A/N: Thank you all for following and commenting on this! School has started back up and my mind has been distracted with it but as a token of my gratitude here is a longer than the normal chapter. Excuse my mistakes and please enjoy!

Chapter 4

I think you're cute too.

Santana wasn't cute. She was a badass and hot and people feared her. She was not cute at all.

But that didn't mean she didn't want to hear that over and over again. It was basically already echoing in her head. It was so loud that she almost missed her house on the way home. It was so prominent that she didn't notice that her mother was actually home today.

It was around 8pm when Santana noticed that she had been sitting in silence since she had gotten home. She had changed into sweats, turned on a reality show and scooted up to the top of her bed. She had her knees tucked under her chin as she tried not to think about Quinn saying that and skipping out of the locker room without another word.

Santana sighed as she stretched out her legs. Stupid Quinn did all this on purpose.

Her phone chimed next to her and she was glad to see that it was Puck. He was asking if she was going to join him at the local party for tonight, which she, of course, would not be since its Wednesday night and no party was fun on a Wednesday night.

Then it hit her. The best way to get over this Quinn obsession was with Puck. He was super available and wasn't ugly.

Santana thought over that last statement, and then once again. She ignored the nausea that started to brew in her throat as she typed out a message to him.

She requested his presence and it only took him 40 seconds before he responded with a "B over n a sec!"

Santana waited with her eyes closed, willing herself not to think about how Quinn lived only a block away. Santana was getting her permit soon, would Quinn want a ride to and from school? Would she make Santana ask her or would she just jump in the car expecting her to drive her? Honestly Santana would drive her either way.

She opened her eyes the second her door began to open with Puck giving her a warm smile.

"Did you know your mom's home?" He closed the door behind him, "She's hot but scares the shit out of me."

Santana rolled her eyes at him, "Please don't call my mom hot."

He put his hands into his pockets and scrunched up his face, "What's wrong with you? You look like someone punched you in the tit."

Santana felt like asking for him to come over was the biggest mistake, "Could you just stop talking and take off your clothes?"

His face remained confused before he gave a shrug and reached for his jacket. Santana watched him as she tried to feel anything other than annoyance at how slow he was going.

It wasn't until he took off his shirt that she noticed that he was ripped. Which was weird. Did he work out or something? She had never seen him do such a thing. The Cheerios took advantage of every single thing that could help them with their routines including the weight room (which Puck clearly sneaks into).

Quinn was absolutely terrible at lifting weights. Most of the time she asked Santana or Brittany to help spot her for a few moments before she pushed away from the instruments in a huff. She would either blame it on the machine being too complicated or that fact that she didn't want muscles like a man. Santana was surprised that Quinn could even pick up her own gym bag by herself.

"Hey," Puck gathered back her attention. He had his shoes off, and his hands stationary against his belt, "Where the fuck are you right now?"

Santana shook her head to refocus, "I'm here. Hurry up."

Puck scrunched up his face and picked his shirt from off of the floor, "Pass."

"What?"

"Not pass on you," Puck sat on the edge of the bed, "Just pass on whatever we're about to do when you're like this. I'm not that desperate. At least not right now."

Santana folded her arms and laid back on her bed, "I must look disgusting if you, of all people, are turning me down."

"I'm gonna pretend that you didn't mean that to be rude," He patted her leg, "Tell Papa Puck what's wrong."

Santana let out a groan, "Do not call yourself that again."

"Are you gonna tell me or not?"

Santana bit the inside of her cheek, letting this situation wash over her for a few moments before whispering, "I think I like someone."

Puck furrowed his brow before letting out a small laugh, "That must be hard."

Santana let out a louder groan while Puck laughed.

He laid next to her and folded his hands on his chest, "So what's the big deal? Is he ugly?"

"I wish." Santana mumbled.

"Is he some really hot smart guy who doesn't take your shit and challenges you and all that?" Puck laughed to himself once more, "Do I know him?"

"No."

They laid in silence for a while before Puck said, "Whoever this guy is, I'm going to need you to stop being a pussy about it and just go for it."

Santana shook her head, "You don't understand anything-"

"You're laying here crying over some guy just cause you like him. Am I'm missing something?"

"I'm not crying."

"Right, cause Santana Hoepez never cries."

Santana sat up and punched him in the arm.

Puck flinched but gave another laugh, "Ow!"

She pointed a finger at him, but felt her mouth smile, "I never cry."

"Now you're just lying to yourself." She punched him two more times before he rolled off the bed, "Ow! Stop it. You're so mean!"

