Santana approached the group of three waiting outside the restaurant door, seeing the familiar short, dark brunette standing hand in hand with the tall, pale blonde, hearing their voices as she came closer. She combed her fingers through her hair, looking down to check out her attire one last time, feeling both a little sad because Tina wasn't joining them, and happy because her roommate's absence meant she'd have their place all to herself, making it easier to seduce this Marley girl. Quinn turned and saw her, opening her arms for a hug. As they embraced, she greeted Rachel with a quick wave while her eyes sought out the tall, winsome knockout she instantly knew to be Marley.
Not waiting to be introduced, Marley stepped up to her with a friendly smile. "Hi! You must be Santana, obviously. I'm Marley." She thrust out her hand for Santana to shake.
Santana took the girl's hand in a firm, but not too firm grip. "Wow...gorgeous and polite." Marley beamed at the compliment. Ah, the Lopez charm at work already, Santana thought, returning the smile.
Rachel huffed with a shake of her head, turning to Quinn with a look of apprehension. "Here we go," she muttered under her breath.
Quinn could only shrug in reply. This was Santana, after all. Had Rachel really expected anything less? Marley was a big girl, though. She could take care of herself...she hoped.
Marley blushed prettily when Santana actually brought her hand up to her lips and pressed a kiss to it. Santana was surprised at the way she was taken by the shy, gentle smile on the younger girl's face; it was real and genuine and completely charming. Suddenly she felt the ground beneath her feet shift a bit at the pleasant tingle of unexpected connection.
"Don't be fooled, Marley," Rachel pointedly remarked. "She's not always this nice."
"Hey, back off, snack size," Santana retorted, turning to look over her shoulder just in time to catch Rachel's look of disapproval. "I'm just here to make friends, honest."
"Friends with benefits, you mean?" Quinn teased with a wink, chewing her bottom lip as Marley gently pulled her hand out of Santana's.
"All right, well...now that you two have made things delightfully awkward, do you think maybe we can move on to dinner? I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm starving," Santana said, turning away from Marley to fix Quinn and Rachel with a displeased scowl.
Quinn walked over to the door and opened it for her girlfriend and their friends. "I think we can. Come on, everybody," she called, beckoning to the other three. "Marley, you're going to love this place."
Santana sighed as she headed for the door first, Quinn following close behind. Rachel and Marley brought up the rear, Rachel deliberately slowing the pace so that she could have a word with her hometown best friend.
"I'm a little thrown off by all this banter," Marley admitted with a confused smile, hoping Rachel could clarify things for her.
"Sorry about that," Rachel apologized in a low voice, looking ahead to see that Quinn and Santana were already out of earshot. As they approached the door, she rested a hand on the other girl's shoulder. "Watch yourself around Santana, okay? Don't fall for her game."
"Game?" Marley repeated, as her vision focused on the raven-haired beauty who was talking and laughing with Quinn.
"Just...be careful. She's a player. You know what I mean," Rachel answered. She looped her arms through Marley's, tugging her along and picking up the pace to relieve Quinn of the need to continue holding the door open for them.
During the meal, Santana was her usual self, but amplified, trying to be extra charming, really wanting to impress Marley. That much was clear to the younger girl, who was able to decipher Santana's motives pretty easily. Every time Santana thought Marley wasn't paying attention, Santana would smile and joke with the waitress, nearly outright flirting with her, obtaining her number with a wink and a smile. For her part, while Marley was flattered (and kind of amused) that Santana was trying so hard, she wasn't one to fall for such obvious tactics, cute though it was. In any event, while Marley certainly knew how to have fun, and Santana was definitely hot, she had no intention of making things quite that easy for Santana.
Still, dinner was very pleasant for the most part, and when Santana wasn't trying to run her game, Marley did find her to be funny and interesting. She was definitely intrigued; she wanted to know more about this girl, to find out what she was really about. Something told her that there was more than met the eye when it came to Santana.
"I like her," Marley said to Rachel as they walked ahead of Quinn and Santana through the movie theater parking lot. now that dinner was over, "I mean, she's a little different, but different in a good way. Good different."
"That's one way to put it," Rachel cracked. "There's only one Santana – and that's probably a good thing. I'm not sure the world could handle another."
"The three of you seem to have a very interesting friendship," Marley observed. "All the jokes flying back and forth, all the jabs you take at each other. It's a lot to take in."
"We've always been like this, since the day we met. I know it sounds like we're constantly annoyed with each other, but we're not. Although what I said before is true. Santana is a player, and I don't want to see you get hurt."
Marley rolled her eyes at her friend's needless concern. "Oh, come on, Rachel. You don't think I can see what she's doing? I know what a player looks like. But when she's not running her game, she's actually kind of sweet." She paused, weighing her next words carefully, before deciding to throw caution to the wind. "And sexy, too."
"Santana does have a sweet side, yes," Rachel admitted. "But as far as the question of her sexiness is concerned, well...let me just say I only have eyes for Quinn."
"Aww, that's so cute," laughed Marley. "You're such a good girlfriend."
