Prologue

8 Years Old

When she was little nothing could keep her focused long enough to sustain. Her blonde hair would support half a braid, the rest hanging limp down her shoulders while she moved on to the next idea that flooded her mind. She was naturally thin, but because she was so active and never-stopping, she had a build that looked like a gymnast. Her parents were puzzled as what to do with her because she had been their first child. They didn't know if it were normal for a child to be up all hours of night dancing around her bedroom with her stuffed animals. Did all children bounce their legs up and down at warp speed while watching cartoons? Did they wiggle from side to side in their sleep the entire night? For years they took turns chasing the little girl around, trying to get her to focus. When their second and third child did almost the exact opposite of their first, they knew something had to be done.

"She's like a little firecracker, I can't keep up with her. Don't get me wrong she's my little angel, but we can't get her to focus for more than a couple minutes," her father, Mr. William Pierce, said while he and his wife entertained their friends and neighbors with coffee and cake one afternoon.

Mr. Hugo Lopez smiled as he ran his fingers over the stubble he forgot to shave that morning. It was rare for him to have the opportunity to not go without shaving so when he did he felt completely relaxed. "She'll grow out of it," he complied.

"I can't say I don't agree with you Will. Brittany's like a little energizer bunny. She keeps Santana happy though. I only ever see the girl really smile when she's with Brittany," Mrs. Maribel Lopez commented, pulling on her husband's hand to stop his actions.

Holly, Brittany's mother looked out the back glass sliding door smiling at the sight. Brittany and Santana were chasing Brittany's younger siblings Tommy and Jessica around the yard in what looked like a game of tag. "Santana's the only one who does calm her down," she noted.

Santana had been Brittany's friend since the two remembered. She was the same age but acted much older and sometimes their parents would treat her as if she weren't an eight year old like Brittany. They expected her to know better and to keep Brittany in line. But she never saw it that way. Brittany was magical and she knew that Brittany could take just as good if not better care of her.

Opposite to her friend, Santana had well-groomed brunette hair that was pulled into a side ponytail with a pretty pink bow. Her skin tone was much darker than Brittany's pale form and Brittany often commented of how her eyes matched the color of Brittany's father's coffee in the morning. She was slightly smaller but both fit into the same clothes and shoes. Although she didn't have the energy of her friend, she was genetically skinny and built as if she exercised every day. Like Brittany, Santana's parents had their own worries about their only child. She was spoiled and had an attitude that neither parent knew where it came from. She acted like she was seventeen and the only time she allowed herself to be a child was with Brittany.

"Have you considered taking her to a specialist?" Hugo asked, not really set on the idea but just suggesting.

Maribel nearly spit cake crumbs from her mouth. "Hugo they did not ask for your opinion," she said, looking to Brittany's parents with apologetic eyes.

"No Maribel I was actually going to ask Hugo. I mean he is a professional," Holly encouraged, not wanting her friend to feel bad. She knew her husband was touchy about the subject, but she was at her wits end.

Will ran his hands through his wiry hair. "You just don't want something to be wrong with your kid you know," he said, shaking tears from his eyes. "I mean she is a little behind for her age but she's not stupid or anything. She just can't focus to learn like the other kids. I mean ask her anything about the Pilgrims and she can give you a play by play," he defended, not wanting Hugo, doctor or not, telling him to bring his child for help.

Holly grabbed her husband's hand. "Will, we've made excuses long enough. I mean you've had kids that acted like Britt in your classes before haven't you?" she asked gently, rubbing her fingers over his knuckles.

Will shook his head. "Holly, Brittany does not need a specialist. She's just an energetic kid. Like Hugo said, she'll outgrow it," he argued, putting his foot down. Yes he had kids like Brittany in his classes before. But he was high school teacher and those kids were trouble. Brittany wasn't like that. She didn't do the things she did on purpose. He didn't want her hopped up on some medication that would make her like a zombie. He wanted his little girl to be who she was.

Holly looked back outside. Tommy and Jessica had moved on to the swings while Brittany and Santana were rolling around on the grass. She let out a deep sigh.

"Britt let's do something else," she laughed on her back while trying to steady Brittany's tickling hands above her. She knew her styled hair had been messed up and mud had to have been on her backside, but she would do anything to make Brittany happy.

