Chapter 2
"It's Better This Way"

. . .

Rachel was as determined as she had ever been and it showed in the way she was walking up to Santana's locker. Her head was tilted high and her shoulders straight. She was going to confront the Latina about yesterday at the ice cream shop. But, for some reason her knee's locked and her feet come to a complete stop. Why did she freeze up at the sight of the girl? It wasn't like this was the first time they had talked, because it wasn't. Well, usually they were seen arguing or Santana was calling Rachel some useless nickname that didn't make any sense.

For instance the nickname Man Hands. Like seriously? She didn't have man hands, quite on the contrary, they were soft and feminine.

So there Rachel was, frozen like a doorknob, watching Santana from afar as the girl grabbed her things from her locker and walked away. The Latina's hips swaying with each step, making her Cheerios's skirt hitch up ever so slightly.

Looking away, Rachel scolded herself. Why did she miss her chance to talk to Santana? Rachel Berry was never the kind to freeze up. She had always been able to calm her nerves, it's what made her so good at singing in front of large crowds.

Walking in the opposite direction, the brunette made her way sluggishly to her first period class. All that was on her mind was the cheerleader. Hopefully she'd have better luck later in the day with confronting the girl.

Sadly, it seemed like she wouldn't.

Each and every time Rachel caught sight of Santana, she had either ran in the opposite direction or hid behind a corner. The brunette knew that she couldn't keep this up for much longer since she'd have to share a class with Santana.

Rachel was even beginning to believe that it was for the best that she didn't talk to the girl. What if yesterday was all a hoax? Some kind of trick to make her look like an idiot? Santana had always been known for making Rachel's life a living hell. So why stop now?

But then again, the brunette was starting to realize that she actually liked the Latina. Something about the girl just made Rachel so damn curious; Santana was such a mystery to her. Maybe that was what intrigued her. That and the fact that the cheerleader was undoubtedly pretty. Rachel would just have to be careful.

Yes, that was it. She would have to be smart about it all. Not seem to anxious, even though she was. She'd just have to start off small. Like be the girls friend; it was best if Rachel just tried to get to know the girl.

. . .

Laying her head down comfortably on the table, Rachel shut the world out. She was in her World History class, one that she found increasingly boring since she knew most of the material already. That's why she let herself close her eyes. Normally the brunette would never sleep in class, but today would be an exception.

"Has someone been avoiding me all day?"

Rachel's eye's opened automatically at the familiar voice, her head shooting up from her arms. "Santana," she breathed, completely forgetting that they shared this class together.

Standing in front of her with a smirk on her face was none other than the cheerleader.

"Yes, Rachel, it's me," she answered, letting the name ring out as she gracefully sat in the chair across from the brunette. "I thought we were past all this." There was that flirty tone of Santana's again.

"Past what?" Rachel asked.

"Well for starters, avoiding me. It makes me feel like you don't want some of this," Santana said, leaning over the desk and inching her way towards the brunettes lips. Just as they were about to touch, Santana moved back, the familiar smirk back on her face.

Why did she have to tease her this way? Holy crap, Rachel was beginning to feel like a hormonal boy. This was definitely not how the diva wanted to confront her.

"I'm sorry if I made you feel that way," Rachel backtracked, a blush ever so apparent on her face. "I just wasn't sure if you'd want to speak to me in public. I mean, you despise me after all, don't you?"

Santana's smirk quickly faded into a frown, her face becoming more serious. There was something in the way Santana looked at her, her eye's filling with guilt.

"Wait, I don't despise you. I mean, don't get me wrong, I have been a total bitch to you all through high school," Santana admitted, sighing to herself. "But," the Latina paused, looking around to make sure no one was eavesdropping. "I'm really sorry for everything I've done."

Rachel was taken back by this. Santana had never been the kind to say sorry, at least definitely not to Rachel. In fact, the girl couldn't remember a time when the cheerleader apologized to her for anything.

"I forgive you," the words tumbled out of her mouth before she realized them. But it was the truth, Rachel did forgive her. "I'm not one to hold grudges, Santana. We can all be jerks sometimes," she told her, smiling over at the Latina, which surprisingly made the girl laugh.

