A/N: Thanks to all who favoured, followed, and reviewed. Those reviews made me smile. I got a private message about the nature of Santana's and Rachel's relationship. Their relationship is completely platonic. This fanfic is Faberry-centric and I've yet to decide if Santana will be with Brittany or not. I'd like to point out that in a lot of fanfics that I've read, Quinn seems to just turn over a new leaf completely and in a small amount of time. In my fic, she will be the bad guy in a lot of cases because she has a role she has to break out of and it takes a lot more than attraction to someone. She doesn't even understand her own feelings and that causes her to take it out the person that she's feeling this way about. It'll be going into depth and it will take a while for Quinn to change. Also, I want to focus on aspects of her religion because I believe that's a big part of this persona that she plays, so there's lots of good times and drama to look forward to. Her father put a lot of ideas in her head when she was a kid and he's barely been out of her life for a little less than a year. That's bound to stress her out. Enjoy.
Quinn couldn't sleep. She had been tossing and turning, as if every movement kept the depths of her mind from grazing her lips. She had a ghost in her head, lurking, waiting for her to slip up. She carried herself well, a stone mask that melted into Quinn's insecurity, and it had been working well. Well, up until Cheerios practice.
She had been walking onto the field when Coach Sylvester called her over. Santana stood by Brittany, both staring at her with a curious lit. She climbed the stairs and placed her hands on her hips. "Yes Coach?" She asked.
"I heard that you know something about cars." Sue started off. Quinn blanched. "So, in light of recent circumstances, I've decided that anytime before practice, you will washing all of the cheerleading squad's vehicles on your own time. Mine included." Sue grinned victoriously.
Quinn openly gaped at her superior. "But th-that's at least twenty cars." Quinn protested.
"Good. You can count. I'd never be able to keep you as captain without basic math skills." Sue smirked. "You are dismissed, Q." The cheerleading coach turned her attention to the squad and barked commands at them.
Quinn glared at the steel floor, then set off to the field. She kept wishing that she had slipped some poison in Santana's water bottle, but she'd have to think of another way to get even with the Latina. Practice seemed to be even more stressing to her since Coach Sylvester seemed hell-bent on making Quinn feel like shit about Rachel's car. It's not like it didn't come without perks either. Most of the people on the football team and her own Cheerios seemed to support her and were loyal to her now, if not before. But she still knew right from wrong. She was just as strongly a believer of Christ as she was a Cheerio.
Quinn rolled over onto her back and stared up at the ceiling. "God, what am I going to do?" She sighed. At least Kurt and her were able to practice their song, Just Friends by Amy Winehouse. She had been stressing about that as well, but she felt comfortable about how they performed together. Kurt seemed weird to Quinn. He didn't seem like one of those predatory gay males that her father use to talk about. She didn't know how she personally felt about it. Kurt was so nice, well, whenever he was in a good mood. He was just a fucking bitch whenever he was in any other mood. Her church was very outspoken against homosexuals, but her best friend Santana was gay, and Brittany was at least bisexual. They weren't devil worshiping scum as her church painted homosexuals as. In fact, Santana usually attended services at her own church. Quinn herself was a catholic while Santana was something else. She wasn't sure because they usually tiptoe around a religious topic. She didn't have an opinion on homosexuality, she supposed.
Kurt was talking about something earlier...something about Rachel's dad Hiriam. She had forgotten that Rachel had two gay dads. Was Rachel gay? No. She couldn't be. She had hung over Finn all of last year. But that didn't mean anything did it? She could be bisexual like Brittany, but Rachel had never mentioned anything about girls she liked. She always said girls were beautiful, but Quinn assumed that she meant it in the nonchalant, "girl power" way. These kinds of thoughts wouldn't stop bothering her. Rachel, Rachel, Rachel. She hated that name so much. She couldn't keep her name out of her head. Was it normal to be thinking about someone this much, especially when they're your enemy? She thought it was. She felt her mask slipping all the time, vulnerable, she guessed, as a label for her feelings. She hated feeling that way, like she couldn't control everything. She could and she would. Last year was a mistake, but this year, she can reclaim her throne. She could finally be happy and at peace with herself.
She turned onto her side, facing her bedroom window. She hoped that one day she could accept Rachel's offer of friendship. She felt something for the girl, she knew that, but she didn't know what, and uneasiness nibbled at Quinn's spine. The way things were going now, she kept feeling like she'd extinguish Rachel's flame or send her over the edge. The diva was going through so much right now and what Quinn saw today looked like a nervous breakdown. She felt a pang of anger and her chest tightened. She wanted to be angry at Rachel; she wanted Rachel to hurt her. She felt like a two hundred pound weight laid on her heart and it grew her anger. But she wasn't angry at Rachel. She couldn't be. She lied to herself and aimed her anger at Rachel when she was really furious with herself.
Quinn sighed and sat up in bed, looking out of her window. She didn't know why she was such an awful person. She always tried to reason with herself that an awful person wouldn't feel bad about all the stuff she's done, but for the most part, she hasn't felt bad. At least, only about Rachel was she having grief over. Rachel, Rachel, Rachel. She disliked that name. It was practically written on a small piece of her heart. Was it because she tortured her the most? Was it because Quinn had a weak spot? Rachel stayed with Quinn throughout her birthing process in the hospital. It shocked Quinn because she would've thought Rachel would stay behind with the others, considering how seriously she took show choir. She loved that about Rachel. The way Rachel's eyes would light up at the soft mention of a musical. She loved the way a song could make Rachel skip to her classes. Quinn loved music because Rachel's passion for it made her love it so. Rachel would go places, Quinn would make sure of that. But Quinn feared that Rachel would be stuck in Lima more than she feared that fate of herself. Rachel didn't need to live here in Lima with a husband, or wife, Quinn noted, and kids to take care of. No. She needed to be on Broadway living her dream, because God knows that Rachel has suffered for her dreams enough for her to be recognized. She was the most self-sacrificing and talented person, and if Rachel had to have an interview, she'd testify that.
