A/N Sorry this one took a while. Thank you so much for reading and all the support you guys have shown.

I drop the stick. "Santana?"

"Hey." She gives me a sheepish grin and a wave.

"What are you doing here?" I look her over again all in black. "And why are you dressed like you are about to break in my house and steal everything valuable?"

She huffs. "I came to check on you since my phone was taken away. I needed to make sure you were okay after your date."

She walks closer to me and gives me a tight hug. Then steps back and looks me over. It is so cute how her eyebrows are scrunchies as she checks to make sure I am okay.

"Everything is okay right?"

I roll my eyes at her. "Yes, everything is fine. She did not turn into a vampire and suck out all my blood." I giggle because Santana can be so ridiculous. "We just went to have a coffee because Puck got me into trouble today and I ended up in detention."

She shakes her head "That ass. What did he do?"

"He was throwing papers at my head."

"And you got in trouble?"

I take her hand and walk her to the front porch where we were able to sit down on the steps. "Yeah, well I might have given him the finger too." I smiled at her.

"Wow look at you badass." She laughs at my eyeroll. "Well, you won't have to worry about him anymore. It looks like I will be able to keep an eye on you."

"What?"

"Well, you weren't the only one who got into trouble today." She leans back on her hands and looks up at the stars. "My teacher didn't appreciate my act of heroin in trying to save my friend from a vampire wantabe. I got kicked out of class and sent to the office where they explained to me that due to my past behavioral issues and the fact that this was my last chance I would be expelled. Pshh yeah whatever I was over that school anyways."

I watch her closely as she explained everything, and I could see her worry her lip. "Are you okay with this?"

She looked at me now and shrugged her shoulders. "I get high enough grades it won't affect college or anything. I think my grades are actually why they put up with me for so long."

"You will be at my school now?"

This made her smile. "Yeah, so prepare for some Lopez entertainment." She winks at me, and I feel my cheeks heat up.

"So, you're grounded again?"

"Yeah, and my phone is taken again. Geez my mom has not been this mad at me since." she nodded down to her mark.

"What is up with that?"

She just shrugs but her walls have shot back up. I can tell by how her shoulders tense up.

"Enough about me, how was your date? Are you going out again?"

"She was very sweet, but we decided it was best to stay friends."

I shrug still feeling disappointed. I feel Santana wrap her arm around me and pull me close. I rest my head on her shoulder. We relax comfortably with each other for a little bit when a thought occurs to me.

I sit up quickly. "Wait, if you are grounded what are you doing here?"

She gives me a smirk. "Even being grounded I had to make sure you were okay." She reaches up and cups my cheek and strokes it with her thumb.

I knit my brows and chew on my bottom lip.

"What's wrong Britt?" She reaches out and runs her thumb over the crease of my brow trying to sooth it.

"I guess I just don't understand San." She raises her brow. "The reason Skylar said we couldn't be together was because I would always have feelings for you. I know I do, and I know they will never go away. If you even feel slightly the way I feel about you, how can you even be with someone else? It just doesn't make sense to me."

"I told you before Brittany I just can't." She looks away down the dark street.

"But why?" I watch her face.

"I just can't Brittany just stop asking!" She stands up quickly. "Look I have to go before my mom notices I am gone." She starts to walk away without even giving me the cheek kiss that I have gotten so used to.

I stand up and chase after her before she can even leave my driveway.

"Can you at least tell me how you feel!?" She never wants to talk about her feelings, and I need to know. Because at this point if we can never be together and people won't date me because of her what am I even doing.

"I can't." She is facing me but not looking at me and when she speaks, she is so soft I can barely hear her. She is looking at her shoes, but I can't stop. We need this talk. I can't keep letting her off the hook.

"Santana, I need to know." I run my fingers through my hair in frustration. "I can't keep doing this. People won't date me because they know that you are around, and you won't be with me. It is not fair." I feel tears blur my vision as I watch her. She finally makes eye contact. "It is not fair to me Santana. I can handle never being whole, but I won't let anyone in if you are in the picture, so if you know you can never be with me let me know Santana and I will try my damndest to move on, but I can't be friends with you." This is it I have to put my foot down.

I wait for her to say something, anything. I wait for a few minutes, but nothing comes out. I nod my head and turn around giving up. As I head to the house, my heart clenching and the feeling like I will throw up at any minute, Santana spins me around.