They laughed before jumping at the door suddenly flying open.

"Santana!" Santana's mother, Maribel, flung the door open wide before looking between Santana and Puck, "What is Noah doing in your room half naked with the door closed?"

Puck reached for his shirt again, slipping it over his head before picking up the rest of his clothes and slipping out of the room. He gave the woman an awkward smile though it was not returned.

Maribel stared down Santana before the woman's phone began to ring in her hand. She gave Santana one more look before answering her phone and walking out of the room.

Santana rolled her eyes and laid back down. Maybe Puck was right. Maybe she should just go for it.

XXXX

Of course, Puck was wrong. What was she suppose to do? Go up to Quinn and expect the blonde to not literally punch her in the throat after she tells her that she sort of kind of likes her? There had to be a better step than that.

So, Santana decided to head to school earlier that day, and wait for Ms. Pillsbury to finish her morning routine before knocking on her door. She was early enough that no one Santana knew would see her going to into the Guidance Office willingly, and late enough to not mess up the guidance counselor's groove. She needed the woman at her best.

Santana knocked on the door and waited for the woman to motion her to come in. She closed the door behind her and sat in front of the red head.

After a moment, Ms. Pillsbury folded her hands on her desk, "Is there something you needed, Santana?"

Santana's eyebrows lifted, shocked that the woman knew her name before remembering that they had met before during her first year due to a violent altercation she had with another student, "I need your advice. About things."

The woman smiled and waited for Santana to continue.

"How do you," Santana folded her arms and looked around, feeling a sense of unease saying this out loud, "How do you get someone to… To like you back? Sexually. Or romantically. Or something."

The woman opened her mouth but closed quickly before digging into her desk and pulling out a few pamphlets, "I was actually saving this for myself but I think you may need it more."

"Wait." Santana shifted in her seat and lowered her voice, "Your room is full of windows and I would be pissed if someone saw you give me this. Can you be more discreet or something?"

"You won't believe how many people have told me this." Ms. Pillsbury reached under her desk and pulled out a slim paper bag, putting the pamphlets inside. She handed the bag to Santana who quickly stuffed it into her bag, "Is there anything else?"

"No." Santana looked down at her nails, "I mean. Sort of. I have this-this friend."

"Oh. A 'friend.'" Ms. Pillsbury pretended to play along.

"Yeah, my friend is really into a good friend of theirs and is worried about it cause they are worried that they are… gay or whatever."

"Well," Ms. Pillsbury tried to hide her smile, "Your friend should know that no one will hate them for coming out and being themselves. If she feels like she needs a community to share with we have a gay-straight alliance. It's considerably small but its inclusive."

"They're not a 'she'," Santana looked back up, feeling as though Ms. Pillsbury was catching on, "It's… Noah Puckerman."

Emma's eyebrows rose, "Oh. I didn't know that he-"

"No one does. He's basically in love with Finn Hudson and doesn't know what to do about it. But I guess if all he needs is a club then I'll tell him." Santana gave a forced smile before standing up, "Thanks for the… advice I guess."

Santana left out of the door before the woman said anything more.

She spent all day trying to read over some of the pamphlets. Some of them were useless, like "How to get the man of your dreams to enjoy your presence" and "What to do when you've fallen for an older man?" Those went straight to the trash. With the others, she spent the day reading them between the pages of her textbooks or under her desk.

During lunch, while Brittany was explaining something about Lucky Charms and the leprechaun, Santana pretended to look at a book assigned for class. She read over a sentence on one of the pamphlets over and over.

Step 1: Be nice to them.

Santana furrowed her brows. Did she have to be nice all the time? What about when Quinn was being annoying? This sounded like a total drag.

Step 2: Be yourself.

How could she be nice and be herself at the same time? Santana slammed the book shut. This whole thing was beginning to be complicated.

She looked up just in time for Quinn to sit down at their table. Maybe this was her chance to try this out.

"Quinn." Santana said, then said again until she caught the blonde's attention, "Your, uh, hair looks nice today."

Both Brittany and Quinn sat in silence, both looking completely confused.

Quinn reached for a strand of her hair defensively, "What's wrong with it?"

"What?" Santana sighed, "I said it looks nice. It's a compliment."

Brittany gave a smile while Quinn still looked unclear, "Why are you telling me this?"

"Just take the compliment, Fabray." Santana opened back her book and stared at the pamphlet. This was not working at all. She read the next line:

Step 3: Be confident.

Santana rolled her eyes, she's always confident. This pamphlet was a load of shit.