She laid back in her bed, feeling resolved and satisfied for now, though it wouldn't be long until she woke and entertained such thoughts. Rachel would be okay, and that makes Quinn feel okay. It confused her, how connected they were yet how she desperately tried to cut it. Goddamn it, she had tried so many times, but she still had three strings connected to Rachel and it would be stupid to keep trying to sever the ties to her. However, Quinn was a great actress at hiding her feelings and she could ignore whatever she felt for-no, about Rachel. She couldn't keep the act up forever, but she could until high school was over. Then she'd be free. She'd be okay. Rachel would be okay. Things would be okay and Quinn wouldn't have to pretend to be someone she's not. Everyone could finally be okay and Quinn would no longer have to hurt them.
XXX
After practice was over, Santana was surprised to see Rachel's car still here. She saw the tiny diva reading a magazine and she knocked on the car's window. "Hey, Rae. What are you still doing here?" Santana asked. She glanced around the parking lot. The sun had set and it was about seven at night. She had reckoned that Rachel would be home by now.
Rachel rolled down the window. "Brittany told me earlier that she was getting picked up and her parents wouldn't be able to fit you all in their car, so I decided to take the task upon myself and drive you home." Rachel smiled.
"Rachel, I can't just make you wait for me after every practice." Santana protested weakly.
Rachel smirked and patted the passengers seat. "Well I waited, so don't disappoint me and just walk home."
Santana hung her head and scuffled her feet against the concrete. She took her seat beside Rachel and smiled whenever she saw the petite girl wearing a matching smile on her face. She put on her seat belt to quell Rachel's distress, then Rachel peeled out of the parking lot. The drive was peaceful and quiet, but not that it bothered either girl. It was a peculiar comfortable silence, leaving each girl to their own thoughts.
"So, uh, did you have a good practice?" Rachel smiled.
"It was alright. I got a charlie horse whenever I was running laps so my leg kind of hurts." Santana admitted. Apparently, she was wrong to bring it up to the diva since she started to freak a bit.
"You got the "charlie horse" because you don't eat right! You need a banana in you! Potassium is very important in maintaining a balanced nutrition which otherwise could lead to medical problems. As soon as I get home, I am planning out a well structured meal plan for you!" She reprimanded.
Santana stared at Rachel, the tiny diva's chest expanding to and fro. "I need a banana in me? I think you've forgotten that I'm a lesbian, babe." Santana smirked and bit her lip to keep from guffawing.
Rachel pouted. "You need to eat a banana! Your health is not a laughing matter! Must you be so crude?"
Santana howled with laughter, causing Rachel to pull her car over. "Young lady, I will tell your mother about your shenanigans if you keep it up!" Rachel threatened.
Laughter drowned out the music playing from the radio and Rachel swerved the car onto the road once more, the orange arrow switching from zero to sixty in seconds flat. Santana looked over to Rachel who had a determined look on her face. The grin instantly dropped from Santana's face. "You're kidding, right?"
Rachel didn't answer and instead pushed on the gas harder.
Santana sat back into her seat and tried to hold on to whatever she could find. "You should really slow down." Santana mentioned.
Rachel turned to her and glared, silencing Santana's words immediately. "Shush it, Lopez. I'm telling your mother."
Santana gasped. "Please don't. My mother expects me to be a good child. Don't talk to her about this." She pleaded.
The brunette shrugged. "It's out of my control." Rachel smirked and parked into the Lopez estate driveway. She shook her head. This was definitely not Lima Heights Adjacent.
She arrived at the lovely detailed cherry wood door just as Santana was running to catch up with her. She rung the doorbell and smiled at Santana.
"Please, Rae, I'm sorry. I'll eat a banana. Hell, I'll eat twenty bananas if that's what you want." Santana begged.
"I can't help that you didn't listen, so now your mother is going to take care of that business." Rachel said with a note of finality.
"Why are you being such an ass-" Santana started just as a middle-aged woman answered the door. She had a theme of blue and light green patterns on her shirt and black slacks. Her eyes were a glorious cocoa hue and her wrinkles fitted her face more than most people.
"Such a what, Mi'ja?" The elder woman asked Santana sweetly, but there was a warning tone in her voice as well.
"N-nothing, Mami. I'm sorry." Santana gulped.
"That's right. I'm sorry if my daughter was being rude. My name is Maribel Lopez, and yours?" She politely asked Rachel.
"I'm Rachel Berry." Rachel grinned and shook Mrs. Lopez's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance, Mrs. Lopez."
"Oh please! Call me Maribel. Please come in." Maribel replied.
"Thank you. Come along, Sanny." Rachel said as she followed Maribel inside. Santana begrudgingly followed after Rachel as she shut the door. They entered the living room. Rachel smiled as she looked at the décor in the room. It looked like there was a heavy tan and light brown color scheme, and the artwork that lay upon the walls seem to be very influenced by Hispanic heritage. "You have a lovely home, Maribel." Rachel said.
"Thank you." She beamed at Rachel. After Rachel turned her back to look at the wall, Maribel mouthed to Santana, I like this friend.
Santana face heated and she shook her head. "Anyways, Rachel if you could hurry up this conversation, that'd be nice."
"Ouch, Santana. I thought I was your friend." Rachel's face fell. She was putting on a show for Santana, but the young Latina needn't know that.
Santana instantly walked over to Rachel and wrapped her arms around the smaller girl. "You know I didn't mean it that way, you little faker." Santana smiled in amusement.
"How'd you know I was lying?" Rachel whined.
"Because I know you, Rae. I haven't known you for long, but I know you're kind of a bad actor. If I really hurt you, then you wouldn't have said anything." Santana replied smugly.
Maribel laughed. "Santana, you're such a teddy bear. Ven aca, Rachel."
Rachel stood there, not really sure what Maribel said. She hated high school Spanish because it was too formal and no actual Spanish-speaking person speaks like that anymore.
