Summary: A series (hopefully) of interconnected one shots, drabbles, and some stand alones from the life of Rachel Berry as she learns to finally live life instead of only dreaming about it.

Pairings: mentions of Rachel/Finn, Santana/Puck/Rachel friendship

Author's Note: After getting hooked on the show two episodes into the second season and reading fanfics for months afterwards, I've finally decided to throw my hat into the ring and write a story. I'm a little bit rusty and out of my comfort zone. I'm really only used to writing for Buffy so this is totally new and kinda scary. I hope someone out there likes it.

This Friendship Thing

Rachel Berry knew for certain three things in life. One, she was destined for something more than Lima, Ohio. Two, Finn Hudson most likely was not the one for her. Three, there was so much more to Noah Puckerman than he let anyone see. This was evidenced by the fact that he was standing on her doorstep the first Sunday into winter break, carrying a bag of Chinese food, several movies (most of which were musicals) and Santana Lopez. He didn't even bother to explain as he pushed his way in, dragging a visibly reluctant Santana with him. He walked straight into the kitchen and began pulling out several containers.

"You eat yet, Berry?"

Rachel was still standing in the opened doorway gaping in surprise at where Puck and Santana once stood. She closed the door finally and turned around to find Santana trying to be as invisible as possible on the sofa while Puck was dividing what looked to be Rachel's favorite dish from what she could clearly see was her favorite restaurant onto plates. He then placed the plates on a serving tray and carefully carried them back out to the waiting girls.

"You never answered my question. Did you eat?"

She couldn't find the words to answer his question, so instead she shook her head. She had been struggling to get started the entire morning. She was usually done with her morning routine by this point. But ever since the disaster that was her reconciliation attempt with Finn at the Christmas tree lot, she had been feeling adrift. She had never felt more alone than she had when she found that he left her there. Her fathers were out of town and wouldn't be back until the following evening. So she had pulled out her phone with the intent to call one of the other glee members for a ride when the hurtful words from Sectionals echoed in her head. They only pretended to like her. No one would come for her.

It was only by chance that Puck came across her. He was driving back from the outlet mall with his sister when he came across her standing in front of the lot looking more than a little lost. It had taken her the majority of the ride back into town to convince Puck that beating the "ever loving shit" out of Finn was not necessary. He asked why she hadn't called anyone to come pick her up. She quietly admitted that she didn't think anyone would come because she had no friends. He surprised her when he held her hand, laced their fingers together and gently corrected her. She had him. She smiled, remembering all the times he had been there for her when she needed him. And apparently he meant that he always would be there.

"Why are you here, Noah?"

At the quiet interruption into Puck's ongoing battle with their new DVD player that her dads had apparently connected wrong, Santana looked up from her intense staring match with the couch pillows. It appeared even the cheerleader was confused as to what Puck was planning. Rachel took the opportunity to study the girl. Out of uniform, Santana didn't appear as formidable. She was wearing her hair down, pushed back only by a small headband that matched her white sweater. A black pair of skinny jeans and white UGG boots completed the outfit. She looked normal. Almost approachable.

Puck finally appeared satisfied that the movie was set to play and turned to face the two girls. "Look, the thing is that ever since things blew up with me and Quinn, I've found myself with not a lot of friends. Then I got put in juvie and shit got worst. The only two that don't look at me like I'm scum because they owe me something or are a little slow are you two. That makes you two like my best friends."

"That's kind of sad, Puckerman," Santana said, her voice lacking its usual level of venom. She toyed with the fringe ending of the pillow.

"It is a little awkward," Rachel agreed, sitting on the edge of the armchair.

Puck nodded, crossing his arms over his chest and looking unusually serious. "I agree. Especially since you two can't stand each other. Even though that's mostly Satan's fault."

Santana opened her mouth to protest but one quick glare from Puck had her shutting her mouth quickly. She turned her head away, glaring at the kitchen wall. The slight twitch in her jaw let them both know she was at least considering what Puck had said. Finally, she turned back to Rachel and sighed.

"I'm sorry," she gritted out through clenched teeth. "I shouldn't have said that we only pretend to like you. That's not entirely true."

"You're going to tell me that you kind of like me too?" Rachel snapped sarcastically.

Santana smirked slightly. "Well, actually I kind of do. You're not that bad. You're just intense and most of the time you can be really freaking annoying. But you're not the worst thing ever, I guess."

Rachel tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, silently contemplating Santana's words. While they were not the most complimentary words on the planet, coming from someone like Santana, they were virtually a declaration of love. She nodded in acceptance.

"Your performance of 'Valerie' was excellent. I don't think I would have been able to perform the song with the same energy and vigor as you."

Surprisingly Santana's face flushed and a more genuine smile appeared on her face. "Really?"

Rachel found herself smiling as well. "Yes, I really believe with a little more vocal training, you could be one of the better female performers in glee."

"And by one of the better, you're still putting yourself on the top, aren't you?" Santana asked, her tone lacking its usual venom. Rachel ducked her head and giggled. "I think Aretha might complain."

"Ever since Kurt left, she's ready to complain about everything," Rachel griped, moving over to the sofa. Puck turned the movie on and sat between the two girls, already digging into his food before the credits started to roll. Rachel's eyes widened as she recognized the film. "Funny Girl?"

Puck's neck flushed and he kept his eyes trained on his plate. "Yeah, well, I remembered you said that it helped you feel better. And I figured that you've been feeling pretty low these last few weeks. Thought it might help."

"Gee, Puckerman, you know her favorite foods and her favorite movies," Santana cooed with a teasing smirk. "You sure you don't like her, like her?"

Puck blushed again but turned a dark look in her direction. "Lilo & Stitch, turkey burgers with spinach, peanut butter smoothie and sweet potato fries."

"Huh?" Rachel was confused at the seemingly random list that Puck had rattled off. But it was clear that they had some meaning to Santana as her mouth opened slightly and her eyes softened.

"You remembered?"

"You are like one of my best friends," Puck mumbled, looking suddenly uncomfortable. "I need something to drink." He pushed himself up from the couch and stalked into the kitchen. Santana's eyes followed him until he disappeared into the kitchen. Then she turned around to Rachel with a thoughtful expression on her face.

"That's another reason I kind of like you, Berry. You make him be the better man we all know he is underneath the swagger. You bring out the Noah in Puck." Santana nodded. "I think this friend thing might actually work."

"Really?"

"Really. Just as long as you stay off the egg rolls. Those are so mine! But since this is your house, I guess I could spare a fortune cookie or two."

"Sharing is caring, Lopez. Or did you miss that episode of Barney?" Puck quipped upon arriving back in the room with an armful of drinks. Rachel couldn't help but be shocked by the fact that he remembered that she liked to drink water while eating but had also grabbed a diet Snapple that she knew for a fact was not in the refrigerator prior to their arrival in her house.

He took his seat between the two girls again and Rachel felt herself snuggling up to his side once she had finished her food. He wordlessly put an arm around both girls.

And that's how Rachel Berry spent the first Sunday after her horrible first term in school practically cuddling on her sofa with Santana Lopez and Noah Puckerman. She didn't even complain when they kept a running commentary during the film. She grinned when Santana started singing along with her. She melted when Puck stopped talking at the part he knew was her favorite. She outright laughed when two egg rolls and a fortune cookie suddenly appeared on the empty plate in front of her.

This friendship thing might just work after all.

*I hope that you liked this short little ficlet. I have others if anyone is interested in more. Ciao.