Chapter 1

May 2006 - Boston

"Hey daddy." Quinn said entering the house. She looked at the clock and sighed in relief 'Just on time'. He was already in the living room with her mother and her little brother.
"You're cutting it close kid! Sit." He said keeping his gaze on the television. She chuckled a little. Patrick Fabray, her father had an unhealthy obsession with superstition revolving football. When Quinn was little the Red Sox won lots of games and gotten first place in ALSD. He had put his children in a particular order after uncle Marty convinced him that stuff really worked. After that, he wouldn't let them miss a game, even with late night ball games. Her mother got fed up with her father's nonsense and made her kids go to bed early about a year later. They lost. Her dad believed that if they're at least in the house and they're thinking of the game, the Red Sox win. Quinn had to admit it was a hard theory to prove but so far he has been able to explain everything every time the Red Sox lost. It drove her mother crazy.

"Franny's gonna be late." He grumbled. Her sister had gone to college this year and her dad wanted her to come home for every game. Obviously that wasn't possible. This was the first game of the season though, so she promised she would try to make it. Franny went to NYU, New York University, to study dental studies. Quinn was quite proud of her, it was still medical school. She'd be a doctor and in their family to be a doctor was like being a superhero.

"Paddy, she's in college. What do you expect?"
"What do I expect? I expect her to be here, this is important. This is family business." Quinn chuckled a little at her dad's dramatics. "Why is she taking so long anyways? Why the heck did she have to go to New York? I mean New York." He said exaggerating his Boston accent, if that was even possible. "Mikey, call your sister on that thing you got." He pointed at Mike's cell phone. He flipped it open and looked through his contacts, making the beeping sounds his dad didn't like. He called it things of the future no one had time for. He put the flip phone to his ear and waited.

"Hey, where you at? It's starting- oh, I see." He said darting his eyes to dad nervously. "She ain't coming." He stated as Patrick put his bottle of beer down.
"What? Why?" He said but the game started. He fell back into his chair and held his breath. "Why isn't she coming? What's wrong with her?" He asked Quinn but she shrugged.

"Leave her alone Pad, Franny can do what she likes. Mikey, do tell why your sister couldn't make it though?"
"She said she had a lecture she really wanted to attend and well…"
"Well what? What she say?!" His dad asked. He wasn't a violent man, nor very aggressive he was just quite passionate.
"Well, she said that it was more important than some silly superstition dad's got going. She told you to go get help."

"I don't need help. The system works." He said and then cursed "Damnit." Under his breath. The game started and Quinn's cell phone beeped, she looked at it and smiled.

"Hey loser, I got some time this evening, so if you still wanna show me that routine now is the time."

She shook her head at Santana's text. She glanced at her father and shrugged. "I'm going to go guys." My dad stood up though.
"What? What? Please! Come on kid. We got food, soda…beer?" Her mother frowned at his last offer. Quinn simpered fleetingly but got up anyways.

"Sorry dad." She stated and then shrugged "Franny's not coming there's no point in me being here and you know it."
"It might help."
"Really? So the system is flexible?"
"No it's not, agh, you can all go to hell." He said in an exaggerated manner. Quinn chuckled lightly and headed out.

She crossed the street and turned the corner glancing at the puff cakes in Earl's coffee shop. She hesitated for a second but then realized she didn't have any money on her even if she wanted to buy one. She then headed over to Santana's place and whistled loudly by putting her thumb and index finger between her teeth. Santana opened her window as the blonde climbed in. Thankfully her window was between the ground and first floor so she didn't have to climb up the water pipe. Santana's house had a funny kind of architecture and design.

"Took you long enough." She stated and Quinn shrugged.
"Game night." She only had to say one word as Santana regretted hers.
"Shit. Why didn't you tell me? Why did you even show up?" She sounded confused.
"Franny couldn't make it so there was no point in me even being there. If they lose I'm not going to have any allowance next week I think." Quinn giggled.

"That's okay, I got you. " She answered. "Okay so show me. You want to join those stupid cheerleaders, show me the routine you got prepared."

