Chapter 1:

She knew she should open her eyes. She knew she should at least try, but she just couldn't. Or wouldn't was probably a more accurate description. She wasn't sure if it was the overwhelming feeling that she had massively overslept again, or the sharp pain in her head that she could feel getting worse by the second.

Okay. One. Two. Three.

Shit.

10:32 were the numbers glaring at her from her alarm clock when she finally managed to wrench an eye open. She groaned dramatically and rolled over onto her other side. Yep, this time an hour ago was when she should have been walking into her vocal theory class at NYADA. Shit. And exactly two minutes ago she was meant to meet Quinn for coffee. Double shit.

After seriously considering closing her eyes again and trying to pretend this was all just one terrible nightmare and not something that has happened for the third time this week, Santana decided it was probably a good idea to get her lazy ass out of bed and get herself something to eat. Or at least a coffee. A strong coffee. And an aspirin come to think of it. Grabbing her McKinley hoodie from a pile of clothes on the floor, the Latina stumbled out of her still darkened room and into the living room of her open-plan apartment. Her blissful, half-asleep state was interrupted by a shrill voice coming from the kitchen.

"Santana! What on earth are you still doing here? I thought you had class at-"

"Berry, please pipe down. Your voice is way too high-pitched for this early in the morning. At least let me gets me an aspirin first." Santana said with a groan before making her way over to the kitchen, reaching up to the cabinet above the sink and grabbing a box of pills.

"I think, Santana, you'll find that it is no longer early, being almost 11 o'clock, and I was merely helping you by pointing out that you had a class to get to." Without bothering to reply, Santana simply shot one of her famous glares towards her roommate, before swallowing the pill and pouring herself a large cup of coffee. Sitting herself down on a stool at the island, she tried to ignore her friend clattering around the kitchen, grabbing various pots and pans and generally making way too much noise.

"Hey Dwarf," she almost shouted so as to make herself heard above the clanging of frying pans and slamming of cupboard doors. "For an abnormally small personal you're making a hell of a lot of noise. Either keep it the fuck down or be a decent human being and making Aunty Tana some breakfast too. Or preferably both. I'm trying my hardest over here not to die of what I'm starting to think is the world's worst hangover. Thanks." With an overly sweet smile aimed at the back of her roommate's head, she returned to sipping on her much needed coffee and rubbing her throbbing temples.

Rachel stopped what she was doing and spun on her feet to face Santana, frying pan in hand. "First of all, you have only yourself to blame for that hangover, Santana. What time did you even get in last night? I dread to think where you were or how much you drank or who… well anyway it's your own fault. And as for breakfast," she started, shaking the pan in the Latina's direction. "What makes you think I'm going to make you any? You're in a foul mood this morning and besides, you always complain about my vegan cooking." She said, almost triumphantly, and span on her heels again in order to continue what she was doing.

Amused at how pleased Rachel was with her comeback, and realising she had better play nice if she wanted to eat, Santana walked over and wrapped her arms around her friend's waist and pulled her into a tight hug. "Okay, Berry, you win. Will you pretty please with a cherry on top make me an omelette if I'm extra specially nice to you today?" Rachel didn't reply, but Santana could just about see the sides of her mouth lifting up into a tiny smirk. "And I'll take us all out on Saturday night to celebrate your big show case?"

After a small pause, Rachel sighed dramatically, peeled her friend's arm off from around her waist, and immediately got to work, cracking eggs and whatnot. Content with her work, and finally feeling the aspirin kicking in, Santana downed the rest of her coffee and went back to her room to grab her phone.

2 missed calls. Three text messages. Great. Here goes…

I'm here, take it we're still on for coffee? – Quinn

Santana, where are you? I've been here for like 20 mins? – Quinn

Fuck this I'm going. Call me later bitch. – Quinn

Oops. This isn't going to be pleasant. She may be her closest friend, but Quinn sure as hell didn't put up with this kind of shit from her.

Sorry, Q. Big night, overslept. Make it up to you with coffee later? Starbucks at 3? X – Santana

Throwing her phone onto her bed she headed towards the bathroom for a quick shower.

