Burning Stars

A Santana-Brittany Fan Fiction

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. All rights are owned by the creators and owners of Glee. I don't really know how the story would end but I think I would start by Santana Lopez leaving everything behind because of her coming out and admitting she was a lesbian right after her graduation and dealing with life away from Lima and Brittany. I was considering of Santana going to the Army and Brittany becoming a nurse or something till years pass and they see each other again and all the feelings they thought were long gone and forgotten are back.

"If life separates us and we end up in totally different places, we always remember when our paths aligned for this period of time and I'll be thankful for that. And hope that wherever you are, you will be thankful too, and I think that's the best we can wish for."

"I think true love just really knows where to find its way back."

"I'm never saying goodbye to you."

"I love you more than anyone else I've ever loved in this world."

Santana Lopez

It's only a few days more. Few days, and it will be history. I hated the fact that graduation is so near I can smell the scent of fresh diplomas handed to us. Us, except her. Except my dear Brittany Susan Pierce who was not able to make it on the graduation list.

I remembered our conversation this afternoon. Tears started to roll down my cheeks again.

"So I get to spend another year with the ones I love. So, it's okay." I can see through her eyes that she was trying hard to pretend like it was nothing to her. I can see how she forced her smile.

"What about you and me?" I wailed. I saw that pained look for the first time in my life. It tore through my heart as if it was a very sharp dagger that pierced it.

"I love you more than anything else in this world and with that, I think everything's possible." She gave out a smirk. I almost wanted to break down and cry but, I don't want her to see me—the real me. It was the part of me who was weak, crumbling and too scared.

I felt her arms wound around my waist as she hugged me. Really tight, it was if she wouldn't want to let go of me. It was as if she doesn't want to lose me.

"I'm never saying goodbye to you, Britt." I said them not because I wanted to comfort or make everything feel a little better; it was not just because I was meaning it, but because I was assuring that we won't be apart.

"It's alright, Brit, you and me forever…it's still that way," I sounded as cheerful as I could at the moment. I wasn't sure who I was really trying to convince, Brittany or me.

"Mi niña, te hice té caliente. Por favor, venga conmigo." It was Abuela.

"La abuela…" I was really in a bad mood and I don't want to be with people, not now.

"Algo está mal, querida, por favor dígame lo que es, tal vez podamos hacerlo mejor." I wished what she said

"Oh, no es nada, abuela. Sólo que creo que estoy un resfriado." I made the lamest excuse. I told her I am catching a cold.

"Lo sé, es más que eso. Por lo menos, un poco de té y se le hará mejor." She took my hands and whispered in a very caring way. "Come, let's have tea."

I sulked behind Abuela towards the kitchen and she brewed hot tea for me. "Mija," she said in her this-would-be-serious-talk tone. "What's wrong?" Concern was in her voice. I wanted so much of everything to tell her, because I know she can make me feel better, but not in this case. I'm sure Abuelita would be very angry, and my parents would disown me.

"Britt can't graduate," I spluttered out, only too soon.

"Why?" Abuelita gasp as she sat in front of me after setting my cup of tea in front of me.

"You know Britt," I accused. "But they shouldn't have done that!" I wailed just like a child who lost her comfort object. "Sue should retire," I looked at my abuela, expecting her to understand.

Of course, she knew Brittany's mind state and she understands how hard it must be for Brittany to go through all of this. She always knew, she just knows.

"But, that doesn't mean that you're not friends anymore, right?" my grandma took my hands in hers.

"Yes. But, I don't want to leave her, Abuelita," I hunched my shoulders as tears started to fall again.

"Of course, you won't. You will stay as best friends forever, no distance can destroy a real friendship."

The problem was, it wasn't just real friendship—it was more than that. Brittany Pierce is more than Santana Lopez's best friend. My mind was shouting my real feelings.

She's my one true love.