"My mom isn't going to be able to pick me up today after practice, which means I'm gonna have to walk, which means I have to leave practice early so that I'm still home 5 sharp." Quinn played with the plastic fork that the cafeteria supplied with the lunch.

"Your curfew is trash." Santana said as she read the rest of the pamphlet.

"Sorry that my parents actually care where I am." Quinn snarked.

"I doubt that they actually do but whatever." Santana closed her book and packed it away, "You can just catch a ride from Puck. Britt and I do when we need to get home in a rush."

Quinn looked surprised, "I can just intrude."

"Puck will be super happy that you're getting into his piece of crap car. Besides, I'll be there cause I need to be home early too," Santana looked over to Brittany, who was silently asking her why, "I'm grounded. Not allowed to have anyone over for a month."

"Unfair!" Brittany exclaimed.

"What did you do?" Quinn smirked.

"Doesn't matter. Do you want the ride or not?"

Quinn nodded her head as Brittany started up again about Lucky Charms.

XXX

Puck drove slowly, his fists tight against the wheel as he followed road regulations accordingly. He kept looking at Quinn through his mirror and stepping on his brake every time he did.

Santana sunk in her seat and rested her knees against the dashboard in front of her, "Why are you driving so slow?"

"Don't want to freak out the new passenger." Puck looked back up at the mirror towards Quinn, who was looking out of the window completely distracted.

"Could you drop me off in front of Quinn's? I gotta walk the rest of the way home so that mamí doesn't know that I got a ride from you."

Puck smirked, "She wasn't happy?"

"Let's just say that she wasn't seduced by your flabby chest."

"Excuse me? I'm not flabby." Puck clutched at his chest, "I actually feel offended that you'd say that."

"That was the point."

"Could you both, please, stop flirting." Quinn snapped, "Or just do it silently so I don't have to listen to this garbage."

"You call that flirting?" Puck let out a laugh, "I've only seen Santana flirt once and she made the guy cry."

Santana smiled at the memory. She remembered the guy, she had met him at a game freshman year. He was on the opposing team and was the only guy Santana had ever made a double take towards. He, of course, wasn't her type. She knew that the minute he walked off completely offended and in tears. Some guys just can't take a joke.

"He couldn't handle all of this." Santana motioned up and down her body.

Puck nodded in agreement, "Besides, Santana is into someone else."

Santana jumped into better posture and glared at Puck, "No I'm not."

"Yes, you are." Puck chanced a look at her, "You're acting like you can't tell Quinn. Aren't you two friends by now?"

"Do I know them?" Quinn scooted up in her seat.

"No, cause I'm not into anyone."

"Oh, please. You obviously are," Quinn put on her thinking face and Santana felt her heart rate quicken, "It's not one of the jocks, is it? Like Finn Hudson? Cause he just asked me out and that would make things awkward-"

"Wait," Santana turned around in her chair to face her, "Finn asked you out?"

"Well... yeah."

"What did you say?"

"I didn't say anything yet." Quinn hesitated before shrugging, "I don't know what to say."

"Oh."

"Are you... into him?"

"Who? Finn?"

"Yeah."

"No way. Gross. It's fine if you go out with him."

"Cool." Quinn looked conflicted for a moment before regaining her stature, "Are you going to tell me who you're into?"

"I'm not into anyone." Santana pointed to a house coming up to the left and indicated for Puck to stop the car, "That's Quinn's house."

Puck stopped the car and turned to say something to Quinn, but she slipped out of the door quicker than he could react. He looked back at Santana, a bit disappointed.

Santana shrugged, hiding her giggle before climbing out of the car herself. She waved Puck away as she balanced her gym bag and her backpack against her shoulders.

"Look, Santana." Quinn called for her attention as she stood by the steps leading to her house, "This whole thing with us hating each other is getting old."

Santana folded her arms while feeling a sense of disbelief, "I don't... hate you."

"Well, then it shouldn't be hard for us to get along." Quinn gave Santana a pointed look, "To be friends."

They stayed silent for a moment, staring each other down and waiting for one of them to disagree with that statement.

Santana rolled her eyes, "Yeah, sure. Whatever."

Quinn released a small smile that was almost copied by Santana, "Good. Great. See you tomorrow then."

Quinn walked into her house and Santana let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

The corners of her mouth started to turn up as she began to walk down the street. She wanted to push down her feelings and keep up the act just a bit longer but when Quinn smiled at her like that her stomach would flip.

She would get butterflies.

There was no harm in letting the feeling linger. Just for a little while longer. So as she kicked at a dandelion she let the smile fully take over her face and walked confidently down the pavement.

