Chapter 1: Moving In

"No babe, I have to go" I say smiling at my girlfriend when she puts her arms around me and kisses me. "Brittany is waiting at the restaurant for me so I really need to go, I shouldn't be too long though since Britt has her hospital appointment late afternoon" I tell her while pulling out of the hold.

"Surely she won't mind you being 5 minutes late" Rebecca replies with a smirk etched across her face. "I mean it's only lunch, no big deal right?"

"I'd love to stay home with you but I did promise Brittany I'd meet her for lunch and I don't like breaking promises" I say.

"Ok fine, just don't be too long" she smiles.

"I won't, I'll see you later babe" I say while quickly kissing Rebecca and then departing. As soon as I arrive at the restaurant, the waiter shows me to the table Brittany is at. "Hey how are you?" I ask Brittany as I sit down.

"I'm ok" she says while looking up and smiling at me.

"How's the injury?" I ask.

"Not really any better to be honest" she sighs. "Anyway I'm hungry, let's order some food" she says.

"Good idea" I smile. I can tell Brittany isn't feeling very happy about something so as soon as we order our food I'm going to talk to her about it.

"Ok I know what I want, have you chosen yet?" she asks me.

"Yeah, I'm ready to order" I say and Brittany flags down the waiter and we order our food. "So tell me, what's up?" I say once the waiter leaves.

"What do you mean?" she asks.

"Britt you know what I'm talking about, why do you look so down" I say.

"It's just work stuff but I'm fine really" she sighs.

"No you're not" I say. "Something is up honey, you can talk to me about it you know."

"Nothing ever goes right for me" Brittany says downheartedly. "What have I ever done?" she sighs.

"Honey, you can't think like that. I know its put your career on hold for the moment but you'll be better soon and back dancing again" I tell her optimistically. "It's probably not as bad as you think" I say.

"It is bad Santana" she sighs again.

"Britt you just have to be positive" I smile. "You're one of the strongest people I know, physically and mentally so you'll be all better in no time, honest."

"It's not just my injury Santana" she states.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"Courtney is moving out" Brittany replies.

"I know" I nod.

"No I mean like she is actually moving out now. She and Gregg have found a place together so they're moving in next week" Brittany says.

"Oh wow, that fast" I say slightly shocked. I knew Brittany's roommate was intending to find her own place with her boyfriend but I didn't realise it was an immediate thing. I thought they were just thinking about it, I didn't know they had actually put their plan into action.

"Yeah so not only do I not have a job for a while, I'm also about to not have an apartment" Brittany states.

"What are you talking about, it was your apartment first so it's still yours" I say.

"Yes but not only was work hard to come by before, it's even harder now that I'm injured" she sighs. "And to add to that with Courtney leaving I'll be left with double the rent. I can just about manage my share while I'm not working but I don't know if I can manage two lots once she leaves."

"Oh honey" I say feeling bag for her. Its one thing just injuring your leg but it's another when it causes you to have to stop working and then end up with you not being able to pay rent.

"I mean I've got savings but I don't really want to use all that and have nothing left. It would have been manageable if Courtney was still sharing with me because I wouldn't be dipping into my savings as much but now I don't know what to do" she shrugs.

"Surely Courtney can't just leave so soon though. Surely she has to pay her rent to the end of the month" I reason.

"I don't know" she shrugs again. "All I know is that she and Gregg are moving in next week and she has already started packing."

"She picks her moments huh" I say angrily. I guess she doesn't have an obligation to stay but surely if she was any friend she'd at least feel slightly bad for leaving Brittany with all that rent to pay on her own especially when she isn't working. I'm not saying she can't move in with her boyfriend, I just thought she could have gave Brittany more warning so she could find another roommate.

"I mean I can't really complain because it's not my business if she wants to leave, there's nothing stopping her" Brittany says.

"Do you know what, you're not staying there on your own paying all that rent" I state. "You're going to live with me and Rebecca."

"Wait…what?" Brittany says slightly taken aback.

