Prologue

No matter how brave or stoic or emotionless a person may be, it is inevitable that a time will come when their shell or mask or ice will crack. When that time comes, they are as vulnerable as they can be. The smallest crack will cause them pain so unbelievably unbearable that life becomes an impossible burden to carry. If you were presented a person in such a state, wouldn't you agree that they have the right to cry – that they have a right to breakdown?

Quinn sighed as she walked through the deserted and all too familiar streets of Lima. It was two o' clock in the morning and the wind was making her shiver. The only reason why she was out there instead of being in her bed, under the warm covers, and enjoying the chilly aftermath of the rain indoors was because a bar downtown had texted her to come fetch a certain Santana Lopez.

Apparently, she was incapable of dragging herself home because of too much alcohol. It's been so long since something like this happened. She could still remember the first time Santana ended up as a useless heap in that particular bar. It was after she got herself laid with an unknown guy she met at a party. It was her first time. Quinn and Brittany had to go get her from the bar and Brittany had to stay with her till the next morning because she wouldn't stop puking out alcohol. Twice or three times the incident happened again but for different reasons. It came to a point when Quinn had to leave her number to the manager so they can contact her whenever Santana came alone and was too drunk to take care of herself.

When incidents like these happen, one had to prepare to witness something life-changing or if not simply shocking. It was one of those incidents that Quinn or any other person will probably never get used to.

Quinn reached for the door knob and enjoyed the nostalgia that the wind chimes brought to her as she pushed the door open. A woman in her forties greeted her and thanked her. No more words were needed when she gestured to the table at the far end of the bar. Quinn muttered a silent 'thank you' to the woman who was the manager (the name always escapes her) and proceeded on to approaching the figure slumped miserably on the table.

The table was covered with bottles of beer, vodka, and other beverages with alcohol that she didn't even want to know what they were. It was a clear effort to fill the empty space and an attempt to find comfort. Cautiously, she laid a hand on Santana's shoulder, not wanting to startle her because the last time that happened, a beer bottle almost ruined her face.

"Hey." Quinn said softly.

When the girl turned to look at her, Quinn could suddenly understand but, in any way, will never be able to put into words the pain that her friend was going through. Her eyes were dull and lifeless as if she had died a thousand times. Her face contorted with pain and despair and heartbreak. But most importantly, streams of bitter tears were running down her cheeks. As far as Quinn knew, she doesn't cry. Santana was a rock, for pete's sake. But despite that, here she was. Quinn's eyes softened at the sight. She should have expected this. After all, even a rock can break.

"Oh, San..." She muttered before reaching out and taking the bottle out of her hand. She was met with little resistance and instead brown, agonizingly empty eyes watched her quietly.

"Q." It's been so long since she called her that. Usually it would have been "preggers" or "mother" or any other nickname related to her pregnancy experience.

"Q, I lost her." The floodgates opened and more tears flowed before Quinn had time to react.

She knew what she was talking about. During the last few days and especially after Regionals, she noticed the glares she sent Artie whenever he and Brittany were together, the way she always rushed out after Glee practice, and the way she was simply out of it when Brittany was nowhere near her. Quinn had suspected that something finally happened between the two of them after their Landslide performance. And she suspected it didn't go well since they weren't together. This only confirmed her suspicions.

Seriously, she needed a break. Santana lives alone since both her parents were working in another country and at an early age, she knew what it really meant to be alone. Sure, she got straight As in her classes and was one o the top bitches you don't mess with at school. But she was lonely. That was until she met Brittany when they were kids. She was her only lifeline and her bestfriend and her everything. And Quinn knew that she was Brittany's.

And then everything changed when high school came. Everything was dictated by society. Even though almost everyone in Glee knew that they were both head over heels with each other, they also knew that Santana can't stand being at the bottom of the pyramid. So she denied her heart and Brittany's what it so badly wanted: to be with each other.

Long after Quinn dragged Santana home and got her clean enough for bed (a task that was by no means easyespecially when you're technically taking care of a corpse), and just as she was about to leave and head back to her own home, Santana utters something as she sailed in the middle of reality and of dreams that makes her heart break a little for the girl who was after all, just an ordinary girl who was desperately and utterly in love with her bestfriend.

"This fucking hurts."

Indeed, it does.

Many had the belief that Santana Lopez is unbreakable - that she is invulnerable. Many assumed that she doesn't break down or give up or cry. But here she was, in a lonely bar, holding an empty bottle, and nursing a broken heart. Santana may be a rock. But she was also human.

A/N: Hi everyone! This is a little something I've had in my head for a while now. And I hope you guys enjoyed reading it. Feedback is always welcome as well as constructive criticisms. No flames please.

Till the next chapter!

Brittana forever,

theangel1710