"It means 'Come here'." Santana chuckled and pulled Rachel over to the brown leather couch across Maribel who was sitting in the armchair. Rachel blushed and smoothed out her skirt as soon as she sat down.
"What is it that you wanted to express to me?" Maribel asked.
"Uh, well, Santana has a poor diet. I'm not saying that you don't feed her." Rachel quickly added. "I just think that Santana needs to have a more balanced lifestyle. She told me she had pulled a tendent in her leg and that's most likely from lack of potassium."
Maribel paused for a few moments. "Oh my, Santana. How did you get so lucky as to find this little gem?" She grinned, reaching over to squeeze Rachel's cheek. The diva blushed and sunk into the couch, embarrassed. "You seem like a nice enough girl. I'm glad you're looking out for my girl."
Rachel put her hands over her face and let out a tiny squeak. Santana wasn't fairing much better. A red tint could be seen on her cheeks and she tried to avoid looking at her mother. "Mom, please. You're embarrassing me."
"Oh hush. You're grounded for swearing in my house. I don't mind it for outdoors, but you will be respectable in this household. Do you understand, Mi'ja?" Maribel glowered.
Santana's lips formed a grimace and she nodded. "A week?" She asked.
Maribel nodded back. "A week. You can start by gathering the trash in all of the bathrooms while you leave me and your friend to talk."
The younger Lopez looked from her mother to Rachel and then she started to walked upstairs. "Don't worry, Rachel. I'll be back soon." She smiled somewhat unsure.
Rachel blew quietly and sat up, momentarily cursing herself for acting so bashful and rude as guest in Santana's home. "S-so what would you like t-to discuss?" Rachel asked.
Maribel stared at Rachel, assessing her from head to toe. "What are your intentions with my daughter?"
"Well, we are just friends. I do not wish to pursue past that." Rachel assured her.
The silver-streak haired woman chortled. "Thank goodness. You both seem to have a questionable relationship. All of the gestures, very romantic. I wondered what happened with Brittany and Santana." Maribel explained.
Rachel's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "My God, no. Santana is very beautiful, and perhaps if I was not already in love, I would pursue her, but nothing beyond friendly feelings will happen between me and your daughter. I wasn't aware that you knew Santana was gay."
"Santana is-" Maribel balled her hands into fist and pressed them together "closed. I could never go to her to talk about it because then she will withdraw from me even more. She will have to take her time and tell me. A mother always knows." Maribel sighed sadly. Rachel tried to give a supportive smile and she put her hand over Maribel's.
"Santana is, she's a smart girl. She's very lucky to have an open-minded mother like yourself. Does your husband know?" Rachel asked.
Maribel nodded. "Yes, of course. However, her abuela doesn't know, and that's how it'll remain for now. I have reason to believe that she will not understand Santana as much as her mami and papi do."
Rachel sighed at that. "I don't understand how it is such a bad thing. You're gay, big deal. It honestly doesn't turn a person into a goddamn cannibalistic goat. I have two gay dads and I seem to have turned out pretty well." Rachel growled. She put her hand over her mouth. "I am so sorry that I have been a poorly-mannered guest in your home since the point of my arrival."
Maribel waved her hand and scoffed. "You've been lovely dear. I'm glad that you are very passionate about this. It feels good to be able to talk about this. I've never really had anything to do with homosexuals, not that I've purposefully avoided them. I'm not sure how to go about this. How do I talk about sex with Santana? Is Antonio suppose to threaten any dates she brings home?" She ranted.
"Antonio?" Rachel asked confused.
"My husband." Maribel explained.
Rachel nodded. "Ah. I can help with whatever you need to learn about. I can look up some resources online for you whenever I get home." Rachel offered.
Maribel smiled and wiped a tear from her eye. "I'd appreciate that greatly. I just, I just don't want Santi coming home crying and stay locked up in her room. I know that she's hurting and I think I know why, but I never know what to do. I don't want to add to her hurt."
"It'll be alright, Maribel. Santana loves you very much. She just needs some time. Plus, she's got me, and I'm pretty great, huh?" Rachel joked. Rachel's smiled reflected onto Maribel's as Santana was coming down the stairs.
"God, you guys look wrecked." Santana chuckled weakly, concerned for her mother and friend. Maribel rose and wrapped her arms around Santana tightly. Santana returned the hug after a few moments and buried her head into her mother's shoulder. Rachel smiled and wiped away some stray tears. She missed her own dads, but they wouldn't be home for a while, at least three or four months though she lied to Santana and told her two weeks.
Santana pulled away from her mother and pressed her lips against Maribel's forehead. "I love you, Mama."
"I love you too, Santi." Maribel smiled and hugged her daughter again, shorter than before.
"I think I'm going to go home. I still need to eat dinner and take a shower." Rachel mentioned after the little family moment was over.
"Nonsense. It's been a while since Santana has had a friend over and I want you to taste my cooking. Best in all of Lima." Maribel declared.
Rachel shook her head. "I couldn't impose on you guys."
Santana smiled and ruffled Rachel's hair, soliciting a "hey" from the diva. "Oh shut up Tiny and eat some of my Ma's bomb cooking."
Maribel gave Santana a pointed look and Santana's shoulders sagged. "I'm sorry, but please stay. You've never been over before, Rae." Santana whined.
"Alright, Lopez. Impress me." Rachel sighed and then looked at Santana with a smirk. She leaned up into Santana's ear and whispered, "And you didn't think that I was a good actor."
She skipped along Maribel into the kitchen while Santana folded her arms across her chest and scoffed. Maribel had been cooking before the teens had arrived and finished just as the door bell rang. She cooked red beans and rice with some type of beef. It was embarrassing to explain to Maribel that she was a vegan, though Maribel didn't mind at all. She ordered vegetarian pizza in place on dinner. Whenever the pizza delivery girl showed up, Rachel offered to pay, but Maribel slapped her hand away as well as Santana's hand because damn, she was hungry.
