A/N: This is my first attempt at fanfiction: after reading so many wonderful Quinntana stories, I decided to give my own idea a try. Reviews and feedback are always welcome, but do consider that English is not my native language, so please be merciful :P

The story starts right before Season 2 of Glee: it is not an A/U, but there may be some minor differences from the canon's events.

P.S. I am looking for a beta reader. If anyone is interested, please contact me.

FALLING FOR THE FRENEMY

Chapter 1

Darkness surrounded me but, despite the complete lack of light, and no knowledge of where I was, I wasn't scared. The incessant sound of dripping water made me wonder for a moment if it was raining outside, but then I decided that I did not care about that either.

All my focus was directed at those hands that were claiming my hips in a tight, and yet delicate hold, as my breath was taken away by a long, passionate kiss. A soft gasp escaped my mouth as foreign lips pulled away from mine, leaving them swollen and chapped, my back arching as those very lips moved to trail teasing pecks over my neck, before finding a sensitive spot on my collarbone.

"I can't believe that we're doing this."

My mind was foggy, but I was pretty sure to be the one that spoke, although I think I have never heard my voice sounding so raspy, hesitant and..eager.

"Fuck, you are so beautiful, Quinn."

I felt my heart skipping a beat upon hearing those words, my arms wrapping themselves on an unknown neck, my lips spread into a big grin as they sought the stranger's own for a new kiss...

My eyes snapped open as the noise of my phone's alarm buzzed mercilessly, waking me up for yet another weird dream. Sighing, I picked up the device, turning the alarm down as I watched at the numbers flashing on the screen.

5.30 am. The temptation to get back to sleep was strong, but I managed to shake it off, leaving the phone on the bed as I walked towards the bathroom.

You have been doing this all summer. What is another week before school starts? Stick to the plan, Quinn.

I repeated myself those words as I looked into the mirror, and I was greeted by my reflection. Hazel eyes looked tired before I focused on my blonde hair. Gone were the long, beautiful locks that characterized me for years, replaced by a choppy bob haircut.

Right after the end of sophomore year, I opted for a drastic change, to remind myself that I was not the same person I was a year ago, and of what were my intentions for the future. Mom still had to get used to the way I look now. Sometimes, even I get surprised when I stare at the mirror.

Fighting back a yawn, I tried to tell myself that there were good reasons to not get back to sleep, although it was hard to think of good intentions when your last good night of sleep dated back to a month ago. My cheeks turned red as images flashed through my mind, reminding me of the stranger that had become a constant presence during my dreams.

I never had this kind of dream before, although, to be fair, the whole past year had been about new things, so it seemed the trend was not over yet. It wasn't even guilt that affected me: after a teenage pregnancy that came from cheating on my boyfriend with his best friend, I doubt that having sex dreams was going to change the fate of my soul.

No, what bothered me was that even after almost four weeks of sleepless nights, I couldn't trace or recall even the smallest detail of the mysterious person that haunted my dreams; at first, I have thought of the most logical possibilities, my former boyfriends, but I quickly dismissed the theory: Finn didn't have the stranger's confidence, and Puck lacked the care and the attentiveness that made my heart waver.

Shaking my head from those thoughts, I refreshed myself, brushed my teeth, and moved back in my bedroom, changing into black leggings and a matching tank top, tied my hair in a bun, put on my running shoes, and headed downstairs, making sure to not make noise.

Even in the darkness, I easily found my car's keys, and headed towards the kitchen to have a small breakfast; but as I switched the lights on, I noticed a small package on the table, with a note. Leaning over, my lips stretched into a small smile as I read those words.

Quinn,

I won't be able to get back home from work before tonight. I have prepared you something to eat for lunch beforehand, since you are determined to keep waking up so early for your routine.

Please don't push yourself too hard, and try to enjoy the end of your summer break.

Mom.

My smile widened a little as I picked up the package and headed outside, towards my car. Things with mom have slowly got better since I decided to accept her offer to come back to live with her. It had been awkward at first, but she was trying to change, and being away from Russel's influence was definitely helping.

Despite the progress, there were still times that I wondered what would have happened if she didn't find out that Russel was having an affair behind her back, but I tried to not go there: I was the one that decided to give her a chance, so it wasn't fair to go thinking of what-ifs.

And yet, I couldn't forget the memory of her standing next to Russel, not saying a word as he disowned me.

Enough with the dark thoughts, Quinn. She came back to you. She is here now. That is what matters.

Yes, that was what mattered. She came back. She was here for me.

For now.

My legs protested as I completed another lap of the tracking circuit, but decided to keep sun was high in the sky by now, but I was still alone, not that it surprised me. This wasn't the Cheerio's training ground, but a small, abandoned field that I found out with Puck at the start of the summer: it wasn't glamorous, but it worked perfectly for me.