"You know you could be a little more supportive and less forward. You could join too." Quinn suggested smiling shyly, desperately wanting her best friend to be there with her.
"I already joined something and you know it isn't very flexible."
"Yeah but cheerleading is legal."
"Exactly. I don't see the fun in it, if it's legal." She said exaggerating her words which earned her a punch from Quinn. She flinched a little and rubbed her shoulder acting hurt.

"Don't act so high and mighty about what you're doing Santana." Santana sighed and Quinn bit her tongue. She shouldn't have said that. Quinn knew that 'The three points' was basically her family, apart from her that was. Most of the people were decent, like her, they just lost their way… like her.

"Sorry. I didn't mean that." She did mean it though but Santana knew what she meant. Quinn did mean what she said but she respected Santana enough to stand by her choices.
"You should join the boxing team. Damn girl, you got a mean right hook." She said rubbing her arm once more.

"Yeah and my slap is even worse." Quinn smirked cocking her head confidently. Santana laughed and pushed Quinn to the center of her room.

"Show me." She stated still having her hands on Quinn's hips. Quinn sighed innocently. She was really self - conscious. She was even more around her, though she would never admit that out loud, especially with her in the room. Santana let go and sat down, so the blonde breathed in deeply and started cheering. She did a few cartwheels too, well one cartwheel since that was the amount the space allowed her to do. Santana smiled in awe when Quinn finished, Quinn's cheeks probably had a dark shade of crimson and she could feel her ears burning.

"You should incorporate more gymnastic moves. That will impress them." She told Quinn and she nodded. Quinn sat down on the bed and smiled.

"I'm nervous."
"Don't be, you're going to be amazing. I mean it's already out of the ordinary that they're accepting you now, before the summer, so you don't have to audition next fall." Santana said.
"I think it's because of Franny."
"Even if it is, after you show them what you're made of, they won't even remember the name Franny Fabray." She said smiling at the blonde. Santana then cursed under her breath when she got a text, as if she knew who it was from. She looked at it and gave Quinn a guilty look.

"You have to go, don't you?" She shrugged.
"It's, you know, the guys. They need to talk something over with me. Apparently Marlo's guys have been selling on our territory again." She stated. Quinn hated it when she talked about this. It made her feel like a loser. "You could always come with me. It's a party and you know you're always welcome." She smirked but Quinn had to laugh.
"Please, if my dad would ever find out, I'd be dead meat. Besides I'm too much of a pansy to join an illegal yet respectable establishment you've got going." She said with a posh accent. Santana shrugged and started putting some things in her backpack.

"Alright, well good luck Monday." She stated but Quinn frowned.
"You're still going to be there right?"
"Would I miss you making a fool out of yourself?" Quinn threw a pillow at her for that response. She dodged it however. Quinn tried again and hit her this time. "Hey! Stop." She chuckled. "You sure you don't want to come? Even if your dad finds out, it's only a little party it's not like you joined us or anything. There'll be dancing." She smiled which made Quinn hesitate. She didn't have to go to the game and she knew if she was home by midnight, her parents wouldn't be mad. Quinn looked at the clock which said 7h33pm and pursed her lips. She groaned a little and fell backwards on the bed. Santana followed her friend and sat down next to her.

"Will you be spinning?" She asked her friend and Santana laughed. She hunched over Quinn placing her left hand across the blonde.
"If I have time." Quinn cocked her head up and watched Santana smirk at her. She knew the blonde was caving. Quinn then groaned loudly and finally nodded.
"Fine, but don't make me have an awful time alright? And keep Greg away from me, he's a fucking jerk." She mumbled. Santana nodded and kept staring at her friend which was starting to make Quinn feel nervous.

"Sure. Can you believe we're going to be juniors?" She said falling backwards and looking at the ceiling above them. It made Quinn smile the raven headed girl made such a big deal of growing up.