This set off the teacher, who immediately cleared his throat loudly. The stern look he was giving them made Rachel want to put a paper bag over her head and hide. Santana on the other hand looked unfazed.

"Do you two have anything interesting to say to the class?" he asked, putting the spot light on them.

"No we don't Mr. Thompson. We'll be quiet," Santana reassured, giving the teacher a fake smile. Silently, Rachel thanked the cheerleader for speaking for her, because the brunette was in no position to talk.

Mr. Thompson just nodded his head and turned back to his lecture, not really caring as long as they didn't interupt his teaching. Santana quickly shot a dirty look to all the other students that were looking their way, which made them shrink into their seats and glance down at their work. The power Santana had on the students at McKinley high was beyond Rachel. It was actually entertaining to watch, as long as you weren't on the retrieving end.

"Now back to what we were saying," Santana whispered, scooting in closer. "You really mean that?"

"Yes, I do Santana," Rachel nodded, her voice coming out in a whisper as well. The brunette wasn't in any way trying to get in trouble.

Santana smiled at her, the old cockiness coming back, "Great, cuz' I was actually thinking about singing a duet with you. I mean, we'd of course sound fucking amazing."

Rachel laughed quietly at the girls boldness. "I think our voices would harmonize quite nicely together."

"So is that a yes?"

Rachel nodded. The diva couldn't stop smiling for some reason.

"How does tomorrow sound?" Santana inquired, her voice still hushed.

The brunette bit her lip, trying to think if she had anything planned for tomorrow. "Tomorrow sounds like an appropriate day to rehearse. Would you like to come over to my place? Or would you rather me come over to yours?"

"Geesh, Berry, lighten up on the words." Santana's tone was more playful then anything, which made Rachel blush lightly. "Your place sounds good to me. Six o'clock good?"

Rachel nodded, "Yes, six should be fine." She tried her hardest to cut down her word intake. She couldn't believe that Santana - the co-captain of the Cheerios, the girl that used to insult her on a daily basis (though she was trying hard to put that in the past) - was actually coming over to her house to rehearse. It was all very bizarre to say the least, but at the same time exciting. Rachel wasn't used to having friends, other than Kurt and Mercedes of course. That was what Santana was, right?

Oh no, now she was starting to feel nervous again. Crap.

. . .

School had gone by fairly fast. Glee was a walk in the park, as expected. The only unusual part was the fact that her and Santana weren't seen rolling their eye's at eachother or bickering. It was in truth a nice change. The two of them had been quite friendly with each other. In fact, the next day went by the same way. Rachel was even lucky that no slushies had came her way.

Seemingly in a better mood and a grin on her face, Rachel walked into the kitchen, her dad welcoming her with a warm hug and a pointed look.

"What's gotten you so happy, hmm?" her dad Hiram asked, a playful expression on his face.

Rachel just shrugged, not wanting to tell her dad everything quite yet. If she were to mention Santana's name, he'd question her even more, since he knew about the girl tormenting her. Lets just say, they probably would have had a heated discussion.

"What, I can't be happy?" the diva questioned.

That just made Hiram laugh, "Of course you can sweet heart. I'm just curious to know if its a boy that's making you smile so wide."

At the mention of a boy, Rachel flushed, her cheeks feeling hotter than normal. "It's not a boy dad," she hinted.

"Hmmm, is it a girl?"

"What! No," she said protectively, not wanting to give it away.

In all honesty, Rachel wasn't sure if she really liked Santana in that way. Of course the girl was charming, but at the same time it was a scary thing to think about. Santana was... Well, she was Santana. And Rachel was definitely not someone a girl like Santana would like, no matter how much the Latina flirted with her. But, she also knew that her fathers were very supportive in who ever she liked, it didn't matter if it was a boy or girl.

"Okay," her dad laughed, putting his hands up in surrender. "I give up. Whatever it is, I hope it doesn't leave anytime soon." He then kissed the top of her head and walked back to the counter, prepping dinner.

Rachel just shook her head with a smile, walking out of the kitchen and up the carpeted stairs. She'd tell her dads later about her friend that was coming over, even if they probably wouldn't be happy. Right now, she needed to get ready for Santana's arrival.

