New Girl In Town (1) ✔️

A Girl's Gotta Eat

I'm thankful that it is this early in the morning because my mind isn't really on the drive that I am making. Did that really just happen? Did I really just kiss Hunter?

I take one hand off the wheel and run my fingers across my lips. They are tingling but that could be all in my head. I lick them and the flavors from my dream were real.

He really does taste sweet like cotton candy but with a small cinnamon spice.

Oh crap, I'm officially screwed.

On autopilot I drive to the Lima Bean, after everything this morning I most definitely need caffeine.  The lack of traffic is both a blessing and a curse.  The absence of cars allows my mind to wander but I'm back in Lima before I even realize it.  The coffee shop is busy even this early in the morning but thankfully none of my friends are there.   I order my usual white chocolate raspberry mocha with an extra shot in the largest size they will sell me even if it does garner me sympathetic looks from the barista.  She probably thinks I'm just a sleep deprived teenager.

I slept last night.

I swear.

My mind wanders back to the magnificent evening I spent in Sebastian's arms.  Kisses.  Caresses.  Whispers of a future.   Although I am frantically trying to block out memories of my meltdown and confessions.

And of Hunter.

Oh god.  What do I do now about Hunter?  I'm starting dance lessons with him soon.  And I kissed him...

I kissed him.

And honestly I think I kind of liked doing so...

Oh God, I'm screwed.

I make it to McKinley and send a message of to Sebastian as promised.  The day passes in a blur. As I am walking towards the choir room later on in the day I feel my phone vibrate in my purse and struggle to fish it out.  Two messages...

MyWarbler:  I miss you Pretty Girl.  You brighten up my day so much.  Nervously awaiting talking to the future in laws this weekend.  🤞🏻 I'll be busy until then but thinking of you every second. 😘

I smile as I send him a response.

To MyWarbler:  Sebby you're too much.  They already love you almost as much as I do.  Eagerly counting the hours.  😘😍💍

And then I catch sight of the second message just as I enter the choir room.  I'm biting my lip because I don't know what to do now.

HC🔥: Anderson what was that this morning?  Not that I'm complaining because wow.... 💥When can we do that again? ☺️

My heart is racing and my palms are sweating as I slip into an empty seat, far enough from everyone that no one can see what I'm texting.

Or more importantly who I'm texting.

To HC🔥:  😳 I'm so sorry about that.  Call it poor lack of impulse control.  But we shouldn't do that again though.

My phone vibrates in my hand just as Mr Schuester enters the room. I steal a quick glance at it and type out another reply before I get caught.

HC🔥: No apology necessary. Like I said very surprising but not complaining. I wouldn't be so sure there isn't an option for an encore. Call you sometime? Meet up before Sunday?
To HC🔥: Later Clarington. I have class now. But we'll talk. And NO ONE must know about this.
HC🔥: Of course. It's our secret Shann. I'll be in touch.

I can't help the small smile on my face as I slip my phone back into my purse. The class is carrying on around me but I don't realize until I hear Mr Schuester say my name.

"Okay so it's settled. Two group numbers but we'll open with a duet.   Blaine?  Shannon?  Your voices meld together well.  Are you girls okay singing backup? Do you want to get together and brainstorm ideas?"

My eyes fly up as I see everyone looking at me, waiting for my response.  I sneak a glance at Blaine and he is just beaming at me.  "Um.... Sure..." Thankfully the bell rings just then so I'm out of there in a flash unwilling to talk to anyone.

The rest of the school week passes by fast, I just keep my head down. Not intentionally avoiding people but not seeking out extraneous activities.

So it's Friday night. My aunt is working overnight, although she'll be back tomorrow so Sebastian can have his discussions. Blaine is perched on my bed trying to get me to go out with him tonight. "Shanny, come on! Please come out to the movies with Kurt and I. It'll be fun. They're showing 'The King & I' at the revival theater. Sing along..."

He drives a hard bargain but I just want alone time. "Blainey I don't want to third wheel your date. I'll be fine here alone. I was thinking of just watching 'Bring It On' or 'Save the Last Dance'. Resting up.  I've got a big weekend coming up.  Sebby's coming tomorrow.  Said he wanted to talk to all of us.  And I'm beta testing a prospective ballroom class on Sunday morning."  Blaine arches an eyebrow at me, "He wants to come talk to us?  What is he asking for our permission to marry you or something?"

I blush slightly but Blaine brushes it aside and continues on.  "And ballroom?  When did you find a new partner?  I mean Gabriel is still in Springdale."  I give him a small smile and get up from my desk chair pulling him up off my bed, all but pushing him out the door.  "I know.  And Gabe had my replacement lined up the moment I told him I was moving.  But one of my new friends dances.  He found the lead on the lessons and asked if I wanted to test out our pairing.  But enough about me.  Go.  Go on your date.  Please.  I'm just going to have a girly night in."

I follow him downstairs as he gathers up his coat.  "If you insist Belle.  But call me if you need me. And it sounds like Sebastian may need to watch his back if you've got a guy friend willing to dance with you."  I roll my eyes at him as he leaves, waving until his car is out of sight.  I'm just popping a movie into the living room DVD player when my phone rings.

'Bad Reputation'

Hunter.

He did say he would be in touch.  I swipe to answer the phone as I sit on the couch.

Me:  Hey Hunt! What's going on.
Hunter: *sounding out of breath* Shann are you busy?  I know you're not with Smythe, I just saw him heading to Harwood's room.  They're probably having a date tonight.  Or are you busy with friends or something?
Me:  Hunter that's mean.  And no, I'm not busy.  I was just getting ready to watch a girly movie.  Perks of being home alone.
Hunter:  Good. You hungry? Meet me at the diner??
Me:  *pauses* Um.....   Well I suppose.  But it's not a date, kay?  Just two friends getting dinner and talking.
Hunter:  *laughing* Sure.  Two friends getting dinner, who just happen to have kissed twice.....
Me:  If you even want an option for a third time you need to stop with that talk.
Hunter:  Note taken.  Leaving now.  I'll meet you there.
Me:  See you soon.

I turn off the DVD player and tv, running upstairs for my purse and car keys. I pull on a hoodie from my old dance studio and head out the door. It's just dinner and we're just friends...

As I pull up to the diner I see Hunter's car already parked out front. I give myself a small pep talk before I exit my car and head into the restaurant. He is seated in the back examining the menu so he doesn't notice me. Silently I slip into the seat across from him, grabbing the extra menu off the table. He looks up with a smile, "Hey Angel, took you long enough."

I roll my eyes at him as I see the waitress approaching us, "Cool down Romeo. It's just dinner." He chuckles, "Keep telling yourself that if that is what helps you sleep at night."

I shake my head at him as the waitress reaches our table.