AN: Well HELLO THERE EVERYBODY! Thank you soooooo MUCH for reading this. Since this story is sooooo close to my heart (I miss Selena!), I'm very, very happy you're reading this!:)

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED, FAVORITED AND FOLLOWED!

Dr. Shapiro: Thank you! Your review meant a lot to me! :)

In this story, David Karofsky isn't quite the same as he is in the TV show. He STARTS to be that way, but changes as this story goes along. I think you'll like how he's changed! :)

Also, we're still in the past in this chapter. But our favorite trio of friends (Kurt, Santana, and Mercedes) are growing closer together.

So...ENJOY! Please leave kind reviews! X3 X3 X3!

HAVE A NICE DAY!-ILOVESMEGLEEX3

Chapter 4

"Kurt! You're not going to believe this!"

He turned away from his open locker to see his ponytail-flying friend practically running down the hall towards him. After a quick and confused glance to Mercedes, he turned back to see the enormous smile on the Latina's face.

"Santana!" Kurt bellowed. "Slow down!"

By then, Santana arrived beside him, a little out of breath.

"You're…not…going…"

"Santana, take a deep breath and calm down."

He reached for her arm and started to gently stroke it. Charmed by her effervescence, he and Mercedes couldn't help but smile. After a few quick breaths, she finally calmed down. A little.

"Kurt Hummel and Mercedes Jones!" Santana proudly began. "You are looking at the new TV commercial representative of Lechuga Motors!"

Their eyes widened.

"What?!" Mercedes exclaimed. "You can't be-"

"Well, I'm auditioning for the part," Santana eagerly began, "but I'm sure I'll get it."

Her smug smile was met by two confused ones.

"Auditioning…?" Mercedes asked.

Santana had, by then, calmed down enough to make sense. Barely.

"I called," she began, "Lechuga Motors after hearing on the radio that they were looking for young women who could sing to be in a commercial." But then, her smile dropped a little. "It took a while to convince my parents to let me do it, and I KNOW they're not too happy about this." And then, her smile returned in full force. "But I convinced them to AT LEAST let me tryout for it! I couldn't believe it when I got my call back from their advertising company! I'm SO HAPPY!"

Santana Lopez jumped for joy. She actually jumped for joy!

"Well," Kurt carefully began, "what all do you have to do?"

"Yeah," Mercedes chimed in. "I mean, you don't have to wear a skimpy-"

"Of course not!" Santana said. "No. All they want is someone who can sing and is pretty." She then gave a conceited smile. "I got both."

Kurt rolled his eyes and within a second, Mercedes did the same. But Santana ignored their sarcasm.

"Just think, guys! You COULD be looking at the first and only freshman from McKinley High School who gets on TV!"

Laughing. And not just a giggle here and there. Complete, full-throated laughs of pure ecstasy escaped her throat.

"Well," Mercedes began, walking around Kurt to stand beside her. "I suppose the only other way a freshman from McKinley would get on TV would be if he or she committed a crime."

"Yeah, that's true…" Kurt said.

Santana looked first at Kurt, then at Mercedes and then back again.

"You GUYYYYS!" Santana whined. "I'm going to be on TV! Isn't that exciting?!"

Kurt shook his head a little. "Yes, of course it is. Sorry." And then he broadly smiled. "So, when's your tryout?"

"It's an audition." Santana corrected. "And it's a week from this Thursday." If it were possible, her smile widened. "But do you know what this means?"

"What?" Kurt and Mercedes asked.

"Well," she began, leaning on the lockers beside them, "my dad told me that the commercial won't just air here in Lima. Lechuga motors gets their body work from Tennessee and their engine blocks from Texas and Mexico. Just think of the exposure!"

"Oh Santana!" Mercedes started. "I'm so happy for you!"

"Me too!" Kurt added. "So, do you know what you're going to sing for your audition?"

Her smile faded a little as she looked away. "I…I haven't gotten that far."

"Did they give you some idea of what they wanted you to sing?" Kurt asked.

"No. They didn't." Santana stated, looking away. "But I suppose I could find out."

"Yeah!" Kurt replied, suddenly excited. "Maybe you could sing Lady Gaga!"

"Maybe!"

"Or," Mercedes said, "you could sing Britney Spears."

"Maybe!"

"Oh God, the possibilities!" Kurt said, bouncing on his heels a little. "Oh Santana! I'm so PROUD of you!"

"Me TOOOOO!"

