A/N: This is sort of AU and I've made a lot of changes to the characters. Rachel is still short but quiet and sarcastic instead of loud and talkative. Santana is actually taller than Brittany (this might seem insignificant but it's how I see it in my head) and Mercedes is the queen bitch. They're all around 14/15 and in freshman year of high school (in this chapter). Most characters know each other from middle school though. I'm from England so I'm unfamiliar with the American school system but hopefully I've got it right. This is written in third person but also slightly from Santana's angle. I haven't decided how long this is going to be but I have a lot of ideas, it depends on reviews and feedback. I don't own Glee or the characters. Anyways, here's my fic and I hope you guys like it! Any ideas/suggestions welcome! :D x

Santana paced down the corridor, passing by Rachel. They made eye contact for a second and feelings flooded Santana's heart and clouded her mind; love, hate, rejection, hurt. She walked on smiling at everyone. No one knew how she felt. She always ignored Rachel or gave her hell but she had her reasons. Santana turned around and saw Mercedes run up to Rachel with her annoying laughter. Santana's eyes stung and she rushed to the toilets. Leaning over the sink, she took a deep breath.

'Santana Lopez does not cry.' she was talking to herself now.

It all began when Santana first started middle school. She had made friends with Rachel, the short, awkward, sarcastic girl who had no friends. Slowly Santana grew fonder of Rachel and started to question her own feelings. Was she crushing on her friend? She hid her doubt and pain for almost 2 years. One day she opened up to her classmates Sugar and Lauren about her feelings. They told her they supported her no matter how she felt. Relief. The next day Rachel marched up to her and looked at her with disgust.

'Is it true? Are you in love with me?' Rachel spat the words. Santana's ears started ringing, her chest tightened and her heart ached. She couldn't breathe. She could see Mercedes snickering in the background. She had trusted them both. They were her best friends. How could this happen? Santana shook her head and ran away. Everyone looked at her differently in the corridors and people she once knew avoided her. Santana denied everything and eventually people moved on. It wasn't true. It's what she told herself and everyone.

Santana stood up straight and tried to push these painful memories away. Luckily she had other friends now. Brittany and Tina were her first friends in middle school but Tina kinda hated Santana, making her the third wheel. She had turned to Rachel but that was a mistake. Now she was best friends with Brittany and nothing could stop her. She hung out with Brittany, Quinn, Sam, Tina, Puck and Kurt these days. Tina still wasn't her favourite person but they got on. Brittany was a gift from above, surely. Santana loved Brittany with all her heart. After all, they were best friends.

Brittany was sitting on the field with her food. She spotted Santana and waved.

'I saved you a seat!' she said grinning at her friend. People kind of misunderstood Brittany. Santana saw her most intelligent side. Brittany read tons of books, she was a whizz with computers and her maths skills were undeniably impressive but she couldn't express herself and people thought she was dumb. Mercedes commented on that a lot and just the thought of Mercedes made Santana's blood turn cold. She hated that girl.

'Thanks, I brought cookies!' Santana responded. She sat down and looked at Brittany. Her hair was shining in the sunlight and her eyes looked beautiful. Santana hadn't noticed before. Actually her skin was kind of perfect too. And her legs looked so long and smooth and toned…

'Santana!'

'What?' She was startled by Brittany calling her name.

'You were like staring at me and I got worried. What were you looking at?'

'N-Nothing.' It was a good question. What was she looking at? 'You know, you're really beautiful.'

'Thanks San, you can talk!' Brittany giggled and Santana couldn't help smiling. That giggle was so cute.

They sat there laughing, lost in their own world. Then lunch was over. Brittany's locker was only couple of lockers away from Santana's. She opened it, grabbing a bottle of water and drinking, then noticed Santana gazing at her. She smiled, blushed, and shut her locker.

'We have maths next.'

'Oh man.' Santana's disappointment was totally fake because, even though she hated maths, she sat next to Brittany and they always messed around when they weren't helping each other. They sent notes, linked pinkies, kicked each other under the table and poked each other with pens. Brittany always drew and wrote on Santana's hands. They sat next to each other in every lesson but it was somehow different in maths. It was just the two of them. They made a great team and the teacher practically treated them as one. That's how Santana felt about Brittany. They were one, a unit, a package deal. Santana was still a little insecure but she was pretty sure Brittany and the rest of the gang enjoyed her company. At least she hoped so.

Of course Brittany and Santana spent the whole of maths messing around. The teacher didn't mind and left them to it because they actually managed to get work don. Brittany looked pretty in maths too and Santana made a mental note.

After school Brittany marched up to Santana, grinning.

'Wanna come over tonight? You could spend the night if you want and we can watch movies.'

