Author's Note: Sorry for taking so long on this update, I just had a lot of random errands to finish up. Since this is the beginning of their freshmen year, I haven't really put in the other members of the Glee club (I did put some though oops spoiler alert?). Thank you all for taking the time to read this chapter and I made it extra long since it took me so long to write it. I don't encourage drinking at all, but if any of you decide to please be wise about it! I don't own Glee at all! Let me know if you see any grammatical, factual, etc. errors! I'll correct them as soon as possible.
It wouldn't be until another year later when they were at the susceptible age of fourteen that Brittany would get reacquainted with an extremely intoxicated Santana. Their first week of high school was both exciting and nerve-racking, but Santana made damn well sure that they'd sorted into the cool kids category. That wasn't that hard though considering that they were already two of the coolest girls in middle school, of course it would be such a smooth transition for them to enter high school with the same intimidation and popularity status as they had in middle school. The only problem was impressing the upperclassmen. Luckily for both girls, puberty came knocking on their door over the summer, and they both found themselves with decent-sized breasts for fourteen year old girls. Combined with their naturally attractive visages, slim physiques, and fashionable clothes they found themselves easily invited into the school's first house party – cool kids only. It would be at this very party that Santana does her best to impress her peers only to misjudge her own limitations. It would also be the first time Brittany is introduced to alcohol and finds out what kind of drunk she is.
"How do I look?" Santana asks as she turns around to face Brittany. She's wearing a tight black sheath dress, the kind that hugs all the right places and emphasizes the right assets. Her breasts have grown, but they're still small and she thanks God that she decided to go with this one instead of the strapless one. The top is sheer with an illusion neckline allowing her beautiful collarbone to be seen. It's an elegant dress considering the party she's going to is for her fellow peers instead of her father's co-workers and yet she feels a greater need to make an impression. She's wearing some new black pumps to go with the dress, which gives her extra an two-and-a-half inches. If she were to stand right by Brittany, maybe they'd be the same height. Her hair is down and curled, and it cascades elegantly over one shoulder. She has on some silver hoop earrings, not the ones with the diamonds that her parents gave her a while back, but the simple ones that still shine brightly in the light.
"Hot." It's all Brittany can say really because she's a little bit speechless. Her friend has always been one of the most beautiful people she's ever met, but like this… she's breathtaking.
"Yeah? On a scale from that animal sweater wearing Rachel Berry to Megan Fox, what would I be?" Santana turns around to continue glancing at her reflection in the mirroring as though fearing of any possible imperfections, not that that was really possible. Brittany only wishes Santana could see herself as she does because Megan Fox can't possibly hold a candle to Santana.
"You'd be like a five-thousand, seven-hundred, and seventy-eight, San," she says twirling her hair. The question dangles on her tongue though, "You think Megan Fox is that hot?"
"Random number much Britt? And yeah, she's been in every dude's locker ever since those Transformer movies and I got to admit, she's smoking," Santana comments while applying just a smidge more red lipstick.
"She smokes?" Brittany asks curiously.
"Probably, but I meant that she's so hot she burns everyone who touches her and hence the smoke," Santana explains as she turns around to apply the same red lipstick onto Brittany's lips.
"Oh, I get it!" Brittany says quickly before pursing her lips so her best friend can evenly apply the lipstick. Once done, Santana glances at Brittany's face to make sure the makeup is just perfect allowing Brittany to speak again. "And the number was how many Kelvin the sun is, which is super hot. I'm pretty sure you'd be even more smoking if you were the sun."
"Aww, thanks Britt. You look hot too," Santana genuinely smiles and Brittany knows that she means it.
"We always look hot."
"Not gonna argue with you there," Santana laughs before going to her bathroom again to spray some perfume.
"So whose party is this again?" Brittany says just loud enough so that Santana can hear her over the fan in the bathroom.
"Not too sure, but John told Katie told Lindsey told Jack told me that it's definitely one of the best parties of the quarter. If we can prove ourselves here, we'll be one of the cool kids for sure."
"Wait I thought we were hot, why do we want to be cool?" Santana imagines Brittany scrunching up her nose as she asks the question. It's been so long that they've been friends that she can imagine almost every expression Brittany has when she speaks – not that that's a bad thing. She always finds Brittany very endearing, especially the little faces she makes when she's confused.
"Like popular Brittany," Santana explains as she comes out smelling like Marc Jacob's Daisy. She holds out a silver charm bracelet to Brittany and then extends her right wrist so that Brittany may fasten the jewelry.
"Oh, I knew that, sorry I was still thinking about temperature," topics with similar words can confuse Brittany, but Santana is always patient enough to explain. As Brittany finishes clasping the hook, she admires as the beautiful silver sits exquisitely on Santana's small wrist. "We gonna drink there?"
"Yup, and I know it's your first time drinking, but just enjoy yourself. Just drink enough until you feel a buzz and then stop, you don't want to get too drunk and become a mess," Santana states as she pulls another charm bracelet from the nightstand and fastens it around Brittany's left wrist. They're matching friendship bracelets, something the two of them got for each other before high school started.
