Ten

You had seen this scene several times over the past few years. Brittany and you, lying on the grass side by side. Hers and yours backyard had become some kind of your hiding spot, since both of them were surrounded by wooden fences. It was pretty much where you two would spend most of your afternoon, except when Brittany had dance classes. These days you would either spend the afternoon locked in your own room waiting for your parents or Brittany to arrive or would go watch her dance. You rather do the latter.

It's not like you didn't have any other friends. Well, you actually didn't. You could say there were two groups of people you knew: the people you would talk to eventually and Brittany. That would sum school up pretty much.

Being a shy immigrant in Lima wasn't exactly easy. Now, being a shy Latin immigrant in Lima was the worst thing ever. Since the very first day you started school, you were bullied for at least half of your class because of your strong accent and your appearance. Only Brittany had the guts to stand up for you. Not even you had.

But growing up like this made you a bit harsh. Your accent was barely noticeable now, but eventually an asshole would ask you about your green card, or tell you to go back to the kitchen or ask you if you would like to take a job as a maid in their home. When you were five, you would bite back the tears and ignore them. At the age of ten, you'd break their noses. And yes, it was a big change for you, but apparently the principal didn't really appreciate the changes. One more fight and you'll be suspended. And I don't care who your parents are; I am expelling you if I have to, he said.

So yeah, it was just a normal day. Except it wasn't.

"You don't have to beat anyone." Brittany said, her hand brushing on yours. "You don't have to put all these walls around you, San. People would love you if you'd let them see you."

"That's easy for you to say." You grumbled. "You like everyone. And everyone likes you."

"No, they don't." She pouted. "They think I'm stupid."

"Well, you are not." You promised. You are a genius, Britt-Britt."

Your blonde friend smiled, gently switching her body to be closer to you. It was a usual thing; Brittany would lay on you during these times of the day, head on your chest and arm wrapped around you. She claimed she loved hearing your heartbeat. You never argued.

"I won't let them pick on you, Santy." She promised.

Xxxxxxxxxxxx

And she didn't.

For two weeks, every time someone would pick on you, she would fight back. Every single time.

Until the day she didn't.

When you stopped in front of Brittany's house this morning, her mom told you she wouldn't be going to class, because she was sick. You nodded and asked her to tell Brittany you said hi before making your way to school on your own.

And it wasn't that bad. They didn't give you a hard time most of the day, probably because you sat next to Rachel and, though she was incredibly annoying, you knew she wouldn't bother you. And though you really, really missed Brittany, it wasn't that bad.

That until lunch time.

You usually sat with Brittany on lunch time, but not today, obviously. So you opted to sit with Mercedes Jones, one of the people of the talk to group. She was actually the closest person you could call friend, actually. You kinda liked her. Of course, she was no Brittany, but still.

So you grabbed your lunch and tried to make your way to Mercedes' table as quickly as you could. And you probably would have made it, and probably would have had a not so awful day, if it weren't for Thomas Anderson and his friends on your way, smacking your tray and making all of your food fall on your clothes.

"What the hell!" You hissed, angrily tossing the empty tray on him. He and his friends laughed, pushing you slightly.

"Where's your bodyguard, Lopez?" He sneered. "Don't you need her to be your translator too?"

"Shut it." Stop the violence, Brittany would say. You could literally hear her voice inside your head. "I don't need a bodyguard."

"I'm actually surprised she lasted long." Thomas ignored you. "No one can stand you anyway, you filthy bitch." No violence.

He stood there for a second, laughing and waiting for your reaction. When you didn't move, they left.

Don't cry.

You tried not to run to the bathroom, because – because you weren't weak. You kept biting tears back, ignoring all the weird looks and the laughter. You didn't lock the door on the bathroom; you just tried to wipe your clothes clean as best as you could. It actually made things worse.

Don't cry.

"Here." Your head turned sharply, following the voice. It was Mercedes'. "I always keep an extra. It'll be a little large on you, but –" She handed you a shirt, which you took after a moment.

"Thank you." You mumbled, not daring to look at her. You couldn't –

Don't cry.

She nodded and left. It was almost like she knew you needed to be alone.