I see her eyes are brimming with tears and there are tear tracks already streaking her cheeks. I fight myself from pulling her into a hug to comfort her.

"I don't know what to say Britt. Do I fucking wish I could just drop everything and be with you? Fuck, I do. But I can't Britt." She is balling now and is trying to catch her breath. "You don't live like I do Brittany. Your parents accept you and are kind to you. Ever since I met you my mom has been breathing down my neck making sure I wasn't gay. I can't even look at a girl for too long without getting scolded. I have been threatened since I was 6 that everything would be taken from me if I ever stray off in that direction. I am so fucking scared. I dated Sam so that I wouldn't be questioned anymore by my mom. It was so easy before you came back into my life. Now all I can think about is you. You are everywhere and I can't stay away from you. I know it is fucking unfair and I wish I could just take all your pain away. I will leave you alone if it makes it easier, but your feelings are not alone I feel them too."

She is almost hyperventilating at this point as she grabs her chest and walks away again. My legs are automatic as I chase her down again and spin her around. Before I can even think my lips are on hers. Her lips are frozen at first then she melts into me. Fireworks are going off everywhere behind my eyes as I feel her hands wrap into my hair. My hands reach her waist and I pull her closer to me as I run my tongue along her lips asking for entrance. She grants it immediately.

Then out of nowhere I feel a burn on my wrist. We both pull back at the same time. I look at my right wrist to see a new addition to my mark. It has spread all the way around my wrist like a bracelet now. I look over to Santana to see her remove her leather wristband and look at her mark which has spread as well. She looks up to me with panicked eyes and before I can even say anything she beats me to it.

"I have to go." She turns and runs away. I don't chase after her this time because I am frozen in place. We kissed and it was the best kiss in my entire life, but the way Santana looked like she was scared for her life froze me. I hope we can figure this out. I think as I trace over my new addition.

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So, I needed to talk to someone because Santana has been without a phone but how did I end up here?

"This is so exciting you are going down Peirce." Puck slaps my back as he plops down on the beanbag beside me.

"Again, why is he here?" I turn my puppy dog eyes on Mike.

I ended up going to Mike's house on Sunday to talk with him and just vent because I needed someone to talk to. This is how I ended up in his game room downstairs with Puck. Mike has the ultimate game room downstairs with a giant screen TV and sound system. He has a large wrap around couch and beanbags on the floor in front of the TV. He also has a foosball table, ping pong machine, pool table and dart board. We hang out down here quite a bit, so it feels like a second home to me.

"You know you enjoy my company besides you know I am like the life of every party." Puck says, giving me a smirk.

I throw my arms in the air. "I knew I should have picked Sugar." I hit my forehead then collapse back on the beanbag. "I could have dealt with going to Paris and dealt with the jetlag that would have happened for school on Monday. Shit do you think she will still take me?" I say wide eye sitting up quickly.

Mike just laughs at me and fluffs my hair. "You know she has already left Britt she left yesterday. Besides, it is not my fault I asked Puck over to game. You have been hanging out with Santana all last week. I just figured you would be with her." He shrugs his shoulders.

"Chang, do you have alcohol? We could really make this game interesting." Puck smirked, "Or better yet loser loses an article of clothing." He wiggles his eyebrows. "But only if it is Brittany." He looks over at Mike. "Sorry Chang, but I only really want to see what Brittany looks like under all those clothes." He then wiggles his eyebrows at me.

"How can you stand him, Mike? Seriously!" I huff and flop back.

Puck throws his arm around my shoulder pulling me close to him. "Aww come on Brittany, you know you love my company." I quickly pushed him off me, giving him a disgusted face. He throws me a big smile before leaning forward to start the game. I grab the other controller. At least I can kick his ass on the game. That will make me feel a little bit better.

Mike and Puck have been getting closer since they started playing football together. They have also been hanging out more since I have been with Santana a lot the last couple weeks. I have to admit it is nice to see Mike hanging out with other people. We have been inseparable for so long I feel bad when I can't hang out with him.

"So how was the date." I check a quick glance over to see Puck wiggle his eyebrows. "Did you get any?"

I huff avoiding his question. Yes, I need to vent and talk it out, but I don't trust Puck. He knows Santana and is friends with Sam. He also doesn't know that Santana is my soulmate since she doesn't tell anyone.

"Yeah, how did it go Britt?" Mike pipe in plopping down right next to me.