"How will I know when I'm buzzed?" Brittany wonders, not even sure if Santana knows the answer because it's not like the two of them really have drank. There was that exception a year ago when Santana went through her parent's stash though.
"Um, you'll just know. It's one of those things, when you feel it you'll know."
"Okay," she accepts the answer because what more can she ask. If Santana says you'll know it when you feel it then she must be right. However, she still fears about finding out what kind of drunk she is herself. Does buzzed mean drunk? Will she end up crying like Santana or barf and possibly embarrass them both? Concerned about the possibilities, Brittany decides to pipe up a suggestion. "Can we have a code word just in case something happens?"
"What would happen?" Santana asks not because she doubts Brittany, but because she doesn't want to think anything could possibly go wrong.
"I don't know, but just in case like what if a creeper dances with me?" Brittany plays with the small heart dangling from the chain. Her thumb attempts to feel the engraving of her own initials – B.P. It feels a bit foreign to her, which is strange because their her initials, but she's spent so much of her time wearing the same charm bracelet with another set of initials – S.L. That's how their friendship bracelets worked; they wore each other's initials as a way of stating they were each other's best friend. However, Santana had the last minute decision that wearing that may seem a little… gay, so they switched it so each girl would wear her own initials.
"There won't be any creepers Britt-Britt, this is a selective party," Santana reassures as she gets back up to go to the mirror to check her appearance.
"I know but just in case? Please like for emergencies?" She pleads because what if something does happen like she gets lost, or some boy tricks her into doing something she shouldn't be doing, or…
"Well, I guess just in case some guy tries to make you do something you don't want to do. What should our word be?" Santana asks.
"How about…I love to dance," Brittany suggests excitedly.
"Brittany, the point is to have a word you normally wouldn't use. You do love to dance and besides, that's a phrase it's too long."
"Oh yeah, sorry that was d-" she's about to say, but is immediately cut off by Santana's angrily walking towards her.
"Nope! Don't even say what I think you're going to say. It was fine, just for the wrong occasion. How about we use the word…" Santana grasps Brittany's hands so tightly that Brittany thinks her fingers are going to turn purple.
"Oh I know! Banana!"
"Banana?" Her hands loosen up in the confusion of Brittany's strange choice.
"Yeah because banana kinda sounds like Santana, so when I say it, it might catch your attention!"
"Santana Banana…" Santana slowly says feeling absolutely ridiculous as the words roll off her tongue. It sounds like something from a horrible Dora the Explorer episode.
"It's cute," Brittany takes this opportunity to poke Santana's dimples.
"Fine, but what about you," had it been any other person Santana would not even allow such a suggestion, but this is Brittany. She's always an exception.
"Umm… how bout kidney?" Brittany says in the same enthusiastic tone as she did before.
"Kidney? Well I guess no one's really going to be saying that during a party?" Santana secretly hopes she wouldn't have to go around the party saying kidney. What would they think she was doing? Though in reality she prefers not having to say either, there will be no issues.
"Right, isn't it awesome!" Brittany proudly smiles at Santana before hearing Santana's phone vibrate near her. With Santana still getting ready, Brittany is second in command to Santana's phone in case someone tries to reach her.
"Is that my phone Britt? Can you check if it's Jack? He's that senior kid that's giving us a ride."
"Jack Ass?" Brittany slowly says. She knows she hasn't heard all the surnames in the world, but the combination of Jack with the last name Ass just seems a bit… bad.
"Yeah."
"His last name is Ass?"
"No he just has a fine one, though now thinking about it, it makes him sound like he's a jackass. He's not."
"He says he's here," Brittany says after typing in Santana's password and opening up their chat session. As best friends, they both gave each other their passwords in case one needed to use the other's phone for some reason. Then again it wasn't that hard considering that Santana's password was just Brittany's birthday and Brittany's password was Santana's birthday. Hard to forget.
"Perfect, tell him to press 7894 and to drive to my house, it's the one on the first left then all the way down until you're at a corner. It has Lopez on the gates, he won't miss it."
"Okay," Brittany lies back down on her back and lifts her legs into the air as she types the message. It's embarrassing, but Santana can see her panties and she blushes for even looking in the first place. Brittany's wearing nothing more than a simple blouse with short shorts, but the shorts are slightly big on her and Santana can see the bright pink panties.
"And change him to Jack with the fine ass."
"Done!" Brittany goes to the contact list and changes the name and wonders just how fine of an ass Jack has. She secretly hopes he doesn't turn out to be an ass because that would be disappointing. Soon, Santana says she's ready to go and Brittany hops off the bed to link pinkies with her best friend. The two of them walk together down the stairs and make their way to find Jack.
"I can't believe your parents haven't been home for two days," Brittany comments as she passes down the family pictures by the staircase.
"Well you know how it is…" Santana says a bit too solemnly. After last year's incident, Santana has disclosed more information about how she feels about her family to her though. It makes her feel special like Santana really does trust her.
"Yeah and that's why I'm going to sleepover tonight!"