Brittany laughed, straddled above Santana's waist. She listened to Santana's instructions and withheld her hands from Santana's underarms. Smiling, she remained seated on Santana's lower stomach. "Okay. Wanna play hide and seek?" she asked excitedly, lightly bouncing up and down on Santana as if she were a trampoline.

Santana's eyes widened. Last time they played hide and seek Brittany forgot she was supposed to find Santana and left her hiding in the closet for almost an hour. "Britt can't we just watch TV or something?" she asked, not wanting to get any more sweaty than she already was.

Brittany jumped up from Santana's lap. "Okay. But first let me show you the caterpillar house by my dad's garden. It's amazing San," she said running over to the garden before Santana could even answer.

Sighing, Santana pulled the bow from her hair and placed it over her left wrist. She winced as she rose from the ground, her body aching from the rough play she and Brittany had been doing. She watched from her spot, confused as to why Brittany already moved on from the caterpillars and was climbing a tree. "Britt what are you doing? You're gonna get in trouble," she called.

Brittany was halfway up the tree when she heard Santana's voice. She looked back with a huge smile. "I saw a bird's nest San and you know what that means," she called back while waving her hand over.

Before Santana could even take a step, the back door slid open. "Brittany what did I tell you about climbing that tree," her mother yelled, lifting her hands in the air.

Brittany paused mid-climb to turn and face her mother. "I forgot," she admitted softly, not wanting to disappoint her mother.

Holly sighed and turned to Santana. "San honey would you try to get her to play a board game or something with you inside?" she asked as if Santana was the cure all for everything Brittany.

Santana grimaced. "The last time we played a game she swallowed one of the pieces member," she recalled. She didn't want to get her friend in even more trouble, but she also didn't want a repeat of Brittany's father going into extreme panic mode again. She had never seen her own father run so fast. He dashed into the family room and gave Brittany the Heimlich. The upside to it was now everyone between both families knew how to give it, including Brittany.

"Right," Holly remembered while keeping her attention on Brittany who was slowly climbing down from the tree. She smiled when Brittany ran to her and hugged her around her waist. "You need to be more careful sweetie," she whispered down to her, gently kissing the top of her head.

Brittany pulled away from her mother's hold, a bright smile still on her face. "Want to see the caterpillar house mommy?" she asked while taking a hold on her mother's hand.

Holly smiled. "Sure baby," she said sending a soft smile to Santana before following behind her daughter.

Santana stared after them wondering if she was supposed to wonder about her friend's sometimes awkward behavior. She knew one thing. No matter what, she would have Brittany's back until the end of time.

12 Years Old

"Mr. and Mrs. Pierce Brittany is a great child. She's polite and sweet and good hearted," the principal started, sending the worried parents a concerned smile.

Will swallowed heavily, gripping his wife's hand tighter as they listened to the man in front of them. He had to come over to the middle school on his lunch break to have a meeting with Brittany's principal. As a teacher, he knew family meetings were generally not for good behavior.

"The problem is she is disruptive. She interrupts the teacher and calls out when it's not appropriate. She gets up from her seat and wanders around the classroom when she feels like it," he continued.

"Mr. Seamark I don't want you to think we don't discipline Brittany because we do. But she's not a bad kid. She's been like this since she was a baby," Holly tried to explain.

Mr. Seamark held up his hand. "In no way do I think Brittany is a bad kid Mrs. Pierce. She is the friendliest student I know. I brought you here out of concern not to punish Brittany," he said, wincing at the look on their faces. He guessed they've heard concern about their daughter before.

"Brittany's just a little energetic. We'll work on it with her," Will promised, glaring at the look his wife was giving him.

"Will how many more excuses are you going to make?" she asked, tears forming in her sky blue eyes.

"Mr. and Mrs. Pierce. We've had the child study team observe Brittany and it seems as if Brittany has a bit of a focus problem," he informed carefully.

Will stood up from his seat. "What gives you a right to analyze my kid? I think we know her a little better than you," he argued, pulling away while Holly tried to pull him back down to his seat.

"Mr. Pierce it has come to my attention that Brittany has been observed before. That the information I am about to give you isn't new. You've heard it before," he continued with a calm collected voice.

