Sam watched from the distance as Santana talked to Brittany. He couldn't stop watching her as her laugh filled the room. It was addictive, he wanted more. He knew the reputation she had, but he couldn't help but wondering what was underneath. He suspected she was insecure about herself, and that's why she had created that reputation. He had realised that he was in love with her, as funny as that may sound. He was dating Quinn, but both of them knew that it wasn't real.

Someone walked up beside him and graciously placed themselves down beside him. He still couldn't take his eyes off her.

"Hey," the person said from beside him. "What are you looking at?"

"Er, nothing," Sam said, reluctantly pulling his eyes away from her. He smiled at Quinn, his thoughts in a completely different place.

During Glee rehearsal that day, he could hear her voice clearly. He nodded as Quinn talked to him, but he was only listening to what she had to say. Mr Schuester turned around from the whiteboard, and announced that he was holding yet another duets competition. Last time he'd sung with Quinn, and that was when their 'romance' started. This time, names were pulled out of hats. Everyone went off in pairs; Rachel and Puck, Brittany and Finn, Mercedes and Mike, Tina and Arite. There were two names left; his and Santana's. He got up and wandered over to her. He sat himself down awkwardly beside her. He stared at the front of the room, feeling her eyes wandering around his body.

"You're going to have to devote some of your outside time into this assignment," Mr Schuester explained. Sam smiled, his thoughts running wild. It was at that moment that Sue Sylvester walked into the choir room.

"William, I'm stopping your lesson right there," she said, striding to the middle of the room. "Q, Santana, Brittany, cheerleading practise now!"

Sam didn't know what was happening, but there seemed to be something going on. Mr Schuester shook his head furiously as Sue walked out, the three Cheerios following her. Just before she stepped out the door, Santana glanced back and gave Sam a playful smile. She flicked her jet black ponytail behind her shoulders and strode off, her Cheerios skirt flying around.

She watched him look through his locker. She felt different when she went to approach him. Usually, she was outgoing and could say whatever she wanted. But around him, there was a feeling in the bottom of her stomach. It was like she had to be careful around him, because he was different.

She approached him when she thought he was nearly finished. She tightened her ponytail as she neared him. She slid in next to him and leant against the locker. She didn't speak for a minute; she was breathing in his scent.

"Hey," he said, looking towards her. She smiled. It was a genuine smile, one full of happiness. This was different for her.

"We need to practise our duet," Santana announced. "How about tomorrow evening, seven thirty at my place?"

"Awesome," Sam said. "I'll see you then."

He closed his locker and walked away. She could feel someone's eyes on her back and she knew exactly who's they were.

"Just because you two got paired together," Quinn explained, coming around from behind Santana and standing in front of her. "It doesn't mean that he has feelings for you, or you have to take anything further."

"I can't help it if you're threatened by me," Santana said, walking off. She smiled her devilish smile as she strutted off.

To be continued...