Tomorrow, I have school. I know I need to sleep- I have a class at eight - but I can't get Santana's confession out of my head. Santana likes me. She told Pastor Davis that it's a girl who lives with her - I'm a girl who lives with her. Why would she do that to herself? She's nice and everything...well, sometimes. Every once in a while. Very, very rarely.

I keep on switching from thinking about Santana to thinking about the fire. The fire is the only reason I know all of these things about her, the fire is the reason she likes me, the fire is the reason everything is so messed up.

Just thinking about this is giving me a headache. I tossed the blanket off, then started the somewhat confusing path to the kitchen. "Oh," I jumped when I saw the light of the refrigerator. It's nearly 2 am, who else is awake? I sighed out a laugh when I saw Leonardo's sleepy smile looking up at me.

"Want some cookies?" He asked. I shook my head gently.

"What are you doing up?" I yawned as I started to search through the cabinets for some aspirin.

"San and I meet down here sometimes for a midnight snack," he said nonchalantly. He spilled a little of the milk on the counter, and didn't even blink before he wiped it up with the sleeve of his pajama shirt. At the mention of Santana, I quickly got down a glass. After downing two ibuprofens with tap water, I spun on my heel and -

"Hey bud," Santana smiled. "And Quinn?"

"I was just going to bed," I shook my head.

"Come on," Leo cut me off. He bent down and dragged the step stool to the pantry, then climbed up and grabbed the jar of cookies, "They're the best. Peanut butter chocolate chip."

"I wouldn't want to impose-"

"You live here," he deadpanned. I swear, this kid is going places some day. "And I know Rhys is allergic to Peanuts, so you haven't had them in a while."

"If she doesn't want a cookie, she doesn't have to." Santana said quietly.

"I'd like one, actually. I kind of miss the taste," I shrugged. Santana didn't look at me. Leonardo pushed the jar towards me.

"He joined us a few nights ago," he said through a mouth full of cookie. "Rhys."

"Leo.." Santana warned.

"What?" He looked right at her.

She glanced at me, but as soon as we made eye contact, she dropped it. "Never mind."

"He had a cookie," Leonardo continued.

"A peanut butter one?" I gasped. Rhys's throat closes up and he gets a gnarly rash- it's terrible to see.

"Yeah. He was sitting there," he pointed at an empty stool, "then all of a sudden he runs back to his room, grabs a little safety kit, then comes back. He ate the whole cookie in two bites, then he stabbed his arm with an epipen," Leonardo smiled proudly. "You know what he said after that?"

"I'm sure you'll say it," Santana mumbled. He ignored her.

"He said, 'So worth it!'" He smiled proudly.

"That was dangerous," I frowned. "Do you know what could have happened?"

"I do," Leonardo shrugged. "I didn't plan on him doing it. I would have asked if mom could get some chocolate chip cookies if I'd known."

"Why would you let him do it?" I asked Santana.

"Nothing bad happened. He can make his own decisions," Leonardo answered for her. "He was prepared."

"Are you ignoring me?" I asked Santana. She just shook her head. "Good night," I scoffed.

"Night!" Leonardo called after me.

That night, I dreamt about the fire again. Only this time, I didn't feel it. It was actually sort of peaceful. It might have been because this time, Santana was there with her signature smirk, as if she was silently telling the fire that it couldn't hurt her. That it couldn't hurt either of us.

The next morning, I wasn't surprised to see that Santana already left by the time I was ready to eat breakfast. The other two Lopez's were just about ready to go.

"Momma, can I ride with Leo to school today?" Rhys asked. Without looking up from her new laptop, she nodded. She smiled when he thanked her and kissed her cheek, then mumbled 'goodbye, my love' when he had one foot out of the door.

"So," I said as I pushed my eggs around my plate, "any luck finding a house?"

"Hm?"

"A house," I repeated.

"Oh, that. Well, no luck at the moment-"

"Momma, it's been almost three weeks. How long does it take to-"

"Lucy, this is none of your concern," she kept her eyes trained on the computer screen.

"Um, it is, actually. When my brother and I are basically homeless, it is my concern." I crossed my arms.

"I will take care of it," she kept typing.

"Mom, what's wrong?" I asked carefully. She looked flushed.

"Apparently, your father left us a few debts to pay. The bank froze my account."