"Yeah, you're moving in with us" I say.

"No babe I swear I wasn't hinting" Brittany states.

"I know but it makes sense right" I say. "It'll give you time to get back on your feet and stuff, no pun intended" I say laughing slightly at my choice of expression.

"But…" she tries to protest.

"No arguments Brittany" I state. "I mean isn't last month's rent due this week so just pay that and a few more days to cover until today and you'll move in with me tonight or something."

"Santana I can't do that, I can't impose on you and Rebecca like that" Brittany says. "It wouldn't be fair."

"Brittany it's totally fine, I'd rather see you living with Rebecca and I than struggle with money" I say.

"Will Rebecca be ok with this?" Brittany asks.

"Of course she will plus it's my apartment too so I can make decisions if I want to" I say. Rebecca should be cool with it anyway, she and Brittany get on great together.

"Ok well if you're sure" Brittany says.

"I am" I smile.

"Cool" she smiles. "I can totally pay rent too so don't worry, I won't be sponging off you. I just couldn't pay rent for a full apartment myself" she says.

"Brittany it's cool, I understand" I smile. I know Brittany wouldn't take me for granted, we've been friends for years. "And as for the rent babe, don't worry about it. We don't need you to pay us rent" I say.

"Are you sure because I totally will" Brittany states. "I mean you two own the apartment so it's only fair that I pay something for you letting me live there for a little bit."

"Honestly you don't need to" I say. "Just as long as you respect us and the apartment, which I know you will, then it's all fine" I say.

"Are you sure?" she asks.

"Of course now let's finish eating" I tell her and she nods. Its 5 minutes later before one of us speaks again.

"Do you know if it wasn't for you Santana, I think I would be moving back to Ohio" Brittany says breaking the silence. "I'd be back living with my parents again I think if you hadn't of offer me to stay with you guys. You're seriously the best friend ever" she tells me.

"Well you're not so bad yourself" I joke.

"I'm serious Santana, I'm in such a shitty place right now so I don't know what I would do without such a good friend like you" she says genuinely.

"Look everything is going to be ok eventually, just be patient. What is it they say, good things come to those that wait?" I say.

"Apparently but I've been waiting an awful long time and nothing is happening" Brittany sighs. "Maybe I'm kidding myself trying to make it as a dancer, I barely got any jobs last year and this year isn't looking so promising especially when I decide to throw myself off stage at my only job so far."

"Brittany you didn't throw yourself anywhere, it was that idiot that left the cables loose on the stage where your ankle got caught and you fell off the stage. He's lucky you're a nice person because I would have complained to health and safety about that. You could have had way worse injuries due to someone's inability to do their job properly" I say.

"Well it wouldn't have mattered who I complained to, I would still be unable to dance right now" she states. "I'll probably never make it that far as a dancer now" she sighs.

"You're one of the best dancers I've ever seen and I'm not just saying that because you're my best friend and I care about you. I literally mean that because it's the truth" I say. "As soon as your ankle is better and I'm ready to drop a song from my album, I'm going to get you to dance in the video for it and we're going to put your name out there even more" I say.

"I don't want you to feel obliged to help me, if I'm really meant to be a dancer I guess it'll happen but I really doubt I am meant to be a dancer" she says.

"No I am serious, as soon as you're better I'm going to do everything in my power to help you" I say. "We're both still very young Britt so don't think it can't still happen because it can" I tell her.

"So how come everyone knows you and it all worked out for you but not me. If you think we're as equally talented as each other then why did it work for you and not me. Perhaps I'm not as good at dancing as you are at singing and acting" she says.

"Britt please don't feel negative about things. I promise you we'll work our butts off to make everyone know what an amazing dancer and person you really are" I say.


"Well anyway I should be going now, my appointment is soon" Brittany states.

"Yeah sorry, I'm forgetting that you had an appointment so here's me chatting away" I say while getting the waiter's attention so I can pay.

