A/N:

Hello guys!

I know it has been months since I last updated an I'm so sorry for that.

But here's an extra lengthy chapter for all of you wonderful readers.

I hope you like it!

Chapter 25

Hanna's POV:

"Hanna, wait!" I heard Sam call out, and I turned around to see him with Quinn and Santana.

"What's up?" I asked with my brows furrowed.

"Come on, we all know you don't really have a date." Santana explained.

I smiled, I did expect them to not buy my lame excuse, but still, it was nice of them to actually follow me, even though they weren't who I was expecting it to be; not that I expected anyone specific to follow me or anything; still, I was both relieved and disappointed.

"So where are you heading?" Santana asked, her arms are wrapped around Quinn's waist and I couldn't help but feel a twinge in my heart because not so long ago, I was secured in Emily's arms.

"I was actually planning to text Caleb and..." I confessed with a sigh.

"Well, it's a good thing we followed you, so you won't have to do that." Sam commented before I could even finish.

"I'm glad you did." I said honestly.

"I'm thinking Breadstix." Quinn suggested.

"I love that." Santana replied. "We haven't been there for a while now."

"I'm in." Sam and I said in unison.

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"You know…you have to face Emily eventually, Hanna. You're in the same circle of friends. You can't just pretend that she doesn't exist." Quinn stated after I asked where Spencer and Rachel is.

"I know. But its not like we're going to fix this if we talk." I reasoned, because we've done a lot of talking but it always ends up with one of us in tears if not both of us.

"I don't get why all of you are in love with her. Like, I'm here. Are you guys blind or something? Why aren't you in love with me instead?" Santana joked, trying to make the conversation on a lighter note.

"I'm in love with you, babe." Quinn remarked which managed to render Santana blushing and speechless.

"You are so whipped." Sam commented, earning a slap in the arm from the Latina.

It's hard for me to contain the smile that my lips just formed. I haven't seen Santana so flushed, in a long time. It's rare to witness her like this; probably because I barely see her and Quinn act so freely in public, or see them at all. It hadn't crossed my mind when was the last time we were all genuinely happy. Come to think of it, Santana and Quinn were more affectionate before they became a couple than after they became a thing.

"So, when are you going back to New Haven, Quinn?" Sam inquired, "because you seem like you're staying here forever, which is a good thing, by the way; we always miss you, and because Santana is a little less violent when you're here."

Judging by how their faces fell, I'm guessing there are some issues that they're not telling us.

"What?" Sam asked before I could. "Did I say something wrong?"

"Actually, I'll go back tomorrow." Quinn was the one to answer.

"And when are you planning to tell us, disregarding the fact that you never tell us anything?" Sam remarked. Sam didn't mean any harm, but it was a jab to Quinn none the less. She has always been so secretive; Quinn, Santana and Emily for that matter.

"Everyone's so busy with their own problems; we don't want to add up to that." Santana explained.

"But we're your friends, no matter how heavy your problem is, you should tell us because that's what friends do. We'll carry each other's weight if we must; together." I commented because isn't that what friendship is about? Companionship; knowing that someone's going to be there for you always with no 'but's.

"Maybe we could discuss this some other time." Santana said. "Let's not spoil this lunch."

"Yeah, but you should follow your own advice too, Hanna." Sam commented, but I pretended not to hear him.

"Are you sure, you don't want to talk about it?" I asked Quinn instead.

Santana and Quinn simultaneously nodded their heads, and of course we respected their decision.

"Can you at least tell us when you're coming back here?" Sam asked because Quinn sometimes go home and we won't find out until she's leaving again.

"I honestly don't know." She answered. "I'd probably be busy with schoolwork, but I'll let you know for sure if I'm in town." She promised.

"Good enough." He shrugged.

I noticed that Santana is now more focused on her phone than our conversation, which was pretty unusual because Quinn was already beside her.

"Anyways, how are you and Rachel doing?" I heard Quinn ask which caught my attention. Is there something going on between them?

"What? What do you mean?" Sam feigned innocence and laughed nervously; there is definitely something. But he seemed awkward and defensive rather than anything else.

Quinn smirked, thinking about the same thing probably. "I was just asking because I haven't heard any interesting news from both of you; I mean, you both love to make drama."

