Accidentally In Love
2
September 16, 2008
The first time Santana put on her Cheerios uniform for school was the second happiest day of her life. It ranked just behind the opening of Breadstix and their unlimited breadstick policy the year before, after her previous favorite restaurant closed due to a lawsuit her mother spearheaded on behalf of the ACLU, with accusations of racism and non-adherence to their all-you-can eat cheese biscuit policy. Her varsity cheerleading uniform meant virtually no bullying, except from other, more popular cheerleaders like Jane Jansen, the current head cheerleader. But she, Brittany and their new friend Quinn Fabray were untouchable as far as freshmen were concerned.
Unfortunately, that uniform and the popularity it bestowed, meant toeing a certain line. It meant an established hierarchy and the steps she and her fellow Cheerios needed to take to maintain their places in that hierarchy. One step had been newly created for the frosh squad, which involved certain fruit flavored, ice blended drinks and the faces of less popular underclassmen.
The very first victim had been chosen for them already, 'that gay kid who wore the corset' Jane had told them. Unfortunately, he'd proven incredibly adept at hiding himself from the youngest Cheerios, since they'd been scouring the halls all morning. Either that, or he was sick. They took a break in front of Quinn's locker, nearly put out from not finding their intended target.
"Well, that the fuck are we gonna do now? Janey's gonna kill us!" Santana huffed, tightly crossing her arms over her chest.
Quinn shrugged, carefully re-balancing the cup to prevent the contents from spilling onto her shoes. "We improvise. One victim's as good as the next."
Santana nodded, hoping to get things over soon. She'd quickly become known for her quick wit and cutting remarks amongst the squad, along with her short temper and the spreading rumor of her being from Lima Heights. Physical humiliation like this, well, it simply wasn't her style, or Brittany's, which is why Quinn was stuck holding the cup of slushie. The girl was desperate for popularity for some unknown reason, and made no bones of the fact that she was gunning for the opening for head cheerleader when Janey graduated in June. Santana would have liked the promotion, but Quinn was the kisser of the group, and the most cruel, despite the wholesome, virginal persona she portrayed outside of little outings like these.
She'd chosen blue raspberry, to produce the most amount of staining possible: 32 ounces, the largest size the Gas 'n Go offered. Quinn scanned the hallways, searching for the most suitable target. She spied Jacob Ben Israel being dragged into the bathroom by the tall, doofy looking quarterback of the freshman football team and darker-skinned best friend with the mohawk. Clearly the brains of the duo. However, she'd spotted a couple of new candidates. The first was a chubby black girl wearing a zebra stripe stretch pants, with silver high tops and matching headband, known for having a loud mouth and a poor attitude she'd managed to pass off as 'sassy'. The second girl had an even more ridiculous wardrobe, in her opinion. The ridiculously short, pleated skirt rivaled their cheerleading uniforms, but combining it with knee high argyle socks, Mary Janes and a googly-eyed panda sweater simply did not mesh.
Quinn had only moved into town a few months prior and didn't even know her name, but Santana knew the girl well. Rachel Berry, who'd been ridiculed in junior high for her affinity for showtunes and posting Myspace videos of herself singing. Rachel, who wore the same cheap, beaded plastic Daddy's Girl necklace every day for nearly the past four years. Rachel, who'd once given Santana the most bone crushing hug she'd ever experienced in her life.
As Rachel neared her locker, Quinn closed in on her, sneering, "Her dwarf, thought you could use a refreshment today."
"Well," she was immediately cut off as an icy blue wave made it across her face and down her shirt. Wiping the slush from her eyes, Rachel tried her best not to cry, glaring at the cheerleader in front of her. She didn't understand how someone could be terrible enough to do something like... that to a person. As she opened her mouth to retaliate, she'd seen over the girl's shoulder and found a familiar face. At that moment, no words could escape her lips.
The her credit, Santana wasn't laughing. In actuality, the girl's mouth had fallen open as soon as Quinn threw the slushie into Rachel Berry's face. She'd been hoping Quinn chose Mercedes, she wouldn't have cared then. But Rachel was familiar, and the two had become acquainted over the years, ever since a chance meeting in their childhood. Santana wanted nothing more than to take the girl into the bathroom and take care of her for this indiscretion. To wash Rachel's hair and wipe her face clean as she now openly stared into Santana's eyes as if expecting... something from her. She wanted to give her that something. She wanted to claw Quinn's eyes out. She wanted to wring Janey Jansen's scrawny neck for even coming up with this idea.
She wanted to kiss away the tears that ran down Rachel's face.
But you can't always get what you want, her father had always told her, and so she did nothing. Santana froze as Rachel stared at her, nearly oblivious to the laughter that came from Quinn, and now the rest of the student body.
I'm so sorry, Rachel breathed hard as Santana mouthed the words, not daring to speak them aloud. She nodded. It was nearly imperceptible but, sure enough, Santana had seen it. Then she ran to the bathroom, locking the door behind her.
Santana watched Rachel disappear into the girls restroom, as her sobs escaped even past the wooden door. She wanted to follow Rachel inside, but hadn't found the courage to move from the same spot she'd been standing since Quinn had first threw the cup of slushie. The class bell rang, but she stayed, waiting for Rachel to come out. The late bell rang, and still she waited.
It wasn't until Brittany linked their pinkies together and started to drag her towards their Spanish class that Santana found the strength to move her feet.
A/N: Hope someone enjoys this! Please rest assured, not all of these are going to be sad. I don't think I have the heart for it.