"It's ok, I just need to make sure I leave in plenty of time because it takes me a lot longer to get places at the moment. It's going to take me especially longer when those damn cab drivers refuse to drop me off right outside the entrance to the hospital, they insist of parking further away" Brittany says.

"Do you know I'm an idiot, I'm not working today so why aren't I driving you to your hospital appointment?" I say.

"No Santana you don't have to do that, you're about to let me live with you so I don't want to put you out even more. Honestly I'll be fine getting a cab" she replies.

"Don't be silly, I am taking you to the appointment and then we're going back to yours to pack all of your stuff" I say.

"Santana I know we're best friends but it doesn't mean you have to feel like you need to do everything for me. You don't need to do this so don't feel like you should" Brittany says.

"Brittany stop being so stubborn and just let me help" I say laughing. "Trust me I want to help you so let me" I say.

"Ok fine but all I'm saying is if you don't want to then you don't have to" she says.

"I know but I want to help so let's just leave it at that" I reply.

"Ok" Brittany smiles.

"And before you say anything I'm am paying today so don't try and stop me" I say.

"But…"

"Brittany" I say giving her a warning look.

"Fine ok, you pay" she sighs. I pay for lunch and then grab Brittany's crutches for her and we make our way out to my car.

"So what's this doctor like of yours?" I ask Brittany.

"Santana you already have a girlfriend so I don't think you need to worry about that" she replies smirking.

"I just meant in general, of course I know I have a girlfriend" I state. "I meant is she good at her job or is she one of those doctors that can't get you out of their office quick enough?"

"No she's quite good, she does seem like she genuinely cares about her patients" Brittany says.

"Well that's good then" I nod. "Here let me help you" I say as Brittany tries to get into the car.

"It's fine I can manage" she replies while stumbling slightly as she can't put weight on her sore ankle.

"Come on Britt just let me help" I say.

"Fine" she sighs and I help her into the car. "I don't like relying on people for help, it's embarrassing" she says.

"Don't be silly honey, I know you're not used to it but you can't risk injuring yourself even more. Plus it's just me, do you really feel embarrassed around me?" I ask.

"Well I guess not really around you but I do around other people" she admits.

"Well from now on it's only really going to be me that needs to help you so just let me ok" I say but she doesn't really want to agree. "Come it'll make me feel better knowing my best friend is ok if you just let me help."

"Fine if it'll shut you up, you can help me" she says playfully rolling her eyes. Brittany and I have been friends for years so she's like family to me so I hate seeing her struggle so I just want to make sure she's ok and help her.

"You would do the same for me" I shrug.

"Nah I probably wouldn't" she states seriously.

"Wait…what?" I ask panicked.

"Relax, I'm only joking. Of course I would" she says laughing. "Your face was priceless there."

"You looked so serious so I thought you meant it" I state.

"Well like I say I was only joking, I would help you whenever you needed it so don't worry" she says and I smile.


I'm sitting in the hospital waiting room waiting on Brittany. She just left a moment ago when her doctor called her through to her office. I'm starting to get bored already and she only left like two minutes ago. I pull out my phone and before I get a chance to do anything, I notice I have three unopened texts and two missed calls.

From Rebecca: Where are you? I thought you wouldn't be long.

From Rebecca: its 3pm now, I thought lunch was at 12?

From Rebecca: Ok it's already 4pm and you said Brittany's appointment was at 4 so where are you?

Oh my god, I totally forgot I told her we would do something when I got back and that I wouldn't be gone long. I quickly type out a reply.

To Rebecca: I'm sorry I completely forgot to text you. I'm at the hospital with Brittany, I couldn't just leave her to get a cab all by herself when she's on crutches. I'll let you know when I'm on my way home x

From Rebecca: fine, I'll see you later.

I can just tell Rebecca is not happy with me from her text but there's nothing I can do about it. I mean I know what I text doesn't exactly make up for promising her I wouldn't be long but I'm hardly going to leave Brittany on her own. None of her family live anywhere near us so it's only right that I make sure she's ok. Her mom and dad are flying here but it's not until the weekend because they couldn't get a flight until then.