He sighed in relief. "I'm a bit offended, but if you must know, my life is completely drama free right now with no complications; I'm single."

"And Rachel?" I asked.

"Santana, who are you texting? You seem to be consumed in your own little world there." Sam commented, trying his way out of the conversation. I would've said something if I wasn't curious who Santana was texting.

"Oh." She looked up. "It's Em." She answered casually.

"Oh." Was all I said. I wasn't even surprised.

"She's going to come here." San added.

"Well, did you tell her that we're almost finished with our food?" I asked because I don't think a conversation right now would do us any good.

"She's not coming here for the food." Santana stated; which she didn't have to say, by the way, because all of us know.

"I thought she was with Aria?" I asked which caused the three of them to look like deers in the headlights.

"AND Rachel and Spencer." Santana emphasized like it was any good. I don't believe that Spencer would willingly eat lunch with Aria and Emily in the same room, let alone in the same table; it just doesn't seem right to me after what transpired the last time.

"You don't have to lie to me, Santana. I appreciate it, but don't." I stated firmly, trying to let the truth come out.

"How'd you know?" Sam said before Santana could say another excuse, causing both Quinn and Santana to look at him disapprovingly.

"It doesn't matter." I sighed. "It's okay, its normal for them to talk." I said trying to act like it wasn't a big deal. And it really shouldn't be a big deal; they're best friends. Friends shouldn't get jealous when their friends talk to their other friends; I should probably start doing the same.

"No, its not." Santana disagreed.

"So you're saying its not normal if you talk to Brittany?" I retorted.

Santana raised her eyebrow. "What I mean is that, you shouldn't say its normal, when you're obviously affected by it." Santana explained.

"Well, what do you want me to say?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"Literally minutes ago, you just said that friends should tell each other their problems, no matter how big they are." Santana replied. "So I think-" she stopped when Quinn held her hand.

"Is it okay if she comes?" Quinn asked me, something Santana failed to do, minutes ago.

I offered her a smile. "Honestly? I don't know, but knowing her, she'd go to my house later anyways, so what gives?" I know how persistent she can be sometimes.

"I'm sure if you say no, she would respect that." Quinn answered.

"Can you do that for me?" I asked, hoping to delay my inevitable conversation with Emily. To be honest, I don't know what I'm supposed to say to her.

"Of course we can." Sam replied. "Although…"

"Hey." Emily greeted shyly as she approached the booth we were seated.

"Hey." I greeted back. "Have you eaten yet?" I asked, genuinely concerned.

She shook her head. At least she wasn't lying about this, although Santana probably informed her that I know who she's with anyways.

"Em, you're already here." Quinn said, acknowledging her presence. "We were just talking about…" she started, she looked at me as if asking if she should tell Em that I'm not ready to talk yet.

"You should probably order." I said signaling them that it's okay.

"We should probably leave you two then," Santana said. "so you could talk."

I nodded. "Thanks. That'd be great…I guess."

"Okay, well. We'll be going." Sam said, and they bid their farewell right after paying the bill.

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"I thought you were going to eat lunch with Spencer, Rachel and Aria?" I asked casually, pretending not to have any idea, while she sat across me.

She sighed, before answering. "It doesn't matter."

She seemed guilty about something which makes me rethink my decision that maybe this really isn't a good idea.

"Of course it does." I answered.

"Aria insisted that we talk." She answered briefly, not really giving me concrete answers.

I didn't know how to react so I settled for a simple smile, "What did you talk about?" friends talk to each other about their potential girlfriends, right?

She didn't seem surprised that I know where she's been, "Let's just talk about us. Please?"

"Em, there's no 'us' anymore. We broke up, remember?" I tried to say casually, but my voice failed me when it cracked in the end.

"Don't be ridiculous, Hanna. You can throw away that label of 'us' all you want, but not our relationship." Something in her demeanor has changed yet she seemed so composed.

"We are just going in circles, Em. Why don't you just accept my decision that I want out." This is for the better, why can't she see that? She hasn't even ordered food, yet we're already arguing.

"Why?" she asked, narrowing her eyes as if we haven't talked about this a hundred times. "I'm sorry for the things that I've made you felt, Hanna. Just give me another chance, please. I'll make it work this time; I'd put you first, I'll always put you first."

