Might as well be Drunk in Love

"though the gym and football field being a bit more free wouldn't allow the new directions to rehearse in those spaces, it could alleviate some of the stress we're feeling in terms of requests for our space. of course, the real issue at saint rivera is the astounding amount of money dedicated to athletics in comparison to the arts..."

she let that thought drift off, knowing that though goldie may connect the dots in a slightly wonky way, she'd surely get the right picture in the end. that one was a larger war, however, and if she had to pick her battles, getting the furry club far away from the choir room was her first order of business.

unfortunately, nothing good can last, and one attempted tickling completely decimated all of the positive sentiments goldie's previous offerings and recent compliment (she was hot, and it was crazy that no one was tapping that, thank you very much!) had garnered. "yes, well, i'm thankful to have no distractions in my life. i'm able to focus all of my energy on the new directions, the crucible, and my classes," she insisted from a couple of steps away from goldie, the distance put into place to prevent any further attempts at tickles. "and the other groups trying to steal our space vary from day to day, but rest assured, there are plenty."

it was at that moment that fate decided to intervene in their conversation. stella was prepared to let goldie's mention of her partner dropping out of the mash-up go with only an oh no, so sad, but just before she could do so, the buzz of her phone clued her in to the fact that she had some breaking mash-up related news of her own. taking a peek at the screen just long enough to get the gist of things, it was with a smile that stella turned her attention fully back to the blonde.

"great news for you! my partner tragically has food poisoning, so your mash-up is back on. after all, as captain and choreographer, it would be a shame if we both were unable to perform due to unforeseen circumstances. wouldn't you agree?"

her head fell to the side as she listened to stella yap about the athletes and the arts. goldie couldn't understand why the school wouldn't give the same amount of money to every club. that seemed like the most fair option, in her opinion. maybe she should tell coach steele about how hard it is for people in the arts! or just go to the dean herself.

but like many times before her attention strayed from such thoughts. this time due to stella backing away from the blonde's attempts to tickle her. come on! it was only going to be for a second. "the crucible?" goldie asked, a minuscule pout on her face as she crossed her arms over her chest. "and what other groups? i can't imagine people are fighting to use the choir room."

she was happy to leave their conversation at that. in fact, the moment stella opened her phone, goldie knew she was no longer of importance and began to turn to part. except... stella was smiling really large. "really?!" she asked, excitement buzzing through her as the opportunity to show her stuff to the rest of the glee club was suddenly back on the table. "okay okay! i'm so down. wanna work on it right now? that way no one will steal your rehearsal space," and goldie could hang out with someone! it was a win/win. "i'll let you pick the songs, and i can come up with our moves."

"well, i hope you still get to try the seasonal flavors, at least," lore replied, the sentiment genuine. but with that out of the way, it was time for a little dishonesty.

"oh!" she paused, gesturing towards the counter full of treats so she could come up with a reason for being there when she hadn't yet purchased anything and was having to unexpectedly rethink her shopping list.

"grabbing something. definitely grabbing something. i haven't come here that often, so i'm just not sure what i want yet. would you recommend what you got? because the pop tart thing looks good too."

"thanks!" it was nice that someone hoped for that outcome for goldie, even if she was certain she would be trying no other seasonal flavors this semester. so long peppermint cookies, you will be sorely missed.

turning back towards the counter that lore pointed to, goldie allowed herself to gaze longingly at the treats. but she would not eat more. no, she would help lore find something yummy and live vicariously through her friend. "mmm, do you like cupcakes? i know some people don't. but the blondies are super good here, and they're not as sweet as brownies. but! if the pop tart is calling to you, i say you should answer the phone."

   before  he  could  dedicate  any  more  brain  power  to  what  was  quickly  becoming  the  beer  paradox  ,  goldie  had  wandered  over  .  his  eyes  followed  her  without  much  thought  until  she  crouched  beside  him  .  he  blinked  .  "  thanks  ,  golds  .  "  brooks  was  about  as  cooperative  as  an  overgrown  golden  retriever  at  the  vet  .  the  moment  she  adjusted  one  of  his  legs  ,  he  followed  along  without  complaint  ,  if  only  because  she  seemed  like  she  knew  what  she  was  doing  .