Santana decided to put on a musical, her mother fond of them as well. She wanted to please the two most important women in her life, besides her Brittany of course. They were watching West Side Story and she thought of Quinn. It was comforting to Santana that Rachel was seeming to be more acceptable of things since Santana's been around, but Quinn was a force to be reckoned with. Quinn's behavior has blew Santana's mind time and time again, but it's not until recently that it's set her on edge. Quinn seems to have grown more...more involved in Rachel's life to the point where she threatens Santana that she'll find out Rachel's "secret" one way or another. It's not necessarily a secret, in Santana's opinion, anyways. Rachel always stares at Quinn like she's the goddamn Mother of Sex or whatever. So maybe Santana's a little jealous, but she has a right to be, or maybe she doesn't. She's only been friends with Rachel for a short while, but it's felt longer than that. Damn that teenage nostalgic-like memory. Rachel was Santana's friend and Santana would protect, even from the girl her friend loves. That was another questionable thing about Rachel, and perhaps Quinn too. Santana imagines that they'd be such a cute couple together and everything, but Quinn wasn't gay, and she didn't want Rachel to depend on Quinn to be her lover. She needs to find a way to get Rachel over Quinn, but it's hard to stop loving someone, and sometimes you don't stop.
The movie was over and she saw Rachel and Maribel asleep on the couch. She smiled and pulled a blanket over the sleeping nerds. She started to clean up the living room, putting up the veggie pizza in Ziploc bags just as keys rattling stirred outside, and then the door opened. Her papi was home.
"Hey, beautiful girl, where's your mother?" Antonio Lopez asked as he kissed his daughter's forehead.
"She fell asleep watching a musical. Oh, uh, my friend Rachel fell asleep too so I guess she's going to stay over for tonight?" Santana proposed.
"Your friend?" Antonio questioned. He knew he was verging on uncharted lesbian territory, but he needed to know if he needed to threatened his little girl's girl.
"Yeah, my friend?" She asked more than stated, since he confused her with his mimicked question.
They shared an unknown tensed stare and left to look at the sleeping girls on the couch.
"Your friend is pretty. Her name?" Antonio smiled.
"Her name is Rachel." Santana replied, beaming at her father. He doesn't really approve of most of her friends, so it meant a lot that he instantly likes her little star.
"As in Berry?" He turned to her, as if looking at her would answer his question.
Santana's voice took on an uncharacteristic high tone. "Yeah.."
"Good. She's talented, smart, and a nice young lady." Antonio said after a few brief moments of silence.
Santana let out a breath of air that she didn't know she was holding and she grinned. Rachel began to stir and starting whining, "Qua-Qua..." Santana didn't know what she was saying, but she had a pretty good guess. She walked over to Rachel and lifted her up.
"Do you got her? I can carry her up if it's too much." Antonio offered and Santana shook her head.
"Nah. Cheerios practice has helped a lot with holding people for long periods of time." Santana chuckled as she slowly carried Rachel up the stairs. She walked to her room and struggled to open her door, but she managed and laid the sleeping girl onto her bed. Santana missed her cuddling times with Rachel. She shook her head of those thoughts and smiled. She pulled back her blankets and sheets, changed quickly, and laid in bed with Rachel.
Beautiful orbs of brown peeked open slowly and then landed on Santana. "God, you're lucky I like cuddling, you big softy." Rachel whispered and closed her eyes again.
Santana kissed Rachel's forehead and closed her eyes as well. "You're one too, meanie. Goodnight, Rae. Sleep tight."
"Don't let the bed bugs bite." Rachel smiled and drifted back into a peaceful, dreamless slumber.
XXX
"Sin equals O over H, then Cos is.." Mrs. Hillsby droned on in a nasally high voice. Santana just wanted a few more moments of sleep, but she knew she needed to pay attention otherwise Rachel would be nagging at her about her grades. Brittany was trying to help keep Santana awake, but she was too distracted by worrying about Quinn. All Brittany had been thinking about all night was Quinn and what she could do to help Sanny and Rachie. She even consulted Lord Tubbington though he didn't have much to say on the matter except that they shouldn't be acting so stupid.
Brittany leaned back in her chair and blew out slowly. She was usually very perceptive, but she couldn't tell how Quinn exact feels. It's like Quinn's a fading dot on one of those radars. It seems like she'll get as close to Rachel as she can and then turn right back around. Quinn was good on the inside, Brittany knew that, but she couldn't say that most people weren't afraid of Quinn. She had a very intimidating person, plus she was so beautiful. She could understand why Rachel loved Quinn. Quinn had a soft side. She loved anything dealing with art or music, but she'd never let that show. Beyond the harsh practices, Quinn also loved cheerleading. It was too an art, but many never saw it that way. Quinn did. Rachel had a lot in common with Quinn, Brittany supposed. Rachel is just more goal-oriented whereas Quinn doesn't have a clue what she wants to do after school. Brittany thought about that too. Rachel was determined to not let anyone hold her back, even someone she was in a relationship with. Perhaps Brittany could help Quinn set her sights on New York? There was a prestigious school there, but she had forgotten the name of it.
"Hey, B. It's time for out next class." Santana pulled Brittany out of her thoughts.
"Oh, sorry." Brittany giggled. "I was daydreaming."
"It's okay. Let's go." Santana smiled and led the slender blonde out of the classroom. The walked down the school corridor to Rachel's locker and walked Rachel to her class. They all parted ways as Santana and Rachel had class together that period.
"How are you fairing today, Santana?" Rachel smiled and sat down beside the raven-haired girl.
"I'm doing good, Berry. How 'bout you?" Santana replied politely.
Rachel's smile grew. "I'm doing excellent. I have achieved a ninety-eight in Calculus!"
Santana lifted her head up and hugged the diva tightly. "That's great! I'm proud of you."
