Graduation was a fun affair, Quinn and Rachel gave a valedictorian and salutatorian speech respectively. Quinn liked to think her speech wasn't cliched though she was sure Santana would clown her on it later.
….
.
.
They were to begin school in late September. While Quinn was excited to be in the big city and in her home state of California. Santana was not, she was frightened.
Countless nagging thoughts ran through her mind. Among those was questioning whether California would be a fit for her? Prior to befriending Quinn, she had set her eyes on NYU because being in the big apple seemed appealing then.
Now UCLA seemed like a better option, but was it? Really so?
She had spoken to her parents, who were excited she would be attending her father's alma mater, though her mom had hoped she would have chosen NYU.
Either way, they were extremely excited for her and they would respect her decision regardless of what she chose to do.
They were admittedly very surprised she would be thousands of miles away from them, and honestly, she was too. But she wanted to do this for herself. It wasn't as if she chose to follow Quinn, it was just a coincidence that they were even attending the same school.
She boarded the plane alongside Quinn, who was earnestly trying her best to keep her calm.
So Santana was scared of heights, fuck. That would certainly make the trip unbearable. But Quinn was super attentive the whole time, she was grateful her best friend would be on this college journey with her, and that was comforting.
She listened to Kanye's "College Dropout", his best album in her humble opinion. She had never felt a deeper connection to "Spaceship" before. That feeling of uncertainty of the future and wanting to take control of it was something she felt recently. She didn't know what direction she was going and she was frightened to learn about herself and potentially discovering something she might not like.
She turned towards Quinn when she felt her squeeze her palm.
"Are you okay?" She whispered. Her hazel eyes laced with concern.
Santana nodded, but her eyes gave away her real thoughts.
Quinn spoke softly then, her soothing tone calming her, "Hey, don't worry too much. I know you're going to love California. If you decide you hate it, you can always transfer, so don't feel like this is it, okay? Besides, I'm going to be with you every step of the way. I love you, you're my best friend"
She smiled and leaned over to peck Quinn's cheek, "Thank you, Quinn"
She turned to the window then, silently wiping a tear.
.
.
.
.
.
UCLA had a beautiful campus, and Santana was smitten. As soon as she got to campus she knew that she was meant to be here.
Her and Quinn's friendship was evolving.
Soon, they made their independent circle of friends, but they always made time for each other.
A popular comment among their friends was that they were dating. They would each shrug it off but maybe that had some truth to it. They wouldn't go a day without seeing each other despite living on opposite ends of campus and having different majors.
But they took their comments in stride, simply laughing them off. Surely they were jealous that they had no friends with extensive history in this completely new environment.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"I really want to go to the frat party, Quinn" Santana suggested, she'd heard that some of the most intense parties in the nation happened in this school and she was curious. In fact, she was sure that "Project X" was loosely based on a frat party at UCLA.
"I don't know, parties aren't necessarily my thing" She trailed off.
"Oh come on, it's a three day weekend and you know you're acing your classes. Live a little"
She narrowed her eyes and huffed, "I don't want to be surrounded by meathead athletes"
"That's a stereotype! You know Nick and he's an amazing person despite being an athlete, you're being too critical"
"If he's so good why don't you just fucking date him then?"
Nick was a star basketball player and he was always trying to get in Santana's pants to Quinn's chagrin.
"What is with you? Ever since I befriended Nick you don't want to make time for me. Well, newsflash, you have been devoting all of your time to Marley; and I've been nothing but understanding" Santana was positive Quinn was jealous, this was something that needed to be addressed, neither of them were dating , yet they treated each other like partners.
"I just don't like him."
"Is it because he wants to date me?" She pleaded with her eyes.
"No! I wouldn't mind. He just wants to fuck you. It's different"
"Oh, like that would be all bad. I can think of another person who just fucked me Quinn"
"That's different, and you know it"
"Right, because I begged you, right?"
"No, because I actually cared about you, Santana"
"You just did it because I was desperate to lose my virginity" Santana rolled her eyes.
"No, ugh" Quinn sighed she didn't think she'd ever admit this out loud, "You were my first, Santana"
"What? I thought you had had sex already?"
"No, I hadn't ever before. We shared our first time with each other. Look, virginity doesn't matter. The point is you were the first person I ever felt comfortable to be intimate with, so yes. When we had sex it was a lot more than that. I want you to be with someone who wants to be with you for more than just hitting it, San. You deserve that"
"You're right. I still want to go to the party though"
"I'll go with you" Quinn sighed
…
.
.
.
.
.
They were both dressed in tight skirts and tight tops, they were a hot duo.
The party mainly consisted of them dancing with each other. That night Santana went back to Nick's apartment.
Quinn sighed and thought to herself that perhaps her and Santana's moment was gone, it had passed. They would never be an item and she hoped and prayed that one day she'd be able to cope with that. It was about time that she actually move on and date someone different.
That night she finally decided that seeing other people would do her good.
,
.
...
Nick and Santana were a very cute pair, and he proved himself, he treated her right and that was all Quinn wanted for Santana.
