I wrote out this chapter… please don’t expect this to be like a regular thing, for classes are truly picking up. Also, I would like to say (not bragging or anything) but I know the statement included about Chris being in Man of La Mancha to be a true fact! My high school was one of the rivals to his and for Spanish Club my freshman year we went to go see their production of the show and he played Sancho. My friend and I were so confused at the beginning and kept arguing if he was a girl or a guy… and now he’s famous! I swear I’m not a creeper or anything, I even have the program somewhere in my room haha. Anyways, that was a complete side note and I thought it would have been rather annoying to include at the beginning of the chapter. I know you guys rather have just gotten on with your reading. Hope you enjoyed and can’t wait for your comments!