"Don't you get it? I don't want to be your first. Because that would mean that there's gonna be second and third. And I know this sounds selfish, but I want to be your only one." I told her honestly. "Don't I deserve that?"

She slumped in her seat. "Of course you do." She whispered.

"Can you give me that?" I asked, and I regretted it as soon as I said it, because I know I wouldn't like the answer.

She couldn't look at me in the eye. She couldn't even give me an answer.

"Just say yes. I'm willing to forget everything." I said and I meant it. I know what her answer is but nothing prepared me for the pain that her silence caused me.

"I'm sorry." I heard her say. It wasn't what I wanted to hear but its what I expected nonetheless.

"Yeah." I hated how my voice sounded hoarse now. "Me too."

"I have a lot of things to say to you, Hanna. I practiced all my lines that are supposed to take you back, but everything I want to say to you ends up in an apology. I'm really sorry." She confessed and somehow my heart aches less because of the sincerity and honesty of it all.

I guess sometimes, I'm sorry means more, than I love you.

"I didn't break up with you just because I was hurt, Em." Lie. "Yes, it's one of the reasons but I broke up with you because-"

"Because you think it's the right thing to do. Because you think that I don't know what I want." She finished my sentence for me. "I'm in love with you, Hanna. I want you. Why do you have to make things so complicated?"

I gritted my teeth. "I make things complicated? Wow. Unbelievable." I said as I tried to get up from my seat, I wasn't surprised when I felt her hands grip my wrist. I feel like we're in a roller coaster of emotions.

"Don't walk away, please." She begged, she had these puppy eyes on and I just couldn't resist her so I took a seat once again.

"You need to think of a better reason not to get back with me, Hanna, because thinking about what's right for me just wouldn't cut it. It isn't a good enough reason. I'm a grown woman, and I think I can handle myself."

"You want to know the truth?" I asked and gulped. "The truth is I was deeply hurt about your kiss with Spencer, and all the things that's about you and Aria in general. But do you know what scares me the most?" I searched for her eyes that were already looking intently at me.

"It makes me sick just thinking about the possibility that you would look at her, then at me; and all you'd feel is regret." I confessed. I was feeling nauseous.

"I already feel that way, Han. I look at you and all I feel is regret." I didn't know if she's kidding, which I highly doubt, but she's looking at me as if what she's saying is something flattering. "But not because of the reasons that you fear. I look at you, and I couldn't help but regret the things that I've done to hurt you so much, that you can't even believe the fact that you're the one that I want. I need you." Her words weighed with meaning.

I don't know if its just me, but her eyes were sparkling, and how I wish we were in my room right now so I could kiss her.

Before I could say anything, she stood up and held my hand, motioning me to follow her. She led me to her car, and I willingly let her because I didn't want to make a scene in the restaurant either, although I'm pretty sure we kind of already did.

"People were looking." She reasoned. "I'm not used to talking when so many people are around."

"I know. " I simply said, seating at the passenger's seat beside her. "But you haven't even had your lunch yet."

She didn't bother looking at me or answering me. I guess it was a stupid question considering that we're in a middle of an argument.

Minutes of silence passed before she spoke again.

"Hanna, I need you to understand, that I didn't choose you by default because you were my girlfriend." She started again. "When we were in a relationship, every single time that I wake up, I decide to choose you, being fully aware that there are some people out there I could potentially be with. But I choose you every single time because they'll never be you. I can't explain it. I just—I want to choose you as long as you let me."

My cheeks were burning. My throat was closing. I couldn't manage to say a word because her words left me breathless.

"Hanna, I love you. You have to believe that. I'm in love with you." She stated.

I almost gave in but I have to be strong. I felt really comforted by her words but I don't think we're ready to be in a relationship yet. I have to be strong. "Your love for me was never the issue."

She stayed silent for a while. "What do you want me to do?" her voice was trembling.

"Just give me some space." And so was mine.

"You keep on saying that. The last time I gave you your space you were having dates with Caleb." There was hesitation in her voice but she said it nonetheless. And suddenly my sympathy turned into irritation.

