Chapter 9

When Santana and I came in together at the gym, Brittany was livid. "What the fu" she started but Santana kissed the curse away. "Hi babe" she said cooingly to Britt and that effectively cooled the other girl down.

"What took you so long babe?" she asked a little loudly, making me hear the endearment. "Quinn and I just ate lunch" the Latina shrugged.

"Figures." Brittany gave me the stink eye, "I'm sorry what did you mean?" I asked her. "Figures you'd lure me to do all the work here so you can spend alone time with my girlfriend" she commented.

"Britt, let's face it, you never go to class" I said matter-of-factly while folding my arms "When you do, even? You'll find an excuse to leave."

She just stared dumbly back at me, no retort whatsoever "wonder how you even passed all those subjects" I mumbled. "What was that?" she asked and I just shrugged.

"Everyone get ready. Places!" I barked at the ladies. Everyone scurried and lined up.

The routine was a little provocative, Santana, Brittany and I are at the center per usual and some of the routine required physical contacts with each other. It would have been hot, but since that we're in this situation it felt rather awkward. Though, I don't think the audience (at the gym) noticed because we execute it perfectly of course.

Practice went along fine except from all the flirting Brittany and Santana was making in between breaks. At one point, they decided to even have a quick make out sesh. That made me a little sick. I kept thinking about how Santana was during lunch and turn around and flirt with Britt. Right, I was just her friend. Of course she is the perfect girlfriend to Britt. I just assumed earlier meant something more.

I called off practice and promised them an early one next time. I decided to let everyone hit the showers first, I never really like showering with everyone else in there, especially with my two best friends together, sometimes sharing a cube, doing god knows what.

While waiting for everyone to get ready, I decided to check my phone to make time pass. I got several texts from my mom, one from Tina and a voicemail from Rachel. I decided to go read over mom's messages first.

Mom: Honey, I'll be home late, left money at the counter for your dinner. (4:00 PM)

Mom: I'm really sorry; they wanted me to get more hours in to cover those who didn't make it to the later shift. (4:30 PM)

Mom: Really busy, anyway, love you honey will make it up on the weekend. (5:00 PM)

My mom still feels guilty about me leaving home from freshmen year, she would always insist on us having dinner all the time permits us to and spend weekends bonding, when both didn't need to work or practice.

I typed in a reply as I saw Britt approach me.

Quinn: No problem mom. I'll leave a plate for you. I 3 U too. (5:30 PM)

I had a smile on my face because it just makes me so happy that my mom and I are becoming closer and closer. Who knew we'd be like this. My dad leaving made us cling onto each other.

Brittany stopped in front of me; towering over me, I looked at her with a raised eyebrow. She just stood there, staring at me. "What, Britt?" I finally asked sighing.

"Stop coming after Santana, Quinn." She demanded. "When are you going to get it?" she asked. I didn't answer right away, taken aback at her abruptness. "She's just being nice to you because she didn't want you to feel left out." She explained.

"I don't want to make her choose between us, Q." she paused; we both know who'll she take. "She'll choose me" she taunted, it was like putting salt into a wound.

"I'm not coming at her" I said honestly.

"Please…" she rolled her eyes. "Santana loves me and she wants to be with me" She dug deeper. "She is only pissed that you and Berry are always together, she so told me."

"That's" I started to speak, but it got caught in my throat. "Santana and I were friends first" I pulled that card on her, it seemed desperate, but I had to believe that's not the only reason Santana has.

"That's all you ever are going to be. Face it Q, we're a couple now." She said softer this time. "If I were you, I'd stay away, so I don't get hurt." She spoke with finality just as Santana was approaching.

Santana kissed Brittany's check, "Hi Cap!" she was about to side bumped me "You reek! Why haven't you showered yet?" she asked.

"I…" I hurriedly took my things and throw it in my duffel bag. "was about to.." I can feel myself tearing up again, what the hell is wrong with me? I should stop pining over Santana. "Yeah, get your butt in that shower and wash your filth away!" Santana teased. "See you around." I mumbled and scurry away.

As I got into the shower I rushed to open the valves, cold water splashing angrily at me. I cried soundlessly, trying to stifle it because a few girls are still lingering around. The pain in my chest was so strong; I don't even have the energy to stand up. I need to face the fact that Santana and Brittany will be forever and I will just be the best friend, and maybe nonexistent as time pass by.

I tried to move quickly after feeling my body trembling from the cold, I rushed to get ready to meet Tina for my Language class, but when I got to our usual room, she and Mike weren't there. I remembered Tina's text and it explained why I was met by an empty room.

Tina: Quinn, I'm sorry Mike and I had dinner plans with our parents. We'll do double hours next session. Promise.

I typed in a response and took a seat first, all that crying and cold water and the rush to get to this place took the wind out of me.

Quinn: Alright Tina, have a great time. Wish I brought my car, I thought I was going to get a ride with you, but that's okay, enjoy dinner.

I took some time to collect myself, thought about how to go home, everyone I know are gone by now. I checked my phone again, to text my mom to say I'd wait for her. Before tying in a text, I saw the voicemail Rachel left. Rachel's voice beamed cheerfully at the other end.

Rachel: Quinn! Hi, saw you at cheer practice, as usual, you were ho-uh-wesome.. ehem (clears throat). Anyway, Dad was wondering if you'd like to join us for dinner at Lima bean. He didn't have anyone to discuss contemporary literature with so he asked if you want to come. Call me?

I listened and can't help but smile at hearing her little slip; did she watch the routine practice? I know for a fact that the boys will ogle at us, but did she too?

I was distracted for a minute and I kind of liked the idea of spending some time with people that can cheer me up, so I decided to call Rachel back and ask if the offer still stands.

Rachel: Quinn?

Quinn: Hi Rae! I'm at school, can you pick me up?