   "  whoa  .  "  his  eyebrows  shot  up  .  "  i  don't  think  my  leg  has  ever  been  so  bendy  before  before  .  "  he  stared  at  it  for  a  second  .  "  i  kinda  forgot  it  could  do  shit  like  that  .  "  there  wasn't  an  ounce  of  embarrassment  in  him  .  if  anything  ,  he  looked  fascinated  by  his  own  anatomy  .  "  you  should  charge  money  for  this  .  "  he  declared  matter-of-factly  .  "  people  pay  for  massages  all  the  time  .  this  is  like  …  "  his  hand  waved  vaguely  .  "  ...  yoga  surgery  .  "  that  definitely  wasn't  what  it  was  . once  she  stepped  away  again  ,  brooks  stayed  in  the  stretch  for  approximately  three  seconds  before  slowly  slumping  back  into  his  usual  seated  position  like  a  sack  of  potatoes  losing  structural  integrity  .  "  see  ?  "  he  patted  himself  on  the  chest  .  "  durable  .  "

   his  attention  bounced  right  back  to  her  as  she  started  talking  about  cheer  again  .  "  eye  candy  ?  "  he  looked  over  one  shoulder  .  then  the  other  .  "  ...  who's  the  ⸻  ?  "  he  genuinely  thought  she  meant  somebody  else  .  there  were  like  twenty  attractive  people  scattered  around  the  field  .  surely  she  couldn't  mean  ⸻  his  train  of  thought  derailed  before  it  even  reached  the  station  . "  i  could  totally  toss  people  .  "  his  chest  puffed  out  a  little  .  "  i  mean  ,  i  already  throw  around  hockey  bags  that  weigh  like  …  "  he  looked  up  toward  the  sky  as  if  the  clouds  contained  the  answer  .  "  ...  probably  four  hundred  pounds  .  "  they  absolutely  did  not  .  "  or  maybe  eighty  .  "  he  shrugged  .  "  still  heavy  .  "

   his  smile  only  grew  when  she  started  explaining  how  cheer  worked  .  brooks  leaned  in  too  ,  matching  her  conspiratorial  whisper  without  questioning  why  they  were  whispering  in  the  first  place  .  "  ...  that's  actually  genius  .  "  he  whispered  back  .  "  i  always  wondered  why  people  stood  in  the  back  .  "  his  eyes  drifted  toward  the  freshman  she'd  pointed  out  . he  nodded  solemnly  .  "  good  for  them  .  "  another  nod  .  "  still  made  the  team  .  "  that  seemed  like  a  victory  in  his  book  .  then  she  mentioned  making  him  a  sign  .  brooks  lit  up  so  fast  it  was  almost  cartoonish  .  "  really  ?  "  there  was  nothing  coy  about  the  smile  that  spread  across  his  face  .  it  was  all  teeth  .  all  excitement  .  "  that'd  actually  be  sick  .  "  he  laughed  ,  a  shake  of  his  head  as  a  memory  made  its  way  to  the  surface  .

she wracked her brain for a solution to their beer problem, clapping once in excitement when it hit her. "i know! if i get a drink, i'll give it to you. and if you already have a drink, just put one of them down! i'm sure someone else will pick them up and drink them. actually, i guess i could just find someone else without a drink and give them mine..." she considered the options before shrugging. "we can try both out next party and see how it goes." it wasn't that big of a deal what happens, as long as she's not hungover the next morning.

she smiled brightly at the nickname he used for her. she was a nickname girlie herself, and it had occurred to her she hadn't come up with one for him. that would not do. she'd be work shopping possible options all throughout practice now. "i'm glad i could help. now just don't try to bend too much, you don't wanna hurt yourself. the hockey team needs ya." his belief in her was sweet, and it gave her the confidence to ask, "would you ever wanna come to yoga with me? it'll help you a lot." and could be a reason for them to hang out. maybe get food after... like a whole date.

of course as he struggled to realize who exactly she was calling eye candy, the idea of the two of them going on a yoga date deflated. she thought she was being obvious with the flirting... so did that just mean he was too nice to tell her he wasn't interested? when was the last time someone wasn't interested in her? she couldn't even remember. "yeah i believe that. you're arms are proof of that. we could always practice if you're really considering joining the cheerios."

her brows furrowed at the question. "i have no clue, maybe it's about a bird?" or was that a puffin? whatever, she'd google it later. right now she was going to enjoy the praise and compliments from the cute boy who's arm she was hanging off of. "oh?" she asked, tone a bit playful. that is, until they're outside and the distance isn't broken. the blonde can't help but let her gaze travel over his features, remembering just how close she had been to him over the summer. "i can think of a few ways you can pay me back." she let the possible images dance in his mind, memories of their time spent in the hot months before she stepped out of his hold. no! she had to be better then this. "but i'm totally fine." her voice betrayed her. she unfortunately knew what it was like to be discarded when she was no longer of use. "ya don't have to check in on me. im a tough cookie." the blonde waved him off, already making to part ways incase he didn't want someone to see them together.