I see Puck's character on the screen and get a headshot in, making me laugh as he groans.

"It was good, but we are staying just friends." I say quickly as I go on the hunt for Puck again. "She didn't want to compete against my soulmate." I tell Mike purposely not saying Santana's name.

The game suddenly pauses.

"What the hell is all this soulmate shit that I keep hearing about. I heard it at school all the time and a few people even approached me asking if I was your soulmate. Of course, I said 'fuck yeah, but I have enough room for a few more.' I thought it all was made up shit though and they were just messing. You are actually telling me you have a soulmate and know who it is?" He questions me.

I give in and just show him my mark. I then explained how it appeared when I was 6. Mike took a quick glance at it and sputtered. He was choking on his spit, so I patted his back helping him out.

"You okay there?" I ask.

He starts pointing frantically at my wrist but not using words. He finally catches his breath.

"How...What...It grew!"

"Yeah." I worry the sleeve of my sweatshirt between my fingers as I bite my lip. I then trace the new addition band to my mark. "That is why I wanted to talk to you. We kissed and it appeared."

His eyes got comically wide. "You kissed?"

"Yeah, after my date."

He puts his hands up. "You had a date then you kissed your soulmate?"

I look down at my knees. "Yeah."

Mike lets out a huff. Mike looks at Puck now. "Hey, Puck, you know what I do think that we have beer here can you go check the fridge upstairs."

"Yeah, sure man no problem." Puck slaps my shoulder then stands up and walks up the stairs.

Right when Puck is out of sight, I feel Mike turn to me. "Did she break up with Sam or something?"

"No."

"What the hell Brittany, what actually happened?"

"Well, I just got back from the date, and I thought someone was breaking into my house because I heard a noise and saw someone dressed in black. I found out it was Santana before I had to bust out my awesome ninja skills. She said she was grounded and had her phone taken away, oh and she will be coming to our school, and she wanted to check on me and make sure I was okay. We got to talking and I told her how the date went. I then questioned her feelings. We got into a little bit of an argument where I told her she couldn't be in my life anymore because it was too hard with her being in a relationship and me not being able to fully commit to someone because of her. She then told me her mom was controlling and she would lose everything if she was with me. I don't know, I just pulled her in and kissed her."

Mike is just staring at me.

"Ugh Mike?" I wave my hands in front of his face.

"What! You kissed her?" He finally got out.

"Yeah, and it was amazing, and she actually kissed me back, then I felt the tingly pain again and it just showed up on both of our wrists."

"Well, then what happened? Did you guys talk about it?"

"Ugh no she took off and I haven't heard from her since. I just don't know what to do Mike."

I watch him look down and nod his head. I can tell he is taking it all in and thinking. He finally looks up at me. "I don't think there is anything that you can do till you two talk. I do think you have to make sure that you stick to your guns though Britt you do have feelings and she needs to know this. Don't go soft on her, you need to make hard decisions and talk them out."

"Yeah, I know I will talk to her on Monday."

"Yeah, about that, why is she going to our school?"

"She got kicked out for causing too much trouble."

He nods his head then shakes it. "I can't believe you finally kissed Santana." He laughs.

"Santana is your soulmate!" The sound of a bottle dropped.

I whip my head around to Puck who is standing by the stairs. His mouth is open, and he dropped one of the beer bottles. Shit.

"Ugh no that is not what I said." I quickly deny.

He scoffs as he picks up the bottle that dropped and headed over to his spot. I don't miss how he gives me the dropped beer, but I take it anyways quickly, opening it and drinking it quickly. Trying to keep myself busy. Mike denies the beer Puck holds up to him.

"Okay, well I think I need a lot more explaining. There is no way Santana Lopez can be your soulmate; she has only dated guys and is with my boy Sam."

"That is what I am saying, she is not my soulmate. I didn't say that."

I feel him watching my wrist as I practically chug my beer. Shit, I need something stronger than a beer to deal with this.

"B and S"

I about spit out my beer. "Can we not Puck."

"Nope, I think you need someone to talk to and you have piqued my curiosity. We are going to need stronger shit than this to get through this though." He nods to the beers. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a joint. "Huh?"

"Can't, I am in cheerleading and you two are in football you know we can't risk that."

Puck rolls his eyes now. "We all know your cheer coach would never let you get kicked off the team and as for us there are ways around getting caught. Just trust your boy Puck." He gives me a wink. I look over at Mike.