Xxxxxxxxxxxx

I'm actually surprised she lasted long.

No one can stand you anyway.

When you walked home, these sentences kept running through your mind. You tried to ignore them; Brittany wouldn't leave.

Or –

You locked yourself in your room. It wasn't supposed to hurt. Why was your chest aching that much? He's just a stupid boy. She wouldn't leave. She would never ever leave you.

No one can stand you anyway.

"I don't need her." You muttered to yourself, embracing your legs and burying your face on your knees. "I can handle myself."

I need her.

Don't cry.

The phone rang. It took you a moment to realize it was ringing, because you were too caught up in your own thoughts. Sighing, you walked towards it.

"Hello?"

"Hi sweetie!" It was Brittany's mom. You smiled a little hearing her voice. "How was school?"

"It was okay, Mrs. Pierce." You lied. "Is Britt feeling any better?"

"A little bit, yes." You sighed in relief, resting your body against the wall. "Listen honey, I have to go to work now to figure some things. Would you mind keeping Brittany some company? She said she's missing you." Your heartache eased a little after hearing that.

She won't leave me.

"Of course!" You answered a bit too excited. "I'll be there."

"Great! I'll open the door for you."

You practically ran to Brittany's house. You needed her. You missed her too. You said a quick hello to Britt's mom before running upstairs straight to your best friend's room. You could hear the sound of the television on; some cartoons she really loved.

"Hey you." She smiled as soon as you opened the door. Her voice was a little hoarse, but she seemed okay. "How was school today, San?"

"Fine." You shrugged, climbing on her bed. She opened space for you, offering her blanket for you to share. "Are you feeling okay now, B?"

"I'm better." She answered. "Mommy made me soup; she said it'll make me strong or something like that. But I don't know, San. Soup never made me really strong. And I have to take it all the time. Like, shouldn't I be looking like Hulk already or something?" You smiled at that, snuggling closer to her.

"I don't think that's what your mom meant, Britt." You said, but she just shrugged. "Will you be good to go to class tomorrow?"

"Probably." You sighed in relief again, resting your head on her shoulder. "How bad was it today, Sanny?"

"Not awful." You lied again. She quirked a brow, her big blue eyes staring at you. "I mean it, Britt."

"You are a terrible liar, you know that?" Brittany mumbled. "Your voice gets funny, and you never look me in the eye." You shook your head, feeling her arm wrap carefully around you. "Tell me what happened, San. You know you can trust me, right?"

"Nothing happened."

"This shirt isn't yours." She pointed out. "And there's a bit of sauce in your pants."

"I dropped sauce in my clothes. Mercedes borrowed me this shirt."

"Stop lying to me!" She snapped angrily. You sat straight on her bed, facing her. "Rachel called. She told me what happened."

"Then why you keep asking?" You hissed, crossing your arms to your chest.

I'm actually surprised she lasted long.

Don't cry.

She sighed. And for a second, you thought you might have lost her. So you kept your eyes shut, because you didn't want to see all the disappointment in her eyes. You didn't want to see her stopping to care about you. But then pale arms wrapped around you, pulling you straight to her chest. She made you lye your head on her chest, her small fingers running through your hair. "It always makes me feel better. To hear your heartbeat, I mean."

You closed your eyes, paying attention to that sound.

"I hope you know he's an awful person." She whispered. "I hope you didn't pay attention to a word he said."

"It's kind of true." You mumbled.

"No, it's not."

"Britt –"

"Do you remember the first time we met?" She interrupted you. "You promised me you'd never leave me."

"I won't."

"I won't leave you either." She moved her hand to your chest, placing it on your heart. "I see you. All of you." You closed your eyes, burying your face to her chest. "You are the best person I know, San. People just don't see it sometimes." You felt tears starting to roll down your cheeks. You didn't try to stop them. "You are so silly sometimes, Sanny."

"I – " You chocked, tears still falling. "I need you, Britt."

"I'm right here." She smiled. "See? Told you. You are silly."

You didn't argue.

Xxxxxxxxxxxx

When Brittany's mom came back, you were fast asleep on her arms. The TV was still on, so she shut it off.

None of your parents had the heart to wake you two up.