Hello guys. I know it's been like months since I've written anything. My Bad! But seriously, college had been kicking my ass and I needed to focus on it. But now that school's over, I have time to write again.

So if any of you still watch glee, you'd know that Brittana are back together and that Dantana broke up(offscreen of course because glee just loves doing that). Anyway, in this story, Pezberry never feuded over the understudy thing and Brittana never got back together. But Blaine, Sam, and Mercedes are in here. Kinds stupid I know, but bare with me *nervous laughter* So here's chapter 18! disclaimer- I don't own glee.

A lot of things in Dani's life have changed over the last couple of months. Funny Girl had finally opened up on Broadway and Rachel was the talk of the town. Kurt's fiancé, Blaine, and his friends Sam and Mercedes made the move to New York as well and were doing well for themselves so far. Kurt and Blaine were excelling at Nyada, Sam was modeling here and there, and Mercedes was working on an album and had come to New York for inspiration. Butler and his band got picked up by some recording producer and were currently on a small tour along the east coast. It seemed like everyone's dreams were coming true.

Except for Dani and Santana's.

They were still working at the Spotlight Diner day in, and day out, hoping for their own opportunity at fame to arise. Santana didn't seem to know what she wanted to do, while Dani at least had some idea. She wanted to be a recording artist more than anything else in the world, but achieving your dreams was harder than her friends made it out to be.

Currently Dani was on her break at the diner and was talking to yet another record producer over the phone.

"Yes sir…yeah…No I understand, it's okay…thank you for your time." Dain hung up the phone with a deep sigh. She had just been rejected again. She had given this label a demo of her singing a couple of cover songs a month ago and they finally called her back, saying she wasn't the "sound" they were looking for. Dani didn't even know what that meant which, frustrated her more.

Just then her phone started ringing and Dani saw it was Santana.

"Hey San," she answered cheerily, trying to sound the opposite of how she felt.

"Oh my god Dani, you will never believe what just happened to me!" Santana said excitedly over the phone, causing Dani to chuckle.

"Umm, you just won the noble peace prize for discovering the cure for the common cold?" she joked.

"I wish, but no."

"Then what is it San?" Dani asked.

"I'll tell you when you get home. This is something I want to say in person."

"Aw San, you know I hate it when you get me all excited and then don't say anything" Dani pouted, knowing Santana could hear it in her voice.

"I know Babe, but this is worth the wait. What time do you get off?"

"I'm off at 7, which is in…" she checked the clock on the wall. "3 hours" Dani groaned.

"Okay good. I'll see you then."

"See you then. Bye, I love you."

"I love you too." Then Santana hung up the phone.

Dani didn't know what her girlfriend was so happy about, but if it made Santana happy, she'd probably be happy too. She needed something to be excited about after being rejected from the 4th record label in the last 4 months.

"Only 3 more hours to go" she mumbled.

Dani stopped by a flower shop on her way home. She figured whatever good news Santana had, needed some form of congratulations and flowers are always a safe bet. When she opened the door to the apartment, she expected to see just Santana, but Mercedes was there as well. They were sitting on the couch talking about something that seemed to be really important.

"Oh good, Dani, you're home" Santana said when she saw the pink haired girl came inside. She got up and kissed her on the cheek.

"Yup. Hey Mercedes, I didn't know you were coming over" Dani greeted. "I would have picked up some wine or something on the way here."

"It's cool Dani, I don't need anything. Who are the flowers for?" Mercedes asked. Dani blushed a bit and turned to her girlfriend.

"Oh right, these are for you." She said while offering the flowers to Santana.

"You didn't have to get me these. You don't even know what I'm going to tell you." Santana said, taking the flowers and wrapping her arms around Dani's waist.

Dani shrugged "I know, but I like buying pretty things for a pretty ladies regardless of the occasion." Then they started what their friends call "The stare." They both just looked into each other's eyes and forgot anyone and anything going on around them.

"Umm, guys?" Mercedes said. "Hellooo?" she went over to Santana and pinched her shoulder.

"Ow. Damn it Wheezy, what'd you do that for?" Santana said, releasing Dani and rubbing her shoulder.

"Are you gonna tell your girl or not? I don't have all day."

"Oh right," Santana said and turned her attention back to Dani. "You know how Mercedes only came to New York to finish her album right?"

Dani nodded. "Yeah."

"Okay, so I asked Santana to help me out with getting a new sound for one of my songs. We sang a duet together and my producer loved it." Mercedes added.

"And then he offered me a contract to be on Mercedes' album!" Santana finished excitedly. Dani didn't know exactly what to say to this.

"Oh wow!" she said at a loss for words. "That's amazing. Congrats Babe" she said and pulled a giddy Santana into a hug.

"This is one of the best days of my life" Santana said pulling out of the hug and started talking to Mercedes about the song they were going to sing, how long it was going to take to record, and if Santana was going to be able to perform with Mercedes live. Dani felt a twinge of sadness at all their excitement.

"So what happens now?" she asked, trying to appear as happy as they were. Mercedes answered her.

"Once Santana signs the contract, we'll schedule some recording sessions and go from there" she said simply.

Dani nodded. "Great," she said with a somewhat forced smile. As happy for Santana as she was, Dani was also feeling something else. Jealousy? Defeat? Insecurity? All three? Now everyone around her was succeeding where she couldn't. Why was it so hard for her to make it too?

"You okay?" Santana asked, sensing something was up.

Dani shook her head. "Yeah, I'm just a bit tired from work and was going to lay down" she said. It wasn't a complete lie, she was actually tired.

Santana frowned, "Mercedes and I were going to go out to celebrate. But if you're tired, I can stay at here. I can make dinner and we can go to bed early if you want," She said concerned.

"No, no. I'm fine. Why don't you guys go ahead and I'll meet up with you after I shower and change?" Dani said. She didn't want to make tonight all about her when it should be all about Santana.

"Are you sure? Because Mercedes and I can always reschedule, right?" she asked Mercedes.

"Yeah, no problem."

"Santana, I promise you I'm okay. Now get going and I'll see you in a little bit." Dani assured her with a smile.

Santana looked at her warily. "Okay, if you say so…"

"I do," Dani said while grabbing her hand and leaning up for a kiss. "Now get going."

Once Santana and Mercedes left, only after Santana asked 3 more times if Dani would rather them stay home, Dani collapsed on the couch. She was happy for her girlfriend, ecstatic even, but she couldn't help but feel the universe was laughing in her face. She's been working her butt off making demos and trying to get signed. Yet Santana gets a contract after just one duet. Maybe she should ask Mercedes to put in a good word for her at her label? Dani didn't want to push it though, since she had only known Mercedes for about two months. She decided to give Butler a quick call to see what he'd say about all this. She hadn't talked to him in a while since he's always busy on tour.

Dani got his voicemail, which she expected. "Hey B, it's Dani. I need some advice and could really use my best friend right now. Call me back when you get the chance. I miss you, bye," she said and then hung up with a sad sigh.

"Okay Danielle, time to man-up. You can throw yourself a pity party tomorrow, but tonight is all about Santana," she told herself before getting up and getting ready to go.

So there you go. Sorry if it was kinda sad. Part two is coming out soon. R&Rs are appreciated.