"You know what? Maybe that's just the point. You keep on getting jealous, and you were so easily angered by the thought of us, when my lips never even touched his." I remarked. A little jealousy is good; I feel like someone is afraid to lose me, but we're in a different situation now. I've made it clear to her that Caleb is only my friend and nothing more; her on the other hand hasn't made any effort to do so. She's even vocal about the fact that she's in love with another person. "Just imagine the chaos inside my head thinking of you and Aria."

"I know that it's hard for you, but just let me be there for you to reassure you. Give me another chance." She pleaded.

"If I give you the chance now, and you mess up, I don't think I can handle another break up with you. So if you aren't ready now, if there's even 1% of you that's unsure, just please, give me time, give yourself time." I begged back. I want her too. But I don't want to be a pit stop, I want to be her destination.

"Can't we fight without breaking up?" she asked. We're already in a rollercoaster of emotion and it hasn't even been an hour since we started to talk.

"I'll give you time to think about it, okay?" I said without answering her. That's just beyond the point. I can't get back with her knowing well enough that she still loves another girl. I physically can't, anymore.

She just sighed. I was thankful she didn't insist after that.

"Let me at least drive you home."

"We still have classes." I reminded her.

"Then let me drive you to class." She replied.

I nodded. We're already inside her car after all.

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Rachel's POV:

My lunch with Spencer is going well, except for the fact that she's happy; too happy. She can't possibly be this happy. I think she's trying hard but it isn't right.

"So how are you?" I asked her which she oddly couldn't answer. It seemed like it sounded foreign to her.

"What do you mean? I'm okay." She answered.

"Everyone's concerned about Aria or Hanna's feelings and I haven't heard anyone ask you about how you feel. So I'm asking you now." I replied.

And just like that her whole demeanor changed. "I'm not doing great, but…"

"But you're trying to look like you are." I finished her sentence, looking at her disapprovingly. "For Emily."

"I'm not!" she quickly defended. "I'm doing this for all of us. I'm doing this for me." She explained.

"Ooookay." I replied; obviously not buying her excuse.

"Really. This will pass eventually, I mean its just a crush." She replied the most ridiculous reply I've ever heard.

"It suddenly downgraded into a crush? Oh please, Spencer. Surely, you can do better than that." I commented. Good luck on convincing herself that.

She sighed. "I'm pretty sure you have a good idea of how I feel, Rach, and you're probably right. So we don't have to talk about it since it won't change anything." She stated.

"Of course it does!" I replied. She's hurting and I don't understand how she thinks she can deal with this alone. She cannot pretend her way out of the pain.

"No it doesn't. It would just make things worse. For Em, for us…" Of course, Emily would come first. I never imagined Spencer to be this love struck. Oh boy, the things people do for love.

"It changes the way I feel about this whole situation, Spencer, because you're not okay. And that's not okay." I said sincerely. How can someone be okay at being hurt.

"No, Rach. Emily doesn't like me like that. And that's fine, really." How can that be fine? How can she even say that? When someone you like doesn't like you back you can't just say that it's fine, otherwise Aria wouldn't be such a mess right now.

"She kissed you." I emphasized every word because every word of that sentence mattered. Emily kissed her, so it must've meant something. "Twice." I don't want to get her hopes up, but Emily wouldn't kiss her if Spencer is just a friend to her. Emily kissed her and not the other way around.

"We've talked about it. It didn't mean to her as much as it did to me. And that's-" But I interrupted before she could finish.

"I swear, Spencer, if I hear the word okay from you one more time…" I sighed in frustration. "The first kiss, I totally understand where she's coming from, but doing it again? She doesn't have the right to play with your feelings like that."

"Geez, Rach, you're making it sound like she's a jerk or something." She commented. "That's definitely not the case." I know Emily's not a jerk, but that doesn't mean that she doesn't make awful mistakes. She really messed up on this one.

"I'm sure she meant well, but she needs to own up to her actions." I explained.

"Isn't that what she's doing? She kept on saying sorry to everyone especially to Hanna and Aria." She replied, trying to defend Emily, which isn't really necessary because we both know that's not my point.

"But not to you." I answered. "You shouldn't be just pushed aside. She did you wrong too. You should tell her how you feel about this whole situation, Spencer. So she would know what to do." She keeps on putting other people first, so she ends up settling.

