Being British I had to do a lot of research using google maps for this chapter! Any inaccuracies are totally my fault. Thanks to RivergronLover yet again for her help! Best unofficial beta ever?! Maybe I should make you a medal, Ned.

This chapter is named after a song by The Summer Set. I chose it just for the title of the song, not the lyrics.

Disclaimer: I own Glee and all the characters (except Tina. She had to go and be awkward), McDonalds, all polar bears, and your soul.

Chapter 10- Girls Freak Me Out

"Oh... My... God!" Santana sputtered out. She clutched at her sides which were hurting from laughing far too much. Taking in a jagged breath, she desperately tried to calm down. The task seemed impossible. She settled for hitting her friend on the arm before managing to blurt out a single word, "Mia!"

Mia laughed, "It's not my fault I'm so hilarious!"

"But..." Santana tried to get the final giggles out of her system, "It was a freakin' walrus!" Suddenly she erupted into further laughter, tears beginning to form in her eyes. Unable to control herself she rolled onto her back on Mia's floor, gasping for air.

Mia looked on grinning, "Whenever you're ready, yeah Lopez? Your sushi is totally getting cold..."

After a moment, Santana composed herself enough to feebly glare up at her friend, "Very funny Mia."

"Don't go dissing my humour now. 5 seconds ago you were all like, 'Oh my god Mia you're so funny and amazing and brilliant. You're the best person in the world.' Don't even try to deny it."

Santana narrowed her eyes, "I did not say any of that!"

"I read minds, you were thinking it. Every word. Now here, have your disgusting cold fish in a rolly thing."

"I still do not get how you can't like sushi. It's like food of the gods." Santana said, stuffing her face. "And I'll have you know this is called a California roll."

"Santana... Chew then speak. Yeah?" Mia raised her eyebrow before giggling, "Also, a California roll? I know we're in California but come on... Massive cliché."

"Oh shut up and eat your totally lame food!"

It had been two weeks since Santana and Mia had gone for pizza after cheer practice and Santana was pretty sure she could now class Mia as a firm friend. Although she loved hanging out with Brittany, Puck and Mike (when he wasn't being super awkward around Brittany that is), it was good to have a different set of friends in her life. Now when Brittany went to dance practice Santana didn't have to be a complete loser and sit in their room watching her boxset of 'The OC' all alone. She'd tried to rope Mia into watching it with her but her friend had point blank refused.

Whilst Santana had mainly hung out with Mia, she'd also spent a little more time with Heather and Tara too. She found herself no longer having a slight feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach when she thought about going to cheerleading practice. After all, as well as having her new found friends around, things with Quinn were slowly improving. The other day during a 5 minute conversation with the blonde, Santana had only thought about Florida 10 times which was a definite improvement. Santana found herself grinning as she realised that 2 times a minute was certainly her new record, and while it wasn't perfect it was a good start.

She was brought back from her thoughts by the sound of Mia coughing, "Earth to Santana..."

"Oh! Sorry! What did you say?"

"I said... It's Heather's birthday soon and she's just text me. Apparently she's decided to throw a last minute party on Saturday. Everyone on the team is invited. You're coming, yeah?"

"Yeah, of course!" Santana smiled, noticing her friend had put an unusual stress on the word 'everyone', "Why wouldn't I?"

"No reason..."

Santana raised her eyebrow, "Spit it out, shortie."

"I'm like 2 inches shorter than you!" Mia glared, "Stop distracting me from my point, Lopez. Look... Promise you won't get mad?"

"Hey! I have a tendency to get mad and go all big and green, it's not something I can control." Santana said seriously, pulling her best Hulk face.

Mia laughed before saying, "I'm serious!"

Santana's features softened, "Oh. You really are serious. What is it?"

"It's just... Look, I can't help but notice that when we're at practice there's sometimes this weird atmosphere between... Well, between you and erm... Quinn."

Santana stuttered, "Erm... No. Not at all." I clearly haven't been half as ninja-like and sly as I thought I had been...

"Nice try. Look, I'm not asking what the problem is. That's your business. It's just that Heather said she's inviting everyone and I know she and Quinn get on pretty well so I wanted to give you a heads up."

Santana smiled softly, "Thanks Mia but I promise I'm cool with Quinn. Yeah we have... I mean had, a slight problem but it's, erm, sorted now. Come on, I see her three times a week anyway! A party is no big deal."

"Oh God! Brittany! A party is such a big deal!" Santana sighed as she flopped down suddenly on her head. The impact causing her iPod to fall onto the floor, "Look! Even Barry has committed suicide at the thought!"

Brittany followed Santana's gaze to the floor, "Barry?"

"Yes. Barry the iPod."

Brittany laughed, "Firstly, Barry? Seriously? Secondly, a party is not a big deal!"

