The next morning, I texted Santana and told her not to pick me up because my mom was going to take me. I did't want to see her so early in the day and I wasn't sure I wanted to see her later in the day either.

We had gone to Breadstix and hung out with the other Cheerios for awhile and it was like nothing had happened between us. Just like the other 22 times. It was my fault for thinking things were different. It was my fault that I made yesterday more than it was.

I got to school and the first person I saw was Puck. I guess he was out of jail or whatever. Thinking back, I realized I hadn't seen him all week but I didn't think anything of it until yesterday.

I walked past him to get to my locker and he called out to me. "Yo, Ms. Brittany. Where's Santana?"

I turned to him and shrugged my shoulders. "She's your girlfriend, you should know."

"Whoa! Who threw up in your cereal this morning?"

"Eww."

Puck walked to me and blocked my way. He was always nice to me and helped me out sometimes when I got my classes confused and I used to like him a lot. He was a jerk to the lower class, but nice to me. Right now though, he was really annoying me. "It's an expression. So, Santana? Didn't she come to school with you?"

I shook my head. "My mom brought me today."

"Cool. Well, if you see her, tell her not to make any plans today cause we have lots of catching up to do," he said with a smug smile.

I'm glad I didn't eat any breakfast because I would have thrown it up all over him. "She has a phone. Call her."

"I have," he said, "I left like a million messages but she hasn't answered."

I sighed. I just wanted to get away from him. "She probably forgot to charge her phone. I gotta go."

Puck moved to the side and let me pass. "Later Brittany."

I went to my locker, got my things and went to my fist class. I was really glad Santana wasn't in that class with me. I still wasn't ready to see her.

###

I couldn't avoid Santana in my second class because she had the same one and sat next to me. English was my worst subject but I got through it with Santana's help. When I entered the room, Santana was already there.

"Hey," she said as soon as I sat down, "How are you?"

"Fine." I took out my book, notebook and pen.

"Why did your mom bring you to school today?"

"Cause she's my mom and that's what moms do," I said. I hadn't looked at her yet and focused my attention on setting up my stuff. Santana didn't like eye contact so I was just doing what she wanted.

"OK," she said slowly, "Listen, it's Friday. It's our day to hang out, so how about we go out for ice cream after practice, then go to a movie?"

I finally looked at her and saw that she had this weird expression. Almost like she was sorry about something. "You have plans."

"Huh?"

"I ran into Puck and he told me to tell you not to make plans today. He said you guys have a lot of making up to do. He said he left you a million messages." I turned away from her and faced the front of the classroom, watching the other students come inside.

"Oh, he's back," she said. I swear she almost sounded disappointed. She took out her phone and frowned. "Shit. I forgot to charge my phone." She put her phone away and sighed. "Well, so what? He can wait another day. So, ice cream and movie? What do you say?"

I turned to face her again. "Really?" This would be the 11th day in a row. Another new record.

"Really." Santana smiled at me and gave me a wink.

Maybe she felt bad about yesterday and wanted to make it up to me. I let myself smile. "OK. Yeah, let's do it."

"Awesome."

###

When the last bell rang, I went to Cheerios practice. We had a big competition again. I wasn't sure if it really was big since Coach Sylvester said every competition was very important. I didn't care as long as I wasn't sitting in some boring classroom.

I ran to the field and joined the rest of the girls. I spotted Quinn and she looked mad. Again. She always looked mad even when she wasn't. Her resting bitch face was perfection.

"Hey, Quinn!"

Quinn's bitch face transformed to a smiling bitch face. "Brittany! Just the person I wanted to see."

"I can't tell if you're happy to see me or you're planning to double cross me and kidnap my hamster."

Quinn's smile got bigger and she now looked like the sweetest person in the world. "You have a hamster?" I shrugged and shook my head. "OK, well, I'm not going to double cross you. I wanted to see if you could help me nail the last move in the routine. I keep tripping over my own feet. I look like a drunken seal."