The first night I moved in at my mom's new place, I did not sleep. I have just given up on Beth and, even if I knew that it was the right choice, that did not help much into fighting the hollowness that now dominated my heart. I had thought I have felt alone when I had been disowned, but that feeling was like a candle's flame compared to the sun that was knowing that my daughter would grow up to call another woman mother.

As I stared at the picture that Puck took of me holding Beth, with countless tears streaming down my face, I promised myself that I was going to change. That I was going to grow up a person that Beth wouldn't be ashamed of if she ever discovered about me.

I said I was going to change, but, to be truthful, I was already a different person from the girl that started the year; that Quinn, Cheerios' Captain, McKinley's High HBIC, had her life figured out: prom Queen with her quarterback boyfriend, the perfect power couple, then graduation, college and then starting a family.

That girl had yet to become pregnant from her boyfriend's best friend. She had yet to become a pariah, expelled from the Cheerios, tormented by the very group of bullies that she considered her friends, disowned by her Daddy. That girl had yet to know what it felt to know that her entire world was going to end.

But then, that girl met people that accepted her for who she was, mistakes and all. That girl, I, was saved by the Glee Club. And now, it was my turn to be there for them, too.

Thus, I formed a plan. I was going to get back into shape. I was going to get back to the Cheerios, not because I missed my red, white and black armor, but because I was going to use it as a shield for the Glee Club. HBIC Quinn was coming back, but this time, she was going to be on the side of Mercedes, of Kurt, of Tina, even on Rachel's side.

I was going to make things right.

"You seem lost in thoughts, Baby Momma."

My attention snapped back to my surroundings as I realized that I had stopped running, panting a little, my body glistening with sweat. As I turned my head on the right, my lips turned into a grin as I greeted the one that spoke.

"Puck, I have been warning you all summer, this is your last free pass: call me that again, and I am going to make sure you won't put another girl in my situation, ever." I threatened, but the tone was light: despite all odds, during the summer Puck and I have actually developed a sort of bond, as he helped me get back into shape; it was not a romantic link (not due to his lack of trying), and it couldn't be summarized as a simple friendship: just another aspect of Quinn Fabray's weird life, but, despite all, it meant a lot.

"Even your threats aren't trashy. You should really take a page from Santana's book."

I scoffed as he mentioned my former minion and best friend "I don't need to take any page from Santana's book, Puck." I replied, my annoyance clear, although even I didn't know the specific reason behind it, but I guessed it was either because she took my Captain spot (not that it was her fault, to be honest), or because of some lingering past jealousy from the times I thought I was in love with Puck.

Of course, Puck was thinking reason number 2 as well.

"There is no need to be jealous, babe. The Puckasaurus has love for both of you ladies, actually, if you two want to sh-"

"Before you finish the sentence, do I have to remind you that I am the only reason that you have been able to avoid having a talk with my mother?" I stated, grinning as I see all the color draining from his face.

"You wouldn't dare."

I laughed at his terrorized face, the same he made when I mentioned that my mother had asked me to bring him home for a talk, considering our past and the fact that she was aware that we kept hanging around. So far, I have spared him the visit, and I didn't have any attention to actually throw him to the wolves, but it was always enjoyable to see him squirm.

"You are a cruel one, Fabray. And here I thought that you wanted to be nice this year."

"That is still the plan, of course. But I never said I was going to be nice with those who piss me off, so you better try hard to not get on my bad side."

"Noted. I hate to cut this short, but I need to go now, I have preparations to make for tomorrow. Will you come?" he asked, referring to the small summer-end party that he decided to throw at his house for the glee club.

"I don't know."

"Come on, Q! Everyone is coming, you can't bail on this one. I promise there won't be wine coolers."

I shot him a glare as he mentioned the wine coolers, and he had the decency to throw up his arms in apology as he looked guilty.

"That is not definitely helping you to be on my good side, Puck."

"I am sorry, I shouldn't have said that. I am an idiot."

"It is fine. I already knew that you are an idiot."

"Hey! Fine, I deserved it, but think about the party, ok?"

"I will think about it." I promised, before adding "And don't call me Q. Only Santana called me that, it is weird hearing it from you."

"Whatever. Force of habit, forgot how many times I heard her call you that in the past."

I watched him leave before shaking my head and getting back to run, thinking that he was right: it has been a while since Santana called me 'Q', I think it was before all the drama started.

I never liked that nickname, anyhow. I thought, annoyed.

I hurried, trying to avoid crashing into someone as I try to find my target. I knew that I was in big trouble. My fears were confirmed as I arrived at my destination, with two pairs of eyes watching me in disapproval.