cecelia  lets  out  an  exasperated  sigh,  though  the  fond  smile  tugging  at  her  lips  takes  any  real  bite  out  of  it.  "   well,  you  have  to  work  on  that.  saying  no  is  very  important,  and  it  is  a  full  sentence,  goldie.   "  the  words  are  delivered  in  the  same  patient,  matter - of - fact  tone  she'd  use  with  a  little  sister . . .  if  she  had  one.  "   free  drinks  aren't  actually  free  if  this  is  what  they  cost  you  the  next  morning.   "  she  reaches  up  to  brush  a  few  stray strands  of  hair  away  from  her  face,  unable  to  completely  hide  the  affectionate  look  in  her  eyes.  "   you  always  make  me  sound  much  nicer  than  i  am,  babe.  "  a  quiet  laugh  escapes  her.  "  but . . .  i'm  glad  you  know  someone  has  to  keep  you  alive.   "

"yes is also a full sentence! one that usually makes people happy." she countered with a wag of her finger and a smile on her face. "mmm no, i think they're still free. but the next time i'm at a party and people start offering me beers, i'll just keep thinking of you right now, telling me not to do it." goldie smiled brightly at cece and didn't hesitate to bounce over to the girl and give her a hug. "i don't make you sound like anything. i know you're like a big softie and care about everyone more then you let on."

the excuses cece offered up had the blonde nodding as she pulled away from the hug, immediately wrapping her arms around her stomach as another wave of discomfort hit her. "oh yes! you're so smart, that's the perfect plan." goldie looked over at coach steele then, the beautiful yet deeply intimidating woman was watching over the cheerios like an army general. "results? what are we supposed to do?" truthfully, goldie was still uncertain of the whole plan.

"what's her name? maybe i know her - she cute?" priorities. sully's demeanor shifts, just a little, at the thought of having to threaten to leave, causing his arms to cross over his chest in defiance at the idea without him realizing. he liked it here. maybe he wouldn't admit it, but he did, and he wasn't too sure he wanted to risk the bluff of having to potentially leave - even if it could lead to them getting their way. "i dunno. that... seems a little drastic. it's just one stupid assignment. we'll get another stupid one next week. not like any of this actually matters."

she rolled her eyes playfully before smiling at him. "if i wanted you to strip, sully, i would just say that. i know you'd do it." and then she returned back to his other question. "and you do look really good in the cheerios red."

goldie pointed to a gray shirt that was thrown over one of the bleachers, assuming it was the one he was referencing. "ya mean that one?" she asked, trying to clarify if she had done a good job of pointing out the article of clothing. "i kinda hope i'm wrong." it was a giggle that left her mouth as her eyes appreciated his bare chest before she turned back to the pool. she pointed to the water. "you do something to it?" she asked over her shoulder, wondering what he was talking about that had been so funny. "you know what would be really funny? if you dyed it bright red. or if you threw one of those foam parties. I bet the whole school would be talkin' about that for weeks."

goldie hadn't smoked in... a while. she had a boyfriend once who was reallyyyyyy into weed and partook so often that she forgot most of her first semester of her senior year of high school. and then at one point she just got super paranoid, which is why she stopped. but that didn't mean she didn't always carry a lighter on her. it was good to have one, but also a great way to be useful! and a good way to just have a reason to talk to someone. so when lucas asked her if she hand one, the blonde dug it out of her bag with a bright smile. "sure do!" she held it up in triumph, then considering his next question. "yeah! i could take a break. just don't let me smoke too much, it hit's me like a ton of bricks." she didn't want to look lame. she knew how some people viewed the glee club, she couldn't let her reputation totally sink. "how far away is your car?" she asked, heading towards the exit of the party where the street that held all the cars were parked.

the blonde bit her lip as she was caught, blushing slightly as she hid her phone. it wasn't even all that excited. not like she was getting a super hot and incredibly inappropriate text in the middle of the cafeteria. or even a dick pic (which goldie didn't really find excitement in, she just like knowing someone wanted to send one to her). she was just scrolling insta. "okay okay okay!" she began, putting her phone face and and leaning in to tell val her secret. "i have a crush..." she said, giggling like a little school girl. "it's brooks. he's so cute and like soooo easy to talk to and so hot. and like, such a nice guy. really." which was kind of new for her. "but every time i flirt with him i can't tell if he's actually into me. like, he doesn't always flirt back, which is crazy! right?" she sat back in the chair, stumped and hoping the girl before her had an opinion on it. "has that ever happened to you?"