Holly wiped under her eyes. "They've diagnosed her with ADHD before. Will didn't want to put her on the medication they've suggested. He didn't like the side effects," she explained.

Mr. Seamark shook his head with understanding. "I respect your concern Mr. Pierce. They have done a lot of research and studies on the medication to perfect it over the years. When was the last time you were informed about it?" he asked gently.

"When she was eight," Holly answered for them.

He nodded. "I have the number of a great specialist who could potentially help Brittany out. He could meet with Brittany and determine what would be best for her as far as treating the problem," he said cautiously.

Will shook his head. "She does not have a problem. She's just a little hyper," Will said through seethed teeth.

Holly stood up near her husband, wrapping her arm around his waist. "Honey maybe this doctor can help Britt," she said as soft and gentle as possible. She knew this was a struggle for him.

"Why don't you just consult with him. If you don't like what he has to say, we can think of other options," Principal Seamark suggested.

Will looked towards the wall, not wanting the man to see the tears streaming down his face. He took a few moments to think before nodding. "Okay," he whispered.

"Britt, Quinn is having a sleepover tonight, you coming?" Santana asked excitedly. She and the girls usually swapped houses every weekend and this time it was Quinn's turn. Santana watched her friend's usual upbeat smile turn into a frown. She wrapped her arm around her friend as they began to walk home from school. "What's wrong B?"

Brittany sighed. "I don't know I'm just really tired all the time now. I don't even know if I'll make it through one movie," she said, resting her head on Santana's shoulder as they slowly made their way home.

Santana nodded. "Yeah you almost fell out of your chair in Math class today," she smiled, remembering having to shake her friend awake. "Maybe it's that new medicine your taking," she said, knowing ever since Brittany started her medication a couple months ago things had been different.

Brittany nodded. "I guess. But mom said I have to take it to be normal so," she concluded, making Santana stop mid step.

"Britt you are normal without the pills. Don't let her tell you that," she said, her attitude as a child was much stronger as a teen.

Brittany shook her head. "The doctor said off the pills I'm like volcano waiting to explode. On them I'm like a calm summer breeze," she repeated with confusion. Maybe he compared her to something else but that sounded better.

"That's fucked up Britt," she commented.

Brittany's eyes widened. "Don't let your mom hear that. Last time I thought she was gonna drown you with the soap," she said with fearful eyes.

Santana shook her head. "Britt just come to Quinn's. You can snuggle with me if you get too sleepy," she said, not wanting to spend the weekend without her best friend.

Brittany smiled. "Okay."

14 Years Old

"Hey dad," Brittany greeted while walking into her father's school office. She usually stopped by every day after school before her dance rehearsals.

Will looked up from grading his papers. He smiled at the beautiful girl in front of him. "Hey baby. You ready for rehearsal?" he asked excitedly. They had finally found the one thing that would keep Brittany's focus. Music. She had joined a dance studio last year and surprised the heck out of everyone because she was a natural born talent.

Brittany sat in the chair across from his desk and lifted her feet on top of it. Will sent her a playful scolding look, smiling when she rested her feet back on the ground.

"I'm ready. Quinn and Santana were talking about trying out for the cheerleading squad," Brittany said, laughing at the scared look on her father's face.

"With Sue?" he asked wearily.

Brittany nodded excitedly. "Yeah tryouts are next week. We're gonna practice every day after dance," she told him.

Will sucked his lips into his mouth. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather join the Glee club sweetheart?" he asked, knowing Brittany loved to sing.

Brittany smiled thoughtfully before replying, "Santana said Glee Club is an abomination."

Will grimaced. "Of course she did. Well honey if you make it, I'll be at every game," he encouraged while leaning over his desk to kiss her forehead. He secretly hoped the girls wouldn't make it and he could convince them to join his club.

"Thanks dad. I better go. I wanna practice a little before Mike gets there," she said, knowing the Asian boy was her only competition. They had formed a friendship quickly the first day of class and Santana often teased her about when they would be getting married.

"Is Santana walking you to the studio?" he asked a little worried but tried not to show it. Even though she was on the medication for a couple of years (the lowest dose possible thanks to her father), she was still a little oblivious to her surroundings.