"Hells yeah, as long as Jacky boy does everything we ask and doesn't fuck up our night," Santana laughs before locking the front door and waving at the car, its beams of lights directed at them. She can faintly hear the music of Usher coming from his car and she rolls her eyes that of course he would be a fan of the person who has a song called "Get in My Car."
"Nice house," comes a very husky voice as the window of the car rolls down to reveal a handsome guy wearing a single plaid shirt.
"Nice car, Jackie, I thought the boy with the scar and the young Ronald McDonald crashed it when they flew into the tree," Santana jokes as she gets him. Brittany worries that he might not understand Santana's humor and misinterpret her words as insult, but as soon as she hears him laugh she relaxes.
"I bought it with my own money, and haven't you heard of vintage? This car's a classic." But Santana jut rolls her eyes.
"Hi, I don't think we've met, I'm Jack Russell," he says as he turns around and extends a hand to Brittany, who's already sitting in the backseat.
"Like the dog?"
"Just like it, but you can call me JR if you want."
"I'm Brittany Pierce," she reaches and grips his hand.
"And you already know my fabulous self," Santana states before getting into the car to sit by Brittany.
"Ha, yeah Satan Loco," Jack acknowledges.
"That's Santana too sexy Lopez and Brittany too hot for you Pierce to you Jacky," she says as she leans over and pinches his cheek. Brittany marvels at their interaction and in a way it seems they've known each other much longer than just a week of school.
"Is she always like this," Jack complains as he rubs at his sore cheek. By his grin, Brittany can tell that he knows Santana doesn't mean any animosity and actually likes his company. For some reason it makes Brittany a little jealous.
"Not always, but sometimes." Santana gasps at Brittany's comment and playfully slaps Brittany's arm.
"No I'm not! And hurry up or we're gonna be late!"
"You girls just going to sit in the back, what am I your chauffer?" he asks as he shifts the gear of his car to drive and speeds off.
"Basically, now let's go!"
"Your jokes slay me, Santana."
"So how do you guys know each other?" Brittany wonders and watches as Santana busily begins attending to her phone to text other people to see who's going to the party or update her status on Facebook.
"He's the TA in my history class," she says not looking up from her phone, the screen's illumination brightening her face so Brittany could remember how much work Santana put into her appearance. She was so beautiful even with the bluish glow.
"She kept staring at me in class, and when I was passing out the syllabus for the class on the first day, I dropped the stack of papers right in front of her and when I bent down to get it, she said…"
"Wanky," Santana chuckles. Brittany watches as Jack grins in the rearview mirror and she grows a little more envious of their friendship. How come she never heard about him until now?
"Thanks."
"What you have fine written all over your ass," Santana reassures.
"We talked a bit after class and both concluded we're both pretty cool kids."
"Yeah if you think being a huge history dork and reciting the amendments to the Constitution makes you cool," she lifts her head up to give Brittany that look – one that basically says he's-so-hot-but-such-a-nerd-I-don't-get-it.
"I think it's cool," Brittany admits. She was never that great at school-related stuff, so hearing someone who was so hot and so good at school was really cool. She didn't even know someone could be both. She thinks those smart kids were all mostly robots.
"Why thank you Brittany."
"So how do you guys know each other?" Jacks asks as he quickly glances at the two of them through the rearview mirror.
"Best friends since we first met in middle school," Brittany smiles at the memory of embracing a very reluctant young Santana.
"Yeah? Brittany seems so sweet though I don't know how she's able to handle a girl like you, Santana," Jack comments and surprisingly he's not the first to make that observation. But what people didn't ever really see was that Brittany could be sometimes equally as cruel and Santana just as sweet.
"Fuck you Jacky boy!"
"She's awesome. She's the best friend I've ever had," she moves her right hand over to link her pinky with Santana's left pinky. Hidden by the darkness of the car, Santana allows for the comforting gesture and even tightens the hold for a bit. Sometimes Brittany knows that it offends Santana that everyone thinks that she's a bad person.
The moment they arrive, Santana realizes just how many cars are parked outside of the host's house. She gulps in anticipation of her moment of breaking into the cool crowd. She's been waiting for this moment since school started and now here is her chance to prove to everyone her worth. As soon as they parked, Santana releases her pinky from Brittany, who seems a bit disappointed from the lack of touch. The house seems to shake from the music, the bass rumbling against the glass threatening to shatter and make its way out. The girls follow closely by Jack as he leads them inside and as soon the door opens, it shocks them to see how many people are already there. They see a plethora of people do a variety of things. Some people were making out on the staircase, others were dancing with a red cup in their hand, the contents undeniably something they weren't supposed to be drinking at their age, but who gives a fuck right?
"JR hey!" says a tall muscular blonde who gives Jack a high-five. He wears the McKinley varsity jacket and Santana immediately pegs him as a somebody worth getting to know.
"Looks like yet another awesome party Ryan," Jack says patting Ryan's back in admiration.
"And who are these ladies?" Ryan asks as he walks between them and puts his arm around both their waists. Santana takes the opportunity to lean into his embrace and notices just how muscular the guy was. It was kind of a turn on.
