Chapter 2

"Got bruises on my heart and sometimes I get dark…" –Ashlee Simpson, "Autobiography"

"Who's that?" Puck asked as Santana put her phone back in her Taupe sling bag. She was pretty much the girl who's ready for a road trip: she was wearing a blue bandeau top, ripped shorts, and some fringed boots. She was sitting in the front seat of the Red Camaro with her good friend, Noah Puckerman, art school drop-out, and the so called "all around bad guy". Santana and Puck met in college and have become good friends since.

"My sister," Santana said, "Half-sister. You know, the one I met last year…"

"Oh, all American type A one?"

Santana laughed, "Yeah, that one," she said, "Her name's Quinn and we're going to pick her up in Reynolds Square because she ran away from home."

"Wow," Puck said, "what happened?"

Santana shrugged, "Her mom's crazy," she said, "anyway, let's go, I don't want her mother getting to her first,"

"Does she know?" Puck asked her.

Santana was taken aback and touched her stomach for a bit. She took a deep breath, "No," she said, "not yet, though…what are you waiting for, Puckerman? Drive the car or I'll do it,"

Puck shook his head and managed the steering wheel.

Xxxxx

Quinn's eyes lit up when she saw the battered old Camaro stop by her way. Santana was in the front seat and a mohawked guy was driving the car.

"Ay dios mio," Santana said as she saw Quinn, looking battered and bruised herself. "Get in,"

Puck went out of the driver's seat and opened the back door for Quinn, "Seat's all yours, Princess," he smiled.

"T-thanks," Quinn said unsurely.

"Puck, that's Quinn, my sister," Santana said, "Quinn, this is Puck, he's my friend from college,"

"The guy from the wrong side of the tracks," Puck said and looked at Quinn from the rearview mirror.

Quinn smiled shyly, "Sorry for just…I really didn't know who to call, San,"

"Ah, that's alright," Santana said.

"So…" Quinn asked, "where are you guys going?"

"Well," Puck answered, "it's a road trip so we don't really know—"

"Don't scare her, Puck," Santana said.

"Nah, nah, it's okay," Quinn said, "I mean, I don't exactly know where I'm going either so…"

"And you actually need a change of clothes," Santana said.

"I've no money, Santana,"

"So, you're planning to just wear that for the rest of the trip?"

Puck snickered.

"San, I've no money and—"

"Don't be silly," Santana said, "I've some with me."

"But—"

"Honey," Santana said, "you need some help, okay? You're on this trip now. No need to be overly strong for yourself."

"Thanks," was all Quinn could say. She caught Puck's eye in the mirror and saw him smiling at her. She smiled back a little.

xx