Quinn and Santana caught up with them as they neared the ticket booth. Marley took notice of the way Quinn's hand immediately slipped into Rachel's, while her own remained empty. She sighed, then looked over at Santana, flashing her a smile. It had been a while since she'd shared a bed with someone, and honestly, she could definitely do a lot worse than the slim and sassy Latina.
The movie theater's massive marquee loomed over their heads; there were something like fourteen different films playing, which made Marley's head spin. Where she'd grown up, they were lucky to have two movies playing at the the local theater. Rachel and Quinn began pointing and suggesting different things while Santana argued with them. They were the picture of friendship, sometimes trading barbs and quips, sometimes laughing uproariously. Marley watched them carefully, Santana in particular. There was something in the girl's face, something in her eyes, that made Marley think there was something beneath her tough-girl bluster and I'm-a-player cool charm, and she found herself really wanting to know what it was.
She stepped forward to join them, hoping that maybe Santana would slip a hand into hers while they debated which movie to see.
Rachel let out a small breath of air as the debate continued. She slipped her hand out of Quinn's so that she could cross her arms over her chest, clearly frustrated at their seeming inability to make a decision.
"We should have decided this before we left the apartment." Rachel exclaimed with a wave of her hand. "We're all capable adults here. How hard can it possibly be to agree on something as simple as a movie?"
"I have an idea." Santana said as her arm came up to gently wrap around Marley's shoulders, "Why don't we let the guest of honor decide?"
"What? Me?" Marley squeaked, her cheeks turning a faint shade of pink, and not because of the attention that was suddenly thrust upon her. No, her cheeks were suddenly flushed because of the arm resting on her shoulders, because of the warmth radiating from the girl holding her. "Um..." Her eyes turned upward to read the titles on the screen, making her feel slightly dizzy; then she looked to her friends to try to read their expressions. She knew Quinn wouldn't really care what movie they saw, figuring that the blonde just wanted to focus on Rachel. The true two to please were Rachel and Santana. Rachel strongly voiced her preference for romantic comedy and Santana, her polar opposite, favored the new horror flick that had just opened. Normally she would have sided with Rachel and chosen the comedy, but the thought of cozying up into Santana for protection in a dark theater was suddenly very appealing.
"I wouldn't mind seeing a scary movie," she finally said. "Halloween is almost upon us, after all."
"Yes!" Santana cheered in victory, giving Marley's shoulder a small squeeze, "And just for that, I'm buying the popcorn."
"I suppose Quinn and I can have our own date night and view the other movie some other time." Rachel sighed as she leaned into her girlfriend, clearly filled with dread at the thought of having to sit through a scary film.
"It's okay, pint size," Santana said reassuringly, dropping her arm back to her side. "It's not gory. This one is all about ghosts. Almost no blood, and mostly jump scares." Rachel didn't look the least bit convinced; Santana shrugged as if to say, there's just no helping some people. "So, you two want popcorn too?"
"I'll help Santana. Why don't you and Marley buy our tickets and find us some seats?" Quinn suggested, handing Rachel some money.
Rachel smiled even as she declined the cash Quinn tried to hand over, pressing a kiss to her girlfriend's cheek instead. "I'll pay for the tickets - you buy the popcorn. Oh! No extra butter on mine, please? I dislike the way it gets soggy."
"I remember," Quinn called over her shoulder as she went to wait in line with Santana at the concession stand.
Santana waited a beat before finally turning to face Quinn. "So," she said. "Marley is actually pretty bangin'."
"Bangin'?" Quinn snickered. "Don't let Rachel hear you talk about her like that."
Santana sighed and rolled her eyes. "No, I mean, like, she's actually cool. She's smart and beautiful and –"
"Beautiful?" Quinn gasped with wide eyes, turning to face her as they took a step closer to the counter. "I haven't heard you describe a girl as beautiful since – you know what? I can't even remember the last time you used that word, except of course to describe yourself."
Santana smirked, dazing out a little as she thought about Marley. When she had learned of her visit, her only plan had been to sleep with her - in spite of Rachel, of course - but now...the more she got to know Marley, the more she wanted to do more than just take her to bed. She found herself wanting to act like a couple with her, to be like Quinn and Rachel – only better, of course. (Not that she would admit any of this out loud.)
"San -" Quinn elbowed her, pulling her from her thoughts, "You're next."
"Yeah, yeah." Santana nodded and stepped up to the corner, her stomach a sudden ball of nerves. She looked to her left to watch Quinn, who ordered with confidence, the employee behind the counter waiting impatiently for Santana's request, "Yo, what are you getting for Rachel? I feel like whatever your girl gets, Marley will enjoy as well. I mean, they're practically twins, right?"
Quinn laughed softly, turning to her with a raised eyebrow. "Are you going soft on us, Santana? Actually putting someone else's wants before your own?"
"Shut up, Q," Santana muttered, turning back to the guy to give him her order. It was a movie theatre, after all; there wasn't much she could get wrong.
With the snacks successfully procured, Quinn and Santana headed for their seats, quickly spotting the girls and making their way up to them. Quinn took a seat next to Rachel, while Santana happily plopped herself down next to Marley.