"Upcoming Cheerios, Santana Lopez and Brittany Pierce. Freshmen," Jack introduces, not really enjoying how Ryan's hands seem to go lower to nearly be able to cup the girls' bottoms.
"Fresh meat, eh?" Ryan smirks and in playing her role, Santana suggestively raises her eyebrow at him. He may be the host of the party, but he was an easy target to fall for her charms.
"Well you know the rules, JR, newcomers gotta shotgun a beer!" it wasn't what Santana thought he was going to say, but she wasn't going to mind getting a little drunk and experiencing what a high school party is like.
"San, we have to shoot a bear? What if I miss like Dick Cheney," Brittany asks a little thrown off by Ryan's accent and the loud music. "I don't want you to go to the hospital."
"I don't think that's what they mean, Britt. C'mon we'll just watch others do it and follow," she shouts into Brittany's ear hoping the girl can hear her. The music loudly pounds against her eardrum.
"You guys done this before?" Ryan asks as he takes them to his backyard and pulls out a couple of beers from the cooler.
"Oh please, I've drank so much alcohol it practically runs through my bloodstream," Santana says and Brittany immediately sees it as a lie. They've barely drank let alone get it to the extent of it running through her bloodstream like that. In fact, last time Santana was drunk was last year and that wasn't exactly the most fun experience she'd think.
"Confident miss aren't we, how bout loser has to take a shot of vodka. With no chaser," Jack suggests with a wink. Brittany hears these strange terms of vodka and chaser and wonders just what they mean.
"Bring it, Jacky boy."
"Santana, what are we supposed to do?" Brittany nervously holds her beer as she spins it between her hands.
"I'm not sure let's just watch these people go first," there's a group of boys and girls who seem to be doing this shotgunning business. She watches as they all raise their beers and drink from the bottom of the car as fast as they can.
"Ladies," Jack takes each of their beers and jams his key into the bottom rim of the beer. A hole is easily created and he hands it back to them. From what they observe, Santana deduces that they're going to have to put their mouths on the newly created hole and as soon as it begins, they open the beer from the top. The pressure, she guesses, will cause a surge of the carbonated drink to flood their mouths and cause them to drink it as fast as they can before it escapes and spills on them. She hopes that Brittany also picked up on these details because this was both their first time.
"All right, are you ready… GO!"
As soon as Brittany and Santana open the can, the surge of liquid surprises them more than they thought it would. The beer shoots into their mouth and both girls quickly swallow the drink to the best of their ability. The beer is bitter and Brittany wonders why people enjoy drinking it, soda is way tastier. Santana too isn't accustomed to the drink and almost pulls the drink away from her mouth before remembering that she's here to impress people. She closes her eyes and does her best to ignore the bitter taste in her mouth and the carbonation stinging her cheeks. Eventually she does finish, but not before having some of the beer escape from the sides of her mouth and dribbling down her chin. She looks to Brittany, who finishes just a little after her with a similar result. Brittany covers her mouth before releasing a loud burp. She then sees Jack, who's already done and just laughing at the sight. Ryan apparently finished long before and went to entertain more guests.
"Haha, looks like someone spilt on themselves, but don't worry I was joking bout the shot. I had a feeling you never did this before, it's okay," Jack says and hands them both a napkin so they can wipe their mouths.
"Here, try this instead, it's a lot better," Jack says handing them the infamous red cup that they've been seeing around in the party. The girls take it and look into the cup to see a very bright red liquid, it smells strangely like fruit punch. This looks and smells more familiar and so Brittany doesn't hesitate putting it to her lips and swallowing, eager to erase the bitter taste of beer from her mouth.
"I like this!" Brittany says excitedly to Santana.
"What is this?" Santana asks, a bit worried since she didn't see where Jack got the drink.
"Secret recipe from Ryan's older brother who's in some frat. Don't worry it's not drugged or anything, just very potent alcohol."
"You not drinking JR? Wimping out?" Santana taunts as she takes a sip of the jungle juice and has to agree with Brittany that it tastes much better. The drink's sweetness belies the strength of the alcohol intermingled with the juices.
"Nah I got to be the DD for tonight remember," he says as he twirls his keys round his index finger.
"You just shotgunned a beer with us," Santana accuses.
"That thing? That hardly does anything to me, now go have some fun, text me when you're ready to leave," Jack says patting on their back before leaving to go back into the house to do who knows what. Santana and Brittany look at each other and giggle about their first shotgunning experience. They take their red cups and follow the music back inside hoping to find a place to possibly dance in spite of how crowded the house is.
The main dance room seems to be the living room and Santana marvels at the giant stereo system blasting the music. The alcohol's effects also seem to slowly catching up to them as they begin to feel warm and allow their bodies to be lulled by the music. Dance was always Brittany's way of self-expression, so when Santana sees Brittany beginning to dance full-heartedly she can tell she's becoming less and less inhibited. Normally a bit shy about new crowds, Brittany seems to have forgotten where she is and begins seductively moving her hips to the beat of the track. Santana follows Brittany's lead and when she's close enough, Brittany places her free hand on Santana's hip as though claiming her. Brittany has also always been the better dancer and so when she gets low and suggestively moves from Santana's lower to upper body, Santana begins to feel a bit uncomfortable with their display of dancing. However, the alcohol already began to slightly work her magic and Santana soon could give less than a fuck of what people think. Besides to anyone else they may just seem like hot girls doing some hot dancing. Soon when Santana lifts the hand with her drink, it collides with Brittany's raising hand causing Santana's cup to spill a bit on Brittany's blouse.