"Rachel, I really appreciate that you're sticking up for me. But I can handle myself." She said nicely, trying to tell me not to stick up my nose in her business at the same time trying not to offend me, but…

"That's probably what Aria thought so too, but look at her now; she's a mess, if I'm being honest." I said frankly.

"That's the point. She's a mess…because of me. If I didn't catch these feelings for Emily, none of this would've happened." I knew it. She's still blaming herself for Emily and Hanna's breakup, even Aria's heartbreak.

"That's not your fault. It's not right blaming yourself for something you have no control over." I tried to reassure her.

"Is that what you tell yourself?" she asked, which has taken me aback.

"What are you talking about?" I asked her because although I probably know what she's talking about, I'm hoping she's talking about something else.

"Sam." That's all she needed to say, and that's all I needed to hear.

"What about him?" I feigned innocence.

"Surely, you can do better than that, Rach." She said, copying what I told her earlier, "You know exactly what I'm talking about." She continued. "You like him, right?"

"I have a boyfriend, Spencer, may I remind you." Finn and I are in an on and off relationship but its still a relationship nonetheless and I'm planning on making it work, especially after I found out that Sam still has a thing for Quinn. I know Sam doesn't mean any harm; he respects Santana and Quinn's relationship but like I said: we can't control what we feel.

"That doesn't answer the question." She replied, smirking now.

"Oh I know what you're doing Ms. Hastings, don't you turn the tables on me." I said, catching up on what she was trying to do.

"Just because you're not Finn's biggest fan doesn't mean that I don't love him."

"It still doesn't answer the question, Rach." Oh now, she's just teasing me.

"How about we just finish our food?" I suggested rather than having this banter with Spencer, because I don't like to tell her what I really feel about Sam; that would make me look like I have the short end of the stick.

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ARIA'S POV:

"For once, Em." I started. "Choose me." It was such a desperate request but maybe that's just the thing; I am desperate.

"You know I can't do that." She replied in a heartbeat.

"Why not?" I asked, offended that she decided that fast. Maybe it wouldn't hurt this much if she at least thought deeply about it. It looked like she already made her mind even before we have this conversation.

"Aria. Stop making this hard for the both of us please." She begged.

Now I'm the one making this hard for us. Unbelievable. To be honest, I won't mind if she chooses Hanna, but she have to at least give it some thought instead of being stubborn thinking that she already knows what she want.

"There was a time when I was forcing myself to move on, Emily, but you're the one who stopped me." I reminded, as I gritted my teeth, holding back my frustration.

"With Noel Khan." She stated as if it justified her actions.

"Yes, a decent guy at that." I defended. She can be so frustrating sometimes.

"We both know you don't really think that's true." She said confidently.

"Actually, I do. At least he makes me feel special." I countered. I'm really annoyed at her right now. She doesn't have the right to say all this when she doesn't even make an effort to make me feel loved.

She didn't reply. "You are special, Aria." She said quietly. "You shouldn't need anyone to know that." And just like that I can feel the anger dissipate in me.

There she is again, swooning me with her words, although she said it not in a romantic manner but in an informative manner.

"But I need you to." I couldn't help but say. 'Maybe as much as you need Hanna', I wanted to say but I'm not ready to say that out loud.

She held my hand. "I don't want to make you a rebound, Aria. I need to be honest with you that I still want to get back with Hanna." She confessed.

And just like that my anger started to rise. "God, you can be really selfish, Em." I feel guilty for saying that but I'm tired of understanding her. Back when I thought I was ready to move on she told me that she wasn't happy that I was letting her go. "I thought you wanted me as well?" I asked her referring to the time at the bar.

She sighed loudly. "I…I don't know anymore."

"You never knew!" I can't help but raise my voice and let out a little anger. "You never know what you fucking want, Emily. And it makes things hard for us." I said with all honesty. It feels like she's stringing me along for nothing and it frustrates me.

I see her take a step forward to hug me but I stopped her. It would've been nice to receive a hug from her but it isn't what I need right now. I need her to answer me.

"You're probably right. And I'm so sorry for that night, Aria. I shouldn't have done that. I shouldn't have strung you along and-"

"No. That's not what I want to hear from you, Emily." I interrupted her because whatever she's saying won't help the situation anymore.

