A Necessary Friendship
Tina bounced on the balls of her feet as she stood against the door-frame and waited for everyone else to filter out, murmuring excitedly with the enthusiasm of the new year as they went. She got bumped and jostled a few times, but she didn't really care, she was too busy watching the one person who refused to leave the now deserted room fidget in her seat and stare absentmindedly at the floor.
She stepped forward and crouched in front of the girl. She sat there and watched her for a few moments before smiling shyly, "Do you want to come over? I think I have Rugrats cued up on Netfix…."
Brittany looked up as if surprised to find her there, although she had sensed the presence of someone else in the empty room for a long while.
"I dunno…I just don't want to be alone." She frowned and jerked her chin downward again, sniffling, but Tina grasped it gently and lifted her head back up so that they were eye to eye. She let go and placed the same hand on Brittany's shoulder instead as soon as she was certain that she would not look away.
"I don't want to be either," she murmured, sadly but with a certain kindness, "but..it's okay to miss her, you know," - she added in unnecessary explanation, "Santana."
"I know," Brittany whispered, her lips quirking up in understanding when she added, "I bet you really miss Mike too."
Tina nodded, and Brittany whimpered,
"It's only the first day!" She cried out suddenly, surprising them both, "I just want them ALL to come back! And I need her here!"
Tina stood up and bent down to hold her in a tight, desperate hug, pulling her up as well so they stood, attached by their torsos at the front of the choir room - in the shadows of the memories, grasping for what they once were when they had the ones that they loved by their side.
"Can we watch The OC, actually?" Brittany questioned quietly once their breaths had evened out and their heartbeats seemed to match. The familiar innocence had even returned to her voice, "Santana hated it...but I think it's a good show."
"Sure," Tina giggled, "and I'll help you with our Math homework if you promise to help me act out the play we got assigned in English."
They pulled apart, and when Brittany linked their pinkies together as they walked away, Tina didn't say anything - but her heart that was already so tested and mangled broke in a million pieces for her friend instead.