"You are late."

"You know what this means."

"I am sorry."

"Sorry is not enough."

"I am paying for coffee."

Indignant gasps anticipated heads shaking in disappointment.

"Paying for coffee?!"

"I think she is insulting us."

"I think so too."

"Perhaps we made a mistake as we accepted her as our friend."

I rolled my eyes at their antics, then stared at the body on my left, his bright blue pupils twitching in amusement and then delight as I took out the latest Vogue magazine from my purse.

"Oh, you didn't have too, Quinn! Fine, you are forgiven."

"What about me?"

I turned my face on the left, smiling at a clearly distressed Mercedes, having trouble keeping a straight face.

"How about my undying love and friendship?"

"Let me think about it. Ok, you are forgiven. Now come 'ere Blondie, give me a hug."

Laughing, I greeted Mercedes with a tight hug before taking my place at the small, round table inside the Lima Bean. This is yet another one of the good changes that happened due to my pregnancy. After Finn found out that I cheated on him with Puck, I couldn't stay at his mom's house any longer and, thankfully, Mercedes stepped up and offered me a place to stay.

The friendship born during those days did not end once I move back with my mom, and extended to Mercedes' best friend, Kurt Hummel: we spent three-quarters of the summer at the Lima Bean, and as those coffee meetings continued, I slowly came to realize that Mercedes and Kurt were now my best friends.

My heart still hurt as I recalled how many times these two had been bullied because of me, my followers, or the football team: they had forgiven me by now, and I could only be grateful that I got the chance to get to know them.

"So, what is the excuse of your delay?" asked Kurt, placing the magazine on the table as a waiter brought us our coffee: I smiled at the realization that they had memorized my preference, by now.

"Nothing glamorous, I lost track time while running."

"Are you still waking up that early? Quinn, it is the last week before school starts!"

"I agree with Kurt here: girl, look at yourself, you can cut yourself some slack."

I knew they were right: thanks to my training sessions, and a healthy diet, I managed to lose the pounds I have gained during my pregnancy, although I doubted I was going to see my abs ever again.

"I have told you, I am not pushing myself. But I want to stick to my plan, that is all. And I need to keep training if I want to get back into the Cheerios."

"Right, but promise me you aren't going back to follow Sue's crazy diet regimen."

I could see how serious Mercedes was, considering what happened last year when she was in the Cheerios and forced to follow Sue's diet; smiling, I reach her hands "Don't worry, I am going to do things my way this year, and starving to death is not one of them."

Our joined laughs are interrupted my Kurt's musings.

"So..are you sure that you're not aiming to become Captain again?"

"Pretty sure: I have my reasons to get back into the Cheerios, including the fact that I do enjoy cheerleading. But I am planning to be more involved with Glee Club this year. Being back into the team will be enough. Why do you ask?"

I can see the relief in Kurt and Mercedes' face as I answered, and my curiosity is picked.

"Ah, it is nothing, really. We just-"

"We just worried about a Captaincy War between you and Santana. Not even teachers would be safe if something like that happened."

"Not that I think Satan can get the best of you."

I laughed at Mercedes' sentence, but meanwhile, my thoughts drifted for the second time of the day on Santana, and our past friendship. We did meet at the very start of freshman year, and we quickly became best friends, placing the fundaments of what would later become the 'Unholy Trinity' once Brittany joined us.

Things with Santana were always different. Back in the days, we were like water and oil, two opposites that always clashed against each other, with poor sweet Brittany in the middle, playing pacifier. Santana always seemed able to rile me up like no one ever did, pulling out the meanest part of the HBIC that was within me. Of course, I had the same effect on her, for some weird reason.

Even when I became Captain, things changed only apparently; in the public eyes, she was my loyal second in command, but I lost count how many times Brittany or other girls had to pull us away from killing each other: in the Cheerios' locker rooms, during sleepovers, even during parties.

I had yet to realize what was that Santana had that made me react as I did; our rivalry was a good guess, but it was deeper than that: it was almost a primordial instinct inside me, a pull that forced me to react to her with what an outsider would think was pure hatred.

Yet, I didn't really hate Santana. That was weird.

"Earth to Quinn?"

"..I am sorry? What were you saying?"

"I know gossip isn't like your thing, girl, but please keep focus! This is big!"

"What is big? And please don't tell me it is another gossip about Rachel and Finn, Kurt."

You would think it was jealousy that made me speak like that, but really, it was not: I have come a long way from accepting their relationship, and to be honest, the main reason it had been hard to let go, in the past, was my stubbornness to not lose anything in my life, particularly to Rachel Berry.