Santana groaned, "Don't you remember tequila-gate?"

"God, yes. I probably remember it far better than you do. But that party was completely different. Besides, aren't you and Quinn better now?"

"We're civil..." Santana paused for a moment. "No, we are better. We talk in practice, nothing major, but it isn't ridiculously painful."

"Well there you go! I call that progress!" Brittany beamed.

Santana chuckled softly before rolling her eyes, "Alcohol though..."

"Alcohol does tend to bring out your erm..."

Santana snapped her head in Brittany's direction, "My what?"

Brittany cleared her throat and said quietly, "Inner bitch."

"I totally heard that Pierce. You suck at whispering. And I'm a bitch all the time."

Brittany laughed, "Sure you are, you big softie." Santana leapt to her feet, closing the gap between her and Brittany with 3 long strides, "You don't scare me Sannie. You're adorable. Tucking me in with Miss Fluffington and telling me bedtime stories when I hear funny noises in the dark and can't sleep."

Santana huffed and pouted, "Just don't tell anyone."

"Your secret's safe with me, cutie." Brittany grinned, before sending a wink in Santana's direction.

Saturday seemed to come around far too quickly for Santana's liking. She hung up the phone, having just received another pep talk about the party from Rachel. As much as Rachel could irritate her sometimes, she couldn't help but wish her best friend was in San Diego with her. She missed her, and although she hated admitting it she really loved her best friend. Santana made a mental note to hassle Rachel to come and visit soon, hearing her voice was way more irritating when she couldn't squish her in a big hug at the same time. Eurgh. Squish? God I am getting soft with my old age.

Santana picked up her bag, ready to go. As she opened the dorm room door she turned around and pouted at Brittany, "I can't believe you're not coming with me, Brittany."

"I told you, I'm hanging with Mike tonight."

"I know. I still can't believe he agreed to see you... alone." Santana wiggled her eyebrows as she emphasised the last word of her sentence. Over the past two weeks Santana had been trying desperately to get information out of Brittany about her situation with Mike. The mission had not been all that successful. All Santana had managed to ascertain was that Brittany missed Mike. As if she didn't already know that...

"Oh shut up. We've talked more this last week and besides he wants to see some new geeky movie and he knows Puck won't go with him."

"Since when do you like geeky films?"

"Oh, I don't. But I totally fall asleep when I see a movie anyway! It's so warm and comfy..."

Santana giggled, "And really freakin' loud? Wow, Britt... You'll be, erm, great company. Mike is one lucky guy."

"Oh just go. Enjoy your party full of hot cheerleaders." Brittany joked.

"They're not all hot..."

"No. Just Quinn and Mia, right?" Brittany said, smirking.

Santana closed the door, taking a step towards Brittany, "Whoa, Pierce! Back it up! We don't talk about Voldemort like that, remember? Voldy is super ugly, like a dog that looks like it's been hit in the face with a baseball bat. Plus, totally noseless. And I have never said Mia is hot!"

Brittany ignored Santana's rant about Quinn, instead focusing on the last sentence, "Yeah, but she totally is hot. Actually I don't know if hot is the right word for her... No, she's super cute. Yeah, like, ridiculously adorable. Like, erm, like a cross between Zooey Deschanel and that new girl on Doctor Who."

"Doctor Who? Geek alert. I can tell you've been hanging out with Mike more. Also, that was without a doubt the gayest sentence I have ever heard you say. Go hit on her if you think she's cute then Captain Semi-Gay. Although I'm not sure she swings that way."

"What? She totally swings that way! What is wrong with your gaydar? Come on. She's cute, Santana. Admit it."

Santana stuttered before re-opening the door, "I... I don't... I really don't see why I need to admit anything!" She cleared her throat, "Right, I'm going. Have a good time on your 'date' with Mikeypoos."

As the door closed Santana heard four words echo down the corridor, "It's not a date!" She smirked as she walked out of the front door of their building. Serves her right. What was all that shit about Mia? It was totally like she was trying to imply... No... No. Absolutely not. Mia's my friend. I mean, yeah, she's definitely cute. Not that I've noticed... And Brittany is wrong, Mia doesn't swing that way at all. And bringing up Quinn like that? Totally not cool. Even if she isn't noseless. Thinking about it, her nose is really adorable. Argh! God! I hate my brain!

Taking a moment to find her bearings, she began to wander across campus. Heather lived in a swanky coastal apartment, which Santana was fairly sure was paid for entirely by her loaded parents, so since the beach was a stone's throw away it had only been logical that Heather had decided on a beach party at La Jolla. Santana had no clue exactly how far away the beach was from Warren College, where she lived. She had been before, obviously, but Brittany had always insisted on getting a taxi there. Santana figured this was due to her friend's laziness and she was sure it couldn't take long to walk there... after all, the taxi drive always seemed pretty short.