Brittany sighed while making her way to the door. "Her and Quinn are waiting in the cafeteria," she said. She hated that her parents treated her like a four year old. Her younger siblings had more freedom than her and she didn't understand why. Yes, she was easily distracted, but that didn't mean she couldn't function on her own.

Will nodded. "Have a good rehearsal B," he said sincerely, blowing her a kiss.

Brittany smiled and caught the kiss like she always did. "See you at home dad."

Will smiled proudly, staring after her for a while before going back to his papers.

"Pierce that girl of yours must be adopted," Sue Sylvester, the William McKinley cheerleading coach called to what she liked to call her nemesis William Pierce.

Rolling his eyes, Will turned from the chalk board where he was writing his lesson plan for the day. Sighing, he put the chalk on the ledge before walking towards Sue. "Is there a problem with Brittany Sue?" he asked, trying to be polite but knowing it would get him nowhere.

Sue raised her eyebrows. "Yeah she's extremely energetic and annoying and loud," she began, secretly loving the frustrated look on Will's face. "But she's good, real good," Sue informed, narrowing her eyes at the smile forming on his face.

"So she's doing good?" he asked, happy that Brittany was finding more and more things that held her attention.

"She has potential. But I will never admit that to her or anyone on my team. I have a strict negative reinforcement policy William and that is why I have a house full of trophies and your choir room is filled with posters of encouragement," she quipped.

Chuckling, Will shook his head. "It's always a pleasure Sue," he said.

Santana lounged against Brittany's bed with her knees up and an English book propped between. She watched her friend pace the room with frustration, clearly not understanding the homework they were assigned. Sighing, she closed the book and tossed it to the floor.

"Let's take a break Britt," she suggested, patting the space next to her for Brittany to lie down.

Brittany grabbed at her face while letting out a deep sigh. "Why am I the only one who doesn't get it?" she asked while falling to the bed. She rested her head on Santana's stomach and closed her eyes.

Santana smiled. "You're not the only one Britt. This shit is boring as hell anyways," she said, knowing her mother was nowhere in sight.

"I hate learning," she mumbled into Santana's stomach.

Santana didn't answer, knowing her friend had good days and bad when it came to school work. She raised her left hand and gently ran her fingers through Brittany's hair. She laughed to herself remembering when they were little and Brittany's hair would be a tangled mess because she wouldn't let anyone brush it without throwing a tantrum.

"Did Finn try and kiss you anymore after last Friday?" Brittany asked, waiting for the right moment to ask the question that's been on her mind all week. She closed her eyes, waiting for the answer.

Santana let out an aggravated sigh. "Yeah and Quinn went ape shit. I don't know why she's so set on him. He's not even a good kisser, he's so awkward about it," she complained, continuing to run her fingers against Brittany's scalp in a massaging motion.

Brittany smiled. "Well Matt Krockoski felt me up Saturday night," she laughed, knowing she would be the first of her friends to experience that.

Santana's eyes widened. "Like above the waist?" she asked, hoping Brittany didn't let him go too far.

Brittany nodded lazily. "Yeah, it felt like he was squeezing a dog toy," she described, making Santana burst out laughing.

"Eww Britt," she laughed, grabbing her chest as if she were protecting her own from that kind of torture.

"I think he was waiting for them to make a noise or something," she laughed, loving when she made Santana crack up.

Santana opened her mouth in disbelief, cackling at the thought. "What is wrong with him?" she asked, trying to calm her laughter.

The laughter soon died and they were left in a comfortable silence. Brittany turned her head so she was facing Santana. Both smiled at one another, lost in their own thoughts. Before Santana realized what was happening, she felt Brittany's lips pressed against her own. Her eyebrows scrunched in confusion, gently pulling away from her friend.

"Britt what the heck?" she asked softly, not understanding Brittany's actions.

Brittany pulled back nonchalantly. "I wanted to see if you were a good kisser," she said, shrugging innocently.

Santana licked around her lips, faintly tasting the strawberry lip smacker Brittany applied earlier. She stared at her friend, with squinted eyes, trying to figure out what had happened. "Am I?" she asked moments later, realizing Brittany would give her an honest opinion. She knew it was weird for girls to kiss, but she had seen late night television where two girls were kissing for guy's attention. Maybe that was Brittany's motive.

Brittany smiled. "Well I didn't really get to kiss you. It was just a peck," she said, licking around her own lips.

