I didn't mean to start a new fic when I haven't even finished the other two, but this just came to me and I had to write it. Hope you enjoy!
Quinn Fabray had never really loved anyone. It may seem sad to some, but it had never really affected her. She supposed she might feel empty had she ever experienced love, but no one had ever loved Quinn. Not her parents, not her boyfriends, not her friends. It may be because no one had ever known Quinn Fabray. She didn't enjoy talking about herself and she grew up learning just exactly how to conceal how she felt. At most she had been like an object. Desired occasionally, used even, but never loved. Despite the reasons, the things she didn't much think about, the fact still remained true that Quinn never had love in her life. But she was fine. She was content. She didn't know what she was missing and that didn't bother her. Ignorance is bliss.
Rachel Berry loved. She loved often, but that never tempered the passion with which she loved. Love consumed her. She felt everything to the extent to which her body could not contain it. It radiated out of her and poured onto those around her. Much of the time it presented itself in words. If she could talk about how much she felt then she could not feel like she was going to burst at any second. Other times it emerged as physical affection. The same kind she received from her loving dads her whole life. She believed in the power of a heartfelt hug. And those deepest, purest emotions were reserved for song. The one thing she really held above all else. Rachel Berry was never lacking in love and she was sure she knew everything there was to know about it. It almost seemed simple to her. Then again, the path to true love is never uncomplicated.
It was on that fateful autumn afternoon, seemingly like any other, where Quinn Fabray and Rachel Berry's paths would inevitably cross and their lives would change forever.
/
Rachel walked down Aisle 12, pushing her nearly full cart as she stared at the shelves in wonder. It had been like this ever since she entered Whole Foods. She was like a kid in a candy shop. Earlier that day she had squealed in delight when she learnt such a grocery store was within walking distance from her dorm. She loved everything about New York. Being a vegan in a small town wasn't easy. There weren't many places that catered to her diet, but now her options seemed unlimited. She absentmindedly strolled past the selection of vegan ice cream, her eyes never once leaving the products. She turned the corner and her cart crashed headfirst into someone else's.
"Watch where you're going!"
"Oh my gosh I am so sorry! I wasn't paying attention. Are you seriously injured? Should I call an ambulance? I really didn't notice you there and I-" She stopped midsentence finally looking up at the person she had collided with.
She was a relatively tall blonde girl who looked to be about her age with piercing hazel eyes. She was absolutely the most beautiful person Rachel had ever seen. She wore a scowl on her face that somehow did not detract from her stunningly good looks.
It was difficult to get Rachel Berry to actually stop talking once she had started, but she was so floored by this girl's beauty that she was rendered speechless.
"Isn't it already bad enough you carelessly ran into me? The sarcasm is not appreciated." The blonde girl glared at her and started to push her own cart past her.
Rachel's mouth dropped open in shock. "But- but I wasn't being sarcastic!" She called after the girl, but she was already talking to her back as she rounded the corner and disappeared from sight.
Rachel huffed. Well, there were some things she didn't like about New York. The rude people for one. It had only been an accident. She considered going to find the girl to give her a piece of her mind, but thought better of it and merely got in line to purchase her groceries. This would not ruin her day!
/
Rachel entered the elevator, her arms sore and out of breath. She really hadn't considered that the short walk would be much more difficult with so many groceries. She had to remember that for next time she went shopping.
Finally in her dorm she took her things to the not-so-mini mini-fridge her dad's had purchased for her. She had only purchased things that didn't need cooking as she had been informed there was no kitchen area. But buying these things was necessary. She had been informed that the dining hall food wasn't very reliable and she was sure she wouldn't be able to afford going out all the time.
After she put away all she had bought she sat down on her bed and turned on her laptop. Her roommate had yet to arrive and she was nervous. She hoped they would get along and that she liked singing. Above all she hoped she would be nice. At least nicer than some of the people she had met thus far.
After about an hour of scrolling mindlessly through tumblr she heard the door being unlocked and in walked a girl with long light brown hair and pretty eyes to match. She wore hipster-style glasses and had an eclectic style of dress.
"Oh hi! I didn't know my roommate would already be here. Let me just set my stuff down and we can get acquainted."
Rachel leapt up from her bed and hurried over.
"Here let me help you with all that. I can't believe you were able to get this all up on your own."
"Yeah what can I say, I'm stronger than I look." She smiled at Rachel and flexed her bicep.
Rachel chuckled and helped her bring everything into the room.
"Feel free to start unpacking. Don't let me get in your way."