"Shit! Britt, did I get it on you?" the sudden loss of her cup causes Santana to snap from her dance trance.
"It's okay, it's red and pretty," Brittany reassures as she continues to dance and tosses her hair back so that it would stop obstructing her view of Santana.
"I'm gonna go back and get some more."
"You want me to go with you?"
"Nah it's okay, just stay around here, I'll meet up with you," Santana disappears into the crowd and makes her way to the kitchen knowing that there was basically a container of the drink in almost every room.
"Okay," Brittany says to no one in particular. It's not long before she begins to miss Santana and she isn't even sure how much time has passed, but she thinks it's more than it should take for someone to get a drink. She remembers hearing at least three songs and begins to worry that Santana forgot about her. Looking into her cup, she throws the entire thing to the back of her throat and chugs the rest. It's not as difficult since this drink actually tastes good to her and she drops the cup somewhere on the floor, not really caring about the mess she creates. As she slightly falters, she makes her way to the kitchen in hopes of finding Santana and luckily she does. Her best friend is talking to these two guys, some weirdo with a mohawk and some other tall brunette in JV jackets.
"You didn't come back," Brittany slightly slurs as she stands by Santana and throws and arm around Santana's shoulders.
"Sorry, I got blocked by these stupid idiots, who wouldn't let me leave until…,"
"Tequila shots!" The boy with the mohawk chants out as he high fives the guy next to him. He eyes Santana a little too much for Brittany's liking and so she decides to take up the challenge hoping it'll make them leave them alone.
"Let's do it San," Brittany says as she grabs the bottom of Patron from mohawk-boy's hand and messily pours it into tiny little Dixie cups placed neatly on the counter. She spills some of the counter for the first two cups and fills only a little more than half for the other two, which she plans on for them to have because who knows what they're drinking or what they're doing.
"You sure?" Santana inquires as she accepts the small paper cup from Brittany.
"Yeah, why not," Brittany almost takes a swig of the drink before mohawk-boy stops her.
"Whoa Blondie, that's not a Tequila shot, Finn get the salt and lime!" the taller brunette by the name of Finn soon returns and the mohawk-boy, who turns out to go by the name of Puck, teaches them the "proper" way of drinking it. The girls lick at the skin on their hand between the index and thumb in that small crevice and pour a bit of salt on it. They're then given a lime to hold in the other hand and are instructed to lick, drink, and suck. They commence a cheers before all four of them do a Tequila shot… then another… then another. The alcohol begins to hit Brittany even harder and she reaches behind to stabilize herself as the noise of the stereo. It's some Nicki Minaj song and it's like the music is possessing her body because she starts to dance without being aware of it.
"How are you feeling," Santana asks noticing her friend's behavior.
"Happy, I feel really warm San. Is this the buzz?" Brittany asks as she lifts her heavy head to look at a somewhat confusing image of Santana. Her limbs feel heavy, but they're still moving.
"Yeah that's it, you'll be fine," Santana whispers to her and lovingly moves some loose strands behind Brittany's ear.
"How are you?" Brittany asks Santana, she has a hard time focusing on Santana's brown eyes… those beautifully dark brown eyes. She always thought brown wouldn't be a very pretty color for an eye color, but Santana's are the exception. They're brown, but just… so… damn…
"Fine," Santana says.
"Yeah, exactly."
"Huh?"
"You're not buzzed?" Brittany wonders and somehow she really wants to dance. She needs to dance, except that it's so hot.
"No, hey Bryan! Your alcohol is shit, I don't feel a single thing," Santana shouts out to that random guy they met in the beginning, that guy this party has to thank for.
"The name's Ryan, and here come with me then Lopez, I have a secret stash of the really good stuff," he grabs Santana somewhat forcefully. Santana, in turn, grabs Brittany because she wants her to go with her, but Brittany has other plans.
"Let's go, Britty,"
"But I wanna go dance," Brittany whines as Santana's grip tightens on her bicep.
"After we get more alcohol," Santana explains.
"No! Dance timeeee," the e draws out and Brittany does a spin to get out of Santana's hold. She grabs the sides of the door frame to allow herself to indulge in this strange feeling taking over her body. She kind of likes it, how warm and happy and how much she doesn't care about what happens if she decides to dance in front of her.