I looked around the large room for a familiar face. I couldn't find her, Mami and Papi anxiously looked for the thing I was looking for, too. Abuela just sat there, but I also know that she knew who I was looking for. And then there she was. She was taking great strides towards me.

"Hey, Britts," I smiled at her.

"Hi," she beamed at me. She was wearing a floral sundress and she was wearing her Wonderstruck perfume. "Congratulations." She smiled at my red toga. "You're off to college."

I couldn't take it. Not anymore. I hugged her. Mami and Papi joined us, also my abuela. I hated to admit it, but I'm mourning because Brittany cannot go to college with me.

"Britts, please, would you come over, tonight?" I whispered in her ear. I pulled away from her hug and looked in her blue eyes. "I will be expecting you."

Brittany Pierce

She looked so happy as long as you're from fifty feet. But, knowing Santana like the back of my hand, I know she is dying inside. She's desperate. I've seen that look upon her face before. It was look that scared me too much I wouldn't even dream of seeing those eyes again. Nor mentioning the reason why it happened. Santana's chocolate-brown eyes were sad and helpless. I couldn't even directly look at them.

"I will be expecting you."

Her words still rang through my mind. And I know my heart's answer.

I went home as fast as my frail feet could carry me towards Santana's house. The night was chilly but it actually felt good on my skin and it made my cheeks have the red colour. The Lopez house was very warm and I think it was the most beautiful house that night. I knocked on their door softly. After a few moments, the door opened and it was Santana's abuela…I think it was the Spanish or something.

"Oh, mi hija," she smiled. "Get inside. They have been waiting for you."

There they were. Kurt, Blaine, Quinn, Puck, Lauren, Rachel and Finn were busying themselves on drinks that Elena, Santana's mom. Mercedes and Sam were cosily sitting on an oversized couch, however I did not see her.

Alejandro, Santana's father smiled at me and he nodded towards the kitchen. I smiled at him and mouthed a little 'thank you' before going to the kitchen.

Santana was busily tiptoeing to reach something from the overhead cabinet. I stealthily came up behind her and wound my left arm around her slender waist.

"Sorry we had to ditch you out there earlier today," she said without turning to face me. She used that bedroom voice that she only used when she's talking with me.

"Nah…don't worry, it is okay, San," I answered her with my bedroom voice. "Besides, Papi and Mami were so proud of you." There was a silence, as if both of us are waiting for the next words to fall.

I broke the silence. "And me, too, San. I am so proud of you." I whispered to her ear as I let her hand travel across the backs of my arms. I could feel her soft giggles as my breath brushed across her neck.

"Britt…" she turned to face me, the sadness was in her eyes still. I quickly grazed a finger on her lips.

"Shhhh…"

"Britt, let me speak…"

I pulled my fingers away and held her shoulders. "Smile first."

She gave me a small little smile and started to say something when we heard Rachel and Quinn coming towards the kitchen. I instantly dropped my hands and entwined my pinkies in Santana's.

"Hi, Britt." Rachel looked at me. That look made a cold chill run up my spine. I gripped my best friend's hand tighter. As a response, Santana rubbed the back of my left palm with her right thumb.

"Rachel, why the actual fuck you are looking at Britt like that?" Santana accused.

"What look?" Rachel defied.

"That accusing look! It wasn't her fault she couldn't graduate!" Santana shot at Rachel.

Quinn finally noticed what was happening between them. I shifted a nervous glance from Rachel to Santana and then to Quinn.

"Well, I for one think that your dear Brittany here had to spend another year at McKinley and you know what? I know it sucks because you can't go to college together and share the same…"

I gripped Santana's hand.

"Stop!" Quinn stood between the two girls. Rachel was infuriated and Santana was, too. But to our surprise, Santana calmly smiled and said something in Spanish and then led me to the den, ignoring Rachel's nagging amidst Quinn's attempt to stop her friend.

We just sat there, comfortably on a small loveseat and watched the fire dancing in the fireplace.