Rhys looks different. His hair is longer than it's ever been, and he wears it all pulled back in a lazy pony tail. It trails just past his shoulders. Now, he's playing some game with Leo and their friend called Crosby. Crosby's hair is curly and unruly, yet it looks somewhat tamed. Just enough to emphasize his boyish charm. He talks like Leo, with subconscious sarcasm and dry humor. They don't yell when they play their video game, but they mumble instructions to one another. Mostly, they just go with it. Sometimes, Leo chuckles when his character falls dead to the ground, an amused smile plays on his lips. He congratulates the enemy, then goes back at them twice as hard.

"No plans?" Santana asked as she rested her elbows on the back of the couch. I shook my head. She's actually talking to me. Maybe she's over her weird little crush. "Want to get out of here?"

"I'm watching them," I nodded towards the boys.

"Where's your mom?"

"Upstairs," I said carefully.

"Babysitting isn't your job," Santana told me. At that, the game was paused. Seeing as how Crosby and Rhys turned to look at Leo, I'm guessing he's the one who did it.

"We are not babies," he said sternly.

I rolled my eyes. "Of course not."

"And Judy's here. You can go if you want," he told me.

"I'd rather not leave you three."

"Why? We'll be fine, and if anything happens, I know CPR and where the First Aid Kit is." His expression was deadpanned, as it usually was. He looks too much like Santana.

"Kids got a point," His older sister smiled proudly. Sometimes I hate how smart that kid is.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked her. She ignored me, as I expected, and kept her eyes on the road in front of her. She's wearing her school attire, which makes me worry a little more. At home - her home, I mean - she wears blue jeans and a normal t-shirt. Is it odd that I find myself at ease when she's not wearing a leather jacket? I suppose that explains my nervousness. "Santana," I said sternly, "where are you taking me?"

"Just out," she muttered. It's getting darker, and being just 'out' with her makes my stomach turn. "Live a little, okay?"

"Live?" I scoffed, "Do you know me?"

"I do," she rolled her eyes, "that's precisely why I'm telling you that."

I slumped a little in my seat. I do live! Not just breathing - I go to parties often. I go out. I live, and she has no right to tell me otherwise. "How long will we be out?" I asked her. "Maribel gets home late, and I don't trust my mother with Rhys -"

"And Leo," she cut in swiftly.

"And Leo, and Crosby," I nodded, seeing as how she'd somewhat proven my point for me. "Not for long periods of time at least."

"We'll be back soon," she told me. She looked at me again before adding, "Don't worry. Leo's a good kid, and we won't be too long." Oddly enough, that kind of put me at ease. Leonardo was too mature for his own good.

When she pulled over, it was into an alley. My breathing hitched, something she noticed and smiled at. Of course she was enjoying this.

"Where the hell are we?" I gritted through my teeth. Without a word, she opened her car door and slid out. She reached over the wheel and took out she keys, then looked at me expectantly. "I'm not getting out," I said firmly.

"Oh really?" She smiled, an amused grin that I haven't seen in what seems like ages. "Fine," she shrugged indifferently. She closed the door without bothering to roll down the window. "You sure?" She asked me.

"Positive," I nodded and used what I hoped was a strong voice.

"Okay…" she said teasingly. "Just a few pointers - Crazy Al is harmless, but if he hops in, scream. If you see anyone other than Al, scream."

"Who is Al - Santana!" I called after her retreating form. "Santana!"

I think I survived a full two minutes alone in the passenger seat of Santana's car. I listened to the droplets coming from an unknown area, and inwardly cursed Santana for taking the keys. I grudgingly unbuckled my seat belt and got out of the car, closing the door as quietly as possible behind me after locking the doors. If I didn't need a ride home, I'd leave it unlocked. It would have been her fault for doing this to me.

I followed her path and soon heard the laughter of what sounded like a group of people. My stomach nearly dropped - I'm not planning on dying tonight. Before I could turn around, I heard Santana talk.

"It's been way too long," she laughed. I followed the sound until I was met with the sight of Santana, Noah Puckerman, Jesse St James, and a few other people that sported leather jackets. Of course. What did I expect her to do? Take me out and say, 'Hey Quinn, I don't know if you know this, but I have a little thing for you. Don't worry though, I'll get over it.' No. She had to take me here, to one of their weird - what is this anyway? - club meetings. "Quinn!" She smirked. "You're just in time."