"I didn't know what you liked, so I thought we could share the popcorn?" Santana said as she tried to organize herself, juggling the snacks and drinks she'd carried into the auditorium.
"I hate popcorn." Marley said with a disappointed expression, watching as Santana's face fell.
"Oh! Um..."
"I'm kidding!" Marley laughed and reached out to grab a few popping them in her mouth, "Your reaction was priceless, though. A little entertainment before the movie never hurt anyone."
Santana blinked at the other girl in shock. It actually took a few seconds for her to collect herself. "Just for that, you ain't gettin' any of my chocolate," she grumbled.
"Hey, you don't keep chocolate from a girl. I think it's like an unspoken rule." Marley protested, pleased as Santana handed her a drink. She took a chance and looked over to see Rachel's reaction, seeing that best friend appeared to be as stunned as Santana was. "Something wrong, Rachel?"
"No! Nothing-" Rachel squeaked and then turned to Quinn, the blonde whispering something in her ear. "Beautiful!?" Rachel suddenly shrieked, her hand quickly flying over her mouth. A few of the other moviegoers in the sparsely populated theater sent dirty looks her way. She ducked her head down, leaning into her girlfriend a little more. "I apologize, Quinn, but I find it very hard to believe Santana would admit such a thing out loud."
Quinn shrugged as she made herself comfortable. "She opens up to me more than she does with you," she explained, popping a few pieces of popcorn in her mouth, "Cheerios bond."
The movie was every bit as awful as Rachel had expected it to be, but she wasn't actually paying much attention to it. Between Quinn pressing gentle kisses to that one really sensitive spot on her neck and Marley cuddling up to Santana, her thoughts were very much elsewhere. She watched Santana whispering things in Marley's ear, feeding her popcorn, curling an arm around her, and wondered if Marley had in fact fallen under Santana's spell in spite of her earlier protestations. She'd watched Santana work her magic on random girls before, but it was different to see her using those seductive skills on her best friend. Yet Quinn had told her to let Marley do whatever she wanted to do - she was a big girl, she could make her own decisions, et cetera, et cetera. She sighed. frowning, but held her piece, choosing instead to concentrate on Quinn's persistent – and quite pleasant – attention.
Still, it was hard for Rachel to hold back and say nothing, do nothing. Santana was her friend, and a dear one; but Marley was less a friend and more a sister. As such, Rachel felt extra protective of the girl, who was a year younger than the rest of them. It had always been that way at home, and she struggled to curb those instincts here, even though she knew it was the right thing. Santana was the princess of love 'em and leave 'em; her reputation was legend on campus, rivaling that of any star athlete or fraternity king, and she didn't want to see Marley become just another notch on Santana's bedpost.
Yet she also didn't want to risk alienating either of the two by interfering. So she contented herself with keeping one eye on them and the other on Quinn, who was clearly trying to capture all of her attention, and deserved it. After a particularly thrilling nip at her earlobe, she gave up worrying about Marley and gave in to her girlfriend's considerable charms; they spent the rest of the time in the darkened theater making out, not caring if any of the other patrons in the theater might be watching.
Meanwhile, Santana's desire to get Marley into bed grew stronger with every moment she spent with the girl. She was bright, funny and irresistibly sexy in an oddly wholesome girl-next-door sort of way. Plus, she smelled really good. Santana had no idea what kind of scent she was wearing, but it was driving her crazy. Still, she didn't want to move too fast, for fear of scaring her away. It was unusual for her to really, really like anyone, especially right away; but Marley's surprising sense of humor and down to earth charm had her feeling that strange tingle of immediate connection once again. Not since her ex, Brittany, had she felt such a powerful attraction to someone right off the bat. It was a little scary, feeling this way, considering that it was her messy breakup with Brittany that had led her to be the player she'd become; in the wake of that heartache, she'd sworn off feelings and relationships entirely. But for the first time in a long time, Santana couldn't shake the notion that she had finally met someone who could be more than just a one-night stand.
Marley, for her part, was very much enjoying the flirtatious, whispered banter she had going on back and forth with Santana. The girl was very, very funny, possessed of a quick wit and a keen intellect that she very much appreciated. It wasn't all about looks with Marley, and it never had been, though of course she found Santana to be incredibly attractive. She studied Santana's face in the glow of the big screen as she stared, enraptured, at the strange goings on being projected upon it: the combination of her creamy smooth caramel-hued skin, high cheekbones, full lips and dark eyes made her pretty much irresistible. Between that stunning visage and the smoking hot body that went along with it, it was easy to see how other girls would throw themselves at her. She had to force her attention to the screen, not wanting to stare, but it was very difficult to keep her eyes turned away.
When Santana's hand finally found its way into hers after all the popcorn and chocolate had been consumed, she felt her stomach flip a little, and she knew it had nothing to do with everything they'd eaten. At the beginning of the evening, it had been pretty clear that Santana wanted her; but now it was equally clear to Marley that she wanted Santana just as much. An hour into the movie, she was very ready for it to end, and for them to return back to the apartment building where the three other girls lived. All that remained was for her to tell Quinn and Rachel that she wouldn't be staying at their place tonight.