"Oh!" I jumped up a little and smiled. I wasn't super smart and I was always the one needing someone to teach me things, but with dance, I was the teacher. Dancing I could understand perfectly. And math too for some weird reason. "I can totally help you!"

"Awesome."

I took Quinn by the hands and put her in position. This was a tricky move and half the squad still couldn't do it but they weren't as important as Quinn. She was our captain. I stood behind her and put my hands on her hips. "So, I saw you last time and you're totally putting all your weight on the wrong side."

"I didn't even realize." She patted my hands and straightened her posture. "OK, Britt. Show me."

I gripped her hips tighter and was about to guide her in the right direction when I looked up and saw Santana talking to Puck across the field. I got a sinking feeling in my stomach that our ice cream and movie time was going to be canceled. I guess they got their Spidey Sense turned on because they both turned to look at me and Quinn.

Puck bit his lip and made this pervert face. Santana scrunched up her face and narrowed her eyes.

"Wooohoo!" Puck yelled from across the field. "Get it Pierce!"

"God, he's such an asshole," Quinn groaned, "I swear he can make a pat on the head seem sexual. Don't listen to him, Britt. Show me the move."

I ignored Puck and Santana and helped Quinn with the move. She did better, but still didn't quite have it down. I positioned myself behind Quinn again and that's when I realized Santana, Puck, Finn and some other football players were standing way closer to us and watching.

"Get out of here," Quinn said, "We're trying to practice. Something you guys should be doing considering you've lost six games in a row."

I smiled and felt like I could relax more. Then I saw the annoyed look on Santana's face.

"Those losses are just a to throw off the other teams." Puck sounded really defensive. "Besides, I'm always up for taking a break to witness some girl-on-girl action."

I rolled my eyes and took my hands off Quinn's hips. "I'm showing her a move."

"I bet you are," Puck leered. That earned him some cheers form the guys.

"Cut it out Puck!" Santana rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Fabray being a clumsy oaf and needing help is nothing to get worked up over."

"Fuck you Santana," Quinn shot back.

Santana smirked. "No thanks."

I wanted those guys to leave so I could finish teaching Quinn before Coach Sylvester showed up. "Well, I want to finish teaching so you guys should go."

"Can't wait to get your hands on Quinn again?" Puck teased.

"God damn it Puck!" Santana almost shouted, "I told you to stop. Besides, if Frankenteen over there wasn't such a wuss, Quinn wouldn't need to get her rocks off from an innocent touch."

"Hey!" Finn stopped smiling and looked mad.

Puck slapped Finn on the shoulder. "Hey, my boy here can do just fine. But I hear Brittany is just as capable of pleasing the ladies. I am I right, Brittany?"

I shrugged my shoulders. I mean, I definitely pleased Santana even if she tried to hide it from me. I had made out with some other girls too and they seemed to really like what I did. "I guess so."

I turned to Santana and saw that she had dropped her hands to her side, making a really tight fists with both hands and shaking a little bit. Her eyes were really wide and her breathing was a bit faster. I frowned. I knew she was scared I'd tell everyone about our special practice, but I would never. One of the rules Santana had insisted we follow when we started practicing, was not to tell anyone.

The only time I sort of slipped was when the Glee club called each other and I said something about me and Santana dating cause we were having sex. I think that's what I said, I really don't remember. All I know is that Santana had been mad at me for that. Luckily, the Glee club forgot about it and never mentioned it again.

"I knew it!" Puck laughed. He lifted his hand wanting me to high-five him, but before I could, Santana pulled his hand down. "Oww! What's your problem?"

"My problem," Santana said, sounding really mad, "Is you harassing my best friend with your idiotic lesbian accusations."

"I didn't say she was a lesbian," Puck said, "I've seen her make out with girls and guys at parties. I was just teasing because I ran into Eva Cruz at the mall yesterday and she asked about Brittany."

"She did?" I asked, surprised. I remembered Eva. She was super cute and nice and we had a serious make out session a few months ago. She went to Carmel High across town but we sort of lost touch. She also had great boobs. "What did she say?"

