"Why do copy machines look so much more complicated than they are?" Quinn looks quizzically at the brunette standing next to her. "Seriously, half these buttons don't even need to be on here."
Amy gives a small laugh in reply. "Good to know Vermont didn't change you."
The blonde rolls her eyes. "Oh, Vermont… Well, you can't say it didn't try." She presses the copy button and the two friends lean against the machine while people around them hustle about.
"That bad, huh?"
"It is what it is. I kinda felt like it would be a mistake to stay for Christmas but I figured since I was moving here afterward, it might be worth it to give it one last try."
The machine sighs as the last copy shoots out. Amy grabs the papers as Quinn opens the lid to retrieve the original. "Your mom is really something. I still can't believe she tried to set you up with a guy."
"Trust me, it's really not that surprising given her history. I'm just lucky I left before she had a chance to sign me up for Bible camp."
"You still have so much to fill me in on." Amy teases as she leads the way through the aisles of the office. When they reach their destination, the brunette knocks on the side of the door. "Hey Betty, we've got the copies."
A pair of ladies stand inside the office, lost in conversation. The older woman with bright eyes and curly hair waves them inside. Her gentle voice and dainty mannerisms put them all at ease. "Anna, I want you to meet Amy and Quinn. They're two of our tutors. Amy started with us a few weeks ago and Quinn—"
The younger woman breaks out into a warm smile as she finally gets a good look at the blonde. "Quinn Fabray? Fancy seeing you here." Her dark eyes sparkle as they meet hers. The woman's elegant features are overshadowed by her dirty blonde hair and the way the other girl's name rolls off her tongue, her confident stance both intimidating and alluring at the same time.
Quinn returns her smile and quirks her eyebrow in surprise. "Anna."
"You two know each other?" The older woman asks curiously.
"Yeah, sorry, Betty. We met at that literacy convention a week ago." Anna explains. "I know you require all your new recruits to attend so I wanted to check it out… Quinn, how did you not mention that you worked here?"
The blonde blushes slightly. "I thought I had… I must've gotten distracted…" Feeling the awkwardness of the statement she adds, "…With all the learning I was doing."
Betty chuckles in amusement. "Well, I'm glad to know it wasn't a waste of your time then. Anna is helping us set up a program to help out ESL students after school."
Amy smiles. "Wow, that sounds great." She extends her hand to the other woman. "I'm Amy Richardson by the way."
The other woman takes her hand. "Nice to meet you. I just go by Anna." After they shake, she turns her attention to Quinn. "It's really great to see you again."
Something about the flirtatious twinkle in the girl's eye makes the blonde stumble over her words. "Yeah… You too."
"So, we never got that coffee…"
"We should do that."
"Of course, I'll call you or something." She then turns to the other two women in the room. "Well, it's been great talking to you ladies. I'll be back on Wednesday, Betty."
She gives a tiny wave to everyone before bowing out. "Great to see you again, Anna." Betty calls out after her. After the girl is gone, Amy gives Quinn a firm elbow to the ribs. The blonde glares at her as she rubs her stomach.
"Amy."
"Don't play, Fabray. You know what that was for."
Betty interrupts their bickering. "Is there something you want to tell us, Quinn?"
Amy mutters underneath her breath. "Yeah, slutting it up at the literacy convention I see."
The blonde opens her mouth in surprise. "Nothing like that! We just had a great conversation about tutoring overseas. She's been all over the world. I was impressed since she can't be much older than us." She motions to her and Amy.
The older woman nods knowingly. "Anna is an impressive girl... Alright, back to work you two."
Quinn and Amy shuffle out of the office. "I can't believe you never told me about her… She's hot."
"Well, there really isn't anything to tell. I wasn't ready for anything to happen then."
"And now?"
"We'll see."
"You deserve to be happy, Q."
"I know that. I am happy. And I do want to be with someone like Anna. Someone I don't have to convince to be with me. Someone who just wants me for me."
The brunette sighs as she touches her friend's arm. "Santana will work out her shit on her own time. Just do your thing, girl."
Quinn nods with a smile. "You're right. Actually, I'm meeting her for coffee later on today."
"Have you spoken to her much while you were away?"
"A couple of times but I haven't really seen her since I've been back in New York."
"Well, that should be interesting."
The blonde sighs ruefully. "Yep. It would all be a lot easier if I'd just be okay not having her in my life, but we get certain things about each other that other people don't understand." When the brunette gives her a questioning look she explains further, "We both have the unfortunate luck of being born into families who don't know how to love us properly."
Amy nods. "Well, I think it's great that you're trying to stay friends. I don't know if I could do it."
"Me either, honestly." Quinn adds. "But I figure it's worth a shot."
[\\]
The coffee shop is just starting to fill up when Santana makes her way inside. She spots the pretty blonde at one of the tables near the window and takes a deep breath before approaching her, trying to remember her practiced words. She reminds herself not to make too much eye contact. Staring at her too long would only cloud her judgment. Those pesky words on the tip of her tongue, trying to claw their way out. The Latina in a constant battle to swallow them.
