A.N.: Ready for round 2? I think this time around there's going to be more focus on showing the Pezberry friendship since it was kind of just implied the last go round. Also Santana has a brother, I like the idea of her as a protective big sis.
Disclaimer: Do we even need these anymore?
Santana finally replied the next morning after a run that was really just an excuse to hit up the Lima Bean for coffee.
iMessage: How about we make use of that pool I scoped out at that mess of a party you threw? I needs to work on my tan.
Rachel's reply was swift which annoyed the Latina who had just put down her phone in favor of grabbing the drink carrier full of coffees for her and the rest of her caffeine addicted family.
iMessage: Don't be dramatic, Santana. My party wasn't any more of a mess than the ones that Noah usually throws. Unfortunately my pool will be getting its seasonal maintenance done, but maybe we could take a trip to the mall instead?
Santana wasn't sure about a trip to the mall. Spending time with Berry at the girl's house because she's bored and lonely was one thing, but actually being seen with her in public is something completely different. Without the other Glee kids around it'd be hard to explain to anyone that might see them why one of the most popular girls in school was hanging out with Rachel 'ManHands' Berry on a Friday night.
Santana realized the more she thought about it, the less she actually cared. The Glee kids would probably always be annoying and get on her nerves, but they were their own little twisted family. Even though she would never tell them, Glee club really was the best part of her day and the other members are a part of the reason why that's true. Even Rachel.
iMessage: Boo! I'll pick you up at 7.
By the time Friday rolled around, Santana had done almost every activity she could think of to try and cure her boredom. She even let her little brother show her the basics of his new shooter game and they played until she was able to beat his ass in a 1v1.
Even though it just started, this was shaping up to be the most boring summer Santana's ever had. That's why when the alarm on her phone alerted her that it was 6PM and time to get ready to get Rachel she hopped out of bed at the prospect of something happening.
Santana texted Rachel she was parked outside at 7:10PM. She forgot she had to fill up her gas tank before driving to the other side of town. Rachel opened the door looking more casual than Santana had ever seen her. She had to remind herself to keep her jaw shut and not gawk at the girl.
The relatively short walk from the front door to the c-class Benz parked on the curb still gave Santana ample time to take in the usually conservative girl's outfit. The Glee diva had on a pair of blue skinny jeans with several rips that were placed to show off just enough skin without being considered a dress code violation. Rachel had paired them with an oversized graphic tee that was French tucked into her pants. The most shocking piece of the outfit were the black chelsea boots the smaller brunette was using to add three more inches to her overall height and made her legs look like they went on for miles. Even though it was pretty much the same outfit she currently wore, except for a pair of Adidas Superstars instead of boots, Santana was still impressed by the style change.
Santana didn't trust herself to say anything as Rachel got into the car, and if she was privy to Santana's less than subtle staring, she didn't say anything either. When Santana's eyes finally made it to Rachel's face, she noticed the slightly annoyed look the other girl was sporting.
"When you said 7:00, I thought you'd be on time, Santana." Rachel said, clicking the passenger seat belt and adjusting the strap across her chest. While trying not to stare at said chest, Santana couldn't help but notice that the graphic tee was actually a Les Mis shirt. She laughed loud enough for Rachel to huff at her thinking it was a response to the previous scolding. Santana grinned in response.
"You know me, fashionably late. Looks like I'm not the only one being fashionable tonight though, look at you, Berry!" Rachel rolled her eyes at what she knew was a very basic outfit compared to some of the things she's seen other girls their age wearing.
"Thank you Santana. I do find it easier to dress age appropriate when there's no imminent threat to my clothes." Santana's eyebrows shot towards her hairline.
"Wait, you have a second wardrobe just to avoid slushie damage? That's kind of brilliant. Expensive, but brilliant." The cheerleader asked, starting the car and propelling them in the direction of the local mall.
"Well, not exactly. The clothes I wear are pieces I wore when I didn't know any better, but as my style and taste has matured, I've elected to save the pieces that reflect my current style for non-McKinley situations." Santana glanced over at the girl with a dead pan.
"So you have a second wardrobe." Rachel laughed and shook her head at the taller brunette.
"Yes, I have a second wardrobe."
"Isn't it so easy when you just smile and nod, Berry?"
"Watch it, Lopez. You're still on my list for being late for our rendezvous."
"French words, French tuck, French shirt, you're on a roll tonight Berry."