"Hey dude." She said to Quinn and the blonde smiled widely.
"Hi." She said back as she linked arms with her friend. Santana however frowned and got her arm out. Quinn I looked at her curiously as she sighed.
"Look, we can't be like that anymore okay? I'm older now. I'm twelve. I got to stop acting like a child. I'm older than you, you wouldn't understand." She stated which made Quinn roll her eyes.

"Only by 6 months."
"Yeah well, I'm acting more grown up than you are, aren't I?" Quinn just rolled her eye again.
"You're acting strange is what you are, but okay. Fine." She said shrugging. She sneaked her harm out of the other girls and shoved her hand in her pocket. She looked down making sure she didn't trip so this particular moment wouldn't get even more embarrassing.

"Your birthday is going to be in a few months. You'll finally be 16. You'll be able to date." She grinned widely but Quinn chuckled nervously. She hadn't necessarily planned on dating anyone, since she couldn't really find anyone she'd rather spend time with than with her friend. Her father had set up strict rules of no dating until the age of 16. He had that rule for everyone in the house, even for Mike. So far she actually liked the rule, it gave her an excuse to let people down easily. She wasn't one of those girls that drooled over boys and got so obsessed.

'I suppose I'm just too independent.' She liked hanging out with her friends more, the thought of having to spend an afternoon alone with a boy sounded exhausting.

"Yeah maybe." She said looking at Santana and slightly heaved her shoulders. Santana leaned her head on her hand as she sat up.
"Maybe?"
"Yeah, maybe. We'll see, if the right guy comes along, sure. If not then no." Quinn stated and made Santana frown. Her frown transformed into a big smirk. Quinn knew what she was thinking and she scoffed at her immediately.

"Don't even say it." Santana shrugged her shoulders innocently.
"I won't say a word. I totally understand, boys ewh disgusting." She said raising her hand and closing her eyes while shaking her head.

"Shut up! That's not even what I meant. You know what I mean."

She heaved her shoulders and shifted from the bed. She regarded Quinn with a distant smile, if distant was the right word. Her smile had so many variations Quinn couldn't find the right adjective for every single one.

"Come on we're going to be late." She stated but Quinn shrugged. "Okay, I'm going to be late. So I have to go, your choice if you want to come with me or not. You can stay here and cuddle my bed sheets - which is not creepy at all- or you can come with me. " She stated and Quinn rolled her eyes as she stood up putting on a smile. "You were always good at hiding yourself behind that wide smile Q."

"You're lucky I want to get some alcohol in my system or I would've taken you up on the bed sheets offer." Santana turned around with wide eyes. This actually made Quinn laugh. Of course she wasn't serious, well not completely. Obviously it was tempting to just convince Santana to just hang out with her on that bed and well her sheets were quite soft, but Quinn wanted to go to that party. Santana's face was priceless though.

"I- I have no words. Quinn, I'm not su-" She started saying and Quinn had to roll my eyes again that night.
"Good God you're such a drama queen. I'm joking okay? Now take me to this amazing party." She said waving her arms trying to sound cool and casual and implying Santana wasn't at that particular moment. If Quinn hadn't tripped on her way out of Santana's room she would've succeeded looking cooler than Santana for once, but alas being cool was just not in her nature. And as she tripped she could feel Santana's damn smirk digging in her back. She knew she was blushing as Santana was passing her by.

"You want me to hold your hand." She said infuriating Quinn.
"No!" she said sounding petulant. Quinn even crossed her arms while she was walking downstairs. When she got to the ground floor Santana turned around. Quinn still had a brooding face on so Santana took hold of her hand.
"Come on. I'll treat you to one of the puffpastries. I know where Carlos holds the key since the bakery will be closed by now."

The lights in the streets were just turning on and they formed big bright circles on the street. Quinn had a hard time keeping up with Santana's pace. She had a very awkward and clumsy nature so any little change in the level of the street could make her trip and fall. So she usually made sure to keep her eyes on the floor. And as she predicted a small gush in the street presented itself before her feet. She took a big step and avoided it. Santana turned around just when Quinn made the big step, and because Santana stopped so abruptly Quinn nearly bumped against her.
"Quinn?-" She was about to ask something but because of the proximity of their faces she fell silent. Quinn swallowed deep and took a step back blushing. She thanked the night for its shadowing blanket which was hiding her rosy cheeks. Santana chuckled a little "Sorry. I didn't hear you. Seriously has anyone ever told you, you have a stealth problem. Not a good thing, seriously it's like, a real problem. Like a sneaking syndrome."