Once she decided which way to go she set off purposefully. However, after 10 minutes of walking she started to wonder if her plan was wise. She hadn't exactly managed to get very far in 10 minutes... She paused, considering ringing Brittany for directions. Shit, she'll be on her way to the movies with Mike. I can't ring her. Santana weighed up her options, she knew she was heading in roughly the right direction but it seemed to have taken her longer than she had figured it would just to get as far as the UCSD bookstore... I guess I could just ring a cab, get them to pick me up from there. No... It can't be that much further, surely?

"Santana?"

Santana recognised the voice instantly. Slowly, she turned around, "Quinn. Hey."

"Are you on your way to Heather's party?"

"Yeah. I didn't know you lived around here."

"I'm in Sixth." Quinn said, pointing behind them, "I figured La Jolla can't be that far to walk to."

"That's what I thought too... But ten minutes later and I'm already thinking I might have been wrong."

"Ten minutes?" Quinn grinned, "What have you been doing? Walking around in circles?"

Santana laughed, "No, I'm at Warren... The college that is stupidly far away from other things."

Quinn smiled warmly, laughing too, "It's not that far!"

"Ok... I may have got a little lost." Santana admitted, blushing slightly as she looked at the floor.

"You've been here for a month now!" Quinn giggled, "Do you still get lost?"

Santana stuttered, "I... My sense of direction isn't the best... It's not my strong suit. Besides, you don't know how to get to the beach either!"

"I totally do... I think..." Quinn looked around, "It's definitely this way. Yeah, we get to Revelle and that's just over there," Quinn said, pointing, "and then... well, we just walk in a straight line down the shore, pretty much. I'm sure it's not far."

Santana narrowed her eyes, Quinn's tone of voice didn't fill her with confidence, "We could just get a taxi from here..."

Quinn widened her eyes, putting on her best shocked face, "Santana Lopez! Do you not trust me?"

Santana couldn't help but laugh at the absurd face the blonde girl was pulling, "If that's your best shocked face then all I can say is it's a good job you're not majoring in drama..." Quinn pretended to be offended before Santana continued, "Anyway, I did not say that I didn't trust your directions! But it might be a long walk and, well, you didn't exactly sound certain!"

"Come on. I'm sure I'm right!" Quinn instinctively grabbed Santana's hand, gently pulling her in the right direction. The contact of their skin caused both girls to tense up. However, within seconds the blonde dropped Santana's hand, blushing furiously. Suddenly, her face fell to the floor awkwardly, "I... Sorry."

Santana smiled softly, "It's ok. I promise. Jesus, Quinn. We're in the same cheerleading team; we're going to have to have physical contact. Chill." Ok... Deep breath. It's not a big deal, it was just her hand. It's not like it completely reminded me of when we first met and she grabbed my hand before dragging me along the beach... Right before we had coffee and then had the best kiss ever. No. Nope. Not at all. Never.

Although Quinn returned Santana's somewhat awkward smile, she took a deep breath before responding, "Sorry. Yes. Erm... Right, it's this way!"

"Ok then, blondie. You're in charge!"

The two girls walked along and, ignoring the awkward hand-holding moment, Santana had to admit their conversation was much more relaxed than it had been before. After another ten minutes, just as Quinn had predicted, the girls passed Revelle College. A cocky smirk appeared on Quinn's face, "Told you!"

"Oh fine, you were right. But now I've been walking for 20 minutes... How much further?"

"Now we're off campus I swear it must only be like ten minutes down the coast."

Santana nodded, "Ok then, I guess it hasn't seemed that long anyway."

"Duh. That's because I'm excellent company." Quinn looked down the long road in front of them, "You know, California looks nothing like they made it look in 'The OC'."

Santana laughed, "Well that's because Newport is like an hour and a half in that direction!" Santana pointed behind them then span around in a circle looking confused before pointing in front of them, "Or... that way?"

Quinn cleared her throat, a grin appearing on her face. "Erm... I think you'll find it's that way" She said, pointing in a completely different direction to Santana, "And I know that 'The OC' was set in Newport but still... totally different."

"Tijuana is closer than Newport though, right?"

Quinn raised her eyebrow, and put on her best serious face, "Whoa, Santana. Tijuana is a dangerous place. What happens in Tijuana does not stay in Tijuana. Did you not learn anything from Marissa?"

Santana laughed, "Fair point, Q. I don't fancy a drug overdose anytime soon. Man, I love 'The OC'."

"Who doesn't?!" Quinn said, with far too much enthusiasm, "I mean Seth and Summer are like the cutest thing ever!"

"I know, right?! Thank god someone around here finally gets it. Everyone refuses to watch it with me! My boxset just sits sad and lonely in the corner. I can practically hear it crying at night."