"Thanks. We had a quiz today and I had forgotten that I didn't have any pencils here at school and Quinn let me borrow one. She actually let me borrow a pencil from her." Rachel exclaimed, actually excited at the notion that she borrow a pencil from her love.
Santana bit her lip. "About Quinn..." She started and then the smile from Rachel's lips fell.
"What about her?" Rachel urged Santana on.
Santana hesitated. "She's, well, not gay, and she's not exactly the best person to have a crush on. I think that you should try to-to get over her." Santana winced, waiting for Rachel to react, but she relaxed when the shorter girl seemed to be lost in thought. It was a little eerie, as Rachel was usually never this quiet unless she was asleep or angry.
"I can see your logic behind this, and believe me, I'll get over her someday, but why force it? I say just let it run freely. It's not like my feelings are requited. I understand that I won't be with her, but I'd like to keep dreaming for now, okay?" Rachel said in a hollowed, low whisper.
The taller girl nodded and patted Rachel's back in a comforting manner. The girls decided to keep the table silent for that period, both lost in their own thoughts. Santana was right. Quinn was nowhere near gay, and Rachel should give it up. However, Rachel didn't want to, obviously, but she knew she should. Rachel sighed. Another was heard beside her. Santana understood. Santana loved Brittany just as strongly as Rachel felt about Quinn, but Rachel had to realize that Quinn was her unrequited love. She could move on. But she didn't want to.
The bell rang and Santana held onto Rachel's hand, linking pinkies with Brittany as soon as they stepped outside of the room. They walked down the hallway, not quite sure what to say to each other.
"So how was class guys?" Brittany grinned.
"It was alright. We just had to take notes." Santana replied quietly.
"Yeah, it was okay." Rachel added which made Brittany instantly frown, confused by the detrimental attitudes that both girls were exhibiting.
Brittany scoffed. "You guys would be great to bring to a party." She left the two girls by themselves, needing to think alone for right now and she didn't want to be negatively influenced.
Santana put her hand over her face and sighed. "Shit. I pushed her away." Santana growled and kicked one of the bottom lockers. Rachel pulled her back and hugged her, nuzzling into her chest.
"It's not your fault. Brittany wasn't upset. Perhaps a bit snarky, but she wouldn't have just left like that if she was mad. She likes confrontation." Rachel reasoned. Santana nodded and relaxed her tensed shoulders, wrapping her arms around Rachel's tiny waist.
"Thanks, Strawberry." Santana weakly smiled.
Rachel rolled her eyes. "You can do better than that Auntie Snixx." Rachel smirked and quickly ran into her class. Santana followed her and snorted.
"At least Auntie Snixx is badass. Not that I can say that about you, Strawberry." She smirked.
Rachel pouted. "Shush! You need to get to class. And I am too badass."
"Oh yeah, a badass really pouts as much as you do." Santana retorted. Rachel let out a breath of annoyance which only caused Santana to laugh and she started to shake. "Oh my, that scared me! You're too badass." She joked.
"Get to class, Lopez." Rachel growled.
Santana smirked and kissed Rachel's head. "Sure thing Chica. By the way, that was a nice meow." She patted Rachel's shoulder and then left the classroom.
Rachel shook her head and smiled despite wanting to be angry at the cheerleader. "Such a little nerd." She uttered and started to listen to her teacher's lecture.
XXX
"So guys, who's going to go first for their duets?" Mr. Schuester asked his glee club. Quinn didn't want to be the first so she made sure to glare at Kurt to keep from raising his hand. Mike and Tina decided to go first singing Still Into You by Paramore. It made Rachel smile. They are really a great couple, she thought. Next, Brittany and Artie sang Let Her Go by Passenger. It confused both Rachel and Santana as to why they chose that song, but it was a nice rendition nonetheless. Finn and Puck went, then Mercedes and Sam. The only people left were Santana, Rachel, Quinn, and Kurt. Mr. Schue announced that they could go on Monday if they were adamant that they did not want to perform today.
He released the glee clubbers and Rachel strolled out into the barren hallway with Santana and Puck. "So are you guys still coming to my party? 'Cause it would be kind of difficult to throw a party in your honor and you not be there." He smirked.
Rachel grinned and raised and eyebrow at Santana. "I don't know. Santana?"
"Hells yeah! I've been waiting for a classic rager at Puckie's." Santana grinned.
Puck high-fived the taller girl while the tiny diva rolled her eyes. "Children, please. I need to go get ready if we're going to party."
"I'm picking out what you wear." Santana told Rachel seriously.
Puck nodded in agreement. "It's not that your style is bad," "Yes it is." "Shut it, San. It's not that it's bad. It's just not party material."
"Oh forget that. I'll surprise both of you." Rachel scoffed. "So I'll pick you up at six then, Santi?"
Santana nodded and smirked slightly. "You better make me orgasm when I see you or we'll spend the next hour changing your clothes."
"Must you be so crass?" Rachel squeaked and her ears and cheeks flushed pink. Santana shrugged as they walked out of the double doors.
Puck made his way over to Quinn who had been "admiring" the trophy case throughout Rachel's conversation. "So baby mama, you coming?"
"Coming to what?" Quinn asked innocently.
"Oh you know." Puck laughed. "My party. You coming?"
Quinn shrugged. "We'll see. Is this another attempt to get me to sleep with you because last time that didn't end too well." She joked.
Puck's smile fell off his face at the mention of Beth. "Uh, n-no." He quietly replied and then put on a fake smile. "But there's going to be a little brewsky; vodka, whiskey, even some fruity shit if you like that."
"Sure, I'll come, but I'm not drinking." Quinn smiled lightly and waved goodbye to Puck. She walked outside and climbed into her car. She glanced at Rachel standing next to Santana by her car. Quinn narrowed her eyes. She didn't like Santana's close proximity to the small brunette. It...bothered her, to say the least. Santana wrapped her arms around the diva, Quinn tightened her grip on the steering wheel. Santana planted a kiss on Rachel's cheek and that had Quinn speeding out of the parking lot, narrowly missing Santana's car.