Quinn raised her right eyebrow, since that was the only one of the two she could raise with the other one settling lazily above her eye. "Yes, you have multiple times. It's just your ears Lopez. Ain't nothing wrong with my walking. And even if I was stealthy, I don't see how that is a disadvantage."

"So fucking smart." She mocked and then picked up the key from out the brick wall of Carlos' Bakery. Quinn widened my eyes. She knew a lot but she didn't know that.
"How did you know that was there?"
"Carlos likes me, what can I say. He showed me once. He won't mind me getting you one puff pastry." She winked at her but Quinn was a little uncomfortable. She knew Santana got into this kind of stuff. She handled drugs and stuff on daily bases, without doing drugs if that made any sense. So she was comfortable in these 'illegal' situations.

She went to the back and came back holding out a creamy puff pastry. She smiled when Quinn couldn't help hiding the smile which was creeping on her face. She knew Quinn wasn't completely comfortable in these situations. Of course Quinn could tolerate these kind of situations particularly, just not the big ones. It's not like she would ever even let Quinn join her 'gang'. Quinn once just mentioned the idea when they were younger (not her finest moment) and Santana totally flipped out.

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to hang out with you more." Quinn said quietly as Santana had just yelled at her. She sat down and looked at her shoelaces. It was like she had just been tapped on the fingers with a stick as a naughty child in class. Quinn bit her lip but Santana squatted down in front of the blonde. She sighed and put her hand on Quinn's.

"I joined because Julia did. I joined because after I came out to my parents, well my dad, it didn't really click anymore. I felt alone so I chose to go that way. I can't go back anymore, not unless I have a solid reason, which I don't. I'm not even sure I want to get out. I'm good at dealing drugs and I need the money. But you, you're better. You're so smart-"
"So are you." She shushed the blonde.
"I know." She smirked. "I just- like I said; this is my situation now. I don't want you getting into this just because you want to hang out with me. Are you crazy? This is illegal shit Quinn. You've got a good home, good parents. You don't need to be doing this stuff. And if hanging out more is what you want then that's what we'll do." She stated winking at her friend. Any other friend would've been weirded out by Quinn's confession. She wasn't though. It was probably because she considered Quinn a younger sister. Quinn hated that notion 'sister'. She hated that Santana would tell her she loved her as a sister. She didn't know why, but she hated it.

October 2006 - Boston

"We're number one
Can't be number 2
And we're going to beat
The shit out of you!"

Santana choked on the drink she was sipping on, she nearly spit out the coke when she heard Quinn's team cheer.

'I can't believe they just said shit.' She laughed loudly and many other did as well. Coach Sue's whistle pierced over the field though and she yelled "Q. as much as I love your ambition to swear we'll get a deduction because of that, change it." She yelled through her microphone. "And do that sloppy routine again, you kids make me sick and I'm on the edge of a depression. So again!" She added.

Santana threw a smile at Quinn who seemed preoccupied rolling her eyes. She caught the brunette's eye and smiled shyly. Santana had been keeping her distance ever since Quinn became co-captain. She was the only junior ever to become co- captain at Mckinley and Santana didn't want to compromise that, even though Sue liked the brunette.

"Quinn, you ready?" Rachel, the actual captain of the cheerleading squad asked her.
"Oh, yeah Rach." Quinn smiled widely. Compared to the other cheerleaders Quinn was quite nice. She wasn't known for her kindness in general but compared to the others on the team she was a day in the park. She didn't bully and tried to be nice to everyone, even if she didn't mean it.

Rachel had taken Quinn under her wing and much to the blonde's surprise she had become good friends with the senior. She heaved the leach of her gymbag over her shoulder and walked towards the lockers.