He puts his hands up. "I'm out if my parents catch me, I am toast. Besides, I kind of have a date in about an hour and have to kick you guys out soon."

"A date?" I question.

"Yeah." He puts his hand behind his head. "A girl I met at that house party has been talking to me and we finally set up a date." I can see his blush. Mike can be so sweet.

"Why am I just now hearing about this Mikey?" I give him a scornful look.

"I'm sorry B I just didn't want to jinx it. But if everything goes well, I will introduce her to the wild crew."

I nod and give him a high five. "Good luck Mike, I hope it goes well." I then turn to Puck who is still waiting on me. Fuck it. I think I need help and Puck knows both Santana and Sam. "Okay."

"Fuck yeah!" Puck yells and gives a fist pump. What have I gotten myself into?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

This is how we found our way out in the country by some pond Puck knew about. We are out of the car and sitting by the pond. It is very relaxing out here as you hear the birds and the fish jump in the pond. We have been quiet the whole ride and still have not talked. Puck gets the joint out again and lights it up. He inhales deeply and holds it. I watch as he slowly releases the smoke. He takes another just as deep then passes it to me. It has been a while since I smoked so I took a small inhale first. I let the smoke burn my throat and exhale slowly trying to fight the cough that has built up. The next one I take a bigger drag once again feeling the burn. We continue this in silence for a while as we pass back and forth.

When we are done, I lean back and let the sun soak in my face. I feel my lips tingling and I feel lazy. Puck leans back right next to me. He is the one who finally breaks the silence.

"So, about this soulmate possibly being Santana." Puck finally states.

I giggle and look up at the sun. "Soulmates." I laugh again. "You know it is so weird being connected to someone forever when it's not your choice."

I feel Puck elbow me. "Common Britt stay with me. Why would you think it is Santana?"

I turn to look at him like he is crazy. "I don't think Puck, I know she is my soulmate."

I trace my Mark on my wrist. As Puck just laughs at me shaking his head.

"It just doesn't make sense to me Britt. I have known Santana since we were 10 years old. She has only been with guys. Shit I even fucked her before." My blood boils at this and I know the look I am giving him is hatred. "Hey that was like years ago okay don't get pissed at me I am just trying to understand. She has never mentioned a soulmate."

I take a deep breath letting my emotions calm down. I know Santana has been in denial of having a soulmate and has been with people. It still hurts though.

"When we were 6 San tried to help me off the monkey bars when we touched, we got our mark."

I see Puck still thinking. "So, she like has that too?"

I nod. "How come I have never noticed?"

"She wears a band to hide it." I explain.

"Hmm makes sense why she has been so protective of you then. Like I said, Santana doesn't normally care or even like other people, but she was weirdly protective of you right away. She even threatened to cut off my dick just for messing with you at school and saying I wanted to fuck you. So, what does this mean for Sam?"

I let out a breath watching a cloud go by. "That is the big question huh."

"They have been together for a while now and I know Sam is in love with her. Is it like all a big game for her?"

I shake my head. "No, it's not a game, but I don't know where her head is at."

"Can't you just like read everything about her?" I turn to look to see if he is joking with me. He has a serious look on his face.

I laugh. "I can't read her mind, Puck. Sometimes she is the hardest person for me to understand."

"What, you can't even read her mind? What is the point of this soulmate mark then?" He leans up and grabs a rock, tossing it into the pond.

"It just lets us know we are meant to be together."

"I don't get it then why aren't you two together then?"

"She doesn't want to be." I sit up looking at my feet starting to feel sad. Isn't the point of pot to relax you? I shouldn't be feeling this sad.

"Yeah, she is stubborn."

I just nod my head. "Yep." I pop the 'p' with my tingly lips.

"So, if I am getting this correct. You two are soulmates, Sam is screwed, you and San kissed, but you don't have a clue what she wants or feels."

"Yep." I repeat.

"Well, that sucks."

I smile. "Yep."

"Well anytime you need to talk or smoke I am your guy." He bumps my arm. "I won't tell Sam it seems like something Santana needs to tell him about, not me."

"Thanks Puck."

"No problem, Pierce, now let's go get something to eat. I am starving and you are buying." He hopes up to his feet. I might not have cleared my head, but it is nice talking to someone even though it is Puck.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Monday could not come around fast enough. After spending a weird day on Sunday with Puck, we got food then he dropped me off at home. I spent the rest of my day thinking about Santana and doing homework because I always have that.