Santana narrowed her eyes. Would kissing Brittany ruin their friendship? Would things start to get weird? She did like the softness of Brittany's mouth pressed against her own. She didn't have rough chapped lips like Finn had had. With Brittany hovered over her, waiting for a response, she lifted her hands and pulled Brittany's face back towards her own. When she was inches from her lips she whispered, "Just to see if we're good kissers."

Brittany swallowed deeply, nodding her head. She closed her eyes and searched for her best friend's lips. The first touch was quick, like they were kissing a relative. Brittany breathed heavily through her nose, letting out a nervous breath. Their eyes locked for a few moments and Santana initiated the second kiss, pulling Brittany's face towards her own.

Their lips stayed together pulling apart briefly only to be placed back to one another. Santana's hands remained on Brittany's face, tensely holding onto it so she had somewhere to put her hands. Brittany's hands were holding her up over Santana and she was beginning to understand why Matt wanted to run his hands all over her body. She was starting to feel that way about Santana. When her tongue brushed against Santana's lip she was pushed away.

"I think that's good enough Britt," Santana said awkwardly, her face heating up from embarrassment. She didn't know why she was beginning to feel hot and flustered. It was just Brittany.

Brittany sat next to Santana, both their breath seemed heavy and deep.

"So?" Santana asked after they cooled down.

Brittany turned her head. "You're much better than Matt," she complemented, nodding her head up and down repeatedly. She was beginning to feel a surge of energy as if Santana recharged her battery.

Santana smiled. She had wanted to return the compliment, let Brittany know she was the best kiss had had ever had. But she couldn't. She shouldn't have felt that about her best friend, or any girl for that matter. It was strictly educational, practice for the real thing with guys.

"You were pretty good too Britt," she said, not wanting to make a big deal about it. "Listen I have to get home. Mom and Dad want a family dinner tonight," she rushed out, knowing whenever things got too serious she removed herself from the situation. She had never done it with Brittany; she was usually the one she went to when things got complicated. But Brittany was the cause of her confusion and she felt a need to escape.

Brittany nodded numbly, knowing something was up with her best friend. She slowly waved as Santana raced from her room. She couldn't help but replay Santana's opinion of her kissing skills over and over in her mind. "Pretty good," she whispered dejectedly.

"How was school?" Holly asked over dinner that night.

Brittany rested her head on her hand, slowly moving her food around her plate while her leg bounced up and down slightly shaking the table. She barely listened to her brother and sister's commentary of their day and when her father placed a hand on her arm, she jumped.

"You okay sweetheart?" he asked with concerned eyes. He looked across the table to his wife who displayed a similar expression. Brittany was never quiet at dinner, she usually dominated the conversation.

"Just tired," she said softly, not even bothering to look up from her plate.

"Maybe if you weren't up all night wandering around the house you'd be normal," Tommy, her twelve year old brother teased.

Brittany winced. She hated being referred to as abnormal.

"Tommy shut your mouth," Will yelled, sending his son a glare.

"Clear your plate Tommy," Holly continued, knowing her son touched on one of Brittany's insecurities. She shook her head at him as he passed by with his plate. "You were fine before honey. Did you and Santana have a fight?" she asked, hoping to get her daughter to open up.

Brittany shook her head. "I'm just tired. I had a lot of homework tonight," she said, knowing that was only part of the reason she was upset.

"Do you need me to help you?" her father asked. Aside from Santana, he was the only one who had patience when it came to getting Brittany to understand something.

"No I'm almost done. Santana helped," she answered, knowing she had no clue on how to do her homework. She figured she could come up with some elaborate reason as to why she didn't have it.

Will nodded, before going back to his meal. "Well you better go to sleep early tonight," he said gently, not wanting her to get worn out. "And if cheerios is too much to handle with school maybe you should reconsider," he added, knowing Sue was probably killing her with practice.

The mention of quitting gained Brittany's attention. She shook her head harshly. "I'm fine dad," she argued, dropping her fork to her plate.

"Baby your dad's just looking out for you. We don't want you to fall behind on your school work that's all," Holly tried, not wanting Brittany to think they didn't believe in her.