And that's when they fell into a three-way hug, jumping up and down a little. Laughs on top of laughs fell out of their mouths and their smiles brightened the hallway.

"So!" Kurt started, pulling away, "We have to think of audition songs. We should meet at my house after school!"

"It's a date!" Santana began.

"Yeah!" Mercedes added.

And that's when the three teens spotted Karofsky down the hall, full cup in hand. Their eyes widened and Kurt slammed his locker door shut.

"Let's get outta here!" Kurt exclaimed, grabbing onto his two friends' shoulders, steering them down the other way. "Just come over after school."

The trio quickly strode down the hall. Kurt gave one final glance at Karofsky only to realize that David was actually drinking his slushy. The other two didn't see it. Kurt released a sigh of relief, but kept briskly walking with them anyway. Mercedes just couldn't wipe her beautiful smile off her face. And Santana? Well, that's when it occurred to her that she didn't tell them the other piece of good news. Well, that could wait until they get to Kurt's house after school. There was plenty of time.

.

Kurt was the one to come up with the term 'perma-grin'. It was used ever since Santana told them the fantastic news. Santana Lopez was auditioning for the role of spokesperson for Lechuga Motors – Lima's biggest car dealership. Hugging her books to herself, the happy Latina practically skipped up the driveway and joyfully knocked on the Hummel's front door. She looked around her, just for something to do. Santana almost knocked again when the door was finally opened.

"Come in!" Kurt said, with bright enthusiasm.

After letting her in, Kurt and Santana walked downstairs to Kurt's basement bedroom. Since Mercedes was already there, they didn't waste much time getting ready for rehearsal.

"So," Kurt said, walking towards his stereo, "I thought we could practice a little. Who do you want me to play? Beyonce?"

The girls shook their heads no.

"Lady Gaga?"

THIS time, the girls vigorously nodded. Kurt smiled. "OK!"

He put the CD in his carousel disc player and was just about to press Play when they were interrupted.

"Guys?"

Kurt and Mercedes turned around, facing her. If they thought Santana had a big smile when she told them the news about the commercial, they were in for an even BIGGER treat. The smile on the fiery Latina's face was priceless.

"There's something I didn't tell you!"

Mercedes and Kurt's eyes widened, but they didn't say anything.

"Wellllllll," she drawled, "they're also looking for backup singers. I suppoooose I could-"

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Kurt and Mercedes exploded and rushed her! They jumped for joy until they knocked Santana over, laughing and laughing. They rolled over each other. They tickled each other. They exploded in more laughter. Being the typical teenagers they were, they didn't stop doing this for at least ten minutes.

As the evening wore on, they practiced to Britney Spears 'Crazy' and 'Break The Ice'. Then, Lady Gaga got in the rotation with 'Paparazzi' and others. They considered Beyonce, but didn't. They always seemed to come back to Ms. Spears and Ms. Gaga.

As the days rolled on, practice became an almost every evening ritual. And also during this time, they couldn't have been closer. Since the strongest structure in architecture is the triangle, they considered calling themselves that – The Triangle. But the word was awkward and they decided to just skip labels. After all, why bother?

Finally, and after all three teenagers got expressly written consent from their parents (since they're minors), it was the day of the audition. Kurt picked them up in his Navigator. They were all nervous. They were all anxious. They were all rehearsing in their heads.

And they all got the part.

.

Several weeks later, the trio, along with a few other family and friends were in Santana Lopez's living room. Cru de ta and various non-alcoholic beverages were on a couple of tables and parents were smiling and greeting other parents. Some other kids from McKinley were already there, but not many. The trio decided that the airing of the commercial would be a secret until it premiered.

And that night was the night.

As Kurt was chatting with Mercedes, Santana heard the doorbell ring. This wasn't uncommon. Many guests had already arrived and a few more were expected. But Santana got a big shock when the door was opened. Craning her neck even further, her jaw dropped in recognition.

"Kurt!" Santana loudly whispered.

He jumped a little, annoyed at the interruption. "What?"

"Who invited him?"

She pointed to the door as Kurt turned around. A small smile adorned his pale face.

"I did."

Santana was astonished! "Why? He's been nothing but trouble. He slushies us any time he get-"

"Not anymore." Kurt confidently said. "He's not the annoying boy he used to be."

"But Karofsky? Here? Really?"

"Yes, really. He's actually a good guy."

Her eyes narrowed. "How would you know?"

Kurt glanced at Dave and, with a little smile, nodded. Dave smiled and nodded back, making a bee-line towards the nearest food and beverage area. Then, he turned back towards her.