"Goddamn it, Fabray." Santana yelled after Quinn. Quinn sped faster, clenching and un-clenching her jaw. She smiled a little bit after pissing off Santana, but her unknown anger still remained. She rushed home to put on her "party clothes". If Santana was going to the party- with Rachel- then she was going.
XXX
Rachel finished putting on her makeup and finally put on her strapless black dress that hugged her hips and stretched mid-way down to her thighs. She put on matching black heels and she shook her head in front of the mirror, making it look messy, but sexy. She locked up her house and then drove over to Santana's house. She rung the bell and a man, she assumed Antonio, Santana's father, answered it. "Hello, Rachel. Please come in."
"Thank you, Mr. Lopez. Is Santana ready yet?" Rachel questioned politely.
Antonio chuckled. "Call me Antonio and not to my knowledge." A crash came from upstairs. "She's dropped that hairdryer or the billionth time today."
Rachel's nerves seem to relax after not being interrogated by Antonio as she had with Maribel. Speaking of Maribel, she entered the living room as soon as Rachel thought of her.
"There you are. It's been so long." Maribel smiled and hugged Rachel.
Rachel tried to cover up a laugh by coughing. "It has quite literally only been a few hours, Maribel."
Maribel waved a hand of dismissal. "Nonsense. It's been an eternity."
Rachel giggled and leaned against the wall. She made idle conversation with Antonio and Maribel as Santana came down the stairs. Santana's jaw dropped when she saw Rachel and the same could be said for the diva. "Holy shi-" "Santana!" "Sorry. It's just, wow." She murmured, her brain short-circuiting.
"You don't look too bad yourself, hon." Rachel smirked. She was honestly proud of her own voice now shaking. Santana was dressed in a dark maroon dress, split to where a tanned leg could be seen. And goddamn did that leg look great. It hugged all of Santana's curves, which made her father uneasy, but her friend's mouth water.
Santana scoffed. "Let's go before I die of dehydration because I am thirsty." Santana winked at Rachel which caused the tiny girl to blush.
"Don't get into too much trouble." Antonio yelled, still edgy about Santana's dress. His wife smirked and slapped the back of his head. "What the hell, mujer?"
"Let them have fun. They only have this moment for a short while and then they're adults." She smiled wistfully and kissed Antonio's cheek. He watched Rachel and Santana get into Rachel's black Prius and grinned a little.
XXX
"You almost made me orgasm in front of my parents, Berry. That was hitting below the belt." Santana pouted.
Rachel shrugged. "I told you that I'd surprise you. Plus, I told you that you'd amazing too." Rachel added with a cocky tone.
"Shut it, you." Santana huffed and crossed her arms.
Rachel grinned and patted Santana's shoulder. "It's payback, bitch."
Santana's eyes widened a little. "Did Rachel Barbra Berry just swear?"
"I do that sometimes, Santana." Rachel rolled her eyes.
Santana snickered. "So inappropriate, my dear."
Rachel sighed. "Kids these days."
"Hey! I'm not a kid!" Santana protested. Rachel grinned at her and parked on a lawn near Puck's house since the street was crowded with cars. "Sweet! Time to party! Follow my lead, darling." Santana smirked and got out of the car.
Rachel followed Santana outside. She felt like she dressed too formal, but Santana didn't say anything about it. Puck greeted them at the door. Well he was about the say hello when the approached him, but he looked like he was seeing God. "Oh my God." He whined and snapped out of his momentary daze. "You both look amazing! You really did surprise me."
Rachel smirked. "It's all in the technique of being a woman, Noah."
Both Santana and Puck rolled their eyes and followed Rachel inside. "Okay booze is in the ice chest by the fireplace, food's in the fridge, bathroom's down the hall, and that pretty much covers it. Oh, and no hanky-panky taking place in my Ma's or my sister's rooms. I locked them both so that only leaves my room and the basement. My room's obviously already reserved so if you guys can contain it to you guys' car, then that'd be great." Puck smirked. "Let's get this party started!" He yelled.
Rachel followed Santana to the ice chest since she couldn't exactly hear Santana over the booming music. Santana passed a small bottle of Jagermeister to Rachel and pulled out a bottle of tequila for herself. She guided Rachel into Puck's kitchen where it was less crowded and she provided herself and Rachel with matching shot glasses.
"Really, naked women?" Rachel laughed when she saw the artwork on the shot glasses.
Santana shrugged and fill her shot with her choice of alcohol, then Rachel's with the small Jager's liquid. "The ladies are pretty hot, huh? Much like yourself." Santana flirted and winked at Rachel.
They both downed their shots just as Rachel's face flushed with embarrassment. Rachel's face contorted into a sour one. "Ugh, this is not my preference." She laughed. Santana smiled and filled Rachel's shot with tequila.
"There you go. Try it." Santana urged.
Rachel downed the glasses and turned it over, slamming it down on the counter. She grinned. "I like that one much better."
Santana laughed as they mounted the bar stools, taking shots in a fluid movement. Fuck what Frankenteen said. This drunk-like Rachel wasn't clingy at all. She was funny, relaxed, and kind of flirty. A cocktail of greatness in Santana's opinion. However, she followed Rachel's line of sight whenever Rachel didn't respond to her question.
Quinn had came into the kitchen. She wore an olive green dress, much like Rachel's where it stopped at her mid-thigh, but a lot to see in Rachel's opinion. She had a white cardigan over her dress that perfected her look. Her lips seem to perk in the corners when she saw Rachel's befuddled expression. Rachel silently reprimanded herself and turned to Santana, trying to shake dirty thoughts of Quinn out of her head. "Hit me." Rachel commanded Santana.
Santana quickly filled up Rachel's shot glass. "Maybe you need to slow down, Blueberry. I thought you were going to drive."
Rachel downed her drink. "Can't you?" Her words had a tinge of desperation in it and it made Santana feel guilty, though she knew it was not herself to blame, but Quinn. Santana nodded and refilled Rachel's glass.