…

After showering and changing, Santana picked up her phone to see a new message from Quinn saying that she'd see her and Rachel at 2.30. She groaned at the news the hobbit would be joining them, before remembering about the omelette and rushed into the kitchen excitedly to receive the plate being held out for her.

"You're welcome!" Rachel snapped sarcastically, before taking a seat opposite to her roommate at the island in the middle of the kitchen.

"Oh, uh yeah thanks Berry." Santana mumbled through a mouthful of breakfast. "Oh by the way, we're meeting Q for coffee at 2.30." Rachel's eyes lit up and her scowl at Santana's below par table manners was replaced by a wide grin at the mention of their friend's name. "Wonderful! I'm going to go and change." And with that she practically skipped over to her room, finally leaving Santana in piece.

…

Santana and Rachel were now sitting at a booth in Starbucks waiting for Quinn. In her excitement and hurry, Rachel had forcefully pulled her roommate off the couch and out of the door, much to Santana's annoyance because she was still feeling rather delicate from the previous night. Rachel had also insisted on practically running the 3 blocks to the café which had not added to her hungover state.

So here they now were, sitting opposite from one another, Rachel smiling giddily and hammering on about how excited she was to see Quinn, and how she hadn't seen her in over three days, blah, blah, blah. It was all Santana could do to sit there, her head in her hands whilst trying to a) drown out the horrifically loud and high-pitched voice of one Rachel Berry, and b) try to keep down the omelette which had not turned out to be such a brilliant idea in her delicate condition. She was dragged from her thoughts by the chime of the bell and a squeal from her friend opposite as she looked up to see Quinn walk through the door of the café, a mountain of books hugged tight to her chest. She was wearing a simple black skirt and a pretty blouse.

"You look nice. Very 'preppy NYU student'." Santana remarked with a smirk as her closest friend approached their booth.

"You look dreadful. Did you go to bed at all last night?" Was the quick remark fired back at her, followed by a matching smirk from the blonde.

"Touché, Fabray. Touché." The Latina smiled and gave her a friendly nudge as she came and sat down next to her. See, this is why she loves Quinn, because with just a look, all the shit from this morning is forgotten and they're back to their usual selves again. It was the same throughout high school. They were the most popular girls at McKinley, co-captains of the cheerleading squad, the hottest bitches in that place. Even glee club didn't change that.

"It's so wonderful to see you, Quinn! We've missed you." Rachel sang from the opposite side of the table.

"It's only been a few days Rachel! I've been so busy with coursework and assignments. And… I have some exciting news!" At that point the annoyingly friendly waitress came over with the latte and chai tea Santana and Rachel had ordered. Bitch sure has great timing. After a glare from Santana, and taking Quinn's order, the waitress disappeared again. Quinn shuffled in her seat and both Santana and Rachel looked at her expectantly.

"Well…?" Santana asked with impatience. "What's this big exciting news so I can finally go back to bed?"

"I got a roommate!" Quinn exclaimed, her eyes darting from Rachel, who was squealing with excitement to Santana, who stared back at her, a mixture of confusion and disapproval etched across her unmade-up face.

"That's so excit-"

"I didn't even know you were looking for a roommate." Santana snapped, interrupting Rachel. "If I'd have known I sure as hell would have ditched Man Hands over here and Lady Hummel to come live with you. Why the fuck didn't you tell me?"

Quinn took a deep breath and turned to face her friend. "Santana, we both know you and I living together would be a bad idea. We would kill each other. Either that or you'd try and jump me again and that would just not be ok. Plus, I know you, and I know you're happy with Kurt and Rachel." Rachel's look of hurt swiftly changed into a smug sort of smile which made Santana groan but before she could counter Quinn cut her off. "Besides, it was a very last minute decision. Now that Daddy's lost his job I need help with the rent. So it was a money thing really, don't look like a kicked puppy S."

"Whatever, I gots to get me back to bed afores I either fall asleep here or throw up over Berry. This hangover is horrendous." With that she got herself up and left the other two to chuckle and shake their heads.

...