"I can't give you the answer you want right now, Aria, as much as I want to, because right now my eyes are set on getting Hanna back." Well ouch. She's really an expert at making people feel so important.

I chuckled humorlessly. "I think you just did." I said before walking away.

But as usual Emily just has to stop me from doing so. "Please don't walk away from me. I don't mean to hurt you, Aria. I'm really sorry." She paused for a minute, seeming to hesitate for what she's about to say, "I'm letting you go now. I won't hold you back anymore. I just—I want you to be happy and lately all I give you is pain and you don't deserve that."

I didn't realize that I was crying until I felt her hands gently wipe away my tears for me. This is what I wanted right? She is finally giving me an answer, even though it wasn't exactly what I wanted to hear, it was still a concrete answer. At least she finally made a decision instead of letting me on.

But nothing changes the fact that it hurts so fucking much.

I held her hand that's still resting on my face, and felt a gentle kiss on my forehead.

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"Damn it, Santana." It's been half an hour since Santana arrived in Aria's home. It's been half an hour and that's the first thing she heard from the petite brunette; but she'd take it instead of Aria's continuous crying.

"I felt really desperate. I feel desperate." The smaller brunette said, and Santana completely understood because Aria only gets this emotional after she talks to Emily and she really wanted to say something inspirational but she can't. Instead, she secured Aria in her arms.

"Maybe you should stop, Aria." It was a half whisper. She was hesitant to say it out loud but she did.

The Latina felt Aria stiffened. "Do you think I didn't try?" the smaller brunette asked her.

"Not hard enough; no." the taller brunette answered honestly shaking her head.

Aria stepped back.

"You know I was rooting for you, Aria." Santana started. "And I really agree that you shouldn't let anything remain unsaid, but you've already poured your heart out…and you didn't get the appropriate answer that you deserve." She explained and Aria knows that she's saying the truth. "And when that's the case, I don't think you should do it again…not with the same person at least."

It was really a no-brainer for Aria. She knows that Santana is right. She's known for a long time but she couldn't accept it. At least not out loud. "The thing is that she told me that she's in love with me, Santana. I couldn't just ignore that fact."

"You shouldn't have ignored the fact that she had a girlfriend." Maybe it was harsh but Aria needed to hear the truth.

Aria closed her eyes; she was trying to control herself. Her friend didn't know how many times she wanted to kiss Emily so bad, but she needed to remind herself that the girl she loves is already in a relationship with one of her best friends. Santana didn't know how nerve-racking it is for her to stop herself from giving in to temptation. "I respected their relationship, Santana. How dare you think otherwise?"

But Emily doesn't have a girlfriend now. And she couldn't ignore that fact. She couldn't help but think of the many possibilities that maybe this is her chance. Their chance.

"I didn't mean it like that. I just…" she sighed.

"I didn't do anything wrong." She was telling it to herself, more than she was telling it to her friend.

"All I'm saying is that you deserve better." Everyone kept saying that, she'd heard it a million times but maybe she doesn't need anyone better. But she didn't want to repeat it for the nth time.

So she tried to think of how she could send her friend away nicely knowing that she's the one who told her to come over. "I'm sorry for bothering you, Santana. But I'm tired." Aria is just being stubborn. She knows the taller brunette has a point but she didn't want to accept that. At least, not yet.

"Aria, don't be like that." Aria just couldn't believe that this was the same person who told her that she actually has a chance with Emily; that eventually, Emily will come around. But now she's the one telling her to stop. Is it really this hopeless? She didn't think so.

"I'm tired, San. Thank you for being here tonight. I'm sorry, I know I'm the one who texted you, but…"

"I know I'm not of any help…" she started.

"No. You've been really helpful." Aria corrected her, because the girl really appreciated her friend's effort. "Its just that I remembered that this is Quinn's last night here, you should be with her instead."

"I don't really want to leave you here alone, when you're like this." She realized that Aria is just using Quinn as an excuse but she also knows that Aria is right, that Quinn probably wants to spend the whole night with her too. But she thinks that her girlfriend will understand. And she really can't be at peace when her friend is this unstable.