"We should go on a double date" Santana said as she lay on Quinn's bed carelessly filing her nails.
"I don't know. I don't think Marley is fond of double dates"
"Oh come on!" Santana was pleading now.
Their date was awkward to say the least.
Marley was particularly possessive and her hands seemed to always find themselves on Quinn, not that she minded. Although Santana's eyes narrowed every time Marley displayed possession over Quinn.
It was interesting to say the least. Nick seemed hellbent on becoming friends with Quinn which was quite alright, but also extremely frustrating. Quinn didn't want to be his friend, she was Santana's not his.
After the date they all walked back to campus. Quinn and Marley walked behind Santana and Nick, their hands joined.
...
.
.
.
.
.
After two months of dating, Quinn was finally ready to move on to the next step, Marley was ecstatic.
The sex was good, but it felt completely different this time she felt exposed and she didn't know what that meant nor did she want to find out. So here they were, going into their second quarter and still going relatively strong. Nick and Santana were quite the same, though Quinn had heard the athlete boast about his time with Santana.
She simply swallowed the lump in her throat, she had no right. Yet here she was dwelling. In these moments she wished that ,HBIC Quinn could be resuscitated though she knew she was past that. Santana had changed her, a lot more than anyone ever had, or ever would, really.
She committed herself to putting a lot of effort into her relationship with Marley she knew it could work, it had to work.
Her relationship with Santana slowly dwindled. It was a flame that had started off so bright and intense, and warm but now it was delicate and small, a wisp of air could kill it off completely.
.
.
That day she had a class in South Campus, she was an engineering major after all, and as she was passing by the John Wooden Gym, she saw Santana. Perhaps for the first time in a couple of months. She hesitated if only slightly. But Santana came jogging to her before she got a word out.
She was sweaty, Quinn assumed she'd just gotten out of the gym.
Soon, her nostrils were invaded by Santana's perfume and her wild mane of hair.
She wrapped her arms around her, "Hey"
"Hey yourself! I haven't seen you in the longest time"
"Yeah I've been busy, I am a south campus major after all"
Santana pursed her lips, "that didn't stop you from making time for me last quarter"
Quinn furrowed her brows, realizing then that they looked to be a couple, and she released her from her grasp. "It's a two way street, you've been busy with your boyfriend," she cleared her throat every time she said that her throat felt constricted.
"You've been busy with your girlfriend too. Quinn we should meet up, let's catch dinner or something"
She hesitated for a moment, confident that Marley would not approve.
"I don't know"
Santana sighed, "we don't have to tell them you know"
"I'd be a terrible girlfriend if I went behind her back like that, she's a sweet girl, I don't wanna hurt her"
Her shoulders slumped, "we'll catch dinner but I have to let her know" she reassured.
Santana always had this gleam in her eyes whenever she spoke about Marley, inquisition and something akin to doubt.
Quinn wasn't exactly sure what it was but she didn't like it, not even a bit.
She reached over and gave her a reassuring hug, "I- I'll see you later, okay?"
...
.
.
.
.
.
She and Marley were working on their Calculus homework, when she spoke up, "I'm going to catch dinner with Santana later?" She didn't know why but she phrased it as a question, the increasing tone notified her of such.
Marley studied her, "Ok?"
When Quinn quirked a brow, Marley hesitated, "she's my friend" Quinn said with reassurance.
"I know that Quinn." Marley questioned if for a second if she should address the issue, she sighed, "I think you're trying to reassure yourself of that, not me"
"I" Marley held her hand up, "it's okay, unrequited love is a damn disaster"
"It's not love, Marley" Quinn wasn't sure whether or not sharing her past with Santana would help her case at all, "I'm trying to move on"
Marley closed her textbook then, she was all ears. "She's my friend, my best friend even, we had a one time thing in high school. I thought that I was over it, but it seems to hurt me every time she's with someone new. I'm not sure if it's fucking my self-esteem up, or if I'm still desperately hoping for her to like me"
Marley grabbed her hand, "Its okay, Quinn. I'm sure you'll be able to overcome this, I'll help you overcome it"
Quinn smiled sadly, "I hope you can too. I really like you but it's this baggage that I'm stringing along"
"It's alright. We'll be alright"
"I think dinner with her will help you put things into perspective" Marley said.
...
...
.
.
.
.
.
They caught dinner at a restaurant far from campus, both kept walking until something finally appealed to them.
"How have you been, Quinn" Santana seemed guarded again, reminiscent of her reaction after they'd had sex for the first time.
Quinn smiled, "I've been alright, just missing my best friend" she joked.
Santana smiled, but she didn't laugh, "maybe we can both get better at communicating, we did so well last quarter!"
"I guess relationships just do this to us" Quinn said
"I'd say we should date each other then" Quinn stiffened and hurriedly drunk her water.
"Geez, it was a joke Quinn"
"I know that" Quinn said, her wall going up again. "I'll make more of an effort to hang out with you.. how's Nick doing?"