'Sure, sounds really fun!' she replied, smiling as she texted her mom to let her know. That was the second time Santana was going to stay at Brittany's. They walked home and Santana linked pinkies with Britt. A few guys from the other high school started wolf-whistling and calling out things like 'lesbos'. Brittany didn't look upset but let Santana's hand go. Santana could feel anger rising inside her. She chose to ignore the whole incident but she was hurt. Best friends linked pinkies, right? They got to Britt's house. It wasn't huge but bigger than Santana's. The lounge was spacious and light. Santana loved this house.

'Where are your parents? And where's Dani?' Santana asked, looking around the house.

'Oh they've gone to my uncle's boat house but I refused to go.'

'Why?' asked Santana, clearly shocked.

'I don't like boats. And I hate my uncle.' Santana didn't press the matter further.

'Guess we have the house to ourselves then. What should we do?'

'We could bake some cookies and watch cartoons!' Brittany said, looking excited.

'Let's!' Santana didn't really like cartoons that much but cookies sounded great. 'We could watch some movies too. Maybe Final Destination?'

'Isn't that scary? I like scary stuff but I didn't think you did…'

'I love horror!' Santana replied.

They made cookies with smarties and drank strawberry milkshakes. After a few cartoons, Santana suggested the film again and got the disc out.

'This is Final Destination 2, my favourite one!' she noted.

'Oh yeah, totally the best one.' Brittany replied.

Santana sat down next to Brittany on the couch and pressed play. The movie wasn't even that scary but Brittany snuggled up to Santana.

'I'm cold.' she explained. Santana said nothing but put her arm around Brittany's shoulder, pulling her closer. Brittany's hair smelt like… Santana couldn't quite put her finger on it but it was a Brittany smell. They were still in their Cheerios uniform when the film finished. Brittany rose from the couch reluctantly and stretched. Santana sat up and yawned.

'What time is it?' she asked, still half-yawning.

'About 9 I think, San,' Brittany replied smiling at Santana. She was smiling more than usual and this didn't go unnoticed by Santana.

'Wow, time really does fly when you're having fun!' Santana winked at her beautiful best friend.

'We should probably get changed for bed! You can borrow some of my pyjamas if you want and we can find an outfit for tomorrow as well.'

'Yeah, sure. Thanks!'

They rushed upstairs to Brittany's room. The walls were white and pink and the walls were covered in posters of various bands and TV show characters. It felt like home to Santana even though she'd only been here once. Perhaps it was just the strong smell of Brittany or the posters or the teddy bears. Brittany handed her a set of pyjamas. Pink with little monkeys on them. So Brittany. Santana let out a soft chuckle.

'What? If you don't like them, feel free to sleep naked.' Brittany said, fake sulking.

'No, I love them. It's just that they scream Brittany. And they're kinda short on me but I like 'em!' They both burst into uncontrollable fits of laughter. After a lot of pleading, Brittany convinced Santana to sleep in her single bed.

'I don't want you to sleep on the floor, Britt! It's your bed, I'll just sleep on the floor. Seriously, it's fine!'

'My house, my rules. I insist!'

They tucked themselves in and the lights were off. Slowly they got talking again and Santana shared the rumours Rachel had spread about her. Brittany seemed oblivious to the rumour and that made Santana feel better. Brittany did have a tendency to stay out of drama and that was probably for the best. Santana had gotten sucked into it when she found out secrets she didn't want to know.

They stayed up until 4am talking. Santana knew this was the day when they became best friends for real. Brittany fell asleep and Santana also dozed off with a warm fuzzy feeling in her heart.

Santana woke up and Brittany was still snoring gently with her face pressed against her pillow. Santana glanced over and smiled. How did Brittany look so pretty even when she was sleeping. Brittany stirred, let out a low groan and looked over at her friend.

'How long have you been awake?'

'A while.'

'Should've woke me up, San!'

'You looked far too peaceful so I didn't want to.'

They headed downstairs and sat down in the kitchen. Brittany got two bowls, spoons, a carton of milk and poured Lucky Charms into the bowls. They ate their cereal in silence, occasionally exchanging smiles. That was something Santana loved. They could be together in silence without it being awkward.

'We should get dressed,' Brittany announced. Santana nodded and they headed up the stairs.

'I think I can find you something, hang on.' Brittany started hurling clothes out of her drawers. 'How about this?' She held up a black tank top.

'Yeah, that's perfect. Thank you!'

'Now you need some bottoms…' another bunch of clothes was tossed around the room. 'These jeans?'

'Sure, thanks again!' Santana wiggled into the slightly small clothes.

'No problemo, you'd do the same.' They exchanged smiles again. Santana made a mental note that Brittany's smile was amazing.