"Hey guys. Didn't think you both would be at the party." Quinn quietly uttered and smiled at the both of them. Rachel's movements stopped, but at least she stopped openly gaping at the blonde. Rachel felt like a toddler trying out words for the first time, but she couldn't speak.
Luckily, Santana spoke for her. "Yeah, well, we're here and we kind of want some privacy." The Latina growled.
Quinn's lips perked up into a smug smile. "Oh, well my apologies. I didn't know that you had something going on with the dwarf."
"She doesn't!" Rachel spoke quickly. She looked from Quinn to Santana and back again. "Not that the notion is absurd, but me and Santana have strictly platonic feelings for each other and I already admire someone else so for me to be romantically involved with a person that I do not feel that way about would be reckless for both of us and also painful in the long run." Rachel ranted.
Santana frowned at Rachel's alias Quinn gave to her and shook her head while Quinn knit her eyebrows in confused. So that's her secret? That she likes someone? Quinn thought to herself. "Is that so?" Quinn's mask slipped back into place and she grinned maliciously. "Then who is it, huh? I'd like to know."
"I don't believe it's any of your business, Tubbers, so leave Rae alone." Santana stood and face Quinn.
Quinn looked Santana up and down, then gave Rachel the once over. She faced Santana once again. "Don't bet on it." Quinn smirked and left the kitchen. Santana fell to her seat, exhausted. She looked over to Rachel who seemed to be upset.
"Are you okay, Tiny?" Santana asked softly.
Rachel looked up to Santana with glassy eyes and smiled. "Yeah, I am."
"No you're not. Come on." Santana grimaced and pulled Rachel into the living room with all the other teens. It smelled like sex and puberty. Perfect, Santana thought.
Rachel sighed. "San, what are you doing?"
"Slow dancing with my girl." Santana smirked and pressed her body against Rachel's, setting both of her hands on Rachel's hips. She slowly moved across the "dance floor" with Rachel as Rachel clasped her hands around the back of Santana's neck.
Rachel blushed. "Your girl?"
"Yeah, my girl. You're important to me, and I don't want to see that beautiful face contorted in pain." Santana whispered.
Rachel smiled and gazed into Santana's deep brown eyes. "Big words. Perhaps I'm influencing you too much." Rachel teased.
"Just a little bit." Santana teased back. She kissed Rachel's forehead, leaving her lips there for a few moments and then pulled back. "Don't let Quinn get to you. You'll get over her. I'll try to help you, but I can only do that if you want me to."
"I can do that." Rachel quietly replied and laid her head onto Santana's shoulder.
From afar, Quinn watched the sickening scene take place. She felt guilt from making Rachel upset, but she didn't think that Santana would be as twisted as to play with Rachel's heart. Quinn swore that she wasn't jealous of Santana, but deep down, she knew she was. However, she didn't want to admit that yet nor did she want to even think about it. She had figured out she was jealous as she was putting on her dress. It nagged at her again when she was putting her hair up. Quinn leaned against the doorway and imagined herself in Santana's place. She felt fluttering in her stomach and she touched her lips. She felt herself smiling and she replaced her smile with a stony thin line. Her mask was back in place, but that didn't stop her from daydreaming.
Quinn twirled Rachel and then pulled her back, slowly waltzing with the beautiful brunette. Rachel smiled, her white elegant teeth showing, and it made Quinn stop suddenly, her being mesmerized. "Hey baby mama."
Quinn turned to Puck with a slight pout and an annoyed look. "What do you want?"
"Nothing, just wanted to see if you were having a good time." He smiled, putting up his hands in defense.
Quinn quirked an eyebrow. "Yes, my idea of a good time is having drunk kids fumble over me."
Puck smiled. "Good, I'm glad you're having fun then." He left and went to party with some of his football teammates.
Quinn rolled her eyes and smiled, her eyes still tracking Santana and Rachel who had apparently given up slow dancing and went to grinding. Quinn tensed and moved uncomfortably in her spot. Both Santana and Rachel confessed that they weren't seeking anything beyond friendship, but it didn't fix Quinn's knotted stomach. It was like all the butterflies in her stomach were killed and tied together with three-string ropes. Rachel's back was pressed against Santana's front, slowly grinding. It caused Quinn to look around and stop herself from vomiting. She narrowed her eyes towards the duo and she made her way onto the floor, fuming. She pulled Rachel away from Santana harshly and she glared at Santana. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" Santana demanded.
"Me? What about you? I thought you guys were "just friends"." Quinn sneered.
Rachel pulled back from Quinn causing the blonde to look at her, but Rachel's fiery eyes caused Quinn to step back. "Quinn Fabray, I have had enough of you for one night. For you to endlessly call me names and have your minions slushie and harass me is one thing, but to take out whatever issue you have with me on Santana is unacceptable. Do not mess with her again. Do as you wish with me, but not her." Rachel snapped.
Both Quinn and Santana seemed to be in awe from the diva's commands. Quinn nodded, apologized, and then rushed out of the room. "Go follow her." Santana urged gently. Rachel nodded her head and quickly ran after Quinn as fast as she could in high heels. She ran and ran until she found Quinn in a gazebo in a nearby park. As she quietly approached Quinn, she could hear sobbing.
"Quinn?" Rachel whispered.
"Go the fuck away, Treasure Trail!" Quinn screamed. Rachel pushed on and sat beside Quinn, unsure of how to comfort the normally stoic blonde.
"I won't go Quinn. I'll be here until the last day of senior year and then I'll be gone forever, out of your life. I won't be an obstacle in your life anymore." Rachel sighed. She stood to leave and then Quinn suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.
And the words that broke Rachel's heart were "Please don't go, Rachel."
"I won't Quinn. What's wrong?" Rachel asked as she sat down. Quinn's eye makeup ran down her face in the shape of black tears.