Santana hummed as she chewed her pasta, "He's okay, he keeps on asking about you. He won't shut up about it, I think he secretly wants to date you"
Quinn grimaced, she was repulsed, "yeah I don't think he's a bottom so that would never, ever happen. Plus he can't really handle this" she wiggled her brows, her self-confidence finally making an appearance that night.
Santana laughed heartily, as she suck the straw into her lips she spoke up, "I'm a top and we did just fine. But I'd say. You're quite a lot to take in, Q."
Quinn smirked, "I'd say" she repeated Santana's phrase and laughed at her blush.
"Oh my god, he sucks in bed doesn't he?!"
Realization dawned on her.
"No, not at all. He's good, very good, but he can be a bit too..." she searched for the right word "passionate" she concluded.
Quinn hummed in acknowledgment. Dinner went by relatively smoothly. "How's Marley?"
Quinn smiled broadly this time, "She's great, she's so understanding, and caring, and beautiful"
"Wow, you could write a poem describing her" Santana teased.
"No she's actually more than I could ever ask for" Quinn said a bit lost in thought, admittedly she'd always want the girl directly in front of her.
Santana looked at her water, yeah she'd definitely lost her opportunity with Quinn. It saddened her a lot more than she imagined it would.
"You're still young though, Q. I'd bet you can still find someone who better suits you"
"I didn't say I was going to propose to her, Santana" Quinn laughed.
Santana finally smiled at that, there's always time.
...
.
..
.
.
So they continued to talk, this seemingly hot and cold cycle of passive aggressiveness needed to be out to a permanent halt. They'd already done it once in high school and they vowed never to do it again.
..
.
.
.
.
Santana walked into Nicks dorm room, she was excited at the prospect of being able to de stress with him.
However, seeing the girl at the end of the bed taking him in her mouth, had Santana seething.
She cleared her throat, "You're a pig" she mustered enough strength to slap him harshly.
She walked out then. She went to the only person who could ever comfort her.
As soon as the blonde opened her dorm room, she landed on her arms.
"He cheated on me"
Quinn nodded in understanding, "it's okay, you're alright. I've got you"
Between the mix of the sweet nothings being whispered in her ear, and her loneliness and betrayal. She came to one conclusion, she needed to be with Quinn. Even she knew that Nick was a phase.
The next day they got breakfast together as Quinn looked at her with concern and sympathy in her eyes.
"I was already going to break up with him, we were going down hill" she said as if that somehow reassured her.
Quinn nodded.
.
.
Rachel called Quinn.
"I heard Santana is back on the market"
"Yeah, so?"
"What do you mean so!? You finally have an opportunity to date her!"
Quinn laughed, "she's my friend if things didn't work out with us I don't think I'd be able to cope with losing her."
"But you guys have been dancing each other forever!"
"I don't know we both got out of relationships recently it wouldn't be wise"
"Quinn it's been four months since she was with someone and three for you! You need to claim your stake and make your move!" Rachel was so passionate you think she was getting paid to make this request.
"Besides you and Marley were mainly friends who occasionally had sex so I don't see what the deal is"
Quinn chuckled, "I'll make a move on her when we go home this year during the summer," she acquiesced.
.
.
.
.
Santana apparently had other things in mind. Weeks after Quinn and Rachel's conversation she was ready to address the elephant in the room: she had fallen in love with Quinn. It wasn't the result of a one night stand but years of respect, belonging and friendship. Sure they'd had sex once but this was much more nuanced. Her heart and soul desperately called for Quinn, and sure their love wasn't something out of a novel, it had festered over a lot of hurt, and misunderstanding and interestingly enough- understanding.
It was something that had been built over the course of three years that had depended severely on mutual understanding, compassion and empathy.
She was ready, of course she was nervous. But she'd be going into her second year after this summer, and the prospect of seeing Quinn with another girl was something she could not stand for again.
So she bought her roses, the white ones she'd figured it'd show her love was pure or something.
Quinn was packing her stuff when she heard a knock on her door. She opened it to see Santana with a bouquet of white roses.
"Tell me how a broke college student got these" she chuckled as she leaned against the door frame.
"You know my parents are loaded", she handed them over.
Quinn quirked a brow, "Thanks" she assumed it was a symbol of their friendship until Santana spoke.
"I think you should date me" she blurted out.
"Oh really? Why do you think that?" Quinn teased although she knew a vulnerable Santana could turn fiery real quick.
"Because I love you and I know you love me too, and we've danced around each other for so long I'd rather make you mine now. Besides you and I are endgame you know that, I know that. It'll happen eventually and I wanna save us both some heartbreak" she was so confident, Quinn nearly assumed she was giving a public policy speech of some sort.
"I want to date you too" she affirmed, "I've been waiting a long time for this"
AN: I know this isn't the best chapter. I just really wanted to post it as soon as I found it on my computer. I hope you all like it. I have other one-shots that I'm still debating whether to post them or not.
I hope ya'll leave a comment and let me know if ya'll at least liked it! (I will go back and edit so please let me know what I can fix!)
Have a nice night!
Best,
Tubby