"What's she doing here?" Noah asked, he looked at me curiously, but spoke as if I wasn't standing right there.

"I brought her," Santana replied. I glared at her, so she rolled her eyes. "She had a flat, so I told her I'd give her a ride if she did my history notes for the next week," she lied casually, as if her words were rehearsed.

"Then why are you here?" Jesse asked.

"Couldn't pass up this opportunity," she smiled mischievously before tossing something towards me, muttering, "Catch," after it'd already left her hands. Luckily, being a Cheerio gave me some quick reflexes, I caught it with ease. I examined the small item, and saw that it was black spray paint.

"No," I scoffed. I don't do graffiti. No one does. It's stupid, neanderthal, against the law - and so them. I tossed it back to her.

"You want to go home?" She asked me. I crossed my arms.

"Take. Me. Home." I hissed. She chuckled darkly, then tossed the spray paint back to me.

"Draw me something pretty," she hissed back. The rest of the Black Jacks stared at us, switching their gazes from Santana, to me, then back. They've never really witnessed Santana taking me head on, not since the bleachers riot. Even then, it was more so Sam who took care of it.

I finally broke eye contact and looked down at the spray can in my hand, then at my wrist watch. It's already a little past eight, and the more time I spend here, the longer Rhys, Leo, and Crosby are at home (basically) alone. And I still have to drive Crosby to his house. I glared at her and slowly started to shake the can, earning a few whistles and laughs from the Black Jacks. Santana just stood there with a stupid triumphant smile and watched as I slowly walked towards the wall of the alley. I held the can close to the wall, then pressed down on the top. The liquid paint squirted out, and I immediately stopped and looked back at her.

"Satisfied?" I spat.

"You can do better than that," she told me, earning laughter from the rest of her friends. I scoffed and went over the dot, creating a long, vertical line. I looked back at her with both eyebrows raised. She clicked her tongue and sauntered over to me, took the can, but held up my index finger. The tip was adorned with black paint. "Now you can't call the cops."

"I can say you forced me," I said quietly, just loud enough for her to hear.

"And I can say I didn't." She countered. Without another word, she turned to face the wall, and started spraying away. I rolled my eyes and turned away, and saw that the rest of them lost interest in us and are now spraying various colors at the dark walls of the alley. When I heard Santana stop spraying I looked back at her ready to demand to be taken home - then I saw what she'd done to my line. It was beautiful. She turned it into a rose, much larger than what my line had been.

"How did you do that?" I asked with wide eyes.

"Practice," she shrugged.

I cleared my throat then looked away from her work. "Please take me home," I asked, gently this time. To my surprise, she nodded.

"One more thing," she said without looking at me. She bent down and took another can out of their bag, then went back to spraying. This time, I watched. She looked so...determined. I don't think I've ever seen her so focused. The way he furrowed her eyebrows, poked out her tongue, and every once in a while, she'll take her bottom lip in between her teeth - "Done," she said, interrupting my train of thought. What was I even thinking?

"Perfect," I breathed once I saw that she'd filled in the blank spaces with red paint. She gave me a small smile, then turned to face her friends. She nodded at them, then started to walk away. I followed her.

Later that night, I woke up with the familiar beads of sweat lined along my forehead, my lungs refusing to work properly: the usual. This time, I didn't even realise that I woke up screaming. The only thing that I could feel was fear. Those knocks came again, but I didn't bother with replying. Whoever knocked opened the door and let themselves in, but I pretended to still be asleep. I heard footsteps come closer, until they stood right in front of the bed. I didn't move. The person moved a lock of hair from my face, then gently ran the back of their hand down my cheek. Just when I thought they'd walk away, I felt soft lips on my cheek. A few seconds later, the person started to walk away. As soon as I heard the door move, I opened one eye; just in time to see Santana closing the door behind herself.

A/N- I'm glad that the majority you guys have liked the previous chapters :) I'll clear up any confusion as the story progresses, but here's one thing that I think should be said now: Quinn is not the main reason Santana's father acted the way he did. Santana didn't mention her when she came out to her parents, only that she felt she loved girls the way she was "supposed" to love boys.

I'm trying to update often, I hope I'm doing a good job so far. Adios!

- KP