"Who the fuck is Eva Cruz?" Santana asked.

"That's the chick Brittany had sex with at the Carmel party," Puck said with a smile, "Nice job by the way.'

Santana turned to me so fast I thought her head would fall off. "You had sex with her?"

"No," I said, "We just made out. All I really remember from that party is making out with Eva, dancing, and that bird fountain. I had a lot to drink." I turned to Puck. "Did she say we had sex?"

Puck laughed and shook his head. "Nah, I just hoped that's what had happened. She just wanted me to tell you hi and that she sent you a friend request like weeks ago and you still haven't accepted."

I always forgot to check my requests. "Oops. I'll add her later."

"Is she the one with the really light brown eyes that is always showing cleavage?" Quinn asked me. I smiled and nodded. "Huh. I think that bitch owes me money."

Santana kept staring at me like those SVU cops on that show when they had a bad guy in that mirror room. "I was at that party," Santana said, "I don't remember you going off with any girl."

"That's cause you left me to hang out with Puck an hour after we got there," I said and Santana seemed to back off. That was back when she was teasing Puck and the other football players. She said it was strategy to get in with the popular crowed.

"Whatever," Santana said, "This whole conversations is ridiculous. Brittany was drunk and didn't know what she was doing. She doesn't have sex with random girls and she's definitely not a lesbian, so leave her alone."

Everyone turned to the field when a whistle blew, the coach was calling the football players to line up. All the guys left without another word. I was left with Quinn and Santana staring at me. "What?"

"I never realized," Quinn said, "You do make out with guys and girls."

"Is that bad?" I asked. It didn't feel bad. I liked kissing boys and girls and didn't see what the big deal was.

Santana spoke first. "You shouldn't be making out with random girls at parties."

"But random boys is OK?" Quinn asked with a laugh. "Brittany, you shouldn't be making out with random boys or girls. You're a pretty girl and popular, you should get yourself a boyfriend. Or girlfriend, I don't care. It looks better for the squad if you're in a relationship. Like I am with Finn and Santana is with Puck."

I turned to look at Santana who clenched her jaw and looked away. "So being single is bad?"

"Yes," Quinn said, "This is Junior year, Brittany. It will look bad if you go in to Senior year single."

I took a deep breath. I really didn't like anyone enough to be their girlfriend. Except for Santana. If Santana asked me to be her girlfriend, I'd totally say yes. But that would never happen. "So, if I got a girlfriend, that would be OK?"

Quinn put her hands on her hips. "Look, ideally, it would be best if you dated one of the football players to preserve the popularity lineage. But, if you want to dip your toe in the Sapphic love pond, you're going to have a hard time. We don't have any lesbians at this school."

I knew she was wrong.

Santana finally turned to look at me, and looked really frustrated. "Good grief. Brittany, you're not a lesbian so stop talking about dating girls. Quinn's right, you should get a boyfriend. I say you date Hummel again. You guys were cute together."

"Kurt?" I almost laughed. "We dated for like three days and broke up because he was the gayest gay to ride a unicorn over a rainbow."

"Don't be ridiculous, Santana," Quinn said, shaking her head, "Look Brittany, there's still time. Junior year just started but make sure to find someone before the semester ends."

I really wanted to tell Quinn that this was a dumb idea. Who cares if I'm single or with someone. I dated Mike Chang last year for a few months so that should still count. How is that going to make me a better Cheerio? Sometimes I really hated high school and all its rules. I hoped college wasn't like this.

Coach Sylvester came out to the field and started yelling. Time to get to work

####

As soon as I finished showering and changing into jeans, a white sweater with an elephant on it and my boots, I took my gym bag and went to my locker. I told Santana I would meet her outside at the steps after I got my math book.

Santana said she just needed to check on something and she'd go get the car. She didn't tell me what that was but I figured it had to be important. I went out the back exit that led out to the student parking lot and sat on the steps.