"I'll be right back – " Santana promises, but Brittany's already out of the kitchen and back somewhere in the living room. She begins to feel the buzz hard and becomes hypersensitive to the alcohol that had gotten her shirt wet. That combined with the heat she feels from either the alcohol or the many other bodies in the living room prompts her to take off her top to the delight of many of the boys and disdain of the girls. She tosses it to the floor and begins to dance, unsure of with whom. She has a drink on her hand, some random cup that she found on the table, and happily dances with the boy, girl, or whomever in front of her while occasionally sipping the beverage. Her eyes are closed and she just lets this feeling take control. Seeing everyone will just make her dizzy. How long has she been dancing? The alcohol blurs her sense of reality and time. She follows the beat of the music before finally opening her eyes when she hears someone cry her name out.
"Kidney! Kidney! Kidney!" it was their codeword!
"Banana?" Brittany stops her movements and suddenly everything becomes a lot clearer. She gives an apologetic look to the boy she's dancing with to find the source of her codeword. Strange how a sense of distress snaps you out of a drunken state.
It's Santana, who's leaning against the banister of the staircase, slowly making her way down. She's crying. Immediately, it snaps Brittany out of her buzz and all that matters is seeing what's wrong with Santana. She meets Santana halfway when she sees her crying. Brittany's worried about what happened but Santana has trouble standing up. Santana clings to her in a way Brittany is unfamiliar with and she looks around to see if there are any clues. Santana's breath reeks of alcohol.
"What's wrong?"
"I…I couldn't… I…"
"San, it's okay, I'm here now,"
"What the fuck?" Ryan comes out of the room buttoning his pants and it enrages Brittany to know the possibility of what could've happened. Did they…
"You! What did you do to her!" Brittany angrily stares at him accusingly and if she didn't have to stabilize Santana, she would have hit him.
"Nothing! We were just drinking and then we started making out and suddenly she started crying saying kidney. What the fuck is wrong with her kidney?" he shouts and she could smell the alcohol on his breath as well. The two of them are clearly very intoxicated.
"You kissed her?!"
"Yeah, because she wanted to!"
"Why did you do that, she's drunk? And why were you buttoning your pants!" Brittany is furious and this is exactly the reason she set up those codewords in the first place. She wasn't hoping they'd actually have to use them, but now that she knows that Santana has been violated…. She… she hates herself for not having gone with Santana and protecting her.
"Why does it matter to you anyway, what is she your girlfriend or something?" Ryan sneers and never did Brittany realize that such a word could seem so dirty, so negative. He probably didn't even mean it, but Santana seems to have a similar belief because she somehow stands up in Brittany's arms and walks towards him. Her finger jabbing into his chest with each word.
"Fuck you! She's not my girlfriend, Slobbermouth Mcsmall Dick. Don't you dare yell at her!" something he said must've offended her greatly and Brittany wonders if it's because he insinuated that they were lesbians or that he yelled at her. This was the first time the first happened, but the latter has frequently happened when people say she is dumb.
"Calm your small ass tits, dear God," Ryan covers his ears. Their speech gets drowned in the music and with all the yelling, Brittany wonders if anyone can hear their conversation. Then again no one seems to be paying attention because they all seem to be concentrating on something else.
"Hey what's going on?" It was Jack.
"JR!" Brittany cries in relief of the familiar face.
"Hey Brittany. Is Santana okay?" He sees Santana slamming her fists into Ryan's chest before slumping to the side and falling to the ground. Brittany immediately goes to catch her friend and rubs Santana's back as the girl cries in frustration over the entire situation muttering about finding something.
"JR, you know these sluts," Ryan stumbles over to his friend already forgetting the fact he met them earlier. Then again he problem doesn't remember more than half the people in his house.
"Yeah they're my friends, what'd you do Ryan," Jack asks sternly holding Ryan at arm's distance.
"Why the fuck does everyone think I did something. We were just making out and she freaked," he explains.
"I got it from here dude," Jack states and for some reason that seems to work in Ryan's book. Drunkenly, he walks past the group and makes his way downstairs as though to find another girl to drink with. He awkwardly puts his arms around the first girl he sees, but because of his popularity the girl smiles welcomingly instead of pushing him away.
"Sorry about that," Jack leans down to help Brittany pick Santana back up. True to his word, Jack hasn't drank since that first beer. Brittany becomes extremely grateful that Jack wasn't an ass at all and seems to be a pretty genuine guy. "Don't worry he seems just as drunk. He won't do anything or even remember anything."
"Can we go home?" Brittany pleads and Jack nods in agreement. While the party was still going on, Santana was definitely in no condition to continue with this. The loud music is also beginning to cause ringing in her ears.
"Can Santana get down the stairs?"
"I got her," Brittany wishes at this moment that Santana wasn't wearing such a tight shirt otherwise she would've given her a piggy back.
"I can carry her if you want."
"No! Britty!" Santana slurs out.
"It's okay JR, I got her. I'll be fine, I know I don't look it, but I'm pretty strong," she winks at him. Santana stands and wraps her arms around Brittany so the two can slowly make their way down the stairs.
"All right, but I'll just be a couple steps before you," Jack says moving just as slowly in case they slip.
"Thanks JR."