During the summer, however, Rachel and I actually managed to start a small friendship, much to the small diva's delight; I had to admit being friends with Rachel was nice, although we didn't hang out as much as I did with Mercedes and Kurt, but that was obvious, considering that Rachel and Finn were exploring their budding romance (and I think in some small way, Rachel was still worried that I planned to get Finn back, eventually.)

No, what annoyed me was that, since he lived with Finn, Kurt seemed to know an awful lot of what he called 'juicy gossip' over the new couple, and he was only eager to share it with Mercedes and their new best friend, who was completely uninterested by gossip-me.

After a summer-long of gossip, I could take a break from Rachel and Finn.

"Don't fret yourself, Grace Kelly. Finchel is old news." she grimaced at Kurt's pairing nickname "You're not going to believe it: Santana got a boob job!"

"No way!"

"Yes way!"

"How do you know that?!"

"I have been hearing Finn being told about it by Puck, so the news is solid. This is huge!"

"What do you think, Quinn?"

"..I guess I am wondering, if this is true, why would Santana do it? She's already beautiful, there was no need for that. What?"

I am looking back and forward at my two best friends, a matching look of surprise in their faces.

"Are you listening to yourself? Quinn, let me say it again for you. Santana-got-a-boob-job. How can the only thing you can think of is 'she's already beautiful'?"

"You do know that if this goes out, and you get back to the Cheerios, the Captaincy spot is as good as yours?"

"I could never do that."

There was nothing but honesty in my words. Even if by some chance I was aiming to be Captain again, and even if I was the same Quinn I was a year ago, I would never spread this gossip around. A sad, chubby girl with braces smiled at me, reminding me that I have no place to judge Santana.

"Look, I am asking you, try to keep this rumor to yourselves. If it reaches Coach's ears, Santana will be demoted, no doubt about it. She doesn't deserve it, and we are all in Glee Club together, she is our friend."

"Says the one that looks just a step away from slapping Santana and the other way around."

"Don't tell me your new school year's plan includes trying to be buddies with Santana. I think seeing Mr. Shue and Sue getting along is easier."

A grin spread over my lips.

"I am not delusional. Santana always had the uncanny ability to bring out the worst from me. I doubt that is ever going to change."

"To Quote the one Rachel Barry, thank Barbra, because I was really afraid for your mental health for a second th-ouch!"

"Shut up."

"Quinnie? How was your day, sweetie?"

"It was good, Mom. I have been with Kurt and Mercedes in the afternoon, it was nice."

"I am glad honey. Why don't you invite them over for dinner, sometimes? Or even a sleepover, I do not mind."

I smiled upon thinking what would Russel think of his ex-wife inviting her daughter's black friend and gay friend for a sleepover.

"I will think about it, Mom. Oh, by the way, there is a glee club reunion, back at Puck's house, tomorrow."

"Oh? I see."

"Mom?"

"Mmmh?"

"You don't have to worry, there is nothing between Puck and I. We are just friends, and I won't be alone with him. I will spend most of the time with Mercedes and Kurt, maybe Rachel and Finn, and hang out with the others, catching up."

"What about Santana and Brittany?"

"What about them? I will catch up with them too."

"I mean, you three used to be so best friends, Quinn. Santana was your first friend after you started high school."

"We are still friends, Mom. It just, we haven't been as close since I left the Cheerios. That is all."

"Maybe you can get closer once you join the team again."

"Maybe. Goodnight, Mom."

"Goodnight honey."

My grin widened as my arms pulled tightly against the stranger's neck, bringing those lips closer to mine, sealing them into a new kiss, our bodies pressing against each other. The sound of water dropping is increasing now. The darkness is not as black as it was before. I scoff playfully as the stranger breaks the kiss another time.

"Jesus, you're driving me crazy, Q."

My eyes widened as Santana Lopez stared back at me, her hands caressing my lower back, our lips so close to each other, that even the speaking makes them brush together.

The water I have been hearing is dripping over us: we are in the Cheerios' locker room, under the shower, both clothed but completely drenched.

My lips stretched into a smile.

"Shut up and kiss me again." I whispered, my smile turning into a smirk as Santana followed for once my suggestion and claims my lips with burning passion.

I woke up with a gasp, but this time, it is not the alarm clock the responsible. I glance at my phone.

It is 4.00 am.

I should get back to sleep.

I don't think I will ever get back to sleep.

My right hand moved up, digits reaching my lips. They were soft, normal, but I could still feel them swollen in my dream.

It is not possible.

Oh boy.

Santana is the stranger of my dreams.

Dreams that I am enjoying.

I stood up, my legs shaking as I reached the bathroom, staring at my own reflection in disbelief.

I can't believe it.

"I am having sex dreams about Santana Lopez." saying it aloud, it only felt crazier.

You got to be kidding me.