"I don't know whether to be pleased that you approve of my outfit or surprised that you've seen Les Mis." Santana made the mistake of glancing over at the girl to gage whether or not she was joking and ended up being caught in direct eye contact with her.
I've never noticed how pretty her eyes are.
Santana seemed to remember she was the one driving and quickly turned her gaze to focus on the road.
At the same time Rachel angled her body towards the cheerleader and whispered, "Don't worry Santana, I won't tell anyone."
Santana had not been expecting to hear the lower register of the soprano's voice and it sent a shiver up her right arm. Luckily the diva had already sat back and began humming along to the song playing from Santana's playlist.
It's definitely been way too long since I've gotten laid if Berry is giving me chills.
Admittedly, Santana didn't think shopping with Rachel was that bad. They seemed to like a few similar stores, and both girls shop often enough to know what fits so they didn't waste any time trying on clothes. She was surprised at how easy it was to hang around the girl when Glee and Finn weren't the topics of conversation. Santana had offered to take them somewhere else for food once she realized there were no vegan options in the food court, but Rachel had assured her she had already eaten before Santana came to pick her up. They had just decided to grab smoothies instead when a familiar voice came up behind them.
"Oh my gosh, Rachel, is that you?" Kurt squealed loudly in the open food court. Several people looked in their direction which made Santana's spine immediately straighten.
"Damn, Lady Hummel, does the entire mall need to know that you and Berry haven't been able to meet up for your weekly lip waxing lately?" The pair rolled their eyes at the Latina while they continued to catch up as if the weeks they hadn't seen each other had actually been months.
"What are you up to right now?" Rachel asked, excited to have even a small amount of social time with the recently coupled contralto.
"Blaine and I just came out for some fro-yo. I see you're shopping with Satan." Kurt couldn't help but take a jab at the cheerleader considering how strange of a sight the pairing was.
"I see you and your My Little Pony detached from one another long enough to bless the general public with the stench of your glitter spunk!" Santana smiled, though she looked more menacing than welcoming.
At that moment, Santana watched as Blaine strolled up to the table from the direction of the restrooms, lotioning his hands. He immediately noticed the bitchy smirk on Santana's face followed immediately by the annoyed looks of Kurt and Rachel and knew he had missed something.
"Ah, I thought the smell of lube being used as hair gel was missing in the air. Long time no see, Warbs." Blaine only laughed in response to the nickname.
"It's nice to see you too, Santana. Hey, Rachel. What are you guys doing here?"
"Santana here was nice enough to see if I was available for shopping and here we are." Rachel said simply as if it was something that occurred every Friday. The boys looked at the Latina for confirmation and she just shrugged in their general direction.
"Congrats, you're not the only one who can tolerate her in small doses." Santana joked with a chuckle. That seemed to be enough to satisfy them as they each gave a laugh of their own in response.
Santana was glad that no one was making a huge deal about it and just taking it at face value.
"We were about to just grab some smoothies and then get out of here, but it was cool seeing you guys." Santana said, trying to make a swift exit before the boys invited them to do something together, or decided to interrupt the pair's date by talking her ears off.
Woah, this is NOT a date.
Then why are your hands sweaty?
I don't have time for you right now!
I'm you, you always have time for us.
Hush!
"That's okay we have some shopping of our own to do, but we should get coffee sometime this weekend!" Before she could say no Rachel was already shaking her head yes.
"Yes! That sounds great! I don't know if Santana is free, but I will definitely be there."
At least she set me up with an out.
"Yeah, I should be free, just text me the details." Santana couldn't believe she had just signed herself up for this, but she knew Kurt always bought their coffee whenever they met at the Lima Bean and if it's one thing Santana could not pass on it's free caffeine.
"Awesome, will do. Talk to you later, Rach! Go with God, Satan!" Kurt and Blaine waved at them as they left towards a handcrafted necktie shop called Tasteful Ties.
Only in freaking Ohio would that be a thing.
"See ya, Burt! Bye, Ernie!" Santana shouted after them causing Rachel to giggle.
"Which one's Burt and which one's Ernie?" the short Jewish girl quipped while grabbing her belongings off the table.
"I'll leave that one to your imagination." Santana laughed while holding the door of the mall open for Rachel to walk through.
A.N.: Oof, this one was a doozy. I haven't stretched my creative writing muscles in a while. Next chapter coming soon!