I don't know how long I had been sitting waiting for when Brittany finally comes over. "Sorry I took so long" Brittany says. "My doctor will be on holiday the next time I am due for an appointment so I had to sit there while she filled in the replacement doctor that I will get on my injury and the treatment plan she has set in place for me."

"That's ok" I smile. "At least your check-up is over with now" I say.

"Yeah" she nods.

"Anyway let's get you back to your apartment and we can start packing" I say.

"Actually do you mind if we don't pack tonight, I'm exhausted" she says. "Maybe we could do it tomorrow if you're free" she suggests.

"Sure that's fine, I'll be free all day so you can just let me know when you want me to come over" I reply.

"Cool" she smiles.

As soon as we got back to Brittany's apartment building, I helped her up to her apartment and made sure she had everything she needed before I headed home. I felt so guilty leaving her when she's injured but then I remembered she is a grownup, I mean she's 21 and Courtney hasn't moved out just yet so I think she'll manage for tonight just like she did the last few nights.

"So what took you so long, you said you wouldn't be long?" Rebecca quizzes as I walk in the door.

"I told you I was at the hospital with Brittany, her appointment lasted a while" I reply.

"I'm not trying to act dramatic but you did say you wouldn't be long. You knew how stressed I was at work last night and you told me this morning we could spend the rest of the day together after your lunch with Brittany. I expected you back about 2pm not 6pm" she states.

"I really am sorry, it completely slipped my mind. You know I wouldn't intentionally cancel plans with you, it was just an accident" I say.

"I guess" she sighs. "I just really needed to spend some time with my girlfriend."

"I know so let's just watch a movie or something right now. We can just put our feet up and cuddle on the couch together, how does that sound?" I smile.

"Ok" she smiles back.

"You go and relax and I'll get us some popcorn" I say walking to the kitchen.


"So what are your plans today?" Rebecca asks while pouring some coffee into her flask. "Will you be able to keep yourself busy without me while I'm at work?" she teases.

"I'm just hanging out with Britt I think and maybe just enjoy my last day off before I start on set tomorrow" I say. I managed to get a small part in a new movie and I start shooting tomorrow. Brittany and I moved here straight after high school but we've not long finished college so right now I'm just trying to do anything I can get at the moment. I did want to focus on my music for a while but an acting role came up so I didn't want to refuse it.

"Ok well I'm just about to leave now, I might call you on my lunch break if I get a chance" she says.

"Ok babe, well have fun at work" I smile.

"I'll try" she says not too enthusiastically. Straight after college Rebecca managed to find a job right away writing for a newspaper so things are all really stressful for her at the moment since everything is new to her. "Anyway I'll see you later" she says picking up her keys.

"Yeah see you babe" I reply. Not long after Rebecca left, I got myself organised and went straight over to Brittany's apartment.

"Are you honestly sure this is ok?" Brittany asks as she sits on a chair and fills some boxes with her stuff.

"Yes for the tenth time it's absolutely ok" I laugh. "I won't go back on my offer" I tell her.

"Ok" she nods.

"Anyway let's get this packing done" I say picking up another empty box. After making a few trips back and forth with boxes to my apartment and having lunch in between, we finally get the last of the boxes packed into my car. "That's us then, are you ready to leave?" I ask.

"Yeah, it was a crappy apartment anyway" Brittany shrugs. "Wait a second, what about my car?" she asks. "How are we meant to take it if I can't drive?"

"That's ok, I took it the last time with some boxes and got a cab back so it's already at my place" I reply.

"Oh right I didn't even realise, I guess my car is fine then" she laughs.

"Yeah instead of putting the boxes in my car the last time, I just put then in yours and got a cab back here" I say.

"Cool" she says and we make our way back to my apartment. As soon as we get inside I help Brittany sort out the guest room she will be staying in.

"So do you girls have any set routines or anything that I need to keep out of?" Brittany asks.