"I can call someone else to accompany me. Don't worry about me." Aria reassured her friend.

"I know you can, but you won't." Santana replied, knowing Aria too well.

The smaller brunette could only roll her eyes, then surprising enough she hugged Santana tightly, catching the Latina off guard. But the girl reciprocated the hug just as tight.

"Seriously, Santana: thank you for being here tonight, and saying the things you just said. I needed to hear them." Aria said sincerely right before breaking away from the hug.

"Well, if you say it like that, then…no problem. I'm glad I could be of any help." The Latina replied.

"But seriously, you have to go home and be with Quinn, or else she'd be pissed at me for stealing her time with her girl."

"Only if you promise to call someone else to accompany you." Santana said instead.

Aria nodded in agreement. "Okay, I'll call Spencer."

"Spencer?" Santana asked with an amused smile, raising her eyebrow.

"Yes. Spencer. Don't look so surprised." Aria replied holding her phone ready to call her friend, knowing that Santana won't leave until she does so.

"I just think that's a pretty interesting choice since the last time I saw you with her…" she paused thinking of an appropriate term to say but she settled with, "let's just say I don't want to be Spencer that time." Santana remarked.

"We've work things out. Bygones be bygones." Aria stated like it was so easy.

She already dialed Spencer's number but the girl wasn't picking up. "She isn't answering." She stated.

"Then I'm not going. I'm going to call Qui-" she said but before she could even finish her sentence, Aria stopped her from calling her girlfriend.

"I can handle myself." The shorter brunette stated. "I promise we'll talk about this some other time, but Quinn surely needs you right now."

Santana was about to argue but she remembered the last fight with her girlfriend about time management. She sighed. "I guess you're right." She nodded even though she was still hesitant.

"My mom's gonna be home soon. You don't have to worry." Aria reassured her.

"It's not like you're going to tell her about what's happening." Santana replied.

"I know. But at least I'd have company." Aria countered.

"Okay then." Santana replied about to leave, but she turned around to face Aria once again and wrapped her with a tight hug.

Aria was surprised with the warm gesture considering that it is Santana, but she was grateful nonetheless. She needed it. She didn't know she did until now. She hugged the Latina back just as tight, trying her best to hold back her tears.

"I love you, Aria. We love you. You're not alone in this situation. You have us. Always remember that, okay?" she said in the most sincere way possible.

Aria could contain her tears any more and sobbed.

"Heeeeey." The Latina cooed. "Don't cry anymore. I wouldn't be able to leave if you keep crying." She said softly.

She nodded and wiped her tears although they kept flowing. "Take care on your way home, San."

"I will." She said then kissed Aria's forehead. Aria appreciated the gesture, really she did, but her mind couldn't help but travel back earlier that day when Emily's lips were the one touching her forehead. She had the strength to hold it back until Santana can leave but as soon as the Latina was out of sight she broke down.

She haven't acquired the strength to let Emily go yet.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"How is she?" Quinn asked.

"She's holding on." I answered simply. I didn't want to talk about it, at least not tonight.

"Emily rejected her again?" she inquired.

"She's wasn't able to tell me anything Emily said, but she was crying so…" I said without planning to continue. We both know it didn't end up in Aria's favor.

"I see." She sighed.

"We don't have to talk about it." I reminded her. I know this isn't how she wanted to spend this night. We should be making good memories together. This is going to be her last night here in a long time after all, hopefully not for long but I'm sensing that it will be.

"But we can if you want to." She replied. I know that she's just trying to be understanding. I always talk to her about these things, so she knows by now that it makes me feel better when I open up to her about the problems in the group.

"You'll be leaving tomorrow." I reasons and that was all the answer she needed to hear. "That's my top priority right now."

"About that." I heard her say, before I collapsed in my bed.

I felt another weight on my bed as she sat beside me.

"I'm pretty sure my Dad's going to do everything he can to stop me from contacting you." She said.

"I know."

"I'm going to make a deal with him." She stated.

I furrowed my eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"Maybe if I get my grades up and I get more inclined and involved in our business he wouldn't be too hard on us." She explained. I don't know how she would raise her grades up even more since she already has Straight A's.

"But where does that leave me?" I asked. I don't want to just sit here while she does all the work for our relationship.

