February 12th

Santana's POV

Ever since the kiss four days ago, Blaine and I had begun to shift into a new sort of relationship. He wasn't technically my boyfriend and I wasn't technically his girlfriend, but we were… involved, I guess? We had this unspoken agreement where we had the right to date someone else, but we both knew neither of us would. To be honest, I was surprised and disappointed when he didn't ask me to be his girlfriend right away. My guess is he's probably planning something for Valentine's Day. That kid's a hopeless romantic. I thought as I turned down the hall to see him standing at my locker before the first bell, as always.

Blaine's POV

I stood by Santana's locker as usual, waiting for her to arrive. She always got to school a couple minutes after me. I looked up to see her round the corner; she seemed to be in deep thought.

"Whatcha thinkin' about?" I asked as she walked forward to hug me.

"You."

I felt the blush I knew so well creep up to my face and saw her give a knowing smile. Of course she knows what she does to me. Thinking about it just makes me blush more.

She opened her locker and grabbed a folder. She seemed distracted today. Distant.

"Are you okay, San?" I asked, grabbing her hand and playing with her fingers.

"Yeah, just tired," She sighed, closing her locker. I shrugged and walked with her, dropping her hand hesitantly. Of course I wanted to hold her hand and show her off to the world as mine, but I had to do this right. Sure, she'll be confused for the next two days but it'll be worth it.

Ever since the kiss, I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. And sure, we've kissed since then, but just pecks to say goodbye. Still, I feel lucky to be kissing her at all. It was so scary at first, not knowing what I was feeling for her. It wasn't bad as realizing what I felt for boys, but still. It was an entirely new feeling. That combined with the fact that I was still recovering from Kurt and I's breakup kept me from making a move earlier.

Four months earlier

"Kurt, I don't understand." What did he mean, he 'did something'?

"Oh god, Blaine, you'll hate me."

"Kurt, whatever it is, we can get through it together. I love you."

"I… I was at Rachel's party last night and Chandler was there… and... and…"

I got up and walked away. I didn't need to know more than I already did.

"Blaine, please! It was a mistake!"

"We're over, Kurt." I walked out the front door of his house and began driving home, crying the way there.

It all seemed so long ago now. If it hadn't been for Santana, I wouldn't have gotten over it as fast as I did. It's funny how the right person at the right time can make everything better. And the weird thing is, she was so good at fixing me, even though she didn't even know why we broke up.

Last period

The bell rang and I began to make my way down the stairs to walk to Santana's car; she was my ride today.

Walking towards the car, I saw Santana in the driver's seat. Huh. That's weird. I usually get here before her.

Once I got closer to the car, I saw that she had been crying, and started running towards the door. The car wasn't locked, so I got in.

She just looked at me and started crying again, so I pulled her close to me in an embrace.

"Shhh, it's okay, baby."

She stopped crying and lifted her head up to look at me.

"Do you really care about me, Blaine?"

"What kind of question is that?"

"Just answer it."

"Yes! Of course I do, San. What's this about?"

She looked at me, sadness painted across her face. "It's… it's just something Brittany said to me before last period. It was innocent on her part; really, it just got to me for some reason."

"What did she say to you?"

"She came up to me and told me she missed me and wanted me back. When I told her no, she… I mean I guess she was sad? But she started talking about you and she said some things that really got under my skin."

God, why can't she just tell me?

But then I looked at her. I really looked at her. I saw the despair written on her face, begging me to just drop it, and I had to make her better. I couldn't stand one more fucking second of it.

I placed me hands on the sides of her face and kissed her. I could taste her tears on my lips and feel her hands shaking as she wound them around my torso, but I didn't care. I didn't care that all the people in the parking lot could see us, I didn't care that we weren't technically together yet, I didn't care that we were in a cramped car, it was just me and her in this moment.

We pulled apart and she smiled at me. "Thanks, B." She said before putting the key in the ignition and pulling out of the parking lot.

One hour earlier, Santana's POV

I was walking to last period, US History, when I felt someone tap my shoulder from behind me.

It was Brittany.

"Uh… Hi, Brittany."

"Santana I want you back."

"What?" She could NOT be serious right now.

"Breaking up with you was the worst mistake of my life. Please, give me another chance."

How many times have I dreamed of this moment? How many times have I laid awake in bed at night, hoping she would call me and tell me she wanted me, that she loved me? Too many times.

"No."

"Wha… what?"

"No, Brittany. I wasted too much time on you, and I won't let you hurt me again. I deserve someone who will always be there for me. And that isn't you."

"Who is it?" She sneered angrily. "Is it Blaine?"

"Don't do this, Brittany."

"He doesn't even like you! He's gay, Santana. He will never love you like I did!"

She stormed away angrily, drawing some attention to herself. I just stood there, shocked. She had just voiced the doubts I've always had in the back of my head.

What if Blaine is just confused?

What if you're his 'experiment'?

What if he doesn't really love you?

For all I knew, he could walk up to me any day and say "I'm gay, Santana." Maybe that's why he hasn't asked me to be his girlfriend. And here I was, thinking he was planning some extra-special Valentine's Day surprise.

I stormed down the hall and out the front door, not letting myself cry until I got into my car.

How could I be so stupid?

After who knows how long of crying, I heard someone get in the car. It was Blaine.

I looked at him and began crying again, and he hugged me.

"Shhh, it's okay, baby."

Baby. He called me 'baby'.

He asked me what happened, and I told him. Well, not really; I left out what Brittany had said about him. And then suddenly, he kissed me.

It wasn't like our first kiss at the park. Or the very few kisses we've shared since then. It was passionate. It was real.

"Thanks, B." I said before pulling out of the parking lot and driving towards my apartment.