As Quinn watched Santana walk off it reminded her of when she walked off on the brunette three years ago. It was different though… it hurt her to do it and she knows it hurt Santana a lot more.
Five years earlier
Eleven year old Quinn could not wait for cheerleading camp. Brittany was staying over the night and they were both going together. It had been around a year since the two blondes saw their other best friend Santana. She had moved away for her dads work but she was finally back and they were going to see her tomorrow. Quinn has overwhelmed with joy. They talked every week on the phone but to be able to see her and touch her was going to be so much better.
Quinn had never stopped thinking about the kiss that happened between them a year ago at summer camp and she wondered if Santana remembered it also or if she thought about it. Quinn hoped she did.
"I can't wait to see Santana tomorrow" Quinn tells Brittany as they lay together staring at the ceiling
"I know Q… you told me that like five minutes ago" Brittany replies.
"Oh" is all Quinn manages to say. The girls say their goodnights and turn to sleep. Quinn has trouble that night and can't get the image of Santana out of her mind but finally sleep over powers her mind and her eyes finally stay closed.
The next day the two blondes are in their cabin putting away their stuff. They are there for a week and Quinn thinks she may have over packed though she thinks Brittany under packed. As Quinn helps Brittany put her stuff away they hear shuffling at the door and Quinn whips around to see who enters the cabin.
If you knew people that were also coming to camp you could request being bunked with them which is how Brittany and Quinn got together though Quinn thinks her mom pulled some strings. They both put Santana's name down but knew they would be bunked with two people. Hopefully Santana was one.
Unfortunately it was a Chinese looking girl who walked in. Quinn smiles politely but went back to helping Brittany. Then she heard it… the most beautiful voice she had ever heard.
"Hey. Told ya we'd be together here didn't I"
Quinn spun around so fast she almost fell. For a few moments she couldn't move. The Latino still looked the same, though her hair was a little longer but she was still beautiful as ever.
"Well am I going to get a hug?" Santana asks as Brittany moves to the side after hugging her. Quinn smiles and composes herself as to not run and leap into the brunette's arms.
"I missed you" she whispers as she throws her arms around Santana's neck 'God she smells good' Quinn thinks, hoping she didn't say it out loud.
"I missed you more" Santana whispers back.
Quinn was glad she was bunked with Brittany. It meant she could see Santana on the other side as they were both on the bottom bunks.
The girls did their activities and duties during the day and could not wait for night time. It was supposed to be quiet and wind down time but it never was. The three girls would sneak out and sit by the lake watching the stars and dreaming of how their future would be.
The third night was different though. It had been a big day and Brittany had crashed early so Santana and Quinn decided to head to the lake alone. There was an old row boat on the bank and the girls never thought about taking it out as they knew it wouldn't hold all three of their weights. Seeing as though there were only two of them they decided to give it a try.
"Can you swim?" Santana asks Quinn. The blonde looks mortified
"Why are you asking me that?"
"Well just in case it sinks or something" Santana says trying not to giggle at Quinn's reaction
"I hope so. There aren't any sharks in the lake right?" the blonde asks
"I don't think so. But just in case we fall in. You should probably swim fast" Quinn starts backing up away from the boat. Santana laughs slightly grabbing the blonde's arm
"I'm just playing around. It will be ok I promise. I won't let anything happen to you" Santana says with a warm smile, the blonde smiles back slightly and helps the Latino push the boat into the lake.
They row out into the middle and put the ores in. Quinn is holding onto the sides with dear life and Santana has to look away because she can feel laughter about to come out and she doesn't want to upset the blonde.
"It's beautiful out here isn't it" Quinn says through slightly clenched teeth
"It is beautiful" Santana says looking at Quinn. The blonde notices and blushes slightly. Santana moves over closer to Quinn which causes the boat to rock.
"S, what are you doing?" Quinn asks scared and holding onto the sides even tighter. Santana hushes her and takes her hand.
"It's ok" she whispers as she leans in and kisses the blonde gently on her lips. Quinn closes her eyes and melts into it.
"I've been looking forward to doing that since our lips separated last year" Santana says pulling away. Quinn smiles shyly looking down
"Me too" she whispers. Just as Quinn leans in again for another kiss Santana pushes her down and lays on top of her
"Shit" she whispers loudly.
"S, what are…" the blonde starts to say but is interrupted by the brunette's hand covering her mouth. Just as Santana holds a finger to her own mouth ushering the blonde to be quiet Quinn hears voices in the distance. It's only other campers but they stay down and Santana smiles before leaning down and kissing the blonde.
The rest of the four days consist of the same. All three girls sit by the lake and watch the stars talking about their future before heading back and waiting for Brittany to fall asleep. Then Santana and Quinn sneak out, take out the boat onto the lake and make out.
Quinn reveals her real wishes for her future to Santana on the last night
"I plan on marrying you when we are out of school Santana Lopez" she says smiling. Santana holds her hand and looks into her eyes
"It would be my honor" she responds to the blonde.
The girls lay in the boat holding each and watching the stars before heading back to the cabin and falling asleep together in Quinn's bed.
Santana is picked up first. Quinn tries hard not to cry but with Santana being back in Lima she knows she will see her again before next year's camp. They say bye and Santana kisses Quinn on the cheek before leaving. Brittany and Quinn are left and sit down awaiting Quinn's mom.
"You two are cute together" Brittany says out of nowhere. Quinn is shocked and stutters trying to say something
"WH…What… What are you talking about?" she asks scoffing and looking away
"Q, come on. You don't think I fell asleep the same time every night do you?" Brittany giggles. Quinn turns back around stunned by what she is hearing
"Why didn't you say anything?" Quinn asks. Brittany shrugs her shoulders
"Because I don't care. You are both my best friends and I knew you would tell me when you were both ready" Quinn smiles and hugs her best friend
"I love you Brittany" Quinn whispers
"I love you too Q" Brittany responds.
The next year is the same, though Santana and Quinn don't hide it from Brittany anymore. Plus there was one other big difference. That year was the first time the girls actually 'slept' together. They were only 12 but the girls were in love and they both knew they would never regret it. They were so comfortable with each other it just felt natural. They even had a laugh when Brittany asked if they used protection because she was too young to be an aunt.
The following year after that also had another big difference… but not a good one.