It didn't begin differently to any other, that day. They sat slumped on the cool metal of the bleachers, arms folded and bony elbows jutting out, watching another tedious performance begin as an array of blinding lights sliced through the gym.

"Dream on, Lopez." Santana averted her gaze from the performance that unfolded in the gym and instead turned her attention to the shaven haired boy sat beside her.

"What?"

"You know who that is, don't you?" He said flatly, eyes fluttering back to the group of uniformed cheerleaders in the centre of the gym.

"Should I?"

"Well, I'll tell you." Puck leant further in and narrowed his eyes, pointing out a particular cheerleader with his index finger and his thumb. "That's Brittany Pierce."

"She's good." Santana remarked, her eyes never leaving the graceful movements of the dancer.

"Forget it. You'd have more luck with Berry." Puck gestured to the tiny girl that sat a few seats away from them, a pair of long arms wrapped around her frame.

"Is there a particular reason that I can't have Pierce?"

"Look at her, for a starter." Puck said, once again pointing her out from the crowd. Santana examined the dancer's entire body, from the scarlet skirt that stopped just below her thighs to the pristine white trainers on her feet. She took in the red polyester that clung to every curve and groove of her body, dipping in and out of every angle that belonged to her. She noted the incredible speed of which the dancer leapt into the air with, and the effortless elegance she landed with upon return.

"Now, take a look at yourself." Santana arched a fine eyebrow at him. She clicked the piercing that sat on her tongue against the roof of her mouth and leant her back against the bleacher bench. She tangled a hand into her hair before pushing it away from her forehead and nudging Puck with a sharp elbow so that he was bolted upright by the motion.

"Ow! What was that for?"

"What do you 'now, take a look at yourself'?" She demanded.

"I just meant that you two aren't entirely alike, are you?"

"I could be a cheerleader. If I wanted." Puck let out a snort before giving her a patronising pat on the shoulder.

"You? A cheerleader?" He scoffed.

"Why not?"

"I didn't think you were the type to wear a uniform."

"I'm not." She protested.

"And are you they type to be told what to do?"

"No."

"And how do you possibly expect to become a cheerleader?" Puck laughed. "I'm not sure you've thought this one through, Santana."

"I was just suggesting. I could be one of them if I wanted to."

"Why the fuck would you want to?" Santana's eyes flickered to find the blonde dancer that sat perched on the shoulders of a waif thin boy, struggling to balance her on his weak frame.

"No reason." She said, nonchalantly.

"I've already told you, Lopez. Forget it! She's the head cheerleader. And you're the-" Puck cut himself short, searching for the words to describe her without receiving another sharp jab.

"Go on." She urged, daring him to continue.

"The head delinquent." He eventually settled for, a smile breaking onto his lips in satisfaction.

"That'll do." She reached her hand out and flicked her fingers through the ends of his mohawk, examining the dark tufts in her palm. "You should really get rid of this thing, you know?"

"One day." As they spoke, the performance on the floor came to an end and the gym soon became a sea of bodies all floating towards the exit. They stood too and followed the crowd, making their way through the bustling students around them.

"And this. You should get rid of this, too." Santana reached forward and tugged the Star of David necklace from beneath the collar of Puck's shirt, pulling it out before wrapping it around her fingers.

"Why?"

"You're not even religious, Noah."

"I can be. When I want to."

"And do you want to?" He smirked before answering.

"What do you think?" In their movements, they'd found themselves surrounded by a swarm of exhausted Cheerios that swam around them in an attempt to leave the gym.

Santana felt the body collide with hers before she saw it.

She stumbled backwards and grabbed onto the arm of a passing boy to steady herself, wobbling back onto her feet.

"Sorry!" She looked back to find misty, cyan eyes fixed on her own. They were accompanied with pink lips that were mouthing apologies as a hand came forwards to steady her.

"I'm fine." She snapped, shoving the arm away from her. Gaining her balance, Santana finally managed to study the cobalt orbs in front of her. She caught a glimpse of blonde hair as loose, damp strands twisted onto the girl's forehead.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive." She confirmed. "You're Pierce, aren't you?" Those eyes met Santana's again, observing them for longer than necessary.

"Yes. And you're Lopez." To Santana's surprise, Brittany's lips curled up into a smile.

"You know my name."

"I've heard you getting kicked out of enough classes to know that, Santana."

"Are we on first name basis now, Pierce?" Brittany's smile faded. She wasn't sure why she was speaking to Santana Lopez, of all people, or why her throat was rapidly drying up. Nor was she sure of the humiliation bubbling in the pit of her stomach. Still, the hiss in Santana's tone was enough for Brittany's cheeks to redden and her palms to dampen.

"Isn't there somewhere for you to be?"

"I'd be delighted you to suggest somewhere else I could be."

"Shoving kids into lockers somewhere, maybe?" Brittany was still unaware as to why the words were slipping out of her mouth without her permission.

"I didn't do it to you, did I?" Brittany chewed on the corner of her lip while Santana smirked as the realisation sunk in. "Oh, I did! I did! Well, don't take it personally, Pierce. You're just one of them, after all."

"One of them?" Brittany's teeth dug into her tongue while Santana spoke.

"Cheerleaders. The 'holier than thou' virginal squad, of course."

"I-I'm not a virgin." Brittany hissed after an initial stammer. Santana was infuriating her. She was humiliating her and creeping under her skin, forcing embarrassment to the slip to the surface and expose itself through her physical attributes. Through crimson cheeks and a spluttering voice.

"I don't doubt it for a second."

"Do you want something, Lopez?" Her voice was harsher this time. She was all but prepared to spew venom in reply to Santana.

"Probably." She murmured.

"Well?"

"I don't quite recall. I don't recall a lot of things these days, actually, you know?"

"Fascinating."

"I'd watch your tongue if I were you, Pierce." Santana warned suddenly. Without giving her the satisfaction of a reply, Brittany focused her vision and held her tongue between her teeth, just as Santana had told her to do.

"Actually, I think I remember what it was I wanted."

"And that is?"

"A date." Brittany's eyes found hers. "With you."

"A date? You expect me to go on a date with you?"

"That's the general idea of the concept, yes."

"And why would I want to do that?" Brittany asked before continuing. "Actually, let me clarify. Why would I, head of the Cheerios and upstanding member of the Glee club, want to go on a date with someone like you?"

"Someone like me?" Sanatan scoffed.

"Would you like me to be clearer on that? A Lima loser. That's all you are and that's all you're ever going to be."

"I'll take that as a no, then." Santana answered, a smirk still playing on her lips.

"Correct!"

"You don't think this is it, do you?" Brittany raised an eyebrow.

"Isn't it?" Santana let out a harsh laugh before she pushed past a bewildered Brittany with one, swift movement.

"You'll see, Pierce."

Thoughts?