"I've been…" Kurt hesitated.

"Yeah, Kurt." Mercedes interrupted. "Since when you do hang out with David Karofsky of all-"

"I don't exactly 'hang out', per se." He said. "I've run into him a couple of times at school and he's…grown up."

He looked away from them. Had they been more intuitive, they would've seen that Kurt was lying.

"Him?" Mercedes incredulously asked. Santana looked at him suspiciously.

"Yes him!" Kurt replied with some outrage. "He's…an OK guy."

"And I'm going to see to that." Santana said, stood up, and quickly walked over to Dave before anybody could say anything.

"Hey Karofsky!"

"Y-yuuhh?"

Santana rolled her eyes. "Chew and swallow. Now."

Sheepishly, Dave chewed a couple of times and swallowed his cracker.

"H-hi, Santana." Dave tried to sound happy and innocent, but it went absolutely nowhere.

"You better be on your-"

"I am, Santana." Dave interrupted, with surprising confidence. THAT got her attention.

"Oh, really?"

"Yes. I was invited here by Kurt. He told me something exciting was happening with you and him and Mercedes, but he wouldn't tell me. So, he invited me here and…here I am."

Dave couldn't have been more nervous. But Santana decided to have a little fun with that.

"Well, just don't forget." Santana threateningly said. "Do you know that deli just two houses down from mine?"

"Y-yeah." Dave replied with confusion.

"Well," she crossed her arms defensively. "they make some of the best shredded meat sandwiches in Allen County." Dave's eyebrows knotted in even further confusion. "They're really tasty. But they also," and then, she leaned towards him and lowered her voice, "shred their own meat. If you cause any problems for me here, and you better not because tonight is IMPORTANT, they know what to do with the body."

Dave gulped.

"Understand?"

"Y-y-yyeeaah."

She evilly smiled. "Good." And with that, she happily turned around and began walking away.

"Hey Santana!"

She stopped and turned around. But THIS time, Dave wasn't nervous or shook up. Instead, he stood up straight and took two confident steps towards her.

"Whatever is going on…?" Dave began. "Well…congratulations."

She didn't even try to stop her surprise. Instead, she just nodded, turned, and went back to her friends.

It took him about another ten minutes to work up the courage to approach them.

"H-hi Kurt." Dave nervously said.

"Well, hello there David! I'm so glad you could come."

Dave partially smiled. "Thanks for the invite."

"Of course. Wanna sit here?"

Kurt motioned for a chair near them. The girls didn't even try to hide their suspicions. Glaring daggers into his skull, they sat in silence. Dave bore it well, keeping his eyes mostly on Kurt or the floor.

"Five minutes everyone!" Mr. Lopez announced. A round of 'ooohs' and 'aaaahs' filled the room. The trio all smiled and giggled to each other. But a few others, Dave included, just looked at everyone, trying to get any information from the party guests. It didn't work.

"I have to pee." Kurt announced, rushing off to the bathroom.

"Me too." Mercedes added, and she too ran off towards the second bathroom.

That left Santana and Dave alone. They did a little routine, then – they looked at the floor, at each other, back to the floor, at the other party guests, at each other, etc. It was boring and tiring. But they weren't friends and didn't know what to say to each other.

"He's helped me."

Santana whirled her head around to the anxious jock.

"What?"

"He-he's helped me."

"Really?" Santana asked with a bored sigh. "Well, that's good…I suppose."

"Yeah. Actually, it's been great."

She sighed again. "Well, whatever he's been-"

"I'm gay."

She came to a dead halt. "Ummm, excuse me? I must've misunderstood. But did you say you were actually-?"

"G-gay." Dave quietly interrupted. "I'm not ready to come out at school or to anyone else. But…Kurt's been very helpful. That's partially why he invited me here tonight."

"W-wow, Karofsky. That's-"

"Call me David from now on. Karofsky is dead."

She couldn't have shown more confusion. Minutes passed in silence as she just studied him. A thousand questions about him and Kurt were on her mind, but they were interrupted.

"One minute!"

A round of cheers from those who knew what was about to happen filled the room. Most of them looked at Santana and smiled. Then, Kurt and Mercedes returned. It couldn't have been a more exciting, more nervous time that evening. Finally, FINALLY, it was time.

.

"That was amazing!"

"Girl, you can sing!"

"That's my girl!"

"I'm so proud of you, mine chica!"

"Dios mios!"