I pull up to school and look around for Sugar. I had to come early today for Cheerio practice. I am decked out in my uniform, since our couch makes us wear them every day. When Sugar pulls up, she jumps out and skips over to me and links her arm with mine.

"Hey Shug, how was Paris?"

She gives me a bold smile. "It was great! I went shopping and clubbing. You really should have come." She looks at me over. "You really look like you could use some relaxation, you look like shit. No offense."

"Offense taken." I scoff at her. "I know I should have gone with you, but you know how I get jet lag, I never understood how it doesn't affect you."

She just shrugs. "I don't know, maybe it is these shakes my daddy gets me." She shakes a purple shake with no label on it at me.

"Do you even know what is in that?" I question as we round the school eyeing her drink skeptically. We walk on the football field where we are practicing today.

"Nope not a clue but I always feel like a million bucks after."

This causes me to giggle as we make it out to the field and start our stretches. Other girls are making their way on the field stretching out as well.

"Mind helping me stretch my legs?" I hear a husky voice near my ear.

I quickly turn around. "Santana?"

She takes me by surprise as I take in her appearance. I never appreciated how short our skirts were until I saw them on her. Her legs go on and on. She looks so good in our Cheerio uniform I feel like I can hardly talk as my tongue is tied.

"Santana!" Sugar greets. "Well, I feel like I missed a lot when did this happen?" Sugar says referring to Santana standing in our Cheerio uniform. She then looks at her purple drink. "Maybe I should start questioning what is in that drink I must have blocked out Santana joining our school and joining the Cheerios."

I see a lot of other Cheerios watching as well wondering why she is here, or who she even is.

Santana spins around. "Looks good huh?" I can tell she is asking me. "I'm not going to lie, wearing this is a lot better than wearing my prep uniform every day."

Sugar leans over to me and whispers loudly. "Close your mouth, you are drooling."

I quickly snap my mouth shut as I see Santana smirk. The other girls are still eyeing Santana.

"Okay everyone listen up!" Sue yells through her megaphone even though she is only about ten feet away. "We have a new Cheerio that was just transferred. Her name is Sandbags."

"Ugh, it is Santana." Santana says.

"That is what I said, Sandbags. You can say hi or introduce each other or whatever when practice is over right now start running until you can't anymore. Go!"

That was about the extent of our practice. We ran all morning because apparently, we all looked like shit from the weekend and Sue said we were getting weak. Santana comfortably kept pace with me as we led the group. We didn't really get to talk after practice because Sue pulled her away to talk with her.

I don't see her again till I am walking down the hall during the second period. I am walking past the janitors closet when I am roughly pulled in by my arm and pushed up against the door. I am ready to attack whoever pulled me in when I feel the softest lips touch mine as my mind turns to mush and fireworks blast behind my eyes. On instinct I grip her hips pulling her closer to me as she moans. This can only be one person. When my mind finally catches up to me, I pull back and try to create distance from her in this tiny room.

"Wait, Santana."

I watch as she catches her breath, but her eyes are still dark, and she is staring at my lips.

"Santana." I repeat her name again causing her to finally look into my eyes. "You can't do that Santana. You are confusing me."

She reaches up and fixes her ponytail. "I know." She looks away. "I can't help it. I have been thinking about our kiss all weekend and I just had to feel it again. I swear it is like an addiction."

I laugh because I know the feeling. "How has your day been so far?"

She looks at me confused then clears her throat. "It has been good Sue wants you to teach me some routines at lunch to get caught up and the principal, I already forgot his name, had me tour the school this morning with an annoying girl with a big nose who kept hiding every time we saw this abnormally talk giant boy."

How she explains stuff always makes me laugh. I watch as her eyes get drawn to my lips again as she licks hers.

"Are you still with Sam?" I question needing to know.

It seems to catch her off guard and wake her up. "Yeah." She reaches up as she cups my cheeks.

I grab her wrist lightly as I take it off my face. "San we really need to talk." I remember Mike's advice: I can't be too soft with her and let her get her way. I need to put my foot down.

"Ugh, why? I already get it. You want to be with me not as a friend I am giving that to you see I just kissed you." She huffs out.

I cup her cheek now. "But I want all of you." watch her close her eyes at my touch but I know I have to get out before something else happens. "I will see you at lunch." With that I slip out back into the hallway and leave Santana to think.