Santana walked through the congested streets of New York City in awe. This was nothing like her closeted hometown, Lima. For a city that was so dense, it was very open at the same time. There was this variety that she had never witnessed before. Not everyone dressed conservatively, people didn't care about whom they held hands with. Santana had automatic respect for them; they were braver than she had ever been in her life.

In all honesty, Santana didn't have a clue what she was doing with her life right now. She was 18 years old, alone, walking through Manhattan trying to find an affordable apartment. She pulled out her phone, scrolling through her contacts until it landed on Rachel's name. "Well I could just ask the hobbit if we could be roomies…" she muttered to herself, gaining unwanted stares from strangers. She smiled sheepishly, and kept on moving. There was no way in hell she'd be able to live with Rachel Berry. It irked her enough to be in her presence every single day for 4 years of her life. Even though they finally came to an understanding and were sort of friends now, Santana had too much pride to ask the diva if they could be roommates.

"NOW RENTING APARTMENTS!"
Santana looked up at the big, fluorescent sign sitting in a clean window. Here she was, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, looking at vacant apartments. She knew that there was no way in hell that she'd be able to afford it, but it was worth a try. The Latina walked through the grand revolving doors, and into the grand lobby. She felt her breath hitch in her throat when she observed every square inch of the room. It was something that she had only seen in movies.

"Hi, I'm Chip. May I interest you?"
Santana raised an eyebrow at the overly chipper salesman at the first desk. She snickered at his name, and held her check firmly in her hand.

"Hi Chip; I was inquiring in a vacant apartment."

"Well, we have 3 Studios available, One 2 Bedroom Suite, and One 2 Bedroom Suite Deluxe. The studios average about $600 a month, the 2 Bedroom would be about $850 and the 2 Bedroom Deluxe would be about $1000 a month. But, don't turn away because of the price. You seem about College aged, so this part of town would be perfect for you. It's near the subway, Central Park, and tons of colleges. So, what do you say, doll?"

Santana glanced down at her check. She knew that she needed to use it wisely. It was pretty much her parent's life savings, all in her hands at once. Half of a Million Dollars. In her hands.

"Is there anyone looking for a roommate?"

"Well, yes. This little girl, about your age moved in yesterday. A real doll. I could ring her now and tell her that you're inquiring?"

"That would be great, thanks."

Santana waited patiently as Chip tried to ring up to the mystery girl's apartment. No answer. The dapper salesman pulled out a cheetah print IPhone, and dialed a number. Santana listened to him negotiate, before a broad smile painted his face.

"She said yes. You can sign the lease now, and your rent would be split in half, making it $500 a month. Here's your key, and your new apartment will be 15B."

Santana signed the lease, put down her $500 deposit, put her keys in her bag, and trundled her suitcase to the elevator. This was it. She was really moving into an apartment, with a stranger, in New York City. She was making her mother proud.

But first, she had to call Britt.

"Britt! Hi Baby, how are you?"

"San! I'm good, just lying here with Lord Tubbington."

"Baby, why aren't you studying? You can graduate by December if you take summer school."

"I'll probably drop out anyways and move in with you, once you're successful."

Santana bit her lip, and lay down on to her new, fluffy bed. She couldn't believe that the apartment was fully furnished, and nicely furnished at that. It was a serious change from Lima Heights Adjacent. And she couldn't be any happier.

But the problem was with Britt. Santana loved her girlfriend to pieces, but she didn't like that Brittany was being dependent on her. Sure, she would love to live with her girlfriend and probably marry her one day right in New York, but, she was only 18. Things would get rough down the line. She didn't want another woman being dependent on her. Not just yet.

"Britt…" Santana let out a deep sigh, before trying to continue. "You're graduating. I'll mail you all of my notes and stuff soon, but I've gotta go now. I think my Roomie's coming in. I'll text ya later. Love you Bee."

Santana disconnected the call, before tossing her phone into her mahogany nightstand. She heard the locks turn, and the heavy door push open, followed by soft footsteps pattering against the plush carpet.

"Hello? Um, is anyone in here?"

Santana's brows furrowed. That voice was way too familiar. But, it was probably only a coincidence. Tons of girls in New York probably sounded like Rachel Berry.

And looked like her too.

"Rachel?"

"Santana?"

"What are you doing here?" They both cried, exchanging incredulous looks with each other.

It would honestly be their luck to end up in the same town together, and become roomies, after hating each other for nearly 3 years straight.

Perfect.