ONE WEEK LATER

DANI'S POV

I have finally made it. After all the packing, planning and road tripping across the country, I have made it. I am in New York City. I pull up to my new apartment and get out of the car. I hand the keys to the valet. I just stand there for a minute to take in my surroundings. This is going to be great. I turn on my heel and head into the building. I take the elevator to the 23rd floor. Once I step off the elevator I walk down the hallway to the door of my apartment. I quickly make work of the lock and open the door. I see the piles of boxes around the apartment and I just start to smile. This is it. I am starting my new life in New York. I make my way through the apartment and see the large furniture already in its place. I stop at the large wall of windows and make my way out the sliding door onto my balcony. I stand there for a few minutes and take in the view. The sun is setting over the horizon and I let out a content sigh.

I pull out my phone and scroll through the contacts, I come across Santana's name and hit send. Santana and I have been in constant contact for the past week. We have really gotten to know each other. I really cannot wait to meet her. I am not ready to rush into anything. I want to take my time with her. I am cut out of my thoughts with Santana's smooth voice.

"Hey Dani! Did you make it to New York?" I can hear the excitement in her voice.

I smile, "Yeah. I just got in not even a half hour ago."

"How do you like it so far?"

I can't help but continuing to smile, "It's amazing. The view from my apartment is absolutely gorgeous. What are you up to right now?"

"I am on my way home from class. Currently walking down 5th avenue towards my apartment."

"5th and what?" I inquire.

"Uhh hang on," She pauses for a minute, "5th and 67th. Why?"

"You are right near my place. I live at 5th and 75th. If you wanted you could stop by. I could surely use some company while I unpack…but you know only if you wa-"

She laughs and cuts off my rambling, "Dani, I would love to. You don't need to be worried. Is it sooner than we expected, yeah? But, it's cool. I'd love to see you."

I smile to myself, "Ok. Well just head there, I live in fifth avenue apartments right across from the park. Just tell the doorman that you are looking for apartment 2301 and he will direct you."

"Ok. See you soon."

We hang up the phone and I start to panic. What did I just do? Am I ready for this? Oh shit. Santana is going to be in my apartment in less than 15 minutes. I quickly run over the bathroom and check myself in the mirror. My god, I clearly look like I just drove across the country. I would change but I have no idea what box my clothes are in.

Before I know it I hear a knock on the door. I swiftly make my way over and look through the peep hole. Damn. She is gorgeous. I slowly pull open the door. Santana and I are now face to face for the first time.

She smiles and me and lets out a small chuckle, "are you going to make me stand out here all night?"

My cheeks turn a little red, "I'm sorry. Yeah. Please. Come in."

She walks into my apartment and takes a look around the space. "Not as big as I would anticipate for a rockstar like you." She sets her bag by the door and begins taking off her shoes and jacket. I am just standing there awkwardly. She looks up from taking her shoes off and smiles at me. She stands up right and makes her way over to where I am standing.

"Are you going to hug me or what?" She quips.

The blush appears on my face again. I slowly take a step toward her and pull her into an embrace. I put my arms around her waist as she wraps her arms around my neck. Something about this feels right. We pull apart and just stare at each other. I take a good look at what she's wearing. Dark skinny jeans, black button up shirt, hair down and straight, and very little make up. She is just gorgeous. Then here I am in my old sweatpants from high school with an oversized crewneck with my blonde hair thrown on top of my head.

Santana breaks the eye contact and says, "It's finally nice to see you in person. FaceTime just wasn't cutting it."

I laugh a little, "I know what you mean. Let me show you around."

We take a quick tour of my apartment. After heading out to the balcony we wind up at my couch. I sit down first and she sits on the other end. We sit there in silence for a few more minutes just enjoying each other's company. The growling sound of my stomach growling interrupts us.

Santana laughs. I laugh along with her. I get up and make my way into the kitchen and check in the fridge. Jason had beaten me here, and I was hoping that he would have stocked up for me. The only thing in the entire kitchen is a bottle of wine.

"Well, I have a bottle of wine." Santana laughs.

"I don't think that's going to take care of the monster in your stomach."

I chuckle lightly. "What kind of take out do you like? I don't really know what's around here."

Santana pulls her phone out and starts dialing a number. She hangs up and turns back toward me, "It's the best pizza place in town. I just got a veggie pizza and a pepperoni pizza, that ok with you?"

"Yeah. I'm not too picky."

She smiles and walks over to me and pulls me into a hug. After a minute we slowly pull away. I look up at the taller woman and smile. "What was that for?"

She smiles back down at me, "I am just so happy to finally meet you in person."

"How long until the food gets here?" I question.

"Mmm. About 45 minutes. Where should we start first?"

I laugh at her excitement to want to help me unpack. I take a look around at the large number of boxes in this apartment. This is going to take forever. I am glad it is Friday and I have nowhere to be tomorrow. I just want to get this all unpacked in one shot.

"Why don't we start with the living room." I suggest. She just nods her head and grabs one of the boxes marked living room and carries it over to the couch. She takes a seat and opens the box. I follow her in carrying a box of my own.

"So, where do you live?" I ask curiously. She must live around here if she was on her way home.

"I actually live at 69th and Lexington. I normally take a different train home, but I wanted to walk a bit since it is nice out for it being winter and all." She replies.

"How far is that from here?"

"Umm, I would guess about a fifteen minute walk. Give or take. So, not too far."

I smile widely. "That's really awesome. How long have you live in New York?"