"Nice to have you back in New York."
I love you.
The two of them exchange a quick, serviceable hug. "Yeah… Sorry we haven't gotten together soon but I've been busy with the move and everything… How was your Christmas?"
"Pretty good. I had fun hanging out with Brittany and her family. Chris made an appearance too. What about you?"
I love you.
"Oh, it was fine. I'm kinda over my mother at this point but I'm okay."
"So… how's the new job?"
I love you.
"Great… It's just kind of weird working in an office right now. But once I finish training, it'll all be worth it."
Santana nods, fidgeting a bit. Silencing the words at last. "Well, that's good to hear."
"So how are things for you?"
"Pretty good…" A moment of silence passes between the two before Santana works up the nerve to say what she has to say. "Look, Q. I know things have been kind of weird between us ever since… And I just want you to know that I do—"
"No, I know. That you do… in your own way."
"Ok. Cause it did mean a lot to me and I don't think I've conveyed that all that well."
"Santana… We don't have to talk about it anymore. I just need a little time. Being rejected is never fun and I'll get over it… I have gotten over it… But there's still a part of me that doesn't feel completely comfortable being around you right now."
Despite the sting of her words, the Latina continues. "I can understand that. I just want you to know that I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. I don't want you to regret…"
"I don't regret it, San. I was curious what it would be like… I know that you care about me, I do. We just want different things right now and that's okay. We'll be okay… I just need some time to get comfortable… If that makes sense…"
The darker haired girl nods. "Yeah, of course." She shifts in her chair. "So were you going to stay and watch us perform?"
"Actually, I've got some stuff that I need to do. And I'm going to meet up with Jeremy later…"
"Q, I thought we would be able to hang out together at least for a little bit. I feel like I haven't seen you in forever."
"I know. We'll see each other soon… I didn't realize you were going to be late."
"Well, it's New York. I got caught up."
The blonde nods, somewhat irritated. "Ok, then… Well, I'm gonna go. I'll see you around?"
"Yeah."
She watches the blonde get up and sighs in frustration as she watches her walk away. The lingering scent of lavender distracting her a little bit, not to mention the way her hair fell across her face…
Stop it.
These were all things the Latina convinced herself she could do without for the time being. Even if she hadn't done a very good job of it, it was necessary. And so for right now, she was okay with being swept away in the music.
[\\]
"You were so great, San." Brittany says proudly as they sit down together after their set.
"Thanks, B."
"So how did things go today with Quinn?"
"They went… I just feel like I've fucked things up a little too much this time."
"Well, she's still talking to you so there's that."
"I hate myself for hurting her." The Latina looks mournfully at her hands.
"I know that, San. Have you told her that?"
"I tried but I can't fully confess my feelings at this point because I know it wouldn't mean anything. I have to get us back to a good place before I even think about doing that… It's hard."
"Maybe you should write her a sonnet or something."
"What the fuck?"
The blonde shrugs nonchalantly. "It worked for Shakespeare."
The Latina lets out a small laugh. "Oh, man. Anyway, Quinn isn't the type of girl you just go around saying 'I love you' to… She's the type of girl that when you do say those words to, you better be prepared to offer her the whole world too. Anything less and you don't deserve her."
"So what's the game plan?"
"…There isn't one. Not really anyway. Where do I begin? She seemed different today. What if she's outgrowing me? I don't even know what I want to do with my life!"
"Well, that spiraled out of control fairly quickly."
"I'm not joking, Britt! My current living situation doesn't exactly scream stable, mature adult."
"We're in our early 20s, no one knows what the fuck they're doing… Just be yourself."
"Who the fuck am I?" She pauses, perplexed by her own question. "Maybe we should just get drunk."
"No way am I drinking with you tonight. Not when you're like this."
Santana sighs and presses her forehead against the edge of the table. Brittany reaches out to comfort her. "Being in love is the worst."
"There are worse things… And Quinn already loves you Santana. She doesn't need the whole world from you. She just wants to know that you love her too."
"It sounds better when you say it like that."
"That's what I'm here for."
The darker haired girl lets out a sigh, finally lifting her head up from the table. "So, about that drink…" Brittany laughs and gives her friend a little slap on the shoulder. "Our meeting earlier today just feels so unsatisfying after not being able to see her for a month. I mean, I thought about flying to Vermont to try to fix things but what was I supposed to say? I know I deserve it but sometimes you just want to shake the other person and make them realize how you feel about them."
"Well, maybe that's how Quinn felt about you."
"God, Brittany. You can be so annoying sometimes."
"Also what I'm here for."
"I can be so selfish."
"True."
"Why are we even friends?"
"I've decided I'll go ahead and buy you a beer. Only one."
The darker haired girl shoots her a smile. "Good timing."