Quinn laughed, "Poor boxset. Well I'll totally watch it with you."

"Yeah?" Santana looked surprised. Did Quinn just sort of suggest we... hang out?

"I mean... only if you want to. I'm just thinking of the boxset, you know? Trying to spare it from more pain. Although we'd have to stick to the first two seasons... Season 3 isn't great and I like to pretend season 4 doesn't exist."

"I understand that. " Santana nodded seriously, "Except I have to watch season 4 sometimes... you know... for closure."

Quinn sputtered slightly, putting her hand in front of her mouth to try to stop the laughter rising inside her, "Closure?"

Santana glared, "Oh shut it, blondie. I'll watch that season alone."

Another 15 minutes passed, although Santana barely realised, and the two girls seemed no closer to their destination. Time with Quinn was passing quickly, the only indication that she had been walking for so long was the slow, dull ache that Santana could feel in her feet. She heard the soft beep of her phone and swiftly pulled it out.

"Mia's text me wanting to know where I am. Hang on, I'll reply and tell her what I can see. Maybe she'll know how far away we are."

"Oh... Mia. Cool." Quinn paused, before clearing her throat, "No, yeah, that's a good plan. I have to admit this is taking much longer than I thought it would."

Santana began typing back and within a minute she had a response. As she opened up Mia's latest text she began laughing. Quinn raised her eyebrow, clearly puzzled, "Erm... Is everything ok?"

Santana controlled her laughter, "Oh god Quinn. We're still half a fucking hour away!"

"And that's funny?!" Quinn said, clearly exasperated.

"It kind of is when you think about it! Mia says we're idiots." Santana smiled, "Oh come on, Q. It is pretty funny. Fuck this, let's get a taxi."

Quinn began to smile, "God my feet hurt. We really are idiots."

"Totally. You know I said we should get a taxi right at the start but you said you knew what you were doing, Miss I'm-Super-Good-With-Directions." Santana stuck out her tongue as she began to dial the number for a taxi.

5 minutes later Santana and Quinn arrived at their destination. As they got out of the taxi, Santana couldn't help but roll her eyes at Quinn, "Who would ever have thought that getting a taxi would be easier, huh, Q?"

Quinn playfully pushed her, "Oh shut up, at least I know how to get across campus!"

"Low blow!" Santana's expression changed into one of hurt.

Quinn saw the hurt in Santana's eyes and panicked, "Oh... I'm sorry. I, I didn't..."

Santana grinned, "Gotcha, blondie."

"Santana! Finally!" Mia ran towards them, quickly enveloping Santana in a big hug, "I was worried about you."

"We were fine." Quinn said suddenly, almost snapping, "We were just walking together. It was actually pretty fun right Santana?"

Santana looked up. Am I going crazy again or is Quinn acting a bit... weird? "Yeah, I have to admit you made that walk much more entertaining than it would have been if I'd been on my own."

Mia looked directly at Santana, almost completely ignoring the fact that Quinn was stood right next to them, "Well I'm glad you're here now, Santana. It wasn't the same without you."

Mia is totally ignoring Quinn... I mean, that was actually pretty rude. Why do I feel ridiculously awkward right now? Is Mia pissed with Quinn? Oh god, is it because she said she'd noticed we were awkward together at practice? "Erm... Thanks! I am pretty awesome so obviously everyone missed me."

"Come on, I have to show you something! You're going to love it!" Mia grinned, grabbing Santana's hand.

Santana looked back at Quinn, whose gaze seemed to be focused on Mia, "Ok... Erm, I'll see you in a bit Quinn?"

Quinn looked up, hesitated for a moment and then smiled at Santana, "Yeah. Oh, and remember we need to arrange our OC date. I'm looking forward to it."

Santana's stomach lurched. Did she just say date? No. She didn't mean it like that. Stop freaking out. You and Quinn are going to be friends, which is a good thing. Definitely. "Yes. Yes we do. Text me or something."

"I will." As Quinn spoke Santana couldn't help but feel like her tone of voice seemed different somehow.

"Come on, Santana." Mia pulled at her hand gently, "Bye Quinn."

"Yeah... Erm, see you soon, blondie." As Mia guided Santana away from the crowd of people, Santana couldn't help but look back. Slowly, her head turned and she was met with hazel eyes staring back at her. As her eyes fixed on Quinn's, Quinn quickly turned away looking somewhat embarrassed to have been caught looking her way.

Santana shook her head. What just happened? Am I going crazy or were Mia and Quinn totally not cool with each other? Girls are complicated. No, I must have been imagining that because they're fine together in practice. Yeah, I'm definitely going crazy.

"You ok, Santana?"

"Erm... yeah! Yes, Mia. Everything's fine." Santana smiled. Everything's definitely fine... I think.