She looks up from sorting through the box, "I've lived here almost four years. I moved out here to go to school. I graduate in May."

By the time the pizza had come we get everything for the living room unpacked. I poured us both a glass of wine while Santana carried the plates of pizza out to the living room. I take a seat and flick on the television. While eating the food I begin surfing through the channels.

"So, rockstar, what should we do now?" Santana asks.

"I don't know. I'm kinda bored of unpacking. Want to hang out and watch a movie?" Santana looks down at her watch. "If you can't stay, I understand." I continue.

"No, it's fine. I just need to text my roommate and let her know I will be late so she doesn't worr-" She is interrupted by her phone ringing. "Speak of my roommate. I'll be right back."

SANTANA'S POV

I stand up and move to the kitchen to answer my phone. "Hey Rachel."

"Santana, where are you? I've been worried sick. You were supposed to be home over an hour ago."

I lightly laugh at her, she is such a mother, "Don't worry Rach, I am just at a friends. Don't you have Quinn there to bug?"

"That's not the point Santana. I was worried. Whose house are you at?" She questions.

"Yeah, about that. Dani just got in to New York today and she called and asked if I wanted to keep her company while she unpacked."

"What! That's awesome, Santana!" She squeals excitedly. "Well, I will see you later then. Don't have too much fun!" She hangs up before I can say anything else.

I chuckle to myself before turning on my heel to walk back toward the living room. As I am approaching I can hear the soothing sounds of a guitar being played and Dani's angelic voice. I stop walking and just listen to her sing.

"Well in this life you must find something to live for

Cause when the darkness comes a callin'

You'll go back to where you were before

Cause this life is

As fragile as a dream, and

Nothing's ever really

As it seems"

I take that break to enter the room again. "Sorry that took so long, she likes to mother me. She gets worried easily." I laugh out.

Dani just smiles at me and continues the melody she was playing on her guitar but stops singing. "I've never heard that song on your albums, is it new?" I ask while reclaiming my place on her couch.

"Yeah," she says, "just a little something I've been working on." She puts her guitar back in its place. "So, tell me about your roommate."

"Her name is Rachel. We went to high school together. We hated each other for the first few years, but she was there for me at the end of high school when I needed someone most. She moved out here to attend NYADA. I knew I wanted to study pre-law, and NYU had a program, so I came out here with her. We've become pretty close after the last four years."

Dani smiles, "That's really nice. I'm glad you have a close friend out here." She pauses, there is a slight awkward silence. Dani breaks it, "So, what movie do you want to watch?" She asks as she stands up to go to her collection that we had just put away.

"I don't care, surprise me." I respond.

She puts a movie into her Xbox and sits back down on the couch. She sat closer to me this time than she was before. She grabs the controller and hits play. She pulls the blanket off the couch behind her and covers herself, "Want some?" she asks. I just smile and nod my head. The Breakfast Club starts playing, she picked one of my favorites without even knowing it.

"How did you know this is my favorite movie?" I tease lightly.

She laughs a little, "I didn't. It's my favorite movie, too"

I shift and make myself more comfortable on the couch. Dani looks over at me and smiles. She shifts a little so she is closer to me. Before I know it I feel her hand on my knee reaching for my hand that is resting in my lap. I lightly grab her hand and hold it, rubbing the back of her hand with my thumb. She takes that moments to lightly pull me closer to her and put her arm around me, switching to hold my hand with her other one. We both were laughing throughout the movie and quoting our favorite lines. About halfway through the movie Dani leans her head on my shoulder and sighs contently.

The movie ends and I turn my head to look at her. Dani is fast asleep with her head on my shoulder. I try to move lightly without disturbing her to grab my phone off the table. She stirs at the movement and opens her eyes looking at me.

"I'm sorry," she says, "the ride must have worn me out more than I thought." She moves closer to me.

"It's alright." I say, "I was just checking the time. I should probably head home before Rachel starts to worry any more."

She unlinks our hands and stands up stretching. "Let me walk you out."

I get up and head towards the door. I put my shoes and my jacket on. Dani is standing right next to me. As soon as I am upright again she looks at my with a nervous smile. She takes a step towards me and pulls me into her arms. My arms rest easily around her neck. She pulls back, and looks into my eyes.

"So this is goodbye." I say lightly.

She smiles, "for now." She closes the distance between us, standing on her tip toes and rests her lips on mine. I feel a shock of electricity running through my body. I never want this kiss to end. Too quickly she pulls away. She grabs my bag off the ground and hands it to me. I smile at her and pull her in for another small kiss. We pull apart and I open her door getting ready to walk out.

"Bye Santana." She says, "text me so I know you got home alright."

I smile back at her, "I will. Thanks."

I walk away from her apartment and hear the door close behind me. I exit her building and start my walk home. I can't keep the smile off my face. The whole way I am thinking about that kiss. How perfect it felt. How her lips felt. It was just great.

Before I know it I am putting the keys into my door. I walk in and all the lights are off. I can only assume Rachel has gone to bed. I make my way into my bedroom discarding my jacket and shoes along the way. I pull out my phone to text Dani.

To Dani: I made it home. That kiss was amazing. Thanks for everything.

She quickly replies back.

From Dani: It sure was. :) Can't wait to do it again. Xx

With that I pull on my pajamas and lay down. I fall asleep smiling to myself thinking about that perfect kiss with Dani.

A/N – Hey everyone! Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate the feedback. I will try and get another chapter up as soon as I can. Please keep reading and reviewing. It means more than you know!

The song in this chapter was As It Seems by Lily Kershaw.