"Oh I'll do that later. I need a break anyway after all the travelling. Hello, I'm Leila Foster."
"Rachel Berry. Nice to meet you. Should we awkwardly shake hands now or…"
Leila pulled her into a hug. "Sorry, just thought if we're going to be sharing the same room, why waste time with awkward handshakes!"
"I completely agree. I love hugs actually. I just didn't want to scare you off."
Leila laughed. "You don't have to worry about that. You already sound like my kind of person. So Rachel, what are you studying?"
"Well I'm actually doing drama at Tisch. I hope to one day become a Broadway star. Singing is my passion and I love the stage."
"Wow, that's really interesting. I can't wait to hear you sing. You must be pretty talented if you got into Tisch."
"Thank you. I am very talented." Rachel said this with a straight face which made Leila smile. Rachel already felt very comfortable with her and was looking forward to becoming good friends. "What about you?"
"Well I'm doing Applied Psychology at Steinhardt. So I hope you won't be offended if I start to psychoanalyse you halfway through the year. I'm just very interested in people. And you already sound like a fascinating person. Any analysis will be strictly a compliment."
"As long as you don't mind if I start to treat you like my personal psychologist. I do love to talk. Especially about myself."
"Well then, this will be a very symbiotic relationship."
"I hope so!"
Rachel and Leila spent the rest of the night getting to know each other while Leila set up her part of the room. Rachel was starting to look forward to this year even more now that she had a more than agreeable roommate. Surprisingly there were never any lulls in the conversation and she was sure they would be fast friends.
/
The next day Rachel decided to check out what else her residence hall had to offer. As she stood waiting for the elevator she saw a familiar blonde girl walking towards her. As soon as she noticed Rachel her pace slowed and an incredulous look crossed her face. She was just as pretty as Rachel remembered. Somehow she thought she had imagined the whole encounter.
She said nothing to Rachel as they entered the elevator together. She pressed the button for the second floor and looked to Rachel. "Which floor?"
"Same."
The blonde sighed and leaned against the elevator wall as they very slowly descended.
"Look, about the other day…"
"Yes, you were very rude. I didn't mean to bump into you and I was genuinely concerned about your well-being. I know we don't know each other, but I would appreciate an apology for your behaviour. It seems we will be seeing one another often as you appear to live on the same floor as I do and I think we should be as amiable as possible." Rachel finished her rant with a huff and waited for a reply.
The girl appeared almost amused with her speech and stuck out her hand.
"You're right. I'm not usually that rude. It was just… bad timing. I'm Quinn Fabray."
Quinn Fabray. It was a beautiful name and it seemed to suit the girl in front of her. She briefly shook her hand. "Rachel Berry."
"I'll see you around Rachel," she said as the elevator doors opened and she briskly walked out heading to the same place Rachel has planned to go. There was something about the way she said 'Rachel' that made her heart flutter. What was it about this girl? It's not like she was particularly nice. Yes, she was beautiful, but was she really going to fall for a girl this quickly based on looks alone? She shook her head to herself and walked into the lounge area.
She thought that she would have to encounter Quinn again, but she was nowhere to be found. Rachel was perplexed, but relieved enough to not worry about it too much.
She looked around the lounge wondering if Leila would be up for a game of ping pong later on if she wasn't doing anything else. She walked over to the table and watched on as two people were wrapped up in what appeared to be a very intense game.
It was a girl and a guy. The guy had shaggy blonde hair and very large lips that he somehow made look attractive. Rachel admired his physique, but tried not to gawk too much at his muscular arms as he hit the ball hard over to the girl.
The girl had dark tanned skin and dark brown hair. She was, to put it bluntly, incredibly hot. Rachel was starting to wonder if there were any unattractive people who went to NYU or maybe she was just too easily attracted.
The ball whizzed past the blonde boy. "Yes! In your face trouty mouth! I win again!"
"I really wish you'd stop calling me that."
"Whatevz. Rematch?"
"Duh! I will kick your ass this time!"
"In your dreams white boy. I know how to work a paddle." She winked at him suggestively, but the boy just laughed.
"Watch your mouth San. We have an audience," he said as her pointed out Rachel's presence.
"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't mean to intrude on your game! I was just admiring your skill at ping pong."
The girl sauntered over to Rachel. "Well that's not the only skills I've got cutie. The name's Santana Lopez, but you can call me whatever you'd like."
Rachel blushed. "Hello, I'm Rachel Berry."
"Very nice to meet you Berry. Wanna watch me crush this guy again? I win for you m'lady."