"How can I be behind if I was never ahead to begin with," she yelled, surprising both herself and her parents. She rarely was in a fowl mood and she never argued with or talked back to her parents. That was Santana's role. But the pressure from everything that had been going on was starting to get to her, not to mention that things were now weird with her best friend and she couldn't help but have an outburst.

Will's eyes widened at the comment. "Britt," he scolded more shocked than angered.

"Have you been taking your medicine Britt?" her mother asked out of concern.

Brittany looked back and forth between her parents before abruptly getting up. She made what could be described as a squeal before running to the steps. Both parents looked at one another, wincing when they heard her bedroom door slam close.

"You're awfully quiet this evening," Hugo said after a mouthful of mashed potatoes. He and his wife had talked about their days waiting for Santana to interrupt but she just sat quietly looking as if she were in another world.

Santana looked up from her plate. "Just tired," she mumbled before focusing back on her mountain of peas and carrots.

"That Sue Sylvester is gonna kill you girls," Maribel commented, knowing how hard her daughter was being worked by the ego driven coach.

Santana shook her head. "Practices are fine," she said.

"Did you and Britt have a fight or something?" she asked gently, knowing how quiet Santana would get if she and Brittany had a disagreement.

Santana's eyes bugged at the mention of her blonde friend. She forcefully shook her head, avoiding any eye contact with her parents.

"Things with Britt are fine. I'm just tired. Am I not allowed to be tired?" she argued, waiting for one of her parents to comment on her attitude, but they didn't.

"Someone came in with their shirt stapled to their arm this morning," Hugo laughed, quickly changing the subject before Santana threw them all for a loop.

Santana stared at her plate, faintly listening to her parents laugh about the incidents of the day.

On her way home from dance rehearsal the next day, she was surprised to see Santana waiting for her on her porch. They had avoided one another at school and Quinn had said Santana was held back for something when she walked her to the dance studio.

Santana smiled softly to her friend, gesturing with her eyes for Brittany to take a seat. "Hey," she whispered.

Brittany threw her backpack onto the porch before taking a seat. "Hey," she answered back in the same tone.

Both stared awkwardly at one another before belting out apologizes.

"I'm sorry I ran out yesterday," Santana said, over Brittany's "I'm sorry I kissed you."

Santana smiled. "I just," she started, "I never imagined us doing that you know," she admitted, hoping she didn't sound like a fool.

Brittany returned the smile. "Because we're best friends?" she asked.

Santana narrowed her eyes. "Because we're girls Britt," she answered, biting her lip at the pained expression on Brittany's face.

"I don't understand," Brittany said.

"Girls don't kiss other girls like that Britt," she tried, knowing Brittany got confused sometimes about what was right and wrong.

"Sure they do. A kiss is a gesture of love. If you love someone you kiss them," she explained, nodding her head at her explanation.

"Okay but we can't love each other like that. We like boys so boys are the ones we should be kissing," Santana said slowly so Brittany understood every word she said.

Brittany smiled. "But I like boys and girls so," she said leaving an open ended answer. She knew who to kiss and who not too. She would never kiss Eric Hanover, the computer geek in second period that picked his nose or Anna Jenkins who smelled like a house of gym socks. She only kissed people she was attracted to.

Santana's eyes widened at Brittany's confession. "Britt you don't tell people that right?" she asked, looking around as if someone were spying on them.

Now Brittany's eyes narrowed in confusion. "It's not a big deal Santana," she said, wondering why her friend was acting even weirder than the day before.

Santana held her hand up. "Just promise me you won't say that out loud to anyone. I mean do what you want with who, but don't advertize it Britt. We're on our way to being top of the food chain and something like that can destroy us," she said, her tone harsh and demanding, something she rarely used with Brittany.

Brittany seemed taken aback. She didn't understand what the big deal was. It wasn't like she hid it before. She and Santana often talked about what celebrities had the best bodies and were hot. Whatever Santana's issue was was obviously deeper than her, but she wouldn't push to find out. Pushing Santana to do something she didn't want always ended badly.

"Whatever San," she answered before getting up from her spot. "You wanna go over the routine?" she asked, wanting things to go back to normal between them.

Santana smiled. "Why don't we watch a movie or something. I think you've had enough exercise for the day Britt," she said, gently bopping her nose with her finger before heading inside.

Brittany smiled after her. She was definitely smarter than Santana when it came to love.