That's when it hit her, Santana had no idea how to get to her house. At least, Rachel was pretty damn sure that the girl didn't. But how was she supposed to get ahold of Santana when she didn't have her number?

Sighing, Rachel collapsed onto her bed.

Guess rehearsing wasn't an option.

. . .

"Kiddo! Dinner's ready!" called her dad.

Rachel rubbed her eye's, slowly getting up from her bed and stretching. It was just past 6:30. The brunette trudded down the stairs, but just as she walked into the short hallway the door bell rang.

Scrunching up her face, Rachel walked to the door, her dad giving her a questionable look from the kitchen.

It couldn't possibly-?

Opening the door, Rachel was greeted by a very tired looking Santana. "Santana!" Rachel gasped, her eye's widening with surprise. "How did you-? I mean, I didn't think you knew where my house was."

Santana just huffed, "I didn't. I had to interrogate everyone in glee until someone would give me your address. Thank god for Kurt, because I probably wouldn't be here right now."

Rachel just stared at Santana like she had two heads. The cheerleader really went to so much trouble just to get to her house.

Without thinking, the brunette pulled the Latina in for a searing hug. "Thank you," she whispered into Santana's ear, before letting the girl go.

Santana just nodded, a light blush appearing on the girls face.

"Santana?" Rachel's dad asked hesitantly, walking into the hallway. The brunettes breath hitched; she knew this wasn't going to be good.

"Umm, yes? You must be Mr. Berry," Santana said politely, holding out her hand.

He just stared at the girls tan hand warily, as if it were some foreign object; his expression growing bitter. "You're the girl that has been tormenting my daughter for all these years and you just decide to come over to our house?" he snapped, making Santana take a shaky step back and drop her welcoming hand.

"Wait, dad, I can explain-" Rachel tried, but he just interrupted her.

"No, Rachel you can't," he argued, turning back to look Santana in the eye. "I want you out of my house. I want you out now!" he yelled, making Santana flinch further back. She was now standing in the doorway, her eye's darting over to a shocked Rachel.

Not knowing what else to do, Rachel walked directly in front of her dad, her back now facing Santana. She knew he had a temper and at this moment, she really wished her other dad, LeRoy was here right now and not stuck at work.

"Dad, calm down, I'm the one that invited her over. We're going to rehearse for glee," Rachel pleaded, her heart racing a million beats per second. At least, that's what it felt like.

Her dad just shook his head defiantly, "I don't care. Someone that causes you pain, day in and day out, doesn't belong in my house."

"Dad, just listen to me-"

"No, Rachel, he's right," Santana interrupted, her voice coming out faint, making both Berry's turn around and look at her. "I haven't treated you right, and it was naive of me to think that I could just apologize and everything would be okay. Because it wouldn't," Santana said honestly, taking another step back as her face was full of regret. "I have to gain your trust, and that of your dads. Until then, it's wrong of me to be here."

With that, Santana looked down, avoiding Rachel's pleading look, and walked away.

"Please Santana, just wait!" Rachel called out to the Latina, but it was already to late, because the girl was hurrying to her car, ignoring her plea. Rachel just watched as Santana drove off, the look in the Latina's eye's permanently stuck in her brain.

Whipping her head around, Rachel glared at her dad, who looked back at her perplexed. "How could you?" she asked. "Santana apologized to me! And if you would have just let me talk, then maybe you would have known that instead of shouting at her," Rachel cried out, the anger in her heart keeping her from breaking into tears. "Now she's probably never going to talk to me."

It took him a second to compose himself, but Hiram looked back at her, all the previous frustration gone. "It's better this way," he answered, earning himself another glare from his daughter.

"Not its not," she said sternly, moving away from her dad and heading back up the stairs.

"Where are you going? Dinner's ready.."

"I'm no longer hungry."

A/N: Okay, so that's the end of this chapter and I just want to say thank you to those who reviewed last time. It's cuz' of you guys that I decided to continue this, so thank you. But please keep reviewing, because you peeps help keep my muse going. Oh, and sorry if there are any grammar mistakes once again. As of right now, everything is seeming to be blending together. lol

Well, thanks again! (: