Knights Nerds Naps

"Why are you grumpy this morning, Santana?" Rachel asked. She smiled as they walked out of the Lima Bean and got into Santana's car. "Is it because you miss Brittany?"

"Nah…I mean, yeah I do miss Britt, but that's not why I'm grumpy…."

"What's up?"

"I have Kids' Korner duty all week," Santana grumbled.

"Ah," Rachel said. "You'll finally understand Quinn's and my pain."

"I'm fully expecting a sadistic 'I told you so' from her. Brittany's coming back on Friday. Sleepover at my place?"

"Sure! I'll let my dads know tonight. Your parents will be home next week, then?"

"Uhh…"

"Santana…."

"They're staying another month."

"The fuck?"

Santana very nearly crashed into a stop sign. "Did…did you just…"

"Yes, I just said fuck! Because I'm confused as to how your parents are just okay with leaving you on your own for two months. What the actual fuck?"

"Calm down, Princess," Santana said, grinning.

"My dads really are going to make you stay with us now. I gave them a big speech about your independence and need for personal space, and they bought it. But now they're going to insist."

"Eurgh… Just tell them after our sleepover on Friday. Anyway, go sell popcorn," she said, pulling up in front of the theater.

"Right. Try not to kill any kids."

"I'll be fine."

"Right…I bet you come out of there traumatized. They may be little, but kids are vicious."

"I'm too badass."

"Bet?"

"Loser buys dinner at Breadstix on Wednesday?"

"Sure. Have a good day, Santana!" she chirped, hugging the other girl.

"Oh no," Rachel muttered.

"What's wrong?" Quinn asked. She looked over at the ticket counter. They were having a slow afternoon, and had a clear view of it. "Oh…Finn. Go hide in back. I'll get rid of him."

"I owe you." She went into the kitchen and stood just inside the door so she could listen to the conversation.

"Hey Finn!" Quinn said. "What can I get for you?"

"Skittles and a small coke. Where did Rachel go?"

"Someone puke in theater three. She's on cleanup."

"She'll be back in a minute though, right?"

Quinn sighed. "Listen, Finn…I really think she's ready to move on. You should let her."

"I love her, Quinn. And I'm willing to fight for her."

"That's adorably Nicholas Sparks novel of you, but really…you've been here every day this summer. She's said no to you asking her out four times now. You're getting into stalker territory here."

"I appreciate your concern, Quinn," Finn said. "But I know what I'm doing here. I'll see you later."

Rachel waited a moment before going back outside. "Thanks Quinn."

"I tried."

"I really don't know what to do with him."

"He'll get the picture eventually. And if he doesn't, my mom's a card carrying member of the NRA. She's got your back." Quinn winked and went to set up more snack packs.

"Your boyfriend's back, Santana," one of her coworkers said.

"Not again," she grumbled.

"I don't see why you're complaining. He's cute."

"I don't care if he's Brad Pitt. I'm not interested. OW!" she yelped as one of the kids at the reading center kicked her in the shins. She was ready to concede the bet to Rachel. Actually, she'd been ready since the glitter incident at 1:30.

"Hey!" Colby said to the little boy. "You kicked her. Say you're sorry."

"I'm sorry," the boy muttered. He stuck his tongue out at Colby as soon as the soccer player turned back to Santana.

She snickered and gave the boy a thumbs up. "What's up? You need another book?"

"No," Colby said. "Just wanted to say hi."

Santana scowled as he looked her up and down again. She was starting to really hate that. He was lucky there were kids around…. "Look, I've got to go make sure they're not destroying the merchandise. Whoever thought up pop-up books for kids needs to be shot…."

Colby laughed. "I'll see you around then."

Rachel stretched as she exited the theater. It hadn't been too bad of a day, but she was tired. And extremely curious to know how Santana was doing. Her phone buzzed as she walked down the steps.

From Santana: Running l8, but omw. Also, you win. You so fucking win.

She giggled and sat down on a bench to wait for her friend. She waved at Quinn as the blonde came down the steps. "See you tomorrow."

"Is Santana not here yet?" Quinn asked. "Do you want me to wait with you?"

"It's okay. I know you have dinner plans with your mom. She's on her way now."

"Alright. See you tomorrow, then."

"Bye." She scanned the parking lot for Santana's car again, but didn't spot it. She did, however, spot Finn. "Have you been here all day?" she asked when he walked over.

"Since around 2. I saw Harry Potter twice. How are you?"

"Good. Hungry and tired."

"We could go—"

"I have plans with Santana."

"You always have plans with her. I don't get it, Rachel," he said, sitting next to her. "I know she changed last semester, but this is getting ridiculous."

"What? The fact that I have friends now without having to get you to tell them to be nice to me?" she asked bitterly.

"The fact that you do everything she says now. You go everywhere with her. You're dressing differently."

"Because school's out. And I don't do everything she says. We make plans and hang out. Quinn comes with us half the time."

"It's like you're dating her."

"You sound like Quinn. And why am I hearing your accusatory voice?"

"Maybe it's in your head."

"Maybe you're full of—"

"Rachel?" Santana called, pulling up. "You ready?"

"Yes, Santana. See you around, Finn."

Wednesday night, the girls went to Breadstix just as they'd planned. Quinn had made a few pointed comments, but they'd both ignored her.

"Okay, best part of the day?" Rachel asked.

"Right now. Worst part of your day?"

"Finn came to the theater again."

"For god's sake…."

"Is that…paste in your hair?"

"I washed it twice. It's not coming out. There's glitter too, but you can only see it when my hair catches the light."

"Had you run craft time again?"

"Yep. Uh…if I told you not to turn around, would you listen?"

Rachel turned around. Finn had just walked in with Sam and Mike. She turned around again quickly, but she knew he'd spotted her.

"I told you not to."

"No you didn't!" Rachel hissed. "You posed a hypothetical question!"

"It was a hint!"

"Give better ones!"

"What are you doing here with her?" Finn said as soon as he walked up.

"Having dinner, Finneptitude," Santana growled. "And you're kind of ruining it."

"Why are you here with her?" Finn asked Rachel again.

"It's as Santana says. We're simply having dinner. Also recounting horror stories from work."

"Is this a date?"

"You sound like Quinn," both girls said, not meeting each other's eyes.

"Yo, Finn! Let's go! They're starting the bread stick challenge in five," Mike said, waving to the girls.

He glared at Santana before walking away.

"This shit is getting old, fast," Santana said. "You've got Finnocence stalking you…I've got Soccer-creeper stalking me—"

"Huh?"

With a sigh, Santana grabbed another bread stick and began relating her visits from Colby. "It's not that he's done anything," Santana said. "He just creeps me out a bit."

"Boys," Rachel said, shaking her head.

Amen, Santana thought.