It wasn't that bad, realizing that she liked Quinn. Quinn was a nice, good-looking girl. Of course, she would develop some sort of crush on her, there's nothing wrong with that. It didn't mean that she's gay or anything. Right?

"Santana wait!" Santana stopped in her tracks, spooked that she was now hearing Quinn's voice so clearly in her mind before realizing that the blonde had actually called for her and was catching up to her.

Quinn ran up to her and began to catch her breath, "I'm sorry. I know I just saw you but-"

"Is something wrong?" Santana looked towards Quinn's house as the girl had run out of it without her bag.

"Yeah. Well, my dad came home early." Quinn continued once she saw the confused look on the other girl's face, "When he comes early, my parents always argue and it gets... I just can't deal with it right now."

Santana bit the inside of her cheek, knowing that her mom was going to kill her if she found out what she was about to offer, "You can just come over to mine."

Quinn looked surprised, "Really? I know you're grounded and I don't want to cause any issues."

"Take the offer, Fabray." Santana suggested as she began to walk.

"Right. Thanks." Quinn fell into step with her and stayed silent until they reached Santana's house.

Santana didn't notice the car in her driveway but did hear her mother's voice as they walked into the door.

"Crap." Santana locked the door behind Quinn, "You're probably going to meet my mom and she's not gonna be too happy that I invited you over but it's cool."

Quinn rang her hands in front of her, "Should I be worried?"

"No." Santana lied. Her mother didn't seem to like Brittany nor Puck which was a bummer since they were her only real friends at school. Who knew how she'd react when she met Quinn, "Let's just rip it off like a bandaid."

Quinn gulped and Santana lead them towards her mother's voice in the kitchen. When they reached it, Maribel was perched at the table looking over documents and ending a phone call.

She looked up and glared at both of the girls, "Santana. Who is this?"

Santana placed her bags on the floor, "Mami, this is Quinn. She's a friend from school."

Quinn took a few steps forward and put out her hand, "It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Lopez. Your home is absolutely lovely."

Maribel looked over to Santana, an amused look on her face, before shaking Quinn's hand, "Nice to meet you as well, Quinn. I hope Santana has clued you in on how grounded she is."

"Yes she has and I apologize for intruding," Quinn took a step back and folded her hands behind her, "I was having family issues and Santana kindly offered sanctuary here. It was kind of an emergency."

"Oh, I hope everything is alright."

"I'm sure it will and thanks to Santana, things are a lot better already."

"She is her father's daughter. Always trying to help someone."

Santana was surprised, this was the most her mom had talked to any of her friends. Quinn was a fucking pro.

"You know what, you two go ahead to Santana's room." Maribel waved them off and stood to her feet, "I'll be up with snacks in a little."

Her mom had never made snacks for Brittany, and Brittany came over all the time.

"That's so kind of you. Thank you, Mrs. Lopez." Quinn gave a charming smile.

"And you can stay as long as you want." Maribel smiled right back before giving Santana a hard stare, "Mía, go get your friend a change of clothes. Stop being so rude."

Santana scrunched up her face and grabbed her bags. She barely missed the cocky smile on Quinn's face as she led her upstairs to her room.

Once they were inside, the door closed securely, Santana let out a laugh, "What the heck was that?"

"The Fabray charm." Quinn patted down Santana's comforter before taking a leap to sit on the bed, "Your mom loves me now."

Santana tossed her bags next to her closet, "You haven't tried any of that 'Fabray charm' on me, right?"

Quinn rolled her eyes, "It doesn't work on you."

Santana smiled, "So I'm immune?"

"More like abnormal."

Santana laughed as she reached into her dresser for a change of clothes, "The only thing that's abnormal here is your sense of fashion."

Quinn looked down at her outfit, "We're wearing the same thing, Santana. That's why its called a uniform."

"That's no excuse for what you wear over the weekend." Santana tossed over a pair of sweats to Quinn, "You have bad taste, Quinn. You're almost as bad as Berry."

"I do not." Quinn scoffed, "You know what, I feel bad for that pour soul you have a crush on."

"I don't have a crush on anyone." Santana corrected.

Quinn stood up with the clothes in her hands and smirked, "Yeah, right. I'm going to get to the bottom of this and once I figure it out you won't be hearing the end of it. Now tell me where your bathroom is."

"Down the hall to the left," Santana watched as Quinn gave her one last pointed look before exiting the room. She folded her arms and leaned against her dresser, a nervousness settling in her chest.