More and more exclamations filled the room and the trio found themselves surrounded by congratulatory people, Dave included. The three were kissed over and over, and a happy toast was made in their honor. Santana could've sworn her precious abuela was drinking alcohol but wasn't sure. All in all, the party really kicked into high gear and everybody was having a good time.

Unfortunately, it was a school night. And for the adults, it was a work night. Moans and groans escaped people's mouths as the offending clock showed ten PM. By ten thirty, most of the guests had left, but not before yet more kisses and hugs were given to the trio.

MAYBE WE ARE A TRIANGLE, Kurt thought. He almost shared that thought with Santana and Mercedes, but didn't, for some unknown reason. Instead, he offered assistance just as the final guest walked out the door.

"Want some help?" Kurt offered.

"Ummm…" Santana hesitated.

"Well, I'm going to help anyway." A little smile on his face, he glanced sideways at her as he scooped up the contents of an ashtray.

They worked in companionable silence for several minutes.

"I wish," Santana began, "Mercedes could've stayed longer."

"Well," Kurt said, "her grandmother needs help getting around the house. She had to help her."

"Oh, I didn't know that!" she exclaimed.

"Yeah, she doesn't-"

"Want some help?"

They turned toward the voice and Santana continued to be shocked by David Karofsky's change in behavior.

"Ummm, s-sure Dave. Thanks!" Kurt handed Dave a big garbage can and pointed to the city's dumpster, just around the corner. When he left, Santana just stared at Kurt.

"What?" Kurt asked.

"You know, not even two days ago, we were keeping an eye on that bozo jock. We didn't know if any slushies would hit our faces or anything. And then," she took a careful step towards him, "he told me."

Kurt's eyes widened for a second before he started working again. "He's still adjusting. Don't tell anyone."

"Oh, I won't! I won't. I just…" Kurt came to a stop as Santana tried to find her words. "I'm just shocked that's all."

Kurt half-smiled. "He really is a good guy."

"Yeah." She firmly stated. "Yes. He is."

Work resumed. Dave came back and was told he wasn't needed anymore. He protested, seeing how the living room STILL looked like hell. But in the end, he shrugged and surprised them by HUGGING THEM! And with a firm, boyish smile, he abruptly turned and left.

"I think," Santana began, "I could get used to him being around."

.

About a half an hour later, Kurt and Santana were done. All trash bags, all empty or half-empty containers were gone, all ashtrays were cleaned, and the atmosphere of the living room became…well, a living room. The two teens plopped on the couch and held hands. They said nothing. They did nothing. And they were having the time of their lives.

"What do you think," Kurt quietly began, "things will be like at school tomorrow?"

Santana turned her head and smiled. "I think we'll be stars."

"You think so?"

"Of course I do! You don't?"

"Oh no, no." Kurt hesitatingly replied. "I…I THINK we will. It's just…"

"What?" Santana gently asked. She scooted a little closer, still holding his hand.

"When I was younger," Kurt softly began, "I got singing and dancing lessons."

"I didn't know that!"

"Yeah, I did." Kurt darkly chuckled. "My mom wanted it."

Santana said and did nothing.

"Well, she helped me identify talent. I mean, REAL talent." He flipped his head up and saw the concerned face of Santana Lopez fill his vision. "Santana?"

"Y-yeah?"

"You've got it."

Her eyes widened a little. "W-what?"

"You've GOT it. You've got that talent to…go places."

Santana looked away, eyes still wide but lost in thought.

"Who knows," Kurt carefully began, "where this commercial could lead you?"

"You know, could lead US."

Kurt chuckled and looked back down. "Not exactly. You don't need Mercedes and me as your Pips. You could-"

"Yes, I do! You're dead, fucking wrong on that one Kurt. I DO need you! My star will NOT shine as bright if I don't have you guys! You and Mercedes are incredible singers! You and-"

"But you've GOT it, Santana."

She went silent as Kurt leaned in closer. He whispered, "The singing, the dancing, the stage presence… You could be a star if you want."

"A star…" Santana thoughtfully said. "A star…."

Suddenly, she brushed herself off, stood up, and offered her hand to Kurt.

"Reminds me of what I said about Dave." Santana said.

Kurt looked at her confused as he used her hand to stand up. He watched as she started heading towards the kitchen.

"What did you say?" Kurt asked.

She stopped and slowly turned around. One of the most gorgeous smiles Kurt had ever seen adorned her beautiful face.

"I said," Santana slowly, almost dreamily replied, "I could get used to that."

.

AN: THANK YOU FOR READING! :) MORE TO COME :) X3