"So I was wondering if you wanted to come over to my house after school." Rachel said to her. Quinn looked at her curiously.
"To hang out?" Quinn said carefully which made Rachel laugh.

"Well yeah. I did think you could help me with my English assignment. I'm having a hard time finishing the end of my paper. Afterwards we could like get ready together and then go to the party together. My dads are letting me have the car tonight."

"The party?" Quinn said feeling embarrassed she wasn't sure what the brunette was talking about.
"Sugar's party? You know, I told you about it last week." And then it hit her. Right Sugar's party. She was relieved that she was included but a part of her didn't want to go. Santana had asked her to hang out too.

"I'm not sure, Rach. I kind of forgot about it and made plans. I'll help you with your homework though." She stated but Rachel shrugged.
"It's okay, next time then." The brunette said and started walking away. Quinn groaned internally. She wanted to be accepted by her peers. She needed to.

"Wait, Rachel. How about I help you with your homework now and I'll see you at the party round 10pm tonight? That way I can do both and I don't cancel on anyone." She said hopefully. She was hoping the captain wasn't going to make her choose. Surprisingly the brunette smiled and nodded.
"Alright, you're too nice you know. Do you want me to pick you up?" Quinn didn't have the courage to reject her. She figured Rachel was bound to see her house eventually.

"Yeah, okay." She said catching up to her friend.

After they both changed they sat down at one of the lunch tables. Rachel took out her pc and opened her document.

"Okay so you see how that's the peripeteia of the story?" Quinn asked Rachel and she nodded.
"Yeah but I'm not sure how I should put the symbolism in my paper." She mumbled.
"Well how about you just write down words and leave it for a little. Then come back to it and start filling in the blanks." She said but Rachel sighed.

"I wonder if the Greeks knew they was going to be torturing people 2500 years later with these things?" This made Quinn laugh. In the corner of her eye she caught Santana staring at her. The brunette was sitting on the bleachers eating her lunch. She furrowed her brows lightly. She couldn't place the look but decided not to question it further.

The bell rung and they said their goodbyes. Quinn had to go to Gothic literature, a college course she had taken up. She hurried to her locker and got her books out for the next period as well. When she closed her locker Santana startled her. The brunette was leaning against a locker which was 2 lockers down from Quinn's.

"And you say I have a stealth problem." She said lightheartedly. The brunette didn't say anything. "Are you okay?" She asked Santana who now licked her lips uncomfortably.

"Yeah I was just wondering if you were still hanging out with me and Will?" She asked shifting from one foot to the other.
" Yeah, I have to leave early though. I said I was going to this party and I totally spaced out on it. I have to leave at 9h45pm, give or take." She stated but the brunette was still acting a bit odd. The confidence that usually dripped of her friend was no longer present. She stepped closer to Santana and asked "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine, I don't know, I'm feeling a bit weird." She stated. Quinn looked at the clock which was hanging above the stairs and realized she was already running late. Good thing Miss Fairfield didn't mind lateness (within limits) and well she liked Quinn because she was at the top of her class.

"You want to talk about it?" She asked but the brunette had already captured her fleeting gaze at the clock.
"You're late, and no not really so-" Santana smiled quickly and then started walking past Quinn.

"Hold on-" But the brunette waved and shot her big smile. Quinn then hurried to her class. She did get reprimanded because she was over 15 minutes late, which wasn't okay. Miss Fairfield didn't mind 5 minutes, but past 10 she didn't appreciate.

She entered the house while looking at her phone. She had gotten ready for the party before she went to Santana's. She didn't have time to get ready between the two events so she figured her friend had to just deal with it.

"Wow, you look hot." Will said when she entered the house. His sister slapped the back of his head.
"Watch your mouth." She said. She was older and took care of Will. She liked to think that she took care of Santana a little too.
"What? What did I say?"
"Be respectful. You look very nice Quinn. Would you like a sandwich?" She asked the blonde and she nodded. Angela Rossi reminded her of her mother. She was like the Italian version of her own mother. Will raised his hands in defense and said alright, alright.