Most of the students were already gone and only the ones who had after school clubs were around. After about 10 minutes I took out my phone to check the time. I got up and walked closer to the parking lot and tried to find Santana's car but I forgot where she parked it.

I unlocked my phone to text her when a text from her popped up.

Sorry Britt, change of plans. Can't make make it after all. How about a raincheck?

It felt like my heart had dropped to my stomach. I put my hand on my chest just to make sure it was where it was supposed to be. It was. I looked at the text again and felt like screaming. I knew it. I knew it as soon as I saw her talking to Puck in the field. This wasn't the first time she had ditched me for Puck and I felt so stupid for not expecting it to happen again.

Before Puck, she would always make sure I came along. She told me once that she had to put Puck first now that they were a couple. When I dated Mike, I always put her first and I couldn't understand why she couldn't do that with me.

I looked out into the parking lot again and spotted Santana, Puck, Quinn and Finn walking to her car. They were laughing and having fun. Santana unlocked the car and they all got in, Quinn and Finn in the backseat.

I quickly texted her back.

That sux. Next time then.

I saw her bow her head and within seconds I got a reply.

Cool.

I rolled my eyes and put my phone away. I saw Santana's car drive out of the parking lot and I suddenly realized I didn't have a ride home. When Santana had invited me out, I had called my mom and told her I didn't need a ride.

"Shit."

The days were getting really short and it was already getting dark. I knew it would be totally dark before I even got halfway home.

"Brittany?"

I jumped a little at the voice behind me and turned around. It was Rachel. "Oh, hey."

"What are you doing staring out into the parking lot? Do you see a a man with a raincoat?" she asked, as she scanned the parking lot.

"Uh, no. I just…I don't have a ride so I was about to start walking home."

"Oh." Rachel adjusted her backpack and stepped closer. "Well, as captain of the Glee club, it would be irresponsible of me to let a fellow member walk home alone in the dark. I will give you a ride."

Santana and Quinn always told me that I should be mean to Rachel because she was annoying. And, yeah, she was annoying but I didn't like being mean to her. Or anyone actually. Right now though, Rachel was not being annoying, she was being nice. "Thanks Rachel," I said and smiled, "That would be awesome. I'm so tired from practice so walking was not going to be fun."

"Of course!" Rachel grinned really big and started walking to the parking lot. "I'm glad to help. Good thing I stayed late to practice some songs. Come on, my car is this way. I like your sweater by the way."

"Thanks." I followed her to her car and started to feel better about being ditched.

"I have an array of animal sweaters," Rachel said, "I have an elephant one as well, but in blue."

"Awesome. I have a bunch of animal shirts and sweaters too. Maybe we can share."

We talked about animal clothes while we drove away from the school and I realized this was the most time I had spent with Rachel alone. She wasn't so bad. She was super full of herself, but I was finding out that everyone was.

"Brittany, I have a proposition for you," Rachel said halfway through the trip.

I hugged my bag to my chest. "Are you asking me to have sex with you?"

"WHAT?" Rachel swerved a little too hard. She got control of her car before she spoke again. "No, of course not. I was simply going to ask if you would like to join Kurt, Mercedes, Tina, Artie, and me for some ice cream. I'm supposed to meet them there in a few minutes."

"Oh, umm, are you sure? I don't want to, like, ruin your five-way date."

Rachel laughed. "I insist. You joined Glee rather late last year and we haven't gotten a chance to get to know each other. Come on. What do you say?"

I bit my lip and thought about Rachel's offer. I was going to get ice cream anyway, and my mouth had been ready for it all day. The only thing different would be the people. I thought about going home and spending the rest of the night alone watching TV. That did not sound fun. "OK, I'll go. But only if you give me a ride home after."

"Deal!" Rachel made a turn and we headed to the Lima Plaza.

I could hang out with other people too.

-tbc-

A/N: Thanks for the reviews and follows. As I mentioned this story will sort of follow the show but I'm mixing events and times around. I hope you all are liking it so far.