"Beside me." She simply replied. "We're going to show him that we're good for each other; that I'm better when I'm with you, because it's the truth." It sounded so good to hear but it sounded like it was taken at some fairytale book.

"That's great", I smiled at her words. "But I don't…I don't know how exactly we would do that since I won't be able to go there as frequent as I'd like." I replied with hesitancy since she looked so hopeful that this plan would work.

"Yes…but we'll work something out, won't we?" she asked hopeful. But it isn't that easy.

"To be honest, Quinn, I don't think it's a matter whether I'm good or bad for you; it's a matter of whether I'm a boy or a girl." I replied not being able to look at her because I know she'd look like a kicked puppy.

"Well then, let's just keep our relationship a secret until we can think of something." She suggested which caused me look up at her.

"Quinn. We've tried that and—that just doesn't work for me." I'm done being somebody's secret. I don't think I can handle it.

"Not even for us?" she asked quietly.

I shook my head. "That's not fair."

"How so?" she asked. "San, it's just temporary until we can think of a better plan."

"I wouldn't gain their respect by going behind their back, Quinn." I explained.

"So what are you saying then? Do you have a plan?" she asked a little bit agitated by my rejection of her request.

"You were the one who was given an option, Quinn." I replied harsher than I intended. "You were also the one who made the decision." I said without looking at her, not exactly answering her question.

"Wow." She breathed. I felt guilty for blaming her, I know I shouldn't though. It was uncalled for but I have to let this out instead of holding it in and then blowing up at once.

"Quinn. You made that choice for your future, and I'm making this choice for my present. I understand how important your education is to you, but I came out of the closet because I'm tired of keeping secrets, Q. I promised myself I wouldn't be kept a secret anymore, but I did it for you once; because you weren't ready to come out and I know how scary that can be. But this is different now." I explained.

She was kind enough to just listen.

"Your parents already know about us and they don't like that, and instead of really doing something about it for some reason you thought that it was a better idea to just go around their backs and keep this relationship a secret." I added.

"You're making it sound like I'm being selfish." She replied bitterly.

"I didn't say that." I quipped.

"Then what are you saying?" she asked raising her voice a little. "It's not like I have a choice, Santana." I understand that she's frustrated.

"You did have a choice." I replied just as loud, because I'm frustrated as well.

"If it were up to me I would've stayed, Santana. You know that." She sighed. She was on the verge of crying. I was about to hug her but she lifted her hand to stop me. "I thought you understand. But its my relationship to my parents whose on the line here and not my education anymore."

"Maybe what I'm saying is that you made a choice, nonetheless, and we should deal with it but not in the way you want it." I stated.

"Then what do you suggest we do?" she asked, standing up.

I slowly wrapped my arms around her waist. "You have to understand that being in a secret relationship means that I give up my right to love you in public, Q, it means that I need to hide my love for you and I can't do that. I don't want to do it."

"Then what do you want to do then?" She replied, more calm this time.

"I'll talk to your father." I simply answered.

She looked at me as if I was talking nonsense. "We've tried that with my mother and it didn't work. What more if it's my dad?" she asked.

"I don't know. But at least I know I'm doing the right thing. I want them to trust me, Quinn; I know how important they are to you so if you think this is a long time thing, you have to help me."

"You don't know my Dad, San. It's just easy to say."

"I think I know what I'm getting myself into." I said with conviction.

"Do you really? Because the last time, you walked out on me." It wasn't an accusing tone, she sounded worried. I knew she was referring to the time that we talked to her mom, but we've both grown now.

"I won't." I said as I take her hand and placing a kiss on it. "I promise, I won't walk out on you ever again. Just trust me, okay?"

"I always do." She simply replied, hugging me. And once again, in each other's embrace, we found solace, we we're reminded that everything will be okay…eventually.

Another Author's Note:

I'm reviewing for my board exam that's why I've been very busy.

Please pray that I'd pass the Civil Engineering board exam this November, that would really mean a lot to me.

I thank you in advance! 3

Well, enough about me, let me know what you think about this chapter please.

Your comments make it 10x easier to write another chapter because it just lights up my world and gets me really inspired.

I love you, my lovely readers.