They get Santana into the car after a bit of resistance. The girls sit in the backseat and this time Jack makes no smartass remark, but rather respects their privacy. Santana lays her head quietly on Brittany's shoulder, her pinky seeking out her best friend's for that feeling of comfort again. As Jack begins his drive, it dawns on Brittany that it might be a better idea if they go to her house. She knows where all the headache medicines are for home.
"Actually JR, can you take us to my place, it's closer."
"No problem, just let me know where it is."
In many ways, Brittany's house is very different from Santana's. She lives in a one story house that is painted a soft yellow on the outside. The house seems to clash with all the other ones that around it, she lives in one of those neighborhoods where most of the houses look the same. It's strange, but yet seems to match the Pierce family. They were all warm hearted individuals with a spark of quirkiness. The Pierces always encourage their children to live out their imagination and to pursue the things that made them happy. Home would always be there to support them and so they painted it yellow like the sun. They would always watch them from afar and give them the necessary warm, support, and nutrients for their children to become wonderful people. Santana often supposes that's why Brittany is so kind because she was raised on kindness and love. Santana's house, on the other hand, while extremely beautiful and large is mostly empty and cold on the inside. The gates around it seemed to repel people and it appears unwelcoming. That was never the case of Brittany's house though, Santana always feels welcomed there.
Before arriving, Brittany decides to send a courteous text to her parents explaining minimally what happened. Their text back seems to show no judgment and only say that they are glad Brittany is so responsible. They've left waters and medication on the table near the couch. When they do arrive, Jack helps Brittany bring Santana to the front door, he doesn't want to enter their house since he doesn't really know Brittany. Once Brittany manages to lead Santana to the couch, she goes out to give Jack a huge hug for being so kind. He shakes his head and says that he's just doing what a guy should normally do for ladies. She tells him that she'll text him the following morning regarding Santana's condition and he thanks her. They wave goodbye to each other, and Brittany returns to the couch to find Santana crying again.
"Brittany! I'm so glad you're here," Santana opens her arms to indicate her desire for a hug and Brittany gladly fulfills her wish. The embrace lingers a bit longer than Brittany normally hugs Santana, but she happily stays in her best friend's arms. She suddenly realizes that she is indeed still just in a bra and she becomes even more appreciative that Jack never leered or attempted to do anything lewd.
"Of course I'm here," Brittany whispers into Santana's hair and rubs Santana's back in circles.
"I couldn't… I couldn't find you. I was so scared," Santana's nails dig into Brittany's back as though almost to confirm her presence and to ensure that she wouldn't leave her.
"It's okay," she gives one last squeeze before putting some distance between them so she can see Santana better.
"No! No it's not because you weren't with me and you were gone. And this guy was there and he told me that I was really pretty and started kissing me, and I just wanted to find you."
"I was just downstairs, but I'm sorry I wasn't there to prevent that," Brittany frowns at the thought it was her fault Santana was violated.
"I COULDN'T FIND YOU!" Santana drunkenly yells as tears stream down her face.
"It's okay," Brittany reassures because they were together now.
"I was so scared! I thought… I thought something might have happened and I wasn't there to protect you or be with you and…"
"San…" it was strange because Brittany was the one who felt guilty about the entire situation. Why was Santana worrying about her?
"You're the only person I care about in this stupid, miserable, stinking world. You are the light in this fucking dark world and when I don't know where you are, I get scared. I get so scared Brittany,"
"I'm fine," she leans forward to hug Santana again, letting the physical intimacy of the embrace soothe Santana that she is indeed fine.
"I know… I know, but… but… you're not going to stay with me forever… you can't."
"Why can't I? I told you before I'd always be there for you and always be your family."
"We're in high school Brittany, you're going to make other friends who are prettier, smarter, nicer, cooler than me… and realize what a shitty friend… no, shitty person I am. You're going to leave and I can't… I can't stand the thought of losing you," Santana's voice gets smaller with each confession. Brittany is taken back by the information because Santana is always so set on joining the cool kids and making as many friends as possible, Brittany swears she should be the one worried about this. Santana is all those things described and much more, Brittany always secretly worries that she'll just forget about her and leave her to be with the popular kids or that she'll be a burden on Santana. Thus to hear this, that it is Santana who has this thought is utterly strange, but flattering. However, it's not the case she would ever forget Santana because she's the first person to believe in her. And besides, they're best friends.
"Santana, I'm not going anywhere, I'll always – " but she gets cut off.
"You're my best friend Brittany. I care for you so much and I know I don't always show it, but I feel like you're the only person to ever just get me, ya know? You're my only and best friend," Santana takes the moment to wipe a lone tear before giving Brittany a sad smile.
"I get that, I feel the same way," Brittany attempts, but Santana cuts her off again not istening.
"But I'm a bitch, Brittany. I'm a horrible bitch and… sometimes I don't even understand why you're friends with me," Santana shuts her eyes and a new fresh batch of tears emerge. She curls into a small ball and pushes herself away from Brittany.
"San…"
"No don't even try to tell me I'm not, I know I'm a bitch. And maybe that's why people are always so careful around me because I hurt them."
"You've never hurt me, San, and I like you even if you can be a bitch at times."