"I don't know. I thought I knew, but everything is so confusing. I'm afraid. I don't know why, but I'm afraid! It makes me angry because I don't know why, and because I get angry, I get scared of myself because then I can't recognize myself and I am so sorry, Rachel. I never meant for you to be the victim of my bullying, but you were just an easy target. That doesn't excuse my behavior and what a piece of shit I am, but I am so sorry. Rachel, please forgive me." Quinn confessed, burying herself into Rachel's side.
Rachel wrapped her arms around the sobbing girl and quietly hushed her. "I forgave you along time ago Quinn." The blonde looked up at her, her nose running which almost made Rachel giggle, but she contained herself. "I don't blame you. You yourself were caught up in something I suppose you didn't understand at the time. I wanted to be so angry at you." Rachel admitted, but Quinn listened to her with rapt attention although her heart was hurting. "I thought I hated you. I use to dream of hurting you as much as you had hurt me. But I couldn't no matter what. I don't know if I'm a masochistic, insane girl who loves it when you hurt me, but I don't hate you. I never have and I never could."
Quinn's cries started again as she clung to Rachel's dressed muttering "Thank you" over and over. Rachel smiled as tears streamed down her own face. She wiped at her eyes and laughed despite the tense moment. "Quinn, please accept my offer of friendship. I can't bear the thought of you hurting as much as you are now and me not knowing about it. Let me be your friend, your confidant. Anything you want me to be." Rachel added, slightly blushing at the last part.
The blonde straightened herself out, her face flickering with so many emotions that Rachel thought that someone else had taken Quinn's place. "I-I'd like that, Rachel," Quinn paused. "But what about my reputation? I need to be on top. I know what it's like to be on the bottom, and I don't want that again. Besides, I need you to get out of this town. I couldn't live with myself if you were the reason that you were held back in Lima."
"Quinn slow down. We don't have to act like friends at school, but texting and outside of school, I'm all yours. What's this me staying in Lima business?" Rachel questioned.
Quinn sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You're so much better than the losers here, better than me. You have to get out of here. No one wants it as much as you do and no one deserves it like you do. I don't want you to stay here and get tied down with a husband and three kids, slaving away with a desk job."
Rachel laughed which caused Quinn to frown. "For one Quinn, I'm gay. Though I have expressed interest in men before, I am not attracted to them anymore. So, I'd have a wife and three kids, which I in fact want, but I will be on Broadway one day. I can wait for my dreams, and why would I be stuck here? Even if in the slightest chance that I don't make it to Broadway, I'm still going to go to New York and make something of myself." Rachel got that faraway look in her eyes which Quinn had to admit that she loved. A platonic love, of course.
"So you're saying that I don't have anything to worry about anymore?" Quinn asked.
Rachel nodded and smiled at Quinn. "Of course, Quinn. Not about me. I'm happy that you've been protecting me, even in a weird, somewhat twisted, way."
"Yeah..sorry." Quinn grinned sheepishly and nudged Rachel with her elbow. "So what now?"
Rachel scooted closer to Quinn. "Whatever you want. Though, I do hope you seriously consider my offer. I'd rather be making you smile than worry with a frown." She chuckled somewhat awkwardly.
Quinn laid her head on Rachel's shoulder. "I'd like that." She closed her eyes while Rachel held her breath.
Oh my God. She's got her head on my shoulder, Rachel thought to herself. In a matter of minutes, Quinn had fallen asleep. Rachel texted Santana to help her carry Quinn to her car, but their search resulted fruitless. "Her mom dropped her off." Santana answered Rachel's mental question. "You wanna take her home?" Santana winked and Rachel's face flushed a bright pink.
"Shut it, San. Help her into the backseat of my car. Text her mom and tell her she's sleeping over at my place." Rachel said, irritation fighting through her veins. They made sure they had everything and got into Rachel's car. They stopped at Santana's for an extra set of clothes, some small Ziploc bags of vegan pizza because Maribel insisted, and then they stopped at Rachel's house. Santana frowned, trying to remember something, and when she did, she dropped Quinn onto the couch in the living room, startling the blonde.
"Where are your dads, Rachel?" Santana questioned the diva. Quinn looked around frantically.
"Where the hell am I, Santana?" Quinn yelled.
Rachel put her hand to her hands. "We took you to my house because I didn't want your mom to drive at midnight to come get you and my dads won't be back for a few months, probably not until we go to Regionals." Rachel sighed.
Santana clenched her jaw. "Why didn't you tell me? You lied to me."
"We weren't friends then and I didn't want you to freak out. Besides, I can handle myself. My dads send me money from Seattle every weekend for living expenses." Rachel explained. "Quinn, I have some extra clothes up in my room that may fit you. Santana, can you please lead her the way?" Rachel asked.
Santana nodded after seeing Rachel's exhausted expression. She quietly led Quinn up the stairs and led her to Rachel's room. She opened it and followed Quinn inside. Quinn's face broke out into a smile and blushed whenever she caught Santana staring at her curiously. "Um, where are the clothes that Rachel mentioned?"
Santana shrugged. "Dunno. Check her dresser. She keeps pjs in there and such." Santana replied, sitting on Rachel's bed. Quinn opened a drawer and her whole face turned pink. "Oh, that's her underwear drawer, Quinn."
"Yeah, I've got that." Quinn squeaked and immediately closed the drawer. She looked in others and picked out a baby blue matching two piece outfit. She took off her dress and quickly put on the pajamas. Figures that Rachel would have a fucking cuddly-ass sheep on a pair of pjs. The cheerleaders walked downstairs and found a sleeping Rachel on the couch who had put on a movie and heated up some pizza for the girls. Santana laid on one side of Rachel and Quinn on the other. Though Quinn felt out of place, she felt much better when Rachel decided to cuddle up to her. Santana laid a blanket on all three of the girls and laid her head on Rachel.
"Don't hurt her, Quinn." Santana threatened lowly.
Quinn smiled at Santana's protective nature. "I won't. Not again."
A/N: Fucking long ass chapter man.