A/N: Just a short update. Please take into account that these two have had dozens of conversations that were intimate and not shown in the story. Thank you to those who lurked in the shadows until now, coming forward with signed reviews. They are appreciated.
Santana had turned the corner only seconds before she heard her name being screamed from blocks away. Finn ran to catch up to her, holding a big gulp in his mitten covered hands.
"Hey, Rach, can I talk to you for a sec?"
She stopped, scanning her surroundings before nodding at her ex-boyfriend.
"Look Rach—I know I've been a jerk to you lately but I was just mad. And when everybody found out you'd gotten with a girl, I was just so …embarrassed. The guys wouldn't stop hounding me about how I wasn't man enough and how my girlfriend left me for a chick. I just lost my cool and I needed my space. And I didn't even know what they were planning at the bowling alley—I wouldn't have let them do it if I had."
He stopped rambling long enough to rub the back of his neck, his cheeks burning red more from shame than the brisk air.
"Look, Rachel, I know it was a mistake and maybe we can give us a try again?"
She looked at him incredulously, pulling her hand to her hip.
"I never claimed that it was a mistake, Finn. I did it because I wanted to and I'd appreciate it if you don't assume that I will just crawl back into your arms—again!"
She turned to walk away, stopped by the hand that darted to out to pull at her bent elbow.
"So you're gay now? That's it?"
"What I am is none of your concern, Finn, now let go of me!"
He was looking at her with that imbecile look on his face.
"Come on Rachel, we both know that's not true."
She snatched her arm away from his grip then, angry that he was being so dismissive.
"I'll have you know, Finn, that I am actually seeing someone right now and I am quite happy with the progress of our relationship."
He was smirking at her.
"Who is it then? I'm sure there aren't any single lesbians at McKinley—"
"You don't have to worry about that, Finn—"
"It's because there isn't anyone, come on, I'll walk you to school."
She flinched away from him, upset that he was trying to force the issue.
"I have no reason to lie about this, Finn, let alone to you."
He backed away from her, suddenly angry.
"So you're a dyke now, Rach? Whatever."
"Don't ever call me that again!"
"Why, what are you going to do? Sick your imaginary girlfriend on me?"
There was a group of lettermen jackets approaching them from a few blocks away.
"It doesn't matter anyway, Rach. It wasn't like I stayed honest either."
She flinched away from him, as if slapped.
"What does that mean?"
"I was just waiting until you put out. It's cool, I could easily go back to Santana again if that's all I'm looking for."
She furrowed her brow.
"What are you talking about?"
"It means that I had sex with Santana—so run back to your fake girlfriend for all I care."
The lettermen jackets had sauntered up to Finn, egging him on about throwing the slushy at Rachel. He looked so angry, angry enough to cry, but he threw it at her anyway, walking away from her while the hockey players patted his back. She stood, shivering where she stood; first wondering why Finn would be drinking a big gulp in fifty degree weather. In the seconds later she grew livid.
The logical part of her brain was telling her that Finn was obviously lying, that he was aiming to hurt her feelings. But he didn't know about her and Santana, he didn't know how much something like that would hurt her, especially since the night before. She knew she shouldn't let the obvious lie bother her as much as it was at that moment. Her mind was racing with thoughts of why he'd say it; why he would bring Santana's name into their conversation like some wildcard he'd been holding without her knowledge. Santana had never gone into detail about who she messed around with, and Rachel knew if she probed she'd probably get honest answers. She knew that Santana was far from innocent; but she also knew that she was also a virgin. She knew if Finn and Santana did have sex, he would have known her dirty little secret. And if he did he would probably assume that no one else knew either. And maybe Santana had done this all before. Maybe she was just using her for sex. It had happened before to her—the humiliation of being played for a fool in front of the entire school. She felt outraged, disappointed and melancholy all at the same time. She was speeding toward the High school, making a beeline to Santana's locker.
000 0000 000
She hadn't expected Rachel to actually show up at the bleachers during their lunch hour but she did. Santana thanked the Gods for Rachel's easily forgiving nature as she sat down quietly beside her.
"I didn't know if you'd gotten my text… I know your phone probably got wet—"
"I buy prepaid cell phones and switch out the cards…it's easier to just bejewel them instead of buying nice things to have them destroyed."
They were quiet for a while, before she opened her mouth to speak, Rachel interrupted.
"Why should I believe anything you are about to say?"
Santana was immediately offended.
"And why should you believe anything that Finnocence told you?"
"You aren't helping your case, Santana."
She rolled her eyes as Rachel began to speak.
"I'm used to getting my hopes up only to crash with the let down. I'm used to the slushy facials and the back handed insults. I'm so used to the practical jokes and the harassment. I've even gotten used to the constant embarrassment. I don't know what to think anymore—I'm just so tired of never being able to let my guard down."
"I can't believe you actually believe him over me! I mean true I did some messed up shit to you in the past—but I do messed up shit to everybody! I didn't have sex with him, Rachel. Given we fooled around but I didn't do what we did last night with anyone other than you; ever. And what I did do with Finn was at Sue's orders—for my reputation. Call me stupid for wanting to keep my rep—but don't accuse me of lying to you because I didn't."
"When did it happen?"
It was a quiet question, one she wasn't sure she really wanted to know.
"It happened way before you and the jolly green giant got together that's for damn sure. And I gave him a blow job—that's it; not that it matters. Why does everybody point to me when something goes wrong? When their boyfriends go missing? And you of all people," she shook her head, "I don't even know why I care; this was your stupid arrangement, not mine."
She stood, stopping only when Rachel pulled her hand down toward her.
"But you do care?"
"Isn't it obvious, Rachel? I came here to make amends for something that you shouldn't even be upset over. You got mad because you thought I hadn't told you the truth when you're the only person who knows anything true about me. Why would I mess that up?"
She sat back down, leaning her elbows on her bent knees, her head sideways, eyes staring directly into hers.
"Sex isn't dating Rachel. But sometimes I honestly want this little friends with benefits to be something else."
"Santana… you're not going to ask me to be your girlfriend now are you?"
Santana smiled.
"Of course not. But can we just do us… and stop worrying about everything else?"
"What does that mean?"
"I'll be honest with you. I still don't want the entire school to know what's going on in my life. We can deal with all the titles and the official stuff after the surgery."
"You're surgery is in June, though, isn't that a long time to hide this?"
She shrugged.
"We were doing fine this week—and I love coming up with insults to throw at you when I pass by your locker in between classes."
She smiled at her.
"They don't sting that much now that I know you really just have a crush on me."
Santana rolled her eyes.
"Whatever Berry. We have to come up with a way to get back at Finn."
"I don't engage in plots of revenge."
"Bullshit you don't! He isn't going to get away with this."
"What do you suppose we do?"
Santana smiled a knowing smile, and Rachel knew that she was in store for something devious.
A/N: I'm updating like I'm supposed to. Next chapter deals with the plot to bring Finn down a few pegs. Also- Pezberry lemons: new positions (I'm evil) and all kinds of fun smut.
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