"Don't mind her," the guy piped up as he too walked over. "Hi I'm Sam! And I'll definitely win the next game for you!"
"Sounds like a bet to me. Winner of the next round gets to take Berry out on a date."
"You're on Lopez!"
They took their positions on either side of the table and started to play before Rachel could voice her opinion on this whole 'bet' they had decided on.
"Excuse me, but do I have any say in this?"
"No!" Both of them shouted in unison as the game raged on.
Rachel crossed her arms and pouted as she waited to see which of her suitors would win the game. She was flattered by all the attention, but they had been so presumptuous! Who's to say she wasn't already dating somebody. Okay, she wasn't, but that wasn't the point! And they didn't know her sexuality! Alright, she was bisexual so either way it wouldn't really matter, but they didn't know that!
Sam groaned as another ball flew past him.
"Dammit Santana, I swear you're cheating."
"Shut yo' big lips and quit whining. You're just jealous cause you know there's no way you're going to beat me!"
"I can make a comeback! And if not then I'll just take your roommate out to get back at you!"
Santana barked out a laugh. "Yeah riiight that girl is even gayer than I am. Plus, she could totally be your sister. Blondes together just ain't right. It's like incest."
Sam groaned. "I guess I'll just have to step up my game then."
Rachel was amused by their banter. She wondered how they already seemed like such good friends when school hadn't even started yet. He even knew about her roommate.
"How do you two know each other?"
"We went to high school together. Actually, before she came out we totally dated."
"I can't believe I kissed those guppy lips. Seriously, I could have been swallowed whole."
"Shut up, you love my lips."
"I'm almost positive they're what turned me gay," she said as she bounced another ball past him.
"Shit!"
"One more point and I will once again get the girl."
The two of them were so focused on the game that Rachel could barely converse with them. She tried many times to start up a conversation, but it would always turn into some sort of banter between Santana and Sam. By the way they were playing she was sure to have a date with Santana soon so maybe she could learn more about her then. And Rachel hoped that wouldn't mean she couldn't get to know Sam as well. She liked them already despite the only little bit of interaction they shared.
Santana managed to whack the ball right at Sam's face for her winning point and raised her fist in victory.
"Defeated again! That's the kinda shit you learn growing up in Lima Heights! Be careful not to swallow that ball with your suction lips trouty mouth."
Rachel was actually impressed that Santana had won the game for her and she was charmed as the girl got down on one knee in front of her.
"Will you, Berry, allow your champion to take you out to dinner tonight?"
Rachel beamed down at the girl. "Well, how could I say no to that? As long as it's a vegan friendly restaurant then I would be honoured."
"As long as you don't make me eat that rabbit food!"
"You're welcome to eat whatever you please Santana although I urge you to think about the poor animals you are harming in the process."
Santana scowled. "Meet down here at seven? I gots to go make myself look extra hot for our date."
"Sounds great. I'll see you then."
"It was nice to meet you Rachel. I'm sorry I could not win your hand, but will you still give me a chance? That is, if Santana doesn't manage to lock you down right away."
"You made a valiant effort Sam. I'm sure I'll be seeing you around. Friends for now?"
"Yeah, definitely! I'll see you later Rachel. Oh, here's my number."
He handed her a card that read 'Sam Evans: The Justin Beiber Experience'.
"Justin Beiber?"
"That is a story for another time. See you around!"
"Stop trying to scam on my woman Evans!"
"She's not yours quite yet," he said with a grin as he exited the lounge.
"Boy has no respect. See you at seven Berry." Santana winked before she too headed out of the lounge.
Rachel had only been here two days and they had turned out to be pretty eventful. She was in no way ready for a date so she quickly went back to her room to do a shortened version of her usual pre-date routine. She recounted her second floor adventures with Leila and she seemed impressed.
"A date? You already have men and women falling all over you!"
"Well not everyone is interested. Quinn Fabray seems like she wants nothing to do with me."
"Didn't you say she was okay in the elevator with you today?"
"Probably just because she knows I'll be around so she has to be civil."
"You shouldn't judge her so quickly. She could end up being really nice."
"I guess so. You didn't see how she was with me though. Not at all interested."
"Well you can't have the entire student body fawning over you Rachel Berry!"
"Why not?" Rachel said with a pout.
"One day you'll have your adoring fans and all the attention you want. Don't worry."
"Yay! I'm going to take a shower now. One can never be too clean for a date."
"Wiser words were never spoken."
Rachel stuck her tongue out at Leila before grabbing a towel and walking into the bathroom.