"Not really, I mean we've got an en suite in our bedroom so technically you have that big bathroom there all to yourself so it's not like we'll fight over that" I tell her. "And just help yourself to any of the food that's there."

"Ok cool" she smiles. "Hey this will just be like back in our early days at college where we lived together except you have a girlfriend now that lives with you and I'm single."

"Yeah" I smile back. "Anyway I was thinking since it was your first night living with us that I could cook a nice meal for us all, what do you think?" I suggest.

"Yeah it sounds cool" Brittany agrees. "What times does Rebecca normally finish work?"

"About 5pm but since she's been a little stressed lately, I thought I could make dinner for her getting in tonight" I say.

"That sounds cool" Brittany states. "Do you know it must have taken us all day to move my stuff because it's getting close to 5pm already" she says.

"I know, perhaps I should start making preparations" I say.

"Yeah you could, hey maybe I could help" she replies.

"You can help if you want but it'll obviously need to be doing something sitting down, I can't have you standing on one leg" I say.

"I know, maybe I could just chop up the vegetables for you or something" she suggests.

"Yeah you could" I nod. "You sit down and I'll bring the things over to you" I say and Brittany sits down on one of the breakfast stools.

Not long after we begin dinner preparations, I hear the front door close and Rebecca walks into the kitchen area. "Hey babe" she says kissing me. "Oh hey Britt, I didn't see you there."

"Hey" Brittany smiles.

"Are you staying for dinner?" Rebecca asks.

"Actually Brittany is moving in with us for a while" I say. "So yeah she'll be staying for dinner a lot" I joke.

"I see" Rebecca nods. "Hey can I see you in our room for a second" she says taking her jacket off.

"Sure but not for too long, I have the cooker on" I say following Rebecca to our bedroom.

"Ok say that again, Brittany is moving in?" she asks.

"Yeah, is that going to be a problem?" I ask when I realise she doesn't look very happy.

"Look you know I like Brittany. She's like one of my best friends too but I thought the point of you and I moving in together was so we could be a proper couple who live together. You and Brittany used to live together in college but then we got serious so I thought it would just be us now" she says.

"I know but she's going through some stuff right now. She's fractured a few bones in her ankle so she's not in a position where she can work right now plus Courtney is moving out so Brittany was about to be stuck in an apartment herself paying way more rent than she could afford" I say.

"Well I didn't know that but doesn't she have parents anyway" she says and I almost lose it.

"Yes she has parents but that would mean moving back to Ohio. The whole point of Brittany and I moving here after high school was to get a better chance at achieving our dreams and now you think Brittany should just give up, I don't think that's fair. It's not her fault she got injured so why should she be punished for it by moving back to Ohio" I state.

"I didn't mean it like that. You know I wouldn't say that" she frowns. "I meant couldn't her parents help out with money problems or something, I didn't mean I wanted her to move back to Ohio because I know how much both of you didn't want to stay there anymore."

"I think you're being selfish. I'd happily help out your best friend if she needed it" I say. "I never said it was permanent anyway, I said it was until her ankle healed and she found somewhere she could afford."

"Look I didn't mean to sound like I didn't want to help, I just think…"

"Save it, I need to check on dinner" I say annoyed while walking towards the door. "And another thing, this is my apartment too so I can make decisions if I want to, I don't need your permission all the time. I am trying to do a good thing for my friend and you're making me sound like I'm treating you badly or something. You're way overreacting" I say before leaving the room.

"Is everything ok" Brittany asks.

"It's fine" I try to smile but it doesn't exactly work.

"Look maybe me staying here for a while isn't a good idea, it was a lovely offer but I don't want to cause problems" Brittany says.

"Don't be silly, you're welcome to stay honestly" I state. I never thought Rebecca would react so against the idea, usually she and Brittany get on just as well as me and Brittany so I don't see what was so bad about helping Brittany. Obviously I love Rebecca but it doesn't mean I'm going to see Brittany on the streets.


Let me know what you think.