"You do look hot." Someone whispered in Quinn's ear. The raspiness in her voice revealed her identity immediately of course.
"Well, if I wanted to make it to both things I had to get ready before I came here." She stated turning around. The brunette who sounding cocky before however was now acting strange again. She munched eagerly on a cannoli which Angela had most likely gotten from Carlo's bakery.

She took one as well from the plate Angela had placed on the coffee table. After a few hours of drinking a little bit of beer and enjoying whatever Angela had cooked up, Quinn took Santana by the hand and guided her to the bathroom. The brunette didn't object and followed her friend.

Quinn sighed when she locked the door of the bathroom and then turned around.

"What's up?" She asked. Santana avoided her gaze awkwardly.
"Nothing." She smirked trying to lie, but it didn't work
"I've known you my whole life, you think I don't know when you're acting weird?"
"I'm sorry." Santana mumbled playing with a piece of silicone that had come loose from the bathroom sink.

"Is it me? 'Cause you're acting perfectly normal with anyone else. Did I do something wrong?" She said sounding a bit more vulnerable. Santana laughed and shook her head.

"I-ugh, I'm sorry. No it's not you. I'm just being stupid."
"Okay? What do you mean?"
"I got slightly annoyed this afternoon." She said lingering on the y and nearly spitting out every word that came after that.
"Annoyed? At me?"
"I saw you with that Rachel girl and now you're going to a party, and I don't know, I just don't trust her. I don't like her. So now I'm trying to like, kind of like her, so we don't end up being awkward all together if we ever hang out. And I'm pretty sure she hates my guts too you know. "She said mumbling the last part. Quinn raised both her eyebrows and felt a bit bemused. She hadn't experienced the girl's defensive sounding rambling in years.

"Okay, you don't have to like her. You're good at pretending to like someone so just do that."
"No, you're good at that." She said crossing her arms. The blonde smiled endearingly and uncrossed the brunette's arms.

"You're still my favorite." She said and then turned on her heels.
"Right. I didn't- I'm not! Quinn!" The brunette was shouting now feeling dumb and cheated at her own game. It was usually her that had to reassure her friend not the other way around. She groaned a rubbed her forehead against the bathroom closet.

When she re-entered the living room she noticed the blonde patting the space next to her. Santana rarely rolled her eyes, but the occasion was calling for it. So she did but only lightly and sat down next to the blonde. She quickly picked up her normal behavior and was acting like her old self within minutes.

"Okay well I should get going." The blonde said about an hour later while getting up. She patted down her dress on which wrinkles had started to form.
"You look fine." The brunette said taking hold of the blonde's hands. "Stop rubbing." She smiled.

"We're okay?" The blonde whispered revealing her true nature after all and Santana nodded smirking at her. "You don't wanna come?" She shuffled awkwardly.

"You want me to go? Isn't it invite only?" Santana asked but Quinn shrugged.
"You've crashed parties before." Quinn answered while she played with the hem of her dress. She wasn't sure which answer she wanted Santana to give. Santana was her best friend, but she sure didn't fit into the world she was entering, nor did the brunette want to.

"Oh so you want me to crash it? You don't want to ask your friend if I can come." Santana said sounding amused. She knew Quinn was thinking yes, hell Santana understood the blonde completely. If the blonde asked her new found friends for Santana to come with them, Santana would have to behave according to their rules and she had no desire to do so. Quinn knew this too. Quinn wasn't like them but she did want to be allowed in their world.

"Maybe another time, besides you have to be home by 12 right?" The blonde nodded. "See, you know I don't show up until at least 11pm. Next time Q."

Okay so I usually never start a story while I'm still writing another, but Maisling (my other fic) idk I'm getting a bit stuck and the fic makes me want to cry and lay down in a little ball lol. So far this fic isn't doing that to me, so yay :)

If I'm okay writing this, I should normally update every 2 weeks or every week depending on my mood. A review is always appreciated.