"I just don't get it… you're one of the nicest people ever and I'm just such a fucking bitch and if it wasn't for you I'd probably have no one in this world… no one…" It's as though Santana is unwilling to listen. Brittany figures it must be the alcohol taking control of her mind because this discussion of feelings is way more than sober Santana would usually allow. It reminds her of how lonely Santana felt before with her family.
"San, you're more than what you think you are. You can be kind too, and you're amazing, and smart, and gentle, and selfless. Remember all those times you've defended me, you're not just a bitch," Brittany leans forward to take Santana's hands and pull her out of her fetal position. She pulls Santana's hands so that Santana can lay her head in Brittany's lap while letting her fingers run through the dark, curled tresses. "Plus if you are, it's because all those other people suck."
"You think so?" Santana hums.
"Of course."
"But I don't want to get in your way when you should be doing the things you want in high school too. I was the one who told you which classes to take, to join Cheerios with me, to go to this stupid party!" It's so weird that Santana doubts herself and is so unsure of herself again. It frustrates Brittany because it's as though Santana isn't listening again and she's just going to control rambling, so Brittany finally decides to make sure Santana is listening.
"SANTANA!" Wide brown eyes look up into Brittany's blue ones and for a second it looks as though Santana is worried that she's made Brittany angry.
"I care about you a lot too, more than you probably even know. I like hanging out with you, and all these things have been fun because they've been with you. I like these classes because I get to sit by my best friend and write funny messages about the people in class. I like being in the Cheerios because I get to dance with my best friend. And this party, it was fun because I got to do so many new things with my best friend. I don't care what happens to us in high school as long as we're together," Brittany confesses with ease. If she could, she would tell Brittany everything that was ever on her mind. Her concerns about life, school, their friendship, their relationship… but Santana was always so quick to shut that part of herself out that Brittany figures that it wasn't something that should be said. But now, with Santana showing so much vulnerability, Brittany figures it's time to do some reassuring. She loves her best friend and she wants her to know. Santana twists her face so it presses into Brittany's naked stomach and begins to cry.
"And maybe I'll want to do some things differently, but I'll tell you. And maybe sometimes we'll disagree on things and not do things together, but that doesn't mean I'll ever leave you, or forget you, or not want to hang out with you five minutes later," Brittany tucks some strands behind Santana's ear and leans in so Santana is sure to hear this. "You are my favorite person. Ever."
"You're my favorite person too," Santana says in return and peeks from her hiding spot of Brittany's tummy. Brittany gazes into Santana's eyes and then briefly glances down to Santana's lips. She's not sure if maybe the alcohol in her own system is making her braver than normal, but she feels herself leaning slowly towards Santana's own lips. She notices that Santana too closes her eyes and in that moment Brittany realizes that this can completely change their relationship… but that it would be under the influence of alcohol. She would be no better than Ryan when he was with Santana in that room. She doesn't doubt that their line in their friendship has been slightly becoming more and more blurred, but was Santana ready to cross it? Brittany knows she herself definitely is, she's always cared for Santana. Thus, as Santana closes her eyes as though waiting for that kiss, Brittany pulls back. When Santana doesn't feel Brittany's lips, she opens her eyes to see a very contemplative Brittany.
She's not going to remember most of this anyway Brittany tells herself, and it's true with the amount Santana has drank…. Brittany's going to regret doing something without Santana being aware of it. But seeing Santana so upset makes her feel like Santana shares the same kind of feelings as she does and just chooses not to act on it. Santana has never been good for talking about her feelings anyway and after seeing how defensive she was when Ryan made the lesbian comment, and the whole switching bracelets thing, Brittany knows that talking about their relationship at this point of their lives wasn't going to be the right time.
"Britt?" Santana squeaks and Brittany smiles at how cute of a sound it is.
"Yeah?"
"I'm really tired."
"Let's go upstairs then and sleep in my bed?" She did promise a sleepover. And Brittany had to admit she was a bit sleepy as well. On the side table were two bottles of water left by her parents, Brittany grabs them and hands them to both so they can be hydrated and hope that the next morning they won't have huge headaches.
"Okay… you're so good to me," Santana says as she gets off of Brittany's stomach and blushes slightly noticing that her friend is basically in her underwear. Oh well, Brittany will just have to buy another top, which means another shopping trip with Santana.
"Because you deserve the best."
"I don't deserve you…" She ducks her head in embarrassment because honestly why is Brittany friends with the bitchiest girl in school.
"Yes, you do. And you have me, always. I promise," she reaches over to link pinkies with Santana.
"I like this…" she shyly admits.
"What?"
"This," she holds up their linked pinkies.
Brittany smiles before telling Santana that they should do it more often because she likes it too. Together they walk to Brittany's room and quickly change into some pajamas, brushing their teeth, before passing out beneath the giant comforter. The following morning though, Brittany is disappointed to find out that Santana truly doesn't remember anything after being on the stairs. And while she'd like to talk more about feelings, she knows it's not the right time. So she smiles and hands Santana some Tylenol for her headache and more water and together they drink away the physical and emotional pain from the day before. Hangovers suck.