"When are you heading to New York?" I looked at her with expectant eyes, hoping that she'd say that she's not leaving.

"Not 'till August." Santana traced my fingers that were locked in hers.

"That means we still have a…"

"Four weeks," she chuckled at gave me that smile that only me has the privilege of watching.

"We can spend a week or two in Fairport. My family had just bought a summer house over there," Santana winked at me.

"Oh my god, aren't you just so hot?"

"Of course, I am. And I want to spend the week with you. That's why I wanted you to be here, to formally ask you out," she trailed off as she looked ta me.

"Ask me out…like…Finn did to Rachel?" I said, as innocently as I could.

"Well, yeah," she twisted a little to look at me. "It would be a little different."

She looked at me impatiently. "Okay…what?"

"What?" I was bewildered. I can't believe she just asked me out. My heartbeat was trying to race up to my throat, choking me.

"Want to get together?" Santana then looked at me in the eyes. "I love you Brittany Pierce."

That was the first time she spoke like that. And I know I loved her too. So, I took her hand and looked into her chocolate-brown eyes.

"San…I love you too. I've been in love with you since we were ten and I think…I think it's time for us to come out."

"You're right, Britt," she held my hand and linked our pinkies together. I took her hand and gave her a peck of a kiss on the lips.

"I take that a yes," she smiled. I nodded at her as I whispered to her a simple 'I love you'.

She cuddled into my chest and nuzzled on my chest like a small child.

"So…does that mean that…you're going to Fairport…with me?" She asked me with big puppy-dog eyes.

I threw her a smile. "Yes!"

Santana Lopez

I waited nervously as moments ticked away. Suddenly, the door I was facing swung open. It was Annie Pierce, Brittany's blonde mother. She greeted me with the wide Pierce smile. I think all of the Pierces have that smile, but Brittany's the best smiles ever.

"Oh, dear me, Santana! Come in, child," she motioned for me to follow her and made me sit on the comfortable couch.

"So you're going to Fairport?" Rob Pierce asked me, quickly getting back to her reading with his newspaper.

"Uhh…yes," Truth to be told, my visit and me sitting in the Pierce's living room today felt too awkward. It was just three days before Brittany and I considered everything between us official, and I still feel as if I have butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

"Will it be just the two of you?" I felt heat rise up from my neck to my cheeks.

"Yes. Actually, yeah, well, Quinn was supposed to…go with us but…well she got this really nice offer for California…or…well…I don't really know but yes…it looks like we're up to Fairport with just me and Britt-Britt," I stammered.

Damn me. I can't even fucking start a conversation with my girlfriend's father.

"Hi, San," Brittany came cluttering with a duffel bag slung on her shoulders.

There goes my angel.

"Hey, Britt," I nodded to her and threw her a lustful look.

"Daddy…" Brittany walked up to her father.

"Oh, and I want you to take care out there." Her father was always like that, caring, considerate and sometimes…a little too…observant of our secret glances.

Brittany readily nodded and too my hand, which sent bolts of electricity through my system.

"And Lopez," her father called after me.

"Sir?" I swear I never called him like that.

Damn.

"Take care of my princess for me, please?"

"I will." I threw him a smile.

She's no longer your princess. She's mine already.

"Hey, Britts, let me take that," I said as I grabbed her duffel bag and together we walked out of the door. I slung her pale pink duffel bag on my shoulder and carried it to my car as she walked and opened the car doors. She had the spare keys of my car.

"Are you excited?" I asked her as I sat behind the steering wheel of my grey BMW.

"Yes." She gave me a wide grin as I turned the car engine on. "I'll teach you how to drive at Fairport."

I saw her eyes dance, sending sparking electricity as she smiled at me. I sighed and clutched at the steering wheel. I quickly pulled out of the Pierce's driveway and headed north with one scene playing in my mind for a thousand times.

We have one destination. And finally, we can be together, even for a while.